The Times-Picayune 04-12-2026

BIG CHIEF DEMONDMELANCON

ENDOF THELINE

Some coastalLouisiana campslostpower when theirutility pulled out, andotherscould be next

BY SAM KARLIN Staff writer

ABOARD THE LIL JAKE Ben Sanamo hunched in the bowels of thetugboat and clutchedone end of agarden hose. His dad, Warren, snaked the other end into a55-gallon drum of diesel andflicked on aportable pump.

The sun fell low in thesky,splashinggoldenlight on their houseboat, the Aqua Lodge, moored next to the tug on the Voss Canal, awaterway cut long ago by furtrappers, deep in the brackish marsh in Terrebonne Parish.Noneighbors were home. The swamp was quiet

TheSanamos pumped the diesel until the drum was dry. Ben cranked the generator,and it sputtereda couple times. “That’sthe thing with generators,” Warrensaid.“Younever know.” Ben crankeditagain and it roared to life. The engine’shum cracked the remote quiet of their nook in the marsh, where they’ve been coming for over adecade,raising Ben’s son, Jake, and fishing and hunting just about anything that swims or crawls in coastal Louisiana.

This is theSanamofamily’sroutine

now.Their houseboat, which Ben and Warren built from theground up,isone of nearly 300properties spanning four remote outpostsin Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes that hadthe lights turnedoff —maybe forgood

Hurricane Idadamaged someof

the electric equipment thatpowered the camps. Foryears,the South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association, or SLECA, toldthe camp ownersthat they planned to build them back.

ä See END, page 9A

City Hall

BY BLAKEPATERSON Staff writer

NewOrleans Mayor Helena Moreno is taking on aproblem that generations of mayors before her have tried —and failed —tosolve: the need fora new City Hall.

The blue-glassed, midcentury-modern building at 1300 Perdido Street that serves as New Orleans’ seat of government opened in 1957 and is decades overdue foraface-lift.

Moreno has asked Gov.Jeff Landry and the Louisiana Legislature for $5.1 milliontokick-start planning around anew building.

In the coming weeks,the mayor, City Council andCivil District Court also plantoappoint aslate of experts for anew MunicipalComplex Advisory Committee, which Moreno created through an executive order on her first day in office.

Thecommittee will examine financing for three different scenarios: gutting and refurbishing the currentcomplex thatholds City Halland Civil DistrictCourt; building alarger facility across Perdido Street at Duncan Plaza; or building a

Pope’s ancestor buried in St.Louis Cathedral

It’s just anotherreasonfor him to visitN.O., archbishop says

BY BOBWARREN Staff writer

ArchbishopJames Checchiomakes no secret of his desire to convince Pope Leo XIV,the first American to hold thetitle,tovisit NewOrleans. And during arecent audience with the pope in Rome, Checchio said he reminded him of agood reasontomakeavisit:Leo’s family rootsinthe Crescent City

Checchio said the pope is “very aware and interested”inhis family’s historyinNew Orleans. Checchio said the pope told him and the others during the visit that he remembers his family in Chicago, where Leo grew up, often talking about the family history in New Orleans. Included in that lineage is thepope’sfourth great-grandmother,identified in Archdioceseof NewOrleans records as Marie Catherine Guesnon Ramos Morales, whoisburied in St. Louis Cathedral.

STAFF PHOTOSByBRETTDUKE

JakeSanamo holds up asection of an old electrical line once used to powerhis family’s camp near LakeDeCade in Terrebonne Parish onMarch 26.

Ben Sanamo, left, and his father,Warren Sanamo, pump diesel fuel into their tugboat at their campinTerrebonne Parish. The family relies on generatorsfor powerafter electric infrastructure serving the area was not rebuilt following Hurricane Ida.

Moreno

Bill Cosby wants new trial in sex assault case

NEW YORK Disgraced come-

dian Bill Cosby reportedly wants a civil case in which he was ordered to pay nearly $60 million in damages to a woman who accused him of sexual assault to be reconsidered.

Cosby, 88, who’s been accused of abusing dozens of women, was found responsible last month for drugging and raping Donna Motsinger in 1972.

Cosby’s attorneys are challenging the amount of money a jury ordered the former “The Cosby Show” star to pay, according to TMZ.

Cosby’s accuser was a waitress who said she was left incapacitated by pills and wine after attending one of the comic’s shows in Los Angeles. He denies assaulting anyone, but didn’t testify in that case, according to The New York Times.

Sonic boom served up by SpaceX launch

ORLANDO, Fla. — People in Central Florida who slept in Saturday morning may have received a sonic boom wake-up call

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 on a resupply run to the International Space Station hitting liftoff at 7:41 a.m.

The first-stage booster for the flight didn’t land offshore though, with SpaceX bringing it back to the recovery site adjacent the launch tower at SLC-40. The booster, made its seventh trip to space hit Landing Zone 40 about eight minutes after liftoff.

“There is the possibility that residents of Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Indian River, Seminole, Volusia, Polk, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the landing, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions,” SpaceX had posted in a media alert.

Boy, 9, found locked in van since 2024 in France

PARIS — A 9-year-old boy has been rescued after living locked in his father’s utility van in eastern France since 2024, according to the local prosecutor The child has been hospitalized and his father detained.

Police were alerted by a neighbor to the “sounds of a child” coming from a van on Monday in the village of Hagenbach, near the borders with Switzerland and Germany, according to a statement on Saturday from prosecutor Nicolas Heitz.

After forcing the van open, officers found the child “lying in a fetal position, naked, covered by a blanket on top of a mound of trash and near excrement,” Heitz said. The boy was clearly malnourished and could no longer walk after being in a seated position for so long, according to the statement.

The boy’s father told investigators that he put the child in the truck in November 2024 “to protect him” because his partner wanted to send the then-7-yearold to a psychiatric hospital, the prosecutor said.

Police clear protesters to reopen Irish refinery

DUBLIN Police removed and arrested protesters on Saturday to reopen Ireland’s only oil refinery as a fifth day of disruptive demonstrations over the soaring price of fuel left many gas pumps dry and threatened to cripple transportation across the country

Trucks and tractors continued to block access to vital fuel depots and a major port, and vehicles clogging traffic led to closures of part of the main highway around Dublin, the capital, as well as sections of other major roadways

Irish police Commissioner Justin Kelly said enforcement would be ramped up because protesters were illegally blockading critical infrastructure and endangering public safety because of the impact gas shortages could have on emergency response from paramedics and firefighters.

“These are blockades. They are not a legitimate form of protest,” Kelly said. “We gave the blockaders fair warning that we were moving to enforcement and they choose to ignore it and continue to hold the country to ransom.”

3 hurt in N.Y. subway stabbings

Police shoot and kill knife-wielding man, officials say

BY JULIE WALKER and GARY D ROBERTSON Associated Press

NEW YORK A man with a machete who attacked three people randomly at a major New York City subway station Saturday morning was shot and killed by police, authorities said.

Officers responding to a 9:40 a.m. report of stabbings at the 42nd Street-Grand Central station encountered the man. He was behaving erratically, claiming he was “Lucifer,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at an afternoon news conference. Tisch said he was ordered to drop his weapon at least 20 times but refused to comply

She said ultimately an officer shot him twice when he advanced toward the officers with the knife extended.

“Our officers were confronted with an armed individual who had already injured multiple people and was continuing to pose a threat,” Tisch said. “They gave clear commands. They attempted to de-escalate. And when that threat did not stop, they took decisive action to stop it and to protect New Yorkers on one of the busiest train platforms in the city.”

Tisch identified the suspect as Anthony Griffin, 44, and said he had three prior unsealed arrests. He was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.

The three stabbing victims an 84 year-old man, 65-year-old man and 70-year-old woman — suffered injuries that were not thought to be life-threatening, Tisch said.

One man suffered “significant lacerations to the head and face,” the other man had similar injuries and an open skull fracture and the third victim had a laceration to the shoulder Tisch said the suspect slashed one person on a platform at the Grand Central station before going upstairs and slashing the other victims on another platform.

Chief of Transit Joseph Gulotta said the attacks appear to be random acts.

New York Gov Kathy Hochul said on social media that she was “grateful to our brave officers who acted quickly to stop the suspect. We’re working closely with the NYPD as the investigation unfolds.”

The Police Department, posting on the social platform X, advised travelers in the morning to avoid the area due to a police investigation and to expect delays and heavy

U.S., Iran start historic peace talks in Pakistan

BY MUNIR AHMED, E. EDUARDO CASTILLO, SAMY MAGDY and CARA ANNA Associated Press

ISLAMABAD The United States and Iran continued historic face-to-face negotiations early Sunday in Pakistan, days after a fragile, two-week ceasefire was announced, as the war that has killed thousands of people and shaken global markets entered its seventh week.

Meanwhile, the U.S. military said two destroyers transited the Iran-gripped Strait of Hormuz ahead of mine-clearing work, a first since the war began. Iran’s state media, however, said the joint military command denied that.

“We’re sweeping the strait. Whether we make a deal or not makes no difference to me,” Trump told journalists as talks continued and the time approached 2 a.m. in Islamabad. He called negotiations “very deep.” Iranian state TV noted what it called “serious” differences.

The U.S. delegation led by Vice President JD Vance and the Iranian one led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf discussed with Pakistan how to advance the ceasefire already threatened by deep disagreements and Israel’s continued attacks against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, whose health ministry said the death toll has surpassed 2,000.

Since the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979, the most direct U.S. contact had been in 2013 when President Barack Obama called newly elected President Hassan Rouhani to discuss Iran’s nuclear program. Obama’s secretary of state, John Kerry, and counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif later met dur-

ing negotiations toward the 2015 Iran nuclear deal a process that lasted well over a year Now the far broader talks feature Vance, a reluctant defender of the war who has little diplomatic experience and warned Iran not to “try and play us,” and Qalibaf, a former commander with Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard who has issued some of Iran’s most fiery statements since fighting began.

Iran sets ‘red lines’

Iran’s state-run news agency said the three-party talks began after Iranian preconditions, including a reduction in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, were met.

Iran’s delegation told state television it had presented “red lines” in meetings with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, including compensation for damage caused by U.S.-Israeli strikes that launched the war on Feb. 28 and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.

The war has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, 2,020 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states, and caused lasting damage to infrastructure in half a dozen Middle Eastern countries. Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz has largely cut off the Persian Gulf and its oil and gas exports from the global economy sending energy prices soaring.

Reflecting the high stakes, officials from the region said Chinese, Egyptian, Saudi and Qatari officials were in Islamabad to indirectly facilitate talks.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter

In Tehran, residents told The Associated Press they were skeptical yet hopeful after weeks of airstrikes

left destruction across their country of some 93 million people.

“Peace alone is not enough for our country because we’ve been hit very hard, there have been huge costs,” 62-year-old Amir Razzai Far said.

U.S. to help clear strait

Iran’sclosureoftheStrait of Hormuz has proved its biggest strategic advantage in the war Around a fifth of the world’s traded oil had typically passed through on over 100 ships a day Only 12 have been recorded transiting since the ceasefire.

On Saturday, Trump said on social media that the U.S. had begun “clearing out” the strait.

“Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon,” U.S. Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper later said.

The U.S statement about the destroyers added: “Additional U.S. forces, including underwater drones, will join the clearance effort in the coming days.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said Tehran was entering negotiations with “deep distrust” after strikes on Iran during previous talks. Araghchi, part of Iran’s delegation in Pakistan, said Saturday that his country was prepared to retaliate if attacked again.

Iran’s 10-point proposal ahead of the talks called for a guaranteed end to the war and sought control over the Strait of Hormuz. It included ending fighting against Iran’s “regional allies,” explicitly calling for a halt to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah.

The United States’ 15-point proposal includes restricting Iran’s nuclear program and reopening the strait.

traffic. Subway trains resumed stopping at the station in the afternoon after bypassing it for hours, according to the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s website.

Beau Lardner said he was just swiping in at Grand Central when bangs rang out “loud enough to hear through headphones,” he told the AP in a message The 34-year-old moved from Manhattan to Long Island a few weeks ago, but he’s been taking the same train from Grand Central for years.

“I know that platform like the back of my hand,” he said. Lardner described a “wall of people” rushing toward him to get through the turnstiles, and he sprinted back up the stairs. He said he had “never seen a crowd move like that.”

Associated Press writer Hannah Fingerhut in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed to this report.

Allies yank support for Swalwell’s campaign

BY TRÂN NGUYUN and MICHAEL R. BLOOD Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell has so far denied calls for him to exit the California governor’s race following allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him. After prominent supporters withdrew their backing, Swalwell said in a video on social media that he would spend the weekend with family and friends and share an update “very soon.”

Newsom, a likely 2028 presidential candidate who has avoided engaging in the contest to replace him, said in a statement: “As we continue to learn more, these allegations from multiple sources are deeply troubling and must be taken seriously.”

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who hasn’t endorsed in the race, said the “serious allegations” must be investigated and that she spoke to Swalwell and suggested that be done “outside of a gubernatorial campaign.”

“These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They’re absolutely false. They did not happen, they have never happened, and I will fight them with everything that I have,” the congressman said Friday Swalwell was among the leading Democrats in the race to replace outgoing Gov Gavin Newsom. But in just hours, he saw his most prominent supporters — including U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff and powerful labor unions — drop their endorsements and call for his exit from the race.

The allegations surfaced at a critical stage of the wide-open campaign to lead the nation’s most populous state Voters will receive mail ballots next month in advance of the June 2 election. The San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday that a woman said Swalwell sexually assaulted her in 2019 and 2024. The newspaper reviewed text messages about the alleged 2024 assault and spoke to people whom she had told about it. She told the newspaper she did not go to police because she was afraid she would not be believed.

Swalwell

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JACQUELyN MARTIN

Vice President JD Vance, center walks with Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir left, and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar after arriving for talks with Iranian officials Saturday in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Syrian man buries family after strike on Beirut

BY GHAITH ALSAYED and SALLY ABOU ALJOUD Associated Press

DEIR EL-ZOUR, Syria A Syrian man on Saturday buried his wife and four of his five children, killed in the massive wave of Israeli strikes that pounded Beirut earlier this week, laying them to rest in Deir el-Zour province in northeastern Syria.

It was not the homecoming they had anticipated when they fled to Lebanon six years ago

The bodies, along with that of his six-month pregnant daughter-in-law, arrived in wooden coffins on a bus from Lebanon, their names scribbled on the sides.

Men stood beside the bus crying before the burial procession in al-Sour town, as mourners gathered to offer condolences.

The remains of one of his two daughters were still missing, believed to be trapped under rubble, as search operations concluded Saturday, three days after the attacks.

The strike was one of roughly 100 carried out by Israel on Wednesday without warning, targeting what the Israeli military said were Hezbollah-linked sites across Beirut and other parts of Lebanon. More than 350 people were killed that day, a third being women and children, making it the deadliest day in nearly six weeks of war.

Many of the strikes hit commercial streets and densely populated neighborhoods in central Beirut, far from conflict zones, where repeated Israeli evacuation warnings have been issued since March 2, when the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah fired missiles into Israel in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.

The father, Hamad alJalib, survived because he was away fetching a gas canister while working as

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS By GHAITH ALSAyED

with UNHCR in Lebanon, with hundreds of thousands more believed to be unregistered.

week

the building’s concierge.

When he heard that a strike had hit the Ain Mreisseh neighborhood, where he lives, he rushed back, only to see a plume of smoke rising from a building behind a mosque across from Beirut’s famous seaside promenade — usually crowded with people walking and exercising.

“The Israeli attack killed my girls, they are innocent, just sitting at home,” al-Jalib said. “They were having lunch.”

He said it took rescue teams three days to extract the bodies of his family from under the rubble.

“And I still have a daughter missing, her name is Fatima Hamad al-Jalib.” She is 10 years old. His other daughter was 12 while his sons were 17, 14 and 13 years old.

Three other Syrian relatives were also killed in the Ain Mreisseh strike and were buried on Saturday in the town of al-Shuhail in Deir el-Zour after the family split upon returning to Syria.

Al-Jalib said his family had been displaced from

Iraq elects Kurdish politician president amid war fallout

BY QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA Associated Press

BAGHDAD Iraq’s parliament voted Saturday to elect Nizar Amidi, a political official with one of the country’s two main Kurdish parties, as president, five months after a parliamentary election that didn’t produce a bloc with a decisive majority His election comes as Iraq is reeling from the fallout of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. Iraq became caught in the middle of the conflict, with Iran-backed militias launching attacks on U.S. bases and diplomatic facilities as well as on critical energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Israel carried out airstrikes targeting the militias, some of which killed members of the Iraqi military The war and Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz also largely halted the oil exports upon which Iraq’s economy depends.

Amidi, a member of the political bureau of the Patri-

otic Union of Kurdistan par ty, beat out a roster of can didates that included Iraq’ current Foreign Ministe Fuad Hussein, who was the pick of the rival Kurdistan Democratic Party. By convention, Iraq’ president is always Kurd ish, while the more power ful prime minister is Shi ite and the parliamentary speaker is Sunni.

their area and moved to Lebanon in 2020, as local tensions grew involving tribal groups and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

The casualties from

Wednesday’s strikes and others across the country have pushed the death toll in more than a month of Israel’s war with Hezbollah to over 1,950 killed and more than 6,300 wounded, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry The toll includes at least 315 Syrians killed and wounded.

It remains unclear how many of those killed on Wednesday were non-

Lebanese, as the Health Ministry did not provide a breakdown by nationality Officials have reported that at least 39 Syrians were among the dead.

Dalal Harb, a spokesperson for the U.N. refugee agency, said the family killed in Ain Mreisseh was not registered with the UNHCR.

There are about 530,000 Syrians refugees registered

While hundreds of thousands of Syrians have returned from Lebanon since the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December 2024, many others remain reluctant to go back because of the lack of jobs and ongoing violence. Al-Jalib’s brother, Jomaa, who also lived in Lebanon, said he was about 500 feet away at work when the first blast hit. “We ran and we ran, then the second strike happened.” He said he was arriving at the building as it began to collapse. “It was too late to get anyone out. We yelled for them, but no one answered.”

He said ambulances later recovered the bodies, which he identified at a hospital.

Following the burial on Saturday, men stood shoulder to shoulder in prayer over the fresh graves.

Associated Press writer

Abby Sewell in Beirut contributed to this report.

Hamad al-Jalib is comforted by mourners during the funeral of his wife and four of his five children during their funeral Saturday in the village of al-Sour, Deir al-Zour province, northeastern Syria. The family was killed in Israeli strikes in Beirut earlier this

Mourners cover a grave with cloth during the burial of a woman from the Al-Jalib family The cloth is held to preserve privacy and shield the body from view

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

Awoman cries while holding aphotoofher missing relativeduring aPOW exchangeSaturday between Russia andUkraine in

UkrainesaysRussiaattacking amid Orthodox Easter ceasefire

BY DEREK GATOPOULOS, DMYTROZHYHINAS and ELISE MORTON Associated Press

KYIV,Ukraine Russia continued to strike Ukrainian positions with drones after aKremlin-declared Easter ceasefire took effect on Saturday,aUkrainian military officer told The Associated Press.

“Theceasefire is not being observed by the Russian side,” said Serhii Kolesnychenko, acommunications officer for the 148th Separate Artillery Brigade. He said thatwhile artillery fire had paused in the sector where his brigade was working, at the junction of the Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions, Russian forces continued to use drones to strike Ukrainian positions.

Ukrainian forces were responding with “silence to silence and fire to fire,” Kolesnychenko said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday declared a32-hour ceasefire over the Orthodox Easter weekend, ordering Russian forces to halt hostilities from 4p.m. on Saturday until the end of Sunday Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyypromised to abide by the ceasefire, describing it as an opportunity to build on peace initiatives. But he warned there would be aswift military response to any violations.

“Easter should be atimeof silence and safety.Aceasefire (at) Easter could also become the beginning of real movementtowardpeace,” Zelenskyy wrote in an online post on Saturday But he added: “Weall understand who we are dealing with. Ukraine will adhere to the ceasefire and respond strictly in kind.”

Ukraine earlier proposed to Russia apause in attacks on each other’senergy infrastructure over the Orthodox Easter holiday Previous ceasefire attempts have hadlittle impact, with both sides accusing each other of violations.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday described Putin’s move as a “humanitarian” gesture,but saidMoscow remains focused on acomprehensive settlementbased on its longstanding demands —akey sticking pointthat has prevented the two sides from reaching an agreement.

Hours before the ceasefirewas due to begin, Russian drone strikes overnight killedatleast two people in the Ukrainian city of Odesa, local authorities reported.

Afurthertwo peoplewere wounded in the attack on the Black Sea port city,when drones hit aresidential area, damaging apartment buildings, houses and akindergarten.

Thedriverofa public trolleybus was killed afterthe vehicle was struck by adrone in the southern Ukrainiancity ofKherson, less than an hour before the start of the ceasefire, Khersonregional head Oleksandr Prokudin wrote on Telegram. Accordingtothe Ukrainian AirForce, Russia targeted Ukraine with 160 drones overnight, of which 133 were shot down or intercepted,hours beforeaproposed Easter ceasefirewas due to comeinto force.

Russia’sDefense Ministry said 99 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight acrossRussiaand occupied Crimea.

Russia’sDefense Ministry saidthat aprisonerswap Saturday brought home 175 of its soldiers.

Zelenskyy confirmedSaturday’sexchange, saying that 175 service members and seven civilians were returned.“Most hadbeen held in captivity since2022. And finally,they are home,” he wrote on X.

Hundredsofrelatives, clutching photos of missing soldiers, crowded around ambulancesand busescarrying returned prisoners of war in northernUkraine. Many calledout names and brigade numbers in hopesof finding loved ones faster

The crowd, many draped in blue and yellow flags,

chanted “Wewelcome you!”asthe wearyreturnees in blue jackets reached through windows to shake hands and embrace wellwishers. Family also members held up portraitsof others still-missing, asking thefreed prisonerswhether they recognized anyone.

Svitlana Pohosyan was waiting for her son’sreturn. Asked about the ceasefire, she said: “I wanttobelieve it.God willing, may it be so. We will believeand hope thateverything will be fine, that aceasefirewill come on such aholy day,and that there will be peace —peace in Ukraine and peace in the whole world.”

“My celebration will come when my sonreturns,”she added. “I will hold him in my arms—and thatwill be the greatest celebration for me. And for every mother, every family.”

Periodicprisoner exchangeshavebeen one of the few positive outcomes of otherwisefruitless monthslong U.S.-brokered negotiationsbetween Moscow andKyiv.The talks have delivered no progress on keyissues preventingan end to Russia’sinvasion of its neighbor,now in its fifth year Separately,seven residents of Russia’sKursk region returned from Ukraine on Saturday after they were captured by the Ukrainian army,Russianstate media reported. They weregreeted at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border by Russia’s humanrights ombudswoman, Tatyana Moskalkova.

According to Moskalkova, the returnees were the last of those whowere taken to Ukraine from the Kursk region after the Ukrainian army took control of parts of the region in 2024.

Ukrainian forces made asurpriseincursion into Kursk in August 2024 in one of their biggest battlefield successes in the war. The incursion was the first time Russianterritory was occupied by an invader since World WarIIand dealt ahumiliating blowtothe Kremlin.

Pope LeoXIV denounces ‘delusionofomnipotence’

BY NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press

ROME In hisstrongest words yet,Pope Leo XIV on Saturday denounced the “delusion of omnipotence” that is fueling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran and demanded political leaders stopand negotiatepeace.

Leopresidedover an evening prayer service in St. Peter’sBasilica on the same daythe United States and Iran began face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan andasafragile ceasefireheld.

History’s first U.S.-born pope didn’t mention the United States or President Donald Trumpinhis prayer,which was planned before the talks were announced. ButLeo’s tone andmessageappeared directed at Trump andU.S. officials, who have boasted of U.S. militarysuperiority and justified thewar in religious terms.

“Enough of theidolatry of self andmoney!” Leo said. “Enough of thedisplayofpower! Enough of

On Saturday,Leo called for allpeopleofgoodwilltopray forpeace anddemandanend to war from their political leaders. The evening vigilinRome, which featuredScripture readings andmeditative recitation of theRosary prayers, was taking place as simultaneous local prayer services were being held in the U.S. and beyond.

Leo has said God doesn’t bless any war, and certainly not those who drop bombs

Praying for peace, Leo said,was away to “break the demonic cycle of evil”tobuild instead the Kingdom of God where there arenoswords, dronesor“unjust profit.”

“Itishere that we findabulwark against that delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us and is becoming increasingly unpredictable and aggressive,” he said. “Even the holy Name of God, theGod of life,isbeing draggedinto discourses of death.”

Leaders have used religion to justifytheir actions in the war.U.S. officials and especially Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have invoked

Leo has said God doesn’t bless any war,and certainly not those who dropbombs. Leo presided over the service sitting off to the side of thealtar on a white throne, wearing his formal red cape andliturgical stole andpraying witha Rosary in his hands. Many of the priests and nuns in the pews fingered Rosary beads as the “Our Father” and “Hail Mary” prayers were recited. The Vatican is particularly concerned aboutthe spillover of Israel’swar against HezbollahinLebanon, given the plight of Christian communitiesinthe south.

GODCHOSEYOUTO PROTECTHISCHILDREN

TheArchdioceseofNewOrleanshaszerotoleranceforabuse. GodhaschosenyoutoprotectHischildren.Ifyouhavecause tobelieveaminorhasbeenabused,contacttheLouisiana DepartmentofChildrenandFamilyServices(1-855-452-5437) orlocallawenforcement.

JeffersonParishSheriff’sOffice (504)363-5500

OrleansParish-NewOrleansPolice DepartmentInvestigation&SupportBureau (504)658-5300

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Chernyhiv region,Ukraine.

Robotsare coming...

ByJoshFleig ChiefInnovationOfficer LouisianaInnovation/LouisianaEconomicDevelopment

OnFebruary6,2025,Louisianadidsomething ithasneverdonebefore

Forthefirsttimeatthestatelevel,wemadeitclear: buildingastrong,technology-enabledeconomyis essentialtoLouisiana’sfuture.Andthatfutureis arrivingfasterthanmanyrealize.

Acrossthecountry,autonomoussystemsare reshapinghowindustriesoperate.Self-driving trucks,unmannedmaritimevessels,andintelligent automationarenolongerabstractideas

They’rehere,alreadychang werespondtoemergencies nationalsecurity

Louisianaisnotwatching fromthesidelines Compan MetalSharkareprovingwe ofit.Saronicisinvesting$30 itsLouisianashipyardandwa millionNavycontractforits vessel.MetalShark,recently Defense,continuesexpand capabilities,includingunma bytheU.S.Navyandotherp happeningrightnowinours Louisianaworkersandpushi maritimeinnovation

TheFutur Through

Onourhighways,companieslikeAuroraand KodiakRoboticsaretestingautonomousfreight technologyalongLouisiana’slogisticscorridors, positioningthestateasaprovinggroundforthe futureoftransportation.Inheavyindustry,Louisiana islaunchingafirst-of-its-kindpilotwithSSESteel FabricationandPersonaAItosupporthumanoid roboticsinalivesteelyardenvironment.

Mich. rally highlights passion of young voters

BY JOEY CAPPELLETTI Associated Press

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — As students banged on desks and stomped their feet inside a packed lecture hall at the University of Michigan, someone decades older stood in the back, quietly taking in the scene.

Debbie Dingell, a longtime Democratic congresswoman, was there to watch progressive U.S Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed campaign with Hasan Piker, a popular yet controversial online streamer Dingell has often served as an early warning system for her party, cautioning that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was on track to win Michigan in 2016 and 2024. Now she was once again scoping out the shifting political landscape, and something caught her eye.

“Quite frankly, I haven’t seen that many people outside an event yet this year,” said Dingell, whose district includes Ann Arbor and who said her attendance wasn’t an endorsement.

A line of mostly young people stretched out the door and down the street, hundreds waiting in the cold evening air on Tuesday Some had backpacks slung over their shoulders after coming from class, while others had traveled from afar

Although they were there to see a progressive candidate, attendees didn’t fit neatly into any ideological box. Instead, they shared a common dissatisfaction with both major political parties. Their frustration was a reminder of the anger that has coursed through modern American politics and now appears to be simmering within a new generation ahead of the midterm elections that will determine control of Congress Liam Koenig was in third grade when Trump was first elected president — a moment that has shaped his generation’s understanding of politics.

“It’s just become increasingly more inflammatory,” he said. Now a high school senior in Oakland County, a longtime

Judge told to reassess halting White House ballroom

BY MICHAEL KUNZELMAN and BEN FINLEY Associated Press

WASHINGTON A federal judge must reconsider the possible national security implications of halting construction of President Donald Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom, an appeals court ruled on Saturday

A three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said it did not have enough information to decide how much of the project can be suspended without jeopardizing the safety of the president, his family or the White House staff.

to build the ballroom without approval from Congress. Leon exempted any construction work necessary to ensure the safety and security of the White House, but said he reviewed material the government privately submitted before determining that a halt would not jeopardize national security

The Republican administration’s appeal cited materials that would be installed to make a “heavily fortified” facility and said construction included bomb shelters, military installations and a medical facility underneath the ballroom.

Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said in a statement that the organization awaited further clarification from the district court. She said the group was committed “to honoring the historic significance of the White House, advocating for our collective role as stewards, and demonstrating how broad consultation, including with the American people, results in a better overall outcome.”

political bellwether in Michigan, Koenig described an era of constant conflict and anxiety The mood among his peers, he said, is often somber and frustrated.

“I think a lot of us have lost hope in, like, tangible change,” he said.

Younger adults are more likely than older Americans to have an unfavorable view of both the Republican and Democratic parties, according to AP-NORC polling from February Still, that frustration hasn’t led to disengagement for Koenig. He waited for hours to see El-Sayed He described the campaign as different from what he’s used to seeing, something more like Zohran Mamdani’s successful run for mayor in New York City He wanted that kind of energy in Michigan.

“You’re not going to get people out with business as usual,” Koenig said Karol Molina, an artist who recently moved from New York City, said she had been hunting for a candidate in Mamdani’s mold when she arrived in Michigan She settled on El-Sayed, who is facing U.S Rep. Haley Stevens and state Sen Mallory McMorrow in the state’s primary

“We want to be able to live and, like, afford life without constantly scraping by,” she said.

Molina was looking for a clean break with the past

“I think the Democratic Party is losing because they’re not really listening to

what the people really want,” she said. “They’re trying to keep a party that existed before Donald Trump. And that party doesn’t exist anymore.”

Piker, a 34-year-old streamer with 3.1 million followers on Twitch and 1.8 million on YouTube, has described himself as a “megaphone” for an angry electorate. He’s also been controversial among Democrats for some of his rhetoric, including comments that “Hamas is a thousand times better” than Israel, some Orthodox Jews are “inbred” and “America deserved 9/11.”

In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Piker was largely unapologetic for his past remarks but said some were poorly worded. He called the renewed focus on them “totally ridiculous, especially considering that there are far more consequential things happening in the world right now.”

Younger people are rejecting both parties at much higher rates than older generations, according to recent Gallup polling. More than half of Generation Z and millennials identify as political independents, while a majority of older generations side with a party

The Gallup polling found that this growing group of independents tends to be motivated by unhappiness with the party in power — a dynamic that could benefit Democrats this year but doesn’t promise lasting loyalty

Disaster requests OK’d for at least 7 states

BY GABRIELA AOUN

ANGUEIRA Associated Press

The Trump administration approved major disaster declaration requests for at least seven states this week, according to information released Saturday by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, allowing affected communities to access federal support. About 15 requests for assistance from others states and tribes for extreme weather events this year and last seem to be

pending, along with three appeals of previous denials Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota and Washington were granted major disaster declarations, which can unlock federal support and funding for recovery needs such as public infrastructure repairs and aid for survivors

The announcement, in a FEMA daily briefing document, comes weeks into Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s tenure overseeing the disaster relief agency and is the

latest signal that the former Republican senator from Oklahoma could ease some of the turmoil from the leadership of his predecessor Kristi Noem, who was fired by President Donald Trump in March.

It was not immediately clear whether other states or tribes had also been told of approvals or denials that were not yet announced publicly Hawaii Gov Josh Green, a Democrat, said Wednesday his state had received a disaster declaration for devastating March flooding.

The case was returned to the trial judge who, in a March 31 ruling, barred work from proceeding without congressional approval, but suspended enforcement of that order for 14 days. The appeals court extended that for three days, to April 17, to allow the Trump administration to seek Supreme Court review

The panel instructed U.S. District Judge Richard Leon to clarify whether — and how — his injunction interferes with the administration’s plans for safety and security Government lawyers had argued that the project includes critical security features to guard against a range of possible threats, such as drones, ballistic missiles and biohazards and that holding up construction “would imperil the President and others who live and work in the White House.”

Leon, in issuing the temporary pause, concluded that the preservationist group behind the legal challenge was likely to succeed because the president lacks the authority

The appeals panel noted that much of the government’s concerns focused on that below-ground security work, which the White House argued was “distinct from construction of the ballroom itself and could proceed independently.”

Now, however, the White House seems to suggest those security upgrades are “inseparable” from the project as whole, the appeals court said, making it unclear “whether and to what extent” moving forward with certain aspects of the ballroom is necessary for the safety and security of those upgrades.

The organization sued in December, a week after the White House finished demolishing the East Wing for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom that Trump said would fit 999 people. The administration said aboveground construction on the ballroom would begin in April.

Leon concluded last month that the lawsuit was likely to succeed because “no statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have.”

“The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner!” wrote Leon, who was nominated by President George W Bush, a Republi-

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON

Streamer Hasan Piker left and Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive candidate in the Democratic primary for U.S Senate in Michigan, center right, take a selfie with young fans following a campaign event Tuesday at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich.

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Continued from page 1A

smaller building for the mayor and City Council, while leasing office space for the rest of the city’s workers. The committee will also explore building a City Hall annex in New Orleans East, in line with a Moreno campaign promise.

The final bill for a new municipal complex will likely reach hundreds of millions of dollars. Mustering the political will to fund a project of that scale won’t be an easy task, especially as Moreno grapples with how to fill city needs that residents may deem more pressing, like repairing streets or water mains.

Despite those challenges, Moreno, in a phone interview this week, said she’s hopeful that by the time she leaves office, she’s able to the cut the ribbon on a new facility.

“We have to provide the people of this city with a better venue as their civic complex,” Moreno said “The current City Hall is not in good condition at all.”

A 70-year-old building

Moreno, a former City Council at large member knew that City Hall was in disrepair Still, she said she was surprised by what she found when she moved into the mayor’s office on the second floor earlier this year

Some offices didn’t have working power outlets, forcing staffers to rely on a tangle of extension cords. Light switches in one room turned on the lights in another And the carpets and walls are pockmarked with stains of unknown origin.

“It’s disgusting,” Moreno said in a January interview “It just looks like it hasn’t been touched since 1980.”

City Hall workers, in a 2019 report on the state of the building, complained of mold and other unsanitary conditions. They also pointed to problems with temperature, a lack of windows in some offices, general disrepair and worndown furnishings.

Some employees said it was embarrassing having to greet customers or vendors. One raised concerns about the safety of the elevators, and another said there was only a single bathroom stall serving a floor with 100 people.

The shoddy conditions at times get in the way of doing business.

In February, a sprinkler pipe on the ninth floor burst open in the early hours of the morning, flooding the city’s Emergency Operations Center and seeping into the eighth floor below.

The command center was empty at the time. But if the pipe had broken during an actual emergency, it could have hindered state and local officials’ ability to effectively respond, said Emma Skilbred, communications director at the New Orleans Office of Coordination and Emergency Management.

There have been other breaks on other floors, including in the Chief Administrative Office, said Trey Nobles, the Director of Property Management.

“That’s not the first time, and it probably won’t be the last time,” Nobles said. “Pipes throughout the building, especially at the elbow they’re 70-year-old pipes. They start to crack, they start to fracture and water comes out.”

The February break cost the city $3,000 to repair but it could have been much worse, Nobles said. If the break had happened on the weekend, when there are fewer workers at City Hall, it could have caused significant water damage. Nobles pointed to a break last year that cost $100,000 to repair Still, it’s difficult to say how much the city spends maintaining City Hall. The city still receives

ABOVE: City Hall employees stand under the site of recent water damage at City Hall on Wednesday.

LEFT: Jonah Gilmore points out an old window AC unit in disuse at City Hall.

BELOW: Boxes of documents line the hallway because of a lack of storage at City Hall.

some work orders on paper, and its asset management system doesn’t easily allow officials to track costs, Nobles said The 360,000-square-foot building is also way too small for New Orleans’ municipal government, leading to other costs.

The city leases five floors at 1340 Poydras across the street for a half-dozen departments, including Code Enforcement and Safety and Permits. And the city spends around $180,000 a year storing records off-site, officials said, because there’s simply not enough room in the building for the paperwork it’s required to keep.

The 2019 report said a 12-story, 445,000-square-foot City Hall could come at a cost of about $171.3 million though that didn’t include the potentially hefty price of building a new parking garage or space for Civil District Court and the Orleans Parish Assessor’s Office, both parts of the existing complex.

The report said a renovation of the existing building would cost about $167.5 million, including about $12 million for rented office space during the two-year make-

over The report didn’t examine the third option that Moreno has asked the committee to consider, which she described as a “hybrid model” where some employees lease office space elsewhere. The committee is required to submit a report to the mayor and City Council six months after its first meeting with its findings

A generational problem

The current City Hall took the place of the mid-19th century Gallier Hall on St. Charles Avenue as the seat of city government in 1957. Former New Orleans Mayor deLesseps Story “Chep” Morrison oversaw its construction and used a sword once owned by a Confederate general to cut the ribbon on opening day

Aside from some spot renovations, the building has largely been left to decay over the years. That’s not because former mayors haven’t tried to tackle the problem.

Citing poor conditions, Mayor Ernest “Dutch” Morial, who served from 1978 to 1986, contemplated gutting City Hall and renaming the building in honor of Morrison but

got started too late in his tenure to see the project through, former Mayor Marc Morial said in an interview Friday Morial picked up the cause during his tenure as mayor But he ended up pulling funding to revamp the complex out of a bond proposal, choosing instead to focus on needs such as street and school repairs. Instead, he had the building’s interior re-carpeted, floors waxed and walls painted.

“There’s an acute need for a new municipal complex,” Morial said.

“But you have to convince the public that it’s a worthwhile project.” Seeking to move city employees inside, former Mayor Ray Nagin signed a letter of intent to buy Chevron’s former 21-story headquarters on Gravier Street when the company moved its operations to the northshore. But the City Council shot down the plan in 2009 by refusing to approve the needed funding. After a brief attempt to get around the council by tapping into Federal Emergency Management Agency funds, the Nagin administration gave up.

When it was former Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s turn at the city’s helm,

he asked Baton Rouge lawmakers for $100 million to redevelop Charity Hospital In a speech in 2010 shortly after taking office, he said he toured City Hall and met “a lot of great people working in horrific conditions.”

“One worker spends her day in a windowless space so small that it looks like a closet, not an office. Imagine my surprise when I later learned it actually was a closet prior to her moving in,” Landrieu said.

But the state balked, judges objected, and cost estimates for Landrieu’s proposal spiraled to nearly $400 million.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell later floated the idea of moving City Hall to Municipal Auditorium in Armstrong Park, but ditched the idea after pushback from neighborhood groups in Treme and the City Council.

After taking office, Gov Jeff Landry in 2024 signed off on a land swap deal, orchestrated by Moreno, giving the city full control of Duncan Plaza. The city has since conducted an environmental reviews and a subsurface analysis of the site.

Financing options

Moreno is seeking the $5.1 million in state cash as part of the city’s capital outlay package during the regular legislative session, and the mayor said there’s good reason to think it will get approved. That’s because the city is no longer asking for funds to renovate the former Veterans Affairs Medical Center building on Gravier Street, freeing up cash that would have gone to that project.

“The level of study, the level of design, architecture and engineering work is pretty substantive, and it’s expensive,” Moreno said.

State Sen. Jimmy Harris, D-New Orleans, said it’s too early in the session to say how that request will fare, though he pointed to Landry’s approval of the land swap deal as a sign that the governor understands the city’s need for a new municipal complex. A spokesperson for Landry declined to comment.

In a Friday interview, Morial said Moreno is right to wrap her arms around the problem early in her tenure. He suggested one other possible avenue for financing a costly new building — a mixed-use development, similar to the 17-story building that houses the National Urban League’s headquarters in New York.

Morial, the Urban League’s CEO and president, partnered with retailers such as Target, Trader Joe’s and Sephora to get it done. They all lease space on the site which also features affordable housing.

The project will no doubt be impacted if a proposed consolidation of New Orleans’ judiciary moves forward in the Legislature, as there will be fewer courtrooms to house.

The idea — which could see Civil District Court Clerk-elect Calvin Duncan lose his job and the elimination of more than a half-dozen judgeships — has drawn opposition among local leaders, though that hasn’t stopped legislation from advancing.

Still, the bills won’t change the fact that a new courthouse is needed, said Civil District Court Judge Kern Reese.

“That’s not going to change whether we’ve got one judge or 20,” Reese said.

Moreno said the first step is studying the options available.

“It’s been talked about for decades now: The fact that we needed a new City Hall,” Moreno said. “I do face criticism that I’m moving too fast, but on this we have waited long enough.”

Email Blake Paterson at bpaterson@theadvocate.com.

Continued from page 1A

“She died in childbirth,” Checchio said during a brief telephone interview Friday “She and her infant are buried under the cathedral.” Checchio said the pope wasn’t aware of this until Checchio told him during the visit last month

“He was quite interested in that. And moved,” Checchio said Morales, who was born in 1756, was buried in the cathedral on Aug 14, 1799, Archdiocese of New Orleans records show She is among 100 or so people interred there, although archdiocese records of all their names are incomplete. Sarah McDonald, an archdiocese spokesperson, said that in the early years, it was not uncommon for parishioners to be buried at the cathedral. In later years, cathedral burials were reserved for bishops and archbishops, she said The bishops and archbishops are buried in a crypt beneath the

church sanctuary, McDonald said. The current St. Louis Cathedral, which dates to 1851, is the latest in a series of structures on the same site that go back to around 1722.

The cathedral is set to undergo a multiyear, $45 million restoration beginning this summer Checchio, who became the New Orleans archbishop in February,

was among a small contingent from New Orleans who had an audience with the pope in Rome last month. Also in the group was Archbishop-emeritus Gregory Aymond, Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson, Saints and Pelicans executive Greg Bensel, and Gayle Benson’s brother, Wayne LaJaunie Checchio said he and the group pitched a New Orleans visit during their time with Leo.

“We sure did invite him,” Checchio said.

“He didn’t say ‘Let me look at airfare,’” the archbishop said with a laugh, but then quickly added, “He desires to come — I know that.”

Any visit would certainly not be this year The Vatican announced in February that the pope would not visit the United States in 2026. Leo XIV, formerly Robert Francis Prevost, a cardinal who was born and raised in Chicago, was elected pope in May 2025, becoming the first American chosen to lead the Roman Catholic Church and its 1.4 billion members.

As soon as his name surfaced, genealogists began poring over

family records to trace his lineage. His New Orleans roots quickly came to the fore.

“Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has Creole of color roots from New Orleans on his mother’s side,” Jari Honora, a genealogist at the Historic New Orleans Collection, posted on Facebook shortly after the announcement of the new pope.

Among Leo’s New Orleans connections were grandparents Joseph and Louise Martinez, who lived in the 7th Ward. Joseph and Louise Martinez moved from New Orleans to Chicago sometime between 1910 and 1912. Leo’s mother, Mildred, was born in Chicago. Some of the pope’s New Orleans ancestors have deep connections to St. Louis Cathedral.

Eugenie Grambois, Louise Martinez’s mother and the pope’s greatgrandmother, was baptized there in 1840. And the pope’s fourth great-grandfather, Pedro Dionisio Panquinette, who was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, in 1729, lived in New Orleans and was sextant for the church parish of St Louis Cathedral.

STAFF PHOTOS By ENAN CHEDIAK

PHOTO PROVIDED By THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Archbishop James Checchio of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, left, and New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson, right, visit with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican in Rome on March 23.

Then,withlittle warning, SLECA sent another letter in August 2024 with news:The utility would not rebuild. Its officials filed paperwork with regulatorstoformally abandon the camps, leaving them without lights, air conditioning and other modern conveniences powered by electricity. Last month, it won formal approval to abandon oneofthe four camp communities.

The decision is alandmark one, the first time in Louisiana history that an electric utility has formally filed for abandonment proceedings, and apparently the first such case in the U.S. It is the culmination of asprawling fight that’s spanned from the coastal marsh to Houma courtrooms to the Baton Rouge offices of the Public Service Commission, apowerful five-member body that regulates utilities around the state. The PSC approved the abandonment of the Lake De Cade lines, where the Sanamos’ camp sits. Other camp owners, elected officials and SLECA are still battling over the fate of three more camp communities nearby that may soon be abandonedas well.

The saga is intensifying concerns over the future of coastal Louisiana, where oil canals, sea level rise, subsidence and levees have already caused devastating land loss. Maps show how much of the state’sboot sole has receded, while huge amounts of land surrounding the Sanamos’ camp are expectedtobestripped away in thecomingdecades With climate change making hurricanes morepowerful, land fading intothe water and the cost of living pricing people out, many communities aroundthe coast are already fighting to stay afloat. The electric abandonment only appliesto camp owners now,but some wonder whether other communities are at riskofpermanently losing access to

Abandoned power lines

Afor sale by

power after thenext storm.

SLECA GeneralManager Matthew Peters said it takes its obligationto serve allmembers seriously, and it hasnoplans to abandon service to additional customers. But when seeking FEMA aid for rebuilding the lines, Peters saidthe FEMA requirements made thecost of rebuildingtoo much

“The irreparable damage to the Lake Linescaused by HurricaneIda presented unique andunavoidable circumstancesdue to their location in remotecoastal environments and the extentofstorm damage,” Peterssaid in an email. “Our decisionwas guided by its commitment to balancing safety,cost, andfairnessto all members of thecooperative.”

State Rep. Joe Orgeron, R-CutOff, is warning that other power suppliers could try to follow SLECA’s example.Hereferenced Gov Jeff Landry,whose camp in theAtchafalaya Basin is the site of an annual gator hunt fundraiser

“He’sgot acamp served by grid power,” Orgeron said. “Are they going to be next to be pulled out? It sets

abad precedent to allow them to pull outwhenever you have that much public engagementaskingthemto stay ” BenSanamo and his father built thehouseboat and started leasing the camp from ConocoPhillips, abig landowner in these parts, around the time Jake was born. Now 12, Jake has essentiallygrown up on the coastal bayous, spending weekends riding in mudboats and fishing offthe dock.

To keep their lights on, the family makes an inconvenient but necessary annual trip. They motorout the 30 mileswest from the Dularge Bayou, across Lake De Cade and what remains of thecommunity of fishing camps, some reduced to wooden pilings with old electric lines flapping in the breeze. TheSanamos pull up to their houseboat, where their old electric meter still sits on thedock,the connecting lines lying in the brush. Then they fuel up thegenerator andprepare to tugthe houseboat 13 hours back to Cut Off, to avoidhaving the boat fill up with moldand mildew over theharsh south

of the land where the poles sit,meaning SLECA needs rights of way from the companies to rebuild.

After Ida, SLECA sent letters to campowners saying its infrastructure took on “unprecedented” damage andthattheyshould prepare forextended outages —perhaps fora year or longer. Thenextyear, theco-op’s leaders promised they had “every intention” of rebuilding. By then, the utility had alreadysentout boatstopull up the old poles —adecision that has rankled somemembers of the PSC.

ence. This is nota typical line replacement; it is ahighrisk,high-cost, low-revenue capital project.”

Another factor: Apache, one of the oil companies that ownsthousands of acres of coastalland, is refusing to provide rights of way to SLECA. Timothy Allen, generalmanager of Apache, testified afew months ago that it’shard to rebuild in theareaand thecompany doesn’twantits land to be disturbed by the rebuild.

Louisiana summer.The tug boat they useisnamed “Lil Jake,” after the youngest Sanamo, he said.

Amonth aftertelling the Sanamos and the other camp owners that it was abandoning electricservice, SLECA made all of them an offer: It would mail thema $1,000 check in exchange for waiving their right to future claims.

Sanamosaid the $1,000 doesn’tcome closetopaying for theinconvenience.

Shifting terrain

SLECAwas foundedin 1938, oneina wave of rural electric cooperatives that formed as nonprofits owned by customers andcontrolled by elected boards. The co-op quicklyfound aniche servicing therapidly growing oil industry,asworkers dug canalsthrough thecoastal marsh and extracted massive amountsofoil.

By the1960s, SLECA was racing to install wooden electricpoles andstring up lines in areas like Lake De Cade.Its marriage with theoil industry remains: Companies including ConocoPhillips and Apache Louisiana Minerals own much

SLECA began negotiating with the FederalEmergency Management Agency over the design of the new poles. Because it’s anonprofit co-ops like SLECA can get FEMA to cover most of the cost of rebuilding after a storm

The next year,SLECA toldcamp ownersthatits old power lines werenolongeranoption: FEMA hada new requirement that poles could withstandhurricaneforce winds.

The utility’scostestimates ballooned once its engineers met FEMA’s standards, filings show.And in August 2024, SLECA voted notto rebuild the lines.

Peters, of SLECA, said the co-op toreout thepoles becausetheydeterminedthey weren’tsafe after Ida. At the time, SLECA’s “intent was to rebuild the system,not to abandon it,” he said.

The issue went to one of the Public Service Commission’s administrativelaw judges, whooften hear PSC cases before the commission ultimately votes on them.

“The LakeLinesare only accessible by boat,” Peters, the SLECA general manager, testifiedinthe proceedings last year.“Maintenance requires specialized amphibious equipment. Even routine outages would require mobilization of marine fleets, equipment that SLECA does not own, thereby driving up laborand operation and maintenance costs. The terrain has also changed significantly over the years due to coastal erosion andsubsid-

“You know,had it been folks’ housesorbusinesses, I think that would be adifferent story,” Allen said. “But the position we’ve taken as acompanyisthat we’re not interested in further destruction of ourland to run ahardened line to serve, you know, just acouple or three dozenrecreational campsites.” Allen did not return amessage forthis story FEMA, which is affected by an ongoingpartial government shutdown, didn’t respond to questions for this story

Novelcase

Until now, only afew gas utilitieshavegone through abandonment procedures in the state when they stopped servicing ahandful of customers. The utilitiespaid customers to switch to electric appliances. The SLECA case appears to be anovel one. Evenwhen the federal government facilitated the massrelocation of residents of Isle De Jean Charles, thesinking barrier island in Terrebonne Parish, only the gas utility filed paperwork to abandon the island. Entergy still provides electric serviceto50electricmeters there, aspokesperson said.

ScottHempling, adecades-long author of utility law textbooks and an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Law Center,said he’s never heard of acase like it anywhere in the country SLECA has said its problem boils downtomath: All SLECA customers would be

ä See END, page 10A

on the hook for over $10 million to rebuild;the other 90% of rebuilding costs would be paid by FEMA. When factoring in additional costs, it wouldtotal between $86,524 and $127,304 per camp owner,SLECA officials said in testimony.Ifthe utility rebuilt, the costs would likely be spread across all members, who would pay an extra $3 to $5 amonth over the next 30 years, according to documents filed by PSC staff.

While SLECA is choosing abandonment, Entergy made the opposite decision afew dozen miles southeast, in Grand Isle, after Ida. The company had asimilar math problem: To elevate substations, bury power lines and rebuild new fortified poles, it cost $80 million. That’s about $80,000 per permanent resident on thebarrier island.

But Entergy moved forward,inkeeping with its long-standing policy to issue bonds and socialize the costs of hurricane recovery to all its customers.Entergy called Grand Isle —mainly used as an outpost for fishing camps —avital economic engine for the state. Workers used reclaimed oil pipelines to fortify poles. They put asubstation 20 feet in the air PhillipCarlos,one of the camp owners in the Lake De Cade area, said he rebuilt his entire camp after Hurricane Andrew destroyed it in 1992. It’ssurvived everystorm since,hesaid.

Now 72,Carlossaid it’sa hardshiptohaul dieselout to the camp every time he uses it. The former oilfield worker said SLECA “jumped the gun” ripping out all the infrastructure after Ida. He spent about $25,000 installing agenerator.

“My kids grew up out there,” he said. “I planned to spend alot of my retirement time out there. Now, it’shard.”

‘Vastlyundercompensated’

At ahearing last month, severalcamp owners begged the PSC to stop SLECA from abandoning electric service to their camps. One said he bought acamp for $160,000 but has struggled to net asale for it, and

can’t get $40,000 for it now because of the lack of electricity

Commissio ner Eric Skrmetta, aMetairieRepublican, turned to afellow memberafter the group’s testimony and said “the fact that they tore that s*** down withoutcomingtousfirstis aproblem.”

In an interview,Skrmetta saidhe’sdisappointed SLECA seemed to “ask for forgiveness instead of permission.” He said the PSC can’t let this situation happen again and will likely require SLECA to paycamp owners who are losing electricity

“The folksare vastly undercompensated,” he said. “The commission is going to lookata greater compensation package.” Peters, of SLECA, said they “take our obligationto serve allmembersseriously”and pointedtothe $1,000 payment they offered to residents losing power as an example of astep to assist affected members.

