The Advocate 01-27-2026 by The Advocate

CAPITAL CARNIVAL

Weather concerns aside, Washington Mardi Gras ready to roll

BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON Washington D.C., was digging out Monday from a major snowstorm — up to 14 inches in some parts — but the hundreds of Louisiana movers and shakers headed here for the 77th Washington Mardi Gras were hopeful that the show will go on.

The four-day Carnival extravaganza brings business moguls, university presidents, charity leaders and other inﬂuential people together to mingle with state and federal politicians, casually mingling and talking commerce.

“It just continues the focus on improving the brand of the state and leveraging the opportunity to get so many of our state’s business leaders, civic leaders, political leaders, investors — whether they are Louisiana-based investors or they’re investors that are putting their capital to work here — and getting them all in one place,” said W. Gray Stream, a Lake Charles investor and philanthropist who is king of Washington Mardi Gras this year

Paid for by dues tickets and donations, public access to Washington Mardi Gras is restricted and media coverage is limited to foster unguarded conversations that gets business done, participants say

Though most attendees arrive on Wednesday historically many come in Monday or Tuesday to

ä See CARNIVAL, page 5A

Trump eases off Minnesota crackdown

Some federal agents prepare to leave, including Border Patrol commander Bovino BY STEVE KARNOWSKI and MIKE BALSAMO

MINNEAPOLIS President Donald Trump softened his tone Monday on the immigration crackdown in Minnesota touting productive conversations with the governor and Minneapolis mayor as he sent the border czar to take charge of much of the enforcement effort. Some federal agents were expected to leave as soon as Tuesday Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said he spoke by phone with Trump, who praised the discussion and declared that “lots of progress is being made.” Frey said he asked Trump in a phone call to end the immigration enforcement surge and that Trump agreed the present situation cannot continue. The mayor said some agents would soon leave and that he would keep pushing for others involved in Operation Metro Surge to go. Among those who are expected to depart was senior Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. The person was not authorized to

BY IANNE SALVOSA Staff writer

ä Shootings upending politics of immigration. PAGE 3A

ä See MINNESOTA, page 4A

The city of St. George is taking business into its own hands.

St. George business leaders are developing a chamber of commerce in hopes of enriching the local economy, which they say is the next step in the city’s overall growth. Travis Thornton, the chamber’s chairman, said the chamber will mobilize and empower the city’s strong business foundation.

Without an organization dedicated to the city, St. George’s business community has a “fractured set of voices,” he said, which he hopes the

ä See ST GEORGE, page 5A

BR police using ‘bait car’ program to address break-ins

BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer

When Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse took ofﬁce in early 2024, he restarted a program meant to cut down on car burglaries and thefts Now, he wants would-be thieves to know their next target could be high-tech bait.

The program involves policeowned “trackable vehicles,” more commonly known as “bait cars.”

These look like any other car in a parking lot, but they are actually outfitted with sensors, cameras, trackers and remote controls, all ready to capture evidence of any attempt to break into the vehicle, steal it or strip it for parts.

And like bait for a ﬁsh, these cars are left unlocked, cast out onto residential Baton Rouge streets, positioned outside gas stations and left in department store parking lots. But according to Morse, his department uses bait cars more as a targeted response when break-ins spike in specific neighborhoods, rather than just leaving them around to troll for thieves.

“Once a week, we have our staff meeting, and we talk about everything from filing crimes and shootings, but then also property crime. ‘Hey, where are we seeing an uptick in vehicle burglaries and vehicle thefts?’” Morse said. He used an example arrest from late 2025 to demonstrate how a re-

port of vehicle break-ins leads to the deployment of a bait car

The Baton Rouge Police Department had received reports of vehicle break-ins around Marlbrook Drive in Sherwood Forest on Dec. 26. “So Saturday night, we deploy

ä See BAIT, page 4A

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Purple reigns at the 2025 Washington Mardi Gras celebration.

Louisiana festival queens gather with, front row from left, Gov. Jeff Landry, first lady Sharon Landry and 2026 Washington Mardi Gras Queen Sarah Heebe and King W Gray Stream.

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

Trump threatens to hike tariffs on South Korea

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump said Monday he is increasing tariffs on South Korean goods because the country’s national assembly has yet to approve the trade framework announced last year

Trump said on social media that import taxes would be raised on autos, lumber and pharmaceutical drugs from South Korea with the rate on other goods going from 15% to 25%. The U.S. president previously imposed the tariffs by declaring an economic emergency and bypassing Congress, while South Korea needed legislative approval for the framework announced in July and affirmed during Trump’s October visit to the country

“Our Trade Deals are very important to America. In each of these Deals, we have acted swiftly to reduce our TARIFFS in line with the Transaction agreed to ” Trump said. “We, of course, expect our Trading Partners to do the same.”

The threat was a reminder that the tariff drama unleashed last year by Trump is likely to be repeated again and again this year The global economy and U.S. voters might ﬁnd the world’s trade structure constantly being subject to disruption and new negotiations as Trump has already sought to levy tariffs in order to bend other nations to his will.

At least 18 killed after ferry sinks in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines A ferry with more than 350 people on board sank early Monday near an island in the southern Philippines, killing at least 18 people, officials said. Rescuers saved hundreds more, while a fleet of coast guard and naval ships searched for those still missing. Coast guard ofﬁcials said the cargo and passenger ferry apparently encountered technical problems and sank after midnight. The steel-hulled vessel abruptly tilted to one side and took on water, hurling people into the sea in the darkness, according to a rescued passenger who lost his 6-month-old baby.

“My wife lost hold of our baby and all of us got separated at sea,” a distraught Mohamad Khan told a volunteer rescuer, Gamar Alih, who posted a video of Khan’s remarks on Facebook. He said he and his wife, who had been holding their child, were rescued, but the baby drowned. His wife wept by his side as Khan recounted their ordeal.

The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 was sailing in good weather from the port city of Zamboanga to southern Jolo island in Sulu province with 332 passengers and 27 crew members. It sank about a nautical mile from the island village of Baluk-baluk in Basilan province, coast guard Commander Romel Dua said.

Rescuers saved at least 316 passengers and crew members retrieved 18 bodies, officials said.

Snowboarder pleads not guilty to drug trafficking

SANTA ANA, Calif. — A former Canadian Olympic snowboarder pleaded not guilty to running a billion-dollar drug trafficking ring and orchestrating multiple killings, as one of the FBI’s top fugitives made his first U.S. court appearance Monday since he was arrested in Mexico last week and ﬂown to California.

U.S. authorities say Ryan Wedding, who competed in a single event for his home country in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City had been hiding in Mexico for more than a decade. He was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list last March when authorities offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

Authorities say Wedding moved as much as 60 tons of cocaine between Colombia, Mexico, Canada and Southern California and believe he was working under the protection of the Sinaloa Cartel, one of Mexico’s most powerful drug rings. His drug trafﬁcking group was the largest supplier of cocaine to Canada, according to a 2024 indictment.

U.S. braces for more freezing cold

Winter storm leaves at least 30 dead

BY CHARLOTTE KRAMON and RUSS BYNUM Associated Press

Many in the U.S. faced another night of belowfreezing temperatures and no electricity after a colossal winter storm heaped more snow Monday on the Northeast and kept parts of the South coated in ice.

At least 30 deaths were reported in states afflicted with severe cold Deep snow — over a foot extending in a 1,300-mile swath from Arkansas to New England — halted traffic, canceled flights and triggered wide school closures Monday. The National Weather Service said areas north of Pittsburgh got up to 20 inches of snow and faced wind chills as low as minus 25 degrees late Monday into Tuesday

The bitter cold afflicting two-thirds of the U.S. wasn’t going away The weather service said Monday that a fresh inﬂux of arctic air is expected to sustain freezing temperatures in places already covered in snow and ice. And forecasters said it’s possible another winter storm could hit parts of the East

Coast this weekend.

A rising death toll included two people run over by snowplows in Massachusetts and Ohio, fatal sledding accidents that killed teenagers in Arkansas and Texas, and a woman whose body was found covered in snow by police with bloodhounds after she was last seen leaving a Kansas bar In New York City ofﬁcials said eight people were found dead outdoors over the frigid weekend. There were still more than 560,000 power outages in the nation Monday evening, according to poweroutage.com. Most of them were in the South, where weekend blasts of freezing

rain caused tree limbs and power lines to snap, inﬂicting crippling outages on northern Mississippi and parts of Tennessee. Officials warned that it could take days for power to be restored.

In Mississippi, officials scrambled to get cots, blankets, bottled water and generators to warming stations in hard-hit areas in the aftermath of the state’s worst ice storm since 1994. At least 14 homes, one business and 20 public roads had major damage, Gov Tate Reeves said Monday evening.

The University of Mississippi, where most students hunkered down without

power Monday, canceled classes for the entire week as its Oxford campus remained coated in treacherous ice. Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill said on social media that so many trees, limbs and power lines had fallen that “it looks like a tornado went down every street.”

A pair of burly, falling tree branches damaged real estate agent Tim Phillips’ new garage, broke a window and cut off power to his home in Oxford.

“It’s just one of those things that you try to prepare for,” Phillips said, “but this one was just unreal.”

The U.S. had more than 12,000 ﬂight delays or can-

cellations nationwide Monday, according to flight tracker flightaware.com. On Sunday, 45% of U.S ﬂights got canceled, making it the highest day for cancellations since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to aviation analytics ﬁrm Cirium.

The impact extended far beyond the storm’s reach because such major hubs as the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport were clobbered by the storm, stranding planes and ﬂight crews.

More light to moderate snow was forecast in New England through Monday evening.

New York City saw its snowiest day in years, with neighborhoods recording 8 to 15 inches of snow Though public schools shut down, roughly 500,000 students were told to log in for online lessons Monday The nation’s largest public school system saw snow days stripped away after remote learning gained traction during the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, bitter cold followed in the storm’s wake. Communities across the Midwest, South, and Northeast awakened Monday to subzero weather

The entire Lower 48 states were forecast to have their coldest average low temperature of minus 9.8 since January 2014.

Israel recovers remains of last hostage in Gaza

BY JULIA FRANKEL and SAMY MAGDY Associated Press

JERUSALEM Israel brought home the remains of the last hostage in Gaza on Monday, closing a painful chapter for the country and clearing the way for the next and more challenging phase of its ceaseﬁre with Hamas.

The next step is likely to be the reopening of Gaza’s border with Egypt, enabling Palestinians to travel in both directions and eventually allowing more aid to enter the territory devastated by two years of war The ceasefire’s second phase also calls for deploying an international security force, disarming Hamas, pulling back Israeli soldiers and rebuilding Gaza.

The remains of police ofﬁcer Ran Gvili were found

in a cemetery in northern Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it “an incredible achievement” for Israel and its soldiers. He said Gvili, who was killed during the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, that sparked the war was among the ﬁrst to be taken into Gaza.

Dozens of people, in-

cluding relatives, military ofﬁcials and friends from Gvili’s police unit, received his coffin at an army post on the Israeli side of the border with Gaza.

Many more Israelis lined nearby roads to pay their respects as a convoy carrying the coffin made its way to Tel Aviv, where it arrived Monday night

Business jet crashes during takeoff in Maine, killing at least six people

BY PATRICK WHITTLE, HOLLY RAMER and JOSH FUNK Associated Press

PORTLAND, Maine Six people died when a business jet crashed during takeoff as a snowstorm moved in and visibility diminished in Maine Sunday night

The Bombardier Challenger 600 ﬂipped over and burned on takeoff at Bangor International Airport about 7:45 p.m. Sunday night as the nation’s massive winter storm was beginning to reach the area.

An audio recording of air traffic controllers posted by www.LiveATC.net includes someone saying “Aircraft upside down. We have a passenger aircraft upside down,” about 45 seconds after a plane was cleared for takeoff. First responders arrived less than a minute later, airport director Jose Saavedra said.

Experts say the weather and questions about whether ice accumulating on the wings kept the plane from getting airborne — as has happened at least twice before on that plane model —

will likely be an initial focus by the National Transportation Safety Board. However, the agency will consider all possible factors.

“You can count on the fact that NTSB is going to look very closely at this,” said John Cox, who is CEO of Safety Operating Systems.

The airport said Monday afternoon there were six people aboard, according to the ﬂight manifest, and all died. Earlier in the day, the Federal Aviation Administration had said seven died and one was injured but warned the numbers were subject to change, and the agency defers to local authorities.

Snowfall was heavy elsewhere at the time of the crash, but accumulation had just started in Bangor Other planes had been taking off safely But about half an hour before the crash, the pilot of a Florida-bound Allegiant plane radioed the tower to abort his takeoff.

“One, our deice ﬂuid has failed and two, I don’t think the visibility is good enough for us to go so we’re going to have to taxi back to the

gate here,” the Allegiant pilot radioed. The controller responded by saying he was just getting ready to warn the pilot that visibility had dropped to about threequarters of a mile.

At about the same time, the pilot of the Bombardier had taxied over to the deicing pad and was radioing in a request to get his plane’s wings and tail treated, according to audio posted by www.LiveATC.net. The plane remained at the deicing pad for about 20 minutes before taxiing to the runway

The Bombardier Challenger 600 model “has a history of problems with icing on takeoff” that caused previous deadly crashes in Birmingham, England; and Montrose, Colorado, more than 20 years ago, aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti said. Even a little bit of ice on the wings can cause serious problems, so careful inspections and de-icing are a crucial step before takeoff, the former federal crash investigator said. And there is a time limit on how long de-icing remains effective. It could last only about 20 minutes.

“You should see the honor you’re receiving here,” Gvili’s father, Itzik, said, kissing his son’s coffin, which was draped in an Israeli ﬂag “The entire police is here with you, the entire army is with you, the entire people. I’m proud of you.”

The return of all remaining hostages, living or dead, had been a key part of the Gaza ceaseﬁre’s ﬁrst phase. Hamas said it now has met those terms.

Netanyahu’s office said Sunday that once the search for Gvili was ﬁnished, Israel would open the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, which Palestinians see as their lifeline to the world It has been largely shut since

May 2024, except for a short period early last year

The ceaseﬁre’s next phase will confront thornier issues, including transitioning to a new governance structure in Gaza and disarming Hamas, which has ruled the territory for nearly two decades.

“The next phase is disarming Hamas and demilitarizing the Gaza Strip. The next phase is not reconstruction,” Netanyahu said Monday while addressing the Israeli parliament. Palestinians in Gaza were optimistic that opening the Rafah crossing will allow travel to and from the enclave along with the evacuation of people needing medical care.

PROVIDED PHOTO By JOSH MCCOy/THE CITy OF OXFORD

Snow and ice cover trees and streets Sunday as a winter storm passes through the region in Oxford, Miss.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MAHMOUD ILLEAN

The coffin with the remains of Israeli hostage Ran Gvili, last to be recovered from Gaza, arrives Monday at the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv Israel.

Cassidyruns1st TV ad in reelection campaign

Commercial spot includes Trump

BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy wants you to know he’sinthe Senate race for the long haul and expects to win reelection.

On Tuesday,Cassidy,R-Baton Rouge, launched the ﬁrstTVadof hiscampaign, wasting no time to draw on his pile of campaign cash after President DonaldTrump shook up the race last week by endorsingU.S.Rep.Julia Letlow, RBaton Rouge. She announcedher candidacy three days later In the 30-second spot, Cassidy trumpets abill he sponsored that aims to crack down on fentanyl by imposing harsher penalties on peoplewho manufacture anddistribute the deadly drug

ELECTION 2026

popular Republican in the country?

U.S. SENATE

“A hundred-thousand Americans die from overdoses every year Enough to ﬁll TigerStadium,”Cassidysays, standing outside the stadium.

Viewers then see images of Trump signing the antifentanyl bill with Cassidy by hissideasthe senator says the president called it “the most important legislationhewouldsignthis year.It puts drug dealers in prison and saves innocentlives.”

Cassidy

The ad provides the ﬁrst glimpse of how Cassidyplans to address a key question going forward: Following Trump’sendorsementof Letlow,will thesenator distance himselffrom thepresidentortry to ﬁnd ways to tie himself to themost

“Cassidy has to ﬁnd away to cut into theTrump base,” saidJim Kitchens, aDemocraticpollster in Florida whohas worked extensively in Louisiana. “He’strying to align with Trump on an issue where Trump said nice things about him. He has to show he’snot an enemy of Trump.” Kitchens noted that Trump has had themilitary blow up boats offthe coasts of Venezuela,boats that he hassaidwere running fentanyl. (Most of the fentanyl in the U.S. actually comes from Mexico, according to the CongressionalResearch Service.)

The Cassidy campaign has said its candidatewill report having $11 million in cash through the end of last year when the next campaign ﬁnance reportsare released within aweek.

The campaign said it is spending ahefty $500,000 on the fentanyl ad. It will air on cable TV statewide, on digital media and on commercial TV stations in the Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Lafayette markets.

Kitchens said he believes the Cassidy team is broadcasting thead with the thinking, “Let’ssee if we can move the needle by improving ourfavorability rating.”

Kitchensexpects Cassidy will run apoll in earlyFebruary to determine whether the ad in fact improvedhis numbers, whichhave not been rousing so far, other surveys show.The ﬁndings will help determine the senator’sstrategy for the campaign’snext stage. Cassidy,Letlow and the other would-be candidates for Senate havethree daystoqualify forthe race beginning on Feb. 11.

The candidates whodoqualify will face off in separate Democratic and Republican primaries

on May16, wherevoters notregisteredwith eitherparty can vote in eitherprimary.The winners of thetwo primaries, assumingnoone captures more than 50%,will face offina June 27 primary runoff. The winners of each party’srunoff will then compete in aNovember general election. The Republican candidate will be heavily favored in astate where no Democrathas been elected to the Senate since then-Sen.Mary Landrieu wonreelection in 2008.

State Sen. Blake Miguez, of New Iberia,state TreasurerJohnFleming, Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmettaand St.Tammany Parish Council member Kathy Seiden are Republicans and have said they plan to run.

Three little-known Democrats have also said theywill qualify,including Jamie Davis, afarmer and former member of the Tensas Parish Police Jury

ShootingsinMinneapolis upending politics of immigration

BY LISA MASCARO, JOEY CAPPELLETTI and MARYCLARE JALONICK Associated Press

WASHINGTON The shooting deathsoftwo American citizens during the Trump administration’sdeportation operationsinMinneapolis have upended the politics of immigration in Congress, plunging the country toward another government shutdown.

Democrats haveawakened to what they see as amoral moment forthe country,refusing funds for the Department of Homeland Security’s military-style immigration enforcement operations unless there are new restraints.

Twoformer presidents, Barack Obama and BillClinton, have broken from retirement to speak out. At the same time, Republicans who have championed President DonaldTrump’s tough approach to immigration are signaling second thoughts. Agrowing number of Republicans want a full investigation into the shooting death of Alex Pretti and congressional hearings about U.S. Immigration and CustomsEnforcement operations.

“Americans are horrified &don’twant their tax dollars funding this brutality,” Sen. Chris VanHollen, D-Md., wroteonsocial media. “Not another dime to this lawless operation.”

The result is arapidly changing political environment as the nationconsiders the reach of the Trump administration’swell-funded immigration enforcement machinery and Congress spirals toward apartial federal shutdown if no resolutionis reached by midnight Friday.

“The tragic death of Alex Pretti has refocusedattention on the Homeland Security bill, and Irecognize and share theconcerns,”said Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the GOP chair of the Appropriations Committee, in brief remarks Monday Still, sheurged colleagues to stick to thefunding deal and avoid a“detrimental shutdown.”

As Congress seeks to defuse acrisis, the nextsteps are uncertain.

The White House has indicated its own shifting strategy,sending Trump’sborder czar TomHoman to Minneapolis to take over for hardcharging Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, which many Republicans see as apotential turning pointto calm operations.

“This is apositive development —one that Ihopeleads to turning down the temper-

ature and restoring order in Minnesota,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune posted about Homan.

Behind the scenes, the White House is reaching out to congressional leaders, and even individual Democratic senators, in search of away outofanother government shutdown.

At stake is asix-bill government funding package, not just forHomelandSecurity but for Defense, Health and other departments, making up more than70% of federal operations

Even though Homeland Security has billionsfrom Trump’sbig tax break bill, Democrats are coalescing around changes to ICE operations. “Wecan still have some legitimaterestriction on how thesepeople areconducting themselves,”said Sen. RubenGallego, D-Ariz.

But it appearsdoubtfulthe Trump administrationwould readily agree to Democrats’ demands to rein in immigration operations. Proposalsfor unmasking federal agents or limiting their reach into schools, hospitals or churches would be difﬁcult to quickly approve in Congress.

WhiteHouse presssecretary Karoline Leavitt said thatwhile conversations are underway,Trump wants to see the bipartisan spending package approved to avoid the possibility of agovernment shutdown.

“Weabsolutely do not want to see that funding lapse,” Leavitt said.

The political climateisa turnaroundfrom just ayear ago, when Congress easily passed the LakenRiley Act, thefirst bill Trump signed into law in his second term.

At the time,dozens of Democratsjoined theGOP majority in passing the bill namedafter aGeorgia nursingstudent who waskilledby aVenezuelan manwho had enteredthe country illegally

Many Democrats had worried about the Biden administration’srecord of having allowed untold immigrants into thecountry. Theparty was increasinglyseen as soft on crime following the “defund the police” protests and the aftermath of the death of George Floyd at the hands of lawenforcement.

But the Trump administrations tactics changed all that.

Just 38% of U.S. adults approve of how Trump is handling immigration, down from49% in March, according to an AP-NORC poll conducted in January,shortly after the deathofRenee Good, who was shot and killed by an ICE ofﬁcerinMinnesota.

Last week, almost all House Democrats voted

againstthe Homeland Security bill, as the package was sent the Senate.

Then there was the shooting death of Pretti over the weekend in Minneapolis

Rep. TomSuozzi of New York, who was among the seven Democrats who had votedtoapprove theHomeland Security funds, reversed course Monday in a Facebook post.

“I hear theangerfrom my constituents, and Itake responsibility for that,” Suozzi wrote.

He said he “failed to view the DHS funding vote as a referendum on the illegal and immoral conduct of ICE in Minneapolis.”

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday theresponsibility for averting another shutdown falls to Republicans, who have majority control, tobreak apartthe six-bill package, removing the homeland funds while allowing the others to go forward.

“Wecan pass them right away,” Schumer said.

But the WhiteHouse panned thatapproachand House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, who has blamedDemocrats forlast year’s shutdown,the longest in history,has been mum The GOP speaker would need to recall lawmakers to Washington to vote.

Republicansbelieve they will be able to portrayDemocrats as radical if the governmentshuts down over Homeland Security funds, and certain centrist Democrats have warnedthe party against strong anti-ICE language.

Amemo from centrist Democratic group Third Wayhad earlier warned lawmakers against proposals to “abolish” ICEas“emotionally satisfying, politically lethal.” In anew memo Monday it proposed “Overhauling ICE” withtop-to-bottom

changes, including removing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from her job.

ButRepublicans also risk being sideways withpublic opinion over Trump’simmigration and deportation agenda.

Republicansprefer to keep the focus on Trump’s ability to secure the U.S.Mexicoborder, with illegal crossings at all-time lows, instead of the military-style deportation agenda. They areparticularlysensitive to concernsfromgun owners’

groups thatPretti, who was apparently licensed to carry aﬁrearm, is being criticized forhaving agun withhim before he was killed.

GOPSen. Rand Paul,the chair of the Homeland Security and Government OversightCommittee,demanded thatacting ICE director Todd Lyons appear forahearing —joining asimilar demand fromHouse Republicans over the weekend. At the same time, many GOPlawmakerscontinueto embrace theTrump administration’sdeportationstrategy.

“I want to be very clear,” said Sen. RickScott, R-Fla., in apost. “I will notsupport any efforts to stripDHS of its funding.” And pressure fromtheir ownright ﬂank was bearing down on Republicans. The Heritage Foundation chastisedthose Republicans who were “jubilant” at the prospect of slowingdown ICEoperations. “Deport every illegal alien,” it said in a post. “Nothing less.”

By The Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByMARIAM ZUHAIB Workers clear the

Landry urges safety in La. during deep freeze

BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN Staff writer

Gov Jeff Landry urged residents in north and central Louisiana to stay off the roads and use warming centers as freezing temperatures lingered in parts of the state Monday and tens of thousands of households remained without power.

“We are still experiencing and going to continue to experience some bitter cold temperatures,” Landry said during a news conference at the Governor’s Ofﬁce of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. “The good news is that the rain and the sleet is gone.”

State officials said there have

been at least three deaths related to the extreme weather, which brought snow and ice to parts of Louisiana over the weekend. Two people died of hypothermia and a third man died of carbon monoxide poisoning, said Bruce Greenstein, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health. The agency is awaiting word from the coroner to conﬁrm that two additional people died of hypothermia, he said.

The man who died from carbon monoxide poisoning was running a generator inside his garage, Greenstein said, warning Louisianans to keep generators at least 20 feet away from their homes.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is present when

fuel is burned. Ofﬁcials said they typically see an increase in ﬁre-related deaths during extreme cold weather They urged residents to take care when using items such as space heaters.

The state is investigating its 13th ﬁre fatality of the year, said Bryan Adams, Louisiana’s state fire marshal. Adams said it was unprecedented to have that number of deaths this early in the year and reminded Louisianans to plug space heaters directly into power outlets and keep them 3 to 5 feet away from ﬂammable items such as blankets and curtains

As of early Monday afternoon, the state had opened 76 warming

shelters and was working to get 14 more up and running, Greenstein said. Anyone in need of a warm place to stay could visit the shelters, which will remain open overnight, he said.

Below freezing temperatures were expected to continue in much of Louisiana over the next several nights, said Jay Grymes, the state climatologist.

“The dangerous and potentially deadly cold will continue through the week. In fact for today a good bit of north Louisiana will not get above freezing,” he said. “We could see a reinforcing surge of Arctic air this upcoming weekend that could take Louisiana back down into the teens for Saturday and Sunday morning.”

About 1,500 employees with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development were working to reopen roads where they could, Landry said, warning drivers to beware of icy road conditions and stay off the roads if possible.

Some residents were expected to remain without power until at least Thursday

Phillip May president of Entergy, said the company planned to restore power by Wednesday for 90% of affected customers in areas without road access issues, which applied primarily to people along the Interstate 20 corridor, May said.

publicly discuss details of the operation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity

Bovino has been at the center of the administration’s aggressive enforcement surge in cities nationwide. His departure marks a signiﬁcant public shift in federal law enforcement posture amid mounting outrage over the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents, the second fatal shooting by federal immigration ofﬁcers this month.

Bovino’s leadership of highly visible federal crackdowns, including operations that sparked mass demonstrations in Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte and Minneapolis, has drawn ﬁerce criticism from local ofﬁcials, civil rights advocates and congressional Democrats.

Criticism increased around Bovino in the last few days after his public defense of the Pretti shooting and disputed claims about the confrontation that led to his death.

The border czar Tom Homan, will take charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Minnesota. Frey said he planned to meet Homan on Tuesday Trump and Democratic Gov Tim Walz spoke in a phone call and later offered comments that

BAIT

Continued from page 1A

one of our vehicles into that neighborhood,” Morse said Like all bait cars, this vehicle was equipped with sensors that trigger if the door is opened, if a window is smashed or if the car is shaken (like in the case of someone trying to steal the rims), Morse said. Should something trigger the car, a patrol unit is dispatched and an automatic email is sent to detectives monitoring the car For the bait car on Marlbrook Drive, a sensor was triggered around 2:45 a.m Saturday because someone pulled open the driver’s side door Morse said.

An officer was sent out, and when he arrived, he saw two men pulling on the handles of a parked car When the men saw the patrol car, they fled on foot. One was eventually apprehended

“He takes off running, (we) set up a perimeter, (we’re) able to use a drone to put up in the air, ﬁnd him hiding through his heat signature, and then go make that arrest,” Morse said. “So kind of all of our technology coming into play to catch that guy who, when we catch him hiding in the backyard of somebody’s house, he’s got a book bag with a lot of property that had been stolen the previous night and that night, including a ﬁrearm.”

Jerrell Morrison, 21, was arrested and booked into the Parish Prison on a count each of simple burglary of a motor vehicle, resisting an ofﬁcer and felon in possession of a ﬁrearm.

The following day, a man who lives on Wellington Drive, a few blocks from the arrest, reported a firearm had been stolen from his vehicle the previous night. The serial number matched the gun Morrison is accused of stealing.

Even if Morrison had escaped officers and their drone, the bait car records video whenever its sensors are triggered, Morse said To the chief, this is the

were a marked change from the critical statements they have exchanged in the past. Their conversation happened on the same day a federal judge heard arguments in a lawsuit aimed at halting the federal immigration enforcement surge in the state.

“We, actually, seemed to be on a similar wavelength,” the president wrote in a social media post. Walz, in a statement, said the call was “productive” and that impartial investigations into the shootings were needed. Trump said his administration was looking for “any and all” criminals the state has in their custody Walz said the state Department of Corrections honors federal requests for people

kind of utility that bait cars give his department.

“When I interviewed to be chief, and I was in front of the selection committee, this is something that I talked about that I think needed to come back,” Morse said.

The BRPD uses three sets of internal sensors and cameras to turn a car into a bait car Morse said The sensors can be moved from car to car, keeping the bait’s appearance ever-changing

The cars are donated by insurance companies, which are incentivized to reduce car burglaries and thefts that lead to customer claims, Morse said.

While the program is meant to catch car thieves and burglars, Morse said stopping break-ins has a ripple effect of thwarting other, future crimes, especially in cases like Morrison’s, where a ﬁrearm is stolen

“What we see is 300 to 400 firearms stolen out of vehicles a year in the city limits of Baton Rouge,” he said.

“So we’re definitely trying to crack that down on that, but we’re also trying to crack down on the vehicles themselves being stolen. We know for a fact that recent shootings that we had, one of the suspect vehicles was a stolen vehicle.”

Car burglary suspects are most often juveniles or homeless people looking for a “quick score,” Morse said. These same suspects may take the vehicle for a joy ride, leaving it abandoned once it runs out of gas.

Stolen cars sometimes are used during future crimes or are taken to chop shops, the chief said In the worst cases, they are used during drive-by shootings.

From 2024 to 2025, Baton Rouge saw a 27% decrease in vehicle burglaries and a nearly 30% drop in vehicle thefts. National numbers show a similar decline.

“Our program doesn’t have to do with all of that (decrease),” Morse said, ”but if it even helps a little bit, I’m all about it.” The chief said he thinks bait cars fell out of favor for police departments partially

in its custody Meanwhile, attorneys for the administration, the state and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul appeared Monday before U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez, who is considering whether to grant requests to temporarily halt the immigration operation. She said the case was a priority, but in an order later Monday, she told the federal government’s attorneys to ﬁle an additional brief by 6 p.m. Wednesday She told them to address, among other things, the assertion by the state and cities that the purpose of Operation Metro Surge is to punish them for their sanctuary laws and policies.

because they were considered entrapment.

