The Times-Picayune 01-23-2026

McMahonpushes‘patrioticeducation’

BY PATRICK WALL Staff writer

The country’stop education official returned to Louisiana this week as part of anationwide tour, where she praised the state’s educational gains, joined the governor in aschool second-line andplayed the role of national cheerleader for what President Donald Trumphas called “patrioticeducation.”

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon‘svisit,whichincluded stops on Wednesday at Sophie B. Wright Charter School andThe National WWII Museum, was part of across-country tour celebrating America’s250thanniversary this year and promotinganunapologetically pro-America civics and history education. That promotion started as soon as she addressed the hundreds of students gathered in the Sophie B. Wright auditorium “I want to hear aresounding cheer from all of you,” shesaid, “forthe greatest country in the world: the United States of America!” Howtoteach America’sstory to students is aperpetuallycontentious topic, but today’spolitical

Audubonunveils newprices

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

Twomonthsafterpausinga widely unpopular and steep price hike onannual memberships to the zooand aquarium, the Audubon Nature Institute hasunveiled anew pricing structure with more modest increases and new options for zooand aquarium-only memberships. The new prices go into effect March 2

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

Six weeks ago, attorneys for the Archdiocese of NewOrleansand clergy sex abuse survivors agreed to asettlement in the long-running bankruptcy of the local Roman Catholic Churchthatwillpay survivors more than $230 million.

andwill raisethe price of annualmembership to Audubon’sfacilities about 25% over current prices —far less than the 90% increases rolled out in November

Under the new pricing structure, an allaccess membership to the zoo and aquarium for afamily of four is $275, compared to about $220 before.

Theupdated membership rates were designed to offer more cost-effective options for guestswhile continuing to

provide unlimitedvisits and exceptional value, AudubonsaidWednesdayafter presenting thenew rates to the Audubon Commission, the organization’s governing board.

“Our updated membership options for2026allow us to balanceaffordable access with responsible carefor our animals, ensuring Audubon remains a

Cold front expected across N.O. area

Rain likelybefore freezing temperatures

BY KASEYBUBNASH Staff writer

The freezing rain and ice associated withanincoming winter storm appear increasingly likely to miss NewOrleans over the weekend, but bitterly cold temperatures and wind chills are all but certain early next week. Cities north of Baton Rouge and Bogalusa, andinseveral surrounding states,are bracing forpower outages, infrastructure failures andiced-overroadsand bridges. ButNational Weather Service forecasters said Thursday that thenorthshore, NewOrleans and coastal parishes are morelikely to see good old regular rain Saturday through Sunday evening. Overnight lows Friday and Saturday night are forecast to stay wellabove freezing, though weather serviceforecasters said they will continue to closely monitor the situation. Some lingering rains Monday morning could coincide withfreezing morning lows, according to theweatherservice forecast.

Gov. Jeff Landry urged residents to planahead forthe potentially dangerousconditions at anews conference Thursday,warning that the storm could cause serious

ä See COLD, page 4A

ing theeffort to challenge thefees

Thursday,the two sides were back in court arguing over how much the lawyers in thecasewill get paid.

As of December,legal andprofessional fees topped $52.7 million, according to bankruptcy court documentsfiled in late December

That doesn’t include millionsmore in fee applications that have yet to be filed. The issue of legalfees has surfaced periodically throughout the long-running case. But U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Meredith Grabill ruled in 2024 that thequestionof whethercertain fees were excessive —and whohas legalstandingtochallenge them —would be settled after thecasewas resolved, not before. The court is revisiting the issue now thatthe settlement has been finalized,though survivors have yet to receive their first checks.

“Legal fees have been outrageous, and they just don’tstop.”

“I thinkatthe end of the day,this case is going to be $60 million and six years,” said SorenGiselson, whorepresents dozens of survivors in the case and has been lead-

The archdiocese on Thursday declined to comment, but pointed to remarks ArchbishopGregory Aymond made aboutthe cost of the case in 2024, when he said he was

ä See FEES, page 4A

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

The Audubon Nature Institutehas unveiled anew pricingstructure that will

U.S. Secretary of Education

McMahon

Human fetal tissue use in NIH research banned

The Trump administration announced Thursday that human fetal tissue derived from abortions can no longer be used in research funded by the National Institutes of Health.

The policy, long urged by anti-abortion groups, expands restrictions issued during President Donald Trump’s first term.

The tissue, which otherwise would be thrown away, has been critical for certain research, including ways to fight HIV and cancer Opponents of fetal tissue use say there are now alternatives, although many scientists say there aren’t always adequate substitutes.

In a statement Thursday, NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya acknowledged the agency “has long maintained policies governing the responsible and limited use of human fetal tissue in biomedical research.”

NIH documents say the policy doesn’t end the use of “cell lines” created years ago from fetal cells. Those are cloned copies of cells, such as embryonic stem cells, adapted to grow continuously in labs.

Playground covered with more than 50 swastikas

NEW YORK A crew of vandals covered a Brooklyn playground in a Jewish neighborhood with more than 50 swastikas during a two-day attack, police and city officials said Thursday

Members of Community Board 12 alerted the 66th Precinct on Tuesday after the hateful graffiti was found peppered throughout the park.

After board members and police toured the playground, the vandals returned Tuesday night, drawing more than 25 swastikas on the playground equipment, the sidewalk and the handball courts, bringing the total over two days to 57.

Pictures of the vandalism shared by Community Board 12 show red and blue swastikas on the handball courts along with the words “Adolf Hitler.” Fla. AG’s memo taunted minorities, Democrat says TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier was being deliberately provocative when he released a memo on Martin Luther King Jr. Day stating he wouldn’t enforce or defend dozens of laws that mention race, the Florida House minority leader said Thursday

“I think he did it, basically, to flaunt that he has the power and to do it to taunt Black and brown people in Florida,” said Democratic Rep. Fentrice Driskell.

On Monday, Uthmeier issued a news release announcing an opinion identifying more than 80 state laws that he wrote “promote and require racial discrimination on its face.”

“Therefore, I requested, and I am now giving, an official legal opinion in writing on a question of law relating to my official duties,” the opinion states.

The list of laws varies widely, from programs to recruit minority physicians to student scholarships and efforts to encourage minority-owned businesses to bid on government contracts He wrote that he would not defend or enforce “any of these discriminatory provisions.”

Hiker who forged on alone found dead

LOS ANGELES Another hiker has died while attempting to summit the highest peak in the contiguous U.S., marking the third reported death on Mount Whitney this season.

The hiker was reported missing Monday after failing to descend the mountain and reunite with a hiking companion, who had decided the prior afternoon to turn around early due to safety concerns, according a post from Inyo County Search & Rescue.

The hiker who was later found dead had decided Sunday afternoon to continue onward alone

A rescue team located the hiker during an aerial search, recovering the body from the north face of Mount Whitney, below the notorious “final 400” stretch, a dangerously steep chute along the route that is particularly challenging to navigate in the winter months.

UVALDE SCHOOL SHOOTING

Acquittal shifts focus to next case

Officer found not guilty of child endangerment

BY JIM VERTUNO Associated Press

AUSTIN,Texas

With the acquittal in the first Texas trial over the hesitant police response to the Robb Elementary School mass shooting, prosecutors must now decide how to try their case against the only other officer who was charged.

Adrian Gonzales’ trial was a rare prosecution of an officer accused of failing to save lives by preventing a crime.

For nearly three weeks, Uvalde County’s district attorney laid out a case to jurors how Gonzales did nothing to stop the gunman and bore responsibility for failing to protect the 19 fourth-graders killed in one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history But jurors found Gonzales not

guilty after seven hours of deliberations, leaving Pete Arredondo, Uvalde’s former schools police chief, as the only officer still facing trial over the response to the May 24, 2022, attack, which also killed two teachers.

Uvalde County District Attorney Christina Mitchell declined immediate comment Thursday on plans to proceed against Arredondo, but legal experts said prosecutors will likely consider changes to how they present evidence and witness testimony Prosecutors also will face pressure from victims’ families, some of whom have spent years questioning why more of the nearly 400 officers who rushed to the school the day of the attack weren’t charged.

“Again, we are failed. I don’t even know what to say,” Javier

Cazares, the father of 9-year-old Jackie Cazares, told reporters after Wednesday’s verdict. Gonzales and Arredondo were both indicted on felony charges of child abandonment or endangerment, but the actions behind the counts are markedly different.

Gonzales, who was one of the first officers to arrive that day, was accused of abandoning his training and duty to confront the gunman.

Arredondo, who was deemed the incident commander, is accused of failing to enforce the school district’s active shooter response plan through a series of decisions that led law enforcement to wait more than an hour before entering the classroom where the gunman was.

While officers waited, children and teachers lay dead or wounded inside, and some made emergency calls pleading for help.

The case against Gonzales focused on what he did in the first

NASA, astronauts’ families mark Challenger accident

Space shuttle broke apart at launch 40 years ago

BY MARCIA DUNN AP aerospace writer

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Families of the astronauts lost in the space shuttle Challenger accident gathered back at the launch site Thursday to mark that tragic day 40 years ago.

All seven on board were killed when Challenger broke apart following liftoff on Jan 28, 1986.

At the Kennedy Space Center memorial ceremony, Challenger pilot Michael Smith’s daughter, Alison Smith Balch, said through tears that her life forever changed that frigid morning, as did many other lives. “In that sense,” she told the hundreds of mourners, “we are all part of this story.”

“Every day I miss Mike,” added his widow, Jane Smith-Holcott, “every day’s the same.”

The bitter cold weakened the O-ring seals in Challenger’s right solid rocket booster, causing the shuttle to rupture 73 seconds after liftoff. A dysfunctional culture at NASA contributed to that disaster and, 17 years later, shuttle Columbia’s.

Kennedy Space Center’s deputy director Kelvin Manning said those humble

Recovery

and painful lessons require constant vigilance “now more than ever” with rockets soaring almost every day and the next astronaut moonshot just weeks away Challenger’s crew included schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe, who was selected from more than 100 teachers representing every state. Two of her fellow teacher-in-space contenders — both retired now attended the memorial.

“We were so close together,” said Bob Veilleux, a retired astronomy high school teacher from New Hampshire, McAuliffe’s home state.

Twenty-five names are carved into the Space Mirror Memorial at Kennedy’s visitor complex: the Challenger seven, the seven who perished in the Columbia disaster on Feb. 1, 2003, the three killed in the Apollo 1 fire on Jan. 27, 1967, and all those lost in plane and other on-thejob accidents.

Relatives of the fallen Columbia and Apollo crews also attended NASA’s Day of Remembrance, held each year on the fourth Thursday of January The space agency also held ceremonies at Virginia’s Arlington National Cemetery and Houston’s Johnson Space Center

“You always wonder what they could have accomplished” had they lived longer, Lowell Grissom, brother of Apollo 1 commander Gus Grissom, said at Kennedy “There was a lot of talent there.”

of missing dog brings hope after Spain’s train crashes

BY SUMAN NAISHADHAM Associated Press

MADRID After back-to-back fatal train crashes sent shock waves through Spain, some good news arrived on Thursday: Boro, the missing dog, was found.

Days earlier, Boro’s owner Ana García issued a desperate plea to help find him after the dog bolted Sunday in the aftermath of the high-speed train crash in southern Spain that killed at least 45 people. García, 26, and her pregnant sister were traveling with Boro on the train that derailed

On Thursday forest firefighters in southern Spain found the black-andwhite pooch, and posted images that showed García with one of her legs in a brace embracing Boro.

“Many thanks to all of Spain and everyone who has got involved so much,” she

said. “It gave me great hope and we’ve done it.”

Photos of Boro, a medium-sized black dog with white eyebrows, went viral alongside phone numbers for García and her family Spanish television broadcasters and newspapers covered the search.

García, her sister and the dog had been traveling Sunday by high-speed train from Malaga, their hometown in southern Spain, to the capital Madrid, when the tail of their train car jumped the rails for reasons that remain unclear, and smashed into another train.

The collision killed dozens and injured more than 150 people Rescue crews helped García and her sister out of the tilted train car That’s when she briefly saw Boro before he ran.

On Thursday, she had a bruise beneath her eye but, with Boro back by her side, also a smile plastered across her face.

frantic seconds and minutes after 18-year-old Salvador Ramos began shooting at the school.

Gonzales said he never saw the gunman before he entered the building. Gonzales also noted that he was among the first group of officers who tried to reach the classroom before they retreated under gunfire.

Arredondo was indicted on 10 charges stemming from the excruciating time period when Ramos was inside a classroom while dozens of officers gathered in the hallway, and hundreds more were outside. Arredondo’s decisions included negotiating with the gunman he considered contained. A tactical team eventually forced its way into the classroom and killed Ramos.

Gonzales and Arredondo were indicted on the same day in June 2024, but Arredondo’s trial has been delayed.

Budget

office wants data on money sent to Democratic states

BY GEOFF MULVIHILL Associated Press

Pres id ent Do na ld

Trump’s budget office this week ordered most government agencies to compile data on the federal money that is sent to 14 mostly Democratic-controlled states and the District of Columbia in what it describes as a tool to “reduce the improper and fraudulent use of those funds.”

The order obtained by The Associated Press, comes a week after Trump said he intended to cut off federal funding that goes to states that are home to “sanctuary cities” that resist his immigration policies. He said that would start Feb. 1 but hasn’t unveiled further details.

A memo to federal departments and agencies did not explain why those states were targeted. All but one — Virginia — were either included last year on the administration’s list of sanctuary places or were home to at least one jurisdiction that was.

There is no strict defini-

tion for sanctuary policies or sanctuary cities, but the terms generally describe limited cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“This is a data-gathering exercise only,” the memo said. “It does not involve withholding funds.”

Trump said at a White House news conference Tuesday — the same day the memo went to federal departments — that he still intended to cut off funding.

“We’re not going to pay them anymore. They are sanctuary for criminals,” he said. “They can sue us and maybe they’ll win, but we’re not giving money to sanctuary cities anymore.”

The list of targets includes all fully Democratic-controlled states except Hawaii, Maryland and New Mexico And it includes all the states with nearly all the sanctuary jurisdictions But it does not include some other states that are home to cities or counties on the list: Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Mexico and Pennsylvania.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JOHN RAOUX

Jane Smith-Wolcott center widow of Challenger pilot Michael Smith and daughter

Alison Smith Balch put flowers on a memorial on Thursday during NASA’s Day of Remembrance for the 40th anniversary of the Challenger tragedy at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Cape Canaveral, Fla.

AUDUBON

trusted conservation, education and community partner for generations to come,” Audubon CEO Michael Sawaya said in a prepared statement

The changes came after widespread criticism of Audubon last fall, following the organization’s decision to up the price for its annual memberships ahead of Black Friday holiday sales. Those who went online to renew their memberships or buy new ones during the holiday weekend found the price of an annual membership for a family of four had nearly doubled from $220 to $425.

Annual memberships offer deep discounts off the admission price to the zoo and aquarium and are typically purchased by locals.

Amid negative pushback on social media, Audubon paused the price hikes after several days and said it would roll out new deals in midDecember But after hearing from the community and convening a focus group, Sawaya said Audubon needed more time to make sure it came up with pricing levels that provide value while also helping to close the gap between rising costs and declining revenues.

The new structure, he said Wednesday, will do that

It also will give guests many more options, modeled after those in other cities, with new tiered membership levels that allow families to bring caregivers, for instance. It also has optional addons that provide special access behind the scenes.

One of the biggest changes to the pricing structure is zoo- and aquarium-only memberships, something that hasn’t been available since the early 1990s. Members of the fo-

cus group in December said they would like to see a return to the option, Sawaya has previously said.

A zoo-only membership for an individual will cost as little as $70 a year, $115 for a couple, and $155 for a family of four A family plus membership, which allows access to special events, will cost $190. Annual memberships to the aquarium and insectarium only will cost $90 for an individual, $150 for a couple, $200 for a family basic and $250 for a family plus.

An all-access membership to the three facilities will cost $125 for individuals, $210 for a couple, $275 for family basic and $325 for family plus. The premium level Audubon Krewe — will cost $499 and include benefits like a caregiver pass, flex guest, and five, singleuse guest passes. The changes come a little more than one year into Sawaya’s tenure at the helm of Audubon, which, besides the zoo and aquarium and insectarium, owns and operates seven

other facilities and attractions. Most of those, including Audubon Park, Woldenberg Park, the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center and the Freeport McMoRan Audubon Wildlife Species Survival Center, are cost centers, not revenue generators. Though Audubon receives some public support and has a foundation now run by Sawaya’s predecessor, Ron Forman, the organization has struggled amid rising costs and declining attendance in recent years. It ended 2025 with a

roughly $3 million operating loss, the third year in a row it has finished in the red.

In December, Sawaya said the organization was making up for the 2025 shortfall by taking out a line of credit and reducing expenses, including a hiring freeze. Raising prices also has to be part of the equation, he said.

Email Stephanie Riegel at stephanie.riegel@theadvocate. com.

sickened by the slow pace of progress and escalating legal bills.

“That it has taken four years is an injustice,” he said at the time.

When Aymond placed the archdiocese under Chapter 11 bankruptcy court protection in May 2020 amid a growing number of clergy sex abuse lawsuits, he told the Vatican that the entire case — including a settlement and legal fees was expected to cost around $7 million. That is a fraction of what the final tally will be, not that bankruptcy cases are ever quick or cheap to settle. The complex cases typically rack up steep legal bills because they’re so complicated and can drag on for years.

The Archdiocese of New Orleans case, however, has been particularly costly because it has also been so contentious, marked by tangential legal disputes, sensational allegations and even a criminal probe.

According to Penn State Law Professor Marie T. Reilly an expert in church bankruptcies, the New Orleans case is the second-costliest of the 40 or so church bankruptcies in the U.S., behind only Rockville Centre, New

COLD

Continued from page 1A

issues, particularly in central and north Louisiana

“We are preparing for significant impacts across the state starting as early as Friday in our northwestern parishes,” Landry said.

“I beg you, please take this serious.”

State Climatologist Jay Grymes said north Louisiana should prepare for a “triple whammy” of ice and snow followed by some of the lowest temperatures of the season.

The ice and snow likely won’t make it to New Orleans, but local meteorologist Scot Pilié said on social media Thursday that anyone planning to travel north, east or out of state over the weekend should prepare for significant delays, including long-term road closures and flight cancellations.

A winter storm watch extending 2,000 miles from Arizona to New York was in effect Thursday, Pilié

York, which cost more than $100 million

To date, the biggest share of the legal fees in the local case has gone to Jones Walker, the archdiocese’s attorneys, which has been paid more than $16.1 million as of December, according to court documents. That’s not including some 20% of fees that have been withheld by the court since a 2024 fee dispute.

What’s more, the firm has not filed a fee application with the court since last summer, so it’s unclear how much more is outstanding.

In bankruptcy cases, attorneys are required to submit periodic fee applications to the court for approval since the debtor in this case, the archdiocese — has to pay all the legal bills.

The archdiocese also has to pick up the tab for the attorneys that represent the other side in the case, or the creditors. Those firms, too, have earned millions. Troutman Pepper, a local bankruptcy firm, and Pachulski Stang, a California-based plaintiff firm, which, together represent the court-appointed committee of abuse survivors, have been paid $5.65 million and $5.62 million, respectively, as of December according to court documents.

Stewart Robbins, which represents the small-business creditors, has been paid more than $3 million.

said, and airports across the country are preparing for flight delays.

Major airlines were already issuing alerts to customers by Thursday morning, warning of potential winter weather delays and offering travel waivers and increased flexibility to those hoping to reschedule their trips. Rain could also be a problem for the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus parade, set to roll at 7 p.m. on Saturday night. Weather models Thursday showed warmer than initially expected temperatures for the night of the parade.

“Models have also trended a bit later, with the arrival of more numerous showers and downpours looking more like 8, 9, 10 o’clock and beyond for the better opportunity of rain,” Pilié said Chewbacchus representatives said Thursday that they plan to keep an eye on Saturday’s forecast

“Chewbacchus rolls rain or shine,” they said on Facebook. “However if severe weather presents a life

Dozens of financial advisers, consultants, accounting firms, real estate professionals and others had been paid more than $22 million

Two high-priced mediators that helped resolve the case added to the total, billing out at $1,500 an hour and $750 an hour though their total compensation to date is not listed in court documents.

Though legal fees were the underlying issue at stake in Thursday’s hearing, the specific question before the court was whether certain abuse survivors, specifically, those represented by Gisleson and other plaintiff lawyers, have legal standing to challenge the fees.

Unlike the attorneys representing the official survivors committee, Gisleson and other personal injury lawyers representing individual survivors are paid on a contingency basis.

Gisleson argued that as creditors in the case, his clients have standing to challenge the case. Mark Mintz, who represents the archdiocese, said they do not, citing, among other things, a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

Brad Knapp, who represents the court-appointed committee of abuse survivors and is at odds on the issue with Gisleson’s group, also argued that Gisleson’s clients lack standing to challenge the fees. Even if they did, he noted,

safety risk, there may be adjustments, including a possible shift in the parade start time.”

What will hit the metro area, though, is a brutal cold front, bringing freezing temperatures to nearly all of south Louisiana starting Sunday night that could threaten exposed pipes.

An Arctic air mass will bring the coldest air of the season, with actual temperatures near or below freezing as far south as Grand Isle and frigid wind chills in the teens.

A hard freeze is possible across the New Orleans metro each night Sunday through Tuesday morning, according to the weather service.

Forecasters warned that residents should plan to bring in or cover outdoor plants, insulate exposed pipes, find shelter for pets and check on vulnerable people.

Email Kasey Bubnash at kasey.bubnash@ theadvocate.com.

and convinced the court that certain fees were excessive and should be disallowed, those dollars would not flow to the settlement trust for survivors’ benefit.

“If some of our fees are disgorged, that goes back to the archdiocese,” Knapp said. “It doesn’t go back to the survivors. The settlement trust is what it is — $230 million.”

Later in the hearing, Mintz told the court that Traveler’s Insurance, which represented the archdiocese and its parishes during the 1970s and 1980s, had signed on to the settlement and agreed to contribute an additional $75 million, upping the trust to more than $300 million. Knapp also pointed out that the U.S. Trustee, which oversees the case, will review all fee applications and has the legal ability to reject some or all of them. Following the hearing, Gisleson acknowledged that his clients do not stand to gain financially by disputing the legal fees It’s the principal of the matter, he said. “It’s still dollars, and law firms are bilking debtors to the detriment of the creditors,” he said.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Shelby Turner an Africa keeper with the Audubon Nature Institute, watches as Maverick a nearly 13-foot-tall giraffe, stretches his long neck across a fence to eat a snack.

polarization has cranked up the controversy On the political left, Democrats and some educators — including McMahon’s predecessor Miguel Cardona — have made the case for history instruction that incorporates diverse perspectives and draws a line from past institutions like slavery to present-day inequality On the right, Republicans have called that approach divisive and overly negative, with President Donald Trump saying it “warped, distorted, and defiled the American story.”

Trump has moved to dismantle the Education Department, arguing that it has done little to improve student outcomes At the same time, his administration continues to wield it to influence what happens in the nation’s schools.

Last year, the department said it will fund projects that promote “patriotic education” in schools, and it launched a civics education campaign focused on celebrating the country’s anniversary and “renewing patriotism.”

Trump is “really hopeful that this celebration of patriotism, of respect for the flag, of respect of our rights,” will remind students and citizens “that this is the greatest country in the world,” McMahon said during an interview at The National WWII Museum, which she visited after the school.

The push for a more patriotic education has been echoed at the state level. In Louisiana, Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley in 2022 led a reworking of the state’s social studies standards, known as the Freedom Framework, to emphasize “American exceptionalism” while providing a fuller account of the nation’s origins and “journey towards freedom.”

Brumley said during McMahon’s visit that the standards have led to more rigorous history instruction that helps students learn to think critically.

“It’s built on the concept of American exceptionalism,” he said, “but it doesn’t bias the students towards that belief.”

Still, some teachers view the Trump administration’s changes as part of a broader effort to limit what students learn about the nation’s darker chapters while put-

ting a relentlessly positive spin on the past.

“Our job as history teachers is to examine the past, not pre-decide the message for students,” said Christopher Dier, who teaches U.S. history at Benjamin Franklin High School in New Orleans. “For us, patriotism means engaging and grappling with the country’s history.”

Trump has long called for “patriotic education” to counter what he has called anti-American ideologies that he says students are exposed to in public school — including the idea that “America is a wicked and racist nation,” as he put it during a speech in 2020.

Last year, he directed the Education Department and other agencies to advance patriotic education, which was defined as teaching American history in a way that is “accurate, honest, unifying, inspiring, and ennobling.”

McMahon’s “History Rocks!” tour is part of that effort, along with the “America 250 Civics Education Coalition” that the Education Department announced in September The coalition, which was tasked with creating educational programs to mark the anniversary of the country’s founding in 1776, is made up of more than 40 conservative groups.

They include the Heritage Foundation, a think tank that helped craft Trump’s second-term agenda; PragerU, which produces “proAmerica” educational content; and Turning Point USA, a youth organizing group founded by the late activist Charlie Kirk that seeks to “advance God-centered, virtuous education for students.”

In 2024, Brumley said Louisiana teachers could use PragerU’s videos to teach social studies. The move drew criticism from Demo-

cratic state lawmakers who called the group “right-wing extremists.”

During her visit, McMahon praised the state’s academic progress under Brumley, with Louisiana students leading the pack on reading growth on the most recent national test.

“To start from next to the bottom then to be more towards the middle of the pack and growing very quickly,” she said, “it’s just really been amazing.”

In August, McMahon celebrated the gains during a tour of a Baton Rouge school. On Wednesday, she was accompanied by Brumley state Board of Education members and Gov Jeff Landry on her visit to the Uptown charter school.

She told the students that America’s 250th birthday is an occasion to celebrate the “courage and the exceptionalism that built this wonderful nation.”

“Let’s stand united in upholding what has made America and Louisiana great,” she said.

Brandon Phelps, a senior at Sophie B. Wright, helped escort McMahon on a tour of several classrooms before giving her a feathered parasol to carry during an indoor second-line led by the school’s brass band.

“I felt like it was a great honor,” he said, “to share our Cajun culture.”

After the event, which included a trivia game with questions about U.S. and Louisiana history, 12th grader De’Miyah Doyle said she believes it’s important to learn all aspects of history, including parts that are painful.

“It makes you more humane,” she said, “because you can see from other perspectives how history has treated and affected other people.”

STAFF PHOTO By ENAN CHEDIAK

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley, center, and U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, right, speak during the Louisiana Civics Recognition Assembly at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans on Wednesday.

3involvedinMinn. church protestarrested

BY ALANNA DURKIN RICHER, GIOVANNA DELL’ORTO and JACK BROOK Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS Aprominentcivil rights attorney and at least two other people involvedinan antiimmigration enforcement protest that disrupted aservice at aMinnesota church have been arrested, Trump administration officials said Thursday,even as ajudge rebuffed related charges against journalist Don Lemon.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest of Nekima Levy Armstrong in apost on X. On Sunday,protesters entered the Cities Church in St. Paul, where a local official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement serves as apastor.Bondi later posted on Xthat asecond person had been arrested, followedbya third arrest announced by FBI Director Kash Patel.

The Justice Departmentquickly opened acivil rights investigation after the group interruptedservices by chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” referring to the 37-year-old mother of three who was fatally shot by an ICE officerinMinneapolis earlier this month.

“Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOTTOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP,” theattorney general wrote on X. Cities Church belongs to the Southern Baptist Convention and

NekimaLevyArmstrongholdsupher fist after speaking at an anti-ICE rally Monday in St.Paul, Minn. Levy Armstrong has been arrested after a protest that disrupted achurch service, U.S. AttorneyGeneral PamBondi announced in asocial media post.

lists one of its pastors as David Easterwood, who leads thelocal ICE field office. Many Baptist churches have pastorswho also work other jobs.

Church lawyerspraisearrests

Prominent leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention have come to the church’sdefense, arguing that compassion formigrant families affected by the crackdown cannot justify violating asacred space during worship.

Attorneysrepresentingthe

church hailed thearrests.

“The U.S.DepartmentofJusticeacted decisively by arresting thosewho coordinated and carried outthe terrible crime,” saidDoug Wardlow,director of litigation for True NorthLegal, which calls itself apublic interest civil rights firm,inastatement.

Levy Armstrong, an attorneyand prominentlocal activist,had called forthe pastoraffiliated with ICE to resign, saying his dual role poses a “fundamental moral conflict.”

“You cannot lead acongrega-

tion while directing an agency whose actions have cost lives and inflicted fear in our communities,” she said Tuesday.“When officials protect armed agents, repeatedly refuse meaningful investigation into killings like Renee Good’s, and signalthey maypursue peaceful protesters andjournalists, that is not justice —itisintimidation.”

Protesters appear in court

Alongtime activist in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, Levy Armstrong has helped lead local protests afterthe high-profile police-involvedkillings of Black Americans, including George Floyd, Philando Castile and Jamar Clark. She is aformer president of theNAACP’sMinneapolis branch.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted aphoto on X of Levy Armstrong with herarms behind her back next to aperson wearing abadge. Noem said she faces acharge under astatute that barsthreatening or intimidating someoneexercising aright.

Patel posted on Xthat Chauntyll Louisa Allen, the secondperson Bondi said was arrested, is charged under the Freedom of AccesstoClinic Entrances Act, which prohibits physically obstructing or using thethreat of force to intimidate or interfere with aperson seeking reproductive health services or seekingtoparticipate in aservice at ahouse of worship.

Patelsaid WilliamKelly hasalso been arrested

It’sunclear which attorneys would represent Allen and Kelly Allen and Levy Armstrong are part of acommunity of Black Minnesota activists who have protested thedeathsofAfrican Americans at the hands of police.

Kelly defended the protest during anews conference Tuesday, criticizing thechurch for itsassociation with apastor whoworks forICE. In court Thursday,federal magistrate judge DougMicko granted thewomen bond andrestricted them from traveling outside Minnesota or from going near the church. The government said it would appeal.

Levy Armstrong’sattorney said he offeredfor her to turn herself in peacefully,but the Trump administration insisted on arresting her “They wanted aspectacle,” LevyArmstrong’shusband Marques Armstrong said, recalling around 50 agents came to detain his wife.

The JusticeDepartment’sswift investigation into thechurch protest stands in contrast to itsdecision nottoopena civilrights investigation into the killing of Good. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said last week there was“no basis” foracivil rights investigation into her death.

Administrationofficials have said the officer acted in self-defense and that the driver of the Honda was engaging in “an act of domestic terrorism” when she pulled toward him

Vance: Localofficials must cooperatewithimmigration crackdown

BY MICHELLEL.PRICE, JULIE CARR SMYTH and STEVE PEOPLES Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS Insisting that he was in Minnesota to help “lower the temperature,” Vice PresidentJDVance on Thursday blamed “far-left people” and state and local law enforcement officials forthe chaos that hasconvulsed thestate during the White House’saggressive deportation campaign. He also defended federal agents who detained a 5-year-old boy whilemaking an immigration arrest. The recent turmoil “has been created, Ithink, by a lot of very,frankly,far-left people, also by some of the state and local law enforcement officials who could do amuch better job in cooperating,” the Republican vice president said. “We’re doing everything

thatwecan to lowerthe temperature,”Vance said, adding that he wants “state andlocal officials to meetus halfway.”

The Justice Department is investigating Minnesota’s Democratic leaders, includingGov.Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, over whether they have obstructed or impeded law enforcement through their public statements.

Wa lz an d Frey have de scrib ed the investigation as an attempttobully the political opposition Federal officers stood in arow behind Vance as he spoke, and there were two Immigrantsand Customs Enforcement vehicles emblazonedwith the slogan “Defend the Homeland.

