The Times-Picayune 04-11-2026

McILROY MAKESBIG MOVE ON DAY 2OFTHE MASTERS 1C

SPLASHDOWN

ArtemisII crew safely returnstoEarth in perfectendingtohistoricmoonmission

BY MARCIA DUNN AP aerospace writer

HOUSTON Artemis II’sastronauts returnedfromthe moon with adramatic splashdown in the Pacific on Friday to close out humanity’s first lunar voyage in more than ahalf-century It was atriumphant homecoming for the crew of four whose record-breaking lunar flyby revealed not only swaths of the moon’sfar side —never seen before by human eyes —but atotal solar eclipse.

Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Vic-

tor Glover,Christina Koch and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen hit the atmosphere traveling Mach 33 —or33times the speed of sound —ablistering blur not seen since NASA’s Apollo moonshots of the 1960s and 1970s. Their Orion capsule, dubbed Integrity,madethe plunge on automatic pilot.

Thetension in MissionControl mounted as the capsule became engulfed in red-hotplasma during peak heating andentereda planned communication blackout.

All eyes were on thecapsule’slifeprotectingheat shield that had to with-

stand thousands of degreesduring reentry.Onthe spacecraft’sonly other test flight —in2022, with no one on board—the shield’s charred exterior cameback looking as pockmarked as themoon.

Like so many others, lead flight director Jeff Radigan anticipated feeling some of that “irrational fear thatis humannature,” especially during the six-minuteblackout that preceded the openingofthe parachutes. The recovery ship USS John P. Murtha awaited

ä See SPLASHDOWN, page 5A

Scalisetours VentureGlobalLNG facility

Housemajority leader toutsstate’s energy might

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

At Venture Global’smassiveliquefied natural gas export terminalin Plaquemines Parish on Friday,atanker bound for Poland wasbeing loaded with more than 150,000 metric tons of LNG, enough to power aquarter ofa million homes for ayear

U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, the Republican House Majority Leader from Metairie and aclose ally of President Donald Trump, looked on from aloading dock. Along with asmall delegation of fel-

low Congressmembersand an official from the U.S. DepartmentofEnergy, Scalisehad cometothe site 30 miles southofNew Orleans for atour

“Five years ago, this was acow pasture,”said Scalise of the630-acre site in Port Sulphur.“Now,itisthe largest, most efficient LNG facility in the world.”

Scalise’svisit to the facility was designed to underscore America’s energy independence six weeks into Trump’swar with Iran, which continues to disrupt global energysupplies despite aceasefire earlier this week. Iran still controlsthe StraitofHormuz, through which afifth of the world’s energy supply travels, and Qatar has said it will be monthsbefore its Ras LaffanLNG facility,badly damagedlast month by Iranian missiles, will be back online.

Because of the war,oil prices remain near $100 abarrel, up 40% since February.Gasoline prices topped $4.15 agallon on average nationwide and were at about $3.80 agallon in Louisiana. Meanwhile, U.S. natural gas prices haven’treally budged, remaining under $3 per million British thermal units. That’snot the case overseas. In Europe, gas prices have surgedinrecent weeks,and are trading at nearly $18 permmBtu, which is whycompanies like Venture Global areexpanding their ability to export thefuel to reach those markets

“Weproduce our own energy now and we do not relyonproducersoverseas,”Scalise said. “Europe, Asia, other countries all want our natural gas.”

ELECTION 2026

BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy,R-Baton Rouge, is making aconcerted push to getDemocrats to switch theirparty registration so they can vote for him in next month’sRepublican primary

That’sprompted criticism from thosewho say it provides more evidence that he’snot atrue conservative —especially since neither of Cassidy’stwo Republican opponents, state Treasurer JohnFlemingand Baton RougeU.S. Rep. Julia Letlow,are making asimilar effort.

Central to Cassidy’s move to encourage party switches is adecision by Gov.Jeff Landry and Republican lawmakers in 2024 to end Louisiana’sunusual jungle primary for federal races beginning this year As aresult, only Republicans and those registered “no party” can vote for Cassidy,Letlow,Fleming and afourth candidate, Mark Spencer,inthe May 16 semiclosed Republican primary

Similarly,only Democrats andnoparty candidates can vote on May 16 for any of the three Democratic candidates: Jamie Davis, Nick Albares and Gary Crockett. Cassidy has said in interviews that he’s simply trying to prevent conservative-leaning Democrats frombeing disenfranchised. “If you’re aDemocrat who hasbeen voting Republican for awhile,you’re not going to be able to vote unless you change to no party or Republican,” he said on March 23 on KEEL, aShreveport radio station. “Otherwise, you’re not going to be able to vote.” Critics paint adarker picture.

“Bill Cassidy wants to be the Democrats’ favoriteRepublican.That’sfine,” Scott McKay, the publisherofThe Hayride, a conservative website, told talk show host Moon Griffon in aradio interview last month. “The problemisthatRepublicans

ä See CASSIDY, page 4A

Letlow Fleming

STAFFPHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, right, talks with site manager Andy Coombes during atour of Venture Global Plaquemines LNG ExportTerminal on Friday

SCALISE, page 4A

PHOTO PROVIDED By NASA

TheArtemis II splashes down in the PacificOcean off the coast of California on Friday

BRIEFS

Tourist boat capsizes in northern India, kills 10 LUCKNOW, India An overcrowded tourist boat capsized in the Yamuna river in northern India on Friday leaving at least 10 people dead, officials said

The accident occurred near the temple town of Vrindavan, a major Hindu pilgrimage site in Uttar Pradesh state.

Officials said the privately operated boat, which had a capacity of about 15 passengers, was carrying around 25 people when it overturned midstream.

Preliminary findings indicated strong winds caused the vessel to sway before it struck a pontoon bridge and capsized.

Senior administrative officer

Chandraprakash Singh said 15 people were rescued, four of them in critical condition. The dead were all from India and included six women, he said

Officials said most passengers were not wearing life jackets and that the boat appeared poorly maintained. The operator fled the scene after the accident, they said.

FAA investigates close call on LAX taxiway

A Frontier Airlines jet nearly collided with two trucks that crossed in front of it earlier this week at Los Angeles International Airport, but unlike last month’s deadly crash in New York while a plane was landing, this incident happened on a taxiway while the plane was moving slowly

The Frontier pilot was alarmed and used an expletive as he told the tower he had to slam on the brakes to avoid a collision late Wednesday “It was real close. The closest I have ever seen,” he said in audio posted by ATC.com.

No one was hurt in the incident that is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration. The agency said several vehicles on a service road crossed in front of the plane around 11:25 p.m. Wednesday

The incident in Los Angeles appears to have happened in an area of the airport where the planes are communicating with air traffic controllers about their movements, but ground vehicles are simply supposed to yield to any planes which are typically moving only about 15 mph. Airport officials didn’t respond immediately to questions about what happened and what procedures are in place to prevent collisions.

Aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo, who was a longtime United Airlines pilot, said these kind of incidents happen daily on taxiways across the country, but don’t normally get any attention because the collision is avoided. The issue will undoubtedly get more attention now “Multiple incidents, accidents happening, just in March alone, I think it’s time to put some serious eyes on what’s going on on the ramp,” Arroyo said.

Texas overturns sentence of death row inmate

Texas’ highest criminal court has overturned the death sentence of a Harris County man who was on death row for nearly half a century Clarence Curtis Jordan, 70, was first convicted in 1978 of murdering Joe L. Williams, a 40-year-old Houston grocer Jordan, who is intellectually disabled, was then found in subsequent years to be incompetent and therefore could not be executed. But for almost four decades, he did not have an attorney to advocate for him and was seemingly forgotten on death row Jordan was finally appointed a new attorney in 2024 as news emerged that there were numerous delayed criminal appeals in Harris County, some of which were lost for more than a decade. The revelation came amid an effort by the county to reduce the backlog in its criminal courts.

Following new legal advocacy, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals vacated Jordan’s death sentence in a Thursday ruling

The panel also sent the case back to Harris County for a new punishment proceeding.

The Harris County District Attorney’s Office said Thursday that the overturning of Jordan’s death sentence is “what justice looks like,” while adding that his conviction stands.

Gaza marks 6 months since ceasefire began

Residents in limbo as war in Iran causes confusion

BY WAFAA SHURAFA and CARA ANNA Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Friday marks six months since Gaza’s ceasefire deal took effect, a milestone largely lost in the confusion over the new and even more fragile ceasefire in the Iran war

The ravaged Palestinian territory of 2 million people has seen the most intense fighting stop between Israeli forces and Hamas-led militants. But most of the ceasefire work remains to be done, from disarming Hamas and ending its two-decade rule to deploying an international stabilization force and beginning vast reconstruction. Gaza residents are in limbo, with limited aid entering through a single, Israeli-controlled border post.

Focusing on a deal’s details is crucial. Already the Iran war’s two-week ceasefire has created deadly confusion over Lebanon as Israel insists the deal doesn’t apply there and continues to attack the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, while Iran insists it does and threatens to upend the agreement. Israel made a surprise announcement Thursday authorizing direct negotiations with Lebanon, despite the lack of

diplomatic ties.

Not long ago, the U.S.-created and Trump-led Board of Peace kicked off with $7 billion in pledges and sweeping intentions of resolving not only Gaza but other conflicts that emerge around the world.

Nine days after the board’s initial meeting, the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran.

The Board of Peace has not met again, and it’s still waiting for Hamas to respond to its proposal on disarming, a major concession and perhaps the hardest step. Hamas’ charter calls for destroying Israel.

A U.S. official said Hamas has not been given a definite deadline to respond to the proposal but added that “patience is not unlimited.”

The official was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity

The lack of a deadline can weaken pressure to act. Meanwhile, diplomacy is busy putting out different flames.

Board of Peace director Nickolay Mladenov told the U.N. Security Council last month that the world should not lose sight of Gaza as a new war flared. The choice in Gaza is between “a renewed war, or a new beginning; the status

quo, or a better future,” he added.

“There is no third option.”

Palestinians might suggest a third option: neglect.

Six months into the Gaza ceasefire that took effect on Oct. 10, little beyond the largely silenced explosions has changed.

Vast tent camps house most of the territory’s population.

Other residents shelter in damaged apartment buildings. Health workers and other humanitarian workers say there has been little progress in the expected surge of medical supplies and other aid.

The U.S. 20-point ceasefire plan for Gaza is largely failing on the humanitarian front, five international aid groups said in a scorecard released Thursday They said conditions have deteriorated further in Gaza since the Iran war began.

“During the first two weeks of March 2026, trucks entering Gaza declined by 80%, and the price of basic goods increased dramatically,” they said. Medical evacuations have stalled.

Palestinians expressed fading hopes for any immediate improvement in their lives.

“There is pollution and disease.

It’s as if there’s no ceasefire at all,” said Maysa Abu Jedian, a displaced woman from Beit Lahiya.

Immigration board denies Mahmoud Khalil’s appeal

BY JAKE OFFENHARTZ Associated Press

NEW YORK An immigration appeals board has denied Mahmoud Khalil’s latest bid to dismiss his deportation case, a largely expected ruling that brings the former Columbia University graduate student and Palestinian activist one step closer to re-arrest and possible expulsion.

The Board of Immigration Appeals issued the final order of removal on Thursday, according to Khalil’s lawyers. The board’s rulings are not public, and an inquiry to the U.S. Department of Justice was not immediately returned.

Khalil said he was not surprised by the ruling, which he called “biased and politically motivated.” His attorneys said he cannot be lawfully detained or deported as he pursues a separate case in the federal court system.

“The only thing I am guilty of is speaking out against the genocide in Palestine and this administration has weaponized the immigration system to punish me for it,” Khalil said in a statement

The Board of Immigration Appeals sets precedent in the byzantine immigration court system, which is controlled by the Department of Justice — and increasingly under the influence of the Trump administration.

Khalil, a 31-year-old legal permanent resident, was the first person whose arrest became publicly known during the federal crackdown on noncitizens who publicly criticized Israel and its actions in Gaza.

The government has claimed that

Khalil’s efforts as a leader of pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia were “aligned to Hamas.” They have not presented evidence of any connection to the terrorist group, and Khalil has adamantly denied allegations of antisemitism.

After his arrest last March, Khalil spent 104 days in an immigration jail, missing the birth of his first child, before he was ordered released by a federal judge in New Jersey

Khalil suffered a significant setback in his federal case earlier this year with a U.S. appeals panel ruling the judge in New Jersey overstepped his authority by releasing him. In a 2-1 decision, the panel found that law requires the case to fully move through the immigration courts before Khalil can challenge the decision in federal court.

Khalil’s lawyers are requesting the full appeals panel reconsider the decision. Earlier this month, they asked one of the appellate panel’s judges to step aside because of his previous role as a top Justice Department official involved in investigating student protesters.

Prince Harry sued by charity

African group claims defamation

BY BRIAN MELLEY Associated Press

LONDON A charity co-founded by Prince Harry in Africa to honor his late mother, Princess Diana, has sued him for defamation after he stepped down as a patron last year

Sentebale, which supports young people living with HIV in Botswana and Lesotho, filed suit last month in London’s High Court, according to court records viewed Friday Online filings show Harry and his friend, Mark Dyer, a former trustee at the charity, are being sued for either libel or slander No documents were available.

“The charity seeks the court’s intervention, protection, and restitution following a coordinated adverse media campaign conducted since 25 March 2025 that has caused operational disruption and reputational harm to the charity its leadership, and its strategic partners,” Sentebale said Friday in a statement on its website.

A spokesperson for Harry and Dyer said the pair “categorically reject these offensive and damaging claims.”

The lawsuit puts the Duke of Sussex in an unaccustomed position as a defendant in the High Court Over the past three years, he has repeatedly been on the other side of litigation as the leading claimant in invasion of privacy suits against Britain’s most prominent tabloids over allegations of phone hacking and unlawful snooping by journalists and the private eyes they hired.

Harry co-founded Sentebale, which means “forget me not” in the language of Lesotho, about 20 years ago in memory of his mother, who was a prominent advocate for treatment of HIV and AIDS and helped reduce stigma around the disease. Prince Seeiso of Lesotho was the co-founder Disagreements at the charity surfaced in 2023 over a new fundraising strategy and the two founders stepped down as patrons in March 2025 in support of trustees who had quit.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ABDEL KAREEM HANA

Palestinian youth look on as they stand in an area next to tents at a makeshift camp for displaced people at sunset in Khan younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Thursday

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MATT ROURKE

Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil’s latest bid to have his deportation case dismissed was denied by the Board of Immigration Appeals.

‘Judge shopping’billfails to advanceout of House

It wouldallow criminal cases to be reassigned

BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN Staff writer

Abill that would allow prosecutors to have criminal cases reassignedtonew judges when defendants waive jury trials failed to make it out of the Louisiana House on Wednesdayafter some Republicans joined Democrats to oppose the measure.

But House Bill 310 could getanother chancetopass later in the legislative session after thetightvote Its sponsor,state Rep. Josh Carlson, R-Lafayette, gar-

nered 50 votes in favorof the measure, just shyofthe 53 needed to send it tothe Senate.

Forty-nine legislators voted against the bill, and six were absent. Eventhough thevotelanded inCarlson’sfavor,HB310 didnot win the majority of the full 105-member chamber needed to moveforward. Carlson said he plans to bring it up for another vote. Under the proposal, a criminal defendantwho opts to have abench trialwould havehis case randomly reassigned toanew judge, as long as thecourt has at least three judges. Thedistrict attorney could intervene to stop the reassignment

Supporters, including Attorney General Liz Murrill,

argue themeasurewould keep defendantsfrom “shopping” for favorable judges. But critics —who note that criminal cases are randomlyassigned tojudges in the first place —contend it would simplyallow district attorneys to do that instead.

On the House floor,Carlson said adefendant should not be able to get rid of ajury’s input just to keep his case in front of ajudge he believes will give him amore lenient sentence. His bill would “protect the integrity,inreality and perception, of our criminaljusticesystem,” Carlson said. He said he brought thebill because he believes some judges in Louisianaacquit defendants even when the

evidence shows they are guilty.

Democrats grilled Carlson about thebill ahead of the vote —but so did state Rep. BrianGlorioso, aRepublican from Slidell, who said he did not believe Louisiana judges were regularly violating theiroath of office by making decisions like the ones Carlson described.

Glorioso saidHB310 went “a bridge too far” and infringed upon the “limited rights” of defendants.

State Rep. Jeremy LaCombe, R-Livonia, aformer prosecutor,joined Glorioso in speaking against thebill He said defendants often waive their jury trial rights because they want to speed up the court process and spend less time in jail —not

because of favorable judges. HB310 comes amid apush to give the Legislature more oversight of judges. Senate Bill 123 by state Rep. Jay Morris, R-West Monroe, would allow legislators to remove judges for“malfeasance,gross misconduct, or incompetence.” That bill passed the Senate and now sits before the House and Governmental Affairs Committee.

It is unclear whether judges can currently be impeached under Louisiana law

Carlson’sproposal also is one of several pieces of legislationthathaveupset defense advocates, who say theywould stack the decks in favor of prosecutors.

Senate Bill 97, also by Mor-

ris, would allow Louisianans to vote on aconstitutional amendment that would require aprosecutor’sapproval for adefendant to opt out of ajury trial. The Senate passed that measure last month, and it now needs approval from the HouseAdministration of Criminal Justice Committee. And House Bill 52, by state Rep. Debbie Villio,would amendLouisiana lawso that defendantsaccused of misdemeanors would only be entitled to jury trials if the crime’s possible penalty exceeded a$2,500 fine or 6 months imprisonment. Currently,the threshold penalty is a$1,000 fine or six months imprisonment. The House is scheduled for debate HB52 on April13.

BY JON GAMBRELL, SAM MEDNICK andMUNIR AHMED Associated Press

ISLAMABAD With the cease-

fire in Iran still shaky,U.S.

Vice President JD Vance headed Friday to Pakistan for high-leveltalks with Iranian officials, as Israel and Hezbollah militants traded fire and Tehran maintained its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz.

Many issues could derail the truce and the negotiations aimed at making abroader deal to stop the fighting permanently Iran’ssemiofficial Tasnim news agency,close to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, claimed that the talks set for Saturday would not happen unless Israel stopped its attacks in Lebanon. And U.S. President Donald Trump said on his social mediaplatform that Iran has no leverage except to restrict ship traffic in the strait, through which 20% of the world’s traded oil once passed.

Kuwait, meanwhile, said it was targeted by seven drone attacks since Thursday that it blamed on Iran andits militia allies in the region.

Though the Guard denied launching any assault, it has carried out attacks across the Mideastinthe pastthat it did not claim.

Preparations for the talks between Iran and the U.S. appeared to be movingforward, with Vance boarding AirForce Twofor thelong flight to Islamabad.

Elsewhere, negotiations between Israel and Lebanon were expected to begin Tuesday in the U.S. capital, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’soffice said Friday Beirut is keen to hold direct talks to end the war between Israel and Hezbollah, butunder aceasefire similar to the one with Iran.

Before his departure, Vance said he believed the

negotiations with Iran will be “positive.”

Butheadded,“If they’re going to try and play us,then they’regoing to find that the negotiating team is not that receptive.”

In Islamabad, security forces locked down key parts of the Pakistanicapital,erecting barricades along routes from the airport to the city Hours later,the Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad BagherQalibaf arrivedin Islamabad,Iranian state TV reported.The delegation included security,political, military,economic and legal teams. The report said negotiations will begin only if the other sideaccepts Iran’s preconditions.

Earlierinthe day,Qalibaf posted on social mediathat two points he said had been mutually agreed on —a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of blocked Iranianassets—have yet to be implemented.

“These two matters must be fulfilled before negotiations begin,” hewrote.

Direct negotiations

Israel’sinsistence that the

ceasefire in Iran does not include apause in its fighting with Hezbollahhas threatened to sink thedeal. The militant group joined the war in support of its backer, Iran.

The day the trucewas announced, Israel pounded Beirut with airstrikes, killing morethan300 people, according to theLebanese Health Ministry.Itwas the deadliestday in the country since thewar began Feb.28.

Trumpsaid Thursday that he had asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to dial back the strikes.

Then on Friday,Israeli warplanes struck near astate security office in the southerntown of Nabatieh, killing 13 officers, according to the Lebanese president’soffice.

Israeli forces saidthey also hit about 10 rocket launchers in Lebanon that hadfired towardnorthernIsrael.

Aday earlier,Netanyahu said he authorizedthe negotiationswithLebanon withthe aim of disarming Hezbollah militants and establishing relations between the neighbors, which have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948.

Aoun’sofficeconfirmed thatthe twosides were set to negotiate after Lebanon and Israel’sambassadors to theU.S. held acall with Washington’sambassador to Lebanon to discuss terms.

The U.S. StateDepartment will mediate.

In afirststatement since Israel announceddirectnegotiations with Lebanon, Hezbollah chief Naim Kassem urgedLebanese officials to stop offering “free concessions,”but he did not take a clear stance on the talks.

Twodaysafter Israel’s barrage, people sifted through thewreckage of their homes, trying to salvage furniture and personal mementos. Some expressed gratitudethattheydid not lose loved ones.

“There is no substitutefor family,” said Wissam Tabila, 35. “Everything else can be replaced.”

Strait astickingpoint

Iran’sclosure of the Strait of Hormuz hassentoil

prices skyrocketing, driven stocks down and roiled the world economy.Tehran’s control over the waterway hasprovedits biggest strategic advantage in the war

Thespotprice of Brent crude,the international standard, wasaround $97 Friday,upmore than 30% since the warstarted.

Before theconflict, over 100 ships passedthrough the strait each day —many carrying oil to Asia. With the ceasefire in place, only12 have been recorded passing through.

Trumpsaid Iran has little clout in the negotiations.

“The Iranians don’tseem to realize they have no cards, other than ashort term extortion of the World by using International Waterways,” TrumppostedFriday. “The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!”

Questionslinger

Questions also remain over thefate of Iran’smissileand nuclearprograms,

whichthe U.S. and Israel sought to eliminateingoing to war. The U.S. insistsIranmust never be able to build nuclear weapons andwants to remove Tehran’sstockpile of highly enriched uranium, whichcould be used to make them.Iraninsistsits program is peaceful.

Trump has said that the U.S. would workwithIran to remove the uranium, though Tehran hasnot confirmed that.

More than 3,000 people have been killedinIran, a top Iranian officer told the state-run Iran newspaper Iran’s government hasnot provided anydefinitive death toll from the war. In Lebanon,atleast1,953 people have been killed and 1millionhave been displaced.Overa dozenpeoplehave died in Gulf Arab statesand the occupiedWest Bank, while 23 civilians were killedinIsrael.Thirteen U.S. servicemembers have been killed.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTO By EMILIOMORENATTI

Aresident checksdamagetobuildings on Fridayasshe walksnear charred cars at

Continued from page1A

Venture Global’sPlaquemines facility is one of two export terminals the Virginia-based company currently operates, with more set to be built. It rises up suddenly from the pastures of Plaquemines Parish alongaonce-sleepy highwaylined with orchards and gnarled, wind-swept oaks.

It is surrounded by giant floodwalls designed to withstand 14 feet of standing water and windsofup to 220 miles per hour

Inside the walls, which are guarded with layers of security, high-tech components are used to supercool natural gas pumped in from underground pipelines. After the gas is transformed into its liquid state,itflows through pipelines that cross the highway and is pumped into tankers that sendit around the world.

LNG exports from the U.S.have skyrocketed overthe past decade, growing from around 16 billion cubic feet in 2014 to more than5.5 trillion cubic feet in 2025, accordingtothe U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Louisiana has emerged as major player in that export market. More than 60% of the nation’sLNG exports now travel through Louisiana. In addition to Plaquemines LNG, Venture Global also operates Calcasieu Pass LNG in Cameron Parishand is building athird terminal, Calcasieu Pass 2, or CP2

Additionally,the company is awaiting final regulatory approval for an $18 billion expansion of its Plaquemines Parish facility,which cost more than $23 billion toconstruct and began productioninDecember 2024.

The expansionwouldbring the total maximum production capacityofthe facility to 45 million tons per year from the current 27million.

CASSIDY

Continued from page1A

don’tlike you as aresult of that. So you’re probably not going to win the primary.” Meanwhile, Letlow’scampaignonFriday seized on a Substack post on Cassidy’s efforts by liberal commentator Bob Mann, ahistorian and former LSU mass communications professor who previously worked as astaffer to Democratic elected officials, to question the senator’sconservative credentials.

Cassidy noted that voters can easilychange their registration through the secretary of state’sGeauxVote app. They can also do it online through geauxvote.com. That deadline is April 25 For voters who wantto change their registrationin person or through the mail, the deadline is April15.

About five weeks before theprimary,eachofthe three Republican candidates has alegitimate case to make for finishing first or second in the primary and thus advancing to the June 27 party runoff. Each campaign has released polls showing itscandidate running first or aclose second.

Bolstered by farwith the biggest campaign war chest, Cassidy has been campaigning aggressively and telling voters that he is aconservative whohas delivered billions of dollars to reduce traffic congestion, prevent flooding, provide safer drinking water and create jobs.

Asuper PACsupporting him has spent heavily to broadcast TV ads that bash Letlow for her stock market trades and that paint her as an untrustworthy stewardof taxpayer money.The super PACisalso highlighting her calls in 2020 for expanding diversity,equity and inclusion programs —a no-no for conservatives.

Letlow has been emphasizing her endorsement by President Donald Trump, saying it shows she is the true conservative in the race. She has counterattacked Cassidy,saying his vote to convict Trump on impeachment charges (of inciting the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021) means he can’t be trusted to back the president. Letlow also says thatCassidy votedfor legislation that promoted DEI, an accu-

Venture Global hopes to begin constructiononthe expansion phase, whichwill be located immediately adjacent to theexisting facility,in2027.

Rosy predictions

LNG hasbeenbilled as acleaner source of energy than coal as much of the world moves more toward renewable energy

Butitisalso asignificant source of greenhouse gasemissions, and critics have argued that new export terminals will lock in gas con-

sumption for decades to come and undermine efforts to transition away from fossil fuels.

At thesitevisit Friday,Scalise arguedthatfossil fuel-based sourcesofenergywould remain dominant andthatrenewable forms of energylike wind andsolar were unreliable.

“They will get better over time,” he said. “But youwill neverget rid of fossil fuels. We need more forms of energy.”

Scalise,who like most RepublicansinCongress have supported

the war with Iran, also predicted thatenergyprices will come down after the conflict is resolved.

U.S.energy costs increased nearly 11%inMarch as aresult of the war,according to figures released Friday,pushing prices for everydayhousehold goodsupand increasingthe annual inflation rate to 3.3% last month.

“You’regoing to see gasoline prices come back down,” Scalise said. “I’d like themtobelower,” he said. As part of his energy tour,Scalise

was joinedbyU.S.Rep.Bob Onder, aRepublican from Missouri, and U.S. Rep.Craig Goldman, also a Republican, from Texas, as well as Energy Undersecretary Alex Fitzsimmon.