“I’m not under that opinion,” Morse said. “I think that anybody in Baton Rouge should be able to leave their car unlocked at a gas station and not worry about somebody jumping in it and stealing it or breaking into it.”

He also said the cars aren’t left with visible targets like cash, electronic equipment or anything else to entice burglars.

In one instance, a live sting was even set up, where an undercover ofﬁcer left a bait car running outside while he headed into a gas station. When someone hopped inside and tried to drive it away, detectives remotely locked the doors and killed the engine, Morse said, catching the thief.

Leaders of crime prevention districts in Park Forest, Riverbend and Tara told The Advocate that their neighborhoods have had fewer break-ins in recent years, but they still support having bait cars placed in their areas when necessary Gary Patureau, chair of the Tara crime commission, said a bait car was deployed in his neighborhood in the summer of 2024 after a weekend string of 17 car burglaries.

While it was a home’s camera and not the bait car that eventually caught the burglar in the act, Patureau said he supports the cars as another tool in a homeowners association’s arsenal against thefts.

“I appreciate Chief Morse reinstating the bait cars,” Patureau said “I think that there are several areas of technology that the Police Department are doing (cameras, license plate readers), that people don’t normally think about.”

Morse hopes more awareness of the bait car program will also deter would-be burglars from pulling car handles, he said.

“The vast majority of time, the suspect that we arrest doesn’t even realize that they broke into a car that was, you know, owned by the Baton Rouge Police Department,” he said.

Lawyers for the state and the Twin Cities argued the situation on the street is so dire it requires the court to halt the federal government’s enforcement actions.

“If this is not stopped right here, right now, I don’t think anybody who is seriously looking at this problem can have much faith in how our republic is going to go in the future,” Minnesota Assistant Attorney General Brian Carter said.

The judge questioned the government’s motivation behind the crackdown and expressed skepticism about a letter Attorney General Pam Bondi recently sent to Walz. The letter asked the state to give the federal government access to voter rolls, to turn over state Medicaid and food assistance records, and to repeal sanctuary policies.

“I mean, is there no limit to what the executive can do under the guise of enforcing immigration law?” Menendez asked. She noted that the federal requests are the subject of litigation.

Brantley Mayers, a Justice Department attorney, said the government’s goal is to enforce federal law Mayers said one lawful action should not be used to discredit another lawful action.

“I don’t see how the fact that we’re also doing additional things that we are allowed to do that the Constitution has vested us with doing, would in any way negate another piece of the same operation,

the same surge,” Mayers said. Menendez questioned where the line was between violating the Constitution and the executive’s power to enforce the law She also asked whether she was being asked to decide between state and federal policies.

“That begins to feel very much like I am deciding which policy approach is best,” she said. At one point, while discussing the prospect of federal ofﬁcers entering residences without a warrant, the judge expressed reluctance to decide issues not yet raised in a lawsuit before her Menendez made it clear that she was struggling with how to rule because the case is so unusual, and there are few precedents.

“It’s because this is important that I’m doing everything I can to get it right,” she said.

The state of Minnesota and the cities sued the Department of Homeland Security earlier this month, five days after Renee Good was shot by an Immigration and Customs officer The shooting of Pretti by a Border Patrol officer on Saturday added urgency to the case.

Trump posted Monday on social media that Homan would report directly to him.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Homan would be “the main point of contact on the ground in Minneapolis” during continued operations by federal immigration ofﬁcers.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

U.S. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, center, walks through a Target store Jan. 11 in St. Paul, Minn.

Lutnick to speak at Washington Mardi Gras luncheon

BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON U.S. Commerce

Secretary Howard Lutnick is slated to address the Washington Mardi Gras Economic Development Luncheon & Reception on Friday

The former head of Cantor Fitzgerald, the global financial services firm, Lutnick was a fundraiser and adviser on financial issues during the presidential campaigns for President Donald Trump.

Continued from page 1A

take advantage of the easy access to the state’s congressional delegation.

“It’s not just the visitors who come up for the ball and the Mardi Gras-related activities. It’s a whole contingent of leaders who understand that doors are open that week and they make the most of it,” said Marie DesOrmeaux Centanni, a member of the krewe that organizes the event and head of Centanni Communications, a Lafayette-based consulting

Last year, a once-in-a-generation winter storm in Louisiana kept many people from making it up to Washington Mardi Gras. This year, organizers are hoping a storm in D.C. won’t do the same thing Schools and ofﬁces were closed Monday in the nation’s capital as high temperatures sat in the 20s

The area’s three airports, which were effectively closed all of Sunday and much of Monday, were expected to be fully operational albeit with huge backlogs of canceled ﬂights — by Tuesday

The U.S. Senate canceled its session Monday and hopes to reconvene by Tuesday evening to begin considering House-passed budget bills. The upper chamber needs to approve the legislation before Friday ends, or another partial government shutdown will take place.

The Mystick Krewe of Louisianans, which puts on Washington Mardi Gras each year is monitor-

ST. GEORGE

Continued from page 1A

chamber will unite.

“There’s so many people that are in the business community that just want to get their hands on something because they believe in the city and want to improve the area and community that they’re in,” Thornton said St. George is home to about 86,000 residents and brings in about $50 million in tax revenue, with businesses in sectors such as logistics, construction, retail and health care within its bounds. Thornton is the director of commercial real estate for Century 21 Investment Realty and serves as vice chair of the St. George Planning and Zoning Commission. He represented St. George in the $2.9 million purchase of its city hall building in August. He said he’s mainly watched the development of St. George from the sidelines but saw the chamber as an opportunity to contribute to the city The chamber is still in its planning stages. Thornton said he hopes to garner feedback on resources and programming the chamber could offer In December, the chamber formed a 12-person board and set up as a nonprofit entity operating separately from the city. The organization will of-

More than 300 business, civic and government leaders gather for the luncheon, which last year

featured House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and NFL

Commissioner Roger Goodell. The event is generally closed to the public.

As chair of the annual event, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, chose the speaker for one of the key events of the four-day economic development retreat held most years at

the Washington Hilton.

“I wanted to get one of President Trump’s Cabinet secretaries,” Scalise said.

“Howard is very, very involved in a lot of the big economic decisions affecting the economy, both globally and domestically. I work with Howard a lot, and he’s a dear friend. He’s very involved in the Trump economic policy.”

Scalise said Lutnick also has a considerable resume for philanthropy

ing the weather situation and formulating contingency plans. Some staff and senior lieutenants headed up early, said Russell Mosely, a senior lieutenant in the krewe.

Production workers building the sets at the Washington Hilton are locals. They have been prepositioning supplies and hurrying their work Congressional staffers say their bosses are playing the ofﬁce meetings by ear with an understanding that schedules won’t be rigidly followed.

Carnival planners and participants are banking on the dangerous conditions being cleaned up by Wednesday, when most arrive.

The official Washington Mardi

Gras events take place at the Washington Hilton. But a number of private organizations hold their own parties.

One of the most sought-after invites is for Cheniere Energy’s party which this year is on Wednesday at the National Portrait Gallery

Thursday night is the “Louisiana Alive” party that features Louisiana bands and chefs preparing a variety of dishes unavailable in Washington.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is using the occasion to sign Friday morning a memorandum of understanding with universities in the Sultanate of Oman to work together on research and make student exchanges easier

For instance, Cantor Fitzgerald’s offices were in the North Tower of the World Trade Center when terrorists flew American Airlines Flight 11 into the building and killed 658 of the firm’s 960 employees on Sept. 11, 2001.

Lutnick founded a fund that donates to families of the 9/11 victims with children. Each year, Lutnick raises more money for the fund that now also contributes to people impacted by disasters.

Friday’s main event is the Washington Mardi Gras Economic Development Luncheon & Reception, which gathers more than 300 business, civic and government leaders. It is usually closed to the public. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is slated to address the luncheon.

In between the toasts, cocktail parties and panel discussions, revelers can stroll down the halls of the Hilton visiting a series of hospitality suites sponsored by corporations, charities, universities, trade associations, politicians and their fundraising arms. The drinks are free — it’s hard to ﬁnd anything nonalcoholic and food is always available.

The main event is Saturday’s formal ball, hosted by the king and queen, with entourages that include many of the festival queens.

“Saturday night is just special. Everybody’s in black tie. It’s a true, kind of a dress up, celebrating what’s great about our culture,” said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, who is chair of this year’s Washington Mardi Gras.

“You’ve got the princesses and then you’ve got the king and the queen come out and then the ﬂoats and the whole krewe and everybody from the governor on down is going to be a part of that. It’s a lot of fun.”

As chair, Scalise chose the king and queen. For king, Scalise said he tapped Stream because of his long resume of public service activities.

As queen, he chose Sarah Heebe, a sophomore at Yale, where she is majoring in environmental studies

A billionaire, Lutnick is involved in trade deals and tariff negotiations for the Trump administration. The 77th edition of the Washington Mardi Gras begins Wednesday and continues until Saturday night’s formal ball. Hundreds of leaders from Louisiana’s business, university, charitable and other economic development organizations spend the days meeting local, state and federal ofﬁcials to talk commerce.

with a certiﬁcate in energy studies. Scalise was in the state Legislature with her mom, Jennifer Sneed Heebe. Her father, Fred Heebe, the New Orleans businessman who owns the River Birch landﬁll, was king of Washington Mardi Gras in 2023.

The ball takes place in a large room with seating around an oval-shaped ﬂoor Members of the krewe, including members of Congress, ﬂoats and marching bands circulate, tossing beads.

After the parade, dancing begins in front of the stage.

The krewe has a tradition, the callout dance, in which women members ask five men to dance and the men ask five women. Upon the completion of the callout dance, a gift bracelets, earrings, etc. — is given.

Sunday is when everyone heads home, though a few organizations will host breakfasts.

“If you’re working to make Louisiana and the United States a better place for everyone, Washington Mardi Gras is an opportunity to make it happen,” said U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy R-Baton Rouge.

U.S. Rep Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, said: “As a taxpayer, what you get is stronger representation, greater visibility for Louisiana, and opportunities that help bring federal resources, jobs and investment back home. When Louisiana shows up together, we are better positioned to deliver results for our communities.”

Email Mark Ballard at mballard@theadvocate.com.

fer services such as training for businesses that are in the startup stage, help for established enterprises looking to scale and resources for common challenges like insurance. Membership will be open to current and prospective business owners, and Thornton said he hopes the chamber will encourage networking among members at events.

The chamber also aims to create a directory of businesses in St. George.

“There’s no business that’s too large to where they don’t need anything, and there’s no business too small to where they don’t have something that they can give,” he said

St. George council member Patty Cook, who has backed the development of the chamber from the start, and Thornton hosted an initial meeting with local business owners in November to gauge the appetite for the group. Cook said the first meeting saw about 35 to 40 attendees, who were “hungry” for an organization to support the business community As the chamber helps businesses develop, more job opportunities in the area will arise, attracting and retaining residents, she said

“This is crucial to the development of St. George,” Cook said. “What better can we do but to support our businesses here?”

Over the past year, the city voted for its first elected

leaders, including a mayor and a city council, and chose a location for its first city hall, moving away from its temporary setup at the St. George Fire Department to its Proverbs Avenue home As of January, Mayor Dustin Yates, the City Council and staff have moved into the new city hall and are gradually turning the space into their own as they plan to turn part of the first floor into the council chambers in the coming months.

A proposal that would form a school district in St. George will be on the ballot in May Cook said keeping young families in St. George is one of her concerns as a council member, but a potential school district and business opportunities from the chamber make her more conﬁdent about the city’s future.

The city operates on a 2% sales tax, which reaps about $50 million each year, making the city’s commercial performance vital to its overall performance. The city assumed ownership of the tax revenue in July

“Their success is our success, so it is a partnership,” Cook said. “We grow, they grow.” Cook and Thornton have been drawing inspiration from other chambers in the region, including Central and Ascension Parish, in hopes of partnering in the future to broaden their reach.

“Anything that happens in

the city of St. George, from a business perspective, is going to have regional impact,” Thornton said. “It’s going to have statewide impact.”

All the chambers of commerce in Baton Rouge’s nine-parish region meet quarterly with the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership to discuss issues and ways to support one another, partnership President and

CEO Lori Melancon said. She said the partnership, which aims to attract companies to the Baton Rouge area and create a thriving business environment, complements local chambers, which are intended to engage and grow local businesses. The partnership regularly provides data analysis, economic analysis and advisement to local chambers. Melancon said the addition of the St. George Chamber of Commerce and the city’s incorporation strengthen Baton Rouge’s identity “It’s really important that the entire brand of Baton Rouge continue to be a strong brand and a successful brand, and that’s up to all of us to contribute to that,” she said.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, shows off his Louisiana flagthemed cape at the 2024 Washington Mardi Gras Ball.

Stocks on the rise, gold prices top record

NEW YORK U.S. stock indexes ticked higher Monday, while other markets made louder moves, including another record-breaking rush for the price of gold

The S&P 500 rose 0.5% and won back its losses from last week’s dip. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 313 points, or 0.6%, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.4%.

Baker Hughes helped lead the way and rose 4.4% after delivering a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The energy technology company said it’s benefiting from strong momentum in demand for liquefied natural gas, among other things.

CoreWeave climbed 5.7% after Nvidia said it invested $2 billion in the stock and will help accelerate the buildout of CoreWeave’s artiﬁcial-intelligence factories, which use Nvidia chips, by 2030 to advance AI adoption. Nvidia slipped 0.6%.

Much of the rest of Wall Street was relatively quiet. That included mixed performances for airlines, which had to cancel thousands of ﬂights due to the winter storm that swept much of the United States over the weekend. Delta Air Lines lost 0.7%, and Southwest Airlines added 0.2%.

The action was stronger in the gold market, where the metal’s price rallied another 2.1% and briefly topped $5,100 per ounce for the first time to set another record. Silver surged even more and settled 14% higher Prices for precious metals have been soaring as investors look for safer places to park their money amid threats of tariffs, still-high inflation, political strife and mountains of debt for governments worldwide.

U.S. invests in another rare earth miner

The U.S. is taking a minority stake in an Oklahoma rare earth miner, the latest government investment in the sector as it seeks to minimize its reliance on imports of a material used prevalently in smartphones, robotics, electric vehicles and many other high-tech products China processes more than 90% of the world’s critical minerals and has used its dominance in the market to gain leverage in the trade war with Washington.

USA Rare Earth said Monday that the U.S. Commerce Department is investing $1.6 billion in the company to advance work on a mine in Texas and to build a magnet manufacturing facility in Oklahoma.

Shares of USA Rare Earth jumped more than 13% before U.S. markets opened.

The agreement with the Commerce Department’s CHIPS program includes $277 million in proposed federal funding and a $1.3 billion senior secured loan The Commerce Department will get 16.1 million shares of common stock in return, as well as rights to buy 17.6 million more.

“USA Rare Earth’s heavy critical minerals project is essential to restoring U.S. critical mineral independence,” Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said in a statement.

“This investment ensures our supply chains are resilient and no longer reliant on foreign nations.”

Calif. Post brings brash tabloid news to West Coast LOS ANGELES Aiming to shake up the Golden State’s media landscape, the California Post launched on Monday with a new tabloid newspaper and news site that brings a brash, cheeky and conservativefriendly ﬁxture of the Big Apple to the West Coast.

The Los Angeles outpost of the New York Post will be “digital ﬁrst” with social media accounts and video and audio pieces — but for $3.75 readers can also purchase a daily print publication featuring the paper’s famously splashy front-page headlines. Perhaps most memorably: 1983’s “Headless Body in Topless Bar.”

“The most iconic thing about the New York Post, and now the California Post, is that front page,” said Nick Papps, editor-in-chief of the LA newsroom. “It has a unique wit, and is our calling card, if you like.” Monday’s inaugural edition goes straight at Hollywood during awards season with the full-page headline: “Oscar Wild — Shocking truth behind director Safdie brothers’ mystery split.”

BUSINESS

Minn. CEOs issue joint letter

State, federal officials urged to de-escalate tensions after shooting

BY MAE ANDERSON AP business writer

NEW YORK More than 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies, including Target, Best Buy and UnitedHealth, signed an open letter posted on the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce website on Sunday calling for state, local and federal ofﬁcials to work together, as businesses grapple with how to address tensions in the state and across the country following two fatal shootings by federal agents amid a massive immigration enforcement operation that has

spurred protests.

“With yesterday’s tragic news, we are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to ﬁnd real solutions,” the open letter reads.

CEOs that signed the letter included 3M CEO William Brown, Best Buy CEO Corie Barry General Mills CEO Jeff Harmening, Target incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke, UnitedHealth Group CEO Stephen Hemsley, and others.

Before the letter most of the biggest Minnesota-based companies had not issued any public

statements about the enforcement surge and unrest.

But the issue has become more difficult to avoid. Over the past two weeks, protesters have targeted some businesses they see not taking a strong enough stand against federal law enforcement activity, including Minneapolisbased Target. Earlier in January a Minnesota hotel that wouldn’t allow federal immigration agents to stay there apologized and said the refusal violated its own policies after a furor online.

Meanwhile, the state of Minnesota and the Twin Cities cited

Working with AI?

Poll reveals 12% of employees use chatbots daily

BY MATT O’BRIEN and LINLEY SANDERS Associated Press

American workers adopted artiﬁcial intelligence into their work lives at a remarkable pace over the past few years, according to a new poll.

Some 12% of employed adults say they use AI daily in their job, according to a Gallup Workforce survey conducted this fall of more than 22,000 U.S. workers.

The survey found roughly one-quarter say they use AI at least frequently, which is deﬁned as at least a few times a week, and nearly half say they use it at least a few times a year That compares with 21% who were using AI at least occasionally in 2023, when Gallup began asking the question, and points to the impact of the widespread commercial boom that ChatGPT sparked for generative AI tools that can write emails and computer code, summarize long documents, create images or help answer questions.

Home Depot store associate Gene Walinski is one of the employees embracing AI at work.

The 70-year-old turns to an AI assistant on his personal phone roughly every hour on his shift so he can better answer questions about supplies that he is not “100% familiar with” at the store’s electrical department in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

“I think my job would suffer if I couldn’t because there would be a lot of shrugged shoulders and ‘I don’t know’ and customers don’t want to hear that,” Walinski said.

While frequent AI use is on the rise among many employees, AI adoption remains higher among those working in technology-related ﬁelds.

About 6 in 10 technology workers say they use AI frequently, and about 3 in 10 do so daily

The share of Americans working in the technology sector who say they use AI daily or regularly has grown signiﬁcantly since 2023, but there are indications that AI adoption could be starting to plateau after an explosive increase between 2024 and 2025.

In ﬁnance, another sector with high AI adoption, 28-year-old investment banker Andrea Tanzi said he uses AI tools every day to synthesize documents and data sets that would otherwise take him several hours to review Tanzi, who works for Bank of America in New York, said he also makes use of the bank’s internal AI chatbot, Erica, to help with administrative tasks.

In addition, majorities of those working in professional services, at colleges or universities or in K-12 education, say they use AI at least a few times

a year Joyce Hatzidakis, 60, a high school art teacher in Riverside, California, started experimenting with AI chatbots to help “clean up” her communications with parents.

“I can scribble out a note and not worry about what I say and then tell it what tone I want,” she said. “And then, when I reread it, if it’s not quite right, I can have it edited again. I’m definitely getting less parent complaints.”

Another Gallup Workforce survey from last year found that about 6 in 10 employees using AI are relying on chatbots or virtual assistance when they turn to AI tools. About 4 in 10 AI users at work reported using AI to consolidate information or data, to generate ideas or to learn new things.

Hatzidakis started with ChatGPT and then switched to Google’s Gemini when the school district made that its ofﬁcial tool. She has even used it to help with recommendation letters because “there’s only so many ways to say a kid is really creative.”

The benefits and drawbacks

The AI industry and the U.S. government are heavily promoting AI adoption in workplaces and schools.

More people and organizations will need to buy these tools in order to justify the huge amounts of investment into building and running energyhungry AI computing systems. But not all economists agree on how much they will boost productivity or affect employment prospects.

“Most of the workers that are most highly exposed to AI, who are most likely to have it disrupt their workﬂows, for good or for bad, have these characteristics that make them pretty adaptable,” said Sam Manning, a fellow at the Centre for the Governance of AI and co-author of

devastating economic impacts in a lawsuit ﬁled this month, imploring a federal judge to halt the immigration operations. The lawsuit asserted that some businesses have reported sales drops of up to 80%.

“In this difficult moment for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state and federal leaders to achieve a swift and durable solution that enables families, businesses, our employees, and communities across Minnesota to resume our work to build a bright and prosperous future,” the letter reads.

EU opens probe into Grok

Musk’s company sparked backlash over sexual deepfakes

BY KELVIN CHAN AP business writer

Joyce Hatzidakis, above, an art teacher in Riverside, Calif., uses the artificial intelligence tool Google Gemini, left, in her high school classroom.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS By DAMIAN DOVARGANES

new papers on AI job effects for the Brookings Institution and the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Workers in those mostly computer-based jobs that involve a lot of AI usage “usually have higher levels of education, wider ranges of skill sets that can be applied to different jobs, and they also have higher savings, which is helpful for weathering an income shock if you lose your job,” Manning said.

On the other hand, Manning’s research has identiﬁed some 6.1 million workers in the United States who are both heavily exposed to AI and less equipped to adapt Many are in administrative and clerical work, about 86% are women and they are older and concentrated in smaller cities, such as university towns or state capitals, with fewer options to shift careers.

“If their skills are automated, they have less transferable skills to other jobs and they have a lower savings, if any savings,” Manning said ”An income shock could be much more harmful or difficult to manage.”

A separate Gallup Workforce survey from 2025 found that even as AI use is increasing, few employees said it was “very” or “somewhat” likely that new technology automation, robots or AI will eliminate their job within the next ﬁve years. Half said it was “not at all likely,” but that has decreased from about 6 in 10 in 2023.

Gallup’s quarterly workforce surveys were conducted with a random sample of adults age 18 and older who work full-time and part-time for organizations in the United States and are members of Gallup’s probability-based Gallup Panel. The most recent survey of 22,368 employed U.S. adults was conducted from Oct. 30-Nov 13, 2025. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 1 percentage point.

LONDON — The European Union opened a formal investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform X on Monday after his artificial intelligence chatbot Grok spewed nonconsensual sexualized deepfake images on the platform.

European regulators also widened a separate, ongoing investigation into X’s recommendation systems after the platform said it would switch to Grok’s AI system to choose which posts users see.

The scrutiny from Brussels comes after Grok sparked a global backlash by allowing users through its AI image generation and editing capabilities to undress people, putting females in transparent bikinis or revealing clothing. Researchers said some images appeared to include children. Some governments banned the service or issued warnings.

The 27-nation EU’s executive said it was looking into whether X has done enough as required by the bloc’s digital regulations to contain the risks of spreading illegal content such as “manipulated sexually explicit images.”

That includes content that “may amount to child sexual abuse material,” the European Commission said. These risks have now “materialized,” the commission said, exposing the bloc’s citizens to “serious harm.”

Regulators will examine whether Grok is living up to its obligations under the Digital Services Act, the bloc’s wide-ranging rule book for keeping internet users safe from harmful content and products.

In response to a request for comment, an X spokeswoman directed The Associated Press to an earlier statement that the company remains “committed to making X a safe platform for everyone” and that it has “zero tolerance” for child sexual exploitation, nonconsensual nudity, and unwanted sexual content.

The X statement from Jan. 14 also said it would stop allowing users to depict people in “bikinis underwear or other revealing attire,” but only in places where it has been deemed illegal.

“Nonconsensual sexual deepfakes of women and children are a violent, unacceptable form of degradation,” Henna Virkkunen, an executive vice president at the commission, said in a statement.

The problem began snowballing late last month when Grok, launched by Musk’s company xAI in the summer, seemingly granted a large number of user requests to modify images posted by others. The problem was ampliﬁed both because Musk pitches his chatbot as an edgier alternative with fewer safeguards than rivals, and because Grok’s responses on X are publicly visible and can therefore be easily spread.

The EU investigation covers only Grok’s service on X, and not Grok’s website and stand-alone app.

Russia: Talks with U.S., Ukraine were constructive

Kremlin says major challenges remain

By The Associated Press

Negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are yielding apparent signs of progress, but major challenges remain on the path to a ﬁnal settlement, a senior Kremlin official said Monday Talks between envoys from Ukraine, Russia and the United States in recent days in Abu Dhabi were constructive and another round is planned for next week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists.

He reported no major breakthrough so far, however and added: “The very fact that these contacts have begun in a constructive way can be assessed positively, but there is still serious work ahead.”

Officials revealed few

details of the talks held on Friday and Saturday, which were part of a yearlong effort by the Trump administration to steer the sides toward a peace deal and end almost four years of all-out war

While Ukrainian and Russian ofﬁcials have agreed in principle with Washington’s calls for a compromise, Moscow and Kyiv differ deeply over what an agreement should look like.

Meanwhile, the grinding war of attrition along the roughly 600-mile front line snaking through eastern and southern Ukraine has dragged on, and Ukrainian civilians are enduring another winter of hardship after Russian bombardment of cities in the rear U.S. President Donald Trump has set out deadlines for an agreement and threatened additional sanctions on Moscow, but Russian President Vladimir Putin apparently hasn’t budged from his public demands.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also described the Abu Dhabi talks as constructive, although he noted that “addressed complex political

Iran-backed militias threaten attacks as U.S. carrier arrives

BY JON GAMBRELL Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

Two Iranian-backed militias in the Mideast are signaling their willingness to launch new attacks, likely trying to back Iran, as ofﬁcials acknowledged the arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier to the region Monday President Donald Trump ordered the carriers to move to the Middle East as he threatened military action over its crackdown on nationwide protests

Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on Monday hinted they were ready to resume attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. That came just after Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah paramilitary group, long supported by Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, issued a direct threat late Sunday toward any attack targeting Iran, warning a “total war” in the region would be a result.

The statements came as the entire region is mired in a tense waiting game to see if Trump will strike. Both the Houthis and Kataib Hezbollah sat out from Israel’s 12-day war on Iran in June that saw the United States bomb Iranian nuclear sites. The hesitancy to get involved shows the disarray still affecting Iran’s self-described “Axis of Resistance” after facing attacks from Israel during its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The threats came as the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and other guided missile destroyers in its strike group arrived in the region to “promote regional security and stability,” U.S. Central Command said Monday on social media.

Trump has said the ships are being moved “just in case” he decides to take action against Iran. He has already laid out two red lines for attack — the killing of peaceful protesters and Tehran conducting mass executions of those it has arrested in a massive crackdown over the demonstrations.

A senior Iranian military official who spoke anonymously on Iran’s State TV dismissed the American threat as “an exaggeration” and noted that Iran had increased its military presence in response. The ofﬁcial added that the Lincoln’s pres-

carrier has been moved to the Middle East

ence was not a deterrent but an accessible target.

Iran projected its power across the Mideast through the “Axis of Resistance,” a network of proxy militant groups in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Iraq and other places. It was also seen as a defensive buffer intended to keep conﬂict away from Iranian borders. But it has collapsed after Israel targeted Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon and others during the Gaza war. Meanwhile, rebels in 2024 overthrew Syria’s Bashar Assad after a yearslong, bloody war in which Iran backed his rule.

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, one of Iran’s staunchest allies, refused to say how it planned to react in the case of a possible attack.

“During the past two months, several parties have asked me a clear and frank question: If Israel and America go to war against Iran, will Hezbollah intervene or not?” Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Kassem said via a video address to thousands of supporters gathered in Beirut’s southern suburbs for a rally backing Iran He said the group is preparing for “possible aggression and is determined to defend” against it But as to how it would act, he said, “these details will be determined by the battle and we will determine them according to the interests that are present.” Iraqi and Yemenite militant groups were much more forthright in their threats, which were interpreted as

support for Iran. A short video by the Houthis included images of a ship on ﬁre, with the caption: “Soon.” It later aired footage Monday from its January 2024 attack in the Gulf of Aden on the Marshall Islands-ﬂagged tanker Marlin Luanda, one of over 100 ships attacked as part of a campaign the Houthis said pressured Israel over its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The Houthis halted their fire after a ceasefire in Gaza, though they’ve repeatedly warned they could resume fire if needed.

Meanwhile, Ahmad “Abu Hussein” al-Hamidawi of Kataib Hezbollah issued his own threat in a statement

“We afﬁrm to the enemies that the war on the (Islamic) Republic will not be a picnic; rather, you will taste the bitterest forms of death, and nothing will remain of you in our region,” he said.

The United Arab Emirates announced on Monday that it would not allow its airspace, territory or territorial waters to be used for military action against Iran. The UAE said it would stress dialogue and diplomatic resolutions.

Iranian Defense Ministry spokesperson Gen. Reza Talaei-Nik renewed warnings Monday to both Israel and the U.S., saying any attack would “be met with a response that is more painful and more decisive than in the past.” Iranian state television quoted Talaei-Nik as saying that threats required Iran “to maintain full and comprehensive preparedness.”

issues remain unresolved.”

A new round of trilateral meetings is expected later this week, Zelenskyy said, without giving a date.

Negotiators will return to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday for more talks, according to a U.S. ofﬁcial, speaking on condition of anonymity because they

were not authorized to speak to the media. The weekend talks covered a broad range of military and economic matters and included the possibility of a ceaseﬁre before a comprehensive deal, the ofﬁcial said.

Zelenskyy said Sunday that a document setting out U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine in a postwar scenario is “100% ready,” although it still needs to be formally signed.

Kyiv has insisted on postwar American security commitments as part of any broader peace agreement with Moscow after Russia’s 2014 illegal annexation of Crimea and support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine, followed by its fullscale invasion in February 2022.

Zelenskyy has acknowledged that there are fundamental differences between Ukrainian and Russian positions, though he said last week that peace proposals are “nearly ready.”

Death toll from U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats reaches 126

By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON The death toll from the Trump administration’s strikes on alleged drug boats is up to 126 people, with the inclusion of those presumed dead after being lost at sea, the U.S. military conﬁrmed Monday

The figure includes 116 people who were killed immediately in at least 36 attacks carried out since early September in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, U.S. Southern Command said. Ten others are believed dead because searchers did not locate them following a strike. Eight of the presumed dead had jumped off boats

when American forces attacked a trio of vessels accused of trafficking drugs on Dec. 30, the military said. The number was not released previously, though the military said when announcing those strikes that the U.S. Coast Guard had searched for survivors. The two other people presumed dead were on boats that were attacked on Oct. 27 and last Friday

President Donald Trump has said the U.S. is in “armed conflict” with cartels in Latin America and has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs. But his administration has offered little evidence to support its claims of killing “narcoterrorists.”

Critics have questioned the overall legality of the strikes aswellastheireffectiveness, in part because the fentanyl behind many fatal overdoses is typically trafﬁcked to the U.S. overland from Mexico, where it is produced with chemicals imported from China and India. The campaign also drew intense criticism following the revelation that the military killed survivors of the very ﬁrst boat attack with a follow-up strike. The Trump administration and many Republican lawmakers said it was legal and necessary, while Democratic lawmakers and legal experts said the killings were murder, if not a war crime.