His visit follows weeks of aggressive rhetoric from the White House, including President Donald Trump, who has threatened to invoke theInsurrection Act andsendinmilitaryforces —tocrack down on unrestin the state.Askedabout that option, Vance said, “Right now, we don’tthink that we need that.”

Trump dispatched thousands of federal agentsto Minnesotaafter reports of child care fraud by Somali immigrants. Minneapolisarea officials, including Frey,aswell as the police, religious leaders and the business community have pushedback,and outrage grewafter an agentfatally shot awoman during aconfrontation this month Vancehas playeda leading role in defending that agent, andthe vicepresident previously said Renee Good’s death was “a tragedy of her

Houseapprovesfinal spending bills as DemocratsdenounceICE funding

BY KEVIN FREKING and LISA MASCARO Associated Press

WASHINGTON The House passed this year’sfinal batch of spending bills on Thursday as lawmakers, still smarting from last fall’s record43-day shutdown, worked to avoid another fundinglapse fora broad swath of the federal government. The four bills total about $1.2 trillion in spending and now move to the Senate, with final passage needed next weekbefore aJan. 30 deadline to avoid apartial government shutdown.

Three of the bills had broad, bipartisan support They funded Defense and various other departments, including Education, Transportation and Health and Human Services. Afourth bill funding the Department of Homeland Security was hotly disputed as Democrats voiced concerns that it failed to restrain President Donald Trump’smass deportation efforts. Republicans were ableto overcome the Democratic objections and muscle the Homeland Security billto passage in a220-207 vote The broader package, which fundsa 3.8%pay raise for the military,passed in a34188 vote. Before the votes, House Democratic leadersannounced their opposition to the Homeland Security bill as the party’srank-and-file demanded amore forceful stand in response to theRepublican president’simmigrationcrackdown. Trump’s efforts have recently cen-

tered in the Minneapolis area, where more than 2,000 officers are stationed and where aU.S. Immigration and CustomsEnforcement officerfatallyshot Renee Good, amother of three.

In ajoint statement, the Democratic leaderssaid Trumppromised theAmerican people that his deportation policy wouldfocuson violent felons in thecountry illegally,but instead, ICE hastargeted American citizens and law-abiding immigrant families.

“Taxpayer dollars are being misused tobrutalize U.S. citizens, including the tragic killingofRenee Nicole Good. Thisextremism must end,” said the statement from Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar Democratshad few good options toexpress their opposition to HomelandSecurity funding.

Lawmakers, whenconfronting afunding impasse, generallyturntocontinuing resolutionstotemporarily fund agencies at their currentlevels.But doingsoin this case would simply cede more HomelandSecurity spending decisions toTrump, said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, top Democratonthe House Appropriations Committee.

Also, there was concern that afailure to fundHomeland Security would hurt disaster assistance programs andagencies such as the Transportation Security Administration, while ICE and Customsand Border Protection would simply carry on.They coulduse funding

from Trump’sbig taxcut and immigrationbill to continue theiroperations.ICE, which typically receives about $10 billion ayear,was provided $30 billionfor operationsand $45 billionfor detention facilities through Republicans’ “one bigbeautifulbill.”

Thisyear’sHomelandSecurity bill holds the annual spending that Congress provides ICE roughly flat from theprior year.Italsorestricts the ability of Homeland SecuritySecretary Kristi Noem to unilaterally shift funding and allocate federal dollarsasshe sees fit.The billalsoallocates $20 million for thepurchase and operationsofbodycameras for ICE and CBPofficers interacting with thepublic during immigration enforcement operations. Anditwill requireHomelandSecurity to provide monthly updates on how it plans to spend money from Trump’sbill.

“It’snot everything we wanted.Wewanted more oversight. But look, Democrats don’tcontrol the House. We don’tcontrol the Senateorthe WhiteHouse But we were able to add some oversight over Homeland,” said Rep. Henry Cuellar,D-Texas, amember of theAppropriations panel.

Republicans countered that the Homeland Security bill helps lawmakersaccomplish their most important duty— keeping the American people safe.

“This legislation delivers just that and upholds the America first agenda,” said Rep. TomCole, the Republican chairman of theHouse Appropriations Committee.

own making.” On Thursday, he repeated claimsthat Good “rammed” an agent with her car,anaccount that has been disputed based on videos of the incident. Minnesota faith leaders, backed by labor unions and hundreds of Minneapolisarea businesses, are planning aday of protests Friday Nearly 600local business have announced plans to shut down, whilehundreds of “solidarity events” are expected across the country,according to aMoveOn spokesperson. Vance pushed back against

such criticism and defended ICEagents whodetained the young boy as he wasarriving homefrom preschool.

“Whentheywenttoarrest his illegal alien father,the father ran,” Vancesaid. “Sothe story is thatICE detaineda 5-year-old. Well, what are they supposed to do?”

The boy,who wastaken by federal agents along with his father to adetention facility in Texas, was the fourth student fromhis Minneapolis suburb to be detained by immigration officers in recent weeks.

During an appearance

in Ohio earlier in the day, Vancepraisedthe arrest of protesters who disrupted achurch serviceinMinnesota on Sunday and said he expects moreprosecutions to come. “They’re scaring little kids whoare there to worship God on aSunday morning,” Vance said. “Those people aregoing to be sent to prison so long as we have the power to do so.” He added: “Just as you have the right to protest, they have aright to worship Godastheychoose. And whenyou interrupt that, that is aviolation of the law.”

Vance

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ANGELINA KATSANIS

Smith defends his investigations of Trump

BY ERIC TUCKER, MARY CLARE JALONICK, LISA MASCARO and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith defended his investigations of President Donald Trump at a congressional hearing Thursday in which he insisted that he had acted without regard to politics and had no second thoughts about the criminal charges he brought.

“No one should be above the law in our country and the law required that he be held to account. So that is what I did,” Smith said of Trump.

Smith testified behind closed doors last month but returned to the House Judiciary Committee for a public hearing that provided the prosecutor with a forum to address Congress and the country more generally about the breadth of evidence he collected during investigations that shadowed Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign and resulted in indictments.

The hourslong hearing immediately split along partisan lines as Republican lawmakers sought to undermine the former Justice Department official while Democrats tried to elicit damaging testimony about Trump’s conduct and accused their GOP counterparts of attempting to rewrite history

“It was always about politics,” said Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the committee’s Republican chairman.

“Maybe for them,” retorted Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin, referring to Repub-

licans. “But, for us, it’s all about the rule of law.”

The president posted on his Truth Social account that “Deranged Jack Smith should be prosecuted for his actions” and asserting without any evidence that the prosecutor had committed perjury

Smith told lawmakers that he stood behind his decisions as special counsel to bring charges against Trump in separate cases that accused the Republican of conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election after he lost to Democrat Joe Biden and hoarding classified documents at his Mar-aLago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. “Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President

Trump engaged in criminal activity,” Smith said.

Spar over phone records

Republicans from the outset sought to portray Smith as an overly aggressive, hard-charging prosecutor who had to be “reined in” by higher-ups and the courts as he investigated Trump. They seized on revelations that the Smith team had subpoenaed the phone records of a group of Republican lawmakers on and around Jan. 6, 2021, the day Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol.

The records revealed the incoming and outgoing phone numbers as well as the duration of the calls but not the content of the communications, but Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, said the

episode showed how Smith had “walked all over the Constitution.”

Smith has repeatedly justified the move as necessary to document any contact that Trump or surrogates may have had with lawmakers as he was pressing them to delay the certification of his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.

“My office didn’t spy on anyone,” Smith said, explaining that collecting phone records is a common prosecutorial tactic.

Wide-ranging conspiracy

‘Sinners’ sets Oscars nomination record

BY JAKE COYLE

AP film writer

Ryan Coogler’s blues-steeped vampire epic “Sinners” led all films with 16 nominations to the 98th Academy Awards on Thursday, setting a record for the most in Oscar history Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voters showered “Sinners” with more nominations than they had ever bestowed before, breaking the 14-nomination mark set by “All About Eve,” “Titanic” and “La La Land.” Along with best picture Coogler was nominated for best director and best screenplay, and double-duty star Michael B. Jordan was rewarded with his first Oscar nomination, for best actor Paul Thomas Anderson’s fatherdaughter revolutionary saga “One Battle After Another,” the favorite coming into nominations, trailed in second with 13 of its own. Four of its actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn — were nominated. In those two top nominees, the film academy put its full force behind a pair of visceral and bracingly original American epics that each connected with a fraught national moment. Coogler’s Jim Crow-era film the rare horror movie to win the academy’s favor — conjures a mythical allegory of Black life. In “One Battle After Another,” a dormant spirit of rebellion is revived in an out-of-control police state. For Coogler, the 39-year-old filmmaker of “Fruitvale Station” and “Black Panther,” it was a crowning moment.

One of Hollywood’s most esteemed yet humble filmmakers, Coogler has called “Sinners” — a film that he will own outright 25 years after its release — his most personal movie.

“I wrote this script for my uncle who passed away 11 years ago,” Coogler said in an interview Thursday “I got to imagine that he’s listening to some blues music right now to celebrate.”

Reached by phone an hour after the nominations were read, Coogler speaking alongside his wife and producer Zinzi Coogler and producer Sev Ohanian was still trying to process the movie’s record-breaking haul.

“I love making movies. I’m honored to wake up every day and do it. I was writing last night. That’s why I didn’t get too much sleep,” said Coogler chuckling “Honestly, bro, I still feel a little bit asleep right now.”

The 10 films nominated for best picture are “Bugonia,” “F1,” “Frankenstein,” “Hamnet,” “Marty Supreme,” “One Battle After Another,” “The Secret Agent,” “Sentimental Value,” “Sinners” and “Train Dreams.” Guillermo del Toro’s lush Mary Shelley adaptation “Frankenstein,” Josh Safdie’s period ping-pong odyssey “Marty Supreme” and Joachim Trier’s family drama “Sentimental Value” all scored nine nominations.

Chloé Zhao’s speculative Shakespeare drama “Hamnet” collected eight nods. With the notable exception of del Toro, those filmmakers filled up a best director category of Anderson, Coogler, Safdie, Trier and Zhao, who in 2021 became the first woman of color to ever

win the award.

The nine nods for “Marty Supreme” included a third best actor nod for 30-year-old Timothée Chalamet With Jordan and Chalamet, the nominees are Ethan Hawke for “Blue Moon,” Wagner Moura for “The Secret Agent” and DiCaprio for “One Battle After Another.”

Reached by phone Thursday, DiCaprio said the nominations for “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners” signaled a sea change in an industry where studios have largely shied away from big-budget original stories.

“To me what matters is great ideas and original filmmaking,” said DiCaprio. “I think there’s this tide of change that is going to happen no matter how we feel about it.”

Nominated for best actress was the category favorite, Jessie Buckley (“Hamnet”), along with Rose Byrne (“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”), Kate Hudson (“Song Sung Blue”), Renate Reinsve (“Sentimental Value”) and twotime winner Emma Stone, who landed her sixth nomination, for “Bugonia.”

The year’s most-watched movie, “KPop Demon Hunters,” scored nominations for both best song (“Golden”) and best animated feature. Sony Pictures developed and produced the film, but, after selling it to Netflix, watched it become a worldwide sensation.

Blockbusters otherwise had a difficult morning. Universal Pictures’ “Wicked: For Good” was shut out entirely The biggest box-office hit nominated for Hollywood’s top award instead was “F1,” an Apple production that landed four nominations.

Smith said one reason he felt confident in the strength of the case that prosecutors had prepared to take to trial was the extent to which it relied on Republican supporters of Trump.

“Some of the most powerful witnesses were witnesses who, in fact, were fellow Republicans who had voted for Donald Trump, who had campaigned for him and who wanted him to win the election,” Smith said.

Smith was appointed in 2022 by Biden’s Justice Department to oversee investigations into Trump, who has denied any wrongdoing.

Both investigations produced indictments against Trump, but the cases were abandoned by Smith and his team after Trump won back the White House because of longstanding Justice Department legal opinions that say sitting presidents cannot be indicted.

The hearing unfolded against the backdrop of an ongoing Trump administration retribution campaign targeting the investigators who scrutinized the Republican president and amid mounting alarm that the Justice Department’s institutional independence is eroding under the sway of the president.

Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., also asked Smith at one point if he was concerned the Trump administration would try to prosecute him.

Under questioning, Smith described what he said was a wide-ranging conspiracy to overturn the results of the election and recounted how the Republican refused to listen to advisers who told him that the contest had in fact not been stolen. After he was charged, Smith said, Trump tried to silence and intimidate potential witnesses against him.

GOP sees other motives

Republicans, for their part, repeatedly denounced Smith, with Rep. Kevin Kiley of California accusing him of seeking “maximum litigation advantage at every turn” and “circumventing constitutional limitations to the point that you had to be reined in again and again throughout the process.”

Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va., challenged Smith on his team’s requested court order to restrict Trump from making incendiary comments about prosecutors, potential witnesses and other people involved in the case. Smith said the order was necessary because of Trump’s efforts to intimidate witnesses, but Cline asserted that it was meant to silence Trump in the heat of the presidential campaign. And Jordan, the committee chairman, advanced a frequent Trump talking point that the investigation was driven by a desire to derail Trump’s candidacy

“We should never forget what took place, what they did to the guy we, the people, elected twice,” Jordan said. Smith vigorously rejected those suggestions and said the evidence placed Trump’s actions squarely at the heart of a criminal conspiracy to undo the 2020 election.

“Our investigation revealed that Donald Trump is the person who caused Jan. 6, it was foreseeable to him,” Smith said, adding that Trump also “sought to exploit the violence.”

Smith responded: “I believe they will do everything in their power to do that because they’ve been ordered to by the president.”

BY MATTHEW LEE and ALI SWENSON Associated Press

WASHINGTON The Trump administration is expanding its ban on U.S. foreign aid for groups supporting abortion services to include assistance going to international and domestic organizations and agencies that promote gender identity as well as diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

An administration official said Thursday that the State Department would release final rules that expand the scope of the “Mexico City” policy that has already severely reduced assistance to international organizations that provide abortion-related care. The policy was first established under President Ronald Reagan, rescinded by subsequent Democratic administrations and reinstated in Trump’s first term.

The new rules would halt foreign assistance from going toward not only groups that provide abortion as a method of family planning but also those that advo-

cate “gender ideology” and DEI, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the rules’ publication in the Federal Register on Friday The change, which threatens billions in funding for groups around the world, was part of a series of actions that the Trump administration timed to this week’s anniversary of the now-overturned Roe v. Wade ruling and anti-abortion activists’ annual March for Life in Washington. The official said the expanded policy would apply to more than $30 billion in foreign aid that the U.S. provides and would cover not only foreign and U.S.based aid agencies but international organizations. Beirne Roose-Snyder, senior policy fellow at the Council for Global Equality said, “It’s hard for me to even begin to anticipate how destructive this will be.” SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser said the Trump administration presented it to them alongside other new actions.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JACQUELyN MARTIN

Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, left standing, takes an oath before the House Judiciary Committee, as former Washington Metropolitan Police Department officer Michael Fanone, right seated, looks on, Thursday at the Capitol in Washington.

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Trump sues JPMorgan over being ‘debanked’

NEW YORK President Donald Trump sued banking giant JPMorgan Chase and its CEO Jamie Dimon for $5 billion on Thursday over allegations that JPMorgan stopped providing banking services to him and his businesses for political reasons after he left office in January 2021.

The lawsuit, filed in MiamiDade County court in Florida, alleges that JPMorgan abruptly closed multiple accounts in February 2021 with just 60 days notice and no explanation. By doing so, Trump claims JPMorgan and Dimon cut the president and his businesses off from millions of dollars, disrupted their operations and forced Trump and the businesses to urgently open bank accounts elsewhere.

“JPMC debanked (Trump and his businesses) because it believed that the political tide at the moment favored doing so,” the lawsuit alleges.

Debanking occurs when a bank closes the accounts of a customer or refuses to do business with a customer in the form of loans or other services. Once a relatively obscure issue in finance, debanking has become a politically charged issue in recent years, with conservative politicians arguing that banks have discriminated against them and their affiliated interests.

In its statement, JPMorgan said that it “regrets” that Trump sued the bank but insisted it did not close the accounts for political reasons.

Under Armour looking into data breach

BALTIMORE Clothing retailer Under Armour is investigating a recent data breach that purloined customers’ email addresses and other personal information, but so far there are no signs the hackers stole any passwords or financial information.

The breach is believed to have happened late last year, and affected 72 million email addresses, according to information cited by the cybersecurity website Have I Been Pwned. Some of the records taken also included personal information that included names, genders, birthdates and ZIP codes.

In an Under Armour statement acknowledging its probe into the claims of a data breach, the Baltimore-based company said: “We have no evidence to suggest this issue has affected UA.com or systems used to process payments or store customer passwords. Any implication that sensitive personal information of tens of millions of customers has been compromised is unfounded.”

Ryanair CEO dismisses Musk buying airline

LONDON Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary on Wednesday dismissed Elon Musk’s idea of buying the budget airline and shrugged off insults from the billionaire, in a war of words that erupted over installing Starlink systems on aircraft.

The spat between one of the world’s richest individuals and one of Europe’s most outspoken corporate bosses has been escalating for days. O’Leary said last week that the airline had ruled out putting Musk’s Starlink satellite Wi-Fi on Ryanair planes because the extra fuel drag from the system’s antennas would be too costly Responding to Musk’s accusations that he was “misinformed,” O’Leary told an Irish radio station that “I would pay no attention whatsoever to Elon Musk, he’s an idiot.” Musk fired back on his social media platform X, calling O’Leary an “utter idiot” and an “imbecile.” He posted, “Should I buy Ryan Air and put someone whose actual name is Ryan in charge?” and polled his followers on the idea of buying the airline, with 76.5% responding yes

O’Leary told reporters in Dublin, where Ryanair is based, that non-European citizens can’t own a majority stake in a European airlines. Musk was born in South Africa and lives in the U.S. O’Leary, who’s known for trolling critics, thanked Musk for “additional publicity.”

BUSINESS

NOLA.COM/BIZ

Stocks up after tariff threat nixed

BY STAN CHOE Associated Press

NEW YORK U.S stocks rose again Thursday and regained more of their losses for the week following the latest walk back by President Donald Trump from tariffs he had earlier threatened

The S&P 500 gained 0.5% and added to its big gain from Wednesday, when Trump said he had reached “the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland” and called off 10% tariffs for European countries that he said opposed his having the Arctic island. The index has recovered most of the losses it took after Trump shook financial markets with his initial tariff threat.

It’s the latest example of Trump making a big, initial threat, only to pull back after seeing how much pain it created in financial markets. The pattern has led to the

“TACO” acronym, suggesting that “Trump Always Chickens Out” if markets react strongly enough. Tuesday’s drop for the U.S. stock market was the worst since October and large enough that Trump, who often takes credit when Wall Street is doing well, acknowledged “the dip.”

But the pattern has also led to deals for Trump that outsiders may have initially considered unlikely if not for his market-shaking opening moves.

Details are still sparse about the framework of a deal on Greenland that Trump said he reached with the head of NATO. And it is not a signed deal yet.

Financial markets were still showing some signs of nervousness on Thursday Gold’s price swiveled between small losses and gains before turning 1.6% higher Its price often rises when investors are looking for something

safer to own. The value of the U.S. dollar also weakened against the euro and several other foreign currencies.

But Treasury yields held relatively steady in a signal that foreign investors weren’t rushing out of the U.S. bond market.

Yields got some support from reports on the U.S. economy’s strength that came in better than expected. One said fewer U.S workers applied for unemployment benefits last week than economists expected in a potential signal that the pace of layoffs remains low A second suggested the U.S. economy grew at a faster rate during the summer than the government initially estimated.

A third said that inflation in November was close to economists’ expectations, while spending by U.S. consumers was a touch better than expected.

On Wall Street, Northern Trust

climbed 6% after reporting a stronger profit for the end of 2025 than analysts expected. CEO Michael O’Grady also said that the financial services company is entering 2026 with “strong momentum across all our businesses.”

Procter & Gamble added 2.6% after likewise delivering a better profit than analysts expected. Revenue for the company behind the Downy, Pantene and Tide brands, though, fell just shy of expectations amid what CEO Shailesh Jejurikar called a “challenging consumer and geopolitical environment.”

Shares of BitGo, a company that helps crypto businesses and traditional financial firms hold and manage digital assets, rose 2.7% in their debut on the New York Stock Exchange. The company priced its stock at $18 per share in its initial public offering, above its earlier estimated range of $15 to $17.

FDA reviews Zyn advertising proposal

Philip Morris wants to market nicotine pouches as less harmful alternative for adults who smoke

BY MATTHEW PERRONE AP health writer

WASHINGTON Americans who smoke may soon be hearing a lot more about Zyn, the flavored nicotine pouches that have generated billions in sales while going viral on social media.

The Food and Drug Administration convened a public meeting Thursday to consider whether Philip Morris International should be allowed to advertise its pouches as a lessharmful alternative for adults who smoke cigarettes.

Government documents and presentations made at the meeting suggest FDA regulators are leaning toward approving the company’s request.

But a panel of independent experts asked pointed questions about the company’s research, the risks of underage use and whether the new marketing language would really steer smokers away from cigarettes. Nevertheless, they said the proposed risk statement is likely accurate.

“There are very few things that are legally available and worse for you than cigarettes, so it’s a pretty low bar to be safer than cigarettes,” said Lisa Postow, a panel member and scientist at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

The FDA is not bound to follow the panel’s guidance and will make the final decision on whether to approve the marketing claims There is no deadline for a decision.

Zyn contains nicotine powder and comes in 10 flavors, including mint, coffee and citrus Nicotine pouches have been a rare source of growth in the tobacco industry, where companies have struggled to replace shrinking revenue from cigarettes, chewing tobacco and other legacy products.

Philip Morris asked the agency to approve new marketing language for Zyn, emphasizing its relative health benefits when compared with cigarettes.

Specifically, the company wants to say that using Zyn reduces the risk of “mouth cancer, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke” and other smoking-related diseases Adding that language to Zyn promotional materials would further cement the brand in the U.S., where it

alternative for

dominates sales of nicotine pouches.

Last January, the FDA authorized Zyn to remain on the market after years of federal review, saying company data showed the small pouches are less harmful than cigarettes and other traditional tobacco products. Zyn was the first nicotine pouch to win FDA authorization.

If FDA signs off on the “reduced risk” claims, Philip Morris would be able to use the language in ads, mailing materials and online posts.

“Adults who smoke need accurate information about different tobacco products and the relative risks associated with them,” said Keagan Lenihan, a Philip Morris vice president. FDA scientists appeared to back the company’s proposal, saying “the totality of the evidence” supports the statement that Zyn reduces the risk of various smoking-related illnesses.

But the outside experts noted that Philip Morris did not conduct long-term studies of Zyn users or whether reading messages about lower risks led more smokers to switch.

“Whether or not the claim is going to accelerate that switching, there is no data here to answer that question,” said Cristine Delnevo of the Rutgers Institute for Nicotine and Tobacco Studies, who led the panel.

Philip Morris already sells a similar oral tobacco product, snus, a type of tobacco pouch popular in Sweden and other Scandinavian

countries. Studies in those countries have consistently shown lower rates of lung cancer, mouth cancer and related diseases among snus users when compared with smokers.

The FDA approved a reduced-risk claim for the company’s snus in 2019 and panelists noted that there has been little uptake of those products by U.S. smokers But Philip Morris executives said the language could have an impact over time.

“The more you communicate to adult smokers with this type of claim it will hopefully only increase switching to Zyn,” Lenihan said. In addition to considering potential benefits for smokers, the FDA is required to review the potential harms to young people and nonsmokers.

Representatives from anti-tobacco groups pointed to worrying signs: Videos from “Zynfluencers” and other young people using the pouches have racked up tens of millions of views on social media platforms in recent years.

Andrew Tardiff of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids noted that Philip Morris did not test how its marketing messages might influence teenagers.

“Zyn has features that enhance its appeal to young people. It’s sold in a variety of flavors. It’s easy to conceal. And it can be used discretely,” Tardiff said, citing similarities to Juul, the e-cigarette widely blamed for sparking the recent trend in teenage vaping.

R.I. may ditch Mr. Potato Head license plates

Hasbro moving headquarters to Boston

BY KIMBERLEE KRUESI Associated Press

PAWTUCKET, R.I It’s been no small potatoes that Rhode Islanders have been able to choose the image of Mr Potato Head as a specialty license plate for decades.

Yet with Hasbro’s decision to move its headquarters from the smallest state in the U.S. to Boston, two lawmakers say it’s time to hash out whether Rhode Island should continue promoting one of the company’s most iconic characters.

Under the proposal introduced earlier this month, Rhode Island’s

Division of Motor Vehicles would stop providing Mr Potato Head as an option for a specialty license plate. Currently the plate costs around $40, with half of that amount going to help support the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

Rep. Brian Newberry, a Republican, said in an email that he filed the legislation because Hasbro leaving the state will cause “untold economic harm and loss of tax revenue.”

“There is no reason we should be advertising their products on our license plates,” Newberry said.

“It may seem trivial compared to many other things but it’s a matter of self-respect.”

Mr Potato Head license plates were first issued in 2002 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the beloved toy, which notably has

appeared in the “ Toy Story ” films.

The plates include a small image of Mr Potato Head holding a sign of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and “help end hunger” at the bottom of the plate.

“The license plate started at a time when Mr Potato Head was all over the state and was having a moment,” said Kate MacDonald, spokesperson for the food bank, which has received nearly $60,000 over the years due to the plate. “And while it has tapered off over the years, it’s been a steady way for people to contribute.”

An email was sent to Hasbro seeking comment. The toy company announced last year that it would be moving to Boston by the end of 2026 after operating in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, for nearly 70 years.

Lew Pryeor, who helps collect and distribute food donations to hungry Rhode Islanders, said he was upset when he heard about Newberry’s bill.

“My concern is, any cuts into the food programs is gonna affect some people,” said Pryeor, who lives just north of Providence, the state capital, and often sees people of different backgrounds who need help finding a warm meal.

“For him to say that he doesn’t like the plates, well, that’s your prerogative,” he added. “Don’t buy them. If it’s making money for the state, let it.”

Mr Potato Head has been around since the 1950s, when the original toy didn’t come with a plastic potato. Instead, kids had to supply their own vegetable to poke eyes, a nose or mustache into.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By BEBETO MATTHEWS

The Food and Drug Administration convened a public meeting Thursday to consider whether Philip Morris International should be allowed to advertise its Zyn pouches as a less-harmful

adults who smoke cigarettes.

Warpowersresolutionbarelydefeated

BY STEPHENGROVES Associated Press

WASHINGTON The House rejected aDemocratic-backed resolution

Thursday that would have prevented President Donald Trump from sending U.S. military forces to Venezuela after atiedvoteon the legislation fell just short of the majority needed for passage.

The tied vote was the latest sign of Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson’stenuous hold on the majority,aswell as some of the growing pushback in the GOPcontrolledCongresstoTrump’s aggressions in theWesternHemisphere. ASenate vote on asimilar resolution wasalso tied last week until Vice President JD Vance broke the deadlock.

To defeat the resolution Thursday,Republican leaders had to hold the vote open for more than 20 minutes while Republican Rep Wesley Hunt, who had been out of Washington all week campaigning for aSenate seat in Texas, rushed back to Capitol Hill to cast the decisive vote.

On the House floor,Democrats responded with shouts that Republican leaders were violating the chamber’sproceduralrules.

TwoRepublicans —Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska and Thomas Massie of Kentucky —voted with all Democrats for the legislation

The war powers resolution would have directed Trumptoremove U.S. troops from Venezuela.

The Trump administration told senators last week that there are no U.S. troops on the groundinthe South American nation and committed to getting congressional approval before launching major military operations there.

ButDemocrats arguedthatthe resolution is necessary afterthe U.S. raid to capture Venezuelan

leader Nicolás Maduro and since Trump has stated plans to control the country’soil industry for years to come.

Response to Trump’spolicy

Thursday’svote was the latest test in Congress of how much leeway Republicans will give a president whocampaignedon removingthe U.S. from foreign entanglements but hasincreasingly reached for militaryoptions to impose hiswill in the Western Hemisphere. So far,almost all Republicans have declined to put checks on Trumpthrough thewar powers votes.

Rep. Brian Mast, theRepublican

chair of the House Armed Services Committee, accusedDemocrats of bringing the war powers resolution to avoteout of “spite” for Trump.

“It’s about the fact that you don’t want President Trump to arrest Maduro, and you will condemn him no matter what he does, even though he brought Maduro to justicewith possibly the mostsuccessfullaw enforcementoperation in history,” Mast added.

Still, Democrats stridently argued thatCongress needs to assert itsrole in determining when the president can use wartime powers. They have been able to force aseries of votes in both theHouse andSenate as Trump,inrecent

months, ramped up his campaign against Maduro and set his sights on other conflicts overseas.

“Donald Trump is reducingthe United States to aregional bully withfewer allies and more enemies,” Rep. Gregory Meeks, thetop Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said during afloor debate. “This isn’t making Americagreat again. It’s making us isolated and weak.”

Last week, Senate Republicans wereonly able to narrowly dismiss theVenezuela war powers resolution after the Trumpadministration persuaded twoRepublicans to back away from theirearliersupport.

As partofthat effort, Secretary of

State MarcoRubio committed to a briefing next weekbefore the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

YetTrump’s insistence that the U.S. will possess Greenland over the objections of Denmark, aNATOally,has alarmed some Republicans on Capitol Hill. They have mounted some of the most outspoken objections to almost anything thepresident hasdone since taking office.

Trump this week backed away frommilitary and tariff threats against European allies as he announced that hisadministration was working with NATO on a “framework of afuture deal” on Arctic security

But Bacon still expressed frustrationwithTrump’saggressive foreign policyand voted for the warpowers resolution even though it only appliestoVenezuela.“I’m tired of all the threats,” he said.

Thewar powers debate

Trump’srecent military actions —and threats to do more —have reignited adecades-old debate in Congress over theWar Powers Act, alaw passedinthe early 1970s by lawmakerslooking to claw back their authority overmilitaryactions. The WarPowers Resolution was passed in the Vietnam Warera as the U.S. sent troops to conflicts throughout Asia.Itattempted to force presidents to workwith Congress to deploy troops if there hasn’talreadybeen aformal declaration of war Underthe legislation, lawmakers can also force votes on legislation that directs the president to remove U.S. forces fromhostilities. Presidentshavelongtestedthe limits of those parameters, and Democrats argue that Trump in his second term has pushed those limits farther than ever

‘British invasion’questionpopsupinAlien Actarguments

BY NICHOLAS RICCARDI Associated Press

Afederal judge hearing argumentsThursday over President Donald Trump’s use of an 18th-century wartime lawtodeport Venezuelan gang members had a question: Could apresident use the same law against a “British invasion” that was corrupting young minds?

Jennifer Walker Elrod, chief judge of the 5th U.S. Circuit CourtofAppeals in New Orleans, said her query —areference to the moral

panicinthe 1960s over the arrival of the Beatles and other British bands— was “fanciful,” but agovernment attorney responded thatthe president did have that power andcourts could not stop him.

“Thesesort of questions of foreignaffairs and thesecurity of thenation are specifically political issues,”said Drew Ensign,an assistant attorney generalwho was arguingthe administration’s case beforethe full 5thCircuit Court of Appeals. Ensign said it would be

up to Congress to check the president in that scenario.

