The Times-Picayune 01-24-2026 by The Advocate

LSUGYMNASTICS TOPS KENTUCKY IN HOME OPENER

Landry seeksmoremoney forvouchers

Legislatorsexpress skepticism on expandingprivate school tuitionprogram

BY ALYSE PFEILand PATRICK WALL Staff writers

Gov.Jeff Landry’sadministration on Friday said it will askthe Legislature to roughly double Louisiana’s spendingonits LA GATOR voucher program, which gives parents taxpayermoney to pay private schooltuition, poten-

tiallyrepeating oneoflastyear’s biggestpolitical battles.

“It’s always been apriority of Gov. Landry to expand ourGATOR program,” Landry’stop budget ofﬁcial, Commissioner of Administration Taylor Barras, told state lawmakersFriday during ameeting about the governor’sbudget proposal for next ﬁscal year

ButSenate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie,who last year led the legislative opposition to Landry’spush formore LA GATOR funding, said he continues to have serious doubtsabout the program. In particular,hesaidhe does notwantfamilies to use the public dollarstopay fortuition at low-performing private schools

an apparentreference to Louisiana’sprevious voucher program, where participating students had lowertestscoresthantheir peers in public school.

“You can’tjustgive them money to stay in the school they’re in now,”hesaid. “The goal is foryou to get out of thebad school.”

The request forGATOR funding is perhaps the mostcontroversial piece of Landry’splanfor state spending. Forthe most part, the administration is asking agencies to hold theirspending to roughly the same level as the current ﬁscal year,though it also highlighted new or increased funding it wants forahandful of areas. The Legislature will use Landry’s planasthe starting point forthe

‘TIPPING POINT’

$45M youthsportscomplexopens on West Bank

John Alario Jr formerpresident ofthe Louisiana Senate and former Speakerofthe Louisiana House of Representatives, throws abaseball withhis grandson, Maddox Alario, 6, followingthe dedication ceremony of the newJohnAlarioJr. youth Sports Complex in WestwegoonFriday.

BY LARA NICHOLSON Staff writer

Jefferson Parish ofﬁcials say the West Bank is on theprecipice of an economic boom following the opening Friday of a$45 million parish facility for youth travel sports. The John Alario Jr.Youth Sports Complex, located on 147 acres at 11080 NicolleBlvd., is expected to bring thousands of tourists to the area for travelsports tournaments, with bookings already in place

through 2028, according to operator Andy Powers, of Champions Sports Management Thecomplex will host its ﬁrst ofﬁcial tournament Feb.21, with up to 100 football teams in a7-on-7 event Alsoonthe calendarare the2D Sports YouthSoutheast Cup, asoftball showcase eventand potentially thenational Adult Kickball Championship,televised on ESPN, Powers said. There’salready talk of other businesses likehotelsdeveloping nearby

to accommodate traveling families, apositive sign for ofﬁcials who have long struggled to incentivize new business in thearea.

“I feel like we own land from a long time ago, and we realized we’re on topofoil,” said Jefferson ParishPresident CynthiaLee Sheng. “That’s how Ifeel about sports tourism in Jefferson Parish.” Youth sports tourism hasgrown into a$40 billionindustry,with

ä See TIPPING, page 7A

N.O. hospitalitygroup expandsacrossSouth

LeBlanc +Smith opens newplacesinNashville, will open in Atlanta

BY JONAH MEADOWS Staff writer

LeBlanc +Smith,aboutiquehospitalitygroup that operatesfour “cocktaildriven neighborhood bars” andtwo hotels in NewOrleans, is expanding its footprint across the South with apair of new establishments in Nashville and

plans to move into Atlanta in February

Earlier this month, thegroup opened The Chloe Nashville, modeled after its popularSt. Charles Avenue hotel, near Vanderbilt University in Nashville’s Hillsboro Village neighborhood. Aweek later,itopened Love’sAlibi, anew bar concept in The Gulch, a trendyformerly industrial Nashville neighborhood. Therecent additions join LeBlanc + Smith’s ﬁrst establishment outside of New Orleans, Barrel Proof Nashville, which opened in 2023. Robert LeBlanc, thegroup’sfounder

and creative director,said he hadn’t intendedtoopen both venturesin such rapid succession. But thenew hotel ended up opening five months late, while the bar was ready to go two monthsearlier than expected.

“So literally the openings fell right on top of each other —completely coincidentally and far lessthan ideally,” LeBlancsaid.

LeBlanc +Smith, which getsits name through acombination of LeBlanc’s parents’ names, is a12-year-old

Governor says he wasinon Greenland negotiations

BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer

President Donald Trump’sunexpected announcement just before Christmas that Gov.Jeff Landry would be hisspecial envoy to Greenland suddenly thrust Landry into apotentiallyhighproﬁle international position. It also elevated his visibility within Trump’s MAGAmovement.

But what is the governor’srole after Trumpannounced on Wednesday that he had reached the “framework” of adeal with NATO over Greenland?

“No one has called and said, ‘You have done agreat job We don’tneed you anymore,’” Landry said in an interview Friday

He added that he attended a series of high-level meetings on Thursdayand Fridaylast weekinWashington, D.C., with Secretary of StateMarco Rubio and other senior ofﬁcials, including the U.S. ambassador to Denmark.

“There wereanumber of conversations we had surrounding it,” Landry said. He declined to providedetails but saida strongerrelationship betweenGreenland and the United States could lead to more jobs and investment in both countries.

“No one has calledand said, ‘You have done a great job. We don’tneed you anymore.’”

GOV. JEFF LANDRy

Until now,there’sbeen littleevidence that Landry has played ameaningful role in the Trump administration’s policiestoward thegiant island nation, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark. Greenland is bigger than Mexico in size but has apopulation of 56,000 —giving it only afew thousand moreresidents than Kenner

PHOTO PROVIDED By LEBLANC +SMITH/HOLLy TRIPP Love’s Alibi, the latest ‘cocktail-focused neighborhood bar’ fromLeBlanc +Smith, opened thismonth in Nashville.

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

U.S. carries out strike on alleged drug boat

WASHINGTON The U.S. military said Friday that it has carried out a deadly strike on a vessel accused of trafficking drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, the first known attack since the raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month.

U.S. Southern Command said on social media that the boat was “engaged in narco-trafficking operations” and that the strike killed two people and left one survivor It said it notiﬁed the Coast Guard to launch search and rescue operations.

A video accompanying the post announcing the latest strike shows a boat moving through the water before exploding in ﬂames.

The U.S. military has focused lately on seizing sanctioned oil tankers with connections to Venezuela since the Trump administration launched an audacious raid to capture Maduro and bring him to New York to face drug trafﬁcking charges.

There have been 36 known strikes against alleged drug smuggling boats in South American waters since early September that killed at least 117 people, according to announcements from the U.S. military and Trump. The majority of those of strikes have occurred in the Caribbean Sea.

Complaint against singer Iglesias dropped

MADRID Spanish state prosecutors said Friday they were shelving an initial investigation into accusations of sexual assault by Julio Iglesias in the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic after concluding that Spain’s National Court lacked jurisdiction to judge the matter

Earlier this month, Spanish prosecutors had opened an investigation studying allegations that the Grammy-winning singer had sexually assaulted two former employees at his residences in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.

Iglesias denied the accusations, writing on social media that: “With deep sorrow, I respond to the accusations made by two people who previously worked at my home. I deny having abused, coerced or disrespected any woman These accusations are absolutely false and cause me great sadness.”

‘Let Politicians Lie Act’ struck down in Missouri

The Missouri Supreme Court on Friday unanimously struck down a state law deployed by Republicans to fight abortion access, a sweeping ruling that wrestles power away from top statewide ofﬁcials.

The law, signed by Republican Gov Mike Kehoe last year, marked a key tool in Republican ofﬁcials’ yearslong effort to halt abortions. It severely restricted judges from rewriting misleading ballot questions and gave the state’s attorney general the ability to appeal temporary court decisions.

Together, those provisions led to the law’s downfall. The state’s highest court ruled that the law, called SB22, violated the Missouri Constitution’s requirement that lawmakers cannot amend bills to change the legislation’s original purpose.

The law, which critics dubbed the “Let Politicians Lie Act,” has played a central role in a series of courtroom battles over abortion. It provided the Missouri Secretary of State’s Ofﬁce and the Attorney General’s Office, both led by staunch anti-abortion Republicans, newfound powers over court rulings and ballot measures they disagree with.

CORRECTION

A story on Friday about the Archdiocese of New Orleans bankruptcy mischaracterized remarks following a hearing Thursday on a challenge to attorneys’ fees in the case. Soren Gisleson, a lawyer for survivors of clergy sexual abuse, was referring to his clients’ legal standing, not the ﬁnancial beneﬁts they could receive, when explaining the rationale behind his legal argument. The TimesPicayune regrets the error

Iran denies claim about protesters

Trump’s statement about halting 800 hangings ‘false,’ prosecutor says

BY JON GAMBRELL Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Iran’s top prosecutor on Friday called U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that he halted the hangings of 800 detained protesters there “completely false.”

Meanwhile, the overall death toll from a bloody crackdown on nationwide demonstrations rose to at least 5,032, activists said.

Tensions remain high between the United States and Iran as an American aircraft carrier group moves closer to the Middle East, something Trump likened to an “armada” in comments to journalists late Thursday

Analysts say a military buildup could give Trump the option to carry out strikes, though so far he’s avoided that despite repeated warnings to Tehran.

“While President Trump now appears to have backtracked, likely under pressure from regional leaders and cognizant that airstrikes alone would be insufﬁcient

to implode the regime, military assets continue to be moved into the region, indicating kinetic action may still happen,” New Yorkbased think tank the Soufan Center said in an analysis Friday Prosecutor denies Trump claim Trump has repeatedly said Iran halted the execution of 800 people detained in the protests, without elaborating on the source of the claim. On Friday, Iran’s top prosecutor Mohammad Movahedi strongly denied that in comments carried by the judiciary’s Mizan news agency “This claim is completely false; no such number exists, nor has the judiciary made any such decision,” Movahedi said.

A White House ofﬁcial disputed Movahedi’s assertion later Friday and reasserted that planned executions were called off as a result of Trump’s warnings. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, underscored that Trump was watching the situation in Iran closely and “all op-

tions are on the table if the regime executes protesters.” But the ofﬁcial did not provide any evidence or details backing Trump’s claim. Iranian judiciary ofﬁcials have called some of those being held “mohareb” — or “enemies of God.”

That charge carries the death penalty It had been used along with others to carry out mass executions in 1988 that reportedly killed at least 5,000 people.

Mohammad Javad Haji Ali Akbari, the Friday prayer leader in Tehran, mocked Trump as a “yellow-faced, yellow-haired and disgraced man” who is “like a dog that only barks.”

Death toll rises

The latest death toll was given by the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which reported that more than 4,700 of the dead were demonstrators. It added that more than 27,600 people had been detained.

The group’s figures have been accurate in previous unrest and rely on a network of activists in

Vance, at March for Life, touts anti-abortion actions

BY MEG KINNARD Associated Press

Vice President JD Vance on Friday encouraged anti-abortion activists to “take heart in how far we’ve come” on the quest to limit the practice, listing the Trump administration’s accomplishments including an expansion of a ban on U.S. foreign aid for groups supporting abortion services.

“There is still much road ahead to travel together,” Vance told attendees at the annual March for Life demonstration, which draws tens of thousands of people annually to Washington Attendees rallied on the National Mall before heading to the Supreme Court.

Vance, a Republican, has spent years passionately advocating for Americans to have more children. He repeatedly expressed alarm about declining birth rates as he launched his political career in 2021 with a successful bid for the U.S. Senate in Ohio, and as vice president he has continued on that mission.

Vance cited the Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade, calling it “the most important Supreme Court decision of my lifetime.”

He said President Donald Trump’s leadership and appointment of conservative jurists “put a deﬁnitive end to the tyranny of judicial rule on the question of human life.”

He also lauded the “historic expansion

of the Mexico City policy,” the broadening of a 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

“We believe that every country in the world has the duty to protect life,” Vance said, to a sea of supporters.

“It’s not our job as the United States of America to promote radical gender ideology,” he said. “It’s our job to promote families and human ﬂourishing.”

From the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV — the ﬁrst U.S.-born pope — sent a message of support to participants in the march.

“I would encourage you, especially the young people, to continue striving to ensure that life is respected in all of its stages,” Leo wrote in a letter shown on a video at the march. “May Jesus, who promised to be with us always, accompany you today as you courageously and peacefully march on behalf of unborn children.”

On Thursday an ofﬁcial said the Trump administration was implementing new rules, halting foreign assistance from going not only to groups that provide abortion as a method of family planning but also to those that advocate “gender ideology” and DEI. The ofﬁcial spoke on the condition of anonymity ahead of the rules’ publication in the Federal Register on Friday

Haiti’s transitional council ousts PM

BY EVENS SANON and DÁNICA COTO Associated Press

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti Haiti’s long-running political crisis deepened Friday when the country’s transitional presidential council announced it had voted to ﬁre Prime Minister Alix Didier FilsAimé, just two weeks before the panel is supposed to step down.

Edgard Leblanc Fils made the announcement at a news conference alongside fellow council member Leslie Voltaire, saying a majority of the panel took the step in a vote Thursday, defying calls from the U.S. government to maintain stability in the Caribbean country’s leadership. No other members of the panel were at the news conference.

The U.S State Department said in a statement late Thursday that keeping Fils-Aimé on in the position was “integral” to Haiti’s efforts to overcome the gangs

terrorizing the country, and warned that any politicians supporting the “vicious gangs” would pay a steep cost

Leblanc did not elaborate on the reasons why council members had turned against Fils-Aimé, who they chose for the position in November 2024. But Leblanc said the council would secure a replacement within 30 days “to ﬁnd the way to fully restore security and stability and enter a cycle of development, correct the mistakes of the past and look ahead.”

Voltaire said the council chose FilsAimé in the ﬁrst place “it wasn’t the Whites who chose Didier” — and that the council also would choose his successor, as well as a new government, free of foreign interference.

“Everyone is looking for a Haitian solution to the crisis, but when we start to ﬁnd a Haitian solution to the crisis, the international community comes in with all its claws,” Voltaire said.

Iran to verify deaths.

Iran’s government offered its ﬁrst death toll Wednesday, saying 3,117 people were killed. It added that 2,427 of the dead in the demonstrations that began Dec. 28 were civilians and security forces, with the rest being “terrorists.”

The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the death toll.

U.S. warships on the move

The American military meanwhile has moved more military assets toward the Mideast, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and associated warships traveling with it from the South China Sea.

A U.S. Navy ofﬁcial, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military movements, said Thursday the Lincoln strike group is in the Indian Ocean.

Trump said Thursday aboard Air Force One that the U.S. is moving the ships toward Iran “just in case” he wants to take action.

“We have a massive ﬂeet heading in that direction and maybe we won’t have to use it,” Trump said.

Illinois surgeon pleads not guilty to killings

By The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio An Illinois doctor indicted on murder charges in the December shooting deaths of his ex-wife and her dentist husband in their Columbus home pleaded not guilty to the killings in an Ohio courtroom on Friday Michael David McKee, 39, appeared remotely on camera from jail for his arraignment in Franklin County, where he faced four aggravated murder counts and one count of aggravated burglary while using a firearm suppressor in connection with the Dec. 30 double homicide of Monique Tepe, 39, and Dr Spencer Tepe, 37. He was garbed in prison attire and did not speak during the brief hearing Defense attorney Diane Menashe waived a request for bond, at least for now The mystery that first surrounded the case — which featured no forced entry, no weapon and no obvious signs of theft, additional violence or a motive

— drew national attention. McKee, of Chicago, was arrested 11 days later near his workplace in Rockford, Illinois. He was returned to Ohio on Tuesday to face the charges against him. McKee and Monique Sabaturski married in Columbus in August 2015 but were living apart by the time Monique filed to end in the marriage in May 2017, court records show Their divorce was granted that June. McKee was living in Virginia at the time, court and address records show McKee is accused of illegally entering the Tepes’ home with a firearm equipped with a silencer, shooting the Tepes whose bodies were found in a second-floor bedroom — and leaving the property along a dark alley alongside the house. McKee is charged with two aggravated murder counts for each homicide, one for prior calculation and design and one for committing the crime, as well as facing the aggravated burglary count.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By STEPHANIE SCARBROUGH Vice President JD Vance speaks at

Thousandsrally againstICE in Minnesota

BY GIOVANNA DELL’ORTO, SARAH RAZA and JACK BROOK Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS— Police arrested about 100 clergy demonstrating against immigration enforcement at Minnesota’slargest airport Friday, and thousands gathered in downtown Minneapolis despite arctic temperatures to protest the Trump administration’scrackdown.

The protests arepartofa broadermovementagainst President Donald Trump’s increased immigrationenforcement across the state, with labor unions,progressive organizations and clergy urging Minnesotansto stay away from work, school and even shops.

Metropolitan Airports Commission spokesmanJeff Lea said the clergy were issued misdemeanorcitations of trespassing and failure to comply with apeace ofﬁcer and were thenreleased They were arrested outside the main terminal at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport because they went beyondthe reach of their permit for demonstrating anddisruptedairline operations, he said.

The Rev.Mariah Furness Tollgaard of Hamline Church in St. Paul said police ordered them to leave but she and others decided to stay and be arrestedto show support for migrants, including members of her congregation who are afraid to leave their homes. She planned to go back to her church after her brief detention to hold aprayer vigil.

“Wecannot abide living under this federaloccupation of Minnesota,” Tollgaardsaid.

The Rev.Elizabeth Barish Browne traveled from Cheyenne,Wyoming, to participate in the rally in down-

town Minneapolis, where the high temperaturewas minus 9degrees despite a bright sun.

“What’shappeninghere is clearly immoral,” the Unitarian Universalistminister said. “It’sdeﬁnitelychilly,but thekind of ice that’sdangeroustousisnot the weather.”

Protesters have gathered daily inthe Twin Cities since Jan.7,when37-yearold motherofthree Renee Good was fatally shotbyan Immigration and Customs Enforcement ofﬁcer.Federal lawenforcementofﬁcers have repeatedlysquared off with community members and activistswho track their movements.

Organizers saidFriday morning that more than 700 businesses statewide have closedinsolidaritywith the movement, from abookstore in tinyGrand Marais near the Canadian border to the landmark Guthrie Theater in downtown Minneapolis.

“We’re achieving something historic,” saidKate HavelinofIndivisible Twin Cities, one of the morethan 100 participating groups.

An FBI supervisory agent in Minnesotahas resigned over theJustice Department’s handling of the investigation intoGood’skilling, two people familiarwith the matter saidonFriday.The agentresignedbecause she felt pressured to not investigate the shooting in away shefelt the FBI would have ordinarily done, said thepeople,who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were notauthorized to discuss personnel moves. The FBIdeclined to comment.

TheHennepinCounty Medical Examiner,meanwhile, posted Good’s initial autopsy report online,which classiﬁedher death as ahomicide and determined she diedfrom “multiple gunshotswounds.”

Amore detailed indepen-

Prosecutors allege gang members tried to kill judgetoderaildomesticabuse trial

BY TODD RICHMOND Associated Press

Members of amotorcycle club and astreet gang worked together in an attempt to kill an Indiana judge in hopesofderailinga domestic abuse case against one of their own, prosecutors alleged Friday,hours after police announced they had arrestedﬁve peoplein connection with the investigation.

Steven Meyer, aTippecanoeCounty Superior Court judge, and his wife, Kimberly Meyer,were injured Sunday afternoon in the attack at their Lafayette home. Steven Meyer suffered an injury to his arm and Kimberly Meyer an injury to her hip, according to authorities.

Probablecause afﬁdavits unsealed Friday paint asordid picture of aplan to attack the judge that unfolded over several weeks and how surveillance video, atrail of discarded clothing and a tip from arestaurant helped investigators piece the case together

At the center of it allis Thomas Gregory Moss, 43, of Lafayette. The documents describe him as ahigh-ranking member of Phantom MC, aDetroit-based motorcycle club with ties to the Vice Lords street gang. Court records show Moss was charged in 2024 with beating his ex-girlfriend

and ﬁringagun in her home. He was set to stand trial in that case Tuesday in frontof Meyer.

ALafayette woman named Amanda Milsap allegedly approached Moss’ ex-girlfriend at her home in Pennsylvania several weeks prior to Sunday’sattack. She told her that Moss and the Vice Lords wanted to pay her $10,000 not to testify against him. Moss’ ex-girlfriend refused to accept the money Raylen Ferguson, an afﬁliate of the Almighty Vice Lord Nation gang, and thewoman he lives with, Zenada Greer then traveled to Lafayette from Lexington, Kentucky, several daysbeforethe shooting, prosecutors allege. Ferguson traveled to the Meyers’ home on Jan.16and knockedonthe doorsaying he hada food delivery,but left, therecords said. He returned to thehomeon Sunday afternoon,police said. The home’ssurveillancevideo showshewas wearing amask and carrying ashotgun. Investigators later determined that another Phantom MC member, BlakeSmith, had purchased thegun in early January, accordingtothe records. Fergusonknocked on the Meyers’ door and said he was looking for his dog. WhenSteven Meyer told him thathe didn’thave his dog, Ferguson opened fire throughthe door,according

to therecords.

Police usinga search dog later found the shotgun and Ferguson’smask and clothes discarded near the Meyers’ home. Analysts matched DNA found on the mask to Ferguson.

Investigators used the home surveillance video to zero in on the food Ferguson brought to the Meyers’ house on Jan. 16 and tracked it to restaurant where Ferguson hadbought it. Therestaurant’ssurveillance video showed aperson whowas dressed and walked like Ferguson leaving the restaurant.

Police from Indiana, Pennsylvania andKentuckyas well as U.S. marshals and the FBIworked on the case before theLafayette Police Department ﬁnally announced late Thursday that Ferguson, Moss, Smith, Milsap andGreer allhad been arrested.

Moss, 43, Ferguson, 38, andSmith, 32, each face attempted murder, conspiracy to commitmurder, battery and intimidation counts.Milsap, 45, faces briberyand obstruction counts. Greer,61, waschargedwithhelping a criminal and obstruction

dent autopsy commissioned by Good’sfamily saidone bullet pierced the left side her head and exited on the right side. This autopsy,released Wednesday through the Romanucci &Blandin law firm, said bulletsalso struck herinthe armand breast,although those injuries weren’timmediately life-threatening.

A2-year-old was reunited

with hermotherFriday, a dayafter shewas detained with herfatheroutside of their homeinSouth Minneapolis, lawyer Irina Vaynermantold The Associated Press.

Vaynerman said they had quickly challenged the family’sdetention in federal court. The petition states that the child, acitizen of Ecuador,was brought to the U.S. as anewborn. The child and her father,Elvis Tipan Echeverria, both have a pending asylum application and neither are subject to ﬁnal orders of removal.

AU.S. district judge on Thursdayhad barredthe government from transferring the toddler out of state, but she and her father were on acommercial flight to Texas about 20 minutes later, accordingtocourt filings. They wereflown back Friday

Agents arrested Tipan Echeverriaduring a“targeted enforcement operation,” according to aDHS statement. DHSsaid the child’s mother was in the area but refused to take the child.

Vaynerman rejected that explanation, saying Tipan Echeverria was “not allowed” to bring his 2-yearoldtoher mother inside their home.

DHSrepeated itsallega-

tion Friday that the father of 5-year-old Liam Ramos abandoned him during his arrest by immigration officers in Columbia Heights on Tuesday,leading to the child being detained, too. Department spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said Liam was detained because hisfather, AdrianAlexander Conejo Arias, “fled from the scene.” The two are detained together at the Dilley Detention Center in Texas, which is intendedtoholdfamilies. McLaughlin saidofficers tried to get Liam’smother to take him,but she refused to accept custody The family’sattorney said he thinks the mother refusedtoopenthe door to the ICE officers because she was afraid she would be detained. Columbia Heights districtsuperintendent Zena StenviksaidLiamwas “used as bait.” On Friday,Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino sought to shiftthe narrative away from Liam’sdetention by attacking thenewsmedia for,inhis view,insufficient coverage of children who have lost parents to violence by people in the country illegally.After briefly mentioning the 5-year-old during a news conference, he talked about amother of five who waskilled in August 2023.

Ice, snow,coldthreatenmorethanhalfofU.S.

BY EMILIE MEGNIEN, JEFF AMY andJAMIE STENGLE Associated Press

DALLAS Freezing rain was falling in parts of Texas on Friday as ahuge, dayslong winter stormbegan atrek that threatened tobring snow,sleet,ice andbone-chilling temperatures as well as extensive power outages to about half the U.S. population. Forecasterswarned that catastrophic damage, especially in areas pounded by ice, could rival a hurricane. Schools in Chicago and other Midwestern cities called off classes Friday,airlines canceled thousands of weekendflights, churches moved Sunday services online andthe GrandOle Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, decided to hold its Saturday night radio performance without fans.

At least182 million peoplewere under watches or warnings for ice and snow and more than 210 million were under cold weather advisories or warnings. In many places, those overlapped. Utility companiesbracedfor poweroutages because ice-coated trees and power lines can keep falling long after astorm haspassed.

“It’sgoing to be abig storm,” Maricela Resendizsaid as shepicked up chicken, eggsand pizzasata Dallasstore to get her,her 5-year-old son and her boyfriend through the weekend. Her plans: “Staying in, just being out of the way.”

Aftersliding into theSouth with ice andsleet, the storm was expected to move into the Northeast, dumpingabout afoot of snow from Washington, D.C., through New York and Boston,the National Weather Service predicted.

Arcticair that spilleddown from Canada promptedschools throughout the Midwest to cancel classes Friday. With wind chillsaslow as minus 40 degrees frostbite could set in within 10 minutes,making it too dangerous to walk to school or wait for the bus.

In Bismarck, North Dakota, wherethe wind chill was minus 41, Colin Cross cleaned out an empty unit for an apartment complex.

“I’ve been hereawhile and my brain stopped working,” said Cross, bundled up in long johns, two long-sleeved shirts, ajacket, hat,hood, gloves and boots.

Nationwide, more than 1,000 ﬂightswere delayed or canceled Friday,with well over half of them in Dallas,according to theﬂight tracking website FlightAware. Thefederal government put nearly 30 search andrescueteams on

200dogsfromTupelorescued

Some relocatedto shelterinCovington

BY SOPHIE BATES Associated Press

JACKSON, Miss. Animal advocates

raced to rescue more than 200 dogs from arural Mississippiproperty before amassivewinterstorm hit the country Friday Paws of War, aNew York-based nonproﬁt that rescues animals and places them with veterans andﬁrst responders, is helping to lead the charge.

Robert Misseri, the organization’sco-founder,said his team arrived at the property,located in Tupelo,Mississippi,onWednesday.

He described it as a“houseof horrors,” with the skeletalremains of dogs decomposing in the yard and feces everywhere. The dogs,

he said, were livingboth inside and outsideofahome.

“It’srewarding seeing them come off theproperty for the ﬁrst time, knowing that they will ultimately wind up on someone’scouch. But to think that they suffered up there for all theseyearsinsilence,” Misseri said before trailing off.

Misseri said the Lee County Sheriff’sOfficeasked Paws of Warfor help with rehoming the animals. As of Thursday evening, nine shelters hadtaken about 60 dogs.PawsofWar hassentseveral truckstothe propertytobring 45 dogs backtoNew York.

Thirteen of the dogs are now at theNorthshore Humane Society in Covington.The humanesociety’s team traversed morethan 300 miles to the Tupelo,Mississippi, area on Wednesday for what they dubbed “Operation: Tupelo Tails.”

“A lotofthese dogs have scars on

their faces, whichisevidencethat they were probably sparring with the other dogs for food,” said Scott Bernier, NorthshoreHumane Society’sCEO. “So it’s abad condition. Not something we ever like to see.”

ScoutCannizzaro, aveterinary technician at theNorthshore Humane Society,said someofthe dogs hadupperrespiratory infections and skin conditions. Bernier saidhealsoexpectssome of the dogs to have heartworm

The humane society is now trying to get as many dogs as possible intofoster homes because their building is old and doesn’tretain heat well. However, Bernier said anyanimals left at the shelter when the storm hits will be warm and safe.

The Paws of Warwill be working overnighttryingtoﬁnd shelters for the remaining dogs beforethe storm hits, Misseri said. Histeam

standby. Ofﬁcials have morethan 7million meals, 600,000 blankets and300 generatorsplaced throughout the area the storm wasexpected to cross, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Once iceand snow end, the frigid airfrom thenorth will head south and east. It will take awhile to thaw out,anespecially dangerous prospect because ice can add hundreds of pounds to power lines and branchesand make them more susceptible to snapping, especially if it’swindy

Aseverecoldsnapﬁve yearsago took down much of the power grid in Texas, leaving millions without power for days and resulting in hundreds of deaths. Gov. Greg Abbottsaid Thursday that won’thappen again,and utility companies were bringing in thousands of employees to help keep the power on.

Stephen McDonald, whohasn’t had ahome in three years, was hoping to getout of the coldin Jackson, Mississippi. But the Shower Power homeless shelter wasadding sprayfoam insulation and ceiling heaters, keeping it closed until Saturday Friday night’sforecast calledfor lows near freezing. “Your hands get frozensolid, andthey hurt real bad,” said McDonald. “It’snot good.”

At the University of Georgia in Athens, sophomore Eden England wasstaying on campus to ride out the weather with her friends, even as the school encouraged students to go home because of concerns about losing power “I was texting my parents and we kindofjustrealized that whether I’mhereorathome, it’sgoing to suck either way,” England said.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS

rescued puppies Thursday.

is also stillsearching the area for skittishdogsthat ran away,and he said the number of dogs needing to be rescued could reach 300. He said no matter what happens, he will not allow the dogs to be left outside during the storm.Heis

asking othershelters to come forward and take some of the dogs. “Weweren’tprepared forthis,” he said.

TheLee County Sheriff’s Ofﬁce did not immediately return amessage Thursday

Ukraine, Russia,U.S.todiscuss territorialconcessions

BY KAMILA HRABCHUK and KOSTYAMANENKOV

Associated Press

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the future of Ukraine’seastern Donbas region will be akey focus as negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the United States meet in Abu Dhabi onFriday for talks to end Russia’s nearly four-year full-scale invasion.

TheUAE’s foreignministry said the talks commenced on Friday and are scheduled to continue overtwo days “as part of ongoing efforts to promote dialogue and identify political solutions to the crisis.”

The White House described the talks as productive and said conversations wouldcontinueonSaturday

The three-way talks come hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the settlement in Ukraine with U.S. President Donald Trump’senvoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushnerduringmarathon overnight talks. The Kremlin insisted that to reach apeace deal, Kyivmust withdraw itstroops

from the areas inthe east that Russia illegally annexed but never fully captured.

Zelenskyy saidafter meeting with Trump that while the future statusoflandineastern Ukraine currently occupied by Russia remains unresolved, the peace proposals are “nearly ready.”

He also reiterated hisopenness to establishing afree-tradezoneunder Ukraine’scontrol in the country’seast, addingthat he discussed theproposal with TrumpinDavos, Switzerland, on Thursday: “I think it will be positive for our business,”

Zelenskyy told reporters.

Friday is the ﬁrst known time that ofﬁcials from theTrump administration simultaneouslymeet with negotiatorsfrombothUkraine and Russia. While it’sunclear how the talkswill unfold and manyobstacles to peaceremain, some seeitas asign that the parties aremaking headway in closingadeal.