Joy Guillot, the administrative law judge who oversawthe case forthe PSC, haddetermined in February

that SLECA didn’tmeet the requirements for abandonment underthe PSC’srules. Guillot called some of SLECA’s evidence “meager and unsubstantiated,” but didn’t rulethat rebuilding the lines was in the public interest, saying therecord was insufficient

But CommissionerJP Coussan, aRepublican elected in 2024 whose districtincludes the camps, offered aproposal at last month’smeeting about how to move forward: The PSC would allow SLECA to abandon service to theLake De Cade camps. The other three sets of lines—Lake Fields, Grand Pass and Four Point —would go back to the judge to be litigated further All but onePSC member agreed.

Weeksafter themeeting when thePSC agreed on abandonment,acamp owner in theLakeDeCade area fileda lawsuit in Houma’sdistrictcourt against SLECA,arguing theutility failed to liveuptoits dutyto provide service. He’sseeking class-action status, and lawyers held ameeting last week to spread thewordin

Houma.

Coussansaidinaninterviewhe’snot taking sides in thedebate. Buthesaid he agreed withPSC staff’s assessment thatSLECA met its “burdenofproof” forabandoning the Lake De Cade lines. Coussan saidthe situationrevealed “gaps in our oversight” after hurricanes. If SLECA hadn’tpulledout its infrastructure after Ida

without notifying thePSC, he said it would have been easiertoanalyze thetrue costs of repair “This is an extraordinary situationwith distinguishablefacts from anything that’sever happened,” he said, adding that the PSC has to look out forall 17,000 SLECA members, not just the camp owners. Davante Lewis, one of two Democrats on thePSC and

theonlymember to vote against Coussan’sproposal, said he’s concernedabout the precedent SLECA is setting. “These questions are going to arise,” Lewis saidin an interview.“With climate change,the intensityof storms …Questions about therecoverycosts andrebuilding costs of our infrastructure arenodoubt going to be aquestion over the next 15 to 20 years.”

EsmeraldaEsparza didn’t expect herbrother’s encouragement to change her life

Esparzahad earnedadegreefromafour-year university,but was uncertainabout her career path.Her brotherurged her to follow in hisfootsteps andpursuethe ProcessTechnology(PTEC)program at NunezCommunity College, whichpreparesstudentstobecomeplant technicians andoperators “Hekeptsaying,‘Thereare always jobs available. They’realways lookingfor more womentoenter theindustry. Youcan have agreat career withthis,’”Esparza recalled.“Iwasn’tsureabout it at first, but Idecided to give it atry.”

Because shehad completedcollege prerequisites, Esparzawas eligible forNunez’s16-week fast-track PTEC program. Shetookclasses from 7:30 a.m. to 4p.m.eachweekday,whichwas ideal becauseshe could continue working as arestaurantserverinthe evenings “The program wasaffordable. Thetimecommitmentwas asacrifice, butI waswilling to do it anditpaidoff,” shesaid. “I wasdoing alot of hands-on learning at Nuneztosee howvalveswork, what toolsIwould need to useand what thepumps look like.Icould tell these were skills I could applyinareal-worldsetting.”

priorities,” said NunezProvost Dr.Cherie KayLaRocca.“We’repreparing techniciansfor high-precision,safety-critical

“The partnershipworks becauseFletcher is lookingtoplace students in jobs,and we arelooking to build localtalentpipelines,” Caimesaid. “Weget to know thestudentsand figure outwhether they wouldbea good fitdirectlywithour companyorwithanother organization. We’ve always knownthatFletcherprovidesgreat training in theindustrialskills. We want to layerontop of that andmakesure thesestudentsare in the best position to succeed.

Esparzawas offered an internship soon aftercompletingthe PTEC program,and shortlyafter received afull-time joboffer.Today,she’s building acareershe hadn’t imaginedfor herself just afew yearsago

“I love it,” shesaid. “I have no complaints.”

Caimesaidthe relationship between LOOP andFletchercontinues to payoff with job placements. Forexample,LOOPplans to soon hire two newemployees whocompleted cert ficationsatFletcherand completed internshipsatLOOP. Otherenergycompanies in theregionhavefollowed similarpaths,hesaid.

Esparza’sstory is oneofmanythatillustratehow workforce-driven educationand industry partnerships at LouisianaCommunity andTechnical Colleges connectstudentstocareeropportunities acrossthe state.

Forcompanies like Danos, thoseconnections arebuilt intentionally through ongoingcollaboration andcommunication.Danos is an energy services providerthatworks withdozens of companies, from international conglomerates to localoperators.MarkDanos,owner andCEO of Danos FamilyInvestments,saidthe companyworks particularly closelywith Fletcher Technical Community College.

“Our partnership withFletcherisfocused on training offshore operators–specifically, instrumentationand electrical technicians, andproductionoperators,” Danos said.“We’refortunate to have adirect pipeline to theFletcher leadership team to talk aboutwhatclasses they areofferingand howthose arestructured. We want people to receive training that makesthememployableinour region andour industry.”

Danossaidhehas been especially impressed withFletcher’s willingness to listen to industry feedbackand adaptaccordingly,even if it meanslaunching new programs or pivoting into newareas where thereare workforceneeds.

“Fletcherwants to be agood stewardofthe resourcespeopleare investing there. They don’t want to just offeracoursebecause it’s popularorsomething they’vedonefor alongtime,”Danos said.“They want to give people skills that they canuse to getjobsinthis region.”

Asimilar mindsetleads NunezCommunity College, whichislooking to create opportunitiesfor students in emerging industries such as maritime,aerospace,defense manufacturing andenergy

“Weare strengthening Louisiana’s roleinaerospace,defense and advanced manufacturingbybuildingcapacityaligned with national

“Theycan combinethe knowledgethey’ve learnedatFletcher with thereal-life work they’vedonethrough internshipsorpart-time jobs,” he said.“Isee this having long-term benefits forthisregion. If we don’t build localtalent pipelines, we either have to hire people from outof stateordomoretraining internally.Fletcher allows us to create better successionplans.”

ForLouisiana residentslikeJohnTsai, theongoing communication betweenLCTCand industry partners canopendoors in unexpected andprosperous ways Tsai hadcompleted university-level undergraduateand graduate coursework,then worked in customerservice at theNew Orleans airport. He parlayed that interest into studying aviation,but industry layoffs made himquestionhis future in thebusiness.In2024, he learnedabout Nunez’sWindEnergy Technology program,whichpreparesstudents to work immediatelyaswindturbine technicians Whilestill in theprogram,Tsaicompleted amockinterview withan area company. Thecompany called him aboutamonth laterfor afacility tour andmorein-depthinterview

Ben Sanamopreparestotie up aboat as he approaches his family’s camp near LakeDeCadeinTerrebonne Parish on March26. Adrumofdiesel fuel sits in the foreground.

Warren Sanamo prepares to pump diesel fuel intothe tugboat at his camp near LakeDe

CadeinTerrebonne Parish.

Buyers fret as averagecostofa newcar nears$50K

BY ALEXA ST.JOHN Associated Press

DETROIT After afew years of sharing a2019 Chevrolet Trax, Dana Eble and Tyler Marcus arefinallylooking for asecond car.But as they jump into themarket, the young married couple isn’t sure what they can afford.

“I just keep seeing alot of different aspects of life getting more expensive, and it’sharder,” said Eble, an account manager fora public relations agency Car ownership has long been integral to theAmerican dream. But as automakers slash the productionof inexpensive models to cater to customers who can afford oversized pickups and sport utility vehicles, buyers find themselves facing sticker shock at the same time they are already frustrated by the lingering effects of high inflation.

Consumer prices rose

3.3% in March, thebiggest yearly increase since May 2024, while new car prices were up 12.6% from ayear ago, the Labor Department reportedFriday Newvehicles now sell for an averageofnearly $50,000, up 30% in six years, and average monthly payments —based on 10% downand a6-year note recently hit $775. Looking for something on the cheap end? The share of vehicles listing for less than $30,000 is about 13% —down from 40% five years ago, per the car review site CarGurus. To cope, buyers are spreadingtheir payments out longer.Consumers choosing 7-year loans make up more than 12% of all sales, up from nearly 8% ayear ago, accordingto auto buying resource J.D. Power.Such contracts wind up costing more in the long run because of interest payments.

“The ability to buy transportation is still out there. The question is just,what do youget foryourmon-

—all add to thecost of avehicle. Automakers are requiredbyfederal industry rules to addsomefeatures, such as rear-view cameras

The COVID-19pandemic pushed up autopricesbecauseproductionfell, affecting boththe new and used markets. Though productionrecovered, other supply chain disruptions and tariffs have affected prices.Meanwhile, governmentdatashows that car insurance prices have soared 55% compared with sixyears ago, or just before the pandemic, driving up the number of Americans going without. Car repairs, on average, are 48% more expensive.

ityconcerns. In February Ford said it would have several vehiclesprices under $40,000 by the end of the decade. GM has pointed to vehicles from Buick and Chevrolet, including the Trax,ascheaper options.

Chesbrough thinks consumers are sometimes unrealistic in their wants.

“There are vehicles out there for less than $30,000. What everybody wants is themid-sizedSUV with leather seats and thesunroof for $25,000, andthat’s not available,” Chesbrough said.

Those buyers, he said, are being pushed into the used market.

average used vehicle sold for about $25,000 in February,and theaverageused monthly payments hit $560. The inventory of used carsisbeing hit by acouple of trends. One is thatconsumers keen to avoida big expense are hanging on to their cars longer —nearly 13 years on average now, 18 months longer than adecade ago, according to the BureauofTransportation Statistics.And adownturn in the popularity of leasing means fewer two- and three-year-old cars hitting the market after leases expire

ey?” Charlie Chesbrough, asenior economist at Cox Automotive,said. The rising cost of cars is contributing to increased concerns about affordability throughout American life. Consumers, especially young people, say they feel like everyday needs like housing, food, utilities and child care are getting costlier andwages aren’tkeeping up. It is avulnerable position for Republicans ahead of this year’smidterm elections,especially as the Iran war has pumped upgas pricesthatmakes getting behind thewheel even more expensive.

Sticker prices have been rising since automakers discovered Americans are willing to pay more for bigger,more expensiveSUVs and pickuptrucks that

bring thecompanies more profit from each sale. They have largely phased out smaller,cheaper sedans.

That is especially truefor domesticcarmakers; the average selling prices for many vehiclesfromFord Motor Co., General Motors and Jeep-maker Stellantishave generally trended higher than those for Asian companies Honda, Hyundai, Mazda and Subaru.

Car companies arealso savvy about placing desired options in more expensive trim levels that can lure consumers into avehicle that costs morethan they planned,saidDavid Undercoffler,the head of consumer insights at CarGurus.

Advanced safetytechnology —lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spotmonitoring, collision warnings andmore

The share of new car buyersearningbelow $100,000 fell to 37% last year,down from 50% in 2020, according to Cox Automotive.

Some carmakers have acknowledged affordabil-

But as those buyers shift to used, they are finding fewer affordable options there, too. Theshare of used vehicles priced less than $30,000fellfrom78% in 2021 to 69% in February, according to CarGurus. The

J.D. Power estimates that consumers might spend up to $140 less on alease payment thanthe average financecommitment, agood option especially for driverswhose annual mileage is predictable.But experts say there is still an affordability challenge

Tribal gas stations offer reprieve from high prices

BY MEAD GRUVER Associated Press

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Junelle Lewis

was on the hunt for a reprieve from Seattle-area gas prices driven high by the Iran war when an app on her phone gave her the answer: the Tulalip Reservation north of the city, almost half an hour from her home.

She didn’t hesitate.

“I purposely drove here just for the gas,” Lewis said while filling up her Chevrolet Suburban at the Tulalip Market this week for $4.84 a gallon — about 75 cents less than prices near home. “Gas is ridiculous. But I have found, honestly over the years, this gas station specifically is cheaper than a lot around here. Probably the cheapest.”

Lewis isn’t the only driver who has discovered that some of cheapest fuel can be found on Native American reservations.

Especially in California, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma and Washington state — places with dozens of tribally owned stations, including some in busy travel corridors — tribes exempt from state fuel taxes can sell for much less than competing stations nearby The drive to find bargains Apps such as Gas Buddy make finding the cheapest gas easier than ever

Nationwide, gasoline prices have risen by well over $1 since the Iran war began Feb. 28, reaching an average of $4.15 a gallon, according to AAA. Prices have been higher, topping $5 during the summer of 2022, but economists believe they will continue heading up and contribute to inflation in the weeks of ahead as geopolitical tension persists.

Deals are to be found, though, at many of the almost 500 tribally owned convenience stores with gas stations across the U.S.

Fifty-five are in California. At the Chukchansi Crossing Fuel Station & Travel Center between Fresno and Yosemite National Park, the $5.09 gas was 60 cents less than nearby stations.

New Mexico resident Jamie Cross usually finds savings on the Mescalero Apache Reservation, where gas was as low as $3.79 this week.

“I hope we don’t go any higher,”

Cross said Thursday

In eastern New York state, on Cattauragus Indian Territory between Buffalo and Erie, Pennsylvania, the cheapest gas was about $3.65 at more than half a dozen stations — 50 cents less than in towns nearby

A fuel tax escape

So how do tribes do it? Two words: tax exemptions.

Generally tribes must pay the federal fuel tax of 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline and 24.3 cents per gallon for diesel, and pass that cost along to drivers. State fuel taxes are a different matter

For well over a century, U.S courts have found that states don’t have authority to collect taxes from Native Americans on their land, said Dan Lewerenz, a University of North Dakota assistant law professor who specializes in Native American law.

“The Supreme Court consistently held to this view and it’s one of the most enduring principles in federal Indian law,” Lewerenz

said.

Federally recognized Native

American tribes are in 35 states with state gasoline taxes ranging from 9 cents per gallon in Alaska to 71 cents in California.

From there, things get complicated based on where the fuel is taxed — at fuel terminals, say, or when distributors buy or sell fuel — and depending on various agreements between states and tribes.

Court rulings come into play In 2005, the U.S Supreme Court ruled that off-reservation distributors in Kansas may charge state tax on sales to tribes for on-reservation fuel sales. But in 2019, the Supreme Court held that an 1855 treaty between the U.S. and the Yakama Nation that ensured the free travel of tribal members on roads with their goods prohibited state fuel taxes on tribal lands in Washington state.

“This is a little bit different than the principle that Indians aren’t taxed within Indian Country because this particular treaty reserved certain off-reservation

rights for the Indians as well,” Lewerenz said.

One way stores make money

Convenience store gas sales are not as profitable as bringing people inside from the pumps. Selling snacks adds profit. But tribal businesses are increasingly offering groceries in what otherwise would be “food deserts” far from grocery stores.

“Sometimes these gas stations and convenience stores are the nearest, best place to purchase affordable food or household supplies,” said Matthew Klas, with the Minneapolis-based consultant Klas Robinson Q.E.D. Klas does market research and consults for tribal businesses and tracks the 245 tribes nationwide that, as of 2025, operated 496 convenience stores with gas stations. Oklahoma, California, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Michigan and New York have the most. Some tribes, including the Choctaw Nation in Oklahoma and Oneida Indian Nation in New York, have their own

store chains. Drive-thru smoke shops, car washes and truck stop amenities also bring in revenue Then there are the casinos: 205 tribally owned gas stations are located at or near casinos.

Some tribal casinos are resorts with gas stations. Some tribal gas stations are casinos of a sort called “gasinos,” which only have a small number of gambling machines.

Tribally owned businesses are a major revenue generator for Native American reservations. On the Seattle area’s Tulalip Reservation, rising gas sales were being reinvested in the community helping to cover the cost of roads, police, health care, education, housing and other needs, Tulalip Tribes Federal Corporation CEO Tanya Burns said in a statement.

“Like any government, we provide critical services to our people,” Burns said.

It’s not just about savings

“It’s terrible,” Todd Hall of Paden, Oklahoma, said of diesel prices as he spent about $90 to fill up his tow truck at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation gas station about 30 miles west of Oklahoma City

But, he added: “They’re cheaper here than anywhere else.” Hall paid $4.57 per gallon for diesel, and said the price is over $5 at many locations in the area. Mark Foster said he saves about $5 a week buying fuel at the tribally owned gas station. But he’s a faithful customer because the tribe is a good community partner, he said.

“I like the way the tribe operates,” he said. “And

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By LINDSEy WASSON

Darryl Smith fuels up his truck after putting extra gasoline into cans at the Tulalip Market gas station Wednesday on the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Washington.

Mom fights for fair school dispute hearings

Q&A WITH CHRISTINA MARTIN

ADVOCATE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION

BY MARIE FAZIO

Staff writer

When Christina Martin’s 9-yearold daughter Vinaya was diagnosed with a rare neurodevelopmental disorder and autism as a toddler Martin was thrust into an unfamiliar world.

In the years since, the Kenner parent has spent countless hours navigating the complexities of special education and learning the ins and outs of federal and state disabilities law

But even for a parent as knowledgeable and engaged as Martin, making sure her daughter receives the services she needs to excel in school still feels like an uphill battle

“When you’re constantly having to advocate, question decisions and just fight to be heard,” Martin said in a recent interview, “you start to realize that the system isn’t really built for us.”

Now Martin and other advocates are trying, with the help of a state lawmaker, to make it easier for parents to take action when they believe schools aren’t meeting their children’s needs.

Under existing state law, parents can request a due process hearing before an administrative law judge if they feel a school has not followed their child’s special education plan. But parents must prove the school failed to properly educate their child — a high bar that few families clear Martin, who is going through the dispute resolution process

ASKING

with Jefferson Parish Schools where her daughter attends, said the deck is stacked against parents. So she and other advocates approached Rep. Alonzo Knox, D-New Orleans, who introduced House Bill 342 this legislative session to address their concerns.

The bill aims to shift the burden of proof in due process hearings from parents to schools, which would have to show that they provided the necessary services and support to students with disabilities.

The House Education Committee approved the bill Wednesday, sending it to the full House for a vote.

The bill “helps level the playing field for families, promotes transparency, and reinforces the importance of school systems maintaining accurate and complete” special education records, Knox said in a statement.

In a recent interview, Martin discussed her advocacy for students with disabilities and why she thinks the due process law needs to be changed.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity

What does advocacy look like for you?

My daughter was diagnosed with autism around 2 and with CTNNB1 syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, around 3.

I tried to research and connect with organizations because, like most families, it was unfamiliar territory As I learned more, I realized I could become an advocate not only for my child, but for other children

I’ve sat on boards and commissions and worked with our

statewide grassroots advocacy network (called Louisiana Council’s Advocacy Network) up at the Capitol. I’m involved in a lot of different initiatives that support independent living and safety and inclusivity for people with disabilities.

Can you explain how the dispute resolution process works?

Right now the burden of proof is on families. That means that we have to prove that the school failed our child.

But the school has all of the data, the evaluations, the staff to do this legally with our taxpayer dollars. They have all the documentation and they do not offer those records to families as openly as they should.

Families are trying to prove something wasn’t done or wasn’t appropriate. That’s really hard to prove when you’re going up against an entire school district, especially if you don’t have the money for legal representation. That imbalance puts families at a serious disadvantage, and it’s one of the biggest reasons, I think, why the system feels so overwhelming for kids and families who have students in special education.

Why do you think the law should be changed?

In my experience, it’s been a constant uphill battle.

Even when you know your child’s needs, you’re often put into this position where you have to understand laws, gather evidence if necessary, challenge professionals who already have those resources available to them and more knowledge of the systems

in which you’re working within.

They also have full access to your child’s records.

It’s an exhausting process, if I’m being honest. And for many families, it’s probably not sustainable.

What does it look like in other states?

Most states do place the burden on families, but New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have all shifted the burden of proof to school districts.

I believe there’s a growing movement across the country to make this change, so I don’t think Louisiana would be doing something radical or out of the ordinary It would just be catching up to states who’ve already

recognized this imbalance and fixed it. It would make the system more equitable.

What else should readers know?

Being a special needs parent means becoming an advocate, whether you’re ready or not. You have to learn laws, attend meetings, track services and constantly push to make sure that your child gets what they deserve. Families shouldn’t have to fight this hard just to access an appropriate education. At the end of the day it isn’t just about policies and laws. It’s about real kids who have equal rights to education, like everyone else,

PROVIDED PHOTO

Christina Martin and her daughter, Vinaya

LOUISIANAPOLITICS

Johnson, Scalisefacea long,difficult to-dolist

WASHINGTON —U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and House MajorityLeader Steve Scalise return to Capitol Hill Monday afternoon after atwo-week Easter break with along list of “mustpass” legislation —and an even longer list of hurdles, including the possibility that long linesatthe airports will return soon

The House and Senate have to fund the U.S. Department of HomelandSecurity to end ashutdown that hits its 60th day Wednesday.

GOP majority leadership, with the blessingof President Donald Trump, has astrategytoget around Democrats’ oppositiontofully funding Immigration &Customs Enforcement and Customs &Border Protection,two agencies under Homeland Security But that plan faces steep hurdles. Johnson, R-Benton, and Scalise, R-Jefferson, can’tafford to lose more than twoRepublicans on anumber of party-line votes required by the budget reconciliation procedure. Already,the right-wing Freedom Caucus is demandingto knowhow the government is going to paythe $86billion, three-yearcost, knowing that some of the offsets will tee off moderate Republicans.

Trump wants HomelandSecurity fixed by June 1.

Meanwhile, Johnson andScalise also have to move other controversial legislation that could bleed over into theeffort to fund Homeland Security

The surveillancepowers detailed in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, called FISA, are set to expire April 20. The reauthorizationbill keepsbeing put offbecause some GOP members are demanding reforms.

And the ban on Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood, soughtbyantiabortion members, expires July 4unless legislativelyrenewed, which also could fray feelings.

That doesn’tcount the looming $200 billion ask to replenisharmaments used against Iran. Nor does it includeTrump’s demand that Congress pass legislationrequiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote.

Push to end inspection stickersadvances

The push to get rid of vehicle inspection stickers across most of Louisiana has made it halfway through the Louisiana Legislature.

House Bill 1085, sponsored by Rep. Larry Bagley,R-Stonewall, would end state-mandated safety and emissions testing. Instead, drivers would need to get a sticker with aQR code that would allow police to quickly scan informationabout the registration, make, model, and VIN. The bill passed the House on an 86-7 vote on Wednesday

The new sticker wouldcost $6 a year.For example, someonewho renews avehicleregistration every two years would pay $12 and someonewho renews every four years would pay $24. Even if the bill passes,some parts of the state would still need to get inspections for other reasons. New Orleans, Kenner and Westwego all have their own local inspection requirements, and East Baton Rouge Parish and surrounding parishes must get

TSAand ICE

Perhaps thebiggest hurdle is theimminent return of airport passengers waiting three to four hours to clear security.

Formore than two months, Democrats refused to agree to fund HomelandSecurity until stricter standards are placed on ICE and CBP agents charged with rounding up immigrantswho may have entered thecountry without proper documentation. The issuebecamemore salient after officers killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis.

Therefusal to fund HomelandSecurity left ancillary agencies like the Transportation Security Administration and the FederalEmergency Management Agency withoutmoney to pay employees who had no choice but to work. Unpaid TSA officers began quitting,calling in sick or otherwise not showing for work and causing airport security lines to shut down.

Those long lines relaxed after Trump’s March 27 order that HomelandSecuritydivert some of its money on hand to pay TSA.

But that is atemporary solution —one that could start ending this weekend for

emissionsinspections because of afederal order

Gov.Jeff Landry called for eliminating inspection stickers in his “State of the State” address to kick off thelegislativesession. After the bill passed the House on Wednesday,he celebrated on social media. “Great newsfrom the housefloor this afternoon!” thegovernor wroteonX “Weare onestep closer to eliminating the inspection sticker!”

‘Smartglasses’ recording bill passes

Abill that aimstostop people from surreptitiously recording conversations with devices like “smartglasses” has passed the Louisiana House.

House Bill 410, by Rep. Laurie Schlegel, R-Metairie, would require someone who is recording adirect conversation to disclose that they are doing so. Those who don’t could besued Louisiana would remain a“onepartyconsent” state, meaning a person recording does not have to getpermission to do so. But

someHomeland Security employees, according to aDHS memo. Trump’s order

thebill would require the person recording to notify others in the conversation. The bill’ssupporters argue it would address growing kinds of online harassment.For example, so-called “manfluencers” use theglasses to record interactions with women, then post thevideos on social media.

HB410 passed the House along bipartisan lines; mostwho voted against it were Republicans. Opponentsfeared it would limit First Amendment rightsand could stop people, including journalists, from exposing wrongdoing.

“I have deep concern about the infringement upon our liberty,” said stateRep.Chuck Owen,RRosepine, who voted against the bill but acknowledged the issue was complex. “None of us ever envisioned AI. None of us ever envisioned glasses that can record.”

Critics have also said the proposal could stop abuse victims from gathering evidence against perpetrators; Schlegel included exemptions in thebill that she says would pre-

vent that.

covered full salaries and back pay forthe missed pay periods between Feb. 14 and April 4.

“Any additional compensation owed to you will be paid once DHSfunding is restored. At this time, do not submit timecards forpay period 7(which began April 5) until further guidance is provided,” DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin wrote in his memo. “Weremain hopeful that Congress will fund the Department and allow us to reopen soon and get everyone back to work.”

Though the Democratic position has sympathy among someRepublicans, a lot moreconservatives have balked at establishing guidelines, arguing that those restrictions would cripple the Trumpadministration’sefforts to deport illegal immigrants.

Negotiations have, so far, failed.

And the situation becamemore fraught Tuesday with aletter U.S. Rep. Troy Carter,D-New Orleans, co-authored with two senators andanother representative

Raisinganother issuewith Trump’sdeportation efforts, the 30 Democrats signing the letter demanded an investigation into the practice of deporting immigrants to third countries where the deportees have no connections because the authorities deemed their homeland to be too dangerous. Afederal court ruled Feb. 25 that “third country removals” are illegal. The Trumpadministration has cut deals with 27 countries “to receive nonnationals deported from the United States,” the letter states. The signers want areport that includes the identities of the countries agreeing to take U.S. deportees, how many have been sent to third countries, and how much all this is expected to cost. Estimates are around $40 million.

But Democrats also are feeling pressure to fund Homeland Security,Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., told “Fox News Sunday.” “The clock is ticking because we’ve got the World Cup coming, and we need FEMA and other security agencies funded for that,” he said.

Email Mark Ballard at mballard@ theadvocate.com.

The bill passed Thursday in theHouse on a54-34 vote. It now heads to theSenate.

State creates rural health office

Louisiana has created anew

Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability that will oversee morethan $208 million that the federal government is giving Louisiana to improve healthcare access forrural communities.

“For too long, rural communities have faced barriers to accessing care,” Gov.Jeff Landry said in anews release after signing an executive order to create the office.

“Today,weare taking decisive action to strengthen those systems so that every Louisianan has access to high-quality,reliable care close to home.”

Almost1.1 million people live in rural Louisiana parishes, the news release said. They face higher rates of chronicdisease and have aharder time finding and seeing adoctor.The providers that do exist in those areas face huge hurdles to hiring enough doctors and nurses.

The new office will oversee efforts to recruit health care workers to rural areas, modern-

ize technology,and improve coordination among health care services, among other work, the release said.

“Weare ensuring that aresident in Tensas or Cameron Parish receives the samecaliber of preventive and emergency care as someone in the heart of New Orleans, making high-quality health care alocal reality,not a long-distance journey,” said Louisiana Surgeon General Dr.Evelyn Griffin.

Registration deadlines near for election

The deadlines to register to vote or change party affiliation before the May 16 election are approaching soon.

The deadline to register in person, by mailoratanOMV office is Wednesday,April 15.

The deadline to register online at geauxvote.com is April 25.

Party registration is particularly important this year because of the state’snew closed primary elections.

Voters whoare registered to a party can only vote in that party’s primary; voters whoare registered as “no party” can vote in the elections forone party of their choice.

Early voting is May 2-9, excluding Sunday,May 3.

Capitol Buzz STAFF REPORTS

Mark Ballard

Bagley

Owen

Schlegel

STAFF FILEPHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

Travelerswait in line at Louis Armstrong NewOrleans International AirportinKenner on March 23.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

Speakerofthe House MikeJohnson, R-Benton, left, and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson

THE GULF COAST

Paid parking expanding in popular destinations

But lots fuel frustration, debate among residents, tourists

BY MARTHA SANCHEZ Staff writer

On Florida’s gleaming coastline, just up the road from the beach, Mike Cover is worried about his restaurant’s parking lot

He suspects tourists are using it now that Walton County, home to Scenic Highway 30A, is charging them $5 an hour to park in spots closer to the waves

“Nobody likes it,” Cover said of the new paid parking program, which began this month. “All it does is push people to places where they’re not paying to park.”

His frustration reflects a growing challenge across the Gulf Coast, where a surge of tourists and newcomers are crowding parking lots and prompting beach towns to start charging for spaces.

It is also a sign of how local governments across the region are trying to harness tourism’s economic benefits without upsetting wary locals.

In Walton County, leaders sought compromise: Locals can buy an annual parking permit for $5, and revenue from the program will fund county operations. The area’s visitors often come from large cities, including New Orleans and Atlanta.

“Paid parking is not necessarily a foreign concept,” said Matt Algarin, Walton County’s tourism director. “I don’t think that it will be a shock to people.”

The idea is catching on across the region.

Leaders in Okaloosa County, Florida, near Destin and Fort Walton Beach, are considering a new system that would require noncounty residents to pay for parking at beaches and boat ramps.

In Alabama, Gulf State Park

beach recently increased daily parking passes from $10 to $15 and annual passes from $100 to $200.

City leaders converted 300 parking spaces from free to paid two years ago in the middle of downtown Pensacola, Florida. Paid lots also began spreading several years ago in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, despite protests from some locals who still refuse to visit downtown on weekends because of how hard it is to find a parking spot. Most of them are concentrated in a few blocks of downtown — near restaurants, shops and the beach — and fill up on weekends. There’s also a free parking garage a block away from the wa-

terfront stretch of the Bay but the city-run lot will sometimes close for private events on busy tourism days.

County governments say the paid parking systems benefit beach communities because they use tourist dollars to pay for infrastructure improvements without raising locals’ taxes. Paid parking programs also give local leaders data about how often visitors use beaches, boat ramps and parks, and what months the amenities are most busy

Privately owned parking lots have been turning up around the Gulf Coast, too.

“You have an influx of people from out of town coming in that are willing to pay,” said Jordan

Bradford, the City Council president in Bay St. Louis. Several lots in the city are owned by Premium Parking, a New Orleans-based company that has expanded across the country

“Somebody saw that market and decided to capitalize on it,” Bradford said.

Demand for parking

The pay-to-park systems create mixed feelings in beach communities.

In Okaloosa County, leaders said many residents are asking questions about how the idea would work but have not rallied against it in large numbers. But many Bay St. Louis locals were upset several years ago when the parking lots

they often used for free began charging a few dollars an hour

Demand for parking has not slowed since.

“People use the hell out of them,” said Thomas Genin, a Bay St. Louis restaurant owner whose customers often complain of too little parking, said of the private lots.

“People will just go in and pay now because they’re not going to drive around for 30 minutes trying to park.”

Some beach destinations intend to use the new parking revenue to expand and improve existing lots.

Trey Goodwin, chairman of Okaloosa County’s board of commissioners, said surging demand in recent years has outpaced what most lots can accommodate.

“That difference, where you’ve got more demand than capacity, is really driving this concept of generating additional revenue,” he said. “This just represents a logical next step in how to capture those outside dollars to make our product and our community even better.”

Local governments are now spreading the word about new parking rules to visitors and residents. The tourism office in Walton County is working with hotels to alert guests of the new fees. Bay St. Louis leaders say they are working to end overnight parking as one step to solve the dilemma of packed lots.

The community also has a free, city-owned parking garage a few blocks away from its main stretch of restaurants. Still, locals say the garage is little-known and underused.

Cover is the manager at AJ’s Grayton Beach, a seafood restaurant nestled between palm trees just off 30A. Now, he said he fears the new rules will “turn us into Destin,” where

Cover

STAFF PHOTO By JUSTIN MITCHELL

Paid parking lots began spreading several years ago in Bay St. Louis, Miss., a popular destination for Louisiana tourists.

Peru election highlights illegal mining challenges

Environmental

crisis is growing

BY STEVEN GRATTAN Associated Press

BOGOTA,Colombia Peruvians head to the polls Sunday to elect a new president and Congress, but illegal mining a major driver of deforestation and mercury pollution — has received little attention on the campaign trail, even as it spreads deeper into the Amazon and Indigenous territories.

Experts warn the gap reflects a broader failure to confront what has become the country’s largest illicit economy, with growing impacts on the environment, public health and Indigenous communities.

“Political parties don’t understand that illegal mining has become the country’s main criminal activity and the one that moves the most money,” said environmental lawyer César Ipenza. “There is either ignorance about what this represents for the country — or, in some cases, parties are already part of this economy.”

According to projections by the Peruvian Institute of Economics, illegal mining generated more than $11.5 billion in 2025 and over 100 tons of gold exports — rivaling the formal sector and surpassing drug trafficking

Some candidates’ proposals, including former ministers and technocratic candidates such as Jorge Nieto and Alfonso López Chau, include measures such as gold traceability, financial intelligence and protections for environmental defenders, but these remain fragmented and fall short of a comprehensive strategy Others — including candidates from influential conservative and populist parties, such as Keiko Fujimori, Rafael López Aliaga and César Acuña — focus on security, economic growth or extractive development without directly addressing illegal mining or its links to corruption and territorial control in the Amazon.

In some cases — including those of Ricardo Belmont and Carlos Álvarez, both media figures turned political candidates — plans omit the issue entirely.

“Illegal mining and illicit economies are not being prioritized in government plans,” said Magaly Ávila, director of environmental governance at Proetica, a Peruvian anti-corruption group, noting that around 64% of party platforms fail to meaningfully address the issue, while only about 5% do so “clearly and explicitly.”

A March analysis by Peru’s Observatory of Illegal Mining reinforces those concerns, finding that only 12 of 36 registered political parties present specific proposals, while others offer only general statements without concrete measures or do not

address the issue at all.

Shortcomings of past plans

Peruvian authorities have previously announced operations and strategies to combat illegal mining, though experts say enforcement remains limited. The Associated Press contacted several government entities for comment on the issue of illegal mining and Indigenous protections but did not receive a response by the time of publication

Peruvian lawmakers have repeatedly extended a temporary registry that allows informal miners to continue operating while seeking formalization, a system critics say has been widely abused and has helped illegal mining expand.

At the same time, recent legislative changes have undermined the capacity of prosecutors and judges to pursue organized crime, including illegal mining networks, according to rights groups.

Analysts say the measures reflect political pressure from small-scale miners, who have staged protests to demand looser regulations, complicating efforts to tighten enforcement

The protests appear highly organized, suggesting the involvement of more powerful actors behind the scenes, said Julia Urrunaga, Peru program director at the Environmental Investigation Agency

Soaring gold prices

Illegal mining has grown rapidly in recent years, fueled by soaring gold prices, which have climbed to

around $4,500 to $5,000 per ounce — making even small amounts of gold highly valuable. Once concentrated in regions such as Madre de Dios, the activity has spread into other parts of the Amazon and beyond.

“The price of gold has reached historic highs, and that has obviously driven illegal mining to expand,” Ipenza said. “The state does not have the capacity to respond or pursue this activity.”

Illegal mining operations often rely on mercury to extract gold, contaminating rivers and entering the food chain through fish.

“In Amazonian river communities, between 50% and 70% of the diet is fish,” said Mariano Castro, Peru’s former vice minister of environment “So exposure increases exponentially, and mercury is highly toxic with serious neurological impacts.”

Environmental and health experts warn contamination in some regions already exceeds safety standards, posing long-term risks.

Expected expansion throughout the Amazon “will bring contamination, transnational criminal groups and direct impacts on Indigenous and local populations,” Ipenza said.

Illegal mining already “puts at risk our health, biodiversity and ways of life,” said Tabea Casique, a board member of AIDESEP, Peru’s largest Indigenous organization.

“Most political parties are not taking this problem into account or presenting concrete proposals,” she said.

Weak enforcement

Former vice minister Castro called state efforts “insufficient” and said lawmakers have also weakened legal tools to prosecute illegal mining, including reducing penalties and limiting the ability to treat such operations as organized crime.

Gaps in oversight allow illegally mined gold to enter legal supply chains, often through processing plants where it is laundered.

Ipenza called for the government to better control

small-scale processing plants and for stronger coordination across government agencies — including customs, financial intelligence units and prosecutors — to track gold flows and identify illegal activity

Analysts say weak traceability systems are a central vulnerability

“There is no real way to trace mining production in Peru,” said EIA’s Urrunaga “Authorities hold fragmented pieces of information, but there is no system — and apparently no political will — to connect them.”

“We are talking about more than $12 billion in illegal gold exports,” she added. “How can this be happening in almost total impunity?” Experts warn that failing to act will make the problem harder to contain. The next government will face growing pressure to confront a crisis that they say is already spiraling.

“Authorities cannot fulfill their responsibility to protect citizens if they continue to normalize an activity that causes significant harm,” Castro said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By RODRIGO ABD

Deforestation is visible from illegal gold mining in the Madre de Dios province of Peru’s Amazon. According to projections by the Peruvian Institute of Economics, illegal mining generated more than $11.5 billion in 2025 and over 100 tons of gold exports — rivaling the formal sector and surpassing drug trafficking

Historic droughtthreatens Ethiopia’s myrrhindustry

Tree is keyto luxury perfumes andAfrican incomes

BY JULIANNEGAURON Associated Press

AFCADDE, Ethiopia The critical note in some of the world’s most well-known perfumes is myrrh, atree resin from the Horn of Africa that is under pressure from what expertssay has been ahistoric drought.

Threatened by the lackof water and nibbled by starving livestock, the trees that once formed adense forest in the Somali region of Ethiopia are in danger,locals say Earlier thisyear,researchers supported by the American Herbal Products Association, atrade group, and BornGlobal, anonprofit, visited asource of the prized resin that makes its way to global markets from some of the most vulnerable places on earth.

Their goal was to ensure that those who harvest the resin get more of the direct profits instead of middlemenalong theopaquesupply chain. Ethiopia is amajor source of myrrh, whichhas been used in beauty,health and religious practices since at least ancient Egypt. Traditional harvestinginthe region has not changed, which helps to protect the trees and producesthe highest quality resin.

Myrrh’shand-harvested nature raises its price, but those doing the work see little of the profit. Collect-

Members of aresearch team

pieces of

ASSOCIATED

hauling water for themselves and their livestock. Herders travel over the parched, cracked earth as faras125 miles to Sanqotor village, which has arare wellwith water

ing2.2

poundsof theresin brings as little as $3.50 and as much as $10.

That’s farfromthe prices for the perfumes it helps to create, whichare marketed by well-known fashionbrands like TomFord, Comme des Garconsand Jo Malone, and sold at prices as high as $500abottle.

Meanwhile, curiosity aboutmyrrh’s otherpotential uses is growingwith increased global interest in naturalremedies Fornow,most myrrh from this part of eastern Ethiopiaispurchased by traders from neighboring Somalia. Ethiopia collects no taxes on the goods.

Local residents hope more visibility will help themas the climate crisis threatens their waysoflife.

“They expressed hope that adirect market would enable them to secure better prices, ensuring sustainable livelihoods,” said Abdinasir Abdikadir Aweys, senior

researcher withthe Somali Regional Pastoral andAgroPastoral Research Institute and amember of the research team

The researchers wereled by AnjanetteDeCarlo, an expert in sustainable supply chains and resins at the UniversityofVermont, and StephenJohnson, resin expert and owner of FairSource Botanicals.Theyfound thatcommunities practice traditional harvesting by collecting resin from trees’ naturally occurring wounds instead of by making intentional cuts,which makes trees morevulnerable to pestsand disease.

“Traditionalpractice is in balanceand protects trees. It should be celebrated,” DeCarlo said.

But the drought worried the team.The annual rains have been failingoverthe past severalyears, interruptedin2023 by devastating flooding.

The arid regionhas long seen droughts, but this one has been historic. Experts have blamed the changing climate.

Myrrh harvesting is threatened.While adult trees aregenerally healthy they are producing less resin. And fewer young trees are surviving.

“Unfortunately,many seedlings areuprooted by children who graze their livestock nearby,and the animals often eatthe buds of the young trees,” said a local elder,Mohamed OsmanMiyir,adding: “Weare deeply worried aboutthe decliningpopulationofmyrrh trees.”

Without proper rain, other

young trees are likely to fail. DeCarlo worried that eventually even the adult trees will die. Villagers’ days arespent

“Guests water animals first, then the villagers,” said local headman AliMohamed, watching hundreds of livestock crowd around the well. But not everyone has livestock —the poorest residents rely solely on tree resin like myrrh for their survival.

PRESS PHOTOSByJULIANNE GAURON

Stephen Johnson, right,and Sam Osborn measure a Commiphora myrrha treeduring what is called ecological transects,measuring aquadrant, counting the number of trees,measuring their trunk, crowns, as well as health, in Dharaaye,Ethiopia.

hold

naturally exudated resin from myrrh, locally called suhul which is extremely high quality andfragrant, in Afcadde, Ethiopia.

An example of text from the Quran, written on awooden tablet with myrrh ink

Myrrh burns in atraditional clayvessel in ahome to ward offbugs, snakes and to fumigate.

Dahir yousef Abdi, guide from the Somali Region Pastoral and Agro-pastoral Research Institute, demonstrates ink made from myrrh.

mate Ev arsal Din Wedding

FINE TUNE

Presbyterian church celebrates new pipe organ after 5-year installation

BY BOB WARREN Staff writer

Steven Blackmon’s fingers danced across the organ keys as he joyfully played a snippet of CharlesMarie Widor’s “Toccata,” whose powerful but melodic notes floated through St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church in New Orleans on an otherwise quiet Wednesday afternoon.

The piece, composed in the late 19th century as part of the French composer’s “Symphony for Organ No. 5,” is mostly heard at weddings. The joy it brings Blackmon was momentarily transcendent, and he felt 15 again, attending a wedding back in the church in wn.

“I was absolutely entranced,” Blackmon recalled Now, at 72, he feels just like the kid who first fell in love with that sound “It’s like I’m in a dream.”

St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian, where Blackmon has been the organist and musical director for almost 40 years, is in the final stages of installing and tuning a massive new pipe organ, a roughly $2.75 million endeavor that was years in the making.

“The desire was to have

an organ that was built for this space,” said the Rev Chris Currie, the Uptown church’s senior pastor “But we had to do it in a way that was not a burden to the budget. People have been very generous.” Money for the project came from donations and gifts.

Buying and installing a new pipe organ this large isn’t as easy as heading to the music store, plinking a few keys and saying, “This one, please.”

There aren’t a lot of companies that make and install them, Blackmon said.

Létourneau Pipe Organs, in Quebec, Canada got the job, kicking off a yearslong process that included a multitude of steps between signing a contract in early 2021 and now hearing the

music waft through the sanctuary

“You sign the contract, then you wait years,” Blackmon said.

Tailoring the pipe organ to the church started with months of site visits and discussions, along with other prep work.

Andrew Forrest, Létourneau’s president and artistic director, said such “instruments,” as he calls them, are built according to the size, shape and acoustics of the space they will occupy This is no one-size-fits-all operation.

After Létourneau’s crew determined what St. Charles Presbyterian needed, the organ was assembled in Canada, in the company’s shop, where it

was tested. Then, it was disassembled, loaded onto a 53-foot trailer and trucked to New Orleans in two deliveries, one in the spring of 2025 and the other last fall.

Forrest and other Létourneau technicians arrived alongside it and have spent months in New Orleans during the installation and subsequent testing process called “voicing,” during which the pipes are shaped and manipulated to guarantee the sound quality

“We build it and listened to all the pipes in the shop before we came down here,” Forrest said. “Then we come here and do it again.”

The organ, named “opus 138,” is Létourneau’s 138th

ä See TUNE, page 2B

Community mourns N.O. man killed in crossfire

Marigny second-line honors father, Marine veteran

BY MISSY WILKINSON Staff writer

Hundreds of people gathered Saturday evening at a Marigny microbrewery to second-line for Michael Garcia, a beloved father and Marine veteran killed in crossfire during a gun battle Tuesday in St. Claude.

Featuring a 12-piece brass band, bubble machines and floats from a cross-section of Mardi Gras krewes, the parade was as colorful and larger-than-life as Garcia himself, loved ones said.

“This individual touched the lives of thousands of people in New Orleans,” said Stephen Tont, a tom player in a hastily assembled band nicknamed the “Dirty Michael Dozen.” It wound through the Marigny to the Mississippi River and sent Garcia off with a rendition of “You Are My Sunshine.”

After retiring from the military, Garcia went to work at brewpubs, boiling crawfish and establishing himself as a fixture in the local Burning Man community and several krewes, including Krewe de Lune and the Space Vikings.

“He was crazy helpful, super generous and irreplaceable,” said Matt Tyler, who organized the second-line.

New Orleans police said Garcia, 41, was struck in the head while driving his gray Jeep at North Claiborne Avenue and Desire Street after gunfire erupted around 5 p.m. Tuesday

According to an arrest affidavit, a group of men opened fire on a man in a blue Nissan Maxima, who crashed into Garcia’s Jeep while trying to flee. The driver ran from the scene, and the assailants fled in a red vehicle, police said. Investigators say a third person, Terrence Leavell, 48, was also involved. Leavell, the Nissan driver’s uncle, told police he fired his handgun at the group to protect his nephew but said he did not know the individuals and was unsure whether he hit anyone. Leavell was booked Tuesday on suspicion of manslaughter

Garcia’s loved ones said the outpouring of support reflects the community he built during his life.

Last year, Garcia won the “Best in Show” award at the Human Horse Races, an animal-friendly alternative to the Thanksgiving races where humans dress as equines It wasn’t because he had the best costume, founder Ingrid Anderson said. “We vote by a decibel system. Whoever gets the loudest cheers wins,” Anderson said. “He has an amazing community and that’s why he won. He captured everyone’s heart.”

Cowboys, rodeo fans show up big in New Orleans

Hondo Rodeo

Fest ropes in large crowd at the Dome

BY DOUG MacCASH Staff writer

The dress code was widebrimmed hats and narrowtoed boots at the Caesars Superdome on Friday, the opening day of the Hondo Rodeo Festival that combined championship roping and riding with rockin’ concerts. The vibe was festive, exciting and patriotic, with a touch of piety The Hondo Rodeo Fest was an all-day affair A food, craft and fashion fair with live music took place in Champions Square. In the center of it all was a mini rodeo arena where children were periodically allowed to ride sheep At 4 p.m. the ever enlarging crowd was allowed to enter the Dome, where the party would proceed until almost midnight. After the singing of the

national anthem, opening prayer and the ignition of a flaming Hondo Rodeo logo on the Dome’s dirt-covered floor, the first action of the day was a contest among select riders from the Angola Prison Rodeo, held in the forbidding penitentiary in West Feliciana Parish. The visiting inmates, clad in padded vests and crash helmets, took turns attempting to stay put on wildly bucking broncos, though gravity always prevailed in the end. Their part of the show concluded with something

called “convict pinball,” in which the inmates tested their nerve by standing inside of hula-hoops placed on the dirt as a fighting bull charged toward them. Sometimes the bull flipped the incarcerated cowboys off their feet and into the air or trampled them under its hooves.

The Hondo Rodeo proper is an all-star event, with $1 million in prize money awarded over the course of the weekend. The very first

Steven Blackmon plays the new pipe organ recently at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church.

STAFF PHOTOS By BRETT DUKE

Keith Johnston voices pipes at St Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church on March 4.

STAFF PHOTO By MISSy WILKINSON Hundreds gather for a second-line celebrating Michael Garcia on Saturday.

STAFF PHOTO By STEPHEN LEW

A rider holds onto a bucking horse during the Hondo Rodeo Fest 2026 at the Caesars Superdome on Friday

Fun festival turns chaotic

Bystanders recalled hearing the engine rev before the vehicle surged forward into the crowd, overturning a golf cart and striking paradegoers near the intersection of Savannakhet Street and Melancon Road.

a general idea of what we had,” Need said. “How many patients, how big the area was before we could really start assigning resources.”

Fire crews quickly briefed him on what they were seeing.

TUNE

Continued from page 1B

BY JA’KORI MADISON Staff writer

The Lao New Year festival, a celebration of culture, music and community, filled the streets of a tiny Iberia Parish community over the first weekend in April.

But what began as a lighthearted celebration filled with traditional Lao dishes, vendors selling bamboo crafts, handmade jewelry and dancing along the parade route quickly turned into a scene of chaos.

Within hours of the parade starting, Devin Eschette, who traveled from Baton Rouge to attend the festival with friends, recalls a moment he’ll never forget: A vehicle barreled into a crowded parade route, sending people scattering and leaving more than a dozen injured.

“Everybody was having a good time. Everybody was pretty much just hanging out,” Eschette said. He said he briefly noticed a man, who later would be identified as Todd Landry, standing near a parked vehicle along the route, but nothing about it seemed unusual.

It was Eschette’s first time attending the festival, and he continued taking in the scene, describing it as a relaxed, festive atmosphere.

Families lined the narrow Savannakhet Street as parade groups moved steadily forward, performing dances and skits. The festival, centered around the Wat Tammarattanaram Buddhist Temple, is one of the largest Lao New Year celebrations in the country It is known as a place where generations gather to reconnect with family and preserve cultural roots.

The temple itself, standing prominently among the rural Louisiana landscape, has served as the heart of the celebration for about a decade.

While Lao New Year is traditionally observed in mid-April, the Iberia Parish community holds its festival on Easter weekend, drawing visitors from across the state.

Another attendee, Wendy Hebert, said she and others had just repositioned themselves along the route after watching part of the parade near the temple. They walked down Savannakhet Street to meet friends and stopped near the edge of the road.

At roughly 2:30 p.m., the calm was shattered.

Authorities say Landry, 57, of Jeanerette, got into his blue muscle car just before 2:30 p.m.

RODEO

Continued from page 1B

pro rider in the whole shebang was Kade Sonnier, of Carencro, whose specialty is bareback riding On Friday, Sonnier was spat suddenly from a ringside pen, clinging to a horse with extreme anger management issues, without benefit of a saddle. For the next 8.43 seconds, Sonnier was thrashed around like a rag doll in a clothes dryer until the horse’s temper cooled.

Rodeo riders are considered athletes, and rightfully so In a pre-rodeo interview, Sonnier said he works out five days per week to stay “generally strong.” Asked what it’s like to be thrown from a horse, Sonnier laugh-

Investigators said Landry showed signs of impairment and later recorded a blood-alcohol level of 0.137%, well above the legal limit. He was arrested and booked on charges including driving while impaired, first-degree negligent injuring, careless operation and having an open container

Witnesses said there was little warning. “We were standing on the edge of the street when all of a sudden he just comes barreling in and running over people,” Hebert said.

“A couple people got thrown

He hit the golf cart and drove it all the way through,” Eschette added.

“There were about 20 people between the golf cart and the next float.”

For many witnesses, the presence of children made the scene especially difficult.

“Nobody wants to watch a kid get thrown,” Eschette said, recalling a young girl screaming for her grandmother in the chaos.

The vehicle continued through the crowd before coming to a stop in a ditch according to witnesses. In the immediate aftermath, panic spread through the area.

Some people ran away. Others ran toward the injured.

“You got two types of people: the ones that run and the ones that fix the problem,” Eschette said. “I went to help where I can.”

Eschette said bystanders quickly stepped in, joining in pulling victims from beneath the vehicle and assisting those who were hurt.

As witnesses called 911, emergency crews began to mobilize.

According to Acadian Ambulance, the call came in at 2:40 p.m., prompting an initial deployment of seven ambulances and one helicopter. As the first unit arrived and assessed the severity, additional resources were requested, bringing the total response to 14 ambulances and two helicopters.

Multiple agencies responded, including local fire departments, sheriff’s deputies and police departments from surrounding areas, forming a coordinated, large-scale emergency effort.

Paramedic John Need, a nearly 17year veteran based in New Iberia, was among the first to arrive, reaching the scene in about 15 minutes and assuming incident command.

“When I first got there, I had to get

ingly said, “I don’t know. I try not to do it very often.” Sonnier said he believes he’s got the best job in the world, “making a really good living and living a little boy’s dream.”

In the bareback riding event, the horses known as equine athletes — dole out the punishment on the humans. But in the calf roping contest, the humans get their revenge by chasing down and tackling young cows on the Dome floor like Demario Davis tackles scrambling quarterbacks — apologies to Saints fans for the reminder On Friday, Shane Hanchey, of Sulphur, tied Texan Riley Webb for first place in the calf roping contest with an astonishing time of 7.34 seconds In an interview earlier in the day Hanchey said he

“From there, we worked to establish a central area and figure out how many patients we had and how severe their injuries were,” he said.

Videos from the scene showed multiple victims on the ground and at least one person trapped beneath Landry’s vehicle. An Iberia Parish sheriff’s deputy was seen pulling Landry from the car while the victim remained underneath.

First responders used a color-coded triage system to prioritize care, which identified those with minor injuries, those who needed urgent treatment and those in critical condition.

“We call out to the walking wounded first,” Need said. “If they can move and follow commands we group them together Then we assess the others based on severity and who needs help immediately and who can wait.”

Ultimately 13 patients were transported by Acadian Ambulance crews, 11 by ground and two by air, while others may have gone to hospitals in private vehicles.

Despite the urgency of the moment, he said, responders are trained to compartmentalize.

“You kind of switch off the emotional side while you’re working,” Need said. “It’s usually after everything is done that it really hits you.”

At least 18 people were injured, according to Louisiana State Police.

A spokesperson for Ochsner Lafayette General said seven patients were brought to their facility Three were treated and released the same day while four remained hospitalized.

Even as emergency crews cleared the scene, the emotional weight lingered among those who witnessed it.