The unexpected and cheekyexchange came in the administration’sappeal of aruling by athree-judge panel of the5th Circuit, one of the mostconservative courtsinthe country, that found Trumpinappropriately used the AlienEnemies Actof1798 when he targeted theVenezuelan gang Tren de Aragua last year

The act has only been invoked three other times in American history,during the Warof1812 and

both world wars. Amajority of thethree-judge panel agreed in last year’sruling with multiple lowercourt judges and immigration lawyerswho broughtthe case thatitcannot be deployed against agangrather than abelligerent foreign power

The administration appealed to thefull 5thCircuit, and all 17 judges on the courtwere present for the argumentsinNew Orleans on Thursday “Tren de Aragua is committing ordinary crimes that are being dealtwith

by lawenforcement,”Lee Gelernt, an attorney forthe ACLU,told the judges. “The AlienEnemies Act is about wartime andit’sabout the military.” Several of the judges were concernedabout secondguessing thepresident’sdeterminationofa threat to the country.Ensign noted the lawallows it to be invoked in attemptsof“invasion” or “predatory incursion” and arguedthatcourtsshould accept apresident’sdeclarationthatthatishappening. “A predatory incursion is

less thananinvasion,” Ensign said, arguing that cases involving otherlawshave determined it happens when foreign fishing boats enter U.S. waters. He also noted that Trumpalleged the gang wasacting at thebehest of recentlyousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s government —anassertion that has been challenged by somelaw enforcementanalysts. The finaldecisiononthe constitutionality of Trump’s action will likely be made by the U.S. SupremeCourt.

EEOC,citingexecutive order, scraps workplaceanti-harassment guide

BY CLAIRE SAVAGE and LEAH ASKARINAM Associated Press

WASHINGTON The federal agency in charge of enforcingworkplace anti-discrimination lawson Thursday votedtorescindits own guidance on how to guard against harassmentatwork, marking another major shift in civil rights enforcement under President Donald Trump’ssecond administration

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’snewlyestablished Republican majority voted to rescind the 190-page document designed to serve as a resource for compliance withTitle VII of the Civil Rights Actof1964,

including how to protect transgenderworkers. Chair Andrea Lucas and recently-installed Commissioner Brittany Panuccio cited Trump’s executive order issued last year in which he decreedthere are two immutable sexes, male and female —as one of the reasons forrevoking the document.

Lucas emphasized at the beginningofThursday’s meeting that thecommission’s decision to rescind the guidance “will notleave avoid where employers are freeto harass wherever they see fit,leaving atrail of victims in their wake,” citing several recent examples of settled harassment cases.And Panuccio said that private sector resources on anti-harassment law

would fill in any gaps.

But critics argue that all workers will now be morevulnerable to harassment without the EEOC guidance. Kalpana Kotagal,the lone Democrat on thecommission, likened it to “throwing out the baby with thebathwater.” She voted against gettingrid of it.

“At the height of the #MeToo movement, millionsbravely came forwardtoshare their stories,exposing harassment as an abuse of power,” Kotagal said. “The EEOC rose to theoccasion by promulgating theguidance being rescinded today,which strives to make workplaces safer for everyone.”

The EEOC receivedmore than 35,000 harassment complaints in

fiscal year 2024.

The agency updated its guidance on workplace harassmentinApril 2024 under President Joe Biden for the first time in 25 years following a2020 Supreme Court ruling that gay, lesbianand transgender people are protected fromemployment discrimination.Lucas voted against the guidanceatthattime, citing her opposition to language warning employersagainstdeliberatelymisgenderingtransgender employees or refusing them access to bathrooms corresponding with their gender identity

“It is neither harassmentnor discrimination forabusiness to draw distinctions between the sexes in providing single-sex bathroomsor

other similarfacilitieswhichimplicatethese significantprivacy and safety interests,” Lucas wrote in a2024 statement dissenting to the guidance.

The agency under Lucas’sleadership has been aggressively paring back protections fortransgender workers, dropping lawsuits on their behalf as wellasrequiring heightened scrutiny for incoming complaints related to gender identity

Workers’ groups have voiced strong opposition to removing the EEOC’sharassment guidance. Led by the National Women’s Law Center,more than 80 organizations signeda letterurging Lucas to preserve it.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS

People rally as Venezuelan opposition leader María CorinaMachado meets with President DonaldTrump at the White House on Jan. 15.

ProjectNOLAtracked car fires

Camera networkidentified suspect, documentsshow

BY MARCO CARTOLANO Staff writer

A35-year-old man accused of intentionally setting nine cars andahome on fire in theBywater early this week was identified and tracked with the help of the Project NOLA camera network andarrested while working at alegendary Bourbon Street bar,according to court documents.

Kyle Thomsen, aBywater resident,was initially arrested Tuesday night while working behind thebar at Old Absinthe House, New Orleans Fire Department Investigator Laval Franklin wrote in Thomsen’s arrest affidavit

Multiple Bywater residents providedhome surveillancefootage that showed aman walking along

residential streets andpulling on car door handles, Franklin said. He entered theunlocked carsand lit them on fire before“casually walking away from the scene,” according to Franklin.

Thefootagewas submitted to Project NOLA,a nonprofit crime prevention program that has spawneddebate overprivacyand the use of artificialintelligencein

policing. Project NOLA’s camera network foundpictures andvideos of the suspect in the French Quarter,trackinghim to the 200 block of Bourbon Street, Franklin said. His movements were then tracked by the NewOrleans RealTime Crime Center,according to theaffidavit.

Investigators found Thomsen at the bar and determinedhewas thesameasthe manshown in the Bywater videos, Franklin said. Old Absinthe House did not im-

PURPLE GLOW

mediately respond to arequest for comment.

The seriesofcar fires were first reported to the New Orleans Fire Department early on Monday morning andspannedMontegut, Dauphine and Desire streets. One torchedvehicle wasa Bywater Bakery delivery vanand a house on Dauphine was also damaged, according to NOFD.All four residentsescaped safely andno

As astreetcarrolls by,the Gumbel Memorial Fountain glows purple, one of theMardi

ahead

Testing reveals shrimp origins

BY JOSIE ABUGOV

was

Parish IG,president

emails to employees on how to report waste, fraudand abuse as part of an educational initiative.

BY LARA NICHOLSON Staff writer

JeffersonParish Inspector

General Kim Chatelain called outParish President Cynthia Lee Sheng at ameeting Wednesday night,saying Lee Sheng refused to letChatelainsendmonthly

Chatelain aired the complaint at ameeting of the Jefferson Parish Ethics and Compliance Commission, the body that oversees her office, which resulted in the commission voting to pen aletter to Lee Sheng and the Parish Council requesting they reverse thedecision.

“At afundamental level, the abilityofthe Inspector General to communicate directlywith

parish employees regarding the prevention and reporting of fraud, waste, and abuse represents athreshold minimum level of institutional support forthe mission and purpose of the Office of Inspector General,” Chatelain said in apresentation. “Again, supportislacking for the JPOIG.”

LeeSheng saidina statement after the vote that she does “fully support educating our employees” and that the meeting discussion“created confusion regarding (her) position.”

“I do not believe it is appropriate to provide the Inspector Generalwithunrestricted access to the Parish’s‘all users’ employee email distribution list,” Lee Sheng said. “The InspectorGeneral is an independent office, separate from parish government.” Lee Sheng added that the email list is reserved for “limited and specific internal purposes” and that she would be open to the Inspector General collaborating

JONI HESS Staff writer

STAFFPHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

Gras colors, recently in Audubon Park along St. Charles Avenue in NewOrleans. The fountain

illuminated

of Carnival season, which culminates with Mardi Gras on Feb. 17.

Former St. John assistant DA arrested in drug probe

Tran, three others booked after joint investigation

BY MICHELLE HUNTER and MISSY WILKINSON Staff writers

A former assistant district attorney in St. John the Baptist Parish is one of four men arrested in a drug distribution investigation that saw more than 400 pounds of marijuana and THC products seized this week, authorities said.

Tony Tran, 46, of New Orleans, was booked Tuesday into the Orleans Justice Center with one count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, two counts of possession of MDMA with intent to dis-

tribute, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia and one count of illegally carrying a weapon with a controlled dangerous substance.

St. John District Attorney Bridget A. Dinvaut confirmed that Tran had been hired by her office in November 2025 He was fired

Tuesday, she said “When I was notified of the investigation and arrest, he was terminated, effective immediately,” Dinvaut said Thursday afternoon. “It’s an unfortunate situation, and I’m appalled by the audacity of Mr Tran to come to my office to ask for a position.”

Tran was taken into custody as part of a joint investigation by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and the New Orleans Police De-

partment, said Capt. Jason Rivarde, a spokesperson for the JPSO.

The Sheriff’s Office arrested three others, Bill Vo, 41, and Five Vo 38, both of New Orleans, and Jonathan Nguyen, 37, of Metairie.

Authorities did not say whether Bill and Five Vo are related.

“These arrests are the results of a monthslong investigation initiated by the JPSO Narcotics Division,” Rivarde said. “Tran and Bill Vo are believed to be part of a wide-ranging distribution network assisted by Five Vo.”

Nguyen is also suspected of distributing drugs. The four will likely face narcotics charges in both Jefferson and Orleans parishes, Rivarde said. At around 9:30 a.m. Tues-

day NOPD and FBI and Homeland Security Investigations agents simultaneously executed four search warrants across addresses in West End, Read Boulevard East, Village de l’Est and the Lower Garden District, which they had identified via physical and electronic surveillance, according to an NOPD arrest report.

Searches of those “stash locations” for the “narcotic distribution enterprise” yielded garbage bags of marijuana, a vacuum sealer and seven firearms, the NOPD report states.

In addition to the marijuana and THC products seized, authorities found MDMA, ketamine, psilocybin and methamphetamine related to the case, according to Rivarde.

Rivarde said agents seized a total of $135,000 in cash, three gold bars worth about $24,000 and three luxury vehicles, including a Porsche 911, Rivarde said.

No bail information was available Thursday for Tran. An experienced prosecutor, he had come highly recommended to the St John District Attorney’s Office, Dinvaut said. According to Tran’s LinkedIn profile, he worked for two years with the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office from 2014 to 2016 and about a month with the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office in 2014.

Tran hadn’t been with the St. John DA’s office for long and was hired just before the holidays.

“Mr Tran had no meaningful engagement with any of

the prosecutions,” Dinvaut said. “The integrity of all my cases are well-maintained.” Nguyen, Five Vo and Bill Vo were being held Thursday at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna.

Nguyen was booked with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, illegal possession of THC with the intent to distribute and three counts of drug possession with the intent to distribute. His bail was set at $120,000.

Bill and Five Vo were being held without bail as fugitives from Orleans Parish. They could face additional charges in Jefferson Parish, authorities said.

Email Michelle Hunter at mhunter@theadvocate. com.

Louisiana starts sprint to work on 62 bridges in a year

New infrastructure office gears up

BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer

The new Office of Louisi-

ana Highway Construction on Wednesday broke ground on its inaugural project as it aims to repair or replace 62 minor bridges throughout the state by Dec. 31 — a goal officials say they are on track to achieve.

Gov. Jeff Landry and Archie Chaisson III, executive director of the highway construction office, celebrated the launch of the $2.1 million project — replacing a small bridge with one about 40 feet long and 25 feet wide over Morgan Branch on La. 424 in Washington Parish

“We are transforming how Louisiana delivers infrastructure through a smarter, more efficient approach that brings real results, real progress, and real value for taxpayers,” Landry said in a statement.

Chaisson said the firm that designed the bridge, Crescent Engineering & Mapping, did so in less than 90 days, and the construction contractor, RNGD, is sched-

FIRES

Continued from page 1B

injuries were reported, but the brazen crime shocked the neighborhood.

Thomsen was still a person

DISTRICT 97

Continued from page 1B

be a liaison between Mayor Helena Moreno’s administration and the state, and would work closely with his father to help get aid to New Orleans. Green said he would navigate the state’s Republicanled legislature by building new relationships with lawmakers. And he said his experience providing financial audit services for the private sector is a strength Green loaned his campaign about 54,000, raised roughly $13,000, and had $45,000 left to spend at the end of the most recent campaign finance reporting pe-

Continued from page 1B

with the parish’s public information office to post flyers online and in government buildings instead. Chatelain said she requested access to the parish’s email network earlier this month as part of an educational initiative in which she’d instruct employees on her office’s duties recently published reports and ways to report waste, fraud and abuse, with a copy of her email attached in a presentation. She said former Chief

uled to complete the work by July or August.

“It’s harnessing the power of that private sector,” Chaisson said in an interview Washington Parish President Ryan Seal said the project demonstrates “what can be achieved when state leadership, local government and technical teams are fully aligned.”

“That collaboration allowed the state to move from concept to construction far more efficiently than traditional timelines,” he said. Of the 62 bridges — most less than 150 feet long and 30 feet wide and crossing ditches, canals and creeks contracts for construction on 10 others have been signed and work should get underway in the next few weeks, Chaisson said For the entire package of bridges, engineering plans are complete for roughly 40% and contractors are on board for about 25%, and completion of all is on target for the end of 2026, he said.

Private sector

The Office of Louisiana Highway Construction handles upkeep of 4,000 miles

of interest at the time of his arrest and was initially apprehended on a prior warrant for domestic battery New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said at a news conference Wednesday Investigators obtained a search

riod, state records show Murray Murray, the son of former state Sen. Edwin R Murray, is a partner at Chehardy Sherman Williams law firm where he focuses on personal injury, property damage and other areas of litigation.

Murray said he wants to fight to make New Orleans more affordable amid inflated costs of food, utilities and housing that has become increasingly stressful for families. He would prioritize rising homeowners insurance costs, which have driven many young families away from the city, including some of his own friends and family, he said Murray wants to retain

Operating Officer Steve LaChute, who retired last week, informed her Lee Sheng declined the request. Chatelain sent another email the following week requesting she clarify the decision, and Lee Sheng then informed her that the decision would be final. “I just stood in a little bit of a shock, because 12 emails a year shouldn’t be a big deal,” Chatelain told the commission. Chatelain also reviewed 146 emails sent to all parish employees last year, and said 79 of them included recipes and reward program information from the parish’s health insurance provider

of rural and local roads and 2,800 bridges across the state that aren’t big enough to qualify for federal funding for repairs.

And, with a staff that likely won’t grow beyond three people this year, the office will hire private companies for maintenance or construction work.

An executive management officer who will handle administrative work starts Monday, and a project manager will join the office eventually

“I think for now we’re going to hold it steady at three people and really lean on the private sector when it comes to not only engineering and construction but the maintenance side as well,” Chaisson said.

He said whether the work involves bridges, potholes, stop signs, or “whatever the case may be,” the office will look to the private sector to handle it.

In addition to the bridges, the office is also working on three asphalt preservation projects, Chaisson said. Two of those in Olla and Shreveport are under contract and a third in Assumption Parish is close to an award.

State leaders at the

warrant for his home on Mazant Street and found clothes tied to the crimes, she said.

Officials said Thomsen’s motive was not immediately clear, and the arrest affidavit did not offer further insight Thomsen was booked into the New Orleans jail on four

the city’s pool of young professionals — an important city resource — that he says is too often lost to major cities like Atlanta and Houston.

Murray said he also wants to tackle New Orleans’ chronic blight issues and reduce the amount of abandoned and aging buildings at risk of crumbling as some have in recent years.

“We have so much potential here in New Orleans, especially in District 97, that we have yet to tap. We need to put legislators in office who are going to get things done,” he said.

Murray raised close to $50,000, loaned his campaign $10,000 and had roughly $53,000 left at the close of the reporting period.

She added that parish ordinance requires that the inspector general “shall have access to all employees of the parish,” and that the parish used to print the office’s hotline on employee ID cards.

The Ethics and Compliance Commission voted 3-0 to send a letter to Lee Sheng and the council. Neither the commission nor the Inspector General can force parish government to take action.

The Jefferson Parish Inspector General’s office, funded through its own property tax of 0.47 mills, is tasked with identifying waste, fraud and abuse in the parish with a $1.6 mil-

groundbreaking in Washington Parish also said they’re looking at putting together a second package of 54 bridges for next year

Quicker bids

To help the new transportation office, state lawmakers gave it temporary emergency procurement powers letting it bypass lengthier standard public bidding procedures aimed at fairness and transparency

counts of aggravated arson of an inhabited building and nine counts of simple arson.

During an initial appearance in Orleans Parish Magistrate Court Wednesday, Judge Peter Hamilton granted a request from the Orleans Parish District At-

That allowed the office to quickly select engineering firms for this year’s 62 bridge projects. The office’s emergency procurement authority could be extended by state lawmakers this year, Chaisson said. The bridges would need to be in serious need of repair, he said.

“We’ve talked to the (House) speaker and Senate president about doing that,” he said. “We’re asking them

torney’s Office that Thomsen be held without bond. A dangerousness hearing was set for Friday according to court records.

to at least extend it to the end of 2026 to help us get through these 62.”

The Office of Louisiana Highway Construction in September took over rehabbing those bridges from the Department of Transportation and Development. State officials said they wanted that office, rather than DOTD, to take the lead and take advantage of the less restrictive bidding procedures to expedite work.

“Due to the level of disregard for human life we believe the defendant presents a clear danger to the community,” officials with the DA’s Office said in a prepared statement Wednesday night. “We will continue to carefully evaluate the evidence as it is provided by the NOPD and will pursue the sentence supported by the facts and the law.”

CANDIDATES FOR HOUSE DISTRICT 97

EUGENE GREEN III

Age 36, Born and lives New Orleans. HS, COLLEGE,ADVANCED EDUCATION: Graduated from St.Augustine High School, bachelor’s degree in business management from Tulane University

CURRENT JOB, FORMER JOBS: Property management consultant at Nationwide Real Estate; financial auditor at Caesar’s Entertainment.

PARTY, RELEVANT POLITICAL EXPERIENCE OR CAMPAIGN WORK: Democrat; intern under former U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu; Xplore Federal Credit Union board member; intern for U.S. Small Business Administration; Orleans Parish Democratic Executive Committee member WEBSITE: www.voteeugenegreeniii.com

ED MURRAY Age 33, Born and lives in New Orleans. HS, COLLEGE,ADVANCED EDUCATION: Graduated from Riverview High School (Sarasota, Florida;) bachelor’s degree in political science from Loyola University; Juris Doctorate from Southern University Law Center

CURRENT JOB, FORMER JOBS: Attorney; intern for state Supreme Court Justice Jefferson Hughes, U.S Eastern District Judge Ivan Lemelle and 4th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Edwin Lombard.

PARTY, RELEVANT POLITICAL EXPERIENCE OR CAMPAIGN WORK: Democrat; City Park Improvement Association board member

WEBSITE: ed4nola.com

lion annual budget and 12 employees.

While Lee Sheng and Chatelain don’t clash as hard as their two predecessors — Mike Yenni and David McClintock, respectively — Chatelain has been at odds with Lee Sheng and most of the Jefferson Parish Council since taking office in 2022. In 2024, the Parish Council refused to restore the inspector general’s office with investigatory powers originally stripped under McClintock’s tenure after Chatelain wrote a public letter criticizing another agenda item just hours before the meeting. And one year ago, the

Parish Council passed new restrictions requiring a response period for all public reports after she issued a 35-page letter admonishing a project to build a parishfunded brewpub.

for The Advocate | TimesPicayune. Email her at lnicholson@theadvocate. com.

More recent publications from Chatelain’s office have dinged Lee Sheng and her administration for losing the parish’s bond rating, improperly paying medical leave to firefighters and for taking nearly a year on average to fill staff vacancies.

Chatelain will service as Inspector General until 2030.

Lara Nicholson writes about Jefferson Parish

PHOTO PROVIDED By WASHINGTON PARISH GOVERNMENT

Gov. Jeff Landry, fourth from left, attends a groundbreaking event on Thursday in Franklinton with local and state leaders to celebrate the launch of the first project of the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction.

Newjudge to presideoveralleged gang leader’s trialinBR

Previous judge recused, then unrecused, herselffromcase

BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer

An alleged leader of one of Baton Rouge’smost notorious street gangs recently scored akey victory in court when ajudge was removed from presiding over his murder and criminal conspiracy cases.

Gervea Daquan Ferguson, 28, is one of four men indicted on second-degree murder charges in the April2024 killing of 23-year-old Jonathan Williams. He waslater charged with morecrimes in aseparate criminal indictment. District Judge Louise Hines Myers had presided over both of Ferguson’scases for several months. But during ahearing Thursday,District Judge Colette Greggs removed her from the cases, citing

the fact that Hines Myers recusedherself last January thenreversed that recusal days later without holding a hearing.

“A judge cannot unilaterallyreverse her recusal,” Greggssaid duringthe Jan. 16 hearing inside her courtroom.“There’sa processfor everything.Thisisa court of law.And to recuse yourself, then unrecuse yourself through achain of emails with the involved parties. No, youcan’t do that.”

Ferguson is areputed memberofthe Vultures, a gang based out of astash house off Old Hammond Highway near O’Neal Lane, according to charging affidavits.

Several cars were fleeing the scene whenBatonRouge Police responded to achaotic shooting early the morning April 1, 2024. Williams was lying dead inthe front yard of the house inthe 2800 block of 68th Street, according to police reports. Demetriyon Maquan Grim, a23-yearoldaffiliate of the Vultures, arrived at OurLadyofthe

are accurately labeling ”

Higher prices

24 restaurantsinMetairie

earlier this month and found that all but four were serving local catch.

The authenticity rateof 83% is similar to the company’sfindings in New Orleans proper,where 87% of the tested restaurants were serving domestic seafood. Recent findingsonthe West Bank,however,turned up far worse, as around onethird of the tested restaurants were selling customers importedshrimp without disclosure.

“Given what we found in the West Bank, Iwas not sure what we’d find in Metairie,” said Erin Williams, COO of the company.“It’s not perfect, but I’m happyto see that alot of restaurants

Louisiana’s shrimping industry hassuffered for decades as cheap imports drive down prices and an ongoingpattern of seafood mislabelingexacerbatesthe problem. SeaD,founded by acommercial fisheriesscientistwith deep connections to the seafood industry,has tested shrimp at hundreds of restaurants acrossthe South in recent years

The latesttesting in Metairie also uncovered pricedisparities between authentic and mislabeled shrimp, Williams pointed out. Of the four restaurants that served importedfarm-raised shrimp, staff members at two of them said they cooked Gulf shrimpwhile staff at the other two acknowledged they usedimported shrimp.

The two restaurants

LakeRegional MedicalCentershortly after. Grim later died of multiple gunshot wounds he sustained during the shootout.Hewas Ferguson’syoungerbrother,court records show Officers nabbedone of the drivers fleeing the shooting scene and apprehended two menthat dropped Grim off at thehospital. Investigators later arrested Ferguson, Trelvis Albronse Griffin, Titus Lucas and CamariJacobi Taylor as principals toWilliams’killing. Allfour were indicted on charges of second-degree murder and face theprospect of amandatory life sentence if convicted. Grim had tiestoBanks Town Mafia, astreet crew authorities have described as aprecursor to the Vultures. In February 2022, he was involved in adeadly gang-related drive-by shooting at the Mall of Louisiana, accordingtoarrest reports. Clifton Lindsey,19, and Donte Dorsey, an 18-year-old Baton Rouge rapper known as TrueBleeda, died at the scene. Twoother young men

fraudulently claiming they served regional shrimpalso charged over $2 higher than authentic domestic shrimp, thetesting company found.

Williams saidthe finding in Metairie is part of alarger trendofhigheraverage prices for cheaper mislabeled product thatthe company has found in Louisiana andinmarkets across eight Southern states.

“People look at price point to seeifthey’re getting qualitydomestic wild-caught seafood, but we’veseen that becauseofthe misrepresentation in the market, you can’teven look at price point to determine whether it’sauthentic or not,” Williams said.

Thepatternfurtherdrives domestic shrimp prices lower,Williams noted, atroubling blow to an already flailing industry.In2022, shrimp docksidevalue in Louisiana was athird of what it wasin

werewounded.

Attorneys saidthe shooting at the mall was an act of retaliation stemming fromthe feud between theVultures and Bleedas, arival Baton Rouge gang.

HinesMyers spent years as aprosecutor for the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’sOffice before she took the bench. In the motion to have herremoved fromhis ongoing cases, Ferguson’s attorney argued that Hines Myersinvestigatedhim as a“potential personofinterest” in the Mall of Louisiana shooting.

During asidebarwith attorneys at aJan.13, 2025, hearing, Hines Myers recused herself from theongoing murder casestemming from Williams’ death. Court recordsshow sheissued a reversalorder16days later taking back that decision.

SandraJames Page, Ferguson’sattorney, pointedto aseries of emails Hines Myers sent to prosecutors and defense lawyers involved in thecaseatthat time. James Page said the emails showed

the 1980s,when adjusted for inflation.

Andrew Blanchard, a shrimp processor in Terrebonne Parish and the chairman of the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force, said thefuture of Louisianashrimping depends on figuring out how the industry can make money “Our industry,Idon’tknow if we have years …tosurvive as we know it,” Blanchard said.

Enforcementworries

Noneofthe Metairie restaurantsserving foreign shrimp had signage indicating that they wereselling imports,which is required understate law. As of last year,restaurants must clearlystate thecountry of origin of theshrimp and crawfish they’re selling. Establishmentsviolating the lawcould face thousands of dollars in fines.

the judge hadanextensive amount of prior knowledge on Ferguson andhis family from prosecuting the Mall of Louisiana shooting.

“I feel thejudge can’t be impartial in regard to Mr Ferguson’scasebecause of the in-depth relationship she hadwithMr. Grim,” James Page said. “The judge recused herself already.She went back anddecided she did notwanttorecuse herself. …She’snot supposed to hear her own hearings.”

But in hearing arguments on themotion for recusal, Greggs seemed unconvinced that the emails showed any evidence of abias by Hines Myers.

Prosecutors said Ferguson wasnever implicated, questioned or listed as asuspect in the Mall of Louisiana shooting. And the investigation ended when agrand jury determined therewasn’t enough evidence to formally charge Grim in the matter AssistantDistrict Attorney Tiara Jones toldGreggs there wasnothing to warrant Hines Myers’ recusal.

The Louisiana Department of Health is responsible forensuring compliance and can review the testing company’sfindings. SeaD founderDaveWilliams has calledenforcementofthe lawatthe restaurant level “abysmal,” and Blanchard said the “biggest issue is to getLDH to do more testing.”

The Health Department did not respond to arequest forcomment. SeaD declines to release thenames of therestaurants selling imported shrimp. Erin Williams saidthat doing so would let restaurants mislabeling theirproducts but not randomly selected forthe testing offthe hook She added that fraud can occur throughout the supply chain, meaning that restaurants might inaccurately believe they’re selling local catch.

Here’sthe list of 20 Metai-

“Judge Hines did not investigate that particularincident,”she argued.“Judge Hines also did notrequest search warrants. Judge Hines did not request Gervea Ferguson’sGPS or phone records either.That was done by the detective in the case. Judge Hines wasa prosecutor,and aprosecutor is not an expert in any case that comes into our office.” Greggs determined Hines Myersneededtofile something with thecourttovalidate herchange of heart, and neither side presented any evidence that she did that.

“In Louisiana law, once a judge recuseshim or herself, it’sconsidered final,” Greggs said. “There are certain situations where ajudge can reverse it.I’ve not heard any reason whywhat happened between the time she recused herself to the time she reversed herrecusal.I’venot heard anything to support that from either one of y’all.” Greggs ordered the case back to the Clerk of Court’s Office to randomly reallotit to adifferent judge.

rierestaurants found to be serving authentic shrimp: n ATavola Restaurant & Wine Bar n AcmeOyster House n BobbyHebert’sCajun Cannon n Boulevard American Bistro n Captain Sid’sSeafood n Deanie’sSeafood n Desi Vega’sSeafood and Prime Steaks n Don’sSeafood n Drago’sSeafood Restaurant n Fury’sRestaurant n GarrisonKitchen+ Cocktails n Mary J’sSeafood n Mr.Ed’sSeafood &Italian n Parish Grill n Po’boy House n Porter &Luke’s n Radosta’sPoboy’s n Ruby Slipper n The Galley n The Harbor Bar &Grill.

Davis, Kevin

Dotson, Joann

Grace, Myrtle

Heffner, Carroll

Martin,George

Merritt, Sandra

Milton, Joshua

Rinkle, Philip

Scott, Qutrelia

Thornton Jr., Willie VanSandt,Betty

Verrett,Antonio

Ward,Vernon

Webb, Earlean

WilkersonSr.,Dave WilliamsJr.,Morris

Williams Sr., Curtis Wilson Jr.,Anthony EJefferson

Garden of Memories

Grace, Myrtle

Richardson FH

Milton, Joshua

Verrett,Antonio

NewOrleans

Boyd Family

Merritt, Sandra

Thornton Jr., Willie

DW Rhodes

Dotson, Joann

Estelle JWilson WilliamsJr.,Morris

Greenwood

Heffner, Carroll

Littlejohn FH

Martin,George WilkersonSr.,Dave

MurrayHenderson

St Tammany

Honaker

VanSandt,Betty West Bank

DavisMortuary

Webb, Earlean

Robinson FH

Williams Sr., Curtis

Obituaries

Davis, Kevin 'Blyss

Kevin "Blyss" Davis, a resident of New Orleans, passed away January 14 2026. The funeral willbe 10:00a.m. Saturday, January 24th at Crain and Sons Funeral Home 2000 Washington St., Franklinton, LA. Crain and Sons Funeral Home in Charge of Arrangements. Please sign guestbook: www.crainandsons.comA funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on 2026-01-24 at Crain and Sons Funeral Home, 2000 Washington Street.

Dotson,Joann B. With sadnessweshare thepassing of JoannB Dotson,onJanuary 7, 2026. Please visitwww.rhodesf uneral.comtoviewservice information, sign online guestbook,sendflowers andshare condolences.

Myrtle JoySingerGrace age94, passedaway peacefully on Saturday January17, 2026. Shewas born on January7,1932 in NewOrleans,LAtothe late Joseph E. Singer andMyr‐tleBourg Singer.She wasa lifelong resident of Jeffer‐son, LA andwas agradu‐ateofJefferson High School andGarnerBusi‐ness College. Myrtle wasa retireeofthe Jefferson Parish Recreation Depart‐ment Myrtle wasthe belovedand devotedwife of thelateLeonard R. Gracefor 57 yearsbefore hispassing in 2010. She wasthe most loving and caring mother to Nancy GraceDurnin(Arnold), Kelly GraceHigh, Peggy GraceErminger, and Robert Grace(Lee).She wasthe loving grand‐mother to Amanda Taylor (Greg),Elizabeth Fisher (Shaun),JonathanHigh (Antonina),James Er‐minger Jr., andBrienne Bettencourt(Joseph). She wasthe great-grand‐mother of ZacharyTaylor, Isabella Taylor,Jillian Fisher,Aiden Fisher,and Noah High.She is also sur‐vivedbynumerousother nieces,nephews,family, andfriends.She waspre‐cededindeath by her sons-in-law, Thomas Durnin Jr Daniel High,and JamesErminger, Sr., as well as herbeloved grand‐son, JasonPaulHigh. ‘Myr‐tleJoy will be deeply missedbyall that knew andloved her. Herbright blue eyes,beautiful smile infectious laughand her warm hugswillnever be forgotten. Relativesand friendsare invitedtoat‐tend theFuneralServices at Garden of Memories Fu‐neralHome& Cemetery, 4900 AirlineDrive Metairie, LA 70001 on Saturday,Jan‐uary 24, 2026. Visitation will beginat11:00 am with aMassofChristian Burial starting at 1:00 pm fol‐lowedbyburial. To order flowersoroffercondo‐lences,pleasevisit www gardenofmemoriesmetairi e.com.

Heffner,Rev.Carroll E.

