The Times-Picayune 03-28-2026

TIGER WOODS ARRESTED ON DUI CHARGE AFTERCRASH IN FLORIDA

Johnsonbalks at deal to fund TSA

Speakersays

Housewon’t approve

Senate measure

BY MATTHEW ALBRIGHT and MARCO CARTOLANO Staff writers

The U.S. Senate workedovernight to pass abill Friday that funds the TransportationSafety Administration, but HouseSpeaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, said

hischamber wouldnot approve thedeal.

Johnson and other House Republicans said theSenateproposalwas unacceptable becauseitdid not include funding for U.S.Immigrationand Customs Enforcement or theBorder Patrol.

“It is the most reckless thing we’ve ever seen, and we’re so frustrated byit,” Johnson said. He later referred to the Senate’sdeal as “a joke.”

Johnson instead proposed acontinuing resolution that would fund

theentire Department of Homeland Security,including TSA and immigration agencies, for 30 days while Congress sorts things out.

Johnson challenged theSenate to pickupthe bill on Monday. But theSenate recessed for two weeks after passing itsbill Friday, so senators would have to return to Washington toapprove the deal.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump signedFriday an executive order to pay TSA workers using moneyfrom the mammoth budget bill Congresspassed last

year to enactmuchofhis domestic agenda “TSA officers should beginseeing paychecks as early as Monday, March 30,” the Departmentof HomelandSecurity said in astatementFriday

Still, given the uncertainty in Washington, officials at Louis Armstrong New OrleansInternational Airport warned travelers to arrive early,particularly on Sunday and Monday.Waits in security lines on those days earlier thisweek lasted for three to four hours, leading

Entergywants powercapacity boostfor Meta data center

Work continues on theMeta data centersiteinHolly Ridge.

If approved,itwould equal nearly half thepower it generatesfor state

BY STEPHANIE RIEGELand SAM KARLIN Staff writers

Entergy Louisiana plans todramatically boost the amount of electricity it can generate and transmit in Richland Parish, where it is already building power plants forMeta’smassive AI data center,the clearest sign yetthat the Facebook parentismovingforward on asignificantly larger project than

first announced. In anews releaseFriday, Entergy said it plans to build seven new natural gaspowered plants, upgrade its existing nuclearplants, build 2,500 megawattsof solar farmsand install batteries to store solarpower.The gas plants alone will total 5,200 megawatts, about five times what the entire city of New Orleans uses on an average day

Thenew power capacity Entergy is seeking to generate in Richland comes on top of twonaturalgas turbinesitis already buildingfor Meta at the site, as well as athird power plant for the projectunder construction near Baton Rouge. Alltogether,those three plants

will generate2,262 megawatts of power

The plans also come amid questions nationally about how data centersare affecting residents’ electric bills, which are rising along with ahost of other everyday costs. President Donald Trump hadtech companiessign a“ratepayer protection pledge” in early March

Entergy said in itsnews release that Meta committedtopaying forsome of the infrastructure costs up frontand sending millions to its charitable programfor low-income customers and for energyefficiency.The company said customers willsee $2 billioninsavings

See POWER, page 4A

N.O. Banksy muralisupfor auction

‘GrayGhost’was on the wall of aformer firehouse

BY DOUG MacCASH

Staff writer

Now’syour chance to own oneofthe rare remaining New Orleans murals by the British graffiti master Banksy, who is arguably the most famous artist in the world. But it won’tcome cheap. Banksy’sstencil painting goes upfor auction on Saturday witha startingbid of $725,000, including fees.

Banksy’sprints and paintings regularly reach the million-dollarmark at auction, occasionallyfetching multimillions. Potential buyers should note that the mural probably won’tfitnicely over the couch.It’s8 feet tall and 5 feet wide, and —since it’spainted on a chunkofbrick wall —itweighs almost 3tons. The sale of the New Orleansmural andother works by Banksy is being conducted online by Hessink’sauction houseinMaastricht, Netherlands. The cumbersome painting is currently on display atthe Louisiana StateMuseum at thePresbytère. Though it may not be aconvenient artwork to own, it has afascinating provenance. The globe-trotting artist secretly slipped into the Big Easy in 2008 likeanarty James Bond. Banksy was on amissionofmercy,intenton drumming up sympathy for thecity’s ongoing, grinding recovery from HurricaneKatrina that had taken place three years before Theundercover Englishman painted

morethanadozen small murals on structures acrossthe citythat instantly became icons of the era. Amonghis sardonic artworks was aforlorn girl huddlingbeneath afaulty umbrella, ahomeless Abraham Lincoln pushing ashopping cart, looting National Guardsmen, and asecondline-style brass band attemptingtoplay while wearing gas masks. On aformer firehouseonJackson Avenue, Banksy produced apainting thatwas meant to demonizeFred“The Gray Ghost” Radtke,adevoted graffiti foe, who was in constant conflict with the Crescent City’sstreet artists/aerosolvandals.Banksydepicted Radtke as ashadowy,soulless house painter bent on eradicatinganinnocent stick figure

ä See BANKSY, page 3A

many travelers to misstheirflights. The Senate had been deadlocked for weeks over abill to fund the Department of Homeland Security as Democrats demanded new restrictionsonimmigration enforcement agents. TSA, which is partofthe department, has been unable to pay its security agents, and manyhave called out sick or quit. As frustration grew abouthourslongwaits at security lines, the Senate agreed to a

La.Political Hall of Fame gets 8inductees

Allplayedarolein‘Vote forthe Crook’ election

BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer

As the 1991 governor’srace got underway,then-Gov.Buddy Roemer was favored to winreelection. State Rep. David Duke seemed to be too controversial to defeat Roemer, even though Duke had won60% of the White vote the year before —bygalvanizing Whitegrievances withanantiestablishment message —inlosing to incumbent Sen. J. Bennett Johnston. Duke, after all, hadbeen aKuKlux Klangrand wizard who for years had celebrated Hitler’sbirthday Edwin Edwards, another looming opponent,reflected Louisiana’s let-thegood-times-roll ethos as alegendary gambler andwomanizerwho hadbeen elected governor threetimes —while constantly fending off corruption allegations —but now seemed to be apolitical has-been. Roemer,after all, had beaten Edwards four years earlier But Edwards and Duke ran first and second in the primary,knocking out Roemer.With the nation’seyes on Louisiana because of Duke’snotorious past, Edwards resurrected the formula that hadelected him governor three times before —winning big in NewOrleans and Acadiana to offset his losses in conservative areas elsewhere.

Six of the 2026 inductees to theLouisiana Political Hall of Fame played roles in the coalition that Edwards formed to defeat Duke in that epic election. They are(with their 1991 roles): NewOrleans

ä See HALL, page 3A

STAFF FILE PHOTO

Arestored mural by the British graffiti superstar Banksy is on display at the Louisiana State Museum at the Presbytère.

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

Ex-Louisville officers’ charges dismissed

LOUISVILLE, Ky. A federal judge has dismissed charges against two former Louisville police officers who were accused of falsifying the warrant used to enter Breonna Taylor’s apartment the night police shot her to death

U.S. District Judge Charles Simpson issued a one-page ruling Friday throwing out charges against Joshua Jaynes and Kyle Meany, two former officers involved in crafting the Taylor warrant.

Federal prosecutors asked a judge last week to dismiss charges against the former officers “in the interest of justice.”

Prosecutors noted that the court had already removed some felony charges against Jaynes and Meany in previous proceedings.

Former U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced charges against Jaynes and Meany in 2022 in a high-profile news conference in Louisville, where Garland said “Breonna Taylor should still be alive today.” Garland said the officers at the scene who shot Taylor, 26, were unaware of the “false and misleading statements” in the warrant.

Taylor’s boyfriend fired one shot at police after they broke down her front door with a battering ram. Police returned fire, striking Taylor multiple times in her hallway Her killing along with the death of George Floyd in Minnesota sparked weeks of racial justice protests in the summer of 2020.

Jaynes was facing charges for conspiracy and falsification of records and misdemeanor civil rights violations. Meany was facing a charge for allegedly lying to federal investigators.

Guthrie to return to ‘Today’ show on April 6 Savannah Guthrie will return soon as co-host of NBC’s “Today” show after a nearly twomonth absence sparked by the disappearance of her 84-yearold mother, saying in an interview that “joy will be my protest.”

Hoda Kotb, who is filling in for Guthrie, said Friday after an emotional interview with Guthrie that she’ll be back April 6. Guthrie said while it’s hard to imagine returning to a place of joy and lightness, she wants to try, even as she acknowledged she’s not sure she can do it or if she’ll belong anymore.

“I can’t come back and try to be something that I’m not. But I can’t not come back, because it’s my family,” Guthrie said. “I think it’s part of my purpose right now I want to smile and when I do, it will be real and my joy will be my protest. My joy will be my answer And being there is joyful and when it’s not, I’ll say so.”

Nancy Guthrie was reported missing from her Arizona home on Feb. 1. Authorities believe she was kidnapped, abducted or otherwise taken against her will. The FBI released surveillance videos of a masked man who was outside Guthrie’s front door in Tucson on the night she vanished. Authorities have not released new evidence publicly in weeks.

Secret Service agent accidentally shoots self

PHILADELPHIA A Secret Service agent has been hospitalized after accidentally shooting himself at Philadelphia International Airport on Friday morning

The agent was traveling in an unmarked Chevrolet SUV near an access point at the airport, the Philadelphia Police Department said. It was not immediately clear what caused the agent’s firearm to accidentally discharge.

The agent was on duty at the airport on a protective assignment covering former first lady Jill Biden, according to an Associated Press report. Biden, who was not present at the time of the incident, was in Harrisburg for a speaking event this week with Pennsylvania’s first lady.

Secret Service spokesperson Nate Herring said the Secret Service’s Office of Professional Responsibility would “review the facts and circumstances” of the incident. The agent, he added, was injured while handling a service weapon.

Attack wounds U.S. service members

Iranian missiles strike base in Saudi Arabia

BY JON GAMBRELL and FARNOUSH AMIRI Associated Press

DUBAI,UnitedArab Emirates — An Iranian missile attack Friday wounded at least 10 U.S service members and damaged several planes at a military base in Saudi Arabia, according to two U.S officials familiar with the situation.

Two of the troops were seriously wounded, one of the officials said. The attack on Prince Sultan Air Base damaged several U.S. refueling aircraft, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters.

The attack, which involved an Iranian missile as well as drones, comes a day after President Donald Trump said Iran has been “obliterated” and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that “never in recorded history has a nation’s military been so quickly and so effectively neutralized.”

This is not the first time that Prince Sultan Air Base has been targeted by Iran. Army Sgt. Benjamin N Pennington, 26, was wounded during a March 1 attack on the base and died days later He is one of the 13 service members who have been killed in the war Satellite imagery that appeared to show the damage to the aircraft in the latest attack had been posted online. The attack was reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal.

U.S. Central Command said earlier Friday that more than 300 service members have been wounded in the monthlong conflict.

The Trump administration offered a 15-point plan for a possible ceasefire to Iran, with Pakistan as an intermediary Iran has denied that negotiations are taking place, while its choke-

hold on the Strait of Hormuz has sent fuel prices skyrocketing and roiled the world economy

Despite the discussion of talks, the Pentagon is preparing to send at least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division — a unit trained to parachute into hostile or contested territory to secure key territory and airfields — to the Middle East in the coming days.

The military is also in the process of deploying two Marine units that will add about 5,000 Marines and thousands of sailors to the region.

Trump: Growth will follow war

Trump said in his speech at the FII Priority Summit in Miami that economic growth would surge once the war ends, suggesting that the world would benefit from Iran no longer pursuing nuclear weapons or using terrorist proxies.

“And I think you’re going to see a rocket ship, because we won’t have that dark cloud hanging over our head,” Trump said.

The president played down recent declines in the stock market, saying “It hasn’t been that bad” and that he thought oil prices were going to be higher than they are now Trump has been pressing Israel and Saudi Arabia, the two biggest powers in the Middle East, for years to normalize ties as part of his Abraham Accords efforts.

“It’s now time,” Trump said at the Miami event, sponsored by a Saudi sovereign wealth fund. “We’ve now taken them out, and they are out bigly. We got to get into the Abraham Accords.”

Significant headwinds remain, including Saudi Arabia’s insistence that there needs to be a credible path to a Palestinian state be-

fore it normalizes commercial and diplomatic ties with Israel.

Iran to ‘expedite’ aid in strait

Meanwhile the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva said Tehran has agreed to “facilitate and expedite” humanitarian aid through the Strait of Hormuz, even as it endures strikes on its nuclear facilities.

Ali Bahreini said Tehran accepted a request from the U.N. to let humanitarian aid and agricultural shipments move through the vital waterway, which usually handles a fifth of the world’s oil shipments and nearly a third of the world’s fertilizer trade.

The aid plan would be the first breakthrough at the shipping chokepoint after a month of war While markets and governments have largely focused on blocked supplies of oil and natural gas, the restriction of fertilizer ingredients and trade threatens farming and food security around the world.

“This measure reflects Iran’s continued commitment to supporting humanitarian efforts and ensuring that essential aid reaches those in need without delay,” Bahreini said in a post on X. The U.N. earlier announced a task force to address the ripple effects the Iran war has had on aid delivery Israel strikes nuclear facilities

That announcement came just hours after Iranian state media said two nuclear facilities had come under attack. Israel, which had threatened to “escalate and expand” its campaign against Tehran, claimed responsibility, and Iran quickly threatened to retaliate.

“Attack contradicts POTUS extended deadline for diplomacy,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X, referring to Trump. “Iran will exact HEAVY price for Israeli crimes.”

Rubio meets G7 allies skeptical about Iran strategy

BY MATTHEW LEE and SAMUEL PETREQUIN Associated Press

VAUX-DE-CERNAY, France

Top diplomats from the Group of Seven countries showed divisions with the United States over the Iran war but agreed Friday during a meeting in France to call for an immediate halt to attacks against civilians and urge the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined his G7 counterparts a day after President Donald Trump lobbed his latest round of insults at other NATO countries, making it even more difficult for America’s top diplomat to try to sell the U.S strategy for the Iran conflict to close allies. Trump has repeatedly complained that allies have ignored or rejected

requests for help confronting Tehran’s retaliation, including its chokehold on the waterway that has disrupted oil shipments and pushed up energy prices.

Rubio struck a softer tone, saying the U.S. would seek international cooperation on a plan to keep the strait open after hostilities end.

Rubio emerged from discussions with fellow diplomats with a longerterm message about the conclusion of the war, when he said the U.S and allies will face a challenge in keeping the strait open.

He cautioned that Iran may seek to set up a toll on the waterway — where 20% of the world’s oil typically passes — an act that he said could cause significant economic damage to many nations around the globe.

“Not only is this illegal, it’s unacceptable. It’s

dangerous to the world,” Rubio told reporters of the possibility that Iran would seek to restrict traffic through the strait. “And it’s important that the world have a plan.”

France: Iran war ‘not ours’

Most of America’s closest allies have greeted the Iran war with deep skepticism, which was on display as the G7 foreign ministers gathered at a historic 12th-century abbey in Vaux-de-Cernay, outside Paris, even as they urged a diplomatic solution. Four weeks into the war that the U.S. and Israel launched, the allies face concerns about instability in the oil markets and uncertainty over potential negotiations to end the crisis.

Several EU countries, now grappling with economic consequences of the war, have said they

Rubio denies Zelenskyy’s claim U.S. asked Ukraine to cede land

BY DAVID KLEPPER and MATTHEW LEE Associated Press

PARIS U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s assertion that the Trump administration is demanding Kyiv hand over its eastern Donbas region to Russia to receive American security guarantees in any ceasefire plan Speaking to reporters following a Group of Seven meeting in France, Rubio disputed Zelenskyy’s recent comments and said the U.S. has made no such stipulation in its talks with Ukraine.

“That’s a lie,” Rubio said. “And I saw him say that And it’s unfortunate he would say that because he knows that’s not true and that’s not what he was told.”

In an interview published this week, Zelenskyy told Reuters the U.S was making its offer of security guarantees for Ukraine contingent on the ceding of the Donbas region, the industrial heartland long coveted by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Moscow’s forces occupy the bulk of the region, but have not seized a strip of land that is among the most heavily fortified parts of the front line.

Zelenskyy said that with the U.S. focused on its war against Iran, President

Donald Trump is looking to bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine.

“The Americans are prepared to finalize these guarantees at a high level once Ukraine is ready to withdraw from Donbas,” Zelenskyy told Reuters Rubio denied Zelenskyy’s assertions and said the U.S. had only passed along Russia’s demands. He said security guarantees could only come after the fighting has ended and that the U.S. will keep pushing for a peace deal.

“We’ve told the Ukrainian side what the Russians are insisting on,” he said. “We’re not advocating for it We’ve explained it to them It’s their choice to make. It’s not for us to make for them.”

The Ukrainian presidential office declined to comment on the discrepancy Putin wants Kyiv to cede control of the entire Donbas region, which analysts believe would give Moscow a permanent launchpad from which to threaten other parts of Ukraine.

Rubio noted that U.S. talks with the Ukrainians were held last week in Florida but no other meetings are scheduled as of now He also said that while no U.S. weapons have been pulled from sales bound for Ukraine to go to the Middle East instead, it could happen if deemed necessary

were not consulted by the U.S. before it launched its military actions in Iran. French Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin said Friday that the war “is not ours,” adding that France’s position is strictly defensive.

“The aim is truly this diplomatic approach, which is the only one that can guarantee a return to peace,” she said on Europe 1 and CNews.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Britain also favored a diplomatic

path, acknowledging differences with the United States.

“We have taken the approach of supporting defensive action, but also we’ve taken a different approach on the offensive action that has taken place as part of this conflict,” she said. Trump has complained that NATO countries were not stepping up to help against Iran.

“We’re there to protect NATO, to protect them from Russia. But they’re not there to protect us,” Trump added. GET IN TOUCH

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residential building hit in an earlier U.S.-Israeli strike in Tehran on Friday.

Continued from page1A

that cried out in terror It maysurprise some fans of the outlaw artist to learn that before he began painting, Banksy received permission from the building’sco-owner, restaurateur Greg Surrey Despitetheir popularity and immense value, Banksy’sNew Orleans mural artworks were immediately tagged, vandalized, painted over,demolished with the buildings that held them, or protectively covered over.Art thieves successfully stole onepainting and attempted to steal another.The Jackson Avenuepainting, titled “Gray Ghost Attacks Stick Figure,” which was protected by afence and plastic sheeting, survived in placefor 17 years, longer than any other New Orleans Banksy In April 2025,JaohnOrgon, the current sole owner of the oldfirehouse, had the precious stencil cut outof

the structure and trucked away.A painting restorer meticulously returned the stencil to its formerglory, anditwas forklifted intothe Museum on JacksonSquare to go ontemporary display

justintime for the 20th anniversaryofKatrina. Earlier this month,the art world was jolted by the news that reporters from theReutersnews agency had finally ferreted outBanksy’s

real identity. Butthe revelation was abit less dramatic than it first seemed. Back in 2008, aLondon tabloid had declared thatBanksywas a Bristolnative named Robin Gunningham.

Reuter’srecent research seemstoprove thatsomewhere alongthe line,Gunningham changedhis name to the rather generic David Jones. Banksy fans still have scantbiographical details about the artist. Banksy superfan and scholarJesse Zuefle,who wrote thebook “NOLA RAIN

The New Orleans Banksy Story,” does not believe the Reutersrevelation will affect the value of his works, including the New Orleans painting that will go on the auction block Saturday

Banksy “has been ‘exposed’adozen times in thelast 20-plus years,”Zuefle wrote via text. “Wethe people, enjoy the mystery though. It adds to themystique. So, Ithink it will have no negative consequences on prices nor popularity.”

“Gray Ghost Attacks Stick Figure”isn’tthe only one of Banksy’s2008 muralsto be cutfromits moorings restoredand put on public display. Tworescued and resurrected examples can be foundinthe lobby of the International HouseHotel

at 221CampSt. Another well-preserved painting is located at the Habana Outpost restaurant at 1040 Esplanade Ave. Zuefle said he hopes the painting stays put. “Itwould be great if aNew Orleans buyer or collective would purchase this piece. It belongs in the Crescent City.” The State Museum is taking the news of the auction in stride. “Weknew when we took on thepiece that the owner was interested in potentially selling theitem at somepoint,” Museum spokesman Jeffrey Anding wrote in an email. Anding said the museum would, of course, like to have the Banksy on display for as long as possible,maximizing the public’schance to see “sucha poignant example of his work” in the context of other artifacts of the 2005 storm and flood. Anding claimed that the “Gray Ghost Attacks Stick Figure” muralis“the only originalBanksystreet-art installationknown to be housed in amuseumanywhere in the country.”

Mayor Sidney Barthelemy; state Rep. ShermanCopelin of New Orleans; Ron Nabonne, Barthelemy’stop political adviser; BenJeffers, alongtime Edwards ally in Baton Rouge; the late Haywood Hillyer III, a top official in the Louisiana Republican Party in New Orleans; and the late Norma Jane Sabiston,aDemocratic political strategist in New Orleans.

Twoother 2026 inductees

—Clancy DuBosand John Hill —providedincisive reporting and analysis on the race.

Saturday’sinduction ceremony willtake place Saturday night at the InterContinental Hotel in New Orleans. The Hall of Fame, based in Winnfield, home to Huey and EarlLong,will now number 231 with the latest inductees, said Randy Haynie, aBaton Rouge superlobbyist who chairs the board. The latest group was chosenbyapanel that includes John Georges, owner of TheTimes-Picayune |The Advocate.

N.O. mayortakes action

As the governor’srace began in earnest, Barthelemy had every reason to back Edwards, aDemocrat. Barthelemy was mayor of the state’sbiggest city,one with amajorityBlack population, and he had been an Edwards ally since his election in 1974 as the state’sfirst Black senator since Reconstruction Besides, with hislong list of needs for his poor city, Barthelemy had worn out his welcome with Roemer, aconservative Democratturned Republican from north Louisiana

“He told someone Igave himaheadacheevery time Iwent to Baton Rouge,” Barthelemy remembered recently But Barthelemy wanted Edwardstomove offhis call formultiple casinosto rejuvenate New Orleans. Barthelemy believed that asingle glamorous casino for New Orleans offered the best option to create badly needed jobs. After Edwards adopted Barthelemy’sposition, the mayor activated his political organization to support the former governor Overseeing that operation

was Nabonne. He had begun agitating for the rightsofBlack people as astudent at St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. As an undergraduateatLoyolaUniversityin 1968, Nabonne helpedform aBlack student union that protested all-White fraternities. That sameyear, Nabonne helped organize aprotest against then-Gov George Wallace, asegregationistrunningfor president An attorney and activist in recently formed Black political organizations, notably SOUL and COUP,Nabonne worked to elect Black candidateswho wererunning for positionsthat White officials hadheldfor decades.

Nabonne and Barthelemy became especially close. So it was onlynatural for Barthelemy to task Nabonne with mobilizing his political organization to recruit canvassers, make phone calls andpassout literatureto help elect Edwards.

“You know what Iget most pleasure from?” Nabonne said recently.“Getting something done without drama andhavingother people takecredit for it.”

Copelin also helped rally Black voters in 1991.

Thebattles in BR

Like Barthelemy and Nabonne, Copelin hadgraduated from St. Augustine and had gone ontobecomeone of the first Blackpeopleto holda position of responsibility in New Orleanscity governmentunderthenMayorVic Schiro.

After Moon Landrieu succeeded Schiro in 1970, Copelin oversaw the city’s programthat disbursed federal money throughout New Orleans.

In 1984,Copelinwas appointedasthe first Black assessor in Louisiana since Reconstruction and two years laterwon aspecial election to the state House representing aportion of the 9th Ward. He and Edwards became close allies. Both relished moving thevarious pieces on the political chessboard, courting controversy

along the way

Copelin tangled withDuke after Duke was elected in 1989 to the state House representing Metairie.

“He didn’tunderstand the rules,”Copelin recalled. “So I’ddrive him crazy.I’d kill his bills.”

In 1991, while running for reelection, Copelin managed get-out-the-vote effortsamong Black voters in metroNew Orleans for Edwards.

By 1991, Jeffers had spent years working for Edwards in state government.In1979, he mounted the first seriousstatewide campaign by aBlack candidate in more than 100 yearswhen he finished third in thesecretary of state race.

Duringthe 1991 governor’srace, Jeffers servedas oneofEdwards’ state campaign coordinators.

Thedynamics in the race changeddramaticallyafterthe primary,when only scandal-tarred Edwards stood between Duke and the Governor’sMansion. The campaign to prevent that from happening became national news.

“Wehad to set up an operation for people from around thecountry whowantedto beat DavidDuke,” Jeffers remembered recently Sabiston assisted the state Democratic Party campaign through herworkasstate director for U.S. Sen. John Breaux.

Hillyer,who represented Louisianaatthe Republican National Committee, preferred Roemer during the primaryand detested Duke At onepoint, he physically blocked Duke from getting to amicrophonetorally his supporters at astate Republican nominating convention.

Three weeksbefore the runoff election, Hillyer told Times-Picayune columnist Iris Kelsothatchoosing between Duke andEdwards presentedanawful dilemma.

“Wehaveachoice between aNazi, someone who has been preaching almost astandardRepublican doctrine,but who would do terrible damage, andEdwin Edwards, who is against

everything our party stands for,” Hillyer said. “But if you believeDukeisadanger, you have to be againsthim. Ithink he is adanger.”

Abumpersticker summed it up for many: “Votefor the Crook. It’sImportant.”

Tellingthe story

Reporting on the various twists andturns during the election for newspapersin north Louisiana was John Hill.

AnativeofBastrop,Hill had fallen in love with reporting, writing and having an influence on the political process. He took his responsibilities during the1991 election especially seriously,given thestakes.

By 1991,DuBos had worked as areporter for years, beginning with The Times-Picayune in 1973 while he was an undergraduate at the University of New Orleans. He soon showed a flair for covering politics andwentontodothatfor the newspaperand then New OrleansTVstations

In 1991, DuBos and his wife,Margo,purchased Gambit, the New Orleans alternative weekly

Three weeks before the election, DuBos wrote the editorialinwhichGambit endorsed Edwards.

Other news outlets, in backing the former governor,wrote that theyhad to figuratively hold their noses in making that recommendation.

DuBos, however,forthrightly praised Edwards, saying he “is aleader.He gets things done.”

On Nov.16, 1991, spurred by an enormous turnout of Black voters, Edwards crushed Duke with 61% of the vote. He got state legislators to approve the NewOrleans casino —now owned by Caesars —in1992.

That year,Edwards invited Clancy and MargoDuBos to the Governor’sMansion for lunch to thank them for the strong endorsement.

“How do you think the history books will treat me?” he asked them at one point.

“Governor, that’supto

you,” replied Clancy DuBos. “You’re going to write your legacy in thenextfourto eight years.” The only four-term governorinstate history, Edwards served asingle term and retired. In 2001, he wasconvicted of bribery charges andspent 81/2 yearsinprison. He died in 2021 at 93. Hill closely coveredEdwards’ trial and retired in 2007. DuBos ended his 52year journalism career at the end of 2025.

Barthelemy’s political career ended in 1994 when his second term as mayor ended. Nabonne continues to advise candidates behind the scenes.

Jeffers served as Edwards’ chief of staff during his finalterm—and then as the first Blackchair of the Louisiana Democratic Party —and is now retired. Copelin lost his reelection in 1999 but has remained active in politics and business. Sabiston went on to serve as akey political adviserand strategist to Mary Landrieu during her years as asenator andtoMary’sbrother Mitchduring his yearsas lieutenant governor and mayor of New Orleans. Also amentor to countless women, she died in 2020, aged 65. Hillyer,who remained a trustedvoice in Republican politics, diedin2010, aged 72.

Barthelemy Copelin Nabonne Jeffers Hillyer Sabiston DuBos

JOHNSON

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deal that would fund TSA, the Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency —but not the immigration agencies.

“Wecan get at least alot of the government opened up again, and then we’ll go from there,” saidSen-

ateMajority Leader JohnThune, R-S.D. “Obviously,we’ll stillhave some work ahead of us.”

But Johnson has long voiced concerns about approving apiecemeal budget bill, saying it would be more responsibletofund the entire department. And some hard-line conservatives in his caucus have voiced disdain for partial funding, saying it undermines Trump’scampaign against illegal immigration.

“This deal is bad for America. It’sbad for Americans,” said Maryland Republican Rep. Andy Harris, chair of theconservative Freedom Caucus.

Will airportlines continue?

Lines at theNew Orleansairport were largely clear after Monday. On Friday,the average wait timeto getthrough security was15to20

minutes, depending upon the time of day,airport spokesperson Erin Burns said Butasthe weekend approached, Burnssaidtravelersshouldagain prepare to arrive early as TSA callouts haveremained consistent and the pattern has been that they are at theirhighest on Sundays.