Earlieronthe tour, thegroup visited an offshore oil rig operated by Occidental.

Jonah Meadowscontributed reporting to this story.

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

sation he dismisses. Letlow notes she hasvoted against DEImeasures during her five years in Congress, includinga2023votethather campaign said “prohibits biological males from competing in women’ssports at schools receivingfederal funding.”

Fleming presentshimself as the most conservativeof thethree, toutinghis 96% scorecard ratingfrom the American Conservative Union duringhis eight years in the House representing northwestLouisianaand hisfour years working for Trump during his first administration

After watching Cassidy andLetlow attack each other,Flemingwas hit in recent daysby apro-Letlow super PACassociated with Landry, which said hedidn’tsupport asecure border.Another group airedanattack that said he had voted for bills promotingcarbon capture sequestration.

Flemingsaidboth lines of attack were lies and released the video that was the source of the border attack ad toshow it had been edited deceptively

Besides promoting party switches in public appearances, Cassidy’scampaign hassent text messagesto urge Democrats to change their partyregistration.

AFeb.13textsaid:“Check your voter registration. Ensure yourvoice is heard this election …Check this off your to-do list and get it done TODAY!”

The text included alink to “update your voter registration here.”

Since Feb. 1, there are 7,740 fewer Democrats, 4,819 more no partyvoters and 3,829 more Republicans. How much credit Cassidy can claim is unclear.The number of Democratsin Louisiana has been declining foryears to thepointwhere Republicans are projected to have themost voters in thestate,perhaps as early as this year

For comparison’ssake, about 1.5 million people voted forCassidy andanother Republican in the2020 Senate primary,whenitwas open to all voters.

SusanTudor, aretired health care executive in Alexandria, said she switched from Democrat to no party.

“I disagree with Cassidy on alot of things,but Ibelieve he is the best candidate,”Tudor said. “He’s more conservative than I am on some things, but I respecthim as aphysician. Ithink he made apolitical calculus on the Robert Kennedy (confirmation) vote (to be secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services),but he’s at leastchallengedhim He’sworked on both sides of the aisle. Ithought he made acourageous vote on impeachment.Idothink, in the system we have,like it or not, seniority matters.”

Cassidy chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, giving him apowerful voice on changing thecountry’s healthcare system.

Nathan Chapman, ahistoricpreservationist in New Orleans,said he,too, switched fromDemocrat to no party.

“I did appreciate he voted forthe impeachment, Chapman said.“That took real courage. Idon’twant to see him punished for that. Iwishhehad done more against Robert Kennedy.A lotofpeople look to him for leadership on that issue. I think he’s in adifficult position. On the whole, Ithink he’sa good manand is trying to maneuver as best as he can.”

That maneuveringisultimatelytoo clever,Bob Mann wroteina Substack post Thursday.HesaidCassidy calledhim Monday night to explain whyDemocrats should switchtovotefor him. Mann wrote that the calland Cassidy’srecord left him with ambivalent feelings, in partbecause of

thesenator’sdecision to incessantly labelLetlow as a “liberal,”even though she hasastrong conservative voting record.

Mann wrote: “He’sessentially telling people likeme in private conversations: I’m really not as crazy andMA-

GA-like as I’ve had to sound over the past year and a half. And, by theway,I know you’re angry about RFK, but look at all the bipartisan legislation I’ve supported that proves I’m really asensible moderate.

“As Isay,all that’sprob-

ably true. Deepdown, Cassidy isn’tasconservative as he must pretend to be.”

Concluded Letlow’scampaign in astatement: “Louisiana Republicans know exactly whoBill Cassidy is, and on May 16, they will maketheir voices heard.”

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

The VentureCameron prepares to depart for Poland carrying afull load of liquefied natural gasfrom the Venture Global Plaquemines LNGexport terminal in Port Sulphur on Friday.

Rob Navias.

Artemis II’s record flyby

Launched from Florida on April

never seen before by the human eye along with a total solar eclipse. The eclipse, in particular “just blew all of us away,” Glover said.

the crew’s arrival off the San Diego coast, along with a squadron of military planes and helicopters.

The astronauts’ families huddled in Mission Control’s viewing room, where cheers erupted when the capsule emerged from its communication blackout and again at splashdown.

The last time NASA and the Defense Department teamed up for a lunar crew’s reentry was Apollo 17 in 1972. Artemis II was projected to come screaming back at 36,170 feet per second — or 24,661 mph — just shy of the record before slowing to a 19 mph splashdown.

“A perfect bull’s-eye splashdown,” reported Mission Control’s

1, the astronauts racked up one win after another as they deftly navigated NASA’s long-awaited lunar comeback, the first major step in establishing a sustainable moon base.

Artemis II didn’t land on the moon or even orbit it. But it broke Apollo 13’s distance record and marked the farthest that humans have ever journeyed from Earth when the crew reached 252,756 miles. Then in the mission’s most heart-tugging scene, the teary astronauts asked permission to name a pair of craters after their moonship and Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll.

During Monday’s recordbreaking flyby, they documented scenes of the moon’s far side

Their sense of wonder and love awed everyone, as did their breathtaking pictures of the moon and Earth. The Artemis II crew channeled Apollo 8’s first lunar explorers with Earthset, showing our Blue Marble setting behind the gray moon. It was reminiscent of Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise shot from 1968.

“It just makes you want to continue to go back,” Radigan said on the eve of splashdown. “It’s the first of many trips, and we just need to continue on because there’s so much” more to learn about the moon. Their moonshot drew global attention as well as star power, earning props from President Donald

Trump; Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney; Britain’s King Charles III; Ryan Gosling, star of the latest space flick “Project Hail Mary”; Scarlett Johansson of the Marvel Cinematic Universe; and even Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner of TV’s original “Star Trek.”

Test for future moon missions

Despite its rich scientific yield, the nearly 10-day flight was not without technical issues. Both the capsule’s drinking water and propellant systems were hit with valve problems. In perhaps the most high-profile predicament, the toilet kept malfunctioning, but the astronauts shrugged it all off.

“We can’t explore deeper unless we are doing a few things that are inconvenient,” Koch said, “unless we’re making a few sacrifices, unless we’re taking a few risks, and

those things are all worth it.”

Added Hansen: “You do a lot of testing on the ground, but your final test is when you get this hardware to space, and it’s a doozy.”

Under the revamped Artemis program, next year’s Artemis III will see astronauts practice docking their capsule with a lunar lander or two in orbit around Earth. Artemis IV will attempt to land a crew of two near the moon’s south pole in 2028.

The Artemis II astronauts’ allegiance was to those future crews, Wiseman said.

“But we really hoped in our soul is that we could for just for a moment have the world pause and remember that this is a beautiful planet and a very special place in our universe, and we should all cherish what we have been gifted,” he said.

PHOTO PROVIDED By NASA

Recovery teams work to secure the Artemis II crewmembers after splashdown in the Pacific Ocean

Feds: Lawyer may have bilked multiple clients

Ruffin accused of duping family out of $250,000

BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer

As New Orleans defense lawyer Tanzanika Ruffin entered a not-guilty plea Friday morning to allegations she duped a former client out of $250,000, federal prosecutors said they’re investigating reports that Ruffin victimized another former client as recently as this month.

Man accused of mall copper theft

Police say he used elaborate pulley system

BY MICHELLE HUNTER Staff writer

A Destrehan man displayed a bit of illicit ingenuity while working to strip copper wiring from the walls at Esplanade Mall in Kenner according to authorities.

Jason Chapman, 45, allegedly crept into the mostly shuttered shopping center and built what Kenner police called an “elaborate pulley system” that was powered by a car battery and designed to pull copper wiring out of the walls.

The theft was the latest in a series of copper thefts in the region that have damaged streetlights and other public infrastructure.

A security officer patrolling the mall, located in the 1400 block of Esplanade Avenue, stopped after noticing an open exterior door on March 27.

The officer entered and discovered the pulley system along with 200 feet of pilfered copper wire that had been cut, rolled and taped up, according to police. They said that it appeared that someone had staged the wiring and would be returning to pick it up.

The estimated value was about $25,000 to $30,000.

“This wasn’t just theft This was a full-scale operation,” Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley said in a statement released Friday “Unfortunately for him, our officers are just as committed to their work — and a lot better at it.”

To zero in on Chapman, police said they used automated licenseplate recognition cameras that identified a suspect vehicle. The truck belonged to Chapman, police said, and he allegedly returned to the area on April 1 to retrieve the wiring left at the mall. Chapman was taken into custody and authorities executed a search warrant at his residence in Destrehan. There, they recovered about 1,000 pounds of copper wiring as well as receipts for scrap yards, police said.

Kenner police booked Chapman with simple burglary and simple criminal damage to property, police said. Investigators suspect he may be connected to some of the recent copper thefts throughout the region and will likely face additional charges in Jefferson and St. Charles parishes. Authorities can’t yet rule out whether Chapman has any ties to the more than 300 streetlights were left inoperable by thieves who stripped copper wires from poles around the parish. Jefferson Parish officials in January said it would cost more than $1.5 million

The veteran attorney stood as a defendant facing a felony wire fraud charge during her arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Wells Roby inside the federal courthouse in New Orleans.

Ruffin, 48, is accused of bilking a former client’s family of six figures in a fake settlement scheme invoking the New Orleans Police Department and Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office.

A week after a New Orleans grand jury indicted Ruffin, who once served as an Orleans Parish prosecutor, the Louisiana Supreme Court issued her an interim suspension pending the outcome of her criminal case. According to U.S. Attorney David Courcelle’s office, Ruffin stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the family of Kai Hansen, a 23-year-old Colorado man who was

charged in an assault last year on an NOPD detective outside a Bourbon Street cigar bar

Over several months, federal prosecutors say, Ruffin strung along Hansen’s out-of-state parents while convincing them to send her money through wire transfers and Venmo payments.

Ruffin claimed she needed the funds for “restitution” to the NOPD officer and “settlement” payments that would “shield” Hansen from future lawsuits, the indictment against her alleges.

Ruffin also allegedly lied and told Hansen’s family she’d negotiated a nondisclosure agreement with the detective and the District Attorney’s Office that required they keep it a secret. With Courcelle beside her, Assistant U.S Attorney Maria Carboni said Ruffin faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted as charged. Carboni told Roby the government received reports from

NEED FOR SPEED

Powerboat racing returns to Lake Pontchartrain this weekend

BY LARA NICHOLSON Staff writer

Powerboat racing is coming back to the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain this weekend, with the New Orleans Powerboat Grand Prix, a tournament of high-speed boating, set to double in size from the racing event held last year

The Grand Prix marks the second stop of the International Hot Rod Association Offshore Series National Championship. It will take place from 9 a.m. to 7 p m. Saturday and Sunday on Lake Pontchartrain off of Metairie’s Bonnabel Boat Launch.

The tournament features both powerboat and Jet Ski racing and the championship series has a total prize purse of $2 million.

Organizers said Friday they were expecting thousands of spectators along the levees and parks to watch Jet Skis and speedboats race against each other

at speeds as high as 150 mph.

Colorful tents and uniformed race teams crowded the Bonnabel Boat Launch on Friday, a preparation day, with towering cranes lifting and weighing the sleek powerboats, measuring up to 50 feet and with 2,500 horsepower, as they prepared to enter the water

The event is being presented by local oil and gas services firm Harvey Gulf International Marine, headed by Shane Guidry, and Jefferson Parish Council District 5 member Hans Liljeberg.

“We are proud to welcome back the New Orleans Powerboat Grand Prix right here in District 5,” Liljeberg said.

“This event not only promises thrilling racing and family-friendly activities but also provides a unique opportunity to boost our local economy.”

The International Hot Rod Association took over the New Orleans powerboat race after acquiring last year’s event promotor Powerboat P1. According to IHRA spokesperson Thomas Covington, they wanted to return to New Orleans after seeing the 2025 tournament’s success. Last year’s tournament had more than 10,000 spectators and organiz-

Mark Niemann, of Atlas Offshore Racing, installs a propeller on a powerboat.

ers, roughly 8,000 of which were local There were more than 1,300 hotel room nights booked from last year’s tournament, organizers said.

In addition to the economic impact of the tournament, the Bonnabel Boat Launch also serves as an ideal location for racing, with boat ramps close to the

Luxe Bay St. Louis homes selling for cash

‘The secret is out’ on nearby beach town

BY MARTHA SANCHEZ Staff writer

All across the waterfront neighborhoods of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, real estate agents are tracking a growing trend:

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Norah Moghis, left, 1, and her brother Porter Moghis, 3, watch as a powerboat is hoisted into the water at the Bonnabel Boat Launch in Metairie on Friday. The second annual New Orleans Powerboat Grand Prix returns to Lake Pontchartrain this weekend.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

POWERBOAT

Continued from page 1B

levee and ample room for spectators, Covington said

“It’s almost like it was built for offshore powerboat racing,” Covington said. “It’s a really unique venue, because everything’s all in one location.”

Covington said this weekend’s tournament will roughly double last year’s 35 racing boats. They’ll also see roughly 150 Jet Ski racers compared with last year’s 30. There were 56 drivers entered into the tournament as of Friday afternoon, according to IHRA’s website.

“After those boats came last year and told everybody how great it was, we’ve got double that amount this year,” Covington said.

“We’ve got all the heavy hitters here, all the best teams. There’s really nowhere else you could go see all these guys in one place.” Lake Pontchartrain hosted powerboat races from the 1980s through 1991 and again briefly in the early 2000s, and served as home port to a racing team owned by the late Al Copeland Sr., founder of Popeyes Fried Chicken. Guidry spearheaded the return of powerboat racing to Jefferson Parish last year after he and his son began watching the extreme sport years earlier He spent $300,000 last year to attract the tournament to the New Orleans area.

LAWYER

Continued from page 1B

another former Ruffin client that she “obtained money from them under fraudulent pretenses” as recently as April 1.

The prosecutor indicated authorities are investigating that report, which contends Ruffin continued her criminal activity even after the Louisiana Supreme Court suspended her law license.

A bespectacled Ruffin spoke only to answer the judge’s procedural questions, hands clasped and feet crossed as she stood quietly beside her defense attorney, Kerry Cuccia. Based on prosecutors’ new allegations, Roby prohibited Ruffin from opening any new bank accounts or lines of credit or receiving any new loans with the case pending. She also restricted Ruffin’s travel.

Roby set Ruffin’s next hearing for May 13 before U.S. District Judge Greg Guidry, along with a June 8 trial date.

COPPER

Continued from page 1B

to repair the poles. A month later, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office investigators arrested suspects accused of disabling three West Bank pump stations while stealing hundreds of feet of copper wiring and thousands

ABOVE: Lights spin on the grounds of the Caesars Superdome Friday at the 2026 Hondo Rodeo Fest. LEFT: A rider wrestles a calf to the ground.

culture and small-town feel.

“It’s a real neighborhood,” said Joe Barenberg, a retired executive who started a company that became a major global manufacturer of polyester resin 15 years ago. He and his wife will split time between Dallas and their new Bay St. Louis home starting this spring.

“The sense of community in Bay St. Louis is just so gravitational,” Barenberg added.

Rachael Catalanotto, an attorney whose firm is based in Lafayette and Covington and employs lawyers licensed in Louisiana and Mississippi, said she loves the Bay because “it’s a slower lifestyle.” Her family is closing on a waterfront home in May that includes a pool, pier and boat lift.

“Bay St. Louis kind of hooks you in,” she said. “You just fall in love with it. It’s hard not to.”

The city has long been a second-home market, but real estate agents say the latest shift is unique. The market began surging after the COVID-19 pandemic when buyers realized they could work remotely Most newcomers come from New Orleans and Baton Rouge. But the city’s exposure in lifestyle magazines, including Southern Living, has grown so much that buyers from California and other far-flung places are noticing. Real estate agents say they are selling to families from Tennessee and other parts of Mississippi, too.

The market mirrors beach cities across the Gulf Coast. Home prices have doubled over the last decade in Baldwin County, Alabama, where newcomers are arriving in popular cities of Daphne, Fairhope and Orange Beach. Some Florida Panhandle buyers priced out of the high-end 30A area are moving to Panama City Beach, where luxury homes are also selling fast. The Gulf Coast’s influx is arriving as more American families rise into the upper middle class. But Hancock County is still cheap compared to most beach destinations across the region: Its median home price last year was about $270,000.

“It’s still so reasonable and competitive compared to the Panhandle and Orange Beach,” Kane said. “That’s a big driver on why this affluent market has picked up so much.”

of gallons of diesel fuel from the facilities. The Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office on April 2 charged four defendants in connection with the scheme. Charles Dove, 54, Mark Clark, 35, and Markell Mitchell, 30, were charged with criminal damage to critical infrastructure, unauthorized entry of a business and theft valued

over $25,000. The wiring stolen from the stations temporarily disabled flood protection for neighborhoods in Marrero and Harvey, Jefferson Parish officials have said.

A fourth defendant, “Tom” Khai Dinh, owner of Tom’s Marine and Salvage in Lafitte, was charged with possession of stolen property The

Sheriff’s Office said Dinh ended up with some of the $17,000 worth of fuel stolen from the pump stations.

Dove has pleaded not guilty His co-defendants are scheduled to be arraigned at later dates, according to court records.

Email Michelle Hunter at mhunter@theadvocate. com.

Holly Lemoine-Raymond, a real estate broker, said Bay St. Louis has become a “true lifestyle destination” over the last decade.

“The growth has been steady and intentional, driven by buyers seeking a slower pace and a more refined coastal experience,” she said.

The county’s shifts are bringing benefits and challenges. County leaders say affluent homebuyers send more tax dollars to the region and often do not strain systems like public schools. Locals and real estate agents also say the rising prices mean young families from Hancock County are struggling to buy their first homes in Bay St. Louis. Many are moving to Diamondhead, north of Interstate 10, where homes and insurance rates are cheaper Danny Lee, chief executive officer of the Gulf Coast Association of Realtors, said the group is brainstorming new strategies to spur affordable home developments across the Mississippi Coast to accommodate locals priced out of the market.

“The secret is out,” Lee said. “We have the full beach town community for a fraction of the price of anywhere else. We’re still considerably cheaper than our neighbors.”

LOTTERY THURSDAY,APRIL 9, 2026

PICK 3: 4-2-1

PICK 4: 4-5-7-3

PICK 5: 0-5-4-9-0

Unofficial notification, keep your tickets.

STAFF PHOTO By MATT BRUCE

U.S. Attorney David Courcelle, far right, walks with Assistant U.S Attorneys Maria Carboni, second from right; Tiwana Wright, second from left; and an assistant prosecutor as they enter the U.S. Eastern District Courthouse in New Orleans on Friday

STAFF PHOTOS By STEPHEN LEW

Billsaim to curb fatalpolicepursuits

Afterdeadlychase in 2022,stricter penalties, apps couldhelp

BY AIDAN McCAHILL Staff writer

On New Year’sEve in 2022, Baton Rouge police attempted to pull over Tyquel Zanders near the Raising Cane’sCenter on River Road. But the 24-year-old, who had recently broken into his parents’ home andstolen his father’sNissan Altima, sped off into heavy midday traffic. The Baton Rouge Police Department followed with multiple units exceeding 100 miles perhour,running red lights and forcing other motorists onto the medians. As Zanders crossed the Mississippi River Bridge into West Baton RougeParish,officers from other departments joined, including then-Addis Police Officer David Lee Cauthron At the intersection of La. 1 and St. Francis Street, Cauthron barreled through ared light at nearly 90 miles per hour,killing Brusly High School cheerleaders 15-year-old Caroline Gill and 17-year-old Maggie Dunn. The crash also left Maggie’sbrother Liam with lifelong injuries As the Brusly community reeled after the girls’ deaths, a massive public outcry ensued —fromattorneys,activistsand then-East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-PresidentSharon Weston Broome.Much of the criticism fell on the BRPD for not calling off the pursuit, which some claimed was initiatedover a low-level offense committed by someone whose location could have easily been foundwithout achase.

Alegislative task force was created to address howtopre-

vent similar situations from ever happening again.

“Whatwefound was, it was a lack of training (for officers), mostly because of the funding, saidstate Sen. Caleb Kleinpeter, R-Port Allen, who chaired the task force andhas worked closely with thevictim’sparents Four years later,Cauthron is serving a10-year sentence for manslaughter,Zanders is still awaitingtrial,and someofthose callsfor changeare taking shape.

“It’sbeenaslow process, but we’remaking ground,”said Jason Gill, the father of Caroline, who has since called forimproved bystander safety during policechases Departments around the capital region arerollingout newtechnology designed to alert drivers of nearby pursuits. At thesame time,two bills making their way through the state Legislature aim to stiffen penalties for those who flee police,and fund training for officers for how best —and when —tochase them.

“My goalisnot tosay,‘Hey,we need to call off achase.’Mygoal is for them to know when is the right time to pursue, and when is it the right time to callitoff,”

Kleinpeter said Thebills

Aggravated flight from an officer —intentionally refusingto stopa vehicle after aclear signalfrom lawenforcement, in a mannerthat endangers human life —currently carriesupto15 years inprison,but does not have amandatory minimum sentence

Senate Bill 58, authored by Kleinpeter,would institutea mandatory minimum two-year sentence for those convicted of aggravated flightwho cause “serious bodily injury.” The bill is currently in theLouisiana House after the Senate voted to pass it in late March.

Thegoal,hesays, is to stop someonewho mightotherwisebe

emboldenedtostomponthe gas when sirens appear in therearview mirror “There is zero respect for law enforcementanymore for alot of people,” he said. “Hopefully the word will getout thatifyou run from the police. youare facing amandatory minimum of two years in prison.”

Those convicted also faceincreased financial penalties should the legislation pass, up to $2,000 in fines, which, along with any insurance payouts, would fund officertrainingfor high-speed pursuits or technology designed to minimize publicriskfor police chases.

Kleinpeter was also behind House Bill 801, whichwould establish aspecial “Classic Black” license plate—a jetblack background with white numbers and lettering —available through the Office of Motor Vehicles for a$25 annual fee.Becauseitraises revenue, it was introduced in theHouse by Plaquemine Democrat Chasity Martinez —her first bill since her election to District 60.

The proceedswould fundpursuit training at the State Police facilityinZachary,where many local departmentsand sheriff’s offices can’tafford to sendofficers, saidKleinpeter.

Kleinpetercomparedthe need forpursuit training to firearms qualification.

“Every year they have to go shoot their pistol to make sure they’re qualified, and very rarely do theypulltheir pistol,” he said. “But every day theyget in thatvehicle, andevery daythey pursue somebody and there is no trainingbehind it.”

Nationwide, 5,425 police pursuits resulted in fatal crashes between 2009 and2023, witha 2% increase each year,accordingto astudy published in the Journal of the AmericanMedical Association.

From 2013 to 2023, Baton Rouge police initiated over 1,200 pursuits —about 1every 3days

—the majority of which began with trafficstops, an Advocate investigation revealed. In the latterhalfofthat same time period, 10% of those pursuits resulted in acrash. Theyear Gill and Dunn were killed, chases initiated by BRPD resulted in two other fatal crashes.

Kleinpeter predicts that high demand for thelicense plates will help improve those stats. Several other states have recently adopted them to raise revenue, while many driversinothers buy them illegally.The bill has passedthe House 93 to 1and is now in the Senate

“I think you’regonna seealot of black licenseplates,” he said. “Hopefully it’sgonna help on high-speed pursuits, and hopefully we can prevent any other innocent livesfrombeing taken.”

From grieftoaction

In the aftermath of his daughter’sdeath, Jason Gill set out to make sure other parents wouldn’t face the same loss.

“I wanted to leavealegacy for my daughter,” he said. “The more Ithought about it, the more Ithought something could change.”

He founded the Caroline Grace Gill Foundation, and around the same time,met TimMorgan, a former chiefdeputyinSouth Carolina whoseown experience witnessing abystander killed during apolice chase inspired him to start Pursuit Alert. The company developed acloudbased alert systemcalled Digital Siren, which notifies nearby drivers whenpolice areengaged in a pursuit. Now used by over 30 departments in the country,Brusly became the first Louisiana town to adoptitin2024, installing the technologyinnine patrol units. Similar to Amber Alerts, it sends

Officersuspected of giving drugsto womanwho drownedin2022

Manalsotiedto alleged sexual batterycase

BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer

ASt. Francisvillepo-

lice officer accusedofimproperly driving awoman around in his cruiser the night she drowned in ahotel bathtub —adeath originally thought to be an overdose or asuicide —isnow suspected of having given her drugs, according to the district attorney Richard Parsons Jr.— who resigned 2022, shortly after the drowning was charged last year with malfeasance in office for allegedly having given

Rene Hortonaride in his cruiser

Photos recovered from Parsons’ phone during the drowning investigation tied him to both Horton’s death and to aseparate incidentinvolvingthe sexual battery ofaman,District Attorney SamD’Aquilla said.

On Thursday,D’Aquilla submitted awarranttorearrest 39-year-oldParsons on acount of negligent homicide in Horton’sdeath He was booked on the sexual battery charge in October 2025 and the malfeasance charge in August 2025.

According to D’Aquilla, Parsons dropped Horton off at the Francis Hotel around 3:45 a.m.onMarch 7, 2022, just before the end

of his shift. He then returned to the hoteloncehe was off the clock.

Parsons toldinvestigators he found Horton drowned in the room’s bathtub, at which point he called police, D’Aquilla said.

The original investigation found Hortonhad accidentally drowned, or possibly committed suicide, after an overdose of her own prescription medicine, he said.

Because Horton’s death wasn’t consideredahomicide in 2022, crime scene photos and videos have since been deleted, D’Aquilla said.

The evidence connected to themale victim recovered from Parsons’ phone has prompted authorities

to investigatewhether Horton had been drugged, D’Aquilla said.

Evidence from the phone allegedly showed Parsons performing asexualact on aman whoappeared to be unconscious, D’Aquilla said. When the man was contacted by police, he told themhehad notconsented to the act, he said.

Parsons is believed to have committed the battery in May2022, according to his indictment.

Parsons is expected to be booked on negligenthomicide nextweek, D’Aquilla said. The investigationinto Horton’sdeathisongoing, he said.

Email Quinn Coffman at quinn.coffman@ theadvocate.com.

Manfaces murder countinpoolincident

Police sayhe pushed deputy, held him underwater

BY MICHELLEHUNTER Staff writer

AMarrero man is facinganattempted murder charge after authorities say he pushed aJefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy into apool and briefly held the officer under water The male deputy,who was afraid he would drown, repeatedly punched the suspect, identified as Shaun Schwartz, 58, to free himself before scrambling to the other side of the pool, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies encountered Schwartz on Wednesday night while respondingto areport of adisturbance at ahome on Dunleith Court in Marrero, said Sgt. Brandon Veal, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office.They

spoke briefly with thecaller on the front porch before heading to the backyard to speak to another person involvedinthe complaint

As they walked over to the secondperson,authorities say Schwartz stepped in front of thedeputies and shoved one of the officers back to keep them away from the person.