Rev. CarrollE.Heffner wasborn on September6 1934, andhegrewupinthe IrishChannel,where he at‐tended St.Alphonsus Ele‐mentarySchool.Helater attended St.AloysiusHigh School.Hegraduated in 1952, at whichtimeheleft home to beginhis studies forthe priesthood in St Louis. He wasordaineda Redemptorist in 1961 in Oconomowoc,Wisconsin He celebrated his first Mass at St.Agnes Church in OldJefferson,where his parentswereresidingat that time.His firstyears in ministry were served in parishes in SanAntonio andHouston.Backin Louisiana, he spenta brief time as administratorof theRedemptoristminor seminary property in La‐combe. In 1985, he trans‐ferred from theRedemp‐torist ordertothe Archdio‐cese of NewOrleans and waswelcomedbyArch‐bishopHannan. He served as aparochial vicaratSt. Ann, as pastor of St.Be‐nilde, andasa chaplain at OchsnerHospitalbefore hisretirement. Thecom‐monattribute that many of hisparishionersremember himfor is thetimeand ef‐fort he invested each week in preparinga meaningful homily that wouldleave them with somethingtan‐gibletoguide them throughthe following week.During hisretire‐ment,FatherHeffner took advantageofhis extrafree time to do andlearn things that he hadnever hadthe opportunityorthe time while he wasinfull-time ministry.One of hisdreams wastotakepiano lessons From hisboyhood,heloved musicand hadalways wished that he couldplay thepiano.After he bought himselfa BabyGrand,he delved into hisclasses with gusto. Twoyears later, he gave aprivate recitaltoseveral family memberswho couldactu‐

ally recognizethe Christ‐mascarolshewas tapping outonthe keyboard.His virtuoso career,however wasabruptlycut short when he fell andbroke his wrist. He then switched his effortstolearningSpanish listeningtohis numerous classicalmusic CDs, and reading. An avid reader Hisbookcase was filled with a varietyofbooks: theology,history (mainly WWII),literature, cook‐books, andalternative medicine.Ifanyonecom‐plainedtohim aboutan ailment, Father wasableto recommendthe exactdi‐etarysupplementthat wouldcureit! Besideshis faith, family wasa very im‐portantelement of Father Heffner’s life.For years, the family home hadalways been thegathering place on Sundays forthe ex‐tended family.Itwas not unusualfor fifteen or more people to be huddled to‐gether in thekitchen and denofa housethatwould have comfortablyhandled sixoreight.Uponhis re‐tirement,thatsamehouse became hisresidence,and thegatheringscontinued severaltimes each year with aparticulartheme Father notonlycelebrated themajor religiousand civilholidays butalsodec‐orated forthem. Hisattic waslined with numerous boxesmarkedfor Christ‐mas, MardiGras, Valen‐tine’s Day, St.Patrick’s Day, Easter,FourthofJuly, Hal‐loween,and Thanksgiving Afterthe decorationswere hung,hewantedothersto enjoythem, so an invita‐tion to amealfor aSunday afternoon wassentout “to theusual suspects.” Al‐though Father Heffner sometimes appeared gruff, deep down he wasa very sensitiveindividual, and hissensitivity,concern andcompassionextended to animalsaswell. His family always included pets;so, it is notsurprising that,asa priest,healso welcomed hisfurry friends, Dixie, Buttons, andBootsie. Oneuniquepet he housed wasa rabbit,O’Hare, whom he occasionally put on aleash andparaded throughthe schoolyard at recess forthe children to enjoy. Father Heffner is preceded in deathbyhis parents, Marvin J. Heffner andCatherine “Katie Hughes Heffner,and his siblings,William “Billy” Heffner,Anthony “Tony” Marvin Heffner,Sr.,and MichaelGerardHeffner.He leaves behind,tocherish hismemory, hissister, CynthiaHeffner Stouder (Darryl),and nephews, nieces,and cousins. Rela‐tivesand friendsare in‐vitedtovisit St.Agnes Church,3310 Jefferson Hwy.,Jefferson,LA70121, on Saturday,January 24, 2026, starting at 9:30 a.m. A FuneralMasswillfollow thevisitationat11:00 a.m. Theburialwillbeprivate In lieu of flowers, please consider making adona‐tion to Tunnel to Towers (t2t.org/) or Wounded Wor‐rier Project(sup‐port.woundedwarriorpro‐ject.org). We also invite youtoshare your thoughts,fondmemories, andcondolences online at www.greenwoodfh.com Your shared memories will help us celebrateFather Heffner’s life andkeep his memory alive.

Martin,George

George Martin,82, of Metairie, LA departed this earthly life on Monday January 12, 2026, at Ochsner MedicalCenterin Jefferson,LA. George was borntoWalterMartin, Jr and Camalean Thomas MartininGillsburg,Missis‐sippi on November 9, 1943 Hewas preceded in death byhis parents; daughter Tammy Martin;siblings, JohnnyMartinand Alice Lee Walker;stepson,An‐drew“Chip”Lockett, Jr.; and niece, MoniqueJack‐son.Heleavestocherish his memory:his life part‐ner of 47 years, Zelma Lockett; daughters, Dolfinette Martin,Sheila (Elvrage) Allen, Dana Cock‐erham,and RoxieLockett; sons, DammonLockett Desmond Lockett, RoyLee Lockett, andLance Lockett; stepson,Kerry KeithLock‐ett; siblings,Leroy (Flora) Martin, Charles(Char‐layne)Martin, Chellie (Phillip) Jagers,Magalean Martin, Evelyn (Gary) Jack‐son;and many loving grandchildren,nieces, nephews andextended familymembers.The view‐ing andfuneral serviceare 9:00 a.m. and10:00 a.m.,re‐

spectively,onSaturday, January 24, at Littlejohn Fu‐neral Home,2163 Aubry Street,New Orleans, LA Burialwillfollowat2:00 p.m.inthe JerusalemBap‐tistChurch-Gillsburg Cemetery, 2155 Jim ThomasRd.,Magnolia, MS Flowers andcards maybe offeredatLittlejohnFu‐neral Home (New Orleans) and PeoplesUndertaking Company (McComb).Pro‐fessional serviceentrusted toLittlejohnFuneralHome, 2163 AubryStreet,Cal K. Johnson,Manager/Funeral Director.Info: 504-940-0045.

Merritt, Sandra AnnWiggins

Sandra AnnWiggins Merritt, at theage of 79, departedher earthlyhome onJanuary 18, 2026. Sandra was born in Franklin,Lato the late Louisand Beulah Wiggins.She wasem‐ployedasa Secretarywith the OrleansParishSchool Systemfor 40 yearsand as a Realtorfor thelast30 years.She wasprecededin death by brothers,Michael and Ronald Wiggins and sisters,Patriciaand Karen Wiggins.She is survived by her siblings:Lydia Rawls, Velma McCray,Tammy Lomax,Kevin andKatrice Wiggins of Atlanta, GA; PamelaHillofAuburn, AL; RobbieWiggins of Slidell, LA; GregoryWiggins of An‐tioch,California; and Gwendolyn Recasner and AngelaHarrisofNew Or‐leans,LA. Shealsoleaves tocherish ahostofnieces, nephews,other relatives and friends. Family and friends areinvited to the Celebration of Life Service onSaturday, January24, 2026, for10:00 a.m. at Bethany United Methodist Church,4533 Mendez St New Orleans, LA 70126. Vis‐itation will beginat9:00 a.m.ReverendEugene Boger, officiating. Inter‐mentwillfollowatMt. OlivetCemetery, NewOr‐leans,LA. Guestbook On‐line: www.anewtraditionbe gins.com(504)282-0600 LinearBrooksBoydand Donavin D. Boyd Own‐ers/FuneralDirectors

Joshua Nathaniel Milton -Pittman, age21, departed thisearthly life on Friday, January 9, 2026. Joshua was bornonJanuary 7, 2005, in Metairie,LAwhere he resided until his passing Joshua graduated from John Curtis Christian School in RiverRidge,LAin 2023 and attended Delgado Community CollegeinNew Orleans, LA Joshua was preceded in death by his grandfathers Henry G. Pittman, Sr. and James McDonald,and his greatgrandfather, Leon TucksonSr.,great grandparents, Albertha and Frank Milton, Sr, aunts, CynthiaTuckson, Patricia Tuckson, and Juanita Milton. Uncles, Webster Pierre,Frank Milton, Jr., Landis Tuckson, and RonaldWoodson. Joshua is survivedby his loving mother, April Milton, and his father, Henry G. Pittman, Jr grandmothers, Audrey Miltonand Joyce Pittman, greatgrandmother, Bessie H. Tuckson; aunts, Laverne Pittman, Elmease Lewis, DorisMcCray, Marie Campbell, Delphine Dupree, Athena Woodson, SheliaJohnson, Barbara Tuckson, and Doris Tuckson. Uncles, Jason Milton and Leon Tuckson, and Godparents, Doreen McCray and Jason Milton, and ahost of relativesand friends.

ACelebrationoflifewill be held at NewBirth Cathedral of Glory, 2150 Reverend Richard Wilson Drive, Kenner, LA 70062 on Saturday, January24, 2026, visitationfrom 8:30a.m. until9:45a.m.,and servicebeginning at 10a.m. Interment willfollow at Garden of Memories Funeral Home &Cemetery, 4900 Airline Dr., Metairie, LA 70001.

In lieu of flowers, the familyrequest donations be made to Victory Christian Academy, 5708 Airline DriveMetairie,LA 70003, or by Venmo to @victorychurchnolaindicating"VCA"innotesection Richardson Funeral Home of Jefferson, River Ridge,LAisinchargeofarrangements. www.richards onfuneralhomeofjefferson com

Rinkle, Philip John

PhilipJohnRinkle passedaway at St Margaret's Hospice in New Orleans, LA on Monday December 8, 2025. He was 79 years old. Phil wasbornon February 17, 1946 to MarthaRush andFrances Rinkle in Clairton, PA and is survived by hiswife, Paulette DupontRinkle. He wasa loving husband, fatherand grandfather. He served his country honorablyinthe US Army from 1967 to 1969 and graduatedfromRobert Morris University in 1974. Amemorial service will be held at St.Martin's Church 2216 MetairieRdon January24, 2026 at 11:00 am. Visitation will begin at 10:00am.

Scott,Qutrelia Raymond

Qutrelia RaymondScott died peacefullyathomeon Thursday, January1,2026 at the age of 63. Shewas anative of NewOrleans Louisiana, anda resident of Marrero Louisiana. Qutrelia leaves to cherish hermemorya daughter- Janet Smith; abrotherAugust Raymond, III (Carmelita); and, ahostof otherrelativesand friends. Qutrelia was preceded in death by herparents -August Raymond,Sr. andJanet McDonald Raymond;and asisterKatherine Raymond Seymour. AMass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January24, 2026 at 10:00am, at OurLady of Guadalupe Church & International Shrine,411 N. Rampart Street,New Orleans, LA 70112, Father Tony Rigoli, Omi, Officiant. Visitation willbeginat 8:30am. Professional servicesentrustedtoMurray Henderson Funeral Home.

Willie LeeThorntonJr., age 73, wasbornonMarch 17, 1952, in Arcadia, Florida, and departed this life on January 9, 2026, in NewOr‐leans,Louisiana.Williewas a loving father,grandfa‐ther, anddevoted family man.Hewas preceded in death by hisparents,Willie Lee Thornton Sr.and Jessie Mae Thornton;his wife VeronicaThornton; andhis daughter, Simone Smith. Willie leaves to cherishhis memoryhis daughter,Ash‐ley (Tarell) McGowan, and his son, Willie Thornton III (Lakelia).Hewas aproud grandfather to NyJha, Jairyn, Tarell, Taliyah, Jakarl, andSerrel. He is alsosurvivedbyhis sis‐ters, Sadie, Vera,and Con‐nie;his brothers,Robert, Andy, Randy, andDonnie; and ahostofother rela‐tives andfriends.Family and friendsare invitedto attenda CelebrationofLife Service on Saturday,Janu‐ary 24, 2026, for10:00 a.m. atThe Boyd Family Funeral Home, 5001 Chef Menteur Highway, NewOrleans,

VanSandt,Betty Jo

Betty Jo VanSandt,age 92, anativeofVivian, Louisiana,LA, passedaway onJanuary 7, 2026, in Slidell, Louisiana. Betty Jo VanSandtwas born in WrightCity, Texas. Sheis precededindeath by her beloved husband, Richard B.VanSandt, former Slidell CityCouncilman, along withher father JarrellG Connell andher mother Mildred B. Connell.She is survivedbythree children Cindy GuthrieLeary (Matt), Jerri GuthrieReeves,and Don ScottVanSandt. Also, survivedbythree grand‐childrenDylan Suarez (Erica),LeahBroom (Nick) and CalliReeves (Ronald) and twelve great-grand‐childrenSavanna,Londyn, Dylan Jr Elliot,Kennedy Davis,Amelia, Leighton, Giuliana, Brynlee, Drake, and Maci.Beforeretiring, Mrs.Betty Jo VanSandt spent hertimeasa hair‐dresserinthe fieldofcos‐metology.Betty’s life sparkledjustasmuchas her tasteinfashion and décor untilher last days She lovedpeopleand took anactiveroleinspreading smilesand laughter to all. A longtime resident of Slidell, shefound belong‐ing in many social circles through theyears.She spent herlastten yearsliv‐ing herbestlifeatSum‐merfieldRetirementCom‐munitywhere shecontin‐ued to make hermarkby welcoming newresidents, being votedQueen of the Mardi Gras Ball, andaffec‐tionately beingcalled Betty Bling” by staff and residents forher sparkly jewelry andclothing. Once you metBetty,you could not forget her. Sheadored her friendsand they felt the same wayabout her. Betty’s most noteworthy roles were as belovedwife of37years to herhusband, Van,and mother to her children. Shewas “Gigi” to her grandchildren, greatgrandchildren,and numer‐ous familymembers.She was thebeloved Matriarch ofthe familyand therewas noplace shewould rather bethansurrounded by those sheloved.She clung tight to herfamilyand God throughouther life.Her friends andfamilywill missher very much and she will be remembered for thelight,sparkle,and sweetness shebrought to the world. Relativesand friends of thefamilyare in‐vited to attend thecelebra‐tionofBetty’s life on Janu‐ary 27, 2026, at HonakerFu‐neral Home,1751 Gause Blvd. West (inForestLawn Cemetery),Slidell, LA.Visi‐tationfrom1:00p.m.to 2:00p.m.withService at beginning at 2:00 p.m. ArrangementsbyHonaker FuneralHome, Inc.,Slidell LA.

AntonioK.Verrett, age 52, enteredintoeternal rest on Tuesday, January6 2026. Antonio wasmarried to Amber McKnight-Verrett anda devotedfather to Lynell Renard and Bethany T. Verrettand stepfather to McKenzieE.Jordan AMass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Joan of ArcCatholic Church,located at 8321 BurtheSt.,New Orleans, LA 70118 on Saturday, January 24, 2026. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by the service at 10:00 a.m. Richardson Funeral

Scott, Qutrelia

Milton, Joshua Nathaniel

Thornton Jr., WillieLee

Verrett,Antonio K.

Home of Jefferson, River Ridge, LA is in charge of arrangements. www.richards onfuneralhomeofjefferson. com

Ward, Vernon David

VernonDavid Ward passed awayonDecember 14,2025, at the age of 73. He was anative of New Orleans. Vernon was adistinguished and well-respected musician whose presence will be profoundly missed by his family and friends. ACelebration of Life will be held at: Mount Nebo Bible Baptist Church, 1720 Flood Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70117 on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 10 am.

EarleanWebb, age76, entered peacefully into eternal rest at herresi‐dence Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Shewas anative ofLiberty,MSand aresi‐dentofHarvey, LA.Earlean earnedcertification as a teacher’s assistant, while inthe JobCorps in Moses LakeWashington. Shewas employedinthe hospitality industryatthe Clarion Hotel Radisson,Marriott Hotel andthe Monteleone Hotel.Earlean wasalsoac‐tivelyinvolvedwithRiver ofLifeDaily Bread, Estelle SeniorCentreand Fitness CentreBodyShop. As a faithfulmemberofDomin‐ion andPower Ministries for over 20 years, she servedinvarious min‐istries with unwavering and tireless commitment, including Usher, Choir, and asa Deaconess. Shewillbe rememberedfor herheart ofservitude to herfamily, church, andcommunity Devoted mother of Tammy Webb-Harris andthe late DeniseWebb. Loving grandmother of Jon‐shairika, Tyeisha, and Tyrus (Destiny)Webb, Sr Great grandmotherof Josiah, Jaiden,Jhoki, and Jace Webb,Chris Simmons,

TyrusWebb, Jr., Deniyah and Tyla Webb. Beloved daughterofthe late Sam‐mie andAreaner Webb SisterofJ.W.Webb. James Lee Webb, Matthew Webb and Sammie LeeWebb. Alsocherishingher memo‐riesare hergodchildRe‐narda Brown, anda host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relativesand friends. Relatives andfriends fthe family, also pastors, offi‐cersand membersofDo‐minionand PowerMin‐istries,ShilohMissionary Baptist Church,and all neighboring churches are invited to theCelebration ofLifeatShilohMissionary Baptist Church,1419 4th Street,Westwego, LA on Saturday, January24, 2026 at10:00 a.m. Pastor WoodrowHayden, host pastor; Rev. TyrusWebb, officiating. Visitation will begin at 8:30 a.m. until ser‐vicetimeatthe church.In‐terment:RoseHillMission‐ary BaptistChurch Ceme‐tery, Meadville, MS ArrangementsbyDavis MortuaryService,230 Mon‐roe St., Gretna,LA. To view and sign theguestbook pleasegotowww.davismo rtuaryservice.com

WilkersonSr.,Dave Donald

Dave Donald Wilkerson, Sr. passedawayonTues‐day,January 13, 2026. He was thebeloved sonofthe lateJosephWilkerson,Sr. and EmilyWilkersonBrown, andthe devoted husband of thelateWil‐heminaJackson Wilkerson. Hewas alovingfatherof Davella (Troy),Dave (Amanda), Donell,and Philip, andthe late Dian‐dreaGreen;brother of Robert(Crystal),Tassin (Alfred), andEdwin (Alma); and godfather of Brenton Richards. He also leaves to cherish hismemoryofhis close friend,Mr. Ernest Jones.Relatives and friends,alsopastors,offi‐cers, andmembers of St Bernard Community Bap‐tistChurch,FairviewBap‐tistChurch,DivinePurpose FamilyOutreach, Fresh Start Ministries andall neighboring churches, ValeroRefinery,LiveryLim‐ousineService,Alexander Carre,Dillard’s Oakwood Clear Head Westbank and DivinePurpose Homecare are invitedtoattend the Homegoing Services at St Bernard Community Bap‐tistChurch 3938 St Bernard Ave. NOLA,70122, Saturday, January24, 2026 at 10am.Rev.Williams

Holmes,pastorofficiating.

Church visitation will begin at9:00a.m.Interment: RestlawnParkCemeteryAvondale, LA.Professional service entrustedtoLittle‐johnFuneral Home,2163 Aubry Street,Cal K. John‐son,Manager/FuneralDi‐rector.Info: 504-940-0045.

Williams Jr., MorrisJ.

MorrisJ.WilliamsJr., entered eternalreston January 9, 2026, at Univer‐sityHospital. He was69 years oldand wasbornon May 1,1956. He waspre‐ceded in Deathbyhis MotherFrances L. Smith, his father Morris J. Williams,Sr.,and also his stepfatherIsaac Smith. Morriscompleted hisstud‐ies at GramblingState Uni‐versity,alsoXavierUniver‐sitywhere he earned a Bachelor'sDegreeaswell asa MastersDegreeined‐ucation.Morrishas taught inthe OrleansParish School andJefferson ParishSchool systems. He was amemberofSt. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church.Heleavestocher‐ish hismemories(5) daughters,IngridCarona Wade(MalcolmJenkins), MichonFreeman,Kanika Carr, KashieldaRichardson and Kasime Leonard, (1) son JodieGibson, aCom‐panionofCynthia Jones. Alsosurvivedby(13) grandchildren,and (2) great grandchildrenand a hostofother relativesand friends.FuneralServices willbeheldonSaturday January 24, 2026 for10:00 a.m.atEstelle J. Wilson Fu‐neral Home,Inc.2715 Dan‐neel Street NewOrleans, La. 70113. Visitation from 9:00a.m.until 10:00 a.m. service time.Interment: Private.Arrangement By Estelle J. Wilson Funeral Home, Inc. 2715 Danneel St NOLA70113. Information: (504) 895-4903. To sign on‐lineguest book please visit www.estellejwilsonfh.com

Curtis Williams,Sr. was born on February 20, 1952, in NewOrleans,Louisiana to thelateJessieMae Williams.Curtisentered a quieteternal rest on Tues‐day, December 30, 2025. Curtis expressedhis belief in JesusChrist. When askedabout hisfaith,he wouldopenlyacknowledge andaffirm that he believed in JesusChristand hada relationship with Him. He will be fondly remembered forhis presence,his love forfamilyand friends, and thememoriessharedwith allwho knew him. Curtis graduatedfromL.B Landry High School in 1972, whereheplayedthe Sousaphone (tuba) instru‐ment in theband. Later, he attended Southern Univer‐sity in BatonRouge, Louisianain1973. He was formally employed with BergeonChryslerfor ten years, theHousing Author‐ityofNew Orleansasa Se‐curityGuard,and Rupp/Towing Record Ser‐vice forseveral years. He also worked at Fastway Food Store. Curtis wasa family man. He enjoyed playingmusic,swimming andwas active in watching hisgrandkids play sports He leaves to cherishhis memory wife,Paula BeanWilliams,38years of mar‐

riage; oneson,Curtis, Jr (Tiffany); Stepchildren Alvin(Sheridan), Arethea Ann, andKentrell; four sib‐lings, GlennSr. (Michelle), Cynthia(Roberto),Darryl, andKenneth Sr (Debra); Sistersinlaw,Valda (Alvin); Patricia,and Melv‐ina; Brothers in law, Gary, Jerry,Chris,Philip, and Allen; Grandchildren, Quaron,Carlie, andCurtis III; Step-grandchildren, Lilly,Alton,Christopher, Nastia,Nyah, andNajee. Also survived by ahostof greatgrandchildren,aunts, uncles,nieces, nephews, cousins,and otherrela‐tives. Curtis waspreceded in deathbyhis Mother JessieMae Williams; Mother in law, LeolaBean; Grandparents,Josephine andGeorgeWilliams; Aunt Oneida Ballet;Uncles, James, George,and John Williams;Brother,Elliott HerbertWilliams; Nephew, GlennMichael Williams,Jr.; Brothers in law, Abner Bean,Sr. andAlvin Bean Relativesand friendsofthe family areinvited to attend the funeralservice on Sat‐urday, January24, 2026 at Fisher Community Church locatedat1737 L.BLandry Ave.,New OrleansLA. 70114. Thevisitationwill beginat8AM followed by a 10AMservice.Bishop JamesNelsonBrown will officiateand entombment will follow in Mc‐DonoghvilleCemetery520 HancockSt. Gretna LA.Fu‐neralplanningentrusted to Robinson Family Funeral Home (504)208-2119. For online condolencesplease

Williams Sr., Curtis

Wilson, AnthonyCurtis

AnthonyCurtisWilson Jr., age 65, passedaway on Sunday, December 21, 2025. SonofEdna M. Washington andAnthony C. WilsonSr. Amemorial service andrepast will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at L.B. LandryHigh School, 1200 L.B. LandryAve., New Orleans.

Webb, Earlean

In Minneapolis, echoes of HurricaneKatrina

Living in Minnesota during the federal occupation and in New Orleans during the federal flood can feel eerilysimilar

Michael Tisserand GUEST COLUMNIST

First, there’sthe rage: adumbfounded rage in which you find yourself repeatedly asking, “How can this be happening?” to nobody in particular.Itwas there in 2005; it’shere now Then there is the betrayal. In 2005, as Bruce Springsteen said duringhis post-Katrina Jazz Fest performance, we were betrayed by agovernment that is “supposed to serve American citizens in times of trial and hardship.”

Earlier this month, Springsteen said in concertthat thenew betrayal comes in the form of “heavily armed masked federal troops invading an American city and using Gestapo tactics against our fellow citizens.”

I’ve learned, among other things, that it’snever agood sign when your city is name-checked in aSpringsteen song intro. Then as now,there is acast of villains we wish we’d never met, certain underlings that history will always associate with these horrors. If incompetencehad a facein2005, it was the doughy countenance of then-FEMA di-

rector Michael D. Brown. Now, the crueltyofthis time can be seeninthe figure of Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino, currently stalking around Minnesota in what appearstobea World War II Axis commanderreenactment outfit.

Yetmore than rage, betrayal and blame, theclearest echo that Inotice this past month is a renewal of alove of place. Often an amorphousthing, it becomes more defined in an attack, and more deeply felt. In New Or-

leans,wewept when John Boutté sang, “They’retrying to wash us away.” In Minnesota, we weep when we witness our fellow citizens sliding on theirprotest signs down asnowy hill to assemble at arally Only in New Orleans, we’d say Only in Minneapolis,wesay Other times, the two places nearly collapseinto each other When you attenda protestinthe Twin Cities,it’sagood idea to listen for atuba and then follow the sound to acircle of people gath-

Better advocacy needed forcancerpatients

ered around Brass Solidarity,a New Orleans-style brass band that formed after the murderof George Floyd andcontinues to gather people together to simultaneouslyresist andcelebrate, singing “This Little Light” and “StandByMe” and, yes, “When theSaints Go Marching In.” In crisis, this love of place has thechancetogrow more expansive.

Iremember an interview during Katrina with aman who had been boating around New Orleans, rescuing people from rooftops. He said he’d traveled on water into neighborhoods he’d never visitedina car.

Ithought of thatinterview this pastmonth, when Ifound myself in places in the Twin Cities I’d not previously entered.

ASomali-Americanmall filled with the spicy scent of fresh samosas, with signs on its doors stating ICE is notallowed inside.

ASpanish-language church now headquartering amassive food deliveryeffort for people afraid to leave their homes—much like FatherJerome LeDoux once transformed St. Augustine Church into astaging area for young CommonGround volunteers.

In New Orleans, it was often these volunteerswho cleared land and restored atype of faith. Yetmuch of the heavy lifting,

as anyNew Orleanianshould recall, wasperformed by tens of thousands of Latino immigrants —the same population now being terrorized both in Minnesota andinLouisiana,and across the country.Louisiana’sstatewide elected officials who support the current ICE surge seem to have forgotten —orsimply don’tcare about—Katrina’s lessons. Iwas reminded of perhaps the most important of these lessons by the Minnesota poet Ollie Schminkey, who wrote of the riverthattiesthe two statestogether, andhow this is the “land of the mississippi river’sbirth /landofsmall things turning mighty.” Schminkey wrote the poem during the current occupation, concluding it with afew linesabout alocal custom that we calla “Minnesota goodbye”— alengthy,reluctant parting that sounds alot like post-Katrina Louisiana to me, as well: didn’tyou know? we are bad at saying goodbye to those we love. we could stay here all night, shoes on in the entryway, refusing to open the door These days, as in 2005, hanging on to each other might be the best we’vegot

MichaelTisserand is an author He was editor of Gambit Weekly from 1998 to 2005.

Gabriella Burst GUEST COLUMNIST

Allthrough the fall, Iheard stories of hope and healing from breast cancer patients who, through new treatments and innovations,are living longer and breaking free fromthe disease. And while I’m happyfor these patientsand their families, it also hurts because my family was not so lucky.Wewere robbed of hope andhealing by my mother’s health insurance company.Because of denials and delays, my mother died of metastatic breast cancer at only 55 years old. Mom, or “Jammie” as my son called her,was one of a kind. She loved life. She was the lifeofthe party,and as alabor and delivery nurse, she loved bringing anew lifeinto the world. When she was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, she fought hard, forgingher own path and making decisions abouther treatment and care. But when the cancer metastasized in 2018, mom worked with a dedicated team of oncologists who were determined to get her the care she needed. But as we soon learned, hard work and dedication are stillnomatch forovercoming the mazeofburdens and hurdles that insurance companies and their pharmacy benefit managers put in the way of patients —eventhe verysickest of cancer patients It allhappened veryquickly.InmidApril of that year,Mom’snew oncologist prescribed atreatment that she felt would give her the best chance of stavingoff disease progression. Over thenext month,the insurancecompany refused to pay forthe treatment and denied and delayed theappeals process. They tried every trick in the book, includingrepeatedly asking the doctor’soffice to send in paper copies of forms that had alreadybeen completedonline. It would be laughable if it wasn’tsopainful to watch Mom had no treatment during this time and ended up in the hospital fortwo weeks Ironically,the same day she was admitted to the hospital, the treatment approvalfinally came through. But it was too late Those six weeks of insurance denials robbed my mother of precious time and of the hope that comes with having options

time thatmay have cost her life. Because of the delays, she didn’thave the chance to trythe medication thatmay have extended her time with us.

She was released from the hospital to hospice, because she told me she wanted to die at home. She passed away ashort time later. Alifecut short at just 55 years old. My brother and Iwill never know if that treatmentwould have madeadifference. It is so incredibly awful to watch someone you love to suffer,and there’s nothing you can do about it. Our family has been forever changed. My nieces and daughter will neverknow Jammie. My son who does remember her asks for her often. No family should have to endure what ours did. My mom deserved the chance to fight,but insurance denials stole thatfrom her.Families acrossthe country facethe same roadblocks—delays,denials and decisions made by insurance middlemen insteadofdoctors. And it’snot just breastcancer patients People battling chronic blood, stomach andother serious cancers are facing the same uphill fight —not just against their diagnosis, but against an insurance system thattoo often stands in the way of clinical care.

Theseinsurance practices have sunk to adangerous new low,and something needs to bedonetostop this from continuing to happen. My brother and Ihave spoken out. We’ve been to Washington totalk with Sen.Bill Cassidy

We’resupportive of any legislation that putsthe power of treatmentand prescribing backinthe hands of the doctors where it should be. Congress can start by advancing PBMreformtobring transparency and accountability to insurers and middlemen, and by passing common-sense reforms like the Safe Step Acttoensure patients get timely access to the treatments theirdoctors prescribe.

We’re fighting for patientslike our mom, who deserved better from the system thanwhat she got. Cancer already takes so much. No one should have to fight their insurer,too.

Gabriella Burst is apatient advocate based in Metairie.

It’sa new year,but many Louisianians are still missing the old prices that they were paying before President Joe Biden took office.

The Biden administration’sbad policies drove up prices by 21%injust four years. In turn,the average Louisiana household hadtospend an additional $28,426 to cover thecost of inflation over thecourse of Biden’sfour years in office.

Biden. Thatdoesn’tmean, however,that the lowprices from President Trump’s first term will come back.Lower inflationonly means thatprices arenot growing as quickly.Ifwewanttobring the costofliving within reach for more Louisiana families, we must increase incomes

It’sa mess, but Republicans in Washington have already begun to clean it up.

We started by peeling back excessive regulationsthat raise the price of goods and services.

President Biden added more regulations thanany presidentinhistory,and it cost American businesses roughly $2 trillion to comply withthisred tape President Donald Trump vowed to cut ten regulations for everynew rule he put in place. By March, he hadalready eliminated $1.3 trillion worth of bad Biden-erarules.Congress joinedthe fight by permanently invalidating some of the worst Biden administrationrules through theCongressional ReviewAct President Trumpsigned two of my regulatoryrepeals into law to save consumers money on their energy pricesand bank fees

Theseregulatory repeals have already unleashed aflurry of investment in Louisiana. The Interior Department, for example, recentlyannounced that it had raised $279 million from oil and gas leases after scaling back President Biden’s offshore drilling ban. These offshore leasesales not only generate revenue to reinvestinAmerica, but theyalso help drive down gas prices to below$3per gallon from record-high prices

In addition to cutting regulations, Republicans in Washingtonpassed the OneBig BeautifulBill. This legislation secured our border,doubledthe child tax credit and eliminated taxes on tips and overtime. By extending the 2017 tax cuts, we saved Louisianians from an average tax increase of $1,214 per family

Inflation is now down to 2.7%per year from upward of 9% underPresident

Fortunately,real wageshave already begun to climb under President Trump. In fact, wages for blue-collar workers increased faster in the first half of this year thantheyhaveinany time in recenthistory.Add in the fact thatAmerica’sGDP grew at astaggering 4.3%, and Louisianians have alot of reasonstobe optimistic aboutthe high-paying jobs on the horizon.

