The Times-Picayune 04-17-2026

ISRAEL, LEBANON AGREE TO 10-DAY CEASEFIRE 6A

Report:EMS response timesmissmark

BY MISSY WILKINSON Staff writer

New Orleans EMS is failing to respond quickly to emergencies as chronic understaffing driven by low pay forces the city to lean heavily on private ambulance companies, theOffice of the Inspector

General said in anew report In 71% of cases, theagency missed national benchmarks as average response times climbed to 17 minutes and 45 seconds nearly double the recommended nine minutes,according to the report releasedThursday Even in themost critical calls,

classified as “cardiac arrest/imminent death,” theaverage response time was 10 minutes and 40 seconds. Historically,NOEMS has struggled to respond to critical calls within nine minutes. In 2024, 30% of those calls took longer than 12 minutes. In 2023, that figure was 26%, and in 2022 it was 40%, ac-

cording to the city’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. Geographic disparitiesalso plague the agency’sresponse times, andouter areasofNew Orleans East experience thelongest delays.

In the 70129 ZIPcode —covering Lake Catherine and the ViavantVenetian Isles—residents waited an average of 26 minutesfor an ambulance, the longest in the city

French QuarterFestivalrolling

BY KEITH SPERA Staff writer

By contrast, in the Central Business District’s70112 ZIP code, hometoUniversityMedical Center and Tulane University Medical Center, response timeswerethe shortest, averaging 13 minutes. TheEast has also historically seen the longest NOPD 911 response times, with current wait times sitting at around150

ä See EMS, page 10A

RTAworkers sueover workplace environment

Plaintiffs claimdiscrimination, harassment at transitagency

BY BLAKEPATERSON and JESSICA WILLIAMS Staff writers

Twelve currentand former employees of the RegionalTransit Authority have filedan explosive lawsuit against the agency,alleging ahostile workplace rampant with discrimination, harassment and retaliation against Black, female, gay and disabled employees. The76-page lawsuit,filedinfederal court on April 10, also accuses the RTAofwage theft and cites as evidence for its claimsat least nine audio recordings in whichRTA officialsallegedly admit to “suppress(ed) salaries”; an “out of balance” and “unjust” disciplinary system; and other management failures.

During the 2026 French Quarter Festival’sopening day parade, Raynard Hockett thumped abass drum with thePaulinBrothers Brass Band. After performing “Bourbon Street Parade” on Bourbon Street, the Paulin Brothers led the way into Jackson Square.

It reminded Hockettofhis time with Southern University’s famed Human Jukeboxmarchingband in the late 1980s.

“If Ican’tbethe first band, Idon’twant to be no band,” he said withasmile. “They say thebest is first.” He would have preferred to march with his fiberglass tuba, which is lighter than a big bass drum. But his former Human Jukebox and currentbandmateJulius McKee handled tuba duties on Thursday

So,Hockett said,“I’vegot to get in where Ifitin.” That was theprevailing attitude Thursday as big crowds turnedout for the first of four days of free music along the downtown riverfront

ForThursday’ssoft opening, only eight of 19 stages

“Whatdistinguishesthis casefromthe ordinary employment disputeisnot merely the severity or duration of the misconduct though both are extraordinary —but the fact that the RTA’sown executives have been recorded on audio admitting to virtually every element of Plaintiff’s claims,” theplaintiffs attorneys, at New Orleans lawfirm KingNorris, wrote.

The plaintiffs describe the RTAasaworkplace where physical violence is minimized, excused or ignored; homophobic slurs, sexual harassment and assault are met with little to no disciplinary action; female supervisors

ä See RTA, page 10A

Cassidyleads rivals in fundraising, spending on advertising

BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer

President Donald Trump’sendorsement of U.S. Rep. Julia Letlowhas yettohelp herclose the money gap with the man sheis tryingtounseat, U.S.Sen.BillCassidy Fundraising figures released this week in Louisiana’shotly contested Senate Republican primary show that Cassidy and asuper PAC supporting him raised more mon-

ELECTION 2026

ey than Letlow or state Treasurer John Fleming, the other major Republican candidate, during the first three months of 2026.

As of April 1, Cassidy also had millionsofdollars moreinthe bank thaneither Letlow or Fleming, the figuresshowed What’s not clear is whether Cassidy’smoney advantage will

guarantee himafirst or secondplace finish in the May16 primary and aspot in theJune 27 party runoff. Independent polls have shown the three candidates bunched closely together Independent polls also have shown Cassidy trailingboth Letlow andFleming in head-tohead matchups,anunenviablepositionfor atwo-termincumbent. Cassidy is weighed downbyhaving morevotersview him unfavor-

ably than favorably Cassidy has yet to break clear of histwo opponents, even though he and his supporters have bombarded the airwaves. Theyhavespent

$17.4milliononadvertising, compared to only $5 million for Letlow and $680,000 for Fleming, according to AdImpact, amedia tracking firm in Virginia. Fleming has remained competitive in pollseven though he is barely raising any money and has spent much less on advertising. The winner of the Republican

ä See CASSIDY, page 14A

Cassidy Letlow Fleming

STAFF PHOTO By ENAN CHEDIAK

Man with AR-style pistol arrested at Aetna’s HQ

HARTFORD, Conn. A man carrying a backpack with an AR-style pistol inside was arrested Thursday after walking into health insurer Aetna’s headquarters in Connecticut, police said.

Security guards detained the man without incident shortly after 10 a.m., within 3 minutes after he entered the Hartford building. They held him until city police officers arrived, a spokesperson for Hartford police said. It wasn’t immediately clear what the man’s plans were, Lt Aaron Boisvert said. The man’s name and information on criminal charges have not been released. He was brought to Hartford police headquarters.

Woonsocket, Rhode Islandbased CVS Health, Aetna’s parent company, released a brief statement on the incident and did not immediately respond to follow-up questions.

“Earlier today, a suspicious person attempted to enter our office, was apprehended immediately by our security team and taken into custody by local police,” the statement said. Former Va. lieutenant governor kills wife, self ANNANDALE, Va. — Former Virginia Lt. Gov Justin Fairfax, a rising star in the Democratic Party until a sexual assault scandal ruined his political fortunes, killed his estranged wife and then himself weeks before a judge’s deadline to move out of their family home, according to police and court records.

Officers called to the family’s home in the Washington, D.C., suburb of Annandale early Thursday found the bodies of Fairfax, 47, and his wife, Dr Cerina Fairfax, 49, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said.

Justin Fairfax apparently fatally shot his wife in the basement before going to an upstairs bedroom and killing himself, Davis said. Their son called 911.

Cerina Fairfax said in court filings that they separated nearly two years ago and that she filed for divorce last summer But they were still living in the same house with their two teenage children, who were both home when the deaths occurred, Davis said.

A judge on March 30 told Justin Fairfax to move out by the end of April, writing “it is clear tensions in the Fairfax home have been extremely high for an extended period of time.”

According to court documents, Justin Fairfax’s “mental and emotional health” suffered after two setbacks: his unsuccessful 2013 campaign for the Democratic nomination for attorney general and the 2019 sexual assault scandal that ended his political career. After both, he drank heavily and withdrew from his family

Navy Reservist arrested, wife found in freezer NORFOLK, Va. A man accused of fleeing to Hong Kong after his wife’s body was found in a freezer in their Virginia apartment has been apprehended, authorities said.

David Varela, a 38-year-old Navy Reservist, was wanted on a first-degree murder charge in the death of Lina M. Guerra, 39, who was found dead at their Norfolk apartment in February, FBI Director Kash Patel announced in a social media post. Varela had been on the run for more than two months, “but justice doesn’t forget,” he said

A notice filed Wednesday in federal court in San Francisco states that Varela was arrested on an unlawful flight warrant and accused of fleeing to Hong Kong from Virginia to avoid prosecution for first-degree murder and concealing a dead body to prevent detection.

On Feb. 5, Norfolk police searched the home of Varela and Guerra, identified in an FBI affidavit as Lisa Maria Guerra Echavarria, after her brother reported her missing. Her brother hadn’t been in touch with her for more than two weeks and detectives hadn’t been able to reach her or Varela.

During the search, a woman was found dead in the kitchen’s freezer and preliminary fingerprints determined the woman was Echavarria.

Senate GOP votes to lift federal mining ban

Resolution clears way for foreign company

BY TODD RICHMOND Associated Press

Congressional Republicans have sent President Donald Trump a resolution that would lift a federal ban on mining near Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, hoping to clear the way for a South American company to extract precious metals from the region’s pristine forests, lakes and bogs. House Republicans approved the resolution last month despite conservationists’ warnings that the move would lead to devastating pollution in one of the country’s last remaining wild areas. The Senate followed suit Thursday, voting 50-49 to send the measure to Trump for his signature.

Democrats argued on the Senate floor that lifting the ban would set a dangerous precedent that could lead to lifting protections on public lands across the country Minnesota Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith warned Republicans were stealing part of their state’s identity Klobuchar, who has supported

iron mining in the past but is now running for Minnesota governor, called the Boundary Waters a place of “mist over meadows” and “sunlight on leaves.” Smith said the GOP was ignoring Minnesotans who don’t want to see the wilderness area destroyed.

“You can support mining, but that does not mean you support every mine in every place,” Smith said.

No Republicans spoke on the lifting the ban.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness stretches for about 150 miles in the Superior National Forest along Minnesota’s border with Canada.

It’s a land of crystalline lakes, vast forests of pine, spruce and birch, striking sunsets and clear, star-dusted nights. For those willing to paddle and portage off the most-traveled routes, the region offers solitude and a silence broken only by the cries of loons and the occasional howl of a wolf.

Logging is prohibited, planes passing over it can dip no lower than 4,000 feet except in emergen-

cies and motorized watercraft are limited to only certain areas. Tens of thousands of canoeists, kayakers and campers explore the wilderness each year, according to U.S. Forest Service data.

Part of the national forest that encompasses the wilderness area sits on what’s known as the Duluth Complex, a rock formation that contains copper, nickel, lead, zinc, iron, silver and gold, according to the Forest Service.

Twin Metals Minnesota LLC, a subsidiary of Chile-based Antofagasta Minerals, submitted a plan to the U.S. Department of the Interior in 2019 to mine copper, nickel and other precious metals in the national forest. Company officials said in an operational plan that year that the mine would create hundreds of union jobs, more than a thousand “spinoff jobs” and tax revenue for struggling communities in northeastern Minnesota.

“With this Project, Minnesota can be a model for modern, sustainable and environmentally and socially responsible mining,” the plan said.

Cuba’s president: Island does not wish for U.S. aggression

Miguel Díaz-Canel says his country is prepared to fight

BY ANDREA RODRÍGUEZ Associated Press

HAVANA Cuban President Miguel Díaz-

Canel said Thursday that while Cuba does not want military aggression from the United States, his country is prepared to fight should it happen.

Díaz-Canel spoke during a rally that drew hundreds of people to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the declaration of the Cuban Revolution’s socialist essence.

“The moment is extremely challenging and calls upon us once again, as on April 16, 1961, to be ready to confront serious threats, including military aggression. We do not want it, but it is our duty to prepare to avoid it and, if it becomes inevitable, to defeat it,” Díaz-Canel said.

He spoke as tensions remain high between the two countries, with Cuba’s crises deepening as a result of a U.S. energy blockade.

Earlier this week, Trump said his administration could focus on Cuba after the war in Iran ends.

“We may stop by Cuba after we finish with this,” he said. He described it as a “failing nation” and asserted that it’s “been a terribly run country for a long time.”

Trump previously has threatened to intervene in Cuba, like he did in early January when the U.S military attacked Venezuela and halted key oil shipments from the South American country Weeks later, Trump threatened tariffs on any country that sells or provides oil to Cuba.

Both Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio — whose parents emigrat-

ed from Cuba in the 1950s before the revolution have described the island’s government as ineffective and abusive. The U.S. demands on Cuba’s government in return for easing sanctions have included an end to political repression, a release of political prisoners and a liberalization of the island’s ailing economy

Díaz-Canel accused them of trying to construct a “narrative” that has no justification.

“Cuba is not a failed state. Cuba is a besieged state. Cuba is a state facing multidimensional aggression: economic warfare, an intensified blockade and an energy blockade,” said Díaz-Canel, the main speaker at Thursday’s rally

“Cuba is a threatened state that does not surrender And despite everything. And thanks to socialism. Cuba is a state that resists, creates, and make no mistake, a state that will prevail,” Díaz-Canel added.

Both Cuba and the U.S. have acknowledged talks to resolve the tension, but no details have been disclosed.

Federal agency approves Trump’s arch plans

BY DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Don-

ald Trump’s design for the Triumphal Arch he wants built at an entrance to the nation’s capital moved a step forward Thursday after a key agency reviewed the proposal for the first time. One commissioner suggested changes, including losing the Lady Liberty-like statue and pair of eagles that would sit on top of the arch and add to its height.

The arch is one of several projects that the Republican president is pursuing alongside a White House ballroom to leave his lasting imprint on Washington.

The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts voted to approve the concept design for the arch Its members, all appointed by Trump, will review an updated design before taking a final vote at a future meeting.

Trump said last week on social media that the arch “will be the GREATEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL Triumphal Arch, anywhere in the World” and a “wonderful addition to the Washington D.C. area for all Americans to enjoy for many decades to come!”

The commission also approved design concepts for two other projects: Trump’s plan to paint the gray granite exterior of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which is next to the White House, white, and construction of an underground center to conduct security screenings of tourists and other guests. It will review updated designs for both at a future meeting.

The arch would stand 250 feet tall from its base to a torch held aloft by a Lady Libertylike figure atop the structure. That figure would be flanked up top by two eagles and guarded at the base by four lions — all gilded. The phrases “One Nation Under God” and “Liberty and Justice for All” would be inscribed in gold lettering atop either side of the monument.

SENATE TELEVISION PHOTO

Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., speaks about the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota, on the Senate floor at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Wednesday. Smith warned Republicans were stealing part of her state’s identity

Legislationincreases money forvouchers, judges,prisons

Housedoubles LA GATORfunding

BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN Staff writer

Apackage of budget bills that would give more money to state prisons, double funding for the school voucher program known as LA GATOR and renew apay raise given to judges last year passed the Louisiana House on Thursday

Thelegislation also proposes increasing how much money K-12 schools get per student for operating expenses, and it would raise thecurrentyear’s budget for the corrections department by more than $30 million.

But some provisions couldberemoved by the Senate, which still needs to approve the bills and appears poised to pare back the proposed LA GATOR budget to keep it at its current level.

The bills headed to the Senate include House Bill 1, which maps out the state government’soperating expenses for the coming fiscal year; House Bill 312, which makes changes to thecurrent year’sbudget; and House Bill 983, which controls next year’sjudiciary budget.

All three bills are authored by state Rep. Jack McFarland, R-Jonesboro, who plays akey role in drafting the budget as chair of the House Appropriations Committee.

The legislation honors Gov.Jeff Landry’srequest to set aside $87 millionin the budget for LA GATOR, McFarland said. While that would double the voucher program’s current budget of $43.5million,the measure is unlikely to hold up in the Senate.

Landry has pushed to put more money into LA GATOR, which gives families tax dollars to pay

2026 LEGISLATURE BUDGET

for private schools.But earlier this year,Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, insisted that would not happen and argueddoublingthe size of theprogram would not be sustainable.

Moneyfor schools, judges

HB1 also increases how much money school districts getfor operational needs from $100to$147 per student,accordingto McFarland. Still, Louisiana’sdeclining student populationisexpected to decrease education spending overall.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education decideson aformulathat determines how much state aid schools get, butthe Legislature must approve that proposal. This year,the boarddid not ask for an increase to the base amount that schools receive per student.

HB983, the bill that dictates how much money the state spends on courts, includes $6.7 millionto maintain apay increase judges receivedlastyear, McFarlandsaid. He noted that item aligns with House Bill 324 by state Rep. Debbie Villio, R-Kenner,which would makethat pay raise permanent.

HB324 recently cleared theHouseJudiciary Committeeand is awaiting approvalfrom the House AppropriationsCommittee before it can head to thefull chamber

Fundingprisons

And after aburst of growthinthe stateinmate population, McFarland’spackageofbills reflects rising prison costs.

HB1 maintains the governor’sproposal toincrease the Louisiana Department of Correctionsbudget

by $82 millionascompared to the funding the Legislature approved for the current year,McFarland said.

Meanwhile,HB312 would give over $30 million more to the corrections agency forthe currentfiscalyear, McFarland said, adding that thefunds wouldpay for supplies, medical services for inmates andovertime.

Under thatbill, which supplements the budget the Legislatureapprovedlast year,the state would also receive another $5.8 millionfor CIPRS, aprogram to calculaterelease dates for inmates. It is being implemented after years of criticism that Louisiana does notlet prisoners out on time.

Between 2024 and 2026, Louisiana’sstate inmate population rose by about 2,000 people, according to statedata. That change cameafter Landry and the Legislature passedsweepingchangestothe lawthat slashed opportunities for early release.

Some state officials have disputed the notion that the newlaws are to blame for rising costs, arguing that it is too soon to determine the scope of theirimpact. They contendjudges will reducesentences to accommodate the changes, which proponents say bring transparency to sentencing and are important forpublic safety Offi cials also say the proposedbudgetlooks deceptively largerthan this year’sbecausethe state is trying to account for extra overtime and medical costs upfront, instead of returning to the Legislature next session to get more money for being over budget.

Another $22 million in HB312isslatedfor public safety,McFarland said, adding that it will help update State Police facilities and fund crime labs.

EricaSchwartznominated to serveas CDCdirector

Trumpappoints former deputy surgeongeneral

BY MIKE STOBBE AP medicalwriter

President Donald Trump on Thursday nominated Erica Schwartz, aformer deputy surgeongeneral,to be the next director of the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention. In asocial media post, Trump described Schwartz as “incrediblytalented” and said, “She is aSTAR!” The Atlanta-based CDC, which is charged with protectingAmericansfrom preventable health threats, has been in turmoil since Trump returned to office more than ayear ago, with asuccession of mostly temporary leaders. The agency is overseen by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who hadpromised nottochange the nation’svaccination schedule.But shortly after taking office, Kennedy said he wasgoing to investigate the childhoodvaccine schedule and went on to attemptasubstantial rewrite of vaccine recommendations for kids.Some of those efforts were put on hold recently by afederal judge. The administration’sfirst pick to run the CDC was former Florida congressman Dr.David Weldon, but his March 2025 Senate confirmation hearingwas canceled an hour before it was to begin. Weldon said at the time that he’d been told not enough senators were willing to vote for him.

The White Hous e

Students returned to school in Jefferson Parish on Aug. 14, 2025. Abill advancing through the state Senate aims to givesix weeks of paidparental leave STAFF FILE

By JOHN MCCUSKER

Bill wouldgiveLa. school workerspaidparentalleave

Proposal granting sixweeks clears Senate committee

BY PATRICK WALL Staff writer

Louisianateachers and other public school employeeswould getsix weeksof paid parental leave under a bill advancing through the state Legislature that aims to makeiteasier for educatorstotake time to care for their new children.

SenateBill 157, known as theParental Leave for Educators Act, cleared the Senate education committee Wednesdayand would provide school employees with full pay for six weeks after theygive birth to,adopt or foster achild.

Teachers currently must use sick days to spend time with their newchildren or request partially paid extended leave.

Proponents of thebill, including the state teachers union and public health advocates, argue it will boost teacher retention and spare educators from having to save or borrowsick days or forfeit part of their paychecks to care for their new children. They also note that Louisiana hasoffered state employees paid parental leave since 2024, andthatseveral Southernstates provide it to teachers.

“When it comes to caring for children, that’snot aluxury,” said the bill’s author,state Sen. SamJenkins, D-Shreveport. “That is anecessity.”

2026 LEGISLATURE EDUCATION

to take more time off,” he said, “which leaves more kids without acertified teacher.”

Push forpaidleave

The legislation calls for the state to cover the projected $5.5 millionannual cost of paying substitute teachers while new parents are on leave. Jenkins said the price tag could increasebyabout $1 million after the bill was amended Wednesdaytoinclude all school employees.

The measure now heads to the Senate finance committee, where lawmakers have been waryinthe past aboutapprovingnew recurring expenses.In2024, similar legislation by Jenkins stalled amid cost concerns. Currently,teachershave to cobble together timeoff whenthey welcomea new child into their home.

First they must use the 10 sick days they receive annually andany unused daysthey accrued from past years. Under state law they can then request up to 30 days of extended medical leave related to “infant or maternal health,” during which they receive 65% of their normal pay.They can request that maternity leave once every six years.

children every day,’”Carter said, “‘but when it’stime to carefor your own,you are on your own.’”

Sixteen states, including Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, require school systems to offer paid parental leavetoteachersbeyond sick days, according to arecent studybythe National Council on Teacher Quality.Arkansas passed alaw last year giving teachers 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave, withthe state covering the costofsubstitute teachers, which the report touted as anational model.

Researchers have linked paid family leave to lower chances of postpartum depressionand higherrates of breastfeeding, andfound that it makes employees more likely to return to their jobs after giving birth.

“Providing paid leave to teachers helps them stay in their jobs long-term, while also boosting workplace morale and productivity,” saidAnne SpringerJayes, senior program manager at the LouisianaPublicHealth Institute.

Cost concerns

The amended bill gives employeesthe righttoreturn to their positions after parental leave, which they can request once every year.Theymust request the leave at least 30 days in advance.

then movedonto Susan Monarez, whohad been servingasthe CDC’sacting director. Monarez was confirmed by the Senate, but shewas oustedinless than amonth. Trump administration officials said shewasn’taligned with their agenda so they terminated her

Several key CDC scientific leaders resigned in protest,saying Monarez’s dismissal dashed their hopes that aCDC directorwouldbeabletoguard against politicalmeddling in the agency’sscientific research andhealthrecommendations

Since then, there’sbeen arevolvingdoor in agency leadership, with the short-term role of acting director being passedfrom oneWashington-based HHS official to another.National Institutes of HealthDirector Jay Bhattacharyahas beenoverseeing the CDC the past several weeks.

During aHouse Appropriations Committee hearingThursday, Kennedy said the newCDC teamwas “extraordinary.” “I thinkthis newteam is really going to be able to revolutionizeCDC and get it back on track,” he said. Schwartz holds multiple academic credentials, including both medical and law degrees. Her career haslargely been spent in military uniform, including in aleadership position at theU.S. Coast Guard where sheoversawthe organization’s system of 41 clinics and 150 sick bays.

Trump also announced the appointment of Sean Slovens ki, af ormer Walmart executive, as CDC deputy director andchief operatingofficer.Dr. Jennifer Shuford,Texas health commissioner, was named the CDC’sdeputydirector and chief medical officer And Dr.Sara Brenner,a former Food andDrugAdministration administrator, was designated as asenior counselor for public health to Kennedy In asocial media post Thursday,Kennedy congratulated Schwartz and theother appointees and said he looks “forwardto working together to restore trust, accountability, andscientific integrity” at the CDC.

But AaronSiri, alawyer and ally of Kennedy in attacking vaccinesand pharmaceuticalcompanies, criticized Schwartz’sselection. In asocial media post, Sirilambasted Schwartz’s past promotion of vaccinations and said “she lacks the basicethics and morals to lead theCDC.”

Schwartz’snomination comes as Dr.Casey Means, Trump’spickfor another keyhealth-relatedrole, U.S. surgeon general, has had difficultygetting confirmed.

Means’ languishing nomination after appearing for aconfirmation hearing in February reflects the skepticism that lawmakers of both partieshaveexpressedtoward thedirection Kennedy hastaken his department.

She later served as deputy surgeon general, where she helpedlead uniformed medical and health professionalspostedatthe CDC andgovernmenthealth agencies that servethe generalpublic Schwartz could not be reached for comment.

The bill faces opposition from school district leaders. On Wednesday,the statewidegroupsrepresenting localschool boards and school superintendents came outagainst the proposal.

Some superintendents arguethatteachers already receive paid leave through school breaks and sickdays. Dannie Garrett,executive counsel forthe Louisiana School BoardsAssociation, said school systemleaders worry the bill will saddle students with substitute teachersfor weeks on end while their teachers are out on leave.

“Webelieve it’sgoing to encourage more teachers

Some teachersborrow unused sick days from colleagues, take out shortterm disability insurance policies or return to work not long after giving birth to avoidlosingthousands of dollarsbytakingpartially paid extended leave.

Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter told the education committeethat some school employees plan their pregnanciesaround breaks, delaystarting families or leave the profession due to the lack of paid parental leave.Heshared thestory of an educator who returnedtoworksoon after giving birth to premature twins, and another whohad to take unpaid leave to be with her ill child after using all her sick days to give birth.

“This is asystem telling schoolemployees, ‘You may care forother people’s

Jenkins said he added theamendment to address someofthe concerns raised by school boards. And while school districts would have to give teachers full pay during parental leave instead of the current 65% during extendedleave, Jenkins noted that the state would shoulder thecostof substitute teachers.

Thelegislationalsoappliestopublic charter schools.

Caroline Roemer,executive directorfor the Louisiana Association of Public CharterSchools said charter school leaders want teachers to be able to take paid time off when they have children. However,she said the proposed policy will only work if the state provides funding.

“It’sgoing to come down to howmuchdoes it cost,” she said, “and will we be abletoget financial support to do this.”

Israel, Lebanon agree on 10-day ceasefire

Temporary armistice begins

BY KAREEM CHEHAYEB, ABBY SEWELL and ELENA BECATOROS Associated Press

BEIRUT, Lebanon A 10-day truce began in Lebanon on Friday that could pause

fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group and boost attempts to extend the ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel after weeks of devastating war.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the agreement as a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. However, Israel has not been fighting with Lebanon itself, but rather with the Iranianbacked Hezbollah militants inside the country, who were not formally part of the agreement.

Barrages of gunshots rang out across Beirut as residents fired into the air just after midnight to celebrate the beginning of the truce.

Displaced families began moving toward southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs, despite warnings by officials not to attempt to return to their homes until it became clear whether the ceasefire would hold.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he agreed to the ceasefire “to advance” peace efforts with Lebanon, but said Israeli troops would not withdraw Israeli forces have engaged in fierce battles with Hezbollah in the border area as they pushed into southern Lebanon to create what officials have called a “security zone.” Netanyahu, in his video address said it will extend 6 miles into Lebanon.

“That is where we are, and we are not leaving,” he said Hezbollah said that “Israeli occupation on our land grants Lebanon and its people the right to resist it, and this matter will be deter-

A woman walks past a billboard that shows a graphic depicting a military personnel’s hand holding the Strait of Hormuz in his fist with signs which read in Farsi: ‘In Iran’s hands forever,’ ‘Trump couldn’t do a damn thing,’ ‘The control of Strait of Hormuz will be Iran’s forever,’ in Vanak Square, in northern Tehran, Iran, on Thursday

mined based on how developments unfold” — a stance that could complicate the ceasefire.

The U.S. State Department said that according to the agreement reached between the two sides, Israel reserves the right to defend itself “at any time, against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks.” But otherwise, Israel “will not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian, military, and other state targets.”

The wording suggested Israel would maintain the freedom to strike at will, as it did in the months following the ceasefire that ended the previous war This time, Hezbollah said it would respond to any strikes by Israel.

It’s unclear when the 1 million people displaced by the war will be able to safely return.

Hezbollah kept firing rockets at northern Israeli towns and communities up to the start of the ceasefire. Air raid sirens went off in some often-targeted border towns

less than 10 minutes before midnight. Many residents said the agreement made them feel abandoned by the Israeli government as they were left vulnerable again.

Flurry of diplomacy

The agreement came about following a meeting between Israel’s and Lebanon’s ambassadors in Washington and a flurry of phone calls from Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to a White House official. It was the first direct diplomatic talks in decades between the two countries, which have technically been at war since Israel was established in1948. Hezbollah had opposed direct talks between Lebanon and Israel.

Trump spoke Wednesday evening with Netanyahu, who agreed to a ceasefire with certain terms, according to the official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity

Rubio then called Lebanon’s president Joseph Aoun, who got on board. Trump then spoke with Aoun, and again with Netanyahu.

U.S. broadens blockade efforts

Military will globally target Iran-linked ships

BY KONSTANTIN TOROPIN, BEN FINLEY and DAVID KLEPPER Associated Press

WASHINGTON The U.S. military has widened its efforts beyond the blockade of Iran’s ports to allow its forces around the world to stop any ship tied to Tehran or those suspected of carrying supplies that could help its government, from weapons to oil, metals and electronics.

Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, specifically pointed to operations in the Pacific, saying the U.S. would be targeting vessels that left before the blockade began earlier this week outside the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for energy and other shipments.

U.S. forces in other areas of responsibility “will actively pursue any Iranianflagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran,” he told reporters at the Pentagon.

The military also detailed an expansive lists of goods that it considers contraband, declaring that it will board, search and seize them from merchant vessels “regardless of location.” A notice published Thursday says any “goods that are destined for an enemy and that may be susceptible to use in armed conflict” are “subject to capture at any place beyond neutral territory.”

The expansion of U.S. military efforts to target Iranian shipping is another pressure point for Tehran and comes as a ceasefire is set to expire in mere days. Mediators are pressing for an extension to a truce that has paused almost seven weeks of war between

Israel, the U.S. and Iran.

The military’s list of banned materials includes products such as weapons, ammunition and military equipment that are classified as “absolute contraband.” However, it also lists items such as oil, iron, steel, aluminum and other goods as “conditional contraband” that it argues can be used both for civilian and military purposes.

Otherwise innocuous items like electronics, power generation equipment or heavy machinery can be seized if “circumstances indicate intended military end-use,” the notice says.

More than 10,000 American troops are helping enforce the blockade on Iranian ports. While no ships have yet been boarded, defense leaders say the military is warning Iranlinked ships that it could fire warning shots or escalate to other force if they try to outrun the Navy

The State Department worked with both governments to formulate a memorandum of understanding for the truce.

Trump extends invitation

Lebanon has insisted on a ceasefire to stop the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah before engaging in more talks, while vowing to commit to disarming the group.

Trump invited the Israeli and Lebanese leaders to the White House for what he said would be “the first meaningful talks” between the countries since 1983, when they signed an agreement saying Lebanon would formally recognize Israel and Israel would withdraw from Lebanon. The deal fell apart during Lebanon’s civil war and was rescinded a year later

“Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly,” Trump wrote on social media.

A Hezbollah official said the ceasefire resulted from Iran’s negotiations with the U.S., in which Iran insisted Lebanon be included in its own ceasefire, and came about through efforts by me-

diator Pakistan. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly Pakistan, Iran meet

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s army chief met Thursday with Iran’s parliament speaker as part of international efforts to press for an extension to a ceasefire that has paused almost seven weeks of war between Israel, the U.S. and Iran.

It was unclear whether the frantic diplomacy could lead to a lasting deal before the ceasefire ends next week.

The Iran war has killed thousands of people and upended global markets by disrupting the flow of oil.

Iranian state television did not provide details on the meeting between Pakistani Army Gen. Asim Munir and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, his country’s chief negotiator

There was no immediate comment from Pakistan, a key mediator that hosted the talks between the U.S. and Iran that authorities said helped narrow differences between the sides.

The White House said any further talks regarding Iran would likely take place in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, though no decision had been made on whether to resume negotiations. The fragile ceasefire is holding despite a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and Iranian counter-threats to target regional ports across the Red Sea.

Trump suggested the ceasefire could be extended.

“If we’re close to a deal, would I extend?” Trump said in an exchange with reporters. “Yeah, I would do that.”

The war has jolted markets and rattled the global economy as shipping has been cut off and airstrikes have pounded military and civilian infrastructure. Oil prices have fallen amid hopes for an end to fighting, and U.S. stocks on Wednesday surpassed records set in January

BY GHAITH ALSAYED and KONSTANTIN TOROPIN Associated Press

QASRAK AIR BASE, Syria

U.S. forces completed their withdrawal from Qasrak air base on Thursday when a final convoy of soldiers and equipment departed the site in Syria’s Hasakah province, officials for both sides said.

The Syrian army has now taken full control of most military sites in the country where the U.S. military was once deployed. Syria’s foreign ministry said in a statement that “the Syrian state’s restoration of sovereignty over areas that were outside its control, including the northeast and border regions, is the result of the Syrian government’s continuous efforts to unify the country within the framework of a single state.” It said that the U.S. withdrawal came as a result of the successful implementation of a deal between Syria’s central government in Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces — which had previously controlled much of northeast Syria — and of success in fighting the remnants of the Islamic State group. U.S. Central Command chief spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins confirmed the withdrawal. U.S. forces began withdrawing from Qasrak in late

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By VAHID SALEMI

were up and running. Some 1,700 musicians, the vast majority local, will perform throughout the weekend.

With hotel occupancy projected to be around 90% and a decent weather forecast, festival attendance should be strong.

Getting started in the Square Suds from IV Waste street-cleaning crews pooled along the curb as the Homer Plessy Community School marching band turned onto Chartres Street at the conclusion of Thursday’s parade.

Before introducing the day’s first band at Jackson Square’s NewOrleans.com Stage, French Quarter Festivals Inc. president and CEO Emily Madero welcomed music lovers to “four days of celebrating what makes New Orleans unlike any other city in the world.”

Deacon Richard Brady of the St Louis Cathedral gave an opening blessing. “Thanks for being in my front yard,” he quipped, before praying for good weather, the musicians, the vendors and “that we’ll have a joyous, beautiful and wonderful festival.”

The Preservation Hall-affiliated Preservation Brass traditionally opens the fest at Jackson Square Pres Bass kicked off 10 minutes early with “Bagatelle,” written by trumpeter Mark Braud’s grandfather, John Brunious

It was one of several songs in the set from the band’s Grammynominated 2025 album “For Fat Man,” dedicated to Preservation Hall drummer Kerry “Fat Man” Hunter, who was killed by a vehicle in 2024.

The French Quarter Festival’s draw is local music — there are no marquee headliners from elsewhere. As Preservation Hall creative director and tuba player Ben Jaffe stood in the crowd watching Preservation Brass, a young man approached, pronounced himself a “super fan” and asked Jaffe to pose for a picture. He obliged.

Holy Cross School times its annual seventh grade field trip to the Cabildo and Presbytere with opening day of the French Quarter Festival. Approximately 60 boys were set free to explore Jackson Square on Thursday morning.

“I’d like to say they’re listening to the music,” said one chaperone, before acknowledging the sno-ball stands were probably the bigger attraction.

A new, grassy park

The festival’s footprint now extends downriver along the Moonwalk to the new park at the Gov Nicholls Street wharf, now part of Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront

Park

Stretching two-plus blocks, the new linear park includes a pavilion, a playground and broad, grassy, 4-foot-tall berms with enough soil to sustain fresh green grass and rows of young trees River breezes and intermittent clouds held the heat at bay Locals are still getting acquaint-

ed with the park.

“I don’t know what it’s called, but it sure is nice,” Tin Men guitarist and singer Alex McMurray said from the park’s Pan-American Life Insurance Group Stage.

He and his fellow Tin Men — “Washboard” Chaz Leary and sousaphonist Matt Perrine are an only-in-New Orleans combination.

Their set was as unhurried as the river, where Coast Guard boats patrolled, the City of New Orleans sternwheeler swung by and tankers went about their business.

The Tin Men reinterpreted the Allen Toussaint composition

“Working In a Coal Mine,” a hit for both New Orleans rhythm and blues singer Lee Dorsey and New Wave band Devo.

They play every Monday at the traditional jazz club Fritzel’s on Bourbon Street.

“We’re going to play some songs that we don’t play on Bourbon Street because they’re illegal,” McMurray joked.

What followed was a jaunty take on the James Gang’s classic rock anthem “Funk #49” and Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” and “Misty Mountain Hop.”

On the main Jack Daniel’s Stage at the new park’s pavilion, cover band R&R Smokin’ Foundation cruised through ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” the Cookie & the Cupcakes swamp pop classic “I Got Loaded” and Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”

In the hopes of easing overcrowding at the upriver Abita Beer Stage, the festival scheduled several main attractions at

the Jack Daniel’s Stage, including Big Freedia on Saturday and Irma Thomas on Sunday News of all the available green space at the downriver end of the Moonwalk hadn’t reached the Abita Beer Stage crowd as of Thursday afternoon. The Berger Lawn was jam-packed with festival chairs during New Orleans jazz trumpeter Kermit Ruffins’s show “Fly me to the moon; I want to smoke among the stars,” Ruffins sang, putting his own spin on the Frank Sinatra classic.

Continuing on the theme, he announced from the stage, “I quit smoking weed, but I did it today for you guys. I didn’t want to disappoint you.”

Singer-songwriter Susan Cowsill got her start in show business in the 1960s as the precocious younger sister in sibling band The Cowsills. At the riverfront Tropical Isle Hand Grenade Stage, she was backed by a band that included her drummer husband Russ Broussard for the Youngbloods’ 1967 hit “Get Together.”

Getting together is what hundreds of thousands of music fans will do all weekend in New Orleans. The free festival continues through 8 p.m. Sunday

STAFF PHOTOS By ENAN CHEDIAK

Visitors watch yusa and Mahmoud Chouki perform at the Tropical Isle Hand Grenade Stage during French Quarter Festival on Thursday

Sir Chantz Powell sings with The Sound of Funk on the Tropical Isle Hand Grenade Stage on Thursday.

Deanie Baroni from Kenner second from right, sings along with Sir Chantz Powell and The Sound of Funk

The French Quarter Festival parade ends at Jackson Square on Thursday

minutes, according to the New Orleans Public Safety Dashboard.

The OIG also found thatNOEMS failed to formally documentits own response-time goals

The 36-pagereport details an audit that spans October 2023 throughSeptember 2024 and reviews 73,661 incidents. Of those, 33,001 were classified as advanced life support emergencies, such as heart attacks and strokes.

Lowstaffing persists

NOEMS staffed about 17 ambulances per day —well belowthe roughly 26 units needed to meet industry standards based oncall volume.

“These challenges arenot new Like EMS systems nationwide, we continue to faceworkforce shortages, rising call volumes,and limited resources,” NOEMS chief

Bill Salmeron said in astatement last week. “That said, delivering timely,high-qualitycare to residents and visitors remainsour top priority.”

Salmeron said the agency is bud-

are subject to gender-based epithets withoutconsequence; and employee complaints are deliberately suppressed. Their lawsuitalsosays that the RTAturned ablind eye to dangerousworking conditions and required its employeestodrive buses with flat tires or missing mirrors.

Thelawsuit,which seeks damages and othercompensation, names as defendants the RTA, 12 RTAemployees and one former employee. Nine plaintiffs are employees, and two are former employees. Five plaintiffs have filed concurrent Equal Employment OpportunityCommissioncomplaints against the agency,the suit states.

“Wetakeall allegations involving our employees and workplace environment seriouslyand remain committed to maintaining a professional, respectful, and compliant workplace,” RTA officials said in aprepared statement.

“Wewill respond through the appropriate legal process, and we are confident that the process will allow the full set of facts to be reviewed in the proper context,” the statement added.

The lawsuit was filed just days after Mayor Helena Moreno’spicks to serve on theRTA’s board of commissioners were officially sworn in. Moreno swept out the board that served under former Mayor LaToya Cantrell and has said she wants to see major changes at the agency

“Wetake all matters of this sort very seriouslyand we will work with staff and the attorneys to determinewhat the realities of this suit is,” Board Chair Ann Duplessis said Thursday

Anti-gay harassment

The lawsuit, filed by attor-

AverageNew Orleans EMS responsetime by ZIP code Ambulance response timeshave climbed to an averageofover 17 minutes, according to the latest OIG report.ResidentsinNew Orleans East and Algierswait even longer.

to pay scales, we will continue to face challenges in both attracting new candidates and retaining our experienced workforce.”

Lastyear,former Mayor LaToya Cantrell’sadministration recommended hiring 50 medics and bumping up New Orleans EMS salaries. The city’sbudget crisis prevented that from happening.

in astatement. The city’sparamedics make $27.84 perhourand geta$4,500 retention bonus. Acadian Ambulance paramedics make$28-$32 an hour and get a$14,500 retention bonus, according to the 2025 memo. Salary adjustments would be a“reasonable step toward workforce stability,” the memo states.

getedfor 174 personnel but is only about 60% staffed. Given the city’s size and call volume, he believes theservice needs250 staffers.

“Our research indicates that

neys BrianKing, John Love Norris and Michael Simpson, cites multiple instances in which RTAstaff directed sexist, antigay,racist or sexistremarks at co-workers but faced little to no consequences.

Theleadplaintiff,and provider of nine separate audio recordings that plaintiffs say substantiatetheir claims,isSenior RTATransit Operations Supervisor DemetriusGarner

The lawsuit saysGarner’sco-worker,defendant Lawrence Williams,twice referred to him using anantigay slur but onlyreceived aone-daysuspensionfrom supervisor Kentrella Crawford.Garner saidhealso discovered pornographic materialinhis RTAvehiclewith Williams’ nameand address on the mailing labeland reported it to amanager,Eric Boudreaux, but no action was taken

Another plaintiff, Mark Chesnek,a gay man who worksasamarketingand sales manager at RTA, said the agency’sformer chief of staff, KatherineBush Felton, in January 2023 tapped himtooversee aribbon-cutting ceremony despite his objections, telling himthat “Gay people like planning events,”accordingtothe lawsuit.

Duringa meeting the followingNovember that Chesnek attended,Felton allegedly insistedthat the RTAonlyuse “attractive” and “culturally ambiguous” staff for an upcoming agency photoshoot, referencing a“hotties” list shemaintainedof RTAmechanics and askingstaff to suggest the names of other employees to add

“Felton requested that staff in attendancesuggest namesofemployeesthey deemed attractive so she could agree or disagree with thesuggestions,rejecting most of the names provided,” theattorneys wrote. Felton didn’trespond to arequest for comment.

Reliance on privateproviders

RTACEO Lona Edwards

Hankins instructed current staffnot to speakwiththe newspaper,according to an email obtained by areporter whocontacted employees for this story.The RTA board agreed to pay Felton $525,000 in October after sheresigned, claiming she was the victim of ahostile work environment.

‘We’re goingtoget in trouble’ Louisiana law allows conversations between two or moreparties to be recorded by one of thepartieswho consents to it. The multiple recordings Garner provided, his attorneys say,show multiple leadership failings at the agency,including that the RTA’sworkplace culture ostracizes and harasses “employees who report misconduct, assert protected rights, or challenge the authority of management.”

On onerecording, Chief Transit Officer Brian Marshall, adefendant, hassaid that theRTA “suppress(ed) salaries,”that compensation is “almost completely out of balance,” that the disciplinarysystem is “unjust,” that therewas an “absence of management,” and that employees were neverproperlytrained or organized, according to the lawsuit.

In aconversation Garner recorded in December,the RTA’schief of human re-

The OIGrecommended that city leaders revisit those proposals, andthatleadersofNOEMS “fully agree” with that and other recommendations.

In additiontospeedingupresponse times, alarger staff could alsogeneraterevenue forthe city, allowing NOEMS to handle more calls instead of outsourcing them to private ambulance companies,acitymemorandumsaid in 2025.

“Weare working with the CAO on aplan for raises and morestaff,” Salmeron said in aThursdaystatement. “Hopefully,wecan move it through Civil Service next.”

we remainwell below regional pay rates for all uniformed positions,” Salmeron wroteina Monday responsetothe OIG’sreport. “Without meaningful adjustments

Private providers handled about 30%ofemergency calls last year and collected morethan $8.7 millioninpatient service fees, according to the OIG —money that would otherwise have gone into city coffers.

Seven staffers should be joining upon completing thelateral academy, andSalmeronsaysNOEMS plans to hire 10 personnel per quarter.Mayor Helena Moreno’s administration is also fast-tracking solutions.

“Given the city’songoing budgetdeficit, it is especially importantthat personnel and operational changes to improve emergencyresponsetimereflect both fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability,” Inspector General Ed Michelsaid

sources, Seandra Allen-Buchanan,allegedlytold him that previous administrators triedtobury employee complaints.

In another recorded conversation in January,AllenBuchanan allegedly admitted that RTAsupervisors arewillfully misclassified under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

“We’re goingtoget in trouble as an organization because they’re going to say these people are doing management type duties and getting paid hourly,thatcould be aproblem,” she said.

In aseparate recording that same day, Allen-Buchanan also admitted that RTAsupervisors are paid lessthanthe employees they manage.

PlaintiffJessica Brooks, aformer RTAservice delivery manager,performed thesame duties as her male counterparts but was paid less,accordingtothe law-

Isis Casanova, the city’scommunications director,saidMoreno’s administration is working with the Louisiana legislativeauditor “to solve this problem by stabilizing ourbudgetand prioritizing public safety hiring. We’re working with urgency to get it done.”

suit.Oscar Duplessis, who is not adefendant in the lawsuit, was paid approximately $87,470 per year, while Brooksreceived just $78,623 forthe samejob.

‘Horseplay,’ roaches

In one recording, Marshall, aBlack man,referred to Black supervisory staff as “roaches” who “scattered” when he observed them,according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit also claims the RTAcreated ahostile work environment by failing to take appropriate action after aco-worker,Ernesto Arnold, rammed his body into Garner multiple times and then placedhim in achokehold. The RTAcharacterized the incident as “horseplay” and imposed afive-day suspension.

The New Orleans Police Department later investigatedthe encounter and issued acriminal summonsto Arnold forsimple battery

The lawsuit also alleges discriminationagainst disabled employees. Plaintiff Lisa Smith, aveteran dispatcher whose disability requires her to type forjust four hours per day,later had her shift increased from eight to 10 hours, “in violation of her disability accommodation.” Smithwas also surveilled and had her work access restricted by adefendant, Alonzo Booth, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit also cites dangerous working conditions, like faulty vehicles, inoperable radios and extreme understaffing. Garner said supervisors must drive buses with “flattiresand missing mirrors because RTAmaintenance staff lack CDLs,” or the commercial driver’s license that is requiredto drive alarge vehicle. The case has been filed in theU.S.DistrictCourt for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

BRIEFS

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

QVC prepares for bankruptcy

NEW YORK The owner of home shopping network pioneer QVC

— which for years garnered the attention of millions of TV viewers looking for a deal on baubles and housewares, is planning to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

A filing about imminent bankruptcy protection by parent company QVC Group, which also owns HSN, formerly the Home Shopping Network, arrives as long-running TV shopping networks struggle to adapt to the rapid shift by consumers now tuning in to livestreams on TikTok, or online marketplaces like Shein.

According to an annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission this week, the company said that it intends to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas after reaching a restructuring agreement with creditors.

Its goal is to emerge from bankruptcy protection before the summer is over, but the West Chester, Pennsylvania, company warned that its access to funding is difficult to predict. It noted significant fees and other costs in connection with the preparation for the bankruptcy protection.

“We cannot assure that cash on hand, cash flow from operations will be sufficient to continue to fund our operations,” it wrote.

QVC Group has attempted to revive flagging sales for some time, which in 2024 were down almost 30% compared with its peak of more than $14 billion in 2020. Shares in QVC Group, which went for over $900 a decade ago, were trading for less than $3 earlier this week

Average long-term mortgage rate declines

The average long-term U.S mortgage rate declined again this week, easing borrowing costs for prospective homebuyers during what is typically the housing market’s busiest time of the year

The benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate dropped to 6.3% from 6.37% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday One year ago, the rate averaged 6.83%.

The average rate is now at its lowest level since March 19, when it was 6.22%.

Meanwhile, borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, also eased this week. That average rate dropped to 5.65% from 5.74% last week. A year ago, it was at 6.03%, Freddie Mac said Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, from the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy decisions to bond market investors’ expectations for the economy and inflation.

Jobless claims fall, signals low layoffs

Applications for U.S. unemployment benefits fell last week, indicating that layoffs remain largely limited. Initial claims decreased by 11,000 to 207,000 in the week ended April 11, marking the biggest one-week drop since February, according to Labor Department data released Thursday Claims data can be volatile around holidays, and the latest period included Easter The four-week moving average of new applications, a metric that helps smooth out volatility, was little changed last week. Thursday’s figures add to other recent data that suggests the labor market is stabilizing Separate figures released earlier this month showed job growth rebounded in March and the unemployment rate fell.

The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book survey of regional business contacts also showed most districts recently described labor demand as “stable” with minimal layoffs. Continuing claims, a proxy for the number of people receiving benefits, rose to 1.82 million in the week ending April 4

BUSINESS

NOLA.COM/BIZ

Wall Street sets another record

BY STAN CHOE AP business writer

NEW YORK The U.S. stock market ticked to another record high Thursday as Wall Street waits for more clues about what will happen in the Iran war before making its next big move. The S&P 500 rose 0.3%, a day after topping its prior all-time high set in January, for its 11th gain in 12 days. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 115 points, or 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.4%.

U.S. stocks have leaped more than 10% since hitting a low in late March, driven by hopes for an end to the war or something that could avert a worst-case scenario for the global economy Now, the wait is on to see if such hopes were prescient or just wishful thinking.

Pakistan’s powerful army chief met Thursday with Iran’s parliament speaker as part of efforts to press for an extension to a ceasefire that has paused almost seven weeks of war between Israel, the U.S. and the Islamic Republic.

Oil prices climbed, showing that caution still remains in financial markets. The price for a barrel of Brent crude oil, the international standard, rose 4.7% to settle at $99.39. It’s gone from roughly $70 before the war to as high as $119 at times on uncertainty about how long the war will keep oil stuck in the Persian Gulf area and away from customers.

“The key upside risk for the market is that peace talks between the US and Iran break down,” ING Bank strategists Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey wrote Thursday “This isn’t

Lagging fuel supplies could upend world travel

Global economy faces energy crisis

BY MAE ANDERSON, CATHY BUSSEWITZ and WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILLIPS

AP business writers

NEWYORK A looming jet fuel shortage in Europe and Asia sparked by the Iran war and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz could further upend world travel within weeks if oil doesn’t start flowing again soon meaning higher airfares and flight cancellations as the summer travel season approaches.

In an interview Thursday International Energy Agency Director Fatih Birol said Europe has “maybe six weeks” of remaining jet fuel supplies and said the global economy faces its “largest energy crisis.”

In general, some European countries hold several months’ worth of jet fuel inventory at a time, according to an IEA report released this week.

Jet fuel — a refined kerosene-based oil product is airlines’ biggest cost, making up about 30% of overall expenses, according to the International Air Transport Association. And jet fuel prices have roughly doubled since the war began. Shortages could start next.

“Every passing day that the Strait of Hormuz remains shut, Europe is edging closer to supply shortages,” said Amaar Khan, head of European jet fuel pricing at Argus Media. “The strait accounts for around 40% of Europe’s jet fuel imports, but no jet fuel has passed the strait since the war broke out.”

Airline officials have largely reacted with caution, acknowledging potential fuel issues but working to reassure customers. Still, some carriers have already passed costs on to consumers by increasing fees for baggage and other add-ons, embedding costs into ticket prices, or raising fuel surcharges.

A handful of airlines already are cutting flights Experts say other parts of air travel such as scheduling flexibility and routes would likely be impacted.

How does jet fuel get to the plane?

Jet fuel is made from crude oil at refineries, which also create gasoline and diesel.

Airlines generally buy jet fuel from refineries or fuel companies, similar to drivers buying gasoline from stations, but on a much larger scale Jet fuel travels on ships and through pipelines and is stored by airlines at airports.

Purchasing is handled by airlines. If fuel sup-

an unrealistic scenario, given that US and Iranian demands remain fairly wide apart.”

In the meantime, big U.S companies are continuing to deliver growth in profits for the start of 2026 that’s even better than analysts expected Such growth is the lifeblood of the stock market, whose level tends to follow the track of corporate profits over the long term.

PepsiCo rose 2.3% after reporting better results for the latest quarter than analysts expected. Customers bought more snacks during the quarter, after the company said in February it would cut prices on Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos and Tostitos chips to win back people frustrated by high prices.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services vroomed 6.3% higher, and Marsh & McLennan climbed 4.4% after

both likewise delivered stronger results than expected.

Technology stocks also broadly got some support after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., an industry heavyweight, reported stronger revenue and profit for the start of 2026 than analysts expected. TSMC’s Chief Financial Officer Wendell Huang said the company expects strong demand to continue into the spring. On the losing end of Wall Street was Abbott, which fell 6% even though it reported slightly better results than analysts expected.

The health care company cut its forecast for profit over the full year, mostly because of its purchase of cancer-screening company Exact Sciences.

Allbirds slumped 35.8%, but that gave back only a portion of its 582% surge from the day before.

plies are running out in a region, that doesn’t necessarily mean there will be no flights. Some airlines might have more stored than others.

But remaining flights are likely to be expensive, reflecting fuel costs.

Larger airlines have advantages in regions with shortages. They have the financial means to deal with high prices, said Jacques Rousseau, managing director at financial firm Clearview Energy Partners.

In Europe, a number of countries are now relying on less than 20 days of coverage in their fuel supplies, according to this week’s IEA report Supplies haven’t dropped below 29 days since 2020, the report said.

If that falls under 23 days, physical shortages may emerge at some airports, resulting in flight cancellations and lower demand, the report warned.

Which regions could feel pain?

Asia-Pacific countries are the most reliant on oil and jet fuel from the Middle East, followed by Europe, Rousseau said.

Most of Europe’s jet fuel is produced by European refiners, but about 20-25% of its supply is missing because of the war Rousseau said.

To fill some gaps, the U.S. has increased its exports of jet fuel to Europe considerably, sending about 150,000 barrels per day in April, or about six times the normal level, Rousseau said.

Availability of jet fuel is less of an issue in the U.S., a major oil producer, he added.

How much is the supply of fuel lagging?

The world is losing 10 million to 15 million barrels of oil a day due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, said Pavel Molchanov senior investment strategist at investment firm Raymond James & Associates.

“There are exactly the same refineries in exactly the same places in Asia and Europe, but if there is not enough oil for those refineries to operate, it’s going to lead to physical supply disruption,” he said.

Even though the IEA has released 400 million barrels of oil from members’ emergency reserves, that won’t help in the short term, he added.

“It could take until the end of the year to get all of those barrels onto the market,” he said. How will my travel be affected?

Christopher Anderson, a professor of operations, technology and information management at Cornell University, said travelers should prepare for more than just higher airfares.

“This is no longer just a fuel-price story. For airlines, it is now a network-planning story,” he said. “Higher fuel costs matter, but so do longer routings, reduced scheduling flexibility and greater uncertainty about what demand will look like even a few weeks out.” Travelers might see “a market with later booking patterns, more schedule volatility and fewer low-fare options if this disruption lasts into the core summer season,” he said. What are airlines doing?

Dutch airline KLM and U.K. budget carrier easyJet said they weren’t experiencing current fuel shortages, without commenting further on the IEA’s warning.

Still, both airlines are among those that have seen higher costs eat into their budgets.

On Thursday, KLM said it would cut 160 flights next month — about 1% of its total European routes. The airline cited “rising kerosene costs” and said a limited number of flights are “no longer financially viable to operate.”

In a Thursday update, EasyJet said it expects to see a pretax loss of about $731 million to $758 million for the first half of the 2026 fiscal year Still, CEO Kenton Jarvis said demand remains strong overall noting that Easter travel was easyJet’s busiest ever for that holiday period.

Lufthansa said Thursday that labor disputes and high fuel prices are forcing it to immediately shut down feeder airline CityLine, earlier than planned, and take its 27 older, less fuel-efficient planes out of service. The decision accelerates a shutdown that had been expected for next year

U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines — which frequently flies to European destinations — said on Thursday that it was “aware of the potential jet fuel supply issue” on the continent and monitoring the situation.

Amazon accused of underpaying women by misclassifying jobs

BY ALEX HALVERSON The Seattle Times (TNS)

Two former Amazon employees accused the company of underpaying female employees, levying complaints similar to those in an ongoing lawsuit filed in 2023.

Gayatri Srinivas and Amy Cisneroz say they faced a discriminatory system at Amazon that saw roles held by women underpaid based on job classifications, according to a proposed class-action complaint filed April 8 at federal court in Seattle. One of the ways the plaintiffs say Amazon underpaid women was by coding their roles as lower-paying non-tech jobs The two former employees say

they were “substantially” underpaid relative to male co-workers who had the same job titles, had similar experience and performed similar work. Corporate Amazon employees are placed in a job-classification scale with levels running from 4 to 12. Srinivas, who started at Amazon in 2011 and left in 2025, went from what is known as an L5 technical writer to a L6 senior technical writer Cisneroz, who worked for Amazon between 2022 and 2024, was an L7 principal product manager Cisneroz, who worked in Amazon’s fashion division, alleges she was told the reason she was paid less than men in similar roles was because her job was classified as “non-tech.” Cisneroz said she

learned through conversations with colleagues that “tech”-classified jobs were paid more, even if the job titles were the same.