‘Solving territorialissue’

“Today’smeetingwill be in the format of Ukraine, Russia and the United States, and afterwardthe

Europeans will certainly receive feedback from us,” Zelenskyy told journalists in aWhatsApp audio message. The Kremlin offered little detail beyond calling Friday’smeeting a “working group on securityissues.

Kremlin spokesmanDmitryPeskovreafﬁrmed Friday that Russia’s demandfor theUkrainian troops’ withdrawal from the eastern Donbas region is an “important condition,” adding thatthere are also other“nuances” on thetalks agenda thathewouldn’tspecify.

Kremlinforeign affairsadviser Yuri Ushakov,who participated in Putin’smeeting withWitkoff and Kushner,said “it was reafﬁrmed that reaching along-term settlementcan’t be expected without solving theterritorial issue.”

Russia’sstate Tass news agency reported that the discussions includedpossible bufferzones and control measures.

Trump’smeeting with Zelenskyy Hoursbefore the Kremlin talks, Zelenskyy met with Trumpbehind closeddoors for aboutanhourat

the World Economic Forum in Davos,describing themeeting as “productive and meaningful.”

Speaking to reporters aboardAir ForceOne as he ﬂew back to Washington from Davos, Trump said his meeting with Zelenskyy went well, adding thatboth Putin and Zelenskyy wanttoreach adeal and that “everyone’smaking concessions” to trytoend the war

He said the sticking points in talks remain the same as they’ve been during talks held during the past six or seven months, noting “boundaries” wasakey issue.

Russia’s bigger army has managed to capture about 20%of Ukraine since hostilities began in 2014 and its full-scale invasion of 2022. But the battleﬁeld gains along the roughly 600-mile front line have been costly forMoscow Ukraine is short of money and, despite signiﬁcantly boosting its own arms manufacturing, still needs Western weaponry.Its defenseminister last week reported some 200,000 troop desertions, and draft-dodging by about 2million Ukrainians.

ZelenskyyblastsEuropeanallies

Addressing the World Economic Forum on Thursday after meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy listed alitanyofgrievances andcriticisms of Europe.

He chided Europe for being slow to act on keydecisions, spending too little on defense, failing to stop Russia’s“shadow ﬂeet” of oil tankers that are breaking international sanctions, andbalking at using its frozenassets in Europe to ﬁnance Ukraine, among other things.

“Europe lookslost,” Zelenskyy said in his speech. He contrasted Europe’sresponse with Washington’sboldsteps in Venezuelaand Iran.

The former actor referred to the movie “Groundhog Day,” in which the main character mustrelive the sameday over and over again.

“Just last year,here in Davos, I endedmyspeech with the words: Europe needs to know how to defend itself. Ayear has passed. And nothing has changed. We are still in asituation where Imust say the samewords again,” Zelenskyy said.

BY PANPYLAS Associated Press

LONDON British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signaled Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump should apologize for his false assertion that troops from nonU.S. NATO countries avoided the front line during the Afghanistan War, describing Trump’sremarks as “insulting” and “frankly appalling.”

Trump’scomment that he wasn’tsure the other 31 nations in NATO would be there to support the United States if andwhenrequested, provoked outrage and distress across the United Kingdom, regardless of individuals’ political persuasion.

“We’ve never needed them, we have never really asked anything of them,” Trump said of non-U.S.troops in an interview with Fox Business Network in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday.“You know,they’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, or this or that,and they did —they stayed alittle back, a little off the front lines.”

That view standsatodds with the reality that in October 2001, nearlyamonth after the Sept. 11 attacks, the U.S. led an international

coalitioninAfghanistan to destroyal-Qaida, which had used the country as its base, and the group’sTalibanhosts.Alongsidethe U.S. were troops from dozens of countries, including fromNATO, whose mutualdefense mandate had been triggeredfor the ﬁrst time after theattacks on New York andWashington.

In theU.K., thereaction to Trump’scommentswas raw Starmer paid tributetothe 457 British personnel who died and to those have been left withprofoundlifelong injuries.

“I will never forget their courage, their bravery and the sacriﬁce they made for their country,” Starmer said. “I consider President Trump’sremarks to be insulting and franklyappalling andI am notsurprisedthey have caused such hurttothe lovedones of those who were killedorinjuredand, in fact, across thecountry ” After 9/11, then-Prime MinisterTony Blair said that theU.K. would “stand shoulder to shoulder” with the U.S. in response to thealQaida attacks. British troops took akey role in many operations duringthe Afghan war particularly in Helmand

Province, untiltheir withdrawal from combat operations in 2014. British troops remained, in asupport role, alongside the U.S. military until thechaotic withdrawal in 2021 when the Taliban returned to power

More than 150,000 British troops served in Afghanistan in the years after the invasion,the largest contingent after theAmerican one. It wasn’tthe ﬁrst time that Trump downplayedthe commitmentofNATOcountries over the past few days. It has been oneofhis pivotal lines of attack as he escalated his threats to seize Greenland, asemiautonomous territory belonging to Denmark Trump’sallegation that NATO countries won’t be therewhen requested stands in stark contrast to reality

The only time Article 5of NATO’sfounding treaty has been usedwas in response to the 9/11 attacks on the U.S.

The article is the key mutual defense clause, obligingall membercountriestocome to the aid of another member whose sovereigntyor territorial integrity might be under threat “When America needed us after 9/11 we were there,” former Danish platoon com-

mander Martin Tamm Andersen said. Denmark hasbeen astal-

PHOTOBySTEPHENSMITH Scott Bernier,CEO of Northshore Humane Society in Covington, comforts recently

Continued from page1A

company with alocal portfolio currently composed of Anna’s, Barrel Proof, the Celestine, the Chloe, Mahony’s, Peychaud’s, Sylvain and TheWill &the Way.

Its hotels are known for their bespoke historic restorations.Its bars are particularlypopularwith locals who live and work in the surrounding neighborhoods. Its French Quarter spots and all three of its Nashville establishments have late-night kitchensserving “luxe tavern fare.”

“In our experience, if you don’t takecare of thelocals ﬁrst,you’ll never get that more informed, culturally curious tourist,”LeBlanc said.

The group’s$18 million investment in its Nashvilleexpansion hasbeen more than six yearsin the making, aided by afriendship withcommercial real estatebroker Parke McEnery,who attended high school and college in Tennessee and helped ﬁnd suitable locations to launch the group’spopular concepts in anew —and rapidly growing —marketwith ayoung, afﬂuent population.

LeBlanc, a2024semifinalist foraJames Beard Award for best restauranteur,saidthose familiar with LeBlanc +Smith’s New Orleansproperties will feel at home in their Nashville counterparts.

“The music you listentoisalittle bit different, thecocktail program is alittle bit different, the culinary program is alittle bit different,” he said. “But they’re programmed to feel the exact same way.”

Barrel Proof Nashville, for example,has more of afocusonTennessee whiskey options and televisedsportsthanits LowerGarden District predecessor

The Chloe Nashville, like its New Orleans counterpart, is housed in

GREENLAND

Continued from page1A

Trump announced the framework of adeal on Truth Social on Wednesday after meeting with the NATO general secretary. The post didn’tmention Landry.It did mention another special envoy,real estatemogul Steve Witkoff, who has been handling Russia, the Middle Eastand Ukraine, as being one of those responsiblefor the negotiations.

Nor was Landry included in ameeting at the White House on Greenland on Jan 14 that involved Vice President JD Vance, Secretaryof State Marco Rubio and the foreign ministers from Denmark and Greenland. The governor traveled to Washington the following day for the meetings he mentioned Before traveling to Washington,Landry told Fox News that he had been invited to attend adogsledding raceinGreenland in March

“Theytell me they like to hunt, they like to ﬁsh, they like to have agood time. I’m like, y’all belong in Louisiana,” he said then.“I’m going to call it culinary diplomacy.” But the Greenland Dogsledding Association complained that “political pressure is being exerted from outside.”

On Tuesday, Landry was disinvited from the dogsledding competition.

“I think it is really disappointing,” Landry said during the interview.“Idon’t think we would disinvite anyone from Greenland to attend the Super Bowl or anybig eventinNew Orleans. It just seems inhospitable given that we had been working with someone who is anative of Greenland.”

He said he hoped another travel opportunity would arise, adding that he has discussed the idea with Alaska Gov.Mike Dunleavy

“I would love to put a group of governors together and maybe even business folks or sportsrecreation folks, folks who like to hunt andfish, or engage in outdoor activity,totravel to Greenland,” Landry said.

“Wedon’tknow what kinds of opportunities there are. Thiswas on nobody’sradar until the president mentioned it.”

Trump has expressed concerns that Russia or China could grab afoothold on Greenland to strengthen their military or to gain access to valuable minerals.

ahistoric, 19th-centuryhome but with adifferentarchitectural style —and with music focused less on jazz and moreonbluegrass and country Thenew concept, Love’sAlibi, takesits namefrom alyric of a Blondie songand aims to channel “badass female inﬂuences,”

LeBlanc said, describingitas moreupbeatand polished than hisother spots with adecor that references the late 1970s and early 1980s

For bothLove’sAlibi andBarrelProof Nashville, LeBlanc part-

European officialshave scoffed at the idea.

Landry’sappointment has leftforeign policy pros scratching their heads.

“It was avery strange appointment.Nobody can make any sense of it,”said Troy Bouffart, aprofessor of ArcticSecurity at the University ofAlaska Fairbanks. “There were plenty of other good options.”

Landry served one term in the U.S. House but haslived almost his entire life in Acadiana and hasnoexperience in foreign affairs or diplomacy

However,the governor has theone thingthatseems to matterthe most toTrump: He has been astrong supporterofthe president’s controversial policies and hasentered Trump’sorbit through relationships with DonaldTrump Jr.and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

“It’sprestigious to have the president of the United States think so highlyofthe governor of Louisiana that he says, ‘Hey,wouldyou help me do this?’ knowing that there could begreatopportunities for Louisiana,” Landry said The State Department referred aquery about Landry to the White House,which didn’t respond to acomment The Danish foreign ministry also did not respond

Landry expressed excitement upon gettingthe appointment followinga meeting with TrumpatMara-LagoonDec. 21. “It’sanhonor to serveyou in this volunteerposition to make Greenland apart of theU.S,” Landrysaid in apost on Xaddressed to Trumpthatday

Landry softened his goal in an interview with The Times-Picayune |The Advocate nine days later,saying, “This is an opportunity

nered withJason Sorbet, who was previously barmanager at the original Barrel Proof in theLower Garden District before becoming beverage director and, later,assistant generalmanagerofthe original Chloe.

Fertileground

Hot on the heels of the two January openings in Nashville, LeBlanc is set to expand intoa new statenext month with theopening of BarrelProof Atlanta, which he hopes will be theﬁrstofseveral ventures there.

togotalk to some folks and say,‘Hey,would y’all be interestedinengaging in a relationship withthe United States that’sbetterthan the one you have in Europe?’” Denmark’sprime minister,Mette Frederiksen, hasconsistentlyrejected Trump’splans to takeover Greenland, saying on Jan. 1, “In thepast year,wehave hadtopay attention to alot. Threats. Pressure. Derogatory language. Fromour closest ally for alifetime. About wanting to take over another country,another people. As if it was something youcould buy and own.”

In the Dec. 30 interview, Landry said his experience as aCajun helps him understand the situation for theresidents of Greenland living under Denmark’sauthority

“My family,mywife’s family,thousands of other families in Louisiana, are the only families thathave lived under multiple flags here on thecontinental United States,” he said. “We bring agreat perspective to that.”

That’s not enough for the envoy role, said Dennis Jett, whoservedasU.S.ambassador to Mozambique and Peru and who taught international relations at Penn State.

“You have to knowsomething about diplomacy and what motivates the people from thecountryyou’re dealing with,” Jett said.

“What Landry doesn’tunderstand andwhatTrump refuses to accept is that these people want no part of theUnited States.

Jettsaid it was noteworthythat Landry was excluded from lastweek’sWhite House meeting on Greenland.

“If he had any inﬂuence on policy,hewould have been there,” Jett said.

Over the next ﬁve years, LeBlanc said he aimstoassemble a hospitality portfolio across up to ﬁve southeastern cities, focusing on places that combine astrong sense of history and culture “with acreative and refreshing 21st century viewpoint.”

LeBlanc+Smith has no immediateplans for the group to operate more bars in NewOrleans, but it would consider an opportunity to preserveanestablishment with a strong neighborhood legacy, as it did in 2024 to reopen Mahony’sPoBoysonMagazine Street.

Landry shrugged off the criticism, saying he’sbeen given an assignment that’s similar to atrade mission he undertook to SouthKoreainlate 2024 that helped lead Hyundai to announce monthslater that it wants to build asteel mill in Ascension Parish.

Instead, LeBlanc said, it’smore likely to develop another French Quarterboutique hotel or two, as it did with The Celestine, the 10room hotel it opened in the former Maison de Ville, also in 2024.

For the moment, LeBlanc is targeting markets outside the Crescent City for further expansion. Although Austinand Charleston are already overbuilt, he sees about ahalf-dozen neighborhoods in Nashville suitable for his group to bring anew bar concept.

“Wedon’tneed to do $4-5 million in sales to makethem economically viable,” he said. “Wedon’t have to hit these huge home runs, we can just create great neighborhood spots that we developresponsibly.”

Cultural exportation

LeBlanc,aHouma native,said his companyisproud to “export” the NewOrleans culture in each of its projects.

“But we don’texportthe NewOrleans that people traditionally classifyasNew Orleans —Cajun and zydeco music, redbeansand rice, jambalaya, blackened redfish,” he said. “What we try to export is NewOrleans’ joie de vivre.”

LeBlancsaidthe groupshares values and brand promises across its ventures. They strive to greet guests within 30 secondsofarrival andservethemdrinks within ﬁve minutes —nomatter how busy the bar.Those standards, he said, are key across markets, while local managers aregiventhe license to curate their own art design or music playlists.

“All the things that are expressed are expressed through the lens of creatives who are of the place where the venue is located, and that’show it feels local,” he said. “That’show it feels authentically NewOrleansorauthentically Nashville.”

Email JonahMeadowsatJonah. Meadows@theadvocate.com.

“Ifyou’re notatthe table, you miss the meal,” he said.

Michael Henderson, an LSU political science professor,said Landry’srole could boost his popularity among Trump’sfans in Louisiana.

“However,ifvoters were ever to find reason to feel thatthings weren’tgoing well in Louisiana, then such action could becomealiability,”Henderson said. “This is essentially whathappened in the case of former Gov Bobby Jindal.Louisianans —including Republicans, Democrats and independents—began to sour on the governor as they came to believe his attention was focused moreonthe prospect of apresidential run.”

Many Americans are fortunate to have dental coveragefor their entire working life,through employer-provided benefits. When those benefits end with retirement, paying dental bills out-of-pocket can come as a shock,leading peopletoput offoreven go without care.

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Early detectioncan prevent small problemsfrom becomingexpensive ones

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Even if you’ve hadqualitydentalworkinthe past, youshouldn’t take your dentalhealth forgranted. In fact, your odds of havinga dentalproblemonly go up as youage.2

Treatment is expensive especially theservicespeople over 50 often need

Consider these national average costsof treatment. $274for acheckup $299 for afilling $1,471 foracrown.3 Unexpected bills likethiscan be areal burden, especially if you’reonafixed income

PHOTO PROVIDEDByLEBLANC +SMITH/SAM CALDERON

Love’s Alibipartners, from left, Liam Deegan, Jason Sorbet and Robert LeBlanc, are photographed in the Nashville barahead of its opening.

parents spending an average of $1,016 on their child’s sport in 2024, according to an Aspen Institute survey Large private equity ﬁrms and small towns alike have clamored to invest in the growing market, and Jefferson Parish is no exception

The new facility features four multipurpose artiﬁcial turf ﬁelds, which can host up to 12 youth baseball games at a time, as well as softball, football, soccer, lacrosse or rugby The facility also offers a sports shop, pavilion, concession stand and public restrooms.

Expansion plans that include dormitories and a dining hall are already in the works, pending state funding. The property sits in the only undeveloped green space left in Jefferson Parish, between Avondale and Westwego near the NOLA Motorsports Park and Churchill Technology and Business Park, which is home to the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission. Two miles away sits the John A. Alario Sr Event Center, which already hosts volleyball, gymnastics and cheerleading competitions.

JEDCO Executive Director Jerry Bologna said he plans to put out a request for qualiﬁcations to build a hotel at Churchill in response to the anticipated growth in trafﬁc.

“I think we’re now at that tipping point where this area is going to start ﬁlling in, and the trafﬁc being driven by this facility is going to start demanding those quality of life (improvements),” Bologna said.

The sports complex also sits in a longtime food desert. Avondale and Waggaman residents haven’t had a nearby grocery store since Shoppers Value closed in 2019. Numerous attempts to attract grocers to the area since have been unsuccessful, although elected officials believe the sports complex will help.

“This complex will help jump-start long overdue economic development in an area that’s been overlooked far too long,” said state Sen. Patrick Connick, R-Marrero.

John Alario Jr., a former state senator first spearheaded the project about a decade ago, securing state

VOUCHERS

Continued from page 1A

budget it builds during the legislative session that begins in March. The new budget year begins July 1. LA GATOR would get about $88 million under Landry’s plan, up from $43.5 million this ﬁscal year

About 5,600 students received LA GATOR grants this school year — a fraction of the nearly 40,000 students whose families applied for the money, which can go toward private school tuition or homeschooling expenses like enrichment classes and textbooks.

Erin Bendily, senior vice president at the Pelican Institute, a conservative think tank that has championed LA GATOR, said she is “really excited and thankful” that Landry wants to ramp up funding.

“That will certainly go a long way in helping to serve the thousands of families who have been on a waiting list,” she said. Barras said that, according to Department of Education estimates, the additional $44 million could pay for vouchers for another 4,000 to 5,000 students But it’s far from certain that the Legislature will go along with Landry’s plan. Last year, he faced stiff resistance from some lawmakers particularly Henry who raised concerns about the cost and the poor academic outcomes of the state’s previous school voucher program. The Legislature ultimately agreed to give LA GATOR about half the funding that Landry wanted. Henry said Friday he is

capital outlay money to purchase the land for $3.1 million from late real estate

mogul Joseph C. Marcello.

The land had previously been considered federally protected wetlands until the parish paid for a study to change that designation

The Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District, better known as the Superdome Commission, took over the land and developed it, allowing the parish to circumvent the 25% local match rule for state capital outlay projects

The cost of the project was double the original estimate due to unforeseen delays, rising material and labor costs and the addition of a fourth ﬁeld

The parish will take over the property once complete, and Champions Sports Management, also called Bayou Nation and co-owned by Powers and Wally Pontiff, will operate it. Under the agreement, Champions will remit a percentage of gross operational revenue back to the parish on a gradual scale from 0%

still waiting for education officials to give him information about how families who sign up for the LA GATOR program can spend that money.

“If you’re gonna double this program every single year, what are we getting for it?” he asked.

Louisiana Department of Education spokesperson Ted Beasley said in a statement that the department has consistently provided timely and accurate information to lawmakers about LA GATOR, including during several presentations to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, of which Henry is a member.

“As the state agency responsible for administering LA GATOR, we will continue to operate this program in alignment with state law,” Beasley said.

Louisiana’s proposed total budget, including federal funds, is $47 billion.

But lawmakers largely only control part of that $12.6 billion of state money

Landry wants them to put an additional $17.5 million toward the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola

It’s funding an increase of about 688 offenders. This will also add an additional 150 positions to support those offenders,” said Colleen Gil, state director of the ofﬁce of planning and budget. “Angola’s currently seeing increases in their population right now.” Barras said the funds are not for federal immigration detention.

The Department of Children and Family Services could get $12 million to put toward a “modernization” of the child welfare agency’s program, though budget ofﬁ-

in year one to 3% after the third year It will also invest $1 million over ﬁve years to add an administrative building on the property, starting May 2026, with another $1 million match from the parish.

Powers, founder of two Texas baseball training facilities, moved to the area last summer to help launch the facility and lived in a camper in St. Rose while his family still lived in El Paso, Texas. For him, he said, the opportunity to work in sports tourism for Jefferson Parish was a “no brainer.”

“This complex will become a destination, a place where young athletes compete at the highest level, where families create memories for a lifetime, where local kids have access to premiere facilities, and where the parish establishes itself as a national leader in youth sports tourism,” Powers said.

Email Lara Nicholson at lnicholson@theadvocate. com.

cials didn’t provide information about what that would entail.

DCFS did not respond to a question about how the money would be used by the time of publication.

Landry also wants $75 million for a business incentive program run by Louisiana Economic Development called the High Impact Jobs Program, which gives grants to companies that create new jobs that pay above average wage in a parish.

State lawmakers will also get to decide how to spend $577 million of surplus funds leftover from the 2025 budget year that ended last year on June 30.

They are legally required to put $144 million of that money into a rainy-day savings account for the state and another $144 million toward paying off debt

The remaining $289 million can go also toward transportation, capital outlay and coastal restoration projects, though Barras said “a great deal” of the funds will likely go to transportation.

Lawmakers also have $293 million more they can spend in the current budget year after economists in December updated the forecast for how much revenue the state is likely to bring in this year

After covering any budget shortfalls in agencies like Department of Corrections, Louisiana State Police, DCFS and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Landry wants that extra money to go to infrastructure.

Barras also said economic development, IT improvements and a new voting system are also priorities.

Take advantage of 0% APR on balance transfers for 12 months when youopenanew Pelican Points, Pelican Prime or Pelican Premier Credit Card.

STAFF PHOTOS By CHRIS GRANGER

John Alario Jr., center, former president of the Louisiana Senate and former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, gets a round of congratulatory handshakes at the opening of the new John Alario Jr youth Sports Complex in Westwego on Friday.

The Alario youth Sports Complex includes several multipurpose fields

with meteorologist Damon Singleton

Deputy mayors seehigherearnings

Butpositions havemoreresponsibilities

BY SOPHIE KASAKOVE Staff writer

Mayor Helena Moreno’stop City Halldeputies arerakingin larger paychecksthan seniorofﬁcials under formerMayor LaToya Cantrelldid —thoughmunicipal budget cuts have saddledthose leaders with abroaderset of responsibilities. Per Moreno’s plantoeradicate

what would have been a$222 million deﬁcit this year,she has cutsome of thehighest paid City Hall jobs. The mayor,who earns $196,235, has fashioned other seniorleadersintoa deputy mayor system that comes withhigher earnings. Still more directors’ salaries are static, according to city payroll records. Joe Giarrusso,Moreno’schief administrative officer and first

Five hopefuls viefor Legislature

BY JONI HESS

Staff writer

New Orleans East voters this winter will consider ﬁve candidates torepresent their interests in the state Legislature whosay chronicpainpointsinthe district aretheir priorities.

Attorneys Dana Henry and Kenya Rounds, community advocate Candice Taylor,political consultant Aeisha Kelly and university professor Patricia Boyd-Robinson are on the Feb. 7ballot after former stateRep.Jason Hughes resigned last month to jointhe City Council.

If no one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the toptwo vote-getters will head to aMarch 14 runoff. All candidates areDemocrats and decadeslong residents of New Orleans East. Early voting kicks off Saturday andruns through Jan. 31

Boyd-Robertson

Boyd-Robertson, abusiness professor at the University of New Orleans,saidshe’d prioritize public safety in the district. Reducing crime, she said, begins with moreinvestment in education and early childhood education.

“A lot of the crime we see is becauseofalack of education. Alack of mentorship. I think we have to catch the children at ayoungage ” Tackling the issue of crime,the rates of whichhavedeclinedover thelast three yearscitywide, would also help spur economicdevelopment across the city and especiallyinNew OrleansEast, Boyd-Robertson said.

Boyd-Robertson said she’srunning to help improvethe quality of life for residents, part of apassionshe’schased over the past 40 years, offering ﬁnancial trainingtoveterans, the homeless, seniors and other marginalized groups. The latest campaign ﬁnance reports show that Boyd-Robertson gave her campaign $200, which she didn’tspend over the course of the reporting period.

Henry If elected,Henry would leverage state resources to bring new economic development opportunities, starting with changing the East’saesthetic. He said removing blight, litter abatement and other beautiﬁcation efforts would make New Orleans East “feel welcoming.”

He also wants to help residents with the escalating costs of homeowners insurance, especially thelarge number of elderly residents in NewOrleans East living on ﬁxed incomes.

Though he —like othercandidates in the race —has never held public office,hecites other accomplishments. He internedfor state legislators, served as an ad hoc judge, and served as an administrativehearingofficer for the city’scode enforcement office, ensuring property owners of blighted buildings were compliant.

“My broad experience allows me toreally hitthe groundrunning on DayOne so that

ä See LEGISLATURE, page 2B

deputy mayor, will earn $325,580 this year,45% more thanformer Chief Administrative OfﬁcerJoe Threat earned last year,per records, andnearly70% more than Gilbert Montaño was paid for that job in 2018.

Dr.Jennifer Avegno will take home $235,715 thisyearasdeputy mayor of health and human services, overseeing health and youth andfamilyprograms that

werepreviously headed by adifferent department leader.That’s roughly 20% more than shemade as health director under Cantrell.

Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Michael Harrison, theformer New Orleans police chief,will make $250,820ina role that requires himtooversee the city’s law enforcement and emergency preparedness departments. That’s around 20% more than what Public Safety and Homeland Security Director John Thomas earned.

In setting salaries and shaping her government,Moreno joins a pantheon of New Orleans mayorswho have done the same for appointed —also called unclassiﬁed —roles.Classiﬁed employees’salaries aredetermined according to Department of Civil Service pay rules andcannot be easily changed by the mayor In astatement, Moreno spokesperson IsisCasanova said that thedeputymayors hadtaken on

Dangerouscold

forecasters said, andwind chills could make it feel like the mid-teens in New Orleans Monday morning and thelower teens to single digits on the northshore.

turescome in that arebelow freezing. Some of that rain on the ground can freeze andlead to slippery conditions,” Gilmore said.

BY MARCO CARTOLANO Staff writer

New Orleans could see dangerouslycoldtemperatures by theend of the weekend as the area prepares for a30-degreetemperature drop, according to forecasters with the National Weather ServiceinNew Orleans.

Though themetro area is expected to avoid the freezing rain that’sforecastfor northLouisiana,itwillbe underanextreme cold watchfrom Sunday eveningtoTuesday morning. Temperatures will drop below freezing starting Sunday afternoon, NWS

“It’slooking messy,” weather service meteorologist Kevin Gilmore said.

Mondayand Tuesday will be “brutally cold,” in southern Louisiana, Gilmore said, and much of the area, including New Orleans, could reach ahard freeze at 28 degrees or lower The city could seeadrop from 60 degrees Sundaymorning to 27 degrees Mondaymorning.The northshore could drop intothe lower20s. Cities above theInterstate 10-12 corridor,including Bogalusa, could see a drop in thehigh teens.

“That’sabig dropfrom Sundayinto early Monday.That’s where we’re going to have to keep an eyeout forthe potential for black ice, which is going to be when rain falls andtempera-

The wind chills will also be brutal, with New Orleans feeling like 15 degrees Mondaymorning. Slidell will feel like 12, andLafayette will feel like 7degrees.

Gov. Jeff Landry on Thursday warned residents in north and centralLouisiana to prepare forpotentially dangerous conditions over the weekend. New Orleans, however, is shaping up to have amild, rainy weekend.

Temperatures Saturday and Sundaymorning will be in thehigh60s. Gilmore said theforecastshows the city receiving “rounds of rain” over the weekend with the potential for strong or severe storms near the coast. Constant rain is not expected.

Four viefor District3state Senate seat

BY BENMYERS Staff writer

The Feb. 7primary for state Senate District 3offersvoters arangeofchoices for adistrict spanning Gentilly,New Orleans East, downriver neighborhoods andSt. Bernard Parish

The seat came open when Joseph Bouie resigned lastyear to become chancellor at Southern University at New Orleans, and thefourcandidates vying for it areall Democrats. If nocandidategets amajority of the vote, the top twoﬁnishers willadvancetothe general election on March 14, ﬁvedays after the spring legislative ses-

sion begins. Kenn Barnes KennBarnes, alawyer,said he recently decidedtorun after becoming fed up withwhat he sees as Gov Jeff Landry andPresident Donald Trump’s bullying of New Orleans. That includes, he said, thefact that thestate is not giving New Orleans afair cut of proceeds of events at state-owned facilities suchasthe Caesars Superdome. “The worstthing you do with

abully is curl up and roll into aball,” Barnes said. “While I haven’tenvisionedmyself goinginto politics, Ithink it’snecessary to have someone that’s willing to ﬁght.” Barnes said he wants to give people convicted by nonunanimous juries the right to petition for reviews of theircases, although Senate Republicans easily defeated asimilar effort last year.The U.S. Supreme Court outlawedsplit verdictsin2020, but the ruling didn’tapply to older cases.

“Wecan’t just say,because it’stoo difficult, we won’t do the right thing,” Barnes said. “Doing right is what we are obligated to do as elected officials.” Barnesalso said he will introduce bills to provide more funding for fortified roof grants and to forbid home insurers from factoring credit scores into premiums. He also wants to create business incubatorsonstate college campuses that offer working space and technical assistance to smallentrepreneurs. Barneshas lent alittle over $50,000tohis campaign,accordingtoa recent campaignfinance

Boyd-Robertson

Henry

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

The Louisiana DepartmentofTransportation and Development gathers about 500,000 poundsofhighway salt at a facility in BridgeCity as it prepares for the upcoming ice stormacross south Louisiana on Friday.

Algiers MardiGras Festival postponed

BY MARCO CARTOLANO

Staff writer

With cold, rainy weather heading tothe New Orleans area over the weekend, some Mardi Gras events have changedtheirplans.

The Algiers Mardi Gras Festival in Federal City scheduled Saturday will be postponed to Feb. 28.

“Due to incoming potentially hazardous inclement weatherthe 6th Annual Algiers Mardi Gras Festival has beenpostponed,” Festival organizers said in astatement. “The safety of our community,entertainers, sponsors and vendors aremost important. Please staysafe and stay weather aware.”

The West Bank festival is going intoits sixth year.The festivities include aparade andanarray of live music performances

The Krewe of KutiesParadeinGretna was canceled, according to apostonthe Cityof Gretna’sFacebook page. Theparade,where children walkthe Old Gretnaneighborhood, was scheduled for Saturday afternoon

While New Orleans is expected tomissa winter storm that has several states on alert, rounds of rain and possible severe storms are in the Crescent City forecast, according to the National Weather Service.

The Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus is also scheduled to roll at 7p.m. Saturday Chewbacchus representatives said they were keeping an eye on theforecast.

LEGISLATURE

Continued from page 1B

we don’tlose any momentum that’sbeen built by now-council member Jason Hughes,” he said.

Henry raised $42,000, lent his campaign $25,000and had roughly $65,000 on hand bythe close of the reporting period, according to records. Days after it closed, he gave$3,000 to the Louisiana Independent FederationofElectors, thepolitical organization founded by former Mayor Dutch Morial thathas endorsed Henry in the race.