“If anyone has travel scheduled Sunday or Monday,get here early and prepare forlong lines,” Burns said. Peak days are Sunday andMonday,and the busiest hours are from 4a.m. to 7a.m. andfrom 3p.m. to 6p.m., Burns said. Airport officials have generally advised travelers to arrive twoto three hours before their flight. So far, the budget standoffhas notcaused major problems for travelers at theBaton Rouge or Lafayette airports.

becauseofthe newdeal, details of which weren’timmediatelyprovided. If approvedbythe Public Service Commission and built, the new gas and solar plants would enable Entergy to generateand transmit morethan7,700 megawatts of electricity for Meta —the equivalent of more than half of all thepower Entergy currently generates for the state of Louisiana. In its release Friday,Entergy Louisiana CEO PhillipMay said thedealwillhelpkeepelectricity rates affordable.

The PSC, which regulates Entergy Louisiana, has already approved adeal with Entergy to build new gas-fired power plants, adeal that would seeMetapay for some up-front infrastructure and past hurricane costs. Still, the plans have createdsomecontroversy amid widening public concerns over electric bills.

Rachel Peterson, Meta’svice president of data centers,said the boost in power plants “demonstrates the business-friendly environment in Louisiana that makes projects like thispossible and aligns with the principles in the recently signed WhiteHouse Ratepayer Protection Plans.”

Size of Manhattan?

Friday’sannouncement was not entirely unexpected. For months, Meta has made clear that it saw the footprint of its Richland Parish project growing beyond what was originally announced In late 2024, Meta said the project would be a4 million-squarefootdata center,the size of 70 football fields, and sit on 2,000acres of former farmland in the tiny community of Holly Ridge.The total price tag was pegged at $10 billion

Last summer,Mark Zuckerberg disclosed plans to potentially increase thesize of thefacility, which hedubbed“Hyperion,” and said it would be thecompany’s largest datacenter yet, with afootprint thesize of Manhattan.

Afew weeks later,Trump praised the planned size of the facility,boosting its price tag to $50 billion, though that dollar figure was never confirmed.

Then,while announcinga new financingarrangement forthe projectinthe fall,Meta officially boosted the costto$27 billion. In theOctober announcement, the company saidthe larger price tag included “the buildings andlonglivedpower,cooling, and connectivity infrastructure at the campus.”

“Weare proud to be part of the Richland Parish community,and we look forward tocontinuing to strengthen our partnership for years to come,” Peterson, the Meta executive, said at thetime. The companydeclined to provide additional information about theexpanded size of the project,

thecosts or the number of construction and permanent jobs it could create.

Also unclear is what additional incentivesMeta may have secured from the state in order to move forwardwithits expansion. Meta is already receiving asales tax exemption on awide range of spending, as well as local property tax breaks.Together,the tax breaks could be worth billions of dollars.

Last fall, Louisiana Economic DevelopmentSecretary Susan Bourgeois said if Meta moved ahead with plans for alarger project, it would have to negotiate a separatedeal with the state for any additional tax breaks.

LED spokesperson Emma Wagnersaid Fridaythe agency is “excited aboutMeta’scontinued commitmentand looksforward to sharing more in thecoming weeks.” LED negotiated tax incentivedeals with Meta and Amazon, which is also building adata center campus near Shreveport.

In astatement included in the release, Gov.Jeff Landrypraised Zuckerbergand Entergyfor “pri-

oritizing consumer interests.”

“Their policy hasset aprecedent that should be the norm, notthe exception,” he said.

PowerprojectsacrossLouisiana Documents filed with the Louisiana Public Service Commission and made public Friday after the announcement provide additional details on what Entergy is proposing.

Filings show that four of the new power plantswould be built near theMetadata center site in RichlandParish. Three others would be built near Entergy’sBig Cajun power plant in Pointe Coupee Parish near thetown of NewRoads.

Filings also showthatEntergy wantstobuild anew 150-mile transmission line extending from Richland Parish to St. Landry Parish in the south-central part of the state and anew switching station in St. Landry Parish.

The filings also hint at future investments in Louisiana’stwo nuclear power plants, which come on the heels of Gov.Jeff Landry’s announcement at aglobal energy conference Tuesday that Louisiana wants to build morenuclear plants, components and fuel enrichment sites.

According to the filing, Entergy’s 20-year deal includesfunding fora refueling cycle upgrade at Waterford 3nuclear power plant, which is in westSt. CharlesParish, and fora studytoevaluate adding new generators at the River Bend nuclear plant northofBaton Rouge near St.Francisville.

Entergyisrequestingthatthe project be evaluated under aprocess called the “Lighting Amendment,” approved by the PSC in December,thatallowsfor certain megaprojects to be greenlighted within eight months, provided they meet certain criteria.

Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis said there area lot of questions about the Entergy

proposal that he wants to have answered.

“This is agiant, massive investment andunder this expedited process, it will be that much harder to evaluate whether this much power generation is justified and if the benefits outweigh the risks,” Lewis said.

Pros andcons

Meta’sHyperiondatacenter is oneofabout 20 the tech giant is building around the country.Local andstate officials have welcomed the project and theprofound economic impact it is having on apoor, ruralcornerofthe state thathas suffered from decades of disinvestment.

Sincebreaking ground 15 months ago, northeastLouisiana has seen an influx of new investment. Companies from around the regionare serving as subcontractors to Meta and its three main builders. They are also setting up shop and signing long-term leases for warehouse and office space, a boost of activity that local economic development officials hope they can turn into long-term growth. But the project is also raising redflagsfromenvironmental advocates and others, whopoint to other places around the country where AI data centers have driven up utility rates and pulled massive amounts of water from local supplies.

Other criticshavequestioned the tax breaks andthe company’s complicatedfinancing arrangement, which they argue could enable Meta to walk away from the project after just afew years should market conditions change. Fenceline communities, meanwhile, have changed dramatically Local and state economic development officials say the project is worth it to an area that has been losing population as farming and manufacturing industries have contracted.

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

As construction continues on the Meta data center site in Holly Ridge, thecompanyhas discussed plans to potentially increasethe sizeofthe facility

with meteorologist DamonSingleton

Due to the critical fire conditions, includingacombination of strong northernwinds, lowhumidity and drought, aRed Flag Warning has been issued for the North Shore and is in effect from 11 a.m.until 7p.m.thisevening.Otherwise,expect asunny, breezy and cooler day. Temperatures this afternoon will only risetolow to mid-70s Windsare blowing from the northeastat15mph,sodew pointsare very lowand humidity not noticeable. Whilerain chances will remain at zero, theywill rise to 20-30% latetomorrow.

Authoritiesunable to deport detainee

BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN Staff writer

Afederal judge in Louisiana has orderedthe federal government to release atransgender woman who authorities held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention for ayear despite being unable to legally deport her —and who they sent to Mexico against a judge’sorder meant to protect her from torture there.

The woman, Britania UriosteguiRios, whospent some of her detention at Winn Correctional Center, made national headlines in November after her wrongful deportation. Authorities allowed her back into the United States but continued to keep her in immigration detention while they tried to deport her athird country, according to court records.

Immigration officials had made no “visible progress”toward deporting Rios since January,and multiple third countries refusedto accept her,Judge Jerry Edwards Jr., of Louisiana’sWestern District court, said in an order issued Tuesday.Hefound that detaining Uriostegui Rios was no longer justified because it was not likely that thegovernment would beable to deport her in the “reasonably foreseeable future.”

The case is part of alargerbattle

that PresidentDonald Trump’sadministrationiswaging in courts across thecountry,asittests legal limits on immigration detention andtries to detain immigrants for prolonged periods of time,even when they cannot go back to their homecountries.

Detention of immigrants who have been ordered deportedis not supposed to be indefinite, but there are nostrictrules for when the government must release detainees.

Edwards’ order comes shortly after theTrump administration lost similar cases in Louisiana’s Middle District Court. Federal judges there ordered that certain ICE detainees be released from the “LouisianaLockup,” an immigration detention facility on the grounds of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. Gov.Jeff Landry and other Republican leaders blasted those decisions, which they describedasanaffront to public safety

The administration is alsoholding in custody peoplewithout criminal histories for prolonged periods of time. Amid Trump’s campaign to detain and deport immigrants in record numbers, courts across the country have beenflooded with habeas petitions, lawsuits that argue detainees are being unlawfully held and should therefore be released.

That was themechanism through which Uriostegui Rios, who has a criminalhistory,got out of deten-

La.judge ordersrelease of transgender immigrant

tion.She, like many other detainees, argued for release based on alandmark 2001 U.S. Supreme Court decision known as Zadvydas v. Davis. That case setaprecedent forhow long authorities maydetain immigrants with finalremoval orders.

The case held that, generally, thegovernment is supposed to deportsuchimmigrants within six months. After that, continued detention may be unlawful if there is no significant likelihood of deportation in the “reasonably foreseeable future.”

In other words,reaching the six-monthmark gives immigrants stronger groundstochallenge their detention underZadvydas. The rule does not apply to people with pending immigration cases. Edwards, aPresident Joe Biden appointee andthe judge handling Uriostegui Rios’ case, initially permitted her detention pastsix months. In aJanuary decision, he described thecaseas“close,” but sidedwith the federal government basedonevidenceofongoing efforts to deport Uriostegui Riosto athird country

ButEdwards warned that Uriostegui Rios’ detention could become unlawful as time passed —and on Tuesday,hereversed his original decision and saidshe ought to be released.

In his order,Edwardssaidthe government had failed to show progress towarddeporting Uriostegui Rios after sending requests

to Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador,Canada, Senegal, Ecuador,Portugal, Seychelles and Liberia.

Severalcountries rejected the requests, and the rest never responded, Edwards wrote, adding that the mostrecentrequestswere madeinJanuary

Edwards also stressedthat 12 months had passed since Uriostegui’s removalorder became final. The likelihood that continued immigration detentionislawful wanes the longer detainees stay in custody,hewrote, citing the Zadvydas case.

Uriostegui Rios came to the U.S. in 2003 andbecame alawfulpermanent resident in 2012, an ICE agent said in acourt filing. But she received multiple criminalconvictions, including a2009 conviction for sexual solicitation anda 2023 conviction forassault with adeadly weapon, the official said.

In March 2025, an immigration judge ordered Uriostegui Rios’ deportation but simultaneously blocked her removal to Mexico under theConvention Against Torture, finding that she could face persecution therebecause of her gender identity,according to court records.

Butthe federalgovernment “inadvertently” deported her to Mexico, Department of Justice attorneys acknowledgedinlegal filings.

Critics have accused the Trump administration, which argues it is detainingimmigrants to protect

the public, of using ICE detention to punishpeoplewithcriminal convictions twice, after they have served their time.

Immigration rights advocates who helpedhandle Uriostegui Rios’casehailedEdwards’decision as avictory but said Uriostegui Rios’ lengthy stay in custody was evidence of abroken system “It’s heartbreaking that people like Britania arelosing years of their lives in places thatamount to nothing morethan for-profit prisons,”saidNoraAhmed, legal director of the ACLU of Louisiana. “This ruling rejects the government’s cruel perversion of immigrationlaw: using detention centers to punish people whohave already served their time, turning civil detention into adefacto life sentence with no due process.”

The Department of Homeland Security,whichoversees ICE, did not comment on this story

Louisianahousesthe secondmost number of ICE detainees in the country behind Texas. Most arehousedinfacilities operatedby private prison companies, whose contracts with the federal government are worth billionsofdollars nationwide.

During Trump’sfirst year in office, the number of people held in ICE detention across the country rose from approximately 40,000 to 66,000, according to aJanuary report from the American Immigration Council, anonprofit focused on immigration rights.

Pro-Iraniangroup claims credit forhacking accountofFBI director

BYERIC TUCKER Associated Press

WASHINGTON Apro-Iranian hacking group claimed Friday to have hacked an account of FBI Director Kash Patel and posted online what appear to be years-old photographs of him, along with awork résumé and other personaldocuments dating back more than adecade.

“KashPatel,the current headofthe FBI, who once saw his namedisplayed with pride on the agency’shead-

quarters, will now find his name among the list ofsuccessfully hacked victims,” said amessage posted Fridayfrom the group Handala Themessagewas accompanied bya collection of photographs of Patel, including ones of him standingbesideanantiquesports carand another with acigar in hismouth. The group also said that it wasmakingavailablefor download emails andother documents fromPatel’saccount. Many of the records appeared to

relatetohis personal travels andbusiness from more than 10 years ago.

“The FBI is aware of malicious actors targeting DirectorPatel’spersonal email information, and we have taken all necessary steps to mitigate potential risks associated with this activity,” the FBI said in astatement.

“The information in questionishistorical in nature and involves no government information.”

The FBIstatementdid not identify the hackers be-

lieved responsible for the breach, but it notedthat the Trump administrationis offering areward of up to $10 millionfor information leading to theidentification of members of the Handala hacking group —anentity it said“has frequently targeted U.S. government officials.”

It was notclear when the hack claimed by Handala mighthaveoccurred.News reports from December 2024, before Patel wasconfirmed as director,said that

Patelhad been informed by FBI that he had been targeted as part of an Iranian hack.

Handala is apro-Iranian, pro-Palestinian hacking group that earlier this month claimed credit for disrupting systemsatStryker,aMichigan-based medical technology company Handala said the attack was in retaliationfor suspected U.S.strikes that killed Iranianschoolchildren. They’re aprominent example of the proxy groups that carry out

cyberattacks on behalf of Iran.

NOLA.COM | Saturday, March 28, 2026 1BN

State to monitor school system finances

Officials cite repeated accounting errors in

BY MARIE FAZIO Staff writer

The Louisiana Department of Education will appoint an independent monitor to oversee the New Orleans school system’s finances due to repeated accounting errors that have created “multiple years of financial uncertainty” for

schools, the state’s top education official said Friday Over the next year, a “fiscal risk monitor” appointed by the state will review the district’s financial practices, ensure the district takes corrective steps and report back to the state on the changes and any “ongoing risks,” according to a March 27 letter from State Super-

Residents: N.O. East needs lighting, sidewalks

Federal funding cut for I-10 service roads

BY JONI HESS Staff writer

New Orleans East residents and city officials are exploring how best to improve safety for those navigating the Interstate 10 service roads, months after federal funding for the bulk of that work was cut. The city’s “Connecting New Orleans East” project aims to create safer environments for pedestrians, drivers, bicyclists and public transit riders using the Interstate 10 service road from Dwyer Road to the Vincent Canal. Once designed and funded, the improvements aim to address an increasing number of traffic crashes city planners have identified in the area, officials said The city has about $2.2 million on hand to start design work, but it’s unclear how it plans to pay for any construction. The city lost about $58.2 million in federal grants for the effort after Congress in July passed President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act “We’re going to be very strategic in how we are using your input and how we are going to move forward

ä See FUNDING, page 2B

La. high court suspends attorney

N.O. lawyer accused of stealing client’s money

BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer

The Louisiana Supreme Court has suspended New Orleans attorney Tanzanika Ruffin, who faces a criminal allegation that she bilked a former client out of about $250,000 in a fake settlement scheme The justices handed down the interim suspension for Ruffin, 48, “pending further orders” from the court. The unanimous action comes about two weeks after a federal grand jury in New Orleans indicted Ruffin, a licensed attorney since 2004, on a felony wire fraud charge.

ä See ATTORNEY, page 2B

N.O.

intendent Cade Brumley to NOLA Public Schools Superintendent Fateama Fulmore.

Brumley said the financial monitoring — which former district officials said is the first such intervention by the state since the New Orleans school system was overhauled after Hurricane Katrina — is necessary due to “repeated

accounting miscalculations” by the district. Unlike in the past, the state is not taking control of the district’s operations, but will hire an independent accountant to monitor its financial practices.

Brumley said the district’s accounting errors had left the city’s charter school leaders “scrambling” to balance their budgets and forced the education department to recalculate funding allocations for school systems statewide. Say-

ing the district failed to follow basic accounting principles, he said the district recently repeated a mistake in projecting tax revenue that caused a major financial crisis last school year “(T)his is a repeated pattern and must be addressed immediately,” Brumley wrote. In a statement Friday NOLA Public Schools spokesperson

BOUNTIFUL BOWL

The Italian American St. Joseph Society held their annual free pasta party at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside ahead of the 54th annual St. Joseph’s Day Parade. The group calls the feast the ‘world’s largest bowl of Pasta Con Le Sarde.’

Mother gave birth in portable toilet, officials say

BY MICHELLE HUNTER Staff writer

mother, Lakesha Lemelle, 36, was still being treated at a hospital on Friday, according to Gretna Police Deputy Chief Jason DiMarco. Once released, however, Lemelle will be arrested and booked with second-degree murder in her son’s death.

“The autopsy showed the baby was alive at birth,” DiMarco said. Gretna police were called to the Waffle House at 52 West Bank Expressway at about 3:17 a.m.

Thursday The caller told officers that a woman later identified as Lemelle came into the restaurant and said she’d just given birth in a nearby porta-potty, according to authorities. Lemelle confirmed the story to responding officers, directing them to a portable toilet near a construction site at 62 West Bank Expressway,

STAFF PHOTOS By SOPHIA GERMER

Members of the Italian American St. Joseph Society throw breadcrumbs into the giant bowl on Friday during their pasta party at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside hotel in New Orleans.

ABOVE: Chef David Greco pours sauce onto the pasta Friday during the annual Italian American St. Joseph Society pasta party

LEFT: Loraine Santo, of Gulfport, Miss., takes a couple plates of pasta.

La. law would allow opioid funds for psychedelics

Lawmakers consider bill to use settlement money for research

BY EMILY WOODRUFF Staff writer

Louisiana lawmakers are advancing a proposal that would allow opioid settlement dollars to be used to fund clinical research into psychedelic-assisted therapy, unlocking a new avenue for clinical trial research and access to plant-derived drugs that have typically only been available outside the U.S. Senate Bill 43, sponsored by state Sen. Patrick McMath, R-Covington, would create the PsychedelicAssisted Therapy Program within the Louisiana Department of Health to support studies using substances such as psilocybin and ibogaine.

“The vast majority of those funds have yet to be spent,” McMath said. “There’s an avenue here that we could create to utilize unspent opioid funds — and obviously the state’s going to continue to receive more funding — to put that to good use in this type of psychedelic-assisted treatment.”

A state audit released last year showed that only about $8.6 million of almost $100 million distributed had been used by less than a third of parishes as of late 2024

Under the proposal, the program would partner with academic health centers to conduct clinical studies on psychedelicassisted therapy for opioid use disorder, cooccurring substance use disorders and treatment-resistant mental health conditions.

worked out McMath said.

Ibogaine and psilocybin

The bill focuses on two psychedelic substances — ibogaine and psilocybin that are drawing attention in the medical field but have typically not been widely studied because of tight federal controls on illegal substances.

Psilocybin — the active psychedelic in what are sometimes called “‘shrooms” or “magic mushrooms” — is a compound found in certain mushrooms.

People who eat it can experience altered perception and potentially intense emotions. It has been studied for its potential to treat depression, anxiety and substance use disorders in controlled therapeutic settings. At least three states offer legal psilocybin therapy and many others have recently passed legislation to make it easier to study and distribute in clinical trials.

Headphones to listen to curated playlists and fi

are available for participants in a study investigating psilocybin as a treatment for methamphetamine addiction during the observation period after they receive their dose on Nov 18 at the Treatment Resistant Neuropsychiatric Illness Laboratory in Shreveport.

traumatic stress.

The bill would also allow parishes to use opioid settlement funds to enroll eligible residents in those studies. Louisiana is set to receive roughly $600 million through 2038 from pharmaceutical companies for their role in the opioid crisis.

Use of settlement funds

A state agreement stipulates the funds must be used for evidence-based, forwardlooking strategies, programming, and services aimed at addressing substance use disorders.

McMath pointed out during a Wednesday committee hearing that much of the settlement money is untouched.

MONITOR

Continued from page 1B

Taslin Alfonzo said schools will not be negatively impacted by the most recent accounting error She added that the district will cooperate with the state, but said some of Brumley’s claims are inaccurate “We refute many of these allegations,” Alfonzo said, “and look forward to continuing the collaborative conversations we have been having with the State and our Board.” The recent error Brum-

FUNDING

Continued from page 1B

The treatments would not be legalized for general use. The clinical trials would require authorization by the Food and Drug Administration, and the bill requires that any administration of psychedelic substances occur in controlled clinical settings under federal and state oversight, including FDA investigational drug approval, DEA Schedule I research registration and institutional review board approval

Patients would be identified through Louisiana’s human service districts and authorities, and would receive structured psychotherapy before and after administration of the drug.

Details of how much settlement money could go to patients and centers involved in the program are still being

ley cited has sparked concerns among school leaders about a repeat of the $50 million financial crisis last school year, which stemmed from the district providing schools inflated tax revenue projections. Fulmore tried to reassure school leaders in a late-night email Wednesday that their budgets will not be harmed by the latest accounting snafu In his letter Brumley said that the district’s chief financial officer, Nyesha Veal, previously told state officials that the error “had no impact,” but he said that claim was incorrect

“This reflects a concern-

Ibogaine is derived from a plant found in central Africa where it has historically been used in spiritual rituals. In the immediate hours after taking the pill, symptoms like visions, vomiting and loss of muscle coordination are common. It has been studied for its potential to interrupt addiction, particularly opioid dependence, and traumatic brain injury

Both substances are currently classified as Schedule I drugs under the federal Controlled Substances Act — the same category as drugs like heroin meaning they are considered to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. That classification makes them illegal for general use and limits research to tightly regulated clinical trials approved by federal agencies. In small studies, ibogaine

ing lack of understanding regarding the importance of accurate and timely financial reporting by NOLA-PS,” he wrote.

NOLA Public Schools declined to make Veal, who has held her post since 2024, available for questions Friday

$13 million discrepancy

New Orleans school leaders flagged the recent financial mistake that sparked the state inquiry and led to the appointment of the fiscal monitor, according to the letter In an annual financial report that NOLA Public

has been shown to help roughly one-third to twothirds of patients get sober with just a single dose. But it has not been rigorously studied in clinical trials using control groups that receive a placebo. It also comes with risks to the heart that have at times led to death over the last several decades.

Early clinical trials suggest psilocybin may help reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and substance use disorders when combined with therapy, and improve mood by altering brain activity and promoting new neural connections, though researchers say more largescale studies are needed.

At LSU Health Shreveport, researchers are currently studying psilocybin as a possible treatment for methamphetamine addiction.

‘Life-altering’

effects

Several veterans testified in support of the bill on Wednesday, describing the treatments as transformative for conditions like traumatic brain injury and post-

Schools submitted to the state in September, the district underreported $13 million in sales tax revenue, the letter said. Despite Veal’s claim that the misreported figure had no impact, Brumley wrote that it affected statewide funding calculations and local budget planning.

The annual reports are used to determine per-pupil funding and inform budget proposals presented to the state Legislature.

“The actions of NOLAPS have undermined and adversely affected school systems, students, and communities statewide,”

Retired Louisiana National Guard Maj. Gen. Glenn Curtis told lawmakers he spent nearly two decades sending troops to Iraq and Afghanistan. Many returned with lasting mental health challenges, Curtis included.

“We tried, but we fell very short,” Curtis said of traditional treatments for PTSD and traumatic brain injury Veterans entered what he called a “death spiral” as they struggled with family issues, substance use and reintegration.

Curtis and his son traveled to Mexico for ibogaine treatment.

“It was life-altering,” he said, describing the experience as “like flipping a light switch on.”

His son, Nick Curtis, told lawmakers he turned to ibogaine after suffering two traumatic brain injuries that left him with memory loss, impaired speech and an inability to work.

“I was at the end of my rope,” he said, crediting ibogaine with a return to func-

Brumley wrote “More localized, school leaders are left scrambling in pursuit of options to meet their financial obligations for a second consecutive year.”

The district’s previous revenue miscalculation contributed to a nine-month delay in the district’s audit last year The district has received several extensions for its most recent audit and has not yet filed it.

tion. “My wife has a husband, my kids have a father again.” Supporters said the treatments could be an alternative for patients who have not responded to existing care, particularly in a state with some of the highest overdose deaths in the nation.

“In my opinion, there are no other treatments on the horizon more potentially transformative for psychiatric care than these medicines, when safely given in clinical and research settings and when this appropriate science is done,” said Dr Jeffrey Rouse, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Tulane University and former coroner of Orleans Parish. Costs, funding questions

A legislative fiscal analysis estimates the program would cost the state about $110,433 in its first year, with total costs projected at roughly $707,000 over five years. Committee amendments expanded the bill to allow academic health centers to partner with pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies to develop ibogaine as a potential FDA-approved medication, including outlining how any intellectual property revenue would be shared with the state.

“What we’re really trying to do here is make sure that we ease the restrictions on the access in Louisiana so that these people don’t have to go down to Tijuana,” McMath said. “And that Louisiana takes part in the development of an FDA-approved drug, so that this becomes accepted nationwide, not just in a clinical trial setting.” The bill sailed through committee without objections and now scheduled for a floor vote on March 30. If approved, the program would take effect Aug. 1.

Alfonzo said the latest revenue reporting mistake will not hurt schools, which will receive more per-student funding this year than they did last year But some school leaders said it erodes their confidence in the district’s financial capabilities. Caroline Roemer, executive director of the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools, said she hoped the letter will encourage the district to strengthen its financial practices and improve transparency

2017-21.

“It reflects a pattern of challenges over multiple years, and in today’s constrained financial environment, that simply isn’t sustainable,” Roemer said. “Schools — and the public — deserve transparency and accountability when it comes to resources intended for classrooms.”

AUTOPSY

Continued from page 1B

“Coming off the interstate, you have people walking down Bullard or on the Service Road by Walmart and it’s dark,” said resident Claudia Celestine. “It’s a danger You can’t see someone walking.”

The federal grant, awarded to the city in 2023, would have covered three new pedestrian bridges over Interstate 10, shared vehicle and bike lanes along the service road and new lighting It would have also covered trail connections at Crowder

with anything that comes out of this public process,” said city Department of Public Works Project Manager Virginia Brisley at a community meeting the city held Thursday about the project Dozens of residents who showed up to the Goodwill East facility urged the city to install more lighting, sidewalks, bus stops and other infrastructure in New Orleans East, where resources and economic opportunities are stretched thin.

Boulevard and Bullard Avenue exits and pedestrian crossing signals at major service road intersections.

But the grant was largely eliminated last year after the Trump administration cut a program that was supposed to reduce transportation burdens for disadvantaged communities. The city has just $2.2 million it is legally obligated to receive, meaning the Federal Highway Administration has committed the funds to go toward the design.

Council member Jason Hughes, who represents the

East and the 9th Ward, said the pedestrian bridges are now a nonstarter The idea was opposed by some residents.

“I can say unequivocally,” Hughes said, “the three pedestrian bridges that were proposed over the interstate corridors are not happening.”

City leaders based their original grant application on a 2022 Regional Planning Commission report that found the service roads accounted for about 6% of the city’s fatal pedestrianinvolved crashes between

At the same time, there were 51 crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists in New Orleans East, according to the report.

With the old funding mostly yanked, the city plans to gather new data that includes a traffic study and a lighting report during the preliminary design. International engineering firm

Mott McDonald will handle the project’s design phase.

A series of workshops and surveys will inform the firm’s work, which is expected to wrap in December

From there, officials said they’ll be better equipped to seek additional funding for construction. Lighting is just one of the area’s needs, Celestine said Thursday “There’s no sidewalks along the Service Road. We need consistent bus shelters. We need the grass cut. We need trash cans,” she said.

Other residents said the area needs infrastructure to support biking and walking along Morrison Road, stop signs at Wright Road and consistent grass cutting.

ATTORNEY

Continued from page 1B

Ruffin is accused of bilking the family of Kai Hansen, a 23-year-old Colorado man she represented last year Orleans Parish prosecutors accused Hansen of assaulting a New Orleans Police Department detective last March outside a Bourbon Street cigar bar

U.S. Attorney David Courcelle’s office alleges that

Ruffin strung along Hansen’s out-of-state parents for months with misrepresentations about wire transfers and Venmo payments she claimed were needed to resolve the case. She allegedly told the family some of the money would compensate the detective for “various fictitious injuries” from his encounter with Hansen, according to the March 13 indictment. Ruffin characterized it as “restitution” and a “settlement” that would “shield”

CBIB’s founder, Lise Naccari, said her organization works to provide compassionate and dignified burials for the children.

according to court records. Because he was unnamed the infant is known for now as Baby Boy Lemelle, said Tim Genevay, director of forensic operations for the Coroner’s Office. The office will hold his remains for 30 days. If no next of kin come forward, the Coroner’s Office will arrange for a pauper’s burial, likely through Compassionate Burials for Indigent Babies (CBIB). The nonprofit assists with funerals for infants and young children who’ve been abandoned or whose families cannot afford a burial.