She alleges that a team member with her same job classification held similar credentials to her yet was paid more. Cisneroz also said that when the employee went on leave, she took over his projects and they didn’t require new or different responsibilities. Despite performing similar work to the employee on leave, “Amazon at all times kept Plaintiff Cisneroz in a ‘non-tech’ position,” the lawsuit reads. The complaint said Cisneroz was terminated in October 2024, but didn’t disclose the justification of-

fered by Amazon. Srinivas said in the lawsuit that she became aware of pay discrepancies early in her 14-year career at Amazon after speaking to a male colleague with the same job title. She told him she believed her compensation was below industry standard while he said his met the standard. Later in Srinivas’ career, a manager said her salary was below the industry standard based on her level and experience. The lawsuit claims she had extensive prior experience and was the longesttenured technical writer in AWS. Even when she received a pay bump, Srinivas said her compensation never reached the higher end of her job classification’s pay band.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By LM OTERO

A worker fuels an Air Canada jet on Tuesday at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Grapevine, Texas.

ArtemisII crew praisesmoonship’sperformance

Astronautsgive highmarks to theheatshield

BY MARCIA DUNN AP aerospace writer

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. The Artemis II astronauts who ignited alunar renaissance gave high marks Thursday to their moonship, especially the heat shield, for its performance during reentry.

In their first news conference since returningto Earth, the three Americans and one Canadian said their lunar flyby puts NASA in a much better position fora moon landing by acrewin twoyears and an eventual moon base. They spoke from NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, their home base Commander Reid Wiseman, pilotVictorGlover, Christina Koch andCanada’s Jeremy Hansen launched to the moon from Florida on April 1, NASA’s firstlunar crew in more than ahalfcentury and by far the most diverse.

ArtemisIIcrewmembersReid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch

areloaded into araft after successfully splashing down in the

capsulereentrypath waschanged to minimize wear on the

They became the most distant travelers ever —breaking Apollo 13’srecord— as they whipped around the lunarfar side, illuminated enoughtoreveal features never viewedbeforebythe human eye. Thesight of atotal lunar eclipse added to the wonderment.

to fine-tooth comb every single,not even everymolecule, probably every atom on this heat shield,” he said.

The heat shield on the first Artemis test flight in 2022 with no one aboard —came back so pockmarked and gouged that it pushed ArtemisIIback by months if not years. Instead of redoing it, NASA opted to change the capsule’s entry path to minimizeheating. Future capsules will sport anew design.

As the parachutes released right before splashdown, Gloversaid he felt like he wasinfreefall —like diving backwardoff askyscraper “That’swhatitfelt like for five seconds,” he said, adding whenthe ride smoothed out: “Itwas glorious.”

runoff will face the Democratic nominee in November

The three Democraticcandidates are Nick Albares,Jamie Davis and Gary Crockett. They also willcompete in their own primary on May 16 and aparty runoff on June27ifnocandidate wins more than 50% of the vote in the primary Albares, Davis and Crockett will engage in their first debate Tuesday night at Southern University Bayou Progressive is organizing the event and will livestream it.

By thenumbers

Cassidy’sfundraising advantage stems from his position as chair of the Senate health committee and as Louisiana’ssenior senator

The latest campaignfinance report shows that the Cassidy for Senate account raised$770,000 during the first quarter,while three other groups associatedwith him— theCassidy Leadership Fund, the Continuing America’sStrength &Security PACand Louisiana Victory and the National Republican Senatorial Committee —raised an additional $1.8 million.

The $2.5 million was more than the $1.9 million collected by Letlow.Ofher $1.9 million, Letlow for Louisiana raised $660,000 and the LetlowVictory Fund andthe Hope in Action PACcollected an additional $1.3 million. Fleming raisedonly $45,000.

Cassidy reported having $7.2 million on handasof

Their Orion capsule, which they named Integrity parachuted intothe Pacific last Friday to close out the nearly 10-dayvoyage. Artemis II’sHouston homecoming the next day coincided with the 56th anniversary of thelaunch of Apollo 13.

April 1, compared to $2.7 million for Letlow and $2.1 millionfor Fleming

But theFleming figure comes with an asterisk,according to Letlow’scampaign.

On Dec. 23, Fleming loaned $2 million tohis campaign, which allowed him to showa healthy amount of money on hand when he reported his fundraisingfigures throughDec. 31.

Butthe latest report shows that Fleming repaid himself $1.87 millionofthat on Jan. 5. He then loaned thecampaign another$2million on March 25. Without that money,his campaign would have reported virtually no cash on hand inthe latest campaignfilingreport.

“Theschemeisnow obvious: Fleming writes himself a check at the end of the quartertoboost his numbers, then pays himself right back,”Letlow’scampaign said. Not so, Fleming said in an interview

He said he pulls themoney out of his campaignaccount so he can invest it andearna higher return on themoney before reloaning it.

“All I’m doing is being a prudent investor to make sure themoney is working for me,” Flemingsaid.

Meanwhile, Cassidy’s super PAC, the Louisiana FreedomFund, reported raising nearly $6 million.

TheLetlow campaignsaid outsidegroups supporting herraised $3.8 million.

Stateofthe race Cassidy hoped tohave even more cash,but the National Republican Senatorial Committeerejectedthat plea in atensephone call, according to areport last

Wiseman said he andGlover “maybe saw two moments of atouch of char loss” to the heat shield as Integrity plunged through thefastest, hottest part of reentry Once aboard therecovery ship, they peered at the bottom of thecapsule as best they could,leaning over to view anysigns of damage.

week in Punchbowl News, a Washington, D.C., website. In acall withreporters Tuesday,Cassidy said the website’sreport was “not accurate” butwould notexplain how or why

Fundraising numbers are closely watchedbypolitical pros as ameasureofacandidate’selectability

On the Republican side each of the three campaigns is saying that the others are using accounting tricks to inflate their numbers.

The Cassidy and Letlow campaigns generated positivecoverageindifferent conservative publications on Wednesdaybygiving them an exclusive look at their fundraising numbers, in the Washington Examiner for Cassidy andThe Daily Caller for Letlow

The Letlow campaignsaid Letlow hada “massive” fundraising haul in thefirst quarter,especially since she joined therace on Jan. 19 and had only 70 days to collect money “Julia is backed by President Trump and the people of Louisiana,” theLetlow campaignsaid in astatement. “Cassidy’scampaign is being bankrolled by outof-statedonors and special interest groups.”

Cassidy heldaZoomcall with reporters Thursday where he noted the primary would be held in exactly one month.Herepeated his previous calls for Democrats whohavebeen voting for Republicans to re-register as no party or Republican to be able tovoteinthe Republican primary. Theycan do that online until April 25.

Cassidy also noted that Louisiana Public Broadcastinghad soughttoholda

Theyspotted alittle loss of charred material on the shoulder,where theheat shield meets thecapsule.

“For fourhumans just looking at the heat shield, it lookedwonderfultous. It looked great, andthatride in was really amazing,”Wiseman said.

He cautioned that detailed analysesstill need to be conducted. “Weare going

statewide televised debate among the three Republicans on Thursday night, but the eventwas canceled becauseLetlowdeclined to participate.

Cassidy said he believes that Letlow does not want “to defend not having asingle bill signed intolaw since she’s been in the Houseof Representativesfor six years or opposing things likethe Infrastructure Investmentand Jobs Act that has brought $13.5 billion” to Louisiana.

Letlow joinedmostRepublicans in opposing President Joe Biden’sinitiative.

Since their return, the four astronauts have enduredround after round of medical testing to check their balance, vision,musclestrengthand coordination, and overall health. They even put on spacewalking suits for exercises under conditions simulating themoon’s one-sixth gravity of Earth to see how much enduranceand dexterity future moonwalkersmight have uponlunar touchdown.

Letlow and Fleming have agreed to adebate on May 5onthe program of conservative radio talk show host Moon Griffon, who regularly blasts Cassidy.The senator has declined to participate in the debate. Because Trumpbacks Letlow,ofcourse, he could tap intohis enormous war chesttoprovide herall the money she needsfor the finalstretch of theprimary election. Or he could raise big dollars for her during a visit to Louisiana. With less money for advertising, Fleminghas mostly been on the sidelines in the

NASA already is working on Artemis III, the next step in its grand moon base-building plans. The platform from whichthe rocket launches headed back Thursday to KennedySpace Center’s Vehicle Assembly Building, where it will be prepped for next year’sArtemis launch. Still awaiting an assigned crew,Artemis III will remain in orbit aroundEarth as astronauts practice docking their Orion capsule with oneortwo lunar landers in development by Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. Artemis IV will follow in 2028 underNASA’slatestschedule,with two astronauts landing near the moon’s south pole. NASA is aiming for asustainable moon presence this time around. Duringthe Apollo moonshots, astronauts kept their visits short. Twelve astronauts explored the lunar surface, beginning with Apollo 11’sNeilArmstrong and Buzz Aldrin in 1969 and ending with Apollo 17’sGene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt in 1972. Kochsaid that since returning, she and her crewmates are “feeling even moreexcited and just ready to take that on as an agency.”

race while Cassidy attacks Letlow,and she counterattacks. Buttwo outside groups began hitting Fleming last week,one aproLetlow super PACassociatedwithGov.JeffLandry known as the Accountability Project. Landry is backing the congresswoman. Last week, Fleming began respondingwithads that called the attacks on him false and that touted his role as Trump’sdeputy chief of staffatthe end of the president’sfirst term “Clearly theonlyconservative for Senate,” concludes Fleming’sad.

NASA PHOTO By JAMESBLAIR

and Jeremy Hansen

PacificOcean on April 10. The

heat shield.

French Quarterdrone plan advances

Splitcouncil approves NOPD’s purchase of remote-piloted device

BY SOPHIE KASAKOVE Staff writer

Aremote-piloted police drone

will launch in the French Quarter before the end of the year,the first drone to come out of aprogram that local leaders hope to expand citywide.

TheNew OrleansCityCouncil on Thursday in a4-3 vote approved the New Orleans Police Department’spurchase of the $250,000 drone and docking station, despite opposition from residents and three councilmembers.

Council members Eugene Green, Jason Hughes, Freddie King and

JP Morrell voted to approve the measure, while Matthew Willard, Lesli Harris and Aimee McCarron voted against it

Green said that drones give officers better information about a crime scene ahead of time so they can approach the suspect safely, and saidthe council is “very con-

cerned about civil liberty” and will ensure oversight of the program

Willardsaidthatwhile the NOPD does have policies governingits use of drones, “I believe there are some gaps and have some concerns about accountability.”

‘A

small-town main street’

OakStreetHistoricDistrictdesignatedwithnew signs

BY DOUG MacCASH Staff writer

The 21st century may be well underway,but the eight-block stretch of Oak Street above South Carrollton Avenueis athrowback.

With dozens of locally owned shops, restaurants, barsand assorted businesses, Oak Street is an old-fashioned shopping destination

On Thursday,the business corridor’s civic organization unveiled apairof

BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer

ALouisiana House committee on Thursday passed acontroversial bill to merge the civil andcriminal clerks of Orleans Parish, voting to abolish the latterover awave of opposition from supporters of

bronze markers thatcall attention to upperOak Street’shistoric importance.

One sign is at thecorner of South Carrollton and the other at the Eagle Street traffic triangle, near the border of Jefferson Parish.

Sean O’Mahony, director of the Oak Street Merchants, Residentsand Property Owners organization, said he hopes that visitors driving by or riding the streetcar will see thesigns marking the OakStreet Historic District and decide to stop by

Calvin Duncan, the criminal clerkelect and former 28-year prisoner

The 8-5 vote was thefirstinthe House for agroup of bills by Sen. Jay Morris, R-West Monroe, that target the justice system in Orleans Parishand itsleadersfor substantial changes. Followingscathing cross-exami-

The council’ssplit vote on the proposal was oneofthe fewtimes, if not the only time, that the councilhas been at oddssince members were sworn in in January

They might say, “Hey,let me get out andexperience this historical area,” he said. Fromthe Maple Leaf Bar nightclub, to thetimeless Haase’sshoe store, More FunComics comic book and gameshop, Jacques-Imo’srestaurant, the Family Barber Shop, Dr.Syvi Beaumont Chiropractor’soffice, Space Tiger Tattoo, thepicturesqueRue de la Course coffee shop, and on and on, OakStreet is an

nation from critics of Senate Bill 256, Morris received enough favorable votes from theHouseJudiciary Committee to pass his bill to consolidatethe clerk’soffices without amendments.

UnderMorris’ plan, the merged office would fall under ChelseaNapoleon, thecurrent civil court clerk. Duncan,who beat out incumbent DarrenLombardina resounding winlastNovember,told the committeethat he was being singled outfor removal by Attorney General Liz Murrill and Gov.Jeff Landry.Duncan said thatMurrill haslong proven an obstacle, citing theattorney general’s opposition to his bid forcompensationfrom thestate forhis years in prison.

The vote comes after the French Quarter Management District board unanimously approved funding forthe program last month. New Orleans police anddistrict officialshavearguedthatthe technology wouldallow officers

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

Amid questions over the future of the Saudi Arabian-backed LIV Golf tournamentplannedfor City Park this summer,Louisiana Economic Development Secretary SusanBourgeoishas told tournament leaders that the state wants answers by Monday about whether the event is still on.

Bourgeois said Thursday that she emailed officials with LIV, who are currently in Mexico City forthe latest stop on their international tour,after multiple financial publications reported Wednesday that Saudi Arabia’ssovereign wealth fund is considering pulling its support from LIV

Such amove would likely spell the end of LIV and its upcoming tournaments, including the June event scheduled forNew Orleans, according to the reports.

LIV CEO ScottO’Neil has since disputed those reports, saying the2026 season will continue as planned.

“Needless to say,weare concerned about the reports this week,” Bourgeois said. “They are in Mexico, but Ihave said, by

forCity Park in June ä See GOLF, page 2B

Released in 2011 under aplea deal withthe former districtattorney, Leon Cannizzaro,Duncan later had hisconviction and sentence vacated.

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Acrowd gathers around the newOak Street historical marker during an unveiling ceremonyfor it on Thursdaynearthe Carrollton Avenue streetcarline in NewOrleans.

ä See DRONE, page 3B

ä See DISTRICT, page 3B

Bill to require air monitors for plants stalls

Industry officials say they could lead to false results

BY DAVID J MITCHELL Staff writer

A new attempt to force Louisiana’s largest industrial plants to install real-time air monitoring along their fence lines has stalled in the Legislature despite the bill being watered down to try to respond to industry concerns. The bill that failed to receive backing in a Senate committee came a year after a task force led by Louisiana’s then environmental chief recommended that the state prioritize monitoring for the largest industrial facilities. The bill attempted to match that suggestion, but again met industry opposition.

Previous, more expansive bills have repeatedly failed in the Legislature amid concerns about the cost the risk of false positives and claims that the monitors would be redundant due to existing state and industry monitors.

In February 2025, the Senate Community Air Monitoring and Notification Task Force, led by then-Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Aurelia Giacometto, recommended focusing first on plants near population centers with the largest total emissions and toxicity

State Sen. Royce Duplessis, D-New Orleans, and advocates supporting Senate Bill 356 argued this week that his proposal hewed to the task force’s recommen-

dations with no cost to the state.

“Louisiana, as we know, our concentration of industrial facilities demands this Industry is already conducting some of this fence line monitoring. The benefits go simply beyond compliance. And, also, given the national climate that we’re in, not having the safety net under this federal administration, we believe that it’s important for states like Louisiana to take action,” Duplessis told the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on Tuesday

The Louisiana Chemistry Association, the Louisiana Mid-Content Oil and Gas Association, and Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, however, opposed the bill. It failed to get a vote from the committee either to be reported to the Senate floor or to be deferred

Patrick Riley, an LCA lobbyist, pointed out that industries already have internal monitors best positioned to find leaks. He suggested fence line monitors would issue alerts without confirmation of the source, potentially picking up emissions from trains, barges, trucks and other plants.

“A public alert built on that kind of data cannot reliably tell the public what it is claiming to tell them. This will either cause people to panic unnecessarily or to completely ignore the alerts over time,” he said He also said the thresholds that would have triggered air monitoring were too low Advocates in favor of the bill disputed his arguments.

Dow Chemical’s Louisiana Operations complex north of Plaquemine in Iberville and West Baton Rouge parishes is seen in 2019. A new attempt to force Louisiana’s largest industrial plants to install real-time air monitoring along their fence lines has stalled in the Legislature despite the bill being watered down to try to respond to industry concerns.

in Calif. and Colo.

Used

The bill would have required 117 oil refineries and chemical complexes to track up to 17 toxic pollutants in real time.

Earlier proposals would have encompassed 476 facilities and 235 pollutants and called for the state to handle the data.

Cost estimates for that earlier plan were at least $376.5 million for industry upfront and $8.2 million annually for the state in staffing costs, as well as another $5.2 million for a real-time notification system.

Under Duplessis’ bill, plants would have covered the cost for air monitors, online websites and public alert systems.

Among several advocates who spoke, Vickie Boothe, a former EPA environmental engineer and a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention epidemiologist working with Duplessis, es-

timated these “open path” air monitoring systems, plus weather stations, would require between $250,000 and $630,000 in upfront investment and about $25,000 per year in maintenance.

Similar systems, which use ultraviolet light to detect chemicals without sampling, are used by facilities in parts of California and Colorado. Boothe said the monitors can measure pollutants nearly two-thirds of a mile away and have been recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Other advocates argued that Louisiana’s air monitoring network isn’t focused on localized toxic air emissions affecting residents who live nearest plants and are few in number, while plant monitors are geared for worker protection.

The state system is also more regionally focused and geared for different categories of air pollution tied to ground-level ozone,

Zachary, LSU grad killed in Ga.

Naturalized citizen accused in Lauren Bullis’ slaying

BY JAMES FINN Staff writer

Lauren Bullis, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security employee killed this week in Georgia, was from Zachary, attended LSU and worked for years in Louisiana state government.

Bullis, 40, was shot and stabbed to death while walking her dog in an Atlanta-area spate of violence that left another person dead and a third injured, according to police and media reports. Her death has become a rallying cry for President Donald Trump’s administration, who publicized her slaying as an example of the consequences of lax immigration policy

from Baton Rouge Community College and LSU

She went on to work for “many years” as an accountant for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture before moving to Atlanta for a job in the DHS Office of Inspector General, where she worked as an auditor, the obituary states. On social media accounts, she posted photos that showcased her passion for running.

“Lauren approached her work with integrity, thoughtfulness and a commitment to excellence that strengthened our organization and the communities we serve,” DHS said in a news release. “Beyond her professional accomplishments, Lauren was a bright spot for so many of the DHS community She brought warmth, kindness, and a genuine sense of care to her colleagues each day.”

tary award for superior performance for battle readiness, the AP reported.

The Times-Picayune was unable to reach a public defender in Georgia assigned to represent Adon Abel.

Under Trump’s administration, DHS has been the primary agency carrying out a sweeping push to detain and deport immigrants who lack permanent legal status. Backlash against DHS tactics has spurred protests nationwide, especially in the wake of an operation in Minneapolis that left two U.S. citizen protesters dead. It’s unclear, though, whether Bullis was targeted because of her employment — or whether she was targeted in the attack at all. Police have said both of the other victims, a woman who was slain and has not been identified and a 49-year-old homeless man who remains in critical condition, were attacked at random early Monday morning.

CLERKS

fine particulates and other problems.

Recalling notification problems from past incidents, including the Marathon Refinery tank farm fire in Garyville in September 2023, they also argued that residents nearest plants are often the last to know

‘Cause some problems’

Plants are required to notify state and other agencies within an hour of releases of sufficient size, but agencies then have to arrive later and monitor with handheld and other equipment. Even then, agencies can often rely on fixed and portable industry monitors for data, which aren’t immediately public.

Retired U.S. Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré reminded the Senate committee that an earlier air monitoring bill was killed in April 2022, and six days later, a Plaquemine-area chemical complex had a major chlorine leak with people shel-

Continued from page 1B

“I sincerely and honestly believe I am being targeted,” Duncan answered when questioned by Rep. Mandie Landry, a Democrat from New Orleans.

Morris and his Republican counterparts are seeking to push the bill through both chambers and get Landry’s signature before Duncan is due to be sworn in May 4, even as opponents of the measure argued the move would alienate voters. The bill is headed for the House floor

The Governor’s Office and bill sponsors have said Landry didn’t help craft this session’s legislation aimed at downsizing the Orleans Parish courts. In a statement, Murrill said SB256 “is not part of my legislative package and I have had no involvement with the bill.”

The committee’s vote to pass the measure followed hours of testimony The bill now goes before the full House for what’s anticipated to be its final hurdle before reaching Landry’s desk.

tering in their homes. Arriving agencies didn’t initially find off-site impacts, he noted, but more than 30 people went to the hospital. The leak happened inside Dow Chemical’s large west bank complex in a section owned by Blue Cube. Weeks later, parish and state officials accused Blue Cube of underplaying of the extent of the leak to them, resulting in the premature end of the residents’ shelter order

The Olin Chemical subsidiary reached a $600,000 settlement with DEQ. The deal kept findings about the cause of the alleged communication breakdown a secret as the company disputed it misled state and local officials.

Honore argued real-time air monitoring under SB356 could prevent that situation from happening again. But state Sen. Eddie Lambert, R-Gonzales, the environmental committee chairman, questioned if the monitors would cause a plant to be falsely blamed for emissions originating outside the complex.

Boothe said that the weather station, with its wind readings, would allow off-site emissions to be discerned. She said that when she inquired about false positives in California, she was informed that monitors had helped refineries prove they weren’t the source of a hydrogen sulfide leak, despite initial complaints that they were.

Lambert remained unconvinced: “The concern is this stuff could be used and it would be inaccurate, and it would cause some problems.”

he was worried the bill “undermines democracy and fundamental fairness” by ignoring the overwhelming vote of New Orleans’ electorate.

“Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should,” Green said. “The pendulum of politics swings back and forth. And I think, with what you’re doing, you’re setting a very dangerous precedent.”

Rep. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans, described the effort to restructure New Orleans’ judiciary as dangerous “government overreach” done “in bad faith.” She insisted Duncan was singled out.

“We’re doing something here because powerful people don’t like him,” she said.

Morris said he expects litigation if it passes.

“I think this law will be upheld constitutionally,” Morris said.

Rep. Kathy Edmonston of Gonzales was the lone Republican to oppose Morris on Wednesday

“I’m just really concerned with the people’s right to vote for who or what they want to vote for,” she said. “This doesn’t have anything to do with anything else to me but integrity.”

The man accused of killing her, 26-year-old Olaolukitan Adon Abel, was born in England and obtained U.S. citizenship in 2022, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said on social media. Mullin called Bullis’ death a “devastating loss for the entire DHS community.” An online obituary said Bullis graduated from Zachary High School before earning degrees

GOLF

Continued from page 1B

Monday, we need to have a candid conversation about where this stands.” Gov Jeff Landry, through a spokesperson said he still has no official word from the organization on its plans related to New Orleans, though “so far, we have not been notified of anything as far as LIV folding or pulling out.”

Officials with City Park, GNO Inc. and the New Orleans Sports Foundation have declined to comment on the recent reports.

Landry announced amid fanfare last August that New Orleans’ Bayou Oaks Golf Course at City Park would host the LIV Golf tournament, a deal that involved creating a $7.2 million incentive package to lure the

The Associated Press reported this week that Adon Abel had a prior criminal history, including a guilty plea in 2024 for assaulting two officers with a weapon in California, and attacking another person while he was stationed at a naval base there. Citing military records the wire service reported that Adon Abel joined the Navy in 2020 and last served in the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron in Coronado, California. He received a mili-

event to Louisiana. Though he faced criticism for dipping into the state’s major event fund for the package, he framed the event as an economic development win that would boost tourism during the slow summer season. The $7.2 million package included a $5 million “hosting fee” for LIV and $2.2 million for City Park to pay for upgrades to the course On Thursday, Bourgeois and Senate President Cameron Henry, a Metairie Republican who helped garner support for the incentive package in the Legislature last summer, said LIV has already received $1 million of its $5 million hosting fee. “But we have a clawback provision should they falter,” Henry said. “If they should close, we can ask for our money back.” Of the $2.2 million ear-

Each of the victims was attacked in locations about 10 miles apart, police said. Officers found Bullis dead with gunshot and stab wounds around 7 a.m. in the suburb of Panthersville, where she had been walking her dog.

James Finn covers federal law enforcement for The Times-Picayune | The Advocate. Email him at jfinn@theadvocate.com.

marked for City Park, all but about $300,000 has been paid to the park and spent on regrading surfaces, improving drainage, a new layer of sand and improvements to the turf and greens at Bayou Oaks. The work is nearly complete. Though the state is not entitled to go after City Park’s share of the funds in the event of a default, “the improvements will benefit the course as a whole,” Bourgeois said. “It’s an investment in City Park.”

Broader strategy

LIV launched in 2022 as a controversial alternative to the PGA Tour, is funded in large part by Saudi Arabia’s primary sovereign wealth fund. Despite its high-profile backers, the tour has lost money and struggled to find a TV audience. In recent days, reports that the Saudis would pull

Democratic committee members questioned Morris’ motives for legislation that he said was not aimed at a single person. Morris argues for the cost savings, though his bill does not specify how or where in the state budget those savings would materialize.

“It’s about abolishing an office that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the state,” Morris said. “Because they’re not combined, the state’s having to pick up the tab for the Criminal District Court.”

Rep. Kyle Green, D-Marrero said

their funding had circulated among golf reporters, with many projecting the move could spell failure for the international tour

The Financial Times first reported that the personal investment fund overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had narrowed its focus in a new five-year investment strategy that includes cutting LIV spending.

The strategy was reportedly written before the start of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran that led to an effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz a critical passageway for Gulf states’ oil — and structural damage to Gulf countries’ infrastructure. However, fund governor Yasir al-Rumayyan said the war added additional pressure for the fund, The Times reported. Adding to the questions

“This is an office established by statute. We can eliminate it by statute,” Morris said.

Three other pending bills would cut several judgeships from Orleans Parish and combine the civil, criminal and juvenile courts in New Orleans.

Supporters argue that caseload numbers no longer support the unique setup in Orleans Parish, with three independent state courts Opponents argue they’re working with bad data.

Email Matt Bruce at matt.bruce @theadvocate.com

over LIV’s future, the Saudi fund has sold its star-studded Al-Hilal soccer team, while another Saudi group pulled out of Tom Brady’s flag football league, The Athletic reported Thursday

While the LIV tour was not a proven concept in New Orleans, Landry has estimated that the tour could generate about $60 million in economic impact. “We’re very comfortable with the economic impact this could have on the city,” Bourgeois said Thursday Beyond the boost to hotels, restaurants and other tourist-related businesses, she said, LIV presents an opportunity to promote the state to the organization’s corporate fan base in Asia and Australia, where it is especially popular

“There is a real business opportunity for us because the markets, internation-

ally, where LIV has had the most viewership historically are those we have targeted,” Bourgeois said. “We have entire business development plans around this.” Staff writers Alyse Pfeil and Marco Cartolano contributed to this report.

LOTTERY WEDNESDAY,APRIL 15,

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Bullis

Trialdelayed in Slidellfatal hit-and-run

Womanaccused in deathof 6-year-old

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

The trial of aSlidell woman accused of hitting a 6-year-old with her vehicle and fleeing the scene has been delayed, according to theDistrict Attorney’sOffice.

Connie Estes,41, was

DISTRICT

Continued from page1B

eclectic collection of retail and restaurants.

It is also the site of the popular,annual Oak Street Poboy Fest in November Tulane University professor and renowned historian RichardCampanellawas enlistedtowrite a50-word history of Oak Street that is cast into the markers

Campanella, who was on hand for the ribbon-cutting, explained that from the time it was laid out in 1833,Oak Street was unique. For whatever reason,the street was always 10 feet wider than the surrounding roadways. That extra width came in handy when it came timeto run astreetcarline on Oak Street in the1920s, linking the Uptown area with Jefferson Parish. Commerce flourished for decades to come, with adip in the 1970s-90s that was later reversed by arenewed fashion for walkable, localized living, Campanella said.

“Tomy eye,” Campanella said, “Oak Street has the feel of asmall-town main street.”

The professor calledattention to an antique building being renovated into aboutique hotel on the Carrollton Avenue endofOak Street, as an indication of the area’s continued viability “What made it work 100 years ago,” he said,“has saved it 100 years later.”

