The Advocate 01-30-2026

CROP CARE

Reinsurers’

Farmersworktoprotect strawberries from freezing temperatures

BY CLAIREGRUNEWALD Staff writer

Strawberry farmersinsoutheast Louisiana spent Thursday pulling back covers off rowsofplants to feed them, pickingany ripe fruit and then covering them right back up again in preparation for the weekend’scold weather

BY SAM KARLIN Staff writer

After years of losses, fortunes have changed in boardroomsinBermuda andLondon. Reinsurers, whobackstop the globalinsurance industry,are seeing healthy profits.

An extraordinary spate of wildfires, hurricanes and other disasters wreakedhavoc on the reinsurance industry for several years, spurring widereaching effects that included surging insurance bills for Louisiana homeowners. Reinsurers charged higher prices to homeowners insurance companies, which got passed along to customers.

“Reinsurers have been doing well thepast few years after absorbing massive losses fora number of years.”

TrustInsurance Company

Strawberryfarmers in Livingston and Tangipahoaparishes prepped their farms last week and have kept their cold-weather coverage systems in place in anticipation of this weekend.

Strawberry farmer Rhonda Landry-Poché usesa system of blankets, hooksand lines to create agreenhouse effect during thecold

South Louisiana is bracing forits second consecutive freezing weekend, under an extreme cold watch from Friday night through Sunday morning as another blast of arctic air sweepsthrough.

BY GIOVANNA DELL’ORTO and REBECCA SANTANA Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS TheTrump administration could reduce thenumberofimmigrationenforcement officers in Minnesota, but only if stateand localofficials cooperate, the president’s border czar said Thursday,notinghehas “zero tolerance” for protesters who assault federal officersorimpede the ongoing Twin Cities operation. TomHoman addressed reporters for the first time since the president sent him to Minneapo-

lis following last weekend’sfatal shooting of protester Alex Pretti, the second this month by federal officers carryingout the operation. His comments came after President Donald Trump seemed to signal awillingness to ease tensions in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area. Homan emphasized that theadministration isn’t relenting on its immigration crackdownand warned that protesters

to protect thestrawberry blooms, apart of theplant that is essential for fruit development and makes strawberries in about 21-day cycles. Landry-Poché sprays the fruit with plant food and covers them again.

“When it getscold like this, that’s what we’re trying to protect,” she said. “What we’retrying to do is save theseblooms because if not, we’ll be shut down for 21 days.”

ä See FARMERS, page 12A

could face consequences if they interferewith federal officers.

But he seemed to acknowledge there had been missteps.

“I do not wanttohear that everything that’sbeen done here has been perfect. Nothing’severperfect,” he said.

Homan hinted at the prospect of pulling outmanyofthe roughly 3,000 federal officers taking part in the operation, but he seemed to tiethat to cooperation from state and local leaders and areduction in protester interference.

The steep increases in Louisiana thrust the state into an insurance crisisthat’shollowing outhurricane-prone communitiesand softening the real estate market.

But recentquiethurricane seasons and the soaring rates that reinsurers have charged have led to unusually strongprofits for the reinsurance industry,according to analysts. And with capital flowing freely,the pendulum is swinging back.

Insurance companies whobuy protection from reinsurers are seeing huge slides in prices, which have dropped between 10% and 20%, by someestimates.

STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

FarmhandEsteban Hernandez uncovers rows of strawberries to be fedatLandry-Poché FarmsonThursday.

Homan

Trump declares tariff on planes from Canada

President Donald Trump said he would charge a 50% tariff on aircraft from Canada sold in the U.S. and decertify all planes made in that country until Ottawa agreed to approve certain jets made by Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., an American firm.

Trump said Canada had “wrongfully, illegally, and steadfastly refused to certify the Gulfstream 500, 600, 700, and 800 Jets,” in a social media post Thursday In response, he said the U.S. would decertify “Bombardier Global Expresses, and all Aircraft made in Canada, until such time as Gulfstream, a Great American Company, is fully certified.”

Trump claimed that Canada was “effectively prohibiting the sale of Gulfstream products in Canada through this very same certification process.”

“If, for any reason, this situation is not immediately corrected, I am going to charge Canada a 50% Tariff on any and all Aircraft sold into the United States of America,” he added.

Earlier Thursday, Trump threatened to tariff countries that provided or sold oil to Cuba, in a move that could subject Mexico to higher levies.

Self-driving Waymo hits child near school

LOS ANGELES A Waymo selfdriving taxi recently struck a child near a Santa Monica elementary school during dropoff hours, triggering an investigation into the incident by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The child sustained minor injuries, Waymo said. After being struck, the child stood up and walked to the sidewalk, where witnesses called 911.

Santa Monica Police said officers responded to the Jan. 23 incident close to Grant Elementary School. After being evaluated by responders from the fire department, the child was released.

The investigation said the child was running across the street toward the school when they were hit. Waymo said the child appeared from behind a large SUV “The event occurred when the pedestrian suddenly entered the roadway from behind a tall SUV, moving directly into our vehicle’s path,” Waymo said in a statement. “The Waymo Driver braked hard, reducing speed from approximately 17 mph to under 6 mph before contact was made.”

There were other children, a crossing guard and several double-parked vehicles in the vicinity when the accident occurred, according to NHTSA.

Waymo reported the incident to the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation and said it would fully cooperate. The Waymo involved was operating on the company’s fifth-generation automated driving system without a safety driver

Car rams into Chabad headquarters in NYC

A man was arrested after repeatedly crashing his car into the Chabad Lubavitch world headquarters in New York City on Wednesday night while people were gathered for prayer at the deeply revered Hasidic Jewish site.

No one was injured when the driver struck a door of a building in the complex before reversing and striking it several more times. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the incident was being investigated as a possible hate crime.

Video of the crash that was posted online shows a car with New Jersey license plates moving forward and backward on an icy driveway leading to a building in the complex and ramming its basement-level doors.

The driver, who is wearing shorts, emerges, shouts to bystanders that “It slipped” and says something to police about trying to park.

CORRECTION

A Wednesday article about Mushroom Maggie’s Farm misspelled the name of Rocca Pizzeria’s executive chef. The correct spelling is Braden Messinger

Miss. nearer school cellphone ban

BY DEVNA BOSE Mississippi Today

Cellphones could soon become a rarer sight in classrooms, thanks to the Mississippi Legislature.

The House Education Committee passed a bill during its Wednesday meeting that would require local school boards to enact policies that restrict or prohibit the use of cellphones during the school day

The Senate Education Committee greenlit a similar bill during its meeting last week, which bodes well for the legislative success of the policy

Rep. Sam Creekmore, R-New Albany said similar bills have previously failed, but he’s optimistic that the Legislature can get the policy passed this year because it’s a priority for legislators in both chambers Creekmore also said he’s concerned about the amount of time students are spending on their phones and how that impacts their mental health.

Mental health issues among

teenagers have risen sharply since the early 2010s, coinciding with the widespread adoption of smartphones. “You just can’t ignore that,” he said.

Youth mental health concerns have sparked renewed interest in policies across the country Research links cellphone and social media usage among school-aged kids to negative mental health outcomes and instances of cyberbullying.

At least 33 states and the District of Columbia require school districts to ban or restrict students from using cellphones in schools, according to Education Week. A measure that would have done so in Mississippi died last session, even after Mississippi’s youth mental health task force recommended that all school districts implement policies that limited cellphone and social media usage in classrooms.

Still, districts have established their own policies — and seen the dividends. Creekmore cited the

success of a new school cellphone policy in Marshall County as an example, near his district. In 2024, Marshall County School District in Holly Springs became the first district in north Mississippi to restrict students’ use of cellphones in school Upon arrival at school, students store their phones in lockable pouches, which blocks access during class.

After implementing the policy, 88% of teachers in Marshall County schools saw an improvement in student engagement, according to the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.

Jackson Public Schools established a stricter cellphone policy this past school year, requiring students to keep their phones out of sight and off their person during school.

Since updating the policy district spokesman Sherwin Johnson said teachers report improved classroom management, better transitions between classes and more meaningful teacher-student

interactions across schools.

A Pew Research Center survey found that most adults support cellphone bans in middle and high school classes, but those who don’t say it’s because their child can use their phone during emergencies. Creekmore said he’s raised similar concerns to law enforcement, who say having a cellphone during an emergency could be distracting.

Brigette Whaley, a professor at West Texas A&M University and former middle school teacher, has studied classroom cellphone policies in several states. She found that at one rural high school in Texas during the 2024-25 school year, a bell-to-bell phone-free policy resulted in more student engagement, less “drama” among students and less student anxiety and cyberbullying.

“What I’m seeing with teachers is that they’re definitely excited about building those relationships and community in their classrooms again,” she said.

Venezuelan lawmakers ease state grip on oil

BY REGINA GARCIA CANO Associated Press

CARACAS Venezuela Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez on Thursday signed a law that will open the nation’s oil sector to privatization, reversing a tenet of the self-proclaimed socialist movement that has ruled the country for more than two decades.

Lawmakers in the country’s National Assembly approved the overhaul of the energy industry law earlier in the day, less than a month after the brazen seizure of then-President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. military attack in Venezuela’s capital.

As the bill was being passed, the U.S. Treasury Department officially began to ease sanctions on Venezuelan oil that once crippled the industry, and expanded the ability of U.S. energy companies to operate in the South American nation, the first step in plans outlined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio the day before. The license authorization by the Treasury Department strictly prohibits entities from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea or Cuba from the transactions.

The moves by both governments on Thursday are paving the way for yet another radical geopolitical and economic shift in Venezuela.

“We’re talking about the future. We are talking about the country that we are going to give to our children,” Rodríguez said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ARIANA CUBILLOS

Workers of Venezuela’s state-owned PDVSA oil company rally Thursday in Caracas, Venezuela, to back an oil reform bill proposed by acting President Delcy Rodríguez

Rodríguez proposed the changes after U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration would take control of Venezuela’s oil exports and revitalize the ailing industry by luring foreign investment. Private companies

The legislation promises to give private companies control over the production and sale of oil and allow for independent arbitration of disputes.

Rodríguez’s government expects the changes to serve as assurances for major U.S. oil companies that have so far hesitated about returning to the volatile country Some of those companies lost investments when the ruling party enacted the existing law two decades ago to fa-

vor Venezuela’s state-run oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela SA, or PDVSA.

The revised law would modify extraction taxes, setting a royalty cap rate of 30% and allowing the executive branch to set percentages for every project based on capital investment needs, competitiveness and other factors.

It also removes the mandate for disputes to be settled only in Venezuelan courts, which are controlled by the ruling party Will change economy

Ruling-party lawmaker Orlando Camacho, head of the assembly’s oil committee, said the reform “will change the country’s economy.”

Meanwhile, opposition lawmaker Antonio Ecarri

Mattel shares Ken’s full name, bio

BY IRIS KWOK Los Angeles Times (TNS)

Barbie’s male counterpart, it turns out, is not “just Ken.” His full name is Kenneth Sean Carson, according to Mattel, which says the doll saw a uptick in popularity following the hit movie’s release in 2023.

Ahead of Ken’s 65th birthday, the El Segundobased toy giant shared a laundry list of niche biographical details about the doll, including his official “birthday” — March 11, 1961, making him a Pisces — as well as his relationship history with Barbie.

The company said in a statement Monday that Ken has “experienced a resurgence in recent years.”

A Mattel spokesperson cited the “Barbie” movie as a driving factor, as it showed a “different side” of Ken. In a meta move, the company later in 2023

released Ken dolls modeled after Ryan Gosling’s portrayal of Ken. The “Kenbassador” line launched last year was

a “great success,” the spokesperson said.

Mattel doesn’t break out sales of Ken dolls, but on average, girls have one Ken doll for every seven Barbies they own.

Ruth Handler, the creator of Barbie, named the original doll after her daughter, Barbara. The glamorous doll, unique in that it depicted a grown woman rather than a baby, was an instant hit when it debuted at the New York Toy Fair in 1959. Barbie has significantly evolved in the decades since.

The Ken doll, created in 1961, was named after Handler’s son, Kenneth. He featured molded hair, wore red swim trunks and carried a yellow towel.

Kenneth Handler told The Times in a 1989 story that there were few similarities between him and the doll named after him

He died in 1994.

“Ken doll is Malibu,” he said. “He goes to the beach and surfs. He is all these perfect American things.”

But when Kenneth Han-

dler was at Hamilton High School in Beverlywood, he “played the piano and went to movies with subtitles.” He continued, “I was a nerd — a real nerd. All the girls thought I was a jerk.”

Ken has dabbled in many different careers over the decades. There have been doctor pilot, tennis player, firefighter, lifeguard, barista and even Olympic skier Kens, among many others. In 2006, he received a “mid-life makeover” from celebrity stylist Phillip Bloch.

According to the company, Ken and Barbie “met” on the set of their first television commercial in 1961 and soon began dating. After more than four decades, the doll couple broke up in 2004, but reunited in 2011. Mattel was founded by Ruth Handler; her husband, Elliot Handler; and Harold “Matt” Matson in 1945 in a Los Angeles garage. The toy maker became a publicly traded company in 1960.

urged the assembly to add transparency and accountability provisions to the law, including the creation of a website to make funding and other information public. He noted that the current lack of oversight has led to systemic corruption and argued that these provisions can also be considered judicial guarantees.

Those guarantees are among the key changes for-

eign investors are looking for as they weigh entering the Venezuelan market.

“Let the light shine on in the oil industry,” Ecarri said.

Workers support overhaul Oil workers dressed in red jumpsuits and hard hats celebrated the bill’s approval, waving a Venezuelan flag inside the legislative palace and then joining lawmakers in a demonstration with ruling-party supporters.

The law was last altered two decades ago as Maduro’s mentor and predecessor, the late Hugo Chávez, made heavy state control over the oil industry a pillar of his socialist-inspired revolution. In the early years of his tenure, a massive windfall in petrodollars thanks to record-high global oil prices turned PDVSA into the main source of government revenue and the backbone of Venezuela’s economy In tearing up the contracts that foreign companies signed in the 1990s, Chávez nationalized huge assets belonging to American and other Western firms that refused to comply, including ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips. They are still waiting to receive billions of dollars in arbitration awards.

Newcoldsnapaddsurgency to

BY SOPHIE BATES, SUDHIN THANAWALA and RUSS BYNUM Associated Press

BELZONI, Miss. Hundreds of National Guard troops in ice-stricken Mississippi and Tennessee mobilized Thursday to clear debris and assist people stranded in cars or stuck at homesstill without electricity asthe Southern states raced to recover from acrippling winter storm before another blast of dangerous cold hits Friday

The National Weather Service said arctic air moving into the Southeast will cause already frigid temperatures to plunge into theteenson Friday night in cities like Nashville, wheremore than 80,000 homes and businesses still had no powerfive days after amassive storm dumped snow and ice across the eastern U.S.

Glyn Alexander,73, endured three days without electricity before deciding to leave her home in Belzoni, asmall cityinthe Mississippi Delta. She was cozier Thursday at alocal warming shelter, where agenerator kept the indoor temperature at abalmy 82.

“Three days in the cold, sleeping in the cold, eating in the cold,” Alexander said “I just couldn’ttake the cold anymore.”

At least 85 people have died in areas affected by bitter cold from Texas to New Jersey. Roughlyhalfthe deaths were reported in Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana.

The prolonged freeze left some residentsincreasingly desperate in aregion unaccustomed to such conditions.

Emergency dispatchersin Mississippi received calls from people running out of food and medications while stuck at home. In Tennessee, social workers coordinated

with police and firefighters to check on residents who hadn’tbeen heard from in days

“Noone really knew that it wasgoingtobelikethis, or how bad,” said CJ Bynum, who used his Jeep to help drivers stranded along Interstate55 in northern Mississippi, where18-wheel trucks still lined the icy highway two days aftertraffic ground to ahalt

Harriet Wallace, who works for aNashville social services agency,said policeand firefighters were visiting homestocheckon older adults whose relatives couldn’treach themby phone. All were foundalive, she said.

“They are finding blankets and just sitting there with no TV,nopower,nothing,” Wallace said.“Some are alittle delirious.”

Majoroutages persist

More than 260,000 homes and businesses in states hit by the winter storm had no electricity Wednesday evening, according to the outage trackingwebsite poweroutage.us.

Nashville Electric Service saidThursday that 963 linemen wererepairingdamage after thestorm snapped hundreds of power poles in the area. Autility vice president, Brent Baker,said Wednesday that full restorationcouldtake until the weekend or longer Interstates 55 and 22 remained closed in northern Mississippi as emergency crews used towtrucks and snowplows to clear thehighways.

Mississippi Gov.Tate Reeves said 650 National Guard troopswereclearingfallen trees from roads anddeliveringmeals,blankets and other supplies by truck and by helicopter.The

Tennessee National Guard said about170 soldiers and airmen were assistingwith recovery efforts, including helping more than 200 people stranded in vehicles and homes and providing rides to nearly 300 emergency and health care workers.

Warmingcenters in Miss Mississippiofficials say it’sthe state’s worst winter storm since 1994. About 80 warming centers were opened across the state, known as one of thenation’spoorest.But for some communities, theyweren’t enough.

In Batesville,Mississippi, where most of thecity’s 7,400 residents were withoutpower Thursday,Mayor Hal Ferrell said officials were dealing with outages at nursing homes,a shortage of generators for shelters and ice-covered interstates that slowed deliveries.

“We’rejust stymied with everything we’re trying to do,”Ferrell said.

Newborncalfstrugglingin deep freeze broughtindoors

BY DYLAN LOVAN

Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky.— AKentucky

family battling extreme cold temperatures on their farm over the weekend opened their hometoanewborn calf that was strugglingin the deep freeze.

Hours later,the calf, fed and fluffed, took aspot on the couch with the Sorrell family’stwo children

Their mom, Macey Sorrell, snapped some photos and later posted them to social media, and the cuteness did not go unnoticed.

The calf wasborn outdoors in single-digit temperatures on Saturday.Macey Sorrell said her husband, Tanner went outside to check on the pregnant mother and found the calf, suffering in the cold.

on Saturday. At right is his

Health experts warn that prolonged exposure to cold without heat poses serious risks, especially for young

children,older adultsand people with cardiovascular conditions.

“The body can handle cold temperatures briefly very well,” said Dr.Hans House, aprofessorofemergency medicine at the University of Iowa, “but the prolonged exposure is aproblem.” As hypothermia sets in, the body shivers and reduces blood flowtohands and feet to preserve heat, House said,raising theriskof frostbite. As exposure continues, peoplecan become sleepy and confused, and in severe cases theheart and lungs can fail.

Forecasters say the subfreezing weatherwill persist in theeasternU.S.into February and there’shigh chance of heavysnowin the Carolinas, Virginia and northeast Georgia this weekend, possibly up to afoot in parts of North Carolina.

After losing acalf last winter to frostbite,the family moved quickly to bring the baby inside to cleanher off and warm her up

“When we broughther in, she had iceonher.The afterbirth was still on her,Ihad to wipe all that off,” Sorrell said. “I took out the blow

“She was just frozen. Her umbilical cord looked like apopsicle,” Macey Sorrell said Thursday from her home in Mount Sterling, Kentucky.

dryerand warmed herup, and got her all fluffed out.”

Soon thecalf was lyingon thecouch, cuddling with her young children.

“They crawled up next to herlike it was just the most normal thing,” she said.

The calf was reunited with hermotherthe next morning, andisdoingwell, Sorrell said.

PHOTO PROVIDED By MACEy SORRELL

GregorySorrell, 3, cuddles witha calf his family brought indoorsduring extremecold temperatures in Mount Sterling, Ky.,

sister,Charlee Sorrell, 2.

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INSIDE WASHINGTONMARDI GRAS

It’s abig party, butpoliticsjusthappennaturally

Stephanie Grace WASHINGTON, D.C. Youcan’t walk

2feet at the annual Washington Mardi Gras —oreven on theway to it —without bumping into a politician, be it a major congressional figure (no other state has anything like Louisiana’s one-two punch of House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise) or a mayor,legislator,sheriff or local council member

Case in point: People boarding the Wednesday morning nonstop flight from New Orleans toReaganNational Airport might have spotted ahigh-level consultation on criminal justice issuesinrows 9and 10, as two middle-seat passengers —Attorney General Liz Murrill and New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno —grabbed the chance opportunity to confer That the conversation between adie-hard Donald Trump Republican and aprogressive Democrat recently sworn in to office by Kamala Harris was friendly says much about the overall ethos of Louisiana’sannual Carnivalthemed extravaganza in the nation’scapital. This is atime when differences get put aside, andeveryone seeks out commonground and focuses on the state.Itwas both remarkable and not that Moreno’sjam-packed schedule of possible stop-bys listed afundraiser for Murrill and another for Republican Gov.Jeff Landry,who holds asecond, amorphoustitle as Trump’sspecial envoy to Greenland, theDanish semiautonomous territory thatthe presidentfor some reason desperately wantsas his own. Indeed, if there’s akeyword to describe the event, it’scamaraderie.

All that said, politics is never too far from the surface when so many pols and people who follow politics for aliving (or for fun) find themselves in one place. It’scertainly lurking around U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy and U.S. Rep. JuliaLetlow,members of the state’sGOP delegation who suddenlyfind themselves electoral adversaries. Trump’srecent endorsement of Letlow in the upcoming Senate Republican primary —obvious punishment for Cassidy’s2021 vote to convict Trump after his impeachment for inciting the Jan. 6attack on the U.S.Capitol —has put them in a zero-sum situation.

Nobody’sexpecting anyactual debate to break out, at least in public, but Letlow did hold afundraiser for her newly formed candidacy Wednesday night, even as Cassidy joined Johnson, Scalise andFrench ambassador Laurent Bili at his home in the elegant, snow-snarled Kalorama neighborhood to toast this year’sceremonial king and queen.

But among the masses,there wasdefinitely private chitchat analyzingLetlow’scomments at some of the gathering’sevents —including her frequentnods to her work with the president, which at one time wouldbeseen as bland talking points from a longtime team player but arenow interpreted by some as strategy from acombatant.

For his part, asmiling Cassidy appeared to be anything butthe dead man walking some now consider him. While working the room at the ambassador’s reception, he insisted that allfelt entirely normal and noted that thisisn’t even the firsttime that amember of the congressional delegation had challenged acolleague. He should know.In2014, when Cassidy still served in theU.S House, he ran against incumbent U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu. Politics found its way into the weekend then, too, as the two competing

lawmakers offered different versions ofaflood insurance fix that was comingtogether on Capitol Hill.

Of course, there’sone big difference betweenthenand now: Landrieu was aDemocrat, so Cassidy’schallenge wasn’tcoming from inside the house.

Whoyou are, whereyou stay It’snot just in thesuddenly hotSenaterace where Trump’s shadow is sometimes intruding

over the festivities. Onedevelopmentinrecent years is aremnant of the president’sfirst term, when Republicans far and wide —definitely including those from Louisiana —basically turned the hotel in Washington’shistoric Old Post Office then flag-shipped under the president’s personal brand intoa GOP clubhouse.

Trump’sname has since come off what’snow known as aWaldorf Astoria, butthe muscle memoryholds. Today it’s still

somethingofa secondary and morepartisan-minded hub for theweekend —and apopular location for Republican fundraisers —alongside the traditional headquarters at theWashington Hilton.

Also, despite all the warm words, current divisive events did sneak into the speeches at the French ambassador’shome.

For onething, Johnson noted that he’djust come from the WhiteHouse, where he’d been strategizing about avoiding apotential partial government shutdown prompted by widespread fury over something that did not get an overt mention: The Trump administration’sbrutish immigration practices andthe recent killings of two citizens at the hands of masked Border Patrol and ICE agents.

Andsprinkled into all the talk of our nation’sand our state’s very long friendship with France —presenttension between the U.S. and Europe notwithstanding —were acouple of lighthearted cracks about tariffs.

So even as Bili gave ashoutout to Lafayette Parish Mayor-President Monique Boulet to reminisce about his visit to the Marquis de Lafayette’snamesake city —“I was reminded of the how deeply French culture is woven into

Louisiana’sidentity,for its people, its spirits, its food; the boudin wasexcellent” —heslid in aquip about one of multiple Trumppolicies causing international tension. After drawing laughs with a line about France proving that it’s“still one of the world’sgreatest powers,” Bili added: “This is where usually Isay Ihope we reciprocate the tariff 50 to zero.” Bigparties meet bigbusiness Washington Mardi Gras has become amust-attend occasion not just forpolitical and government types, but increasingly forbusiness leaders with investments in our state. For all the homegrown companies on site, though, perhaps it says something about Louisiana’s perennial underdog status that the biggest corporate-sponsored event is put on by aHoustonbased firm,Cheniere Energy Still, Cheniere plays big in the liquefied natural gas space, so its ties to Louisiana’senergy economy run deep. Each year it uses its party to makeasizable donation, this year of $100,000 to the McNeese Foundation to support its new LNG Center of Excellence.

