$40million, with constructionpotentially completed in 2030.
BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer
Work is set to start on amajor widening of busy PerkinsRoad, afouryear projectofficials say will improve traffic, help ease flooding and make the area saferfor pedestrians. That stretch, from Siegen Lane to Pecue Lane, borders bothBaton
Rouge and St.George. It will be widened from atwo-lane roadway into a four-lane corridor withamedian “to accommodate growing demand and reduce congestion,” said East Baton RougeParish Mayor-President Sid Edwards.
“At thesame time,weare installing acovered drainage system designed to better manage stormwater and improve long-term flood migration,” he said.
All of these improvements fall underthe “Complete Streets” design philosophy the parish uses to guide traffic development.
With theopen ditch replaced with covered drainage,the side of the roadway will be open for amultiuse pedestrianpath connecting Perkins’ subdivisionstoits businesses, according to East Baton Rouge Transportation Director Fred Raiford.
The entireproject is estimated at
“What it actually encompasses is improved capacity,which is numberone in the goals (of Complete Streets). Numbertwo is improved connectivity by cars, too,” Raiford said. “The other thing is looking at
BillyCannon poses with his Heisman Trophy in 1959. President Donald Trumppardoned Cannon posthumously for his 1980s counterfeiting conviction.
BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer
BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer
If there wereany doubts that this year’sRepublican primary election for U.S. Senate is going to be aslugfest, the finalday of candidate qualifying on Friday dispelled them As U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow,R-Baton Rouge, arrived at the Louisiana Secretary of State’sOffice in Baton Rouge on Fridaytosign up to run, she hadtowalk past avan witha giant billboardonits side blasting “Liberal Letlow.” The ad which accused Letlow of trading hundreds of stocks “like herpal Nancy Pelosi”and callingher a“champion of DEI policy” said it waspaid for by the campaign of incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy,R-Baton Rouge. Theattackads highlighthow ferociously Cassidy,Letlow and Treasurer John Fleming are battling forthe mantle of “most conservative” as they seek the GOPnomination in Louisiana’snew closed party primary elections.
“My mom and sistersand brother were ecstatic,”Cannon said. Her mother and four siblings were aware that some friends had reached out to the White House, shesaid, but thefamily hadnever asked for apardon.
WASHINGTON —The family of the late LSU football legend Billy Cannondidn’task for it, but they’re delighted thatPresident Donald Trump pardoned him for his 1980s counterfeiting conviction. His daughter,Bunnie Cannon, said the White House phone call came out of theblue Thursday night
“Wenever thought it would ever come to fruition. So, none of us pursued it,” saidBunnie Cannon, acting as thefamily’s spokesperson. “I just think he would be thrilled that he got this clemencybecauseinhis mind and in our mind, people saw him beyond thecounterfeiting.”
“I loathethe negativity that hasto take place in campaigns,” Letlow said after qualifying Friday,when asked about the attack ads right outside. “I wishthatweall could run positive campaigns on our records and our vision and our dreamsfor Louisiana.” Letlow said that “President Trump would never endorse someone who is nota true America-first conservative,” andthatshe hasbattled against
Shooting at S.C. State kills 2 and wounds 1
Two men are dead and another was wounded after a shooting in a dorm room at a South Carolina State University just four months after another deadly shooting at the college campus.
Henry L. Crittington, 19, died at the scene of the Thursday night shooting at the Hugine Suites housing complex and Terrell Thomas, 18, died at the hospital, authorities said. The condition of the third man in the hospital was not known and his name was not released.
The Thursday night shooting happened a little over four months after two shootings during homecoming celebrations on Oct 4. One, which happened near the same residential complex, killed a 19-year-old woman. A man was injured in the other shooting. School officials announced new safety measures afterward.
Kaya Mack had just finished making a food delivery on campus when she heard gunshots and saw lots of police officers coming through a gate. She said she wasn’t sure where the shots were coming from “Their loud sirens kind of shook me,” she told WLTX-TV “We were looking around, me and other people on campus, we’re all looking around like ‘What’s going on?’”
The school founded in 1896 is South Carolina’s only public historically Black university, and has more than 2,900 current students, according to its website.
Paris police fatally shoot knife-wielding man
PARIS A man wielding a knife and scissors was fatally shot by police in Paris on Friday when he tried to attack an officer during a ceremony at the city’s Arc de Triomphe monument, officials said. The suspect, a French national born in 1978 who had previously been convicted in Belgium on terrorist-related charges, died at a hospital from his injuries, the French counterterrorism prosecutor’s office said. Authorities did not release the suspect’s name. The attacker targeted an officer who was guarding the ceremony for relighting the eternal flame honoring unknown soldiers at the Napoleon-era landmark, according to a Paris police official. Another officer shot the attacker, the official said. No bystanders or police officers were injured in the incident, the official told The Associated Press.
Before the suspect had died, the French counterterrorism prosecutor’s office said it had opened an investigation on charges of attempted murder “in connection with a terrorist enterprise.”
The assailant had been sentenced to 17 years in prison by a court in Brussels in 2013 for attempted murders in connection with a terrorist enterprise against three police officers in the Belgian city of Molenbeek the previous year, according to the prosecutor’s office.
First incarcerated in Belgium, he was then transferred to France in 2015 to serve the rest of his sentence. He was released from prison on Dec. 24, 2025, and had since been subject to judicial supervision and surveillance measures, the statement said.
After 88 years, Gallup ends presidential poll
Gallup has scrapped its presidential approval tracking polls for good after 88 years
The venerable public opinion firm announced Wednesday that it would no longer publish any approval or favorability ratings of any political figures, but suggested the decision has nothing to do with President Donald Trump’s second-term slump
“Leadership ratings have been part of Gallup’s history,” Justin McCarthy a spokesman for Gallup, said in a statement. “At the same time, (they) no longer represent an area where Gallup can make its most distinctive contribution.”
Trump’s approval rating from Gallup peaked at 47% last February before plunging to just 37% in the December 2025 survey that the company now says will be its last.
Trump: Maduro raid showed ‘military might’
‘We are feared by the entire globe’
BY WILL WEISSERT and ALLEN G BREED associated Press
FORT BRAGG, N.C. President Donald Trump celebrated the special forces members who ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, saying last month’s audacious raid means “the entire world saw what the full military might” of the U.S. can do and ensured “we are feared” by potential enemies around the world
Addressing soldiers and their families at Fort Bragg, one of the world’s largest military bases, Trump declared, “Your commander in chief supports you totally.”
Then, drawing on one of his own campaign slogans, he implored them, “When needed, you’re going to fight, fight, fight. You’re going to win, win, win.”
The president and first lady Melania Trump also met privately with military families. Trump said afterward that “we saw a lot of heroes” and that he is “going to be giving one person” a Congressional Medal of Honor for participating in the raid in Venezuela.
But the visit felt more like a political rally than an official visit to
celebrate the U.S. armed forces.
Trump’s lauding of the raid that toppled Maduro came only after he called to the stage Michael Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chair who has the president’s endorsement as he now runs for Senate in North Carolina.
Whatley thanked Trump and suggested that the president “is giving me an opportunity to represent you” even though the election isn’t until November
Later, Trump said of the raid on Jan. 3 that whisked away Maduro to face U.S. drug smuggling charges, “It was a matter of minutes before he was on a helicopter being taken out.” He called the forces involved “some of our greatest soldiers to ever live, frankly,” while dismissing Maduro as an “outlaw dictator.”
“That night, the entire world saw what the full military might (of) the U.S. military is capable” of, the president said. “It was so precise, so incredible.”
Trump also vowed, “As long as I’m president, we will be the best led the best trained, the best equipped, the most disciplined and the most elite fighting force the world has ever seen” and noted of would-be U.S. adversaries, “Everybody knows it.”
“They know exactly what they would be up against. Hopefully, we’ll never have to test them and, be-
cause of our strength, and because of what we do, we probably won’t have to be tested,” Trump said.
“America’s respected again,” he said. “And, perhaps most importantly, we are feared by the enemies all over the globe.”
“I don’t like to say fear,” he said. “But, sometimes, you have to have fear because that’s the only thing that really will get the situation taken care of.”
Trump lately has traveled more frequently to states that could play key roles in November’s midterm congressional elections. The White House has been trying to promote Trump’s economic policies, including attempts to bring down the cost of living at a time when many people are growing frustrated with his efforts to improve affordability
The president didn’t spend a lot of time on his economic policies on Friday though he did mention how a White House-backed tax and spending package is increasing funding for military housing.
As he left the White House to make the trip, meanwhile, Trump cheered data released Friday showing that inflation fell to nearly a five-year low last month.
“The numbers were surprising, except to me they weren’t surprising,” Trump said. “We have very modest inflation, which is what you want to have.”
Trump says regime change in Iran ‘would be the best thing’
BY KONSTANTIN TOROPIN, AAMER MADHANI and JON
GAMBRELL
associated Press
WASHINGTON President Donald Trump said Friday that a change in power in Iran “would be the best thing that could happen” as the U.S. administration weighs whether to take military action against Tehran.
Trump made the comments shortly after visiting with troops in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and after he confirmed earlier in the day that he’s deploying a second aircraft carrier group to the Mideast for potential military action against Iran
“It seems like that would be the best thing that could happen,” Trump said in an exchange with reporters when asked about pressing for the ouster of the Islamic clerical rule in Iran. “For 47 years, they’ve been talking and talking and talking.”
Trump said earlier that the USS Gerald R Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier is being sent from the Caribbean Sea to the Mideast to join other warships and military assets the U.S. has built up in the region The planned deployment comes just days after Trump suggested another round of talks with the Iranians was at hand Those negotiations didn’t materialize as one of Tehran’s top security officials visited Oman and Qatar this week and exchanged messages with U.S. intermediaries.
“In case we don’t make a deal, we’ll need it,” Trump told reporters about the second carrier. He added, “It’ll be leaving very soon.”
Gulf Arab nations have warned any attack could spiral into another regional conflict in a Mideast still reeling from the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Iranians are beginning to
hold 40-day mourning ceremonies for the thousands killed in Tehran’s bloody crackdown on nationwide protests last month, adding to the internal pressure faced by the sanctions-battered Islamic Republic.
The Ford, whose new deployment was first reported by The New York Times, will join the USS Abraham Lincoln and its accompanying guided-missile destroyers, which have been in the region for over two weeks.
It is a quick turnaround for the Ford, which Trump sent from the Mediterranean Sea to the Caribbean last October as the administration built up a huge military presence in the lead-up to the surprise raid last month that captured thenVenezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
It also appears to be at odds with the Trump administration’s national security and defense strategies, which put an emphasis on the Western Hemisphere over other parts of the world.
The Ford strike group will bring more than 5,000 additional troops to the Middle East but few capabilities or weapons that don’t already exist within the Lincoln group. Given the Ford’s current position in the Caribbean, it will likely be weeks before it is off the coast of Iran.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to use force to compel Iran to agree to constrain its nuclear program. He also threatened to use force over Tehran’s bloody crackdown on nationwide protests. Iran and the United States held indirect talks in Oman a week ago, and Trump later warned Tehran that failure to reach an agreement with his administration would be “very traumatic.”
Asked by a reporter about the new negotiations, Trump said Friday that “I think they’ll be successful. And if they’re not, it’s going to be a bad day for Iran, very bad.”
9 detained in Louvre ticket scheme
BY SYLVIE CORBET associated Press
PARIS The Paris prosecutors’ office on Thursday said that nine people were being detained as part of an investigation into a suspected decadelong, $11.8 million ticket fraud scheme at the Louvre, the world’s most visited museum.
The arrests took place on Tuesday as part of a judicial investigation opened after the Louvre filed a complaint in December 2024, the prosecutors’ office said.
Those detained include two Louvre employees, several tour guides and one person suspected of being the mastermind, according to the prosecutors’ office.
The museum alerted investigators about the frequent presence of two Chinese tour guides suspected of bringing groups of Chinese tourists into the museum by fraudulently reusing the same tickets multiple times for different visitors. Other guides were later suspected of similar practices.
The prosecutors’ office said surveillance and wiretaps confirmed repeated ticket reuse and an apparent strategy of splitting up tour groups to avoid paying the required “speaking fee” imposed on guides. The investigation also pointed to suspected accomplices within the Louvre, with guides allegedly paying them cash in exchange for avoiding ticket checks, it said.
A formal judicial investigation was opened in June last year on charges including organized fraud, money laundering, corruption, aiding illegal entry in the country as part of an organized group, and the use of forged administrative documents.
Investigators believe the network may have brought in up to 20 tour groups a day over the past decade.
Suspects are believed to have invested some of the money in real estate in France and Dubai. Authorities have seized more than $1.13 million in cash. The prosecutors’ office mentioned a similar ticket fraud is also suspected to have taken place at the Palace of Versailles, without providing further details.
aSSOCIaTED PRESS PHOTO By MaTT ROURKE
President Donald Trump dances as first lady Melania Trump watches after speaking to soldiers and their families Friday at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Feds investigating if ICE officers lied under oath
all charges dropped against Venezuelan man shot in leg
BY MICHAEL BIESECKER, JIM MUSTIAN and JACK BROOK associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS Federal authorities
have opened a criminal probe into whether two immigration officers lied under oath about the shooting of a Venezuelan man in Minneapolis last month.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons said Friday that his agency had opened a joint probe with the Justice Department after video evidence revealed “sworn testimony provided by two separate officers appears to have made untruthful statements.” The announcement came as a federal judge ordered all charges dropped against Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, who was shot in the leg by an immigration officer, as well as another Venezuelan man, Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna.
The officers, who were not named, have been placed on administrative leave pending the completion of an internal investigation, he said.
“Lying under oath is a serious federal offense,” said Lyons, adding that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is actively investigating.
Lyons said at the conclusion of the investigation, the officers may face termination of employment, as well as potential criminal prosecution
The dismissal of the charges against Aljorna and Sosa-Celis follows a string of high-profile shootings involving federal immigration agents in which eyewitness statements and video evidence have called into question claims made to justify using deadly force. Dozens of felony cases against protesters accused of assaulting or impeding federal officers have also crumbled
In a highly unusual motion to dismiss filed Thursday, U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Daniel N. Rosen said “newly discovered evidence” was “materially
inconsistent with the allegations” made against Aljorna and SosaCelis in a criminal complaint and at a hearing last month.
U.S. District Court Judge Paul A. Magnuson dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning the charges cannot be resubmitted.
A lawyer for Aljorna and SosaCelis said Friday that they are “overjoyed” that all the charges have been dismissed. Had they been convicted, the two immigrants would have faced years in federal prison. It is unclear whether the men could still be deported.
An FBI investigator said in an affidavit that U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop in Minneapolis on a vehicle driven by Aljorna on Jan. 14. He crashed the vehicle and fled on foot toward the apartment duplex where he lived.
An immigration officer chased Aljorna who according to the government — violently resisted arrest.
The complaint alleges Sosa-Celis and another man attacked the
officer with a snow shovel and a broom handle as the officer and Aljorna struggled on the ground. The officer fired his handgun, striking Sosa-Celis in his right thigh. The men ran into an apartment and eventually were arrested.
Rosen’s motion seeking to drop the charges did not detail what new evidence had emerged or what falsehoods had been in the government’s prior filings, but cracks began to appear in the government’s case during a Jan. 21 court hearing to determine whether the accused men could be released pending trial.
In court, the ICE officer’s account of the moments before the shooting differed significantly from testimony from the two defendants and three eyewitnesses.
The ICE officer’s account that he was assaulted with a broom and snow shovel was also not corroborated by available video evidence.
Aljorna and Sosa-Celis denied assaulting the agent with a broom or a snow shovel. Neither video evidence nor testimony from a neighbor and the men’s romantic
partners supported the agent’s account that he had been attacked with a broom or shovel or that a third person was involved. Frederick Goetz, a lawyer representing Aljorna, said his client had a broomstick in his hand and threw it at the agent as he ran toward the house. Attorney Robin Wolpert, representing Sosa-Celis, said he had been holding a shovel but was retreating into the home when the officer fired, wounding him. The men’s attorneys said the prosecution’s case relied wholly on testimony from the agent who fired the gun. Neither Aljorna and Sosa-Celis had violent criminal records. Both had been working as DoorDash delivery drivers at night in an attempt to avoid encounters with federal agents, their attorneys said. Aljorna and Sosa-Celis retreated into their upstairs apartment and barricaded the door, so federal officers used tear gas to try to force the men out, the FBI agent said. Concerned about the safety of two children under 2 inside the home, Aljorna and Sosa-Celis surrendered.
Lemon pleads not guilty to civil rights charges in church protest
BY STEVE KARNOWSKI associated Press
ST PAUL, Minn. — Former CNN host turned independent journalist Don Lemon pleaded not guilty to federal civil rights charges Friday following a protest at a Minnesota church where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official is a pastor Four others also pleaded not guilty in the case.
Lemon insists he was at the Cities Church in St. Paul to chronicle the Jan 18 protest but was not a participant. The veteran journalist vowed to fight what he called “baseless charges” and protect his free speech rights “For more than 30 years, I’ve been a journalist, and the power and protection of the First Amendment has been the underpinning of my work. The First Amendment, the freedom of the press, are the bedrock of our democracy,” Lemon said outside the courthouse after his arraignment. “And like all of you here in Minnesota, the great people of Minnesota, I will not be intimidated, I will not back down.” Dozens of supporters gathered outside the courthouse, chanting “Pam Bondi has got to go” and “Protect the press.” Civil rights attorney Ne-
Residents
kima Levy Armstrong was among the other defendants who pleaded not guilty Friday The prominent local activist was the subject of a doctored photo posted on official White House social media that falsely showed her crying during her arrest Levy Armstrong echoed Lemon’s defiant words after the hearing.
“We the people have to stand for our rights. We have to stand for the Constitution. We have to stand for our First Amendment rights to freedom of the speech, some freedom of assembly and freedom of the press,” she said.
Protesters interrupted a service at the Southern
Baptist church last month, chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” referring to the 37-year-old mother of three who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. In total, nine people have been charged under the 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act in relation to the church protest. The FACE Act prohibits interference or intimidation of “any person by force, threat of force, or physical obstruction exercising or seeking to exercise the First Amendment right of religious freedom at a place of religious worship.”