Hansen from future lawsuits, the indictment says. Prosecutors allege Ruffin told the parents she’d negotiated a nondisclosure agreement with the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office and the NOPD officer that required the family to keep the alleged settlement secret Federal prosecutors said it was all a lie.

Ruffin faces up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines if convicted of the charge. She’s scheduled to be arraigned on April 10,

Naccari said the group recently buried the newborn daughter of a 14-year-old Livingston Parish girl who was arrested and booked with murder after authorities accused her of killing the baby immediately after birth.

“We get every situation known to man, accidents, abandonment, murder. It’s very unfortunate,” she said.

court records show Kerry Cuccia, her New Orleans attorney reiterated Friday that Ruffin “promptly” returned the $250,000 after Hansen’s family decided to part ways with her last year Ruffin also returned $14,000 in legal fees to the family, keeping about $33,000 that she says she earned while working on Hansen’s case. “In a case involving a criminal indictment, levying an interim suspension

CBIB’s other mission is to raise awareness about Louisiana’s Safe Haven Law, Naccari said. The law allows a parent to anonymously give up custody of a child who is up to 60 days old without fear of prosecution when the child is brought to a designated Safe Haven site. The approved locations include police stations, fire houses and hospitals.

is a reasonable course of action. And it is something that Ms. Ruffin agreed to,” Cuccia said. Hansen pleaded guilty to all five charges he faced on Oct. 16, while Ruffin was still his attorney The alleged fraud came to light after Hansen hired a new attorney about two months later

That attorney, Graham Bosworth, convinced a judge to let Hansen withdraw his guilty pleas based on the “novel facts of the case,”

“It’s very important that mothers know they can use the Safe Haven Law,” Naccari said. “Instead of throwing the baby away she could have gone to a hospital. She wouldn’t be in jail and she could have given that baby life.”

McMath

STAFF FILE PHOTO By JILL PICKETT

dget spinners

Suspectinshootingoutside Tulane medicalschoolID’d

BYMISSY WILKINSON Staff writer

The man killed by apolice officer after he allegedly shot two people outside of Tulane University’smedical school in the Central Business District was Lafimmas Haynes, according to socialmediaposts from his family and asource familiarwith the matter

New Orleans police said Haynes, 38, shot two people at about2:44 p.m.Thursday in the 1400 block of Tulane Avenue, in the midst of abusy medical corridor bordered by the medicalschool and the Tulane University MedicalCenter’semergency department, before being fatally shot by aresponding Tulane officer

The source familiar with the matter said Haynes was apsychiatric patient who had recentlybeendischargedfromUniversity Medical Center.He hadjustleft Tulane University Medical Center after being told he had to pass through ametal detector when he allegedly openedfire around the corner from the hospital,the sourcesaid.

Family members spoke out aboutthe incident on Friday,protestingthe officer’s use of force, whichisbeing investigated by the New Orleans Police Department’s Force Investigation Team. Family members alleged that Haynes had been disarmed by the time he was shot “Wefeel like instead ofpolice using deadly force with guns, they could’veused

aTaser or something else to help him,” Kentell Sims, Haynes’cousin, told WWLTV.“We want justice. We want answers.”

“Theofficer that shothim —she shouldn’t even have her job anymore,” added Juanita Haynes, Lafimmas Haynes’ aunt

NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said Thursday that video footageofthe shootingisbeing reviewed by investigators.

Orleans ParishCoroner’sOfficespokesperson Jason Melancon saidheexpects the coroner to release the officialidentification and cause of deathMonday.AsofFriday, the case remained under investigation pending completion of the autopsy,hesaid Haynes was awaitingtrial in Jefferson Parish on acount of resisting an officer at the time of his death. He was released on Feb. 10 duetoovercrowding, jail records show In aGoFundMe created in September, Haynes said he grew up as an only child with an incarcerated father,and thathe had recently been released after a13-year stintinprison,though it was not clear Thursday why he was in prison or where. Haynes said he lackedthe documentation andsupport to secure stability for himself.

“Myfamilypassed away whileI was gone. When Icame home, Ihad no family, no home, andnowhere to turn,” Haynes wrote. “Right now,I am experiencing homelessness. Iamdoing my best to push forward, but every bit of help matters.”

AfterN.O.jaildoctorabruptly

fired, judge orders replacement

OrleansParishSheriff’s

BY JOHN SIMERMAN Staff writer

Afederal judge ordered the medical care provider for the New Orleans jail this week to swiftly hire anew medical director for thecity lockup after the company,Wexford Health Sources, abruptly fired the last one without firstnotifying Sheriff Susan Hutson’soffice, court records show Hutson said in astatement Fridayafternoon that the company hadcomplied.

U.S. District Judge LanceAfrick, who oversees afederal consent decree over jail conditions that is now in its 14th year,ordered Wexford to replace Dr. AndreaBlake with aqualified doctor by Saturday Africk issued the order after Hutson demandedanswersWednesdayfromWexford, which has held acontract fortwo years to provide medical care at the Orleans Justice Center for about $25 millionper year Hutson wrote thather office learned of Blake’stermination afterward, and only “by indirect and unofficial communication.” Hutson called that “unacceptable.”

In an email Wednesday evening toWexford andjail leaders, an attorney for Orleans Parish inmates under the consent decree, Elizabeth Cumming, alsosought answers over the unannounced firing. Blake, the jail’smedical director since 2017, “appears to be the only medical physician on site supervisingmultiple nurse practitioners,”wrote Cummings and attorney EmilyWashingtonofthe Roderick &Solange MacArthur JusticeCenterina recent court filing.

“Louisiana law requiresnurse practitioners to have an activecollaborative practice agreement with aphysician to diagnose and prescribe.”

STAFF FILEPHOTO By SOPHIAGERMER

Ajudgeordered Wexford Health Sources to hire anew medicaldirectorafter the company, which oversees medical care at theOrleans Justice Center fired the last one without notifyingthe Sheriff’sOffice.

Those agreements endedwith Blake’stermination, they wrote.

In aletter to the health company, Cummings wrote thatthe termination “raises serious concerns, not only as to its propriety butmore importantly as to theimmediate impact it will have on further andcontinued backslidinginOPSO’scompliance with the medical portionsofthe Consent Judgment.”

Hutson released astatement Fridaysaying thecompany hadhired an interim medicaldirector,Dr. Charles Cucchiara.

Hutson is nearing the end of her term, with Sheriff-elect Michelle Woodforkset to take officeinearly May

Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Gary Scheets said Hutson learned of Blake’stermination after the fact.

Blake did notrespondtophone callsand emailedrequestsfor comment.

The chief medical officer for Wexford,Dr. Pracha Peter Eamranond, did not respond to amessage seeking comment

The jail has averaged about 1,300 inmates over thepast three months, according to figures Monday from theMetropolitan Crime Commission. The City Council in 2019set a cap of 1,250 inmates, but there are no consequences for exceeding it.

Missy Wilkinson contributed to this story

St.Johnthe Baptistdeputy’sbrother chargedinhis Marreromurder

Killing followed ThanksgivingDay argument,officialssay

BY MICHELLEHUNTER Staff writer

AMarrero man will stand trial for seconddegree murder after aJefferson Parish grand jury indicted him forthe shooting death of his brother,aSt. John the Baptist Parish deputy sheriff. Darius Guerin, 32,was also charged Thursday with obstruction of justice and aggravated flight from an officer,according to Jefferson Parish court records.

He appeared in JeffersonParish Magistrate Court on Friday morning and pleaded not guilty Guerin is accused of gunning down his older brother,35-year-old Shaquille Guerin, amarried father of three and an eight-year veteranofthe St.Johnthe Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Theshooting occurred on Thanksgiving evening, Nov.27, at the Waggaman home of the Guerin brothers’ mother, according to Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Officeinvestigators. Shaquille Guerinhad just finished working a12-hour shift and went to his mom’shouse about 5:30 p.m.tograb abite to eat and see family before he headed home to Ponchatoula, according to authorities.

Shaquille Guerin left his dutyweaponinside his marked patrol vehicle parked out frontand went insidethe house. Darius Guerin,who was also at theresidence, confronted hisbrother about suspicions that ShaquilleGuerin had harmed his 5-year-old son Jefferson Parishdetectives have not disclosed what led Darius Guerintobelieve his brotherhad harmed his son.

The disagreement didn’tturnphysical, but investigators allege that Darius Guerin walked into aback bedroom, retrieved a gunand then shot Shaquille Guerin five times. Darius Guerin confiscated his relatives’ cellphones to prevent themfromcalling authorities and dragged his brother’sbody outofthe house, according to officials. He opened the trunk of his vehicle but left Shaquille Guerin’sbody lying in the street speeding off as JeffersonParish deputies began to arrive on scene, the Sheriff’s Office said.

The departmentissuedanalert for Darius Guerin and his vehicle and later spotted him near the intersection of Lapalco andAmes boulevardsabout 7p.m. Darius Guerin led deputies on ahigh-speed chase into Lafitte,where he waseventuallytaken into custody After the indictment, the court increased Darius Guerin’sbailto$1.2 million. He was being held Friday at the JeffersonParish Correctional Center in Gretna.

NewOrleans Area Deaths

Alexander, Helen

Bowens,Dorothy

Butler, Vera

Manuel, Barbara

Meilleur Jr., Emile

Montague,Jeris

Orth,James

Sullivan,Michael

Washington,Alfred

Wills Sr., Michael

NewOrleans

Charbonnet

Alexander, Helen

Manuel, Barbara

Montague,Jeris Wills Sr., Michael

Dennis FuneralHome

Bowens,Dorothy

Gertrude Geddes

Butler, Vera

JacobSchoen

Orth,James

Majestic Mortuary

Washington,Alfred St Tammany

Honaker

Meilleur Jr., Emile

Alexander, Helen Ruth Anderson

HelenRuthAnderson Alexander,entered eternal restonWednesday,March 11, 2026 at theblessedage of94. Helenwas born on January 4, 1932 to the union of thelateFrank,Sr. and JosieAnderson. She attended Xavier University where shemet theloveof her life,the late Lenine M. Alexander,Sr. andthis union wasblessedwitha son,the late Lenine M. Alexander,Jr. Adedicated educator, Helenservedas a teacherwiththe Orleans ParishSchool System for over25years.Through her years in education, she touched countless lives withher knowledge, pa‐tienceand care,leaving a lasting impact on thestu‐dents andfamilies she served. Helenwas aGodfearing woman. Shewas activelyinvolvedinnumer‐ous church ministries Helen wasa proudmem‐ber of AlphaKappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.In addition to herhusband and son, Helenisalsopre‐ceded in deathbyher grandson, Lenine M. Alexander,III; siblings, Frank (Tony) Anderson Jr., EddieAndersonand Etta (Louise)Govan.She leaves tocherish precious memo‐ries, grandchildren, Khep‐hra White, Adam Alexander and daughter-in-law, An‐geleAlexander.A Mass of Christian burial honoring the life andlegacyofthe lateHelen R. Anderson Alexander will be held at BlessedSacrament/St JoanofArc Catholic Church,8321 Burthe Street New Orleans, LA 70118 on Friday, March27, 2026 at 10 am, Father CharlesAndrus, S.S.J Celebrant. Interment Mount Olivet Cemetery Visitation9 am in the church.Pleasesignonline guestbook at www.cha rbonnetfuneralhome.com.

Bowens,Dorothy Ann'Dot'

Dorothy "Dot" Ann Bowenswas born on August 17, 1960, to the unionofthe lateExcell and AnnieMae Bowens.She departed this life on Sunday, March8,2026 at the age of sixty-five. Relativesand friends of thefamilyare invited to attend aFuneral Service on Saturday, March28, 2026, at WillingWorkers Baptist Church,2715 Washington Ave., NewOrleans,LA, at 10:00 am. Visitation begins at 9:00 am. Interment:St. Roch #2 Cemetery Arrangements entrusted to Dennis Funeral Home, 1812 Louisiana Ave., New Orleans, LA. Please visit www.dennismortuaryservi ce.com to sign theonline guestbook.

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4B

Saturday, March 28, 2026

Retired baker from the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Vera was preceded in death by her parents and all eight of her siblings: Ernest, Calvin, Donald, Darrell,Verna Mae, and Joycelyn Ann Butler, Lois Ducre, and Melva Marie Butler-Nelson. She leaves behind alegacy of love and is survived by her niece Kimberly Nelson and her devoted niece, Debra Nelson-whom sheraised as her own daughter- and adedicated friend Rufus Books, as well as ahost of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends who will forever cherish her memory. Mass of Christian Burial CorpusChristiEpiphany Church 2022 St Bernard Ave., New Orleans La 70129, Interment at Providence Memorial Park andMausoleum at 8200 Airline Dr Metairie, La 70003. You may sign the guest book on www.gertru degeddeswillis.com. Gertrude Geddes Willis Funeral Home, Inc., in charge (504)522-2525.

BarbaraPiron Manuel, age94, passedawayon Saturday,March 21, 2026 at home.She wasa native NewOrleanian for78years anda resident of Baton Rougefor 21 years. She taught at St.Peter Claver School for33years.Wifeof thelateJosephManuelfor 60 years. Loving mother of SusanM.Dobard, Armand J.,Stephen J. andAnne MarieManuel. Daughter of John Pironand Celest Johnson. Also survived by grandchildren, KimMarie Moon,Michael A. Dobard, Jr.and Lisa M. Dobard; greatgrandchildren,Sage Yang,Soleiland Faith Moon,Cayla E. andIsabella E. Dobard.Mother-in-law of MichaelDobard, Sr.and Andrea Manuel. Shewillal‐ways be remembered Many Thanks to allthe home health care staff who took care of mom. A Celebrationservice honor‐ingthe life andlegacyof thelateBarbara Piron Manuelwillbeheldinthe Chapel of Charbonnet LabatGlapion Funeral Home,1615 St.Philip Street,New Orleans, LA 70116 on Saturday March 28, 2026 at 12 noon.Inter‐ment St.Louis #2 Ceme‐tery.Pleasesignonline guestbook at www.cha rbonnetfuneralhome.com Charbonnet LabatGlapion, Directors(504)581 4411

EmileMeilleurJr., passedawayMonday, March9,2026, in Coving‐ton, Louisiana. He was born to thelateAmelia Capponi Meilleur andEmile A. Meilleur Sr.inNew Or‐leans, Louisiana, on Octo‐ber18, 1933. He is survived by hisdaughters Rene’ Birkle (Kent)and Michele Dufour;his granddaughter, Savannah Dufour Bandi (Brandon);and hissister MarieCelino. He is also survived by aniece and nephew.Hewas preceded in deathbyhis wife Ida McDougaldMeilleurof67 years; hissister, Althea Cuccio;and twonieces. Emileresided in Terrytown, for35years andLacombe, Louisianafor 20 years. He wasa member of VFWpost 8290. He attended Warren Easton High School in New Orleansand enlisted in the Navy during theKorean War. He served as amem‐berofthe maintenance crew on theUSS Wedder‐burn (DD-684).Heworked forTexacoInc.for 35 years until retiring to Lacombe. He enjoyedcamping and travelingthroughoutall 50 states andCanada. He looked forwardtocamping almost everyweekend with friendsand family. Emilewillbeinterredat theSoutheast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery with hiswife, Ida. Please visit www.honakerforestlawn. comtosignguestbook Arrangements by Honaker FuneralHome, Inc.,Slidell, LA

JerisEdwin Montague age79, wasbornApril 1, 1946 in NewOrleans,LA. He passedawaypeacefullyon March4,2026 in Benicia, California.Heissurvived by hisdaughters,Trenell Montague andLeniseMon‐tague; granddaughters, Brittney,Brandi, and Breyanna;and hisgreat grandson,Weston. He is also survived by hissib‐lings, Carole Montague and RoyMontagueSr.,along with ahostofnieces, nephews, cousinsand otherfamilyrelatives.Jeris wasprecededindeath by hissiblings, DorisMon‐tagueand FloydMontague; hismother, BernitaMonie Montague andhis father, Vivien EdwinMontague. Hislegacylives on in the livesofhis children,grand‐children,and allwho knew andloved him. He will be deeply missed andforever remembered.Familyand friendsare invitedtoat‐

tend theFuneralService in theChapelofRoses at Charbonnet FuneralHome, 1615 St.Phillip Street,New Orleans, LA on March27, 2026, at 10:00a.m.Visita‐tion at 9:00 a.m. Interment: Providence Memorial Park, 8200 AirlineDr.,Metairie, LA.Pleasesignthe online guestbook at www.cha rbonnetfuneralhome.com. Charbonnet LabatGlapion Directors, (504) 581-4411.

Orth,James Elmore 'Jim'

JamesElmoreOrth (“Jim”)entered hiseternal home with theLordon March20, 2026, at theage of 74 years, 1month,and 16 days.Borntothe late El‐more Orth andMarilyn DeWint Orth,Jim wasan honorgraduateofFrancis T. Nicholls High School and Tulane University,where he earned aBachelorof ScienceinMechanicalEn‐gineering. He enjoyeda distinguishedcareer in the oiland gasindustryspan‐ning more than 50 years andfourcontinents, where he contributedtothe de‐velopmentand production of energy resources around theworld.Later in hiscareer,his entrepre‐neurialspiritled himtocofound twoNew Orleansbasedcompanies,and in retirement,heremained active as atrusted indus‐tryconsultant. Jim’sper‐sonallifereflectedhis deep passions for Tulane, MardiGras, andNew Or‐leanshistory.A devoted supporterofTulane, he served on both theEngi‐neeringForum Boardand theSchool of Scienceand EngineeringBoard of Advi‐sors,including atermas presidentofthe latter.He rarely missedanopportu‐nity to cheer on theGreen Wave at Yulman Stadium alongsidehis family. As a multi-generational NewOr‐leanianwith rootsdating back to theeighteenth century, Jimmaintaineda lifelong interest in the city’s historyand sup‐ported numerous historical andgenealogicalorganiza‐tions. He wasanavidcol‐lector of MardiGrasmem‐orabiliaand an active member of severalhistoric Carnival organizations, in‐cludingRex andthe KnightsofBabylon,where he served as both ahorse‐mananda boardmember. During histenureasPresi‐dent andCouncil Member of FirstEnglish Lutheran Church,hewas instrumen‐talintheir move to anew sanctuarywhile preserving thechurch’s 137-year his‐tory.But aboveall,Jim will be remembered as aloving husband,father, grandfa‐ther,and brother, andasa kind andgenerousfriend. He wasthe belovedhus‐band of 44 yearstoKay Morales Orth;devoted fa‐ther of JamieOrthChawla andJames Orth II; andfa‐ther-in-lawofDr. Amit Chawla andTessBradford. He wasa proud“PawPaw to Lily,Evie, andAnika.He wasa brothertoEllyn Orth

Meier, Eileen Orth Hagar‐dorn,and thelateRobert Orth,and brother-in-law to Patricia Orth,GerardHa‐gardorn, andthe late WayneMorales.Hewas “Uncle Jim” to Williamand Thomas Orth,Kirsten Ha‐gardorn, andthe late Ger‐ardHagardorn,and “Jimmy”tomanyaunts, uncles,and cousins. Jim livedhis life grounded in faith,confident in the promiseofhis Savior,and leaves behind alegacyof love,kindness, andservice that will continue in all who knew him. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March29, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.,witha funeralservice on Monday,March 30,at 10:00a.m.atJacob Schoen andSon FuneralHome. A jazz funeralprocessionwill follow to St.Patrick’s Cemetery No.1.Guestsare welcometojointhe ap‐proximately20-minute walk to thecemeteryor drivethemselves; trans‐portationbacktothe fu‐neralhomewillbepro‐videdfor thosewho walk Intermentwillbefamily only.Inlieuof flowers, memorial contributions maybemadetoManning Family Children’s in honor of hislovefor hisgrand‐children,ortoa charityof your choice.Arrangements by JacobSchoen& SonFu‐neralHome, 3827 Canal Street.Condolences may be left at www.schoenfh. com.

MichaelPatrickSullivan also known as UncleMike, was born on August 25, 1954, in NewOrleans, LA to Henry Ward Sullivan and Helen Sullivan. He passed away on Thursday,March 12, 2026. Mike was oneofa kind and brought joy to everyone who was blessed to knowhim.

AgraduateofJesuit High School in 1972, he proudly served 4years in theU.S.Navybeforededicating morethan three decadestoTouroHospital, retiring as Chief Engineer of Plant Operations. His coworkers became like family,standing together through life's highsand lows. Fromthe challenges of Hurricane Katrina to the joy and celebrationof MardiGras, Mike and the Touro crew created lasting memories forall Mike and Nell were a match madeinHeaven, enjoying life to thefullest. A true NewOrleanian,he cherished thecity'smusic, food, and culture,especially theJazzFest.Heloved going on dailybikerides through CityPark, traveling,fishing,and cheering on his favoriteteams, LSU and theNew Orleans Saints.

Aboveall,Mike livedfor his time with family and friends,and he never met a stranger. Hissarcastic sense of humor always brought asmiletothose around him. He tookgreat pride in helping others and

will be remembered for the love andlaughter he shared withall He is survived by his life partner/wife, Nell Hines andtheir daughter, Melanie Rye.Heisalso survived by hisbrother Harry (Maureen), hisniece Adelaide (Geoffry) and theirson Troy, his niece Rebecca(Tyran)and her childrenKevin and Layla andgrandchildren Levi and Leon, along with ahost of nieces, nephews, cousins, andwonderful lifelong friends. Mike waspreceded in death by his father, Henry, his mother,Helen, histwinsister,Maureen hissister,Tricia, hisbrother,Billy and hisnephew Chuck.

Hisdeparture was unexpected and is gravely felt by hisentire familyand countlessotherswho lovedhim deeply. Relativesand friends are invited to attendMikes CelebrationofLife on April 11th starting at 2:00 p.m. at Mike andNells house.

Washington,Alfred Alfred Washington en‐teredintorestonMarch 7, 2026. AFuneralService will be held on Saturday,March 28, 2026 at 11:00 am at Cal‐vary Tabernacle C.M.E. Church,3629 DryadesSt., NOLA 70115. Visitation will beginat10:00 am.Burial will be private. Profes‐sional arrangements en‐trustedtoMajesticMortu‐ary(504) 523-5872.

MichaelAnthony Wills, Sr., enteredintoeternal rest on March14, 2026 at theage of 74. He wasborn in NewOrleans,LAonJuly 12, 1951. Alifelongresident of NewOrleans,LA, Michaelgraduated from Carver Senior High School He laterjoinedthe NewOr‐leansPoliceDepartment (NOPD) where he served for30years until hisretire‐ment from theMotorcycle Division.Not onetostay still, after hisretirement, Michaelchose to drivea taxi forWhite Fleet Cabs where he couldbefreeto

interact with locals and show thecityheloved to itsmanyvisitors. He wasa snappy dresser, just like hisdaddy.Hehad asly senseofhumor andloved agoodparty—evenowning abar at onetimeinhis life He lovedOld School R&B andenjoyed spending time visiting thecasinos Michaelwas preceded in deathbyhis wife Johnnie LeeFletcherWills,his brotherRonald, andhis parents, Lloyd& Audrey El‐loie Wills. He is survived by hisloving, longtime part‐ner, Jacqueline Hogan; sons,Michael,Jr. and Patrick; daughter,Shawn‐nell,bonus daughter Dana, threebonus sons Trei Juan,and Dr.Kerry Gray; hissiblings, Marilyn, Lloyd, Jr., Harold (Carolyn)and Ann; ahostofgrandchil‐dren,lovingaunts, nieces, nephews, andextended familyand friends. Rela‐tivesand friendsofthe family, membersofthe NOPD,drivers,staff of WhiteFleet Cabs,alsothe staff at theYenni Cancer Center andEastJefferson GeneralHospitalare in‐vitedtoattendthe Funeral Services in theChapelof RosesatCharbonnetFu‐neralHome, 1615 St.Philip Street,New Orleans, LA on Saturday,March 28,2026 at 10 a.m. Visitation at 9a.m Interment: Mount Olivet Cemetery,4000 Norman Mayer, NewOrleans,LA. Please sign theonline guestbook at www.cha rbonnetfuneralhome.com. Charbonnet LabatGlapion Directors, (504) 581-4411.

CompassionateGuidance

Manuel, BarbaraPiron

Sullivan,MichaelPatrick

WillsSr.,Michael Anthony

Montague,Jeris Edwin

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Meatpacking workers’ strike continues

DENVER Thousands of striking workers at one of the nation’s largest meatpacking plants will extend their walkout to a third week as they push for higher wages and better health care.

Industry experts said it’s too early to know if the strike that began March 16 at the Swift Beef Co. plant in Greeley, Colorado, will impact retail beef prices that already had soared to record levels.

Owner JBS USA said Friday that it’s operating the plant at limited capacity and has shifted beef production elsewhere to meet customers needs.

It’s the first strike at a U.S. slaughterhouse since workers walked out at a Hormel plant in Minnesota in 1985. That strike lasted more than a year and included violent confrontations between police and protesters.

The Greeley strike began with support from 99% of the plant’s 3,800 workers who belong to the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 union. Thousands have showed up at the picket line over the past two weeks.

Union officials say the company’s offer of 2% wage hikes is less than inflation.

Washington AG: Kalshi violates gambling laws

SEATTLE Washington Attorney General Nick Brown sued Kalshi on Friday, calling the company’s claims to be a “prediction market” little more than a front for an illegal gambling operation.

The lawsuit, filed in King County Superior Court, accuses Kalshi of violating Washington’s relatively strict antigambling laws and using the company’s own boasts to prove the point. Kalshi has claimed to be the first site where you can “bet on the NFL in all 50 states.” It has claimed it has made it possible to “bet on everything.”

“Kalshi really is just a bookie with a fancy name, and a huge amount of venture capital behind them,” Brown said at a news conference Friday in downtown Seattle. “They publicly pat themselves on the back for being sneaky and getting around Washington’s gambling laws, but it’s worse than being sneaky It’s a lie and it’s illegal.” Arizona this month filed criminal charges against the company, accusing it of running an illegal gambling operation

Amazon buys maker of Sprout humanoid robot

NEW YORK Amazon has acquired Fauna Robotics, just under two months after the startup introduced a humanoid robot called Sprout designed to be a friendly addition to social spaces like homes and schools.

The e-commerce giant is already a robotics powerhouse, having boasted of deploying more than 1 million robots across its warehouse operations, but bringing the 3.5-foottall, rectangular-headed Sprout on board adds a robot that’s more about fun interactions than heavy lifting.

Fauna CEO Rob Cochran said on social media he was “incredibly excited to share that Fauna Robotics has officially joined the Amazon family” and said the New York-based firm will now “operate as Fauna Robotics, an Amazon company.” Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Amazon said the company’s founders and employees will join Amazon in New York and will be looking for “new ways to make our customers’ lives better and easier.” Fauna’s debut product, launched in January is a software developer platform more than just a robot, sold to academic and corporate research laboratories that are exploring robotics in the home. Early customers included Disney The $50,000 Sprout

BUSINESS

NOLA.COM/BIZ

Stocks drop fifth week in a row

Losses deepen as war continues

BY STAN CHOE AP business writer

NEW YORK — U.S. stocks deepened their drops Friday as Wall Street

finished off a fifth straight losing week, its longest such streak in nearly four years.

The S&P 500 fell 1.7% to close its worst week since the war with Iran began. The Dow Jones Industrial

Average lost 793 points, or 1.7%, and fell more than 10% from its record set last month, while the Nasdaq composite sank 2.1%.

The losses were a break from Wall Street’s pattern this week where the U.S. stock market flipflopped from gains to losses each day as hopes rose and fell about a possible end to the war Moments after the U.S. stock market finished trading on Thursday, President Donald Trump offered more potential for optimism He extended a self-imposed dead-

line to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants to April 6 if it doesn’t fully allow oil tankers to exit the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz to the open ocean. But oil prices resumed their climb as trading moved westward Friday from Asia to Europe and back to Wall Street. Despite Trump’s latest announcement, fighting continued in the Middle East. Iran gave no signs of backing down, and Israel threatened to “escalate and expand” its attacks on Iran.

The price for a barrel of Brent

crude oil climbed 3.4% to settle at $105.32. That’s up from roughly $70 just before the war began. Benchmark U.S. crude rose 5.5% to settle at $99.64 per barrel. On Wall Street most stocks fell, including three out of every four in the S&P 500. The index, which is the main measure of the U.S. stock market’s health, is 8.7% below its all-time high set in January Big Tech stocks were among the heaviest weights, including drops of 4% for Amazon, 4% for Meta Platforms and 2.2% for Nvidia.