Thedeputy whohad been pushed stepped around Schwartz. As thedeputy again tried to talk to the other person, Schwartz moved toward the deputy,the Sheriff’s Office said.

Aseconddeputy grabbed Schwartztostophim from approachingthe firstdeputy.Schwartzthengrabbed the second deputy and threw himinto anearby in-ground pool, following behind, into the water,the Sheriff’s Office said.

The deputy was fully clothed and weighed down by his gear,according to Veal. His back touchedthe bottom of the5-foot deep pool. Schwartz was on top

of the deputy,“briefly holding him under water, preventing the deputy’sability to breathe,” an arrest report stated.

The deputy punched Schwartz and moved to the othersideofthe pool once free. As he tried to use the ledge to get outofthe pool, Schwartz is accused of wrapping hisarms around the deputy in an attempt to pull him back under the water,according to the arrest report.

Schwartz released the deputy when otherdeputies on scene threatened

to use aTaser,according to authorities. The deputy suffered minor injuries, including cuts andbruises, according to Veal

Schwartz was arrested andbooked with attempted second-degree murder,battery of apolice officer and resisting an officer

Schwartz, who was released Thursday from the Jefferson Parish jail on a $250,000 bond, could notbe reached for comment.

Email Michelle Hunter at mhunter@theadvocate. com.

aloud notification to anyone with the Digital Siren app within a1.5mile radius,urging them to slow down and stayalert.

Last February,the Iberville Parish Sheriff’sOfficefollowed suit, equipping all 40 of itsunits. Their system automatically activates whenanofficer’s lights go on, evenduring routine traffic stops

“It keepsmydeputies safe, too,” said Sheriff Brett Stassi. “If my deputystops acar and we’re sitting on theside of the road with our lights on, it’sgonna notify you.”

His deputies can alsouse Digital Siren to push specific messages to people nearby, such as details about amissing person.

“Wedon’thave to wait foran Amber Alert,”Stassi said. “The manonthe scenecan send it out.”

West Baton Rouge Parish came on boardinMarch, installing the system in 21 units. Sheriff Jeff Bergeronsaid alerts are triggered automatically whenavehicle exceeds 70 mphwith lights and sirens on, or sustains 50 mph with lightsand sirens formore than 45 seconds

The next stepisgetting more residentstodownload the app to actually receive the signals, Stassi said, though DigitalSiren is also integrated intoWaze navigation, as well as software in newer Chrysler,Jeep and Dodge models

Gill’s foundation has helped fund installations acrossthe three departments and is pushing forbroader adoption statewide. He’salso hoping to help smaller municipalities fund highspeed pursuit training fortheir officers.

“If any law enforcement agencies need help with tools, technology or training, I’dlove to help,” he said. “I want to contribute in any wayI can to make our law enforcement better at what they do.”

Secondsentenced in waitress’killing

BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer

ANew Orleans judge has sentenced asecond defendant to 40 years behind bars forthe execution-stylekillingofa Slidell waitress. Cody Matthews, 38, must serve at least 30 years of his prison term under the ruling Thursday fromOrleans Parish Criminal District Judge Robin Pittman. His sentence came afew weeks after Pittman levied a40year sentence on Dylan Craddock for the August 2020 killing of Brook “Bee” Buchler Buchler,28, was aserver at Tacos &Beer,aMexican restaurant in downtown Slidell. Her remains were found in amixture of blood, waterand debris inside adilapidated building at the abandoned Bywater Navy baseinthe 9th Ward.She’d sustained agunshot wound to the back of the head.

Three days earlier,Buchler had reported to Slidellpolicethata male acquaintance sexually assaulted her NewOrleanspolice allege that Matthews and Craddock, 32, nearly beat to death the manshe’d accused, then moved him from Buchler’sapartment to aremotearea of St

Tammany Parish, where they left him for dead. They feared she wasa “liability,” police said. Buchler was reported missing aday before police discovered her remains within the gutted ruins of theold military depot in the4400 block of Dauphine Street. In arecorded call from theSt. Tammany jail, Matthews stated he was present when Craddock killed Buchler and knew where to find the murder weapon, according to police. He refused to tell detectives unless he received immunityfrom themurder charges

Both men were originally indictedfor firstdegree murder and other charges Court records show Matthews agreed June 30 to plead guilty to areduced count of manslaughter in addition to conspiracyto commit first-degree murder and obstruction of justice. Pittmansentenced Matthews to 40 years on the obstruction conviction, 25 yearsfor manslaughter and 30 years on the conspiracy charge, courtrecords show,tobeserved at the same time.

Email Matt Bruceat matt.bruce@theadvocate. com.

Brown, Cynthia Crump, Michael

Malbrough, Benjamin

Nobles,Ireleen

Thomas,Michell

Wilson, Greer

NewOrleans

Charbonnet

Crump, Michael

Wilson, Greer

River Parish

Hobson BrownFH

Thomas,Michell

Obituaries

Brown, Cynthia Crusto

Cynthia Crusto Brown passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at the age of 82. Cynthia graduated from George Washington Carver High School. She retired from Rutter Rex as aseamstress. Cynthia was born on November 24, 1943,in New Orleans, Louisiana,to the late Manuel Crusto, Sr., and Bernice Clavo. Sheis preceded in death by her husband, LJ Brown; brothers, Manuel and Leslie Crusto; sister, Jacqueline Crusto Ferguson; stepdaughters Shwanda A. Brown and Marian B. Steward; and grandson, Ervin A. Labostrie III. Survived by sisters Leanette C. Morris, Bernice C. Ojumu (Festus); one sister-in-law, Georgia Lee Howard, and one brotherin-law, Oscar Ferguson Leaving to cherish her memories are her four children:Shelita L. Sussmann (Adolph, Sr.), Ervin

Labostrie, Jr. (Paulette), Deneen L. Washington (Andrew), and Gerard Labostrie, Sr.,stepson Richard Brown,Sr, bonus son Reynard Labostrie, Sr, ninegrandchildren, and sixteengreat-grandchildren. She is also survived by ahost of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Services willbe held on Saturday, April 11, 2026,atSt. Josephine Bakhita Church, 3501N Miro Street, New Orleans, LA 70117. Visitationfor 10:00a.m. Serviceswillbegin at 11:00 a.m. Reverend ExpiditoArinaitwe, FMH, andReverend Daniel H. Green, officiating. Internment: Mount Olivet Cemetery& Mausoleum. Professional Funeral Services of New Orleans, LA, in charge of arrangements.

Crump, Michael Christopher

MichaelChristopher Crump departed this life on March 31,2026 at theage of37, aftera long battle witha braintumor.Hewas a 2006 Graduate of Bossier High School.Michael is survivedbyhis mother, Darlene Roth;stepfather, Kevin Roth andfather, Arthur Forest.Heisalso survivedbyhis grandpar‐ents, Frankand Delores Crump;beloved aunts, Melissa Crumpand RhondaJones (Jonathan Jones Sr.);cousins,Jaclyn Carson(T.C) andRachel Jones;and ahostoffamily and friends. Michaelispre‐ceded in deathbyhis cousin, Jonathan JonesJr. A PrivateMemorialService honoringthe life of Michael Crumpwillbe held inthe Chapel of Rosesat the Charbonnet Funeral Home, 1615 St.PhilipSt., New Orleans, LA on Mon‐day,April 13, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.Pleasesignthe online guestbook at www.cha rbonnetfuneralhome.com.

Charbonnet LabatGlapion Directors (504) 581-4411.

Malbrough,Benjamin

BenjaminAdam"Ben" Malbrough,35, passed away on September 25, 2025, in Houston, Texas BornonAugust 9, 1990, in NewOrleans, Louisiana, Ben liveda life marked by intellectual brilliance,quiet strength,and deep compassion.

Ben'sacademic journey beganatJesuitHigh School in NewOrleans. He went on to attend the University of Virginiabefore graduating with honorsfrom Louisiana State University (LSU). His pursuitofknowledge continued at LSUSchool of Medicine in NewOrleans. Evercurious and driven, Ben also earneda U.S. Customs Brokerlicense—an achievement that reflected his wideranging interests and capabilities.

Professionally, Ben served as an Engineering Advisor for JConnor Consulting, Inc. in Houston His colleagues knew him as someone whose insight and precision elevated every project he touched Ben's love for sports was lifelong and passionate. He was an avid golfer and adevoted fan of LSU athletics, theChicago Cubs, LiverpoolFC, and any sporthis threebeloved nieces played.Whether cheering from thesidelines or watching from afar, Ben's enthusiasm was unwavering.

speak of akindand loving soul with abrilliantmind. His quick wit and sharp humor were often delivered with quietgrace. Friends remember him as theone who helpedthem through difficultclasses with patienceand clarity; theone whose presence made long days bearable; the friend who never failed to show up when it mattered most. He had an uncanny abilitytoanticipate thoughts and answers—a mind always one step ahead.

Ben is deeply mourned by his parents Deborah Royand Charles J. Malbrough Jr., of Houston, TX; hisbrother TreyJ Malbrough Esq sister-inlawLauren Baum Esq., and nieces Lila James, Violet, and MarybelleofMountain Brook, Alabama; hisaunt AliciaRoy Dean (River Ridge, LA); cousins Dr. Tyler Dean(NewOrleans) and WilliamDean(NYC); and hisgrandmother Mary Kay Dougherty Roy (Harahan, LA). He was preceded in death by his grandfather TeurlingsJoseph (T.J.)Roy Jr., whose memory remained close to Ben's heart

Amemorial servicecelebrating Ben's life was held in NewOrleans following his passing Ben's absence leavesan immeasurablevoidinthe livesofthose who loved him. As one tributeso poignantly captures: "I'm bluerthanblue, sadder than sad.You're the only light this empty room has ever had.Life without you is gonna be bluer than blue."

May Ben's memory be a sourceofcomfort to all who knew him—and may his light continue to shine throughtheir storiesand love

1947, in NewOrleans, Louisiana, Ireleenbrought warmth andcreativity into thelives of those around her. ShemarriedTom Hart on May1,1992, in Pensacola, Florida, sharing many happy years together In 2006, Ireleenmade Mountain Home herhome, whereshe enjoyed expressing herself through painting.Inher younger years, she cherished outdoor activities such as camping,RV-ing,and fishing, embracingthe beauty of nature.

Ireleenislovingly rememberedbyher husband, Tom Hart of Mountain Home; herchildren,Deanna Rein,Brian Rein,KerrieGregg, and KyleHart; as well as several grandchildren. Shewas preceded in death by her parents andsiblings.

Afamilygatheringto honor Ireleen'smemory washeld at Kirby &Family Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Kirby andFamily Funeral and Cremation ServicesinMountain Home, Arkansas. Friends andfamilyare invited to share condolences and memoriesat www.kirbyandfamily.com.

Wilson,Greer Santinac

Greer Santinac Wilson, age64, passedawayon Monday,April 6, 2026. She wasbornonNovember28, 1962 in NewOrleans,LAto Marion andthe late Warren Santinac,Sr. In addition to hermother, survivorsin‐cludeher children,Brittany L. andAlyssa M. Wilson,as well as herbrother,Warren Santinac,Jr.,and ahostof otherrelatives andfriends ACelebration Servicehon‐oringthe life andlegacyof thelateGreer Santinac Wilson will be held in the Chapel of Charbonnet LabatGlapion Funeral Home,1615 St.Philip Street,New Orleans, LA 70116 on Sunday,April 12, 2026 at 12 noon.A repast will follow from 1pmto4 pm.The family welcomes flowers. Please sign the online guestbook at www charbonnetfuneralhome. com. Charbonnet Labat Glapion, Directors (504)581-4411

Mountain

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Animals held aspecial place in Ben's heart.Over theyears, he shared his life with many cherished dogs—Sammy,Ellie, Sophia, Kacey, Sydney, Brodie, Taco,Abby, and Sunny—each onea testament to his gentle spirit and boundless affection.

Those who knew Ben

Why you need dentalinsurance in retirement.

Many Americans are fortunate to have dental coverage fortheir entire working life, through employer-providedbenefits. Whenthosebenefits end with retirement, paying dental billsout-of-pocket cancome as a shock,leading people to put off or even go without care. Simplyput —without dental insurance, there may be an important gap in your healthcare coverage.

When you’re comparingplans ...

 Look forcoverage that helps pay formajor services. Some plans may limitthe number of procedures —orpay forpreventive care only.

 Look forcoverage with no deductibles. Some plans mayrequire you to payhundreds out of pocketbefore benefits are paid.

 Shop forcoverage with no annual maximum on cash benefits. Some plans have annual maximums of $1,000.

Medicare doesn’tpay for dental care.1 That’s right. As good as Medicare is, it wasnever meanttocover everything. That means if youwant protection,you needto purchase individual insurance.

Early detection canprevent small problems from becoming expensiveones.

The best way to preventlargedental bills is preventive care.The American Dental Association recommends checkupstwiceayear.

Previous dental work canwear out. Even if you’vehad qualitydentalwork in the past,you shouldn’t take your dentalhealth forgranted. In fact, your odds of havinga dental problem only go up as youage.2

Treatment is expensive— especiallythe servicespeople over 50 often need.

Consider these national averagecostsof treatment. $274for acheckup $299 for afilling $1,471 foracrown.3 Unexpected bills likethis canbeareal burden, especially if you’re on afixedincome.

“Medicare&You,” Centersfor Medicare& Medicaid Services,2025. 2 “Aging changesinteeth and gums”, medlineplus.gov,4/17/2022. 3 FairHealth, Inc. National average dental fees.Datacurrent as of July 2025;subject to change

“Absolutely love” “I absolutelylove my dental insurance. My dentaloffice files the claims,leaving me with very littlebalancetopay.” DorothyP TN

MichellPerkins Thomas, anative of Hilleryville,LA., enteredeternal rest on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the age of 67. Daughter of Mary Leeand thelate Sherman B. Perkins, Sr Mother of Ke Racheland Lloyd (Alyssa) Thomas. Grandmother to one grandson, Lennyx Joseph Thomas andone expectant LegendJayce Thomas. Sister of Roslyn (Charles) Howard, Monica (Pastor Herman) Clayton Jr Berrylan (Ulyness) Kelson, Stephanie Perkins, Derline (Pastor Marshall) Cooper Sr., Lawanda (Terence) Clayton,Eric(Paula) Perkins andGregory (Keva) Perkins, Sr HomegoingCelebration Service will be held on Saturday April 11, 2026, at

Thomas, Michell Perkins

Nobles, IreleenMadeline

IreleenMadeline Nobles of

Home, Arkansas, passed away on April1,2026, at theage of 78. Born on November 5,

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

Chinese automakers’ overseas push pays off HONG KONG China’s exports of passenger cars accelerated in March, an industry association said Friday as Chinese automakers stepped up their push to grow overseas markets Passenger car exports jumped 82.4% year-on-year last month to around 748,000 vehicles, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, up from the 586,000 vehicles exported in February

Exports of new energy passenger vehicles — including battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids surged more than 140% in March from a year ago to 363,000 units. That’s also up 31% from about 276,000 units of such vehicles exported in February

The biggest Chinese automakers, including BYD and Geely Auto, have been increasing their efforts in boosting sales abroad, including expanding production facilities outside China There have also been growing expectations that the global energy shock and higher fuel prices due to the Iran war could prompt more drivers to want to switch to EVs. Chinese car brands have made inroads over the past months in regions such as Europe, Latin America and Southeast Asia.

Protesters clog roads in Ireland over gas prices

LONDON — Protests over high fuel prices in Ireland entered a fourth day on Friday, sparking concerns about fuel shortages and emergency services as demonstrators clogged roads and blocked access to refining and distribution sites around the country

The Irish government was set to meet with farmers, truckers and agricultural contractors on Friday to discuss the crisis, triggered by rising gasoline and diesel costs as the conflict in the Middle East restricts oil exports from the region. Protests began on Tuesday as slow-moving convoys restricted access to some of the busiest streets in Dublin, the capital, and blocked fuel depots that supply half the country Some protesters slept in their vehicles overnight, demanding that the government speak with them. Over 100 service stations have now run out of fuel, national broadcaster RTE reported, citing the industry organization Fuels for Ireland.

The government on Thursday asked the army to remove vehicles from blocked roads amid concern that the protests could impede police, firefighters and ambulances responding to emergencies.

Restraining order on Nexstar-Tegna extended

A federal judge on Friday extended an emergency restraining order on a $6.2 billion merger between Nexstar Media Group and Tegna for one week. Eight state attorneys general and DirecTV sued to block the merger between the local television giants, arguing that it would raise consumer prices and harm local journalism

They asked U.S. District Court Chief Judge Troy L. Nunley in Sacramento, California, to halt the merger until their antitrust lawsuit is resolved. Nunley extended the temporary restraining order until April 17, saying the extension would give him time to prepare a ruling on whether a longer preliminary injunction is needed.

The deal, announced last year and approved by the Federal Communications Commission, would create a company that owns 265 television stations in 44 states and the District of Columbia. When the judge issued the original temporary restraining order, he said the merger could give Nexstar the power to demand higher fees from multichannel video programming distributors like DirecTV, because if the distributors refuse to pay the increases they could risk subscribers losing access to things like NFL football games.

Stocks drift lower, oil prices ease

BY DAMIAN TROISE and ALEX VEIGA AP business writers

Stocks drifted mostly lower on Wall Street and oil prices slipped Friday ahead of planned U.S.-Iran talks following a shaky ceasefire agreement.

The major indexes posted modest losses for the week, despite having mostly notched gains this month amid optimism that the war with Iran could be heading toward a resolution. High-level talks between negotiators from Iran and the U.S. are planned for Saturday in Pakistan.

The benchmark S&P 500 has erased most of its losses from March and is just 2.3% short of its all-time high set in January The

market is still prone to big swings on developments around the war

Oil prices have been behind many of the stock market’s sharp movements. They’ve risen sharply as shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz essentially stalled since the war began. Brent crude oil, the international standard, has gone from roughly $70 per barrel before the war in late February to more than $119 at times.

The situation leading into the peace talks over the weekend remains uncertain. Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim news agency claimed that talks wouldn’t happen unless Israel stopped its attacks in Lebanon.

The conflict is behind the surging inflation in the U.S. in March. The

government reported the biggest spike in inflation in four years as prices at the gas pump jumped. The inflation increase was just short of what economists expected. Bond yields rose a bit following the latest inflation update. The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed to 4.32% from 4.29% late Thursday

Inflation has been a lingering concern for economists. Prices on a range of consumer goods and services are already stubbornly high, in part from the impact of extensive global tariffs. Higher gas prices are immediately felt by drivers at the pump, but they could eventually raise prices on everything from food to airfare as companies pass along higher costs for shipping and fuel.

Analysts are warning that there might be a drawn-out impact from the oil supply shock in the months ahead. “While I’m glad to see the effects to be less than expected in March, the effects in April are now more likely to be worse,” Jamie Cox, managing partner for Harris Financial Group, wrote in a research note. Most companies in the S&P 500 lost ground Friday, with health care and financial company stocks driving much of the decline. Eli Lilly and Co. fell 1.6% and Charles Schwab closed 2.5% lower Technology stocks with hefty values helped offset losses elsewhere. Nvidia rose 2.6% and Broadcom rose 4.7%.

War in Iran sends inflation soaring and consumers’ moods plunging

Gas prices have largest monthly jump in six decades

BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP economics writer

WASHINGTON The largest monthly jump in gas prices in six decades caused a sharp spike in inflation last month, creating major challenges for the inflation-fighters at the Federal Reserve and heightening already substantial political hurdles for the White House.

Consumer prices rose 3.3% in March from a year earlier, the Labor Department said Friday up sharply from just 2.4% in February and the biggest yearly increase since May 2024. On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.9% in March from February, the largest such increase in nearly four years.

It’s the first read on inflation to capture the effects of the Iran war The surge in gas prices will stretch the budgets of lower- and middle-income households as it erodes their incomes, making it harder to afford other necessities such as food and rent.

Excluding volatile food and energy, core prices rose 2.6% in March from a year earlier up from 2.5% in February And last month core prices rose a modest 0.2%, suggesting that rising gas prices haven’t yet spread to many other categories.

A big question for now is how long the oil and gas price shock lasts and whether it will lead to a broader, long-lasting inflation boost, similar to what occurred in the spring of 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine. For now, economists say that it is unlikely the U.S. will see a widespread increase similar to a few years ago, when inflation topped 9%.

Still, how the war and its impact on inflation will play out in the coming months remains highly uncertain. Despite a tenuous ceasefire, little has changed in the Strait of Hormuz, a bottle neck where millions of barrels of oil typically pass daily

“It’s painful in the near term,” said Michael Pearce, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics. “It’s going to get more painful in April,” when further gas price increases will lift inflation higher But Pearce said the impact may be shorterlived than after the pandemic: “I think the conditions are much more like a short, sharp shock than what we saw in 2022.”

Fuel-related increases now, later

Industries that depend on oil and gas are paying more, particularly airlines, which have passed on those higher costs to travelers. Fares jumped 2.7% just last month and are 14.9% higher than a year ago. Many delivery services, including UPS and FedEx, have already announced fuel surcharges that have raised shipping costs for businesses and households

Grocery prices slipped 0.2% last month and are up just 1.9% from a year earlier yet

economists believe they will move higher in the coming months as diesel fuel prices surge. Most food is shipped by truck.

More expensive fuel is “contributing to rising production costs across the food supply chain and could put upward pressure on grocery prices going forward,” said Andy Harig, a vice president at the grocery trade group FMI-The Food Industry Association. “As energy prices increase, the costs associated with producing and delivering food also rise.”

Clothing costs rose 1% in March from the previous month and are up 3.4% from a year earlier Used car prices, however, fell 0.4% last month and down 3.2% from a year earlier

The gas price shock stemming from the Iran war has shifted inflation’s trajectory from a slow, gradual decline to a sharp increase further away from the Fed’s 2% target. As a result, the central bank will almost certainly postpone any cut in interest rates for months. Many Fed officials will look past the increase in headline inflation, however, and focus on core prices, which are likely to rise more slowly If Americans cut back on spending elsewhere in response to more expensive gas, the economy could slow and unemployment may rise.

Consumer sentiment hits record low Consumer sentiment plunged to a record low in April, according to a survey released Friday by the University of Michigan, largely because of the Iran war and concerns over higher gas prices. Their Index of Consumer Sentiment fell to 47.6, from 53.3 in March.

“Many consumers blame the Iran conflict

for unfavorable changes to the economy,” said Joanne Hsu, the university’s director of consumer surveys. High prices had angered American voters before the war and the spike in prices for oil and everything that entails, from the pump to the grocery store, could make it more difficult for the president’s party to hold on to seats in both the House and the Senate in this year’s midterms.

Polling by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research last month found that about 6 in 10 Republicans are at least “somewhat” concerned about affording gas in the next few months.

Kyle LaFond, the founder of American Provenance, a small manufacturer of personal care products near Madison, Wisconsin, said his shipping costs have already risen between 30% and 40%.

The increases follow tariffs that were also a significant expense, because the company imports coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, and other ingredients.

LaFond said he absorbed tariff costs for months, but finally threw in the towel last September and raised prices by 20% to 30% across the board, the first price hike from the company since 2021.

Now, LaFond feels like it’s a repeat of the tariff experience. He is trying to avoid raising prices again, but it depends on how long the fuel price spike lasts. If it continues until early summer, he may have to raise prices again.

“I’d really hate to do that because that would be two years of consecutive price increases, which for us, we’ve never done that before,” he said “But for the business to survive, then that might be necessary.”

Report: Most gambling companies don’t have AI governance plans

BY RICHARD N. VELOTTA

Las Vegas Review-Journal (TNS)

A new University of Nevada-Las Vegas report on artificial intelligence in the gambling industry says 1 in 5 companies have a dedicated AI governance role, and most organizations have no established governance practices. In what is targeted to be an annually updated report, the UNLV International Gaming Institute published its first research on the use of artificial intelligence and says while most companies have no governance practices,

others are in the early stages of development. The UNLV International Gaming Institute’s AI Research Hub in collaboration with U.S.-based audit, tax and financial advisory firm KPMG LLP, on Thursday released the 113-page “State of AI in Gaming 2026,” an annual global benchmarking series tracking how AI is shaping the global gambling industry

Authored by Kasra Ghaharian, director of research for the UNLV International Gaming Institute, the report examines AI adoption across four dimensions: industry maturity, regulatory

landscape, innovation pipeline, and responsible use by drawing on original survey research from 83 gambling companies and 113 regulators worldwide.

“Society is at an inflection point with AI, and until now there has been no rigorous, independent baseline for understanding where the gambling industry stands,” Ghaharian said. “’The State of AI in Gaming’ is designed to fill that gap, serving as an essential resource for operators, regulators, researchers and every stakeholder navigating the adoption, return on investment and responsible

integration of AI within the gambling industry.”

“What the data show is a clear gap between ambition and execution,” said Rick Arpin, the report’s executive editor and KPMG U.S. Gaming lead. “Governance is where that gap is most visible. With governance scoring just 30 out of 100 and most organizations lacking dedicated AI oversight, many companies are moving faster on AI adoption than on the controls needed to manage it. Those that address this now will be better positioned to realize value and avoid unnecessary risk.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MARTA LAVANDIER

A customer pays for gasoline at a Mobil gas station April 1 in Miami, Fla.

ANOTHERVIEW

Will independent candidates ever breakthe two-partylock?

To paraphrase Mark Twain: Everybody complains about political parties, but nobody does anything about them. Given the failures of America’stwo-partyduopoly —on vivid display during the TSA shutdown—you’d thinkmore independents and third-party candidates would be running for office.

Independents are uniquely positioned to challenge abroken status quo. With each party tightly focused on defeating —and destroying —the other,shouldn’tthereberoom for nonpartisan alternatives? Polling showsthere is.

Ron Faucheux

More Americans presently identifyasindependent than with either major party. AJanuary Gallup poll found that 45% of theelectorate calls themselves independents. Among younger voters, it’s56% of GenZand 54% of Millennials. Yetindependents rarely prevail in elections or mount serious campaigns. Since the year 2000, independents have wononly eight out of more than 400 U.S. Senate elections.During this period, three senatorsbecame independents after getting electedonmajor-party tickets:Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and James Jeffords of Vermont. One, Dean Barkley of Minnesota, was appointed. Even these senators generally caucus with one of the two political parties that controlcommitteeassignments. Incumbent Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King of Maine, both independents,caucus with Democrats. Winning aU.S. House seat as an independent is evenmore of ararity.Currently,onlyone member is an independent, U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley from California.Hewas twice elected as aRepublican and is nowseeking athird term as an independent.