We’re offtoagreat start, but Congress still hasa lotofwork to do to keep wages growing andreturn asense of normalcy to the pocketbooks of Louisianians. We need to address ourbroken health care system, bolsterour immigration policies,reformour burdensome regulatory state andaddress the soaring price of housing.

To do anyofthis, though, we need 60 votesinthe Senate.You don’thave to be asenioratCaltech to know that most of my Democratic colleagues hate President Trump. They’ll never cast avoteto help the Republican agenda, and that’s their right.

The only wayaround the 60-vote requirement is to use the 1974 CongressionalBudgetAct’s reconciliationprocess. This procedure allows us to pass legislationwith 51 votes—just like we did with the One Big Beautiful Bill.

We still have two opportunities to use reconciliationtopass legislation with a simple majority.That’swhy Ihave been hounding Senate leadership to put reconciliation to use to address the cost of living in America, with or without our Democratic friends. Prices may notsoonreturn to where theywerebeforePresident Biden destroyedthe costofliving in America, but the right policies can ensure that Louisianians have the income theyneed to breathe easy in this new year

John Kennedy represents Louisiana in theU.S.Senate.

John Kennedy GUEST COLUMNIST

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ADAM BETTCHER

Protesters confront lawenforcement Jan. 9outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis.

COMMENTARY

ISSUEOFTHE WEEK MINNESOTA

After Renee Good, aU.S.citizen, was shot and killed by an Immigration and CustomsEnforcement agent in Minneapolis, tensions have continuedtobuild in the city as residents opposeICE raids President Donald Trumphas said he couldsend troops into the state to restore orderasclashes between protestersand immigration enforcement officers shownosign of easing.Theconfrontation between aRepublicanpresidentand aDemocratic-run city and state is testingthe limitsoffederal power. Meanwhile, as Trumpappears to have backed away from someofhis harshest words,somesay state leadersinMinnesotaalso have adutytoratchet down the rhetoric. Hereare twoperspectives

What if Trumpmade warand nobody came?

President Donald Trump’sapproval ratings are down the drain. The midterms are coming, andifDemocrats prevail, his agenda gets boxed in fast. What can he do to avoid that outcome?

Minnesotaand the battle to crippleICE

Well, what’sworked in the past?Immigration!

Former President Joe Biden had irresponsibly left borders open for too long, afailure that suited Trump just fine. Abipartisanfix emerged, and Trump pressured Republicans to reject it. He needed ashow

Few foreigners are entering the country illegally these days, and so Trump had to create the appearance of anew immigration crisis. Easy

Send armies of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents into Minneapolis. In doing so, he tried to link afraud investigation —one involving many membersofthe Somali community —toillegal immigration. The swindles are outrageous, but most of the Somalis involved are in this country legally.That is not an immigration issue, but Trump is an expert at mixing things up.

Another advantage to making war in Minneapolis was the knowledge that many in that generally liberal city would give him that war and provide street theater for media coverage. The performers came out on cue and put on shows. Some were clownish, though most were peaceful. Others threatened violence andbrought tensions to aboil.

Cecil B. DeMille had nothing on Trump in creating spectacle. Unlike DeMille, Trump casts “order” as the hero and ragtag discontentsasthe villains. The ICE officers didn’tsend themselves into these cities. Trump did. Some may have acted badly,but they arehumans. They were being used by Trump on oneside while being provoked by the other

There was really no excuse for aprotest at achurch in St. Paul, where apastor reportedly also worked as an ICE agent. The ICE agentsreally are not the

enemies here. It’sthe people who put theminimpossible situations. What transpired in thefatal shooting of Renee Good should be settled by an in-depth federal investigation. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said thatthe morethe Trump administration refuses to conduct one, “themore frustrationbuilds hereamong the people I speak to.”

To stoke more chaos, the Trump administration has given ICE daily quotas on the number of arrests. That forces —or incentivizes —them to hassle brown people without cause. Trump campaigned on thepromise to at first limit these resources for undocumented immigrants who had committed crimes. He broke that promise, and his brutal campaign against immigrants, legal or otherwise, is abig reason his poll numbers on immigration went negative.

Theworry for Democrats isthat some of their prominent figures may help Trump by playing the“Abolish ICE” card again. That was very bad for them last time. MostAmericans supportimmigration but want it kept legal. “AbolishICE” sounds alot like “Defund the Police.” (“Abolish ICE” probably cost Wisconsin Lt. Gov.Mandela Barnes and Democrats —aSenate seat in 2022. He lost to Republican Sen. Ron Johnson by ahair.)

What if these armies of agents showed up and the town answered by pulling the shades and turning on the TV?Confrontation is Trump’spreferred setting, andconfusion caused by amultitude of playersblursthe lines

Note that Trump hasn’tsent the forces intoconservative Texas or Florida —stateswithfar higher percentages of undocumented immigrants than Minnesota. Andhehas cut back on raids in California farm country,whereundocumented immigrants provide much of the labor. Trump’slatest verbal escalationcontainedinthreatstoinvoke the Insurrection Act and send in active-duty troops suggests he’sworried thetemperature may soon drop. Democrats,don’t be suckers

Froma Harrop on X@FromaHarrop. Email her at fharrop@gmail.com.

You’ve seen videos of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers struggling to apprehendillegalimmigrants in Minneapolis and elsewhere around the country.Many of those immigrants have criminal records. The reason ICE struggles to detainthemis thatheavily Democratic jurisdictions,suchas Minneapolis, specifically make it hard forimmigration authorities to detain criminal illegal immigrants That’s thepoint of sanctuary laws —toerect abarrier between the illegal immigrant and federal immigrationlaw.Inamore normal world, when aperson who is in the country illegally and who has committed another crime is released from jail, local authorities would notify federal immigration officials, who would thenpickupthe illegal immigrant and put them on thepath to deportation. Not in sanctuary jurisdictions. Their laws, passed by Democratic local and state governments, forbid local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. If ICE wantstodeport acriminal who is in the country illegally,ICE will have to find them itself. That is what often leadsto the scenes of ICE officers showing up in neighborhoods. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C.,a bitter debate about the future of ICE is underway and likely to intensify in thecoming days as Congress attempts to pass ahomeland security funding bill. Many Democrats see thisastheir opportunity to take asledgehammer to ICE. There is ahard core of progressive Democratswho have signed on to the “Abolish ICE” cause that flourishedfor awhile in the first Trump administration. On the other hand, some Democrats are afraid the momentumtoabolishICE will grow and become aliabilityfor the party.The Searchlight Institute, amoderateDemocratic think tank, recently said that while the idea of abolishing ICE might appeal to some in theparty, “it means that you support getting rid

of theagencyresponsible forenforcing immigration andcustomslaws, creating alawless system wherepeople who enter thecountry illegally can stay here indefinitely, leaving no agency charged withfinding andremoving them.This will, inevitably,incentivizeothers to come to theUnited States illegally.” Whenthe time to vote comes, it seems likely there will be enough moderate Democrats to joinwithRepublicans, who nearlyunanimouslysupport ICE, to getthe bill through theHouse of Representatives. Whatwill happeninthe Senate whenDemocrats force thefunding bill to get60votes to go forward is anybody’sguess.

Finally,anti-ICE activisminMinneapolis hit anew high, or low, withthe invasion of achurch serviceonSunday Several protesters claimed they had aFirst Amendment right to bargeinto theservice, interrupt worship with theiryelling, andshut thechurch down. That’snot howthe First Amendment works, of course; theFirst Amendment’s right to free speech does not allowprotesters to cancel others’ First Amendment right to religious expression.Inaddition, theprotesters, ledby a“civil rights lawyer,”likely violated alaw calledthe Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which was passed in 1994 to protect access to both abortion clinicsand churches. The FACE Act mandates fines or imprisonmentfor anyone who“by force or threat of force or by physical obstruction,intentionally injures, intimidates or interferes withorattemptstoinjure, intimidate or interfere withany person lawfully exercising or seeking to exercise theFirst Amendment right of religious freedom at aplace of religious worship.”That seemsanexact description of what theprotesters did Now, theJustice Departmentislooking intothe church matter,while local officialssearch forfurther ways to obstruct ICE, and someDemocrats in Washington seek waystocut back or shut down theagency. The Battleof Minnesota goes on,both in Minnesota andinWashington,withnoend in sight. Email Byron York at byork@ washingtonexaminer.com.

Froma Harrop

Byron York

ASSOCIATEDPRESS

PHOTOByADAMGRAy

Lawenforcement officersstand amid tear gasatthe scene of areported shooting Jan. 14 in Minneapolis.

LSU athletics reports uptick in revenue

Breaking down department’s spending for2025 fiscal year

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

LSU athletics finished with a$3.8 million surplus and the footballteam turned arecord profit during the 2025 fiscal year,according to an annual NCAA financial report.

The department recorded $223.4 million in revenue, aslight uptick from the year before, while spending $219.6 million. As aresult, LSU ended up with ahigher profit than the year before, when it hadone of $1.73 million in the 2024 fiscal year

Financialsummaries sent by schools to the governing body of college sports are available through publicrecordslaw.The figures covered July 2024 to June 2025,a period that includeda national championship in baseball, former football coach Brian Kelly‘s third season and the last fullschool year under former athletic directorScott Woodward. It wasthe lastfinancialreportbefore the implementation of revenuesharing rules that allowed schoolstodirectly pay players

ä See ATHLETICS, page 3C

Followinginjuries, LSUgymnast Zeisshas foundjoy in competingagain as Tigers host Kentucky in home opener

BY SCOTTRABALAIS Staff writer

Lexi Zeiss has gone to great lengths to pursue her gymnastics dreams. She left her hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, after her freshmanyear of high school to traininMinneapolis at one of the nation’stop gyms: Twin CityTwisters. Her parents, Dana and Jess Zeiss, kept their homeinOmaha, rented another in Minneapolis andspent three years shuttlingback and forth between the twocities.

“My wife andI hadmanydate nights in the Deltaclub at theMinneapolis airport switching off,”JessZeiss, said. Thereare sacrifices required topursuethe highest goalsinsports. And debts to be paid. Lexi Zeiss made them andpaid them. She was home-schooled her last three years of high school, acommon practice for elitelevelgymnasts. The routinesshe was doing, withmore

length anddifficulty than thoseofcollegiategymnastics, took atoll on her physically Ultimately,inMarch 2023, it all camecrashing down. Zeiss traveled to Stuttgart, Germany, as part of the USA Gymnastics team forthe DTBPokai meet there, but the night before, in vault practice, she shredded the deltoid muscle in her ankle. Soon after,she injured her other ankle as well. The injuries ended Zeiss’ hopes of making theU.S. Olympic team forthe 2024 Paris Olympics.

Zeiss’ parents asked their only child if all the moving, allthe training, allthe nothaving anormal life wasworth theeffort. “Itcame with consequences,” Jess Zeiss said.

“My injury wasreally hard,” Zeiss said. “My recovery didn’t go the way it was planned. It was supposed to be faster. Iwas constantly in pain andwecouldn’tget it to go away.”

Saints QB Shough named

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

The NFL releasedthe finalists for its most prestigious postseasonhonorsThursday, and one New OrleansSaints player madethe cut Quarterback Tyler Shough is officially a finalist for theAssociated Press Offensive Rookie of theYear award, which is considered thedefinitive honorthatwill be unveiled at the annual NFL honors gala. Joining Shough as finalists for the Offensive Rookie of theYear award are New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, TampaBay Buccaneers receiverEmeka Egbuka, New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson and Carolina Panthers receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Shough engineered an impressive turnaround for the Saints aftertaking over as the team’sstarting quarterback fora Week 9contest against theLos Angeles Rams. He

thored

in the fourth quarter —the rest of the rookie class of quarterbacks combined for three game-winning drives. Shough ranked second amongrookie quarterbacks in quarterback rating (91.3), andfirstincompletionpercentage (67.6 %), passing yards pergame (216.7)

No. 1pick CamWard to lead the Saints to a34-26 win against the Tennessee Titans —the fourth straight win by New Orleans at that stage of the season. At that point, Shough waspulling roughly even with McMillanasthe betting favorite forthe

LSU gymnast Lexi Zeiss performsher floor routine during the Gymnastics 101/OpenMikeNight exhibition meet

Jan. 2atthe Pete Maravich Assembly Center STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Djokovic one away from 400

Serbian star cruises in straight sets at Australian Open

BY JOHN PYE AP sportswriter

MELBOURNE, Australia Novak

Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka made it a day for the ages at the Australian Open.

Djokovic improved to 399 wins in Grand Slam matches with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Francesco Maestrelli on Thursday, making the 38-year-old, 24-time major winner just one shy of becoming the first player ever to 400.

He’s aiming to win an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title And if he does, he’ll beat Ken Rosewall’s record (aged 37 in 1972) as the oldest man in the Open era to win a major singles championship. The Rosewall name was prominent on Day 5 at Melbourne Park, where he was among the invited VIPs.

Wawrinka, at 40 years, 310 days, became the first man over 40 to reach the third round of a major since Rosewall in 1978. It took a 4 1/2-hour 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3) comeback victory over 21-year-old qualifier Arthur Gea. That’s the longest match of the 2026 tournament so far Wawrinka, who is retiring at the end of the year, will next face No. 9 Taylor Fritz. Before then, he told the crowd at John Cain Arena: “I think I’ll pick up a beer I deserve one!”

His was one of three high-profile matches that finished around the same time, with Jannik Sinner continuing his bid for an Australian Open three-peat after beating James Duckworth 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena.

The defining feature of Naomi Osaka’s first two rounds quickly moved from fashion to friction when her 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 win over Sorana Cirstea ended in tension.

“I think this was her last Australian Open so, OK, sorry she was mad about it,” Osaka said.

Day and night

With Sinner facing an Australian wild card, he got the prime time night slot and bumped 10-time Australian Open winner Djokovic into the afternoon session

That didn’t bother Djokovic as much as the dropped service game in the third set — his first of the tournament It stung Djokovic, who broke the Italian qualifier at love in the next game and finished on an eight-point roll.

He said he took extra time out in the offseason and fine-tuned some skills as he chases his biggest goals.

“When I have more time, then I obviously try to look at my game and different elements that I can really improve Otherwise, what’s the point?” he said. “That’s the kind of mentality I try to nurture.

It’s been allowing to me play at the highest level at this age.”

Iga wi tek beat Marie Bouzkova 6-2, 6-3 and later said she’s been trying to take lessons from Djokovic’s attitude to sustained success and longevity.

“It’s good to look at people like that and find inspiration,” the sixtime major winner said. “For sure I’ve got to learn to appreciate every single match,” she said.

Keys to success

Defending champion Madison Keys was down a double break in the second set before rallying to

beat Ashlyn Krueger 6-1, 7-5 and advancing to a third-round match against former No. 1 Karolina Plíšková.

Melbourne is where Keys made her Grand Slam breakthrough 12 months ago and since her return people have been asking her how confident she is about retaining the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.

“Whether or not I do repeat it,” she said, “I still get to keep Daphne at home!”

In that tough quarter of the draw, No. 4 Amanda Anisimova fended off doubles champion Katerina Siniakova 6-1, 6-4 and sixthseeded Jessica Pegula won 6-0, 6-2 over McCartney Kessler, her doubles partner

Anisimova, who has been runner-up at the last two major tournaments, will next play fellow American Peyton Stearns. Pegula will next face Oksana Selekhmeteva, who upset 2025 semifinalist Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-4. No. 5 Elena Rybakina advanced over Varvara Gracheva and No. 10 Belinda Bencic was ousted by Nikola Bartunkova.

Men’s draw

Eighth-seeded Ben Shelton, a

semifinalist here last year, reached the third round with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win over Australian qualifier Dane Sweeny

His fellow American Eliot Spizzirri beat Wu Yibing in five grueling sets and will next face Sinner

Two men’s seeds tumbled: Marin Cilic, the 2014 U.S. Open winner, ousted No. 21 Denis Shapovalov and Tomas Machac upset 2023

Australian Open runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5).

Big, big crowds

The combined day and night crowd set a tournament record for the fourth time in five days, rising to 103,720. The cumulative total for the main draw so far is 508,430, prompting a lot of chatter about crowding.

Light will win

Before the start of the night session, spectators were asked to join in a moment of silence to remember the 15 people killed in the Bondi Beach terror attack last month. It was designated a national day of mourning in Australia and signs in Melbourne Park highlighted the message: “Light Will Win.

Scheffler 1 shot back at American Express

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

LA QUINTA, Calif.

— The idea for Scottie Scheffler was to get a gauge on his game at The American Express, and all appeared to be in good working order Thursday He made birdies on half of his holes for a 9-under 63 to join a parade of low scores that left him one shot out of the lead.

Min Woo Lee and Pierceson Coody led the way at 10-under 62 on the Nicklaus Tournament course at PGA West, the easiest of the three on the rotation. Scheffler played at La Quinta, where he didn’t miss a green until the 17th hole. He chipped that in for birdie.

“I think the hardest part about these tests where you have to shoot so low is you can only shoot so many under par in a round of golf,” Scheffler said. “The easier tests, where the scores are crazy low, if you start falling behind it’s a lot harder to keep up, so you have to keep pace out here.”

Jason Day had the most impressive round of the day with his 63 on the Stadium Course at PGA West, which averaged nearly four shots harder than the Nicklaus course and just over three shots harder than La Quinta.

But it was a solid start for so many of the 156 players the largest domestic field of the year

golf courses, and it’s just a good check to see where your game’s at in very benign conditions. Because if you can’t hit a 6-iron out here, you’re not going to hit a 6-iron good anywhere.”

Scheffler leads the strongest field in decades at The American Express, approaching the three-year anniversary at No. 1 in the world, a combined 13 tour titles and three majors the last two years. This was his first competition against a full field — the first time playing when there was a 36-hole cut — since September in Napa, California (which he won)

Six holes into the new year, he already was 5-under par

fairways I was missing, I was missing on the correct side. And it was nice, even though I wasn’t hitting it my best on the back, but to keep it in play and give myself some opportunities.”

That was the case for just about everybody Lee had three straight birdies around the turn and four in a row toward the end of his round.

Coody made seven straight birdies on the back nine before closing with a par.

Nine players were at 63, a group that included Ben Griffin and Patrick Cantlay, and eight more players were at 64.

Rees joins Falcons as offensive coordinator

The Atlanta Falcons have named Tommy Rees offensive coordinator the team announced Thursday

It’ll be a reunion for Rees and newly-appointed Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski. Rees worked under Stefanski for two years in Cleveland He was initially brought on as tight ends coach and pass game specialist in 2024 before being promoted to offensive coordinator prior to the 2025 season. He took over play-calling duties from Stefanski in Week 10 after a 2-6 start.

Rees replaces Zac Robinson, who was recently hired as the offensive coordinator of NFC South foe Tampa Bay after two seasons in Atlanta. The Falcons also announced the hiring of Jacqueline Roberts, who will serve as the manager of coaching operations.

Liberty annonuce May 8 start to regular season

NEW YORK The Liberty are set to begin the WNBA’s 30th season on May 8 — if the league and the WNBPA are able to reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement and avoid work stoppage. The spring matchup against the Connecticut Sun would be the WNBA debut of new Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco at Barclays Center The Friday evening matchup is the first of a 44-game WNBA schedule.

It’s still unknown how the initial 44-game schedule announced Wednesday will be impacted if CBA talks continue through the winter as spring approaches There’s no guarantee for play to begin on May 8 or if the 44-game season will remain as currently structured.

Mets acquire pitcher Peralta in Brewers trade

NEW YORK The active New York Mets acquired ace pitcher Freddy Peralta and right-hander Tobias Myers from Milwaukee on Wednesday night in a trade that sent two prized young players to the Brewers. Milwaukee received pitcher Brandon Sproat and minor league infielder/outfielder Jett Williams. Both were rated among the game’s top 100 prospects by Baseball America.

Peralta gives the new-look Mets a frontline starter after their rotation faltered in the second half of a hugely disappointing 2025 season. Peralta went 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA in 33 starts last season, when he led the National League in wins and finished fifth in Cy Young Award voting.

Lions’ Skipper retiring, will pursure coaching

DETROIT — Dan Skipper is reporting as retired.

Skipper, a fan favorite with the Detroit Lions, made the announcement via Instagram on Thursday “24 years of putting on pads and a helmet every fall. This year I’ll trade that out to pursue a career on the other side in coaching,” Skipper, 31, wrote “The memories and experiences that the NFL has brought me and my family are hard to put into words. Thankful for every person that has been apart of my journey.”

Skipper is reportedly volunteering as an offensive line coach for the East-West Shrine bowl, which is hosted in Texas.

Skipper has spent the last few seasons as the Lions’ swing tackle and their extra offensive lineman.

‘Heated Rivalry’ stars to be Olympic torchbearers

among regular PGA Tour events because of the three courses. They were treated to ideal conditions they expect in the California desert, with pleasant weather and barely a breath of wind.

Even with the new tech-infused TGL, weather like this has always made Palm Springs feel like playing indoors.

“You’re coming to a dome almost,” Vince Whaley said after a 63 at Nicklaus “You got hardly any wind, perfect turf, perfect

Scheffler hit only five of 14 fairways but was rarely out of position until the end of his round, twice being blocked by trees that required a hard fade on one how and a low slider around the trees on another at the 17th That one ran through the green, leading to a chip that rolled in like a putt. It was a fast start and routine pars in the middle with a few birdies sprinkled in. About the only thing that caused even a little stress was when sprinkler came on right below his feet when he was doing interviews after his round.

“Felt I could have hit a few more fairways on the back nine, give myself some more opportunities,” Scheffler said. “Even the

The final round will be played on the Stadium Course, and its difficulty was primarily the firmness of the greens that made it hard to get it close. Day didn’t have too many problems as he put in a new set of Avoda irons this year

“Irons felt great, the short game felt good, and I putted really nice today,” Day said. “Just got to work on the driver a little bit. Some of the drives were a little off. But overall I feel pretty solid.”

Rickie Fowler was slowed by three bogeys in a four-hole stretch on the back nine at La Quinta, but his left shoulder felt great and there wasn’t too much tournament rust. Fowler hasn’t competed since the BMW Championship five months ago.

MILAN The actors Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie who costar in the hit hockey romance TV series “Heated Rivalry” are set to be among the torchbearers carrying the Olympic flame on the way to the Opening Ceremony for the Milan Cortina Games.

The organizing committee announced Thursday that Williams and Storrie will take part in the torch relay The Opening Ceremony is scheduled for Feb. 6. The series based off “Game Changers” books has captivated viewers with the fictional story of a

ASSICIATED PRESS PHOTO By AARON FAVILA

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his second-round match against Francesco Maestrelli of Italy at the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday.

AP PHOTO By ROSS D FRANKLIN Scottie Scheffler hits from the second tee during the American Express golf event at La Quinta Country Club on Thursday in La Quinta, Calif.

AP NFL MVP finalists announced

49ers’ RB McCaffrey only second player to be finalist for three AP NFL awards in same year

BY ROB MAADDI AP pro football writer

NEW YORK Christian McCaf-

frey has become only the second player to be a finalist for three AP NFL awards in the same year, as he joins Josh Allen Trevor Lawrence, Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford in the running for The Associated Press 2025 NFL Most Valuable Player award.

McCaffrey and Maye are also finalists for Offensive Player of the Year McCaffrey and Lawrence are among the finalists for Comeback Player of the Year

The winners will be announced at “NFL Honors” on Feb 5. A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league completed voting before the playoffs began. Votes were tabulated by the accounting firm of Lutz and Carr

Voters selected a top 5 for the eight AP NFL awards Firstplace votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifthplace votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points. Here are the finalists, in alphabetical order, for the eight AP NFL awards:

Most Valuable Player

Allen, the reigning MVP, threw for 3,668 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, posting a 102.2 passer rating while leading Buffalo to its seventh straight playoff appearance. He also ran for 14 TDs. The Bills were knocked out of the playoffs by Denver in the divisional round and fired coach Sean McDermott. Lawrence helped Jacksonville win 13 games and the AFC South title He had 4,007 yards passing, 29 TDs and 12 picks. The Jaguars were eliminated by the Bills in the wild-card round

McCaffrey, an All-Purpose All-

Pro, ran for 1,202 yards and 10 TDs and caught 102 passes for 924 yards and seven TDs. He played a key role in helping the injury-depleted San Francisco 49ers win 12 games. He’s a finalist for three awards this year, a

feat last accomplished by Joe Burrow Maye had 4,394 yards passing, 31 TDs and eight picks to lead the New England Patriots to an AFC East title and an appearance in the AFC championship game on Sunday Maye led the NFL in passer rating (113.5) and completion percentage (72).

Stafford led the NFL with 4,707 yards passing and 46 TDs. He threw eight picks and finished second to Maye with a 109.2 passer rating. Stafford was firstteam All-Pro for the first time in his 17-year career Last year, Lamar Jackson was the first-team All-Pro QB but was edged out by Allen for MVP

Coach of the Year

Liam Coen led the Jaguars to a 13-4 record and a division title in his first season, a nine-win turnaround for the franchise.

Ben Johnson guided the Chicago Bears to an 11-5 record and their first NFC North championship in seven seasons. Mike Macdonald led the Seattle Seahawks to a 14-3 record and the NFC’s No. 1 seed. The Seahawks host the Rams in the NFC championship game on Sunday Kyle Shanahan guided the 49ers to 12 wins despite a slew of injuries to key players, including losing defensive stars Nick Bosa and

Fred Warner for the season. Mike Vrabel, the 2021 AP NFL Coach of the Year, took the Patriots from worst to first, a 10-win turnaround in his first season with the team.

Assistant Coach of the Year Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels are the finalists.

Comeback Player of the Year Lawrence, McCaffrey, Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, Lions

edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott are the finalists.

Defensive Player of the Year

All-Pro edge rusher Will Anderson Jr had 12 sacks for the Houston Texans and was a major part of the NFL’s No. 1 ranked defense. Broncos edge rusher Nik Bonitto had 14 sacks for the league’s second-ranked defense.

Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett, a unanimous choice for AllPro, set a single-season record with 23 sacks and had 33 tackles for loss. He was the 2023 AP Defensive Player of the Year Lions edge rusher Hutchinson had 14 1/2 sacks.

All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons had 12 1/2 sacks in 13 1/2 games before tearing his ACL in his first season in Green Bay Offensive Player of the Year Puka Nacua, Bijan Robinson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba join Maye and McCaffrey as finalists. Nacua and Smith-Njigba were unanimous selections for All-Pro. Nacua led the NFL with 129 catches for 1,715 yards and 10 TDs for the Rams. Smith-Njigba caught 119 passes and led the league with 1,793 yards receiving and had 10 TDs. Robinson, who was All-Pro running back, led the NFL with 2,298 yards from scrimmage. He ran for 1,478 yards and seven TDs and caught 79 passes for 820 yards and four scores.

Defensive

Offensive Rookie of the

Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and Saints quarterback Tyler Shough are the finalists.

Ex-Michigan coach Moore seeks to dismiss charges

BY LARRY LAGE AND ED WHITE

Associated Press

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — A lawyer for fired University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore declared his innocence Thursday and said she’s seeking to have home invasion and other charges against him dismissed.

Authorities say Moore entered a woman’s apartment on Dec. 10 and blamed her for him losing his job that day, then grabbed butter knives and kitchen scissors and threatened to kill himself.

Moore was fired for having a personal relationship with the woman — who was a football staff member and for lying during the investigation, the university’s athletic director said in the dismissal letter In court Thursday, defense attorney Ellen Michaels said she had filed a motion to quash the arrest warrant against Moore.

She later told reporters Moore is innocent

“This warrant was issued based on false and misleading statements presented as facts,” Michaels said. “We’re confident the truth will come out in court under oath where it belongs.”

Michaels didn’t elaborate on the disputed statements and directed reporters to a court filing that wasn’t immediately available. Without the statements, she said, “there would be no probable cause for these charges.”

Moore, 39, faces three charges, including felony home invasion and stalking. He has pleaded not guilty and must wear a tracking device while free on bond.

He stood nearby while Michaels spoke outside the courthouse but declined to comment.

Washtenaw County assistant prosecutor Kati Rezmierski told the judge that she had just received Michaels’ court filing.

Judge Cedric Simpson set the next hearing for Feb. 17.

When the charges were filed on Dec 12, Rezmierski said the woman involved in the case cooperated with the university investigating the affair after she ended it with Moore. The prosecutor quoted Moore as telling the woman, “My blood is on your hands.”

Moore arrived at the courthouse with his wife, Kelli and waited in an adjacent courtroom for his case to be called. More than 20 members of the news media were on hand for the hearing.

Moore coached the Wolverines for two seasons as the successor to Jim Harbaugh, who won a national championship before quitting to become coach of the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers.

Kyle Whittingham, who coached Utah for two decades, is the new Michigan coach.

ATHLETICS

in exchange for the use of their name, image and likeness rights.

LSU said it would meet a $20.5 million spending cap in the first year of the system, which administrators said would create a financial deficit in the 2026 fiscal year

LSU has now exceeded $200 million in revenue for three straight years. It generated a slight increase in revenue in Fiscal Year 2025 compared to the year before in large part due to an increase in media rights payouts. LSU made $53.1 million from media rights after bringing in $43.6 million the previous year

As revenues continue to rise in major college sports, so have expenses LSU spent $219.6 million, which was roughly $1 million more than the year before. The highest expenditures came from $82.7 million in combined compensation for coaches, support staff and administration. LSU also spent $27 million on unspecified operating expenses. As usual, LSU football was the big money-maker. It reported $117.5

million in revenue and $50.7 million in expenses, resulting in a $66.8 million surplus, which is believed to be a record for the team. LSU football had never cleared a $60 million profit, according to available financial reports that date back to 2004. It generated a $52.4 million surplus the year before.

The increase was mostly thanks to multi-million dollar bumps in ticket sales ($43.6 million), media rights ($18.6 million) and conference distributions of bowl-generated revenue ($13.1 million) The team also received $28 million in outside contributions. Its total revenue was $9.6 million higher than the year before.

LSU football’s expenses mostly remained the same, with one exception. It spent $4.3 million less on unspecified “other operating expenses” than the year before, which includes non-team travel and team banquets or awards.

The only other team to record a profit was men’s basketball, which made $2.5 million in head coach Matt McMahon’s third season. Even though the team went 14-18 overall and 3-15 in the SEC, its media rights increased to $6.8 million, providing a larger financial cushion as expenses held steady De-

spite its issues on the court, LSU men’s basketball has made money for four straight years.

LSU women’s basketball lost the most money of the teams on campus, a regular occurrence ever since the school hired coach Kim Mulkey and decided to invest more in the program. LSU spent $12.09 million on the

LSU

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JOHN FROSCHAUER

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, right, tries to get past the Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon during a game on Saturday in Seattle.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JOSE JUAREZ

Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore appears in the courtroom on Thursday in Ann Arbor, Mich.

NBA, Abu Dhabi extend partnership

BY TIM REYNOLDS AP basketball writer

The NBA and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism announced an extension of their partnership Thursday, with the league agreeing to continue bringing preseason games to the Middle East and the sides completing talks to launch a new global academy in the United Arab Emirates’ capital for top boys players

Financial terms were not disclosed, though it’s reasonable to expect that the nine-year extension would be worth well over $300 million based on how the DCT agreed to pay the EuroLeague a reported 25 million euros ($29.2 million) to play host to that league’s Final Four last year

The extension also comes at a time where the NBA and FIBA are working toward launching a new league in Europe, possibly as early as next year And the DCT has deep ties to Manchester City, which is believed to be one of the franchises that has met with the NBA about the possibility of bidding for a spot in the new basketball venture. Manchester City

also has a stake in the Co-Op Live Arena, where the NBA is bringing a regular-season game in 2027.