Patience even during war-rattled markets pays off for investors

Financial gurus advise riding out stock swings

BY STAN CHOE Associated Press

NEW YORK When stock markets are as

manic as they’ve been recently, it’s natural to want to do something to protect your retirement savings. Historically, though, staying calm has usually been best.

The U.S stock market has a track record of recovering from every steep drop it’s taken Whether it’s a global financial crisis, a trade war or a military war the S&P 500 has so far always recouped its losses to push toward more records. Of course, that can take years, but anyone who moved their 401(k) investments out of stocks risked missing out on the recovery and further gains. Will that happen again? No one can say for sure, and some things are different this time around. But many professional investors and strategists are sticking with the advice they usually give: As long as it’s money you don’t need soon, which should never be in stocks in the first place, try to be patient and ride out the stock market’s swings, tough as it is.

They gave the same counsel after President Donald Trump unveiled his global tariffs on “Liberation Day” last year, after inflation skyrocketed in 2021 and after COVID crashed the global economy in 2020. Stomaching these kinds of shocks is the price of admission to get the bigger returns that stocks can offer over the long term.

The war in Iran is slowing the global flow of oil and causing extreme swings in markets.

The fighting has halted most of the traffic

in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway off Iran’s coast where a fifth of the world’s oil sails on a typical day That has sent oil prices as high as $119 per barrel occasionally, up from roughly $70 before the fighting started.

If the war continues until the end of June, strategists at Macquarie say the price of oil could reach $200 per barrel. The record is just above $147, set during the summer of 2008.

If oil prices stay high a long time, the effect would carry far beyond gasoline pumps. It could also push businesses that use any trucks, ships or planes to move their products to raise their own prices. It would also make electricity from gas-fired power plants more expensive.

The swings are adding up

The S&P 500 just fell to a fifth straight losing week its longest such streak in nearly four years. It’s roughly back to where it was in August, and it’s 8.7% below its record set early this year

The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq composite, meanwhile, have both already dropped more than 10% from their

own records. That’s a steep-enough fall that professional investors have a name for it: a “correction.”

It’s not just how much the market has dropped that’s unnerving, it’s also how unsteady the moves have been. The U.S. stock market yo-yoed repeatedly through this past week as hopes rose and fell about a possible end to the war

This isn’t unusual

The U.S. stock market doesn’t often behave exactly like this, but it has a regular history of falling to steep losses before rising again.

The S&P 500 has seen a decline of at least 10% every year or two. Often, experts view them as a culling of optimism that could otherwise run overboard and drive stock prices too high.

“I believe getting a correction is not a bad thing,” said Ann Miletti head of equity investments at Allspring Global Investments. “In some ways, I feel like that is what keeps the market from having a bigger issue.”

“It keeps all of us honest,” she said. Selling your stocks or moving your 401(k) investments away from stocks and into bonds may offer less chance of seeing huge drops. But getting out of the market would also mean having to figure out the right time to get back in, unless you’re willing to give up any future recovery and gains. And timing the market correctly is always difficult. Some of the best days in the U.S. stock market’s history have been clustered in among downturns.

Some recoveries take longer than others, but experts often recommend not putting money into stocks that you can’t afford to lose for several years, up to 10. Emergency

funds, for things like home repairs or medical bills, should not be invested in stocks.

For those new to investing

Apps on smartphones have made trading easier and cheaper than ever That’s helped draw in a new generation of investors who may not be used to such wild swings in the market.

But the good news is younger investors often have the gift of time. With decades to go until retirement, they can afford to ride the waves and let their stock portfolios hopefully recover before compounding and eventually growing even bigger For them, drops in prices may almost be like stocks going on sale.

For those near retirement

Older investors have less time than younger ones for their investments to bounce back. People who have already retired may want to cut back on spending and withdrawals after sharp market downturns, because bigger withdrawals will remove more potential compounding ability in the future. But even in retirement, some people will need their investments to last 30 years or more.

For those who have to raid their 401(k)

If you have no other choice, you have no other choice. But selling stocks in your 401(k) account and withdrawing cash packs a double whammy One, you may have to pay tax, as well as a possible 10% early-withdrawal penalty Two, a withdrawal means no chance of those investments recovering their losses and growing over time.

A 401(k) loan is possible in some cases, but those come with their own peculiarities and possible penalties.

As fuel prices rise, lawmakers push to suspend the federal gas tax

BY MATTHEW DALY Associated Press

WASHINGTON — As the war in Iran pushes U.S. gas prices toward $4 a gallon nationally, some lawmakers are pushing to suspend the federal gasoline tax in the latest attempt to try to control surging energy costs.

Lawmakers say the action would provide much-needed relief for families and businesses that rely on their cars and trucks to get to work and school and run everyday errands.

Asked about the gas tax at a Cabinet meeting Thursday, President Donald Trump said he has “thought about” suspending it but suggested states should consider suspending their fuel taxes.

“People have talked about” a gas tax suspension, Trump said. “It’s something we have in our pocket

if we think it’s necessary.”

As gas prices have spiked, the Trump administration has released millions of barrels of oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve and temporarily lifted sanctions on some Russian and Iranian oil shipments already at sea. The U.S. is negotiating with countries reliant on Middle East crude to join a coalition to police the Strait of Hormuz, where about one-fifth of the world’s traded oil normally flows.

A gas tax holiday is a temporary suspension of the federal gas tax, currently set at 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon on diesel fuel. That does not include state taxes, which often are higher

The tax provides more than $23 billion per year in revenue for federal highway and public transit programs.

The president cannot suspend the federal tax on his own. Congress would have to approve the move. Both the House and Senate are controlled by Republicans, and bills on the issue are unlikely to advance unless Trump signals his support.

Rising gas prices are putting renewed pressure on household finances, especially for low- and middle-income Americans who have less flexibility to absorb higher transportation costs. The increases can influence how much people drive, where they travel and how they spend money on other things.

“Trump’s war of choice with Iran is driving up gas prices across the country — and Americans shouldn’t have to bear the additional economic burden of Trump’s reckless decision making,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Con-

necticut Democrat who co-sponsored the Gas Prices Relief Act with fellow Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona. The bill would suspend the tax through Oct. 1. A similar measure was sponsored in the House by Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas of New Hampshire.

The top advice for drivers looking to save at the pump is to obey the speed limit and drive smoothly, according to Consumer Reports. Driving habits can play a significant role in fuel economy, the magazine says. Driving at a steady 55 mph can increase fuel economy by 6 to 8 mpg, the publication said in a report that offered tips to get the

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By SETH WENIG Federico DeMarco, right, and Dilip Patel work on the floor at the New york Stock Exchange in New york on Wednesday.

When

war and

theeconomy

collide in an election year

Rarely does asingle issue bring down apoliticianor aparty.More often, disaster comes when two ormore thorny issues intersect and reinforce one another

That’swhat happened to JoeBidenin2024:Inflation and immigration, combined with concerns about his age, ended his presidentialcampaign. By contrast, problems with the war in Iraq were not enough to defeat George W. Bush in 2004. Now Democrats are watchingmidterm elections for signs ofa Republican collapse. Theybelieve growing dissatisfaction with Donald Trump’shandling of two big issues —the economy and the Iran war—could bring down the GOP this November.

Ron Faucheux

They mayberight. Trump was reelected on promises to stop inflation and keep the nation out of war.MostAmericansdon’t believe he’s doing either,yet his party continuestoback him It’salways instructive to compare apresident’sjob rating with the popularvotehe receivedinthe last election. In 2024, Trump won nearly50% of thevote.His averageapproval rating, basedonsix polls,iscurrently 40%. That’s a10-pointslide Trump’sdominance of the GOP makes hisproblems the party’sproblems. His allies in stateand district racesworry they will pay the price in Novemberfor growing publicdiscontent. Declining support among independent voters —who often swingcloseelections —issupercharging these jitters.

On war policy,only 39% ofvotersapprove of Trump’s handling of the war.Among independents, it drops to 28%. That’sbased on the latestEconomist/YouGov poll.

The CBS News poll findsthat 68% of Americans believe Trump hasn’tclearly explainedU.S. goals in Iran; amongindependents it’s 76%.That’sa major stumbling block. Public perceptions linking foreignpolicy,centered on theIran war,with the economy,centeredoninflation, is the biggest political threat Trump andRepublicansface this November.

According to CBS polling, 85% of Americans saygas prices “in theirarea” havegone up. Moreominously, two-thirds of Americans say they’re “not willing” to pay highergas pricesduring awar that 57% say isgoing very or somewhat badly.Above all,92% want the conflicttoend as quickly as possible

The same survey showsthat61% of Americans rate theeconomy as veryorfairly bad. Among independents, it’s69%. Additionally,only 33%ofU.S. adults approve of Trump’shandling ofinflation; among independents, it’sadismal 23%.

Just because most Americans believe thewar is going badly,orthe economy is in the ditch, doesn’t necessarily mean thoseassessments are correct. Butpublic perception is what mattersinelections,and polls show those perceptions are distinctly negative When apresident is unpopular, the opposing party frames midterm electionsasareferendumonhim. Democrats will try that this year. Republicans, of course, will trytoturn the contest into areferendum on unpopularDemocraticpoliciesassociated with the party’s left wing —and that punchstill has force in plenty of redstates and districts.

Let’snot forget, too, that Trump’sbaseremains strong; 88%ofRepublicans approve of his jobperformanceinthe latest CBS poll. That’swhy his popularity while diminished, still leans positive in states he’s consistently wonbywide margins, suchasLouisiana. Butswing states such as Georgia andNorthCarolina are different stories.Georgia Sen. JonOssoff is widely seen as the most vulnerable Democratic senatorrunningthis year,yet he currently leads hisRepublican challengers. In North Carolina,Democrat Roy Cooper is polling ahead of former Republican National Committee Chair Mike Whatley for anopenSenate seat now held by aRepublican. Seven months between nowand the generalelection is still time for tables to turn, at leastpartially.Ifthe Iran warsoon ends on U.S. terms, if gaspricestake a dive and the economy looks better, thenthe Republican collapsethat Democrats are hoping formay not materialize When politics are deeply polarizedasthey arenow, and each party buildsits wins on the other side’sflaws, it’s more difficult for eitherparty to score bigvictories. This is why politics, so fickle and maddening, and increasingly noxious, is still worth watching.

Ron Faucheux is anonpartisan political analyst, writer and pollster based in Louisiana

SteveScalise’s actions show wherepoliticsare

David Duke without the baggage?

To those who have paid close attention to the actions, and lack thereof, of Louisiana’sFirst Congressional District representative, Steve Scalise, he carries (and seems to embrace) all of Duke’sbaggage.

On Feb.24, as Donald Trump entered the House chamber to deliver his Stateofthe Union address, Scalise walked directly behind him When walking past Rep.AlGreen of Texas, Scalise reached out and pulled down asign Green was holding. The sign read: “Black People Aren’tApes.”

Video replays show Scalise appearing energized as he followed Trump up theaisle, seemingly assuming the role of informal enforcer,clearing thepath of visible dissent. Butwhen he noticed Green’ssign, his expression shifted —briefly tightening into irritation or disapproval. Seconds later,hetugged thesign downward.

That momentdoes not exist in isolation. In the first week of last month,Trumpposted on TruthSocial an image depicting former President

Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes —animage widely condemned as racist. Scalise has never denounced thepost. Nor did he publicly demandanapology He was silent. Andthat silence communicates, to many,tacit approval. Against that backdrop, his decision to tear down Green’s sign carries weight. The sign did not contain profanityorapersonal attack; it rejected aracist trope that has long been used to dehumanize Black Americans. Removing it, while remaining silent about imagery echoingthat trope, invites scrutiny about priorities and principles. Public officials are judged not only by what they say,but by what they ignore —and what they choose to suppress. In amoment that called for clarity about racial respect and historical awareness, Scalise’sactions, paired with his prior silence, raise serious questions about where he stands.

MICHAEL LEWIS Slidell

It’s clearwhy youngpeopleare leavingLa.

Arecent top headline, “Bill would block climatechange suits,”outlining our stateLegislature’spush to protect oil and gas companies by preventing high-profile climatechange lawsuitsfrombeing filed in our state, is juxtaposed withthe column by Ron Faucheux, “Numberstellwhy Louisiana lags other Southernstates,” explaining why we aresignificantly behind mostotherSouthernstates in population growth.

In fact, Louisiana’spopulation isn’t increasing, while that of our neighbors grows exponentially.There is athroughline here linking these two articles. Why would the “best and brightest,” young people with families, want to movetoastate

that is both one of the mostclimatedisaster-prone in thenation and one whose Legislature would consider prioritizing theprofitability of the fossil fuel industry over accountability for its documented contribution to those very sameclimate disasters?

These “best and brightest” will likely continue to visit forMardi Gras, Jazz Fest, our incredible food andmusic culture, but will not consider Louisianaaplace to put down rootsand raise and educate their families unless we vote forpublic officials who take the climate crisis seriously

KATHY MEUNIER NewOrleans

Doctors who helped slammers being let offthe hook

Ihave been reading the excellent coverage of this paper regarding the fraudulent activities of some local plaintiffattorneys and their minions in their efforts to defraud insurance companies. Whispered rumors foryears are finally being brought into the light of justice.

As the wheels of justice turn, I cannot understand whyone very important thread in this webof deception is not being discussed. Who are the doctors whowere obviously knowing participants in the scheme? Doing unnecessary surgery is abreach of ethics and a violation of the Hippocratic Oath. At the very least, they should be brought before the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners and have their licenses revoked.

MARYP.LUPO,M.D NewOrleans

Contemplating our ownmortality may lead to abetterworld

No one can be certain about what happens after death, but it is prudent to consider the range of possibilities.

One of those possibilities is that our conscious existence endures forever.Forever.Eternity.That’s along time, ample time foreach of us to meet and feel the life experiences of every other conscious creature that Godhas created —anexciting yet frightening thought. Perhaps if moreofus contemplated this possibility,the world would be amore peaceful place.

MICHAEL D. FOLSE

NewOrleans

PresidentTrump’s actionsprove whypardonpower needsreform

This is referring to an article published on March 8, “Capitol rioter pardoned by Trump getsa life sentence for molesting 2children.” For one elected or appointed person to have the ability to free anyone, much less 1,500 people, with astroke of the pen without any oversight, is not good for our country Pardoning thesecriminals from

Jan.6 was an insult to the justice systemand ahuge waste of taxdollars.

CARL CLEMENT NewOrleans

Former No.2pick

Wilson thinks Saints canbring out best in him

SPORTS

CHECKING BOXES

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

ZachWilson chuckledwhen he askedwhetherhealready knew his newNew Orleans Saints teammate, Tyler Shough.

“Funny enough,wewereactuallyinthe same Elite 11 class in high school,” Wilson said.

Wilson,who is abouttoenterhis sixth NFLseason, was athree-star recruit in the 2018 class. Shough, who just finished his rookie campaign, was afour-star recruit in the sameclass.

“He probably doesn’tremember me even being there, but he was the (four) star,all the offers from everybody,” Wilson said. “And Iwas just like athree-star quarterback with justafew Mountain West offers and a couple Pac-12 offers back then.And then we both went ourseparate ways.”

Senior

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

On the surface, Zac Cowan’sseason hasn’t been pretty A6.23ERA and 13 hits allowed in 82/3 innings won’twin the senior LSU righthander any national awards. The numbers aren’tamisprint, but they don’tcapture the promise Cowan has showninhis last twooutings entering Friday’scontest against Kentucky After struggling during nonconference play,Cowan has allowed just one hit and no runs in his last 42/3 innings combined against Vanderbiltand Oklahoma. He also has recorded six strikeouts and hasn’tsurrendered awalk during this recent stretch. Simply put, Cowan is backtopitching like the key arm who helped LSUwin anational championshipayearago “Hislast outing before Friday (at Vanderbilt) went great,but Ihad aconversation with him on Wednesday,and kind of saw what he’d been doing,” LSU coach JayJohnson said. “And Iwasn’tsurprisedatall that he pitched well (against Oklahoma).” The key to Cowan’ssuccess lately, he

Their separateways were quitedifferent, but they both led to New Orleans for the 2026 season.

Shough enduredmuchhardship in his college career sufferingseveral season-ending injuries as he attended threeschools in seven seasons before the Saints selected him 40th overall last year.Wilson starred at BYU andleft after three seasons when theNew York Jets took him secondoverall in the2021 draft.

ButWilson never met the lofty expectations that came with his draft status. He lost 21 of 33 games as the Jets starter, and now he finds himself on his fourth NFLfranchise, still seeking thebestversion of himself as aprofessional quarterback. That is part of why he decidedtocall New Orleans home.

Wilson said there were acoupleofteams he was

ä See SAINTS, page 5C

LSU-Duke endedafter this editionwent to press. Forcompletecoverage, visit theadvocate.com

Severalassistant coaches followed newLSU coach from McNeesetoNCState

BY TOYLOYBROWN III Staff writer

The satisfaction on the faces of those at the BTRJet Center in Baton Rouge on Thursdaywas aprecursortothe reception Will Wade is sure to get at his introductory news conference at noon Monday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center

The former North Carolina State coach flew to Baton Rouge after agreeing to aseven-year deal worth $30 million to reignite a program that hasstruggled sincehis firing for cause in 2022 because of NCAA rules violations.

What’smore important than Wade’sreintroduction to LSU are the immediate steps taken to create asuccessful team for next season.

Amongthe highest priorities is solidifying anew coaching staff, which could consist of people Wade had at NC State or ablend of those already at LSU along with new faces. Ahead of Wade’s single season at NC State, he took several membersofhis stafffrom his previous stop at McNeese State, where he coached from 2023-25. Of his three NC State assistant coaches

See WADE, page 5C

BY GUERRYSMITH Contributingwriter

Another slowstartsank the Tulane baseball team in itsseries openeratUAB on Friday. Trey Cehajic, who hadallowed 11 runs through thefirsttwo innings of hislast three outings,gave up four more in the second inning. The early deficit led to a9-6 loss at Young Memorial Field in Birmingham, Alabama, in agame that played out exactly as thedisparity in the teams’RPI ratings (Tulane 204, UAB 44) suggested it might until the ninth inning, when the Wave scored allsix of itsruns. Evan Burg struckout looking whilerepresenting the tying run, ending an improbable comeback attempt. Tulane (14-13, 2-2 American Conference) avoidedbeing run-ruledbythe slimmest of margins in the seventh.With theWave trailing9-0, Michael Devenney pitched out of a3-0 count with the bases loaded andone out when onemoreball would have given UAB (16-10, 2-2) the early victory TrentLiolios’run-scoringsingleinthe topofthe ninthkept Tulane from being

shut outfor thefirst time this season.It was oneofsix hits in awild frame after the Wave had onlythree in the first eight innings. The rest of the night wasastruggle. Cehajic(1-3) walked Brady Waugh on four pitches leading off the second inning.Waugh came around to scoreon back-to-back singles, but Cehajiccame closetolimiting the damage to one run when shortstop BaylorRoberts swung at apitch-out andpoppeduptosecondfor the second out.

But Kevin Hall fisted an RBI single and JohnPaulHandfollowedwitha two-run double to deep left field thatglanced off leftfielder TyeWood’sglove. Cehajic,who alreadyhad abloated 7.20 ERA, gave up afifthrun in the fourth and three moreinthe fifth. The Blazers finished with 10 hits off of him in 42/3 innings, and Hall greeted reliever Jacob Moore withatwo-run single forthe 11th hit, making the score 8-0. Earlier, with the outcomestill in doubt,

STAFFPHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON LSU pitcher Zac Cowandelivers apitch against Oklahoma in the ninth inning on March19atAlex Box Stadium

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Former Raiders All-Pro center Robbins dies at 52

Former All-Pro center Barret Robbins, largely known for leaving the Oakland Raiders’ team hotel on the eve of their most recent Super Bowl appearance in 2003, died at 52, the team confirmed Friday Ex-teammate Tim Brown, a Hall of Fame wide receiver, announced Robbins’ death on social media Thursday night. Brown said Marissa Robbins told him her husband died in his sleep overnight. No cause of death was provided by the team.

Robbins, a second-round pick out of TCU in the 1995 NFL Draft, played all nine seasons for the Raiders. He was a first-team AllPro selection in 2002, his second to last season.

Toronto chooses to pick sixth in WNBA draft

The Toronto Tempo will have the sixth pick in the WNBA draft on April 13, choosing that option over having the top choice in the expansion draft on April 3.

NCAA WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT ROUNDUP

Hidalgo’s triple-double boosts Irish

By The Associated Press

FORT WORTH, Texas Hannah Hidalgo had 31 points, 11 rebounds, 10 steals and the assist on the goahead bucket in the final minute, leading Notre Dame to a 67-64 victory over higher-seeded Vanderbilt in the Sweet 16 on Friday

The junior sparkplug made a leaping grab between two defenders and fed a bounce pass to Cassandre Prosper under the basket for a two-point lead with 22 seconds to go.

The sixth-seeded Fighting Irish (25-10) advanced to the Elite Eight in March Madness for the first time since 2019 in a matchup of two of the top three scorers in Division I, Hidalgo and Mikayla Blakes.

Notre Dame will play top-seeded UConn in the Fort Worth Regional 1 final Sunday Blakes, the national scoring leader, rallied from a rough shooting start to finish with 26 points for Vanderbilt, but lost the ball out of bounds on the dribble after Prosper’s go-ahead shot, then missed a 3-pointer as time expired

The No. 2 seed Commodores (29-5) were in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2009.

In a game full of big plays from Hidalgo as she set an NCAA single-season record for steals, the biggest didn’t have anything to do with the categories in her unusual triple-double, the third of her career, although it did lead to her team-leading seventh assist Hidalgo needed four steals to break Chastadie Barrs’ mark of 192 set with Lamar in 2018-19. She got that in the first quarter and ended the game one shy of being the first with 200 in a season NO 1 UCONN 63, NO. 4 NORTH CAROLINA 42: In Fort Worth, Texas,

Notre

top, and teammates celebrate the team’s win against Vanderbilt on Friday in Fort Worth, Texas.

Sarah Strong had 21 points and 10 rebounds as reigning national champion and overall No. 1 seed UConn overwhelmed North Carolina, sending the Huskies to the Elite Eight for the 30th time. Strong, a sophomore forward, is a North Carolina native and AP All-American alongside teammate Azzi Fudd. Strong made four consecutive field goals in a twominute span right after Blanca Quiñonez put UConn (37-0) ahead to stay with a layup early in the second quarter

Quiñonez scored 16 points and Fudd had 10 for the Huskies, who are seeking their 13th national championship They extended their overall winning streak to 53 games. NO 1 UCLA 80, NO. 4 MINNESOTA 56: In Sacramento, California, Kiki Rice scored 21 points and Lauren Betts added 16 to help No. 1 seed UCLA beat fourth-seeded Minnesota. The Bruins (34-1) advanced to play either LSU or Duke in the Sacramento Regional 2 final on Sunday

NCAA MEN’S TOURNAMENT ROUNDUP

This was a rematch of a Big Ten matchup earlier in the season that UCLA won by 18 points. Minnesota tried to slow the game down in the first half, working the clock down on offense and trying to limit touches for Betts. Minnesota trailed 34-29 at the half before UCLA took over, scoring the first eight points of the third quarter to take its first double-digit lead on Gabriela Jaquez’s layup.

Minnesota never got within single digits again.

Foster steadies Duke in win over St. John’s

By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON Caleb Foster returned from a broken foot and rescued Duke’s national title hopes, helping the top-seeded Blue Devils rally from a 10-point secondhalf deficit to beat St. John’s 80-75 on Friday night and advance to the Elite Eight.

Playing less than three weeks after surgery on his left foot, Foster scored all of his 11 points in the second half. Isaiah Evans scored 25 points and Cameron Boozer had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Blue Devils (35-2), who extended the nation’s longest active winning streak to 14, but not before the tenacious Red Storm (30-7) pushed Duke to the wire.

Duke will face either secondseeded UConn or third-seeded Michigan State in Sunday’s East Region final.

It was just the second loss for St John’s coach Rick Pitino in 14 visits to the Sweet 16 — and just the second loss for this season’s Red Storm in their final 23 games.

Late Thursday NO 3 ILLINOIS 65, NO. 2 HOUSTON 55:

In Houston, David Mirkovic had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Illinois flexed its defensive muscles to eliminate last year’s national runner-up, beating Houston. Next up is a meeting Saturday with ninth-seeded Iowa to see which Big Ten team will advance to the Final Four It will be the 11th Elite Eight appearance for Illinois (27-8) and its second in three seasons under Brad Underwood.

In the Sweet 16 for a seventh consecutive time, the secondseeded Cougars (30-7) were thrilled to be playing a game just over two miles from their campus. But their poor shooting gave Houston fans little to cheer about and delighted the orange-clad Illini faithful who made the long trip to Texas.

Star freshman point guard Kingston Flemings, who is expected to be an NBA lottery pick, had 11 points on 4-of-10 shooting and Milos Uzan made just 2 of 11 shots.

NO 1 ARIZONA 109, NO. 4 ARKANSAS 88:

In San Jose, Calif., Arizona finally got over the Sweet 16 hurdle under coach Tommy Lloyd, getting 23 points from Brayden Burries and a dominant offensive effort in a win over Arkansas.

Fellow freshmen Koa Peat added 21 points and Ivan Kharchenkov had 15 as the top-seeded Wildcats (35-2) won their 12th straight game overall to tie a school record for wins in a season and advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2015.

Arizona will play second-seeded Purdue on Saturday night for a spot in the Final Four Jaden Bradley, Motiejus Krivas and Tobe Awaka all scored 14 points as Arizona became the first team in NCAA Tournament history with six players scoring at least 14 points in a game. Lloyd has won a record 147 games in his first five seasons as a head coach but has been unable to find tournament success before this season.

The Portland Fire will have the first choice in the expansion draft and seventh pick in the WNBA draft.

The Tempo won the right to choose which option it wanted when a silver dollar was flipped on a Zoom call and came up Toronto’s way WNBA teams have until Sunday to inform the league of the five players they’ll be protecting ahead of the expansion draft. That draft will have two rounds, with up to six picks for each team in each round. The teams will alternate picks, with the team that picks second in the first round going first in the next round.

Heyward retiring following 16-year career in majors

CHICAGO Jason Heyward, who launched his 16-year major league career with the Atlanta Braves in 2010 and won a World Series title with the Chicago Cubs in 2016, announced his retirement on Friday Heyward played in 34 games with San Diego in 2025, hitting .176. For his career, Heyward hit .255 with 186 home runs with six teams. He also played for St. Louis, Houston and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The outfielder won five Gold Gloves, including four straight seasons from 2014 through 2017. Heyward, whose nickname is “J Hey,” played his first five seasons with the Braves and set career highs with 27 homers and 82 RBIs for Atlanta in 2012. He was drafted by the Braves in 2007.

Safety Hamlin returns to Buffalo for sixth season

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y Safety Damar

Hamlin is returning to Buffalo for a sixth season after signing a one-year contract with the team on Friday

Hamlin was a free agent after his one-year contract expired. And he’s staying in Buffalo where the 28-year-old has served as an inspiration for perseverance following his remarkable comeback after a near-death experience three years ago.

Hamlin has shown no signs of a setback since he went into cardiac arrest and needed to be resuscitated on the field during a game at Cincinnati in January 2023.

Though he was eased back into action in being limited to playing five games the following season, Hamlin had a career-high 14 starts in 2024.

Ole Miss QB gets court win as NCAA appeal denied JACKSON, Miss. A three-judge panel of the Mississippi Supreme Court denied the NCAA’s appeal on Friday increasing the chances Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss will play next season. It’s not the final decision of the state’s Supreme Court, and the NCAA could file a motion for another hearing. The NCAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This was the latest court victory for Chambliss. A Mississippi judge granted a preliminary injunction Feb. 12 against the NCAA to pave the way for Chambliss to play The NCAA denied Chambliss’ waiver request Jan. 9, and after Chambliss appealed, the organization’s Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee upheld the denial on Feb. 4.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By LM OTERO

Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo,

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By STEPHANIE SCARBROUGH Duke guard Caleb Foster drives past St. John’s guard Dylan Darling during their Sweet 16 game on Friday in Washington.

Goodrum, Curtis roll past St. Aug

BY SPENCER URQUHART

Staff writer

Sean Goodrum had two hits and three RBIs in the first two innings for John Curtis in Thursday’s district matchup against St Augustine.

A junior, Goodrum started at first base but shifted to the pitcher’s mound prior to the bottom of the third inning after Curtis starting pitcher Paul Defrene was pulled as a precaution. Goodrum threw a team-high four innings in a 10-2 Curtis win at Wesley Barrow Stadium.

Thursday marked Curtis’ third straight district win. The Patriots completed a two-game series sweep of St. Aug, leading from start to finish on Thursday after breaking through with eight runs in the top of the second.