“It’s just been really terrible and sad,” said Phanat Xanamane, a festival volunteer “We’re very tight-knit, and so it’s been difficult having to wait to hear information about those that were injured. We never anticipated a tragedy like this.”

In the wake of the crash, organizers canceled portions of Saturday’s events and halted alcohol sales. By the next day, parts of the festival resumed in a quieter atmosphere.

For many, the sudden shift from celebration to catastrophe is still hard to grasp.

“Such a tragedy that this had to happen,” Hebert said. “I pray for everyone involved.”

has his own private rodeo arena where he practices roping daily “Everything is repetition,” he said. “The more you do it, the better you become at it.”

During the opening day rodeo, many an athlete performed on home turf. In the ladies breakaway roping contest, Louisianan Josie Conner placed first and Louisianan Cheyanne McCartney placed second. And in the bull riding category, three of the eight bovinebattered contestants came from the Bayou State.

Audience member Josh Gardner said that bull riding is everybody’s favorite event, because “it’s the most exciting.” He and his wife had driven from Pass Christian, Mississippi, for the Hondo Rodeo Festival. He said he thought it was

since its 1979 founding and its first in Louisiana. website now says it has completed 143 organs around the globe. As Forrest spoke, two other Létourneau employees, Michel Godbout and Keith Johnston, worked through the tedious process of voicing the organ’s pipes — all 4,432 of them.

Though the organ includes myriad computer components it’s the 21st century after all the voicing work is as much art as science. Teams from the company arrive, set up at a nearby hotel — the Residence Inn is a favorite and then work long days on-site. After a couple of weeks, they head home for a bit and then return later to pick up the job again.

On this day, Godbout had set up his laptop computer in the center aisle of the sanctuary Using a Wi-Fi signal, he connected to the organ and, using his keypad as organ keys, sounds filled the air as he pressed on them. Tucked away in a small room, “inside” the main organ, Johnston listened for the sound.

Using a handful of specialized tools, including a hammer, Johnston reacted to the sounds by adjusting the individual pipe that produced it. It takes hours because each pipe must be adjusted.

The work takes a trained ear, and perhaps isn’t always easy to explain to the layperson.

“Is it too loud? Is it too soft?”

Godbout said with a smile and shrug when asked for the specifics of the task. “It is slow-going.”

Forrest grinned. It’s obviously more complicated than that.

“I couldn’t do what Michel does,” Forrest said.

‘A whisper to a roar’

St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian’s French Gothic-style sanctuary, built of Indiana limestone with stained glass imported from Germany, was dedicated in 1930.

The church dates to the early 1900s at its location on St. Charles Avenue at State Street and has a congregation of around 1,200 people. Blackmon said Presbyterian churches are given wide latitude in musical choices, but that St. Charles Avenue’s music leans heavily toward “traditional church music.”

He also said the seasons play a big role in the music.

The sanctuary was damaged by wind and rain during Hurricane Katrina, but reopened in 2007 af-

cool that the riders would compete on three consecutive nights, thereby increasing their chances of taking home some of the substantial prize money Gardner pointed out that $12,000 was the first-place payout in each event and “that’s not a bad night for eight seconds of your time.” The Hondo “would definitely be a rodeo that a lot of riders would want to get into,” he said. Horseplay aside, Gardner said his wife, Shanelle Gardner, “has been wanting to see singer Jason Aldean for 12 years,” and Friday would be her chance. Starting at 10 p.m., Aldean’s concert would close out the Hondo Rodeo Fest’s first day To accommodate both the fenced-in rodeo area and large-scale concert stage, seating in the Dome was

ter an extensive interior renovation.

Blackmon said the original organ was replaced in the late 1970s. Now the new organ, which Currie and church members are calling the “Centennial Organ,” will take that one’s place.

Blackmon said the dream of a new pipe organ dates back to before Katrina.

“It was kind of a dream of mine back in the early 2000s,” he said. “But obviously after Katrina, there were so many other things happening.”

The old organ was “just fine,” Blackmon allows, but had its limits musically

“It was neo-Baroque. It didn’t play anything well after 1750,” he said.

To make way for the new organ, the old one was disassembled in June 2024. “Some of the old pipes and pieces found new homes,” Currie said.

And the new one?

“It can handle anything,” Blackmon said, grinning. “I only had to stay for 40 years to get my baby.”

During construction, worship services were sometimes relocated to the chapel nearby With no organ in the sanctuary for many months, two pianos one near the altar, and one in the back, with the choir — provided musical accompaniment. The absence of an organ was noticeable, Currie said.

“There were probably 50 to 100 hymns I would not choose,” he said. “They just don’t feel right without an organ.”

“(The congregation) has been amazingly patient and supportive,” Blackmon added.

The new organ has been in use for several weeks now but a formal dedication will come during a weekend of events April 17-19. While not cheap, it will prove to be well worth the cost, Currie said.

“It’s a good investment if you value worship.”

It will also be a teaching tool, open for use by musicians and music students, as well as a way to engage the community through concerts and recitals.

“This is not just a plaything for us,” Currie said. “It’s an important part of who we are.”

Blackmon, meanwhile, envisions a new generation of ears falling in love with this new instrument the way he did when he was young. As he continued his demonstration, his hands moved smoothly between the decks of keys and the series of knobs, called “stops,” alongside them.

“So many colors,” he said of the music. “You can go from a whisper to a roar.”

roughly cut in half, with capacity attendance for the event set at 28,000. At the start of the show, the lower tier seats, nearest the rodeo action, were mostly occupied. But the crowd in the upper decks was sparser When the rodeo ended and the music began, higherpriced ticket holders were allowed to flow into the area in front of the stage.

Before Aldean, the seemingly eternal, storied, Southern guitar band Lynyrd Skynyrd took the stage

The shaggy old boys, who’d just returned from a gig in Brazil, could certainly still weave together their brand of driving rock. Their rendering of “Sweet Home Alabama” became a Dome-wide singalong, and the encore “Freebird” was a dive into a sea of 1970s gestalt.

Aldean followed with his spare sound and unshowy showmanship. He noted that after all of his years performing, Friday was his first show in the Superdome. Though he sings about tractors, dirt roads and small towns, Aldean rocked as hard as Nine Inch Nails. Shanelle Gardner gave the thumbs up to his show

LOTTERY

FRIDAY,APRIL 10, 2026

PICK 3: 2-4-6

PICK 4: 3-7-3-3 PICK 5: 5-9-0-1-0

MEGA MILLIONS: 3-1836-42-49

MEGA BALL: 6 Unof

Deaths

Armit,Mary

Autin, Evelyn

Beahm, Katherine

Clement, Meralee Cotonio,Asta

Crump, Michael

Granen,Richard Guillory,Verona Huerta,Jorge Kates,Andrew Lucietto Gonzalez, Lena

Malbrough, Benjamin

Migaud Sr., Warren NesbitIII,Wallace Rhodes-Gladhart, Norma Romero,Russell

ShambraJr.,Blase

Sturdevant,Elizabeth

Thomas Jr., George

Wiltz,Elaine

Zeringue,Hampden

EJefferson

Leitz-Eagan

Huerta,Jorge

Thomas Jr., George NewOrleans

Charbonnet

Crump, Michael

Greenwood

Migaud Sr., Warren

Lake Lawn Metairie

Beahm, Katherine

Cotonio,Asta

Guillory,Verona

Wiltz,Elaine St Tammany

was alifelongresidentof Kenner, LA.

Sheissurvived by her beloved husband, James M. Armit, Jr.; her daughters, Rebecca(Ben) and Jaimie; and hergrandchildren, Caleb, Frannie, Bella, Ava, Annie, and Gabe. Precededindeath by her son,Jeffrey (Dena); her brother,Philip; her parents,Paul and Rosemary Kerr;and her in-laws, James Sr. and Agnes Armit. Mary was adevoted teacheratBonnabel High School for 30 years. She had alove forscience, traveling, second life, and allthings Disney. She loved her family more thananything

Relatives and friends areinvited to attend the visitation and memorial service at L.A. Muhleisen & SonFuneral Home, 2607 Williams Blvd Kenner on Saturday, April18th, 2026. Visitationwillbeheldfrom 10:00am to 12:00pm,followed by amemorial service at 12:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Mary's honor to the American Cancer Society(https://donate.ca ncer.org) To sharememories or condolences, please visit www.muhleisen.com

Autin,Evelyn Anne Bergeron'Mickey'

Evelyn "Mickey"Autin, born August 19, 1938, passed awayApril7,2026. Daughter of Elmo and Estelle Bergeron, she was raised in Gray,Louisiana, graduatedfrom Terrebonne High School with the Class of 1956 and received herdegreeineducationfromNichollsState College in 1960.In1959 she married her highschool beau, Tony Autin, and together they raised three children: Amy,Terry, and Chris.The familyresided formany yearsinNew Orleans,and then in Charlotte,North Carolina. After Tony'sretirement, theyreturned to Cajun countyand builta home in Gray whereshe lived happilyfor 25 years. In her final months,she was cared forbythe goodpeople at AudubonNursingHome in Thibodaux,Louisiana.The family also thanks St. Catherine's Hospice for providing support in her last days.

Mickey was agenerous lady, quick to put others first, always ready to lend an earorlenda hand.She was afaithful caregiverto her motherand husband during their longterminal illnesses. Shewas avoracious readerand adevoted patron of the Lafourche and Terrebonne Parish libraries. WhereverMickey lived, she put herheart and soul into hergardens, especially her daylilies. Shecarried acan't-quit-'til -it's done workethic and a can-do attitude throughout her longlife.

Mickey's wishwas to pass out of this lifewithout fuss or ceremony.May God bless her,give her peace, and bring her home Online condolences can be givenatwww.samartfu neralhome.com

Samart Funeral Home of Houma, 4511 West Park Ave, Gray has beenentrustedwith handling her arrangements.

Katherine DoyleBeahm died peacefully,with unwavering strength and grace, surrounded by family and lovedones on March 30th, 2026. Affectionately known as Kat by so many friends and family,she liveda life defined and guidedbylove. She lovedfriendsand familywithunrelenting ferocity. She was known forsaying,"Iloveyou"freely and frequently, and she meant it every singletime.She understoodand revered thedepth,promise, and commitment that came with thosesacred words, and assumedthose responsibilities gladly.

BorninNew Orleans June 10th, 1978, to adoring parents, Melissa and DonaldDoyle, Jr Katherine wasloved and cherished Sevenyears later, her baby sister, Rebecca, arrived, who immediatelybecame Kat'sshadow and greatest admirer. Rebecca was always just astepbehind, chasing after thebig sister she truly adored.Together, this close-knit family shared alasting affection and an unbreakablebond that gaveKatherine a strong foundationtobuild her life on.

Katherine was funny, compassionate,and resolutelyloving. Herfriendshipsreflect atrulyloyal and genuinely endearing nature. She was warm and interested,often making you feellikeyou were the most important personin theroomwhen with her. Kat cherished theimmense love and support from her entirecircle, spanning family and in-laws, nieces and nephews, the Blanchard Family, the teachers, coaches, and administratorswithin the Newman Community, along with friendsold and new. Such alovingperson wouldinevitablyfind her true love and in David Beahm, she found her partner to builda life with, as he found in her. Married for23years, thetwo of them shared everything, for they found in each other aloveeverlasting. More than anything,the family that they grew together, withsons, Jack and David, and daughter, Caroline gaveKatherine her true purpose.Withher family at thecenter of herworld, including their beloved dog, Ruby, she gavethem her wholeheart,and they lovedher just as deeply Whether it was at the countless school events she attended or chaired, theclassrooms that she keptorganizedasroom mother, thesporting events where she cheered her belovedchildren, family beach trips, CoveyRise weekends, lazy days by thepool,orthe simplicity of ahome cooked meal surrounded by her Crewshe was happiest and most fulfilledwiththemby her side. Watching her threechildrengrowinto adulthoodwas her greatest sourceofprideand accomplishment.Fromdoted -onlittleones to adults with thewholeworld aheadofthem, each has grown intotheir ownremarkable person, distinct in their owns ways, yet carrying thebestofwhat

she has passed onto them. WhenKatherine was diagnosedwithplasma cell leukemia and multiple myeloma,she faced it in theway she lived, with determination, strength, and resilience. She was KATSTRONG. She wasresoluteand brave, and she inspiredall of us. The Doyles often remindedtheir daughters love is theonlything you get moreofwhen yougive it away. Katcarried that lesson with her and livedit fully, and never has there been such an overwhelming outpouring of love for her as in this past year.

Over thelast twelve months, Katherinewas cared forbysome of the most caring,compassionateand dedicated people at both theBMT 8thfloor at Ochsnerand the5th floorofthe BensonCancer Center. Her team became part of herCrew, part of her family.Wewillbeforever grateful forthemand she lovedthem dearly.

"May youcontinue to inspireus: To enter each day with agenerous heart.To servethe call of courage and love until we see your beautiful face againinthat land where there is no moreseparation,where all tearswillbewiped from our mind,and where we willnever lose youagain." -a passage from "On Death of theBeloved"by John O'Donohue. Katherine willberemembered forthe way she lovedfullyand selflessly, for her strength and warmth,and for theway she madeusall feelfull of heart.Her legacyoflove willliveoninher family and allthe livesshe touched.Always and Forever,Forever and Always.

Acelebration of life will be held on April 16, 2026. In lieu of flowers,please considermaking adonation to theKat Beahm Fund supporting theBMT Floor at Ochsner, www.ochsner.org/beahm.

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

MeraleeMarquet Clement, born on October5th, 1941, at BaptistHospitalin New Orleans, completed her life in thelateevening ofEasterSunday, April5th, 2026, after enjoying her lastEastercelebration withvisitsfromher family. With thesoothingsounds ofher favorite vocalist,An‐dreaBocelli,and theloving presenceofher family’s voicesand comforting touches,Meralee peace‐fully passedaway; the final commencementofher greatestadventure lies ahead.She was84years old.Meralee wasa vora‐cious reader andexcelled inall things academic.A graduateofWestJefferson HighSchool Classof’59, she participated in Beta Club, French Club,the Edi‐torialBoard forthe Jolly Roger, theschool newspa‐per,and wasalsoa mem‐ber of theYearbook Com‐mitteeand Future Nurses club. Followingher high school graduation,Meralee attended CharitySchool of Nursing,graduating firstin her classin1962. This ac‐complishmentearnedher a scholarshiptocontinue her educationina colle‐giate nursingprogram.In 1961, priortograduating fromnursing school Meralee marriedthe love ofher life,LynnClement, her foreversweetheart. Theybegan theirfamily while stationedinAnchor‐age Alaska,while Lynn was serving in theUnited StatesArmy. Their first son,Stephen,was born in 1963, followed by Gregg, bornin1964. Greggwas borninthe wake of the Great Alaska Earthquake (theGoodFridayEarth‐quake). Upon Lynn finaliz‐ing hisobligationinthe US Army, thefamilymoved backtothe West Bank of New Orleanswhere they completed theirfamily withtheir youngestson, Micheal,being born in 1965. Shortlyafter,Meralee and Lynn continuedto build theirlives together and startedtheir own smallbusinessin1967.

Afterthe business wases‐tablished,Meralee re‐turnedtonursing and workedinthe NICU at Meadowcrest hospital until she retiredin2008 Meralee’sloveofher fam‐ily washer greatest love However shealsoloved reading,writing,crochet‐ing,needlepoint,calligra‐phy,photography,cooking baking, andgardening,all ofwhich sheimparted ontoher children,grand‐children, andextended family. Meralee’sjoiede vivre,orjoy of living,was seen year after year as she celebratedMardi Gras, witha particular love for Endymion. In theFallshe enjoyed travelling to see the LSUTigersplayin Death Valley andmany other SECvenues. Shewas alsoknown to join asec‐ond line anychanceshe could.She lovedgreat food and sharingmeals with her friends andfamily; always eager to open herhometo grand celebrations during holidays, proms, showers, orany gatherings that she could shareher blessings withothers. Hercareer as a NICU nurse exemplified her true nature as anur‐turer;she lovedthe babies dearly. Meraleewas “Mother”personified.Giv‐ing,selfless, humble,wise, quietly influential, momto many, andcaregiver to manymorebarelytouches onhow to best describe Meralee. Shewas our mom,our sister,our aunt, our mother-in-law, our nanny,our grandmother, our nurse, ourfriend, but mostofall,she wasour shining light, ourNorth Star. Meraleewas always willingtosacrifice foroth‐ers.She wasalwayslook‐ing to give back andcon‐tribute to hercommunity She volunteered in her faith communitybychair‐ing fairs,bazaars, andfund raisers of alltypes in sup‐portofchurch andschool Meralee always instilled positivityinher family’s lives,encouraging hersons and grandchildrentobe‐lieve in theirability to be‐comewhatevertheyset their mindsto. To quote one of Meralee’sfavorite books, “You have brains in yourhead. Youhavefeet in yourshoes.You cansteer yourselfany directionyou choose. You’re on your own. Andyou know what you know.And YOUare the one who’lldecided where togo…”Meralee will be missedbyall who knew her,and especially by those who hadtochance toloveand be lovedbyher Meralee wasprecededin deathbyher husbandof

Beahm, Katherine Doyle

Clement, Meralee Marquet

4B ✦ Sunday,April 12, 2026 ✦ nola.com ✦ The Times-Picayune more than 60 years, Lynn Clement,her mother ElmeraHinyupMarquet Spencer,her father, WilliamFrancis Marquet, her stepfather,James Spencer,and herbothers Bobby Marquetand Billy Marquet.Meralee is sur‐vived by herfoursisters Lynne (Frank), Mera (Dale) Althea(Burt), Kitty(Jeff), sister-in-law andlifelong friend, Judy (George),three sonsStephen (Angie), Gregg (Robin), and Michael,8 grandchildren, Sarah (Mark),Morgan (Ian),Brent,Kelsey, Lauren (Adam), Lindsey(Doug), Leeann (Shae),and Daniel and 7great grandchildren Anne, John, Rose,Kalee, Drew, Henry, andHarper. Familyand friendsofthe familyare invitedtoattend the Memorial Mass at Our LadyofPerpetual Help Catholic Church 8968HWY 23Belle Chasse,LAonSat‐urday April18th2026 at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will be heldatthe church from 9am –10am. Interment, Our LadyofPerpetual Help Cemetery. Family and friends mayviewand sign the online guestbook at www.mothefunerals.com

Cotonio, formerly of New Orleans, Louisiana, and most recently of Mandeville, Louisiana passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 12th, at the age of 83 with her loving son at her side, listening to the sounds of "What aWonderful World." This came after avery courageous journey with Alzheimer's Disease. She was the beloved wife of Theodore "Teddy" Cotonio and mother of Theodore "Tony" Cotonio and Keighley Viguerie Cotonio.

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 17, 1942

Asta attended Ursuline Academy as ayoung boarding student at just four years old. After graduating from Ursuline in 1960, she continued her education at Barat College of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, Illinois, where she earned adegree in psychology in 1964. Asta was well known for her kind and nurturing nature and for the compassion she extended to everyone she met. So much so that her peers honored her both her junior and senior years as the student who "most embodied the Barat College Spirit." Along with her time at Ursuline and Barat, Asta attended Rockbrook Summer Camp in Brevard, North Carolina, where she forged strong friendships, far and near, that she treasured and maintained through her life.

After returningtoNew Orleans, Asta soon met her beloved husband, Teddy, with whom she shared a deep love of learning, reading, and the arts as well as apassion for sports of all kinds. Their connection deepened into alifelong commitment, and the two were married on April 24, 1965.

Adevoutlyfaithful Catholic duringher life, Asta was an active member of St. Benedict's Church in Covington, Louisiana, and she served as adedicated weekly adorer at St. Peter's Chapel (also in Covington) for many years. Asta's devotion, however, extended well beyond the church, and her faith infused every part of her life. She will forever be remembered for herdeeply nurturing, kind, and bright spirit, touching the lives of loved ones and strangers alike. Her faith was not something she simply practiced, it infused how she lived and loved. Even through significant loss and hardships, Asta's unwavering faith provided her with an inner strength andpositivity that carried her through the most difficult of times.

Avoracious reader across all genres and rarely seen without abook or crossword puzzle in her hands, Asta also enjoyed painting, drawing, and gardening. She rescued dogs throughout her life, including lovingly taking in two canine companions willed to her by an Ursuline nun upon her passing. Asta also served as amember and volunteer with meaningful organizations during her life, including the

Hermann-Grima House in NewOrleansand the Junior League of New Orleans,Louisiana Asta is precededin death by her belovedhusband, Theodore "Teddy" Cotonio III, her son, Theodore "Tony"Cotonio IV, her stepsister: Patricia Palmer, herfather: Raoul Viguerie, her mother, Asta JohannessenViguerie, and her stepmother, Rosemary Viguerie. Asta is survived by her son,Keighley Viguerie Cotonio (Ashley); and her adoring grandchildren, JohnKeighley Pierce Cotonio, Elizabeth Palmer Cotonio,Matthew Cotonio, Theodore "Teddy" Cotonio and herbrother,Raoul Francois Viguerie Jr AMemorial Masswas held at the National Votive Shrine of OurLady of Prompt Succor,Ursuline Academy, (2701State Street)onTuesday, March 31, 2026 In lieu of flowers, the family requests if you woulddonatetothe Alzheimer's Associationor The National Votive Shrine of OurLady of Prompt Succor.

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.

Granen, Richard Lawrence'Rick'

Richard Lawrence Granen("Rick"),age 74, of Covington, LA, passed awayonApril 5, 2026.He was bornonMarch25, 1952,inNew Orleans,LA, to Alvin and Betty Granen. Rick is survivedbyhis belovedwifeof50years, Linette Cucinello Granen; hischildren: Lauren Taylor (Jeremy) and Emily McGee (Patrick); and five grandchildren: Hunter, Liam, Audrey,Trevor,and Ben. He is also survived by his sisters, Stepheni Granen and RebeccaLawson (Wayne), and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Alvin andBetty Granen, and brothers, Alvin Blaine and Patrick Granen. Although born in New Orleans,Rick'sfather's militarycareer moved the family to several parts of theworld, including the Philippines, Italy, Morocco, and Guam. He also lived in California, Louisiana,and Florida, graduating from Forrest High School in Jacksonville. Rick attended theUniversity of Guam, whereheplayed football, and ultimately graduated from the University of New Orleans with adegreein BusinessAdministration. His work careerincluded positionsatseveraldepartments at Louisiana State University, as well as

at theUniversityof Arkansasand Mississippi StateUniversity. He retired in 2021 from theLSUHSC CancerCenter, wherehe was thebusinessofficer formorethan 15 years. Rick lovedplaying baseball,basketball,and football whilehewas growing up. He enjoyed soccer and was aFIFA Soccerreferee for17years, buthis true joywas in watching his childrenand grandchildren play sports and excel in all of their endeavors. He will be remembered as aloving husband, father, grandfather,and friend and truly willbemissed. Rick was one of those special peoplewho madea positive impressiononall thosehe met.His guiding principles were loyalty, integrity, respect,and an unwavering faith in God

Relatives and friends are invitedtoattend the Funeral Mass at Most Holy TrinityCatholicChurch, 501 Holy TrinityDrive, Covington, LA 70433 on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 1:00 PM withvisitationon Friday beginning at 11:00 AM.

Burial willfollow the services in St.Lazarus of Bethany Memorial Garden Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Richard may be madetoBlood Cancer Unitedat BloodCancerUnited.org

Verona Guillory, 88, of Kenner passed away April 8, 2026. She wasborn in Plaucheville, LA on May 10, 1937. She was an active member of Nativity of Our Lord Parish untilits merger, and was an active parishionerfor some time at Divine Mercy Parish in Kenner. Verona never met astranger.She was a awarded of The Order of St.Louis IX Medallion. Verona was preceded in death by her parents, Mabel Dupuy Pastor and ElterPastor; her former husband,of37years, James D. Guillory, Sr.; daughter, Connie Guillory Carpenter; sister, EstherP Hewitt;and brother-in-law Don Hewitt

Survivorsincludeher daughter, Sherry G. Dietsch (Fred); son, JamesD Guillory, Jr.(Carol); brothers, John Pastor and Jerry Pastor; grandchildren, Scott Dietsch, Amanda Dietsch(Edwin), Celeste Carpenter, and Jennifer Guillory; and great grandchildren, Christian, Olivia, Lily, Colby, Bailey,and Jay Lynn

Relatives and friends are invitedtoattenda funeral mass at 12:00 pm, Tuesday, April14, 2026, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home,5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans. Visitation willbeginat10:00 am prior to the service. Interment willbe in Lake Lawn Park. In lieu of flowers,masses are preferred.

JorgeRaulHuerta, age 93, was born in Mexico City and passedaway peacefully on April 10, 2026. Jorge livedhis entireadult life in theUnited States, where he builta life centered on hard work, family,and friendship.Hewas preceded in death by his first wife, Gail O'ReganHuerta, in January1987; his beloved son NeilSteven Huerta in 1986, and his second wife, MarlisPostel Huerta, in 2011. He is survivedbyhis children: Tanya Vargas (Eugenio), JorgeB.Huerta, and EricHuerta(Michelle). He was aproud grandfather to Eugenio (Sam), Aaron(Kailey), Alex, and

Gaby, and alovinggreatgrandfather to Abigail, Macario Aurelio, and Eric. Jorgeisalso survived by his stepdaughter, Manuela Millington; his stepson, OliverRhose; and his stepgranddaughters, Alexis, Sammy, and Nikki Jorgewas agoodman who worked hard and deeply lovedhis family.He was charming and gregarious, witha zest for life that showed in his love of cars, 1960s Mexican soccer, and dancing. He willberemembered forhis warmth, his stories, and thejoy he brought to those around him.

ACelebrationofLife servicewilltakeplace on Wednesday April 15, 2026, at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home,4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie, Louisiana. Visitation will beginat11:00 AM followed by aserviceat1:00 PM Interment willbeinLake Lawn Park Mausoleum.

The family invitesyou to share your thoughts,fond memories,and condolences online at www.leitz eaganfuneralhome.com.

Katespassed away in New Orleans on March 13, 2026, from complications related to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). He was 60. Andrewwillberemembered as adevoted father, friend, and person of faith who never lost his optimism and compassion. BorninNew Jersey, Andrewgrewupin Newtown, Connecticut, where he madelifelong friends. He obtaineda bachelor'sinengineering and amaster's in business from theGeorgia Institute of Technology. After working as an oilexploration engineer, he foundedRope AccessTechnology, acompany specializing in maintenance for energy facilities.

Andrewmet hisfuture wife, Amy Hayner, in 1992, when they were bothvolunteering at theU.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in NewOrleans. Loving theculture, they settled there, welcoming twochildren: Maggie in 1999 and Sam in 2001. Amy andAndrewwere active members of Lakeview Presbyterian Church. Andrewmarched during MardiGras withthe JeffersonCityBuzzards.

After 22 happy years together, Amy predeceased Andrewin2017. Hisparents, David andShirley Kates, also predeceased him.

Throughout Andrew's journey with ALS, he was cared for by William (Bobby) Burge, his best friend, whose commitment to Andrew's wellbeing had no bounds. The love and support he received from Maggie, Sam, Bobby and theBurgefamily,Glen Edwards, his church, his Newtown buddies, and his many friendsand other family members allowed Andrewtolivea rich life despite thelimitations of

hisdisease. Andrewissurvived by hischildren, siblings Katharineand Jonathan, andtheir families. In lieu of flowers, please consider making adonation to the Team Gleason Foundation in hishonor.A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on 2026-05-09 at Lakeview Prebyterian Church ,5914 Canal Boulevard.

LuciettoGonzalez, Lena L. Dame Lena L. Lucietto Gonzalez, PhD, beloved wife of thelateRichard D. Gonzalez, PhDand arespected linguist,educator,and cultural advocate, died April 2, 2026, in West Lafayette, Indiana.She was94. Born January6,1932, in Chicago,Illinois, to Luigi andOnorina Lucietto, she wasraised in a home grounded in faith, education,and cultural tradition.A devout Catholic throughout her life, sheunited scholarship and service withhumility andgrace. Sheearned herbachelor'sdegree from Rosary College(nowDominican University) and completed herdoctorate at theUniversity of Chicago.Her academiccareer spanned North America andincluded appointmentsatthe Illinois Mathematics and ScienceAcademy, Oakton Community College, the University of Rhode Island, andThe NewmanSchool. Shealso founded TheLanguage Institute dedicating herselftolanguage education and crosscultural understanding Dr.Gonzalezspent nearly 30 years in NewOrleans whereshe andher husband made their home andwhere she became avaluedmember of the city'sintellectual and cultural life. In 2011, she wasnamed aChevalier of theOrdre desPalmes Académiques by the FrenchMinistry of Education in recognition of herdistinguishedcontributionstothe French language andculture Thehonor wasconferred duringaceremony

at theFrench Consulate residence in NewOrleans Togetherwithher husband, she traveled extensively, embracinglanguages, cultures, and friendships aroundthe world. Sheremainedclosely connectedwithfamilyin Italy, France Argentina, andAustralia andwas known for her warmth,curiosity, and gentle compassion, particularly toward animals. Shewas preceded in death by herhusband, Richard D. Gonzalez;her parents; and herbrother, Ledo Lucietto. Sheissurvivedbyher children, Donald R. Gonzalezand Suzanne V. Knoerr (Steven);her grandchildren, Gregory and Charis; and several nieces, great-nieces,and a great-great-niece.

Memorial contributions may be made to ElaraCare Hospice

BenjaminAdam"Ben"

Malbrough,35, passed away on September25, 2025, in Houston, Texas. Born on August 9, 1990, in NewOrleans,Louisiana, Ben lived alifemarked by intellectual brilliance,quiet strength, anddeep compassion Ben's academic journey began at Jesuit High School in NewOrleans.He went on to attend the University of Virginia before graduating with honorsfromLouisiana State University (LSU). Hispursuit of knowledge continuedatLSU School of Medicine in NewOrleans Ever curiousand driven, Ben also earneda U.S. Customs Broker license—an achievement that reflected hiswideranging interests and capabilities. Professionally, Ben served as an Engineering Advisorfor JConnor Consulting, Inc. in Houston Hiscolleaguesknewhim as someonewhose insight and precisionelevated everyproject he touched. Ben's love forsports waslifelongand passionate. He wasanavidgolfer anda devotedfan of LSU athletics, theChicago Cubs, Liverpool FC, and anysport histhree beloved

Cotonio, Asta Augustine Viguerie

Asta Augustine Viguerie

Kates, Andrew Richard'Andy'

AndrewRichard (Andy)

Crump, Michael Christopher

Guillory, Verona

Huerta, Jorge Raul

nieces played. Whether cheering from the sidelines or watching from afar, Ben's enthusiasm was unwavering.

Animalsheld aspecial place in Ben's heart. Over the years, he shared his life with many cherished dogs—Sammy, Ellie Sophia, Kacey, Sydney, Brodie, Taco, Abby, and Sunny—each one atestament to hisgentle spirit and boundless affection

Those who knew Ben speak of akind and loving soul with abrilliantmind. His quick wit and sharp humor were often delivered with quiet grace. Friends remember him as the one who helped them through difficult classes with patience and clarity; the one whose presence made long days bearable; the friend who never failed to show up when it mattered most. He hadanuncanny ability to anticipate thoughts and answers—a mind always one step ahead.

Ben is deeply mourned by his parents Deborah Roy and Charles J. Malbrough Jr., of Houston, TX; his brother Trey J. Malbrough Esq., sister-inlaw Lauren Baum Esq., and nieces Lila James, Violet, andMarybelle of Mountain Brook, Alabama;his aunt Alicia Roy Dean (River Ridge, LA); cousins Dr. Tyler Dean (New Orleans) and William Dean (NYC); and his grandmother Mary Kay Dougherty Roy (Harahan, LA).

He was preceded in death by his grandfather Teurlings Joseph (T.J.) Roy Jr., whose memory remained close to Ben's heart.

Amemorial service celebrating Ben's life was held in New Orleans following his passing Ben's absence leaves an immeasurable void in the lives of those who loved him. As one tribute so poignantlycaptures: "I'm bluer than blue, 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 source of comfort to all who knew him—and may his light continue to shine through their stories and love.

Migaud Sr., Warren Thomas

Warren Thomas Migaud Sr.,“Pawpaw Warren & Poppy”was ahusband,fa‐ther, brother, uncle,grand‐father, andfriend. Warren entered eternalreston Monday, April6,2026, at the ageof87. He wasborn tothe late BlancheSavoie Migaudand Thomas Milner Migaud. He is precededin death by hisparents,two brothers, TedMigaudand GregoryMigaud, andhis one stepson, ZacharyPer‐schall. Survived by hiswife of23years,BrendaShultz Migaud, hischildren, Kim Tummenelloand Warren Migaud, Jr., hisstepson, Shane (Angelle)Mus‐carello,his brothers,Terry and Glen Migaud,his grandchildren,Andrew, Marcus, Christian, andSid‐ney Migaud,Kristin (David) Grizzard, andAshlee (Kevin) Gaines,his step grandchildren,Harperand Anthony Muscarello,and his greatgrandchildren, Porter, Hayes, CollinsGriz‐zard, Harper,Ella, Finn Gaines, MaddoxMigaud, and Beau Migaud.Warren grewupinthe IrishChan‐nel.HewenttoAndrew Jackson gradeschool and graduated from Warren Eastonin1957.Theycalled him “BullMigaud”,he playedhalfbackonthe football team.After high school, he joined theNew Orleans Fire Department for 30 years, where he gainedhis nickname Cap‐tainChaos.Whenhere‐tired from N.O.F.D.,hethen workedfor Jefferson ParishFireDepartmentin maintenance forfour years.Warrenwas on the Board of Directorsfor N.O.F.F.C.U.for 25 yearsand was amemberofAmeri‐can Legion Post 307for20 years.Hewas in theAir NationalGuard for25 years.Warrenused to march in theIrish Channel ParadeonSt. Patrick’sDay Hejoinedthe Elks Lodge30 in2007, locatedat2215 ClearyAve.Hewillbe greatly missedbyall that knowhim.Relatives and friends areinvited to at‐tendthe visitation at 9:00 AMonMonday, April 13, 2026, at Greenwood Funeral Home, 5200Canal Blvd New Orleans, LA 70124,fol‐lowedbya Catholic Mass

at 11:00AM. Intermentwill beatLakeLawnCemetery. Wealsoinviteyou to share yourthoughts, fond memo‐ries, andcondolences on‐lineatwww.greenwoodfh com

Nesbit, Wallace George'Wally'

Baton Rouge native Wallace George NesbitIII passedawayinMobile, Alabama on Sunday March 22 at the age of 72. Wally is proceeded in deathby his parents, Wallace George Nesbit, Jr.and Nancy Gray Pendergast, sister Amy Nesbit Brassett, and brother Scott Peterson Nesbit.

He is survived by sons DwayneHeathman (Dawn), KarieDove (Steve), Nicholas Clesi Nesbit and Wallace George Nesbit IV (Melissa)and sister CynthiaNesbit Joseph (Allen). He is also survived by his loving companion Regina Ivy.

Wally was born in New OrleansonSeptember 3,1953 and spent hisyouth and much of adulthood in Baton Rouge. He graduated from RobertE.Lee High School in 1971 where he served as class president He joinedthe U.S. Army in 1972 and servedduringthe Vietnam War, stationed in Germany Uponreturn, he graduated from LSU with aB.S.in BusinessAdministration. Wally spent his career in industrial salesinBaton Rouge,New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama.

Wally was also an avid tennis player andfierce competitor at the Piedmont Club, Aurora Country Club and Franco's Athletic Club.Hewas very involved inthe USTA and the Nesbit familywas namedTennis Family of the Year in the 90s. If you knewWally, you knew he was aconsummate salesman. He honed his skillsinindustrialsales and made manyfriends along the way.Wally had awinning smile and charming personality. He will be missed by family and friends.

Family members plana private burialata later date. If you wouldliketo remember Wally,the family asks that you make a donation to the American Cancer Society

Rhodes-Gladhart, Norma Gay

Norma Gay Rhodes Gladhartwas bornin Bethyl Springs, TN andattended theUniversity of Tennesseegraduating in 1956inDental Hygiene, she held licenses in LA, TN,AL and MS.She later attained her Bachelor of Science in 1982. She was the treasurer of the NOLA Dental Hygienist associationin 1970and chairman of the Children's DentalHealth Initiative in 1974, holding various posts throughout her careerwiththe American Society of Preventive Dentistryand the National Foundation of Dentistryfor thehandicapped. She was supervisor of the dental clinic for the New Orleans DepartmentofHealth197479 and coordinator for Health Power Associates developing dentalhygiene trainingprograms. From 1965-73she workedfor Orleans Parish Public Schools developing instructionalimprovement programs for dental health. She also attended Xavier Universityand studied educational psychology, anatomy,ebryology, ethics and Shakespeare. Herinterests were varied but mostlycentred in the world of reading, history, sewing,embroidery,quiltmaking and knitting. She was alongstanding member of the Needlework Guild, and the National Standards Council of American Embroiderers. Shewas ultimatelyanaccomplishedwomanatthe forefront of Feminism and achampionofwomen's

rights. She willbemissed by her sons, Wesley Robert Gladhart IIIand Jeffrey Noel Gladhart, theirspouses Jeannienand Rachel and grandchildrenEmily and Case

Romero,Russell Paul

Russell Paul Romeroentered eternal rest on Monday, April 6, 2026, at theage of 82 surrounded by his loving family after a long and courageous battlewith COPDand Lymphoma.Hewas born on November 20, 1943, in NewOrleans, La toChester and RuthDartez Romero He is survivedbyhis loving wife of 53 years, JoAnn Aysien Romero. Devoted father of IraW.Romero, Kenneth G. Romero (Cammie), JosephE Romero (Kristen), and the late Jason M. Romero Proud grandfather of Joseph, Tyler, Zachary, Guy and Greyson and stepgrandchildren; Hope, Grace, and Aidenwhom he lovedand brought him greatjoy in his life.Son in lawofthe late Rudolph and Lena Aysien. Brotherin-law of Marie Cordes, and thelateRudolph J. and Ann Aysien. Russellgraduated fromRedemptorist HighSchool Class of 1961 then proudly served his country in theUSNavy from1963 to 1967. Russell then went on to workfor PanAmAir,General Aviation, Caudle Aviation, Shollmier Distributorsand Carrier SouthCentral.His greatest love and joy were spending timewithhis belovedwife,children, grandchildrenand family The family would like to thank East Jefferson GeneralHospitalDoctors and Staff,The Heart of Hospice Infinity PlusCare LLCand VA Health Care System for theircare and servicestoRusselland his family.Relatives and Friends of the family are invitedtoattend the Funeral Memorial Service on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 1:00 PM at LeitzEagan Funeral Home,4747 Veterans Blvd, Metairie LA.Visitation willbegin at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in NewOrleans, LA

ShambraJr.,Blase

BlaseShambra

Jr., a longtimeresidentof Gretna, Louisiana, entered eternal rest on April6 at the ageof93. He wasa lov‐ing anddevoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.Blase proudly served hiscountry inthe United States Navy duringthe Korean War, a commitmentthatreflected his deep senseofdutyand character.Following his service,hebuilt alongdedicated career with Chervon.Hewas married toMaryLouiseSeckfort Shambra for70years and cherished alifecentered onfaith andfamily. After retiringfromChevron,he devoted histimetohis children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, takinggreat joyinattend‐ing theirgames,school events, andMasses. He was afaithfulmemberof St. AnthonyChurch,where heservedasanusher for manyyears.In2017, he re‐ceivedthe OrderofSt. Louis Awardinrecognition ofhis exceptionalservice a distinction honoring dedi‐cated layCatholics who quietly servetheir parishes and ministries.Hewas pre‐ceded in deathbyhis par‐ents, Blaseand Thelma Shambra,and hisdaugh‐ter,MaryLouise“Malou” Shambra Connick.Heis survivedbyhis beloved wife; hischildren, Blase Buddy”Shambra III (Jeanne), MichaelShambra (Christine),Julie Shambra Plustache (Jean-Luc),and son-in-lawDutch Connick; his grandchildren, Tracee Connick Brewer (Robby), James Connick (Kendall), Jessica Shambra(Kevin) Blase Connick (Maggie), and SarahOliver; andhis great-grandchildren,Max‐imus, Graeme,and Henry Brewer; Cullenand Mary James Connick;and Jesse and Mary Louise Connick The familyextends special thanks to thestaff at The

Cancer Center at West Jef‐fersonMedical Center and St. Margaret’s at Mercyfor their compassionatecare. Blase will be laid to rest on Tuesday,April 14. Visita‐tionwillbeheldfrom8:30 a.m.to10:30 a.m. at St JosephCatholicChurch in Gretna, followed by aMass ofChristian Burial at 10:30 a.m.Hewillbeprivately laidtorestatWestlawn Cemetery. Blaseleavesbe‐hinda lastinglegacyof faith,love, andfamilythat willbecherished by all who knew him. MotheFu‐neral Home is assistingthe familyduringthisdifficult time. Family andfriends are encouraged to share their condolencesand memoriesbyvisitinghis memorialpageat: www mothefunerals.com

Sturdevant, Elizabeth Brands 'Betty'

Elizabeth(Betty) Brands

Sturdevant peacefully journeyed home in the hands of Jesus on November 14, 2025. She was98. Elizabethwas born October 26,1927 in New Orleans, LA where she graduated from Sacred Heart of Jesus high school in 1945. She attendedHotel Dieu nursing school, graduatingin1948 and so began her career in nursing. She proudly served as a Navy nurse before marrying &raising sixchildren whilecontinuingtowork as aciviliannurse until 2004. In 1981, ElizabethreturnedtoNew Orleans whereshe worked as the Director of nursing at Bethany House. She also served her religious community at theCenter of Jesus Our Lord.She retired to California to be close to her daughters, where she livedout therest of her life She is preceded in death by her eldest son. She leavesbehind alegacy of love &resilience to her children, grandchildren& great-grandchildren. Allfriendsand family are welcome to celebrate Elizabeth's life Saturday April18, 2026 at St. Anthony of Padua on Canal Street. Visitation is from 12pm-1pm and mass will beginat1pm

Thomas Jr., George John

GeorgeJohn Thomas, Jr. passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at theage of eightytwo. John is survivedbyhis belovedwife of sixty years, Sylvia, and hischildren, Tammy, Jennifer, Johnny Melissa, and Zack. He is survivedbyhis four grandsons, Andrew(Mariel), Zachary (Ellie), Hunter, and Jackson and his precious great-granddaughter, Camille.

He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Marilyn Magendie andhis brotherin-law,Richard O'Neil

He was preceded in death by his parents, GeorgeJ.Thomas, Sr.and Mildred Ferry Thomas, and hissister,GailThomas O'Neil

John was aman of deep faith who devotedhis life to hisfamily.Hewas filled with gratitude forthe many blessingsbestowed upon him and his loved onesbyour Lord. He was always quick with asmile and found joy in life's everyday moments.Hewas a faithful member of St. AngelaMerici Parish and theKnightsofColumbus.

Relatives and friends of thefamily are invitedtoattend theMass of Christian Burial at St. AngelaMerici Church, 901 Beverly Garden Dr., Metairie, LA on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM.Visitation willbe held at thechurch from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM Interment willfollow in GreenwoodCemetery,New Orleans, LA

Wiltz, Elaine Moraus

Elaine Moraus Wiltz,83, of Metairie, passedaway on April 9, 2026. Shewas born in Mansura, LA to Govie Moraus, Sr.and Leona Michel Moraus. Elaine wasa devoted Catholic and member of St AnnCatholic Church.She marriedGerald Wiltz on May8,1965, and theywere marriedfor 26 years at the time of hispassing Elaine hada deep love of caringfor others and foundher callingasa registered nurse.She graduated from CharitySchool of Nursing. In herfreetime, she enjoyedreading, completing puzzles,and watchingwestern movies. Otherpassionsofhers were gardeningand cooking. Sheespecially loved cooking all the family'sfavorite Cajun foods.

Elaine was preceded in death by herhusband, Joseph "Gerald" Wiltz Sr.; parents; andbrother,Fr. Govie Moraus Jr Survivors includeher son, Joseph Gerald Wiltz Jr (Lori); sister,Marilyn Moraus Mayeaux; brother, Joseph Young Moraus; and granddaughter, AddisonR Wiltz

Thefamilywishesto thank thecareprovidedto Elaine from all thecaregiversatMetairie Health CareCenterand Harmony Hospice

Relativesand friends are invited to attenda funeralmass at 11:00 am, Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Lake LawnMetairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd,New Orleans. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am priortothe service.Interment will be in MetairieCemetery To view andsignthe familyonline guestbook andshare yourmemories of Elaine,please visit lakelawnmetairie.com

Hampden "Chip" ZeringueJr., residentof Destrehan,La, passed away on April 8, 2026, at the age of 91. Chip was thebeloved husband of Merrill Zeringue, withwhomhe shared nearly 50 years of marriage. He wasa devoted father to Michelle Spielman (Stewart) and Michael Zeringue(Maria), anda cherished grandfather to Emmie Spielman, whowas agreat source of joyinhis life. He wasprecededin death by hisparents, Jeanne and Hampden ZeringueSr. He is also survived by hissiblings, Sylvia Lambert, Donnie Zeringue, andPatsy Zeringue, along

with numerousextended familymembersand dear friends.

Chip proudlyservedhis countryasa veteran of the United States Army, where he served honorably as a medic specialist both statesideand overseas. Following hismilitary service,Chip embarked on adistinguishedcareeras an agricultural research chemist with theUnited StatesDepartment of Agriculture's Southern Regional ResearchCenter in NewOrleans.Overthe course of his career,he contributed meaningfully to scientific advancement and held multiple patents andpublicationsresulting from hisresearch, leaving aprofessional legacy marked by curiosity, diligence, and innovation.

Outside of hisprofessional life, Chip'sfavorite place to be was his backyard garden, wherehelovingly tended vegetables, flowers, and tropical plants. Gardening was more than ahobby—it was areflectionofhis patience knowledge,and reverence for creation.

Chip also possesseda deep wanderlustand believedinexposinghis children to the widerworld fostering curiosity and appreciation for different culturesfromanearly age. Aboveall else, he devoted hislifetohis family, maintaininga steady, steadfast, and reassuringpresence throughout their lives An avidphotographer andvideographer, Chip documentedfamilylife with care and intention. Through hisphotographs andhomevideos, he leaves behind arichvisual legacy—countless moments preservedintime, telling thestory of alife deeply lived andpassionately observed. Aman of quietfaithand enduring love,Chip lived hislifeguided by service, family, andgratitude for God's creation. On Wednesday, April 15, 2026 friends andrelatives are invited to attend a 10:30 a.m. visitation and a 11:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial, at St Charles Borromeo Church 13396 RiverRoadin Destrehan.Internment will follow the mass at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Cemetery.Mass andfuneralwill be celebrated by Father Harry Bugler In lieu of flowers, the familykindly asks that donations be made to St CharlesBorromeo Church &School or Louisiana PublicBroadcasting

Zeringue, Hampden 'Chip'

With Love,Your Family

OUR VIEWS

Treat orphaned wellslikethe urgent threat they are

The scourge of orphaned wells in Louisiana has long been asimmering issue in thisstate where oil and gas are our lifeblood. But new numbers from the Department of Conservation and Energy should movethe problem tothe front burner

The state now counts nearly 6,500 orphaned wells, the department says. Even more worryingishow fast the number has grown over the past few years. Between 2014 and 2023, the state added about 447 orphaned wells per year to the list. But so far in 2026, 517 wells have been added. These wells, which have been abandoned by companies that have gone out of business or been shut down by the state after repeated violations, cost the state millions toplug and make safe. Since 2023, Louisiana has spent $90 million to plug 490 orphaned wells, with the average well costing about $113,000 toplug. To deal with all the wells on the list,the bill could be upward of $730 million.

So far,the state has relied on amix of sources for the money,including some federal dollars. We were hopeful in 2024 when the Legislature created theLouisiana Natural Resources Trust Authority,which oversees afund drillers must pay into that is used to fund cleanup and plugging of abandoned wells. We thought it only fair to have companies that reap the rewards of oil exploration when things go right, shoulder the burden when things go wrong. But this idea has been hobbled by our lawmakers’ failure to give it their full support. The financial security required to drill awell is too low to cover the cost of plugging awell, the legislative auditor found. But when the DepartmentofConservation and Energy pushed to raise the fee, legislators balked and instead passed alaw to limit the amount companies would pay Then too, there is the problem of repeat offenders, companies responsible for hundreds of orphaned wells throughout the state. These companies largely did notdrill the wells in question, often buying them up from other companies.The state can legally force the original driller to pay to plug awell, but they can be hard to identify after decades of wells changing hands. If the state took the issue as seriously as it should,itwould shore up itsfund to plug wells by chargingdrillers more and aggressively pursue the owners of companies that stockpile abandoned wells to figure out if there is away to identify who should pay to plug them. And that’sjust for starters. We would like to see more checks on who is allowedtodrill in our state.

Or the state can do what it has been doing since the 1990s, plug wells when it can and ignore the five-alarm fire at its doorstep.

OPINION

NOLA.COM/opinions

Lake showshow acoast becomesunlivable

In Louisiana, we can look south to see thefuture. The state’scoastal zone might as well be an oracle. Read thesignals right,and you know what’s coming. Here, that means climate problems. Coastal residents already know about rising seas, sinking land and more intense storms. Those thingsare daily realities.

laid waste to much of that infrastructure, including poles that supported thepower lines.

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

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

TO SEND US A LETTER, SCANHERE

Camp owners near LakeDe Cade, amarshy expanse of brackish water in lower Terrebonne Parish,are in thethick of it right now.They’re faced with adaunting choice: Keep their camps without the electricity they’ve had for decades or,like the cooperative that once provided it, abandon theregion.

This newspaper’sSam Karlin recently spent time down there and his report gives us rare insight intothe slow march of climate change’spernicious effects.

What happened in LakeDeCade is this:Inthe 1930s,the SouthLouisiana Electric Cooperative Association, SLECA,was formed and eventually ran power tocommunities and camp clusters along the coast. That included more than ahundred in and near Lake De Cade. ButHurricane Ida in 2021

For monthsafter Ida, SLECA told camp owners across four coastal regions of Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes that it intended to rebuild. At the same time as company officials were making those promises, they were pulling up the damaged poles.

In 2024, thecooperative notified campowners in those four areas that it didn’tintend to rebuild. SLECA would file an application with the state to formally abandon the camps, the first time in Louisiana history forsuch an application. It said rebuilding to FEMA’s standards wasjust too expensive.

Since then, the Lake De Cade abandonment has been approved by the Public Service Commission. The other three have been referred to an administrative law judge. In thegrand scheme of things, this is not abig deal. No one lives full-time at Lake De Cade, which is deep in the marsh. There aren’teven that many camps anymore.

It’shard not to see SLECA’s point. It would be enormously expensive to rebuild thegrid out there. And the costs

would then be passed along to SLECA’s relatively small group of ratepayers. Why should ahomeowner in some other area subsidize the extension of power to afew camps stubbornly hanging on in the marsh?

It’s afair question. It’s aquestion that, even if we don’tlive on the coast, we will need to answer.How much is it worth? And as greater reaches of the coast are threatened, Louisianans on higher ground will be asked again and again to subsidize infrastructure for coastal neighbors. This is how,inalong series of small steps, acoast becomes unlivable. There’snoone moment. No single catastrophe, no individual event. It’s the cascade of smaller,incremental crises. Insurance premiumsrise, pricing somefolks out. Evacuations persuade morepeople just to stay gone. And sometimes, crucial utility providers just decide it’snot worth it anymore. If autility is saying it, manyresidents surely will say it, too.

That’show,slowly,inexorably,a once-vibrant and distinctive coastal way of life, like so much coastal land, ebbs away forever

Email Faimon A. Roberts III at froberts@theadvocate.com.

Developing acivil societystartsearly

Ispoke to studentslast week at LSU’sManship School of Journalism as part of The Common Ground Project’s“Pizza and Public Affairs” series.

The idea is basically to get young people talking about current affairs, and the free pizza is agreat draw For thoseofyou unfamiliar with The Common Ground Project, it aims to foster dialogue in our increasingly politically polarized world. It is apartnership of the nonpartisan Public AffairsResearch Council of Louisianaand LSU’sReilly Center for Media &Public Affairs. There are several programs offered throughout theyear,and not just for students. Iurge everyone totry to attendone.

As ajournalist, Iconsume alot of media. Ilisten to podcasts andfollow a number of news websites. There is no shortage of views outthere to challenge your own beliefs. So to me, theproblem is not alack of options out there, it’smore a lack of willingness to seek out other views.

In high school, Iwas in debate, and the best debaters were always the ones whowere not threatened by other views. They wanted to understandall sides of an issue and could argue convincingly because they understood all sides. But today,too many people feel threatened by disagreement or onlywant to hear arguments that align with their world view.The Common Ground Project is trying to change that.

that you can disagree and be civil, and people whohave differing viewsare not the enemy.I urged the students to read the newspaper,ofcourse, but also to read manyother sources. Be curious about your community and the world because that’sthe only waywemake it better

Turning to our letters inbox, we have twoweeks to catch up on.

Iwas asked an interesting question: How should aperson make sure they are hearing arange of viewpoints in their media diet instead of just ones that confirm their own beliefs?

Andyoung people are agood place to start.Ifeel that if we are going to restore our civil society,young people must be taught that what they are seeing in politics today is not normal,

In the week of March 26-April 2, we received 73 letters, and the biggest topic wasthe warinIran. Six of you wrote with opinions on the war.The second mostpopular topic was an article on hog baying, which prompted letters from readers concerned about animal cruelty.Noother topic wasthe subject of morethan twoletters. In the weekofApril 2-9, we received 48 letters, with the U.S. Senate race being the mostpopular topic. It prompted three letters.