“Extending our partnership with the NBA further strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as the new home of basketball in the Middle East and reinforces our commitment to our youth, inspiring our community diversifying the economy and elevating the emirate’s standing as a global destination,” said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, the chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi.

He is the brother of Khaldoon Al Mubarak, who chairs Manchester City and is a top executive with Mubadala, one of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth funds.

The NBA has played in Abu Dhabi in each of the last four preseasons: Milwaukee and Atlanta went in 2022, Dallas and Minnesota went in 2023, Boston and Denver went in 2024 and New York and Philadelphia went in the 2025 preseason.

USA Basketball also visited Abu Dhabi for games preceding the 2023 Basketball World Cup in the Philippines and the 2024 Paris Olympics. It’s logical to expect that USA Basketball will return

there in 2027 in advance of the next World Cup, which will be played in Qatar NBA games have aired in the UAE for nearly 40 years, and the league — citing research provided by YouGov says “basketball participation has increased by 60% in the UAE and basketball’s fanbase in the country has grown by more than 25%” since the annual preseason trips started in 2022.

“Our collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi has been instrumental in growing basketball participation and fandom in the UAE and across the Middle East,” NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum said.

The planned NBA Global Academy in Abu Dhabi will be considered the global hub for the league’s NBA Academy program. The Abu Dhabi site, the league said, will operate year-round and serve as an “elite basketball development and academic program for top highschool-age student-athletes from the UAE, the Middle East and around the world.” The academy will also have some basketball development activities for local girls, the league said.

Antetokounmpo says lack of chemistry has contributed to losses

BY STEVE MEGARGEE AP sportswriter

MILWAUKEE Giannis Antetokounmpo says chemistry issues may be contributing to the Milwaukee Bucks’ recent penchant for lopsided losses.

The Bucks fell 122-102 on Wednesday to an Oklahoma City team that was missing a handful of rotation players due to injuries. The Bucks have dropped four of their last five games. Each of their last three losses was decided by at least 18 points.

Antetokounmpo was asked after the game against Oklahoma City if he sees any common threads to the blowout defeats.

“We’re not playing hard,” Antetokounmpo said. “We aren’t doing the right thing. We’re not playing to win. We’re not playing together Our chemistry’s not there. Guys are being selfish, trying to look for their own shots instead of looking for the right shot for the team. Guys trying to do it on their own.

“At times, I feel like when we’re down 10, down 15, down 20, we try to make it up in one play, and it’s not going to work.”

Milwaukee’s string of nine straight playoff appearances is in jeopardy midway through the season, with the Bucks (18-25) 11th in the Eastern Conference standings. They haven’t won more than two games in a row at any point this season. Now they’re going to have to get accustomed to playing without Kevin Porter Jr., who ranks second on the team in points per game (16.8) and first in assists per game (7.4). Porter has an oblique

strain that leaves his return date uncertain.

“He’s not going to play anytime soon, I can tell you that, but we don’t know how long he’ll be out,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said.

One thing that could help the Bucks is getting the ball in Antetokounmpo’s hands more often.

The two-time MVP has 13 fieldgoal attempts or fewer in his last four games, including 11 against Oklahoma City

“I’m not the guy that will yell and cuss his teammate out and demand the ball,” Antetokounmpo said “I’ve never done that in my career But I feel like I’ve played with teammates that kind of understand the gravity that I can cause for our team, in how I can create for teammates and for myself, and how I can help the team be more successful.

“But maybe for some reason, I don’t understand maybe because we’re young, maybe because we’re not playing well, maybe because guys think it’s their turn, they want to carry the team on their back and try to turn this around – but I really don’t get it. I really don’t.”

Antetokounmpo said he has been trying to play aggressively and relayed something he said he has heard from others.

“They told me there’s this thing that’s called the white swan and black swan, that you’ve got to be the black swan and be more aggressive and demand the ball,” Antetokounmpo said. “It’s something I haven’t done, that I’ve never done my whole career Maybe I’ve got to do it more.”

Gradually, Lexi Zeiss got her health back. Her joy in doing gymnastics back. Though she does take some LSU classes online, the Tigers’ sophomore finds enjoyment in something mundane for most college students: simply going to class. She also has found joy in the team aspect of collegiate gymnastics: eight of her teammates stayed at the Zeiss home in Omaha during LSU’s run to the 2025 College World Series title. “I’ve really just started to enjoy competing again,” Zeiss said Monday as the Tigers began preparations for Friday’s home opener against Kentucky (6:30 p.m., SEC Network). “I lost that a little before I got here. I’m just being free and doing it for everyone. For the team. Just doing my normal I’m being better at self-care. It’s a good mix of everything.”

A two-event competitor in 2025 as an LSU freshman on vault and uneven bars, Zeiss has extended her repertoire with balance beam as well in the Tigers’ first two meets. Her scores have been consistently strong in this early part of the season when scoring has been tight across the nation: three 9.85s, two 9.875s and a 9.90 on bars this past Friday at Georgia. Actually, LSU coach Jay Clark argued vociferously at the Sprouts Collegiate Quad meet two weeks ago that Zeiss’ 9.85 on beam should have been at least a 9.875 because one judge incorrectly devalued one of the skill elements and, in his view, did not

correctly upgrade the score after the error was made. Just that fraction of a deduction kept LSU from an outright victory in that meet instead of a tie with Oklahoma at 197.500.

“A 9.875 (by Zeiss) would have won the meet,” he said. Still, LSU’s performance in the Sprouts meet was an encouraging one, the Tigers’ highest road score in a season opener in program history One week later at Georgia, LSU was not celebrating, as the Tigers had to count two poor scores of 9.65 and 9.575 in a frustrating 197.200-196.850 loss to the Bulldogs. It marked the fourth straight year that LSU (2-1-1 overall, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) has lost its SEC road opener Clark this week stressed the importance of not looking back at

past performances, good or bad, but only being focused on moving forward to try to be the championship-caliber program LSU has eventually been after those three early SEC road losses.

Zeiss said the Tigers have gotten the message.

“Our main approach is moving on,” she said. “We addressed what we needed to address (after Georgia) in a team meeting. It was a good, athlete-led meeting.

“It’s early We’re growing and focused on ourselves and how we can improve.”

While LSU had its frustrations in the Georgia meet, the Tigers still carry a 197.175 season average that still has them ranked No 4 in the country This week’s opponent, Kentucky, has had much bigger struggles. Though the Wildcats have two gymnasts ranked in the top-10 individually

Anna Flynn is tied for fourth on vault with LSU’s Kailin Chio and Delaynee Rodriguez is 10th in the all-around, three spots ahead of the Tigers’ Madison Ulrich — the No. 39-ranked Wildcats are 0-4 and 0-1 They finished fourth in their session at the Sprouts Quad against California, Michigan and Michigan State with a 194.925, then lost at home last week to Arizona State, 195.750-194.325.

LSU can expect Kentucky to be better on Friday, as the Tigers hope to be. As Clark likes to say, you can’t play defense in gymnastics, so the focus is internal.

“I believe in their ability and the potential of this group,” Clark said. “We’re just still trying to find our

WALKER

Continued from page 1C

community,” Jones said. “With so much we do in sports, I wanted to let the kids know that’s not the only option to be successful in life. (I wanted to) give back and help a student once they go back to college.”

Smith was one of 25 students from various New Orleans Public Schools who attended the event. All 25 students demonstrated high academic achievements and served as leaders in their schools and in the community Their accomplishments made choosing a winner difficult, Jones said.

But really, everyone was a winner

Each student was given a gift bag that included a signed basketball, a jersey and a Surface Pro tablet and keyboard.

That led to a loud “We love you, Herb” cheer from the students.

“I probably would’ve reacted the same way if somebody had done that for me in high school,” Jones said. “Especially given the circumstances back home. I was just happy that they were happy to get something to help them. I know once they get to college, a lot of kids don’t have the resources to get certain things. I’m glad I was able to be a blessing to others.”

Jones is known for not being flashy He keeps it simple when it comes to things like fashion and spending money He credits that to his upbringing growing up in Alabama.

“Back home, we didn’t have a lot to do,” Jones said. “But we found ways to have fun without having to spend money I kept that with me as I grew I always said once I ran into money, I would use those same principles to save and give back to my family or those that need it.”

Smith, who plans to attend Spelman College in Atlanta, was thrilled to win.

“This honor and this distinguishment means everything to me,” Smith said. “I’ve worked so hard being an activist and a leader within my school and community So to be awarded this and get recognition for the work I’ve put in feels like such a blessing.”

And for Jones, it was a blessing, too. His stellar defense play over the years, including a selection to the All-Defensive Team two seasons ago, helped coin the phrase “Not on Herb.” But Wednesday it was more like “Because of Herb.” Jones missed Wednesday’s game because of an ankle injury he’s been dealing with. Yet he still managed to make an impact, albeit off the court, in the Smoothie King Center A player who takes pride in stopping opposing players from scoring goals takes just as much pride in helping students reach their goals.

“Regardless of what we do on the court, I want to leave a positive impact on the community,” Jones said. “Especially the kids.” Email Rod Walker at rwalker@theadvocate.com.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

Pelicans forward Herb Jones gets past Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall, left, and forward Cooper Flagg for a layup during the first half of a game on Dec. 22 at the Smoothie King Center

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By ALTAF QADRI

The Philadelphia 76ers play the New york Knicks on Oct. 2 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Two-sport star standing out

Opposing coaches have taken notice of Brother Martin star McClusky

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

Mark Bonis arrived at a meeting of Catholic League football coaches unsure whether an injury that sidelined his best defender for nearly half the season would cost him postseason recognition When the meeting ended the Brother Martin coach had his answer Brady McCluskey had been unanimously voted to the all-district team as a linebacker

As he now turns to baseball season, the 5-foot-9, 185-pound McCluskey has established himself as a top performer in two sports, having also been selected to the all-district team as an outfielder on last spring’s state runner-up team

“I’m extremely grateful that coaches from the other teams think of me that highly,” McCluskey said.

Despite missing four games, McCluskey’s football output as a junior was enough to lead the team in tackles with 106.

Even coaches from the teams he didn’t face talked about “how much he flashed on film,” Bonis said.

“That says a lot right there,” the coach continued, “in the fact that you have guys that he didn’t play against talking about how much of an impact player he is.”

McCluskey played safety in four games before injuring the AC joint in his right shoulder — “Not my throwing shoulder,” he noted — while coming downhill to tackle a Jesuit running back. He returned and played inside linebacker to help Brother Martin win three more games, including one in the playoffs. After the injury, McCluskey could have gotten healthy and then turned

PROVIDED PHOTO

Brother Martin linebacker Brady McCluskey looks to assist on a tackle against Holy Cross last season.

his attention to baseball. He didn’t.

Bonis said McCluskey was “itching to get in” during those four weeks.

“He really loves football,” said Brady’s father, Daniel McCluskey

“I think football is his first love.”

Football was the first sport where McCluskey really stood out.

“He had no fear of going to hit you,” Daniel McCluskey said. “It was football that was more the sport that was, ‘Wow he’s crazy.’ ”

That physical edge carried over into other sports McCluskey began wrestling at a young age and won state championships at ages 10 and 12, in addition to a third-place middle school state finish as an eighth grader at Brother Martin.

His baseball development also began early A backyard batting cage had McCluskey facing faster pitching than anything he would see in games. Daniel McCluskey, a Grace King graduate selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 51st round of the 1994 MLB Draft, said the cage helped accelerate his son’s growth.

Baseball, McCluskey said, is the sport that humbles him most.

“It shapes me,” he said. “You can go from having a bad game and the next day you can have an amazing

game. It’s just like, you can never get too down and never get too high.”

This season, McCluskey will bat second while playing center field for a team that returns junior Brody Shannon at shortstop and senior Bronson Leaumont in the infield, along with senior starting pitcher Blaise Tingstrom.

“We’re not going to hesitate to put him on the mound to let him pitch either,” Brother Martin baseball coach Jeff Lupo said. “He’s that much of a competitor He’s just an athlete.”

Lupo said McCluskey sets the standard.

“He’s the most accomplished player we have coming back on the roster, and yet, when we’re playing inter-squads out there, if he hits a ground ball, he runs his best 90,” Lupo said. “It forces everybody else to understand that’s kind of the expectation and it forces everyone else to elevate their game.”

McCluskey, who batted third and led the team in sacrifice bunts last season, could have a college future in either sport. He already holds a baseball scholarship offer from UNO, while multiple Southland Conference schools have shown interest for football.

Tulane’s transfer duo from California turning heads

Liolios, Elliott making early impact for Green Wave

BY GUERRY SMITH

Contributing writer

Liolios

Of the 23 newcomers on Tulane’s baseball team, transfer portal arrivals Johnny Elliott and Trent Liolios have stood out the most Elliott, a sophomore catcher who played for USC last season, impressed coach Jay Uhlman from the moment he stepped on campus. Liolios, a graduate transfer first baseman from Northwestern, came with impeccable powerhitting credentials

Together, the duo from Newport Beach, California adds heft to an already solid lineup that figures to carry the Green Wave early in the year as it sorts out its pitching with a largely new cast.

“They are competitive southern California kids,” Uhlman said. “They play baseball year-round, and their attitude and mentality make them great players.”

Liolios, a strapping 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, hit two home runs in Northwestern’s 2025 opener against Long Beach State. It was his first of three multihomer games on his way to a team-best 16 long balls with a .263 average. No one at Tulane had more than eight home runs last season The only multihomer game came from James Agabedis in the American Conference tournament.

“I can definitely help out the team a lot with my style of play,” Liolios said. “Being a big bat and an offensive threat can be something that our team really thrives

on, but I think working up and down the lineup can be one of our strengths this year where anyone at the plate poses a threat to hit the ball out of the park.”

What also impressed Uhlman was Liolios’ skill in the infield.

“He’s far better on defense than advertised,” Uhlman said. “That was an eye-opener when I started hitting him ground balls. Usually I have to teach that.”

He’s almost like a father figure to us. I can go in his office and talk to him any time I want about anything.”

Elliott joined Kaikea Harrison, who transferred from USC last year and started 55 games at shortstop, as Trojans transplants to New Orleans. He said Harrison, now a senior, only had positive things to say about the Wave.

Former UNO star Giavotella bringing energy to program

BY SPENCER URQUHART Staff writer

Former Major League Baseball player Johnny Giavotella wanted to stay involved in baseball while being close to home, and he was able to do so by becoming UNO baseball’s general manager

Born in Metairie, Giavotella was a star at Jesuit and UNO before playing seven major league seasons

Giavotella was hired in August as UNO’s first baseball GM, and there have been a series of changes surrounding the program.

Partnerships with New Orleans area youth sports organizations such as The 18th Ward have resulted in upgrades to Maestri Field.

“Fortunately, we were able to get some grant money from the state to partner with youth facilities here in New Orleans,” Giavotella said. “Youth programs are coming to use our facilities, and we were able to upgrade ours at the same time. It’s been a great partnership.”

The Maestri Field upgrades include a new turf infield and upgraded lighting along with improvements to the locker room, he said.

“It’s been fun and also challenging to make sure this all gets done before our season starts,” Giavotella said. “It’s almost all complete now By Game 1, fans can come here and get a great experience.”

Another new partnership includes having area high school games at Maestri Field. The first prep game is set Feb 6 between John Curtis and Live Oak.

“Our main initiative is to get people here at our facilities,” Giavotella said “The best way to do that is to host high school games, host tournaments and host showcases.”

Giavotella, who played at UNO from 2006-08, starred on the last Privateers team to quality for a regional in 2008.

Giavotella was selected in the second round of the 2008 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals. After his playing days ended he considered joining an MLB front office.

“I was actually thinking about going to be a general manager in Major League Baseball,” he said “I decided to stay home and manage my real estate properties and just be a dad, and then this opportunity (at UNO) came. It’s a great way to serve that general manager purpose and role but stay here in New Orleans.”

UNO first-year coach Andrew Gipson was hired in the summer after stints at Belhaven and Southeastern Louisiana. Gipson will have a new-look roster

“It was fast this summer,” Gipson said. “By the time all the chips fell, we had 12 players from last year’s team. We had to get moving, so we signed 34 new guys. Brought in a good mixture of local guys, high school guys, portal guys and junior college guys.”

UNO’s freshman class includes Stan Wiltz and Cole Navarro from Brother Martin and Will Andrade from Holy Cross.

“Coach Gipson and his staff have been vital in the foundation of this program,” Giavotella said “Recruiting from all over the region, specializing here in New Orleans. Good things are coming. I have a lot of confidence in what they’re doing.”

UNO’s season begins with a weekend series ay Georgia State. The inaugural Maestri Classic will mark UNO’s first home game on Feb. 20 against Alabama A&M.

A baseball banquet is scheduled Friday night at Lakefront Arena with former MLB manager Buck Showalter as the keynote speaker

“When we had the ability to hire Johnny, I just felt in my gut that it was the right decision,” Gipson said. “For the first pitch banquet, he’s just been out hustling and selling tickets. He’s got a chip on his shoulder to help us make this thing better.”

Gore traded to Rangers from the Nationals

BY HOWARD FENDRICH AP national writer

WASHINGTON All-Star left-hander MacKenzie Gore is headed to the Texas Rangers in a trade that sent five prospects back to the Nationals on Thursday in the biggest move of new Washington president of baseball operations Paul Toboni’s roster-rebuilding efforts.

and a career-best 185 strikeouts in 30 appearances, all starts.

“Our goal is to help him put together a complete season,” Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young said “But we anticipate, with knowing the person, the competitor, the desire to be great, he fits all the criteria of great starting pitchers and we’re excited to help him.”

Elliott (6-foot-4, 217 pounds), who has a nearly identical build to Liolios, hit .271 in 70 at-bats with 24 starts for USC, but his forte is his ability behind the plate. After losing a close battle with fellow freshman Richard Tejeda to be USC’s No. 1 catcher, he is looking for a fresh start while engaging in another tight competition with holdover

senior Hugh Pinkney

“My biggest strength is my defense as much as I’m learning and progressing with my swing,” Elliott said. “I’m the leader on the field and controlling the defense. My arm plays a lot. My ability to have relationships with the pitchers is very strong.”

His mobility struck Uhlman.

“He blocks and retrieves like he’s 5-2,” Uhlman said. “He’s low to the ground, gets up quick and has an accurate hand cannon for an arm.”

Choosing Tulane out of the portal was easy for him. Uhlman, then an assistant at Tulane, was the first coach to recruit him at the beginning of his high school career Elliott ended up at USC, but Uhlman reached out to him again when he entered the portal.

“I knew it was where I wanted to go just because of the relationship

I had with Jay already,” he said.

“I’ve never had a coach like Jay

The quality education was a factor, too.

“My goal is to play professional baseball, but I know baseball only takes you so far in life, and Tulane has a great business school,” Elliott said. “It will serve me long past my years of baseball.”

Liolios did not have quite the same connection, but he did get a first-hand look at Tulane when Northwestern opened its 2024 season with a weekend series at Turchin Stadium. That experience gave the Wave an edge over the California and Florida schools he also considered.

“I was so impressed with everything here,” he said. “That was a big aspect, but the biggest seller was coming out here over the summer on a visit and getting to know the coaches and seeing it from an in-depth perspective I talked to my parents and was like this is the place I want to be for my last year.”

USC participated in a regional last year, but Elliott had only one at-bat in four games.

Northwestern never came close to postseason play in Liolios’ three years, topping out at 25-27 in 2025 after two dismal seasons. Tulane’s historical track record and American Conference tournament success under Uhlman made his decision easier

“I want to go a regional,” he said. “That was a big factor in what I wanted to do. I want to be playing late this summer and we can do that here.”

Gore gives the 2023 World Series champions a starter who should be able to help the front end of their rotation along with Jacob deGrom a two-time Cy Young Award winner who was the American League Comeback Player of the Year in 2025 — and Nathan Eovaldi, who dealt with a rotator cuff strain and had surgery for a sports hernia after compiling a 1.73 ERA in 22 starts.

“We’re at a moment right now in time where we have a team we believe is capable of winning, and winning a championship,” Rangers general manager Ross Fenstermaker said. “And when you add a player of MacKenzie Gore’s status, it’s not that you look past what you’re giving up, but you’re excited on what you’re bringing in and what that does to the clubhouse, what this does for our fan base, what this does for excitement around the club.”

Gore is under team control for the next two seasons; he can’t become a free agent until after the 2027 World Series. He is scheduled to make $5.6 million in 2026 after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Nationals that avoided arbitration.

Gore, who turns 27 next month, is 26-41 with a 4.19 ERA in four major league seasons, the past three with Washington. He was an NL All-Star last season, but he faded in the second half and ended up going 5-15 with a 4.17 ERA

Gore was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2017 amateur draft by the San Diego Padres and was sent to the Nationals in the 2022 trade that included Juan Soto.

The players Washington is receiving from Texas are Yeremy Cabrera, Gavin Fien, Devin FitzGerald, Abimelec Ortiz and Alejandro Rosario.

“We see high-end talent with this return, but we also see intriguing depth,” Toboni said. “We did see untapped potential with MacKenzie, so we baked that into basically the level of return that we wanted.” Fien is an 18-year-old shortstop taken out of high school in the first round of last year’s amateur draft.

“Getting a player of this caliber that’s young, has the upside that he has I don’t think any of these players are sure-fire bets,” Toboni said, “but we’re really excited to be bringing him into the system.”

Rosario is a 24-year-old righthander who missed all of last season and is slated to have Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery soon. Toboni said the Nationals hope he’ll be ready to play at the start of the 2027 season.

Fitz-Gerald is a 20-year-old infielder Cabrera is a 20-year-old outfielder and Ortiz is a 23-yearold first baseman and outfielder Fien, Fitz-Gerald and Cabrera played in Class A ball last year, and Ortiz spent time at Double-A and Triple-A.

Giavotella

Elliott

Beltrán’s wife intently followed HOF vote-tracker

BY ALEX RUBINSON Associated Press

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y Carlos

Beltrán’s wife followed Ryan Thibodaux’s Hall of Fame votetracker with the intensity of an investor tracking the markets.

“My wife would wake up every morning and she was like, ‘Yes,’ and I was like, ‘What happened?’” he said Thursday during his first visit to the Hall of Fame since his election. “She was like, ‘We got five votes,’ and then she was like, ‘Oh my God, what’s going on? We lost five points.”

Making his fourth appearance of the ballot, Beltrán received 358 of 425 votes for 84.2% from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in voting announced Tuesday That was 39 above the 319 needed for the 75% threshold.

Andruw Jones, in the ninth of 10 possible appearances, was picked on 333 ballots for 78.4%.

Beltrán fell 19 votes short last year Jessica kept him informed of this year’s projection.

“She made me aware every single morning where I was, and if it was going to be a good day or a bad day,” he said.

Just two center fielders had been elected by the BBWAA in the pre-

vious 45 years, Ken Griffey Jr and Kirby Puckett. “I never dreamed about being

a Hall of Famer,” Jones said. “It’s kind of a weight off of my shoulders. All of my family was telling

me about it. All of my fans, all of my friends, they were like ‘oh when are you going to get that

call’, and I just said ‘I’m just living like it’s probably never going to happen.’”

Beltrán was the only Houston Astros player mentioned by name in a report by Major League Baseball regarding the team’s illicit use of electronics to steal signs during the teams run to the 2017 World Series championship his final season.

“Honestly, I know that’s part of my story,” Beltrán said. “There’s no doubt that as a team, we altogether put ourselves in that position. Looking back, understanding what we did and where we were and how we were able to do it as a team, there’s a lot of times you get caught up thinking on that moment, and there’s a lot of times when you think of: We did take it to a different level, meaning on finding ways to beat the opposing team.”

“As a group and as an organization, we also felt being able to find a way to take advantage of the opposing team is something that every team will do whatever it takes to win in baseball,” he added.

“When you hear the name Carlos Beltrán, that’s something that’s going to be attached to my name, and at the same time, that doesn’t really define the person that I am.”

5, Peavy 7-11 0-0 17, Missi 2-4 0-0 4, McGowens 1-3 3-3 5, Poole 4-17 3-4 11. Totals 36-86 25-30 104. Detroit 34 34 21 23 — 112 New Orleans 30 32 22 20 104 3-Point Goals—Detroit 15-39 (Robinson 4-9, Green 2-3, Ivey 2-5, Harris 2-6, Jenkins 2-6, Holland II 1-1, Stewart 1-4, Sasser 1-5), New Orleans 7-32 (Peavy 3-5, Murphy III 2-9, Matkovic 1-2, Bey 1-5, Fears 0-2, McGowens 0-2, Poole 0-7). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Detroit 47 (Duren 15), New Orleans 46 (Looney, Peavy 7). Assists—Detroit 26 (Jenkins, Sasser 4), New Orleans 19 (Queen 8). Total Fouls—Detroit 21, New Orleans 20. A—15,502 (16,867) College basketball Men’s state scores, schedule Wednesday’s game Florida Atlantic 79, Tulane 74 Thursday’s games Appalachian State 72, UL 58 Marshall 115, UL-Monroe 60 Friday’s game Kennesaw State at Louisiana Tech, 1 p.m. Late Thursday Florida Atlantic 79, Tulane 74 TULANE (12-7) Middleton 1-3 1-2 3, Ringgold 5-10 3-4 13, Brumbaugh 4-15 5-7 14, C.Williams 8-14 8-8 27, Woods 1-3 3-3 5, Greene 2-3 1-1 6, Daniels 0-1 0-0 0, J.Moore 2-2 2-2 6, Bradford 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 23-52 23-27 74. FLORIDA ATLANTIC (14-6) Pintelon 1-2 2-2 5, D.Williams 4-7 1-2 9, Carlyle 4-8 0-0 10, Elohim 8-12 1-2 18, Vanterpool 6-13 5-6 20, Parker 2-5 3-7 7, Moretti 1-1 2-5 4, Sissoko 1-4 3-5 6, Logue 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 27-52 17-29 79. Halftime—Florida Atlantic 43-32. 3-Point Goals—Tulane 5-15 (C.Williams 3-7, Greene 1-1, Brumbaugh 1-2, Woods 0-1, Middleton 0-2, Ringgold 0-2), Florida Atlantic 8-18 (Vanterpool 3-6, Carlyle 2-5, Sissoko 1-1, Pintelon 1-2, Elohim 1-3, Parker 0-1). Fouled Out—Daniels, Carlyle. Rebounds—Tulane 28 (Middleton 8), Florida Atlantic 30 (Vanterpool 7). Assists—Tulane 8 (Brumbaugh 3), Florida Atlantic 20 (Pintelon 6). Total Fouls— Tulane 23, Florida Atlantic 20. A—3,161 (5,000). Men’s national scores Thursday’s games EAST Maine 52, Albany 49 Marshall 115, Louisiana-Monroe 60 New Hampshire 88, Binghamton 82, 3OT Quinnipiac 77, Mount St Marys 62 Sacred Heart 69, Canisius 66 Siena 69, Marist 50 Stony Brook 95, Northeastern 80 UMBC 87, NJIT 74 Vermont 77, UMass Lowell 68 Wisconsin 98, Penn State 71 SOUTH Appalachian State 72, Louisiana 58 Austin Peay 83, Florida Gulf Coast 62 Central Arkansas 86, West Georgia 65 Lipscomb 79, Stetson 74, OT Towson 72, Elon 59 MIDWEST Youngstown State 88, Green Bay 81 Women’s state scores, schedule Wednesday’s

2-Dixie Morning (McMahon C.) $23.20 $12.00 4-In Your Life (Castillo I.) $6.60 Also Ran: Diamonds Joy, Zoom Erin, Cairo Charm. Late Scratches: Margoinabubblebath Race Time: 1:05.65 Daily Double (1-7) $13.00; Exacta (7-2) $87.90; Superfecta (7-2-4-6) $131.28; Trifecta (7-2-4) $165.65; Pic 3 (3-1-7)

$8.55 Claimed: Zoom Erin ($5,000.00, Owner: CATTTTS Family Racing LLC, Trainer: Jervon Broussard) Fourth Race — Purse $19,000, SOC $10,000$5,000, 4 yo’s & up, One And One Sixteenth Miles

6-Boitano (Concepcion A.) $5.40 $3.00 $2.60

8-Mister Muldoon (Graham J.) $4.00 $4.80

2-Even the Wind (Pedroza, Jr. M.) $13.40

Also Ran: Twoko Bay, Red Road, Fortuity, Prowling Tiger, Brit’s Wit. Late Scratches: Rock N Roll Bolt Race Time: 1:42.97 Daily Double (7-6) $17.20; Exacta (6-8) $12.90; Superfecta (6-8-2-4) $201.82; Trifecta (6-8-2) $85.40; Pic 3 (1-7-6)

$12.65 Claimed: Prowling Tiger ($10,000.00, Owner: DARRS, Inc., Trainer: Brittany Russell) Fifth Race — Purse $55,000, Allowance,

4 yo’s & up, One And One Sixteenth Miles

1-Original Sin (Curtis B.) $9.00 $3.60 $2.20

5-Crisis Manager (Ortiz J.) $3.00 $2.40

3-Tre Italiani (Loveberry J.) $2.10

Also Ran: Contribution, Shepherd. Late Scratches: Face the Future Race Time: 1:43.56 Daily Double (6-1) $13.10; Exacta (1-5) $11.90; Superfecta (1-5-3-2) $5.36; Trifecta (1-5-3) $12.50; Pic 3 (7-6-1) $45.70; Pic 4 (1-7-5/6-1) $63.85; Pic 5 (3-1-7-5/6-1) $110.15

Sixth Race — Purse $55,000, AOC $125,000, 3 yo, One Mile

3-Remember Mamba (Ortiz J.) $3.20 $2.40 $2.10

5-Casa Cielo (Graham J.) $4.00 $3.40

6-McCready (Pedroza, Jr. M.) $3.80 Also Ran: Beekman Street, Toogoodtosell, Sav’n Money French Knight. Race Time: 1:36.97 Daily Double (1-3) $8.90; Exacta (3-5) $5.50; Superfecta (3-5-6-2) $3.40; Trifecta (3-5-6) $10.80; Pic 3 (6-1-3) $10.05

Seventh Race — Purse $54,000, Maiden special weight, 3 yo, One And One Sixteenth Miles

5-A. P.’s Girl (Curtis

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By TONy GUTIERREZ

Texas Rangers outfielder Carlos Beltran follows through on a two-run home run swing as Los Angeles Angels catcher Carlos Perez watches on Sept. 21, 2016, in Arlington, Texas.

KreweofChrewbacchus, Algiers MardiGrasFest, King Cake &Conversation

n The INTERGALATIC KREWE OF CHEWBACCHUSPARADE

takes to the streetsina mashup of Carnival revelry, interstellar celebrations and general chaosinthe name of agood time at 7p.m Saturday starting at the edgeofthe Marigny and the Bywaterand rolling intothe French Quarter. With more than 2,500 participants, the parade isacollection of subkrewes, marching groups and more than a bit of sarcasm and satire —and adrunken wookie. chewbacchus.org.

n The West Bank gets into the Carnival spiritSaturday withthe ALGIERSMARDI GRAS FESTIVAL featuring live entertainment on twostages withthe Brass-A-Holics, Lil Frank, Naydja Cojoe and the U.S. Marine Forces Reserve Jazz Band and Big Sam’s FunkyNation. Riga Ruby keeps things rolling as this sixth annual fun fest in Federal City, 2300 Gen.Meyer Ave. from10a.m. to 6p.m.There’salso vendors and more, including akids’ zone. algiersmardigrasfest.com.

n Sample abunchof the season’ssweet treats and getsome Carnival merchandiseand abit of historywhen WyES stages itsfourth annual KING CAKE &CONVERSATION

PROVIDED PHOTOSByROCKIN’1000

The Rockin’1000 collectivestages classic rockconcerts performed by athousand musicians at stadiums around the world. The 2026 Rockin’1000isslated for the Caesars Superdome in NewOrleans in January. It will be the first Rockin’1000 concertinthe United States.