PROVIDED PHOTO By U.S NAVy

Sailors prepare a Boeing EA-18G Growler on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln on Wednesday in the Indian Ocean. The

PROVIDED PHOTO By OLEG PETRASIUK/UKRAINIAN 24TH MECHANIZED BRIGADE Soldiers fire a 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer towards Russian positions on Jan. 18 near Chasiv yar town, Donetsk region, Ukraine.

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Erwinville drag racing venue closes

Track has been hosting events for over 50 years

BY AIDAN McCAHILL Staff writer

The State Capitol Raceway in Erwinville, one of the oldest continuously operating car racing venues in the United States, appears to have closed without warning

“SCR will not open for the 2026 season,” the venue announced in a Jan. 17 Facebook post.

The news came just hours after the raceway had promoted an upcoming race, “The Battle of The Bayou,” scheduled for March, and the abrupt reversal has sparked

New regulator outlines plans for aquifer

Groundwater management shifts amid concerns

BY DAVID J MITCHELL

Staff writer

Nearly four months after the embattled agency that regulates Baton Rouge’s drinking water source was dissolved, state ofﬁcials say they will pull back from the most aggressive attempts at oversight while promising a more effective balance of the increasing demands on the underground aquifer Buried in the Legislature’s sweeping revamp of Louisiana’s conservation agency last year was a plan to close the 50-year-old Capital Area Ground Water Conservation Commission. Its job was handed to the newly renamed Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy in October State ofﬁcials are now offering details about what will be next, taking a first crack at outlining their plans. The Department of Conservation and Energy will allow regulated users to return to the previously criticized practice of self-reporting their groundwater pumping — but with new data-checking efforts. It also will end a controversial real-time groundwater metering service that stirred opposition and expensive litigation over its cost and legality

“The Southern Hills Aquifer System provides some of the highestquality groundwater in the state, if not the entire country,” Dustin Davidson, the department’s secretary said in a statement. “It is a resource that must be regulated in a manner that balances the interests and needs of the people who live here; the businesses that provide them with jobs and economic opportunity; and the environment we all share.”

The aquifer, which provides drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people in the Baton Rouge area, faces continued strain from industrial sources, agriculture and population growth. Various analyses have shown that the boost in pumping is exacerbating slow-moving saltwater contamination of the millennia-old freshwa-

confusion and speculation online.

Located off of U.S. 190, the track has been a fixture of Louisiana motorsports since 1969, consistently hosting local and nationally recognized drag racing events on weekends, from casual “grudge races” to high-stakes “gamblers races.”

West Baton Rouge Parish ofﬁcials say they were not notified by the track’s owners of the decision.

In an email response to multiple inquiries from The Advocate, Valerie Lewis, who co-owns the track with her husband Lanny, wrote, “At this time, we are not releasing any statement on SCR.”

State Capital Raceway was most recently a member of the World Drag Racing Alliance until the organization merged with the International Hot Rod Association at the end of the 2025 season.

Dedication

Longtime columnist Dana Territo dies

She was a champion for those with Alzheimer’s

Staff report

of columns at a time, apologizing in her emails if she was slightly late due to her treatments and hospitalizations.

Dana Territo, a champion of people with Alzheimer’s and a longtime Advocate columnist, died Sunday night at 67 after lengthy treatment for cancer Each week for the last 13 years, Territo, dubbed “The Memory Whisperer,” has shared her knowledge of all aspects of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in her “Alzheimer’s Q&A” column in the newspaper’s Living section. Throughout her battle with cancer Territo, of Baton Rouge, continued ﬁling a month’s worth

“That was typical Dana, always thinking about others ﬁrst,” said Judy Bergeron, Advocate assistant features editor, who frequently edited Territo’s columns “She always included a note with her columns asking how I was doing, even after her diagnosis. Just a beautiful, selﬂess person.” Bergeron said the columns offered advice and guidance for caregivers, reports on the latest in Alzheimer’s research, and explanations of related terms, disease stages and possible avenues for assistance.

Territo’s passion for what would become her life’s work emerged while volunteering at Ollie Steele Burden Manor in the late 1980s She was matched with a woman with Alzheimer’s, visiting her

An inmate who died Saturday afternoon at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola was maced and subdued by ofﬁcers before suffering a suspected heart attack, but officials do not believe unlawful force was a factor in his death.

Harold Brooks, 37, of Lafayette, allegedly died from a heart attack at 4 p.m. Saturday in the prison inﬁrmary

“It appears that the correctional officers were acting in good faith and trying to subdue a disorderly offender,” West Feliciana Parish Sheriff Brian Spillman said. “We have not made a correlation between the struggle between them and his untimely death.”

Brooks was causing a disruption in his cell block Saturday afternoon when officers approached him in an attempt to prevent any harm to nearby in-

mates, Spillman said Brooks, who was allegedly acting aggressively and erratically, used a pair of handcuffs as a weapon against ofﬁcers.

“He was subdued, and the situation de-escalated, and then later he was taken for observation, and later died on what is suspected to be a cardiac event,” Spillman said.

Officials: Angola death likely not due to force CRIME BLOTTER staff reports

Brooks was checked by prison medical staff because tear gas was used on him.

“Anytime that you utilize a gassing agent on a suspect, you need to have them checked out by medical staff,” Spillman said. Brooks was pronounced dead around 4 p.m., and the West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Ofﬁce was notiﬁed.

Brooks was serving a sevenyear sentence for aggravated assault with a firearm. An autopsy will be conducted Tuesday morning.

John Guy does a burnout in the burnout box in his 1967 Chevy Camaro before making a pass at the State Capitol Raceway on July 12, 2024, in Erwinville. The track appears to have closed without warning

STAFF FILE PHOTO

By MICHAEL JOHNSON

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

A runner braves the cold weather along Kenilworth Parkway on Sunday in Baton Rouge.

N.O. hearing used to question raids, shootings

BY JAMES FINN Staff writer

Democrats on the U.S House Homeland Security Committee used a hearing Monday in New Orleans to excoriate Republican colleagues for failing to rein in federal immigration raids, days after U.S. Border Patrol agents fatally shot a Minnesota nurse, sparking blowback across political lines.

Congressional Democrats convened the hearing in the New Orleans City Council chambers to hear testimony from residents and ofﬁcials on the effects of a recent immigration enforcement operation in south Louisiana, which federal officials called “Catahoula Crunch.”

That U.S. Border Patrolled operation, launched in early December, lasted several weeks and yielded fewer arrests and quieter protests than in other cities targeted by President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. U.S. Department of Homeland Security ofﬁcials said they made 560 arrests in the Louisiana sweeps, though the vast majority of detainees did not have criminal records.

The operation, though, slowed business at some Hispanic businesses in New Orleans, owners said, while attendance at some schools and churches waned. Weeks later many immigrants remain fearful that agents could return in force, local officials, advocates and attorneys testified Monday Early in the hearing, the congressional officials invoked the killing of nurse Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot Saturday in Minneapolis while filming Border Patrol agents. His death, they said, underscores how tactics used by federal agents in Louisiana as well as Minnesota, have gone too far

“It became very clear from the start of Catahoula Crunch that the mode of operation was for agents to ﬁnd and target groups

Magaziner D-R.I., who joined Monday’s hearing

“When we take the majority back next year, we’re going to do the job of reining in ICE, reining in this lawless administration and restoring the rights of the people.”

Jefferson Parish high school, the young man remains in one of Louisiana’s nine ICE-contracted private detention facilities, López said.

of predominately Hispanic individuals, and then ﬁgure out who they were later,” New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said.

“This has caused widespread fear throughout our city and region,” she said.

Monday’s hearing came as Trump’s administration faces mounting protests over Pretti’s death, which followed another fatal shooting weeks earlier of a Minneapolis resident by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. The latest fatality has drawn flashes of dissent from some Republican officials — including in Louisiana who had previously remained in lockstep with the president’s immigration enforcement agenda.

Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, who led the agency’s operations in Minneapolis and Louisiana, has defended the shooting of Pretti, saying he was trying to “massacre” federal agents Federal officials said Pretti was carrying a handgun when he was killed, but video analyzed by news organizations showed agents removing the gun from his waistband and beating him with a tear-gas canister before shooting him dead

While DHS officials have said Pretti “violently resisted” attempts to disarm him, Pretti’s family has said he was trying to protect a woman near fed-

eral agents and described DHS’ account of his death as “sickening lies.”

Monday’s field hearing was called by U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, D-New Orleans, a member of the Homeland Security Committee who decried “shock and awe” and “political theater” he said the administration’s immigration enforcement agenda has employed.

Carter called the hearing before Pretti was killed. Republicans were not involved in planning the so-called “shadow hearing” a practice used by minority parties in Congress to draw attention to party priorities in part because they cannot call ofﬁcial hearings or issue subpoenas.

The Homeland Security Committee’s Republican chair, Rep. Andrew Garbarino, of New York, on Saturday called for official oversight hearings in the wake of Pretti’s killing.

“Congress has an important responsibility to ensure the safety of law enforcement and the people they serve and protect,” he said.

In New Orleans, though, Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and the panel’s ranking Democratic member, criticized Republicans for failing to move swiftly enough to schedule hearings.

“Republicans in Congress are not doing their jobs,” said U.S. Rep. Seth

Department of Homeland Security officials have touted immigration sweeps in New Orleans and elsewhere as targeting the “worst of the worst,” highlighting people with serious criminal allegations in their records. By federal ofﬁcials’ tallies, though, fewer than 10% of detainees around New Orleans have alleged criminal backgrounds

Carter on Monday invoked several high-proﬁle Louisiana immigration cases from the past year: a Honduran child deported while undergoing cancer care, a Baton Rouge-area woman ejected from the country with her 2-yearold U.S. citizen child, and a Honduran-born oysterman who drowned fleeing federal agents near Hopedale

Along with Moreno, City Council President JP Morrell and immigration advocates and attorneys testiﬁed Monday about the impacts of the operations around New Orleans Moreno recounted making demands of federal ofﬁcials for “basic” communication and transparency with local leaders.

“I never directly received a response to my letter,” Moreno said, “but as Bovino walked through the nearby city of Kenner with masked agents, he was asked by a reporter about my demands, and his response was, ‘This is as transparent as it gets.’”

Homero López, a former immigration judge and immigration attorney who testiﬁed before the partial committee, described a client who had immigration protections granted by the federal government to young people who’ve suffered abuses, but was still detained by immigration agents in December.

An honor student at a

Louisiana’s Republican congressional leaders, too, have grappled in recent days with how to respond to Pretti’s shooting and mounting voter discontent with the administration’s immigration tactics, according to national polling.

U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson and the House’s majority leader in a “Face the Nation” interview Sunday blamed the unrest in Minneapolis on local leaders.

“We all just feel sorry about what happened in Minneapolis, and this has happened over and over again,” Scalise said “I’m not just talking about regarding ICE; I mean, they have got some failed local leadership. They let their city burn down years ago. They have chaos, it seems like, all the time in places where other cities don’t.”

Pressed in an interview with late night host Bill Maher, Sen John Kennedy, R-Madisonville, defended the administration’s push to enforce immigration laws but called for agents to afford people due process.

“I support enforcing our immigration laws,” Kennedy said in the Saturday interview “Now, how you enforce them matters. You have to do it in accordance with due process, equal protection and reasonable suspicion.”

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, offered a starker message.

“The credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake,” Cassidy, who faces a primary challenge from a Trump-backed opponent, U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow RBaton Rouge, said on social media. “There must be a full joint federal and state investigation. We can trust the American people with the truth.”

Email James Finn at jﬁnn@theadvocate.com.

Red Cross asks for volunteers to aid after storm

BY OLIVIA TEES Staff writer

As Winter Storm Fern continues its icy path across the country, the American Red Cross is issuing a statewide call for volunteers. The or-

TERRITO

Continued from page 1B

weekly until her death 22 years later at 102. Territo also helped organize the first Alzheimer’s walk fundraiser in Baton Rouge, called the Memory Walk, in 1995.

AQUIFER

Continued from page 1B

ter resource. The real-time metering requirement that drew so much opposition a service provided by the company Sustainability Partners is part of a criminal case that landed the defunct regulator’s former director and a company executive in court over bid-rigging allegations. The men have pleaded not guilty Also, the Louisiana Attorney General’s Ofﬁce claims the $30 million deal is not a valid contract.

Mixed reviews The Department of Conservation and Energy’s new plans are drawing measured support from the two biggest users of the aquifer, Baton Rouge Water Co. and ExxonMobil. They had opposed the metering program and previously won legisla-

ganization is looking for those willing to help their neighbors who are in need. They are offering three virtual training sessions for individuals to learn how to respond to disasters

She studied English education at LSU, received her spiritual director credentials from the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center in New Orleans, and her religious studies master catechist degree from St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict. She was director of services for Alzheimer’s Ser-

tive exemptions to allow them to continue using their own equipment. But environmental advocates who have pressed for more than 15 years to prohibit heavy industrial pumping from the aquifer say they want more details.

Baton Rouge Water officials said they are grateful for the department’s “transparency.”

“We’ve made significant investments in metering and data quality because we believe accurate measurement beneﬁts both regulators and permit holders,” Adrienne Mire, chief administrative officer and vice president of Baton Rouge Water said in an email. “As the Department evaluates changes to its modeling and reporting framework, we hope those principles remain central to any ﬁnal approach.”

ExxonMobil ofﬁcials said they support the department’s development of “effective, long-term strategies for Louisiana built upon

“From a single-family home fire in your neighborhood, to a statewide freeze, we depend on local volunteers to help deliver our mission,” Regional Communications Director Melissa Duplantier said in a news release

vices of the Capital Area from 2008-2018; director of ministries at St. Jude Catholic Church from 20012008; director of religious education, development director and technology coordinator at St. Jude Catholic School, from 1997-2001; director of development and stewardship at Holy Family Catholic School in Port Al-

sound science technology and data to protect our valuable natural resources.”

Marylee Orr, director of the Louisiana Environmental Action Network, notes the public watched presentations about the planned changes at a recent meeting on the new approach “but wasn’t given an opportunity to speak to the group or enter their comments into the record.”

Department ofﬁcials at the meeting didn’t explain how the Sustainability Partners real-time monitoring system will be dismantled or what will replace it, other than saying users can return to using their own equipment.

Half of the 300 meters Sustainability Partners built under the old commission’s contract have been installed along with solar-powered electrical systems and a real-time data network.

Officials on the nowdefunct commission had faulted the quality of data under the old self-reporting

The training sessions are as follows:

n Tuesday: Noon to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

n Wednesday: Noon to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“While the storm is our immediate focus, we are using this moment to re-

len from 1996-1997; and activity director/Alzheimer’s unit at Ollie Steele Burden from 1990-1996. In 2022, Territo published the book “What My Grandchildren Taught Me About Alzheimer’s Disease,” recognized with the Readers’ Favorite Five Stars in 2023. Other honors include a 2023 Today’s Caregiver

mind Louisianans that the Red Cross responds to disasters large and small every single day,” Duplantier said.

For information or to apply, email contact Sandy Traynor at Sandy Traynor@redcross.org.

Friendly Award, a 2022 Maude’s Award for Innovation in Alzheimer’s Care, a Daily Point of Light Award and a Tandy Spirit Award in 2021. She is survived by her husband, David Territo, two sons and four grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later

method and argued the contract meters provided an upgrade for many users.

But some larger users, like Baton Rouge Water, questioned the accuracy of those meters, saying their own equipment was better Monique Edwards, director of water administration for the Department of Conservation and Energy, said her agency will check the self-reported data and is working with “experts to develop an audited pumpage program for district users that would enable them to use equipment complementary to their business operations.”

Sustainability Partners didn’t return a call for comment.

LSU researcher out

As state conservation ofﬁcials pushed for the changes last spring, they said putting the groundwater district under the department was needed to design a more comprehensive, proactive

Woman arrested in police leader’s stabbing

A woman was arrested Monday following a domestic disturbance that led to the stabbing of the Wilson Police Department’s assistant chief in his home on Friday morning, according to the East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Ofﬁce. Tameka Rachelle Armstead, 47, was booked on counts of battery of a dating partner and aggravated assault of a dating partner Police responded to a domestic disturbance call at 3:12 a.m Tyronne “TK” Kilbourne Jr was found stabbed. Kilbourne was transported to a hospital with wounds that were not life-threatening. He has been released and is recovering at home.

Further investigation found probable cause to arrest Armstead, ofﬁcials said.

Victims of house fire ID’d as mother, son

The victims of a house ﬁre that happened early Saturday morning in Erwinville have been identified as a mother and son, Gloria Decuir, 72, and Kevin Decuir, 48, the West Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Ofﬁce said.

The autopsy is pending, said the coroner’s chief death investigator, Sahajda “Doc” Willis. The ﬁre broke out at 5:17 a.m. Saturday in the 12000 block of Maple Street in Erwinville It is being investigated by the State Fire Marshal’s Ofﬁce.

BRPD: Vehicle fire connected to homicide

A man already in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison in connection with two fatal shootings, now faces an additional count of arson, accused of setting ﬁre to a vehicle believed to be used in a case.

Jemile Causey was booked on a count of simple arson, related to a vehicle ﬁre shortly before 5 p.m. Oct. 8 in the 5700 block of Robertson Avenue, the Baton Rouge Fire Department said in a news release. Security video footage of the ﬁre shows three men exiting the vehicle, and one man throwing a rag into the car, before they all run, the news release said.

The car is believed to have been used in the death of Kyron Carter Sr earlier that day, the Baton Rouge Fire Department said.

Carter was shot in the in the 2300 block of Tennessee Street while sitting under the carport of a residence and was pronounced dead at the scene. Causey has been charged with first-degree murder, illegal use of a weapon, aggravated criminal damage and obstruction of justice for Carter’s death.

Causey has also been booked on one count each of firstdegree murder, illegal use of a weapon, aggravated criminal damage, two counts of attempted first-degree murder and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of juveniles in connection with the January shooting of 17-year-old E’Myeri Walker a Northdale Academy student.

statewide water policy Under the new plan, the state will end a contract with LSU groundwater researcher Frank Tsai and stop using a computer model that had informed controversial commission decisions to reject new water wells over saltwater intrusion concerns, including for Baton Rouge Water Conservation ofﬁcials said that analysis will be replaced with modeling from the Water Institute of the Gulf and information from companies wanting to pump water The department also plans to take a broader look at the entire aquifer, which extends well beyond the ﬁve parishes in the Capital Area Ground Water District, including into Mississippi.

Mire, the Baton Rouge Water ofﬁcial, said the company believes the Water Institute’s work “will be valuable in informing future decisions.

Alyssa Dausman, the Water Institute’s senior vice president and chief scientist, said the nonproﬁt research group is ﬁnishing the second phase of the Baton Rouge-area plan and will see how the department wants to “move forward.” The report relies partly on data from the LSU model. Dausman said the U.S. Geological Survey has models that track salt movement and could be used for permitting decisions or longer-term questions. In an email, Tsai said he isn’t sure what models the institute or companies “would use to provide the same level of prediction as the LSU model.”

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno testifies during a hearing at City Hall on Monday on ‘Catahoula Crunch,’ an immigration enforcement operation.

Heroman, Susanne

Sacred HeartCatholic Church,2250

Main Street,Baton Rouge at 11:00am. Louis, Philip St.Francis Xavier Catholic Church of BatonRouge at 11 a.m.

Obituaries

Ber, Warren C.

Baton Rouge, LA -War-

ren Clemens Ber, 92, died peacefully on Thursday January 22, 2026 at theCarpenterHouse of St. Joseph's Hospice. Funeral services willbeheld at Trinity Episcopal Church, on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 1:00pm, with Father Peter Wong officiating.Interment will follow in the Trinity Church Columbarium.

Warren was born on January 31, 1933, in Eunice, Louisiana, the eldest of five children. His family later moved to New Iberia, where he attended St. Peter's College. After graduation, he continued his studies at Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette), earning a bachelor's degree in accounting. He then joined the United States Air Force, servingthree years as a First Lieutenant at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado. Upon returning to Louisiana, Warren became aCertified PublicAccountant and built adistinguished career as alongtime partner in the accounting firm Hawthorn, Waymouth &Carroll, retiring in 1995.

Beyond his professiona life, Warren enjoyed ing, fishing, tennis, golf. He was ad member of Trinity pal Church for more 55 years, serving faithful on the vestry as treas and as an usher. Warren was preceded death by his parents, ren Isidore Ber

Margery LaFleur Ber; his brother, John Edward Ber; and his sisters, Barbara BerHebert and Elizabeth "Betty"Ber Waggenspack. Heissurvivedbyhis belovedwifeof63years, FrancesMaddenBer;his son,WarrenClemens Ber Jr.;his sister, MaryCarol LeBlancofNew Iberia;and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 3552 Morning Glory Avenue, Baton Rouge,LA70808.

JamesAndrew 'Jim'

Daily,

James "Jim"Daily, aresidentofBaton Rouge, Louisiana,passed away on Sunday,December 7, 2025, at the ageof87. He was born April 5, 1938,toM Lawrence and Alberta Daily in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.James attendedRoman Catholic High School and St. Joseph'sUniversity. He also served in theUnited StatesNational Guard and was amemberofSt. Patrick'sCatholicChurch. Jim found great joyinthe outdoors, especially through his lifelong hobbiesofhuntingand fishing These pastimes provided many cherishedmemories withfamilyand friends. He is precededindeath by his parents,M.Lawrence and Alberta Daily; sisters, Mary Jane Daily SSJ, Suzy Oakes, and Lynne Atkinson;and brothers, Jerome Dailyand MarkDaily. He is survived by his sisters, Kate Ferris, Jeane Bryson, and Adrienne Daily;brother Michael Daily;and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wouldlike to givespecial thanks to James' caretaker,Linda Williams, and ClarityHospice of Baton Rouge. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Memorial

www.resthavenbatonroug e.com.

Landry, Allen

AllenLandry, Jr.passed away peacefullyinhis home on January23, 2026 surrounded by his loving wife, children and grandchildren.

Allengrewupona sugarcane plantationinThibodaux, Louisianaand it was therethathelearned his strong workethic.This workethic ledhim to a very successful careeras Vice President of fieldservices at Jacob'sEngineering.Hewas an avid outdoorsmanand youcould often find him fishing,running crab traps and catfish lines, or spendingtime with his family at their camp on BelleRiver.He lovedhis family and hisfavorite moments were spent with his loving wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. If he ever needed agood laughorasmile, his greatgrandchildrenwere always there to make it happen. His loving spirit willbe missed dearly by allofhis family and friends.

He is survivedbyhis wife of 57 years, Mary Ann; children, Tammie Brignac (Kirk) and ChrisLandry; grandchildren, Katie Kogel (Jordan), AshleyLockhart (Tyler), Layne Landry MD (Amanda Langston Landry MD) and LaurenLandry (significant other Braytin Harper); great-grandchildren,KannonKogel,Briggs Kogel, Vivienne Lockhart, and JosephHayes Lockhart.

Dr. Calegan and Father Matthew fromImmaculate Conception Church. Special thank youtothe nurses and sitters with Tri Luxe Health, as well as nurse Tina and Chaplain Todd with Hospice of Baton Rouge who were all by his side caring for him and the family during this difficult time. The family would also like to thank Deacon Tom Simmons at Judson Baptist Church forconducting thegraveside service.

PerAllen's wishes, aprivate graveside servicewas held.

Lewis, Ann JaneRodriguez

Ann JaneRodriguez Lewis, born on January28, 1936, in NewOrleans, Louisiana, passed away on January18, 2026, at theage of 89. Known for her adventurous spirit and hardworking nature, Annleft a lasting impact on allwho knew her.

Ann grew up in NewOrleans, Louisiana, and pursued her education at Northwestern University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where she earneda Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. Her career in nursing began at Baton Rouge Generalasa Registered Nurse.Ann's dedication and leadership were further exemplified during her time managing HylandPlasma LabsinBatonRouge,partofBaxterTravenol Labs, where she was honored with numerous awards as aLeading Manager Nationwide. Beyond her professional accomplishments,Ann was an avid reader and an activemember of her book club.She was askilled Bridge player,participatinginseveral Bridge clubs. Her love foradventure took herhiking around the

husband, Ernie Lewis, of 47 years. Theymet July 4, 1975 livingonthe same street, goingtothe same pool andsame church Trinity Episcopal. Surviving childrenare RodLewis and hiswife Victoria Lewis; her daughters Cheryl Pearse andher husband Keith Pearse,and Mary JaneMcDermott andher husband Matthew McDermott;her step-children,Dorothyand herhusbandColinMcComiskey, Oliver andhis wife CarolineLewis; her grandchildren, Ben (Mia) Lewis, Jill (Joe) Binder, David (Kayte) Pearse,Jaci Pearse, Emmett McComiskey, SanderMcComiskey, ChanceMcComiskey, Madeline (Mathieu) Paturel, and Katherine (Cole) Lanning; fivegreat-grandchildren, Cohen,Wyatt, Blaise, Santino Binder, andEvelyn Lewis. She waspreceded in death by herparents, Marjorie Rosalyn Rodriguezand AndrewEdward Rodriguez, along with many belovedNew Orleanscousins, aunts, anduncles

Louis, Philip Donald

"I havefought agood fight, Ihave finished my course, Ihave kept the faith."

PhilipDonald Louis, a native of NewRoads, Louisiana anda residentof Geismar, Louisiana went to be with the LordonSunday, January18, 2026, at the age of 84. He was surroundedbyhis loving family. Serviceswill be Tuesday,

Robillard Jr., Morris Rodney

Morris Rodney Robillard, Jr.a native andresident of Morganza, La, passed away on January 23, 2026 at the age of 75. Rodney was retiredfromPointe Coupee Parish Police Jury after serving for many years. He wasa memberof RaccourciHuntingClub wherehespent much of histimehuntingwith his familyand friends. Rodney was also an avidLSU Tiger fan,held season tickets, and loved attendingfootball, baseballand women's basketballgames. Rodney is survivedby hiswife,JoAnn Robillard; son, PhilipRobillard and wife, Erica; step-son,StevieDalton andwife,Adrian;step-daughter, Rosanna Stadelman andhusband, Vince; brother, Brett Robillard andwife,Lisa; grandchildren, Juliana and Phoebe Robillard; stepgrandchildren, Isla and Blaise Stadelman; nieces, HilaryMeche,DeAnn Morgan,and Olivia Robillard. He is preceded in death by hisparents, Adele and Morris R. Robillard, Sr.Pallbearers will be GlennBordelon,JohnnyMac Dawson, Donald Bordelon, Cooter Purpera,Bryan Roubique,and Jody Bertrand. Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny Luneau,Bubba Bordelon, and Chad Soprano. Thevisitationwill be held at St Ann'sCatholic Church in Morganza on Thursday, January29, 2026, from 9:00 am untilthe Mass of Christian burialat11:00 am. Conducted by Father Babu. The burialwill immediately follow in thechurchcemetery.

We support enforcementofour nation’simmigration laws and the removal of violent criminals from our streets. We believethat’s what most Louisianans and Americans understood President Donald Trump’sadministration wanted to do.

But following Saturday’stragic death at the hands of federal Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis, we cannot deny thatthe actionsofthe federal agencies tasked withthese dutieshave taken avery different and much moreominous turn. Not only are they not keeping us safer, but they are also directly threateningour mostsacred rights as Americans.

We call for an immediatepause of theoverly aggressive crackdown in Minnesota andacross our country and for law enforcementtotake actiontode-escalatethe tensesituation on our streets.

An outcry erupted after agents fatally shot Alex Pretti, aU.S. citizen andICU nurse, and administration ofﬁcialsbranded Pretti a“terrorist” who was intent on harming agents.But video and news reports soon emergedthatcontradict those statements. Pretti’s deathcame two weeks after another Minnesotaresident, ReneeGood, wasalso killed by federalimmigration agents. In cases like these, Congress would normally be united in insisting on itsoversightrole. In our hyper-partisan times,that has been slowto occur,with one notable exception being Louisiana’sSen. BillCassidy,who overthe weekend describedthe shooting “incredibly disturbing” and called for an immediate joint investigation by federal and local authorities that may be gaining traction among Republican lawmakers. Whenfederal agents descended on the New Orleans area in December,wecalleditdeeply troubling that Gregory Bovino, commander-atlarge of theU.S. Border Patrol, and others in charge would not answer basic questionsabout their activities.Weurged federal authorities to be transparent and explain how theirtactics serve their statedgoal of removing the worst of theworst from our streets. We’restill waiting.

Any large-scale law enforcement operation should be carefully targeted to address astated problem, not cause chaos, creatememeson social media and sweep up peoplewho arenot rightfully suspectedofwrongdoingorintimidate those who defend their rights. It must not cause massive disruption to businesses, schools andother areasofpublic life.

And it must be carried out by agentsproperly trained in policing and public safetyprotocols, andinaccord withthe constitutional rights of all involved.

Those rights are clear and inalienable

They mean that all Americanscan nonviolentlyprotest the actions of federal agents operating on our streets. They mean that observers who are not interferingwiththe actions of federal agents can ﬁlm without thethreatof being labeled domestic terrorists. Theserights mean that those like Prettiwho lawfully carry ﬁrearms cannot have that used as apretext for state violence.

These rights, as outlined in theConstitution, are ones that members of Congress havesworn an oath to uphold. Democratic U.S. Rep. Troy Carter,ata hearing in NewOrleans on Monday,said local authorities welcome partnershipswithfederalauthorities, but not “occupation”or“unlawful search and seizure based on how someonelooks.”

We also note that U.S. Sen.JohnKennedy,ina TV appearanceFriday before Pretti waskilled, urged that enforcement be in orderwith due process and equal protection. And we call on other Republicans in thedelegation—fromHouse Speaker MikeJohnson andMajorityLeaderSteveScalise to ClayHiggins,whose background is in local lawenforcement, and newly declared U.S. Senate candidate JuliaLetlow —tomake similar statements

We point to the invaluable role that journalists on the scene play in gettingatthe facts. It hasnever been more important foreveryone to seek out independent, veriﬁed information Yet, polls show most Americansdon’t like what they’ve seen so far.IsCongress listening?

OPINION

Despite its immense land mass, Greenland has generally been outside thepublic eye —until this past year

An autonomous territory that belongs to Denmark, thepeople of Greenland aspire for their land to eventually becomeanindependent country.Itis now threatened tobetaken over by the U.S. The motivation for this remains murky The argument is that Greenland is essential for U.S. national security

Butsince Greenland is already partof NATO, it is not clear what difference it would make if it became American territory.Unlike what has been claimed, there is no evidence that Russia or

Louisiana’splacement at the bottom of the 2025 America’sHealth Rankings is sobering, but the full story includes signs of real progress that should not be overlooked.

The report shows that Louisiana now ranks 12thinthe nation for cancer screening, withrising rates of breast and colorectal screening. These gains mean morecancers are being detected earlier,when treatment is more effectiveand lives can be saved.

The data also show that moreLouisianans have aregular health care provider,acornerstone of managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. These conditions contribute to the risk of several cancers and other serious illnesses if left unaddressed.