In Louisiana, the last independent to draw substantial statewide support was aformer governor, John McKeithen, who won 23% of the vote in the 1972 U.S.Senate race, finishing behind Democrat J. Bennett Johnston and ahead of Republican Ben C. Toledano

Why is it that so few independents run or win? Money is abarrier.Parties and allied groups controlfundraising networks in asystem awash with cash. Independents must build war chests from scratch, unlessthey’repersonally wealthy

Established political parties also have well-oiled get-outthe-vote operations, which independents lack. Moreover, election laws and campaign finance rulesare often biased, intentionally or not, in favor of major-party candidates. One common misconception is that independent means centrist,ideologically somewhere between Democratson theleft and Republicans on theright. While that’soften the case, independent voters represent awide range of beliefs, which can be aweakness because it makes it harder to rally them behind asingle candidate.

In this year’selection, liberals in Idaho, Montana and South Dakotaare running for the Senate as independents, believing that label gives them abettershotthan running as Democrats —atoxic brand in those redstates. That’sdriving Democrats crazy,ofcourse, because it’ssplitting the anti-Republican vote.

One state that might elect an independent senator this November is Nebraska; there, plenty of Democrats are working for independent Dan Osborn, who is mounting astrong bid to take down Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts Osborn is aU.S. Navy veteran, formerunion leader and industrial mechanic. Twoyears ago, he ranasanindependent forthe state’sother Senate seat, capturing 47% of thevote —animpressive showing.

There is no major Democrat in the Nebraska race, at least not yet, and that’sthanks to Democratic leaderswho have worked to clear the field to helpOsborn. They believe, even if they don’tadmit it, that an independent has abetter chance to defeat Ricketts than aDemocrat who’d have to carry the baggage of anational party considerablytothe left of the state’svoters. Republicans have won Nebraskain every presidential election except one since1940. Osborn’spositions mix centrist and libertarianthemes: pro-farmer,pro-consumer,pro-worker.Hebacks raising theminimum wage and cutting small-businesstaxes. He defends gun rights, says he’spersonally pro-lifewhile supporting Roe v. Wade and opposing late-termabortions.He supports “defensive purpose only” funding forIsrael,opposed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” supportedbyRicketts andcriticizes tax breaks forthe wealthypaidfor by the working class. Three polls over the last year have had Ricketts ahead by just one point; one had Osbornahead by one. If Osborn wins, his victorycouldbecome amodel forother blue and red states whereDemocratic and Republicanparty brands are toxic in statewide elections Any chance Louisiana could become one of them?

Ron Faucheuxisanonpartisan political analyst, pollster and writer based in Louisiana

Make sure juvenile offenders getchancefor rehabilitation

My heart breaks each time anew law is written that hinders therehabilitation of achild who has madea poor choice tocommit anonviolent crime.

Clearly,those who choose to commit crimes should have suitable consequences; however,children should be given theopportunity to receive their consequences but also to change and learn from their mistakes House Bill 140 would increase the incarceration time before trial for youth. Most people will admit that longer time in detention centers without any rehab servicesdolittle to coach achild intomaking better

choices. Most of us have had the benefit,asa child, of making bad choices and being given another chance with proper correction, mentoring and parenting. Ihappen to believe children are our future, even those whohave mademistakes and are ready and willing to do the worktochange their lives. It’smyhope that legislatorswill consider whether this law has abetter chance of allowing a child to change his lifeand become an asset to society or re-offend and becomealifelong liability of the state.

DEDRA MAJOR Chalmette

Thequiet disenfranchisement of EBRvoters

Attorney General Liz Murrill’srecent motion to force the recusal of three Black judges in Baton Rouge —Chief Judge Donald R. Johnson, Judge Ronald R. Johnson and Judge Gail Horne Ray —isadirect assault on the voters who put them on the bench.

By attempting to strip these judges of nearly 100 cases, the attorney general is trying to nullify our elections. This isn’taprocedural formality;itisa tactical strike. These judges are being targeted because they dared to challenge ajudicial redistricting law.Since when does defending theconstitutional rights of your constituents disqualify you from doing your job?

The stakes are life and death. These three judges oversee all deathrow cases from East Baton Rouge. Notably,every person on

deathrow from our parish is Black. By removingthese judges, the state is clearing “roadblocks” to executionsbyremoving the very oversight that understands the systemic biases of our legal system Furthermore, District Attorney Hillar Moore’sdecision to allow this hand-off to theAG, rather than defending his own office and the voters who elected him,isastaggering abdication of duty

As acommunity advocate and former NAACP political action chair, Iknow that when the state tries to hand-pick which judges are “allowed” to hear cases, we no longer have afair judiciary.Wehave apolitical tool. We must stand with the judges we elected anddemand that our votes be respected.

TIA FIELDS Baker

Don’tbeblind to theagendaofTrump’s followers

Here are two meanings of the word “minions:” Aservile dependent,follower or underling. The fallen angels, demons or spiritual powers that blindly follow,serve and carry out theevil bidding of Satan.

In my opinion, awhole slew of politicians are minionstothe “one” they are afraid of.

Please, wakeupand stop drinking theKool-Aid, or else our country will become The United States of Trump. Don’tlaugh, look around. His nameispopping up everywhere. Just lately,minions wantto nameaMississippi River bridge after Trump.

REBECCA WILLIAMS Metairie

Allbusinesses, nonprofits need to payfairshare of property taxes

Iwould like to see on the spring 2027 ballot aproposition to amend the state constitution to require every citizen, every company,every college or university,nonprofit or not to pay their share of property tax. Just because you support jobs in the community does not mean you have free access to city services like sewerage and water All of your employees pay for the city services they use in their homes. Youshould pay your share, too. City and state elected officials are too scared to do anything. Baton Rouge needs to craft aconstitutional amendment to give the voters the responsibility to decide whether to tax all citizens equally Let the voters makethe call. Louisiana is apoor state because ordinary citizens bear the burden of taxation forthe whole state. This is not fair.Welive in America. All men are created equal. There are no kings in our great country ANNE EASSON NewOrleans

Let’shearmoreabout Democratic candidates

We have had many, manyarticles about the Republican candidates running forthe U.S. Senate seat in Louisiana. As an afterthought, these articles mention that there are three Democratic candidates running in the primary If we are lucky,the articles mention their names, but lumpthem all in the “not well-known” category It seemsthat the obligation of a free and unbiased press is to give them the chance to be knownby writing an article with the same depth given to Sen. Bill Cassidy, Rep. Julia Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming.

Someinformation about each candidate and their viewswould be extremely welcome. Otherwise, the category “not wellknown” becomes aself-fulfilling prophecy Thank you foryour consideration.

KATHLEEN GRUMICH NewOrleans

Landry talksSuper Bowl LXV, LSUchanges

Governor ‘betting’big game in NewOrleans in 2031

Editor’snote: This is part 2of2ofGov.Jeff Landry’s interview. The first part ran in Friday’sedition.

BY JEFF DUNCAN Staff writer

Gov.Jeff Landry conducted an exclusive 25-minute phone interview Thursday with Times-Picayune columnist Jeff Duncan in

which Landry touchedon avariety of sports-related topics.

Here’sthe secondpart of their conversation:

In January, you went with (SaintsPelicans owner) GayleBenson to meet with (NFL commissioner) Roger Goodell and(NBA commissioner) Adam Silver.One of the things that came out of that wasNew Orleans’ bid fora future Super Bowl.What are our chances of getting the 2031 game? Well, I’m betting on it.

Why?What makes you so confident?

Well, because No.1,when you go around andyou ask NFL fans what is the best place you’ve ever enjoyed aSuper Bowl, timeand time again, it comes back to New Orleans. Imean, it just is. The city’sbuilt for entertaining. Youknow what Imean? Andwhen we recognize that, and when we utilize that, and when we leverage that, then the city is prosperous. Ithink that the thingsthat we’ve done by making the city

‘Hate’ that fuels

Despite brilliant round, Hatton someone whom the common golfer can relate

AUGUSTA, Ga. If you play golf, youhavea little Tyrrell Hatton inside of you. Golf is such ahard, unforgivinggame that we takerelish not in ourgreat shots —rare as they may be— but recounting to our friends our bad ones.

Scott Rabalais

“You should have seen meon17Saturday.Ihit my drive sideways and it went cleanthrough my cart.Nearly nailed Bob in the shins.”

Hatton seems to takethe golfer’smasochistic streak and raises it to an art form. Take Friday’sround for instance. He hit everygreeninregulation —just thethird Masters competitor to pull that

off since 1997 —but almostsounded pleased with the fact that he three-putted the 18th hole for his only bogey to end up with avery fine 6-under 66.

“Walking up 18, Iwas pretty confident that Icouldn’tmess it up enough that Iwouldn’tshoot my best score here,”Hatton said. “I mean, naturally Itried witha three-putt, so thatwas disappointing. But Iwould have taken 6 under before Iwent out.” Who wouldn’t? Six-under 66 was one of the twobest scores of the Masters’ second round, around in which there was

ä See RABALAIS, page 4C

Tulane QB’s improved passing impresses coaches

BY GUERRYSMITH

Contributing writer

Zeon Chriss-Gremillion was not aprolific passer in two-year stints at UL and Houston. The eyetestatTulane’s spring practices the past two weeks tells adifferent story Since returning from ahamstring injury that kept himout of live drills forthe first twoweeks, he has madeone accurate throw after another heading into Saturday morning’sscrimmage.

During ared-zone drill Tuesday, he backed up to avoid pressure and tossed astrike underduress to wide receiverZycarl Edwards through atight window near the back of the end zone.

Six quarterbacks continue to take regular reps in each practice under coach Will Hill —including redshirt freshmen Cade Scott andJay Beamon,true freshmanTrace Johnsonand walk-on Dagan Bruno —but the clear frontrunners are Chriss-Gremillion and Kadin Semonza.

Chriss-Gremillion, who Hall said would have been the fastest playeronthe team last year, is makingita legitimate twoman competition withhis improvement He threw for more than 200 yards twice in sixstarts at UL and had ahigh of 191 yards passing as the primary starter at Houston in 2024.

“He’sinyear five,” Hall said. “Sometimes

See TULANE, page 3C

STAFF FILE PHOTOBySOPHIA GERMER TulancoachWill Hallwalksonthe sideline during the first halfofaCollegeFootball Playoff game against OleMiss on Dec.20at Vaught HemingwayStadium in Oxford, Miss.

MiLaysia Fulwiley

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

Throughout the season, coach Kim Mulkey expressedcautiousoptimism that herLSU women’sbasketball team would bring back most of its key contributors foranother year.

Mulkey knewit’d be easier saidthandone, but she felt confident she could fendoff the transfer portalasrecently as April 2, when she wrapped up her exit interviews with players andtold WAFB-TV in an interview that she expected to lose only one eligible returner to the open market.

“You cannot understand the value of having all ofthemcomeback,” Mulkeysaid.

“That’s how youbuild it.That’show youget

over thehump of an EliteEight.”

Then things changed.LSU since haslost two guards to the portalinapairofmoves that were as significant as they were surprising. Freshman Bella Hines announced Tuesday that she was leaving the Tigers, and sophomorepoint guardJada Richard, an Opelousas native,decided to followher outofthe door two days later Now LSUneedsanother post playeror two, andthe Tigers also must pursue someone who can assume their ballhandling responsibilities. Richard was supposed to shoulder most of that load forthe next two years, but she chose to test the transfermarketinstead,leaving the Tigers with only two returningguards: Mikaylah Williams and

LSU signed nine ESPN top-100 high school recruits from 2023-25, but six of them have enteredthe transfer portal.Fourofthe six left after their freshman years. The three whoare still on board areWilliams,ZaKiyah Johnson and Grace Knox. If Johnson comes back for her sophomore year,she could play on theperimeter.LSU is also adding McDonald’sAll-American Lola Lampley,a6-foot-2 wing from Indiana. But their roles won’tcomeinto focus until LSU rounds out the roster,and that process nowwill takemoreworkthanexpected. It started FridaywhenFlorida guard Laila

ä See TRANSFER, page 3C

Landry Benson

PROVIDED PHOTO By THOMAS LOVELOCK/AUGUSTANATIONAL GOLF CLUB

Tyrrell Hatton tees off on the 12thhole during thesecond round of the Masters tournament on Fridayatthe Augusta National GolfClub in Augusta, Ga

6

Archie to miss Manning Award

Ex-Saints quarterback recovering from back surgery

BY JEFF DUNCAN Staff writer

It takes something serious to keep Archie Manning away from the Manning Award ceremony

The annual event, which honors the top quarterback in college football, is a highlight of the year for Manning. And it’s particularly enticing this year as one of his favorite quarterbacks, Fernando Mendoza of Indiana, is being recognized Alas, Manning’s health won’t allow him to attend the event Saturday night at Manning’s Sports Bar and Grill in downtown New Orleans. Only weeks removed from major back surgery, Manning is in the early stages of what he calls “a long road” to recovery

“I’m very, very disappointed I can’t be there,” Manning said, mainly because I’m so crazy about Fernando.” Mendoza has been one of Manning’s favorites since he attended the 2024 Manning Passing Academy after his sophomore season at the University of California. Manning followed Mendoza with keen interest last season, after he transferred to Indiana and led the Hoosiers to an unbeaten national championship and Heisman Trophy honors. Mendoza led the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in passing touchdowns (41) and led the Power Four in touchdowns responsible for (passing and rushing, 48). He was also the only FBS quarterback with six games of four-plus touchdown passes and zero interceptions Later this month, Mendoza is expected to become the ninth Manning Award winner to be selected No. 1 overall in the NFL draft, joining Cam Ward Bryce Young,

Joe Burrow, Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield, Jameis Winston, Cam Newton and JaMarcus Russell.

“He’s just a great quarterback — and great people, he and his whole family,” Manning said. “Fernando just bubbles over with personality Our whole (MPA) staff was crazy about him.”

In the elder Manning’s absence, his oldest son, Cooper, will handle the Q&A session with Mendoza at the ceremony WDSU-TV sports director Fletcher Mackel will serve as the emcee.

It’s only the second time Archie Manning has missed the ceremony since the Sugar Bowl named the award after his family and started presenting it in 2004 Manning said he texted Mendoza and his family to express his apologies for missing the festivities.

“This one is tough for me because of how much I think of Fernando,” Manning said.

Manning is optimistic the recent procedure on his back will allow him to get back on his feet soon.

Dr Ronald Lehman, a spine specialist at New York Presbyterian Hospital, performed the procedure, which required seven hours to realign and stabilize Manning’s spinal column.

It’s the sixth back surgery Manning has undergone in the last two decades. He said the problems began after an auto wreck roughly 20 years ago and have been exacerbated by the years of wear and tear from his 13-year NFL playing career with the Saints, Oilers and Vikings.

“I was in constant pain,” Manning said. “It had gotten to the point where I couldn’t stand more than 10 minutes. The doctor told me I was a year away from being in a wheelchair.”

The recovery process required Manning to spend six days in the

hospital and 12 more in a rehab center in New Jersey, not far from youngest son Eli’s home. The proximity provided Manning’s wife, Olivia, a convenient place to stay while he recovered.

“My wife is first-team All-Pro,” Manning said. “She’s stronger than new rope.” Manning, 76, returned to New Orleans on April 3 and is undergoing physical therapy to aid his recovery

He said the pain in his back and lower extremities has dissipated since the procedure. The challenge now is to regain his strength and mobility

“The great news is the pain is gone in my lower back and legs, but I’ve got a long road ahead of me to get over the surgery,” he said. “I have to start with just getting out. I’m going to get there. But I’m not going to be running any high hurdles anytime soon.”

Outfielder Curiel powering up for LSU

Recent grand slam illustrates his talent

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

Derek Curiel knew where he wanted the pitch and what to do with it. The bases were loaded for the sophomore LSU cleanup hitter with two outs. With the Tigers trailing by three runs to Tennessee in the eighth inning on April 3, it was crucial for Curiel to pull through for his team. The moment didn’t faze the LSU star It was just another showcase of why Curiel is one of the best LSU hitters under coach Jay Johnson.

“I bet my life on him with a bat in his hand in a key situation, and he’s playing it at his caliber right now, (and is) maybe even better than ever,” Johnson said. “I’m excited because that changes our team when he’s that caliber of player.”

The reliever Curiel was facing, Tennessee right-hander Bo Rhudy, had a fastball with a lot of ride, meaning the pitch would carry up in the zone. It was the trait that allowed former LSU pitcher Ty Floyd to strike out 17 Florida hitters in Game 1 of the College World Series in 2023. Curiel knew exactly what to do with a pitcher like Rhudy “With ride guys, you want to start the ball a little bit down, maybe three balls down,” Curiel said. “So

“I’m always trying to hit a line drive,” Curiel said, “a low line drive, but with a guy with a ride heater — especially at a smaller ballpark like this I was actually trying to hit a fly ball because I knew his fastball was probably going to get a little bit above my barrel, and that’s kind of what I wanted.

“I wanted to see the ball deep. I didn’t want to be out in front of it. And I wanted to hit a backside homer, and that’s what I did.”

Patrick Taylor bowler wins boys state title

Patrick Taylor senior Beckham Lieu became a two-time bowling state champion when he won the boys individual title Friday at All Star Lanes in Baton Rouge, one day after helping the Tigers claim the Division II team championship. Lieu took the individual title by winning the final three elimination rounds after he made the cut into the playoffs by one pin. Seeded sixth, Lieu beat No. 1 Carson Childers of French Settlement 215186 in the final. In the girls tournament, Chapelle junior Addison Belle finished as runner-up to St. Joseph’s senior Ava Doucet, who won 222-216. Chapelle freshman Makayla Lanier also reached the stepladder playoff as the No. 5 seed but did not advance. Chapelle won the girls team championship Wednesday

Astros place righty Javier and outfielder Meyers on IL

SEATTLE The Houston Astros placed right-hander Cristian Javier on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain and outfielder Jake Meyers on the 10-day IL with an oblique strain on Friday Houston selected the contracts of right-hander J.P France and outfielder Taylor Trammell from Triple-A Sugar Land. Houston also transferred right-hander Ronel Blanco to the 60-day IL. Meyers left with lower back tightness in the middle of an at-bat in the second inning of Wednesday’s 9-1 loss to the Colorado Rockies. Javier was removed from the game with shoulder tightness.

Javier is 0-1 with a 12.54 ERA in three starts this season. Meyers is batting .243 with one homer and four RBIs.

Athletics put OF Rooker on IL with oblique strain

NEW YORK Brent Rooker was placed on the 10-day injured list by the Athletics on Friday because of an oblique strain, ending a streak of 214 consecutive games played for the outfielder and designated hitter

Zack Gelof was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to fill the roster spot prior to the Athletics’ series opener at the New York Mets.

Manager Mark Kotsay didn’t provide a timeline for the AllStar slugger who will miss his first game Friday since Aug. 15, 2024, the last time the Athletics were at Citi Field. Rooker was injured while fouling off a changeup in the first inning of Thursday’s 1-0 victory at the New York Yankees.

Heat waives Rozier after federal gambling charges

MIAMI Terry Rozier, who is facing federal charges related to a gambling operation, was waived by the Miami Heat on Friday in an expected and procedural move that allows the team to sign another player to its roster before the postseason.

I wanted to see the ball at my knees or middle thigh.”

After taking Rhudy’s first pitch for a ball, Curiel got a fastball that started at his thigh. He knew it was the perfect pitch to swing at, because he figured the ball would end up just above his waist by the time he swung.

“If it starts at your waist, you don’t want to swing at it because then it’ll be at your chest,” Curiel said. “But it started at the perfect spot, especially with the ride guy, and then it rode onto my barrel.“ Curiel executed his plan to perfection, taking Rhudy’s fastball the opposite way to left field for a grand slam that gave LSU a 5-4 lead, which eventually became a 7-5 victory Rarely is Curiel aiming to hit a home run, but the circumstances called for it.

Curiel’s blast against Tennessee was the continuation of a hot streak that carried through the rest of that series. Against Tennessee, he went 7 for 14 with a triple to go along with the grand slam. That blast was his second grand slam in as many games. Since LSU’s win over Louisiana Tech a nine-game stretch, Curiel is 19 for 40 with three home runs and 18 RBIs. The surge lifted his on-base plus slugging percentage and batting average past last season’s marks, despite a slow start to the season

“The guy’s trending again to be one of the best players in the country,” Johnson said “And it may not feel like that. And I don’t think that’s as much to do with Derek (as it does with the fact that) he was so good last year.”

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

Rozier was with the Heat for one game this season the opener at Orlando on Oct. 22, a contest in which he did not play He was arrested by federal officials at the team hotel the following morning on charges that he offered information to help people win bets on his stat totals in a 2023 game when was with the Charlotte Hornets. Miami has until Sunday to sign another player It’ll open play in the play-in tournament either Tuesday or Wednesday

Bowman cleared to return after missing four races

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Alex Bowman has been cleared to return to the NASCAR race weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway after missing four races with vertigo. Hendrick Motorsports announced Thursday that Bowman will drive the No. 48 Chevrolet on Sunday at the Tennessee track.

“It’s been tough being out of the car but we all wanted to make sure I was 100% ready before returning,” Bowman said. “I feel really good, and I’m excited about being at the track with my team and getting back to racing.” Bowman had to exit his car during the March 1 race at Circuit of the Americas because of the symptoms of vertigo. He was replaced by Myatt Snider that day

PHOTO By PATRICK DENNIS

LSU hitter Derek Curiel is congratulated by teammates after hitting a grand slam in the third inning against Southern University earlier this season at Alex Box Stadium.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Archie Manning holds the Louisiana Legacy award that honors him and his family during the Children’s Hospital of New Orleans Louisiana Legacy event at the NOW Pavilion on Feb 5, 2025.

TRANSFER

Reynolds arrived in Baton Rouge for avisit, according to asource. Reynolds, a6-1 guard, is arising seniorand former McDonald’sAllAmerican. She started 97 games across thethree yearsshe spent with the Gators. Last season, she averaged 12.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game whileshooting 43% from the field. LSU will have to look elsewhere if it wants to findacleaner fit for the role left behind by Richard— atrue point guard who proved last season that she can be adisruptive defender,anefficient shooterand awilling playmaker

“She’sour little engine outthere,” Mulkey said March 21 in between LSU’sfirst- and second-round NCAA Tournament games. “She’s atrue point guard, but shehas a tremendous shot. She didn’tlike sitting the bench last year,and she took it upon herself in the summer to get the work in that she needed knowing the system better now.”

Richard shot 45% from the field and 41% from 3-point range as a sophomore. She also finished with a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Reynolds is acareer 20% 3-point shooter who averaged more turnovers than assists duringher junior season. Her 97 giveaways were the eighth-mostamong SEC players.

But LSU has just begun the process of recruiting players in the transfer portal, which will be open until April 20 Mulkey andher staff initially thought this cycle would be aquiet one. Things changed rather quickly,and their priorities shifted as a result.

TULANE

Continued from page1C

if you keep working at something, you get better at it.He’sjust abetter passerthan he was when he was at UL (in 2022 and 2023). He’s grown in his overall understanding of football.”

Hall pointed out Peyton Manning led the NFL in interceptions as a rookie in 1997 before developing into aHall of Fame quarterback.

“It wasn’tthat he (Manning) couldn’tplay,”Hall said. “Hejust didn’tknow what he was doing yet at that level. Knowing what you’re doing allows you to playalot better. This system is very conducive to (Chriss-Gremillion’s) skill set. He’s comfortable rightnow andyou’re

LANDRY

Continued from page1C

Roger (Goodell)talked to me about when we were there. He said, Jeff, it’s hard for us to reallypointto awhole lot of things to critique (New Orleans) about, (but) the Super Bowl (LIX) we just put on, he said there is an issue with ramp space in the airport, and they’d like to see us fix that. That’s an easy fix, andIthink we’re doing that. Certainly he mentionedthe high-end hotels. The Omni is really the anchor to proving that we can do that.When you bring the Omni hotel in, it will only enhance the events that we’re already bringing in like the rodeo, LIV Golf and all the other things. I’d love to see the Final Four back in the Superdome. The Superdome was built in the late ’60s and ’70s. That stadium has endured and continues to be ago-back-to stadium, more than anyother in the entire country.When the NFL went through all these big stadium buildups (and constructions) in recent years, the Superdome just kept rocking along. We did abig upgrade to it for the Super Bowl. And guess what, it shined. That building is a magnificent place to entertain people.

Along those lines, another big economic development plan was unveiledrecently around the dome —the major renovation of the Smoothie King Center and the surrounding campus.Where do you stand on that project?

Ithink that Gayle Benson is one of the bestfemale philanthropistsand businesswomen in that city,and she cares deeply about that city

She’scompletely loyal to that city and the laws in Louisiana, as well. We are working through, in apartnership

BY JIM KLEINPETER Contributing writer

LSU left-hander Jayden Heavener did what she has done lately, andsecondbasemanSierraDaniel didsomethingshe seldom does. It all added up to another victory for the No. 21 Tigers softball team, whichtook the series opener against No. 13 Arizona 4-1 at Tiger Park on Friday Heavener allowed five hitsand an unearned run in her 12th complete game of theseason,this one against the nation’s No. 9hitting team.Daniel hit athree-run homerinthe third inning, just her secondthis season andfourth of her career Heavener overcame her own throwing error that ledtothe Wildcats’ only run. She worked out of acoupleofjams butfinished strong, retiring the last seven batters. She struck outthe side to finish off the win for LSU(27-13).

“All my pitches were working, but it wasn’tmybest night obviously,” Heavener said. “I got away with acouple of things, being able to work through it.The defense behind me did an amazing job. Iwas overthinking the entire game,soItried coming out and not thinking ”

It was the seventh time in her last eightoutings that Heavener allowed one earned run or fewer, andshe did it against aspeedy teamwith a.363teambatting average.

Daniel hit her homer over the right-fieldfence against asteady wind. Avery Hodge opened the inning with asingle andJailaLassiter drew her second walk of the

seeinghim execute pretty well.”

‘Macho’man

Cornerback Marquez Stevenson, a6-foot-1 transfer from Texas Tech, is working primarily withthe firstteam defense along withholdover E’ZaiahShine.

Stevenson, who intercepted a SemonzapassinTuesday’s practice, believes he canmakeanimmediate impactbecause of his size and athletic ability

“It’s my awareness andlength,” he said. “You could findbig corners, but it’shardtofind big corners that can move and change directions like Ican ”

Having lost Jahiem Johnson through the transfer portal(Arkansas), Tulane brought in three cornerbackstocompete for a starting job, includinglinebacker

way,tomake some of those things happen. Icertainly would liketosee ithappen. We just have to make sure that it’sgood for the state and the taxpayers, and it’s good for the Pelicans and the Saints. And we’re gonna get there.