Penalties can range up to a year in prison and up to a
near ICE building ask judge to limit feds’ use of tear gas
BY CLAIRE RUSH associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. — Multiple residents of an affordable housing complex in Portland, Oregon, have bought gas masks to wear in their own homes, to protect themselves from tear gas fired by federal agents outside the immigration building across the street. Others have taped their windows or stuffed wet towels under their doors, while children have sought security by sleeping in closets
Some are now telling their stories to a federal judge Friday, as they testify in a lawsuit seeking to limit federal officers’ use of tear gas during protests at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building following months of repeated exposure. The property manager of the apartment building and several tenants filed the suit against the federal government in December, arguing that the use of chemical munitions has violated residents’ rights to life, liberty and property by sickening them, contaminating their apartments and confining them inside They have asked the court to limit federal agents’ use of such muni-
tions unless needed to respond to an imminent threat.
“They’re simply trying to live their lives in peace in their homes,” Daniel Jacobson, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, said during the hearing. “Yet our federal government is knowingly putting them through hell, and for no good reason at all.”
The defendants, which include ICE and the Department of Homeland Security and their respective heads, say officers have deployed crowd-control devices in response to violent protests at the building, which has been the site of demonstrations for months.
A plaintiff, Susan Dooley, a 72-year-old Air Force veteran with diabetes and high blood pressure, was sent by a doctor to the emergency room, where she was diagnosed with shortness of breath and mild heart failure, the complaint said Whitfield Taylor, who has placed wet towels around his window air conditioning unit in a bid to block the gas from entering his home, had to take his two daughters, 7 and 9, to urgent care for respiratory symptoms. The girls sometimes sleep in his closet to feel safe, according to the complaint.
$10,000 fine.
Renee Carlson, an attorney with True North Legal, which is representing Cities Church, said in a statement that by pleading not guilty Lemon and others are “dou-
bling down on their claim that the press can do whatever they want under the auspices of journalism.”
“The First Amendment does not protect premeditated schemes to violate
the sanctity of a sanctuary, disrupt worship services, or intimidate children,” Carlson said. “There is no ‘press pass’ to trespass on church property or conspire to invade religious worship.”
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aSSOCIaTED PRESS PHOTO By TOM BaKER Journalist Don Lemon speaks to the media Friday outside the U.S District Courthouse in St. Paul, Minn.
diversity, equity and inclusion programs as a member of Congress.
President Donald Trump last month unexpectedly endorsed Letlow, prompting the Congress member to launch her Senate bid and shake up the race.
Fleming also has gone on the offensive in his Senate campaign When he signed up to run on Wednesday, he said he was running against “two liberal candidates” and accused Cassidy of flip-flopping on key issues He also claimed Gov Jeff Landry had schemed to get Letlow into the race to further his own political ambitions.
Candidate qualifying for spring primary elections ended Friday, which means the fields are also set for important races like the U. S House, the Louisia na Supreme Court, Public Service Commission and state educat ion board. But the Senate race is drawing the fieriest action so far
Cassidy also officially joined the Senate race Friday During remarks to reporters in Baton Rouge, he did n’t directly address Letlow Rather, he said the contest is “about who has a proven track record of delivering for our state, and my track record is far better than anyone else running for this office.”
“The endorsement that matters is the endorsement of the people of Louisiana,” he said when asked about Trump’s decision to back Letlow
PERKINS
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safety in the roadway We have two lanes right now, with an open ditch the entire (length of the) project there.”
Raiford, who prides himself on tracking his projects’ progress with his own eyes, said he’s seen cars run into the Perkins Road ditch, pedestrians walking on the shoulder or in the dry ditch and plenty of risky left turns onto or off of the road.
“With all the subdivisions that are tied into the road, and where they’re located, you have cross traffic, you have people not sure who’s coming out, and then you have people trying to make left turns,” Raiford said.
When you talk about a twolane street, that’s an issue.”
To address this, six new Jturns will be added to the improvements, allowing turns into or out of subdivisions without blocking traffic.
MovEBR, which funds its traffic improvements through a half-cent sales tax passed in 2018, is expected to start the “clearing and grubbing” process next.
This will involve removing trees and signs from the right of way and is expected
Landry later fired back at Fleming, saying “anyone who makes stuff up like that may not be fit for office.”
Now on the campaign trail, Letlow has thrown her own political punches.
On Thursday, she seized on a Fox News story about a Louisiana judge who ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement to release four detainees from custody.
“The Middle District in Louisiana is one of the most liberal in the country and Bill Cassidy has selected many similar judges during his time in the Senate,” Letlow posted on social media.
“It is unforgivable that this radical judge forced ICE to release four criminal illegals, already convicted of murder and child sex crimes.”
Landry joined that line of attack on Friday adding that Cassidy spent his time listening to the Never Trumpers and voting to impeach.”
Cassidy responded that Landry should “check his facts,” and that he is “proud of fighting for conservative results for Louisiana.”
Asked Friday if Landry intended to endorse Letlow for U.S. Senate, a spokesperson for the governor said “he intends to follow the president.”
Three Democrats also signed up this week to run in a separate closed party primary They include Nick
a truck billboard, paid for by Baton Rouge Republican U.S Sen. Bill Cassidy’s campaign, criticized U.S Rep. Julia Letlow, R-Baton Rouge. It sat near the Secretary of State’s Office when Letlow signed up to challenge Cassidy’s reelection.
Albares, who is from New Orleans and was a policy adviser for Gov John Bel Edwards; Gary Crockett, who owns an aerospace defense business and is from New Orleans; and Jamie Davis, a farmer from northeast Louisiana.
Republican primaries and Democratic primaries are each scheduled for May 16.
If no candidate gets over 50% of the vote, primary runoffs will be held June 27.
The eventual Republican and Democratic nominees will compete against each other in the Nov 3 general election.
5th Congressional District
With Letlow running for Senate, the Republicanleaning 5th Congressional District that she currently represents and which covers the Florida parishes, part of the Baton Rouge metro area, Monroe and northeast Louisiana drew a competitive field of candidates.
State Sen. Blake Miguez, a Republican from Acadiana, is running with an endorsement from Trump.
to be completed by August.
After that, utilities in the area will need to be relocated, which Raiford estimated would take a year and a half due to the “unbelievable” amount of underground utility connections along the project route.
Proper construction is then set to start sometime in 2028 and will last at least two years itself Raiford said, characterizing the projections as “worst-case scenarios.”
He couldn’t provide an estimate of how often Perkins Road will need to be fully closed during this period, but said that traffic will be negatively affected
“Our objective was to minimize the inconvenience for the public,” Raiford said.
“But in reality yes, there are
going to be times that there’s going to be problems. You can’t go from a two-lane to a four-lane and not have problems.”
The Perkins Road project will also tie into nearly-completed improvements to the Interstate 10 exit at Pecue Lane.
“With the Pecue Lane exit expected to open later this year this project ensures the surrounding infrastructure works together efficiently and effectively for our residents,” Edwards said Friday
While this stretch of Perkins Road lies entirely within St. George, it borders the southern edge of Baton Rouge. Raiford characterized the project as being in St. George’s area, but for the whole parish.
So are Republican state Sen. Rick Edmonds, a Baton Rouge pastor who pushed for the creation of the city of St. George, and GOP state Rep. Michael Echols, a businessman from Monroe. Misti Cordell, another Monroe Republican, is also running. She has strong personal and political ties with Landry a close friend.
A handful of other Republican candidates are also running: Austin Magee of Franklinton, Michael Mebruer of Francisville and Sammy Wyatt of Denham Springs
A number of Democratic candidates also signed up to run in the 5th District: Jessee Fleenor of Loranger; Larry Foy of Winnsboro; Lindsay “Rubia” Garcia of Walker; Dan McKay of Bunkie; and Tania Nyman of Baton Rouge.
Other U.S. House races Incumbents are expected to hold Louisiana’s five other U.S. House seats.
U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, signed up to seek re-
“Today’s MovEBR groundbreaking on Perkins Road represents the fulfillment of a commitment to address the long-standing traffic and infrastructure concerns along
election in the 1st Congressional District. Three people signed up to run against him: Randall Arrington, a Republican of Ponchatoula, Lauren Jewett, Democrat of Metairie, and Jim Long, another Democrat from Metairie.
Democratic U.S Rep Troy Carter of New Orleans, will seek reelection in the 2nd Congressional District. Just one opponent, Renada “Honey” Collins of New Orleans, signed up to run there.
U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, RLafayette, is running again in the 3rd Congressional District. He faces three Democratic challengers: John Day of Lake Charles, Tia LeBrun of Sulphur, and Caleb Walker of Lafayette.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, will again seek to represent the 4th Congressional District.
Four candidates signed up in Johnson’s district: Joshua Morott, Republican of Benton; Mike Nichols, Republican of Pitkin; Conrad Cable, Democrat of Farmerville; and Matt Gromlich, Democrat of Greenwood.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, of Baton Rouge, signed up in the 6th Congressional District.
No Democrats signed up to challenge Fields. But four Republicans did. They are: Monique Appeaning of St. George; Larry Davis of Livingston; Christian “Chris” Johnson of Greenwell Springs; and Peter Williams of Lettsworth.
Other races
The field was also set for several other races of statewide interest Friday
Two sitting justices on the state Supreme Court will be reelected by default after no one ran against them. They are Justice Cade Cole, whose district covers western Louisiana, and Jay McCal-
lum, whose district includes north and central Louisiana. Both are Republicans. There will be a competitive race in the Supreme Court district that Will Crain vacated to become a federal judge. The 1st District includes Livingston, Tangipahoa, Washington and St. Tammany parishes. Blair Downing Edwards, an appeals court judge from Independence, and William Burris, a trial court judge from Franklinton, are both Republicans. A crowded field of candidates joined the race for the New Orleans-area District 1 seat on the Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities. Democrat Connie Norris of Slidell is running alongside five Republicans: n Wallace “Wayne” Cooper II, of Robert n State Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, of Metairie n “Big John” Mason, of Metairie n State Rep. Mark Wright, of Covington n John Young, of Metairie. The race for the District 5 seat on the commission, which covers the Shreveport region, will have three candidates:
n John E. Atkins, a Republican from Shreveport n James Edward Green, a Democrat from Shreveport n Aiden C. Joyner, a Republican from West Monroe n Austin Lawson, a Democrat from Bossier City Four candidates qualified for a seat on the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. They include: n Angela Hershey, a Democrat from Madisonville n Former U.S. Rep. Joseph Cao, a Harvey Republican n Michael Hollis, a Republican from New Orleans n Elle Schroder, a Republican from Abita Springs.
this corridor,” St. George Mayor Dustin Yates said. “This project moves forward as part of the broader parish transportation plan and reflects the continued work to deliver on those promises.”
Email Quinn Coffman at quinn.coffman@ theadvocate.com.
STaFF PHOTO By MICHaEL JOHNSON
STaFF FILE PHOTO By BILL FEIG
Cars drive on the west side of the Pecue Lane overpass toward Perkins Road in 2017.
Officials probe new footage from before Guthrie abduction
BY JAMI GANZ New york Daily News (TNS)
Authorities are investigating eerie new footage from the days leading up to the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy
The roughly 20-second Ring camera footage, from the early morning hours of Jan. 23, was published Friday by TMZ, which says the video was recorded roughly 6.5 miles from 84-year-old Guthrie’s home in Tucson, Ariz.
The clip shows a darkhaired man whose face is blurred, though a goatee is somewhat visible. His back is toward the camera as he leans over, holding what appears to be a towel, then moves his hands over the camera.
The homeowner, who initially posted the video on Ring’s Neighbors app, said the man in the video rang their door-
PARDONED
Continued from page 1a
Once the official certificate arrives, Cannon said, she’ll have it framed for her mother, Dorothy “Dot” Dupuy Cannon, who had been by Billy’s side since both attended Baton Rouge’s Istrouma High School in the mid-1950s. They married while both were freshmen attending LSU.
“It’s her story too,” Cannon said. “She went through everything with him.”
Cannon said her father and his family never shied away from the fact that he committed a crime but regretted how the conviction seemed to blot out everything else he did that was positive, even his football career his daughter said.
bell at about 5 a.m. but ran off at the sound of the their dogs barking, according to TMZ. Both the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department know of the video’s existence and are treating it as a lead, a source with knowledge of the investigation told the outlet.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home on the evening of Jan. 31 and was reported missing the following day with authorities quickly treating the case as an abduction. The FBI on Thursday doubled their reward to up to $100,000 for information leading to Guthrie’s recovery or the conviction of her captor
The agency’s Phoenix bureau has also released additional details about the male suspect, believed to stand between 5-foot-9 and 5-foot10. He was wearing a 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Backpack,
according to forensic analysis of doorbell camera footage taken from Guthrie’s home.
Earlier this week, the FBI released photos and video of Guthrie’s potential kidnapper He can be seen outside her home in the early morning hours of Feb. 1, wearing a ski mask with a goatee visible underneath.
That footage was a “huge, huge break” in the case, as retired Phoenix Homicide Sgt. Troy Hillman told Us Weekly Neighbors within a 2-mile radius of Guthrie’s home have been asked to scour last month’s security camera footage and report anything out of the ordinary to authorities.
The PCSD on Friday said there was no press briefing scheduled for the day but said they’d alert the public of “any significant developments” in the case.
Anyone who has lived in Baton Rouge knows the Halloween tradition, apart from candy and costumes of repeated showings of Cannon’s 89-yard punt return against Ole Miss in 1959 His was the only touchdown in the matchup between the topranked Tigers and the thirdranked Rebels. The punt return also is the cornerstone of the intense football rivalry between the two schools.
Cannon in 1959 became LSU’s first Heisman Trophy winner He was integral to the school’s first national championship in 1958 and was first LSU football player to be the top NFL draft pick. He played for the Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs and was a two-time All-Pro. Cannon was the first professional player to earn $100,000.
After retiring from pro-
fessional football in 1970, he became a popular orthodontist in Baton Rouge.
He ran into financial difficulties and in 1983 pleaded guilty to printing $6 million in $100 bills. He served half of a five-year sentence in a minimum-security federal prison in Texarkana, Texas.
In granting the pardon, the White House pointed to work Cannon did after his release in 1986.
In 1995, Cannon contracted to provide dental care for prisoners inside the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola No other dentists would treat the inmates.
Then-Warden Burl Cain later put Cannon in charge of the prison’s medical system. He was able to reopen the pharmacy, an important step because medications could take weeks to arrive at the prison Cannon reduced the number of inmates who had to be transported to Baton Rouge for medical care.
Cannon worked at Angola until his death in 2018 at the age of 80.
Cannon was nicknamed “Legend” by the inmates. His number 20 jersey was retired. There’s a statue of Cannon outside LSU’s Tiger Stadium.
“This past week, as millions of Americans watched the Super Bowl, we were reminded that second chances are woven into the game itself — and into our national character,” Trump’s pardons czar Alice Johnson said in a statement “The President affirmed a simple American truth: that accountability and mercy can stand together and that when second chances are earned and extended, families are restored and the common good is strengthened.”
Bunnie Cannon said the pardon shows “that someone somewhere recognized that he’s better than just his failures.”
“They’re recognizing him, not just for his prowess on the field, but for doing good in spite of messing up,” she said. “And that’s huge.”
Bunnie Cannon, assistant dean for outreach and stra-
tegic initiatives at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, noted that her father would have been “thrilled” to learn that laws denying the right of convicted felons to vote have been changed. She and her family are raising money for a film about Billy Cannon that will open with the counterfeiting episode and go through the rest of his life.
“It is not a football film,” she said.
They’re also working to create a national award in his name for the most transformational play in a college football season. Meanwhile, Louisiana Public Broadcasting is producing a documentary about Billy Cannon’s life.
“It is so important that people know who he truly was and not who the media has made him out to be,” she said. “And this clemency is one step to getting to that point.”
Email Mark Ballard at mballard@theadvocate. com.
STaFF FILE PHOTO By IRBy aUCOIN
Billy Cannon races past Ole Miss defenders on his legendary 89-yard punt return for the lone touchdown in LSU’s 7-3 victory on Oct. 31, 1959, at Tiger Stadium.
TNS PHOTO By BRaNDON BELL
an FBI agent works Wednesday near Nancy Guthrie’s residence in Tucson,ariz., as the search continues for Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of journalist and television host Savannah Guthrie, after she went missing from her home on Feb 1.
METRO
La.higheredtargetedinfederal probe
academicyear to 16,000 in 2025-26.
BY AIDAN McCAHILL Staff writer
The U.S. Department of Education said it has opened acivil-rights investigation into Louisiana’shigher education board over whether its diversity,equity and inclusion initiatives violate federal law
In astatement released Friday, the department’sOffice for Civil
Rights saiditisinvestigating the Louisiana Board of Regents, pointing to the board’s2021-26 executive budget reportsthat include performance targets directing public collegestoprioritize students of “allracesother than White (and) Asian.”
Those targets arepartofthe Board of Regents’ Master Plan for Postsecondary Education,which aims to have 60%ofworking-age adultsinLouisiana hold adegree or a“high-valuecredential” by 2030, according to the board’swebsite.
Rain should have little impact on parades
Timing hassystemrolling throughlateevening
Staff report
Aweather system comingthrough the Baton Rouge area this weekend will bring rainfall —but isn’texpected to dampen Mardi Gras parades or spirits, thanks to the rain pattern and timing of theprecipitation, aNational Weather Service forecaster said.
“Itlookslike themainline that could have the biggest impact, with thunderstorms, will all occur in the overnight hours Saturday night,” meteorologist Christopher Bannan said.
“There might be some scattered light showers during the day Saturday ahead of the system,” he said.
“SpanishTown should notbe impacted,” Bannan said of the paradethatrolls through downtown BatonRouge atnoon on Saturday While the heaviest rain is expected around midnightSaturday, BatonRouge will probably dry out beforesunriseon Sunday,hesaid.
There might be some light showers late Sunday,asthe system moves outof the Baton Rouge area, Bannan said. Monday is predicted to be sunny,with ahigh near70, and Fat Tuesday will be mostly sunny,with ahigh near 73, the National Weather Servicesaid
Washington Street exit to close permanently
Ramp eventually to be removed
Staff report
The Washington Street ramp on Interstate 10 is set to close permanently next week, with one lane of I-10in that stretch closed each night over five days until the work is finished, statetransportation officials said. The nightly I-10 lane closure is to begin Wednesdayand run through Sunday, Feb. 22, the DepartmentofTransportation and Developmentsaid. The work will include putting up concretebarriers, removing signage and restriping the area. During the work, drivers traveling to downtown Baton Rouge from I-10are advised to use the I-110 south exit to Terrace Avenueorthe I-10 west exit to Nicholson Drive/HighlandRoad.
The Washington exit will be permanently closed Wednesday
The exit closure is intended to “eliminate dangerous weaving movementsand reduce bottlenecks thathave contributed to crashes and delays, particularly from the high volume of vehicles merging from the Mississippi River Bridge,” DOTD said in anews release Friday In the future, the closedramp willbe fully removed as part of the ongoing I-10 widening project.