These improvements demonstrate that prevention, access, and community-based care workwhen properly

In aletter in the Opinion page of Jan 6, the writer asks whether any Jan. 6 rioters are employed at Immigration and Customs Enforcement. That answerishard to ﬁnd, but one of rioters, Jared Wise, who stated at trial while underoath that he screamed to his fellowrioters to

China are eying Greenland, and this is why: It would be an attack on NATO territory.Conversely,the U.S. taking over Greenland would mean the end of NATO as we know it. It would crumble theWestern world and makeAmerica less safe. Iconducted two months of ﬁeldwork in West Greenland between 1987 and 1991. Iwas mostly based near the U.S. Air Force BaseinKangerlussuaq, until recently the only international gateway by air to Greenland. Beyond the incredible natural beauty,mymany fond memories include witnessing the peaceful cooperationinatight-knit community of Americans, Danes and

supported.

At theLSU LCMC Health Cancer Center,our pursuit of National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation is designed to strengthen these systems.

Bringing federal investment, research-driven strategies, and communitypartnerships to improve health outcomes across Louisiana will contribute to improving the health of all Louisianans, as well as the economy of our state.

The drive to NCI designation is about building theinfrastructure needed to improve prevention, early detection and care for the cancers that have the most impact in our state, and the chronic conditions that increase the risk of these cancers.

We have begun to movethe needle. Now we must keep pushing.

LUCIOMIELE, M.D director, LSU LCMCHealth Cancer Center

“kill them” repeatedly,referring to the Capitol Policeofﬁcers, while he breached theCapitol building, is now employed as asenior adviser at the Department of Justice. Strange days indeed

GLENJACKSON NewOrleans

In response to David Rubenstein’s question of why not build atunnel under theMississippi River in Baton Rouge rather than build abridge: Onereason very close to Louisiana is Mobile, Alabama. Has Rubenstein ever tried

to drive through the Mobile tunnel on aSaturday or Sunday during the summer?That in itself is one good reason not to build atunnel in Baton Rouge. BYRON CASEY NewOrleans

native Greenlanders. This military facility was dismantled in 1992 after the end of the Cold War, but it never changed the close ties between these nations. We saw this after 9/11 when Denmark immediately came to our side and mademajor sacriﬁces. Ihave no doubt that Denmark, as one of the mostcommitted NATO members, is open to expanding the U.S. military presence in Greenland in these geopolitically uncertain times. There is simply nothing to gain from taking over Greenland. But there is a lot to lose.

TORBJÖRN TÖRNQVIST NewOrleans

Iwould like everyone who reads this letter to take asimple test: Listen to the president of the United States ﬁve or 10 times. Listen to his words. In almost every statement he makes, he does one of four things: He brags. He insults. He whines. He lies. He brags: Highest poll numbers? Greatest economy? Won Minnesota three times? Aced the cognitive test? (A test for senility)

He insults: Low ratings. Low IQ.Moron. Scum.Vicious. Traitor.Very nasty.Animals, etc. He whines: Not very nice to me. Treated me very unfairly.I don’tthink he liked me. Didn’t support me. He lies: Toomany to list. Politifact has documented that only 10% of his statements it checked are true or mostly true. That meansthat he lies 90% of the time. Oh yeah! They’re eating the dogs! Cancer and windmills? Like it not, our president represents whoweare. It’s timewe listen to the president and decide if this is whowewant to be. Take the test and let me know what you think.

DANNY KLIN Kentwood

Collegesportsenter thecynicismera

Themost notable thing about the sprawling indictments earlierofmore than two dozen basketball players for point-shaving wasn’tthe scale of the investigation. It wasn’tthat it included players on two different continents, or those at multiple schools, includingthree in Louisiana.It wasn’tthe details:players paid thousands for underperforming on purpose so bettors could proﬁt.

about money is no longer pretending to be about something else.

The most notable thing was how the news provoked barelya ripple in the news and cultural zeitgeist. There are plenty of potential reasons forthis, but one is clear: College sports fans have ﬁnally accepted that college sports are as dollar-driven as theirprofessional counterparts.

In decades past, ablockbuster announcement that implicated dozens of college athletes in amoney-related scandal would have prompted endless pearl-clutching and tut-tutting fromthe public and the media.

Serious people wouldhave written long think pieces; ESPN anchors would have delivered solemn-tonedcommentaries. Some would have bemoanedthe harm to such ideals as “amateurism” and“fair-play.” The “integrity” of the game would have been atstake Not anymore. There was little of that in the last few weeks. Most of the sports world —and the broader world —just movedonto thenext thing. Fans, if theytook note of it at all,made ajoke or smiled wearily, andthen forgot about it. With the advent of the NILand revenue sharing, the facade hasbeen ripped offcollege sports. What has long been

In thepast, college athletes getting money wereoften left to shady characters like bagmen, bookies and the like.

The “respectable” sportsfan believed these werestudents ﬁrst,athletes second. Money- or gambling-related scandals were outliers, we told ourselves.

Thatnaiveté is why the massivecollegesportsscandals of yesteryear, suchasTulane’spoint-shaving scandalinthe mid-1980s or theSMU “deathpenalty” case in thesame era, weresuch blockbusternews stories.

Theyforced us, as college sports fans, to grapple with the grim reality behind thescenes on campus:Playerswho workhardand make lots of money for others also liketobepaid themselves. And sometimes, they don’tcarewhere thecash is coming from.

Now,someofwhat were once scandalous practices have moved from the shadows into the light.Throw in the proliferationoflegal sportsgambling, andweassportsfans and news consumershave become accustomed to the idea thatcollege sports, like theircounterparts in the professional realm, are really about the almightydollar Looknofurther than thenow-legal sports transactions over the last few weeks. LSU and new coach Lane Kifﬁn competedina public way for big-time college transfers, many of whom were pitting LSU against other schools to see whowould offer the best contract

Thereare plentywho hate this new reality and wish college sportscould go back to the wayitwas It’snot and it shouldn’t.

The players should be paid. They should getall theNIL money they can get. Schools should share themillions in merchandising and television revenue theyget with the playerswho train for years and put theirhealth on the line everygame.

Paying playerswhat they’reworth as partofNIL and revenue-sharing creates income inequality.Some players, like high-proﬁle quarterbacks,are going to get millions.Other players, perhaps just afew lockersdown or in adifferent sport,are going to get tiny fractions of that.

It is not hard to seehow the infusion of NIL and other legal money into sports creates added allurefor players not making big salaries.

Fans,who aresophisticated consumersthemselves, now seem to understand this. The average ticket holder pays for parking, tickets,atailgate spot, aseat licenseand myriadother fees and charges. Somebody who constantly sees the university with its hand out is not surprised when they hear of a player doing thesame thing.

But there is aline between earning an NIL or revenue-sharing deal and agreeing to play poorly for afew grand at the request of gamblers.The former is now legal and right;the latter is properly a criminal matter

Nonetheless, when dozens of players face criminal charges as part of agambling scandal, thecollective outrage is minimal. Athletesand coaches have long known that college sportsisabout money Now fans clearly do, too.

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

Speech at DavosovershadowedTrump’s

People who made it all the way through President Donald Trump’s comical address at the World Economic Forum were rewarded with relief when he said amilitary invasionofGreenland was off the table. For now.Healso said U.S. ownership of Greenland wouldn’tbeathreatto NATO. (That’scomforting!)

But first,hebragged abouthis many accomplishments aspresident: ending wars, imposing tariffs and using the office to enrich himself to the tune of more than$1.4 billion (he left that out). He also made his argument for taking Greenland which he said the United Statesreturned to Denmark after defending the island in World WarII. “How stupid were we to do that?” he askedhis restless audience. But really,folks, all he was asking for was asimple handover ofa largely uninhabitable, “big, beautiful piece of ice.” Greenland, Trump told the crowd, is essential to national security (America’sand, by his ownextrapolation, the world’s). The only viable deterrent to “potential enemies” would be an American military occupation and construction of “the greatest golden dome ever built” over the slab of ice thatactual human beings call home. Though Trump’sspeech offeredsome reassurance to other world leaders gathered in Davos, Switzerland, his overlong performance paled in comparison with others, chiefly that ofCanada’sprime minister.MarkCarney’s elegant speech was Beethoven’sFifth Symphony to the monotonous strains of Trump’sswaggering ditty.Eloquent but direct, Carney basically endedTrump with gentlemanly clarity and poetic innuendo.

In an era of superpowerrivalry,Carney said, hoping that complacency will buy safety is no longer an option.

“Weare in the midst of arupture,not atransition,” he said,referring to the once-trusted, if sometimesfictional, rules-based international order.The fiction was useful for atime.American hegemony,hesaid, helped provide public goods, such as open sea lanes, astable financial system, collective security andsupport forframeworksfor resolving disputes. “This bargain no longer works,” he said. Rules today are onlyfor the little guys. Superpowers, including the U.S., nowdowhat they wantwhen they want Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine, he goes in. China wants Taiwan, it’sonly amatter of time. The U.S. took Venezuela and now wants Greenland. Howlong

beforeTrump chooses another target on awhim?

Carney’ssuggested remedy is greater strategic autonomy in energy,food, critical minerals, ﬁnance and supply chains.“When therules no longer protectyou,” he said, “youmust protect yourself.”

But middle powers, as he described Canada and Europe, building fortresses of self-sufﬁciency while competing againsteach other would be lesseffective againstaggression thana coalition of nations with sharedvalues and an acceptance of realityasthe world is, notas one wishes it to be. Negotiating bilaterally with ahegemon would be to negotiate fromweakness.

“Wecompete with each other to be the most accommodating. This is not sovereignty.Itisthe performance of sovereigntywhile accepting subordination.”

The audiencewent wild —cheering, stomping and leaping to their feet to applaud. Thiswas nothing like the tepid response to Trump’smischaracterizations and fantasies. It was arelief, ﬁnally,tohear astatesman articulate the sense of rupture so many Americans have feltbut been loath or unable to express. Complacency in the hope of safety doesn’tworkand never has.

Everyone understood, especially when Carney noted Canada’ssupport for Greenland and Denmark. His remarks essentially were acall to arms and aplea to live in truth,” to build strength athome and act together

“That is Canada’spath …and it is a path wide opentoany countrywilling to take it with us.” It has been along while sinceanyone

has given agranderspeech, inspiring memories of Winston Churchill, which brings to mind Harry Hopkins, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’semissary to the British prime minister in 1941 As told by Erik Larsonin“The Splendid and the Vile,” based on historical records and diaries,Churchill sought to persuade Roosevelt to joinBritain in its defense against Germany.Hopkins, amild-mannered man of “death’s-door appearance,” was alsocharming and had been sent to hear Churchill’scase and speak for the president

Overbrandy and cigars, Churchill launched intoamonologue describing the war thus far,proffering avision of the United States of Europe, explaining England’srule of law and free speech values, and his wish only to protect themagainst tyranny

“Whatwould the president say to all this?” he asked Hopkins.

Aftera long pause, Hopkins drawled, “I don’tthink thepresident will give a damn for all that.” Another long pause. “You see, we’reonly interested in seeing thatthe Goddamnsonofabitch Hitler gets licked.”

Speaking of reality.Hopkins was surely moredirect than Carney,but circumstances were vastly different.Hitler had just bombed Britain in the Blitz, and the country’sinvasion seemed imminent.Yet both instances —then and now —required arecognition of reality and an embrace of what mustbedone. Carney didn’tsay Trump must be “licked,”but few could have missedhis point.

Email Kathleen Parker at kathleenparker@washpost.com.

The nation has long needed, but never more than now,what it now has. The new biography of aSupremeCourt justice, “Robert H. Jackson: ALife in Judgment,” by University of Virginia law professor G. Edward White, arrives amid disputes involving judicial review of governmental, and especially presidential, actions presented as urgent fornational security.Concerning this, Jackson believed judicial deference should be high, but not unlimited. In 1940, before Jackson joined the court, it ruled, 8-1, that aPennsylvania school district could makesaluting the ﬂag mandatory.Some Jehovah’sWitnesses objected to this as idolatry The court’sopinion was written by Justice Felix Frankfurter.Hethought coercing the Jehovah’s Witnesses wasmistaken, but he generally favored judicial restraint, and considered the school district’sobjective had arational basis: “National unity is the basis of national security.”

In 1943, Jackson’ssecond year as ajustice, the court repudiated this, 6-3, in an identical case involving Jehovah’sWitnesses. Writing forthe majority,Jackson said:

It is doubtful “that the strength of government to maintain itself would be impressively vindicated by our confirming power of the state to expel ahandful of children from school.” So, national security does not justify“officially disciplined uniformity.” And: “The very purpose of aBill of Rights wastowithdraw certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy,toplace them beyond the reach of majorities and officials,” as “legal principles to be applied by the courts.” And: “Authority here is to be controlled by public opinion, not public opinion by authority.”

Biographer White considers Jackson’slanguage “overbroad,” given what wartimeexigencies sometimes require governments to do. But in what White calls 1943’s“atmosphere of enhanced patriotism,” Jackson’swords wereapposite. A year later,Jackson was wary about bending constitutional principles to accommodate claimed national security imperatives.

During World WarII, the existence of large West Coast populations with “Japanese ancestry” prompted the government to require people like Fred Korematsu, aU.S. citizen, to leave the area and submit to relocation in concentration camps. The military report justifying this was, as White says, saturated with racist suppositions, such as: All persons of Japanese ancestry are “subversive” and belong to “an enemy race” whose “racial strands are undiluted.” In 1944, the court ruled 6-3 against Korematsu’s challenge. Dissenting, Jackson held that courts should not review military ofﬁcials’ wartimedecisions. The internment policy,although “very bad as constitutional law,” was,Jackson wrote, promulgated by amilitary commander implementing amilitary program,“not making law in the sense the courts know the term.”

Jackson saw imprudence in the court evaluating the order’sconstitutionality: “Once ajudicial opinion rationalizes such an order to show that it conforms to the Constitution …the court forall timehas validated the principle of racial discrimination in criminal procedure and of transplanting American citizens.” Then: “The principle …lies about like aloaded weapon ready forthe hand of any authority that can bring forward aplausible claim of an urgent need.”

In 1952, the court and Jackson again confronted the task of reconciling constitutional principles and apresident’sclaim of urgency.With the Korean Warraging, Harry Truman said an impending nationwide steelworkers strike would “jeopardize national defense,” so he issued an executive order forgovernment to seize and operate mostmills. The companies sued, arguing that no act of Congress or constitutional provision validated Truman’s action.

Truman’slawyers argued that his authorization “could be implied from the aggregate of his powers under the Constitution,” especially as commander in chief. The court disagreed, 6-3. Concurring, Jackson said that Truman’saction ﬂowed from neither an express nor implied authorization by Congress, and was against Congress’s will as expressed in a1947 labor relations law that madenoprovision forsuch presidential action. It would be “sinister and alarming” to say that the president, enjoying vast discretion regarding foreign affairs, can by “his own” foreign commitment “vastly enlarge his mastery over” the nation’sinternal affairs. This way, the president “of his own volition” can give himself “undeﬁned emergency powers.” Truman’sseizure of the mills originates in his “individual will” and “represents an exercise of authority without law.”

Today,the nation is inured to presidential claims of urgent needs —“emergencies,” “existential” dangers —being used forevasions of the Constitution. Said Jackson, our institutions forkeeping the executive under the law might be “destined to pass away,” but “it is the duty of the Court to be last, not ﬁrst, to give them up.”

Email George Will at georgewill@washpost.com.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By SEAN KILPATRICK

Canada PrimeMinister Mark Carneydelivers aspeech at the WorldEconomic ForuminDavos, Switzerland, on Jan. 20

Kathleen Parker

George Will

Faimon Roberts

BETTER HALF

LSUwomen’s hoopsblows by Floridaafter tight firsthalf

BY REEDDARCEY Staff writer

It was sloppy at ﬁrst. Turnovers were an issue.

But once the LSU women’sbasketball team figuredout howtoplaysharper offense, it cruised to an 89-60 win over Florida on Monday in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center Jada Richard and Mikaylah Williams helped the No. 6Tigers (19-2, 5-2SEC) clean up those mistakes. Richard scored agame-high 20 points, while Williams chipped in 12 points,ﬁve reboundsand three assists. Thetwo guards did most of

their damage in thethird quarter Williams hit two jumpers in that quarter,including one thatRichard set up with asteal at the other end. Richard drained abaseline jumperand apair of 3-pointers, thesecond of which gave the Tigers a16-point lead that they would ride to their ﬁfthstraight victory “When we stoppedgiving up layups,” coach Kim Mulkey said, “thenthey started doing what? They started shooting a lot of 3s. Well, we’ll let them shoot those 3s. That 3isnot gonna beat you against Florida.”

LSU’swin on Monday was not as smooth as the oneitpickedupThursdayina road

ASSOCIATED

NewEngland Patriotsheadcoach MikeVrabelspeaks with quarterback DrakeMayeafterthe AFC championship game againstthe Denver Broncos on SundayinDenver.

Seahawks andPatriots traveled di

BY ROBMAADDI

Drake Maye vs. Sam Darnold. Twostingy defenses. Asecondyear head coach vs. aveteran coach in his second act. Super Bowl 60 is set: The New England Patriots vs. the Seattle Seahawks. The Patriots will seek their NFLrecordseventh Super Bowl victory when they face the Seahawks on Feb. 8atLevi’sStadium in Santa Clara, Calif.

Led by Maye, coach MikeVrabel and astiﬂing defense, the Patriots are back in the Super Bowlfor the ﬁrst time since TomBradyand Bill Belichick won their sixthring to-

getherseven years ago. The Patriots (17-3) beat theDenver Broncos 10-7 onSunday in the AFC championship game to advancetotheir 12thSuperBowl.

Darnold, Mike Macdonald and a suffocating defense have led the Seahawks to the big stage for the fourth time in franchise history

They’re seeking theirsecondLombardi.

Darnold, aNo. 3overall pick in 2018 now with his fifth team, played one of hisbest games to lead the Seahawks to a31-27 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in theNFC title game. He threwfor 346yards andthree touchdowns

BY ROBMAADDI AP pro footballwriter

game against TexasA&M. That44-point victorywas themostlopsidedSEC win the Tigers have earned sinceMulkey’s tenure began in 2021. Like the Aggies, the Gators begantheir game against LSU with only onewin over aleague foe. But they didn’t playlike it on Monday, at least in theﬁrsthalf.There were times early in the game when Florida beat theTigers down theﬂoor in transition to score easy buckets. Or when its half-court offense set up apair of timely 3-pointers that preventedLSU from widening its lead

ä See LSU WOMEN, page 3C

SamDarnold willbestarting in theSuper Bowl beforeLamar Jackson, Josh Allenand the rest of theNFL’s Class of 2018 quarterbacks. It took Darnold ﬁve teams and eight seasonstoget here

Darnoldled theSeattleSeahawks to a14-3 record, adivision title, the No. 1seed andwas at his best in the NFC championship game.

Despite an oblique injury,Darnold threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns in Seattle’s31-27 victory over the LosAngeles Rams on Sunday.He completed25of36passesand had no turnovers.

“He just shut alot of people up,” Seahawkscoach Mike Macdonald said. “Really happy for him.”

Labeledabustearly in his career,Darnold was still doubtedby critics after his impressive turnaround. Now he’sone winaway from hoisting theVince Lombardi Trophy.The Seahawks are 41/2-point favorites over theNew EnglandPatriots on BetMGM Sportsbook.

Darnold was picked No. 3overall by theNew York Jetsin2018. BakerMayﬁeld went ﬁrst to the Cleveland Browns. Allen went

BY RODWALKER Staff writer

The three-game road trip the New Orleans Pelicans are currently on looked quite daunting when it began. The Pelicans were 0-7 against the Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs andOklahoma CityThunderthis season. But the trip has gotten off to agood start. ThePelicans beat theGrizzlies on Friday and the Spurs on Sunday and have picked up alittle momentum heading into Tuesday’sgame against the Thunder APelicansteam that often struggled closing out games all of asudden has ﬁguredout howtodoso. In theirlatest win, the Pelicans scored 13 unanswered points late in the fourth quarter to pull away from theSpurs fora 104-95victory at Frost Bank Center In the gamebefore that,the Pelicans gotclutchbasketsdownthe stretchfrom Saddiq Bey andoutscored theGrizzlies 40-26 in the fourth quarter

“WhatI’m most proud of is the defense down the stretch,” Pelicansinterim coach James Borrego said after Sunday’s winover the Spurs. “Down the stretch, we’ve been able to find some rhythm here defensively.SameasMemphis in the last game. It was our defense that brought us home.” Nowthe Pelicans take on an Oklahoma City team that thrives on defense. The Thunder has the NBA”s best record (3710) andleads theleague in defensive rating.The Thunder looked invincible after starting 24-1. Sincethen, therecord is 13-9. OKC haslostthreeofits last ﬁve games, including back-to-back losses to the Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors in the last two games. OKC has been athorn in the Pelicans’ side, though. The Pels have lost 12 straight gamestothe Thunder.Thatincludes the sweep in the ﬁrst round of the playoffs in the 2023-24 season. The last win against OKC was on Nov 1, 2023. To end that drought, they will need a

ä Patriots vs. Seahawks, 5:30 P.M. FEB.8,NBC

to theBuffalo Bills at No. 7. Josh Rosenwas chosen 10th

ä Pelicans at Thunder, 7P.M.TUESDAy,GCSEN

PRESS PHOTO By ASHLEy LANDIS

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU guard Mikaylah Williams makes the pass around Florida guard Laila Reynoldsinthe firstquarter on Mondayatthe Pete Maravich Assembly Center

Oklahoma guard Aaliyah Chavez celebrates after scoring against South Carolina during their game on Thursday in Norman, Okla.

The Sooners won 94-82 in overtime and vaulted six spots in the AP Top 25 poll to No. 10. AP

ADAMS

SEC sets record with 10 ranked teams

BY DOUG FEINBERG Associated Press

NEW YORK The Southeastern Conference set a record with 10 teams in The Associated Press women’s Top 25 basketball poll released Monday Georgia entered at No 23 after its win over then-No. 11 Kentucky to give the conference the most teams ever in a single week in the 50-year history of the poll. Last season, the SEC had 10 teams in the men’s Top 25 for a few weeks. UConn remained the unanimous No. 1 choice from the 31-member national media panel. The Huskies are the lone undefeated team left in women’s college basketball. They have won 37 straight games dating to last season. UCLA moved up to No. 2 after South Carolina lost in overtime to Oklahoma, which jumped six spots to No 10. The Gamecocks fell to third, leading a quartet of SEC squads. Texas was fourth, Vanderbilt ﬁfth

and LSU sixth. The Commodores suffered their ﬁrst loss of the season, falling at South Carolina on Sunday Louisville and Iowa were seventh and eighth. Michigan dropped two spots to ninth after losing to the Commodores in the Coretta Scott King Classic last week.

Ranked Georgia

The Bulldogs are in the Top 25 for the ﬁrst time since 2022. They started the season 14-0 in nonconference play for the ﬁrst time in 16 years and already own victories over No. 17 Ole Miss and No. 18 Kentucky The team was a staple in the Top 25 for years under former coach Andy Landers. Georgia replaced Nebraska, which fell out of the poll.

Leading the way

The four teams that played in the Women’s Champions Classic at Barclays Center in December haven’t lost a conference game

yet. No. 15 Tennessee leads the SEC, Iowa is atop the Big Ten, Louisville is in front of the ACC and UConn tops the Big East. The four are a combined 35-0 in league play through Sunday Conference supremacy

After the SEC’s 10 ranked teams, the Big Ten is next with seven. The Big 12 has four teams in the Top 25. The Atlantic Coast Conference has two while the Big East and Ivy League each have one.

Games of the week

No. 15 Tennessee at No. 1 UConn, Sunday The Lady Vols will try and spoil the Huskies’ undefeated season when the two teams get together This will likely be the ﬁnal ranked opponent that UConn will face before the NCAA Tournament.

No. 8 Iowa at No. 2 UCLA, Sunday First place in the Big Ten will be on the line when the Hawkeyes visit the Bruins. UCLA has won 13

BY DAVE SKRETTA Associated Press

Arizona remained the unanimous No. 1 team in the AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll ahead of Monday night’s showdown at No. 13 BYU, while fellow unbeaten Nebraska climbed to a program-best ﬁfth ahead of its big week in the Big Ten.

The Wildcats, riding their best start since the 2013-14 season, received all 60 ﬁrst-place votes from the national media panel to easily outdistance second-place UConn and third-ranked Michigan, whose places remained unchanged from last week’s poll

Arizona was 20-0 going into the week, just the third 20-game win streak in program history.

“We’re just trying to win one game every week, or however many games we have, and I think we’re doing a good job of it,” Wildcats freshman star Koa Peat said “Just keep doing what we’re doing, and keep getting better as a team.” Duke remained No. 4 ahead of the Huskers, who also are 20-0 and climbed two more spots from last week. Nebraska has won 24 in a row dating to last season, the longest win streak by any Big Ten team since Ohio State won 24 straight to start the 2010-11 season. Just like Arizona, the path to stay perfect is perilous. The Huskers visit Michigan on Tuesday night and play No. 9 Illinois on Sunday Gonzaga moved up two spots to sixth after narrowly avoiding an upset loss to San Francisco. The Bulldogs were followed by Michi-

gan State, Iowa State, the Illini and Houston, which remained in the top 10 for a 23rd straight poll despite its loss to Texas Tech. The Red Raiders were right behind at No. 11 following wins over Baylor and their 90-86 triumph over the Cougars on Saturday Purdue tumbled eight spots to No. 12 following back-to-back losses to UCLA and Illinois. BYU stayed put at No. 13, Kansas climbed five spots to No. 14 ahead of its matchup with BYU on Saturday, while Arkansas also moved up five spots to round out the top 15. St. John’s, the preseason No. 5, returned to the poll for the first time since dropping out in midDecember following wins over Seton Hall and Xavier, the latter giving coach Rick Pitino his 900th win. Georgia dropped out after a lopsided loss to Texas.

Rising and falling

North Carolina made the biggest climb this week, moving up six spots to No. 15 after wins over Notre Dame and then-No. 14 Virginia Kansas and Arkansas were just ahead of the Tar Heels after moving up ﬁve spots apiece.

Purdue’s eight-spot fall to No. 12 dropped the Boilermakers out of the top 10 for the ﬁrst time this season. Alabama fell six spots to No. 23 following its loss to Tennessee, while Houston and Clemson each fell four spots. Update on the NET

The NET rankings released Monday, which the NCAA uses to help with its tournament selection, largely mirrors the Top 25, though with a few exceptions. It ranks UConn six spots lower at No. 8, Texas Tech seven down at

McDaniel joins Chargers as offensive coordinator

LOS ANGELES Mike McDaniel has agreed to become the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive coordinator

The Chargers announced the hiring Monday of McDaniel, who spent the past four seasons as the Dolphins’ head coach. McDaniel was fired less than three weeks ago after going 35-33 at Miami, which missed the playoffs in the past two years. After interviewing for multiple head coaching jobs this month, McDaniel has agreed to join Jim Harbaugh with the Chargers, who ﬁnished their second straight 11-6 season under their veteran head coach with another playoff exit in the wild-card round.

Harbaugh and the Chargers spent the past week hoping to lock down McDaniel, who is widely considered one of the top offensive minds in football.

Rivers withdraws from consideration for Bills job

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y Philip Rivers called timeout, informing the Buffalo Bills he is withdrawing from consideration for the team’s headcoaching job, two people with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Monday

The 44-year-old quarterback, who came out of retirement last month and started three games with the Indianapolis Colts, interviewed with the Bills on Friday Buffalo’s search process began on Wednesday, two days after Sean McDermott was ﬁred.

Rivers was considered one of Buffalo’s more intriguing candidates, despite having no previous NFL coaching experience. After ﬁrst retiring after the 2020 season, he spent ﬁve years coaching a high school team in his native Alabama.

Scheffler shines in desert with American Express win LA QUINTA, Calif. — Scottie Schefﬂer made birdie on half of his holes at The American Express, shooting a 6-under 66 for a four-shot victory on Sunday

The world’s No 1 player had four birdies in a six-hole stretch on the front nine to blow past 18-yearold Blades Brown and the rest of the ﬁeld.

Schefﬂer won for the 20th time on the PGA Tour all in the past four years — to earn a lifetime membership. More indicative of his dominance in the game is winning nine of those 20 tournaments by four shots or more. He also joined Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players to have 20 PGA Tour titles and four majors before turning 30.

Alabama C to play after judge postpones hearing TUSCALOOSA,Ala. — Alabama center Charles Bediako will play against Missouri on Tuesday night after a judge delayed a hearing in his eligibility case against the NCAA. Judge James H. Roberts of the Tuscaloosa Circuit Court on Monday extended a temporary restraining order regarding Bediako’s request for a preliminary injunction because a winter storm would not allow one of the NCAA’s attorneys to get from Tennessee to Alabama.

Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats said Saturday that Bediako will “continue to play as long as he’s eligible to play.”

Bediako is the ﬁrst player with collegiate experience to sign an NBA contract and get the chance to return to college basketball.

Pitcher Ryan, Twins agree to $6.2 million contract

18th and Arkansas ﬁve lower at 20th, while Illinois is three spots better at No. 6, Vanderbilt is ﬁve spots better at 13th and Florida is three better at 16th.

Top 25 voters put Miami of Ohio at 24th amid its perfect start to the season, while the NCAA ranking has the RedHawks at No. 48. Conference watch

The Big 12 and the Big Ten continue to dominate the Top 25. Arizona leads three top-10 teams for the Big 12 and six in the Top 25, while Michigan, Nebraska, Michigan State and Illinois give the Big Ten four in the top 10 while Purdue makes it ﬁve in the Top 25.

The ACC also has five ranked teams, the SEC four, the Big East two and the West Coast, Atlantic 10 and Mid-American one apiece.

MINNEAPOLIS Pitcher Joe Ryan and the Minnesota Twins avoided salary arbitration, agreeing Monday to a one-year contract that guarantees $6.2 million. Ryan gets $6.1 million this year — the midpoint

PHOTO By ALONZO

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU gym regains No. 2 ranking

BY SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writer

After posting one of the top two scores in the nation in the 2026 season, the LSU gymnastics team returned Monday to the top two in the national rankings.

LSU’s 198.050-195.775 romp over Kentucky on Friday lifted the Tigers’ season average to 197.467, behind only Oklahoma. The Sooners had a 198.425 in a win Friday over Georgia and are at 197.783 for the season.

Former No 1 Florida is tied for third with Alabama (197.417) Missouri, which LSU faces on the road Friday (6:45 p.m., SEC Network), is No. 7 at 197.069.

Individually, Kailin Chio is No. 1 nationally on balance beam (9.967 average) after the season’s ﬁrst perfect 10 on beam against Kentucky, just one of four 10.0 scores so far nationally Chio is also the nation’s No. 4-ranked all-arounder (39.467) after posting a 39.775 against Kentucky, the second-best all-around score nationally, and tied for third on vault (9.925) Konnor McClain is tied for fourth on uneven bars (9.925) while Courtney Blackson, who has won two bars titles in three meets, is seventh (9.917). Kaliya Lincoln is ninth on ﬂoor (9.908) and Amari Drayton is tied for 10th on beam (9.925).