“(The second inning) started with a hit-by-pitch, and we did a good job of putting together some quality at-bats behind that,” Curtis coach Jeff Curtis said. “Laid down a nice bunt and wound up being safe. We then just kept the inning alive and had some really good quality at-bats.”

After bunting and reaching on an error at first base, the sophomore Dufrene was down for several minutes after colliding with a St. Aug infielder while running to first.

Dufrene returned to pitch in the bottom of the second but was relieved by Goodrum after two scoreless innings. Goodrum allowed two earned runs, three hits and one walk with five strikeouts

“(Dufrene) said, ‘Coach, I want to see if I can go back out and pitch,’” Jeff Curtis said. “The plan was to continue pitching him, but there was no reason after that collision I’m glad everything turned out OK because it was a big collision.”

Goodrum hit a double to left field in the top of the first to drive in senior Connor Micheu for the first Curtis run. Goodrum then delivered a two-RBI single to right field in the top of the second, driving in Micheu and London Padgett to put the Patriots up by seven

“We’ve been working on in practice just not letting up,” Goodrum said “We got the first run and just had to keep going. The bats got on fire.” The eight-run inning also saw Curtis sophomore Padgett plate Gavin Ledt and Nate Alario with a single to left. Craig Connor and Conrad Hebert scored the first two runs after St. Aug’s error at first St. Aug’s first of two runs came after Dylan Robinson singled to center in the bottom of the fifth, scoring CJ Cornelius. Robinson was 2 for 3 with a double and the RBI single.

“We’ve got to stay away from the big inning,” St. Aug coach Barret Rey said. “If we stay away from that, it’s a totally different ballgame. We’ve got to try and build on this and get ready for the stretch run.” Curtis (19-5, 4-4) will continue district play at home Saturday against Brother Martin St. Aug (12-15, 2-6) will host HomewoodFlossmoor of Illinois on Friday before its next district game Saturday against Warren Easton. Email Spencer Urquhart at surquhart@theadvocate.com.

Paralympian reflects on Winter Games

Huckaby eyes possible 2030 competition

BY SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writer

Brenna Huckaby said going into this year’s Paralympic Winter Games, her third, she wanted to focus on having fun.

Coming out of them, a little of her focus shifted to the fact that she left Italy with one bronze medal from her two para snowboarding events, and not one or two gold.

“Aside from the outcome, everything went exactly to plan,” Huckaby said earlier this week.

“I wanted to have fun. I wanted the Games to be memorable. I wanted to be the best competitor I could be. I definitely checked all of those boxes.”

The 30-year-old Baton Rouge native burnished her reputation as one of the U.S. team’s most prominent Winter Paralympians with that bronze medal in banked slalom in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. It was her fifth Paralympic medal overall to go with three gold and one other bronze medal from the 2018 and 2022 Winter Paralympics.

Already the first Paralympian to appear in Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue (her debut was in 2018), Huckaby in 2024 won an ESPY award for best athlete with a disability

Leading up to the Winter Olympics and Paralympics, Huckaby and her parents Jeffry and Kristie were part of a Hershey’s commercial campaign featuring a group of U.S. athletes and their families. It meant a lot to Huckaby, who is intent on helping broaden the appeal and acceptance of para sports.

“I’m super grateful for Para-

lympians to be represented always,” she said. “It’s important for us to be seen as athletes and have people know we exist.

“A lot of people confuse Paralympics with disabled organizations.

‘Para’ means parallel. We’re at the highest level of competition you can achieve. It’s cool that we’re getting more visibility for para sports and garnering more fans.”

her husband and two children in Kalispell, Montana her competitive season is now over She was vacationing in Switzerland this week with her family before heading home.

“A lot of people confuse Paralympics with disabled organizations. ‘Para’ means parallel. We’re at the highest level of competition you can achieve. It’s cool that we’re getting more visibility for para sports and garnering more fans.”

Huckaby’ s immediate future includes getting back in the gym to train for next season and starting work on her master’s degree to be a mental health therapist.

Whether her long-term plans include competing in the 2030 Win-

ter Paralympics in the French Alps depends on certain factors, Huckaby said.

Chief among them is getting her own competitive category at the next Games specific to her disability Huckaby, a former gymnast, lost her right leg to bone cancer at 14.

“I’m LL1, but I compete in LL2,” Huckaby said. “The men have two events for leg categories, but women only have one, which means I’m competing at a disadvantage I have the past two Games.

“If I come back (in 2030) it will be with other women in my category If it’s still combined, I’m not sure. We’ll know next year I’m very hopeful.”

For Huckaby, who lives with

Walk-off slam lifts Brother Martin over Jesuit

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

With the baseball set against the night sky beyond the outfield fence at Kirsch-Rooney Stadium, the only question that remained was just how far Bronson Leaumont’s blast would travel.

The Brother Martin senior had just come to bat with the bases loaded and nobody out in the bottom of the seventh, needing only to put the ball in play to drive in the winning run against rival Jesuit.

He fouled off a breaking pitch with two strikes and readied himself for the next offering. Then came the type of pitch he knew he could wallop

“I hit it hard, so I knew I did the job,” Leaumont said.

Leaumont’s towering fly ball cleared the fence in left for a grand slam that capped Brother Martin’s 7-3 victory Thursday, putting the Crusaders (24-3, 7-1 District 9-5A) in sole possession of first place in the Catholic League with six district games remaining.

“I knew it would be pretty deep,” Leaumont said after hitting a walk-off home run for the first time. “Just watching it fly — it’ll be a memory that I’ll have for a while.”

Leaumont rounded the bases, tossing aside his helmet midway between third base and home and then stomping with one foot on home plate as teammates sur-

rounded him in celebration.

“There’s no better feeling for him,” Brother Martin coach Jeff Lupo said. “I’m very excited about it.”

The grand slam capped Leaumont’s five-RBI night that included a run-scoring double in the first inning.

It was a special moment for the shortstop, the only senior starter back from a state runner-up team now looking for a third consecutive district title.

“He’s an awesome young man to

have on the field, and he’s an outstanding leader,” Lupo said. “He knows when to be vocal. He knows when to pat a guy on the butt. He knows how to take charge. It was fitting for him to be in that spot and in that situation and have it culminate in the way that it did.”

In the seventh, Brother Martin loaded the bases with two hit batters sandwiched around Brady McCluskey’s chopper through the right side of the infield for a single.

Leaumont took the first pitch for

a called strike and then worked the count to two and one.

When he swung and missed an outside fastball for strike two, “I thought he tried to do too much,” Lupo said.

Leaumont stayed poised enough to foul off a breaking pitch. Then he delivered.

“Anytime with two strikes you got to really dig in, compete and battle,” Lupo said. “And he did that.”

The longball made McCluskey (2-for-4, double, RBI) into the winning pitcher after the junior reliever moved from center field to retire Jesuit in order in the seventh. Starting pitcher Nolan Amato worked around nine hits and four walks, stranding 10 runners (seven in scoring position) over six innings.

Jesuit’s Maes Martin allowed three early runs and then retired 13 of the next 14 before apparent cramping in his right calf caused the senior to struggle with control. He came out after two hit batters with two outs in the sixth.

The victory put Brother Martin back in sole possession of first place after Jesuit’s 8-1 victory Tuesday drew the teams even atop the standings.

Brother Martin will play Saturday against John Curtis while Jesuit (19-6, 6-2) takes on Holy Cross.

Contact Christopher Dabe at cdabe@theadvocate.com

Woods arrested on suspicion of DUI after crash, sheriff says

BY CODY JACKSON and DOUG FERGUSON Associated Press

JUPITER ISLAND Fla. Tiger Woods was arrested Friday on suspicion of driving under the influence after his Land Rover traveling at “high speed” on a residential road clipped a truck and rolled onto its side.

Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said Woods was able to crawl out of passenger side and was not injured.

“He did exemplify signs of an impairment,” Budensiek said, adding that investigators believe he had taken “some type of medication or drug.” He said Woods agreed to a Breathalyzer test that showed no signs of alcohol but refused a urine test and was arrested. Under Florida law, he would have to spend eight hours in jail before he could post bail. Budensiek said the sheriff’s office will follow the law regardless of

as a result of the influence of alcohol. He said he took a bad mix of painkillers when authorities found him in 2017 asleep behind the wheel of his car, the engine still running and its driver’s side damaged. Woods pleaded guilty then to reckless driving.

President Donald Trump, whose former daughter-in-law is dating Woods, was asked about the golfer when he landed in Miami on Friday for an investment summit.

“I feel so badly He’s got some difficulty,” Trump said. “Very close friend of mine. He’s an amazing person. Amazing man. But, some difficulty.” The crash occurred just before 2 p.m. not far from where Woods lives on Jupiter Island.

The Land Rover swerved to avoid a collision as he was passing the truck but clipped the back end of the truck’s trailer, Budensiek said. Woods’ car then rolled onto its driver’s side.

The sheriff said Woods was “cooperative, but he’s not trying to incriminate himself.” He said Woods has the right to refuse the urine test and that authorities “will never get definitive results with what he was impaired on.”

Woods’ manager at Excel Sports did not immediately respond to a text message seeking comment.

fast Woods was going.

This was the fourth time Woods has been involved in a car crash, most recently in February 2021 when his SUV ran off a coastal road in Los Angeles at a high rate of speed, leading to multiple leg and ankle injuries Woods said later doctors considered amputation. He also previously sustained multiple injuries to his left knee and his back during his golf career

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By KIRSTy WIGGLESWORTH Baton Rouge native Brenna Huckaby

downhill en route to her bronze medal in para snowboard

in Cortina

BRENNA HUCKABy, Paralympian

STAFF PHOTO By ENAN CHEDIAK

Brother Martin players rush around Bronson Leaumont after their victory against Jesuit on Thursday.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JASON OTERI Golfer Tiger Woods stands by his overturned vehicle in Jupiter Island, Fla., on Friday. Woods was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

LSUcan’t finishjob againstOklahoma

BY JIM KLEINPETER

Contributing writer

LSU softball went toe-to-toe with the nation’sNo. 1power hitting team and even out homered it, but the Tigers couldn’thang on for a win.

Abby Dalton hit asacrifice fly in the eighth inning to lift No. 5Oklahoma to a3-2 victory over the No. 20 Tigers at Tiger Park on Friday night.

LSU (22-11, 3-7 SEC) got the tying run on in the bottom of the eighth when Maci Bergeron walked with one out against the third Oklahoma pitcher Miali Gauchino (9-0), but Destiny Harris struck out swinging and Avery Hodgepopped out to end the game.

The Tigers led 1-0 going into the seventh on Jalia Lassiter’sthirdinning homer,but Kendall Wells gave the Sooners (33-2,7-0)the lead with atwo-run single to right field. LSU came right back tosend it into extra innings on atwo-out, run-scoring single by Alix Franklin.

Gabbie Garcia led off theeighth with the Sooners’ 10th hit off of LSU starter Cece Cellura, who was then replaced in the circle by Jayden Heavener. Kai Minor drew awalk and the runners moved up

on asacrifice bunt by Ailana Agbayani. SydneyBarker was hit by apitch beforeDalton lifted her game-winner to centerfield to extendthe Sooners’ winning streak to 22 games. Oklahoma entered the game leading thenationinhomeruns with 129, runs scored and batting average. LSU rallied to tie thegame in the bottomofthe seventh when pinch hitter Ally Hutchins led off with a walk. Oklahoma replaced starter Audrey Lowry with Alyssa Parker, who got Lassiter to hit intoaforce playatsecond. Pinchhitter Ci’ella Pickett flied out to deep center field, but Tori Edwards walked to putthe tyingrun in scoringposition.

Oklahomamade another pitchingchange, bringing in Gauchino to face Franklin, who worked the count to 3-2 before slamming asingle to left field. Lassiter easily beat the throw home to sendthe game into extra innings

Lassiter had three of LSU’s six hits.

Ailana Agbayani led off the seventh with asingle down the left-field line for Oklahomaand advanceda base on aflyballout. After Abby Payton singled Agbayani to third, Kasidi Pickering

hit agroundertoshortstop Kaylee Edwards whothrew home to Bergeron. After two more throws in the ensuing rundown, Agbayani retreated to third base safelyto load the bases. Wells then looped theball just outofthe reach of second baseman Sierra Daniel to score two runs.Cellura gottwo fly ballsto left field to keep it 2-1. Cellura (5-2) allowed ahit in every inningexceptthe fourth. She worked outofa major jamin thefifth when Agbayani opened withasingle and Dalton moved hertosecondwitha one-outsingletoleftfield. That broughtup Pickering and her .489 batting average. ButCellura struck her out looking and then got Wells, the nation’shome run leader with 25,onapop up to second base.

LSU playederrorless defense andturned in some highlight plays. Char Lorenz snagged adrive by Ella Parkeratthe wall in left and later madealongrunning catch in foul territoryona line drive by Gabbie Garcia. Franklin also made alongrunning catch in the right-field corner toretireIsabella Emerling.

The teams meet again Saturday at 11 a.m. at Tiger Park.

Crow-Armstrong embraces elevated status with Cubs

BY MATT CARLSON Associated Press

CHICAGO Pete Crow-Armstrong says settling into Chicago and becoming oneofthe faces of the Cubs matter moretohim than the windfall from the six-year,$115 million contract the All-Star center fielder signedwith the team recently.

“The best part is knowing that I’m here, it’swhere Iwanted to be,” Crow-Armstrongsaidata news conference Friday

The Cubs announced the deal after Thursday’s10-4 loss to Washington on opening day

“WhenIleavethe field and go back to my place, and knowing this is going to be my routine for thenext six-plus (years) …that’s what I’m mostexcited about.”

The 24-year-old Crow-Armstrong already had agreed to a one-year agreementfor 2026 callingfor $894,000 while playing in themajors. His new deal includes a$5million signing bonus payable by May15and salariesof $10 million each in 2027, ’28 and ’29, $20 millionin2030 and$30 million apiece in 2031 and’32. The pact alsohas performance bonuses.

Crow-Armstrongsaidhis agentstoldhim he mightbe blown away by huge contract numbers that would surface on paper once negotiations with the Cubs started in January 2025.

“They said, ‘Hey,you’re gonna see what it says on the sheet and you’re going to start (spinning)’ and Idid,” Crow-Armstrong said. Crow-Armstrong wonaGold Glovein2025, his third season with the Cubs,when he batted .247 with 31 home runs and95 RBIs. Despite slumping at the plate after the All-Star break,

he became the first Cubs player with 30 or morehomers, stolen bases (35) anddoubles(37) in a season and only the second Cub after Sammy Sosa to go deep 30 or more times and swipe 30 or morebases.

Jed Hoyer, theCubs president of baseballoperations, stopped short of calling CrowArmstrong the new face of the franchise. YetHoyer said the outfielderwillnot only help the NL Central-favorite Cubs win but also strengthen their brand and win over fans.

“He’sa top-10 selling jersey for areason, because of whoheisas aperson and whoheisasaplayer,” Hoyersaid. “The more kids around thecountry,not just in Chicago, wearing Cubs uniforms the better.”

TheCubsadded veteranthird baseman Alex Bregman in the offseason via a$175 million, fiveyear contract in free agency after winning 92 games last season andthenfallingtoMilwaukeein the NL divisional round. Chicago also has signed second basemanNico Hoerner,another of its three 2025 Gold Glove winners, to asix-yearcontract. The team has yet to formally announce the deal, marking another major commitmentfor thefranchise, because it waspending a physical.

Crow-Armstrong, joinedby hisparents on Friday, embraces leading theCubsdeeperintothe postseason —and to increased prominence.

“I think the national representation is important,” he said. “It’s something that I’m going to take alot of pride in being responsible for. I’ve gotgood people to learn fromsoI’m setuptosucceed here.”

Continued from page 1C

said, has been an improvement in landing his off-speed pitches for strikes. Cowan’schangeupishis signature pitch, and throwing it where he wants to —whilegetting ahead in the count —opens up ahostofpossibilities forhim later in the at-bat. When he wasn’tdoing that, he struggled. Cowan allowed at least onerun in three of his first four outings, including fourearned runs in his final appearance before thestartofSoutheastern Conference play against Northeastern.

“It’snot always gonna be sunshineand rainbows,” Cowan said. “But Imean, Ilike to look at it from agood perspective, and Ijust like to stay ready,stay positive (and)support theguys around me.” Cowan rediscovering hisform comes at theright time forLSU. The pitching staff needs as many quality arms as possible,especially with juniorright-handed starter Cooper Moorelikely out for the next three weeks with triceps soreness. And given his startingexperience, Cowan is aprimecandidate to take Moore’sspot in the rotation while he is out. Cowan started for LSU in thewin that sent the Tigers to the College World Series final last summer.Healso started 17 games at Woffordbefore transferring to LSU Johnson wascoy about naming areplacement for Moore. But his confidence in Cowan never has

Email Koki Rileyat koki.riley@theadvocate.com. For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter LSU

wavered, and therecent struggles of sophomore left-hander Cooper Williams and redshirt junior right-hander Jaden Noot —both contenderstocrack the rotation at the startofthe year —place Cowaninanevenbetter spot to beaweekend starter in Moore’sabsence.

“It’s alwaysa good feelingto have that trust from coach Johnson and the people around me,” Cowansaid. “It’sdefinitelya good feeling. And Ijust use thattokind of rub off on the people around me.”

TULANE

Continued from page1C

Tulane did absolutely nothing in thefourth after loading the bases with no outs thanks to aleadoff double from Tanner Chun, awalk by Jason Wachsand Roberts’error on Wood’s potentialdoubleplay ballhit right at him Four pitcheslater,UAB pitcher Mason Steele walkedoff the mound unscathed. Nate Johnson tried to check his swing on the next offering but hit adribbler that Steele fielded for aforce out at home plate. Matthias Haas fouledout in front of third base on the first pitch he saw,then Liolios grounded outweaklytofirst base.

It wasatepid display that typified the first eight innings. Steele (3-2) allowedtwo hitsthrough seven, with no one getting past first base againsthim other than in the fourth.

Tulane has struggled to generate offense without free passes, and Steele walked only nine in 33 inningsoverhis first sixstarts. The Wave entered with abatting averageof.253, the second-lowest in the American. Hall outhit Tulane by himself through thefirstseven innings, striking out to start the game before getting threestraight singles.

The Wave will try to build off themomentumitcreated in the ninthinning when Jack Frankel (1-1, 4.45 ERA) takes the mound on Saturday.First pitch is 2p.m.

STAFF FILEPHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU pitcher ZacCowan delivers apitch against Milwaukee in the ninth inning on Feb.14atAlex Box Stadium

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU left fielder Char Lorenz makes the catch at thewall on an Oklahoma flyball in the thirdinning Fridayat TigerPark. Oklahoma won3-2 in eight innings

AP PHTOByERIN HOOLEy ChicagoCubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong runs to first after bunting forasingleduring the seventh inning of an opening-day game against the Washington NationalsonThursdayinChicago

Wade signs$30Mcontractwithincentives

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

LSU men’sbasketball signed new coach Will Wade to asevenyear deal worth $30 million, according to acopy of his term sheet obtained by The Advocate.

Wade’s deal willpay him$4million in the first year andwill increase by $100,000 until hemakes

$4.5 million in each of the final two yearsofthe deal.

He will be paid 75% of his remaining salary if LSU fires himwithout cause. That includesa “duty to mitigate” clause that would require Wade to seek “other basketball or athletics-related employment”for him to receive his paymentsfrom the school if his deal were terminated without cause.

His buyout, if he took another head coaching job on orbefore April 1, 2027, is $5 million. That number decreases by $1 million

WADE

Continued from page1C

Brandon Chambers and Vernon Hamilton werewith Wade at McNeese. Both coaches were also with Wade at the end of his first stint at LSU. Chambers was thespecial assistant to thehead coach for the 2021-22 seasonat LSU. Hamilton was the assistant to thehead coachduringthe 202021 season and director of player development in 2021-22.

Four people on NC State’ssupport staff followed Wade from McNeese. Those staff members were Nick Flory as director of operations, Steven Soltysiakas head strength and conditioning coach, Joseph Anderson as director of player development and Brady Jones as video coordinator The only coach presently at LSU who previously worked with Wade is Tasmin Mitchell. The former Tigers player is currently an assistant coach anddirector of player personnel.

Mitchell joined LSU the same year Wade became the head coach for the 2017-18 season and has remained with the LSU program ever since.

The sooner Wade can figure out who will work with him at LSU, the better preparedhis staff will be for the most important part of theoffseason: rebuilding the roster When the transfer portal windowopens April7,Wadewill have to decide which players stay,ifany,and what new players join the team, which may include playershehad at NC State

It was reportedbyThe Athletic that LSU can spend “at least $12 million to $15 million —between

each year before hitting zero on April2,2032. Fifty percent of his buyout wouldhavetobepaid within 30 days of his LSUcontract getting terminated, while the remaining 50% would need to be paid within ayear

Additionally,Wade will be paid

$50,000 if he gets LSU to the NCAA Tournament and $100,000 if LSU reaches the second round. He will receive $300,000 if theTigers reach the Final Fourand $800,000 if they win the national championship.

Theterm sheet also states Wade will report directlytoformer McNeeseState athletic director HeathSchroyer,who agreed to a deal to become the senior deputy director of athletics/executive director of external relations just hours before Wade was announced as the next LSU coach.Hewas Wade’sathletic director at McNeese State for two seasons.

revenue-sharing and NIL —on playerpayroll.”

“LSU represents something bigger —it’sabout competing at thehighest levelinthe best conference in thecountry,infront of one of the most passionate fan bases in college basketball,” Wade said in astatement.“The resources, the commitment, and the alignment atLSU makes it a place where wecan build something special and sustainable.”

With amore competitive budgetthanyearspastand Wade’s track record ofgetting LSU, NC State and McNeese to theNCAA Tournament,the Tigers should be positionedtohaveacompetitive product in theSoutheastern Conference. LSU (15-17, 3-15 SEC) finished last in theconference this season. Th re eL SU players already intend to enter thetransfer portal. Junior point guard Dedan Thomaswas the first player to do so on Wednesday. On Thursday, hoursafter Wade announced his arrivaltolead LSU basketball, redshirt junior forward Jalen Reed and 23-yearold freshman guard Ron Zipper reportedly decided to enterthe transfer portal. In the case of Reed,who sufferedback-to-back season-ending injuries and was thefirst recruit of previouscoach Matt McMahon, is reported to be open to returning There also couldbechanges in LSU’srecruiting class. The signees who committed to the Tigers under McMahoncan reopen their recruitment because of the coachingchange.

The blueprint for how LSUreloads isn’tclear at the moment Changing that realityisofthe utmostimportance for Wade,who has built winning teams before andduring the NIL era.

looking at duringfreeagency.He acknowledged the Saints were in the midst of arebuild,which comes with some good and bad, but the organization checked alot of theboxes hewas looking for in free agency

“I just picked based off priorities, like finding (a coach) thathad playedthe position, an offense that Ifeel comfortable with, that I could goonand playwell, agreat fanbase, greatculture, great place to live,” Wilson said. “That stuff wasmaybe more impor-

LSU announced it was hiring Wade on Thursday evening, hours after he announced that he would be leaving NC State after just one season to rejoin LSU.Wadewas the LSUcoach for five seasons leading theTigers to theNCAA Tournament three times before he was fired in 2022.

Wade’s firing was aresult of the universityreceiving anotice of allegations from theNCAA, which, in part, detailed misconduct from Wade.LSU laterwas issued11 Level Iviolations from the NCAA, six of which pertained to Wade’s conduct as the men’s basketball coach.

After one season away from thesidelines, Wade led McNeese Statetothe NCAA Tournament twice beforehetook the job at NC Statelast March. NC Statewas eliminated by Texas in theFirst Four of the NCAA Tournament lastweek.

NBAsharesconcepts to discourage tanking

BY TIM REYNOLDS AP basketball writer

The NBA’s process of finding new ways to deter teams from tanking is currently focused around three separateconcepts to change the draftlottery, two peoplewith knowledge of the discussions surrounding theissuetold The Associated Press on Friday

The concepts were presentedto theleague’sboard of governors by NBA executives earlier this week, thepeople said.

NBAcommissioner Adam Silver said Wednesday that he expectsa special meeting of owners to take place in May to vote on changes to thelottery,vowingthatthe league would fix thetanking issue. Andone of the people who spoke with the AP on Fridaysaidit’salmost certainthat theconcepts will change or at leastbetweaked in thecoming weeks,with apossibilityofmore ideas being presented to ownersas well. Theleague’s generalmanagers also have been weighing in with ideas for potential changes.

“I will say again, as I’ve said this before, this is not anew issue in this league,” Silver said this week.

“You can go back to the’60s, when coin tosses were used to determine who got thefirst pick, then in the ’80s,when adraft lottery was created. That lottery has been modified four times since then. Does not seem to be operating optimally where we are now.”

The changeswon’t be in place for this year’slottery,which will be held in May

Currentrules

The14teams that don’tmake theNBA playoffs go to thelottery, where afour-number combinationofpingpong balls are drawn to decide theorder of the top four

tant to me than some of theother things youlook at in theprocess of free agency.”

Abig part of thatwas finding somewhere he could develop. Wilson progressed littleduring hisdifficult three years with the Jets, with hispasser rating topping out at 77.2. They traded him to theDenver Broncos in 2024, but he did not see the field. In Miamilastseason, he played only 26 snaps. He sawastaff in New Orleans that coaxed solid play outoftwo youngquarterbacks last year in Shough and Spencer Rattler —a staffthatincludesthree former NFLquarterbacksatits highest ranks in head coach Kellen Moore,

teams in the draft. The teams with the worst three recordsall have a14% chance of winning theNo. 1pick —and none of the teams with the worst five records can finish lower than eighth. The odds of winning the No. 1pick decrease graduallyfor the other 11 teams outside the top three.

Concept1

The10teams thatdon’t make theplayoffs and the eight teams that reach the play-in tournament allwould be headed to the lottery

Thebottom-10 teamswouldall have 8% odds of winning the lottery,and the odds would decrease from there. This is thescenario where the 18th-worst team —aplayoff team —could still win the lottery.Itwould have a1%chance of winning.

Concept2

TheWNBA lottery is forthe

offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier and quarterbacks coach ScottTolzien.

“Thatwas kind of part of the thought process,” Wilson said. “Where canIgothat’sgonna help me be the best player Ican be?”

Wilson said he learnedplenty from his experience in New York. It wasa difficulttime, but he believesthere was areason he went through it. He is nowbetter equipped to handle the burden of expectations, even if those have changedatthis stage of his career. He said he has learned how to notonly be in the moment but also to be grateful for it. That means accepting whatever role theSaints have in mind for

worstteams overatwo-season span, not just the previous season. An idea the NBA is considering would be similar to that. But the NBA also would have a floor for wins —the current idea there being 25 wins per season. It would mean that if Team A won 31 games over twoseasons, it would have the same odds of winning theNo. 1pickasa team that wonexactly50games over those twoseasons. Thatfloor would be in place to give teams no incentive for trying to lose every game.

Concept3

Athirdideabeing presented is one where the five worst teams would all have 11% odds of winning theNo. 1pick. There would be some pickprotections in that model as well, keeping the worst teamsfrom falling too farinthe draft.

him, which could include being waydown in the pecking order

Shough is firmly entrenched as the starter,and Rattler played well enough in eight starts last season that Chris Olave said after the season he deserves to getanotherchancetostart somewhere in his career

“Doeverything Ican to learn and study anddothe best Ican,” Wilson said. “And if Iget an opportunity to play at any point, whether that’spreseason or seasonorpractice— it doesn’tmatter —just go out there, do my best and just try and help the team.”

Email Luke Johnsonat ljohnson@theadvocate.com.

STAFFPHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

NewLSU coach Will Wade waveswhile leaving the BTR JetCenter on Thursday.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByJENNy KANE NBAcommissioner Adam Silvergreets Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.,asthey taketheir seats before agame between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Utah JazzonMarch13inPortland, Ore.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Be bold; engage, socialize and participate in whatever motivates you to help others and enjoy life. Choose the path to stardom, recognition and making a difference in your community.

TAuRuS (April 20-May 20) Take your time and protect your assets. Go through the proper channels and look for ways to lower stress and make your life flow more efficiently.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Look before you leap. Your tendency to act fast will benefit you only if you already know the lay of the land. Knowledge and instinct are your tickets to stardom.

CAnCER (June 21-July 22) Shine brightly in crowded places and find a platform to promote your agenda. Whether you are trying to expand your interests or make new friends, the outcome will depend on whom you align yourself with.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) The journey will be worth the ride. Keeping an open mind and reaching out to people with experience will encourage you to claim your piece of a project or movement you want to join.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Expand your interests and explore possibilities that come with learning new skills. Take care of your physical needs before they turn into something more difficult to address.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-oct. 23) Hit the reset button and head in a different direction or share something special with

someone. A partnership that offers equality and adds value to what you want to achieve looks promising.

SCoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Set the stage for success. Channel your energy into what counts, get the lowdown and change what's no longer applicable to your situation. Be a leader and share your thoughts.

SAGITTARIuS (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Protect your home and replace inefficient, costly practices. Do your research, and you'll discover how to bring in extra cash and stretch it to fit your needs.

CAPRICoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Believe in yourself and let your confidence help you attract the support you require to advance your plans. Stick to the truth, question what causes uncertainty and avoid excessive behavior.

AQuARIuS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Refuse to let anyone talk you into a costly homeimprovement project when you have better uses for your hard-earned cash. Focus on peace of mind and physical and emotional well-being.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) A personal change will create an opportunity that can increase your earning potential. Embrace what's yours to discover with an open mind, joyful heart and a creative spirit.

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

FAMILY CIrCUS

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

ToDAy'S CLuE: R EQuALS T

CeLebrItY CIpher

For better or For WorSe

peAnUtS zItS FrAnK And erneSt

SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM SherMAn’S LAGoon

Sudoku

InstructIons: sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. Theobject is to place the numbers 1to9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Thedifficulty level of thesudoku increases from monday to sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

THewiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

CurTiS

By PHILLIP ALDER

Groucho Marx said, “I never forget a face, but I’ll make an exception in your case.” In yesterday’s deal, declarer had to establish his side suit before drawing trumps in order to make his contract. That is typically the case, but there are always exceptions to the rules, which is one of the main reasons bridge retains its popularity. In today’s deal, South is in four spades. West leads the club king. How should declarer continue after ruffing the third round of clubs?

When North raised spades, South reevaluated. He had 15 high-card points and three short-suit points, two for the singletonheartandoneforthedoubleton club. That gave a total of 18 points. Also, his excellent diamond suit was a plus value. Hence South’s jump to game. Southneedstofindtrumps3-2,butthat stillgiveshimthreetoplosers:onespade and two clubs. He must establish and run his diamond suit. Here, though, if he plays on that suit first, he will unluckily fail. After cashing his diamond ace and king, he ruffs a diamond in the dummy. However, East overruffs from only two trumps and declarer loses two spade tricks. South should start with two rounds of trumps.Thenhecasheshistopdiamonds and ruffs a diamond. Finally, he returns to his hand with his carefully conserved heart ace and plays out winning diamonds. West may ruff whenever he pleases, but declarer still has one trump left to ruff another club. Did you notice that dummy’s heart king is a red-card herring? Discarding a diamondfromhandwouldnothelpSouth to get home.

© 2026 by nEa, inc., dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzle is a word riddle which creates a disguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: nOOn gOOD = gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

word game

InSTRuCTIonS:

ToDAy’S WoRD — TACTLESS: TAKT-less: Not knowing

offense.

Average

yESTERDAy’S WoRD — BIBELoTS

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

dIrectIons: make a 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row. add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value. all the words are in the Official sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5th Edition.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

ken ken

InstructIons: 1 Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 thorugh 4 (easy) or 1 through 6 (challenging) without repeating. 2 The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners. 3 Freebies: Fill in the single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner. HErE is a

WiShinG Well

Scrabble GramS

Get fuzzy

jump Start

roSe iS roSe animal crackerS

DuStin

Drabble

Wallace the brave

breWSter rockit

luann

y y y Gilbert, Kelly& Couturie, Inc.,dated March24, 1993, acopyofwhich is attached to actregis‐teredasInstrument No 66926. Theimprovements

parallel lines of 90 feet;all as more fully shownonsurvey by ilb ll i

INSIDE STORY

An Uptown garden’s azaleas bloom. PAGE 4

HOME WORKWITHLOUIS

Thehealing power of design. PAGE 7

GREENTHUMB

Learn from the expertsat spring garden shows. PAGE 8

GARDEN ADVICE

Creole seasoningarecipe fordisaster. PAGE 9

Recent transactions in the metroarea. PAGE 18 HOME

INSIDE INFO

Home and garden happenings. PAGE 11

COVERSTORY

Gretna family finds room to glow. PAGE 12

ONEIN AMILLION

Northshorejewel boxwith relaxed comfort. PAGE 16

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS

InsideOut’s missionistogive readerspeeksinside themanydifferent ways thatpeople in the New Orleans area live.Weprofile spaces that areopulent, or just offbeat;sophisticated or simple; functionalorlight-hearted; historic or brand-spanking new.And anything in between.

Please help us by sending information andJPEG photos of your home, or specific spaces inside it,toinsideout@theadvocate.com. We love gardens and outdoor spaces, too. And we’re waiting to hear fromyou

The InsideOut home and gardensection is published everySaturdayby The Times-Picayune. Questions about InsideOut should be directed to the editor.

INSIDEOUT EDITOR: Lauren Walck, lauren.walck@theadvocate.com CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS: Victor Andrews, LouisJ.Aubert, Jyl Benson, Dan Gill

COVER DESIGN: Andrea Daniel COVER PHOTO: Jeff Strout TO BE FEATURED: Sendinformation and photos to insideout@ theadvocate.com

1301 Richland Avenue •Metairie$399,000

Well maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bath home with 1,700+ sq ft in great location.Open-conceptlivingwithwood floors,crown molding, andkitchen with stainlessappliances. Spacious primarysuite with vaultedceilings andluxurybath. Coveredpatio,fencedyard, parking. Perfectfor relaxing andentertaining. Convenient to I-10,shopping, dining,and topschools Adrienne LaBauve504-344-0877

LaBauveGroup /eXp Realty 504-513-3109 X165

606Opelousas Street •Algiers Point$565,000

Charming 4-bedroom, 3-bath,3,000+sqfthomewithtimelessarchitectural detailsblended with modern updates. Hardwood floors,crown molding, andabundantnatural light. Flexible living spaces andspaciousprimary suite. Updatedand vintagebaths.Outdoor deck with hottub.Gated entry, garage, off-streetparking.Walkablelocationnearferry,river,dining, andcafes Adrienne LaBauve504-344-0877

LaBauveGroup /eXp Realty

504-513-3109 X165

1014 FirstStreet• HeartofIrish Channel$590,000

Tucked behind alushgarden, this distinctiveNew Orleans-stylearchitecture home with artistic flairofferswood floors,tallceilings,exposed brick fireplaces, andbuilt-inbookshelves.Approximately1,700 square feet with living,dining, office,kitchen,powderroom, plus threebedroomsand onefull& onehalfbath. Primelocationsteps from Magazine Street dining,shopping, andgalleries! Michelle Sartor 504-723-8057 Compass• Uptown 504-866-2785

67 ElmwoodDrive •OrmondEstates /Destrehan $1,250,000

Stunning 5,510+ sqft estate features vaultedceilings, agorgeouschef’s kitchen, and five en-suite bedrooms.The groundsboastsa saltwater pool anddetachedpoolhouse that includes atheater,outdoor kitchen, andBoat/RV bay. Atruly one-of-a-kindestateblendingsophisticated luxury with thoughtful design andcutting-edge technology. AMustSee! Ryan Wentworth& MichaelParsiola504-302-0300 Reve |Realtors504-300-0700

321LakeDavid Drive• Picayune,MS$450,000

Peaceful luxury at Lake David! This all-brick3 Bd,2.5 Ba,3,335 SqFt home offersstunninglakeviews,vaulted ceilings, fireplace, wetbar,and high-end kitchenwithdoubleovens andgranite island.Private primarysuite with spa bath.Sunroom andpergola deck overlook 2.7acres,dock, boat-ready carport, attached/detachedgarages,generator—nearPicayunewithlow taxes. HerbertDubuisson •228-216-8456ChipGardner •504-236-3891 COMPASS• 985-626-5695www.chip-herbert.com

ROOM BLOOMS

Among spring azaleas azaleas, an Uptown garden is a perfect place to do anything, or nothing at all

BY JYL BENSON Contributing writer

The perfection of New Orleans springtime is our reward for scorching summers, the hurricanes we must dodge and sometimes frigid winters. It is at this time each year that our Southern Indica and Tradition Azaleas, both hardy Kurume hybrids that originated in Japan, burst into riotous bloom in shades of red, coral, pink, lavender, magenta and white, some as single blooms, others as semi-doubles.

PHOTOS By JEFF STROUT

An inviting bench sits in David and Barbara Waller’s enclosed garden, brimming with azaleas in bloom.

When celebrated landscape architect Rene Fransen, of Fransen Mills, designed a sprawling garden across two Uptown lots for David and Barbara Waller in 1997, six years after they bought the home, he conceptualized the space as a series of outdoor “rooms” with a central lawn and an adjacent swimming pool, rimmed in lush white azaleas to welcome the season.

Fransen has enhanced and modified the design over the years, redesigning the swimming pool with sultry dark blue tiles and addressing damage to some trees and the brick wall that encloses the property after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

David Waller, a retired sales executive with IBM, said the azaleas bloom reliably each spring between March 10-13. “We anticipate it every year,” he said.

Waller shares the home with his wife, Barbara Waller, a recently retired Laitram executive. They raised their two children in the home and now devote themselves to travel, golf and volunteer work.

David Waller serves on the board of directors of the City

INSIDESTORY

At one end of the swimming pool, which spans half the lawn’s depth, is a pool house.

Park Improvement Association. Barbara Waller is a volunteer with Trinity Episcopal Church.

A storied history

The garden the Wallers established 31 years ago came to

be on what was once a northwestern parcel of the Livaudais Plantation, which was subdivided in 1832.

In 1883, under the administration of Mayor Joseph Shakspeare, the city built the second incarnation of

Danneel Street property was declared an eyesore and demolished.

The land its campus once occupied — bordered by Joseph Street, Nashville Avenue, Danneel Street and Loyola Avenue — was subdivided into parcels, two of which became the Wallers’ stately, modified Georgian Colonial-style brick home and adjacent garden, built in 1947.

the Touro Almshouse for the elderly poor on the site, with a Danneel Street address, in what was then “the country” Uptown. In 1927, the almshouse was relocated to Algiers, as the Touro-Shakspeare Home, and after 10 years, the

The entirety of the Wallers’ nearly 11,000-square-foot property in the Audubon neighborhood is enclosed by a wall of old hard-tan brick covered in creeping fig. The iron gate that admits entry is bracketed by ligustrum bushes pruned into pyramid shapes and trimmed with low boxwoods interspersed by masses of Japanese holly ferns. Inside the gate, which opens onto a small brick courtyard, are plantings of japonica. The front of the house is punctuated by a row of sweet olive trees.

A brick path on one side of the courtyard leads through another low gate to reveal the expansive lawn, rimmed in ä See BLOOMS, page 6

INSIDESTORY

Mrs. G.G. Gerbing azaleas underplanted with masses of agapanthus lilies that will bloom in the coming weeks.

At the rear of the azaleas, Eagleston holly trees are planted along the interior of the brick wall. At one end of the swimming pool, which spans half the lawn’s depth, is a Japanese magnolia tree; at the other is a pool house.

Connected by pathways

The home’s living room opens onto the garden via

two sets of French doors.

The outdoor “rooms” are accessed via paths of both brick and stone pavers, many trimmed in masses of liriope spicata.

The rooms include a patio dining room furnished with an Asian flair, punctuated by a fountain of old brick designed by Fransen that abuts the rear of the brick wall enclosing the property.

The dining area segues into the oldest of the garden rooms that Fransen designed for the couple.

This one has mature camellia sasanquas, some trimmed into tree forms; both boxwood bushes pruned into spherical shapes as well as low

hedges; ligularia dentata; monstera deliciosa; a very mature Japanese maple tree; masses of Japanese holly ferns; agapanthus lilies; and an underplanting of bromeliads with spear-like, red new growth that contrasts pleasantly among the many shades and textures of green.

The garden is a peaceful, enchanting place, the old brick wall that surrounds it ensuring a sense of removal from the outside world.

“Four different couples, including two of our children, chose to be married here,” Barbara Waller said. “It really is a perfect place for so many things. And nothing at all.”

PHOTO By JEFF STROUT

HOMEWORKWITHLOUIS

Changes in attitude

Design hasthe powertohelphealafter amajor loss

Everyoneexperiences grief in adifferent way and at their own pace.

From experience, I’ve learnedthat it is important to maintain as near a regular routine as possible in atime of grief. Big decisions should neverbe rushed, and each personmust decide for themself when and what to change after aloss.

Ihave also learned from anumberof widows that redecorating their home can be ahealing processthat allows them to express themselveswhile focusing on the future.Ihave also observed that widowers are more likely to downsize, often relocating to asmaller home in their own neighborhood and turning the “family house”overtoone of the children.

Decorating your home is perhaps the ultimate form of self-expression. By listeningtoyour inner self, the world of design is open to you. Suddenly,colors and patterns that were onceonly admired can be embraced.

Perhapsnot surprisingly,electronics lead the list of decor changesmade by widowers. Often it’sthe additionof a larger-screen TV,surround sound or perhaps afull-fledged media room

Atimeofchange

As Maya Angelou wrote,“Youmay not control all the events thathappen to you, but you can decide nottobereducedbythem.”

Recently, my cousin’s widow confided that she has found comfort in redecorating her home.

While my cousin’sfavorite colors were neutral —primarily white,offwhite and bone —his widow hasembraced color.Over the past year,her decorating has moved from roomto room with color appearing in various

forms. Forinstance, the once neutral bedroom is now painted afresh blue, whichcomplementsthe new floral curtains. The sense of home remains strongasfavoritefurnishings enjoyed foryearsremain in place. When asked by heradult children if she hadcompletedher decorating, her response was that she hadjust begun.

Iheardofa widow who loved the colorred, but refrained from using it in herhome in deference to her life’scompanion, whose preference was neutral tones. She now enjoys apair of redclub chairs and ared patterned rug!

The husband of one of my clients had very strong opinions regarding thedecorationoftheir home. He favored solid fabrics and very contemporary furniture with primarily Japanese art and accessories. The house was furnished in this manner for decades.

About one yearinto widowhood, my clientannounced, “Country French, here Icome!”Room by room, the house hastakenonasofter,morecurated appearance. The mirroredwall in the dining room is gone and the very contemporary stone and glass basin in the powderroom has been replaced with acustom-painted, Louis XVI-inspired vanity below asilver gilt Louis Philippe mirror.

AFrench countrystylekitchen, which features exposed beams, natural materials and asoft palette, might offer a changeofpace to helpheal after the loss of a life partner who favored adifferent design style.

Gradually,similar changes have rippledthrough thehouse. The space previously held by alarge but seldom used bar in thefamily room has been redesignedintoagrand pantry.While mister’s favorite piece of art was very large and very colorful, theLouisiana landscape has been moved to amore prominent location in thefamily room, whereitisenjoyed on adaily basis. The colorsinthis painting served as inspirationfor other additions to the room.

Decisionstomake

Photos areimmensely important. Following Hurricane Katrina and the flooding in 2005, mostpeople regrettedthe loss of family photos morethan anything else. So many things can be replaced, but photos, especially those of family membersnolonger with us, left deep pain. Since then,many of us have learned how to save photos as well as the value of sharing photos so there areduplicates out thereand we are less likely to lose cherished old images. Photos and personal mementos are important as theyrepresent alink to the loved one. My dad always kept his wallet,loosechange and car keys in a small, hammered, aluminum dishthat my sistercreated when she was aGirl Scout. That dish was on the mantel in

my parents’ bedroom and remained there after his death. While it wasnever discussed, Ithink my mother liked the sense of continuity that it represented. The design process involves making decisions, both large and small. Think of it as walking through amaze in which each turn sends you in aspecific direction. Be careful as you make choices, as each leads you to the next. Don’tbe overly influenced by trends or by the newest and brightest thing to come down the pike. Your inner voice will tell you what deep down really appeals to you. Listen to it.

Interior design is aprocess; take your time. Above all else, your home should reflect you. It should reflect who you are, your interests and how you got here. Enjoy the process.

Louis J. Aubert is aprofessional member of the American Society of Interior Designers and an avid preservationist. Some of his most visible New Orleans projects include making interior color selections for Gallier Hall,Trinity Episcopal Church and the Louisiana Supreme Court Royal Street Courthouse, and both interior and exterior selections for St. Stephen’sBasilica. Contact him at mrcolour@aol.com.

FILE PHOTO By JEFF STROUT

Louis Aubert

GREENTHUMB

GARDEN TIPS

SUPER SWEET TREAT: If you plant asuper sweet cornvariety (noted on the seed packageor in the vegetable description), it must be isolated from any regular sweet cornyou plant,or cross-pollination will reduce the quality of the super sweet corn, unique among homegrown vegetables.

STAKES ARE HIGH: As tall herbaceous perennials and annuals begin to grow,you should consider the possibility that theywill need to be staked. Stakethese plants before theybegin to fall over, look unattractiveand possibly damageother plants around them.

WEEDS AND SEEDS: It is very important to pull up anddispose of cool season annual weeds such as henbit, bedstraw and chickweed growing in beds now.These weeds are setting thousands of seeds that will plague younext winter if not removednow.

WHITE SPOTS? Powdery

mildew, afungus disease that attacks awide variety of plants, can begin to showup in April.The diseaseappears as awhite, powderyspot or area on foliageor flower buds. This disease can damage thefoliageand cause flower buds to abort. Control with chlorothalonil or other labeled fungicides.

LESSON PLAN

PLANTSHOWS FILLING THESPRINGCALENDAR AREANEXCELLENT OPPORTUNITYTOLEARN FROM EXPERTS

If youenjoydoingsomething,it’s important to put effortinto learning howtodoitwell.

Whenitcomes to beinga successful gardener,this certainly applies. We do not know how to garden instinctively.You must be willing to takethe time to learnabout the plants youwant to grow,how to keep them healthyand howtoutilize plants and othermaterials to create alandscape that you find functional and attractive.

ä See EXPERTS, page 10

Dan Gill GREEN THUMB

GREENTHUMB

Cayenne may keep bunnies away, but avoid Creole seasoning

BY DAN GILL

Contributing writer

My hostas have started pushing up and, right on schedule, I am seeing rabbit damage. I thought I’d sprinkle the plants with pure cayenne pepper as I have in the past, but I didn’t have any on hand. So, I used a Creole seasoning containing cayenne. Hours later, it dawned on me that this mix also contains salt — 15% according to label.Am I OK with this or was that dumb? — Ray

Ground cayenne pepper (or red pepper) is commonly used to discourage animals from damaging plants. Mammals like rabbits and squirrels can taste the capsaicin in cayenne pepper powder just like we can. It is the capsaicin that makes peppers taste hot. While we may enjoy the heat, most animals don’t appreciate the burn and will stop chewing on the plants. Results vary (I guess individual animals are more or less tolerant), but it can help.

Generally, it’s a good idea to wet plants to be treated first. This allows the cayenne pepper to better adhere to the leaves. If it rains or if you water the plants and wash off the cayenne pepper, reapply. After you do this for a few weeks, the offending animals may have learned not to eat the plants. You can stop applying the red pepper and see if the plants stay free of new damage.

As to what you did, absolutely do not use spice blends that contain salt Salt can damage leaves and roots; enough salt can even kill a plant. It’s likely you have not caused any issues with the amount you used. But don’t use it anymore. Keep an eye on the plants. If you see damage showing up (brown spots or brown leaf edges), you will know what caused it. Don’t feel too guilty. We all do stuff like this.

Late last summer, the trunk and

honeydew falls on them. The sooty mold looks bad but does not actually hurt the trees or plants below them.

sooty mold will eventually disappear on its own once the crape myrtle bark scale insects are controlled. Systemic insecticides applied as a soil drench provide the best control. Applications of systemic insecticides are applied to the plant root zone. Application ideally should be made during March, April or May for protection through the summer. Systemic insecticides include dinotefuran (Greenlight Tree and Shrub Insect Control with Safari and other brands) and imidacloprid

(Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Drench, Bayer Advanced Garden Tree and Shrub Insect Control and other brands). A treatment made in March or April should protect the trees from infestation through the coming summer.

Dan Gill is a retired consumer horticulture specialist with the LSU AgCenter. He hosts the “Garden Show” on WWLAM Saturdays at 9 a.m. Email gardening questions to gnogardening@agcenter.lsu. edu.

branches of my crape myrtle trees turned black. I understand this is some sort of mold, and I was wondering what I should do to get rid of it. — Joann Your trees are likely infested with crape myrtle bark scale. This scale insect excretes honeydew, a sugary liquid that coats leaves and limbs. Sooty mold, a black fungus, grows on the honeydew. This results in a black coating that appears on the bark of the branches and trunks of crape myrtles. It will even show up on plants below the crape myrtles as the

The crape myrtle bark insects appear as white, waxy encrustations likely to occur anywhere on the trunk and main branches of the tree, but often near pruning wounds or in branch crotches. These insects weaken trees and need to be controlled. If practical, clean the trunk and reachable limbs of heavily infested plants with a soft brush and mild solution of dishwashing soap. The egg masses and female scales will be washed off, resulting in improved effectiveness of insecticides. Also, the black mold building up on the bark of infested trees will be removed by washing. If this is not done,

PROVIDED PHOTO

Crape myrtle bark scale

STAFF FILE PHOTO

EXPERTS

Continued frompage8

There willbeexcellent opportunitiesover the next few months for gardeners around southeast Louisiana to participate in gardening activities designed to educate andinspire. Many plant associations, gardening organizations, public gardens and the LSU AgCenter and their MasterGardener volunteers have garden-related lectures, classes, demonstrations, symposiums, garden shows, plant sales, garden tours and avariety of other events coming up.

Do an internet search using “Louisiana garden shows” or “Louisiana gardening events” to see the many opportunities you have to purchase wonderful new plantsand learn from classes, lectures, tours and seminars.

Learning how to garden here in southeast Louisiana is really the most important reason for attending these events. We can obtaininformation about gardening from TV shows, print articles, radioprograms and the internet,but it’simportant to understandthat gardening is extremelyregional. The information from these sources frequently relates to adifferent part of the countryand is not at

GREENTHUMB

STAFF FILE PHOTO

Manylocal gardening groups will offeravariety of informational events over the spring

all appropriatefor us.

GARDEN SHOWS

NEWORLEANSHOME AND GARDEN SHOW: Continues Saturdayand Sundayat Caesars Superdome; features landscaping,gardening trends and outdoor living products; $15 at the door neworleanshomeshows.com.

CITYPARK SPRING

I’ve always believed that when it comes to gardeners, there are no strangers.

Awonderful quote from gardenwriter LouisaKing (18631948) expresses thisbeautifully:“If my eyelights upon acarefully tended garden,at once Iexperience thewarmest feelings of friendliness for that householder,and wishtoknow andtalkwiththem abouttheir flowers. For at thebottom there is abond whichbreaksdown every other difference between us.Weare Garden Souls.”

Even information for “Southern” gardeners needs to be looked at with some caution. The growing conditions in Virginia are very different from those in Louisiana, yet we are bothpart of the South. Yes, Iknow it’savery busy season in the garden, and you are loathtoput down your shovel, take off your gloves, get cleaned up and go to alecture or garden show when there is so muchtodo. But honestly, your garden will be waiting for you when you get back.

GARDEN SHOW: 9a.m. to 5p.m.April 11 in the BotanicalGarden.Vendors, plant sales, educational programs, arts and crafts, cookingdemonstrations, livemusic; $15 and up. neworleanscitypark.org.

provide you with the locally appropriate gardening informationyou need.

Local speakers will often provide information that relates specifically to the region of the state where the program is being given and where the gardeners attendingliveand garden.

Most of us don’thaveunlimited garden budgets (wouldn’t it be wonderful if we did),and we tendtohoard ourprecious gardening dollars to purchase allthose wonderful plantswe wanttogrow

But given the benefits received,the money we use to attendeducational events is well spent.

Themoney youspend on show entrance fees,lectures andsymposiawill helpyou learn howtoproperlycare for your plants.

The benefitsthat you will receive are well worththe time spent and the money it might cost to attend.

Educational programsby speakers from Louisiana (or those thatapproach asubject from aLouisiana perspective)

This is critical to proper plant selection, pest control andthe timing of when garden activitiesare done throughout the year

Anotherreason for attending is to meet other gardeners and talk about gardening.

Stunning countryretreat just 11 milesfrom downtown New Orleans. Tucked alonghistoricMississippi RiverRoadinAlgiers, this rare 7-bed, 6.5-bath gemspans 4.41 privateacres.Features includea fenced pasturewith2-stall barn,workshop, andover 8,000sqftoftimelesselegance. Builtin1984ona 5-foot slab with oil-rig-gradesteel framing. Theraisedmainfloor offersa1,000+ sqft greathall, antiquewood flooring,120-year-oldcypress doors, soaringfireplace,library,formaldining, andprimary suite. Upstairsand ground floors offer spacious living.Don’t miss your chance to ownthisuniqueestate.

This ensures you protect your investment in plants by doing abetter job of keeping them alive, and that saves money in the long run (feel free to use this argument with aspouse).

These events also help you learn which plants grow well in Louisiana, preventing you from wasting money purchasing plants that will notthrive here. Don’tbeshy about introducing yourself to other people at these events.

Mention something said in the lecture or plants that you particularly like to grow,and Ican just about promise you a great conversation.

Also, don’thesitate to ask the speakers additional questions either during (if allowed) or after the program.

After all, that’swhat they are there for; and that way you gain information you can directly apply to your own garden.

Finally,Ialmost always leave aclass, symposium or garden

ä See EXPERTS, page 11

INSIDEINFO

Lakeside hosting bromeliad event

Head to the skylight area near the parking garage at Lakeside Shopping Center for three days of bromeliads.The Greater New Orleans Bromeliad Show and Sale is from 10 a.m. to 8p.m.Saturday and noon to 6p.m. Sunday

For information, visit the group’spage on Facebook.

Herbs available near Marsalis HarmonyPark

The Herb Society of America, New Orleans Unit, will sell avariety of culinary andornamental herbs at the Spring Plant Sale from 9a.m. to 2p.m. Saturday at 2140 S. Carrollton Ave., next to Marsalis Harmony Park.

Herbs, butterfly plants, annuals, perennials and some natives will be offered for sale. Unusual and not readily available varieties will be available. Due to growing conditions, some items may be limited in quantity.

For information about the sale, contact BettyFounds at (504) 460-9451. For information about the unit, email herbsno@ gmail.com or visit the group’s Facebook page.

Covington Garden Club flower showThursday

“A Taste of the South” will be the theme at the Bogue Falaya Hall on Thursday when the Covington Garden Club presents aflower show

The National Garden Club Standard Flower Show will be from 1p.m. to 3p.m. at the 317 N. Jefferson Ave. location. The event is free. Visitcov-

The HerbSociety of America, NewOrleans Unit,will sell avariety of culinaryand ornamental herbs at the Spring Plant Sale nexttoMarsalis Harmony Park onSouth Carrollton Avenue.

ingtongardenclub.com.

Plant saleset for northshorefairgrounds

The St. Tammany Master Gardener Association will host aspring plant sale April 24-25 at theSt. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds in Covington.

The sale will feature more than 60 plant and garden art booths, food trucks,children’s activities and two days of seminars. Cooking demonstrations and educational exhibits will be included.

Presentations will include understanding understory plantings, Louisiana Super Plants 2026, preventingplant diseases in home gardens,backyard citrus care, fertilizers andsoil testing, gardening with roses and container gardening.

Entry is $5 at the gate at 1301 N. Florida St.Visit stmastergardener.org.

Orleans residents can get freewood chips

The city will be distributing free wood chips to Orleans

Parish residents from 8a.m. to noonevery Saturdaythrough May 30 at 1Green ParadeLane.

TheDepartment of Parksand Parkways, which generates the chips from routine tree-trimming operations, is continuing its efforts to divertgreenwaste from local landfills andpromote sustainable practices.

This initiative supports the city’s broadersustainability goals while providing apractical benefit to residents.

n Chipsare available on a first-come, first-servedbasis.

n Residents must bring their own loadingsupplies, including shovels,gloves,bags, containers andany othernecessary equipment

n Staff will not be able to assist with loading For information,followthe department on Instagramor Facebook.

Volunteer projects abound at CityPark

Avariety of cleanup days andinitiatives are on tap at City Park to improve and maintain theextensive urban greenspace. Thosecoming up include:

n Litter Cleanup Krewe: 9a.m. Tuesday.Volunteer Center,1031 Harrison Ave.

n Super Saturday: 9a.m. April 4. Pan American Stadium. Monthly community volunteeringeffortthatincludes apruningprojectatPan American Stadium.

Register for theprograms andfind outabout what to bring at friendsofcitypark.volunteerhub.com.

Have ahome and garden event coming up? Send it to events@theadvocate.com.