Striking many chords

ABYKEITH SPERA Staff writer

decade ago, amarine geologist in asmall Italian townhad adream:he wantedthe FooFighters to perform in his hometown

As one of the world’s mostpopular rock bands, theFoo Fighters typically skipped towns the size of Cesena, what Fabio Zaffagnini describedrecently as a“very tiny place in the middleof nowhere. They would have never come to such asmall place unless we did something special.” So Zaffagnini cameupwith something special: he’d gather 1,000 musicians to perform the Foo Fighters’ “Learn toFly” andhope avideo of the performance caught the band’sattention.

He spent ayear organizing thestunt.But sure enough, the video went viral, Foo Fighters leader Dave Grohlsaw it,and he brought the band toCesena. Zaffagnini realized he was onto somethingwiththisconcept of 1,000amateur musiciansperformingasthe world’s“biggest rock band. He dubbed the project Rockin’1000.

Other iconicNew Orleans purveyors of munchies will be on hand, plus guest speakers including Arthur Hardy, subject of Thursday’s documentaryonthe station. The fun runs from 11 a.m. to 1p.m. Saturday at 916 NavarreAve.Tickets startat$30. wyes.org

‘To bring hope to people’

HowChristian

artists arewinning over listenersand entering pop’smainstream

BY MARIASHERMAN

AP music writer

NEWYORK It is one of the most surprising music stories of the year

While streams of new music —releases from thelast 18 months were down fromlast year,one genre is on the rise:Christianand gospel music,according to industry data andanalyticscompany Luminate’s 2025 Midyear Report. Jaime Marconette, Luminate’s vicepresident of music insights and industry relations, said theshift is led by acts like Forrest Frank, Brandon Lake and Elevation Worship, who are connecting with a“younger, streaming-forwardfan base”that’s 60% female and30% millennial. In fact,for the first time in 11 years, twocontemporary Christian music songs —Frank’s“Your Way’sBetter” and Lake’s“Hard Fought Hallelujah” with JellyRoll— brokethrough the Billboard Hot 100’sall-genre Top40, placing them in direct competition with mainstreamartists.

It’s also whytraditionally secular artists like Jelly Roll, Killer Mike and T.I. are nominated in Christian musiccategoriesatthe forthcoming 2026 Grammys —the linesare blurring.

The Rockin’1000 collectivewas first staged adecadeago by Fabio Zaffagnini in Italy

Over the past decade, Rockin’1000 hasbrought itsmass of musicians to stadiums in France, Germany,Spain, Brazil andSouth Korea, always generating widely viewed social media content.

On Jan. 31, Rockin’1000 finally makes its American debut at the Caesars Superdome. Arranged in sections by instruments,the drummers,guitarists, bassists, keyboardists, singers and, for the first time, horn players —a nod to New Orleans’ musical legacy —will raise amighty racket on a roster of rock songs The amateurs will be augmented by afew pros. New Orleans native HarryConnick Jr.willconduct a“New Orleanswelcome” featuring Dumpstaphunk, the Rumble,Big ChiefMonkBouHarryConnick,CowboyMouth to join

INVISION/ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTOByRICHARD SHOTWELL

Louisiana’sLauren Daigle performs at the Pre-Grammy Gala in Beverly Hills,Calif., in 2023.

An evolving sound

“Christian music (is) unlikeany other genre that’sdefined by asonic component. Christianmusic is defined by itslyrical component,” saysHolly Zabka,the president of Provident Entertainment, aSony Christian music subsidiary.“It’s not limited to anarrow definition. It’s a lyrical component that can appeal to anyone’smusical preference.” From alabel perspective, she’s interested in pursuing artists that “don’thave to fitwithin that narrow lane of Christian bookstore and Christian radio. It can be rap, hiphop, it can be rock, it can be country, and that’sappealing to abroader audience because it’swhat they’re already listening to,” shesays. “Very fewpeople listen in avacuum and only listen to one genre.”

ä See CHRISTIAN, page 2D

dreaux and other local acts.

And veteran New Orleans rock band Cowboy will kick off the preshow.Tickets start at $25 ‘Wallofsound’

Overall, “most of the musicians that are part of Rockin’1000 are just like me —they’re strummers,” Zaffagnini said. “They’re not professional guitar players. But when they come together,they can play in stadiums just like rock stars. Individually, they wouldnever get to fill up an entire stadium. But when they’re together along with999 other people, it is actually possible.”

As they crank out classic and contemporary rock songs, “the wallofsound created by 200 drums, 300 guitars, 200 bass players, is mind-blowing. It’svery hard to translate it into words. Youhave to live in it in person to know how it feels.”

Nobody gets to solo. Instead, the musicians must work together as small parts of amuch bigger whole.

“Weask our musiciansto put their ego (aside) and join the ensemble,” Zaffagnini said. “This creates avery special environment where everybody is working on the same goal —fillingupstadiums, giving agreat show “There is no distancebetween our musicians andthe audience. We are all part of the show,basically.The audience sings along with the band.”

American debut

Why didittakea decade for Rockin’1000 to get to the United States?

“Wehad to find the right partners,” Zaffagnini said “It’savery complicated show to organize. Youhave to understand the value.”

He foundthe rightpartner in New Orleans &Co., the official marketing firm for the city’stourism industry NO&C is the promoter of the Rockin’1000 concert at the Superdome.

SamJoffray, NO&C’s event development&production executive, zeroed in on Rockin’1000 being agood

CHRISTIAN

Continued from page1D

But for many years,CCM has held areputation for being unimaginative —what writer John Jeremiah Sullivan infamously referred to as “excellence-proof”— forits tendency to mimic and water down popular, contemporary mainstream sounds for areligious audience.

“Absolutely there’sbeen an improvement in quality,” says Zabka. “When all themusic hastoliveside by side on these streaming platforms, we can’tjust be the cheap alternative. ‘Oh, youlike Taylor Swift? You will like this lesser version offering in the Christian genre.’ We want to be the greatest art.”

“You have to imitate before you innovate,” Chris Brown, singer and worship leader at Elevation Worship, jokes. “There’snot as many rigid lines stylistically within Christian music as maybe there was 10 years ago or certainly like 20, 30 years ago.”

“There was aperiodof time where people idealized Christian music as like, ‘OK, we’re going to have this look, we’re going to sound like this,’”says two-time Grammy-winning Christian and pop musicianLauren Daigle. “There’ssomuch more artistry now.People are very expressive. They’reableto share their creativity.And that also comes with different types of people represented.

Whynow theconnection?

Zabka says her genre is experiencing “a special moment and …a perfect storm.” Streaming and the abilitytoconnectonsocial media have democratized music discovery,she says, allowing CCM to compete with secular music. That, partnered with what she views as “a resurgenceof

PROVIDED PHOTO By ROCKIN’1000

The 2026 Rockin’1000 is slated for the Caesars Superdome in NewOrleans in January. It will be the first Rockin’1000 concertin theUnited States.

forNew Orleans

fit

“It really was right place, right time,” said New Orleans& CompanyPresident andCEO Walt Leger.“They were looking forthe right partner.Wewerelooking for the rightevent

“And when we really started digging in on it, it was, ‘Of course this has to beinNew Orleans’ —athousand musicians comingtogether from allover the world in one of the greatest cities anywhere relative to music.”

The international element, Leger said, aligns with New Orleansrecently being designateda UNESCO “cityof music,” joining Kansas City as theonly other such cityin theUnited States.

Musicians from approximately 25 counties will take partinthe Jan.31showatthe Dome. Some have traveledto multiple Rockin’1000 shows.

“Once youdoit, youwant to do it againand again and again,” Zaffagninisaid

He is well aware of New Orleans’ musical legacy.On apreviousvisit to the city, he realized “you can actually breathe musichere. Musicis more than music here. You feel it, youbreathe it, you touch it.For us, itwas our pick No. 1tostart our journeyinthe United States.”

That said, don’texpect Rockin’1000 toattempt any LouisArmstrong songs

“Or course we cannotplay jazz music with 1,000people,”Zaffagnini said.“But as you get deep into music, youfeel the influence ofjazz andNew Orleans in so many different songs.”

Headphones help

Initially,Rockin’1000

faith” in young people,is responsible for the interest Thenumber ofAmericans whoidentifyasChristian hasdeclined steadily for years, but that drop shows signs of slowing, according to a2025 survey from the Pew ResearchCenter.Anew class of millennial and Gen ZChristian influencers, too, are aiming to connect with young people.

“Christianmusic hasalso shifted in its authenticity of the lyrics,” Zabka adds, making themusic more relatable than previous iterations of thegenre, which often featured aneat message of “everything is going to be OK, just followJesus” in3 1/2 minutes. Now,she says, “their songsare much more authentic and real and honest. ‘Lifeishard.Breakups arehard.Bad thingshappen,’ and that providesa level of hope that other music doesn’tprovide for the listener.”

Daigle pointsout thatartists like Lake are performing in huge stadiums —categorical proof that Christian artistsare growinginpopularity

“I think alot of people are looking at theworld and they findfortitude in this music, andthey finda sense of strength inthis music, and theyfind truth in this music,” she says.

Daiglealso theorizesthat because “Christian music points to something else”— to God— insteadoffocusing on individual issues or theego ofthe performer on stage,itevensthe playing fieldbetween listener and artist, while giving both a sense of purpose.

“In aworld that has become so self-focused and self-centered, the freedom of saying ‘Wow,I can actually lean on someone else for awhile,’ or ‘There’ssomething thatisactually greater than me,’”she says.“And thepurpose of Christian music, for me, is to bring hope to people.” Brown theorizesthat peo-

Howtoavoid oniontears

setlists wereassembledvia democratic process. “But it wouldtakemonthsjust to pick asong,” Zaffagnini said.

Now he generally assembles the setlist. Having ahorn section in New Orleans opens up thesetlist to include BruceSpringsteen, MarkRonson, Otis Redding andotherartists Rockin’1000 doesn’tusually cover

Butthe show will also likely encompasssuch Rockin’1000 standards as Metallica’s“Enter Sandman,” Nirvana’s“Smells Like Teen Spirit”and, of course, the Foo Fighters’ “LearnToFly.”

After weeks of rehearsing at home, the selected musicians will spend two days rehearsing at the Superdome. They’llall wear headphones containing a “click track” to helpthem stay in time. They alsohear vocal commands in their headphones“so they do not get lostinthe song,”Zaffagnini said. “You really have to focus on listening in your headphones. Otherwise it’s impossible to play.”

Having 1,000 musicians spread across afootball field presents certain acoustic challenges.Rockin’1000 audio engineers have figured out how to makeitall sound cohesive.

“It sounds like amiracle when youhear it,”Zaffagnini said. “Wecreatenatural reverb.”

The musicians“are going to leavewith adeep connection to each other,” Leger said.“It’s thekindofthing where, years from now, people will say,‘Iwas there when that happened.’”

plerelate to his Charlotte, NorthCarolina-based CCM collective because of “how fundamentally we’re rooted” in their local church.

“It’seasy to connect because we’re just church people,” he says.

Acrossover moment

Lake, whoisnominated for three Grammys in 2026, including “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” believes people are connecting with Christian music now because that’s simply thepurpose of religious music.

“The reason whypeople are turning their ear toward thosekinds of songs right now is becausethat’s what they weremade for,” Lake says. “Peopleare finding in these songs —they’re finding themselves, their spirit, connecting with the spirit of God. …Those songs aren’t just entertainment;they tee up an encounter.”

“I love all kinds of music,” he continues, “but if you have asong that carries that kind of message, it’s just supercharged, youknow? It does something deeper.”

He also believes this may be thestart of acrossover moment, wheremore Christian artists will be welcomed into other genres and mainstream spaces.“Iprayit’s just thebeginning,” he says. “And Ipray that it takes over.”

Jelly Rollagrees. “I think there really is arevival happening in Americaright now where people are being represented the Gospel in adigestible way. Anditdoesn’t seem as finger-waggy and ‘You’reall going to hell,’you know?” he says.

“I really don’tcare when theorganized religions wave their fingeratme,” he continues.“I’m justglad to see the message, the Gospel gettingpresented.”

The 68th Grammy Awards will be held Feb. 1, 2026,at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The show will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+.

Dear Heloise: Iread your “freezing onions” hint to avoid crying allover them when slicing. Iuse another method that Ihavefound successful:Wet apaper towel (or several) and place them beneath the onions when slicing. This eliminates the onion fumes that cause the tearing agony —Joe S., in Chester,Virginia Speaking up on education

Dear Heloise: What is wrong with our schools? Iunderstand that they no longer teach cursive writing, and someschools have stopped

teaching geography.Instead of having “study hall,” whynot use this time to teach geography? Let’sextend school hours to 8a.m.-4 p.m.I feel like our children are being shortchanged when it comes to education. We’re falling behind in science and math, while kids in China, Russia, Vietnam and other countries are moving ahead. Now that the Department of Education has been gutted, how can we improve our schools? AshleyD., in Madison, Indiana Ashley,the first place to start is probably with your

TODAYINHISTORY

By The Associated Press

Today is Friday, Jan. 23, the 23rd day of 2026. There are 342 days left in the year

Todayinhistory:

On Jan. 23, 1870, approximately 200 Piegan Blackfoot tribe members, mostly women, children and older adults, were killed by U.S. Army troops under the command of Maj.Eugene MortimerBaker in Montana, in what becameknown as the BakerMassacre.

Also on this date:

In 1368, China’sMing dynasty, which lasted nearly three centuries, began as Zhu Yuanzhang was formally acclaimed Hongwu Emperor, following thecollapse of theYuan dynasty.

In 1789, Georgetown University was established in present-day Washington, D.C.

In 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell became thefirst woman to receive amedical degree in theUnited States.

In 1964, the24th Amendmenttothe United States Constitution was ratified,

prohibiting poll taxes in federal elections.

In 1973, President Richard Nixon announced an accord had been reached to end the Vietnam War, and would be formally signed four days later in Paris.

In 1986, the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame inducted its first members, including Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Elvis Presley

In 1997, Madeleine Albright wassworninasthe United States’ first female secretary of state.

In 2002, Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl waskidnapped by extremists in Pakistan while researching Islamic militant groups, leading to the beheading of the American journalist weeks later in captivity

In 2018, at age 33, LeBron James becamethe youngest NBAplayer to reach the 30,000 careerpoint milestone.

In 2020, Democratic House prosecutors presented arguments before skeptical Senate jurors

school district. Youneed to start agrassroots protest with others whofeel the sameway you do about the “dumbing down” of education. The underlying question is why? Why are students underperforming? Why are certain subjects not being taught? Demand answers from the school board. Write to your representatives in Congress and ask them whythey stand idly by while America’s education becomes so weak and unimpressive. If you stay silent, it will only get worse. —Heloise Sendahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.

at Donald Trump’sfirst impeachment trial over his dealings with Ukraine, accusing him of abuse of power.(The Republicanled Senate would later vote to acquit Trump, and he would also be acquitted at another impeachment trial in 2021 following the U.S. Capitol riot).

Today’sbirthdays: Football Hall of Famer Jerry Kramer is 90. Jazz musician Gary Burton is 83. Actor Richard DeanAnderson is 76. Retired airline pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger (‘Miracle on the Hudson’ landing) is 75. Rock singer Robin Zander (Cheap Trick) is 73. Princess Caroline of Monaco is 69. Actor Mariska Hargitay is 62. Hockey Hall of Famer Brendan Shanahan is 57. CBS News senior correspondent Norah O’Donnell is 52. Actor Tiffani Thiessen is 52. Actor Jack Reynor is 34. Singer and actress Rachel Crow is 28.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Structure your day to meet demands. Organization, along with dedication and attention to detail, will get you where you want to go. Romance is on the rise.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Get in the game of life and play to win. Use your intuition to guide you and your discipline to keep you out of trouble and avoid temptation. Challenge yourself mentally, physically and emotionally.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Participation is the best antidote to feeling down in the dumps. Join an organization that shares your concerns and offer whatever support you can. Emotions will surface, and the responses you get from others can make or break your day. Reach out with a positive attitude.

TAuRus (April 20-May 20) Youcansitdown and put up with annoyances, or you can change your plans and take control of what you do and whom you spend time with. Participate in community services that can enrich your life.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Seizethemoment, go where the action is and discover new people, places and activities that stimulate your mind and keep you up to date An interview or meeting will turn out better than anticipated. Romance is favored.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Dig in and finish what you start. Focus, along with discipline and intuition, will lead to positive physical or emotional change and potential profit. Be receptive to suggestions and willing to try something new.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Let the electricity flow when you walk into a room, and the attention you receive will change how you feel about yourself. You have plenty to gain by joining forces with people as dynamic and proactive as you are.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) An event or day tripwillhelpyourethinkyourfuture.The people and surroundings you encounter will confirm what's possible. It's up to you to create opportunities and to make your dreams come true.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Take some "me time" and enjoy it. Get back to basics, start an activity you enjoy or take on a project that has meaning and purpose Make choices that excite you.

scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Keep interactions with others light, playful and entertaining, and you'll avoid getting into a harmful debate. Be the one to calm the storm instead of fueling the fire.

sAGITTARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Set a budget before you begin a project Your generosity or desire to please will cost you You can't solve everyone's problems or pay for others' mistakes. Offer a kind word or suggestions, nothing more.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Partnerships will offer positive results. Financial help, joint ventures and shared expenses will lead to high returns. Domestic improvements you start today will pay off. The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact © 2026 by nEa, inc., dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

FAMILY CIrCUS

beetLe bAILeY Mother GooSe And GrIMM

LAGoon

Sudoku

InstructIons: sudokuis anumber-placingpuzzle based on a9x9 grid with severalgiven numbers Theobjectistoplace the numbers 1to9 in the emptysquaressothat each row, each column and each 3x3 boxcontains the same number only once. Thedifficultylevel of the sudoku increasesfrommonday to sunday

Yesterday’s PuzzleAnswer

CroSSword

THe wiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

CurTiS

Bridge

By PHILLIP ALDER

Arne Glimcher,anart dealer, film producer and director, said, “When Robert Benton was doing the movie ‘Still of the Night,’ I’d choreographed the auction sceneand suppliedthe paintings and hadabit part —Iwas bidding against Meryl Streep.” Exceptfor the occasional passout, every bridge deal begins with the bidding. It is intended primarily to help the side with the balance of power, but each call gives information to the opponents. In this deal, South opened one spade in the second seat, and North responded three spades, agame-invitational limit raise. Now South should have raised to fourspades because it wasunlikely that North could cover allofSouth’s losers. However, South control-bid four clubs, hoping North had the spade king-queen, diamondaceandasingletonheart.North control-bid four diamonds.And South signed offinfour spades, telling the world that he did nothaveaheartcontrol.Then North, since he did nothave one either, passed. Now it was easy forWesttolead the heartnine.Eastwonwithhisjack,cashed the heart ace and heart king, then led hislast heart. Should South have ruffed high or low? The auction told West what to lead

Butitalso told South, who almost certainly held the spade queen. East passed as dealer, but had already produced 10 high-card points in hearts. If he had held the spade queen too, he surely would haveopenedthebidding.SoSouthruffed with his spade ace, ran the spade jack through West, andmade his contract. ©2026 by nEa, inc., dist. By andrewsmcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzleisaword riddle which creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: nOOn gOOD =gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

word game

InsTRucTIons: 1. Words mustbeoffour or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by theaddition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

ToDAy’s WoRD MEMoRIZED: MEM-muh-rize’d: Learned by heart.

Average mark 25 words

Timelimit 40 minutes

Can you find35ormore words in MEMORIZED?

yEsTERDAy’s WoRD— nIcoTInE

wuzzles

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

hidato

mallard

dIrectIons: make a2-to 7-letterword from theletters in each row. add pointsof each word, using scoring directions at right.Finally, 7-letterwords get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value. allthe words arein theOfficial sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5thEdition.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

more information on tournamentsand

playersassociation: info@scrabbleplayers.org.Visit

ken ken

WiShinGWell

InstructIons: 1 -Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1thorugh 4(easy) or 1through 6 (challenging) without repeating. 2 -The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes called cages mustcombine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners 3 -Freebies: Fill in the single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner. HErE is aplEasanT

Scrabble GramS

Get fuzzy

jump Start

roSe iS roSe

animal crackerS

DuStin

Drabble Wallace the brave

andmay be obtained by visiting theDistrict’swebsite at www.nolapublicschools com. Allquestions re‐gardingthisRFP shallbe directed to theExecutive Director of Procurement at procurement@nol apublicschools.com TheDistrictwillhost a VirtualPre-Proposal meetingtobeheldon Monday February 2, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. (CST). TheVirtual link canbe found below: Register in advancefor this

https://us06web.zoom us/meeting/register/uW3 WyP5NS82lw4ruokWTaQ Afterregistering,you will receivea confirmation emailcontaininginfor‐mation aboutjoining the meeting. TheDistrictreservesthe righttorejectany or all ResponsestoRequest for Proposal wheneversuch rejectionisinits

uc o e JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, March4,2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

That certain pieceorportion of ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings and improvements thereon, andall therights, ways, privileges, servitudes,ap‐purtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in the Bridge City Sub‐division,situ‐ated in the ParishofJeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in that part thereof knownasWest Park Heights Subdivision, with theCityof Westwego, andaccording to asurveyby DonA.Garland, C.E.,dated July 24, 1971, said lot is designated as Lot89ofSquare 106 thereof, which said square is bounded by Kenney Drive, 13thStreet, LeCompte Drive and17thStreet, andcommences at a distance of 1137 feet from thein‐tersection of 13thStreet and Kenney Drive, and measures thence 71 feet frontonKenny Drive, thesame width in the rear, by adepth of 70.75 feet be‐tween equal andparallel lines. Furtherin accordance with asurvey datedSept. 6, 1972 by Gilbert, Kelly &Cou‐turie, Inc.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

AMYR.ORTIS Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P.

LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: January23, 2026, February 27, 2026

jan23-feb27

bered and enti

tled cause, datedSeptem‐ber12, 2025,I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday March4,2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

THAT CERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,TO‐GETHER WITH ALLTHE BUILDINGSAND IMPROVEMENTS THEEON AND ALLOFTHE RIGHTS,WAYS, PRIVILEGES SERVITUDES, APPURTE‐NANCES,AND ADVANTAGES THEREUNTOBE‐LONGINGORIN ANYWSE APPER‐TAINING, SITU‐ATED IN THE CITY OF KEN‐NER, PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATEOF LOUISIANA, IN THAT PART THEREOF KNOWN AS UNI‐VERSITYCITY SUBDIVISION, AS PERPLATBY ADLOEORR, JR. ANDASSOCI‐ATES,C.E DATEDDECEM‐BER9,1969, APPROVED BY ORDINANCENO. 1195, REGIS‐TEREDINCOB 713, FOLIO 190, DESIGNATED AS FOLLOWS:

LOT19-A, SQUARE 32,SAID SQUARE BEING BOUNDEDBY WEST LOYOLA DRIVE(FOR‐MERLYLOYOLA DRIVEWEST), WEST PURDUE PLACE, WEST LOUISIANA STATEDRIVE ANDWESTRICE PLACE, AND SAID LOTMEA‐SURES FIFTYFEET(50') FRONTONWEST LOYOLA DRIVE, SAME WIDTHIN THE REAR,BYA DEPTHOFONE HUNDREDFIF‐TEEN (115') FEET BETWEEN EQUAL ANDPARALLEL LINES,SAIDLOT 19-ACOM‐MENCES FOUR HUNDREDFIFTY FEET (450') FROM THECOR‐NEROFWEST PERDUE PLACE ANDWEST LOYOLA DRIVE (FORMERLY LOYOLA DRIVE WEST). ALLIN ACCORDANCE WITH SURVEY OF MANDLE SURVEYING, INC. DATEDFEBRU‐ARY10, 1986

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

KATE SOTO‐LONGO Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: January23, 2026, February 27, 2026

jan23-feb27

NO:868-531

U.S. BANK NA‐TIONAL ASSO‐CATION,ASIN‐DENTURE TRUSTEE ON BE‐HALF OF ANDWITHRE‐SPECTTOBAR‐CLAYSMORT‐GAGE TRUST 2021-NPL1, MORTGAGEBACKED SECURI‐TIES,SERIES 2021-NPL1 VERSUS AARON J. HURD A/K/AAARON HURD AND MICHELLE SAHUQUEHURD A/K/A MICHELLE S. HURD By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, ParishofJeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, dated Septem‐ber9,2025,I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, March4,2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: ONECERTAIN LOTOFGROUND, together with allthe buildings and improvements thereon, andall of therights, ways,privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in the PARISH OF JEF‐FERSON,State of Louisiana, in theCITYOF KENNER,in SQUARE 114, of KENNER

HEIGHTSSUBDI‐VISION bounded by Williams Boule‐vard,Minor and 12thand 13th Streets, andac‐cording to aplanby Gilbert &Kelly, Surveyors datedJune 13, 1949, said lotis designated as LOTF,forms thecornerof 13thand Minor Streets, and measures 50 feet front on MinorStreet, similarwidth in therear, by a depth andfront on 13thStreet of 140 feet be‐tween equal andparallel lines. Lot7 is composedof original Lots 19 and20, and a portionoforigi‐nalLots18and 21, allasmore fully shownona survey by Gilbert& Kelly Surveyors, datedOctober 26,1949, acopy of which is annexedtoan actbyReneR Nicaud,Notary Public,dated January26, 1950.

Improvements thereonbear theMunicipal No.1210 Minor Street,Kenner, Louisiana70062

Thissaleissub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price isdue at the time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or PersonalCheck with Bank Letter ofCredit.

RADERJACKSON Attorney for Plaintiff

LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: January23, 2026, February 27, 2026

jan23-feb27

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:865-302

WELLSFARGO BANK,NA‐TIONAL ASSOCI‐ATION, AS TRUSTEEFOR STRUCTURED ASSETSECURI‐TIES CORPORA‐TION MORT‐GAGE LOAN TRUST 2007-OSI VERSUS MARY LOUISE BUTLER

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedMay 28, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Janu‐ary 28, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: ACERTAIN LOT OR PORTIONOF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings and improvements thereonand all of therights, ways,privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining situated in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in that part for‐merly designated as Parcel F, Or‐leansVillage CorporateTract aportion being resubdivided into Parcel F-1; said Parcel F-1 beingresubdi‐videdwith a portionof Parcel Einto Parcel F-1A;said Parcel F-1A,now beingknown as LINCOLNSHIRE SUBDIVISION, SECTIONIII (3), in accordance with aplanof subdivisionby J.J. Krebs& Sons, Inc.,dated Feb‐ruary24, 1982, approved by Or‐dinanceNo. 15100, registered in Cob 1024, Folio 275, as amendedby that plan of re‐subdivisionby J.J. Krebs& Sons, Inc.,CE& S, datedMay 11, 1982, approved by theJefferson Parish CouncilbyOrdi‐nanceNo. 15201, registered in Cob1028, Folio 726, underEntry No 1021497, accord‐ingtowhich plan,saidlot is describedas follows:

and Constantine Driveand mea‐suresthence40 feet frontonCon‐stantine Drive, same in width in therear, by a depth of 95 feet between equaland paral‐lellines.All in accordance with asurveyby Gilbert, Kelly & Couturie Inc.,dated July 29, 1988.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

EMILYA MUELLER

Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: December 19, 2025, January23, 2026 dec19-jan23-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:866-152

LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC VERSUS KELLYC.CHAP‐LAIN A/K/A KELLYCHAP‐LAIN

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedJune27, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Janu‐ary28, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

Martin Berhman Avenue,Harri‐sonAvenue,the line dividing it from Square 8-B (Dumaine Street side)and the easternbound‐arylineof Wilshire Heights Subdivision (WilshireBoule‐vard side)and accordingto a plan of survey by BFMCorpo‐ration, datedJuly31, 1990, redated July 18, 1991 said portionof ground is desig‐natedas Lot4 andmea‐suresasfol‐lows,to-wit: Lot4 measures 21feet fronton Martin Berhman Avenue,same width in the rear,bya depth of 121 feet between equaland paral‐lellines

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

COREYJ.GIROIR

Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: December 19, 2025, January23, 2026 dec19-jan23-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:869-873

FIDELITYBANK VERSUS DAVIDLOUIS,III

g thesidelinead‐joiningPlotC-9X, a depthof339.40 feet;thencein a westerly direc‐tion alongCanal No.3,a widthin the rear of 236.29 feet;thencein a southerlydirec‐tion alongthe sideline nearer Chetta Drive, adepth of 338.83 feet; thence in an easterly direc‐tion,a distance of 236.50 feet,backtothe PointofBegin‐ning

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit FOERSTNERG MEYER Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: January23, 2026, February 27, 2026 jan23-feb27

JOSEPH P.