Changing the lineup

LSU coach Jay Clark was asked

LSU WOMEN

Continued from page 1C

There were also self-inflicted mistakes The Tigers turned the ball over nine times in the second quarter alone. But they still got enough stops to take a 36-29 lead into halftime.

That’s when Richard started to assert herself. On defense in the third quarter, she stripped a ballhandler and forced an illegal screen. On offense, she took care of the ball and drained three of the four shots she took, helping LSU widen its lead to 19 points before the fourth quarter began The Tigers committed only two turnovers in that pivotal quarter

“I feel like a lot of our turnovers were unforced,” Richard said. “Kind of just being sloppy with the ball and things like that. So I feel like once we cleaned that up, cleaned up some transition defensive points, then we found our way back into our mode defensively.”

In the second half, LSU converted 16 of 31 field goal tries (52%). It also shot 4 of 8 from beyond the 3-point arc. Richard and Williams combined to score 21 of the 53 points that the Tigers scored. Transfer forward Amiya Joyner in her fourth straight start, notched 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to post her seventh double-double of the season. MiLaysia Fulwiley scored 15 points and blocked three shots after hitting three of the five field goals she took in the fourth quarter Kate Koval, a sophomore transfer from Notre Dame, pulled down 10 rebounds in the 15 minutes she played. Florida guard Liv McGill, the SEC’s second-leading scorer notched eight points in the first

about having Madison Ulrich, the junior transfer from Denver do only one event Friday a week after winning the all-around title at Georgia. Ulrich got a 9.85 on bars. Clark said the goal is to work some breaks into the schedule for all his gymnasts.

“Mad Dog,” Clark said, referring to Ulrich, “is in the thick of it on every event I told her when she came here she’s an allarounder, but I don’t want anyone to have to compete all-around every single week. That’s not a good place to be. I worry about Chio as we go into the latter part of the year Do we need to find her a place where we can get her some rest?”

It’s a similar reason that LSU has used McClain in only two or three events per meet after offseason wrist surgery

“We’re pacing her,” Clark said. “Konnor wants to do it all But we’re picking our spots right now I’m not going to do anything that I can control that puts her at risk of not being fully ready to go at her best in March and April. We have not had that yet (from her). That’s my aspiration.”

On Brock, Jeffrey

Fifth-year seniors Chase Brock and Alexis Jeffrey have yet to compete this season as they slowly work back from injuries.

Clark said Brock’s Achilles injury, which ended her season in

early February last year, continues to ﬂare up.

“It was going perfectly,” he said, “but she’s had some setbacks She’s got some ankle pain. It’s structurally safe, but it’s uncomfortable. There’s just a lot of mileage on her ankles.

“I know she’s frustrated She’s progressing. But the timetable is hard to read. There are weeks when it looks like she’s getting close and there’s weeks when we can’t push a whole lot.”

Jeffrey who underwent offseason back surgery, could return to the lineup soon, Clark said.

“Jeff is ready on bars,” he said. “It’s a tough competition on that event. We’re doing really well on bars. (But) it’s something that I anticipate her doing. It could be as early as this week. She’s in the mix and is in consideration every week. She’s just gotten where she’s added her ﬁnal skills on balance beam and will be relevant on that event as we go.”

Clark said their experience is a huge asset to the squad even when not competing.

“They’ve been on a championship team,” he said, referring to LSU’s 2024 NCAA title squad.

“They know what that feels like. Their presence, voice, maturity, emotional intelligence is imperative. When things aren’t going well for them, others see that and they’re handling it perfectly.”

the fourth quarter on Monday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center

quarter but ﬁnished her night with only 14 – nine below her season average. Richard defended her for most of the game.

“(Richard) just never gets tired,” Mulkey said, “and she figures it out. She started the game tonight not really good in transition, and I took her out. Well, she didn’t pout. She didn’t sit over there and feel sorry for herself She went right back in and ﬁgured it out, and that’s what competitors do.”

Florida sophomore forward

Me’Arah O’Neal, the daughter of Shaquille O’Neal, scored only three points in her PMAC debut. She began Monday’s contest averaging 14 points and seven rebounds per game.

LSU is in the middle of a brief

respite from its unforgiving SEC schedule. Between matchups with No. 10 Oklahoma and No. 24 Alabama, it was scheduled to take on Texas A&M, Florida and Arkansas – the SEC’s bottom three teams. Ten of the other 13 teams in the league are ranked in the latest edition of the AP Top 25 Poll, including the Tigers. Before this week, no conference had ever put that many teams in the poll since its inception in 1976. As things stand, LSU will play five more games against ranked opponents before the regular season ends. Its next contest, a Thursday home matchup with Arkansas, is not one of them. The Razorbacks are 0-6 in SEC play

Pegula takes down reigning women’s champion Keys

BY JOHN PYE AP sportswriter

MELBOURNE, Australia — Jessica

Pegula knocked podcast pal and defending champion Madison Keys out of the Australian Open on Monday to secure a quarterﬁnal against Amanda Anisimova, another all-American match. Their fourth-round wins on Day 9 mean four Americans have reached the women’s singles last eight in Australia for the first time since 2001, when Serena and Venus Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Monica Seles and Lindsay Davenport made it through.

It is also the ﬁrst time the topsix seeds in the women’s and men’s singles have all qualiﬁed for the last eight of a Grand Slam event in the Open Era.

“Sucks that one American has to go out in the quarterfinals,” Anisimova said.

No. 6-seeded Pegula had a slightly different take: “At least one of us will get through and I think that’s great for American tennis. Yeah, it’s been pretty crazy how well the women have been doing and how many top-ranked girls there are. I’m just happy to be a part of that conversation.”

Pegula and No 4 Anisimova advanced a day after No. 3 Coco Gauff and 18-year-old Iva Jovic earned their places on the other side of the draw

Pegula’s 6-3, 6-4 win at Rod Laver Arena ended Keys’ first Grand Slam title defense in a tough section of the draw

Anisimova, runner-up at the last two majors at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, advanced 7-6 (4), 6-4 over Wang Xinyu as the temperature started rising at Melbourne Park and organizers triggered the heat stress policy which that allowed for extra cooling breaks.

“What a battle out there. Tough conditions against a really good opponent,” Anisimova said. “There were a lot of fans from China today but, honestly, it made the atmosphere great.”

No. 2 Iga Swiatek continued her quest to complete a career Grand Slam with a 6-0, 6-3 win over home qualiﬁer Maddison Inglis, giving the center court crowd little to cheer on the Australia Day national holiday Swiatek next meets No. 5 Elena Rybakina, runner-up to Aryna Sa-

balenka here in 2023.

Pegula is in the quarterﬁnals for the fourth time in Australia but has never previously gone further at the season-opening major Anisimova is in the last eight here for the ﬁrst time.

“I have been seeing, hitting, moving, I feel very well this whole tournament, and to be able to keep that up against such a great player as Maddie and defending champion was going to be a lot tougher of a task today,” Pegula said. “I was still able to do that really well.”

Pegula and Keys had played three times previously, and Keys had won the last two. But on Monday it was Pegula who dominated, racing to 4-1 leads in both sets.

“I felt if I didn’t hit a really good ball immediately, she was in charge of the points,” Keys said.

“I was kind of struggling to kind of get that dominance back.”

Pegula’s best performance in a major was reaching the U.S. Open ﬁnal in 2023.

Three Italian men started Day 9. Only two could advance.

Two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner beat compatriot Luciano Darderi 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (2) two days after admitting he felt lucky to survive the third round.

The Italian star next faces No. 8-seeded Ben Shelton, who beat No. 12 Casper Ruud 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in a night match. Sinner has won his last eight meetings with the 23-year-old American, including last year’s semiﬁnal here.

More comfortable Sinner extends his Australian Open streak to 18 wins

BY JOHN PYE AP sportswriter

MELBOURNE, Australia Jannik

Sinner wasn’t shaky or lucky to survive this time and the only thing really hot on Monday was his streak, which now stands at 18 straight wins at the Australian Open.

The two-time defending champion had a 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (2) win over fellow Italian Luciano Darderi to reach the quarterﬁnals for a ninth consecutive Grand Slam event.

Sinner struggled two days previously with the extreme heat and cramping in the afternoon win over No. 85-ranked Eliot Spizzirri, when he only took control after the roof was closed. In an evening match in cooler conditions, Sinner was cruising until Darderi lifted his tempo in the third set. Second-ranked Sinner missed match points in the 10th game on Darderi’s serve but then took it up a notch in the tiebreaker

“I felt quite good out there physically Everything was OK today,” said Sinner, who had limited practice on his off day between his third- and fourthround matches. “Let’s see what’s coming in the next round.”

It’ll be a familiar foe. No. 8-seeded Ben Shelton beat No. 12 Casper Ruud 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in a night match on Rod Laver Arena.

Sinner has won his last eight meetings with the 23-year-old American, including their semiﬁnal here last year

“I have a lot more that I want to do here, and I’ve got a lot to prove,” Shelton said. “I’ll be ready to go.” Sinner, toward the end of his

first official head-to-head with Darderi, had to improve to handle the sudden increased speeds of his rival’s forehand.

Darderi saved two match points on his serve in the 10th game of the third set and took the ﬁrst two points of the tiebreaker. He had to pause for a few moments then before serving because of a baby crying in the crowd at Margaret Court Arena.

He didn’t win another point. Sinner reeled off the next seven to triumph in two hours and nine minutes It also extended Sinner’s unbeaten streak to 18 against other Italians on tour

“It was very, very difficult. We’re good friends off the court,” Sinner said. “Third set I had some break chances, I couldn’t use them. I got tight, so very happy I closed it in three sets.” Sinner had 19 aces a personal record — and no doublefaults. He also wanted to emphasize some minor changes to his game, including going to the net and trying to mix up his game.

“Still room to improve, but very happy with how I’ve come back,” he said. “Now for sure, it (the serve) is a bit more stable. I try to go more to the net and being more unpredictable.”

The left-handed Shelton will throw everything he can at Sinner, who is aiming to become the ﬁfth man in the Open era to win three straight Australian titles. Shelton is into the quarterfinals for the third time in four years.

“I’m definitely a competitor.

I’m rowdy on the court. I look forward to rowdy crowds,” he said. “And down here in Australia, there’s no shortage.”

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU forward ZaKiyah Johnson makes a move in the paint against Florida forward Jade Weathersby in

LSU gymnast Konnor McClain starts her routine on the balance beam during the home opener against Kentucky on Friday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center

AP PHOTO By MARK BAKER

Jessica Pegula, left, of the U.S is congratulated by her compatriot Madison Keys after winning their fourth-round match at the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, on Monday

Stunned Rams sitting pretty for 2026 run

BY GREG BEACHAM AP sportswriter

LOS ANGELES The Los Angeles Rams could return next season with nearly every important contributor to a team that fell just a few big plays short of another trip to the Super Bowl, and they have the resources to add even more playmakers.

That doesn’t make the current players feel any better about their agonizing 31-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC title game on Sunday

These Rams (14-6) realize they had a team good enough to be something truly special.

“It always feels like a surprise,” right guard Kevin Dotson said Monday “Since I’ve been here, we have such supreme confidence that when we do lose, it’s like, ‘Wow, this is out of left field. I can’t believe that we lost.’ Even at the last moments of the game, when we had 30 seconds left, I’m thinking, ‘Hey, we still might win this ’ I’ll take that. It can hurt every time, but to have that feeling of confidence in everybody on my team, I think it’s worth it.”

The Rams were a Super Bowl favorite when they sat at 11-3 in mid-December with Sean McVay leading one of the NFL’s most complete rosters.

That was as good as it got Backto-back losses dropped Los Angeles from ﬁrst to ﬁfth in the NFC standings. After the Rams grinded out two road playoff victories, they made just enough mistakes in Seattle to fall short of their goal.

The Rams’ season ended with letdowns from the same areas that were clearly their weaknesses from early on in the season, yet were never ﬁxed.

SUPER BOWL

Continued from page 1C with no turnovers.

“That doesn’t matter to me,” Darnold said about the doubters he’s proven wrong. “I just come to work every single day with these guys. These guys in the locker room, that’s what it’s about to me, man. The way we’ve come to work ever since April in OTAs, training camp, one day at a time and we’re here. We did it.”

It was a wacky ﬁnish when Brady and the Patriots beat Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll’s Seahawks 11 years ago. Brady threw four TD passes

DARNOLD

Continued from page 1C

matters. Darnold struggled mightily during three seasons with the Jets playing for coaches Todd Bowles and Adam Gase, and offensive coordinators Jeremy Bates and Dowell Loggains. His 78.2 passer rating during that time ranked third worst among 53 QBs with at least 500 attempts. Darnold went to Carolina and

The special teams units made their final mistake in a season full of brutal errors when Xavier Smith muffed a punt return and gifted a short ﬁeld to Seattle for a third-quarter touchdown.

The secondary struggled at key moments while Sam Darnold passed for 346 yards and three TDs without an interception. The Rams’ strong pass rush couldn’t make up for the defense’s coverage woes, and smart offenses relentlessly picked on Los Angeles’ weakest links.

McVay then made two more errant decisions at crucial times failing on a short fourth-down attempt for a TD with 4:59 to play before losing a big timeout while botching a challenge decision shortly before the two-minute warning.

Separately, these mistakes wouldn’t be enough to stop a powerhouse team that never lost by more than one score all season long. When these ﬂaws all surfaced in the same game — as they did in every loss this season — they prevented the Rams from reaching their goal.

“It’s a tough way to ﬁnish, but it was pretty cool to see us get better at what we do,” left guard Steve Avila said. “I have no doubt that next year, we’ll carry that same mindset.”

While the Rams cleaned out their lockers in Woodland Hills, they also said farewells to the players who might not return. Prominent free agents include safety Kam Curl starting cornerbacks Cobie Durant and Ahkello Witherspoon, and tight end Tyler Higbee, who has been here for the Rams’ entire ﬁrst decade back home in Los Angeles.

“Everything happens so fast,”

Curl said “Not knowing if that

and rallied New England from a 10-point deﬁcit to win the fourth of his seven rings when Malcolm Butler intercepted Wilson’s pass from the 1-yard line to secure a 2824 victory on Feb. 1, 2015 Seattle fans still lament why Marshawn Lynch didn’t get the ball on a handoff at the 1.

“We did not care,” Macdonald said about coming into the season as underdogs in the NFC West behind the Rams and 49ers. “It’s about us. It’s always been about us and what we do and now we’re going to the Super Bowl.”

Maye scored on a 6-yard touchdown run in the second quarter in Denver after a critical turnover by Jarrett Stidham, who made his ﬁfth career start ﬁlling in for injured

played two seasons for coaches Matt Rhule and Steve Wilks, and coordinators Jeff Nixon, Joe Brady and Ben McAdoo. None of them could unlock his potential. He didn’t have the right coaching or supporting cast, and his teams lacked stability. Then he spent a season with Kyle Shanahan and assistants Klint and Klay Kubiak in San Francisco in 2023. Darnold backed up Brock Purdy on a 49ers team that reached the Super Bowl. He got a chance to watch learn and study in an environment that fostered growth.

Broncos lament lapses that cost them AFC title

BY ARNIE STAPLETON AP pro football writer

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver defense did all it could to carry the offensively challenged Broncos to Super Bowl 60. Vance Joseph’s unit sacked Drake Maye ﬁve times, limited him to 65 net yards passing, allowed just two sustained drives that netted three points, and the only touchdown the Broncos allowed came on a 12-yard drive after Jarrett Stidham’s panicked chest-pass turnover when he should have taken the sack and allowed punter Jeremy Crawshaw to flip the field on an opponent that hadn’t yet crossed midﬁeld.

All of that wasn’t enough to prevent New England’s 10-7 win in the snow Sunday that was fueled partly by Broncos coach Sean Payton’s decision to go for it on fourth and 1 from the Patriots 14 instead of kicking a ﬁeld goal for a double-digit lead before the blizzard arrived at halftime.

The fourth-down pass attempt failed and the Broncos never got inside New England’s 30-yard line again.

“It was a slip or naked (bootleg) that we have run pretty well. They played a 6-1 front with a two-deep shell. Hindsight, the initial run thought was a better decision,” Payton said.

Watching it all from a suite was quarterback Bo Nix, who broke his right ankle on Denver’s game-winning drive in overtime against Buffalo in the divisional round He’s looking at a threemonth recovery from surgery last week in Alabama.

The recovery time for the Broncos will be a lot longer

“We’ll remember it for the rest of our lives,” linebacker Alex Singleton said.

One thing that was solidified this season: The Broncos have their franchise quarterback in Nix, who’s won 25 games and led 11 game-winning drives in his ﬁrst two seasons.

“This dude, he’s special,” safety Talanoa Hufanga said. “There’s a reason I wore a T-shirt with him on it because I want him to feel the conﬁdence that I have in him. But, a dude who just goes out there and regardless of the situation, you all saw it all year, these fourth quarters and he pulls them out and you’re like, ‘How does he do it?’

Several Broncos, starting with OLB Nik Bonitto after the game, said they felt the better team lost

Sunday

“It’s sickening knowing we’re deﬁnitely the better team,” Bonitto said.

Singleton said he had booked an Airbnb for his family in Santa Clara.

was going to be our last game, and then today is probably going to be the last time seeing (some of these) guys. That’s the NFL.”

Yet their roster situation is quite good compared to many of their competitors. Three years after the start of general manager Les Snead’s franchise “remodel,” the Rams are largely set at many important positions, possessing the contracts and the cap space to run back nearly all of the current team if they desire while making judicious free-agent pickups.

Los Angeles also possesses the 13th and 29th picks in the upcoming draft, providing an opportunity to acquire key pieces on rookie contracts.

The Rams’ strong 2023 draft class is also eligible for extensions this spring. All-Pro receiver Puka Nacua, defensive tackle Kobie Turner and Avila seem highly likely to get paid, while the Rams must make decisions on sacks leader Byron Young, right tackle Warren McClendon and punter Ethan Evans.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford had nothing to say about his plans after the game, and he declined to speak to reporters Monday Stafford has taken time to contemplate his future in every offseason since his Super Bowl triumph four years ago. The Rams are saying nothing publicly, but the organization is optimistic about Stafford returning for an 18th NFL season, likely with yet another reworked contract The quarterback who turns 38 next month just doesn’t seem likely to walk away after becoming a top candidate for his first MVP award while leading the league with 4,707 yards passing and 46 TDs.

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix.

“The Pats are back, baby,” Maye said. “Now gotta win one.”

Playing through a snowstorm in the second half, Maye only threw for 86 yards and ran for 65. Stidham had 133 yards passing and one TD one interception and one costly fumble.

The 23-year-old Maye, a ﬁnalist for NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, will become the second-youngest QB to start a Super Bowl behind Dan Marino. He’s the fourth second-year QB in the past seven years to lead his team to the NFL title game. Patrick Mahomes (2018) won it while Joe Burrow (2021) and Brock Purdy (2023) lost.

Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls as a linebacker for the Pa-

Shanahan praised Darnold’s arm talent his ability to read defenses and run the offensive scheme. Darnold went to Minnesota and thrived under coach Kevin O’Connell. He had a breakthrough season in 2024, throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 TDs while having a 102.5 passer rating and leading the Vikings to 14 wins. But Minnesota chose to stick with J.J. McCarthy, whose injury opened the door for Darnold to play and ﬂourish. Based off his success with the Vikings, the Seahawks gave Darnold

“There’s always regrets. Look, I felt like here we are fourth and 1. I felt close enough Also, it’s a call you make based on the team you are playing and what you are watching on the other side of the ball But, there will always be second thoughts.”

Kick the field goal, take the sack and it might have been Denver heading to Santa Clara, California, to face the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl instead of the upstart Patriots (17-3).

The Broncos (15-4) lost a conference championship game for just the third time in 11 tries, and they lost to the Patriots at home in the playoffs for the ﬁrst time in ﬁve tries. Payton himself fell to 1-3 in conference championships.

“I think a lot of us had plans,” Singleton said. “I think we knew that we were the better team. And it (stinks).”

The Broncos could be losing Joseph to a head coaching job, although OLB Jonathon Cooper appeared to let slip news that Joseph was staying in Denver

“He’s the best D.C. I’ve had. I’m happy that he’s ...,” Cooper said, catching himself mid-word. “I don’t know exactly what to say because I don’t know all that he said. But he’s a great coach and I’m happy to have him.”

Joseph interviewed for several of the 10 jobs that came open this cycle but he likely would be back in demand a year from now — and have a deeper college QB class to help turn around a franchise in 2027.

triots in the 2000s, turned the team around in his ﬁrst season as coach. New England went from 4-13 last year under Jerod Mayo to 14-3.

Vrabel is trying to become the ﬁrst person to win a Super Bowl as a head coach and player for the same team. Tom Flores, Mike Ditka, Tony Dungy and Doug Pederson won Super Bowls playing for one team and coaching another

“I can’t tell you how proud I am to be associated with these guys and this organization,” said Vrabel, who is a ﬁnalist for NFL Coach of the Year “I won’t win it. It’ll be the players that’ll win the game, I promise you. It won’t be me that’ll win it and I promise you I’ll do everything that I can and our staff to have them ready for the game.”

a three-year, $100.5 million contract to replace Geno Smith. He became the ﬁrst quarterback in NFL history to lead two different teams to 14 wins in consecutive seasons. Tom Brady did it with the Patriots–. “We believe in him. The building believes in him. The city believes in him. It’s awesome to run out onto the ﬁeld with him,” All-Pro wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba said. Darnold has come a long way since telling coaches he was “seeing ghosts” during a lopsided loss to the Patriots in his second season. “There was a lot that I didn’t

No team has played in the Super Bowl more than the Patriots, who are 6-5. They’re tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most wins. It’s been a long road back to the top for New England, which came off consecutive four-win seasons and only had one winning season after Brady’s departure in 2020. The Patriots have averaged just 18 points per game in the playoffs, the fewest by any team to make the Super Bowl since the 1979 Rams who averaged 15. The New England defense has allowed just 26 points in the three games, an average of just 8.7 per game The only team to allow fewer points in three playoff games before a Super Bowl appearance was the 2000 Ravens, who gave up 16.

know back then, so I’m just going to continue to learn and grow in this great game,” Darnold said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By LINDSEy WASSON

Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori, left, breaks up a pass intended for Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua during the first half of the NFC championship game on Sunday in Seattle.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JOHN LOCHER Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham leaves the field after the AFC championship game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots on Sunday in Denver.

Fears, Queen picked for Rising Stars Game

BY ROD WALKER Staff writer

The New Orleans Pelicans will once again be represented in the Rising Stars showcase.

A pair of Pelicans rookies — guard Jeremiah Fears and center Derik Queen — were selected for the event that will take place Feb. 13 during All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. The rosters for the Rising Stars were announced Monday It’s the seventh straight year the Pelicans have had at least one player in the Rising Stars Game, which consists of rookies and second-year players

Fears, who played collegiately at Oklahoma, was the No 7 overall pick in the 2025 draft He’s the only player on the team who has played in all 48 games this season. He’s started 44 games. Fears is averaging 13.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists. He scored a season-high 24 points in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in November Queen, who played at Maryland, was drafted with the No. 13 overall pick after the Pelicans made

a buzzworthy trade to move up from the 23rd pick. Queen has played in 47 games and is averaging 12.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists. His rebounds and assists lead the team. Queen has recorded two triple-doubles this season. Hie best game was when he scored 33 points to go with 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a loss to the Spurs in December

The showcase will be held on Feb. 13. It will be a mini-tournament with four teams. The players selected Monday will be drafted onto three teams Tuesday

The fourth team will consist of GLeague players.

Honorary coaches for the teams will be Hall of Famers Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady Austin Rivers, who was drafted by the then-New Orleans Hornets in 2012, will coach the GLeague Rising Stars team.

The other eight rookies selected for the game are Cedric Coward (Grizzlies), Egor Demin (Nets), VJ Edgecombe (76ers), Cooper Flagg (Mavericks), Dylan Harper (Spurs), Tre Johnson (Wizards), Kon Knueppel (Hornets) and Collin Murray-Boyles (Raptors).

Bucks have no timetable on Antetokounmpo’s return

Forward is recovering from a calf strain, could be out for four to six weeks

BY STEVE MEGARGEE

Associated Press

MILWAUKEE Giannis Antetokounmpo’s potential return date remains uncertain as the Milwaukee Bucks forward recovers from a calf strain that he had predicted might keep him out for four to six weeks.

The two-time MVP also said after the Bucks’ 102-100 loss to Denver on Friday that an MRI would determine whether he had a calf or soleus strain in his right leg. Bucks coach Doc Rivers conﬁrmed the calf strain diagnosis Monday but didn’t speculate on when Antetokounmpo might return.

“There’s really no timetable,” Rivers said.

The 31-year-old Antetokounmpo had his right calf wrapped in the ﬁrst half of the game against Denver He didn’t appear comfortable the rest of the night and left for good with 34 seconds remaining

“I felt like I couldn’t explode,” Antetokounmpo said after the game. “I could jog. I couldn’t get on my toes, so I was kind of jogging on my heel the majority of the game. I didn’t have the same explosiveness, but I still felt like I could help. At the end, when it popped, I had to get out. I couldn’t walk.”

Antetokounmpo previously missed eight games from Dec 5-26 with a right calf strain. Strains to his left calf caused him to miss the 2024 playoffs and the 2025 All-Star Game.

Rivers said the Bucks haven’t

PELICANS

Continued from page 1C

similar all-around effort like the one in Sunday’s win over the Spurs.

Zion Williamson and Bey finished with identical stat lines: 24 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Yves Missi came off the bench and also had a double-double (10 points, 14 rebounds). Missi grabbed 10 of his boards in the ﬁrst half. Trey Murphy

ﬁnished with 17 points, nine assists and six rebounds. Herb Jones, in his second game since returning from an ankle injury, ﬁnished with nine points, three rebounds and two blocks. Since Borrego took over as interim coach 12 games into the season, the Pelicans are 7-6 when Jones plays and 3-20 when he doesn’t.

They are 2-0 with the new starting lineup of Williamson, Murphy, Jones, Bey and rookie Derik Queen.

Borrego’s team

for this

considered resting Antetokounmpo for the remainder of the season despite his history of calf issues.

“There’s no thought to that,” Rivers said. “But listen, there’s no timetable either.”

The Bucks had monitored Antetokounmpo’s workload since his return. He played fewer than 30 minutes in each of his ﬁrst three games back and hadn’t topped 33 minutes in any of his January games.

That didn’t stop him from getting hurt again.

“He was frustrated with that because he’s used to playing 35,”

Rivers said. “We thought we handled that well. Maybe we’ll go back down. Obviously it hurts our team the minutes he’s not on the ﬂoor, but we just need him to play and we’ve got to ﬁgure it out.”

Antetokounmpo’s injury means he won’t be playing when the NBA trade deadline arrives Feb. 5, which is noteworthy considering how much attention his future in Milwaukee has received over the past several months Antetokounmpo repeatedly has said he’s “locked in” with the Bucks but has left open the possibility he could change his mind at some point.

The Bucks (18-26) have lost ﬁve of their last six games and are 11th in the Eastern Conference standings, putting their streak of nine consecutive playoff berths in serious jeopardy They have gone 1515 with Antetokounmpo and 3-11 without him this season.

Antetokounmpo acknowledged Friday he would have removed himself from that game much earlier if the Bucks owned a significantly better record. He instead played 32 minutes and had 22 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists.

“I just think it speaks volume to

his character and who he is as a person and player,” Bucks forward Bobby Portis said. Rivers said he noticed the calf issue seemed to bother Antetokounmpo during Friday’s game. Rivers said Antetokounmpo generally has been good about notifying the team when the calf is hurting him too much.

“I asked our guys afterwards,” Rivers said. “As I said, I was concerned at halftime. He’s been very honest. Most of the time, he’s like, ‘Hey, it’s hurting, but it’s not bad.’ That’s what he’s relaying to medical, and they have to believe him. I think he’s been pretty good overall. He takes himself out. That’s why they left him in, because he kept saying, ‘I’m fine. I’m fine.’ Visually, I kept asking. I’m not involved in that decision-making part, but I know what I see. I kept asking. That’s a tough one.” Antetokounmpo has averaged 28 points, 10 rebounds and 5.6 assists over 30 games this season.

The Bucks also have played their past two games without secondleading scorer Kevin Porter because of an oblique strain. Rivers said there’s no indication yet when Porter might be available again. Milwaukee will try to break out of its slump without its two leading scorers by correcting the mistakes that were made the last time Antetokounmpo missed an extended period of time.

“This is the ﬁrst year this group has been together,” Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma said. “We’ve got 38 games to continue to get better as a unit and a group to where, if he comes back, we have a chance, or we do some things that are positive, a net positive for future endeavors.”

The Bucks will host the Pelicans on Feb. 4.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ERIC GAy

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears, center, scores against the Portland Trail Blazers on Jan. 2 at the Smoothie King Center Fears and Derik Queen were selected for the NBA Rising Stars showcase on Feb 13 in Los Angeles

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MORRy GASH

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo tries to drive past Denver’s Bruce Brown on Friday in Milwaukee. The twotime MVP has been dealing with calf injuries.

Root out

Arolling stone gathersnomoss, butyourtrees might. This kind cancause problems

Editor’snote:This is the ﬁrst in athree-part “What’sonmy tree?” series about organisms that are commonly found growing on trees in Louisiana

HereinLouisiana, we’re all familiar with Spanish moss those charming, lacy veils that cascade from our belovedlive oak and bald cypresstrees and blow gently in the wind. In recent years, however,you’ve likely noticed another,less elegant type of moss creeping into trees around the state.It’scalled ball moss and, as its name suggests, it grows in acompact, spherical form afﬁxed to tree bark. Put plainly,ball moss isn’t pretty.While Spanish moss can look like asophisticated adornment, greenish-gray clumps of ball moss are quite the opposite, often giving the impressionthat something is wrong with the tree to which they are clinging. Although unsightly,ball moss itself isn’tdirectly harmful to trees —and, contrarytopopular belief, it’snot aparasite. Just like Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides), ball moss (Tillandsia recurvata) is an epiphyte, meaning it gets nutrients and water from the air not its hosts. (As an interesting aside, both speciesare related to bromeliads as part of the Bromeliaceae family.)