It also drawsacrowdbyputting on an over-the-top show Wednesday’swinter-themed party at the National Portrait Gallery bordered on the otherworldly, with snowflakes projected onto the ceiling of the soaring courtyard, askater in amakeshift rink and so manywhite-clad acrobats that those seeking out the bigwigs (Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple, Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois, Louisiana House Speaker Phillip DeVillier and university presidents Michael Fitts of Tulane and Xavier Cole of Loyola, among manyothers) had to watch where they were going to avoid getting kicked in the head.

Nobody needs to fake winter conditions this weekinD.C., so the hosts did offer attendees someparting gifts: cups of hot chocolate to go along with pairs of Cheniere Carnival-themed socks. Here, Cheniere did offer anod to aLouisiana company: The socks were sourced from Bonfolk, a family-run small business, which the label says wasfounded in NewOrleans.

Email Stephanie Grace at sgrace@theadvocate.com.

At the French ambassador’s home, live music is played during aWashington Mardi Gras party Wednesday.

House SpeakerMikeJohnson, left, greets U.S. Sen.Bill CassidyasMajority Leader SteveScalise joinsthem duringa Washington MardiGrasparty on Wednesday

Performers hang from the ceiling at the Cheniere Energyparty during Washington Mardi Gras at the National Portrait GalleryonWednesday

left,

Performers roam the room at the Cheniere Energyparty for Washington MardiGras at the National Portrait Gallery.

CELEBRATING THE KING

Mardi Gras beads reflect off a wall as Sam Shannon, with the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, spreads them out on a table.

Lori Murphy, of Nederland Jewelers in Lake Charles, uses her fingertips to straighten the bow on a box holding a king’s pin as she helps get a table ready for the start of the King’s Luncheon at the Kennedy Center

Gov. Jeff Landry, center, shares a laugh with New Orleans businessman Fred Heebe, right, as Heebe’s daughter, Sarah, left, who is queen of this year’s Washington Mardi Gras, joins her dad in meeting the governor on Thursday.

Washington Mardi Gras Queen Sarah Heebe, center in pink, poses for photos with festival queens from across Louisiana near a layer of ice and snow on the rooftop of the Kennedy Center on Thursday.

Guests at Thursday’s King’s Luncheon greet each other as they take their seats near where

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, left was working the room at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

STAFF PHOTOS By CHRIS GRANGER

Washington Mardi Gras King Gray Stream, left, gets a warm welcome from Gov. Jeff Landry, right, and his wife, Sharon, along with former U.S Sen. Mary Landrieu, center, as they greet each other for Thursday’s King’s Luncheon.

Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana Queen Linley Wilcox wears her elaborate tiara at the King’s Luncheon.

Washington Mardi Gras King Gray Stream wears an LSU championship ring as he stands with LSU President Wade Rousse during Thursday’s luncheon.

Washington Mardi Gras Queen Sarah Heebe is celebrated at the King’s Luncheon.

INSIDE WASHINGTON MARDI GRAS

As king, Gray Stream focuses on the economy

‘This is not your normal event you’re in charge of’

BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON Lake Charles in-

vestor and philanthropist

W. Gray

Stream is from a storied family

His mother is the late country singer Lynn Anderson A portrait of his grandmother by celebrated Mexican artist Diego Rivera hangs in his father’s house.

Now as king of the 77th Washington Mardi Gras, Stream himself joins illustrious company His predecessors include Drew Brees, Richard Lipsey, Todd Graves and Roy O. Martin III, among other Louisiana titans.

Washington Mardi Gras is an annual event that draws thousands of Louisiana business and community leaders into a four-day retreat with local, state and federal politicians at the Washington Hilton, which dubs its bar the 65th parish

Socializing around parties, hospitality suites and a formal ball lubricates business deals, Stream said He has an impressive résumé of volunteer work on the boards of a vast array of community organizations, from the Louisiana Innovation Council, which fosters growth for startups, to The National WWII Museum, which has become the top tourist attraction in New Orleans. But Stream said one of the biggest reasons for accepting the kingship is his present position chairing the Louisiana Economic Development Partnership Board, a panel of private sector advisers developing a strategic plan for economic development.

“I’ve been to a lot of Washington Mardi Gras,” Stream said. “I feel like 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.”

As chair of the Washington Mardi Gras this year it fell upon House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, RJefferson, to choose the event’s queen and king — the public faces of the event.

“I’m sure everybody has their own formula I look for somebody who, number one, is going to really enjoy and celebrate the culture of Mardi Gras and bring that to Washington,” Scalise said. “It’s probably a nine-month process from when I asked and he accepted, to what’s going to happen this week. We talk a lot and you can feel the energy and the growth of kind of how he’s grown into this role.”

Additionally, Washington Mardi Gras is an expensive endeavor for the participants paying dues, ticket prices, hotel rooms and airline tickets.

For the king, who sponsors and attends numerous events over the year, the cost in coin is much higher and time away from business

much longer

“It’s got to be somebody who’s got the ability to do it You know, it costs a lot of money to put this event on,” Scalise said. “This is not your normal event you’re in charge of.”

Stream wouldn’t say how much he has spent, other than to note being king is “very” expensive.

“You play an important role in enhancing everyone’s experience and making sure that, you know, it’s memorable,” he said.

Stream has made $475,954 in political donations over the years, mostly to Republican candidates and political action committees, according to the Louisiana Board of Ethics and the Federal Election Commission.

After Scalise asked, Stream said he first spoke to his wife. Once she was on board, he went to his siblings, cousins and others in his extended family

“I work in a family company, so I wanted to talk with my family and just make sure that everybody

was comfortable with the fact that there’d be a lot of exposure and a lot of distraction, candidly,” Stream said. “I got everyone’s support.”

Since 2013, Stream has led his family’s Stream Companies and Matilda Stream Management, which oversees companies and administers holdings involving land, agriculture and natural resources, along with a sizable investment portfolio.

“For instance,” Stream said, “either in the early stage investing that we do or some of the operating companies that we’ve started, Stream Wetland Services, one of our companies, we just built and restored and rehabilitated tens of thousands of acres of coastal wetlands and done a lot of various environmental improvement projects.”

The Stream company attracting the most attention is Gulf Coast Sequestration, which Stream founded to handle industry’s carbon emissions.

Lake Charles and east Texas are home to a number of petrochemical plants, refineries, electricitygenerating facilities, and other industries whose processes release large amounts carbon into the atmosphere. Companies are offered tax breaks for reducing carbon emissions.

The waste CO2 is shipped to Gulf Coast Sequestration in pipelines and pumped under pressure into geologic formations deep underground, where it turns to liquid and mixes with salt water in the rock.

The Washington Mardi Gras King’s Hospitality Suite will include landscape photos of the 30,000-acre Gray Ranch in Calcasieu Parish that his family has operated since 1896.

“That’s a big part of our family culture,” Stream said. “I mean, my catchphrase to our team is ‘Dedicated stewards, responsible pioneers’.”

His family has long been involved in public service, including contributions of art and money to the New Orleans Museum of Art. But Stream credits Chris John, who was a congressman representing southwest Louisiana in the late 1990s and early 2000s, for inspiring an interest in public service along with business.

Stream joined John in Washington as an aide after graduating from Vanderbilt University and receiving his MBA in management and finance from Rice University

“It was a great kind of formative experience for me in getting my career started,” Stream said. “It really lit a spark of service for me to the state of Louisiana, for sure.”

He’s hoping to reconnect with the friends he made during those years in D.C. on John’s staff.

“We’re going to reminisce about how we were at the Washington Mardi Gras back then. How we worked the congressman’s suite. How we handed out tickets and did all the work necessary to make Washington Mardi Gras go smoothly How much fun we had,” Stream said. “And, now I’m the king.”

Email Mark Ballard at mballard@theadvocate.com.

Sarah Heebe a queen who talks quantum computing

‘She’s a Louisiana girl through and through’

BY JAN RISHER Staff writer

New Orleans native Sarah Heebe does not fit neatly into the traditional idea of a Mardi Gras queen — unless that idea includes conversations about quantum computing, a National Merit Scholarship and a deep interest in energy and climate policy

At 20, she’s also an accomplished trumpet player. She speaks Spanish. She’s a voracious reader who loves museums.

Her varied interests make complete sense to her

“It’s very New Orleans of me,” she said, laughing.

This year, Heebe will reign as queen of Washington Mardi Gras while juggling life as a sophomore at Yale University, where she is majoring in environmental studies.

“It was a very easy decision,” Heebe said. “I have such varied interests, and this felt like it was always going to be a magical experience.”

Heebe was on summer break, taking classes through the London School of Economics, when she received the call naming her queen. She remembers being in a museum in Germany when she found out.

She is bringing 24 fellow Yale students with her to the nation’s capital many of whom had never heard of Washington Mardi Gras before receiving her invitation

“I didn’t expect so many people would want to come,” she said. “It’s been a challenge trying to explain what Washington Mardi Gras is. There’s no real way to convey the sense of it. At first, I think I did a poor job. Then they started Googling it that’s when the questions started.”

Her friends, many coming by train from Yale, are from across the country and around the world. Together, they will experience a Louisiana tradition that Heebe herself is still getting to know She’s attended once before in 2024, when her father, Fred Heebe, served as king.

She says she didn’t approach her role as queen with a lot of expectations and has enjoyed the process thus far

“I’ve enjoyed meeting people from all over the princesses and festival queens,” she said. “That’s been one of my favorite parts.”

Behind the scenes, the logistics of Washington Mardi Gras brought some surprises, but with the help of her mother, Jennifer Heebe, Sarah Heebe has been able to balance a rigorous school schedule and the required prep for her reign as queen. Meanwhile, her mom was back home in New Orleans with a kitchen table covered in index cards, trying to figure out charts for events — and enjoying the process. Jennifer Heebe was herself a Washington Mardi Gras princess in 1986. Sarah Heebe says she didn’t re-

alize “how many little things were involved.” Even so, her wardrobe planning has been stress-free. She built a spreadsheet for her necessary outfits, and with the help of New Orleans designer Suzanne Perrone, she’s ready to go. For Sarah Heebe, the wardrobe and the pageantry fit naturally alongside her academic life. She has a long history of taking things that seem intimidating and making them approachable including her award-winning capstone paper at Metairie Park Country Day School: “Quantum Armageddon or Elysium?: How Quantum Computing Might Change the World.”

“Once I learn how not to be in-

timidated by something, I can help other people learn the same,” she said. “Even with things people might think are frivolous.”

That instinct shows up in the details of her reign. Her breakfast theme is “Night at the Museum,” a nod to her love of museums and storytelling. The movie tie-in, she says, makes it more accessible for her generation. At Yale, Sarah Heebe says she is known among her friends for how often she talks about Louisiana.

“I never thought of myself as a classic Louisianan,” she said. “But the more I’ve grown, the more I want to represent my state — and do it in a positive way.” Being away from home has

sharpened that feeling. She misses the warm weather, oak-lined streets and po-boys. College, she said, gave her the distance to see Louisiana with fresh eyes.

“I’d certainly like to return,” she said. “Not just because the food is amazing, but because of the culture. It’s home.”

Her mother sees that same pull.

“She’s a smart girl,” Jennifer Heebe said. “But much more important than that, she has a heart of gold. She’s said all along that she wants to come home to New Orleans to work. She’s a Louisiana girl through and through.”

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

PROVIDED PHOTO

Gray Stream is king of the 77th Washington Mardi Gras.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Sarah Heebe is queen of the 2026 Washington Mardi Gras.

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

King Gray Stream and Queen Sarah Heebe take pictures at the home of the ambassador of France to the United States, Laurent Bili, during a Washington Mardi Gras party on Wednesday.

Democrats, White House strike spending deal

Homeland Security funding will be separated

BY MARY CLARE JALONICK, KEVIN FREKING and SEUNG MIN KIM Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Democrats and the White House struck

a deal to avert a partial government shutdown and temporarily fund the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday as they consider new restrictions for President Donald Trump’s surge of immigration enforcement.

As the country reels from the deaths of two protesters at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis, the two sides have agreed to separate homeland security funding from a larger spending bill and fund the Homeland department for two weeks while they debate Democratic demands for curbs on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency

The deal comes after Democrats voted to block legislation to fund DHS on Thursday

“Republicans and Democrats have come together to get the vast majority of the government funded until September” while extending current funding for Homeland Security, Trump said in a social media post Thursday evening He encouraged members of both parties to cast a “much needed Bipartisan ‘YES’ vote.”

Democrats had requested the two-week extension and say they are prepared to block the wide-ranging spending bill if their demands aren’t met, denying Republicans the votes they need to pass it and potentially triggering a shutdown.

Republican leaders who had wanted a longer extension of the Homeland funding were still checking with their conference to make

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By J SCOTT APPLEWHITE

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is surrounded by reporters Wednesday following a closed-door Republican meeting at the Capitol in Washington.

sure there were no objections to the deal and it could pass quickly

ty They do not support ICE terrorizing our streets and killing American citizens,” Schumer said.

“Boil it all down, what we are talking about is that these lawless ICE agents should be following the same rules that your local police department does,” said Democratic Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota. “There has to be accountability.”

Still far apart on policy

Negotiations down the road on a final agreement on the Homeland Security bill are likely to be difficult.

Democrats want Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown to end. “If the Trump administration resists reforms, we shut down the agency,” said Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal. “We need to take a stand,” he said.

But Republicans are unlikely to agree to all of the Democrats’ demands.

North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said he is opposed to requiring immigration en-

forcement officers to show their faces, even as he blamed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for decisions that he said are “tarnishing” the agency’s reputation.

“You know, there’s a lot of vicious people out there, and they’ll take a picture of your face, and the next thing you know, your children or your wife or your husband are being threatened at home,” Tillis said.

South Carolina Sen Lindsey Graham said some of the Democratic proposals “make sense,” such as better training and body cameras. Still, he said he was putting his Senate colleagues “on notice” that if Democrats try to make changes to the funding bill, he would insist on new language preventing local governments from resisting the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

Uncertainty in the House

Across the Capitol, House Republicans have said they do not want any changes to the bill they passed last week.

Johnson appeared open to the changes, albeit reluctantly, and told the AP he would want to approve the bills “as quickly as possible” once the Senate acts.

“The American people will be hanging in the balance over this,” Johnson said. “A shutdown doesn’t help anybody.”

On Thursday evening, at a premiere of a movie about first lady Melania Trump at the Kennedy Center, Johnson said he would have some “tough decisions” to make about when to bring the House back to Washington to approve the bills separated by the Senate, if they pass. “We’ll see what they do,” Johnson said.

In the House, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, told The Associated Press on Thursday that he had been “vehemently opposed” to breaking up the funding package, but “if it is broken up, we will have to move it as quickly as possible. We can’t have the government shut down.”

Rare bipartisan talks

The rare bipartisan talks between Trump and his frequent adversary, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, came after the fatal shooting of 37-yearold Alex Pretti in Minnesota over the weekend and calls by senators in both parties for a full investigation. Schumer called it “a moment of truth.”

“The American people support law enforcement. They support border securi-

The standoff has threatened to plunge the country into another shutdown, just two months after Democrats blocked a spending bill over expiring federal health care subsidies That dispute closed the government for 43 days as Republicans refused to negotiate.

Democrats’ demands

Democrats have laid out several demands, asking the White House to “end roving patrols” in cities and coordinate with local law enforcement on immigration arrests, including requiring tighter rules for warrants.

Schumer said agents should be required to have “masks off, body cameras on” and carry proper identification, as is common practice in most law enforcement agencies.

The Democratic caucus is united in those “commonsense reforms,” and the burden is on Republicans to accept them, Schumer said.

Johnson

Mancharged with assault in incident with Rep. Omar

BY ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and STEVE KARNOWSKI Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS The Justice Department has charged a manwho squirted applecider vinegar on Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar at an event in Minneapolis, according to court papers made public

Thursday

The man arrested for Tu esday’s attack, AnthonyKazmierczak, facesa charge of forciblyassaulting, opposing, impeding and intimidating Omar,according to acomplaint filedin federal court.

Authorities determined that the substance was water and apple cider vinegar according to an affidavit. After Kazmierczak sprayed Omar with the liquid,he appeared to say, “She’snot

resigning. You’re splitting Minnesotans apart,” theaffidavitsays. Authorities also say that Kazmierczaktold aclose associate several years ago that “somebody should kill” Omar,court documentssay Kazmierczak appeared briefly in federal court Thursday afternoon. Hisattorney,Jean Brandl, told the judgeher clientwas unmedicated at the time of the incident and has not had access to the medications heneeds to treatParkinson’sdisease and other seriousconditions he suffers from.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Dulce Foster ordered that Kazmierczak remainin custodyand told officials he needs to see anurse when he is transferred to the Sherburne County Jail. Kazmierczak also faces state charges in HennepinCounty forterroristic threats andfifth-degree assault, Hennepin CountyAttorneyMaryMoriartyan-

nounced Thursday Kazmierczak has acriminal history and has made online posts supportive of President Donald Trump, a Republican. Omar,arefugeefrom Somalia, has long been a fixture of Trump’s antiimmigrant rhetoric.After she was elected seven years ago, Trump saidshe should “goback”toher country He recentlydescribed her as “garbage” and said she should be investigated.DuringaspeechinIowaearlier this week, shortly before Omar wasattacked,hesaid immigrants need to be proud of theUnitedStates —“not like Ilhan Omar.”

Omarblamed Trumpon Wednesday forthreatsto her safety.

“Every time thepresident of the United States has chosentouse hatefulrhetoricto talk aboutmeand thecommunitythat Irepresent, my deaththreats skyrocket,” Omar told reporters.

Collins: ICEendssurge in Maine

By TheAssociated Press

PORTLAND,Maine Federal immigration officials have ceased their “enhanced operations” in Maine, the site of an enforcementsurgeand hundreds of arrests since last week, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said Thursday Collins announced the development after saying she had spoken directly with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.

“There are currently no ongoing or planned largescale ICE operations here,”

Collins said in astatement, referringtoU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “I have been urging Secretary Noem and others in theadministration to get ICE to reconsider its approach to immigration enforcementinthe state.” Collins, aRepublican, said ICE and Border Patrolofficials“will continue their normal operations thathave been ongoing here for many years.”

The Department of Homeland Security said in astatement that it would“continue

forcement.

“The drawdown is going to happen basedonthese agreements,” he said. “But the drawdown can happen even more if the hateful rhetoric and the impediment and interference will stop.”

He also said he would oversee internal changes in federal immigration law enforcement, but he gave few specifics. “The mission is going to improve because of the changes we’re making internally,” he said. “No agencyorganizationisperfect. And President Trump and I, along with othersin the administration, have recognized that certain improvements could and should be made.” MinneapolisMayor Jacob Frey told reporters inWashington on Thursdayhe was “hopeful” that the number of federal officers in the city wouldbereduced. He said police would do their jobs but not “somebody else’s,” referring to federal law en-

On Thursday,asmattering of protesters braved thefrigid temperatures to demonstrate outside of the federal facility thathas been servingasthe operation’s main hub Pretti, 37, was fatally shot Saturdayduringascufflewith theBorder Patrol. Earlier this month,37-year-old Renee Good wasshotinher vehicle by an Immigration and CustomsEnforcement officer Homan doubleddownon theneed for jails to alert ICE to inmates whocould be deported, saying that transferring such inmates to the agencywhile they’re still in jail is safer becauseitmeans fewer officers have to be outlookingfor people who areinthe countryillegally ICE has historically relied on cooperation from local andstate jails to notifythe agency aboutsuch inmates.

“Give us access toillegal aliens,public safetythreats in the safety andsecurityof ajail,” hesaid The border czar,whose arrival followed the departure of the Trumpadministra-

to enforce the law across thecountry, as we do every day.”ICE said in astatement that it performed itsduties despite meeting resistance from demonstrators.

Collins’announcement comes more than aweek afterICE began an operation it dubbed “Catch of the Day.” Federal officials said about50arrests were made thefirst day and that roughly 1,400peoplewereoperational targets in the mostly ruralstate of 1.4 million residents, 4% of whom are foreign-born.

tion’son-the-ground leader of the operation, Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino, also seemed to suggest a renewed focus on what ICE calls “targetedoperations” focused on apprehending immigrants whohavecommitted crimes. Homan said theagency would conduct “targeted strategic enforcementoperations” prioritizing “public safety threats.”

SameeraHafiz, policy director with theImmigrant LegalResource Center, said Homan’scomments seemed to reflect arecognition that public opinionhas turned against ICE, but she questionedhis argument thatcarryingout targeted operations would make the country safer

“His comments still seem to be basedonthe false premise that deporting people or deportation will make our community safer,” she said. “All the evidence and data hasshown that deportations don’tmake ourcommunities safer.They destabilize families, they tear communities apart, they hurt our economy.”

More arrestsand chargestiedto thefts from federalagents’ vehicles

BY PAUL WALSH The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS)

MINNEAPOLIS Additional people have been charged withstealing government propertyfromfederal agents’ vandalized vehicles during unrest after an Immigration and CustomsEnforcement officer shot and woundeda man in north Minneapolis two weeks ago. ChargedinU.S.District Court in Minnesota with aiding andabetting the willful destructionofpublic property are: James ChristopherLauer,21, of St.Paul; MichaelWallace Johnson III, 32, of Eden Prairie; Korey Carroll, 33, of West Concord, Minn.; and Lanisha Latrice Taylor, 27, of Minneapolis. Allfourwere arrested, released on their ownrecognizanceand are sched-

uled to appear in court on Feb. 2. The Minnesota Star Tribune hasreached out to attorneys for all four defendants for aresponse to the allegations. Twohave replied and declined to comment. On Jan. 14, FBI personnel were assisting Department of Homeland Security officerswithimmigration enforcementnearNorth 24th andLyndale avenues, wherefederal agents were forced amid unrest to abandontheir vehiclesand property at thesceneafter an agent shot and woundeda man who allegedly attacked an officer during an arrest attempt.

Federal officials have said several people stole from an unmarked FBI vehicle an assault-style rifle, its noise suppressor,ahandgun, ammunition, body

armor,ahandheld communications radio and alaptop computer,uniforms, other equipment and personal items.

Stolen from asecond agent’svehicle,according to federalofficials, were FBIbuilding accesscards, an FBI identification badge, body armor,aloaded firearmsmagazine, clothing, credit cards, adriver’slicense, acellphone and a personal mailboxkey

“Lauer,Carroll, Johnson and Taylor are observed interacting and/or conversing with one another and taking part in the destruction and/ or theft” fromthe agents’ vehicles, the criminal complaint read. Arrests have been made andcharges filedearlier against other people in connectionwith the thefts from the agents’ vehicles.

Omar

Their good fortunehas raised the possibility that Louisiana homeowners could finallysee some relief this year as they renew or shop for property insurance policies.

“Reinsurers have been doing well the past few years after absorbing massive losses for anumber of years,” said Brian Keefer, CEOofAllied Trust Insurance Company,who recently traveled to London to buy reinsurance. “Beginning in 2025, insurers are now finally starting todobetter too.

…The ones still suffering are the policyholders. It is their turn now to get lower rates as the reinsurance costs soften.”

It’snot yet clear how large or widespread rate decreases could be in Louisiana.

Many insurers are still hesitant to write policies in south Louisiana, particularly for homes with older roofs.

And while inflation has cooled and the U.S. experienced unusually quiet hurricane seasons in 2024 and 2025, climate changehas still scrambled the underlying fundamentals of the insurance business. Insurers are increasingly hesitantto insure places like south Louisiana, which has high exposure to hurricanes that are becoming more powerful because of climate change.

Meanwhile, ayearslong effortbythe state’sRepublican Insurance Commissioner TimTemple and GOP lawmakers to deregulate the industry has not yet spurred significant drops in premiums, which Temple and lawmakers hope will happen by driving more competition into the market. The dynamic has caused arift with Gov Jeff Landry,aRepublican who backed acontroversial new law last year to allow Temple to reject “excessive” rate hikes, something Temple vowed he won’tdo.

Temple went to London this month to show reinsurers the state’slatest coastal

masterplanand work on fortified roofs, which was part of ayearslong bidto enticethe industry to write more businesshere. He said thepresentation was well received,and that he’shearinginsurers are going to get significant savings,inlarge part becauseofabundant supplyinthe reinsurance market.

“Over thelast several years, reinsurers have made alot of money.Some property insurers have made alot of money ”Templesaid. “It’s time forconsumers to share in that.”

Year of disaster,turmoil

When homeownerspay their insurance premium, usuallythrough their mortgage company,the insurance company doesn’tkeep all of themoney

Instead, insurers send a significant portion —sometimes amajority —toreinsurance companies, many based in Bermuda and London. Thosecompanies promise to help the insurer pay its claims, particularlyifamajor disasterlike ahurricane or wildfire strikes.

The reinsurance business, which faces far fewer regulations than homeowners insurance companies in the U.S., took abeating after years of wildfires and hurricanes from 2017 to 2022. A recent reportbythe reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter

found the industry took a bath forseveralyears in a row

“Itwas abusiness that was suffering from volatilityand broadly poor returns,”said David Duffy,president of globalclients at Guy Carpenter.“Investors in reinsurance companies were really starting to lose their patience at the end of 2022 and 2023.”