LOT20A, SQUARE 27 is bounded by Rue LouisPhillipe, Fernando Court, Gentry Road andCon‐stantine Drive, andcommences at adistanceof 326.74 feet from the intersection of Gentry Road andConstantine

That certain pieceorportion of ground,to‐gether with all of thebuildings and improvements thereon, andall of therights, ways,privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as Wilshire Heights Subdivision, Section"B" in Square 8-A thereof; as de‐lineated on plan of J. J. Krebs& Sons, Inc.,Civil Engi‐neersand Sur‐veyors,dated June 5, 1967, approved by the Police Jury for theParishof Jeffersonunder ordinanceno. 8330, datedJune29, 1967, on file in theoffice of the clerkofcourt forthe Parish of Jefferson, in COB661, folio 210, entryno. 399-366, which said square is bounded by Martin Berhman

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedOctober 27, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday March4,2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: That certain Condominium Parcel in the Fountain Court Condominium, a Condominium, as createdby that certain Condominium Declaration, ex‐ecuted by VillereDevelop‐ment Group, Inc.,dated April 15, 1980, before WilliamP.Stahl, Notary Public, bearingEntry No.919615, reg‐isteredinC.O B. 980, folio062 of the Registrarof Conveyances forthe Parish of Jefferson, as amendedbyan Amendment to Condo‐minium Declara‐tion executed by VillereDevel‐opment Group, Inc.,dated April15, 1980, before William P. Stahl, Notary Public,bearing EntryNumber 919264, i d i C

registered in C. O. B. 980, folio 092 of theRegis‐trar of Con‐veyances for theParishof Jefferson, which Parcel consists of Condo‐minium Unit No. 10, together with an appurtenantun‐divided.8915% interest in the Common Ele‐ments, which said Condominium Unit andCom‐monElements areincluded within andsitu‐ated upon: TWOCERTAIN PLOTSORPOR‐TIONSOF GROUND,to‐gether with all of the buildingsand improvements thereon, andall of therights, ways,privi‐leges, servitudes and appurtenances thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in the Stateof Louisiana, Parish of Jeffer‐son, beinga re‐subdivisionofa portionofthe Elmwood Lafre‐nierePlantation, situated in Sec‐tion 41, Range 10 East, Township 12 South, South‐easternDistrict of Louisiana, East of theMis‐sissippi River; andaccording to plan by J. J. Krebs& Sons, Inc.,C.E., dated November 6, 1979, approved by the JeffersonParish Council under OrdinanceNo. 14152, adopted December 19, 1979 andregis‐teredinC.O.B 673, folio 991 andsaidplots or portions of ground being designated and describedas follows: Plot C-9-E-1 bounded on the SouthbyVeter‐ansMemorial Highway, on the East by Plot C-9-X, on theNorth by Plot C-9-E-2and on theWestby Chetta Drive; andsaid Plot C-9-E-1 commences at a distance of 128.84 feet from thecornerof Veterans Memorial High‐wayand Chetta Drivve andmea‐suresthencein an easterly di‐rection, 236.50 feet front on Veterans Memorial High‐way, thence in a northerlydirec‐tion alongthe side‐line adjoining Plot C-9-X, a depthof331.24 feet;thencein a westerly direction, a widthinthe rear of 236.50 feet;thencein a southerlydirec‐tion alongthe sideline nearer Chetta Drive, a depth of 331.24 feet,backtothe PointofBegin‐ning; AND Plot C-9-E-2 bounded on the southbyPlotC9-E-1, on the East by Plot C-9X, on the NorthbyCanal No.3,and on theWestby Chetta Drive; andsaidPlotC9-E-1 commences at a distance of 128.84 feet from thecornerof Veterans Memo‐rial Highwayand Chetta Drive andmeasures thence in an easterly direc‐tion,236.50 feet frontonVeter‐ansMemorial Highway, thence in a northerlydirec‐tion alongthe sideline adjoin‐ingPlotC-9-X, a depthof331.24 feet,tothe PointofBegin‐ning of Plot C-9-E-2; thence in asoutherly directionalong h id li d

o 5 5 CO 1160, folio 100, Jefferson Parish,La.,and furtherbeing a resubdivisionof aportion of Ames Farms, LowerEstelle Plantation,Lots S, T, U, and Part of V, in ac‐cordance with plan of resubdi‐vision by DufreneSurvey‐ing& Engineering, Inc.,dated Sep‐tember 5, 2001, approved by the JeffersonParish Councilunder OrdinanceNo. 21489, approved February 16, 2002, registered in Entry No.10212759, COB3070, page 675, said lotis more fully de‐scribed as fol‐lows to-wit:-

LOT15, SQUARE 8.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

RADERJACKSON Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:866-300 FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION VERSUS PAUL A. OLANO, IV By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedJuly1 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Janu‐ary 28, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: ACERTAIN LOT OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐ments thereon, andall rights,ways, privileges, servitudes,ap‐purtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theParishof Jefferson, Stateof Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as BAYOUDES FAMILLES SUBDIVISION, beinga resubdi‐vision of apor‐tion of Ames Farms, Lower Estelle Plantation,Lots L, M, O, P, Qand Rinaccordance with plan of re‐subdivisionbyJ J. Krebs& Sons Inc.,dated April 25, 1984, ap‐proved by the JeffersonParish Council under Ordi‐nanceNo. 16259, approved on No‐vember 29, 1984, registered in Entry No.845935, COB

TheNew Orleans Advocate: December 19, 2025, January23, 2026 dec19-jan23-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:866-305 NEWREZ LLC D/B/ASHELL‐POINTMORT‐GAGE SERVIC‐ING VERSUS JENNIFERA BLACKA/K/A JENNIFERAM‐MARI BLACK By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedJuly3 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Janu‐ary 28, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: ACERTAIN LOT OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐ments thereon, andall of therights, ways,privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurte‐nances and advantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in thePARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA, in that part thereofknown as GREENLAWN TERRACE SUBDI‐VISION,in SQUARE NO.144, bounded by California Av‐enue,35th(late West Es‐planade), Arkansas

Arkansas Av enue and36th (late Eighteenth) Street,desig‐nated as LOT "G", allasmore fullyshown on survey by Sterling Mandle, Land Surveyor, datedMarch 7, 1973, acopy which is an‐nexed to actdated May3 1973, recorded on May9,1973, registered in COB788, folio 958, which said lot commences at a distanceof211 feet from the corner of Cali‐fornia Avenue and35th (lateWestEs‐planade)Street andmeasures thence 51 feet fronton California Av‐enue, thesame in widthinthe rear,bya depth of 120 feet be‐tween equaland paral‐lel lines; subject to restrictions, servitudes rights-of-way and outstanding mineralrights of record affect‐ing theprop‐erty.

Theimprove‐ments thereon bear theMunici‐pal No.3509 Cal‐iforniaAvenue Kenner, LA 70065

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐riorsecurityin‐terests,mort‐gages,liens and privileges

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

ZACHARYGAR‐RETT YOUNG Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: December 19, 2025, January23, 2026 dec19-jan23-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:866-887

DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUSTCOM‐PANY,AS TRUSTEEFOR SOUNDVIEW HOME LOAN TRUST2006WF2, ASSETBACKED CER‐TIFICATES, SERIES 2006WF2 VERSUS LEROYJ DANIELS, JR.

A/K/ALEROY DANIELS, JR. ANDJANELLM DANIELS A/K/AJANELL

DANIELS

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedJuly23, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceedtosell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Janu‐ary28, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

Acertain parcel of ground, to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐mentsthereon, situated in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in that subdivision thereof knownasLive OakManor,and designated on theofficial plan thereof, on file andof record in theof‐fice of theclerk andrecorderof theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, as lot number(s) nine‐teen (19), square eight(8) said subdivi‐sion,saidlot having such measurements anddimensions andbeing sub‐ject to such servitudes as aremorepartic‐ularly described on said subdivi‐sion map.

This sale is sub‐jecttoall supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe timeofthe sale

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, Money Order, or PersonalCheck with Bank Letter of Credit

COREYJ.GIROIR

Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: December 19, 2025, January23, 2026 dec19-jan23-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:866-959 PLANET HOME LENDING, LLC VERSUS ROSHANDA L.

ALEXANDER AKAROSHANDA LYNN ALEXAN‐DERBLUE

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son,State of Louisiana, in the abovenum‐bered andenti‐tledcause, datedJuly18, 2025,I have seized andwill proceedtosell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey,Louisiana 70058,onJanu‐ary28, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

A CERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TIONOF GROUND,to‐getherwithall thebuildings and improvements thereon, andall of therights, ways,privi‐leges,servi‐tudes, appurtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longing or in anywiseapper‐taining, situated in the Parish of Jeffer‐son,State of Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as Ranch Acres Subdivision, which said pieceorportion of ground is shownonthat certainsubdivi‐sionplanby AlvinE.Hotard, C.E.,dated April 15, 1960, ap‐proved by OrdinanceNo. 4567 of theJef‐ferson Parish Counciladopted May12, 1960, registered CDB 507, folio 402, andisfurther describedinac‐cordancewith thesurvey of J. J. Krebs& Son, Inc.,dated September24, 1976, resur‐veyedNovem‐ber 30, 1976, to show improvements es Lot5 of Square 18, which said lot commences200 feet from thein‐tersectionof Colorado Drive andSierra Street,and measures thence 50 feet fronton Colorado Drive, same width in therear, by a depth of 125 feet each; subjecttore‐strictions,servi‐tudes, rights-ofwayand out‐standingmin‐eralrightsof record affecting theproperty. Theimprove‐mentsbear the municipalad‐dress2516Col‐oradoDr, Mar‐rero, Louisiana70072.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests,mort‐gages,liens and i il

gages, liens and privileges

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit ZACHARYGAR‐RETT YOUNG Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: December 19, 2025, January23, 2026

dec19-jan23-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:868-423

B1BANK VERSUS ANGELICMAN‐AGEMENTSER‐VICES, LLC

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedSeptem‐ber9,2025, I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey Louisiana, 70058, on Janu‐ary28, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

“A certainpor‐tion of ground together with allbuildings andimprove‐mentsthereon , andall of the rights,ways, privileges, servitudes,ap‐purtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longinginany‐wise appertain‐ingsituatedin theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as FloralAcres Subdivision, Ad‐dition No.1, Lot5,Square 22A,which square is bounded by Honeysuckle Lane,Azalea Drive, Future Develop‐ment andDan‐delion Drive, andsaidlot commences at a distance of 232.1feet from theintersection of Dandelion Driveand Hon‐eysuckle Lane, and measures 53

measures 53 feet fronton Honeysuckle Lane,same width across therear, by a depth of 100 feet be‐tween equal andparallel lines.”

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

GRAY H. MCCRAW,III

Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: December 19, 2025, January23, 2026

dec19-jan23-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA

NO:760-853

DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUSTCOM‐PANY,AS TRUSTEE, IN TRUSTFOR REGISTERED HOLDERSOF LONG BEACH MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2004-4, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-4 VERSUS WILLIAMI WELLS, JR. AND MAUREEN WELLS

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritofFIERI FACIAS from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedSeptem‐ber6,2024, I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey Louisiana, 70058, on Janu‐ary28, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: THAT PORTION OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐ments thereonand all therights, ways privileges, servitudes,ap‐purtenances and advantages thereuntobe‐

thereunto be longing, or in anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theCityof Kenner,Parish of Jefferson, Stateof Louisiana, in that part thereofknowas CHATEAUES‐TATESSOUTH, SECTION2 beinga resubdi‐vision of Parcel 16-B, ChateauEstates South, allinac‐cord with asur‐veybyJ.J.Krebs &Sons, Inc., dated March27, 1973, approved by the City of Kenner under Ordi‐nanceNo. 1509, adopted April9,1973, registered in COB787, folio 886, Jefferson Parish Louisiana, and accordingto said survey, said lotisdesig‐natedasLOT 18, in SQUARE 7. Square7 is boundedby ChateauMagde‐laineDrive, ChateauAusone Court, Chateau Petrus Court, Chateau Margeaux Court, Chateau Haut BrionDrive andChateau Pontet-Canet Drive.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or PersonalCheck with Bank Letter of Credit CRIS R. JACKSON Attorney for Plaintiff JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: December 19, 2025, January23, 2026 dec19-jan23-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:827-036 WELLSFARGO BANK,N.A VS MELVIN L. MIL‐LENDER AND IVETHMAR‐GARITA MILLEN‐DER

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritofFIERI FACIAS from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedAugust 25, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell t th hi h t

proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Janu‐ary28, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: ONE(1) CERTAIN LOTORPARCEL OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐mentsthereon andall the rights,ways, privileges, servitudes appurtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in that subdivision thereof known as GOLDEN HEIGHTSSUBDI‐VISION OF SOUTHSIDE PLANTATION and beingdesig‐natedonthe of‐ficial plat thereofon file andofrecordin theoffice of the Clerkand Recorder for Jefferson, Louisiana, as LOTNUMBER9AofSQUAREJ said subdivi‐sion;saidlot having such bearings anddi‐mensions and beingsubject to such servitudes andbuilding line restrictions of record andas shownonthe official subdivision plat MunicipalAd‐dress: 2100 JamesSt.,Mar‐rero,LA70072

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges. TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit PENNY M. DAIGREPONT Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: December 19, 2025, January23, 2026 dec19-jan23-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:870-432 NEWREZ LLC D/B/ASHELL‐

POINTMORT‐GAGE SERVIC‐ING VERSUS THEUNOPENED SUCCESSIONOF CORNELIA OFS‐TADD'AMICO (A/K/A CORNELIA OFS‐TAD)

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedNovem‐ber24, 2025, I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, March4,2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

THAT CERTAIN LOTORPIECE OF GROUND,situ‐ated in the PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATEOF LOUISIANA, IN BISSONET PLAZASUBDIVI‐SION SECTIONNO. 3, designated as LOTNO. 227, bounded by Tar‐tanDrive,West Canal Avenue,Purdue Driveand Mead‐owdale Street commencingat adistanceof 205 feet from the corner of Tartan Driveand Mead‐owdale Street, measuring thence 67 feet fronton Tartan Drive, same widthin therear, by a depthbetween equaland parallel linesof onehundred (100')feet,all as more fully shownonsur‐veybySterling Mandle,Land Surveyor,dated December 11, 1973, acopyof which is an‐nexedtoact registered in COB805 folio 577.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit EMILYA MUELLER Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: January23, 2026

January 23, 2026, February 27, 2026

jan23-feb27

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:870-508 PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES LLC VERSUS DANIEL PAR‐QUET By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedNovem‐ber18, 2025, I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, March4,2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

That certainlot of ground,to‐gether with all of thebuildings andimprove‐ments thereonand all of therights, ways,privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurte‐nances and advantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as Live Oak Manor Subdivisionall as perplanof subdivisionby Subdivision Planning Engi‐neers, Inc., datedMarch 16, 1959, revised June 9, 1959 ap‐proved under ordinanceno. 4152 adoptedbythe JeffersonParish Council, filedof record under entryno. 159352 in COB486, folio 469 andasper ActofDedica‐tion before Harold J. Zeringer,Jr. No‐tary Public dated September16, 1959, filedof record under entryno. 160982 in COB 488, folio343 more particu‐larlydescribed as follows, towit: Lot19, Square 10, is bounded by JamesStreet, Richelle Street Jeffer Drive, and Duffy Street and commences at a distance of 114 feet from thein‐tersection of Jeffer

Driveand Duffy Street andmea‐

suresthence57 feet fronton

Duffy Street, same width in the rear by adepth of 95 feet be‐tween equal andparallel lines. Allin accordance with asurveyby J.J. Krebsand Sons,Inc., CES, datedJanuary 8, 1983 andresurveyed January13, 1983 andFebruary2, 1983 to show improvements

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

COREYJ.GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: January23, 2026, February 27, 2026 jan23-feb27

j each otherand measures each 20 feet fronton Compromise Street same width in therear, by a depth of 123 feet 9inches0 linesbetween equaland parallel lines, andLot 27 is lo‐catednearerto andcommences at adistanceof 120 feet from the corner of Com‐promiseStreet and11thStreet; allaccording to asurvey by Gilbert, Kelly &Couturie-Errol E. Kelly,Sur‐veyor, dated April14, 1979, a copy of which is an‐nexedtoanact registered in COB954, folio 923.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueat the time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

COREYJ.GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: December 19, 2025, January 23, 2026 dec19-jan23-2t

datedMay 11, 1954, said lotisdesig‐natedas Lot9, Square "G" thereof, which said square is bounded by Lomonaco Sub‐division, Sev‐enth Street, Eighth Street andSt. Ann Street,and said Lot9 lies nearer to andcom‐mences at adis‐tance150 feet from theinter‐sectionofSt. Annand Eighth Streetsand measures thence fiftyfeet frontonSt. Ann Street in the directionofSev‐enth,the same width in the rear by adepth of 81.33feet be‐tween equaland paral‐lellines.All in accordance with asurveyby J.JKrebs &Sons, dated December 26, 1962, awhite printcopy of which is an‐nexedtoanact before Dudley D. Flanders,No‐tary Public

This sale is sub‐jecttoall supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages,liens and privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter ofCredit.

COREYJ.GIROIR

Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana, 70058, on Janu‐ary28, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: Acertain piece or portionof ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐ments thereonand all therights, ways privileges, servitudes,ap‐purtenances and advantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as Manor Heights Subdivision, in accordance with survey by AlvinE.Hotard, C. E.,dated Au‐gust 25, 1955, copy of which is in Book of Plans32, folio 25 andfurther shownonsur‐veyof ErrolE.Kelly Surveyor,dated June 4, 1966; andaccording to survey of R. L. Schumann &As‐sociates,Land Surveyor,dated November 20, 1978, copy of which is annexedtoact before Leonard M. Berins,No‐tary Public, datedNovem‐ber27, 1978, said portionof ground is fur‐ther designated anddescribed as follows:

SON, JR.,(A/K/A WILBERTWAT‐SON, WILBERT ANTHONY WATSON,JR., WILBERTAN‐THONYWAT‐SON) ANDGAIL WATSON GAUDET, (A/K/A GAIL

MARIEWATSON, GAIL MARIE GAUDET, GAIL

WATSON,GAIL GAUDET, GAIL

GAUDETWAT‐SON)

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedNovem‐ber24, 2025, I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, March4,2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

CHURCH,JR. A/K/ANORMAN BYCHURCH,JR. ANDTHE UNOPENED SUC‐CESSION OF ANDUNKNOWN HEIRSOF DAWNELLE ODDO BYCHURCH A/K/A DAWNELLE ODDO BY‐CHURCH A/K/A DAWNELLE O. BYCHURCH A/K/A DAWNELLE BY‐CHURCH

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedOctober 21, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Janu‐ary28, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

p p is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

DENNIS WIG‐GINS,JR. Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: December 19, 2025, January23, 2026 dec19-jan23-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

g g privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

CRIS R. JACKSON Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: December 19, 2025, January23, 2026 dec19-jan23-2t

BAR‐RIONUEVO

A/K/AGLADYS BARRIONUEVO A/K/AGLADYS ESPERANZA

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedOctober 15,2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Janu‐ary28, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: Threecertain lots of ground, together with allthe buildings andimprove‐ments thereon, andall of therights, ways,privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurte‐nances and advantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theCityof Kenner,Parish of Jefferson, Stateof Louisiana, in that part thereof known as Kenner HeightsSubdivi‐sion,and desig‐natedasLots 27, 28, and29, in Square 3A, bounded by Compromise Street,11th Street,Clay Street and10th Street,and said Lots 27, 28 and29adjoin h h d

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:869-500 BRIGHTHOUSE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY VERSUS SANTOS S. ARIASBAUTISTA A/K/ASANTOS S. ARIASA/K/A SANTOS ARIAS A/K/ASANTOS S. BAUTISTA A/K/ASANTOS BAUTISTA A/K/A SANTOS ARIAS BAUTISTA A/K/A SANTOS A. BAUTISTA AND DEYANIRA MARTE

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedOctober 17, 2025,I have seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058,onJanu‐ary28, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

TheNew Orleans Advocate: December 19, 2025 January23, 2026 dec19-jan23-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:866-279

Lotno. 41, square no.7 which square is bounded by ManorHeights Drive, Jeffrey Street,Canal Road andeast line of subdivi‐sion andthe said lotcom‐mences at a distance of 400’ feet from the corner of Jeffrey Street,Canal Road andeast line of subdivisionand thesaidlot commencesat a distance of 400’ feet from the corner of JeffreyStreet andManor HeightsDrive andmeasures thence 50’ feet frontonManor HeightsDrive same in width in therear, by a depth of 110.30’ feet between equal andparallel lines.

ONECERTAIN LOTOFGROUND, together with allthe buildings andimprove‐ments thereon, andall therights, ways privileges, servitudes,ap‐purtenances and advantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereonknown as MAGNOLIA TRACE SUBDIVISION, designated as Lot30-A, Square 3, allasper plan of resubdivision by Dading,Mar‐ques &Associ‐ates,Inc., dated May31, 2002, recorded in COB 3078, folio 101, Parish of Jefferson, LA, Instrument No 10237799. Said Lotisbounded by NatchezTrace Drive, Brookhaven Court(side)and Magnolia Trace Drive(side).

Having amunic‐ipal addressof 110 Natchez Drive, Harvey, LA 70058.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit COREYJ.GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

This saleissub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

PENNY M. DAIGREPONT Attorney for Plaintiff

Onecertain lot of ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐mentsthereon, andall of the rights,ways, privileges,ad‐vantages and appurtenances thereunto belongingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as Extensionof Evergreen Sub‐division,and accordingto a plan of survey by J.J. Krebs& Sons,Surveyors,

U.S. BANK TRUSTCOM‐PANY,NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, AS SUCCESSOR-ININTEREST TO U.S. BANK NA‐TIONAL ASSOCI‐ATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR CITIGROUP MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST INC. ASSETBACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007AMC2 VERSUS THEUNOPENED SUCCESSION OF ANDUNKNOWN HEIRSOF WILLARDJAMES DOMINGUE A/K/AWILLARD JAMES DOMINGUE A/K/AWILLARD J.DOMINGUE A/K/AWILLARD DOMINGUE AND THEUNOPENED SUCCESSION OF AND UNKNOWN HEIRSOFBEV‐ERLY LYNN WILLIAMS A/K/A BEVERLYLYNN WILLIAMS A/K/A BEVERLYL WILLIAMS A/K/A BEVERLY WILLIAMS By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedSeptem‐ber9,2025,I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: December 19, 2025, January23, 2026 dec19-jan23-2t

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: January23, 2026, February 27, 2026 jan23-feb27

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:870-386

BANK OF AMER‐ICA, N.A. VERSUS WILBERTWAT‐

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:869-426

LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC VERSUS NORMAN J. BY‐

That certain pieceorportion of ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings and improvements thereon, andall of therights, ways,servi‐tudes, appurte‐nances and advantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theState of Louisiana, in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, Terrytown Subdivision, SubdivisionNo. 7being apartofOak‐dale Subdivi‐sion,Section "B", FirstWard, allinaccor‐dancewiththe survey of Adloe Orr, Jr.& Associ‐ates,C.E dated May10, 1960, approved by the JeffersonParish Councilunder ordinanceno. 4921, adopted February 16, 1961, registered in COB524, folio 586, Parish of Jefferson, Louisiana, on February 23, 1961, andin plan book 42, folio 50 office of theclerk of court, Jefferson Parish Louisiana, which said property,ac‐cordingtothe aforesaidordi‐nance, is more particularly de‐scribedasfol‐lows,to-wit: Lot 33, in Square 108, which said square is bounded by Laurel Avenue, East Lexington Avenue,South Glencove Lane andBerle Lane.Lot 33 measures 60 feet fronton SouthGlencove Lane,same width in the rear,bya depth of 110 feet be‐tween equal andparallel lines. Lot33 commencesata distance of 135 feet from the corner of Berle Lane andSouth Glencove Lane Being part of thesame property ac‐quired by Singer HousingCom‐pany from The Singer Companybyact under private signaturedated June 2, 1972 and registered in entry no.561503, COB 763, folio 640, on June 7, 1972, Jef‐ferson Parish, Louisiana.

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:857-444 NEWREZ LLC D/B/ASHELL‐POINTMORT‐GAGE SERVIC‐ING VS KERRI MCGOV‐ERNDIAZAND DAVIDMICHAEL DIAZ

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:868-422

21STMORTGAGE CORPORATION VS PAUL COR‐NELIUS ADAMS ANDCURTISL ROBERTSON

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedSeptem‐ber10, 2025, I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday February 25, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m.the followingde‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: 2016 OAKCREEK 14X66 MOBILE HOME BEARING SERIAL NUMBER OC011628508

STORED AT: 1509 ESTALOTE AVENUE HARVEY,LA.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

KARENE TREVATHAN Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: January23, 2026 jan23-1t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

SALE from the 24thJudicial

District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedNovem‐ber24, 2025, I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m.the followingde‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: 2020 GMC SIERRA 1500 CREW CAB, VIN# 3GTP8AE‐F1LG287648 STORED AT: AVONDALE STORAGE 3110 HWY. 90 P. O. BOX9150 AVONDALE,LA

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedSeptem‐ber16, 2024, I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana, 70058, on Janu‐ary28, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: ALLTHATCER‐TAIN PIECEOR PORTIONOF GROUND,to‐gether with all the buildingsand improvements thereon, andall therights, ways, privileges, servitudes, appurtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in the PARISH OF JEF‐FERSON,inWIL‐LOWDALESUB‐DIVISION,Sec‐tion No 6, being a part of Elmwood Lafreniere Plan‐tation,inSquare No.28, bounded by RosalieCourt Tina Street and BoutallStreet, designated as LotNo. 643, all in accordance with survey of AdloeOrr, Jr., & Associates,C.E datedJanuary 31, 1961, which said lotcommences at adistanceof 480 feet from thecornerof Rosalie Courtand Tina Street,and measures thence 60 feet frontonRosalie Court, thesame in widthinthe rear,bya depth of 105 feet be‐tween equal andparallel lines, allin accordance with survey of AdloeOrr, Jr., & Associates,C.E., datedJune 1, 1962

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price i d h

Whichhas the addressof6404 RosalieCourt, Metairie,LA 70003.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages,liens and

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:870-624 AMERICREDIT FINANCIALSER‐VICESINC D/B/AGMFI‐NANCIAL VERSUS DARLENEJONES By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit JONANN GIBLIN Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: January23, 2026 jan23-1t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:851-267 LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC VS EDYA.NUNEZ A/K/AEDY NUNEZ By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedFebruary 27, 2024, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, March4,2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: That portionof ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐mentsthereon, and allofthe rights ways,privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurte‐nances andad‐vantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theParishof Jefferson, Stateof Louisiana, on theright bank of theMissis‐sippi Riverand forminga part of the original Ames Plantation,and duly resubdi‐videdand ap‐proved by the Jefferson

MoneyOrder,or PersonalCheck withBankLetter ofCredit.

COREYJ.GIROIR

Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

Krebs &Sons, C.E datedApril 19,1956, revised May 21, 1956; saidLot is des‐ignated as Lot No. 1inSquare J, bounded by CardinalDrive, DedeStreet Crestwood Sub‐division, andLot G-314 of AmesFarms and Evie Street and formsthe northeast cor‐ner of Cardinal Drive and Dede Street.Lot 1 measures 60 feet fronton CardinalDrive samewidth in the rear by adepth of 80 feet between equal andparal‐lel lines. Allas morefully shown on a survey by Don A.Garland,Land Surveyor, dated February11, 1978, resur‐veyed September5, 1978. Allas morefully shown on aplat ofsurveyby MandleSurvey‐ing, Inc.,LandSur‐veyor,dated De‐cember28, 1989

This sale is sub‐jecttoall supe‐riorsecurityin‐terests,mort‐gages,liens and privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchaseprice isdue at the timeofthe sale

TheNew Orleans Advocate: January23, 2026, February 27, 2026

jan23-feb27

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:865-878

MIDFIRST BANK VERSUS ASHLEY F. ACKER

By virtue of and inobedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALEfromthe 24thJudicial DistrictCourt, ParishofJeffer‐son,State of Louisiana,inthe above num‐bered andenti‐tledcause, dated June 23, 2025, Ihave seizedand will proceed to sell tothe highest bidderatpublic auction,atthe Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex,1233 WestbankEx‐pressway, Har‐vey,Louisiana, 70058,on Wednesday March4,2026 at 10o'clock a.m. the following described prop‐ertytowit:

gether with all the buildings and improvements thereon, andall the rights,ways, privileges, servitudes,ap‐purtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining,situated inthe PARISH OF JEF‐FERSON, STATE OFLOUISIANA inTownship14 South,Range 23 and24East, Southeast Land Districtof Louisiana,West ofthe Missis‐sippi River knownasHar‐vey CanalProp‐erty, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, des‐ignated as Par‐cel 0-2-Aall as per planbyJ.J Krebs &Sons, Inc.,C.E dated May 15,1973,re‐vised October1,1982, which said por‐tionofground has been resub‐divided into WOODMERE SOUTHSUBDIVI‐SION, SECTION 2,all as perplan ofresubdivision made by J.J. Krebs &Sons, Inc.,C.E.&S., dated Septem‐ber 28,1982,ap‐provedby theJefferson ParishCouncil byOrdinance No. 15418 recordedinCOB 1042, folio 673and as per Act of Dedica‐tionbefore OdomB.Heebe, NotaryPublic, dated June 30,1983 recordedinCOB 1056, folio89 samebeing des‐ignated as fol‐lows:

y said Lot249 commences at a distanceof 620.13 feet from the intersection of Keith-Way Drive and Liro Lane, measures thence 60 feet front on Liro Lane,same width in the rear, by adepth of100 feet be‐tween equal and parallel lines; subjecttore‐strictions, servi‐tudes,rights-ofway andout‐standingmin‐eralrightsof record affecting the property

Theimprove‐ments thereon bearthe Munici‐pal No.3808

LIROLANE, HAR‐VEY LOUISIANA 70058

This sale is sub‐jecttoall supe‐riorsecurityin‐terests,mort‐gages,liens and privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchaseprice isdue at the timeofthe sale

NOTE:All funds mustbe Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or PersonalCheck withBankLetter ofCredit.

BRIGHAMJ LUNDBERG Attorney for Plaintiff

24THJUDICIAL

DISTRICT COURT

PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA

NO:856-296

BRAVORESIDEN‐TIAL FUNDING

TRUST2022RPL1 VS SHICOLAD

MARTIN A/K/A

SHICOLAMAR‐TIN

WayneAvenue, Emile Avenue and Dolly Street, designatedas Lot No.116 on a planofsurvey madeby AdloeOrr, Jr.& Associates,Sur‐veyors, dated July17, 1972, a copyofwhich is annexedtoan act of sale be‐foreJames J. Donelon,Notary Public, dated September 5, 1972 andac‐cording to which survey saidLot 116 measures fiftyone (51’)feet fronton Heather Street samewidth in the rear,by a depth of one hundred (100’) feet betweenequal and parallel lines.SaidLot 116 commences ata distance of 204.49’ from thecorner ofHeather Streetand Wayne Avenue

This sale is sub‐jecttoall supe‐riorsecurityin‐terests,mort‐gages,liens and privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchaseprice isdue at the timeofthe sale

NOTE:All funds mustbe Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or PersonalCheck withBankLetter ofCredit.

2026, February27, 2026 jan23-feb27

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:864-241

NOTE:All funds mustbe Cashier's Check, Certified Check,

ACERTAIN PIECE OR POR‐TIONOF GROUND,to‐

LOT249, SQUAREF, bounded by Liro Lane, Destrehan Avenue GlenoakDrive and Keith-WayDrive,

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: January23, 2026, February 27, 2026 jan23-feb27

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

By virtue of and inobedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALEfromthe 24thJudicial DistrictCourt, ParishofJeffer‐son,State of Louisiana,inthe above num‐bered andenti‐tledcause, dated August 16, 2024, Ihave seizedand will proceed to sell tothe highest bidderatpublic auction,atthe Jefferson Parish Sheriff'sOffice Complex,1233 WestbankEx‐pressway, Har‐vey,Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, March4,2026 at 10o'clock a.m. the following described prop‐ertytowit: That certain piece or portion ofground,to‐getherwithall the buildings and improvements thereon, andall ofthe rights, ways, privi‐leges,servi‐tudes, appurtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining, situated in the ParishofJeffer‐son,State of Louisiana,in Square5 of Har‐bor Estates Subdivision, whichsaid squareis bounded by HeatherStreet,

COREYJ.GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: January23,

ALOHACAPITAL, LLC VERSUS SAHARANDE‐VELOPMENTS, LLCAND KHALED OUAAZ, (D/B/A KADE WISE)

By virtue of and inobedience to a Writ of FIERI FACIASfromthe 24thJudicial DistrictCourt, ParishofJeffer‐son,State of Louisiana,inthe above num‐bered andenti‐tledcause, dated October 21, 2025, Ihave seizedand will proceed to sell tothe highest bidderatpublic auction,atthe Jefferson Parish Sheriff'sOffice Complex,1233 WestbankEx‐pressway, Har‐vey,Louisiana 70058, on Wednesday March4,2026 at 10o'clock a.m. the following described prop‐ertytowit:

ONECERTAIN LOT OF GROUND, together with all thebuildings and improve‐ments thereon, andall the rights,ways, privileges, servitudes,ap‐purtenances and advantages thereuntobe‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining,situated inthe Parish of Jefferson, State

of Louisiana, in thatpart thereon known asHAZEL PLACE SUBDIVISIONin SECTION “B” bounded by Rensu Drive (formerly Al‐fred),Rural Avenue,Camille Drive andUp‐streamSubdivi‐sion, which said lot of ground is designated by the Number 31, forms thecor‐ner of Rensu Drive andRural Avenue, andmeasures ninetyand no hundredths (90.00’)feet front on Rensu Drive, twenty-five and nohundredths (25.00’)feet in width in the rear(24.80 feet per title),a depthand front onRural Avenue ofone hundred nineteen andno hundredths (119.00’)feet (119.30 feet per title), afrontage ona curved line which formsthe corner of Rensu Drive andRural Avenue of thirty-oneand eightyhun‐dredths (31.80’) feet (31.68 feet per title),and a depth on the sidelinenear‐est Upstream Subdivision of onehundred fourteen andno hundredths (114.00”)feet: all accordingto a sketch of survey by Errol E. Kelly, Surveyor, dated March 31, 1962, a copy of which is annexedtoan Act passedbe‐foreAllainC Andry,Jr.,No‐taryPublic, dated April10, 1962, forrefer‐ence, registered inCOB 550, folio 947.

Having amunic‐ipaladdressof 9001 Rensu DriveRiver

Ridge, LA 70123. Thissaleissub‐jecttoall supe‐riorsecurityin‐terests,mort‐gages,liens and privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchaseprice isdue at the timeofthe sale

NOTE:All funds mustbe Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or PersonalCheck withBankLetter ofCredit.

PENNY M. DAIGREPONT Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: January23, 2026, February 27, 2026 jan23-feb27