Kelly

Kelly credits her socialwork background andexperiences with organizationssuch as the Loyola Institute of Politics and the Silverback Society for teaching her vital leadership skills andinspiring her to make ahigher-level impactonthe community. While she served as afellow forthe institute,she worked with statelegislators to install the district’sﬁrst “no panhandling” signs at interstateexits andworked with the community to resolve issues in their neighborhoodssuch as illegal

Thirdsuspect arrested in murder case

Authorities investigatedeadly home invasion

BY MICHELLE HUNTER Staff writer

Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s

Office detectives investigating ahome invasion that claimed the lifeofaHarvey resident have arrested athird suspect in the case.

Emanuel Junius, 26, of Harvey,was booked Jan. 15 in connection with ﬁrst-degree murder,conspiracytocommitﬁrst-degree murder and aggravatedburglary.

He is accused in thedeath

of Tyre Brown, a25-year-old fatheroftwo Junius’alleged co-conspirators include Sean Crosby, 20, and Tequian Singleton, 22,of Gretna.

Detectives allege that the threemen, and possibly others, plottedtorob Brownfor abouta week before the Nov 13 break-inthattookplace in the4200 block of Lac Couture Drive.

Awitness who wasupstairs and asleep in Brown’sapartmentthat morning woke up to the sound of agunshot, according tothe Sheriff’sOfﬁce. He wentdownstairs and was confronted by maskedintruders, oneofthem armed. They ordered the manonto the

ground and demanded to know where they could ﬁnd money and marijuana,according to authorities

The intruders rummaged through the residence before reportedly ﬂeeing with aPlayStation 5and $30,000.

TheSheriff’sOfficedispatched deputies to what was at ﬁrst reported to be aburglary.But by the time authorities arrived, Brown had been found lying in adownstairs bathroom with agunshot wound to his neck, accordingtothe Sheriff’sOfﬁce.He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives found home surveillance video from neighbors thathelped themiden-

tify Crosby as asuspect in the case, authorities said. He was seen standing with several other peopleinanalleyway closetothe burglary scene. Themen with Crosby donned masksand gloves and had agun, according to the Sheriff’s Office. No details were immediately available about how investigators identified Junius as asuspect in the case. He wasbeing held without bond on the first-degree murder count Friday at the JeffersonParish Correctional Center in Gretna. Bail wasset at $350,000 on the other counts

Email Michelle Hunter at mhunter@theadvocate.com.

BourbonStreetbartender facesarson charges

Judgedeniesbond forBywater suspect

BY MISSYWILKINSON Staff writer

ABourbon Street bartend-

er accused of setting fire to nine cars and aduplex with four occupants in the Bywater neighborhood will be held withoutbond,anOrleans Parishmagistratecommissioner ruledFriday afternoon.

Commissioner Joyce Sallah

dumping Kelly said she’sgrown tired of seeing her “community survive instead of thrive.”

“Everyday,I takethe same exits.Istopatthe same lights. I seethe same stagnant economic development that everyone elsesees,” she said Kelly was council member Hughes’ campaign manager last fall.

Kelly gave her campaign $50, and had spentnoneofitbythe end of thereporting period.

Rounds

Rounds, alifelongdistrict resident, points to thepride East residents had in their familyoriented communitybefore Hurricane Katrina.

Rounds now wantstoreinvest in the area by working with state and local leaders to make neighborhoods safer andimprove infrastructure. If elected, he’d fight forcritical services,teacher payand health care,hesaid.

He’d alsowork to tear blighted buildings down and helpproperty owners build newones.

“Wehavetoensure that through litigation and sanctions, that they’re (propertyowners) doing what they’resupposed to do, so theplan is direct, actionable, and somethingthat will make NewOrleansEast abet-

ordered Kyle James Thomsen, 35,jailedata dangerousness hearing,following his arrest late Tuesdayonfour counts of aggravatedarson of an inhabited dwellingand nine counts of simple arson

Thomsen’sattorney argued at the hearing that Thomsen’slack of criminal history made him alow risk.Sallah disagreed, sidingwith prosecutors in ﬁnding he poses “a danger to the communityat large.”

Thomsen’sattorneyde-

terplace and show progress in the community Ilive in.”

Rounds lenthis campaign $25,000 andhad roughly $25,000 on hand at the close of the reporting period.

Taylor

Taylor would prioritize greater access to healthyfood andhold chronically negligent property ownersaccountable for blight at the state level. Blight tanks property values and creates eyesores that deter economic development, she said.

Taylor saidwhat setsher apartfromthe other candidates is herpassion for community changederived from her experience raising four boys as a single mom.

“I know what it’sliketodeal with affordable housing issues and access to healthy food …not knowing then,how policies have direct impacts on the abilityto thrive.”

Taylor co-chairs the New Orleans East Matters Task Force, which organizes illegal dumpingcleanupsand pushes for blight reduction and streetlight repair solutions, amongother advocacy efforts Taylor gaveher campaign$60 and received donated campaign ﬂyers worth $198, according to records

WIND

Continuedfrom page1B

clined to furnishher name to reporters or comment after the hearing.

In an affidavit supporting Thomsen’sarrest, NewOrleans police sayhewent from vehicle to vehicle in the wee hours Monday,pulling handles and starting ﬁres in those he found unlocked on Dauphine, Desire and Montegut streets.

He also allegedly torched adouble in the3100 block of Dauphine, “creating asubstantial risk of death” to the

four people inside, according to the NOPD. Police andfederal taskforce agents worked with Bryan Lagarde, director of the nonprofit crime camera system Project NOLA. Lagarde manually analyzed private CCTV footage, Project NOLA video and other images fromsocial media.

At 6:20 p.m.Tuesday,authorities tracked Thomsen to his job bartending at The OldAbsinthe Houseand booked him according to the afﬁdavit.

DISTRICT 100CANDIDATES

PATRICIA BOYD-ROBERTSON

AGE, BORN,LIVES: 66 NewOrleans, NewOrleans.

EDUCATION: Graduated fromMarion Abramson High School; bachelor’s degree in accounting from SouthernUniversity at New Orleans; master’sdegree in business fromUniversity of NewOrleans; Ph.D in public policy from Southern University in Baton Rouge CURRENTJOB,FORMER

JOBS: UNOprofessor; business owner WORK: Democrat. WEBSITE: https:// patriciaboydrobertson2026. com/

DANA HENRY

AGE, BORN,LIVES: 52, NewOrleans, NewOrleans.

EDUCATION: Graduated fromBenaminFranklin High School; bachelor’sdegree in Englishand political science fromHoward University; juris doctorate fromSouthern University LawCenter JOBS: Attorney.

Congressional intern underformer state Sen John Breaux. State Capitol lobbyist.

WORK: Democrat; New Orleans Public Library board chair;City Park Conservancy board member;Second Harvest Food Bank board member

AEISHA KELLY

AGE, BORN, LIVES: 45 NewOrleans, NewOrleans.

EDUCATION: Graduated from St.Mary’sAcademy; bachelor’sdegreein psychologyfrom Southern University at NewOrleans; master’sofsocial work from Southern University at New Orleans.

JOBS: Political consultant; regional coordinator at Metropolitan Human ServicesDistrict; juvenile justice program manager WORK: Democrat; campaign manager for City Councilmember Jason Hughes

KENYAROUNDS

AGE, BORN, LIVES: 51, NewOrleans, NewOrleans.

EDUCATION: Graduated from John F. Kennedy High School; bachelor’sdegree in political science from Southern University A&M College;Juris Doctorate from Southern University LawCenter

JOBS: Attorney

WORK: Democrat; Orleans Parish Democratic ExecutiveCommittee member;NAACP New Orleans member

CANDICE TAYLOR

AGE, BORN, LIVES: 43, NewOrleans, NewOrleans. EDUCATION: Graduated from Marion Abramson; bachelor’sdegreein psychologyfrom the University of Phoenix; master’sdegreein psychologyfrom the University of Phoenix. JOBS: Community advocate and organizer

WORK: Democrat. Orleans Parish Democratic Executive CommitteeMember

Rain could be an issue for the IntergalacticKrewe of Chewbacchus’ 7p.m. parade on Saturday. WDSU meteorologist Scot Pilie’ saidThursdaynightthat theforecast wasnot looking great for rainalong the route, with the latest forecast showingintermittent downpours.

“There have been some changesthatI don’tliketo

see,” Pilie’ said. Chewbacchus representativessaid Thursday that they are keeping an eye on Saturday’sforecast but that thekrewe marches rainorshine.

Weather service forecasters are also monitoring the potential for freezing rain north of Baton Rouge overnight intoSunday,Gilmore said.

The deep freeze conditionsinsouth Louisiana could cause pipestoburst, plantstodie and increase danger for vulnerable peo-

ple andanimals.Weather service forecasters are also warning residentsof frostbite and hypothermia if they go outside uncovered during the freeze.

Gilmore said the weather service will monitorand advise aboutrisks Monday andTuesdaymorning, especially around dripping faucetsand properlywrapping outdoor pipes.

Anyoneconsidering traveltoanareawhere the weekendstorm could have asigniﬁcant impact, such as north Louisiana or north-

central Mississippi, should watch for road conditions andcommunicate with any familiesorfriends in the area, Gilmore said.

Kelly

Rounds

Taylor

Early voting for the Feb. 7 election starts Saturday. Polls will be open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6p.m. through Jan. 31, except for Sunday.

To ﬁnd your polling location, go to geauxvote.com.

Formorecoverage of local elections, visit our election

KENN BARNES

AGE, BORN, LIVES: 37,Baton Rouge, NewOrleans

EDUCATION: Central High School; bachelor’sdegree in political science from LSU; juris doctorate from LSU Law

JOBS: Founding attorney, KennBarnes LawFirm; special counsel, Louisiana Supreme Court

WORK: Elected member Orleans Parish Democratic ExecutiveCommittee

WEBSITE: https://www votekennbarnes.com/

DISTRICT3

Continued from page1B

report. He has spent $5,400 and has $44,800 on hand.

Sidney BarthelemyII

Abuilder by trade, Sidney Barthelemy II is the sonofa former New Orleans mayor aiming to shape his own political identity in his first run for office. Barthelemy’s father,Sidney Barthelemy,was mayor from 1986 to 1994.The younger Barthelemy said he is proud of his father’slegacy,but it’s not what drove him to enter the political fray

“It’swhat we’re living throughnow that really crafted my desire to be a part of this,” Barthelemy said.

Barthelemy said he is worried about housing affordability,specifically when it comestohome insurance costs. He said he wants to introducemeasures toencourage insurers to continue operating in the state, while also tying any incentives for them to price guarantees for property owners.

“This is an issuewhere I think Democrats and Republicans canﬁnd common ground. This affects the rural community.This affects the urban community.This is something that we’re all dealing with,” Barthelemy said. Barthelemy said he also

DEPUTY

Continued from page1B

“expanded rolestomore efﬁciently deliver highly effective basic services for the people of New Orleans.”

“The overall budget for the Mayor’sOffice has decreased through these efﬁciencies and reorganizations while sharpening the focus on core services, accountability,and transparency,” Casanova said The greater responsibility carried by deputy mayors justifies higher compensation, said Tyronne Walker,apolitical strategist and adviser to former Mayor Mitch Landrieu, who also instituted adeputy mayor system.

“It’snot uncommon for deputymayors to make more if they are doing more than atraditional department head thatonly has the responsibility of onedepartment,” said Walker

“You are looking at the whole of what’sunder the purview of the executive branch and grouping the major parts of the organization underneath aperson that has expertise. The person at top of that group is operating witha lot of authority,” Walker added.

ON THEBALLOT

page at nola.com. PartyAffiliations D= Democratic STATELEGISLATIVE RACES STATESENATOR, 3RD DISTRICT (ORLEANS,ST. BERNARD PARISHES)

“Kenn” Barnes, D

SIDNEY BARTHELEMY II

AGE, BORN, LIVES: 50, New Orleans,New Orleans

EDUCATION: Brother Martin High School;bachelor’s degree in business marketing from MorehouseCollege

JOBS: PresidentofB-Squared Construction

WORK: Democrat; Leadership Fellow—Justice Revius Ortique Leadership Institute

WEBSITE: https://www sidneybarthelemy.com/

Sidney J.BarthelemyII, D

Jon Johnson, D Chad Lauga, D STATEREPRESENTATIVE, 97TH DISTRICT (ORLEANS PARISH)

Eugene Green, D “Ed” Murray,D

NewOrleans Area Deaths

STATEREPRESENTATIVE, 100TH DISTRICT (ORLEANS PARISH)

Patricia Boyd Robertson, D Dana Henry, D Aeisha Kelly,D Kenya Rounds, D Candice Taylor, D

JON JOHNSON

AGE, BORN,LIVES: 77, Lives in NewOrleans

EDUCATION: Greenville Park High School in Hammond; bachelor’sdegree from SouthernUniversity at New Orleans; master’sinbusiness administration fromLoyola University JOBS: President, Johnson and Johnson Commodities

CHAD LAUGA

WORK: Ran for State House in 2011 DISTRICT 3CANDIDATES

wantstoexpand early childhoodaccess andwork with community leaders across the district to comeupwith economic development plans.

Barthelemyboasts a broader donor base than others inthe race,with $30,000 raisedfrommore than 30 donors, according to hiscampaign ﬁnancereport.Healso received loans totaling $15,000 from his construction company and hisfather’s campaign account.Hehas spent $1,160 andhas $44,270 on hand

JonJohnson

Former statelawmaker andNew OrleansCity Council member Jon Johnson saidhis pastgovernmen t experience is aboon to New Orleans as it navigates a budget crisis.

“I just see an obvious opportunitytoprovide some leadershipinthe NewOrleanslegislative delegation,” Johnson said.

He’salsohoping voters will forgivehis 2012federal conviction forsteeringFEMA funds from a nonproﬁt he oversaw to his campaign account, among other offenses that landed him asix-monthprison term. Hesaid that’sthe only time he’s ever violatedthe public’strust.

“It has not been violated since. It wasnot violated prior.It wasanincident that occurred thatshould not have occurred, and it won’t happenagain,” John-

Many salaries unchanged

Moreno will take home the same amount that Cantrell did last year,dictated by the citycharter. New Orleans City Council members’ annual salary as of 2024was $117,118,per the charter

Many director-levelpositions arebeing fundedat the same level as last year, withsalaries ranging from $110,000 to $200,000. An exception was City AttorneyCharline Gibson,who will take home $260,344 this year,comparedtothe $200,563 per year thatCity AttorneyDonesia Turner earned under Cantrell. Other director positions areseeing salarycuts. As director of theOffice of Housing and Community Development, Jeffrey Schwartz, who served as economicdevelopment director under Cantrell, will make $170,654 —aroughly 20% cut from former Director Tyra Brown’ssalary Nathaniel Fields,directorofthe city’sOffice of Homeless Services, will make $174,947 —the same salary as he didlastyear. Yethis is one of several city departments that is seeing reductions in staffing, under Moreno’sﬁscal plan. The ofﬁceisgetting just $700,000 this year fromthe city’sgeneral fund, down from $3.6 mil-

AGE, BORN,LIVES: 51, St. Bernard Parish, St. Bernard Parish

EDUCATION: Chalmette High School; five-yearelectrician apprenticeship; studied labor lawatGeorgeMeaneyLabor College(no degree) JOBS: Electrician, lobbyist, president of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

WORK: Democrat, former state representative, former state senator,former New Orleans City Council member

son said.

Johnson lastyear said he would runfor hisold District ECity Council seat, but withdrew after Bouie resigned, believing he “could do more”asastate lawmaker than as acouncil member

Johnsonsaid he wants to put aportion of the state’s revenue surplus towarda grantfundtolower insurance premiums, and have a “hearttoheart” discussion with Insurance Commissioner TimTempleabout helping cash-strapped homeowners. Johnson also wants to set up economic development corridors along Interstate 10, Chef Menteur Highway andSt. Claude Avenue, where state funds or voluntary business taxes would be used for things like ﬁxing up streetlights.

Johnson has raised alittle more than $6,000 and lent his campaign about $19,000. He has spent alittle more than$800 and has about $50,000 on hand, including funds in his campaignaccount predating the state Senaterace.

Chad Lauga

Former laborlobbyist Chad Lauga is making his second run for public ofﬁce, having lost aLouisiana Houserace in 2011. Lauga, an electrician by trade, said the timingis right for another bid.

“I’ve gottwo grandchildren now,and I’m looking

lion in 2025. Fields was suspended for three dayslastyear after a city investigation found he kisseda worker whileon the job. AMoreno spokespersonsaid that themayor, whosigned an executive order on her firstday to declareCityHall aharassment-free zone, wants to reviewthatinvestigation and one the City Council asked theOfﬁce of Inspector General to complete before deciding next steps. Otherhigh-paid positions have been cut entirely or consolidated with other positions —also part of Moreno’seffort to cutcosts as she works to balance thecity’s budget Steve Nelson will make

AssafIII, David Geddings Sr., Larry McClainJr.,Henry Pherigo, Erica Roy,Carolyn Spangler,Donald Stemley, Leroy VanSandt,Betty Williams Jr., Morris Wilson, Beckie

EJefferson

Garden of Memories

Wilson, Beckie Roy,Carolyn

Leitz-Eagan NewOrleans Charbonnet

McClainJr.,Henry

out for them,” Lauga said. “I’d always told myselfI was going to run for something else. It took 15 years, but Ithink now’sthe time.”

Lauga saidhewants to makesure everyday people arerepresented in state government, andthathe would worktostoptwo controversial PortofNew Orleansprojectsifelected: anew containerterminal in St.Bernard Parish anda grain facilityinHoly Cross. He said he would force port ofﬁcials to meet withresidentsand withhold funding if necessary

“Regular people don’t have alobbyist. Rich people, they have money, they send alobbyist to Baton Rouge. Theyget what they need,” saidLauga, whospent adecadeasa lobbyistinBaton Rouge for the AFL-CIO,alabor union.

Lauga alsowants to permanently nix the staterun insurer of lastresort’s 10% surcharge, whichis suspendedasatemporary reliefmeasure. The surcharge from Citizensis meant to encourage policyholderstomovetothe private market,but Lauga said it givesprivate insurers an unfair advantage.

Lauga also wants to expand the fortiﬁed roof grant program. And he said he will push for teacher pay raises.

Laugahas raised nearly $3,000 for his campaign, about half of which is a loan from himself.He has spent $1,450 and has $3,400 on hand,including funds in his campaignaccount predating the Senate race.

$266,893 as deputy chief administrative officer for infrastructure and director of public works, roles which were previously held by two separate employees whomade$198,087 and $183,860 last year,respectively Thirty-six unclassified employees were cut as part of aplan by the Moreno administration to save the city about $27 million in personnelcosts. Of them, 31 were underthe purview of the Mayor’sOfﬁce. Staff writer Blake Paterson contributedtothis report

Email SophieKasakove at sophie.kasakove@ theadvocate.com.

Williams Jr., Morris

Estelle JWilson River Parish Hobson BrownFH

Stemley, Leroy

St Tammany EJ Fielding

AssafIII, David

Honaker

VanSandt,Betty

Obituaries

Assaf III, David

Taken too soon from familyand friends, David Assaf,III departed this worldonJanuary 18, 2026. He wasbornonApril 12, 1945 in NewOrleans, Louisiana, second of three childrenofDavid Assaf,Jr. andEdithMcElroy.AtSt. Aloysius High School in NewOrleans,David devoted four years to thescience club,serving as its president, andalso served as presidentofKey Club andfounder of themeteorology club.In1963, the school newspaper noted that David had his"own home workshopinwhich he performs experiments in thephasesofscience." Indeed,itwas duringhigh school that he began alifelong hobbyasanelectronicstinkerer andamateur radio operator,aka a "ham".

For therest of hislife, David wouldcontinueto keepa workshop(affectionately called"the shack") in everyplace he calledhome,chock full of radiosand electronics in various phases of repair, especially hisfavorite Drake brand transmitters andreceivers.With hisradios,his trustedMorse code keyer, athousand watts, anda modified Yagi antenna of his owndesign, he wouldbounce radio waves off the ionosphere to communicate with other hams on theother sideof theplanet, apractice known as "DX" in ham parlance.During Hurricane Betsy in 1965, he provided emergencycommunication viahis amateurradio station,a service for which he

a blind dateatLoyola University, wherethey were both students. They were engagedfor ayear anda half whileDavid was draftedand served in the AirForce andAir National Guard repairingaircraft radios at Belle Chase AFB, andwhilePaula volunteered with theJesuit VolunteerCorps on the Colville Reservation in Omak, Washington.They were marriedatSt. DominicCatholic Church in NewOrleans on July 12, 1969. On theirhoneymoon, they watched theApollo11 moon landingbroadcast. Theyoung couplesettled in Baton Rouge where David studiedatLSU for a Masters in Electrical Engineeringand worked twojobs: days as agraduate teaching assistant,and nights at thelocal TV station WAFB. In 1971 they were blessed with their first child, David IV.Over thenexttwo decades, they welcomedBernard, Megan, William, andRachel. David began working with William J. LeBlancin 1973 and was made apartnerinMarch 1979 to form LeBlanc&Assaf Consulting Engineers, later AST. As a stamped electricaland mechanical engineer, David ledthe award-winning design for lighting andcooling theLouisiana State CapitolinBaton Rouge,for whichhewas recognized by the Louisiana Congress. At his retirement, he said to lawmakers thinkingabout changing theelectrical, lighting,and coolingsystems, "Don't mess up my building."David also workedonelectrical and/ or mechanical systems at LSU'sold Alex Box stadium, LSU'sTiger Stadium, St.Thomas More Church, St.Joseph Cathedral and otherchurches, the Old State Capitol building, and numerousother buildings at LSU, Southern University, and hisalma mater Loyola University. David wasactiveinthe Baton Rouge Amateur Radio Cluband other ham clubsinsouth Louisiana. In hisretirement, he took his hobbytonew heightsby participating in DXpeditionstoexotic placesand remote, uninhabitedspots like Mellish Reef in the Coral Sea. Thesemeticulously planned trips involvedthe constructionand operation of temporaryamateurradiostations for contacting thousands of hams all over theworld viaMorse code Themoreisolatedand inhospitablethe place,the more soughtafter the DX! Hismost memorabletrip wastothe SouthGeorgia andSouth Sandwich Islands, whereatthe age of 71, he helped set up and operatea radio stationon Thule Island, thesouthernmost beachoutside Antarctica andone of the most unforgiving places on Earth,where theonlypermanent inhabitants are some rathercuriouspenguins. David was preceded in death by hisparents,David Assaf,Jr. and Edith McElroy Assaf, his sister Ednamary Caserta, and his belovedwife of 56 years, Paula Kreilkamp Assaf. He leaves behindhis brother Dennis Assaf; hischildren David Assaf,IV(Sydney), Bernard Assaf (Stacy), Megan Assaf (Joe), William Assaf (Christine), and RachelAylsworth(Jason); and eightgrandchildren: Simon, Timothy, Kirby, Nathan, Elizabeth,Noah, Lauren, andJulian. In lieu of flowers, the familyrequestsdonations to St.Joseph Abbey (https: //www.saintjosephabbey.c om/donate)and Jefferson Performing Arts Society (https://www.jpas.org/do nate). Funeral to be held at Mary Queen of Peace church in Mandeville,LA on January 31, 2026: 10:00 AM visitation,11:30 AM remembrances, 12 PM funeral Mass. To be followed by inurnment at St.Joseph's Abbey Cemetery in Covington at theSt. Anselm cremationniches

Barthelemy Johnson

Lauga

E.J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeralarrangements. Please sign the guestbook at www.ejfieldingfh.com.

Geddings, Larry Van

Memorial Services for Larry Van Geddings, Sr.

age 77, of Picayune, MS who passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2026 will be held, January 28, 2026 at Biloxi National Cemetery at 2:30 pm. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM at McDonald Funeral Home Services are under the direction of McDonald Funeral Home. Was born in Paxville, SC he was aRetired USMC,after joining the United States Marines in 1969,he served in the Vietnam War and during the Gulf War Larryhad multiple achievements whilehe served his country, including, Vietnam Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal. He was a proud retired veteran after 23 years and 1day serving his country. Afterretiring he worked for A1 Appliance; installing appliances. He was well known in his community,enjoyed fishing, his farm and his family. Larry was aloving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother,uncle and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Ray Geddings and Eva Geddings Bradsher; brothers, Buddy Geddings and DonaldRay Geddings, Jr.. Left to cherish his memory are his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, Kathryn VanBuskirk Geddings; children, Larry (Stephanie) V. Geddings , Jr., Melissa (Jason) Rushing, Jonathan (Ellie) Geddings, Jason (Dalia) Geddings, 9grandchildren, Brianna (Sean) Bailey, Grace Geddings, Tori Rushing, Victoria Geddings, Raphael Geddings, Gabriel Geddings, Annabelle (Arturo Castaneda) Luebe, Ethan Geddings, Sebastian Geddings; 3great grandchildren, Oliver, Sophia, Mateo; sisters, Penny Brown and Marie (Lee) Davis; numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Obituary, driving directions, and register book can be found on the internet page, at www.mcdonaldfh.com.

McClainJr.,Henry

AFather, Soldier, &En‐trepreneur’sjourney came toanend on January10, 2026,at11:45 am,when Henry McClain, Jr., son, sib‐ling, husband, father,wid‐ower, godfather,grandfa‐ther, uncle,companion and friend wascalledto his heavenly home and ﬁnalresting place. He was bornAugust21, 1932, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was theeldestson of three childrenborntothe union ofthe late HenryMcClain, Sr. andClara FrancisMc‐Clain JohnsonofReserve, Louisiana whombothwent hometosee ourLordand Saviorin2001. He wasedu‐cated in theNew Orleans PublicSchool system and graduated from Booker T. WashingtonHighSchool After servinginthe U.S. Armyasa medicinthe Ko‐reanWar,hecamehometo marry his ﬁrstlovewho precededhim in death, the lateCarolyn McCormick McClain,whose homego‐ing wasSeptember 27, 1976.Fromthisunion they wereblessedwiththree children: HenryMcClain III, Bruce McClain, and Michael McClain. During these maritaland parental years of hislife, he worked for ArrowFoods Distribu‐torsfor approximately20 years -later acquired by Sysco as acoldstorage employee.While taking careofhis sons after the passing of hislatewife, he becamea Journeyman Electrician wherehe workedonU.S.Navyships with hislatebrother Her‐

manMcClain,Sr. After that, he decidedtobecome anentrepreneur, owning one of thelargest lounges inNew Orleansarea named “McClain’s Lounge” spanning14years at that time. He wasalsoa land‐lord, operated McClain’s Taxicab Service, andprop‐ertymanager roundingout thistenureofhis life as a small business owner. A few yearsprior to hisre‐tirementat62, he worked asa delivery couriertruck driver. HenryMcClain,Jr. participatedinsocialser‐viceorganizations and servedasa Reserve DeputySheriff forthe Or‐leans Parish CivilSheriff’s Ofﬁce andwas amember ofM.W.PrinceHallGrand Lodge,F.& A.M. of Louisiana as he served as treasurer formanyyears Justprior to hisretirement, hemet hislater-in-life companion,Lee BelleNed whomhe shared in 34 years of theremaining of his life with.Henry Mc‐Clain,Jr. leaves to mourn his threesons, HenryMc‐Clain,III, BruceMcClain, and MichaelMcClain); life companion,(LeeBelle Ned); grandchildren, Henry McClain IV,SadeMcClain, Bruce McClain, Jr.and Quinton Kelley;brothers and sisters, AndenJohn‐son,MarcelMcClain, JohnelMcClain,Janice Mitchell, GaeDavis,Tom Wallace,GloriaWallace, MarionSteib,HermanWal‐lace, andWilfred Wallace; brothersand sisters-inlaw,Lucille McClain, Dale McClain,HowardDavis Wilfred Mitchell,Michael Steib,Carolyn Wallace, Ceola Wallace, andNettie Wallace;god-daughterand niece,Wanda Robertson Bridges Allen; sons and daughters-in-law, Marilyn McClain,RodneyKelley, Daren McClain, Gwendolyn Brown McClain, Jeanne Ned;Lee Underwood;and ReginaldJackson;compan‐ion’s children,Cynthia Ned Jackson,Christopher Ned, Alisha Ned,CarlNed Christina Underwood,and AngelaJordan, andBennie “Dude”White,III; nieces and nephews, theirhus‐bands andwives,compan‐ions, cousins, themany friends who shared in his joy throughout hislifeboth pastand present; andbest friends,PorterHusbands, MaryHurst Frank, and James “Jimmy” Edward Frank.Familyand friends are invitedtoattend the FuneralServiceshonoring the life of HenryMcClain Jr. in theChapelofRoses atCharbonnetFuneral Home, 1615 St.PhilipSt., New Orleans, LA on Satur‐day,January 24, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Visitation at 9:00 a.m.Interment:Resthaven Cemetery, 10400 OldGen‐tilly Road,New Orleans, LA Pleasesignthe online guestbook at www.cha rbonnetfuneralhome.com. Charbonnet LabatGlapion Directors

Pherigo,Erica Michelle

It is with heavy hearts we share that Erica Michelle Pherigo passed awayonSaturday, January 17, 2026due to complicationsfromanautoimmune disorder

Erica truly liveda life definedbykindness, resilience, anddevotionto family.Whetherthrough a thoughtful conversation, a sharedlaugh, or aquiet act of support, she lefta lasting impression on everyone who knewher. Ericafoundgreat joyinher travels including trips to the beachand mountains, dressing up forHalloween (her favorite holiday) and Mardi Gras,and spending time with family and those moments broughthappiness not onlytoher,but to allwho shared them. Erica is survived by her partner"hubby"Charley Krause, motherNancy Pherigo, fatherSteven Pherigo, grandmother NadineMuse, sister Fara Pherigo(Richard),brother Wesley Pherigo(Mindy) brother Johnathan Pherigo, sister Samantha Shaw, and her niecesAlexis, Ciara, Leia, Olivia,Rylee and nephews Kyler,Luke, Royal, Ryver,and Royce Sheisalsosurvived by countless aunts, uncles, and cousins. Shewas precededin death by hergrandmother Janie Pherigo and grandfatherLarryTrumanPherigo, and stepfather GaryE Shaw. Though our hearts are heavy, we find comfortin knowing that Erica'slove

livesoninthe storieswe tell,the laughter we remember, and thelives she touched so deeply. Always in our Hearts.. Acelebrationoflife for family and closefriends willbeheldatthe home of her sisterinMetairie, LA on Saturday, January31, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

Surrounded by family CarolynWallisRoy passed away peacefully on January16atthe age of 91 at SerenitySenior Residences in Metairie Carolynwas born in New Orleans on October 21, 1934, to thelate Thelma SanchezWallis& Bailey James WallisSr. Carolyn is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, BurnettJamesRoy (BJ), and her threesiblings, JosephWallis, Billy Wallis, and Rosary Zenzer. Renownedfor herextraordinary compassion, radiant presence,and selfless dedication to alllivingbeings.She embodiedthe power of love,kindness, and generosity while touching thelives of countless individuals throughout her lifetime. She was truly God's angel on earth. She graduated from theHotel Dieu School of Nursing in 1956 and worked as a Registered Nurse formany years at Hotel Dieu Hospital. In addition to her nursing career, she was also very activeinreal estate, buying, renovating, and selling many properties around thegreater NewOrleans area and beyond.Dating back to the 1960's, Carolyn and BJ both enjoyed spendingtime fishing, catching, and boilingcrabs, and enjoying quality family time at their campsinGrand Isle. In the early1990's,they purchased, renovated,and operated theCajun Holiday Hotel on theislandfor several years. After relocating fromOld Jefferson to Folsom in 1995, Carolyn and BJ enjoyed "country life". Carolynespecially enjoyed tending to her many animals, picking berries, and working in the gardenwithher faithful German Shepherd, Gretel, by her side. Adevout Catholic, she was amemberofSaint John the Baptist Parish in Folsom, where she served as adedicated member of theAltar Society and as an Eucharistic minister for many years. She is survivedbyher four children, Karen Roy, Jimmy Roy, MichelleCorn (Mike),and Monica Sharp (Larry). Nine grandchildren: Jeremy Dobard,Brandon Dobard, KacieAyo (Ricky), Emma Sharp,SophieSharp Jimmy RoyJr.,Madeleine Roy, Olivia RoyPinero (Duncan), and JacobRoy. Also survivedbyfive greatgrandchildren, EmmaLyn Dobard,Madison Dobard, Corbin Ayo, Teddy Ayo, and Charles Pinero. She also heldveryclose to her heart and loveddearlyher nieces, TheresaZenzer Gautreau (Milton) and LizzyZenzer, and nephews Marty Zenzer and Michael Zenzer (Melissa). The familywouldliketothank the staff at Serenity Senior Residence fortheir compassionate care over the past year. Funeral services willbeheld at St. AngelaMerici Catholic Church, 835 Melody Dr, Metairie,LA, on Monday, January 26, 2026. Visitation with thefamily willbe from10:30 am -12:30 pm, followedbythe Funeral Mass at 12:30 pm. Interment willtake place immediatelyfollowing at St. Louis No. 3Cemetery, NewOrleans, LA Remembrances can be posted at www.leitzeaganf uneralhome.com.

nal Spangler family residence. He is preceded in death by his mother, father and 2brothers, Patrick Spanglerand Thomas Hendrix.

