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ICYCHAOS

RuralEastCarroll Parish endures shatteredtrees, trappedpeople, prison breakduringwinterstorm

BY AIDAN McCAHILL Staff writer

Zachary Frasier and his wife were driving down astreet in LakeProvidencelastFridaywhensomething white drifted across theroad.Itwas around 10 p.m. and pitch black, so he pulled over and spotted abag lying in the street.

The 32-year-old Frasier was about to turn in after aday of delivering foodand water to people across East Carroll Parish. It was almost aweek

after acrippling ice storm shattered trees, trapped people in their homes and left nearly everyone in the parish without power He also knew accused killers were on theloose. Early that morning, eightinmates brokeout of Riverbend Detention Center just afew miles away.Itwas the same facility where hislate father hadbeen warden during adecades-long career in law enforcement. Down the street, his two children werestaying with hismother

on Sunday.

With aﬂashlight in one hand and aGlock .40 pistol in the other,he stepped out of his truck intothe bitter cold. Thebeamhovered over a ﬁgure in theroadside thicket, Frasier recalled, though it took him afew moments to realize it was aperson.

“I said, ‘Man I’m telling you, if someoneelseiswith you, if they come out of thatbush, I’m shooting you.’”

Theman called for hispartner

ä See CHAOS, page 11A

Twomore candidates exit race forSenate

BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer

The impact of U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow’sdecision to challenge U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy —with President Donald Trump’sendorsement —continued to reverberate Tuesday as two morecandidates dropped out of the Senate race.

State Sen. Blake Miguez said he would run instead forthe 5th Congressional District seat that Letlowisvacating, while St. Tammany Parish Council member Kathy Seidensaid she would exit the race and endorse Letlow

State Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro, announced two weeks ago that Letlow’s entry into the Senate election had prompted her to get out. Letlow jumped in on Jan. 20 after receiving Trump’s coveted endorsement.

“WhenDonaldTrump endorsed Letlow,ittook all the air out of the room. All the attention immediately went to Letlow,” said Robert Collins, aprofessor of urban studiesand public policyat Dillard University.“She becomes the prohibitive favorite if you look at the polls.”

“When Donald Trump endorsed Letlow, it took all the air out of theroom.All theattention immediately went to Letlow. She becomes theprohibitive favoriteifyou look at the polls.”

ROBERTCOLLINS, DillardUniversity professorofurban studies and public policy

As The Times-Picayune |The Advocate reported Monday,three recently released polls show Letlow defeating Cassidy in ahead-to-head matchup. Cassidy’sown survey showed himtrailing her 46%-40%,though Cassidy’scampaign says he

French Quarter Festival gets bigger

Eventexpands riverfront footprint

BY KEITH SPERA Staff writer

With hundreds of thousands of attendees and more than 300 acts,the French Quarter Festival is already theworld’slargest free celebration of NewOrleans and south Louisiana music, food andculture

This year,it’sgetting even bigger

The festival’sproducers announced Tuesday that the 2026 French Quarter Festival, set forApril 1619, willexpand its footprint to Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park, agreen space at the Gov. Nicholls Street wharf. The festival has for years ﬁlled Woldenberg Park behind Audubon Aquarium.Expanding to this new, downriver site at Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park, which can be accessedalong theriverfront

ä See FESTIVAL, page 12A

BY BLAKEPATERSON Staff writer

Mayor Helena Moreno and the New Orleans City Council said they plan to use $2.8 millioninﬁnes levied against Entergy New Orleans seven years ago to repair lighting on Interstate 10 and on other majorcity roadways. Themoney stemsfrom a $5 million fine the council

ordered Entergy to pay in 2019 in connection witha paid-actors scandal that apparently has gone largely unspentinthe yearssince, despite acity budget crisis and afailed 2019 push by formerMayor LaToya Cantrell to spend allofiton theembattled Sewerage& Water Board. TheannouncementTuesdaybuilds on Moreno’s “Lights On” initiative, which launched in January and requiresher team to produce agame plan formaintaining the city’smore than 54,000

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

An Entergyutility truck worksonlines along Harding Street in Lake Providence

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

13-year-old swims for 4 hours to save family

MELBOURNE,Australia A 13-yearold boy swam for four hours in cold and choppy waters to save his mother and two younger siblings who had been swept out to sea off the coast of Western Australia.

The family, from the state capital Perth, were using kayaks and paddleboards on Friday morning when rough ocean and wind conditions started dragging them out. Teenager Austin Appelbee swam about 2.5 miles to shore to raise the alarm, police said.

“The waves are massive and I have no life jacket on. I just kept thinking ‘just keep swimming, just keep swimming,’ ” Austin said Tuesday “And then I ﬁnally made it to shore and I hit the bottom of the beach and I just collapsed.”

Jill Biden’s first husband charged with killing wife

WILMINGTON, Del. — The ﬁrst husband of former first lady Jill Biden has been charged with killing his wife at their Delaware home in late December, authorities announced in a news release Tuesday

William Stevenson, 77, of Wilmington was married to Biden from 1970 to 1975

Caroline Harrison, the Delaware Attorney General’s Office spokesperson, confirmed in a phone call that Stevenson is the former husband of Biden Biden declined to comment, according to an emailed response from a spokesperson at the former president and first lady’s office.

Stevenson remains in jail after failing to post $500,000 bail after his arrest Monday on ﬁrstdegree murder charges He is charged with killing Linda Stevenson, 64, on Dec. 28.

NASA delays astronauts’ lunar trip until March

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA’s long-awaited moonshot with astronauts is off until at least March because of hydrogen fuel leaks that marred the dress rehearsal of its giant new rocket

It’s the same problem that delayed the Space Launch System rocket’s debut three years ago. That first test flight was grounded for months because of leaking hydrogen, which is highly flammable and dangerous.

“Actually, this one caught us off guard,” NASA’s John Honeycutt said Tuesday, hours after the test came to an abrupt halt at Kennedy Space Center Until the exasperating fuel leaks, the space agency had been targeting as soon as this weekend for humanity’s first trip to the moon in more than half a century

“When you’re dealing with hydrogen it’s a small molecule. It’s highly energetic and we like it for that reason and we do the best we can,” Honeycutt explained Officials said the monthlong delay will allow the launch team to conduct another fueling test before committing the four astronauts — three U.S. and one Canadian — to a lunar ﬂy-around. It’s too soon to know when the countdown dress rehearsal might be repeated Spain looks to ban social media for under-16s

MADRID Spain plans to ban social media access for children under 16, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Tuesday in a move designed to shield young people from the harms of online content.

Sánchez chided the world’s biggest tech companies in a speech at a Dubai summit, saying they allow illegal content such as child sex abuse and nonconsensual sexualized deepfake images to proliferate on their platforms. He said that governments also needed to “stop turning a blind eye.”

Immigration agents pull guns, arrest activists

People were trailing their vehicles in Minneapolis

BY RYAN MURPHY, SARAH RAZA and STEVE KARNOWSKI Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS Immigration ofﬁcers with guns drawn arrested activists who were trailing their vehicles on Tuesday in Minneapolis, while education leaders described anxiety and fear in Minnesota schools from the ongoing federal sweeps. Both are signs that tension remains in the Minneapolis area after the departure of high-proﬁle commander Greg Bovino of U.S. Border Patrol and the arrival of Trump administration border czar Tom Homan which followed the fatal shooting of protester Alex Pretti.

“There’s less smoke on the ground,” Gov Tim Walz said, referring to tear gas and other irritants used by officers against protesters, “but I think it’s more chilling than it was last week because of the shift to the schools, the shift to the children.”

At least one person who had an anti-ICE message on clothing was handcuffed while face-down on

the ground. An Associated Press photographer witnessed the arrests.

Federal agents in the Twin Cities lately have been conducting more targeted immigration arrests at homes and neighborhoods, rather than staging in parking lots. The convoys have been harder to ﬁnd and less aggressive. Alerts in activist group chats have been more about sightings than immigrationrelated detainments.

Several cars followed ofﬁcers through south Minneapolis after there were reports of them knocking at homes. Officers stopped their vehicles and ordered activists to come out of a car at gunpoint. Agents told reporters at the scene to stay back and threatened to use pepper spray Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said agents detained the activists because they hindered efforts to arrest a man who is in the country illegally A federal judge last month put limits on how ofﬁcers treat motorists who are following them but not obstructing their operations. Safely following agents “at an appropriate distance does not, by itself, create reasonable suspicion to justify a vehicle stop,” the judge said. An appeals court, however, set the order aside.

Bovino, who was leading immigration enforcement in Minneapolis and other big U.S. cities, left town last week, shortly after Pretti’s death became the second local killing of a U.S. citizen in January Homan, who was dispatched to Minnesota to succeed Bovino, has warned that protesters could face consequences if they interfere with ofﬁcers. Walz and education leaders held a news conference to say the presence of immigration ofﬁcers is frightening some school communities. Brenda Lewis, superintendent of Fridley Public Schools in suburban Minneapolis, said she has been followed twice by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents since speaking publicly on Jan. 27 and that school board members have had ICE vehicles outside their homes.

Lewis, a U.S citizen, said she has seen SUVs with tinted windows, multiple masked people inside and out-of-state license plates. She goes on neighborhood patrols near schools with a security guard.

“Students are afraid to come to school, parents are afraid to drop them off,” Lewis said. “Staff are coming to work wondering if today will be the day something happens in one of our buildings.”

Russia bombards Ukraine a day before planned peace talks

BY KAMILA HRABCHUK Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine Russia carried out a major overnight attack on Ukraine in what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday was a broken commitment to halt striking energy infrastructure as the countries prepared for more talks on ending Moscow’s 4-year-old full-scale invasion.

The bombardment included hundreds of drones and a record 32 ballistic missiles, wounding at least 10 people. It speciﬁcally took aim at the power grid, Zelenskyy said, as part of what Ukraine says is Moscow’s ongoing campaign to deny civilians light, heating and running water during the coldest winter in years.

“Taking advantage of the coldest days of winter to terrorize people is more important to Russia than diplomacy,” Zelenskyy said. Temperatures in Kyiv fell to minus 4 Fahrenheit during the night and stood at minus 3 F on Tuesday NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte visited Kyiv in a show of support. He said that the overnight strikes raise doubts about Moscow’s intentions on the eve of talks, calling them “a really bad signal.”

He added that it was clear that the attacks only strengthen Ukrainians’ resolve.

Ofﬁcials have described recent talks between Moscow and Kyiv delegations as constructive. But after a year of efforts, the Trump administration is still searching for a breakthrough on key issues such as who keeps the Ukrainian land that Russia’s army has occupied, and a comprehensive settlement appears distant. The talks in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to dis-

cuss how to end the ﬁghting. “But no one is going to surrender,” he said.

A Kremlin ofﬁcial said last week that Russia had agreed to halt strikes on Kyiv for a week until Sunday because of the frigid temperatures, following a personal request from U.S. President Donald Trump to Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, the bitter cold is continuing and so are Russia’s aerial attacks.

Zelenskyy, however, accused Russia of breaking its commitment to hold off its attacks on Ukraine’s energy assets, claiming the weeklong pause was due to come into force last Friday

“We believe this Russian strike clearly violates what the American side discussed, and there must be consequences,” he said.

The bombardment of at least ﬁve regions of Ukraine comprised 450 longrange drones and 70 missiles, Ukrainian ofﬁcials said.

Russian ofﬁcials provided no immediate response to Zelenskyy’s comments.

Military: U.S. shoots down Iran drone

BY KONSTANTIN TOROPIN and FARNOUSH AMIRI Associated Press

WASHINGTON A U.S. Navy

ﬁghter jet shot down an Iranian drone that was approaching the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, U.S. Central Command said Tuesday threatening to ramp up tensions as the Trump administration warns of possible military action to get Iran to the negotiating table. The drone “aggressively approached” the aircraft carrier with “unclear intent” and kept flying toward it “despite deescalatory measures taken by U.S. forces operating in international waters,” Central Command spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said in a statement. The shootdown occurred within hours of Iranian forces harassing a U.S.-flagged and U.S.-crewed merchant vessel that was sailing in the Strait of Hormuz, the American military said.

The developments could escalate the heightened tensions between the longtime adversaries as President Donald Trump has threatened to use military action ﬁrst over Iran’s bloody crackdown on nationwide protests and then to try to get the country to make a deal over its nuclear program. Trump’s Republican administration has built up military forces in the region, sending the aircraft carrier, guidedmissile destroyers, air defense assets and more to supplement its presence.

The Shahed-139 drone was shot down by an F-35C ﬁghter jet from the Lincoln, which was sailing about 500 miles from Iran’s southern coast, Hawkins said. No American troops were harmed, and no U.S. equipment was damaged, the military’s statement noted. Iranian state media reported that Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard is investigating the “interruption” of the drone.

Semi-official Tasnim news agency posted on its Telegram that before the footage cut out, the drone was able to successfully transfer the images it took back to Iran.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By RyAN MURPHy

Activists following agents’ vehicles Tuesday are approached by a federal agent brandishing a firearm in Minneapolis.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ALEX BABENKO People take shelter Tuesday in a metro station being used as a bomb shelter during a Russian drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Congressvotes to endpartial shutdown

La.delegationfollows partylines on bill

BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON Louisiana’s congressionaldelegation votedTuesday along party lines on abill to approve the funding bills thatend thethree-day partialfederal government shutdown.

President Donald Trump signed the legislation two hours later with House Speaker Mike Johnson standingbyhis side in theOvalOfﬁce, holding ascarlet “America is Back” cap.

“He’sdone an incredible job,” Trump said of Johnson, R-Benton.

“The hatisappropriate,” Johnson responded.

The legislationofficially eliminates funding for public radio and publictelevision raises payfor military members, and invests in shipbuilding industries, among other spending for the departments of Energy, Defense, Treasury,State,Labor,Transportation, Health and HumanServices, and Education.

It was aclose-run series of votes that led to the 217 to 214 vote on ﬁnal passage for legislation that funds about 75% of the federal government’sagencies and services.

The package approves ﬁve spending bills through Sept. 30. Asixth instrument in the package allows the DepartmentofHomelandSecurityto operate until Feb. 13 to allow time for negotiations between Democrats and Republicans on instituting guidelines for how federal agents enforce immigration laws.

Democrats havecalledfor major changes to immigration enforcement after two citizens were shot and killed during acrackdowninMinneapolis.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

President DonaldTrump listens TuesdayasHouse

Speaker MikeJohnson, R-Benton, speaks in the Oval Office of the White House

“This administration has been using Americans’ taxpayerdollars to terrorize law-abiding immigrants, kill U.S.citizens,detainchildren and endanger communities,” said U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, D-New Orleans. “Wecannot be silent while this president ignoresour constitution and ourrule of law.”

Twenty-one Republicans voted against the bill and 21 Democratic members voted for thepackage.

Louisiana’sfour House Republicans —Johnson;Majority Leader Steve Scalise, of Jefferson;and Reps.Julia Letlow,ofBaton Rouge,and ClayHiggins,ofLafayette approved of the package.

“These billsfurther our America First agenda by cutting wasteful spending, supporting our troops and deliveringcrucial infrastructure for Louisiana communities,” Letlowsaid, pointing to a$3.5 millionappropriation fora waterrescue facility at the Louisiana Fireand Emergency Training Academy in Baton Rouge Democratic Reps. Carter andCleo Fields, of Baton Rouge,voted againstthe legislation.

“While Isupport the continuedfunction of our gov-

ernment and ensuring our military personneland essential federal workersreceive the paychecks they have earned, this legislation continues to direct billions of taxpayer dollars towardthe Department of Homeland Security,”Fields said. “Myvote reflects asimple principle: no additionalfederal dollars should be spent in support of immigration enforcement strategies that have proven overlyaggressive,ineffective and inconsistent with our American values.”

In addition to theimmigrationactivities of Homeland Security, the sixthbill in thepackage includes funding theFederal Emergency Management Agency,Coast Guard, Secret Service and the Transportation Security Administration.

“Wegot the bills over the line,” Johnson said moments after the finalvote on the House floor.“We’ve now funded 11 of the12separate appropriations funding bills for the government for the year. And that’s abig achievement because it’sa big move towards regular order.”

Johnson is referring to Congress’ inability overthe past decade or so to agreeon annual spending measures that traditionally were detailed in 12 appropriations bills. Congress hadfallen back on aprocedureofpassing resolutions to continue spending at theprevious year’slevels,then having leadership merge spending levels into asingle massive omnibus bill on which members of both chambers can only voteupordown.

Email Mark Ballard at mballard@theadvocate. com.

BY MICHAEL KUNZELMAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON Afederal judge said Tuesday that he knows of no U.S. Supreme Courtprecedent to justify thePentagon’scensuring of asittingU.S. senatorwho joined avideotaped plea for troopstoresist unlawful orders from theTrump administration.

Sen. MarkKelly had a front-row seat in acourtroom as his attorneys urged U.S. District Judge Richard Leon to blockthe Pentagon from punishing the Arizona Democrat, aretired U.S. Navypilot. Leon didn’timmediatelyrule from the bench on Kelly’sclaimsthat Pentagon ofﬁcialsviolated his FirstAmendmentfree speech rights.

But the judge appeared to be skeptical of keyargu-

ments that agovernment attorney made in defense of Kelly’sJan.5censurefrom Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

“You’re asking me to do something the Supreme Court hasnever done,” the judgetoldJustice Department attorneyJohnBailey

“Isn’tthatabit of astretch?”

Bailey argued that Congress decided that retired military servicemembers are subject to the same Uniform Code of Military Justicethatappliestoactiveduty troops.

“Retirees are part of the armed forces,” Baileysaid.

“They are not separated from the services.”

Benjamin Mizer,one of Kelly’slawyers, said they aren’t awareofany ruling to support the notion that military retirees have “diminishedspeech rights.”

And he argued that the First Amendment clearly protects Kelly’sspeech in this case.

“And any other approach would be to make new law,” Mizer added. Leon, who wasnominated to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush, said the Pentagon’sactions against Kelly could have achillingeffect on “many, many other retirees who wish to voice their opinion.” The judge said he hopes to issue aruling by next Wednesday.Kelly shook hands with two government attorneys after the hearing. In November,Kelly and ﬁve other Democratic lawmakers appeared on avideo in whichtheyurged troops to uphold the Constitution andnot to followunlawful military directives from the Trumpadministration.

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Judge: Deal reached on Epstein victim identities

Names not redacted in records release

BY MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press

NEW YORK A deal was reached between lawyers for victims of Jeffrey Epstein and the Justice Department to protect the identities of nearly 100 women whose lives were allegedly harmed after the government began releasing millions of documents last week, a lawyer told a federal judge on

Tuesday Judge Richard M. Berman in Manhattan cancelled a hearing scheduled for Wednesday after he was notiﬁed by Florida attorney Brittany Henderson that “extensive and constructive discussions” with the government had resulted in an agreement.

Henderson and attorney Brad Edwards had complained to Berman in a letter Sunday that “immediate judicial intervention” was needed after there were thousands of instances when the government had failed to redact names and other personally identifying infor-

mation of women sexually abused by Epstein.

Among eight women whose comments were included in the lawyers’ Sunday letter, one said the records’ release was “life threatening” while another said she’d gotten death threats and she was forced to shut down her credit cards and banking accounts after their security was jeopardized.

The lawyers had requested that the Justice Department website be temporarily shut down and that an independent monitor be appointed to ensure no further errors occurred.

Clintons finalize agreement to testify in House Epstein probe

BY STEPHEN GROVES Associated Press

WASHINGTON Former President

Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ﬁnalized an agreement with House Republicans Tuesday to testify in a House investigation into Jeffrey Epstein this month, bowing to the threat of a contempt of Congress vote against them.

Hillary Clinton will testify before the House Oversight Committee on Feb. 26 and Bill Clinton will appear on Feb. 27 It will mark the first time that lawmakers have compelled a former president to testify

The arrangement comes after months of negotiating between the two sides as Republicans sought to make the Clintons, both Democrats, a focal point in a House committee’s investigation into Epstein, a convicted sex offender who killed himself in a New York jail cell in 2019, and Ghislaine Maxwell, his former girlfriend.

“We look forward to now questioning the Clintons as part of our investigation into the horriﬁc

crimes of Epstein and Maxwell, to deliver transparency and accountability for the American people and for survivors,” Rep. James Comer, the chair of the House Oversight Committee, said in a statement For months, the Clintons resisted subpoenas from the committee, but House Republicans — with support from a few Democrats —

had advanced criminal contempt of Congress charges to a potential vote this week It threatened the Clintons with the potential for substantial ﬁnes and even prison time if they had been convicted.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday that any effort to hold them in contempt of Congress were “on pause.”

U.K. police open investigation into politician over alleged Epstein leaks

BY JILL LAWLESS Associated Press

LONDON British police on Tuesday opened a criminal investigation into politician Peter Mandelson over alleged misconduct in public office related to his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The U.K. government says newly released Epstein files suggest Mandelson – a former Cabinet minister, ambassador and elder statesman of the governing Labour Party – may have shared market-sensitive information with the convicted sex offender a decade and a half ago. London’s Metropolitan Police force said detectives had reviewed reports of misconduct and decided they met the threshold for a full investigation. Commander Ella Marriott said the force “has now launched an investigation into a 72-year-old man, a former government minister, for misconduct in public office offenses.” Misconduct in public office carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Opening an investigation does not mean Mandelson will be arrested, charged or convicted. But his friendship with Epstein has now cost him his political career Mandelson said Tuesday he was resigning from the House of Lords, Parliament’s upper chamber, to which he was appointed for life in 2008 The Speaker of the Lords, Michael Forsyth, said Mandelson had informed officials he will retire effective Wednesday.

The announcement came as the British government prepared legislation to eject Mandelson from the Lords and remove the noble title, Lord Mandelson, that came with his seat in the chamber Mandelson will retain the title after he retires unless lawmakers pass legislation to strip it from him something that has not been done for more than a century

A trove of more than 3 million pages of Epstein-related documents released by the U.S. Justice Department has brought excruciating revelations about 72-year-old Mandelson, who served in senior government roles under previous Labour governments and was U.K. ambassador to Washington until Prime Minister Keir Starmer ﬁred him in September over his ties to Epstein.

Signs of forced entry found at home of host’s mother

Woman believed taken against will

BY JACQUES BILLEAUD, SEJAL GOVINDARAO and MIKE BALSAMO Associated Press

TUCSON, Ariz. Investigators found signs of forced entry at the Arizona home of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, a person familiar with the investigation said Tuesday, as the host asked for prayers to help bring back the 84-year-old, who is believed to have been taken against her will.

The host described her mother, Nancy Guthrie, as “a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant” in a social media post late Monday She asked supporters to “raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment. Bring her home.”

The Pima County sheriff and the Tucson FBI chief held a news conference Tuesday and urged the public to offer tips, but they revealed few new details about the investigation. Sheriff Chris Nanos declined to say whether the disappearance was thought to be random or targeted or to describe the evidence found at

Nancy Guthrie’s home

The sheriff has said she needs daily medication and could die without it. Asked whether ofﬁcials were looking for her alive, he said, “We hope we are.” DNA samples have been gathered and submitted for analysis as part of the investigation.

“We’ve gotten some back, but nothing to indicate any suspects,” Nanos said.

The person who spoke to The Associated Press said investigators found speciﬁc evidence in the home showing there was a nighttime kidnapping. Several of Guthrie’s personal items, including her cellphone, wallet and car, were still there after she disappeared.

Investigators are reviewing surveillance video from nearby homes and working to analyze data from cellphone towers. Police are also reviewing information from license plate cameras in the area, according to the person, who was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the case and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity

The motive remains a mystery Investigators do not believe at this point that the abduction was part of a robbery, home invasion or kidnapping-for-ransom plot, the person said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By SEJAL GOVINDARAO

Neighbors of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of ‘Today’ host Savannah Guthrie, show support for the family Tuesday as the search continues for the missing woman.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By J SCOTT APPLEWHITE House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., arrives Tuesday for a Republican Conference meeting

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La.natural gaspipelineexplodes

BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN Staff writer

Anatural gas pipeline exploded along the coastlineinCameron Parishon Tuesday,sending flames andsmoke high into the air, but no major injuries were reported.

The cause of the explosionnearthe Calcasieu Ship Channel and the Texas border was not yet clear, said Ashley Buller, assistantdirectorofthe parish’s emergency preparedness department. The explosion occurred around noon and wasbrought under control shortly afterward, she said.

State Police were investigating. It blew up where the pipeline meets the shore between Holly Beach and Johnson Bayou, said Buller

The 28-mile line belongs to Delﬁn LNG, which is developing an offshore liqueﬁed natural gas facility nearby

The plant is not yet in operation, and preliminary actions were being performed on the line, she said.

The company shut off the line, and the remaining gas was burning off.One worker involved in the operation may have suffered minor injuries and was being taken to ahospital in nearby Port Arthur,Texas,asa precautionary measure Students at aschool in Johnson Bayouwere kept inside during recess as a precaution.

“Everything is under controlatthis point, and there was not athreat to anything else nearby,” Buller said Tuesday afternoon.

The Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Ofﬁce, emergency preparedness ofﬁcials and the Johnson Bayou Fire Depart-

ment wereall on the scene Smoke thathad previously ﬁlledthe sky in the area was fading by midafternoon.

Delﬁncould not immediately be reached for comment.

Cameron Parish hasbecome an epicenter of LNG production, including CheniereEnergy’sSabine Pass terminal, the country’slargest. Theprocess involves convertingnaturalgas to liquidformbysupercooling it,allowingittobeexported around the world.

Commercial fishers and environmental groups have raised concerns over the large facilities, including the possibility of accidents.

Thestate hasembracedthe industry as an important source of jobs and revenue, while the country has promoted LNG exports as part of itsforeign policy

Delﬁn, with ofﬁces in Norway and Pensacola, Florida, hasbeendeveloping its export terminal around 40 nautical miles off Louisiana’scoast. It is to include three vessels capableof producing 4milliontons of LNG, connected to existing offshore pipelines transporting natural gas, it says on itswebsite.

Thecompany says it purchased the UTOS pipeline in 2014, callingitthe largest natural gas pipelinein the Gulf. It wasnot immediately clear if that pipeline was the same one involved in Tuesday’sexplosion.

Robyn Thigpen, executive directorofthe advocacy group Fishermen Involved in Saving OurHeritage said she received reportsfrom three ﬁshers who heard the explosion from more than 11 miles away Thigpen wasespecially

concerned because theonly full-service hospital in the area has not reopened since 2020’sHurricane Laura, whichdevastatedsouthwest Louisiana.

“It’sreally important that people understand they never reopened ahospital,” shesaid.

Cameron Parish hasbeen steadilylosingpopulation since 2005’sHurricane Rita,which left much of the region in ruins. A2024 estimate put thepopulation at 4,700, compared with around 10,000 at the turn of thecentury

Traditionally tied to commercial andrecreational ﬁshing, as wellasthe offshore oil industry,the parish has in recent years positioned itself as astrategically located LNGhub. Besides Cheniere, two other export terminals are also locatedinCameron, andmore are planned.

Environmental activists expressed concern over the explosion and warned over the rapid development of theLNG industry

As he stood in Johnson Bayou watching the smoke billow from the explosion, James Hiatt, director of the For aBetter Bayou advocacy group, argued that communities were being asked to carry therisks of LNG production without realizing much of the beneﬁt.

“Weare thelargest exporter of natural gasinthe world, and to look around this place, you would not know the wealth,” Hiatt said.

“Because they don’tonly exportthe gas, they export theproﬁts too.”

Staff writers Mike Smith and JosieAbugov contributed to this report.

STAFFPHOTO By COURTNEy PEDERSON Smoke rises Tuesdayinthe area where apipeline exploded off Cameron Parish.

will pass her as voters learn more about the candidates.

To be sure, the ﬁeld is not set, since the three-day qualifying period does notbegin until Feb. 11.

State Treasurer John Fleming is giving every indication that he will fight to the finish, making it at least athree-person race.

ARepublican like the other candidates,hesays he is the true conservative in the race and that voters will ultimately elect him.

Apro-Cassidy super PAC attacked Letlow with aTV ad beginning Saturday that proclaimed her a“liberal,” accusing her of voting more with then-President Joe Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, DCalif., than the other four Republicanmembers of Louisiana’scongressional delegation.

Cassidy,ashemade the rounds during Washington Mardi Gras last week, expressed conﬁdence that voters will reelect him once they learn what he has done for Louisiana residents during his two terms in the Senate.

Cassidy trumpets “his” infrastructure bill, which is delivering billions of dollars for new roads, bridges and watersystems in Louisiana.Hedoesn’t mention that he was one of ahandful of Republicans who crossed party lines in 2021 to vote for Biden’s$1.2 trillionInfrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

In his ﬁrstTVad, released last week, Cassidy highlights how he sponsored a bill signed by Trump that aims to crack down on distributors of fentanyl.

Cassidyalso touts hisinfluential role in Washington as chair of the Senate health care committee. He has pitched plans to replace Obamacare that have yetto win passage in Congress.

Cassidy has been voting for virtually all of Trump’s initiatives —including the confirmation of Robert F. KennedyJr. as healthsecretary —and had predicted that Trumpwould stay neutral in the Senate race.

But Trump was unwilling to forgive Cassidy for being oneofseven Republicans who voted to convict him on impeachment charges for inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol by Trump supporters.

For at least the time being, Cassidy leads in one important category: He had $10.1 million in cash at the end of 2025, according to the latest FEC reports, whichwere made public this week. Letlow had $2.4 million that she had raised for her Housereelection. Shewill be able to usethatmoney for the Senate campaign.

Fleming had $2.1 million on hand and still owed himself $3 million from apersonal loan.

PublicService Commissioner Eric Skrmetta has said he is running for Senate but hasn’traised any money

Seidenhad slightly more than $1 millionincash,but her personal loan to her campaign accounted for most of that money

Seiden said she met with Letlow and made hera promise.

“I told her,‘I’m not going home. I’m going to work with you,’ ”she said. “I’m goingtoﬁghtalongside her to make sure we win this seat.I’m going to helpher ﬁght for Louisianaand the United States.”

Miguez’sdecision to quit the Senate race didn’tsurprise political insiders, but his move to seek Letlow’s seat was unexpected.

Miguez lives in the town of Erath in Vermillion Parish —outsidethe boundariesofthe 5th Congressional District, which stretches from Baton Rouge through the Florida Parishes up the Mississippi River to Monroe. Acandidate does not need to live in acongressional district to run in it

Jonathon Nave, acampaign aide for Miguez, said in atext that Miguez“has maintained aresidence in the 5th Congressional Districtsince1999 and operated abusiness location in Baton Rouge for over adecade.”

Naveand Miguez didnot specify where in either case.

Navesaid Miguez graduated from LSU.

More recently,Miguez lodges in Baton Rouge at the Pentagon Barracks, which are astone’sthrowfromthe StateCapitol. Senators who live outsideofBaton Rouge gettostay at thestate-owned apartments there. Miguez rooms with Sen. Adam Bass, R-Bossier City Miguez on Tuesday said he is transferring $3.6 million from hisaborted Senate campaign to the congressional race. A$2million personalloanaccountsfor most of that money,according to his FEC report. His family owns an offshore oil and gas business based in NewIberia. Miguez operated it with his father,who died ayear ago. Miguez pitched himselfas ayoungMAGA warrior duringthe months thatheran for Senate.

“When Iannounced my campaign for the U.S. Senate last year,I promised Louisianans Iwouldstand with President Trump and ﬁghtfor an America First agenda that puts Louisiana familiesﬁrst,” Miguez said in astatement Tuesday. “I remain committed to that promise, and I’m ready to deliverthe kind ofrepresentation that will support President Trump and helpadvancethe mission to Make AmericaGreat Again.”

He was elected to the stateSenate in 2023 in a hard-foughtrace, after servinginthe state House for 81/2 years.

During that race, Miguez questioned whether his opponent,farmer HughAndre, lived in the district. Andre displayed hisdriver’s license toshow that he did.

Miguez’sdecision to switch to the 5th Congressional District race, even though he doesn’tlivethere, wasthe talk in political circles Tuesday Chris Comeaux, aRepublican political strategist, notedthatMiguez’s home in Erathisnearly 100 miles from the closest boundary in the district.

Comeaux said Miguez has wanted to runfor the 3rd Congressional District seat, where helives, but that U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette, continues to occupy it.

“How bad does thisguy need to be elected to ofﬁce?” asked Comeaux, who hasworked for Higgins. Miguez is achampion pistol shooter in his spare time. In his U.S. Senatecampaign announcement video, Miguez used agun to blast bottleslabeled “food dyes,” “taxes” and “Marxism.”

Miguez’s22nd Senatedistrictincludes Iberia, Lafayette and St.Martin parishes. The 5th Congressional Districtseat that he is seek-

State

ingwas drawntoelect a Republican.Besides Miguez, others whohaveannounced arestate Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge; state Rep. DixonMcMakin, R-Baton Rouge; Misti Cordell, chair of theLouisianaBoard of Regents; and Larry Davis, amemberof the Republican Parish Ex-

ecutive Committee in Livingston Parish State Sen. Stewart Cathey, R-Monroe,said on Tuesday he plans to makehis formal announcement next week.

StateRep. Michael Echols, R-Monroe, said on Tuesday he is still weighing his options.

State Rep. Daryl Desho-

tel, R-Hessmer,saidon Tuesday that he won’t run forthe seat “after thoughtful discussion with my wife andprayer.”