In response, reinsurers hiked rates dramatically and pulled back on the risks they were willing to cover

Butreinsurers’ fortunes changed in 2023, when profits soared to 22%, according to the Guy Carpenterreport. Duffy called the margin “unusually strong.” And the windfall is expected to continue, withprofits projected to be in the mid-teens for 2024 and 2025.

The amount of capitalin the reinsurance industry skyrocketed as aresult, reaching record levels in 2026, according to areport released last week by the ratings agency AM Best

The agency said reinsurance prices for property fell by 10% to 20%, reaching levels last seen before the explosion in prices in 2023. With capital flowing freely in theindustry, thebalance hasswung back in thefavorofinsurers, Duffysaid. More competition is driving down costs. Part of theequationisthe

unusuallyquiethurricane seasons, Duffy noted. They will not last forever

“The trendhas not been our friend in terms of climate changeand thefrequency andseverityof storms,” he said. “The insurers and reinsurers are doing theirbest to price theirrisk to anot-excessive profit over thelong term.”

Cuts on horizon?

Keefer,the AlliedTrust chief executive, went to London four years ago after aspateofdevastating hurricanes and found reinsurers were charging highrates for protection. Thenextyear, Allied Trust paid $240 million to reinsurance companies for itscoverage while only taking in $230 million from premium dollars. The company was going to lose moneyevenifitdidn’thave to pay asingle claim.

Allied Trust started aseries of rate hikesonLouisianapolicyholders, some by morethan 20%.

After yearsofnet losses,

Keefer’s firm posteda $5 million profit in 2024. And its latest quarterly filings for2025 show the firm is on track for abanneryear, with $16million in net income through the third quarter.Hesaid the firm is still in a$27 million deficit from hurricane losses in 2020 and 2021.

Earlier thismonth, Keefer’strip to London went much more smoothly.He found there’smore competition that’sdriving lower costs.

“With the combination of additional capital in the market and arelatively low year (of catastrophe losses), prices arestarting to come down,” Keefer said. “As buyers of that cheaper reinsurance, we can pass those savings on to our policyholders.

“Infact, effective Dec.20, Allied Trustlowered rates 2.3% overallwithnewer homes with (stronger) roofs going down more than 10%. Iwould expect another rate decreaselater this year after we finalizethis reinsurance treaty.”

Monitoring rate filings

Temple noted that a20% decreaseinreinsurance prices doesn’tmean homeownersshould expect a20% decrease in their premium. And it takes timefor reinsurance costs to flow down to homeowners because of the regulatory process. But he said his office will closely monitor the rate filings to make sure homeowners seethe benefits. Temple said he’straveled to London andBermuda several times in recent years to create a“buzz” around changes to Louisiana’sinsurance laws, which have made it easierfor insurerstoraise ratesand drop policyholders. His office has also supportedbills to boost enforcementofbuilding codes,something that he’s eyeing again this year “Ifyou wanttoget in shape and lose weight you gotta get on aprogram and be consistent,” Temple said. “Weneed to be consistent.”

Landry-Poché has about 8acres and 130,000 strawberryplantsin theground.

Several strawberries at the end of the rows that weren’tfully covered are half-white and half-red,a sign of freeze damage.

“The cold doesn’thurt theplants; it won’tkillthe plant. It’s just the fruit and the blooms,” she said. “Wehave the possibility oflosing that crop.”

Complicating the timingand strategy for protecting the bloomsfrom freeze damage is that if the plants remaincovered for more than three consecutive days, they will attract strawberry mites.

Darryl Poché, astrawberry farmer,said January used to be when the strawberries werecoveredupthe mostfor weather, but each year that cold front gets pushed back.

“January would be the time that youwould spend more time covered up,now it seems like it’s moving further back more in February,” he said.

Poché said he grows strawberriesfrom October to May and doesn’tpickstrawberriesuntil all the cold weather hasmoved out later in the season or during bursts of good weather,suchason Thursday.

“This year and last year have been very unusual. Iactually started pickinglast year the week before Thanksgiving …and this yearthe week afterThanksgiving when we had70- to 80-degree days,” he said.“We have had seasons thatwedidn’tpickanything untilMarch.”

For other farmerswith smaller operations, they will covertheir plants, but just with ablanket

sometimes. Frank Fekete, whoowns the only farm left in Livingston Parish’s historicHungarian settlement, hashad hisbeetsand strawberriescovered witha blanket since lastweek

Fekete grabbeda fewstrawberries that have now turned into “frog eyes,” which he calls strawberries with deformed lumps from thecold weather

“You can make jelly out of them, but you’re really notsupposedto

put them in the boxes,” he said.

Fekete ownsabout 10 acres of land, but only farms aportion of that. He expects to grow about 10,000 strawberries this year.The farmer typically only sells his produce at the Red Stick Farmers

Market in Baton Rouge.

“It’stoo coldtoplant,” he said.

“We’re getting ready forspring.”

Email Claire Grunewaldat claire.grunewald@theadvocate. com.

By JAVIER GALLEGOS

Farmer Rhonda Landry-Poché inspects the health of her strawberries on Thursday.

Trumpsaysheasked Putinnot to target Kyiv during cold spell

BY AAMER MADHANI and SUSIE BLANN Associated Press

KYIV,Ukraine U.S.Presi-

dent Donald Trumpsaid

Thursday that President VladimirPutin has agreed not to target the Ukrainian capital and other towns for one week as the region experiences frigid temperatures.

There was no immediate confirmationfrom the KremlinthatPutin has agreed to such apause.

Russia hasbeenpounding Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, hoping to wear down public resistance to the war while leaving manyaround thecountry having to endure the dead of winter without heat.

“I personally asked President Putin not to fire on Kyiv and the cities and towns for aweek during this …extraordinary cold,” Trump said during aCabinet meeting at the White House, adding that Putin has “agreed to that.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov wasasked earlier Thursday whether amutual halt on strikes on energy facilities was being discussed between Russia andUkraine, and he refused to comment on the issue.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy late Wednesdayhad warned that Moscow was planning another large-scale barrage despite plans for further U.S.-brokered peace talks at the weekend.

Trump said he was pleased that Putin has agreed to the pause. Kyiv, which has grappled with severe powershortages this winter,isforecast to enter abrutally cold stretch starting Friday that is expected to lastinto next week. Temperatures

in some areas will drop to minus 22, the State Emergency Service warned. “A lotofpeople said, ‘Don’twaste the call. You’re notgoing to get that,’”the Republican U.S president said of his requestofPutin.“And hedid it. Andwe’re very happy that they didit.”

Zelenskyy,for his part, thanked Trump for his effort and welcomed the “possibility” of apausein Russian military action on Kyiv and beyond. “Power supplyisa foundation of life,”Zelenskyy said in his social media post.

Trump did not say when thecallwithPutin took place or when the ceasefire would go intoeffect. The White House didnot immediatelyrespond to aquery seeking clarity aboutthe scope and timing of thelimitedpause in the nearlyfour-year war Russia has sought to deny Ukrainian civiliansheat andrunning wateroverthe course of thewar,which began with Russia’sfullscale invasiononFeb. 24, 2022. Ukrainian officials describe the strategyas “weaponizing winter.”

Zelenskyy said Ukrainianintelligence reports indicate Russiaisassemblingforces for amajor aerial attack.Previous large attacks, sometimes involvingmorethan800 dronesaswellascruise andballistic missiles, have targetedthe Ukrainian power grid.

The ongoing attacks discreditthe peace talks, Zelenskyysaid.“Every single Russian strike does,” he said late Wednesday Negotiations between thetwo sides are poised to resume on Sunday amid doubts about Moscow’s commitmenttoasettlement

Mantried to getMangioneout of jail

BY MICHAEL R. SISAK

Associated Press

NEW YORK Aman claiming to be an FBI agentshowed up to afederal jail in New York CityonWednesday night and told officershehad acourt order to release Luigi Mangione, authorities said.

MarkAnderson,a36-yearold Minnesota native who has ahistory of drug and other arrestsand disclosedlast year in court papers that he suffers from mental illness, was arrested and charged with impersonating afederal officer in afoiled bid to free Mangione fromthe Metropolitan Detention Center.Mangioneisbeingheld at thenotorious Brooklyn lockup while awaiting state and federal murder trials in the killingofUnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Acriminal complaint against Andersondid not identify the personheattempted to free. Alaw enforcementofficial familiar with the matter confirmed it wasMangione. Theofficial was notauthorized to speak publicly and did so on condition of anonymity Andersonwas ordered held withoutbail after an initial appearance Thursday in Brooklyn federal court. He was notrequired to entera plea. He is now locked up in thesamejail as Mangione, according to federal prison records.

In alawsuit lastyear alleging injuriesfrom afallata cityhomeless shelter, Anderson said he has“multiple disabilities”and has been ruled by theSocialSecurity Administration to be “fully disabled because of mental illness.”Hesaidhehad no money and said he received state and federal assistance. According to public records, Anderson has had numerousdrug and alcohol-related arrests and convictions over the last two decades in his native Minnesota and in Wisconsin, wherehehas also lived.

According to the criminal

complaint, Anderson approached the jail intake area around 6:50 p.m. Wednesdayand tolduniformed jail officersthathewas an FBI agentinpossession of paperwork“signed by ajudge authorizingthe release of a specific person in custody at thejail.

When theofficers asked for his federal credentials, Anderson showed them a Minnesota driver’slicense, threwdocumentsatthem and claimed to have weapons, thecriminal complaint said. The documents appeared related to filing claims against the Justice Department, according to an FBI agent whoviewed them and prepared thecomplaint.Officerssearched Anderson’sbag andfound a barbecuefork anda circular steelblade,the complaint said. In aphoto includedin thecomplaint,the bladeappeared to be asmall pizza

cutter wheel. Anderson’sdriver’slicenselisted an address in Mankato, Minnesota, about 65 miles southwestofMinneapolis. He moved to New York for ajob opportunity and started working at aBronx pizzeria when that fell through, the law enforcement official said. Court records indicate he hadbeen living in thecity at least since 2023, including at motels, ashelter and aBronx apartment.

Acting as his own lawyer, he has filed handwritten lawsuitsagainst thePentagon, Chinese andRussian ambassadors and aMinnesota police department, all of which have been thrown out. Another lawsuit, alleging aBronx pizzeria forced him to work 70 hours aweek with no overtime, is still pending.

Hours before Anderson’s arrest, the Manhattan district attorney’soffice sent

aletter urging thejudge in Mangione’sstate case, Gregory Carro, to set aJuly 1trial date. On Friday,Mangionewill be in court for aconference in his federal case. The judge in that case, Margaret Garnett, is expected to rule soon whetherprosecutors can seek the death penalty and whetherthey can use certain evidence against him. Last week, Garnett scheduled jury selection in the federal case forSept. 8, with the rest of the trial happening in October or January, depending on whether she allows prosecutors to seek the death penalty Mangione has pleaded not guilty in bothcases.The state charges carry the possibility of lifeinprison. Thompson, 50, waskilled on Dec.4,2024, as he walked to aManhattan hotel for UnitedHealth Group’sannual investor conference.

Ex-judge’s rehearing request denied

rehearing.

Foxworth-Roberts removed from bench Dec. 11

BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer

Ousted Baton Rouge Judge Tiffany Foxworth-Roberts won’t be able to ask state justices to reconsider their decision last year to kick her off the 19th Judicial District bench.

Supreme Court.

The state’s court of authority took the extraordinarily rare step of ordering Foxworth-Roberts’ removal from office Dec. 11, making her the first judge in 16 years to be

The Louisiana Supreme Court denied her bid for a rehearing in a misconduct case that focused largely on her lying about her past military service while campaigning for office. Officials said she also lodged a fraudulent burglary insurance claim for about $40,000.

stripped of their robe and title. In a narrow split decision Thursday, three of the four justices who voted to kick Foxworth-Roberts off the bench denied her petition for another hearing. Allison Penzato, a temporary replacement for recently departed Justice Will Crain, joined Chief Justice John Weimer and justices Cade Cole and Jay McCallum in denying the

Justices Piper Griffin, John Michael Guidry and Jeff Hughes voted in favor of granting the former judge’s petition.

Foxworth-Roberts was not immediately available for comment Thursday Steve Irving, her attorney, said they’re considering filing a writ to the U.S.

“We note that the decision was very close with three of the seven justices voting to grant a rehearing,” Irving said in a statement.

“There are 13 judges who have been removed from the bench in the history of Louisiana, and this is the only one removed for campaign advertising. Our position is that she had a right to describe her military service in her own words

Ordinance aims to clarify recording rules

BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer

The Donaldsonville City Council is set to significantly revise an ordinance that restricted recording public meetings, with the city’s attorney saying it should put the city “in full compliance” with state and federal laws.

The council unanimously approved the original ordinance last year, which placed restrictions on the recording of public meetings and threatened jail time for violators. Among a list of stipulations, it required people recording meetings to provide notice to the council and banned the publication of recordings edited in a “form which misrepresents the manner in which the meeting was conducted or the events that occurred during the meeting.” Shentelle Daigle, a member of

BY ELLYN COUVILLION Staff writer

The Baton Rouge area will be under an extreme cold watch late Friday night through Sunday morning, as a second blast of arctic air sweeps into the area, a National Weather Service spokesperson said.

The extreme cold watch issued for this weekend was expected to be upgraded to a “warning” as meteorologists became more sure of their forecast, said Phil Grigsby, a meteorologist with the weather

agency’s Slidell office.

Lows late Friday night are expected to be in the mid- to low 20s, with wind chills in the low teens, he said.

“It’s going to be really cold during the day Saturday, too,” with a high near 35, Grigsby said.

Saturday night will see the coldest temperatures for the weekend, down to 17 to 19 degrees, he said.

The extreme cold watch will remain in effect through 10 a.m.

Sunday

“Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures,” the weather service said. “Dress in layers, including a hat, face

Middle school counselor

Man had arrest warrant, had been placed on leave

BY CHARLES LUSSIER Staff writer

mask and gloves if you must go outside.”

Despite the super chill, all three Carnival parades in the Baton Rouge area will roll on Saturday, krewes confirmed on Thursday

The Krewe of Oshun parade is set for noon in Baton Rouge. The Krewe of Denham Springs parade is scheduled for 3 p.m. The Krewe of Chemin Neuf is set for 5 p.m. in New Roads.

“The party is still on, but it’s going to be a chilly one! We are of-

ficially rolling at our normal time of 12:00 PM,” Oshun posted on Facebook.

Baton Rouge will warm up a little on Sunday afternoon, when a high of 45 is expected.

Sunday night into Monday morning will be in the mid-20s, but the winds will be lighter, Grigsby said. The last freeze for this cold front will come Monday evening, with temperatures in the low 30s. Warmer weather is expected next week, beginning on Tuesday, Grigsby said.

Tuesday’s high is forecast to reach 60.

“Then we keep warming up,” Grigsby said. Next week, the weather will be more typical for Baton Rouge this time of year, with highs in the mid60s and lows in the 40s.

“There will be clear skies — no frozen precipitation,” Grigsby said.

found dead at vacant campus

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

A runner heads north on the Mississippi River levee running path in Baton Rouge on Tuesday

FoxworthRoberts

Study links wildfire smoke to autism increase

Air pollution poses risk to pregnancies

BY EMILY WOODRUFF Staff writer

Women breathing wildfire smoke late in pregnancy had a higher risk of having a child later diagnosed with autism, even when the smoke exposure lasted only a few days, according to a new study by Tulane University researchers.

The study, published in Environmental Science & Technology last week, followed more than 204,000 mother-child pairs in Southern California from 2006 to 2014, using medical records and estimated fine particulate matter at the mothers’ home addresses.

Women who were exposed to wildfire smoke for more than 10 days in the third trimester — weeks 28 to 40 had about a 23% higher risk of having a child later diagnosed with autism compared with women who had no smoke

exposure during that period. But even shorter exposures mattered.

“Even a one-day or two-day exposure is still 10%,” said Mostafijur Rahman, an assistant professor of environmental health sciences at Tulane University’s Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and a co-author of the study “Ten percent is also a big number.”

In terms of hard numbers, the risk is still small for individual pregnancies. Autism affects roughly 1 in 36 children overall nationally An 10% increase would translate to about 1 in 32 children at the population level, while a 23% increase would correspond to roughly 1 in 29 children.

Air pollution and babies

Wildfires produce tiny, inhalable particles called PM2.5 that are about 30 times smaller than the diameter of a single strand of hair They are a toxic concoction made up of particles from burned vegetation, soot from incom-

plete combustion, chemical salts formed in smoke, trace metals released as materials burn and additional particles that form in the air as gases from fire react with other pollutants.

Louisiana does not typically have the same amount of smoke exposure as Southern California. But the state does have wildfires and other sources of air pollution. In 2023, smoke from peat fires smoldering layers of marsh blanketed the New Orleans area for weeks and wildfires in western Louisiana burned 60,000 acres. In 2025, a fire at Smitty’s Supply, an industrial facility in Roseland, sent smoke and black soot raining down into nearby neighborhoods. And the heavily industrialized corridor known as “Cancer Alley” between Baton Rouge and New Orleans has long faced persistent pollution from petrochemical plants, refineries and manufacturing facilities.

“We do know that air pollution — whatever form it is — is not

good,” said study author David Luglio.

The research team has previously found that air pollution in general is associated with an increase in autism.

“Air pollution itself is bad, whether it is coming from wildfire, petrochemical industry or traffic,” said Rahman. Why the 3rd trimester?

While most major organs are formed earlier in pregnancy, the third trimester is a period when the brain and lungs are developing rapidly and are vulnerable to even modest disruptions in oxygen delivery

“Air pollution can increase inflammation and oxidative stress in the mother, potentially affecting placental function and blood flow,” said Dr Stefania Papatheodorou, an OB-GYN and environmental epidemiologist at Rutgers University

Papatheodorou said the findings are relevant for regions like Loui-

Two arrested in N.O. restaurant shooting

BY MARCO CARTOLANO, KASEY BUBNASH and MISSY WILKINSON Staff writers

New Orleans police have arrested two men in a recent shooting at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant that left one man dead and three patrons wounded, bringing closure to a high-profile tragedy that has roiled residents and the city’s tourism and business communities.

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said Thursday that Makahi Kelly, 18, is accused of pulling the trigger outside Dooky Chase’s on Orleans Avenue the night of Jan 16 and that Anthony Johnson, 22, is believed to have been his wheelman Kelly was booked into the Orleans Parish jail Wednesday on a count of seconddegree murder, while Johnson was booked with principal to second-degree murder, according to police

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the board of adjustments who has also livestreamed meetings for years, sued the city in December Her lawsuit asked the court to find the ordinance in violation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and alleged the ordinance was passed as retaliation for Daigle filming part of an alleged fight involving a council member in May At Tuesday’s council meeting the city introduced a new ordinance to modify the previous one. Changes include removing criminal penalties for recording, dropping requirements of prior notice to the council and content regulations

Continued from page 1B

and let the voters decide if treating wounded soldiers from those wars at Walter Reed Hospital constituted serving in the wars. Federal appellate courts have agreed with her position on this.” In its written ruling last year the high court determined that Foxworth-Roberts did not demonstrate sufficient accountability for her misconduct.

“Although reluctant to remove an official elected by the people from the bench, this court finds that the lack of candor in the campaign, in the reporting of the burglary incident, and throughout this investigation demonstrates removal from office is the only appropriate sanction to ensure the trust and integrity of the system of justice which is, itself, of fundamental importance in the system of government,”

and online court records If convicted on those charges, both would face life in prison without parole. Kirkpatrick thanked the FBI and other partners for helping her staff comb hours of surveillance and follow up on the tips that eventually led to the arrests. She also directly apologized to a shooting victim from California and to the public, saying the tragic event was no reflection on the historic Dooky Chase’s or the city as a whole.

“We are sorry that this event even happened to you as a visitor to our city,” Kirkpatrick said “This is not who we are. We are a city where visitors can come and have a high degree of confidence to know that we are doing everything we can to police aggressively.”

The arrests cap a focused effort by law enforcement to bring resolution to an ordeal that shocked

over published recordings. The ordinance is set to be voted on by the council Feb. 24.

Attorney Larry Bankston, who represents the city in the lawsuit, told the council that the adoption of the new ordinance will “result in nearly every aspect of the lawsuit to be mooted and therefore would be potentially subject to what would be referred to as a 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss.”

Bankston filed such a motion in court Wednesday morning. The document argues that all of Daigle’s claims should be dismissed because she won’t have a case once the new ordinance passes.

Daigle’s attorney, Bruce Hamilton, said in a statement Wednesday that he and his client were encour-

Weimer wrote in the majority opinion. During her 2020 run for office, Foxworth-Roberts ran campaign ads that said she was a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, although she was only 16 during the conflict. She wore military attire and told voters she was “no stranger to being on the front lines during the call of duty.” The ads touted FoxworthRoberts as an Army veteran who rose to the rank of captain, but special counsel for the Louisiana Judiciary Commission reviewed military records that disputed that claim.

The Army records show Foxworth-Roberts was honorably discharged in 2010 “as a result of being twice nonselected for promotion to the rank of captain,” according to the Judiciary Commission.

Foxworth-Roberts admitted during the investigation that she had not reached the rank of captain and acknowledged that she had never

the city and made national headlines, well into a Mardi Gras season that annually draws thousands of visitors to New Orleans.

The Creole restaurant known for its ties to the Civil Rights Movement was serving guests when 19-year-old Kareem Harris ran in from the street, seeking to escape Kelly police say By the end, Harris lay dead on the floor

The California woman was shot multiple times and in need of extensive surgery, and two other women, also tourists from out of state, were wounded.

The event prompted an aggressive response from the NOPD, the FBI, State Police and Crimestoppers that included a $13,500 reward for valuable information. Dooky Chase’s, which has welcomed everyone from civil rights leaders to U.S. presidents, reopened a few days after the shooting and received an outpouring of public support.

aged by the action but said that “it’s plainly incorrect to suggest that introducing a proposed ordinance would moot our client’s claims or result in a dismissal of the case.”

“The ordinance introduced last night is only a proposal at this point, and the City still has to follow its process to make it become effective,” he wrote. “That includes giving residents a chance to comment on it and for officials to discuss it in public before the Council formally votes on it. Regardless, our client has claims (including retaliation) that are completely unaffected by this proposed change.”

Potential violations

The lawsuit also claimed the city had violated Louisiana Open Meetings Law

been deployed overseas or served in combat. But she argued that she played a contributing role in Desert Storm because she worked with Gulf War veterans at the Walter Reed Medical Center in the early 1990s. The high court also focused on an insurance claim Foxworth-Roberts filed while running for judge in 2020. She estimated $40,000 in jewels and other goods were stolen from her car in her driveway in a report to police. Yet in her insurance claim, Foxworth-Roberts claimed the vehicle breakin happened miles away from home while she was campaigning at an event in Baton Rouge’s Sherwood Forest neighborhood.

Among the items reported stolen to police were an Yves St. Laurent purse, a Rolex watch, a MacBook one Gucci shoe and her engagement ring. Officials said Foxworth-Roberts received a $24,000 payout from her homeowners’ insurance claim.

Harris’ sister, Kia Simmons, and Michael Willis, a family friend, met outside the restaurant Thursday afternoon to extend their gratitude to the NOPD and sympathy toward the three surviving victims. There, too, they shared fond memories of the Livingston Collegiate Academy grad, who they said was a caring, courageous youth who cherished being an uncle and who took on a stepfather role to his girlfriend’s 6-month-old baby when he was just 15.

“I was the first person that held him after the doctor so we really had that special bond,” Simmons said. She said she knew Kelly and Johnson, who had spent time with her brother in the Lafitte area, and believed they were responsible for his death.

“They knew each other,” she said. “Beyond that, I don’t know how deep it went.”

because it hadn’t posted meeting minutes for board, committee and some council meetings.

At the time the lawsuit was filed, the city had failed to post council minutes since June 30, according to the lawsuit and the city website.

Officials in violation of the Louisiana Open Meetings Law face fines of up to $500 per violation, and the lawsuit asks the court to enforce such penalties.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the council introduced a second resolution requiring agendas and meeting minutes to be prepared and maintained for all meetings.

No council members spoke about the ordinance during the meeting, and council Chair Charles Brown Sr did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday

siana, even if there is not the same amount of wildfire smoke

“Although the sources and composition differ, many of the harmful components overlap,” she said.

“Both wildfire smoke and industrial pollution contain fine particulate matter and other toxic gases that can be inhaled and enter the bloodstream.”

At the same time, she tries to reassure patients that most pregnancies result in healthy babies, even in areas with air pollution. Pregnant people should pay attention to air-quality alerts and limit outdoor activity on poor-quality days, using air conditioning and keeping windows closed. A wellfitted N95 mask is also effective at filtering out PM 2.5

“This is about risk reduction,” Papatheodorou said “Pregnant people shouldn’t feel guilty or overly anxious, just informed and supported.”

Email Emily Woodruff at ewoodruff@theadvocate.com.