Email Arnessa Garrett at arnessa.garrett@theadvocate.com

Arnessa Garrett

Faimon Roberts

COMMENTARY

Letlow stoops to endorseMeans as surgeongeneral

Quin Hillyer

We have anew leader in the contest for which U.S. Senate candidateinLouisiana’s Republican primary can show the mostabject toadyism to President Donald Trump. Sometimes Trumpisright, but when he is wrong, he can be spectacularly wrong It takes aspeciallevel of toadyism to campaignasif it’sa virtue to supportone of Trump’smost spectacularly wrong choices. But that’swhat U.S.Rep. JuliaLetlow is doing In numerous social media posts, Letlow has blasted her incumbentopponent,Dr. Bill Cassidy,for delayinga hearing on Trump’snomination of thecontroversial Casey Means to be surgeon general. Means, who has amedical degree but has so many oddball beliefs, bothpersonal and medical,that she might as well be an AI-generatedcaricature. Even one of the wackiest membersofMAGA-world, conspiracy theoristLaura Loomer,saysthat Means’ selectionshows“the inmatesare running the asylum.”

For once, Loomer is on the sane side of an issue. It’sbad enough that Meansisa skeptic of basic childhood vaccine regimens that have provedtheireffectiveness for decades. She also advocates decidedly unorthodox views on everythingfrom common medicines to agricultural practices to mental health —and sheboasts of experimentation with psilocybin,anillegal psychedeliccompoundfoundinsome mushrooms, while urgingher followers to use it, too.

Meanwhile, the Southern Baptist Convention’spolicy armannounced it opposes Means’nomination due to “abundant cause formedical, moral, and legal concern.” Indeed,conservative and Evangelical conservative Christians —alarge partofthe Republican electorate —have reason to be deeplysuspicious of Means’ “spiritual” practices.

Writingthat after just one datewith a certain man, she had become a“dopamine fiend,” sheembraced apsychological strategy featuring ahodgepodge of “plant

medicine,” “the divine feminine, Quantum Neuro Reset Therapy …and much more.”

She “prayed to photos of my ancestors …and wrotemantras and manifestations on small pieces of paper and tucked them around the shrine.” She “worked with a spiritual mediumwho helped me try to connect with my spirit guides forsupport and guidance. Idid full moon ceremonies with grounded, powerful women.” She “talked (literally out loud) tothe trees, letting them know Iwas ready forpartnership, and asking them if they could help.”

All of this, she wrote, was how she could “embrace the ‘woo’ (aka, the mystery).”

Because, she wrote, “Quantumentanglementtells us our choices today ripple for eternity.”

Means also is fond of assertions such as that “gastrointestinal cancers skyrocket” at least in part because “the Western world demonizes the intuitive powers of ourgut in favor of ‘experts,’ ‘proof,’ and the thinking rational brain.”

If someone treats our gutslike aquack, she’sprobably aquack.

Butdon’ttake my word for it. Listen to a true medical MAGA-ite, Trump’sown surgeon general in thepresident’sfirst term

The widely respected Dr.Jerome Adams says that Means does “not hav[e] the basic qualifications to do thejob” and, indeed, “seemsa disastrously poor fit.”

It is clear that Means, at least fornow, lacks enough votes to be approved by the Senate’shealth committee that Cassidy chairs. The usual practice is such circumstances is todelay avote to avoid embar-

rassing the president of one’sown party, which is exactly what Cassidy has done.

YetLetlow keeps attacking Cassidy for “stalling” when she says he should “move this nomination forward” to be “truly supporting President Trump’sagenda.”

For Letlow to support such amanifestly unfit candidate forsurgeon general is to show alevel of obsequiousness to Trump that is off the charts. Does Letlow have any independent judgment?

For that matter,not even Trumpseems sold on, or even paying much attention to, Means’ nomination.

The other day on Air Force One, he said, “Wehave alot of candidates” forsurgeon general. If Trumpdoesn’treally care much about Means, whyshould Letlow repeatedly say it is essential to support such a ludicrous nominee?

To be clear,Cassidy has supported a whole slew of bad Trumpnominees. His hands certainly aren’tclean. But when he finally does the right thing forthe country and forTrump, by bottling up anominee whocannot possibly serve Trumpwell, the last thing Letlow should do is attack Cassidy forit.

Louisiana needs astrong U.S. senator, not apresidential puppet. And the nation’s chief health officer should be areal doctor, not a’shroom-taking health “influencer” whosays better health care results from an intuitive gut rather than a“thinking, rational brain.”

Email Quin Hillyer at quin.hillyer@ theadvocate.com

La.Republicans couldteach Calif. Democrats

In 2024, California voters went for Kamala Harris over Donald Trump by 20 points. In 2025, they approved aballot proposition designed to counter Texas Republicans’ audacious, Trump-backed redistricting plan by nearly 30 points. In 2026, there’sanotso-far-fetched possibility that the state, one of the nation’sbluest, willreplace self-appointed Trump troll Gavin Newsom in the governor’s office with —get this —aRepublican. That the state’sDemocrats are increasingly alarmed by this nightmare scenario has nothing to do with shifting political winds, andeverything to do with California’s adoption in 2011 of theopen primary,the same system long used in Louisiana So, as voters here are currently decoding new party primary rules to electa U.S. senator and afew other top officials, Californians are grappling with one of the quirks of the system that Louisianans know and still love, accordingtopolls: When Republicans, Democrats and everyone

else runonone primaryballot, prettymuch anythingcan happen.

Stephanie Grace

In this case, awhole bunch of Democrats signed up, any of whom would be aheavy favorite against any Republican runoff opponent. But because none of them has caught momentumortakenone for the team and dropped out, polls are showing that two Republicans could claim the top two primary slots, leaving Democratic voters witha deeply unpalatable choice come November.

If any of this sounds familiar to Louisianans, it should. Republicansinour state faced just such a scenario three decades ago.

Louisiana’s Senate seat in 1996 wasvacant,courtesy of J. Bennett Johnston’s retirement.Atthe time, the state was still regularly electing Democrats,but ashift was alreadyunderway, andRepublicans thought they had agood shotat electingone of their own for the first timesince Reconstruction. Butwhichone? Four candidates who were considered mainstream conserva-

tivesigned up: U.S. Rep. Jimmy Hayes, legislator Chuck McMains, New OrleansCity Council member Peggy Wilson and businessman Bill Linder.Sodid former legislator Woody Jenkins, who had afirm base of Christian conservatives but was considered moreright-wing than the others, and therefore less electable.

As they struggled to standout, two Democrats, former state treasurer Mary Landrieu and attorney general Richard Ieyoub, stubbornly held theone-two spots in polls, potentially leaving Republicans shut out

Andthere was another complication. Alsointhe race was Republican David Duke, the former Klansman and legislator who five years earlier made worldwide news by gettingintoagubernatorial runoff. As folks in Louisiana politics knew,Duke was awild card who often got moresupport on election day than he showed in public polls.

The prospect of an all-Democrat runoff or one pitting aDemocrat againstDuke was too much for Republican leaders, including the presidential campaign of Bob Dole, who understood that aDuke

runoff candidacy would be an embarrassment for the party beyond Louisiana’sborders. And so agroup led by then-U.S. Rep. Bob Livingston and his fellow GOP membersofthe state congressionaldelegation cameupwith a plan. They would pick one of the Republicans, dominate the news cycle by stagingasteady rollout of endorsements and signal to GOP voters to fall in line if they wanted acandidate in the runoff. While any one of the moremainstream candidates would have likely been asmarter and more personallyappealing choice, Jenkins consistently polled just ahead of them, so he got the nod. It came awfully close to working. Jenkins finished first in the primarywith 26% to Landrieu’s22% and Ieyoub’s20%, followed by Duke at 12%. Nobody else topped 6%. Butthen in the runoff, he fell 5,788 votes short, suggesting it’shighly likely that adifferent Republican could have won Instead, Landrieu served three terms before the state’sgradual shift to the right finally came for her in 2014—inthe person, ironi-

cally,ofthe now-endangered Bill Cassidy Icalled Livingston recently to see if,given this experience, he might have someadvice forCalifornia Democrats. He declined “I think they’re crazy,” he said but did have somethoughts about the Republicans.

“If polls show you’ve got a chance at two Republicans in the runoff, my advice is to stay firm,” he said.

He said he wasn’thappy to see Trumpendorse one of them, Steve Hilton, because that might shiftenough votes from fellow Republican Chad Bianco to allow aDemocrat into the top tier “I think that wasamistake,” Livingston said. Indeed, if the Democrats can’t find away to choose among their own —and as of now they haven’t —itmight wellend up being a mistake that saves them come primary day on June 2. It’s certainly areminder that Louisiana’straditional way of voting can be either charming or challenging, but is rarely boring. Email StephanieGrace at sgrace@theadvocate.com.

Wayback when parishes were created, emerging government leaders thought it might be agood idea to have someone keep track of legal matters and property

During Reconstruction, roughly between 1865 and 1877, Black people held elective offices in Louisiana, including “Radical Republican” acting Gov.P.B.S. Pinchback and Lt. Gov.Oscar Dunn, respectively the state’sfirst Black governor and first Black lieutenant governor.Local governance was important, so there were several clerks in Orleans Parish, some reports sayasmany as seven or eight.It’s unclear how many of those clerks were Black, but New Orleans had asubstantial population of free Blacks at atime when about 2,000 Black men held elective office. Since then, overseeing parish elections hasbecomeacritical part of the job. When the White supremacistfocused Democrats endedRe-

Will Sutton

construction,they consolidated power,eliminating several clerk jobs and combining theduties. The argument: This saves moneyand reducesthe size of government Afew daysago, the Louisiana Senatevoted to approve Senate Bill 256, merging civil and criminal clerk’soffices in New Orleans. Theargument: This saves moneyand reduces thesize of government. Or so they say If the Louisiana House of Representatives follows the Senateand approves themeasure, Gov.Jeff Landry would sign it. That could stop the legally elected Orleans criminal district clerk from taking office on May 4.

Calvin Duncan is ahero to many,aman whotravels the country sharinghis story about being convicted of a1980s murder he hascontinuously said he didn’tcommit. He was sentenced to life in prison, serving 28 years at theLouisianaState Peniten-

tiaryatAngola. In 2011, new evidence allowed him to plead to alesser charge and walk out of prison as afree man.About adecade later,in2021, OrleansParish Judge Nandi Campbell cleared that conviction.

Duncan and his advocates said he was exonerated. Attorney General Liz Murrill and anumber of other conservative politicians disagreed.

As Duncan campaigned to defeat incumbent Darren Lombard, Murrill called Duncan’sclaim of exoneration “an inaccurate statement.” She said theconviction was vacated, meaning there was no proven innocence.

The incumbent used theexoneration claim as acampaign weapon against Duncan, but it didn’t work. Duncan won overwhelmingly,68% to 32%.

Lombard, to his credit,let it go.

“Asclerk of Criminal District Court for OrleansParish,Irespect the will of the voters above all. Just months ago, the people chose my successor,Mr. Duncan,”

the incumbent wrote in aNew Orleans Agenda column. “I urge the Legislature to reject this bill and stand withthe voters of Orleans Parish.”

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno, who supported Lombard over Duncan, agrees.

“New Orleans courts and clerk offices serve New Orleans residents,” Moreno said in astatement. “Changes of this consequence require local leadership, real data, andgenuine collaboration with stakeholders. Without that, Iwill continue to voice my strong opposition.”

The bill would merge criminal clerk operations into the parish civil clerk office, led by Civil District Court Clerk Chelsea Richard Napoleon. She didn’trequest this merger,and she said it would be challenging and costly to combine theoffices.

Thank goodness we’ve progressed far enough from Reconstruction days that aBlack man can be theincumbent clerk and aBlack man can challenge and

unseat him.Still, this isn’tabout color,ethnicity or race.

This is apersonal vendetta against aman who, exonerated or not, madesomething of himself, becameaproductive citizen, became an example formany and amentor to others, aman who would have good reason to be bitter after spending so manyyears behind bars. Bill sponsor Jay Morris, R-West Monroe, said his bill isn’tfocused on Duncan. Yeah, sure. If Lombard had won reelection, this wouldn’tbeanissue. If the nameofthe clerk election winner wereCharlene Duncan or Charles Duncan, this wouldn’tbe an issue. They want to oust aman chosen by the people to represent them to handle, among other things, fair and free elections.

Idon’tbelieve Morris. And neither should you.

Email Will Sutton at wsutton@ theadvocate.com.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTO By TOMBRENNER

CaseyMeans testifies during aconfirmation hearing for U.S. surgeon general on Feb.25.

Pelicans’ ‘Unc’Jordan yields value off court

BY RODWALKER Staff writer

JeremiahFears was a1-year-oldstill in diapers when DeAndre Jordan was drafted. So it’sunderstandable why the NewOrleans Pelicans rookieguard refers to his veteran teammate as “Unc.”Jordan, whoturns 38 in July,isalmost twice as old as the19-year-old Fears. With Jordan’s age and18 years of NBA experience come aton of wisdom. It’s why you won’tfind many players who have played in just 12 games this season who have made a bigger impressionontheir teamthanJordan. His presence in New Orleans has been worth far more than his 4.4 pointsper game average.

“It takes avillage to do this,” Pelicans interim coach James Borrego. “Thereare so many people that go into anNBA season to make it work. To see the growth of our young team, DeAndre had amassive impact on that He brought professionalismevery day.A voice every day.A respect for every drill, every practice and every moment together.”

Jordan’spresence didn’tlead to more wins. The Pelicans have won just26games heading into Sunday’sseason finaleatthe Minnesota Timberwolves. They’ll miss the playoffs for asecond straight year The team may notbeany better than it was before Jordan’sarrival, but the young players arebetter because of it

ä See PELS, page 5C

center DeAndre Jordan,left, chats with center DerikQueen duringagame against the Utah Jazz on Tuesdayatthe Smoothie King Center

SPORTS

Back to pack

National Golf ClubonSaturdayinAugusta, Ga

putex-LSUgolferBurns,manyothersinthick of chase

AUGUSTA, Ga. Tenyears ago, an LSU golfer named Smylie Kaufman was one stroke off the lead going into the final round of the Masters. Onedecade on, another Tiger —former LSU All-American Sam Burns —virtually has the identical opportunity

Achance to makehistory

Achance to win agreen jacket

Achance for golfing immortality Burns’ playing partner Saturday,reigning Masters champion RoryMcIlroy,began the third round with thepower to turn the tournament intoacoronation-like snoozefest or awild free-for-all marching toward Sunday’sfinal round. No offense to theuber-popular McIlroy,but for every golf fan who enjoys alittle drama withSunday coffee, thankfully free-for-all won out. McIlroy golfed

hisballall over the lot fora1-over 73, his Masters record six-stroke lead after 36 holes melting in the hot Georgia sun. After Friday’smagic, when McIlroy looked like he could do no wrong, Saturday his golf game looked like what Iimagine mac and cheese in acan must taste like (yes, that’ssomething they actually have on the shelves in McIlroy’snative Northern Ireland).

By the timeitwas over,McIlroy was still in the lead but now had to share it with Cameron Young, whowas as on fire Saturday as McIlroy wasFriday.Young fired a7-under 65 after starting the day eight strokes off the lead to tie McIlroy at 11 under Perhaps just as importantly,McIlroy —who started theday ahalf-dozen shots ahead of Burns and former

See RABALAIS,

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

Kellen Moore knows NFL teamsshoot for the same goal during free agency.Withthe NFL draft largely unpredictable, theideais to do enough in free agency that when the picks come flying in thatApril, reaching to fill amajor need isn’tanecessity There are exceptions, but everyorganizationwants to maintain flexibility ahead of the draft.

“I feellikewe’re in a healthy spot in that case,” Moore said The Saints’ moves in free agency explain why.Ingiving out more than $183 million worth of contracts —with more than $116 millioninguarantees, according toOver The Cap —to11players, NewOrleans took steps to shore up its strugglingrunning gameand replacea key leader after linebacker DemarioDavis departed forthe New York Jets.

As aresult, the Saints appear tohave the flexibility they wanted.Signingrunning back Travis Etienne, for instance, makes

BY REED DARCEY Staffwriter

OnceLSU wrapped up its first twoweeks of spring practice, coach Lane Kiffin said it was “obvious” theTigerswere much further along on defensethanoffense. How could they not be? On defense, LSU retained its coachingstaff and several key starters, while the offense underwent atransformation.Newcomers are allover thefield, and almost all of them are learninga new system

“There’salot of work to do,”Kiffin said Tuesday That belief was clear on Saturday,when LSUscrimmaged in Tiger Stadium. Reporters couldwatch the full session for the first time thisspring, which meant they could seewhy Kiffin thinks his offense is still awork in progress. There were flashes. Both quarterbacks who ranwith the first-team unit Saturday, SouthernCal transfer Husan Longstreet and Elon transfer Landen Clark —connected with receivers for long touchdowns after layering nice throws over the middle Butthe defense wonthe day. Turnovers, penalties, dropped passes and

miscommunications kept interfering with the offense, which shouldn’tsurprise anyone who’sbeen listening to Kiffin.

“If we weretoplay right now,”hesaid on Tuesday,“we’d play to ourdefense. Because we have somegreat defensive players thatare playing really well, until the offense comes along.

“But we’re not playing right now.”

Here’swhat else stood out from the twohour session, the ninth of 15 practices that LSU has scheduled this spring.

Quarterbacks

It’simportanttonotethatpresumptive starting quarterback Sam Leavitt did notparticipate in full-team drills Saturday.Kiffin said he’ll sit the rest of spring practice because he recently underwent ascheduled proceduretoremovethe pins in his surgically repaired right foot. So theTigers areusing thesecondhalfof their spring to evaluate the two signal-callers they have behind him: Longstreet and Clark. Both passers operated the first-team offense on Saturday,though Clark took more reps with the ones than Longstreet. Neither quarterback had aparticularly sharp day. The defense intercepted several passesinfull-team work, including the reps that redshirt freshmanEmile Picarella took with the third-team offense. Thefirst-team offensehad trouble picking up first downs and sustaining drives. One of its possessions stalled on

ä See LSU, page 3C

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE Pelicans

Scott Rabalais

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByMATTSLOCUM

SamBurns hits his tee shot on the ninth hole during the third round of the Masters tournament at the Augusta

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU quarterback Landen Clark looksto make apass during spring practice on March 26 at the team’s practice facility

WNBA FREE-AGENCY ROUNDUP

Diggins to Sky; Sabally joins Liberty

Griner reportedly finalizing deal with Sun

BY DOUG FEINBERG Associated Press

Skylar Diggins is headed to Chicago while Satou Sabally is coming to New York as WNBA free agents were able to officially sign

Saturday Diggins spent the past two seasons with the Seattle Storm before coming to the Sky — a move announced on social media. The seven-time All-Star gives the team another veteran guard and brings her closer to where she grew up in South Bend, Indiana. She averaged 15.5 points and 6.0 assists last season.

Sabally’s move to New York was confirmed by her agent Zack Miller She joins an already stacked roster as Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu already said they’ll be back in New York. Sabally also looked at coming to the Liberty last season when she was also a free agent before landing with the Phoenix Mercury Sabally averaged 16.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists to earn an All-Star spot her third.

She raised her game in the postseason, averaging 19 points and seven rebounds before suffering a concussion in Game 3 of the series against Las Vegas that caused her to miss the final game of the series.

While Diggins and Sabally are changing teams, Kelsey Mitchell and Dearica Hamby are staying put. Mitchell will continue her time in Indiana pairing with Caitlin Clark for one of the most talented backcourts in the league.

“For nearly a decade, Kelsey has been a foundational piece of the Indiana Fever and securing her return was our highest priority Kelsey Mitchell is among the top of a long list of a great athletes who have elevated not only our city and franchise, but their

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By

Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins moves the ball during a game against the New york Liberty on June 22 in Seattle. The seven-time WNBA All-Star is heading to the Chicago Sky

sport as a whole,” Fever general manager Amber Cox said Hamby announced on social media that she was returning to the Los Angeles Sparks. The three-time All-Star will be part of a talented group that includes newly signed Nneka Ogwumike, Kelsey Plum and Cameron Brink.

Late Friday, Brittney Griner was said to be finalizing a deal to join the Connecticut Sun, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

The 10-time All-Star spent last season with the Atlanta Dream after playing the first 11 years of her career for Phoenix, which drafted her No. 1 in 2013.

The 35-year-old Griner is from Houston and the Connecticut franchise is moving there in 2027.

The 6-foot-9 forward won a WNBA title in 2014 with Phoenix and was the league’s leading scorer in 2017 and 2019. She was the defensive player of the year in 2014 and 2015.

Other moves announced Saturday included Jessica Shepard going to Dallas and Natisha Hiedeman heading to Seattle.

Toronto Tempo

The expansion Tempo signed Brittney Sykes to partner with Marina Mabrey in the backcourt. She averaged 14.1 points, 4.0 assists and 3.2 rebounds last season while playing for Washington and Seattle.

“Brittney is an elite competitor who impacts winning on both ends of the floor,” Tempo general manager Monica Wright Rogers said.

“Her defensive versatility, toughness and leadership set a standard, and adding a player of her caliber and All-Star experience is a significant step as we continue to build our roster.”

Mabrey, who was selected by the Tempo in the expansion draft, averaged 12.5 points last season as well as being a secondary playmaker and physical perimeter defender

Chicago Sky

Diggins wasn’t the only player the Sky signed on the first day of free agency Chicago is bringing back forward Azura Stevens, who helped the franchise win a title in

2021.

“I’m truly excited to be coming home to join the Chicago Sky,” Stevens said. “This city means everything to me. The culture, the people, the passion for the game. To have the opportunity to come back to Chicago is amazing. I’m ready to get to work, embrace the moment, and give everything I have. Let’s work.”

Stevens played the past three years with the Sparks, finishing second in Most Improved Player voting last season. She averaged 12.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks.

The Sky also acquired guard Jacy Sheldon from the Washington Mystics. The Mystics receive Chicago’s 2028 first-round pick.

Atlanta Dream

The Dream brought back Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada on Saturday to go along with Allisha Gray, Brionna Jones and Naz Hillmon to lock in their core group.

“This is a group that believes in Atlanta, believes in each other and is united in the pursuit of a championship,” Dream GM Dan Padover said. “Allisha, Brionna, Jordin, Naz and Rhyne represent the standard we are building here in Atlanta; talented, unselfish and fully committed to winning. Their decision to continue building together, in this city and with each other, speaks to their belief in our vision and culture — one built to win, with great players and even better people.”

The group was instrumental in the Dream’s 2025 season, which included 30 wins and a .682 winning percentage, the best marks in team history

Indiana Fever

In addition to re-signing Mitchell and Lexie Hull, the Fever brought in free agent forward Monique Billings following a one-year stint with the expansion Golden State Valkyries. Billings appeared in 26 games, averaging 7.3 points per game.

LSU women’s hoops gets Florida transfer

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

It’s been a busy recruiting weekend for the LSU women’s basketball team, which signed one transfer guard on Saturday while preparing for a visit with another Laila Reynolds, a rising senior guard from Florida, will now play for the Tigers in 2026-27. She visited with coach Kim Mulkey and her staff on Friday and announced that she had committed on Saturday — the day a source confirmed that Iowa State point guard Jada Williams was headed to Baton Rouge for a visit that will stretch into Sunday “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to coach (Reynolds),” Mulkey said in a statement. “Our goals for next season align, making it the perfect fit Her skill set paired with three years of SEC experience will be a huge asset to our team.” Reynolds is a 6-foot-1 three-year starter and former McDonald’s All-American. As a junior, she averaged 12.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 43% from the field. Williams, a 5-6 ballhandler, is also a rising senior, and she’s one of the top players in the transfer portal She scored 15.3 points and assisted 7.7 shots per game this past season, finishing the year with the third-highest assist average among Division I players. She spent the first two years of her career at Arizona. Both Reynolds and Williams played in the 2023 McDonald’s All-America game alongside Mikaylah Williams and MiLaysia Fulwiley — the two star guards who can return to the Tigers for their senior seasons. They can each help Mulkey and her staff replenish the backcourt depth they’re losing to the transfer portal.

role that Hines left behind.

When she was in high school, the Maryland native was one of the 20 best recruits in her class, according to ESPN. She wound up starting 97 games in the three years she spent with the Gators, and she improved her scoring production each season, though she did shoot only 5 of 37 from 3-point range in 2025-26 while turning the ball over 97 times. Only seven SEC players piled up more giveaways this past season than she did.

LSU point guard Thomas transferring to Houston

LSU point guard Dedan Thomas is transferring to Houston, he announced on social media on Saturday The 6-foot-1 junior averaged 15.3 points, a team-leading 6.5 assists and 1.6 turnovers per game before having season-ending foot surgery in February Thomas is the third LSU player to decide where he will play next season. The others are Mike Nwoko, who is heading to Xavier, and Marcus Vaughns, who is going to Arizona State. Thomas was the first player to indicate his intention to enter the transfer portal on March 25. This was the day before coach Will Wade was announced as the new coach of the program, replacing Matt McMahon.

Reliever Kimbrel brought up from minors by Mets

NEW YORK Nine-time All-Star

reliever Craig Kimbrel joined his 10th major league team Saturday when the New York Mets selected his contract from Class A St. Lucie. A 37-year-old right-hander, Kimbrel is fifth in career saves behind Hall of Famers Mariano Rivera (652) and Trevor Hoffman (601) along with Lee Smith and Kenley Jansen (both 478).

Kimbrel replaced mop-up man Richard Lovelady, who was designated for assignment.

“If the game calls for a high leverage, I’m not going to hesitate,” manager Carlos Mendoza said of Kimbrel. “Well on his way to being a Hall of Famer It’s not like a guy that’s coming up to the big leagues for the first time. He’s been in those roles for a long time and had a pretty successful career.”

Toronto DH Springer leaves game with fractured toe

TORONTO Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer left Saturday’s game against the Minnesota Twins because of a fractured big toe on his left foot. Miles Straw hit for Springer in the sixth inning. Springer fouled a ball off his foot in the third but completed his atbat, grounding out to third base.

Manager John Schneider said Springer had an X-ray at the stadium, then left to undergo a CT scan.

“We’ll know more in the next couple of days,” Schneider said.

Toronto’s leadoff hitter, the veteran Springer came into Saturday’s game batting .189 with two home runs and six RBIs. He was a big part of Toronto’s run to the 2025 World Series, hitting .309 with 32 homers and 89 RBIs in the regular season.

Cowboys DB arrested on drug possession charges

McKINNEY, Texas Dallas Cowboys defensive back Markquese Bell was arrested on drug possession charges following a traffic stop in the Dallas area, police said Saturday Police in the suburb of Prosper said an officer could smell marijuana after Bell was pulled over on Friday night. A search of his vehicle uncovered less than 2 ounces of marijuana and a THC electronic cigarette, and he was taken into custody on charges of possession of marijuana and a controlled substance, police said.

A spokesman for the Cowboys said the club was aware of the arrest and declined to comment further

The 27-year-old Bell joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent out of Florida A&M in 2022.

Four LSU guards have decided to test the market as of Saturday Point guard Jada Richard, an Opelousas native, is on the move. So, too, are freshman Bella Hines, freshman Divine Bourrage and senior Kailyn Gilbert — the off-thebench scoring threat who played in just the first five games of the 2025-26 season before stepping away for personal reasons. Bourrage has already signed with Illinois. Reynolds can help LSU fill the

Jada Williams the 10th-best player in the transfer portal, according to ESPN would be LSU’s replacement for Richard. She has 90 career starts, and as a junior, she was one of only nine Division I players who averaged at least 15 points and five assists per game. Even if Mulkey and her staff land Williams, they’d still have another move or two to make. Forward Grace Knox and center Kate Koval can return next season, but LSU may explore the possibility of moving forward ZaKiyah Johnson from the post to the perimeter, which would leave it with a couple holes to fill in the frontcourt. The Tigers’ lone 2026 freshman signee is Lola Lampley — a 6-foot2 wing from Indiana.

The transfer portal is open until April 20, and LSU can recruit players who have entered it both before and after it closes.

Fury routs Makhmudov in his boxing comeback

LONDON Tyson Fury showed little rust in dominating Arslanbek Makhmudov for a unanimous decision victory Saturday and immediately challenged a ringside Anthony Joshua to fight him next. “Let’s give the fight fans what they want,” Fury bellowed after going 12 rounds.

A Fury-Joshua heavyweight showdown would be one of the biggest fights in British boxing history Joshua sat ringside during the fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

As for Saturday’s fight, Fury (35-2-1) had a fairly slow start but otherwise dictated the pace with his left jab and in later rounds landed frequent lead uppercuts on Makhmudov (21-3). Two judges scored it

LINDSEy WASSON

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Florida guard Laila Reynolds pumps her fist after an LSU turnover during a game Jan. 26 at the PMAC. Reynolds is transferring to LSU for her senior season.

LSUsoftballbeats Arizona, findinga winningknack

BY JIM KLEINPETER

Contributing writer

The margin for error is razorthin in softball, but LSU is starting to show aknack for being on the winningside of it.

The No. 21 Tigers beat No. 13 Arizona for the second time in two days with tight pitching by Cece Cellura and another key hit by Kylee Edwards in a3-1 victory at Tiger Park on Saturday Cellura stymied theWildcats, who entered the serieswith the nation’sNo. 9battingaverage, for five innings before giving up arun in the sixth. She then pitched out of abases-loadedjam in the seventh. Edwardsprovided arun-scoring triple in the first inning andscored on asacrifice fly by Alix Franklin It wasthe eighth win in 11 games for LSU (28-13), which is makinga run during the second half of the season.

“Weare finding ways and that has been abig push over the last fewweeks,” LSU coach Beth Torina said.“It seemed like we were on the wrong side of the one-run games. It’snice to see our team finding ways to win.”

Cellura (6-4) allowed only an unearned run with three strikeouts and one walk. The Wildcats (29-11) made it interesting with a pair of two-out, weakly hit infield singles and then abase hit by Sereniti Trice to put the go-ahead run on first base in the seventh. That brought up the dangerous Sydney Stewart, the teamleader with 14 homers. But afteravisit from Torina, Cellura got Stewartonafly ball to right field to end thegame.

“She just said, ‘Don’tgive in,’ ” Cellura said. “It was abig moment She said, ‘Throw yourbeststuff, go at her,don’t give in.’ It wasjust trusting the people behind me They were competing their butts off, and Iknow no matterwhat they are going to get thenext out. Even when things get big, even in the seventh inning, Iknew we were going to get the out.”

The only Arizona run came when Tori Edwards dropped apop fly for atwo-base error and GraceJenkins hit asacrifice fly in the sixth inning. LSU, which wasouthit7-3,had nearly as much trouble getting to Arizona aceJalen Adams (16-6). In the first inning, Kylee Edwards

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU shortstop Kylee Edwards rounds second in the first inning of the game against Arizona on SaturdayatTiger Park.

tripled to the right-fieldcorner one outafter Jalia Lassiter was hit by apitch. Franklin drove in Edwards with adeep drive toleft field LSU pushed acrossaninsurance run when Ally Hutchins drew a bases-loaded walk in thebottom of the sixth, one pitch after checking her swingonball three. The no-swing call by third-base umpire LauraKing drew avociferousobjection from Arizona coach Caitlin Lowe.

Edwards, who is 23 for 56 in her last 18 games, now hasfourtriples this season and six in hercareer “She’s(Adams) areally good pitcheronthe other side, she was really spinning the ball,”Edwards said. “Wepieced ittogether,getting base runners on. We did agreat job of that. Not necessarily hits but

walks andhit by pitches, getting the timely hit.

“She tried to throw it away andI wentthatway.Thisismyfirst year of hitting triples,soI must have gotten faster.”

Taking the seriesputs LSUin positiontomoveupinthe national rankings. The Tigers have home series againsttwo of thebottom threeSEC teams in OleMissand Auburn, plus an away series at No. 14 Mississippi State. The Tigers go for the sweep against Arizona at 11 a.m. Sunday.

“Wedefinitely wanttotry to finish the deal tomorrow,” Torina said. “These two games areprobablyas big as anyonour scheduleall year long. They’re goingtomean aton when we getdown to postseason conversations.”

Schmidt, LSUbaseballhit potholein4th at OleMiss

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

OXFORD,Miss. William Schmidt had the game in the palm of his hand. The LSUsophomoreright-handed starter hadn’tallowedahit in three innings, and seven of his nine outs came via strikeout on Saturday afternoon at Swayze Field. The Tigers had to feel good, with arguably their top arm in agroove and a2-0 lead over Ole Miss “I thought his first (inning) was excellent,” LSU coach Jay Johnson said. “The third wasexcellent.I thought he grinded his way through the second inning.”

Tulane football’s defense dominatesscrimmage Hall ‘disappointedin

offense’sexecution’

BY GUERRYSMITH Contributing writer

Tulane’sinitial spring scrimmage under new coach Will Hall began with along touchdown off acoverage bust.

Three weeks later,ittook 10 seriesfor the offensetoreach the endzone.

Thedefense allowed onlyone first down throughthe first six possessions on Saturdaymorning, dominating alarge portion of the 98-play scrimmage at YulmanStadium before giving up threetouchdowns in the latter segments.

Five quarterbacks rotated in during that opening stretch, and theonlyseriesthatlastedmore than threeplays wasthe first, when Zeon Chriss-Gremillion completed a9-yard pass to tight end Ty Thompson andJohnnie Daniels ran 3yards on the second snap. Safety Kevin Adamsbroke up athird-down pass with abig hit afew plays later,setting the tone for the next 30 minutes.

“The defense came out with a lot of effort andintensity,” Hall said. “I was really disappointed in the offense’sexecution early on.Wehaven’t really hadaday like that, and we did (Saturday). Alot of missed assignments. Alot of missed eyes with the quarterbacks. We had twodropped balls thatwould have been conversions for first downs.Justnot awellplayedday offensively.”

Partofthe issue might have been the absence of offensive coordinator Russ Callaway,who waswith hiswifeafter thebirth of their third child on Friday night. Operating without itsnormalplay-caller, the offense finally broke through on quarterback Dagan Bruno’ssecond drive.

Running back Jaylin Lucas picked up 13 and 17 yards on back-to-back carries, then added a4-yard gain with aface-mask penalty at the end that moved the ball to the defense’s21. Twoplays later,Bruno ran an option keeper and cut back untouched fora16yard touchdown. Kadin Semonza then went out for his third series and hit Maurice Turner down the middle for 26 yardsonfourth and4,setting up Turner’s25-yard touchdown run on the next play

“I was just excited to help the offense get aspark,” Turner said. “That’sreally my main thing. If we eliminatethe mental mistakes, we can go along way.”

fense’sresponse,” Hall said. “The two-minute drive by Zeon was awesome, but it was kind of a herky-jerky day offensively.Alot of the credit goes to the defense because when youplaythathard and you tackle that well, you give the offense achance to mess up.” Safety Joshua Moore jumpeda route on alate throw by Semonza foraninterception. The defense registeredfoursacks against backup offensive linemen, including oneeach by Geordan Guidry (on Trace Johnson), linebacker Makai Williams and Ed Smith (both on Jay Beamon).

“I really liked the speed we were playing at,” Williamssaid. “Afterwegot off to ahot start, we just were playing off each other alot more. We understood whereeverybody was.Our speed, oureffort andour tackling wasso muchbetter than last year.”

Turner provided thebiggest highlights offensively,finishing unofficially with threecarries for43yardsand twoscores while catching four passes for 49 yards. Lucas carried 11 times for 58 yards.

All of the quarterbacks had modest statistics, againunofficially.Chriss-Gremillion went 11 of 17 for92yards. Semonzawas 10 of 16 for 93 yards with the interception. Johnson was 3of5for 28 yards, leadingone drive that ended in Jackson Courville’s43yard field goal after a45-yard run by DJ Dugar Bruno finished4 of 6for 18 yards along with his rushing touchdown.

Most of theday,though, belonged to the defense. Nickelback Michale Igbinoghene broke up a fourth-down pass from ChrissGremillion to Zycarl Lewis. When the offense reached the red zone on three consecutive possessions near the end, it had to settle for field goals.

Fittingly,Dugar was stuffedfor aloss on fourth and1onthe 17th and final series.

“Wewere just locked in,” Williamssaid. “Everybody did their job and wasnot trying to do too much. We fit ourgaps, andthere was nowhere to go.” Lagniappe

ON DECK

WHO: LSU(22-14, 6-8 SEC)

vs. Ole Miss(25-11, 7-7)

WHEN: 1p.m., Sunday WHERE: Swayze Field

ONLINE: SECNetwork+

RADIO: WDGL-FM, 98.1 (Baton Rouge); WWL-AM,870 (New Orleans); KLWB-FM,103.7 (Lafayette)

RANKINGS: LSUisNo. 24 in D1Baseball’srankings, OleMissis No.25

PROBABLESTARTERS: LSU —RHP

GrantFontenot (0-0, 1.50 ERA); Ole Miss—RHP Taylor Rabe (3-1, 3.20 ERA)

PREGAME UPDATES: theadvocate. com/lsu ON X: @KokiRiley

But then LSU (22-14, 6-8SEC) hit awall. Walks from Schmidt and the long ball led to four runs for Ole Miss in the fourth inning as the LSU bats went in the deep freeze. It all added up to a12-2 defeat in seven innings because of the 10-run mercy rule. It also meant aseries loss to the Rebels. Schmidt enteredthe weekend with a2.63 ERA and hadn’tallowed more than three earned runs in a start all year.His swing-and-miss stuff appeared to be amismatch for Ole Miss (25-11, 7-7), an offense that tends to strike out alot, and that’sexactly what happenedatthe start. But then the fourth inning happened. Schmidt got ahead in the count on the first two battersbut walked them both. Aftera wild pitchallowed arunner to reach third, Ole Miss hit asacrifice fly and asingle to tie the game 2-2. Ole Miss foundagroove from there. Catcher Austin Fawley blasted atwo-run home run to give the Rebels a4-2 lead before adouble knocked Schmidt out of the game. The LSU bullpen threw gasolineon the fire, surrendering eight runs on six hits over the next two innings to give Ole Miss a12-2 advantage after the sixth. “They’re disappointed,” Johnson said.“I’msure alot of guys,Ihope, arefeelingsomepainfromtheir performance.”

also showed that he’sstill nota finished product. He had trouble finishing hitters consistently —all of his walks came on full counts and he wasn’tefficient,throwing 85 pitches in just 32/3 innings.

“They have an explosive offense,” Johnson said. “Can’t give themfree bases because eventually they’re going to homer,and they did.”

WHATTOWATCH FOR: Fontenot made his firststart forLSU last Sundayand didn’t give up an earned runin22/3 innings. He hasn’t allowedanearned run since Feb. 16 against Kent State. Rabe allowedsevenhits and three earned runs in 42/3 innings last week againstFlorida.The righthander has yettoescape the fifth inning this year Koki Riley Ole Miss 12, LSU2(7innings) LSUOle Miss (22-14)(25-11) abrhbiab rhbi Stanfield lf 20 01 Decker2b4 11 0 Yaminph1 00 0Bissetta rf 31 00 Brownrf3 00 0Uterma.3b3 32 1 Curiel cf 21 00 Furniss 1b 22 12 Arrambidec3 01 0Feder.cf/lf 11 12 Milam ss 30 21 Goldin lf 30 00 Jh.Pear. 3b 30 00 Reuter ph 10 00 Braun 1b

The LSU attack got off toahot start with four hits andtwo runs through twoinnings. Junior Steven Milam drove in arun in the first with atwo-out double, and senior ChrisStanfield hit asacrificeflyin thesecond.

Despite Saturday’ssetback, Schmidt hasbeen the most consistent LSU starter.His command has improvedfroma year ago, and the emergence of his changeup has allowed himtouse four pitches that he cankeephitters off-balance with. Hiscurveball and sliderhave been excellentswing-and-missofferings But his struggles at Swayze Field

But theTigerswere silent after that. They didn’tput arunnerin scoring position after the secondinning and mustered only twosingles the rest of the game.

LSU and Ole Miss finish their three-gameseries in Oxford on Sunday.First pitch is set for 1p.m., andthe game will be availableto stream on SEC Network+.

Chriss-Gremillion leda75yard, two-minute drive for the last touchdown alittle later,completing threeconsecutive passes at the start andconnecting with wideout Destyn Hill for a12-yard gain on fourth and2.Gordon scored from 4yards out on the next play

“I was pleased with the of-

LSU

Continued from page1C

acheck-down pass. Another ended on ascramble run. Then there was adrive-ending holdingpenalty,a pair of interceptions, abotched toss exchange,ahigh snap and an incompletion over the middle

The starters didscore three touchdowns, though, and two of themcameonexplosive passing plays —one to receiver Winston Watkins and another to tight end Malachi Thomas. Longstreet, aformer five-star recruit, becamethe presumptive backup to Leavitt as soon as he transferred to LSU in January Butitlooks like Clark will have a shot at the job, too.

That battle should continue through preseason camp.

Otherpositionbattles

LSU is expected to hold positionbattles at twoorthree spots on the offensive lineinpreseason camp, but in spring, Kiffinand his staffhave usedlargely the same first-team grouping in portions of practice open to reporters.

Colorado transfer Jordan Seaton hasbeen the left tackle, and returner Weston Davis has been the right. The two guards have been returner Bo Bordelon and Maryland transferAliou Bah, while the center has been returner Braelin Moore. Ole Miss transfer Devin Harper has gottenrepsatleft guard this spring, but mostofthose snaps lately havegone to Bordelon. On Saturday,the second-team offensive line —from the left side to

Hall said Callaway would be back as soon as possible The kickers madeall of theirfield goal and extra-point attempts in the live portionbut also attempted three by themselves during breaks. Courville hit from 40 yards, missing from51and 53. Cooper Helmke connected from 36 yardstwice andfrom42. Bruno,Johnsonand Beamon wore full-contact jerseys. Johnson was shaken up briefly by abig hit on a scramble. Chriss-Gremillion and Semonza were not allowed to be hit Redshirtfreshman quarterback Cade Scott washeldout with ashoulder injury.…Tulane will practice Tuesdayand Thursday next week before capping spring drills withthe spring game on Saturday

the right —was Baylor transfer Sean Thompkins, Harper, Tennessee transfer William Satterwhite,NCCentraltransfer Ja’Quan Sprinkle and Kentucky transfer Darrin Strey Watkins, Hawaiitransfer Jackson Harris and Illinois transfer Malik Elzyformed thefirst grouping of wide receivers Saturday On defense, the Tigers rotated theirdefensive tackles.Junior DominickMcKinleygot firstteam reps. So, too, did freshman DeuceGeralds, Auburn transfer Malik Blocton andfifth-year senior Shone Washington. The top threeedge rushers on Saturday wereOle Misstransfer PrincewillUmanmielen,Tennessee transferJordanRossandreturning redshirt junior DylanCarpenter JuniorDashawn Spearsspent most of his time at the Star position. Redshirt junior Tamarcus Cooley andTyBenefield, aBoise Statetransfer, mannedthe two safety spots.

Attendance andinjuries

Twoplayers were bangedup on Saturday: sophomorecornerback Aidan Anding and edge rusher Damien Shanklin. Anding appeared to injure his leg on one scrimmagerep, and he wasspotted in awalking boot toward the end of the session.

Linebacker Whit Weeks(foot) still isn’tpracticing. On Thursday,heworked with atrainer off to the side, and on Saturday,he watched from the sideline. Leavittwas on thefieldSaturday,and he hada helmet on. But all he did wassome light individual workatthe start of practice.

Breaking down draftscenarios forSaints

BY MATTHEWPARAS, LUKE JOHNSON,ROD WALKER and JEFF DUNCAN Staff writers

There is less than two weeks to ruminate, dissect and mock-upthe 2026 NFL Draft, so we thought it was agood time to get our New Orleans Saints coverage team together for aroundtable.

The Times-Picayune crew sat down to answer aseriesofquestionsabout the Saints’ plans for their picks, starting with No. 8in the first round; some of thetop prospects;and how the young coaching staff is building around quarterback Tyler Shough What’s the best-case scenario forthe Saints at pick No. 8?

Matthew Paras:The more offensive linemen that go early,the better If Arizona and Cleveland take linemen at Nos. 3and 6, respectively, the Saints likely will land avery,very goodplayer whofits their needs. I’d lean edge rusher at that spot —either Rueben Bain or David Bailey,ifavailable —but I’d also understand the temptation to take wide receiver Carnell Tate or safety Caleb Downs. Idon’tthink New Orleans could go wrong with any of those four,assuming Jeremiyah Love is already gone

LukeJohnson:I’m with Matt here: The best thing that could happen for New Orleans is for teams to chase offensive tackles in the top seven —or, who knows, for someone to get enamored with quarterback Ty Simpson— to give New Orleans options. While Ican support drafting to fill immediate needs, especially at premium positions such as receiver and edge rusher,I would hope for the opportunity to draft either Notre Dame running back Love or Ohio State defensive back Downs. In adraft that feels short of star power, these two feel like they have the most AllPro potential.

Rod Walker:The Saints really can’t go wrong —unlessthey do something really strange and draft an offensive lineman or quarterback. That surely won’t happen. The draft isn’tdeep, but picking at No. 8should give them plenty of good options. Any offensive linementakenbefore the Saints pick only strengthens the pool of prospects theSaints will have to choose from. My best-casescenario is the Saints having the choice of Tate, Bain or Love. Jeff Duncan:Totally agree with Luke here. If either Love or

SAINTS ROUNDTABLE

Downs falls to them, the Saints should thank their luckystars and run to the podium to make the selection. Those are the two home run selections in this draft for the Saints.Everyone else would be a triple. Love is the explosiveplaymakerthis offense has lacked Downs will become the future leader of adefense. Both guys are can’t-miss, no-brainer picks.

Shouldthe Saintsprioritize offense or defense with the eighth pick?

Paras:Ina vacuum,this answer should be the offense.But this draft hasmore high-qualitydefenders near the top, so chances are the Saints wouldbebetter off landing one of those thanreaching for another wide receiver if, say, Tate isn’t available at No. 8. And even if Tate is still there, the New Orleans defense has a chance to become elite withthe right addition.

Johnson:Idon’tthink they can go into this draftwith this mindset.The Saints grabbed some nice foundational pieces in their last couple of drafts, but this is still an organizationthat is short on star power. Despitethe encouraging late-season run and free agency spending, the Saints don’tfeel ready to contend in 2026. Take the guy who has the best shot of becoming adude,no matterwhichside of the ball he plays.

Walker:Best player available. If Love isthere, take him. If Downs is there, take him. But if having to choose one, I’d lean toward the of-

fense. Yeah,the Saints signedrunning back Travis Etienne in free agency,but this team still needs more weapons. Chris Olaveis coming off agreat season, but he’s hadinjuriesinthe past. So has most of the depth behind him. So if the Saints can addanother bigtime receiver for TylerShough to throw to, this is the time to do it.

Duncan:Theyshould take the best playeronthe board.This team still needshelp in multiple areas on both sides of theball. The only positions that wouldbeoff the table for me are quarterback linebacker andoffensive line. The roster could use an influx of young talent just abouteverywhere else.

What’sone positionthe Saints can get away with taking laterinthe draft? And how late areyou waiting?

Paras:AlontaeTaylor’sdeparture in free agency created the biggest hole on thedefense. But the Saints can waittoaddress slot corner in the second or thirdrounds because of theoptions that should be there later on,whether that is ChandlerRivers of Duke,Keionte Scott of Miami or someone else. Idon’t think it’sDowns-or-bust in the first round.

Johnson:Iagreewith Matt in a sense —for slot-specific players, Ithink the Saints can find a good starter on thesecondday if they choosetogothatroute. I also think it would be wise for the Saints to shore up theirinterior line depth on both sidesofthe ball. Theyare in abit of asweet spot where they can takeplayers whomay need ayear or two to develop.

Walker:IknowIjust answered

in the previous question to go getaquality receiver in the first round, but if the Saints can get onelike Louisville receiver Chris Bell (currently rehabbing an ACL injury) in the second round, that would be huge. Bell was afirstround talent before suffering the injury last season, so landing him in the second round would be a steal.

Duncan:Iwould not take areceiverinthe top 10. While Ithink there areguys there who could upgrade the receiving corps, I don’tsee truly elite, can’t-miss prospects. This receiver class lackselite star power at the top endbut has solid depth. Ithink some of the receivers taken in the second and third rounds could turn outtobemore productive than the guys being projected in the first round this year

What would be the worst-case scenario forthe Saints?

Paras:The first round has a chance to unfold in less-than-ideal circumstances if the Jets (at 2), Cardinals (3) and Titans (4) all take edge rushers; the Giants take Downs; Cleveland takes Tate; andWashington takes Love. That would leave New Orleans with either Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, LSU cornerback Delane or, gulp, oneofthe offensive linemen. StylesorDelane would be fine, but the Saints have bigger needs than taking atackle for the third consecutive year

Johnson:I maybeinthe minority here,but Idon’twant to be in a positionwhere taking Bain feels like the only viable option. Bain was an excellent college player andmay be able to carry that over into the NFL, but he scares me as aprospect. He’snot big, he’s notoverly athletic, and he doesn’t really seem to fit the current defense.

Walker:I’m sounding like abrokenrecord here, but Idon’treally see ascenario where the Saints can’t find areally talented player at No. 8. We know Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza will go first to the Las VegasRaiders, and Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese will go shortly afterward. But Istill have eight players who Ithink would help the Saints. My eight are: Love, Downs, Styles, Bain, Bailey, Tate, Delane and Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson. Assuming the Saints don’ttrade back, one of those eight guys will be there for the taking.

Duncan:The absolute worst-case scenario would be if somehow Mendoza and the top twotackles—Spencer Fano and Francis

Mauigoa —were not selected in the top seven. That likely would mean that the Saints’ prime targets —Love and Downs —almost surely be gone, along with other top prospects such as Bailey,Reese and Styles. Idon’tsee any way that happens, but you never know on draft day,especially if trades occur.The second-worst-case scenario would be if Love, Downs and Bailey are all off the board, eliminating the chance to fill a“need” position with atruly elite player.I view the other prospects as acut below those three.

Give me aprospect that you’re highly intrigued by for the Saints.

Paras:Ilove Arkansas running back Mike Washington. He’sso explosive for his size (6-foot-2, 223 pounds), and Ithink he can be an awesomecomplement to Etienne. Drafting Washington might make Alvin Kamara expendable, but that would help ease whatever pain cutting Kamara would inflict on the fanbase.

Johnson:The cop-out answer is Downs. Ijust think he could be aforce multiplierfor the Saints defense the way Kyle Hamilton and Derwin James have been for their respective teams. But, if we’re looking for deeper cuts, Ilike the idea of Miami corner Keionte Scott as aone-for-one replacement for Taylor in the slot. Scott was aplaymaker during Miami’snational title run, racking up apair of pick-sixes and five sacks.

Walker:The aforementioned Bell. The Louisville receiver has the frame (6-2, 220) and the physicality that the Saints are missing. Devaughn Vele brings that as well, but he’sbeen dealing with injuries. If the Saints can get Bell in alater round and reunite him with Shough, it would be another toy for Kellen Moore to play with. That’sassuming the Saints are OK with whereBell is in his rehab process.

Duncan:Ilike all three of the aforementioned players and think they would be great fits for this team. I’m on record as loving Love and think he is the best overall prospect in this class and an absolute no-brainer pick if available. Ifeel the same way about Downs. That said, in the second round, I’d like to see them take apass rusher,and the guy that intrigues me is RMason Thomas of Oklahoma. He’s undersized but extremely productive and athletic. He would be agreat fit in Brandon Staley’s scheme as asituational pass rusher

year with ManningAward

It’s been agood year for Fernando Mendoza. At this time ayear ago, hewas a transfer quarterback at Indiana, preparing for the Hoosiers’ spring game in relative anonymity Twelve months later,he’sanational champion,Heisman Trophy winner and the projected No. 1pick in the NFL draft The magic carpet ride continued this week for Mendoza. He spent the past few days at Augusta National Golf Course for the Masters, wherehepalled around with Peyton and Eli Manning, before catching aflight to NewOrleans to accept theMan-

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it less of ablowifNotre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is drafted before New Orleans is on the clock at No.8.Replacing Davis with Kaden Elliss also lessensthe need for drafting an off-ball linebacker,even though this is viewed as an extremely strong class for that position.

Not every spot was filled, of course. The Saints could really use anotherwide receivertogivequarterback Tyler Shoughmore weapons, even as the team negotiates a long-term deal with Chris Olave. The defense is missing astarting nickel cornerback afterAlontae

ning Award as the best college quarterback in the nation.Itwas the latest in aparade of honors for the congenial 6-foot-5, 235-pound signalcaller

“It’sbeen awhirlwind,”said Mendoza, beforeaccepting the bronze trophyduring aceremony at Manning’s Sports Bar and Grille in downtown New Orleans.

“But Iwould say the one word to describe it all is ablessing. I’ve been enabled and blessed to have thefantastic year that we had.”

Mendozacredited theMannings with instillingconfidence in himduringthe early part of hiscareer.Hesaid the invitation from Archie Manning to attend thefamily’s prestigious Manning Passing Academytwo years ago was so impactful hekept thetext in hisphone as areminder of how far he has comeinhis journey

“I have come along way from that moment, butfor your family

Taylor leftfor theTennessee Titans. TheSaints long have wanted to getyounger at edgerusher,and adding further help in the trenches —on bothsides of theball—remainsagoal. But even with those needs, the Saints arguably aren’tinaspot where they havetoget desperate. Look at cornerback. On the surface, draftingsafety Caleb Downs or cornerback Mansoor Delane eighthoverall would make sense to replace Taylor.Downs is aversatile piecethat canplaymultiple spots, while pickingDelane would allowthe Saintstokick someone like Quincy Rileyinside. That said, teams can findnickel cornerbacks later in the draft. That alleviates some of the pressureNew Orleans might faceinthe first round. Thesame can besaid about wide

to believe in me andtogive me an invite back then when there was absolutely zero buzz about me,really was ahuge confidencebooster for me,”Mendoza said to Cooper Manning during the Q&A portion of the ceremony “It’s ahuge honor Iwear to have this award and to be apart of the camp.Ilook forward to honoring it and doing my best in the future.”

In leading Indiana to thefirst 16-0 season in college football history,Mendoza led the FBS in touchdown passes (41) and led Power Fourconference quarterbacks with48combined rushing and passing touchdowns. He was also the only FBS quarterback with six games of four-plus touchdown passes and no interceptions.

“What ajoy it’sbeen to watch Fernando throughout this season,” said Archie Manning, who could not attend the ceremony while recovery from back surgery.“He excelled on the field week after week, right down to that fourth-down touchdown run

receiver.There’sagoodchance that at least oneofCarnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson andMakai Lemon still will be available when the Saintsare set to pick. If theSaints prefer to prioritize another position first, they likely can get away withwaiting. Chris Bell, TedHurst and Malachi Fields areall Day 2 wideouts that could be agood consolation prize for ateam in need of an offensive spark. Venturingpastthe thirdround to finda wideoutisa risk, butifthe Saints don’tnoticeably improve the positioninthe draft, they at least committed to overhauling their rushing attack. The Saints not only made Etienne the ninth-highestpaid playerathis positionbut also signed guard David Edwardstoa notable four-year,$61 million contract that ensures Etienne should

in the national championship that will live forever in Indiana history.Healso conducted himself so welloff the field and in interviews. We’re honored to recognize Fernando Mendoza as thewinner of the 2025 Manning Award.”

During his chat with Cooper Manning and at anews briefing with local reporters before the ceremony,Mendoza reflected on the unconventional road he traveled as an overlooked recruit from Miami with just one Division Ischolarship offer

“There’ssomanydifferent elements that go into my success consistency,termination, camaraderie —that I’ve been taught by alot of great mentors,” he said. “It’s not onesingular person. It’s everybody.It’sthe teammates. It’smyfamily.It’smycoaches. It’sjust been aperfect storm that’sled me to here.”

In fact, the past twoManning Award winners are primeexamples of the bromide that great players can come from anywhere.

have enough room to run.

Aseven-round draftgives teams ahealthyamount of leeway regardless of free agency.But make no mistake, this year is much differentfor theSaintsthan2024— adraft that screamed “tackle or bust”inthe first round. The Saints ended up drafting tackle Taliese Fuaga, to the surprise of no one.

TheSaints arealso in aplace where they can afford to swing on aprospect. Miami defensive end RuebenBain is apolarizing pass rusher because of his307/8-inch arm length and undersized frame, but his speed and bend could be the missing piece foraNew Orleans defense that took anoticeable leap last season.

“If you’re slightly off aprototype, you’vegot to be areally productive player,” Moore said. “Have

Cam Ward, the 2025 winner,was a no-star recruit out of Texas, who initially signed with Incarnate Word of the FCS. Mendoza wasa lightly recruited two-star recruit of Miami. He wasn’tranked among the top 250 players in the state of Florida for the Class of 2022 and originally committed to Yale beforeswitching to California late in the process.

“Early on in my career when Iwas alittle frustrated that I was atwo-star (recruit), my momtold me,don’tlet yourself get put in these imaginary boundaries and confines because once you do that, then you’re going to confine your growth,” Mendoza said. “Those are past rankings. Focus on you every single day,soyou can break out of those rankings, be free, and essentially have unlimited potential for growth ratherthan try to put acap on yourself. So that growth mindset has really helped me,and I’m sure it’shelped Cam, because he’sa fantastic player.”

the ability to makeplays and have done it over an extended period of time to kind of showcase that. There’salot of conversations to be had about that.” Bain certainly doesn’tfit the Saints’ historical prototype, which leanstoward long, athleticedge rushers. But his track record at Miami—201/2 sacks in three years —indicates he satisfies Moore’srequirement of production. And given that New Orleanshas whiffed on some of their drafted pass rushers over the last five years, and considering last year’s scheme change, maybe Bain is worth the pick if he’sstill available. At the very least, the Saints have options.

Email Matthew Parasatmatt. paras@theadvocate.com

Jeff Duncan

Mendoza

UnsettledSunday

BY TIM REYNOLDS AP basketball writer

Sunday is the final day of the NBA regular season, and here’safull listing of all the playoff and postseason matchups that have been decided.

None.

There are 10 teams locked into specific seeds in the Easternand WesternConferences, there are 10 other teams that know their seasons will end Sunday and 10 more still have some level of uncertainty going into the final day of the six-month grind that precedes the NBA postseason.

By the end of Sunday,four

first-round series matchups

—those starting next weekend —will be known, as will the first four play-in tournament matchups that will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday

“We’re just excited to be in this situation,”said Atlanta coachQuin Snyder, whoseHawks are playoffbound —but don’tknow if they’ll be the No. 5or No. 6seed in the East, so they obviously don’tknow their first-roundmatchup either

“Whoever we play is going to be really good,” Snyder said. “It’shard to even try to figure that out. It’spossible that certain teams want to play us. We don’tknow what’sgoing to happen.

“It’shard to predict all these games that are going on. Wherever it falls is how it falls.” No team needs to win on Sunday to extend its season. Thereare 10 teamseliminated from postseason contention who all know Game 82 is the end of the road.

“But for the other 20 teams, there will be an 83rd game, either in the play-in this coming week or in the playoffsthatstart next weekend.

That doesn’tmean those 20 teams all have nothing to play for Sunday.There are seeds to grab, and in some cases,ateam could essentially manipulate how their side of the bracket sorts itself out. If San Antonio beats Denver,for example, the Spurs would assure themselves of not having to face Oklahoma City or theNuggets untilthe Western Conference finals.

ANuggets loss would mean LeBronJames and the Los Angeles Lakers provided they beat Utah on Sunday —would finish as the West’sNo. 3seed.

“I’m sure everybody wantstoplayus,” LosAngelesLakers coach JJ Redick said.“Let’sget that out there —everybody wants to playus. There areprobably teams that areinapositionwhere they can start looking forward to potential second-roundmatchupsas well.”

won’t knowifthey’ll be the No. 5orNo. 6seedinthe East.

Sacramento, Utah,Brooklyn, Indiana, Washington

Statsraces

Allthe major statistical titles have been decided, barring themostmathematically improbable eventsofall-time happening on Sunday.

n Scoring: Luka Doncic of theLakers(33.5 per game) will win, unless something happenslike Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 194 points on Sunday.

n Rebounding: Nikola Jokicofthe Nuggets (12.9 per game) will win, unless something happens like New York’sKarl-AnthonyTowns grabbing at least 95 rebounds on Sunday.

n Assists:Jokic (10.9per game) will win. unless somethinghappens like Detroit’s Cade Cunningham getting at least 77 assists on Sunday.

n Blocked shots: Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs (3.1 per game) will win, unless something happenslike Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren blocking at least 85 shotsonSunday. (So, yes,it’s safe to assume those races have been decided.)

Thebreakdown

n Seeds clinched: Detroit (East 1),Oklahoma City (West 1), Boston (East 2),San Antonio (West 2), NewYork (East 3), Cleveland(East 4), Houston (West 5), Minnesota (West 6),Phoenix (West 7for play-in), GoldenState (West 10 for play-in).

n Playoff-bound, seed still TBA: Denver(3or4 in West), Los AngelesLakers (3 or4in West), Atlanta (5 or 6inEast).

n Playoff or play-in bound: Toronto, Orlando,Philadelphia

n Play-inbound, seed still TBA: LosAngeles Clippers, Portland, Charlotte,Miami.

n Season ends Sunday: Milwaukee, Chicago,New Orleans, Memphis, Dallas,

Doncic won’t play Sunday for the Lakers, meaninghe’ll fall short of the 65-game rule for award eligibility, andJokicneeds to play Sunday to hitthat number.That meansit’spossiblethe NBA scoring, rebound andassist champions will allbeineligible to appear on the ballots that will decide the All-NBA teams, MVP and other major awards.

Draftoddsupdate

Theteams with the three worst records are set:Washingtonwillbeworst,with Indiana andBrooklynsecond- and third-worst in some order

That meansthose three teams will havethe best odds —14% each —ofwinning the No. 1pick in next month’s draft lottery

AndWashington can’tfinish lower than fifth in thelottery Utahand Sacramento would both see draft-lottery benefitsfrom losses on Sunday —especially the Jazz, who could assure themselves of keeping apickthat would be guaranteed to be in thetop eight.

PELICANS

Continuedfrom page1C

“He’sthe big brother,” rookie Micah Peavysaid. “Off thecourt, he helps you alot. He’sbeen in the league along time,sohe’s someone Igoand talk to about anything. Notjust basketball. Life. Investments.Anything. He’s been in this thing along time.”

Jordan,the ultimate pro, is grooming players to be pros as well.

Earlier in the season, rookie Derik Queen was sitting down for apostgame interviewafter recording atripledouble. Jordan told Queen to stand up while talking to the media. Queen obliged.

Jordan doesn’t just preach professionalism to the rookies. He was recently seen scolding Herb Jones after Jones gotacostlytechnical foul late in agame. He makes sureeveryoneisaccountable.

“I just always wanted to encourage my teammates,” Jordan said. “Weare an extension of each other.The better they are, thebetter we are as ateam.It’sstill acompetition at the end of the day becauseyou’re playing for shots andminutesand contracts andall that. That is a big deal. But it’s also aloveof the game and wanting somebody else to succeed. When we win, everybody wins.”

Jordan’sgoodwill hasn’t gone unnoticed. He is one of 12 finalists for the NBA Teammate of theYear Award. He’sbeen nominated for the award in past years.

“I guess that means people like me,” Jordan said.

Thenhelaughedand pointedtowardFearsashewalked

by in thebackground.

“It’satoughjobdealingwith a19-year-old,”Jordansaid.

ButJordan admitsthere is aplussidetohaving teammates almosthalfofhis age.

“Theykeep me young, so Iappreciate those guys,” Jordan said. “As muchas I’mdoing forthem,they do alot forme, too.”

That includes keeping Jordan up to date on the latest music.Before this season, he wasn’ttoo familiarwith rapper NBA YoungBoy. Now he knows allabout themusicofthe rapper from Baton Rouge.

Jordan understands the importanceofhaving a veteranlike himself in the locker room

“It’shuge,” he said. “The league is onlygetting younger.WhenIcameintheleague, it was an older league back then. Now it’sgetting younger andyounger, so Ithinkit’s good to have guys around who can help keep the locker room in good spirits.”

Jordancreditstheveterans he hadfor showing him the way. Marcus Camby was one of the best mentors for Jordan. He also lists guys such as Baron Davis, Chauncey Billups,GrantHill,ZachRandolph and Chris Paul as positive influences on him.

Theplayers aren’t the only ones Jordan hasinspired this season.His coach hasfeltit, too.

“I show up every day saying Iwanttobebetter because of that guy,” Borrego said. “Tome, that’swhat leadership is about. Where I’m at, wherever lifetakes me over the next 20 years, I hope DeAndre is apart of it in somedegree.”

Jordan isn’tsure how much longer he’ll play.Hesaid he’s

taking it one year at atime.

Is coaching in his future?

“I don’twant to get gray hair just yet,” he said. “I have jet black hair up here. So we’ll see. It’shumbling and cool that I’ve been around this long.”

He’sbeen around so long that some of his younger teammates remember being kids watching Jordan throw downall those dunks when he played with the Lob City versionofthe Los Angeles Clippers. Some even played as Jordan on their 2K video games.

That’sback when Jordan was one of the league’s mostdominant big men.He madethree All-NBA teams and led the league in rebounding twice. He can still jump out of the gym, as he showed in afew games he’s played this season. But he’smaking abigger splash now below the rim. He wants to see the guys who call him “Unc” have the samesuccess he had.

“I always tell them that I want to come back and watch them playand watch them have All-Star seasons,” Jordansaid. “I want to seetheir growth so they can give it back to the next generation.” Coming into the season, Borrego had no clue that Jordan would playsucha key role this season.

“I could give you alist of guys in the league that are looked at as potential veterans that you want at the endofyourbench,” Borrego said. “Those are hard to find. There aren’talot of them out there. Ididn’thave DeAndre on that list. Theleader,the man,the father,the professionalheis. Ididn’tknow that. He’stouched every part of ourprogram.”

Survivorship care at specializedMaryBird

Perkins

Metairie clinic helps cancer patients manage post-treatment challenges

Becausethese side effects cansignificantlyaffect asurvivor’squality of life,physiciansare increasingly focusedontreatmentsthathelppatients regain function andconfidence aftercancer. Oneemerging option offered throughthe clinicisUroGold,a form of low-intensityshockwave therapy used to treaterectile dysfunctionand pelvic pain

Beingdeclaredcancer-free marksthe endofa long anddifficult journeyfor many patients,and it’s oftenviewedasthe finishlineafter months or years of treatment. Butfor many survivors, thenextchapter brings adifferentset of challenges:copingwiththe lastingphysicaleffectsofthetherapiesthatsavedtheir lives. Therefore, cancer centersare placinggreater focusonsurvivorshipcaretohelppatients navigate life aftertreatment At Mary Bird PerkinsCancerCenter’sMetairie clinic,physiciansarefocusedonsurvivorshipandqualityoflifeafter treatment. Theclinicisdedicated specificallytogenitourinary cancers, including prostate,bladder,kidney andtesticular, providing atargetedapproachthat allows patients to receive highly specializedcare.

“It’samechanicalacousticwavetransmitted to underlyingtissues that stimulates bloodvessels and enhances endothelialfunction,”Dr. Mutter explained. “Thathelps improveblood flowand promotes tissue repair.” Thusfar,UroGoldhas beenparticularlyeffective formenwhoaretakingoral medicationsfor erectile dysfunction, possibly reducingtheneedforthose medicationsorimproving theireffectiveness.

“You’renotjustanumber here.Wededicatethetime andresources to each individual,and thereare staffeverywhere,including severalsocialworkers on site at alltimes,” said Dr MatthewMutter, aurologistatthe Metairie clinic whospecializes in men’s health andsurvivorship. “It’smyjob to geta patient’s qualityoflifebacktoasclose as it wasbeforecancer treatment. Youdon’t seethatatmanyother places.”

“One of themost importantthings Itell people aboutlow-intensity shockwave therapy is that notall treatments areequal,” Dr.Mutter said.“Youwanttomake sure youdoyourresearch andreceivetreatment at acliniclikeoursthatisfully equipped to providethistreatmentinaproperand safe manner.”

Dr.Muttersaidsomeofthe most common longterm effects from treatmentofgenitourinary cancers includeerectiledysfunctionandurinaryincontinence Theseconditionscan hamper aperson’squality of life andlimit theirenjoyment of activities,but they can also be sensitivetopicstodiscuss.

“IstartoffbytellingpatientsI’mjustasimple,regularguy whohappens to be aurologist.It’simportant to me to builda rapportquickly,” Dr.Muttersaid. “I also tell them they’renot theonlypersoninthissituation andtheir conditionismorecommonthantheythink. Ialsolet them know thereare treatmentoptions,so they don’thavetolivelikethis.

Theworkatthe Metairie clinicreflects Mary Bird PerkinsCancerCenter’sapproachinthatsurvivalis only part of apatient’s story. As more people live longer aftercancer, attentionisshiftingtowardhelping survivorsmanagethe lastingeffects of treatmentand enhancetheir qualityoflife.

“Wesee patients from alloverLouisiana,aswellas otherstates,”Dr. Mutter noted. “All it takesisa single visitwithyourprovidertounderstandthatyou’renot theonlypersoninthissituation andthere is help out there.” Visitmarybird.orgtolearn more aboutcancer treatmentand survivorship at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTO By MIKE STEWART

CoachQuin Snyder’s Atlanta Hawksare playoff-bound but

Dr.Matthew Mutter focusesonsurvivorshipcarefor cancer patients aftertheyhavecompleted theirprimary treatment. “It’s importanttometobuild arapport quickly,”hesaid.

MASTERS

McIlroy’s73 giveschasers newlife

BY DAVE SKRETTA AP sportswriter

AUGUSTA, Ga. Rory McIlroy never seems to make anything easy at the Masters.

Year afteryear, formorethan adecade, the Northern Irishman threw away chances at completing the career grand slam. And when he finally accomplished the feat last year,McIlroy did it only after recovering from aball put in thewater on thebacknineand a bogey at the 18th hole in regulation, then beating Justin Rose in a playoff for the green jacket In other words, that record36hole lead of six that McIlroycarried into the third round Saturday? It meant nothing. And nothing is exactly what it was shortly after he made the turn.

McIlroy’sroller-coaster round included three bogeys, four birdies and adouble-bogey for a73, which dropped him to 11 under for the tournament. More importantly,hot rounds by just about everyone else on the leaderboard put the pressure on,and Cameron Young’sthirdround 65 puthim at 11 under as well, leaving McIlroy paired with him for the final round Sunday

“You know,there’salot of guys in with achance tomorrow,” McIlory said. “I’m still tied for the best score going into tomorrow,so Ican’tforget that, butI do know I’m going to have to be better if Iwant to have achance towin.”

McIlroy and Young will have to worry about alot more than just each other

Former LSU star Sam Burns is one shot back, whileShane Lowry rode his second career Masters hole-in-one to a68that left him at 9under.Rose and Jason Day are another shot back, whileScottie Scheffler’sroundof65put him at 7under and in the hunt for athird greenjacket.

“There’scertainlynolead that’s safe out here,” Young said, “but at

the same time, Rory loves it here, and he’sobviouslyplayingsome great golf. Idon’tthink anybody wouldhavebeen surprised if he went out there and shot 65 today

It’sone of those things whereif he does open the door,you have to take advantage of it.”

McIlroy tried totake all of the drama outofthis edition of the Masters when hepaired an opening 67 with a65on Friday

Butdramaisexactlywhathebrings to Augusta National every year There was 2011, when McIlroy ledbythree while making the turn, pulledhis teeshotleft of No. 10 into the cabins, madetriple bogey and went on to shoot 80. There was 2016, when heplayed in the final round with Jordan Spiethbut shot 77 and finished tied for 10th.And there was 2018, when he was in the final pairing with Patrick Reed and

wound up finishing six shotsback.

Last year,itseemed that McIlroy had finally buried his Masters demons withhis playoff victory They surfaced yet againonSaturday It started with an inauspicious bogey at the first, but McIlroy recovered from that with acouple of birdies to reach 13 under.The real trouble began at the 11th, when he was standing in themiddle of the fairway with momentum on his side.His approach shot bounced in frontofthe green,took aleftturn and plopped into the pond, leaving quiet ripples across thewater McIlroy’s eventual bogey putt did a90-degree lip-out,and the double bogeysent him falling back to thefield.

“Yeah,” he saidlater,“this golf course has away of —you know, when you’re not quite feeling it,

you struggle.” McIlroy followed with another bogey at the par-3 12th, when he pulled his tee shot left of the green and was unable to save par.And when it looked as if he’dregained hiscomposure with back-to-backbirdies at Nos. 14 and15, he proceeded to pull his tee shot at the 17th intoastand of pine trees, leading to another bogey and dropping himinto atie with Young at 11 under That’swhere he ended up after awild third round on Saturday at AugustaNational. It’swhere he’ll start the final round on Sunday, too.

“I have to look at thepositives, even though there isn’tthat many to taketoday,” McIlroy said. “You know,Idid bounceback. Ihit some good shots coming in. But yeah, I’m in great position. Ijust know Ineed to be better tomorrow to have achance.”

Lowrymakeshistory with hole-in-one

BY SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writer

AUGUSTA, Ga. Former Zurich Classic champion Shane Lowry made history on Saturday at the Masters.

TheIrishman becamethe first player to record asecond career hole-in-one in the tournament with an ace on the par-3 sixth hole.

“That’swild, isn’tit?” Lowry said. “Made one acouple of weeks ago in Houston. Youdon’teverexpect to make ahole-in-one. Ijust couldn’tbelieve it. Obviously you know,you’re out there, and you’re in the hunt at the Masters and you’re making hole-in-one, it’s pretty cool.” Lowry also made ahole-in-one in 2016 on No. 16.

Theace helped Lowryto a round of 4-under 68, vaultinghim into contention at 9-under 207, good for solo fourth place. Lowry is two strokes back of his good friend RoryMcIlroy and Cameron Young, and one behind former LSU AllAmerican Sam Burns

“It’sgetting real now,” Lowry said. Lowry and McIlroy wonthe Zurich Classic of New Orleans together in 2024.

It’sthe seventh hole-in-one all-time at No. 6and first since Corey Conners made one there in

RABALAIS

Continued from page1C

University High golfer Patrick Reed, the2018 Masters champion —turned awhole slewofplayers from also-rans into contenders. Nine players arenow within five strokesofthe lead. That number includes worldNo. 1and two-time Masters winner Scottie Scheffler, who vaulted from nowhere to the most fear-inducing name on the leaderboard as he also shot 65 to get to 7under And then there was Burns, who picked his way through McIlroy’strail of debris to shoot arock-steady 4-under 68.He started with birdies at Nos. 1 and 2, reeled off eight straight pars, then made birdie at the calculus-tough 11th hole while

Greenjacketprotocol

2021. It’salsothe first acein the Masterson any hole since StewartCink made one in 2022 at No. 16.

Lowry andBurns will tee off at 1:39 p.m. in the second-to-last pairing, just ahead of McIlroy and Young (1:50 p.m.).

Lowry is going for hissecond majortitle after winning the 2019 British Open.

“It’sall about(Sunday),”hesaid. “We’ll see what everyone is made of.”

McIlroy opened the door witha watery double bogeyfrom the pond left of the green.

Somewhere in the great golfing beyond I’m sure Ben Hogan, with whom McIlroy shares a locker inthe champions locker room here, shook his head ruefully.You could practically hear Bantam Bensaying, “Never, ever go for the pin on 11, sonny.”

Burns added another birdie at thepar-5 13th, getting agood break by avoiding agreen-side bunkerwith his second shot, then getting up and down from ahollowleft of the green. He parred in the rest of the way to keep his major title hopesverymuch alive.

“Just stayed steady all day,” Burnstold the Golf Channel afterward. “Hit alot of quality shots. Today’saday if you play apoor round, you canplay yourself out of the golf tournament.”

If McIlroy wins, he will become just thefourth back-to-back Masterschampion. He would join Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (198990) and TigerWoods (2001-02).

Traditionally,the previous champion puts the green jacket on the winner.However,ifMcIlroy repeats, themost recent custom is forthe Masters chairman, in this case Fred Ridley,toput thejacket on him.That’s what happened with Faldo and Woods,while Nicklaus

After going 67-71 his first two days here, Burns did theopposite, settinghimself up for a chance at arguably thebiggest prize in golf.

“Any way you want toslice it,” CBS announcer Jim Nantz said, “this was abig day for Sam Burns.”

If you follow golf and theLSU golfer,you know Burns has been this tantalizingly close in amajor before. He was one stroke back of Billy Horschel going into the 2024 BritishOpen at Royal Troon, then sank into aScottish peat bog withan80todrop to atie for 31st. Last year,heled the U.S. Open at Oakmontbut faded into atie for seventh with a78amid increasingly brutal playing and weather conditions.

Now,he’shere again, paired in the second-to-last group with 2024 Zurich Classic champion

slipped intothe green jacket by himself.

Goinglow

Saturday’sscoring averageof 70.630 was the lowest for athird round in Masters history,besting the70.769 from2019. It’s just the thirdtimethe third-roundaverage has been below 71.0.

Goinglower

Young started the tournament 4-over paronhis first 11 holes.

AfterSaturday’s65, tyingfor the best round of this year’sMasters, Young is 15 under in his last 43 holes.

Prizemoney increases

Prize money forthe Masters hasincreased for thefifthstraight year,tournament officials announced Saturday

This year’stotal purse is $22.5 million,with $4.5million going to the winner.In2025, it was$21 million in prize money with McIlroy getting$4.2 million forfirst place.

Thelastword

“I don’tget thesense I’ll be thefan favorite. Some fans that cheer for me have gotten louder over thelast year. It will still be lopsided, Ithink. Rory’skind of a world favorite in the golf world.” Cameron Young

(with McIlroy) Shane Lowry Burns doesn’t have to protect the lead. He can chase, potentially an advantage Burns can cash in on this time.

If he has any scar tissue heading into Masters Sunday,Burns chose to ignore it.

“I love it,” he said. “This is what we practice forand work so hard for,and Ithink kind of back to my point earlier,you know, I’m going to go out tomorrow and just trytoexecute. Ican’tcontrol anything anyone else does. Ican only control how Icarry myself, my attitude, andthose are the thingsI’m going to focus on.”

As he headed forthe first tee Saturday,Burns told aCBS reporter that these are the days you dream about.

For Burns, the dream is 18 holes away from becoming ajoyful reality

MASTERS PHOTOByKIERAN CLEEVES Patrick Reed’s caddieKessler Karainlines up aputt on the 11th green during the third round of the Masters on Saturday at Augusta National GolfClub.

No.11: White Dogwood

Par4,520 yards

Round 3average: 4.389

Rank: 1

Eagles: 0

Birdies: 5

Pars: 26

Bogeys: 20

Double bogeys or worse: 3

Howitplayed: Traditionally Augusta National’shardest hole,White Dogwood lived up to its fearsome reputation Saturday. It playedthe hardest again, helping turn this into awide-open MastersasRory McIlroyhit his second shot into its green-side pond and made double bogey.Meanwhile,former LSUstar SamBurns recordedone of theday’s five birdies there,helping keep him remain in contention.

Scott Rabalais

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByGERALD HERBERT

Rory McIlroy, of NorthernIreland, hits from the pinestrawonthe 17thhole during the third round of the Masters golf tournament at the AugustaNational Golf Club on SaturdayinAugusta, Ga

PROVIDED PHOTO By ANDREWJOWETT

Shane Lowrytips his cap to the galleryafter his hole-in-one on the sixth hole during the third round of the Masters at AugustaNational Golf Club on Saturday.

OUTDOORS

Four menhaden bills pass state committee

BY JOE MACALUSO Contributing writer

Four bills offered in the State House of Representatives to limit the take of menhaden off Louisiana’s coast passed through the House Natural Resources Committee last week and likely will face an uphill climb when the full house acts. The four bills had widespread support among recreational, conservation and environmental organizations.

The first bill, HB 855, seeks to reduce the commercial operations’ bycatch of species like redfish, speckled trout and other important recreational and commercial species by limiting menhaden boats from operating in water less than 22 feet deep, a depth which a study showed the menhaden netting operation would lessen the impact on these species

A second bill, HB 757, would establish significantly higher fines on commercial menhaden operations for fishing inside state-regulated buffer zones.

A third bill, HB 872, requires menhaden boats to have automatic identification system tracking equipment on all boats including the smaller purse-seine boats.

And the fourth bill, HB 886, requires publication of the take — Public Harvest Data — of the menhaden operations, a move opposed by the two foreign-owned menhaden fishing companies operating off the state’s coast.

Caught

The opening weekend of the turkey season usually brings with it a share of violations, chief among them charges of hunting turkeys over bait.

And, there were four cited for taking a turkey from a baited area.

If you’re hunting turkeys, you must have basic hunting license, a turkey license and turkey tags, and the possession limit is one gobbler per day and two gobblers per season.

Hunting over bait carries a fine up to $500 and up to 90 days in jail.

More lane snapper

During its quarterly meeting last week, the Gulf Council used a survey by its Scientific and Statistical Committee to increase the annual catch limit for lane snapper by a little more than 200,000 pounds.

Lane snapper is combined with vermilion snapper for an aggregate of 20 fish per day per angler with an 8-inch minimum size for lane snapper and a 10-inch minimum size for keeper vermilion

snapper

The council also took final action in withholding the distribution of 408,000 pounds of red grouper for the commercial sector “in anticipation of a 3-year pilot program that would increase access to commercial red grouper quota by creating a quota pool.”

An offer

The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, founded by Bass Pro Shops’ Johnny Morris, is offering a total of $65,000 in grants “to students and conservation groups to assist in research and fish habitat enhancement,” and extended the application deadline to April 20 for conservation organizations and to May 1 for student groups.

If interested, go to this website: bassfishinghof.com/communityimpact

MONDAY RED STICK FLY FISHERS PROGRAM: 7 p.m., Bluebonnet Regional Library, 9200 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge. Open to the public. Email Brian Roberts: roberts.brian84@ gmail.com. Website: rsff.org

WEDNESDAY FLIES & FLIGHTS: 7-9 p.m, Rally Cap Brewing, 11212 Pennywood Ave., Baton Rouge. Casual flytying. Open to public. Email Chris Williams: thefatfingeredflytyer@ gmail.com

THURSDAY ACADIANA FLY RODDERS PROGRAM: 6 p.m., Pack and Paddle, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette. Open to public. Email Darin Lee: at cbrsandcdc@gmail.com. Website: acadianaflyrodders.org

FRIDAY-SUNDAY SPRING WARMWATER CATCH & EAT: Lakeview Lodge, Lake Concordia, Ferriday. Red Stick Fly Fishers event. Website: rsff.org

HUNTING SEASONS

TURKEY: Area A, through May 3; Area B: through April 26; Area C: through April 19.

AROUND THE CORNER

APRIL 21 — GULF COUNCIL PANEL

MEETING: 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., 4107 West Spruce St., Suite 200, Tampa, Florida. Ad hoc Red Snapper & Grouper-Tilefish IFQ Advisory panels. Top item: creating a pilot program for red grouper commercial quota pool. Public comment near end of meeting. Webinar available. Website: gulfcouncil.org

APRIL 21 — LAFAYETTE KAYAK

FISHING CLUB MEETING: 6 p.m., Pack and Paddle, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette. Call (337) 232-5854. Website: www.lafayettekayakfishing.com. APRIL 21-23 — STATE COMMERCIAL FISHING LICENSES: 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., LDWF office, Suite 438, 2045 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans. New or renewal licenses & boat registrations. Also (closed Noon-1 p.m.

all venues): 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., April 28-30, 468 Texas Gulf Rd., Bourg; 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., May 4-5, 1025 Tom Watson Rd., Lake Charles; 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., May 6-7, 200 Dulles Dr., Lafayette. Call LDWF (225) 765-2898. APRIL 23 — ACADIANA BUGS & BREWS: 6 p.m., Pack and Paddle, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette.

EMAIL: jmacaluso@theadvocate. com

and

family is well-known for its ability to catch mangrove

kindergartner Preston Valenciano continued that run when he landed his first ‘keeper’ mangrove while fishing with his dad, Eric, last week during the Easter break. ‘It means the future is in good hands now. And, yes, he ate his fish,’ grandfather Rudy Valenciano

BY NATE RYAN

The Associated Press

After a rare weekend outside of a race car, Kyle Larson returns to Bristol Motor Speedway raring to go. The reigning NASCAR champion spent the first of only two off weeks in a 36-race schedule on a family vacation in his native California While he enjoyed watching his kids race, the Hendrick Motorsports star who frequently moonlights away from the Cup Series on dirt tracks was ready for the break to end.

“I wish I could get more of it, but at the same time, I just want to race to get better,” said Larson, who is mired in a 31-race victory drought dating to May “You take a week off, and it’s like, ‘Man, I just want to keep going.’

He expects the rest of the field to be as eager to climb behind the wheel Sunday in Bristol, Tennessee — just as he said his rivals have been this year, despite a new championship structure that penalizes aggression

For the first time in more than a decade, cumulative points totals will determine the 16-driver Chase field that will compete for the title, and the driver who scores the most points in the final 10 races will be crowned champion.

It’s a departure from the 2014-25 format that put a bigger reward on high-risk maneuvers because a win would qualify for the playoffs

Yet if drivers have raced conservatively this year, Larson said he hasn’t noticed.

“I feel like it’s just as aggressive as it’s been,” he said. “At most racetracks, it’s wild. With this car you can get into people. So I didn’t expect

it to change a whole lot, but maybe it will as we get into The Chase.

Brad Keselowski has been surprised by what he perceives as a lack of adaptation to The Chase.

“I’m actually quite shocked we haven’t seen more of a different style,” said Keselowski, who won the 2012 title under a previous Chase format.

“I don’t think it’s really clicking yet for a good part of the field who just never grew up racing in a system like this They’re going to have to adapt or be replaced Sometimes you have to feel the pain first.”

Sunday’s 500-lap race at Bristol, a track known for its rough-andtumble racing, could provide a good indicator of whether drivers are choosing discretion — and one statistical category indicates some might be this season.

There have been 42 yellow flags through seven races — the fewest cautions at this point in the season since 2018.

“There’s a higher penalty for

(20) Christopher Bell, Toyota, 125.732.

(38) Zane Smith, Ford, 125.601.

(4) Noah Gragson, Ford, 125.584.

(60) Ryan Preece, Ford, 125.559.

wrecking out,” driver Josh Berry said. “Subconsciously, there probably is more give and take because there should be. Your finishes are going to determine whether you make The Chase or not and have a chance to win the championship.” For Larson, though, the

“It’s

FILE PHOTOS By CHRIS GRANGER

Westbank Fishing employees pull in their nets as they catch menhaden along the Gulf Coast on July 1

Menhaden are used to create fish meal and oil for aquaculture, livestock

ALL-METROBASKETBALL

BOYS PLAYER OF THEYEAR

CountryDay guard KellenBrewerdrivesagainst CalvaryBaptist’sRobertWright during the DivisionIII select championship game on March14inLakeCharles. The 6-foot-6 Breweraveraged more than 20 pointsasthe Cajunsrepeated as state champions.

KELLEN BREWER COUNTRYDAY,JUNIOR • GUARD

Kellen Brewerblocked ashot, corralled the basketball and fired an outletpass to Curtis McAllister fora layup. He later dribbled up the floor and found Brennan White open for a3-pointer from the right corner.

Brewer’sall-around playonboth ends of the floor against CalvaryBaptist keyedCountry Day’sthird-quarter surgeinto the lead— and ultimately to its second consecutivestate title. His 14 points, five assists, three blocked shots,six rebounds and four steals in the Division III select state finalshowedthe 6-foot-6 junior at his best. It also helpedmake himThe Times-Picayune’sAll-Metro boys Player of the year selection.

Breweraveraged more than 20 points, sixrebounds,three assists and nearlytwo blocked shot per game during the Cajuns’ repeat championship season. CountryDay was aNo. 3seed that beat No. 2Dunham in thesemifinalsand No. 1Calvaryinthe final.

Brewer’soutputmade himthe Louisiana Sports Writers Association’sClass 2A playerof theyear, which gave himconsideration for the state’sMr. Basketball award.

“Thatwas the biggest difference for K.B. this year,gettinghis head up,”CountryDay coach MikeMcGuire said.

“He’sa phenomenal scorer.But when he passes the ball and he rebounds and it felt likehehad more than three(blocked shots in thestate final). Ithought defensively,hewas the MVP.”

Brewer’sfather,Corey, is aNew Orleans Pelicans assistant coach and aformer firstroundNBA draft pick outofFlorida.

When askedabout winning back-to-back titles with CountryDay like Coreydid at Florida, Kellen gave hisdad aplayfuldig

“Hedidn’twin astate championship in high school,” he said with asmile.“So, Ican go back to himabout that.”

BOYS COACHOFTHE YEAR

BIKO PARIS JOHN CURTIS

The third-year head coach returned tohis former school and guided the Patriots to thesecond state championship in program history.

Curtis’ 28-2 record includedanundefeated runthrough the always-toughCatholic League Players from grade levels between 8-12

JOSEPH

BERNARDEZ

Kennedy,6-4, Sr

15.5 points,10rebounds, 2blocks

KELLEN

BREWER

CountryDay,6-6, Jr.

20.1 points,6.5 rebounds 3.2assists

CHRISTIAN

CLAIR

Shaw, 6-1, So. 20.1 points,4.5 assists, 2steals

JAY

DANTZLER

Hannan, 6-0, So.

12.7 points,4.1 assists, 3.3rebounds

HERM DYSON

CountryDay,6-3, Sr

8.8 points,8.6 rebounds

5assists,2steals

THEYEAR

John Curtis guard BaileyTimmons, center,embraces Ke’SonjaNelson after Nelson received the MVP award in the Division Iselect championshipgame on March7in Hammond.Timmons, aULsignee, averaged 14 points and eight reboundsper game.

John Curtis senior BaileyTimmons was namedasThe Times-Picayune All-Metro girlsbasketball Player of theyearafter reaching 1,000 career points and winning a state championship.

Avarsity contributoratCurtis since her eighth-grade year,Timmons wasa keypiece for astate championship teamthat finished with a25-1 record.The UL signee averaged14 points per game along with eight rebounds, three assists and three steals as asenior

Afterwinning multiple championships playing AAUbasketball,Timmons made anamefor herself at Curtisasanall-around playerwho affected the game in more ways than scoring “Baileydoes everything that’s needed forthe team to win,”CurtiscoachAlendraBrown said of the 5-foot-8 Timmons.

“She’sable to score, she’sable to rebound and she’s abletodefendany position on the

Christopher Dabe

scored points in the statetitle game against Edna Karr.

Paris attended Curtis fromthird through 10th grades, leaving afterHurricane Katrina forced amove to Texasbefore goingontoplayfor Boston College.

Christopher Dabe

KAHLIL

FISHER

EdnaKarr, 6-3, Jr. 17.6 points,4.5 rebounds, 1.9steals

ZACH LAGRAIZE Jesuit, 6-3, Sr. 13.3 points,5.3 rebounds

DWIGHT MAGEE Crescent City,5-11, Sr

31.3 points,8.2 rebounds, 4.5assists

AUTRAIL MANNING

John Curtis, 6-1, Sr 14.2 points,3 assists, 2.9steals

NOAH McDANIEL

BrotherMartin, 5-11, Jr

12.2 points,6.8 rebounds,3.5 assists, 3.4steals

AARON MILES

St.Augustine, 5-8, Jr 18 points,5 assists, 3steals

TYRIE SPENCER

Northshore,6-3, Sr. 16.1 points,6.9 rebounds 3.5assists

KADE VINJU

St. Martin’s, 5-9, Sr 17 points,3.7 assists, 3.1 steals,93made3s

JONNIE

WALKER

John Curtis, 6-4, So. 12.2 points,6.5 rebounds, 3.4steals, 2.9assists

MANNY YOUNG

De La Salle, 6-1, Jr

14.7 points,2 rebounds 3assists,2.8 steals

Jason Astorga, McDonogh 35, Sr.; Chase Barker,DeLaSalle,Jr.;JordanBedford, Covington, Jr.; Ja’Vardes Brazile, St.Augustine, Sr.; Curtis McAllister,CountryDay,So.; Will McCheskey,Brother Martin,Sr.;Thomas Mollette,Bonnabel, Sr ;RonaldNavarre, Rummel,Jr.;Joshua Wilkins, Jefferson Rise, Sr.; TrevezWalker,Destrehan, Sr ;Zaveon Shepherd,John Curtis, Jr

court.”

Curtis returnedtothe Division Iselect state title game aftera 44-42 semifinal win over Huntington in which Timmons finishedwith12 points and eight rebounds.

Timmons cappedher timeatCurtis with15 points and nine rebounds in an 82-38 statetitle game win overSt. Joseph’s, thePatriots’ eighthstate championship in the past 10 years.

“My teammateshelped keep me motivated,” Timmons said.“We’re alwaysthere to pick each otherupand are alwaysthere foreach other.

Timmons will head to Lafayette next season to begin herDivision Icollege basketball career. She’sset to playalongside former Curtis teammate Imani Daniel at UL. Spencer Urquhart

GIRLS COACHOFTHE YEAR KRISTINTWILLIE SLIDELL

KristinTwillie was selected as The TimesPicayune All-Metro girlsbasketball coach of theyear afterleading Slidell to its firststate championship appearance.

Slidell finished with a30-2 record that included a15-game winning streak before reaching the Division Inonselect state title game in Hammond.

GIRLS ALL-METROTEAM

JAYLA

ALBERT

John Curtis, 5-11, So. 13 points,7rebounds, 3steals

MOLLY AVRARD

Chapelle, 5-7, So.

14.1 points,7.8 rebounds, 4.7assists

ALANNA BENOIT Mandeville, 5-9, Sr

23.7 points,8.4 rebounds, 4.3steals

YA’MYRI BROWN De La Salle 5-10, Fr

19.7 points,7.5 rebounds

Slidell lost 53-52 to reigning state championZacharyina game that was decided in the final seconds.

Twillie seta newstandardatSlidell in her seventh year as head coach and has astrong foundation in place withmultiple starters returning next season.

Spencer Urquhart

MARYAH JOSEPH Riverdale, 5-5, Sr 19.7 points,5.3 assists, 3.5steals

AMIYA MONTGOMERY Carver,5-3 Jr 16 points,4 assists, 4steals

MADYSON PARKER

Slidell, 5-8, So 17.2 points,6rebounds, 4.8steals

KENDALL

THOMAS Salmen, 5-5, Jr 17 points,5.7 assists, 4.7 steals

GIRLS HONORABLE MENTION

BAILEY TIMMONS

John Curtis, 5-8, Sr 14 points,8 rebounds, 3steals

LEAH

VARISCO SacredHeart, 5-7, Sr 13.5 points,5 assists, 5.5steals

CIANNI WILLIAMS Slidell, 5-8, Jr 10.2 points,3.8 assists, 4.7steals

JANIYAH WILIAMS John Curtis, 5-8, So 18 points,5 rebounds

Mikayela Billiot, Haynes, Jr.; GabbyDavis, Dominican, Jr.; LibbyFitzpatrick, Sacred Heart, Sr.; Trista Gallien, Slidell, Jr.; Indiaah Grant, McGehee, Sr.; Azelyah Henderson, Edna Karr, Jr.; Harmony Howard, Destrehan, Sr.; Zoey Jackson, Hannan, So.; GarriLawson, St. Martin’s, Sr.; Don’Shai Lewis, De La Salle, Sr.; Akayla McMooain, Salmen,Sr.;Ke’Sonja Nelson, John Curtis, Sr

BAILEY TIMMONS JOHN CURTIS,SENIOR • GUARD

GIRLS PLAYER OF

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRADKEMP

STAFF FILE PHOTOByBRETT DUKE

Sanders eager to be more hands-on after health issues

BY PAT GRAHAM Associated Press

BOULDER, Colo. — Colorado coach

Deion Sanders was hands-on as he watched his team scrimmage Saturday at the spring game.

He’s going to be that way going forward, too.

That’s something he wasn’t able to do around this time a year ago when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer and focused on his health.

At Folsom Field on Saturday, he was all over the field giving the defensive backs advice during the hour-long scrimmage. He stood in the end zone at times, too, arms folded and taking stock of his team.

“Everybody inside these doors can tell you, it’s different when I’m here,” Sanders said. “I’m going to take my breaks, like every other coach, but I love to be here.” Sanders recently left the team for a few days as he dealt with blood clots. He reiterated over and over, though, “I’m good, I’m good,” when asked about his health

While away, he leaned on his staff. That included a new pair of coordinators Chris Marve, the defensive boss, and Brennan Marion, who’s overseeing the offense. Marve takes over for Robert Livingston — now with the Denver Broncos — and Marion steps in for Pat Shurmur

The task is to get the Buffaloes back to their winning ways after a season in which they went 3-9.

“We’re going to make it better,” Sanders said. “We already have with the staff as well as the players that are inside the locker room I love it. I love that everyday grind of it.” Marion brings the high-octane “Go-Go” offense to town It wasn’t on full display Saturday, only because the Buffaloes didn’t want to divulge too much of the system.

The “Go-Go” scheme emphasizes creativity and pace. Quarterback Julian Lewis looked sharp early, throwing a 13-yard touch-

down pass to Danny Scudero, the transfer from San Jose State who had 88 catches for 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago.

“I’m excited to see how good this connection can get,” Scudero said.

Sanders reached out to longtime New England Patriots receiver Julian Edelman in an effort for him to give some tips to Scudero. The receivers are working on a time to chat.

Remembering Ponder

On the roster, the gold team listed No. 7 — Dominiq Ponder. The late quarterback died in the early hours of March 1 when he lost control on a curve and hit a guardrail.

The car he was driving, a 2023 Tesla, struck an electrical line pole and rolled down an embankment.

The Buffaloes remembered him with a video tribute. His family started a foundation to help others, including athletes, and to “promote responsible decision-making.”

Ponder’s blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit, according to the autopsy report from the Boulder County Coroner’s Office.

An opponent in a spring game?

Sanders wouldn’t mind setting up some sort of scrimmage or practice session with another team like, say, Colorado State. It would be a way to gain national attention for a spring game.

“No one’s valuing spring anymore,” Sanders said. “You’ve got several major colleges not even having spring games. The only thing that will bring that back is we compete against another school. I’ve been saying that for the last several years, but

“Glad I didn’t say what I was thinking. But I can’t be the first one to say it. That’s what’s needed.

People get tired of the same old, same old, at a certain point. You want more.”

The scrimmage was free, and 27,772 tickets were claimed. The fans were on the east side of the stadium.

BY BETH HARRIS Associated Press

LOS ANGELES Nico Iamaleava

chose to stick around for a final season at UCLA after one of his first conversations with new coach Bob Chesney

“He was very excited to see me, I was very excited to see him,” Iamaleava said Saturday in his first public comments since Chesney’s hiring in December “We just got to chop it up about life and how the past year went.”

Chesney comes to Westwood after leading James Madison to a 12-win season and a College Football Playoff berth. The Bruins, on the other hand, went 3-9 after DeShaun Foster was fired after an 0-3 start to the season and replaced by interim coach Tim Skipper Iamaleava threw for 1,928 yards, with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He was the Bruins’ leading rusher with 505 yards, having transferred from Tennessee last April. He wasn’t with the team for spring practice last year

Now, he’s getting a full spring camp under his belt and learning a new offensive playbook.

“It’s a lot of stuff that we’re installing,” Iamaleava said. “Last year when I got in, everything was fast-forwarded for me. I went into fall camp still learning the offense. Being able to come in and get a whole spring with the guys, it’s been great bonding with them.”

The hiring of Chesney and offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy, who came over from James Madison, has injected new enthusiasm into the program. Iamaleava described Chesney as “high energy and very charismatic.”

“If you’re not coming out here with the right energy and right mindset to compete, he’s going to send you home,” Iamaleava said.

“He makes guys buy in and want to play for a guy like him.”

Iamaleava is focused on building his strength this spring after taking a lot of hits last year He said he weighs 218 pounds and aims to be at 220 to 225 pounds by the Bruins’ opener on Sept 5 at California.

“It took a toll on the body,” he said. “Getting bigger was the main thing for me this offseason. When I get to the season, I’ll be able to take those hits a little easier.”

Cole Martin was one of three defensive backs to start all 12 games for the Bruins last year, his first season in Westwood after transferring from Arizona State. His 65 total tackles ranked fourth on the team.

Five practices into spring, Martin said Iamaleava is making solid reads and passes.

“He’s done a great job of being that guy that we can look up to, being that guy that the QBs in his room can follow and the receivers can trust and the linemen respect,” Martin said. “He’s going to keep on elevating.”

Martin said Chesney is building a culture of brotherhood.

“Coach Chesney is a whole different type of coach,” Martin said. “He wants to be out there playing with us. It makes everybody better when your head coach is just as motivated and intrigued as you are.”

LIVING

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

The Times-Picayuneis featuring two local artists who have been invited to show at the Venice Biennale, oneof the most prestigious cultural events in the world.Many countries host pavilionsto showcase their artists, but both artists’ works will befeatured in the main exhibitiontitled, “In Minor Keys.” This week we feature Demond Melancon, and next Sunday,Dawn DeDeaux will be highlighted

BY DOUG MacCASH | Staff writer

Aflurry of blood orange-colored peacock plumes eruptedonto Dumaine Street at dusk on St.Joseph’s Day,asBlack Masking Indian Big ChiefDemondMelancon set outtoseekrivals. Hisfeathered suit bore dizzyingly meticulous beadmosaics that took months to create. His eyes shonefrom beneath his headdressasifhewere amedieval knight peering through the visor of a helmet.

As Melancon strodeswiftly forward,aphalanx of photographers trotted around him. Someone in his entourage chanted “Somebody’sgot to sew,sew,sew.” Truer words couldn’thave been spoken. Melancon is amaster of theart of Mardi Gras Indian suitmaking, amedium based on needleand thread. His reputation is going global now as he prepares to display ceremonial garments at theVenice Biennale international art exhibition, an honor akinto winninganOscar ä See MELANCON, page 4D

BY RIENFERTEL Contributing writer

At times it feels likeI’ve read almost every novel set in New Orleans, except, untilrecently,what might rank asthe city’sbestselling book of all: Anne Rice’s“Interview with theVampire.”

Like“Uncle Tom’sCabin,” which helpedspark thedeadliest conflict in the nation’shistory,and “A Con-

federacy of Dunces,” asurprisingly persistent hit worldwide, Rice’sdebut, originally published 50 years ago on April 12, is not just abook but aphenomenon that has shifted the trajectory of New Orleans’ history and culture. It’sa book that still feels fresh, and it’swell worth a first or repeat read. For those who haven’tsunk their

teeth into the scatteredAnne Rice universe, “Interviewwith the Vampire” tells the story of Louis and Lestat. In asingle,continuous monologue,dulyrecordedbya mostly silentinterviewer known only as the “boy,” Louis recounts his life story —abloodybildungsroman thatbegins in late 18th-century Louisiana BornLouis de Pointe du Lac, he’s the 25-year-old master of an indigo plantation outside NewOrleans,

amopey loner mourning the recent death of his beloved younger brother Enter Lestat de Lioncourt, an alluring jerk whoalso happens to be avampire. With one bite, he becomes the Ilya to Louis’sShane —blood-sucking soulmates and, as the decades and centuries roll by, heated rivals.

ä See ‘INTERVIEW’, page 11D

DININGSCENE

Topspots andnew picksfor outdoordiningseason

ing room in Sonoma. Though it first turned heads forspecialty tinned seafood, N7 is now much moreabout how chef Yuki Yamaguchi blends French classics with Japanese touches. The setting is transporting, the wine list is deep and decadent. Whatever else happens, makesure the soy sauce creme brulee is on the table.

Ian McNulty WHAT’S COOKING

If New Orleans couldkeep time in agocup to carryaround throughthe rest of theyear, it would be rightnow with the weather sweet and the city in bloom. It’sthe ideal time for outdoor dining, andthe options havebeen growing in number and variety all around the area. On the Uptown riverfront, the Batture (25 Walnut St.),which Icovered separately last week, is aprime spot in its second season, and once again this year I’ve updated our neighborhoodby-neighborhood guide tospots for outdoor dining, from classic courtyards to patios with waterfront views.Find that at nola.com.

I’m highlighting five newadditions to the scene that standout for acombination of food,setting andexperience,and five more that have afew more seasonsunder their belt and always spring to mind when the weather is fine. Newadditions

Saint Claire, 1300 Richland St. In Algiers, but well off the Point, dinner at Saint Claire feels like visiting acountry home, and perhaps lifting away temporarily from city life. The wrap-around screened porch providesoutdoor dining on aproperty thatresembles an oak-ladenwoodland scene more than amanicured landscape,while the menu is rustic French with aLouisiana lens.The front porch is available for drinks only and arestaurant alsoserves picnic baskets to find yourown spot around the grounds

Delacroix, 1PoydrasSt.

It’sthe first spring for this stunning newcomer on the riverfront from BRG Hospitality.ChefWiley Lewis is focused on old-school Creole cooking, and her kitchen delivers, giving sauce piquant, fish amandine and crawfish bisque their due. Delacroix has alsobrought new life to thispart

of Spanish Plaza, with adestination-worthy view to go withthe food. Outdoor tables under ahigh awninggive front row seatstothe river,shipsmovingalong it and thelighted bridge above.

Charmant, 514 City Park Ave. Charmant feels like that easygoing yetelevatedneighborhood Frenchbistrothat’sthe right call when you wantsomething nice but nottoo fancy. When you want all that outside, thepatio tucked away in back. Openedlatelastyear in the former MoPho,itcan be an adjunct to aday in City Park. Get

the gravlax toastatbrunch, the Brussels sprouts(which Idon’t sayoften) and the“phomo” (aflex between pho and grillades and grits). The generous happy hour (2-5 p.m.) has amenu of $7 small plates and drink specials.

Rumba, 5257 Veterans Blvd., Metairie

Finding outdoor dining in Metairie has historically been atall order.The suburban commercial development just wasn’tbuilt with courtyards and sweeping porches. Butcreative reuse has been changing that, and Rumba is

aprimeexample. What wasonce aRadio Shack now approximates abeachfront patio restaurant right on Vets. There’safun vibe across the decor and the drinks. Big entrees salads, tacos, agood BBQ shrimp rendition and massive desserts are calling cards.

Tops for porchand patio

The Audubon Clubhouse, 6975 Magazine St. Some restaurant patios aspire to park-like settings. The verdure of Audubon Park itself is the setting for this one. The Clubhouse has been here, part of the Uptown park for along time, but only since theDickie Brennan group took over has it truly comeinto its own as arestaurant. The wrap-around porch is the place to be when there’s evenalittle bit of abreeze up; the menu and drinks would be wortha visit even without the view.Ifyou miss the crabmeat cheesecake and the shrimp Tchefunctefrom the now-lost Palace Café, these dishes live on here.

N7,1117 Montegut St. Push open theblank stockade gateand you see acovered patio done withafilm set director’s eye for detail. All clung with grapevines between farmhouse furnishings, it’sthe kind of scene you’dexpect to find outside atast-

The Bell, 3125 Esplanade Ave.

The interior of this snug British pub is cozy and just right for apint and asavory pie. But there are also multiple waystodine outside now,too. The open patio feels like atable in the garden, with viewsofthe oaks and adjacent pocket park along this lush stretch of Esplanade Avenue. Tables on the front porch split the difference between cozy and airy and makeanenchanting nook for acasual pub meal,and perhaps one morepint.

Rosedale, 801 Rosedale St.

Most of the parking forSusan Spicer’sneighborhood restaurant is around back by the railroad tracks. Step over the rails and through agarden gate and the leafypatio can feel like arriving forameal in the country.The modern comfort food, now acollaboration with executive chef Allison Birdsall, hits just right, the wine list is worthy of amuch moreexpensive restaurant. The fried cauliflower with crab boil aioli and the warm mushroom and butternut squash salad are keepers; the long specials list always has something new and delicious.

The Delachaise, 3242 St. Charles Ave. People watching is fun, but streetcar watching is like its own sport along pretty stretches of St. Charles Avenue. The front patio at the Delachaise, under branches clung with string lights, is adivine perch forsuch. Cross an unpretentious shabby chic wine bar with atasty bistro and you have this versatile spot, with later hours (reliably until 11 p.m., often later). Get the mussels, the goose fat-fried fish and chips and don’tmiss the steak bruschetta. Notethat this bar is forages 21 and up; its sister restaurant Chais Delachaise (7708 Maple St.) is all ages with anice front porch and patio too.

n Rocking around the Clocks

Turning back the pages of good times, the Eight O’Clocks, alongstanding socialclub, was founded in 1950 to hold dances,usually twoa year,for eighth grade studentsfrom various schools. The purpose was to bringyoung teenagers together for musicand dancing. Current grandparentscan look back on all thefun they had then as they see their youngsters off to make their own acquaintances and create memories.

“Eight O’ClocksMardi Gras Soirée” headed the invitationthatfeatured a Carnival maskabove the letteringand below, the time and venue: TheCannery.Girls were requested to wear purple, green or gold semi-formal dresses, while the boys’ attire was “tie, no jacketorjeans.” Everyone wastobepicked up promptly at 10 p.m.

Aseparate, and smaller, invitation on adark amethystbackgroundannounced“King Cake Party.”This one-hour dessert gathering forthe girlsprecededthe two-hourmain

n Cheers!

“SaturdayNight Lights” titled the invitation for the 31st annualMagic in thePark gala and auction held on Christian Brothers School Campus in City Park and sponsored by the Christian Brothers Foundation.Footballwas the thematic thrust.

Trappings of the sport were rendereddecoratively, thanks to goal posts, team banners, stadium chairs, turf, and,of course, footballs. More attractions were the tabledécor done by Luminous Events, reserved seating in the CBS Stadium Club, and lighting on the walls of the lounge that featured football players.

Attendees at the patron party enjoyed jazzbyThe Aqua Velvas and posed for pics in front of the extra-large stadium ice sculpture. The After Party Band, sponsored by Linfield, Hunter &Junius, Inc., got the bunch boogieing for hours.

Bid business lured some away for the 395 auction items. Melissa Samuels, adetermined bidder,came out on top after the competitiveness for the CityPark Campus Principal for the Day item. Yetanother “winner” was Katie Lafont, who purchased the sought-after SevenNightStay in Costa Rica.

eventand featured purveyance from local favorites Hi-Do Bakery,Tartine, DoughNguyners, and Haydel’sBakery.During the later dance, thecrowd enjoyed aslider bar,chicken fingers and French fries. Carter Perrilliat and Lauren Wakeman, whose respective daughters are Mae Perrilliat and Barrett Wakeman,chaired the event. Committee mothers and their daughters were Mallory Avinand Lorelei, JenniferBernard and Jane Allen, SibbyCharbonnet and Emme, Kristy Donaldson and Kinley,CelesteEustis and Clayton,and Olivia Fleming and Elle. Also, Ashley Hopeand Lizzie,Staci Hughes

CAPERS forthe KIDS

Nell Nolan SOCIETY

and Taylor,Lisa LaCour and Harper Zweben, Betsy Laborde and Penn, Jessica Lunsford and June, Elaine Montgomeryand Mathilde,Eve Peyton and Georgia,Anna St. Marie and Amelia, and Krystal Springgate and Eleanor Oliveira.

To address the theme, The Cannery was decorated in Carnival’stri-colors. Sibby Charbonnet,Emme’smom, added special touches, such as oversize beads that hung from theceiling and chandeliers. For personal sparkle, “Glitter up Nola” was available, and for souvenirs, theNew OrleansPhoto Booth Company provided lively likenesses. Lee Michaels FineJewelry designed aspecial gold charm on a gold chain for each of the 2026 new members. The gifts were placed in ared box, which was wrapped and beribboned.

Scores of the younger set made rounds and included, along withthe above (and many others), Will Baldwin, Wills Brewster,Hank Flower,Will Gwin, Claire Heffler,Legier Mann,Alice Mead, and Baldwin Montgomery When dancing beckoned, DJ Ronnie Roux spun thenumbers. Ahit that got everybody dancing was “All IDoIs Win,”by DJ Khaled, an eighth grade favorite. Andawinner!

Michael Prat, Amy Piacun, Bonnie McCollough, Emily Francingues

Food chairman Katie Moro, alongwith help from Christian Brothers Foundation President Steve Pettus,served avariety of special dishes from 34 restaurants, hotels and caterers forthe patron party and gala. Those at the former event sampledsushiand other delicious offerings under thelights of theFounder’sCourtyardasthe Champagne flowed. Aspecial bourbon, as well as shrimp cocktails provided byBoil andBarrel, attracted crowds. Within a“cheering squad” of 400 attendees were auction chair Allison Couvillion with spouse Josh,solicitation chair Marie McLaughlin with Scott,gala chair/foundation’soperations executive Carol Couvillion with Dennis,CBS President Joey Scaffidi and Lisa, CBS City Park Principal Michael Prat with Rachel, and CBS Canal Principal Kimberly Flair with David. And Amy and Chris Piacun, Emily andScottFrancingues, Julie and MikelBonano, Melanie andJoe Stephens,Alexa and ClayColombo, Katie andKeith Porta, Erin and Ryan Bartel, Michelle and TylerGoff,and Sarahand Nathan Junius. All reported asocial touchdown!

LyndseyDyle, Brenda and Drea Capaci

n Sidereal Sights

Archbishop Chapelle High School showcased “A Night Under the Stars at the Emerald Gala.” It was presented by Jessica Brandt,heldinthe Chapelle Gymnasium,and honored as Alumna of the Year Lyndsey Manalla Dyle, ’03, and as Deus Providebit recipients, Deacon Dreaand Brenda Capaci. Ahost of sponsors received special thanks.

As guestsentered the event, violinist Sam Craft gave them amusical welcome. The visual one was decoratively rendered withblue uplighting and twinkling lights, along with complementary blue and whiteflorals. An immediate attraction was the auction of 350itemsinthe silent portion and in the live one, acoveted package purchased by John and Christine Watts Freeman that included football, aconcert and Delta Air Lines travel. The ChipmunkRaffle with a$10,000. prize claimed ShannonJohnson as the thrilled winner

As for food and drink, Pigeon’s Catering provided passed appetizers, crawfish pasta and beef short ribs; local bakeries contributed tothe dessert table; and “Moonlight Margarita” titled the specialty drink. Reveling in all this excitement were the Freemans, Sidney and Martha Lacayo McCann, John and Joanna Theriot, Kenner Council member Joey LaHatte and Virginia, Joseph and Erin Vezina Caruso, Dannyand Chrissy Riehm, Bryanand Tracie Bruno,Jim and Michelle Muniz Hanzo, John and Natalie Canale,Jasonand AlisonUral, Ralph and Joanie RoppoloBoudreau, Steven and AllisonLabbé Vogt, Michaeland Stacey Stanfield, and Henry and Brienne Frey.Tomention afew heeding the beat of the band, The Mixed Nuts. They weredue to quit at midnight but because everyonewas having so much fun, the music makerskept the groove going foranother happy hour

PHOTOSByJEFF STROUT

Penn Laborde, Emme Charbonnet,Cole Perrilliat, Amelia St. Marie, Elle Fleming

Mae Perrilliat,Barrett Wakeman

Clayton Eustis, June Lunsford, Mathilde Montgomery, Lizzie Hope

Harper Zweben, KinleyDonaldson, Jane Allen

PHOTOSByJEFF STROUT

Allison Couvillion, JoeyScaffidi, Carol Couvillion

Steve Pettus, Katie Moro

RayRadetich, Kimberly Flair

TanyaDempster,Danelle Gauthier,Tricia Lara, Jennifer Wilson

Martha and SidneyMcCann

Connie Dantagnan, Susan Panzavecchia

MELANCON

Continued from page 1D

As best as Big Chief Melancon knows, he’s the first Black Masking Indian to be included in the 131-year-old, careermaking art extravaganza that opens in May In New Orleans, Mardi Gras Indian suits are iconic, right up there with streetcars, jazz trumpets and black and gold fleurs-de-lis, but anywhere north of Lakeshore Drive, they’re mostly a mystery Five thousand miles away in Italy, Melancon will be carrying the flag for his city and its peculiar culture.

Just like most of the people of Venice, Demond Melancon 47, grew up near a canal In his case, it was the Industrial Canal. As a kid, the future art star lived on Kentucky Street in the Upper 9th Ward not far from the St. Claude Avenue bridge, which was a pathway for roving Black Masking Indian tribes on Mardi Gras morning.

The gaggles of maskers that crossed the rusty trestle were searching for other maskers, to engage in ritual contests for bragging rights as the makers of the most impressive suits. Young Melancon was wide-eyed at the spectacle.

“They were the gods of the city,” he said.

“I DON’T SELL OUT. ... YOU HAVE TO MOVE ON TO

EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS.”

— BIG CHIEF DEMOND MELANCON

Masking culture

How exactly the Indian masking custom came about is up for conjecture Everybody in New Orleans costumes for Carnival, but Black Indian masking is much more profound It reflects a union of Indigenous American and African heritages that arose out of subjugation in a European-dominated society.

In the Jim Crow era, Black and Indigenous people weren’t welcome in much of the Mardi Gras celebrations, explained Dominique Dilling-Francis, director of the Backstreet Cultural Museum, a trove of Black masking art and artifacts “They had to create their own Carnival in their own neighborhoods.” That’s where the blend of Native, African and Haitian Carnival cultures arose.

That’s why you don’t call them costumes, Dilling-Francis explained, you call them suits. “Suits can’t be duplicated, like costumes,” she said “They’re hand-crafted, hand-designed, and every suit tells a story.”

“For some,” Dilling-Francis said, “sewing a suit is something you’re taught. But for some, they wake up knowing how to do this.” They have to “have an eye for it they have to have a vision,” she said. Melancon seems to be fueled by his own innate skill and the mentoring of elders. A spiritual calling Melancon might never have become part of the masking culture if it weren’t for one day on the Colton junior high school playground, when he heard three fellow students practicing Mardi Gras Indian chants, the marching music of the tribes. It was March 19, St. Joseph’s Day, 1992, Melancon said, and Jeramie, Emanuel and Marquis had plans for a big time.

St. Joseph’s night is the “second coming of Mardi Gras” for the Indians, another chance to show off their suits and engage in street rituals. When the school bell rang, the boys went under the fence and headed home, so they’d have time to suit up and hit the streets with their group, the renowned Yellow Pocahontas Melancon tagged along to watch Melancon was astonished to see his tween pals had made suits of their own. Jeramie had a snake suit, and Emanual a blue peacock, Melancon remembered. When Melancon got home that night, far later than expected, “I got my butt whipped,” he said. He’d also received “a spiritual calling” to be an Indian.

That’s the thing about the Black Masking Indians, there’s something transcendent about the practice. It’s a second identity Maskers customarily sew a new suit each year In days gone by, some

fi

the

a

burned their suits — which, early on, might have been decorated with bottle caps and fish scales — to guarantee no repetition. In the course of sewing, Indians inevitably, accidentally prick their fingers and often actually bleed into their suits. It’s a custom that’s survived racism, segregation, poverty and hurricanes.

Melancon, who is tirelessly assisted by his wife, Alicia, said he views the endless hours devoted to sewing a suit as a sort of meditation that brings him close to past generations of maskers.

“They come down from the heavens and come in my body, and I do what I do,” he said. “It’s the same feeling you get in church when you’re sitting with great grandma.”

Spy Boy extraordinaire

The late master suit-maker Ferdinand Bigard Sr of the Cheyenne Hunters tribe helped teenage Melancon sew his first beaded patch — a butterfly In no time, he was sewing his own suits and serving as a Spy Boy with the 9th Ward Seminoles. Spy Boys are the scouts of their tribes, chasing through the streets ahead of the Big Chief, hunting for competing gangs, as they are sometimes known. Spy Boys are the first to confront other maskers, bragging and chiding opponents before the Big Chiefs collide. In years gone by, Mardi Gras Indian confrontations could be violent. Happily they’re now confined to stylized oneupmanship. Seminoles Big Chief Keith “Keitoe” Jones said that, despite his youth, Melancon was the best Spy Boy ever “I never seen nobody play the game like this kid,” Jones said. “He was cold. He was the baddest Spy Boy in the city There wasn’t nobody could mess with him.”

Jones explained that Spy Boys are a tribe’s advance guard. Melancon, he said, “was so feisty that he’d meet you” in a ritual standoff. “But if you wasn’t paying attention, he’d run around you and get to your Chief and talk trash,” getting the ritual disrespect rolling early “He won’t bow down to nobody,” Jones said, laughing. “The way he approached a gang, some of them thought he was crazy.”

Melancon was certainly the best Spy Boy in town and became one of the best beaders as well, in Jones’s estimation. Jones’s artistic advice to Melancon was to skip the bigger beads, and concentrate on the number 10 and 11 beads — 2 to 2.5 millimeter in diameter The work may be more time-consuming and tedious, but it produced subtler, more detailed mosaics.

“You win with that,” Jones said, referring to the competition between craftsmen.

Big Chief Jones, whose 2024 suit titled “The Journey” was a tour de force of beyond-exacting bead work, said that these days Melancon “might even be better than me.”

Jones has known Melancon since 1994. He said that in the early days, they were more-or-less family, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

“I love him,” Jones said. “I’m proud of the person he grew up to be.” With Jones’s blessing, in 2013, Melancon formed his own tribe the Young Seminole Hunters, and became a Big Chief himself.

An expensive endeavor

In his mid-20s, Melancon was a bona fide Mardi Gras Indian. He was also a construction worker, specializing in pouring concrete for $17 per hour It was an income that might pay the bills, but there was never going to be much left over Creating Indians suits, which can cost thousands in materials, became a crisis.

After Katrina, Melancon found himself living in the flood-ruined Lower 9th Ward, where busloads of disaster tourists passed by, gawking at the devastation. He was attempting to buy the ä See MELANCON, page 5D

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Demond Melancon said he views the endless hours devoted to sewing a suit as a sort of meditation.

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Artwork and inspiration covers the walls of Big Chief Demond Melancon’s workspace at his home in New Orleans

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Demond Melancon was

rst helped by the late master suit-maker Ferdinand Bigard Sr of

Cheyenne Hunters tribe. Melancon became one of the best beaders after years spent as

Spy Boy for the 9th Ward Seminoles.

MELANCON

Continued from page 4D

modest owner-financed home where he lived, but there came a point when Melancon had to decide whether to pay the mortgage or buy colored feathers and beads. The feathers and beads won out and Melancon got kicked out.

It occurred to Melancon that though he might love the Indian life, the arithmetic didn’t make sense. “I said, ‘I’m taking food off of my table to mask,” he recalls. There’s even a traditional Indian chant that addresses the topic, he said “I masked that morning, and I was right, but I had no money to pay my lights.” ‘Man, you’re an artist’

During that time of financial reckoning, Melancon’s pal, Henry Lipkis a 22-year-old Californian artist who was part of the wave of post-Katrina transplants — offered a piece of life-changing advice. As Melancon recalls, “Henry said, ‘Man, you’re an artist.’”

It was a “Wizard of Oz” moment. Melancon suddenly realized that, though he’d never called himself an artist, what he’d been doing wasn’t that much different from what conventional painters and sculptors did.

“I was painting with beads,” he said.

Lipkis pointed out that the beaded patches Melancon produced for suits would probably be quite collectible, if he offered them for sale. To prove his point, Lipkis took photos of the mini mosaics around Melancon’s studio with his cellphone and shared them with friends. Instantly, Melancon recalls “Henry’s phone blows up.”

“He was making the most incredible artwork I’d ever seen with my own two eyes,” Lipkis said of the moment, “but he was deeply in the struggle at the same time. So, I reached out to anyone connected to money I told him, ‘Demond, you can crush this game.’”

Lipkis said that he was honored to draw the outline for a couple of Melancon’s beaded patches — Indian maskers often call on other artists to help visualize their concepts.

A whirlwind art career

At first, Melancon produced notebook paper-sized patches, then larger pieces, which he sold for hundreds of dollars. His portraits of New Orleans musicians such as Professor Longhair, Dr John, Allen Toussaint and honorary New Orleanian Elvis Costello were especially popular

He sold works at a Congo Square fair and got invited to show in the Contemporary Crafts area at Jazz Fest in 2018, where he sold $30,000 in works in a weekend. Arthur Roger, the soft-spoken owner of New Orleans’ premier art gallery, appeared at Melancon’s Jazz Fest booth and offered to sell his work yearround on Julia Street

“I started off with the big dog,” Melancon said of his affiliation with Roger

“It has been a whirlwind art career,” Melancon said. His work leapt off the walls at Arthur Roger gallery, museums came calling with offers of exhibits, and Sotheby’s auction house sold one of his

aprons — a major component of Indian suits — for $100,000, easily paying for a down payment on a cottage in the Pontchartrain Park neighborhood. There would be no more pouring concrete. History in the making In Melancon’s opinion, it was the legendary downtown Chief of Chiefs Tutti Montana who elevated Indian suit-making to a fine art in the mid-20th century Melancon credits himself with “evolving it to a whole other level.” Competition is at the core of the custom, he said, reciting the masking phrase, “Kill them dead with a needle and thread.” Melancon’s stunning suits feature tributes to historical Black and Indigenous heroes that range from Haile Selassie to Shaka Zulu to Sitting Bull. His color choices mauve, bronze, olive, etc. are uncharacteristically subtle, and his skin tones are especially authentic. Melancon’s 2026 suite features bead mosaics depicting the mutiny aboard the Amistad slave ship, an early episode on the path

to abolition. Stunningly, the materials to make the suit cost more than $12,000. Melancon took a break from masking, starting in 2021. The COVID pandemic had shut down Carnival celebration that year, though Melancon made a splash anyway by ironically displaying one of his suits on the empty platform that once held a statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. He hasn’t produced another suit until now, concentrating on making beaded art instead.

Melancon said he hasn’t yet sold a complete suit, because nobody has offered him enough money to part with one. “I don’t sell out,” he said. Maybe he said, the Venice Biennale will be the catalyst for big sales. He’s recently signed up with a new gallery, Miriam Ibrahim in Chicago, which he believes will give his work a global reach. “You have to move on to expand your horizons,” he said. Email Doug MacCash at dmaccash@ theadvocate.com.

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Big Chief Demond Melancon, of the young Seminole Hunters Black Masking Indians, walks through the Treme neighborhood briefly before heading uptown during St. Joseph’s Night in New Orleans on March 19

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Melancon has mastered his beading art over many years making suits, patches and larger pieces with plenty of help from his wife, Alicia.

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Big Chief Demond Melancon, of the young Seminole Hunters, began masking after a fateful evening on St Joseph’s Day, March 19, 1992. He followed several friends after school and was taken aback when seeing the traditional street performances.

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER Melancon’s suits feature tributes to historical Black and Indigenous heroes that range from Haile Selassie to Shaka Zulu to Sitting Bull.

LEFT: Bags of multicolored beads wait to be opened at Demond Melancon’s workspace.

Author reflectsonhis unique Jewish upbringing,La. roots

‘Returning’aconversationonfamily’sreligious

BY JOYHOLDEN Staff writer

As the son of German Jews, Nicholas Lemann grew up in a world of privilege. His family and community practiced aunique form of Judaism thatdrewlittle attention to their rituals andtraditions.Heknew his family had deep roots in Louisiana, but he was unaware of his ancestors’ faithfulness to Judaism.

In his newest book, “Returning,” Lemann examines his family story —from their arrival in the 1830s as peddlersfrom Germany; to their becoming plantation owners and department store owners in Donaldsonville after the Civil War; to their upward mobilization into the aristocratic world of New Orleans where they could neverquite belong. He uses his own family saga as aconduit to explore antisemitism, faith,tradition and identity Lemann is aprofessor anddean emeritus at the Columbia Journalism School. He is the author of “The Promised Land,” “The Big Test,” “Redemption” and “TransactionMan.” He lives in New York. How are you feeling now that “Returning” is outthere and published?

I’m glad it’sout. Ihave been writing for avery long time, but this is the most personal thing I’ve written. So, I’ve been alittle nervous about that. In the Jewish world, the way that we grew up is so strange. It’sjust very hard for people to understand. It takes alot of explaining to people, but I’ve had to do that for years conversationally anyway.

What do yousay to readers thathaveno concept of different customs andcultures between German Jewish families and EasternEuropean Jewish families?

If you belong to an ethnic group or some other identity group, then you’re probably

Nicholas Lemann, NewOrleans nativeand writer for The New yorker,author of ‘Returning.’

aware that the group looks more unified and uniform from the outside thanitfeels on the inside. There’s subgroupswithin the group, and members of the group are abig issue of conversation. Thoseare conversations you tend to have in your livingroom and at the dinner table, more than you have in the outside world.

In New Orleans, Iwould say the toptwo, which overlap like that, wouldbeBlack Americans and Catholic Americans. Among American Jews,this is no longer.This is history now,I think.

Butamong American Jews, there was abig division from 1875 to1965 between Jews who had come from Germany and other partsofWestern Europe, such as Austria and France, and Jews from Eastern Europe. The firstgroup, likeme, were in the Reform Movement. Mostly the second group, or mostly in the conservative or orthodox movement,those distinctions have changed, but it was avery intenseinter-group cultural battle thataffected thelives of my

family alot.

How has religion changed since you were growing up?

In our little group,you could never be fully accepted, at least at the time when Iwas growing up. At thesame time, we cut ourselves off from a lot of thejoy and meaning of being Jewishbecause we wanted our religion to seem lessstrange to other people.

It’scomplicated, because the country as a whole has become more secular,but withavery high baseline of being extremely religious.The people who arestill religious have become more religious on thewhole, and that’strueinall the major faiths.

People end up making choices. Today,people who choose to have a religious life tendtobe more religiously observant.The idea that you could be religious in alight way that didn’tdemand much of you is lesssalient in the America of today than it used to be.

do the research for“Returning?”

What is it liketohavesomanyrelatives still in Donaldsonville who are Catholic now?

My family is kind of all over themap religiously.Now,the way we were raised doesn’treally exist anymore.

So if you went to areformed temple, like Temple Sinai or temple Emanu-El in New York,it wouldn’tbethe way it was when Iwas growing up.

Some members of ourlarge extended family have become more religious, more intentionally Jewish, and then some have converted, and some have just walked away from religion entirely.

How long has it taken you to

Iknew some things about my family already,but Istarted really diggingsix or seven years ago when Iwent to Germany in thesummer of 2019.

How has your understanding of your family changed?

It’schanged in alot of ways. Because we grew up the way we did, Ihadn’tknownthe great lengths that previousgenerations went to have ameaningful Jewish life.

Ididn’tknow that the family had left the United States and returned to Germany during the Civil War. Ihad somesense, but Ididn’treally know how many liberal and civil rights causes my grandfather had been involved in. There were alot of surprises there.

Overall, the title is meantliter-

ally,and it’sinteresting, because members of my family have kept leaving and coming back to Judaism. It’s not afixed relationship that is just one wayover time. It’s more complicated than that, so I think that’saninteresting lesson forme.

There’satendency to reduce everything in life, including history,including your own family’shistory into astory of good guys and bad guys, but it doesn’t fit into that so well. It’s alot morenuanced and complicated.

Howdoyou see this book impacting readers who are notJewish and notfrom New Orleans?

Fornon-Jewishreaders, Ithink it takesyou inside the Jewish world and shows yousome of the internal conflicts, disputesand subgroups.

Jewish people tend to knowabout more,but the outside world doesn’tso much for the Jewish world. Ihopethis is amoment of alot of soul searching in the Jewish world, andIhopethe book helps with that, because in many familiesand congregations, including mine, people aredebating whatit means to be Jewish.

It tends to be framed in terms of your relationship with Israel andZionism, but it goes deeper into fundamental questions of your identity.And people are really struggling with that. Alot of my friends didn’tthink they’d ever have to be struggling with it. So Ihopethe story of myself andvarious otherfamily members struggling with some of those big questions is helpful to people at this moment.

Email Joy Holdenatjoy holden@theadvocate.com.

In ‘Conversations,’writerJason Berrytracesa long career

In his long and varied career, New Orleans journalist and author Jason Berry has interviewed legions of people. As his stature grew,journalistsbegan to interview Berry,too. The best of these exchanges have now been gathered in “Conversations with Jason Berry,” recently published by University Press of Mississippi. Berry is well knownfor his reportage on scandalswithin the Catholic Church, including the abuse of children by pedophile priests. Thatreporting shook Berry’sown Catholic faith, which has deep local roots.

“I grew up in New Orleans,” he told Judy Ball of The St. Anthony Messenger in a2011 interview.“My grandmother lived ashort drive from my parents’ house. Often Iwould go to her place on Friday nights and stay with her throughthe weekend.She wasaMexican

DannyHeitman AT RANDOM

Creole who had avery festive sense of faith.”

How has Berry tried to continuealife of faith afterlearningthat power andcorruption hadblinded themoral vision of leaders within hischurch?

He’sfrankindescribing the anger andhurt he felt when he discovered apattern of criminalactivitywithin theclerical ranks and attempts to hide the misdeeds. ButBerryalsopoints to thegood priests who worked with himtoexposewrongdoing.

“I came to realize that the institution and its leadership might be corrupt,but that the

faith itself transcended the foible and follies of mere mortals,” he says in a1992 Gambit interview with Don Lee Keith. In alater interview,hediscusses thechurch’ssustaining consolations when he lost his daughter Ariel, who had Down syndromeand suffered from heart problemsbefore dying at 17. As “Conversations withJason Berry” reminds readers, his investigative reporting is only part of his legacy.He’shad nearly adozen book projects, and only three were about the Catholic Church. Berry has also written “Up From theCradle of Jazz,” about New Orleansmusic since World WarII; “Last of theRed Hot Poppas,” acomic murder mystery set within the colorful world of Louisiana politics;and “Earl LonginPurgatory,”a play that explores how Long’snobler ideals were compromised by his inner demons.

Variety, one gathers, has been stimulating for Berry’swork, but it’s also been an occupational necessity.He’swhat journalist Susan Larson described in a2018 interview as “one of thegreat journeyman writers of New Orleans,” ascribe who’s done abit of this and that to makealiving. There’sa valedictory tone in this collection as it charts acareer pathperhaps not easily followed today.Asthe publishing world evolves and humanities funding shrinks, paying venues for work like Berry’sare harder to come by “I thinkmy(epitaph) should be ‘he wrote well, and he lasted,’”hesaid with alaugh in a 2023 interview with G. Howard Hunter and AdeleLayrisson. Berry,at77, seems to be making good on both goals.

Email Danny Heitman at danny@dannyheitman.com.

PROVIDED PHOTO

TRAVEL

Take a trip down Route66asitturns 100

BY SUSAN MONTOYABRYAN Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.

If you’ve ever planned to motor west and take the highway that’sthe best this might be time: Route 66 turns 100 this year.The Mother Road,as author John Steinbeck dubbed it, has evolved over the yearsfrom an escape for poor farmers fleeing the devastatingduststormsofthe 1930s to perhaps the quintessential American road trip that’sstill delivering kicks.

Although therehavebeenfaster and more direct routes between the nation’ssecond-and third-largest cities for some time, Route 66’s neon stillburns brightly andits vintage signs beckon travelers to restored motorlodges, classic diners and roadside attractions.

Each stop turns the wheels of the imagination, leaving travelersto contemplatewhatlifewas like for the people and communities that have made the roadhum over the years.

Illinois

Chicago has long beenone of the country’s economic engines, with access to international waters and railroadsthat linked all corners of thecountry.Inthe 1920s, Oklahoma businessman Cyrus Avery, known as the Father of Route 66, knew it wouldn’tbelong before automobiles would dominate the transportation landscape, and the Windy City would be the perfectplace to start the journey he envisioned.

Amember of the federal highway board appointed to map the U.S. highway system, Averyopted to go with the number 66. Heknew those double digits were ripe for marketing and could be seared into the minds of motorists.

For some travelers, thejourney is fueled more by the food than

TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER

By ChristopherElliott

the scenery,and there’splenty to choose from —slices of homemade pie,thickshakes, cheeseburgers andanassortment of fried delights.

Missouri

Route 66 has its share of twists and turns, and it’s no surprise that ahighway famous for itsquirky roadside attractions would cross the nation’smost famous river on oneofthe more peculiar bridges known to modern engineering.

As theroad nears St. Louis, the mile-long Chain of Rocks Bridge hovers more than60feet above the Mississippi River.

Engineers eventually built a straighter, higher-speed option and apoor resale marketspared theoriginalbridge from thescrap heap.

Today it’s reserved forpedestriansand cyclists.

AmedianinMissouri is home to St.Robert Route66Neon Park, which features orphanedneon signs thatonce beckoned travelers to stop at certainsites andbusinesses alongthe highway.Often handcrafted,they weren’tonly markers for motels, cafes and gas stations but were also folkart and symbols of localculture

Kansas

TheSunflower State hosts only ashort stretch of Route 66, but it packsapunchwith the Kan-O-Tex Service Station in Galena. Aclassic example of roadside fare, the station served as inspiration forthe animated 2006 Pixar film “Cars.”

Director JohnLasseterand his crew took road trips along the route, digging into history and looking for elements thatcould bring the project to life. It was in Galenawhere they spotted the old boom truckthat served as the basis for the character TowMater.The plot wasn’tfar off, as so many once bustling towns —like the fictional Radiator Springs —nearly faded away after being bypassed by an interstate.

Oklahoma

There was areal danger for some who traveled theroad, particularly Black motorists passing through inhospitable and segregated areas during the Jim Crow era. The Green Book —aguide first publishedin1936 by Victor Hugo Green —listedhotels, restaurants andgas stations that would serve Black customers. The Threatt Filling Station near

Luther wasn’tlisted in The Green Book, but it wasasafe haven —not only for getting fuel, but forbarbecue and baseball. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was the only known Black-owned and operated gas station along Route 66. Route 66 is littered with abandoned buildings and faded signs, butone example of the highway’s resilientspirit stands tall in Sapulpa, near Tulsa. Therestored Tee PeeDrive-InTheater offers a step back into the 1950s, when the booming car culture helped spawn thousands of drive-in theaters nationwide.

Texas

Blinkand youmight missit, but astopatthe Cadillac Ranchin Amarillo is amust forany Route 66 journey.For decades, visitors have been spray-painting the 10 vintage Cadillacs at the site and mulling the transitory nature of time as BruceSpringsteen did in his 1980 song of the samename.

It’s not aranch, but rather apublic artinstallation created in 1974 by the art and architecture collective Ant Farm. At first, the cars which were half-buriedfront-down at a60-degree angle —wereused for targetpractice. Others would scratchtheir initials into the metal. Thespray painting started later Arrive in Adrian and you’re halfway through your trip. Steps from a whiteline marking the midpoint of Route66isthe Midway Cafe, where the “ugly pies” are anything but.

NewMexico

More than halfofRoute 66 cuts through sovereign Native American lands, oftentracing routes used by tribes long before settlers arrived. Much like therailroadin the1800s, the highway opened the door to anew era of commerce, but it alsofueledstereotypesabout cultures along the way.

Thereare still faded andcrumbling references to teepees and feathered headdresses at some stops along thehistorichighway.

The symbols wereeasily appropriated formarketing by roadside vendors but weren’tindicative of theseparateand distinctNative American cultures in the area. Today,tribes are telling their ownstories andshowcasing their creations, whether it be pottery, fruit pies or poems.

Albuquerque boasts thelongest intact urban stretch of Route 66. Those 18 miles pass through several neighborhoodsand business districts, from historic Old Town to Nob Hill.

Arizona

MusicianJacksonBrowne was taking hisown road tripinthe early 1970s when his car left him strandedinWinslow.The experience inspired the lyrics to the Eagles’ hit “Take it Easy.” But it’s certainlynot the onlysongthat is a must-have foraRoute 66 playlist. Bobby Troup created aclassic American road anthem in the 1940s with “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66.” Nat King Cole, Chuck Berry,The Rolling Stones and Depeche Mode carried it through the decades, each covering the song with their own flare.

While standing on acorner in Winslow,don’tbesurprisedif someone saunters up with aguitar andstarts strumming favorites from their own road trip playlist.

California

Once adesertoasis,Roy’s Motel &CaféinAmboy is aquintessential Route 66 landmark. Thetowering neon sign is one of the most photographed spots along the road. Inside, foreign currency left by international visitors lines one wall. Across the street, aclothing post decorated withshoes, shirts and other items juts up from the desertfloor. This stretch of the highway through theMojave Desert offers aspecial kind of solitude. The pavement gets rough in spots and the landscape takes charge, showing offJoshua trees, wideopen spaces and the remnants of ancient volcanic activity

Midflightaccidentcrackstraveler’scellphone screen

On arecent flight from Copenhagento

Christopher Elliott

Newark on SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Iwas in the aisle seat of an exit row.The passenger in the middle seat had aheavy bag with awater bottle in her lap, which a flight attendant stowed overhead before departure. Midwaythrough the flight, a flight attendant opened the bin and the bag fell, banging my wrist and cracking my phone screen. Isubmitted acompensation request to SAS, but it wasdenied twice. Ithen appealed to avice president at SAS,but never received areply. I wanted SAS to payfor my phone repair.

Christopher Kennedy,Astoria, New York

SAS shouldhave handledthis quickly and by the book. Abag falls out of an overhead bin and damagesyour phone —that’s an onboardaccident,and you have astrongcaseunderinternational law.Yourdetailedpaper trail, photos and polite escalation to acompany executive should all work in your favor.

The MontrealConvention, which governs international air travel, makesairlinesliablefor damage caused by onboardaccidents.A fallingbag hitting apassenger fits thatdefinition. While airlines often argue overwhat constitutes liability,the convention is clear that carriers are responsible for

incidents that occurduring aflight if theyresult in injuryordamage to property. SAS also didn’tfollow its internal policies.The airline has long emphasized its commitmentto customer service. Its code of conduct notes that “every promise made to acustomer is acommitment thatwemustdeliver on in all situations.”This principle underscores SAS’sdedication to providing quality service and addressing customer concerns promptly.And in your case, it fell short Usually,abrief, polite email to an SASexecutive will get theprocessmoving. But in your case, it looks like it didn’t.

If you find yourself in asimilar situation, always document everything. Take photos of the damage, get names of crew members who assist, and file aclaim as soon as possible. Airlines are far more likely to respond whenthey see clear,detailed evidence and acalm request for compensation. This case is areminder that even when airlines initially deny aclaim, persistence —and asolid understanding of your rights can pay off.

The best way to avoid adamage claim during aflight is to see a situationlike this and take steps to prevent it. I’ve seen overhead compartments popopen in flight, and you definitely don’twant a heavy bag falling on your head. If that happened, the repair bill would be more than $400, and the damage could last alifetime. Fortunately,you weren’tinjured by the falling bag. My team contacted SAS on your behalf to revisit your claim.Within days, the airline had achange of heart, and representative told you. SAS sent you $400 to pay for a phone repair

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy,anonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at chris@elliott.org.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JEFF ROBERSON

ARTS &CULTURE

Exhibitoffers360-degreeview of American Revolution

TheHistoPads areback at the Historic NewOrleans Collection —hand-held tablets that actasa portalto360-degree viewsofthe sites and events depicted in “American Revolution:The Augmented Exhibition,” atouring exhibit makingits world premiere in the French Quarter.

Aproduct of the Paris-based Histovery technology company,the tech and itsimmersive storytelling will feel familiar to anyonewho visited the exhibit “Notre-Dame de Paris,”which HNOC hosted in 2022-23.

In the new exhibit, visitors trigger each chapter at pedestals positioned in front of wall-sized images of key landmarks and moments of the insurrectionists’story,from colonial Virginia to BostontoPhiladelphia to Yorktown andall the waytothe GulfCoast, where Spanish Gov.Bernardo de Gálvez directed amulticultural militiaoffree men of color,Acadians, Indigenous volunteers and Spanish regulars to aseries of victories against the British.

(Thebattlin’ governorishaving aFrench Quarter moment.For completists and Gálvez fanboys and fangirls, the Cabildo,just a few steps away toward Jackson Square, is concurrently playing host to the new exhibit“Gálvez and Louisiana in the American Revolution.”)

Localizing thestory

The Gálvez chapter of “American Revolution” was HNOC’scontribution to ayearslong collaborative process with Histovery that followed the successful “NotreDame” exhibit.

“They reached out tous… asking if we would be interested in possibly hosting anew project they were developing then about the American Revolution ”said Jason Wiese, HNOC’schief curator,during arecent walk-through of the exhibit. “... They sentus their prospectus, and we read through it and we pointed out, ‘Hey,there’snomention of Bernardo de Gálvez or the experiences of the Gulf South during the Revolutionary Warperiod.’

PHOTO By DAVEWALKER

hosted in 2022-23.

of Louisiana.”

Andthey said, ‘Well, we don’t knowanything about that. What’s that about?’

“So, to their credit, they asked us if we would be willing to work with them to develop an additional chapter of the exhibition devotedtoGálvez and thepeople

For theHistovery project, Wiese teamed with Kathleen DuVal, aPulitzer Prize-winning historian and author of “Independence Lost: Lives on theEdge of the American Revolution,” which “really focuses on the margins of the

MUSEUM CALENDAR

n The NewcombArt Museum of Tulane’s annual CreativeConnections event will takeplace at 5:30 p.m. April15. newcombartmuseum.tulane edu

n The Historic NewOrleans Collection will present afree screening of Ned Sublette’s documentary”Tierra Sagrada” at 2p.m.April 16.AQ&A withthe filmmaker will followthe screening hnoc.org

n The newexhibit “The First Piano Professors and the Lost Music of Early NewOrleans” opens April 16 at the NewOrleans Jazz Museum. louisianastatemuseum.org

Revolutionary War, particularly related to the Gulf Coast,” Wiese said. “People of color,women, Indigenous people —soreally taking an interesting perspective.” Acouple of HNOC holdings maketheirway into the Gálvez

chapter because of the collaboration, including aportrait of Gálvez and apatent of nobility awarded to him by Spain’s Charles III (which completists will recognize as the cover image forthe catalog that accompanied the 2022-23 HNOC exhibit “Spanish New Orleans and the Caribbean”).

And so, HNOC’sstorytelling expertise and collection itemsaugmentthe augmented exhibition that will tour through 2031 and touch all 50 U.S. states.

Thevisitorexperience

Admission is free, but timed tickets are required to ensure everybody has enough space to spin through the chapters. Taptouchpoints inside each scene to leap to character profiles, close-ups of objects of interest, fly-through animations and slider-style controls that show period viewsof landmarks and how they appear today

The tablet text is offered in English, Spanish, French and German. For younger visitors, a virtual scavenger hunt forperiod objects is embedded in manyof the chapters.

“I think each chapter is just kind of alittle world unto itself, and they’re all connected,” Wiese said. “It’sasequence that’smore or less chronological. It’s not absolutely necessary that you visit everything in order.You can explore it however you wish.’”

The HistoPad can be hard to put down. And the story’splenty compelling, too.

“One of our Visitor Services staffwas telling me that acouple wasinthe exhibit this morning,” Wiese said. “The husband stayed in here fortwo hours. The wife wasjust sitting out there, bored out of her mind. She went to the shop. She went to see someother exhibits, but he wasinhere for twohours.”

“American Revolution: The Augmented Exhibition” will be at the HNOC through Jan. 17, 2027.

Dave Walkerfocuses on behindthe-scenes coverage of the region’s many museumshere and at www.themuseumgoer com. Email Daveatdave@ themuseumgoer.com.

‘American Revolution: The Augmented Exhibition’ and its interactiveHistoPadsare at the HistoricNew Orleans Collection through 2027.

PROVIDED By HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION

The immersive storytelling will feel familiar to anyone whovisited the exhibit ‘Notre-DamedeParis,’which HNOC

Dave Walker

AT THE TABLE

Embracethe leftoversand create

BY MICHAEL DIRESTO Contributing writer

In my previous food columns, the recipes Ishare, and the stories behind them, are largely influenced by my Italian dad, at whose elbow Ilearned to cook as a kid. This column is inspired by —ordedicated to my Norwegian mom, who passed away two years ago last month.

Mom was on my mind when Iwas planning my Easter menu, one of the few times ayear when she took overthe kitchen from dad, both on the holiday itself and the following day.Her specialty wasslow-roasted pork shoulder,orBoston butt, with potatoes roasted (or browned) in the fat drippings inside the same roasting pan, then served smothered in homemade pork gravy

This year,Idid a9-pounder,because …leftovers.

I’ve grown alarmed of late by the frequency with which people, amid aperfectly casual conversation, quite comfortably blurtout the frightening proclamation: “Oh, Idon’teat leftovers.” Well. Each time it happens Ifeel sure that my mom in heaven is shaking her head and casting her Viking Catholic glaredown upon the offending parties’ seemingflippancy toward the scarcity of Earth’s resources —and their startling lack of feeling guilty about it.

This was awoman who, at the checkout lane at the grocery store in the 1980s, stood like asentinel armed with her stack of coupons and calculated the bill as the cashier rang up every item. She then pored over the receipt before we could go. Heaven help me if she spotted any errors, because that meant the poor cashier would have to ring back up the mispriced item(s), my mom would get arefund for the 60-cent overcharge,

andmysiblings andI would shrink inside ourclothes to escapethe embarrassment. That was then.AsIgrew older,Ieventually gained an appreciation for my mom’swisdom of stretchingevery penny,whose corollary was lettingnofood go to waste. This has led to several occasionswhenI asked for ato-gobox at a restaurant —not because there was any food to take home,but because Iwanted to packupwhatevermeat bones or seafood shells were left on our plates. My own three children areno longer phased by such behavior

This past Super Bowl Sunday,at aparty hosted by friendswho prepared mountains ofchicken wings, Ikindly asked that nobody throw out their bones. Thehosts supplied me with gallon-sized freezer bagstotakehome to make bone broth for soups andgravy.Reduce it andadd cream to make an amazingbraising liquid, or goone step further and whisk in butter andParmesan for pasta sauce. In each case, leftovers make it possibletocreate anew recipethat’s as good as, or better than,the original meal

The day after Easter,my momwould makeEaster pork roast.There’satraditional Norwegian dish

called Pytt iPanne (mispronounced forever in my family as picka-ponga), that Iwould not go so far as others in calling it a“classic” Norwegian meal, for the simple fact that it’sjust an assembly of leftovers.

According to theinternet, Pytt iPanne loosely translates to “small pieces in a pan,”and it was introduced to my family by my mom’s dad, my grandfather Leif Tveter.Asa young man, he served as asailor in theNorwegian merchant marines. Aboard ship, Pytt iPanne was apparently common fare, with the cook throwing together whatever was at hand and the sailors rechristening it There are fancier ver-

sions that add Dijon mustard, horseradish cream, shiitake mushrooms or pickled beets. All my mom did was augment the olive oil in the pan with asecret weapon (butter), sauté half of adiced onion and throw in pieces of the leftover potatoes and pork. To makeit go further,she added halfinch slices of acouple of hot dogs —this being New York, either Hebrew National or Nathan’sFamous beef franks. Freshly grated cheddar cheese melted on top was abonus. Served with the leftover pork gravy was divine. She didn’tprepare meals often, but when she did, my goodness, Icould taste the love with which she did. With her as inspiration, this fried rice recipe results from aprevious meal that I purposefully madetwice as much rice as needed, just so Icould make this second meal.

If there’soriginalityin my fried rice, it’storemove all previous ingredients from thewok before frying the ricebecause we’re using butter —which is theway mom would have liked it.

In sum: Empty your fridge. Don’tlet anything go to waste. When in doubt, add butter.Embrace the leftovers by using them to create something else.

Steak fried rice

Serving size one cup (as a side) or two cups (as an entree). Recipe is by Michael DiResto.

Forthe marinade/sauce:

1tablespoon oyster sauce

1tablespoon dark soysauce

3tablespoonslight soysauce

1teaspoon Mirin

1/4 teaspoon roasted sesame oil

1teaspoon fine seasalt

1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper

6cups cooked and chilled(leftover) white rice

1/2-pound steak,sliced thin across the grain, cut into 2-inch strips (substitute shrimp, or leftover piecesofbeef,chicken or pork)

Vegetable oil(enough to coat the wokorpan)

4eggs, whisked 1/2 cup julienne or matchstick carrots 1 3 cup chopped white onions

1clovegarlic, minced

2tablespoonssaltedbutter

2green onions, choppedinto oneinch pieces

1. Prepare white rice per instructions, seal in a container,and refrigerate overnight.

2. Add all sauce ingredients to abowl and whisk thoroughly

3. Slice the steak and place in separate bowl, add 2tablespoons of the sauce, mixthoroughly and marinate for15-30 minutes.

4. Heat large nonstick

pan over medium-high heat until it begins to faintly smoke, brush pan with vegetable oil to coat the surface, and frythe steak, using tongs to stir and cook evenly on both sides. Turn off heat and let sit.

5. Heat aseparate large pan or preferably awok over medium-high heat until it begins to faintly smoke, brush pan with vegetable oil to coat the surface, add eggs, stir thoroughly until cooked, and remove to aseparate bowl.

6. Recoat wok surface with oil (if needed), add carrots and white onions and saute until onions turn translucent, stir in garlic, cook foradditional minute and remove to the bowlof cooked eggs.

7. Take the rice from the refrigerator and shake the container and/or stir the rice with afork to loosen the grains.

8. Add butter to wok and stir to coat surface, add rice and fry, stirring constantly, until rice begins to turn light brown.

9. Return steak, eggs, and vegetables to the wok,and, stirring constantly,fry until all ingredients are hot.

10. Add green onions and remaining sauce to the wok, stir thoroughly

11. Taste and dash with additional light soy if needed.

By The Associated Press

Today is Sunday,April 12,the 102nd dayof2026. There are 263 days left in theyear

Todayinhistory:

On April 12, 1961, Soviet cosmonautYuriGagarin became the first human in space, orbitingthe earth oncebeforelanding safely via parachute after a planned ejection from his space capsule.

Also on this date:

In 1861, the U.S. CivilWar began as Confederate forces opened fire on Fort Sumter in South Carolina. In 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Warm Springs, Georgia, at age 63; he was succeeded by Vice PresidentHarry S. Truman.

In 1954, Bill Haley and HisCometsrecorded “Rock Around the Clock,” asong oftencitedas bringing rock ’n’ rollmusic into the mainstream when it was popularized in the film “The Blackboard Jungle” the next year In 1955, the polio vaccine developed by Jonas Salk was declared safe and effective following nearlya year of field trials undertakenbyabout 1.8 million American child volunteers dubbed“polio pioneers.”

In 1963, civil rights leader theRev.Martin Luther King Jr.was arrested and jailed in Birmingham, Alabama, chargedwith contempt of court andparading without apermit. (During his time behind bars, King wrote his “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”) In 1981, theNASA Space Shuttle programbegan as SpaceShuttle Columbia, theworld’s first reusable spacecraft, lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center In 1985, Space Shuttle Discovery rocketed into orbit, carrying the firstelected officialintospace. The shuttle was carrying RepublicanSen. Jake Garn of Utah, chairman of theSenate panel that oversees NASA’s budget.

In 1992, Euro Disney,now called Disneyland Paris, officially opened in France with aparade, fireworks and Mickey Mouse opening thecastle doorstothe theme park.

In 2015, former firstlady andex-U.S. Secretaryof State Hillary Rodham Clinton announcedher campaign to seek the 2016 Democratic nominationfor president. (Shewould be defeated in the November 2016presidential electionbyRepublicanDonald Trump).

In 2022, aman opened fire in aNew York City subway car during rushhour,wounding 10 people. (Frank James was arresteda day later, eventually pleading guiltytoterrorism charges andwas sentenced to life in prison.)

Today’sbirthdays: MusicianHerbie Hancock is 86. Musician John Kay (Steppenwolf) is 82. ActorEd O’Neill is 80. TV host David Letterman is 79.Author Scott Turow is 77. Actor Andy Garcia is 70. Movie directorWalter Salles is 70. Country musician Vince Gill is 69. Actor-comedianRetta is 56. ActorClaireDanes is 47. Actor JenniferMorrison is 47. Director of National IntelligenceTulsi Gabbard is 45. Model-actor Brooklyn Decker is 39. Actor-comedian Ilana Glazer is 39. ActorSaoirse Ronan is 32. Former elitegymnast Katelyn Ohashi is 29.

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Shoulder to shoulder at thesugar station

Dear Miss Manners: Isometimes get a coffee to go from alocal shop, and I stop at the little station to add sugar,cream, etc. to my cup. As at most coffee shops, this station is pretty small. If someone is there, Iusually ask something such as, “Would Ibeinyour way if Ireached for somesugar?” Other times Ijust wait for the person to leave, not wanting to crowd them. When it’smyturn, however,people often barge in without aword, gettinginmyway I’m wondering what therules are here. Should we wait for the person at thestation to finish and leave? Should we ask if we can share thestation? Andwhat,ifanything, should we say if someonecrowds us out when we were there first?

no hope of gettingtoyour 9a.m. meeting without sharing thespace, ask politely if you are in the person’s way,asyou have done. Butifyou are the one getting crowded, Miss Manners suggestsyou say,asyou would for someonejostling your occupied bathroom stall, “I’ll be just a minute.” Andthen continue to add your cream and sugar

Dear Miss Manners: My young adult daughterhad plans to go out at about 7a.m. with afriend. Iwas awake but in pajamas, making breakfast and tidying up.

anybody This has been afriend for10years, so Iknow her well. This whole friend group has ahabit of going inside and outside, backyard to bathroom,when they come over,and Ihave no problem with that.

My other daughter said she also walks into her friends’ homes without knocking, which appalls me. Ithink it is rude, and in somecontexts, dangerous. What if you are mistaken foran intruder?

Of course this is no big deal, but I’d like to have someguidance to assuage my annoyance and toavoid being an annoyance to others.

GentleReader: First,you must size up thesituation —not only the amount of room at the station, but also the pace of thecoffee lover before you. If there is

Dear Heloise: How much longer do we have to put up withtubes of toothpastethat we can’tempty like we used to by rolling up thetube? Ihave to cut open the tube, where almostone-third of the toothpaste is still there. Then Ihave to scrape it out little by little with my toothbrush, which actually isn’tsanitary if morethan one person uses the tube. It’s no wonder that the manufacturers like it this way as alot of people throw thetube out without cutting it open and have to buy anew one. On top of this, they keep tellingustosave on plastic. —Nete S.,via email

When Iturned around, the friend was right behind me, looking formydaughter.Iasked her if someonehad let her in, and she said no, the door wasopen. Isaid I’d go get my daughter,but please not to enter without being let in next time. Itold her she could waitin theliving room, but she apparently was embarrassed and went to wait in the car.(My daughter had overslept.)

My daughter and the friend left, but my daughter sent me atext saying that thefriend had done this because it was early and she hadn’twanted to wake

Gentle Reader: Why not lock the door? For the general principle, however, Miss Manners agrees that you should keep telling your daughters to knock before entering someone’shome, and that you would prefer her friends do the same.

Emphasizing the threat of amistaken intruder should scare everyone into submission. Which leads us back to the question: Why are you not routinely locking your door?

Sendquestions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com or to email at dearmissmanners@ gmail.com.

Nete, we have toothpastethat can now be stored in atube withawider cap so that most of thetoothpasteslips downward, which eliminates the need to roll up thebottom of the tube. Ithink mostmanufacturers of toothpaste will probably stick to plastic tubes, though, at least for now —Heloise Let’sall compost

Dear Heloise: Iloved the letter aboutusing the inside parts of toilet paper rolls and using dryer lint to startfires! For

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gardeners, if you maintain acompost pile, these cardboard tubes can go right intothe compost pile aftershredding them. Idon’trecommend putting dryer lint in acompost pile, but other items thatcan be put into compostinclude: white greasefree paper towels; unflavored tortilla chips,moldy bread; crushed eggshells;all vegetable and fruit peelings; newspapers; leaves; garden clippings;any non-slick paper; cereal boxes; all-natural fibers such as cotton, wool and linen; and grass clippings. Don’tput theseitems into compost: grease, any kind of meat, onions, citrus peels, plastic, polyester fabrics or diseased plant material. Compost is agreat fertilizer and soil conditioner.You don’teven need abin to start it. Make a3-by-3-foot pile, alternating between green items (plant matter, grass, etc.) and brown items (shredded branches, cardboard, leaves, etc.). Keep it moistand cover with atarp if necessary.The compost is ready when it’s dark brown in color and has asweet, earthy odor It’s OK for small chunks to remain in

it. Mix with your garden soil and enjoy the fruits of your labors! —Lynda H., via email

Rosestoremember

Dear Heloise: Recently,you published a letter from areader regarding “planting flowers as aremembrance,” and it inspired me to share my story.Back in the 1950s when Iwas ateenager,my mother ordered about adozen rosebushes and planted them in her front and side yard. With her loving care, they bloomed beautifully every year When she becamesick and moved in with me during the early ’90s, Idug up roots from her favorite red rosebush and divided it into twoplants. Then I planted them in my backyard. They are still living and blooming. The next wonderful part of my story is that over the years, twoofmydaughters have gotten roots from my rosebushes. Nowintheir very own yards, they can enjoy the roses that they remember seeing in their grandmother’s yard. Ican still see my mom’ssmile in every bloom! —Betty D.,Front Royal,Virginia Send ahinttoheloise@heloise.com.

Judith Martin MISS MANNERS

Hints from Heloise

leading him by thehand through thestreetsoftwilit NewOrleans after another unsatisfying killing spree.

“I am likeamother I wantachild!”

On their first day as immortal companions,they share the cozy confines of Lestat’scoffin, face-to-face, Louis on top. Despite finding Lestat “handsome and intriguing,” the sleeping arrangement fills the new vampire with dread.

“Couldn’tI,” he begs, “stay in the closet?” Lestat teachesLouishow to kill, to feed, to live, to love, to accept his undying fate.

“Evil is apoint of view,” the teacher tells the student in one of his many deliciously droll monologues. “Weare immortal. And what we have before us are the rich feasts that conscience cannot appreciate and mortal men cannot know without regret. God kills, and so shall we; indiscriminately.”

The interviewerrecounts the early days, saying, “It sounds as if it was like being in love.”

“That’scorrect,” Louis confirms. “It is like love.

Though there are no sex scenes, per se, but Rice’s novelremains not only unquestionably sexy but defiantly homoerotic, especially foraheteronormative married woman writing in the mid-1970s. (Years later, she would describe herself as a“genderless soul.”) But love is fleeting, even for the everlasting undead. Lestat derides his companion’slove for literature and other “mortal nonsense.”

(In adisplay of Rice’s subtle humor,Lestat only has love for Macbeth. Who butavampire could best understand Shakespeare’s immortal “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow” soliloquy?) Louis, who stubbornly subsists on the blood of rats and cats, is meanwhile disgusted by his partner’sthirst for human flesh —his vengeful delight in taking life, two or three youngsouls anight.

In one of the novel’s most horrific moments, Lestat convinces Louis to head off apotential uprising and slaughter the enslaved humans who work his plantation. It’sadamning commentary on local history and humanity’sworst tendencies —the brutal subjugation of our fellow kind —shot through the prism of vampiric lore.

“That’show vampires increase,” Lestat grimly informs, “through slavery.”

As in many toxic relationships, the couple tragically decides to add athird to their familial unit.

“I want achild tonight,” Lestat tells Louis while

Unto them achild is born —orbitten —a5-year-old girl they name Claudia. She’sa“magnificent doll” of achild, Rice writes, “a magic doll” who will nevergrowold.The child is astand-in for Rice’sown young daughter, Michele, whodied of leukemia at the ageof5in1972. Living

in aluxurious Royal Street flat filled withantiques, one father teaches her to “see thebeauty around us, the creation of mortals everywhere.”

The other bestows his bloodlust Here lies thedark but loving heart of Rice’snovel, astoryofhow to care and provide for those little monsters that parentscall their children, demonic angels who might turn out —for

Presumed vampires Sharee Pettiford and Daniel Gelin winged in from Boston to attend the Anne Rice All Saint’sDay Celebration at the Orpheum Theater in 2025.

better or worse — just like their mothers and fathers. Like all good children, Claudia eventually — it takes seven decades, an eye-blink in vampire years — rebels. She, and only she, sees them for what they are:

“Snatching me from mortal hands like two grim monsters in a nightmare fairy tale, you idle, blind parents! Fathers!”

After convincing Louis to help her kill Lestat, the pair flees to Eastern Europe to hang out with some oldschool vamps — a sort of “Finding Your Roots” Nosferatu-edition but those bloodsuckers turn out to be a mindless drag. Gay Paree is more Louis’ style; there, he falls in with the Théâtre des Vampires, a coven led by Armand, the oldest, and

arguably hunkiest, vampire in the world. This Paris section showcases Rice at her baroque best: dreamy, Catholic and deeply weird. Not to spoil a half-century-old novel, but Lestat lives. Many vampires die. And Louis, despite having a choice of companions at book’s end, is left “utterly alone.”

“Interview with the Vampire” was an immediate and enormous success, and Anne Rice couldn’t help but continue the saga of Louis, Lestat and Armand, alongside a host of new characters, in what would become a baker’s dozen of novels called “The Vampire Chronicles.”

The series has spawned an annual Vampire Ball (which celebrated its 30th anniversary last Halloween), a pair of films (one campy fun, the other nu-metal nonsense) and numerous attempts to launch a television adaptation.

“Interview with the Vampire” finally premiered in October 2022, the lead series in AMC’s vampire-and witch-focused franchise, a year following the author’s death. The third season airs in June.

Recently, Rice’s son and estate manager Christopher, a novelist himself, announced plans for an anniversary edition of his mother’s debut novel, featuring never-before-seen pages from her original manuscript, set for release this October

Until then, this recent Anne Rice convert will be stalking the shelves of used bookstores, hunting for a mass market paperback copy of the next title in “The Vampire Chronicles,” feverishly waiting, aching for a taste of fresh vintage ink.

Rien Fertel is the author of four books. This is his 50th book review for The TimesPicayune | The Advoate. He can be reached at rienfertel@gmail.com.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

The vampires were out in the daylight at the second-line parade honoring the late author Anne Rice who died in December 2021. Hundreds of people gathered in the Garden District of New Orleans on Oct. 30, 2022.

BUSINESS

Realitycheck

From talkingmannequinstovirtual colonoscopies, Louisianamedical schoolsembracing simulationtech

BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

The high-tech,lifelike mannequinwould be downright creepy if it wasn’t such agood teaching tool. Thedevice, designed to look like a10-year-oldkid lyinginahospital bed, turns its head when it hearsa voice. Its siliconeskin feels lifelike. Anditcan talk —oratleast transmit the voice of an instructor from anotherroom.

IDEAS INNOVATION &

Theroughly$220,000 “patient simulator,”among the most sophisticatedonthe market,isone of many cutting-edgeteaching tools now in useatLSU Health New Orleans’Center for AdvancedLearning andSimulation,a2-year-old, $68 million investment in newtechnologyand techniques that shows how much healthcare education has evolved. Afew decades ago, medical and nursing students

learned entirely on the job. They’d first draw blood, start an IV or suture alaceration on real patients under thesupervision of their teachers.

Notanymore.

Since the 1990s, the emergence of $4 billion medical simulationindustry haschangedthe process, and Louisiana schools are among those investing in expensive gear and building new programsasthey explore ways to train the next generation of health care professionals.

Using patient simulators, virtualrealitytools, labgrown tissues—and even humanactors pretending to be sickpatients —educators at LSU, the Tulane University School of Medicine and other institutions in Louisiana are able to reproduce many of the experiences adoctor or nurse will encounter whencaring for apatient without any real-world repercussions if mistakes are made.

ä See SIMULATION, page 2E

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

At aglobalenergy conference in Houstonlast month, Gov. Jeff Landry unveiled anew nuclear energy strategyfor Louisiana, proposing to expand power plants, components and fuel enrichmentsites. Days later,Entergyfiled documents with utilityregulators seeking to increase the amount of electricity it cangeneratefor Meta’s artificial intelligence datacenter in north Louisiana—aplan thatrelies, in part, on building outmore nuclear power capacity The developments come as President Donald Trump, who has cham-

pioned fossilfuels while rolling back efforts to developmorewindand solar power,has embraced nuclear energy,investing billions in new technologiesand pushing to quadruple the power generated from thenation’snuclear facilities by 2050. At the same time, there is growing demand for carbon-free energy frombuyers of chemicalfeedstocks, particularly companies in Europe. While therenewed focus on nuclear power may come as asurprise to thosewho remember high-profile disasterslike Three Mile Island and Chernobyl in the1970s and 1980s, energy expertssay nuclearpower

See NUCLEAR, page 2E

STAFF PHOTOSByCHRISGRANGER

Medical studentsKylan Steele, from left, Christi Kruger,Michael Hill, Asia Eskaros and Alina Mohiuddin work on amannequin patient at the LSUHealth Center for Advanced Learning and Simulation in NewOrleans. The room is set up likeareal hospitalwherethe mannequins cantalk and are remotelycontrolled,putting the students through ‘real life’ situations.

LSU medical students examinea mannequin simulating apatient.

“We’ve gotten better at teaching,” said Dr Peter DeBlieux, the LSU medical school’s assistant dean of advanced learning and simulation.

“We know it’s safer to practice on plastic and on actors than on real people.

Across the country, that’s replaced the old standard of ‘see one, do one, teach one.’”

‘Here to make mistakes’

Medical simulation dates back to at least the 18th century when some of the first training mannequins were created, but the practice became commonplace in the last three decades as increased computing power meant machines designed to look like the human body — or parts of it — could better mimic the way human physiology responds to treatment.

Early simulators could be used to demonstrate certain tasks, like CPR. Now companies make devices that can talk, move and react to medications while simulating heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and more. They can be used to demonstrate everything from childbirth to a massive heart attack, and students use them to practice inserting IVs and catheters, giving shots and performing other procedures.

The advanced mannequins are joined by other forms of simulation for teachers, including immersive virtual reality tools and practice surgeries performed by cutting into lab-grown tissue. Added together, the options mean medical students can learn before treating real patients.

“You don’t want to be the first person someone tries a procedure on, but 20 years ago, that is exactly what happened,” said Jennifer Calzada, director at the Tulane School of Medicine’s simulation center in its downtown Murphy Building, where the school has invested millions in simulation education.

“There’d be some little shaky nervous med or nursing student who has to stick you three times before they get it right.”

That type of teaching was a problem for many reasons, especially because something as simple as drawing blood can lead to infection, Calzada said. Now when students begin treating real patients, they’ve practiced first with various types of simulators.

“You’d far rather someone’s first experience be in the sim lab, because students come here to make mistakes,” Calzada said.

Tulane has several virtual reality training systems, including one that surgery residents and GI fellows use to practice colonoscopies It includes a mannequin torso simulator, but it also uses software and a screen that looks like the ones doc-

NUCLEAR

Continued from page 1E

is front of mind again for several reasons, and Louisiana is well positioned to capitalize on it.

“People in energy are thinking about it again because they have looked at other options,” said Eric Smith, associate director of the Tulane University Energy Institute. And if there’s a need for clean, reliable power and lots of it, nuclear is about the only option, he said “Louisiana punches above its weight in terms of the nuclear power it generates,” Smith added.

“So, we’re already in the game.” Market forces

Fewer than 30 states have functioning nuclear power plants, which collectively produce about 20% of the total power in the U.S. Louisiana is among them with two plants — Waterford 3 on the west bank of St. Charles Parish and River Bend near St. Francisville. Both have been functioning for decades and together generate more than 15% of the state’s electricity

A couple of factors are behind the renewed focus on nuclear power, experts say One is the need to diversify away from natural gas — which is cheap and abundant, for now, but may not always be.

tors use to recreate the experience of a real procedure

Simulation central A tour of CALS shows how simulation is done today, and it involves a lot more than expensive mannequins.

The eight-floor facility — part of LSU’s larger campus between Tulane Avenue and Perdido Street near the Caesars Superdome — is filled with simulation labs, demonstration spaces and many training tools.

On the first floor, there’s a mock emergency room complete with a ramp for ambulances that dates back to the building’s days as an active hospital. The space is designed to teach groups how to handle different scenarios, like a mass casualty event or the emergency delivery of a baby

On the second floor, there’s a demonstration lab, where instructors teach procedures on cadavers, animals, lab-grown tissues or simu-

lation devices.

Down the hall are training rooms where nursing students use simulators to practice establishing an IV pump, placing a catheter, taking blood pressure or performing more complicated tasks. Some of the rooms contain the same ultrasound devices, infusion pumps and other machines in use in real hospitals.

DeBlieux is particularly proud of LSU’s program employing actors to pretend to be patients experiencing everything from lower back pain to a heart attack Cameras and microphones in rooms that look just like the inside of a doctor’s office capture interactions so instructors and students can watch in real time or review later

DeBlieux said schools have been training with help from actors for decades, but they typically focus on procedures: checking blood pressure correctly, palpating the organs in the right order, putting the stethoscope in the right place.

LSU adds an emphasis on com-

greenhouse gasses that cause extreme weather. Though Trump has ignored such risks with policies that promote fossil fuels, the rest of the world is looking for ways to mitigate climate change by reducing carbon emissions.

like wind or solar, and its radioactive waste carries health and safety risks.

Fewer than 30 states have functioning nuclear power plants, which collectively produce about 20% of the total power in the U.S. Louisiana is among them, with two plants and together generate more than 15% of the state’s electricity.

“Right now, natural gas is by far the largest electrical generating source, so there is a benefit in having different forms of generation ” said Greg Upton, executive director of the LSU Center for Energy Studies. “It is a hedge against future cost changes.” The other reason is the need for power sources that do not emit the

“Nuclear is a lower carbon fuel,” Upton said. “So, a lot of the industrial companies moving to Louisiana are realizing that questions about carbon intensity will impact how they are able to market globally.”

Environmentalists note that while nuclear power is cleaner in some respects than natural gas, it is not a truly clean energy source,

“There is no coordinated nuclear waste disposal plan in this country,” said Jackson Voss, government affairs and policy coordinator for the Alliance for Affordable Energy, which has raised concerns about the cost of nuclear power. “Each state is on its own There is no national repository for nuclear waste where this stuff is stored.”

That said, lessons learned from accidents like Three Mile Island nearly half a century ago or, more recently, Fukushima in Japan have made today’s nuclear power plants safer and more reliable than in the past.

“The fact of the matter is they generate enormous amounts of power, and the number of accidents and fatalities is astonishingly small,” Smith said.

munication skills, like making eye contact, listening well, tactfully breaking bad news to patients and understanding how a patient’s past trauma can require extra care.

“How you talk to people improves health care outcomes,” DeBlieux said. “Patients are more likely to take medicine, follow diet and exercise guidelines, and come back for appointments if they like their health care provider.”

LSU Health has partnered with Utah-based artificial intelligence company Videra Health to evaluate the data gathered from the sessions.

“They flag nonverbal behaviors like shaking your head while saying, ‘I’m so glad you came in today,’” DeBlieux said. “People do that every day without realizing it.”

Evolving technology

Local health care pros believe simulation is important to make their institutions competitive as they seek research grants and tuition dollars. But the necessary tech is expensive to buy and maintain.

Patient simulators can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several hundred thousand dollars each, and just like a car or a dishwasher, they don’t last forever Virtual reality systems cost thousands or more and also have a limited lifespan.

“You need to flat out replace the computer every three or four years because there’s major processing going on,” Calzada said. “Creating those virtual reality environments is super complex.”

Calzada contributed to a soonto-be-published study from the American Association of Medical Colleges that shows that roughly half of school survey respondents spend at least $1 million annually

Legacy power plants

The bigger challenge for nuclear power at the moment is the cost. Apples to apples, power generated by nuclear facilities is nearly five times as expensive as electricity that comes from natural gas, based on the Lazard Levelized Cost of Energy, an industry formula that analyzes the cost competitiveness of different energy sources.

Over the past four decades, several states have decommissioned their nuclear plants. In places where plants are functioning, like in Louisiana, they are older and need to be upgraded.

Waterford 3, which produces 1,100 megawatts, was built in 1985. Riverbend, which produces 974 megawatts, was completed a year later Entergy also operates the Grand Gulf nuclear plant near Vicksburg, Mississippi, just across the state line, as well as a facility in Arkansas. A megawatt is enough energy to power roughly 200 homes.

In recent filings with the Louisiana Public Service Commission, Entergy has said it wants to upgrade its existing nuclear plants to increase total capacity by as much as 300 megawatts. Those upgrades would likely take place at Waterford 3 and Riverbend, as well as in Arkansas, not Grand Gulf, which underwent a capacity update in 2012.

“While Entergy is not building any new nuclear plants yet, we have a team of professionals evaluating all viable options,” said Mike Bowling, Entergy’s nuclear fleet communications manager

“Any new nuclear investment we make will be responsibly planned to ensure customers are protected from a financial risk perspective.

“We have a separate memorandum of understanding with Meta to explore the future development

on simulation. In 2011, fewer than 20% spent that much. Thankfully the machines continue to get cheaper and better as AI and virtual reality change what’s possible.

Delgado Community College’s Dean of Nursing Jennifer Fernandez said the “future of health care training is 100% in using AI technology to create immersive experiences.”

In 2023, Delgado opened the $44 million Ochsner Center for Nursing and Allied Health at the corner of Orleans and City Park avenues in Mid-City. The facility’s simulated hospital on the second floor includes a lab where students wear virtual reality goggles to learn how to start an IV and other procedures.

“It’s kind of like kids playing video games,” Fernandez said. “We create a scenario, like a child having a bipolar episode or an allergic reaction and learners can interact with these virtual patients while others can watch on screen.”

As technology continues to evolve, experts predict it will used to create more team training scenarios, such as colleagues working together in a virtual operating room, one person handing off instruments while another is performing CPR.

“We need learners ready to save lives when they walk out onto the floor,” Fernandez said. “The best way to do that is to put them in these simulated experiences where there is no harm, nobody gets hurt and they feel safe to make errors.”

Email Rich Collins at rich. collins@theadvocate.com.

and use of nuclear power.”

Portable nuclear power?

The current focus on nuclear power is not limited to legacy power plants like Waterford and Riverbend. An emerging technology that has been around for years but never deployed on a large commercial scale involves building portable nuclear reactors that can be used to help generate power for individual industrial users like refineries or AI data centers.

Last year, the Louisiana Legislature approved fast-tracking permitting for these small modular reactors, which have a large base of potential customers along Louisiana’s busy industrial corridor

Many of the state’s refineries and industrial manufacturers already have their own mini power plants “behind the meter,” giving Louisiana more co-generating capacity, as its known, than almost any other state, according to Upton.

“When you talk to industrials, they say if they could install a (small modular reactor) right now in a new facility, they would be interested in doing it,” he said.

Smith predicts it will be several years before small modular reactors are used on a wide scale, but he believes it will eventually happen, especially given the current support for it in Washington and states like Louisiana, the technological improvements that are making it easier and cheaper, and market demand.

“We know how to do it, and we know how to do it safely,” he said.

“But it’s not something you can do in six months or a year It’s more like five years away.”

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

DeBlieux

Calzada

Fernandez

STAFF PHOTOS By CHRIS GRANGER

Registered nurse Aimme McCauley, a faculty member at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, uses a computer to control a mannequin being examined by medical students at the LSU Health Center for Advanced Learning and Simulation in New Orleans

LSU medical students Asia Eskaros, left, and Christi Kruger examine a mannequin patient

BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

Q&A WITH SHELBy

RUSS

Shelby Russ, president and CEO of New Orleansbased AOS Interior Environments, has spent decad es decking out offices, dorms, hospitals and more with high-end furniture, fixtures, modular walls and other interior elements. In 2025, his company had its best year ever, topping $50 million in revenue for the second time.

The work that AOS does gives Russ an insider’s perspective on which sectors of the economy are most active, and from what he’s seen since the pandemic, he’s optimistic about the direction of the state overall. That perspective informs his work as a director of the New Orleans branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, where he reports on local business conditions to help bankers make decisions about interest rates.

A big fan of New Orleans culture, Russ also is part of a team planning to develop a museum called the Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience.

This conversation has been edited for clarity and brevity What does AOS do? We are a design-assist subcontractor for furniture, fixtures and equipment, or FF&E. While architects are focused on the design, we have very specific knowledge about the furnishings that go into the space. We also provide manufactured interior construction, which saves time. Interior walls

TALKING BUSINESS

ASK THE EXPERTS

aren’t just dumb design elements; they’re actually working tools in an office with whiteboards and other features embedded into them How did the business start? It began with records management systems, showing people more efficient ways to store and retrieve their file folders.

My father had been an executive with the old Remington Rand company and then became a dealer for them. He started the business in Algiers in 1976. This is the era back before computers, so having physical things to hold all your paper was really important.

The big tech then was microfilm: taking records and moving them to one-thirtieth of their size on film. That was my first job — head of the micrographics division. What’s the company’s bread and butter today?

It’s mostly furniture. We represent Knoll and Herman Miller, known for iconic midcentury modern designs. We also have products from 250 other manufacturers. We do about 400 projects a year They scale from multimillion-dollar jobs to something as small as a client who needs to order a desk or chair How does that compare to furniture made for the hospitality indus-

try? Is it more or less rugged? Hospitality furniture actually is a lower standard because the useful life is not as long. Hotels expect to change their look more frequently than an office would. Big markets for us are higher education and health care, where there are some important structural considerations as well. They select materials for hospitals based on infection control, and in schools, if you’re doing a dormitory or a student union, you need the most hardy, robust furniture ever Through your work, you see who’s investing in offices. Where’s the action these days? At one point, our real

wheelhouse was corporations, but now we are doing more institutional work: schools, hospitals, government. We took a dip during the pandemic, but then it created opportunities for us as well because companies embraced hybrid models.

We’ve done work for The Port of New Orleans, and we just finished the Municipal and Traffic Court of New Orleans. It’s a wonderful rehabilitation of a midcentury modern building. We did a good bit at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans and Tulane and we’re getting ready to do projects at Ochsner

I’m also optimistic about the investment Tulane is making downtown and the Louisiana International Terminal in Violet. In my youth, New Orleans was the second-largest port in the world, and it’s not the case anymore because of the way international logistics has changed, but there’s an opportunity for us to move way up the ladder there.

If you look statewide, where are you seeing the most action?

I’m very bullish on Baton Rouge, which has a great entrepreneurial culture. It’s a different economy than New Orleans, which is good. They’re growing in areas that New Orleans is not, and vice versa. The more we go to the world as a package, the better off we’re both going to be.

How did you become a Federal Reserve board member and what is your mission there?

They want to understand what’s going on in the economy at street level because the data has limitations. By the time you get it, it’s months old. In an economy like we have today, which is ever-changing and ever-

nuanced, you have to know what’s going on at the moment. When they talk to members of these regional boards, it helps them understand the data and make more informed policy decisions. Where and when do you meet?

Roughly once a month at the Federal Reserve in downtown New Orleans and occasionally in Atlanta. Why is the culture of New Orleans so important to you? What a gift and a treasure the city is. I live downtown because I want to be in the center of it all. We raised our kids on the northshore and the ’burbs. As soon as we became empty nesters, my wife, who’s from New York, said, “Let’s go to the city.” Pound per pound, New Orleans is the best entertainment value in North America. In Los Angeles, what you have to pay to get a decent seat at a concert is quadruple what you pay here. The shows that we get are disproportionate to the size of our own market. We have an NBA team; we have an NFL team. If you look at the size of the city we shouldn’t have either one of those, but

PROVIDED PHOTO

Shelby Russ, president and CEO of AOS Interior Environments, is a big booster of his hometown: ‘The things that are wrong with New Orleans can be fixed,’ he said. ‘The things that are right about the city no one else could recreate.

AROUND THE REGION

Shreveport moves forward with two Amtrak locations

BY LIZ SWAINE Staff writer

The head of the public transit agency that serves ShreveportBossier said the dominoes are still falling on getting Amtrak to run through the area, a process that he acknowledges is neither quick nor easy.

“What I will tell you is that at this point in time the city of Shreveport is confident enough that we are moving forward with an agreement,” said SporTran CEO Dinero Washington.

Washington

Efforts to restore passenger rail service along the Interstate 20 corridor date back at least two decades, but the planned route from Dallas to Meridian, Mississippi, is chugging ahead.

The route would have terminals in Shreveport, Monroe and Ruston in Louisiana and Jackson and Vicksburg in Mississippi. It would be a separate section of Amtrak’s Crescent train, which runs between New Orleans and New York.

The I-20 route takes on new significance now that Facebook parent company Meta has begun construction of its $10 billion data center in Richland Parish near Monroe The proposed route would connect that project to similar ones under development in Mississippi and to a microchip facility near Ruston.

In March, the city signed a contract with Amtrak Platform and Facility Design for the design and engineering of an eventual Amtrak station in Shreveport. Washington said he hopes SporTran City, the transit system’s new downtown facility, will fit the bill as the chosen location for a station

The newly rehabbed former Sun Furniture building sits across from the Shreveport Police Department and is a stone’s throw from the SporTran public transit terminal

The building has offices and conference space and will open a food hall in July, Washington said.

While mum on the tenants he calls them an “exciting development.” Washington said the Texas Avenue location also connects “all our modes of transportation at one corner,” and that other property in the area is being acquired. In addition, the section of Texas

Avenue from Elvis Presley Boulevard to Gary Street to the west of the terminal is being reenvisioned.

“How do we totally redevelop that area? How do we go in and make that walkable, bikeable? Maybe look at different parts, basically concrete-based streets, redoing the sidewalks down the street, facade

Beyondthe Landscape.

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improvements,” Washington said.

There are already computer renderings of what a platform off the back SporTran City might look like There is a fallback

But there is a Plan B downtown in case the Texas Avenue space doesn’t pass Amtrak muster It’s Princess Park at Louisiana Street, the former site of the city’s oldest and largest passenger train station Union Station, built in the late 1800s, was the hub of the famous KCS Southern Belle and at one time hosted upward of 30 passenger trains per day. The station burned in 1969, and only the concrete platforms remain The location, though spacious with ample parking, would require the construction of a new train station.

Plenty of work still to do

In the meantime, the team will continue working with the owners of the tracks, CPKC and Union Pacific “We do feel as if both railroads will support us in this effort,” said

Washington.

Getting the Amtrak Mardi Gras service from New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama, up and running in 2025 was the state’s priority, and Washington admits the popularity of the new service helps north Louisiana’s project. Amtrak reports that 3,264 passengers rode the Mardi Gras route in its first week.

“The successful launch of the Mardi Gras route confirmed a lot of what we’ve been saying for years,” said John Spain, vice chair of the Southern Rail Commission, the 4-decade-old nonprofit that advocates for passenger rail expansion and restoration in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. “It’s an efficient and beautiful route that lends credibility to the others we want to do.”

The success of that route made Amtrak more interested in the Dallas to Meridian line, Washington said.

“There is a lot of work still to be done, a lot of questions still to be answered, but the one thing that we can say is we work with the state, we work with the city, and they’re putting money behind the things that we’ve been talking about,” he said.

Washington said he expects the new line will be added in less than five or 10 years.

“We have a contract with an architect at this point in time, the city of Shreveport has been told the location was OK, and we’re building a station,” he said. “I don’t know a better way to put it to you.”

Stakeholders believe the I-20 line could happen before the one connecting New Orleans to Baton Rouge.

“The infrastructure is in very good condition between Meridian and Dallas,” said John Robert Smith, chair of Transportation for America, a policy consultant for the Southern Rail Commission. “And that route doesn’t have to travel over a swamp like the line between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.” Email Liz Swaine at liz.swaine@ theadvocate.com.

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Tariff uncertainty,tax changes,and ashifting jobmarkethaverecentlyhinderedproject momentum —but opportunityisonthe horizon. AvidentAdvisors is readytoguide your site selectionstrategyasactivity acceleratesin2026, fueledbygrowthinsteel, shipbuilding,hydrogen, batterymaterials aerospace, food processing,and data centers. Across industries,top site selection criteria remain consistent:power,infrastructure, workforce, andwater.Statesare investing heavilyinsitereadiness, withLouisiana recently announcing a$150million initiative along withother US states.Atthe same time incentive structures areevolvingfromdirectdisbursements to customizedpackagesemphasizing infrastructureand workforcesolutions tailored to specificindustries.

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STAFF PHOTO By JILL PICKETT

Dinero Washington, head of the public transit agency that serves Shreveport-Bossier, said he hopes SporTran City, the transit system’s new downtown facility, will fit the bill as the chosen location for a train station as efforts to restore passenger rail service along the Interstate 20 corridor gains traction.

STAFF PHOTO By LIZ SWAINE

Concrete platforms are the only things that remain of Union Station adjacent to Princess Park in Shreveport. The historic train depot burned down in 1969.

TommyKurtz Notlicensed to practice law

Bill Hines

NATION &WORLD

Sports Illustratedgetting back in thegameafter scandal, layoffs

BY STEPHENBATTAGLIO

Los Angeles Times (TNS)

One of the hottest tickets for the events surrounding Super Bowl LX in February wasa party thrown at the Cow Palace in San Francisco by Sports Illustrated, where attendees could hang with Justin Bieber,Kevin Hart and Travis Kelce.

Themagazine’slogoand ateam of models from its latest annual swimsuit issue were present at another pre-game bash at the Michelin three-star restaurant Quince.

Sports Illustrated journalists were getting requests from peers looking to score invites to the gatherings, which symbolized a turnaround at the 72-year-old title. Just two years earlier, many of its writers were told their jobs were being eliminated.

For decades, SI was where every sports journalist aspired to work, hoping to become the next Frank DeFordorGarySmith,whose 32-year career at the magazine is highly revered. Cover images of Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan andother superstarsare emblazoned in the memories of fans who eagerly awaited the title to arrive in the mail each week. For athletes andsportsinstitutions, the cover remains acoveted honor Now amonthlymagazine,the flagship business of SportsIllustrated is no longerthe first stop for fans lookingfor game analysis or profiles ofathletes,many of whom have assertedgreater control over their images through social media and podcasts.

as the outerwear retailer Eddie Bauer,BrooksBrothers and Ree bok, and in Januarytook a51% share in thefashion brand Guess.

ABG enlists outside operators to run thebrands. Those opera tors pay an ongoing license fee to ABG, which also takes acut of the revenues. That was theplan when Authen ticbought Sports Illustrated from Meredith Corp., nowknown as People Inc.

But the famousSports Illustrated namestillresonates with generationsofconsumers andAuthentic has sought ways to capitalize on it, from selling replica covers to opening branded resorthotels in Chicago and Nashville, Tennessee. International editions ofthe magazine havebeen launched in Germany, China and Mexico, with plans to launch in Franceand the U.K.

But Authentic Brands Group, the New York-based companythat purchased Sports Illustrated in 2019 for $110 million, saysthe title is nowthriving after reducing its reliance on advertising and circulation revenue. The privately held firm —which expects $38 billion in global retail sales this year,up from $35 billion in 2025 —does not break out the finances for itsbusinesses but says SI is highly profitable after arocky period. Less than half of SI’srevenue comes from its media business.

“It took us alittle while, and we

Likeother print magazines, SI hasseen asharpfalloffinits circulation,currently at 400,000, down from 3million in 2010. Authentic says SI has 52 millionusers a month on its websiteand 21 million social media followers. ESPN had 229 million digital usersinNovember.

But the famous Sports Illustrated name still resonates with generations of consumers and Authentic has sought ways to capitalize on it, from sellingreplica covers to opening branded resort hotels in Chicago and Nashville, Tennes-

Afterthe purchase, Authentic entered a$15-million-a-year li censing agreement with Arena Group (atthe time known as Ma ven) to run SportsIllustrated. A New York-baseddigital media company,Arena operated such well-known titles as Men’sJour nal, Parade and TheStreet. But the partnership unraveledwhen Arena used AI for sponsored content on Sports Illustrat ed’s website, which soundedalarm bells at the esteemed publication.

TheArena Groupacknowledged it hired an outsidefirm to create productreviews that usedfakebylines. The scandal coincided with thetermination of its chief executive, RossLevinsohn, whoonce held aleadership role at the Los Angeles Times

Therelationshipwith Authentic worsened when Arena’smajority owner,Manoj Bhargava, took over as interim chiefexecutive The founderof5-Hour Energy, Bhargava tried to fire Sports Illustrated’s unionized editorial staff

March 2024, Arena announced it was shutting downthe print edition of SI. Around the same time, Authentic hired Minute Media, whichruns the digital sites Fansidedand Players’ Tribune, to take over Sports Illustrated. Bhargava didn’tgo quietly; according to legalfilings, he threatenedtodeleteSports Illustrated’s archive of intellectual property. Authentic sued Arena for breaching the SI licensing agree-

Louisiana puts its money whereits manufacturing is

“SiteReadiness” is thesecretsauceofeconomicdevelopment.

Recognizing this,Louisiana has takenanimportant step towardslong-term economicdevelopmentby announcing the first 19 locationsthatwill benefit from “FastSites”investment.Backedbythe $150 million SiteInvestmentand Infrastructure ImprovementFund(createdbyAct 365ofthe 2025 Legislative Session) and led by Louisiana Economic Development, FastSites directs millions of dollars toward preparinghigh-quality manufacturing andother sitestocompetenationally formajor projects andemployers

Fiveofthe selected sites arelocated in GreaterNew Orleans. Theseinclude:

AvondaleGlobalGateway (Maritime,Jefferson Parish)

Esperanza (Manufacturing, St.CharlesParish)

Franklinton IndustrialPark (Manufacturing,Washington Parish)

Gulf South Commerce Park (Logistics, St. TammanyParish)

NavalSupport Activity Site (Maritime,Energy/Orleans Parish)

TheFastSites initiativeisdesignedfor long-term impact. Rather than a one-time investment, theprogram operates as revolving capital, withfunds expected to be repaid as sites aresoldorleasedand then reinvested into preparingadditionallocationsfor development. This model helps ensure that Louisiana continuestobuild apipelineofready-to-go sites capable of competing fortransformative projects

Saints quarterback DrewBrees graces the coverofthe

issue of Sports Illustrated

Michael Hecht President&CEO GNO Inc.

Staff report

South Louisianabusinesses and nonprofit groups recently announced the following promotions, new hires and resignations.

NewOrleans

Patrick Gillies been namedthe new president and CEO of Easterseals Louisiana, anonprofit that aims to change definitions of disability and make positive differences in people’slives. Gillies previously served as Louisiana’sMedicaid executive director

Entergy New Orleans named apair of new additions to its executive team.

Sharonda Williams has been named vice president of regulatoryand public affairs.

Williams was previously the vice president of government affairs and general counsel for Loyola University New Orleans.

KeaSherman hasbeen named vice president of customer service and

Fool’sTake: Solid growth, low valuation

economic development.Sherman was previously senior policy counsel at VanNess Feldman in Washington, D.C.

The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation announced two new members of its board of directors.

Christian Bolden is thefounder and principal of The Bolden Group, a Northern Virginiabased management consulting firm.

Bolden previously worked as a staffer for the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security,which he advised on matters of cybersecurity, digital policy and national security.

Dustin Davidson is the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Conservation and

Energy Davidson previously worked for the Waterways Council Inc.,asa staffer for the House Select Committee on theClimate Crisis and the Senate Committee on Small Business andEntrepreneurship and on the legislative staffs of Rep GarretGravesand U.S. Sens. David Vitter and John Kennedy

Jim Nelson has been promoted to New Orleans market president for Red River Bank. Nelson, who has more than 30 yearsofexperience in banking andfinancial services, was hiredearlierthis year as abusiness development executive for the greater New Orleans market BatonRouge

Ben Marmande has been hired as the director of corporate banking for b1Bank.

Marmande spent

19 years as market president in both Houston and Baton Rouge forFirst Horizon and IberiaBank. He also held commercial banking andsenior credit leadership roles at Hibernia National Bank.

Across Louisiana

JasonAnderson has been named executive director of the Louisiana School forMath, Science, andThe Arts, effective July 1. Amember of the faculty at the Natchitoches school for the past 15 years, Anderson servesasits chief academic officer and director of academic affairs.

Dr.Lester Johnson has been named senior vice chancellor of LSU Health Shreveport. Before working as interim chancellor,interim senior vice chancellor and interim dean of theLSUHS

School of Medicine, Johnson spent 30 years at Ochsner LSU Health in Monroe as aprofessor and chief of surgery

JD Bank elevated twoemployees to newexecutive roles.

Ryan Vidrine was promoted to senior vice president,

andisofficemanager

halfinthe market as

Sea Limited (NYSE: SE) is basedinSingapore, and it’s often referred to as the “Amazon of Southeast Asia.” Its three business units make it atriple threat in thedigital economy:

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n Shopee is Southeast Asia’sbiggest e-commerce platform, having processed 13.9 billion orders worth $127 billion in 2025.

n Monee is Sea’s digital financial services platform, lending money to Shopee merchants to help them grow theirbusinesses and offering “buy now,pay later” loans to consumers.Ithad 37 million active borrowersatthe end of 2025, up 40% year over year, and they held $9.2 billion in loans, which was up by awhopping80%.

n Finally,Garena is oneofthe world’stop game development studios. It’sresponsiblefor global smash hits likeFree Fireand Call

of Duty:Mobile. It served more than 633 million users during the fourth quarter of 2025. Seagenerated arecord $22.9 billion in total revenue during 2025, a36.4% year-over-year increase. It sports astrong balance sheet, ending 2025 with $11.1 billion in cash and equivalentson hand against just $510 million in debt.Bestofall, itsstock is attractively valued, witharecent price-to-sales ratioof2.3, well below its five-year averageof3.7. No company is risk-free, but givenSea’srobust growth and low valuation,it seems asolid opportunity for long-term investors. (The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommendsSea Limited.)

Fool’sSchool:Beasmart stockinvestor

Here are some brief guidelines to keep in mind as you invest in stocks: n Invest only once you’re ready That is, you’velearned alot aboutstocks, don’t have any highinterest-rate debt and have an emergency fundthat can cover

all your nonoptional expenses for at least afew months.

n Have reasonable expectations. Though thestock market has averaged annual gains close to 10% over many decades, any given year could bring aloss. Expect some of your stocks to be losers.

n Invest as much as you can afford, as soon as you can, because your earliest invested dollars have themost time in which to grow for you.

n Seek amargin of safety by aiming to buy stocks when they seem undervalued. Overvalued stocks are morelikely to pull back.

n Don’tact on emotions, selling in apanic or buying greedily without regard to long-term value.

n Avoid risky behaviors, such as buying penny stocks, investing on margin or day-trading. It can also be risky to buy shares in abusiness you don’tunderstand well. It’ssmarttoresearch companies to learnexactly how they maketheir money,how financially healthy they are, how much

growthpotential they have and what their risks and opportunities are

n Aim to be along-term investor,hanging on to shares of great companies and/or funds formany years. Learn to be patient.

n Track your performance. If you’re not beating the market over several years, consider just investing in the market itself,via alow-fee index fund.

n Realize that simply investing in index funds, such as an S&P 500 index fund or awhole-market index fund, is asound strategy for every investor

n Keep learning. The moreyou know,the better your portfolio might perform. Consider reading about great investors and great companies; they can teach you a lot.

My Dumbest Investment:

Broke my own rule

My most regrettable investing move?

Well, Iset arulefor myself when purchasing individual stocks. If thestock doubled in value, I’dsell halfmyshares, recouping my total investment and leaving theother

Ionlyviolated

invested, andyou

and youmight miss outonfuture gains. Selling some, as you liked to do,can be an effective compromise,recouping some or all of your originalinvestment and still leaving youset up formore gain. It’sworth thinking through each decisioncarefully,though, because many great stocks have doubledinvalue over and over andover. In suchcases, as you learned, those who hang in there endupwith the most.

Do you have asmart or regrettable investment move to sharewith us? Emailitto tmfshare@fool.com.

BY JONAH MEADOWS Staff writer

Few career paths follow a straight line. Instead, over the years their curves and bends are shaped by early experiences unexpected opportunities and evolving ambitions.

This week, in our occasional One Big Question feature, we asked Louisiana business executives and entrepreneurs from a range of diverse backgrounds, “What job would you have if you weren’t in your current career?”

The alternative lives they imagine, it turns out, share many key elements with their actual jobs. And throughout all their answers, we found a common thread: a desire to build, create and leave behind a legacy — whether that’s through art, business or community.

The following answers have been edited for clarity and length

EDGAR ‘DOOK’ CHASE IV

Owner and president, Chase Hospitality Group; executive chef and operator, Dooky Chase’s Restaurant

I have a background in economics, finance and accounting, and I worked in corporate America for Entergy Corp. — for about 71/2 years. I loved it. I love the strategy and the finances behind it. So I would be hopefully at Entergy Corp. in a leadership role.

Now, what I wish I could do is totally different. I don’t have the talent or the know-how but I love musicians, I love music, I love their creativity Any time I see a live band, no matter what it is, whether it’s jazz, rhythm and blues, a little more funky, I just love it. I love how they improvise. I love how they feed off each other, much like a chef in the kitchen.

So, I wish I had some musical talent. That’s where I would be.

DR. REBEKAH GEE

Co-founder and CEO, Nest Health; former Louisiana Department of Health secretary I’m so lucky to have a career

ONE BIG QUESTION

where I get to be a caregiver. But if I wasn’t doing that, I would be an interior designer and have a store that was fashion, home design and interior design.

I’ve always been a creative person, and the roles I’ve had in government and as an entrepreneur are about creating new things that don’t exist. That’s where I have strength, and that’s true with design as well.

A designer takes a look at a space and says, “What’s needed here? What colors go together? What would make this interesting?” That same kind of creative eye is what makes me a good entrepreneur

I love design and the creative process. My personal style and ability to decorate have been my creative outlet when I’ve been in other roles, like in government, where obviously creativity is important but that’s

not your primary focus.

TREY TRAHAN

Founder and CEO, Trahan Architects

I think a lot about the beauty in Louisiana, how this diversity of plant life emerges when you remove invasive species from a piece of land. In that is embedded the element of chance. It’s the last thing most clients or attorneys or contractors want to think about in a building — we’re spending millions of dollars and we want the end result to be predictable. The element of chance typically is associated with liability or exposure and potentially cost. I would love to think about building living systems as an ecologist — how you could remove more invasive species from our lands

in Louisiana and how all the unpredictable natural species would emerge and create a much more diverse ecology, which I think is all of our definition of beauty

RYAN PECOT

Commercial broker, Stirling; founder and managing partner, Adopted Dog Brewing

I like creating something from nothing. It makes me happy I like the tangible look back and the result. So if I had to pivot, I’d go into construction — actually swinging the hammers pouring the concrete, managing the process, the pro forma, the costing, the negotiating.

I have to throw an asterisk in there because I’m also in the midst of my midlife crisis: I opened a brewery in Lafayette just over three years ago. Being a brewery

owner, employing a brewmaster and all the other things to make that work, I maybe am already living my alternative job path. It might not make as much financial sense as if I was a contractor instead of a broker but it’s been awesome to watch that business mature.

PETER GARDNER

Founder and owner, Gardner Development

If I stopped doing real estate now, I’d want to do something that makes a difference. One thing I’ve thought about a lot recently is putting together a résumé and applying to run NORD (New Orleans Recreation Department) because I’ve got kids and I love New Orleans. I want to see it get better, and I use public facilities, and they’re just as bad as everybody says they are. I think I could turn an organization like that around and make NORD a respectable thing that people would buy into and use. So that would be a slightly unrealistic thing I’d like to do.

HAILEY MELANCON

Co-owner, Atlas Feed Mills

I had the full intention to be a school guidance counselor Then after I graduated I basically was like, “Man, no more school for me.” I got into real estate by accident through post-grad jobs and really fell in love with that industry — the strategy of making offers and negotiating and positioning yourself and your client and doing the best you can for them. If I wasn’t running the family business at this

PROVIDED PHOTO By REBEKAH GEE

The foyer of the New Orleans home of Nest Health CEO Dr Rebekah Gee, the former secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and

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Life-changing care

BR cancer patient received genetically modified cells, went home two weeks later

BY MARGARET DeLANEY Staff writer

Anne Jordan was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2016. After multiple treatments of chemotherapy and radiation, her doctors recommended she consult Dr Nakhle Saba, director of the CAR-T program at Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute in Baton Rouge.

In March, Jordan became the first patient in the region to receive CART cell therapy in an outpatient setting — a milestone for the Lake and for blood cancer patients across Louisiana.

CAR-T cell therapy, or Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy is an FDAapproved treatment for certain blood

cancers that re-engineers a patient’s own immune cells to identify and attack cancer

The process begins by extracting Tcells, or specialized white blood cells, from the patient. In a lab, those cells are genetically modified to identify and attack cancer cells, then multiplied in the millions. The process can take anywhere from three to eight weeks. Jordan waited four weeks.

The day of her infusion was faster than she anticipated.

“It took maybe 15 minutes,” Jordan said. “I thought there would be more fuss.”

Historically, CAR-T therapy required extended hospitalization for monitoring. While the infusion itself is critical, the most complex phase of care occurs in the days following treatment, when patients are closely monitored for immunerelated side effects.

“Cellular immunotherapy has significantly advanced how we treat blood cancers,” Saba said. “What this represents for our community is the ability to deliver highly personalized treatment, while keeping patients connected to the people and support systems that matter most.”

New products, improved detection of side effects and patient management have made CAR-T cell therapy safer — and more cost-effective — in an outpatient setting, according to a National Library of Medicine study

Jordan was an ideal candidate for the new program not only because of her diagnosis and previous unsuccessful attempts to get rid of her cancer, but also because she had her sister, a former nurse practitioner, as her caregiver

After 48 hours at the hospital, the Lake

ä See CARE, page 2X

Protecting kids from the ‘mosquito scourge’

BY SCOTT HAMILTON Contributing writer

This is the first in a series from Dr Scott Hamilton, director of the Pediatric Emergency Department at Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center, offering practical guidance on preventing and treating illnesses and injuries so kids can stay healthy and out of the emergency department.

Soon your kids will be encountering the deadliest wild beast known to man. I’m not talking about bears, or lions or tigers, not sharks or snakes, hippos or crocodiles.

This vicious scourge is the mosquito.

Worldwide, the mosquito kills more humans than any other animal by transmitting diseases with its bite, with most of those deaths occurring in Asia and Africa, where malaria is more common. With spring rains and warm weather, mosquitoes bloom along with flowers and trees. They lay their eggs in standing water, and two weeks later, their progeny take to the air as mature flyers. They’ll be looking for blood the blood of you and your kids. And with that warm weather, everyone will be outdoors more, ready to become a mosquito’s meal.

The worst part of mosquito bites for kids is itching. When they stick you with their needlelike nose, they inject an anticoagulant so the blood flowing doesn’t clot.

It’s that anticoagulant that causes allergic reactions in many people. Minutes after the mosquito has left with a bellyful of your blood, the itching begins.

When kids itch, they scratch. When they scratch, they can tear their skin. We have bacteria on the surface of our skin and when we tear it, those bacteria can be driven into the wound and start growing and spreading.

Within a few days, skin starts showing signs of that infection: swelling, redness, pain and, later, pus. Sometimes those infections get bad enough that children need to be admitted into the hospital for IV antibiotics. Occasionally they need surgery to drain deep abscesses These are the bad cases we see in the emergency department.

If your child starts itching from mosquito bites, wash the bite sites and cover them with antibiotic ointment and bandages. Keep their fingernails trimmed and clean.

If kids can’t sleep at night due to the itch, or are just going nuts with it, anti-allergy medications

See HAMILTON, page 2X

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Hamilton

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Anne Jordan, center, stands with Dr Nakhle Saba, left, director of the CAR-T program at Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute in Baton Rouge, and Susan Foret, vice president of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health and Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute. Jordan went home from cancer treatment after two weeks of receiving genetically modified cells with Dr Saba

Anne Jordan, right, became the first patient in the region to receive CAR-T cell therapy in an outpatient setting

The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health and Our Lady of the Lake CAR-T cell therapy team stands with Anne Jordan, center, at the Cancer Institute in Baton Rouge.

HEALTH MAKER

Family’s bipolar experience led to improved research

Large donation to mental health research is getting even bigger

BY JAMES POLLARD Associated Press

NEW YORK Jon Stanley considers himself fortunate among bipolar disorder patients. He eventually responded to the right drug cocktail after self-described “fullbrained mania” almost 40 years ago left him naked in a New York City deli, convinced electricity coursed through the floor

Others face a longer road to medication. Severe mental health care like his was “more art than science,” the retired lawyer remembered being told back then. Doctors would rotate through medicines to “see if anything stuck.” The experience inspired his late parents, Ted and Vada Stanley, to donate hundreds of millions of dollars toward research into treatments for bipolar and schizophrenia during their lifetimes.

Now, their philanthropic legacy continues with a renewed gift for a biomedical collaborative working to understand such diseases and identify therapies. The Stanley Family Foundation announced another $280 million for the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at Broad Institute earlier this month, bringing its total contributions to the Massachusettsbased nonprofit over $1 billion.

The dedication reflects both their belief in its unique teambased approach and Jon’s fidelity to his billionaire retailer father’s desired application of the wealth he amassed selling collectibles.

“He said he wanted his ‘Manhattan Project,’” Jon recalled. “And so, the only question was: who was gonna be Oppenheimer?”

The Broad Institute launched in 2004 to tackle disease research with the combined forces of faculty from MIT, Harvard and other scientists. It has attracted prominent philanthropists, including founding donors Eli and Edythe Broad as well as former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and his wife, Wendy The Stanleys’ giving has gone almost exclusively to the Broad Institute — a staggering commitment to one recipient. This latest unanticipated gift funds another seven years of its work to determine how these illnesses develop. By using rapid advancements in DNA sequencing, the goal is to accelerate new interventions, according to the Broad Institute’s Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research co-director Ben Neale.

“We’ve made major discoveries of genes that dramatically increase the risk of developing these illnesses,” Neale said “We know we only have a small fraction of what is out there to be discovered.”

Personal connection

Jon grew up along the Connecticut coast as father’s consumer products company, MBI, grew more successful. The money, he said, “kept getting bigger.” But Jon’s father informed him early on he’d give most of the fortune away

A focused philanthropic outlet came when his son developed bipolar disorder at 19. Jon first

CARE

Continued from page 1X

team set Jordan and her sister up with a housing program and regular appointments scheduled to monitor her progress. During her stay near the hospital, Jordan had a high-grade fever that brought her to the emergency room. She remained in close contact with Saba throughout her recovery — even texting him updates on a nightly basis.

“A large part of our outpatient care is also about making sure our emergency department is prepared when CAR-T patients come in for help,” Saba said

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTOS

By CHARLES KRUPA

Benjamin Neale, co-director

of the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, stands near laboratory space at the Broad Institute.

experienced mania at a London educational program while attending Williams College. He harbored dreams of making millions by setting up student housing for Americans studying abroad. But he quickly spent all his money, flipping from mania to depression.

The mania worsened when he returned to his liberal arts school campus in Massachusetts. He freaked out his girlfriend on a New York City visit with comments about secret agents following him. After three days wandering Manhattan without any money he wound up in a deli where his body hurt from imagined electric shocks he felt jumping onto him.

“So, I did the logical thing: I took my clothes off. And that’s how the cops found me,” Jon said.

He stayed six weeks at a psychiatric hospital in 1987, occasionally spending time in the “rubber room.” Lithium, which he’d already been prescribed, didn’t work alone. The addition of an anticonvulsant called Tegretol did the trick.

Neither drug was developed to treat bipolar disorder Nor did doctors have the genetic understandings of the disease they do now — such as its common risk factors with schizophrenia, an insight driven by the Broad Institute.

Jon’s parents wanted to change that.

Parents’ giving goals

Still, Jon said, his dad didn’t “just start writing checks everywhere.”

His parents first founded the Stanley Medical Research Institute. As Ted aged, however, Jon said he decided to give nearly everything to the Broad Institute.

Ted had become frustrated with academic research models where professors string together grants, working separately on similar causes that fall within a funder’s interests. He wanted to put all his eggs in one basket

“We give all the money to Broad and they’re all looking at the one problem,” he said. “It’s much more like a wartime economy.”

His father devoted $825 million altogether But the stock market, where he’d invested his philanthropic funds, performed better than expected. There was additional money to commit.

Jon, one of three Stanley Family Foundation trustees, held no reservations about Broad receiving even more. He considers it his obligation to do “what my dad would want if he was here.”

“He didn’t think he needed all that he made,” Jon said “But he was very interested in making more so he could give it away So who am I to overrule what he thought?”

Delivering CAR-T therapy in an outpatient setting has been a long-time goal for the cancer team at the Lake.

Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute first introduced CAR-T therapy in May 2025 through participation in a clinical research trial, building the foundation necessary to expand into outpatient delivery.

“Having this treatment available in Baton Rouge made everything easier for me and my family,” Jordan said. “I was able to receive highly specialized care while staying close to home and surrounded by support.

Saba played a principal role in bringing this level of care to blood cancer patients in the Baton Rouge

The role of medical philanthropy

Funding to understand and treat mental illness might appear robust However, experts caution that the combined support from the government, private industry and philanthropy pales in comparison to the burden caused by diseases such as bipolar disorder.

The federal government provided more than $2 billion annually for mental health between 2019 and 2024. But studies show schizophrenia alone costs the U.S. more than $300 billion a year — partially due to fragmented care systems that don’t treat people proactively enough, according to Sylvie Raver, a senior director at the Milken Institute’s Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration.

Raver said there’s been a decline in support for serious mental illness at the National Institutes of Health. The existing funding, according to Raver, can

region. Susan Foret, vice president of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health and Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute, says the new offering of CAR-T cell therapy reinforces the organization’s efforts to deliver highly specialized oncology care across Louisiana

Just two weeks after receiving regenerated cells to destroy the blood cancer in her body Jordan was headed home with her sister.