She’ssaidthat she wantsyou and her to hammer out the deal We absolutely are. In fact, we’re going to Mass with her soon. Sharon and Igotothe cathedral with her in New Orleans once amonth, or once every couple of months or so. We’ll be back over there on Sunday

Let’stalk LSU.What are your thoughts on Will Wade coming back as men’sbasketball coach? Iloveit. Iloveit. Like Isaid (in asocial-media post), where there’sa will, there’saWade! Look, right now,LSU is probably holdingthe best group of coaches in thecountry.We have gotthe biggest powerhouse from Kim Mulkey to Will Wade. Ourtrack and field andgymnastics coaches (Dennis Shaver andJay Clark). (Baseball coach)Jay Johnson.Imean, the list just goes onand on.And we’re gonna build championship teams with that group ofcoaches

How involved were youintrying to getWade back?

Well, let me just say,I helped whereverI could Will andI are very close. I was sad that we didn’t pick himuplast year (in2025). It was something that irritated me. LSU missed an opportunity.It’swhy there was abig change in leadership over there (in theathletic department). Think about this,Will Wade left LSU, wenttoMcNeese andtook them to theNCAA Tournament.Heleft McNeese, and his old team at McNeesemade the tourna-

game.

“Wecalled time and contemplated what we should do,” said Daniel, ajunior infielder who is 11 for herlast 19 (.579). “I saw apitch Icould swing on andwentfor it. Idon’twant to let apitcher get a

Dickson Agu’solder brother Justin (Louisville)and Anthony Rogers (Nicholls)

Passing game coordinator for defense BryanBerezowitz likes all of them, but Stevensonmay have the biggest upside. “He’s phenomenal,” Berezowitz said. “He’ssupersmart, and obviously everyone cansee thephysicaltraits. He’slong. He’s fast He’s athletic. He’s just scratching the surfaceofwhat he’sgoing to become.”

Stevenson, aShreveport product, goes by the nickname “Macho” that hismom gave him when he weighed101/2 pounds at birth. He made23tackles as afreshman for Texas Tech before being limited to one game last year by ashoulder injury that required surgery He is eager to play afull season.

mentand his new team at NC State made the tournament. AndLSU, Imean, they couldn’teven findthe tournament.

Whyisthe success of the LSU athletic programsoimportant to you as governor?

Because when the LSU athletic program is successful, it is like ahigh tide that raises all the boats. Ithink it improves the university athletic programs throughout all of Louisiana’suniversities. Icare about all of those universities. We’re working hard at atime when auniversityaweek is closing in this country Andcolleges and universities are going through a huge transition. Butwhat Idoknow is that having an unbelievable athletic program at the flagship (LSU) is something that benefits all of the athletic programs around the state.

In arecent social-media post, you praised President Trump’ssigning of an executive order to fixwhat you called “the broken college sports system.”Why do you think it’s broken?

A: Listen,that’s not just my opinion. That’s, like, 90% of college fans’ opinion. Let’sjust talk about college football. College football fans are frustrated. The amount of money that’s being thrown around is so unsustainable that it’s breaking athletic programs around the country.Those are all facts. It’sdestroying other Division Isportsand women’ssportsand Olympic sports. Andthere are no guardrails. These agents don’thave any caps, but the NFL agents have caps. We don’thave any guardrails for (players) transferring in the portal. And if you look at the number of kids that are going into the portal and the number of kids that aren’tbeing accepted, every one of those kids that

pitch over theplate by me.”

LSUtacked on an insurance run in thesixth.Tori Edwardsdoubled and Char Lorenz drove in pinch runnerDestiny Harris from second basewithabase hit to right field.

“Peoplemight saythatI’m coming down aconference, but this is abuilding program for sure,” he said. “Weare going to give everybody our best gamenow at Tulane.

Puntingprowess

Tulane does not have ascholarship punter on its spring roster, but redshirt junior walk-on William Hudlow is performing as if he wantsone.

Hudlow,aJesuit alum who punted once for 34 yards last season, has boomed punts consistently during practice and in Tulane’s first scrimmage. Freshmansignee Brooks Moore, rated No. 5inthe nation by Kohl’sKicking, will not have an automatichold on the job when he arrives in the summer “Hudlowhas done areally nice

go in and are not accepted meansthey’re losing their scholarships. They’re out College athletics was supposed to be asupporter agateway to get you an education so that you can go back and becomeavery productive citizen in this country

Youwrote that op-ed piece on RealClearPolicy.org in December, addressing the issue and saying let’s fixcollege sports. One of the things you said in there was,“Don’t hate the player,hate the game.We did what we had to do.”What did you mean by that? Listen,itcertainly was not fun. To have to go out there and poach acoach before he had an opportunity to coach agroup of kids that he brought over there, who Iknow absolutely

“Itwas areally good night —we even had fireworks,” LSU coach Beth Torina said with asmile. “The fourth run washuge, continuingthe momentum with a little less pressure in the seventh inning.

“Good pitchers win on all their days, not just their great days,” Torina said of Heavener.“It was nicetosee ateamwith alot of speed hit theballinthe air. It’s easier to defend that.She didan awesomejob of closing the door in the seventh. They score aton of runs in the seventh inning.” LSU fell behind in the first inning on abunt thatturnedinto four bases. Heavener fieldedSereniti Trice’sbunt and threw wide of first, and the ball traveled all the way to theright-field corner.

Right fielderAlix Franklin mishandled the ball, and the speedy Trice easily circled the bases. That was all Heavener gave up. Sheworkedout of ajam in the fifth inning when Regan Shockey and Trice hit one-out singlesand advanced to second and third on a fly ball by Tayler Biehl. Heavener then walked theWildcats most dangerous hitter Sydney Stewart on four pitches before getting Grace Jenkins on aflyball to the wall in right field that Franklin caught easily

The teams play again at 5p.m Saturday in the Teal Game. The Tigers will wear teal jerseys, and awalk to raise awareness for ovarian cancer will be held at 8:30 a.m. at the field.

job,” specialteams coordinator Chris Forestier said Tuesday. “His consistency hasgotten better just from shorteninghis stepsand being more focused on his drops. Today he had acouple of really nice balls with high hang time and good direction right wherewewanted it.”

Lagniappe

Wideout Garrett Mmahat has sat out this week with ahamstring injury he suffered last week. …Scott has worn ano-contact jersey since taking ahit to theshoulderonthe final play of last Saturday’s workout. In adeparture from Tulane’s recent past, Hall is allowing all four of his young quarterbacksto be hit in live drills. Thursday’s practiceendedwith adetermined touchdown run fromEdna Karr product Jaylin Lucas.

loved him and loved the program over at Ole Miss, and not allow him to finish the season out. Youknow what? Those are the kind of guardrails we need. It doesn’thappen in the NFL because of exactly that. Right now,the only focus in college sports is aloyalty to Benjamin Franklin on $100 bills, rather than the loyalty to the teammates and to the coaches and to the programs. But Ididn’tget to write those rules —I had to play by those particular rules. And the only way to get Lane Kiffin was to do what we did. Ididn’tlike it. Idon’tthink it was fair to his players. It wasn’tfair to him,but again, Congress needs to get off their tail and fix this thing.

What are your thoughts about Lane Kiffinsofar,the excitement he’s created in Baton Rouge? Oh, Ilove it. Listen, Itell you, Lane and Itrade texts when we can. Iknow he’sin the middle of spring training. Idonot bother him When the portal class had opened up, Idonot bother him.Look, Iwant them all to go out there and do their jobs and get those kids in tip-top shape so we can go winsome championships.

And youwere even available to entertain oneoftheir top recruits (left tackle Jordan Seaton) at the Governor’sMansion, right? That’sright. If Lane Kiffin or Jay Johnson or Will Wade or KimMulkey call me and Ican do anything to help them,you can better believe Iwill.

PHOTO By MICHAEL BACIGALUPI

LSU

MASTERS

McIlroycooking in bidtorepeat

Reigning champ leadsbothReed, Burnsby6shots

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

AUGUSTA, Ga. Rory McIlroy delivered adynamicfinish to the Masters on Friday,lookingevery bit like someone who has done this before. Six birdies over the last seven holes gave him a7-under 65 and asix-shotlead that seta Mastersrecord through 36 holes.

The final hour of afascinating daystarted to look like avictory lap.

McIlroy,who madethree straight birdies early in his round, found himself locked in aduel with old nemesis Patrick Reed, the 2018 champion whobirdied the par-3 12th to tie for the lead. McIlroy wascoming offa few loose swings when he reached the heart of Amen Corner.

“Standing on the 12th tee, I didn’timagine beingsix shots ahead,”McIlroy said. Beforelong, he was all alone. His tee shot over Rae’sCreek on the dangerous 12th hole landed 7 feet behind the flag. He birdied both par 5s after having to lay up from the trees. He took advantageofthe lowerpin at thepar-3 16th for what amounted toatap-in birdie.

And then he really sent thegallery into afrenzy when he chipped in from 30 yards on the 17th.McIlroy couldn’tsee the hole over the crest of the hill on the green, but he knew it was good because “I could see everyone in the grandstand start to stand up.”

“That’sabonus,” he said And there wasone more to go —another perfect approach that came down the slope to 6feet for one last birdie.

That put him at 12-under 132, six shotsclear of Reed(69) andSam Burns (71). The previous record forthe largest 36-hole leadatAugusta Nationalwas five shots by Jordan Spieth (2015), Raymond Floyd (1976), Jack Nicklaus (1975), Herman Keiser (1946) and Harry “Lighthorse” Cooper (1936). All but

Cooper went on to win.

If McIlroy holds on,hewould become the fourth player to win back-to-back at the Masters, joiningNicklaus,Nick Faldo andTiger Woods.

He hada two-shot lead after 36 holes in 2011 and stretched it to four shotsgoing into the final round beforehefamously imploded with an 80. That was thestart of hisMasters heartache that lasteduntila year ago, whenhe triumphed in aplayoff to finally prove he could winatAugusta National.

“I knowwhat can happen around here,good andbad,” McIlroy said with asmile.“Youdon’thave to remindmenot to get ahead of myself.There’salong way to go. I

got off toanamazing start.” Augustaallowed for that. It was warmer,brighterand drier. The wind wasn’tquite as strong and the gusts didn’tswirl as much.And therewas much better scoring in partbecause of moregenerous pin positions, including on 16 and 18, where cleanly struck shots could feed toward the hole

Thescores were nearly two shotslower than Thursday Reed was bogey-freeuntil failing to save paronthe final hole. Thatalso cost him aspotinthe final groupSaturday with McIlroy.Theywere paired together in the last group in 2018, with seeminglyall of Augusta on McIlroy’sside, only for Reed to win

handily

Burns, the formerLSU star, birdied his last two holes to salvage a71and will be paired with McIlroy JustinRose, the playoff loser to McIlroy ayear ago, had a roughday with theputter and still shot 69 to be part of the group at 5-under 139 —now seven shots behind—along with Shane Lowry (69) and Tommy Fleetwood, who had twoeagles in his roundof68. ScottieScheffler, theworld’sNo. 1player, is now 12 shots behind. Scheffler twice hit into the water on the par 5s on the back nine, made bogey on both, andshot74 for his first round over par at the Masters in three years.

Crudegesture earnsMacIntyre areprimand

BY SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writer

AUGUSTA, Ga. —RobertMacIntyre’s crude gesture after abad shot in Thursday’sfirst round apparently did not go unnoticed by Masters tournament officials.

The formerMcNeese State golfer, ranked No. 8inthe world,reportedly wasreprimanded for his actions. MacIntyre made amiddle-finger gesture not toward another player or the crowd but toward thepond fronting the 15th green after hitting one of two shots into it Thursday,leading to aquadruple-bogey 9. The Scottish golfer alsoapparently was caught by an on-course microphone cursing afteranother poor shot. It was afrustrating round for MacIntyre, as he shot an 8-over 80. MacIntyre rebounded with a1-under 71 on Friday but still wound up 7over,missingthe cut

RABALAIS

Continued from page1C

somehow just alittle lessfire in the Augusta National Golf Course than there was Thursday Did the Lords of Augustatake pityonthe field for astroke average of nearly 75 in the first round? Perhaps. Hatton probably would have preferred they installed windmills and flamethrowers Hatton already hasahistory of grumbling that Augusta National is atricked-up track. Whenhefinished last among the players who made the cut in 2022 at 17 over par,Hatton was caught on audio telling his caddie, “I hate this place.” He was caught on video mimicking the motion of firing a gun at the famous 13th hole During the 2024 Masters, Hatton talked of his hate-haterelationship with the par-5 15thhole.

“That hole lives rent-free in my

by three strokes. He declinedto speak to reportersafter either round.

On Friday, MacIntyre’sInstagram account eitherdoubled downonhis gesture,orhepoked funathimself, with acomputergenerated image of the golfer as a boxed-up Masters garden gnome, again with his middle finger prominently displayed Endgamefor Burns

At least in one sense, former LSUAll-American Sam Burns is still right with Masters 36-hole leader RoryMcIlroy

The two started the day tied for the lead after Thursday with 5-under 67s. McIlroy then ran off with asecond-round 65 to getto 12 under,giving him asix-stroke lead over Burns, who shot 71, and former University High golfer Patrick Reed (69), the2018 Masters champion

head,” Hatton said back then.“I hate it. Iabsolutely hateit. AndI thinkithates me with thescores Iend up producingonit.”

Forall that vitriol, Hatton is still well ensconced on the Masters leaderboard halfwaythrough this year’stournament. His 66 took him from 2overafter thefirst round to 4under,puttinghim in atie for seventh. One wouldsay adefinite contender,though he endeduplight years behind fellow UK royal subject Rory McIlroyafter the reigningMasters champion made the jump to light speed on thesecond nine Friday, diving to 12 underwith atournament-best round of 65. McIlroyalone will determine whether anyone is acontender or not on this Masters weekend. That includes former LSUAllAmerican Sam Burns and former University High golfer Patrick Reed, both tied for second but adistant six strokes behind the Northern Irishman.

Burnswas tied for the lead

Burns willbepaired with McIlroy in the final group of Saturday’s third roundbecause of golf’s tradition of “firstin, lastout.” Burns finished playing his second round Friday before Reeddid.

Burnsand McIlroy will teeoff at 1:50 p.m. Reed and Justin Rose, wholosttoMcIlroy in aplayoff in the 2025 Masters, will be in the second-to-last group at 1:39 p.m. Roseistied for third at 5under

The big difference from Burns’ first round to his second? On Thursday he played the par 5s in 5 under.OnFriday,heplayed them in even par “I felt like Iwas playing pretty solid,” Burns said. “Just wasn’t really holing any putts.” Burns was 1over for his round until abirdie-birdie finish vaulted him intothat tie for second.

Printererror?

Two-time U.S.Open champion

with McIlroy after 67s in the first round, then scrapped his way to a1-under 71 on Friday.Reed has sailed consistently along with a pair of 3-under 69s in pursuit of asecond green jacket to go with theone he captured in 2018. McIlroy looked invincible as he sizzled to asecond-nine 31, closing with four straight birdies, including one on alengthy pitch shotafter driving in thetrees left of 17 and having to punch out right of the green. But no doubt he will remind himself of thetime he shot an 80 in the final round here in 2011, when he started Sunday with afour-stroke lead and wound up in atie for 15th place. If it was Hatton in McIlroy’s position, he definitely would remindhimself. Onething to say for Hatton: He’sthe only player from the10man LIV Golf contingent in this year’sfield who is even remotely in contention. Talk about LIVorlet die. Hatton

Bryson DeChambeau is nicknamed “The Scientist” forall thetinkering he does with his swing and clubs.

Thelatest? He carried a5-iron in hisbag this week that he made with a3Dprinter in his golf laboratory. Did it help him much? Notreally DeChambeau shot a76onThursday and 74 on Friday,missing the cut when he triple-bogeyed the 18th hole Friday

DeChambeau said the club printed in eighthours, then needed grooves cut into it and other finishing touches. The entireprocess took about aday and ahalf.

DeChambeau, whowas in the finalgroup withMcIlroy in last year’sMasters before finishing in atie for fifth,was one of 10 LIV Golf players in the 91-man field andamong the five who missed the36-hole cut at 4over

wound up the only one of the10 who is under parasthe Masters makes the turnfor the weekend. The next best was 2020 Masters winner DustinJohnson,tiedfor 24thplace at even par. Other LIV former Masters winners —Sergio Garcia, Jon Rahmand Charl Schwartzel —all just made it through at T45, T47and T47, respectively.Bryson DeChambeau, in the final grouponSundaywith McIlroy last year,had achanceto join thembut made a7onthe 18th hole to fall into atie for60th Lestyou think Hatton is just somesideshow,think again. He’s been ranked as high as fifth in theworld —he’snow at No.33 because his world ranking has atrophied while on the LIV Tour, which doesn’tget full ranking points. ButasFriday’sround can attest, he can golf his ball. That no one on the planet is playing golf as well as McIlroy through the first two rounds isn’t the fault of Hatton or anyone else.

HOLEOFTHE DAY

No.4:

Par3,231 yards

Round

Rank: 1

Eagles: 0

Birdies: 5

Bogeys: 25

Double

Howitplayed: Thefourth lives up to its namemost rounds, making players crabbyafter playing it. It’sAugusta National’slongestpar 3, and withthe pin tucked behind the front bunker as it wastoday, it’snearlyimpregnable That said, 36-hole leaderRory McIlroycracked its code,knocking his teeshot 22 feet past the hole and dropping the fast, curling puttfor one of his nine birdies.

Scott Rabalais

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByDAVID J. PHILLIP

Rory McIlroy, of NorthernIreland, hits his tee shot on the 16thhole during the second round of the Masters golf tournament at the AugustaNational Golf Club on Friday in Augusta, Ga

with meteorologist DamonSingleton

We had afew showers move across partsofthe South Shore yesterday, butwe’re not expecting anyofthat today. Saturdayis looking likeabeautifullysunnyday with high temperatures and a nice breeze. Temperatures this afternoon will be slightly higher than yesterday, in the low80s.Winds will be easterly at 10 to 20 mph and the UV Index is “veryhigh,”soprotect your skin. If you’re headed to Tulane, Loyola, Xavier or Delgado baseball games,the weatherwill be sunny, warmand breezy

Rummel senior crushesitin pitchers’duelagainst Jesuit

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

Joel Morange didn’thavemuch of areason to think his fly ball to left field would leave the park. Not with the wind blowing in like it was. The Rummelsenior barreled achest-high fastball and watched as the Jesuit left fielder ran and turned like he was waiting for the ball to hit off theblue padded fence.

Morange was nearing firstbase when the Jesuit outfielder looked up to watch the ball clear the fence. “It was like asurreal feeling,” said Morange,who roundedthe bases as his Rummel teammates poured out of the dugout in celebration.

Morange’stwo-run home run in the fifth inning accounted for all the scoring as Owen Nugenttossed athree-hit shutout in Rummel’s 2-0 victory Thursday at John Ryan Stadium.

“He crushed it,” Rummel coach Frank Cazeaux said. “That’swhat

he does. He’sgot acouplehome runs for us.He’saheck of aplayer

He can runand he plays good defense.Ithinksomepeople are going to start looking at him.”

The result put Brother Martin, Jesuit and Rummel in athreeway tieatopthe CatholicLeague standings with thedistrictseason concluding Saturday.Rummel (237, 9-3District 9-5A)willfaceJesuit (23-8, 10-3) at Kirsch-Rooney Stadium as Brother Martin faces Edna Karr

Nugent,who struck out six and walked one, wasespecially thankful for Morange’shome run.

“I was like, ‘Man,wegot this game in our hands.Ijust gottogo outand do my job,’ ”Nugent said.

“As you can see, it paid off.” Nugent walked andwas on first base when Morange, the third baseman, homered.

“He’satremendousplayer,”Nugent said. “He cameupbig for us all seasonand that just topped it off.”

Nugentretired 13 of the last 14

batters with only awalk allowed over the final four innings as he outdueled Jesuit ace Jackson Dugan. Nugent and Dugan played against each otherinrecreational league and travel-ballgames over theyears. The game Thursday was their first pitchingagainst each other “That’s one of my best friends, Nugent said of Dugan. “He pitched histail off. He pitched agreat game. He got on the bad side of it. We got on the good side of it.” Nugent’sshutout was his second in district play after an eightinning winagainst John Curtis. He also pitched acompletegame against Holy Cross last week

“I thought both of themwerereally good tonight, anditwas the difference of aswing, anditwas abig one,” Jesuit coach Kenny Goodlett said. “He hit it out of the ballpark, and it wasaheck of ahit.”

Contact ChristopherDabe at cdabe@theadvocate.com

CelticsburyPelicans under3-point barrage

BY RODWALKER Staff writer

TheNew Orleans Pelicans’ misery against the Boston Celtics continued Friday night.

This one, thanks to aCeltics’ 3-point binge, wasn’tpretty

The Pelicans got blasted by the Celtics144-118 at TD Garden in the next-to-last game of the season

The Pelicans (26-55) have lost to the Celtics 10 straight times.The Pels’ lastvictory against Boston came in March 2021.

TheCelticshad plenty of motivation for thisone. With the victory, Boston (55-26) clinched theNo. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Pelicans interim coach James Borregoknewcoming into thegamethat this one would be tough, especially since he played the younger players on theroster while star players sat on thebench. The Pelsstarters were Jeremiah Fears, Jordan Poole, Micah Peavy,Derik Queen and Kevon Looney

“It’ll be good forour guys to feel this type of environment against a team thatischasing atitle this year,” Borrego said before the game. “(The Celtics) aregoing to bring their best tonight,and Ilove that for our young guys.Tofeel that moment,feel that spirit, useitasa catalyst into the summer.Tounderstandthe levelthat we need to get to, there’snothinglike going through it.”

The Celtics delivered an early knockout, burying 10 3-pointers in the first quarter to build a44-25 lead. It ballooned to 82-51 by halftime. Boston made 17 of 30 3-pointers in the first half. Meanwhile, the Pels shot just 18 of 46 from the floor (5 of 20 on 3-pointers) in thefirst two quarters. The Celtics finished the night making 29 3-pointers, tying an NBArecordheld by severalteams The most3’s the Pels hadallowed in agamethis season before Friday was24tothe Golden State Warriors in November.The Celtics had more than that (25) by the end of the third quarter

The Pelicans were just three days removed froma record-setting home victory over the lowly Utah Jazz. In that game, thePelicans setfranchise records for points in aquarter (50), points in ahalf (95) and points in a game(156).

Fearsset thefranchise rookie scoring record in thatwin over the Jazz with 40 points. He followed that up Friday by scoring 36 points to go with sixassists. Derik Queen finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Josh Oduro, in just his secondNBA game, recordeda double-double (12 points, 12 rebounds). ThePelicansplaytheir season finale Sunday on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves. EmailRod Walkeratrwalker@ theadvocate.com.

STAFF FILEPHOTO By BRETTDUKE

Joel Morange, left, of Rummel celebrates at home plate after hitting ahomerun against Brother Martinat Maestri Field on March 19.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Fire up the engine, and make your way forward. Putyour energy where it countsand maximize your time and effort. A change in how you earnoruse your money will encourage you to make a move

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Controlyour emotions, and keep your thoughtsto yourself.Work diligently behind the scenes to ensure you achieve themost with theleast amount of interference.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Change matters. Sittingidle will leave youina state of stress. Change is ideal, andresearch, talking to experts andexploring possibilities will guide youforward

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Look at thebig picture, but don't take on too much. Refuse to let what others do interfere with your plans. Follow your heart and explore the possibilities.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Filter through information before making achange You have plenty to gain if you are observant, thorough and don't overspendoroverdo. Be careful nottobuy into beauty scams that promise the world and offer few returns.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Do your best to show up, do your thing andhaveapositiveimpact on others. Let intelligence lead theway, and others will follow. Participation is thebest way to bring aboutchange

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Distance yourself fromanyone who doesn't coincide withyourplans. Refuse to let anyone

talk youintooverloading your schedule or spending more than you can afford.

SCORPIO(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Takeadvantageofany opportunity to mix business with pleasure. Travel andcommunication are on therise. Achange will lead to romance, adventure or anew beginning.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Act instinctively. Put your heart andsoul into whatever youpursue,and pioneer your wayforward. Managing your finances andimplementing ahealthy, less stressful lifestyle is within reach.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Take the high road, keep your thoughtstoyourself and avoid discord, interference andtemptation. Payattention to and nurture relationships dear to your heart.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Reviewyour financial position andconsider howto make it better. Read thefine print,and put in place athriftyplan anddiscipline that helps youcut your costs andalleviate stress.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Knowing when to startand stop is essential if you want to avoid waste, debt or unnecessary interference. Saynotoexcessive behavior, andrecognize when someone offers an inflated point of view.

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

CelebrityCipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Eachletter in the cipher stands for another.

TODAy'S CLUE:B EQUALS L

CeLebrItY CIpher

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM SherMAn’S LAGoon

bIG nAte

Sudoku

InstructIons: sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. Theobject is to place the numbers1to9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Thedifficulty level of the sudoku increases from monday to sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

THe wiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

CurTiS

Bridge

BY PHILLIP ALDER

Alfred North Whitehead, an English mathematician and philosopher who died in 1947, said, “It requires avery unusual mind to make an analysis of the obvious.” What some people see as obvious, othersfind unusual. Take, for example, today’sdeal.LookattheNorthhand.Your partneropensoneheart,yourespondone no-trump,and he rebidstwo clubs. What would you do now?

It looks obvious to raise to three clubs, game-invitational. But youwould do that with aweaker hand. For example, take twoofthe low clubs andmake them low diamonds. Youwouldstill raise to three clubs. This hand, though, is more powerful. In fact, if you had had king-queenjack-sixthof clubsandthediamondking, youprobably would have responded twoclubs, not one no-trump, planning to rebid three clubs. How can youshow a verygood three-club raise?

By rebiddingtwo spades. This cannotbenatural, because youwould have responded one spade, not one no-trump, with length in that suit. And it saysnothing about your holding in spades. (The same call can be used if opener rebids twodiamonds andyou have excellent supportfor that suit.)

In this instance, South, with those wonderful aces, should continue with three spades to describe his distribution, and leave three no-trump as an option should North have strong diamonds. Here, Northwouldprobably bid four clubs and South would raise to game. As you can see, fiveclubs needs either theheart finesse or theclub finesse to work.But three no-trump has no chance with theclub finesse failing.

©2026 by nEa,inc., dist. By andrewsmcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzle is aword riddlewhich creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: nOOn gOOD =gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuctIons:

toDAY’s WoRD WEREWoLVEs: WARE-wulvz: People capable of assuming a wolf’s form.

Average mark 33 words

Time

Canyou find 49 or more words in WEREWOLVES?

wuzzles

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

dIrectIons: make a2-to 7-letter word from theletters in each row.add points of each word usingscoring directionsat right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus “Blanks”used as any letter havenopoint value. allthe wordsare in theOfficial sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5th Edition

ken ken

InstructIons: 1 -Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1thorugh 4(easy) or 1through 6 (challenging) without repeating. 2 -The numberswithin 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.

Puzzle Answer

WiShinG Well

Scrabble GramS

Getfuzzy

roSe

PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANAAT‐TORNEY: J. Andrew Mur‐rell. ADDRESS: 1955 CAR‐OLYNSUE DRIVE, BATON ROUGE,LA70815 TELE‐PHONE:(844) 626-3739 183814-apr11-may2-2t $76.32

trix of theSUCCESSION OFVALENTINE OCTAVIA SLAYTON,proposesto sellthe aforesaid immov‐ableproperty, at private sale, forthe priceand uponthe termsafore‐said, andthe heirs, lega‐tees,and creditorsare requiredtomakeopposi‐tion, if anytheyhaveor can,tosuchsale, within seven (7)days, including Sundays andholidays, fromdatewhereon the lastpublication of this noticeappears. NewOr‐leans,Louisiana,thisday of, 2026. DEPUTY CLERK FOR THE24thJUDICIAL DISTRICTCOURT FORTHE

Administra‐trixofthe SUCCESSION OFRANDALL S. T. SLAY‐TON,proposestosellthe aforesaid immovable property, at privatesale, for theprice andupon the termsaforesaid,and the heirs, legatees,and creditors arerequiredto makeopposition,ifany theyhaveorcan,tosuch sale, within seven(7) days, includingSundays and holidays,fromdate whereon thelastpublica‐tionofthisnoticeap‐pears.New Orleans, Louisiana,thisday of 2026. DEPUTY CLERKFOR THE 24th JUDICIAL DIS‐TRICTCOURT FORTHE

GREENTHUMB

Let the season guidelawn andgarden care. PAGE 4

GARDEN ADVICE

When and howfar back to prune azaleas. PAGE 5

HOME WORKWITHLOUIS

Simple changes can refresh your home. PAGE 8

ONEINAMILLION

St.Charles manse with vintagecharm.PAGE10

COVERSTORY

French Quarter Creole townhouse perfect for high-powered pair. PAGE 12

INSIDE INFO

Home and garden happenings. PAGE 16

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS

Recent transactions in the metroarea. PAGE 16

InsideOut’smission is to give readers peeks inside themanydifferentwaysthat people in theNew Orleans area live.Weprofile spaces that are opulent, or just offbeat; sophisticated or simple; functional or light-hearted; historicorbrand-spanking new. Andanything in between

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

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

3711 AnnunciationStreet •Uptown$790,000

Built in 2016,this2-story,3 Bed,3.5 Bath,2,397 sq ft home witha firstfloorprimary suiteand gated driveway.WalktoMagazineSt, dining, and parades. Features include10-ft ceilings,heart pine floors,gourmet kitchen, covereddeck,all bedrooms have luxury en-suite baths, andenergy-efficient construction in apreferred floodzone. Greatlocation! Move-in-Ready!

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2131 Marion Drive•LaPlace

Manygardening activities, such as when to plant, when to fertilize, when to prune, when pest control is likely needed and so on, are done according to annual,seasonal cycles.

Oneofthe passages most commonly quoted from theBible is found in thebook of Ecclesiastes: “For everything there is a season,and atime for everypurposeunder heaven …atime to plant,and atime to pluck up that which is planted.”

As agardener,this is some of the best advice you are ever likely to receive.

When it comes to growing plants, the concept of seasonality and annual repetitiouscycles is something everygardener must understand. The seasonsrepeat, and we tend to do the same gardening activities at about the same time from year to year.

Many gardening activities,such as when to plant, when to fertilize, when to

prune, when pest control is likely needed and so on, are done according to annual, seasonal cycles. If gardening activities are done at the wrong timeofthe year, the results may not produce the desired outcome.

STAFF FILE PHOTOBySCOTT THRELKELD

GREENTHUMB

Wait to prune large azaleas after they’ve bloomed

BY DAN GILL Contributing writer

We recently purchased a home that has some very large azalea bushes. We love azaleas, but these are quite large and overgrown.When is the right time to cut them back? Is it possible to cut them back about onehalf their height and they will fill in with new growth? — Craig

Azaleas are best pruned soon after they finish blooming, so you may prune them back now Azaleas usually tolerate pruning very well. Decide what height you want them to be and cut them back somewhat smaller (you may cut them back by half their height) Watch the growth over the summer If they need to be cut back again, and this is likely, get it done by mid-July to avoid interfering with blooming next year. Expect to prune them back each spring, and possibly during the summer, every year to hold the azaleas to the desired size.

PHOTO By JEFF STROUT

I live in a raised house. I’d like to plant some shrubs across the front of the house to hide the pillars and the

gap under the house.This area is facing the west and gets the direct hot afternoon sun. I want to plant anything that will tolerate that brutal sun and hopefully be low-maintenance. My desire is to block the open area between the brick support pillars. Or, do you think some kind of lattice panels would work? — Janice

There are lots of shrubs that like full sun — that is, direct sun for eight hours or more daily Shrubs that can take sun all day will not have an issue with a western exposure. One option is to visit local nurseries and ask a staff member to show you sun-loving shrubs that mature at 3 to 4 feet tall. You will see numerous choices.

A few suggestions to consider: Drift roses (a variety of colors on long-blooming compact plants), Shishi Gashira camellia, dwarf yaupon holly (tough, reliable, no flowers), dwarf abelia varieties, distylium Cinnamon Girl or Coppertone.

Latticework would look nice with or without shrubs.

I always think about fertilizing plants in the spring but wonder if there is a schedule of when to fertilize plants in the landscape through the year? — Sabrina

We do fertilize plants at times other than the spring. Here is some general advice on when we fertilize various types of plants.

Fertilize trees and fruit trees

in February. Fertilize shrubs, vines and ground covers and perennials in March. Fertilize lawns in late March. Additional fertilizer may be applied to lawns during the summer if needed.

Incorporate fertilizer during bed preparation for flower and

Continued from page 4

Growing all year

Here in the Deep South, we have a year-round growing season. Based on temperatures, our year-round growing season is divided into the warm season and the cool season.

These two seasons determine the time we plant different vegetables, herbs and bedding plants, when we plant tropicals and when we plant hardy trees, shrubs, vines and ground covers.

The alternation of these seasons through the years is the heartbeat of gardening in the Gulf Coastal South.

We are at the beginning of the warm season, which runs from April until October. The cool season runs from October to April. Did you notice the overlap?

The seasons transition into each other. There is no sudden beginning or end.

During the warm season, freezes do not occur and temperatures are warm to very hot. During the cool season, temperatures are chilly to mild with the possibility of freezes, sometimes significant freezes.

It’s especially important to plant at the proper time Some annuals, including bedding plants and vegetables, grow and produce best during certain times of the year and will perform poorly if planted in the wrong season. Cold hardy trees and shrubs are best planted in fall or winter while tropical plants are best planted after the weather is warm in spring.

When to plant

Plant warm-season bedding plants from April to August. Warm-season bedding plants are not cold hardy and will be damaged or killed by freezes. But they thrive in the warm to hot weather of summer (heat tolerance is a critical characteristic).

We often begin planting warm-season bedding plants in March, but light freezes may still occur and they may need

GREENTHUMB

Tropical plants, like hibiscus, love the heat and establish best when planted after the weather is warm and settled with no chance of freezes, from April to August.

PROVIDED PHOTO By LSU AGCENTER Planting sod for lawns is best done from April to September

to be protected.

We can still plant warm season bedding plants as late as August. The first freezes don’t generally occur until late November or early December, so we can enjoy their flowers for at least four months — not a bad return on your investment.

But earlier planting gives you a longer blooming season and more bang for your buck.

Cool-season bedding plants are planted from October to March. They will not tolerate daytime highs in the upper 80s and 90s, so we wait for the milder weather of October to begin planting.

Cool-season bedding plants are cold hardy. Most tolerate temperatures in the low 20s and teens without protection. They begin to fade in May as summer heat arrives.

It’s best to plant cool-season bedding plants by early March at the latest so there is time to enjoy their flowers long enough (until late May) to make it worth the money you spend on

them.

Fall planting is much preferred as you get a long blooming season for the money you spend and fall planted bedding plants put on the best display in the spring.

Plant veggies now

Now is the prime planting time for warm-season vegetables.

Many warm-season vegetables are best planted beginning in March or April after danger of frost.

Planting can continue through the summer, but only the most heat-tolerant vegetables can be planted in May or June.

Cool-season vegetables need mild to chilly weather to do their best and tolerate (and may even be improved by) freezing temperatures. Coolseason vegetables are grown from August to March.

Hardy trees, shrubs, vines and ground covers are not bothered by the cold and are best planted in the fall (late October, November, early December). This allows them to get established during the relatively mild, rainy cool season. It’s best to finish planting them by March so they can settle in before it gets hot. While planting can take place during the warm season, the heat stresses the plants, making it

PHOTO By JEFF STROUT

FERTILIZE CONTAINER

PLANTS: Constant watering rapidly leaches nutrient elements fromthe soils of container-grown plants, so fertilizing plants in pots is important. Soluble fertilizers are easy to apply,especially when youuse ahose-end applicator, but theymust be applied every twoweeks to maintain a constant supply of nutrients. Slow-release fertilizers provide

CYCLES

Continued from page6

harder for them to successfully establish. Andyou mustpay careful attention to watering.

Heat-lovingtropicals

Tropical plants, on the other hand, love the heat and establish best when planted after the weather is warm and settled with no chance of freezes,from April to August.

The cutoff date of August is to allow tropical plants to become established before the cold of winter arrives

Tropical plants often need protection at times during winter freezes, so keep this in mind when adding them to your landscape.

Planting sod for lawns is best donefrom April to September. April because it’sbesttoplant sod that is actively growing. Finish up in Septembertoallow the sod time to get established before it goes dormantfor winter.

Planting seeds of centipedegrass is best done fromApril to July,and bermudagrassseeds are best planted from April through August.

Grass seeds germinate best in the warmth of April, and the cutoff dates allow the seeds to grow and establish before winter.

GREENTHUMB

GARDEN TIPS

nutrients overseveral months from one application and so cut downonlabor.

NEATEN FLOWERS: As much as is practical,continue todeadhead or remove faded,dead flowersfrom cool-season bedding plants such as foxglove,columbine, snapdragonand dianthus. Not onlydoesthis keep the plants looking neat,but it also tends topromote extended flowering

ADVICE

Continued from page 5

vegetablegardens. Fertilize occasionally during the growing season to encourage vigorous growth, flowers and vegetableproduction, generally aboutonce amonth.

Fertilize plants that grow over thewinter in the fall. This includes Louisiana irises, calla lilies, Easter lilies andother truelilies and spring flowering bulbs.

Stopapplyingfertilizer to hardy trees, shrubs, ground covers, vines and lawns at the

PLANTBULBS: Plant summer-blooming bulbs such as crocosmia,gingers, caladium, canna, pineapple lily (Eucomis), elephant ears, crinum, agapanthus and others

TEND TOMATOES: Tomatoes are staked to keep theplants from sprawling on the ground, wherethe fruit wouldbemore likely to rot.Wait for the first cluster of flowerstoappear and place the stake on the

end of August

Fertilizer applied lateinthe year can interfere withthe plantspreparing for thecold of winter

Fertilizeplants in containers during their growing season. Slow-release fertilizers are excellent for fertilizing container plants.

Dan Gill is aretired consumer horticulture specialist with the LSU AgCenter.Hehosts the “Garden Show” on WWLAM Saturdaysat9a.m. Email gardening questions to gnogardening@agcenter. lsu.edu.

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oppositeside of the plant’s stem.All the flower clusters will grow from thesameside of thestem, andthiswill keep developingfruit from getting caughtbetween the stakeand the stem.Also, if youhavenot yetplanted tomato transplants in your garden, youneed to do it soon.Tomatoes have fewer pestproblems and are more productive when planted by mid-April.

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HOMEWORKWITHLOUIS

SPRING GLEAM

From flowerbeds to abright, newfront door,simplechanges canrefresh yourhome

Poets say that in springtime, ayoung man’sfancy turnsto thoughts of love. That may be true However,wecan be surethat with the arrival of spring comes the desire to improve our surroundings.

If you have been neara garden nursery or abig-box home improvement store recently,you may have noticed that the parking lots are filled with eager do-it-yourselfers, loading up with supplies to spread color and joy across the landscape.

Bombarded by TV commercials and home improvement programs, we feel compelled to do something.

Butwhere to start?

Home projects can be quick and simple or more complicated; it’s up to youtodecide how muchtime and/or talent you possess.

Paint immediately comes to mind as something that most of us can master.Itonly takes aminute or two to read the label on the paint can and then follow the directions provided by themanufacturer after all, they want youtosucceed. Consider somethingassimple as changing the color of your front door.Afreshly painted door welcomes guests and expresses pride of place.Try something new.Maybe the new color repeats your favorite color in the garden: acheerful yellow or arobin’s egg blue.

Have you always admired askyblue porch ceiling? Well, here’s your chance to have one.

Ionce recommended adark night-sky blue for the porch ceil-

ingofawhite-painted house; it was unexpectedand striking.

If you’refeeling really adventurous,consider planning anew color schemethatwould run through your entire home

With aplan in hand, you can start with aroom or two and, in time, change the entire house.

Don’tforgetthe garden

Seasonalgarden color allows us to make aquick statement.

Full garden borders or just acluster of containers areanopportunity to play with color

Imagine a“moon garden” with all-whiteflowers to catch the moonlight, or anall-red border

Youmight also consider painting gardenfurniture or atrellis amedium blue, asseeninboth French and Englishgardens.

Simple changes, majorimpact

There arequick and easy upgradesthatcan be accomplished in aweekend.

Change the kitchen sink faucet or the cabinethardware; it’samazing howeffective these changes can be

Caution! When changing cabinet pulls thatrequire two screws,be certain that thenew hardwareisof the same dimensions as theold, so

thatinstallation is abreeze. Changing ceiling fans and light fixtures may require theaid of a professional, but it is well worth the effort.

Recently,for aproject in Hous-

ABOVE: Painting a door red canbea symbol of hospitality and welcoming.The side lights also provide continuity with the door’sdesign.

STAFFFILE PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

LEFT: Changing the colorofthe ceilingof your porchisaneasy waytorefresh your entrance.

ton, we replaced all the dated ceiling fans with very sleek fans in nickel or graphite with graywash blades. The simplicity of the new fans complemented the traditional interior.

Louis Aubert

Need a weekend project? Here are five quick fixes for a high-impact lift to your home.

PAINT, PAINT, PAINT: Change the color of the front door or porch ceiling. Go bold and stripe the porch floor in tone-on-tone or contrasting colors. Paint that sad back bedroom; add a contrast color to the back of a bookcase; paint a bedroom ceiling a very pale blue.

GARDEN COLOR: Repeat that new front door accent color with bedding plants of the same color family. Imagine a red door with red salvia repeated in the garden or

Move art, maybe furniture

Reconsider the placement of framed art. Often when art hangs in the same place long enough, it becomes wallpaper.

Move things around; move pieces from one room to another; frame something new. In general, take a hard look and make a few changes.

Maybe it’s time to create a gallery of family photos. These are great in a bedroom or dressing room.

Rearrange the furniture. It takes a little time, but costs nothing to do, and the change can be welcome.

Create tighter groupings for conversation or add reading lamps to give purpose to a seldom-used room.

Add a bit of color with small touches: A few throw pillows, seat cushions or a skirted table can add welcome color and pattern.

Right now, Mother Nature is spreading color everywhere in the form of flowering trees and shrubs. We can try to do our part as well by refreshing our homes, inside and out.

Louis J. Aubert is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers and an avid preservationist. Some of his most visible New Orleans projects include mak-

HOMEWORKWITHLOUIS

5 QUICK FIXES

yellow lantana near crisp yellow shutters on a pale gray house.

DESIGN MATHEMATICS: Add or subtract to give your living room a fresh look. Consider a new coffee table in a style compatible with but not the same as other tables in the room. New lamps can quickly update a room. Or take the opposite approach and remove things from the room. Subtraction can result in a fresher, less cluttered space. Put some favorite things away for a little while.The room will look lighter and there’s the added advantage of less housekeeping now and through the summer months.you

can enjoy those pieces anew in the fall.

SHUFFLE THE ART: Often, when we bring a new piece home, we look for a space and hang it there.Take stock and move things around the house; seeing each piece in a new location is akin to adding new art to your home.

TRY SOMETHING NEW: Is there something you’ve thought about trying?

Here’s your opportunity n Copy the Victorians and place a large container of aspidistra inside your home. It is a tough number and will likely do well; it is commonly called “cast iron” plant for

ing interior color selections for Gallier Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church and the Louisiana Supreme Court Royal Street

Another easy way to refresh the home is to move things around. Maybe create a gallery of family photos.

STAFF FILE

PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Courthouse, and both interior and exterior selections for St. Stephen’s Basilica. Contact him at mrcolour@aol.com.

a reason.

n Play with the books and small objects in a bookcase. Rearrange them to tell a story by clustering like objects together by color or material. Use books as lifts to add interest to your arrangements.

NOTE: Please do not use potted plants as decor in bookcases! A dear neighbor placed potted plants that required little natural light atop a hutch filled with a collection of china. One day, her husband decided to do her a favor and watered the plants. Need I say more?

— Louis Aubert

ONEINAMILLION

Windows abound in the front parlor of the home, with architectural details like ceiling medallions and stacked molding for visual interest.

Picturesque

BY VICTOR ANDREWS Staff writer

mansion has vintage charm with modern luxuries

There is decided attention to detail in the home at 4930 St. Charles Ave.

From the decorative wrought-iron balcony railing on the second-floor deck to the canopy bracket over the side entrance, the exterior aspects only hint at the innumerable elements that merge into a manse of stellar quality, rooted in vintage style with contemporary conveniences.

The turn-of-the-20th-century home features four bedrooms, two full baths and more than 4,200 square feet of living space, plus a pool and other backyard bonuses for just under $2.9 million

Located along the avenue in one of the thoroughfare’s most picturesque sectors, the distinguished home is framed by manicured gardens with water features, a broad driveway and a paved front walk to the impressive stone stairs.

Beyond the leaded glass front door and transom, the home opens to a majestic foyer dominated by a grand staircase and a period-typical corner banquette.

To the left of the soaring space, a formal living room is awash with natural light from the front bay of windows. A fireplace anchors the space with more window light from a tall opening. Archi-

Framed by manicured gardens in the historic Uptown area, the home at 4930 St. Charles Ave. is a prime example of vintage appeal with modern ease.

tectural details like a ceiling medallion and stacked cornice molding add to the ambiance of the space.

A broad opening segues into a slightly less formal sitting area with a trio of windows on the side to keep the space bright and inviting. The details from the front living room are matched here.

A side door leads to the home’s kitchen via a conveniently located wet bar with

wine refrigerator, ice maker and glassfront storage.

Smaller double doors separate the two living areas from the home’s formal dining room, a linear space packed with three sets of windows and also the home’s elevator.

Through two doorways is the kitchen with abundant counter space and a warm atmosphere. Professional-grade

Tiffany-inspired windows provide light, color and interest on the home’s grand staircase.

appliances are spread about, providing multiple workspaces for multiple “chefs.” A central island with a furniture feel ties the room together and provides seating options.

A powder room is handily located nearby.

Up the commanding staircase, past a pair of Louis Comfort Tiffany-style stained glass windows, are the home’s sleeping quarters. A broad central hall provides access to the rooms.

The primary suite is a tailored space that includes a sunlit sleeping chamber and a retreat-style bath. The handsomely outfitted bath includes a large soaking tub, glass-sided shower, double vanity with a makeup station and access to the

PROVIDED PHOTOS

The leaded glass door and transom are indicative of the attention to detail throughout the home and grounds.

ONEINAMILLION

Acentral island provides workspaceand front-row seatingfor culinarycreativity in the chef-inspired kitchen.

large room-size closet with custom cabinetry and shelving.

Another large bedroom enjoys thebay of windows on the frontofthe houseand access to the second full bath,which also contains astackable washer and dryer

The third bedroomisjust off the hall entrance to the second bath, while another bedroom or office has access to the upper balcony.

The basement has afull laundry facility plus ahalf-bath.

The details that make thehomecontinue into theback yard,with adeck off thekitchen thatfeatures apergola, perfect foroverseeing the azure-hued pool and hot tub

The cabana, with awall of windows that accordion-fold to create an open space, has an exposed ceiling, full-side refrigerator and sink, plusa bath.

The greenhouse, with glass ceiling and cantileverwindows, has abuilt in beer tap, ice maker and expansive counters for entertaining.

Plentiful outdoor space is available for dining or sunbathing in the privacy of the compoundlike space.

The home is listed by Margaret Stewart, of Compass, at (504) 866-2785.

area.

Awall of windows can accordion-fold out of the wayto makethe cabana an outdoor space.

Greenhouse meets brewhouse in this entertaining space complete witha ‘kegerator’ and ice maker for ready access during parties.

COVERSTORy

PERFECT MATCH

French QuarterCreoletownhouse is alovinglydecorated,

cozy haven fora high-powered pair

BY JYL BENSON

Contributing writer

They’re not indecisive.

Four years ago,Allen Trotman and Andre Noujaim fell madly in love on their first date.

Then, after 14 monthsofsearching, they found the perfect home on New Year’sEve 2024.

The stately brick three-bay sidehall Creole townhouse, with glossy, black-lacquered trim and shutters, is locatedonaleafy block of Burgundy Street in theFrench Quarter

“Everything about it wasjust perfect for us,” said Noujaim, a former Broadway actor,singer and musician, and now theproprietor of Shoe Be Do andNOLA Foot Candy

He moved to New Orleans from Los Angeles in 2009 and entered the retail world, as his family had forgenerations.

“As aperformer,you put200% into everything you do,and you often have nothing to show for it,” Noujaim said. “With retail, sales is the performance. Youput 20% of yourself into it, and youcan thrive in an environment (like) NewOrleans.”

PROVIDED PHOTO By JANINE MASSERO

Homeowners Andre Noujaim,left, and Allen Trotman found ahaven in theFrench Quarter

Both of Noujaim’supscale ladies’ shoestoresare in the French Quarter.

After 21/2 yearsofcommuting from Birmingham, Alabama, to NewOrleans, Trotman left his career as themanager of ahealth care practice to join his fiancé in hisretail business.

ä See MATCH, page 14

Among the home’s many noteworthy attributes is a well-appointed kitchen. Located at the front of the house, it affords a view of the street and, when the windows are open, the opportunity for Noujaim, the cook in the couple, to interact with passersby.

PHOTOS By JEFF STROUT

Noujaim found this colorful chair from India at a shop in the French Quarter.

ABOVE: The dining room is illuminated by an Austrian crystal chandelier. LEFT: The home’s casual living room overlooks the courtyard and swimming pool through the home’s original French doors, topped with fanned transoms; the doors are framed by floor-to-ceiling silk faille drapes.

MATCH

Continued from page 12

“We fell in love with the house immediately and were ready to move in right away,” Noujaim said of the home they share.

“We were tempted to ask the owners if they would just leave right then and there. We were so ready to make a home together We wanted to start our lives together yesterday and not waste time on a project.”

The perfect find

“When we moved in, all we did was paint and replace one light fixture,” Trotman said.

“We knew it was in excellent shape when we bought it. Now two years in, we have a real appreciation for just how meticulously the prior owners cared for it.”

The house was once the home and recording studio of Jerry Jeff Walker It was here that he wrote the haunting “Mr Bojangles.”

At another time, it served as the home of the late state Sen. Sammy Nunez.

Noujaim’s mother, Rachel Noujaim, divides her time between life in New Orleans with her son and Noujaim’s native New Jersey, where she lives with her daughter

Her New Orleans suite is the stylish former recording studio.

Among the home’s many

flowers, the

ABOVE: Andre Noujaim plays the piano that sits in the main living space. RIGHT: In the living room, collections of photographs and objects d’art are displayed within a wall of built-in bookcases.

Central to the display is a pair of stunning, meticulously caredfor exotic wooden ouds played by Noujaim’s grandfather in his parents’ native Lebanon.

noteworthy attributes is a wellappointed kitchen.

Located at the front of the house, it affords a view of the street and, when the windows are open, the opportunity for Noujaim, the cook in the couple, to interact with passersby.

At the rear of the 2,000-square-foot home is a deep, lushly planted courtyard with an elegant, centrally located swimming pool.

The slate courtyard unfolds into a series of outdoor “rooms” for lounging, dining and cooking, as well as nooks suitable for quiet reflection.

A lush garden world

Noujaim, also a gardener, has underplanted the permanent shrubbery and trees within the old brick-edged beds on the eastern side of the space with colorful fuchsia SunPatiens

neon green sedum.

bed on the western side is underplanted with masses of

and

The

magenta and white impatiens, lime coleus, magenta cyclamen and deep coral Gerbera daisies.

Surrounded by shrubs and

pool invites relaxation.

PHOTOS By JEFF STROUT Ginger, the couple’s ‘Shorkie,’ is a Shih Tzu-yorkie mix.

A pile of chic black-and-white striped towels beckons guests to dive in and linger

The Noujaim-Trotman courtyard will be among those open on Sunday afternoon for a selfguided tour benefiting Patio Planters of the Vieux Carre Step inside

Visitors enter the home through a stately iron gate that leads to a vestibule, guarded by a pristine raised-panel door lacquered in rich coral.

The door opens into a room awash in light streaming through a wall of windows topped with fan transoms, overlooking a small courtyard on the eastern side of the home.

A softly aged, persimmoncolored woven rug creates a warm welcome. Trotman, a skilled and fanciful home decor enthusiast, has adorned a woven metal lamp shade with a flock of colorful bird figures.

A well-thought-out plan of ambient lighting throughout the home evokes a feeling of warmth and comfort.

Woven rugs of Middle Eastern origin adorn floors throughout the home. The couple’s art collection includes works by David Harouni, Lorainne Gendron and Trotman’s cousin Jayne Morgan, a prominent Birmingham artist.

SECRET GARDENS

WHEN: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday WHERE: The Cabildo, 701 Chartres St.

TICKETS AND INFO: patioplanters. net for $35; day-of tickets at the Cabildo from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In the living room, a pair of stunning, meticulously cared-for wooden ouds played by Noujaim’s grandfather in his parents’ native Lebanon hang prominently from string swings within a wall of builtin bookcases. Nearby is an antique piano bearing a plate from the long-closed Werlein’s music store on Canal Street. Noujaim plays it.

“It sounds like New Orleans,” he said “It sounds old and tinny.”

Rainy day piano man

Noujaim keeps a showy white and clear Lucite Yamaha player piano at Shoe Bee Do on Chartres Street, where he enjoys playing for customers and passersby

“It has a bright, beautiful sound,” Noujaim said. He admits he loves a little attention. “I pray for rainy days during Jazz Fest when people will crush into the shop and listen to me play.”

Throughout the home, the couple has scattered floral arrangements accented with Pink Floyd roses in the same magenta hue Noujaim used in the courtyard garden.

Trotman has done a masterful job of weaving furnishings, art and keepsakes from his and Noujaim’s previous lives into the one they now share.

The dining room is dominated by a circular marble-topped table from Renaissance Interiors, surrounded by graceful canebacked chairs from Merchant House. The space is illuminated by an Austrian crystal chandelier in the Maria Theresa style.

“Allen has carte blanche on interior design,” said Noujaim “He is a shopper to the 10th degree. He combs through antique stores and estate sales.”

“Antiques never went out of

style for me,” said Trotman.

“I am a minimalist,” said Noujaim. “He is not. I get to have my style at our beach house in Fort Lauderdale.”

A self-guided tour

Patio Planters of the Vieux Carre will host Secret Gardens, a self-guided walking tour of several private gardens and courtyards not generally accessible to the public from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday

The casual stroll offers a glimpse of how designers and residents make the most of small spaces by adorning them with greenery and flora to create cool hideaways suited to the New Orleans climate.

Tickets may be purchased online (patioplanters.net) for $35 or purchased the day of the event for $40 at The Cabildo in Jackson Square, 701 Chartres St., under the alcove from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Due to narrow entrances, maneuvering strollers or wheelchairs may be difficult. The event is rain or shine and serves as a fundraiser for the organization’s signature annual event, Caroling in Jackson Square.

Jyl Benson writes about homes and gardens. Email her at jylbenson@gmail.com.

Allen Trotman’s aunt gifted this high-backed chair to him. She and her three siblings rode with it across their laps as children after a family vacation to Mexico.

Figurines in the likeness of the homeowners add a whimsical touch.

Save for painting the walls an on-trend shade of deep green, the couple made no changes to the spacious, opulent primary bathroom.

A handsome striped umbrella provides shade for al fresco dining on the NoujaimTrotman courtyard.

Botanical Garden hosts spring show

The Spring Garden Show, the annual seasonal sensation at City Park, will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in the Botanical Garden Organizers said the show will include more than 50 vendors with plants, garden paraphernalia and cooking demonstrations, along with park personnel, specialists and Master Gardeners on hand to answer questions.

Sponsored by City Park Conservancy and LSU AgCenter’s Cooperative Extension Service, entry is available on Victory Avenue, either through the Pavilion of the Two Sisters or the Oscar J. Tolmas Visitor Center. Speakers will be in the Garden Study Center

Also part of the show will be “America 250,” a Standard Flower Show featuring artistic designs, horticulture specimens, photography, educational exhibits and 250 years of clothing exhibits, in the Pavilion of the Two Sisters.

The event is rain or shine. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased in advance. Visit neworleanscitypark.org.

Alario home highlights Gretna home tour

The renovation of John and Trina Alario’s Huey P. Long Avenue home will be a highlight of the annual Gretna Historic Tour of Homes on Sunday

Hosted by the Gretna Historical Society, the tour will provide access to homes and renovated museums in the historic Jefferson Parish city from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets, $25, will be available at the White House, 209 Lafayette St., Gretna.

For information, visit gretnahistoricalsociety.org

Seven sites open for Bywater tour Sunday

The Spring Home Tour will feature seven locations in the

INSIDEINFO REALESTATETRANSFERS

STAFF FILE PHOTO

The West Bank home of John Alario Jr., the former Louisiana speaker of the House and president of the Louisiana Senate, and his wife, Trina Alario, will be a highlight of the annual Gretna Historic Tour of Homes on Sunday.

historic area when the Bywater Neighborhood Association kicks off its annual promenade Sunday.

The structures are open from noon to 4 p.m. with check-in at 4200 Dauphine St.

Homes are at 718 and 826 France, 714 and 729 Bartholomew, 4202 Burgundy, and 3900 and 4019 Royal streets.

Tickets start at $25. Visit bywater.org.

Plant sale, seminars set for northshore

The St. Tammany Master Gardener Association will host a spring plant sale April 24-25 at the St. 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:

n Understanding understory plantings

n Louisiana Super Plants 2026

n Preventing plant diseases in home gardens

n Backyard citrus care

n Fertilizers and soil testing

n Gardening with roses

n Container gardening

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

Orleans residents can get free wood chips

The city will be distributing free wood chips to Orleans Parish residents from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday through May 30 at 1 Green Parade Lane.

The Department of Parks and Parkways, which generates the chips from routine tree-trimming operations, is continuing its efforts to divert green waste from local landfills and promote sustainable practices.

This initiative supports the city’s broader sustainability goals while providing a practical benefit to residents.

n Chips are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

n Residents must bring their own loading supplies, including shovels, gloves, bags, containers and any other necessary equipment.

n Staff will not be able to assist with loading.

For information, follow the department on Instagram or Facebook.

Volunteer projects abound at City Park

A variety of cleanup days and initiatives are on tap at City Park to improve and maintain the extensive urban green space. Those coming up include:

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

n Big Lake Native Plant Trail Restoration Project: 9 a.m. Friday. Big Lake Native Trail near 7 Friedrichs Ave.

n Urban Forest Support Initiative: 9 a.m. April 18. Volunteer Center, 1031 Harrison Ave. Register for the programs and find out about what to bring at friendsofcitypark. volunteerhub.com.

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

NEW ORLEANS

n TRANSFERS FOR MARCH 23-27

DISTRICT 1

BANKS ST. 4602-04: $445,000, Mary Joan Genevich and Patricia Ann Willging to Elysha Rose Diaz.

BAUDIN ST. 4046: donation, no value stated, Scott James Marcella to Beatrice Germaine Marcella.

BAUDIN ST. 4046: donation, no value stated, Beatrice Germaine Marcella to Scott James Marcella.

CANAL ST. 2820: $815,000, William B. Smith to Silva Investment Properties LLC.

CANAL ST. 3732: $795,000, Mid City Group LLC to Wright of Way Properties LLC.

MAGAZINE ST. 1438-40: $297,500, Peter E. Doty to John Langford Crout and Lauren Dressel Crout.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD. 2015: $249,000, Patrick D. Mansour to Daricus Dione Wright.

ST. CHARLES AVE. 1055: donation, no value stated, 1055 St. Charles LLC to New Orleans Museum of Art.

S. DUPRE ST. 1217-19: $70,000, I Am New Orleans LLC to Nola Origin LLC.

S. JOHNSON ST. 2412-14: $25,000, Diagram Holding LLC to LEM Investments LLC.

S. PETERS ST. 700, UNIT 503: $395,000, 330 Julia Street LLC to Regenesis Medical Spa LLC.

S. PETERS ST. 1107, UNIT 424: $271,950, Touchdown Holdings LLC to Robert Connor Harris.

S. PETERS ST. 1107, UNIT 206: $10, and other good and valuable consideration, Paris Fallo to Blokes LLC.

DISTRICT 2

ALLEN TOUSSAINT BLVD. 501: $150,000, Judy Ann Heisler Behler Deroin and Stephen D. Marx to Judy Lee Behler and Ronald G. Tenhundfeld.

BERYL ST. 7334: $730,000, Bertile De Fougerolle Regnard, Chaillou De Fougerlle and Damien J.F. Regnard to Erik Lawrence Vollenweider and Sarah Stanwood Vollenweider.

BIENVILLE ST. 928, BURGUNDY ST. 240, UNIT A-13: $8,000, Chateau Orleans Inc. to James A. Talley and Julie L. Talley revocable trust.

BIENVILLE ST. 928, BURGUNDY ST. 240, UNIT 10: no value stated, Chateau Orleans Inc. to Michael Liles and Nancy Liles.

BURGUNDY ST. 1015: $234,000, Walter Blake Costello to Carol Cordell Coletta Living Trust.

COLBERT ST. 6346: $429,000, Deborah Malter Smith and Wayne Edmond Smith to Aaron Joseph Chapman and Molly Boesch Chapman.

DECATUR ST. 220, UNIT 203: $427,000, 214 Decatur Street Development LLC to Lisa Boggs Kennedy and Steven M. Kennedy.

DUMAINE ST. 2643-45: $298,000, Cover Casa LLC to Isabel Maria Mendez Vidal.

GENERAL DIAZ ST. 5944: $157,060, Aileen Minihan Roland to Jeffrey Cliffton Roland.

GOVERNOR NICHOLLS ST. 221214: $487,000, C&J Group LLC to Danielle LaRoche.

LOUIS XIV ST. 6351: $810,000, Jeremy B. Tucker and Lauren Ritter Tucker to LWO Investments LLC. N. GALVEZ ST. 1207: $695,000, John Benedict Tarantino Jr. and Lesley Ann White Tarantino to Ellen C. Durand Robertson and

John Patrick Robertson.

N. HENNESSEY ST.622: $335,000, Brian Patrick Scheller to Alex Michael Mascelli.

PICHELOUP PLACE 939-41-41 1/2:

$435,000, Jennifer Anne Rollman to Robert Delery Baricev.

ROYALST. 823: $100,000,Harry T. Lemmon Family LP andMary Ann Vial Lemmon to Wednesday Night LLC.

ROYALST. 915: $100, Spencer Investments Corp.toRoyal Tree Holdings LLC.

ST.PETER ST.1022, UNIT 101: $204,314, Shannon BrookeBenton to Janet Louise Rail.

ST.PHILIP ST.2612-2614: $299,000, CoverCasa LLCtoBeau A. Bryant and Courtney E. Bryant.

TOULOUSE ST.3150-52: $382,000, Benjamin Martin Bowman Saper to Anna Schaeffer Locy and Patrick Locy.

WILSON DRIVE855: $650,000, J&G Gremillion LLCtoBryon Christopher Tate and Rebecca Isabel Mendoza Tate.

DISTRICT 3

ALLEN TOUSSAINT BLVD.2444-46: $408,000, Michelle Maria Baez Carolan and Sean MichaelCarolan to Cristian Archagaand Mya Dixon.

BACCICH ST.4648-4650: $246,491, Dawn Stepina Wolf and LloydM. Wolf to Jennifer ElizabethOheir Napale.

BRIARHEATH DRIVE 7300: $247,500, Benjamin Tran to Melissa A. Wicker.

CHARBONNETST. 1633: $7,155, City of New Orleans to Linda Ann McField andRaphael M. Cassimere.

CHARBONNET ST.49612: $5,875, City of New Orleans to Darlene B. SentmoreJiles

CHATEAU COURT13010: $155,000, SandraJeanThomas Hickman and Willie Hickman Jr. toSymone R. Hickman Lynch.

REALESTATETRANSFERS

CLEMATIS ST.3838: $235,000, Amir Zahmatkesh Tarehand Lilian Suarez TarehtoKaren Stancil.

COLUMBUS ST.1133, ST.BERNARD AVE. 1132: $85,000, Aaron Anderson III andCandice Vaughn Bates Anderson to Diana Lee Mercer.

CORONADODRIVE 4943: $20,050 CityofNew OrleanstoRoyalty Development GroupLLC.

DESIRE ST.2423: $7,220, City of New Orleans to Rhonda M. Queen.

DESLONDE ST.922: $6,750, City of NewOrleans to Glenn D. WashingtonJr.

DODTAVE. 4908: $6,261, City of New Orleans to Tanisha T. Watson.

DUBREUIL ST.2544: $6,700, City of New Orleans to Stacey Mae Clark.

EGANIA ST.1717: $31,000, Dena Marie Johnson,Joseph Holmes and Tracey L. Johnson to Edgar A. Blanco Lopez.

FELICIANAST. 1914-16: $245,000, Carwin Investments LLCtoContrellLakia Cheneau and Xaviel ArturoFelix.

FRANKLIN AVE. 915-17: $491,500, Christine M. Lehmann Bourke and RichardJ.BourketoJoseph Marino Feeder and Michael Feeder.

GAWAIN DRIVE 4450: $1,800,000, CastleCreek Development LLCto IRP Gawain LLC

LAKE FOREST BLVD.11284:

$160,000,Lawrence Benjamin Blackwell Jr. and OlgaGomez Blackwell to AmbraWhite Jones and Jamies Jones.

LARK ST.2476: $346,900, Ashley HughesRobinson and Brach Robinson to Daniel ErnestHaroIII.

LAWST. 2037: $6,850, City of New Orleans to Jonathan D. Hassenboehler.

LIZARDI ST.2617: $6,190, City of NewOrleans to Lloyd V. Clark.

LOUISAST. 3027: $7,254, City

of New Orleans to Macedonia Church of God In Christ.

MARAIS ST.1476: $850,000, Gregory A. App to Nicholas Thomas.

MAUREPAS ST.2851-2853: $585,000, Regan McGann Allard and Stephen AllardtoAmy Schmitt.

MITHRA ST.1475: $270,000, Peoples Housing +Inc. to Lolita M. Luckett Grant and ToshibaM Luckett.

NEW ORLEANS ST.1716: $7,247, City of New Orleans to Aaron McGee Jr. and Trichelle Carlotta McGee.

NIGHTHARTST. 4627: $55,000, LucienWarren Jacob Jr. and Madeline Jacob to Next Level Properties LLC.

NIGHTHARTST. 4627: $71,000, Next LevelProperties LLCto ParadoxHoldingsLLC.

N. BROAD ST.1539: $177,500, Jessie James ClarktoHeidi Mireille Pannke.

N. CLAIBORNE AV 2457: $6,600, City of New Orleans to Shiloh Christian Fellowship Baptist Church.

N. DERBIGNY ST.5439: $26,911, City of New Orleans to Royal

Orbit Investments.

N. DORGENOIS ST.3131: $6,725, City of New Orleans to Kimble Rose Investment Properties Inc.

N. GALVEZ ST.2254: $7,060, Cityof New Orleans to Krim Rose LLC.

N. GALVEZ ST.5727: $8,740, Cityof New Orleans to H. Fisher Properties LLC.

N. JOHNSON ST.1501,1540: no value stated, St.Martin Owner LP to Finance Authority of New Orleans.

N. JOHNSON ST.1540: $100, and other valuable consideration, Mental Health Association Development Corp.toSt. Martin Owner LP

N. JOHNSON ST.1540: no value stated, St.Martins Manor Inc. to St.Martin Owner LP.

N. PRIEUR ST.3516: $11,479, City of New Orleans to Melvin Ellis IV.

N. RAMPARTST. 1808: $799,000, Donna M. Birnbach andGerald M. Birnbach to Leslie Jones Sauer and Madeleine Mahony.

ORIOLE ST.1728: $625,000, Claire Di Rosa Simno and George R. Simno III to Arielle Jordan Cassidy and BryanCassidy.

PAINTERS ST.4631: $239,000, Ber-

nardM.MoyetoEthan Ashman and NoraWinsrygKarasik.

POLANDAVE.1630: $18,238, City of NewOrleans to KennyBarber.

PRATT ST.5542: $185,000, United Housing Services LLCtoOliveira Construction Services LLC.

RAYAVE.4650: $7,420, Cityof NewOrleans to Mushatt Developing Unlimited LLC.

READ ROAD 4673: $25,000, KWC Construction LLCtoGood Money Global LLC.

ROYALST. 2110: no value stated, Christopher InnOwnerLPtoFinance Authority of NewOrleans.

ROYALST. 2417: $700,000, Edward Lee, Henry Lee, Reuben Nathan Leeand Thomas LeetoChristopher Thomas Tengler.

ST.MAURICE AVE. 500: no value stated, Villa St. Maurice Owner LP to Finance Authority of New Orleans.

ST.ROCH AVE. 2615: $5,000, CitywideDevelopment Services LLC to Pritchett Legal Services LLC.

S. MUIRFIELD CIRCLE 6020: $6,470, CityofNew Orleans to Assist LLC.

ä See ORLEANS, page 18

ORLEANS

Continued from page 17

WILL STUTLEY DRIVE 11358: $19,500, Quest Trust Co. to Palesa LLC.

SUN ST. 7831: $6,420, City of New Orleans to Adey LLC.

SUN ST. 7862: $14,234, City of New Orleans to Adey LLC.

TARPON ST. 7919: $6,600, City of New Orleans to Smilja Sulejmanagic.

TENNESSEE ST. 2332: $6,650, City of New Orleans to D&D Realty of New Orleans.

TRICOU ST. 1814: $6,200, City of New Orleans to Ross Jeffery Davis and Scott Harris Yaffee.

TULIP ST. 4710: $18,500, Jonathan Charles Harris, Judith Harris,

REALESTATETRANSFERS

Judy Harris, Margaret Harris and Thomas Harris Jr. to Home Buyer Louisiana USA LLC.

TULIP ST. 4710: no value stated, Home Buyer Louisiana USA LLC to Inspira Financial Trust LLC.

VERBENA ST. 2712: $25,491, City of New Orleans to Melvin Ellis IV.

WAINWRIGHT DRIVE 6223-6225, 6262: $245,000, Barbara Palmisano Ginther and Thomas G. Ginther to Cory Mayley

W. ST. ROCH AVE. 3416: $33,659, City of New Orleans to Arthur B. Mitchell IV and Laclaire Lorraine Matthews Mitchell.

WILLOWBRAE DRIVE 11041: $249,900, Joann D. Hicks McKay and succession Mack Charles McKay to Eric Keith Trent.

WINGATE DRIVE 6032: $330,000, Adimir Della Libera to Alberto Zendejas.

DISTRICT 4

CHIPPEWA ST. 2317-2319: donation, no value stated, Anne Lemelin to Jacob Thomas Melancon.

CONERY ST. 1625: $221,500, David M. Hymel Jr. to Carla Mayfield and Marvel Mayfield.

FIRST 1518: $2,540,000, Brett Zbikowski Trust to Neil Dickman Turner.

FIRST ST. 2909: $75,000, Alexander Andrews, Angel Andrews Lawrence, Mark Belonga, Patti Andrews Bauman, Princess Carter and Shirley Ballard Grlllier to Premiere Investment Group LLC.

PRYTANIA ST. 3211, UNIT 5:

$270,000, Deborah Deitsch Goldfine and Steven Martin Goldfine to Jessica Wasiloski Harrison.

ST. CHARLES AVE. 3216:

$1,490,000, D.K.A. Three LLC to Anne Dupuis and Howard Eddy Dupuis.

SECOND ST. 3108-3110: $395,000, Supreme Developers Investment Group LLC to Ahmad Mubarak Assad Sr.

SORAPARU ST. 714: $745,000, Carol Albritton Edmonds to Douglas Kraus.

S. ROMAN ST. 2723: $7,294, City of New Orleans to Camreon Dyer and Jaiyana Eagleton.

DISTRICT 5

GENERAL COLLINS AVE. 2664:

$225,000, Ashley Williams to Christopher Gabriel Herrero.

quez Sierra and Maria Eugenia Fernandez Galo Sierra.

OLIVIER ST. 609: $135,000, Cynthia L. Goudeau to Daniel W. Dalrymple and Shannon Mary Kerner Dalrymple.

PACE BOULEVARD 1721: $70,000, New Orleans Firemens Federal Credit Union to Jerome Benoit and Ngina Cain Benoit.

SOUTHLAWN BLVD. 1204: $36,246, City of New Orleans to Rimawi Group.

SULLEN PLACE 3211: $159,900, La Arlo Property LLC to Erica McGee Sanders.

THAYER ST. 616: $6,975, City of New Orleans to Byron L. Orange.

THAYER ST. 800: $23,565, City of New Orleans to B2lake LLC.

YOSEMITE DRIVE 56: $304,500, NAF Cash LLC to Charles Langford and Jessica Jones Langford.

DISTRICT 6

AUDUBON BLVD. 27: $930,000, Elissa Underwood Helling and Matthew Breitmayer Helling to Adam Michael Laurie and Sarah Constant Laurie.

AUDUBON COURT 3332: $6,600, City of New Orleans to Greater King Solomon Baptist Church.

CALHOUN ST. 1448: $1,475,000, Barbara Kuhn Ruark to Christopher Ziluca.

ELBA ST. 4222: $291,000, Isamae Ricks Chambers to Kathryn Remillard and Michael Remillard.

AVE. PARKWAY 3518-3518-A: donation, $452,900, Shirley Funches to R&R revocable living trust.

LEONTINE ST. 1025: $297,000, Margaret Elizabeth Francez to Barry Simon Blanchard and Tami Moss Blanchard.

MAGAZINE ST. 4934: $100 and other good and valuable consideration, Leonard Azeo Torre and Regina Verheugen Torre to Gregory M. Curry.

MAGNOLIA ST. 6227: $530,000, Carol Welborn Reisman and David Latham Reisman to Kaye Romine Cashio.

MARENGO ST. 2334: $1,000,000, Research Works Inc. to Carrie Joyce Altemus.

NAPOLEON AVE. 801: $1,695,000, Crescent City Developers LLC to Traci B. Molk.

S. MIRO ST. 4311: $575,000, Gulfcoast Allied LLC to Meghan Houston McNeely

S. NORMAN C. FRANCIS PARKWAY 1643: $570,000, Marcie Fox Goldberg and Myron S. Goldberg to Alexandra Jackson Walkenhorst and William Frances Walkenhorst.

DISTRICT 7

APPLE ST. 8917: $221,000, Caroline L. Nassrah to Jamani Perkins Smith.

BELLAIRE DRIVE 6927: $700,000, JWC Investments LLC to Alison Gros and Andrew Gros.

LANG ST. 615: $10,038.86, City of New Orleans to Dark Roux Properties LLC.

LENNOX BOULEVARD 4811:

$325,000, Bryan Christopher Stroebel to Kevin Andree Velas-

FONTAINEBLEAU DRIVE 64-66: $390,000, New Orleans Female Dominican Academy to Alex Ramirez and Britain Ramirez.

FRERET ST. 5324, JEFFERSON AVE. 2237-39: no value stated, Hee Jong Song to Half of A Hole LLC.

HERMOSA ST. 1725-27, LOUISIANA

FRERET ST. 8504: $200,000, Susan J. Moore revocable living trust to James Delery

HOLLYGROVE ST. 4224: $7,775, City of New Orleans to Doretha Parker.

LEONIDAS ST. 1127: $150,000, Claudell Logan, George Jackson Logan, Lela Mae Johnson Logan and Lorraine Logan to Terrence A. Davis.

LESLIE LANE 370: $440,000, Junelle Harris Ricca to Brandon Falls and Camille R. Bryant.

MILLAUDON ST. 221: $180,000, Cajun Flamingo LLC to Natalie Noelle Rideau.

SHORT ST. 1835: donation, no value stated, Colleen E. Potts and Geoffrey C. Potts to Geoffrey C. and Colleen E. Potts revocable living trust.

SHORT ST. 2317-19: $445,000, Roton Ron Rahman to 2319 Short LLC.

S. CARROLLTON AVE. 1226: no value stated, Mater Dolorosa Owner LP to Finance Authority of New Orleans.

REALESTATETRANSFERS

EAST JEFFERSON

n TRANSFERS FOR MARCH 28 TO APRIL 1

HARAHAN

COLONIAL CLUB DRIVE 372: Vincent J. Rizzo to Peter Rizzo, donation, no value stated.

HICKORY AVE. 1300: Frank L. Incrivaglia to Kristen I. Toups, $64,000.

OAKLAND ST. 83: K&A Milton LLC to Angelle G. Charlet, $319,400.

JEFFERSON

AUDUBON TRACE 3312: Joni McClure to Timothy A. Whitmer, $160,000.

CENTRAL AVE. 650: Mpire Properties LLC to Six Hundred Fifty Central LLC, $3,150,000.

ST. GRETNA 1331-1333: ETM Investments LLC to AML La Properties LLC, $335,000.

KENNER

CALIFORNIA AVE. 3612: Tracie J. Stigler to Viviana A. Garcia, $125,000.

CALIFORNIA AVE. 3704: Jefferson Parish Council to H. Matute, $6,750.

CASTLE DRIVE 3269: Monee B. Perret to Osvaldo M. Delgado, $170,000.

DAVID DRIVE 5332: Michelle W. Rigdon to Frank L. Incrivaglia, $290,000.

DAVID DRIVE 5409: Vernon J. Horn to Emily K. Lovitt, $368,000.

DELAWARE AVE. U6 4101: Kevin Hunts to G Payne, $113,000.

IOWA AVE. 2118: Jack R. Mcfall to Kristin K. Murphy, $168,000.

IOWA AVE. 4221: Dominic J. Massa to Kelly L. Quest, donation, no value stated.

KINGSTON ST. 2217: Future Property Investments LLC to S3am Holdings LLC, $250,000

MAINE AVE. 1108: Bertucci Property Development LLC to Robert Bender, $198,700.

SESSIONS LANE 828: Scott D Frischhertz to Christian Garcia, $265,000.

TAVEL DRIVE 912: Simmi Taunk to C Gorowara, $330,000.

W. ESPLANADE AVE. U12D 1500: Haley B. Rolan to Hitech Solutions LLC, $100,000.

W. ESPLANADE AVE. U43D RUE CHARDONNAY 1500: Wayne M. Allain to Joann Myers, $110,000.

METAIRIE

BELLE DRIVE 4712: Michlap Properties LLC to Harry Easly, $520,000.

BELLE DRIVE 5120: Quinlivan Homes LLC to Melanie R. Edwards, $535,000

BELLE ST. 4925: Douglas M. Haskins Jr. to Lindsay H. Stvincent, donation, no value stated.

BELMONT PLACE 2105: Kerri C. Mazzaroppi to Roxanne G. Lapoint, $269,000.

CARNATION ST. 1501: Michael R. Dubuc to Crescent South Realty LLC, $245,000.

CLIFFORD DRIVE 3604: Stephen T. Green to Alison M. Lombardo, $525,000.

DOLORES AVE. 2212: Joeanne L. Grady to Jules A. III Walters, $430,000.

EISENHOWER AVE. 1700: Lynda R. Pedeaux to R.J. Randazzo, $90,000.

ELMEER AVE. 655: Tyler Trahan to Jodie G. Huth, $260,000.

LEXINGTON DRIVE 2804-06: Linda S.J. Adams to Alvin N. Kellogg, $305,000.

Group LLC, $175,000.

NORTH PIERCE AVE. 301: Jefferson Parish Council to Giancarlo Rodriguez, $6,750.

PAGE DRIVE 3720: Peyton Theriot to Kyle Parker, $360,000.

PAPWORTH AVE. 1155: Aileen P. Haydel to Preston Long, $375,000.

PASADENA AVE. 621: Eric G. Schwartz to Big Property Holdings LLC, $126,662.

RIDGEWOOD DRIVE 214: Alfred J. Colfry Jr. to Dardel Properties LLC, $550,000.

ROMAN ST. 3761: Kahnhart Properties LLC to Matthew R. Whitman, $405,000.

ROSALIE COURT 5621: Lynn M. Davis to JNG Construction LLC, $105,000.

RUE DAUPHINE U137 801: Ben R. Abadie to Julia N. Abadie, $150,000.

SADIE AVE. 316: Taylor Curtis to Emeli G.D.D. Sanches, $206,000.

SOUTHSHORE DRIVE 4725: Erin E.K. Dearie to W.T. Thoms, $339,500.

ST. MARY 4400: Nola Dreams LLC to Maria K. Kaperoni, $368,000.

WEST JEFFERSON

n TRANSFERS FOR MARCH 28 TO APRIL 1

AVONDALE

DILLARD DRIVE 141: Green Homes Rem LLC to Christopher Mitchell, $178,000.