Former U.S. Rep. Garret Graves,aRepublicanfrom BatonRouge,announced last week that he won’ttry to return to Congress by running for Letlow’sseat.

About half of the 5th Congressional District is in the BatonRouge mediamarket after the state Legislature redrew congressional boundaries several years ago. About 30% of the dis-

trictisinthe Monroemediamarket, withthe rest in AvoyellesParish andthe Florida Parishes. The three-day qualifying period for the Senate and congressional races begins on Feb. 11 for the May 16 closed primaries. Unaffiliated voters can choose whether to vote in the Republican or Democratic primaries. The newsystemfor this year means candidates arenot groupedtogether in ajungle primary as they are in statewide and legislative races next year

STAFF PHOTO By BRADBOWIE

Sen.BlakeMiguez has announced he is running for the 5thCongressional District seat that Julia Letlowis vacating even though he does not liveinthe district.

streetlights, starting with those in New Orleans East

Speaking at a news conference at City Hall on Tuesday Moreno said the agreement to use Entergy funds for lighting repairs is an example of what happens when “we really are all rowing in the same direction and working in coordination and collaboration and partnership to get things done with the city.”

Council President JP Morrell, one of several council members to join Moreno, added that the lack of lighting on the city’s roadways is both “dangerous and depressing.”

“It is not something you should see in any major city,” he said, lauding the mayor for working with the council to source funding in a way that doesn’t strain the city’s budget.

After launching the Lights On program in January Moreno said it would focus on areas with neglected infrastructure and high crime. First on that list was New Orleans East, a collection of neighborhoods that feature some crime hot spots and some lower crime areas. The initiative is the ﬁrst of what is expected to be several announced by Moreno as she aims to fulfill her campaign promises to focus on the basics of functional government, such as working streetlights, pothole-free streets and litter-free neighborhoods.

Since the start of Lights

On, more than 600 lights across the city have been ﬁxed, Moreno said Tuesday The city had open work orders for nearly 3,000 broken lights when the program began.

Of the nearly 4,500 lights on Interstate 10 in Orleans Parish, around 650 are broken, Deputy Chief Administrative Ofﬁcer Steve Nelson added. The $2.8 million will be enough money to ﬁx those lights and others on major

roadways and also begin hiring in-house electricians to do repairs instead of city vendors, he said.

ﬁrst will be the lights on the I-10 High Rise Bridge crossing the Industrial Canal, in keeping with the initiative’s goal to start with New Orleans East. Those should take three to four weeks to repair, Nelson said, urging residents to report other outages across the city through the city’s 311 call center

The funding will also be used to replace copper wiring, a frequent target of thieves, with less lucrative aluminum wiring and to “harden” the infrastructure around the light poles to make it less susceptible to tampering, Nelson said

“Theft is a major issue for us,” Nelson said. “We want to remove that incentive for folks.”

Solar energy will also be used, particularly in areas where there isn’t existing infrastructure to run wiring, Moreno said District E council mem-

ber Jason Hughes, who represents the East and the Lower 9th Ward, said the High Rise Bridge has been dark for “far too long,” and said the city’s old approach of replacing stolen copper wire with new copper wire clearly wasn’t working.

“Lighting our neighborhoods is an issue we all heard throughout the campaign and continue to hear from neighbors,” added

District A council member Aimee McCarron.

District D council member Eugene Green Jr said “every light is important to enhancing public safety in our city.”

The Moreno administration did not respond immediately to a question about how the other funds from the ﬁne were spent.

The council is scheduled to vote on an ordinance approving the expenditure of the funds at a meeting Wednesday

Email Blake Paterson at bpaterson@theadvocate. com.

Mayor Helena Moreno and the New Orleans City Council said they plan to repair lighting on Interstate 10 and on other major

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Tech stocks pull

Wall Street lower

NEWYORK

The U.S. stock market sank in mixed trading on Tuesday,while gold and silver bounced higher after their latest sell-off

The S&P 500fell 0.8%and pulled further from itsalltime high set last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 166 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 1.4%.

Several inﬂuential Big Tech stocks weighed on themarket, including dropsof2.8%for Nvidia and 2.9% for Microsoft Such giants have been hampered by worriesthat their stock prices shot toohighand becametoo expensivefollowingtheiryearslong dominance of the market.

Stocks of software companies and others seen as potential loserstocompetitors powered by artificial intelligencealso slumped. ServiceNow fell 7% to bring its loss for the young year so far to 28.3%.

Such declines dragged the S&P 500 to its fourth loss in the last ﬁve days, even though the majorityofstocks in the index rose.

SBA:Green cardholders ineligible for loans

NEWYORK TheSmall Business Administration said in apolicy notethat green card holders won’tbeallowed to apply for SBA loans, effective March 1.

The move is the latest by the SBA as it works to tighten loan restrictions and restructure the agency

Last year,ittightened arequirement that businesses applying for loans must be 100% ownedbyU.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or lawful permanent residents, up from a51% standard.

In December,itissued apolicy note that said up to 5% of abusiness could be noncitizen owned. But the currentpolicy rescindsthat, as well as making lawful permanent residentsineligible, too.

“The Trump SBA is committed to driving economic growth andjob creation forAmerican citizens—which is why, effective March 1, the agency will no longer guarantee loans for small businesses owned by foreign nationals,” SBA spokesperson Maggie Clemmons said in astatement. “Across every program, the SBA is ensuring that every taxpayer dollar entrustedtothisagencygoesto support U.S. job creators and innovators.”

Josh D’Amaro to take over as Disney CEO

Disney has named its parks chief Josh D’Amaro to succeed Bob Iger as the entertainment giant’stop executive.

D’Amaro will become the9th CEO in the more than 100-yearold company’shistory.Hehas overseen the company’stheme parks, cruises and resorts since 2020.The Experiences division has been asubstantial moneymaker for Disney, with $36 billion in annualrevenue in fiscal 2025 and 185,000 employees worldwide.

The 54-year-old takes over a timewhenDisney is ﬂush with box-office hits like “Zootopia 2” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and its streaming businessis strong.Atthe sametime, Disneyhas seen adecline in foreignvisitors to its domestic themeparks. Tourism to the U.S. has fallen overall during an aggressive immigration crackdown by the Trumpadministration, as wellasclashes with almost allofcountry’s trading partners.

D’Amaro will be tasked with tapping into Disney’svast collection of intellectual property to help create successfulmovies andtheme park additions, while also pushing for streaming growth and continuing to build up its sports business.

BUSINESS

NOLA.COM/BIZ

Parisprosecutors raid

Officialsinvestigate childabuse images anddeepfakes

BY SYLVIE CORBET Associated Press

PARIS French prosecutors raided the ofﬁces of social media platform XonTuesday as part of apreliminaryinvestigationinto allegations that include spreading child sexual abuse images and deepfakes. They have also summonedbillionaire owner Elon Musk for questioning.

Xand Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI alsoface in-

tensifying scrutiny from Britain’s data privacy regulator,which opened formal investigations into how theyhandled personal data when they developed and deployed Musk’sartiﬁcial intelligence chatbot Grok.

Grok, which was built by xAI and is available through X, sparked global outrage lastmonth after it pumpedout atorrentofsexualized nonconsensual deepfake images in response to requests from Xusers.

The French investigation was opened in January last year by the prosecutors’cybercrime unit,the Paris prosecutors’ ofﬁce said in a statement.It’slooking into alleged “complicity” in possessing and spreadingpornographic images

of minors, sexually explicit deepfakes, denial of crimes against humanity and manipulation of an automated data processing system as part of an organized group, among other charges.

Prosecutors asked Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino to attend“voluntary interviews” on April 20.

Employees of Xhave also been summoned that same weektobe heard as witnesses, the statement said. Yaccarino wasCEO from May 2023 until July 2025. In apost on itsown servicedenying the allegations, Xrailed against the raidonits Paris ofﬁce as “an abusive act of lawenforcement theater designed to achieve

illegitimate political objectives rather than advancelegitimate law enforcement goals rooted in the fair and impartial administration of justice.”

In amessage posted on X, the Paris prosecutors’ office announced the ongoing searches at thecompany’soffices in France andsaiditwas leaving theplatform while calling on followers to join it on other social media. “At this stage, the conduct of the investigation is basedonaconstructive approach, with the aim of ultimately ensuring that the X platform complies with French law,asitoperates on the national territory,” the prosecutors’ statementsaid.

Wealthyrampupspendingwhile others treadwater,new studyfinds

Findingssupport notion of ‘K-shaped’ economy, data reveals

BYCHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP economics writer

WASHINGTON Higher-incomeAmericans andthosewith college degrees have ramped up their spending morequickly in thepast three years than other consumers, accordingtonew data released Tuesday,evidence of worsening inequality that may explain some ofthe growing pessimism about the economy

Thedata, released by theFederal Reserve Bank of New York, also showthat in theﬁnalthree months of last year, lower-income and rural households faced higher inﬂation than higher-income households. Thespendingdata focuses only on goodsexcluding autos, and does not capture likely spending by higher-income households on travel, restaurantsand entertainment.

The ﬁgures add support to the notion of a “K-shaped” economy,inwhich upper-income Americansare fueling adisproportionate share of the consumption thatisthe primary driverofthe economy, while lower-income households seefewer gains. Poorer householdsingeneral often experience higher in-

ﬂation, with agreater share of theirspending being set aside for goods that have seen prices soar since the pandemic, things like housing, groceries, and utilities.

The New York Fed’s datashow that households with incomes of $125,000 and higher have boosted their spending2.3%, adjusted for inflation, since 2023, while middle-income households —thosebetween $40,000 and $125,000 —have increased their spending by 1.6%. Those earning below $40,000 have liftedtheir spending by just 0.9%,the report showed.

The figures are an addition to the New York Fed’s economic heterogeneity indicators,a series of datasetsintended to track variations in theeconomy by geographicregion anddemographic andincome groups. Thegoalistoget abetter senseofhow different groups are faring, trends that can be shrouded by nationwide averages.

The ﬁgures are derived from agroup of 200,000 consumers tracked by theanalytics ﬁrm Numerator.Their data closely tracks monthly retail sales released by the government, theNew York Fed said.

The report underscores apattern that has emerged since thepandemic: Lower-income households fared better in 2021 and2022 when companies were desperate to hire and willing to pay, whilethe government also provided several economic stimuluschecks. Yetbeginning roughly in early 2023, hiring slowed and sharp gains in stock market fu-

eled spending gains in wealthier households. Thedivision is also clear when examined through the lens of education. In 2023 and mostof2024, inﬂation-adjusted spending by non-college households fellbelow its January 2023 level. It only regained that level in November 2024, while households with a college graduate had by then boostedtheir spending by 4%.

The NewYorkFed notes that college-educated households continued to spend at a rapid pace in 2025 even as hiring slowed and there were aspate of job cuts in white-collar industriessuchashigh tech,government and marketing.

“The difference in the trend in retail spending between college graduates and nongraduates is consistent with the story of a‘K-shaped economy, Rajashri Chakrabarti, an economic research adviser at the New York Fed, and three colleagues wrote.

The findings echo other recent research, including ashort paper by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas lastNovember. The DallasFed found modest increases in consumption and income inequality over the past three decades. The wealthiest one-fifth of Americans accounted forabout54% of earnings from1990-99, the researchers found, afigure that had risen to 60% in the 2020-2025 period. The proportion of spending by the richest one-fifth increased to 57% from 53% between those two periods, the Dallas Fed concluded.

Shaw Grouptodoublestaff,create209 newjobs

BYIANNE SALVOSA Staff writer

TheShaw Group will more than double the numberofemployees at its Walkermanufacturing facility to make more pipe and fabricated metal for major industrial developments across Louisiana, including those inthe datacenter oil and gas and power sectors.

The Houston-based pipe and module fabrication company will add 209 jobs to itsSunland Drive outpost, hiring immediately,while keeping 165current employees.

The roles will have an average salary of $62,831, 40% higher than theaverage wage in LivingstonParish, according to Louisiana Economic Development

The workforce expansionwill also create 288 indirect jobs, according to LED.

Thecompanywill use LED FastStart, the agency’semployee recruitment, training and retainment arm, and the High Impact Jobs Program, which givesreimbursablegrants to companiesfor creating high-paying jobs.

“We’reexcited to welcome new

team members to ourWalker, Louisianafabrication facility as we continue to grow,” Rhett Phillips,The ShawGroup’sU.S. pipe fabrication operations vice president, said in astatement. “This is agreat opportunity for skilled professionalstojoina strong team, build rewardingcareers andbepartofanoperation that’s investing in its people and its future. Our Walker fabrication facility hasalong legacy of supporting industry in Louisiana and we are grateful to ouremployees andclients for this opportunity.”

The ShawGrouphas ofﬁces in Texas; El Dorado,Arkansas; and LakeCharles andoverseas in the UnitedArab Emirates, Bahrain andIndia

Baton Rouge-basedShaw Group, backed by McDermott International, previously operated the Walkerfacility andsold the business to Ithaca Acquisition Holdings in 2020. Ithaca Acquisition then renameditselfShawAcquisition Holdings and continued to operate the Walker facility under the Shawname.

D’Amaro

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByJENNy KANE

The data, released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Newyork, shows that in the final three months of last year,lower-income and rural householdsfaced higher inflation than higher-incomehouseholds.

whoemerged from the brush. Frasier said he ordered them to lie face down on the ground,even firing awarning shot when they didn’t comply

“They kept lookingback,” said Frasier.“Iwas worried somebody else was coming up behind me.”

From the truck, Frasier’s wife dialed 911. Within minutes, deputies arrived and arrested the men, escapees being held in EastCarroll Parish while facing murder charges in their hometowns.

Insidethe white bag Frasier had initially spottedwas toilet paper,ajar of salsa, a phone charger and afillet knife —all believedstolen from anearby church.

Reflecting on those moments days later,Frasier shrugged.

“I was doing the only thing Iknew to do,” he said.

But even after all the escapees were rounded up —two in Arkansas, onein Mississippi and the rest at various spots in Louisiana— the community has stillfelt under siege.

Most of northern Louisiana’slights have flickered back on 11 days afterthe storm, but nearly half of EastCarroll residents remained without electricity Tuesday,said Trevor Jackson, director of the parish’sOffice of Emergency Preparedness. Most livein rural areas outside of Lake Providence, and many still have no running water

In Louisiana’snortheast corner,East Carroll is the state’spoorest parish —and among the most impoverished areas in the country Now,frustration is growing among residents.

“Weare the poorest parish and we have alot of love here,” said ChelseaBrown. “But we feel like we’re forgotten about.”

Just starting to recover Driving north on La. 65, power lines begin to lean after Tallulah. By the time the road sign for Transylvania —asmall town just south of Lake Providence —appears, neon-vestedlinemen crews work to untangle dozens of collapsed poles,some draped across the abandoned tracks of the Delta Southern Railroad. In Lake Providence, the hum of chain saws and generators cuts through streets littered with downed trees. Volunteerswith Southern Baptist Disaster Relief clear debris with the help of skid steers Ice began coating northern Louisianaonthe nightof Jan. 24, but the real carnage in East Carroll came the following night. Residents recall loud snaps —almost like gunshots —echoing every few seconds through the dark. By morning, the town was coveredwith splintered wood; even the centuriesold cypress and live oaks circling the oxbow lake that gives the town its name had split.

“Itwas bad, man,”said James Hopkins, who lives in Lake Providence. “I could hear it popping around.”

He hadwatchedasa massive oak in his front yard split in half, shattering the windshield of his ChevyImpala and breaking awater main. Aweek later,the tree still blocks the road, and he’sforced to duck beneath thefallentrunk to enterhis home

“It looks like abombwent off, like awar zone,” said Debra Hopkins,director of 911 operationsfor theEast CarrollParishSheriff’s Ofﬁce

Alifelongresident, she says no tornado, hurricane or any other storm has matched theice’sdestruction in her 69years.

“EverythingI’veread said it happens onceevery 80 years,”she said. “Well, thankgoodness I’m not goingtobearound to see it again.”

Thetown’sbackup generators, meant to provide power for essential services, failed. Phone lines were down and governmentbuildingslost power.Hopkins says 911 calls spiked from around 10 aday to more than 150.

Whilemostweren’t emergencies, the loss of power quickly turned dangerous. Deputies spent hours extracting elderly residents trapped in their homes, includingsome on dialysis.

“Wecouldn’tget down the roadways. There were trees everywhere,” said Sheriff Wydette Williams.

Of the nine storm-related deaths in Louisiana, none occurred in EastCarroll,but thecost of ongoing outages is clear.Spoiled groceries wiped out paychecks, gasolinefor generators costs more than $100 aday and many people missed work for days.

“I’mliving paycheck to paycheck;itjustkind of threw me back,” said James Hopkins.

Ofﬁcials said Entergy,one of two companies providing power in the parish,quickly sent 100 trucks to begin utilityrepairs, aided by other contractors.

By Jan. 26, the National Guardarrived,and the Red Crossopened amakeshift warming and food distribution centerinahigh school gymnasium.There, volunteers andcaterers prepared roughly3,500 meals aday withsupport from FEMA,

the Red Cross andlocal officials. When supplies ran low,residentswere given military“MRE” rations.

Thejailbreak

Around 2a.m. lastFriday, as generators hummed in thedark, ambulance driver Jim Holt was on duty in Lake Providence when alarge vehicle spedpasthim at 90 miles per hour.Ashecaught aglimpse, Holt saw it was from Briarﬁeld Academy,a local private school.

“I said, ‘Whereinthe hell aretheygoing?’ ”hesaid. “Somebody done stolethat school bus.”

Holtheard sirens approaching.A pair of patrol cars ﬂewby, then another thenwhat looked like the entire local force.

“Every deputyonthe force was at workthatnight,” he said. “Becausethey all came by me.”

The chase unfoldedjust minutes after eight inmates —all accused of violent crimes —were discovered missing from theRiverbend Detention Center downthe road. The two inmates in the bus ledpoliceona 40-mile high-speed pursuitbefore being captured in Lake Village, Arkansas.

Holt’swife Lisa, the parish coroner,said the breakout was especially frightening for acommunity whereunlocked doors andfirearms are part of daily life.She added thatonce the news spread,manyvolunteer groups helping with storm recovery left

“Wehad people pulling out of here because of the threat of theinmates being out. They werescared. Everybody was scared,” she said.

Lisa Holt also said she’d heardrumors of unrest inside thedetention center before the breakout,includinginmates setting ﬁres for warmth. Sheriff Wydette Williams said thefacility had lost power but was operating on backup generators. He referred further questions to State Police, who said the investigation is ongoing.

Still, Williamsacknowledged the storm and jailbreak were“very much so connected.”

Koﬁe Darden, vice president of the parish police jury,said the power outage left theinmates without

heat

Fixing power

On Sunday —nine days after the icestorm —the Holts recountedthe week’s chaos over jambalayaatthe Transylvania Fire Station. Linemen drifted in andout for quick mealsand bathroom breaks as Chelsea Brown ladled out plates.

Shortly after the storm, Brown, wholivesoutside of Lake Providence, fried up catﬁsh she’d caught the previoussummertofeedmore than 70 of her neighbors. Butasthe outages dragged on,she said,there was little helpfor those outsideLake Providence.

“I’ve seen more of the SWAT team than I’veseen of anybody trying to help someone,” she said.

Theday of thejailbreak, Brown turnedtoFacebook to plead for help. Afriend in Monroe, Erika Parker, sawthe post andquickly secured funding from the World Central Kitchen for 40 pizzas. Since then, Brown hasdriven daily to Monroe to pickupfood —roughly 300 meals aday provided by the nonproﬁt —and bring it

to the ﬁre station.

Her team —including her husband, Phillip Stilwell and the Holts —havespent each day delivering food to those still without power,including onefamilywho had been sleeping in their car for warmth because their generator didn’twork.

As the sky turned orange, Stilwell set out with hot plates in his trunk, steering his car around downed power lines on winding country roads, linedwithdecaying shotgun houses once occupiedbysharecroppers.

Abobcat darted across the road,and Stilwell gestured toward the spot where he hunts fordeer

Most folks, he said, gladly accept the food, though a small minority don’tlike visitors. In one yard,a“BewareofDog” sign is posted next to astandofﬁsh pit bull barking in front of the car

He sped to the homeofan elderly woman whohadn’t leftsince thestorm because her driveway wasstill blocked by afallenpower line. Thehouse, built by her father in the 1960s, ran on a backup generatorand, like most people Stilwellvis-

ited in the countryside,she seemed calmunderthe circumstances.

“These olderfolks out here, they’re pretty tough,” said Stilwell. After his finalstop, Stilwell turned onto afarm road to meet his friend Zach Frasier —the man whoheld the escapeesatgunpoint. Frasier said he is concerned for residents of Monticello, his small community in the southwest part of East Carroll.

Frasier added manyofthe people there are elderly and rely on oxygen tanks that are now running low

“Some of the roadsout there theold people live down, it’sreal muddy,” he said. “They ain’tgetting out.” And then there are those who may notbeasconcerned with taking care of themselves.

“There are alot of meth houses,” Frasier added. “People just kind of throwing stuff together to live in.”

JeffChurchwell, general manager of Northeast Louisiana PowerCooperative, whichservesmost of the parish outside LakeProvidence,saidTuesdayhe’s hopeful power can be restored within the next seven days.

“Our concerns are definitely being heard, andour needs are definitely being met,”saidDarden, thepolice jury vice president. But those at the Transylvania Fire Stationsaidthat until all their neighbors have power again, they’ll keep checking on people and bringing food.

Outside an abandoned gas stationinLakeProvidence, acrowdhuddled around afood truck serving free fried chickenprovidedby Gary Martin, whogrewup in thetownbut nowlives in Monroe.Hedrove in Sunday with his daughterand niece afterasking an oldfriend how he could help. The friend’sanswer was simple: show up.

“This community has always known onething,taking care of each other,” he added.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

James Hopkinsleans against his truck next to adowned tree outsidehis front door in Lake Providence on Sunday.

Storm blamed for six hypothermia deaths

BY BRIAN McCALLUM Staff writer

At least six people died as a result of hypothermia as a result of Winter Storm Fern, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.

Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops below 95 degrees, often during prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, according to information from the Mayo Clinic. Without treatment, it can be fatal. Although several warming centers were established as the subfreezing weather was predicted, two unhoused men died in Shreve-

port near the downtown area, both due to presumed hypothermia.

Frederick A Thomas, 63, was found behind an old YWCA west of downtown Shreveport. He died after being taken to Willis Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport. The name of the other victim has not been released because no one has come forward as next-of-kin. He was found behind the SporTran bus terminal. He was transported to Ochsner LSU Health and later pronounced dead.

Four others across north Louisiana also died from presumed hypothermia during the storm n Melvin Vampe, 74, died in his DeSoto parish home after a long

power outage. n Clara Wilson, 78, died in Franklin Parish.

n The Coroner’s Office in Sabine Parish conﬁrmed the death of a 62-year-old man from hypothermia. A second death was determined to have been caused by other factors.

n A 65-year-old man died in Jackson Parish from hypothermia as a result of a lengthy power outage, the Health Department said. Shreveport conditions

“For a city as big as Shreveport, there should be more (beds for homeless people),” said Donna Earnest, of Hope House, a home-

less ministry begun by Holy Cross Episcopal Church. She added that those needing a place to stay in the inclement weather would mostly ﬁnd out from others. “I put signs up at the shelters, and then it’s word of mouth from there.” Wesley Meacham, of Hope Connections, which provides 37 beds daily but housed 90 through the storm by adding cots, said ﬂyers are distributed based on knowing the landscape of homelessness in Shreveport.

“We know where all the camps are,” he said. “We go around and ask if they want to come in.” That doesn’t always work. Capt.

Amy Bowman, of the Shreveport Police Department, said the law enforcement agency made an extensive sweep of the area to direct homeless people to shelters as the storm approached.

“We try to tell them when it is a life-or-death situation,” Bowman said. She said she didn’t believe any Shreveport officers encountered someone who didn’t want a warm place to stay during Fern. “If I can articulate that you’re showing early signs of hypothermia, then I can take you into protective custody.”

Email Brian McCallum at brian. mccallum@theadvocate.com.

Continued from page 1A

or at the foot of Esplanade Avenue, will give attendees another place to hear music alongside the Mississippi River.

Also new to the French Quarter Festival is its inaugural 5K run, scheduled for April 18.

The festival plans to expand on what is traditionally a limited music roster on opening Thursday

Several familiar stages will move and/or expand their programming.

The Louisiana Fish Fry Stage is moving its roster of brass bands and DJs from the grounds of the Old U.S. Mint because of construction at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, which is housed at the Mint

The Fish Fry Stage is temporarily relocating upriver to the riverfront near the Audubon Aquarium

The Jack Daniels Stage is moving downriver from Spanish Plaza to Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park. Festival favorites Irma Thomas, Big Freedia and Cupid & the Dance Party Express will perform there.

The Pan-American Life Insurance Group Stage will also be at the Gov Nicholls Street park, with four full days of programming. Programming at the House of Blues Voodoo Garden Stage will also be beefed up.

player from

on both her family’s Mardi Gras Indian heritage and contemporary R&B and pop; and keyboardist Kyle Roussel and his “Church of New Orleans” project.

Other familiar names on the roster include HaSizzle paired with the TBC Brass Band, Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars, Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Charmaine Neville, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, the Soul Rebels, Amanda Shaw, the Lost Bayou Ramblers, Kermit Rufﬁns & the Barbecue Swingers, Erica Falls & Vintage Soul, George Porter Jr & the Runnin’ Pardners, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles, the Rebirth Brass

More acts will be announced in late February Food booths throughout the festival site will offer 275 menu items for purchase. General admission is free. Fest Family VIP passes, which grant access to reserved viewing and hospitality areas and other perks, are available for purchase. The festival is produced by the staff of the nonproﬁt French Quarter Festivals Inc. It is supported by sponsorships and the sale of food, beverages and merchandise.

Email Keith Spera at kspera@ theadvocate.com.

New Orleans legends Irma

Thomas and Cyril Neville top the initial list of 2026 French Quarter Festival artists.

First-time French Quarter Fest performers include Bobby Rush, the 92-year-old blues singer and

harmonica

Homer; Dawn Richard, whose music draws

Band, James Andrews, Wendell Brunious and Wanda Rouzan.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Crowds gather at the Abita Beer Stage to see Irma Thomas during the third day of the 2025 French Quarter Festival in New Orleans on April 12.

Accusations fly between House candidates

Spar started over abuse

BY JONI HESS Staff writer

The race for a New Orleans legislative seat has grown heated after one candidate repeated accusations of domestic abuse against his opponent, who has threatened to sue over the claim.

Ed T. Murray who on Saturday will face off against

Eugene Green III for the House District 97 seat, issued mailers last week urging residents to vote against Green because of alleged past domestic violence against a former partner The seat represents Gentilly, the Lakefront and parts of Mid-City The mailer features clips of court records pulled from a contentious divorce

Pricey hotels rising along St. Charles

Experts say real estate market showing signs of life

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

Construction is underway on a new five-story hotel in the 1300 block of St. Charles Avenue, the latest of several projects on the lower end of the thoroughfare to take shape.

The new hotel, located at 1304 St Charles Ave., will be tall and narrow wedged between the former Emeril’s Delmonico and Baptist Community Ministries on a 3,000-square-foot lot that was formerly the site of Sarouk Rugs Entrepreneur Curtis Lawrence purchased the vacant storefront in October 2021 for nearly $700,000 and demolished it to make way for the building, which will have a rooftop bar and pool and operate as a hybrid hotel with apartmentstyle units. He hopes to attract a bank branch or other retail tenant to the ground-ﬂoor space Construction is estimated to cost around $5 million.

The project comes as The Warbler Hotel, a six-story upscale boutique hotel, is rising from the ground in the 1900 block on the site of the former Trolley Stop Café. Developer Joe Mann’s Verdad Real Estate is behind the project, which will have 58 rooms and a bar and a restaurant led by Neal Bodenheimer who is co-founder of the bars Cure and Peychaud’s and restaurants Vals and Cane & Table. In addition to the hotel projects, the long-stalled renovation of the former Jerusalem Temple building in the 1100 block next to Interstate 10 has resumed. Mandeville-based Church of the King is converting the building into a church Church officials said in December that they still need to raise $5 million to ﬁnish construction but that they hope to be completed by the end of this year

The projects on St. Charles one of the city’s grandest and bestknown historic thoroughfares — are a welcome sign of activity in a real estate market that is showing signs of life after several years of stagnation due to higher interest and insurance rates and rising costs for construction labor and materials, real estate experts say They also signal hope for the mile-long stretch of lower St. Charles between Jackson Avenue and I-10, a wonky mix of hotels, bars, casual eateries and disinvested storefronts. In recent years, there have been efforts to redevelop the area with mixed results. Baptist Community Ministries bought and renovated the old Whitney Bank building in

allegations

proceeding in 2024, where Green’s former wife alleges in her request for a protective order that Green shoved her into a sofa and started choking her

Records reviewed by The Times-Picayune show that Green also ﬁled a protective order, accusing his former wife of punching and slapping him and threatening him with other physical

harm. An East Baton Rouge Parish family court judge granted and later dismissed the orders at their request.

Green was never arrested or criminally charged in connection with the claims. Murray’s mailer, paid for by his campaign, also accuses Green of having a

history of illicit drug use, pointing to accusations his former partner lodged against him in court.

“District 97 deserves better than a man who would harm his wife in front of their child,” the mailer reads. “Now, Green wants your vote for representative. No thank you.”

Murray on Tuesday said in a text message that voters deserve to know about the allegations because the job requires “sound judgement and steady temperament when voting on legislation that affects our community. Green responded this week with a mailer of his own denouncing the claims, calling the move “dirty politics” and announcing that he would sue Murray and his

Pier pondering

St. Tammany looking to renovate, stormproof structure

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

St. Tammany Parish government was only a few days away from unveiling renovations to its storm-damaged ﬁshing pier that juts into Lake Pontchartrain near Slidell in August 2021 when Hurricane Ida hit.

More than four years later, the parish is once again seeking to renovate the pier, but this time, ofﬁcials vow, the renovations will last.

“We did not want to have to deal with this again,” said Parish President Mike Cooper said during a

news conference Tuesday at the pier, where he was joined by a group of Slidell City Council members, St. Tammany Parish Council members and state Rep. Stephanie Berault, RSlidell.

Since Hurricane Ida, the pier, which includes a repurposed section of the old Interstate 10 twin span bridge that remained after Hurricane Katrina, has essentially sat in an unusable state.

Contractors will now replace 70 feet of the dilapidated wooden entryway to the pier with steel, construct a rock jetty to protect the pier and also make improvements to the parking lot, said parish spokesperson Michael Vinsanau. Other than the 70 feet that will now be steel, the rest of the pier’s entryway will remain wooden.

Cooper said the renovation will cost

Washington Mardi Gras sees lobbyists

BY BLAKE PATERSON Staff writer

More than a dozen Jefferson Parish politicos trekked to Washington Mardi Gras over the weekend to seek federal support for everything from a proposed new pump station in Metairie to rock

$3 million, $2.5 million of which is coming from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, while the rest comes from parish funds.

“We fought for years with FEMA to not provide only a replacement, but a fortiﬁed approach,” Cooper said.

He said he has been inundated with calls over the years about when the popular pier will reopen.

“This one of the few places where the city of Slidell and those that live in east St. Tammany can enjoy Lake Pontchartrain,” Cooper said.

The new pier in Slidell, which Cooper they expect to open in early 2027, will be free and open to the public 24/7, Cooper said. There will also be a water line there for ﬁre protection, he said.

Flood authority police chief drops charge

BY ALEX LUBBEN Staff writer

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper, right, is joined by other parish officials as he announces the plans to finally repair the St. Tammany fishing pier along Lake Pontchartrain in Slidell on Tuesday The pier was heavily damaged nearly five years ago during Hurricane Ida.

Green Murray

Mandeville water wins state taste contest

City heading to national competition

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

The city of Mandeville’s water took top taste honors in a state contest over the summer This week, two city ofﬁcials traveled to Washington, D.C., to see if samples of that H20 would win nationals.

“It’s going to be strictly business,” said Jake Groby, the superintendent of Mandeville’s Water and Sewer Department

The city of Mandeville is representing Louisiana in the 27th annual “Great American Water Taste Test,” a national competition between the top rural water utilities from around the U.S to see who has the tastiest water

To qualify, the utilities had to win

FLOOD

Continued from page 1B

Marino said he received a call from the City Attorney’s Office, which informed him that Rondeno sought to drop the criminal case. Settoon had pleaded not guilty, and Marino said he had planned to take the case to trial if the charges had not been dropped.

Rondeno declined to comment, citing his involvement in the case as a potential crime victim

The incident was one of several in recent months that contributed to turmoil at the agency Settoon, 68, called the accusation against her absurd and part of a pressure campaign to force her to resign from the board, which agency leadership denied.

She was one of two remaining board members not appointed by Gov. Jeff Landry’s administration

The second, Randall Noel, also resigned this week.

The board’s president, Peter Vicari, who was appointed by Landry, stressed that he wanted to put the board turmoil in the past and focus to allow the agency to focus fully on flood protection. Vicari also confirmed the charge had been dropped.

“I’m tired of all the bickering,” he said. “We’ve got to move on.” Still, lawmakers are not allayed.

HOUSE

Continued from page 1B

campaign for defamation

“This malicious attack is designed to damage my reputation and character, which affects not only me but my family, including my daughter with whom I share joint custody with my former wife,” he said. “Let me be clear, these suspiciously timed, political allegations are unsupported by any credible evidence and totally false.”

Green’s ex-wife, Kaila Hutchison, declined comment Tuesday The issue comes near the end of a short election cycle that will seat two new members to the state House following former District 100 Rep. Jason Hughes and District 97 Rep. Matthew Willard’s departures for the City Council. Voters will also choose a candidate for Senate District 3, vacated when Joseph Bouie resigned last year to become chancellor at Southern University New Orleans

The House 97 race draws two candidates from well-known political families. Murray is the son of former state Sen. Edwin R. Murray and Green’s father, Eugene Green Jr represents District D on the City Council. Murray, an attorney, said he’s fighting to make New Orleans more affordable and would prioritize rising homeowners insurance, early childhood education and the city’s chronic blight issues.

Green, a property management consultant, has also campaigned on affordability issues and said he wants to ensure New Orleans receives its fair share of resources from the state, such as more funding for the state’s fortiﬁed roof program which is aimed at lowering homeowners insurance.

A third candidate, David Cook, was disqualiﬁed for failing to ﬁle state tax returns. The judge’s ruling followed a lawsuit challenging Cook’s candidacy that was brought by district resident Sandra Green who also serves as Councilmember Green’s chief of staff. Whoever gets a majority of the vote will win the seat on Saturday

water taste tests hosted by their state’s rural water association.

Mandeville won the Louisiana Rural Water Association’s blind taste test in July and will now be going up against 40 other states’ top rural water utilities, Groby said. This year’s utilities range in size from three to 26,000 connections, said Kaylyn Branen Snow, a spokesperson for the National Rural Water Association.

“We shot up from the table; we couldn’t believe it,” Groby said, recalling the moment from the July competition when his team learned they had won Samples of Mandeville’s tasty water were sent via FedEx to the competition, Groby said.

Groby, who had 30 years’ experience in the water and sewer department of St. Bernard Parish before taking his current job in 2022, said Mandeville’s three wells

“I’m always concerned when board members resign,” said Sen. Kirk Talbot, R-River Ridge. “I’ll be watching to make sure that those two spots get filled with professionals who bring integrity to the board.”

‘Restructure the board’

Settoon said Vicari had offered to urge Rondeno to drop the charges if she resigned from her position

But Vicari denies that the charges were dropped as part of a quid pro quo.

“I did not say, ‘You resign, the charges are dropped,’” Vicari said, though he added that he and Settoon had separately discussed asking Rondeno to drop the charges.

The board has been in turmoil for more than a year with nine members resigning, terming out, or being pushed off the nine-member body since last March. Much of the tension has been related to widespread changes being pursued at the agency by Landry’s allies.

Those reforms were overseen by Shane Guidry, a confidant of Landry who holds no official position in government. Last year, he began to push changes aimed at expanding the flood agency’s 50-officer police force, and rooting out what Guidry has called “waste, fraud and abuse” at the agency

Though Guidry appears to have taken a step back from overseeing

are deep and draw on a part of the Southern Hills Aquifer that is primarily reserved for public water supplies. The city adds chlorine and ammonia to the water, he said. Most municipal water has a chlorine taste, Groby said. Utilities have to add it for disinfectant. “We can taste it here at the Capitol,” he said when reached by phone in D.C. on Tuesday But in Mandeville?

“You can’t taste the chlorine,” Groby said. This is the ﬁrst time the city is participating in the national competition, Groby said Mandeville last won the state competition in 2003, but did not go to nationals that year In 2024, the Hudson Gaars water system in Winn Parish won third place at the national competition, but no system from Louisiana has ever won ﬁrst place, Snow said.

the changes in recent months, Rondeno and members of the current board have continued his efforts.

Lawmakers have taken notice of the issues at the ﬂood board, including Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, who has called the board “utterly dysfunctional.”

Both he and Talbot expressed relief on Tuesday that the charges against Settoon had been dropped.

“I’m glad that the case against Debbie has been resolved,” Henry said Tuesday “But the board still has an enormous amount of work to do to gain credibility with officials and folks who live in the area.”

“I still think we need to restructure the board,” he added.

Punches and legal bills

The alleged physical altercation occurred outside of a meeting from which Settoon had been excluded, related to “investigative proceedings regarding allegations of misconduct” by board members, according to the meeting’s public agenda.

Settoon attempted to enter that meeting, was told to leave, and ultimately complied. Later in a regular session open to the public, board members voted on whether to remove Settoon and Noel from the board. The motions failed.

The next day, Rondeno filed a criminal complaint against Settoon, alleging that she had “struck

The judges are typically staffers who work on Capitol Hill or in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Snow said, and they rank the water based on how clear it is, how it tastes and how it smells.

“It’s a really coveted position. People love to be a water judge,” she said.

The competition happens at the same time as the National Rural Water Association’s annual “Rural Water Rally,” where utilities can set up meetings with members of Congress to discuss the importance of federal funding for small and rural water systems.

While in D.C., Groby said he will meet with senators and representatives from Louisiana. Meanwhile, back in Mandeville, his work team will be pulling for a victory “Anything that makes them proud of their job is a feather in their cap,” he said.

him multiple times with a closed ﬁst on his arm” outside the meeting room, according to a police report.

At a second closed-door session in December, also related to alleged wrongdoing by members of the board, a representative from Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office was present Guidry last year began hinting at an investigation overseen by the Attorney General’s Office, which he believed would uncover explosive findings. No such findings have been made public to date.

When Settoon discovered she was the subject of an investigation, she hired an attorney and said in January that she had accrued $50,000 in legal bills. Along with her resignation, Vicari said the agency and Settoon agreed to a settlement through which the state would cover about $30,000 of Settoon’s legal debt.

“We did a compromise settlement of all parties and put it all to bed,” Vicari said. “It’s for the betterment of the authority.”

Settoon ultimately felt relieved to be off the board.

“I signed up to help the community with ﬂood protection,” Settoon said. “It turned out to be a political power grab that affected me ﬁnancially.”

Email Alex Lubben at alex. lubben@theadvocate.com.

PIER

Continued from page 1B

He said there are also future plans for a boat launch and other amenities in the area.

Parish Council member Jeff Corbin, whose district the pier is in, said he too has received a lot

HOTELS

Continued from page 1B

the 1300 block for its new corporate headquarters. Investors bought and renovated the former St Charles Athletic Club building in the 1600 block, which is now home to a dental practice and a dermatologist. New restaurants, including Tito’s Ceviche and Pisco and Gaia Steakhouse opened in the neighborhood in 2022 and 2023, respectively But there have been misfires, too. A vacant corner lot at 1500 St Charles that was under contract three years ago hasn’t sold.

Neither has the former Emeril’s Delmonico restaurant, which was originally listed for sale in 2022 for $3.9 million and now has an asking price of more than $2.6

of calls from constituents asking about the pier

He said he is excited for St. Tammany and Slidell residents to start using it, including his eight grandchildren.

“I can’t wait to take my grandkids out there to ﬁsh,” Corbin said.

The parish’s renovation in Slidell comes as the city of Mandeville moves ahead with plans to build a new pier with

million.

Real estate broker Shaun Talbot, a partner with Talbot Realty Group, said while challenges remain for the area, he is more bullish on the area than he has been in several years. Among the reasons for his renewed optimism are slightly lower insurance rates and a more favorable lending climate as well as the growth of a nearby neighborhood of upscale, shortterm rental houses that are fueling foot trafﬁc on the lower end of the avenue. “I know the short-term rentals are not what the city wanted but you are seeing more people walking around the area now,” he said. “You see more people at the streetcar stops and patronizing the restaurants.”

Meeting demand

Lawrence is hoping to capitalize on the demand for larger, apart-

from page 1B

“generational” projects — like moving the railroad out of downtown Gretna — as well as smaller asks, like convincing FEMA to sign off on a new location for a Harahan ﬁre station.

A long-discussed proposal to build a pump station to drain Old Metairie and Old Jefferson was a top priority for Jefferson Parish Council members Hans Liljeberg, Deano Bonano and Scott Walker (Walker didn’t attend but his chief of staff, Brian Grenrood, did.)

The billion-dollar-plus project would drain Hoey’s Basin into the Mississippi River instead of the 17th Street Canal, reducing pressure on Pump Station No. 6 operated by the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board. Washington Mardi Gras gave parish ofﬁcials the chance to circle back with Sen. Bill Cassidy who told them last year that funding may be available to advance the project. “This is a project that will be completed long after I’m out of ofﬁce, and maybe even when I’m dead,” Liljeberg said. Kenner Mayor Michael Glaser and staff met with federal offiicals to speed delivery of an $8.1 million grant to improve the city’s wastewater treatment system The funding was included in a spending bill signed by President Donald Trump last month.

Damage is still visible nearly five years later on the St. Tammany Fishing Pier along Lake Pontchartrain in Slidell. Parish officials announced the start of renovation work on Tuesday.

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

money from FEMA, after the old one jutting into Lake Pontchartrain was also destroyed by Hurricane Ida.

Mandeville Mayor Clay Madden has said the new ﬁshing pier in Mandeville might open by the end of summer

Email Willie Swett at willie.

swett@theadvocate.com.

ment-style lodging that is popu-

lar with the bachelor party-style groups that make up a growing share of the city’s visitors market.

Each of the units will be 3,000 square feet with three bedrooms, full kitchens and living areas.

Prior to beginning construction, Lawrence secured a height waiver, so he can build nearly three feet above the 60-foot limit; a parking waiver so the building does not have to provide off-street parking, and a density waiver that will allow the building to have one additional apartment beyond what is permitted for a structure that size.

The developer initially planned to operate the building as a complex of short-term rentals but now plans to seek a hotel license.

If all goes well, Lawrence said, the hotel could be open this fall.

Up the street, The Warbler hopes to welcome its ﬁrst guests late this year

Grand Isle Mayor David Camardelle and Col. Scotty Autin, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ New Orleans district, met up in Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s office to sign off on plans and specifications for rock breakwaters along the entirety of the barrier island to protect against hurricanes and coastal erosion. Camardelle said the $65 million project will be put out to bid in March or April and begin construction in June. Officials from Jefferson and Plaquemines parishes joined Gretna Mayor Belinda Constant and other city officials at a meeting at the U.S. Department of Transportation to brief the new leadership at the Federal Railroad Administration on efforts to relocate the railroad tracks out of downtown Gretna. The project is in the preliminary design phase. Jefferson Parish Council member Jennifer Van Vracken said she spent much of her time spreading the word about a new white paper released by the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance a group led by GNO, Inc. CEO Michael Hecht — that explores longterm solutions to the insurance crisis.

Harahan Mayor Tim Baudier and City Council members Jason Asbill and Eric Chatelain also sought help from Louisiana’s congressional delegation to convince FEMA to reconsider a denial of their request to reposition a ﬁre station damaged by Hurricane Ida.

“We think it moved the needle,” Baudier said Tuesday, noting that he got a positive phone call from FEMA ofﬁcial after Jefferson Parish regularly hosts a hospitality suite at the Washington Hilton to promote economic development opportunities, and every year, they highlight a local business. This year it was Pirogue Praline Company, which employees workers with special needs. Its owner, Pat Bode, said the goal is to “take the ‘dis’ out of ‘disability’ and show the capabilities and talents of those with special needs.

Jefferson Parish Council member Byron Lee, who also attended, didn’t respond to a phone call or text.

Jefferson Parish Council member Arita Bohanan touted the relationship-building aspect of Washington Mardi Gras, and said it’s a great opportunity to learn from other local officials about what’s working.

“You may have one or two conversations that make the entire trip worth it,” she said.

Email Blake Paterson at bpaterson@theadvocate.com.

2accused in DookyChase’s shooting

BY MISSY WILKINSON and JAMES FINN Staff writers

Twosuspects in aDooky

Chase’sRestaurant shooting that killed one man and wounded three women will be held without bail, an Orleans Parish magistrate commissioner ruledTuesday afternoon.

Commissioner Joyce Sallah ordered Makahi A. Kelly, 18, and Anthony Johnson, 22, jailed at a“dangerousness” hearing following their arrests Thursday.Kelly, who officials believe was the shooter,was booked into the Orleans JusticeCenter on one count of second-degree murder,and Johnson, who ofﬁcials named the driver was booked on one count of principal to second-degree murder

New Orleans police believe Johnson andKelly tailed the victim, Kareem Harris, 19, to the historic restaurant in the 2300 block of Orleans Avenue about 8:01 p.m. Jan. 16. There, both exited awhite Toyota, and Kelly allegedly opened ﬁre on Harris as he ran for cover in the eatery, where his family said he had once been employed.

Kelly’sdefense attorney

denied thatKelly was the gunman depicted in astill frame from surveillance video,sayingaLaﬁtte apartment resident had pulled the trigger.Johnson’sattorney argued thatJohnson hadnoideahis passenger andchildhoodfriend was on adeadlymission.

“Thisisa simpleride of 12 minutes,”said Dave Capasso,who represents Johnson.

“It is more than just a ride,” stateprosecutor Emma Svebek countered.

“He is seen on surveillance footage exitingthe vehicle and walking with Makahi Kelly toward thescene of the homicideand then running backand getting in the carwithMakahi. …And his phone places him at the sceneofthe homicide.”

Jack Greenberg was dining at Dooky Chase’swhen shots rang out.He saidin aTuesday phone interview that police reassurances that theshootingwas targeted provided only mild comfort.

“It was atargetedshooting, yeah,” saidGreenberg, aprofessor of politicalscience at Connecticut’sTrinity College who was inNew Orleans for aconference that weekend. “But we were still proximate to violence.

.And forthe victims, the loss is profound.”

Minutes after Greenberg and hiswifewereseated

at acorner table in the downstairs dining room, Greenberg heard “four or five popping sounds.” At ﬁrst, he assumed they were fallen plates or balloons popping. Then someone shouted “gun!”

Greenberg’swifefelland struck her head on atable in theensuing frenzy. The couple passed through the kitchen and sheltered inside astorage area with afew serversand terrified patrons. They comforted each other as one of theservers called out for Jesus

About 9:30 p.m., the police beganleadingpatronsto waiting carsthrough aback exit. One server helped Greenberg’swife findher shoes,which she’d lost amid the chaos.The server who’d been calling for Jesus came to ask if the couple needed anything.

“I cannot emphasize enough how exceptionally andbravely the staff handled this,”Greenbergsaid.

Greenberg saidhehas had nightmares in the two weeks sincethe shooting.

In holding Kelly and Johnson without bail, Sallah sidedwith stateprosecutors who argued both defendants representedathreat to the community at large. If convicted of their booking counts, both face life in prison without parole.

DHS, NOPD grappleover detainment of police recruit

BY JAMES FINN Staff writer

The New Orleans Police Department slammed federal officialsTuesdayfor issuing “misleading” information about the arrest of Larry Temah, an NOPD recruit detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents last week at his home.

The Police Department’s response came after the federal Department of Homeland Security blasted the NOPD in an earlier statement, saying “sanctuary cities like New Orleans ignore ICE detainers and are protecting illegal aliens at the expense of American citizens.”

Federal officials never alerted the NOPD of any detainer placed on Temah, department spokesperson Reese Harper said in response to DHS’ statement about Temah’sarrest.

“New Orleans is not a sanctuary city,and NOPD does not control jail operations or detainer decisions, which fall under the Sheriff’s Office,” Harper said. “Any claim that NOPD knowingly violatedthe law is false.” Harper addedthatthe agencyreviewed Temah’s background through E-

Verify,asystemauthorized by theSocial Security Administration and U.S. Citizenshipand Immigration Services. The latter agency falls under DHS. Temahwas detained on the morningofJan. 28 at hishome.

His case highlights questionsfacing local police agencies as they grapple with President Donald Trump’simmigration crackdown, such as whether to collaboratewithfederal agents,how to confront protestsand, increasingly, whether their ownofﬁcers could becometargets of immigration sweeps.

TheTimes-Picayune reported last week that Temah, 46,enteredthe U.S. in 2015 and applied for a greencard in Georgia the following year after marrying an Americancitizen His green card application was rejected in 2022 because federalofficials believedthe marriage was fraudulent, an ICE spokesperson said last week. Temahwas thriceordered to appearinimmigration court over thefollowing three years, but failedto show up on each occasion, theICE spokesperson said. That led aGeorgia immigration judge on Dec. 5to order Temah, “inabsentia,”

to be removed from the country Tuesday’sDHS statement also criticizedthe NOPD for allowingTemah to carry aﬁrearm as aperson in the country illegally “It’safelony for illegal alienstoevenpossess aﬁrearm,”DHS AssistantSecretary Tricia McLaughlin said in thestatement. “Under President Trumpand SecretaryNoem, ICE is restoring law and order.Criminalillegal alienshaveno place in our communities —especially on ourpolice forces.”

Temah hasnocriminal record, people familiar with hisbackgroundhavesaid, and he currentlydoes not face criminal charges.

WhileDHS’statement said that “sanctuary cities like New Orleans ignore ICEdetainers,”the agency did not directly say whether federal authorities had issued adetainer in Temah’s case prior to his arrest Detainers are notices from federal ofﬁcials to local law enforcement that aperson hasoutstanding immigration violations.

An ICE spokesperson did not immediately respond to an inquiry about whether theagency had issued adetainer on Temah beforehis detention.

NewOrleans Area Deaths

Andrew Sr., Don Obituaries

DugasJr.,Clovis Israel,Sarah

DiLeo, Gina DugasJr.,Clovis Andrew Sr., DonM

Echeagaray,Jose’ Hudgins,Judy Israel,Sarah Jones-Smith,Diane Martin,Joanne Maurin,Gary McNair Jr., James Ohlmeyer, Christopher Palmisano-Lovetro, Mary Payne,Kim

Rhodes, Carmel Scott, Shirley EJefferson Garden of Memories

Echeagaray,Jose’ Ohlmeyer, Christopher NewOrleans

Boyd Family McNair Jr., James Charbonnet Rhodes, Carmel Scott, Shirley DW Rhodes Martin,Joanne Payne,Kim JacobSchoen DiLeo, Gina West Bank DavisMortuary Andrew Sr., Don

DonM.Andrew, Sr.en‐tered peacefully into eter‐nal rest on Saturday,Janu‐ary 24, 2026, at theage of 74. He wasa native and residentofNew Orleans, LA. Donwas educated in the OrleansParishSchool System, andheservedhis country in theUnited StatesMarineCorp. He was employed as ataxicab driver. HusbandofCynthia J.Andrewby ﬁrstmarriage and Sharon Andrew by sec‐ond marriage.Beloved fa‐therofBeatrice(Lyndon) AndrewHorsford, DonM Andrew, Jr., Darren An‐drew, andDanielAndrew. Son of thelateEdwardAn‐drew, Sr.and Josephine BeaulieuAndrew. Brother ofMarilynA.(Larry,Sr.) Barabinoand thelateCar‐rollMartin, Edward An‐drew, Jr Emma Rose A. Harrison, andJoAnneA Henry.Uncle of thelate Larry “Dodoo “Henry.God‐fatherofTyraBarabino Baker,alsosurvivedby3 grandchildren,2 greatgrandchildren, anda host

the Mass of

ial at St.Raymond &St. Leo the GreatCatholicChurch, 2916 ParisAve., NewOr‐leans,LAonThursday, Feb‐ruary 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. FatherStanley K. Ihouma S.S.J.Visitationwillbegin at9:00a.m.until service timeatthe above-named church.Interment:Holt Cemetery-NewOrleans,LA. ArrangementsbyDavis MortuaryService,230 Mon‐roe St., Gretna,LA. To view and sign theguestbook, pleasegotowww.davismo rtuaryservice.com

DiLeo, Gina Maria

Gina MariaDiLeo August 22, 1957- January31, 2026. Gina passedawayonJanu‐ary31, 2026, at theage of 68 yearsold.She wasa graduate of Mount Carmel Academyand Charity NursingSchool.Preceded in deathbyher parents, Dr

4B ✦ Wednesday, February4,2026 ✦ nola.com ✦ The Times-Picayune VincentDiLeo,Sr. An‐toinette Russo DiLeoand brother, Dr.MarcusDiLeo Sister of VincentDiLeo,Jr. andAnnette Shaw (David). Sheleavesbehinda host of nieces,nephews,cousins andgodchildren whom she loveddearly. Gina wasa devotedmothertoLauren Jones(Bryan) andClaudia Cedor(Andrew)r,loving grandmotherto( Rhett, Katherine, Anthony),and a nursewhose life wasde‐finedbycompassion, ser‐vice,and deep care foroth‐ers. Nursingwas notjust Gina’s profession;itwas hercalling.Throughouther career,she worked in the emergencyroom and pedi‐atrics,bringingskill,and reassurancetopatients andfamilies during some of theirmostvulnerable moments. In the finalyears of herpractice, Gina found hertrueheart’s work in hospicecare, whereher gentleness, patience,and empathyprovidedcomfort notonlytopatients, butto theirloved ones as well. Families consistently spokeofhow much they lovedGina. They remem‐beredher steady presence, herlistening ear, andthe wayshe made people feel seen,understood,and caredfor.She hada rare gift foreasingfearand of‐fering dignityand peace during life’s most difficult transitions. Thefamilywill receivefriends Thursday February 5from10AMuntil 12 Noon at JacobSchoen& SonFuneralHome3827 CanalSt. AMassofChrist‐ianBurialwillbecele‐brated at 12 Noon in theJ GaricSchoenChapelwith Father BillyO'Riordan Cele‐brantand Deacon Uriel Durr Con-celebrant. En‐tombment to follow in the Di LeosarcofagusinAll Saints Mausoleumat Metairie Cemetery.Condo‐lences maybeleftatwww schoenfh.com.Arrange‐mentsbyJacob Schoen & SonFuneral Home

DugasJr.,ClovisClaude

Clovis Claude Dugas, Jr (Snapper, Red, Duke)of Gretnaat85years old, passedawayonFebruary 1,2026.Hesurvivedbyhis lovingwifeof62years, EdnaPrejeantDugas,their sonsChris (Lacey)and Ken,three grandsons, Kyle (Rebecca), Cole andCody Dugas.Brother,Gerald G. Dugas (Willee) andsisters, SylviaD.Breaux(Stephen) and Gaynel D. Kliebert (Lester), andmanynieces and nephews. Preceded in death by hisparents,Clo‐vis C. Dugas, Sr andOlga Hepting Dugas; hisbroth‐ers Rodney M. Dugasand Alvin H. Dugas.Clovis Grad‐uated from West Jefferson HighSchool in 1959. He servedthe Countryinthe Air ForceReserve from 1963 to 1969. He retired fromJ.Ray McDermott after 24 yearsand Vetco Grayafter 20 YearsofSer‐vice. Fishingwas hispas‐sion, butheloved to bowl playgolf, Tulane Sports, and spending time with his familyboiling seafood.Rel‐ativesand Friendsofthe Familyare invitedtoat‐tendthe FuneralMassin the Chapel of MOTHEFU‐NERAL HOME,2100 West‐bankExpy, Harvey,LAon Thursday,February5,2026 at 11 AM.Interment West‐

lawn Cemetery South, Gretna, LA.Visitationwill beheldfrom9 AM until masstime. To view and signthe online guestbook visit www.mothefunerals com

Echeagaray,Jose’ Fernando

Jose’FernandoEchea‐garay, born on 10/31/59 to Fernando Echeagaray and Patricia BarbierSimmons, passedawayon01/29/26 at 66 yearsofage after battlingcancer. He was preceded in deathbyhis maternal andpaternal grandparents,his parents, hisUncle AugieBarbier, andother uncles,aswell as hisAunt Amalia.Heis survived by hisbeloved wife of 38 years, Donna,his son, Nicholas (Lorayne) andhis grandchildren (whomheadored),Lyla Echeagaray andJoseph “Bear” Echeagaray.Heis also survived by hisAunt Verlyn Barbier, andother aunts, hisstep-siblings Larry Simmons(Kay),Jan Pillsbury, NancyRichards andClintSimmons (Mary Ann),cousinBarbara Dildy (Dr. Gary), andnumerous othercousins,niecesand nephews, andmanyclose friends. Fernando wasem‐ployed by Premier Nissan as aFinance Managerfor many years, andloved his co-workers,who became hisextendedfamily. Phil andFrancoiswerelike brothers to him. He was larger than life,kind, com‐passionate,had awonder‐fulsense of humor,and lovedbyall whotruly knew him. He was fluent in Span‐ishand enjoyedtraveling to Spainwithhis wife.Fer‐nandoenjoyed attending NewOrleans Saints games withhis son, andhewas a staunchsupporter of FC Barcelona. He wasa true NewOrleans ‘foodie,’ who enjoyedtryingnew restau‐rantswithhis friendsand family.His favorite restau‐rant wasBarcelona Tapas, locatedUptown. He loved hotsausage po-boysand rawoysters.His family memberswillremember himfor hislove, selfless‐ness andhumility. He truly enjoyedserving andhelp‐ingothers. Sundayswith Fernando were specialto hisfamily. They enjoyed barbequing andswimming in thebackyard, watching football andgoing outto eat. They enjoyedlaughing together,and Fernando wasknown forhis tremen‐dous andoften mischie‐vous senseofhumor.He washappy that hisson Nicholas foundLorayne andwords cannot describe howhefeltabout the grandchildrenthatthey gave him.Fernandowillbe deeply missedbyhis fam‐ily, friends, co-workers, andmanyothers. Mayhe rest in peaceinthe arms of hisHeavenlyFather. Visita‐tion will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026 from Noon to 2p.m., followed by a Mass at Garden of Memo‐ries FuneralHome, 4900 AirlineDrive,Metairie, Louisiana70001. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donationsmay be made to theAmericanCan‐

cerSociety in Fernando’s name companionship. Sheissur‐vivedbyher former spouse,James “Scott” Is‐rael;her daughter,Alyssa Israel Condreyand her husband Kyle;and her cherishedgrand dog, Jack Sarahwas preceded in deathbyher parents, Rus‐sell DeLaneyNewtonIII andBarbara LeonaPoole; herbrother BrettJay New‐ton; herdaughterMalorie FrancisIsrael; andher un‐born granddaughterMade‐lynn GraceCondrey.Sarah will be remembered forher quietloveofhome, herde‐votion to herfamily, and themeaningfulmoments shesharedwiththose closesttoher.Relatives andfriends areinvited to Sarah'sVisitationon Thursday,February5,2026 from 9amto11amatSt. Philip's EpiscopalChurch, 3643 Aurora Drive, NewOr‐leans, LA 70131. AFuneral Servicewillbegin at 11am, andInterment will follow at Westlawn Memorial Park,1225 WhitneyAvenue Gretna,LA70056.

Hudgins, Judy

JudyHudgins entered intorest January 25, 2026. BornonNovember 8, 1956, she was the2nd of 15 children.Judywas preceded in death by her husband AllenLee Hudgins Sr., son, AllenLee Hudgins Jr her parents, Isaiah and Ginny Breaux. &siblings Janice, Louis, and SharonBreaux. Judyissurvivedbyher children: LenoraHudgins; Leila Encalade (Nicholas); Belika Carter (Chris); Genevia"Gigi" VincentHudgins (Uchenna); and IsrealHudgins. She also leavesbehind17grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, &her siblings: Alvin(Diana), Viola, Kenneth, Manuel, Huey, Ronald,Darren (Yolonda), Chris, Maryann, Cammy, and Carl Breaux. Judywillbecherished in theheartsofall who had theprivilege of knowing her.

SarahNewtonIsrael, of Kenner,Louisiana,passed away on January29, 2026, at theage of 63. Shewas born on May15, 1962, in Waynesboro,Georgia,and wasa longtime resident of Algiers, Louisiana. Sarah found hergreatestcomfort at home,where sheloved relaxing andwatching classicmovies. Shecher‐ishedtimespent with her daughter,Alyssa—espe‐cially theirsharedloveof attendingconcertsto‐gether.One of hergreatest joys wasspendingtime with herbeloved grand dog, Jack,who broughther endlesshappiness and

Jones-Smith,Diane Betty

Diane was acherished mother, grandmother,familymember, and friend whose strength,grace and love touched everyone she encountered.She willbe deeply missed and forever remembered

Martin,Joanne With sadnessweshare the passingofJoanne Mar‐tin,onJanuary 26, 2026 Pleasevisit www.rhodesf uneral.comtoviewservice information,signonline guestbook,sendﬂowers and sharecondolences

Gary Henry Maurin born March21, 1948, in New Orleans, passed away February 1, 2026, in Lafayette. AMemorial gathering will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2026, for 11am followed by a Mass at 12pm, at St.Joan of ArcCatholic Church located at 529 W5th St.in Laplace, LA.Interment in familytomb to take place followingmass at St.John Memorial Cemetery.A Celebration of life will be held on March22, 2026, in

JamesMcNairJr. was bornonFebruary13, 1947, tothe late JamesMcNair Sr. andMaryAugusta Mc‐Nairwho preceded himin death.Heentered eternal restonJanuary 21, 2026, at the ageof78. He wasa na‐tiveofGulfport, Mississippi and movedtoNew Or‐leans, Louisianain1953.

Many Americans are fortunate to have dental coveragefor their entire working life,through employer-provided benefits. When those benefits end with retirement, paying dental bills out-of-pocket can come as a shock,leading peopletoput offoreven go without care. Simplyput —without dental insurance, there may be an importantgap in your healthcarecoverage.

Whenyou’recomparing plans ...

 Look forcoveragethat helps pay formajor services. Some plans maylimit thenumber of procedures —orpay forpreventive care only.

 Look forcoveragewithnodeductibles. Some plans mayrequire you to pay hundredsout of pocket before benefits are paid.

 Shop forcoveragewithnoannual maximumoncash benefits.Some plans have

Medicare doesn’tpay for dental care.1

That’s right. As good as Medicare is,itwas never meanttocover everything. That means if youwant protection, youneed to purchase individual insurance.

Previous dental work canwearout

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

Early detectioncan prevent small problemsfrom becomingexpensive ones

The best way to preventlarge dental bills is preventive care. TheAmerican Dental Association recommends checkupstwiceayear.

Treatment is expensive especially theservicespeople over 50 often need

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

Maurin,Gary Henry

McNair Jr., James

Israel,Sarah Newton

Jamesacceptedhis per‐sonal Lord andSaviorand was baptizedin1982 by the latePastor, Rev. John Bur‐kett, at GlorylandMt. Gillion BaptistChurch. James beganworking for the Marriott Hotels in 1976 and retiredwith25years of dedicated serviceasa me‐chanicalengineer. James leavestocherish hisde‐voted wife of 60 yearsPa‐triciaMcNair; children: Geraldine “Deany”McNair, Decatur,Ga.,Tammy Lyn McNair, andJames McNair III of thehome; grandchil‐dren: Maci Johnson, Trav‐ius Evans, Kristen Johnson, HoldynSparkman, Nigel Pringle,and great-grand‐daughterDiyuorEvange‐lineHarveyEvans.There were ﬁve brothers andtwo precededhim in death: Kenneth McNair,Donald McNair, (Tanya)and Paul McNair. Sixsisters:four precededhim in death, DebbieHudson(Walter) and DonaldmarieBailey (Aaron);sisters-in-law: De‐lores Smithand Marie Dixon;Godchild: Kendrick Thompson, anda host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extendedfamily, and friends.Familyand friends are invitedtoattendthe Funeral ServiceonFriday, February6,2026,for 11:00 a.m.atGloryland Mt Gillion BaptistChurch, 1515 OrethaCastleHaley Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70113. Vis‐itation will beginat9:00 a.m.PastorNormanSto‐vall, ofﬁciating. Interment willfollowatMount Olivet Cemetery. Guestbook On‐line: www.anewtraditionbe gins.com(504)282-0600 LinearBrooksBoydand Donavin D. Boyd Own‐ers/Funeral Directors.

Deputy ChristopherPaul Ohlmeyer,a devotedfam‐ilyman andrespected law enforcementofﬁcer, passedawayinthe line of duty on January30, 2026,in NewOrleans,Louisiana,at theage of 41. Born on No‐vember 11, 1984, in Metairie,Louisiana,Chris wasa beacon of courage andlovethroughouthis life.Chris is survived by his belovedwifeof20years, DesireeDuheOhlmeyer, andtheir twocherished children:son,Gavin Ohlmeyer (DakotaCope), anddaughter, Olivia Ohlmeyer.Hewas thetrea‐suredson of Lori Payne (Jamie)and Joseph O'Neill. Hislovingpresencewill also be profoundly missed by hissiblings, Megan O'Neill, Abby Breaux (Ryan),and JamiePayne Jr.; hisin-laws,Timothy andLiz Duhe;his brothersin-law,Timmy Duhe (Dana) andDerrick Duhe (Christie);aswellashis godson, Brayden Ducote andnephew, Stetson Breaux.Chris wasa dear nephew to hisaunts, Lisa Ashley andSusan Good anduncle,PaulO'Neill (Rochelle)and he held a specialplace in thehearts of hisnumerousnieces, nephews, andcousins,in‐cludingthe late Joey Li‐uzza.His memory will be cherishedbyhis grand‐mother,Veronica(Nana) Ohlmeyer,and he waspre‐cededindeath by his

grandparents,Josephand CarolLiuzza; Thomas and JoannO'Neill;and Morris Ohlmeyer.Chris's life was atestament to hisunwa‐vering courageand the profound love he hadfor hisfamily. Hispride and joywerehis children,and he wasa dedicatedhus‐band whocherished the life he andDesiree built andfoughtfor together Chris'sinterests reflected hiszestfor life andhis love forhis family.Hewas an avid cook whofound joyin preparingmeals while ser‐enaded by thetimeless tunesofFrank Sinatra. An outdoor enthusiast,herel‐ishedthe momentsspent riding hisbike, andnothing wasmoreimportant to him than thequality time he spentwithhis family and hisbestfour-leggedfriend, Zeke.Chris dedicated16 yearsofhis life to lawen‐forcement, beginninghis career with theOrleans ParishSheriff'sOffice be‐fore serving14years with theJefferson Parish Sher‐iff'sOffice.His commit‐ment to public servicewas recognized with multiple lettersofrecognition and citizen'scompliments as well as servingasa Field Training Officer, preparing thenextgenerationoflaw enforcement. He recently joined theTrafficdivision, whereheproudly served as amotorman. Deputy Ohlmeyer served hiscom‐munity with honor, andhis legacy of braveryand dedi‐cation to hiscommunity were unwavering.His ab‐sencewillbedeeply felt by hiscolleaguesand those he served.Aswebid farewell to Deputy Christo‐pher Paul Ohlmeyer,we celebratea life livedwith purposeand filled with boundless love.His spirit will continue to inspireus, andhis memory will be a guidinglight forgenera‐tionstocome. Chris'sjour‐neyonearth hascon‐cluded,but theimpactof hislifewillbefeltforever Services will be held on Thursday,February5,2026 at JeffersonPerforming Arts Center,6400 AirlineDr, Metairie,LA70003. Public visitation will beginat 10:00 am with services starting at 1:00 pm fol‐lowedbyprocessionto Garden of Memories Ceme‐tery, 4900 AirlineDr, Metairie,LA70001 forlaw enforcementhonors. To offercondolences,please visitwww.gardenofmem oriesmetairie.com. A fundraisingaccount has been setuptosupport the family at https://www. gofundme.com/f/jpsodeputy-chris-ohlmeyerfund?lang=en_USoryou maysenda checktoSher‐iffJosephLopinto Commu‐nity Foundation,Attn: Ohlmeyer family,1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey,LA70058.

Lovetro Plapp (Tom) of Houston, Texas,Tammi Lovetro Sturm (John) of Sealy, Texas,and Travis John Lovetro (Erika) of Katy, Texas. Her daughter Trisha Lovetro Koch (Greg) of Saint Rose, Louisiana, passed away in 2019. Rosaliewas anativeof Saint Charles Parish, Louisiana—the thirdchild of Salvatore "Sam" Palmisano and Alice Maye Chiasson Palmisano—and is survivedbysiblings Alice Palmisano Gruntz (lateAlphonse) of Saint Rose, Louisiana, and John Palmisano (Chris) of Bay St.Louis, Mississippi.Her younger sister, Sylvia Palmisano Petitfils (Lyle) passed away in 2017. She leavesbehindtomourn herpassing 14 grandchildren:Katie, Thomas, Tara, Vincent,Johnny, Charlotte Jacob, Hannah, Samantha, Ariana,Desiree, Caleb, Ethan, and Elena, and 4 great-grandchildren: William, Abigail, Jackson, and Clay. Also survived by alarge and loving extended family of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Beyond theboundsoffamily, over theyears Rosalie openedher heart and home to many who needed aplace to stay, asympatheticear to listen, or a voice of sage advice, and these members of her adoptive family willalways cherish her memory.For morethan5 decades, Rosalie was adevout parishionerofNotre Dame Catholic Church in Houston and will be deeply missed by her community of friends in Christ.Relatives and friendsofthe family are invited to attend acelebration of life at Notre Dame CatholicChurch (7720 Boone Rd,Houston, TX 77072) on Thursday, February 5, 2026, reception to follow. Rosarywillbegin at 9:30am followedbya memorial mass at 10:30am. Asecond mass will take place on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (13396 RiverRd, Destrehan, LA 70047) at 11:30am followedbyinurnment in the church cemetery,reception to follow. In lieu of flowers,the family asks that youdonate to St JudeChildren's Research HospitalinRosalie'sname. Amass of christianburial willbeheldfrom 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM on 2026-02-07 at Saint Charles Borromeo CatholicChurch, 13396 RiverRd. Aburial willbe held from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM on 2026-02-07 at Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 13396 RiverRd.

Payne, KimM.

With sadnessweshare thepassing of KimM PayneonJanuary 22, 2026. Please visitwww.rhodesf uneral.comtoviewservice information, sign online guestbook,sendﬂowers andshare condolences. Palmisano-Lovetro, Mary Rosalie

MaryRosaliePalmisano Lovetroentered eternal rest on Sunday, February1, 2026.She was 81 years old. Rosaliewas the devoted wifeofCharles Vincent Lovetro, Jr for the past 62 years. Shewas the beloved motherofTroyVincent Lovetro(Pauline)of Apopka, Florida, Tanya

Rhodes,Carmel Tzuchenow

Carmel Tzuchenow Rhodestransitionedon January 18, 2026, at theage of51. Carmel wasbornon March13, 1974, to the

union of thelateMs. JacquelineRhodesand Mr Arthur Wells andlovingly raisedbyElder Henry Navarre andMaryNavarre fromthe ageofone month. Carmel attended Florence J.Chester Elementary School,James Durham MiddleSchool Warren Eas‐ton andlater transferredto Booker T. Washington High School.Carmelleavesto cherish hismanymemo‐ries, onedaughter, Arian Rhodes; 4granddaughters, Riyan Brown, AerinSmith Talyn andAspyn Johnson. His father,Elder Henry (Mary)Navarre,4 sisters: Nadia Rhodes,Trineese Jackson,Jonterenceand NingelCarter, 1brother Wayne Carter;3 aunts, Paulette Jolla,Emma James,and Iris Rhodes;2 uncles, Carmel William (Linda) andLindsy (Shirley) Rhodes.A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and otherrelatives.Carmel isprecededindeath by his mother, Jacqueline I. Rhodes; brother, Henry Rhodes; grandparents,Iris T.Rhodesand WilliamA Rhodes; great-grandpar‐entsOscar F. andAliceB Inniss. FuneralServices honoringthe life of Carmel RhodeswillbeheldatNew HomeFamilyWorship Cen‐ter,1616 Robert C. Blakes, Sr.,Dr.,New Orleans, LA 70130 on Friday,February6, 2026 at 10:00 am.Visitation at9:00am. Intermentwill beprivate.Pleasethe on‐lineguestbook at www.cha rbonnetfuneralhome.com. Charbonnet LabatGlapion Directors,(504) 581-4411.

ShirleyMae Cole Scott passedonTuesday,Janu‐ary 27, 2026 at Chateaude Notre Dame.She was92. A New Orleansnative, Shirley wasa graduate of Booker T. Washington Se‐niorHighSchool andat‐tendedDillard University Retired from sales, Shirley worked at Godchaux’s

Kreeger’s at Uptown Square, JindoFursinCanal Place andVictoria’sShoe Store in theFrenchQuar‐ter.She wasa member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.Lefttocherish her memoryare daughter, Linda Madlen Scott; grand‐daughter, Anthea Nicole Frank (Wade);great-grand‐daughter, AmariTy’ese Beverly;and ahostofex‐tendedfamilyand friends. She wasprecededindeath byher loving companion, CurtisAustin; father,Clif‐fordJosephCole; and mother, MildredHerbert Cole. AMassofChristian Burialhonoringthe life of Shirley ScottwillbeatOur LadyofGuadalupe Church, 411 N. RampartStreet,New Orleans,LA70115 on Fri‐day,February6,2026 at 10:00 am.Visitationat9:00 am. Father Tony Ofﬁciat‐ing.Interment:St. Louis No. 3Cemetery, 3421 Es‐planade Ave.,New Orleans, LA70119. Please sign the onlineguestbook at www charbonnetfuneralhome.

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OUR VIEWS

Olympics canbring outthe best in us

Friday evening at the SanSiro Stadium in Milan, ﬂames will once againleap from an Olympic torch as the 2026 MilanoCortinaWinter Games begin.

TheUnitedStatesissending its biggest team ever to thegames, with morethan230 athletes donning the red, white and blue, and racing, ﬂying and spinning across ice, airand snowinpursuitofacoveted medal

None of the athletes on the team are from Louisiana, unfortunately.The youngest team member is 15-year-old freeskier Abby Winterberger;the oldest is 54-year-old curlerRick Ruohonen. Nevertheless, we believe these gamesgive us arare opportunity to focus on unity ratherthan division for acouple of weeks.

It won’tbeeasy.Cynicism about both the Olympics and the United Statesisclose to thesurface these days.

The former,includingthe governing International Olympic Committee,has become known as much forgreed and crasscapitalism thanitisfor athletic competition (amateurism having been unceremoniously punted years ago).

The latter is in the midst ofwhat many have characterized as anear-existentialcrisis.Recent immigration sweepsand their accompanying protests —attimes greetedwith violencefrom federal agents —havenot just highlighted the stark divisions within our country,but deepened and embittered them.

That’swhere the gamescomein. Theyshould serve as areminder that evenwith intense disagreements, we can still support our fellow Americans. We hopefolks feel asenseofpride when the stars and stripesare raisedand the anthem is played after an Americantriumph. Who can forget the Miracle on Ice in Lake Placid in 1980, an intense moment of national jubilation galvanizedbyagroup ofyoung men unknowntomany of us, but still ours?

It is, of course, sometimesdifﬁcult to separate politics from the games. Statements have been made by performance, as Jesse Owens didpowerfully by refuting noxious Naziracial superiority theories; or by protest, as TommieSmith and Juan Carlos did when they raised gloved“Black Power” ﬁsts while on the podium in Mexico City in 1968, for which they weresenthome.

We note that whether or notone agrees with an athlete’ssentiments, those expressions remind the world that America isabeacon of freedom of speech andthought. It’sacherishedAmerican ideal not universally held, and not every athlete who competes has that right.

As Louisianans, the WinterOlympics canalso provide afascinating opportunity to acquaint ourselves with pastimes unfamiliar to many of us Iceskating, downhill and cross-countryskiing, snowboarding and the luge are noteasily found in the Bayou State.Hockey has hadafew forays into Louisiana on the professional level, but it remains, for many,anovelty sport.

So we hope that many of youare,like us,eagerly anticipating the competition. If thereare politicalstatements,wecan celebratethe right to make them evenifwedon’t agree. That’s what the games can do forus.

LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE AREOUR

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

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

TO SEND US A LETTER, SCANHERE

OPINION

YOUR VIEWS

Kennedyplays politics more than focusing on La.

Ijust looked at U.S. Sen. John Kennedy’swebsite. Isee many of his posts about Minnesota and the problems with fraud in their child care facilities. Iamdisgusted that Kennedy is focused on Minnesota’stroubles because it has aDemocratic governor.What is he doing about the cost of health care in our state? So manypeople have seen dramatic increases because of his party’sdecision to give lots of money to wealthypeople in the big awful bill instead of helping the middle class and poor According to theU.S. News &World Report’s2024 BestStates rankings, we ranked last, with particularly low scores in crime, economy, infrastructure and natural environment. We ranked 50th in 2023, also.

Iwould like my senator to focus on our problems and not Minnesota’s problems. From 26 years of recess duty,I recognize the mean kid on the playground who has massive problemshimself and hides it by picking on other kids. Minnesotaisdown and out right now and Kennedy is rubbing their nose in thedirt. How cruel and what awaste of his time when he could be working to improve our health care, environment, educational system,homeowners’ insurance nightmares, etc. Iwish our senator would work harder to pull us up from the very bottom of the country instead of gleefully picking on Minnesota.

JEAN WIGGIN NewOrleans

We’relosingthe Americaour ancestorsfoughtfor

My father and his Greatest Generationdid not battleand defeat theNazis only to have their Gestapo tactics (“showmeyour papers”) show up in America 80 yearslater.Know thatif you support this effortbyICE and we continue in this authoritarian direction, thatone day theymay showupatyour door for something you said, or wrote or thought.Wesee this in Russia,Iran, North Korea, etc. Don’tthink for a minuteitcan’thappen here. Look how quickly things have already changed in just one year As for illegal immigration, virtually everyone of our ancestors camehere to escape poverty or persecution, the exact same reasons the current immigrants are coming. The problem is not

Awarning to allour European, Canadian and world allies: Be warned not to trust President Donald Trump on his Greenland compromisestatement or other admissions. The world has seen how he has reneged on promises, deals and tariffs. Trump calls himself the masterofthe deal. Trump’smain dealmaking compromise: Coerce! Coerce! Coerce! If you don’tagree with him,he will coerce, renounce, claim breach of trust or increase tariffs to get thewin. As we have seen, the Trump administration and his MAGA allies do not believe in international rules or laws

illegalimmigration; theproblem is that there arenot sufﬁcient legal pathways for people to comehere, even just for workpermits

The domestic birthrate is 1.6, not even closetothe 2.1 rate needed to maintain our population and sustain oureconomy.Wewill become an aging population, like Japan, with astagnant economy and lesspayroll deductions to support Social Security.And if you think illegal immigrants collect Social Security, you are wrong. Even with a fake Social Security number,the deductions from theirpaychecks only go into and support theSocialSecurity trust fund; it cannot comeout to them.

LOUIS SHEPARD NewOrleans

Trumpispointless

Caution and foresight need to be present in dealings with our president. Should he think he is not the winner on the Greenland compromise,hewill do whatever he needs to prevail. He recently said the China deal withCanada was agood deal. Nowhe renounces the Canada-China trade deal and plans to impose 100% import tariffs on Canadian goods to the U.S. Coerce, coerce, coerce —the same old song again. Thanks and be safe

BJ RIEDIE Belle Chasse

It’s notradical to oppose what’s happening on immigration

Iamnot alunatic; nor do Ibelieve Iama leftist radical. Iwoke up one Saturday morning to another protester having been killed by immigration ofﬁcials in Minneapolis. Regardless of whether one believes in God,teachers such as Jesus and Gandhi provided lifelessons and examples of how to live that fewwould disagree with. Separating children from their families, proﬁling based on skin color and shooting protesters are acts inconsistent with these values. What ICEisdoing is morally repugnant.

Iambegging the Trumpadministration to put ahalt to these tactics and signiﬁcantly alter its immigration strategy before its actions do irreparable harm to this country Every citizen should be appalled by what is happening in Minnesota and elsewhere. As citizens, our primary tools are our ability to express our dissatisfaction and outrage with what our elected ofﬁcials are doing and our right to vote. Iurge all citizens to use both tools to help put astop to what the Trumpadministration is doing to this country

DEIRDRE GOLDEN NewOrleans

Stop using euphemisms in education

This is in regards to “patriotic education,” aka “ignoring the parts of our history we don’tlike to talk about.”

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon wants our children to be taught history that ignores the uncomfortable truths.

We are agreat nation, not aperfect nation. Our Founding Fathers created the modern republic. We have been an inspiration to others who subsequently rebelled against tyranny in their own lands. However,we cannot gloss over the fact that our ancestors enslaved people. Our leaders forced native peoples off their lands. Our children need to learn this part of our history,not to create guilt, but because it is the truth.

CAROL GALLIEN Harahan

Abrahamisnot taking measlesseriously

Ralph Abraham, Louisiana’sformer congressman and surgeon general, keeps encouraging policiesthathave led to theworst outbreak of measlesin the United States since 1992.

One need not be adoctor to be rather certain, and aghast,that Abraham, now the deputy director for theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention,is helping reverse one of thegreat triumphs of modernmedicine. His attitude is shameful.

3ofevery 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.”

What spurs this observation is twoitems that crossed my desk within ahalf-hour of each other on themorning of Feb. 2.

The ﬁrst was anotice from the “Emergency Health Network” that sometimes comes into my email inbox. The second was astory in the online publication The Bulwark, quoting Abraham. The article was written by multiple award-winning journalist Johnathan Cohn, who wascalled “one of the nation’sleading expertson health policy” by The Washington Post.

The Emergency HealthNetwork’s headline warned of a“surge”inmeasles cases. Just since October, South Carolina alone has experienced 847 cases of measles —more cases in one state in four months than theentire country had in any full year (except asemi-blip up in 2019) since 1994. Indeed, the total of cases in the entire country for eight years combined from 2006 to 2013 was lower than thecases so far in South Carolina’sfour-month outbreak.

Across the United States, the 2,276 cases in all of 2025 was the mostsince 1992. This is no small matter.It’sprofoundly dangerous.The CDC itself reports that“About 1in5 unvaccinated people in the U.S. who getmeasles is hospitalized,” and that between “1 and

Plentymore measles statistics like those are almost equally alarming, all for adisease the CDC labels as “highly contagious.” TheNational Foundation for Infectious Diseases reports that some 90% of people without immunity to measles will become infected if they get close to an infected person. An infected person can spread measles from four days before symptomsappear to four daysafterward, and thevirus can survive for nearly two hours in theair or on nearbysurfaces.

Back to the new Emergency Health notice, here’sthe key statistic: “Of those [847] infected, 760 were unvaccinated,15were partially vaccinated with one of the recommended two-dose measles-mumps-rubella vaccines, 20 were fully vaccinated and 52 had unknown vaccination status.”

In other words, almost theentire outbreak is among the small portion of SouthCarolinians who are unvaccinated. Thecontagion is spreading because peoplearen’tvaccinated against it. Vaccines work almost all the time; the lack of vaccines is terribly risky

YetAbraham is not just a“vaccine skeptic,” but has pushed policies deemphasizingvaccines (in general, not speciﬁcally measles) and expressed little concern about the re-emergence of themeasles problem that aquartercentury ago was ofﬁcially listed as being in “elimination status.” While this state’ssurgeon general ayear ago, Abraham ended thestate’smass vaccination program and banned seasonal vaccinepromotion.

As people such as Abraham,national secretary of health Robert F. Kennedy

Jr.and Dr.Kirk Milhoan —who heads theAdvisory Committee on Immunization Practices —belittle vaccines, sometimes themeasles vaccine speciﬁcally,more and morepeople across thecountry stop getting vaccines and takingtheir children toget them. Louisiana is among those states that have seen aworrisome decline in thenumber of childhood immunizations.

Yet, unlike when COVID-19 vaccines were rushedintoproduction (and to good effect,bythe way,although with somerisk to young adults),the tremendous efﬁcacy and safetyofmeasles vaccines is well-settled science. This isn’tabout “trusting theexperts,” it’s about trusting the undeniable facts.

Yetnot only does Abraham express skepticism of vaccines, but he actually downplays thedanger of measles itself.

As noted by reporter Cohn in the article mentioned earlier,Abraham said at amid-January press brieﬁng that he is “not really” worried about measles outbreaks.

“You know,” Abraham said, “it’s just thecost of doing business, with our borders being somewhat porous [and] global and international travel.”

WroteCohn, almost dumbfounded: “Asifglobal travel weren’tasmuch of areality ﬁve or 10 years ago, when measles transmission here remained rare.”

Abraham’s nonchalance could be deadly.Before the measles vaccine becamewidely available in 1963, some 400 Americansdied of it each year, with 48,000 hospitalized. After thevaccine, measles became almost extinct but now thedread disease is returning. Abraham must understand that’s not thecost of doing business; it’sanatrocity

Email QuinHillyer at quin.hillyer@ theadvocate.com

Chaosisthe pointofTrump’s waronimmigrants

Truth-tellers like Cassidy canrescue GOP

Roberts

After two American citizens were gunned down by ICE agents in Minneapolis, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy,aconservative Republican from Louisiana, called for “a full joint federal and state investigation” and explained: “Wecan trust the American people with the truth.” President Donald Trump has never believed that. During his ﬁrst term, his chief of staff, former Marine Gen. John F. Kelly,cameto view him as a“pathological liar,” and the Washington Post documented more than 30,000 examples of presidential prevarications. If anything, the president’srejection of reality has gotten worse during his second term. He continues to insist, against all evidence,thatthe election of 2020 was stolen. That pricesare going down. That most immigrants stealjobs and commit crimes. That two of ICE’stargets, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were responsible for their own deaths.

But now,the truth-tellers are ﬁghting backand gaining ground. “The Trump AdministrationIs Lying to Our Faces” starkly headlined aNew York Timeseditorial.

“The administration is urging Americansto reject the evidence of their eyes and ears,” wrote the Times. Administration ofﬁcials “are lying in deﬁance of obvious truths. They are lying in the manner of authoritarian regimes thatrequire people to accept lies as ademonstrationof power.”

Even before Pretti’sdeath, aTimes poll found that only 36% of voters approved of the way ICE washandling its job, while 63% disapproved. And 61% of voters said that ICE had “gone toofar”in their tactics, including nearly 1in5 Republicans. Trump seems to sense his peril and has started to dial down the ferocious federal presence in Minnesota. If this turns out to be an inﬂection point in his tenure, credit the courageousindividuals who deﬁed vicious cold and violent threatsto document ICE’sbrutality

There’ssomethinguncomfortably familiarabout PresidentDonald Trump’sjackboot approach tothe immigration debate. It brings to mind amemorable offthe-cuff stumble by Chicago’slegendary late Mayor Richard J. Daley when he was asked about allegations of excessive force by city police ofﬁcers. “The policeman isn’t there to create disorder,” he said. “The policeman is there to preserve disorder.”

Say,what?

Well, as Earl Bush, the mayor’spress secretaryfor 18 years, memorably advised reporters on another occasion, “Don’twrite what the mayor says; write what he means.” Decades later,a variant of that advice resurfaced, in 2016, when Donald Trump, acandidate known for shocking, even extreme, rhetoricappeared to be the likely next president. Here’s how it was phrased this time: Take Trump seriously,not literally This was repeated by journalistsand advisers, amongothers. And in retrospect, we should have been taking Trump more seriously —aswell as literally

Especially as he taunted the press as “fake news,” and as he urged supporters to get violent with protesters who showedupathis campaign events. (“(K)nock the crap out of ‘em,” he saidat an Iowa rally.“Ipromise you, I’ll pay for the legal fees.”)

Barely into his ﬁrst administration, Trump began referringto the media as the opposition party and the“enemy of the American people.”

Meanwhile, fact-checking the president became apreoccupation of major media outlets, revealing what one deep thinker of the FourthEstate termed”Trump’sFirehose of Falsehood.”

By the end of his ﬁrst, chaotic term, Trump’smessages on Twitterbecame so out of bounds that the social media platform censored him. After losing the 2020 election, he launched a failed legal campaign to overturn it and exhorted his followers to“Stop the Steal.” After thousands of those followers stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, even many Republicans were ready to be done with Trump’s chaos. Yetnow we ﬁnd ourselves back in it. Those on the ground in areas where

U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr.GregoryBovino

convenience store on Jan. 21 in Minneapolis.

Immigration andCustoms Enforcement (ICE) orU.S. Border agents mount their raids describe feelings of terror.People shelter in their homes and avoid public places —even those who are in this country legally

Thefeeling for the rest of us is disorientation. Why is this happening? Indeed, whatis happening?

Thejackboots are only part of the chaos, of course. Another key element is the Trump administration’scommunications strategy,which really should be termed an information war Earlyoninthe Department of Homeland Security’soperations, ICE and Border Patrol made all sorts of perp walks into videos and memes optimized for social media. As violence escalated, asort of disinformation pattern became established. Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino or some administrationofﬁcial would make a claim about what happened, and later evidence would show these contentions to be false.

Ashifting series of explanations would be provided for themissions or individualincidents, with no apparent urgency to be accurate or consistent. As litigationcommenced and DHS ofﬁcials were called to testify,judges became frustrated at the rampant false testimony and disobedience of the government. To many Americans, it seems as if the various authorities of DHS and the JusticeDepartmentcan no longer be trusted to tell thetruth.And that is terrifying. Police departments and

academies set clear rules about use of force and other issues. Andcourts have mostly done adecent job of enforcing them.

By contrast, the immigration agents Trump has unleashed on select American cities have invited more disasters becausethey do notseem bound by such protocols.

In Minneapolis, we see alarge-scale escalation over earlier operations in Chicago, New York,Washington and other cities.

It’spossible there would be much more widespread support for Trump’s anti-immigration crackdown if it corresponded more closely to the stated aim of taking violent criminals off thestreet. Unfortunately,that correspondence is wholly lacking. We see violence. We read deeply reported accounts and ﬁnd credible evidence that constitutional rightsare being violated. Andwealsohear lies.

It’sbecoming impossible to believe that thechaos in Minnesotahas been an issue of training. There certainly is no blockage that preventsTrump from grasping what Minnesotans think of it all.

Recently, border czar TomHoman seemed to suggestthat adrawdown of the ICE/Border Patrol operation in Minnesotawas imminent. That would be ablessing, but I’ll believe it when I see it.Meanwhile, expect the information war to continue.

Email Clarence Pageat clarence47page@gmail.com.

“If the truth is ever to win out over propaganda,” writesCharlie Warzel in The Atlantic, “it can only do so in the face of overwhelming evidence, the collection of whichhas become ever more treacherous in the second yearofTrump’s second presidency.” Minnesota Gov.Tim Walz put it more bluntly: “Thank God, thank God we have video.”

Another key element of Team Truth-Tellers are the independent professionals who analyzed those videos and illuminated the damaging facts that Trumpians were trying to suppress. EliotHiggins, the founder of Bellingcat, an online veriﬁcation service, told CNN that it’s“really important to get analysis of events” like the Minneapolis shootings “out to the public quickly,especially when it’sclear the U.S. government, ICE and DHS are willing to immediately start lying about what’s happening.”

The roster of heroes includes TV anchors who pressed administration ofﬁcials with tough but fair questions. When Gregory Bovino,the border patrol chief, claimed on CNN that Alex Pretti was “actively impeding and assaulting” lawenforcement before he wasshot, Dana Bash quickly responded, “He wasn’timpeding it. He wasﬁlming it, which is alegal thing to do in the United States.”

Federal judges have been demanding answers and explanations as well. One of them, Patrick J. Schiltz, who wasappointed by President George W. Bush and clerked for the conservative icon Justice Antonin Scalia, summoned acting ICE director Todd Lyons to appear in his courtroom and justify “ICE’sviolation of court orders.” Thundered the judge: “The court’spatience is at an end.”

Most Republicans remain feebly fearful of contradicting Trump’sfalsehoods, but afew are ﬁnding their voice. “I am deeply troubled by the shootings in Minneapolis involving federal agents,” Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansaspostedon social media. “Our Constitution provides citizens protection from the government. We have aright to free speech, to peaceably assemble and to bear arms.”

“The death of Americans —what we’re seeing on TV —it’scausing deep concerns over federal tactics and accountability,” added the Republican governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt, on CNN. “Americans don’tlike what we’re seeing right now.”

The most striking example of truth-telling came from Chris Madel, who ended his bid to be the Republican candidate for governor of Minnesota. “I cannot support the national Republicans’ stated retribution on the citizens of ourstate,” he declared. “Nor can Icount myself amember of a party that would do so

“I have to look my daughters in the eye and tell them, ‘I believe Idid what was right,’”hesaid. “And Iamdoing that today.” So hail to the truth-tellers. Slowly,but ﬁnally they are proving to be Trump’sworst enemy. Email Steven Roberts at stevecokie@gmail.com.

Steve

Clarence Page

Quin Hillyer

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ANGELINA KATSANIS

standswith federal agents outside a

of 15 to 25 knots with 30-knot gusts and seas of 5to8 feet. Otherwise, expect abeautiful daywithmostly clear,sunnyand breezy conditions.Temps today will rise to the mid- to upper 50s while winds are northerly at 10 to 20 mph.Rain chances will remain at zero

SPORTS

For adecade in the early 2000s, Jahri Evans was the best guardin the NFL. His rare mix of size, strength and athleticism made him thecenterpiece of one of the most dominant offenses in NFL history.During astellar 11-year tenure with the New Orleans Saints, he anchored the prolific Sean PaytonDrew Brees offense, an attack that rewrote record books and redefined NFL offensive strategy Evans,along with Brees,isone of 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’sClass of 2026. This is Evans’ fourth year on the ballot and third as afinalist.

“When Ithink of Jahri, Ithink of dominance, longevity,durability and excellence,” Brees said. “He personiﬁed those traits.”

During Evans’ tenure in New Orleans, the Saints ranked as atop10 offense every year he played, gaining more total yards than any team in football and allowing the fewestsacks in the league —just 274. The unit sent seven different

People person

BY GUERRYSMITH

Contributing writer

Rod Walker Demario Davis was helping others long before receiving themillion-dollar contracts he’s earned over the years as one of thebest linebackers in the NFL. Hazel Magee Fairly made sure of it Davis was akid growing up in Mississippi when his grandmother would have him and his family members takeplates of food to theelderly and sick in town. That benevolence has continued ona much grander stage. It’s why Davis will be in San Francisco on Thursdaynight forthe NFL Honors ceremony Davis is the New OrleansSaints nominee forthe Walter Payton Man of the Year

Award. He and 31 other players are vying for theleague’smost prestigious honor, recognizing “players who excel on the ﬁeld and demonstrateasteadfast commitmenttocreating apositive impact beyond thegame.”

Idon’tknow much aboutwhat the other 31 nominees have done to serve their communities.

ButIdoknow if any of them have done as much as consistently as Davis has, they morethan deserve theaward.

There’snot enough space here to list all of the things Davis has spent his time doing for thecity of New Orleans since arriving in 2018. He’s done everything from working on social-justice issues to mentoring kids to feeding families.

He’sdone so much that this is the third

timethe Saints have nominated him for the award. He was also nominated forthe 2020 and 2022 seasons. He doesn’ttake the nominations forgranted.

“I think anytime you get arecognition of this stature, it takes you back to your why,”Davis said. “For me, my whywill always be centered around my faith. Ithink we are called to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. And I’msograteful to this organization because of the platform Ihave here, I’mable to do that.”

Locally,Davis has done alittle bit of everything. He started aleadership development program with The 18th Ward, anonproﬁt that “builds community through high-quality,affordable sports

ä See WALKER,

Uncharacteristic controlproblemstorpedoed Ja-

cob Moore’sjunior season at Tulane, but he believes he is ready to rise againfor his ﬁnalgo-around in college baseball.

Whether or not he regains the closer role in which he excelled for most of 2024, he justwants to help the Green Wave win.

“It(2025) wasextremelyfrustrating forme,”he said. “I was expecting abig year, andI just didn’t provide for the team. That’salways the worst part, but it was agood chancefor me to mature.You are going to have ups and downs, but what you do after you’re down is what reallymakes you.”

BY JOSHDUBOW AP pro football writer

SAN FRANCISCO Much of theattention during Super Bowl week is usually on the starplayers such as Drake Maye and Jaxon SmithNjigba forgood reason.

It was almost an out-of-bodyexperience.Ayear after walking 10 batters in42innings, he surpassed that free-pass total before the end of Marchand finished with 21 walksin251/3 innings. HisERA ballooned to 5.33 from 3.00 in 2024 as he lost the coaches’ confidence, pitching only six timesafter mid-April. Walks were no issue when Moore,a Lakeshore High graduate,pitched for LSU Eunicein2023. He hadanERA of 1.26 with seven saves for a53-5team. He picked up where he left off whenhearrivedat Tulane,striking outseven through his first tworelief appearances on opening weekend in 2024 before becoming the closer and registering six saves. Although he wore downlateunder aheavy workload, he sported an ERA below1.50 entering May. Lastseason, opening weekendsenthim in the reverse direction. Mopping up in a10-4victory against Omaha, he walked two battersonfour pitches each and gave up three hits when he tried to aim balls in response, finally getting the game-ending out with the tying run on deck.

Twoweeks later,hewalked the ﬁrst batter in the eighth and ninthinningsatPepperdine, getting liftedfor Michael Lombardi after the secondone,

Butifhistory is any indication, somelesser-knownplayers could have abig impact on the Super Bowl on Sunday betweenthe New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. Milton Williams helpedkey a dominant defensive effort for thePhiladelphiaEaglesina win last year over Kansas City,leading to his big free agent contract this offseason with New England. The previous twoyears Kansas Cityreliedonlesser-known receivers to win back-to-back titles. Mecole Hardman caught the winning TD pass for Kansas City in overtime to beat SanFrancisco in Super Bowl 58, while Kadarius Toney had aTDcatch and long punt return that proved crucial in beatingthe Eaglesthe previous year That’sbeen thecase over the historyofthe Super Bowl, whether it was unheralded MVPs such

as Larry Brown, Dexter Jackson or Malcolm Smith;Jack Squirek’s pick-six forthe Raiders in Super Bowl 18 against Washington; Timmy Smith’s204 yardsrushing in his first career start for Washington against Denver in Super Bowl 22; or David Tyree’s helmet catch that helped the Giants spoil New England’sbid for aperfect season in Super Bowl 42. Here are afew players who could fill that role on Sunday: WR Mack Hollins, Patriots Hollins is on his fifth team in as many years but has been an unheraldedcontributoratall of his stops despite somequirky habits such as going barefoot as often as possible andeating without utensils.

Hollins came into the league as avaluable special teams player but also provided 46 catches for 550 yards in the regular season forhis second-most productive season.Hollins hadfive receptions on deep passes and converted eight of his nine catches on third or fourth down into ﬁrst downs.

page 3C

STAFF FILE PHOTOByDAVID GRUNFELD

Saints linebacker Demario Davis runs onto the field beforeagame againstthe Tampa BayBuccaneers on Oct.26atthe Caesars Superdome. Davis is the Saints’ nominee forthe Walter Payton Man of the year Award.The only other Saints playertowin it wasDrewBrees in 2006.

ä See DUNCAN, page 3C

STAFF FILE PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD Saints guard Jahri Evans acknowledges the fans afterNew Orleans beat the ChicagoBears 31-15 at Soldier FieldinChicago on Dec. 15, 2014.

STAFF FILEPHOTO By SCOTT THRELKELD

Jeff Duncan

On TV AUTO RACING

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Koepka’s receptionwasn’tabout him

SAN DIEGO BrooksKoepka

would never consider anything a dream week without atrophy,certainly not atie for 56th ﬁnishing 19 shots behind the winner.But it felt likeone at Torrey Pines.

“There’salways that little voice in the back of your head,” Koepka hadsaid afew weeks before his return to the PGA Tour after four seasons reapingSaudi riches on LIV Golf. He was referring to whether the PGA Tour would provide away back,which it did. There also were doubts —that little voice —about how he would be receivedinthe locker room, on the range, in front of amicrophone and particularly outside the ropes. It made him uneasy Koepka had every reason to feel so much gratitude at Torrey Pines “Welcome back” was asteady refrain on Thursday and it never stopped until he ﬁnished witha birdie on Sunday

Strange about this vibe, however,isthat Koepkawas never embraced like this even beforehe left for LIV.Hehad swagger. He was big, bad Brooks. He was admired more than he was adored

Why so much love?

ule with an eye toward returning to the PGA Tour

Thetour welcomedhim back, too, though Reed will have to wait until September.

million in prize money (not countingthe majors).

LSU adds junior college OT from transferportal

LSUadded anothertransfer to the 2026 team Monday night when junior college offensive tackle Adrian Lambannounced his commitmenttothe Tigers.

Lamb, who’slistedat6-foot-5 and 290pounds, played in 10 gamesthis past season as aredshirt freshman at Georgia Military College.He also hadoffers fromAlabama, South Carolina and Auburn, all of which he had visited over the past month.

Lamb, aSouth Carolinanative, is expected to enroll in the summer He will be the 10th transfer offensivelineman to join the team before head coach Lane Kifﬁn’sﬁrst season. LSU overhauled the position andonlybrought back two starters in redshirt senior center Braelin Moore and redshirt sophomore offensive tackle Weston Davis.

Sugar Bowl will host CFP semifinal Jan. 15

IRVING, Texas The College Football Playoff on Tuesday announced the dates and sites for the quarterﬁnals andsemiﬁnals for the 2026 and2027 seasons.

The 2026 season’s quarterfinals will be Dec. 30 at theFiesta Bowl and Jan. 1atthe Cotton Bowl, Peach Bowl and Rose Bowl.Semifinals are Jan. 14 at the Orange Bowl andJan.15atthe SugarBowl.The championship game will be Jan. 25 at AllegiantStadiuminLas Vegas. The 2027 season’s quarterfinals will be Dec. 31 at the Sugar Bowl andJan.1 at the Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl and Rose Bowl. Semifinalsare Jan.13atthe Orange Bowl and Jan. 14 at the Cotton Bowl. The championship game will be Jan. 24 at the Superdome in New Orleans.

“I don’thave an answer,” Koepka said after the third round. “It’s tough to put myself in their shoes. It’scool, though. I enjoy it. Ithink it’s great. Ithink people are just excited. I’m glad they’re excited to see me back, to have me back. I’m hopeful it continues.”

There was another little voice as Koepka walked up to the 18th green on the South course before a large crowd in the opening round. This came from aspectator: “Welcome back, Brooks. The tour is better with you.”

More than afive-timemajor champion andformer No. 1player in the world, Koepka wasperhaps seen as asymbol of the fractured golf landscape slowlygetting patched back together.That’s what the fans want LIV Golf was abig topic all week at Torrey Pines. It started with Koepka arriving on Monday Andthen came Wednesday’snews that former Masters champion Patrick Reed also was leaving LIV to play afull European tour sched-

Koepka is not the solution, not in the wayJon Rahmpresumably thought he would force uniﬁcation with his decision to bolt for LIV

But he mightbethe ﬂicker of light at the end of tunnel.

“As you’re seeing,the dominoes arestarting to fall,” HarrisEnglish said. “Maybe those guys on theLIV tour are not that happy out there and the grass is not greener on theother side. They’re seeing thePGA Tour getting stronger andhaving more success, and seeingthatmoney is not theend-all, be-all, thatdoesn’tfulﬁll them.”

It’s always aboutthe money

That’s why so many players left for LIV in thefirst place. And while the established tour always offeredrelevance,even players whohatedeverythingabout LIV appreciate how much the rival league has helped their bank accounts.

“We’ve all beneﬁted from this chaosinone wayoranother,”

Justin Rosesaidaweek before he came to Torrey Pines and set the tournament scoringrecord

Rose mentioned theequity shares in the PGA Tour,and the 11 tournaments nowoffering $20

“But we need apremium product,”Rosesaid. And then speciﬁc to Koepka he added, “This is the ﬁrst time we’ve had someone who moves theneedle come back our way.”

Koepka —and Reed —strengthen the PGA Tour and weaken LIV whichisoff to arough startinits 2026 debut this week in Saudi Arabia. Phil Mickelson (family matter) and LeeWestwood (injury) have announced they won’tbein Saudi Arabia or Australiatostart the year Koepkadid everything rightat Torrey Pines except puttthe poa annua greens. He wasgrateful the PGA Tour brought him back, and it showed. And he talked about falling in love withgolf again and howmuch he cared, another side of Koepka rarely seen “Just like everybody else, you walkinto aroom, nobody wants to feel exiled,” Koepka said. “They justwant to be loved.”

ForKoepka, it’sontoPhoenix. Barring arunner-up finish or bettertoget into the signature events, he will next play his hometown eventinWest PalmBeach, Florida. As one longtimecaddie noted, “People won’t be talking about this in three weeks.” He’s probably right

But there is clear momentum for the PGA Tour,and Koepka is abig part of that. During thelast visit to Torrey Pines,when the Genesis Invitation wasrelocated therebecause of the deadline wildﬁres near Riviera, there was optimisma PGA Tour deal with the Saudis was close.

Now it’s as faraway as ever,and Adam Scottdoesn’tsee that changing. He feelsthe bestchance for any agreement was when LIV had only one year underits belt. Now LIV entersits ﬁfth season.

“Timing hastoalign for big, intricate things to come together,” said Scott, aplayer director at the White Houselastyear when President Donald Trump metwith PGA Tour brass and thehead of Saudi Arabia’sPublic Investment Fund.

“There wasn’talot of time behind LIVand now thereis,” he said. “It’sharder and harder That’s my take from amillion miles high. They’refour years in and they’ve got something going on. They’re going their direction and maybe it was easier when therewas less direction.”

Whereitall goes now remains to be seen.Scott still believes “it’sall going to end in agood spot.”

“I don’tknow what they’reup to,” he said. “I like what what we’re up to. It feels good out here.”

LIVGolftogetﬁrstworld rankingpoints

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

LIV Golf received aboostonthe eve of starting its fifth season when the Official World Golf Rankingapproved the Saudi-funded league to receive ranking points forthe first time. The unanimous decision Tuesday by the OWGR board came with some conditions, however,that did not sit well with LIV GolfCEO Scott O’Neil. Points will be distributed onlyfor top-10 finishes and ties, compared with other tours that have smaller fields and leave out only the bottom finishers.

“No other competitive touror league in OWGR history has been subjected to such arestriction,” LIV said in astatement.

For its 57-player league, LIV will get points based on a“Small Field Tournament” category that also applies to tournaments like the Tour Championship and the PGA Tour’s signature events that do nothave acut.

“Under these rules, aplayer finishing 11th in aLIV Golf event is treated the same as aplayer finishing 57th,” the LIV statement said. “Limitingpoints to only the top 10 finishers disproportionately harms players who consistently perform at ahighlevel but finish just outside that threshold, as well as emergingtalentworking toes-

LIV

of Smash GC at Riyadh Golf Club on Feb.5 in Riyadh, SaudiArabia.

tablishthemselvesonthe world stage —preciselythe playersafair and meritocratic ranking system is designed to recognize.”

Considering that LIV Golf has been without ranking points since the leaguelaunched in 2022, its strength of ﬁeld will be lower.

Thedecisioniseffective immediately asLIV Golf begins Wednesday in Saudi Arabia.

LIV’sseason opener in Riyadh is likely to award about 23 points to

thewinner, comparedwithnearly 47 points to Chris Gotterup when he won the Sony Open, the weakest field in the early part of the PGA Tour season. ThePhoenix Open winner thisweek gets about 59 points. It wouldbeaboostfor aLIV player if he gets on aroll, such as Joaquin Niemann winning five times last year and Rahm finishing in the top 10 in allbut one of the 13 events.

Theworld ranking is important because thefour majors useitto helpdetermine fields. The U.S. Open and British Open created categoriesfor LIVplayers when they weren’tgettingranking points. TheMasters andPGA Championship took care of worthy players through special invitations.

The board decision ends adebate that has been around almost as long as LIV. TheOWGRrejected the ﬁrst application in October 2023 when former chairman Peter Dawsonsaid the board could not fairly measure LIV againstthe other tours. The question was not about the quality of players, but rather how they could be ranked equitably with thousands of other players across 24 tours because LIV was perceived as having aclosedshop instead of pathways and turnover

“Wefully recognizedthe need to rank thetop men’splayers in the world but at the same time had to

ﬁnd away of doing so thatwas equitable to the thousands of other players competing on other tours that operate with establishedmeritocratic pathways,”Immelman said in theOWGR announcement.

“Webelievewehave found asolution that achieves these twinaims.”

Immelman, now thelead CBS Sports analyst, became OWGR chairman last year and had been in constant contact with O’Neil.

“It’sextremely important forus to be able to rank the best players in the worldasaccurately as possible,” Immelman said. “That has been at the top of my mind throughout this process that I’ve been involvedin. I’mthankful to Scott for his time and effort in this.”

LIV said it saw thedecision as a “ﬁrst step toward astructure that fully andfairlyserves theplayers,the fans,and the future of the sport.”

“Weentered this process in good faith and will continue to advocate for aranking system that reﬂects performance over afﬁliation,” LIV said. “The game deserves transparency.The fans deserve credibility.And the playersdeserve a system that treats themequally.”

TheOWGR saiditwould continue to review any changes LIV makes to itsleague for 2027, which would result in awarding more or fewer —points, and whether it remains in the system.

Memphis’ Jackson traded to Jazz in eight-player deal

Jaren Jacksonhas been traded to the Utah Jazz in what will be an eight-player,multiple-pick deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, apersonwith knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press on Tuesday Jackson, Jock Landale, John Konchar and Vince Williams will be going to Utah in exchange for Georges Niang, Kyle Anderson, Walter Clayton and Taylor Hendricks, said the person, who spoke to theAPon condition of anonymitybecause the trade wasstill pending league approval. Alsoincluded in the dealare threefirst-round picks for Memphis,which hasbeenintalks about trading guard Ja Morant as well. Instead it decided to part with aformer defensive player of theyear

Marinersacquire All-Star Donovan in 3-team trade

SEATTLE The SeattleMariners acquired All-Starinfielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night in athree-team trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Donovan, 29, was afirst-time All-Star last year Seattle sent infielder Ben Williamson to the Rays, and apair of minorleagueprospects to the rebuilding Cardinals: pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje and outfielder Tai Peete. St. Louis also received a2026 Competitive Balance Round B draftpick (68th overall) fromthe Mariners.

Tampa Bay shippedminor league outﬁelder Colton Ledbetter and aCompetitive Balance Round Bdraft pick this year (72nd overall) to the Cardinals.

Sabalenka remains No. 1; Djokovic up to third formen

MELBOURNE,Australia Carlos Alcaraz completed acareer Grand Slam of singles victories with his Australian Open title, but there was some solace for the manhedefeated,24-time GrandSlamsingles champion Novak Djokovic. While Alcaraz maintained his No. 1ranking on the ATPtour ahead of Jannik Sinner,Djokovic, who beat Sinnerinthe semifinals at Melbourne Park, moved up one place to No. 3. It is the first time the 38-year-old Djokovic has been inside the top three since August 2024. On the WTATour,Aryna Sabalenka maintained hertop ranking despite her loss in the final to Elena Rybakina,who moved up twoplaces to third in the rankings, with IgaSwiatek in between at No 2.

AP FILE PHOTO By CHARLES LABERGE

Golf CEOScott O’Neil laughs while playing withBrooks Koepka

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByDENIS POROy

Brooks Koepka tees offonthe second hole on the South Course at Torrey Pines duringthe firstround of the FarmersInsuranceOpen golf tournament on ThursdayinSan Diego.

Doug Ferguson

NFL

Trustinthe process

culture gets Patriots back to biggeststage

BY KYLE HIGHTOWER AP sportswriter

Mike Vrabel has focused on creating aspecific culture during his ﬁrst season as coach of the New England Patriots.

The tone was set when he ﬁrst spoke to the team before the start of the offseason program in April

“What my goal was, what I told everybody in thebuilding. it was to buildaprogram that you and the coaches and the staff wanted to be apart of, that they wanted to protect,” Vrabel told the team. “When you care about something, youprotect it You’re eventually going to believe in thatand startto trust it.”

Tenmonthslater,those words have helped lead Vrabel’sﬁrst teamtothe verge of capturing the franchise’s seventh Super Bowl title.

Vrabel is the eighth man to play in aSuper Bowl and then reach one as ahead coach. With awin overthe SeattleSeahawks on Sunday,hecan make NFL history as the first person to win aSuper Bowl as both a player and ahead coach for the same franchise.

Asked how he’smaintained the same enthusiasm he had when he ﬁrst addressed the team prior to the season, Vrabel said hisenergy is fed by what he has received from everyone around him.

“The more that I’m around the players, Iwould say the easier that it gets,” Vrabel said. “Theyhave responded

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LB DrakeThomas, Seahawks

to us.They’ve done everythingwe’ve asked them to do. So, Ithink being around the players helps.”

During his more than two decades as coach of thePatriots, Bill Belichick established ano-nonsense approach to creatinga program that became synonymous withhis “do your job” culture.

It produced Lombarditrophies —six of them —and an atmosphere that rubbed even some of hisbestplayers thewrong way

While Vrabel himself earned threeSuper Bowl rings under Belichick during the 2001, 2003 and 2004 seasons, his NorthStar has been to prioritize aconnection with hisplayers.

He’sinstituted little things thatshine the spotlight on histeam, like game-speciﬁc

The third-year undrafted linebacker has turnedintoakey player on astingy defense, starting 16 games in the regular season and playoffs. Thomasdelivered one of the key defensiveplays in the regular season when hisinterception in the red zone helped seal the Week 18 win over San Francisco that gave the Seahawks the division title and No. 1seed. Thomas ﬁnishedwith 31/2 sacks, 10 tacklesfor loss andeight passes defended as he has been afactor against both the run and pass. SCraig Woodson, Patriots

The fourth-round rookie from Cal became an immediate ﬁxture on the de-

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programming and workforce development for youth and families from every neighborhood in the city.” Davis met weekly with 25 young leaders to mentor them on being servant leaders in the community In 2013, Davis and his wife Tamela started the Devoted Dreamers Foundation. The mission of that is to help youth grow spiritually,mentally and physically.Proceeds from his “Dining for Dreams” fundraiser help providemicrogrants to small businesses. That alone has helped more than 5,000 people in New Orleans. His annual “Dinner with the Davises” event with the local Boys and Girls Club chapter emphasizes the importance of family mealtime.

“New Orleans is such an easy placetoserve,” Davis said. “There is aneedlike there is everywhere. But the heart and willingnessof the people to come alongside you to serve is what makes it special.” Davis playedakey role in ºhelping growgirls’ ﬂag football in Louisiana and his home state of Missis-

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linemen to the Pro Bowl in thatspan, andEvans was the anchor of afront that twice won the MaddenProtectors Award,giventothe league’s best offensive line Everything the Saints did —from their vertical passing game to their precision screen attack —began with the stabilityEvans providedatright guard. TheSaints offenses during the Payton-Brees era were historic. From 200616, New Orleansaveraged an NFL-high 405 yards pergame, 20 more than even the TomBrady-led Patriots. They set 17 NFL records during Evans’ tenure, including the single-season yardage record (7,474 yards in 2011) andthe best third-down conversion rateinleague history (56.7%)

Brackett. “When Jahri gothis hands on you, it was over,” saidSaints defensive end Cam Jordan,afuture Hall of Famer who squared off with Evansdaily in practice.

Evansboastsone of the strongest résumés of the 15 modern-era finalistsfor the Class of 2026. He is oneofeight candidatesto makeanNFL All-Decade team, which is votedonby the Hall’sselectioncommittee. He earned sixPro Bowl selectionsand was afirst-team All-Pro four consecutive seasons, twice as manyasSaints Hallof Famer Willie Roaf. Only 29 offensive linemen in NFL history have been named first-team All-Pro four or more times; 25 of themare already in the HallofFame. Theonly ones who aren’t are either notyet eligible or Jahri Evans.

captainswho are selected based on things like aplayer’s past connection to the opponent,oreven just the state or city they’re playing in that week.

He brought back individual player introductions, something that hadn’tbeen done by thePatriots in more than adecade.

Afterevery single game this season, he’salso shaken hands with the opposing coachand then racedtothe locker room to give ahug or handshake to every player as he enters thelocker room. Then, once theteamgathers, in addition to the typical game ball giventoastandout player,healsogives individualized shoutoutsto other players. Each one is followed by aunison “one clap” by theteam to make it agroup experience.

fense, playingmore snaps in theregular season than anyone else on the unit Woodson has been solid against both the run and pass, and he has stepped up hisgameinthe playoffs. Woodson hadthe coverage on R.J. Harvey on thekey fourth-down stop in the AFC title gamethatturnedthe tide in New England’sfavor

PMichael Dickson,Seahawks

The longest-tenured Seahawks player earned second-team All-Prohonors thisseasonand hasbeen stellar in the playoffs. On five puntsinthe NFC championshipgame, he pinned the Rams inside the 20 on four of them and theﬁfth was muffed for arecovery by Seattle at the17. The average drive in the postseason after aSeahawks punt hasstarted inside the 15-yard line Dickson has had only three touchbacks all season with only one in the last 13 games.

sippi. His work doesn’tend there.

Davis visited France last year as an ambassador for theNFL, which will host its ﬁrst ever gamethere next season. Theleague announced Monday that theSaintswill be one of the teams playingthere.

“I’m able to have aworldwide impact withtrips like going toParis,”Davis said. “Soit’satremendous honor to be able to(be nominated to)get this award. But to be abletolive out thewhy is justso rewarding.”

While the days of delivering food as akid helped plant the seed forDavis, he started really giving back during hiscollege days at Arkansas State. He’d often give speeches at the local alternativeschool.

“Once Igave my lifeto Christ, it became more about living for something that was greater than myself,” Davissaid. “I had always been about the glory I could get on theﬁeld. Once my lifechanged,itbecame about how can Iserve? Howcan Iuse the platform to impact the locker room andhow can Iimpact the community?”

His inﬂuence in the locker room is just as powerfulashis impact in the community and on the ﬁeld.

And when the Patriots established themselves as the NFL’sbest road team —they have yet to lose on theroad this season in nine games he began calling them the “road warriors” and had the team watch the1979 movie “The Warriors.”

After they beat the Denver Broncos on the road to win the AFCchampionship, Vrabel harkened back to the movie by screaming, “Warriors! Comeout to play!”

In short, he’smade his ﬁrst season in New England abouthelping his team enjoy winning.

“The handshakes and hugs after thegames —win or lose. It means alot because he cares,” rookie left guard JaredWilson said.“He cares so much aboutusand he cares so much abouthelping this team.”

DT KhyirisTonga,Patriots

Tonga has been akey part of astingy run defense in his ﬁrst season withthe Patriots as aspace eater in the middle of the line. He even delivered asack in the divisional round andwill be used on occasion on offense as ablocking fullback.

RB George Holani,Seahawks

The second-year player wasused sparinglyonoffense in the regular seasonbut was forced into abiggerrole after Zach Charbonnetwentdown with aseason-ending knee injury in the divisional round. Holani played acareerhigh 23 snaps on offense in theNFC title game against the Rams,and his three catches matched his total from his ﬁrst two seasons in the league. Holanicould getheavyuse on third down as he is abetterpassblocker than starter KennethWalker

Ask any player abouthow the Saints didn’tlet go of the rope after starting 2-10, andchances are they’ll mention some speech Davis gave during tough times. There are 1,696 active players in the NFL. You won’t ﬁnd many more respected than the 37-yearoldDavis.

It was evident the day after theseason ended, as several players made their way to gethim to autograph ajersey

If Davis’ name is called Thursdaynight, he’d become just thesecond Saints playertowin WalterPayton Man of theYear.Drew Brees won it in the 2006 season, his ﬁrst one in New Orleans. Davis makes one thing clear

“I do wanttowin the award,” he said. Perhaps the third time will be the charm

He’d notonly be the secondSaints playertowin the award but also thesecond playerfrom Mississippi to winit. The other wasPayton, the late, great Chicago Bears running back whom the award is named after Growing up, Davis alwaysheard aboutPayton’sgreatness. Davis researched Payton by reading abouthim in the encyclopedia.Helearned about

Payton’slegendary work ethic of sprinting up and down hills or dodging trees while running through the woods.

“That was my ﬁrst time trying to embody some-

Evanswas adriving force in allofit. He was so athletic the Saints regularlypulled himonpassing playstoisolatehim against edge rushers, an assignmentvirtually unheard of for guards. Those dynamic Saints offenses were built from the insideout. Because of Brees’ height, the 3yards directly behind the center were considered sacred ground, andEvans was charged with protecting thatspace. He diditbetter thananyone Opponents can attest. Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly,another Hall of Fame ﬁnalist, recalled that trying to get around Evans was “like trying to get around a refrigerator,” adding “Evans was critical to what they did. He was highly intelligent and could just blow you up with his power.”

Butthe true measure of aHall of Famer is how he performed in the biggest games on the biggest stage. In 10 playoff games, Evansplayed 456 pass-block snaps, manyof themagainst elite interior defenders such as Kevin Williams, CalaisCampbell andNdamukong Suh, but he allowed justtwo sacks and20total pressures. During the Saints’2009 SuperBowl run, he didn’t allowa singlesack and surrendered only ﬁve pressures in three games. Manyofthe deﬁning plays during the Saints’postseason run were madepossiblebyEvans’ blocking, including Pierre Thomas’ touchdowns in the NFC championshipgame and the screen-pass touchdown in SuperBowl XLIV sprung by Evansclearing outColtslinebacker Gary

body Ihad heardabout,” Davis said. “Not only was he ‘Sweetness’ on the ﬁeld, but it was alsohis kindness and character that went beforehim.

“That’swhat Iwanted to

Evansalsowas remarkably durableand dependable. He started every game for the ﬁrst seven years of hiscareer and missed justninegames over 12 seasons.

Durability.Consistency Postseason excellence. Evansepitomizes what aHall of Famer lookslike “As acoordinator in Dallas, Icoached andsaw firsthand Larry Allen,” Payton said. “Jahri was every bit the same levelofplayer as Allen: steady,tough anda fantastic teammate. He’s oneofthe toughest and smartest players Ihave ever been around in coaching, andthat, coupled with hisunselfishness and dependability,madehim one of the most respected players in ourlocker room. He hadoutstanding make-up andcharacter.Everyone in the building lovedhim. “Jahri was the best player to play on arguably the best offense in NFL history.” In the SuperBowl era, every championshipteam in the first 41 years featured at least two Hallof Famers. Somehow,the 2009 Saints still have zero HallofFamers. Theteam thatstarted 13-0; beat Kurt Warner,BrettFavre and Peyton Manning in consecutivepostseason games; andproduced one of the most potent offenses of all timehad Evansasthe best lineman andarguably the best player on thatteam. If the Hall of Fameis meanttohonor players who defined their era, dominatedtheir positionand madeaprofound impact on winning, thenEvans is the definitionofaHall of Famer It’stime to put himin Canton.

represent. Iwanted to have my character speak justas loudly as my game.” Indeed it has.

Email Rod Walker at rwalker@theadvocate.com.

Vrabel’s

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JOHN LOCHER NewEngland Patriots coach MikeVrabel celebrates withthe trophy after his team’s AFC championship game victoryagainst the DenverBroncos on Jan. 25 in Denver.

THE VARSITYZONE

STAFF PHOTOSByCHRIS GRANGER

Jesuit beatsBrother Martin to earn No.1 playoffseed

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

With the score tied and the soccer ball at his feet, Jesuit sophomore Jacob Kee weaved between two defenders to the right of the goal frame and saw an opening near the far-side post.

His goal with 25 minutes remaining gave Jesuit alead for the ﬁrst time in its district-deciding showdown against Brother Martin on Monday at Pan American Stadium

Jesuit junior Casey Parker-Karst scoredtwo goals while Keeand so phom or e Alex Rousselle each scored onefor the Blue Jays in a4-2 victory that let the Blue Jays keep the No. 1seed heading into thestart of the playoffs this week.

The teams were tied at 2-all when Kee scored the winning goal. “I just thought we needed something,” Kee said. “And Idelivered.” Jesuit ranits unbeaten streak against Brother Martin to eight matches (seven wins, one tie)

The two goals for Brother Martin snapped astreak of ﬁve consecutive shutout losses against Jesuit —including three in the playoffs the past three seasons Jesuit (18-0-2) and Brother Martin (18-3-1) came into the match holding the Nos. 1and 2spots in the power ratings,respectively

“It’snoﬂuke that they’re ranked No. 2inthe state in thepower rankings right now,” Jesuit coach Hubie Collins said. “Weknewit was going to be avery,very tough match.”

Brother Martin juniors Hudson Cammarataand Kaden Rossi scoredgoals that each gave their team leads at 1-0 and 2-1. The goals were the ﬁrst for Brother Martin against Jesuit since a2-2 tie in

2022.

Cammaratabooted in aloose ball from close range after along throw-in from junior Torrin Rogers less than two minutes intothe match.

Brother Martin coach Matt Millet is in his second season at the school after he guided Holy Cross to ﬁveDivisionIIstate titles over his10seasonsthere. He arrivedatBrother Martin hoping to ﬁnd similarsuccess on the Division Ilevel. Last season, Jesuit won 6-0 againstBrother Martin.

“I’ve been hoping to get us to a placewhere this match was competitive, and it was,” Millet said.

“We’ve had agreat season, and Iexpected (Jesuit) to be good. They’re the top program in the state. They’re always in the last four teams everyyear.It’sa good kind oftest to see where we are toward the end of the season.”

The two Jesuit goals in the ﬁrst halfcame when Rousselle delivered on apenalty kick to the left

side of the goal frame and when Parker-Karst launched afree kick from about 25 yards out to the top left corner and out of reach of the diving goalkeeper.Parker-Karst scored his second goal just before stoppage timeinthe second half.

“We’re all friends on the team,” Parker-Karst said. “Wehave some good chemistry, andwejust play for each other.”

Theplayoffs begin thisweek.

Jesuit will open against No. 32 Sulphur while Brother Martin takes on No. 31 Live Oak

Othercontenders include No. 3DenhamSprings andNo. 4St. Paul’s.Usual state contender Catholic-Baton Rouge is No. 6.

Theonlypossiblematchup for Jesuit andBrother Martin would come in the state ﬁnals.

“That’sa long time away,” Milletsaid. “It’sgood that this game happened (Monday) because last year we missed agame (because of snow). So, thekids feeling this atmosphere in this game is what I wanted.”

Karr uses defense to slow down young Landry team in win

Cougarswin their fourth in five games

BY DARRELL WILLIAMS Contributing writer

Karr had theperfect remedy against Landry on Mondaynight in theteams’WestBankrivalry game.

The Cougars deployed a2-1-2 full-court defense that slowed down ayoung Landry teamon the way to a59-50 victory at Karr

“Wejust wanted to do somethingalittle different,” Cougars coach Taurus Howard said.

“(Lan dr y) had us on our heels in our man-toman defense. We were fortunate that they missed afew shots and we were able rebound.”

The victory was the fourth in ﬁve games for theCougars (19-7). Landry,inarebuilding year after nine seniors led last year’steam to the second round of the state playoffs, slipped to 9-20.

TheBuccaneersscrappedto within 23-19ofKarrbyhalftime. However,inthe third quarter,Landry had more difﬁculty against the Cougars’ two-man traps near the half-court line and thesideline.

The Cougars got more fastbreak opportunities, with forward KahilFisherleading the waywith seven points.Karrled 41-32 at the end of the third.

“My team is young; my guards areninth and10thgraders,” Landry coach Rob Wallace said.

“They’re still learning how to not turn the ball over.Against (Karr’s) press, they didn’tknow howtotake their time and break it.

“But we’re coming along, and our record right now is no indication of how good we can be in the playoffs.”

The Buccaneers fought back to 49-46 on acorner 3-pointer by Joel Willis.Karrled 53-50 before forwardTahj Turner drove the base-

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whichturnedintothe winning run.

Back-to-back roughoutings againstXavier in mid-March three walks in athirdofaninning followed by three hits from the only battershefaced in the second outing —essentially ﬁnished him as areliable option.

“I was thinking about more thanwhat Icould control,” he said. “Whenever I’mpounding the zone, Iknow I’m really hard to hit, so this fall Iworked really hard and didn’thave awalk all fall, which Iwas super proud about, throwing alot of strikes. That’sthe name of the game. If you throw strikes,you get outs.”

One thing Moore never lost was his accountability.Aspoorly as he pitchedwhile watching Lombardi supplant him as closer,hewillingly talked about his issues, blaming himself forhis shortcomings That honesty could help him reclaim his spot at the back of thebullpen now thatLombardi and fellow bullpen stalwartTayler Montiel areoff to professional ball. An elbow tweak likely

line for abasket with 46.2 seconds left. GuardKingston Harris then sank twofree throwswith 24.8 seconds left and twomore with 11.5 seconds left to seal it. Harrisled allscorers with 18 points, andforward Kahil Fisher scored 17 to lead Karr.

The Cougars were back on the court TuesdayatBrother Martin in aDistrict9-5A battle. As Karr begins to get into the thick of the district schedule, Howard voiced concernwith histeam’splay, including the victory against Landry

“If we have any aspirations aboutmaking arun, we have to playa lotbetter than this, Howard said. “Defensively,offensively,transition, everything. We’regoing through something. The past fewgames, we’ve just not been playing well as ateam.

“The mainthing is our defense. At times during the game, we don’tlock in. Offensively,we’re not in rhythm,and we’re letting ournon-rhythm defense affect our offense.”

He said he knowsBrother Martin, under ﬁrst-year head coach Wesley Laurendine, will be wellcoached and play hard. “We’re going to have to match theirintensity,” Howard said.

Landry will host Morris Jeff on Friday in aDistrict 10-3A game. TheBuccaneers started the season by losing eight of their ﬁrst nine games.

“They’re still learning about all aspects of the game,” Wallace said. “Karr is agood team with agoodcoach in THoward They are long, and can play good defense, and they have someseniors.

“Wehave some good players. We canbuildongames like this and makearun.”

Edna

will keep Mooreinthe dugout for the ﬁrst weekend or two, but it is considered ashort-term issue.

“Wewant to have him available forthe long haul, so squeezing him into Week 1would be afool’s errand,” Tulane coach Jay Uhlman said. “Right now he’sina good place spiritually.He’sbeen in those big moments. We’re looking forhim to get healthy so we canhave himinthat spot again.”

Moore, who pitched three scorelessinnings to end Tulane’s 8-2 loss to East Carolina in the American Conference Tournament championship game in May,isintent on making sure 2025 was aone-year blip.Hedid not give up ahome run all season —evidence he can rebound if he ﬁnds thestrike zone as consistentlyashedid in previousyears He looksforward to ﬁnishing his career at Tulane with pitchers he arrived with in Trey Cehajic, Will Clementsand Blaise Wilcenski.

“I love theseguys,”hesaid. “I love New Orleans. I’m from the Northshore.I lovedcomingto New Orleans growing up. This is whereIwant to live, so leaving wasn’t athought that ever crossedmymind.”

Jesuit junior CaseyParker-Karst, center, maneuvers the ball around the Brother Martin defense during their game on MondayatPan American Stadium

Brother Martin’sKaden Rossi, center,tries to prevent Jesuit’sMichael Breaux from scoring on Monday.

STAFF PHOTO By ENAN CHEDIAK

Vonn ‘confident’ despite injury

BY ANDREW DAMPF AP sportswriter

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy Lindsey

Vonn has done this before. And succeeded.

The 41-year-old American skiing standout is “confident” she can compete at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics despite a torn ACL from a crash four days ago. Vonn said that the damage to her left knee was a “completely ruptured” ACL, bone bruising “plus meniscal damage.”

After three days of physical therapy and doctors’ advice, Vonn tried skiing on Tuesday. She did not appear to be limping as she entered and exited a news conference.

“My knee is not swollen, and with the help of a knee brace, I am conﬁdent that I can compete on Sunday,” Vonn said “And as long as there’s a chance, I will try I will do everything in my power to be in the starting gate.”

Vonn crashed in a World Cup downhill in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Friday and ended up in the safety nets. After skiing to the bottom of the course, she was taken to a hospital.

Vonn is expected to be one of the biggest stars of the Winter Games, which start Friday with the opening ceremony Her ﬁrst race comes two days later in the women’s downhill She also plans on competing in super-G and the new team combined event.

The opening women’s downhill training session is scheduled for Thursday

“My intention,” Vonn said, “is to race everything.”

Vonn has had numerous crashes and injuries in her career

One of her worst was at the 2013 world championships in Schladming, Austria, during a super-G that was also held in difﬁcult conditions.

Vonn tore her right knee. She returned the following season, got hurt again and missed the 2014 Sochi Olympics. She was also battered up before the 2019 world championships but took bronze in downhill before going into a nearly six-year retirement.

“I’ve been in this position before. I know how to handle it,”

Vonn said. “I feel a lot better now than I did in 2019 And I still got a medal there with no LCL and three tibial plateau fractures. So, like I said, this is not an unknown

for me. I’ve done this before.”

She persevered through a bruised shin that she treated with topfen cheese before winning gold in downhill at the 2010 Games.

“I don’t need topfen now My knee isn’t swollen,” Vonn said.

It’s a home remedy whereby the cheese is applied to the offending area and helps to reduce swelling.

“This would be the best comeback I’ve done so far,” Vonn said.

“Deﬁnitely the most dramatic.”

Teammate Bella Wright said Vonn has what it takes — a strong mental state — to ski through her injuries.

“If anyone can do it, it’s Lindsey,” Wright said.

Breezy Johnson the downhill and combined world champion, was in a similar situation to Vonn at Cortina during a World Cup weekend in 2022.

“I’ve tried and failed to ski this course with no ACL and that doesn’t mean that she can’t do it,” Johnson said “There are more athletes that ski without ACLs and with knee damage than what we talk about.”

Andrea Panzeri, the chief physician for the Italian Winter Sports Federation, said numer-

ous athletes have competed at elite levels with a torn ACL and other severe knee issues.

Vonn’s fellow downhiller Soﬁa Goggia came back to win a silver medal at the 2022 Olympics weeks after spraining her left knee, partially tearing her ACL and suffering a “minor fracture” of the fibula bone in her leg — plus some tendon damage.

Italian freetsyle skier Flora Tabanelli tore the ACL in her right knee in November but put off surgery until after the Olympics.

Tabanelli is 18, though.

“But (Vonn) has experience, the physical ability and the experience on this course,” Panzeri said. “If she decides to try and race, it’s because her clinical condition and her doctors are allowing her to. She doesn’t have anything to lose. I think it’s worth a try.”

Vonn made a stunning comeback last season after nearly six years away Skiing with a partial titanium implant in her right knee, she has been the circuit’s leading downhiller this season with two victories and three other podium ﬁnishes in ﬁve races.

Including super-G, Vonn completed eight World Cup races and ﬁnished on the podium in seven

of them. Her worst finish was fourth.

Women’s skiing during the Games will be in Cortina, where Vonn holds the World Cup record with 12 wins. She has won three Olympic medals: Gold in downhill and bronze in super-G in 2010 and bronze in downhill in 2018.

It hasn’t just been about recovery for Vonn these past few days.

On her way to Cortina, she stopped at the grave of her childhood coach Erich Sailer, who died in August aged 99.

Sailer coached Vonn at Buck Hill in Minnesota. He’s buried just outside Innsbruck, Austria.

Vonn said she shed some tears during the graveside visit – the only tears she’s shed these past few days.

“I miss him And I know exactly what he would say to me right now And it deﬁnitely gives me additional hope that I know that he would support me,” Vonn added.

“He would say, ‘It’s only 90 seconds. What’s 90 seconds in a lifetime? It’s nothing. You can do it.’” Vonn said. “That’s what he said to me before my last run in Are, and I know he would say it to me again today.”

Curry, LeBron, Durant set to team up

BY TIM REYNOLDS AP basketball writer

Stephen Curry will be joining Olympic teammates LeBron James and Kevin Durant once again, this time at the All-Star Game. The NBA announced the rosters for this season’s midseason showcase event on Tuesday night, splitting 25 names onto three squads.

It’s the debut of another new AllStar format this one U.S. vs. The World, on Feb. 15 at the Los Angeles Clippers’ home in Inglewood, California

It’s a concept that Commissioner Adam Silver thinks will tap into national pride for the players and comes at a ﬁtting time. The game will be aired on NBC, which is

also broadcasting the Milan Cortina Olympics that start later this week and run through Feb. 22.

The U.S.-vs.-World concept was talked about for years before becoming a reality this season. The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association unveiled the long-awaited plan in their latest attempt to spark renewed interest in the game following a largely panned tournament format last season.

The Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard likely the most deserving name left off the original list of 24 AllStars, was added to the pool of U.S. players Tuesday shortly before the rosters were unveiled. And that move likely was what sent New York’s Karl-Anthony Towns to the World team.

Towns was born in New Jersey but has played international basketball for the Dominican Republic his late mother’s homeland.

The NBA had said in recent months that it would adjust roster sizes as needed to ensure all three teams had at least eight players, the minimum required under the new format. Giannis Antetokounmpo is not expected to play for the World team because of injury, which is why that squad has nine players.

The U.S. teams were split by age: The older players were assigned to USA Stripes, the younger ones to USA Stars.

If all three teams ﬁnish 1-1 after the round-robin games, the ﬁrst tiebreaker will be point differential across each team’s games.

USA Stripes Jaylen Brown, Boston; Jalen Brunson, New York; Stephen Curry, Golden State; Kevin Durant, Houston; LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers; Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers; Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland; Norman Powell, Miami. Coach: Mitch Johnson, San Antonio.

USA Stars Scottie Barnes, Toronto; Devin Booker, Phoenix; Cade Cunningham, Detroit; Jalen Duren, Detroit; Anthony Edwards, Minnesota; Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City; Jalen Johnson, Atlanta; Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia. Coach: J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit.

World Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee; Deni Avdija, Portland; Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City; Nikola Jokic, Denver; Jamal Murray, Denver; Pascal Siakam, Indiana; Karl-Anthony Towns, New York; Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio. Coach: Darko Rajakovic, Toronto. NBA ALL-STAR ROSTER

Clippers trade Harden to Cavs for Garland

BY TIM REYNOLDS AP basketball writer

James Harden is headed to the Cleveland Cavaliers, with the Los Angeles Clippers agreeing to send the 11-time All-Star back to the Eastern Conference during his highest-scoring season in six years, a person with knowledge of the agreement said Tuesday night. The Cavaliers are giving up point guard Darius Garland and a second-round pick said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade has not yet been approved by the NBA. That approval could come by Wednesday, when the Cavaliers and Clippers face off in Inglewood, California. Harden is averaging 25.4 points this season, his most since averaging 34.3 points in 2019-20. He’s been a huge part of the Clippers’ resurgence back into playoff or, at least, play-in — contention

U.S. has chosen its Olympic ﬂag bearers

Speedskater Jackson, bobsledder Del Duca to represent at the opening ceremony

BY TIM REYNOLDS AP sportswriter

Speedskater Erin Jackson already has made history, as the ﬁrst Black woman to win an individual gold medal at a Winter Olympics. Bobsledder Frank Del Duca is a sergeant in the Army, hailing from a family with deep Italian roots. They might be the perfect pair to lead the U.S. into the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Jackson, 33, and Del Duca, 34, were selected by a group of their fellow Olympians as the U.S. ﬂag bearers for Friday night’s opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina Games.

Jackson will become the eighth U.S. speedskater to carry the flag into an Olympics, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee said, while Del Duca will be the first bobsledder to carry the ﬂag into an opening in 70 years.

“Being chosen to represent the United States on the world stage is a tremendous honor,” Jackson said in a statement Tuesday from the USOPC.

“It’s a moment that reﬂects far more than one individual — it represents my family, my teammates, my hometown, and everyone across the country who believes in the power of sport. The Olympics remind us of the power of sport to connect and inspire, and I’m proud to carry that forward on the Olympic stage.”

It will be an unusual opening ceremony, given that these are the most spread-out Olympics ever The main ceremony is in Milan; there will be other ceremonies and athlete parades in the Italian cities of Predazzo, Livigno and Cortina d’Ampezzo And for Del Duca, the top U.S. bobsled pilot in both two- and four-man racing, an alreadyspecial Olympic opportunity in his family’s homeland just got even more signiﬁcant. He said Tuesday that he was surprised by the ﬂag-bearer nod.

“I grew up with a lot of Italian and Italian-American inﬂuence in my life,” Del Duca said in an interview with The Associated Press last month. “Three out of my four grandparents were Italian. My name is Frank Joseph Del Duca IV It’s not the most Italian name, but it’s clearly Italian.

Los Angeles

shirt paying

Washington

after a dismal 6-21 start. “He means

to our team and we’ve seen

the last three years,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said Monday night when stories began breaking indicating

a move was close. “Who wouldn’t want to have James Harden?”

Cleveland will become Harden’s sixth team. He played for Oklahoma City, then Houston, then Brooklyn, then Philadelphia and, since 2023, the Clippers. For the Cavaliers, it seems to be a move for right now pairing the 36-year-old Harden with another star guard in Donovan Mitchell. For the Clippers, it seems to be a move with an eye on the future — the 26-year-old Garland is a two-time All-Star, averaging 18 points and 6.9 assists this season for Cleveland. Harden opted out of the final year of his contract last summer with the Clippers to sign a new deal that would have been worth $81.5 million for this season and the 2026-27 campaign. Next year is at his option, which basically meant he was on a one-year contract anyway He got that deal after averaging 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 8.7 assists and returning to the AllNBA team for the ﬁrst time since 2019-20.

“I grew up on the food. I grew up in that Italian American culture. So much of my life has been Italian American, which is not the same as Italian, but we’re very proud of our ancestry. U.S. bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor was picked to carry the American flag at the 2022 Beijing Olympics but tested positive for COVID-19 — forcing the postponement of her flag-carrying chance until the closing ceremony of those Games. She was replaced at the Beijing opening by speedskater Brittany Bowe, and this time, it’s Jackson’s turn to have that moment Del Duca was fourth in both two- and four-man at last season’s world championships on his home track in Lake Placid, New York. He made his Olympic debut at Beijing four years ago, finishing 13th in both races Now he wears his country’s colors in the Olympics again. That means the world to any athlete. It’s especially significant to Del Duca as a member of the Army and even more so, he insists, with these Games in his family’s homeland.

“It means a lot. It really does. It means a lot,” Del Duca said. “It would be cool anywhere, but the fact that it’s in Italy, I think our family is just that much more excited. My grandparents are no longer around, but they always rooted for Italy and the U.S. And they said the perfect day would be the Italians and the Americans tying for gold. So, yes, this is cool. It’s a cool opportunity.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By GIOVANNI AULETTA

Lindsey Vonn of the U.S is seen at the finish line after crashing during an alpine ski at the women’s World Cup downhill on Friday in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By NICK WASS

Clippers guard James Harden warms up while wearing a

tribute to Martin Luther King Jr before a game against the

Wizards on Jan. 19 in Washington.

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

LSU’s Chris Stanfield takes off after hitting a two-run single in the fourth inning of Game 2 in the College World Series final against Coastal Carolina on June 22 in Omaha, Neb

Twelve LSU baseball games to be televised

BY SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writer

The LSU baseball team will get maximum exposure in 2026. All 56 of the Tigers’ regularseason games will be televised in some capacity, including 12 games on network television LSU will have seven games on the SEC Network, three on ESPN2, one on ESPN and one on ESPNU. The rest of the Tigers’ games will be shown on a streaming basis, with 40 on SEC Network+ starting with the season opener, 2 p.m Feb 13 against Milwaukee.

LSU’s three games in the Live Like Lou Jax College Baseball Classic, Feb. 20-22 in Jacksonville, Florida, will be shown on D1Baseball.com. Additionally, LSU’s game March 4 at UL will be shown on ESPN+.

All of the reigning College World Series champion’s postseason games in the SEC and NCAA tournaments will be carried on one of the ESPN networks or ESPN’s online platforms.

LSU BASEBALL ON TV

Here are LSU’s 12 regular-season network TV games (all times Central):

March 14: At Vanderbilt, 7 p.m. (SECN)

March 15: At Vanderbilt, 3 p.m. (SECN)

March 19: Oklahoma, 7 p.m (ESPNU)

April 3: At Tennessee, 4:30 p.m. (SECN)

April 4: At Tennessee, 5 p.m. (ESPN2)

April 5: At Tennessee, noon (SECN)

April 17: Texas A&M, 6 p.m. (ESPN)

April 18: Texas A&M, 7 p.m. (SECN)

April 19: Texas A&M, 1 p.m. (ESPN2)

April 25: At Mississippi State, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

May 9: At Georgia, 6 p.m. (SECN)

May 10: At Georgia, 2 p.m (SECN)

Shaq discloses his favorite NBA championship team

BY TIM REYNOLDS AP basketball writer

MIAMI Shaquille O’Neal played for four NBA championship teams. And now, 20 years after his last title, he has one that he can call his favorite. It was the one he got with the Miami Heat.

The Heat brought back its 2006 title team for a two-day, 20th anniversary celebration this week, with a gala on Monday followed by an on-court event for fans to see at their home game against Atlanta on Tuesday Most of the team was in attendance, including O’Neal — who offered what may be a mildly surprising assessment of that championship run.

“I’m going to throw a word out there that’s probably going to shock the basketball world,” O’Neal said. “It’s my favorite one because we were not supposed to win and it was one that I was pressured to win. I needed to get it done before the other guy got his fourth.”

“The other guy” that O’Neal was referring to was Kobe Bryant. He and Bryant won three titles together with the Los Angeles Lakers, then the relationship went south and the Lakers traded O’Neal to Miami in the summer of 2004.

Bryant eventually got his fourth and ﬁfth titles to pass O’Neal, and the two teammates-turned-rivals mended fences to a certain extent before Bryant along with his daughter Gianna and seven others — died in a helicopter crash six years ago. But at that time, O’Neal felt a ton of pressure to get one without Bryant. And the Heat, in those days, was a bit of a powder keg that found a way to buck the odds.

“We were a bunch of misfits that used to argue and ﬁght and do things very untraditionally,” said O’Neal, who estimated the Heat had about 40 internal ﬁghts that season and all of them blew over almost immediately “But we never not got along and that’s what made it special.”

That’s the way the 2006 Heat was wired, which is why O’Neal didn’t take it personally when Miami lost the ﬁrst two games of that season’s ﬁnals to the Dallas Mavericks. O’Neal told the story Tuesday of how Gary Payton — a guard on that Miami team cursed him out after Game 2, saying Dwyane Wade needed the ball more if the Heat was going to win the series.

“I decided to rufﬂe some feathers,” Payton said, confirming that he went to coach Pat Riley and asked for changes, then told O’Neal it was time for Wade to carry the torch for the Heat. Wade dominated the next four games. Payton made a huge shot to help Miami win Game 3. The Heat won the title in six games. The ﬁghts led to a parade. It was all worthwhile.

“We had a perfect eight-man rotation,” Riley said “I apologize to numbers 9 through 15, but they used to whip (butt) every day in practice on these guys, I can tell you that. Made them better.”

SCOREBOARD

CORRECTION

A story in the Feb 2 editions of The Advocate/Times-Picayune mistakenly listed which high school NFL Hall of Fame nominee Reggie Wayne attended Wayne attended and graduated from John Ehret High School.

€612,620 Surface: Hardcourt indoor Men’s Singles Round of 32 Pablo Carreno Busta, Spain, def. Miomir Kecmanovic, Serbia, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4). Martin Damm Jr., United States, def. Hubert Hurkacz (7), Poland, 7-6 (5), 6-4. Titouan Droguet, France, def. Jan Choinski, Britain, 6-2, 7-6 (2). Ugo Humbert (5), France, def. Botic Van de Zandschulp, Netherlands, 6-3, 6-4. Arthur Fils (6), France, def. Valentin Royer, France, 7-6 (7), 6-7 (4), 6-2. Ugo Blanchet, France, def. Andrea Vavassori, Italy, 6-4, 6-3. Men’s Doubles Round of 16 Albano Olivetti and Theo Arribage (4), France, def. Inigo Cervantes and Pedro Martinez, Spain, 3-6, 7-6 (5), 10-6. Arthur Reymond and Clement Chidekh, France, def. Hendrik Jebens, Germany, and Ray Ho, Taiwan, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (1). Matej Vocel and Tomas Machac, Czechia, def. Vasil Kirkov, United States, and Bart Stevens, Netherlands, 6-4, 6-4. WTA Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open Tuesday At Zayed Sports City International Tennis Centre Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Purse: $1,206,446 Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Women’s Singles Round of 16 Liudmila Samsonova (5), Russia, def. Janice Tjen, Indonesia, 6-2, 6-2. McCartney Kessler, United States, def. Leylah Fernandez (6), Canada, 6-3, 6-2. Hailey Baptiste, United States, def. Emma Navarro (4), United States, 7-6 (6), 0-6, 6-3. Clara Tauson (3), Denmark, def. Simona Waltert, Switzerland, 6-3, 6-1. Women’s Doubles Round of 16 Desirae Krawczyk and Soﬁa Kenin, United States, def. Asia Muhammad, United States, and Erin Routliffe (1), New Zealand, 6-1, 2-6, 12-10. Barbora Krejcikova, Czechia, and Jelena Ostapenko, Latvia, def. Xu Yifan, China, and Liudmila Samsonova, Russia, 6-2, 7-5. Janice Tjen, Indonesia, and Alexandra Eala, Philippines, def. Kristina Mladenovic, France, and Leylah Fernandez, Canada, 7-5, 3-6, 10-6. WTA Ostrava Open Tuesday At Ostravar Arena Ostrava, Czech Republic Purse: $283,347 Surface: Hardcourt indoor Women’s Singles Round of 32 Rebecca Sramkova (4), Slovakia, def. Vendula Valdmannova, Czechia, 6-2, 6-3. Katie Boulter, Britain, def. Lucie Havlickova, Czechia, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1. Viktorija Golubic (5), Switzerland, def. Sinja Kraus, Austria, 6-4, 6-0. Women’s Singles Round of 16 Katie Volynets, United States, def. Tatjana Maria (1), Germany, 7-5, 6-1. Caty McNally (6), United States, def. Tereza Martincova, Czechia, 6-4, 6-4. Alycia Parks, United States, def Elina Avanesyan, Russia, 6-4, 6-2. Women’s Doubles Round of 16 Ivana

def. Jesika Maleckova, Czechia, and Anna Blinkova, Russia, 6-2, 6-4. Women’s Doubles Quarterﬁnals Shuo Feng, China, and Madeleine Brooks,

def. Vendula Valdmannova and Julie Pastikova, Czechia, 1-6, 6-1, 10-6. WTA Transylvania Open Tuesday At Arenele BNR Cluj-Napoca, Romania Purse: $283,347 Surface: Hardcourt indoor Women’s Singles Round of 32 Anastasia Potapova (5), Russia, def. Lucia Bronzetti, Italy, 5-7, 6-4, 7-5. Wang Xinyu (4), China, def. Kaitlin Quevedo, Spain, 6-3, 6-0. Daria Snigur, Ukraine, def. Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah, France, 6-3, 6-3. Rebeka Masarova, Switzerland, def. ElenaGabriela Ruse, Romania, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2. Jaqueline Cristian (2), Romania, def. Lucrezia Stefanini, Italy, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5. Women’s Singles Round of 16 Oleksandra Oliynykova, Ukraine, def. Anna Bondar (8), Hungary, 6-4, 6-4. Yuan Yue, China, def. Sara Sorribes Tormo, Spain, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (5). Women’s Doubles Round of 16 Kaja Juvan, Slovenia, and Maja Chwalinska, Poland, def. Greet Minnen, Belgium, and Anna Bondar, Hungary, 3-6, 6-3, 10-8. Sara Sorribes Tormo, Spain, and Kamilla Rakhimova (3), Russia, def. I-Hsuan Cho

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MARTA LAVANDIER

Former Miami Heat players Shaquille O’Neal, left, and Dwyane Wade talk about their experience winning the NBA finals 20 years ago during a news conference Tuesday in Miami

Bigflavors,strongcoffeeat Freret Street’s tiny newCuban cafe

IBY IAN McNULTY Staff writer

wasconfident theCuban sandwich would be good at Café Conmigo, the new Cuban quick-service restaurant on Freret Street from the owners of HighHat Between the juicy roastporkand the larded crackleofthe pressed bread, this excellent rendition exceeded those expectations. And then there’sthe frita Cubana, adressed-up burger that follows the pan-Latin ﬂair forexuberance with more crunch and ﬂavor

What surprisedme was howmuch this new Cuban cafe immediately felt likeadinerstyle spot that Freret’s restaurant row needs.

Café Conmigo opened in early January.Co-owners Fredo Noguiera and Ryan Iriarte are New Orleans natives and longtime friends who share a Cuban heritage.

Afew years ago, the two bought High Hat Café (4500 Freret St.), the Creole/Southernrestaurant where Iriarte had long been manager.Noguierais achef who leads the kitchens atCane &Table(1113 Decatur St.)and Vals (4632 Freret St.),two restaurants under the same umbrella as thecocktail lounge Cure (4905 Freret St.).

Café Conmigo is their own separate venture,and it’s onetheyhad long talkedofcreating. They found an opportunity just across thestreet from High Hat in thesmall spot that was previouslyIce Cream504,a scoop shop that closed last year Bigon flavor

Café Conmigo takes inspiration from ventanitas, the “little windows” for coffee and snacks around Miami. It serves ashort menu focused on touchstone Cuban ﬂavors, with alot of extra steps worked in.

Thenarrow shotgun-shapedroom feelslike coffeeshop-meets-lunch counter,with alook mixing theretro and themodern.There’slimited indoor seating, and quitealot outside at café tables and picnic benches. People drop in for quick bites and knock back potent, aromatic Cuban coffees. Froma seat at the diner counter,orwith your elbow hitched on the little stand-up counter near the door, you can hear the sizzle as cooks tend to burgers on thegriddle andwatch

Strangetimes,easy reservations at restaurants surrounded by the Uptown parade route

BY IAN McNULTY Staff writer

Picture dinner at La Petite Grocery (4238 Magazine St.) under mellow lamp light with the crabmeat beignets and turtle Bolognese on the table, or maybe alate lunch at the graceful bar,sipping acocktail with astreet view out broad windows. But in this case, the street outside is oddly quiet, and so is the dining room,while just ablock away there’s the roar and blare of aMardi Gras parade in motion.

Somepeople will duck in for adrink, their beads clattering, and afew will settleinfor afine meal and some time away fromthe merry bedlam of the parade route.

“Mardi Gras changes everything, but it’s still us, doing what we do here, in amore spirited manner,” said Mia Devillier,co-owner of the contemporary Creole bistro. This is New Orleans restaurant life in “the box,” the sweep of neighborhoodsfromUptownthrough downtown NewOrleans hemmed between the parade route and the river Mardi Gras remakes many facets of New Orleans life, and that goes for the rhythmsofthe restaurant scene. Demand for tables, operating hours, timing of deliveries, staff schedulesand even some specials are all dictated by parades and the ebband ﬂowofcrowds around them For restaurant in the box, the change is extreme.

When crossstreets areclosed off, sometimes long before parades begin, normally busy blocks become temporary ghost towns, the trafﬁc disappearing as though atap was turned off.

Seasoned Mardi Grasveterans know to plan their movements accordingly.But restaurants have to stay put, and manystay open. Hot restaurants turn into low-key neighborhood spots, serving atemporarily captive audienceofpeople whomight walkover on awhim Upscale places can be as quiet as in deepestsummer. Theycan also feel serene forthose looking fora

STAFF PHOTOSByIAN McNULTy

Café Conmigoisaquick, casualspotfor Cuban sandwiches and coffee in NewOrleans.

RIGHT: Tropically sweet and savory pastries make quick snacks at Café Conmigo.

Acortadito espresso drink packs acaffeine punch at Café Conmigo.

The Cuban sandwichatCafé Conmigoispressed to acrisp crackle.

FARRIGHT: The frita Cubana is a Cuban style burger with chorizo spice and potato sticks.

By The Associated Press

Today is Wednesday, Feb. 4, the 35th day of 2026. There are 330 days left in the year

Todayinhistory:

On Feb. 4, 1997, acivil jury in Santa Monica, California, found O.J. Simpson liable for the deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, ordering Simpson to pay $33.5 million to the victims’ families.

Also on this date:

In 1789, electors unanimously chose George Washington to be the ﬁrstpresident of the United States.

In 1801, John Marshall took ofﬁce as chief justice of the United States, aposition he would hold for 34 years.

In 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader

Josef Stalin began awartime conference at Yalta. In 1974, newspaper heiress PatriciaHearst,19, was kidnapped in California by the radical Symbionese Liberation Army.Hearst was caught on cameraparticipating in abank robbery with the extremist group that April and subsequently found guilty of bankrobbery and sentenced to seven years in prison. (President Jimmy Cartercommuted her sentence, and shewas later pardoned.)

In 2004, Facebook had its beginnings as Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg launched “TheFacebook. In 2013, British scientists announced that skeletal remainstheyhad discovered during an excavation beneath aLeicester,England, parking lot were, beyond reasonable doubt,the remainsof15th-century monarch KingRichard III.

In 2023, theU.S. shot down asuspected Chinese spy balloon over the Atlantic Ocean, saying it was equipped with high-tech gear for amilitary-linked aerial surveillance program.China denied theballoon was used for spying on sensitive NorthAmerican militarysites, insisting the ﬂyover was an accident involving aweather balloon. Today’sbirthdays: Former Argentine President Isabel Peron is 95. Rock singer Alice Cooper is 78. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is 73. Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor is 67. Country singer Clint Black is 64. BoxingHall of Famer Oscar De La Hoya is 53. Singer Natalie Imbruglia is 51. Rapper Cam’ron is 50. Singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw is 49. Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Carly Patterson is 38. Actor Edvin Ryding is 23.

‘THE BOX’

Continued from page1D

change of pace from the parade madness, or acomfortable haven if the weather turns or Carnival plans change.

Consider the scene inside the Delachaise (3442 St. Charles Ave.), in the box and also right on the parade route. Even with mobile vendors hawking cheesesteaks right by its door,itcan still feel like the old reliable Delachaise inside

The wine bar will still pour anice glass of Chablis next to its steak and goose fatfried fish and chips, while rolling floats and crashing beads ﬁll the viewthrough the wraparound frontwindows.

Valentine’seffect Restaurant planning around Carnivalhas another curve ball this year with Valentine’sDay falling the Saturday before Mardi Gras.

That’sthe day when Uptown parades wrap up early, and as streets reopenand the center of Carnival gravity shifts to Mid-City for Endymion, restaurants in the box typically get abusiness boost.

This year,some areseeing more people choosing Valentine’sDay dinnersover another parade.

Lilette (3627Magazine St.) is already fully booked. The seductively stylish bistro is where Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce had amuch-publicized dinner date during the Super Bowl last year,perhaps spurring more interest from romantic diners

But that full reservation book is in stark contrastto other parade days,when scoring atableisa breeze.

Still, chef/ownerJohn Harris has seen achange in pat-

Cubansandwiches,

CONMIGO

Continuedfrom page1D

them slide another Cuban sandwich intothe press. Cubans andfritas

The roasted pork in the Cuban is sliced (not pulled) andgives juicy flavorsof garlic and sourcitrusfrom themarinade. The restaurant is taking the impressive stepofcuring its own ham. It flakes apart with atexture closer to corned beef than afloppy deli sliced ham

The bread (produced to spec by the RalphBrennan Bakery) gives the kind of crunch you only get from a loaf with thefat worked into the crumb,readytocome to life on the hot press.

The good oldAmerican burger takes on adifferent personality in its Cuban form as afrita, astreet food combination of burger and fries on thesame bun.

and American cheese on top.

Then comes ablizzard of potato sticks, cut as thin as pastry threads and stuck together in crispy clusters, like ashoestring version of hashbrowns. It overflows the bun before your first bite, essentially providing aside order within.

There’savegetarian frita with achorizo-spiced black bean burger, andalso afrita as breakfast sandwich, adding aﬂuffy layerofbaked eggs, likeanomelet folded under the burger.Amedianoche, aCuban sandwich on sweetened brioche, completes the sandwich menu.

Youcan get an avocado salad to contrast these meaty sandwiches or some madurosfromthe short list of sides.Get an order of croquetas de jamón —a Miamifavorite —hot from the fryer that burst with cheesy minced ham under acrisp shell.

Coffee andcocktails

tently strong anddeeply ﬂavorful.

The menu starts in theCubancoffee lexicon withcafecito (shotsized, sweetened) andmoves on through cortadito(acafecito withsteamed milk),cafécon leche(the same, withmore milk)and a colada(aplus-sized cafecito, ideally to share).

ternsinrecent years, with more people gathering for festivelunches before heading to parades, often already in costume.

Chickeninthe box

Forany restaurant, navigating this timeofyear means rolling withalot of uncertainties, androlling out some specials and events to draw people in.

At Coquette (2800 Magazine St ), chef Mike Stoltzfus and hiscrew areputting on anotheroftheir fried chicken and Champagne brunches, this time on Bacchus Sunday to give people a different waytostart abusy parade day

Friedchicken, aCarnival staple, is also taking center stageatStoltzfus’ nearby casual restaurant, Here Today Rotisserie(1245 Constance St.), also squarely in the box. Normally aFriday-only special, it’sonthe menu daily throughCarnival.Thisisa different kind of fried chicken, brushed with Calabrian chile-spiked chicken fatfor extra ﬂavor in thecrunch.

Delays anddetours

Stoltzfushas beentrying to manageMardi Gras din-

ing for 18 yearsnow.One thinghe’slearned is that the boxisnot completelysealed From the interstate, the Tchoupitoulas Streetexit is usually open,giving aramp into thearea. Butsuch insider tips are notcommonknowledge for visitors. They’re often delighted to find open reservations at hot local restaurants, only to discover their ride-share driver will not deliver them to the door

Cancellations arecommon, no matterhow much the restaurant triestocommunicate advisories, said AshwinVilkhu, chef at the upscale Indian restaurant Saffron NOLA (4128 Magazine St.).

Still, the restaurant stays open for much of the parade season, ready toserve those who do make apoint to come in and those looking for an oasis between parties and parades

Go cups andpo-boys

Even at casualspots, seeminglywellsituatedto feed hungry revelers, demandcan be unpredictable.

At Mahony’s Po-Boys(3454 Magazine St.), manager Tristan Ferchel, said thedining room might stand empty for long stretches until 20 or 30 people descendatonce, clamoring for roastbeef and peacemaker po-boys.

To try to even things out, the shop hasput together parade partypackageswith 30-inch po-boys and batched cocktailswiththe new local brand, Big Easy Whiskey At thebar,Mahony’sis playing it both ways. When adults come to eatand drink on paradedays, theirkids get free Shirley Templesfor a sugarbuzz between parades. “At Mardi Gras,you have to be family friendly and also ready to party,” Ferchel said.

It startswithabeef patty mixedwith chorizo spices (but notpork sausage), for ﬂavorsofpaprika and chiles in the bouncy bite of the meat, over tangles of griddle-browned onions beneath

The restaurant’sname is an invitation, meaning “coffeewith me.” Itscoffee drinks are next level, starting with ablend worked up with local roaster French Truck Coffee. These are short coffees that are po-

Trysomething more exotic with an iced café Malta con leche, which mixes coffeewitha soda withmalty, caramelized flavor and just ahint of fizz. Come for acoffee and you might be tempted into asnack. Check the case up front for the pastries, both tropically sweet with guava andcheese, andsavory, filled with ham or beef At HighHat, Iriarte earned areputation for quality cocktails, and at Café Conmigo he’s bringing those chops to Cuban classics, likedaiquiris andmojitos.There’s also afrozen El Presidenteinthe works. The restaurant just got its liquor license, and cocktails should join the menu this week alongside afew Spanish wines. That means this ventanita could becomeahappy hour hang out too.

TheAmerican RedCross ofLouisiana is hereall year.

Local support. Local impact.

TheAmerican RedCross in Louisiana serves4.65millionresidentsacrossall64parishesandextendshopeto communitiesacrossthenationandaroundtheworld.Whenyousupportyour localRedCross,youmakeadirectimpactinyourcommunity Poweredbygenerosity. TheRedCrossisnotagovernmentagency.Wearea501(c)(3) nonproﬁtthatreliesonthepowerofvolunteersandthegenerosity ofdonorstocarryoutourhumanitarianmission. RedCrosssupportersprovideabeaconofhope.Fromhelping duringdisasters,toprovidinglifesavingtrainingandsupporting militarycommunities,theRedCrossistherewhenhelpcan’twait.

STAFF PHOTO By IAN McNULTy

burgers and pastries are the calling cards of Café Conmigo.

Fried chicken with Calabarian chiles is aFriday specialat Here TodayRotisserie in NewOrleans.

STAFF FILE PHOTOSByIAN McNULTy

The bar is acenter point inside Mahony’sPo-BoysinNew Orleans.

Bethehelp Louisiananeeds redcross.org/louisiana

n Shall We Dance?

CARNIVAL CAPERS

Nell Nolan SOCIETY

Under the Royal Tent on the groundsofthe NewOrleans Country Club and with the RobertMaxwell-led Jimmy Maxwell Orchestra playing, the tableau for the 131st anniversary ball of the Krewe of Nereus developed. Recalling the 1987 movie “Dirty Dancing,” His Majesty’s Tableau Players entered atransfer portal that took guests to the film’siconic ballroom at Kellerman’sVacation Resort. Fused within this frolic was some pigskin playfulness. The formality was that of Carnival royalty Gracing the pageantry as the queen was Miss Madeline Frances Kessels, daughter of Dr.and Mrs. John Sellers Kessels. She made asunning picture in atrumpet-silhouette gown designed by Suzanne Perron St. Paul. Fashioned of silk satin, silver tulle and re-embroidered lace with crystals and sequins, it featuredalace patternthat captured theaquatic theme of Nereus. In classical mythology,the sea god Nereus “was father to half ahundred sea nymphs.” He was also known for his loveofjustice and truth. Maids of the court, nine in number, were Misses Devron Blais Barreca,Adelaide Elizabeth Benzman, Ellen Margaret Daly,Taylor Lee Elliott, Catherine Carlisle Martin, Ellie Eugenie Menszer,Sloane Alexandra Paysse, Kathleen Brewer Ready and Lillian Margaret Roussel. Twohad already worn Carnival crowns for this season: Miss Daly,Olympians, and Miss Paysse, Caliphs of Cairo. Masters Cornelius William Booher IV and Hayden West Janke servedaspages to their majesties. The identity of theking, Nereus, was not revealed, but he reveled in hisroyalty and the comeliness of his consort Madeline. Mr Stephen Henry Schonberg chaired the court committee with assistance from ninevice chairmen. The occasion was also the first with anew ball captain, whoacquitted himself in fine style.

Miss Madison Elizabeth Hales reigned in 2025 when theNereus ball commemorated the 125th anniversary of theworld’sﬁrst electric parade: the krewe’s! She was presented to themonarchs of this year and received a bouquet of long-stemmedred roses. Forthe recent bal masqué, she was seated with her mother, Mrs.Stephen BenjaminHales,who as KendallGoodier was honored years ago as aNereusmaid.Joining them was Mrs. Glenn GillGoodier, the mother of Kendall and grandmother of Madison. The queen’smother Therese Kessels, chose adesignbyLaDoubleJ. The name Kessels appeared within aroyalframework in 1992 when Miss Margaret Maddix Kessels held the krewe’sscepter.Additionalformer queens were in the 2026 audience. All were regaled by Kirk Redmann,who opened the formalities withthe robustness of hisoperatic voice for “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Later, the Maxwell orchestra playedthe Crescent Cityfavorite, “When the Saints Go MarchingIn.

Among the other ladies applaudinghim were Mmes.Thomas Kessels, Jeff Richards, Pieter Kessels, Marvin TalbotRichard,Anne Comarda, John Hills, RalphG.Breaux (the 1994 queen as Miss Gretchen Patricia Schonberg), KennethC.Butler,Stephen H. Schonberg,David T.Ventola and Patrick A. Schonberg.Also, Ms Joyce Delery, Miss Renee Elizabeth Breaux (her majesty of 2022),Miss Marguerite Lisette Breaux,and Ms. Elizabeth C. Schonberg Manywore thekrewe favor: athree-dimensional rhinestoneencrusted jellyﬁsh to further the aquatic motif.Itwas introduced on the ball invitation (and later,the program) by artist TimTrapolin. Both sea and land lovers then headed to theNew Orleans Country Club when the masked ball concluded forthe joys of the Queen’s Supper.Seashells and seahorses bedecked thetables, as didwhiteroses and gold crowns. Traditional breakfast fare fueled thelate-night throng, who gravitated to the band in the club’smain ballroom. There BRW, which set the night to dancing, picked up on the dance-sport theme. Akrewe membergot up and sang Journey’s“Don’t StopBelieving,” andthe whole throng sang along. No one,and certainly not Baby (inany incarnation) was put in acorner when the decibelsrevvedup.

As for queen Madeline, she had thetime of herlife!“Thewhole experience has been amazing,” shecommented,adding howgrateful she was and honored. During the ball, shecapturedeveryeye as shesat on the throne or processed in agrand march. In the course of the supper,she ascended the stage with the band, who played “Sweet Caroline,” but sang, in her honor,“Sweet Madeline.”

Gretchen Breaux, Therese Kessels, Madison Hales, Kendall Hales

Contact: nnolan@theadvocate.com

n Sun Set

“I was so surprised,” said Miss Kate Faulkner Bensel, daughterof Mr and Mrs. GregoryCharles Bensel, as she relatedthe news thatshe wasto be the queen of Osiris. “I found outinMarch,” she continued. The honorofmajesty and appreciation of allthatitentailed was further expressed. She hadalso issued a royalrequest: thatselect guests attend areceptionather family home,where she was the conversationalcynosure,priortothe ball in the RoyalTentofthe NewOrleans Country Club. At the ball, queen Kate joinedhis majesty,who took to the royalrolewith brio,within an impressive Egyptian setting in the Palace of the Sun, beﬁtting the name of the Carnivalkrewe and the deity,Osiris. Included within the eye-catching court were the maids, Misses Madeleine Odette Black, MaryRoberts Favor, Lillian Lair Hooper,Annabel Katherine McCarthy, Madeleine PaigeMorrison,Kathleen Brewer Ready,Georgia Kathryn Scott and Helen ClaireThompson.Also,princesses Madeleine RoseAdatto, CampbellGrace Banta, Caitlin AugustBrennan, Florence Virginia Dupuy,ElizabethHelen Fitzpatrick, Emily McKayGuider,Caroline AnnKogos, Evelyn Anne Lauscha, Livie Freret Montgomery, Riley Helyn Ralston and ElizabethGrace Taylor.The page threesomeincluded Masters Thomas Gordon McLeod Jr James Rowan Williams and Thomas Jackson Bethune V. Furtherfocustapped the 2025 queen,Miss Melanie Kathleen Talbot,daughterof Mr.and Mrs. BrentArnold Talbot,and MarthaStephens Johnson, who reigned50yearsago. Messrs. ChristianGibbs Hooper and Ralph Owen Brennan chairedthe court committeewith assistancefromeight vice chairmen. Forthe majestic music, Robert Maxwell ledthe Jimmy Maxwell Orchestra.

Refulgence was to the sartorial fore in the queen’s gown of silver lamé,woven with shimmering metallic threadsand overlaid with custombeaded embroidery.Itwas created by Katie Johnson of Royal Design House in arefinedA-line silhouette. The monarchgarnered effusive applause from her subjects, many in choice seats. Noted were the royalmother, Jane Bensel, along with Mmes.Beau James Box, Charles Edouard de la VergneIII, PatrickRyanGambel, WilliamCabellNelson, Eric Wayne Hoffman, John Peter “Jack” Laborde, ConorThomas Lutkewitte, ChristianGibbs Hooper,Justin Burton Schmidt,EdouardJames Kock III, Andrew Bell Wisdom, TomBenson (Gayle Marie Benson), WilliamJ.Goliwas,Joseph Sanders Mann Jr James JosephReiss III,and Miss Emily Johnson.They, andothers, were delightedrecipients of the krewe favorostrichpin. More design came from Katie Rafferty for the ball program’sEgyptian-themedartwork. As is tradition, alively Queen’s Supperfollowed. Rooms within the New OrleansCountry Club accommodated arrangements of festive flowers; abreakfast with requisite king cake; andthe lively sounds of The MustacheBandfrom Oxford, Mississippi, whichkeptthe dancefloor gyrating well past midnight. Thus the night closed, but the sun will never setonthe memories of herreign held by Osiris queen Kate.

Penn Bethune, Rowan Williams, Thomas McLeod

Anne Goliwas, Megan Nelson, Jane Bensel

PHOTOSByJEFF STROUT

Madeline Kessels

Ellie Menszer,Sloane Paysse, Devron Barreca, Kathleen Ready

AdelaideBenzman, Taylor Elliott, Catherine Martin

Ellen Daly,CharlesWalsten, Lillian Roussel

Connor Booher, Hayden Janke

PHOTOSByJEFF STROUT Kate Faulkner Bensel

Lillian Hooper Annabel McCarthy

Madeleine Black, Ralph Brennan, MaryFavor

Kathleen Ready,Georgia Scott, MaddieMorrison

Gary Gambel, Helen Claire Thompson

Seated: Emily Guider,CarolineKogos, EvelynLauscha; seated: Livie Montgomery, RileyRalston, Elizabeth Taylor

Madeleine Adatto, Campbell Banta, Caitlin Brennan, Florence Dupuy,LibbyFitzpatrick

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Be open to suggestions but verify information before initiating change. The precautions you take will ease your mind and encourage you to trust your instincts.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Takeamoment to evaluate every angle of sensitive situations. Partnerships will require special attention and thought to maintain balance. A close friend will shed light on your life.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Slow down and make your life less stressful. Don't take on too much or make promises you'll regret. It's time to revise your routine and hit the reset button.

TAuRus (April 20-May 20) Take a moment to breathe and to chip away at what burdens you most Be the one to dictate what you will and won't do. Life is about choices, and it's time to do what's best for you.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Stretch your imagination, and you'll come up with a winning situation. Act fast and on your own behalf. The change you initiate now will help you expand your skills, outlook and connections.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Discipline and follow-through are everything. Structure your day to ensure you reach your goal. Refuse to let your emotions run the show when practicality is necessary.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Be aware of what you know and where you fall short. It's never too late to learn something new or

to venture down a path that can enrich your life. Communication is the route to resolving unfinished business.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Refuse to let anyone play with your emotions or talk you into something you'll regret. Consider what's real and what's manufactured by people looking for a handout. Protect your assets.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Interacting with people who stimulate or teach you something new will help you map your way forward. Live and learn as you go, and something magical will manifest.

scoRPIo (oct 24-nov. 22) Take your time; be the witness, not the instigator. Life is about choices, knowing what's important and following through when the time is right.

sAGITTARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Keep the momentum flowing, your eye on your target and your energy on physical action. Let your mind entertain unique alternatives, and you'll come up with a new and exciting way to use your knowledge.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) When opportunity knocks, recognize what's available and act. You have plenty to gain if you are willing to adopt lifestyle changes. Rethink your financial position and how you can use your skills.

FAMILY CIrCUS

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

ToDAy's cLuE: I EQuALs F

CeLebrItY CIpher For better or For WorSe

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM SherMAn’S LAGoon

bIG nAte

Sudoku

InstructIons: sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. Theobject is to place the numbers 1to9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Thedifficulty level of thesudoku increases from monday to sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

THewiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

CurTiS

By PHILLIP ALDER Bridge

It is inevitablethat ameritorious deal or twowill be missed by theperson choosing the short lists forthe annual International Bridge Press Association awards.

Ifthisdealhadbeenonthedefenselist, it might well have won. It occurred during theItalian Club ChampionshipinSeptember2012(which was too late for the 2012 awards). Sitting West was Agustin Madala, one of the world’s most talented players, who was borninArgentina butrepresents Italy It was originally reported by Ana Roth from Argentina. In the auction, Iamnot sure about North’s double, which would usually be negativeshowing lengthinboth minors.

Defendingagainstfourhearts,Madala ledthe spade jack, Rusinow, promising the queen.

Southwon with dummy’s ace and would have done best to start trumps, but he played aclubtohis ace.

West saw that if he were on lead, he would sacrifice atrick with whatever he led.Sohediscarded aspade.

Declarer cashed his top heart. West, still not wanting the lead, threw hisking under the ace.

Southnow led alow heart.West continuedhis brilliant work by playing low. East, Norberto Bocchi, wonwithhis jack and shifted to the diamond queen. Declarer could have escaped for down one by playing low on this trick and on East’sdiamond-jackcontinuation.Butin desperation, he covered the queen. West wonwithhisace,cashedtheheartqueen, and continued diamonds. The defenders took two hearts and three diamonds for downtwo ©2026 by nEa,inc dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzle is awordriddlewhich creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: nOOn gOOD =gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

word game

InsTRucTIons: 1. Words must be of fourormore letters. 2. Words that acquire fourletters by the addition of “s,”such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3 additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit wordsare not allowed

ToDAy’s WoRD ARBITER: AR-bih-ter:A person with power to decide adispute.

Average mark22words

Time limit 40 minutes

Can you find 33 or morewords in ARBITER?

yEsTERDAy’s WoRD —MInoRITy

wuzzles

loCKhorNs

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

hidato

mallard fillmore

GramS

dIrectIons: make a 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row. add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value. all the words are in the Official sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5th Edition.

Puzzle Answer

ken ken

InstructIons: 1 Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 thorugh 4 (easy) or 1 through 6 (challenging) without repeating. 2 The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners. 3 Freebies: Fill in the single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner. HErE is a

WiShinG Well

Scrabble

roSe

Treatment Plant that requireimprovements. The firm(s) will be required to prepareindependent sets of plans and specifications for the following Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements: 1. Digester Tank –The 500,000-gallon Digester Tank that is out of service is

Hoist –Gretna’sWastewater Treatment Facility has to performregular maintenance on centrifuge assembly.The means by which they disassemble the centrifuge requires agreat deal of coordination due to the lack of ahoist and structural framing for disassembly and reassembly.The facility requires astructural frame with hoist that is designed exclusively for this task.

3. SCADA System -Gretna’sWastewater Treatment Facility requires round-the-clock monitoring of the wastewater processes. To bring the wastewater Treatment Plant to current standards aSupervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system is required for controlling, monitoring, andanalyzing wastewater devices and processes. The system will consist of both softwareand hardwarecomponents and enable remote and onsite gathering of data from the wastewater equipment.

4. New Headworks Screen and Modified Hydrodine ScreenInefficient wastewater screening equipment is being employed at the facilityand needs to be replaced. Apoor wastewater screening system is leading to higher costs. Those costs areeating signiﬁcantly into Gretna’s overall facility budget and arecausing their operations to be expensively inefficient. In addition, when the equipment fails or needs maintenance due to an inadequate, antiquated system, the downtime is compromising the wastewater treatment facility’smission.

Compensation

The fee shall be negotiated with the consultant by Madason Priore, Director of Public Utilities, and shall be mutually agreeable to both parties based on merits of the project(s). The estimated fees for this work may vary among each different assignment. Consultants may be required to substantiate the fee proposal on atask man-hour basis. All costs associated with the project(s) shall be subject to City of Gretna review and Mayor’sapproval.

The winning submitter will have no morethan 8months to complete the 4 tasks listed in the RFQ Scope of Work.

Minimum Requirements for Selection

1. The persons or firms under consideration shall have at least one (1) principal and senior level management engineer who are registered professional engineers in the State of Louisiana with aminimum of five (5) years’ experience in management and disciplines involved.

2. The persons or firms under consideration shall have at least one (1) registered professional engineer in the State of Louisiana with aminimum of five (5) years’ experience in civil engineering.

3. The persons or firms under consideration shall have at least one (1) registered professional engineer in the State of Louisiana with aminimum of five (5) years’ experience in mechanical engineering.

4. The persons or firms under consideration shall have at least one (1) registered professional engineer in the State of Louisiana with aminimum of five (5) years’ experience in structural engineering.

5. The persons or firms under consideration shall have at least one (1) registered professional engineer in the State of Louisiana with aminimum of five (5) years’ experience in electrical engineering (SCADA).

Upon selection, successful firm(s) shall provide insurance certificates in accordance with City insurance requirements for professional service contracts. Requirements areavailable in the City of Gretna Purchasing Department: Betsy Morgan bmorgan@gretnala.com or (504) 363-1566. Evaluation Criteria

The following criteria will be used to evaluate the statement of the firms submitting:

1) Professional training and experience both generally and in relation to the type and magnitude of work required for the particular project –30points

2) The size of the firm based on the number of personnel, as related to project requirements and/or scope –20points

3) Capacity for timely completion of the work, taking into consideration the person’sor firms current and projected workload and professional and support manpower –20points

4) Location of the principal office wherework will be performed, with preference being given to persons or firms with offices located within a50-mile radius of Gretna –10points

5) An analysis of any work by the person or firm submitting which resulted in litigation between the public entity and the person or firm performing professional services, including but not limited to ongoing litigation with apublic entity or involvement in litigation with apublic entity in which the public entity prevailed –10 points

6) Past and current professional accomplishments, for which references from clients or former clients, and information gathered by inspection of current or recent projects may be considered –10 points.

All firms (including sub-consultants) must submit aStatement of Qualifications using Jefferson Parish’sTechnical Evaluation Committee (TEC) QuestionnaireTEC-Professional-Services-Questionnaire-PDF Interested firms must submit one (1) original and four (4) copies of this Statement of Qualifications to the Office of Betsy Morgan, Finance & Purchasing Assistant, City of Gretna, 740 2nd Street, Gretna, La. 70053,

no later than 5working days before deadline submission. All submitters will be notified no later than February 19, 2026, of the RFQ scoring. The selected firm must comply with all StandardFederal Award Contractor Terms And Conditions. Environmental Protection Agency

terms and conditions of this AGREEMENT,provided that the CITY-PARISH shall give contractor written notice specifying contractor’sfailureand thirty (30) days to curethe defect. CITY-PARISH may terminate the AGREEMENT at its convenience at any time for any or no reason by giving seven (7) days written notice to CONTRACTOR.

Upon termination for cause or convenience, the CONTRACTOR shall be entitled to payment for deliverables in progress through the date of termination, to the extent work has been performed in accordance with the terms and/or conditions of this AGREEMENT or otherwise to the satisfaction of CITY-PARISH, as well as reasonable termination and demobilization costs.

Should the CITY-PARISH find it necessary to suspend the work for lack of funding or other circumstances beyond its control, this may be done by thirty (30) days written notice given by CITY-PARISH to that effect. If the AGREEMENT is suspended for morethan thirty (30) consecutive calendar days, the CONTRACTOR shall be compensated for services performed prior to the notice of suspension. In addition, when work under the AGREEMENT resumes, the CONTRACTOR’s compensation shall be equitably adjusted to provide for expenses incurred in the interruption and resumption of the CONTRACTOR’s services.

2. Remedies.Ifany work performed by the CONTRACTOR fails to meet the requirements of the AGREEMENT,the CITY-PARISH may in its sole discretion:

a. elect to have the CONTRACTOR re-perform or cause to be reperformed at the CONTRACTOR’ssole expense, any of the work which failed to meet the requirements of the AGREEMENT; b.hireanother subconsultant to perform the work and deduct any

additional costs incurred by CITY-PARISH as aresult of substituting the Proposer from any amounts due to the CONTRACTOR; or

c. pursue and obtain any and all other availablelegal or equitable remedies.

3. Equal Employment Opportunity During the performance of this contract, the CONTRACTOR agrees as follows:

a. The CONTRACTOR will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color,religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,ornational origin. The CONTRACTOR will take affirmative action to ensurethat applicants areemployed, and that employees aretreated during employment without regardtotheir race, color,religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,ornational origin. Such action shall include, but not be limited to the following: Employment, upgrading, demotion, or transfer; recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoffortermination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training, including apprenticeship. The CONTRACTOR agrees to post in conspicuous places, availabletoemployees and applicants for employment, notices to be provided setting forth the provisions of this nondiscrimination clause.

b. The CONTRACTOR will, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of the CONTRACTOR, state that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regardtorace, color,religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

c. The CONTRACTOR will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because such employee or applicant has inquiredabout, discussed, or disclosed the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant. This provision shall not apply to instances in which an employee who has access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as apart of such employee’sessential job functions discloses the compensation of such other employees or applicants to individualswho do not otherwise have access to such information, unless such disclosureisinresponse to aformal complaint or charge, in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer or is consistent with the CONTRACTOR’slegal duty to furnish information.

d. The CONTRACTOR will send to each labor union or representative of workers with which he has acollective bargaining agreement or other contract or understanding, anotice to be provided advising the said labor union or workers’ representatives of the CONTRACTOR’scommitments under this section and shall post copies of the notice in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment.

e. The CONTRACTOR will comply with all provisions of Executive Order 11246 of September 24, 1965, and of the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor

f. The CONTRACTOR will furnish all information and reports requiredbyExecutive Order 11246 of September 24, 1965, and by rules, regulations, and orders of the Secretary of Labor,or pursuant thereto, and will permitaccess to his books, records, and accounts by the administering agency and the Secretary of Labor for purposes of investigation to ascertain compliance with such rules, regulations, and orders.

g. In the event of the CONTRACTOR’s noncompliance with the nondiscrimination clauses of this contract or with any of the said rules, regulations, or orders, this contract may be canceled, terminated, or suspended in whole or in part and the CONTRACTOR may be declared ineligiblefor further Government contracts or federally assisted construction contracts in accordance with procedures authorized in Executive Order 11246 of September 24, 1965, and such other sanctions may be imposed and remedies invoked as provided in Executive Order 11246 of September 24, 1965, or by rule, regulation, or order of the Secretary of Labor,or as otherwise provided by law

h. The CONTRACTOR will include the portion of the sentence immediatelypreceding paragraph (1) and the provisions of paragraphs (1) through (8) in every subcontract or purchase order unless exempted by rules, regulations, or orders of the Secretary of Labor issued pursuant to section 204 of Executive Order 11246 of September 24, 1965, so that such provisions will be binding upon each subcontractor or vendor.The CONTRACTOR will take such action with respect to any subcontract or purchase order as the administering agency may direct as ameans of enforcing such provisions, including sanctions for noncompliance: Provided, however,that in the event acontractor becomes involved in, or is threatened with, litigation with asubcontractor or vendor as aresult of such direction by the administering agency

The CONTRACTOR may request the United States to enter into such litigation to protect the interests of the United States.

The applicant further agrees that it will be bound by the above equal opportunity clause with respect to its own employment practices when it participates in federallyassisted construction work: Provided, that if the applicant so participating is aState or local government, the above equal opportunity clause is not applicable to any agency,instrumentality or subdivision of such government which does not participate in work on or under the contract.

The applicant agrees that it will assist and cooperate actively with the administering agency and the Secretary of Labor in obtaining the compliance of contractors and subcontractors with the equal opportunity clause and the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor,that it will furnish the administering agency and the Secretary of Labor such information as they may requirefor the supervision of such compliance, and that it will otherwise

fitOrganizations and Small Business Firms Under Government Grants, Contracts and Cooperative Agreements,” and any implementing regulations issued by the awarding agency

7. Clean Water Act/ Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Contracts and subgrants of amounts in excess of $150,000.00 must contain

awarding agency and the Regional Office of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

a. The Contractor agrees to comply with all applicable standards, orders or regulations issued pursuanttothe CleanAir Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C.§7401 et seq.

b. The Contractor agrees to reporteach violation to the non-federal entity and understands and agrees that the non-federal entity will, in turn, report each violationasrequired.

c. The Contractor agrees to include these requirements in each subcontract exceeding $150,000 financed inwhole or in part with Federal assistance throughthis contract.

9. Debarment &Suspension. Acontractawardmustnot be made to partieslisted on the government-wide exclusions in the System for AwardManagement (SAM),inaccordance with OMBguidelines at 2 C.F.R. 180. SAM Exclusions contains the names of parties debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded by agencies, as well as parties declared ineligible under statutory or regulatoryauthority otherthan Executive Order 12549.

This contract is acovered transaction forpurposes of 2C.F.R. pt. 180 and 2C.F.R. pt. 3000. As such, the CONTRACTORisrequired to verify that none of the CONTRACTOR’sprincipals (defined at 2C.F.R §180.995)orits affiliates (defined at 2C.F.R. §180.905) areexcluded (defined at 2C.F.R. §180.940) or disqualified (defined at 2C.F.R.§ 180.935). The CONTRACTOR mustcomply with 2C.F.R. pt. 180, subpart C and 2C.F.R. pt. 3000, subpartC,and must include arequirement to comply with these regulations in any lower-tier-covered transaction it enters into.

This certification is amaterial representation of fact relied uponby CITY-PARISH. If it is later determined that the CONTRACTOR did not comply with 2C.F.R. pt. 180, subpart Cand 2C.F.R. pt. 3000, subpart C, in addition to remedies available to CITY-PARISH,the Federal Government may pursue available remedies,including butnot limited to suspension and/or debarment.

The CONTRACTOR agrees to comply with the requirements of 2C.F.R pt. 180, subpart Cand 2C.F.R. pt. 3000, subpart Cwhile this offer is valid and throughoutthe period of any contract that may arise from this offer.The CONTRACTORfurther agrees to include aprovision requiring such compliance in its lowertier coveredtransactions.

TheCONTRACTOR shall submitaFederal Debarment Certificationto assurecompliance with the aforementionedregulation.

10. ByrdAnti-Lobbying Act. Contractors that apply or bid for an award

exceeding $100,000.00 must file the required certification under the ByrdAnti-Lobbying Amendment (31 U.S.C. 1352)

The CONTRACTOR willbeexpected to comply withFederal statutes required in the Anti-Lobbying Act.Contractors who applyorbid foran awardshall file therequired certification. Each tier certifies to the tier above that it willnot and has not used Federal appropriatedfunds to pay any person or organizationfor influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any Agency,a member of Congress, officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of amember of Congress in connection withobtaining any Federal contract,grant, or any other awardcovered by 31 U.S.C. §1352. Each tier shall also disclose any lobbying withnon-Federal funds that takes place in connection with obtaining any Federal award. Such disclosures areforwarded from tier to tier up to therecipient

11. Procurement of Recovered Materials (2 C.F.R. 200.322). A non-Federal entity that is astateagency or agency of apolitical subdivision of astateand itsCONTRACTOR must complywith section 6002 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act,asamended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.The requirements of Section 6002 include procuring only items designated in guidelines of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 40 CFRpart 247 that contain thehighest percentage of recovered materialspracticable, consistent withmaintaining asatisfactory level of competition, wherethe purchase price of theitems exceeds $10,000 or thevalue of thequantity acquired during the preceding fiscal year exceeded $10,000; procuringsolid waste management servicesinamanner that maximizes energy and resource recovery; and establishing an affirmative procurement program for procurement of recovered materialsidentified in theEPA guidelines.

12. SurveillanceServices or Equipment. Anon-Federal entityand subrecipients who procuretelecommunicationsand video surveillance services or equipment by obligating or expending loan or grant funds must complywiththe provisions of 2C.F.R.§200.216. Specifically,(a) recipientsand subrecipients areprohibited from using grant funds to: (1) Procureorobtain; (2) Extend or renew acontract to procureorobtain; or (3) Enter into acontract (or extend or renew a contract)toprocureorobtainequipment,services, or systems that uses covered telecommunications equipment or servicesasasubstantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. As described in Public Law 115-232,section 889, covered telecommunications equipment is telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation(or any subsidiary or affiliateofsuch

(f), paragraph (1), heads of executive agenciesadministeringloan, grant, or subsidy programs shall prioritizeavailable funding and technicalsupport to assist affected businesses, institutions and organizationsasisreasonably necessary for those affected entities to transition from coveredcommunications equipment andservices, to procurereplacementequipment andservices, andtoensure that communications service to users andcustomersissustained. (c)See Public Law115-232,section 889for additional information.(d) See also §200.471

13 Domestic Preferences for Procurement. As appropriate andtothe extent consistentwithlaw,the parties should, to thegreatest extent practicable, provide apreference for thepurchase,acquisition, or use of goods, products, or materials producedinthe UnitedStates (includingbut notlimitedtoiron, aluminum, steel,cement,and other manufacturedproducts).The requirements of this section must be includedinall subawards includingall contracts andpurchase orders for work or products under this award.

For purposes of this section: (1)“Producedinthe UnitedStates” means,for iron andsteel products, that allmanufacturingprocesses, from theinitial melting stage throughthe application

175728-612336-feb2-1t $1,126.87

BELONGING OR IN ANYWISEAP‐PERTAINING, ANDBEING DES‐IGNATEDAS UNITNO. 35C, OF RIVER‐BENDCONDO‐MINIUMS,AS CREATED BY DE‐CLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM BY ACTDATED AUGUST25, 1982, REGIS‐TERED IN COB 783H,FOLIO 878, AMENDED ATCOB 788B, FOLIO 135, CON‐VEYANCE RECORDSOF ORLEANS PARISH LOUISIANA, AND ONTHE CONDO‐MINIUMPLAT, ANNEXED THERETO, WHICH SAID UNIT NO 35C INCLUDES OWNERSHIP OF ANUNDIVIDED (FRAC‐TIONAL/PER‐CENTAGE) IN‐TERESTINTHE COMMONELE‐MENTS OF THE CONDOMINIUM ANDWHICH UNITAND COM‐MON ELEMENTS ARE SITUATED UPONTHE PROPERTY SUB‐JECTEDTOTHE CONDOMINIUM DECLARATION, BEINGTHAT PORTION OF GROUND SIT‐UATED IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, PARISH OF OR‐LEANS,AND BEINGMORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBEDAS FOLLOWS,TO WIT: THAT CERTAIN CONDOMINIUMS PARCEL IN THE RIVERBEND CONDOMINI‐UMS, AS CREATEDBYDE‐CLARATION CREATING AND ESTABLISHING PROPERTY AND REGIME, DATEDAUGUST 25, 1982, REGIS‐TERED IN COB 783A,FOLIO 878, ESSEQ AS RAT‐IFIED BY INSTRUMENT DATED SEPTEM‐BER 17,1982 REGISTEREDIN COB 783B, FOLIO 227, NOTARIAL ARCHIVES NUM‐BER 466865, PARISHOFOR‐LEANS, LOUISIANA, AF‐FECTING LOTS 14, 17A 18A,17B,18, 19, 20, 21, 8, 7AND PART11, SQUARE40, AND LOTSA AND B, SQUARE 39, 7TH DISTRICT OFTHE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, MOREFULLY DESCRIBEDIN THE AFORESAID DECLARATION CREATING AND ESTABLISHING CONDOMINIM PROPERTY

PROPERTY REGIME,BEING UNITNO. 35C. WRIT AMOUNT: $16,228.57

Seized in the above suit, TERMS -CASH. Thepurchaser atthe moment ofadjudication tomakea de‐posit of tenper‐centofthe pur‐chase price, and the balance withinthirty daysthereafter Note: Thepay‐mentmustbe Cash, Cashier's Check,Certiﬁed Check or Money Order.NoPer‐sonal Checks FACE MASKS AND TEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPONENTERING BUILDING. SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans GH 13 LAWOFFICES

JACKSON &MCPHERSON, L.L.C504 581 9444

TheN.O.Advo‐cateDate (s): 2/4/2026 & 3/11/2026 FEB4-MAR 11-2T

PUBLIC NOTICESALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

CONDO: THAT CERTAIN POR‐TIONOF GROUNDBEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 3300 UPPERLINE STREET,THIS CITY,INTHE MATTERENTI‐TLED: PLANET HOMELENDING LLC VERSUS JUSTIN NATHANIEL NAFF

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2023-11743

desc bed p op erty to wit: 3300 UPPERLINE STNEW OR‐LEANS,LA70125 LOTS:1 AND2 SQUARE: 736 SIXTHMUNICI‐PAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1329428 WRIT AMOUNT: $184,001.48

Seized in the above suit, TERMS -CASH. Thepurchaser atthe moment ofadjudication tomakea de‐posit of tenper‐centofthe pur‐chase price, and the balance withinthirty daysthereafter

Note: Thepay‐mentmustbe Cash, Cashier's Check,Certiﬁed Check or Money Order.NoPer‐sonal Checks FACE MASKS AND TEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPONENTERING BUILDING.

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

GH 4 DEAN MORRIS, LLC 318-3881440

TheN.O.Advo‐cateDate (s): 12/31/2025 & 2/4/2026 dec31-feb4-2t

u d g, Loyola Avenue, inthe FirstDis‐trict of theCity onFebruary5 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon the following described prop‐ertytowit: ACERTAIN LOT OFGROUNDsit‐uated in the FIRST DISTRICT ofthe City of New Orleans, in SQUARE NO.249 bounded by MartinLuther King, Jr.Boule‐vard(formerly Melpomene Street), Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard (formerly DryadesStreet), Terpischore and Baronne Streets, designated as a Portion of Lot6 ona survey madebyR.W Krebs,L.L.C., dated Decem‐ber 5, 2013, and, ac‐cording to which measures THIRTYONE FEET,ELEVEN INCHES,FIVE LINES (31' 11" 5"'), front on Martin LutherKing, Jr Boulevard,the samewidth in the rear,by a depth betweenequal and parallel lines of ONE HUNDRED TWENTY SEVEN FEET,TEN INCHES, FOUR LINES (127' 10" 4"')

Haley Boule vard,measuring 127 feet 10 inches6 lines onOrethaCas‐tle HaleyBoule‐vard, 127 feet 10 inches nearTer‐pischoreStreet and 127 feet 10 inchesand 4 lines towards Baronne Street and127 feet9 inches 5 lines on Martin LutherKing Boulevard.The whole accord‐ing to a plan drawnby R.W.Krebs, L.L.C.dated De‐cember5,2013.

Theimprove‐ments thereon bearthe Munici‐pal No.1504 OrethaCastle Haley Boule‐vard.

Beingthe same propertyac‐quiredbySoFAB New Orleans lnvestments, LLCbyact dated December 28 2011, recorded asConveyance Instrument Number 503816 onJanuary 4, 2012. WRIT AMOUNT: $2,599,397.84

S C , THE MATTERENTI‐TLED: NEXUS NOVA, LLCVER‐SUS CHARLOTTE FINLEY VIGUERIE, (A/K/A CHAR‐LOTTE WALMSLEY FIN‐LEY VIGUERIE, CHARLOTTE WALMSLEY, CHARLOTTE FIN‐LEY,CHARLOTTE VIGUERIE)

Theimprove‐ments thereon bearthe Munici‐pal Nos. 1830 32 MartinLuther KingBoulevard

PUBLIC NOTICESALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTION OF GROUNDBEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER1830 32 MARTINLUTHER KING BOULEVARD AND1504 ORETHACASTLE HALEY BOULE‐VARD, THIS CITY, IN THEMATTER ENTITLED: NORTHEAST BANK VERSUS SOFAB NEWOR‐LEANS INVEST‐MENTS,LLC CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2024-9916

Beingthe same propertyac‐quiredbySoFAB New OrleansIn‐vestments,LLC byact dated August 1, 2012, recordedas ConvenanceIn‐strumentNum‐ber 516563 on August2,2012. AND ACERTAIN POR‐TIONOF GROUND, situ‐ated, lyingand being in the First District of the City of NewOrleans in Square249 bounded by OrethaCastle Haley Boulevard (formerly Dryades Street), Baronne Street,Martin LutherKing Boulevard (for‐merly Melpomene Street)and Terpischore Street andform‐ing thecorner ofMartinLuther KingBoulevard and Oretha Cas‐tle HaleyBoule‐d i

Seized in the above suit, TERMS -CASH. Thepurchaser atthe moment ofadjudication tomakea de‐posit of tenper‐centofthe pur‐chase price, and the balance withinthirty daysthereafter. Note: Thepay‐mentmustbe Cash, Cashier's Check,Certiﬁed Check or Money Order.NoPer‐sonal Checks FACE MASKS AND TEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPONENTERING BUILDING.

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans GH 32

SESSIONS,FISH‐MAN &NATHAN, LLC 504 582 1500 PETERS TITLE

TheN.O.Advo‐cateDate (s): 12/31/2025 & 2/4/2026 dec31-feb4-2t

PUBLIC NOTICESALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTION OF GROUNDBEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 2323 STATE STREET, THIS CITY,IN

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-4751 By virtue of a WritofSeizure and Sale di‐rectedtomeby the Honorable JudgesofCivil DistrictCourt for theParishof Orleans,inthe above entitled cause,I will pro‐ceed to sell by publicauction, onthe ground ﬂoor of theCivil DistrictCourt Building, 421 LoyolaAvenue, inthe FirstDis‐trict of theCity onFebruary5, 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon the following described prop‐ertytowit: ACERTAIN POR‐TIONOF GROUND, TO‐GETHERWITH ALL THEBUILD‐INGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREONAND ALL OF THE RIGHTS, WAYS, PRIVILEGES, SERVITUDES, APPURTE‐NANCES AND ADVANTAGES THEREUNTOBE‐LONGING OR IN ANYWISEAP‐PERTAINING, SITUATED IN THE SIXTHDIS‐TRICT OF THE CITYOFNEW ORLEANS, ON THE LOWERSIDE OFSTATE OF STREET IN BLOOMINGDALE, IN THAT PART THEREOF BOUNDED BY STATE,CLARA, S.ROBERTSON STREETSAND THE BLOOMINGDALE HURTSVILLE LINE.ACCORD‐INGTOA SUR‐VEY MADE BY GILBERT ANDKELLY,SUR‐VEYORS, DATED NOVEMBER20, 1946, ABLUE PRINT OF WHICHIS ATTACHED TO AND MADE PART OFACT NO 10827 PASSED BEFOREJACOB D DRESNER, NO‐TARYPUBLIC ONAUGUST26, 1947, SAID POR‐TIONOF GROUNDIS DESIGNATED AS

DESIGNATED AS LOT99A,COM‐MENCESATA DISTANCEOF THIRTYSIX FEET,ONE INCH,AND FOUR LINES (36’1”4”’) FROMTHE COR‐NER OF CLARA AND STATE STREETS ANDMEASURES ONA LINE TO‐WARDS S. ROBERTSON STREET THIRTY SIX FEET (36’) FRONTON STATE STREET BYTHIRTYSIX FEET (36’)IN WIDTH IN THE REAR, BY A DEPTHOFONE HUNDRED FEET (100’)BETWEEN EQUAL AND PARALLELLINES, AND IS COMPOSED OF SIX FEET (6’) OF THE ORIGINAL LOT NO.100 AND THIRTYFEET (30’)OF THEORIGINAL LOT 99, WHICH ADJOINS SAID ORIGINALLOT 100 ON THESIDE TOWARDSS ROBERTSON STREET.AC‐CORDING TO THE AFORESAID SURVEY, SAID LOTISSITUATED IN THESQUARE BOUNDED BY STATE,S ROBERTSON ANDCLARA STREETSAND NASHVILLE AV‐ENUE.

MUNICIPALAD‐DRESS: 2323 STATE STREET, NEW ORLEANS, LA70118. WRIT AMOUNT: $423,781.74

Seized in the above suit TERMS -CASH. Thepurchaser atthe moment ofadjudication tomakea de‐posit of tenper‐centofthe pur‐chase price, and the balance withinthirty daysthereafter Note: Thepay‐mentmustbe Cash, Cashier's Check,Certiﬁed Check or Money Order.NoPer‐sonal Checks FACE MASKS AND TEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPONENTERING BUILDING.

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

GH 1 ALBERTELLI LAW, P.A. 813 221 4743 PENNY M. DAI‐GREPONT

TheN.O.Advo‐cateDate (s): 12/31/2025 & 2/4/2026 dec31-feb4-2t

PUBLIC NOTICESALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTION OF GROUNDBEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER1700 ST MAURICE AV, CITYOFNEW ORLEANS, IN THE MATTER EN‐TITLED: U.S. BANKTRUST NATIONALAS‐SOCIATION,NOT IN ITSINDIVID‐UAL CAPACITY BUT SOLEY AS OWNER TRUSTEEFOR REO TRUST 2017-RPL1 VER‐SUS JAMESP ANDERSON, SR ANDAUDREY TAYLORANDER‐SON CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-10077

By virtue of a WritofSeizure and Sale di‐rectedtomeby the Honorable JudgesofCivil DistrictCourt for theParishof Orleans,inthe above entitled cause,I will pro‐ceed to sell by publicauction, onthe ground ﬂoor of theCivil DistrictCourt Building, 421 LoyolaAvenue inthe FirstDis‐trict of theCity onMarch 12, 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon, the following described prop‐ertytowit: 1700 ST MAU‐RICEAVNEW ORLEANS,LA 70117 LOTQ -SQUARE 822 3RDMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1134132 WRIT AMOUNT: $44,394.42

SusanHutson Sheriff, P i h f O

Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

RB 3 DEAN MORRIS, LLC 318-3881440

TheN.O.Advo‐cateDate (s): 2/4/2026 & 3/11/2026 FEB4-MAR 11-2T PUBLIC NOTICESALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTION OF GROUNDBEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER203 WALKERST, CITYOFNEW ORLEANS, IN THE MATTER EN‐TITLED: PENNY‐MAC LOAN SER‐VICES,LLC VER‐SUS CHRISTINE A.LAUGHLIN, INDEPENDENTLY ANDASINDE‐PENDENT AD‐MINSTRATRIX OF THESUCCES‐SIONOFROBERT M.LAUGHLIN, A/K/AROBERT MINARDLAUGH‐LIN CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-7480 By virtue of a WritofSeizure and Sale di‐rectedtomeby the Honorable JudgesofCivil DistrictCourt for theParishof Orleans,inthe above entitled cause,I will pro‐ceed to sell by publicauction, onthe ground ﬂoor of theCivil DistrictCourt Building, 421 LoyolaAvenue inthe FirstDis‐trict of theCity onMarch 12, 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon, the following described prop‐ertytowit: 203WALKERST NEW ORLEANS, LA70124 LOTF -SQUARE 58 2NDMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1382208 LAKEVIEW WRIT AMOUNT: $798,538.16

ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check,Certiﬁed Check or Money Order.NoPer‐sonal Checks FACE MASKS AND TEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPONENTERING BUILDING.

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

RB 6 DEAN MORRIS, LLC 318-3881440 ZACHARYGAR‐RETTYOUNG

TheN.O.Advo‐cateDate (s): 2/4/2026 & 3/11/2026 FEB4-MAR 11-2T

PUBLIC NOTICESALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTION OF GROUNDBEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER, 2435 LIVEOAK PLACE, THISCITY, IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED: USCS CAPITAL,LLC VERSUS LEONARD GREEN,SR.,THE SUCESSION OF JANICE ROBERTSON GREEN

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2024-1520 By virtue of a Court Orderdi‐rectedtomeby the Honorable JudgesofCivil DistrictCourt for theParishof Orleans,inthe above entitled cause,I will pro‐ceed to sell by publicauction, onthe ground ﬂoor of theCivil DistrictCourt Building, 421 LoyolaAvenue, inthe FirstDis‐trict of theCity onMarch 12, 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon, the following described prop‐ertytowit: 2435 LIVEOAK PLNEW OR‐LEANS,LA, LOTP-1,SQUARE 2137 AND2290 B, THIRDMUNICI‐PAL DISTRICT, ACQCIN:684255

Seized in the above suit TERMS -100% CASHATTHE

Case No: 2025-8789

By virtue of a WritofFieri Fa‐ciasdirectedto mebythe Hon‐orableJudgesof Civil District Court forthe ParishofOr‐leans,inthe above entitled cause,I will pro‐ceed to sell by publicauction, onthe ground ﬂoor of theCivil DistrictCourt Building, 421 LoyolaAvenue, inthe FirstDis‐trict of theCity onMarch 12 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon the following described prop‐ertytowit: 2119 WASHING‐TON AV NEW ORLEANS,LA 70113 LOT: B, SQUARE: 304 FOURTH MUNIC‐IPALDISTRICT ACQMIN: 1461140 WRIT AMOUNT: $6,760.00

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

GH 1 CITY OF NEW ORLEANS 504658-4346 DEISHA K. LA‐GARDE

TheN.O.Advo‐cateDate (s): 2/4/2026 & 3/11/2026 FEB4-MAR 11-2T

PUBLIC NOTICESALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTION OF GROUNDBEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 11303 MIDPOINTDR, CITYOFNEW ORLEANS, IN THE MATTEREN‐TITLED: CL45 LAS REOLLC VERSUSDENTA HUNTER, JR KELLIE DASE HUNTER AND NEXLVEL CON‐STRUCTION AND CONSULTANTS, LLCAKA NEXLEVELCON‐STRUCTION AND CONSULTANTS, LLC

LAKE BULLARD SUBDIVISION, PHASE IV WRIT AMOUNT: $121,710.32

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans RB 31 NEWMAN MATHIS,BRADY & SPEDALE, APLC504-8379040

WAYNEA.MAIO‐RANA, JR

TheN.O.Advo‐cateDate (s): 12/31/2025 & 2/4/2026 dec31-feb4-2t

PUBLIC NOTICESALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTION OF GROUNDBEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER2601 CARONDELET UNIT #H STREET THISCITY, IN THE MATTEREN‐TITLED: RE‐GIONS BANK D/B/A REGIONS MORTGAGEVER‐SUS MARY ANNE BLACKBURN

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-7314

cate Date (s): 2/4/2026 & 3/11/2026 FEB4-MAR 11-2T

PUBLIC NOTICESALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTION OF GROUNDBEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 514 WARRINGTON DR,CITYOF NEW ORLEANS, IN THEMATTER EN‐TITLED: U.S. BANKTRUST COMPANY,NA‐TIONALASSOCI‐ATIO, AS TRUSTEE FOR VELOCITY COM‐MERCIAL CAPI‐TAL LOAN TRUST 2019-3 VERSUSKM HOMES REAL ESTATE, LLC

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-4474

y Writ of Seizure and Sale di‐rectedtomeby the Honorable JudgesofCivil DistrictCourt for theParishof Orleans,inthe above entitled cause,I will pro‐ceed to sell by publicauction, onthe ground ﬂoor of theCivil DistrictCourt Building, 421 LoyolaAvenue, inthe FirstDis‐trict of theCity onFebruary5 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon the following described prop‐ertytowit: 5940 FRANKLIN AVNEW OR‐LEANS,LA70122 LOT: A, SQUARE: 4664 THIRDMUNICI‐PAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1338397 WRIT AMOUNT: $140,835.95

the balance within thirty daysthereafter. Note: Thepay‐mentmustbe Cash, Cashier's Check,Certiﬁed Check or Money Order.NoPer‐sonal Checks FACE MASKS AND TEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPONENTERING BUILDING.

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

RB 18 NEWMAN, MATHIS,BRADY & SPEDALE, APLC225-3433456

TheN.O.Advo‐cateDate (s): 2/4/2026 & 3/11/2026 FEB4-MAR 11-2T

ﬂoor of the Civil District Court Building, 421 LoyolaAvenue, inthe FirstDis‐trict of theCity onMarch 12 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon the following described prop‐ertytowit:

1517 CLOUET ST NEW ORLEANS, LA70117 LOT5 -SQUARE 654 3RDMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1451686 WRIT AMOUNT: $106,621.96

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2022-41 By virtue of a WritofFieri Fa‐ciasdirectedto mebythe Hon‐orableJudgesof Civil District Court forthe ParishofOr‐leans,inthe above entitled cause,I will pro‐ceed to sell by publicauction, onthe ground ﬂoor of theCivil DistrictCourt Building, 421 LoyolaAvenue inthe FirstDis‐trict of theCity onFebruary5, 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon, the following described prop‐ertytowit: 11303 MIDPOINT DRNEW OR‐LEANS,LA70128 LOT18- SQUARE X 3RD MUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1439477 LAKE BULLARD

By virtue of a WritofSeizure and Sale di‐rectedtomeby the Honorable JudgesofCivil DistrictCourt for theParishof Orleans,inthe above entitled cause,I will pro‐ceed to sell by publicauction, onthe ground ﬂoor of theCivil DistrictCourt Building, 421 LoyolaAvenue inthe FirstDis‐trict of theCity onMarch 12, 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon, the following described prop‐ertytowit: 2601 CARON‐DELET ST UNIT #HNEW OR‐LEANS,LA70130 LOTS:7-B AND 9-A,SQUARE: 247 FOURTH MUNIC‐IPALDISTRICT ACQMIN: 1385667 WRIT AMOUNT: $119,752.84

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans GH 15 LOGS LEGAL GROUP LLP504838-7535

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date

By virtue of a WritofSeizure and Sale di‐rectedtomeby the Honorable JudgesofCivil DistrictCourt for theParishof Orleans,inthe above entitled cause,I will pro‐ceed to sell by publicauction, onthe ground ﬂoor of theCivil DistrictCourt Building, 421 LoyolaAvenue, inthe FirstDis‐trict of theCity onFebruary5, 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon the following described prop‐ertytowit: 514WARRING‐TON DR NEW ORLEANS,LA 70122 LOT8 -SQUARE L 3RD MUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1305187 GENTILLY PARK SUBDIVISION WRIT AMOUNT: $80,836.75

Seized in the above suit, TERMS -CASH. Thepurchaser atthe moment ofadjudication tomakea de‐posit of tenper‐centofthe pur‐chase price, and the balance withinthirty daysthereafter. Note: Thepay‐mentmustbe Cash, Cashier's Check,Certiﬁed Check or Money Order.NoPer‐sonal Checks FACE MASKS AND TEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPONENTERING BUILDING.

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans RB 29

MCCABE LAW FIRM, LLC504782-3436

TheN.O.Advo‐cateDate (s): 12/31/2025 & 2/4/2026 dec31-feb4-2t

PUBLIC NOTICESALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTION OF GROUNDBEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 5940 FRANKLIN AV‐ENUE, THIS CITY, IN THE MATTER EN‐TITLED: MOVE‐MENTMORT‐GAGE, LLCVER‐SUS

Seized in the above suit TERMS -CASH. Thepurchaser atthe moment ofadjudication tomakea de‐posit of tenper‐centofthe pur‐chase price, and the balance withinthirty daysthereafter. Note: Thepay‐mentmustbe Cash, Cashier's Check,Certiﬁed Check or Money Order.NoPer‐sonal Checks FACE MASKS AND TEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPONENTERING BUILDING.

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

GH 23

LAWOFFICESOF HERSCHELC ADCOCK, JR., LLC 225-7560373 COREYJ.GIROIR

TheN.O.Advo‐cateDate (s): 12/31/2025 & 2/4/2026 dec31-feb4-2t

PUBLIC NOTICESALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTION OF GROUNDBEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 1234 N. CLAIBORNE AV, CITYOFNEW ORLEANS, IN THE MATTER EN‐TITLED: BANKPLUS VER‐SUS ATREME MANAGEMENT, LLC

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-6272

By virtue of a WritofSeizure and Sale di‐rectedtomeby the Honorable JudgesofCivil DistrictCourt for theParishof Orleans,inthe above entitled cause,I will pro‐ceed to sell by publicauction, onthe ground ﬂoor of theCivil DistrictCourt Building, 421 LoyolaAvenue, inthe FirstDis‐trict of theCity onMarch 12 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon the following described prop‐ertytowit: 1234 NCLAI‐BORNE AV NEW ORLEANS,LA 70115

LOTXSQUARES 200201 2NDMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1264621 WRIT AMOUNT: $272,769.03

PUBLIC NOTICESALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTION OF GROUNDBEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 7620 TRAPIER AV, CITYOFNEW ORLEANS, IN THE MATTER EN‐TITLED: STAN‐DARDMORT‐GAGECORPORA‐TIONVERSUS CHELSEA GAL‐LIEN PHOENIX, DI‐VORCEDWIFE OFROYAL PHOENIX,JR.

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-8717

By virtue of a WritofSeizure and Sale di‐rectedtomeby the Honorable JudgesofCivil DistrictCourt for theParishof Orleans,inthe above entitled cause,I will pro‐ceed to sell by publicauction, onthe ground ﬂoor of theCivil DistrictCourt Building, 421 LoyolaAvenue, inthe FirstDis‐trict of theCity onFebruary5 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon the following described prop‐ertytowit: 7620 TRAPIER AVNEW OR‐LEANS,LA70127 LOTC -SQUARE 24 3RDMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1467107 SOUTHSHORE SUBDIVISION NO.1 WRIT AMOUNT: $154,151.05

Seized in the above suit, TERMS -CASH. Thepurchaser atthe moment ofadjudication tomakea de‐posit of tenper‐centofthe pur‐chase price, and the balance withinthirty daysthereafter. Note: Thepay‐mentmustbe Cash, Cashier's Check,Certiﬁed Check or Money Order.NoPer‐sonal Checks FACE MASKS AND TEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPONENTERING BUILDING.

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

RB 16

GRAHAM,ARCE‐NEAUX &ALLEN, LLC 504-5228256 LOUISG.ARCE‐NEAUX

THATCERTAIN PORTION OF GROUNDBEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBERS 2909,2911,2913 AND2915 HOL‐LYGROVE STREET,CITYOF NEW ORLEANS, IN THEMATTER ENTITLED: CITI‐ZENSEQUITY FIRST CREDIT UNION VERSUS JONESREALES‐TATEINVEST‐MENTS LLC CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-6326 By virtue of a WritofSeizure and Sale di‐rectedtomeby the Honorable JudgesofCivil DistrictCourt for theParishof Orleans,inthe above entitled cause,I will pro‐ceed to sell by publicauction onthe ground ﬂoor of theCivil DistrictCourt Building, 421 LoyolaAvenue, inthe FirstDis‐trict of theCity onMarch 12, 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon, the following described prop‐ertytowit: 2909 ,2911,2913 AND 2915 HOL‐LYGROVE ST NEW ORLEANS, LA70118 LOTB -SQUARE 433 7THMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1396808 WRIT AMOUNT: $229,537.08

Seized in the above suit TERMS -CASH. Thepurchaser atthe moment ofadjudication tomakea de‐posit of tenper‐centofthe pur‐chase price, and the balance withinthirty daysthereafter

Note: Thepay‐mentmustbe Cash, Cashier's Check,Certiﬁed Check or Money Order.NoPer‐sonal Checks FACE MASKS AND TEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPONENTERING BUILDING.

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans RB 22 SHER GARNER CAHILLRICHTER KLEIN & HILBERT,L.L.C 504-299-2100

TheN.O.Advo‐cateDate (s): 2/4/2026 & 3/11/2026 FEB4-MAR 11-2T

PUBLIC NOTICESALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTION OF GROUNDBEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER1517 CLOUETST, CITY OFNEW ORLEANS, IN THE MATTER EN‐TITLED: GITSIT SOLUTIONS,LLC, NOT IN ITSINDI‐VIDUALCAPAC‐ITYBUT SOLELY AS SEPARATE TRUSTEE OF GIT‐SIT MORTGAGE LOANTRUST BB‐PLC1VERSUS FLOYD BIBBINS AND JANICE BIBBINSBROWN CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-6716

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

RB 7 DEAN MORRIS, LLC 318-3881440 ZACHARYGAR‐RETTYOUNG

TheN.O.Advo‐cateDate (s): 2/4/2026 & 3/11/2026 FEB4-MAR 11-2T

PUBLIC NOTICESALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTION OF GROUNDBEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER10200 FLOSSMOOR DR, CITYOFNEW ORLEANS, IN THE MATTER EN‐TITLED: U.S. BANKTRUST NATIONALAS‐SOCIATION,NOT IN ITSINDIVID‐UAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELYAS OWNER TRUSTEEFOR RCAFACQUISI‐TIONTRUST VERSUSJERRON J JEANJACQUES ANDASHLEYD JEANJACQUES CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-10666

By virtue of a WritofSeizure and Sale di‐rectedtomeby the Honorable JudgesofCivil DistrictCourt for theParishof Orleans,inthe above entitled cause,I will pro‐ceed to sell by publicauction, onthe ground ﬂoor of theCivil DistrictCourt Building, 421 LoyolaAvenue, inthe FirstDis‐trict of theCity onMarch 12, 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon the following described prop‐ertytowit: 10200 FLOSS‐MOORDRNEW ORLEANS,LA 70127 LOT6 -SQUARE 3 3RD MUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1282115 WRIT AMOUNT: $139,117.68

ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check,Certiﬁed Check or Money Order.NoPer‐sonal Checks FACE MASKS AND TEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPONENTERING BUILDING.

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

RB 11

JACKSON& MCPHERSON, L.L.C. 504-5819444 CRIS JACKSON

TheN.O.Advo‐cateDate (s): 2/4/2026 & 3/11/2026 FEB4-MAR 11-2T

OF OR

AN S Case No: 2025-2479 By virtue of a WritofSeizure and Sale di‐rectedtomeby the Honorable JudgesofCivil DistrictCourt for theParishof Orleans,inthe above entitled cause,I will pro‐ceed to sell by publicauction, onthe ground ﬂoor of theCivil DistrictCourt Building, 421 LoyolaAvenue, inthe FirstDis‐trict of theCity onFebruary5, 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon, the following described prop‐ertytowit: 5150 WILTON DR NEW ORLEANS, LA70122 LOTS 8& 9SQUARE5 3RDMUNICIPAL DISTRICT MIRABEAU GAR‐DENSSUBDIVI‐SION ACQMIN: 1410623 WRIT AMOUNT: $166,479.89

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

RB 10 DEAN MORRIS LLC 318-3881440 CANDACEA COURTEAU

TheN.O.Advo‐cateDate (s): 12/31/2025 & 2/4/2026 dec31-feb4-2t

Seized in the above suit, TERMS -CASH. Thepurchaser atthe moment ofadjudication tomakea de‐posit of tenper‐centofthe pur‐chase price, and thebalance i hi hi

TheN.O.Advo‐cateDate (s): 12/31/2025 & 2/4/2026 dec31-feb4-2t

OF NEW ORLEANS, IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED: NUBRIDGE COM‐MERCIALLEND‐INGLLC VERSUS WRIGHT HOUSES NOLA LLC

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-3431

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground ﬂoor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City onFebruary5, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 501 VERRETST NEWORLEANS, LA 70114 LOTS A& BSQUARE 92 5THMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1412108 WRIT AMOUNT:

$500,000.00

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment ofadjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certiﬁed CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans RB 22 JACKSON& MCPHERSON, LLC504-5819444 CRIS JACKSON

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 12/31/2025& 2/4/2026 dec31-feb4-2t

OF THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, IN THAT PART THEREOF KNOWNASNEW ORLEANS LAKESHORE LAND COMPANY TRACT, IN THE PARISH OF OR‐LEANS, STATE OF LOUISIANA, IN SECTION5 OF SAID TRACT, BEINGA POR‐TION OF SUBDI‐VISION OF LOT 6, 7A,7B, 8AND 9OFSAID TRACT, IN SQUARE BOUNDEDBY ARCADIALANE, HAYNE BOULEVARD (FORMERLY LAKESHORE DRIVE),UNITY DRIVEAND CUR‐RANROAD, DESIGNATED AS LOTNO. 5, WHICHSAIDLOT COMMENCES 200 FEET FROM THE CORNER OF HAYNEBOULE‐VARD AND AR‐CADIALANE, MEASURES THENCE 50 FEET FRONT ON AR‐CADIALANE, SAME WIDTH ACROSS THE REAR,BYA DEPTHOF115 FEET BETWEEN EQUALLAND PARALLEL LINES;SUBJECT TO RESTRIC‐TIONS, SERVI‐TUDES, RIGHTS OF WAY ANDOUTSTAND‐INGMINERALK RIGHTS OF RECORD AF‐FECTINGTHE PROPERTY

WRIT AMOUNT:

$138,184.59

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certiﬁed CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

GH 8 DEAN MORRIS LLC318 3881440 ASHLEY E. MOR‐RIS

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 12/31/2025 & 2/4/2026 dec31-feb4-2t

PUBLICNOTICE

SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND,BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NO.1619 GEN‐ERAL PERSHING STREET,CITYOF NEWORLEANS, IN THEMATTER ENTITLED:US BANK TRUST NATIONAL AS‐SOCIATION, NOT IN ITSINDIVID‐UAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEEFOR VRMTGASSET TRUSTVERSUS DIONEDUHON A/K/ADIONE DUHON MCPHAIL

public auction, on theground ﬂoor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on February 5, 2026,at12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty towit: 1619 GENERAL PERSHING STREET PART OF LOT24 ANDLETTERF, SQUARE 416, SIXTHMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT, ACQUIRED MIN 1064037 WRIT AMOUNT: $197,243.25

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certiﬁed CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPONENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

GH 9 DEAN MORRIS, LLC 318-3881440 CANDACEA COURTEAU

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 12/31/2025 & 2/4/2026

dec31-feb4-2t

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 4701 FRIARTUCK DRIVE, THIS CITY,IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED:U.S BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE UNDER THE INDENTURERE‐LATING TO COLT 2021-RPL1 TRUSTVERSUS ROBERTA DREWRY HAYES, A/K/AROBERTA D. HAYES, A/K/A ROBERTA HAYES, ANDTHE OPENED SUC‐CESSION OF ANDUNKNOWN HEIRSOFJAU‐RONICE HAYES, HEIRS OF MELVIN GLENNHAYES A/K/AMELVING HAYESA/K/A MELVIN HAYES CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2022-7587

above suit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certiﬁed CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

GH 36

THELAW OF‐FICESOFHER‐SCHELC.AD‐COCK,JR.,L.L.C (225) 756-0373 COREYJ.GIROIR

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 12/31/2025 & 2/4/2026 dec31-feb4-2t

PUBLIC NOTICE

SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 4235 VIXENST, HIS CITY,INTHE MATTER OF EN‐TITLED;NATION‐STAR MORT‐GAGE LLCVER‐SUSLAHRA L. BOITNOTT

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2023-4623

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground ﬂoor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on February 5, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 4235 VIXENST NEWORLEANS, LA 70131 LOT481, SQUARE 25 ACQMIN 824409 HOLIDAY PARK SUBDIVISION WRIT AMOUNT: $54,900.78

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 3807 NORTHTEAK AVENUE,THIS CITY, IN THEMATTER ENTITLED: PLANET HOME LENDING, LLC VERSUS TAU‐RELLE KEITH THOMAS

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2024-10932

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court for theParishof Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground ﬂoor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on February 5, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

3807 NTEAKAV NEWORLEANS, LA 70131 FIFTHMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT SQUARE 118, LOT287 ACQ MIN:1264481 WRIT AMOUNT: $157,113.71

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certiﬁed CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

RB 6 DEAN MORRIS, LLC318-3881440 ASHLEY E. MOR‐RIS

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 12/31/2025 & 2/4/2026

dec31-feb4-2t

Case No: 2025-7943

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceedtosellby public auction, on theground ﬂoor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on March12, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 6660 HAR‐BOURVIEW DR APTA-B-C NEW ORLEANS, LA 70126 LOT: 10, SQUARE:2 THIRDMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT WESTLAKE SUB‐DIVISION ACQMIN: 876598 WRIT AMOUNT: $110,953.01

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certiﬁed CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

GH 26 TREVATHAN LAWFIRM, APLC 225-334-9222 ALLISONN BEASLEY

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/4/2026 & 3/11/2026 FEB4-MAR 11-2T

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certiﬁed CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

GH 26 LOGS LEGAL GROUPLLP 504838-7535 AMYR.ORTIS

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 12/31/2025 & 2/4/2026

dec31-feb4-2t

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 8460-42 BILL STREET THIS CITY,IN THE MATTER ENTI‐TLED:WILMING‐TONSAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOTINITS INDIVIDUAL CAPCITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEEFOR IBIS HOLDINGS ATRUST VER‐SUSPELICAN PROS,LLC

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-256

cate Date (s): 12/31/2025 & 2/4/2026 dec31-feb4-2t

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT PORTION GROUND OF GROUND,BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL 1900 EVER‐GREEN AVE., CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, IN THEMATTER ENTITLED: WILMINGTON TRUST, NA‐TIONAL ASSOCI‐ATION, SUCCES‐SORTRUSTEE TO CITIBANK,N.A AS TRUSTEEFOR LEHMAN XS TRUST2006-17

MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-17 VERSUS MONIQUEL DUNCANA/K/A MONIQUEDUN‐CAN CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO

SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 201-6585

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground ﬂoor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on February 5, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 1900 EVER‐GREEN AVENUE NEWORLEANS, LA 70114 LOTS 1AND 2, SQUARE "B" FIFTHMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT ACQUIRED MIN 853771 WRIT AMOUNT: $57,100.48

AND RUTH AN

S Case No: 2024-4197

By virtue of a Court Orderdi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground ﬂoor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on March12, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 1227 WHITNEY AV NEWOR‐LEANS, LA LOT 8, SQUARE 205, FIFTHMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT, ACQCIN:680534 TERMS-CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice andthe balance within thirty days thereafter Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certiﬁed CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

BD 21 SCOTTJ.SON‐NIER 504-5877007

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 916 NORTHTONTI STREET,THIS CITY IN THEMATTER ENTITLED: NEWREZ LLC D/B/ASHELL‐POINTMORT‐GAGE SERVIC‐INGVERSUS LORENZOR RODGERS (A/K/A LORENZO RODGERS)

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2024-11171

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground ﬂoor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on February 5, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 8640-42 BILL ST NEWORLEANS, LA 70127 LOT: 13, SQUARE:A THIRDMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT ACQMIN: 1404812 LAKE GROVES PARK SUBDIVI‐SION WRIT AMOUNT: $138,532.41

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/4/2026 & 3/11/2026 FEB4-MAR 11-2T

public auction, on theground ﬂoor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City onFebruary5, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: ACERTAIN LOT OR PORTIONOF GROUND,SITU‐ATED IN THE THIRDDISTRICT OF THE

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2022-1828

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground ﬂoor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on February 5, 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 4701 FRIAR TUCK DR NEW ORLEANS, LA 70128 LOT: 4, SQUARE: F THIRDMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT ACQMIN: 338175 WRIT AMOUNT: $68,625.12

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certiﬁed CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans GH 5 DEANMORRIS, LLC318-3881440 ASHLEY E. MOR‐RIS

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 12/31/2025 & 2/4/2026 dec31-feb4-2t

PUBLIC NOTICE

SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 6660 HARBOURVIEW DRIVEAPT A-BC, IN THECITYOF NEWORLEANS, IN THEMATTER ENTITLED:AD‐MINISTRATOR, U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRA‐TION,AN AGENCY OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT VERSUS DENIKA DIGGINS ATWELL A/K/ADENIKAD ATWELL A/K/A DENIKA DIGGINS A/K/ADENIKA ATWELL, AS THE HEIR OF CHERYL WEAVER DIGGINSA/K/A CHERYL W. DIG‐GINGSA/K/A CHERYL DIG‐GINS ANDAS

THEHEIROF BENJAMIN F. DIGGINS, SR A/K/ABEN‐JAMINF.DIG‐GINS A/K/ABEN‐JAMINDIGGINS SR.A/K/A BEN‐JAMINDIGGINS

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground ﬂoor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on February 5, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 916 NTONTI ST NEWORLEANS, LA 70119 LOTS:1 AND2, SQUARE:294 SECOND MUNIC‐IPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 909085 WRIT AMOUNT: $119,538.55

Seized in the

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certiﬁed CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans GH 20 JACKSON& MCPHERSON, LLC504-5819444 CRIS JACKSON

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date

THELAW OF‐FICESOFHER‐SCHELC.AD‐COCK,JR.,L.L.C (225) 756-0373 COREYJ.GIROIR

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 12/31/2025 & 4/4/2026 dec31-feb4-2t

PUBLIC NOTICE

SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

THATSCERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 1227 WHITNEYAV‐ENUE,THISCITY, IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED:ALSCO PROPERTIES, L.L.C. VERSUS EMMA REED GAUTHIER,GAIL ANDERSON VEAL,LEONM VEAL,JR. KARENANN

Seized in the above suit,