“I need to get back,” Jordan said, “to my life, my church group, my friends.”

Email Margaret DeLaney at margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com.

be siloed and isn’t necessarily targeted toward the needs of impacted families like the Stanleys.

“When you marry capacity, like what the family has, and understanding and personal resonance with the topic, like they have as well, philanthropy is really primed to do exciting things,” said Raver who leads brain disease and mental health portfolios.

Pharmaceutical companies, another research funder, are bound by obligations to turn profits for shareholders and bring products to market. Neale, the Broad Institute member, said private industry’s difficulty in developing drugs chilled their enthusiasm in this area.

These are, he acknowledged, “some of the most difficult problems in all of medicine.”

“We don’t even understand where the fundamental pathology is, the thing that’s giving rise to the illness,” he said. Neale hopes nonprofit research-

HAMILTON

Continued from page 1X

like cetirizine or loratidine can help. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen also ease itching, like they ease pain.

ers catalyze the rest of the field. His goal this next decade is to jumpstart clinical trials for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder interventions. Anything less and he said, “we will have failed.” His team will also be recruiting enough people with bipolar who carry genetic variants to study whether their mutations mean anything.

The more they show what’s possible, Neale said, the more players they’ll draw to their effort.

Jon, a founding board member of the nonprofit Treatment Advocacy Center, has been around long enough that he tries not to get too excited about any breakthrough. His family’s confidence in the Broad Institute stems not from its successes but from its processes.

“It’s not just shaking a test tube and seeing if it turns blue or red,” Jon said. “They’ll notice things and analyze the data in a way that, even if it doesn’t work, they’ll learn something.”

Apply moisturizing creams as well, as softer skin is harder to tear

The best treatment is prevention. Mow grass weekly to minimize water trapping in your lawn. Empty or drain standing water from flowerpots, puddles and old

tires. Install fountains in ponds and birdbaths: mosquitoes won’t lay eggs in moving water Spray your kids with DEET-containing repellent when they go out. Spring is here and the beasts will soon be loose and after your blood.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

The Louisiana Health section is focused on providing in-depth, personal accounts of health in the state.This section looks at medical innovations, health discoveries, state and national health statistics and reexamining tried and true methods on ways to live well.

Health editions will also profile people who are advancing health for the state of Louisiana. Do you have a health story? We want to hear from you. Email margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com to submit health questions, stories and more.

A scientist works in the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research laboratory space.

A portrait of Ted and Vada Stanley hangs in the lobby of the Broad Institute on March 17, which houses the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research in Cambridge, Mass.

Eat Fit LiveFit

Festival-ready Louisiana flavor: ShrimpQuinoa Jambalaya

FestivalseasonisinfullswingacrossLouisiana,and thatmeansonething:jambalaya.Butwhilethis beloveddishisrichinflavor,itcanalsobeheavyon carbsandcalories.EnterJimUrdialesofMestizo,who offersalighter,nutrient-packedalternativewithhisShrimp QuinoaJambalaya.Byswappingsomeofthequinoafor zucchiniandsquash,Urdialeskeepsallthesavory,smoky flavorsofjambalayawhiletrimmingdownthecarbs, makingitperfectforafestivespringmealthatwon’t weighyoudown. Thisdishbalanceshealthandindulgencewithout sacrificingtaste.Shrimpaddsleanprotein,whilequinoa providesfiberandessentialnutrients.Withatouchof smokychipotlesauceandacolorfulmixofvegetables,it’s avibrant,festival-readytwistonaLouisianaclassic—easy enoughtomakeathome,yetfulloftheflavorsthatmake jambalayaacelebrationoneveryplate.

ShrimpQuinoaJambalaya Makes8servings

2tablespoonslightoliveoil

½cupchipotlesauce(suchasTabascoChipotlePepper Sauce),divided

1cupcubedzucchini

1cupcubedsquash

1cupcannedblackbeans,drainedandrinsed 3cupsquinoa,cooked Dashofseasalt 16jumboshrimp,peeled,withtail-on(or—Makeitvegan! Sub1cupofcubedtofufora100%plant-basedjambalaya)

Inaskilletovermedium-highheat,heatoliveoil,six tablespoonsofchipotlesauce,zucchini,andsquash,and cookuntilsoft.Mixinblackbeans,quinoaandsalt. Sautéforthreeminutes.Sautéshrimp(ortofu) separatelywiththeremainingchipotlesauce.Placeon topofquinoaandservewarm.

PERSERVING:170calories,5gramsfat,0.5gramsaturatedfat,490mgsodium,23 gramscarbohydrate(19gramsnetcarbs),4gramsfiber,1gramsugar(0addedsugar), 11gramsprotein.GF

Findtheserecipesandmorein“TheEatFitCookbook,”availableforpurchaseatlocal retailersoronlineatEatFitCookbook.com.BesuretousepromocodeADVOCATEat checkoutfor10%off

withOchsnerHealthandfounderofOchsner’sEatFit nonprofitinitiative.Formorewellnesscontent,tuneinto Molly’spodcast,FUELEDWellness+Nutrition,andfollow @MollykimballRDand@EatFitOchsneronsocialmedia. Emailnutrition@ochsner.orgtoconnectwithMollyor scheduleaconsultwithherteam.

In 2024, over 18 million U.S. households reported being food insecure at some time during the year At times during the year,food-insecure households were unable to provide enough food to meet the needs of all their members because they had insufficient money or resources, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Between 2022 and 2024, an average 17.7% of Louisianans were food insecure, defined as adults whoreported thatthe food that theybought always, usuallyor sometimes did not last —and they didn’thave money to getmore.

The state is one of six with food insecurity rates higher than the national average, which sits at 13.3%.

Food insecurity is associated with chronic and acute health problems and healthcare needs in children,according to theCenters for Disease Controland Prevention. Additionally, food-insecure adults are at ahigherrisk of developing several chronic conditions, including coronary heartdisease, diabetes, obesityand cancer

Food insecurityis calculated by theCDC usingthe behavioral riskfactor surveillance system, ahealthrelated telephone survey

These parishes had thehighest percentage of adultsreporting food insecurity, in descending order: n East Carroll Parish with 46.8%; n Madison Parish with

BY

THENUMBERS

42.6%; n Claiborne Parish with 40%; n Tensas Parish with 38.3%; n Morehouse Parish with 35.4%; n Bienville Parish with 35.1%; n Concordia Parish with 33.7%; n St. Helena Parish with 33.4%; n Red River Parish with 33.2%; n Webster Parish with 31.5%; n St. LandryParishwith 31.2%; n Avoyelles Parish with 30.9% n and Franklin Parish with 30.8%

These parishes had the lowest percentages of food insecurity in the state, in ascending order:

n St.Tammany Parish with 15.9%; n Cameron Parish with 16.2%;

n St. Charles Parish with 17.2%; n Ascension Parish with 17.3%; n Livingston Parish with 18.7%; n Bossier and Lafayette

Tulane studylinks heartriskand hipfractures

BY MARGARET DELANEY Staff writer

Postmenopausalwomen face a high riskofbonefractures. Due to declines in estrogenlevels, which can lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis, even a low-impactfall can result in a serious hip, back or wrist injury.Anestimated1 in 3women over 50 will experienceafracture due to bone lossintheir lifetime.

Anew study from Tulane University found that heart health may affect fractureriskafter menopause, with womenata higher risk of cardiovascular diseasemore likely to experience hip and other major bone fractures.

The association between cardiovascular disease risk and fractures was alsostronger in women under 65, compared with women 65 and older

Ochsner expands Eat Fitprogram

Ochsner Health is expanding Ochsner Eat Fit options systemwide to make nutritious food easiertofind and moreaffordable across its facilities.

Building on the long-standing Eat Fit initiative,the health system is increasing the visibility andavailabilityofEat Fitmenu items while offering qualifying options at up to 50% off standard retail pricing.

The initiative spans dining and retail spaces throughout Ochsner facilities, from cafés and micromarkets to beverageand food vending machines, ensuringthat patients, employees, visitors and guests can easily identify and choose Eat Fit options.

Spend Behavioral Health Day with La. association

Rally at the Baton RougeCapitol at A.Z. Gus Young Park, North Third Street, from 9a.m. to noon on April 27 with LouisianaMental Health Association and the Foundation for Suicide Prevention-La. Chapter.Wear white for behavioralhealth. Lunch and avendor event to follow the rally Register for the event at the LouisianaMentalHealthAssociation’swebsite.

Anew studyfrom Tulane University found that hearthealth mayaffect

disease more likely to experience hip and other major bone fractures.

AARP NewOrleans hosts free linedancing class

AARP NewOrleans is hostinga “Keep it movin’and groovin’”series of one-hour dance classes starting at10a.m. April18, May 16, June 20 and July 18 at theGernonBrown Recreation Center,1001Harrison Ave.

The classteaches steps to hiphop, country/western, R&B, zydeco, New Orleans’ favorites and “oldie’s but goodies,” according to arelease from AARP Membership is not requiredtoattend the event. Register at aarp.org.

N.O.hosts national summit for lung cancer

The thirdannualAfrican Ameri-

can Lung Cancer Patient &Caregiver SummitinNew Orleans is set for April 23-25 at theMarriottWarehouse Arts District. The weekend-longevent will focuson “survivorship, emerging treatments,clinical trials, environmental andclean-air justice, public policy,AIincare, mental wellness, financialnavigation, caregiver support and patient advocacy.” Theevent is freefor lungcancer patientsand caregivers and includes meals,hotel accommodationsand travel andlearning materials

Health Notesisan occasional listing of health happenings around Louisiana. Havesomething you’dlike to share? Contact us at margaret. delaney@theadvocate.com

PlayingTetriscan help tackle memories of trauma,trial finds

Tribune News Service

LONDON Playing Tetris could help reduce distressing memories of trauma, astudy has found.

Health workers who played the classic computer game as part of their treatment experienced fewer flashbacks, researcherssaid.

Experts are now hoping to test the method, which they describe as “accessible, scalable andadaptable,” on alarger group of people

The trial, carried out by researchers in the UK and Sweden, included 99 NHS staff exposedto trauma at work —such as witnessing deaths —during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some 40 patients weregiven the treatment, which involved playing Tetris, known as imagerycompeting task intervention (ICTI)

The group were asked to play a slow version of the classic game while briefly recalling atraumatic

memory They were thenaskedtouse their mind’seye to imagine theTetris grid and visualizethe blocks.

TheICTI methodisthought to weaken thevividness of theintrusive memories by occupying the brain’svisuospatial areas, which help it to analyze and understand physical space

Emily Holmes, aprofessor of psychology at Uppsala University wholed thestudy,said: “Evena single, fleeting intrusive memory of past trauma can exert apowerfulimpact in daily life by hijacking attention and leaving people at the mercy of unwanted and intrusive emotions

“By weakening the intrusive aspect of these sensory memories viathis brief visual intervention, people experience fewer trauma imagesflashing back.”

The remaining patients either listened to music by Mozart to help al-

leviate stress, along with podcasts about the composer,orreceived standard treatment.

The study,published in The LancetPsychiatry,found that those whoreceived theICTItreatment had 10 times fewer flashbacks comparedtoother groupswithin four weeks After six months, some 70% reported having no intrusive memoriesatall.

The treatment alsohelped tackle symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder

Holmes added: “Weare delighted to have made arealbreakthrough by showing this intervention works.

“It is far more than just playing Tetris, and while it is simple to use, it’s been acomplicated process to refine and develop.

“The interventionfocuses on our mental imagery,not words, and is designedtobeasgentle, briefand practical as possible to fit into peo-

ple’sbusy lives.

“Wehope to expand our research so it canbeput into practice by determiningits effectivenessfor abroader range of people and scenarios.”

CharlotteSummers, director of theVictor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart &LungResearchInstitute in the U.K. and professor of intensive care medicine at the University of Cambridge, said: “Every day healthcare workers acrossthe world are recurrently exposed, to traumatic events in thecourse of their work, impacting the mental andphysical well-being of those who care foruswhen we are unwell.

“Ata time when globalhealth care systemsremain under intense pressure, the discovery of a scalable digitalinterventionthat promotes the well-being of health professionals experiencing workrelated traumatic events is an ex-

citing step forward.”

The team is now exploring ways to test ICTI on larger and more diverse groups,aswellaslooking at options for anon-guided version of the game.

Tayla McCloud, research lead for digitalmentalhealth at Wellcome, which funded the study,said: “These results areimpressive for such asimple-to-use intervention.

“If we can getsimilarly strong results in bigger trials, this could have an enormous impact.

“It’srare to see something so accessible, scalable and adaptable acrosscontexts. It doesn’trequire patients to put theirtrauma into words andeventranscends language barriers.

“This study is akey example of whyWellcome is investing in a wide range of mental health interventions, so that in the future everyone will have access to treatments that work for them.”

PHOTO PROVIDED By TULANE UNIVERSITy

fracture risk after menopause, withwomen at ahigher risk of cardiovascular

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Ochsner is starting anew healthyfood incentive program that discounts EatFit diningoptions by 50%. Pictured above is lunchtime at Ochsner Baptist recently in NewOrleans.

Your wishes,your voice: Ochsner doctors encourage familiestoplanahead forNational Healthcare Decisions Day

Dr.SusanNelson,medicaldirectorofpalliativecareforOchsnerHealthNetwork,encouragesalladultstocreateanadvancehealthcaredirective.

By Amanda McElfresh amcelfresh@theadvocate.com

Thisstory is broughttoyou by OchsnerHealth.

Every year on April 16,National Healthcare DecisionsDay serves as a reminderthatmedical emergencies rarely arrivewith warning. When theyoccur the decisions surrounding treatmentoften must be made within minutes.For healthcare providers, includingthoseinOchsner emergency departments,the dayhighlights a simple yetpowerful message: Conversations about medical wishes should happen long beforeacrisis unfolds

While manypeople assume advance care planning is only necessary forolder adults or thosefacingserious illnesses, healthcareproviderssay thatbelief is amisconception.

“Everybody needs to have their wishes knownatleast by the time theyreach middle age. No one knows whatyou want to do betterthan you,” said Foster Kordisch, MD, emergency medicinemedicaldirectorand presidentof medical staff at Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center

would want resuscitation or prefer to allow natural death in certaincircumstances. It canbenotarized or signed by twowitnesses who arenot relatedtothe individual addressedinthe will.

Amedical powerofattorneydesignates someone to make healthcaredecisions if apatientisunabletocommunicate theirwishes.

“The person youdesignate as your healthcare powerofattorneycan change throughout your life,”Maiocchisaid. “I encouragepeople to choosesomebody who is reallygoingtolistentotheir goals. They have to be able to honor whatyou decide, even if it is not whattheywould choosefor themselves.We’re neverreally readytolosealovedone,but oneofthe most beautiful and selfless thingswecan do for them is honor their wishes.”

FosterKordisch,MD Emergencymedicinemedical directorandpresidentofmedical staffatOchsnerLafayette GeneralMedicalCenter

“The main thing to remember is that thesedecisions will be extremely individualized,”Dr. Kordisch continued. “There aredefinitely some decisions everyone should think about.Doyou want to be on aventilatorlong-term?Doyou want to be an organdonor? Having thatinformation canbesobeneficial foreveryone if acatastrophe happens.”

Madison Maiocchi, FNP-C,a hospiceand palliativecareprovider at Ochsner MedicalCenter-BatonRouge, said advance care planning often begins with reflecting on personal priorities andwhatqualityoflifemeans to eachperson.

“I ask people, ‘Whatismost importanttoyou as an illnessprogresses or asudden illnessoccurs? Do you want to maintain your abilitytolive independently?Would youbecomfortable living in aresidential care home or having people takecare of you?’” Maiocchi said. “Those questions and conversations are agood waytothink about what your goals are.”

The third document, LaPOST, provides more detailed medical guidance and must be completed with a healthcareprovider. It outlines severalpreferences,including CPR, mechanicalventilation, artificial nutrition and more LaPOSTisdocumented on a standardized form thattravels with the patient, allowingmedical teams to quickly understand apatient’swishes if an emergency occurs. At Ochsner Health, the form is also enteredintoanelectronic registry thatallows physicians and advanced practice providersacrossthe system to quickly access a patient’s wishes, with efforts underwayto expand similar accessstatewide.

Maiocchiencourages patients to revisitthesedocuments at least once ayear, or whenevertheir health or lifecircumstances change.

“People experience lifechanges,orreceiveanew diagnosis,orsee health improvements.Those situations canprompt them to reevaluate whattheywantto do.That’scompletely fair and something thathappensoften,” she said.

MadisonMaiocchi,FNP-C OchsnerMedicalCenter BatonRouge

Maiocchi said advance care planning in Louisiana centers on three primary documents: aliving will, amedical powerofattorneyand portable medicalorders, known as LaPOST.

Aliving will outlines aperson’sgeneral wishes forcare, including whether they

Emergency physicians at Ochsner hospitals saythe absence of thesedirectives can lead to toughconversations when it’s time fordecisions to be made. Dr.Kordischsaidthe protocol is forphysicians to focusonproviding appropriate,patient-centered, life-sustaining care.Theyalsorely on apatient’sfamilyto help determinewhatthe personmay want To help guide thoseconversations,physicians often ask relativestoreflectonthe patient’svalues

“If thereisnodocumentation,you always

try to frame thediscussion as whatthe patient wouldwant,”Dr. Kordisch said. “You have to givethem an honest outlook of how youthink thingswillgo. It is really hard becausenobodywants to be thepersonwho tells the doctor not to try to save someone’s life. It seems to help people emotionally when we approachitfromthe standpointof honoring the person’swishes in thebest way theyknowhow.”

J. Michael Cuba,MD, system chair of emergency medicine and chair at Ochsner Medical Center –New Orleans,said thatinthe absence of advance care documents, physicians must balancetheir own instincts to provide treatmentwith the severityofthe patient’sinjury or illnessand feedback theyget from family members. Dr.Cuba said thatoften means emergency physicians at Ochsner hospitals takea “thoughtful pause” when trying to decide the best next steps “Myjob is to do lifesavingprocedures butI realize that’snot always aligned witha patient’swishes.I have to ask families what the patienthas told them, or what they think the personwould want to happen next.Unfortunately,the pressureisoften on families becausethose conversations have not taken place,”Dr. Cuba said. “That’swhy Ireally encouragepeople to talk to their families and have the LaPOSTdocumentavailable when apatienthas alifelimiting illness wheneverpossible.It’snot just aboutyou andyour ownbody.It’salsoabout preparing your lovedones so theydon’thavetodeal with additional stress.”

“Justbecauseyou decide something on paper doesnot meanyou can’tchangethose wishes verbally.You canabsolutelysay you want something different. Thesedocuments do notbackyou into acorner,” shesaid. “Thingshappen allthe time and happen very quickly. If youdesiresomething different, youcan vocalizethosenew wishes to your healthcare team.”

J.MichaelCuba,MD Systemchairof emergencymedicine OchsnerMedicalCenter NewOrleans

By openly discussing personal wishes andcompleting theappropriate documents,people can ensuretheir healthcarereflects theirvalues while easing the emotional burden on family.National HealthcareDecisions Dayis a meaningful reminder thatthese conversations areone of themost thoughtfuland empoweringsteps people cantakefor themselves and thosewho care about them the most

TheFiveWishesof AdvanceCarePlanning

ThepersonIwanttomakecare decisionsforme

Thisallowsyoutonamesomeone youtrusttomakemedicaldecisions foryouifyouareunabletodoso (healthcarepowerofattorney).

Thekindofmedicaltreatment Iwantordon’twant Here,youcanexpressyourpreferencesforspecifictypesofmedical careyouwantwhenyouareunable tocommunicateandnotexpectedto getbetter(livingwill).

We’reneverreallyreadyto losealovedone,butone ofthemostbeautifuland selflessthingswecandofor themishonortheirwishes.

MadisonMaiocchi,FNP-C Hospiceandpalliativecare OchsnerMedicalCenter-BatonRouge

Maiocchi emphasized that thoseconversationscan begin with simple questions thatestablish abroad framework forwhat kind of care apersonwouldliketoreceive. It’soften easier to talk about thesedelicate topics when people aremedically stable and not facing an immediate decision. She added thatpeople canchange their minds in the moment if an emergency does occur and theyhavethe abilitytocommunicate

HowcomfortableIwanttobe

Thispartfocusesonyourcomfort andpainmanagement.Itallowsyou tospecifyhowyouwanttobecared forifyou’reinpain,orhowyouwant youremotionalandphysicalcomfort tobeprioritized.

HowIwantpeopletotreatme

Thissectionaddressesyourpersonal andemotionalneeds,suchashow youwanttobetreatedbythose aroundyou:yourfamily,friends andcaregivers.

WhatIwantmylovedones toknow

Thefinalwishallowsyoutoshare yourthoughts,feelingsandfinal hopesforyourfamilyandlovedones, tohelpthemunderstandyourendof-lifedecisions

OchsnerHealthistheleadingnonprofithealthcareproviderinLouisiana,MississippiandacrosstheGulfSouth, deliveringexpertcareatits47hospitalsandmorethan370healthandurgentcarecenters.Tolearnmoreabout howOchsnerempowerspeopletogetwellandstaywell,visitochsner.org

BRIDGING THEGAP

Gen-Zer is in charge of theNew Orleans Museum of Art’s senior program

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

Kimbrielle Boult didn’tthink she was moving back to New Orleansafter college. After graduating with adegreeinart historyand visual culture from Bard College in upstate New York, Boult lived in New York City for afew monthswith thegoalof workinginagallery or amuseum.

But Boult missedthe specificrhythm of New Orleans. Shewas not really “a New York girl,” she realized. Since moving back to New Orleans in 2023, she has started paying more attention to what makes her so drawn to her hometown

Her job is abig help, shesays Now 23 years old, Boult organizes classes for older adults at the New OrleansMuseum of Art as part of the Art Thrives program, which she calls the museum’s “55+ club.” The program, which was established in 2022, has art workshops that last around eight weeks for adults over 55, featuring visiting artistsand culminating in afinal showcase of the participants’art.The classes typically have around 16 to 18 students.

In connection withthe program, Boult also organizes amonthly conversation in the fall, called the EldersSacred Talk, with members of different New Orleans communities, including Mardi Gras Indians and older artists.

In her role, Boult says she learns about New Orleans history and traditions from the participants.

“I learned alot from attending the Elders Sacred Talk series and from talking to the teaching artists,” she said.

Boult said some people havehistorically notgone to NOMA because they didn’tfeel like it was for them—she hopes to help change that.

“Being ayoung Black person from New Orleans, Ithink thatmyface is afamiliar face. Ithink it’safriendly face,” she said.

Having worked at thefront desk at the museum and as agallery attendant, she says she realized there were ways the museum could specifically be more welcomingtoolder people, something she hopes to help accomplish throughthe ArtThrives program.

Tappingintothe creative vein

The most recentArt Thrives workshop that Boult helped organize focused on clay and wiresculpturesand wasdoneinconnection withanexhibit of the work of Hayward Oubre, an American modernist sculptorwho was thefirst student to graduate

with aBachelor of FineArtsdegree from Dillard University

“I was like, ‘OK, clay andwire are twomaterials that he used in his exhibition. What [is] theimportance of these materials?’” Boult said. “Here in Louisiana, here in New Orleans, there’sclay in the soil.”

For oneofthe workshop participants, HarveyOrth, 76,the clay providedanopportunity to connect to Louisiana in another way: he made ceramic coins with impressions of Mardi Gras doubloons.

When Orthwas 10 years old, his father had given his grandparents amoney tree made out of wire andsilver dollarsfor Christmas. Inspired by that childhood memory andbythe work of Oubre,inthe workshop Orth decided to make a“money tree”withcopperwireroots andceramic coins hanging from the branches.

“I was afraid my ambitions could not be met by my skills,” recalled Orth, who is also amuseum donor and docent.

Buthesaidthe teachers in the class made sure that didn’thappen. It “tapped alittle bit of acreative vein that maybe Ididn’tfully appreciate untilthe class,” he recalled.

DianneHonoré, wholed abeadingworkshop for the ArtThrivesprogram in 2025, said“alot of them come in, thinking, ‘I’m not an artist,’ and they makethe most beautifulart.”

“It’sawonderful experience in thatthey share alot of similarities in age-related experiences, life experience,” Honoré said.

She said Boult helped ensureeverything went smoothly in each class.

Bridget Bergeron, 63, aretired educatorwho lives outsideofLafayette andhas participatedinArt Thrives programs, said she appreciated that themuseum has prioritized peopleinher age group. Boult,she added, is “way younger than allofour participants,” but is “very open to allowing us to have avoice.”

Boultwas involved in the arts from a young age, marching in bands from around 10 years oldand laterparticipating in the

ä See ART, page 2Y

Theinternet learnedmy brother doesn’tblink

My brother Robin has asuperpower he never asked for. He almost never blinks. Parkinson’sdisease does that. It steals the small, involuntary things first —the natural rhythm of eyelids, the easy swing of arms while walking, the face’sinstinct to movewhen the heart does. Robin wasdiagnosed about 15 years ago. He spent morethan 30 years as aSouthern Baptist preacher before deciding to stop late last year

Though Parkinson’shas affected his cadence, about ayear before he stopped preaching, he appeared on apodcast called Hayden Alabama—it’sfocused on the outdoors, Christianity and Southern storytelling. They hit the trifecta with my brother As is the custom with Baptist preachers, the hosts call him Brother Robin. He showed up the way he always has —direct and funny with exquisite timing as astoryteller One of the first stories he told “The Plowed Dirt” —has been watched millions of times. I’ve watched it at least adozen times myself,and there are still acouple of places in it that make me laugh every single time. Considering the distance between my brother’sperspective and my own, that’ssaying something. The podcast invited him back. And back again. Many stories later,mybrother has an audience. Those viewers, before anyone explained that Robin was ill, noticed something. The comments flooded in: “Blink, Brother,blink.” So manyofthem,soconsistently, that it has becomehis de facto name.

He is now widely knownas Brother Blink. He gets invited to speak at events and outdoor shows. People seek him out. They’ve even madewell-designed T-shirts.

My brother —who once refuted evolution with the declarative sentence, “Ifyou put adog in a basket and leave it there, it’sstill adog” —now has merchandise.

Ain’tlifegrand?

By his own description, Robin is agun-toting, Bible-carrying, camouflage-wearing, Walmartshopping Southern Baptist preacher.The only time he lived outside Mississippi wasinthe mid-1990s when he attended the NewOrleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Meanwhile, he has described me as follows: “My sister married aMexican, and they have a Chinese daughter.Plus, she left Mississippi and has lived all over the world and country.” Through the years, our holidays around the table have been interesting.

Growing up, Robin and Iwere four years apart and largely living in different worlds, even under the sameroof. Looking back, Iremember afew moments when we weren’t. There were others, harder to name, but the mostvivid was centered around aDan Fogelberg song. Iloved Dan Fogelberg with my whole heart. Robin called him DanEat-a-booger.Nonetheless, when Iwas 14 and Robin was 10, one spring day,our parents were gone forthe afternoon.

Ihad just gotten my stereo and Fogelberg’s“HomeFree” album. There was one song on that album that sounded morecountry than the rest. It’s called, fittingly enough, “Long WayHome —Live in the Country.” It wasthe only

Naomi Kornman poses with anecklace she made.

Kimbrielle Boult poses on the last dayofArt Thrives.

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Harvey Orth adjustshis artpiece titled, ‘Impression of the Past,’onthe last dayofthe 8-week ArtThrives programrecently at NOMAin NewOrleans.

JanRisher LONG STORy SHORT

INSPIRED DISCUSSIONS

ASK THE EXPERTS

Retired journalist let roots drive search for culture, beauty

Acadiana heritage continues to inspire now filmmaker

BY LAUREN CHERAMIE Staff writer

James Edmunds, born in New

Iberia, has been an English teacher photographer, writer, editor, photo editor, radio announcer and more. He has written for Newsweek, Louisiana Life, The Dallas Times-Herald, Figaro, Gris-Gris and others. In 1980, he and a partner founded The Times of Acadiana, where Edmunds served as the editor for the first five years and associate publisher for three years.

Since 1977, he has been involved in a range of performing arts and theatrical production projects. From 1998 through 2010, he served variously as board member, treasurer, general manager and consulting manager for the Performing Arts Society of Acadiana.

Today, Edmunds focuses on photography and creating short films, which have been exhibited in various film festivals around the United States. Some of his films include “I know what you remember” and “The Taste of Summer.” His current project is a short film about his relative Walter Chapman, a concert pianist who was one of the first people to make sound recordings, aimed for completion in 2027.

This interview was edited for length and clarity

In our text exchange before this interview, you told me that you weren’t sure if you were creating many solutions. Through working on this section, I’ve found that it’s the “normal” people who have the most interesting stories. From your time as a reporter and editor, how have you seen ordinary people make a difference in Acadiana?

In Acadiana, just like any place when someone has a real strong devotion to something they think is important and valuable to others, those people are a fabulous asset to a community Most of us, we’re just getting

ART

Continued from page 1y

through the day You’ve got to feed yourself, have a roof over your head and so on We’re legitimately preoccupied with doing all those things, but our lives are brightened tremendously by people who are giving us things that take us to another level of enjoyment and engagement in life.

I’m a real arts guy, and I’ve worked in the arts community a lot.

The people who do that, their energy is just tremendous.

Jackie Lyle and I have worked together a lot. We’re co-conspirators on any number of projects over the decades, and she has a fierce energy to this devotion to the idea that all people should have access to a wide range of the arts

Acadiana and Louisiana — is a place that brims with culture.Why is it important to bring outside culture to Acadiana?

It’s new energy Anybody who’s a dancer benefits by seeing great dancers. Anybody who is a musician benefits from hearing great musicians.

One of the more unusual aspects here is that you can hear great musicians and see great dancers among your local folks. We have an unusually high local stock of that.

When we were hiring someone to work at The Times of Acadiana, we were interviewing this guy from Ohio. We took him out to Mulate’s in Breaux Bridge. A local band was there, and he said, “This is your local music?”

I said, “Yeah, we have indigenous music that’s really rich and vibrant. What about in Ohio?”

He said, “Well, Bruce Springsteen’s from Ohio.”

We have a strong cultural art scene. Because of that, you grow up knowing that you can go out for dinner and then hear a band playing music. It’s not just something from the jukebox It’s music that’s about something.

If you grow up engaged in the arts, you grow up knowing that you’ve been exposed to art that’s about something, and it comes from somewhere, and it’s going somewhere.

You mentioned Jackie Lyle, who works with the Performing Arts Serving Acadiana. Do you

Teen Art Council at NOMA. She continues to identify as an artist herself she is a writer and dancer — and has a blog where she writes about Black queer art. She grew up in New Orleans East and graduated from Frederick Douglass High School, where she participated in the Bard High School Early College program, which grants an associate degree upon completion of high school. Two years later, she finished her undergraduate degree in Art History and Visual Culture at Bard in New York at the age of 19. Boult said she was someone who always liked to hang out with older people and learn history from them. She is a triplet, and she and her siblings grew up knowing both grandmothers and some great-grandmothers.

“Talk to your grandma. Talk to your grandad. Talk to your people, and get them involved, even if it’s not in the museum,” Boult said. “Just talk to them and soak up as much as you can from our elders.”

Those interested in registering for a workshop at the New Orleans Museum of Art can visit noma.org/learn/art-thrives for more information or call (504) 658-4100. There is a fee of $65 for the Art Thrives workshop, which covers the classes and a final showcase.

RISHER

Continued from page 1y

Q&A WITH JAMES EDMUNDS RETIRED JOURNALIST

still work with the group?

No, I’m seriously trying to be quiet in my later years. But Jackie and I worked she’s got more energy than I ever had. I occasionally chat with her about things, because we’ve worked as cross sounding boards for each other

I’m sort of like an old emeritus guy, like the person in the movies who’s living alone in the mountains now but used to be a spy

What does being quiet entail for you?

I like to take pictures, so I’ve been doing a lot of photography At this latter stage of life, I do show films at film festivals. My area of interest is composition. I like the way you can frame up a tableau and show it and so on and so forth. The films I make, I’ve actually gotten a few cinematography awards for the films — even though they’re not about, necessarily, highly cinematic topics. I’m very careful about composition of the scene.

Film and photography requires one to be able to spot beauty How do you find beauty in a place that you’ve been in for so long?

That’s what beauty is You con-

Fogelberg song that Robin liked too.

So, we did what you do when you are young and the house is yours for a few hours — we opened the front windows and turned the speakers outward toward the front yard full of loblolly pines and blared the song as loud as it would go.

And then, we went outside and sang and danced — loud, wild, joyful, ridiculous dancing. Together

The song is about longing for open land and sky, for a life unplanned, for children laughing just because they’re living.

Robin, even at 10, already knew that was exactly the life he wanted. I was 14 and knew I was headed somewhere else entirely

We danced anyway

What strikes me now, watching him in his Brother Blink era, is how light he seems. For decades, Robin carried the full weight of fire and brimstone — the calling, the congregation, the responsibility of standing before people week after week.

Something has lifted.

The people who follow him online don’t know or care about any of the things that made us different. They just like him.

tinue to see the beauty unfolding.

Over the years, in terms of beauty and seeing it and photographing it and then trying to see it when filming, I’ve started uplifting a smaller and smaller frame of reference.

Maybe that’s just a part of getting older When you’re young, you want to show it all. You want to show the dramatic scene. A big part of photography, especially photojournalism, is showing it pretty. Let’s say I’m at Cajun Country Mardi Gras, and I need to show the guy on the horse catching the beer can with a piece of boudin in his other hand.

After you’ve captured that scene, it will continue to inspire many other photographers. Instead of running out of things, you’re free to find new things and free to be even more idiosyncratic about what it is you look for

You mentioned the music in Louisiana being meaningful and appreciated.That tends to create this strong sense of place — something thatAcadiana has.Do you think a strong sense of place changes how people treat one another in a community? I think that’s absolutely true. Another thing that happens is you re-

ally appreciate what you have here when you see it differently It’s an extremely beautiful place if you like mosquitoes.

We’re going next week to Arizona. It’s almost this radically different place to be. You’re sort of programmed to think there are rewards in seeing things, so you go to a completely different environment. The opposite of that is true, too. It can make you sad to see characterless environments — from the physical beauty to the food. You have the expectation that these things are enriching, engaging and rewarding. We have a lot of friends from the Midwest, and they just marvel at your average place to go eat lunch down here.

All of the richness here elevates our expectations, and it elevates what we demand. That’s why I think so many people who are in the arts who move from south Louisiana and go to places like New York and L.A. — the reason they do so well is because their level of expectation about how good something should be starts at a base level of really high.

They find him funny He gets recognized at restaurants. People want to take their pictures with him and call out, “Blink, brother, blink!” My brother has turned an involuntary symptom of a hard disease into an identity that brings joy connection and purpose.

Former newspaper editor James Edmunds now focuses much of his time on photography. Shown is a picture he took at Palmetto Island State Park.

PHOTOS PROVIDED By JAMES EDMUNDS

James Edmunds, born in New Iberia, has been an English teacher, photographer, writer, editor, photo editor radio announcer and more.

I think about those speakers turned outward to the front yard and two kids headed in opposite directions, dancing among the loblollies to the same song anyway I’m glad we had that afternoon. I’m glad he’s still making people laugh. I’m glad the world found him, too.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Robin Risher stands behind Hayden Alabama Podcast co-hosts Shane Thomas and Phillip Bremmerman in their studio.

BR dancegroup presidentleads with amission to serve

BY MORGAN KING Contributing writer

A14-year commitment stemming from asimple interest in two-step dancing is now acommunity service for Lesetta Crawford, president of Flo-Motion Baton Rouge, adance organization rooted in fellowship and philanthropy Crawford, 57, took abeginner two-step class from aformer member.When she later visited a class at the Martin LutherKing Jr Community Center,she immediately felt she had found the right place “I said, you know,I think this is where Ineed to be,” Crawford said.

Crawford was soon invited to serve as apractice coach andlater as vice president. About seven years ago, she was asked to lead the organization as president.

“Everything started moving so fast,” she said. “But when I stepped in, Irealized that this organization was about giving back.”

Flo-Motion now has about 60 members who meet every Tuesday at the MLK Center for four levels of dance classes, but the group’s impact extends beyond the dance floor

Each year,membersdonate schooluniforms, supplies and essentials to families at local schools, provide hundreds of canned goods forThanksgiving mealsand support breast cancer patients through donations and an annual awareness dance.

For Christmas, the group traditionally donates bicycles, but last year Crawfordexpanded theeffort into afull toy drive. Members began bringing toys and bikes in early November.They collected five bikes for the toy drive.

Flo-Motion also steps in to help families with rent, utilities and other needs all funded through members’ $25 monthly dues. The organization does not accept outside donations.

“When you manage the money the right way,you candothese things,” Crawford said. Crawford credits thegroup’s longevity to its senseoffamily. Many members havebeen with Flo-Motion for more than adecade, including 87-year-oldtreasurer

Flo-Motion collects

MarvaCook, whoisagrounding force.

“This lady is really like amother to me,” Crawford said. “I got more out of it than just being alead instructor.Ihavea family.”

Theorganization also maintains close ties withthe MLK Center andthe Pearl George Senior Center,helping fund seniortrips and other community needs.

“We’vebeenconsistent for14 years,” Crawford said. “Even in themidstofCOVID, we were still fortunate to help.”

Despite the group’sextensive outreach, Crawfordsaidshe has neversought recognition because the simple act of word of mouth is enough

“I feel like whatever Ido, someonewill speak for me one day,” Crawford said. “Sometimes people don’tknow there are people out there willingtohelp.”

This story was reported and written by astudent withthe supportof the nonprofit Louisiana Collegiate News Collaborative, an LSU-led coalition of eightuniversities funded bythe Henry Luce and John D. and CatherineT.MacArthur foundations.

With thousands of Shellmen and womenacross thestate,we areworking everyday to reduce emissions, while increasing efficiencyinour operations

Our tomorrowdepends on whatwedotoday.Together, we arepowering progress forabrighterfuture. Louisiana is where we live and we’reproud to call it home.

Marva Cook dances at Flo-Motion’sCongoSquare event with GeorgeHawkins.

canned foodsand StoveTop stuffing for its Thanksgiving ‘Feed the Families’ drive.

FAITH & VALUES

Mourning seeing change in a digital age

BY JON PARKS Contributing writer

With the rise of social media and the worldwide disruption of the pandemic, the last decade has seen a dramatic change in the ways people mourn their losses.

Fortunately, not all the effects are negative. While some feel they can’t properly mourn without a public service, others are relieved that they won’t have to rush to plan (and pay for) an elaborate, multiday funeral event.

It’s also possible these rituals are not disappearing but evolving. Family visitations are being replaced by small gatherings and private messages. Community repasts are given up in favor of more intimate family meals. Polished obituaries are giving way to informal, heartfelt tributes on social media.

This might feel foreign to 20thcentury generations, who sometimes criticize social media as a hollow substitute for face-to-face interaction But younger generations view platforms like Facebook, Instagram and YouTube as valid — even essential — ways to communicate and express themselves.

“I think social media can be a re-

ally helpful tool for people to express their sense of loss and find connection,” says Charlotte Tryforos, a social worker and adjunct teacher at LSU.

Baton Rouge therapist Sarah Tipton says that grief comes unexpectedly

“You never know when grief will hit you,” she said, recalling the story of a client whose father died during the COVID pandemic.

The father lived in California, and her client couldn’t travel to see him or attend a funeral. Tipton said her client was unable to start grieving because she didn’t fully experience closure. The client finally began coming to terms with her loss when a box arrived a few weeks later with some of her father’s belongings.

“Of all the things in that box, it was the glasses that got her. She broke down and cried over those glasses because she knew if she was holding them, he was really gone,” she said. “Most of us like to be in control, and we want to control this. But we can’t control or ignore grief. It won’t just go away.”

It’s common to use the words “mourning” and “grief” interchangeably, but they are not the same. Grief is what we feel when we experience loss, while mourning is the way we express it. People mourn in different ways, depending on their culture, religion or where they live.

“Those practices can change over time,” said Eric Fulcher, a therapist based in New Orleans. “But grief itself has not changed much Every one of us will experience it.”

Barry Weinstein, Rabbi Emeritus at the Unified Jewish Synagogue in Baton Rouge, notes that the pandemic brought several changes to mourning rituals. He describes traditional Jewish rituals of mourning, like covering mirrors and lighting a memorial candle periodically to commemorate the death. But fewer families observe those rituals today “And what’s more, I’m hearing

from a lot of people who ask their family not to hold any kind of funeral for them when they die,” Weinstein said.

Public rituals can bring structure and closure to loss. People may skip them out of a desire to shortcut or simplify their mourning, but in doing so, they may actually delay the very healing that they seek.

Tryforos has observed how her students — even her own children are learning how to grieve in a social media world.

She points out how one of her children’s favorite YouTubers recently shared a personal loss through her videos The digital creator talked about her feelings so openly and honestly in an effort to “normalize” grief for her followers.

Social media can have other benefits for those mourning a loss.

“I’ve seen people share such beautiful tributes online when a friend loses a loved one. Most of them would never get up to speak at a funeral, but online they can really be a supportive voice,” Tryforos said.

Mourning online can also offer the opportunity to reconnect with distant friends and provide a safe

space to journal and share the grieving process. Some choose to leave their lost loved one’s account active, using it as a place to post memories and reflections on meaningful anniversaries. In these cases, a visit to someone’s Facebook wall may be like going to visit their grave at the cemetery Practices like these could be gradually taking the place of the in-person rituals we’re leaving behind — or at least offering a meaningful alternative.

“Every person has their own grief journey We each process these difficult feelings in a different way and at a different pace,” Tipton said. “The important thing to remember is that no matter where our ‘people’ are — online or face-to-face — we don’t have to walk that journey alone.”

Mental health professionals point out that grief is not one single emotion, but rather a complex set of feelings. Sadness is expected, but some people are surprised to experience anger, anxiety and even relief.

Jon Parks is a pastor, writer and musician residing in Baton Rouge. Reach out to him at jon@ jonparks.net.

Philly parents helped guarantee student bathroom breaks

BY CARLY SITRIN

Contributing writer

Editor’s note: This story created by Carly Sitrin for Chalkbeat Philadelphia is part of the Solutions Story Tracker from the Solutions Journalism Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rigorous reporting about responses to social problems. Louisiana Inspired features solutions journalism stories that provide tangible evidence that positive change is happening in other places and in our own communities — solutions that can be adopted around the world

On an unseasonably hot March day outside of Bluford Elementary School, Philadelphia mom Cat LaTorre hustled from car to car handing out flyers.

The bold purple lettering spelled out the school district’s new wellness policy guaranteeing kids daily recess, regular bathroom breaks, and more. But to LaTorre, they represented something on top of that: victory

“These are the things we won for you, mama,” she said to a parent and her daughter driving off at dismissal time. “We’re trying to do bigger and better things for you.” LaTorre is one of dozens of parent volunteers with the grassroots advocacy group Lift Every Voice Philly They’d spent the better part of two years confronting district officials and city leaders with stories of students wearing diapers to school because of insufficient bathroom breaks. They sent letters and testified in meetings about entire classrooms of students being punished for a single kid’s bad behavior They showed up to Philadelphia City Council meetings demanding joy for their children, and said they didn’t think that was too much to ask.

Lift Every Voice’s work shows how hard it can be for parents in the city to affect change, but also how it can be done. It took a lot of advocacy false dawns and more than one tearful school board meeting to do what at one point felt impossible to the group. These parents, most of whom had little formal history or background in activism, ultimately had a major influence on policy in the big bureaucratic system that is the Philly school district.

And other parents are starting to take notice. The district’s proposal to close 18 schools has spurred hundreds of Philly families who’ve never considered themselves education activists to look for an advocacy playbook that gets results.

Following a Board of Education vote last month, it’s now official district policy that all students will get daily recess, regular movement breaks to stretch, as well as access to water and bathrooms that can’t be restricted as punishment. In addition, teachers can no longer collectively punish groups of students for the actions of a few, and students can’t be forced to have “silent lunches” where speaking is prohibited.

“We navigated something that is so significant, that is life-changing for our kids and for our families,”

LaTi Spence, a member of Lift Every Voice, told Chalkbeat.

Councilmember praises Lift Every Voice’s ‘community power’

Just days after the school board’s vote, in a blur of metallic purple pom-poms, members of Lift Every Voice celebrated the landmark policy change at the district’s headquarters. Superintendent Tony Watlington and other local dignitaries stood arm-in-arm with the LEV parents.

“‘Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never has and it never will,’ ” Watlington said, quoting the abolitionist Frederick Douglass. “I wish we had done this much sooner But I’m pleased that we’re doing it today.” Of course, “power” over Philly public schools resides with district leaders like Watlington and the school board.

The board’s Feb. 27 vote to adopt the policy was perfunctory and took place without debate. But for months before that, it appeared and then disappeared from school board meeting agendas.

The Lift Every Voice parents discovered there was always another survey to fill out, another person they should meet with, or another time for public comment.

The process was exhausting and at times, demoralizing, they said. But it wasn’t unfamiliar

The wellness policy was not Lift Every Voice’s first demand from those in power in Philly schools.

The group began in 2022 as a grassroots gathering of Black parents who said they felt ignored and shut out of important conversations about public education in the city Lift Every Voice’s 2023 campaign to expose the school nurse staffing shortage forced a public reckoning and gave the advocates their first taste of success.

Since then, moms and grandmas in their signature purple shirts have canvassed neighborhoods, visited with members of the City Council, and roamed City Hall.

“They testify, they build power,” Councilmember Kendra Brooks said at the celebration of the board’s wellness policy vote.

“That’s what community power looks like.”

And their success comes as community organizing around public education is seeing a resurgence in the wake of the district’s closure proposals.

At several community engagement meetings and rallies across the city protesting the closures, many parents and public school advocates have accused the bureaucracy of Philadelphia schools of creating a wall between families and the district.

But it’s not insurmountable, parents said.

“We don’t win all the battles. But this one’s really significant,” Spence said “I think it’s giving people and parents hope to know that, especially with the news around the school closures, that there’s a piece of joy that we did get and we can hold on to.”

Changing policy in Philly public schools isn’t easy Lift Every Voice Executive Director Shanée Garner said changing how the district works can be

messy because “our systems are not built to respond to people.” She said the school district has been historically underfunded and has cycled through different leaders, board members, and various amounts of state oversight.

The core of LEV’s work has been about fostering relationships, Garner said “If we want to build a future where everyone is looking out for each other,” she said, it requires elected officials, school leaders, and parents to take the time to get to know each other

Julie Krug, another parent in LEV, said she thinks the group was able to move hearts and minds by choosing policy priorities drawn from stories rooted in their personal experiences with their kids and their schools. “What I’ve learned is how powerful that really is,” she said. “It’s irrefutable.” Building sustained parent power also requires educating families about the levers of control and the city’s political hierarchies, and how to navigate them.

At meetings, volunteers run through scenarios about issues like bullying, vaping, and advocating for resources for students with disabilities. They discuss how to find the right person to reach out to whether that’s a teacher, counselor, assistant superintendent, or administrator They practice writing an email or note that will best convey their concerns.

The goal is to demystify the system and arm parents with the knowledge and skills to advocate for what their children are owed.

Carrera Wilson, another founding Lift Every Voice member and mother of five, said prior to joining the group, she was an activist in her heart and in her mind, “but actually making moves, making changes, connecting with people that actually can do things? That have some pull? No.” she said.

Wilson said LEV helped her build her confidence, learn how to organize, speak in public, and grow her skills as a community leader

“We had to fight. It took a lot to get here,” Wilson said. “I just was a parent that cared and didn’t like what was going on in my kids’ school. And now I can actually go home and tell my kids, look on the news, Mommy did this. We won this.”

In many ways, LEV’s work is just beginning. The group is now working with the district to help develop a plan to ensure the wellness policy is followed, and that schools have the resources they need to follow it.

The parents’ goal is “bigger numbers, more power, more success,” said Wilson. They want parents to start expecting better of their schools and holding their district accountable.

Wilson said there was a time where she and the other parents felt like “we can’t do anything, we can’t bust through that wall.” But Wilson said that to be standing outside Bluford with a list of guarantees they fought for made what she and others in Lift Every Voice did all worth it.

Fulcher

Tipton

Weinstein

PROVIDED PHOTOS By SOLMAIRA VALERIO

Members of Lift Every Voice say their advocacy work’s goal is to create better school environments and more joy for Philly students.

Cat LaTorre, a member of Lift Every Voice Philly, shares a flyer about the district’s new wellness policy with a parent at Bluford Elementary School.

SUNDAY, April 12, 2026

CURTIS / by Ray Billingsley

SLYLOCK FOX / by Bob Weber Jr

GET FUZZY / by Darby Conley

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE / by Chris Browne

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM / by Mike Peters

ZIGGY / by Tom Wilson

ZITS / by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

SALLY FORTH / by Francesco Marciuliano & Jim Keefe

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE /byStephan Pastis

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

word game

instructions: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

todAY's Word — HePAtitis: hep-uh-

TY-tis: Inflammation of the liver.

Average mark 31 words

Time limit 60 minutes

Can you find 52 or more words in HEPATITIS?

ken ken

instructions: 1 -Each rowand each column must contain thenumbers 1through4 (easy) or 1through6 (challenging) without repeating 2 -The numbers within the heavily outlinedboxes, called cages, must combine using thegiven operation (inany order)toproduce the target numbersinthe top-left corners. 3 -Freebies: Fillinthe single-boxcages withthe numberinthe top-left corner

instructions: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 gridwith several given numbers. The object is to placethe numbers 1to 9in theempty squares so that each row,each column and each 3x3 boxcontains the same number only once. The difficultylevel of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday

directions: Complete thegridso that numbers 1–132 connect horizontally, vertically or diagonally

Sudoku

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

By darryL gonzaLez

On the road

Thanks for today’s deal goes to the great English player Andrew Robson, who tells us that the deal is from a casual rubber bridge game in Tangiers, Morocco. Had West led a low heart there would be no story to tell. West, however, made the inspired lead of the ace of hearts, so he was still able to control the defense. East’s discard meant that South had started with five hearts to go with his known six or seven clubs. There was not much West could do if South held the 10 of spades or the king of diamonds, but he took his best shot when he shifted to a spade at trick two. South won in dummy and cashed two more high spades, shedding two hearts and a club from hand. East’s discard on the third spade meant that West had started with 12 major-suit cards

super Quiz

SUBJECT: 2025 DEATHS Provide the name of

South’s plan was to endplay West with the two of spades and force West to give South entry to his hand If West’s one minorsuit card was a diamond, South had to take dummy’s ace before the endplay South could not cash a fourth spade just yet, as that might give West a chance to discard his last spade on the ace of diamonds, thus avoiding the endplay South cashed the ace of diamonds right away Should West discard a spade, South could lead the two of spades without cashing another high one. South could now handle a potential spade discard by West and still make his contract. A very interesting deal!

Tannah Hirsch welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency inc., 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, Ny 14207. E-mail responses may be sent to gorenbridge@ aol.com. © 2026 Tribune Content Agency

ARIES (March 21-April 19) You hold the power of choice. Don’t pay for others’ mistakes; choose to use intelligence, not cash, to win your battles, and you’ll far exceed your expectations.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Refrain from sharing personal or financial information. Someone will monopolize your time and take advantage of you if you let them. Look through every lens and listen intensely

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Be first to stand up for what’s right. Truth is paramount if you want to maintain your position and reputation Walk

away from gossip and those who tempt you to indulge in excessive behavior CANCER (June 21-July 22) Stop before things get out of hand or run amok. Use your intelligence to navigate your way through conversations that can influence how others perceive you. Speak from the heart. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) You can’t please everyone, but you can offer validity and tell the truth. Let your voice lead the way, and your passion shine through. Gather knowledge and experience. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) A change will be uplifting. Take time to clear

your mind and assess what’s happening around you. Join forces with like-minded people, and someone you connect with will bring out the best in you.

tunity is apparent, and time is on your side.

track and a plan in place. Refuse to let your emotions and desires take precedence when it comes to spending and saving. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Don’t share too much information or give others a reason to question you. Collect your thoughts, rearrange your plans and follow the protocol necessary to forge ahead. wuzzLes

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) What’s familiar is in your best interest. Keep life simple and affordable, and surround yourself with those who support your interests. Gauge what’s doable and what isn’t.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Emotions and impulse will clash if you aren’t careful. Choose your words carefully and let your wisdom and experience lead the way Oppor-

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) A change of heart will point you in a different direction. Look inward, assess and confront your health, wealth and contractual ties. Stick to what feels right and works best for you.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Keep your plans simple and affordable. Conversations will carry weight but also give rise to temptation, uncertainty and stress. Make comfort and peace of mind your goal.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 19) Choose peace. Get your financials on

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2026 by NEA, inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

goren Bridge

SCORING: 24 to 30 points —congratulations, doctor; 18 to 23 points—honorsgraduate; 13 to 17 points —you’replenty smart, but no grind; 5to12points —you really shouldhit the booksharder;1point to 4points —enroll in remedial courses immediately; 0points who reads thequestions to you?

Saturday's Cryptoquote: Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil. —Bishop Reginald Heber

1. RobertRedford.2.Gene Hackman. 3. George Foreman. 4. Richard Chamberlain. 5. Hulk Hogan. 6. Ozzy Osbourne. 7. Jimmy Swaggart 8. LoniAnderson. 9. Connie Francis. 10. Loretta Swit.11. Roberta Flack. 12.BrianWilson 13. Wink Martindale. 14.Jay North.15. Val Kilmer Crossword

jeFF mACnelly’sshoe/ by Gary Brookins &Susie MacNelly FoXtrot/ by BillAmend