Man found fatally shot on BR hotel balcony

Staff report

A man was found fatally shot Wednesday night on the balcony of the Eagle Suites extended stay hotel on Boardwalk Drive.

Kevin White, 36, was found dead when Baton Rouge police arrived shortly before 8 p.m. Wednesday at the property off South Sherwood Forest Boulevard. By Thursday morning, police tape still marked off a portion of the third-floor balcony where residents say

COUNSELOR

Continued from page 1B

and the integrity of ongoing matters, we are unable to share additional details about the employee.”

School officials said Dixon was still officially on leave when he died Wednesday Dixon had been a school district employee since August 2022.

Dixon’s employment and legal troubles began after someone anonymously posted on social media several messages that Dixon allegedly sent to an unnamed 14-year-old girl. That same individual also shared those messages with the school system, which responded by placing Dixon on leave, and with the police, which launched an investigation.

Wednesday’s arrest warrant accused Dixon of sending the former Westdale Middle students a series of Instagram messages between November and early January, messages “consistent with grooming behavior in pursuit of an intimate relationship with the minor victim.” In the warrant, po-

body was found. The investigation is ongoing, police said in a news release. Around 2 p.m., work crews discussed installing new signs to mark hotel camera locations and warn residents they’re under surveillance. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Baton Rouge Police Department’s Violent Crimes Division at (225) 389-4869 or Crime Stoppers at (225)

lice said they made multiple unsuccessful attempts to get in touch with Dixon on his cellphone. In the messages, Dixon asks the girl if she has a boyfriend, tells the girl how attractive she is and hints that the two should develop a romantic relationship. The warrant stated that the girl told authorities the messages began after Dixon saw her walking home from school and stopped his vehicle to talk to her, requesting her contact information.

Email Charles Lussier at clussier@theadvocate. com.

LOTTERY WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28, 2026

PICK 3: 1-6-8

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Zuckerberg, Musk vie for AI primacy

Meta Platforms Inc. will double capital spending to as much as $135 billion this year, an all-in bet on artificial intelligence as the U.S. tech giants battle it out for supremacy in the next wave of technological advancements Tesla Inc. will spend $20 billion this year on pursuits including AI, self-driving vehicles and robotics — almost double Wall Street estimates and plow another $2 billion into Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk’s xAI startup Investors should look forward to “a major AI acceleration” that’s been brewing within the tech industry for over a year, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on Wednesday’s earnings call. After an overhaul of the company’s AI program in 2025, Zuckerberg said Meta will soon release new models and products.

The availability of semiconductors will be a big bottleneck to growth. Musk said earlier this month that he’s weighed building his own factory for logic and memory chips and packaging for Tesla, in a podcast interview with Peter Diamandis, founder of the X Prize Foundation.

“We’re going to hit a chip wall if we don’t do the fab,” Musk said. “We’ve got two choices: hit the chip wall or make a fab.” Apple’s iPhone sales surge to quarterly high Apple’s iPhone sales soared to a new quarterly record during the holiday season.

The October-December results announced Thursday reflect the allegiance of Apple’s fans, who eagerly snapped up the latest iPhone 17 models even though the company still hasn’t delivered on its 2024 promise to smarten up the device’s Siri assistance with AI.

Apple tried to offset its AI miscues with a new “liquid glass” design for the iPhone 17 and older models installed by way of a free software upgrade released last September That formula helped produce iPhone sales of $85.3 billion, a 23% increase from the same time in the previous year It marked Apple’s highest iPhone sales for a threemonth period since the device’s debut in 2007.

The iPhone’s robust performance propelled Apple to a profit of $42.1 billion, or $2.84 per share for the quarter, a 16% increase from the previous year Total revenue also rose 16% from the previous year to $143.8 billion Apple is tapping into Google’s latest AI model, Gemini 3, in a tacit acknowledgment of its own shortcomings in a technology that’s widely considered to be the industry’s biggest breakthrough since the iPhone’s introduction.

Royal Caribbean confirms news ships

Royal Caribbean is making waves in the cruise industry with big plans for the next several years, including a new class of oceangoing ships and 10 new river ships.

Royal Caribbean Group announced a series of agreements with the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France to secure the construction of its new Discovery class. Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean’s chief product innovation officer, previously noted that the new ships would be smaller than the cruise line’s gigantic Icon class ships. The news confirms two firm ship orders with options for four additional ships. The first ship in the class is set to debut in 2029, while the second ship is scheduled for delivery in 2032

While details on the new ships are scant, Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley said the new Discovery class will put guests “at the center of it all.”

The confirmation of the Discovery class comes on the heels of an announcement of more vessels for Celebrity River Cruises, a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group. Last September, Celebrity first shared its foray into the world of river cruising with two new ships debuting in 2027

Markets end near even after swings

BY STAN CHOE AP business writer

NEW YORK A day of dramatic swings on Wall Street, including Microsoft’s worst drop in years and a sudden reversal for the price of gold, finished with only relatively modest moves on Thursday

The S&P 500 slipped 0.1% after flirting with its record high in the morning and dropping by as much as 1.5% later in the day The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 55 points, or 0.1%, after erasing an earlier loss of more than 400 points, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.7%.

Microsoft was the heaviest weight on the market by far, and the tech giant tumbled 10% even though it reported stronger profit and revenue for the latest quar-

ter than analysts expected. Investors honed in instead on how much Microsoft is spending on investments, whether growth in its Azure cloud business will slow and how long its push into artificial-intelligence technology will take to turn into big profits.

Tesla also weighed on the market after falling 3.5%. It delivered a bigger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected, but the results were sharply lower than from a year earlier Tesla’s leader, Elon Musk, has been trying to get investors to focus less on its flagging car sales and more on the company’s robotaxis and robots.

IBM climbed 5.1% after surpassing analysts’ expectations for profit and revenue. Southwest Airlines flew 18.7% higher

even though its profit fell short of forecasts. It gave a forecast for earnings in 2026 that blew past analysts’ expectations, saying it’s seeing strong momentum after making changes like charging baggage fees and having assigned seating.

Some of the wildest action in financial markets was again for precious metals.

Gold’s price rallied near $5,600 per ounce in the morning before suddenly and briefly dropping back below $5,200. It then steadied somewhat and rose modestly to another record.

It was only on Monday that gold’s price topped $5,000 for the first time, and it had nearly doubled over the last 12 months.

Silver, which has been zooming higher in its own feverish run, had a similar and sudden reversal of momentum before ticking higher again.

Prices for precious metals have been surging as investors look for safer things to own while weighing a wide range of risks, including a U.S. stock market that critics call expensive, political instability, threats of tariffs and heavy debt loads for governments worldwide. Oil prices rose roughly 3.5% on worries about potentially rising tensions between the United States and Iran, which could ultimately constrict the flow of crude. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned the U.S. military “will be prepared to deliver whatever the president expects,” just a day after President Donald Trump told Iran to “make a deal” on its nuclear program.

Starbucks sees room to expand

Company plans hundreds of new U.S. stores, increased seating

BY DEE-ANN DURBIN Associated Press

NEW YORK Starbucks said Thursday that it plans to open hundreds of new stores across the U.S. and add seating capacity at thousands of existing locations, doubling down on a strategy of emphasizing the company’s cafes as community hubs even as consumer demand for drive-thru coffee grows. The company unveiled its plans during a presentation in New York for investors. After announcing in September that it would close hundreds of less profitable stores, Starbucks said it now expects to open up to 175 new U.S. coffee shops this year and around 400 in 2028. Its plans include smaller-format stores that are 20% cheaper to build but still offer comfortable seating, drive-thru service and mobile order pickup capacity

Chair and CEO Brian Niccol said Starbucks ultimately sees an opportunity to build at least 5,000 new cafes across the U.S., with the smaller store format presenting much of that opportunity. There are thousands of sites where no Starbucks operates within a mile of a competitor, he said. Starbucks is particularly eyeing the central, southern and northeastern U.S. for store development In some ways, Starbucks is running counter to a growing U.S. trend of drive-thru-only coffee shops like Dutch Bros and 7 Brew In September, the National Coffee Association, an industry trade group, found that 59% of U.S. coffee drinkers who bought coffee outside their home in the past week had used a drive-thru, which was an alltime high.

But Niccol said Thursday that over the last month, more than 60% of Starbucks’ customers came into a store to order their coffee, and he thinks it’s important for those stores to feel vibrant and inviting.

“Our cafes are our point of differentiation,” Niccol said. “We want people to be in our coffeehouses.”

Starbucks said it plans to add 25,000 additional seats to its U.S. cafes by the end of its fiscal year this fall. That’s part of an ongoing upgrade process that is intended to make existing stores warmer and more welcoming.

The improvements, which cost around $150,000 and are done overnight while stores are closed, have been completed at 200 locations and are expected to spread to 1,000 by fall. Starbucks expects to finish the retrofitting work in 2028. The company has

around 10,000 company-operated stores in the U.S. Niccol said Starbucks is seeing customers dwell longer in stores that are revamped.

Niccol, who joined Starbucks in 2024 to revive its flagging sales, said the company’s turnaround is taking hold. Starbucks has been adding staff and equipment to stores to improve service times and give employees more time to connect with customers.

Among Starbucks’ priorities in the coming year is improving its afternoon business, which is weaker than its performance in the morning. In the spring, the company plans to introduce customizable energy drinks made with a proprietary green coffee extract. It’s also planning more snackable foods that are high in protein and fiber, like flatbreads, cottage cheese and protein popcorn.

The company is also installing equipment designed to speed up service. A next-generation espresso machine will cut in half the 70 seconds it now takes to pull espresso shots and double capacity to eight shots at a time, the company said. The machines will begin rolling out to U.S. stores in 2027. Starbucks also expects changes to its loyalty program to boost sales. A three-tiered program set to start March 10 in the U.S. and Canada will have various benefits for Green, Gold and Reserve members. Starbucks has 35.5 million active loyalty members in the U.S. alone. Green members will still earn one star per dollar spent, and stars can be redeemed for food and beverages. But they will earn a $2 credit faster than before and get free drink modifications once per month, the company said.

Minn. climate suit against oil industry can proceed

BY KRISTOFFER TIGUE

The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS)

A lawsuit from the state of Minnesota that aims to hold the oil industry accountable for allegedly misleading the public about climate change can move forward, a state appeals court ruled Monday

The ruling inches the case closer to trial after nearly six years of legal challenges. The decision affirms a lower court’s ruling, denying a motion by Exxon Mobil, Koch Industries and the American Petroleum Institute to throw the case out. The case now heads back to the lower court to begin the discovery process if no other attempts to dismiss it are

filed

The three-judge panel rejected the oil companies’ arguments that the case lacked jurisdiction in Minnesota, violated federal

law that prohibits discrimination between in-state and out-of-state businesses, and broke Minnesota’s anti-SLAPP law SLAPPs, short for strategic lawsuits against public participation, are defined by the state as lawsuits with the express intent to harass or interfere with a person’s constitutional rights, such as free speech. Minnesota’s suit, filed in 2020, is among dozens of pending cases filed by cities, counties and states that allege oil companies misled the public by hiding and downplaying evidence that burning fossil fuels heats the planet. Research shows that extreme weather, exacerbated by rising global temperatures, has caused more than $3 trillion in damage across the United States since 1980. The suits, if successful, could have broad ramifications, including forcing oil companies to pay

states billions of dollars in damages and requiring warning labels on petroleum products to inform consumers about their connection to climate change.

But attorneys familiar with the cases say it could be years before any of them make it to trial. Minnesota’s lawsuit, for example, has been tied up for years over peripheral issues such as whether it should be heard in a federal or state court.

“It’s good news for the state, but too early to pop the Champagne corks,” said Michael Gerrard, founding director of Columbia Law School’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law Minnesota’s lawsuit faces other legal challenges as well. Those include whether state courts have the authority to issue decisions that could have broad ramifications on national environmental

policy Oil companies have argued that the lawsuits amount to climate policy that would be written by judges rather than lawmakers. In a statement to the Minnesota Star Tribune, American Petroleum Institute General Counsel Ryan Meyers called the lawsuits “baseless” and “a coordinated campaign” against the fossil fuel industry by Democrat-led states. “We continue to believe that climate policy belongs in Congress, not a patchwork of courtrooms,” Meyers said.

The climate lawsuits aren’t novel. Many of them, including Minnesota’s, are adopting a legal strategy used by states to successfully sue tobacco companies in the 1990s.

Those lawsuits ultimately forced tobacco companies to pay states billions of dollars and add labels to cigarette packs, warning that smoking can cause lung cancer

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By RICHARD DREW

Starbucks Chair and CEO Brian Niccol speaks Thursday during the Starbucks Investor Day event in New york.

11817

JeffersonHighway,at2 p.m

McEwen-Langston, Sidney Zoar BaptistChurch,11848 Hooper Rd.Baton Rouge,LAat11am. Hickman,Aubrey Ray

Morgan,Dedra

GalileeBaptist Church in Zacharyat

noon

Overton,Annie

TheNorth Iberville Community Center at 11 a.m.

Richardson, Dimple

Hall Davis& Sons FuneralService 9348 Scenic Highway, at 11 a.m.

Richardson, Sarah Greater King DavidBaptistChurch, 222Blount Road,at10a.m

Templet, Janice

AM. Funeral serviceswill begin at 11:00 AM and burial to follow at Lower Latanache BaptistChurch Cemetery, 11520 LA-417, Batchelor,Louisiana.A receptionwillfollow the burial at the church hall To read the fullobituary, go to https://www.churchf uneralservices.com/obitua ries/charles-benton.

Maddie,Marlene

Bruce A. Matthews was born on November 11, 1959 to theunionofthe late Louis and Onesa Matthews. He was anative of Baton Rouge, La. and aresident of Lafayette La. AMemorial Service will be January 31, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at LittleRock Missionary Baptist Church 2585 Sherwood Street,Baton Rouge, La.

7. Anative andresident of Maringouin, LA passed away on January 23, 2026, at the age of 89. AnnieMae leaves to cherish hermemorywith herhusband, Ernest Overton Sr;her children,ErnestOvertonJr. (Cheryl) andJohnOverton Sr.(Cynthia) alongwith otherrelativesand friends. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January29, 2026, from 4:00 pm -8:00pm at A. Wesley Funeral Home. FuneralserviceswillbeFriday, January30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at The North Iberville CommunityCenter. Intermentwill follow at Shiloh United Methodist Church.

Territo,Dana

St.Jude theApostle Catholic Church 9150 HighlandRd, BatonRouge,LAat 11am Wilbert, Clifford True Light BaptistChurch,3836 North St BatonRouge,LAat12pm.

Obituaries

Bennett, Norman Henry

Norman Henry Bennett, 82, of Amite, LA, died January 27, 2026 at home.He was born on December 3, 1943toNorman E. and Claud Clark Bennett in Amite, LA. Henry attended Amite High School, Southeastern Louisiana College and Louisiana State University. He worked for more than fifty years for the State of Louisiana.He began his career with the Department of Health and Human Resources in 1966 until he retired in 1999.He returned to work in 2002 to the Department of Health and Hospitalswhere he worked until 2019. He received the Charles E. Dunbar, Jr. Award in the same year. At that time, he and Merrie were the only married couple to have both received that award. He was agifted athlete and played football, baseball and tennis. He had alifelong love of musicand enjoyed singing, playing the guitar and clarinet. Henry is survived by his wife of 60 years Merrie Christmas Bennett, daughters Renee Bennett Primes, Lori Bennett Petitto (Michael, Sr.), grandchildren Christine Jones Smith (Cody), Mikki Jones, and great-grandchildren Peyton Smith, Cameron Smith and Vincent Jones, brother Robert (Donna) Bennett, and brother-in-law Charles D. (Kay) Christmas. He was precededindeath by his parents Norman and Claud Bennett, son-in-law, Christopher K. Primes and brother-in-law, Dayle Christmas. Amember of First United Methodist Church of Amite, Henry sang in the choir and served on multiple committees. He found greatjoy in worship and fellowship with his church family. Visitation will be Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. with afuneral service to follow at 12:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Amite LA. Interment will follow at Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite LA. Pallbearers will be Errol Durr, Michael Petitto, Michael Petitto, Jr. Michael Christmas, Michael Christmas, II., and Peyton Smith. In lieu of flowers, memorials or donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Amite or acharity of your choice. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.co m.

Aceremony celebrating thelifeofAubreyR.Hickman willbeheld on Saturday January31, 2026,at 2:00 pm at Unity Church

Baton Rouge

Aubrey was born on December 2, 1931,in Lecompte,Louisiana and restedfrom this life on Tuesday January 20, 2026, at his home, at theage of 94 years. He was aresident of Baton Rouge, served with the United StatesAir Force and was retired owner of a Contractor Bonding Agency. He was afaithfulmember of Unity Church Baton Rouge. He was precededin death by hisparents Manueland Sarah Hickman, and eleven siblings. Survivorsinclude his brother ErvingHickman, special niece Marie, devoted friend CharlieBrehm,also survived by ahost of friends and other relatives.

Mary Louise Houston, age91, aresidentofBaton Rouge, Louisiana, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.Mary was adevoted andfaithful memberofSecond Baptist Church,where she served diligently on the Deaconess Ministry. She found great joyingardeningand treasuredspending time with her familyand friends. Sheleaves to cherish her loving memoryher children: LorettaFisher, Spring Allen, SheilaAnderson,and LarryHouston; her siblings,PearlTaylor and JamesAllen; brother in law, Josh Taylor; 19 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 7great-great -grandchildren; along with ahost of otherrelatives and dear friends. She was precededindeath by her beloved husband, Walker Houston, Jr.;her daughter, Lorraine Allen; herparents, Henry andLucille Allen; and her siblings,Lizzie West, Viola LeBlanc, Betty Allen, Mable Taylor, Charles Allen, HenryLee Allen, and Earl Allen. VisitationwillbeheldonSaturday,January31, 2026,at SecondBaptistChurch, 914 N.AcadianThruway, Baton Rouge, Louisiana,from8:00 a.m.until funeral services begin at 10:00a.m with Rev.Samuel Lofton, Jr.officiating. Servicesare entrusted toHall Davis and SonFuneral Services.

Marlene Joubert Maddie, abeloved wife, mother,grandmother, great grandmother and sister, passed away peacefully in her home of 62 years on January22, 2026 at theage of 89. AnativeofKankakee, Illinois, she was born on December 11, 1936 to Roland and Alexine Joubert.She builta loving family with JosephMaddie, theloveofher life,whom she met in thesummer of 1956. They married in Kankakee on September 3, 1960 and moved to Louisiana in 1962. Marlene's life long career was being awife,grandmother and greatgrandmother. Marlene and Joelovingly welcomed six children into their lives. Tami Maddie of Baton Rouge,Kim Maddie of Baker, Scott Maddie (Roxanne) of Baton Rouge, Dawn Heath(Joe) of Denham Springs, Lane Maddie (Amy) of Baytown, Tx.; and Melissa Culmone (Johnny) of Watson.Theirlove & guidance influenced allof their children. Marlene was also thebestNana any grandchildcould ask for. She lovinglycared for the13grandchildrenshe was blessed with. Those left to cherish her memory are: Breigh Myers ;Hannah Wayts(Kevin); Blaine McGowan; Alex Rose Ducote (Donald);MasonMaddie; Hunter Myers(Isabel); Emily Heath (Dylan); Kayleigh Maddie (John); MarleeHeath(Jason); Clayton Maddie; Grace Muller; and Camryn and Bella Culmone. Marlene also had 8great grandchildren that she dearly loved: Abigail, Martha; Luna; Parker;Madison, Alaina, Addie and her onlygreat grandson, Ryker.Marlene lovedcross stitching and playing cards. She also hosted thelargestannual Easter egg hunt &all the grandkidscompeted fiercelyfor thecoveted Easter eggtrophyalways awardedbyNanaherself. Also left to cherish her memory are her brother and sisterinlaw, Ronand Kathy Joubert (Kankakee, IL)and her sisters in law, SallyMaddie(Simmesport, LA)and Margaret Joubert (Kankakee, IL), along with numerous nieces and nephews. She entered into eternal rest and was greeted by her loving husband of 58 years, JosephMaddie; her parents, brother and sisterinlaw, Medrick and Mary Joubert and brother, Arnie Joubert Marlene'schildrenwould like to thank NotreDame Hospice forthe care they gavetotheir mom and also to Chaketta Hayes and Mona Manning for their heartfelt love and dedication they showered her with for thepastfour months. Acelebration of her life will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Saint Isidore theFarmer CatholicChurch in Baker. Visitation willbefrom 9:00 am to 11:00 am with a Mass of Christian burial at 11:00 am. Graveside services will be at Greenoaks Funeral Home in Baton Rouge. Pallbearers willbe Blaine McGowan, Mason Maddie, HunterMyers, Clayton Maddie, Donald Ducoteand Jason Euman.

OurLadyofthe Holy Rosary Catholic Church at 11am Picou, Sanford Bruce'Sandy'

SidneySue McEwen Langston went home to be with theLordonJanuary 27, 2026, at theage of 90 surrounded by her family She was born in Jayess, MS on September 19, 1935, daughter of Sidney& WinnieMcEwen. She was amember of Zoar Baptist Church, enjoyed spending timewith family and was strong in her faith. She is survivedbyher husband of 71 years and 2 daughters, LaWandaL Foster(Ricky) and Pamela Langston-Vanderpluym (John), 4grandchildren, Rick, John, Adam and Krystleand 13 great-grandchildren She is survivedbyher sisterMary Barlow, and 2 brothers HaroldMcEwen (Beverly) and Jimmy McEwen (Nanette)and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in deathbyher parents, Sidney and Winnie McEwen, her mother and father-in-lawDeweyand Myrtis Langston,her brother Aubrey and 2sisters Bobbieand Glenda and one great-grandchild Funeral serviceswillbe held at Zoar Baptist Church, 11848 Hooper Rd. Baton Rouge,LAonFriday, January 30, 2026, with visitation from9:00 -11:00 a.m. with funeral service to followat11:00 Internment at John FelderMemorialPark Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. 8071 WTopisaw S, SummitMS., restingnext to her parents. In lieu of flowers adonation in herhonor can be madetoFelders Community Church, 1061 Campground Circle, Summit, MS 39666. Acelebration of life will be held at Zoar Baptist Church, 11848 Hooper Road

Our much beloved brother, Sanford B. Picou, 61, of Prairieville, LA, passedawaypeacefully surroundedbyhis family on January 20, 2026 after a 6weekillness causedby Sepsis/Flu/Pneumonia, despite having hadthe flu vaccine in October. He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Tammie Stafford Picou; Twin Sister, Candy Picou Linschoten(Niels); Sister, Frances Cuccia (Robert); Brothers, DanielPicou (Jody), ChristopherPicou (Claire), Arthur Picou, Jr (Kay), Richard Picou(Crystal), Ronald Picou(Melonie), Douglas Lloyd (Jennifer); Sister in Law,Peg Picou(Donald); Maternal Aunt,StarMilton(Edgar), numerousnieces, nephews andcousins. Pre-Deceasedbyour belovedfather and mother, ArthurG Picou, Sr andPatriciaBlanchard Picouof Gonzales, LA; andbeloved Brother, Donald Picouof Gonzales, LA. Education:1982 Graduate of St.AmantHigh School. 1993 Graduateof LSUSchool of Engineering in ConstructionTechnologies. Sandy workedinhis family's business, Picou Builder'sSupply, in Gonzales, LA, as ayoung man through his adult life. He wasabsolutely brilliantat buying material for the companyand waswell known from waybackas thebest buyerour CO OP hadever dealt with.Healso created andbuilt asuccessful websitebusiness prior to the year 2000 calledSurvival Unlimited whichheran for over a decade. Growing up in rural Gonzales,Sandy, from avery early age, lovedhunting, fishing, horsebackriding, andwater sportsonany riverorlake. He absolutely lovedbeing on the water whetherliquidorsnow! He lovedboating -especially on his32' Envision,snow skiing with his familyin Colorado and beachtime too! However, hisall time favorite washis love forMotocross racing. Onesummer, he andhis brothers built aMotocross track on familyland. Togetherthey competedinmany arace across theregion.The brothers once convinced theirsister to raceinthe

Powder Puff competition! After acrash that knocked the wind outofher,they helped herbackonthe bike whereshe won2nd place outofonly3 racers LOL.Sandy raced Motocross for about5 years andwould eventuallywin 1st Place in the LA/MS Motocross Racing Championship in theNovice 125 Class -a feat even his brothers said theycould nothave achieved. He continuedtofollow motocross racingonTVand with aregularmagazine subscription throughout hislife. First and foremost, Sandy wasa man of great faithinGod andwas adevoutChristian throughout hislife. He hada special bond with theLordand lovedreadinghis Bible as well as time spent with the Lordinprayer. He simply wantedeveryonehemet to know theLordand be saved. In theend, he wantedall of us to rememberthat"to be absent from thebody is to be presentwith theLord" and that we will see him again in Glory.