Akey benchmark within that plan calls for increasing the number of underrepresented minorities— definedasraces other than White andAsian —graduating from public postsecondary schools in Louisiana from 14,579 in the 2020-21
Federal officials said Friday that the race-conscious goalsrun afoul of Title VI of theCivil RightsAct of 1964, which bans discrimination based on race, color or national origin in education programsand activities that receive federal funds.
“The Louisiana Board of Regents’ objective to prioritize recruitment andgraduation efforts for ‘all races otherthan White [and] Asian’ appears to blatantly violate not only America’santidiscrimination laws,
but our nation’score principles. TitleVIguarantees allstudentsequal access to educational programs and opportunities regardless of race and OCR is committedtopreserving these rights,” Assistant Secretary forCivil Rights Kimberly Richey said in the announcement.“OCRwillfully enforce Title VI to ensure oureducation programs aredefinedbyequality, not exclusion.”
Thevictim of afatal shooting at aBaton Rouge apartment complex Thursday morning has been identified as 18-yearoldEdwyn Williams,according to the Coroner’s Office. Baton Rouge police were called to the sceneinthe parking lotofThe Reserve at HowellPlace apartments on Ford Street, off PlankRoad,at 6a.m. Thursday.Officersfound Williams’ body hanging outof the driver’sside windowofa parked car,according to police. Williams was asenior at Baker High School. “The city of Baker School Systemand Helix Community Schools are devastated over thelossofour belovedstudent Edwyn Williams, who passed
awayinBaton Rouge,” the school system said in astatement Friday. “Hewas amild-mannered young man who was well-liked by his peers,”the statement said. “Wehavebeen in touch withthe family to offer our condolences andsupport.”
“Additionally,wewill provide grief counseling services to our studentswhentheyreturn from the Mardi Gras break on Feb. 23,” Baker schools said. “Please keep Edwyn’sfamily and friends and the Baker community in your thoughts andprayers during this difficult time.” Anyone with information aboutthe caseisaskedtocall BRPD’sViolent CrimesUnit at (225) 389-4869, or Crime
SOUTHDOWNS CELEBRATION
MARDI
GRAS 2026 FOR MORE, THEADVOCATE COM
ABOVE: The Krewe of Southdowns rolls through its namesakeneighborhood in Baton Rouge on Friday
LEFT: The Krewe of Southdowns makes throws to the crowd on Friday. STaFF PHOTOSByHILaRy SCHEINUK
Sheriffrefuses ‘unprecedented’ICE requests
Nine detainees maybeincountry illegally, officialssay
BY JOSEPH CRANNEY Staff writer
Since President DonaldTrump’s administration began its immigration crackdown in New Orleans last year,the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office has refused more than twodozen requests from immigration officials to turnoverinformation on undocumented people in its custody,escalating afight over the jail’s sanctuary policies that’s still being waged in federal court U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement hasidentified nine men at the Orleans Parish lockup who may be in the country illegally.After OPSO rejected “detainer” requests —agreements tohold detainees past their release datesso ICE can arrest them —for each of them, ICE took the rarestep of issuing subpoenas to compel OPSO
to turn over the men for questioning, court records show Thesubpoenas also seek jail records documenting the men’s addresses andgovernment ID, among other paperwork. ICE has also sought lists of other jail detainees who, upon booking, didn’t have governmentID“to ascertain the identities of potential aliensin (OPSO) custody who have not yet beenencountered by immigration officials,” governmentlawyers wrote in acourt filing. Mary Yanik, directorofTulane University’sImmigrant Rights Clinic,calledthe subpoenas “unprecedented.” She described ICE’s tactics as an attempt to compel OPSOtohand over custody of the mensotheycan be deported. ICEbegan sending the subpoenas in October and continueddoing so throughout “Operation Catahoula Crunch,” the government’s name forits Border Patrol-led operationinsouthLouisiana in December,court records show The subpoenas, written by ICE, aren’tsigned by ajudge, but are
allowedunderfederal law. ICE has occasionally deployed them in other parts of thecountrywith sanctuary policies, including in Oregon, California and New York, according to the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
After OPSOrejected ICE’slatest requests lastmonth, ICE filed apetition in the Eastern District of Louisiana asking afederal judge to order OPSOtofulfill them.
“We’ve never seen anything like this,” said Yanik, whoco-representsthe plaintiffs from a2013 consent decreethat overhauled the jail’s immigration policies. Thejail is also under aseparate, 13-yearold consent decree covering many other aspects of its operations.
Thecasethatled to theconsent decree over immigration policies was brought by apair of former OrleansParishdetainees who said they were illegally held for months at therequest of immigration officials.The settlement from that case prohibits OPSOfrom complyingwith ICEdetainerrequests undermostcircumstances, andit
also forbids OPSO from allowing ICEtoconduct immigration investigations at the jail. Under adetainerrequest, ajail would hold adetaineefor up to 48 hours aftertheir releasesofederal immigration agents can take them intocustody. OPSO’s policy is to reject thoserequests unless the personischargedwith murder, rape, kidnapping, armedrobbery or treason. ICEhas sent 170detainer requestsinthe past four years, and OPSO hasrejectedall but1%of them, lawyers forthe federal government said in court filings. In rejecting ICE’slatest batch of subpoenas, OPSO’s lawyers said in acourt filing this week that the agency is bound by the consent decree’spolicies, which are overseen by afederal judge. Afederal magistrate on Wednesday scheduled ahearing on the matter for mid-March.
Louisiana Attorney GeneralLiz Murrill is waging herown court battle in an attempt to erase those policies, which she sayscontradict
One north Lafayette homeownerisset to enjoy afully renovated home, thanks to volunteers from Lafayette and across the country with Catholic Charities and the Order of Malta. This week, adozen workers were at ahome on Lilly Street, in aquiet area near Heymann Parkand the airport. The homeowner, a woman in her 50s, has lived in the house her entire life —but it was fast becoming uninhabitable, with major repairs needed for the roof, electrical, plumbing, flooringand walls.On Thursday,volunteers were cutting flooring, scraping paint, installing fans and cabinets and adding back the bones of the house, on
atimeframe that rivals an HGTV renovation show
“Four days turnaround is pretty incredible, but there’sstill so much left to get done,” said Grant Aasen, an Order of Malta volunteerfromAtlanta
Thelay religious order has beensending volunteers to the Acadiana region since 2017 to work with Catholic Charities on mission projects forthe “poorest ofthe poor,” accordingtoCatholic Charities chief of external affairs Ben Broussard.
“Someoneasked,‘Do you guys get to do abig reveal
Volunteer Sheila McManus helpsrepair ahomeon Lilly Street in Lafayette on Thursday
STaFF PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK
at theend?’ It’s notquite done yet,” said Aasen.“We knowthatwe’re makinga huge impact, andthere’s going to be so many other people involved to bring it to completion. There’s areal humility in saying, ‘I didmypart. I’m part of thebody of the church in a small way.’”
TheOrder of Malta,established in the 12th century as asovereign military orderfor theCatholic Church, has aprimary commitmentofservice to the poor and sickaround the world.
Volunteers workedonthe Lilly Street home and one in Crowley,aspart of aCatholic Charities home preservation program called Rebuilding Together,focused on critical repairs tohousing where theoccupant is elderly or disabled, or both
“Wehave awaiting list thatfar surpasses our capacity to respond,” said Catholic Charities CEO KimBoudreaux. “Wecan’t let thatprevent us from doing thework.The homeowner haslived hereall her life, andwewanther to be able to continue living here in theneighborhood she’s always been in.
“Her neighbors have stoppedbythroughoutthe week to express howhappy theyare to see her getting repairs to her home, that they’veall been tryingto help herout with over the years. This is abeautiful example of howvolunteers can makea meaningful differenceinsomeone’s life.”
Email Joanna Brown at joanna.brown@ theadvocate.com.
Gretna bank teller foundwithstolencash, police say
BY MICHELLE HUNTER Staff writer
AGretna bankemployee was arrested after authorities say she stole $187,000 from avaultbeforegoing on the run. When authorities pulled Alexa Braud’svehicle over in Walton County,Florida, on the afternoonofFeb 4, they found$150,000 of the cash stashed in asmall cooler in her car,according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office. Braud, 34,ofGretna, was abank teller manager at
RiverLandFederal Credit Union, according to Gretna Police Deputy Chief Jason DiMarco. Police saidBraud went into the office at about 7:37 a.m. on Feb. 4, earlier thanher usual start time. DiMarco saidbank surveillance video was recording as awoman policehave identifiedasBraud entered thevaultand began throwingcash into abag. She also grabbed the moneyinsideher teller drawer before leaving the office, police said. Employees whoarrived
laterthatmorning contacted policewhenthey entered thevault anddiscovered thatmoney was missing. Gretna police identified Braud as asuspect and put out an alert for herred Toyota Corolla AWalton County deputy spotted Braud’svehicle about 2:40 p.m. at the intersection of Florida Highway 285 andHighway 90 near Mossy Head.She had traveled more than 250 miles. Braudwas taken into custody to awaitextradition back to Louisiana. She
was booked Thursdayinto theJefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna on one count of theft valued over $25,000.Nobond has been set.
DEI
Continued from page1B
a2024 state law that effectively bannedso-called“sanctuarycities” in Louisiana.A federaljudge hasn’truled on those arguments yet. In thelatest twist, theNew OrleansPolice Departmenthas repealed its owndecade-old policy that restricted itscooperation with federal immigration agents. Now, NOPD officers who encounter people with an outstanding immigration warrant must transfer them into federal custody if the Orleans Parish jail won’ttake them,The Times-Picayunereported this week.
That’sled to anew wave of concern amongimmigration advocates, who worry that OPSO’s refusals to honor detainers will be less of ashield.
“If OPSO says, ‘Why would Itake this person? They’re notaccused of any crime,’ then they go back to NOPD,and NOPD holds them for ICE,” said Jeremy Jong, aNew Orleans-based immigration attorney Staff writer James Finn contributed reporting.
Board of Regents Chair
Misti S. Cordell said in a statementthatthe governing body would cooperate with the investigation and provide requested information about the Master Plan and the State Budget.
“Weare committedto being aligned with Gov Landry’sand President Trump’sadministrations,”
she said. In apost on X, Gov.Jeff Landry added his administration has madea priority of making“decisionsbased strictly on merit —the way it SHOULD be!”
“Over the last 2years, my administrationhas taken steps to eradicate unfair and harmful DEI practices from Louisiana’s higher education system,” he wrote. “We welcomethe @usedgov investigationtoshedlight on anyareaswhere DEI is still seeping into our systems.”
Astory about Baton Rouge-area Mardi Grasparades in Friday’sAdvocate was accompaniedbyaparade route map forthe Krewe of Shenandoah that wasincorrect. The correct map is below The Advocate regrets the error
Funerals Today
Dugas, Gale
FirstBaptistChurch of Napoleonville,4616 LA-308 in Napoleonville,at11a.m
Dunn, Ida
FT Missionary BaptistChurch,4712 Highway 10, Jackson, LAat 11am
Estep, Ruenell
Greenoaks FuneralHome, 9595 FloridaBlvd.,Baton Rouge, LAat 2pm
NewZionHill BaptistChurch,116 BilboSt. Woodville,Mississippi39669 at 11am
Paul,Rosie
Hall Davis& Sons FuneralServices, 9348 Scenic Highway,at11a.m
Price-Frazier,Vanessa Greater NewGuide BaptistChurch 3445 FairfieldsAve. at 10am
Singleton, Vinell
Mt.PilgrimBaptistChurch at 11am
Smith,Winston St.John theBaptist Church Dorseyvlle,LAat11am.
Taylor,Josh MacedoniaMissionary Baptist Church,2800 Wyandotte St Baton Rouge,LAat10am.
Williams-Richardson, Vanessa
Israelite BaptistChurch,6644 S. RiverRoadinBrusly, at 11 a.m.
Obituaries
Caballero, Kathleen
Kathleen Caballero, 86, of Baton Rouge, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2026. Born in Napoleonville to Edmond and Winnie Landry, Kathleengrew up surrounded by the values of faith, family, and ajoyful, spirited energy. She now joins her parents, her brother, Edward Landry, and her daughter in law, Margie Caballero, in eternal rest. She leaves behind her devoted husband of 66 years, Eugene Caballero Sr., whose life was intertwined
The advocate with hersinlove and partnership. She is alsosurvived by her children: Eugene Caballero Jr.ofDenham Springs;Cindy CaballeroofBaton Rouge; Kyle Caballeroof Prairieville; and Scotty Caballero(Ann) of Spruce Pine, North Carolina; and by her brother,Jimmy (Loretta) Landry of Labadieville. Kathleen's legacycontinuesthrough her grandchildren—Cassie (Jeret) Snell, Brittany(Joe) Valencia,Katelyn (Robby) Eubanks, Hilary (Israel) Caballero, Corbin Caballero Landry Caballero, Scott (Chande)Caballero, Lance (Julie) Caballero, and Alyce (Cory)Boyd—and through the twenty great grandchildren who brought her endless joy.For more than 25 years, Kathleen shared her warmth and patience as aCatholicschool kindergartenteacher, shaping young heartswith gentleness and grace. Her faith remained aguiding light throughout her life, and she was adevoted memberofSt. Patrick's CatholicChurchinBaton Rouge. Above all, Kathleen cherished her family. She delighted in being present forthe milestones—large and small—of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, rarely missing amoment thatmattered. Shefound joyinsimple pleasures: shopping, longconversations on the phone, and the laughter she shared with her close knit circle of friends, affectionately known as"The Hens." Visitation willbe held on Tuesday, February 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at St. George Catholic ChurchinBaton Rouge, followed by aMassofChristianBurial. Interment will take place at St.George Mausoleum.Pallbearers will be herGrandson's, Scott Caballero,LanceCaballero, Corbin Caballero and LandryCaballero and hertwo Godson's Rene Caballero and Chad Landry. Special thanks to Alvin Burton and the staff at Central Guest House,and to Church Funeral Services, fortheir compassionate care. Her spirit lives on in every laugh she inspired every life she touched, and every generation blessed by her love.
Rouge ParishSchool Sys-
tem. Visitation willbeon Monday, Feb.16, 2026 at Charlet FuneralHome, Zachary from 9am until serviceat11am conducted by Dr. Joel Williams. Burial willbeinRoselawn Cemetery,Baton Rouge. She is survivedby2 daughters, Sherry ElizabethOgden Russell and Kaye Ogden Buxton and husband, Myron. She is survived by her sisters,Sarah Tomlinson and husband, James, and VickieCader. 4grandchildren,NicklausRussell, Samuel Russell, Chassidy Artigue,and Dustin Dier. Great grandchildren, Presley Rayburn, Victoria Artigue,Robert "Bo"Russell, John Henry Russell,Landon Dierand McKenzieDier. She is preceded in death by her husband,Curtis Ogden, parents, Nolin and LeomaAlexander, four brothers and twosisters. Pallbearers willbeNicklaus Russell,Samuel Russell, Presly Rayburn, Myron Buxton, Val Buxton, and Joe Morgan. She was a graduateofLSU and was an elementary teacher for over 20 years. Tressiewas an activemember of First Baptist Church of Baker. She lovedtosing and play thepiano. She and her best friend, Barbara Foote,traveled theworld together and madefriends along theway.She shared her retirementyears with teacher friends "Out to Lunch Group"every Wednesday. She wasan avid reader. In lieu of flowers, donations may be madetoSt. JudeChildren's HospitalorFriendsofthe Animals BR. Share memories at www.CharletFunera lHome.com
Janel was born to Lee and Jeantine Watts in French Settlement, Louisiana.She and Billy Ogden, Tressie Alexander Tressie Alexander Ogden, aresidentofBaker, passed away peacefully on Tuesday,Feb. 10, 2026.She was 85 years old and was retiredfromEastBaton
Stephens married in 1958 and livedinBaton Rouge. After graduating from Southeastern Louisiana University, she taught in several EBR schools. Upon her retirement she and Billy enjoyed traveling and babysitting thegrandkids. She was along-time memberofWoodlawnBaptist Church and FloridaBlvd Baptist Church. Preceded in death by her parents, siblings, great-granddaughter Daphne, and other family members. She is survivedbyher husband Billy, of nearly 68 years; daughters Mary (William) Day, Mar'Sue WoodsCreery (Brian), and son Kyle(Lori)Stephens; 6 grandchildren, Tara(Miles)Landry, Madeline (Eli) Smith,Benjamin (Alana) Day, Landon (Brooke) Woods,Emily (Nick) Brooks and Joshua Stephens;13 greatgrandchildren, Walker, Locky, Ezekiel,Rex,Dawson, June, Levi,Dean, Watts, Violet, Malachi,Graham and Declan. The service will be conducted by Dr. Lewis Richarson and Dr. Benjamin Day. Pallbearers will be William Day, Brian Creery, Landon Woods, Joshua Stephens, Nick Brooks and Dr. Miles Landry. Friends and family are invitedtoattend visitation on Tuesday, February 17,2026 from 9:00-11:00 a.m.,atRabenhorst Funeral Home East,11000 Florida Blvd, followedbya service at thesame location. Burial willtake place at Greenoaks Memorial Park 9545 FloridaBlvd. following theservice.
NeldaJ."Nell"Watson was born in Winnfield, LA on September 15, 1933, and passed away in Baton Rouge, LA on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at theage of 92. She was aretired
banker, whereshe was vice presidentofbranch operations. Shewas the first female bank vice president, at thetime, in the stateofLouisiana. She lovedtotravelwith friends in theOne AmericansClub, absolutely lovedand followed LSUsports(especiallyMen's Baseball and Women'sBasketball), and adored flowersand plants (especially poinsettias at Christmas). Shealso loved reading to youngermembers of the Boys andGirls ClubofLouisiana. She is survived by herson,Lt. Col. Clark Emmett Watson, USMC Ret.;her stepson, Robert LeeWatson and wife Robin; nieces:Reggie AnnWyatt andJoEllen Kasparek;and nephew,Col. Thomas Plunkett. Sheis preceded in death by her husband, MajorC.E. Watson, Jr USMC Ret.,her motherand father,Lois Inez Jenkins andAndrew
Jenkins; andtwo sisters, Eloise Plunkett andEmma Jo Carpenter. Visitation will be on Monday, February 16, at RabenhorstFuneralHome East, 11000 Florida Blvd,from5:30pm until7pm. Visitation will resume on Tuesdaymorningat8:30am untilservice at 9am in
Watson,Nelda J. 'Nell'
Stephens, Janel W.
BUSINESS
BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS
Wall Street steadies after AI-induced selloff
NEW YORK U.S. stocks steadied on Friday after an encouraging update on inflation helped calm a Wall Street that’s been wracked by worries about how artificial-intelligence technology may upend the business world.