The pairofnew historic markers cost $8,000tocreate and install, according to O’Mahony,paid for by a marketing grant from the Greater New Orleans Foundation.

Email Doug MacCashat dmaccash@theadvocate. com.

DRONE

Continued from page1B

to respond more quickly to emergencies. The drone would be piloted by aNOPD officer working from the 8th District Station in the French Quarter.The city’s existing drone fleet must be operated by two officers from anearby rooftop. Opponents have for months raised concerns about potential civil liberties violations andracial bias, and have requested that funds be put toward other community needs.

NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick has said that she hopes to deploy similar drones throughout the city but has not shared atimeline for expanding the program.

Questionsraised Council membersHarris, Willard and McCarron on Thursday questioned8th District CommanderSamuel Palumbo about how the NOPD would ensure that the drone program does not encroach on residents’ privacy and adheres to department policy Palumbo said in response that there is no NOPD policy that prevents the drone from capturing footage of private property,but that that footagewould be from aheight where little detail would be visible.

“If we’re going to useit to observe and search, do anything likethat on private property,we’re already required to get asearchwarrant,” Palumbo said.

“It’sthe exact technology that we’ve been using on a

arrested in Augustfor allegedly striking Jeremiah Ramirez with asilver Nissan Armada while driving on Northshore Lane. The boy, who had been riding ascooter inhis driveway, laterdiedatahospital

Esteswas arrested and charged with hit-andrun with death or serious bodilyinjury andobstruction of justice, both felony counts. Thetrial had been scheduledtobegin on Monday, but Debbie Webber,a

spokesperson for the northshore District Attorney’s Office, said Thursday that it had been delayed.

No new date for the trial hasbeenset,but astatus conference will be held on May 5.

Areport from WDSU-TV said the trial’sdelay had comeafter Estes denied a plea deal. Webber said she could notspeak to the statusofany possible deal.

Webbersaid no additional information about the delay was available.

The 6-year-old’sdeath drew widespread attention on the northshore after the St. Tammany ParishSheriff’s Officeinitially arrested another personinconnection withthe case.

The Sheriff’s Office later withdrewits request to charge that man, finding thatnew evidence showed thechargewas notsupported.

Email Willie Swett at willie.swett@theadvocate. com.

regular basis,” said Palumbo, who saidthat thecity owns nine dronesand has been operatingthem since2024

“Right,which is problematic to me,” Harrissaid. Willard, referencing adepartment policy spelling out certain instances in which drones can be used, asked: “How does thepublic know if adrone deviatesfromNOPD policyondrones?”

Palumbo paused. “That’s adifficult one,” he said, though he added that flight logs would be reviewed by a supervisor Palumbo alsosaidthat as part of theprogram, the NOPD would launch apublicdashboardcapturing the flight pathofthe drone and thereason for theflight. He also noted that the drones are notequipped with facialrecognition technology

Willard noted thatthe NOPD’scurrentpolicy on drones requires the department’s Professional Standards and Accountability Bureau to sharewith the community anannual report documentingthe NOPD’s use of drones

Palumbo and Assistant Superintendent Hans Ganthier said Thursday that they were unsure of whether information aboutdroneusageis included in those reports. In responsetoarequestfor the most recent report, adepartment spokesperson said that official NOPD documents can onlybeobtained through apublic records request The program, calledDrone as First Responder,ismodeled after similar efforts adopted across the country in recent years. In Jefferson Parish,the Sheriff’s Office has deployed afleet of 23 first responder drones that assist-

ed with170 arrestsbetween November and February.

The NOPD drone will be produced by Californiabased Skydio, which also made the dronesthatare used in Jefferson Parish.

AaronLooney, aspokesperson for the NOPD,saidina statement Thursday that the department’sexisting drones will remain in operation.

Community reactions

One French Quarter resident,JessPinkham,told councilmembers that the drone would threaten neighborhood residents’ privacy

“Part of what drew me to living above street level was that people cannotlook at my windows whenever they want,” said Pinkham, who livesinathird-floor apartment

Christopher Lang, aMarigny resident,arguedthat the French Quarter is “highly surveilledasitis.

“Weshouldbeproviding for residents through proactive deterrence of crime, which is more education, more investments in food and housing,” said Lang.

Will DuBos, who manages government affairsfor the Louisiana Restaurant Association, saidthe new drone programwill send “a message to residents, thousands of employees who work in the quarter every day …and to the millions of visitors who come hereeach year that theirsecurity is ourtop priority.”

Reggie Ford,anartist who sells his work in Jackson Square, said that he supports the use of technology thatwould help police locate suspects andvictims more quickly

“I’ve been therewiththose

NewOrleans Area Deaths

Hobson BrownFH BurlJr.,Morgan Mackneal,Earline Anderson, Deborah West Bank Bailey, Carolyn Birden, Mildred DavisMortuary Blackwell Jr., Oliver Anderson, Deborah BrownJr.,Clifford Bailey, Carolyn Burd, Velaria Thomas Sr., Leverne BurlJr.,Morgan Mothe Butler, Dave Champagne,Rami Champagne,Rami Melanson, Josephine Cosse’,Aline Robinson FH Ducote,Ida Birden, Mildred Freyholtz,Joseph Gennaro, Donald Butler, Dave Gerard, Modella Cosse’,Aline Graham,Clemon Graham,Clemon Graves,Mildred Harvey,Triquila Hamilton, Serina Harvey,Triquila

Obituaries Hirschey III, Christopher Anderson,Deborah 'Jean'

Johnson,Alvin

Johnson, Carla Johnson, Eva Jordan, Merriola Mackneal,Earline Melanson, Josephine Owney Jr., Granson Riley, Florida Sutis,Emma Thomas,Johnson III

Thomas Sr., Leverne Williams,Cheryl EJefferson

Garden of Memories

ABOVE: Locally-owned businesses lineOak Street.

LEFT: Breads on Oakcofounder SeanO’Mahony talks Thursdayabout the historyofsomeofthe locally-owned businesses on OakStreet during the unveiling ceremonyfor anew historical marker celebrating the New Orleans street.

people needhelp, and the drone will definitely help,” said Ford.

Opponents also criticized the council’sdecision to limit public comment to 10 minutes, preventing many of the couple dozen people in the room from weighing in.

The drone will be launched within thenext sixmonths, saidMichelle Courseault,executive director of the French Quarter Management District, astate-chartered neighborhood management organization.

Ducote,Ida Freyholtz,Joseph Hirschey III, Christopher Richardson FH

Hamilton, Serina NewOrleans

Boyd Family

Graves,Mildred Williams,Cheryl

DW Rhodes BrownJr.,Clifford

Burd, Velaria Riley, Florida

Gertrude Geddes

Johnson, Carla Lake Lawn Metairie

Gennaro, Donald

Littlejohn FH

Johnson,Alvin

Owney Jr., Granson River Parish

Deborah“Jean”Ander‐son departed this earthly lifeonThursday,March 26, 2026, at theage of 67. She was anativeofNew Or‐leans,LAand aresidentof Harvey, LA.Deborah wasa graduateofO PerryWalker HighSchool Classof1977 Deborah wasemployed withGoodwillIndustries, and shevolunteered at Mc‐Donogh #32and OPery WalkerHighSchool.She loved music, especially Princeand thesongPurple Rainwas herfavorite. Deb‐orahenjoyed going shop‐pingatWal Mart andJ.C Penneyand dressing up everydayand puttingon her lipstick.Beloved motherofShondrika (Chi‐keeta) andGregory (Rosetta). Grandmotherof Raiya,Kylan,Khali, Tre’juan, Treasja, and Makhi.Daughterofthe late AlexAnderson, Jr and Barbara R. Anderson Granddaughter of thelate Norman, Sr.and Thelma Reed,and Alexanderand NettieAnderson. Sister of Carol H. Cummings,Ingrid A.Haywood,Cornell Ander‐son,and thelateAlexD Andersonand DornellAn‐derson. Aunt of Ervin, Jr., Brandon,Darrell, Cantrell Cornell,Asia, Trichelle, Kayla andthe late Danielle Anderson. Greataunt of Darrell, Leighton,Dylan A’den,Caine,and Xylab. Deborah is also survived bya host of otherrelatives and friends. Relativesand friends of thefamilyare in‐vited to attend theCele‐bration of Life at Davis MortuaryService,230 Mon‐roe St Gretna,LAonSat‐urday,April 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will begin at 8:30 a.m. until ser‐viceatthe above-named parlor. Interment: Wood‐lawnParkMemorialCeme‐tery, Westwego, LA.To viewand sign theguest‐book,pleasegotowww davismortuaryservice.com.

CarolynGuillotBailey transitionedtoher heav‐enlyhomeatWestJeffer‐son MedicalCenteron Monday, April13, 2026, at the ageof61. Shewas a nativeand resident of Mar‐rero, LA.Carolyn wasa graduateofWestJefferson HighSchool andemployed withthe City of NewOr‐leans MaintenanceDepart‐mentatthe NewOrleans PublicLibrary.Beloved daughterofDonaldGuillot and thelateBarbara Brady Guillot. Stepdaughter of the late Martha RaeGuillot Devoted sister of Brian Guillot, Kyle Guillot, Shar‐ron “Monique”Guillot, Tabathy GuillotJones,and the late Latoya Guillot. Alsocherishingher memo‐riesare herniece Gariun Guillot, whomshe was in‐strumentalinrearing and loved as adaughter, anda hostofnieces, nephews, cousins,other relatives and friends. Relativesand friends of thefamily, also pastors,officers,and members of Heavenly Star MissionaryBaptist Church and allneighboring churches, employeesof New OrleansPublicLi‐brary,are invitedtoattend the Celebrationoflifeat HeavenlyStarMissionary Baptist Church,1020 Cohen Street,Marrero,LAonSat‐urday,April 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Pastor Aubry Wallace,hostpastor; Rev. Michael Matthews,officiat‐ing.Visitationwillbegin at 8:30a.m.until servicetime atthe church.Interment: RestlawnParkCemetery, Avondale, LA.Arrange‐ments by DavisMortuary Service,230 Monroe St., Gretna, LA.Toview and signthe guestbook,please gotowww.davismortua ryservice.com

Birden,Mildred P.

MildredP.Birdende‐

partedthislifepeacefully onSunday, April5,2026 at her home in Avondale LA surrounded by herloving family. Shewas 92 years old anda native of Con‐vent, LA.Daughterofthe lateAndrewPowelland Helen Powell Collins. De‐voted wife of thelate JosephBirdenSr. Beloved motherofJosephBirden Jr.,Helen Birden Lavance, Richard Boetticher Birden (Lottie), Donna Rose,Terry, Nathan, Deidra,and Car‐olynWilliams, andthe late Lee Andrew Birden (Debra), Sadie Rousselle,Gwen, Al‐bertSr.,and HenrySim‐mons. Sister of Issac Collins III,and thelate Irma Brown, Joseph,An‐drewJr.,and Geraldine Powell, Lorraine Singleton and Nelson Ellis. Mrs. Bir‐den is also survived by 40 grandchildren,40great grandchildren,10great great grandchildren, as wellasseveral nieces nephews,cousins,other relatives andfriends.Mrs Birdenwas alongtime memberofthe Second St JohnBaptist Church of Avondalewhere sheserved faithfullyaspresident of the DeaconessBoard.She retired from LW Higgins HighSchool aftermany dedicated yearsofworking asa Food ServiceTechni‐cian, whereshe wasaffec‐tionately referred to as "Ms.Millie".Relatives and friends of thefamilyare in‐vited to attend thefuneral service on Saturday,April 18, 2026 at Second St.John Baptist Church 242 Avon‐daleGardenRd, Avondale LA. 70094. Thevisitation willbegin at 8AMfollowed bya 10AMservice.Pastor DamienBrown will offici‐ate andentombmentwill followinMt. Zion Baptist ChurchCemeteryinAma LA. Funeralplanningen‐trusted to Robinson Family FuneralHome. Online con‐dolencescan be shared at Robinsonfamilyfuneral‐home.com

Oliver D. Blackwell,71, of New Orleans, Louisiana, passedawayonTuesday, December16, 2025.He spent his life as a plumber's assistant and was an avid fisherman. He was precededindeath by his parents, OliverD Blackwell, Sr., and Ridgeno B. Williams, and sisters VanessaB.Reece and Sheryl L. Blackwell.Heis survived by his sibling, Reginald Blackwell;his threenieces, great-nieces, and great-nephews; and a host of family members and friends. Aprivate family memorial service for his life willbeheldbyNolaSea BurialinNew Orleans on April 17, 2026

Brown Jr., Clifford Clifford"Cliff"Brown,Jr. departedthis life on March 22, 2026, at the ageof35. Relatives and friends of thefamily are invited to attend aFuneral Service at D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933Washington Ave on Saturday, April18, 2026, at 11:30a.m. Visitationwillbegin at 10:30 a.m. Interment: Mt Olivet Cemetery Arrangements entrusted to D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, New Orleans, LA. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to signthe online guestbook.

Burd, Velaria Smith

Velaria Smith Burd gracedthis world on Tuesday, February7,1939, in the city of New Orleans and in the state of Louisiana.OnMarch31, 2026, she tradedinher earthlyhome to be at rest with her Lord and Savior JesusChrist. She was the oldest and only daughter born to the late Mr. Stanley Smith, Sr. and Mrs. Ethel AusbonSmith. She was marriedtothe late ClarenceBurdand this union was blessed with four boys, Reginald, Kevin, Terrance and thelate JeffreyBurd. She was the grandmotheroften and the great-great grandmother of four.She was the sister to the late Stanley Smith,Jr.,Diann Lewis, Joann Maulet, Bobbie Harris,and Tremeica Harris.Family and friends of LittleZion BaptistChurch, PACENew Orleans of Catholic Charities, theDalton Company areinvited to visitation on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Rhodes Funeral Home 3933 Washington Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70125at 8:00am- 9:00am. Funeral services willbe heldatMt. Bethel BaptistChurch, 5651 Martin Luther King, Jr Pkwy, Carville,Louisiana 70721 at 12:30pm, Pastor DavidLodge,Officiant Arrangements by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Ave. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to signthe online guestbook.

Burl, Morgan 'Preacher' Morgan"Preacher" Burl Jr.enteredeternal rest on Monday, March30, 2026, at the age of 66. Sonofthe late Helen and Morgan Burl, Sr.Morganleavesto cherish his memories,a host of family and friends. Homegoing Celebration Service willbeheld on

Saturday April 18, 2026, at 10:00 am at Milesville Memorial Church of God in Christ 129 AppleSt. LA 44 Laplace,La., BishopRonald Frank PastorOfficiating Interment in Antioch Cemetery Paulina,La., Viewing from8:30:amuntil Service time. (Only) Services Entrusted to Hobson Brown Funeral Home 134 Daisy St. Garyville, La 70051

Butler,Dave

Dave Butler wasbornin Columbia,Mississippi,on September14, 1942 to Lu‐cille andCiceroButler. He had3 sistersand 4broth‐ers. Of this group, he was theyoungestborn. It was here that he begana life that wouldcometobede‐finedbylove, generosity andquiet strength.Dave acceptedChristata young ageand wasbaptizedat AntiochMissionaryBaptist Church.Hewould grow up to bea very active church member anddeacon. He passedawayonMarch 26, 2026, leavingbehinda legacy of compassion,in‐tegrity, anddevotionto family that will neverbe forgotten. Dave wasa de‐votedhusband to Cather‐ineBrooksButlerfor 44 yearsand alovingfather to KrystalButlerand Eric Butler,- rolesthathecher‐ishedabove allelse. Dave wasalsothe godfather to Anthony Black, Jacqueline (Perique), Jennifer and Gabrielle Jones, Brion Brooks, andAaron Jones. He wasthe heartofhis family—a steady presence asourceofguidance, and aman whoselovecould al‐ways be felt,eveninthe simplest moments. Known forhis kind andmildspirit, Dave wassomeone who wouldhelpanyoneinneed He neverhesitated to offer ahand, awordofencour‐agement, or histime. In 1980, Dave joined Greater MorningStarBaptist Church under theleader‐ship of Dr.D.J.Sullenand continuedtoserve under thecurrent pastor Dr Joseph Brooks. Friends, neighbors, andeven strangerscould count on hisgenerosity. He hada wayofmakingpeoplefeel seen,valued, andsup‐ported,and that gift left a lastingimpressiononall whocrossedhis path Dave's lifewas grounded in the values of hard work,re‐spect, andcompassion. For years, he wasa devoted associatetoNew Orleans Toursand AirportShuttle. He wasalsoassociated with KostmayerDesign, Hunter-CharbonnetCRPC, VictoryChristian Center Int'l, Street CustomsAuto, JetLifeApparel,PaulCon‐nick,and Untouchable Body Shop.Heled by ex‐ample, teaching those around himthe importance of treating others with kindness anddignity.His quietstrengthand steady charactermadehim some‐onepeopletrusted and looked up to.Athome, Dave createda space filled with warmth,laughter, and love.Hetook prideinhis family andfound hisgreat‐estjoy in beingpresent for them-whether through everyday momentsorlife's importantmilestones. His nurturing nature andgen‐tleguidanceshaped the livesofthose closestto himinwaysthatwillcon‐tinue to be felt forgenera‐tions. Dave is survived by hiswife- Catherine, two children-Krystal andEric, sistersand brothers in law; ONealButler, Juanita Brooks, Clifford,Clinton andDr. Joseph Brooks, alongwitha host of nieces andnephews,relatives, andfriends.Thoughhis passingleavesa deep void, hismemorywillliveonin thelovehegave, thelives he touched, andthe lessons he shared.His legacy is oneofselfless‐ness, compassion,and un‐wavering devotion to fam‐ily. Dave Butler will be deeply missed, lovingly re‐membered,and forever held in theheartsofthose whoknewand lovedhim Relativesand friendsofthe family andall neighboring churches areinvited to at‐tend thefuneral serviceon Saturday,April 18, 2026 at GreaterMorning Star Mis‐sionaryBaptist Church 14747 LA-23, Belle Chasse, LA 70037. Thevisitationwill beginat9 a.m. followed by an 11 a.m. serviceoffici‐ated by Dr.JosephA Brooks. Intermentwillbe held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at theSoutheast LouisianaVeteransCeme‐tery,34888 Grantham Col‐lege Dr Slidell, Louisiana 70460 at 9a.m.Funeral planning entrustedto Robinson Family Funeral Home.For online condo‐lences,pleasevisit www

robinsonfamilyfuneralho me.com

On April14, 2026 at ap‐proximately 2:40 a.m.,she heard God’sspecial angels callingher to Heaven.Rami was 50 yearsold anda special needs, beautiful soul. Sheloved allanimals and babies,but theone thing that wasclosest to her heartwereturtles Ramigraduated from St Michael’s SpecialSchool When sheentered thepro‐gram, shethrived!She was a member of theSt. Michael Performing Bell Group.She wasalsoactive inSpecial Olympics,earn‐ing Gold,Silver, andBronze medals. Shehad an incred‐iblecreativeside, learning signlanguage, played piano by earand learned the guitar.Her jewelrywas wellknown andsought after in many localgift shops.She also wasanac‐complishedsketchartist and enjoyedmakingand selling candles. Shewas the daughter of Lynn Champagne.Ramiwas borninNew Orleansand was alifelongresidentof the Westbank.She adored her brother, BrettCham‐pagne (wifeMary) andtwo nieces. Granddaughterof Nathanand PearlLirette Champagne.She is the niece of thelateWarren and Adlis Lirette Lanassa and theironlyson,Darryl Lanassa.Goddaughter of the late Hilton andCarol Lirette.She is cousin of Debra Allemand,Darla Dufrene,Danna,and Donna Lynn, andDanielLirette Ramimet ayoung man nearly23years ago. A friendofhers, Mike Blake, introducedthemsaying theyweregood foreach other andhewas correct. Theyweretogether as boyfriend/girlfriendbut al‐waysremainedtrueto eachother.Theyloved one another with thepurestof heartsand respect. She was lovedbyhis Momand Dad andthe family. That young manisRobert Zeringue, andasher mother, Itoo feel that Robertand Rami will al‐wayshavethatbond. She was aregular bowler with the HappyBowlers League Every TuesdayatRockn Bowl, youcould hear her cheersand laughter for eachother.Two people who were thementors and friends forthese young peoplewereTom Creel and JaneHeidingxfelder. The familywould like to ex‐press theirgratitude to PCA BeverlyBridges,Debra Hart, andJoTullier.Special thankstoDr. CharlesW Thomasfor hiscareand compassion. Family and friends areinvited to gatheratMothe Funeral Home, 2100 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Harvey,LAon Saturday, April18, 2026 from9 a.m. to 1p.m.A Fu‐neral Mass will follow in the funeralhomechapel. IntermentWestlawn MemorialPark. Condo‐lencesand memories may besharedbyvisitingher memorialpageat: www mothefunerals.com

December 6, 1947 –April 8,2026. With hearts full of loveand gratitude, we an‐nouncethe passingofour beloved mother,Aline Maria Thompson Cosse’, who left this worldpeace‐fully on April8,2026, sur‐rounded by herbeloved family. Shewas abeacon ofkindness, awellspringof wisdom, andthe heartof our home.BorninHappy Jack, LA., Alinelived alife definedbycompassion, re‐silience, andgrace.She de‐voted herselftoher family, nurturing notonlyher chil‐dren, grandchildren, and great grandchildrenbut everyonefortunate enough to be touchedbyher

warmth.Her laughter could brighten thedarkest day,and hergentlecoun‐sel guided us throughlife’s storms. Alinehad agiftfor findingbeautyinthe sim‐plest moments— abloom‐ing garden,a shared meal, a quietconversation. She believedinthe powerof lovetoheal, andshe lived thattruth everyday.Her legacyisone of generosity unwavering faith,and the countless livesshe en‐riched. Sheleavesbehind tocherish hermemories… her husband, Jimmy Cosse’. Herchildren, Wanda Alexis-Barthelemy (Mike), thelateDouglas Alexis, Jr.(Keena),Barry Alexis(Akera),and Holly Alexis-Espadron (Radley) Her grandchildren: Stephanie,Lil Mike,Alexis, Lil Mac, Dominique, Dallas, Lil Barry, andHanna.Her great-grandchildren: Tyson, Serenity,Violet, Blayke, Haylee, Baby Lilly, and Baby Jessie. Hersib‐lings,MadelineRoberts and Garland“Gil” Phillips Her Aunt,MaryJaneRodi, and herloving, devoted, dear“Pal”,AlmaAlexis. Her godchildren, Kimberly Sylve,Matthew Alexis, HillarieAncar,JodyAncar Shawn Reeg,and Kelly Thompsonand ahostof familyand friends. Aline was preceded in deathby her parents, WilliamJ Thompson, Jr andElizabeth “Jolena”Barthelemy Thompson, herbrothers, Malcolm Thompson,Clyde Phillips, hersister, Monica Thompson, herson Dou‐glasAlexis, Jr., andher godchild, Joseph Alexis,Jr. Our familywillcarry for‐wardher spirit in theway welove, care,and give Thoughwemissher dearly wetakecomfort in know‐ing herlight will neverfade fromour hearts.Restgen‐tly,our dearestMother. Yourloveisour forever home. Relativesand friends of thefamilyare in‐vited to attend thefuneral service on Saturday,April 18, 2026 at RiverOfLife Ministries25640 LA-23, Port Sulphur LA.70083. Thevisi‐tationwillbegin at 10:30AM followed by a12 noon serviceofficiated by PastorRoy Mareno Jr Funeralplanningentrusted toRobinsonFamilyFuneral Home. Foronlinecondo‐lencesgotoRobinsonfami‐lyfuneralhome.com

Ducote,Ida Gremillion

IdaGremillionDucote passedawaypeacefully surrounded by herfamily, onMarch 27, 2026, at the age of 92. Shewas pre‐ceded in deathbyher beloved husbandof72 years,Robert“RJ”Ducote; her son, TerrellDucote; her five brothers,Hubert Gremillion, Milbon “Bean” Gremillion, FloydGremil‐lion, Perry“Myron” Gremil‐lion, andRalph “RJ” Gremil‐lion; hersister, Romaine Riche;and herparents Ralph andLillian Gremil‐lion. Ida’sthree children wereher prideand joy: Perry Ducote (Tammy), Pam LeBlanc(Michael), and Troy Ducote (Danielle). She wasa loving grand‐mothertoBrooke Schnadelbach(Richy), BrandiSmith (Jerrod), Jason West (Lara),Victoria Ducote, DevinDucote, Lau‐ren Adams(Keith),Stephen Ducote(Lauren), Catherine Ducote, Nicole Keating, and Elizabeth Boudreaux. She was also blessedwith manygreat-grandchildren: Madison Smith, Laurel Smith,Silas Ducote,Alice Adams,AugustAdams, Arlen Adams, LillianJones, Maxilliam Hale,Ethan Jr Barnett, EanBarnett, and KaiaLedet;and onegreatgreat-grandson, Dominic Smith.She also leaves be‐hindher sister,JeanSalta‐lamachia; hertwo sistersin-law, Voncille Gremillion and Kathleen Gremillion; aswellasmanynieces, nephews,lifelongfriends, and allwho lovedher.Ida truly nevermet astranger. Idawas adevoted parish‐ioner of St.Edward’s Catholic Church for61 years.She lovedher family and friends, enjoyedread‐ing thenewspaper,travel‐ing,and especially cook‐ing.Her love of cooking lived on throughher chil‐drenand grandchildren, withtwo of them becom‐ing chefsbecause of their beloved Nonnie’s influ‐ence. Sheisnow at peace inHeavenwiththe love of her life sincethe ageof16, her RJ,orasshe lovingly calledhim,“Baby,” whom she dearly missed. Mom, go find Daddy on his

mountain andliveineter‐nal peacetogether.One day,wewillall meet both ofyou there. Relativesand friends areinvited to at‐tendthe funeralservices onSaturday, April18, 2026 atGardenofMemoriesFu‐neral Home,4900 Airline Drive,Metairie, Louisiana 70001. Visitation will be heldfrom10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.,followedbya Catholic prayer service. Burialwilltakeplace im‐mediately after services in GardenofMemoriesCeme‐tery. To offeronlinecondo‐lences, send flowerstothe family, or planta tree in memoryofIda Gremillion Ducote, please visitwww gardenofmemoriesmetairi e.com

Joseph DougherFrey‐holtz wasbornonSeptem‐ber 6, 1967, in Minneapolis Minnesota.Helater made Louisiana hishome, where hemet theloveofhis life, Kalin RaeFreyholtz.A proud Army veteran, Josephservedhis country acrossthe globe. He spent muchofhis career as a wheel vehiclemechanic, later bringing hisskillsto the NewOrleans VA,in HVAC. He ultimately landed his dreamjob as theEmer‐gency Management Spe‐cialist at theNew Orleans VA, continuing hisdedica‐tiontoserving others.Joe had an unconditionallove for thoseclosest to him. He loved deeply,fully,and qui‐etly, in away noteveryone got to see. To allwho knew him though,hewas kind and generous.Hewas will‐ing to teachanyoneand everyonea newskill,a the‐ory,ora life lesson.Hehad a steady strength andsup‐port. He wasalwaysa shouldertoleanon, a phone call away,ora much needed listeningear.He was stubborn in thebest ways, hada goofyspirit, and he wasalwaysopento learningsomething new. Joe enjoyedmakingmemo‐rieswithhis family, riding 4-wheelers, taking thelong way,and fixing everything Heissurvivedbyhis won‐derfulwife, Kalin;amazing childrenDaniel(Sam),Jor‐dan (Ashley),Jason (Tèa), Casey,and Shania;7 beau‐tiful grandchildrenEli,Kyla, Joey, Owen,Vivian, Maria, and Dahlia;brothersMar‐lin,John(Emily),David (Leodith),Mike(Michelle), Peter (Lisa),and Riley (Leah); sistersMary(Tom) Ann-Marie (Erik),and Therese;mother, Mary Dougher;and many nieces nephews,and cousins. He was preceded in deathby his father Marlin Freyholtz (Traci).Joe wasalsosur‐rounded by many dear friends,eachofwhomhe cherished as chosen fam‐ily.Family, friends, andoth‐ers whose livesJoe touched arewelcome to attenda celebrationoflife atGardenofMemoriesFu‐neral Home,4900 Airline Dr.,Metairie, LA.70001, on Saturday, April18, at 11:00 am. Therewillbean“afterparty”atSwamp Room in Metairie. Joeasked that everyonewearbrightcol‐ors andjoinustoremi‐nisce,grieve, supportone another,and celebratethe lifeofJoe.Inhonor of Sex‐ual AssaultAwareness Month,and in lieu of flow‐ers,pleaseconsidermak‐ing adonationinJoe’s nametoSexualTrauma Awareness &Responseat www.star.ngo.