Don is survivedbyhis daughter, Samantha Spangler; his son, Anthony Spangler; his grandchildren,his former wife, Barbara SpanglerStone; one brother, Mike Spangler (Madeleine) and sister-inlaw, Penny Hendrix.

Those who knew him wouldsay Donwas acarefree,funny guy who enjoyed motorcycle riding, listening to John Cougar Mellencamp,fishing,surfing and allthingsSouth PadreIsland.Hetook pride in, and very much loved, his childrenand his South Texas roots.Until theyear of his death, Donnever ventured far fromhis family home in San Benito Sadly,following ashortlivedrelocation, Donmet an uncertain death in the NewOrleans, Louisiana area in 1991 at theage of 37. After decades of tirelessly searching foranswers, with technological advancementsinDNA and thehelpofa dedicated few, reunificationofhis remains and closure forhis family havefinallybeen madepossible

Aprivategraveside service willbeheldwhere after35longyears Donwill be laid to rest near his parentsand grandparents at theRestlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in La Feria, TX.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude forthe dedicated team at theAscension Parish Sheriff's Office,including ayoung deputy and specialist, Madison Capello,who picked up a very oldcoldcase, re-ran some critical data, tirelessly researched, then provided this gift of closure and Detective Garrett Keith, who not onlydelivered the long-awaited news to the family,but has also patiently supported thefamily as hisinvestigation on this reopenedcoldcase continues. It took many partiesto make this moment possible. The family would also like to thank Mary Manheim,for founding the FACESlaboratoryatLSU, alongwith her facial reconstructionexpertise many years ago;Parabon NanoLabs; Marshall University; DNA InvestigativeSolutions; the NamUS (National Missing and UnidentifiedPersons System); connections throughAncestry.comand Jim Pittsatthe Buck AshcraftFuneralHomein San Benito, TX. Contributions in Don's memory may be madeto FACES laboratory(https:// give.lsufoundation.org/ca mpaigns/66873/donations/new) or DNA InvestigativeSolutions (https://dnainvestigatives olutions.com/). Anyone withinformation that couldbehelpful to this reopenedcoldcase, please reach out to DetectiveGarrettKeith at gkeith@ascensionsheriff.c om.

LeroyStemley departed this earthly life on December26, 2025. Sonof thelate Lillie and Herbert Stemley Sr.,Heissurvived by his onlychildJavar Stemley, and ahost of family CelebrationofLife service was held on January 16, 2026, at HobsonBrown Funeral Home Garyville, La. BishopRonald Frank, Officiating.Interment was privateinLaplace, LA Professional Service entrusted to caring staff of Hobson Brown Funeral Home 134 Daisy Street Garyville, La 70051

VanSandt, Betty Jo

Don Spangler Obituary DonaldLeroy Spangler (known as Donnie or Don to friendsand family)was born in SanBenito, TX to Donald Vincent and KatherineSpangler. Don grew up,and spent decadesliving, in the origi-

City Councilman,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.

Williams Jr., MorrisJ

Morris J. Williams Jr enteredeternal rest on January9,2026, at Univer‐sity Hospital.Hewas 69 yearsold andwas born on May1,1956. He waspre‐cededinDeath by his Mother FrancesL.Smith, hisfatherMorrisJ Williams,Sr.,and also his stepfather Isaac Smith. Morriscompleted hisstud‐iesatGramblingState Uni‐versity, also Xavier Univer‐sity whereheearneda Bachelor's Degreeaswell as aMasters Degree in ed‐ucation. Morrishas taught in theOrleans Parish School andJefferson Parish School systems. He wasa member of St KatharineDrexelCatholic Church.Heleavestocher‐ishhis memories (5) daughters, Ingrid Carona Wade (Malcolm Jenkins) Michon Freeman, Kanika Carr, KashieldaRichardson andKasimeLeonard,(1) sonJodie Gibson,a Com‐panion of Cynthia Jones. Also survived by (13)

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

grandchildren, and(2) greatgrandchildren anda host of otherrelatives and friends. FuneralServices will be held on Saturday January24, 2026 for10:00 a.m. at Estelle J. Wilson Fu‐neralHome, Inc. 2715 Dan‐neel Street NewOrleans La.70113. Visitation from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00

Beckie Lynn Wilson passedawaypeacefullyin her sleep on December 2, 2025, at theage of 62. Born onAugust29, 1963, Beckie was alifelongresidentof Jefferson Parish.She was precededindeath by her beloved mother,Betty Wil‐son Judin, andher father, David Wilson.She is sur‐vived by hersiblings, CherylEdwards,TroyWil‐son,and David(Kim) Wil‐son,aswellasher long‐timeloveand devoted partner,Aaron Sarpy. She was also acaringand lov‐ing aunt to Cory Edwards, AlexisVega, Kristianand James DeBerardinis,and Joshua andKaytlen Judin. Beckiehad adeep love for animals andcherished her beloved furbabies, Jingles, Bella,and Lovee. Herheart was full of love,which she gavefreelytoevery person and animal fortunate enoughtobepartofher life. Beckie expressedher lovefor theworld through her art, ﬁndingbeautyin the smallest details. Her talentand passionlefta lasting impression on everyonewho shared her vision, andshe will be deeply missedbyall who knewher.Inlieuof ﬂow‐ers,pleaseconsidera do‐nationinher name to the Jefferson Parish SPCA.Al‐ternatively,donations to ShrinersChildren’sHospi‐tal or anothercharity of yourchoicewould be deeply appreciatedasa tribute to hermemory. To offercondolences,please visit www.gardenofmem oriesmetairie.com

Roy,Carolyn Wallis

Wilson,BeckieLynn

Stemley, Leroy

Spangler,Donald Leroy

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Intel tumbles and gold’s price rises

NEWYORK

The U.S. stock market drifted through mixed trading Friday, as a zigzag week punctuated by loud threats and pullbacks ﬁnished with a quiet and tentative close.

The majority of stocks on Wall Street fell, and Intel weighed on the market after tumbling 17%. The chip company reported better results for the end of 2025 than analysts expected. But investors focused instead on its forecast for the ﬁrst three months of this year, which fell short of Wall Street’s expectations Chief Financial Ofﬁcer David Zinsner said shortages of supplies are affecting the entire industry, and Intel expects available supply to hit a bottom early this year before improving in the spring and beyond.

Gold rose to another record Friday and neared $5,000 per ounce in a signal that investors are still looking for something safer to own. It’s already up nearly 15% for the year so far

On Wall Street, Capital One Financial sank 7.6% after reporting a weaker proﬁt for the end of 2025 than analysts expected It also said it was buying Brex, which helps businesses issue corporate credit cards, for $5.15 billion in cash and stock.

Clorox gained 1.1% after saying it was buying the maker of Purell, GOJO Industries, for $2.25 billion in cash.

A survey of U.S. consumers said expectations for inﬂation in the upcoming year improved to 4%. That’s the lowest such reading in a year, according to the University of Michigan’s survey, even it remains well above the 2% inﬂation that the Federal Reserve targets.

CSX profit slips 2%; shipping demand weak

CSX said Thursday that its proﬁt slipped 2% in the fourth quarter as the railroad dealt with weak demand and severance costs from layoffs that new CEO Steve Angel carried out last fall

The Jacksonville, Floridabased railroad said it earned $720 million, or 39 cents per share, in the quarter That’s down from $733 million, or 38 cents per share

But the results were weighed down by about $50 million in one-time costs that dragged down profits by 2 cents per share. Without that, the numbers would have been in line with the 41 cents per share that the analysts surveyed by FactSet Research had predicted Heading into 2026, the railroad is focused on improving productivity while limiting costs. Angel said he expects only modest economic growth this year amid all the uncertainty He predicted that CSX will see revenue grow only by low single digits.

Last fall CSX wrapped up the two major construction projects that disrupted its network and limited the railroad’s ﬂexibility CSX completed a major tunnel renovation in Baltimore and repairs from Hurricane Helene That helped raise its trains’ average speed to 19.6 mph in the fourth quarter while delivering 87% of its shipments on time.

Meta pauses teen access to AI characters

Meta is halting teens’ access to artificial intelligence characters, at least temporarily the company said in a blog post Friday

Meta Platforms Inc., which own Instagram and WhatsApp, said that starting in the “coming weeks,” teens will no longer be able to access AI characters “until the updated experience is ready.”

This applies to anyone who gave Meta a birthday that makes them a minor, as well as “people who claim to be adults but who we suspect are teens based on our age prediction technology.”

Teens will still be able to access Meta’s AI assistant, just not the characters

TikTok finalizes a deal for American entity

Company avoids looming ban in the U.S.

BY KAITLYN HUAMANI AP Technology Reporter

TikTok has ﬁnalized a deal to create a new American entity, avoiding the looming threat of a ban in the United States that has been in discussion for years on the platform now used by more than 200 million Americans.

The social video platform company signed agreements with major investors including Oracle, Silver Lake and the Emirati investment ﬁrm MGX to form the new TikTok U.S. joint venture. The new version will operate under “deﬁned safeguards that protect national

security through comprehensive data protections, algorithm security, content moderation and software assurances for U.S. users,” the company said in a statement Thursday American TikTok users can continue using the same app. President Donald Trump praised the deal in a Truth Social post, thanking Chinese leader Xi Jinping specifically “for working with us and, ultimately, approving the Deal.” Trump add that he hopes “that long into the future I will be remembered by those who use and love TikTok.”

Adam Presser, who previously worked as TikTok’s head of operations and trust and safety, will lead the new venture as its CEO. He will work alongside a seven-member, majority-American board of

directors that includes TikTok’s CEO Shou Chew

The deal ends years of uncertainty about the fate of the popular video-sharing platform in the United States. After wide bipartisan majorities in Congress passed and President Joe Biden signed — a law that would ban TikTok in the U.S. if it did not ﬁnd a new owner in the place of China’s ByteDance, the platform was set to go dark on the law’s January 2025 deadline. For a several hours, it did. But on his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to keep it running while his administration sought an agreement for the sale of the company

The algorithm has been a central issue in the security debate over TikTok. China previously maintained the algorithm must remain under Chinese control by law But the U.S. regulation passed with bipartisan support said any divestment of TikTok must mean the platform cuts ties — speciﬁcally the algorithm — with ByteDance. Under the terms of this deal, ByteDance would license the algorithm to the U.S. entity for retraining.

Apart from an emphasis on data protection, with U.S. user data being stored locally in a system run by Oracle, the joint venture will also focus on TikTok’s algorithm. The content recommendation formula, which feeds users speciﬁc videos tailored to their preferences and interests, will be retrained, tested and updated on U.S. user data, the company said in its announcement.

What weather apps can miss

They might not be as accurate about dangerous winter storm conditions

BY SETH BORENSTEIN and TAMMY WEBBER Associated Press

Smartphone weather apps that summarize their forecasts with eye-popping numbers and bright icons may be handy during mild weather, but meteorologists say it’s better to listen to human expertise during multi-faceted, dangerous winter storms like the one blowing through the U.S.

The multistate storm’s combination of heavy snow treacherous ice and subzero temperatures shows why it’s best to seek out forecasters who can explain its nuances via local TV or radio newscasts, online livestreams or detailed websites, said meteorologists interviewed by The Associated Press. The data is changing rapidly before and during the storm, and the distance of a few miles can mean the difference between snow, sleet or dangerous freezing rain.

“Weather apps are really bad at storms that have multiple types of precipitation and it really makes messaging hard,” said University of Georgia meteorology professor Marshall Shepherd, a past president of the American Meteorological Society. “Apps don’t understand the details of why snow, sleet or freezing rain happens.”

University of Oklahoma meteorology professor Jason Furtado and other experts said humans are important in these cases, especially those with local expertise.

“For extreme weather events, it is especially important to know there are human forecasters interpreting the data and making the best localized forecasts for your area,” Furtado said. “Unfortunately many of the weather forecast apps use AI methods to either make the forecast or ‘interpolate’ from larger grids to your hometown, introducing the potential for significant errors.”

But some apps can be useful, especially those that pair National Weather Service data with meteorologists’ expertise, forecasters said. And they are deﬁnitely getting used right about now

The Weather Channel app, which is seeing booming trafﬁc this week, uses numerous models, data sources, weather observers and staff, said James Belanger, vice president of its parent company, which also owns the Weather Channel and weather.com. That level of proﬁciency matters, he said.

“It’s an all-hands-on-deck kind of approach that we take,” Belanger said, adding that “not all weather apps are created equal.”

People walk on an ice covered beach along the shore of Lake Michigan on Friday in Chicago. Smartphone weather apps that summarize their forecasts with eye-popping numbers and bright icons may be handy during mild weather, but meteorologists say it’s better to listen to human expertise during multi-faceted, dangerous winter storms like the one blowing through the U.S

What apps can and can’t do Apps get much of their information from the National Weather Service and some companies augment it with proprietary information and the well-regarded European forecast models. Many offer forecasts by ZIP code or geographic areas far from weather stations by using software that focuses broader regional forecasts to where the phone is located.

While there are good apps, especially those displaying National Weather Service warnings and information, many “oversimplify uncertainty and present highly precise-looking numbers that imply more conﬁdence than actually exists,” said Northern Illinois University meteorology professor Victor Gensini. This type of storm is where apps are weakest because they don’t get nuances, he said.

Weather apps are good for forecasting nice warm summer days, but not days like much of the country is facing now, said Steven DiMartino of NY NJ PA Weather The paid online subscription service touts its human expertise with the slogan “Meteorology Not Modelology.”

“The problem with the weather app is that it just provides data, but not explanation,” DiMartino said “Anyone can look at data, but you need a meteorologist, you need that human touch to look at it and say, ‘Hmm, that looks like an error; we’re gonna tweak this.’”

The popular Weather Channel app uses information from many sources, including the weather service and more than 100 weather models, including those from the U.S. and

Europe and their own distinct model. They augment it with input from over 100,000 citizens to help forecast weather events, said The Weather Company’s Belanger And it’s all synthesized by artiﬁcial intelligence to come up with a forecast, he said.

That’s more accurate than relying on a single model or provider he said, because AI is able to learn which models are the most accurate in different conditions to help “create that optimal forecast.”

Even so, humans, including a team of more than 100 meteorologists, always have the ﬁnal say about what goes on the app, Belanger said.

“One of the things that has been a lesson and a principle that we’ve adopted is that it’s the combination of advancements in technology with the human oversight,” that allows the company to provide the best forecasts — especially in situations like the current winter storm, Belanger said.

Be careful with social media

Forecasters also warn against another quick ﬁx for weather information: social media, where hype, misinformation and short takes can spread quickly

While social media can help amplify ofﬁcial sources like the weather service, “it’s also where misinformation spreads fastest,” Gensini wrote in an email.

“Weather is complex, and social media tends to reward conﬁdence and drama, not nuance,” Gensini said. “That mismatch is a real challenge during major events like this.”

CEOs leave Davos warning Europe to shape up

ALBERTINA TORSOLI and JAN-HENRIK FÖRSTER Bloomberg News (TNS)

Whether it’s in pharmaceuticals, artiﬁcial intelligence, or defense, executives attending the World Economic Forum in Davos this week had a stark warning for Europe: Get your house in order or lose out to the U.S. and China. Citing everything from overregulation and clunky bureaucracies to the inability of the continent to leverage its market of about 450 million people, the executives said Europe risks being left behind in many of the industries of the future, and called on the region to present a uniﬁed front and pool resources to drive its competitiveness. “It makes no sense to build an

Italian corvette ship, a French corvette ship, a Spanish corvette ship, a Swedish corvette ship, a German corvette ship and a UK corvette ship,” Pierroberto Folgiero, chief executive officer of defense firm Fincantieri SpA, said in an interview in Davos. “We need to spend more in defense but we need to spend better We must share platforms and projects.”

Although these issues have hurt European business for a long time, things are coming to a head as U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war and intensifying competition from China across many of Europe’s key industrial sectors are adding greater urgency, with the CEOs saying a change in the narrative is critical. At stake are economic growth, jobs and social cohesion

in Europe. The WEF in Davos gathered more than 800 executives from all over the world this week, with businesses seeking clarity on pressing issues including high energy costs, the AI race, supply chains amid military conﬂicts and a shifting new world order Leaders in several industries echoed the sentiment that Europe may fall behind, with Novartis AG CEO Vas Narasimhan saying innovative drug launches were being hindered in some European countries as the U.S. puts pressure on drug prices.

“If Europe wants to attract investment like the U.S. and China right now, it has to step up,” Narasimhan said citing the ease of doing business in the U.S., where his company

is plowing billions of dollars into new plants and research and development. ” In the drugs industry, shorter supply chains will mean Europe needs to shore up the availability of key ingredients as global trade tensions mount, said Michael Sen, the CEO of German health care company Fresenius SE.

After years of outsourcing production, Europe has developed an “unhealthy” dependence on China for so-called active pharmaceutical ingredients, he said in an interview Monday in Davos. That carries the risk of a “weaponization of active drug ingredients in this new world order,” he said. “You are in deep trouble if you have shortages of key drugs. Drugs can be used as a power play.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By KIICHIRO SATO

OPINION

Louisiana’s U.S. Senate race is complicated

Louisiana’srace for U.S.Senatehas begun. The last shoe to dropwas PresidentDonald Trump’sendorsement of U.S. Rep. JuliaLetlow over incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy andothers. Battle lines arehardening. Votingstarts in less than four months.

Before we can makesense of this election, wemust ﬁrst understand how Louisiana’s new closedprimarylaw will change the rules of the game. In somecases, you may ﬁnd yourself voting three times— in apartyprimary,runoff and general election.

TheNov.3 generalelection, in which everybody can vote, is theoretically the main eventofthe election; but practically, that may be the Republican primary,asits winnerwillbefavored towin the general election. Republicans have wonthe 11 most recent statewide elections in Louisiana

To see howthe newclosed primary law will impact the Senate contest, pictureLouisiana voters sorted into six boxes, each with its ownpolitical dynamics. Campaigns will targetdifferent messages —TVads, mailers, texts, calls, socialmedia— to each box. So here are the boxes. Whichone are you in?

1) Registered Republicans(1,052,000 voters). They’re eligibletovote in the May16Republican primaryand, if needed, in aJune 27 runoff.

2) Registered Democrats (1,080,000voters). They’re eligible to vote in the May16Democratic primary and, if needed, in aJune 27 runoff.

3) Registered third-party voters, about 25,000. Libertarians, Greens and other minor-party registrants cannot vote in either the Democratic or the Republican primary. They will have to wait until the generalelection.

4) Voters registered without party afﬁliationwho choose to vote in the Republican primary

5) Voters registered withoutparty afﬁliationwho choose to vote in the Democratic primary

6) Voters registered without party afﬁliationwho skip bothprimaries. By choice,theycan sitout theprimaries and wait for the general election

Keepinmind that Louisiana hasa total of 808,000registered voters without party afﬁliation, including many formerly registered as “independents.” They can vote in either the Republican or Democratic primary. If Republican primary competition is hotand Democratic competition isn’t—asseems likely —expectfar more “no party” voters to cast ballots on the Republicanside.

To win reelection, Cassidy must ﬁrstwin his party’sprimary —which will be thicklypopulatedwith Republicans who stillresent his vote to convict Trump in the2021 impeachment trial. To offset them, Cassidy needs the biggest possible number of “no party” voters to cast ballots in the GOP primary

It’snow too late for Cassidy to drop his Republican affiliation andrun withouta partyinthe general election, as some have suggested. Thedeadline to submit petitions to do that was Jan. 14. Trump endorsedLetlowjust days afterthe deadline, when that optionwas already shut down. RegisteredDemocrats who wanttovote for Cassidy won’tget the chance if he losesthe Republican primary. To vote for Cassidy in the primary,Democrats wouldhave to reregister as either “no party” or Republican by April 15. The race starts with plenty ofunknowns, voter turnout beingone of them We also don’tyet know what kind of statewide candidate Letlow will be or whether Trump’scurrent controversies will diminish his ability toboosther candidacy.And we don’tknowwhether Cassidy’ssupport ofTrump’scongressional agenda over thepast year has damaged hiscredibilityamong many voters he now needs Another unknown: How will Trump’sendorsement of Letlow impact other Republican candidates,suchasstate Treasurer John Fleming,state Sen. Blake Miguezand PublicService Commissioner Eric Skrmetta?State Rep. Julie Emerson has already droppedout. Will others follow? One more critical point: The closedprimaryapplies only to federal elections and afew state offices (Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and BESE). Other races —for governor,mayor, sheriff,city council, state Legislature, and more —will still usethe openprimary.In electionswithbothtypes ofofficesonthe ballot, openand closed primary rules willapply That’salot to take in Don’tjust show up at thepolls onMay 16.Find out beforehand which primary,ifany,you’reeligible to vote in and decide which primary, if any,you want to vote in Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landryand her office have been working overtime to retoolvoting systems and explain how all this works; the job she has is no easy lift. Fordetails, including videos explaining closed primariesand how to checkorchange your registrationstatus, visit geauxvote.com.

Ron Faucheux is anonpartisan political analyst, pollster andwriter based in Louisiana.

La. on frontlines of Alzheimer’sfight

The state of Louisiana offers rich culture: festivals like Jazz Fest, amazingfood from gumbo to trout amandine, vibrant music from zydeco tojazz, great sportsteams from the Saints to theTigers. But, there is one fact of our state unknown to many: Louisianahas 95,000 individuals living with Alzheimer’s, and as manyashalf are not diagnosed. However,anearly and accurate diagnosis can improve the quality of life and reduce the ﬁnancial impact of the disease.

Early detection and diagnosis would allow individuals to enroll in aclinical trial.

Louisianaishome base to outstanding medical research facilities, including Tulane, LSU, Pennington and Tandem Early detection and diagnosis would allow the opportunity for individuals to access treatments that would be mosteffective.

As an advocate for the Alzheimer’sAssociation, Ihave met individuals living with Alzheimer’s, Ihave talked to caregivers working valiantly to take care of afamily member with

Alzheimer’s, and Ihave heard personal testimonyofindividuals seeking aclinical trial. As aresult, Iunderstand theimportance of early detection and diagnosis.

Thankfully,Majority Leader Steve Scalise can play an importantrole in accelerating access to blood biomarker tests and earlier detection of Alzheimer’s and other dementia in Louisiana and across thenation.

The bipartisan ASAP (Alzheimer’sScreening and Prevention Act) creates apathway for Medicare coverage of FDA-approved dementiablood biomarker screening tests. ASAP would not only improve patient care, but also help facilitate smoother transitions from primary care physicianstospecialists.

Pleasejoin me, and the Alzheimer’s Association, in encouraging Scalisetosupport the bipartisan ASAP act HOLLYH.ABBOTT advocate and ambassador, Alzheimer’sAssociation, Louisiana Chapter

Regarding immigrants,Christians should know thereisahigherlaw

Michael Chol’srecent letter treats “illegal” as if it ends themoral analysis. However, Christianshave never believed that legalityequals righteousness. In fact, thecentral ﬁgure of Christianity died as aconvicted criminal under thelaws and procedures of the state.

Rome labeled Jesus alawbreaker,and in fact he broke Rome’slaws. The authorities processed his case, and the government executed him. YetChristiansworship him precisely becausethe state’s “legal” outcome still produced aprofoundinjustice.

So when we hear calls for “standing, legal law” as the ﬁnal measure of right and wrong, we should pause. Law can serve justice, but law can also miss it. Moreover,abishop offering adispensation in amoment of fear does not “aid and abet” crime. Instead, he exercises pastoral care to prevent panic,

family separation and harm especially when people worry that simply showing up in public could expose them to enforcement actions. Christian scripturealso containsa warning about this posture of constant accusation. The word “Satan”functions as “the accuser” in the biblicaltradition —someone who prosecutes and condemns. That image matters because it reminds believers that faith is not primarily about hunting for violations. It’s about mercy,repentance and human dignity, even when someone’s status is imperfect.

Finally,ifwewant immigration handled responsibly,we should demandpolicies that are bothlawful and humane. We can uphold order without losing compassion. The Church should not be mocked for trying to do both.

PAUL SAPUTO NewOrleans

Pardon of ex-Honduran president, Maduro’s captureatodds

Venezuela’sPresident Nicolas Maduro wascaptured and will be held accountable forhis narco-terrorism crimes. No doubt, Maduro is abad guy

Considering the huge amount of American intelligence and military resources that were expended planning and executing this operation and the signiﬁcant operational risk exposure, it would seem that ﬁghting narco-terrorism is ahigh priority forthe current administration.

Why then did the president pardon Juan Orlando Hernandez, the former president of Honduras and convicted narco-terrorist?

MICHAEL COLEMAN NewOrleans

There’snomore reason to have password protection anymore, good people of Louisiana. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says that it’sA-OK to hand over our full name, address, birthday,driver’slicense number and the last four digits of our Social Security numbers to the Department of Justice. Idon’tremember agreeing to this. The DOJ requested, and she said no problem This is aclear violation of privacy laws. There is no clear reason fordoing this except to intimidate voters.

Once again, leadership is failing in Louisiana.

New Orleans has ICE, the National Guard, and now,soon, the federal government will have our private information. If ever adiscussion was needed, it’snow

SUSAN BENSINGER NewOrleans

Presidenthas mandate from thepeople

Iwonder if congressmen and congresswomen have read the Constitution. From their comments every time President Donald Trumpdoes something, forthe most part their comments show alack of understanding of basic constitutional laws. Furthermore, do they not understand he did not walkinto the Oval Ofﬁce? He was elected.

MILLIE GALLO Baton Rouge

Ron Faucheux

SPORTS

LSU gymnast Kailin Chio finishes her vault during the Tigers’ home opener against KentuckyonFridayatthe Pete Maravich Assembly Center.Chio wonthe event with a9.95.

Superperformance

Chio’s 10 on beam helpsLSU gymnastics team bounce back

BY SCOTTRABALAIS Staff writer

The LSU gymnastswore their Wonder Woman leotards for the Southeastern Conference opener at Georgia last weekend. They should have saved them for their home opener against Kentucky

After disappointment in a197.200-196.850 loss to the Bulldogs, the Tigers were dazzlingFridaynightinthe Pete Maravich Assembly Center.LSU gymnasts posted eight career-high or career-high-tying scores,led by a perfect 10 from Kailin Chio on balancebeam. The result was a198.050-195.725 rompfor the No.4-ranked Tigers before asold-outcrowd of 13,516,the third-largestattendance in programhistory.

After winning vault with a9.95, Chio came back two events later to get a10.0 on beam, theTigers’ ﬁrst 10 of the season and the second of her career after a10on

BY TOYLOYBROWN III Staffwriter

“Wedon’thave time to feel sorry for ourselves. We got to get better.”

What LSU coachMatt McMahon said on Jan. 13 remains applicable as his basketball team has dropped ﬁve of six games in the Southeastern Conference.

Despite an injury thatsidelinedpoint guardDedan Thomas forthe first five SECcontests, theteam’s priorityistodo whatever is necessary to make the NCAA Tournament. UrgencyisLSU’s mindset. McMahon expects that from everybody,including JadenBobbett,a walk-onwho hasplayed six total minutes this season. Thecontributions of theﬁfth-yearsenior transfer from Indiana won’tappear in the boxscore, but his presence is felt in every other way behind the scenes.

vault at Auburn in 2025. Chio finished with a9.925 on floor andtook theall-around title with a39.775, giving thesophomore sensation 30 individual event wins in her career Boise State transfer Courtney Blackson won her second uneven bars title in threemeetswitha9.95 after recovering from aslight lower calfinjury at Georgia Kaliya Lincoln, in herfirst floor routine of theseason, capped off the night with a9.95 on floor to win thatevent and push LSUpast the magical 198 mark sincealso scoring a198.050 to win its NCAAregional at Penn State in March.

The Tigers are now 3-1-1 overall and 1-1 in SEC competition.Kentucky is 0-5 and 0-1.

LSUisback on the road next Friday at Missouri. First vault is set for 6p.m. on ESPN2.

For more LSU sports updates, sign up forour newsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter

“I’ll be thevoice when people need to speak up,” Bobbett said. “At the end of the day,I think alot of guys knowwhenit comes from me, it’snot because I’mtrying to steal their minutes. It’s just because I want to win.”

Bobbett said his team’sclosenesswon’t waver over playing time, andMcMahon repeatedly hassaidheloves hisplayers’ camaraderie. The fourth-year coach knows hislast addition in theoffseason is afactor in that.

“He’sbeen an unbelievable teammate, as gooda teammate as I’vebeen around in my 30 years in the game,” McMahon said Nov 5about Bobbett. “His energy on the bench was contagious. Comes to work every day Since the summer,he’smade over 11,000 3s in his workouts. He just wantstodoanything he can to help theteam.”

LSU landstop OT from portal

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

Colorado offensive tackle Jordan Seaton committedFriday night to LSU, giving the Tigers the top-ranked offensive lineman in the transfer portal ahead of coach Lane Kiffin’sfirst season. Seaton, a6-foot-5, 300-pound sophomore, is widelyconsidered one of the top players in the transfer portalregardless of position.He took trips to Mississippi State and Miami before he arrived last Sunday in Baton Rouge, and he also considered Oregon. Kiffin flewto Atlanta on Tuesdaytomeetwith Seaton and his campbefore Oregon coach DanLanning also arrived for an in-home visit. Seaton wasafive-star recruit and the No. 17 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. A native of Washington,D.C., he playedhigh

Seaton hasbeena standoutlefttacklefor two seasonsatColorado ä See PORTAL, page 4C

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

Jay Johnsondismissed the possibility entirely

There was no way Chris Stanfield would return to LSU in 2026. As the starting center fielder forthe national champions —and as an Auburn transfer whoset career-highs in doubles, batting average and on-base plus slugging percentage last season —Johnson didn’tsee apath where Stanfield would return to Baton Rouge foranother year “My entire staff wastelling me last year ‘There’sagood chance we’re gonna get Chrisback,’ ”Johnson saidFriday.“And I’m like, ‘You guys are (wrong). No,we’re not getting him back.’ ” Johnson’sstaff ended up being right. Despite Stanfield telling Johnson that he intended to move on to professional baseball after the 2025 season, he’sback at LSU for asecond year.Teams called Stanfield and showed interest in picking him in the MLB draft, but no opportunity enticed him enough to leave.