Pallbearers: DanielPicou, ChristopherPicou Niels Linschoten, Richard Picou, Jr., HarrisonLow andKeith Martine Avisitation will be held from5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

(Dorothy)Joyce Piper 90, lifelongresident of Baton Rouge passedonJanuary 18, 2026. Joyce was born July 28, 1935. Graduated from Baton Rouge High School, in 1952. Preceded in death by daughterTeryl Vincent. Survivedbydaughter, Joy Chambers; grandsons, Todd Vincent andHays Robicheaux ServicesatRabenhorst (Government Street) January31, 2026 1:00-4:00 pm

Richardson, Sarah Lee

Sarah LeeRichardson, age 83, peacefullydeparted this life on January 21, 2026. Shewas born on December 4, 1942 to the late Wesley Douglas andAlice Douglas. Viewing: Thursday, January29, 2026; 46pm; Hour of PowerMinistries5211 Ford Street, Baton Rouge,LA70811. Celebration Service willbeheld Friday, January30, 2026 at Greater King David

Matthews,BruceA.

McEwen-Langston, Sidney Sue

Piper, Dorothy 'Joyce'

Houston,MaryLouise

Overton, Annie Mae

10:00

AM. She leaves to cherish her memory husband of 63 years, John Richardson, Jr.; children, Patrick Richardson, GermaineLamotte (J. Marius) and Tinisha Dawson (Byron); 6grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 8siblings; and ahost of other relatives and friends. Arrangements entrusted to Charles Mackey Funeral Home.

Shaffers Sr., Theodore Hayes

Theodore Hayes Shaffers Sr,knownasTed or "Hop Sing." resident of Baton Rouge, LA passed on January 21,2026. Ted was born August 30,1956. Graduatedfrom Mckinley High School, in 1974. Survived by wife Janet Williams; daughter Breonna Shaffers; son Theodore Shaffers Jr.;two siblings, four grandchildren, and three nephews. Services will be held at Winnfield Funeral Home & Memorial Park on January 31, 2026, at 12:00 PM.

Buren Street, Baton Rouge, LA.Rev.Gus Washington, officiating. Interment SouthernMemorial Gardens. Services entrustedto Wilson-WooddaleFuneral Home. www.wilsonwoodda lefh.com

Tuuri, Stephen Paul

Dr. StephenPaul Tuuri passed awayonMonday, January 26, after along battle with cancer. He was born on June 21, 1946, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Mary (Schnitzer)and Arthur Tuuri and was the eldest of six children.He graduated from FlintCentral High School in Michiganand earned his bachelor's and medical degrees from the University of Michigan, where he met and married Georgianna, his beloved wifeof53 years. He completed his first medical internship at General RoseMemorial HospitalinDenver, Colorado, and then joinedthe U.S. Air Force, wherehe servedasa flight surgeon for four years. After an honorable dischargefrom activemilitaryservicein 1978,heand hisfamily moved to New Orleans, where he completedhis InternalMedicine Residency and GastroenterologyFellowship at Tulane University Medical Center. He practiced medicine in New Orleans until 2002 then workedinboth Baton Rouge and as alocum tenens until his retirement in 2012. He careddeeply about his patients and colleagues and wasknown forhis kindness, compassion, and going to great lengths to provide excellent care to all. Stephen was also adedicatedenvironmentaladvocate—he was an avidrecyclerwho loved trees. After his retirement, he repottedhundreds of saplings in and around his home, giving them to numerous membersofthe community. Alifelong learner, he highly valued education forhimself, his children, and his grandchildren, whom he encouraged

to read, learn science and mathematics, and study thenaturalworld.Hewas adevoted member of St. Alban'sEpiscopal Chapel, where he routinely volunteered at theC.S.Lewis student luncheons. Additionally, he thoroughlyenjoyed his time as amemberofthe Baton Rouge Astronomical Society. He leaves behind his wife, Georgianna; his daughters, RachelTuuri (Aaron Griffith), Rebecca Tuuri(SteveKingsbury), and Sarah Coleman; and grandchildrenMiles,Peyton, Drew, and Helen Coleman, and Maddi and Luke Kingsbury, who fondly called him "Dah."Healso leavesbehindhis threesisters, Janet, Mary-Sue, and Ann; his twobrothers, Bill and Tom; and amultitude of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in deathby his parents. In lieu of flowers,donations can be sent to St. Alban's Episcopal Chapel (https://www.stalban.org/ give)orSt. Vincent De Paul Baton Rouge (https://www .svdpbr.net/). Hisfuneral servicewillbeheldatSt. Alban'sEpiscopal Chapel at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31.

January 17, 2026, at Sterling Place.Visitation will be held 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, January 31, 2026, and funeral servicewillbeheld from2:00 PM to 3:00 PM on January31atHallDavis and SonFuneral Services, 9348 Scenic Highway.

AMemorial Service for Richard VernonWills will be held Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 544 Government Street Richard Wills was born June 26, 1953, to thelate Nathaniel "Nat" Willsand Yvonne Sephas WillsinBatonRouge,LA. He was a 1970 graduateofMcKinley SeniorHighSchool and attendedLSU and Southern University after graduating

from High School. He later made hishomeinPasadena,CA. Richard passed away peacefully on November 28, 2025, at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, CA. and was laidtorest at Inglewood ParkMortuary in Inglewood, California on December 18, 2025, Officiated by Rev. Darryl Hazel of Victory Bible Church Richard waspreceded in death by hisparents, Nathaniel"Nat" Willsand Yvonne Sephas Willsand hissister DiannaWills. He is survivedbyhis loving children: RasiaWills, Richard WillsII, andZeldon Wills. He is also survived by hissiblings: LeoWills, Joyce C. Wills-Jones, and Cynthia WillsHarlan,along with many nieces, nephews, extendedfamily members, andfriends who cherished himdeeply.

MarvinLevellYates, Jr

Aresident andnative of Baton Rouge,hetransitioned Thursday, January 15, 2026, at OurLady of the Lake Hospital. He was59. Celebrationoflifewill be Saturday, January31, 2026 at Living FaithChristian Center,6375 Winbourne Ave at 11am conducted by Bishop Raymond W. Johnson.

Yates, MarvinLevell

Wills, RichardVernon

Offshore leasesaleopens door to energy dominance

Dec. 10 marked apivotal moment for American energy: the first federal Gulf of America lease sale in nearly two years, generating $300 million in winning bids, and, hopefully, the start of anew era of American energy dominance.

Mandated by the One Big Beautiful Bill, this sale was the first of 30 lease sales theUnited States will hold in the Gulf of America over the next 15 years, with additional sales in offshore Alaska. After an unprecedentedleasing gapthat injecteduncertaintyinto long-term investment decisions, the door to America’soffshore energy future has finallyreopened.

This is more than aroutine bureaucratic process; it is anational strategic action.

Offshore energy is one of America’smost powerful tools for securing reliable, long-term production, reducing dependence on foreign suppliersand strengthening our industrial and defense base

President Donald Trump’sday

one executive orders prioritized exactly this outcome: restoring predictable access to U.S. offshore resources and ensuring the United States, not geopolitical rivals, sets the pace for global energy development and security.

Forthe past two years, offshore energy companies have faced aleasing drought unlike anything in modern history Traditionally,the United States holdstwo offshorelease sales per year.

Going24monthswithout a single lease sale has forced companies to reconsider future investments, delayed exploration timelines and diverted capital to global regions whereinvestment is actually embraced.

Offshore projects require billions of dollars upfront and years, sometimes more than adecade, of planning, engineeringand execution.Predictable leasing is the starting point that makes American developmentpossible. Thereturn of regular leasing brings enormous opportunityfor

Nonsensicalbid for Greenlandlinks Louisiana, Denmark

Louisiana and the Kingdom of Denmark, where Iamacitizen, have alot in common. We sharealove for rémoulade, though Louisiana’s version is spicier,and ageneral love for food, football (different types), freedom and fairness.

In 2026, the U.S. will celebrate its 250th year as an independent nation, and Denmark will celebrate its 1,075th birthday.Both your President Washington andour King Gorm the Old would havebeen proud to see how our nationshave worked together over the years.

Louisiana. Economic analysis shows that consistent offshore activitycould support 111,000 Louisiana jobsand generate$9.4 billion in annual state GDP by 2040. That’sengineers, shipbuilders, welders,offshore workers, vessel operators, small business owners and thousands of men and women whose livelihoods depend on avibrant offshore supply chain.

The benefits are not just economic; they’re entwined in the well-being of states like Louisiana.

The OneBig Beautiful Bill increases the 2006 Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) revenue sharing cap from $500 million to $650 million annually from 2025 through 2034, directing billions moretoward Louisiana’s coastal restoration, hurricane protection, conservation programsand community projects over the coming years. These investments help ensure thestate remainsresilient and competitive for decades to come.

The way this process works is that companies bid competitively for lease blocks, pay substantial rentsand royalties and commit vast resources to evaluating and developing them responsibly.In

DOJlooks

2024, activities related to offshore energy development generated $7 billion in direct government revenue.

Abroad inventory of available leases improves the odds of commercially viable discoveries that support long-term production. Onedeepwater project can produce stable, reliable energy for 20-30 years or morewith remarkably small surface impacts.

Additionally,the Gulf of America produces someofthe cleanest barrels in the world. U.S. Gulf productionhas acarbon intensity 46% lower than the global average.

Every barrel produced here displaces higher-emission barrels from countries with weaker environmental protections and fewer labor safeguards. Offshore U.S. energy doesn’tjust power our economy,itstrengthens global climate performance and keeps America’sallies supplied with dependable, responsibly produced fuels.

At atime when global political threatsare rising, it has become so much clearer that energy security is national security.This momentcould not be moreconsequential.

Regular lease sales send aclear signal: America is the global leader,not afollower,inthe global competition forenergy investment. Nations with predictable access and clear permitting frameworks earn the confidence of investors. Nations without them watch capital and influence moveoverseas.

With the reinstatement of regular offshore leasing, the United States is reclaiming its role as the world’smost attractive destination foroffshore investment, innovation, and energy development.

President Trumpmade adeliberate and consequential decision. He chose American resources, American workers and American leadership over foreign dependence.

With this lease sale, and the 29 that are following, the Gulf of America is once again at the forefront of America’senergy future.

Eric Zimmermann is the chief operating officer of LLOG Exploration and vice chairof National OceanIndustries Association. Erik Militoisthe president of theNational Ocean Industries Association

away as Louisianastill incarcerates prisonerspastrelease date

nese investors have already bought in American Treasury securities. Ultimately,itisthe American taxpayers who are expected to paythe investors back —with interest.

So,what the United States can get access to for free (or on mutually beneficial terms) from one of your closest allies in Europe, it instead wants to buy for afortune financed by one of your clear adversaries. Is that the art of agreat deal?

During World WarII, more soldiers from Louisiana (around 5,000) lost their lives to secure ourfreedom than Danish soldiers andsailors (around 4,000). Iam, as well as many others, very grateful for that sacrifice on European soil.

The strong American commitment to NATO, where Denmark wasone of the founding partners in 1949,has secured peaceand stability(with theBalkan Warof1992-1995 and the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 as recent exceptions) in Europe. America’srecent support for Ukraine is admirable andsecond-tonone. Did Europe contribute itsfair share over the years?Asembarrassing as it is to admit, we did not. Luckily,this is changing.Our nation has committed 5% of its GDP toits defense. Additionally,inclose partnership with U.S. leaders, Denmark has always granted the U.S.the right to operate in Greenland. When we and other European countries send additional troops to Greenland,we arebeing punished by the U.S. with the threat of an extra tariff of 10%.

The governor of Louisiana has recently been appointed as an “envoy with the mission (using “culinary diplomacy”) to “buy Greenland.”A sales price of $700 billion has been mentioned. This will have to be financedthrough the sale of bonds. The amount is close to what Chi-

If we donot agree to what your “envoy” offers, President Donald Trumphad warned us that you might invade our Kingdom,though he hasrecentlybacked down from these threats. Our old Kingdomhas been invaded before.The last envoy we had as part of an occupation force was a jurist turned politician.His formal title was Plenipotentiary (or in German: Reichsbevollmaechtigter). His name was Werner Best, and he was adevoutNazi. Iamsorry to say, but this is what we thinkofwhen we hear theconcept of an envoy on Danish soil.

What American presidentsdo in the U.S.isnone of my business. However,with respect to peace and prosperity in Denmark and Europe, my opinion is that Dwight D. Eisenhower andRonald Reagan did the right things for the right reasons. Barack Obama did thewrong things for the right reasons. President DonaldTrump appears to do thewrong things for no reason. It simply doesnot make any sense. Speaking ofculinary diplomacy: Some years ago, aDanish bartender, educated in Las Vegas, decided to innovate on your classic Sazerac. Therefore, Ihope Ican still welcome our Louisianan friends over a“Sassy Sazerac”(as shenamed her cocktail). Or,ifeverything goes south, a “Greenland Libre.”

Søren Jensen is abusiness creator based in greater Copenhagen, Denmark.

Brian Humphrey was kept behind bars in a rural Louisianajail for 27 days pasthis courtordered release date. Ellis Ray Hicks was incarcerated for 60 days beyond his Louisianaprison sentence. AndRobert Parker was forced to spend 337 days behind bars even after aLouisiana judge ordered him released —nearly ayear of freedom stolen by thestate. These cases are not isolated incidents. They reveal acriminal justice system that routinely ignores thelaw Louisianahas one of the world’shighest incarceration rates.Weare former federal attorneys and our investigation while at the U.S. Department of Justice found that since at least 2012, more than 25% of people in state custody have been held past their release dates.

Despite over adecade of warnings, theLouisiana DepartmentofCorrections has failed to stop what the Constitution clearly forbids —the government depriving people of their liberty without legal authority Every year,thousands of Louisianansremain behind bars for weeks, monthsoreven years beyond their court-ordered release.

The Justice Department opened its investigation intooverdetention in Louisiana during President Donald Trump’sfirst administration, after state officials admitted that thousands of people were being held past their release dates. We were part of ateam of federal lawyers who spent years documenting the problem and, in January 2023, issued apublic report detailing systemic constitutional violations by the state.

Louisianafailed to act. Nearly two years later,inDecember 2024, the Justice Department sued to force reform.But after the new Trump administration took office the following month, officials froze thecase, citing a“transition” at theJustice Department Later,President Donald Trump’sJustice Department claimed Louisiana needed more time to fix aproblem that thestate itself had identified morethan 12 years earlier.Afederal judge has since ruled that the case remains administratively closed, effectively putting justice on hold.

Watchingthe Justice Department voluntarily pause itsown efforts to hold Louisiana accountable for clear constitutional violations— ongoing since at least 2012 —isdeeply troubling. Ending federal oversight now would signal that states can escape accountability even when they acknowledge, through their own data, that constitutional violations persist.Itwould

reward noncompliance and abandon the very people the Constitution is meanttoprotect. Reasonable people may disagree about the scope of manyconstitutional rights, but not this one. The 14th Amendment’sDue Process Clause protects every person from the governmentarbitrarily restricting their liberty,and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled in an overdetention case that it is “clear as day” that the government cannot incarcerate an individual without legal authority In 2018, U.S. Sen. John Kennedy and thenLouisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry condemned the state’scorrections department for maintaining “a layer of incompetence so deep” that it didn’teven know when people should be released. Yetwhen Landry becamegovernor, he reversed course —dismissing the Justice Department lawsuit as “Grinch Joe Biden’s parting Christmas present” and actively supported its dismissal.

The Justice Department’sefforts to stop overdetention, however,were not partisan but stemmed from alengthy investigation pursued across administrations, beginning under President Donald Trumpand continuing under President Biden.

This Trumpadministration prides itself on efficiency and cost-cutting. Yetitcontinuesto ignore these constitutional violations that have already cost Louisiana taxpayers $30 million Much of that money flows to local parishes to house state prisoners, manyofwhich have expanded their jails over the past fifteen years.

Louisiana’sown data underscores the depth of the crisis. As of September 2025, the state wasnowhere close to resolving its overdetention problem.Despite years of scrutiny,people whoshould be immediately released remain behind bars. The numbers tell aclear and troubling story: the problem is ongoing, widespread and unresolved.

The mission of the Department of Justice is to “uphold the rule of law,tokeep our country safe, and to protect civil rights.” That mission demands morethan words. It requires action. While civil rights attorneys are doing vital work to challenge unlawfuldetention, private litigation cannot substitute forsustained federal oversight. Only the Justice Department has the authority and responsibility to ensure meaningful, systemic reform.

Allowing Louisiana to incarcerate thousands past their release dates is cruel. It erodes faith in our legal system.And it sends aclear message that the poor and powerless are not protected by the Constitution.

We must not let this injustice continue.

DavidHowardSinkman and Matthew Underwood are former U.S.Departmentof Justice attorneys

ISSUE OF THE WEEK GREENLAND

President Donald Trump’s fixation on acquiring Greenland has baffled many in the internationalcommunity The semiautonomous territory has been controlled by Denmark for hundreds of years.yetTrump arguesthe U.S. needs to ownitfor our national security.Attimes, the president’swords have been seen as athreat to the NATO alliance,ofwhich Denmarkisa member,asEuropean countries have vowed to come to Denmark’said should theU.S.moveto take Greenlandmilitarily.While the president seems to have ruled out that step, what’s behind Trump’s stance on this issue? Is thepresidentusing bluster as astrategytogain greater leverageinthe Arctic? Here are twoperspectives.

President’soutrageous threatsget practicalresults

Think about it. Heads of government do not normally reveal the texts of private communications from other headsofstate Yetthat is what Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store of Norway did on the first weekendofthe World EconomicForum in Davos, where the international press would have no difficulty finding appalled foreign leadersto comment.

mands have alienated him from sympathy and empowered theforces against him. Other leaders have figured out that he requires gushers of praise to permeateevery dialogue, and they’re probably ready with encomiums for his avowals in his Davos speech that he won’tuse violence to obtain Greenland.

Does Trumpneeda portrait of JamesK.Polk?

Youcould think of this as ahostile act of astatesman appalled that the American head of government does not know that the governmentofNorway does not decide who getsthe NobelPeace Prize. It is probably better to think of it as an intervention, by asympathetic observer who has noticed that Donald Trump backs downfrom untenable positions in response to ructions in political and financial markets.

Which is what Trump hasdone between the publication of hisletter and his speech at Davos. He seemed to be threatening war with Denmark, and Europeancommentators, not without reason, lamentedthathe was risking breakingupthe NATOalliance out of pique of not being awarded aprize by acommittee that was never going to honor anon-leftist American president. Proof of which was the granting of that prize to Barack Obama in 2009 for what even Obama himself admitted was forno tangible accomplishment. Actually,Trump has somevalid points on Greenland. It sits astridemissile, drone and air transportroutes between North America and western Russia andeastern Europe. The United States would have even more flexibility thanitdoes under current agreements withDenmark if it were to become U.S. territory.That’sone reason the U.S. holds on to Guaminthe west Pacific and has spent billionsupgrading military facilities there.

All that said, Trump’susual negotiating technique of starting off withextravagant demands was, in the careful wordsofsocial scientist Charles Murray,“next-level crazy.” Denmark has been an activeally of the United StatesinAfghanistan andIraq, has increased its rate of defense spending above levels Trump demanded,and has adoptedimmigrationpoliciesinline with Trump’sadvocacy With Denmark as with Canada, as with fellow Republicans in Georgia and other states, Trump’sobnoxious maximalist de-

And it has to be said that Trump’s bluntness and braggadocio have hadsome of its intended effect. The American Enterprise Institution’s YuvalLevin,inaninterview withThe New York Times’Ezra Klein, makes the point that manyofTrump’slurching policy changes, not codified into law,can easily be wipedaway by thenext Democratic administration, perhaps even by aDemocratic House of Representatives next year

Butdespite his own preference for procedural regularity in making institutional change, Levin admits that “they’ve driven alot of change that will be durable.” Initial pollingreaction to Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, has been negative. But there’snodoubt that Trumphas provedthat the border can be controlled undercurrent legislation —which would increase the political cost of any subsequent administration adopting the open border policy of Joe Biden’s

We learn from experience, and just as theformer real estate developer sometimesseems to accept discipline from financialmarkets,sothe former reality TV show host sometimes seems to accept disciplinefrom theratings. On Greenland, he has responded to thecues of the markets andthe ratings and backed off from threats of force, while retaining thepossibility of increasing the already significant U.S.presence there. Meanwhile, the NATO alliance remains in place,withits increased number of European members spending increasing percentages of their economies on defense.

Three more years of this Trumpadministration will strain and irritate foreign leaders andAmerican politicians, with wild threats and childish petulance driving one crisis after another.But it may continue to getthem,often grudgingly,doing things Trump’sway MichaelBarone is on X, @ MichaelBarone.

Donald Trump has apainting of Andrew Jackson in the Oval Office, but as he tries to browbeat Denmarkinto coughing up Greenland, maybeheshould add aportraitofaJackson acolyte —James K. Polk.

If cold-eyed American expansionism is the theme, there are fewer better representatives than the 11th president.

He added more than 1million squaremiles to U.S.territory and extended the country all the way to thePacific, making him the most successful president notcelebrated as partofthe American pantheon.

Trump’simpulse to throw his weight around and assume control of sparsely populated, strategically desirable territory recalls Polk.

Athoroughgoing Jacksonianpopulist, he unexpectedly won the Democratic nomination for president in 1844 (much of what Irelate here,bythe way,isdrawn from my book, “The Casefor Nationalism”).Heran on aplatformurging what Democrats called the “re-annexation” of Texas and the “re-occupation” of Oregon.

Texas was aflash point. Anglos settled there when it was aprovince of Mexico, rebelled against the dictatorship of Santa Anna, and won independence.

Texans wanted to be partofthe U.S., but aMexican threat to fight over annexation helped stay our hand.

When we eventually moved, Mexico was furious. It also insisted that its border with Texas was at the Nueces River,two hundred miles north of theRio Grande.

When Polk sent troopsintothe area between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande, Mexican cavalry ambusheda party of U.S.dragoons.

We ended up occupying MexicoCity and forcing adeal. Mexico conceded to theUnited States aborderatthe Rio Grande, running all the way to the Pacific giving us California inclusive of San Diego, in exchange for the assumption of Mexico’sdebts and the price of $15 million.

There’snodoubt that Polk hadbeen spoiling for afight. The view of the war as simple U.S. plunder is much too simplistic, though.

We were within our rights to deal with an independent Texas, whichhad achieved independence via ajust revolu-

tion, andMexico— in the grips of afoolish warfever —firedthe first shots. In his book on the war,“ACountry of Vast Designs,” Robert W. Merry describesthe underlying dynamic. Mexico, he notes, “was adysfunctional, unstable, weak nation whose population was insufficient to controlall the lands within its domain.” The United States, on the otherhand, “wasavibrant, expanding, exuberant experiment in democracywhose burgeoning population thrilled to the notion thatitwas engaging in something big and historically momentous.” This created adrive “toward expansion into largely unpopulated lands thatseemed to beckon with irresistible enticement.”

Today, it is Trump personally,rather thanthe nationatlarge, tempted by historic acquisitions of territory.He, too, could be aThomasJefferson, or aWilliam Seward —ora Polk, although hopefully without the war

But there’s adifference between a young 19th-century country surging into looselygoverned territory around its perimeter—orbuying territory that European nations areeager to sell —and amature 21st-century world power invested in stable borders and important alliance systems.

Mexicocirca1846 wasn’tatreatyally of the United States, and there were enormous benefits to actually acquiring the Southwest, whereas we can presumably getthe military bases and mineral extractionwewantout of frozen Greenland without formal ownership.

If Trump is going to look to Polk, amore aptantecedentishis handling of the dispute with the Brits over the Oregon territory

Aftermaking maximalist demands, Polk agreed to an equitable compromise at the 49thparallel.

Polk’sexample is worth marking in anotherrespect.Hereally did play3D chess.

There’s no wayhe’d let ego or emotion getinthe wayofpursuing the national interest, whichinthis case includes notneedlessly alienating long-time allieswhenothermeans are available to achieve ourstrategic ends.

Rich Lowry is on X, @RichLowry.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByEVANVUCCI

President Donald Trump,right, meetswithNATOSecretaryGeneral Mark Rutte on the sidelines of theannual meeting of the WorldEconomic ForuminDavos, Switzerland, on Jan. 21

Michael Barone

Rich Lowry

LSU

BY SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writer

LSU has had little trouble in recent years doing big gymnastics on the big stages. Performing in front of packed home crowds at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, performing in big meets like the NCAA and SEC championships, the No. 2-ranked Tigers have excelled Case in point was its first-place tying performance in the Sprouts Collegiate Quad to open the season in Utah against three other preseason top-five teams. Another was LSU’s 198.050-195.775 shellacking of Kentucky in this past Friday’s home opener at the PMAC, the Tigers’ best score ever in a home regularseason opener. Shining on the road against some Southeastern Conference opponents in regular-season dual meets? That hasn’t always been quite the same. The Tigers (3-1-1, 1-1 SEC) stumbled in their SEC road opener two weeks ago

at Georgia, forced to count two scores of 9.65 or lower in a 197.200-196.850 loss to the Bulldogs.