LSU AGCENTERPHOTO

By OLIVIA McCLURE

Ball moss is an epiphyte that derives water and nutrientsfrom the air,not itshosts. GARDEN NEWS

What can cause problems is heavy infestations. Excessive ball moss growthcan weigh down and snap smaller branches. It can even restrict fluid exchangeand airflow in trees, affecting their health. Ball moss attaches itself to hosts usingholdfasts,which are rootlike projections that allow it to latch onto just about any surface. It prefers deciduous trees with rough bark but won’t hesitate to colonize other types of trees and shrubs. (It loves crape myrtles even though they have smooth bark!) Ball moss also can grow on utility poles and cables, traffic lights, building walls and fences. Ball moss thrives in humid environmentsand can be found from Georgia to Arizona and Mexico. It spreads by seeds that are released and dispersed by wind in late winter and early spring. If ball moss has taken over trees or structures around your home, winter —before those seed capsulessplit open —isagood time to take action Thebest way to get rid of ball moss is picking off the growths by hand and throwing them away.They’ll be easier to see right now on deciduous trees while there are no leaves in the way Unfortunately,manual re-

ä See MOSS, page 2D

La.antiquesevent to

BY JOYHOLDEN Staff writer

The 26th annualPetite Antiques Forumpresentedbythe FriendsofMagnoliaMound will bring 18th century fashion expertise to Baton Rouge.Each year aguest speaker offers fresh appreciation of periodfurniture, textiles, fashion or decorative objectsofthe past This year,guest speaker Neal Hurst, the curator of theDepartment of Tex-

tiles and CostumesatThe Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in Virginia, will present “The Art of Dressing: Clothing of Menand Women 1770-1820” on Thursday. Attendees will learn about thehistorictextile collectionin Colonial Williamsburg as well as clothing of the period in general Women’sfashions usually getthe attention,but Hurstisalso an expert on gentlemen’sfashion. He received his master’sdegreefromthe Winterthur

Program in American Material Culture from the University of Delaware. In addition to his academic qualiﬁcations, he apprenticed as ahistoric trades tailor at Colonial Williamsburg and rose to be the master tailor He knows clothing fromthe inside out. Catherine White, the chairman of the 2026Petite Antiques Forum, says that Hurst’sexpertise will bring unique insight forforum attendees.

Hurst

Roland

Vizard

See FASHION, page 2D

ä See APPRAISAL, page 2D

Acceptingsuggestions fora gender-neutral honoriﬁc

Dear Miss Manners: Ithink the reason that people think using “ma’am” or “sir” is offensive stems from the idea that you have to assume someone’sgenderidentity in order to use them. There are many people whose appearance doesn’t match their identity.Assuming one knowsthat information basedonlooks, or even voice, can cause distress for people, especially if they are early in atransition or if they are gender nonconforming.

to be respectful,but because Ido.

less causes at which people take offense.

Judith Martin MISS MANNERS

I, like you, was raised to be polite. “Ma’am” and “sir”were my normal ways of addressing people. It has been difﬁcult toshift how Italk to people, but Ihave done so, not becauseIdon’twant

MOSS

Continued from page1D

Igenuinely wish there were auniversal, gender-neutral honoriﬁc to useinthe English language. Iwant something that showed I respect people enough to be polite, but also enough not to assume Iknow (possibly private) information about them. Iknow gender-neutral honoriﬁcsdoexist in other languages, butEnglish is sadly lacking. Even a typically polite and well-mannered individual such as myself maychoosetoforgo theuse of “ma’am” and“sir.”

Gentle reader: It would be useful, Miss Manners agrees, to have such aword,and thereby dispense with oneofthe limit-

moval isn’tpractical for large trees or severeinfestations. In these situations, try acopper-containing fungicidelabeled forball moss control or abaking soda solution. Spraying in winter while trees are bare will ensure better contact with themoss andavoid the possibility of leaf burn.

For more information on ball moss and control strategies, check out the LSU AgCenter’s new fact sheet at www LSUAgCenter.com/ ballmoss.

FASHION

Continued from page1D

“I think he’ll giveusabehind-the-scenes look at the collection,” White said. “Not only does he have an interesting academic background on the subject, buthealso served in an apprenticeship as atailor in the department of historic trades for seven years. Ithink he may talk about the construction, whichwillbea little different.”

She also said that part of the 50-year span Hurst will be discussing relates to the time period that Magnolia Mound is restoredto. He’llbe showing some of the clothing that they would have wornin Baton Rouge or NewOrleans. Lunch will follow the lecture. Then attendeeswill tour threehistoric properties that are not often open to the public.

This year,groups will be able to visit LiveOaks plantation built in 1838, the Episcopal Church of the Nativity built in 1859 and Valverda Plantation built in 1842.

“It’safull day,”says White.

Pat Bacot, alate professor of art at LSU and curator of the LSU Museum of Art, found and procured many of

Continued from page1D

Orleans and Seattle. She moved back to Louisiana in 2019 to start her own appraisal company,but now she’sfocused on themuseum job in Alexandria. Helmer will join sixother appraisers from around the state at the Saturday,Feb.7, event at the Louisiana Public Broadcasting studios in Baton Rouge. They include Michael Wynne, historicalresearcher and preservationist; George Clark, president of Taylor Clark Gallery and aveteran appraiser; Melanie Lilesand PamWood,longtime owners of Traditions on Trenton in West Monroe; and Vizard and her daughter Rebecca Vizard.

The station hosted ﬁlming of PBS’ “Antiques Roadshow” at the LSU Rural Life Museum in 2023, but hasn’thad its own appraisal eventinabout 15 years, said Friends ExecutiveDirector Terri Crockett. Eventgoers have achoice of two timeslots: 10 a.m. to noon or noon to 2p.m. General admission, $75, includes appraisal of two items,while VIPtickets ($125) includeappraisal of three items, skipthe-line access, and reserved seating for the noon seminar. Rebecca Vizard of B. Viz Design and Laura Roland of Fireside Antiques will lead theantiques and design session. Vizard is atextile artist and designer,and Roland is athird-generation owner of the family’santiques shop.

So would you and other Gentle Readers please give it atry and suggest one?

Afew warnings: It should be digniﬁed and easy tosay.Aword already in use is preferable, if it is not too confusing, because people do not takeeasily to madeup words. For example, partner” is confusing when used for a nonmarital romantic alliance, as opposed to abusiness partnership —or, for that matter,tennis or bridge partners —but it won out over “signiﬁcant other,” which was not only an invention, but also silly

Butplease do try Dear Miss Manners: When should one respond to an RSVP request if not planning to attend?

LSUAGCENTERPHOTO

By OLIVIA McCLURE Ball moss

growsina compact, spherical form.

PROVIDED PHOTOSFROMTHE COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG MUSEUM PURCHASE 1775-1785 silk brocade and linen gown made by Anna Maria Garthwaite; textile made in Englandand worn in Rhode Island

the antique piecesoffurniture and decor in Magnolia Mound. He was instrumental in starting the Petite AntiquesForum. Having hosted forums at LSUfor years, Bacot calledthe forum “petite” because it was only one day,White said Proceeds raised bythe forum will be used by the Friends organization to continue to maintainthe collection of furniture andother

STAFF FILE PHOTO

Unusual, texturedand antique textiles canbe used to bring in atouch of personalityand pops of color to neutralspacesin interior design. The pillows are by RebeccaVizard, who’ll be speakingand appraising at the LPB event.

1770 broadcloth coat, part of Colonial Williamsburg collection.

artifacts displayed in the mainhouse andoutbuildings of Magnolia Mound in Baton Rouge. The eventwill begin at 9a.m. andwill last until 4p.m. at the LouisianaState Archives building, 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge. Tickets are $150 each.

Advance registration is required due to limited seating. To register for the forumpleaseemail friendsofmagnoliamound@gmail.com or register online at friendsofmagnoliamound.org.

Email Joy Holden at joy holden@theadvocate.com.

your house rather than like a ﬂashy price.”

When people approach the appraisal table with their treasure, the appraisers only have asmall window of time to conduct research on thespot to offer amonetary value estimate.

“Wedon’tknow what’s comingahead of time. Thankfully,I’m amaster at Google,” Helmer said.

Her mostmemorable moment as an appraiser was one of the firstthings she worked on in Miami with another appraiser

“Weappraiseda Marc Chagall painting that had been damaged,” shesaid.

“That was interesting because it was the loss of value,because it’sbeen restored. But it was themost beautiful painting I’ve seen in person. That wassuch a crazy ﬁrst thing, to have a million-dollar painting.”

Ihave been sending regrets for small (less than 20 people) group invitations, but am not sure what is expected and mosthelpful when included in amass mailing such as for afundraising event.

For example, Ireceived an invitation that wenttohundreds of donors for ameet-the-staffevent with appetizers and drinks. Does it matter if one knowsthe sender from previous personal contacts (in this case, with the organization’sdonor coordinator)? Does it matter if each guest’s attendance requires extra preparation and investment, such as a meal?

Gentlereader: Does the invitation have alittle price list forbuying tickets to attend?

Far be it from Miss Manners to suggest that any invitation go

Dear Heloise: Being ashort person, Ihave asked alot of taller people for help withgetting products off the topshelf when shopping and have never been turned down. Most of the help has come from taller men as Iamanolder person withgray hair besides being short. Don’tget me wrong, there hasbeen a lot of help thathas come from women and younger people. That being said, these are the young ones who are being or have been taught to pitch in when needed. I, for one, have been very thankful.

—Barbara,inVirginia

unanswered. But someitemsthat use the form of invitations are actually ticket sales slips, and may be ignored by those not planning to buy.Asking forthe pleasure of your paid company,whether to a fancy dinner or amattress sale, does not qualifyasaninvitation. But it is courteous to answer all real invitations, even to mass events. No one may be heartbroken at your refusal to attend, but it may be helpful to the planners to assess numbers.

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

company subject line, then Ilist his actual nameand enter the phone number Under the notes in this listing, Ican add any additional info, such as the date of the last service.

Often, Ihave difﬁculty remembering the actual repairperson’snameifIenter his contact info as Idowith my other contacts, so this allows me to quickly locate him. —Judy Peterson, in Boerne,Texas

Flowersinlife

Findingcontactseasily

Dear Heloise: In arecent column, Leo G. said thathe lists acompany’sinfo in his notes. This requires that you search through your notes each timetolocate the info. When arepairman completes ajob for me, and I wish to contact him in the future, as an example, I enter “electrician” rather than his name. Under the

By The Associated Press

Today is Tuesday,Jan. 27, the 27th day of 2026. There are 338 days left in theyear

Todayinhistory:

On Jan. 27, 1945, during World WarII, Soviet troops liberated the Auschwitz and Birkenau Naziconcentration camps in Poland.

Also on this date:

In 1756, composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria.

In 1880, Thomas Edison received apatent for his incandescent electric lamp.

In 1984, singer Michael Jackson suffered serious burns to his scalp when pyrotechnics set his hair on ﬁre during theﬁlming of a Pepsi-Cola TV commercial

Dear Heloise: Like the mom whowanted ﬂowers while she was still alive, my neighbor’skids gave their mom abig party forher 90th birthday.There were ﬂowers, abig cake, and gifts. Relatives came from all over the world. Iwas invited as her neighbor She lived twomore years after this. —Patricia Roberts, in Bellaire,Texas Dryerlinthint

Dear Heloise: Isee the different ways people get dryer lint off and just wanted to share how Ido it: Isimply use the dryer

TODAYINHISTORY

at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

In 2002, aseries of explosions rocked an armory in Lagos, Nigeria, starting ﬁres in nearby neighborhoods and killing hundreds of people. Many of those whodied werearea residents whodrowned in a canal in darkness while ﬂeeing the blasts.

In 2013, aﬁre started by pyrotechnics in the Kiss nightclub in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, killed 242 people and injured over 600.

In 2017, President Donald Trumpbarred all refugees from entering the United States forfour months, declaring the ban necessary to prevent “radical Islamic terrorists” from entering the country

sheet from each load that Ijust dried. Itake it and slide it down, and it wipes every bit of lint off. Thanks forall that you do! —Paula, via email

Pumpkintrick in dogs

Dear Heloise: Ihave ahint on how to stop diarrhea in dogs. Aveterinarian friend told us to use atablespoon of canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie ﬁlling) for our 65-pound Weimaraner female, which we mixed into her dog food. Larger dogs, of course, need more pumpkin, and smaller dogs need less. It works! —John G., Kihei, in Maui, Hawaii

Cleaning pictureframes

DearHeloise: Ihave afancy picture frame that’scarved from wood, and Ihave a terrible time keeping dust out of the deep areas of the frame. What can Iuse to clean it? —Loretta V.,inMarietta, Georgia Loretta, try using ahair dryer on high to blow out the dust or adry,clean paintbrush to clean out the frame. —Heloise Sendahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.

In 2023, aPalestinian gunman opened ﬁre outside an east Jerusalem synagogue during Jewish observances of the Sabbath, killing seven people and wounded three others before he wasshot and killed by police.

Today’sbirthdays: Actor James Cromwell is 86. Rock musician Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) is 82. Ballet star Mikhail Baryshnikov is 78. U.S. SupremeCourt Chief Justice John Roberts is 71. Political and sports commentator Keith Olbermannis67. Actor Bridget Fonda is 62. Actor Alan Cumming is 61. Country singer Tracy Lawrence is 58. Rock singer Mike Patton is 58. Rapper Tricky is 58. Actor-comedian Patton Oswalt is 57.

Meanwhile,Helmeroffered advice forthe appraisees.

Helmer noted that appraisees should bringany documentation they have on an item,asit helps the organizers to get theprocess going.

“Pick things that you really love, not necessarily things that you think are goingto be the mostvaluable,” she said. “Sometimes it’snice to just have alittle bit of history about thethingsthatare in

“They will share their expertise, insights and stories from working with collectors and designers nationwide.Attendees will gain tips onidentifying, appreciating and incorporating antiquesinto their own spaces,” arelease states.

Lastweek at the small museum in Alexandria,Helmer and the other seven full-time staffers were preparingfor theendeavor of switching out exhibits.

One of thecurrentshows at the Alexandria Museum of Art, “EMERGE: New Orleans Artistsfrom the Saratoga Collection,” will hang through Saturday,Feb 14, when it will be replaced with athree-personexhibition, “Now YouSee Me

Contemporary Portraiture in Louisiana,” by Louisiana artists Aron Belkaand Gina PhillipsofNew Orleans, and VitusShell of Monroe.

Email Judy Bergeron at jbergeron@theadvocate. com.

Hints from Heloise

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Take pride in who you are and what you accomplish. Push for positive change and set a good example for others. High-energy objectives will encourage others to pitch in and help. Set high standards.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Exploit your skills, knowledge and awareness, and do your part to bring about positive change. Put yourself first without guilt. Recognize your worth and reward yourself.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Reach out, promote and present what you can do, and you'll draw positive attention from people in a position to help you achieve your potential. Work your magic.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Do your part and reach out to authority figures, government agencies or institutions if it will help resolve issues. Opportunity comes from doing things, not from making empty promises or listening to hearsay.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Learn, evaluate, assemble and execute your plan. Handle paperwork first to avoid delays Use your intelligence and savvy to outmaneuver any negativity you encounter CANCER (June 21-July 22) Put in the time and reap the rewards. Opportunity is close by if you open your eyes and embrace new beginnings, positive changes and a chance to flirt with fate.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Take the road that resonates with your mood and desires,

and see what unfolds. Pay attention to things that contribute to your highs and lows, and be sure to gravitate toward what lifts you up.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You'll require time and patience to get things done. You may not like how others do things, but it's in your best interest to farm out some of your less meaningful tasks.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Don't make promises or exaggerate the possibilities. You may be excited about something or someone, but you'd best keep your plans and feelings to yourself.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) You have two choices: Run and hide, or embrace what comes your way. You are overdue for an overhaul, and by drawing on your experience and intuition, you can turn negatives in your life into positives.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Money management makes a difference. Review your subscriptions and cancel what you don't need. Tidy up unfinished business and consider how to use the time and money you save.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Take advantage of any opportunity to network or discuss changes you want to initiate. Being open with others will put your mind at ease. Personal change will enhance your appeal and help build partnerships.

FAMILY CIrCUS

TODAy'S CLUE: U EQUALS F

CeLebrItY CIpher

SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers1 to 9inthe empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Thedifficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Yesterday’s PuzzleAnswer

THe wiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS Hi and LoiS

Bridge

BY PHILLIP ALDER

This week we are looking at the 2013 International Bridge Press Association awards. The Yeh Bros. Best Bid of the Year was given to Peter Bertheau from Sweden. The journalist prize went to Micke Melander from Sweden. Bertheau had the North hand, playing in the2012 World Mind Sports Games (formerly WorldTeam Olympiad) final against Poland in Lille, France. (This event took place toolate for inclusion in thatyear’s awards.)

Southopenedtwohearts,whichshowed asix-cardsuitand10-13high-cardpoints. Westovercalledfourdiamonds,Leaping Michaels,indicatingatleast5-5inspades and diamonds. Bertheau now set out to try to buy the contractatanylevel.Herespondedonly four hearts.

East jumped to five spades to invitea slam, but West was not interested, having aweaker hand in high-cardterms thannormal for Leaping Michaels. Bertheau continued his plan with six hearts. And when East took asafety-bid withsixspades(itseemedthatbothsides had adoublefit), Bertheau moved on to sevenhearts.Certainthatthiswasasacrifice,Eastdoubled.Butthecontractwas laydown for plus 2,470.

At the other table, North-South had amisunderstanding, eventually stopping in six hearts. Eastsacrificed in six spades,doubledanddownone.Thisgave Sweden20internationalmatchpointsen route to the title. The Swedish Bridge Federation website calledthisBertheauvenlymusic ©2026 by NEA,Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

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

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuctIons: 1. Words must be of fourormore letters. 2. Words that acquire fourletters by the addition of “s,”such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3 Additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit wordsare not allowed toDAY’s WoRD PERFoRcE: per-FORSE: By forceofcircumstances

Average mark17words

Timelimit 25 minutes

Can you find 22 or morewords in PERFORCE?

YEstERDAY’s WoRD —ItALIcs

wuzzles

loCKhorNs

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

hidato

mallard fillmore

METROPOLITAN COUNCIL GREATER BATON ROUGE AIRPORTAUTHORITY EAST BATON ROUGE SEWERAGE COMMISSION CAPITOL IMPROVEMENTSDISTRICT CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE Tuesday,November 25, 2025 4:00 PM

The Metropolitan Council of the Parish of East Baton Rouge and theCity of Baton Rouge convened in regular session on Tuesday,November 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM, in the Council Chambers of the Governmental Building, Room 348, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Meeting was called to order by the Presiding Officer and thefollowing members werepresent: Present: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Absent: None

CONDEMNATIONS

BENNY JINVESTMENTS LLC 735 N19TH ST 16 PT (SOUTH½ OF LOT 16), SQ. 26, SUBURB GRACIE SUBDIVISION, -COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 –COLEMAN The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe above condemnation proceeding was in order at thistime. An interested citizen speaking without favor or opposition of the proposed condemnation proceeding was Mya Wiseman. Amotion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Coleman to delete the proposed condemnation proceeding. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

HINES ENTERPRISES OF BATON ROUGE, LLC 2323 N. ACADIAN THWY W.,ANUNNUMBERED LOT IN AN UNNUMBERED SQ. -PROPERTYNO. 32921, SQ. O, NORTH FAIRFIELDS SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 7-HARRIS

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe above condemnation proceeding was in order at thistime. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to thecouncil meetingon February 25, 2026. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains:None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent,the motion was adopted.

DREW M. LOUVIERE 758 NAPOLEON ST LOT 6PT(EPORTION OF LOT 6, SQ. 46, BEAUREGARD TOWN, MEAS 64 FT.FRONT ON THEW SIDE OF NAPOLEON ST.) SQ. 46, BEAUREGARD TOWN SUBDIVISIONCOUNCIL DISTRICT 10 –COLEMAN

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains:None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent,the motion was adopted.

WILLIE HAWKINS &ELLEN C. HAWKINS 2842 PLOVERST. (HOUSE, ABANDONED VEHICLES, AND ANY AND ALL OUTBUILDINGS), LOTS 27, 28, &29AND BEING APARTOFLOT “Q,”SQ. 36, SCOTLAND ADDITION SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 2–KENNEY

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe above condemnation proceeding was in order at thistime. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meetingonJanuary 28, 2026. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains:None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent,the motion was adopted.

ELVIN STERLING AND NORMA G. STERLING located at 5358 Cadillac St., Lots 33 &34, Sq. 34, Fortune Addition Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11687

HENRYL.THURMAN, JR. located at 2845 79thAve. (House and Pool), Lot 135+ (135 &136), SouthernHeightsSubdivision, 1st Filing, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11688

MARYMALLONEE DONNELLY, JOELLYLEDONNELLY, BEVERLY RUSHING STANDIFORD, AND WILLIAM E. STANDIFORD 1927 FOUNTAIN AVE., LOT 238 AUTUMN RUN SUBDIVISION, 1ST FILING -COUNCIL DISTRICT 3–GAUDET

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe above condemnation proceeding was in order at thistime. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meetingon January 28, 2026. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent,the motion was adopted.

JOHNNYEMERY, THE ESTATEOFSAM COLEMAN, THEESTATEOF SALLIE COLEMAN, AND THE ESTATEOFMABLECOLEMAN EMERY 2501 SPAIN ST LOT 13, SQ. 2BELLEVIEWSUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 -COLEMAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe above condemnation proceeding was in order at thistime. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to thecouncil meetingon December10, 2025. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent,the motion was adopted.

GARYPATUREAU AND KATHLEEN BOONE PATUREAU 10721

SANDRINGHAM AVE. (HOUSE AND ALL ABANDONED VEHICLES), LOT 356, WEST SHERWOOD FOREST SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 6-DUNN JR.

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent,the motion was adopted.

RONALD JOHNSON INVESTMENTS LLC 1079 OSPREYAVE. AND 1072

TOWNSLEY ST LOT 11, SQ. 1, UNIVERSITY CITY SUBDIVISIONCOUNCIL DISTRICT 2-KENNEY

ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe above

condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was madebyMs. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Coleman to delete the proposed condemnation proceeding. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak,Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted

MICHAEL D. AMBEAU located at 6414 Kincaid Ave., Lot55, BirdStation Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11689

NADIA J. RAUDALES MENDEZ 3155 CHARLOTTE DR. (HOUSE, REAR SHED, POOL HOUSE, AND OPEN SWIMMING POOL), LOT 98, OAKCREST SUBDIVISION, 3RDFILING, -COUNCIL DISTRICT 6-DUNN

JR. The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearingonthe above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was madebyMs. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on January 28, 2026. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak,Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted

ROSANNA HAMPTON FORREST located at 1232 DareSt., Lot 16, Sq.2, HeroPark Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11690

JOHN HARLAN ANDERSON 11015 CHALICE DR. (ANY AND ALL OUTBUILDINGS, ABANDONED VEHICLES, AND TRAILERS) LOT 207, NORTH RED OAKSUBDIVISION- COUNCIL DISTRICT 6-DUNN JR

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak,Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted

TADARYL SCHEXNAYDER &COREY J. COLTON3625 PRESCOTT RD. (HOUSE AND AUXILIARYBUILDINGS), LOT 7-B (RESUB. OF LOT 7

PLANK ROAD SUB OF FAIRCARE FARMS), PLANK ROAD SUBDIVISION

-COUNCIL DISTRICT 7–HARRIS

The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearingonthe above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was madebyMs. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on January 28, 2026. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak,Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted

JOHN CHRISTOPHER PILLEYAND CLINTON T. FRANCIS located at 5836 Byron St., Lot 13, Sq.2,White PlainsSubdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11691

THE HARMONY CENTER, INC. located at 223 Atkinson St., Lots 9PT+ (Lots 9& 10 Assessed as North 86 Ft. of Lots 9& 10 and the South 34 Ft. of Lot 9& 10),Sq. 3, Wilson Place Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11692

THE HARMONY CENTER, INC. 236 ATKINSONST.,LOTS 15 &16, SQ. 6, WILSONPLACE SUBDIVISION- COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 -COLEMAN

The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearingonthe above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was madebyMs. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Coleman to delete the proposed condemnation proceeding. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak,Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted

ISAAC HORACE PATTERSON SR., EDNA MCCRAY, MICHELLE

PATTERSON, KWAN JOHNES, JUANITAJOHNES, BOBBIE AUGUSTUS, ISAAC H. PATTERSON JR JEAN PATTERSON, TERRYPATTERSON, PAMELA WILSON located at 2663 Dayton St., Lot 1, Sq.2,Dayton Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11693

ERNESTINE GUINN CAINE located at 835 Pintail St., Lot 31 &32, Sq.4 ScotlandHeights Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11694

DENISSE Q. ZUBIATE 281 RAFE MAYERRD. (HOUSE AND REAR SHED –

STREET ALSO REFERRED TO AS NEW RAFE MAYER RD.), LOT6,SQ. 32

SHADY ACRES SUBDIVISION- COUNCIL DISTRICT 2- KENNEY

The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was madebyMs. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on February 25, 2026. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak,Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted

VERRETTAALLENETT WEBB JOHNSON, ANTHONY RENE COUTEE, JACQUELINE CELESTE COUTEE 1630 CARVER ST LOT 17 SOUTHERN

GARDENS SUBDIVISION- COUNCIL DISTRICT 2-KENNEY

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak,Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted

GABRIEL JERONIMOlocated at 1677 74th Ave., Lot 8+ (Lot 8and the E

30 Ft. of Lot 7), Sq.17, BankAddition Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11695

EDITH MAE GARDNER 8250 GREENWELLST.,LOT 305-B-1 KILDARE

SUBDIVISION- COUNCIL DISTRICT 5- HURST

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak,Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

PATRICE GARRISON6142 MATTHEWS ST., LOT 296 GREENDALE

SUBDIVISION- COUNCIL DISTRICT 5–HURST

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove condemnationproceeding wasinorder at this time. An interested citizen speaking in oppositionofthe proposed condemnationproceeding was PatriceGarrison. Amotionwas made by Ms.Amoroso and seconded by Ms.Coleman to deletethe proposed condemnationproceeding. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedasfollows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Harris Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote:None

Absent:None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

WILVER FUNES OSORIO 4918 SHELLEY ST LOT 19+ (LOT 19 &W.2 FT.OFLOT 20), SQ.10NORTH HIGHLANDS ADDITIONSUBDIVISIONCOUNCIL DISTRICT 5-HURST

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove condemnationproceeding wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either fororagainst theproposed condemnationproceeding. A motionwas made by Ms.Amoroso and seconded by Ms.Coleman to defer theproposed condemnationproceeding to thecouncil meeting on January 28, 2026. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Harris Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote:None

Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

MARY LEE WASHINGTON4108 PROVOST ST LOT 8, SQ.9GREENVILLE

EXTENSIONSUBDIVISION- COUNCIL DISTRICT 7-HARRIS

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove condemnationproceeding wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either fororagainst theproposed condemnationproceeding. A motionwas made by Ms.Amoroso and seconded by Ms.Coleman to defer theproposed condemnationproceeding to thecouncil meeting on February 25, 2026. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedas follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Harris Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote:None

Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

CYRILE SLAUGHTER AND THE ESTATEOFTHELMAGRAYMCCRAY4130

PITCHER ST LOT 10, SQ.7 GREENVILLE EXTENSIONSUBDIVISIONCOUNCIL DISTRICT 7-HARRIS

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove condemnationproceeding wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either fororagainst theproposed condemnationproceeding. A motionwas made by Ms.Amoroso and seconded by Ms.Coleman to defer theproposed condemnationproceeding to thecouncil meeting on February 25, 2026. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedas follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Harris Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote:None

Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

CHARLIE GRAY, EMMA JONES GRAY, AND CYRIL SLAUGHTER 4122

PITCHER ST., LOT 9, SQ.7 GREENVILLE EXTENSIONSUBDIVISIONCOUNCIL DISTRICT 7–HARRIS

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove condemnationproceeding wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either fororagainst theproposed condemnationproceeding. A motionwas made by Ms.Amoroso and seconded by Ms.Coleman to defer theproposed condemnationproceeding to thecouncil meeting on February 25, 2026. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedas follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet,Harris, Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote:None

Absent:None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

AR20, LLC located at 4017 NFoster Dr Lot 141, East Dayton Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11696

THE ESTATES OF DORSEY JOHNSON AND THE ESTATEOFEMMALINE JOHNSON located at 2930 Brownlee St.(House and Abandoned Vehicles), Lot 32, GreensburgSubdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11697

MELANIE WAY527 INGLESIDE DR., LOT 4, SQ.7 CAPITAL HEIGHTS

SUBDIVISION- COUNCIL DISTRICT 7- HARRIS

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove condemnationproceeding wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either fororagainst theproposed condemnationproceeding. A motionwas made by Ms.Amoroso and seconded by Ms.Coleman to defer theproposed condemnationproceeding to thecouncil meeting on February 25, 2026. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedas follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Harris Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote:None Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

EUGENE JOSEPH NICHOLAS AND ESTELLA NICHOLAS located at 865 N39thSt., Lot 6+ (Lot6and theSouthern20Feet of Lot Seven), Sq. 4, Greenville Addition(Note: 1983 Roll Reads Greenville Extension) Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11698

DIANA JOHNSON 1935 CHOCTAW DR., LOT 1+ (LOTS 1, 2, &3), SQ 8STANDARD HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION- COUNCIL DISTRICT 10COLEMAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove condemnationproceeding wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either fororagainst theproposed condemnationproceeding. A motionwas made by Ms.Amoroso and seconded by Ms.Coleman to defer theproposed condemnationproceeding to thecouncil meeting on January 28, 2026. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Harris Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote:None

Absent:None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

OPPORTUNITY ZONE FUND, LLC 1204 S18TH ST.(DOES NOTINCLUDE 1206 S18TH ST.), LOT 21, SQ.1 HERO PARK SUBDIVISION- COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 -COLEMAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove condemnationproceeding wasinorder at this time. An interested citizen speaking against theproposed condemnationproceeding wasNickMiller. Amotionwas made by Ms.Amoroso and seconded by Ms.Coleman to defer theproposed condemnationproceeding to thecouncil meeting on January 28, 2026. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedas follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Harris Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote:None

Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

PUBLIC HEARING /MEETING

RESOLUTION 59054

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO AMEND THATCERTAIN CONTRACT FORPROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES WITH BRIAN

Applicant: DavidThomas, III

Address: Fairchild Street

MetroCouncil District:2 -Kenney

Initial Bid Amount $100.00

Advanced costs required (certified funds): $650.00

Assessed Value: $30,800.00

Taxes Due: $13,090.27 (Adj. in 2019)

Bids Received: 11/19/2025

High Bidder: David Thomas, III- $100.00

Intended Use: Investment

ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotionwas madebyMr. Kenney and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.todefer theproposed ordinance to the council meeting on January 14, 2026. AYea and Nayvotewas calledfor and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None Absent: Coleman, Harris, Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 3absent,the motion was adopted.

ORDINANCE 19696

AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 57, SQUARE 3, FORTUNE SUBDIVISION, PAIGESTREET, PREVIOUSLY

ADJUDICATEDTOEASTBATON ROUGEPARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF SAID LOT TO PHARAOH JOHNSON,III HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $100.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/ HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEYORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $950.00.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotionwas made by Mr.Kenney and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: Coleman, Harris, Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 3absent,the motion was adopted.

ORDINANCE 19697

AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 9&10, SQUARE 20, SCOTLAND ADDITION SUBDIVISION, BADLEY ROAD, PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUSPROPERTYAND TO AUTHORIZE THESALEOF SAID LOT TO NAKEYAWHITEHIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGNFOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $5000.00 CASH, ORTOTHE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $650.00.