“It wasatough decision,” Stanﬁeld said. “… It just wasn’tthe right time. It wasn’tthe right thing.And Italked to alot of people, prayed andtalked to my family.And once coach Johnson said he wantedmeback, that

ä See REPEAT, page 4C

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

AP PHOTO By DAVID ZALUBOWSKI

Coloradooffensivelineman

Jordan Seaton walks on the sideline during agame against Iowa State on Oct. 11 in Boulder,Colo. Seaton committed FridaynighttoLSU

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

6 p.m.

Nola to pitch for Italy in World Baseball Classic

Aaron Nola is pitching in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, but not for the United States.

Nola, a Baton Rouge native and Philadelphia Phillies starter, will pitch for Italy in this spring’s international tournament. Phillies manager Rob Thomson announced the decision Wednesday at the annual Philadelphia Sports Writers Association banquet, as reported by PhilliesNation.

Despite being born and raised in the U.S., Nola has Italian heritage and could potentially take the mound for Italy when it starts tournament play against Brazil on March 7 in Houston.

COLLEGE HOCKEY

5 p.m. Minnesota at Michigan BTN

7:30 p.m. Penn St. at Wisconsin BTN FIGURE SKATING

6 a.m. Four Continents Championships E! GOLF

3 p.m. The American Express Golf

AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Alcaraz tops Moutet in third round

Sabalenka, Gauff advance on women’s side

BY JOHN PYE Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Australia Carlos Alcaraz had to acknowledge that while he won the third-round match, he lost the battle of the drop shots against Corentin Moutet.

That could be a first for the 22-year-old Spaniard, who grew up relentlessly practicing his drop shots and is now at the Australian Open chasing a career Grand Slam.

The left-handed Moutet mixed things up for Alcaraz in an almost festive vibe on Friday at Rod Laver Arena, his blend of drop shots, slice, lobs, tweeners, volleys and even an underarm serve keeping the world’s No.1-ranked player on his toes.

“When you play someone like Corentin, you don’t know what’s going to be next,” Alcaraz said after his 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 win over the No. 32 seed “I had so much fun on the court As you could see, we both pulled off great shots Great points.”

Late in the ﬁrst set, he said he was already fed up with tracking down drop shots and told his support team “I’m not going to run to get those.”

“I thought we were in a dropshot competition,” Alcaraz added, laughing, “but he won!” Ever the showman, Alcaraz chimed in with some of his own tricks and tweeners.

In the ﬁrst round, Moutet was booed by the crowd for his underarm serve on match point. For his main arena debut, there was much more love from the crowd.

After a winning volley late in the match, he celebrated by extravagantly dofﬁng his cap.

Alcaraz will next play Sunday against No. 19 Tommy Paul, who advanced when Alejandro Davidovich Fokina retired with an injury after dropping the ﬁrst two sets 6-1, 6-1.

In night matches, No. 3 Alexander Zverev, the runner-up here last year, advanced 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 over Cameron Norrie and No 6 Alex de Minaur ousted Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.

Sabalenka, Gauff advance No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 3 Coco Gauff had tough routes through the third round.

Sabalenka said there were times she felt like her head, her hands and her racket were not connected but she still had just

enough to squeeze past Anastasia Potapova 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7).

Gauff weathered early trouble against Hailey Baptiste before advancing 3-6, 6-0-6-3, cutting down her unforced errors and not serving any double-faults in the second set. She next plays No. 19 Karolina Muchova. Sabalenka, chasing her third Australian Open title in four years, led 6-5 and 40-0 in her opening set but Potapova saved all three set points to send it to a tiebreaker In the second set, Potapova recovered two service breaks and again force a tiebreaker She then had three set points but Sabalenka rallied when the pressure was on. “She played incredible tennis,” Sabalenka said. “I was always on the back foot There are days

where you just have to ﬁght it was such a ﬁght.”

Sabalenka won the Australian Open title in 2023 and 2024 and was the runner-up a year ago to Madison Keys.

She next faces 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko, who was one of three teenagers advancing on Day 6.

Djokovic’s advice

The 18-year-old Iva Jovic beat No. 7 Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 7-6 (3), after getting some advice from 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic.

“He gave me some very attentive tips for my game,” the American said “That was one of the things in the forefront of my mind, because I think when Novak gives you some advice, you follow it.”

No. 25 Miami (Ohio) makes history with 20-0 start

BY JOE REEDY Associated Press

Travis Steele was conﬁdent his Miami (Ohio) University squad would be a contender in the MidAmerican Conference going into the season. The 25th-ranked RedHawks have not only proven their coach right but also got off to a historic start and are making national headlines. Besides breaking into the AP Top 25 for the first time in 27 years, Miami is off to the best start in conference history At 200, it is one of three unbeaten Division I teams It is also the ﬁrst time since 2019, when Buffalo got as high as 14th, that a MAC program has been ranked. This national recognition is especially meaningful for Wally Szczerbiak, who led Miami to the Sweet 16 in 1999 before a decadelong NBA career “Miami is playing as good as any team in the country They weren’t able to get a tough schedule, because they tried. Nobody would play them. So you can only play the games that your schedule

allows you to play,” said Szczerbiak, who is a commentator for CBS Sports Network. “To win 20 straight games in a row that is very hard. To bring it at that level every single night, it’s really impressive to the culture, the routine that Travis Steele has built there within that locker room.” Steele’s squad featured 10 returning players from last season, a team that set a program record with 25 wins and reached the MAC Tournament ﬁnal. Heading into this year, Miami was ranked second in the MAC preseason poll, just behind defending champion Akron. Key returnees include senior Peter Suder, Miami’s first first-

team All-MAC selection since 2012, and MAC Freshman of the Year Brant Byers. Byers leads the team with 15.3 points per game, while Suder is averaging 14.1 points.

“We only had one guy in the transfer portal, which I think probably speaks to the conﬁdence level of the guys that I had returning,” Steele said. “Some guys were in lesser roles last year when they were freshmen, but I knew that they could take a huge jump.”

Junior Eian Elmer is one of two players to start all 20 games and has averaged 11 points, while point guard Evan Ipsaro was scoring 13.9 per game before being sidelined by a shoulder injury

“I’m still holding on to the little bit of the old model of development. Development matters,” said Steele, who is in his fourth season at Miami. “You look at a guy like Elmer, who’s continued to get better throughout his college career All of these guys have continued to get better.”

Miami’s next game isn’t until Tuesday, when the RedHawks host UMass before playing Northern Illinois on Jan. 31.

The 2014 National Pitcher of the Year at LSU, the Phillies selected Nola with the No. 7 pick of the 2014 MLB Draft.

Manning has ‘minor’ foot surgery, to return in spring AUSTIN, Texas Texas quarterback Arch Manning had foot surgery this week and will be limited in offseason workouts, the school announced Friday He is expected to return for spring practice. Texas officials called the procedure “minor” and said it was a “preventative measure to address a previous injury.” The school provided no other details.

Manning passed for 3,163 yards and 26 touchdowns and ran for 10 touchdowns last season, his ﬁrst as the Longhorns’ full-time starter Texas was the preseason No. 1 and finished ranked No. 12. The Longhorns missed the College Football Playoff and went 10-3 with a Citrus Bowl win over Michigan that included Manning’s 60-yard game-clinching touchdown run.

Mendoza declares for NFL draft, could be No. 1 pick BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The Las Vegas Raiders are on the clock, and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is ofﬁcially available. Mendoza formally declared for the NFL draft Friday and could be headed to the Raiders with the No 1 pick in April Mendoza led Indiana to a 16-0 season and its ﬁrst national championship with a 27-21 victory against Miami on Monday night. The junior completed 72% of his passes this season for 3,535 yards, with 41 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Mendoza is Indiana’s ﬁrst Heisman winner He capped what some called the greatest two-year turnaround in college football history Mendoza also is the third Latino player to win the Heisman.

Bieniemy returning to Kansas City as Chiefs OC KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs are bringing back Eric Bieniemy to serve as their offensive coordinator next season.

Bieniemy, 56, spent a decade working alongside coach Andy Reid in Kansas City first over five seasons as the running backs coach and then five seasons as the offensive coordinator He was part of the braintrust that helped turn Patrick Mahomes into one of the NFL’s biggest stars Bieniemy took over Friday for Matt Nagy Bieniemy left the Chiefs in 2023 to become assistant head coach and offensive coordinator in Washington. But after a disappointing season, Bieniemy was not retained and wound up at UCLA as the associate head coach and offensive coordinator

Alabama to play 7-footer who turned pro in 2023

TUSCALOOSA,Ala.— Charles Bediako will play against Tennessee on Saturday, Alabama coach Nate Oats said Friday, even while calling the NCAA system that allowed professional players to return to college “broken.”

“We are planning to play him,” Oats said. “He’s eligible to play We’re going to follow the court orders.”

Bediako, 23, practiced with the 17th-ranked Crimson Tide a day after a judge in Tuscaloosa temporarily reinstated the player’s college eligibility and blocked the NCAA from retaliating for his return. Bediako entered the NBA draft in 2023 but was not selected. The 7-footer has signed several

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ASANKA BRENDON RATNAyAKE

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain plays a backhand return to Corentin Moutet of France during their third-round match at the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, on Friday

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By DAVID DERMER Miami (Ohio) forward Eian Elmer celebrates after being fouled and making a basket against Kent State on Tuesday in Kent, Ohio.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

In good hands

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

Coach Kim Mulkey stepped away from the LSU women’s basketball team between its road wins over Oklahoma and Texas A&M so she could spend time with her family in Texas.

Mulkey, as she told the SEC Network on Thursday, had to help her 7-year-old grandson recover from a ruptured appendix he suffered last weekend So she turned a week of practice over to associate head coach Bob Starkey, and he led the No. 6 Tigers (18-2, 4-2 SEC) through preparation for a game against the Aggies that they wound up winning by 44 points.

“I’ve said it many times,” Mulkey said. “(Starkey) should be in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame He’s the only associate head coach in the women’s game that’s ever taken a team to a Final Four He has extended my career He talks my language We teach the same way

“So, it does matter when you take yourself away from your team for four days like I did. I would do it with any team I’m with. My family comes first. But I never doubted that he would have our team ready to play ” Starkey is a longtime assistant coach who’s four years into his second stint at LSU. He’s worked under both Dale Brown and Sue Gunter, and he guided the LSU women to the Final Four in 2007 after then-coach Pokey Chatman resigned shortly before the NCAA Tournament amid allegations that she had an inappropriate relationship with a player

LSU

Continued from page 1C

Saturday at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Unsung leader

LSU players’ basketball homework includes making 500 shots and more than 100 free throws each week outside of team practices. There’s a leaderboard that shows which players have done the most.

Bobbett routinely ranks in the top ﬁve. The 24-year-old from Rye, New Hampshire, knows his extra jumpers won’t amount to playing time, but this is how he leads by example. It’s also ammunition to motivate his teammates

“I go in the locker room and be like, ‘I beat you this week,’ and they say, ‘What, a walk-on beat me,’ ” Bobbett said. “They kind of get mad, and they go back in the gym and just continue that competitiveness.”

Associate head coach David Patrick said those kind of playful interactions matter

“He knows who he is, which I think is not normal in this day and age,” Patrick said. “I think it’s invaluable for him to do that, because coming from him is different than coming from the coaching staff.” Patrick said Bobbett possesses a cerebral basket-

“I’ve said it many times. (Starkey) should be in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. He talks my language.”

KIM MULKEy LSU coach

Mulkey has turned her team over to Starkey before.

Last season, when an unexpected death in Mulkey’s family pulled her away from the Tigers shortly before the SEC Tournament, Starkey served as acting head coach both before and during their quarterﬁnal win over Florida. Mulkey rejoined the team in time for that matchup but decided to coach from a spot farther down the LSU bench. Starkey handled most ingame decisions. On Thursday, Mulkey met the Tigers in College Station, Texas, and coached like she normally does. Her team then turned in one of its sharpest performances of the season. LSU assisted 22 of 36 field-goal makes, forced Texas A&M into 25 turnovers and converted all 20 free throws it took, tying a 38-year-old program record for the most makes at the stripe without a miss. Stars Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams combined to score only 10 points, but the Tigers still ﬁnished with 98 — enough to match their

ball mind and knows how to approach teammates differently, which has been “vital” as a bridge between the staff and a roster with 12 other new players. Thomas, who is back from his lower leg injury, said Bobbett is essentially another coach Mike Nwoko, who is Bobbett’s roommate for road games, seeks his input. Bobbett, a 6-foot-1 guard who started his career at Division III Middlebury College, doesn’t sugarcoat his opinions, which Nwoko appreciates.

All of this is unsurprising to James Cormier Bobbett’s high school coach at Cushing Academy in Massachusetts. He said Bobbett’s social intelligence was beyond his years in high school. Cormier doesn’t assign captains on his teams because he wants everyone to feel emboldened to lead. Bobbett was an exception.

“Jaden was one of those guys that I felt it was so clear and so earned that I appointed him captain,” Cormier said. “That’s who we’re going to lean on, and we’re going to follow his lead.” That has only happened two other times under Cormier

The way Bobbett leads during games at LSU is through constant conversations on the bench When players in the rotation check out, they ask for his insights.

“He’s naturally going to

ﬁfth-highest scoring output in games they’ve played against SEC opponents since 2021. South Carolina transfer guard

MiLaysia Fulwiley scored 23 of LSU’s 47 bench points. She said that the practices ahead of the contest against the Aggies (8-7, 1-5) didn’t feel much different without Mulkey

“It was the same,” Fulwiley said. “I mean, I think our goal was the same, and we all come into practice each and every day just wanting to get better, so I think (Starkey) emphasized that. We gotta get better We can’t overlook this team.”

Since she hired Starkey in 2022, Mulkey repeatedly has lobbied for his induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. She did so again earlier this season, after a game in which the program recognized Starkey for the 25 years he’s now spent at LSU. That quarter-century run includes all six trips the women’s basketball program has made to the Final Four

A seventh appearance could come as early as this season, especially if the Tigers keep stacking victories like the one they picked up Thursday after Mulkey met them on the road.

“I have no hesitation,” Mulkey said, “when something unexpected happens like it happened after the (Oklahoma) game to go and be with my family

“But who makes it really work are those kids, my players, and I told them what was going on and hugged every one of them and told them if things go accordingly, I’ll see them at (Texas) A&M, and they did.”

bring people with him and just raise the standard of excellence in any room that he’s in,” Cormier said.

‘Lights up a room’

Losing streaks can breed frustration. McMahon and players were open about their disappointments, especially after falling to Kentucky at home on a dramatic buzzer-beating shot last week.

The mood in the locker room after heartbreaks hasn’t carried over to practice, and Bobbett is a big reason for that because his presence injects joy

Every practice, he’s among the loudest in the gym, yelling “eight” when it’s that many seconds on the shot clock. When rewatching game ﬁlm feels monotonous for players and coaches alike, Bobbett’s personality and engagement level energizes them.

“He comes in and lights up a room,” Patrick said. “Rain, sleet or snow or if he’s had a bad day, he comes in with the same consistent energy, which I think (echoes) through the program.”

Player development staff member and former LSU star Marcus Thornton works closely with Bobbett when they organize the scout team, which is the group that copies the tendencies of upcoming opponents to prepare LSU in practices.

Tulane drops its 4th straight after 3-0 league start

BY GUERRY SMITH Contributing writer

Needing a win to snap a three-game losing streak, short-handed Tulane came up empty on short rest at Charlotte on Friday night.

Playing 48 hours after a loss at Florida Atlantic and two days earlier than originally scheduled because of impending bad weather, the Green Wave struggled offensively before falling apart defensively, losing 73-70 to the 49ers in a game that was not as close as the final score indicated.

Tulane (18-8, 3-4 American), which scored 11 points in the final 52 seconds after trailing by 12, dropped its fourth in a row after starting 3-0 in league play for the first time in 29 seasons. Charlotte (11-9, 5-2), which was picked last in the preseason coaches’ poll, won for the fifth time in six games. The Wave, playing without starting center Tyler Ringgold (groin injury), trailed 23-22 at halftime but wilted in the second half. The 49ers put it away by hitting 10 consecutive shots while stretching a five-point lead to 15 —penetrating into the paint for easy baskets after connecting on only 14 of their first 38 attempts.

Preseason American player of the year Rowan Brumbaugh paced Tulane with a career-high 35 points — breaking his mark of 33 with a basket at the final buzzer — but none of his teammates reached double ﬁgures until Asher Woods got his 10th point in the ﬁnal minute.

Battling a ﬁnger injury, Scotty Middleton threw up an air ball on a wide-open 3 and did not score in 23 minutes after scoring 2

and 3 points in his previous two games. Curtis Williams, coming off a 27-point outing at FAU, had seven points on 3-of-10 shooting. Woods also went 3 of 10. Coach Ron Hunter finally turned to seldom-used Luke Rasmussen, who sank all three of his shots, including a pair of 3s, after scoring two points while playing in three games before then. The rest of the Wave was 2 of 19 from long range. Reserve Dezayne Mingo led Charlotte with 20 points off the bench. Ben Bradford added 17 points. Tulane did not grab an offensive rebound until the final minute. The first half featured ugly offense for both teams. Tulane went 1 of 9 from 3-point range and committed seven turnovers, mostly on sloppy errors. Twice, Woods threw up wild outside shots that failed to hit the rim as he tried to draw a foul. Charlotte had 10 turnovers, getting the ball slapped away repeatedly in the lane, and was 8 of 26 from the floor The 49ers kept trying to score at the rim over center Percy Daniels, and he rejected three attempts while altering others. Somehow that combination of miscues and missed shots still translated into 23-22 lead at the break for the 49ers. The key was a 6-0 run while Daniels rested in favor of Davion Bradford as Tulane went scoreless, turning it over twice in a row on attempted feeds to Bradford. When Daniels returned, the Wave trailed 19-14. Brumbaugh scored the Wave’s last eight points of the half and the final 8:56, finally sinking Tulane’s first 3-pointer with 1:14 left in the half.

Duke women have come together after starting season 3-6

BY AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer

Thornton, an eight-year NBA player marvels at the spirit Bobbett brings. That includes encouraging teammates such as top shooter Max Mackinnon after an 0-of-9 shooting performance against Texas Tech.

“Guys like JB, man, you don’t ﬁnd too often,” Thornton said. “You have to cherish them while they’re here He’s been great, man. Can’t say enough good things about JB.”

Bobbett’s teammates know he won’t allow a slow conference start to dampen their mood.

“Ever since he stepped in Baton Rouge, he’s been bringing everything he can to the table,” Pablo Tamba said. “All about energy, effort in practice. Everything you need, you can really ask JB. And you can ask anybody on the team about JB, he’s a team guy Coach McMahon loves that, and we all love that.”

Bobbett knows his contributions are meaningful. Before he launches a potential coaching career, he wants to make the most of his ﬁnal season and serve the program to the best of his ability

“You can’t win alone,” he said. “Can’t have everybody be a 1,000-point scorer, and not everyone’s gonna get 1,000 rebounds. But you can be that person that makes a difference, be the X-factor, be the person that guys just love to be around, that keeps the team together.”

DURHAM, N.C. — It wasn’t that long ago that Duke looked lost, a preseason Atlantic Coast Conference favorite opening at 3-6 and reeling amid a demanding ﬁrst-month schedule.

Yet Kara Lawson’s belief didn’t wane.

“I felt we were always good, or we were going to be good,” Lawson said.

“When I say we were going to be good, that meant the result would start to turn.” It sure has.

The Blue Devils have won 10 straight games, a run that includes an 8-0 start in league play and a return to the AP Top 25 this week at No. 21. And they have built some of the cohesion and consistency that showed in last year’s run to the ACC Tournament title followed by a trip to the NCAA Elite Eight.

“I’m more proud that they — the players themselves — stuck together,” Lawson said. “Because I can tell you this:

“There’s way more teams in the NCAA that would’ve folded or broken apart or played below their potential after what we went through.

“They had every reason to say ‘Ah, this ain’t the year, we’ve just got too much going against us.’ And they didn’t. They just came into practice every day and said, ‘I’m going to get better.’

That approach has gotten Duke back on course, both as an ACC contender and potential host for March Madness’ opening weekend. The Blue Devils (136) enter Saturday’s game at Pittsburgh — moved up a day because of an approaching winter storm — sitting alongside No. 8 Louisville atop the league standings.

Defense has been a calling-card identity for Duke under its sixth-year coach, who in September was named head coach for the U.S women’s team for the 2028 Olympics. Yet the offense has notably taken a step forward to go with it. In ACC play, the Blue Devils are among the league leaders in scoring (fourth, 78.25), shooting percentage (third, 45.7%), 3-point percentage (third, 35.8%) and assist-to-turnover ratio (second, 1.29). By comparison, Duke had averaged 65.52 points on 42.5% shooting, including 33.4% on 3s, with a 0.92 assist-to-turnover ratio in league regular-season games for the previous three seasons combined. That bump has come while adjusting to multiple injuries, notably with thirdyear starter Jadyn Donovan missing the past month since a hard fall against South Dakota State, touted freshman Emilee Skinner playing just three games and senior reserve Emma Koabel lost to an offseason knee injury

Associate head coach Starkey makes it easier for Mulkey to step away

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU associate head coach Bob Starkey holds up a framed jersey as he’s recognized for 25 years of coaching at LSU before the game against UT Arlington on Dec. 21 at the PMAC.

CFPtostayat12teams foratleast 1moreyear

BY EDDIE PELLS AND ERIC OLSON AP sportswriters

The College Football Playoffresolved afew of its thorny issues Friday —including how todeal with Notre Dame— butleftthe toughest one unresolved, staying at 12 teams for nextyear and failing to expand the postseason to16 or more teams.

The CFP’smanagementcommittee made the announcement that the12-team format would stay the same for next season, withexecutive director Rich Clark selling that as away forthe conferences to “better assess the need for potential change.” That conclusion became obvious over last weekend, when the commissioners came out of their last scheduled meeting before Friday’sdeadline with no agreement. The most notable changes they agreedtoare guaranteeingNotre Dame aspot in the fieldifitfinishes in thetop 12 in therankings andholding automatic spots for the champions of the Power Four conferences —Big Ten, SEC, ACC and Big 12. The bracketinthe just-completed playoff excluded theACC champion, Duke, along with Notre Dame, which finished11th butwas passed over by Miami. TwoGroup of Five champions —Tulane and James Madison —were ranked higher than the

Continued from page1C

was really it.”

Stanfield’sreturn puts LSUinan enviable position heading intothis season. The same starting outfield the Tigers had in their run to an eighth national titleisrunning it back in 2026. Along with Stanfield, sophomore Derek Curiel returns after posting a.990 OPS and nearly walking as many times as he struck out last year.Junior Jake Brown rounds out the trio after aseason in which he feasted on right-handed pitching andhad a.935 OPS.

Blue Devils andgot thespots underlast year’sformat.

Butthe keyissue of expansion remains unresolved. The SEC and most of the other conferences favored moving to 16 teams,with an emphasis on at-large berths. The Big Tenwanted 24 or more with a largegroup ofautomatic qualiﬁers —asystem that would further diminish the value of conference title games in exchange for play-in games for second, third and fourth place.

Perthe CFP agreement, theSEC and Big Tenholdall the cards in this negotiation and remained stuck, meaning ESPN’ssix-year, $7.8 billion deal to carry the playoff will start nextseason with 12 teams, thesame as it’sbeen the last two years.

“While they all agree the current format has broughtmore excitement to college football and has given more schools areal shot in the postseason,anotheryearof evaluation will be helpful,” Clark said.

Also unchanged was theformat.

The opening round of games, featuring the fifth through 12thseeds will be played on campus, with the finalthree rounds going to traditional bowlsites.Nextseason’s finalisset for Las Vegas on Jan. 25, 2027.

This season, Oregon traveled more than 11,500 miles to play in the Orange Bowl(quarterfinals) and Peach Bowl (semiﬁnals). Before the Orange Bowl, Big

12 commissioner BrettYormark said “we have toexamine” bringingquarterfinalstocampus wherethe crowds andthe games have hada more electric (and jam-packed) atmosphere than the quarterﬁnal games— butnodecision was reached. The biggest winner coming outofthe smallchangesisNotre Dame. When theIrish were leapfrogged by Miami in thelast rankings, they found themselves on the outside —pushed out by two lowerrankedconference champions and the Hurricanes.Athletic director Pete Bevacqua complained the ACC’slobbying for Miami amounted to an unfair tipping of the playing ﬁeld.

The ACC—orany struggling Power Four conference —got a victory of sorts with the guarantee that their championgets in regardless of ranking. That amounts to aloss for the Group of Five teams, though James Madison and Tulane didn’tdothat group any favors by losing theirtwo playoff gamesbya combined score of 92-44.

Themovealso givesconferences achance to evaluatehow moving to nine league gameswill impact theirstrengthofschedules and other factors related to selection.

The SEC, Big12and mostACC teams aretransitioning to ninegame schedules for 2026, while theBig Tenhas been therefor a decade.

“It’s huge to have ChrisStanfield back and Jake Brown, it means alot,” Curiel said. “We’re all very close friends. We hang out alot.” Not everything about the outfield will be acarbon copy of last year Stanfield, despite his speed and numerous diving catches, is switching positions with Curiel. Stanfield will startinleftfield whileCuriel is set to patrol center The plan all along, Johnson said, hadbeenfor Curiel to spend his freshmanyearinleftbefore transitioning to center.He’d played the position for years before arriving at LSU. Adjustments will need to be made —whether it’sStanfield adjusting to the new angles he’ll see in left or Brown getting used to patrolling the outfield next to Curiel —but Johnson hasnoworries about the state of his outfield defense. “Wehave three center fielders in the outfield, and it’s pretty cool that all three of them have already playedcenter field here at LSU,” Johnson said,referring to Brown’s time in center fieldasafreshman. “What agreat thing to have those guys. So Idon’t expect and haven’t seen any struggle with (the positional changes).” LSU didn’thave this luxury the last timeittried to defenda national title.The Tigers in 2024 had just onereturning starterinthe out-

field —Josh Pearson in left —and lost their best positionalplayerin center fielder Dylan Crews. LSU will have itsfairshare of fresh faces this season. It’ll have new starters at first, second, third, designated hitter and catcher.But bringing back its starting outfield,which includes two of itstop-five hittersinterms of OPS, givesthe Tigers abetter chance to repeat as champions. Even if this was ascenario Johnson couldn’tenvision in June. “Glad Iwas wrong,” he said.

Broncos’defensive pressure ﬁnally leadstoturnovers

BY PATGRAHAM AP sportswriter

ENGLEWOOD,Colo. Finally,all that pressure paid off forpass rusher Nik Bonitto andthe Denver defense. Finally,the Broncos produced what’sbeen missing much of the season —takeaways. It’sbeen along time coming for adefense that’sbeen oneof the bestinthe NFL. The Broncos forced five turnovers last weekend against the Buffalo Bills,including four fromJosh Allen, whohadn’tcoughed up the ball in his previous six playoff games. They may be under pressure to turn in asimilar sort of turnoverfest against Drake Maye and the New England Patriots in the AFC championship game Sunday. That way,they can take the pressure off backup Jarrett Stidham, who’staking over at quarterback withBoNix out with abroken ankle.

TheBroncos ledthe league with 68 sacksbut hadonly 14 takeaways this season.

“Everyone’sbeen saying it for thewhole season,thatitwould eventually ﬂip,” linebacker Alex Singleton said.

It did, and the Broncos needed every one of them to beat the Bills 33-30 in overtimeonaﬁeld goal set up by Ja’Quan McMillian’s interception on adeep throw to Brandin Cooks.

The Broncos were one of the best teams at applying pressure in the regularseason, but they only had 10 interceptions and four fumble recoveries to show forit.

“I just feel like the emphasis that we put on these last coupleof weeks, on creating turnovers and just knowing that we have the guys to go do it, Ifeel like it’sbeen real good,”Bonitto said. “We’vebeen seeing the turnovers and more attempts at theball and stuff like that. It’sbeen real crucial.”

Bonitto forced twofumbles from Allen,inpartbecause of something defensive coordinator Vance Josephtold him

“He’slike, ‘You know,ifyou get the ball, youcan still geta sack,’

”cracked Bonitto, who ﬁnished ﬁfth in the league with 14 sacks.

“We’ve been working on it.”

It’s atalented defense ledby All-Pro defensive lineman Zach Allen,Bonittoand star cornerback Pat Surtain II. They ranked in the top 10 in total yards (second), yards rushing (second) and yards passing (seventh).

The Broncos ﬁnally started takingthe ball away whentheygot to the postseason.

“It’splayoff football and turnovers are very critical,” Surtain said. “I think turnovers are the key element to wins and losses, especially this timeofthe year So,tobeabletoaccumulatethat many turnovers, it definitely helps us to wingames.”

So far in theplayoffs,Maye has thrown two picks and lost three fumblesbut hasstill beaten the Texans and Chargers handily

“We’ve got to ﬁnd away to eliminate the explosives on their side and ﬁnd away to containthem,” Surtainsaid. “Looking forward to the matchup.”

It was abig day of honors for the defense with Bonitto named afinalist for the AP defensive playerofthe year award and Joseph aﬁnalist for coordinator of the year Bonitto is in contention with Will Anderson Jr., Aidan Hutchinson,Micah Parsonsand Myles Garrett for the AP defensive player of the year award that went to Surtain last year.Garrett is abig favorite after arecordsetting 23-sack season.

“I would notbemad at all. You break the record, Imean, you definitely deserve it,” Bonitto said. “Just the thought of me being up there is pretty cool.” Joseph, who’supfor several head coaching vacancies thiscycle, burnished his resume. He gave credit to his players and staff.

“Whenyou win games in this league, more coaches get rewards, players obviously getrewards,”Joseph said.“It speaks to our team winning.”

PORTAL

Continued from page1C

schoolfootballatIMG Academy beforesigning with Colorado as the topoffensive tackle recruit in thecountry Seaton has been astandout left tackle the ﬁrst twoyears of his career.HebecameColorado’s first true freshmantostart at offensive tackle, and he allowed only three sacks in 612 passblockingsnaps that season. This past year,Seaton started the ﬁrst nine games before suffering an injurythatsidelined him for the rest of the season. He was still named second-team All-Big 12. Seaton has two more

years of eligibility

The addition fortiﬁes the LSU offensive line, aposition that struggled this past year and was one of the team’s mostglaring concerns entering theoffseason.The unit has undergone significant turnover as nine players entered the transfer portal and starting right guard JoshThompson exhausted his eligibility

But LSU now has added nine transfer offensive linemen, including two others with starting experienceatpower-conference schools in Baylor tackle Sean Thompkins and Maryland guard Aliou Bah. It also brought back center Braelin Moore and right tackle Weston Davis, whostarted 10 games as aredshirt freshman this past season forLSU

STAFF FILE PHOTO By HILARySCHEINUK

outﬁelder Chris Stanﬁeld takes off on atwo-run single in the fourth inning against Coastal Carolaina on June 22 at the CollegeWorld Series

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By LyNNE SLADKy

Indiana football players lift the trophyafter awin againstMiamiinthe CollegeFootball Playoff titlegame on MondayinMiami Gardens, Fla.

‘You can count on him’

BY ANDREW DESTIN AP sportswriter

RENTON Wash Perhaps it

he’s been really smart.”

was because of his evergrowing playoff beard that veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp felt inclined to comment on how hot it was inside the Seattle Seahawks’ meeting room Thursday On a balmy January day in the Emerald City Kupp stood before a gaggle of reporters in a tank top after cracking wise, just as he has so often in his ﬁrst season with the Seahawks. But for those who know him best, it’s hardly a facade that Kupp puts on in front of the meida. Rather it’s an extension of who the 32-year-old Kupp, in his ninth NFL season, is and always has been ahead of Sunday’s NFC championship game between the Seahawks and his former team, the Los Angeles Rams. He is consistently optimistic.

“He’s the same person every day, and you can count on him,” said Seahawks running back Cam Akers, who was also Kupp’s teammate with the Rams. “You can count on him to be exactly where you need him to be at the right time every time. So, consis-

tency, being a true leader without having to say much.”

Kupp’s play did plenty of talking, though, during eight prolific seasons with the Rams. He was not only the Super Bowl 56 MVP, but Kupp also won the 2021 AP Offensive Player of the Year award and the receiving triple crown during that championship season

Injuries plagued Kupp over his past three seasons in Los Angeles and that contributed to his release by the Rams last year This year in Seattle, Kupp’s practice repetitions were limited to help him get through a full season, which he nearly did while playing 16 out of 17 games and amassing the second-most yards receiving on the team with 593.

Coach Mike Macdonald has been appreciative not only of the standard Kupp has set for the other Seahawks’ receivers, but his availability

“Are you surprised that the guy’s put himself in position to play great football? Not one bit,” Macdonald said. “We’ve had a plan for him. Probably earlier in his career, the amount of workload that he would put in on a daily basis, I think that made have taken a toll on him. But

In return, Kupp has been integral not only to the Seahawks’ passing game, but also its rushing attack that ﬁnished the season tied for the 10th-most yards (2,096) in the league. Kupp drew rave reviews from offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and his fellow wide receivers for his willingness to block, which he said comes easily considering his teammates’ eagerness to do the same.

“He’s a phenomenal Hall of Fame brain, and a guy who’s made a lot of plays for us,” Kubiak said. “He gets a lot of credit for the way he blocks, and he should But, he’s made some really big plays in the pass game, and we’re going to keep relying on him there.”

While he has been thrilled by the Seahawks’ success in a season in which they had the most regular-season wins (14) in franchise history, Kupp lamented racking up the second-fewest yards receiving of his career in a season.

“At the end of the day, I’m going to go out there and execute what’s asked of me,” Kupp said. “As anyone would, everyone wants to come in here and have 1,500 yards in a year, everyone wants to score 10 touchdowns. It’s just, you want the ball in your hands.”

Even so, Kupp recognizes the “unbelievable storyline” that awaits him. If the Seahawks are to advance to the Super Bowl, they’ll ﬁrst have to beat his previous team. As bubbly a personality as Kupp possesses, though, he isn’t one to bring attention to himself.

“We all have a story,” Kupp said. “All these guys that step on the ﬁeld, they’ve all had a story to get them to this point. They’ve all had this journey of what this year has been for them, what the last few years has been to come to this point Mine is just 1 of 53.”

And yet, Kupp’s story is one of resilience. It’s the daily grind of overcoming challenges that keeps bringing Kupp back to football, and simultaneously endears him to teammates like Akers, who called him probably one of the “best” he’s ever had.

As such, it’s little surprise Kupp keeps coming back for more football, more camaraderie — and more quips.

“I love every part of coming to work each day, no matter what the ask is,” Kupp said “I love being around the guys that are here and working towards a common goal together I love the adversity and the opportunity it presents to rise above things that everyone else says should put you down.”

Recent head coaching hires show trend toward defensive side of ball NFL

BY ROB MAADDI AP pro football writer

Jesse Minter, Robert Saleh and Jeff Hafley earned their head coaching opportunities on the defensive side of the ball. Three of the five new hires this coaching cycle are former defensive coordinators. There are five openings remaining and a few more defensive coaches could get a job, including Sean McDermott, Brian Flores and Vance Joseph. Maybe the trend is shifting. NFL teams have often sought offensive coaches in recent years. The success of guys like Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan and Matt LaFleur inspired organizations to seek the rising offensive coordinators Liam Coen and Ben Johnson stepped in and led their teams to division titles in their first season as head coaches after leading offenses Many teams will continue to prioritize an offensive coach to help develop a franchise quarterback. But finding the best candidate is important and pairing a defensive-minded head coach with the right offensive coordinator can be the right formula, too.

Albert’s

switch to goalie paying off for Mt. Carmel

Senior thriving after not wanting to be goaltender earlier in career

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

Avery Albert had not worn goalkeeper gloves since before she arrived at Mount Carmel for eighth grade.

But after the Cubs graduated their starting goalie following last season’s state championship, the striker has stepped back into a position she once disliked. This time, she has fully embraced it.

Now a senior, Albert has helped propel Mount Carmel (17-3-2) near the top of the LHSAA power ratings. In 22 matches this season, the Cubs have posted 15 shutouts, including four tense 1-0 victories.

“I feel like I deﬁnitely have come a long way,” Albert said. Albert previously played goalkeeper with her club team until about age 13.

“I didn’t love it,” she said. When she arrived at Mount Carmel and saw multiple older goalies ahead of her on the depth chart, she decided to play another position so she could get on the varsity ﬁeld sooner Her plan worked. Albert got elevated to varsity when she was a freshman and scored 25 goals with 10 assists over the next three seasons and was the team’s third-leading scorer during last year’s title run.

Two days after the title, as the team gathered for one last celebration at the practice ﬁeld, Albert realized Mount Carmel did not have another experienced goalie that could play the position the following season. In search of another way to help her team, she volunteered for the position.

“I know I’m not going to be the best compared to other goalies,” she remembered telling coach Alexi Petrou. “I’m not nearly as talented. But I’ll do it. I’m going to do it.” Petrou reminded her that she was assured of a starting spot regardless of where she played.

nique, transitioning her from a striker who kept the ball on the ground to a goalkeeper who could lift it into the air She also learned to attack high shots.

“There’s a completely different part of your body that you use as a goalkeeper,” Albert said. “Your shoulders. Your hips. It was crazy how sore I was in the beginning.”

There were rough patches at the start.

In a December match against Newman, she came up bloodied after a sliding save on the turf.

“It wasn’t like this little raspberry on the back of my leg,” Albert said. “It was open and completely bleeding. The whole back of my leg was blood red.”

Starting with the next match, Mount Carmel won nine in a row without allowing a goal. She even won some matches without making a single save, thanks to standout defensive play in front of her Junior Ellie Vodanovich and freshman Sidney Chase anchor the center back positions, complemented by senior Molly McGavern, junior Ellie Shall and sophomore Kate Green.

“They even each other out perfectly,” Albert said, noting how the taller Chase and the speedier Vodanovich have complementary skills.

Albert has 32 saves on the season, including some impressive stops.

“I think she’s doing really great this season,” Vodanovich said. “She’s been saving like crazy so it’s been really good.” The position change meant no longer playing up top with high-scoring teammates Stella Junius and Josie Randol, each a team captain along with Albert.

given him his ﬁrst opportunity as an NFL assistant.

The Patriots hired Mike Vrabel, a former linebacker, last year He brought Josh McDaniels back to New England to run the offense. They went from worst to ﬁrst in the AFC East and are playing the Denver Broncos on Sunday in the AFC championship game.

The Seahawks hired Mike Macdonald, a former defensive coordinator with the Ravens, two years ago. He brought in Klint Kubiak to coach the offense and Seattle faces McVay and the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC championship game.

Minter served as the Chargers defensive coordinator the past two seasons before the Baltimore Ravens hired him on Thursday to replace John Harbaugh, who had

Haﬂey who was hired by the Dolphins, was Green Bay’s defensive coordinator the past two seasons after coaching Boston College Saleh, who returned to the 49ers for a season after being the head coach of the New York Jets, was hired by the Tennessee Titans.

The New York Giants hired Harbaugh, who was a special teams coach two decades ago before spending 18 seasons as Baltimore’s head coach

The Atlanta Falcons hired Kevin Stefanski, a two-time AP NFL Coach of the Year in Cleveland and former offensive coordinator.

The Bills, Steelers, Raiders, Cardinals and Browns are still seeking a coach. They have options and interviewed coaches with offensive and defensive backgrounds.

Balance wins

The four teams playing Sunday are strong on both sides of the ball.

The Patriots, Broncos, Rams and Seahawks each have an offense that ranked in the top 10 in total yards and top 10 in scoring defense. The NFC showdown features the league’s highest-

scoring offense against the stingiest defense. The Rams led the NFL in scoring with an average of 30.5 points per game while the Seahawks gave up a league-low 17.2.

Los Angeles has All-Pro quarterback Matthew Stafford, All-Pro wide receiver Puka Nacua, wideout Davante Adams, running back Kyren Williams and three tight ends that McVay likes to use together.

Seattle has star players at all three levels on defense, including defensive tackle Leonard Williams, linebacker Ernest Jones, cornerback Devon Witherspoon and defensive back Nick Emmanwori.

In the AFC, Drake Maye leads an offense that was second in scoring (28.8) and third in yards. The Broncos had the No. 2 defense in yards allowed and gave up the third-fewest points (18.3).

Maye has playmakers around him, including running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson and wideout Stefon Diggs. Denver’s defense features All-Pro interior lineman Zach Allen, edge rusher Nik Bonitto, cornerback Patrick Surtain and safety Talanoa Hufanga

“I even told her afterward, are you sure you want to do this? I’ll go recruit a volleyball player (to be goalie) or something,” Petrou said. She insisted on the change. Months of training followed — and the adjustment was immediate and physical. Albert worked with former Jesuit goalie Shane Lanson, who taught her to keep a low center of gravity on dives and to reshape her kicking tech-

“If I looked for anyone to be a goalie on this team, I would automatically pick her,” Junius said. “There’s never been a moment when I’m like, ‘Oh, she’s going to mess up.’ ” Other challenges await Mount Carmel. Most immediate is the match Jan. 31 against Dominican. The playoffs begin the next week.

Mount Carmel has won eight state titles.

“I would literally do anything for this team,” Albert said.

Including giving up a chance to score more goals so that she can prevent them instead.

Contact Christopher Dabe at cdabe@ theadvocate.com

WR Kupp invaluable to Seahawks ahead of NFC title game vs. former team

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JOHN FROSCHAUER

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp catches a ball during practice Thursday in Seattle in preparation for Sunday’s NFC championship game against the Los Angeles Rams. Kupp spent eight seasons with the Rams.

Saleh Minter Hafley

Kupp

ä Rams at Seahawks. 5:30 P.M. SUNDAy, FOX

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Sudoku

InstructIons: sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place thenumbers 1to9inthe empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box containsthe same number only once. The difficulty level of thesudoku increases from monday to sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

BY PHILLIP ALDER

Niccolo Machiavelli, an Italian whois famous for writing “The Prince,” said, “Ambition is so powerful apassionin the human breastthat however high we reach,weare never satisfied.”

Atthebridgetable,wemustdecidehow high we wish to reach. In this deal,North opens one diamond, South responds one spade, and North raises to three spades (yes, he might bid four spades). Now Southnormally has three choices. He can passwith no interest in game. He can raise to four spades. Any other suit bid shows interest in aslam.

Here, four diamonds is acontrol-bid (cue-bid), usually indicating theace However,since it is partner’sfirst-bid suit, Southmight have only the diamond king when he does not have the club ace.

(Do not make your first control-bid with ashortage —void or singleton —inpartner’s secondsuit.)

North then control-bid four hearts. (If North-SouthhadbeenusingRomanKeyCard Blackwood, North would have bid four no-trump.)

This allowed South to use Blackwood twice beforejumping to sevenspades.

(Yes, South might have bid seven notrump.) West leadsthe club queen.After winning trick onewith his king, South cashesthe spade ace, getting thebad news. Now he crosses to dummy’s club ace and plays the spade nine, capturing East’s 10 with his king. Back to theboard with aheart, another spade through East picks up his trumps andallows declarer to claim. ©2026 by nEa, inc., dist. By andrewsmcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzle is aword riddle which creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: nOOngOOD =gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

InsTRucTIons: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Wordsthat acquire four letters by theaddition of “s,”

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

dIrectIons: make a2-to 7-letter word from the letters in each row. add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value. all the words are in the Official sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5th Edition. For moreinformation on tournaments and clubs,email naspa –north american sCraBBlE playersassociation: info@scrabbleplayers.org. Visitour website: www.scrabbleplayers.org. For puzzle inquiries contactscrgrams@gmail.com. Hasbro andits logo sCraBBlE associated logo,the design of thedistinctive sCraBBlE brand gamecard, and thedistinctivelettertile designs aretrademarks of Hasbrointhe Unitedstatesand Canada. ©2021 Hasbro.all rightsreserved.DistributedbyTribune Content agency, llC.

ken ken

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, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners. 3 -Freebies: Fill in the single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner.

Yesterday’sPuzzle Answer

WiShinG Well

HErE is aplEasanT liTTlE

thenumber of letters

Scrabble GramS

JeffersonParishSchools is hiring Speech Language Therapists,School Psychologists& CertifiedTeachers to fill thefollowing critical shortage areas: ELA, ESL, Math,Science andSpe‐cial Education. Ahiringstipend is offeredfor teachers hiredattarget schoolsand/orintargetcontent areas. Formoreinformation andtoapply visitwww.jpschools.org/teach WALK

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LIMITATIONOFLIABILITY Notice is hereby given thatBelle Chasse Marine Transportation, L.L.C. (“BCMT”), as ownerand operatorofthe M/VMR. JOHN, has fileda Com‐plaintfor Exoneration fromand/orLimitationof Liability (“Complaint-inLimitation”),pursuantto 46U.S.C.§§30501, et seq andall laws supplemen‐tarythereto and amendatorythereof,for exoneration from or limi‐tationofliability of all claimsfor anyloss, de‐struction,injuries, or damagearising outof the incident of December 23, 2024, during which Jared Austin,was trans‐ferring from avessello‐cated on theMississippi River in theterritorial watersofthe Parish of St. James, belowthe Sun‐shine Bridge,tothe M/V MR. JOHN,operatedby BCMTcaptain,Justin Jones,whenJared Austin allegedly wasinjured,as morefully describedin BCMT’sComplaint-inLimitation. Allpersons firms, corporations,or other legalentitieshav‐ing such claims must file their respective claims asprovidedinRuleF of the Supplemental Rules for CertainAdmiralty and MaritimeClaimsofthe Federal RulesofCivil Pro‐cedure,withthe Clerkof

COMMUNITY

Terrytownstarter homes designed to fittheir mid-mod neighborhood

TIES

INSIDE

INSIDE SOURCES: Elevate artwork with the right frame Page 7

ONE IN AMILLION: University-area compound has potential Page 4

HOME | DESIGN | GARDEN | REAL ESTATE

Anew housing development in Terrytown is breaking a lot of norms. For starters, it’sHabitat for Humanity’sﬁrst leap into planningawhole community, as opposed to its usual onehouse-at-a-timemodel. The dwellings are describedas workforce housing,with prices designed for people like nurses and teachers. Plus, there’sa cohesive design aesthetic thatﬁts into the area’smid-century modern personality.See the story on Page 12.

INSIDEOUT EDITOR: Karen Taylor Gist, kataylor@theadvocate.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Victor Andrews, Jyl Benson, Dan Gill

Karen Taylor Gist

This week’sOne in aMillion home forsale is alittledifferent than usual, too. The compound near Loyola University needs some renovation, but it includes several adjacent buildings that could be used for rentals. Get a look on Page4 And ﬁnally,custom framing is an art form in itself, one that can make or break thepieces you’re trying to highlight.Learnmore on Page 7, as Jyl Bensonshares some tips from aNew Orleans pro.

The InsideOut home and gardensection is published every Saturday by TheTimes-Picayune. Questions about InsideOut should be directed to the editor.

COVERDESIGN: AndreaDaniel

COVER PHOTO: Chris Granger

TO BE FEATURED: Send information and photos to insideout@theadvocate.com

InsideOut’smission is to give readerspeeks inside the many differentwaysthatpeople in theNew Orleansarea live.Weproﬁle spaces that are opulent, or just offbeat; sophisticated or simple; functional or light-hearted;historic or brand-spanking new. Andanything in between. Please help us by sending information and JPEGphotos of your home, or speciﬁc spaces inside it,toinsideout@theadvocate.com. We love gardens and outdoor spaces, too. Andwe’re waiting to hear from you.

ONEINAMILLION

Fixer-upperwith potential near Loyola. PAGE 4

INSIDE SOURCES

Howtochoose the right custom frame. PAGE 7

GREENTHUMB

Trees thatsend outspring ﬂowers. PAGE 8

INSIDE INFO

Home &garden happenings. PAGE 11

COVERSTORY

Workforcehousing development opens in Terrytown. PAGE 12

INSIDE STORY

Broken appliances: Fix them, or buynew? PAGE 16

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS

Recent transactions in the metroarea. PAGE 17

One-of-a-kindcorner-lot gemw/timelesscharm &history,uniquely converted&fully renovatedin2015froma neighborhood gasstation (tanks removed).Openliving w/ high ceilings,Frenchdoors,modernkitchen, sound-treated studio,private office,3bedroomsw/ balconyaccess, gated parking for3+cars&prime walkable location near Bywaterfavorites!

Adrienne LaBauve504-344-0877

LaBauveGroup /BrokeredbyeXp Realty504-513-3109x165

1019 St.Peter Street •FrenchQuarter

$1,299,500

Historic 1809 Creole Cottageinthe heartofthe Fr Qtr, meticulously restored to National Historic Standards w/ over $1.7Minvested&aVieux CarréCommission

Merit Award. Main house& carriage housew/slate roofs, copper plumbing, Creole plaster, luxe kitchen, primarysuite,&lushcourtyard.Flood Zone Xw/ guestquarters, instanthot water, &premier walkable location AMUSTSEE!

MichaelStylesmichael@nolastyles.com504-777-1773

KellerWilliamsRealtyN.O.www.nolastyles.com504-862-0100

1618 Charlton Drive•Fillmore$615,000 OneblockfromMirabeauPk&minutestoBayouSt.John&CityPk,thislight-filled single-story 4Bd, 3Ba, 2,416SqFthome offershiceilings, elegant flrs & flowing layout.Centralkitchen w/ pantry,private primarysuite,mudroom,oversized laundry, off-stprkg, coveredporch,fencedyard, generator, shutters,&storage shed;designedfor comfort, privacy, &easyeverydaylivingthroughouttoday DavidAbner Smith504-495-2398 Crescent Sotheby’sInternational Realty 504-944-3605

67 ElmwoodDrive•Destrehan$1,295,000

St unning 5,510+ sq ft es tate feat ures vaulted ceilings,agorge ousc he f’sk itchen,and five ensuiteb edro oms. Thegrounds bo as tas altwater po ol andadet ac he dpoolhouse that includes atheater, outdoork itchen andB oat/ RV bay. Tr uly amus t-se e! Ryan Wentworth&Michael Parsiola 504-302-0300 Reve |Realtors504-300-0700

3713 Lausat Street •GilmoreSubdv/Metairie$200,000

Move-in-ready,renovated 3-bed, 1-bath home offering1,065 sq ft of modern living.Updated in 2020 with new siding,windows,AC, kitchen, bath,sewer line,electrical, waterheater, &laminate floors throughout. Features carport, coveredpatio,rear-yard access,X flood zone.No carpet anywhere &for buyersseeking value, convenience, &location. WendyHinyub504-559-4808 KellerWililamsRealty455-0100Metairie504-455-0100

PROVIDED PHOTOS Galleries on two floors of the main residence provide abundant space for enjoying the outdoors.

Antebellum-style compound

BY VICTOR ANDREWS Staff writer

The corner of Calhoun Street and Loyola Avenue sits across from the university that bears St. Ignatius’ name.

Mature trees, including some stellar cypress, buffer the view of Loyola University from this compound of a central home, a detached carriage house with an apartment and a cottage, listed for sale at $2.65 million.

Built in 1900, the antebellum-style home features double galleries on the front with an obscured exterior staircase. Currently factored into apartments, the property is being sold as a single tax parcel with a grand total

of 10 bedrooms and seven full baths. With a hefty dose of original architectural ele-

ments and design framework intact, the home is a canvas that awaits a deft touch from someone inter-

Wide brick steps lend New Orleans flavor to the home’s front entry.

ONEINAMILLION

ested in bringing this dynamic domicile back to its prime shape. And the additional bonus of income-generating potential makes it an enticing proposal.

The herringbone pattern of the brick walk draws visitors to the broad galleries with ﬂoor-length windows and a waiting swing. Typical

Crescent City elements like a wrought-iron fence and railings are frilly touches. The main residence is configured into an owneroccupied upper floor, with an elevator, and a portion of the ground floor A rental unit in the main structure still allows for the original proportions and flow of the domicile.

Throughout, spaces get warmth from wood ﬂoors in a variety of styles, from fanciful parquet styles to linear swaths.

Original glass in many of the windows, including some stained glass, adds to the historic ﬂavor of the property An abundance of windows provides ample natural light to

stainless appliances and a stamped-tin backsplash for visual interest.

brighten the spaces, from the bedrooms to a solarium that can double as a library.

Contemporary kitchens and conveniences make the home comfortable in all its residences. Stainless appliances and modern layouts make the spaces optimal spots for culinary endeavors

Interesting elements can be found in a variety of places

throughout the structure, including glass-front cabinets, a variety of coffered ceilings and original tilework in the well-maintained baths.

An additional dwelling over the ﬁve-car, three-bay garage is an independent living space with entrance from the Loyola Avenue side of the compound.

ABOVE: Well-kept vintage tilework makes the cozy bath a tranquil and tidy space. LEFT: A large kitchen in the primary residence blends gleaming white cabinetry with

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Glass-front shelves echo the small-paned windows in this solarium or library on the back of the main house. Through the door, additional bookcases are located in another sitting room.

Continued from page 5

Each of the separate living units has independent laundry facilities.

A separate cottage also enjoys its own entrance

Each space has its own private outdoor area, tucked into secret gardens and verdant nooks.

Infrastructural improvements of late have included roof replacements and plumbing.

Location is another bonus of the property. Just steps to St. Charles Avenue and Audubon Park, the estate sits in one of the city’s historic and indemand sectors.

The compound is listed by Eleanor Farnsworth, of Latter & Blum | Compass, (504) 8911142.

A backyard deck is a wonderful spot to enjoy outdoor living, accessible from each of the residences on the property.

One of the living rooms of the compound offers high style with mirrored walls and recessed shelving for a contemporary look in the historic dwelling.

INSIDESOURCES

BY JYL BENSON Contributing writer

Pictureperfect

Theright framecan take apiece of arttoawhole otherlevel

TOPFROM

Aho-hum piece of budget artwork can be elevated exponentially by well-executed framing Conversely,amasterpiececould suffer tragically from aslipshod frame job.

Framing apiece of art is an art in and of itself.

With apassion for interior design, Sarah Bernard went to work at Art’ique Shoppe, establishedin 1969, in 1990, and purchased the business in 1991.

“The rightpicture framecreates an anchor for all of the other elements to come together,” Bernard said. “If you choose to custom frame for awork of art, you have to understand you are buying a piece of furniture.”

Over the course of hercareer, Bernard has framed an original Vincent van Gogh drawing from his time in art school.

“It was signed ‘Vincent7.’ No.7 was his ranking in school,” Ber-

nard said. “I’ve also framed Monet tiles and works by Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol and numerous localand regional artists.”

In determininghow to frame apainting, drawing or print, one shouldconsiderwherethe artwork will bedisplayed, one’sown personalstyle and whatlooks bestfor the artworkitself.

“For asubtle effect, Irecommend something very monochromatic, so the artworktakes center stage,” Bernard said. “For acontemporary look, Iwould recommend something with sleek, clean lines. For traditional works,ornate gold leaf is aclassic choice. To make aboldstatement, alarge, lacqueredframe in abright color will do the trick, but not every work of artwill stand up to thatkind of treatment. “

Most of the moldings Bernard usesare priceyItalian imports. Other sourcesfor materials are Indonesia,Malaysia and the United States.

“You can geta solid acrylic

frame from California or ahandcrafted stainlesssteel frame from Boston,” Bernard said. “I carry avalue line of moldings that are considerably lessexpensive than most. But the pricing in custom picture framing depends on what one is tryingtoachieve.”

Glassisa major consideration. Bernard uses only frame-grade glass, which offersenhanced clarity, reduced reﬂections and UV protection to preserve artwork, unlike standard window glass.

light,” Bernard said. “I highly recommend UV glass on all artwork because of my own experience withthings in my house fading, especially photographs in small frames. These irreplaceable things areheartbreaking whenthey fade.

ART’IQUE SHOPPE CUSTOM FRAMING

4818 Prytania St., (504) 891-1348

Othermain types include basic glassfor dust protection, anti-reflective glass for clarity and museum-quality options with superiorUVfiltering and virtually invisible reflection reduction,withacrylic (plexiglass) serving as alighter,shatter-resistant alternative.

“Regularclear glass is ﬁne for things thatare nottoo valuable and not being exposed totoo much sun-

“For very valuable items, I recommend museumgrade plexiglass. It is very lightweight and less likely to break for larger pieces. The museumgrade offers incredible clarity as well as being nonglare. The difference in the prices, of course, is stark; the regular glass being the lowest, for a medium-sizedpiece would start at $36, whereas museum-grade plexiglass for the same size would be $175.”

Inside Sources is acolumn that tracks trends andprovides consumer information from experts in theirhome and gardeningﬁelds.

LEFT: Layers of golden wood add gravitas to asimple but elegant religious piece.

Ahighly textured painting meets itsmatchina textural frame that echoes the painting’s bold red highlights. The frame lets the image stand front and center, but itssame pop stylingand colors are a fitting accent.

PROVIDED PHOTOS

GREENTHUMB

GARDEN TIPS

CAMELLIA SHOW: The Camellia Club of NewOrleans is hosting its Camellia Showfrom 1pm. to 4p.m. Saturday at the University of NewOrleans University Center Hickey Ballroom, 2000 Lakeshore Drive, NewOrleans. The showisfree to thepublic.Alarge selection of camelliaswill beonsale from 9a.m. until sold out. Check out the Camellia Club’sFacebookpage for alisting of varieties available and information on the show.

WEEDS BE GONE:Cool-season weeds are actively growing in area lawns now.youmay apply alawn weed killer to control cool-season weeds, but do not use weed and feed products (weed killer combined with alawnfertilizer). It is far too early to fertilize warm-seasongrasses.Apply lawn weed killers during amild spell when daytime highs are above60 degrees and followlabel directions carefully.

DIG IT: Nowisa good timetodig, divide and transplant dormant hardy perennials in your flower gardens. Do notdivide perennialsinactivegrowth likeLouisiana irises, calla lilies, acanthus, red spider lilies and springflowering bulbs.

THERE’S STILL TIME: Hardy bedding plants can still beplanted nowfor color throughthe spring Choose pansy,sweet alyssum,viola, snapdragon, stock, dianthus, petunia, foxglove,columbine, candytuft, lobelia, annual phlox andothers available at nurseries. Don’tbe reluctant becauseofthe recent cold weather.Most cool-season bedding plants are tolerant of cold down to the low20s or lowerand thrive in the chilly to mild temperatures.

The nativeparsleyhawthornhas white blooms and foliagethat looks like flat Italian parsley, hence the tree’s name. It also produces small red fruits that ripen in fall are relished by mockingbirds.

Living color Addspring-flowering trees to your landscapefor

Spring-flowering trees bring color and beauty to our late winter and spring landscapes. The earliest flowering types typically begin to bloom in late January or February (although they are blooming alittle early this year due to the mild winter). If you would like to add spring-flowering trees to your landscape, January and February are excellent monthstoplant them

Awide selection is available, and there are suitable choices for many different landscape situations. These small trees range in size from 10 to 30 feet and will grow in avariety of growing conditions, from sunny to partly shady and welldrained to wet. Many of these trees are native to East Asia, but we also have someoutstanding native trees to choose from.

Small, ﬂowering trees are lovely focal points in the landscape. They can be planted fairly close to buildings (10 feet) and look especially nice planted near outdoor living areas. Their small size is in scale with porches, decks and patios.

ä See TREES, page 10

The early blooming flowering cherry tree boasts bell-shaped, vibrant, deep pink flowers.

PROVIDED PHOTO

PROVIDED PHOTO By HEATHER KIRK-BALLARD

Japanese magnolia flowers areextremely fragrant and makegorgeous cut flowers.

PROVIDED PHOTO By LSU AGCENTER

STAFF FILEPHOTO By JILLPICKETT

Small, pinkish-purple flowers bloom along thebranches and trunk of redbudtrees usually in late Februaryor March.

Dan Gill GREEN THUMB

GREENTHUMB

Determine the type of rose before deciding when to prune

BY DAN GILL

Contributing writer

I’ve seen advice that now is the time to prune everblooming roses, and I have a question. I am a novice when it comes to roses, and I’m not sure what kind I have. So, I’m not sure which can be pruned and which should not. — Leo

Repeat-ﬂowering (also called everblooming) roses should be pruned back the last week of January through mid-February.

The main issue in deciding when to prune roses is whether they are repeat-flowering or once-flowering roses. Onceflowering roses should be pruned in midsummer after they bloom.

These two groups of roses are distinguished based on how they bloom. Repeat-ﬂowering roses bloom heavily in spring/ early summer, intermittently through the summer and then heavily again October through December (even during winter if the weather is mild). Any of your roses that bloom like that should be pruned now through mid-February

Once-ﬂowering roses bloom heavily in the spring and early summer (April/May) and then bloom very little or not at all for the rest of the year. This includes many climbing roses and some old garden roses The popular Peggy Martin climbing rose is in this category.

Once-blooming roses bloom on the growth they made last summer That means that cutting them back now, when we prune repeat-flowering roses, can reduce or eliminate flowering. For once-flowering roses, wait to prune them in June after they finish flowering.

Pruning to train and control the growth of climbing roses may continue through the summer as needed, but avoid heavy pruning after August

When would be the best time in the next few weeks or next month to plant tomatoes and jalapeño peppers in containers? Diane

We generally wait until the danger of freezing temperatures is past to plant transplants of tomatoes and peppers in our gardens. This generally occurs around mid-March in the New Orleans area and late March on the northshore and Baton Rouge areas. So, when planting tomato and pepper transplants in the ground, planting in mid-March is recommended to avoid late freezes

But gardeners willing to gamble may start planting tomato and pepper transplants in late February, especially in the south shore New Orleans area. Planting early means being prepared to cover and protect transplants anytime temperatures will go into the 30s, and even the possibility of needing to replant if a hard freeze occurs.

Planting in containers, however, gives you some latitude. Containers are mobile; you can move them inside a garage if cold weather is predicted. This

allows you to plant early with less of a gamble. So, you may want to get a head start and plant transplants of tomatoes and peppers in containers in late February. But be prepared to move the containers into protected locations anytime temperatures in the 30s are predicted.

For the best results, you can plant tomato and pepper transplants as late as mid-April. This allows these vegetables to produce abundant crops before the intense heat of summer and increased insect and disease issues arrive.

Most varieties of tomatoes do not reliably set fruit once daytime temperatures reach the 90s and nighttime lows stay in the mid- to upper 70s. So, it’s important to plant early enough that the main crop is set by the end of May

Dan Gill is a retired consumer horticulture specialist with the LSU AgCenter. He hosts the “Garden Show” on WWLAM Saturdays at 9 a.m. Email gardening questions to gnogardening@agcenter.lsu. edu.

Determing the type of rose — once-flowering roses, like those pictured, or repeat-flowering — will determine when to prune.

FILE PHOTO By JILL PICKETT

Continued from page 8

TAIWAN FLOWERING CHERRY: I’ve already begun to see blooming Taiwan flowering cherry trees (Prunus campanulata). This early bloomer typically begins to open flowers in late January and flowering extends over two or three weeks. The attractive, bell-shaped flowers are vibrant, deep pink They are produced in great abundance before the leaves emerge on trees that mature at about 15 to 25 feet tall.

This is one of the few ﬂowering cherries that grows and blooms reliably this far south, and it is the best ﬂowering cherry for south Louisiana. They prefer to grow in a sunny to partly sunny location with excellent drainage.

GREENTHUMB

Japanese magnolias grow 15 to 20 feet tall and need a sunny location with good drainage.

STAR MAGNOLIA: Growing 10 to 12 feet tall, the related star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) is smaller and more shrub-like. The white or pale pink ﬂowers are wonderfully fragrant. Blooming in late January or February before the foliage, the star magnolia is an excellent choice for small gardens. The fragrance is very nice when planted near outdoor living areas.

JAPANESE FLOWERING APRICOT: A less well-known tree that deserves far more planting in our area, the Japanese flowering apricot (Prunus mume) is one of the most beautiful of the spring-flowering trees. Yet, you rarely see this tree offered in nurseries or planted in local landscapes. The large, double flowers are available in shades of pink, rose, red and white, depending on the variety It also blooms early, starting in late January and continuing well into February.

Trees reach about 20 feet tall and wide at maturity

JAPANESE MAGNOLIA: The Japanese or saucer magnolias (Magnolia x soulangiana and other hybrids) are one of the most spectacular of the springﬂowering trees because their ﬂowers are so large. Japanese magnolias are deciduous and lose their leaves in winter Although they are blooming now, they typically bloom in late January or early February before the foliage emerges.

The fragrant flowers are tulip shaped, 4 to 6 inches across and may be flushed pale pink to purple on the outside and white on the inside. A few varieties produce pale yellow flowers. Long lived and reliable,

SILVER BELL: Native to Louisiana, silver bell (Halesia diptera) is a lovely tree that produces small four-petaled white ﬂowers that hang down in large numbers from the branches. I really like the way the thin leaves allow light to ﬁlter through, creating a lovely effect under the tree in summer Silver bells thrive in south Louisiana and once established, grow moderately fast to mature at about 25 feet. They grow well with light shade or in full sun.

PARSLEY HAWTHORN: The native hawthorns are a splendid group of trees that provide white spring blooms as well as fruit for human or wildlife consumption. One of my favorites is the parsley hawthorn (Crataegus marshallii). Growing 15 to 20 feet tall, it is an excellent choice for gardeners who prefer native trees.

PROVIDED PHOTO By LSU AGCENTER

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

The clusters of white ﬂowers appear in March or April and are soon followed by thefoliage which looks like ﬂatItalian parsley,hence the tree’sname. The small red fruits that ripen in fall are relished by mockingbirds. Parsley hawthorns are tolerant of poorlydrained or boggy soils and grow in full sun to part shade. When the trees are young, they possess thorns that can be snipped off. Older trees are thornless.

MAYHAWS: Mayhawtrees (Crataegus opaca) also produce clusters of white ﬂowers in spring, but their fruitripens in May (and is used to make delicious mayhaw jelly). Tolerant of poorly drained soils, this Louisiana native does well for us in New Orleans growing to about 20 feet.

AMERICAN FRINGE: These trees (Chionanthus virginicus) are decidedly different looking. The greenish-white ﬂowers are produced in masses all along the branches in late March or early April.The narrow petals hangdown, giving theﬂowers afringe or beard-like appearance. Grancy graybeard is another common name for this tree.

In the wild you usually see them growing on the edgeof the woods, and they thrive in full sun to partial shade in well-drained locations.

CHINESE FRINGE: TheChinese fringe tree (Chionanthusretusus) also grows well here and is even showier than our native species. It is afastgrowing, resilient tree that produces bright, whiteﬂowers in April. It prefersfull sun but will tolerate some shade.

REDBUDS: These trees (Cercis canadensis) usuallybloom in late February or March. Small, pinkish-purple flowers are produced in unbelievable profusion along the branches (and evenonthe trunk!)before the leaves appear.The variety Forest Pansy has rich purple spring foliage that fades to bronzy green in summer Redbuds are relatively fastgrowing once established and prefer full to part sun andrequire awell-drained location. Be sure to notice the wonderful spring-flowering trees in area landscapesover thenext few months and let their beautiful flowers lift your spirits.

INSIDEINFO

Longue Vueplans ‘fascinating’ class

Using natural materials and more, workshop attendees of all ages can fashion

a year in planning and acquisition before breaking ground in 2023 on Rising Oaks subdivision in Terrytown, a fully developed community of over 150 workforce homes.

phase.

ABOVE: Habitat for Humanity spent

RIGHT: Inspirational notes were written on wooden studs of walls during the building

STAFF PHOTOS By CHRIS GRANGER

FRESH IDEAS

Terrytown homes designed for owners in

‘the missing middle’

BY JYL BENSON Contributing writer

Habitat for Humanity is shattering its national model with the development of Rising Oaks subdivision in Terrytown.

For 50 years, that successful model included repairing existing homes and building new ones in established neighborhoods. The physical work was done through partnerships among the lowincome families who were to be the recipients of the homes, volunteers and donors to create homes that were simple, decent, affordable and of no particular architectural pedigree.

They were ﬁnanced through zero-interest or lowinterest mortgages and a revolving fund. Participants were empowered through ﬁnancial education and homeownership skills, rather than charity

For Rising Oaks, however, the organization spent a year in planning and acquisition before breaking ground on the large-scale project of over 150 workforce homes in 2023. Rising Oaks is Habitat’s largest development and its ﬁrst fully developed community Its look will be different as well, with a midcentury modern aesthetic that will help integrate the new neighborhood into the existing Terrytown landscape.

“This is housing to serve the missing middle,” said Marguerite Oestreicher, executive director of New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity.

Attached carports in Habitat for Humanity’s Rising Oaks neighborhood mimic the design aesthetics of the early 1960

“This is for families that make too much money to qualify for subsidies or support and not enough to break the cycle of renting.”

The 44-acre parcel of land on which the development is taking shape was once Plantation Golf and Country Club. The site was chosen to target essential workers, such as teachers and nurses, by placing them near their workplaces on the West Bank.

Upon the estimated completion in 2028-29, Rising Oaks will include parks, playgrounds, walking trails, a labyrinth, ﬁtness areas and mixed-use

ä See HOMES, page 14

The new development incorporated vaulted ceilings, large plate-glass windows to provide a visual connection to the outdoors and, in keeping with contemporary lifestyles, open-concept living spaces overlook either the front or rear yards of the homes.

Marguerite Oestreicher, executive director of the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, says homes in the Rising Oaks neighborhood will begin at $190,000 for a one bedroom and rise to $310,000 for a four-bedroom home.

HOMES

Continued from page 13

retail, creating a walkable, complete, self-sustaining, eco-friendly neighborhood.

Phase one of the development comprises one- and two-bedroom homes geared toward seniors ages 55 and older. The second phase will be marketed to larger families with children. Several generations could conceivably live in the same neighborhood.

Infrastructure for phase one has been ﬁnalized. Seven houses have been com-

pleted, and two are under construction. The sale of the ﬁrst home was inked the day before Christmas 2025.

The start-to-end build-out for each home takes three to four months.

Oestreicher tapped the Gretna architectural ﬁrm of Garrity and Accardo to design the homes, which range from one bedroom/one bath (766 square feet) to four bedrooms/two bath (1,670 square feet) conﬁgurations. Prices begin at $190,000 for a one bedroom and rise to $310,000 for a four-bedroom home.

“Since its inception, we have talked about the goals for this project,” Oestreicher said. “People with more modest household budgets deserve green

spaces and good design.”

“If you drive through Rising Oaks and squint your eyes, you could feasibly believe you are in old Terrytown,” said Brady Garrity, a lifelong resident of nearby Gretna and the principal architect for the project.

Old Terrytown was developed by Paul Kapelow in 1960 as Jefferson Parish’s ﬁrst planned suburb. Kapelow named the development for his young daughter, Terry, and the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare, Carol Sue Avenue, for another daughter.

The developer packed the 6,000 midcentury modern homes with cutting-edge amenities, such as central

“People with more modest household budgets deserve green spaces and good design.”

executive director

for Humanity

MARGUERITE OESTREICHER,

of the New Orleans Area Habitat

STAFF PHOTOS By CHRIS GRANGER

heating and air conditioning, and grouped plumbing in a single wall for efﬁciency. The neighborhood was part of a West Bank housing boom that followed the 1958 completion of the Greater New Orleans Bridge, allowing for timely travel between the east and west banks.

In the new development, Garrity incorporated vaulted ceilings, large plate-glass windows to provide a visual connection to the outdoors and attached carports to mimic the design aesthetics of the early 1960s. In keeping with contemporary lifestyles, Garrity oriented the open-concept living spaces to overlook either the front or rear yards of the homes.

The contemporary incarnation of the Brady Bunch-era ﬂush, glazed entry doors with thin vertical glass insets and, where possible, clerestory windows or vertically stacked sidelight windows, underscores the midcentury aesthetic.

“I loved the concept of doing something nice in this area that has a real feel for the existing neighborhood,” Garrity said. “They wanted a community of starter homes with real amenities. This is different than a developer-driven neighborhood. They really stuck their necks out to do this.

“The top priority for Habitat was Gold standard hurricane fortiﬁcation. This hindered

The homes are being built to advanced Fortified Gold stormresistance standards, including deep pilings, hurricane straps, multiple water barriers within the roofing systems and highimpact-resistant windows.

some of the design choices I would have made regarding window size and shape purely on aesthetic grounds that would have tied the properties more strongly to the midcentury modern style.”

The homes are being built to advanced Fortiﬁed Gold stormresistance standards, including deep pilings, hurricane straps, multiple water barriers within the rooﬁng systems and highimpact-resistant windows. The ceilings are insulated with open-cell spray foam, and the walls with recycled denim insulation, primarily from Cotton Inc ’s Blue Jeans Go Green program, which transforms old

LEFT: Modinfluenced light fixtures are used in a kitchen and dining area. BELOW: Phase one of Habitat for Humanity’s Rising Oaks neighborhood comprises oneand two-bedroom homes geared toward seniors ages 55 and older The second phase will be marketed to larger families with children. Several generations could conceivably live in the same neighborhood.

jeans into eco-friendly building insulation, diverting textile waste from landﬁlls and creating sound and thermal barriers.

Green spaces have been designed for stormwater management and ﬂood mitigation. These factors translate into lower insurance costs, making homeownership more accessible.

“The hold-downs in these places are at the corners, and they root into the foundation. These places are literally anchored into their foundations,” Garrity said.

Visual appeal was a goal as well.

“We bounced back and forth,

modulating things where we could cut costs while still offering amenities in the ﬂoor plans,” he said. “We did not want to make shoeboxes. One of our workarounds was an obsessive attention to detail about trim to achieve the look we want while keeping costs in check.”

“Brady and his team went to extraordinary lengths to meet all of our design goals while keeping the project within budget,” Oestreicher said. “They added as many aspirational features as possible. They were full partners in this, not just vendors.”

A hallway through the house features closet space.

INSIDESTORY

How to know when to repair or replace appliances?

BY ANGIE HICKS Ask Angi (TNS)

We’ve all felt that sinking moment when a familiar hum goes silent: the fridge stops cooling, the washer won’t spin or the oven won’t heat on a busy weeknight. When an appliance quits, the big question follows fast: Do you repair it or replace it?

The right answer depends on age, repair cost, performance and whether a ﬁx buys you meaningful extra life With a little strategy, you can avoid overspending and keep your home running smoothly

For most homeowners, the easiest starting point is the 50% rule: If the repair will cost less than half the price of a comparable new appliance, repair it. If it’s more than half, replacement makes better long-term sense. But like most household decisions, the rule works best when you understand the context

Start with current pricing. If you haven’t shopped for appliances in years, sticker shock is real. Common household units run anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. A major repair on a midlife appliance may get you

Knowing when to replace appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers or stoves depends on age, repair cost, performance and whether a fix buys you meaningful extra life. Start with current pricing If you haven’t shopped for appliances in years, sticker shock is real. Common household units run anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. A major repair on a midlife appliance may get you another few years of service and buy time to plan for a new model that fits your long-term budget.

another few years of service and buy time to plan for a new model that ﬁts your long-term budget.

Warranties and recalls tilt decisions heavily toward repair If your item is still under warranty, the ﬁx is often free or low-cost. Always check recalls.gov or the Consumer Product Safety Commission before authorizing any work. And then there’s age. Most major appliances last 10 to 15 years, with outliers such as freezers and water softeners pushing well beyond. If your machine is bumping up against its expected lifespan, repair begins to look like a short-term patch rather than a long-term solution.

Finally, consider energy efﬁciency Even modest improvements in refrigerator or washer design can trim utility bills. If your older model has been gulping power, upgrading may pay off faster than you think.

When to repair

Plenty of situations favor repair, especially for units that have been performing well up to the moment of breakdown. A newer appliance with a single failed component, for example, may still have years of usable life once it’s fixed. If performance has been strong, a sudden failure is often mechanical rather than systemic, and a qualified technician can restore it quickly. Repair also makes sense for homeowners with eco-friendly priorities. Extending the life of an efficient appliance keeps it out of the landfill, reduces manufacturing demand and often uses far fewer resources than building a new replacement.

And sometimes, you simply don’t need new features. Many

appliances evolve slowly; the dishwasher you bought a decade ago might still meet your needs just ﬁne. A repair can maintain reliable performance without forcing a costly upgrade.

While DIY repairs can save money, be honest about your limits. Swapping an accessible part or cleaning a clogged ﬁlter is one thing; handling wiring, gas connections or internal plumbing is another When the job involves safety risks or could void the warranty, call a pro.

When to replace

On the ﬂip side, certain signs point clearly toward replacement. If your unit is approaching the decade mark and repair calls are becoming a yearly ritual, the math usually favors buying new Hidden symptoms matter, too: A washing machine that no longer cleans well or a refrigerator that constantly cycles may be failing in ways unrelated to the immediate repair

Poor energy performance is a big motivator. New models often carry dramatically improved efﬁciency ratings, especially in fridges, washers and dishwashers. What looks like a pricey replacement can quickly turn into a monthly savings plan on your utility bill.

And don’t ignore modern features. If you’ve been eyeing smart controls, quiet-operation dishwashers, induction cooktops or advanced water-saving washers, a major breakdown is often the natural moment to upgrade.

Before ﬁnalizing a purchase, factor in installation costs, which can bump your total by $100 to $200 or more. Many manufacturers require professional installation to keep warranties valid. Still, if you’ve got the muscle and a truck, hauling the appliance yourself can shave off delivery fees.

FILE PHOTO By JEFF STROUT

NEW ORLEANS

n TRANSFERS ISSUE JAN. 13-17

DISTRICT 1

CAMP ST. 1531: $100 and other good and valuable consideration, John Chrestia to August Raymond Gallo III and Mirell Abiram Gallo.

GRAVIER ST. 2212-14: $159,000, Morris Kirschman & Co. LLC to B and A Willow LLC.

MAGAZINE ST. 1476: $100 and other good and valuable consideration, Magazine Race LLC to Imagine Recovery New Orleans LLC.

ST. CHARLES AVE. 1750, UNIT 420: $348,000, Nathalie Musson Survivors Trust to Rosario Villasan Gendron and William P. Gendron.

ST. CHARLES AVE. 1750: $364,000, Martha Gonzalez and Reynaldo Gonzalez to Julie Anne Cornwell and Roger D. Cornwell.

ST. PETER ST. 3024-26: $30,000, Carol Houston and Samuel Houston III to Crescent City Apartment Rentals LLC.

S. CORTEZ ST. 139: $850,000, Sugarland Holdings LLC to Espiritu Mezcaleria LLC.

S. SOLOMON ST. 217-19: $580,000, Jennifer Simmons Moss and Thomas D. Moss to Kathryn Anne O’Dwyer Gustafson and Peter Gabriel Gustafson.

DISTRICT 2

AMETHYST ST. 788: $975,000, Jessamyn Matherne Linden and Victor Anthony Linden to Taylor Living Trust.

ARGONNE BLVD. 5871: $325,000, Big Easy Construction LLC to Kelly Herman Rose and Mark E Rose.

COLBERT ST. 6650: $254,694, Brittany P. Faul and Taylor M. Faul to Anthony J. Taullie III and Victoria Wagley Taullie.

GOV. NICHOLLS ST. 1723: $100, Nola Funding LLC to Montywade Inc.

GOV. NICHOLLS ST. 1723: $172,000, Montywade Inc. to Travis Benjamin Tobey.

MEMPHIS ST. 6922: $1,225,000, Bridget A. Boudreaux St. John and Dane St. John to James J. Fitzsimons III and Kelsey M. Fitzsimons.

MILNE BLVD. 6845: $1,015,000, Tricia Melerine Story to Ahmad Reza Edalati Sharbaf and Mahsa Bahr Hosseini Sharbaf.

REALESTATETRANSFERS

N. CARROLLTON AVE. 826: $590,000, Patrick John Ocain to Raymond F. McEllen and Virgina L. McCormick McEllen.

ORLEANS AVE. 924: $100, Dale Robert Paugh and Jonnie Belinda Harris Paugh to Amy Cochran Jolly and Robert Lee Jolly II.

ST. ANN ST. 2012-2014: $10,000, Michael L. Broyard Sr. to Marion Broyard Alexis.

ST. ANN ST. 2601-2603: $220,000, George K. Darby and Susan Kroening Darby to Scott Ross.

WUERPEL ST. 6595: $400,000, Marlene Russell Durel to Ronald Francis Durel Jr.

DISTRICT 3

ABUNDANCE ST. 2319: $15,000, Gary A. Matthews to Ambitious Courageous Entrepreneurs LLC. ALLEN TOUSSAINT BLVD. 1300: donation, no value stated, Bac Van Nguyen and Binh Nguyen to Nguyen B. Nguyen

BURKE ROAD 7513: $7,500, Cherise Lockett to James E. Turner.

CHEF MENTUER HIGHWAY 25735: $50,000, Louis B. Seube Sr. and Patricia Ford Seube to Cheryl P. Foster and Jessie J. Foster Jr.

COMUS COURT 2809-11: $18,000, Paula Patrice Ross to Lisa T Videau and William Videau.

CURRAN BLVD. 8936: $70,000, Anthony John Bouligny Jr. and Jenny Legaux Bouligny to Arthur Thomas.

DAUPHINE ST. 1416: donation, no value stated, Des Mothe to DRM Family Trust.

E. IDLEWOOD COURT 5301: $70,000, Alexis V. Ellis, Aliyah Maegan Wilkerson, Brice R. Vauglins, Gabriella P. Ellis and Gianna Ellis to Lisa Green Leary.

EDNA ST. 2709: $7,100, Mario Efrain Meza Caceres to Dyamond Terrynae McDaniels.

ESPLANADE AVE. 1233, UNIT 13: donation, no value stated, Gary Posselt to Rita M. Posselt.

FAIRMONT DRIVE 3635-399: $73,000, R2H Properties LLC to United Nola Property LLC.

GALAHAD DRIVE 4734: $105,000, Velocity Commercial Capital Loan Trust 2022-5 to Zackeus D. Johnson.

INLET LANE 7670: $200,000, Reginald B. Darby to Tysha Hill.

LAFAYE ST. 5163: $130,000, Edward P. Bernier Jr. and Helen Barberot Bernier to Nancy Haase Nilsson.

LARK ST. 2363: $310,000, Albert Anthony Joseph Cousin, Dana Triche and William Allen Barclay Jr. to Derek T. Russ and Zsatia Willis Russ.

MARIGNY ST. 2735: $16,000, MPT Homes LLC to 2276 Lafreniere LLC.

MARIGNY ST. 4700: donation, no value stated, Dorothy Malik Tyler and Stephen C. Tyler to Crawford

Edward Tyler. MIRABEAU AVE. 1617: $275,000, New Orleans Redevelopment Authority to Carlene Augustine Barthe and Maria A. Alexander.

MONTREAL ST. 2233: donation, no value stated, Elizabeth S. Cambre, Frederick John Sheldon, Joseph F. Sander, Marian Sander Nicosia, Mary Sander Sarradet and Peggy Sander Prosperie to Rosemary L. Sander.

MOORE DRIVE 4900: $369,000, Home Girls LLC to Ana Santa Maria and Rebecca Hill McAllister. N. GALVEZ ST. 1464: $782,000, Andre M. Stolier and Elizabeth M. Murphy Stolier to Jack M. Stolier. N. GALVEZ ST. 2215-2217: $107,000, Barbara Tullier Perez to Prime Housing LLC. N. LITTLE WOODS DRIVE 14877: ä See ORLEANS, page 18

REALESTATETRANSFERS

ORLEANS

Continued from page 17

$90,000, Unopen Succession of Cecile A. Boudreaux and Jessie W. West to AP Direct LLC.

N. PRIEUR ST. 1966-1968: $308,000, Galit Construction LLC to David Miralda.

N. RAMPART ST. 3613-15, 3625: $620,000, Matthew Lloyd Thompson to Hannah C. Richter.

N. TONTI ST. 1560: $260,000, Sandra Starks McCollum to Nora Goddard.

PARIS AVE. 5719: $129,000, Marilyn Bernard and Terry Jacobson to AJ Homes LLC.

PLEASURE ST. 2322-24: donation, no value stated, Clorette Brumfield and Vallery Brumfield to Leonard Brumfield Jr.

PONCE DE LEON ST. 2831:

$395,000, Joshua Samuel Reed to Judith Anne Kaufman Lurye and William Lurye.

RIDGEWAY BLVD. 2861: $34,000, Cathy Gene Barousee Coyle, Daniel Myron Barousse, Debra Mary Barousse Bouterie, Dustin Barousse, Karen Ann Barousse Brakel and Sharon Lynn Barousse Davis to Ami Ard Williams and Louis Owen Williams Jr.

RIDGEWAY BLVD. 57158: $3,600, Cathy Gene Barousse Coyle, Debra Mary Barousse Bouterie, Dustin Barousse, Karen Ann Barousse Brakel and Sharon Lynn Barousse Davis to Daniel Myron Barousse and Laurie Reese Barousse

ROYAL ST. 4029: $487,000, Ivy Carter Barney to Cuny Properties LLC.

SAND ST. 7843: $64,000, LSP Enterprises LLC to M&S General

UNIVERSITY AREA 4-PLEX

2831-33PALMERAVE.

Atraditional raised basement 4-plex in theheart of Uptown’s UniversityDistrictinwalkingdistancetoTulane and Loyola Universities andUrsulineSchool. Long time owner. The property features a2nd floor, recently renovated3 bedroom /2bathowner’s residence over twogroundfloor 2bed /1bathapartments w/ arear1 bedroom garage studio.Units areunder rentedwithmth.tomth.terms and there arevalue addpossibilities.Off street parkingand asmall landscapedyardinthe rear forresidents’ use. It isideal foranowner /residentwho cantakeadvantage of rental income to defray property expenses

$610,000

SHAUNTALBOT

(504)975-9763

Contracting LLC.

ST. HELENA ST. 5600: donation, no value stated, Hoang Minh Tran to Thuat T. Tuong Tran.

TOURO ST. 1201-03: $60,000, Maxime Ventures LLC to Hongtu Investment Group LLC.

TREASURE ST. 2411: $75,000, Imani Temple No. 28 New Orleans to EO Moss Grand Assembly No 4.

TULIP ST. 4840: $28,000, Corey A. Thomas Sr., Gary A. Thomas Sr., Kimberly Sabido Thomas and Sabrina Masters Thomas to Oscar Oyuela Garcia.

VENUS ST. 5321: $400,000, Patricia Pearson Hawley to Elliott Parker Chavis.

DISTRICT 4

CHESTNUT ST. 2725-27: $890,000, Chestnut Nola LLC to Benjamin Paul Arceneaux and Jeanne St. Romain Arceneaux.

DIVISION ST. 2416: $725,000, 241719 Rousseau LLC to Catherine Berry Cummins Stag.

ST. CHARLES AVE. 2220: $100 and other valuable consideration, Bonnie Ruth Broel to 2220 St. Charles Ave LLC.

ST. THOMAS ST. 3109-3111: $284,000, Renewal Homes LP to Cody Clayton Miller.

DISTRICT 5

CASTLE PINES DRIVE 38: donation, no value stated, Arthur Allen Jr. to Kimya M. Holmes.

DIANA ST. 425: donation, no value stated, Timothy C. Polk to Carmel A. Polk.

EASTER LANE 2000: $300,000, Happy Houses Construction LLC to Alex J. Panos and Leah Panos.

FINLAND PLACE 275: $65,000, Carol Schnell Johnson and Rondol B. Johnson to Michael E. Nolan.

GEN. COLLINS AVE. 1408: $152,000, Kim Zalonda Lee Sumner to Dillon Thomas Stave and

EAST JEFFERSON

n TRANSFERS FOR JAN. 10-15

HARAHAN

COLONIAL CLUB DRIVE 830: John D. Wille to Mary A. W. Martin, $157,590.

DONELON DRIVE 46: Denise C. Lombard to Gregory J. Stokes, $352,000.

Melissa Marie Martin.

KINGSTON COURT 104: $285,000, Hummel Construction LLC to Sydnie Eileen Julien.

LANCASTER ST. 3200: $179,900, B&S Investors LLC to Damien E. Johnson Sr. and Jimeca Miller Johnson.

SILVER MAPLE COURT 3548: $310,000, Jessica Danielle Separate Property Trust to Piper Rigsby and Shawn Rigsby.

SOMERSET DRIVE 2719: $195,000, Youssef El Houdaigui to Megan Christine Aulet.

VALENTINE COURT 1926: $285,000, Judith Jones Arute and William Arute to Paris Henderson and Terrell Henderson.

VALLETTE ST. 219-21: $320,000, Historical Renovation Co. Inc. to Maura Denise St. John.

DISTRICT 6

ANNUNCIATION ST. 5904-06: donation, no value stated, George Edward Brink to Edward B. Smith.

BROADWAY ST. 373: $100, Taylor H. Smith to Cecil M. Shilstone Jr. and Sandra Sciacca Shilstone.

CAMP ST. 4229-4231, CONSTANCE ST. 4132-4134, 4136-4138, PENISTON ST. 1837: $1,600,000, Coastline Collective LLC to Nola Legacy Properties LLC.

CONSTANCE ST. 3209, FOURTH ST. 730-732, JACKSON AVE. 726-28, ST. ANDREW ST. 921-23, 925-27, ST. THOMAS ST. 2333-35: donation, no value stated, Galilee Housing Initiative and Community Development Corp. to Victory Praise Ministries.

CONSTANCE ST. 4136-4138: $345,000, Nola Legacy Properties LLC to Kate Woodard Marks and Smith A. Marks.

CONSTANTINOPLE ST. 1016-18: donation, no value stated, Mary Cammack Gardner to John Gardner and Regan Odenwald.

GEN. TAYLOR ST. 1928-30:

$800,000, Halle Elizabeth Field to Gilbert N. Evans and Larry James Spelts Jr.

LAUREL ST. 6071: $1,200,000, Ernest Svenson Halahan to Anne Marie Carmichael Oppermann and Henry V. Oppermann.

MAGNOLIA ST. 4121-23: $125,000, Marengo Investments LLC to Lislee Properties LLC.

PRYTANIA ST. 4631: $1,157,000, Edith Samantha Faggen Fitch to Milena Vukelic and Sasa Vukelic.

ROBERT ST. 2039: $320,000, Charles Delos Franklin Jr. and Lauren Elizabeth Englade Franklin to Lindsey Michelle Hardouin. ST. CHARLES AVE. 3915: $390,000, DRSM LLC to Kristi Matthews and Michael Matthews.

STATE ST. 1450: $100, Kimberly Jones Martin and Ray Harvell Martin to Danielle Webb Leblanc and Robert Arthur Hoa Leblanc Jr.

YORK ST. 6215-6217: $236,000, Brett Labasse to Madeline Jane Swogger.

DISTRICT 7

30TH ST. 301: $10 and other valuable consideration, Stephen Kyle Jones to Jacquelyn Moise Palumbo and Vincent Palumbo.

DANTE ST. 835: $550,000, Succession of Maria Katherine Voltz to Joshua N. Fogarty and Kaitlyn Cole Fogarty.

FLEUR DE LIS DRIVE 6819-21: $216,000, Charles L. Debartolo to LEM Investments LLC.

GEN. OGDEN ST. 1826-1828: $158,000, Patricia Anne Rosemann Living Trust to Declan Phillip Lyons.

GREEN ST. 8620: $335,000, A&R Property Preservation LLC to Shanna Elizabeth Utterback. SPRUCE ST. 8511-13: $350,000, Margaret C. Moore Rose to Marie Louise Antonia Friedland and Mark Woodall Holmes.

ROSELAND PARKWAY 471: Sanford M. Keller to Pamela R. Paysse, $354,900.

WILSON ST. 7501: Carolyn W. May to Justin A. Dennis, $265,000.

JEFFERSON

HEIGHTS AVE. 107: Karen D Adams to Sharon M. Barthelemy, $150,000.

(504)525-9763 www.talbot-realty.com

JEFFERSON HIGHWAY 6314: Celso E. Hernandez to LFS Investments LLC, $700,000.

HIGHWAY HARAHAN 6314: Celso E. Hernandez to LFS Investments LLC, $700,000.

JEFFERSON HEIGHTS AVE. 104: Patricia A. Kennedy to Alexandra

M. M. Jarreau, $299,000.

TERRACE ST. 654: Barbara K. Boudreaux to Christopher Pfalzgraf, $175,000.

KENNER

27TH ST. 200-02: Gary M. Rumney to Richard Rowell, $200,000. 27TH ST. 900-902: Rinku S. Swami to Kyle Arcement, $245,000.

CARROLL ST. 1509: Audie J. Ferguson to Rizzo Investments LLC, $435,000.

EAST

Continued from page 18

COLORADO AVE. 4316: Louis

Hosen to Carrington Mortgage Services LLC, $269,000.

FORSTALL AVE. 25: Patricia L.M. Hane to Alish Dhamala, $265,000.