DonaldJoseph Gennaro passedaway peacefullyin hishomeonThursday April 9, 2026, at theage of 92. He wasanative of New Orleansand aresident of Metairie. He is survived by hisbeloved wife of 68 years, Linda Chatelain

and

Champagne, Rami Lynn

ElizabethJude

Freyholtz, Joseph Dougher

Cosse’, Aline MariaThompson

Gennaro; hisson, Michael Gennaro (Deborah),his daughter, Lucy Nourse (David),

hisson Thomas Gennaro

(Katique); his 7grandchildren, Angela Beler (Patrick), Kristina Locascio (Anthony), Vincent Gennaro (Amy), Bridget Correa (Mark), Teresa Gennaro, Elizabeth Frantz (Brian), and Dominic Gennaro; his 9greatgrandchildren, Philip, Luca, Grace, Cecilia, Michael, Nicolo, Alice, Julia, and Audrey; hissisters, Victoria Fuselier and Flora Bealer; his brother, John Gennaro (Sandy); and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Calogero Gennaro and Ignazia Bonsignore Gennaro, and his sister Jacquline Caire. Don remained very close with his extended family of cherished cousins in Sciacca, Sicily who upon hearing of his death held aMassin Sciacca dedicated in his honor. Don retired from National/Canal Villere after35years of service and built athriving tire shop business in his spare time He was amember of the first graduating class in Auto Mechanics from Delgado Trades School in 1957. Don was astrong yet gentle man with a fierce work ethic and optimistic spirit who was loved by all he encountered. He was very devout in his Catholic faith and always carried and prayed his Rosary. Don loved spending time with his family and served as arole model and trusted advisor, offering support, guidance, and mentorshiptoall. His passions were fishing and promoting his Italian Heritage He was acharter member of the East Jefferson Italian American Society, where he held officer positions including President and Corresponding Secretary, and was recognized with the organizations Man of the Year Award in 1992 and President's Award in 1997.

He chaired EJIAS participation in the Irish Italian Parade for many years and led numerous casino bus trips to the Gulf Coast as part of the EJIAS fund-raising activities. Don was also honored by the AmericanItalian Federation of the Southeast with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999. Relatives and friends are invited to attend funeral services on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA. Visitation will be held from 10:00AM12:00PM. Mass begins at 12:00PM. Interment will follow in Metairie Cemetery.

Gerard, Modella H.

Modella H. Gerard was born on January 13, 1926, in St. Martinville, LA. to the late Duplainand Cecile Francois Gerard. She entered eternal rest on April 7, 2026, at the age of 100. She leaves to mourn her passing, her children, Rodney Gerard, Duplantis Gerard (Nedra), Romel Clayton (Stanley) and Cheryl Mendy (Edward); grandchildren, Tamika Tripeaux, Jovan Clayton, Mikyala Clayton, Christopher Gerard, Reginald Gerard, Nia Mendy, GabrielleMendy Jayna Gerard, and Jadyn Gerard, great-grandchildren and ahost of nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her siblings: Juanita Mallery, Edna Anthony, Rose Pierre, Moderon Gerard, Cecile Wiltz, Lucille Pierre and Modeste Albert. AMass of Christian burial will be held on April 18, 2026, in St. Martinville,LA at Notre Dame Catholic Church at 11:00am.

Graham,Clemon

band,father, grandfather, great grandfather, Uncle, brother,son,and great man of valor. Clemon Gra‐ham,bornJanuary 3, 1939, inAthens, Louisiana, is the son of Bessie“Deleon Wrightand Rev. Wesley Graham; grandson of Cor‐nelia Washington Graham and Rev. JamesHenry Gra‐ham;great-grandsonof JaneJohnson andThomas Washington. Clemon en‐tered into theheavenly realm of ancestorsApril 7, 2026 andwillbememorial‐izedApril 17, 2026. Raised ona farm, baptized at Pine Grove Baptist Church Clemonexcelledacademi‐cally,graduatingasclass valedictorian.His favorite cousin, EffieLee Milner servedashis personal se‐curityduringhis school years.Upongraduation, Clemonenlistedinthe UnitedStatesNavy, under‐going training in SanDiego, California, under Company 221 at USSMTMcKinley (AGC7). As anaval recruit, heacquiredvaluableexpe‐riencethatpreparedhim for hisfuturecareer. After nineweeks of training,he was commissioned as a MailPetty Officer, laterbe‐cominga 193Radio Opera‐tor anda NavalDisc Jockey, spreadingjoy to the world throughhis knowledge andpassion for music across theairways Clemonservedinthe Viet‐nam War, with his final dutyassignmentin Comeight, NewOrleans His military servicere‐sultedinnumerousaccom‐modations,including:a Clemonreceivedthe Na‐tionalDefense Medal, Viet‐nam ServiceMedal,Repub‐lic of Vietnam Campaign Medal,and Meritorious UnitCommendationMedal Hewas honorablydis‐charged on January31, 1972, duetoa physical dis‐ability.Clemonserveda total of 14 years, 6months, and 14 days in active ser‐vice, plus 3years,4 months, and11daysinfor‐eign/SeaService.His final rankwas E-6inthe U.S. Navy. Hissuperiorperfor‐mance andleadershipex‐periencemadehim essen‐tialtothe US Navy.For his service,we say, “Job Well Done!”After hishonorable discharge,Clemonworked for McDermottIndustries, built walkingtrailsasa ParkRangeratJeanLafitte NationalPark, andspent over17years dedicatedin service to theLoyolaMain PostOffice under Pay-Lo‐cation213, processing and sorting ourlocal mail.He never missed aday of work. Clemon wasthe youngestofRev.Wesley and Bessie Graham.He was preceded in deathby his four brothers:Willie Graham, FrankGraham, Joe NealGraham, andWilbert Graham, andthree sisters: Leona Graham Gilbert, Vera BeatriceGrahamKelly,and VonnieGrahamDouglas RuthieShine,his sister of Shreveport, LA (98years old)ishis only surviving sibling.Clemonentered intoholymatrimony to Elouise AlexanderJune27, 1981. From this Unionthree surviving children were born; Clemon Joseph Gra‐ham (Valerie), Ramona CherieGraham, andTracey Elizabeth Graham Taylor One granddaughterby ClemonthAnastasia Williams (Cody) Great Grandson Cody Jr.and Great Grand-daughter Caleigh Three Grandchil‐drenbyRamona, Eugene Eric RidgleyJr.,Sydneé ReneRidgley,and Ashley JadaWhitney-Graham. One Great Granddaughterby Eugene, EyanaAzari Ridg‐ley.Clemonwillbemissed and foreverloved by his familyand friends. Rela‐tives andfriends of the familyare invitedtoattend the funeralservice on Fri‐day,April 17, 2026 at Greater St.Peter Mission‐ary BaptistChurch 182W St. PeterSt.,Belle Chasse LA. 70037. Thevisitation willbegin at 8AMfollowed bya 10AMservice.Dr. Dar‐nellSmith Sr.willofficiate and entombment will fol‐low in Westlawn Cemetery inGretna. Funeralplanning entrusted to Robinson FamilyFuneralHome. For onlinecondolences please visit www.robinsonfamilyf uneralhome.com

Graves,Mildred

atives andfriends.Pre‐ceded in deathbyher par‐entsNoahCastonand Noema Warren Caston Stallings,siblingsJessie Mae,WillieJames,Lillie Mae,Bobby andLarry (sons). Family andfriends are invitedtoattend the Celebration of Life Service onSaturday, April18, 2026 for 10:00 a.m. at Pleasant ValleyMissionaryBaptist Church,5919 Morrison Road, NewOrleans,LA 70126. Visitation will begin at9:00a.m.Rev.Dr. Regi‐naldO.Varnado,Sr.,Senior Pastor, Officiating. Intern‐mentwillfollowatMt. OlivetCemetery, 4000 Nor‐man MayerStreet,New Or‐leans,LA70122. Guestbook Online: www.anewtraditi onbegins.com(504)2820600. Linear BrooksBoyd and DonavinD.BoydOwn‐ers/FuneralDirectors

Serina (Sarina) Dione Hamilton, age 54, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Texas, surrounded by her sons and loving family Born April 9, 1971, in NewOrleans, Louisiana, she was thedaughter of AudreyHamilton and the lateEdward Williams. She graduated from L.E. RabouinHighSchool and workedmany years at Charity/University Hospital, where she built lasting relationshipswith coworkers and patients.

She was theloving mother of Carl Hamilton (TaylorHamilton), Carlos Reils(ElizabethReils), KennethDouglas Jr.(Sylvia -Aiyu Chen), and bonus son Leonard Hampton Sheisalso survivedby her grandchildrenKenneth Chen, KarterDouglas, KamilaDouglas, Carliyah Hamilton, Carly Hamilton, Carmyn Hamilton, Kianna Reils, Jewel Reils, and Sarina Reils.

She leaves to cherish her memory her mother AudreyHamilton and siblings Carolyn Hamilton, Ezekiel Hamilton, Angela Hamilton, Eileene Hamilton, Edward Hamilton, Bernice Hamilton, Estevan Hamilton, Latrica Hamilton, Ethan Hamilton, Charlene Stafford, Terrence Evans, and Gregory Vassar.

She was preceded in death by her father Edward Williams, sister CynthiaHamilton,godchild Keron Briggs of New Orleans, and her beloved dogCoco

FuneralService will be held at Richardson Funeral Home,11112 Jefferson Hwy., RiverRidge, LouisianaonSaturday, April 18, 2026. Viewing: 12:00pm. Service:12:30pm

Arrangements entrusted to Richardson Funeral Home of Jefferson, River Ridge,LA. www.richardson funeralhomeofjefferson.co m.

(Jared)Barthelemy, Eric (Nicole)Carter, andAqudia Harvey. Sheisalsosur‐vived by ahostofaunts, uncles, nieces,nephews, and otherrelatives.She was preceded in deathby her stepfather,William V. Bartholomew Sr.; her grandparents, JuliaHarvey, EarlJ.Harvey, Dymond Thomas, andBuelah Thomas; heruncles, Regi‐nald, Ferlin,and Jarrett Harvey, Lawrence,Floyd and Morris Thomas;and her aunts, RachaelHarvey, Yvonne Bienemy, Annabelle Taylor,Annamae Thomas, andRolana Ragas.Relatives and friends of thefamilyare in‐vited to attend thefuneral service on Saturday,April 18, 2026 at St.Thomas Catholic Church,17605 Hwy.15, Pointe àlaHache, LA70082. Thevisitationwill begin at 9a.m.followedby an11a.m.service offici‐atedbyFatherSampson Abduli.Entombmentwill followinSt. Thomas Church Cemetery.Funeral planningentrusted to RobinsonFamilyFuneral Home. Online condolence atRobinsonfamilyfuneral‐home.com.

Hirschey III, Christopher Eric ChristopherEric HirscheyIII peacefully passedawayinthe arms of his parentsonFriday, April 3,2026, at OchsnerBaptist Hospital. Christophercame intothe livesofKelli and EricHirscheyonMarch 21, 2026. From themomenthe entered theworld,hewas cherished beyond mea‐sure. Hisfamilysur‐rounded himwithlove, staying faithfully by his sideeachand everyday Theyreadtohim and spoke to himdaily,ensur‐ing he always knew com‐fort, warmth,and the sound of familiar voices.In those quietmoments,he was neveralone.Though small in size,hemadean immeasurable impact on the hearts of thosewho loved him. Christopherwill beforever missedand loved by hisparents;his grandmother,JaniceCross; his grandparents,Claire and ChrisHirschey; his aunts, Rachel Westphal (Branden) andCaroline Gardner (Kyle);and his cousin, Henry. Christo‐pher’sfamilywillholda private serviceinhis honor and memory on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Garden of Memories.

ShuttleCompany arein‐vited to attend.Profes‐sionalservicesentrusted to LittlejohnFuneral Home

Johnson,Carla L. 'Trisha'

CarlaL.Johnson affec‐tionatelyknown as Trisha enteredintoeternal rest April8,2026. Shewas born on November 7, 1962, to the late Rose MariePearson andCurry PearsoninNew Orleans, Louisiana. Carla wasraisedinNew Orleans, where sheacceptedChrist at an earlyage at Historic Second BaptistChurch under theleadershipofthe late Rev. Thomas N. Wash‐ington.She laterattended Living WitnessBaptist Church under theleader‐ship of thelateRev.Har‐rell, andjoinedIsraelite BaptistChurch under the leadership of Rev. Em‐manuelSmith Jr., where sheservedfaithfullyin many capacities.She at‐tended John McDonogh High School andfurthered hereducation at Delgado CommunityCollege,where sheearneda degree in Business. Sheleavesto cherishher loving memo‐ries:daughter, BreneJohn‐son(GilbertCaine); her loving sisters, CindyPear‐son(RichardMorris),Car‐menPearson,and Donna Johnson(Ivory) alongwith ahostofcousins,nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. Relativesand Friendsofthe Family,also Pastor,Officers andMem‐bers of IsraeliteBaptist Church areall invitedtoat‐tend theFuneral Serviceon Friday,April 17, 2026 at 11:00am at IsraeliteBaptist Church 2100 Martin Luther King,Jr. Blvd.NOLA70113. Visitation will beginat 9:00am.Burialwillbepri‐vate.ProfessionalArrange‐mentsentrusted to Majes‐ticMortuary(504) 523-5872.

Earline Joseph 'Mama'

EarlineJoseph Mackneal,Age 84, departed this life on Wednesday April 8, 2026, Wife of the Late Eddie Mackneal Earlineissurvived by Children, Grandchildren andahost, otherrelatives. HomegoingCelebration Service will be held on Saturday April 18, 2026, at 12:00 noon at Rescue Misson B.C. 361 E14th St Reserve, La., Rev. DevinK MasonPastor Officiating IntermentinZionTravelers Cemetery Reserve, La., Viewingfrom10:00am until Service time Professional Service entrustedtocaringstaff of Hobson Brown Funeral Home 134 Daisy Street Garyville,La70051

Eva Belle Simmons Johnson wasbornJanuary 9, 1933 in Pike County, Mississippi to thelate Alberta Varnado Simmons andthe lateWalter Simmons.She enteredinto eternalrest on Friday, April 3, 2026 at the age of 93. Devotedwife to thelate Rev. JamesW.Johnson Loving motherofShelia JohnsonTabb (late Charles), Rosemary JohnsonThigpen (Michael), Sikandra JohnsonClark, Stanley Johnson(Rebecca),the lateBruce Johnsonand the lateJames Anthony Johnson (Sonia) .Sisterof thelateJessye Kaigler, the lateMary Spencer, thelate AnnieS.Williams, andthe lateWebb Simmons.She will be sadlymissedby8 grandchildrenand 10 great grandchildren, 2sisters-inlaw anda host of nieces, nephews, cousin and friends. Family, friends,Pastors, members and officers of NewSaint MatthewBaptist Church andWordofTruth Fellowship are invited to attendthe Home Going Celebrationtobeheld Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Word of Truth Fellowship, 5333 Tullis Drive,New Orleans, Louisiana 70131. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM

JosephineBarcelona Melansonentered eternal restonFriday, April10, 2026, at theage of 86 Beloved wife of thelate ClaudeMelanson, Sr.for 26 years.Daughterofthe late GiovanniBarcelona and Concetta Chimento Barcelona.Lovingand de‐voted mother of Darleen Perez (Ralph), Claude Melanson, Jr.(Debbie)and DarrenMelanson(Donna). Beloved grandmotherof Mandy,Shane,Andrew, Kristin,Rebecca andDal‐ton.Great Grandmotherof Claudia,Micah,Madison Gaige,Nina, Rowenand Aleister. GreatGreat Grandmother of Ava, Lydia and Sutton.Beloved sister ofthe late RosalieDixon, TudyBridges andMaria Dominick. Josephineisalso survivedbymanynieces and nephews. Shewas borninAlia Sicily,Italy and lived in Marrero, Louisiana for 75 years. Shewas the HeadChefatthe Four Columns in Harvey, Louisiana forover30years She lovedtosew,readand cook;but most of allshe loved spending time with her family. Josephinewas anactiveparishioner of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.Family and friendsare invitedto attend theVisitationat MOTHE FUNERALHOME, 7040 LapalcoBlvd, Marrero, Louisiana on Saturday, April 18, 2026, beginningat 9AM until1PM.A Funeral MasswillbeheldatSt. Cle‐tus Catholic Church,3600 ClaireAvenue,Gretna, Louisiana on Saturday at 1:30PM. Intermentwillbe inWestlawnMemorialPark Cemetery, Gretna, Louisiana.The familyin‐vites youtoshare thoughts, fond memories and condolencesonlineat mothefunerals.com

MildredGravespassed awayonMarch 28,2026, at the age of 96. Mildred GravesissurvivedbyLaura Rose, Carletta andManuel Graves(Betty). Also sur‐vivedbya host of otherrel‐

Triquila TrinellHarvey entered eternalreston March 31, 2026, at theage of43. Shewas thebeloved daughterofCharlotte Bartholomew andLloyd Thomas, andthe cherished stepdaughterofthe late WilliamV.Bartholomew,Sr. A lifelong resident of Pointeà la Hache, Louisiana,onthe east bank ofPlaquemines Parish, Triquilawas aproud grad‐uateofPhoenix High School.She will be remem‐bered forher love of fam‐ily,her strength,and the lasting impact shehad on all who knew her. Triquila leavestocherish hermem‐ories hersiblings: Lashara (Orbon) Tinson,Lloyd Tenasha,Shaquanna,Stan (Kailyn)Harvey, Tyrell Gary(Kimberly), Danyell (Sheri),William Bartholomew, Jennifer

Well done thygood and faithfulservant!OnTues‐day,April 7, 2026, Alvin JeanJohnson transitioned fromthisearthly domain to the placeGod prepared for him.Alvin Jean Johnson was born on May7,1948, in Wisner,Louisiana to the lateGeorge“Tuff" Johnson and AlbertaPierceJohn‐son,hewas baptizedatan early ageatNew Light Baptist Church under the leadershipofthe late Rev‐erend LM Major, he was the ninthofelevenchil‐dren. Alvinwas preceded indeath by nine of hissib‐lings:BessieMae Brown, AnnieMae Johnson, Viola Finister, A.W.,George, Ernest, Dennis,A.J Lannie and RoyJohnson.Alvin was aSaintsand Pelicans fan he rarely misseda gameonTV, he wasa quiet storm.Alvin attended Wis‐ner-GilbertHighSchool where he wasa member of the basketball team and oncechaired hishigh school reunion committee Heretired from NewOr‐leans AirportShuttleand Nabisco after many years ofservice.Heleavesto cherish hispreciousmem‐ories:his wife Carol, daughters:Kenisha,Syde‐ria (Derrick), granddaugh‐ters: Kennedy,Syndeeand a host of nieces,nephews and otherrelatives and friends.The Johnsonand ShilohMissionaryBaptist Church familywillcele‐brate andhonor thelife and legacy of AlvinJean Johnson at ShilohMission‐ary BaptistChurch,1419 4th Street,Westwego, Louisiana 70094, on Satur‐day,April 18, at 10 am.Pas‐tor WoodrowHayden, offi‐ciating.Private burial.Visi‐tationfrom9 am -10am. Employees of West Jeffer‐son MedicalCenter, Bay‐sideRehabilitationCenter andNew OrleansAirport

Jordan,Merriola Hymel

Merriola HymelJordan. Leaves to mourn loving grandson Marcus Jordan devoted nieceCassandra Touchard(Larry), Nephew AnthonyCamus(Sarah) andahostofrelativesand friends. GravesideApril 17th at 1130am. Mount Olivet Cemetery,NOLA. Repast: 6978 MartinNOLA

Granson“UncleTam” OwneyJr. wasbornat homeonApril 17, 1956 to the late GransonSr. and Ollie Dean Owney. Granson was theyoungestchild and onlyson to hislovingpar‐ents. He wasraisedinthe uptownareaofNew Or‐leans.His life wasguided bya pathwayofloveand faith that hismotherhad for himsince birth. After Granson's mother passed, his care,stability,and lifestyle were passeddown through twogenerations; his sister,Gwendolyn and thentohis nieceTina (Marie'sDaughter).His life was atestimony to how God provides,protectsand takes care of Hischildren. ThroughoutGranson’s life hewas able to expresshis feelings andemotions throughhis actions, that

Loving,kind, sponta‐neous,compassionate, courageous, confident protective, provider,lover ofmusic,historian,phe‐nomenalcook/chef, hus‐ See more DEATHS page

Mackneal,

Hamilton, Serina Dione

Melanson,Josephine Barcelona

Johnson,Eva Belle

Johnson,Alvin Jean

OwneyJr.,Granson

'Uncle Tam'

Harvey,TriquilaTrinell

OPINION

State’snextcoastal plan needsmoretransparency

Louisiana’scurrent administration is gambling with ourcoast —but they aren’t using chips. Instead, they’re wagering our livelihoods,culture, infrastructure and economy Our Sportsman’sParadise is disappearing faster than almost anywhere in the world. Every hour,we lose wetlands that protect our communities, sustain our fisheries and support our economy.Inthe 20 yearssince Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana’sCoastal MasterPlan has served as the state’sroad map to confront that reality.Built on science,long-term planning and extensive public engagement,the master plan has guided billionsof dollarsininvestments to restore and protect our coast. As long as Louisiana has been thinkingabout thebest waysto save our coast, reconnecting the Mississippi River to our wetlands has been acore pillar.Alandmark 1993 stateplan said, “The Mississippi River builtmost of the coastal wetlands in Louisiana, and in it lies the best hope for restoring wetlands that have been lost in recent decades.” Our Coastal Master Plan made sedimentdiversions central to building and sustaining new land. Today,that road map has been tossed aside, rolling the dice for our future. Over the past year, Gov.Jeff Landry and stateleader-

Simone

Maloz GUEST COLUMNIST

ship halted the Mid-Barataria and Mid-Bretonsediment diversions, large projects decades in developmentthat werecentral to the state’sstrategy to build and sustain more wetlands. The decision to cancel them was disappointingand unpopular, but what comes next is also worth paying attention to. Since halting thediversions, no detailed alternative strategyhas been presented to coastal communities. No updated modeling has been publicly released. No clear timelinefor any alternative project hasbeen outlined. The public has not heardhow the state plans to address acceleratingland loss after turning away from our single greatest resource —the Mississippi River

The concern is not just about onedecision in one place —it is about what comes next and whether our coastal program, long defined by transparency,will continuetogarner the public’s trust. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) was designed to operate in the open,with public board meetings, detailed planning documents and regular updates that allowed communities,fishermen, scientists andlocal leaders to understand howdecisionswere being made. That transparency helped build trust in aprogram responsible for managing billions in restoration

Alight brown plume of Mississippi River sediment flowsout into the Gulf off the coast of south LouisianainApril 2025.

funding, including funds from theDeepwater Horizon oil spill settlement— dollars entrusted to Louisianatorebuild wetlands, restore natural defenses and protect communities that depend on ahealthy coast.

Louisianavoters have expected transparency —and they still do. Arecent statewide poll found overwhelming support: 98% say thestate should clearly explain how it plans to use theremaining Deepwater Horizon funds, and 93% say thepublic should be able to see how coastal restoration dollars are being spent.

La.’stimberindustryhas afuture

andmustact nowtosupport it

Louisiana’stimber industry is atacritical turning point. For generations, forestry has beenone of the economic backbonesofour state, especially in north Louisiana. Families like mine have builttheir livelihoodsaround logging, trucking and landmanagement. But today,that foundation is weakening —not because our forests are failing,but because our marketsare.

When major changes such as these diversion cancellations are madetothe Coastal Master Plan, thepublic deserves to understand the strategy behind those decisions. In instances where we can no longer rebuild as much land, thestate needs to be honest about that, too. These decisions affect our ability to withstand storms, influence insurance rates and challenge economic development. The public deserves to see the analysis behind those decisions. Andthe CPRA board should have theopportunity to publicly review thepath ahead, with stakeholder

input shaping it. The stakes could not be higher The Barataria Basin has already lost avast amount of land, with storms, subsidence and rising seas accelerating the problem Without reconnecting the Mississippi River,this loss will continue, placing morecommunities, fisheries and critical infrastructure at risk.

Louisiana’scoast supports thousands of jobs in fisheries, energy, shipping and tourism. It provides storm protection formillions of residents and billions of dollars in infrastructure that makeita national security priority.The decisions being madetoday will shape our state forgenerations. Small-scale projects won’t cut it —atough lesson learned after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Doubling downonhalf-measures is not astrategy; it’sabad bet.

Every day,month and year we delay action, moreland disappears. Every year without aclear strategy that utilizes the power of the river makes the challenge harder to solve. Every hurricane season without acritical line of defense makes us morevulnerable. Our coast is too important to gamble away.Louisiana deserves aclear plan and atransparent path ahead.

SimoneMaloziscampaign director forRestore the Mississippi River Delta coalition.

Warrepeats past mistakes

gallon compared to this time last year

Jeffrey Lasiter GUEST COLUMNIST

Over the past several decades, Louisiana has lost a significant portion of itswoodusing infrastructure. Mill closures across north Louisiana have reduced demand for fiber,leavinga growing supply of timber withoutamarket. While our forests continuetothrive andproduce, the outlets that once supportedthem have steadily disappeared.This imbalance is putting real pressure on thepeople who dependonthis industry

The effects are being felt farbeyondthe woods. Logging crews are strugglingto stay in business. Trucking companies areseeing fewer loads. Landowners are receiving less for their timber.Small businesses in rural communities are feeling theimpact. In places like LaSalle Parish andsurrounding areas, this is no longer just an industry issue —itisacommunityone. Whenfiber demand drops, jobs are lost,local economies shrink and families are forced to make difficultdecisions abouttheir future.

At the same time, Louisiana has aclear opportunity in front of it.

We are uniquelypositioned to lead in emerging fiber markets such as woodpellet manufacturing, biomass energy andpelletto-power initiatives.

Our statehas one of thestrongest and most sustainable timberbases in the country. We have askilled workforce already in place,existing infrastructure that canbe expanded and accesstobothdomestic and international markets. The foundationis here;wesimply need to build onit. Other southern states are already doing this. Through incentives, policy supportand aggressiveeconomic development efforts, they are attracting new fiber-usingindustriesand strengtheningtheir forestry sectors. Louisiana cannot afford to fall behind while others move forward.

FILEPHOTO

A25-ton log crane at the Amite BioEnergy facilityofDrax Biomass moveswood from the wood yard to the stem deck, where thewood is positioned for bark removaland chipping.

Expanding marketslike pellet-to-power could help restore demand for low-grade timber,which is essential to keeping logging operations viable. These industries have the potential to create and sustain hundreds of jobs, increase fiber demand across the state andbring new economic activity to rural parishes that need it most. They also offer an opportunity to strengthen our energy sector by providing reliable, renewable power using resources we already have.

The state must takeamore active role in making this happen. That meanspursuing stronger incentive programs, recruiting fiber-using industries and exploring ways to integrate biomass energy into our existing power infrastructure. It also meanslisteningdirectly to thepeople working in the timberindustry, those who see these challenges every day and understand what is needed to fix them.

If action is not taken, the situation will continuetoworsen. More jobs will be lost, more businesses will closeand morecommunities will feel thestrain. This is not a problem that will solve itself. It requires leadership and awillingness to think differently about how we use our resources.

Louisiana’stimber industry has supported generations of families,including mine. With the right approach, it can continue to do so forgenerations to come. Butthat future depends on thedecisions we make today

Jeffrey Lasiter is afifth-generationlogger from LaSalle Parish.

The United States has engaged in a war of choice with Iran that does little to make the Middle East asafer place. Americans pay theprice for President Donald Trump’sforeign-policychoices in the form of risks to U.S. service personnel, mounting national debt and higher prices. Talks in Pakistanare achance to make thebest of abad situation. At Tulane University, Iteach students about the politics of U.S. policy towardthe Middle East. Students learn about thearroganceand ignorance that led theBush administration to invade Iraq in 2003, andthe political and economic consequences of thatwar at home and abroad. We have made the same mistakes again.

Groceries will getmore expensive as well, with higherdiesel prices increasing the cost of shipping and higher fertilizer prices. And tourists might think twice about flights to NewOrleans if airlines pass along the cost of jet fuel —upalmost 100% since the start of the war. Louisiana’sconsiderable natural gas production won’thelp residents weather the storm. Energy flows to whoever pays the most, meaning our local power plants have to compete with the highest bidders both here and abroad.

Andrew Leber GUEST COLUMNIST

There was no imminent threat from Iran when Trump joined Israel in attacking the country.Nuclear negotiations were ongoing, seeking the “better deal” that the president has promised since he toreupaU.S.-Iran nuclear deal in 2018. The White House had already claimed that U.S. strikes had “obliterated”Iran’snuclear program, and thatsaying otherwisewas “fake news.”

Trump authorized alarge-scale military operation without consulting Congress or making acoherent case to the American people. Heand many of his advisersprobably expected an easy victory —killing afew Iranian leaders and striking aquick deal with the survivors. Instead, the Iranian regime hasconsolidated its hold on power while keeping up asteady response of missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases, Israeli cities and key infrastructure of nearby oil-producing states like theUnited Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Iranian attacks and threats have sharply reduced theflow of oil, natural gas and key productslike fertilizers out of the PersianGulf. This bottleneck and associated costincreases will create aglobal economic crisis

Already,natural gas shortagesare pushing poorer Indian communities back towardburning wood and coal, while fishermen in thePhilippines are being kept in port by high dieselprices. Louisianans will payfor this as well. Per statisticscollected by AAA, regular gasoline prices are up by about $1 per

The cost of this warisn’tjust economic. Iranian strikes and related combat have killed 13 U.S. service personnel as well as dozens of citizens of Israel and dozens of individuals in neighboring Gulf monarchies. Hundreds more have been wounded.

At the same time, “targeted” U.S. and Israeli strikes have reportedly killed over 1,700 Iranian civilians, including more than 165 schoolgirls killed when aU.S. missile struck aprimary school. Over 2,000 militants and civilians were killed in Lebanon by related Israeli airstrikes before atenuous cease-fire. There is no military solution to this conflict. While the president has threatened to restart the wariftalks do not get oil flowing again, Iran can respond by attacking land-based pipelines that currently allow at least some oil to get out.

Putting “boots on the ground” to seize Iranian oil facilities or patrol Iran’scoastline might satisfy the president’sego in the short term, but would put thousands more troops within reach of Iranian drones and missileswith little chance of success.

The president should pursue the diplomatic offrampinPakistan to strike adeal with Iran that resolves this crisis before it gets even worse. Officials like Sens. Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy should encourage the president to take this offramp, before more U.S. troops are in harm’sway and before higher oil prices lead to inflation.

Andrew Leber is an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science and Middle East&North African Studies at Tulane University

STAFF FILE PHOTOByCHRIS GRANGER

COMMENTARY

ISSUE OF THE WEEK JD VANCE

Vice President JD Vance has supportedPresidentDonald Trump’sagenda in everyway possible, butifhehopes for ashot at the presidency in 2028,Vanceneeds to find away to distinguishhimself from his boss.With the warinIran at astalemate, the president has putVance in the unenviable position of negotiating adealtoend the conflict.Americans aredivided aboutthe war, and afaction of Republicans believe it goes against Trump’s America First agenda.What must Vancedoifhehopes to unite the party behind him? Here are twoperspectives.

JD Vancemustbekinder, andgentler than Trump

The future is another country,glimpsed only faintly in the distance, itscontours difficult to discern, its political landscape hard to imagine, especially at atime when the nation is consumed witha warinthe Middle East, inflation in economic affairs and quickly changing domestic circumstances. Those rapid transformations are affecting the politics of the future in profound ways, some of which couldn’thave been anticipated even ayear ago. The factors shaping this swiftly changing country are beginning to come into focus. Here are some of them:

win another one later and finally became winners; think Ronald Reagan, George H.W.Bush and Joe Biden. Butmany of them still didn’tbecome president. This group includes John McCain (he lost to Barack Obama, 2008), Mitt Romney (he also lost to Obama, 2012) and Hillary RodhamClinton (she lost to Mr.Trump, 2016).

It’s ahardroadto2028 forthe vice president

David Shribman

—Chocolate and butter In the 1930s, when Communist forces were deeply involved in the Spanish Civil War, there were complaints (quietly)lodged against Josef Stalin that residentsofthe Soviet Union were deprived of, amongmany others, these two domestic goods while funds and resources werediverted to Loyalist combatants on the Iberian peninsula

There’snoshortage of chocolate or butter in the United States. But theIran War-inspired chokepoint of the Straitof Hormuz has sent gasoline prices soaring, causing pain at the pump;every time a motorist passes aservice station andsees asign displaying fuel prices, there’speril for Donald Trump and theRepublicans

The war also is boosting thecost of fertilizer, much of which cannot traverse the Strait, affecting costsinthe Farm Belt, a Republican political redoubt,and meaning ever-highergrocery prices

Play it again, Sam (or Samantha) Severalalso-rans are considering 2028 presidential campaigns. Thehistory isn’t encouraging.

Yes, Thomas Jefferson,William Henry Harrison, Richard Nixon and, of course, the two figures who served nonconsecutive White House terms, GroverCleveland and Mr.Trump, did win the presidency after winning earlier presidential nominations but losing the general election.

But many who won apresidential nomination, and then another one, did notprevail in the end.

Today,Gov.Adlai Stevenson of Illinois is nearly forgotten but he was the Democratic nominee (1952, 1956) only tolose both times. The same occurred with Gov. Thomas Dewey of New York (1944, 1948). William Jennings Bryan of Nebraska did even worse and was athree-time loser (1896, 1900, 1908). So was Henry Clay of Kentucky,whose trifectaofdefeat included three nominations from three different parties (1824, 1832,1844)

It is true that some WhiteHouse aspirants have lost anomination fight only to

Overall, this brisk walk through historymight be sobering for some onetime losers —Senator TedCruz, SecretaryofState Marco Rubio andformer Vice President Kamala Harris —who still may have White House ambitions.

—Kinder,Gentler When George H.W.Bush was inaugurated, he looked ahead to acountry that was “kinder, gentler.”

That prompted Nancy Reagan to sneer, “Kinder,gentler than whom?” Her husband was,infact, akind and gentle man Even hismost ardent admirers acknowledgethat Trumpisnot.

Whichprovides aconundrum for the next Republican nominee.

Trump’scelebration of the death of formerFBI director RobertS.Mueller III, who as thespecial counsel investigating Russia’srole in the 2016 election, became thepresident’sprincipal first-term tormentor,was alow point in presidential character; none of Trump’spredecessors ever said of the deathofanopponent,“Good, I’m glad he’sdead.” Bill Clinton, who spent hiscollegeand law school years opposing Nixon’spolicies, sometimes bitterly,nonetheless eulogized the37th president at his funeral.

No one is president forever,though Franklin Delano Roosevelt might be considered to have shadowed several presidencies after he died: DemocratsHarry Truman, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson at the very least, and in away he shaped the presidencies of Dwight Eisenhower (whom Republican Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona dismissed as a proponent of what he called a“dime-store New Deal”) and Richard Nixon (who actually in his first termcontemplated aNew Deal-style income guarantee).

The candidates for the next Republican nomination —even if thewinner is JD Vance, or especially if, following the Bush precedent and success, it’s Vance —needs to carvea separate identity.Itvery likely will need to be akinder,gentler profile; a reprise of Trump-style resentment, grievance and cruel commentary will seem faintand repetitive at best,derivative and forced at worst

Email David Shribman at dshribman@ post-gazette.com.

Vice President JD Vance faced an impossible task trying to negotiate an end to the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. That Vance failed is no surprise, given Iran’sso-far implacable resistance to the demand that it abandon its nuclear weapons program.That, Vance said, is President Donald Trump’s“core goal” of the war.

“We’ve made very clear what our red lines are,” Vance told reporters after21hours of negotiations. “Wejust could not get to asituation where the Iranians were willing to accept our terms.”

come president. Most ascended to the job when the president died. Since the 1830s, just one —George H.W.Bush, whoserved under two-term President Ronald Reagan —has won the White House while serving as vice president. At the timeofBush’svictory,Reagan’s job approval wasover 50%, according to the Gallup Presidential Job Approval Center

Vance’sleading role in the talksattracted alot of comment, since he was well knowntohave been skeptical aboutstarting the war in the first place. Andthat fact —a vice president having to go along with an action he himself would never have initiated —highlights Vance’sfundamental problem as he hopes to succeed Trumpaspresident. As long as he is in his current job, Vance is stuck doing what Trumpwants him to do.

Twoother vice presidents Richard Nixon and Joe Biden werealso elected president, but both wereelected after leaving the office (Nixon foreight years and Biden forfour years). Other sitting vice presidents have run and lost —Nixon, when he ran as sitting vice president to follow Dwight Eisenhower in 1960; Hubert Humphrey in 1968; Al Gorein2000; and Kamala Harris in 2024. The bottom line is that it is incredibly hard foravice president to directly follow the president he or she serves into the top job. It’s not complicated.

Wayback in 1997, when Vice President Al Gore was preparing to run for president after serving twoterms under Bill Clinton, aperceptive Washington observer put the VP’sproblem this way: “Al Gore is locked in the trunk of Bill Clinton’scar.”

“If Bill Clinton’spresidency is troubled, then Al Gore is going to be troubled,” The Wall Street Journal’s PaulGigot continued. “And if Bill Clinton has awonderful second term,then it’sgoing to help Al Gore.” As it turned out, Clinton did not have awonderful second term —the Monica Lewinsky scandal took care of that —and Gore was not helped. Unable to escape the president’scar,Gore failed to win election in his ownright despite arecord of economic prosperity that under other circumstances would likely have prevailed.

Today,JDVance is locked in the trunk of Donald Trump’scar.Where Trumpgoes, Vance will go, too. Right now,the president’s job approval rating is 41.4%, according to the RealClearPolitics average of polls. Vance’s favorable rating is similar,40.9%. Perhaps those ratings will change dramatically for the better in coming months and years, but for Trumpatleast, the experience of the first Trumpadministration suggests they will not. Vance thepresidential candidate also faces atremendous burden of history. Fifteen vice presidents have be-

Americans often want to make changes, and asitting vice president running forpresident is asking them to keep things the same. Voters usually choose another path.

But Trumpisunique, somewill argue, and that might allow the TrumpVance ticket to escape historical determinism.Maybe. It is true that there has never been apresident like Trump, and there is no other person on the political scene today whohas anything like the singular characteristics that brought about Trump’sincredible political career.But that also includes Vance, whodoes not have Trump’s magic. And remember,even Trump could not wintwo elections in arow

One morething: Looking at Vance’s chances today,it’salways possible Democrats will do something absolutely crazy,such as starting to nominate asenile Biden and then running abait-and-switch to change the candidate to the highly unimpressive Harris, whobecame the mostrecent sitting vice president to not winthe top job.

There’snoway to predict if Democrats will messupagain, at least to that degree. It’s morelikely that, if Vance becomes the Republican nominee in 2028 —which itself is not anywhere near adone deal —hewill be in avery difficult race against history Email Byron York at byork@washingtonexaminer.com.

Byron York

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByJACQUELyN MARTIN

Vice PresidentJDVance arrives to speak at anewsconference after meetingwith representativesfrom Pakistan and Iran on SundayinIslamabad.

After some patchymorning fog,the weatherweexperienced yesterdaywewill seeagain today. Expect amostly sunny, warm, humid and breezyday.Temperatures this afternoon will be above average, rising to themid-80s.Winds will be southeasterlyat15 mph,bringing moisturefromthe Gulf. Humiditywill be high. Rain chances

is under either

were understood by hisen‐tirefamily. He leda life thatwas simple and gearedtowards love and pureinnocence.His fa‐voritemealwas neck bones with rice andgravy His favorite soda wascoke colasince he wasa kid. He had asmile,thatwas con‐tiguous andbrought joy and laughter to hisfamily and closefamilyfriends Granson's familyisblessed inknowing that on Decem‐ber 17, 2025, when he took his last breath on earth, he entered into eternalrest and is presentwithhis Lordand Savior Jesus Christ. Granson" Uncle Tam"Owney Jr.leavesbe‐hindtocherish andkeep his memories goingstrong; niece:TinaOwney (T'dar‐rellLebeau);two sisters: EdnaTateand Albertine Martin; thirteen nieces: Brenda, Albertine, Trellis, Tonya,Josephine,Della, Nikki,Kenya,Tiro, Tina Timora, Cheakita,and Ollie;seven nephews: Karl Ernest, Kevin, Phillip, Leroy, Jessie, andAlbert; ahost ofover fiftygreat and great-great nieces and nephews;and Ronshell, Tiara andArnoldwho helpedtheir mother with his care.Granson is pre‐ceded in deathbyhis par‐ents: GransonOwneySr. and OllieDeanThreatsOwney;two sisters: Berna‐dineOwney andGwen‐dolyn Allen; maternal grandparents: Dudley and Della Threats; paternal grandparents: Pete and MaryOwney; aunt:Eliza‐bethOwney- Brown; uncle: DudleyThreats Jr.; three nephews:Junior Martin, TyroneMartinand Granson Allen;two nieces:Debra Owney andDeborah Mar‐tin;one greatnephew: Ronnell Owney, who helpedincaringfor Gran‐son until April9,2022 Granson “Uncle Tam” Owney Jr., we Celebrate YourLifeonyourHeavenly Birthday with Love

DEATHS continued from signthe guestbook and sharecondolences with the family.

Sutis, Emma Carbajosa

Riley, Florida

Leona Boutin

Florida Leona Boutin

Riley passed away on March 23, 2026 at the age of 88. AMass of Christian Burial willbeheld at Corpus Christi Epiphany Catholic Church, 2022 St. Bernard Avenue on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 11:00 am. Visitation willbeginat9:00 am. Interment: Providence Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements by D.W. RhodesFuneral Home, 3933 Washington Avenue. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to

Emma Carbajosa Sutis, a beloved mother, grandmother, and cherished memberofher community, passed away peacefully at the age of 96. Shewas born on herfamily'sagricultural estate in Calatrava, Philippines in 1929, to Francisco Carbajosa and Pastora Artillaga. At twelve, she survived the hardshipsofthe Japanese occupation during WorldWar II,spending yearshiding in the mountainswith her family, an experience that shaped herenduringcourage. Whenthe war ended,she finishedschool and became akindergarten teacher until she met the love of her life,Rudy,a Filipino-American visiting his family in Cebu. Emma married her beloved husband, Rudolfo "Rudy" Sutis, acareer Marine, with whom she sharedover seventyyears of devoted marriage.She immigratedtothe United Statesin1952,embracing a new life whilehonoring her heritage. While living in Okinawa in the 1970s, Emma studied Ikebana, the Japaneseart of flowerarrangement. She trained in Miyuki Art for five yearsand becamea certifiedlifetimemember and instructorofthe Oriental Art Flower AssociationofAll Japan. Shelater sharedand developed this artalongside her daughter, Laura Cressy. Agifted artist Emma continuedpainting throughouther life,expressing her creativityand loveofbeauty. Emma dedicated her time to many organizationsdevoted to service and charity. Shewas a memberand officer of the Filipino American Lions Club, Philippine-American Women's Association of Louisiana (PAWAL), Asian

Pacific American Society, and The Eastern Star.

Emma is survivedbyher loving children: Rudolfo Sutis (Pamela), Laura Cressy (David), Marc Sutis (Donna); her grandchildren:Jason Sutis, Jessica Sutis (Trey), Dana Shillinglaw (Micheal), Derek Sutis, Nicholas Cressy (Jessika), Jordan Cressy-Garcie(Jordan), DavidCressy Jr.(Rebecca), AndreeJarrell(James), Suzanne Rabalais(Steve), and Sarah Nichols (Jeffery); and great-grandchildren: Miles,Brooks, Mae,Pearl,Micah, David Hudson, David Russel, Hale, Gray, Helen, Noah, Lucy,Ryann, Loic, and Noelle She is preceded in death by her husband, MGS Rodolfo "Rudy" Salvador Sutis, hergrandson, Paul Cressy, her siblings, and her parents. Emma willberemembered forher kindness, strength, and devotionto her family.Her legacy lives on in thelives she touched and theart she created. In lieu of flowers, memorialcontributions in memoryofEmma Sutis may be madetothe Marine Corps League, LCPL Justin D. McLeese Detachment 1487. Emma willbelaid to rest privately with her husband, Rudy. Family and Friends will gather fora celebration of her life in the spring of 2027.

Sr., Leverne Jesse

of thefamilyalsopastors officers,and membersof Olive Branch Baptist Church,and neighboring churches;employees of Goodwill,Boh Brothers Ochsner Home Health,and SerenityHospice arein‐vited to attend aViewing atDavis Mortuary Service, 230 Monroe St., Gretna,LA onSaturday, April18, 2026 from12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.Interment:Willbepri‐vate. To view andsignthe guestbook,pleasegoto www.davismortuaryservic e.com.

Cheryl Deneen Wingate Williams passedawayon March 22, 2026, at 61 years old.Cherylissurvivedby her daughter,Kaci Williams;granddaughter WrenWilliamsBreaux; mother, Jeanette R. Wingate; twosisters, Thomas Johnson, III Was born October 10, 1963 in NewOrleans, La to thelateThomas Johnson, Jr. and Barbara Gertrude Benton Johnson. He entered intoeternal rest on Thursday, March 26, 2026. He was adevoted Son, Brother, Fiancé, Father, Uncle, Nephew, Cousinand Friend. He willbesadly missed

Family,friends, Pastors, members and officers of Watson Memorial Teaching Ministries and Greater St. Stephen Full GospelBaptist Church are invitedtoattend amemorial servicecelebrating Thomas's life on Saturday, April18, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Watson MemorialTeaching Ministries, 4400 St. Charles Avenue

Thomas, Sr. departed this life at his residence on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at theage of 77. He wasnativeand resi‐dentofNew Orleans, LA Leverne attended George WashingtonCarverHigh School in the9th Ward of New Orleans, aplace he spoke of oftenand held close to hisheart.He servedhis countryhonor‐ablyinthe United States MarineCorps andlater workedasa dedicated truck driver formany years.Leverne also retired fromBoh Brothers Con‐struction Company, where hetook greatpride in his work. He oftensharedsto‐riesabout thelandmarks hehelpedbuild throughout the city,ensuringhis legacywould standtallfor generations.Leverne was known forhis fun-loving spiritand hisdeep love for family. He enjoyedmusic spendingtimewithfriends, watchingmovies, keeping upwithsports, andread‐ing thenewspaper.Above all,heloved stepping out instyle with hiswife, Linda,creatinglasting memorieswhereverthey went. Levernewillbe misseddearlybyhis friends,family, children and neighbors. Though he isnolongerwithusin body, hisspirit, love,and vibrant personalitywilllive oninall who knew and loved him. Belovedhus‐bandofBerlinda Anne Thomas, with whomhe shared33wonderful years. LovingfatherofWanda Thomasand thelateLev‐erneThomasJr. Through marriagetoLinda,helov‐ingly embraced herchil‐drenashis ownMichael (Regan) Johnson, Kerry Johnson,Kevin Washington and Bianca Watson.Son of the late Jesse Thomas and FlorenceGibson, also cher‐ishinghis memories area hostofgrandchildren great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relativesand friends who will cherishhis mem‐ory. Relativesand friends

Renna WingateJosephand DebbieWingate Jones; one brother,Milton WingateJr.; aunts, GwendolynH.Wal‐lace(Milton), ZaddieC Reed,Cynthia Wingateand EvelynW.Stanley;and manycousins,nieces, nephews,and friends. Cherylwas preceded in death by herfather, Milton WingateSr.,and hergrand‐parents,Delores R. Clark, Oceliaand Horatio Wingate. Lovedonesare invited to theCelebration ofLifeService on Saturday April 18, 2026, for10:00 a.m. atRay Avenue Baptist Church,4712 RayAvenue, New Orleans, LA 70126. Vis‐itation will beginat9:00 a.m.PastorRobertBrown officiating. Intermentwill followatMount Olivet Cemetery, 4000 Norman Mayer Ave.,New Orleans, LA70122. Repass will be heldat4901 Chef Menteur Hwy NewOrleans,La. 70126. Guestbook Online: www.anewtraditionbegins com (504)282-0600. Linear BrooksBoydand Donavin D.BoydOwners/FuneralDi‐rectors

Thomas

LeverneJesse

Williams,Cheryl Deneen Wingate

Tulane baseball lookstoride momentum vs.FAU

BY GUERRYSMITH

Contributing writer

With another series winagainst American Conference kingpin East Carolina in therearview mirror,the question is whetherornot Tulane will treat the rest of its opponentswith the same zeal it exhibited versus the Pirates. History says no. Green Wave players say yes. We will get adefinitive answer thisweekendwhen Tulane (20-18,6-6) plays atFlorida Atlantic (17-19, 4-8), which haslosteight of itspast 10 games and was swept at hometwo weeksago by UAB. By any definition, the Owls are weaker than the Pirates, but that fact has not boded well for the Wave in the recent past.

The numbers are startling. Since the start of 2022, Tulane is 10-5 in the regularseason againstEastCarolina,whichwonthreeconsecutiveregular-seasontitlesinthatspanandthen the tournament championship last season, and 43-56 against every other team in the league. East Carolina is 5-10against Tulane and 72-27 against everyone else.

Tulane coach Jay Uhlman addressed the disparity immediately afterthe Wave beat the Pirates 6-3 last Sunday “Wereally enjoy competingagainst them,” he said. “They are well coached and

LSUonan uphill battle to make NCAA tournament

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

LSU baseball just needs to play better

That has been coachJay Johnson’s simple diagnosis forhis team’s struggles this season. The issuehasn’t been their effort or how they’ve responded when they’vefallen behind Johnsondoesn’t thinkhe’s coached many teams that have as many comeback wins as this one. The problem, instead,lies in the quality of play.The errors in the field, the inconsistent nature of the offense and the growingpainsofthe pitching staff. Their mostconsistent trait has been uneven play across theboard “Weneed to play better baseball,” Johnson said. “I know that’ssimplistic, but you can’t make the first or thirdout of theinningat third base, which we’ve probably donesix to eight times this year.And in 13 years of coaching, Icould guaranteeyou

third base.”

PUNCHED

BY SCOTTRABALAIS Staff writer

FORT WORTH,Texas As much as shehates to admit it, Kailin Chio is an incurable scoreboard watcher Thursdayafternoon in LSU’sNCAAgymnasticssemifinalatDickies Arena, the Tigers’starsophomoreglanced up at the big video scoreboards hanging over the floor in Dickies Arena and didn’tlike what she saw LSU led after oneevent,fell to secondafter two and slid to thirdplace behind Floridaand Georgia going to the finalrotation.Only the top two teamswould advanceto Saturday’sNCAA final. It was uncomfortably like the fix theTigers found themselves in during last year’sNCAA semifinals,when LSUshockingly finished thirdand failed to advance after coming in as the No. 1national seed. Typically notone of the Tigers’ most vocal gymnasts, Chio gathered her teammates around her and told them straight what needed to happen next.

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

“I circled up the team after beam and told them we were not going to do this again,” Chio said. “Wehad to put the pedal to the metal.”

After wobbly rotations on uneven bars and balance beam, LSUwenttofloor andfloored it. The nation’s No 1-ranked floor squad, LSU posted at 49.525, two-10ths betterthan Georgia’sscore on vault.The difference in those marks allowed the Tigers to surge past the Bulldogs and into the secondtransferspottoSaturday’sfinal, 197.4375197.2625.

“I knew this team could do it,” Chio said. “Wedid exactly the floor rotation that we needed.”

The Tigers advanced to the NCAA final forthe 11th time in program history and third time in the past four years. LSU and Florida, which finished first with a197.7875, awaited the top two teams from Thursday’ssecond session between Arkansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma andUCLA ä See NCAA, page 4C

After four years of trying to figure out the best way to utilize Alontae Taylor, the New Orleans Saints are now trying to find the best way toreplace him Taylor signed arich free agentcontract this offseason withthe Tennessee Titans, creating aunique void in the Saintsdefensive secondary. ThoughTaylor operated as thestarting outside corner in New Orleans’ base defensive packages,hespent themajorityofhis timeasthe nickel, or “Star”defender in defensive coordinatorBrandon Staley’s scheme. The Saintscould potentially have some inhousereplacements ready, though they all come withquestionmarks. Theyre-signed veteran safety Julian Blackmon, who appeared an ideal fit for this defense before a shoulderinjury endedhis 2025 campaign after onegame, and his coverage ability could theoretically work inside. The same goes for corner Quincy Riley,though he may be best suited for an outside corner role. So, theSaints have acouple options when

it comes to addressing this positioninthe NFLdraft. They couldselectsomeone to drop directly into the Star position with the idea of making him aDay 1starter,orthey could draftata position where they already have astarterwiththe idea of moving a player already on the roster to the slot. Eitherway,Taylor’sdeparture created abit of apressure point in the defense where there was notone before.And while slotcorners are notyet being paid like theircounterparts on the outside, it remains acrucial position in the modern NFL —especially in Staley’sdefense. Here are someplayers whocould fill that need forthe Saints, in one wayoranother Premierplayers LSUCBMansoor Delane,6-foot, 187 pounds: In termsofpolish, it doesn’tget

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU gymnasts hold up the bracket after advancing to the NCAA final on Thursday at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. LSU finished witha 197.4375.

See TULANE, page 5C

FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON LSU coach JayJohnson calls for the bullpen during amound visit in theninthinning of a game against Kentucky on March 27 at Alex Box Stadium.

7

Woods’ lawyers to fight medical records subpoena

ORLANDO, Fla. — Tiger Woods ‘ attorney intends to fight an attempt by prosecutors to subpoena the golfer’s prescription drug records following his arrest last month in Florida on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Friday to set last 2 NBA playoff spots

Warriors, Hornets, Magic and Suns must win or go home

BY TIM REYNOLDS AP basketball writer

The Golden State Warriors spent the last month resigned to their fates. Even before they were locked into the play-in tournament, they knew they were headed there and would have to win two games to grab an unlikely playoff spot. So, they prepared for a twogame season. And the mission, in their eyes, is only half-finished.

The Warriors along with Charlotte, Orlando and Phoenix — will be in win-or-go-home matchups Friday as the play-in tournament comes to a close and sees two teams grab the last two available spots on the playoff bracket.

Charlotte goes to Orlando, Golden State to Phoenix. Game 1s — at Detroit in the East, at Oklahoma City in the West await Friday night’s winners.

“This is literally it,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “This is it.”

Golden State used a 41-23 run over the final 9:49 to close a comeback road win over the Los Angeles Clippers, turning a 13-point deficit into a 126-121 win and keeping its season alive The Warriors hit six more 3-pointers than the Clippers did in that deciding stretch, and those 18 points were exactly the difference over the game-ending run.

“That was fun,” Warriors guard Stephen Curry said. “That’s what you live for, right there.”

Charlotte — with a victory over Miami, one where LaMelo Ball’s uncalled flagrant foul of Bam Adebayo commanded almost all the attention — won its way into Friday, as did the Warriors. The Magic lost in Philadelphia, giving the 76ers the No 7 seed in the East and a matchup with Bos-

Ex-NBA

BY MICHAEL R. SISAK Associated Press

ton. And Phoenix lost at home to Portland, giving the Trail Blazers the No. 7 seed in the West and a matchup with San Antonio.

Seasons are on the line now Miami and the Clippers have already lost elimination games, and two more teams will join them in offseason mode on Friday night.

“We’ve got to be ready,” Magic forward Paolo Banchero said.

“I’ve got to be ready.”

Past performances

This season’s play-in tournament marks Phoenix’s first time

in the event. The other three remaining teams have all been there at least once before.

Golden State is in for the fourth time, Charlotte for the third time and Orlando for a second time.

(Philadelphia and Portland, who have already advanced, were in the play-in for a second time in their histories.)

Golden State is 2-3 in play-in games. Orlando is 1-1, Charlotte is 1-2 and Phoenix is 0-1.

Charlotte at Orlando When: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Prime

player expected to plead

NEW YORK Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones is expected to become the first person to plead guilty in a gambling sweep that led to the arrests of more than 30 people, including reputed mobsters and other basketball figures.

A change-of-plea hearing for Jones is scheduled for April 28 in Brooklyn federal court, according to a court filing Thursday It was originally set for May 6, but was moved at the request of the parties Jones, 49, had previously pleaded not guilty to separate indictments charging him with profiting from rigged poker games and providing sports bettors with non-public information about injuries to stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Jones is charged in both cases with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy A message seeking comment was left for his lawyer Kenneth Montgomery He told a judge at Jones’ arraignments in November that they “may be engaging in plea negotiations.”

Jones, a onetime teammate of James, was arrested last October along with Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and others, including a sports bettor accused of cashing in on injury information Jones was one of three people charged in both the poker and sports betting schemes. He remains free on bail.

A native of Galveston, Texas,

Jones earned more than $20 million playing for 10 teams in 11 seasons from 1999 to 2009. He and James played together in Cleveland from 2005 to 2008 and Jones served as an unofficial assistant coach for James’ Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022-2023 season

According to prosecutors, Jones sold or attempted to sell non-public information to bettors that James was injured and wouldn’t be playing in a Feb. 9, 2023, game against the Milwaukee Bucks, texting an unnamed co-conspirator: “Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out.”

James wasn’t listed on the Lakers’ injury report at the time of the text message, but the NBA’s all-time scoring leader was later ruled out of the game because of a lower body injury according to prosecutors, and the Lakers lost the game 115-106.

On Jan. 15, 2024, prosecutors said, sports bettor Marves Fairley paid Jones approximately $2,500 for a tip that Davis, the Lakers’ forward and center at the time, would see limited playing time against the Oklahoma City Thunder because of an injury Fairley then placed a $100,000 bet on the Thunder to win, prosecutors said, but the tip was wrong Davis played his usual minutes, scored 27 points and collected 15 rebounds in a 112-105 Lakers win prompting Fairley to demand a refund of his $2,500 fee, prosecutors said.

In the poker scheme, according to prosecutors, Jones was among former NBA players used to lure unwitting players

Video Season series: Charlotte, 3-1

At stake: The winner moves on to play No 1 Detroit in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, starting Sunday The loser is out of the playoffs.

Outlook: There’s a lot to unpack here. LaMelo Ball is coming off a game where he made the winning shot, took out Bam Adebayo and was told a day later by the league that he should have been ejected from the contest. Orlando lost the last three meetings between the teams by a combined 61 points and has been, to put it kindly, erratic all season. Charlotte won the first two games in Orlando this season; no team has gone 3-0 or better on the road against the Magic — excluding the bubble year in a season since Detroit in 2006-07. Charlotte’s Miles Bridges has played in more regular-season games (501) than any other active player with no playoff appearances He could end that streak on Friday

Golden State at Phoenix

When: 9 p.m. Friday, Prime Video

Season series: Golden State, 3-1

At stake: The winner moves on to play No 1 Oklahoma City in the Western Conference quarterfinals, starting Sunday The loser is out of the playoffs

Outlook: Golden State won the first meeting by 11, a game where Phoenix got down by 25 but had the ball with a chance to make it a two-possession game with three minutes left. The other games were decided by one, three and four points. The Warriors are coming in with a nothing-to-lose vibe and with good reason; they were injury-plagued all year finished 37-45 and made clear for the last month that they were just getting ready for an inevitable playin tournament run. Phoenix blew away most preseason expectations by winning 45 games — but now need to beat the game’s best shooter ever in Stephen Curry to avoid becoming the first team to go 0-2 at home in a play-in tournament.

guilty in gambling sweep

into poker games that were rigged using altered shuffling machines, hidden cameras, special sunglasses and even X-ray equipment built into the table. According to the indictment, Jones was paid $2,500 for a game in the Hamptons where he was instructed to cheat by paying close attention to others involved in the scheme. His instructor likened those people to James and NBA All-Star Steph Curry, prosecutors said When in doubt, Jones was told to fold his hand, prosecutors said. In response, according to prosecutors, Jones texted: “y’all know I know what I’m doing!!”

The poker scheme often made use of illegal poker games run by New York crime families that required them to share a portion of their proceeds with the Gambino,

Genovese and Bonnano crime families, according to prosecutors. Members of those families, in turn also helped commit violent acts, including assault, extortion and robbery, to ensure repayment of debts and the continued success of the operation, officials said in court documents.

A hot hand from outside the three-point arc, Jones once proclaimed himself in an interview with insidehoops.com as “the best shooter in the world.” He played in every regular season game for three consecutive seasons from 2003 to 2006. After his playing days, he worked as a “shooting consultant” for the Cavaliers and was an assistant coach when the team, led by James won the NBA championship in 2016.

Attorney Doug Duncan said this week in a court filing that Woods has a constitutional right to privacy when it comes to his prescription medications. The attorney asked a judge overseeing the case in Martin County, Florida to hold a hearing to determine if the drug records are necessary for the criminal investigation.

If the judge determines the drug records are necessary, Duncan asked for a protective order limiting their release only to prosecutors, law enforcement officers, state experts and Woods’ defense team.

FIFA president says Iran will participate in World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Wednesday that Iran will participate in the World Cup “for sure” despite its war with the United States.

Speaking at CNBC’s Invest in America Forum, Infantino said it is important that Iran participates in the World Cup even though its participation has been in doubt since the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on the country

“The Iranian team is coming for sure, yes,” Infantino said. “We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful situation. As I said, that would definitely help. But Iran has to come. Of course, they represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play.”

Doncic, Cunningham eligible for NBA awards after appeal

The Los Angeles Lakers ‘ Luka Doncicand Detroit Pistons ‘ Cade Cunningham will be eligible for awards such as MVP and All-NBA this season despite falling short of the 65-game minimum, the league and the National Basketball Players Association said Thursday Doncic played in 64 games and Cunningham played in 63. But the league and the union both agreed that each should be on the ballot based on the “extraordinary circumstances provision” in the collective bargaining agreement. Doncic who is one of the favorites to contend for MVP honors after winning the league’s scoring title — missed two games to attend the birth of his daughter in Slovenia. Cunningham missed 12 games as a result of a collapsed lung.

Pirates, shortstop Griffin reach $140M, 9-year contract

Konnor Griffin’s $140 million, nine-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates includes a $12 million signing bonus payable over the next two years. Pittsburgh’s deal with the 19-year-old shortstop, announced April 8, can increase to $150 million based on his finish in MVP voting, according to details obtained by The Associated Press.

Griffin gets $5 million of his signing bonus within 30 days of the contract’s approval by Major League Baseball and $3.5 million each next April 1 and on April 1, 2028.

Griffin, who turns 20 next week, debuted on April 3 and is hitting .189 with five RBIs in his first 12 major league games. He is among four top prospects to get a big-money deal since March.

Ovechkin will determine his future based on health, family ARLINGTON,Va. Alex Ovechkin said he wants a new two-year contract from the Washington Capitals. He was probably joking. Then again, nothing about Ovechkin’s future is all that clear right now after the NHL’s career goal-scoring leader finished his 21st season Tuesday Fans and even opponents — treated the past few games like they could be his last, but Ovechkin hasn’t yet closed the door on returning. This was the final season of his current contract with the Capitals. When he noted Thursday — in a longer-than-usual session with reporters — that he still needs to speak with coach Spencer Carbery and general manager Chris Patrick, he was asked what he wanted to hear from Patrick about the team’s future.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MARK J TERRILL

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry celebrates after scoring during an NBA play-in tournament game against the against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday in Inglewood, Calif.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By yUKI IWAMURA

Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones arrives at Brooklyn federal court on Nov. 24 in New york.

Dominican starts fast, routs St. Scholastica

vanced to the regionals against No. 5 seed Ponchatoula, which had a first-round bye Dominican banged out five doubles, two triples and a home run.

BY DARRELL WILLIAMS

Contributing writer

No 12 seed Dominican looked playoff-ready in its Division I select first-round playoff game against No. 21 St Scholastica on Thursday at Harahan Playground. Dominican banged out 11 hits with eight for extra bases in making short work of error-prone St. Scholastica in a 17-1 bashing shortened to three inning because of the 15-run mercy rule.

Dominican (12-15), which finished third in District 9-5A, ad-

Shortstop Sissy Andrade and first baseman Autumn Green each had a triple. Desginated hitter Aubrey Daigrepont had two doubles, and second baseman Delaney Durr, catcher Jovie Leingang and Kiley

Moseley one each

“We hit the ball well, but we can swing the bats,” Dominican coach Dawn Beniot said. “What I’m proudest of, though, is how we ran the bases We’ve been working on that a lot in practice, among other things.

“I thought this was a good win for us all around.” Dominican got started quickly,

taking a 5-0 lead in the first inning. Andrade got things started with a one-out triple to left past a diving defender Third baseman Sarah Steeg followed with a single to left, scoring Adrade. Daigrepont then doubled in Steeg for a 2-0 lead. After an error, Leingang walked with two outs, loading the bases. Green then tripled to center field, clearing the bases for a 5-0 margin.

Dominican really broke loose in the second, scoring 10 runs on five hits and four errors, including two on one ground-ball play, in taking a 15-0 lead. Four of the hits were doubles.

Dominican then ended the game in the third. Beniot had already began substituting, including putting in eighth graders Raleigh Kennedy and Khloe Stewart

Nuggets center Jokic surges into playoffs after injury

BY PAT GRAHAM AP sportswriter

DENVER Around playoff

time, Nikola Jokic always looks to make a big splash

— on the court, obviously, but also in the water.

The Denver Nuggets doit-all center typically opens his swimming pool at this point of the year — weather permitting — for he and his kids to have some fun.

Turns out, floating around in between lofting floaters is the perfect way for him to take a break from the pressure of leading the team on a title chase.

Jokic and the Nuggets earned the No. 3 seed with a 54-win season and will face a familiar foe in Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves during a first-round series that starts Saturday

Statistically and physically, this has been a season unlike any other for Jokic. On the numbers side,

Jokic became the first player to lead the league in both rebounds and assists per game since 1969-70, when leaders were crowned through per-game averages. Wilt Chamberlain was tops in both categories in 1967-68, back when leaders were determined by totals.

On the health side, the three-time MVP endured the first major injury of his NBA career He missed 16 games in late December/ January with a hyperextended left knee. The team went 10-6 in his absence.

“It’s not a difficult year, but an inconsistent year, with the injuries, with the lineups, with everything,” explained Jokic, who averaged a triple-double (27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists) for a second straight season. “We still managed to be one of the top teams That’s something telling about this team, and the group that we have in the locker

room. We definitely show ourselves that we can answer to anything, and hopefully we’re going find a way and in the playoffs when the moment is big.”

The Nuggets enter with a wave of confidence, too, riding a 12-game winning streak. Ask him about it and his humor shines through.

“It’s definitely better than a 12-game losing streak,” Jokic said. “When you’re playing well, everybody’s feeling good.

Jokic notched 34 tripledoubles in 65 games this season. That includes a memorable performance on Christmas Day against the Timberwolves, when he erupted for 56 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists in a 142-138 overtime win.

“He’s a joy to watch,” said San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson, whose team could face the Nuggets in the second round “He’s just so unique in so many ways.”

French Open prize money

up 10% to $72 million overall

BY JEROME PUGMIRE AP sportswriter

PARIS French Open prize money has increased by about 10% for an overall pot of 61.7 million euros ($72.1 million).

The total amount is up 5.3 million euros from last year Play begins on Sunday May 24 at Roland Garros in western Paris.

Men’s and women’s singles champions each receive 2.8 million euros and the runners-up 1.4 million euros. Semifinalists earn 750,000 euros and first round losers get 87,000 euros. Men’s and women’s doubles winners pocket 600,000 euros and the mixed doubles champions get 122,000 euros. Last year, Carlos Alcaraz staged an epic comeback to beat Jannik Sinner in a fiveset final and Coco Gauff defeated Aryna Sabalenka for the women’s title. There will be an opening ceremony before the men’s and women’s finals, lasting about six minutes, with French choreographer Benjamin Millepied in charge of the program. Also for the first time, players can wear data-collecting portable devices on court in order to gain information on their physical performances, tournament director Amélie Mauresmo said at a news conference on Thursday

Privacy for players

Mauresmo repeated the importance of privacy for players — an issue raised by Iga Swiatek and Gauff at this year’s Australian Open. Gauff’s racket-smashing away from the court went viral Swiatek said the seemingly limitless accessall-areas cameras that track players made them feel

they were being watched like “animals in the zoo.”

Without mentioning the Australian Open itself, Mauresmo said tennis should “maintain respect for privacy” and have a secluded space.

“Players need a private area, something which will not change,” she said. “No cam access (there).

Upholding traditions

This year, a local amateur beat Sinner and went on to become a millionaire in Australian dollars after winning the newly invented 1 Point Slam at the Australian Open.

Don’t expect it at the French Open.

“Our ambition is not to repeat everything that’s done elsewhere,” Mauresmo said. “This is not something that corresponds to us, to the image of Roland Garros.”

The French Open is also unflinching on the electronic line-calling adopted by Wimbledon and most big tennis tournaments; instead remaining committed to human line judges.

“They are not 100% reliable,” Mauresmo said, “but our decision was to stick to our way.”

However Mauresmo was open to women playing fiveset matches like their male counterparts.

“You can’t change a format overnight to go from best of three to best of five. But if we think about it, would it be only the semifinal, the final, or for all matches?” the former Wimbledon champion asked “This could be a win-win situation but we have to talk about this with the women players.”

The former women’s No. 1 would have wanted to.

“As a player when I did the Masters final (in 2005)

they had just stopped this,” Mauresmo said. “I would have wanted to do the final in best of five. So maybe one day, you never know.”

Mauresmo was also asked about scheduling for evening matches.

“We will talk about scheduling when the time comes,” she said without going into details. “Nothing is closed and nothing is set in stone, it depends on the draws and the lineups.”

Last year there were a lack of women’s matches during the night sessions.

On the final Saturday there has been one change: The men’s doubles final will be played before the women’s singles final and not afterward.

Entertaining fans

There will be a Jardin des Chefs — a chefs’ garden — for fans to sample French gastronomy in an area next to Court Simonne-Mathieu.

A small army of 13 French chefs will work daily, three on duty each day

The famed Concorde Square — with its iconic Egyptian Obelisk will again show matches on a big screen for free during the second week from June 3-7.

The tournament will pay tribute to French veteran Gaël Monfils and 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka, who are retiring at the end of the season.

Clay is the way

The French Open is synonymous with clay the way Wimbledon is with grass. Keen to build on that identity, French Tennis Federation director Gilles Moretton said there will be a strong investment in building more clay courts, real or synthetic. Clay courts currently make up only 13% of courts in France.

Durr led off the third with a single past third. After a fly out, Stewart sent a pitch over the center-field fence for a 17-1 margin, ending the game by the 15-run rule.

The loss was the eighth in a row for St. Scholastica (5-15-1), which is a member of District 7-4A. However, coach Emily Borne said she saw growth this season. The Doves scored their only run of the game in the third after Benoit took out starting pitcher Miya Burford.

With two outs, left fielder Juliette Dupont beat out an infield hit to third base, and Aubrianne Kavanaugh walked. Shortstop Karsen Boyet then singled to center field, scoring Dupont. The Doves got four hits, all singles. The errors, however, were glaring.

“Dominican is Dominican, a wellcoached team that hits well and plays well,” Borne said. “But we have to get better fielding the ball. We had four freshmen starters and seven who played. We’re going to have summer ball, then after a break pick it up in the fall.

“We work a lot on fielding, and we’ll continue to work for next season.”

Benoit, who credits her team’s tough schedule, said Ponchatoula will be another big challenge.

“They are a strong team,” she said. “They play good defense, and they can really hit the ball. I think we can win that game, and the key for us will be fielding. If we can play good defense and continue to hit the ball well, we have a good chance.”

Conley’s shutout gives Fontainebleau series lead

BY SPENCER URQUHART Staff writer

Tanner Conley’s full pitching arsenal was working to begin the playoffs in Fontainebleau’s win against Destrehan on Thursday

A sophomore left-hander, Conley started the first game of a best-of-three Division I nonselect playoff series for the No. 19-seeded Bulldogs who visited No. 14 and came away with a 1-0 win.

Destrehan had runners on second and third with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Conley forced a popup in foul territory to work his way out of trouble for the final out to give Fontainebleau a 1-0 series lead.

“I kind of forget that (Conley) is a sophomore,” Fontainebleau coach Rickey Noland said. “It’s not often that we get a sophomore with that kind of fortitude and competitiveness. When he’s on the mound, we always feel like we have a chance.”

Conley scattered seven hits with no walks while striking out 11.

“(My) fastball was working early, curveball was working, slider was working,” Conley said. “Just

keeping up the energy with all my boys and playing for my team.”

Destrehan starter Chase Marcotte matched Conley’s seven innings, allowing one earned run on eight hits and two walks.

Fontainebleau’s defense backed Conley up with several strong throws. Senior catcher Erik Blomkalns threw out two runners attempting to steal second base.

Blomkalns also came through with his bat, ripping an RBI single through the middle of the infield in the top of the fourth that resulted in the game’s only run.

“(Blomkalns) is a catalyst for our team,” Noland said. “He’s a senior and a captain and a leader on and off the field.”

Blomkalns finished 2 for 3 at the plate. His fourthinning hit resulted in Rhett Fourmeaux, who had a leadoff triple to deep center field, scoring.

Both Blamkalns and Fourmeaux finished 2 for 3. Fontainebleau leadoff hitter Jaxson Hill was 3 for 4 with a team-high three hits.

Champ White and Derek Lucas recorded back-toback singles for Destrehan in the bottom of the seventh

and reached second and third after a double steal.

Both Destrehan runners were left on base though, as Brady Carter’s foul pop-up was caught by Fontainebleau second baseman Andrew Corbett to end the game.

“They did a great job of communicating,” Noland said. “My second baseman called (Corbett) off (Fourmeaux) last second, stopped and went behind him. We had been working on fly ball communication.” Destrehan will look to even the series on Friday, with first pitch set for 4:30 p.m. at Destrehan. Sophomore right-hander Josh Muller is expected to start on the mound.

“Tip of the cap to (Conley). I thought he was really good,” Destrehan coach Chris Mire said. “(Friday) is just about staying in the moment. It’s going to be a dogfight.”

Fontainebleau plans to start sophomore right-hander Sawyer Shane on Friday The Bulldogs can end the series with a win, but a third game will occur on at noon Saturday if Destrehan wins.

Email Spencer Urquhart at surquhart@theadvocate. com.

PHOTO By MATT DOBBINS

LSUtransferRBJones making surprise splash

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

When they took over LSU’sfootball program in December, coach Lane Kiffin and his staff landed severalhigh-profiletransfers. Dillin Jones wasn’tone of them. He was just an unprovenrunning back from Wisconsin. Sure, he was once ahighly touted recruit, and he came from aBig Tenschool, but could he really push for meaningful snapsonanLSU team that brought back its top two rushers from 2025? It seemed unlikely ThenJonestook thefield for spring practice and started to impressthe Tigers’ coaches.

“For aguy that wasn’t aheadliner,” Kiffin said, “he’splayed like it and that’sreally critical.”

Now,with all but four spring practices in the books, Jones is runningalmost exclusively with LSU’sfirst-team offense —ahead of both sophomoreHarlem Berry and junior Caden Durham. In Thursday’steam drills,the redshirt sophomore took 10 carries withthe starters,and he used those opportunities to flash some impressive agility and burst Jones broke off hisbestrun of the day in ared zone drill near the end of practice. On first down, he took ahandoff inside, cutback, found open space and picked up abouta dozenyards,settingquarterback Husan Longstreet’sunit up for agoal-to-go situation

It was aspring practice.LSU has, in fact, been rotatingits tailbacks, andpreseason camp is still more than three months away.The Tigers won’tshut down any positional battles until then.

But Jones keeps earning reps with the first-team offense, which is asign that he could be much more involved next season than anyone expected him to be when he transferred to LSUinJanuary.Hewas one of four relatively anonymous transfer running backs then.

Now it looks like he might be something more.

“He’sbeen really abright spot, like Isaid,”Kiffinsaid,“whereoffensively we’ve struggled to find those.”

Here’swhat else stood out from Thursday’spractice.Reporters could watch the entire session for the third day in arow Offenseimproving

Kiffin said Tuesday thathis offense turned in a“discouraging” performance whenLSU helda scrimmage on Saturday in Tiger

NCAA

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at 3p.m. Saturday on ABC Stanford, which also advanced with LSU out of the NCAA Baton Rouge regional, was adistant fourth at 196.9375.

“Wemade it interesting,” LSU coach Jay Clark said, abemused look on his face. “It wasn’t ourbest day by along shot.” Still, aquality Clark believed his team possessed since its very first meet came backtohim amid Saturday’sanxious drama.

“At Sprouts(Collegiate Quad), we messed aroundina similar fashion,” Clark said. “Butthey learned that day they were fighters. They don’t quit. They keep swinging. That’swhatthey did.

“Certainly our bars and beam weren’twhat we’ve grown accustomed to doing. Butwesurvived. We fought through serious adversity.”

As the No. 2overall seed and the top seed in the semifinal, LSU competed in the Olympic rotation as it would at home, with the Tigers starting on vault. After a 9.725 from Victoria Robertsinthe third spot, LSU finished strong with9.9625s from Kaliya Lincoln in the fourth spot in the lineupand a9.9625 from Chio as well, giving the Tigers aslim 49.475-49625 lead over Florida afterone rotation. Lincoln was one of two injury concerns forLSU, having been bothered by an ulnar nerve issue in her elbow since last month’s Southeastern Conference championships. Shewas able to do all three of her events as usual, but the bigger concern was Konnor McClain.

The junior suffered ahard fall when she missed ahand hold on the top bar during her uneven bars in the regional final. Shepracticed well Wednesday but said she wasn’t sure she could compete on vault, bars and beam until she gotthrough pre-meet warmups Thursday “I struggled in warmupsand Iwas like, ‘Oh man, not again,’ ” McClain said. “The buildup to be

LIVGolfleadership says show will go on amid funding uncertaintyreports

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

LIVGolf CEO Scott O’Neil sought to quell speculation about theleague’s financialfuture Wednesday eveningwitha memo to his staffthat said the 2026 season will continueasplanned without interruption and “at full throttle.”

The memo, acopyofwhichwas sent to The Associated Press, followed along day of reports suggesting Saudi Arabia’ssovereign wealth fund was on the verge of cutting itsfinancialbacking of theupstart league.

Tour this year with stipulations. Patrick Reed also left LIV and is playing aEuropean tour schedule this year.Heisvirtually certain to be eligible to return to the PGA Tour in 2027 through the European tour points race. Questions about LIV’sfuture funding wereraised as the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia revealed anew five-year investmentstrategy

Stadium. There were penalties, drops, turnovers and miscommunications. It wasn’t pretty “There’sa lot of work to do there,” Kiffinsaid

But the Tigers may be starting to make incremental improvements on offense.

On Thursday, theirfirst-and second-team units scoredtouchdowns on twoofthe five red-zone drills they ran at the end of practice. One score capped afive-play drive. The other was aquick-strike touchdown pass of longerthan 20 yards

LSU wasn’tperfect by any means

Onedrivefizzled out after Longstreet overthrew awide-open Jackson Harris in the end zone

Anotherstarted with twostraight holding penalties.

Butthe Tigers made some plays they didn’tmake on Saturday

On the first scoring drive, quarterback Landen Clark completed both hispasses —one to Kansas State transfer Jayce Brown on a short curl route andanothertoIllinois transfer Malik Elzy on afade pattern to theend zone.

ThenLongstreet took control of theoffense and dropped an accuratepass deep downthe sideline to returningreceiver Phillip Wright, whohad usedhis speed to get behind the secondary.Hecaught the throw in stride for atouchdown, and then afrustrated defensive coordinator Blake Baker was heard shoutingatthe LSU defense in a huddle

Remember, the Tigers are practicingwithoutstarting quarterbackSam Leavitt. He was ruled

out for therest of spring practice after he underwent ascheduled procedure to removethe pins in his surgically repaired right foot, and LSU has struggled, at times, without him.

Butnow it looks like the Tigers might be making some progress.

“When Isay there’salot of work to do,” Kiffin said, “that’snot talking about years, about buying time. There’snone of that.

“It’sjustsaying that there’sa lot of work to do when you come into aprogram, andyou’vegot to change alot of things when you take over,not just offensively but thewhole culture of aprogram.It takes some time.”

Secondarydepth

The only starter whowas not spotted at Thursday’spractice was returning safety Tamarcus Cooley Boise Statetransfer Ty Benefield participated,but he took only afew reps in team drills. In their absences, LSU put Ohio Statetransfer Faheem Delane and redshirtfreshman Jhase Thomas at theback endofits first-team defense. Junior Dashawn Spears manned theStar position.

The Tigershave also begun the process of adjusting their cornerback depthchartwithout Aidan Anding —the reserve sophomore whotore his AchillestendoninSaturday’sscrimmage.

DJ Pickett and PJ Woodland arestillthe two clear starters. On Thursday, redshirt junior Ja’Keem Jackson and redshirt sophomore MichaelTurnerwere thetwo second-team corners.

LSU gymnast KonnorMcClain strikes apose during her balance beam routineduring the NCAA semifinals on Thursday at Dickies ArenainFort Worth, Texas. McClain scored a9.95 in the event.

here today was really hard. I’d wake up sometimes (thepast two weeks)and my armwould hurt andI couldn’tpractice.Itwas a day-to-day struggle. Butitwas so fun to behere today.”

Without McClain, LSU would have been hard-pressedtoadvance to the NCAA final. After posting a 9.825 on vault, she anchoredbars with ateam-best 9.9125, then finished first in the session witha9.95 on beam

Despite McClain’s performances, LSU still trailedGeorgia147.9375147.9125 going to the final rotation afteronly scoringa 49.1875 on bars and a49.250 on beam.

The Tigers opened on floor with a solid 9.8625 from Emily Innes, but were left no room forerror when freshman Nina Ballou got a9.775 in the second spot.Kylie Coen fol-

lowed with a9.85, but LSU trailed Georgia by three-10ths at that point

The second half of the Tigers’ rotation came through, however AmariDrayton got a9.9375, which Chio followed with a9.9625 to take thefloor eventlead.Meanwhile, CaMarah Williams,Georgia’svault anchor,got only a9.7625, leaving the Bulldogs behind theTigers 197.300-197.2625 at that point. Lincoln finishedwith a9.9125 in LSU’sfloor anchor spot, but it was lagniappe at that point Chio finishedfirst on vault, floor andinthe all-around (39.6125) in the session, giving her 66 individual wins for her career,good for an eighth-place tie in program history withJeanie Beadle. Chio has 43 wins in 2026, fourth-most in a season for any LSU gymnast

The newsletter Money in Sport reportedinFebruary that LIV Golf already had spent $5.3 billion and wasprojected to surpass $6 billion by the end of the year

“I want to be crystal clear: Ourseason continues exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle,” O’Neilsaid. “While themedia landscape is often filled with speculation, ourreality is defined by the work we do on the grass. We are heading into the heart of our 2026 schedule with thefull energyofanorganization thatisbigger,louder,and more influential than ever before.”

Left unclear was howlongthe fundingwould last for LIVGolf, which launched in June 2022 by paying roughly $1 billion in signing bonusestosomeofthe PGA Tour’s biggest names, such as BrysonDeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, PhilMickelson, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm Prizemoney forindividualsand the 13 teamswas raised to $30 million this year Koepka sincehas left LIV and wasallowed to rejoin the PGA

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product is widely regardedasa plug-and-play player,meaning he will be expected to step in and contribute at ahigh level from Day 1. He only spent oneyear in Baton Rouge, but he quickly established himselfasone of the nation’s premier corners after transferring from Virginia Tech. The one drawback forDelane is his size —hemeasured in at 6feet and187 pounds at the combine with 30-inch arms —but he makes up forhis size with impressive technique and strong ball skills. Delane picked off apairofpasses and broke up 11 last year forthe Tigers.

Betteryet, he is ascheme-diverse player whocan thrive in both manand zonecoverageschemes.

Andwhile he’s somewhat undersized, he is awilling run defender Thevast majority of his college experience cameonthe outside, but he did playsome in theslot.

Ohio State DB Caleb Downs,6-0,206: Remember acouple years ago when Kyle Hamilton was in the draft cycle, and people were debating the positionalvalue of asafety? Hamilton slipped to No. 14 in the draft,and then helped transform the Baltimore Ravensdefense.

Downs is notasbig as Hamilton,but otherwise this is avalid comparison. Hamilton hasdone some of his best work as a“big nickel” in Baltimore’sdefense rather than apure safety,and that is probably what Downs woulddobest as aprofessional whichjusthappens to align with theSaints’ needs. Check just about any big board out there, and Downs is considered one of the best players in this draft, regardless of position. Sinceheisn’taquarterback, edge rusher or receiver,that meanshe will likely be available later than he should be —though it is no lock that he will be there at No.8 for New Orleans.