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: Coleman, Harris, Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 3absent,the motion was adopted.

ORDINANCE 19698

AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 10, SQUARE 33, PROSPERITY SUBDIVISION, ALLIQUIPASTREET, PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATEDTOEAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUSPROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZETHE SALEOF SAID LOT TO REBUILDING TOGETHER BATON ROUGE HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $7500.00 CASH, ORTOTHE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/HER OFFER ALONG WITH A CERTIFIED CHECKORMONEYORDERINTHE AMOUNT OF $500.00.

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: Coleman, Harris, Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 3absent,the motion was adopted.

ORDINANCE 19699

AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT4 SQUARE 30, SWARTADDITION SUBDIVISION, FIG STREET,PREVIOUSLY

ADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZETHE SALE OF SAID LOT TO DILLON HOLDINGS, CO. HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $100.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/ HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEYORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $855.00.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotionwas madebyMr. Kenney and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt theproposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: Coleman, Harris, Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 3absent,the motion was adopted.

ORDINANCE 19700

AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 17pt, SQUARE 30, SWARTADDITION SUBDIVISION, PEAR STREET

PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATEDTOEAST BATONROUGE PARISH LOUISIANA SURPLUSPROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZETHE SALEOF SAID LOT TO DILLON HOLDINGS, CO. HIS/HERAGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $100.00 CASH, ORTOTHE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITSHIS/HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THEAMOUNT OF $500.00. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotionwas made by Mr.Kenney and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt theproposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Coleman, Harris, Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 3absent,the motion was adopted.

ORDINANCE 19701

AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 51, CYPRESS HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION, CYPRESS GLEN AVENUE, PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATEDTOEAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTYAND TO AUTHORIZE THESALEOF SAID LOT TO HORLIS AND DIANE CLARK HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $45,000.00CASH, OR TO THEHIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITSHIS/HER OFFERALONGWITHA CERTIFIED CHECKORMONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $800.00.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearingonthe above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotionwas made by Mr.Kenney and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt theproposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel Nays: None Abstains:None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Coleman, Harris, Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 3absent,the motion was adopted.

ORDINANCE 19702

AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 227, COLONIAL HILL SUBDIVISION, NORTH ACADIAN THWY W, PREVIOUSLY

ADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS

PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALEOFSAID LOT TO ANTHONY REDD HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATIONOF

$10,000.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/ HEROFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00.

The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearingonthe above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Mr.Kenney and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt the proposed ordinance.A Yeaand Nay vote was called for andresulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak,Noel

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Coleman,Harris, Racca

With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 3absent, the motion was adopted

ORDINANCE 19703

AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 74, CASTLEPLACE SUBDIVISION, JUDITH DRIVE, PREVIOUSLY ADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS

PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALEOFSAID LOT TO WHITMORE &WHITMORE ENTERPRISES, LLC HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $5,500.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST

OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00. The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Mr.Kenney and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt the proposed ordinance.A Yeaand Nay

vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak,Noel Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None Absent: Coleman,Harris, Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 3absent, the motion was adopted

ORDINANCE 19704

AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 57pt, KEAN PLACE SUBDIVISION, PRESCOTT ROAD, PREVIOUSLY

ADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS

PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALEOFSAID LOT TO 17TH AND BANKS, LLC HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $10,100.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00.

The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearingonthe above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Mr.Kenney and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt the proposed ordinance.A Yeaand Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak,Noel

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Coleman,Harris, Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 3absent, the motion was adopted ORDINANCE 19705

AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 3, SQUARE 1, DUCHEIN PLACE SUBDIVISION, NORTH STREET PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALEOF SAID LOT TO CLA ENTERPRISES HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATIONOF$8,900.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR

WHO SUBMITS HIS/HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00.

The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Mr.Kenney and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt the proposed ordinance.A Yeaand Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak,Noel Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Coleman,Harris, Racca

With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 3absent, the motion was adopted

ORDINANCE 19706

AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT D, GREEN FRANKLIN SUBDIVISION, GREEN FRANKLIN ROAD, PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALEOF SAID LOT TO NAKEYAWHITE HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $100.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $675.00.

The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Mr.Kenney and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt the proposed ordinance.A Yeaand Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak,Noel Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Coleman,Harris, Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 3absent, the motion was adopted

ORDINANCE 19707

AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOTS 17 &18, SQUARE 6, NORTH BATONROUGE SUBDIVISION, SWAN

AVENUE, PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALEOF SAID LOTS TO BLUE BRUSHES, LLC HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FORTHE CONSIDERATIONOF$20,100.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $650.00.

The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Mr.Kenney and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt the proposed ordinance.A Yeaand Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak,Noel

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Coleman,Harris, Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 3absent, the motion was adopted

ORDINANCE 19708

AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 4, SQUARE 11, NORTH BATON ROUGE SUBDIVISION, SCOTLAND AVENUE, PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALEOF SAID LOT TO NAKEYAWHITE HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATIONOF$5,000.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR

WHO SUBMITS HIS/HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00.

vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney Moak,Noel Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Coleman,Harris, Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 3absent, the motion was adopted ORDINANCE 19709

AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT22, SQUARE 10, SOTLAND HEIGHTS

MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $905.00. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove ordinance wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed ordinance. Amotionwas made by Mr.Kenney and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt theproposed ordinance. AYea and Nay votewas

Kenney,Moak,

Nays:

Abstains:

With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 3absent,the motion wasadopted.

ORDINANCE 19710

AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 11, SQUARE 2, ABRAMSONSUBDIVISION, N. 24TH STREET,PREVIOUSLY ADJUDICATED TO EAST BATONROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF SAID LOT TO CHARLES WARD HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FORTHE CONSIDERATIONOF $11,500.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFERORWHO SUBMITSHIS/ HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove ordinance wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed ordinance. Amotionwas made by Mr.Kenney and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt theproposed ordinance. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst Kenney,Moak, Noel Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote:None Absent:Coleman, Harris,Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 3absent,the motion wasadopted.

ORDINANCE 19711

AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 2, SQUARE 16, ABRAMSONSUBDIVISION, N. 28TH STREET,PREVIOUSLY ADJUDICATED TO EAST BATONROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF SAID LOT TO BEVERLY’S LOVING HANDS HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FORTHE CONSIDERATION OF $11,500.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFERORWHO SUBMITS HIS/HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove ordinance wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed ordinance. Amotionwas made by Mr.Kenney and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt theproposed ordinance. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst Kenney,Moak, Noel Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote:None

Absent:Coleman, Harris,Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 3absent,the motion wasadopted.

ORDINANCE 19712

AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 5, SQUARE 12, GREENVILLE EXTENSIONSUBDIVISION, PROVOST STREET,PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATONROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF SAID LOT TO PENELOPE’SGRACE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FORTHE CONSIDERATIONOF$100.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFERORWHO SUBMITSHIS/HEROFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove ordinance wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed ordinance. Amotionwas made by Mr.Kenney and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt theproposed ordinance. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst Kenney,Moak, Noel Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote:None Absent:Coleman, Harris,Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 3absent,the motion wasadopted.

ORDINANCE 19713

AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 44, SQUARE 10, SOUTH BATONROUGE SUBDIVISION, KANSAS STREET PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATONROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF SAID LOT TO NOIRE ENTERPRISES HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FORTHE CONSIDERATIONOF$100.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFERORWHO SUBMITSHIS/HEROFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove ordinance wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed ordinance. Amotionwas made by Mr.Kenney and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt theproposed ordinance. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst Kenney,Moak, Noel Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote:None Absent:Coleman, Harris,Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 3absent,the motion wasadopted.

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER INTRODUCTIONS PROPOSED RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATIONOF THE RFP 2025-22-5400 EVALUATION COMMITTEE, TO ISSUE ANOTICEOFINTENT TO AWARD, AND TO ENTER INTOACONTRACT WITH HUNT,GUILLOT& ASSOCIATES, LLC (HGA), FORPROJECT MANAGEMENT,GRANT MANAGEMENT,AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF HAZARD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE (HMA)PROGRAMSAND OTHER RELATED STATEOR FEDERAL GRANT OPPORTUNITIES. Amotionwas made by Mr.Gaudet and seconded by Ms.Adams that the introductionofthe above proposed resolutionbepublished in accordance with lawand that apublic hearing thereon be calledfor thecouncil meeting on December 10, 2025. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote:None Absent:Harris With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND THE DIRECTOR OF JUVENILE SERVICES TO EXECUTE APROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CONVENIENT CARE LAKE AFTER HOURS DBA TOTAL OCCUPATIONALTOPROVIDE JUVENILE ACCESS TO CONTINUUM HEALTH CARE SERVICES—INCLUDING SCREENING, PREVENTION, HEALTH EDUCATION, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT—AS THE ONSITE MEDICAL DIRECTOR AND PROVIDER, IN AN AMOUNT NOTTOEXCEED $150,000.00, FORTHE CONTRACT PERIODBEGINNING JANUARY1 2026, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026. Amotionwas made by Mr.Gaudet and seconded by Ms.Adams that the introductionofthe above proposed resolutionbepublished in accordance with lawand that apublic hearing thereon be calledfor thecouncil meeting on December 10, 2025. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote:None

Absent:Harris With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER ITEMS

ORDINANCE 19714

AMEND THE 2025 PAYPLAN FORTHE CLASSIFIED, UNCLASSIFIED, NON-CLASSIFIED, CONTRACT,FIRE,AND POLICE EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF BATONROUGE AND PARISH OF EAST BATONROUGE,

of Orders,and allap‐plicable StatewideOr‐ders 6. To considersuchother matters as maybeperti‐nent TheHaynesville Zone ReservoirA wasprevi‐ouslydeﬁnedinOrder No.967-C, effectiveAu‐gust 12, 2008, andis hereby redeﬁnedINSO‐FARAND ONLY INSOFAR as HA RA SUCC,HARA SUDD andHARASUEE areconcerned,asbeing thestratigraphic equiva‐lent of that gasand con‐densatebearing zone en‐counteredbetween the depthsof9,960’ and 11,542’ (electricallog measurements)inthe Apex NaturalGas,LLC (formerlyPetrohawk)B&KExploration 37 No.1 Well, locatedinIrregular Section37, Township 17 North, Range13West. Platsare availablefor inspection in theDepart‐ment of Conservation andEnergyin Baton Rouge and Shreveport Louisiana. http://dnr.louisiana. gov/conshearings Allparties having inter‐esttherein shalltakeno‐tice thereof. BY ORDEROF: DUSTINH.DAVIDSON, SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND ENERGY BatonRouge,LA 1/22/26;1/27/26 Slck IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEAMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE AT THE HEARING, PLEASE CON‐TACT THEDEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND ENERGY AT P.O. BOX 94275, BATONROUGE,LA 70804-9275 IN WRITING WITHIN TEN(10) WORK‐INGDAYSOFTHE HEAR‐INGDATE. 175221-jan27-1t $72.50

aries, purpose, gover‐nance, andpowersand duties of thedistrict; to providefor district fund‐ing; andtoprovide forre‐latedmatters 175072 Jan. 27, 28, 2026 2t $41.68

PUBLIC NOTICE (NOTICEOFINTENTION TO INTRODUCE RETIREMENT BILL –HLS26RS-583) Public notice is hereby given, as provided by Section29(C),Article Xof theConstitutionof Louisiana, that therewill be introduced at the forthcomingsession of theLegislature of Louisiana, to be con‐venedonMarch 9, 2026, a bill relative to theFire‐ﬁghters'RetirementSys‐tem; to providerelative to thecalculation of ben‐eﬁts;toprovide relative to community property; to providerelativeto compensation;and to providefor relatedmat‐ters 175070

NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TheCityofSt. Gabriel City Councilwillhold a Public HearingSpecial MeetingonTuesday,Feb‐ruary3,2026, andThurs‐day, February 5, 2026, at St.Gabriel City Council Chambers –Room32 –5035 IbervilleStreet, St Gabriel, La 70776 at 6:00 pm During thepublichear‐ing, allinterestedparties will be giventhe rightto appear andbeheard on thematters of: 1. OrdinanceAdopting RedistrictingPlan: City of St.Gabriel

Public notice is hereby given, as provided by Section13, ArticleIII of theConstitutionof Louisiana, that therewill be introduced at the forthcomingsession of theLegislature of Louisiana, to be con‐venedonMarch 9, 2026, a bill relative to theRecre‐

the commission;and to pro‐vide forrelated matters. 175032-jan27-28-2t $43.38

lows:ONE CERTAINLOT OR PARCEL OF GROUND together with allthe buildingsand improve‐mentsthereon,situated in that subdivisionofthe Parish of EAST BATON ROUGE, Stateof Louisiana, knownas MELROSEPLACESUBDI‐VISION,and beingdesig‐natedonthe official sub‐division map, on file and of record in theoffice of theClerk,and Recorder forsaidparishand state, as LOT278-B-1, said sub‐division;saidlot having such measurements and dimensions as shownof said map. Anyheiror creditor who opposes theproposedtransfer must file hisopposition By Attorneys: Leila Braswell, Braswell Law LLC, 208 E. Railroad Street, Gonzales,Louisiana 70737 Telephone: (225) 229-6883 Email: leila@braswelllaw.com BY:_ Leila Braswell, BarRoll31909 174478 Jan. 20, 27,2t $347.94

PUBLIC NOTICE Qualifying for March14, 2026, Primary TheEBR Parish Clerkof Court’sofﬁce will conductqualifyingfor candidates seeking election to: SpecialElectionfor StateRepresentative, District 69, parish of East BatonRouge Candidates mayqualify at both locationsfrom 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM Wednesday, January28, 2026, until Friday, January30, 2026. ClerkofCourt 222 St.Louis St Room 179 BatonRouge,LA70802 ClerkofCourt Branch Ofﬁce 9050 AirlineHwy Ste. 100 BatonRouge,LA70815 DOUG WELBORN CHIEFELECTIONOFFICER PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE 174796-jan27-28-2t $21.28

PUBLIC NOTICE Requestfor Scenic River Permit on Tchefuncte River TheSecretary of the LouisianaDepartmentof Wildlife andFisheries (LDWF) as Administrator of

EAST BATONROUGE SEWERAGE COMMISSION CAPITOLIMPROVEMENTS DISTRICT CITY OF BATONROUGE ANDPARISHOF EAST BATONROUGE Wednesday, November 19, 2025 4:00 PM

TheMetropolitanCouncil of theParishofEast BatonRouge andthe City of BatonRouge convened in zoning sessionon Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM,inthe CouncilChambersofthe GovernmentalBuilding, Room 348, BatonRouge Louisiana.

TheMeetingwas called to orderbythe Presiding Ofﬁcerand thefollowing memberswerepresent: Present: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Harris, Hud‐son, Hurst, Kenney Moak,Noel, Racca Absent:None Amending theCompre‐hensiveZoningMap of theCityofBaton Rouge andParishofEastBaton RougeofJune 1976, as containedinand made a part of the“Comprehen‐sive Zoning Ordinanceof theCityofBaton Rouge andParishofEastBaton Rougefor 1958,”as amendedsoasto: Thefollowing proposed ordinancewas intro‐ducedbyMs. Amoroso andreadinfullatthe meetingofthe Metropol‐itan CouncilonOctober 22, 2025. With apublic hearingcalledthereon forthismeeting, thepro‐posedordinance was read in full fora second time ORDINANCE19671 CASE 34-25 AMENDING THECOMPREHENSIVE ZONING MAPOFTHE CITY OF BATONROUGE ANDPARISHOFEAST BATONROUGE OF 2024, AS CONTAINEDINAND MADE APARTOFTHE "COMPREHENSIVE ZON‐INGORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BATONROUGE ANDPARISHOFEAST BATONROUGE", AS AMENDED, SO AS TO CHANGE THEZONINGON THEPROPERTYLOCATED ON THESOUTH SIDE OF GOVERNMENT STREET EAST OF BIENVILLE STREET,ONA PORTION OF PROPERTY NOWOR FORMERLY KNOWNAS LOT1-A OF CAPITAL HEIGHTS, SQUARE 13. SECTION82, T7S, R1E, GLD, EBRP,LA,

MADE

ZON‐INGORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BATONROUGE ANDPARISHOFEAST BATONROUGE", AS AMENDED, SO AS TO CHANGE THEZONINGON THEPROPERTYLOCATED ON THESOUTH SIDE OF SOUTHHAVENPARK COURT, WEST OF HAVEN‐PARK DRIVE, ON APOR‐TION OF PROPERTY NOW OR FORMERLY KNOWN AS LOT5 ANDLOT 6OF HAVENPARKCOURT.SEC‐TION 65, T7S, R1E, GLD, EBRP,LA, TO REZONE FROM HEAVYCOMMER‐CIAL (C2) TO COMMER‐CIAL ALCOHOLIC BEVER‐AGE(RESTAURANT)(CAB-1), AS SHOWNON A SKETCH PREPARED BY THEPLANNINGCOMMIS‐SION,A COPY OF WHICH IS ATTACHED ThePresiding Ofﬁceran‐nounced that apublic hearingonthe aboveor‐dinancewas in orderat this time.Nointerested citizens spokeeitherfor or againstthe proposed ordinance. Amotionwas made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms.Harris to adoptthe proposed ordinance. AYea andNay vote wascalledfor and resulted as follows: Yeas:Adams,Amoroso Coleman, Dunn Jr Har‐ris, Hudson,Moak, Noel Racca Nays:None Abstains:None DidNot Vote:None Absent:Gaudet, Hurst, Kenney With 9yeas, 0nays, 0ab‐stains,0 notvoting, and3 absent,the motion was adopted. ORDINANCE19673 CASE 37-25 AMENDING THECOMPREHENSIVE ZONING MAPOFTHE CITY OF BATONROUGE ANDPARISHOFEAST BATONROUGE OF 2024, AS CONTAINEDINAND MADE APARTOFTHE "COMPREHENSIVE ZON‐INGORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BATONROUGE ANDPARISHOFEAST BATONROUGE", AS AMENDED, SO AS TO CHANGE THEZONINGON THEPROPERTYLOCATED ON THEEASTSIDEOF SOUTHRIVER ROAD NORTHOFHAIGSTREET ON PROPERTY NOWOR FORMERLY KNOWNAS UNDESIGNATED 5.23 ACRE TRACTAND TRACT153-A, OF SOUTHBATON ROUGE SUBDIVISION. SECTION 53, T7S, R1W, GLD, EBRP LA,TOREZONEFROM PLANNEDUNITDEVELOP‐MENT (PUD)TOHEAVY COMMERCIALTWO (HC2), AS SHOWNON A SKETCH PREPARED BY THEPLANNINGCOMMIS‐SION,A COPY OF WHICH IS ATTACHED ThePresiding Ofﬁceran‐nounced that apublic hearingonthe aboveor‐dinancewas in orderat this time.Nointerested citizens spokeeitherfor or againstthe proposed ordinance. Amotionwas made by Ms.Coleman andsecondedbyMs. Adamstoadopt thepro‐posedordinance.A Yea andNay vote wascalled forand resulted as fol‐lows: Yeas:Adams,Amoroso Coleman, Dunn Jr., Har‐ris, Hudson,Hurst,Moak, Noel,Racca Nays:None Abstains:None DidNot Vote:None

Absent:Gaudet, Kenney With 10 yeas,0 nays,0 abstains,0 notvoting, and2 absent, themotion wasadopted. RESOLUTION 19674 CASE 38-25 AMENDING THECOMPREHENSIVE ZONING MAPOFTHE CITY OF BATONROUGE AND PARISH OF EAST BATONROUGE OF 2024, AS CONTAINEDINAND MADE APARTOFTHE "COMPREHENSIVE ZON‐INGORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BATONROUGE ANDPARISHOFEAST BATONROUGE", AS AMENDED, SO AS TO CHANGETHE ZONING ON THEPROPERTYLOCATED ON THENORTH SIDE OF GOVERNMENT STREET WEST OF SOUTH19TH STREET,ONA PORTION OF PROPERTY NOWOR FORMERLY KNOWNAS LOT 7AND LOT8 OF FUQUA-LAMONTOWN, SQUARE 8. SECTION74, T7S, R1W, GLD, EBRP,LA, TO REZONE FROM COM‐MERCIALALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE (RESTAU‐RANT)(C-AB-1)TOCOM‐MERCIALALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE (BAR AND LOUNGE)(C-AB-2), AS SHOWNONA SKETCH PREPARED BY THEPLAN‐NING COMMISSION, A COPY OF WHICHISAT‐TACHED ThePresiding Ofﬁceran‐nounced that apublic hearingonthe aboveor‐dinancewas in orderat this time.Nointerested citizens spokeeitherfor or againstthe proposed ordinance. Amotionwas made by Ms.Coleman andsecondedbyMr. Moak to adoptthe pro‐posedordinance.A Yea andNay vote wascalled forand resulted as fol‐lows: Yeas:Adams,Amoroso Coleman, Dunn Jr Har‐ris, Hudson,Hurst,Moak, Noel,Racca Nays:None Abstains:None DidNot Vote:None Absent:Gaudet, Kenney With 10 yeas 0nays, 0 abstains,0 notvoting, and2 absent,the motion wasadopted. ORDINANCE19675 CASE 39-25 AMENDING THECOMPREHENSIVE ZONING MAPOFTHE CITY OF BATONROUGE AND PARISH OF EAST BATONROUGE OF 2024, AS CONTAINEDINAND MADE APARTOFTHE "COMPREHENSIVE ZON‐INGORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BATONROUGE ANDPARISHOFEAST BATONROUGE", AS AMENDED, SO AS TO CHANGETHE ZONING ON THEPROPERTYLOCATED ON THENORTH SIDE OF BURBANKDRIVE,WEST OF SOUTHKENILWORTH PARKWAY, ON PROPERTY NOWORFORMERLY KNOWNASTRACT A-3-1A-1-A, A-3-1-A-1-BAND A3-1-A-1-COF CHATSWORTH PLANTA‐TION.SECTION 5, T8S, R1E, GLD, EBRP,LA, TO REZONE FROM SMALL PLANNEDUNITDEVELOP‐MENT (SPUD) TO LIGHT COMMERCIAL TWO(LC2) AND APORTION TO COM‐MERCIALALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE (BAR AND LOUNGE)(C-AB-2), AS SHOWNONA SKETCH PREPARED BY THEPLAN‐NING COMMISSION, A COPY OF WHICHISAT‐TACHED ThePresiding Ofﬁceran‐nounced that apublic hearing on theabove or‐dinancewas in orderat this time.Nointerested citizens spokeeitherfor

"COMPREHENSIVE ZON‐INGORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BATONROUGE ANDPARISHOFEAST BATONROUGE", AS AMENDED, SO AS TO CHANGETHE ZONING ON THEPROPERTYLOCATED ON THEEASTSIDEOF AIRLINEHIGHWAY NORTHOFGREENWELL STREET,ONA PORTION OF PROPERTY NOWOR FORMERLY KNOWNAS 14.236 ACRE TRACTAND TRACTB OF THEMRS ELLA KEENER TRACT. SEC‐TION 41, T6S, R1E, GLD, EBRP,LA, TO REZONE FROM HEAVYCOMMER‐CIAL (C2) AND COMMER‐CIAL ALCOHOLIC BEVER‐AGE(RESTAURANT)(CAB-1)TOGENERAL RESI‐DENTIAL(A4), AS SHOWN ON ASKETCHPREPARED BY THEPLANNINGCOM‐MISSION, ACOPYOF WHICHISATTACHED ThePresiding Ofﬁceran‐nounced that apublic hearingonthe aboveor‐dinancewas in orderat this time.Nointerested citizens spokeeitherfor or againstthe proposed ordinance. Amotionwas made by Mr.Hurst and seconded by Ms.Adams to adoptthe proposed ordinance. AYea andNay vote wascalledfor and resulted as follows: Yeas:Adams,Amoroso Coleman, Dunn Jr Har‐ris, Hudson,Hurst,Moak, Noel,Racca Nays:None Abstains:None DidNot Vote:None Absent:Gaudet, Kenney With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0 abstains,0 notvoting, and2 absent,the motion wasadopted. ADJOURN Amotionwas made by Ms.Amoroso andsec‐ondedbyMr. Noel to ad‐journ. AYea andNay vote wascalledfor andre‐sulted as follows: Yeas:Adams,Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Har‐ris, Hudson,Hurst,Moak, Noel,Racca Nays:None Abstains:None DidNot Vote:None Absent:Gaudet, Kenney With 10 yeas,0 nays,0 abstains,0 notvoting, and2 absent,the motion wasadopted. ThePresiding Ofﬁcerde‐clared the meetingad‐journed CouncilAdministrator/ Treasurer Mayor-President Pro-Tempore 175001 Jan. 27, 1t $190.46

METROPOLITAN COUNCIL GREATER BATON ROUGE AIRPORTAUTHORITY

EAST BATON ROUGE SEWERAGE COMMISSION CAPITOL IMPROVEMENTSDISTRICT

CITYOFBATON ROUGE AND PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE Wednesday,November12, 2025 4:00 PM

The Metropolitan Council of the Parish of East Baton Rouge and the City of Baton Rouge convened in regular session on Wednesday,November 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM, in the Council Chambersofthe Governmental Building, Room 348, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Meeting was called to order by the Presiding Officer and the following members werepresent: Present: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Absent: None

CONDEMNATIONS

PRUDENT ACQUISITIONS, L.L.C. 3250 ELM DR., LOT55, SOUTH DAYTON SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 7- HARRIS

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding wasin order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Coleman to delete theproposed condemnation proceeding. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak,Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

VOTE LOUISIANA located at 2254 Scenic Hwy (Roofless, Fire-Damaged Out Building on Southeast Corner of Scenic and Adams), Lots 1&2,Sq. 18, Suburb Istrouma Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11676

MICHAEL LYRON DUPUY located at 18115 Plank Rd. (Abandoned, Unsecured Building, and Mobile Home), Sec. 5(4.42 Acres Designated at Tract 5Subdiv.Ofthe Tract Cont. 126.93 Acres and Being aPart of Lot 3. Sec. 9, T5S, RIE), WD 2, Dupuy Tract, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11677

GREGORYLATHAN located at 118 N26th St. (Abandoned Dwelling, Rear Shed, and Covered Decking), Lot 7, Sq. 5, Lincoln Park Subdivision Baton Rouge,Louisiana 11678.

THE ESTATEOFEDDIE WOODS, JR. located at 2739 Michelli Dr (Acquisition Reads 2439 Michelli Dr.), Lot 340, BirdStation Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11679

EARL A. MARCELLE, JR., LAMAR A. MARCELLE, MARVIN M. MARCELLE, CHERYL R. MARCELLE MURRAY,YVONNEM MARCELLE, ANDYVETTE A. MARCELLE 1026 LORRI BURGESS AVE., LOT 2PT+(WESTERN 5FT. OF LOT 3AND EASTERN 30 FT.OF LOT 2), 3PT(PORTION OF LOT 3SQ. 14 SOUTH BATON ROUGE, MEAS. 35 FT.FRONT ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF WASHINGTON ST.) &4 (LESS &EXCEPT PARCEL 13-2 TI DOTD BN), SQ. 14, SOUTH BATON ROUGE SUBDIVISION -COUNCILDISTRICT 10 –COLEMAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding wasin order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on December 10, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak,Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

GLORIA LAVERN EDWARDS, JOYCE MARIE HENDERSON, JASMIN RICHARD PORTER, JASMIN RICHARD GREEN, AND BRITTANI MCCLAIN BREAUX752 CENTRAL RD., APORTION OF LOT79ALSO KNOWN AS LOT 79-B AND THE REMAINDER OFLOT 79-A, NORTHBATON ROUGE

SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 2–KENNEY

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on February 11, 2026. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak,Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

THE ESTATEOFLARRYWEBB WORTHY,JR14832 OLD HAMMOND HWY.,LOT 7-D, LARRYW.WORTHY PROP.TRACT- COUNCIL DISTRICT

4-MOAK

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak,Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

VISION QUINTANA LLC 6421 ARBORVITAE DR., LOT 68, FOREST HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 5- HURST

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak,Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

TONY T. DO AND TRACEY TRINH DO 12484 ROBBIE AVE. (DUPLEX WITH ADDRESSES 12484 ROBBIE AVE. AND12486 ROBBIE AVE.),LOT 87 (SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS LOT 87-AAND LOT87-B), ASHLEY

SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 6- DUNN JR.