HANSON PLACE 709-11: Ralph E Sacks to Emerson E.G. Madonado, $123,000.

LITTLE BAYOU LANE 217: Purvis K. Libby to Jeremy Owens, $460,000.

RONSON DRIVE 653: James P. Reitz to Beatriz Fajardo, $155,000.

ROOSEVELT BLVD. 2707-2727: Ciao Bella Holdings LLC to Roosevelt Plaza LLC, $1,200,000.

METAIRIE

CLEARVIEW PARKWAY 612: Daniel B. Bolner Jr. to Genesis 22 14 LLC, $350,000.

EDENBORN AVE. 3110 UNIT 419: Kimberly M. S. Skellington to R&M Lavern Management LLC, $93,000.

FOLSE DRIVE 4524: Michelle H. Dangelo to Ross J. Bonnot, $565,000

E. HARIMAW COURT 1012: Diversiﬁed Foods & Seasonings LLC to Thwg LLC, $1,525,000.

HOWARD AVE. 1312: Micaza Properties Inc. to William K. Hayles Jr., $131,000.

N. ATLANTA ST. 1433: Harold J. Carbo Sr. to Collin J. Tiemersma, $245,000.

ST. TAMMANy

n TRANSFERS FOR DEC. 29 TO JAN. 5

ABITA SPRINGS

EADS ST. 22376: Sheila P. Jourdan to Michael A. Saltamachia and Sheyenne Jourdan, $218,000.

GULCH ST. 70506: Silverback Holdings LLC to Lester J. Gillespie Jr., $309,000.

HILLCREST COUNTRY CLUB SUBDIVISION, LOT 14, SQUARE 43: Daniel E. Mobley and Wanda Mobley Pentes to Fidelia A. Escobar, $10,000.

LA. 435 23348: Derek J. Friedman to Malcolm Zeringue Jr., $200,000.

MAIN ST. 22179: Andrew S. O’Neal and Robin R. O’Neal to Matthew J. Sunseri and Caitlin C. Angel Sunseri, $560,000.

MONEY HILL PLANTATION SUBDIVISION, PHASE 1, LOT 93: Daniel

REALESTATETRANSFERS

ORIOLE ST. 809: Jamie O. Ghanem to Bertucci Property Development LLC, $150,000.

N. PARK DRIVE 4717: Kristen N. Blount to Kelsey A.S. Mccloskey, $218,000.

PHOSPHOR AVE. 860: Taryn G. Smith to Paige Stmartin, $298,000.

RYE ST. 4740: Geocor Properties LLC to Valvis Properties LLC, $175,000.

SENAC DRIVE 4712: Jane K. Ritter to Sophie Currenti, $240,000.

TRANSCONTINENTAL DRIVE 4717: Ellen L.M. Mclellan to Marilyn Juengling, $400,000.

W. WILLIAM DAVID PARKWAY 900: James A. Cicero to Valerie V Sachitano, donation, no value stated.

WALDO ST. 241: Mahon Tammy I.R.A. to Kyle J. Chighizola, $259,000.

WALTHAM AVE. 709: Wild Properties LLC to Albert C. Allenback, $400,000.

WOODLAWN AVE. 1813: Francisco Avella to Casey Property Investments LLC, $170,000.

YALE AVE. 1805: Jeremy J. Owens to Colin Herasymiuk, $305,000.

RIVER RIDGE

MOSS LANE 500: John C. Bowman III to Clay Hartman, $235,000.

SAWMILL ROAD 2030: Ruth D. Fontenelle to Jhaquan B. Jackson, $169,000.

SOPHIA ST. 300: L. Gautreau to Dustin Kerwin, $213,000.

S. Berlin Jr. and Seleta Bridges Berlin to Sharon D. Smith and Janet A. Schwank, $250,000.

S. DUNDEE LOOP 3005: Andrew J. McIntyre to Andrew Hern and Jennifer Hern, $200,000.

COVINGTON

10TH ST. 70105: Madison Stierwald to Bridgette Alexander and Dennis M. Dorsey, $247,000.

ACADIA PARK DRIVE 201: Deborah S. Claros to Robert E. Kuehnel, $500,000.

BAY DRIVE 71211: Salvatore Alfonso Jr. to Vanne Construction LLC, $130,000.

BEEBALM CIRCLE 373: Adam

M. Turni and Natalie P. Turni to Nathan Parker and Arleen Parker Family Trust, $209,978.

CARROL DRIVE 76020: 2941 Ethel LLC to John P. Wallace, $90,000.

CHRETIEN POINT AVE. 960: Terra

ä See TAMMANY, page 20

WEST JEFFERSON

n TRANSFERS FOR JAN. 10-15

AVONDALE

VALENTINE DRIVE 172: Bryan K. Charlet to Dagmar S. Madge, donation, no value stated.

BRIDGE CITY

SEVENTH ST. 141: Thomas C. Broome to Roy J. Gautreaux, $65,000.

GRAND ISLE

PIRATES COVE MARINA 73: James G. Gossen to Emily Y. Breaux, $40,000.

VERLEY LANE 138: Celso E. Hernandez to Jean H.C. Simmons, $105,000.

W. CENTRAL AVE. 237: Anita H. Simmons to Tony T. Heyward, donation, no value stated.

GRETNA

DERBIGNY ST. 720: Nicole B. Watson to Old Gretna Manor LLC, $244,000.

EVERGREEN DRIVE 1121: Laura P. Raﬁei to Regina J. Mcgowen, $235,000.

HIGHLAND DRIVE WEST 2679: Kathleen M. Maggiore to Kristen W. Marino, donation, no value stated.

SUGARPINE DRIVE 268: Jasmine M. Smith to Allan V. Pineda, $232,999.

HARVEY

BRIGHTON PLACE 2241: Elegant Houses LLC to Yaser A. Abuhammoud, $250,000.

E. CATAWBA DRIVE 2553: Clinton C. Franks Sr. to James H. Rufﬁn Jr., $210,000.

FELICIANA COURT 17: Carolyn A. Jeanmarie to Carolyn A. Ward, donation, no value stated.

LOCHLOMAND DRIVE 1332: Randall Weber to Kelsey Webster, donation, no value stated.

SCOTSDALE DRIVE 1116: Marquis Investments Management LLC to Lorri Brown, $335,000.

VINEYARD LANE 2121: Asset Backed Pass Through Certiﬁcates Series 2004 W.1.1. to Sai Properties LLC Shree, $70,000.

LAFITTE

JEAN LAFITTE BLVD. 2128: Brooke Beasley to Kory Mo-

rales, $340,000.

MARRERO

AVE. A 1121: Elite Construction Group LLC to Adam C. Diket, $315,000.

AVE. B 829: Secretary of Veterans Affairs to Hallette Goodson, $77,800.

CEDAR CREEK ST. 2649: Kory M. Morales to Shannon D. Guidry, $259,000.

DELTA POINTE DRIVE 2508: Trudy W. Despaux to Nicholas G. Fehn, $246,500.

ISABELLE DRIVE 2784: David M. Fox to Amanda N. Collins, $152,000.

PRITCHARD ROAD 5072: Alfonso Rowland to Estrella M. Corona, $65,682.

RAMSEY ST. 2412: Phieu H. Nguy-

en to Julie Nguyen, donation, no value stated.

SILVERADO DRIVE 7413: Diana Davila to Thuy N.T.B. Pham, $355,000.

TERRYTOWN

CAROL SUE AVE. 1905: Vimal L. Dave to Paul Senord, $289,000.

WAGGAMAN

IMOGENE ST. 45: Robert M. Phelps to Joseph R. Lebouef, $68,000.

WESTWEGO

AVE. A 1206: Christie G. Lucas to Dylan J. Richoux, $170,000. EIGHTH ST. 631: New Orleans Property Ventures Inc. to Myeisha Fontenberry, $190,000.

REALESTATETRANSFERS

TAMMANY

Continued frompage19

Bella GroupLLC to Highland Homes Inc., $205,000.

DELTA ST.1193: Drew M. Rousseau and Emily H. Rousseau to 1193 DeltaLLC,$669,000.

E. 35TH AVE. 216: Charles V. Vrancken to Andrew Thompson, $233,000.

E. FIFTH AVE. 309: EricA.Champagne to Fiat5th LLC, $310,000.

EGRET ST.156: Vicki R. Savoie and Christian R. Savoie to Joseph A. GettysIII and ChandraGettys, $390,000.

FORMOSADRIVE 72223: Successions of Edsel T. Jones Sr.and Anita C. Jones to BRM Properties LLC, $150,000

GAMMA AVE. 74453: MarkJ.Montalbano and Deborah R. Crayon Montalbano to Trey L. Delger

and Arlie J. Cheramie Delger, $229,000.

GLEN LOOP 34: DeMelo Investments LLCtoKevin Wild Jr. and Angelica Wild,$341,000.

GOTTSCHALK ROAD 11021: Ian M. Burnette and Sarah S. Burnette to Karri Wallace and Nathan Wallace, $480,000.

GRANDTURK COURT905: Succession of Merlin G. Garcia Strickland to Jon A. Cromwell and Sally B.Cromwell, $527,000.

GRASSY LANE 15589: KTCJ HoldingsLLC to Brian Goncalves, $303,500.

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS DRIVE 16730: Christopher J. Surratt and Kaddie Surratt to MichaelA.Farrar, $330,000.

IST. 70461: Karl Schreiner to Hayden C. Goodey,$245,000.

JOE’SDRIVE 1017: West 30’s Redemption Co.Inc. to Tosha Chatman, $168,000.

LA. 36 20066: Christian G. Bernier and Rhonda F. Bernier to Stephen M. Taylor, $173,000.

LA. 435 25087: Succession of MichaelC.Nappe, Tina N. Biggs and Tammi Nappe to Hwy 435 Properties LLC, $70,000.

MEDUS ST.20130: Joe Brees LLC to Dakota Morgan and Heather Morgan, $235,000.

N. CORNICHE DU LAC560: Marcelle H. Landry to Matthew S. Brooksand Lisa K. Brooks, $660,000.

N. FILMORE ST.904: West 30’s Redemption Co.toMelissa Tabb and Adrian Joiner, $176,087.

OAKLAWNDRIVE 4: PrimeDesign +Build GroupLLC to Basecamp Properties LLC, $2,689,000.

POPLAR DRIVE 20: Lawrence M. Young to AngelleG.Pace, $385,000.

RIVER ROAD 74307: Mallery C. Mele II and Tamela P. Meleto Elisabeth M. Christine Jones Fejes, $385,000.

S. TYLER ST.806: RWMInc. to Boja GroupLLC,$799,000.

SCHOULTZ ALLEY 916: West 30’s Redemption Co.Inc. to Doretta V. Cervini, $143,732.

SOUTHDOWN LOOP 504: Brett M. Bergeron to Drew Rousseau and Emily Rousseau, $520,000.

THIRD AVE. 69122: Tamland Investments Inc. andLindsay Land Inc. to Patrick B. Morrisand Stefﬁ L. Pugh Morris, $42,500.

32NDAVE. 1014: West 30’s Redemption Co.Inc. to BrittanyN Owens, $91,562.

W. 32NDAVE. 215: West 30’s Redemption Co.Inc. to Cedric Laurant, $153,813.

W. 32NDAVE. 814: West 30’s Redemption Co.Inc. to JunnilyaM. Certain, $255,328.

W. 32NDAVE. 818: West 30’s Redemption Co.Inc. to LindaR. Pittman, $207,997

W. 32NDAVE. 906: West 30’s Redemption Co.Inc. to Alexius Smith, $139,542.

W. 33RD AVE. 919: West 30’s Redemption Co.Inc. to RoyMooney, $122,386.

W. 33RD AVE. 927: West 30’s Redemption Co.Inc. to James Richardson, $95,000.

WAXMYRTLE LANE, PORTION OF GROUND: Michael N. Harlan and Cynthia M. Satterlee Harlan to Alan Lockwood, $300,000.

ZACHERYCOURT1437: DSLD Homes LLCtoNicole Petitand Blaine Loyola, $325,980.

ZINNIA DRIVE 90: Saige Libertore to Robert D. Edwards and MargaretF.Edwards, $483,500.

FOLSOM

CGOTTI ROAD 14387: Paul Huval and Mary HuvalVan Haelen to Gerard Huvaland Annette M. Huval, $30,000.

NEAR FOLSOM, LOT2: Succession of Felder F. Fitzmorris to Eric E. Catha and Shelly S. Catha, $70,000.

VILLAGE FARMS LANE345: Chalyn C. Fayard and Melanie K. Heathcock Fayard to James Neyrey and Suzanne Neyrey, $420,000.

LACOMBE

ANCHORAGE DRIVE 61188: Michele M. Brustowicz to Kendra M. Silve, $150,000.

BEULAH ST.61260: Wayne M. Gonzales, Bruce W. Gonzales and Rick W. Gonzales to Bryan K. Gonzales, $140,000.

GLENWOOD ST.61706: Justen S. Ortiz and MiaJ.Braden to Jodi Boone, $155,000.

KING ARMS DRIVE 61203: Cynthia Jo Chiappetta Kidder and succession of RobertB.Kidder to Next Properties LLC, $243,875.

LACOMBE HARBOR LANE59250: Susan G. MonterotoBoSteffen Melandand Colleen T. Meland, $503,000.

LACOMBE HARBOR ROAD 59577: John J. AveryJr., Tracey A. Romero and others to JohnnyT.Vong and Thanvh V. Thi Le,$15,000. NEAR LACOMBE,PORTION OF GROUND: Christopher J. Torres, MarioTorres III andJonathan M. Torres to Mistretta Investments LLC, $175,000.

S. MIMOSADRIVE 25580: Shellpoint Mortgage Servicingto Hoyle Williams,$45,000.

S. MIMOSADRIVE 25580: Hoyle Williams to ManuelJ.Haisch Jr. and Peggy J. Haisch,donation, no value stated.

MADISONVILLE

CYPRESS CROSSINGDRIVE 1084: Benjamin R. Parker and Christina C. Parker to SamuelJ.Bortugno and Maria M. Bortugno, $455,000. NIGHTHERON LANE638: Alvarez Construction Co. LLCtoAshleyP Baker Living Trust, $529,990. PINECREEK DRIVE 125: Miguel V. Vasquez and Yvonne S. Prada Vasquez to John A. Yutzyand JoyceA.Yutzy,$371,000.

RED GUM DRIVE 349: RobinHerndontoDean P. Story and Rave A. Story,$578,000.

SPIKE DRIVE 71595: DSLD Homes

LLCtoAdam Gagliano,$215,085.

WILLOWSSUBDIVISION,LOT 12: Timberwood Construction Co. Inc. to Branden M. Freemanand Emily F. Freeman, $775,000.

MANDEVILLE

ABITAAVE. 70417: Toby M. Bourg and Camryn M. Kline to MWT Realty LLC, $232,800.

BIRON ST.2415: Consuelo C. Stafford, Nichelle S. Walleyand Stacey S. Sarrazin to Braeden D. Phillpott, $224,900.

CHATEAUDEBRIE 209: NestorA. RiveraVega andEdna S. Tenorio RiveratoClinton Fenimoreand Heather Fenimore, $625,000.

DOBYDRIVE202: Daniel L. Nitschkeand Paulette D’Aquin NitschketoScott Heinrich Jr. and Kristel L. Maes Heinrich, $749,000.

E. BRIGHTON COURT, UNIT 277: Michael P. Murphyand Lisa A. MurphytoConnie Nichols Phillips, $240,000.

EMERALDPINES SUBDIVISION, LOT3: Succession of JosephW Marchetta Sr. and Georgia B. Marchetta to Riverside InnLLC, $180,000.

HEAVENS DRIVE 716: RobertE. Pearson III to DTRLand LLC, $165,000.

MARIGNY AVE. 512: RobertS Boyd IV and Kelly C. Boyd to Shawn P. Ryan and LundyT. Ryan, $460,000.

MARLEY ROAD 70390: Natosha L. Ziegel to Simset LLC, $40,000.

SANCTUARYSUBDIVISION, PHASE 4C, LOT441: HCrosbyConstruction LLCtoCalin Colceriu-Dandu and Amanda Colceriu-Dandu, $325,000.

SANDRA DEL MAR 183: Wilma S. Gibbons and Douglas Elfman to Andrew R. Breaux and Shannon G. Breaux, $105,000.

SOUTH LANE 1950: Venture Entities LLCtoAll Star Properties LLC, $555,000.

TETE LOURS DRIVE 640, UNIT 15: Lawrence T. Faucheux andKelly F. Faucheux to Brenda SueTheriot, $237,000.

TETE LOURS DRIVE 640,UNIT18: Vizzini Properties LLCtoThomas Hays and Nadja Hays Family Trust, $367,500.

PEARLRIVER

BOBCAT RUN 302: Tharik D. Camilo to Camila L. Fernandes, $135,000.

CALHOUN ST.65128: Jeremy Pellegrin to JoshuaD.Landry,

$29,000.

REALESTATETRANSFERS

MURRAYROAD37155: Carol A. Guillot Parent to Charles T. Frock, $278,000.

SIXTH ST.602: LB-BranchSeries VTrust to ZCEThree LLC, $25,000 and othervaluable consideration.

WINGFIELD SUBDIVISION, PHASE 1, LOT4: TammanyNorth Properties LLCtoWDG Estates LLC, $181,000.

SIXTHWARD

NEAR SIXTH WARD,PORTION OF GROUND: Joseph E. Arthur Jr., Chad J. Arthurand Holly A. Trahan to Nicholas Lange and Salena Landry,$12,500.

NEAR SIXTH WARD,PORTION OF GROUND: Weldon M. Cousins to Jeremie R. Goff, $185,000.

SLIDELL

ASH DRIVE 4351: ErnestJ.Majoue Jr. and Keisha M. Guste Majoue to Michael C. Mattand Stacey L. Williamson Matt, $120,000.

BEECH ST.1420: Vicki Knoblock and Catherine Diebold to AnnieleeC.Quillen, donation, no value stated.

BENT CYPRESS LANE 801: SecretaryofVeteransAffairs to Donna Smith, $214,500.

BRIAN DRIVE 220: Shawn M. Goines to Ivas H. Luna, $189,000.

CARA MAE ST.40574: D.R. Horton Inc.-Gulf Coast to Chad N. Simon, $281,900.

CARA MAE ST.40617: D.R. Horton

Inc.-Gulf Coast to Kiaria D. Davenport and Quinnita A. Young, $334,900.

CARA MAE ST.40621: D.R. Horton

Inc.-Gulf Coast to Donna D. ReneaConner, $267,900.

CEDAR AVE. 57274: DavidW. Stewart Jr. to Alan Wells, $179,900.

CHUBASCO LANE 212: Blake Adrian M. Vega Trust to Frederick H. Hart Jr.,$340,000.

CONSTELLATION DRIVE 214: Beryl M. Small to Private Capital Solutions LLC, $90,000.

CYPRESSVINE COURT6557: D. R. Horton Inc.-Gulf CoasttoAnjene R. Treaudo, $179,900.

DEWEY AVE. 700: Derwin L. Payton Jr. and Jazmyne M. Sylveto DonielL.Williams, $312,000.

DRURYLANE 225: Succession of Gameel Gabriel to JaneroNichols, $154,000.

E. LAKEDRIVE 353: Integrity Investment Properties LLCtoMary D. Beard, $255,000.

FORNEA GLEN WAY5465: D. R. Horton Inc.-Gulf CoasttoJasper J. De Leon Montes, $224,900.

GAUSE BLVD.2447: SherwinWilliams Co.toCity of Slidell, donation, no value stated.

HEATHER LANE 2042: Secretary of Veterans Affair to BeverlyPritchett, $215,000.

INDIAN VILLAGE ROAD 336, UNIT 7: Alyssa L. Hunt to Jimmy Laurent Jr., $105,000.

JAYCEE DRIVE 1264: SamuelJ Garcia and LisaL.Garcia to CNT revocable trust, $62,500.

LAKESARDIS DRIVE 511: Ian A. CarltontoLorenaD.Carlton, donation, no value stated.

LILLIAN ROAD 57343: Carrington Mortgage Services LLCtoSecretary of Veterans Affairs, $152,068.

LILLIAN ROAD 57347: Joseph C. Barcelona Jr. and Rebecca B. Barcelona to Kyle D. Wardwell and Amanda E. Wardwell, $125,000. LIVE OAKST. 1612: Deborah A.

CalamaritoKaycee W. McDonald, $170,000.

LORI DRIVE 1125: BernardB.Ali and Samantha l. Ali to Genitra S. Flemings, $312,000.

N. KINGSCOURT313: IrvinJ.Verdin to Ashlee J. Stokes Supplemental Needs Trust, donation, no value stated.

N. MILITARYROAD60375: Arthur L. Price and DoloresF.Price to Southern ManorMobile Home Community LLC, $100 and other valuable consideration

NEAR SLIDELL, PORTION OF GROUND: Lynn F. Brien to Pearson’sCrabFishery LLC, $86,000.

NELLIE DRIVE 1744: BlaineC Kaufmann to DavidA.Diaz Reyes and SierraR.Diaz, $212,000.

RIDGEFIELD DRIVE 676: Tremelia D. Kelly-Sennett to Thi Thuy Tran and An Q. Dinh Tran, $320,000.

RIVER GARDEN SUBDIVISION, LOTS 4, 5, SQUARE 22: Hugh L. Davis Jr., Michael M. Davis and Jerry A. Davis Jr. to Andrew B. Allen, $25,000.

ROBERTROAD785, 787, 791: Rickrode Properties LLCtoAllure HairStudioLLC,$340,000.

SPARTANTRACE 515: AnthonyR GomeztoMichaelV.Audibert, $94,000.

SUNRISE BLVD.3124: Antoine Banks and Tyisha B. Banks to John R. Brownand Jennifer Brown, $980,000.

TRACE SUBDIVISION,PHASE 1, LOT21: Evan A. Bauer and MarianaG.Arceneaux to Saleh K. Manaand Salwa S. Taher, $305,000.

TUPELOST. 1216: Jerline H. Williams to Alexis N. Torres, $130,000.

it’saresponsibilityItake veryseriously.

Nestledonthe coveted2nd hole of theEnglish Turn Golf Course, this exceptionalresidenceoffersserene waterviews andstunningsunsets that will take your breath away.Step into thetraditional yetsophisticated living spaces, wheresolid wood floors andsoaring ceilingscreate an invitingatmospherefilled with naturallight.The heartofthe home is acustom-designed Italian Poliform contemporary kitchen, a masterpiece of both functionality andtechnical excellence.The

REALESTATETRANSFERS

Plant now to help blueberries establish roots by summer

By The LSU AgCenter

In Louisiana, fall through early spring is the perfect time to plant a host of trees and shrubs including blueberries.

While these plants won’t bear their delicious fruit for a few more months, it’s best to get them in the ground (or containers) while the weather is cool. This gives them plenty of time to establish before the arrival of stressful summer heat.

Blueberries are among the easiest fruit crops home gardeners can grow But there are

a few things you should know before you purchase and plant the shrubs

Mary Helen Ferguson, an LSU AgCenter horticulture agent, offers these tips for blueberry success.

Choose plants carefully

Most people in Louisiana grow one of two kinds of blueberries: rabbiteye or Southern highbush.

Ferguson generally recommends rabbiteye blueberries, which ripen between May and July They are more disease

resistant and more forgiving when it comes to soil requirements.

“Rabbiteye varieties are well suited for most places in Louisiana,” Ferguson said. “Along the coast and in the New Orleans area might be a bit of an exception.”

In those areas, Southern highbush varieties — some of which require fewer chilling hours than rabbiteyes and ripen earlier — may be a better choice.

Regardless of which type of blueberry you decide to grow, be sure to purchase more than one plant Cross pollination between different varieties is important for fruit production. Try to get two to three varieties, which helps improve yields and quality.

While blueberry plants won’t bear their fruit for a few more months, it’s best to get them in the ground (or containers) while the weather is cool.

drained and has relatively acidic soil.”

drainage, too.

Where pH needs to come down more, elemental sulfur can be applied based on soil test results.

“If you’re planting in a container, use aged pine bark or a combination of this and other materials instead of using a standard potting mix since these usually have lime,” Ferguson said.

Giving the plants enough room to grow is crucial. When planting in the ground, space rabbiteye blueberries 5 to 6 feet apart. Southern highbush plants can be spaced 4 feet apart. Select adequately sized pots for container-grown blueberries.

Blueberries prefer a pH between about 4.5 and 5.2 (up to 5.5 is OK for rabbiteye plants).

Ferguson has had the highest yields with Tifblue, Brightwell, Ochlockonee, Premier and Austin — all rabbiteye varieties — in a demonstration at the AgCenter Hammond Research Station.

Site selection, soil prep

“When we plant rabbiteye blueberries, site selection and soil preparation are important,” Ferguson said. “We want to choose a location that has full sun, ideally, and is well

Much of Louisiana has soils that naturally fall within this range, but in some areas, the pH will need to be adjusted. Typical potting mixes also are not acidic enough for blueberries’ liking.

So, how do you make soil more acidic? When the pH only needs to be reduced a little bit, an easy way is to incorporate a 2-to-4-inch layer of aged pine bark into the ground before planting. This helps improve

Finally, mulch around the plants with more pine bark to maintain moisture and reduce competition with weeds for nutrients and water.

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

After you’ve planted your blueberries, keep them well watered — but not soggy. Consider installing a drip irrigation system if you’re planting a large number of bushes in fastdraining, sandy soil.

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

Up to three more fertilizer applications can be made, at least 4 to 6 weeks apart, during spring and summer

Alternative fertilizers include 1/2 tablespoon of 33-0-0 or 2 teaspoons of ammonium sulfate.

Plants in pots likely will need fertilizer that contains secondary and micronutrients as well, Ferguson said.

Find thecourage to end abusive20-year relationship

The Associated Press

TODAYINHISTORY

DearAnnie: Ihave been with my ﬁancé for 21 years, and we’ve been engaged for nine. We have three beautiful girls together, and he has two older kids from his previous marriage. He has always made me feel like second best. He always puts his ex’sfeelings before mineand never takes what I say into consideration.I bring this up to him, and he says that Ineed to grow up. He tells me that my daughters and Ishould knowour place as women.

He caterstohis other two kids allthe time and listens to them, but when it comes to our girls, he tells them to stop being sissies and to shut up. He tells his older kids to be there fortheir mom and help her out,and to my girls, he says I’m lazy and don’tcare.

Iwork 50-plus hours at the hospitaland take our kids to sports while he expects to have afull-coursemeal on the table and for me to cater to all of his needs. He says he works hard and “doesn’thave time forthis crap.”

He makes me feel unworthy, unappreciated and devalued as ahuman.Inolonger want to be intimate with him because he makes me feel so bad about myself. Iamina verbally abusive relationship. What should Ido?

My girls are alsobeing verbally disrespected. —Woman in Need of RelationshipAdvice

DearWoman in Need: Youaren’ta woman in need of relationship advice;you’reawomaninneed of anew relationship. This man is awalking redﬂag, from his disrespect towardyou and your daughters to his lack of contribution in your home life to his verbal abuse and, Ican’thelp but notice, his failure to solidify your relationship in marriage after two decades together and aring already on your ﬁnger. Sharing children with this man means you willalways be tied to each other,but that doesn’t mean you have to be his wife-in-waiting or his keeper anymore. Put astop to this

mistreatment. Put yourself and your happiness ﬁrst. Show your girls what ahealthy,loving relationship looks like and what not to settle for

DearAnnie: Isee that you often answer questions pertaining to familiestrapped in addiction. I grew up in that special hell with allofthe complex traumaissues that go along with that lifestyle.

Iamacard-carrying member of AlcoholicsAnonymous and Adult Children of Alcoholics, whichgoes beyond Al-Anon. Sometimes, these addictions were in the previous generation, andwhile our parents didn’t drink, all of the emotional nonsobriety was there. The organization teaches us to go back, reparent our inner child, learn what we didn’treceive as children,then provide that love and support to ourselves.

May you research it and ﬁnd it useful. —AlternativeAroundAlcoholism DearAlternative: Awonderful suggestion indeed —many thanks.You’re right that ACA reaches past Al-Anon to help those plagued with experiences of alcoholism but also general dysfunction in their childhood and home lives. Somechapters are still being developed, so if you’re interested, consult the web to see what options are available in your region.

Send your questions forAnnie Lane to dearannie@creators. com.

Today is Saturday,Jan. 24, the 24thday of 2026. Thereare 341 days left in the year

Todayinhistory:

On Jan. 24, 1848, James W. Marshall found agold nugget at Sutter’sMill in northern California, adiscovery that sparkedthe California gold rush.

Also on this date:

In 1835, amajor slave rebellion began in Bahia,Brazil, leading to thedeaths of dozens of enslaved people in clashes withtroops,police and armed civilians in the provincial capitalofSalvador.The uprising was seen as inﬂuential in helping to bring about an end to slavery in thecountrydecades later

In 1945, Associated Press war correspondent Joseph Morton was among agroup of captives executed by German soldiers at the MauthausenGusen concentration camp in Austria.

In 1965, Winston Churchill died in London at age 90.

In 1978, anuclear-powered Soviet satellite, Kosmos 954, plunged through Earth’satmosphere and disintegrated, scattering radioactive debris over parts of northern Canada.

In 1984, Apple Computerbegan selling itsﬁrst Macintosh model, which boasted abuiltin 9-inch monochromedisplay, aclock rateof8megahertz and 128k of RAM.

In 1989, confessed serial

killer TedBundy was executed in Florida’selectric chair.

aweek.

AppleCEO StevenP Jobs, left,and President John Sculleypresent the newMacintosh Desktop Computer on Jan. 24, 1984, at a shareholder meeting in Cupertino, Calif.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS FILE PHOTO

In 2003, former Pennsylvania Gov.Tom Ridge wassworn as the ﬁrst secretary of the new Department of Homeland Security.

In 2011, asuicide bomber attacked Moscow’sbusiest airport,killing 37 people; Chechen separatists claimed responsibility.

In 2013, President Barack Obama’sDefense Secretary Leon Panetta announced the lifting of aban on women serving in direct ground combat roles.

In 2018, former sports doctorLarry Nassar,who had admitted to molesting some of the United States’ top gymnastsfor yearsunder the guise of medical treatment, was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison.

In 2023, afarmworker killed sevenpeople in back-to-back shootings in acase of “workplace violence” at two NorthernCalifornia mushroom farms. It marked the state’s third masskilling in just over

Today’sbirthdays: Cajun musician Doug Kershaw is 90. Singer-songwriter Ray Stevens is 87. Singer-songwriter Neil Diamond is 85. Singer Aaron Neville is 85. Physicist Michio Kaku is 79. Actor Daniel Auteuil is 76. Comedian Yakov Smirnoff is 75. Actor William Allen Young is 72. Musician Jools Holland is 68. Actor Nastassja Kinski is 65. Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Mary Lou Retton is 58. Actor Matthew Lillard is 56. Musician Beth Hart is 54. Actor Ed Helms is 52. Actorcomedian Kristen Schaal is 48. Actor Tatyana Ali is 47. Actor Carrie Coon is 45. Actor and rapper DaveedDiggs is 44. Actor Mischa Barton is 40. NFL coach Sean McVay is 40. Soccer player Luis Suárez is 39. Actor Callan McAuliffe is 31. Singer Johnny Orlando is 23.