Continued from page10

show feeling inspired,and that is abenefit more difficult to define yet no less important.

inspire is “to breathe life into.”

many of these events as you can. Get some friends together and make it fun but do take advantage of theseeducational events. There is no use struggling to learn alone when so many opportunities arewaiting. EXPERTS

The old meaning of the word

Betweenthe programs that make me abettergardener and great conversations withfellow gardeners, Idooften feel reinvigorated.

Take some time out of your busy schedule this spring and make it apoint to attend as

FILE PHOTO By WENDyLOUP

COVER STORy

SMALL COMFORTS

Art and decor add a feeling of space inside a

1,078-square-foot Old Gretna bungalow

In the dining room, at the back of the house behind the kitchen, the couple removed aged, dated wood paneling to discover original cypress beadboard covering the walls. After painting the beadboard white, they added accent walls with a breezy floral wallpaper by Danika Herrick from Spoonflower A custom Julie Neill chandelier illuminates the space. The lacquered dining table is from CB2

BY JYL BENSON Contributing writer

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kellie and Marc Soileau sold their home and moved into a onebedroom, one-bathroom apartment with their grade school-aged son. The plan: to build the home of their dreams.

But after eight months of collaborating with architect Mia Kaplan to design the home they wanted, in 2022, interest rates exploded from 2.5% to 7.5%, and the cost of building materials exploded, too.

“What was supposed to be a small, modest house ballooned into something with a luxury price tag,” said Kellie Soileau. “We just couldn’t do it.”

There was very little turnover in the housing market, and the family’s nerves were frazzled by the tight quarters.

“My usually calm husband was losing his ‘ish,’” said Solieau.

When a tiny, circa 1937, one-bay raised bungalow in Old Gretna came on the market, the Soileaus pounced on it.

“This side of the street is on the National Historic Registry,” said Soileau. “The other side of the street is not. It makes no sense.

“This is the fourth house we have bought in the 22 years we have been married,” said Soileau, who works in medical research sales, “and it was an accident. We were not planning to live in a 1,078-square-foot house.

ä See BUNGALOW, page 14

PROVIDED PHOTO By KELLIE SOILEA Marc, Kellie and Luc Soileau

PHOTO By JEFF STROUT

Kellie and Marc Soileau’s art collection includes works by their son, among many others. The chandelier was custom-designed for the home

ABOVE: A warm welcome awaits at the Soileau family home in Gretna. LEFT: The Soileau family’s circa 1937, one-bay raised bungalow in Old Gretna. Though it is just 1,078 square feet with two bedrooms and two baths, the home packs a stylish wallop.

SOILEAU

PHOTOS By JEFF STROUT

PHOTO By JEFF STROUT

, Luc, as well as Ashley Longshore, Isabelle Jacopin, Logan Ledford, Josh Wingerter and Martin Laborde, home by Julie Neill.

PHOTO By JEFF STROUT

The bold wallpaper in this small bathroom is by GP&J Baker. Kellie Solieu picked up the mirror from the erstwhile Source on Magazine Street. The rug on the floor is from Target.

BUNGALOW

Continued from page 12

“When we bought it, it looked like it had been renovated to flip. So, we gutted it to the studs. We were happy to discover the house had all its original cypress framing intact

“We did all the work ourselves, except when a permit was required — HVAC, electrical, plumbing.

“Marc has become a wallpaper expert.”

Marc Soileau is an active duty member of the Louisiana Army National Guard. Both are natives of New Orleans Their son, Luc, is an eighth grader at Jesuit High School.

The results of the family’s undertaking will be on display April 12 when the diminutive two-bed, two-bath abode is featured on the Gretna Home Tour.

Kellie Soileau customized this wicker light fixture she nabbed from a Lowe’s clearance rack with a fresh coat of paint.

Small but mighty

“We buy art,” Kellie Soileau said. The family’s enviable collection includes original works by Ashley Longshore, Isabelle Jacopin, Logan Ledford, Josh Wingerter and Martin Laborde, among many others.

“This is the smallest house we have ever owned,” she said.

“My agreement was that if we are going to live small, we are still going to live fabulous. I want color, I want interest.

“The only room we did not gut was the kitchen. We just spray-painted the dark, dreary cabinets white.

“We also dropped in a glossy white farmhouse sink that was retrofitted to fit over the cabinets (and) changed out the backsplash.”

Another of Soileau’s demands for the home was a bathroom of her own. The couple sacrificed space from what is now their

A miniature refrigerator keeps refills of Champagne and other beverages within arm’s reach in a corner of the dining room.

dining room to accommodate the bathroom and a small laundry room.

The couple was able to get a new, fortified roof for the home through a state lottery that awarded them $10,000 for the project.

“Jefferson Parish matched it by 50% with another $5,000, so because the house is so small, it was all paid for,” she said.

Throughout the home, Kellie Soileau went bold with daring choices in wallpaper, paint and floor-to-ceiling drapes in colorful patterns.

“I shop the children’s collections for furniture. They are often on a smaller scale, and they

Marc Soileau hand-painted the blue-and-green striped pattern on the kitchen walls. Here, a sideboard from Wayfair was painted and outfitted with new knobs to serve as an elegant bar. The Foo dog lamps are from Lampa Plus. The limited edition print on the wall is by Alex Beard.

PHOTOS By JEFF STROUT

The wallpaper in the room that serves as both an entry foyer and as Kellie Soileau’s home office is by Josef Frank. The room is dominated by a large French Provincial armoire, picked up from the former Gerrie Bremermann Antiques on Magazine Street. The custom-designed chandelier is by Julie Neill. The drapes are from Wayfair.

Kellie Solieau loves a mix of high and low. The papier-mâché flowers above the bed are by artist and architect Mia Kaplan. The custom embroidered linens are from Leontine Linens, and the floor-to-ceiling draperies are from Anthropologie.

have more color,” she said of lines by Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware and the like.

The family’s art collection covers every inch of wall space in the living room, which is painted a vibrant shade of periwinkle blue.

The shade mimics the background in the Josef Frank wallpaper and the painted millwork in the adjacent front room, which is dominated by a large French Provincial armoire, picked up from the erstwhile Gerrie Bremermann Antiques on Magazine Street.

The room serves as an entry foyer and Kellie Soileau’s home office and creative space Both rooms are illuminated by custom-designed chandeliers by New Orleans lighting designer Julie Neill.

The doorframes throughout the home were milled by Riverside Lumber to mimic those originally in the house. The home’s oak floors are original.

In the dining room, located at the back of the house behind the kitchen, the couple removed aged, dated wood paneling to discover original cypress beadboard covering the walls.

After painting it white, the walls above it were finished with a breezy floral paper by Danika Herrick from Spoonflower.

A custom Julie Neill chandelier illuminates the space One day, the family hopes it will hang in the house they still plan to build with the architect’s blueprints that went on hold in 2022.

“We will take the custom

Tips

KEY STRATEGIES FOR LIVING LARGE IN A

SMALL SPACE

n Use large mirrors set opposite from windows and metallic accessories to reflect light.

n Keep surfaces clear

n Select furniture with exposed legs to create the illusion of more floor space.

n Hang curtain rods close to the ceiling to make windows and walls look taller

Why go with bold color in a small space?

A vintage toaster on the counter lends style.

GRETNA HISTORICAL SOCIETY TOUR

The tour will include a collection of homes, the Gretna Historical Society Museum and the German American Cultural Center

WHEN: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.April 12 WHERE: Start at the White House, 209 Lafayette St., Gretna, for tickets ($25) until 4 p.m. INFO: (504) 362-3854

chandeliers with us when we eventually go,” Kellie Soileau said. “But we always knew this would not be our forever home So, we mostly used what we had and filled in with a mix from Target, Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, Wayfair and estate sales. If we were buying new, we went low end. “Making a home is all about curating. I bought my first house when I was 26, and I never thought of myself as a creative person until I had a house to fool with. I love to play with color and texture. I love a mix of high and low The hunt is fun. It should always be fun.”

An unexpected jolt will transform a small space into a purposeful, dramatic “jewel box.” Rather than shrinking the area, applying the colordrenching method of using one bold shade across walls, trim and ceilings erases the corners, making the walls feel farther away. The result creates depth, personality and an intentional, cozy or energetic atmosphere. Strong colors can make a small room feel calmer by masking clutter and architectural inconsistencies, creating a more harmonious space.

Consider a high gloss finish. When paired with a bold color, a radiant finish can add even more drama and reflectivity

Be intentional about artwork

Professionals advise choosing one or two large pieces of art instead of a busy gallery wall to create a dramatic, lesscluttered focal point. The Soileaus rejected this advice in their living room. The result is a dynamic effect that tells the story of their family and their experiences. Throughout the rest of their home, they stuck more closely to the “less is more” adage and opted for singular, large pieces.

Transform outdated cabinets

Water-based alkyd urethane enamel in a semi-gloss or satin finish is the way to go here. It offers the durability of oilbased paint with easy water cleanup and low VOCs, drying hard to resist chips, scratches and grease. Spray painting will give you the best finish on the cabinet faces. Just re-

move them from the frames, sand, if necessary, give them a good cleaning, allow them to dry, prime and then spray away in a well-ventilated area. Use a small roller to faint the cabinet frames after prepping them.

What about storage?

Living large in a small space is achieved by maximizing vertical storage, using multifunctional furniture and reducing visual clutter to create an open, airy, and functional environment. Install shelves near the ceiling and use floorto-ceiling bookcases to draw the eye upward. Use ottomans with storage, foldable tables, and sofa beds to maximize functionality without added clutter.

Wallpaper is an easier choice these days

Consider the space you have available. For particularly large wallpaper prints, some small spaces may be too small for the print to be seen properly. It may end up looking more

Kellie Soileau made bold, colorful choices for her Gretna home. Her dress is by Fox and Hen on Magazine Street. The painting behind her is ‘Marie Antoinette,’ a very early work by Ashley Longshore.

like a mural than a pattern. While it’s still an undertaking, hanging wallpaper is no longer the frustrating, messy process it once was. Modern materials like “paste-the-wall” and “peel and stick” options streamline the process. Essentially a giant sticker, peeland-stick is repositionable and ideal for renters or small projects, as it can be removed without causing damage. Rather than pasting the paper, apply adhesive directly to the wall, reducing mess and making it easier to line up seams.

Pre-pasted products come with adhesive already on the back, which is activated by water, simplifying the application process.

Modern nonwoven wallpapers are more durable and easier to manage during installation, good news for those with small spaces. Hygge & West (hyggeandwest.com) has designed a line of wallpapers for small spaces. It also offers three free samples to help you get the process started.

— Jyl Benson

PHOTO By JEFF STROUT

ONEINAMILLION

Covingtonjewel boxdwellingblendsstyle andcomfort

BY VICTORANDREWS Staff writer

The contemporary home at 309 S. Jahncke Ave. in Covington seems to be one of those surprises atraveler might stumble upon during atrek through an enchanted forest.

The almost 4,000-square-foot residence seems abit like a window-studded jewelbox set in mature landscaping, capturing asouth Louisiana essence on the quarter-acre lot.

Jewel box might be the most apt descriptor forthis four-bedroom, three-plus bath home for under $1.8 million, centrally located in the downtown area of this St. Tammany Parish city.Originally built in 1970 and renovatedand expanded in 2021,this unique property blends style and relaxed comfort in ahandsome package.

The entrance to the home, located along the linearside, is arecessed sectionwith aglass doorand large sidelights.

Stepping into the home,the ebony-stained floors create a grounded impact on the rich wood tones that offset the abundance of glass and light pouring over the structure.

The soaring foyerofthe home features the aluminum and glassstaircaseand an abundanceofwindows in the voluminous space.

The glass and aluminum floating staircase frames the foyer area and hintsatthe wonders of thesecond floor,particularly the vaulted and exposed cathedral ceilingoverhead.

Across the foyer is afamily room, atucked-away space with exposedbeams on the

ceiling, storage and windows overlooking the lush outdoors.

Opening to the foyer at the left is an expansive assemblage of roomsfor entertainment. The living room comes first, with alarge window

overlooking the side yard and providing an entry point to the public roomsofthe house.

Steps down but at once unified, the dining room and kitchen flow from the living room withspacious ease. Acentral

island of protracted proportion is an ideal spot for preparation and separation between the culinary center and diningarea. It also offersagrand space for seating to enjoy casual meals or conversation withthe chef Along the back wall, featuring glossy tilework and professional-gradeappliances, is the main cooking area, topped withgleaming light counters.

Steps up by the kitchen is a wineroom withplentiful storage, awet bar andwine fridge plus additional pantry space. At the other endofthe first floor of the house, aluscious guest bedroom has large windowsoverlooking the verdant landscape, and afireplace as well. Thebath, located just outside the door in the hall withaccess from the bedroom, is asleek, European-influenced space witha doublevanity, standing shower andwater closet.

Up the staircase andpast the balcony that traverses the vaulted foyer,two sections of the second floor provide separate areas for living. To the right, asuite boasts interesting windowsthat

ONEINAMILLION

Surrounded by a seemingly enchanted Louisiana landscape, the home on South Jahncke Avenue in Covington hints at the wonders inside and in the backyard.

vaulted ceiling with exposed beams. A bright bath features a double vanity and shower/ tub. An upstairs laundry is just outside the door.

To the left, a rec room can serve as an office or a media room or both. The vaulted ceiling and large windows lend an expansive feeling to the space that also provides access to the two additional bedrooms The smaller bedroom comes first and has plentiful closet space and can also, as it does now, serve as a home gym.

The primary suite is a sweet spot, indeed. The bath is heavily influenced by spa styling, with a glass-front wet room of tiles, a triptych of windows and a copper soaking tub that is as much art piece as relaxation station. The sleeping

chamber features the vaulted ceiling with exposed beams and large windows on the side. It also has a wall of glass with large doors and a pair of triangular clerestory window — all looking out onto the covered balcony that gazes out over the backyard.

As much as the interior may seem like a fairy tale, the backyard is a wonderland of entertaining, relaxation and recreation spaces The elements that unite in the outdoor complex are staggering yet harmonious, with a decided Mediterranean overtone.

Set beside a wall with spouting water features, the slate pool and hot tub sport mosaic tiles on different levels to create a unique aquatic focal point.

The family room is conveniently located just off the foyer and has large windows and plenty of storage.

The cabana, connected to the main house by a covered walk, also includes a half-bath and storage for outdoor accoutrements. A side-walled pavilion with plantation shutters for privacy holds room for al fresco dining and cooking on the built-in grill. A fireplace stands

sentinel at the end of the pavilion yet allows broad views of the expansive back lawn area. Extensive lighting, particularly along the path from the rear-access parking area, creates ambiance day or night. An automatic gate provides privacy and security at the back of the property

The dining room and kitchen provide abundant seating for dining and entertainment in this broad space.

The home is listed by Lisa Nunez, of HomeSmart Realty South, (985)788-6270.

One in a Million is an occasional series featuring upscale homes for sale in the metro area

NEWORLEANS

n TRANSFERS FORMARCH 13-17

DISTRICT 1

EUTERPE ST.1410: $247,000, Susan R. Pollo revocable trust to BradfordC.Bokhof, Julie Carlfeldt Bokhofand Michelle Barbour Ivey.

GRAVIER ST.3217-19: no value stated, Lakeview Loan Servicing LLCtoSecretary of Veterans Affairs.

MAGAZINE ST.700: $449,000, Kalorama of NewOrleansLLC to Hays B. Thompson III.

ST.CHARLES AVE. 731: $618,000, ErikaWolf Briggsand Travis L. Briggs to Christopher Melly and Dorinda Marie Melly.

TCHOUPITOULAS ST.307, 313-1517, 327: $3,870,000, HDLV Consoli-

REALESTATETRANSFERS

dation LLCtoHPMBR LLC.

TCHOUPITOULAS ST.840:

$1,075,000, FrenyFatakia Investments LLCtoEugenie ClaireGuillot Fontenot andGregory Scott Fontenot.

TCHOUPITOULAS ST.3986-88:

$100 andother good and valuable consideration,Barton Baldner Shank to 3986 Tchoup HouseLLC.

TULANE AVE. 2518: donation, no value stated, Jermaine Carneyto Jewel Carney Jr.

DISTRICT 2

CANAL BLVD.6838: $1,400,000, Chuckdeez 2LLC to Reese Darrell Proctor and SaraRae Zegelbone Proctor.

CATINA ST.6558: $565,000, Monique M. Sauter and Richard Sauter to Brady Jennings Smith and Leslie Ann Leavoy Smith.

COLBERTST. 6348-50: $422,000, 6348 50 ColbertLLC to Crescent SouthRealty LLC.

DAUPHINE ST.618: $205,000, Nola Investment Solutions LLCto Jan Holifield Stewart and Larry Stewart.

DECATUR ST.620: $660,000, NolapyLLC to Dianna Perrone Colabella.

MEMPHISST. 6639: $449,000, Justin Lacour and Katherine Bates NachodtoJennifer Marie Dignan and Michael James Damare.

N. PRIEUR ST.917-19: $315,000, SF-Nola Opportunity Fund 1LLC to Jason Bohnenstiehl.

ORLEANS AVE. 3049: $360,000, Katherine Faye Schroeder and Mitchell E. Stokan to Robert Town.

ST.PHILIP ST.820, 918-920: $1,550,000, NadjaSalerno SonnenbergtoAkiraMiyawaki Sasaki and Tracy Ann Rappa.

ST.PHILLIP ST.2819-2821;: donation, no value stated, Carol Quin-

lan Wilkerson to Sean Michel Wilkerson.

SPANISH FORT BLVD.81-83: $435,000, 81-83 Spanish Fort LLC to Kelly Elizabeth Cailia Hogan.

URSULINES AVE. 1015: donation, no value stated, Deborah Bila Rouen and Maurice L. Rouento Ashley Simonne Rouen.

URSULINES AVE. 2641-43: $448,000, Julia Katherine Beaudine to Desiree Leigh McSwain and Jonathan Colin McSwain.

WILSON DRIVE 834: $410,000, Edmund S. Latour, Pamela J. Jenkins and Edmond S. Latourto EdwardMonro Brownand Lisa Rose Latter Brown.

DISTRICT 3

ALLEN ST.1810-18101/2-181218121/2: $265,000, Jerome F. Thompson to Delrita Hayes.

ANNETTE ST.2876-2878: $290,000, Frances S. Lawless to Jerell Davis.

AUBRYST. 1714: $73,000, Meliamarie LLCtoHopeRentalsLLC

CAMELIA ST.4800: $180,000, Laval T. Franklin and Lyndall T. Franklin to LedysFeliz Amparo.

CAMERON BLVD.5746: $355,000, DeuxplexDeCoco LLCtoErnesto De La Moraand Gabriela De La Mora.

CERNAYST. 4943, UNIT 1-A: donation, no value stated, Yeimi Belgica Flores PaladatoDenis B. Lagos Guerreroand Katherine F. Flores Martinez.

CLARIDGE COURT 7222: $332,000, La Trading LLCtoThamesSolomon.

COLUMBUS ST.2415: $583,000, Columbus HouseLLC to Emma Bologna.

CONGRESSST. 1125-27: $450,000, Jon &BarbaraBasalone revocable trusttoErin Romaine and Karla Frias Romaine.

COVEVIEWCOURT6530: $82,000, Cyrus Shaw to Brass Street LLC.

DARTMOOR DRIVE 7341: donation, no value stated, Lamar Smith III to Lamar Smith Jr.

DERBYPLACE 3208: $80,000, Brenda Nunnery Danieland James Perry Nunnery to QuiandraNunnery.

DERBYPLACE 3445: $100,000, Ray AnthonyJackson to Anthony Gerald McPherson, Brandon Trevor McPhersonand Jarred AnthonyMcPherson.

DINKINS ST.8631-863: $160,000, Edward L. Mayo Sr. and Jacqueline EzidoreMayotoLJC Alliances LLC.

GUILDFORD ROAD 10800: $270,000, RoyLoving to Christin Simon Cosey and Theron Cosey. KENNON AVE. 4408: donation, no value stated, Vanessa Boswell Sawyer to Elijah FarrellMitchell.

KENTUCKY ST.1201: $148,000, Chad Gleason, Kerbie Gleason Sanders and RoyceGleason to Michael D. Fleming and Ryan M. Fleming.

LAKE FOREST BLVD.10555: $92,500, RoyaltySalon LLCto Thomas Consulting Group LLC.

MANDEVILLE ST.832-836: $294,000, DaleR.Dolese Vige and ReneeY.Aragon Dolese to AmyJoBauer Holland and Corey Michael Holland.

MANDOLIN ST.2127-29: $230,000, Leslie LazardWilliams to KrisharaJohnson.

MARIGNYST. 2821-2823: $24,000, Cordier Construction LLCtoClea 11 Real Estate LLC.

MARIGNYST. 3616: $200,000, Stephen O. Italiano to Maria Krystina Heitman Clement and Michael Clement.

MARYWOOD COURT 30: $182,000,

Zonya Bush Harrison to Clevin Jefferson McDonald and Danyelle McDonald.

ORIOLE ST. 2324: $430,000, Cassie Leigh Holcomb and Patrick Holcomb to Alex Lewis III.

PLEASURE ST. 2057: $289,000, Ian Michael Rousey to Autumn Lyn Rowland and Spencer Rowland.

SANDPIPER DRIVE 8040: $162,000, L’Tanya T. Settle Charles and Rhett A. Charles to Saintuary Homes LLC.

ST. ANTHONY AVE. 4230: $50,000, Latesha Renee Charbonnet to Jeff Efrain Gonzales.

TOURO ST. 826, UNIT 4: $267,500, G&K LLC to Kevin W. Walker and Kim Siebert Walker

TOURO ST. 4513: $340,000, Habilis LLC to Laura Jones.

DISTRICT 4

CAMP ST. 2026: $100,000, Christopher L. Genard to Barbie Lynn Flemister Clark.

LAUREL ST. 2332-34: donation, no value stated, Matthew Gaeinnie to Kirsten Meredith Gaiennie.

LAUREL ST. 4729-31: $360,000, Ashley Gregory Price to Brown Rogers Property LLC.

ST. ANDREW ST. 2121-2123: $414,000, Lees Professional Properties LLC to Nayah Hill.

ST. CHARLES AVE. 625, UNIT 8-E: $100 and other good and valuable consideration, Maite Beotegui Vail and Richard Lee Vail to DTJDF Holdings LLC.

ST. CHARLES AVE. 2100: $215,000, James M. Burlingame IV and Julia Waters Burlingame to Julianne K. Suojanen Amos and Thomas H. Amos.

ST. CHARLES AVE. 3000: $190,000, Mig LLC to Flamingeaux Ventures LLC.

S. WHITE ST. 1505: $144,900, James Black and Melissa Block to Cassady Fendlay and Nicole Wasser.

DISTRICT 5

ADMIRALTY COURT 32: $250,000, Margaret Teresa Shannon to Billie Ann Wilson.

COMET ST. 2709: $249,500, Jesus David Gonzalez and Sury Figueroa Gonzalez to Troy A. Howard Jr.

GENERAL COLLINS AVE. 1318901: $37,000, Performance Real Estate LLC to Triple E. Holding LLC.

GENERAL DE GAULLE 3001: $917,500, Parks Square LLC to Zoe Ventures LLC.

HERITAGE LANE 7: $48,000, Towd Point Mortgage Trust 2018-1 to

REALESTATETRANSFERS

Top Knotch Reality LLC.

RED CYPRESS DRIVE 3701:

$339,000, Bernard Crowden to Travis Walker.

DISTRICT 6

ANNUNCIATION ST. 3530:

$675,000, Kenneth J. Broadwell to Geoffrey Walton, Hannah Margaret Walton and Holly Walton.

ANNUNCIATION ST. 3707:

$725,000, Kelsey Hubbard Kidd and Nicholas Kidd to Madalyn Lucille Cheramie.

ANNUNCIATION ST. 5412-14:

$640,000, JCM Revocable Trust to Pamela W. Buddington Hatfield.

COLISEUM ST. 4725: $415,000, Kourtney Cecelia Ducarpe Moore and Nathan Terry Moore to Davis McCool.

CONSTANTINOPLE 1508: $221,000, Judith Graves Kelly and Wilbur Joe Kelly to Stormy Norwood Lucas.

GENERAL PERSHING ST. 2412: no value stated, Lucille A. Payne to Payne Family Living Trust.

PRYTANIA ST. 1436-38: $584,200, Colin R. Brooks and Vonda Brooks to Eric Paul Gilberti and Rebecca C. Rieth.

SPRUCE ST. 7328-7330: $380,000, Gloria Banzali revocable living trust to Antonia Maribel Villafranca.

STATE ST. 1229: $100, Succession of Kathleen Lanier Long Hosford to Lucas Odell Clary and Rebecca Shay Clary.

WALNUT ST. 185: $175,000, Becki Elizabeth Allen to Brooke Elizabeth Gasaway.

DISTRICT 7

34TH ST. 266: $435,000, Warren L. Green Jr. to Maria Gerrets Dazet.

39TH ST. 319: $604,000, Gabrielle Dazet Forestier, Madeleine Mae Dazet, Maria Gerrets Dazet and Porter Henri Dazet to Megan Ordoyne Bickford and Richard E. Bickford II.

BELLAIRE DRIVE 200: $2,275,000, Bancroft Property Investments LLC to James R. Morton.

BENJAMIN ST. 7707: $935,000, Wound Pros Enterprises LLC to Adam Levin and Grace Levin.

FERN ST. 423: $230,800, Brown Pelican LLC to NVT Properties LLC.

FERN ST. 729-31: $600,000, Erhan M. Yalcin to Elizabeth Tarver Landry and Robert B. Landry III.

LOWERLINE ST. 820: $500,000, Monahan Family Living Trust to Leslie Dalton Williamson.

MAPLE ST. 7700: $100 and other valuable consideration, LCN Holdings LLC to BB3 Original Realty LLC.

MARINERS COVE N. 14: $439,500, Jamie Crain Mobley and Ronald J. Mobley to Jeffrey S. Buras and Kimberly Newman Buras.

MARKS ST. 8723-8725: $42,000, Nola Buys Houses LLC to Homes By Levi LLC.

MILLAUDON ST. 316: $895,000, Cynthia Stewart to Andrew Larimer and Catherine Adreani Larimer.

NERON PLACE 8207: $270,000, Flip Luis Lopez and Luis Alberto Lopez to Donald A. Deynoodt Jr. and Mary Holtgreve Deynoodt.

OLIVE ST. 8925: $80,000, Glenda McGuire Hamlin and Kathy L. McGuire to Charles B. Irons Jr. SYLVIA DRIVE 5870: $545,000, Margaret Fontenot Edwards and Robert Davis Edwards to Emily Mitchell Hurt and Joseph Carlisle Hurt.

EAST JEFFERSON

n TRANSFERS FOR MARCH 14-19

HARAHAN

ASHBORNE DRIVE 7505: Ana C.K. Guzman to Fang Z. Zhang, $465,000.

GENERES DRIVE 1525: David M. Ducote to Callan Landry, $285,000.

JEFFERSON

BARRY AVE. 140: Mark C. Stallings to Amy T. Lyles, $360,800.

BETZ AVE. 424: Richard A. Gremillion to Thomas Hassell Jr., $150,000.

GELPI AVE. 535: Paula E. Culotta to Margaret C. White, $397,500.

KENNER

ARKANSAS AVE. 3711: Nathan Jamison to Huang Properties Management LLC, $85,000.

CYCAS 25: Amne Borghol to Marian P. Walker, $1,698,000. E. LOUISIANA STATE DRIVE 4104: Gregory W. Dziubla to Paola I R. Weber, $205,000.

EVERGLADES ST. 18: Barry Hebert to Stephanie W. Myers, $390,000.

ILLINOIS AVE. 3212: Bridget A. Brown to Ernesto H. M. Morales, $248,000.

INDIANA AVE. 2104-06: Jefferson Capital LLC to Alex Y. N. Vieyra, $285,000.

MARYLAND AVE. 3140: Ryan Kelley to Matthew Villa, $338,000. MAYFAIR LANE 648: Helene

ä See EAST, page 20

REALESTATETRANSFERS

WEST JEFFERSON

n TRANSFERS FOR MARCH 14-19 AVONDALE

PAT DRIVE 369: H Bernard to Jessica N. Turner, $135,000.

BARATARIA

BLVD. CROWN POINT 9578: Donis C. Sharpe to Janice M.H. Firmin, $295,000.

BRIDGE CITY

PATO ST. 953: Rental Property Services LLC to Chaquira A.V. Dorticos, $135,703

GRAND ISLE

LA. 1 2443: Peter D. Young to Clifton E. Martin, $125,000.