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak,Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

REV.NORWOOD T. CALVIN located at 1285 N37th St., Lots 25+ (Lot 25 &26), Sq. 24, Eden Park Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11680

NISREEN DAWAN3326 NACADIAN THWY.(ABANDONED, OPEN

DWELLING WITH REAR SHED), LOT 2, SQ.19, NEW DAYTON

SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 7- HARRIS

motion was made by Ms.Amoroso and seconded by Ms.Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on February 11, 2026. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did NotVote: None

Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

JOHNLIONELWOODS, CHARLES EDWARD HOGAN, SR., ANDEUGENE HOGAN5226 WASHINGTON AVE. (DWELLING ANDUNSECURED REAR

SHED WITHCOLLAPSING ROOF),LOT 28, SQ. 19, EAST FAIRFIELDS

SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 7– HARRIS

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Ms.Amoroso and seconded by Ms.Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on December 10, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did NotVote: None

Absent:None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

MAGGIE LEE COOPER located at 676 N39th St Lots 12 PT+ (Portion of Lots 12 &13), Sq. 2, Greenville AdditionSubdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11681

MABLEBLACK ROGERS ANDPEARL WILLIAMSlocated at 1146 South St Lot 2PT(East 32 Ft. of Lot 2), Sq. 250, SuburbSwart Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11682

EDNAJOHNSON WHITE (USUFRUCTUARY),ALICE WHITE HARRIS, JOHN HARRIS, DOROTHY WHITE BAILEY,FRANKWHITE, LILLIE CRESSELL WHITE, GILBERTWHITElocated at 4013 PontiacSt.,Lots 16, 17, &18, Sq. 5, Prosperity Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11683

ROBERTWALDO MORGAN,JOOR PENNMORGAN,ELEANOR ANN MITCHELLYOUNT,AND THEMITCHELLFAMILYLIVINGTRUST 2343 ERIE ST LOT 6AND THEEAST ½OFLOT 5, SQ. 66, SUBURB ISTROUMA SUBDIVISION -COUNCILDISTRICT 10 –COLEMAN

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did NotVote: None Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

ELAH-LYNNGORDON PROPERTIES 2LLC located at 213 Lorri Burgess Ave. (House and Rear Shed –Property’sFormer Address was 213 East Washington), Lot 11, Sq. 1, SouthBaton Rouge Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11684

NATHANIEL(NATHANIAL) BATES JR., NATHALIECECILE BATES

CARROLL, NADALIEMARIEBATES THOMAS, ELYDIAJANELLE BATES

GAITHER, KEVINGERARD BATES SR. located at 131 Veta St Lot 25, Sq. 3, Highland Place Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11685

ELEISE (AKA ELISAND ELISE) GREEN JONES, NELLIEMAE GREEN

LOUISE GREEN BAKER, ANDLOYCEGREEN SKIDMORE 409 N23RD ST LOT 1, SQ. 1, PARKVIEW SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 –

COLEMAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Ms.Amoroso and seconded by Ms.Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on February 11, 2026. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did NotVote: None

Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

CONNERPROPERTIES &INVESTMENTS LLC 2005 ELLERSLIEDR. (SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS 2003 ELLERSLIE),LOT 7, SQ. 2,

ELLERSLIE SUBDIVISION -COUNCILDISTRICT 10 -COLEMAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Ms.Amoroso and seconded by Ms.Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on December 10, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did NotVote: None

Absent:None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

EMMA COBB SNOWDEN located at 2253 Kentucky St., Lot 14, Sq. 40, SouthBaton Rouge Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11686

MOORING TAXASSET GROUPIX, HEBREW JOE, INC. (LOT 8), AND JOSEPH JOHNSON (LOT9)3201 PLANKRD. AND3215 PLANKRD., LOTS 8&9,SQ. 108, SUBURB ISTROUMA SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT10– COLEMAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. An interested citizen appearing to speak against the proposed condemnation proceeding was Joseph Johnson. Amotionwas made by Ms.Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on December 10, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called forand resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did NotVote: None

Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

CATHERINE DIANNE LORD, JANNE ELIZABETH LORD CREWS, NANCY ROSEMARYLORD CUCCIO ANDJACQUELINE ROSANNE LORD KIRKPATRICK 4320 SWEETBRIAR ST LOT 9+ (LOT 9&E½OFLOT 8)

SQ. 3, SOUTHDOWNS SUBDIVISION -COUNCILDISTRICT 12 –RACCA

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did NotVote: None Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

PUBLIC HEARING /MEETING ORDINANCE 19670

AUTHORIZING THEAPPROPRIATIONOFNOT TO EXCEED $258,346,892.84

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. An interested citizen appearing to

speak against the proposed ordinance wasPennie Landry. Amotion was made by Mr.Gaudet andsecondedbyMs. Colemantoadopt the proposed ordinance. AYea andNay vote wascalledfor andresultedas follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59019 EBROSCO RESOLUTOIN 8745 ASUPPLEMENTALBOND RESOLUTION AMENDINGAND SUPPLEMENTING AMENDED AND RESTATED GENERALBOND RESOLUTION NO. 44893 (EBROSCO NO. 7494);PROVIDINGFOR THE ISSUANCE, SALE AND DELIVERYOFREVENUE REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2025A OF THE EAST BATON ROUGE SEWERAGE COMMISSION; PRESCRIBING THE FORM, FIXING THE DETAILS AND PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENTOFPRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON SUCH SERIES 2025A REFUNDING BONDS; AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke eitherfor or against the proposed resolution. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Harris and seconded by Mr.Moaktoadopt the proposed resolution. AYea andNay vote was calledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays,0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59020

AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF $215,000 IN BOND PROCEEDS FROM THE 2025 REVENUE BONDS FOR THE CHANEYVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 7FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS TO CONSTRUCT ANEW FIRE STATION OR RENOVATEAN EXISTING FIRE STATION AND PAYING ALL THE ASSOCIATEDCOSTS OF ISSUANCE. (BUDGET SUPPLEMENTNO. 9128)

The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke eitherfor or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Moakand seconded by Mr.Moaktoadopt the proposed resolution. AYea andNay vote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays,0abstains, 0not voting, and0absent, the motion was adopted.

PROPOSEDORDINANCE

AMENDING THE PRELIMINARYCURRENTEXPENSE BUDGET AND CAPITAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE FOR THE YEAR 2026 SUBMITTEDBYTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENT; AND ADOPTING THE FINAL CURRENT EXPENSE BUDGET AND CAPITAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE FOR THE YEAR 2026. BY MAYORPRESIDENT.

The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Mr.Gaudet andsecondedbyMs. Adams to recess the proposed ordinance to the council meeting on December 9, 2025. AYea andNay vote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays,0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59021

AMENDING THE 2025 ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE JEWEL J. NEWMAN COMMUNITY CENTERSOASTOAPPROPRIATE $71,744.00 FROM THE FUND BALANCE-ASSIGNEDTOJEWEL J. NEWMAN COMMUNITY CENTERGENERATED THROUGH PRIOR-YEAR RENTALREVENUESATTHE COMMUNITY CENTERFOR OPERATIONAL SUPPORT, BUILDINGREPAIRS, AND IMPROVEMENTS AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER. The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion wasmade by Mr.Kenney andsecondedbyMr. Dunn Jr.toadopt the proposed resolution. AYea andNay vote was calledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59022

ARESOLUTION PROVIDING WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE BOARD OF COMMERCEAND INDUSTRYOUTLINING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL’S RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD REGARDING CUSTOM METAL WORKS INC.’S NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE INDUSTRIAL TAXEXEMPTION PROGRAM CONTACT FOR THE YEARS 2022, 2023, AND 2024.

The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Moak andsecondedbyMr. Hudson to defer action to the Board of Commerce andIndustry. AYea andNay vote was calledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays,0abstains, 0not voting, and0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59023

AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENTOFTHE PRE-LITIGATION CLAIMOF SHERRI WHARTON HADSKEYFOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM A SEWER BACK-UP IN CLAIMANT’SHOME, FOR ATOTAL AMOUNT OF $16,731.34, WHICH AMOUNT SHALL BE PAID FROM THE ACCOUNT DESIGNATED “INSURANCE -GENERALLIABILITY” (1000. 4700. 10. 0550. 0000. 0000. 000000.644110). *THIS MATTER MAYBEDISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVESESSION.

The Presiding Officer announced thata public hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion wasmade by Mr.Gaudet andsecondedbyMr. Hurst to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nayvote was calledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays,0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59024

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENTTOEXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LUSTERGROUP, LLC. FOR DEMOLITION AND ABATEMENT SERVICES, PACKAGE A16 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $58,075.00

The Presiding Officer announced thata public hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke eitherfor or against the proposed resolution. Amotion wasmade by Mr.Hurst and seconded by Mr.Gaudet to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea andNay vote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59025

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LUSTER GROUP,LLC. FOR DEMOLITIONAND ABATEMENT SERVICES, PACKAGE A17 IN AN AMOUNT NOTTOEXCEED$72,452.00.

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59026

AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND/ORCHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORTCOMMISSIONTOEXECUTEA CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTIONOFTHE LEASE AGREEMENT FROM ALL STAR PROPERTIES, III,L.L.C.TOCGR BR CH N, LLC.

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59027

AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR-PRESIDENTAND/ORCHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORTCOMMISSIONTOEXECUTEAMENDMENT NO. 1TO THE AIRPORTBRIDGE COMPANY, INCORPORATED CONTRACTTO PROVIDE FOR ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS TO THE JET BRIDGES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED$100,000.00. (ACCOUNT # 5810-0900-30-0940-0000-0000-000000-647600).

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. An interested citizen appearing to speak against the proposedresolution was Pennie Landry. Amotion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Coleman to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59028

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT,ONBEHALF OF THE BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT,TO ACCEPT AGRANT AWARD FROM THE LOUISIANA HIGHWAY SAFETYCOMMISSION (LHSC) IN THE AMOUNT OF $979,800.00 SETTOBEGIN OCTOBER1,2025 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2026. THE GRANT PROGRAM ALLOWSTHE BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO PARTICIPATEINOVERTIME ENFORCEMENT OF SPEEDING, DWI, SEATBELT ,DISTRACTED DRIVING AND UNDERAGE DRINKING. THIS IS ACONTINUATION GRANT WITH NO MATCHING FUNDS.

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59029

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ENTERINTO AND EXECUTEAGREEMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WITH THE FOLLOWING AGENCIES IN COORDINATION WITH FUNDING RECEIVEDFROM THE LOUISIANA OPIOID ABATEMENT SETTLEMENT TO SUPPORT MOBILE INTERVENTION, TREATMENT AND RECOVERYSERVICES, OFFERED BY QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS; SUPPORTPEOPLE IN TREATMENT AND RECOVERY WHILE CONDUCTING COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION STRATEGIES AND WORKFORCE TRAINING IN THE AMOUNT OF $405,866.93 (INCLUDES $128,907.20 CITY OF ZACHARY-CITY HALL; $32,949.00 ZACHARYFIRE DEPARTMENT AND $83,810.73 ZACHARY POLICE DEPARTMENT;AND,$160,200.00 CITY OF ST.GEORGEBATON ROUGE DREAM CENTER) AND,TOPROVIDECOUNSELING, TREATMENT,RECOVERYAND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES IN ADDITION TO CASE MANAGEMENT AND CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES BY CERTIFIEDSUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELORS TO CRIMINALLY-INVOLVED PERSONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $257,000.00 BY THE BAKER CITY COURTAND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIONOFALL DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION HEREWITH.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Moak and seconded by Ms. Coleman to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59030

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENTTOENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVORAGREEMENT WITH THE STATEOF LOUISIANA AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,500,000 FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO THE US BOWLING CONGRESS 2025OPEN TOURNAMENT,FROM FUNDING PROVIDED IN THE MAJOR INCENTIVE FUNDSFROM ACT 1OFTHE 2025 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION59031

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO COLLABORATE WITH THE CAPITAL REGION PLANNING COMMISSION (BATONROUGE METROPOLITANPLANNING ORGANIZATION) TO IMPLEMENT ALL PHASES OF THE MOVEBR COLLEGE DRIVE CORRIDOR ENHANCEMENT PROJECT,WHICH WILL INCLUDECITY-PARISH USE OF CAPITAL REGION PLANNING COMMISSION STATETRANSPORTATION PROGRAM FUNDING (STPBG>200K) AND THE CITY-PARISH’S COMMITMENT TO SATISFY ALL LOCAL MATCH REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FEDERAL FUNDING SOURCE (STPBG>200K). (ACCOUNT NO.9217100081-4372 00000-0000000000-653100).

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Harrisand seconded by Ms. Coleman to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59032

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE ALIGHTING AGREEMENT WITH THE STATEOF LOUISIANA, DEPARTMENT OF

TRANSPORTATION ANDDEVELOPMENT(DOTD) IN CONNECTIONWITH

THEPECUE LANE/I-10 INTERCHANGE PHASE III, STATEPROJECTNO. H.003047, FEDERAL AIDPROJECTNO. H003047.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Hudson and seconded by Mr.Gaudet to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nayvote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59033

AUTHORIZING THEMAYOR-PRESIDENTTOEXECUTE ACEA WITH THE CITYOFCENTRAL FOR INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS AT JOOR RD ANDSULLIVAN RD ROUNDABOUT PROJECT, BEING STATEPROJECT NO.H.015711. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Moak and seconded by Mr.Kenney to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

AUTHORIZING THEMAYOR-PRESIDENTTOEXECUTE AN INTERGOVERNMENTAGREEMENTWITH THESTATEOFLOUISIANA, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONAND DEVELOPMENT (DOTD) IN CONNECTION WITH THEDETOURROUTE FOR BRIDGEREPLACEMENT ON CATALINA AVENUE,BEING STATEPROJECTNO. H.015551, F.A.P. NO H01551. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Moak and seconded by Mr.Hudson to delete the proposed resolution. AYea and Nayvote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did NotVote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59034

AUTHORIZING THEMAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTEA CONTRACT WITH G.E.C INC. FOR CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SERVICES

ASSOCIATED WITH MOVEBR ENHANCEMENT PROJECT FLORIDA BLVD SEG 2CORRIDOR ENHANCEMENT (22ND ST TO AIRLINE HWY) CITY-PARISH PROJECT NO 20-EN-HC-0003, IN AN AMOUNT NOTTO EXCEED $1,200,000.00. (ACCOUNT NO.4372.20000-0000000000653100). The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Moak and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nayvote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did NotVote: None Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59035

AUTHORIZING THEMAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTEA SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTWITH TEMPLE, INC FOR GLANCE SUPPORTAND CONNECTIVITY RENEWAL AGREEMENTASSOCIATED WITH SERVICEAGREEMENTFOR THECONNECTION ANDSERVICE OF SCHOOL DEVICES, IN AN AMOUNT NOTTOEXCEED $262,704.00. (ACCOUNT NO.9237100099-2341 00001-0000000000-647100).

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None

Did NotVote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59036

EBROSCO RESOLUTION 8746

AUTHORIZE THEMAYOR-PRESIDENTAND/OREBROSCOTO

EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO.1WITH ALLEN &LEBLANC, LLC FOR CONSTRUCTIONSERVICESINCONNECTIONWITH THEANNUAL PARISHWIDESEWER REPAIRAND REPLACEMENT PROJECT, BEING CITY-PARISH PROJECTNO. 24-PN-MS-0031, RESULTING IN AN INCREASE IN CONTRACT IN AN AMOUNT OF $146,832.00 (ACCOUNT NO.9217100076-4370-00000-0000000000-653100)

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms.Coleman and seconded by Mr.Gaudet to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nayvote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did NotVote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59037

AUTHORIZING THEMAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO AFIVE-YEAR AGREEMENTWITH CARAHSOFT (SAMSARA) FOR AGPS TRACKING ANDMONITORING SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE,APPROPRIATING FUNDS ANNUALLY. OVER THETERM OF THECONTRACT,THE TOTAL COST NOTTOEXCEED $1,344,140. (ACCOUNT NO.6100-7900-10-79200000-0000-000000-643500).

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59038

AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENTTOENTER INTO AND EXECUTE APROFESSIONAL SERVICESAGREEMENTONBEHALF OF THEOFFICEOFCOMMUNITYDEVELOPMENT-OFFICE OF VIOLENCE

PREVENTION WITH DR. JUAN BARTHELEMY IN THEAMOUNT OF $75,000.00 FOR THETERM COMMENCING DECEMBER 1, 2025 AND TERMINATINGJUNE 30, 2026 OR UPON COMPLETION OF SERVICE PROVIDED ANDAUTHORIZING THEEXECUTION OF ALL DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION HEREWITH The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Moak and seconded by Mr.Hurst to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak,

PROPOSED ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE –PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE (“CITY-PARISH”) (A) CREATING THE DELMONT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT(“DISTRICT”) WITHIN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA ON THE PROPERTYDESCRIBED ON EXHIBIT A(“PROPERTY); (B) DEFINING THE BOUNDARIESOF THE PROPERTY FROM WHICH AREA NEW SALES AND USE TAXES MAYBELEVIED BY THE DISTRICTAND USEDTOFUND ALL OR A PORTION OF THE COSTS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AS DESCRIBED HEREIN,ALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND AS AUTHORIZED BY CHAPTER27OFTITLE33OFTHE LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTESOF1950, AS AMENDED; (C) ESTABLISHING A BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE DISTRICT; (D) ACKNOWLEDGING THE DISTRICTBOARD’S AUTHORITY TO LEVY SALESAND USE TAXES AND HOTELOCCUPANCY TAXES WITHIN THE DISTRICT; AND (E) PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOREGOING. The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time Interested citizensspeaking in favor of the proposed ordinance were Tyra Banks, KaiMcFarland, Kyla Romanach,ChristopherRichard,Tonya Jones, Jarvis Lewis, Dietrich Moore, Wade Evans, Brendan Bennett, Martha Davis, LoriMelancon, Chris Meyers, Shashonnie Stewart, Ricky McCants, andBill Aaron.An interested citizen speaking without favor or opposition to the proposed ordinance wasT.J.Morse. An interested citizen submittinganemailed comment in favor of the proposed ordinance wasthe North Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce. Asubstitute motion wasmade by Mr.Moak and seconded by Ms. Amoroso to deferthe proposed ordinance to the council meeting on November 25, 2025. A“Yea” and“Nay” vote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES None.

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER INTRODUCTIONS

PROPOSED ORDINANCE

Lot: 66 &67

Subdivision:McClurePlace

the councilmeeting on December 10, 2025. AYea andNay vote wascalled for andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

PROPOSED ORDINANCE

AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARELOT 62, FIELDCREST SUBDIVISION, MUNICIPAL ADDRESS 3048 VOSS DRIVE, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA 70805, AS SURPLUS PROPERTYAND NOT NEEDED FOR APUBLIC PURPOSE,AND AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SAME PURSUANT TO LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTE 33:4712 ET SEQ., UNTO ERIC JAMES, JR. AND DARREN DEMBY FOR THE SUM OF $8,000.00, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE APURCHASE AGREEMENT, CASH SALE/CLOSING DOCUMENTS, AND ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS IN FURTHERANCE OF THIS SALE, WITH THE PARISH ATTORNEY’S OFFICE TO PREPARE,REVIEW,AND/OR APPROVE ALL SUCH DOCUMENTATION. Amotion wasmade by Mr.Gaudet andseconded by Ms. Amoroso thatthe introduction of the above proposed ordinance be published in accordance with lawand thata public hearing thereon be calledfor the council meeting on November25, 2025. AYea andNay vote wascalled for andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER ITEMS

DOWNTOWNDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

Reappointing or replacing Philip Jordan whose term expiredSeptember 13, 2025. This is afour year term.

Current Ballot

Philip Jordan

Amotion wasmade by Mr.Gaudet andsecondedbyMs. Colemanto reappoint Phillip Jordan.A Yeaand Nayvote wascalledfor andresulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

APPOINTMENTS

BATON ROUGE FILM COMMISSION

Consideration of reappointing or replacing Laurie Adams on the Baton Rouge Film Commission, whose term expiresonDecember 31, 2025. This is afour (4)year term (Must be aCouncil member)

Current Ballot

Laurie Adams (requested reappointment)

Amotion wasmade by Ms. Colemanand seconded by Ms. Amoroso to reappoint Laurie Adams. AYea andNay vote wascalledfor andresulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

BATON ROUGE FILM COMMISSION

Consideration of reappointing or replacing Brandon Noelonthe Baton Rouge Film Commission, whose term expiresonDecember 31, 2025. This is afour (4)year term (Must be aCouncil member)

Current Ballot

Brandon Noel(requested reappointment)

Amotion wasmade by Ms. Colemanand seconded by Ms. Amoroso to reappoint Brandon Noel. AYea andNay vote wascalledfor andresulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTFIRE DISTRICT #3 –BROWNSFIELD

Consideration of reappointing or replacing DonaldWeatherspoon,whose term expiresonDecember 31, 2025, this is atwo (2)year term.

Current Ballot

DonaldWeatherspoon (requested reappointment)

Amotion wasmade by Ms. Amoroso andseconded by Ms. Colemanto reappoint DonaldWeatherspoon.A Yeaand Nayvote wascalledfor and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE DISTRICT #8 -PRIDE

Consideration of reappointing or replacing Pierre Rizan, whose term

expires on November 26, 2025, this is atwo (2) year term.

Current Ballot

PierreRizan

Wesley Tucker

Amotion was made by Mr.Gaudet and seconded by Ms. Coleman to

reappoint PierreRizan. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted

as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE DISTRICT #8 -PRIDE

Consideration of reappointing or replacing Wesley Tucker,whose term expires on November 26, 2025, this is atwo (2) year term.

Current Ballot

PierreRizan

Wesley Tucker

Amotion was made by Mr.Gaudet and seconded by Ms. Coleman to reappoint Wesley Tucker.AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted

as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RECREATION AND PARK COMMISSION (BREC)

Appointing one member to the Recreation and Park Commission for East Baton Rouge Parish (must bea resident and qualified voter of the City of Baton Rouge). This is athree (3) year term(begins November 13, 2025).

Current Ballot

Eugene Collins (submitted application)

Cricket Gordon (submitted application)

Tori Lewis (submitted application)

Joseph Ortego (submitted application)

Jenni Peters (submitted application)

Michael Polito (submitted application)

Michael Victorian (submitted application)

Interested citizens appearing to speak on the proposed appointment

wereLin Naquin, Jenni Peters, and EugeneCollins. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment in favor of Jenni Peters was Kema Bueche. Amotion was madebyMs. Adams and seconded by Mr.Moak to appoint Michael Polito. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RECREATION AND PARK COMMISSION (BREC)

Current Ballot

Eugene Collins (submitted application)

Cricket Gordon (submitted application)

Tori Lewis (submitted application)

Joseph Ortego (submitted application)

Jenni Peters (submitted application)

Michael Polito (submitted application)

Michael Victorian (submitted application)

An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment in favor of Jenni Peters was Kema Bueche. Amotion was made by Mr.Moak and seconded by Mr.Hudson to appoint Joseph Ortego. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RECREATION AND PARK COMMISSION (BREC)

Appointing one member to the Recreation and Park Commission for East Baton RougeParish (must be aresident and qualified voter of the unincorporated area of the Parish). This is athree (3) year term (begins November 13, 2025).

Current Ballot

Murelle Harrison (submitted application)

Kyle Morris (submitted application)

An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment in favor of Jenni

Peters was Kema Bueche. Amotion was made by Mr.Gaudet and seconded by Ms. Harris to appoint Murelle Harrison. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RECREATION AND PARK COMMISSION (BREC)

Appointing on member to the Recreation and Park Commission for East Baton Rouge Parish (must bea resident and qualified voter anywherein the Parish). This is athree (3) year term (begins November 13, 2025).

Current Ballot

Randy Albarez (submitted application)

Jamee Blink (submitted application)

Eugene Collins (submitted application)

Cricket Gordon (submitted application)

Murelle Harrison (submitted application)

Tori Lewis (submitted application)

Kyle Morris (submitted application)

Joseph Ortego (submitted application)

Jenni Peters (submitted application)

KennethPointer (submitted application)

Michael Polito (submitted application)

DwayneRogers (submitted application)

Collis Temple III (submitted application)

Michael Victorian (submitted application)

James Vilas (submitted application)

An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment in favor of Jenni Peters was Kema Bueche. Asubstitute motion was made by Ms. Coleman and seconded by Mr.Noel to appoint Collis Temple, III. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Coleman, Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: Dunn Jr Kenney

Absent: Amoroso,Hurst With 8yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 2not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.

DELMONT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT BOARD OF

DIRECTORS

5. Must reside in 70805. To serve aone year term

Ballot Darren Pizzolato (nominated by Councilman Hurst) No action was taken on this item

DELMONT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

One member who shallbenominated by the Councilman

District

Current Ballot

Shashonnie Steward(nominated by Councilman Hurst)

No action was taken on this item.

DELMONT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT BOARDOF

DIRECTORS

One member who shall be nominated by the Greater Baton Rouge

EconomicPartnership to serve atwo years.

Current Ballot Andrew Fitzgerald (nominated by GBREP)

No action was taken on this item.

BOARDOFDIRECTORS

One member appointed by the StateSenator in whose SenateDistrict the

District is located to serve athree year term

Current Ballot

Ana Victorian (nominated by Senator Selders)

No action was taken on this item.

DELMONT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT BOARDOF

DIRECTORS

One member nominated by the StateRepresentative in whose House

District the District is located to serve athree year term

Current Ballot No action was taken on this item.

DELMONT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT BOARDOF

DIRECTORS

One member nominated by the Mayor-President of the City-Parish to serve athree year term

Current Ballot

WillCampbell(nominated by Mayor-President Edwards)

No action was taken on this item.

ITEMS

CHANGE ORDERS RESOLUTION 59039

AUTHORIZING EXECUTIONOFA CHANGE ORDER, BEING CHANGE

ORDER NO.1,TOTHE CONTRACT EXECUTED BETWEEN THECITY OF BATON ROUGE,PARISHOFEAST BATON ROUGE ANDLAP SERVICES, LLC,FOR PUBLICSAFETY COMPLEX H2 ROOF RECOVER, BEING

PROJECT NO.21-ASC-CP-1567.

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59040

AUTHORIZINGEXECUTION OF ACHANGEORDER, BEING CHANGE

ORDER NO.2,TOTHE CONTRACT EXECUTED BETWEEN THECITY OF BATON ROUGE,PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE ANDSienna Construction, LLC, FOR EBR Library Outreach Renovations, BEING

PROJECTNO. 21-ASC-CP-1327. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Ms. Coleman to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nayvote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did NotVote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59041

AUTHORIZINGEXECUTION OF ACHANGEORDER, BEING CHANGE

ORDER NO.1,TOTHE CONTRACT EXECUTED BETWEEN THECITY OF BATON ROUGE,PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE ANDTHE LUSTER GROUP,LLC, FOR LAUREL/LAFAYETTE AREA ADA TRANSITION PROJECT, BEING PROJECT NO.20-EN-HC-0048.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Ms. Coleman to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nayvote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did NotVote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59042

AUTHORIZINGEXECUTION OF ACHANGE ORDER, BEING CHANGE

ORDER NO.1,TOTHE CONTRACT EXECUTED BETWEEN THECITY OF BATON ROUGE,PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE ANDCHEMPRO SERVICES, INC.,FOR PROJECT, BEING PROJECTNO. MUNIS CONTRACT 800006139.

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59043

AUTHORIZING EXECUTIONOFA CHANGE ORDER, BEING CHANGE

ORDER NO.1,TOTHE CONTRACT EXECUTED BETWEEN THECITY OF BATON ROUGE,PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE ANDGRADY CRAWFORD CONSTRUCTION CO INC.,FOR HUNDRED OAKS SIDEWALKS PROJECT(ACADIAN TO PERKINS), BEING PROJECTNO. 23-EN-HC-0016. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Ms.Coleman to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nayvote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59044

AUTHORIZINGEXECUTION OF ACHANGEORDER, BEING CHANGE

ORDER NO.1,TOTHE CONTRACT EXECUTED BETWEEN THECITY OF BATON ROUGE,PARISHOFEAST BATON ROUGE ANDDENLEY

BROWN CONTRACTORS, LLC,FOR PICARDY-PERKINS CONNECTOR (MALL OF LA BLVD) -PACKAGE4 -RAILROAD UNDERPASSAND PUMP

STATION, BEING PROJECT NO.12-CS-HC-0043D.The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Ms Coleman to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nayvote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did NotVote: None Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION

CONSTRUCTION CO., L.L.C.,FOR SALES TAXSTREET AND ROAD

REHABILITATION PROGRAM PROJECT 20-4 FOUNTAINBLEAU DR, BIG BENDAVE STREETS IN FOREST HEIGHTS PARK, BEINGPROJECT NO. 24-AO-ST-0014. The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke either for or againstthe proposed resolution. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMs. Colemantoadopt the proposed resolution. AYea andNay vote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

FINAL ACCEPTANCES

RESOLUTION 59046

ACCEPTING ALL WORK DONEBYTHE CONTRACTOR UNDER THE CONTRACT FOR EBR LIBRARYOUTREACH RENOVATIONS, PROJECT NO. 21-ASC-CP-1327.

The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke eitherfor or against the proposed resolution. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Amoroso andseconded by Mr.Kenneytoadopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59047

ACCEPTING ALL WORK DONEBYTHE CONTRACTOR UNDER THE CONTRACT FOR HUNDRED OAKS SIDEWALKS PROJECT (ACADIAN TO PERKINS), PROJECT NO. 23-EN-HC-0016.

The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke eitherfor or against the proposed resolution. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Amoroso andseconded by Mr.Kenneytoadopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59048

ACCEPTING ALL WORK DONEBYTHE CONTRACTOR UNDER THE CONTRACT FOR SALES TAXSTREET AND ROAD REHABILITATION

PROGRAM PROJECT 20-4 FOUNTAINBLEAU DR, BIG BENDAVE STREETS IN FOREST HEIGHTS PARK, PROJECT NO. 24-AO-ST-0014. The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke eitherfor or against the proposed resolution. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Amoroso andseconded by Mr.Kenneytoadopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0absent, the motion wasadopted.

ACCEPTANCE OF LOW BIDS

RESOLUTION 59049

AWARDINGTHE CONTRACT FOR BATON ROUGE FIRE DEPARTMENT –SARS BUILDING, BEINGPROJECTNO. 21-ASC-CP-1606, TO THE LOWEST BIDDERTHEREFOR, SIENNA CONSTRUCTION, LLC; AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACT COVERING SUCH WORK. The Presiding Officerannounced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizens spoke eitherfor or against the proposed resolution. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Amoroso andseconded by Ms. Adams to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

AWARDING THE CONTRACT FOR LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE OF CITY PARISH OWNED LOTS AND FEMA PROPERTIES (GROUPS 1- 10),BEINGPROJECTNO. A25-91873,TOTHE LOWEST BIDDER THEREFOR, 2MEN AND AMOWER; AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACT COVERING SUCH WORK.

The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke eitherfor or againstthe proposed resolution. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Amoroso andseconded by Mr.Noeltodefer the proposed resolution to the council meeting on November 25, 2025. AYea andNay vote wascalledfor and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59050

AWARDING THE CONTRACT FOR SALES TAXSTREET AND ROAD REHABILITATION PROGRAM PROJECT 20-3 SPANISH TOWN RD (22ND TO I-110),PERKINSRD(RXR BRIDGE TO PARK), &STREETS IN HUNDRED OAKS AREA, BEINGPROJECTNO. 24-AO-ST-0013, TO THE LOWEST BIDDER THEREFOR, R. J. DAIGLE& SONS CONTRACTORS, INC.; AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACT COVERING SUCH WORK. The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke eitherfor or against the proposed resolution. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Amoroso andseconded by Ms. Adams to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59051

AWARDINGTHE CONTRACT FOR SALES TAXSTREET AND ROAD REHABILITATION PROGRAM PROJECT 19-6 STREETS IN 72ND AREA, BEINGPROJECTNO. NUMBER, TO THE LOWEST BIDDER THEREFOR, BARBER BROTHERS CONTRACTING CO., L.L.C.;AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACT COVERINGSUCH WORK. The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerested citizensspoke eitherfor or against the proposed resolution. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Amoroso andseconded by Ms. Adams to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59052

AWARDING THE CONTRACT FOR BR: RIVER ROAD MULTI-USE CORRIDOR, BEINGPROJECTNO. STATEPROJECTNO.H.011859, TO THE LOWEST BIDDER THEREFOR, BIDDER;AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACT COVERING SUCH WORK. The Presiding Officerannounced thatapublic hearing on the above

TO ACTNO. 177 OF THE2025 REGULAR SESSION OF THELOUISIANA LEGISLATURE (AMENDING LA. R.S. 33:2740.70.5), THE REBATE OF LOCAL SALES ANDUSE TAXES COLLECTED ON THE SALE OF ADMISSION TICKETS, CONCESSIONS, AND PARKING FOR MAJOR EVENTS TO BE HELD ON MARCH28, 2026, AND MAY23, 2026, AT TIGERSTADIUM IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH PURSUANTTOTHE RECOMMENDATIONOFVISIT BATON ROUGE AND IN RECOGNITIONOFTHE EVENTS’ EXPECTED ECONOMIC IMPACT; AND OTHERWISETOPROVIDE WITH RESPECTTHERETO. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. An interested citizen appearing to speak in favor of the proposed resolution was Jill Kidder.A motion was made by Mr.Moak and seconded by Ms. Coleman to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted