The Times-Picayune 02-12-2026

HEATING UP

Wednesdayparades

Shootsfor the Stars!

‘DeepGras’ features afew firsts

BY DOUG MacCASH Staff writer

Carnival is alwayschanging.

Black masking Indians sew anew suit each year,bands learn new songs, parading organizations select new themes, new throws, new kings and new celebs. With Fat Tuesday approaching, NewOrleans is in the midst of seven-straight days of parades, with the annual period of revelry reaching its fever pitch. And residents and visitors willhave afew firsts to look forward to in 2026.

Among the new featuresduring thelong upcoming weekend thatsomerefer to as “Deep Gras” are star athletes and entertainers, NOLA-centric satire, charming signature floats and visitingdance troupes.

Following Wednesday night’sparades,

The KreweofAlla Grand Marshals Landon Bryant, left, and Kate Bryant toss beads to thecrowd on Wednesday. ä See FIRSTS, page 4A

Candidates line up forsignificant races

BY TYLER BRIDGES andALYSE PFEIL Staff writers

State Treasurer John Fleminghad strong words for his two main Republican opponentsinthis year’sU.S. Senate race —Sen. BillCassidy and Rep. Julia Letlow —ashequalified Wednesday for the May 16 primary Fleming said that Cassidy flip-flops on key issues, while Letlowgot into the race only because she received President Donald Trump’sendorsement.

“The endorsementIwant is from the people of Louisiana,” Fleming told

reporters at the Secretary of State’s Office in Baton Rouge after qualifying for the Senate election. Flemingdescribed the contest as being between “two liberal Republican candidates” in Cassidy andLetlow, both R-Baton Rouge, and himself, “the only trueconservative in this race.” He wentontosay that Trump’sendorsement of Letlow is a“scheme” of Gov. Jeff Landryaimed at eventually benefiting the governor’sfuture political aspirations. “JeffLandryhas been working on this, this endorsementfor over ayear I’ve heardabout it from anumber of

CARNIVAL 2026 INSIDE, 1B,3B NOLA.COM

BABYLON, MUSES BULLETINS INSIDE TODAY

Checchio takesreins of archdiocese

He replaces retiring Aymond, becoming 15th archbishop

BY BOBWARREN Staff writer

The Archdiocese of New Orleans has anew leader

people,”Flemingsaid. Aspokesperson for Landry did not respond to arequest for comment Neitherdid thecampaigns forLetlow and Cassidy Fleming was one of many candidates whoqualified for racesofstatewide significance,including U.S. Senate, the six congressionalraces, two elections to thePublic Service Commission, one election to theBoard of Elementary andSecondaryEducation andthree state Supreme Court races for the Democratic and Republican primaries on May 16. Fleming hasbeen abystanderinrecentdayswhile Cassidy andLetlow have hoggedattention in the Senate

TheVatican announced Wednesday that the Most Rev. James F. Checchio,who hasservedas coadjutor archbishop of the local Roman Catholic Church since September,has formally taken the reins from New Orleans ArchbishopGregory Aymond, whoisretiring. Checchio,59, arrivedinNew OrleansfromMetuchen, New Jersey,last fall to begin the transition and serve alongside Aymond until Aymondofficiallyretired.Checchio had been bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen since 2016. Aymond, 76, has led the Catholic Churchin NewOrleans since 2009. The archdiocese said in anews release Wednesday that Pope Leo XIVhad formally accepted Aymond’sresignation, elevating Checchio to become the 15th archbishop of NewOrleans.

Aymondhad served one year past the mandatory retirement age for bishops as he sought to finalizeasettlementofthe archdiocese’slong-running

into

has repeatedly leaked

Canal in recent months, creating arotten egg smell that hasirritated residents and that somesay has caused health problems. Residents and community activists say the smell has been in the air for years, sometimes fading during the day and growing stronger at night or when fog is present. But the odor in recent months hasgrown stronger,seeping into homes and causing headaches, watery eyes,

Checchio

STAFFPHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS Louisiana Treasurer John Flemingaddresses reporters as he signs up to runfor the U.S. Senate on Wednesday.

STAFF PHOTOSByENAN CHEDIAK

The Krewe of Alla rolls downMagazine Street on Wednesday.The krewe,founded in 1932, featured 18 floatsinthis year’sparade under the theme ‘Alla

BRIEFS

Administration warns Peru about Chinese port LIMA, Peru The Trump administration warned that Peru is losing sovereignty over a Chineseowned port near its capital city after a local judge ruled that the port is exempt from some regulatory oversight.

The sprawling Chancay port on Peru’s Pacific coast was conceived as a crucial new trade link between Asia and Latin America, but its status as a flashpoint between Washington and Beijing is now intensifying, as Donald Trump seeks to project U.S. power across the Americas.

“Concerned about latest reports that Peru could be powerless to oversee Chancay, one of its largest ports, which is under jurisdiction of predatory Chinese owners,” the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs wrote in a Wednesday post on X “Let this be a cautionary tale for the region and the world: cheap Chinese money costs sovereignty.”

The warning is the most direct criticism yet from the Trump administration of Peru’s close ties to China, which is the South American nation’s top trading partner followed by the U.S. At issue is the Chancay port which cost $1.3 billion to build and was inaugurated by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2024. The port helps to expedite shipments to China from South America, and is operated by Chinese-owned Cosco Shipping Ports.

The local ruling states that infrastructure regulator Ositran does not have oversight over Chancay Ositran regulates Peru’s other major ports, which are on public land, but Chancay is a privately owned port Federal worker raises U.S. flag at Stonewall

NEW YORK A federal parks worker on Wednesday afternoon raised an American flag inside the Stonewall National Monument in Greenwich Village, replacing the Pride flag removed earlier this week after a Trump administration directive that sparked widespread outrage.

Local elected officials and activists have vowed to reraise the LGBTQ+ flag Thursday afternoon in defiance of the newly enforced federal policy that only U.S. flags can be flown at federal sites, with limited exceptions

Following orders from a Jan. 21 memo from the U.S. Department of the Interior, the large rainbow flag was removed from the monument inside Christopher Park that pays tribute to the birth of the gay rights movement near the Stonewall Inn over the weekend.

Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal on Tuesday said that he and other local, state and federal officials plan to raise a rainbow flag back up the flagpole in protest Thursday He noted the Trump administration previously removed references to transgender people from the Stonewall National Monument’s government website.

Kennedy Center head warns staff of cuts

As the Trump administration prepares to close the Kennedy Center for a two-year renovation, the head of Washington’s performing arts center has warned its staff about impending cuts that will leave “skeletal teams.”

In a Tuesday memo obtained by The Associated Press, Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell told staff that “departments will obviously function on a much smaller scale with some units totally reduced or on hold until we begin preparations to reopen in 2028,” promising “permanent or temporary adjustments for most everyone.”

A Kennedy Center spokesperson declined to comment Wednesday

The Kennedy Center is slated to close in early July Few details about what the renovations will look like have been released since President Donald Trump announced his plan at the beginning of February Neither Trump nor Grenell have provided evidence to support claims about the building being in disrepair, and last October, Trump had pledged it would remain open during renovations

FBI combs terrain for Guthrie clues

BY TY O’NEIL Associated Press

TUCSON,Ariz.— Fresh surveillance images from Nancy Guthrie’s porch the night she went missing, coupled with intense police activity across Arizona and the detention of a man had raised hopes that authorities were nearing a major break. But then the man was released after questioning, leaving it unclear Wednesday where the investigation stood into last week’s disappearance of Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie.

FBI agents fanned out across a neighborhood about a mile from Guthrie’s home on Wednesday morning, knocking on doors and searching through the dense desert terrain filled with cactus, bushes and boulders. Several hundred detectives and agents are now assigned to the investigation, which is expanding in the Tucson area, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said.

In a nearby neighborhood, two investigators walked out of daughter Annie Guthrie’s home with a paper grocery sack and a white trash bag. One, still wearing blue protective gloves, also took a stack of mail from the roadside mailbox. They drove away without speaking to reporters. Barb Dutrow, who was jogging through a neighborhood where teams were searching, said an FBI agent told her they were looking for anything that might have been tossed from a car Dutrow, who was visiting from Louisiana for a convention, said she “can’t imagine the feeling of the family of having their mother taken.”

A day earlier, authorities said they had stopped a man near the U.S.-Mexico

border, just hours after the FBI released videos of a person wearing a gun holster, ski mask and backpack and approaching Nancy Guthrie’s home in Tucson. The man told media outlets early Wednesday that he was released after several hours and had nothing to do with Guthrie’s disappearance last week.

Authorities have not said what led them to stop the man Tuesday but confirmed he was released. The sheriff’s department said its deputies and FBI agents also searched a location in Rio Rico, a city south of Tucson where the man lives.

It was the latest twist in an investigation that has gripped the nation since Nancy Guthrie disappeared on Feb 1. Until Tuesday, it seemed authorities were making little headway in determining what happened to her or finding who was responsible.

The black and white images released by the FBI showing a masked person trying to cover a doorbell camera on Guthrie’s porch marked the first significant break in the case. But the images did not show what happened to her or help determine whether she is still alive.

FBI Director Kash Patel said investigators spent days trying to find lost, corrupted or inaccessible images.

Even though the images do not show the person’s face, investigators are hopeful someone will know who was on the porch. More than 4,000 calls came into the Pima County sheriff’s tip line within the past 24 hours, the department said Wednesday afternoon.

Authorities have said for more than a week that they believe Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will She was last seen at home Jan. 31 and reported missing the next day DNA tests showed blood on her porch was hers, authorities said.

‘Dawson’s Creek’ star James

Van Der Beek, 48, dies

BY MARK KENNEDY Associated Press

NEWYORK James Van Der Beek a heartthrob who starred in coming-of-age dramas at the dawn of the new millennium, shooting to fame playing the titular character in “Dawson’s Creek” and in later years mocking his own hunky persona has died. He was 48.

By The Associated Press

EL PASO, Texas — The Pentagon allowed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to use an anti-drone laser earlier this week, leading the Federal Aviation Administration to suddenly close the airspace over El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, according to two people familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive details.

The confusing arc of events began as the FAA announced it was shutting down all flight traffic over the city on the U.S.Mexico border for 10 days, stranding some travelers, but the closure ended up only lasting a few hours. The Trump administration said it stemmed from the FAA and Pentagon working to halt an incursion by Mexican cartel drones, which are not uncommon along the southern border

One of the people said the laser was deployed near Fort Bliss without coordinating with the FAA, which decided then to close the airspace to ensure commercial air safety Others familiar with the matter said the technology was used despite a meeting scheduled for later this month between the Pentagon and the FAA to discuss the issue.

While the restrictions were short-lived in the city of nearly 700,000 people, it is unusual for an entire airport to shut down even for a short time. Stranded travelers with luggage lined up at airline ticket counters and car rental desks before the order was lifted.

Normal flights resumed after seven arrivals and seven departures were canceled. Some medical evacuation flights also had to be rerouted.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said he would request a briefing from the FAA on the incident.

Rep Veronica Escobar, a Democrat

whose district includes El Paso, said neither her office nor local officials received any advance notice of the closure. After it was lifted, she said “the information coming from the federal government does not add up.”

“I believe the FAA owes the community and the country an explanation as to why this happened so suddenly and abruptly and was lifted so suddenly and abruptly,” Escobar said at a news conference.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said earlier that the airspace was closed as the Defense Department and the FAA halted an incursion by Mexican cartel drones and “the threat has been neutralized.”

Officials at the Department of Homeland Security, FAA and Department of Transportation did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A Trump administration official insisted the agencies were in lockstep to protect national security and pointed to Duffy’s statement. The Pentagon said it had nothing to add to its statement that largely mirrored Duffy’s.

Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales, whose congressional district covers an area that stretches about 800 miles along Texas’ border with Mexico, said cartel drone sightings are common.

Steven Willoughby, deputy director of the counter-drone program at the Department of Homeland Security, told Congress in July that cartels are using drones nearly every day to transport drugs across the border and surveil Border Patrol agents. More than 27,000 drones were detected within 1,600 feet of the southern border in the last six months of 2024, he said, mostly at night Asked about the drone explanation provided by U.S. officials, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she had “no information about the use of drones on the border.” Pentagon

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come,” said a statement from the actor’s family posted on Instagram. “For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.”

“While James’ legacy will always live on, this is a huge loss to not just your family but the world,” Sarah Michelle Gellar wrote to his widow on Instagram. Katharine McPhee Foster added: “This is just beyond devastating news.” Others posting messages of mourning were Jenna Dewan and Olivia Munn. Van Der Beek sometimes struggled to get out from under the shadow of the show but eventually leaned into lampooning himself, like on Funny Or Die videos and on Kesha’s “Blow” music video, which included his laser gunbattle with the pop star in a nightclub and dead unicorns.

“It’s tough to compete with something that was the cultural phenomenon that ‘Dawson’s Creek’ was,” he told Vulture in 2013. “It ran for so long. That’s a lot of hours playing one character in front of people. So it’s natural that they associate you with that.”

Van Der Beek revealed in 2024 that he was being treated for colorectal cancer A one-time theater kid, Van Der Beek would star in the movie “Varsity Blues” and on TV in “CSI: Cyber” as FBI Special Agent Elijah Mundo, but was forever connected to “Dawson’s Creek,” which ran from 1998 to 2003 on The WB. The series followed a group of high school friends as they learned about falling in love, creating real friendships and finding their footing in life.

Van Der Beek, then 20, played 15-year-old Dawson Leery, who aspired to be a director of Steven Spielberg quality “Dawson’s Creek” helped define The WB as a haven for teens and young adults who related to its hyper-articulate dialogue and frank talk about sexuality And it made household names of Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams and Joshua Jackson.

While still on “Dawson’s Creek,” Van Der Beek hosted “Saturday Night Live” — the musical guest was Everlast — and landed a plumb role in “Varsity Blues,” playing a secondstring high school quarterback who leaps into the breach when the star suffers an injury Van Der Beek’s character, Mox, turns out to not be a football fanatic, preferring to read Kurt Vonnegut and yearning for the college education that will allow him to escape the jock mentality of his Texas town. In 2019, he made it to the semifinals of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and played a balding, outof-shape ex-boyfriend on “How I Met Your Mother.”

“The more you make fun of yourself and don’t try to go for any kind of respect, the more people seem to respect you,” he told Vanity Fair in 2011. Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly and six children, Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By Ty O’NEIL

Law enforcement agents check vegetation areas around Nancy Guthrie’s home in Tucson, Ariz., on Wednesday.

Van Der Beek

Bondi hearing turns into shouting match

Attorney general launches into defense of Trump

BY ALANNA DURKIN RICHER, ERIC TUCKER and STEPHEN GROVES Associated Press

WASHINGTON Attorney General Pam Bondi

launched into a passionate defense of President Donald Trump Wednesday as she tried to turn the page from relentless criticism of the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, repeatedly shouting at Democrats during a combative hearing in which she postured herself as the Republican president’s chief protector Besieged by questions over Epstein and accusations of a weaponized Justice Department, Bondi aggressively pivoted in an extraordinary speech in which she mocked her Democratic questioners, praised Trump over the performance of the stock market and openly aligned herself as in sync with a president whom she painted as a victim of past impeachments and investigations.

“You sit here and you attack the president and I’m not going to have it,” Bondi told lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee. “I am not going to put up with it.”

With victims of Epstein seated behind her in the hearing room, Bondi forcefully defended the department’s handling of the files related to the well-connected financier that have dogged her tenure. She accused Democrats of using the Epstein files to distract from Trump’s successes, when it was Republicans who initiated the furor over the files and Bondi herself fanned the flames by distributing binders to conservative influencers at the White House last year

The hearing quickly devolved into a partisan brawl,

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By TOM BRENNER

Attorney General Pam Bondi is sworn in before a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Wednesday.

with Bondi repeatedly lobbing insults at Democrats while insisting she was not “going to get in the gutter” with them.

In one particularly fiery exchange, Rep Jamie Raskin of Maryland accused Bondi of refusing to answer his questions, prompting the attorney general to call the top Democrat on the committee a “washed-up loser lawyer not even a lawyer.

Deflecting questions

Trying to help Bondi amid an onslaught of Democratic criticism, Republicans tried to keep the focus on breadand-butter law enforcement issues like violent crime and illegal immigration. Bondi repeatedly deflected questions from Democrats, responding instead with attacks seemingly gleaned from news headlines as she sought to paint them as uninterested about violence in their districts Democrats became exasperated as Bondi declined time and again to directly answer “This is pathetic. I am not asking trick questions,” said Becca Balint, D-Vt., who

tried to ask Bondi whether the Justice Department had questioned different Trump administration officials about their ties to Epstein. “The American people deserve to know.”

In her opening remarks, Bondi told Epstein victims to come forward to law enforcement with any information and about their abuse and said she was “deeply sorry” for what they had suffered. She told the survivors that “any accusation of criminal wrongdoing will be taken seriously and investigated.”

But she refused when pressed by Rep. Pramila Jayapal to turn and face the Epstein victims in the audience and apologize for what Trump’s Justice Department has “put them through” and accused the Democrat of “theatrics.”

Bondi’s appearance on Capitol Hill comes a year into her tumultuous tenure that has amplified concerns that the Justice Department is using its law enforcement powers to target political foes of the president Just a day earlier, the department sought to secure charges

against Democratic lawmakers who produced a video urging military service members not to follow “illegal orders.” But a grand jury in Washington refused to return an indictment.

Support from Jordan

Turning aside criticism that the Justice Department under her watch has become politicized, Bondi touted the department’s work to reduce violent crime and said she was determined to restore the department to its core missions after what she described as “years of bloated bureaucracy and political weaponization.”

GOP Rep. Jim Jordan praised Bondi for undoing actions under President Joe Biden’s Justice Department that Republicans say unfairly targeted conservatives including Trump, who was charged in two criminal cases that were abandoned after his 2024 election victory

“What a difference a year makes,” Jordan said. “Under Attorney General Bondi, the DOJ has returned to its core missions — upholding the rule of law going after the bad guys and keeping Americans safe.”

Democrats, meanwhile, excoriated Bondi over haphazard redactions in the Epstein files that exposed intimate details about victims and also included nude photographs. A review by The Associated Press and other news organizations has found countless examples of sloppy inconsistent or nonexistent redactions that have revealed sensitive private information.

“You’re siding with the perpetrators and you’re ignoring the victims,” Raskin told Bondi in his opening statement. “That will be your legacy unless you act quickly to change the course. You’re running a massive Epstein cover-up right out of the Department of Justice.”

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who broke with his party to advance the legisla-

tion that forced the released of the Epstein files, also took Bondi to task for the release of victims’ personal information, telling her: “Literally the worst thing you could do to survivors, you did.”

Bondi told Massie that he was only focused on the files because Trump is mentioned in them, calling him a “hypocrite” with “Trump-derangement syndrome.”

Department officials have said they took pains to pro-

tect survivors, but that errors were inevitable given the volume of the materials and the speed at which the department had to release them. Bondi told lawmakers that the Justice Department took down files when they were made aware that they included victims’ information and that staff had tried to do their “very best in the time frame allotted by the legislation” mandating the release of the files.

Digging Deep: Howcarbon captureand storage supportsindustry and communitiesacrossLouisiana

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he hardworking peopleofLouisiana have long tapped intothe state’snatural resources,shaping Louisiana as aleader in energy production and mineral resources.The oiland gassector has prospered in Louisianasince 1901 and continuestobeakey drivertoeconomic growth With more than 115 yearsofexperience inLouisiana,ExxonMobil is akey player in helping thestate continue to attractindustry,innovationand talent.Astechnologies have developed and global demandfor modern products has evolved, so has theindustrial sector.ExxonMobil’s LowCarbon Solutionsbusinesssupports themodernization of Louisiana’s manufacturing and oil and gasindustriestoensurejobsand investment dollars stay and grow in Louisiana

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Governor Jeff Landry recently introduced the Whole-of-LouisianaEnergy Strategy,astatewideplan to align local and state leadersinsupportingLouisiana’sposition as anational andglobalenergy leader

“Energy has always shaped Louisiana’s economy, and under PresidentTrump’s leadership,itisonce again driving America’s future,”Governor Landry said. “With recordinvestment and the creation of high-wage jobs,energy is at the centerof Louisiana’seconomic momentum.”

According to Louisiana Economic Developmentand the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy,the strategy builds upon unprecedentedgrowth across the state The strategy prioritizes “winning global investments to grow local communities, delivering strategic energy solutions and unleashing energy innovation.” Carbon captureand storagetechnology does just that

CCS positions Louisiana to win

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revelers will be watching for the satirical floats from Muses, Chaos and Krewe d’Etat over the next two nights along with many others that make up the official New Orleans parading season. Superkrewes Endymion and Bacchus, on Saturday and Sunday respectively, will feature celebrity riders — including a late addition Hall of Famer Bacchus will also include a new signature float to accompany one of its longtime standard-bearers. And some new dance troupes are joining the party as well.

Mike the Tiger

Football will play a big role in at least three upcoming parades.

In the fall, Saturdays in Louisiana belong to the Tigers, and LSU’s new coach, Lane Kiffin, will wave to crowds during the Endymion parade in Mid-City Kiffin, the parade grand marshal, will ride aboard a striking, 30-foot-long, 13.5-foothigh Mike the Tiger float created by Kern Studios.

The big striped cat originally accompanied the LSU baseball team to the College World Series in Omaha in June.

Arthur Hardy is serving as Endymion’s co-grand marshal. The founder and longtime editor of his eponymous Mardi Gras Guide (which was purchased by Georges Media Group, which also owns The Times-Picayune), Hardy is celebrating his retirement after 50 years as New Orleans numero uno Mardi Gras maven — the purple, green and gold GOAT.

Saints be praised

Meanwhile on Saturday, New Orleans Saints defensive end extraordinaire Cam Jordan will serve as honorary grand marshal of the 2026 Tucks parade on the Uptown route. No. 94 will ride on float No. 7, surrounded by team-

SEWAGE

Continued from page 1A

scratchy throats and other irritations, they said.

“Every morning we are waking up and have to use, literally, hot towels to get the crust from around our eyes,” said Chadsidy Blackwell, who has lived with her mother on Cardenas Drive for about three years.

The water board’s top leaders acknowledged two previous sewage leaks, in December and January, at the City Council’s Utility Committee meeting on Tuesday And they are now investigating water continuously leaking from four storm drains between Wilson Avenue and Crowder Boulevard that residents suspect is raw sewage.

“I’m dedicated, and the Sewerage & Water Board is dedicated, to addressing this issue,” said Randy Hayman, who has been executive director at the utility for less than a year “But I want to be clear, it is an engineering and chemistry issue that has to take place. We have to evaluate it and then go in with the limited funds we have and address the problem.”

The controversy is a test for the relatively new-to-the-scene Hayman, who joined the S&WB in July after leading the Philadelphia water system. Hayman and other S&WB officials didn’t know how long the drain pipes had been leaking, but community and environmental activist Michael Pellet told the council he has been complaining

mates Chase Young, Justin Reid, Isaiah Stalbird, Bub Means, Juwan Johnson and former Saint Greg Fassitt.

Speaking of former Saints, on Sunday, newly anointed Hall of Famer Drew Brees was a surprise addition to this year’s Bacchus parade.

The much-admired retired quarterback and NFL commentator will ride a custom float decorated with a statue of himself, plus an LED lighted sign that will read, in part, “Thank you, Who Dat Nation.”

The big question: Will ol’ No. 9 toss beads with his right or left arm? In 2023, Brees told ESPN that a long-ago injury to his right shoulder had caused him to go lefty Brees will share the spotlight with Bacchus’s 2026 monarch, comic actor Patrick Warburton,

who appeared in “Seinfeld,” “The Tick,” and the Disney film “Emperor’s New Groove.”

Warburton also serves as television spokesperson for Barefoot Wine, putting him in a perfect position to raise a kingly cup to the passing crowd.

New Bacchus float

Also new to the Bacchus lineup is the beyond-cute Baby Bacchawhoppa float, a pale blue whale calf that will follow in the wake of the full-grown Bacchawhoppa whale float.

The 30-some riders on the new Baby Bacchawhoppa will toss 40,000 pairs of pale blue socks. Perhaps there will be a pink Baby Bacchawhoppa in the future.

All hail the Hubig’s pie man Among the sweetest new devel-

to the S&WB about storm drain discharges since December District E council member Jason Hughes and council Vice President Matt Willard admonished Hayman and other leaders for being slow to fix things, saying some residents have complained of the smell publicly since at least December

“If it’s been leaking for two months or close to two months, that sounds like a crisis to me,” Willard said, urging the S&WB to act quickly to stop the discharges.

“You’re testing, of course, we need that. But what we need ASAP like, today is too late, is for this to come to an end.”

“I think you all smelled the air in certain areas out there. I think it was horrific, and our residents deserve better,” said Hughes, who represents the East.

There are five sewer pump sta-

tions along a three-mile stretch of Dwyer Canal in New Orleans East, which runs parallel with Dwyer Road, a primary thoroughfare across four subdivisions. Sewage is supposed to travel along the canal in a pipe system that separates it from open stormwater runoff. But four storm drains between Wilson Avenue and Crowder Boulevard were continuously dumping possible sewage water into the canal as of Tuesday afternoon, S&WB officials said.

They said work is underway to stop the leaks, along with sample testing to determine the contents of the water This follows two other confirmed recent raw sewage discharges. A temporary pump at the Castle Manor sewage pump station broke down in December, causing a discharge into the canal. Then in January a sewer main

opments in 2026 is the Krewe of Iris’ plan to toss 36,000 Hubig’s Pies to crowds along the Uptown route on Saturday

The iconic pies will bear a custom wrapper decorated with a purple fleur-de-lis and blue crown. There’s a simmering dissatisfaction among some paradegoers with the imported plastic beads and other trinkets thrown at most parades. While higher-quality toys, clothing and biodegradable throws have been on the rise in many krewes, edible, locally made, sugar-glazed, beer-compatible biodegradable pastry is another delicious solution. It’s doubtful if any pies will fall to the ground And even if they did, the five-second rule will be in effect throughout the balance of the Mardi Gras season. Moreover, with 3,700 riders, Iris is probably the biggest New

became blocked and overflowed into the canal. S&WB officials say those discharges were stopped and remediated.

The S&WB confirmed the previous sewage leaks after Pellet observed possible discharges into the canal in December and posted photos and videos to social media.

Pellet has mapped 14 points along the canal where he has observed water leaks, discharges or discolored water — documented with photos and videos — that he believes warrants much more extensive testing and comprehensive response. Pellet’s findings prompted the Sewerage & Water Board’s actions in the other two discharges, but he said he’s worried the problem isn’t confined to a handful of incidents.

“Nothing matters in my life right now but stopping sewage in our backyards,” Pellet told the council on Tuesday Hydrogen sulfide, which causes the rotten egg smell in raw sewage, can have varying health effects depending on the level of exposure. Low concentrations can cause eye irritation, sore throat and lung fluid, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Long-term exposure to low concentration can damage memory and cause dizziness and fatigue.

Blackwell said the odor dates back to at least 2011, when she first moved into a home on Chrysler Street, a few blocks from her mother’s house along the canal. Their neighbor, Tia Henry, also said the smell has been present for years, though she couldn’t pinpoint when. She said her husband

Orleans Carnival float parade in history

You go girls!

Remember when the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies — a lively dance troupe composed of women of a certain age — visited New Orleans in 2023, where they performed in the Thoth and Iris parades?

Well, the Grannies will be strutting their stuff again this year But this time, they’ve brought along two other groups.

The Fascinators dancers from Tampa and the Staying Alive hiphop troupe from Atlanta will be joining the Grannies for the first time in the 2026 Thoth parade that rolls Sunday on the Uptown route.

The Grannies, Fascinators and the Staying Alive groups could probably find a spot among New Orleans’ ironical dance troupes — of course they’d have to dream up new, naughty, double entendre titles to fit in.

There will be 75 to 80 dancers in all, according to coordinator Jeannie Knudson. Each group will take turns performing their own signature routines and will join together to dance to the Sister Sledge classic “We Are Family.”

Hear ye hear ye

The Rex organization, the city’s premier parading group, will present an all-new float that will display the title of each year’s theme. Which, in 2026, is “Rebirth and Renewal.”

The new double-decker design by Royal Artists and Studio 3 takes the form of a castle rising from a bed of flowers.

Dr Stephen Hales, a chronicler of the parading group’s history and 2017 King of Carnival, described the new addition to the parade lineup as “an elegant float that includes classic Rex symbols” such as owls, peacocks, artists brushes and trumpeter heralds. He considers it a modern version of a “golden age” float. Rex, of course, rolls on Fat Tuesday morning.

recently woke up choking and coughing uncontrollably Blackwell’s mother, Joy Blackwell, described similar symptoms and, as she spoke on the phone with a reporter, said she was feeling discomfort in her throat. A few minutes later her voice gave out and she gave the phone back to her daughter “I just want to wake up to some fresh air You know how when you go out of town, it’s just fresh air? That’s what I want,” Blackwell said.

S&WB officials said they plan to fix the discharges, repair sewer pumps, clean sewer laterals and clear vegetation. S&WB interim Superintendent Kaitlin Tymrak and Hayman met with Pellet and residents on Feb. 6 to tour the canal, a site visit Hughes’ office coordinated after Pellet, Hughes and S&WB officials discussed the issues for two months.

“When the community flags an issue, when they’re pleading that the air quality smells horrible and there’s visible sewage discharge, waiting two months to come out at the behest of an elected official is just too late,” Hughes said at the council meeting.

Hayman said he would provide updates as they are available. Hughes also asked Hayman to send the discharge test results to his office.

Earlier, Hayman cited his record, and said the board would fix the problems. “This is the fourth city I have worked with. We have had to address problems with every city I do not have a reputation of running away from the problem.”

STAFF PHOTO By ENAN CHEDIAK

The Krewe of Alla Captain rolls down Magazine Street on Wednesday.

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

A Sewerage & Water Board pump is placed along the Dwyer Canal to address the stench of raw sewage

bankruptcy case before stepping down.

Known as an energetic leader that earned praise for his administrative and fundraising skills, Checchio will lead the nation’s second-oldest diocese, with more than 500,000 Catholics across eight southeast Louisiana parishes.

Despite recent parish closures and the continued aftermath of the global child sexual abuse crisis, the local church in historically Catholic south Louisianaremains an important institution in the region’sculture and politics,which Checchio will need to navigate.

In addition to the complicated and lengthy bankruptcy process that began in 2020 and is only now wrapping up with a$300 million settlement with abuse survivors,

QUALIFYING

Continued from page1A

race. But the treasurer came out swinging Wednesday while proclaiming himself the most conservative candidate.

He highlightedhis opposition to injecting carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases deep underground in aprocess known as carbon capture sequestration. Residents nearmany sites of proposed carbon capture wells are increasingly concerned about their environmental impacts, land acquisition and safety risks, but Fleming’sposition puts him at odds with trade groups that represent the oil and gas industry

Several other candidates dropped out of the race after Trump backed Letlow

Jamie Davis, afarmerin northeast Louisiana who served on the Tensas Parish Police Jury,qualified as aDemocrat.

Qualifying also takes place on Thursday and Friday

U.S. Houseraces

State Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, filed to run for the 5th Congressional District seat that Letlow is vacating to challenge Cassidy.The 5th District stretches from Baton Rouge up to Monroe andincludes the Florida Parishes.

East Baton Rouge MayorPresident Sid Edwards and St. George Mayor Dustin Yates both appeared at the Secretary of State’sOffice to show support for Edmonds

Several candidates from northLouisiana have said they intend to run. After state Rep. Dixon McMakin, R-Baton Rouge, dropped out of therace earlier this week, Edmonds is the main candidate from the Baton Rouge region.

“I’m in this race to fight for the soul of America,” Edmonds said. “I echo the words of President Trump: ‘Fight, fight, fight.’” Edmonds said he would fight for “Louisiana values” and for the 5th District, a place that he said he knows “not from adistance”but “up close and personal.”

State Sen. BlakeMiguez, aRepublican from Erath, in Vermilion Par-

Checchiowill be inheriting longrunning financial pressures as afallingoverall population has strained some of his 104 parishes. Still, many others are thriving and remain community hubs, apoint that Checchio highlighted in apreparedstatementonWednesday “These three months since my arrival inNew Orleans have gone by very quickly asI learnmore about our local church andseek to understand how God is calling me to best serve this beautiful part of His vineyard,” Checchio said in amissive postedonthe archdiocese’s website. “Itisfascinating thatthe faith has been so active here in Southeastern Louisiana for so long! The contributions of the many priests,religious men and women and the lay faithful over the years area testamentto theinterconnectedness of faithin public life in our Archdiocese of New Orleans —something within which we shouldtakegreat pride.”

ish, is also running inthe 5th Congressional District and has Trump’sendorsement

“I will never wavermy support for President Trump’sMAGA agenda,” Miguez said after qualifying on Wednesday. The other candidatescriticized Miguez for not living in the district.

“Sen. Miguez lives closer to Beaumont than Baton Rouge,” Edmondssaid in answer to aquestion.

Miguez saidhe’shad aresidence in Baton Rougesince the late 1990s and graduated from LSU as an undergrad. He also graduated from Southern University Law School. He said he intends to move to Baton Rouge if he wins.

Miguez declinedtospecify thelocation of hisproperty in Baton Rouge. Also qualifying Wednesday wasMistiCordell, who owns ahealth care company in Monroe and was appointed by Landry to chair thestate Board of Regents, whichsets overall policy for Louisiana’scolleges anduniversities.

CordellsaidTrump’sendorsement of Miguez “hasn’t deterred me one bit,”adding that she supports the president’s agenda.

“That includes continuing the fight against illegal immigration,supporting small business, protecting theunborn, fightingfraud andwaste for lower taxes and stopping woke insanity like girls in boys’ sports,” shesaid

State Sen.Stewart Cathey, R-Monroe, was consideringa runfor Letlow’sU.S. House seat,but he announced Wednesday he decided against it.

“While Isupport President Trump, Ibelievehis team endorsed the wrong candidate in this race,”Cathey said in astatement.

Othercandidates who filed for the Senate race included:

n Sammy Wyatt (R), chief compliance and risk management officer at LSU Health in Shreveport

n Michael Mebruer (R) of St.Francisville n Austin Magee(R) from Franklinton

n Jessee Fleenor(D) a dairyfarmer in Loranger in Tangipahoa Parish, who ran for the same seat in

Followingthe Vatican announcementonWednesday morning, Checchio was at St. Louis No. 2 Cemetery in New Orleans, where he prayed over the grave of Henriette Delille.AFrench-speaking woman of African descent,Delille, who was born in 1813, grew up in theFrench Quarter and founded the Sisters of the Holy Family which provided care and shelter for orphans. Delillie was 50 when she died of tuberculosis in 1862. The Sisters of theHolyFamily are among those working to help Delille gain sainthood. Pope Benedict XVI issued adecreein2010 declaring Delille “venerable,”which put her astep closer in thelengthy journey towardcanonization.

At thecemetery, Checchio was joined by someofthe membersof theorder.Heasked that they pray for him, blessing thestartofhis tenure as archbishop.

Since arriving in New Orleans, Checchio has beenlearning the

2018, capturing 30% of the voteagainst U.S. Rep.Ralph Abraham

n LarryFoy (D), aselfdescribed theologian and social justice advocate from Winnsboro

n DanMcKay (D), alawyer from Bunkie.

Larry Davis, amemberof the LivingstonParish Republican ExecutiveCommittee, signed up to run against U.S. Rep. CleoFields, DBaton Rouge, in the6th Congressional District Davis saidhewill fight “against the radical left agenda.”

“Wesaw acommunity and awhole representative districtthat’snot getting theresources that they need,” Davissaid. “We’re talking about community centers that are not being taken careof, roads, just a whole district, just being ignored.”

Davis, who is Black, faces asignificant challenge running as aRepublican in a heavily Democraticdistrict that was drawn after aVoting RightsAct challenge. Twoyears ago, Fields defeated Republican Elbert Guillory 51% to 38%.

Twoother Republicans qualifiedagainst Fields: Peter Williams from Lettsworth andMonique Appeaning from St.George.

Aproxy qualified for Fields, who was in Washington

The 6th Congressional District stretches like aseat belt from Shreveport to Baton Rouge.

Aproxy qualified for House Speaker Mike Johnson, aRepublican from Benton in northeastLouisiana. Challenging him is Conrad Cable, avegetable farmer from Farmerville who is aDemocrat, andJoshua Morott, aRepublican from Benton

Aproxy also filed for U.S. Rep. Troy Carter,D-New Orleans, whose 2ndCongressional District is anchored in New Orleans andstretches up the Mississippi River to Baton Rouge.

Lauren Jewett, aDemocrat andspecial education teacher,qualified to run for the 1stCongressional District seat held by U.S.Rep Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, theHouse Majority Leader Randall Arrington, aRepublican, also qualified.

ins and outs of the 232-year-old archdiocese. Thathas included a partial role in the bankruptcycase. In November, he testifiedin U.S.DistrictCourt in NewOrleans, promising to work to end clergysexual abuse with “all my heart and energyI have.” Aymond placed the archdiocese under Chapter 11 bankruptcyprotection six years ago amid the growing numberoflawsuitsstemming from allegations of clergy sexual abuse over the decades.

Afederaljudge approved a $300 million settlement between the archdiocese and hundreds of abuse survivors in December Before being named bishop, Checchio was rector of thePontifical North American College in Rome from 2006 to 2016. He studied at North American College in Rome andwas ordaineda priest for the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey,inJune of 1992. Born in Camden in 1966, Chec-

TwoDemocrats —John DayfromLake Charles and TiaLaBrun from Sulphur filed to run for the 3rdCongressional District seat held by U.S. Rep.Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette, who also qualified through aproxy

Public ServiceCommission

State Rep. Mark Wright, R-Covington, qualified for the Public Service Commission seat that Eric Skrmetta hasheld.Skrmetta is being forced out by termlimits. The district includes the parishesaround NewOrleans. Also running are “Big John” Mason,a Republican from Metairie, and Connie Norris, aDemocrat from Slidell.

TwoRepublicans —John Atkins, aCaddo Parish com-

chio holds aBachelor of Arts degreeinphilosophy fromthe University of Scranton in Pennsylvania,a master’sdegreeinbusiness administration from LaSalle University in Philadelphia and a doctorateofcanon lawfromthe University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

He has served as treasurer of the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops, the powerful organization of the 440 bishops in the United States. He is also chair of the group’sbudget and finance committee. The archdiocesesaidthatChecchio will celebrate his first Mass at St. Louis Cathedral as Archbishop of New Orleansatnoon on Ash Wednesday,Feb. 18. During that Mass, Checchio will be seated in thechair of thearchbishop, the cathedra, for the first time, the archdiocese said. Staff photographerChris Granger contributed to this report.

missioner from Shreveport, andAidenJoynerfrom West Monroe filed to run for the Public Service Commission seat in north Louisiana held by FosterCampbell, who is termedout this year.James Green,aDemocrat whois aShreveport City Council member,also filed to run.

LouisianaSupreme Court

TwoRepublican judges qualifiedfor thestate Supreme Court seatthat Will Crain vacated when the U.S. Senate elevated himtobea federal trial judge. They are Blair Downing Edwards, an appeals court judge who lives in Independence, and William Burris, atrial court judge wholives in Franklinton. The district includes Livingston,Tangipahoa,

Washingtonand St. Tammanyparishes.

Justice Cade Cole filedto run for reelection to the Supreme Courtfor adistrict that includes the parishes in western Louisiana. Justice Jay McCallum qualified to run again forhis seat, which includes most of north and central Louisiana.

BESE

Joseph Cao, aRepublican whowas appointedtorepresent the First District of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in January,qualified to run for afull term. Also running is EllieSchroeder,aRepublican whose husband, John, served in the state House from Covington andran for governor in 2023.

CelebrateMardi Gras theNorthshoreway with family-friendly experiences

Throughout theNorthshore, from the ruraltowns of Bush,Folsomand Lacombeto theMandevillelakefront to thesmall-town charmofPearl River, Slidell, Madisonville and Covington, MardiGrasisaparty.Manyofthe elements arefamiliar— thethemedthrows, high school marchingbands,dancing krewes andofcourse, floatsofall shapes andsizes What makesMardi Gras so specialinSt. TammanyParishisthatfriends,familiesand neighborscelebrate in theplace they call home Prideofplace with family-friendlythemes make foraneasy, stress-freeCarnival. There’s action—the light-up floats, signaturebeads andmarchingbands—but thevibeisfriendly, approachable andaccessible, making it easier forparents with little ones in towtorelax and have agreat time.And most events andafter partiesare free,makingMardi Gras easier on thewallet. Spectators should plan to park early andenjoy thepartybeforethe parade rolls, as many streetsare blockedatleast onehour before theofficial starttime.

In Covington, theKreweofBogue Falaya will make itsLundi Gras Second Line at 4p.m.Feb 16 from BogueFalayaParktoSouthernHotel

On FatTuesday,Feb.17, it’s an all-dayparty startingwiththe KreweofBogue Falaya’s procession of traditional floats, dancegroups, fair queens andmarchingbands,followedby

theCovington LionsCluband Mystic Krewe of Covington’shomemadefloats,classic cars, Jeepsand dancetroupes.Immediately followingthe paradesisCarnivalinCovington, a free partyatthe CovingtonTrailhead with live music, food trucks,costume contests and funfor thekids. ThelastCovington parade of theseason, held on Sunday afterFat Tuesday, is MardiPaws, oneofthree canine-powered Northshore paradesthatserve as fundraisers forlocal animal welfareorganizations

Slidellwillbring thehometownfeeltocelebrations on MardiGrasDay with events hosted by theOldeTowne SlidellMerchants Association. Beginningat10a.m., visitors canenjoy akids’ wagonparadefeaturing over 100little walkersand theirwagons. Laterinthe daywill be ablock party, live musicand great food and funthroughoutthe historic district

Theparades in Bush (9 a.m. Feb. 14), Folsom (2 p.m. Feb. 17)and Lacombe(1p.m.Feb. 17) give abig shout-outtolocalbusinesses, first respondersand communitygroupsduring thesecelebrationsofcivic prideand small town Louisiana. At everyparade, with everystringofbeads thrown into thecrowd,every brassbandin formation, everydance step,the senseof communityiswhat’sreallyrolling.Goto www.visitthenorthshore.com to learnmore.

This articleisbrought to youbyVisit TheNorthshoreand theLouisiana Office of Tourism.

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Stocks wobble on release of jobs report

NEW YORK U.S. stocksfelt both the upside and downside Wednesday of asurprisingly strong report that said the nation’s unemployment rate improved last month. Treasury yields remained higher in the bond market after the Labor Department said U.S. employers added 130,000 jobs to their payrolls last month, more than economists expected. Stocks in the energy and rawmaterial industries jumped to some of the biggergainsinthe S&P 500,and their profits tend to be closely tied to the health of theeconomy Exxon Mobilclimbed 2.6%.

SmurfitWestrock jumped 9.9% eventhough the packagingcompany reporteda weaker profit forthe latest quarter than analystsexpected. It gave financial targets for the next five years that some analysts found encouraging After Wednesday’sreport showed the tick down forthe U.S.unemployment rate,traders pushed back theirbets for when the Federal Reserve could begin cutting interest ratesagain,according to data fromCME Group. The bets slid further into the summer,aftera new Fed chair is set to take the helm. Moderna dropped 3.5% after saying the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is refusing to consider its application for a new fluvaccine made with Nobel Prize-winning mRNA technology.It’sthe latest sign ofthe FDA’sheightened scrutiny of vaccines under Health Secretary Robert F. KennedyJr. McDonald’ssays focus on value is working McDonald’sfocus on value is paying off.

The fast food giant said Wednesdaythatits global same-store sales— or sales at locations open at least ayear —jumped5.7% in the OctoberDecember period. That’sbetter thanthe 3.9% Wall Streetwas expecting, according to analysts polled by FactSet. Chicago-based McDonald’s fourth quarter revenue and earningsalso beat analysts’ expectations. McDonald’scut prices on some U.S. combo meals in September.Those Extra Value Meal promotions came on top of discountsthat began earlier in 2025, including theMcValue menu. The price cuts came after years of steady declines in visits from customers with annual household incomes of $45,000 or less. In aconference call with investors last summer,McDonald’sCEO Chris Kempczinski warned that those consumers, in particular,nolonger sawMcDonald’sasagood value. McDonald’srevenuerose10% to $7.01 billion in the fourth quarter.That beat Wall Street’s forecast of $6.84 billion

Kraft Heinz pauses plans to split, it says Kraft Heinzsaid Wednesday it’spausing its plans to split into two companies.

Steve Cahillane, aformer Kellogg Co. chief who became CEO of Kraft Heinz on Jan. 1, saidhewants to ensurethat all of thecompany’s resources are focusedonprofitable growth. Kraft Heinz reported lower quarterlyand annualresults this week. Investors are likely concerned that Kraft Heinz believesits businesses aren’t strong enough to stand on their own,said Robert Moskow,an analyst with TD Cowen,ina research note.

Kraft Heinz announced in September it was splittinginto two companies adecadeafter amergerofthe brands created oneofthe biggest food manufacturers on the planet. The path to the merger of Kraft andHeinz began in 2013, whenbillionaire investor Warren Buffettteamed up with Brazilianinvestment firm 3G Capital to buy H.J. Heinz Co. At the time,the $23billion deal was themost expensive ever in the food industry

BUSINESS

NOLA.COM/BIZ

U.S. hiressurge to 130K in Jan.

It’s starkcontrastto theweakhiring of ’25

BY PAUL WISEMAN AP economics writer

WASHINGTON U.S. employers added asurprisingly strong 130,000 jobs last month, but government revisions cut 2024-25 U.S. payrolls by hundreds of thousands

Theunemploymentrate fell to 4.3%, the Labor Department said Wednesday. The reportincluded major re-

visions that reduced the number of jobs created lastyear to just 181,000, athird the previously reported584,000 and the weakest since thepandemic year of 2020. Thejob market hasbeen sluggishfor monthseventhough theeconomy is registering solid growth. But the January numbers were much stronger than the75,000 economists had expected. Health care accounted for nearly 82,000, or more than 60%,oflast month’s newjobs. Factories added 5,000, snapping astreak of 13 straight

monthsofjob losses. The federal governmentshed 34,000 jobs.

Average hourly wages rose a solid 0.4% from December to January The unemployment rate fell from 4.4% in Decemberasthe numberofemployed Americans rose andthe numberofunemployed fell.

“The surprisingly strong job gains in January were driven mainly by health care and social assistance,” Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union,wrote in acommentary

“But it is enough to stabilize the job market and send the unemploymentrate slightly lower …but it is stabilizing. That’sanencouraging sign to start the year,especially after the hiring recession in 2025.”

Weak hiring over the past year reflects the lingering impact of the high interest rates the Federal Reserve engineered in 2022 and 2023 to counter surging inflation, as well as Elon Musk’s purgelastyearof the federal workforce. The chaos from President Donald Trump’s erratictrade policies also made businesses less willing to hire.

BYALEXA ST.JOHN Associated Press

DETROIT The build-outofelectric vehicle charging inthe U.S. has not stopped since President DonaldTrump returned to office.

But the administrationand Congress are continuingtothrow up new roadblocks.

Thoseinclude theadministration withholdingcharger money to Democratic-controlled states and Congress slicing away at separate infrastructure funding across other states.

And this week,Transportation Secretary SeanDuffy decreed that chargers must now be fully American-made —a difficult requirement thatiscertain to delay them.

Even as EV adoptioninthe U.S. stayed justabout the same last year as it did in 2024, fast-charginginstallations sawrecordbreaking growth, according to ayear-end report from data firm Paren

Theindustry added morethan 18,000 new fast-charging ports, amounting to a30% increase year-over-year

The expansion of fast charging is especially important forEVdrivers taking longer trips or those without alternatives such as home charging, which can be done overnight or over alonger period of time.

But chargingavailability overallremains a concern for U.S.drivers considering an EV purchase.

Slower charging options, known as Level 1 andLevel 2charging,have also grown.

Most recently,the Trumpadministration is attempting to withhold money for charging infrastructure from Democratic-controlled states, directingthe DepartmentofTransportation to cancel funds for California Colorado, Illinois and Minnesota.

Representatives for thefour governors’ officestold TheAssociated Press this week

BY QUEENIE WONG Los Angeles Times (TNS)

Meta, TikTok and Snapwill be rated on theirteensafety efforts amid rising concern aboutwhether theworld’s largestsocial media platformsare doingenough to protect the mental health of young people The Mental Health Coalition, a collectiveoforganizationsfocused on destigmatizingmental healthissues,saidTuesday that it is launching standardsand anew rating systemfor online platforms. For theSafe OnlineStandards (S.O.S.) program, anindependentpanel of global expertswill evaluatecompanies on parameters including safety rules, design, moderation

they had notyet received official notice of thecancellations.

Congress, meanwhile, has rescinded more than $800 million in separate, previously appropriated charger money for several other states in its recent budget bill decisions, including Texas and Florida.

Andanother wrench

This week, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced thatstatesreceiving federal money for EV chargerswill have to install ones made entirely with U.S. parts. While yet to be finalized, therequirement was previously for 55% of the parts to be American

“Now we’re ensuring that if Congress wants to see these chargers built, we put America First,” Duffy said in astatement. ”Doing so will unleashAmerican manufacturing, protect our nationalsecurity,and prevent taxpayer dollarsfrom subsidizing our foreign adversaries.”

But experts saychargers of 100% U.S. partscould be nearly impossible with the current supply chain.

“By creating unreasonable standards and regulatory uncertaintyfor domestic manufacturers, such actions maycause supply chain disruptions, drive up costs, or cede market share to international competitors,” said Albert Gore, executive directorofthe ZeroEmission Transportation Association. Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, ranking member of the Senate’senvironment committee, said:“This administration’smessage is clear: don’tbuild.” It allgoesbacktoNEVI

The congressional cuts and Duffy’srule hamper theNational Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, bornout of the Biden

and mental health resources.

TikTok,Snapand Meta —the parent companyofFacebookand Instagram —will be the first companies to be graded. Discord, YouTube,Pinterest, Roblox and Twitch have alsoagreed to participate, the coalition said in anews release.

“These standards provide the public withameaningful way to evaluate platform protections and hold companies accountable— and we look forward to more tech companies signingupfor theassessments,” AntigoneDavis, vice presidentand global headofsafety at Meta, said in astatement.

TikTok and Snap executives also expressed their commitment to online safety Parents, lawmakers and advo-

administration’sBipartisan Infrastructure Law that waspassed by Congress in 2021. It gave $5 billiontostates over five years in an attempt to fill gaps in the nation’spublic EV charging, focusing on highway corridors and in other areas in need of infrastructure Last February,the Trump administration directed states to stop spending thefunds forEVcharging.

In May,17ofthe states that received programfunds suedthe administration and challengedthe Federal HighwayAdministrationoverthe money,and afederal judge ruled they must release billions of dollars to 14 of the state recipients.

At the end of last year,16Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia launched asecondlawsuit over the withholding of $2 billion of the funding. In January,the same judge ruledthatthe administration must also release these funds.

Only afraction of whatwas obligated has been spentsofar givennot allofthe funds have been available, according to Loren McDonald, chief analyst at EV data firm Chargeonomics, which tracks the state awards. Since his first day back in the White House, Trump hastargeted severalpoliciesfriendly to cleaner cars andtrucks in favor of those promoting gasoline-powered vehicles.

In its tax and spending bill signed into law by Trump last summer,Congress eliminated federal taxcredits that saved buyers up to $7,500 off new and used electric vehicle purchases.

The administration has plans to weaken the rules set for how far automakers’ new vehicles must travel on average on agallon of gasoline, and is undermining the climate regulation at the core of auto tailpipe emissions.

cacy groups have criticized online platforms foryears over whether they’re protecting the safety of billions of users. Despite having rules around what contentusersaren’t allowed to post, they’ve grappled withmoderating harmful content aboutself-harm,eatingdisorders, drugs and more. The rise of artificial intelligencepowered chatbots hasheightened mental health concerns as some teensare turning to technology for companionship. Companies have also faced a flurry of lawsuits over online safety

Thenew ratingswerealso announced on Tuesday on SaferInternet Day,aglobal campaign that promotes using technology responsibly,especially among young

people. Companies on Tuesday, suchas Google, outlined someofthe work they’ve done around safety,including parental controls to set time limitsfor scrollingthrough short videos.

The ratings will be color-coded, and companies that perform well on the tests will get ablue shield badge that signals they helpreduce harmfulcontentonthe platform and their rules are clear Those that fall short will receive ared rating, indicating they’re not reliably blocking harmful content or lack proper rules.

Ratings in other colors indicate whether the platforms have partial protection or whether their evaluations haven’tbeen completed yet.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

BY LISA MASCARO and KEVIN FREKING Associated Press

— The House voted

WASHINGTON

Wednesday to slap back President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, a rare if largely symbolic rebuke of the White House agenda as Republicans joined Democrats over the objections of GOP leadership.

The tally, 219-211, was among the first times the House, controlled by Republicans has confronted the president over a signature policy, and drew instant recrimination from Trump himself.

The resolution seeks to end the national emergency Trump declared to impose the tariffs, though actually undoing the policy would require support from the president, which is highly unlikely The resolution next goes to the Senate.

Trump believes in the power of tariffs to force U.S. trade partners to the negotiating table. But lawmakers are facing unrest back home from businesses caught in the trade wars and constituents

navigating pocketbook issues and high prices.

“Today’s vote is simple, very simple: Will you vote to lower the cost of living for the American family or will you keep prices high out of loyalty to one person — Donald J. Trump?” said Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who authored the resolution.

Within minutes, as the gavel struck, Trump fired off a stern warning to those in the Republican Party who would dare to cross him.

“Any Republican, in the House or the Senate, that votes against TARIFFS will seriously suffer the consequences come Election time, and that includes Primaries!” the president posted on social media.

The high-stakes moment provides a snapshot of the House’s unease with the president’s direction, especially ahead of the midterm elections as economic issues resonate among voters.

The Senate has already voted to reject Trump’s tariffs on Canada

and other countries in a show of displeasure. But both chambers would have to approve the tariff rollbacks, and send the resolution to Trump for the president’s signature or veto.

Trump recently threatened to impose a 100% tariff on goods imported from Canada over that country’s proposed China trade deal, intensifying a feud with the longtime U.S ally and Prime Minister Mark Carney House Speaker Mike Johnson, RBenton, tried to prevent this showdown.

“The president’s trade policies have been of great benefit,” Johnson had said. “And I think the sentiment is that we allow a little more runway for this to be worked out between the executive branch and the judicial branch.”

Johnson insisted lawmakers wait for a pending Supreme Court ruling in a lawsuit about the tariffs He engineered a complicated rules change to prevent floor action.

But Johnson’s strategy collapsed late Tuesday as Republicans peeled off during a procedural vote to ensure the Democratic measure was able to advance.

Shooter had history of police visits

BY JIM MORRIS and ROB GILLIES Associated Press

VANCOUVER, British Columbia

The suspect in a Canada school shooting was an 18-year-old who had a history of police visits to her home to check on her mental health, authorities said Wednesday, a day after the attack that killed eight people in a remote part of British Columbia.

Police said Jesse Van Rootselaar was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted wound following the assault on a school in the small mountain community of Tumbler Ridge.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said Van Rootselaar first killed her mother and stepbrother at the family home before attacking the nearby school. She had a history of mental health contacts with police, he said.

The motive was unclear More than 25 people were wounded.

The town of 2,700 people in the Canadian Rockies is near the provincial border with Alberta. Police said the victims in-

cluded a 39-year-old teacher and five students, ages 12 to 13.

The killings at the home occurred first, McDonald said. A young family member at the home went to a neighbor, who called police.

The bodies of the suspect’s mother, who was also 39, and her 11-year-old stepbrother were found at the home.

At the school, one victim was found in a stairwell and the rest, McDonald believed, were found in the library

The suspect was not related to any of the victims at the school, he said.

“There is no information at this point that anyone was specifically targeted,” McDonald said.

Police recovered a long gun and a modified handgun. McDonald said officers arrived at the school two minutes after the initial call.

When they arrived, shots were fired in their direction.

“Parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers in Tumbler Ridge will wake up without someone they love. The nation mourns with you, and Canada stands by you,” an emotional Prime Minister

Mark Carney said.

Shelley Quist said her neighbor across the street lost her 12-year-old. “We heard his mom. She was in the street crying. She wanted her son’s body,” Quist said. Quist said her 17-year-old son, Darian was on lockdown in the school for more than two hours.

Darian Quist said he knew the attack was real when the principal came down the halls and ordered doors to be closed. He said fellow students texted him pictures of blood while he remained locked down in a classroom. “We used the desk to block the doors,” he said.

School shootings are rare in Canada, which has strict gun-control laws. The government has responded to previous mass shootings with gun-control measures, including a recently broadened ban on all guns it considers assault weapons.

Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka said it was “devastating” to learn how many had died in the community which he called a “big family.”

“I broke down,” Krakowka said. “I have lived here for 18 years. I probably know every one of the victims.”

Late Tuesday evening, Johnson could be seen speaking to holdout Republican lawmakers as the GOP leadership team struggled to shore up support during a lengthy procedural vote, but the numbers lined up against him.

“We’re disappointed in what the people have done,” Kevin Hassett, the director of the White House’s National Economic Council, told reporters at the White House on Wednesday morning. “The president will make sure they don’t repeal his tariffs.”

The resolution put forward by Meeks would terminate the national emergency that Trump declared a year ago as one of his executive orders.

The administration claimed illicit drug flow from Canada constitutes an unusual and extraordinary

threat that allows the president to slap tariffs on imported goods outside the terms of the U.S.-MexicoCanada trade agreement.

The Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Brian Mast of Florida, said the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. is a dire national emergency and the policy must be left in place.

“Let’s be clear again about what this resolution is and what it’s not. It’s not a debate about tariffs. You can talk about those, but that’s not really what it is,” Mast said. “This is Democrats trying to ignore that there is a fentanyl crisis.”

Experts say fentanyl produced by cartels in Mexico is largely smuggled into the U.S. from land crossings in California and Arizona. Fentanyl is also made in Canada and smuggled into the U.S.,

Detectives link 2 crime scenes 200 miles apart FLORIDA

By The Associated Press

SARASOTA, Fla. — Investiga-

tors in Florida say a double homicide discovered during a well-being check was linked to a shooting rampage hours later in a gated community on the other side of the state, which left five more people dead including the suspected shooter

The suspect had a romantic relationship with one of the Fort Lauderdale victims, who was connected to the victims in the second shooting in Sarasota, but Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office detectives released few other details.

“The suspect’s motivation for targeting the Sarasota victims is unknown,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement Wednesday Fort Lauderdale is more than 200 miles away from Sarasota.

Fort Lauderdale police officers received a call Tuesday for a well-being check and found two people dead inside a home, Detective Kerri Hagerty said in an email Wednesday

“Preliminary investigation indicates that this is an isolated incident,” Hagerty

said. According to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were directed to a home in a gated community in the city by a 911 call. They found a wounded man in the front yard who died a short time later Inside the house, deputies found two men and two women, all dead, including the suspect Sarasota County detectives were contacted by detectives in Fort Lauderdale who said they believed the cases were linked and provided information about the suspect’s vehicle, which was found in the Sarasota neighborhood.

BlackCaucus, civilrightsleaders launch action plan

They want to push back on Trump’s domesticagenda

BY MATT BROWN Associated Press

WASHINGTON— The Congressional Black Caucus and major civil rights groups on Tuesday marked Black History Month by relaunching anational plan to mobilize against what they say are the Trump administration’seffortsto weaken legal protectionsfor minority communities.

The assembled leaders voiced outrage over the series of policy actions President Donald Trump has implementedsince his return to the White House, as well as the president’s personal conduct, but offered few concrete details about what they’reprepared to do in response to the administration.

“Over the past year,we have seenaconcerted effort to roll back civil rights underlying voting access,dismantle social programs and concentratepower in the hands of the wealthy and well-connected, at the expenseofour community,” said Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

In rounds of free-flowingmeetings on Capitol Hill, activistsand lawmakers divvied up outreach strategies and coordinatedpolicy platforms on educationand the teaching of history,health care, immigration enforcementand anti-discrimination policy

Attendees described theconversations as sobering but energizing.

Multiple sessions focused on how to protect voters’ access to the bal-

lot in the midtermsfrom potential intervention by federal agents, a fear that activists and Democratic lawmakers have increasingly raised since araidonanAtlantaarea electionscenter

Othersessions gamed outhow lawmakers couldrespond to an upcoming rulingfromthe Supreme Court that may strike down apivotal section of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

“It’sanall-hands-on-deck moment,and every tool available to the leadership collectively has got to be deployed to get this thing turned around,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., told The Associated Press after the press conference.

Jeffries did not rule out mass protests, organizing boycotts and further legal action as potential steps that allies may take.

The leaders’ warnings come at a momentwhen theTrumpadministration hascontinuedits crusade against diversity,equity and inclusion across theU.S.government, in higher education and theprivate sector

At the start of hissecondterm, Trump signed multiple executive ordersbanningthe use of “illegal DEI” in government agencies, as well as organizations that interact with thefederal government. Trumphas threatened to withhold funds from major companies, nonprofitgroups and stategovernments as partofthe administration’s efforts to ban DEI.

Theadministration hasalso sought to redefine thenation’sculture and howhistory is taught in museums, classroomsand other educational settings. It also prioritizedinvestigating and prosecut-

ing civil rightscases of potential discrimination againstwhite people through both the Justice Department’sCivil Rights Division and theEqual Employment Opportunity Commission, among other agencies.

Civil rights leaders and Democratic lawmakers have already filed dozensoflawsuits against the administration’santi-DEI policies.

Last month, theTrumpadministration dropped itslegal appeal of a federal court ruling that blocked itsefforts to withhold federal funding to schoolsand colleges over DEI policies.

Locked out of power in both chambers of Congress, Democratshave few ways to conduct oversight or limit the actions of the Trump administration.And civil rights leaders, whowere largely knocked on the back foot by adeluge of policy changes over thelast year,are attempting to regroupahead of this year’s midterm elections.

Alreadyunhappy with the administration’sentire agenda,civil rights leaders acknowledgeda frustrating irony to the moment. Several advocates argued that the president’sagenda on immigration, voting rights, the economy and other issues is exploiting hard-won policies that activists had, for decades, used to ensure anti-discrimination and economic advancement forBlack communities

“This is about howthis administration is using the toolswebuilt as aBlack community to ensure that all of our people are protected,” said Maya Wiley,president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Progressive state leadersand

civil rights groups have stepped up their efforts elsewhere. A partnership of civil rightsgroups and Democratic attorneys general from fourteen states and the District of Columbia thismonth launched an effort to promote DEI and accessibility policies through moreaggressive legal action.

“State attorneys general are in aunique position to defend these fundamental rights, and this campaign will ensure everyone is heardand shielded from those who aim to weaken civil rights,” Illinois AttorneyGeneral Kwame Raoul said in astatement on Monday announcing the initiative.

The group intends to launch inquiries and file lawsuits across the country into instances where the leaders believe organizations may be violating anti-discrimination lawsinresponse to the rollback of DEI policies by major companies and the Trumpadministration.

The effort faces an uncertain and shifting legal landscape.

Federal courts are dividedover the use of race in hiring and antidiscrimination in the workplace. And the Supreme Court’sconservative-majority has ruled against the use of race in college admissions. Several justices have voiced skepticism about whether it should be legal to factor race and other characteristics intopolicymaking by government agencies andprivate institutions, even if apolicy wasmeanttocombat discrimination.

The assembled civil rights leadersrepeatedly acknowledged the uphill battle that their movement faced on multiple fronts. Some saidthat the administration’s policy decisions set up stark political battles in the coming years.

BY LISA MASCARO AP congressional correspondent

WASHINGTON House Republicans rushed to approve legislation on Wednesday that would impose strict new proof-of-citizenship requirements ahead of the midterm elections, along shot Trump administration prioritythat faces sharp blowback in the Senate.

The bill, called the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility,orSAVEAmerica Act, would require Americans to prove they are citizens when they register to vote, mostly through avalid U.S. passport or birth certificate. It would also require avalid photo identification before voters can cast ballots, which some states alreadydemand. It was approved on amostly party-line vote, 218-213.

Republicans said thelegislation is needed to prevent voter fraud, but Democrats warn it will disenfranchise millions of Americans by makingithardertovote.

Federal lawalready requires that voters in national elections be U.S. citizens, butthere’s no requirement to provide documentary proof.

Experts said voter fraud is extremely rare, and very few noncitizens ever slip through the cracks. Fewer than one in 10 Americans don’thave paperworkproving they are citizens.

“Some of my colleagues

will call this voter suppression or Jim Crow 2.0,” said Rep.Bryan Steil, R-Wis.

But he said“those allegations are false,” andhe argued the bill is needed to enforce existing laws, particularly those that bar immigrants who are not citizens from voting.

TheGOP’ssuddenpush to change voting rules at the start of themidterm election season is raising red flags, particularly because President DonaldTrump has suggested he wants to nationalize U.S. elections, which, under the Constitution, are designed to be run by individual states.

The Trumpadministration recently seized ballots in Georgia from the2020 election, which the presidentinsists he won despite his defeat to Democrat Joe Biden. TheDepartment of Justice is demanding voter rolls from states,including Michigan, where afederal judge this week dismissed thedepartment’slawsuit seeking the voter files.

Secretaries of statehave raised concerns that voters’ personal data maybeshared withHomeland Security to verify citizenship and could result in people being unlawfully purged from therolls.

“Let me be clear what this is about: It’sabout Republicans trying to rig the next election,”said Rep.Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, thetop Democrat on the

RulesCommittee,duringa hearing ahead of thefloor vote. “Republicans are pushingthe Save America Act because they wantfewer Americans to vote. It’sthat simple.”

Thelegislationisactually ado-over of asimilar bill the House approved lastyear, whichalsosought to clamp down on fraudulent voting, particularly among nonciti zens. four stalled Senat

This some fur process names part riage, work attest It men vot Department Secur thec on drawn tions intrusive vacy The wou atel both and Vo wa 20 vot of their

available.

In the Senate, where Republicans alsohave majority control,theredoesnot appear to be enough support to push the bill past the chamber’s filibuster rules,which largely require60votes to advance legislation.

That frustrationhas led some Republicans, led by Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, to push foraprocess that would skip the60-vote threshold in this case,and allowthe bill to be debated through aso-called standing filibuster —aprocess that would open the door to potentially endless debate. Lee madethe case to GOP senators at aclosed-door lunch this week, and some saidafterward they are mulling the concept.

“I think most people’s minds areopen,” said Sen. John Kennedy,R-Madisonville. “My mind’scertainly open.” But Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said she is flat out against the legislation.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MATTHEWBROWN

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.y.,speaks during anews conference of the Congressional Black Caucus and civil rights leaders on WednesdayinWashington.

Moreno to hire 50 maintenanceworkers

Reliance on contractorsto be reduced

BY JOSEPH CRANNEY Staff writer

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno announced aplan Wednes-

day to hire 50 front-line workers in the badly understaffed public works department, amajorstep toward bolstering the city’s ability to handle routine streetsmaintenance in house

It couldtake as long as ayearto fill the full-time positions, andthe city still needs

to purchase some heavy equipment to handle all the work, saidSteve Nelson, deputy CAOfor infrastructure and public works director

But the additional staffing would more than doublethe department’sfrontline capabilities, which droppeddramatically under for-

mer Mayor LaToya Cantrell. And Wednesday’sannouncement, at least for now,staves off concerns that the city’sbudgetcrisis would derail Moreno’s campaign promise to hire 100maintenance workers.

The city will use more than $6 millioninbond moneytopay for the positions, Moreno said Wednesday,which will require approval from the New Orleans

ABOVE: The Krewe of Nandi rolls along Lapalco Boulevard in Marrero on Wednesday. The all-female krewe was established in 2022, and hand-decorated teacups are its signature throw

STAFF PHOTO By

MIDDLE RIGHT: The Mystic Krewe of Druids Archdruid rides down Magazine Street in New Orleans on Wednesday.

STAFF PHOTO By ENAN CHEDIAK

RiGHT: Dancers with the Crescent Fae march down Magazine Street in New Orleans on Wednesday.

STAFF PHOTO By

THROW BY THROW

City Council. Another roughly $70 million would be requiredtofund the positions over the next decade, Nelson said.

“A lot of people said they didn’t think something like this could be done, particularly with the financial situation that we’rein,” said Moreno,whose administration

Qualifying period forMay racesopenedWednesday

BY BOBWARRENand WILLIESWETT Staff writers

Themayors of Kenner andSlidell signed up to seek reelectionWednesday,asthe three-day qualifying period for the May 16 elections opened. WhetherKenner Mayor MichaelGlaserorSlidell Mayor Randy Fandal will draw opposition remains unknown. Neither had drawn achallenge by the close of Wednesday.Qualifyingends on Friday

The mayoral races are on afairly busy local ballot that also includes city council and police chief races in Kennerand Slidell, as well as three parish court judgeships in New Orleans. In Slidell, arace for police chief is shaping up. Twocandidates, Brian Nicaud and Tommy Williams, both Republicans, signed up to campaign for

BY DOUG MacCASH Staff writer

New OrleansCityCouncil member JP Morrell on Wednesday called out the Krewe of Freret forthrowing kooziesthatadvertised aTHC company and included alink to awebsite promoting pro-hemp advocacy, in violationofMardi Gras rulesthatprohibit commercial and political messages on throws.

Morrell, whohas takenthe

Judgeextends firefighterrestraining order

JeffersonParish presidentsought protectionsamid negotiations

BY LARA NICHOLSON Staff writer

AJefferson Parish judge ruled Tuesday that an east bank firefighter will not be allowed near Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng for the rest of herterm in office, extending the duration of the temporary restrainingorderLee Sheng sought after the firefightermade public comments shesaidwere threatening.

Judge Donald “Chick”Foret’s order states that firefighterStephen

Orkus cannot enterthe Joseph S. Yenni Building in Elmwood or General Government Building in Gretna,where LeeSheng’sofficesare located, nor can he come within 100 feet of LeeSheng or 100 yards ofher home.

The East Bank Consolidated FireDepartment firefighters have clashed with LeeSheng formonths over their pay plan and have been crowding Parish Council meetings to protest theadministration Orkus remains on administrative leave from thedepartment pendinga disciplinary investigation

Brandon Venegas, Orkus’ attorney,saidinastatementthey“respectfully disagree” with the ruling, claimingthatOrkus’ speech was constitutionallyprotected and didnot show patterns of behavior associated with stalking.

“The record also does not establish ‘true threats’ were ever made by Mr.Orkus,”Venegas wrote. “Hurt feelings are not actionable.”

Lee Sheng said she had no comment throughaspokesperson

Wednesday LeeSheng requestedthe temporary restraining order following aJefferson Parish Council meeting on Nov.5during which Orkus named aplace Lee Sheng frequentsand that they “haveeyes and ears all over theplace.”

“Weknow you (Lee Sheng) don’t like us,soplease find amediator,” he said.

Lee Sheng immediately replied thatshe perceived his statement as aphysical threat, andsaid the comments followed apattern of “harassing and attempting to intimidate”her through social me-

dia postsand comments at public meetings. Judge John LeBlanc signed off on thetemporary restrainingorder while Foret,ofthe 24th Judicial District, was on a30-daysuspension from the bench. Orkus andother firefighters had been at Parish Council meetings to demand higher wages, as negotiations between the parish and the firefighters’ union have hit a standstill While firefighters demand the starting pay be increased from $10.53 per hour,Lee Sheng argues that that incomeisbolstered through guaranteed overtime and state supplemental pay,and that the parish cannot afford raises becauseofa state lawthat would require salaryincreasestobeapplied across all fire department

Ex-jailclerk sentencedfor stealing $130K

BY MICHELLE HUNTER Staffwriter

Aformer clerk who worked at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna pleaded guilty to stealing more than$130,000 from the bond money paid in cash at the jail, according to authorities.

Anetra Parker,51, of Marrero,

pleaded guilty to felony theft valuedover $25,000Monday,JeffersonParish Courtrecords said.

JudgeDonaldRowan Jr., of the 24thJudicial District Court, sentenced Parker to 21/2 years in prison.

Parker had been an employee of the Sheriff’sOffice for 19 years at thetime of her arrest in September 2024, authoritiessaid. She worked as aclerk at the jail, preparing cash deposits of the money paid to cover inmates’ bail, the Sheriff’s Office said. Investigators allege Parker was skimming money fromthose deposits between 2014 and 2024. She wasaccused of pocketing $130,830. Sheriff’s Office officials discoveredthe thefts during an audit in 2024.

Parkerwas free on $25,000bail when she entered her plea Monday She was taken into custody to await transfer to the state Department of Public Safety and Corrections, courtrecords said.

Email Michelle Hunter at mhunter@theadvocate.com.

West Bank womanpleadsguiltytomanslaughter

BY MICHELLE HUNTER Staffwriter

AWest Bank woman was sentenced to one yearinprison Monday after she pleaded guilty to fatallyshooting her brotherduringadisagreement, according to courtrecords.

Monica Washington, 35,pleaded guilty as charged to manslaughterinthe death of 27-year-oldLionelWashington.

Judge Stephen Grefer of the 24thJudicial District Courtsentenced Monica Washingtonto 10 years, suspending allbut one yearofthe prisonterm, according to courtrecords.

Monica Washington’sattorney, BruceNetterville,said hisclient actedinself-defense after she was attacked.

“The sentence wasreasonable, and we tookthe plea because the only personthat can gethurt in a

trial is theaccused,” he said, referring to Washington,who has sixchildren.“We didthe right thingunderthe circumstances.”

The shooting occurred Feb. 2, 2023, at Lionel Washington’s Goldie Lane home in theBeechgrove neighborhood near Westwego.

Relatives have said the siblings grewupclose but hadbeen quarreling in the weeksleadingupto theshooting.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office investigators accused MonicaWashington of arming herself outside of the residence and shooting her brother during an argument. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Monica Washington was taken into custody at the scene.

In addition to the prison sentence, Grefer ordered that Washingtonserve three years of active probation.

Winn DixieonVeteranstoclose;Alditomovein

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staffwriter

Aldi, the rapidlyexpanding discountgrocery chain, has filed permits with Jefferson Parish to open anew location in Metairie.

The new store will be converted from aWinn Dixie location in the 200block of Veterans Boulevard near the 17th Street Canal in the Lakewood Plaza Shopping Center Alarge banner hanging outside the Winn Dixie this week announced that the store will be closing soon. Twostoreemployees whoasked not to be named because theywere not authorized to speak publicly confirmed on Wednesdaythatem-

ployees have beennotified of the pending change. Officials with Aldi and Winn Dixiedid notrespond to requests for comment Thenew Aldi location is the latest of several planned for thearea following Aldi’s2024 acquisitionof hundreds of Winn Dixielocations from the legacy grocer’sparent company,Southeastern Grocers. Aldi hassince announcedor completed conversions of several former Winn Dixie stores across south Louisiana, including locations on Airline HighwayinMetairie, and in Algiers,Prairievilleand Zachary Thenew Veterans Boulevard location will be Aldi’sthird in Me-

tairieand 31st in thestate.All but two of thestores areconcentrated in southeast Louisiana betweenBatonRouge andSlidell.

Aldi, foundedinGermany more than acentury ago, has been aggressively expanding acrossthe U.S.inrecentyears.InJanuary, the company announced plans to open more than 180 newstores by theend of this year,including converting nearly80supermarkets formerly owned by Southeastern Grocers.

The changescome amid several other recent changesthatare reshaping the local supermarket sector.

In October,Langenstein’s, New

Orleans’ oldest family-owned grocer,sold twoofits three stores to Robert Fresh Market, giving the Metairie-based chain control of sevenlocal supermarkets. Athird Langenstein’sinRiver Ridge that was notpart of the deal closed in December In November,Rouses Markets purchased 10 former Winn Dixie locationsand began rebranding them. Anewly converted Rouses location reopened earlier this month on Chef Menteur HighwayinNew Orleans East.

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

VIOLATION

Continued frompage1B

Krewe of Carrollton, which had membersremoved from a float by NewOrleans police this weekend.

TheKrewe of Freret tossed insulatedkoozies that advertiseda THC-infused seltzer to “many” paradegoers, Morrell said. The koozies were marked with aQR code that linked to the product’s website, which he said lobbies Congress to extend the availability of THC products Morrell pointedout there is “an absolute ban on the promotion of businesses and the promotion of political positions” during the city’sofficial Mardi Gras season thatbegins 11 days before Fat

Tuesday

The city ordinance says, “No Carnival parade participant shall knowingly throw anydoubloon, trinket or other throw which displays,conveysorcommunicates any commercial, political or religious message.”

Freret Captain Bobby Hjortsberg said that until he sawMorrell’svideo, he was unaware that such koozieshad been thrown.

He also posted an apology video Wednesday,saying he had learned the “unauthorized” koozies were intended formembers to useat load-in and the pre-party,and not to be thrownfrom floats.

The Krewe of Freretisaffiliated with Crescent 9THC seltzer, which is owned by akrewe member,Hjortsbergsaid.But the koozies—which look very much like the beverage can —should

never have been used as throws, he said “We’lltake(the Mardi Gras ordinance) very seriously,” Hjortsberg said, “and will take more precautions next year.”

TheCity Council has the power to remove krewes fromthe paradelineup if they are in violation of theparading rules,though thestep is rare In 2024, thecouncil cutthe controversial Mystic Krewe of Nyx fromthe parade schedule,citing violations of the city’sMardi Gras ordinance. Morrell said that the Freret throws and the allegations againstmembers of theKrewe of Carrollton will be discussed after Carnival

Email Doug MacCash at dmaccash@theadvocate.com.

PHOTO PROVIDED By FACEBOOK

In this screenshot of avideo posted to Facebook,City Council member JP Morrellchastises the Krewe of Freret forallegedly throwinga koozie promoting aTHC company.

employees.

Union leaders say they’ve filed aformal declaration of impasse, which they hope will result in theParish Councilsending aballot referendum to voters. The legality of that process has been questioned by the parish attorney, whosays the firefighters operate undera differentrulebookfrom otherparish employees.

Union president Robert Burkett sent aletter to the Parish Council last week saying failure to promptly respond to their request will resultina specialmeeting of membership “to reevaluate the continued viability of the no strikeprovision contained in its bylaws.”

Email Lara Nicholsonat lnicholson@theadvocate.com.

RACES

Continued from page1B

the post left open when Fandal, the former policechief,won a special election last October to fill theremaining months of former MayorGreg Cromer’s term after Cromer resigned. Fandal,a Republicanwho is just five monthsremoved from winning that special race, said he doesn’texpecttodraw an opponent as he seeksa full four-year term. In Kenner,Glaser,aRepublican,iscompleting his first term in office.KennerPolice

Chief Keith Conley,also aRepublican completing his first term,signed up to seek reelection andhad notdrawn an opponent by the close of Wednesday Here are the candidates who qualified Wednesday

ORLEANSPARISH

Civil District Court, Div.M Richard Perque, D Civil District Court, Div.M Sheryl Howard, D Elroy James, D Criminal District Court, Div.J Andre Gaudin Jr., D KENNER

Mayor Michael Glaser Sr., R

Police Chief Keith Conley,R Council At Large,Div.A

Brian Brennan, R Joe Stagni, R Council At Large,Div.B George L. Branigan, R City Council, Dist. 1 Dee Dunn, D David Weathersby,D City Council, Dist. 2 Mike Sigur,R TomWilmott, R City Council, Dist. 3 Joey LaHatte III, R City Council, Dist. 4 Kristy Katsanis McKinney,R City Council, Dist. 5 Danny Riehm,R SLIDELL

Mayor Randy Fandal, R Police Chief Thomas “Tommy” Williams, R Brian Nicaud, R City Council, At Large (2 elected) TomAbney,R Kenny Tamborella, R Jeff Burgoyne, R David Dunham, R City Council, Dist. A Rene Arcemont, R Landon J. Washington, D City Council, Dist. B Fabian L. Hartley,NoParty Sean Fadely,NoParty City Council, Dist. C Megan Haggerty,R City Council, Dist. D Nick DiSanti, R City Council, Dist. E Dominick “Nick” Spadoni III, R Shawn Jones, R City Council, Dist. G John Grigg, R Timothy “Tim”Rogers, R

Robertswas arrested over allegationsof indecent behavior

BY MEGAN WYATT

Staff writer

Thetrial of former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts, who was arrested in 2024 over allegations she hadsex with ateenboy,has been rescheduled for Feb. 23 afterarecent attempt to take the casetotrial ended in amistrial before jurors were seated.

Roberts resignedfrom office days before her arrest, and faced felony chargesofindecent behavior with a juvenile and carnal knowledge of a juvenile. The case was scheduled to go to trial Jan. 27,but came to ahalt during jury selection when the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal threw out one of the charges againstRoberts, saying it could not stand based on the recusal of two judges who over-

WORKERS

Continued from page1B

rewrote the budget to fend off a$220 million deficit upon taking office this year

To come up with the money for its new hires, the public works department defunded anumber of projects that were scheduled to go outto bid to private contractors, Moreno said. Those projects, along with other work, will eventually be handled in-house and save the department money,she said

“Myself, in collaboration with the City Council, we are poised and ready to find solutions,” Moreno said. “And we will find solutions.”

‘Ample need’for work

The new positions will handle routine and minor upkeep, like leveling and paving roads and sidewalks, which can be completed in a

sawthe indictment.

AROLL IN ONE

The3rd Circuit’sruling ledtoa mistrialbeingdeclared at the district court on Jan.30byJudge Kent Savoie. Savoie also sits on the 3rd Circuit, but is acting as an ad hoc district judge for the Roberts case because of the recusals of the other districtjudges.

Neither the defense attorneys for Roberts,nor the prosecutorsin the case, agreed with the mistrial ruling. Both filedwrits withhigher courts, usingdifferent arguments in asking to let the trialproceed.

Roberts’ defensearguedthe case could goforward on thesingle remaining charge thatthe 3rd Circuit did not toss. Prosecutors, meanwhile,arguedthat thecasecould proceedaslongasthey filed anew bill of information forthe same two charges without the recused judges involved.

TheLouisianaSupreme Court rejected bothofthose arguments, publishing theirdecision this week.

Meanwhile, the Beauregard Dis-

trict Attorney’sOffice re-indicted Roberts on the sametwo charges, and she pleaded not guilty during a Feb. 4arraignment. The case is also set fora hearing Thursday for apreliminary examination of evidence. Prosecutors have filed amotion to closethatcourt hearingtothe public —one example of how many details of the case have been kept outofpublic view.The judge has not ruled yet on the motion to close thecourt hearing. The bulk of the court records for the case are also sealed because the case involvesa juvenile sex crime, andthe judge hasbarredattorneys from speaking with themedia. The recordsthat areavailable show Roberts is accused of having sexwith a16-year-old boy.She was 42 at the time of her arrest The case hasprompted interest andcontroversy in the small town where theprosecution is taking place.

The 3rdCircuit threw out an Au-

gust2025 indictment for indecent behavior with ajuvenile because grand jury proceedings were overseen by two 36thJudicial District judgeswho had been recused from theBeauregard Parish case two months prior Defense attorney Adam Johnson argued last year that DistrictJudges Martha O’Neal and C. Kerry Anderson in the 36th JDC were each toobiased to fairly handle the case and asked to recuse them.

Johnsonaccusedbothjudgesof authorizing more difficult bond conditions forRoberts. O’Neal,who presidedoverthe case at thetime, thenemailedthe new termstoRoberts’ ex-husband, Duncan Clanton, Johnson alleged.

O’Neal also oversees the child custody casebetween Roberts and Clanton, an arrangement that Clanton sought to modify after her arrest. As aresult, the$2,700 in monthly child support payments Robertswas receiving ended.

Johnson also said that O’Neal

showed biaswhenshe “voiced her frustrations with having to field numerous calls on this case and indicated that she wanted the calls to stop.”

O’Neal and Anderson rejected the recusaldemandfromRoberts’ defense team in aFebruary 2025 decision. O’Neal called the request “inappropriate” and “misplaced.” Anderson, who had signed Roberts’ arrest warrantafter her indictment, also declined to recuse, but confirmed his wife and Clanton are third cousins, that he hunted twice with Clantonand that Clanton is his insurance agent.

TheLouisiana SupremeCourt said in aJune 2025 ruling that while there wasnoevidence O’Neal or Anderson had acted with “actual bias,”the judgesshould be recused. Recusal is required when the probability of actual bias is “too high to be constitutionally tolerable,” the court said.

Staff writer John Simerman contributed to this report.

dayortwo. They’re also designed to address thepublic works department’sheavy reliance on contractorsin recent years, arrangements that Nelson saidcan quadruple the cost of aproject compared to handlingitinhouse

“In recentyears, citygovernment hasbecome way too comfortable contracting our basiccity services to the best bidder,”City Council President J.P.Morrell said in astatement. Nelson, whose department is responsible for roughly 1,500 miles of roads, said his department can currently deployuptofourpothole crews at atime.

Theaddedworkers would staff up to 10 additional crews for more permanent tasks,likeroad or sidewalk milling and smoothing, Nelson said. Milling involves removing partsofdamaged or uneven surfaces and leveling them with concrete or

other material, aprocess that Nelson said can be done in aday

Nelson said thecity’snewly impaneled Infrastructure CoordinationCouncil whichincludesrepresentatives from public works, the Sewerage&Water Board and local utilitycompanies—will work to identify which areas of the city milling crews would target first

“There is ample need across all of our council districts across our entire city,” Nelson said.

Yearsofunderstaffing

Few American cities have failed more dramatically at maintainingtheir streets and other infrastructure than New Orleanshas in recent years.

UnderCantrell, it took thecitynearly ayear to fill apothole upon acitizen’s 311 complaint, The TimesPicayune reported in 2024. Other, similarly sized cities

Public Works Director Steve Nelson speaks about the new in-house paving unit during anews conference at CityHall in New Orleans on Wednesday.

GERMER

in the Southroutinely handle such jobs within acouple weeks, thenewspaper’sexamination found.

Nelson, whose appointment was confirmed last week,saidhis department’s goal is to speed up the turnaround timetowithin 30 days.

The problems have largely come down to staffing: In themid-’90s, though the city had far less money,the pub-

lic works departmentspent roughly twice as much on itspersonnelasitdoes today andemployed six timesas many maintenance workers. In 1995, whatwas then called the city’s streetsdepartment had about 180 front-line workers, budget records show.The 50 new hires announced Wednesday would bring the department’snumbers to around half of that.

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA

STAFF PHOTO By ENAN CHEDIAK

The Mystic Krewe of Druidsrolls down Magazine Street in NewOrleans on Wednesday.

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

The Krewe of Nandi rolls along Lapalco Boulevard in Marrero on Wednesday.

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

All handsare inthe air as the Krewe of Nandirolls alongLapalco Boulevard in Marrero on Wednesday

The all-female krewe wasestablished in 2022,and hand-decorated teacups areits signature throw.

Bertaut, Garrett

Branham, Joseph

Edwards, Neotheola

Frisco III, Victor GougisJr.,Wilbert Hall,Terrence Howard,Sheletha Humphrey Jr., Joseph

Johnson, Barry Johnson Jr., Lionel

Johnson Sr., Joseph

Jolly,Monica

Keyes, Patricia

Lamy,Harold

Leonard,Chris

O'Neal,Yolanda

Reece, Barbara

Rosen, Carol

Williams Sr., Robert

Wilson, Clarence EJefferson

Garden of Memories

Bertaut, Garrett

NewOrleans

Boyd Family

Edwards, Neotheola

Johnson Jr., Lionel

Charbonnet

Frisco,LaTaunda

Frisco III, Victor

Howard,Sheletha

Johnson Sr., Joseph

Dennis FuneralHome

Williams Sr., Robert

DW Rhodes

Johnson, Barry

Leonard,Chris

Wilson, Clarence EstelleJWilson

O'Neal,Yolanda

Greenwood

Branham, Joseph

Lamy,Harold

Lake Lawn Metairie

Rosen, Carol West Bank

DavisMortuary

GougisJr.,Wilbert

Humphrey Jr., Joseph Reece, Barbara

Robinson FH

Hall,Terrence

Obituaries

Bertaut, GarrettRussell

GarrettRussell Bertaut, age 29, passedawayon February8,2026. Garrett was abeloved son, brother,grandson, nephew,cousin, andfriend whose presence brought warmthand lighttothose around him. Hiskindheart, sense of humor,and gener‐ous spirit will be deeply missedbyall whoknew and lovedhim.Heis sur‐vived by hislovingparents AlBertaut,Jr. andDayna Bertaut;his siblings,Cole Bertaut,ConnorBertaut, Emma Bertaut, andEvan Bertaut;and hisgrand‐mother, M’Liss Bertaut. He alsoleavesbehind his cherished auntsand un‐

cles: BillyBertaut (Yvette) Alison Larriviere (Jerry), Michael Bertaut, andDavid Boudreaux Sr.(Dona); and his cousins: Ashley Stick‐man(George), HenryStick‐

man, GraceStickman, Kris‐ten Bertaut, JacobLarriv‐iere, JarodLarriviere, Jack Larriviere, DavidBoudreaux Jr andLisa Boudreaux,along with manyextendedfamily members anddearfriends who will foreverholdhim intheir hearts.Garrett was precededindeath by his grandfather,Alvin Bertaut, Sr.,and hisgrandparents, LouiseBoudreaux andDud‐ley Boudreaux. Garrett graduated from St.Cather‐ine of Siena, BrotherMartin HighSchool,and Louisiana State University where he majored in construction management. In addition tohis construction man‐agement degree, he built uphis ownsuccessful landscaping business from a young age. He loved being outdoorsunder the sun, providinghis exper‐tisetohis clientsand mak‐ing alasting impact with eachpersonhevisited.He was ourheroat theage of 7 yearsold.Bythe graceof God,hedonated hisbone marrowtosavehis 2-yearold brother’slife. We will beeternally grateful to him.Asparents,wecould not have askedfor amore loving, giving,and patient son.Hewas always happy, bringingsmilesall around toevery familyvisit or so‐cialouting. He lovedhis siblingsand epitomized the qualitiesofhavingthe bestbig brotherfor allof them. He taught his younger siblings theart of hardand honest work and the importance of respect‐ing others.Hemade friends whereverhewent. Hewas loyaltohis family and friends, always willing tohelpanyonewho needed.Heaccomplished somuchin hisshort time onearth andmadesuchan impactoneveryonehe touched.Garrett lovedlife, fromspendingtimewith familyand friendstosnow‐boarding, planning vaca‐tions,crawfish boils,bach‐elortrips,and hisinfamous LSU tailgatesfor his friends.Familyand friends are invitedtoattendGar‐rett’sHomegoing Service onFriday, February 13, 2026 for 2PMatGardenofMem‐ories FuneralHome, 4900 Airline Dr., Metairie,LA 70001. Visitation begins at 11AM. Intermentwillfollow atGarden of Memories Cemetery. In lieu of flow‐ers,the familykindlyre‐questsdonations be made toAmericanChildhood CancerOrganization, www acco.org in memory of Gar‐rettBertaut

Branham, Joseph Eugene 'Gene' 'Joe

Joseph Eugene Branham “Gene”, “Joe”. Joseph Eu‐geneBranham,bornon July16, 1942, to Anitaand ElmondBranham,passed awaypeacefully at his daughter’s(Pam) home on Wednesday,February4, 2026. Hisfather, Elmond, did notget to meet hisson ashewas killed whenhis merchantship, theOgontz was sunk in theGulfof Mexicobya German UBoatonMay 19th of that same year.“Gene,” as he was called in hisearly years,was raised in the FrenchQuarter,heat‐tendedSt. LouisCathedral School andgraduated from DeLaSalle High School.He met andmarried Madaleen Grimaldi, andfathered2 girls,PamelaAnn andKim‐berly Denise.Mr. Branham joinedthe N.O.P.D.in1964 and enjoyed a30+ year storied career,during which he received the BachelorofCriminalJus‐ticefromLoyolaUniversity and graduatedfromthe F.B.I.NationalAcademy at Quantico. Reaching the rankofLieutenant“Joe” had extended assignments asshift Commanderofthe 2nd district,Commander of the Narcotics division,and the Commanderofthe N.O.P.D.PoliceAcademy After retiring from the N.O.P.D.Mr. Branham joinedthe D.E.A. as an In‐telligenceResearch Ana‐lystand retiredfromthat positionaswell, enjoying his true retirement with friends andfamily. Mr Branham waspre-de‐ceasedbyhis parents, El‐mondR.Branham and Anita B. Nilsson, hisstepfa‐therWilliam Nilsson,his sisterPatriciaBranham and hisgrandson Taylor Hovis.Heissurvivedbyhis daughters Pamela B. An‐derson(Bill)and Kimberly B.Daigle, andhis grand‐sonsRonaldCantrelle III (Rebecca) andNathan Hovis (Sara).Heisalso survived by 3great-grand‐

children,and anotheron the wayany day. Thefam‐ily wouldliketothank with special appreciation Sage Lake, A.C.G. Hospice, and JenniferValley, R.N. for their comforting services Relatives andfriends are invited to attend avisita‐tionatGreenwood Funeral Home, 5200 CanalBlvd, 70124, on Friday,February 20, 2026, from 11:00 AM –1:00PM. In lieu of flowers pleaseconsidera donation tothe St.Tammany Hu‐maneSociety or an animal rescueofyourchoice.

Edwards, Neotheola Scofield

NeotheolaScofieldEd‐wards,a phenomenal woman of God, wasborn January 15, 1934, to thelate RobyJohns.Atthe ageof 92, shepeacefullyde‐partedthislifeonSatur‐day,January 31, 2026, at home. Neotheolaretired fromSchwegmannBroth‐ers Supermarket. Awon‐derfulmothertoDon Juan, Sherine,Shelia, Vernard, Vincent,Bernadine,Nadine (Dan) andWillieDean, and a loving grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother. Relatives andfriends of the family, Pastors, Officers and MembersofFifth

C.O.G.I.C.and NewBirth MissionaryBaptist Church ofNew Orleans, LA arein‐vited to attend herCele‐bration of Life Serviceon Friday, February 13, 2026, for 10:00 a.m. at Fifth C.O.G.I.C., 3007 LawStreet, New Orleans, LA.Visitation willbegin at 9:00 a.m. Pas‐tor Gibson officiating. In‐terment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, New Orleans, LA.Profes‐sionalservicesentrusted toThe Boyd Family Funeral Home. Guestbook Online: www.anewtraditionbegins com (504)282-0600. Linear BrooksBoydand Donavin D.BoydOwners/FuneralDi‐rectors

Frisco,LaTaunda TyneikaSeals

LaTaundaTyneika Seals Friscowas born on August 31, 1973 to Joycelyn and the late LeonardDominick inNew Orleans, LA.On Tuesday,January 20, 2026, LaTaundapeacefullytran‐sitionedfromthislifeand gainedher heavenly wings. Devoted wife of 30 yearsto her belovedhusband,the lateVictorG.Frisco, III. Proud andlovingmotherto son,VashonJ.Friscoand daughter, Tierra V. Frisco Grandmother to herpre‐cious granddaughter, Dehlani Theriot. Devoted sisterofLeonard Seals, Terry Richards,Patrick Gre‐sham, Tequila Dominick (Bryan),Lakisha DominickRobinson(Randall),Tamika Richards, Lelia Richards, Marlene Jonesand Darlene Jones.Inaddition to her children, granddaughter and siblings,LaTaunda alsoleavestocherish pre‐cious memories,a host of other loving relatives, nieces, nephews, aunts and dear friends. Relatives and friends; Pastor,offi‐cersand membersofPen‐tecostand Tulane Memor‐ial BaptistChurches,as wellasall otherneighbor‐ing churches;formercoworkers;Staff andemploy‐ees of Mount Olivet Ceme‐teryand Mausoleumare invited to attend thefu‐neral.A Celebrationser‐vicehonoringthe life and legacyofthe late LaTaundaTyneika Seals FriscowillbeheldatTu‐laneMemorialBaptist Church,3601 ParisAvenue, New Orleans, LA 70122 on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at10am, Rev. Ross John‐son,HostPastor, Rev. Ron‐nie London,Officiant. Inter‐mentPrivate.Visitation9 aminthe church.Please signthe online guestbook atwww.charbonnetfuner alhome.com. JefferyK Jenkins, FuneralDirector.

Charbonnet LabatGlapion, Directors (504) 581-4411.

Victor G. Frisco,III peacefullytransitioned intoeternal rest on Tues‐day,January 20, 2026 at the age of 52. Belovedson of the late Victor G. andMer‐leneJ.Frisco. Devotedand lovinghusband of thelate LaTaundaSeals Frisco Dedicated andsupportive fatherofVashonand Tierra Frisco. Proudand adored “Pawpaw”ofDehlani The‐riot. GodfatherofJayla Quest.Survivors include his loving andcaringsis‐ters, Pamela Yost,Patrice (Zachary, Sr.) Journee, Stephanie (Damon)Murray and StacyFrisco. Vicwill alsobemissedbya host of aunts, uncles,nieces, nephews,mother-in-law sisters andbrothers-inlaw,cousins,other rela‐tives,friends andco-work‐ers.Relatives andfriends; Pastor, officers andmem‐bersofFranklinAvenue and Tulane Memorial Bap‐tistChurches as well as all other neighboringchurches; former co-workers; Staff andemployees of TriState OilCompany,Gala‐toire’s,BRAVO!Italian Kitchen,Tommy’s Cuisine, CheesecakeBistroby Copeland’sand patronsof Vic's catering service, Sim‐ply Southern Soul arein‐vited to attend thefuneral A Celebrationservice hon‐oring thelifeand legacy of the late Victor G. Frisco,III willbeheldatTulane MemorialBaptist Church 3601 ParisAvenue,New Or‐leans,LA70122 on Satur‐day,February14, 2026 at 10 am, Rev. Ross Johnson, HostPastor, Rev. Ronnie London, Officiant. Inter‐mentPrivate.Visitation9 aminthe church.Please signthe online guestbook atwww.charbonnetfuner alhome.com. JefferyK Jenkins, FuneralDirector.

Charbonnet LabatGlapion, Directors (504)581 4411

Gougis Jr., Wilbert

WilbertGougis, Jr age 69, wascalledbyJesus Christtorelocatetohis eternal heavenly home on Tuesday,January 27, 2026 Hewas anativeofNew Or‐leans,LAand aresidentof Gretna, LA.Wilbert wasa graduateofWestJefferson HighSchool,and he at‐tendedNichollsState Uni‐versity.Hewas formerly employedwithWestJeffer‐son MedicalCenter, pro‐vidingservice andassis‐tance that promoted the wellbeing of others Wilbertalsoworkedfor Capital Valve, priortoretir‐ing.Hewas afaithfulmem‐ber of Good Hope Baptist Church,where he wasa memberofthe choir. Beloved sonofTheresa Gougisand thelateWilbert Gougis, Sr.Lovingbrother ofCathy Gougis,Vanessa Gougis(Terence) Cooperof Houston,TX, KarenGougis, and ShawnGougis. Loving uncle of Terenceand Deion (Letecia) Cooper,LaTasha (Charles) Monet, Shawnai Gougis, andZyrin Gougis NephewofJosephSim‐mons, Vera Gougisha,Au‐dreyJackson,Shelia (Willie)Lewis,Rosalie Sim‐mons, InaClaireSimmons, Geraldine Gougisha,and the late Junior Gougisha AmosJackson,Leroy (Maudesta)Gougisha, Stella Gougis (Burnett) Coleman,Daisy Gougis (Joseph)Riggins,Charlie Gougisha, Alex (Bernice) Gourgis,Freddie(Juanita) Gougis, Robert Gougis Ernest, Eugene,Robert, Ronald, andGladysSim‐mons. Wilbertisalsosur‐vived by ahostofgreat nieces, greatnephews cousins,other relatives and friends. Relativesand friends of thefamily, also pastors,officers,and members of Good Hope Baptist Church andall neighboringchurchesare

invitedtoattend

theCele‐bration of Life at Good HopeBaptist Church,2028 Weyer Street,Gretna, LA on Friday, February 13, 2026, at 10:00a.m. Pastor Eddie Cross, III, host pastor;Rev BenjaminWright, officiat‐ing.Visitationwillbegin at 9:00a.m.until servicetime atthe church.Interment: WestlawnCemetery, Gretna, LA.Arrangements byDavis Mortuary Service, 230 Monroe St.Gretna, LA Toviewand sign theguest‐book,pleasegotowww davismortuaryservice.com.

Terrence Christopher HallofHarvey, LA,de‐partedthislifeonTuesday February3,2026 at Pas‐sages Hospice. He was43 years oldand amemberof Mt. OliveBaptist Church in Harvey. Belovedson of the lateJuliusHallJr. andthe lateOphelia Miller Hall.Fa‐therofTaniyah andLeyana Hall. BrotherofYolanda BryantSr. (Joanne), and Darrell (Sylvia) Hall. Ter‐rence is also survived by his nieces,nephews cousins,other relatives and friends. Relativesand friends areinvited to at‐tendthe funeralservice on Friday, February 13, 2026 at Mt. OliveBaptist Church, 1701 Estalote Ave.,Harvey LA70058. Thevisitationwill begin at 8:30 a.m. followed bya 10 a.m. service. Pastor Ricky Johnsonwillofficiate and intermentwill follow in RestlawnCemeteryin Avondale. Arrangementby RobinsonFamilyFuneral Home(504) 208-2119. For onlinecondolences,goto Robinsonfamilyfuneral‐home.com

Frisco,LaTaunda

Frisco III, Victor G.

Hall,Terrence Christopher

Howard,Sheletha AnnFernandez

Sheletha AnnFernandez Howard, age58, formerly ofEtters,PA, abeloved wife, mother,grand‐mother, sister andfriend, unexpectedlypassedaway onMonday, January26, 2026 at UPMC Harrisburg Hospitalwithher familyby her side.Mrs.Howardwas bornonApril 26, 1967 in New Orleans, LA to Paul,Jr. and thelateGeraldMae Petes Fernandez. In addi‐tiontoher father,survivors include herdevoted hus‐bandof37years,Devin Howard, Sr.; loving chil‐dren, DominiqueHoward, Devin,Jr. andbonusdaughter, Angelica Med‐ina;bonus-children, De‐JaNae Fernandez, DeJohn Fernandez,Aireion Brown and Princess Fernandez; cherished grandsons, Zaiden, Adrian andZayvion Howard, allofPennsylva‐nia;siblings, Antoinette Fernandez andBlaiseFer‐nandez; nephew,Ronald Smith,Jr. andniece, RachelleFernandez,all of New Orleans, LA.Sheletha was blessedaswellwith her Godfather, Clifton Weaver, Sr., as well as a hostofaunts, uncles cousins,great-niecesand nephews,other relatives and friends. In addition to her mother,Shelethais alsoprecededindeath by her sister,AireanneFer‐nandez, maternal grand‐parents,Alton andFlo‐rence Petes, formerly of New Orleans, LA andpater‐nal grandparents Helen and Paul FernandezSr., formerlyofDonaldsonville, LA. Relativesand friends; Priestand Parishioners of St. DavidCatholicChurch; Family, Friendsand staff of XavierUniversityPrepara‐toryand St.Mary’sAcad‐emy High Schools, St David Catholic School;em‐ployees of West Jefferson HighSchool, CVS, United Healthcareand NewOr‐leans Hilton Riverside Hotel areinvited to attend the funeral. AMassof Christian burial honoring the life andlegacyofthe lateShelethaA.Fernandez HowardwillbeheldatSt. David Catholic Church, 5617 St.ClaudeAvenue New Orleans, LA 70117 on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 10am, Father Pierre Jules, Celebrant.Interment Provi‐dence Memorial Park and Mausoleum,8200Airline Dr.,Metairie, LA 70003 Visitation9 am in the church. Please sign online guestbook at www.cha rbonnetfuneralhome.com. Charbonnet LabatGlapion, Directors (504) 581-4411

Joseph Humphrey,Jr. entered into eternalrestat his residenceonMonday, February2,2026, at theage of78. He wasa native of New Orleans, LA anda resi‐dentofHarvey, LA.Joseph servedhis countryasa memberofThe United StatesArmyfor 23 years. HeservedinVietnam and receivednumerouscom‐mendation forhis bravery including,the Purple Heart, BronzeStarand theAir Medal to just name afew Whileinthe Army he at‐tendedArmyAir Assault Schooland Army Instruc‐tor Training Course.Joseph was also aretired Mainte‐nance Worker with the UnitedStatesPostalSer‐vice. Belovedhusband of Deborah A. Humphrey.De‐voted father of Kirk (Qiana) Gabriel,Jr.,BrandiceBon‐nee, andQueban Humphrey. Cherished grandfather of Asia,Caleb, Ryaan,and KaiGabriel,and Avery (Analitse) Holden Great grandfatherofKata‐leyaMarie Holden.Son of the late Joseph Humphrey, Sr. andCorineBergerone Humphrey. Grandson of the lateTheodoreand Leah Bergerone.Lovingbrother ofAlvin Humphrey,Edna Mae Humphrey,Sheila HumphreySilvestrini,and the late HenryHumphrey and Beatrice Humphrey Josephisalsosurvivedby and ahostofnieces, nephews,cousins,other relativesand friends. Rela‐

tivesand friendsofthe familyare invitedtoattend a GravesideService at RestlawnParkCemetery, 3540 US Hwy. 90, Avondale, LAonFriday, February 13 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Arrange‐ments by DavisMortuary Service,230 Monroe St., Gretna, LA.Toview and signthe guestbook, please goto www.davismortua ryservice.com

Johnson,Barry With sadnessweshare the passingofBarry John‐son,onJanuary 16,2026 Pleasevisit www.rhodesf uneral.comtoviewservice information,signonline guestbook,send flowers and sharecondolences

Johnson Jr., Lionel Arthur 'Shot'

Lionel Arthur “Shot” Johnson,Jr. wasbornon April 11, 1955, in NewOr‐leans,LA, to Lionel Sr.and MarionAlexander Johnson. He departed this world Tuesday,February3,2026, athis home in Verdunville, LA. Lionel wasbaptizedat St. AugustineCatholic Church.Hewas educated inthe OrleansParishPub‐lic School System where he was aproud graduate of JosephS.Clark High School,Class of 1973. In June of 1973 Lionel joined the United States Coast Guard where he served for 20years until hisretire‐mentin1993. On Septem‐ber 15,1973, Lionel married his childhood love Rhea Lewis Johnson. To this union threedaughters wereborn, Keia,Tori, and Keri. On July 12,2019, he married NancySibille John‐son together they enjoyed retirementlivingonBayou Teche.Lionelissurvivedby his wife Nancy SibilleJohn‐son,daughters,Keia(Ken‐neth),Wiltz,ToriJohnson and Keri (Dwight) Ballard, sisters;Theresa andAlisa Johnson,grandchildren: WarrenM.Walker, III, RhasheedJ ZoeS.Vander‐burg, KyiahM andKayden M Ballard. Also survived by his greatgrandchildren Karter, Kingston and Keemden Vanderburg, mother-in-law DorisSibille stepchildren Derek(Holly) Potierand Olivia Potier stepgranddaughter Julia Potier, aunt;EvelynJoplin Johnson,uncles; Leroy Dejan Sr.and Herber Williams.Brothers-in-law BennieGordon, DeWitt J. Lewis Jr.(Arlene), Kirk Lewis,Russ Sibille, and Matthew Sibille, sisters-inlaw:Penny Favalora, Georgie (Kenneth)Trahan, and Deidra (Joesph) Pierre Manylovingnieces, nephews andall of hisFa‐voriteCousins.Lionelis proceeded in deathbyhis parents Lionel A. Johnson Sr.,and Marion Alexander Johnson,his firstwifeRhea Lewis Johnson, grandpar‐entsEmile andInell Alexander,Myrle andOlga Johnson;sisterSandraJ Gordo,niece Tyra M. Richardson, godparents Ann J. Dejan andHenry Jones;mother-in-law Ruth Lewis,fathers-in-law: De‐Witt J. LewisSr. andFred‐erick Sibille, brothers-inlaw:ChanningBennett and ToddSibille.Familyand friends areinvited to at‐tendthe CelebrationofLife Service on Friday,February 13, 2026, for10:00 a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church, 411 N.Rampart Street,New Orleans,LA70117. Visita‐tionwillbegin at 9:00 a.m. FatherTonyRigoli, officiat‐ing.Interment will follow at ResthavenCemetery. Guestbook Online:www anewtraditionbegins.com (504)282-0600. Linear BrooksBoydand Donavin D.BoydOwners/FuneralDi‐rectors

Johnson Sr., Joseph Lawrence 'Big Joe'

Joseph Lawrence John‐son,Sr.,affectionately known as “Big Joe,”was borninNew Orleans, LA to Majorie Fournette and Willie Johnson. He entered eternal rest on January29, 2026, leavingbehinda legacyofmusic,laughter, service andlove. BigJoe attendedGeorgeWashing‐ton Carver High School and proudly served in the UnitedStatesNavyduring the VietnamWar.Hewas employedfor over 20 years withthe NewOrleans Coroner’s Office andwas a devoted manoffaith who worshippedatMorning StarBaptist Church and later GreaterLiberty Bap‐tistChurch,where he sang inthe male choir. Known as“Mr.BoJangles,” BigJoe was arecording artist,en‐tertainer,and locallegend whose voice, humor,and signature greeting—“Good Evening”—couldlight up any room.Inhis younger years,hewas also apro‐fessional boxer, admired for hisstrength, heartand resilience.One of the greatestloves of hislife was hiswife, Iris Gail John‐son,whomhemarried in 1983. They shared 34 years ofmarriageuntil herpass‐ing in 2017 andraisedtheir familyinlove, loyalty, and unity.Heleavestocherish his memory,sons, Troy Johnson,JoelJohnson, Shaka Zulu (Nahima),Kirk Washington(Irma)and Jerry Martin (Chiquilla); bonus daughter,Andrea Ratliff; brothers,Allen Thompson, Sr.(Theresa) AdrianValentine,Sr. (Stella), andAbe Thomp‐son (Kim); sister,Gwen‐dolyn ValentineDrew; God‐children, HiKing Dupree and AaronRatliff; nineteen grandchildren anda host ofother loving familyand friends.Family, Friends, members of GreaterLib‐ertyand United Fellowship Baptist Churches;mem‐bersofthe Yellow Poca‐hontasIndianTribe;staff ofVAhospitalare invited toattend thefuneral.A Celebration servicehonor‐ing thelifeand legacy of the late Joseph L. Johnson, Sr.,willbeheldatGentilly Baptist Church,5141 FranklinAve NOLA 70122 onFriday, February 13, 2026 at11am. Internment St Vin‐centDePaul, 1401 Louisa Street.visitation10amin the church.Pleasesignon‐lineguestbook at www.cha rbonnetfuneralhome.com. TraditionalJazzFuneral. CharbonnetLabat Glapion, Directors (504)581 4411.

Monica Stirling Jolly,73, of Metairie,Louisiana passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Born on July15, 1952 in Germany and raised in Virginiabefore moving to Metairie where she spent many wonderful years surrounded by family and friends. She is survivedbyher daughters, Crystal and Nicole Jolly; her brother, JamesStirling; her former husband, Buell Jolly; former brother- and sister-inlaw, EricJollyand Julie Stirling; five beloved "grand-like"children— Ja'KyeSmith,MaKenzie Cross, Brynn'Lee,David,

and Michael Haydin along with many extended family members and friendswho lovedher dearly Monica was preceded in death by her parents, former in-laws, and several cherished furbabies Known forher signature pink hairand her generous, joyful spirit, Monica brought laughter and light to everyone around her She wasalways helping others. Her warmth,kindness and unconditional love left alasting impressiononall who knew her.

Adevoted mother and faithful member of CelebrationChurch, Monica found greatjoy in her faith, teaching and playing tennis,watching football,and spending time with lovedones.

ACelebrationofLife will be held at Celebration Church, 2001 Airline Drive, Metairie,onMonday, February 23, 2026, with visitationat1:00 p.m. and service at 2:00 p.m., followed by asmall reception

Patricia PetersKeyes, born October 31, 1956, to thelateMarguerite Mercadel Peters and Bartholomew"George" Peters, Sr.,entered eternal rest on January31, 2026, at theage of 69.She was the beloved wife of Bernard Keyes, Sr mother of Bernard Keyes, Jr., and grandmotherofSerinity and Faith Keyes. She is survived by siblings Gloria Frazier (Leonard,Sr.), Noella Rochon (Harold,Sr.), Sylvia Branch, Gerald Peters, Sr and RonaldPeters (Melanie);sisters and brothers-in-law Jean Worthy (Henry), Dennis Morgan (Sandra), Joseph Keyes (Paulette), Darrell Keyes (Martha), Errol Flemmings(Roslyn), Ann Pillars. Preceded in death by GeorgePeters, Jr. (Geneva), Nolan Peters, Sr. (Paulette), Gwendolyn Bienvenu (Cecil), Cheryl Napoleon(Larry), and SteveMorgan. Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, February 13, 2026, St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 7300 Crowder Boulevard NewOrleans, Louisiana. Visitation 9:3011:00 a.m.;Mass 11:00 a.m.; Interment willfollow at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Lamy,HaroldJ.

Harold J. Lamy,a de‐voted Christian, passed awaypeacefully sur‐rounded by hislovingfam‐ily on February 5, 2026, at the ageof95. Born on July 26, 1930, in NewOrleans, Louisiana,Haroldwas the middleson of John and Camille Lamy.Haroldat‐tendedOur Lady of Lour‐des grammarschool and St. Aloysius High School where he excelled academ‐ically, graduating firstin his classand earningthe title of "MostLikelytoSuc‐ceed." He laterattended LoyolaUniversity, earning his undergraduateand law degrees with honors.Dur‐ing histimeatLoyola, Harolddemonstratedlead‐ershipaspresident of the BlueKey National Honor Society andthe Loyola Chapter of theNationalAs‐sociation of Catholic Col‐legeStudents. Afterlaw school,Haroldservedin the U.S. Army as part of the Judge Advocate General's program,spending18

months in Koreaand earn‐ing theBronzeStarfor Meritorious Service. He re‐tired with therankofCap‐tain. Harold hada distin‐guished legalcareer,serv‐ing nearly 60 yearsasa trial lawyer at Barker, Boudreaux,Lamyand Foley Law Firm.Healsoheld leadershiproles in the Louisiana TrialLawyers As‐sociation,the FederalBar Association, andthe Louisiana StateBar Associ‐ation.Hewas appointedto the LouisianaSupreme Court's Professional Re‐sponsibilityCommittee, where he served for10 years.A devout Catholic, Haroldwas deeply in‐volvedinhis faith commu‐nity. He wasa lifetime memberand leader in the Knights of Columbus,serv‐ing as Faithful Navigatorof the BienvilleAssembly and receiving theSt. Louis Medallion forhis serviceto St. DominicParish. He was alsoa GrandKnightofthe EquestrianOrder of the HolySepulchre of Jerusalem,receiving the SilverPalmofJerusalem for hisdedication. Harold was adevoted husband to Iraida Rivera Lamy for69 years anda loving father to five children,Howard, Daryl (Donna), Brenda Brian andJennifer(Lau‐rence). He hadninegrand‐children, tengreat-grand‐children, numerous nieces and nephews, andissur‐vived by hisbrother,Ray‐mondLamy. He wasan avid fishermanand en‐joyed reading, writingand painting. Harold wasa sportsenthusiastand pas‐sionate aboutLSU andNew Orleans Saints football Harold'slifewas atesta‐menttofaith,family, and service.Hewillbedeeply missedbyall who knew him.Servicesare at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, Febru‐ary 11, 2026, at St.Dominic Catholic Church,775 Harri‐son Ave. Intermentwillfol‐low at Greenwood Ceme‐tery. We invite youtoshare yourthoughts, fond memo‐ries, andcondolences on‐lineatwww.greenwoodfh com

des, St.Mary'sAcademy, and John McDonogh High School.She finished her educational journeyatDel‐gadoCommunity College witha RespiratoryTechni‐cianDegree. Sheworkedas a RespiratoryTechnician and aCNA throughout her years of labor. Godblessed her with five wonderful children: MauriceWilliams, Michael Williams,Kayla Wright(Jasmine),Daniel O'Neal, andCasey O'Neal Fourgrandchildren:Ah‐myadStevenson,Ahmyriah Williams,Maurice Williams,and Cashtian Collins.Yolanda also leavestomourn her mother, BeaulahO'Neal; two sisters, Danette O'Neal and DeCarlas O'Neal;one brother,MarlonO'Neal (Jenny).One niece, seven nephews,and ahostof other relativesand friends. She wasprecededindeath byher father,Silas O'Neal; grandparents: AliceGreen LesterGreen,Easter O'Neal, andGlenwoodO Neal, sons:Maurice Williams andDaniel O'Neal; andnephewCaleb Johnson.Those who we takecomfort in knowing welcomedher with open arms. Though thepainof her loss is overwhelming, we find solace in themem‐ories sheleftbehind. ACel‐ebrationofLifeService for Yolanda O'Neal will be held onFriday, February 13, 2026 for 10:00 a.m. at Estelle J. Wilson FuneralHome, Inc. 2715 Danneel St., NewOr‐leans,La. 70113. Bishop LesterLoveofficiating. Vis‐itation from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. servicetime. In‐terment:Providence MemorialParkCemetery, 8200 AirlineDr.,Metairie, LA70003. Arrangements by Estelle J. Wilson Funeral Home, Inc.,2715 Danneel Street,NOLA70113. Infor‐mation: (504) 895-4903. To signonlineguest book pleasevisit www.estelle jwilsonfh.com

Leonard, Chris With sadnessweshare the passingofChris Leonard on February 6, 2026. Please visitwww.rho desfuneral.comtoview service information, sign onlineguestbook,send flowersand sharecondo‐lences. See

O'Neal,Yolanda

YolandaO'Neal, entered eternal rest on Friday,Jan‐uary30, 2026. Shewas born onJuly20, 1965 in NewOr‐leans,Louisiana,toSilas O'Nealand BeaulahO'Neal, who raised herwithlove, strength, andunwavering support.She attended Martinezpre-school,St. Joseph,Our Lady of Lour‐

Keyes, Patricia Peters

Jolly, Monica Stirling

Humphrey Jr., Joseph

Funding should flow formajor riverstudy

Akey axiom of fiscally responsible budgeting is that it usually costs far less towardoff devastation from acrisis or disaster thantocleanup devastation after it hasoccurred. Andonceone takes the human toll (notjust financial costs) into account,the savings fromresponsible preparation are substantially greater It is therefore at least asmall step toward responsibility fiscal and otherwise, that thespending bill Congress passed lastmonth included$5 million forafederal study of theoft-conflicting future needs of shipping, flood control, drinking water quality and marsh replenishment related to the lower Mississippi River What began as a$25 million projectin2023 was halted last year by theTrumpadministration. It’sunclear how much money actually will be needed for the Army CorpsofEngineersto complete the assessment —almost certainly more than $5million —but atleast this new appropriation will restart it Frankly,the wholeamount,not just$5million, should be approved. In atotal federal budgetof well over $7 trillion, $25 million is arounding error. The Corps itself says every dollar spent on “construction, operation and maintenance” of flood-risk managementsystemssaves $114 in prevented damage. If this study can identify thebestofthose construction andmaintenance options, just imagine how hugethe long-run savings in dollars and heartaches. While Louisiana,home of theriver’smouth, obviously wouldbethe biggestbeneficiaryof the study,the whole analysis will assess needs and concerns in seven states. Onewould think that with membersfrom allthose states interested in the study,and withLouisianaboasting thetwo topofficers in theHouse (Speaker Mike Johnson and MajorityLeader SteveScalise), the fundingwould be easy to secure. As it is, though, the $5 million is betterthan nothing. Both of Louisiana’ssenators, John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy,released statements boasting of that funding as part of amuchlonger list of Louisiana water projectsapproved in last month’sbill. Kennedy,aschairman of the Appropriations subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, directly oversawthe shaping of that part of the budget package Whoever put this $5 million down payment into thelarger spending bill deservestwo,ifnot three, cheers. When the study was(temporarily) halted last year,LSU geologist Sam Bentleytold this newspaper’sMike Smiththat it wasimportant “for the Corps to think about howtomanagethe riverfor the next 100 years. This was afabulous opportunity to begin workingonthe next generation” of Mississippi Riverprojects It still is afabulous opportunity. It ought to be fully funded.

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

We live in dangerous times brought about by theextrememeasures of U.S.Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Supreme Court turned back theclock to pre-civil rightsdays to approve the search and arrests of people based on skin color and language. The demonization of immigrants, theattack on working families and people seeking citizenship are makingour communities unsafe. The focus on “illegal aliens” and the “worst of the worst”isjust acharade for grandstanding attacks in major cities.

Citizens across Louisianaand the rest of the country are reacting to thelawless actions of ICE threatening citizens, disrupting communities and killing citizens participating in First Amendment-protected legal activities.

All U.S. citizens need to be concerned about the attacks on the First Amendment’s constitutional freedoms of speech, press, religion. The rights to assemble and petition for redress are threatened. There

Ice hit our country hard recently

As Iwritethis, Footprint Project’s Gulf Coast response team is deploying mobile microgrids in NorthMississippi from our New Orleanshub.

Over 80 people have died from Winter Storm Fern, and in someof thepoorest, Brownest communities in the country,the power was projected tobeout for days. Those families, their neighbors and the responders working this stormhave along road ahead.

Andwe’ve all seen the videos from Minneapolis. The deadly storm up there is human.

The grid is still on, but businesses are closed, families are sheltering in place, and two U.S. citizens have been killed while exercising their First and Second Amendment rights. The number of U.S. citizens wrongfully arrested, detained and forcibly removed from Minnesota is unknown, as amutual aid network of lawyers, social workers and neighbors scramble to track the disappeared.

was no regard for thesacred Second Amendment in the killing of Alex Pretti legally carrying apermitted concealed weapon. ICEagents break intohouses and cars without ajudge-signed warrant with no regard for theFourth Amendment. All freedom-loving citizens need to understand how fast ourrights are being eroded.

Now is the time for people of character and conscience to stand up and defend theConstitution. We are the patriots defending American values of democracy,liberty and justice.

Do not fall for thename-calling or labels of domestic terrorists or leftist radical scum. The people in the street are the patriotsstanding up for our values. Each generation is called to work for amore perfect union. Now is the time for courage, so stand up, speak up and show up. Our country depends on patriotic citizen advocates. Be apatriot! Your voice matters.

MELISSA S. FLOURNOY

boardchair,10,000 Women Louisiana

There is areason why rich White communities have already gotten their power restored after Winter Storm Fern, while legacy slave and sharecropper families shiver in the cold.

It’sthe samereason whyU.S.-born Brown kids are scared to leave their homes in Minnesota. Call it racism, call it injustice, greed, patriarchy, exploitation, supercapitalism, tyranny,call it whatever you want— you know it when you see it, and you know it’s wrong. As aWhite, Minneapolis-born man living in New Orleans, leading ahumanitarian relief orginization, Ifeel adutytorespond. These disasters are connected, and Iimplore other White men in positions of power to speak up, to organize, and to join the response. U.S. citizens are being tread on up North and shivering in the dark down South. They’re outofpower They need you. Respond

WILLIAM HEEGAARD

CEO, Footprint

Project

Iama regular reader of Cal Thomas’ column, and it pains me to tell him this, but he disproved his own argument in his column, “On the law,itdepends on where you stand,” when he referred to U.S. Immigration and CustomsEnforcement as a“legitimate authority.” They lost that legitimacy once they began breaking laws, including multiple amendments in the Bill of Rights, under the auspices of upholding the law.This type of action is actually called “principled disobedience,” and mostwould argue that it erodes democratically constructed law foundations.

So from his stance, or perspective, he sees an “anti-law enforcement attitude.” From my stance, Isee people protecting their rights as American citizens and protecting the foundations of democratically ratified laws, including those laws upon which this wonderful nation was founded, the Bill of Rights. Thomas needs to stop trying to dismantle the foundations of our Republic or at least do asmallamount of due diligence, so that he is not spreading misinformation. Principled disobedience is fine forBatman or other comic book characters, not real-lifelaw enforcement.

THAD DAVIS NewOrleans

dollars?

Sometimeinthe future, America may elect an unscrupulous president who will sue afederal government departmentontrumped-up charges forbillions of dollars. Then, as president, direct that department to settle out of court, thus lining his/her pockets with billions of our hard-earned tax dollars. So, what should we do to prevent this scam?Pass alaw forbidding apresident from bringing such asuit?

My guess is that the SupremeCourt, in its present configuration, would declare that law to be an unconstitutional curb on presidential power That far-off rumbling sound you hear is that of our Founding Fathers rolling over in their graves.

MICHAEL MCCAUGHEY Baton Rouge

COMMENTARY

IN FOCUS MARDI GRAS

In recent years, avexing issue has arisen along Mardi Gras paraderoutes. In our efforttohelp bring attention to it,weare reprinting afavorite of ours expressing the frustration that many feel. Feel freetoclip and share with anyChad youencounter.

As theheart of Carnival arrives, so does theKrewe of Chad

Kevin Allman GUEST COLUMNIST

In 2013, Ibecame annoyed with people spray-painting “their” territory on the Orleans Avenue neutral ground before theKreweofEndymionparade. So Ibegan takingphotos of the practice and posting it on the Gambit website. Turned out Iwasn’tthe only one who didn’tlike it. One of those painted squares was blocked off for the“Krewe of Chad,” and Will

Samuels —the latefounder of theKing Cake Hub —popularized the termonsocial media. Now,Krewe of Chad has become aterm of art to describe Mardi Gras paradegoers who hog public space, makeladder walls on the street,get aggressive over beads, swipe throws from kids (!) and despoil thespirit of Mardi Gras by acting piggishly and antisocially

No one likes aton of rules, especially not at Mardi Gras. Butsome rules are needed. New Orleanians depend on thestreetcar to go to work and get around —impossible if Chads are camping on the tracks. Curb cuts are vital for people in wheelchairs, but we see Chads blockingthose as well before parades. The city bans private porto-lets on public property,but two years ago, there was a

photo of awall of “portable pop-up privacy tents” being used forprivate toilets —and blocking the neutral ground. Despite having New Orleans Police Department officers on the route, the rules seem rarely enforced. Meanwhile, all that Chaddery inspired apoem. (Apologies to Dr.Seuss and readers.)

Kevin Allman is the former editor of Gambit.

Do youlikethe Krewe of Chad?

Idonot like them; they are bad.

Idonot like theirtarps and nets.

Idonot like theirport-o-lets.

Idonot like theirscaffoldshigh When Iwould like to just getby.

Idonot like thosedudes and bros

Idonot like them, eaux neaux neaux.

Idonot like theirspray-paint squares

Idonot like theirrows of chairs;

Idonot like the stakes theypound Into the public neutral ground.

Idonot like theirladderstall Idonot like theirladders’ sprawl Chained together,one and all. Theystartafight, invitea brawl.

Idonot like them, not aone

At Bacchus nor Endymion; AllthoseChads make me growgrim

And make me screamand scram like Scrim. Idreadthe Chads;theyrun in packs

They barricade the streetcar tracks With chairsand tents and tarps and snacks. Iwanttotell them, “Dudes: Relax!”

Idonot want to stop the fun

But the mayoralraceisnow alldone. LaToya’s gone; Helena’sin. Andhere come friends and kith and kin.

When Chads are bad and flout the law

At Mardiand at Family Gras; They make our fun aliving hell

Lesli?Freddie? JP Morrell?

At Lenttheyleave, and we’reall glad But they’ll be back, thoseChads so bad.

Idonot like to be this mad!

Idonot like you, KreweofChad!

Poem by KevinAllman |Illustration by Walt Handelsman

Reece, BarbaraJeanKent

DEATHS continued from Bishop J. DouglasWiley,of‐ficiating. Viewingwillbe heldfrom 8:30-10:00 a.m. Onlyatthe church.Inter‐ment: Restlawn Park Cemetery-Avondale,LA. ArrangementsbyDavis MortuaryService,230 Mon‐roe St., Gretna,LA. To view and sign theguestbook pleasegotowww.davismo rtuaryservice.com

BarbaraJeanKent Reece, age79, transitioned peacefullyintoeternal rest ather residenceonFriday, February6,2026. Shewas a nativeofGretna, LA (Mc‐DonoghvilleCommunity) and aresidentofNew Or‐leans,LA. Barbarawas a graduateofLincoln High School, andthe ownerof A&D AdultResidential Care anAssistedLivingFacility. She wasformerlyem‐ployedasa nurse’s aide withWestJefferson Med‐icalCenterand as ahome healthcareprofessional withProgressive Home HealthCare. Barbaragrew upinthe Church of GodIn Christ, where shetaught SundaySchool.She later becamea faithfulmember ofLifeCenterCathedral FamilyLifeCenter. Beloved wifeofthe late AlvinS Reece, Sr.Devoted mother ofAlvin S. (Nicole) Reece, Jr. andDuanReece. Cher‐ished grandmotherof Rachaneka (Jermayne) Richardson, Thurston Reece, Kourtney (Ryan) George, andShahidReece Daughterofthe late Wal‐ter,Sr. andBerthella Kent Granddaughter of thelate Henry andFlorenceBrown LovingsisterofMarvin (Brenda), Otis (Christina), Campanella,Sr. (Trudy), Charles (Gail),Aaron (Col‐ithia), andVanessa Kent Yolanda Blackwell, andthe lateWalter, Jr.(Ruby), Grady,Sr. (Dian),and Wen‐dolyn (Adell) Kent,Sr. Bar‐baraisalsosurvivedby5 great grandchildren, anda hostofnieces, nephews, cousins,other relatives and friends. Relativesand friends of thefamily, also pastors,officers,and members of Life Center Cathedral Family Life Cen‐ter,UnitedFellowship FGBC, St.Matthew UMC Liberty in Christ Christian Centerand allneighboring churchesare invitedtoat‐tendthe Homegoing Cele‐bration at Life Center Cathedral Family Life Cen‐ter,2100 Ames Blvd Mar‐rero, LA on Friday,February 13, 2026,at10:00 a.m.

Rosen, Carol LiseBrenner

CarolLise Brenner Rosen, known affectionately as "Grammy,""GiGi," and "Mom,"passed away on Saturday, February7 2026 after abrief illness. Shewas 90 years old. Carol Lisewas adored by everyone who knew her. She believed life was forliving, and she lived it to the fullest. The consummate hostess, she regularly hosted friends and family to celebrate any and everyoccasion. It was a treat toattend one of her countless dinnerparties, surrounded by peopleshe caredabout and ameal she executed with the grace and skill of Julia Child (who she met many yearsago). Shebelievedin making guests feelwelcome and at home at her table. She loveda party and was often one of the first to join and last to leave adance floor

Dining out at New Orleans'culinary institutionswas one of herfavoritepastimes.Manyan evening was spent at Galatoire's,whereshe wouldhavea dry Beefeater martini (up, with atwist) deliveredasshe was seated at her table, with fried eggplant, soufflé potatoes, and agouténot farbehind. She could often be seenlunching at Pascal's Manale, having turtle soupat Commander'sPalace,or havingoysterswithbrieat Clancy's, and always with acocktail and smiling

group of friendsand family She lovedtotravel and visitedfivecontinents, dozens of countries,and nearly every state during her lifetime. She was curious aboutthe worldand impartedthatcuriosity and love of traveltoher daughters and grandchildren.She was especially enamored with Paris, where she and Irving took each of their granddaughters at ayoung age. She lovedNew York, particularly thetheatre and fine dining.She traveled internationally well intoher eightiesand never lost her drive to see and experience the world outsideofNew Orleans.

CarolLise was aforce She had adetermination that she paired with exceptional generosity to support many causes and organizations across New Orleans, includingthe Vieux Carre Commission Foundation, theHistoric NewOrleans Collection, theTouro Infirmary Foundation, Tulane University, and Isidore Newman School, among many, many others.

CarolLiseisalready deeply missed by her daughters, BethMurov (Ellis) and Edie Bender (Ralph); her grandchildren, Caroline Crosby(Tac), Maitland DeGenova (Alex), Becca Haymonds(Alex); Jeffrey Bender (Chelsea), and Ashley Bender (Aaron Anderson); and her greatgrandchildren, Kate and Tac Crosby, EliBender, and Gideon and Kaplan Anderson, as wellasmany loyal friends. She is predeceasedbyher beloved Irving Rosen, to whom she was married fornearly60 years; her parents, who she lost too early; and her grandson, EliMurov. The family wouldliketothank Corrine Conerlyfor over 50 years of friendship and service. We would also like to extend our deepest gratitudetothe doctors, nurses, and caregivers who treated and cared for CarolLiseinher final days: themedical and support staffatTouroInfirmary, theteamatPassages Hospice, and thewonderful women (MeMe Canizales, Jean Selders, LeeKing, DeMayo Gomez, Latoya Turner, and Mrs. M. Howard)who kepther company and madesure she was never alone or in pain.

Amemorial service will be held in thechapel at

TempleSinai,6227 Saint Charles Ave.inNew Orleans, on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 11:00AM,with visitationto beginat10:30AM. The memorial serviceisboth in -person and online via the Temple SinaiLivestream at https://templesinainola.co m/worship/livestream/ Aprivateburialwas heldatHebrewRest Cemetery No.III The family requeststhat those wishing to honor Carol Lise's memory make adonation to The Irving L. Rosen MD Scholarship EndowedFund at Tulane Medical School, P.O. Box 669394, Dallas, TX 752669394, or by going to giving.tulane.edu

To view and sign theonline guest book,pleasevisit LakeLawnMetairie.com

Williams Sr., Robert Percy Lee

Robert PercyLee Williams Sr., 86, of New Orleans, LA., passedaway peacefully on February 1, 2026. Robert wasbornon February 19, 1939. He wasa devotedhusband, father andgrandfather. Robert is survived by his wife ErnestineWilliams children,Barbara Williams, Robert PercyLee Williams Jr,Remona Jackson Regina Bell, EricaWilliams andReginald Williams. He waspredeceased by his parents Freeman and Bertha Williams, daughter, Brenda Benjamin, brothers, Edward and Willie Williams, sistersMary Etta McQuarters andOra Lee Farmer. Relativesand friends of

thefamilyare invited to attend aFuneral Service at Zion Travelers2nd Baptist Church,3719 LaurelSt. NewOrleans,LA70115, on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM.Visitationbegins at 10AM.Interment: Private.Arrangements entrustedtoDennisFuneral Home, 1812 Louisiana Ave., NewOrleans,LA. Please visit www.dennismortuary service.com to sign theonline guestbook. In lieu of flowersdonationsmay be made to Zion Travelers2nd Baptist Church

Wilson,Clarence Sherman With sadnessweshare the passingofClarence Sherman Wilson on Febru‐ary 3, 2026. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to viewservice information, signonlineguestbook, sendflowersand share condolences

SPORTS

Pitching brings promisefor Tulane

GreenWavetoopen

baseball season Friday

BY GUERRYSMITH

Contributing writer

Concerned about his pitching at theend of thefall, Tulane baseball coach Jay Uhlman has found preseason practice revelatory in a positive way When the Green Wave opens at Loyola Marymount this weekend, Uhlman no longer believes hitting will have to carry the team early in the year as it seeks NCAA regional at-large berth consideration for the first time since 2016

“They (the pitchers) came back in January and just dominated our offense,” he said. “It was like, whoa, they hemmed us up good.

ä Tulane at Loyola Marymount, 8P.M.FRIDAy,ESPN+

I’mreally impressed and excited about what the potential for them is. We can’t win atahigh level withoutquality pitching.”

Tulane will start 6-foot-8 holdover Trey Cehajic on Friday,6-6 Oklahomatransfer Beau Sampson on Saturday and 6-2 Liberty transfer Jack Frankel on Sunday,with Connecticut transfer Jude Abbadessapitching Tuesday against perennial power UCLA at the end of the four-game trip during Mardi Gras.

The competition for the Sunday spot wasintense foraremade staff with 13 newcomers and only one returning pitcher (Cehajic) with a sub-5.00 ERA in 2025.

“It was agreat battle that went

down to the wire,” Uhlman said. “Wehad threeorfourguysthat couldhavewon it,but Frankel earned it.The others pitched really well, and thatwas the message to them in ourmeeting: You guys didn’t do anything wrong, you pitchedyourtails off, butheheld fort.”

TheWavehas to be better on the mound after finishing last, sixthand eighth(out of 10) in ERA amongAmerican Conference teams in Uhlman’s first three seasons.The threepitchershecould count on ayear ago (MLB draftees Michael Lombardi and Tayler Montiel, plus Carter Benbrook) are gone, so transition was inevitable.

The potential is there. Cehajic, apreseason first-team all-conference pick by Perfect Game, threw five scoreless innings against Loyola Marymount at homelast

February.Sampson, ajunior lefthander who made13appearances for Oklahoma in 2025, tossed five hitless innings in arecent intrasquad game, gaining command of the off-speed pitches he struggled with in the fall.

“I’ve hada successful early spring and hope to continue doing that,” he said. “The difference is the confidence in being able to go back to my cutter or curveball becauseIcan land those in the zone whenever right now.”

Uhlman has high hopes.

“His competitiveness is areal plus,” Uhlman said. “I’m looking forward to himgetting an opportunitytomake aname forhimself this weekend.”

Uhlman labeled Frankela strike-thrower whose changeup

Exaggerateddemise

Saints GM Loomis postsstellar year in face of adversity

Youmight not have noticed, or maybe you did and are unwilling toadmit it, but Mickey Loomis has had agood year. A very good year,infact

If there were aComeback of theYear award for NFL executives, Loomis might have won it. His 24thseason at the helm of the Saints football operation was one of his best Granted, Loomis ultimately was responsible for putting the Saintsinthe

BY TOYLOYBROWN III Staff writer

Scoring at alllevelswas achallenge forLSU againstNo. 21 Arkansason Tuesday night. TheTigers shot aseason-low30.9% from the field and 14.3% from 3-point range in their 91-62 loss at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. LSUtrailedbyasmanyas36 points and never led. Whatinspiredthe most groans from homefans were the times the team frequently missedshots around the basket. While Arkansas (18-6, 8-3 SEC) effectively used its length, tying aseasonhigh 10 blocks, LSU (14-10, 2-9) came up empty on makeable shots.

LSUforward Pablo Tamba, who had 11 points andseven rebounds, gave his perspective on the repeated misses.

position of needing ahugely successful offseason ayear ago. Hisill-fated decisions to hire head coach Dennis Allen,

Heat sendsPelicanstothe

BY LES EAST

Contributing writer

Bam Adebayo scored 27 points, Kel’el Ware had adouble-double, and the Miami Heat defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 123-111 on Wednesday night in the Smoothie King Center Ware finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds,Jaime Jaquezscored 23, Simone Fontecchio added 15, Kasparas Jakucionis scored 11, and the Heat (29-27) took control by outscoring the Pelicans (15-41) 38-30 in the third quarter Zion Williamson scored 25 points, Trey Murphy had 19 before leaving the game for good with 2:06 remaining in the third quarter because of aright shoulder injury Saddiq Bey scored 15, rookie JeremiahFears had13and aseasonhigh11reboundsfor his first double-double, and Bryce McGowens and Derik Queen scored 12 each in thePelicans’ last game before the

All-Star break. Their next game will be Feb.20 against Milwaukee in the Smoothie KingCenter,starting astretch of three homegames in five days. Pelicans rookiereserve forward Micah Peavydidn’tplay because of atoe sprain. Reserve center Yves Missi was alate scratchbecause of left calf soreness. In his absence, Kevin Looneyplayedfor the first time since Jan.21and finished with six points and nine rebounds in 14 minutes. TheHeat, who defeated the Pelicans 125-106 on Jan. 4inMiami,led by three points at halftime and used a16-6 run midway through the third quarter to expand the lead to 85-72. McGowens and Bey each made a3-pointer to start New Orleans’ fourth-quarterscoring andtrim the leadtoseven points.Miami made five throws to push the lead to 10 points. ThePelicansuseda 10-0 runto getwithin 112-105 with nearly five

sign quarterback Derek Carr andcontinue to mismanage the salary cap and roster led tothe nosedive in 2024. He has to own them —and did. While it might seem illogical to praise Loomis after theSaints finished 6-11 and missed theplayoffs for a fifthconsecutiveseason, it’s impossible to deny the team is trending in the right direction.

minutes remaining, but Adebayo made alayup andafreethrow for a10-point lead. New Orleans got within 115-109 on two free throws by Beywith1:41 left. Williamson’sput-back bucket trimmed the lead to four, but Fontecchio made a3-pointer with 53.8 seconds left. Ware hadseven points and five teammates scored as the Heat bolted to a19-6lead. Fears came off the bench and jump-started thePelicans offense with seven points, andtheypulled within3125 at the end of the first quarter Williamson scored New Orleans’ first eight points of thesecond quarter andthe Pelicans grabbed a46-42 lead. New Orleansmade just two field goals during anearly six-minute stretch as Miami opened up an eight-point lead. Bey made a3-pointer, and Queen and Williamson each added field goals to help thePelicans get within 58-55 at halftime.

“It’sobviously disappointing because we work alot on our game, but Ithink it wasa thingofconfidence today,”he said. “I think we weren’treally confident when we got to the paint like what we did at their place. Ithink at their place we were much moreaggressive and confident in that area. And Ithink that’swhat wasmissing today.” LSU fell to Arkansas 85-81 on the road Jan.24, but the Tigers hadstarting point guard Dedan Thomas in that loss. In the second matchup, thejunior wasout afterreaggravating his left foot injury Jan. 28.

Tambaand MarquelSutton, whohad ateam-high 18 points and six rebounds, wereasked where theteam needstoim-

STAFFFILE

PHOTOByBRETT DUKE

Tulane pitcher Trey Cehajiclooks at arunner on first base before throwing apitch against UTSA during agame at TurchinStadium on March29, 2024.

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, seen here in Metairie on Jan. 13, 2025, is coming off of astrong year

Jeff Duncan

ä See TULANE, page 5C

STAFFPHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears passes the ballwhile being defended by Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware, left,and forward Myron Gardner,right, at the SmoothieKingCenter on Wednesday.

On TV

AUTO RACING

6p.m. NASCAR DaytonaDuel 1FS1

7:45p.m. NASCAR Daytona Duel 2FS1 MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

5:30 p.m. MTSU at Kennesaw St.CBSSN

6p.m. FortWayne at GreenBay ESPN2

6p.m. UNC-Asheville at Longwood ESPNU

7:30 p.m. La.Tech at Missouri St. CBSSN

8p.m. Memphis at NorthTexasESPN

8p.m. Oregon St. at San Francisco ESPN2

8p.m.UT-Arlington at Abilene Christ. ESPNU

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

5p.m. SMU at NorthCarolina ACCN

5:30 p.m. TexasA&M at Kentucky SECN

6p.m. TCUatBaylorESPN

6p.m. Penn St. at Maryland PEACOCK

7p.m. Georgia Tech at Clemson ACCN

7p.m. Nebraska at Minnesota BTN

8p.m. Michigan at NorthwesternPEACOCK

8p.m. Arkansas at Mississippi SECN

9p.m. Indiana at SouthernCal BTN COLLEGESOFTBALL

9a.m. Nebraska vs. LSU ESPN2

St. vs.Georgia SECN

Florida St. vs.Texas Tech ESPN2

2p.m.LSU vs. Oklahoma St.ESPN2 GOLF

2p.m.PGA Tour:Pebble Beach GOLF

7p.m.LIV Golf: The GrangeFS2 NBA BASKETBALL

6:30 p.m.Milwaukee at Oklahoma City PRIME

9p.m.DallasatL.A. LakersPRIME MEN’S SOCCER

4:50 p.m.CONCACAF U-17 Qualifier:FS2 Mexico vs.Trinidad &Tobago

EYES ON THETIGERS

Finalprojections forLSU’s starting lineup,weekend rotation headinginto2026season

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

With transfers brought in to fill specificspots anda strong core of returning players, LSUbaseball does not enter 2026 with manyquestion marksinits starting lineup or pitchingstaff. But even if much of the roster is set, coach Jay Johnson will still need to fill out alineup card and set arotation ahead of Friday’sseason opener against Milwaukee (2 p.m., SECNetwork+). Here are The Advocate’s final starting lineupand pitching rotation predictions ahead of the 2026 season.

Lineup

1. Chris Stanfield, LF,Sr.

2. Derek Curiel, CF,So.

3. Steven Milam, SS, Jr

4. Jake Brown, LF,Jr.

5. Zach Yorke, 1B, Sr

6. Brayden Simpson, DH, Sr

7. Tanner Reaves, 2B, Sr

8. Trent Caraway, 3B, Jr

9. Cade Arrambide, C, So. Bench: Seth Dardar,INF,Sr.;Mason Braun, 1B/OF,Fr.;John Pearson, INF,So.; Daniel Harden, OF, Jr.; Omar Serna, C, Fr.; William Patrick, OF,Fr.;Eddie Yamin, C, R-Jr.; Ethan Clauss, INF,Fr.;Jack Ruckert, INF,Fr. Breakdown: Stanfield led off for much of the preseason. Johnson may have movedhim off center field, but his contact skills and speed make him astrong candidate to move up the order Reaves earns the start at second in this exercise, but that’s an educated guess at best. Matchups will determine who starts there on a given day.Dardarand Simpson will see plenty of time at second. Keep an eye on Braun as acontender to start at DH. He was the No. 1 first baseman in the nation, per Perfect Game, andhas hit the cover off the ball this preseason. His left-handed bat gives LSU even more options at DH besides the right-handed Pearson, Dardar,Reaves and Simpson.

Starting rotation

Friday: Casan Evans, RHP, So. Saturday: Cooper Moore, RHP,Jr. Sunday: Cooper Williams,LHP,So. Midweek candidates/multi-inning options: Zac Cowan, RHP,Sr.;William Schmidt, RHP,So.; Gavin Guidry, RHP,R-Jr.; JadenNoot, RHP,R-Jr.; Reagan Ricken,RHP, Fr.; Marcos Paz, RHP,Fr.

ä Milwaukee atLSU 2P.M.FRIDAy,SEC NETWORK+

Breakdown: Throughout thefall andintothe preseason, Moore was LSU’s best starting pitcher Evans wasn’t as sharp, but last year’strack recordsuggests that his spot was always going to be safe Williamssneaks into the last spot over Cowan after dominatinghitters in thepreseason with improvedcommand of hisfour pitches. Cowan maystill crack the

rotation, but Williamsthrowing 42/3 innings during ascrimmageafew weeksback was atip-off to what Johnsonmay be thinking here Bullpen

High-leverage options: Mavrick Rizy, RHP,So.; Santiago Garcia, LHP Jr; Danny Lachenmayer,LHP,So.; Ethan Plog, LHP,So.;Dax Dathe, RHP,Sr.;Deven Sheerin, RHP, R-So.; DJ Primeaux, LHP,R-Jr.; Cowan,Guidry,Noot, Schmidt, Paz,Ricken

Depth pieces: Connor Benge, RHP, Sr.; Grant Fontenot, RHP,Sr.;

Zion Theophilus, RHP,Fr.;John Shahrdar, RHP,Sr.;Jonah Aase, LHP,Fr.

Breakdown: Rizy haslooked smoother moving down the mound this preseasonafter a dominant showing in the Cape Cod Baseball League. Sheerin is healthy —coming off atornACL —and is hurling the ballinthe upper 90s. Garcia and Lachenmayer were bigger names, but Plog adds athird intriguing left-handed arm outofthe bullpen. He has alot of movement on his fastball and throws it from aunique slot.

‘The Fighting Tiger’ fitting forBreaux’sstory

Documentary captures greatness of ex-LSU gymcoach

It’seasy to overlook the fact that the LSU Tigers are actually the LSU Fighting Tigers.

Rangersbring backLHP Montgomery on 1-year deal

JordanMontgomery has agreed on aone-year deal to rejoin the TexasRangers,three seasonsafter being part of their only World Series championship and while the left-handercontinues rehabbing from asecond elbow reconstruction surgery The deal is reportedly worth $1.25 millionpluspotential performance bonuses.

Atrade-deadline acquisition fromSt. Louis in 2023, Montgomerywent4-2 with a2.79 ERA in 11 regular-season games for the Rangers before winning two AL Championship Series games. He went 3-1 in six games that postseason. He then left in free agency and didn’tsign until late the following spring withthe Diamondbacks, going 8-7with a6.23 ERAin2024 before missing all of last season.

Opening day in doubt for Lindor after surgery NewYorkMetsmanager Carlos Mendoza said he’soptimistic shortstop Francisco Lindor will recover foropening day after having surgery on Wednesday to repair abroken hamate bone in his left hand. Lindorwas evaluated by ahand specialist afterexperiencingsoreness in the area around his hand and wrist this week.

“People aresaying six weeks for return of play,” Mendoza said, referencing atimeline that could threaten Lindor’sstatus forthe start of the season.

Lindor, 32, hit .267 with 31 homers, 86 RBIsand 31 steals in 160 games with New York last year

The five-time All-Star wasleft off Puerto Rico’sroster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic over insurance coverage.

D-backs OF Carrollout of WorldBaseball Classic

ArizonaDiamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll will miss the World Baseball Classic after breaking the hamate bone in his right hand during batting practice. Carroll wasset forsurgery Wednesdayand will miss significanttime during spring training, according to the person who spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday because theinjury has not been announced by the team It is notknown whether Carroll, 25, will return in timefor opening day.Hehad been expected to play forTeam USAinthe WBC. Carroll wasthe National League Rookie of the Year in 2023. He hit .259 with 31 home runs and 84 RBIs, and he stole 32 bases last season. He ledthe majors with 17 triples.

NBA suspends 4players 17 total games for fight

D-D Breaux doesn’tlet you forget. In fact, she epitomizes that nickname. When ESPN called and said it wanted to do a documentary on the legendary LSU gymnasticscoach as part of its superb “SEC Storied” series, “The Fighting Tiger” turned out to be theperfect title.

As the nearly hourlong documentary —which has its broadcast debutat9:30 p.m. Friday on the SEC Network —makes clear,Breaux was a fighter through her entire 43year coaching careeratLSU. She had to be. If she wasn’tthen the LSU gymnastics program —its championship-winning,bannerhanging, NCAA attendance-leading program —literally wouldn’texist “They wanted to drop the programtwice,” Breaux said Wednesday.“My superpower is my enthusiasm. Nothing great is achieved without enthusiasm. WhatIwant people to take away from this is that you have to be excited about yourself andwhat you are doing.”

Though the documentary doesn’t name names of early LSU athletic administrators who didn’tsupport gymnastics —itdoes name Carl Maddox, who hired the 24-year-old

Breaux in 1977 to take over the fledglingprogram —itmakes plain the difficulty and downright hostility she faced as gymnastics triedtogain atoehold in LSU’s male-dominated athletic culture.

“Wereally keptitclean. If not for people like Pat Newman, Bill Bankhead,Ernie andKathy Hill” the program wouldn’thave made it,Breaux said, ticking off the namesofearly athletic department supporters. “When Skip (Bertman)became athletic director, all that changed.” Bertman is featured in the documentaryand wasamong the hundreds who attended aFeb. 4 gala premiere.Intypical Breaux fashion, it was aglitzy,eye-popping event, with the documentary

played on the huge video boards thathang from the Pete Maravich Assembly Center ceiling. Also in the showisformer LSU football coach Nick Saban. Breaux said she approached Saban, a fellow Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer, at last year’sbanquet in Natchitoches to ask him to be in it.

“His wife (Terry)said, ‘Of course he will,’”Breaux said with alaugh. Alabama’sathletic media staff filmed Saban at his office in Tuscaloosa and forwarded the footage to the documentarians working on the production in New York.

Filmmaker Nancy Stern Winters, who co-directed “The Fighting Tiger” with LisaLax, said ESPN came to their company Lookalike Productions,and asked

ä ‘The FightingTiger’ 9:30 P.M.FRIDAy,SEC NETWORK

themtoruminate about adocumentaryonasubject at LSU.

“Weworked on acouple of thingsand came up with D-D,” Winters said.“We thought it was ashameher story wasn’ttold.”

Winters saidBreaux made their job as filmmakers easy

“She’svery articulate, honest to thecore and wanted to participatetothe Nthdegree,” Winters said. “And she saved everything —all the documentation. As a documentary filmmaker,it’srare to have those kinds of gems.” Filming for thedocumentary started sort of whereBreaux’sstory with LSU gymnastics reaches its climax —atlast year’sseason openeronJan.3,2025, against Iowa State. It was that night that LSUraised its 2024 NCAA championship banner to the PMAC catwalk.

An NCAA title eluded Breaux before her retirement in 2020 —her LSU teams werenational runners-up four times. But as the documentary justly implies, LSU gymnastics’ greatest victory was Breaux’svictory as well.

It wouldn’thave happened at LSU—none of it —without her “Towatch someone tell that story and see that banner go up,” Breaux said, “it was amazing.”

The LSU home gymnastics meet with Auburn is set for 7:45 p.m. on the SEC Network, with“The Fighting Tiger” being shown immediately after the meet ends.Itwill also be available on demand on the SEC Networkpage of ESPN.com.

Detroit center Isaiah Stewart was suspended seven games by the NBA on Wednesday,while three other players werealso penalizedfor theirroles in afight during agame between the Pistons and Charlotte Hornets.

Hornets forwards Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabaté were each suspended four games for fighting and escalating the altercation, while Pistons center Jalen Durengot two games for initiating the altercation and fighting, theleague announced But the heaviest penalty went to Stewart, withthe league saying it wasbased in part on his “repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts.” The league said he left the bench area,aggressively entered an oncourt altercation andfought during Monday night’sgame.

Charlie Woods, Tiger’sson, picks Florida St. for golf

The son of Tiger Woods is staying in state to pursue college golf Charlie Woods made averbal commitmentTuesday to playfor Florida State. Woods, ajunior at The BenjaminSchool in North Palm Beach, Florida,isNo. 21 in the American Junior Golf Association ranking. His lone AJGA victory came at the Team TaylorMade Invitational in May,and he tied forninth in the Junior PGA Championship last summertoboost his ranking and draw interest from top college golf programs.

Woods will join Miles Russell, the No. 1player in junior golf,who also committed to the Seminoles. Majorchampions who played at Florida State include Brooks Koepka, Paul Azinger andJeffSluman

STAFF FILE PHOTO By HILARySCHEINUK

LSU coachD-D Breaux cheers as senior Lexie Priessman sticks the landing during her floor routine in an SECchampionship meet on March23, 2019, at the Smoothie King Center.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

LSU right-handed pitcher Casan Evans throws apitch against UCLA at the CollegeWorld Series on June 17 at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Neb.LSU won9-5

Scott Rabalais

Murphy snub for3-point contesta badmisfirebyNBA

The NBA dropped the ball.

Then they picked it up andshot an airball

Lillard will be in Saturday’s 3-pointcontest at theIntuit Dome in Los Angeles

Walker

That’show bad of amiss it is that New Orleans Pelicans sharpshooter Trey Murphy wasn’tselected for Saturday’s 3-point contest during NBA All-Star weekend. The most 3-pointers made in agame this season is 12.

One of the guys to do that is Steph Curry,the greatestshooter the NBA has ever seen.

The other is Murphy,who set a franchise record when he drained adozen treys last week against theMilwaukee Bucks. Toobad Murphy won’tget to show therest of the NBA what he can dofrom long range.

“I would’ve participatedif I was invited, for sure,” Murphy said. It’sashame he wasn’t.

Murphy,who was shooting 38% on 3-pointers entering Wednesday’sgame against the Miami Heat, ranks sixth in the league in made 3-pointers. He’smade 166 this season, which are 166 more than Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has made. Lillard is sitting out this season while rehabbing the torn Achilles he injured in last season’splayoffs. Despite not playing this season,

LSU MEN

Continued from page1C

prove the most.

“I think we got to improve the most (is) our confidence,” Tamba said. “Weobviously had acouple guys going downthroughout the season, and that kindofaffected us. And, you know,you can seeon the court guys kind of like doubt themselves, starting with me.

“I think we got to play withmore confidence. Ithink we gottoknow why we’re here, what we represent. Like we have each other’s backs like (Arkansas) came outhere, like, really just hooping, playing their game, confident. That’swhatwe have to do. We’ve done that before, and Iknow we can do it. We just

Selecting aplayer who hasn’t played aminute all season seems absurd for aweekend that is supposed to showcase the biggest stars this season. The other seven participants are Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers), Devin Booker (Suns),Kon Knueppel (Hornets), Tyrese Maxey (76ers), Jamal Murray (Nuggets),Bobby Portis (Bucks) and Norman Powell (Heat). Mitchell, Knueppel and Maxeyare theonly ones in the contest with more made 3-pointers and haveabetter percentage than Murphy Murphy has amuch stronger case to beinitthan Lillard, Booker and Portis.

Booker is shooting just 30% on 3-pointers andhas made just 71 (almost 100 less than Murphy).

Portis is shooting 45.6%, but he hasattempted only 206 3-pointers (less than half of what Murphy has attempted).

Murphy has done someofhis best shootinglately.He’smade 23 3-pointers over the last three games.

“I’m really just shooting the ball, being confident,” Murphy said. “Sticking to my mechanics andgettingmylegs under my shots. Ifeel likebefore that Milwaukee game, therewas about a week or so where Ireally wasn’t

got to find theright mindset and the right way to approach thegame so we can perform that way.”

Suttonagreed with Tamba before expounding

“We’ve got tocome out with more urgency,”Suttonsaid.“Ifeel like if we do that,it’sdefinitelygoingto help us. And whenevertheymake a runorwhatever,wecan’tlay down. We gotta fight back.”

Coach Matt McMahon was told that his players mentioneda lack of confidence affecting their performanceand wasaskedfor hisperspective. He said the poor shooting aroundthe basketwas because of execution.

“I’mnot sure that it’sconfidence,” the fourth-year coach said. “I think it was(Arkansas’) rim protection, their ability to flyaround defensively and make it really difficult

By DAVID GRUNFELD

Pelicans forward Trey Murphyreacts after sinking a3-pointer against the Sacramento KingsonMonday at the Smoothie King Center.Murphywas not selected for the3-point contest during NBAAll-Star weekend.

gettingmylegs into my shot.”

His teammates have noticed the difference.

“Trey has always been lights

on us to score, andsoI’vegot to do abetterjob gettingusintosome better positions to getsome highpercentageshots there that we can shoot with confidence.

“Execution wasn’tgood enough to playwithone of thebestteams in the country tonight.Ithought Arkansas, their defensive pressure and shot blocking, had alot to do with that.”

Whatalsodidn’thelpwas that MaxMackinnon,the leadingscorer for LSU in Southeastern Conference play,injured hisknee after playing only 20 minutes.McMahon said he doesn’tthink it’s serious.

Whether it’s confidence or poor execution, LSU will have to deal with thoseproblems before it plays Tennessee (16-7, 6-4) at 5p.m. Saturday at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville,Tennessee.

out,” Zion Williamson said. “Now it’sjust amatter of how he’sdoing it. Instead of just catch and shoot, it’soff the dribble now and (also)

catch and shoot. It’s still lights out, though.” If only the NBAwas paying attention. Playing on ateam with just 15 wins and zero nationally televised games didn’thelp Murphy’scase, but I’dcounter that by pointing out that Pascal Siakam of the 14-win Indiana Pacers was selected forthe All-Star Game Lillard and Booker are both former 3-point contest champions, so that surely helped. And they are household names to even the most casual of NBAfans.

Murphy,inhis fifthNBA season, is slowly but surely getting there. He’salready the Pelicans’ all-time leader in made3-pointers. So maybe this will fuel his fire even more.

“I’ve got the same approach every day,” Murphy said. “Just getting better.Play my game. At some point, it’ll be recognized that I’m one of the better shooters in the league. Until then, it is what it is. I’ll keep working on my game and shooting the ball like Ihave been. Not being in the 3-point contest is not going to ruin my day.” But washesnubbed? Murphy smiled before answering that question.

“I’ll let y’all be the judge of that,” he said. This judge says “yes.”

Email RodWalkerat rwalker@theadvocate.com.

LSUguard Max Mackinnon takes ashot as Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas defends at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Tuesday.

STAFFPHOTO

By HILARy SCHEINUK

Rod

STAFFPHOTO

Puck drops on men’s hockey MI LA N CO

SKATING AND WAITING: Jordan

Stolz won the first of what could be four gold medals at these Winter Olympics in men’s 1,000-meter speedskating

“It was just a feeling like,‘you finally did it,’ ” said the 21-year-old Stolz, who was trailing silver medalist Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands with 400 meters to go “It almost doesn’t seem real, right?”

The 21-year-old from Wisconsin set an Olympic record with his time but had to wait longer than usual for his victory to be confirmed because another skater was given a do-over after being bumped during his race When Joep Wennermars of the Netherlands failed to beat Stolz, it was time for the American to take a delayed victory lap.

FRENCH DUO TAKES GOLD, SILVER IN BIATHLON: Julia Simon became the first Frenchwoman to win an Olympic gold medal in the women’s 15-kilometer individual biathlon race and teammate Lou Jeanmonnot took silver at the the Milan Cortina Games on Wednesday. Simon missed only one target and completed the course in 41 minutes, 15 seconds. Jeanmonnot missed two and finished 53 seconds behind “It feels like a dream right now,” Simon said after the race.“It’s amazing It’s a race I have dreamed of.

FLYING STAR: The halfpipe threepeat attempt began promisingly for Chloe Kim on Wednesday as she finished first in qualifying while wearing a shoulder brace.

After a shoulder injury disrupted her buildup to the Games, Kim credited her muscle memory and a “very well-behaved” shoulder for getting her through to the 12-athlete final on Thursday.

Elsewhere in the mountains, Elizabeth Lemley and Jaelin Kauf won gold and silver for the United States in women’s freestyle moguls skiing

Host nation Italy’s luge team won two gold medals in one evening first in the new event of women’s doubles, then an hour later in men’s doubles. That put the Italian medal count for the Milan Cortina Games at 13, tied with Norway for the most.The U.S has 12.

TEAM CANADA ‘HEARTBROKEN’

AFTER DEADLY SHOOTING: Canadian fans and athletes at the Milan Cortina Olympics woke up Wednesday to learn of a school shooting in British Columbia that left at least seven people dead and many others wounded.

Seven people were killed in Tuesday’s shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, while two more were found dead at a nearby home, Canadian authorities said.A woman believed by police to be the shooter was also found dead, apparently from a self-inflicted wound.

“It’s very unusual and tough to hear It’s not something you ever expect to hear anywhere in Canada, let alone a small community,”Winnipeg native Thomas Hepworth said near Milan’s historic Duomo cathedral.

BY STEPHEN WHYNO AP hockey writer

MILAN Martin Fehervary was still catching his breath. Fresh off the ice from playing in the first men’s hockey game at the Milan Cortina Olympics, the defenseman from Slovakia knew he wasn’t in North America anymore

“The pace of the game was really fast,” Fehervary said. “I felt like it was even faster than in the NHL.”

The return of the best players in the world to the Olympics got off to a frantic fast-paced start Wednesday when Slovakia upset Finland in the first of 30 games in the tournament that will conclude with the gold medal final on Feb 22. The NHL is participating in the Games for the first time in 12 years going back to Sochi in 2014, ending a long wait for stars from all over the world.

“Had a tough time sleeping last night, and then just getting ready for this game,” 35-year-old firsttime Olympian Victor Hedman said after he scored an emptynet goal to help Sweden survive a scare from Italy and win 5-2.

“Phenomenal. Nerves.”

Italy has no NHL players, and yet the host country got off to quite the start against heavily favored Sweden. Homegrown winger Luca Frigo, put Italy up 1-0 just a few minutes into the game, sparking chants of “Italia! Italia!” from the excited crowd.

“It was indescribable,” captain Thomas Larkin said. “The support we got when we scored that first goal was absolutely unbelievable. It’s something that I’m sure I’ll remember for a long, long time.”

Matt Bradley, a Vancouver na-

tive whose 95-year-old grandfather Guido Garzitto is from Italy, also scored after expressing motivation to show up in men’s hockey and make the country proud against some tough competition.

“A once-in-a-lifetime amazing feeling,” Bradley said. “Overjoyed with emotions for that.”

The tournament favorites get underway Thursday The U.S. faces Latvia, while Canada takes on Czechia.

“It’s been a long process, but we’re very excited to have a game,” U.S. general manager Bill Guerin said. “The players are really looking forward to it. They need a game. They want a game. Just really looking forward to getting started.”

French duo upsets

dreaming this, it’s pretty incredible.”

There were some who viewed their victory as unbelievable.

They got to sit and watch what it might be like to take center stage at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, which was nearly filled to the capacity of 11,600 by the time Finland’s Anton Lundell and Slovakia’s Adam Ruzicka lined up for the opening faceoff 20 minutes before 5 p.m. local time. The crowd roared in the opening moments when scoring chances materialized and gasped when Slovakia goaltender Samuel Hlavaj stopped a slap shot from point-blank range.

“It was awesome,” Hlavaj said after his team’s 4-1 win. “It felt like we were playing at the home rink.”

Juraj Slafkovsky scored the first men’s hockey goal in Milan

for Slovakia just under eight minutes in, picking up where he left off in Beijing four years ago. He scored again in the third period, setting off a boisterous crowd that was wired from the start and even at one point did the wave. More importantly than that, the fans were loud and players noticed.

“I didn’t really expect anything like that (or) close it,” Slovakia defenseman and two-time Stanley Cup champion Erik Cernak said “They were amazing. It felt like we were playing at home.

“There was so many Slovakian fans and everybody, so I’m glad they came here and supported us and hopefully we gave them a great show.”

BY DAVE SKRETTA AP sportswriter

MILAN — Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron arrived at the Milan Cortina Olympics amid a swirl of controversy, with the French ice dancers hoping to upset the dominant American duo of Madison Chock and Evan Bates when it mattered most.

They will leave with a gold medal. Maybe a little bit more controversy too.

Beaudry and Cizeron answered a season-best free dance by Chock and Bates with a season best of their own Wednesday night, giving them 225.82 points and the top step of the podium. Chock and Bates finished with 224.39 and a bittersweet silver medal after having lost just four times in the four years since they finished fourth at the Beijing Games

“We’re still in shock,” said Cizeron, who also became the first skater to win back-to-back ice dance gold with different partners, having won previously with Gabriella Papadakis. “Looking back a year ago, when we started

Cizeron made several mistakes, including a glaring one during his twizzle sequence while Chock and Bates were nearly perfect. Yet the French judge favored the French skaters by nearly eight points in the free dance, while five of the nine judges favored the American team. The other three that gave top marks to Guillaume and Cizeron did so by a slim margin.

“I feel like in life, sometimes you can feel like you do everything right and it doesn’t go your way, and that’s life in sports,” said Bates, who along with Chock won a second straight gold medal in the team event earlier in the Winter Games. “It’s a subjective sport. It is a judged sport. But I think one fact that is indisputable is that we delivered our best. We skated our best.”

The Canadian team of Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier earned the bronze medal with 217.74 points, pulling away from the Italian team of Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri and the British duo of Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson with a deeply emotional free skate.

“I usually prefer Guillaume and Laurence,” Fabbri said, speaking candidly following the medal cer-

Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron of France compete during the ice dancing free skate at the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, on Wednesday. They came away with the gold medal

emony “But today, in my opinion, they didn’t skate so well. So I think Madison and Evan would have deserved to win.”

Beaudry and Cizeron arrived at the Winter Games with controversy hanging over them stemming from their former partners.

This time last year, Beaudry was wondering whether she would even compete this season after Skate Canada banned her partner and longtime boyfriend, Nikolaj Sorensen, amid allegations of “sexual maltreatment.”

Cizeron stepped away from competition after the 2022 season, shortly after his Olympic triumph, and retired two years ago. But the chance to make a comeback with Beaudry, who was ninth with Sorensen at the Beijing Games, was too good to pass up.

Beaudry and Cizeron won ev-

ery event they entered this season save the Grand Prix Final, when they finished second to Chock and Bates in their previous head-to-head meeting. But their smooth ride to Milan was shaken up when Papadakis wrote in her new memoir that Cizeron had been demanding, controlling and manipulative toward her accusations he called a “smear campaign.”

“It’s been quite a challenge that we set out to do,” Cizeron said. “I think from the beginning we tried to create a bubble where we really supported each other through everything, and we’ve been through some incredibly hard moments. But I think the love we have for each other and for the sport really draws through, and it kind of helped us keep our heads on our shoulders.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By PETR DAVID JOSEK

Slovakia goalkeeper Samuel Hlavaj, right, makes a save against Finland’s Joel Armia, center and Finland’s Erik Haula during a match on Wednesday in Milan, Italy Slovakia won 4-1.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By BERNAT ARMANGUE

Brother Martin coach Wesley Laurendine gives instructions to his team during agame against John Curtis on Jan. 27 in RiverRidge.

On Tuesday, the Crusaders beat Jesuit 52-48 to eventheir district record at 3-3.

Crusadersbreak through

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

Brother Martin has experienced its share of close losses in district games this season.

Aone-point loss at home against Rummel. Atwo-point loss at home against Edna Karr.Trailing at topranked John Curtis by three points with less than aminute remaining. All were indicators of potential with first-year coach WesleyLaurendine before histeam defeated Jesuit on Tuesday.Toget the win, Brother Martinjunior Noah McDaniel scored 17 points and junior Kennon Russo made two free throws with 3.7 secondsleftthatsealed a 52-48 victory,marking the Crusaders’ first win at Jesuit since 2021.

“This is huge,” McDaniel said. “Theybeat us at our house.Wejust had to beat them at their house. This is everything for us.”

Down by nine points afterone quarter,Brother Martin (19-10, 3-3 District 9-5A) rallied for alead that reached 12 points in the third,only to have Jesuit (17-8, 3-3) brieflygo back in front in the fourth. After senior Will McChesky putBrother Martin up for good with atip-in, McDaniel made four of six free throws on three separate trips to

theline down the stretch.

Jesuit junior Luke Wetmore made a3-pointer that cut the BrotherMartin lead to 50-48 with five seconds remaining. Fouledimmediately after the inbounds pass, Russo calmly sank the clinching free throws.

With Jesuit at No.4 in theLHSAA Division Iselect power ratings before thegame,the winshowedLaurendinethat “wecan gettoLake Charles,” he said. “Like, who’sstopping us? We are three combined points away from being 5-1(in district). If you’d atold me that when Itook the job, I’d be like, ‘All right, I’ll take that.’ ”

For Jesuit,senior Brennan Pitts scoredateam-high 20 points with nine rebounds. He scored 11 points in the first quarter,including ahalfcourt 3-pointer off thebackboard for an 18-9 lead at thebuzzer.Senior Zach LaGraize had 10 points and five rebounds.

No.10Brother Martin harassed Jesuit into 17 turnovers over the final threequarters with apressure defense

“I don’tthink they thought we would do that for thewhole game,”

said Laurendine, hired by Brother Martinafter he coached Shaw to thestate tournament four years in arow.“Ijustthrew acurveball at them to seehow they would respond. Ithink it worked.”

Laurendine lauded Russo for his aggressive on-ball defense

“He just played hard the whole game,” Laurendine said. “This is what we candowhenweplay hard.”

Laurendine had Brother Martin feeling energized.

“In the locker room,he’syelling at us,” Russo said. “Itpumps you up,you know?Itmakes youwant to play defense. We went out there and did it.”

Jesuit coach Chris Jennings noted howhis team possessed theballwith thelead in the fourth quarter,“and Ithink we probably turned it over.”

Brother Martin outscored Jesuit 18-2 in the second quarter

“It wasthe combination of too many turnovers, the second quarter,and then we got back in it and we didn’ttake advantage,” Jennings said.

Brother Martin will conclude district play at home against St. Augustine on Friday.St. Aug is 5-1 in district games, the only loss against Curtis. Jesuit will playThursdayat Warren Easton.

Freshman Doucettsteps forward, propelsKennedy to 10-3Acrown

BY SPENCERURQUHART

Kennedy’sfive seniorstarters were honored at halftime of adistrict game against De La Salle, but it was freshman Dallas Doucett who led the team in scoring Doucetthad Kennedy’shome crowd fired up after coming off the bench and scoring ateam-high 21 points. With the District 10-3A title on the line Tuesday,Kennedy (21-7, 5-0) extended its winning streakto15games in a76-67 win over De La Salle.

Kennedy got off to a12-0 lead and stayed out in front for most of thenight. Doucet made six 3-pointers, and his hot shooting helped counter De La Salle’s133-pointers.

“Wewere patient, we got some ball movement and we made some valuable shots,” Kennedy coach Wilfred Antoine said. “A big-time freshman stepped up and did big things. Dallas has been playing well the last few games,so we trusted him to makeshots.”

Doucet scored seven ofhis 21

TULANE

Continued from page1C

reminded himofaright-handed Dylan Carmouche, wholed the Wave in innings pitched during 2022 and 2023. Frankel paced Liberty with a3.40 ERA lastseason, earning aspot on the Conference USA all-freshman team.

Abbadessa, who struggledat Connecticut last yearwhile returning from an injury that sidelined him for all of 2024, nearly earned aspot in the weekend rotation. He has athree-quarters delivery and is primarily asinker-slider guy

The early season picturein the bullpen is less clear, withDivision II Denison transfer SamLarson (1.91ERA, 71 strikeouts in 562/3 innings)likely to get first crack at closer because flame-throwing Eastern Kentucky transfer Aidan Rath and 2024 closer Jacob Moore are unlikely to pitch this weekend because of elbow irritation. Long Beach Statetransfer Owen Geiss is out for thefore-

points in the first quarter,adding sixpointseach in the second and third quarters. He made two free throws in the fourth quarterto helpKennedyseal the win.

“When Igot inthe game, Iwas just looking to help my team out,” Doucet said. “When they gave me theopportunity to takethe shots, I just took them, and my confidence was there. When my team needs me,I just comethroughand make big-time plays.”

De La Salle (19-5,4-1) cut Kennedy’slead to six at the end of the third quarter,but the Cougars went an 11-0 runtobegin the fourth. Sixofthe 11 points were scored by senior Joseph Bernardez,who had12 points and ateam-high 10 rebounds.

Kennedy point guardMalik Lonzowas secondonthe team in scoringwith 15 points. He added sixassists and four steals to lead the team in both categories.

“Weknew that (DeLaSalle)

seeable future. Anotherholdover, sophomoreJulius Ejike-Charles, hadTommyJohnsurgery in the summerand willbemonitored carefully even though he made anunusually quickrecovery Still, the outlookismuch brighter for the staff than it was amonthago.

“The last couple weeks have hammered that home,” Uhlman said.“They’ve been really big forthe pitchers. They’ve shown reliability.”

If that group holds up, aversatile, deep lineup with six returningstarters will feel lesspressure to produce during every at-bat. Uhlmanbelieves he has 13 legitimatestarters andeven could use abatting order of nine leftiesornine righties.

Theoutfield is clear cut, with NewMexico transfer TyeWood (.317, 53 runs)inleft, and sophomores Tanner Chun (.259, eight home runs) and Jason Wachs (team-leading .335, 14 doubles) in center and right, respectively Senior Kaikea Harrison (.283) is back at shortstop. Eastern Kentucky transferA.J. Groenefeld,

Bigsecondhalf helpsWaveend home losing skid

BY GUERRYSMITH Contributing writer

After another first-half rock fight,the Tulane men’s basketball team finally got rolling on offense at home. Tied with Temple at 30 at halftime, Tulane went on a26-8run in the first 10 minutes of the secondhalf andsnappeda four-game Devlin Fieldhouse losing streak winning 77-66 on Wednesday night behind Tyler Ringgold’s career-high 22 points. Thehalf began with arare offensive rebound by Luke Rasmussen, leading to asecondchance 3-pointer from Curtis Williams.The Owls responded with abasket, but the Wave scored the next 11 points to take control. Ringgold madetwo free throws and cut to the basket for alayup off afeed from Rowan Brumbaugh. Rasmussen passedtoAsher Woods, whohit alayup andcompleted athree-point playafter being fouled. Brumbaugh found Woods moving again on the baseline for anotherlay-up. Ringgold added amid-range shot. Suddenly,Tulane (14-10, 5-6 American Conference) led by double digits —anadvantage it would hold past the four-minute mark. The Wave wentahead by as many as 19 points, giving it enough cushion to survive both an ill-advised technical foul on Scotty Middletonwith9:30 left (he did not play again) that allowedTemple(15-9,7-4) to score five points in onepossessionand athree-minute bout of sloppiness as the Owls pulled within 65-57 with 3:12 left.

was going to tryand makeusrush shots to putusintransition, butwe took great shots,”Lonzo said. “I’ve been playing with(Bernardez) for along time now,sothe chemistry is there.”

De La Salle took the lead aftera 14-0 runtobeginthe third quarter, but it was its onlylead of the night after Kennedy seniorCahriColeman made a3-pointer to end the run.

“The seniors did great,” Antoine said. “Early on we lost alot of close games thatwejustdidn’tknow howtofinish. Now what you’re seeing is they’re learning how to finish, and they’re staying poised.”

De La Salle’sChris Johnson finishedwith ateam-high19points Junior Clay Bryanthad 18 points and eight rebounds, and junior Manny Young scored 17 points. Junior Myles Keller pulled down a team-high 12 rebounds.

“Kennedy’sa very good team,” De La Salle coach Chris Perrone said. “Wehad arun left in us, we just didn’thave enough to maintain andhold on unfortunately.This was agood test.”

Tulane wasall over Temple defensively from the start, blocking four shots early while limiting the Owls to one field goal in their first 11 attempts and five in their first 23.

TheWave, though,had itsown familiar offensive struggles. Brumbaugh missed an easy layup that would have made it 6-0and didnot scorebefore the break. Woods, shooting 83.8% from the foul line, clanked backto-back free throws and committed apair of turnovers that led to transition layups.

As aresult, neither team created any separation. Tulane’slargest lead was 4-0. Temple’sbiggest advantage was twopoints. Ringgold was the only player in any rhythm for either team in the opening half, scoring 12 points. He drew fouls three times on drivesinthe first 12 minutes before cutting to the basket foralayupoff apassfromBrumbaugh, hitting a3-pointer from the top of thekey andsinking abad-angle bank shotfromthe baseline on consecutive possessions. Williams added seven points, breaking ateam drought of 35:03 without a3-pointer when he faked adefenderinto the air and made awide-open look from the wing. The Wave had missed 15 in arow dating to aBrumbaugh shot in the first half against Wichita State on Sunday Tobiasonstruggledeven more than Brumbaugh, missing all eight of his shots in the first half The Wave’s defense was stifling until the Owls hit consecutive 3s in the corneragainst laxrotations to go ahead 26-24.

That was an outlier.Tulane guarded well for almostthe entire 40 minutesand wasrewarded for that intensity when its shots started falling in the second half With the homehex over,facing UABonSunday and North Texas next Thursday

Ringgold’s22points surpassed his previous scoring high of 17. Woods added 19 on 6-of-8 shootinginabounce-back performance after asix-turnover struggle against Wichita State on Sunday. Brumbaugh, whowent scoreless forthe first 30 minutes, still helped out tremendously with aseason-high seven assists. Temple almost never got anythinggoing against Tulane’s tenaciousdefense. TheOwls, who hadbeen 4-1inroad conference games, shot aseason’s-worst 33.3%. Second-leading scorer Aiden Tobiason finished 1of11with hisonlybasket arun-outdunk.

STAFFFILE PHOTOByENAN

Tulane guard Rowan Brumbaugh sets up the offense against UABon Jan. 14 at Devlin Fieldhouse. Brumbaugh had astrong all-around game Wednesdaywith11points, sixrebounds and sevenassists.

who hit .300 while going 11 for 11 on stolen bases,will replace ConnorRasmussen at second base. Senior Hugh Pinkney (.271) will start at catcher,possibly splitting time with USC transfer Johnny

Elliott. Uhlman said Wednesdayhe hadnot madea final decision at first base,third base and designated hitter,with somecombination of Northwestern transfer Trent Lio-

lios (16 homeruns), grad student Matthias Haas (.303, team-high 21 doubles),seniorJames Agabedis (.260), and brothers Nate Johnson (.188 as afreshman) and Jack Johnson (a grad transfer from Baylor) filling those roles. Thejockeying figures to continue for quite some time.

“It’sunreal,” Harrison said.“This is my fourth year of college, and I’ve neverseen this type of depth before. It’stough. It’s whoever is going to be hotand steps up to get that hit. We’ve got agood group.”

The American Conference coaches tabbed Tulane fourth in their preseason poll, with one first-place vote. The Wave, which reached regionals in 2023 and 2024 by capturing the league tournament before losing in the championship game last season, is coming off atie for fifth. With the help of 23 newcomers, the aim is to finish muchhigher this time.

“The reliability and accountabilityhave been good,” Uhlman said. “When Ishow up at the park every day,Iknow what I’m going to get from them.”

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SCOTT THRELKELD

Tulane pitcher Jacob Moore pitches against UC-Irvineinthe fifth inning during agameatTurchin Stadium in NewOrleans on Feb.25, 2024.

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Staff writer

CHEDIAK

DUNCAN

Continued from page 1C

And the reasons for optimism are directly related to Loomis’ decisions. His fingerprints are all over them. His biggest decision — the hiring of head coach Kellen Moore looks like a shrewd one. Moore assembled a solid staff in his rookie season and displayed a steady hand in the teeth of a 1-8 start. Moore’s biggest coup was the hiring of defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, the architect of a defensive turnaround While Moore still has room to grow as a play-caller and game manager, he has shown an aptitude for improvement, so there’s reason to believe he’ll get better with time on task. From there, Loomis turned his attention to free agency He re-signed Chase Young and Juwan Johnson to affordable, team-friendly deals, and both responded with career seasons He let Paulson Adebo, Payton Turner, Willie Gay and Lucas Patrick walk in free agency, and none of them made much of an impact with their respective teams in 2025. In fact, Adebo — who signed a three-year $54 million deal with the Giants — was a major disappointment in New York, grading as the 74th-ranked corner by Pro Football Focus last season. The addition of free agent safety Justin Reid helped solidify the secondary, and while the Brandin Cooks signing didn’t work out, Loomis moved on quickly when the time was appropriate.

Loomis saved his greatest feat for late April, when he deftly managed Carr’s shocking shoulder injury and subsequent “retirement.” Carr’s abrupt and strange decision had the potential to derail the entire organization. Loomis adroitly negotiated a settlement that worked for all parties. In fact, the Saints actually turned out better for it. Loomis’ handling of the situation

SCOREBOARD

0-0 0, Kelley 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 35-62 18-24 91. LSU (14-10) Nwoko 1-7 1-2 3, Sutton 7-16 3-5 18, Tamba 3-7 5-8 11, King 1-7 0-0 2, Mackinnon

All in all,

2, Reece 2-9 0-0 4, Miller 2-4 6-10 10, Carter 2-9 2-2 7, Mosley 2-3 0-0 5, Bobbett 0-0

0 Totals 21-68 17-27 62. Halftime—Arkansas 42-27. 3-Point Goals—Arkansas 3-12 (Acuff 1-4 Brazile 1-4 M.Thomas 1-4), LSU 3-21 (Mosley 1-2, Carter 1-5, Sutton 1-5, Mackinnon 0-1, Tamba 0-1, Reece 0-3, King 0-4). Rebounds—Arkansas 35 (Brazile 12), LSU 40 (Nwoko 8). Assists—Arkansas 10 (Acuff 5), LSU 12 (Reece 7). Total Fouls—Arkansas 19, LSU 19. A—6,701 (13,215). Men’s National scores Wednesday’s games EAST Boston University 85, Army 68 Colgate 74, Holy Cross 70 Loyola (Md) 68, Lafayette 54 Maryland 77, Iowa 70 VCU 77, La Salle 68 SOUTH East Carolina 88, UTSA 72 UTEP 69, Jacksonville State 64 Western Carolina 87, The Citadel 49 MIDWEST Ohio State 89, USC 82 Women’s state schedule Tuesday’s game East Carolina 65, Tulane 61 Thursday’s games UL-Monroe at Southern Miss, 5 p.m. Nicholls at Houston Christian, 6 p.m. Southern at Texas Southern, 6 p.m. UNO at UIW, 6 p.m. UL at Troy, 6 p.m. Grambling at Prairie View, 6 p.m. Southeastern at East Texas A&M, 6:30 p.m. McNeese at Northwestern, 6:30 p.m. FIU at Louisiana Tech, 6:30 p.m. Women’s

THURSDAY’S

FAIR

GROUNDS ENTRIES

was a master class in crisis management.

A week later, Loomis oversaw the NFL draft, where the Saints landed Tyler Shough, their franchise quarterback, and Kelvin Banks, their left tackle of the future, along with a handful of future starters and contributors in Jonas Sanker, Quincy Riley and Danny Stutsman.

The selection of Shough alone would have made the draft a success. Historically teams don’t find starting quarterbacks of Shough’s caliber in the second round. The entire rebuilding plan has been accelerated by this one decision.

All things considered, the 2025 draft haul was one of the best in recent Saints history exactly what the club needed during its time of transition.

Loomis wasn’t done. He also enjoyed a high batting average on trades. Luke Fortner for Khalen Saunders, a player the Saints were planning to cut, was a clear win The acquisition of Devaughn Vele didn’t come cheap, but he developed a strong connection with Shough before being injured last season and looks like a bona fide third option in the receiver rotation. Loomis shrewdly offset the lost draft capital from the Vele deal by trading Rashid Shaheed to Seattle. Shaheed’s departure hurt the receiving corps and return game in the short term, but the extra fourth- and fifthround picks the team acquired are valuable assets.

Meanwhile, Loomis quietly and wisely bolstered the front office by hiring Randy Mueller and Thomas Dimitroff. The under-the-radar moves didn’t garner much attention with fans, but the club’s scouting and roster management have been better for it.

All in all, it was a very good year for Loomis. He didn’t hit on every move, but he just might have nailed the important ones with head coach and quarterback. Only a few months ago, Saints fans were calling for his head and begging him to retire. When Saints owner Gayle Benson defended Loomis in our November interview, calling the notion of firing him “ridiculous,” many were apoplectic. True to form, Loomis remained undaunted. He refused to overreact and quietly went about his work. Now, the pitchforks and torches have been stored away, and he’s enjoying the last laugh. As he approaches age 70, the NFL’s longest-tenured GM showed he still has his fastball

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Saints president Dennis Lauscha, left, and general manager Mickey Loomis watch during training camp in Metairie on July 30.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Saints head coach Kellen Moore, left, is seen with owner Gayle Benson and general manager Mickey Loomis at a news conference.

You should eatmore beans

Here are3recipes to getyou started

BY BETH DOOLEY

The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS)

Cooking dried beans is much easier than you think.

First of all, you do not need to soakdried beans overnight.Second, beans cookedfrom scratch create their own broth to use in soups, stews and sauces

Beans are immensely affordable uniquely adaptable and flexible.

Categorized as both aprotein and avegetable, they’re nutritious, packed with antioxidants and heart-healthy fibers, are farlower in calories than animal proteins, and contain no fat. Their benefits also may be adietary key to along and healthy life, according to Blue Zone founder Dan Buettner

Howtocookbeans

When cooking beans,there are a few simple basics to remember:

n Put the beans into the pot and add enough water to cover them by about 3inches.

n Add about1tablespoon of salt to 1pound of beans.

n Add aromatics to the pot: afew cloves of garlic, asmall onion, bay leaf, herbs, afew peppercorns

n Do not add tomatoes oracids until the very end; they tend to harden the beans and slowthe cooking.

n Set the pot over high heat, bring to aboil, reduce the heat, cover,and simmer untildone. Start checking the beans after about 2hours, although they maytake longer.When they are tenderand creamy,remove from heat.

n Store cooked beans in their broth in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze.

n 1pound of dried beans will yield 5to6cups of cookedbeans, plus 2to3cups stock.

n 1can of beans is equalto1to2 cups cooked beans, depending on the size of the beans and thesize of the can.

Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili

Serves4 to 6. Recipe is from Beth Dooley

2to3tablespoons vegetable oil

1onion,finely chopped

2cloves garlic,smashed Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2tablespoons maple syrup

3teaspoons ground cumin

1cup bean stock,vegetable stock or water

2chipotles in adobo with their sauce, or to taste 1pound sweet potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1-inch pieces

1(28-ounce)can diced fire-roasted tomatoes

2tablespoons fresh lime juice

Salt and freshly ground blackpepper,totaste

5cups cooked black beans

Choppedcilantro,for garnish

Sliced avocado,shredded Cheddar cheese, cornchips, for serving

1. Film alarge heavy potwiththe oil and set over medium heat. When the oil begins to ripple, add the onion and garlic, season with salt and pepper,and cook until translucent, about 2to3minutes.

2. Stir in the maple syrup,cumin and stock and bring to asimmer Add the chipotles and sauce, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and lime juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper.Increase the heat andbring to aboil.

3. Reduce the heat to asimmer coverthe pot, andcookuntil the sweet potatoes are tender,about 30 to 40 minutes; stir in the cooked beans and continue cookinganother 3to5 minutes.

4. Taste and adjust the seasonings.Servegarnished with the cilantro and pass the avocado, cheese and corn chips alongside.

LIVING

PHOTOSByJOE DELTUFO

OF CARNIVAL THEFLAVORS

From fluffy beignets to agoodroux, classic MardiGrasfoodstandsthe test of time

StandingonSt. Charles Avenue watchingthe floatsroll by,king cakecrumbs still clinging tomy shirt from breakfast, Ioften wonderwhat my grandmother would think of modernMardi Gras. Shecaughther first beads in 1925, back when the crowds were smaller,the throws were fewer, andagood spot on the parade routedidn’t require arriving at dawn with aladder and acooler full of po-boys. The Mardi Gras of acentury agowas adifferent beast entirely, thoughthe spirit remained remarkably similar.Inthe 1920s, theold-line krewes like Rex and Comus dominated the season, theirexclusive balls thepinnacle of New Orleans society.The paradeswere grand but restrained by today’sstandards, with fewer floats andthrows that consisted mainly of simple trinkets

What hasn’tchanged is thefood. Even then,families gathered forelaborate Mardi Gras feasts, thoughthe menu looked somewhat different. Red beans and rice on Monday was already sacred tradition, but theking cakes were simpleraffairs —often justaring of sweet dough witha bean hidden inside, nothing like thecream cheese-filled, pralinetopped extravaganzas we devour

BYGRETCHEN McKAY

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Kevin Belton

today The Depression years brought leaner times to Mardi Gras, but New Orleanians refused to let hard times dampen their spirits. Families madedowith what they had, stretching ingredientsto feed crowds of neighbors and friends. Apot of gumbo could feed dozens, and jambalaya becamethe ultimatepartydish —rice, whatever meat you could afford, and theholy trinity of onions, celery and bell peppers transforming humble ingredients into something celebratory

My grandmother remembered hermother making beignets by thehundreds during Carnival season, thesmell of frying dough and powdered sugar abeacon of joy during difficult times

Post-World WarIIMardi Gras exploded with new energy as soldiers returned home and thecity’s

ä See BELTON, page 2D

Beignets

Serves 8-10. 1cup warm water ¾cup sugar,divided 1(¼-ounce)packageactive dry yeast

2largeeggs, beaten 1¼ teaspoons kosher salt 1cup evaporated milk 6½cupsall-purpose flour,divided ¼cup shortening Vegetable oil,for frying 2cups powdered sugar

1. In the bowlofastand mixer, or in alarge bowl, combine water,¼cup sugar,and yeast and set aside for10minutes.

2. In aseparate bowl, whiskthe eggs,salt, milk and remaining sugar together.Add the egg mixture to the yeast starter

and stir. Add3 cups of flour and combine thoroughly.Cut in the shortening and continue to mix. Add remaining flour and mixtoform alarge dough ball.

3. On a floured work surface, knead the dough until smooth, about10minutes. Place dough into alarge bowl, cover andplace in a warm place to rise, about 2hours.

4. Preheat oil to 375 degrees.

5. Roll out the dough to a ¼-inch-thick rectangle and cutinto 2-inchsquares. Fry pieces to agolden brown, turning continuously.Removeand drain on papertowels. Sprinkle with powdered sugar

Mysteryheads to thecircusfor MardiGrasBallofRoses

Thespirit of Carnival was alive and well under the big top as the Krewe of Mystery celebrated the 115th Ball of Roses withacircus theme at the Orpheum Theater the Wednesday before Mardi Gras.

ElizabethMcLundie Bolton Schmidt,queen of Mystery

Reigning over the ball was Miss Elizabeth McLundie Bolton Schmidt, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Justin Burton Schmidt. Serving as maids in the court were Misses Cecile Amanda Abbott, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Herschel L. Abbott III; Vivian Bryce Jones, daughterofMr. James R. Jones and stepdaughter and daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Samuel Wagner V; Suzanne Marie Brown, daughter of Dr.and Mrs. Eric C. Brown;Hazel Kathryn Drury,daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Lloyd L. Drury III; Madeline Frances Kes-

BEANS

Continued frompage1D

MoroccanBean,

Squash and Tomato Stew

Serves

4to6.Recipe is from Beth Dooley

2tablespoons olive oil

2medium onions, halved and sliced

3cloves garlic, smashed

1/4 cup chopped parsley,plus more for garnish

1red pepper,seeded and cut into 2-inch pieces

1cup peeled, cubed butternut squash, sweet potato or carrot

2to3tablespoonsras el hanout (see tipbelow)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2cups bean or vegetable stock, more as needed

1/4 cup tomato paste

5to 6cups cooked pinto or white beans

1to2tablespoons lemonjuice,totaste

Pepitas, for garnish

1. Film alarge deep pot with oil and set over medium heat

Add theonions, garlic, parsley, redpepper,squash andras el hanout, and season generously with salt and pepper

2. Stirthe vegetables withthe spices and cook until fragrant, about 3to5minutes. Stir in the stock and tomato paste, bring to aboil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the squash is tender, about 15 minutes.

3. Stir in the beans and lemon juice and continue cooking until the flavors have combined and the beans areheated through. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Serve garnished with pepitas andadditional parsley

Tip: Substitute ras el hanout by using2teaspoons ground cumin, 1teaspoon ground coriander,1 teaspoon paprika, 2teaspoons ground ginger,1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1teaspoon ground nutmeg and agenerous pinch of cayenne or cloves.

LemonyPasta, White Beans andOlives

Serves 4to6.Recipe is from Beth Dooley 1poundpasta of choice

1/4 cup extra-virginolive oil, plus more as needed

2largeshallots, thinly sliced

4cloves garlic, smashed

1/4 cup chopped kale

1/4 teaspoon crushed redpepper,plus more as needed Salt and freshly ground black pepper

5to6cups cooked cannellinibeans

1/2 cupbean stock or vegetable stock, or more as needed

Zest and juice of 1lemon

1/2 cup pitted black olives, chopped

11/4 cup chopped parsley

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese,plus more for finishing

1. Cook thepastainalarge potofheavilysalted water until tender but still firm, about10to 12 minutes. Drain and set aside.

2. Preheatthe oven to 350F Generously grease abaking dish with oil.

3. Film alarge deep skillet with the 1/4 cup of oil and addthe shallots, garlic, kale, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper.Cook until the kale is wilted and tender, about 3to5minutes.Stirin thebeans andtosstocoatwith thevegetables, then stirinthe stockand simmer for 3to5 minutes.

4. Add the lemon zestand juice, olivesand parsley, then fold in the pasta, addingmore stock as needed. Fold in the cheese.

5. Transferthe pasta to the baking dish. Sprinkle withmore Parmesan and bake until the cheese is nicely melted, about 3to4minutes. Serve garnished with adrizzle of oil and apinch of red pepper flakes.

Jones

sels, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. JohnS.Kessels; Catherine Carlisle Martin, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Hamilton Loftin Martin; Lizette

Anne Terrillion, daughter of Dr.and Mrs. Albert J. Terrillion; Elizabeth Adlynn Johnston, daughterof Mr.and Mrs. Robert Reed

BELTON

Continued from page1D

economy rebounded. The 1950s and’60s sawthe birth of many suburban krewes, democratizing Carnival beyond the old-line societies.

Suddenly, more people could participate in the magic of riding a float and throwing beads to the crowdsbelow.The food culture expanded too, withrestaurants like Antoine’sand Galatoire’s becoming Mardi Gras institutions, their dining rooms packed with revelers in costumes, consumingoysters Rockefeller and pompano enpapillote between parade routes.

The1970s broughtBacchus, the first superkrewe, forever changing the scale and spectacleofMardi Gras parades. Suddenly,celebritymonarchs and massive floatsbecame the norm, and the crowds swelled accordingly.Food vendors began appearing along parade routes, selling everything from Lucky Dogs to seafood pasta, turning the streets into one massive movable feast.

King cake became big business, with bakeries competing to create the most outrageous flavors and fillings. The simple cinnamon roll of yesteryear gave way to versions stuffed with cream cheese, pralines, strawberries, and eventually, anything the imagination could conjure.

HurricaneKatrina in 2005 threatened Mardi Gras as we knew it, butthe city’sdetermination to celebrate proved stronger than the storm. The 2006 Carnivalseason becameadefiant declaration that New Orleans would survive. The parades rolled, perhaps with fewer floats and smaller crowds, but with more heart than ever before.

Families who had lost everything still found ways to make king cake and gumbo, sharing what little they had because

FILLING

Continued from page1D

cut thehead in half from top to bottom and remove the core. Place the cabbage cut-side down on the cutting board and make a series of parallel vertical cuts; spacing depends on how finely sliced you want the slaw.Repeat with other half head.

Icooked the apples with the (well-washed) skinon, but you canpeel them for asmoother texture.

One-pot

Pork Chops with Apples and Slaw

Serves 4. Recipe is adapted from “Eat What YouLove Quick & Easy”byMarlene Koch. For slaw:

ByThe Associated Press

TodayisThursday,Feb. 12, the 43rd day of 2026. There are 322 days leftinthe year

Todayinhistory: On Feb.12, 1999, the Senate votedtoacquit President Bill Clinton in hisimpeachment trial on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. Also on this date: In 1554, LadyJane Grey,who hadclaimed the throne of England for nine days, and her husband, Guildford Dudley,were beheaded afterbeing condemned for hightreason

that’swhat Mardi Gras hasalways been about —community, resilience and joy in the face of adversity

Today’sMardi Gras is amagnificent hybrid of old and new traditions. We still have the exclusive balls of the old-line krewes, but we also have the irreverent satire of the Krewe of Muses and the walking clubs like the Krewe of Red Beans. The food scene has exploded beyond recognition —you can find everything from traditional muffulettas to Vietnamese-Creole fusion along theparade routes. Food trucks serve Korean tacos next to vendors selling cochon de lait po-boys, while king cake flavors have become so elaboratethat puristsshake their heads in dismay Yetsomehow,through all the changes, Mardi Gras remains essentially itself. We still gather with family and friends, still stake out our favoriteparade spots, still argue about which bakery makes thebest king cake. We still believe that agood roux can fixalmost anything, that there’snoproblem too big that it can’tbesolved over apot of gumbo, and that life is always better with alittle lagniappe. As Iwatch another parade roll by,catching beads with one hand and holding aslice of king cake with the other,Ithink my greatgrandmother would recognize this celebration after all. The details may have changed, but thesoul of Mardi Gras —that beautiful, delicious, joyful chaos —remains eternal. Laissez les bons tempsrouler,indeed.

Kevin Belton is resident chef of WWL-TV and has taught classes in Louisiana cooking for 30 years. The most recent of his four cookbooks, “Kevin Belton’sCookin’ Louisiana: Flavors from theParishes of the Pelican State,” was published in 2021. Email Chef at chefkevinbelton@gmail com..

1small head green cabbage, slicedthin or shredded

1tablespoon butter or extravirgin olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1teaspoon celeryseed

For pork chops:

4(3-ounce) center cut pork chops

Salt and pepper

3tablespoons butter,divided

1tablespoon fresh chopped sage

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 2GrannySmith or other tartapple, cored and sliced into wedges

1small shallot, minced (about 2tablespoons)

1cup chicken broth or stock

1tablespoon cornstarchor flour

2teaspoons Dijon mustard

1. Prepare slaw.Heat butter or oil in alarge nonstick skillet over medium heat.

2. Add cabbage and toss with

In 1809, Abraham Lincoln, the16th president of the United States, was born in alog cabin at Sinking Spring Farmnear Hodgenville, Kentucky In 1909, theNational Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded in New York City.

In 1912, Pu Yi,the last emperor of China, abdicated, marking the end of the QingDynasty In 1914, groundbreaking took place for theLincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. In 2002, former Yugoslav President Slobodan Miloševic went on trial in The Hague, charged

Aqueen’ssupper was held following the ball at the Roosevelt Hotel.

Committeemen for the gala ball were Messrs. Michael Q. Walsh Jr., Edward H. Bergin, John R. Cook IV Ralph G. Breaux, Mark E. Hanna, Mahlon D. Sanford, Stephen H. Schonberg and Drs. William E. Davis and Wesley W. Bryan.

Johnston; and Piper Katherine Franks, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Zeljko S. Franks II. Serving as her majesty’strainbearers were Misses Elizabeth Abigail Childress, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Joseph P. Childress; and Jean Rose Murphy,daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Brendan M. Murphy Pages to his majesty were Masters Thomas Jackson Bethune V, son of Mr.and Mrs. Bethune IV;John Martin Roth, son of Mr.and Mrs. Richard J. Roth III; Wilton Ellwood Bland V, son of Mr.and Mrs. Bland IV;and Hayward Manson Adams, son of Mr.and Mrs. Mark Philip Adams. Ahighlight of the ball was the recognition of the 50-year queen, Mrs. Peter H. Hopkins, who reigned as Miss Jean Ann Maumus. The New Orleans Ballet Association performed at the ball.

adry oven

DryOven Roux

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On acookie sheet, place 3-4 cups all-purpose flour, keeping 1inch awayfrom thesidesofthe pan. Place in thepan in the oven. Make sure to stir every 30 minutes.

Gumbo Base

Serves 8-12.

3cups diced onions

1cup dicedcelery 1cup dicedgreen bell pepper

1cup dicedgreen onions

1cup vegetable oil

1cup all-purpose flour 1tablespoon chopped garlic 2tablespoonsCreole seasoning 8cups chicken stock

abase for okra

If you cook for 2hours, this will be apeanut butter color,such as foranétouffeé.

If you cook for 4hours, this will be achocolate color, such as for gumbo. Once cooled, this must be sifted. Once sifted,store it the wayyou would store flour

1. Place onions, celery,bell pepper and green onions in astock pot and set aside. 2. In astainless steel or cast-iron pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add flour,and use awhisk to slowly stir,making sure to cover the entire bottom of the pan until flour is achocolate color.Pour roux on top of vegetables in stock pot and stir Place pot over medium heat, add garlicand Creole seasoning, and stir for 2minutes. Add stock and bring to aboil. Usethis as the base forgumbo recipes of choice.

Okra Gumbo

Serves 8-12.

11/2 poundsandouille sausage, cut in halfand sliced 1pound okra, sliced 1recipe Gumbo Base 2pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined

tongs to coat.Cook for3-4 minutes, or until cabbage starts to slightly wilt.

3. Reduce heat to medium,add 1tablespoon water,cover with lid and cook for1minute.

4. Uncover skillet andadd celery seed. Continue to toss and cook foranother2-3 minutes, or until cabbage is softened and slightly translucent.

5. Season to taste withsaltand pepper, coverand setaside while you prepare pork chops.

6. Pat pork chops drywithpaper towels andseason well with salt and pepper

7. Add 1tablespoon butter to a large nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Whensizzling, add chops and choppedsage andcook for2 minutes perside,or untillightly brownedwitha nice sear

8. Remove chopstoaplate and

Cooked rice, to serve 1. Add andouille sausage and okra to astock pot of hot gumbo base,and simmerfor 20 minutes on medium heat. Add shrimp and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Serve over rice.

setaside while you cook apples.

9. Addremaining 2tablespoons butter to thepan and add the apples. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally,for 3-4 minutes, or until the apples are lightly browned.

10. Add chopped shallotand cook untilsoftand aromatic, about2 minutes.

11. In amedium bowl, whisk together broth, cornstarch and mustard in amedium bowl. Pour into skilletwiththe apples andbring to asimmer.

12. Return chops to skillet, reduce heat to medium-low and cook for3minutes. Turn chops and cook until sauce is slightly thickenedand chops register 145 Fonaninstant-read thermometer

13.Transfer chops to aplatter or divide among 4plates. Topwith applesand sauce, andserve with warm cabbage slaw

with genocide and warcrimes. (Miloševi died in 2006 before the trial could conclude).

In 2016, Pope Francis embraced Patriarch Kirill in the first meeting between apontiff and the head of the RussianOrthodox Church. The meeting in Havana was alandmark development in the 1,000-year schism that has dividedChristianity In 2019, Mexico’smost notoriousdrug lord, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, wasconvicted in New York of running an industrial-scaledrug smuggling operation, murderand money laundering. (Guzman is currently

serving alife sentence at the federal supermaxprison facility in Florence,Colorado.)

Today’sbirthdays: Film director Costa-Gavrasis93. Author Judy Blume is 88. Former Israeli PrimeMinister Ehud Barak is 84. Country singerMoe Bandy is 82. MusicianMichael McDonald is 74. Actor-talk showhost Arsenio Hall is 70. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh is 61. Actor JoshBrolin is 58. Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky is 57. Actor Christina Ricci is 46.Rapper Gucci Mane is 46. Actor Jennifer Stone is 33. Pro wrestler Jaida Parkeris27.

Franks Terrillion Johnston

PHOTO By JOE DELTUFO Kevin Belton uses

roux as

gumbo.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Direct your energy in a positive direction, and the returns will be satisfying. Stick to the straight and narrow, and let honesty, integrity and openness carry you to victory.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Takeamoment to reflect before you act. Emotions can twist your perception, leaving you vulnerable if you act in haste. Look inward and work on self-improvement instead of trying to change others.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Confusion is prevalent and can be emotionally and financially costly if you don't check your facts. Too much of anything will set you back. Choose modesty, simplicity and minimalism.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Avoid impulsive behavior. The best results come from hard work, time, patience, dedication and desire. If you want to reach your objective, do so in an environment conducive to achievement.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Money talks. Refrain from spending money on items that promise the impossible. Recognize when someone is taking advantage of you and avoid sharing private information.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Look at the big picture and the possibilities, and don't rule something out because you cannot grasp the changes involved. It's time to grow and to try something new and exciting.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) You'll receive mixed emotions from whoever you

try to get information from. Do some research and verify what you discover before you move forward with your plans.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Size up situations, what's available and what's within your price range. Don't mix money and emotions. Social events will bring you closer to someone you love.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Put your energy into something you enjoy doing. The time you spend working to perfect something you enjoy will encourage you to rearrange your schedule to include more pleasurable activities.

scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Take a break, rethink your plans and direct your energy accordingly. Let your intuition, intelligence and imagination guide you forward. Let your thoughts turn into action.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Balance your budget and see what's left. Once you set a budget for something you want, it will shape your outlook and help you move forward with your plans.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Set goals that excite you. Travel, educational pursuits and reuniting with people you enjoy being around will motivate you to take an active part in changing your life and manifesting your dreams.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact © 2026 by nEa, inc dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

toDAy's cLuE: G EQuALs y

FAMILY CIrCUS

CeLebrItY CIpher

For better or For WorSe

SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

SherMAn’S LAGoon

Sudoku

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

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

THe wiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

CurTiS

Yesterday’s PuzzleAnswer

By PHILLIP ALDER Bridge

Do youlike overtricks?

The answer depends upon circumstances.Ifyouareplayinginapairevent or aboard-a-match teams, youusually try to gather as many overtricks as possible.Butinotherformsofthegame,you should concentrate on making your contract.True, if youcan go after an overtrickwithout anyrisk, do so.However, tryingfor20or30morepointsandlosing a300-pointor500-pointgamebonusdoes notmakesense.

In this deal,how should South play safelyinthreeno-trumpafterWestleads his fourth-highest spade?

Southstartswitheighttoptricks:three spades, three diamonds and two clubs. The extra trickisbound to come from clubs. Andifthat finesse is working, there will be at least one overtrickin South’s future.

Acareless declarer would look no further. He would take the first trick on the board with thespade queen and run the clubjack(orplayaclubtohisace,return to the board in spades or diamonds, then take the finesse).Here, though, that ought to cost the contract. West should shift to theheart queen, and the defenders can take one club and four hearts. WithEast on lead, dummy’s heart king is safe from attack. So South should cash his twotop clubs. Here the queen drops andSouthgetsthatovertrick.ButifEast started with queen-thirdor-fourth, the contract would be safe ©2026 by nEa, inc., dist.Byandrews mcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzleisa word riddle which creates adisguisedword,phrase,name,place, saying etc. For example: nOOn gOOD =gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previousanswers:

word game

InstRuctIons: 1. Wordsmust be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are notallowed. 3. additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

toDAy’s WoRD DERVIsH: DER-vish: One who whirlsordances with abandonment.

Averagemark23words

Time limit 40 minutes

Canyou find 29 or more wordsinDERVISH?

yEstERDAy’s WoRD —IGnoMInIous

goon noon nosing noun ominous onion onus mini mining minion minus miso mono mooing moon mousing musing union unionism unison using sign sing smog smug snug song soon suing sumo sung

today’s thought “Howshall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first begantobespoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by themthat heard him;” Hebrews 2:3

Don’t neglect God’s salvation in Jesus Christ. Surrender your all to Him today. G.E. Dean

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles hidato

mallard fillmore

Scrabble 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.

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

Well

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

Get fuzzy

jump Start

roSe iS roSe

DuStin

Drabble

andwas not madeand remains whollyunpaidasofthe dateofthisnotice, and nopayment hasbeen madesufficienttore‐store theloantocur‐rency;and WHEREASthe entire amount delinquentasof November5,2025, is $389,413.45 and WHEREAS, by virtue of thisdefault,the Secre‐taryhas declared theen‐tireamount of thein‐debtednesssecured by the Deed of Trusttobe immediately dueand payable NOWTHEREFORE,pur‐suant to powers vested inmebythe Single Fam‐ily ForeclosureAct of 1994 12U.S.C.3751 et seq.,by 24CFR Part 27, SubpartB and by theSecretary's designation of me as Foreclosure Commis‐sioner, recorded on March 12, 2024, under DocumentNumber# 12409670, notice is herebygiven that,on March 5, 2026 at 10am, all realand personal prop‐ertyatorusedincon‐nection with thefollow‐ing describedpremises ("Property"), will be sold atpublicauction to the highest bidder(s): LEGALDESCRIPTION THAT CERTAINPIECE OR PORTION OF GROUND TOGETHERWITHALL IM‐PROVEMENTSTHEREON AND ALLTHE RIGHTS WAYS, PRIVILEGES, SERVITUDESAND ADVAN‐TAGES THEREUNTOBE‐LONGING OR IN ANYWISE APPERTAINING,SITUATED IN THEFIFTH MUNICIPAL DISTRICTOFTHE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, STATEOF LOUISIANA,INTHATSUB‐DIVISIONKNOWN AS KINGSTONCOURT,ALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH A

PLAN OF SUBDIVISON PREPAREDBYADLOE ORR, JR. &ASSOCIATES CIVIL ENGINEERS, DATED FEBRUARY5,1966, REGIS‐TERED IN COB674 FOLIO 243, RECORDSOFOR‐LEANS PARISH,ALSO BEING MORE PARTICU‐LARLY DESCRIBEDON PLANOFRESUBDIVISION MADEBYJ.J.KREBS SONS, INC.,DATED MARCH 13, 1972, ACOPY OFWHICH IS ANNEXED TOACT BEFORE HUGH E. HUMPHREY,NOTARY PUBLIC,DATED MAY29, 1972, WHICHPLANIS REGISTEREDINCOB 706 FOLIO 670, ON APRIL17, 1972. ACCORDINGTOSAID SURVEYSAIDLOT OR PORTION OF GROUND IS DESIGNATEDASLOT 50-A, IN SQUARE 116, SAID SQUAREBEING BOUNDED BYKINGSTON, FAIRFAX STREET,AND AURORA DRIVE SAID LOT50-A COMMENCES AT ADIS‐TANCE OF 63.57 FEET FROMTHE CORNER OF WESTCHESTERSTREET AND KINGSTON COURT, MEASURESTHENCE90 FEET FRONTON KINGSTONCOURT,SAME WIDTH IN THEREAR, BY A DEPTH OF 140 FEET BE‐TWEEN EQUALAND PAR‐ALLELLINES CommonlyKnown As: 6011 Kingston Ct New Orleans,LA, 70131 PermanentParcelNum‐ber:513831502 TheSecretary of Housing and UrbanDevelopment willbid $397,372.68, plus any additional accrual, fees,costs or chargesin‐curredbythe Secretary uptothe date of sale Therewillbenoprora‐tionoftaxes,rents or other income or liabili‐ties, except that thepur‐chaser(s) will pay, at or beforeclosing,his (their) pro-ratashare of anyreal estatetaxes that have been paid by theSecre‐tarytothe date of the foreclosure sale When making theirbids, all bidders, except the Secretary,mustsubmit a deposit totaling $39,737.27 in theformof a certified checkor cashier's checkmade out to theUnitedStates Secretary of Housingand Urban Development. A deposit need notaccom‐panyeachoralbid.Ifthe successfulbid is oral a deposit of $37,737.27 mustbepresented be‐forethe biddingis closed. Thedeposit is non-refundable. There‐mainder of thepurchase price must be delivered i hi d f h l

p within30 daysof thesale oratsuchother time as the Secretarymay deter‐minefor good cause shown, time beingofthe essence. This amount likethe biddeposits, mustbedelivered in the formofacertified or cashier's check. If the Secretary is thehighbid‐der,heneed notpay the bid amount in cash.The successfulbidder(s) will pay allconveyancing fees,all real estate and other taxesthatare due onorafter thedelivery dateofthe remainderof the paymentand all other costsassociated withthe transfer of title. Atthe conclusion of the sale, thedepositsofthe unsuccessfulbidder(s) willbereturnedtothem. TheSecretary maygrant anextension of time withinwhich to deliver the remainderofthe pay‐ment. Allextensionswill befor 15-dayincrements for afee of $500, paid in advance.The extension fee shallbepaidinthe formofacertified or cashier's checkmade payable to theUnited StatesSecretary of Hous‐ing andUrban Develop‐ment. If thehighbid‐der(s)close(s)the sale prior to theexpirationof any extensionperiod, the unused portionofthe ex‐tension feeshall be ap‐plied toward theamount due at closing. If thehighbidder(s) is/areunabletoclose the salewithinthe required period, or within anyex‐tensionsoftimegranted bythe Secretary, the highbiddermay be re‐quiredtoforfeit thecash deposit,oratthe elec‐tionofthe foreclosure commissionerafter con‐sultation with theHUD representative, will be li‐abletothe Secretaryfor any costsincurredas a resultofsuchfailure,and the Commissioner may, atthe directionofthe HUD FieldOffice Repre‐sentative,offerthe Prop‐ertytothe second high‐est bidder foranamount equal to thehighest price offeredbythatbid‐der Thereisnoright of re‐demption,orright of possessionbased upon a right of redemption,in the mortgagor or others subsequenttoa foreclo‐surecompleted pursuant tothe Act. Therefore, the Foreclosure Commis‐sionerwillissuea Deed tothe purchaser(s) upon receipt of theentirepur‐chase priceinaccor‐dance with theterms of thesaleas provided h i d

p herein. HUD doesnot guarantee that theprop‐ertywill be vacant Thescheduled foreclo‐suresaleshall be can‐celledoradjourned if it is established,bydocu‐mentedwrittenapplica‐tionofthe mortgagor to the ForeclosureCommis‐sionernot less than 3 daysbeforethe date of sale, or otherwise, that the default or defaults uponwhich theforeclo‐sureisbased didnot exist at thetimeofser‐viceofthisnoticeofde‐fault andforeclosure sale, or allamountsdue under themortgage agreement aretendered tothe ForeclosureCom‐missioner,inthe form of a certified or cashier's check payabletothe UnitedStatesSecretary ofHousing andUrban De‐velopment,beforepublic auction of thepropertyis completed Theamount that must be paidifthe mortgage is to bereinstatedprior to the scheduled sale is $397,372.68 as of March5 2026, plus allother amountsthatwould be due under

This Instrument prepared by: PennyDaigrepont 3500 NCausewayBlvd Suite 116 Metairie,Louisiana 70002 Firm #25-016484 176367-FEBB 12-19-26-3T $2,897.35 PUBLIC NOTICE Pursuant to

“B –ProfessionalServices Agreement.Specific terms andconditionsof the Agreementtobe awarded under this RFQ are containedherein. Needed Services: TheselectedProposer willberequiredtoper‐formall services as set forth in Attachment “A”ScopeofServices. MinimumQualifications: Please refertoattach‐mentA of theRFQ Obtaininga Copy of the Solicitation: Copies of thesolicitation and relatedinformation are availableatthe City’s purchasingwebsite: https://nola.gov/viewbid-opportunities/ Instructions: PLEASE NOTE: Proposers are strongly encouraged tosubmitthe following electronicallyvia Email to seth.leger@nola.gov (cc: procurement@ flymsy.com), notlater than,March 4, 2026 at 4:00 PM C.T. a. One(1) digitallysigned responseinPDF format titled“RFQ#4632 On-Call Architectural& Engineer‐ingDesignServices”. b. Asignedcover letter including thecompany’s name, addressand pri‐marycontact forthe re‐quest forqualifications. The primarycontact in‐formation shallinclude submitter name,tele‐phone,and emailad‐dress. c. Proposersmustcom‐plete allrequiredattach‐ments andsubmitalong with theelectronic pro‐l b i i p posal submissions. For proposalssubmitted via sealed envelope: Applicants should sub‐mit thefollowing to the DepartmentofFi‐nance/BureauofPur‐chasing,Attention: Chief Procurement Officer, As‐

ROLL CALL: YEAS: Giarrusso,Green, Harris, King, Moreno, Morrell, Thomas -7 NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 0

RECUSED: 0 ANDTHE ORDINANCE WASADOPTED.

MOTIONS/RESOLUTIONS

NO.R-25-610 BY:COUNCILMEMBER GIARRUSSO (BYREQUEST)

SECONDED BY:COUNCILMEMBER GREEN

WHEREAS, the New Orleans City CouncilonNovember 6, 2025 enacted Ordinance No.30522 M.C.S. establishing the City of New Orleans Employee Emergency PayrollFund in Chapter 70, Article III, Division 55 of the Code of the City of New Orleans (the “Fund”) and imposing aseries of requirements regulating the payment of expenses from the Fund; and WHEREAS, Section70-415.347(b) of the Code provides that no expenditurefromthe Fund shall be permitted unless authorized by one or moreCouncilresolutions and further provides that any such authorization shall be limited to specificcategories of expenditures delineated in the Code; and WHEREAS, the administration, in accordance with City Code §70415.347(c), has submitted abudget and expenditure plan estimating up to $19,604,369.17 in payroll-related expenses for employees of the police and fire departments (as well as certain employees paid weekly) for the payroll period beginning November 16, 2025 and ending November 29, 2025 (the “November 29 Pay Period”); and WHEREAS, on December 3, 2025, the Counciladopted ResolutionNo. R-25-595, authorizing the release of $6,609,043.82 from the Fund to cover the cost of payroll-related expenses for employees of the police and fire departments (as well as certain employees paid weekly) for the November 29 Pay Period; and WHEREAS, Resolution No.R-25-595 noted that the remainder of the city’scostsfor the November 29 Pay Period encompassed various fringe benefits and other payroll-related payments that would be finalized and processed on asubsequent date and addressed in aseparate resolution; and WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, working in concert with the Department of Finance, has confirmed an additional $7,247,435.64 in fringe benefits and other payroll-related costs relatedtothe November 29 Period, payment of which represents an allowable use of the Fund; and WHEREAS, the Council desirestoapprove the use of the Fund to cover the cost of the foregoing fringe benefits and other payroll-related payments, as described herein; NOWTHEREFORE BE RESOLVED BY THECOUNCIL OF THECITYOFNEW ORLEANS, That the Council, in accordance with City Code §70-415.347, does hereby approve and ratify the release of $7,247,435.64 from the City of New Orleans Employee Emergency PayrollFund to

WITHDRAWN. SUBSTITUTE NO. R-25-611 BY:COUNCILMEMBERGIARRUSSO SECONDED BY:COUNCILMEMBER KING WHEREAS, the NewOrleansCity Council on November6,2025 enacted OrdinanceNo. 30522 M.C.S. establishing the City of NewOrleans EmployeeEmergency Payroll Fund in Chapter 70, Article III, Division 55 of the Code of the City of NewOrleans(the “Fund”)and imposing aseries of requirements regulating the payment of expenses from the Fund; and WHEREAS, Section 70-415.347(b) of the Code provides thatno expenditurefromthe Fund shall be permitted unless authorized by one or moreCouncil resolutions andfurtherprovides thatany such authorization shall be limitedtospecificcategoriesofexpenditures delineated in the Code;and WHEREAS, the administration, in accordance with City Code §70415.347(c), hassubmitteda budget andexpenditureplanestimating up to $11,361,025.02inpayroll-related expenses for City employees (other thanthe police and fire departments) for the payroll period beginning November23, 2025 andending December 6, 2025 (the“December 12 Payroll”); and WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor,working in concert with the Department of Finance, hasconfirmedthatthe December 12 Payroll includes$6,539,097.91inactualwagepayments andvarious withholdings, whichrepresents an allowable use of Fund proceedsthat will be processed immediately upon adoption of this instrument and remittedtoemployees in their weeklypaychecks;and WHEREAS, the remainderofestimated plan of expenses encompasses various fringe benefits andotherpayroll-related payments thatwill be finalized andprocessed on asubsequent date andmay be paid from the Fund if authorized pursuant to aseparateresolution; NOW THEREFORE BE RESOLVED BY THE COUNCILOFTHE CITY OF NEWORLEANS, Thatthe Council, in accordance with City Code §70-415.347,does hereby approve andratify the release of $6,539,097.91fromthe City of NewOrleansEmployeeEmergency Payroll Fund to cover the cost of payroll-related expenses for City employees (other thanthe police and fire departments) for the payroll period beginning November23, 2025 and ending December 6, 2025. The foregoing authorization shall be subject to concurrencebythe Louisiana Legislative Auditor,inaccordance with City Code §70-415.347(d). BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCILOFTHE CITY OF NEWORLEANS, Thatcertified copies of this resolution be delivered immediately to the ChiefAdministrative Officer,the Director of Finance, andthe Louisiana Legislative Auditor THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION WASREAD IN FULL, THE ROLLWAS CALLEDONTHE ADOPTION THEREOF,AND RESULTED AS FOLLOWS: YEAS: Giarrusso, Green,Harris, King, Moreno, Morrell, Thomas-7 NAYS: 0 ABSENT:0 AND THE RESOLUTION WASADOPTED. There being no furtherbusiness, on motion of CouncilmemberGiarrusso, seconded by CouncilmemberMorrell, andwithout objection, the Council meeting adjournedat9:26A.M.

LORAW.JOHNSON CLERK OF COUNCIL DM/jmr NOCP 8882

Knights of Babylon

February12, 2026

HAPPY 87thANNIVERSARYKNIGHTS OF BABYLON

1. Babylon Jester Emblemand trademark“Carnival Begins when Babylon Rolls™”

2. Captain - Captain of theKnightsofBabylon

3. Sargon LXXX -Sargon LXXX rides on hisnewly designed elaboratepapier-mâché throne surroundedbyfour pages. Mules pull Sargon, which is atraditionthatdates to theoriginal New Orleans carnivals

4. Officers -The Officers of theKnights of Babylonride on theCarrollton streetcar. This streetcar is aNew Orleans tradition that startedin1835. The St.Charles Streetcar line is ahistoric streetcarline in New Orleans. It is the oldest continuouslyoperating streetcarlineinthe world.

5. TheGates of Ishtar -The Babylon Dukesrideonthe Gates of Ishtar -one of themain gatesleadingintothe ancient Babylonian city.

6. Babylonian Barge -The BabylonianBarge was modeled afterthe barges used on theNile Riverbythe Babylonians. These barges wereused foravarietyof purposes including commerce and burialbarges.

7. Hanging Gardens of Babylon -Built by Nebuchadnezzar forhis wife,Princess Amytis. The princess longed forthe greeneryofher mountainous land to theNorth but since Babylon was flat,theybuilt thegardens starting with a

brick terraceten stories high followedbyl soil andthenplantsand an irrigation syst Nile to theterraces.

8. TheTempleofMarduk -The temple of Ma main temple in thecityofBabylon andwas greatnessbyNebuchadnezzar. Also called thetempleofMarduk was, afterthe Ziggur royalPalace,the greatest of thearchitect of Babylon.

9. TitleFloat –“AKnightatthe Opera” -K Babylonpresents tonight’stheme “A Knig

10. Babylon Jesters - The Jesters float–this namedinhonor of theJesters Club, thep theKnights of Babylonformed in 1939.

11. Pirates of Penzance -Adutifulyoungappr Frederic,discovershemust remain with te piratesuntil histrue 21st birthday, jeopar forMabeland sparking comic chaos over andmistaken obligations.

12. La Traviata -AParisiancourtesan, Violett redemptive love with therespectable andp Alfredobut sacrifices theirhappinessund pressure, ultimatelydying of consumptio toolatefor reconciliation

yliningoflead, em from the Marduk wasthe as restored to its ed theEsagila ggurat andthe ural complexes -Knights of ht at theOpera” floatwas arent club of pprentice tender-hearted dizing hislove honor,duty tta, finds dprovincial nder family nashereturns

13. 13 -LaBoheme -Apoor poetand fragileseamstress fallinloveamid thejoy andhardship of bohemianParis; misunderstandings, povertyand illness straintheir bond untilMimì dies in Rodolfo’s arms.

14. Mephistopheles -Aging scholar Faustmakes apact with thedevil Mephistopheles forearthly delight; love,illusion andtragedyfollow as Faustseeks fulfillment,while the pureMargherita finds redemption beyond thedevil’s reach

15. TheMagic Flute -Prince Tamino, guided by amagic fluteand thebird-catcher Papageno, seeks to rescue Pamina (daughterofthe Queenofthe Night),onlyto discoverwisdom,virtue andtrue love through trials that reveal thehigh priest Sarastro’sgoodness over the Queen’s deceit

16. Don Giovanni -Don Giovanni,anunrepentant seducer andmurderer, evades vengeance through deception until thestatue of themurderedCommendatore dragshim to hisdamnation,leavinghis victims to reckonwithjustice andrenewal

17. Carmen -Carmen, afree-spiritedgypsy,seduces soldier DonJosé,leadinghim to abandondutyand love.Her passion shifts to bullfighterEscamillo, andJosé’s jealousy culminates in Carmen’s tragic death.

18. DieValkyrie -The god Wotan’s mortal sonSiegmund fallsinforbidden love withhis twin, Sieglinde;the warrior-maiden Brünnhilde defies thegods to protect them, leading to Siegmund’s deathand herown punishmentasthe Valkyrie castfromdivinefavor

19. Tosca -Tosca, apassionatesinger, fights to save her lover, thepainter Cavaradossi, from thesadistic and corrupt police chiefScarpia; betrayal, coercionand desperatechoicesdrive hertoa final, tragic leap toward freedom.

20. TheMarriage of Figaro -Figaro, aservant,and Susanna, amaid, outwit thescheming CountAlmaviva whose attempts to seduceSusannaspark disguises misunderstandings and comicintrigue, ultimately restoringharmonyasthe Counthumblyseeks hiswife Rosina’s forgiveness.

21. Otello -Otello, avictorious general, is slowlydestroyed by hisensign Iago’s calculated lies,drivinghim into jealous rage; convincedhis wifeDesdemona is unfaithful, he murders herbeforerealizingthe truthand taking his own life

22. Aida -Aida, an Ethiopian princess enslaved in Egypt lovesthe Egyptian Captain of theGuardRadamès,who returnsher devotion.War,loyaltyand jealousyentangle

them until bothchoosedeathoverbetrayingloveor country

23. Porgyand Bess -Porgy,adisabled beggar,offersrefuge andlove to troubled Bess,but theviolentCrown and thescheming Sportin’ Lifepull herback towarddanger threateningtheir fragile hope fora newlife.

24. Pagliacci -A jealous Canio, leader of atraveling troupe, discovers hiswifeNedda’s affair.Duringtheir performance,realityand theater collapse as he murders Neddaand herlover, thevillager Silvio, onstage in a tragic frenzy

25. TheBarberofSeville -Figarohelps hismasterCount Almaviva outwit Dr.Bartolo to win Rosina’s love,using disguises,schemes,and comicchaos until theyoung couple finallytriumphsand Bartolo’s plans collapse.

26. Salome -Salome becomes obsessed withthe imprisoned prophet Jochanaan (John theBaptist),demands his head afterherejects her, and meets herown deathwhen Herod, horrified by herdesire,orders herexecution

27. MadamaButterfly -Ayoung geisha, Cio-Cio-San, marriesU.S. navalofficerB.F.Pinkerton, believingin hislove. He abandons her, returning yearslater withhis American wifeKate, leavingButterflytochoosea tragic, heartbreakingend.

#12 DE

Let’s investigate that mysterious connection en Papa and your mama

Let’sinvestigate thatm nnection between Il Papa and your mama and dem. We didn’t need aglobetrotting symbologist, just HNOC’s residentsupersleuthing genealogist

#13 MARTYR ON THE WESTBANK EXPRESSWAY

JariHanora to uncover those secretbloodlines

Anddon’t miss Angels and Demons and Foodbanks.itwill leave youhungry formore.

Foodbanks. it will you hungry for more.

Karma comes for everyone. But can we please have a little drama, because may not

It will take legendary detective Hercule Poirot to

legendaryd cule solvethe mysteryofwhy the trafficisso horrific…even afterthey removedthe tolls If youspend anytimeonthatcommuteyou know trafficcan be murder

ATEGAME -R

Karmacomes foreveryone.But can we pleasehave alittle less drama,because we maynot make it three moreyears!

RIMINAL

mystery how to murder an appetite. we

It’s no er ow murder an appetit Just dial M…for Mounjaro. Sometimes we all need alittle on-the-jab assistance.

#22

Shhhh. Is he walking in the wind or reaching for your iPhone and wallet? Beware those Criminal Mimes.They get away with it quietly

Mimes They away with it

#26

not short term rental rules Okay, we get the one

It’s certainly not elementary, those mysterious shorttermrental rules. Okay,weget theone house per block, but is it really required to have three south-facing windows aminimum of five ceiling fans? These rules arecrazy!

HushHush, FoxNews, and don’t youcry.Just turnoff that TV and startthinking foryourself

Hush Hush, Fox News, you cry. Just

Are you ready for your HE’S HERE! Open the door and a mama’s

our MysteryD the door and dreamboat, amama’s boy…or murderer Oh No!

ARTHUR HARDYB

For 50 years they’ve been for the

’vebeen decipher

Carnival’s mysteries forthe King Cake Capers to the My Masque Balltothe Case of they have solved it all! We Gras without theArthur Har

No,itisnot aCrime Scene Investigation. In the Gulf of Mexico–sorry we mean the Gulf of America –it’saCrawfish Shrimp Investigation. We’relooking forthose nuclear shrimp from China. SenatorKennedysaysthey can make aliens burst out of your body!

And Then There None…no is, at the IRS, FDA,

AndThenThere Were None…n that is,atthe IRS, FDA, FEMA, Doge.Good luck fillingout tha ie nst or

were no crumbs left for

You won’t have

No, it is not a Crime Doge. Good lling out tha that? Looks like

ANGE

DIAL MF MOUNJA

HUSH, HUSH, FOXNEWS

GULF AMERIC

#14 MYSTERY DATE GAME - REALIT

#16 THE ORANGE POTUS

#17 M FOR MOUNJARO

#18 THE

#21 CRIMINAL MIMES for your

#22 FOX NEWS

#23 AND THERE

#27 CSI: OF

Cookie Monst

PBS!

#28 GONE GIRL

Teedy t

SURELOCK HOMES

REALITY EDITION

-R DITION

ry Date? find out if he’s an axe

yD and a maybe an axe WA

#15 NANCY DREWANON

BOYS deciphering masses. From the

all of her resear on message ting the old clock the dig the secrets of thatDCpizza parlor and the truthaboutchemtrails.Isshe smart, or what?

Uh Oh! Nancy Drew has taken to doing all of her research on 4chan, and message boards…so now instead of investigating the old clo r hidd igg secrets that DC pizza truth about chemtrails. Is she smart,

#19 AREA

YB decipher he masses.Fromthe Mystique of the theDelayed Parade, can’t imagineMardi Hardy Boys 504

They came They stayed. We didn’t notice… felt right at home with our

They felt rightathome withour radioactive-green cocktails and constantcostuming, alien identities hidden behind their masks Perhaps afew arerunning foroffice

NONE

RE NE

#24 THE BOURBON STREETTRIANGLE

STREET TRIANGLE

…noemployees, HHS, FTC…Thanks thatform. Andwho’s nst here

…no employees, FTC…Thanks

You thought the was bad? that form. And who’s onster telling us there inhibitions, dignity and memories all disappear. to anymore.

Youthoughtthe Bermuda Triangle wasbad? Visit the Bourbon Street Triangle,whereyour inhibitions,dignityand memories all disappear

to kick around anymore.

#29 SIRENS

PROUD TO BE ROLLING WITH MUSES FOR 26 YEARS

TROUX DETECTIVE

#20 OUX TIVE

On this of Troux Detective the duo find on hunt for worst

season xD ec themselves on the huntfor the best and worst Whoknows wherethis will take them,but we all know it starts with aroux. Andthat’snomystery!

#25 THE EPS

The truth is out there, under layers redacting ink and of red tape, in

FILES of and piles of redtape, in files labeled Lolita, Maralago,14-year-olds,16-year-olds and Princely favorites.

Inspired by the luring creatures of Greek mythology, the Louisiana swamp and the emergencyvehicles thattraditionally signal theend of aparade,the Sirens floatislike no other;ittravels down the avenue on acloudofsmoke,closing outanother amazing Muses parade

MusestHERsdayFebruary12, 2026 /6PM www.kreweofmuses.org

Bathtub

TheBathing Museshit theavenue each year forsomegood,clean fun! They are bubbling over with excitement!

AN

TheGoddesse

TheMuses arep sciences– in ot This floatdepi almost everye demonstrateh light.The Muse in thesprings waterfallismir captureall thel

Mamma Duck andDuckies

Make wayfor Muses’Mama Duck and BabyDuckies

Chris Paul and Anthony Davis were gone faster those martyred Supreme Court

ChrisPauland An is than thosemartyredSupremeCourt justices in the firstchapter of John Grisham’snovel.And thebig guy spends toomuchtimeonthe injuredlist. Maybeintrepidlaw student DarbyShawcan give our coachsometipstosolve themystery of why thereare so many greatPelicans– briefly.

TO

CA IE

Uptown like our own Riviera…And around doing his daily

is likeour ownRiviera…And that porch pirate is slipping arounddoing hisdaily shopping,eversoslyly,waiting forthe UPS trucktopullaway. Butthese days wise recipients aresetting trapstoteach thethieves alesson. If thecameras don’t catchthem, theglitterbomb will!

#9

CATCH A PORCH THIEF

#8 THE PELICANS BRIEFLY

ey epatrons of theartsand otherwords,ofknowledge. ctsthe Muses’origin story, and yelement is illuminatedto ehow knowledge brings things to sesloved to frolic on Mt.Helicon createdbyPegasus’hooves. The irroredtoreflectthe crowd, and elightsofCarnival.

HonoraryMuse2026

TheMuses Shoe carries the Honorary Muse,a womanwho inspires ourkrewe,and our entire community. This year’s HonoraryMuseis SoledadO'Brien—an award-winning documentarian, journalist, speaker,author,and philanthropist.

A true inspiration.

Happyare They Whom theMuses Love

TheMuses OldOfficers Float(akathe MOOF) hasearned acoveted spot in theparade, and our hearts. No,the riders arenot old, the floatis.

Shoe-B-Do-B-Doo! comes the Muses Myster super sleuths are whole parade of our movies, television shows and, of course, thos

Sho -Doo! Here comesthe MusesMyste uper sleuthsare bringi wholeparadeofour favorite mysteries, books, movies,television showsand,ofcourse,thos legendarysecrets that keep theworld stumped.Tonightwill be areal Shoe-Done-It!

Jessica Fletcher is getting with thetimes.Who needsintellect,charm, persistenceora whole novel, when youcan just usea fewemojis?

ec ar verywhere. Theguardsare nowher Canyou escapeinlessthan10-20 years? We hearit’stoeasy.

The clues are everywhere. The guards are nowhere. Can you escape in less than 10-20

MU YM HI

1E AP

#7 TITLE FLOAT: 2026 MUSES MYSTERY CHI

#10 MURDER,SHE TEXTED

#11 ESCAPE ROOM OPP

Feb. 12, 2026

don’t miss don’t miss don’t miss

Keeping a long-held tradition, Rex, the king of Carnival, will arrive in the city Monday before Fat Tuesday via a Coast Guard Cutter for a glittering celebration around 6 p.m. at Spanish Plaza at the foot of Canal Street. Rex will meet King Zulu, along with Mayor Helena Moreno, who will give monarch the key to the city. The captain of the Rex Organization, along with his lieutenants, will join the entourage that will also include herald trumpets. rexorganization.com.

arrival of rex and zulu meeting of the courts in kenner lundi gras festival

The royal courts of Zulu and Argus will meet in Kenner’s Historic Rivertown on Williams Boulevard during the family-friendly festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The gathering of royalty in Jefferson Parish highlights the two organizations that will parade the following day Argus in Metairie and Zulu in New Orleans Following the meeting of the courts, a wagon parade and live music will be held. kenner.la.us.

The Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club hosts a daylong gathering of food, music, arts and merriment on the riverfront at Woldenberg Park starting at 10 a.m. Monday, the day before Mardi Gras. Three stages of entertainment will include the Brass-A-Holics, Big Frank & Lil Franka, the Zulu Ensemble, Soulful Vibrations and several local dance companies. Plus, King Zulu makes an appearances, as does many of the famous Zulu character like Mr. Big Stuff, Province Prince, Big Shot and Witch Doctor. The Zulu maids will also be on hand. The event is free but reserved seating starts at $150. lundigrasfestival.com.

2025 Argus King J Garrison Jordan

2025

Zulu King Rodney Paul Mason Jr., left, and Rex 2025 Howell Crosby

don’tmiss don’tmiss don’t miss

greasing of the poles

It isn’t just to keep folks from scaling the wrought-iron posts at the Royal Sonesta New Orleans —thiseventhas become aparty and contest all rolled into one. Friday at 10 a.m. in the300 block of Bourbon Street, the venerable hotel will stage the event, with music, celebrity guests, entertainment and scadsofpeople-watching at this 56-year-old Carnival happening. neworleansroyalsonesta.com.

ACarnivalSeason ToSmile!

ABOUTLAGNIAPPE

The Lagniappe section is published each ThursdaybyThe Times-Picayune |The NewOrleans Advocate. All inquiriesabout Lagniappe should be directed to theeditor. LAGNIAPPE EDITOR: LaurenWalck, lauren.walck@theadvocate.com

COVERDESIGN: Andrea Daniel

CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS: Victor Andrews, Matt Haines, DougMacCash, KeithSpera

GETLISTEDINLAGNIAPPE

SubmiteventstoLagniappe at least twoweeksinadvance by sending an email to events@theadvocate.com.

ON THECOVER

Paradegoers cheer as theKrewe of Irisrolls through Uptown in 2025. PhotobySophia Germer. Lagniappe has thecomplete rundownfor the final week of Carnival, including parades, mapsand safety advice, which can be pulledout from inside and brought to theparade route.

events events events

KNOCK DRAG DOWN OUT

ChokeHolewrestlersmix camp, tongue-in-cheekAmericana

Atongue-in-cheek, drag version of all-American professional wrestlingcalled Choke Hole slams into the JoyTheateronThursdayand Friday.Audiences can expect matchups between baby faces and heels —the classicheroes and villainsofpro wrestling —who will costumeaseverythingfrom abusty billionaire toabug who has grown to gargantuan proportions because its makeupwas tainted with insecticide.

Choke Hole was born eightyears ago in asteamy,unairconditioned warehouse, somewhere nearthe railroad tracksindowntownNew Orleans. It was an outrageous, raunchy affair that blendedthe preening histrionics of the WWE with the camp vamping of cross-dressed comedy. That first show took place on amat that —ifmemory serves —was made from abillboard advertising beloved local personalinjury attorney Morris Bart.

Choke Hole has since become atouchmorerefined, but its muscular morality plays are still “storytelling in the most ridiculousform possible,”according to impresario Ellery Neon,who maybebetter knownto New Orleans readers as the renowned graffiti artist Hugo Gyrl. The show has aqueer-identity subtext, Neon said, but basically,it’sapasticheofAmericana. Sinceits start, ChokeHole has goneglobal,with performances in Berlin, Hamburg, Las Vegas and New York. Choke Hole was recently includedina New York Times feature on therise of wrestling presented as performance art.

Neon, who now lives in New York,said the theme of the Joy Theater performances is “Choke Hole TV,” in which the audience will find themselves behind the scenes at “a television show in the world of fantasy.” Neon assures potentialattendees that

ABOVE: The

Gorlëënyahemcees ChokeHole.

“we’re not just takingupspace; we’re stinking up that space, too.”

Email Doug MacCash at dmaccash@theadvocate. com.

CHOKE HOLE

18-and-oldershows

9p.m. (doors open at 8p.m.) Thursday and Friday

The JoyTheater, 1200 Canal St $25 to $42; thejoytheater.com

monstrous bugRaid enters the ring to face Jassy. RIGHT:

Doug MacCash

GAMBIT PHOTOSByGABRIELLE KOREIN

CandyPain gives Laveau Contraire the SugarRush during ChokeHole, adrag takeonprofessional wrestling, which will returntoNew Orleans for shows Thursdayand FridayatThe JoyTheater

carnival carnival carnival

TIPS FROM ALOCAL 6 lll MARDIGRASCOCKTAILS 16 lll DOUG MacCASH: STAY VILE,KdV 19

PARADES, MAPS 10-28

SECOND NONETO

Strap yourselves in, people it’shere!

MardiGras 2026 is reaching its zenith in week two,and metro New Orleans will be the center of thegalaxyfor parades, balls, parties and more as the city that “perfected” Carnival.

More than twodozen fullfledged float processions will roll

fromthe northshore to theWest Bank andall points in between, with thebulkofthe happenings hittingthe thoroughfaresof Uptown andCanal Street.

Also of note, many of the “superkrewes” will be on the move, with loads of throws and thrills to go around.

—VictorAndrews

The 2025 Krewe of Atlas parades in Metairie.

STAFF FILE

PHOTO By JOHN MCCUSKER

carnival carnival carnival

GU AR DR AI LS

Tammy C. Barney

After Krewe du “ColdWeather” kicked off CarnivalinJanuary, Mardi Gras festivitiesare now shiftingintohigh gear.Weeks of parades, ladders, marching bands, dancegroups, late nights —and yes, plenty of beads—will culminate on Fat Tuesday,Feb 17. Carnival officially began Jan. 6, and we’ve already devoured countless king cakes and enjoyed ahandful of early parades. We are primed tolet the good times roll. For newcomers, this is the momenttoexperience Mardi Gras theright way.

BARNEY, page 8

The 2025 Kreweof Centurions parades in Metairie. Never runbetween floats or approachthem while theyare moving.you couldbeseriously hurt—orkilled.

STAFF FILE PHOTOBy JOHN McCUSKER

carnival carnival carnival

BARNEY

Continued frompage6

Let’sstart with the calendar.Valentine’sDay falls on the Saturdaythat is traditionally Carnival’sbiggest parade day outside of Fat Tuesday. Endymion rolls on its Mid-City route, while Iris, Mid-City and Tucks paradesrollUptown, and NOMTOC hits the streetson the West Bank.

V-Day dinner reservations, anyone?

Though it might appear to be too complicated, there are options for couples Celebrate early or after Mardi Gras Send extra roses and chocolate. Inany case, it would be wisetoconsultyour significant other beforeyou head to the parade route.

Of course, if your lovedone is from here, there will be no debate. Youare going to the parades, Chère! Which brings us to everyone who isn’t. Presidents Day falls on Lundi Gras, giving tourists from acrossthe countrya three-day weekend. What betterplace to spend it than in New Orleans during the biggest Carnival weekend of the season?

And if you’re hosting relatives or friends, afew reminders from fellow New Orleanians can go along waytoward keeping everyone happy,healthy and on speaking termscomeAsh Wednesday.

Safety tips

n First, prepare your mind —and your patience —for traffic. Then preparesome more. Avoid arguments overparade-route spots, parking spaces or contested throws. Keep children closeand watch your footing.

n Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes. Dress in layers if it’scold, and consider hand andfoot warmers. Bring aportable phone charger

n If athrow hits the ground, leave it there. Your fingers will thank you.

n And, please, don’ttouch band members as they pass,for their protection as well as your own.

n One more reminder, and thisone matters. Please don’trun between floats or approach them while they aremoving.You could be seriously hurt —orkilled.

After two people were accidentally killed in separate incidents involving tandem parade floats in 2020, the cityrequired all multipart floats to useheavyduty, flexible cargo netting to block the

The Northshore Highband performs in 2023 during the KreweofSelene parade in Slidell.

gap between trailers. DesignedbyKern Studios, the barriers stretch from the top rail to thebottom of the float to prevent pedestriansfromcrossing between segments.

That said, most parades pass without

incident. Once youpickyourspot on the route,the rest is pure enjoyment.

Best spotstowatch parades

If you’re looking for prime places to watch New Orleansparades, look along

The Budweiser Clydesdales ride through the crowds along St. Charles Avenue during the 2025 Kreweof Bacchus parade. If you’re lookingfor aprime paradeviewingspot, check along the avenue at itsintersections with Milan, Poydras and Sixth streets.

these intersections:

n St. CharlesAvenue at MilanStreet, where there’s arestaurant andwristband accesstoportable toilets.

n PoydrasStreet at St. Charles, which hasplenty of vendors andeasyvehicle accesstoarrive late or leaveearly

n St. CharlesatSixth Street,where there is affordable parking, anearby bakery and$10 portable toiletaccess

n Before the Uptown parades, music lovers should head to the Rouseson TchoupitoulasStreet to hear the marching bands battle.They’ll also playin front of reviewing stands or underoverpasses, where the acousticsare perfect. And finally,remember this: Mardi Grasisa celebrationofmusic,community anda city thatknows howtokeep its spirits high no matter what. Pace yourself, watchout forone anotherand soak it allin—the floats, the dancing, the laughter, the food,the costumes, the chaos.Ash Wednesdaywill be here before youknowit.

Tammy C. Barney is an award-winning columnist and veteran journalist whose workhas been shaped by a lifelong connection to New Orleans. A graduateofMcDonogh No. 35, Loyola Universityand Tulane University, she spent thebulk of her newspaper career telling stories at TheTimesPicayune and TheOrlando Sentinel.

STAFFFILE PHOTOBy CHRIS GRANGER

STAFF FILEPHOTO By SCOTT THRELKELD

carnival carnival carnival

PARADE ROUTES ● TH URSDAy

WEEK 2PARADES

Thursday

UPTOWN

CHAOS: 4:30 p.m. The Knights of Chaos movetothe front of the line of three parades —that all start an hour earlier this year —onthe Thursday before the final weekend of the Carnival season. Shrouded in layers of secrecy,the knights parade with a satirical procession. The 200 members will ride 16 floats that often skewer local, state and national politics and events. The parade is ruled over by Number One, whose identity is never revealed. The kreweisknownfor a variety of lighted beads, knight helmets, swords and shields. The krewealso traditionally throwsathemed doubloon.

BABYLON: 5:30 p.m. Though the themeofthe parade is never revealed until the day of the procession, the Knights of Babylon seem to be mining the treasures of the opera house fortheir floats, with titles such as La Traviata, DonGiovanni, The Magic Flute and Mephistopheles. The morethan 390 riders will be joined by adozen riding lieutenants on horseback. The 27 floats will include aredesigned float forthe monarch and three rebuilt and redesigned theme floats. Ruling over the festivities is Sargon LXXX, whose identity is not revealed. The kreweparades to its bal masque and will select aqueen from the court. Avariety of doubloons will be thrown, including riders, horsemen and dukes. Also look forBabylon-themed sweatbands, wristbands, socks, insulated wine totes, plush, in addition to hand-

STAFF FILE PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Krewe of Muses parades on the streets of NewOrleans in 2025.

carnival carnival carnival

PARADE ROUTES ● TH URS DAy, FR I DAy

strung jester,medallion, Royal Barge and Gates of Ishtar beads.

MUSES: 6:30 p.m. The trend-setting Krewe of Muses keepsits themea secret until it rolls with30 floatsalong the traditional Uptownroutewitha pageant certain to be filled with humor and satire. The 1,175 riders will also ride on signature floats includingThe Ducks, theGoddessey,the Bathing Muses,the Sirens andthe MusesShoe, asparkling pump thatwillcarry the honorary muse Soledad O’Brien. The krewe is famous for itsdecorated, glittered shoes, one of Carnival’smost cherished catches. Members will also throw avariety of “re-Museable” items, including bar towels, cocktail napkins, wooden spoons, duckie night lights, stadium bags, coasters, totes, chip clips, rechargeable fans, socks, hair clips, necklaces andnotepads. The krewe is also known foravariety of lighted headbands andbeads, plus glass beads.

Friday

UPTOWN

HERMES: 5:30p.m.With more than900 riders, the Krewe of Hermes will take to thestreets with the theme “Fabled Lands of Myth and Legend.” Twenty-six of the total 35 floats will carry out the theme with such titles as Xanadu, Dr. Moreau’sIsland, Atlantis and The Emerald City.The St. Augustine High School Marching 100 will lead the parade. Joining in the parade will be the Talladega College and Mississippi Valley State University bands. Purple,green and gold doubloons will be thrown, withthe king’s pages and riding lieutenants each throwing specialdoubloons. Otherthrows include lighted winged Hwands, alighted caduceus wand, stainless steel cups in a varietyofcolors, lighted Hermes capes and wings, gel beads, lighted gloves,

ä See PARADES, page 12

Più Mosso Baroque

Harpsichord Concertos andComic Cantatas with conductor,harpsichordistPaul Mauffray presented by theNew Orleans Chamber Orchestra

featuring Bach &RameauConcertos, Vivaldi, the Telemann-CanaryCantata, and the Bach -Coffee Cantata

Saturday,March 21, 5:30 pM

Sunday,March 22, 3:00 pM TheNew Marigny Theatre, 2301 Marais Street www.newmarignytheatre.com

carnival carnival carnival

PARADE ROUTES ● FRIDAy

PARADES

Continued frompage11

plush bears, globes, soccer balls and themed medallion beads.

D’ETAT:6:30 p.m.In keeping with tradition, Le Krewe d’Etat willkeep its parade theme asecret until it rolls. The 545 members will ride24 floats. Reigning over the maskedfestivities is the Dictator.Signature floats include Dictator’s Banana Wagon pulled by mules, Candy Wagon, Dictator’sRoyal Navy, Dictator’sGuardand High Priest. Also marching with the parade will be the Dictator’sDancin’ Dawlins and the BudweiserClydesdales. The krewe will throw blinky beads, FRI-D’ETAT shirts, koozies for tall cans and old-

fashioned glasses, color-changing cups, LEDswords, fans, plus baseball, cowboy,jester and beanie hats, socks, fanny packs, flashlights, chip clips and four colored doubloons, including a cutout of aMardi Gras ladder.Special doubloons will be thrown by the Dictator’spages and riding lieutenants. Wooden nickels and the d’Etat Gazette newspaper will be given by Soul Sweepers that lead the parade. The krewe started the LTRRTL Foundationthis year,a charitable foundation. MORPHEUS: 7:30 p.m. “Morpheus Dreams of Literary Classic” will be the theme for the parade,with the 800 members on 24 floats. Titleswill include Harry Potter,Lordofthe Rings and Around the World in 80 Days. Reigningover the festivities will be King Robert Grisham and Queen Mi-

STAFFFILE PHOTOByCHRIS GRANGER Float riders toss beads and

carnival carnival carnival

PARADE ROUTES ● FRIDAy,S AT URDAy

chele Sanders. Costumes will be Susie Colombo. Grand marshal will be LSU Golden Band from Tiger Land and Morpheus member “Tuba Kent” Broussard. The parade will be led by the Marine Corps Band and Simmons College of Kentucky band. More than18bands will participate in the krewe’sannual contest. Turquoise, purple, green and gold doubloons will be thrown, plus the monarchs will throwablue doubloon. Abrown cut-out doubloon will also be thrown. Otherthrows include plush moons and sheep, plus alogo bucket hat and trucker hat.

SLIDELL

theSelene Purse Float and Selene Float. Reigning over the festivities as Queen Selene XXVII is Taylor Caywood.Dennis Trosclair is King Selene XXVII. Grand marshal for the parade will be Slidell native and Witness vocalist Missi Spinosa. The handcrafted decorated purses, done by themembers of the krewe, are atreasured throw from this parade. Other throws include Moon blown beads, lighted yo-yos, bead bracelets, LED bracelets, wineglasses, parade themed cups, Selene brush and mirror sets, plus retro glasses, air fresheners andconstruction hats.

start with the 3,600 womenofthe Krewe of Iris rolling to “What An Iris Wants” on 34 floats. The oldest women’sorganization in Carnival, among the titles of the floats are Love, Travel and Diamonds. Signature floats include the Iris Garden, Sunglasses, The Palace of Iris and the Iris Butterfly. Reigning as Queen Iris is Kimberly Richelle Williams, with King of Iris Warren Bruce Astler.The Iris Cavaliers horseback troupe, the Rolling Elvi, the Fat City Drug Corps and more than 40 marching units participate. The signature hand-decorated sunglasses are a much-desired throw.Also thrown are Iris streetcars, 3D theme

carnival carnival carnival

PARADE

ROUTES ● SATU RDAy

PARADES

Continued frompage13

captain’sdoubloon.

TUCKS: Noon. The Krewe of Tucks keeps Carnival capers on the humorous side when the irreverent group of2,500 stage “Tucks Finally Cracks.” The fun-loving riders will be on floatsthat include titles such as CrackerJacks: A Surprise in Every Box, Crackthe Bat and Crack the Case. Reigning overthe festivities and on special floatsare King Tucks LVIII Adam Lambert and Queen Ginny Casey.Aband contestispartof the fun. The krewe throws avariety of items, including hand-decorated plungers and toilet brushes,toilet sunglasses, squirting toilets and more.Metal and wooden doubloons are also thrown.

MID-CITY

ENDYMION: 4p.m. Carnival gets mammoth when the Krewe of Endymion rolls from New Orleans City Park,

down to Canal Street, into theCentral BusinessDistrict and ending at the Endymion Extravaganza in theCaesars Superdome. “American Songbook” will

be the themefor the parade with 3,250 riders on 38 floats by KernStudios. Floats include titles such as Roar,God Bless America and Walking to New

STAFFFILE PHOTOByDAVID GRUNFELD

A flambeau carrier walks withthe KnightsofChaos in 2025.

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PARADE ROUTES ● SATU RDAy

Orleans. Several signature floats are included and the SSPoppaJoe willcelebrate its 50th anniversary Reigning over the festivities will be Lily Joyce Bruneau andRobert J. Blackwell. Carnivalauthority Arthur Hardy will be thegrand marshal for the parade, joined by recently announcedLSU coach Lane Kiffin. Purple, green and gold doubloons will be thrown,and riding lieutenants will throw red doubloons. Other throws include a talking Endymion horse, oven mitts, kitchen towels and atrove of lighted items. Husband and wife singers Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani will headline the entertainment at the Extravaganza. The krewe will also pay homage to the lateJefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputy Christopher Ohlmeyer witha riderless motorcycle.

ä See PARADES, page 18

The Krewe of Endymion is one of the most crowded parade days in NewOrleans, and the procession rolls on adifferent route, which starts in Mid-City

STAFF FILEPHOTO By BRETTDUKE

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sKrewe of Cocktails Mardi Gras Mambo the zombieRoyale, and the mand ube.

FORTHE ONE(OR MORE) ROUTE

10 places to find MardiGras-themed cocktails in NewOrleans,frompop-ups to hotelbars

BY MATTHEW HAINES

Contributing writer

It seems like king cakegetsall theattention this time of year,but Carnivalinspired cocktails are an equally delicious delight —for those 21 andolder —and nearly as ubiquitous across New Orleans.

Yes, Carnival is about excess. But our Mardi Gras forefathers and foremothers weren’tonlyfeasting,they were encouraged to imbibe, as well.

From daiquiris by thehalf-gallon to mixologist-made, liquor-forward sips, there’snoshortage of purple, green andgold options. Neal Bodenheimer, founder of James BeardAward-winning Cure, said he has appreciated the varietysofar

“It’sashort Carnival season this year, and so youcan tell everyone is on top of their game,” he said. “It seems like everyone has aMardi Gras cocktail, and the fun thingisthey are all different.”

Just like there is no “one way” to Mardi Gras, there is also no defined metrics for aMardi Gras cocktail. Here are someofour favorites around New Orleansthis season.

CURE

4905 Freret St.

Oneofthe premier cocktail bars in the city,Cure keeps it classic with their Carnival offerings. For the second consecutive year,they have

unveiled amenu of several seasonal sips.

The mostCarnivalcentric of the bunch is the Ojen Cocktail, featuring the sweet anise-flavored Spanish liqueur (think smoother absinthe) with Peychaud’sbitters. The pink cocktail is afavorite among Rex, considered by the organization to be good luck to drink before the parade.

Ojen cocktail at Cure PROVIDED PHOTO

FOUR SEASONS

2Canal St.

If you find yourself downtown forparades, know thatthe bars and restaurants inside the Four Seasons Hotelhave an entire KreweofCocktails, featuring the purple-colored Mardi Gras Mambo at Chemin àlaMer,its own ode to Rex with Ojen at ChandelierBar andthe easy-drinking Masquerade at Miss River.

Tryall three drinks on the Four Seasons barcrawl, and you will be rewarded with aminiature versionof their signature king cake

GRIS-GRIS

1800 Magazine St

The team at Gris-Gris is channeling king cake in itscocktailwithapurple (or green or gold) King Cake Daiquiri. Brioche-infused spiced rum meets cinnamon demerara, Gambino’sRum Cream, amaretto and vanilla soft-serve. If you want to be the most popular persononthe parade route, you can also call the restaurant to place orders for ahalf-gallon or more

CANE &TABLE

1113 Decatur St.

TheFrench Quarter tiki-inspired cocktail bar has gone all-in with their Parade Tracker cocktail menu. Seven creationsevoke theCane &Table’sfa-

voriteMardi Gras moments, including ahouse-made horchata and whiskeyflavored jello shot for theminiature ’Tit Rex,and aturmeric and blackpepper infused gin drink called Ash Wednesday to help cure ahangover

AVEGNO

1726 Soniat St.

An extension of Gautreau’s, Avegno has two attractive-looking cocktails for Carnival. The first is theclassy MadameXMambo, with king cake, vodka and lime —channeling thepale-pink color palette of John Singer Sargent’s controversial painting of aNew Orleans woman in France.

Next is the purple, green and gold Sidewalk Side EspressoMartini with king cake, rum and espresso to keep you energized through the end of the parades.

THEBOWER

1320 Magazine St.

If you find yourself passing through theLower Garden District, pop into The Bower for one (or two) of the whopping 11 cocktails on its Mardi Gras menu. Dancing in the Street features vodka, tequila, apple, lemon and bubbles, while the Throw Me Somethin’mixes bourbon, chai, bergamot, coconut and bitters.

If it’swarm outside, consider the Knife in the Box,afrozen drink with spiced rum,amaroand vegan softserve ice cream.

ELYSIANBAR

2317 Burgundy St. (insideHotel Peter and Paul)

If you find yourself in the Marigny check out The Elysian Bar’s Do, aMardi Gras-inspired riff popular Dearly Beloved. The cocktail features green chili vodka, chamomile grappa, yuzu, butterflypea, habañero tincture and lemon finished withajalapeño simple syrup and Mardi Gras-colored sugar.

MORROW STEAK

1003 Julia St.(inside The StandardAtSouth Market) FourCarnival-inspired cocktails grace theseasonal menuhere. The King

Cake Baby uses rum,amaretto and gin, and is topped with aclassic king cake baby,while the Zulu Coconut marries Bacardi Coconut Rum and Midori.

THEELIZA JANE

315 Magazine St.

The Press Room in The Eliza Jane is right on the parade route and features aseries of cheekily named cocktails. It’s Pronounced “Praw-Leen,” forexample, is madewith bourbon, praline liqueur and orange bitters.

SUZIEQ’S SHERRY POP-UP

Various

Of course, because Mardi Gras always seemstogive us new,quirky innovations, it isn’tjust the brick and mortar bars giving us Carnivalthemed cocktails. Local mixologist Alex Utter is slinging cocktails on the parade route. Just send amessage to her Instagram account, @msuze_q, to order her Emerald Queen, Purple Pearl, Golden Feather and/or weekly special. The creative and colorful cocktails are madewith fresh ingredients and sold in an 8-ounce plastic flask, which amounts to two cocktails. Youcan also order party packs with multiple flasks and insulated bags containing reusable ice packs.

Email Matthew Haines at haines. matthew@gmail.com.

The king cake daiquiri at Gris-Gris comes in green, purple and gold. PROVIDED PHOTO

STAFF FILEPHOTO By CHRISGRANGER

Members of the 2025 Krewe d’ Etat paradebalance drinking withtheir throwing responsibilities.

Utter

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PARADE ROUTES ● SATU RDAy,S UNDAy

PARADES

Continuedfrom page15

WEST BANK

NOMTOC: 10:45 a.m. NOMTOC, New OrleansMost Talked Of Club, keeps Carnival cooking in Algiers when the venerable organization stages “Cooking With NOMTOC.” The 720 memberswill ride 32 delicious titles such as Crawfish, Philly Cheese Steak and Chicken. Grand marshal is restaurateur Edgard “Dook” Chase IV with Mia Xascelebrity guest Reigning will be King Barry Aubert and Queen Hollister Davis. Ahighlight of the parade is theappearance of more than 20 bands from thearea and as far away as Ohio and Tennessee. In keeping with theculinary theme, the krewe will throw spoons, plus sequin hearts, signature backpacks and signature sunglasses.

KENNER

ISIS: 6p.m. The Krewe of Isis rolls through theJefferson Parish city with the2026 theme “Galentine’sGras.”The 200 members will ride 20 floats. Among thetitles are Wine Tasting, Casino Night and Girls’ Trip to the Beach.Monarchs for thekrewe are Queen Elizabeth Hauck Mercer and King David Allen Mercer.Serving as grand marshals will be “You Night”empowerment event cancer survivors. The parade also holds the March to Excellence band competition. Asignaturethrow for the group is the hand-decorated bras. The krewe will also throw themedoubloons in red and pink.

Sunday

UPTOWN

OKEANOS: 11 a.m. Thekrewe starts aday filled withparades when the350 men and women follow thetraditionalUptown route with thetheme “I Wish.” Twenty-two floats will include the Hippocampus, the krewe’s first andonly double-decker float, designedlike double-decker floats of the past. Reigning over the paradeisKing JasonVillar Paguio. Queen Simone Michelle Miller was selected from thecourt at the ball. Thegrand marshal will be local entertainer VinceVance. Thekrewe throws 10-gauge doubloons andwill feature king

the 2025 KreweofOkeanos

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In praise of KreweduVieux,inall of itsdumb, disgusting glory

devotion to the, uh, male procreation appendage, or MPA, shall we say

Since Iaminmy70thyear,Iamquite mature by anyone’smeasure …chronologically speaking. In other ways, not so much. Thus, Iamaneternal fan of Krewe duVieux,the venerableyet disreputable parade thatplied theMarigny and French Quarter on arecentfrosty Saturday night.

Review

Sometimes Ifeel alone in this sentiment. Many of my peers seem to find the parade crude. It’s notthe ruthless, partisan political satire thatthey disapproveof. Krewe du Vieuxreliably ridicules whoever happens to be in power: PresidentDonald Trump, LaToya Cantrell, BobbyJindal. Oh, how they abused poor BobbyJindal No, it’snot the krewe’ssardonic nature that draws criticism; it’s thestupid sexuality.Specifically, it isKrewe du Vieux’s

As the parade passes by,one marvels at all theways MPAs can be imposed on themule-drawn float designs. Ice cream cones, hand grenade cocktail cups, really anythingcan be malinterpreted as an MPA.It’sanobsession, as if KDV were some weird cult discovered in theashes of Pompeii.

Mother Naturewill surely someday erase New Orleansasshe did that randy, southern Roman resort.Inthe meantime, Ipray that Krewe du Vieux remains defiantofgood taste.

Heaven knows, it has been so long since Iwas an adolescent that Ican barely remember it. ButKDV returns me momentarily —tothat dumb, disgusting mentality,and Ithank them for that. Stay nasty,KDV.Doitfor me.

Email Doug MacCash at dmaccash@ theadvocate.com.

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

The bitingly satirical Krewe du Vieux parades through the Marignyneighborhood of NewOrleans each year

Doug MacCash

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PARADE ROUTES ● SU NDAy

The Krewe of Mid-City parades Uptownin2025.

PARADES

Continued frompage18

and captain doubloons in silver,theme doubloons in silver and the colorsof Carnival, float-specificdoubloons in black and wine, plus ateal doubloon for the Hippocampus float. Expect to see

crawfish trays, signature ducks, alligators, plushies,socks, anew Hippocampus neck pillow,medallionbeadsand sustainablethrows including jambalaya mix, red beans, popcorn, soapand bioglitter.

MID-CITY,Noon. Theunique image of Krewe of Mid-City floats will be shining in the sun as the organization parades with the theme “Lands Far and Be-

yond.” signature floats will feature 15 units with titles such as Wonderland, Candyland andNeverland. Monarchs are KingMid-City XCII FrankAnthony Milaneseand Queen Mid-CityXCII Amy Freese Carter.Ahighlight of the Sundayafternoon parade will be the Charles A. Bourgeois Memorial Greatest bands of the South contest. The krewe will throw special doubloons,

including aking’s, queen’s andcaptain’s doubloon,plus the horsemen will also throwaspecial doubloon.Specialty items will include sequin heartplush, flip-flops, headbands, sunglasses, chips, crawfish serving trays, socksand a “foam” bobble head THOTH: Noon. “Thoth Toons” will be the theme of parade on aunique route that brings it to severalinstitutions to spread

STAFFFILE PHOTOBySOPHIAGERMER

the joy of Carnival to thosewho may not be able to attend. The 2,400 men will ride40 floats, including 18 tandem units, with titles that includeFlintstones,Superman and Bluey.Monarchs forthe paradewillbeKing Caleb Didriksen and Queen SavannahBergeron. Riptide, the Tulane University mascot, will be grand marshal. The Milwaukee Dancing Grannies are special guests. Doubloonswill be red and silver for thetheme, Carnival colors for the court, plus pokerchips

in three colors anda pyramid-shaped cutoutdoubloon. Throws will include purses, festival hats, watches, sequined baseballcaps, friendship bracelets, scarves, bar towels, fourdifferent types of T-shirts, fedoras andtissues.

BACCHUS:5:15p.m. Long known forinnovation, the superkrewe Bacchus wraps Sunday’sparading with a32-float processionand actor PatrickWarburton

ä See PARADES, page 24

HOKA Bondi 9

STAFFFILE PHOTOByCHRIS GRANGER

The Krewe of Proteus parades onLundi Gras2025.

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PARADE ROUTES ● SU NDAy,M ONDAy

PARADES

Continued from page21

as Bacchus LVII. Known forhis rolesin “Seinfeld,”“RulesofEngagement” and “The Tick,” he is also the voiceofKronk in “The Emperor’sNew Groove”and Joe Swansonin“Family Guy.” Warburtonjoins the 1,700 riders “Bacchus CelebratesAmerica 250.” American Revolution, Louisiana Purchase,Immigration andDeclarationofIndependenceare some of the floatsinthe parade also known for their signature floats, including the Kong family of floats, Bacchagator,Bacchasaurus andthe Bacchawhoppa which will be joinedbythe Baby Whoppa this year.Doubloonswill feature the theme, riding lieutenants, multiple floatsand the monarch. The gigantic parade will roll into the Ernest N. MorialConventionCenterfor the Bacchus Rendezvous featuring live music andentertainment.

METAIRIE

ATHENA: 5p.m.The 700 members will rollunder the banner“It’s About Time” on 26 floatswithtitlessuchasIt’sCarnivalTime,Recipesfor aGood Time, Funny How Time Fliesand Frozen in Time. Monarchswill be Queen Athena XI Christina Kalisha Long andKing of AthenaXIDr. Maurice G. Sholas. TelevisionpersonalityPhaedra Parks, of Bravo’s“Real Housewives of Atlanta,” will be thegrandmarshal.The parade also features abandcontest. Asignature throw will be decorated Fedora hats made by members. Also thrownwill be lighted beads, themebeads, lighted headbands,umbrellasand plushitems.

Lundi Gras

UPTOWN

PROTEUS: 5:15 p.m. The venerable Krewe of Proteus, one of the oldest organizations in all of Carnival, rolls to the organization’sball at the New Orleans Marriott. The 230 members and 24 lieutenants will carry out the theme“Journey of Sun Wukong” on 20 floats, including The Birthplace of Sun Wukong, Peaches of Immortality and The Sacred Sutras. The monarch, whose identity is never

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIAGERMER

The 689 Swampersdance in the 2025 Krewe of Morpheus parade.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SCOTT THRELKELD Krewe of Athena rolls for its 10th annual parade in 2025 in Metairie.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD Areveler parades withthe Krewe of Thoth during the 2025 parade.

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PARADE ROUTES ● MONDAy

revealed, rides on asignature float featuring a giant shell in keeping with the aquatic theme of the krewe. The parade also featurestraditional flambeaux and ahostofbands,including Marine Corps Bands, the Roots of Music Band and severalhigh schoolmusicalensembles. Among the signature throws are lightedseahorse beads, lighted plush seahorses, redand silver seahorse beads, socks, footballsand asilver krewe “sovereign” and the lieutenantswill throwared “sovereign.”

ORPHEUS: 6p.m. “All the World’s AStage”isthe theme for the massiveparadethatwraps up LundiGras along the Uptownroute, with the parade rollingtothe Ernest N.MorialConvention Center for the Orpheuscapade,a powerpacked entertainmentspectacle. The 1,500 members will ride on 39 floatswith titles such as Lord What Fools These MortalsBe, And All TheMen and Women Merely Players and If Music Be the Food of Love.The superkrewe is known for signature floats, includingthe multi-tandem Smokey Mary and Leviathan.

ä See PARADES, page 26

The Kreweof Orpheus rolls Uptown in 2025.

STAFFFILE

PHOTO By SCOTT THRELKELD

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PARADE ROUTES ● LUNDI GR AS,M ARDI GRAS

PARADES

Continuedfrom page25

Emmy Award-winning actor Noah Wyle will be thecelebrity monarch for the parade and he will be joined by several veteran monarchs,including Joey Fatone and Jennifer Finnigan. Heavily influenced by music, the krewe features anumber of bands from around the country, including five different college bands. Several different doubloons are thrown, including a captain’sdoubloon, Music Legends doubloons and the theme doubloon.

METAIRIE

CENTURIONS: 6:30 p.m. Centurions takes to the traditional Veterans Memorial Boulevard parade route with“OnceUpon aTime,” carriedout on 18 floats the 300 riders. Titlesinclude such literaryworks as Little RedRiding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, and

The Frog Prince. King CenturionXLVIisKeith Conleyand Queen Centurion XLVI is Gabrielle Fischer.Grand marshal will be Rob Norman. Officers will throwpurple doubloons, while the monarchswill throw navy doubloons. The grand marshal will throwgreen and krewe memberswill throw gold and reddoubloons.Signature items include frisbees, koozies and bracelets.

ATLAS: 7p.m. “Atlas is Hollywood Bound” is the Tinseltown theme for this Jefferson Parish krewe when it rolls on anew day.The 200 members will be on 14 McKinley Cantrell floats withavarietyofcelluloid titles, including AliceinWonderland, Wizard of Oz and ANight at the Museum. Reigning over the Carnival celebrations will be King AtlasAdam Sartele and Queen of AtlasCarolyn Deanna Abadie.New for this year,the krewe will be throwing lighted medallions,krewe socks and krewe balls.

Mardi Gras

UPTOWN

ZULU:8a.m. The big day of the Carnival season gets rolling in abig waywhen the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club sets out on its unique route through Central City to St. Charles Avenue and on to Canal Street and beyond. The 1,800 riders will carry out the theme “Zulu World of Entertainment” on 44 floats. Members will ride signature floats such as African Elephant, African Lion, African Leopard, Zulu Jaguar and the Pythian Theater.Reigning will be King Zulu Ronald Tassin and Queen Zulu Sharell Monique Chatman. Ahighlight of the parade is the signature characters, including the Big Shot, Witch Doctor,Ambassador, Mayor,Governor,Mr. Big Stuff and the Zulu Warriors. One of Carnival’smost treasured

STAFFFILE PHOTOByDAVID GRUNFELD

The 2025 Zulu parade rolls along St.Charles Avenue in the Central Business DistrictonMardiGras.

PARADE ROUTES ● MA RDI GR AS

ARex float headsdownNapoleon Avenue on Mardi Gras 2025.

STAFF

FILE PHOTOByCHRIS GRANGER

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PARADE ROUTES ● MA RDI GR AS

PARADES

Continued frompage26

keepsakes is the hand-decorated coconut.The entertainmentpacked Zulu Ball will be Friday at the Ernest N. Morial ConventionCenter.

REX, KING OF CARNIVAL: 10:30 a.m. His majesty will emerge from his den on Claiborne Avenueand head down Napoleon Avenue to the traditional Uptown route for “Rebirth and Renewal.” The more than 500 members will ride such floats as ThePhoenix, Ouroboros, The Whooping Crane and signature floats like The Jester,The ButterflyKing and the popular BouefGras. Anew reviewing standatThe Josephine will see Rex greet his queen and her court. Each float willhave its own collectible bead. Focusing on sustainability, throws include oven mitts displaying the Bouef Gras, sports towels, stainless steelcups and Rex-branded sustainable throws such as postcards, soap, pencils, biodegradable glitter,herb starter kits, coffee beans and fiber tote bags. Rex will throw gold and silver theme doubloonsand alimited number of purple, gold and green theme doubloons. The organization’simperial reception ball will be held later in the evening at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.

ELKS ORLEANIANSand CRESCENT CITY TRUCKS: After Rex. The Elksparade rolls for a91st anniversary with more than 1,250 individual decorated vehicles rolling with an estimated 5,000 riders enjoying participating in Mardi Gras merriment. Atraditional throw for this group is the Elroy plush Elk doll. Known for their generosity,riders on thetrucks throw avariety of collectibles and unique items including frisbees, footballs, anniversary cups, koozies and doubloonsin Carnival colors. The Crescent City Truck Parade will follow with more than 2,500 riders on

65 trucks. Each of thetrucks will have itsown theme and are decoratedand ridden by groups of family,friends, classmates andcolleagues taking part in the magicof Carnival.

METAIRIE

ARGUS: 11 a.m. Metairie gets very merry for Mardi Gras when the Krewe of Argus rolls with thetheme“Argus Gets Animated.” The morning riders will mount25 floatsaround the theme depicting vintage cartoon characters in the colorfuldisplay.Reigning over the festivities will beArgus XLI David Haydel Jr.with Queen Argus XLICallie Anne Langhetee. Riders will throw astuffed Gus the peacock,associated with the mythological Argus, atreasured keepsake.With an eye toward focusingonsustainable throws, they will also throw avariety of items includingjambalaya mix emblazoned with Gus and the phrase “CominginHot for Over 50 Years,” anod to the krewe’s lengthyhistory.Other throws will also includedoubloons and sunglasses.

ELKSJEFFERSONIANS: After Argus. More than 2,000 riders will hop

aboard 53 trucks that will roll through on Mardi Gras. Grand marshal for the parade will be Glen Geraci. The parade will also feature aspecial float with riders from theKrewe of We Care St. Michael. Throws including stuffed Elroy the Elk dolls, cups andsignature frisbees.

COVINGTON

BOGUE FALAYA:10a.m. Mardi Gras shines brightly in St Tammany Parish when Bogue Falaya rolls with “The RealityofImagination.” The 600 members of the krewe willride 23 floatswithsuch themes as The Wizard of Oz, Wherethe Wild Things Are and The Page Master.The krewe will also debut The Tammany Special Train. Grand marshal will be TimLantrip. The parade will also feature the inaugural ride of the Krewe of Karts. Watch for ahost of throws from local businesses including coffee and pancake mix, crawfish trays, toilet paper and coins and tokens. Tammany Gras free concert and after-party follows at the Covington Trailhead at 1p.m.

Covington Lionsand Mystic Krewe of Covington: 10:30

Note:Krewe of Argus starts at 11 a.m., followedbyElks Jeffersonians truck parade.

STAFF FILEPHOTO By SCOTT THRELKELD The KreweofArgus rolls on FatTuesday 2025.

stages stages stages

Lions, lettersand theBard, oh my

Theaters shows return after aCarnival intermission

With Mardi Gras rolling on streets across themetropolis, local acting companies are pausingproductions to enjoythe parades that are liveshows of color, light, music andentertainment.

LEFT: Peter Hargrave is Scar and David LancyWilson is Mufasa in ‘The Lion King.’ RIGHT: Zama Magudelela is Rafiki in the touring show headed to the Saenger in October and November.

PROVIDED PHOTOSBy EVAN ZIMMERMAN

Victor Andrews

But after thelast float rolls, theater returns with plenty of options for everyone to enjoy —now and in the future.

Connection,community,conversation

Crescent City Stage, thenonprofit professional theater company,recently announced the firsthalf of its2026 seasonwiththe three Cs beingthe thrust of the work. The shows will spread across the cityina varietyoflocations, in both traditional production spaces and unique venues.

“We’re thinking intentionally about howtheater brings people together,” said ElizabethNewcomer,artistic director.“This season is about creating moments of connection, between artists and audiences,and among our community,through work that feels welcoming, meaningfuland alive.”

“One Night Only ”will be anew series in the company’sarsenal of works, featuring shows aimed at drawing new audiences.

MichaelNewcomer, producingexecutive director,will join stageveteran and social columnistfor TheTimesPicayune Nell Nolan in aproductionof “Love Letters,” the A.R. Gurney show about alife-long relationship between letter writers. The show is Feb. 27 at CCS’sStudio, 6063MagazineSt. Ticketsstart at $38.

In April, head out to thebanks of the Mississippi River for “Bard at theBatture,” an outdoor work that features

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Nell Nolan, left, and Michael Newcomer will kick off aseries of ‘One Night Only ’productions with‘Love Letters’ at theCrescent CityStageStudio, 6063 Magazine St., in NewOrleans.

excerpts from William Shakespeare in afamily-friendly setting. Located at the foot of Walnut Street, theproduction will include several monologues. It will bedone in partnership with The Batture.

TheContemporaryArtsCenter’s Black Box Theatre will be thespot for an eveninginMay with the regional premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning

“Primary Trust”byEboni Booth. The play looks at aman whose life is upended when he loses his job at abookstore.

The local company also provides classes and coaching for avariety of ages.

For information, visit crescentcitystage.com

‘Nants’ingonyama bagithibaba’

Broadway blockbuster “The Lion King,” the Disney stage version of the wildly successful animated classic, will return to theSaenger Theater later this year for an extended run at theCanal Street auditorium.

Scheduled for three week from Oct. 21 to Nov.8,the Tony-winning musical has been tellingthe storyofSimba, Nala and the fierce pride of lions for almost three decades in New York.

Touring companies of ”The Lion King” have brought theshow around theglobe in English, Japanese, German,French, Mandarin and more.

The show will be thehighlight of the local Broadway series of current stage works that run into 2027.

“Weare thrilled to welcome ‘The Lion King’ back to New Orleans,” said

David Skinner,general manager of the Saenger.“This standout production is a cornerstone of adynamic and thoughtfully curated 2026-27 Broadway season, and we cannot wait to share the full lineup with our audiences soon.”

Conceived by Julie Taymor and filled with music by Elton John and TimRice, the show is atheatrical experience that uses advanced puppetry,movement and moretotell the story of apride of lions that roughly followsthe Shakespearean story of “Hamlet,” with murderous relatives, unfettered quests forpower and the usual dose of karmainthe end.

In addition to the opening “Circle of Life,” the show is packed with powerhouse numbers like “Can YouFeel The Love Tonight,” “I Just Can’tWait to be King” and “Hakuna Matata.”

The full season will be announced March 3, and season ticketholders will have achance to renew at that time, with acertain number of new subscriptions offered.

For information, visit saengernola. com.

Email Victor Andrewsatvandrews@ theadvocate.com.

music music music

THURSDAY

Big Freedia’s “FreediaGras” at Tipitina’sfeatures not only the Queen Diva butalso the allfemale Original Pinettes Brass Band and DJ Kelly Green.Showtime is 10 p.m. Tickets are $30 plustaxes and fees.

Horace Trahan& Ossun Express keep the dancefloor full for Rock ’N’ Bowl’sweekly Zydeco Night. Tickets are $17.

Bassist Miles Hancock and drummer Peter Varnado have performed together in various projectssince 2013. As the drum-and-bassimprovisational duo 95MP,they’ve just released their debutalbum,“Epiphany.”Theycelebrate therelease at SnugHarbor Jazz Bistro at 7:30 p.m. and9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30.

FRIDAY

New Orleans funk and R&Bband Dumpstaphunk plays to its strengths onstage, evidenced by the recen “Live At Tipitina’s 2025” album. Dump staphunk singer/ keyboardist Ivan Neville and his bandmates return to the same stage where that album was recorded for a Friday night throw down with the Soul Band opening.Tickets $32 plus fees. Showti 11 p.m.

Jazz-and-more vocalist extraordinaire John

As the Carnival season buildstoits big finish, some music venues go darkrather than deal withthe competition and logistical challenges presented by the greatest free show on Earth. But there are still plenty of options to keep the party going after theparades.

presidesover an AlmostValentine’s Day show of stories and songs at theBroadside’sindoor Pavilion at 7p.m. Ticketsstartat$22. Blues-based guitarist, singer,author and actor Chris Thomas King hits Snug Harbor withhis trio for shows Tickets

rockabilly Hitmen fire up Bowl with the m. Admishatthe

TURDAY

Galactic at pitina’s on the big Carnival weekend was a tradition even before

themembers of the band bought the venue. That tradition continueson Saturday,asGalactic and powerhouse singer Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph stir up funk, jazz-tinged jams and Mardi Gras favorites. Pocket Chocolate opens theshow at 10 p.m. Tickets are $32 plus fees.

Lookingtoamuse yourself while awaiting the Endymion parade on Canal Street? Chickie WahWah hostsits annual “Azztravaganza,” a bounce-fueled daylong partyfeaturingrapper HaSizzle, DJ Rusty Lazer and the Levee One Sound System.Doors open at 1p.m, approximately three hours before theparade rolls. Tickets are $20 plus fees.

Wanna get away from the Endymion madness? Keyboardist JonCleary &the Absolute Monster Gentlemen will plug in at the Maple Leaf Barstarting at 8p.m. to drop some deep-groove funk, R&B and, undoubtedly,Mardi Gras music on the masses. Tickets are$20 advance, $25 at the door.

Jazz vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa was born in California but is now based in NewOrleans. She wasthe featured vocalist on modern jazz saxophonist Joshua Redman’s2023 Blue NoteRecords album “Where Are We”and his 2025 release “Words Fall Short.” She released her own debut album in 2020 and is now signed to Blue Note herself.She’ll do showsat7:30 p.m.and 9:30 p.m at Snug Harbor.Tickets are $35 plus fees.

SUNDAY

The DirtyDozen Brass Band blazes away at Tipitina’sjust hours after the Bacchus parade rolls out from the corner of Napoleon Avenue and Tchoupitoulas Street. Slugger opens the show at 10 p.m.Tickets are $25 plus fees.

The Maple Leaf Bar throwsa post-Bacchus Bash with keyboardist John “Papa” Gros,who takes his cues from Dr.John, Art Neville and other

Keith Spera SOUND CHECK

Anjelika ‘Jelly’ Joseph, center,and Galactic PROVIDED PHOTO By JOSH BRASTED PHOTOGRAPHy

Big Freedia

John Boutte

music music music

greatsofthe New Orleans piano tradition. Showtime is around10p.m.Tickets are $20 advance, $25 at thedoor

LUNDIGRAS

If it’saMonday night— even Lundi Gras —that probably means legendary Meters bassist GeorgePorter Jr is at the Maple Leaf Bar with MikeLemmler on keys, Terrence Houston on drumsand Chris Adkins on guitar.They pluginat8 p.m Tickets are $15 advance, $20 at the door.

After Porter and company, theMaple Leaf presents the swamp-blues boogie of the New Orleans Suspects starting around 11 p.m. Tickets for thatshow are $20 advance, $25 at thedoor.

The Soul Rebels serve up bold brass band music infused withhip-hop at the Blue Nile on Frenchmen Street starting at 11 p.m. Advance tickets are $20. Singer and entertainer Charmaine Neville will be holding down her regular Monday gig at Snug Harbor,withshows at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30. New Orleans funk rock band The Iceman Special presents its annual Banana Ball at Tipitina’swith Daikaiju and Whisper Party on the bill.Tickets are $27 plus fees. Showtime is 11 p.m.

MARDI GRAS

Technically,ifyou stay at aLundi Gras show past midnight, you’rehearing music on Fat Tuesday

But the earliest show that actually starts on Mardi Gras morningisthe annual sunrise set at Tipitina’sfeaturing Big Chief Juan Pardo &the Golden Comanches with specialguest guitarist Billy Iuso.Finding Indians in thewee hours

of MardiGrasasthey hit thestreets with their eye-popping “suits” isn’t alwayseasy.But Pardo and his tribe reliably come out at Tipitina’s. After the clubiscleared and cleaned following the Lundi Gras Banana Ball, doors reopen at 5a.m. Tuesday for thesunrise show,which kicks off at 5:15 a.m. Admission is free, but you must be 18 to enter.

Every Tuesday night, theMaple Leaf Barpresents “NOLA Very Good Tuesdays,” an improvised music series curated by Dumpstaphunk trombonist Alex Wasily andguitarist Ari Teitel.Joined by arotatingcastofNew Orleansmusicians, they perform either original compositions or entirely improvised songs. This Tuesday,they’ll present a special “Mardi Gras Edition” of NOLA Very Good Tuesdays, startingaround 9p.m. Tickets are $15 advance, $20 at thedoor.

WEDNESDAY

Not surprisingly,Ash Wednesday will be relatively quiet.

But not at Snug Harbor,where you can swingout with saxophonist and educator Roderick “Rev” Paulin &the Congregation.Paulin, whose music résumé includes along stretch with theRebirth Brass Band and work with theNeville Brothers, Allen Toussaint and many others, will be joined by Doug Belote on drums, Aurélien Barnes on trumpet, Jolynda Phillips on vocals, BrianQuezerque on bass and Paul Longstreth on piano. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $35.

Email Keith Speraatkspera@ theadvocate.com.

Chief Juan Pardo STAFF FILE PHOTOSBy SCOTT THRELKELD

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band