LA. 1 3032: High Tide Beach Resort LLC to LJH L.T.D., $600,000 LA. 1 3493: Bobbye E. Lebas to

EAST

Continued from page 19

L. Canovsky to Saidy Garcia, $180,000.

RUE DIJON 14, UNIT P, BUILDING

C: James R. Bland to Ali T. Algarawi, $375,000.

TENNESSEE AVE. 3044: Robert J. III Wilson to Zachery Whitney, $310,000.

METAIRIE

25TH ST. 8720: Next Properties

Kyle Papso, $300,000.

GRETNA

COLONY ROAD 16: Belinda Helmer to William Mcduffie, $750,000

LAKE LYNN DRIVE 3421: Hoang M. Nguyen to Phuong Le, $369,000.

WHISPER LANE 3237: Elegant Houses LLC to K&A Homes LLC, $170,000.

WHITNEY AVE. 2511: Courtney Griffin to Kareem Jebreel, $195,000.

WIEDMAN ST. 407: Kevin A. Martinez to Gladys Martinez, donation, no value stated.

HARVEY

BEECHWOOD DRIVE 1105: Thien Nguyen to Nildy Y. Bennett, $229,000.

BROOKLYN AVE. 2100: Land Green LLC to Koolly Thomas, $140,000.

LLC to Marcela E.B. Deoliveira, $212,000.

ALBERT COURT 7: John T. III Powell to Eric Brennan, $235,000.

EAST MAPLE RIDGE DRIVE 210: Wayne G. Forest Jr. to Evan Thomas, $1,045,000.

EDENBORN AVE. U401 3110: Diana G. Wagner to James G. Smith Jr., donation, no value stated.

ELIZABETH ST. 3004: Charlotte Crawley to Samaa M. S. Fiegel, $385,000.

ELMEER AVE. 4001: Collin P. Constantin to Benjamin J. Fleming, $735,000.

FRAN ST. 3716: Jane W. Truch to

HAMPTON DRIVE 2240: Tin Pham to Hoa T.T. Nguyen, $165,000.

PETAL DRIVE 2721: Nawal Yousef to Anwar Khader, donation, no value stated.

PRIMWOOD DRIVE 3177: Latoya C. Watson to Daejanae A. Larrieu, $238,500.

LAFITTE

JEAN LAFITTE 2900: Khai Dinh to Linh T. Dinh, $600,000.

MARRERO

ACADIANA TRACE 2757: Jsba Inc. to Casterderal A. Williams Jr., $486,500.

CADDY DRIVE 2329: Levu Properties LLC to My Chau, $270,000.

MANOR HEIGHTS DRIVE 1721: Myrtle A. Bourgeois to Yeslie Andonie, $100,000.

MARTIN DRIVE 1256: Evelyn Jenkins to One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Six Martin LLC, donation, no value stated.

Amber S. Murphy, $410,000.

HESIOD ST. 1621: One Thousand Six Hundred Twenty One Hesiod St LLC to Leamsi J. Quintana, $379,500.

KAREN ST. 8127: Angelle C. Mehrtens to Russell Holmes, $243,500.

LAKE AVE. 1161: Betty W. Perseveaux to Wang Worldwide Rentals LLC, $40,000.

LAKE VISTA DRIVE 4917: Marianne M. Schrempp to Ryan Kelley, $665,000.

LAUSAT ST. 3713: Necole D.K. Lamartiniere to Noah C. Pitre, $190,000.

MILLADORN AVE. 5841: Dd Preferred Properties LLC to Nashon Franklin, $205,000.

STELLA PLACE 1500: Edmond A. Rivet to Susan Pham, $180,000.

TERRYTOWN

DIPLOMAT ST. 548: Paul A. Sylve Jr. to J Montepeque, $214,000.

W. MARLIN COURT 676: Elegant Houses LLC to H & M Investment Partners Holdings LLC, $170,000.

WESTWEGO

AVE. B 945: Matthew B. Scafidel to Guillorys Real Estate Inc. Eric, $122,500.

HELIS AVE. 361: Gitsit Real Property LLC to Terence A. Ezell, $160,000.

ROBERT ROAD 34: Leroy Allen to Mary L. Lyles, $256,500.

WEST DRIVE 1326: Janine B. Rosenbohm to Matthew G. Orgeron, $42,836.

ST. TAMMANy

n TRANSFERS FOR MARCH 2-6 ABITA

SPRINGS

ABITA SPRINGS TERRACE SUBDIVISION, PORTION OF GROUND: Cletus B. King and Martha E. Marion King to Dupont Investment Properties Inc., $412,000. HILLCREST COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES, PORTION OF GROUND: Dupont Quality Homes LLC to Trux Air Conditioning Inc., $9,000. LA. 36 21458: Abita Investments LLC to DG Highway 36 LLC, $551,000.

MASHIE STREET, PORTION OF GROUND: Anthony J. McGuay Sr. and Kathlyn C. Jordan to David G. Solis and Santo L. Rivera Cano Solis, $8,000.

NEAR ABITA SPRINGS, PORTION OF GROUND: Andrew S. Messick Jr. to St. Tammany Parish, ä See TAMMANY, page 21

LEFKOE ST. 4401: Em Lefkoe Realtor LLC to New Horizon Investments & Holdings Group LLC, $551,000.

MARCIE ST. 6101: Asset Backed Securities Corporation Home Equity Loan Trust 2004 H.E.9. to Dhaliwal Homes LLC, $155,000.

N. LABARRE ROAD 404: Ibrahim K. Aburiziq to Elise K. Devier, $450,000.

OLD HAMMOND HIGHWAY 420: Brett G. Spansel to Mary K. Power, $285,000.

PIER AVE. 1434: Michelle A.P Guerrero to Elizabeth J. Ruiz, $640,000.

PIKE DRIVE 4417: Emily L. Patton to Edward P. Curry Jr., $450,000.

PIKE DRIVE 4917: LS Realty LLC to Brock J. Wilt, $395,000.

ROBIN ST. 4645: Patricia P. Sewell to Ottallah Properties Inc., $385,000.

SMITH DRIVE 1109: Schmidt Home Builders LLC Daniel to Osorno Metairie LLC, $450,000. SYLVIA AVE. 1448: Melissa Rey to Brooke N. Lemoine, $345,000. TAFT PARK 4613: Robert Hughes to Alice H. Durio, donation, no value stated.

TOKALON PLACE 52: G. Charles Lapeyre to Walter J. Hoyt Jr., $2,442,142.

WALDO ST. 312: Carols of Jefferson LLC to Bodden Group LLC, $125,000.

RIVER RIDGE

CELESTE AVE. 505: William J. III Rouchell to Darrell T. Robicheaux Jr., $315,000.

GARDEN ROAD 291: Dennis A. Wells to Barbara B. Alpaugh, $1,255,000.

GRASS COURT 18: Virendra J. Fuloria to Russell Callaway, $1,020,000.

SOPHIA ST. 804: Sara E. Lee to Jordan Green, $273,000.

STEWART AVE. 712: Michael H. Sumrow to A Larkin, $799,000. TULLULAH AVE. 708, UNIT J, BUILDING 5: Linda S. Foster to Dana M. Varnado, $270,000.

$100,000.

NEAR ABITA SPRINGS, PORTION OF GROUND: Jo Ellen C. Laborde to David Adam and Laura M. Adam, $200,000.

S. DUNDEE LOOP 3020: Christine L. Curtis to Rodney W. Moreland Jr., donation, no value stated.

COVINGTON

20TH AVENUE, LOTS 1, 2, 3, SQUARE 2009: Planche Co. LLC to SEA Property Investments LLC, $63,000.

AVENUE DES MARQUIS DRIVE 1424: Matthew C. Rau and Yuliana G. Rau to Rau Family Trust, donation, no value stated.

BEEBALM CIRCLE 377: Bradley T. Leggett and Connie D. Leggett to Eugenio P Guarino Jr. and Gabriella M. Meaux, $389,900.

BETH DRIVE 6: Flat Flips LLC to LOKI Capital Ventures LLC, $335,000.

BIRG BOULEVARD SUBDIVISION, LOTS 45, 46, SQUARE 8: Succession of Clay C. Prieto, CIP STTP LLC, Three Dogs Run LLC, Alfred L. Stoessell Credit Shelter Trust and others to Hanisee Investments LLC, $8,000.

BUCKTHORNE PLACE 528: Succession of Joseph G. Constant Jr. to CM Graham Property LLC, $233,000.

CALDEN COURT 19693: DSLD Homes LLC to Jacques M. Tchonta Ngounou and Christelle L. Tchonta Ngounou, $293,449.

CALDEN COURT 19701: DSLD Homes LLC to Adrianna Canabal del Valle, $270,935.

CREEK COURT 1025: Jay E. Tenhunfeld and Maggie R. Kippes Tenhunfeld to JCG Property LLC, $240,000.

DANIELSON ROAD 76207: Brad R. Bateman and Erin K. Sullivan Bateman to Andrew B. Dawson and Kristi B. Hodge Dawson, $190,000.

DOUBLE J ROAD 740: Steven P. Chunn and Michelle P. Chunn to Herbert E. Bowen IV, $675,000

E. RUTLAND ST. 517: Segrev Investments LLC to MBSB Holdings LLC, $625,000.

ELK RIDGE 681: DSLD Homes LLC to Ryan Matthew Berry and Alejandra Z. Berry, $468,337.

FIRST ST. 70412: Phillip V. Zito and Tiffany R. Zito to Stephen P. Hayden, $180,000.

FOURTH AVE. 69218: Barrister Residential Construction LLC to Joseph Bua Jr., $330,000.

FOURTH ST. 70109: Jennifer C. Cilia and Justin Cilia to Comfort Cribs LLC, $236,000.

GABRIEL DRIVE 2122: DSLD

REALESTATETRANSFERS

Homes LLC to Patrick K. Daigle, $401,685

GAYLE ROAD 12449: Carlos A. Millan and Centeolt A. Ramon Millan to Bradley Hornsby and Emily Hornsby, $315,000.

GRASSY LANE 15604: Kyle A. Simeon and Taylor S. Simeon to Stephen R. Fauries and Courtney E. Tallo, $108,000.

JONES AND PICKETT SUBDIVISION, LOT 4, SQUARE 2: Glen W. Warden to Kyle L. Roberts, $14,000.

MANOR ST. 72347: Sherryl D. Mueller to Mueller Family Trust, no value stated.

N. FLORIDA ST. 403: Jonathan G. Sessions to William D. Crumhorn, $570,000.

N. GRETCHEN DRIVE 23463: Stephen P. Sens and Melany E. Sens to Thomas J. Dupuy and Nona Dupuy, $360,000.

N. ORCHARD LANE 354: Edward P. Schnauder to Ronald D. Teague and Billie T. Teague, $335,000.

OAK RIVER PLACE 20135: Jeanne M. Martin to Charline E. Martin, donation, no value stated.

PINE ACRES ROAD 17155: Lisa T. Welch to Raymond L. Wissing Jr. and Lisa M. Wissing, $365,000.

PLANTATION ST. 73507: Barry C. Fresh and Lynn F. Fresh to Stewart B. Fresh and Amy G. Fresh, $543,000.

RIVERLAKE DRIVE 13208: Keith S Moser and Lori P. Moser to Scott C. Dooley, $320,000.

RIVERLAKE DRIVE 13316: Wayne Williamson Jr. to Walter O. Williams III and Tammie M. Williams, $340,000.

S. BOCAGE COURT 601: Larry M. Graham to Thomas C. Dwyer an Lucy B. Dwyer, $725,000.

S. RIVER PARC DRIVE 20204:

Daniel P. Greer and Katherine W. Greer to Hanna M. Davisson, $506,000.

S. VERMONT ST. 828: Robert J. Barousse Jr. to Cullen S. Piske and Erin O. Piske, $100 and other good and valuable consideration.

SIXTH ST. 70398: Rachel M. Aertker to Jazlyn Harris, $228,000.

SLEMMER ROAD 19366: Scott A. Sherman to Best Nelly’s LLC, $32,000.

SUNSET DRIVE 72347: Susan I. Downey and succession of Terrance E. Downey to Clint A. Matherne and Heidi C. Matherne, $244,000.

TAMMANY HILLS SUBDIVISION, LOTS 18 , 20, SQUARE 78: Van H. Cavin and Kelsi E. Cavin to Stephen Paul Hayden, $25,000.

TERRA BELLA SUBDIVISION, PHASE 1A13, LOT 390: Terra Bella Group LLC to Bardwell Construction Co. LLC, $115,000.

TERRA BELLA SUBDIVISION, PHASE 1A13, LOT 449: Terra Bella Group LLC to Scott C. Leachman and Debra R. Leachman, $117,500.

TERRACE LAKE DRIVE 506: Thomas J. Dupuy and Nona T. Dupuy to Ian A. Stephens, $323,000.

TERRACE LAKE DRIVE 628: Ian D. Brittain and Carroll S. Brittain to Christine Z. Wood, $290,000.

W. 22ND AVE. 705: Timothy A. Sarvis to Sarvis Living Trust, no value stated.

WAX MYRTLE LANE 30: Don A. McMath and Deborah Miramon McMath to Christian B. Harrison and Rebecca V. Harrison, $575,000.

WAX MYRTLE LANE 6: Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Co. Inc. to Robert J. Barousse Jr. and Mary M. Ba-

rousse, $1,265,000.

WOODBLUFF DRIVE 11552: Succession of Dianne C. Tantillo to Anthony E. Veign and Marion C. Veign, $257,000.

WOODLAND DRIVE 102: Richard J. Lapre to Devin Gorrondona, Maria L. Gorrondona and Troy Gorrondona, $275,000.

FOLSOM

MARTIN ROAD 14199: Elaine S. Bullock and Benjamin R. Bullock to Alicia Blais and Nicolas C. Blais, $1,450,000.

NEAR FOLSOM, PORTION OF GROUND: Shawn G. Courrege and Tara G. Courrege to 437 Holdings LLC, $240,000.

NEAR FOLSOM, PORTION OF GROUND: Succession of Harlean Jean Davis Core and Gary W Core to Dennis E. Glass, $280,000.

NEAR FOLSOM, PORTION OF GROUND: Cary Duncan LLC to William M. Stewart and Mary E. Meinert Stewart, $340,000.

LACOMBE

AKERS WAY 30705: D.R. Horton Inc.-Gulf Coast to Dennis P. Burch and Alyssa S. Giavan Burch, $274,900.

ASHLEY DRIVE 30302: Marion R. Hill Jr. and Ora Cosse-Hill to Wade Wheat and Caitlin M. Wheat, $334,000.

BRIER LAKE DRIVE 61109: Claire Marie Chabreck Living Trust to Catherine Salzer, $397,000.

ISLAND DRIVE 28427: Patrick P. Mccaslin to Doris K. Bogataj, $400,000.

PINE RIDGE ROAD 59374: James P

ä See TAMMANY, page 22

Continued from page 21

Berns Jr., Charlene A. Berns and Gina B. DeForest testamentary trust to Cassidy M. Deforest, $117,000.

ROUQUETTE DRIVE 65728: D. R. Horton Inc.-Gulf Coast to Michelle Simmons, $269,900.

TOWN OF LACOMBE, LOTS 5, 6, 8, SQUARE 81: Wade U Matthews and Louise H. Matthews to Beatrice G. Kaizer and Daniel J. Kaizer, $100,000.

VIOLET ST. 28628: Cole V. Chance to Parker V. Platt and Savannah Glavan Platt, $205,000.

MADISONVILLE

BEDICO CREEK SUBDIVISION,

REALESTATETRANSFERS

LOTS 995, 996, 1002: Santa Maria

Interest LLC to Alvarez Construction Co. LLC, $264,700.

ENGLISH OAK DRIVE 753: Branden M. Freeman and Emily F. Freeman to Susan Silvestri, $490,000.

HIDDEN COVE LANE 3009: Charles R. Benson to Andrew M. Thomas and Mariel F. Thomas, $670,000.

OALMAN LANE 119: Olivia Oalmann Drinkard to Mark S. Drinkard Jr., donation, no value stated.

RUE CHARLOTTE 371: YAR

Construction Co. Inc. to Wallace Boudet III and Lynnette Boudet, $708,000.

SPIKE DRIVE 71784: DSLD Homes LLC to Olivia Conzonere and Sebastian N. Conzonere, $206,343.

TAVERNY COURT 69484: Daniel P. Cantrelle III and Victoria H. Cantrelle to Dante U. Iovenitti, $280,000.

MANDEVILLE

ANTIOCH DRIVE 67614: Gabrielle Givens to Ian Steiner and Wendy Steiner, $516,500.

BEAU RIVAGE SUBDIVISION, PHASE I, LOT 555: Cathy A. Egan to Cathy Ann Egan revocable trust, donation, no value stated.

CENTURY OAK LANE 129: Peter R. Jones and Erin M. Ruegg Jones to Jimmie Moore and Ashley Moore, $535,000.

DEBOUCHEL PLACE 329: Diana H. Saenz to A-Pi Lee and Yung-An Lee, donation, no value stated.

ENDOR LOOP 4142: Jenkins Homes LLC to Manav Mittal and Chahak Mittal, $577,500.

LINNETTE LANE 136: Drexel Developments LLC to Gia M. Blanchard and Charles S. Blanchard, $2,100,000.

MORNINGSIDE DRIVE 235: Albert A. Kramer III to Stephen Green and Crissy Green, $925,000.

NEAR MANDEVILLE, PORTION OF GROUND: Moore 59 LLC to St. Tammany Parish, $256,868.

NEAR MANDEVILLE, PORTION OF GROUND: Gregory Harvin and Lesley Harvin to Patrick T. Brister and Ashley B. Brister, $165,000.

NEAR MANDEVILLE, PORTION OF GROUND: Samuel M. Hauck, Sherry A. Hauck and Louisiana revocable living trust of Samuel M. Hauck and Sherry A. Hauck to Daniel P. Greer and Katherine W Greer, $735,000.

South Village A LLC to Remie Allen and Fatou Gai Allen, $276,500.

SECOND ST. 2170: Kevin Saragusa and Lisa D. Saragusa to Jason D Richoux, $225,000.

SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA LANE 67412: Jason D. Richoux and Melissa W. Richoux to Kevin J. Saragusa and Lisa D. Saragusa, $450,000.

TANGLEWOOD SUBDIVISION, LOT 3, SQUARE 3: David D. Kervin Jr. and Christy S. Kervin to Santo J. LoCoco III and Emily H. LoCoco, $249,500.

TRINITY LANE 209: Troy P. Martin and Jodie P. Martin to Luis F Maldonado and Aura Stella U. Maldonado, $326,500.

VILLERE ST. 1230: Nicholas A. Selby and Julia W. Selby to Steven M. Liffman and Stephanie S. Liffman, $198,000.

PEARL RIVER

BECKY LAKE DRIVE 35135: Claudia N. Sanchez to Faith S. Sanchez, donation, no value stated.

LA. 41 SPUR: Freedom Mortgage Corp. to Dickson Developments LLC, $101,000.

LACY ST. 503: Ralph Stephan and Kristi M. Stephan to Lori S. Wiggins, $240,000.

SPRUCE DRIVE 62011: Agnes G. Simpson to Theresa A. Stanley, donation, no value stated.

MINIUM, UNIT 1A: Marro LLC to Logan T. Natal, donation, no value stated.

ADMIRAL NELSON DRIVE 1417: Succession of Gameel Gabriel to Christopher D. Sceau, $85,000.

ALLEN ROAD 57042: Jeremy T. Lenart and Lindsay N. Lenart to Bernard Crowden and Nicole Crowden, $479,500.

ALMOND CREEK 323: Succession of Gameel Gabriel to Love N Loyalty Design Builder LLC, $89,980.

BELLE ACRES SUBDIVISION, LOT 17: Lumen Hill Capital LLC to Mark A. Johnson, $15,000.

BENT CYPRESS LANE 772: HPA III Acquisitions 1 LLC to Howard A. James and Ashley James, $226,500.

BRECKENRIDGE DRIVE 1205: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Matthew Harris and Raven Harris, $210,000.

CANDLEWOOD 436: Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, $160,000.

CHARLES COURT 425: Toni D Hymel to Justin Cilia and Jennifer Cillia, $307,000.

CHARLES COURT 435: Juan T. Dismuke to Robert Mizell, $319,600.

CHATEAU DRIVE 249: Aileen F. Cook to Larry J. Cook, donation, no value stated.

CHOCTAW DRIVE 58384: Jerry Lynn Taylor Lobrano to Bruce A. Button Jr. and Roxanne V. Button, $286,000.

RED MAPLE DRIVE 314: Herman C. Kobrock III and Kristin R. Kobrock to Stephen P. Sens and Melany Sens, $396,000.

RUE CHINON DRIVE 1090: Ian A. Stephens to Patricia Ferrell, $455,000.

S. VILLAGE LANE 633, UNIT A: 633

W. POWERLINE ROAD 36498: Heide C. Alejandro-Smith to Paul M. Smith, donation, no value stated.

SLIDELL

10TH ST. 2619: Joyce W. Square to Joyce Willliams Square revocable trust, $134,000, donation.

ACADIAN GARDENS CONDO-

CYPRESS LAKES DRIVE 197: Ryan K. Walsh and Mary M. Walsh to Nathan Fuqua and Tiffany W. Fuqua, $420,000.

DALE DRIVE 620: Ronald L. Hall, Amy T. Sumrall McEwen and Keith S. Barron to Charles D. Carollo and Michelle P. Carollo, $190,000.

DELTA RIDGE AVE. 6704: D.R. Horton Inc.-Gulf Coast to Calvin R. Williams Jr., $399,900.

EASTRIDGE DRIVE 1593: Cynthia C. Sanders, Carlos Cano and others to Liliana E. Behny, $144,900.

EFFIE ST. 3129: Succession of Lawrence D. Crow to Victoria Dorsey, $125,000.

HICKORY ST. 1426-28: J&E Properties LLC to Louis Ochoa Investments, $150,000.

HOLMES DRIVE 320: Robert A. Jacobs to Edward Hector Jr. and Jeanett C. Hector, $185,000.

HONEY DEW DRIVE 204: Jennifer L. Leritte to St. Tammany Parish, $27,000.

LENWOOD DRIVE 555: Hydra Properties LLC to Logan C. Weber, $200,000.

MARIS STELLA AVE. 1074: Succession of Betty Paul Hooper to William M. Sanders and Brenda Sanders, $148,000.

MILLERS LAKE COURT805: Kevin M. Varnado and Ashley B. Varnado to MarcA.Kuchler irrevocable trust II,$257,900.

MORGAN SUBDIVISION, LOTS 22-26, SQUARE 39: Do-Well Services LLCtoJohnMcDowell, donation, no value stated.

N. PEARL DRIVE 808: Patricia T. Rowe to Nicholas R. VanDaalen and Christopher M. Johnson VanDaalen, $231,000.

OLD BAYOULIBERTY ROAD, PORTION OF GROUND: Bayou Connections LLCtoE&C Enterprises of LA LLC, $68,000.

QUEEN ANNE DRIVE 222: StandardMortgage Corp. to Leila A. Perez, $176,500

RIO ST.37617: Steve M. Efferson to Alvery L. Efferson Jr. and John E. Allen, donation,no value stated.

RUMMEL ST.1360: Maris P. Helfrich to Ryan Vicker and Kristine l. Vicker, $59,000.

SPANISH TRAIL HIGHLANDS SUBDIVISION, LOTS 11 -14, SQUARE 2: Leonel Gudino and Nadezhda B. GudinotoColleen L. Fleury, $15,500.

SUN VALLEY DRIVE 136: Edward L. Boesch III and Dawn C. Boesch to Marco T. Amador Acosta, $108,000.

SUSAN LANE1553: Kathleen G. BrowntoCleveland E. Wilson, $180,000.

TOWNOFOAKRIDGE SUBDIVISION, LOTS 5-10, SQUARE 9: Mark Perilloux, Kathleen M. Perrilloux, succession of Suzanne M. Coxand others to Acorn Partners LLC, $420,000.

WAKE RESERVE ROAD 5496: D. R. Horton Inc.-Gulf Coast to William P. Scott III and LaShawn C. Taylor, $410,900.

WHISPERWOOD BLVD.165: Donna D. Baglio and Debra D. Bolnar to Monique Sanchez, $175,438.

SUN/BUSH

AC CRAWFORD ROAD 32240: Roland M. Dale andVickieK. Lisco to Edith LoumietFarley Trust, $511,635. LA. 40 29235: RadianGuaranty Inc. to Steven Harwell and Kristen Harwell, $349,900. LA. 41 77225: Casey N. Anthony to Dustin K. Williams andJennifer A. Williams,$126,250.

NEAR BUSH, PORTION OF GROUND: Edna E. Hodges to Delores A. Acton, donation,no value stated.

NICK JENKINSROAD24260: Eugene T. Galloway and Deborah M. Whelan Galloway to Dexton A. Williams, $330,000.

Seedsofsuspicion spread amid thefts

Dear Annie: This situation has beenbotheringmefor four years and is muchmorecomplicated, but I’ll try to be brief. I’m ahorticulturist and plant collector and have lived in my homefor 38 years. I’ve put my extra timeand moneyintomyperennial flowerbeds,and someof theplants in my collection are worth as much as $200. Whenever my husband and Ileave town —whichhappens often in the summer when we stayinanother state —someone comes into our yard and digs up plantsand flower bulbs. At first,I thought my son had taken them,but he said he hadn’tand then becameangry

when Iasked if he had given anyone permission to do so. In thepast couple of years, things have escalated. While we were away,someone also took antiques from our home. This started around the time my husband sold his company and we came into several million dollars. I’ve begun to wonder whether resentment over that could be part of this —maybe even my own family members who feel they should be getting an early inheritance.

I’ve already gone to thepolice and am considering speaking with alawyer.Ialso discovered unknown IP addresses logged onto my Wi-Fi while we were gone that appear to have bypassed my securitysystem. This is aserious crime, so I’m hesitant to prosecute, but Ibelieve Ihave acase.

My husband is battlinglung

TODAYINHISTORY

By The Associated Press

TodayisSaturday,March 28, the 87th dayof2026. Thereare 278days left inthe year

Todayinhistory:

On March 28, 1979, America’s worst commercial nuclear accident occurred with apartial meltdown inside the Unit 2reactoratthe Three Mile Island plant near Middletown, Pennsylvania.

Alsoonthis date:

In 1898,the U.S. Supreme Court, in United States v. Wong KimArk,ruled6-2 that Wong, who was borninthe United StatestoChinese immigrants, wasanAmerican citizen. It was thefirst Supreme Court decisiontorule on the citizenship statusofachild born in the United States to noncitizen parents.

In 1935,the notorious Nazi propaganda film “Triumph desWillens”(“Triumphofthe Will”), directed by Leni Riefenstahl, premieredinBerlin with Adolf Hitler present.

In 1941,authorVirginia Woolf, 59,drowned herself near her home in Lewes, East Sussex, England.

In 1990,President George

cancer,and I’m already under enough stress. Ifeel this is totally diabolical and that my son needs to know,but Idon’tknow how to bring it to light. What can Ido? —A Very Sad Baba Dear Sad Baba: Losing plants and treasured belongings is upsettingunder any circumstance, but even more troubling is the feeling that your home has been violated.

Beforeassuming the worst, focus on practical steps. Every incident should be documented with the police. If you don’t already have security cameras, consider installing them. Ask an IT professional to review your homenetwork to see whether it has truly been compromised. After fouryears of this, consult-

H.W. Bush posthumously awarded theCongressional Gold Medal to the late Jesse Owens,who won four gold medals in track at the1936 Berlin Olympics(Owens,who was Black, won in front of Adolf Hitler,thwarting Nazi claims of Aryanracial supremacy).

In 2024, FTX cryptocurrency exchange founder Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted on fraud and conspiracy charges related to the collapse of the exchange.

In 2025, Utah became thefirst state to prohibit flying LGBTQ+ pride flags at schools and government buildings after Gov Spencer Cox announced he was allowing aban on unsanctioned flag displays to become law without his signature; thelaw took effect the following May. Today’sBirthdays: Basketball Hall of Famer RickBarry is 82. ActorDianne Wiestis78. Singer-actor Reba McEntire is 71. RapperSalt (Salt-N-Pepa) is 60. Country musicianRodney Atkins is 57. ActorVince Vaughn is 56. ActorJulia Stiles is 45. Singer-actor Lady Gaga is 40. Stylist-TV personality JonathanVan Nessis39.

ing alawyer is more than reasonable. It’sessential. See what options you mayhave. And yes, comeclean with your son about what’sbeen happening. Stick to the facts rather than suspicions. Whether he knows more than he first let on or not, time will tell. But he should know what you’ve been dealing with, and you deserve to share the burden with someone.

You’ve endured this quietly for far too long. It’stime to bring this into the open and start protecting yourself and your home.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators. com.

Annie Lane

DEAR ANNIE