Stocks got some help from easing Treasury yields, which fell after a report showed inflation slowed last month by more than economists expected “It’s still too high, but only for now, not forever,” said Brian Jacobsen, chief economic strategist at Annex Wealth Management.
Stock prices steadied for several companies that investors had earlier targeted as potential losers from AI disruption Trucking and freight companies tumbled Thursday after a small company, Algorhythm Holdings, said its AI platform helps customers scale freight volumes by up to 400% “without a corresponding increase in operational headcount.” After sinking 14.5% Thursday, C.H Robinson Worldwide rose 4.9% on Friday
Such drops have been rolling through the market recently targeting industries that investors decide are under threat for disruption by AI. The reactions have been so aggressive and so quick that analysts have likened it to a “shoot first, ask questions later” mindset.
On the losing end of Wall Street was DraftKings, which dropped 13.5% even though its profit for the latest quarter topped analysts’ expectations It gave a forecast for revenue this year that fell short of expectations.
Nvidia fell 2.2%. Because it’s the largest stock on Wall Street, its moves carry more weight on the S&P 500 than any other company’s Wendy’s closing sites, focusing on value
Wendy’s is closing several hundred U.S. restaurants and increasing its focus on value after a weaker-than-expected fourth quarter
The Dublin, Ohio-based company said Friday that its global same-store sales, or sales at locations open at least a year, fell 10% in the October-December period.
Wendy’s said it already closed 28 restaurants in the fourth quarter and ended 2025 with 5,969 U.S. locations. It expects to close between 5% and 6% of its U.S. restaurants — or 298 to 358 locations — in the first half of this year
Those actions come on top of the closure of 240 U.S. Wendy’s locations in 2024 At the time, the chain said many of its locations are simply out of date.
In January, Wendy’s introduced a permanent “Biggie Deals” value menu with three price tiers: $4 Biggie Bites, $6 Biggie Bags and an $8 Biggie Bundle.
Logistics giant replaces chair in Epstein files CAIRO Dubai has announced a new chair for DP World, one of the world’s largest logistics companies, replacing the outgoing head who was named in the Jeffrey Epstein documents.
The announcement by the government’s Dubai Media Office did not specifically name Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. However, it said that Essa Kazim was named DP World’s chairand Yuvraj Narayan was named group CEO. Those were positions held by bin Sulayem.
DP World is a logistics giant that runs the Jebel Ali port in Dubai and operates terminals in other ports around the world.
The announcement comes a day after financial groups in Canada and the United Kingdom said they’ve paused future ventures with DP World after newly released emails showed a yearslong friendship between bin Sulayem and Epstein
The emails do not appear to implicate bin Sulayem in Epstein’s alleged crimes.
Ring scraps Flock Safety partnership
amazon company to not use police surveillance after ad backlash
By The associated Press
Amazon’s smart doorbell maker
Ring has terminated a partnership with police surveillance tech company Flock Safety
The announcement follows a backlash that erupted after a 30-second Ring ad that aired during the Super Bowl featuring a lost dog that is found through a network of cameras, sparking fears of a dystopian surveillance society
But that feature, called Search Party, was not related to Flock.
And Ring’s announcement doesn’t cite the ad as a reason for the “joint
decision” for the cancellation.
Ring and Flock said last year they were planning on working together to give Ring camera owners the option to share their video footage in response to law enforcement requests made through a Ring feature known as Community Requests.
“Following a comprehensive review, we determined the planned Flock Safety integration would require significantly more time and resources than anticipated,” Ring’s statement said.
“The integration never launched, so no Ring customer videos were ever sent to Flock Safety.”
Flock reiterated that it never received Ring customer videos and that ending the planned integration was a mutual decision that allows both companies to “best serve their respective customers.” In a statement, Flock added that it “remains dedicated to supporting law en-
forcement agencies with tools that are fully configurable to local laws and policies.”
Flock is one of the nation’s biggest operators of automated licenseplate reading systems. Its cameras are mounted in thousands of communities across the U.S., capturing billions of photos of license plates each month. The company has faced public outcry amid the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement crackdown But Flock maintains that it does not partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or contract out with any subagency of the Department of Homeland Security for direct access to its cameras. The company paused pilot programs with Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations last year
Still, Flock says it doesn’t own the data captured by its cameras,
its customers do. So if a police department, for example, chooses to collaborate with a federal agency like ICE, “Flock has no ability to override that decision,” the company notes on its website.
Beyond the Flock partnership, Amazon has faced other surveillance concerns over its Ring doorbell cameras. In the Super Bowl ad, a lost dog is found with Ring’s Search Party feature, which the company says can “reunite lost dogs with their families and track wildfires threatening your community.” The clip depicts the dog being tracked by cameras throughout a neighborhood using artificial intelligence. Viewers took to social media to criticize it for being sinister, leaving many wondering if it would be used to track humans and saying they would turn the feature off.
Inflation falls to nearly 5-year low
apartment rental price growth slows, gas prices fall, offering some relief
BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER aP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON A key measure of inflation fell to nearly a five-year low last month as apartment rental price growth slowed and gas prices fell, offering some relief to Americans grappling with the sharp cost increases of the past five years
Inflation dropped to 2.4% in January compared with a year earlier, down from 2.7% in December and not too far from the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. Core prices, which exclude the volatile food and energy categories, rose just 2.5% in January from a year ago, down from 2.6% the previous month and the smallest increase since March 2021
Friday’s report suggests inflation is cooling, but the cost of food, gas, and apartment rents have soared after the pandemic, with consumer prices still about 25% higher than they were five years ago. The increase in such a broad range of costs has kept “affordability,” a topic that helped shape the most recent U.S. presidential election, front and center as a dominant political issue.
And on a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.2% in January from December, while core prices rose 0.3%. Core inflation was held down by a sharp drop in the price of used cars, which fell 1.8% just in January from December
“Inflation continues to decelerate and is not threatening to move back up, and that will enable more rate cuts by the Fed,” said Luke Tilley, chief economist at Wilmington Trust. There were signs in the report that retailers are passing on more of the costs of President Donald Trump’s tariffs to consumers for goods such as furniture, appliances, and clothes. But those increases were offset by falling prices elsewhere. In other areas, Trump has delayed, scrapped, or provided exemptions to his duties.
Furniture prices jumped 0.7% in January from the previous month and are up 4% from a year ago Appliances rose 1.3% in January though are only slightly more expensive than a year earlier Clothing price rose 0.3% in January from December and have increased 1.7% in the past year
Some services prices also rose: Airline fares soared 6.5% just in January, after a 3.8% jump in November, though they rose only 2.2% from a year earlier Music streaming subscriptions increased 4.5% in January and are 7.8% higher than a year ago. Yet those increases were largely offset by
price declines, or much slower price growth, in other areas, including many that make up a greater share of Americans’ spending.
The cost of used cars, for example, plunged 1.8% in January the biggest decline in two years. Gas prices fell 3.2% last month, the third drop in the past four months, and are down 7.5% from a year earlier Grocery prices rose just 0.2% in January, after a big 0.6% rise in December, and are up 2.1% from a year ago. Hotel prices ticked down 0.1% in January and have fallen 2% from last year
Rental prices and the cost of owning a home, which make up a third of the inflation index, both rose just 0.2% in December, while rents increased only 2.8% from a year earlier That is much lower than during the pandemic: Rents rose by more than 8% in 2022.
The tariffs have increased some costs and many economists forecast companies will pass through more of those increases to consumers in the coming months. A study released Thursday by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that U.S. companies and consumers are paying nearly 90% of the tariffs’ costs, echoing similar findings in studies by Harvard and other economists.
Yet the increases haven’t been as broadbased as many economists feared.
Tilley said that the higher tariffs have pulled some consumer spending away from other services, which has forced companies to keep those prices a bit lower as a result.
“We don’t think consumers are in a place to
take on price increases across the board, so you’re not seeing those price increases,” he said. Hiring was particularly weak last year, slowing wage growth, and many Americans remain gloomy about the economy
Some economists note that the rental figures were distorted by October’s six-week government shutdown, which interrupted the Labor Department’s gathering of the data. The government plugged in estimated figures for October which economists say have artificially lowered some of the housing costs.
Companies are still grappling with the higher costs from Trump’s duties, though some have benefited from tariffs being delayed or scrapped.
If inflation gets closer to the Federal Reserve’s target of 2%, it could allow the central bank to cut its key short-term interest rate further this year, as Trump has repeatedly demanded. High borrowing costs for things like mortgages and auto loans have also contributed to a perception that many big-ticket items remain out of reach for many Americans.
Inflation surged to 9.1% in 2022 as consumer spending soared as supply chains snarled after the pandemic. It began to fall in 2023 but leveled off around 3% in mid-2024 and remained elevated last year
At the same time, measures of wage growth have declined as hiring has cratered. With companies reluctant to add jobs, workers don’t have as much leverage to demand raises.
Falling cocoa prices won’t mean cheaper chocolates
BY DEE-ANN DURBIN associated Press
Cocoa prices have fallen nearly 70% since last Valentine’s Day, but that won’t make heart-shaped boxes of chocolate or even chocolate Easter bunnies more affordable this year
Chocolate prices at U.S. retail stores rose 14% between Jan. 1 and the first week of February compared to the same period last year, according to market research company Datasembly.
That’s on top of a 7.8% increase for the same period in 2025.
Europe has seen even steeper price increases. In Germany, chocolate prices rose 18.9% in 2025, according to government figures.
Cocoa prices more than doubled in 2024 due to insufficient rainfall and crop diseases in West Africa, which supplies more than 70% of the world’s cocoa. Cocoa, which is made from the dried beans of the cacao tree, is the main ingredient in both dark and white chocolate.
Weather conditions have improved since then in Ivory Coast and Ghana, and cocoa production is increasing in Ecuador and other countries, according to an analysis by J.P Morgan. The resulting supply increase is one reason cocoa prices are coming down.
But they’re also dropping because of lower global demand. Chocolate getting more expensive has turned off consumers, so manufacturers have cut the amount
of chocolate they use or shifted to other products like gummy candies to keep prices in check, said Chris Costagli, a food thought leader at the market research company NIQ.
In the U.S., annual retail sales of chocolate rose 6.7% in 2025 compared to the prior year, largely because of price increases, according to NIQ data. But the number of individual products sold was down 1.3%, as consumers bought less chocolate overall.
The Trump administration’s tariffs were another reason U.S. chocolate prices increased last year
The administration put a tariff averaging 15% on cocoa-producing countries last February which raised the price of U.S. cocoa im-
ports, according to the U.S. Federal Reserve. In November, the administration removed tariffs on cocoa and other commodities that can’t be grown in the U.S., including coffee, spices and tropical fruit. But tariffs of 15% or more on products from the European Union, including chocolates, remain in place. So far, declining cocoa prices haven’t necessarily let chocolate lovers pay less.
Costagli compares the situation to gas prices. Even when the cost of oil goes down, prices at the pump don’t immediately follow because companies need to use up the oil they bought at a higher price.
aSSOCIaTED PRESS PHOTO By NaM y. HUH
Shoppers browse at a grocery store in Schaumburg, Ill., on Monday americans are starting to see relief from the sharp cost increases over the past five years.
OPINION
ANOTHERVIEW
Sixpaths to fiscal disaster
As the national debt is afew monthsfromreaching$39 trillion, andperhaps $40 trillion by the end of this year, it is puzzling how unperturbed the political classis. Or perhapsnot.Writerand politicalagitatorUpton Sinclair (1878-1968)said: “It is difficult to geta mantounderstand something, when his salary depends upon hisnot understanding it.” Or pretending not to.
Abipartisancongressional consensus, more alarming thanpartisan rancor,is: There are no long-term fiscal gains without intense short-term politicalpains. So, becausetoday’scongressional careers do not yet seemlikely to coincide with coming direconsequences,let them come In 2016, abudgetexpertwas allotted20 minutes to brief Donald Trump onthose possible consequences. After5 minutes, Trump said, “Yeah, but I’ll be gone.” He was perfectly in sync with the politicalmainstream he professes to supplant.
Nevertheless, the undiscourageable Committeefor a Responsible Federal Budgetpersists. Although few others think mere information cangalvanize congressional action to forestall adarkening fiscal future, the committee recently described six possible crisis scenarios.Five are dramatic. The sixth is lessso, butmostalarming, and most likely
Upwardly spiraling debt could provoke afinancialcrisis.Investors anxiousabout the U.S. fiscaloutlookwould demand sharply higher interest ratestoenticethem to purchaseTreasurys. This would ignite aself-reinforcing debt spiral: Higher interest rateswould slow economic growth, reducing government revenue whileincreasing government spending on debt service.Higherinterest ratesonnew debt wouldreduce the value of the much larger amount of existing debt. This would weakenthe balance sheets of banks andother financialinstitutions. Because these would be deemed“too big to fail,” bailouts and spending to stimulatethe sputtering economy would exacerbate the financial crisis
An Everest of debt is an incentive for an inflationcrisis to reduce the value of existing debt by paying lenders with debased dollars. But inflation wouldbecomebaked into the expectations of investors, who would demand higher interest rates. ThenR&G would bite: Wheninterest rates paid on debt exceedthe rate of economic growth, acrisis intensifiesasrising interestrates depress economic growth.
An austerity crisis would occur with alarge andabrupt combination of tax increases and spending reductions Unemployment would increase,and the Federal Reserve would have little ability to combat economic contraction by reducing interest rates. Austerity is, however,rare in nations accustomed to assuming its opposite —anunendingexpectation,indeedentitlement,toopulence. The Economist says that “only onceinthe eraofuniversal suffrage has aG7economy” —aleading developed nation —“achieved abig fall in debt primarily by tightening its belt” (Canada in the 1990s).
Acurrencycrisis would result from adepreciating dollar incentivizingforeign governments andprivate investors to diversify away from U.S.debt. Adefault crisis, although unlikely, would have the merit of bluntness: continuing to repay principalbut notinterest, or “restructuring,”which is government-speakfor notrepaying some debt.
The most probable, and mostominous, outcome would be agradual crisis. In 2021, debt serviceconsumed less than 10% of federal revenue. In 2025: 18%. By being gradual, aprotractedcrisis wouldmean ademoralized nation slowly accommodating perpetualeconomic sluggishness, waning investments in researchand development, social stagnation, diminished contribution from the entrepreneurial energiesoftalented immigrants, and waning U.S. geopolitical influence.
Agradual crisis would be anesthetizing, rather than an action-forcing, cymbal-crash event that could stimulate recuperative reforms of U.S. politicalculture. Instead, this culture would become more toxic. Political power would be fought for,and wielded, with the desperate ruthlessness of azero-sumcompetition in whichone faction’sgains must equal otherfactions’losses
So, government would simultaneously become more powerful, more divisive and less legitimate. The currency is how everyone meets the government everyday through the unstated —becausepresumablyobvious government promise that the currency it issues is trustworthy.Nothing unsettles amiddle-class nation more rapidlythaninflation,acomponent of allofthese crises. By it, people are reminded daily that the currencyisfailingasastore of value. This unnervesthe public as much as crime, today’sdeportation mayhem and other disorders. Inflation is disorder.Its quiet ubiquity is especially sinister,making everyone feelpowerless. “Dystopian” is the antonym of“utopian.” “Utopia” was derived from Greek roots to denotesomething imaginary —“nowhere.” The dystopian consequencesofU.S. debt could someday be everywhere
Email George Will at georgewill@washpost.com.
Southeast Louisianaislosing land as fast as anywhere in the world, with communities facing greater risks every year.The state’slatest coastal funding plan is akin to fiddling while Rome burns.
This plan should have centered around two science-backed, publiclysupported, and, until recently,stateendorsed riverre-introduction projects: Mid-Barataria and Mid-Breton.
The cancellation of these projects and their removal from this year’s spending plan leaves communities at risk and wastes two things in short supply: time and money
The state spent around $700 million on Mid-Barataria before its cancellation last year —achunk of the
Many of Louisiana’sresidents are having to leavework or stop working altogether to take care of their children.
This has resulted in the loss of income revenue to our state of over $1 billion ayear In arecent commentary in this newspaper,Walter Isaacson talks about “the commons,” which is aconcept that says certain things in our societyneed to be available toall of us commoners, like schools, libraries,
“Why deny theobvious child?”
Likethe lyrics of Paul Simon’ssong, Quin Hillyer’scolumn recently articulated what has been disturbing many of us.
After seeing graphic videos from virtually every angle of asenseless killing, how can anybody deny the obvious? After hearing theSecretary Kristi Noem and Greg Bovino’scomments,would you trust them?
Ourcongressional delegation is supposed to provide checks and balances for other branches of government. I thinkU.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy’simmediate call for afull investigation is certainly in order.But Hillyer should not single out Congressman Steve Scalise. Where was therest of our Republican delegation? Has U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow
one-time Deepwater Horizon oil spill funds to throw down thedrain. But what’sworse is the years we’ve lost as our coast continues to erode.
In Plaquemines Parish, we see this land loss with our eyes and we feel it in our wallets. We’ve watched our favorite fishing spots disappear and driveways flood after alight rain. The wetlands built by these twoprojects would have protected communities from Empire to NewOrleans. The new plan also wastes timeand money we don’thave by focusing solely on building land with dredges instead of utilizing the power of the Mississippi River
These decisions weren’tmade with us in mind. These canceled projects
were developed with public input but canceled behind closed doors at the behest of asmallgroup who put short-term profits over our parish’slongevity.Moreover,Gov.Jeff Landry and CPRA Chair Gordy Dove continue to promote alternative projects that are simply not as effective and years away
The state needs to fill this gaping hole in its plan. At aminimum,we deserve transparency on how the loss of these two keystone projects affects our safety and future. Youcan comment on the draftannual plan until Feb. 17.
MICAH DENESSE Coastal Conservation association STaR tournament director
fire departments and police departments.Ithink that early childhood education should be in ”the commons” because it is in the common good to provide for it It pays for itself over timeinmoney, healthcare and decreased poverty, as shown in the North Carolina study called The Abecedarian Project. OurLegislature needs to fully fund early childhood education now CLAUDE TELLIS Baton Rouge
or any other Republican congressperson had the courage to go on record? Pleasepublish their statements, even if alittle late. Scalise and Speaker Mike Johnson have done an amazing job working with thesmallest majority to pass transformative legislation and they deserve our thanks forthat. But these are very volatile times in our country and the world. Trust is ascarce but critical commodity.Itis, however,the glue that holds our democracy together.Silence is not leadership and does not engender trust Truthbuilds trust and when it is obvious, it is hard to deny BYRON LEBLANC Metairie
Iamwriting in response to Ellen Holliday’sFeb. 2guest column on pluralism.Holliday claims pluralism is a morerealistic and durable framework than one in which individuals workintheir own self-interest (aka capitalism). She does not recognize that capitalistic Western societies have been the mostsuccessfulthe world has ever seen and that the standard of living of our poorest exceeds that of their pluralist society counterparts. Collectivism has reduced the quality of lifefor tens of millions of Russians, Chinese and North Koreans. Ithink her mistake is in assuming that humans will makeasmuch of an effort in their workifthere is no linkage between their effort and their reward. She berates a“hierarchical, ruthless individualist” approach while failing to recognize that the pluralist societies are also hierarchical and have areputation of ruthlessness characterized by punishing and disappearing individuals who do not conform.
PETERGAMBEL NewOrleans
George Will
LSUkeeps opening-day streaks intact
Tigers uselate-inning surge to getpastMilwaukee
BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer
Jay Johnson had never lostonopening day as ahead coach.
ä Milwaukee at LSU 1P.M.
SaTURDay,SECN+
During four seasons at LSU, sixatArizona, two at Nevada and one atPointLoma Nazarene, Johnson’steam alwayshas started witha 1-0 record. Thatstreakwas in jeopardy FridayatAlexBox Stadium, the beginning of his fifth seasonin charge of LSU. The Tigerstrailed Milwaukee 5-2 heading into the sixth inning, and their offense flailed the previous two innings. Then Johnson turned to his bench, summoningKansas State transfer Seth Dardar to hit for Brayden Simpson with one out anda runner at third base. Dardar fell behind in the count 1-2, but he jumped on the next pitch— a fastball up and in —and deposited it overthe right-center fence to cut the LSU deficit to 5-4
The blast was the spark LSU needed. After putting up two runs in thesixth, the Tigers scored six more in the seventhtotake the lead. They never lookedback, earning a15-5 win in eightinnings by invoking the 10-run mercy rule after afive-run eighth inning.
“I don’tthink this says aton aboutour character,actually,” Johnson said, reflecting
ä See LSU, page 3C
HILaRy SCHEINUK
STaFFPHOTO By
LSU starting pitcher Casan Evans greets teammates as he returns tothe dugout in the third inning against Milwaukee on Friday at alex Box Stadium. LSUwon 15-5.
‘Amazing theater’
IBY SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writer
Though it led to arunaway victory over Penn State on Feb. 6, LSU gymnastics coach Jay Clark was hardly enthralled with his Tigers’ 197.525 score.
“They know they’re better than that,” Clark said after that meet.
OneFridaylater, LSUshowedthe full power of its potentialina Southeastern Conference dual meet against Auburn atthe Pete Maravich AssemblyCenter
No.2-ranked LSU bolted out of the gate with season-high team scores on vault and uneven bars and thunderedtothe finish with aprogram-record-tyingscore on floor,
ä See GYM, page 5C
BY REED DARCEY Staff writer
t’sbeen three monthssince MiLaysia Fulwiley grabbeda smoothie, retreated to anearby corner and explained at atable inside thePete Maravich AssemblyCenter’strainingannex— herLSU practice jersey still damp withsweat —why she washere.
Fulwiley knew sheneededtoget better. That if she really wanted to make it to theWNBA, she needed to step outside of her comfort zoneand challenge herself. Aftershe decided to enter thetransfer portal, she wanted to find ateam that would helpher become amore complete player.Just notatthe expense of her desires to command an uptempo system andcompete fora national championship
Saturday’sLSU-SouthCarolina women’sbasketball game will be morethan agame. It will be ahappening. The Pete Maravich Assembly Center is ahard sellout. Folksare online asking for hundreds of dollars on the secondary market —inat least one case morethan $2,300 —something
will be commemorative black Tshirts draped on all the lower bowl seats sure to be filled brimming with fans cometipoff. Youknow those other T-shirts, the ones that say “Everyone watches
Steven Milam LSU Baseball, Infielder
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vs. Ohio St. FOX
7 p.m. Georgetown at UConn PEaCOCK
7:30 p.m. auburn at arkansas ESPN
7:30 p.m. Texas at Missouri ESPN2
7:30 p.m. Marshall at Georgia SouthernESPNU
7:30 p.m. S Carolina at alabama SECN
9 p.m. Nevada at San Diego St. CBSSN
7:30 p.m. Gonzaga at Santa Clara ESPN
7:30 p.m. Saint Mary’s at Pacific ESPN2 WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
UConn at Marquette FS1
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LSU aims to right spiraling season
BY TOYLOY BROWN III Staff writer
LSU’s 29-point home loss to No. 21 Arkansas on Tuesday was its most lopsided defeat of the season.
With LSU (14-10, 2-9 SEC) desperate for wins, coach Matt McMahon’s team was down by as many as 36 points and was within 10 points for less than five minutes of the game.
LSU’s first field goal from a starter arrived with 10:14 left in the first half. Graduate student Pablo Tamba said in the postgame news conference that confidence is what the team needs to improve the most.
“Obviously, there’s great disappointment in where we’re at from a record standpoint in SEC play,” McMahon said after LSU’s 12-point home loss to Georgia last Saturday “Certainly not where we envision being at this point.” LSU, which is tied for last in the Southeastern Conference, now faces Tennessee (16-7, 6-4) at 5 p.m. Saturday at ThompsonBoling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee. LSU’s situation is the product of poor execution in winnable games and costly injuries. McMahon entered the season saying how much he loved his team The fourth-year coach also said the program’s “North Star” was
reaching the NCAA Tournament, a goal it has not achieved during his tenure.
“I get an opportunity to build this team essentially from scratch and max it out, become the very best we can be,” McMahon said at SEC media day. “I’m all in on that, and I believe in it with all of my heart that we’re going to have a successful year.”
The early returns were impressive.
The Tigers won by at least 25 points in four of their first five games and finished nonconference play with a 12-1 record.
LSU played four high-major opponents before the SEC slate — DePaul, Boston College, Texas Tech and SMU — and won three of those games.
LSU failed its first test against Texas Tech, falling 82-58 at a neutral site in Fort Worth, Texas. The team’s next game was an 89-77 victory over SMU in New Orleans. Outside of the Texas Tech loss, the only down moment in the nonconference was the second straight season-ending injury for forward Jalen Reed
The redshirt junior injured his left Achilles tendon in the sixth game. He averaged 11 points on 60.6% shooting and 6.0 rebounds
before going down.
LSU’s spiral began the day before the SEC opener at Texas A&M. Dedan Thomas, the team’s top player and crown jewel out of the transfer portal, injured his left foot in practice Jan. 2 The 6-foot-1 point guard from UNLV was averaging a team-high 16.2 points on 49.3% shooting, an SEC-high 7.1 assists and only 1.8 turnovers at the time.
In the next five games that Thomas missed, LSU dropped the first four before beating Missouri 78-70 at home.
After a three-point loss to the Aggies, the Tigers had a winnable home game against South Carolina, the lowest-rated team analytically in the SEC still. LSU performed far below its standard, trailing 24-5 before losing 78-68.
LSU had another head-scratching home loss against Mississippi State 80-66 on Jan. 28 as part of a three-game losing streak.
McMahon said his team’s preparation was good prior to both losses.
“For whatever reason, I didn’t have them ready to go,” McMahon said after the South Carolina loss.
Another costly defeat was a heartbreaking 75-74 loss to Kentucky at home on Jan. 14. With 1.6 seconds left, the Wildcats executed a successful full-court pass, and 7-foot freshman cen-
ter Malachi Moreno drained a game-winning mid-range jumper as time expired.
The first SEC win against Missouri followed, and LSU’s chance for a turnaround seemed more feasible as Thomas returned to play the next game at then-No. 16 Florida.
He played 17 minutes in the 18-point loss to the Gators, followed by an encouraging 85-81 road loss to then-No. 20 Arkansas. But Thomas reaggravated his foot during his third game back against Mississippi State, and LSU’s only win since was at South Carolina 92-87 in overtime.
McMahon was asked where he finds optimism after the latest Arkansas loss.
“I think when you’re in coaching, it’s a lot of fun when you’re 12-1 at new year’s as we were and everything seems to be rolling smooth,” he said. “But this is also a part of coaching. And so working to keep our players connected, stick together
“While we’re disappointed in the results, find ways to get better come back to practice and move on to the next most important thing, which is preparing for our game on Saturday And that’s the only way I know to do it. Just to have a laser focus on those things, helping our players navigate these challenging times from a basketball standpoint.”
Southern men bring win streak to Texas
BY CHARLES SALZER Contributing writer
The Southern men’s basketball team is riding a three-game winning streak, its longest of the season, into a weekend swing through Texas for a pair of Southwestern Athletic Conference games. Southern has been searching for a way to close out games, and if Monday’s game against Alabama State is an indicator, the Jaguars are on the right track. The Jaguars trailed by 12 points early in the second half but fought all of the way back. Fazl Oshodi’s long 3-pointer with 10 seconds left was the clincher in a 69-68 Southern win.
“I think it’s a sign of growth for this team to be able to come back and play with that kind of determination,” Southern coach Kevin Johnson said. “To go out and get that game — finishing off games was one of the areas where I thought we needed improvement, and what better way to show that than being down and coming back to win it that way.”
The win put Southern (11-13, 7-4 SWAC) all alone in third in the conference standings, but it has no margin for error as it tries to repeat as the regular-season SWAC champion. Next up, Southern will face Prairie View, a team it lost to 89-85 in Baton Rouge on Jan. 5. The game will be part of a doubleheader and is scheduled to start 30 minutes after the completion of the women’s game, which tips off at 2 p.m. Southern will play at Texas Southern on Monday at 7 p.m. in Houston.
Southern guard Cam amboree, right, looks to
Southern’s field-goal shooting is a few percentage points better than it was last season, but the Jaguars have been inconsistent in league play The return of guard Cam Amboree, who missed most of six games with an ankle injury before returning last weekend, has helped.
Another plus would be the return of post player Malek Abdelgowad, who is questionable after missing two games with a leg injury “I think it’s pretty obvious that
we haven’t reached our ceiling,” Johnson said. “This team hasn’t shot lights out yet, but it’s a lot better than what it’s shown. Looking at that (Alabama State) game, we got some open looks. We were executing better, but if those shooting percentages go up then we’re not even in that position (at the end of the game).”
In Prairie View (9-15, 4-7) and Texas Southern (7-15, 5-6), Southern will face a pair of teams looking to move up the league standings.
Early deficit too much for LSU softball to overcome
The LSU softball team got in an early hole it couldn’t climb out of Friday afternoon in a 5-3 loss to No. 22 Duke at the Children’s Clearwater Invitational.
The No. 12 Tigers (7-2) fell behind 4-1 after two innings to drop the second of three games at the tournament in Clearwater, Florida. Duke (6-1) scored two in the top of the first and added two in the second to win its sixth straight game.
Highlighted by Alix Franklin’s solo homer, LSU got as close as 5-3 with a two-run fourth inning.
Jalia Lassiter led the Tigers at the plate by going 3 for 4. Jayden Heavener went the distance, allowing five runs on 10 hits with four walks and five strikeouts. LSU will next play Central Florida at 9 a.m. Saturday The game will be televised on the SEC Network.
Rebels QB Chambliss given injunction for extra eligibility
PITTSBORO, Miss. — In saying “the NCAA ignored its own rules,” a Mississippi judge granted Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss a preliminary injunction Thursday against college athletics’ governing body, allowing him to receive an extra year of eligibility
The NCAA denied Chambliss’ waiver request Jan. 9, and after Chambliss appealed, the organization’s Eligibility Subcommittee upheld the denial on Feb. 4 Judge Robert Whitwell explained his decision that he agreed with Chambliss’ argument that the player’s medical history was not properly considered by the NCAA. The 23-year-old Chambliss has been in college for five years, but was healthy enough to play just three years.
Judge allows Flores suit vs. NFL to head to open court
NEW YORK The Brian Flores-led discrimination lawsuit against the NFL can proceed to open court and avoid the league’s arbitration process, a federal judge ruled Friday Flores, who is joined in the lawsuit by Steve Wilks and Ray Horton, sued the league and three teams in February 2022 after he was fired the previous month by the Miami Dolphins. Now the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator, Flores alleged in his original suit that the league was “rife with racism” regarding its hiring practices when it comes to Black coaches.
The NFL argued Flores should go through the league’s arbitration process rather than the legal system, but Judge Valerie Caproni of the Southern District of New York sided with the plaintiffs.
Bhatia, Hisatsune share lead at Pebble Beach
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Far removed from the false hopes Taylor Swift would make an appearance at Pebble Beach, Akshay Bhatia and Ryo Hisatsune went about their business quietly at Spyglass Hill and wound up with a share of the lead Friday in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-am. Bhatia was bogey-free over two days at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill, both dry days with a mild breeze and soft greens that allowed for good scoring on both courses. He had six birdies and chipped in from 50 feet for eagle on the 14th hole on his way to a 64.
Hisatsune, who opened with a 62 at Pebble Beach, stumbled in the middle of his round with consecutive bogeys, which he offset with enough birdies (and one eagle) before and after for a 67
All-Star ‘Point God’ Paul retires after 21 seasons
STaFF PHOTO By
“I’m not a big standings guy,” Johnson said. “We just take them one at a time All I know is the last time we played Prairie View we had a lead going down the stretch and then we lost by four, so we’ve got to figure out how to come out on top.” The Southern women (12-11 8-4) began their road trip on Thursday with a 66-54 win at Texas Southern. Olivia Delancy made four 3-pointers and scored 20 points to help the Jaguars snap a three-game losing streak.
Chris Paul, the “Point God” who was a 12-time All-Star selection and two-time Olympic gold medalist, announced his retirement on Friday in the capper of a 21-season career that will surely merit induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Paul made the announcement on the first day of the NBA’s All-Star weekend at the home of the Los Angeles Clippers in Inglewood, California. Paul spent his final season — an abbreviated one — with the Clippers, who sent him home in December and wound up trading him to Toronto earlier this month.
Paul is 15th all-time in regular-season games played and 36th in points, was a six-time steals champion, fivetime assists champion, a nine-time All-Defensive team pick, 11-time All-NBA selection and was part of NBA’s 75th anniversary team.
MICHaEL JOHNSON
ExtendingOlave couldget costly forSaints
BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer
Analysis
Chris Olave already has established that he would liketoremain with the New Orleans Saints,and the organization has reciprocated its interest in getting along-term deal done with itsstar wide receiver
Now the two sides just need to figure out what that actually looks like.
Olave is entering the final year of his rookie contract, playing on the fifth-year option the Saints exercised last offseason. He is set to count about $15.5 million against the 2026 salary cap, and that number is certain to grow whenever Olave signs his new deal. So, what might that look like? Using recent precedent, it’ssafe
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women’ssports”?
Better believe it, mister.Especially this Saturday One nightafter the premiere of adocumentary on legendaryLSU gymnastics coach D-D Breaux, chronicling her 43-year fight to build and sustain what is nowa national-powerhouseprogram, Kim Mulkey and her Tigers get the spotlight.
For all of her detractors, Mulkey is an unquestioned champion of women’ssports. As aplayer she pre-dated NCAA women’s basketball,helping LouisianaTech win an AIAWnational title in 1981 before being the point guard on the Lady Techsters’ team that won the first NCAA women’scrowna year later
To say the excitement, buildup and anticipation for this version of Saturday night live does her heartgood is an understatement.
“I’m so happy for everybody,” Mulkey said. “I’m happy for the recognition it brings to LSU. Certainly happy for what it brings to our program.
“But it’snot the first time. It’sbecoming aregular occurrence and Ilove it. Ilove that it’snot afly-bynight deal. We’ve built aprogram that has sustainedexcellence.”
For some reasonthe networks always pre-select games for the entire college basketball schedule before the season begins, unlike college football where most of the slots are filled on aweek-to-week
LSU
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on the comeback win. “I think some good, talented playersdid what they were supposed to do or what they’ve been trained to do.And because the talent was in our favor in that situation, we won the game.” Johnson’sundefeated streak is safe, and the victorymarkedLSU’s 25th straight openingday win.The last timethe Tigers lost came in 2001, a9-8 defeat to Kansas State.
“I don’twant to discredit coming back because Idothink it builds confidence,” Johnson said,“but I don’twant to sit here and say we have that part figuredout.”
LSU’sbig seventh inning began on consecutive doubles from juniors Steven Milam and Jake Brown to tie thescore. Twobatters later, sophomore Cade Arrambide broke the dam with a106 mph three-run blast into the Left Field Landing.The homergave LSUan8-5 leadbefore the Tigers added two more runs in the inning on an error “You can make an argument(Arrambide) was the best player on the field,” Johnson said.“Andthat’s not asurprise to me.”
It was aslow start for LSU, but theTigersstill finished with 15 hits, including nine extra-base knocks and three homers. Along with his homer,Dardar doubled and drove in three runs. Arrambide went 3for 4, and Brown had apair of doubles. Freshman Omar Serna entered the game as apinch hitter in the eighth inning and hit arun-scoring double.
“I think the depth is kind of the strength of our team,” Dardar said. “It’sbeen up to this point, alot of competition, kind of iron sharpens iron. And now that we finally get to play somebody else, we kinda get to showcase how much depth we have.”
Sophomore left-handerCooper Williams struck out fivehitters and allowedjustone hit in 22/3 innings of relief to allow LSU tocome back. The only mistake he made came in the fifth inning when he allowed asolo home run on ahanging slider that extendedMilwaukee’slead to 5-3. Redshirt junior right-hander
to assume Olave is going to command more than $30 million annually based on his history of production and what other similar players have agreed to in contract extensions.
Thetimingis working out in Olave’sfavor.Heiscoming off of hisbest professionalseason, havingset career highs in receptions (100), receiving yards (1,163) and receiving touchdowns (nine) on his way tosecond-team AllPro honors from The Associated Press. All of those figures ranked top 10 among NFL players, regardless of position.
It was important for Olave to reestablish the upward trajectory of hiscareer after an injury-plagued 2024 season that left his future in doubt. Even if there are fair argumentstomakeabout whether
basis. That meansESPN/SEC Network whiffed on Thursday night’s top-fivematchup between Texas and Vanderbilt, which could have beenviewedonlineonly
ThefolksinBristol nailed this one, though.How could you not?
Both theTigers andGamecocks were preseason top-five picks (Vandy,tobefair,was 19th), and the heat and intensity for this rivalry rivals anythinggoing in the women’s game. Neither side has much love forthe other
Thatsaid,for arivalry to truly hit allofthe right notes,bothsides have to win— at least once in awhile.SouthCarolina, aprogram that hada nonexistent women’s basketball pedigree before Dawn Staley arrived, has won awhopping 17 straight games against LSU since 2012,including five straight on Mulkey’swatch since 2022.EvenTennessee, theformer belle ofthe women’sbasket-ball in the SoutheasternConference,can “only” claim a14-game winning streak over the Tigers. That was backinthe daywhen theteam was known, if youyounger folks can believe it, as the Ben-Gals. Fortunately,alot of things have changed in women’sathletics, like that nickname. Unfortunately for LSU, one thing has notlately,and thatis beating South Carolina. “I don’treally know the definition of arivalry anymore,” Mulkey said. “They’realways good games(with South Carolina). Ilook at it as they’re one of thetop teams in thecountry.I feel we’re oneofthe top teams in thecountry “If arivalry is supposed to be
PREGAME UPDATES: theadvocate.com/lsu ON X: @KokiRiley
WHATTOWATCH FOR: Moore makes his debut for the Tigers aftertransferring in from Kansas.The right-hander posted a3.96ERa in 14 startslast season, walking only 19 batters in 882/3innings. Ehmkehad an 8.70ERa in 60 innings a year ago. He beganhis collegiate career at Frontier Community College.
—Koki RIley
Gavin Guidry replaced Williams in theseventh.Hestruck outthe first fivebatters he faced in his first appearance since June 2, 2024 —the Chapel Hill RegionalagainstNorth Carolina— and finished theday with just one hit allowed in two innings.
Aback injury suffered during the first week of theseason forced Guidry to sit out all of 2025.
“I was tryingto soakitin, slow my heartbeat down and take some deep breaths,”Guidry said. “Yeah, really just alot of gratitude, just gratefultobeback out there.”
Sophomore right-hander Casan Evans started for LSU after postinga2.05 ERAin522/3 innings a year ago,but he struggled in his fourth career start. After striking out seven batters and not allowing arun through the first three innings, he hita batter, surrendered three singles and gave up adouble as Milwaukee took a4-2 edge.Evansmustered just one out in the inningbeforeWilliams replaced him and escaped thejam.
None of the six hitsEvans allowed were hit particularly hard.
“I don’tthink it was like apoor outing or anything,” Johnson
Olave is atrue No. 1wide receiver —a nebulous term with plentyof room forinterpretation —there is no doubt Olave proved he can produce like apremier NFL wide receiver.
NineNFL widereceivers make at least $30 million per year.Afew extension-eligible players should jointhoseranks soon.Stars Puka Nacuaand Jaxon Smith-Njigba are newly eligible to sign extensions, andGeorge Pickenscould become afree agent after abreakout 2025 season (although reports suggest the Dallas Cowboys will use the franchisetag on Pickens,giving him about a$28 million salary).
Olaveshouldn’tbeinthe conversation to reset the market in the waythatNacuaand Smith-Njigba maybe, but he occupies the same tier as playerssuch as Jaylen
two teams playing extremely hard and respecting each other,I guess it’s arivalry.”
There will be intensity and emotion by thebucket full in the PMAC, especially between LSU guard MiLaysia Fulwiley and her former team.Not only did she play theprevious two seasons at South Carolina but she’salso from Columbia. Herhigh school is about 10 miles from theGamecocks’ home court.
Something always will happen when Fulwiley is in the game. She can make adazzling move, an over-the-head shot, adisruptivesteal or turn the ball over in traffic or transition with little or no pressure. Despiteall that’sinvolved, Mulkey said she isn’tworried about trying to keep her top reserve’semotions in check.
“What can Isay?” Mulkey asked. “I can’tsay anything to calm her down or make her play better or worse. Just go play.”
ESPNanalyticsgivesLSU a54% chance of winning Saturday,but because of South Carolina’s long winning streak it feelslike the Tigers are theunderdogregardless. That said, LSUdoesn’thave to play aperfect game to win. The Tigers do have to cut down on theturnovers (19 in each of the past two games at Texas and at Auburn),finish around the basket and get astrong offensive gamefrom at least two of their four backcourt stars: Fulwiley, Flau’jae Johnson, Mikayla Williams and Jada Richard.
It’swomen’sbasketball’stime to shine, for sure. Will it be LSU’stime as well?
Waddle ($28.3 million average per year), TerryMcLaurin ($29 million APY) and his college teammateat Ohio State Garrett Wilson ($32.5 million APY).
Waddle signed his extension in May 2024, while Wilson and McLaurin signed theirs ayear ago. The salarycap is expected to makeanother record jump this year,with the number likely clearing $300 million for the first time in league history,which is going to lead to biggercontracts forstar players.
Olaveand Wilson have put up similar numbers sincetheywere selected with back-to-back picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. McLaurin has outpaced Olave’sproduction since Olaveentered the league in 2022, buthewas 29 years oldwhen he signedhis recent extension, while
said of Evans. “I think maybe he missedsome pitches that he would like to (getback).Ithink theycompeted in the game, too. Ifeltlike we needed to change the look, and Cooper did that.”
The Tigersrecorded 17 strikeouts overall and gave up just two hits after the fourth inning. The home run was the onlyballthe Panthers hit hard all day
“I thought (Williams) found another gear,and Idon’tknow how many outs he got after that (homer),” Johnson said, “but there was agood run of at least like fiveinarow.”
LSU’sfirst run and home run of the season came in the second inning when Grand Canyon transfer Zach Yorkelifted aball 378 feet into theDiamond Deck in right field. The blast gave LSUa1-0 lead that it turned into a2-0 advantage thenext inning.
LSU’sthree-game serieswith Milwaukee continues on Saturday at Alex BoxStadium.First pitchisat 1p.m.,andthegamewillbeavailable to stream on SEC Network+.
Email Koki Rileyat koki.riley@theadvocate.com.
Olave turns 26 in June.
So $30 million feels likethe starting point. As is typically the case, it would benefit the Saints to get adeal wrapped up sooner rather than later because of the waycontract negotiationswork although it maynot be up to them if Olave andhis representatives wish to let the market do some work for them. As previously referenced,both Nacua andSmith-Njigba areeligible to sign extensions this offseason. Currently,Ja’Marr Chase is the NFL’s highest-paid receiver by asignificant margin, with his $40.3 million APYaround $5 million per year more than his former LSU teammate, Justin Jefferson. But that could change this offseason, which might further shift the goal posts in Olave’sfavor
tress. She’splaying adifferent part now,though most of her lines are the same.
“I felt like this was one of those programs,” Fulwiley said then. Now the annual LSU-South Carolinashowdown arriveswith even more intrigue.Fulwiley, an athletic guard known for dazzling fast breaks, decidedlast April to leaveher hometown Gamecocks and join their top adversary,putting herselfatthe center of the fiercest rivalry in women’scollege basketball.
When the series’ latest installment tips off at 7:30 p.m.Saturdayinthe PMAC,all eyes will turn to Fulwiley.She’splaying for the No. 6Tigers (21-3, 8-3SEC) now,though she’ssettled into a role that’slargely the same as the one shefilledinthe two seasons she spentatSouth Carolina. Coach Kim Mulkey is giving the 5-foot-10 juniorsome ballhandling responsibilities, but she’s still bringing her off of the bench, puttingher on the wing and helping herfigure outhow to minimize the mistakes she tends to make.
Careless turnovers. Needlessfouls.Mindless defensive lapses. They can allundo the effects of the spectacular plays Fulwiley frequently creates on both ends of the floor
“I think she’s grown,” Mulkeysaid after LSU beat Arkansas on Jan. 29. “I think she’scome alongway.Someof thethings she does, you do live with, but not until you continue to makeher better in certain areas. Youdon’tjust look the otherway and let it cost you agame.”
In two yearsatSouth Carolina, Fulwiley scored 12.5 ppg on 42% shooting in the20minutes she played, on average, against SEC opponents.
Now, at LSU,Fulwiley is logging 23 minutes anight, and she’s still scoring only 11.1 ppg on 39% shooting. Her assist, steal and block averages areup, butsois her turnover rate. She gave away 1.6 possessions pergame with the Gamecocks, and now she’sturningthe ball about 2.6 times each night forthe Tigers.
Ithink she’s grown. Ithink she’scome a long way.”
KIM
Fulwiley transferred to LSU, in part, because she wantedtoplay more point guard than she would have at South Carolina. Mulkey’s handing her the reins to her offense, but only whenJada Richard comes off the floor.Richard is the Tigers’ clear-cut lead ballhandler, ajob she earned in preseason practices andnonconferenceplay. “(Fulwiley’s) never ever said anything uglyabout SouthCarolina,” Mulkey said. “She doesn’t have abitterness. She’s answered y’all’squestions. She just wanted to go somewhere where she would have an opportunity to learn the point guard position. She likedour style of play,and I don’tthink therewas any animosity or hard feelings.
MULKEy, LSU coach, on MiLaysiaFulwiley
The thing aboutFulwileyis thatshe can almost singlehandedly win games. Shetallied 18 points, four blocks and two steals in a21-point winover Georgia on Jan. 8. Then, twoweeks later,she nailed three3-pointersinjusta 90-second first-quarter stretch at Texas A&M, propelling the Tigers to a44-point victory Fulwiley has scored more than 10 points in seven of the11league games LSU hasplayed so far.She’s had multiple stealsinall but twoof those matchups. She blocked ashot in all but three of them
This season, the Tigers are scoring 29.1 points per game off of turnovers —the secondhighest average any DivisionI team has posted across the last 10 years, according to ESPN Fulwiley is alarge reasonwhy She can turn defense into offense in the blink of an eye.
ESPN executiveslikely envisioned her making those kinds of playswhen they scheduled this year’s LSU-South Carolina clash. Play-by-playcommentator Ryan Ruocco is calling the game, and he’s been chomping at the bit to take on that assignment sinceat least October,when he discussed thematchup on aconference call with reporters.
“Welooked at our programmers,”Ruocco said then, “and said, ‘Make sure that’sataquality time,atabig programming slot.’ ” SEC women’steams usually play on Thursdays, Sundays and Mondays, but this gameisona Saturday.The network paired it with two ranked men’s rivalry matchups to form aspecial Valentine’sDay tripleheader on ABC. LSU-SouthCarolina got theprime-timeslot instead of the men’s games, even though one of them is atop-10clash between Kansas and Iowa State.
“For (Fulwiley) to go to LSU with the way that rivalry has been over the last couple of years,” Ruocco said, “froman entertainment standpoint,it’s amazing theater.” And Fulwiley is thelead ac-
“Ifthere is, Idon’t know about it.” The last time she spoke to reporters, Fulwiley said she wasn’thaving a“perfect”season but that she was “proud” of the ways she’s improved. Most of her growth, she said, won’tshow up on astat sheet. That appearance was two weeksbeforeFulwileyturned in an unevenperformance last ThursdayinLSU’sroad loss to No. 4Texas.Inthe first quarter, she forced two turnovers, assisted aFlau’jae Johnson 3-pointer andbankedina difficult,eurostepping layup past Longhorns star Rori Harmon. Fulwiley made those winning plays, which sparked an 11-2 first-quarter run that LSU used to take an early lead, throughout the game. But shealsothrew three errantpasses, missed awide-open layup and committeda couple of needless fouls. One gave Texas apair of free throws late in the third. Another compounded one of her turnovers early in the fourth, leading Mulkey to pull her off of the floor right before the Longhorns went on their decisive run. Fulwileyfinishedwith nine points, fiveassists and two steals. She also turned the ball over a career-high six times. Texasoutscored the Tigers by fivepoints in the 23 minutes she played. “She was trying to make things happen,” Mulkey said. “She’strying to play twopositions.One minute, I’ve got her at the point, and the next minute Ihave her on the wing. I’m gladIget to coach her.” Fulwileynextneedstofigureout how she can play her best basketball against South Carolina. If she can provide astrong, clean scoring punch off the bench, then she’ll boostLSU’schancesofsnappingits 17-gamelosing streak in the series. The Tigers last beat the Gamecocks in 2012. TenSEC teams have knocked off South Carolina morerecently than they have. Fulwiley played arole in LSU’s last three losses. Now she stands at the center of the rivalry,where she’ll findher first, best chance to showwhy she made hermove— not explain it.
“(Fulwiley) will be fine,” Mulkey said, “exceptshe’s probably internally going to be alittlebit excited, have butterflies. But she’sreally a valuable part of ourteam, andshe’s really allowing me to teach her a littlebit about both positions.”
MI LA N CO RT IN A OL YM PI CS
Disaster strikes‘Quad God’
U.S.WOMEN’S CURLING TEAM
BEATS CANADAFOR FIRST TIME IN OLYMPICS: In Ortina D’ampezzo, Italy, theU.S.women’scurling team was surprised to learnthat its victoryover Canada on Fridaymarked an Olympic first.
“If that’strue,”said Minneapolis nativeTaylor anderson-Heideafterthe 9-8 nail-biter,“Ithink we just played areally good game.They’re No. 1in the world.”
Tara Peterson (above photo) of Shoreview, Minnesota, chimedin: “It justalways feels really good to beat (Canada captain) Rachel Homan. So anyteam to beat them, that’spretty impressive.”
Until Friday,theamerican women had neverbeaten Canada —a perennial favorite thathas medaledin everyWinter Games since curlingwas added to the Olympics in 1998.The U.S.men beat the Canadiansfor the first time in the 2018 round-robin and again in the semifinals en route to their gold medal victoryinPyeongchang
WESTON GETS FIRST OLYMPIC
SKELETON GOLD: In Ortina D’ampezzo,Italy,Matt Weston doesn’t always win. It only seems that way. and at the Milan Cortina Olympics, the28-year-oldsliderfrom Britain left no doubt —he’sthe best skeleton racer in the world.
Capping afour-year runthat featured one remarkable finish after another,Weston wonthe men’s skeleton gold medal on afrosty Fridaynight in Cortina d’ampezzo. He finished four runs over twodaysin 3minutes, 43.33 seconds, posting atrack-record timeinall four of those heats and building an almostinsurmountable lead going into a final slide that became avictorylap
“I expect everytime Istand at the top of the startline, I’m goingthere for onereason and one reason only,” Weston said.“and that’stowin.”
FINLAND EARNS FEISTY WIN OVER SWEDEN: In Milan, Finland showed plenty of fight in reviving its Olympic campaign.
Joel armia scored ashort-handed goal and the Finns outmuscled archrival Sweden in a4-1 group-stage victoryFriday—20years after the sides squared off in the gold medal game at theTurin Games. Finland’swin —after losing its opener at the Milan Cortina Games to Slovakia —leavesthe group’s quarterfinal spot up for grabs Saturday.
“Everybodywas fired up for this, andI’m sure theywere,too,”Finland defenseman Olli Maatta said.“These are unbelievable games to playin, and I’mveryhappywith the win today. We’vejust gottobuild off that.”
VONN HOPES TO GO HOME AFTER ANOTHER SURGERY: In Cortina D’ampezzo, Italy,LindseyVonnwill have another surgeryonher broken left leg Saturdayatthe Italian hospital treating her “and thenI can potentially leave and go back home.”
Vonn posted avideo messageon Instagram on Fridayfollowing her horrificcrash in the Olympicdownhill race at the Milan Cortina Games. Vonn is being treated at ahospital in Treviso.
aSSOCIaTEDPRESS PHOTOByaSHLEy LaNDIS
Ilia Malinin of the United States competes during the men’s free skate program on FridayinMilan, Italy.The 21-year-oldfrom Virginiafell twice duringhis freeskate routine to allowMikhail ShaidorovofKazakhstan to claim astunning gold medal
Free skatefavoritefromUnitedStatesfalls twice, slipstoeighth place
BY DAVE SKRETTA aP sportswriter
MILAN Ilia Malinin, theAmerican figure skatingsensation known as the “Quad God,”proved to be amere mortal after all.
The 21-year-old from northern Virginia fell twice during adisastrous free skate at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Friday night sending him tumbling all the wayoff the podium andallowing MikhailShaidorov of Kazakhstan to claim astunning gold medal.
“I blew it,” Malinin said afterward, poised and magnanimous in defeat.“That’s honestlythe first thing that cametomymind.”
Malinin led by acomfortable margin after the short program andmerelyhad to deliver amediocre performance Friday night to add individual gold to his team goldmedal. Instead, the two-time reigning world championwas trying to hold back thetearsafter oneofthe worst nights of his career,one that left astar-packed crowd inside Milano Ice Arena sitting in stunned silence.
“Honestly,yeah, Iwas not expecting that,” Malinin said. “I felt going into this competition Iwas so ready.I just feltreadygoingon
“I blew it.That’shonestly the first thing that came to my mind.”
ILIa MaLININ, United States skater
that ice. Ithink maybe that might have been thereason, is Iwas too confident it was going to go well.”
Shaidorovfinished with acareer-best 291.58 pointstogive his nation itsfirstgoldmedalofthe Winter Games, while Yuma Kagiyamaearned his second consecutive Olympicsilvermedal and Japanese teammate Shun Sato took bronze.
Then there was Malinin, who dropped all the way to eighth place.Hefinished with 264.49 points, his worst total score in nearly fouryears, andone that ended atwo-plus year unbeaten streakthat covered 14 full competitions around the world.
“The nerves just went so overwhelming,” Malinin said, “and especially going intothatstarting pose, Ijust felt like all the traumatic moments of my life really just started flooding my head,and there’sjustlike, so manynegative thoughts that just flooded into there and Ijust did not handle it.”
Much of Malinin’sjourney in theMilan Cortina Games had felt alittle bit off. Butbythe timeofhis individual short program Tuesdaynight, Malinin’s fearless swaggerand unrivaled spunk seemed to be back. He took afive-point lead over Kagiyama and Adam Siao Him Fa of France that seemed insurmountable going into Friday night Malininhad decided to practice early in the day at U.S. Figure Skating’salternate training base in Bergamo, just outside of Milan, allowing him to escape the Olympic bubble and avoid sitting in the arena allnight.And he wasthe essence of calmthroughout his warmup, never once falling in all of his practice jumps while wearing his familiar glittering black and gold ensemble. Then came aperformancethat might wellhaunt Malinin forthe rest of hiscareer As theatmospheric musicwith
his own voice-over began to play, he opened with aquad flip, one of arecord-tying seven quads in his plannedprogram, then appeared to be going after thequadaxel only he has ever landed in competition and had to bail out of it.
Malinin recovered to land his quad lutz before his problemsreally began. He only doubleda plannedquad loop,throwing his timing off. He fell on aquadlutz, preventing him from doing the second half of the quad lutz-triple toe loop combination that would have earned him big points. And in his final jumping pass, which was supposed to be ahigh-scoring quad salchow-triple axel,Malinin only could muster adouble salchow and he fell on that.
By the time the music stopped, Malinin was left trying to mask his sorrow for acrowd that included NathanChen, the 2022 Olympic champion, along with seven-time Olympic gold medal gymnast Simone Biles, actor Jeff Goldblum and his wife,Emilie.
“I’ve been through alot,” Malinin said.
“Being the Olympic gold hopefulisreally just alot to deal with, especially formyage.”
U.S. routsItaly to advancetowomen’s semis
BY JOHN WAWROW aP hockey writer
MILAN Kendall Coyne Schofield scored twiceand top-seeded United States routed Olympic host Italy 6-0 in alopsided, festive and sometimes chippy women’shockey quarterfinal at the MilanCortina Games on Friday night
Megan Keller,Laila Edwards, Hannah Bilka and Britta Curl-Salemme also scored in an outingduringwhich theU.S. had five goals in thesecondperiod.
GwynethPhilipsfinishedwithsix savesas the Americanspostedtheir fourthstraight shutout. The Group A-winning U.S. has outscored its opponents by acombined 26-1 in winning all five games, with thelone goal allowed in a5-1 tournament-opening win over Czechia. With Coyne Schofield, Lee Stecklein and Grace Zumwinkle making thescoresheetFriday,the U.S.has only two skaters —defenders Cayla Barnes and Rory Guilday —without apoint The tournament-favored Americans ad-
aSSOCIaTED PRESS PHOTO By CaROLyN KaSTER Britta Curl-Salemme, left, of theU.S.celebrates with Megan Keller after Curl-Salemme scored against Italy on FridayinMilan.TheU.S.won 6-0.
vance to thesemifinal roundonMonday They’ll play either Sweden, after the Group Bwinner upset Czechia 2-0 earlier in the day, or Germany,should theseventh-seeded team knock off Canadainits quarterfinal on Saturday Finlandfaces Switzerland on Saturday in a
matchup of Group A’sfourth- and fifth-place teams. The game featured dueling chants, with each chorus of “USA! USA! USA!” met with an even louder “EEE-TA-LIA!” And Italian fans kept their spirits up even as the score gotout of hand by cheering foreach andevery scoring opportunity Italy stood littlechance whilemaking its second Olympic appearance, each timeas thehost team. Advancing to the knockout round was consideredanaccomplishment for the Italians, who went 2-2 in the preliminary round, andafter going 0-4 at the 2006 Turin Games.
Goalie Gabriella Durante stole the show by stopping 19 of 20 shots through the opening period, and 45 overall.
Her best save came with 14 seconds leftin thefirst periodbyreaching back andusing the paddle of her stick to deflect away Abbey Murphy’sone-timer from the leftcircle. Keller opened the scoring with arising shot from the top of the right circle, beating Durante on the stick side 13:31 in.
with meteorologist DamonSingleton
with stormslater tonight.
MadisonPrepsinks Dunham
BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer
Madison Preptrailed by six points against Dunham at halftime, and Chargers coach Jeff Jones knew his team needed to match the Tigers’ intensity to start the second half on Fridaynight. After falling behind31-23 midway through the third quarter, the Chargers’ defense turnedit on and held Dunham to 12 points forthe remainderofthe game. That defense and several 3-pointerssparked a23-5 runina 55-43 Chargers win.
JuniorElijah Garner led MPA (25-2) with 14 points while freshman TJ Beaulieu, who hit three 3-pointers in the third, finished with 11 points in the final home game of the regular season
“Wetried to match their intensity,” Jones said. “That was the differencefor us. We shared the ball better,and we hit shots. Everything looks better when the ball goes in the goal.”
Neither side was able tocreate much breathing room in the first quarter,with Madison Prepholding a12-10 lead.
Chargers senior Kenny Brown opened the second quarter with a step-back jumper to give hisside afour-point lead. Dunham took the lead after junior Elijah Haven made alayupthrough traffic, and later dished an assist to Gavin Blanton, who made a3-pointer. Later in the second quarter, Dunham’sCharlie Myersdrained a3-pointer to tie the game at 18 Tigers senior Jarvis Washington stole the ball on the next possessionnear midcourtand raced downcourt for adunk. On the ensuing possession, Blantonnabbed an errant Chargers pass and scored afast-break layup Garner ended the 7-0 Tigers’ run
PHOTO By aPRILBUFFINGTON
four possessions.
with a3-pointerofhis own and Dunham closed the first half with five straight points to take a27-21 lead at intermission.
Dunham (20-4) took a31-23 lead early in thethird before theChargersstarted its winning witha barrage of 3-pointers. Brown knocked down a3tocut the lead to five.
Landon Epps then scored on consecutivepossessions with twolayups tomake it aone-point game.
Beaulieu then hit 3-pointers on two straight possessions to put the Chargers in front for good. Garner stole the ball and broke away for alayup. Beaulieu followed that score with his third 3-pointer in
“Just let it go,” Beaulieu said about his mindset during that stretch. “My teamtrusts me,my coaches trustme, I’m justgoing to let it fly.”
Teriyl Matthews connected with a3-pointer to makeitaneightpoint game before Garner stole the ball andthrewdown adunk for a46-36 lead after three quarters.
Dunham was never able to threaten the lead again.
“I challengedthe guys to continue and sustain alevel of high intensity,” Jones said. “They answered that call tonight, so Iwas proud of themfor that againsta qualityteam like Dunham.”
PREP REPORT
Denham Springs girls beat Prairieville to windistricttitle
BY WILLIAM WEATHERS Contributingwriter
Denham Springs forward Zariah Semere said the Jackets felt somewhatslighted in the preseason,a perception that grew throughoutthe season.Whenit wastimetodetermine theDistrict 5-5A championship Friday, they were ready to explode.
Denham Springs opened the third quarterwith an 18-3run that created thekindofseparation that helped carrythe Jackets to the district title with a70-52 victory over Prairieville at DSHS’ Grady Hornsby Gymnasium.
“Wewere looked down on before the season,” Semere said. “Wehad achip on ourshoulder, and we’re basically proving to everybody that we’re whowesay we are.”
Ayearafter Denham Springs shared the district title with Walker,the Jackets(20-9) left no doubt in amatchupof5-0 teams. They won forthe seventh straight time and should improve their No. 7power rating in Division I nonselect going into next week’s postseason play
“I knew it would be abattle of theirtwo really great seniors (Rhian Comery and Marly Gatlin) and our two really great seniors (Prai Nelson andKennedi Lindsey), that they would carry each team,” Denham Springs coach Rudy Smith said. “I figuredthe winner would be with the young ones stepping up, and Ithought ours stepped up.” Nelson, whowent over 1,000
career pointsearlierthis month, scored 13 of herteam-high 20 pointsinthe secondhalf. Semere, asophomore, was part of a balanced scoring effort with 14 points, while fellow sophomore Kynlee Journetand junior Jette Templet added nine apiece. The Jackets, who shot 46% (29 of 63) from the floor with six 3-pointers, became third team to score 70 points against Prairieville.The Hurricanes (24-4), ranked No. 2inthe power ratings and riding a20-gamewinning streak, wereallowing 45 points agame.
“For the season we’ve had up to this point is still something to be proud of,” said Prairieville coach Chase Delrie, whose team was ledbyComery’s 27 points.“The good newsisthat we get to play again. Tonight, we lost.Wegot beat.Credittothemfor what they wereable to do.” Denham Springs led 36-33 at halftime after Gatlin’sputback. TheJackets’ second-half eruption took place over the first five minutes of the third quarter A10-0 run over the first two minutes evolvedintoafullfledged surge for a54-36 advantage at the3:23markonJournet’s baseline drive that forced Prairieville to take atimeout.
Journet scored eight of her points in that span, includinga pair of 3-pointers.
“Thisgame’sbeen on our calendar for avery long time,” Semere said. “Last year we gottoshare the title, andthis year we didn’t plan on sharing it.”
Madison Prep freshman TJ Beaulieu goes up fortwo against Dunham on Friday at Madison Prep.
LIVING
Southern professor offers Black History Monthlesson
Black History Month is as fitting atime as any to remind ourselvesthat God is still in control, even when political headlines leave us unsettled.
That’snothing new to the Black American faith experience, said Albert Samuels, professor and chairmanofthe Political Science and Geography Department at Southern University
“All of this can make us feel overwhelmed, pessimistic. It’s hard to take.Sometimes you just want to turn the news off,” Samuels said. “As Black people and, most importantly,asBlack Christians, we have to think about,at these times, is what is God trying to tell us.”
Samuels’ remarks came during the first of four weekly Wednesday night Black History Month presentations at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. It marked the third year that Samuels has presented the thought-provoking lessons to challenge and encourage listeners with historical insight grounded in faith.
The Rev.Errol Domingue, pastor of the Elm Grove Baptist Church, is scheduledtopresent the last two Wednesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Shiloh, 185 Eddie Robinson Sr.Drive, Baton Rouge.
And what exactly is God’smessage to warybelievers who have ahard time believing some of the political turmoil, violence and injustice happening before their very eyes?
“Our faith must be in God. Ilift my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from?,” he said, referring to Psalms 121:1-2. “It didn’tsay my help comesfrom the Declaration of Independence. It didn’tsay that it came from the Constitution or the Bill of Rights. Ididn’tsay it came from my education. It doesn’tcome from our social status or your Greek letter affiliation. My help comes from the Lord. The maker of heaven and earth.” Even as someone who is heavily involved in political talk, Samuels said it would be easy to lose perspective.
“When you study this as much as Idosometimes, it gets depressing, especially these times,”
MEET
BY LAURENCHERAMIE Staff writer
When young people createchecklists for their ideal partners, the boxesusually include physical traits, character traits, behaviors and lifestyle goals. One such listmight include preferences for attributes like height, eyecolor,mannerisms or a preferred career path.
As ateenager,MaryClaire Towns Stickle didn’t have “work ethic”atthe topofher list fora potential boyfriend, but it’s atrait of herhusband’s that has paid off in the long run—one that shewitnessedfirsthand when the two metwhile working at Maxwell’sMarket on Corporate Boulevard. She was 19 and he was 24.
“I would saythat 19-year-old Mary Claire just wantedtohavefun, just wanted to have agood time,” Stickle said.
“Will is alot of fun, butheisdefinitelya very hard worker.Maybe that’snot what initially,at19years old, was my priority in someone, but now he works so hard for his family.”
Workplace environments arefertile ground for romantic attraction.
ä See MAXWELL’S, page 3D
LSUMuseumofArt to host fundraiser with chefs
tastings,mixologists, live demonstrations andlive music.
sory board for planning theevent, which is centered on celebrating various chefs as artists.
BYLAURENCHERAMIE
Staff writer
Forthe LSU Museum of Art’s first fundraiser,Southern Palette will blend food, art and community in downtown Baton Rouge. In atime of shrinking public funding for the arts, the event will celebrate educational programs, exhibitions and access initiatives at the museumwhilealso promoting established and emerging chefs. Scheduled for 6p.m. March 21 at Lafayette Park inBaton Rouge, Southern Palettewill feature chef-to-guest interactions,
LSU Museum of Art executive director Mark Tullos says SouthernPalette has been two yearsin the making, and they’re anticipating 2,500 people for thefirst year
“Another part of it is broadening the audience for these chefs and making sure that people understand you don’thavetobeofacertain class to go to these restaurants and enjoy somethingand appreciate it,” Tullos said. “It’sfor everybody.”
He gives credit to the volunteer committee, chaired by Claire Major,and membersofthe Friends of theLSU Museum of Art andadvi-
Over 30 chef tents, fine wine stations and top-shelf spirits stations will be situated underthe oak trees in the park for people to sample.
Locals mayrecognize afew names, including Baton Rouge chefs Celeste Gill, Jay Ducote, Kevin Foil, Justin Lambert, William Wells, JimUrdiales, Ciara Finley,Daniel Dreher,Cordell Walker,Jordon Ramirez, Jon Jackson, Reid Hendersonand mixologist Alan Walker.But theevent is also hosting chefs and mixologists from Mississippi, Florida,Alabama, Colorado and California. Chefs from New Orleans, Lafayette, Covington, Slidell and Lake Charles will also be in attendance, showcasing their dishes.
“We’re challenging themtobring somethingtothe tablethatpeople may have nevertriedbefore, or a reinterpretation of foods from the Souththat they’ve never seen before,” Tullos said.
The LSUMuseumofArt, located on the fifth floor of theShawCenter for the Arts, features 14 galleriesand awide range of media with roughly 6,000 works. It is one of the South’slargest universityaffiliatedart collections and accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
Tullos says he wants the event to become an annual staple in Baton Rouge —with hopes to bolster the tourism industry and host more chefs from around the South. Learn more about Southern Palette at southernpalette.org.Tickets range from $50 to $225.
Samuels
PROVIDED PHOTO SouthernPalette is scheduled for 6p.m. March21atLafayette Park in Baton Rouge.
Tullos
TerryRobinson
FaITH MaTTERS
ä See FAITH, page 2D
STaFFPHOTO By MICHaEL JOHNSON
MaryClaire Stickle and Will Stickle stand Sunday in Maxwell’sMarket,where theymet over twodecades agowhile working there.
PROVIDED PHOTO
MaryClaire Stickle, top left, and Will Stickle met while working at Maxwell’sMarket in Baton Rouge. Nowthey have 10-year-old twins Bennett and Eliza.
DearMiss Manners: Iama widow with many acquaintances and activities. Iam physically and verbally affectionate with family members and close friends, and am generous with hugs and “I love yous.”
he expressed hisadmira-
tion for me and awish to get to know me better
Agentleman friend and Ihave become close, and feel affection for each other.But since we are both averse to aserious relationship,the words “I love you” are not warranted and would be off-putting.
Can you suggest another term to express my feelings? “I like you” seems inadequate and awkward.
Gentle reader: “I love spending time with you”?
Just be sure, Miss Manners suggests, not to sneeze or cough between the words “love” and “spending.” Apparently that would be off-putting.
Dear Miss Manners: Itake the bus to and from work. As I steppedoff the bus recently,the bus driver (whom I see once or twice aweek) handed me anote, in which
FAITH
Continued from page1D
he said. “Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.” We must be reminded that it’sGod, not political leaders, who holds the power,Samuels said.
“God is always at work Even when it doesn’tlook like God is doing something, God is at work,” he said. “His kingdom is not of this world.”
Samuels’ praiseworthy reflections were aperfect way to conclude what was largely asobering and reflective lesson titled, “TheChickens Have Come
Althoughheseems likea nice young man, I’m happily married and really have no interest in getting to knowhim. Whatisthe proper way to respond?In another note, in person or just by politely ignoringthe whole thing?
Gentle reader: Could you takeanother bus?
Perhaps this is too drastic, but anote feels too intimate, saying something in-person abit confrontational and ignoring it only temporary —eventually he will follow up.It mightbe fun, however,toask your husband to join youone morning. The youngman’s reaction, Miss Manners guesses, will be agood indication of what exactly he was admiring.
Dear Miss Manners: Imoved in with my boyfriend and discovered hehas,inmy opinion,arather unusual habit. Not only does he say “bless you” in response to sneezes, but he does so in response to burps andflatulence as well!
When Iasked him about it, he saidhewas taughtit was polite. (He is from the South, while Iamnot.)
Home to Roost: The Consequences of Ignoring the Lessons of Black History. He alsospoke tothe growing idea among some Christian nationaliststhat America has aunique, divinely favored role comparabletobiblical Israel.
“America is really more like Egypt than it is like Israel,” he said, adding that enslaved Africans saw America through the lens of bondageand Pharaoh “When they had the plaque of darkness, everywhere Israel went, there was light. Egypt was in darkness.”
ContactTerry Robinson at terryrobinson622@ gmail.com.
Is this true? Saying “bless you” in response to flatulence seems rather rude to me, though Ican’tput my finger on why.Iwould love to know if this is a normal custom that I’m just unaware of, or if it is as strange as it feels.
Gentlereader: There is no real logic as towhy flatulence and burping are rude and sneezing is not, presuming they are all unintentional. Still, saying “bless you” after anything other than asneeze seems like admonishment —asif asneeze is what the person meanttodo, and it just came out wrong. Miss Manners seems to have put her finger on it Although she would have been just as happy not to have done.
Dear Miss Manners: My husband thinksitisacceptable to go out in public witha toothpick in his mouth.This includes stores, restaurants and other people’shomes. When Itell him it is lowclass and disrespectful, he responds that Iamwrong. What should one do?
GENTLE READER: Feed him only soft foods.
Email dearmissmanners @gmail.com
Freeman Baptist to hold Old Fashion Day
Freeman Baptist Church, 4628 La. 955 West, Ethel, will host OldFashion Day & Potluckat8:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb.22.
The guest minister will be the Rev. Ecclesiastes Goodwin, pastorofNew Pilgrim Missionary BaptistChurch. Visitors are asked to wear old-school clothes and bring old-school dishes. The public is invited.
Outside of work,Stickle said many of the Maxwell’s employees spent time together,which can aid in attraction over time. She notes that she and her husband are not the only couple who met at the market and are now married.
“It’savery flirtatious environment,” Stickle said. “You spend so much time together,sothere’salot of time and opportunity.”
Don Zhang, Ph.D., and associate professor of industrial-organizational psychology at LSU, says proximity is one of the three facto rs that makes workplaces fa vora bl e envir onments for roman ce. Though, the caveat to proximity is that it’sadouble-edged sword —the closer someone is in physical proximity,the more opportunity for disdain to form.
Research also shows that when the brain experiences psychological distress or overstimulation, it can lead to misattribution of arousal, and the brain misunderstands the sourceof arousal in aromantic way, Zhang said.
“Wecould attribute arousal thatcomes from stress that’srelated to work to attractiontoanother person,” he said.
Zhang callsthe second factor the“mereexposure effect.” He says repeated exposure to astimulus (like asong, person or product) increases preference for it. He pointed to a1992 study from researchers Richard
By The associated Press
Today is Saturday,Feb 14, the 45th day of 2026. There are 320 days left in the year.This is Valentine’s Day
Todayinhistory: On Feb. 14, 2018, aformer student opened fire with asemiautomatic rifle at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 people in the nation’sdeadliest schoolshooting since the Sandy Hook Elementary School attack in Newtown, Connecticut, more than five yearsearlier.(Nikolas Cruz pleaded guilty to murder in October 2021 and was later sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.)
Also on this date:
In 1779, English explorer James Cook was killed on the island of Hawai’i during aconfrontation after Cook’s attempt to kidnap Hawai-
MaryClaireStickle and Will Stickle gotmarried in 2010. Theymet while workingatMaxwell’sMarket in Baton Rouge.
Moreland and ScottBeach, whichinvestigated the mere exposure effectby bringing different female students into aclassroom at varyingnumbers of times without interacting with students. At theend ofthe semester,the womenwho attended more often were rated significantlyhigher in attractiveness.
“The workplace naturally amplifies all thegood traits foreveryone,” Zhang said.
“For that reason, if you’re meeting each other at work, youare seeing aversion of that personpresented for theworkplace— as opposed to how clean they keeptheir roomor howoftentheydo
MaRy CLaIRE STICKLE
theirdishes.”
Zhangcalls the third factor the“similarityeffect.” People tendtobeattracted to those whoare similar to them. Zhangsays that workplaces tend to draw
TODAYINHISTORY
ianmonarch Kalaniopu’u as leverage torecover a boat stolen from one of Cook’s ships. In 1876, inventors Alexander Graham Bell and Elisha Gray applied separately for patents related to the telephone.(TheU.S. Supreme Court eventually ruled Bell the rightful inventor.)
In 1929, the “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” took place in aChicago garage as seven rivals of Al Capone’sgang were gunned down.
In 1984, 6-year-old Stormie Jones became the world’sfirst heart-liver transplant recipient when the surgery was performed at Children’sHospital of Pittsburgh. She died in 1990 at age 13.
In 1989, Iran’sAyatollah Khomeini issued afatwa calling on Muslims tokill Salman Rushdie, author of “The Satanic Verses,”
in employeeswith similar backgrounds, economic placements, ages and demographics.
Stickle said she and her husband are similar in theway they bothliketo have agoodtimeand not take themselves too seriously. But the work ethic she didn’tnotice at first is something that hassustained their relationship as they’vegotten older and grown their family
“Meeting at such ayoung age, we’ve gone through so many parts of life together,” she said. “I definitely don’t have all the answers, but I’ve learnedthat it’simportantnot to take yourselftoo seriously.”
Stickle and her husband Will were engaged in 2009 at Maxwell’s. He asked hertogopick up lunch, and, when she arrived, he walked out wearing an apron with, “Willyou marry me?” written in mustard real mustard to reflect their relationship’sdeli roots. Today, they live in Prairieville andhave10-yearold twins Eliza and Bennett. Through yearsofinfertility followed by their son’s eventual autism diagnosis, MaryClairesays humor has helped her and her husband getthrough difficult situations. As the two have grown through the years, they have witnessedeach others evolutions while also being each others cheerleaders.
“It’s verydifficult not to compare yourself and your relationship to others, but you have to stay focused on your own goals and your own path,”she said. “Remember that you’re on the same side andthe same team.”
Email Lauren Cheramie at lauren.cheramie@ theadvocate.com.
anovel the ayatollah condemned as blasphemous against Islam.
In 2013, double-amputee Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, at his home in Pretoria, SouthAfrica, saying he mistook her for an intruder; he was later convicted of murder and served nearly nineyears of asentence of 13 years and five months before being released from prison in January 2024.
In 2017, aformer store clerk, Pedro Hernandez, was convicted in New York of murder in one of the nation’s most haunting missing-child cases,nearly 38 yearsafter 6-year-old Etan Patz disappeared while on the way to aschool bus stop
In 2023, PresidentRecep Tayyip Erdogan announced that more than 35,000 people died in Turkey as
aresult of an earthquake on Feb. 6, making it the deadliestsuch disaster since thecountry’sfounding 100 yearsearlier.(The combined death toll in Turkey and neighboring Syria would surpass 50,000 people)
Today’sbirthdays: Former New York City mayor and businessman Michael Bloomberg is 84. SaxophonistMaceo Parker is 83. Journalist Carl Bernsteinis82. Magician Teller (Pennand Teller)is78. Opera singer Renée Fleming is 67. Actor Meg Tilly is 66. Football HallofFamer Jim Kelly is 66. Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio is 59. Actor Simon Pegg is 56. Rock singer Rob Thomas (Matchbox Twenty) is 54. Former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe is 54. Actor Danai Gurira is 48. Actor FreddieHighmore is 34. Actor Madison Iseman is 29.
Dear Harriette: Yes, it’sValentine’sDay,but Idon’t like to buy into it. Expectations seem ridiculously high forthis manufactured holiday Ihave arelatively new girlfriend. Ilike her a lot,but I’m not into this day.Ihave told her as much, and she seems disappointed. I absolutely hate that I become the bad guy if I don’twant to bow to this nonsense. How can Ilet her know Icare about her without falling into this consumerist trap? —Not a Fan
DearNot AFan: This is a tough one, as expectations are through the roof for this holiday.Ahuge industry supports it, so most people feel the pressure —regardless of their relationship status. No matter whatyou say to your girlfriend, she will be thinking about this day Youcan’ttotally ignore it. That won’tmake it go away.Why not do something with your girlfriend so that you are together? Remind her that you don’t celebrate the holiday, but you do celebrate her Have funtogether.Make ameaningful moment so that she has pleasant memories of how you spent the day
Dear Harriette: My boyfriend just lost his mom suddenly and tragically He has barely been able to function during this time, so Itook on the responsibility of making the arrangements to honor her life. Iknew his mom,too, so it was hard having to stow away my grief, but I know he wasgrateful.
My boyfriend’sex showed up to the funeral. His entire family is familiar with her,soatthe repast, she wasgreeting everyone, fixing plates for aunts and uncles, thanking people on the micand
checking on my boyfriend all too often. Iwas occupied with making sure all things were going as they were supposed to. Ihate to be so jealous and selfcentered during atime like this, but her behavior felt inappropriate. Idon’twant to make afuss about it with my boyfriend because he’salready dealing with so much, but his ex didn’t mind using this sensitive time as an opportunity to worm herway back in. Why should Ihave to keep quiet while she tries to parade herself back into his life in the most distasteful way?
—Griefand Jealousy
DearGriefAnd Jealousy: Some of the worst behavior shows its face at funerals and during times of grief. Some people probably saw this woman for who she is, while others maynot even know they aren’ttogether anymore. Youcannot worry about those perceptions. It is OK, though, for you to make acomment to your boyfriend. Without belaboring it, you can admit that you felt uncomfortable whenhis ex took on such abig role during the funeral. Tell him the truth: Youwere feeling jealous. Youdon’tlike that this happened, but you wanted to share it with him Youare allowed to have feelings at this moment. He should be aware of how you wereimpacted by his ex’sdisplay.Make sure he knowsyou aren’tasking him to do anything beyond acknowledging how you feel.
During this tender period, lean on each other.You can share stories with him of memories of his mother and how she impacted you. Be agreat listener.Invite him to talk about her as much as he needs and wants to. Be there foreach other
Sendquestions to askharriette@ harriettecole.com or c/oAndrewsMcMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St.,Kansas City,MO 64106.
Zhang
PROVIDED PHOTO
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Keep your finger on the pulse, and you'll not losesight of your goal. Balance and equality are your best choices if you require outside acceptance, help or funding.
PISCES (Feb.20-March 20) To makea difference, follow through. Network, socializeand share your thoughts with people who can contribute to whatyou are trying to achieve. Let your charm kick in and attract those you want by your side.
ARIES (March21-April 19) Engagingin physical activity will help quell the emotionalanxiety that's brewing. Discipline, willpower andusing your strengths to navigate your way forward will benefit you the most.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Cozy downtime will invite talks that offersomething to look forward to.Opportunity is more readily available than you realize. Asuggestion will tweak your imagination.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Lend ahelping hand, offer your skills or donate to a foundation that supports something you believe in. Don't hold back if someone you comeacrossinterests you; make the first move
CANCER (June 21-July 22) You'll findwhat others say or do misleading. Don't hesitate to be bold and ask direct questions. Personal connections, love and romance areall favored, so dig deep and see what transpires.
LEO (July23-Aug. 22) Areunion will lead to romanticsparks. Explorethe possibilities and engage in social events that
interest you, and something magical will unfold. Agreater show of affection will play in your favor.
VIRGO(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Sort outmixed emotions through honestcommunication. You are overdue forachange, a commitmentorsomething thatinspires you to get on with your life and longterm plans.
LIBRA(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Get in the mood, socialize andtakeyoursparkle to the party. Engage in talks, make your moves and bask in the magic of the evening. Live in the moment andsee what transpires.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Negativity will lead to unwanted change. Bring your lighter side to any conversation that develops, and you'll avoid feeling vulnerable. It's atime to be considerate, not forceful or demanding.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Don't overload your platewithpromises you'llnever keep. It's OK to take aback seat and let someoneelse makethe first move. Be fun to be around, and everyone will want to hang out with you.
CAPRICORN(Dec. 22-Jan.19) Your charm will captivate and draw attention if youhost agathering or participatein activities you enjoy. Love and romance are looming. Live in the moment and enjoy.
Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, pastand present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.
TODAy'S CLUE: SEQUALSG
CeLebrItY CIpher
beetLe bAILeY
Mother GooSe And GrIMM
SherMAn’S LAGoon
bIG
Sudoku
InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. Theobject is to place the numbers 1to9inthe empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Thedifficulty level of the Sudoku increases fromMonday to Sunday.
Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer
THewiZard oF id
BLondie
BaBY BLueS
Hi and LoiS CurTiS
Bridge
BY PHILLIP ALDER
Ed Koch, former mayor of New York City, said,“In action, be primitive; in foresight, astrategist.”
Itrequiresforesighttoseethestrategy necessarytomake this six-spade contract. What should South do after West leads the club king?
When Northraised to three spades, promisingsome points (usually 4to7), SouthusedRomanKeyCardBlackwood. Northshowedonekeycard(anaceorthe spadeking).ThenSouthaskedforspecific kings, Northdenying any.(Note that the heart king would make agrand slam sure, but the club king wouldnot.)
South has two possible heart losers. He also has only 11 top tricks: seven spades, one heart, two diamonds and one club. So at first glance it looks as if declarer needs the heart finesse to work. However, assuming West has the club queen behindhisking-lead,heisacandidatefor an endplay.
South, though, musthave theforesight to ruffaclub at trick two, and not to ruff withthe spade two. Southneeds three dummy entries (twofor club ruffs and one for the endplay), whichmust be the club ace and two in trumps.
Each Wuzzle is aword riddlewhich creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. Forexample: NOON GOOD =GOOD AFTERNOON
Previous answers:
word game
InstRuctIons: 1.
toDAY’s
Average
Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer
today’s thought
marmaduKe
Bizarro
hagar the horriBle
Pearls Before swiNe
garfield
B.C.
PiCKles
hidato
mallard
ChairpersonRoxanne Atkinsonrecognizedthe parentrequestingthe ap‐pealofa studentexpul‐sionand askedher pref‐erenceregarding whether theappeal would be heardinExecu‐tiveSession or during the publicmeeting. Thepar‐ent indicatedher prefer‐encefor apublicmeet‐ing.The school boardat‐torneyinformedthe stu‐dent’sparentthatthe publicmeetingwould be live-streamed andacces‐sible to thecommunity and asked whether she understood andstill wishedtoproceed with a publicappeal of thestu‐dent’sexpulsion.The parentconfirmed that she did
Theschool boardattor‐ney explainedthe proce‐dures governingthe con‐ductofthe hearing. The administration firstpre‐sentedits position and findings regardingthe expulsion.The student’s parentthenaddressed the administration’s po‐sitionand findings.The administrationsubse‐quently respondedtothe parent’sstatements. The board then posedques‐tions to both theadmin‐istration andthe stu‐dent’sparent.
Amotionwas made by Dr. Walker andseconded byMs. Norwood forthe board to enterintoExec‐utive Sessionregarding the appeal of astudent expulsion.A roll call vote was takenfor theboard toenter into Executive Session regardingthe appeal of astudent ex‐pulsion andislistedas follows: For: Atkinson,Carmena Davis,Hooper,Norwood, Walker Against: None Absent:Leaphart Abstain: None Therebeing six(6) votes For",zero(0) votes Against",one (1)vote Absent", andzero(0) votes "Abstain", themo‐tionpassed.
Amotionwas made by Dr. Walker to adjournthe meeting. Therebeing no further business, the meetingwas adjourned. 177507-feb14-1t $157.04
PUBLIC NOTICE Pursuant to La.R.S 22:691.4.E.(2)noticeIs herebygiven that on Tuesday,March 3, 2026 the LouisianaDepart‐mentofInsurance,lo‐cated at 1702 NorthThird Street,Baton Rouge, LA 70802 will hold apublic hearing concerning the acquisition of Louisiana FarmBureauMutualIn‐surance Companyby SouthernFarmBureau CasualtyInsurance Com‐pany. TheHearing will begin at 10:00 am in the Poydras Hearingroom lo‐cated on the first floor Anywrittencommentsor questions must be sub‐mittedtothe abovead‐dress marked attention CompanyLicensing and be received no later thantwo days before the Hearing date.Email com‐ments or questionscan besubmitted to public‐comments@ldi.la.gov Interested partiesmay alsoparticipate electron‐icallybygoing to ldi.la gov/public-hearingsand clickingonthe link pro‐vided thereinonthe date and time stated above. TimothyJ.Temple Commissionerof Insurance LouisianaDepartmentof Insurance 175525-feb12-14-3t $68.02
14100
Amotionwas made by Dr.Walkerand seconded by Mr.Carmena for the board to come outofthe Executive Sessionre‐garding theappealof a student expulsion. Aroll callvotewas takenfor the boardtocomeout of the ExecutiveSession re‐garding theappealof a student expulsionand is listedasfollows: For: Atkinson,Carmena Davis,Hooper,Norwood Walker Against: None Absent:Leaphart Abstain: None Therebeing six(6) votes For",zero(0) votes Against",one (1)vote Absent", andzero(0) votes "Abstain", themo‐tionpassed. Amotionwas made by Ms. Norwood andsec‐onded by Mr.Hooper to affirm theadministra‐tion'sdecisionregarding the expulsion. Arollcall votewas takenfor the board to affirm thead‐ministration'sdecision regarding theexpulsion and is listed as follows: For: Atkinson,Carmena Davis,Hooper,Norwood Walker Against: None Absent:Leaphart Abstain: None Therebeing six(6) votes For",zero(0) votes Against",one (1)vote Absent", andzero(0) votes "Abstain", themo‐tionpassed. 14.Adjourn
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Many
as a shock,leading peopletoput off or even go without care.
to considerthe following: Planning Commission S-25-0110 Subdivisionat PecueLnand Rieger Rd: This 30.67-acre property islocated on LotLRK LLC ofthe Leon R. Kleinpeter PropertyinSec.49, T8S, R2E,GLD,EBR.The appli‐cantrequeststosubdi‐videone lotintofourlots inthe C1 LightCommer‐cialand C2 HeavyCom‐mercial Zoning Districts. (Applicant: AlvinFair‐burn, Jr AlvinFairburn& Associates,LLC,onbe‐halfofLRK,LLC) S-26-0002 Subdivisionat AirlineHwy near Village Market St: This 3.92-acre propertyislocated on Lot TR.A-1-A-3-A-4-B of the RussellLongProp‐erty, in Sec. 52, T8S, R2E, GLD,EBR.The applicant requeststosubdivide one lotintothree lots in the PUD-4-09 Long Farm ZoningDistrict. (Appli‐cant: MichaelDavis Landsource, Inc.,onbe‐halfofMoseley Holdings LLC) PD-26-0001 FinalDevelop‐ment Plan &S-26-0001 PreliminaryPlatfor Har‐veston West Village Phases 1B,2 &3:This combinedpropertyislo‐cated on TractV-2,and portionsofV-4 andW-1 ofLongwood and Burtville Plantation Prop‐erty, Sec. 44, T8S, R1E, GLD,EBR.The applicant requestsa finaldevelop‐mentplanand prelimi‐naryplatfor 178 devel‐opablelots, required in‐frastructureand open space areas, within the PUD-17-06 ThePreserve atHarveston Zoning Dis‐trict.(Applicant: Jasen Berry,WestVillage De‐velopment-CDL,LLC,on behalfofSLP,LLC) Zoning Commission PUD-17-06-C-REV5 ChangestoConcept Plan forThe Preserve at Har‐veston: This combined propertyislocated on TractsV-1 thru V-4, W-1, X-1,Y-1-A,Y-1-B,Z,A-1 SS-4-A, SS-5-A of Long‐wood andBurtville Plan‐tationProperty, andthe PreserveatHarveston subdivision,located in Sec. 44, 50, 51 and53, T8S,
cialplanofsaidsubdivi‐
and Recorder
(91),saidsubdivision saidlot having such size shape anddimensions and beingsubject to suchservitudesasare shown on said map. Improvements thereon bearthe municipalad‐dress 8128 Lavender Drive,Baton Rouge, LA 70818. UPON THEFOLLOWING TERMS ANDCONDITIONS, TO-WIT: “Asis,”without warranty, forthe pur‐chase priceof $401,000.00,lessal‐lowancesrequiredfor deficiencies in theprop‐ertyidentified during the buyer’s inspection Notice is hereby given toall partieswhomit may concern, including the heirsand creditorsof the Decedent,Janith LynnMiller,and of this estate, that they be or‐dered to make anyoppo‐sitiontheymay have or may have hadtosuch
Simply put —without dental insurance, there may be an important gap in your healthcarecoverage.
When
you’re comparingplans
Look forcoverage that helps pay formajor services. Some plans may limitthe number of procedures —orpay forpreventive care only.
Look forcoverage with no deductibles. Some plans mayrequire you to payhundreds out of pocketbefore benefits are paid.
Shop forcoverage with no annual maximum on cash benefits. Some plans have annual maximums of $1,000.
Medicare doesn’tpay for dental care.1 That’s right. As good as Medicare is, it wasnever meanttocover everything. That means if youwant protection,you needto purchase individual insurance.
Early detection canprevent small problems from becoming expensiveones. The best way to preventlargedental bills is preventive care.The American Dental Association recommends checkupstwiceayear.
Previous dental work canwear out. Even if you’vehad qualitydentalwork in the past,you shouldn’t take your dentalhealth forgranted. In fact, your odds of havinga dental problem only go up as youage.2
Treatment is expensive— especiallythe servicespeople over 50 often need.
Consider these national averagecostsof treatment. $274for acheckup $299 for afilling $1,471 foracrown.3 Unexpected bills likethis canbeareal burden, especially if you’re on afixedincome.
“Medicare&You,” Centersfor Medicare& Medicaid Services,2025. 2 “Aging changesinteeth and gums”, medlineplus.gov,4/17/2022. 3 FairHealth, Inc. National average dental fees.Datacurrent as of July 2025;subject to change
“Absolutely love” “I absolutelylove my dental insurance. My dentaloffice files the claims,leaving me with very littlebalancetopay.” DorothyP TN