Friday’s meet at No. 7 Missouri (6:45 p.m., SEC Network) presents a similar challenge. While LSU has traditionally dominated Mizzou, especially in Baton Rouge, it has lost its last two trips to Columbia, Missouri, with good but hardly great efforts: 197.325-197.225 in 2024 and 197.350-197.200 in 2022.

LSU coach Jay Clark said the task in front of his team Friday is to find the internal motivation when there isn’t a title on the line or when a full house has his Tigers’ back.

“You look at the regionals or you look at SECs, these competitions when there is a lot on the line,” he said. “It’s easy to find external motivation other than 13,000 screaming Tiger fans.

“We’ve got to get to where we’re not dependent on anything external. There are times when we’ve been able to

ä See GYMNASTICS, page 2C

Saints using Senior Bowl to their advantage

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

MOBILE, Ala. — Joel Thomas called plays at the Senior Bowl last year, so when the chance arose to be involved in this year’s game, the New Orleans Saints running backs coach knew he wanted to participate again. But this time, the opportunity came with a promotion. Thomas jumped at the chance to be the head coach of one of the two teams participating in the college prospect all-star event.

“(Last year was) the first time I’ve ever called plays,” Thomas said “So you get that itch.” But as he’s gone through Senior Bowl week, Thomas has seen an even greater benefit to coaching in the game — one that extends beyond his personal ambitions He knows that this week is extremely valuable for the Saints, too. In addition to Thomas serving as the head coach of the American Team, Saints quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien (offensive coordinator), linebackers coach Peter Sirmon (defensive coordinator) and special-teams assistant Kyle Wilber (special-teams coordinator) are contributing in key roles on Thomas’ staff.

See SAINTS, page 3C

LSU shakes off sloppy start, pulls away from Arkansas

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

It was clear they were frustrated at first

But Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams quickly made sure that their cold shooting starts didn’t spill over into the second half. And because they did, the LSU women’s basketball team could pull away from Arkansas on Thursday to pick up a 92-70 win in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center Williams and Johnson each scored 17 points. They both caught fire in the third quarter, a frame in which the No. 6 Tigers (20-2, 6-2 SEC) shot 12 of 17 from the field and 4 of 6 from beyond the arc. The Razorbacks (11-11, 0-7) began the third down just three points, then ended it buried in an insurmountable 19-point deficit. LSU dropped its first two matchups of league play, but it’s now won six straight games.

“You’re going to have games where you don’t shoot it good,” coach Kim Mulkey said. “You’re gonna have games (in which) you’re gonna miss 15 layups like we did in the first half, but I just didn’t think we started the game playing as hard as we could play

“And when you play as hard as you can

ä See LSU, page 5C

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK LSU guard ZaKiyah Johnson takes a shot over Arkansas guard Emily Robinson on Thursday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center LSU won 92-70.

BY ROD WALKER Staff writer

LSU gymnast Madison Ulrich flips between the bars during her routine on the uneven bars at a meet against Kentucky last Friday at the PMAC. STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

gymnastics heads to Missouri looking to shake off road woes

Sabalenka to rematch Rybakina

The Australian Open will have a repeat of 2023 matchup for women’s singles final

BY JOHN PYE AP sportswriter

MELBOURNE, Australia Not even a point penalty for hindrance slowed Aryna Sabalenka’s run to a fourth consecutive Australian Open final.

The top-ranked Sabalenka overpowered Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-3 Thursday night to move within one victory of a third Australian Open title in four years.

A rematch of the 2023 final against Elena Rybakina was set up when the No. 5 seed ousted No. 6 Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-6 (7) in the second semifinal.

Her semifinal was mostly one way until Rybakina had match point. The 2022 Wimbledon champion missed three match points on Pegula’s serve and then was broken twice while serving for the match.

Pegula rallied and had two set points in the tiebreaker but wasn’t able to convert, and Rybakina finally clinched it 29 minutes after her first match point.

“Really really stressful,” Rybakina said. She admitted to flashbacks from the 2024 Open when she lost the longest women’s tiebreaker ever at a Grand Slam to Anna Blinkova 22-20 in a three-set defeat.

“I’m proud no matter the situation. It got very tight, I stayed there,” she said of the win over Pegula. “I was fighting for each

point.”

For Pegula, it became a matter of swing or miss out

“Sometimes when you’re on the brink of losing everything you get a little clarity because you’re kind of just like ‘Screw it, I’m just going to try and stay in this,’” she said. “I played a couple of really good points to save the match points, and, you know, she missed a couple short balls a couple free points to take some pressure off.

All four players reached the semifinals without dropping a set in Australia for the first time in 56 years and Sabalenka and Svitolina were each on 10-match winning streaks to start the season after titles in warmup events.

Sabalenka kept both of her streaks alive. As has become customary for Ukrainians against players from Russia and Belarus, there was no handshakes at the net. There was also no group photo before the match.

Sabalenka is the third woman in the Open era to reach four consecutive singles finals at the Australian Open after Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Martina Hingis.

“It’s an incredible achievement but the job’s not done yet,” an emotional Sabalenka said in her on-court TV interview “I’ve been watching her game, (Svitolina) was playing incredible I felt like I had to step in and put as much pressure as I could back on her. I’m glad the level was there. I think I played great tennis.”

Rematch

Rybakina is back into a major final for the first time since ‘23, and says she learned a lot from that match She’s also coming off

a win over Sabalenka in the deciding match of the WTA Finals last November, when she picked up a record $5.2 million in prize money “I could take only positive from that week,” she said. “This is what I’m trying to do remembering some good stuff from this WTA Final.”

Svitolina’s exit

After reaching her first semifinal in Australia and winning a title in a warmup tournament in New Zealand, Svitolina will return to the top 10 for the first time since she took a maternity break in 2022.

The Auckland title was her first foray back on tour after an early end to the 2025 season for a mental health break. She said the rest and time out prolonged her career

“Definitely very, very happy with the two weeks here and in New Zealand, as well, winning,” she said. “Gutted to not make it through tonight but it’s very difficult when you’re playing the world No. 1, who is really on fire.”

“It was really complicated for me today,” she added, “but, yeah, I just want to take positives from the past weeks and just carry them through for the season.”

Dispute over stripped medal goes to court

BY GRAHAM DUNBAR and WILL GRAVES

AP sportswriters

GENEVA American gymnast

Jordan Chiles may reclaim the bronze medal on floor exercise from the 2024 Paris Olympics that was stripped from her following an appeal by Romania after all Switzerland’s supreme court said on Thursday its judges sent the “highly exceptional circumstances” of the bronze medal awarded in the women’s floor exercise back to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to examine new evidence.

The outcome of an event that created a celebrated Olympic photo featuring Chiles, floor exercise silver medalist Simone Biles and gold medalist Rebeca Andrade of Brazil — all women of color — rests on just a handful of seconds: Can the U.S. team

Continued from page 1C

do that and, historically, times when we haven’t. That’s on us to create that mindset. Our leadership within has to be able to control that.”

Perhaps a change of venue will help LSU. This year’s meet will mark LSU’s first time competing in Mizzou Arena, where the Missouri gymnastics program moved most of its home meets in 2025.

The 15,061-seat facility replaces the older Hearnes Center as the home of the Missouri gymnastics program, a place where LSU lost its previous two visits.

“We’ll be in their basketball arena this time,” Clark said, “which will be a different environment that we’ve never been in.”

It might be overstating things to say LSU’s start to the season has been the Kailin Chio show, but not by much.

The superstar sophomore is No.

prove it made a timely appeal in the Olympic arena on behalf of Chiles?

The federal judges’ ruling — highly unusual in cases of this nature — suggested Chiles could regain the bronze medal she originally got in Paris after challenging her judged score.

Chiles’ third-place finish was overturned within days on appeal by the Romanian team to the CAS’ Olympic court in Paris. The medal was awarded in Bucharest the next week to Ana Maria Barbosu.

The federal court wants CAS to examine a recording that could show the original U.S. challenge of the judged score was within a one-minute deadline on the field of play

“In the highly exceptional circumstances of the case in question,” the Swiss Federal Tribunal said in a statement, “it considers that there is a likelihood for the

1 in the nation on balance beam after the first perfect 10 on that event this season against Kentucky (9.967 average). She’s also No. 3 on vault (9.925) and fourth in the all-around (39.467), with seven individual titles in three meets. Four other LSU gymnasts rank in the top 10 nationally: Konnor McClain (fourth, uneven bars, 9.925), Courtney Blackson (seventh, uneven bars, 9.917), Kaliya Lincoln (ninth, floor, 9.908) and Amari Drayton (10th, beam, 9.925). Missouri (4-2, 0-2) is led by Hannah Horton (eighth nationally on vault, 9.906) and Addison Lawrence (ninth on beam, 9.931). Clark shook up his lineup a bit from the Georgia meet to the Kentucky meet, with four Tigers competing in events for the first time He spoke of trying to balance his gymnasts between rest from the week-to-week grind for all-arounders like Chio and Madison Ulrich, who only performed one event against UK, but also the need to put out a winning lineup

audio-visual recording of the final on Aug. 5, 2024 to lead to a modification of the contested award in favor of the applicant (Chiles).”

The CAS said in a statement Thursday it “can now ensure a thorough judicial review of the new evidence that has since been made available.”

The court based in Lausanne, across the Olympics’ home city from the supreme court, gave no timetable for the review It likely will take at least one year to prepare and process before a verdict is ready

Still, the federal court’s decision has given Chiles renewed hope of keeping her medal and putting the controversy behind her

“We are delighted that the Swiss Federal Supreme Court has righted a wrong and given Jordan the chance she deserves to reclaim her bronze medal,” Maurice M. Suh, part of the legal team rep-

resenting Chiles, said in a statement. “As the Court recognized, there is ‘conclusive’ video evidence that Jordan was the rightful winner of the bronze medal.”

Suh added that Chiles will “fight vigorously” and is grateful to have a “full and fair opportunity to defend her bronze medal.”

USA Gymnastics praised the court for recognizing “the flaws in the initial process and that Jordan’s case can now be heard inclusive of all relevant evidence.”

Chiles, now 24, has pressed forward with her life after dealing with significant online backlash some of it racially tinged in the immediate aftermath.

She returned to compete collegiately at UCLA while also leaning into her burgeoning celebrity, participating on the reality competition “Dancing With the Stars,” posing for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

good lineup out there. But at the same time, that doesn’t mean it’s the same lineup as Friday night. There could be multiple changes.”

LSU is back home next Friday for a non-conference meet against Penn State.

SEC Championship tickets

Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 SEC Championships, Saturday, March 21 at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Tickets are $30-45 plus service fees, good for both afternoon and evening sessions of the meet. Student tickets are $17. Tickets are available at SECSports.com or through the BOK Center box office.

Seeds 5-9 will compete in Session I at 2 p.m., followed by Seeds 1-4 in Session II at 7 p.m. LSU has won the past two SEC Championships, in 2024 at the Smoothie King Center and in 2025 in Birmingham, Alabama.

NBA reschedules four games due to winter storm

NEW YORK The NBA has announced new dates for four games as a result of the winter storm’s impact on the Memphis and Dallas areas.

Poor weather last weekend forced the postponement of two scheduled Sunday games: Dallas at Milwaukee and Detroit at Memphis. The Nuggets-Grizzlies game has been rescheduled for March 18, while the Mavericks-Bucks game now will take place March 31. The dates have been changed for two other upcoming games to accommodate the weather-related schedule shifts. Memphis will host Dallas on March 12 rather than April 1. A Grizzlies home game with the New York Knicks will be April 1 instead of March 18.

Falcons hold second GM interview with Cunningham

ATLANTA The Atlanta Falcons completed a second interview with Ian Cunningham for their general manager position on Thursday Cunningham is the first candidate to interview twice for the job. He previously interviewed for the president of football position a role that went to former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. Atlanta is seeking a GM to work under Ryan and alongside new coach Kevin Stefanski.

Cunningham has served as the Chicago Bears’ assistant general manager for the past four years. He spent five seasons in various scouting and player personnel roles with the Philadelphia Eagles before landing in Chicago. His first NFL front-office role was in Baltimore.

Hataoka of Japan leads Tournament of Champions ORLANDO, Fla. — Nasa Hataoka of Japan shot 6-under 66 and had a one-shot lead over LPGA player of the year Jeeno Thitikul, Chanettee Wannasaen, Lottie Woad and Linn Grant following the first round of the season-opening Tournament of Champions.

Hataoka played the back nine at chilly Lake Nona Golf & Country in 4 under to pick up where she left off at the end of last season. She won the Japan Classic in a playoff with Yuna Araki in November for her first LPGA victory in two years. Thitikul is coming off her best season and one of the best in LGPA history Defending champion A Lim Kim was in a group at 3 under that included Lydia Ko and Ingrid Lindblad.

Mets sign reliever Kimbrel to minor league deal

NEW YORK The New York Mets signed reliever Craig Kimbrel to a minor league contract Thursday with an invitation to big league spring training, giving the ninetime All-Star an opportunity to pitch for his 10th different team should he make the club.

The 37-year-old Kimbrel was 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA while pitching in 14 games for the Braves and Astros last season. He also spent time in the Rangers organization, appearing in 24 games for their Triple-A affiliate before being released without a call-up.

Kimbrel is 56-48 over 16 seasons, including stints with the Padres, Red Sox, White Sox, Cubs, Dodgers, Phillies and Orioles. The former NL Rookie of the Year ranks fourth among relievers.

Reed extends European Tour to include Qatar

AL MAZROWIAH, Bahrain Patrick Reed decided to extend his Middle East stay and then salvaged a 1-under 71 in the Bahrain Championship, where Alejandro Del Rey and Freddy Schott shared the lead at 65 when the first round was halted by darkness on Thursday.

Reed, who won the Dubai Desert Classic and then chose to leave LIV Golf so he can return to the PGA Tour entered next week’s Qatar Masters. That would give him four straight starts in the Middle East to start the year on the

against a quality Missouri team. “We can’t go to Missouri and get too cute and expect to win,” Clark said “We’ve got to put a

Email Scott Rabalais at srabalais@theadvocate.com

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By DITA ALANGKARA

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in their semifinal match at the Australian Open on Thursday in Melbourne, Australia.

NFL

Billscoach Bradyembracesexpectations

BY JOHN WAWROW AP sportswriter

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y Joe Bradydid not dismiss the past while looking ahead to leading the Buffalo Bills into the future as their head coach. Before outlining his vision to bringthe same attacking element to defense as he introduced toBuffalo’sJosh Allen-led offense as its coordinator for the pasttwo-plus seasons, Brady first paid tribute to his immediate predecessorduring his opening news conferenceon

Thursday Brady acknowledged he’d otherwise be starting from scratch without Sean McDermott laying thefoundation of sustained success and awinning culture over anineseason tenure that endedwith his firing last week.

The challenge now for Brady is taking afranchise that’saccomplished everything but reach the Super Bowl one step further

“I understand that I’m walking into this role in amuch better position than Coach McDermott did. I’m not naive to that,” Brady said.

“I also understand that the expectations are higher as well. Ididn’t take this job to shy awayfrom expectations. Isure as hell did not do that,” he added. “I’m embracing it.

I’m understanding it. And I’m meeting it full on.”

The36-year-old Brady hasbig shoes to fillafter McDermottwent 98-50 in the regular season and 8-8 in the playoffs —ranking second on the team in wins behind only Hall of Famer Marv Levy —and transforming the Bills from long-time losers to perennial winners And Brady has achallenge in addressing the team’spostseason

shortcomings.

OwnerTerry Pegula believed the Bills had reached “the proverbial playoff wall” in deciding to fire McDermott twodaysafter a33-30 overtime loss at Denver in the divisional playoff round. It marked Buffalo’sthird consecutive playoff loss to be decided by three points. And the Bills becamethe NFL’s first team to win aplayoff round in six straight years but notreach the Super Bowl.

Bradywas hired on Tuesday followingasix-day search process in which theBillsheldnineinterviews before deciding to hire theironly in-house candidate.

Though he has no previous head coaching experience,Brady brings an element of continuity and familiaritytoateam on aseven-year playoff run, and led by an elite quarterback in Allen.

“Weall know Joe. Joe is abrilliant offensivemind,” general manager Brandon Beanesaidofanoffense thatproduced the AP NFL MVP in Allen ayearago, and featured the NFL’s rushing leaderinJames Cook this season

“Joe’soffenses know how to attack in many different ways,” Beane added. “But what Iand our team learned through this process wasJoe’svision forhow he would runanentire football team.”

Brady is from Florida, played collegiately at William& Mary,and broke into the NFL coaching ranks as an offensive assistant on Sean Payton’sstaff in New Orleansfrom 2017 and ’18. Brady thenlefttobecome passing gamecoordinatoron an LSUteam —featuring Joe Burrow at quarterback—thatwon the 2019 national championship.

Bradyreturned to the NFL as the

Carolina Panthers offensivecoordinator beforebeingfiredbefore completinghis second season in 2022,and hiredasthe Billsquarterbacks coach ayear later Brady credited Payton, now coaching in Denver,for providing him “a doctorate degree on offense.”And it’s an approach he wants to carry over to the entire team.

“The mentality as we go forward that it is anameless, faceless opponent that we’re going against, and they’ve gottoplayusand not the other wayaround. AndI mean that with everything,” Bradysaid.

“It does not matter the day of the

Patriots QB Maye hasnormal practice despiteshoulderissue

BY KYLE HIGHTOWER

AP sportswriter

FOXBOROUGH,Mass. Drake Maye wasn’tshocked by the attention paid to the shoulder issue that landed him on the Patriots’ injury report less than two weeks before the Super Bowl.

“No, Iwouldn’tsay Iwas surprised,” Maye said Thursday “It’sthe right shoulder of astartingquarterback on an NFL team. It’spretty simple.”

Although Maye was listed as limited on Thursday,hesaid he went through anormal practice sessionasNew England returned to the field to beginpreparing to face the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl. He was added to the injury report on Wednesday when thePatriots estimated him as alimited participant.

Speculation about Maye’sinjury begantospread the dayafter NewEngland’s AFC championship game win at Denver,with observers pointing to ascramble by Maye late in thethird quarter that ended with himmaking an awkward slide on his right side.

Maye grabbed at his throwing shoulder after the play.Followingahandoff to Rhamondre Stevenson on the next play,hethen shrugged his shoulder slightlyin thehuddle, as if loosening it up. On the ensuingplay,Mayecompleted a31-yardpass to Mack

SAINTS

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Thehope —and perhaps belief —isthatgetting thechancetoactually coach the prospects in this year’sSenior Bowl willserve as an advantage come April when the Saints are tasked with following up last year’s successful draft class with another transformative haul.

“The more knowledge we get, that knowledgeispower,” said Jeff Ireland, theSaints’ assistant general manager and collegescouting director.“The more knowledge we have, the more comfortable we are in our convictionthat we have as astaff collaboratively to take the player.” Ireland said nothing significantly changed aboutthe team’s process that ended with last year’shaul. But the reality is the Saints had arguably their best draft since 2017, coming away

Hollins. Maye insistedduring aradio appearance on Tuesday that any issue withhis shoulderwas the resultofseason-long wear and tear and that he didn’thurt it duringthe game. He reiterated that stance

Thursday

“Got out there moving around foragood bit today,” Maye said. “Wedid ajog through, so I’m feeling good and looking forward to being ready to go. This is the game you dream of playing, so looking forward to getting out thereand playing in theSuper Bowl.”

Maye went 10 of 21 for86yards against the Broncos. He also ran 10 times for 65 yards and atouchdown. Thesecond-year QB has not missed agamethis season Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said his concern about Maye’sshoulderwas minimal “Notmuch. Itry nottohave awhole lot of concern,” Vrabel said.“Ijustwanttotry to prepare the football team, make sure that everybody’sready, that we allhavea plan We’vetried to map out the week here, week andahalf, and not look at theend of it,but focus on whatwecan do today.”

The Patriots practice again on Friday and are off Saturday before traveling to Santa Clara, California, forSuperBowlweek

with potential cornerstones at quarterback(Tyler Shough) and left tackle (Kelvin Banks Jr.) and at least two defensivestarters (Quincy Riley,Jonas Sanker)

ESPN ranked the Saintsashavingthe league’s mostimpactful draft class in 2025.

But if there was one significant difference, it was theSaints’ new coaching staff. Ireland praised thegroup —led by first-year coach KellenMoore —ashaving a“great vision” on whattype of player would fit theirroster.That vision also changed because of thenew scheme inplace. Ireland, for instance, noted edge rushers in defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’sdefense don’tneed to be nearly as big and powerful as what former coach DennisAllen preferred.

“Theclearer the vision of what they can give to us, the better we can go out and findit,” Ireland said. “Theywereveryclear in what they wanted.” The Senior Bowl mayhelp fur-

“I think that’swhy you spend time and why youhavegood trainers,” Maye said. “It’sone of those things where it’salongseason, and sometimes things show up. Idowhatever Ican to feel 100percent. I’msure I’ll get, if not there, as closeasyou can 99 percent.”

week. Thetimeofthe day. Is it outside? Is it inside? It doesn’t matter. Just put the damn balldownand let’sgoplay.”

Bradytookthe podiumwithAllen seated in the front row,and with the silhouette of the Bills new $2.1billion stadiumevidentthrough the shaded windows of team’straining facility

“Culture startswith them,” Brady said, pointing to Allen andseveral teammates in the crowd.“Themen in the locker room set theculture, regardless of whothe head coach is. And it’smyjob to makesure I’m allowing themtobetheir personality, allowing them to play to their

personality.”

Allen, walking with crutches afterhavingsurgery fora broken bone in his right foot, played arole in thesearch processbysittingin on candidate interviews.

The quarterback lamented playing arole in McDermott’sfiring.

“If Imakeone more play that game in Denver,we’re probably not havingthispressconference right now.We’re probably not making a change andinall honesty,”hesaid, before backing Brady. “I’m very lookingforward to Joe and guys gettingbehindhim andrallying behind himand understanding his vision because Idobelieveinit.”

Brady’s immediatepriority is building outhis staff with openings at defensive,offensive andspecial teams coordinator andvariousother positions Brady’shiringstill raised questions over the team’s vision. Though he brings continuity andhas atight relationship with Allen, Brady’s also spent fourseasons as part of acoachingstaff that fellshort of SuperBowl aspirations.

ThoughBuffalo’soffensescored 24 or more points in each of itspast threeplayoff losses,the unit has struggled in the clutch.

Buffalo’sfinal drives in each of those losses ended with an interception in overtime against Denverearlier this postseason; turning the ball over on downs at midfield in a32-29 loss to Kansas City last season;and amissed field goal in a27-24 loss to Kansas City in 2023.

“I’m justasresponsible, right?” Bradysaid, noting the five turnovers theBills committedagainst Denver were on him, notthe players. “Josh Allen is the best player in the NFL, andIhavetogrow.”

Broncosowner Penner is confident in GM Paton, coachPayton

BY ARNIE STAPLETON AP pro football writer

ENGLEWOOD,Colo. Denver Broncos owner andCEO Greg Penner expressedconfidence in general manager GeorgePaton andhead coach Sean Payton as he took stock of afruitful season that came up short after quarterback Bo Nix broke an ankle in the playoffs.

“We’d love to have both of them herelong-term,” Penner said. “I think the partnership they’ve created and howtheywork together is very complementary.”

In theirthree yearsworking together,the Broncos have improved from8-9 in 2023 to 10-7 in 2024 and 15-4 this season, which included adivisional-round win over Buffalo and a10-7 lossto NewEngland in the AFCchampionship with backup QB Jarrett Stidhamunder center Paton hasone yearleftonthe six-year deal he signed in 2021 and Payton has two seasons left on his five-year deal.

The Broncos tied afranchise record with 14 wins in theregularseason and beat Buffalo in overtimefor their first playoff triumph since Super Bowl 50. But Nixbroke his right ankle on the game-winning drive and gave way to Stidham on Sunday,when Payton’sfourth-down gamble ahead

of ablizzard helped derail their Super Bowl dreams.

“Obviously the result on Sunday was disappointing and not what we wereexpecting,” Penner said. “The finalityofitistough.This is our fourth season and twogoing out in the playoffs. It hitsyou pretty hard. Thatbeing said, Ithought it wasapretty unforgettable seasonthat we’ll look back on. There werealot of successes.”

The Broncos hadsix All-Pro players, produced an 11-game winning streak and reestablished astrong homefield advantage, going9-2 at EmpowerField at Mile High.

“The main message is that we are not satisfied,” Penner said. “We know that we have alot of work to do.Wehaveobviously made alot of progressinthe lastfour years, but we are going to work our tails offthis offseason and come in next year ready to go.”

Unlike some other owners, Penner isn’tone to publiclydelve into the team’sfootball decisions.

“I’ll leave the specifics of where we fell shorttoour coaching staff and front officebecausethat’s their joband that’s what they do really well,” Penner said.“The process we’ll go through in the next couple weeks: We’ll startthe evaluationofour roster,evaluating our coaching staff.”

ther develop that vision. While the Saints’ coaches have preconceived preferences for what they want in

aplayer,thisweek allows those participating to get an up-close look at prospects. Rather than spending 20 minutes with aplayer in aformal interview,members of theSaints staffhave this week to see how they react in various settings, Thomas said.

And the Saints will trust their coaches. Ireland said he andhis scouts are focusedlargely on the National team, since they will referback to the insights Thomas and Co. gleaned from coaching the American squad.

“It is agood advantage for us, because we getalot of good information on the players that are

here,” said Saints generalmanager MickeyLoomis, whonoted New Orleans has nine assistants participating between theSenior Bowl and the recently concluded East-West Shrine Bowl. If they hit as well as theydid last year on another draft, Ireland knowsthe difference it could make.OnWednesday,the executive wasasked aboutthe leap the New England Patriots made from going4-13 in 2024 to 13-4 in 2025 withaSuper Bowlappearance on tap. Like New Orleans will have next year,the Patriots had apromising quarterback (Drake Maye) enteringYear2.And that offseason, the Patriots found the right pieces to support him Does Ireland see aparallel between the situations?

“Man, Ihopeso,” Ireland said. “That’d be great. That’d be fantastic. I’dbelying if Iwasn’tthinking it already.”

Email Matthew Parasatmatt. paras@theadvocate.com

PHOTO By BUTCH DILL

Team wide receiver Aaron Anderson runs throughdrills during practice for the Senior Bowl on TuesdayinMobile, Ala.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByJEFFREy T. BARNES

JoeBradymeets with reporters after beingintroduced as head coachof the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.y.,onThursday

AP PHOTO By CHARLES KRUPA NewEngland Patriots quarterback DrakeMayesmiles during practice on Thursdayin Foxborough, Mass.

THE VARSITY ZONE

Setting the pace

BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer

Denham Springs guard

Jeremy Williams just needed

a chance In his freshman debut for the Yellow Jackets, coach Kevin Caballero remembers what Williams told him when they broke the huddle in a summer-league game

“ ‘Coach, I’m ready if you need me,’ ” Caballero recalled. Caballero didn’t think much of the comment at the time, but Williams ended up starting 32 games that season.

Now, on a team with six seniors, the junior is one of three team captains. Williams leads the team in scoring, averaging 14.3 points per game on 43% shooting

The 6-foot-2 guard also averages 4.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.

Williams recently became a 1,000-point scorer for a Yellow Jackets team that is 18-5.

Leadership

Williams understands a leadership role is rare for juniors.

“If you’re a senior, you’re the big dog on campus,” he said. “On this team, it really doesn’t matter who wants to be a leader Anybody could be a leader.”

He doesn’t shy away from correcting teammates, even if they’re the seniors because he knows it’s all about helping the team be its best.

Williams has made strides in his game since his freshman season, but the one aspect he’s most proud of is his leadership.

“It’s leadership by example,” Caballero said “You don’t want to point him out and say, ‘Hey, look at him.’ But you don’t have to The other kids know, and they see.” ‘No quit in Jeremy’

Caballero’s analysis of Williams starts with his personality

“He brings it every day,” Cabarello said. “It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is. He’s a fierce competitor.”

Caballero pointed to Denham Springs’ 62-55 win over Central last Friday Williams scored 15 points to lead the team, but 10 of those points came in the fourth quarter and overtime.

“A lot of kids, after about three quarters, they would give up on themselves,” Caballero said of

Williams’ slow start to the game.

“But not him. No quit in Jeremy.” Williams’ will to win is evident and he can score on just about anyone, but his hustle really stand out.

“I can’t tell you how many times (he’s grabbed) an offensive rebound off a missed free throw,” Caballero said. “A charging foul, a loose ball on the ground. That’s all because you either have that or you don’t. He does.”

He’s the type of player any coach would love to have.

“He’s committed himself to wanting to win,” Cabarello said.

“One of the first text messages after we were beaten by Central in (last season’s state) semifinals was from him, ‘Coach, I’m going to make it up to you.’ ” Spotlight on Jeremy Williams started as a dual-sport athlete, also playing football. His dedication to basketball drove him to choose the hardwood.

“After my football practice was just hell,” he said. “I’d come over (to the basketball gym for) 30 minutes, and just put shots up like it’s nothing.”

He describes his past three years playing the sport as pure dedication to the game he loves.

“I’m here,” he said. “A thousand points, still starting, getting a lot of interviews. It’s just a great accomplishment, and you just want to thank God.”

The added spotlight may be new to Williams, but he doesn’t shy away from more eyes on him. He’s always been confident in his game, and he relishes each interview

“I enjoy these little moments,” he said. “I come back to this on YouTube. I watch myself play all the time. It’s just really a great accomplishment for me.”

While he doesn’t feel pressure from more attention, he still can let nerves creep up in critical moments of games.

“We’re human,” Williams said.

“I’m still a kid at the end of the day I’m only 17.”

He staves off those nerves by staying positive. The junior stays focused by keeping his mind on aspects outside of the game, like

finding his mother in the stands.

When Williams sees his family in the stands, it motivates him to play even harder.

Another tactic he employs to stay calm is singing songs to him-

self during a game. His favorite artists to sing along to are Mariah the Scientist and Ella Mai.

“I like girl artists,” Williams said. “I’m just a chill dude. I listen to some guys, but I just like the girl music a little more.”

The key is not let the negative thoughts creep in. He knows any change in mindset can affect his team.

“Can’t be nervous,” he said.

“If you’re nervous, it affects the team. It’s really all about having confidence.”

Love for the sport

The first time he dribbled a basketball at 10 years old, the sport changed his heart.

Basketball creates moments, memories and long-term goals for Williams. One of his fondest memories is the first basket he scored in a game.

“Almost made me cry the other day when I rewatched it,” he said.

He was on the Developing Character DC AAU team. His teammate attempted a layup but airballed it. Williams quickly nabbed the loose ball and just threw it up.

“It went in, and I just went down the floor and just started flexing,” he said. “My coach was hyped up. My family was hyped up.”

That love of the game has never left. He never wants to lose, but he knows the sport is bigger than the final score.

“Basketball is just a sport that you just can play to have fun,” he said. “I guarantee you, having fun and loving the game is more than just about winning and losing.”

‘This is my life’

Williams’ drive can be traced to that first summer league game with Denham Springs.

All he’s wanted was a chance, and each time he’s been given the opportunity, he’s capitalized. He now has a college offer from United International College in Dania Beach, Florida.

“That offer right there really just told me a lot,” Williams said. “I was praying a lot My confidence really boosted up because somebody gave me a chance to bring my talents.”

The sport has offered him an avenue to continue expressing the love and care he shows for everyone. Basketball reveals character, and for Williams, that’s loving others.

Experienced Gators using chemistry to rise in power ratings

BY TROY LEBOEUF

Contributing writer

St. Amant basketball coach Travis Uzee isn’t surprised by his team’s 21-3 record.

The Gators’ success stems from a “we before me” mindset, he said.

“This team is unselfish,” said Uzee, whose team is rated No. 6 in the LHSAA’s latest Division I nonselect power rankings. “They came into the season with high expectations, and up to this point, they have played up to that standard.

“They have a great chemistry together and have bought into winning comes first over personal accolades.”

The Gators picked up a key District 5-5A win over rival East Ascension last week. They trailed late in the game, but a surge fueled by their pressure defense and some clutch free throws propelled St. Amant to a 65-62 win.

“We defended our home court in the game,” Uzee said. “The kids love playing (in the Gold Dome) in front of an amazing crowd and student section. Senior Kaleb LeBlanc sealed the game at the (free-throw) line, going 4 for 4. That was a good win over a well-coached team with talent.”

The Gators (3-0 in district play) are led by a senior-laden group.

“We have a rotation of nine seniors,” Uzee said. “We play fast on offense and utilize a tough man-to-man defense. Our team has played complementary basketball this season so far.

Leading the way are senior starters DJ Schonberg (16 points per game), Jermichael Millien (11 ppg), Chase Schonberg (10 ppg), Kaleb LeBlanc (7 ppg) and Chandler Keller (6 ppg). Top reserves include Kaven Taylor (6 ppg), Evan Rapp, MJ Dunn and Ronald Joachim.

This senior group has experience and chemistry as evidenced by its balanced scoring.

DJ Schonberg and Millien recently joined the 1,000-point club for their careers.

“We have multiple kids that

have played meaningful minutes in intense games,” Uzee said. “Our biggest strength is our chemistry as a group. They are very close, and they share the ball on offense and play as one on defense. We continue to work on new offensive movements and clean up defensive stuff at practices.”

If the Gators continue to play well and defend their home court in District 5-5A, another matchup at East Ascension and a season finale at the Gold Dome against current No. 4 Denham Springs could loom large.

“Our district is very challenging, including East Ascension and Denham Springs,” Uzee said. “All the teams in our district return key players and play with toughness. We must be ready every night.”

The games are the fun part and the reward for preparing, but Uzee said he understands how important practice is.

“We must continue to come to practice with a purpose to improve and compete,” he said. “As we head into the middle of district play and the playoffs less than a month away, getting better each day is important.

“This group takes care of their business; they are veterans. The chemistry is there, that will give us an opportunity to stay focused and continue the winning mindset.”

PREP REPORT

Boys basketball Tuesday’s scores Albany 76, Sumner 41 Brusly 73, Tara 66 Capitol 62, East Feliciana 33 Central Private 71, Maurepas 45 Donaldsonville 84, Central Lafourche 56 Doyle 101, Pine 78 East Iberville 54, White Castle 45 Holden 82, Christ Episcopal 22 Plaquemine 60, Belaire 45 Port Allen 69, Northlake Christian 60 St. Amant 75, Baton Rouge Episcopal 65 St. Michael 68, Istrouma 50 Walker 52, Ponchatoula 48 Family Christian vs. Prairieville, ccd.

man each had a

By The Associated Press

SAN DIEGO Justin Rose had birdie chances on all but one hole Thursday and turned that into a 10-under 62 on the easier North course at Torrey Pines, giving him a one-shot lead in the Farmers Insurance Open on a day that marked the return of Brooks Koepka from LIV Golf. Koepka garnered much of the attention under the brilliant sunshine along the Pacific Coast, the first PGA Tour member to leave for the Saudi-funded rival league only to get out of his contract with one year left and be allowed to return. Koepka didn’t make a birdie until his final hole on the tougher South course for a 1-over 73 and was happy to get that first round behind him

“Like I said, it made me feel good just to be out here.” Rose missed the cut in his 2026 debut in The American Express last week. While the North course is easier, his game was sharp. Even without birdies on two

Seamus Power had the low score at 65 on the South course, which has hosted two U.S. Opens and played to an average score of 72.482. The average score on the North was 69.139 Of the 22 players at 67 or lower, only Power and Max McGreevy (66) were on the South.

“From the first tee on, it was great It actually made me settle down a little bit,” Koepka said.

and

“North Course clearly is one that you want to try to make the most of and it’s great to do that today for sure,” Rose said. He made par from the fairway on his closing hole at the par-5 ninth, finding a bunker, blasting out to about 4 feet and missing the birdie putt. But he only scrambled for once, on the 451-yard 14th hole and kept a clean card.

Lower lost his full card last year when the PGA Tour reduced full status to the top 100 on the FedEx Cup, down from 125 in previous years.

Junior guard Williams helping lead the way for Denham Springs

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Denham Springs guard Jeremy Williams puts in a layup against Plaquemine on Jan. 12 in Denham Springs. Williams, a junior, averages 14.3 points and 4.9 rebounds for the 18-5 yellow Jackets.

FILE PHOTO By JOHN OUBRE St. Amant basketball coach Travis Uzee has his Gators 21-3 and 3-0 in District 5-5A while ranking No. 6 in the Division I nonselect power ratings.

STAFF PHOTO By HILARySCHEINUK

Policy aims to keep fans from leaving LSUhoops games

Giveaway policy only appliestostudents

BY TOYLOYBROWN III

Staff writer

LSU athletics created anew policytoprevent students from leaving the Pete Maravich Assembly Center before the start of basketball games that feature free giveaways.

“Anystudent thatleaves the PMAC prior to tip-offwill be exit scanned and will lose the privileges to their LSU basketball student tickets forthe remainder of the season,” an LSUemail from Jan. 12 stated. This memo, first reported by The Reveille, arrived in an email before the men’sbasketball home game against Kentucky on Jan. 14. LSUathletics gave freeTshirts to thefirst500 students at thearenathat night.

Kelsey Dulinski, director of fan experience at LSU, didn’t provide The Advocate any further comment besidesthe emailedanswers she gave to The Reveille’s questions, explaining the reasoning behind this new rule.

“This policyisintendedtoensure giveaways arerewarded to students andfanswho are genuinely there to support the team,” Dulinski said. “The goal is to prevent individuals from collecting giveaway itemsand leaving before the game begins, and instead reward fans who arrive

early, stay andactively

cheer on the Tigers.”

The policy that jeopardizes students’season ticketswill be included in promotional emails before basketballgames that offer agiveaway.Dulinski said that exit scanning at these games will happen “only before tip-off.”

BeforeLSU’sgame against Missouri on Jan. 17, the first 500 students receivedaGEAUX hat. At LSU’smost recent 80-66 loss to Mississippi State on Wednesday, the first 1,500 fans had achance to pick up amini replica of the Shaquille O’Neal statue on the plazainfront of theLSU basketball practice facility

This new rule will apply to LSU women’sbasketball games featuring giveaways as well, Dulinski said. She also said there is potential that this will be “implemented with other sports in the future.”

“While thishas been an ongoing issue in past seasons, the increased popularity and improved design of recent giveaways have led to anoticeable rise in students leaving immediately after receivingitems,”Dulinski said. “This policy helps ensure giveaways reach fans who are staying to support the team.”

Students will not be exitscanned at games that don’tfeature agiveaway.This policy only applies to students with free season tickets because of their status as full-timestudents.

Assembly Center

Recurringshooting problem plaguesLSU meninloss

BY TOYLOYBROWN III Staff writer

LSU basketball has a3-point shooting problem.

The team averagesthe fewest 3-pointers in the SoutheasternConference at 6.7 per game and is 12th in percentage (32.9%). While the Tigers make the fewest3s, they’ve also had multiple games where their 3-point defensehas been exposed, usually in the firsthalf. In losses to Texas Tech andSouth Carolina and awin against Prairie View,LSU has allowed each opponent to make at least nine 3-pointersat60% in the first half.Inits one-point loss againstKentucky, it was flipped, with the Wildcats making 8of113-pointers in the second half.

In LSU’s80-66 loss to Mississippi State on Wednesday at the Pete MaravichAssembly Center, theBulldogs buried 7of14from beyond the arc. They entered the game second-to-last in the SEC in percentage (29.8).

LSU’s3-point issue was once againexacerbatedasits attempts mostly clanked off the rim, finishing 4of20, as Mississippi State was 10 of 21.

“It’sbeen multiple halves,” McMahonsaid.“Bottom line, math doesn’twork for us. We’re not an elite 3-point shooting team. SoI thinkagainst Missouri, we made 10, but they played azone, so we got alot of

LSU

Continued from page1C

play,good thingshappen. And I think we just picked up the intensity,picked up the pace, and just playedmorewithasense of urgency and focus.” Johnson and Williams struggled to score in the first half. The Tigers, however,could wait fortheir two stars to heatupbecause they received offensive contributions from elsewhere on the roster,as they did in recent matchups. Entering Thursday’scontest, eight contributors were scoring more than five points per game in SEC play,and none of them were chipping in more than 14 ppg LSU had six players score in double figures on Thursday.It shot 36% from the field in the first half but 60% in thesecond. When the Tigers’ shots weren’t falling, they crashed the glass, grabbing

LSU-SOUTHCAROLINA UPDATESSTART TIME

LSU’s road game against South CarolinaonSaturday has been moved to noon, the men’sbasketball program announced Thursday

The tip-off time was changed because the Columbia, South Carolina, area is expecting multiple inches of snow throughout the day, the release stated. Thegame will air on SEC Network+

LSU(13-8, 1-7SEC)was originally set to playSouth Carolina (11-10, 2-6) at 5 p.m. at Colonial Life Arena.

ToyloyBrownIII

high-volume, alot of open looks.

But when we’re only making four and opponents are making 10,that you’re minus 18 (points) from behind the arc.

“I don’tknowthatwe’re ever going to be in the positives there fromthe 3-point line.But we’ve got to be alot closer to anet zero.”

McMahonentered theseason feeling confident about the team’s 3-pointshooting talent as it welcomedmultiple transferswitha track record for marksmanship. Those shooters were fifth-year senior Memphis transfer PJ Carter 22-year-old freshman, former pro in Israel, Ron Zipper and senior Portland transfer MaxMackinnon.

SinceLSU has shortened its core rotation to eight players, the only one of the group playing is Mack-

enough offensive boards to earn a17-point edgeinsecond-chance points.

Freshman forwardZaKiyah Johnson scored 11 points,while sophomore center Kate Koval finished with 12 points,aseason-high 15 rebounds, fiveblocksand three steals. Because they were each on the floor to begin the second half in place of starters Grace Knox and Amiya Joyner,they were part of thelineup thatbuilt thedecisive third-quarterrun. Sophomore point guardJada Richardchippedin12points, a season-high nine assists, five rebounds andtwo steals.She hasnow scored in double figuresinseven of LSU’slast eight games. Knox added 12 points andfive rebounds. In the second half, Arkansas shot only 39% from thefield and turned the ball over 11 times. It drained 13 total 3-pointers —the mostLSU hasallowedone ofits opponents to drainall season. “I likewhat Arkansas does,”

ä LSU at South Carolina. NOON SATURDAy,SECN+

innon, who is shooting 41.2% from the 3-point line. Besides forward Pablo Tamba,who has made half of his 12 3-point attempts, no other rotation player is shooting 30% on theseason.

The cold perimeter shooting, especially on open looks,persisted against Mississippi State.

“The 3-point line continuesto be an issue for us,”McMahon said. “We’restrugglingfrom an efficiency standpoint to make 3s, and we’re giving up way too many on theotherend.So, avery disappointing performance, and great credit toMississippi State. I thought they played exceptionally well tonight.”

LSU’smisses from deep spread to ghastly numbersoverall, especially at the free-throw line. In the first half, the team was 2of8and finished the contest 12 of 23, which wasa season-low percentage and tiedaseason-low for makes.

“I thought our mental spirit coming in offthe loss Saturday in Fayetteville (against Arkansas), thetwo days of prep going into the game,” McMahonsaidwhen asked if the misses weremental or linked to frustration. “I thought it waswhat we needed to be, but clearly,they werethe aggressor andhad theurgencythat winning requires.”

Mulkeysaid. “Theydribble, penetrate and kick and reverse and do alot of it, it looks like international stuff, alittle bit.” The Razorbacks led15-8 halfway

PELICANS

Continued from page1C

eventually escorted off the court and to the locker room by Pelicans’ security officer Sherman Mushatt and Jordan Dumars, son of executive vice-president of basketball operationsJoe Dumars.

“It was atough situation,” Fearssaid Thursday after practice. “I feel like it could have been avoided alittle bit. Obviously, it was afoul there late in the game. Ithink if it was called afoul late in the game, it would have avoidedall that.”

Pelicans’ interim coach James Borrego and OKCcoach Mark Daigneault both agreed with that assessment. Daigneault said afterthe game that afoul should have beencalledonDort.

“I think that’safoulonDort,” Daigneaultsaid. “Ifitwas, they should put awhistle on that play regardless of the score and the time. Because if theydothat, everybodystopsplaying andyou legislate the situation as you normally would. But because they didn’tput awhistleonit, it’s the end of the game andthey can do nothing about it andyou end up with that situation.”

Borrego echoed similarsentiments after Thursday’spractice.

“Looking back,itcould have been handled much betterfrom theofficials’ standpoint,” Borrego said.“They are human beings,too. It could have been handled better and I’m sure the NBA hasmade that clear,and they are handling it internally They have madetheirdecision andwemoveforward.”

“It wasa tough situation. Ifeel like it could have been avoided alittlebit. Obviously,itwas a foul there late in the game. Ithink if it was called afoul late in the game, it would have avoided all that.”

JEREMIAH FEARS, Pelicans guard

defends in the second half of agame on Wednesdayatthe Smoothie KingCenter.Fears was fined for an altercation after a game in Oklahoma City,Okla

There were no suspensions issued, so Fearswill be available for Friday’shomegameagainst theMemphis Grizzlies.

through the first quarter,thanks to ared-hot offensive start. Theyhit eight of their first 11 field-goal attemptsand drained four of their first six 3-point tries, pulling ahead of an LSU team that didn’tfind a rhythm until late in thesecond quarter Arkansas had cooled off by then. The Tigers just couldn’ttake advantage. That is, until the third quarter LSUfound arhythm– andstrung together 11 straight points –by turningactivedefense into easy offense. Johnson intercepted a pass, then went coast-to-coast for an open layup. Then Williamsburied an open 3-pointer from the left wing before Johnson knocked one down from theright wing.The Tigers set up hers by stationing a stagger screen in the paint.

“They really got loose in transition in that third quarter,” firstyear Arkansas coach KelsiMusick said. “The first fiveminutes really really did put us in alittle hole.”

“I’ve had time to kinda think about it and relax and calm down,” Fearssaid. “It’s going good. Italked to my coaches and teammates as well and they told me don’tworry about it and just move on and get ready for this next game.”

Mulkey has now guided her teams to at least20wins in all26 seasons of her head coaching career.The victory over Arkansas wasthe 900th gameshe’scoached, and it pushed her career record to 774-126 (.860). UConn’sGenoAuriemma and Louisiana Tech’sLeon Barmore are the only two Division Ihead coaches with higher career winning percentages than Mulkey Thursday’scontest was also LSU’s Play4Kay game–anannual matchup geared toward raising money for the Kay YowCancer Fund. Next up forLSU is ahome game against No.24Alabama set to tip off at 11 a.m.Sunday.That matchup will conclude athree-game homestand and kick off afivegame stretchinwhich the Tigers will face four ranked opponents. LSU is 2-2 in those matchups so far.

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

STAFF PHOTO By HILARySCHEINUK LSU guard Mikaylah Williams pulls in arebound in front of Arkansas guard TaleyahJones on Thursday at the PMAC.

AP PHOTO By GERALD HERBERT Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears

LSU forward Pablo Tambadrivesthe ball around Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard on Wednesdayatthe Pete Maravich

ART ON THERISE

See the Louisiana Art& Science Museum’s newexhibit by artist MikeWeary, “The Rise of the House of Weary,”during FreeFirst Sundaythis weekend.The showispartof themuseum’s celebration of Black History Month, also known as African American HistoryMonth, and is on view through April 12. lasm.org.

MARDI GRAS ON THE MOVE

The Baton RougeGeneral’sMardi Gras Mambo 10K/15K takes placefrom 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday in downtown Baton Rouge, starting and finishing at North Boulevard Town Square. The event also includes aone-mile fun runand a finish festcarnival.Racefees are $25-$55 at runmambo.com.

as

student

works on his investigativereportinSwine Palace’sproduction of ‘The Totality of All Things.’

Facts of life

Heinousvandalism promptsa search forthe truth in ‘The

Totality of AllThings’

BY ROBINMILLER Staff writer

The setting is asmall townin America’sheartland, where everyone knows everyone.

That poses aproblemwhen the nation’spolitical divide enters the fray at the high school in Swine Palace’sproduction of Erik Gernand’sdrama, “The Totality of All Things,” where teachersand studentsalike have been best friendssince childhood. Beliefs may differ,but that doesn’tmatter among friends, whostand by each other no matter what. That is, until aswastika appears on aclassroom wall in protest of ateacher’sdecision to hang adisplay in celebration of Pride Month. An investigation ensues, prompting staff and studentsto question what they believe to be right and wrong, even pushing them to question their lifelong friendships.

Thirdtoproduce play

Swine Palace will become the third theater company to raise the curtain on this production when it opens the show on FridayinLSU’sShaver Theatre.

The play’sbeen produced in Los Angelesand Chicago. Director Keith Arthur Bolden said the playwright will attendopening night.

Bolden is aprofessor of theater at Spelman College inAtlanta, where he alsoacts and directs.

“I traverse mostly in Black theater,and unfortunately,

ERIK GERNAND’S ‘THE TOTALITY OF ALL THINGS’

ASwine Palace production

Friday-Sundayand WednesdaySaturday, Feb.4-7.All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. with the exception of the 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday. l ShaverTheatre, LSU Music and Dramatic Arts Building, Dalrymple Drive l $34. l lsu. edu/cmda/events/index.php.

Striking many chords

musiciansplaying at Superdomeconcert

ABY KEITHSPERA Staff writer

decade ago, amarine geologistinasmallItalian town had adream: He wanted the Foo Fightersto perform in his hometown.

As oneofthe world’s most popularrock bands, the Foo Fighters typically skipped towns the size of Cesena, what Fabio Zaffagnini described recentlyas a“very tiny place in themiddleof

Over the past decade, Rockin’1000 hasbrought its mass of musicians to stadiumsinFrance, Germany,Spain, Brazil and South Korea, always generating widely viewed social media content. HarryConnick,CowboyMouth to join 1,000

nowhere. They would havenever come to such asmall place unless we did something special.” So Zaffagnini came up with something special: He’d gather 1,000 musicians to performthe Foo Fighters’ “Learn to Fly” and hope avideo of theperformance caught the band’sattention. He spent ayear organizing thestunt. But sure enough, the video wentviral, Foo Fighters leader Dave Grohl saw it, and he brought the band to Cesena.

Zaffagnini realized he was onto somethingwiththisconcept of 1,000amateur musiciansperforming as theworld’s“biggest” rock band.Hedubbedthe project Rockin’1000.

ä See ROCKIN'1000, page 2D

BY JUDYBERGERON Staff writer

Twowords to remember if you’regoing to aCarnival parade this weekend—bundle up. With thefrigid temperatures continuing (the high is expected to be only 36 on Saturday),it’s time to breakout theheavy coats,

STAFF PHOTO By ROBINMILLER

Kyrin Hardnett,

journalism

Micah,

By The Associated Press

Today is Friday,Jan. 30, the 30th day of 2026.There are 335 days left in the year

Todayinhistory: On Jan. 30, 1948, Indian political and spiritual leader Mohandas K. Gandhi, 78, was shot and killed in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse, aHindu extremist.

Also on this date: In 1649, England’sKing Charles Iwas executed for high treason.

In 1933, Adolf Hitler was named chancellor of

ROCKIN’1000

Continued from page1D

On Saturday,Rockin’1000

finally makes its American debut at the Caesars Superdome. Arranged in sections by instruments, the drummers, guitarists, bassists, keyboardists, singers and, for the first time, horn players—anod to New Orleans’ musical legacy —will raise amighty racket on aroster of rock songs.

The amateurs will be augmented by afew pros. New Orleans native Harry Connick Jr.will conduct a“New Orleans welcome” featuring Dumpstaphunk, the Rumble, BigChief Monk Boudreaux and other local acts.

And veteran New Orleans rock band Cowboy Mouth will kick off the preshow Tickets start at $25.

‘Wallofsound’

Overall, “most of the musicians that are part of Rockin’1000 are just like me —they’re strummers,” Zaffagnini said. “They’re not professional guitar players. But when they come together,they can play in stadiums just like rock stars. Individually, they wouldnever get to fill up an entire stadium. But when they’re together along with999 other people, it is actually possible.”

As they crank out classic and contemporary rock songs, “the wallofsound created by 200 drums, 300 guitars, 200 bass players, is mind-blowing. It’svery hard to translate it into words. Youhave to live in it in person to know how it feels.”

Nobody gets to solo. Instead, the musicians must work together as small parts of amuch bigger whole.

“Weask our musiciansto put their ego (aside) and join the ensemble,” Zaffagnini said. “This creates avery special environment where everybody is working on the same goal —fillingupstadiums, giving agreat show

“There is no distancebetween our musicians andthe audience. We are all part of the show,basically.The audience sings along with the band.”

American debut

Why didittakea decade for Rockin’1000 to get to the United States?

“Wehad to find the right partners,” Zaffagnini said “It’savery complicated show to organize. Youhave to understand the value.”

TODAYINHISTORY

Germany. In 1968, theTet Offensive began during theVietnam WarasCommunist forces launched surprise attacks against South Vietnamese towns and cities. In 1972, 13 Catholic civil rights marchers were shot andkilled byBritish soldiers in NorthernIreland on what became known as “Bloody Sunday.” In 2020, health officials reported the first known case in which thenew coronaviruswas spread from one person to another

in the United States.

Today’sbirthdays: Actor Vanessa Redgrave is 89.

Musician Phil Collins is 75.

Actor Charles S. Dutton (“Roc”)is75. Golf Hall of Famer Curtis Strange is 71. Actor AnnDowd (“The Handmaid’sTale”) is 70.

Comedian Brett Butler (“Grace Under Fire”) is 68.

Singer Jody Watley is 67.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton,is54.

Actor Christian Bale is 52.

Actor Olivia Colman is 52.

Actor Wilmer Valderrama (“That ’70s Show”) is 46.

He found the right partner in New Orleans &Co., the official marketing firm for thecity’stourism industry NO&C is the promoter of theRockin’1000 concert at the Superdome.

SamJoffray,NO&C’s event development &production executive, zeroed in on Rockin’1000 beinga good fit forNew Orleans

“It really was right place, right time,”said New Orleans& CompanyPresident andCEO Walt Leger.“They were looking forthe right partner.Wewerelooking for the rightevent

“And when we really started digging in on it, it was, ‘Of course this has to beinNew Orleans’ —athousand musicians comingtogether from allover the world in one of the greatest cities anywhere relative to music.”

The international element, Leger said, aligns with New Orleansrecently being designateda UNESCO “cityof music,” joining Kansas City as theonly other such cityin theUnited States. Musicians from approximately 25 counties will take partinthe Jan.31showatthe Dome. Some have traveledto multiple Rockin’1000 shows.

“Once youdoit, youwant to do it againand again and again,” Zaffagninisaid

He is well aware of New Orleans’ musical legacy.On apreviousvisit to the city, he realized “you can actually breathe musichere. Musicis more than music here. You feel it, youbreathe it, you touch it.For us, itwas our pick No. 1tostart our journeyinthe United States.”

That said, don’texpect Rockin’1000 toattempt any LouisArmstrong songs

“Or course we cannotplay jazz music with 1,000people,”Zaffagnini said.“But as you get deep into music, youfeel the influence ofjazz andNew Orleans in so many

different songs.”

Headphones help Initially,Rockin’1000 setlists wereassembledvia democratic process. “But it wouldtakemonthsjust to pick asong,” Zaffagnini said. Now he generally assembles the setlist. Having ahorn section in New Orleans opens up thesetlist to include BruceSpringsteen, MarkRonson, Otis Redding andotherartists Rockin’1000 doesn’tusually cover

Butthe show will also likely encompasssuch Rockin’1000 standards as Metallica’s“Enter Sandman,” Nirvana’s“Smells Like Teen Spirit”and, of course, the Foo Fighters’ “LearnToFly.”

After weeks of rehearsing at home, the selected musicians will spend two days rehearsing at the Superdome. They’llall wear headphones containing a “click track” to helpthem stay in time. They alsohear vocal commands in their headphones“so they do not get lostinthe song,”Zaffagnini said. “You really have to focus on listening in your headphones. Otherwise it’s impossible to play.”

Having 1,000 musicians spread across afootball field presents certain acoustic challenges.Rockin’1000 audio engineers have figured out how to makeitall sound cohesive.

“It sounds like amiracle when youhear it,”Zaffagnini said. “Wecreatenatural reverb.”

The musicians“are going to leavewith adeep connection to each other,” Leger said.“It’s thekindofthing where, years from now, people will say,‘Iwas there when that happened.’”

Email KeithSpera at kspera@theadvocate.com.

‘TOTALITY’

Continuedfrom page1D

Black theater is mostly traversing in trauma,” Bolden said. “So, I’ve been dealing with trauma since1991 when Ibecame an actor in school.

But “Totality” doesn’t exclusivelydealwithBlack issues or characters.

“The thingthat I’m enjoying about this play is that it still speaks to my artivism —the political,racial minds and tension in the country,” Bolden continued. “So, it’s very importantfor me to create asafespace in the room for people to be able to communicate and physically be comfortable.”

Notalwayspretty

Though the Gernand’s story takes place in atypical school setting, where even teachers taketime to cheer on the football team, it isn’tpretty.The tale revolves around the school’s journalism teacher,Judith, played by Nicole Lovince, who hangs an LGBTQ+ display in her classroom

Thedisplay notonlycelebrates Gay Pride Month but also theU.S. Supreme Court’sdecision to legalize same-sex marriage.

Meanwhile, Judithis known for producing award-winning student newspapersand is uncompromising when it comes to truthand moral clarity

“Judithisthe truthseeker,the lighthouse,” said Lovince, amaster of fine arts student from New Orleans. “She headsupthe journalism department, and she pushes the students to really find truth. And so Judith is after thetruth of what the situationis, no matterwhatitmay cost any individual —including herself —involved.”

In theend,truth is Judith’spriority,evenifit costs friendships.

“Truth is ultimately the mostimportantthing,” Lovince said. “But thenalso there’sa dilemma around,

well, whose truth are we following? And does truth become division? And so, I think we see Judith struggling with that line and where do we, as humans, choose the moral ground versus like what we believe? And is the truth ultimately the right thing if it’s hurting everyone around you? And Ithink most people can relate to that.”

Judith asks theprincipal, played by Michael Hyatt, to take actiononthe vandalism,but he opts foracoverup. So, she assigns an investigative story to Micah astudent who hascome out as gay,and is played by Kyrin Hardnett.

“So, we follow this student as he investigates throughout the play,” Lovince said.

Adifferent truth

Meanwhile, Judith’sfellow teacher and best friend Deeann, playedbyZoe Godfrey-Grinage, is conflicted.

“I would say Deeann is alittlebit theopposite of Judith,”saidGodfrey-Grinage,amaster of fine arts student from San Francisco. “She’sjust an old-fashionedIndiana woman with Christianvalues, andshe

loves what she does, but I feel like forher,she doesn’t really getintopoliticsor the nitty-gritty of things. But when this happens,it’s like you cannot not say anything. So she has to navigate her political standpoint and herpolitical views, which are not the sameasJudith’s.”

Yetthe twoteachers are best friends.

“So I’m just navigating hertruth throughout the whole play,” Godfrey-Grinage said. “It’slike, ‘What does she believe in?’ because her truth might not look like everybody else’s.”

Now,truth isn’talways pretty,which is why Swine Palace is issuing awarning that the story not only includes visuals of hate speech but also briefmentions of suicide, references to death of achild andan offstage act of extremist violence. But does Judith find justiceatthe end? No spoilers here —the answer can be found only in her classroom at the Shaver Theatre. Email RobinMillerat romiller@theadvocate. com.

STAFFPHOTO By ROBIN MILLER Judith, played by Nicole Lovince, right, reports an incident of hate speechvandalisminher classroom to Principal Benson, played by Michael Hyatt, in SwinePalace’s‘The TotalityofAll Things.

PROVIDED PHOTO By ROCKIN’1000

The 2026 Rockin’1000 in the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans will be the firstRockin’1000 concert in the United States.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

EVENING SKY VIEW-

ING: 8:30 p.m.-10 p.m.,

BRECHighland Road Park Observatory, 13800 Highland Road. See the majesty of the night sky in these public viewings for those 6and up. hrpo lsu.edu/events.

SATURDAY RED STICK FARMERS

MARKET: 8a.m.-noon, Fifth and Main streets, downtown. Farm-fresh produce,goods, cooking demonstrations. breada org.

FAMILY-HOUR STARGAZING: 10 a.m., IreneW Pennington Planetarium at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum, 100 S. River Road. Learn about the stars and constella-

FRIDAY

tions in the local nighttime sky,followedbyan all-ages show. lasm.org. “MARTY SUPREME”: 2p.m., Manship Theatre 100 Lafayette St. Newrelease film starringTimothée ChalametasMarty Mauser, ayoung man withadream no one respects, who goesto hell and back in pursuit of greatness.Alsostarring Gwyneth Paltrow and Odessa A’zion.$8.50. manshiptheatre.org.

MARDI GRAS CAJUN

DANCE: 7:30 p.m Ric Seeling Dance Studio, 10776 N. Harrells Ferry Road. Free dance lessons at 6:45 pm for anyone withpaid admission Doors open at 6:30 pm. Costumesencouraged, butoptional.Bring

TAYLOR RAE: GalvezSeafood, Prairieville, 6p.m

GROOVE UNIT: El Paso, Gonzales, 6p.m

TOBY TOMPLAY: Crowne Plaza, 6p.m.

THE LONGNECK SOCIETY: Papi’s Fajita Factory,Denham Springs, 6p.m.

KRESSLEY COLLURA: Court To Table, 6p.m.

ERIC BASKIN: Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 6p.m.

MIKE ESNEAULT: Stab’s Restaurant, 6p.m.

EDDIE SMITH: T’Quilas, Zachary,6 p.m.

ERIC GAUTREAUX: Tallulahat the Renaissance, 6p.m

UNITED WE JAM: El Mejor, St. Francisville, 6:30 p.m.

KAITLYN WALLACE: Mi Padres, Dutchtown,6:30 p.m

STONE SOBER: El Paso,Denham Springs, 6:30 p.m.

THE LEE SERIOBAND: T’Quilas, Denham Springs 6:30 p.m.

JEFF BAJON PROJECT: Bin 77 7p.m.

CAKE MIXX: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 7p.m.

PETER SIMON: 18 Steak at L’Auberge, 7p.m.

ACROSS THE POND GUITAR FESTIVAL: Manship Theatre, 7:30 p.m. THE NEALBROTHERS: Phil Brady’s, 8p.m.

MARC BROUSSARD: L’Auberge Event Center, 8p.m.

KENDALL SHAFFERBAND: Coop’s on 621, Gonzales, 8p.m.

HENRYTURNER JR. &ALL-

STARS: Henry Turner Jr.’s ListeningRoom, 8p.m.

CHRIS OCMAND: Riverbend Terrace II at L’Auberge, 8p.m.

FEW BLUE: Court To Table, 8:30 p.m.

SWEET SOUTHERN HEAT: Churchill’s, 9p.m.

THE DUPONT BROTHERS: The Vineyard, 9p.m

SAMFORSHEY BLUESBAND: FatCat Saloon, Prairieville 9p.m.

CHRIS LEBLANC BAND: The Edge Bar at L’Auberge,9p.m.

THE HOTTOPICS: Icehouse TapRoom, 9p.m

SATURDAY

IAN WEBSTER DUO: Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 5:30 p.m.

STYK: T’Quilas, Zachary, 6p.m.

SAMRUSSO: Court To Table, 6p.m.

JOVIN WEBB: El Paso,Gonzales, 6p.m.

DRAMA KINGS: Victoria’s Mexican, Denham Springs, 6p.m.

DOUBLE SHOT: T’Quilas, Den-

PROVIDED PHOTO Timothée Chalamet stars in the new film ‘Marty Supreme,’screening at 2p.m.Saturdayatthe Manship Theatre. Stick around for the new-release foreign film ‘The Secret Agent’ at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $8.50 for each film.

snacks and beverages.

$10, Cajun French Music Association members;

$15, nonmembers; $10, students with ID; free, children 12 and under.

SHOWSTOWATCH —BATON ROUGE

batonrougecajundance. com.

SUNDAY

FREE FIRSTSUNDAY: Louisiana Art &Science Museum, 100 S. River Road; Old State Capitol, 100 North Blvd.;Old Governors’ Mansion, 502 North Blvd.;Magnolia Mound Museum +HistoricSite, 2161 NicholsonDrive; LSU Museum of Art,100 Lafayette St.; and Cary Saurage Community Arts Center,233 St.Ferdinand St.and LSU Center for River Studies, 100Terrace Ave. Free admission to all exhibits and installations, plus reduced-price entry to LASM’s Irene Pennington Planetarium shows

MONDAY POETRYWRITINGWORKSHOP: 3p.m., Main Library at Goodwood,7711 Goodwood Blvd. Watch poetrywriting tutorials, offervariousprompts for inspiration andshare poems. Free. ebrpl.com.

TUESDAY BATONROUGE CHESS CLUB: 6p.m.-8 p.m La Divina Italian Cafe,3535 Perkins Road, Unit 360. A chance to play and learn; all levels welcome.Free.

WEDNESDAY “RIGHTINTHE EYE”: 7:30 p.m., Manship Theatre, 100 Lafayette St. Live movie concert based on GeorgesMéliès’ films

THURSDAY RED STICKFARMERS

MARKET: 8a.m.-noon, Pennington Biomedical Research Center,6400 Perkins Road. Farm-fresh produce,goodsand more. facebook.com/ redstickfarmersmarket.

WEEKLYSOCIAL BIKE RIDE: 7p.m., Geaux Ride, 521 N. ThirdSt., SuiteA Free. fareharbor.com.

Compiled by Judy Bergeron. Have an open-to-the-public event you’d like to promote? Emaildetails to red@theadvocate. com. Deadline is 5p.m. Friday for the following Friday’spaper

Guitarist and singer-songwriter Anders Osborne, seen here performingatthe NewOrleans Jazz &HeritageFestival in 2024, takes the stageatthe Manship Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Tickets start at $46.

ham Springs,6 p.m ROCKIN’ ROUGE: El Paso Denham Springs,6:30p.m.

DANIEL BAILEY: Le Chien Brewing Co., Denham Springs, 6:30 p.m

MARK BABIN BAND: El Mejor, St. Francisville, 6:30 p.m.

CHRISROBERTS: Bin 77

7p.m.

MATT TORTORICH: 18 Steak at L’Auberge, 7p.m.

ALLISON COLLINS TRIO: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 7p.m.

CHOUPIQUE CAJUN BAND: Ric Seeling Dance Studio, 7:30 p.m

SUBFLUENCE: O’Hara’s Irish Pub, 8p.m.

AGEOF REASON: Backstreet Lounge, 8p.m.

DENTON HATCHER: Riverbend Terrace II at L’Auberge, 8p.m.

JAMES MCCANN &FRIENDS: Mid City Ballroom, 8p.m.

ACOUSTIC SATURDAYSW/ HENRYTURNER: Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 8p.m. THE SPECS: Court To Table, 8:30 p.m

JOSH ABBOTT BAND: The TexasClub,9 p.m THE DRUNK UNCLES: FatCat Saloon, Prairieville, 9p.m. JOEL COOPER&SCOTT JORDAN: The Vineyard, 9p.m.

LOUISIANA LANDFALL: Swamp Chicken Daiquiris, St. Amant, 9p.m. LA GROOVE: Churchill’s, 9p.m.

SUNDAY

PECANPRALINES: Galvez Seafood, Prairieville, 10:30 a.m.

KIRK HOLDER: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 11 a.m.

JUSTIN BURDETTE TRIO: Superior Grill MidCity, 11 a.m.

JAZZ BRUNCH: RedStick Social, noon

SONGWRITER SUNDAYS: La Divina Italian Cafe,5 p.m.

LUCY YOES: PizzaByronz, 5p.m

OPEN MIC JAM: FatCat Saloon,Prairieville, 7p.m

MONDAY

MIKEESNEAULT: Stab’s Restaurant, 6p.m

TUESDAY

EDDIE SMITH: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

BUBBAPLAUCHÉ: BLDG 5, 5:30 p.m.

LSU JAZZ JAM: Classic Vinyls, 6p.m

SONGWRITERS OPEN MIC: Le Chien Brewing Co Denham Springs, 6:30 p.m.

KIRK HOLDER: Bin 77, 6:30 p.m.

SONGWRITERS OPEN MICW/ HEATH RANSONNET: Coop’s on 621, Gonzales,7p.m

ANDYPIZZOTRIO: Hayride Scandal, 7:30 p.m.

OPEN MIC JAM: O’Hara’s Irish Pub, 8p.m

THURSDAY

BUBBAPLAUCHÉ: Backstreet Lounge, 6p.m

DRAMA KINGS: Maria Mezcal, Livingston, 6p.m

KYBALION: El Paso-Sherwood, 6p.m

GARYRAGAN: La Divina Italian Cafe, 6p.m

KAITLYN WALLACE DUO: T’Quilas, Denham Springs, 6p.m

BEN BELL &THE STARDUST

BOYS: The Brakes Bar, 7p.m

ANDERS OSBORNE: Manship Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

HENRY TURNER JR. &ALLSTARS: Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 8p.m

HEATH RANSONNET: The Vineyard,9p.m

PECOS &THE ROOFTOPS/ KG &THE BADHABITS: The TexasClub, 9p.m BLUES JAM: Phil Brady’s, 9p.m

OUTLYING

SATURDAY

KING GEORGE: MáriShowroom at Paragon Casino Marksville, 8p.m

Compiled by Marchaund Jones. Want your venue’s musiclisted? Email info/ photos to showstowatch@ theadvocate.com. The deadline is noon FRIDAY for the following Friday’s paper

PARADES

Continued from page1D

this Livingston Parish parade, known for its elaborate floats, many marching bands anddance groups, andfamily atmosphere. Formoreinfo,email kreweofdsparadecaptain@ gmail.com. KreweofCheminNeuf

6p.m. Saturday, from New Roads Street, ending on Parent Street, New Roads It’sthe small Pointe CoupeeParish town’snewest Mardi Gras tradition. Expect lighted floats, local performances anda festive atmosphere at this familyfriendly parade. But don’twaituntil dark to gettoNew Roadsonparade day.The CheminNeuf Mardi Gras Festival, celebrating culture and community,runs all day,with family activities, the Sweet Pecan Challenge, live music from local bands and food vendors. The krewesupports the Pointe Coupee and West Feliciana Health Services Foundation. Formore, visit kreweofcheminneuf.com. Email Judy Bergeron at jbergeron@theadvocate. com.

FILE PHOTO By CHRISGRANGER

AQuARIuS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Clear apath and lead theway. Change will motivate you to engage in what brings you the most joy. Stop letting others choose for you when you have the power to decide for yourself

PIScES (Feb. 20-March 20) Stop vacillating and start putting your thoughts and ideas to work for you. Peace of mind comes from getting things done, and happiness from feeling good about what you do.

ARIES (March21-April 19) It's what you accomplish that counts. Be creative when lending ahelping hand, and use your skills and experience to sidestep anyone who tries to take advantage of you.

TAuRuS (April 20-May20) Take agreater interest in establishing facts and researching thepossibilities. Refuse to let someone lead you in adirection that exceeds your budget. Protect your reputation and meaningful relationships.

GEMInI (May21-June 20) Use your powers of persuasion to gain acceptance. Callin favors and keep the momentumflowing. Don't be shy; if you wanttoget to know someone better, use your charm and chat them up.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Take care of responsibilities first and then enjoy your downtime. Make plans to participate in an event that sparks your interest or promises to helpyou hone or update your skills.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Don'thidebehind a blank smile when you have something

on your mind that needs to be said or done. Choose your wordswisely,and you'llget your point across without offending anyone.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Examineyour position, purposeand prospects, and consider what you wanttodonext. Trips, talks and negotiations about what you wish to pursue personally or professionally are encouraged.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-oct. 23) Share information carefully. If you are too blunt, you'll send the wrong message. There is kindness in honesty that you cannot duplicate by sparing someone's feelings.

ScoRPIo(oct.24-nov. 22) Set abudget and consider your options. Surrounding yourselfwith peoplewho bring out the best in you will point you in apositive direction and encourage you to distance yourselffromelementsthat dragyou down.

SAGITTARIuS (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Choose the most obscure path, and you'll discover something or someone you find entertaining. Make domesticchoices that encourage you to live life your way.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Gettogether with someone whomakes you think and encourages you to be yourself. What you gainbysurrounding yourselfwith those who have much to offer will make you feel invincible.

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

CIpher

Celebrity Ciphercryptograms are created fromquotations by famous people, past and present.Eachletterinthe cipher stands foranother.

ToDAy'S cLuE:H EQuALSV

FAMILY CIrCUS

CeLebrItY

bAILeY

Sudoku

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

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

THe wiZardoFid

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

and LoiS

Puzzle Answer

By PHILLIP ALDER

One of the arts of defenseispainting the wrong picture of adeal for declarer. He thinks the cards lie one way when theyactually lie differently. The2013 International BridgePress Association Gidwani Family Trust Defense of theYearaward waswon by Fredrik Nystromfrom Sweden. The journalist prize went to Micke Melander from Sweden.

Thedeal occurred during the 2012 World Mind Sports Games (formerly WorldTeamOlympiad) finalinLille, France. (These were held too latetobe considered for that year’s awards.) A naturalauctionled to South’s playing in fourhearts. West led histhird-highest club.

The contract didnot look tootesting South, expecting to lose at most two hearts andone diamond, won with dummy’s club ace (East dropped thequeen, promising the jack as well) and played a trump to his king. West took hisace and returned alow club.Declarer ruffed away East’sjack and continued with the heart jack. What did Nystrom(East) do after winning with his queen?

South, Cezary Balicki from Poland, the world’s 14th-ranked player, needed to get to hishandtodrawEast’s last trump. We can seethathecould have done that in diamonds.However,Eastcashedhis

diamond ace,then led hisspade nine.

To declarer, it looked as though East had begun with asingleton diamond ace. South, thinking that he had to enter hishand by ruffingthe third round of spades, won with dummy’s spade queen and tried to cash thespade ace. East’s ruffwas aconsiderable shock.

©2026 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

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

Previous answers: wuzzles

word game

InsTRucTIons: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,”such as “bats”or“dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are notallowed.

ToDAy’sWoRD EXERTIon: ek-SER-shun: Alaborious effort.

Average mark 32 words

Time limit 45 minutes

Can you find 41 or more words in EXERTION?

yEsTERDAy’s WoRD —MARGIns

magi main margin agism amir arming arms ragi rain rang rani ring gain gamin gnar grain gram grim grin sang sari sarin sigma sign sing snag

thought

loCKhorNs

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

hidato mallard