ELAINE DRIVE 112: Jefferson Parish Council to Susie D. Allen, $6,750.

GRETNA

DELMAR ST. 520: Victoria Funez to Victoria Pusateri, donation, no value stated.

EVANGELINE COURT 225: Holly S. Solano to Julia K.I. Ashcraft, $170,000.

GRETNA BLVD. 841: CM171 LLC to Law Office of Lindsey Arnold

LLC, $280,570.

JEFFERSON ST. 1331-1333: ETM Investments LLC to Aml La Properties LLC, $335,000.

MONROE ST. 814: Ricky D. Warden to Kirt J. Talamo, $299,900.

RUE ST. HONORE 2431: Jefferson Parish Council to Jennifer H. Laborie, $6,750.

WHITE BLVD. 1: Pamala C. Montagino to Dean Phillips, $143,500.

HARVEY

BEECHWOOD DRIVE 1020: Kathleen D. Corcoran to Lin T. I Ku, $150,000.

BROADWAY AVE. 2108: Anong M. Riley to Liroy P. Charles, donation, no value stated.

ä See WEST, page 20

REALESTATETRANSFERS

WEST

Continued frompage19

CARRIAGE LANE 1629: George Turlich to Silfida J. Philippe, $260,000.

CHADWOOD DRIVE 3812: John C. DiketoKaitlin Alphonso, $207,000.

CHRISWOOD LANE 3804: RTR Holdings LLCtoNatashaJacobs, $260,000.

FELICIANA COURT5: Truman T. Nguyen to Julie Nguyen, $435,000.

FIFTH AVE. 555: Joanne M. Meerman to Anne M. Plaisance, $76,000.

FIFTH AVE. 617: Jefferson Parish Council to TimothyJ.Pearson, $6,750.

LAPALCO BLVD.2424: Seven

HundredSeven Grefer Street LLC to Seven HundredSeven Grefer Street LLC, $540,000

MAPLEWOOD DRIVE 1216: Becki A. Vincent toVincentFamily Trust, donation,novalue stated.

SPANISH OAKS DRIVE 1421: Ronnie Burl to BurlRonnie Family Trust, donation,novalue stated.

LAFITTE

COUEVAS ST.5112: EdwardJ.III Terrel to Ryan M. Sance, donation, no value stated.

MARRERO

AVE. B511: KathyM.V Labruyere to Joshua R.F. Rokkala,$160,000.

BERTUCCI ST.657: Jefferson Parish Council to M.J. Rochefort, $6,750.

BIRCH LANE 3120: Cedar Proper-

ties LLCtoGarvey Realty LLC Malcolm,$108,000.

BURGESS DRIVE 1061: Hoa Hang to Steven M. Benoit,$355,000.

BURNLEY DRIVE 1841: Modesty Joshua to MJoshua, donation, no value stated.

HARRIER PLACE2203: Janell C. Moss to Kelly Coleman, $87,500.

JAMES ST.2100: Iveth Usherto Wells FargoBank N.A., $120,334.

MANOR HEIGHTS DRIVE 2005: Armond L. III Love to Ignatius J. IV Koenig, $133,900.

PRITCHARD ROAD 5078: Gerard A. II Batiste to Jynnea R. Batiste, donation, no value stated.

VIRGINIA LEE DRIVE2824: Pelicans Realty LLCtoRoger D.A. Avila, $215,000.

WOODCREST DRIVE 5113: John Lafont to Caden Paternostro, $220,000.

TERRYTOWN

CEDARWOOD AVE. 1820: Barbara C. Mangum to Lgassociatesusa LLC, $60,000.

DANIELS ROAD 2186: AyaH.Haifa to Derrick Clark, $370,000.

WAGGAMAN

E. PRISCILLA LANE 28: Coast Builders LLCtoThi Tran, $440,000.

WESTWEGO

AVE. D1044: Aaron Poche to C&T Westwego Properties LLC, $135,000.

EAST CLAIBORNE PARKWAY 9436: Jefferson Parish Council to Charles Briley Jr., $6,750.

IMOGENE ST.28: B&M Property Investors LLCtoJose Velasquez, $231,750.

ST.TAMMANy

n TRANSFERS FORMARCH 16-20

ABITASPRINGS

ATLAS SUBDIVISION,PORTION OF GROUND: GardinerL.Caston Jr. and Nancy K. Caston to Casey McGannand Shelby McGann, $415,000.

N. DUNDEE LOOP 2028: Troy Ohlsen and Candy Ohlsen to Larry W. Book, $194,715.

NEAR ABITASPRINGS,PORTION OF GROUND: Larry E. Aleman and Kelli A. Aleman to Clinton R. StephensIII and Natasha R. Stephens, $220,000.

NEAR ABITASPRINGS,PORTION OF GROUND: Succession of William A. PereztoJohn W. Swiger II, $926,020.

NEAR ABITASPRINGS,PORTION OF GROUND: HaleProperty Holdings LLCtoRandall W. Brown, $529,750.

NORTHWOODS DRIVE 605: Glover Construction LLCto Larry Aleman Jr. and Kelli M. Aleman, $925,000.

SLICE ST.73173: Matthew MiquettoAdriann Sheppard, $149,000.

COVINGTON

AMORE WAY18395: Jeffery Giambelluca and Heather Giambelluca to Michael J. LeBas and Caroline S. LeBas, $195,000.

CAMDEN PARK 460: Jacobs Well 3LLC to Dale A. Viola Jr., $46,097.

CRYSTALDRIVE 76158: Smith &CoreInc. to DH HomesLLC,

Beautifuland impeccably maintained privateoasis on English Turn’s covetedstreet, Island Club.Graciously spread throughout threelevelsall connectedwithhome elevator,this7,700 square foot home hasitall.Oversized living room with gas fireplaceopens

$57,810.

DOGWOOD DRIVE 72: John W. Ragan and Leslie B. Ragan to CharlesW.CaldwellIII andKari G. Caldwell, $1,910,000.

ELKRIDGE 685: DSLD HomesLLC to DarleneM.Irving-Richardson, $456,120.

EMERALDFOREST BLVD.350, UNIT 22105: Succession of Vincent J. Marino Jr. to Owen M. Constanza,$130,000.

ERINDRIVE 218: James W. Gray Jr. and ShirleyH.GraytoFelder’s LandCo. LLC, $300,000.

GRATITUDE DRIVE 108: Paul P. Corban to Corban Family Trust, donation, no value stated.

LAKE VISTAESTATES,PHASE 1, LOT138: Nicolas Chaiban, Mitri E. Chaiban and others to Nicholas Lopez,$45,000.

RIVER BEND ESTATES,LOT 25: Succession of Paul C. McWilliams and Patrick T. McWilliams to Carrone Services LLC, $165,000.

RIVER FORK DRIVE 21792: DSLD HomesLLC to Edward B. Marquez IV,$310,905.

RUE PETITE 324: SDS Petite LLC to Rodney L. Dantas de Azevedo and Karine B. Dantas de Azevedo,$472,000.

SAVANNAH ST.1511: Wallace P. Boudet and Lynnette Aucoin Boudet to Jordan G. Demers andAna Lopez Demers, $550,000.

SECTION ROAD 81217: Daniel C. Guidry to Joseph E. Moore, $70,000.

SHENANDOAHLANE 291: Claude F. Lagalante and Melonie W. Lagalante Living TrusttoBradJ Newton and CourtneyA.Newton, $1,635,000.

TAMMANYTERRACE SUBDIVISION,PHASE 3A, PORTION OF GROUND: TammanyTerrace LLC to LeeRoad Water Corp., donation, no value stated.

W. 24TH AVE. 317: BobbieV Creighton to BRJ Holdings LLC, $320,000.

FOLSOM

FACTORYROAD82336: PatMcCormick HomesLLC to Shadrick F. Harris and Shelby M. Harris, $449,500.

LA. 40 13722: TrentW.Breland and Britanie P. Breland to Michael L. Dawson, $100,000.

NEAR FOLSOM, PORTION OF GROUND: Jerry I. Coyne Jr. and JimmyT.Coyne to Norman B. Graves and Ashlee A. Graves, $145,000.

ROAD

topher B. Hemmingway and Amber W. Hemmingway to Christian Kimberly and Kaylee Kimberly, $199,900.

CHOCTAW SPRINGS SUBDIVISION, LOT 78, SQUARE 18: Karla F. Ermert to Anthony McGee Sr. and Veles D McGee, $73,000.

JOHN LANE 27394: Ashley R. Morrish to Brandon Corse, $232,000.

MAGNOLIA DRIVE 61409: Doris S. Edler Talley to Jeffery R. Pruitt and Dena R. Davis, $170,000.

TOWN OF ST TAMMANY, LOTS 21-24, SQUARE 71: Kyle A. Rovira

Martin and Keith J. Rovira to Dwayne E. Rovira revocable living trust, donation, no value stated.

MADISONVILLE

BELLE POINTE SUBDIVISION, LOT 6: Jon C. Thomas and Anna B. Thomas to Thomas R. Forehand and Rebecca A. Graham, $555,000.

BLUE HERON LANE 596: Chelsea J. Guminski to Christopher L. Lamonde Riley, donation, no value stated.

BREWSTER ROAD 745: Cedric F. Jones and Kimberly A. Krause to Chase Braud and Kelli Braud, $210,000.

CLAYMONT COURT 412: Nikki L. Burmeister to Peggy F. Mire, $420,000.

COVINGTON ST. 310: Michael S. Cannon Jr. Family Trust to Covington Street Property LLC, $275,000.

KATIE COURT 429: Kristopher Kippes and Stephanie Kippes to Christopheer W. Varian and Alyssa R. Varian, $370,000.

S. CHENIER DRIVE, LOT 27: Joshua J. Stelly and Karen Stelly to Gerald L. Green Jr. and Laura G. Green, $43,000.

SWEET PEA COURT 1609: Jenkins Homes LLC to Nicholas J. Macheca and Lauren H. Macheca, $499,900.

TOWN OF MADISONVILLE, LOT 6A: Adam A. Traweek and Kristen A. Traweek to Paul A. Guerrero and Candy Z. Guerrero, $218,000.

MANDEVILLE

ABITA PLACE 300: Michael R. Phillips and Connie N. Phillips to Sean Glynn and Misty Jenkins, $900,000.

ADAIR ST. 440: Norma L. Junca to Montith-Sheeley Living Trust, $335,000.

BEAU CHENE DRIVE 553: John G. Holloway and Judy M. Holloway to Wayne A. Catalano, Kerry K. Catalano and others, $735,000. CHUKA COURT 943: Patricia

REALESTATETRANSFERS

Fazzio to Steven McNelley and Julie N. McNelley, $537,500.

COLBERT ST. 605: Darrel D. Toole and Tammy K. Toole to Thomas W. Curran and Nancy L. Curran, $260,000.

COURS CARSON ST. 2377: Sonia M. Sheck and Sarah S. Sabalot to Rebecca Hebert, $379,500.

E. RICHLAND DRIVE 209: Justin Douglas and Brittney Douglas to Carl W. Walker and Barbara Walker, $355,000.

FONTAINBLEAU DRIVE 139: Mark

A. Bergeron and Chi Nguyen Bergeron to Connie N. Phillips and Michael R. Phillips, $1,850,000.

GOLDEN SHORES SUBDIVISION, LOT 103, SQUARE 9: Lexi M. Wicker to Sarah S. Hutto, $398,000.

GOLDENWOOD ST. 407: Donald L. Otto to Michael Hannan, $259,000.

JULIETTE LANE 443: Succession of Jacqueline Charouleau to CPP Rentals LLC, $210,000.

LAKESHORE DRIVE 2047, UNIT A: Vincent J. Liuzza III and Frank W Stuart Jr. to Theresa A. Hohn, no value stated.

LOCKE ST. 67062: Chad H. Sutter to Richard Norman, $355,000.

MARILYN DRIVE 692: Brian D. Murray Jr. and Victoria G. Murray to Peyton L. Giacone and Sofia M. Giacone, $474,500.

NEAR MANDEVILLE, PORTION OF GROUND: Gregory Harvin and Lesley Harvin to Robert S. Terese Jr. and Rebecca L. Terese, $170,000

SCARLET OAK LANE 1151: BGRS LLC to Jason A. Minardi and Sofia Minardi, $547,000.

TOWN OF MANDEVILLE, LOTS 21, 22, SQUARE 110: Skylar Cassidy to Kendra D. Bates, donation, no

value stated.

TRACE LOOP 96: Jason A. Dickson to Rebekah L. Dickson, donation, no value stated.

VENUS DRIVE 424: Cheryl K. Brown to Clifford A. Oxford, donation, no value stated.

PEARL RIVER

BOBCAT RUN 310: Cavco Industries Inc. to Succession of Celia L. Badon, $110,000.

LA. 41 75116: Sheryl J. Foraker to Lawrence E. Melton and Donna L. Melton, $135,000.

NEAR PEARL RIVER, PORTION OF GROUND: Edward H. Russell Jr. to Crystal R. Retif, donation, no value stated.

STALLION RUN 109: Jason Cobb and Penny Cobb to Ricky P. Boudoin Sr., $35,000.

TEAT BLACKWELL ROAD 36304: Mass Prentiss Blackwell Sr. to Mass Prentiss Blackwell Jr., donation, no value stated.

WEST ALTON SUBDIVISION, LOT 8, SQUARE 33: Succession of Cornelia E. Brandon Cabral to Edward J. Batiste Jr. and Katrina C. Ray Batiste, $16,500.

SLIDELL

AUTUMN DRIVE 59518: Silessi Construction LLC to Darlene Henderson Meyers, $255,000.

BIRDIE DRIVE 45: Tuesday’s Holdings LLC to Edalit V. Amador, $99,000.

BLACKFIN COVE 200: HPA III Acquisitions 1 LLC to Katherine P. Zeringue, Gary J. Zeringue and Katelyn M. Zeringue, $285,500.

CARA MAE ST. 40535: D.R. Horton Inc.-Gulf Coast to John P. Alan Fugate and Lindsey N. Fugate, $233,550.

CARR DRIVE 247: Terry J.L. Meyer to Gregory J. Meyer, $103,354.

COTTON GRASS DRIVE 4772: D.R. Horton Inc.-Gulf Coast to Jeremiah R. Butler, $209,900.

DEVON DRIVE 35521: Scott M. Quijano to Terrance L. Morris, $205,000.

E. REDBUD DRIVE 428: James D. Jones and Melinda W. Jones to Summer Armond and Rachel Rushe, $285,000.

FORNEA GLEN WAY 5453: D.R. Horton Inc.-Gulf Coast to Christopher T. Bolden, $237,990.

FORNEA GLEN WAY 5456: D.R. Horton Inc.-Gulf Coast to Toby F. Loupe and Taylor A. Loupe, $250,110.

HUNTINGTON DRIVE 344: Shelley Manno and Cy to Lorraine Clark, $200,000.

JAY ST. 2116: Rachel Rushe to Ryan J. Jones, $202,500.

JEFFERSON AVE. 58331: Anita D. Gill Braddy to Patricia A. Odell, $350,000.

KOEL COURT 304: Suzanne J. Henry to Kevin M. Varnado, $300,000.

LA. 433 53519: John D. Landrum Estate to James M. Barber Jr., $175,000.

LAKE BORGNE COURT 819: Jeremy M. Sager to Mark A. Stein, $279,000.

LAKESHORE BLVD. 1488: Kyle Ingram to Leamsi J. Quintana, $365,000.

LAKESHORE BLVD. 1489: Troy D. Williams and Jody A. Williams to Kathy A. Tolliver, $1,475,000.

LAKESHORE VILLAGES SUBDIVISION, PHASE 10, LOT 2262: National Residential Nominee

ä See TAMMANY, page 22

Teddy Bear magnolias are cute, compact and classic

By LSU AgCenter

With a name that calls to mind cuddly childhood toys, it’s hard not to love the Teddy Bear magnolia.

This Southern magnolia cultivar, which was found as a chance seedling, derives its moniker from the deep rusty brown, fuzzy undersides of its glossy, green leaves. But there’s a lot more to like about this tree than its adorable name and teddy bear-esque leaf texture.

One of its most delightful attributes is its compact form — offering a perfect solution for those of us who enjoy Southern magnolias but don’t have the yard space to accom-

TAMMANY

Continued from page 21

Services Inc. to Kasandra L. Parsons, $290,000.

LAKESHORE VILLAGES SUBDIVISION, PHASE 10, LOT 2262: Osahon Abbe to National Residential Nominee Services Inc., $295,000.

LIBERTY DRIVE 35378: JSJ Homes LLC to Harlan L. Herron, $240,000.

LOPEZ ST. 37399: Sam Cloud Corp., Snigdha R. Sama and others to Dana Sylve, $50,500.

MANSFIELD DRIVE 300: Del Real Family Living Trust to Evan Dutreix, $284,000.

MARILYN DRIVE 126: Louisiana

PROVIDED PHOTO By LSU AGCENTER

Rusty brown, fuzzy leaf undersides are a

modate traditional, sprawling cultivars.

Classic Southern magnolias

College of Osteopathic Medicine LLC to KC Realty LLC, $4,000.

MEADOWDALE DRIVE 3638: Good Shepherd Real Estate LLC to Ryan Millon and Tessi Millon, $176,800.

MEDLEY LANE 132: Nacole N. Diaz to Byron Diaz, donation, no value stated.

MONITOR DRIVE 405: Randy A. Ruddick and Melissa O. Ruddick to Nuruh Namatouv K. Sempasa, $215,000

N. PEBBLE BEACH COURT 313: Holly M. McKenney to Arthur A. Laughlin and Aline Batista Melo, $125,000.

NEAR SLIDELL, LOT C: Joseph A. Smith to Debbie M. Smith, donation, no value stated.

can eventually grow to 40 feet to 50 feet tall and 20 feet to 30 feet wide. In some urban developments, the spread of a mature magnolia tree would take up nearly the entire width of the lot.

Teddy Bear, by contrast, is much smaller. Some reports indicate it can reach 18 to 20 feet in height, but 12 feet is more typical. The width, however, is the bigger key for gardeners working with limited room — and Teddy Bear usually maxes out at just 10 to 12 feet wide.

This cultivar looks great as a single planting for a focal area of the yard. Thanks to its especially dense growth habit, Teddy Bear also is ideal for privacy screens. Plant several

NEAR SLIDELL, PORTION OF GROUN: Lotsadots LLC to Bowen D. Moeller, $33,700.

NEAR SLIDELL, PORTION OF GROUND: Molly G. Decker to Kaya Dundar, donation, no value stated.

NEAR SLIDELL, PORTION OF GROUND: Betty A. Ordogne Smooth to Juan R. Ordogne, $30,000.

OZONE WOODS SUBDIVISION, LOTS 7, 8, SQUARE 40: Brandi L. Nunez and Tyler Nunez to Julie T. Nunez, donation, no value stated.

RANCH ROAD 40763: Suzan M. Atta to Edwin O. Ramos Castillo and Ana C. Melendez Alvarado, $60,000.

of these trees in a line, and they’ll grow together into a living fence that blocks outside views while providing superb aesthetics and wildlife habitat.

Just like other Southern magnolias, Teddy Bear displays large, white, lemon-fragranced blooms in late spring and summer It sports that trademark magnolia foliage that is shiny on one side and velvety on the other — though Teddy Bear’s leaves have a rounder shape and more pronounced reddishbrown undersides than many cultivars. Southern magnolias, of course, are native to Louisiana and are the state flower

If you’re interested in checking out other compact Southern magnolia cultivars, try

RIVERCREST SUBDIVISION, LOTS 143-45: Austin D. Dunlap to Taylor L. Hidalgo and Olivia L. Attaway, $207,600.

ROBIN ST. 2111: BRM Properties LLC to Romero Hartley, $215,000.

ROBIN ST. 2521: Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC to Eddie Pablovich, $130,000.

S. LAKE CADDO COURT 700: Thomas E. Ray and Terri G. Ray to Eric J. Childress and Alexis Gierlings, $237,000.

SCENIC DRIVE 123: Nationstar Mortgage LLLC to Jesse Bergens, $56,050.

SPILLWAY MANOR DRIVE 5108: D. R. Horton Inc. to Thaddeus L. Sykes, $258,900.

Little Gem, a Louisiana Super Plant selection, and Kay Parris. These tend to grow a bit taller than Teddy Bear, but both keep a narrower profile that works well in small spaces.

LSU AgCenter horticulturists recommend planting trees from October to March while temperatures are cooler, giving trees time to establish before summer weather conditions set in. That doesn’t mean you can’t still plant magnolias — but know that it will be absolutely crucial to keep them well watered in the coming weeks and months. Newly planted trees without established root systems are more susceptible to heat and drought stress.

STEELE ROAD 317: Tyler V. Decker and Ashley M. Addison to Stephen Joseph, $315,000.

SUNCREST SUBDIVISION, PHASE 2, LOT 25: Molly Grace Decker to Kaya Dundar, donation, no value stated.

SUNSET DRIVE 1334: Warren E. Gambino to Logan R. Watters and Wendi T. Delgado, $239,000.

TEAL ST. 2218: Larry G. Forar Estate and Janis Yance Forar to Chase O. Williamson, $142,000. VILLAGE CIRCLE 205, 207: Michael C. Matt to Jomar Holding LLC, $108,900.

SUN/BUSH

BOZY MIZELL ROAD 84348: Daniel P. Kenney Jr., Lacretia T. Willis and others to Dorman F. Talley, donation, no value stated.

JENKINS CEMETERY ROAD 83161: Judy P. Brujic to Matthew S. Alexander Galloway, $415,000. N. HUCKLEBERRY LANE 82040: Peter L. Aranyosi and Carol S. McWilliams to Kimberly D. Pepper, $160,000.

OGISE RICHARDSON ROAD 31109: Tanya L. Babineaux Dahmer, Tricia M. Babineaux Scheuermann and Tarah Ann B. Cordes to Michael G. Allsup and Lisha M. Vuskovich, $375,000.

WATTS ROAD, PORTION OF GROUND: Mackenzie Co. LLC to Seth G. Fauntleroy and Allisyn O. Fauntleroy, $40,000.

WATTS THOMAS ROAD 80022: Mary A. Thigpen to Thomas M. Biggio and Carolyn C. Biggio, $195,000.

TODAYINHISTORY

By The Associated Press

Today is Saturday,April11, the101st day of 2026. Thereare 264 days left in the year

Todayinhistory:

On April 11, 1945, during World WarII, U.S. Army troops liberated the Buchenwald Nazi concentration camp near Weimar,Germany

Also on this date:

In 1814, Napoleon Bonaparte abdicated as emperor of the French and was banished to the island of Elba. (Napoleon later escaped fromElba and returned to power in March 1815, until his downfall in the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815.)

In 1865, President Abraham Lincoln spoke to acrowd outside the White House, saying, “Wemeet this evening, not in sorrow,but in gladness of heart.” (It was the last public address Lincoln would deliver; he would die four days later after being shot by John Wilkes Booth.)

In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act, which included the Indian Civil Rights Act and the Fair Housing Act, one week afterthe assassination of Martin Luther King Jr

In 1970, Apollo13, with astronauts James A. Lovell,Fred W. Haise and Jack Swigert, blasted off on its ill-fated mission to the moon. (The mission was aborted following an oxygen tank explosion two days after liftoff,and the crewsplashed down safely April 17 in the Pacific Ocean.)

In 1980, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission published guidelines saying sexual harassment in the workplace amounted to unlawful sex discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

In 2012, George Zimmerman, the Florida neighborhood watch volunteer who fatally shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. (Hewas acquitted at trial.)

Today’sbirthdays: Actor Joel Grey is 94. Actor Bill Irwin is 76. Former MLB catcher Jason Varitek is 54. Actor JenniferEsposito is 53. Rapper David Banner is 52. Singer Joss Stone is 39.Rapper Ken Carson is 26. Actor Milly Alcock is 26.

When awedding invite asks toomuch

Dear Annie: My husband and I are invitedtomyco-worker’s daughter’s midweek black-tie wedding at 3p.m. My husband and Iwould need to leave work early to attend, and Ifeel it’s a burden to both take time off work and purchase or rent black-tieattire forawarm-weather eventin the summer Is it acceptable to decline the invite and just send a nicegift? The couple getting married have been living together for ayear,although Icongratulatethem for makingvows to each other.Iwish the couple was understanding of the possible financial burden totheir guests. Your advice is much appreciated.Thank you. —Formally Frustrated

Dear Formally Frustrated: An invitation is justthat; it’sanoffer, not asummons.Couples plan weddingsthat suit their vision, and guests decide what suits their circumstances. No offense needs to be taken on either side.

If attending means leaving work early and investing in black-tie attireyou’re unlikely to wear again, it’sperfectly acceptabletodecline with a warm noteand agift. Wish

them abeautiful day,sendyour congratulationsand rest easy. Good manners are alwaysin season— even when blacktie isn’t.

Dear Annie: Ileft home 14 years agoand swore Iwouldn’tcome back. To put it lightly,myfamily has avery differentmindset. Through therapy, I’velearned it was healthier for my sanity to stayaway

But my husband, after speakingwith them (they can be very charmingonthe phone), wanted to get to know them. My mother was ill, so he andmy family convinced me to come backtotake care of her.

It hasn’tbeen all bad, but it has become ahuge financial and, at times, physical andemotional burden —not because of my mother,but because of everyoneelse. Ihavemyown home in the state Ichose to make home, and between my sisters arguing over whogets control of my parents’ nonexistentfinancesand worrying aboutmystepdad if his blood sugartakes aturn, it’s almost unbearable. They even wentso far as to list my house behind my back, hoping theycould getagood offer andI would be stuckhere.

My question is:How do I make apolite exit from this nightmare withouthurting my mom and making her feel abandoned? I’m so tired of thenonsense andjust can’t deal with my sisters or my stepfather

anymore. My husband andIare paying for everything andgetting no respect. Ifeel closeto ablowup, and I’m craving the solitude of my home.

Please help me. Iwanttogo home. —Homesick and Overwhelmed Dear Homesick and Overwhelmed: Youcame back to apainful situation out of love,and that speaks very well of you. But lovefor yourmother doesn’t require sacrificing your peace, your finances or your home indefinitely.

Your responsibilitywas alwaysmeanttobeher wellbeing, notrefereeing your sisters’ arguments, caregiving for yourstepfatherorcarrying the entire family’sburdens. If your mother needs care, help

arrange asustainable plan— sharedresponsibilitiesamong family who live nearby or outside help fromhealth services —beforeyou leave.

Thenspeak honestly and kindly.Tellyourmotherthat youloveher andthatreturning whenshe was ill wasthe right thing to do,but youand your husband need to go back to the life youbuilt. Reassure herthat leaving doesn’tmean abandoning her.

Youdid the loving thing by coming when she needed you. Now it’sOKtodothe healthy thing andgohome.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators. com.

Annie Lane

DEAR ANNIE