Downs is an instinctual player whoexcelsnearthe lineofscrimmage— something Ohio State recognized,playing him either in the box or in the slot nearly 400 snaps last season. He hasalso has drawn rave reviewsfor his lockerroom presence and leadership skills.

Day2 options

Indiana DB D’Angelo Ponds, 5-9, 173: Some teamsare going to knock Pondsbecause of his size,which is areal limitation forhim. His size will also likely push him in-

“The 2026-30 strategy marks a natural evolution as PIFmoves from aperiod of rapid growth andaccelerationtoa newphase of sustainedvalue creation, with astrengthenedfocus on maximizing impact, raising the efficiency of investments, andapplying the highest standards of governance, transparency and institutional excellence,” the PIF said in arelease.

The plan was developed before the U.S.-Israel war against Iran. Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the PIF governor wholoves golf and was behind LIVGolf, toldthe London-based Financial Times,“Of course the warwould add more pressure to reposition somepriorities.”

LIVplayers at Chapultepec Golf Club for LIV Golf Mexico that starts Thursday did not have answers as speculation ranrampant throughout the day

One player said Al-Rumayyan met withplayers thefirst week of MarchinHongKongand said funding forLIV wasset through 2032. The playerspoke on conditionofanonymity because themeeting was private. The playeralso said O’Neil arrived in Mexico City Wednesdayand was to meet withthe players.

side, and nearly all of his college experience came as an outside corner That’sabout wherethe negatives end, though. Ponds wasan All-Big Tenperformerbothof his seasonsatIndiana,and he was adefensive tone-setterfor the Hoosiers’ national championship run. He is an intelligent player with experience in azone defense, having shown an ability to mirrorhis man while keeping an eyeonthe quarterback in the backfield.

Miami CB Keionte Scott, 5-11, 193: Scott may be the most impressive true slot corner in this draft and is expected to hear his namecalled sometimeonDay 2. He played nearly 500 snaps in the slot for Miami last season, according to Pro Football Reference, andhe showed off his athleticism at his Pro Day,where he ran a4.33-second40-yard dash and recorded a 44-inch vertical jump.

Scott began his college career at Auburn but came into hisown last season with Miami. Not only didherecorda career-besttwo interceptions —both of them returned for touchdowns, by the way—but he also showed a knack formaking plays behind theline of scrimmage, with13 tackles forloss and fivesacks. USC SKamari Ramsey,6-0, 202: Ramsey fits into the modern mold of the positionless defender. Though he hassafety next to his name, he playedmoresnaps in the slot (255) than any other position with USC in 2025. For his college career at both USC and UCLA, he topped 500 snaps at slot, deep safety and box safety He’snot the biggest or fastest player, but he is instinctual and playsdownhill. Ramsey also has along history of playing special teams. He is asimilar player to last year’sthird-round pick, Jonas Sanker,minus atick or two on the athleticism scale. Ramsey played in the Senior Bowl, where the Saints had abig presence. TexasDBMalik Muhammad, 6-0,182: Muhammad is along (323/8-inch arms) andexplosive corner who hadthe best 10-yard split of any defensive back at thecombine in the 40-yard dash (1.51 seconds). Like Delane, he should fit in either azoneorman scheme,but he maybebest suited for the pattern-match zone that the Saints like to run. Hisslight frame is aconcern, and any idea of him as aslot defender would require someprojection, as Muhammad rarely played inside at Texas. But his other traits would be an interesting upside play later on Day 2.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

STAFF FILE PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

LSU running back Dillin Jones runs adrill during spring football practice on March 24atthe team’spractice facility

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Ohtani

BY BETH HARRIS AP sportswriter

LOSANGELES Shohei Ohtani

struck out 10 as the starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night, when he was held out of the lineup as designated hitter after getting hit by apitch this week. His 22 swingand misses against theNew York Mets were acareer high with the Dodgers. He struck outthe side in thesixth inning on 14 pitches in the Dodgers’ 8-2 victory.The right-handerallowedone run and two hitsinsix innings

can getpast it.”

Ohtani didn’tice his shoulder after the game, which Roberts said was agood sign.

RobertssaidOhtanihas felt progressively better since Monday.But the training staff, coaches and Roberts felt it was better for him not to hit in the series finale, although Ohtani wasinitially surprised to hear the decision. “Because I’ve never asked him to pitch and not hit,” Roberts said. “I think that he understands that I’m makingadecisionthat’sbestforthe player,for him, and for the team.” Ohtani is 0for 7atthe plate since getting hit.

Park

Transfer Cellurapart of LSU’srecentsurge

Pitcherhas foundher groove afterstarting offslow

BY JIM KLEINPETER

Contributing writer

The LSU softball team had some wobbly early-season moments when its when pitching, offense and defensetook turnslooking less than acceptable.

Newcomer and right-handed pitcher Cece Cellura has been part of the Tigers’ recent surge. After some rough moments in the early weeks of the season, Cellura has teamedwith left-hander Jayden Heavener to get theTigers rollinginwinning nine of thepast 13 games with the postseason just weeks ahead.

The Tigers (29-14,6-9 SEC) will try to improvetheir position against Ole Miss (27-18, 2-13) at home with athree-game series beginning6 p.m. Friday

Cellura, ajunior transfer from San Diego State, steppedinafter Sydney Berzon transferred to Oklahoma. Sheallowed atotal of nine earnedruns in two of her first three starts but has settled downto permit three runs or fewer in four of her past five starts and the exception coming in a16-4 LSU victory at Missouri.

Cellura (6-4, 3.25 ERA) was two outs away from shuttingout No. 5 Oklahoma two weeksago before the Sooners tieditinthe seventh and won it in the eighth.Inher last start she went the full seven

TULANE

Continued from page1C

they play tough. Ifeel likeweare the same, but we don’talways represent ourselves that way,which for me has been the frustrating part.”

Tulane is two gamesbehind firstplace UAB and Texas-San Antonio but only two games in front of eighth-place Florida Atlantic and Memphis, so almost any range offinishes in the conference is possible. First pitch on Friday is 5:30 p.m., with a3 p.m. start on Saturday and an 11 a.m. start on Sunday.

“Wejusthavetowipethe slate clean,” said third baseman James Agabedis, whoemerged from a season-long slump withtwo big hits on Sunday and had another against SoutheasternonTuesday “There’snothingfromlastweekend that can affect this weekend.”

It begins with Friday starting pitcher Trey Cehajic, who followedfourconsecutive pooroutings(23 earned runsin132/3 innings) by yielding one run in 51/3 innings against East Carolina.

“Wecan’talways just play up to good opponents like them (the Pirates),” Cehajic said. “Wejust have to stay with that same mindset, no matter whoweplay—goodorbad It’snot about them. It’sabout us.”

Florida Atlantic is hitting OK in league play,ranking second in batting average(.283) andthirdin doubles and homers, but the Owls boast abloated 6.86 ERAand have allowed double-digit runs in four of their past 10 conference games. They have also given up aleaguehigh27stolen bases. The series is there for the taking. “Jay (Uhlman) has been talking about consistency alot recently,

ä Ole MissatLSU

6P.M.FRIDAy,SECN+

innings to beatNo. 12 Arizona3-1, allowingonly an unearned run.

As with many transfers, Cellurawas adjusting to anew state, new school andnew climate, and couldn’tname any one key to her improvement.

“It’salot of littlethings,” she said. “The start of the season was nerve-wracking; newteam,new place, continuing to get comfortable andunderstanding my role.

“You neverknow what you are goingto get in atransfer; you come in blind. Iwanted to be as outgoingand comfortable with thegirls as Icould. Being nervous was my biggestobstacle, feelinglike Ihad to prove something when Idon’t Ijust have to be myself and confident in who Iam.”

LSUcoach Beth Torina, who works with pitchers closely,said Cellura has developed confidence in her pitching repertoire while adjustingit throughout the season.

Cellura, anative of Glendale, California, whose father Mike was aprofessional slow pitch softballplayer, had impressive credentials asapower pitcher who threw down in the strike zone to entice groundballs and was highly durable. She compileda 27-14 record andpitched 262 innings in two seasons at San DiegoState.

Last year,Cellura pitched all five games in the Mountain West Conference Tournament and won the last threetobring theAztecs out

of the losers bracket for asecond consecutive berth in the NCAA Tournament despitea 6-10 conference mark.

Twoseasons ago in Baton Rouge, Cellura pitched five innings and allowed LSUone run on four hits.

“I knewshe was competitive; she won alot of big games and had been in alot of big moments,” Torina said. “The way she helped carry themthrough theconference tournament wascool, throwing every game.She also playedhere, andwe had been impressed with her. We had alot of knowledge of her and liked what we saw

“She’s growing all the time. She’sa power-type arm,triesto get groundouts. She added arise ball that gets themuponit, added adifferentchangeup, addeda curveball. She’s able to movethe hitters’ eyes around the zone more thanshe used to.”

Celluraspeaks highly of the team environment she walked into and said thework with Torina that has improved her game. The closeness of theteam was apleasant surprise, she said.

“We’reall like familytoeach other,likesisters,” Cellura said “The relationship the coaches have withthe girls.They all truly care for whoyou are as aperson, notjust aroster spot. They make sure you are doing well offthe field

“Learning new pitches has been huge and working alot for me recently and understandingthe role Iplay. Iamadown-ball pitcher. My jobistoget groundballs. Being comfortable in that role is huge.”

andthat’ssomething we haven’t been doing great,” said first baseman TrentLiolios, who has five hits and four RBIs in thepast four games. “That’s been one of our big focuses rightnow,being the same teamday in and day out. The key for usisnot worrying aboutwho we’re playing when and where.”

Tulane tooktwo of threeatWichita State before facing East Carolina allowing three or fewer runs in all four victories during that stretch.

The Wave had 12 RBI hitswithtwo outs in those series and added two more against Southeastern.

“We’re starting to get to how we should be playing thegame,” Liolios said.“At the beginning of the year,weweren’tplaying like ourselves. Idon’treally know what that was due to,but we’re just starting to scratch thesurface of howweshouldbedoing every day If we keep thatup, we’re going to

be in agreat spot.”

Sampsonupdate

Uhlman said junior Beau Sampson, who left last Saturday with an elbowinjury after throwing four pitches, would miss therest of the year.While stopping short of calling it aUCL tear,hesaid Sampson would undergo surgery

“They’ll know more when they get in there for sure, but at minimum, it will be probably an internal brace,” he said. “Everyone’sa walking, ticking time bomb. It’s not amatterof will it (happen). It’samatter of when it will happen. He’ll be back stronger. It’snot adeath sentence like it was probably 20 years ago.”

Sampson struggled as astarterat the beginning of theyearbut turned it around when he wenttothe bullpen, allowing six hitsand four earned runs with 16 strikeouts in 111/3 innings over 11 appearances.

“It was really good to watch him just focus on one thing,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Just channeling allthatenergy into pitching was helpful. The last couple outings Ifelt he was fighting himself alittle bit at times, but tonight he was unusually good.”

It was the first time since May 28, 2021, with theLos AngelesAngels that Ohtanihas notbeeninthe batting lineup during amound start.

“Inbetween innings felt alittle longerthannormal. That was really theonly difference,” Ohtani said through atranslator.“Ihad pretty productive time beingabletospend time on the game-planning side of things.”

Ohtani is still sore from being struck on theback of his right shoulder by apitch from the New York Mets’ David Peterson on Monday.The Japanese superstar let out ahowl, but stayed in the game.

“If it weren’t forthe hit by pitch, he would’ve been DHing andpitchingtonight,” Roberts said before thegame. “But Idothink that just to be able to pitch and focus on that will be abenefit for the mind and the body,and hopefully,we’re just in alittle momentoffatigue and we

Continued from page1C

Enoughofthose question marks were answeredonTuesday for LSU to beat afrisky Northwestern Stateteamand snap its four-gamelosing streak. Butits difficult remaining schedule— starting on Friday against Texas A&M (6 p.m., ESPN)—and alackluster resume has made the Tigers’ chances of earning aspot in the NCAA Tournament an uphill battle.

“I’ve been in aposition like this before,”Johnsonsaid. “It just comes downtowinning games.”

Baseball is amarathon, but the race to the finish for LSU is already heading into the home stretch. Including its one guaranteed game at the SEC Tournament,the Tigers only have 19 contestsremaining. Thatnumber could go up if they makearun in Hoover,Alabama, but they’re still more than halfway through aseasonthat, up to thispoint,has been subpar by their standards.

LSUis23-15 overall and 6-9 in Southeastern Conferenceplay.

D1Baseball,asofTuesday,projected the Tigers to be one of the last four teams to make the NCAA Tournament field, while Baseball America’stournament forecast on Wednesday had them missing the big dance entirely as one of the last eight teams out.

According to RPI,aschedulebased metric used by the NCAA Tournament committee as aprimary resourceindetermining thefield, LSUisNo. 65 before Thursday night’sgames. The Tigers are 13th amongthe 16-team SEC in the metric, only ahead of Vanderbilt, SouthCarolina and Missouri

LSU’sstanding in KPI and DSR —two other results-based metrics usedbythe NCAA Tournament committee —ismuch stronger; the Tigers are No. 46 in KPI andNo. 29 in DSR.Even if RPIhas traditionally been the committee’smainresource, Johnsonwill take any positive sign that helps his team make the big dance.

“WehavenineQuad-1and 2 wins,” Johnson said. “… There aresomepositives to go along withsomeofthe things that drive attention, which is failure, losses (and) negativity.”

What’spunished LSU’sresume themost has been its struggles in nonconference play.The Tigers have six lossesoutside of their SEC schedule, including fivedefeats to teamsinthe bottom quadrant (Quad-4) of the RPI Each defeat cameathome, meaningthattheylost to five teams rankedbetween 101 and 309 in RPI. Twolosses to No.186 Sacramento State, adefeat to No 163 Northeastern, another loss to

His career-best on-base streak reached 48 games after he was intentionally walked in the eighth inning Tuesday.It’sthe fourth-longest streak in franchise history Roberts expects Ohtani to be back hitting and pitching in his next start, although he said he would consider giving Ohtani ahitting break again on anight when he’s pitching at some point in the future.

“It’sgot to make sense to not have your best hitternot in the lineup,”Robertssaid. “Then the questioniswhenhedoes hit, on days thathepitches,where’s the best forhim to hit in the order? Ithink there’sfairargumentsto both, to moving him downalittle bit, give him abreather, lethim get into the game.But I’m not prepared to makethat decision quite yet. But it is something that I’mmindful of it.”

Dalton Rushing replaced Ohtani at designatedhitter,and blasteda grand slam in the eighth inning.

“I’mnot getting usedtoit, Rushingsaid, chuckling. “He told me to hit ahomer for him. Iguess it worked out in the end.”

No. 171 McNeese State and los-

ing to No. 168 Bethune-Cookman have inflicted alot of damage to the Tigers’ resume.

No team in the SEC has suffered as many losses to Quad-4 opponents.

“I knowwemay not seem like it, but we wanttowin every single game. We’re trying our absolute hardest here at practice,” sophomore right-hander William Schmidt said. “… Iknow this team’sanNCAA Tournament team.Wegot theguys in the locker room to do it.Wegot the coaches,and we’ve gotthe care level all around.”

The good news for LSU is that its schedule is filledwith opponents that could help boost its RPI and overall portfolio.

The Tigers have four series remaining against top-25 teams in the RPI,starting with No. 13 Texas A&M at homethis weekend. They’ll then face No. 23 Mississippi State on the road, No. 20 Georgia on the roadand No. 5Florida at home to end the regularseason.That’s12games against Quad 1teams, and four opponents that are also in the top16 in DSRand top-18 in KPI.

“I think if we win, we actually will take care of (the RPI),” Johnson said. “As an example, we wononTuesday and jumped up 8 spots (by beating) ateam with a 23-10 record or 23-11 record.

“It’sablessing and acurse of the (SEC). The blessing is you’re in it longer than other leagues. If we wereina similarsituation as a mid-major right now,itmight be atough road. It’ll be atough road in terms of winning on the field, but not tough in termsofthose things moving in ourdirection, should we winonthe field.”

The biggest question that remains is whether LSUcan capitalize on these opportunities. To this point, the Tigers only have three wins over top-20 RPI opponents. They also got swept by No. 9Ole Miss last weekend, their toughest foeyet, according to the metric. And their play, which Johnson has said multiple times, has not warrantedthe results they’ve hoped for.

LSU enters this weekend with the worst fielding percentage and the mosterrors committed in the SECduring conference play. Its sloppy play hasweighed down an offense thathas been up-anddown andapitchingstaff that only holds the 11th-best ERA in the SEC when facing conference foes. Most of that will have to turn around forLSU to make the NCAA Tournament.

“The realityiswehaven’t played good baseball,” Johnson said. “… Whether that means we’re agood team or not, there’s time for that to be decided. But to this point, we haven’tbeen a great baseball team.”

LSU pitcher Cece Cellura touches gloveswith firstbaseman Tori Edwards after getting an Arizona strikeout to end the fifth inning on SaturdayatTiger

Krewe raising money forN.O. legends

Al ‘CarnivalTime’ Johnson, Little FreddieKing battling serioushealth complications

BY KEITH SPERA Staff writer

The Krewe of Red Beans, the legume-themed Carnival walking organization with aphilanthropic bent, finds itself in the unusual position of raisingmoney for two icons of New Orleans music simultaneously. Visitors to the nonprofit’s homepage, kreweofredbeans. org, aregreetedbytwo “click here to donate” buttons: one for Al “Carnival Time” Johnsonand the other for blues guitarist and singer Little FreddieKing. Johnson, as his nickname suggests, secured his place inthe annals of New Orleans music history with his 1960 Ric Records single “CarnivalTime.” With its strutting rhythm and Johnson’s sunny delivery of such lyrics as “throwmybaby out the window,let the joint burn down,all becauseit’sCarnivalTime,”the song has endured as aMardi Gras standard for 60-plus years. Johnson engaged in adecadeslong legal battle to finally secure sole credit for writing “Carnival Time.” He never had another comparable hit, but that song’s popularity,coupled with his engaging personality,has sustained his status as one of the most beloved characters of New Orleans rhythm and blues

Al ‘Carnival Time’ Johnson rides with the krewesofRed Beans, Dead Beans and Queer Beans during their 2025 Mardi Gras parade.

He reigned as king of the irreverent Krewe du Vieux in 2005. More recently,the KreweofRed Beans made Johnson the organization’spermanent grand marshalstarting with its firstparade in 2009. “Welove the guy,” said Krewe of Red Beans founder DevinDe Wulf. “Hehas been the heart of our krewe since Day 1. He’sjust avery great person in New Orleans.”

ä See HEALTH, page 3D

‘ITGOESONNO MATTER WHAT’

Before she was in charge of the massive French Quarter Festival, Emily Madero grew up in Maine, where, among other pursuits, she played steel drums

She moved to New Orleansinthe 1990s toattendTulane University, and planned to move on after studying Spanishand psychology as an undergraduate, then earning aMaster of Business Administration

Instead, shestayed andeventually ledthe entrepreneurship incubator, the Idea Village. In 2017, shebecame president and CEO of thenonprofit thatproduces theFrench Quarter Festival, the massive free festival thatdraws hundreds of thousands of attendees to the downtown New Orleans riverfronteach spring.

The2026 French Quarter Fest,

the43rd overall, continues through Sunday.Madero recentlysat down to discusswhat makes the festival tickand thechallenges it faces. The interview has been edited for length and clarity

Have you reconciled with the notion that the event you spend all year planning largelydepends on something beyond your control —the weather?

It’saninherent part of doing what we do. Thereare so manystake-

holders, so many details to balance andjuggle.Wespend all year long managing what we canmanage, and thenwejust have to hope and pray for four days of sunshine.It’skind of like the U.S. PostalService —itgoes on no matterwhat.

Our mission is, obviously,tocelebrate the incredible culture of New Orleans, but also to support the businessesinthe (FrenchQuarter) neighborhood.Sowhenitrains, people take abreak from our stages andtheymight wander into abar or restaurant in the French Quarter

Do you have aspecial umbrella and raincoat for theFrench Quarter Fest?

Itry to have afun gift (forthe staff) everyyear

STAFF FILE PHOTO By CHRISGRANGER

PHOTO PROVIDED By FRENCH QUARTERFEST

French Quarter Festival Presidentand CEO Emily Madero takes in the scene at aprevious festival.

We’ve done acouple of rain gearyears. So you might see us withour 40th anniversary swag We all have weatherprooflaptop bags.

Whydid you expand the festival to the newpark at the Gov.Nicholls Streetwharf?

Unlike alot of festivals where you might have aclean, sterile site where you build avillage in themiddle of nowhere, we are overlaying afestival in avillage thatalready exists.

It’salways evolving and shifting. From aflow perspective, we’re always thinking abouthow people experiencethe event, how they move from one stage to another.Asthe audience has grown, there’s opportunity on the riverfront to bring in larger crowds comfortably and to take advantage of thereally beautiful green spaces.

You’ve got breezes coming off the river and avantage pointof the city skyline. So it’sabeautiful place to be. You’ll have aseamless experience on the riverfront, all the way from Canal Street to Esplanade.

Are there plans to limit admissiontothe festival or to certain stages?

We’re constantly monitoring that throughout the festival. There’salot that we do to make sure people are safe and that spaces aren’ttoo crowded

We have limited access before. WhenAaronNeville played (in 2017), we had to slow down folks coming on-site.

Our team does apretty extensivedebriefevery year. We have tons of photography.We have drone footage, and we get feedback from our public safety partners and officials. We’re always thinking about, How did folks experience the festival this year?

Whatwere areas where we can make improvements? How can we spread people out?

The bands that we book and whereweplace them at what times has alot to do withbeing thoughtful about capacity issues and getting people to move around.

Some folks like to set up achair in Jackson Square and don’t move. But we want you to experience thewhole neighborhoodand discover music that you might

not haveexperienced before. We trytodoasmuchaswecan proactively to avoid situations where things feel overfull.

How do you determinethe total attendance figure? In 2025, you said it was 975,000.

It’sanart, not ascience. There’s several different ways that we end uptriangulating what that estimate is.

We have good-old analog clickers at all thegates and security checkpoints. We’reactually countingfolkscoming in and out.

We also do surveys throughout the festival with UNO. That gives us information on howmany days people are coming.It’spretty consistentyear over year that mostpeoplecome forabout 2.5 days.Sowecan lookatthe overall clicksand accountfor how many times peopleare coming. We have aformula that takes areduction for people goingtomultiple venuesatatime.

We estimate based on our UNO survey and someassisted technology.Welook at sales data from our beverage and food booths. Andthen there’smodern technology,cellular data.

So we feel pretty confident in terms of the number of individuals. There’sabout 360,000 unique individuals (that attended in 2025).

Chevron stepped down from being French Quarter Fest’stitle sponsorthis year and won’tbeasponsor at allin2027.

We had an incredible 13-year run (with Chevron). They invested millions of dollars in our mission and really helped us to scale theevent.But business strategies change; they are shifting some resources (away from festival sponsorship).We’re super grateful for them and have been planning for this shift.

It is achallenging time for fundraising, just from aglobal economy and anational economy

standpoint. At the sametime, the festival has never been stronger We’ve spentthe last nine years working on astrong foundation from operations to logistics to incredible programming.

For thefirst timeinageneration,we’re opening our doors to anew partner.Soit’sanexciting time.

This year’sFrench Quarter Festival poster depicts PiratesAlley.It’sanintimate scene, which implies that, althoughthere are alot of people in the French Quarter during the festival,you can still find little nooks and crannies.

We were really happy to work with (artist) Anne Lipscomb. Her poster captures theFrench Quarter in abeautiful way.There’slots of buskers playing throughout thefestival, just like there would be on any given Saturday in the French Quarter.Ithink those quiet moments are some of the mostmagical. It is ablock party.Itfeels very

organic, and it is very organic.

The fact that you can walk to alittle parklet stage on Royal Street and experience this really intimate, wonderful momentand then take adance lesson over at the (Willow Dispensary) Cajun and zydeco stage. Whether you like the big crowds on the riverfront or abeautiful, intimate setting forour songwriters’ stage on the third floor of the Jazz Museum (at the Mint). That’swhat makes this event so incredibly unique.

Ihopeyou do notneed your 40th anniversaryraincoats this weekend.

The rule of thumb is if we bring them,wewon’tneed them. So bring your raincoat!

This interview is from arecent episode of “Let’sTalk with Keith Spera,” which airsonWLAE-TV and WWNO 89.9 FM. Email KeithSpera at kspera@ theadvocate.com.

Now86, Johnson suffered a stroke acouple of years ago. That episode andrelatedmedical complications have left him unable to perform and in need of round-theclock nursing assistance,DeWulf said.

The organization is raising money to pay for in-home nursing assistance for Johnson.Hehopes to be able to remain in his house rather than be admittedtoa nursingfacility,DeWulf said.

Johnson’sbenefits as an Army veteran cover some, but not nearly all, of the cost. De Wulf hopes to build acommunity of monthlycontributors to aid Johnson.

Toughroadfor ‘daKing’

Theorganization is running a simultaneous campaign forLittle Freddie King who,likeJohnson, reigned as kingofKrewe du Vieux

King is originally from Mississippi but hopped atrain to New Orleans as ateenager.He’sbeen a fixture at nightclubs and festivals for decades, trafficking in roadhouse-style electric blues.

He’sperformed across Europe and at the New Orleans Jazz& Heritage Festival since the festival’sfoundingin1970. He appeared alongside Beyoncéinher “Lemonade” video album.

He is now 85. On Sept. 29, King fell off his newly acquired electric bike and hit his head. He spent 40 days at arehabilitation center and another 20 at anursing facility learninghow to walkwiththe assistance of arolling walker

By The Associated Press

Today is Friday,April 17, the 107th day of 2026. There are 258 days left in the year

Todayinhistory: On April 17, 1961, some 1,400 CIA-trained Cuban exiles launched the Bay of Pigsinvasion of Cuba in afailed bid to topple FidelCastro. Cuban forces crushed the incursion within three days.

plays an hourlong

in celebration ofhis 80th birthdayin2020.

Four monthsafter thebikeaccident, he was reinjured in afall.

He is now confined to awheelchairand suffers from what his longtime manager and drummer, Wade “Wacko” Wright, describes as impairedfunctional mobility and activity tolerance issues.

As an added complication, Habitat for Humanity recentlysold thehome in theMusicians Village thatKinghas rented for years.

The new landlord, Wright said, tripled King’srent.AsKing has beenunabletoperform, that has created afinancial hardship.

Just before theaccident in September,Kingand hisbandrecorded alive album at BJ’sLounge, the Bywater wateringhole that is his home venue. Thedouble-LP“Live at BJ’sLounge”was releasedin late March and is available at lo-

her single-engine Cessna plane in Columbus, Ohio, aftera 29-day journey.

In 1969, ajury in LosAngeles convicted Sirhan Sirhan of assassinating Sen. Robert F. Kennedy (Sirhan’s death sentence would be commuted to life in prison with the possibility of parole. He remains in prison today.)

In 1970, Apollo 13 astronauts James A. Lovell, Fred W. Haise and Jack Swigert splashed down safely

on

cal record stores.

King hopes to makeone final Jazz Fest appearance with his band at theBluesTentonSaturday,April 25. The plan is for afillin guitaristtohandle the guitar partswhile King sings from his wheelchair Meanwhile, the Krewe of Red Beans is running afundraising campaign for him.

Donors to both King andJohnson can choose from one-time, monthly or yearly donations, starting withaslittle as $5.

Everydollarthatiscontributedvia the Krewe of Red Beans website, minus the costofonline processing fees,goes directlyto Johnson and King, De Wulf said.

Email KeithSpera at kspera@ theadvocate.com.

abort plans for athird moon landing. In 1975, Cambodia’sfive-year civil war ended as the capital Phnom Penh fell to the Khmer Rouge, which institutedbrutal, radical policies thatclaimed an estimated 1.7million lives (nearly one in four Cambodians) until the regimewas overthrown in 1979.

In 1991, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 3,000 for the first time nding the day

Dear Annie: My friend insists on splittingevery restaurantbill “evenly,” no matter what. The problem is, shealways orders cocktails andappetizers, while Iusually stick to oneentree.

Last week,my$22 dinnersomehow became $48 after the“split.” WhenI suggested we each payfor what we ordered,she laughed andsaid, “That’sso muchmore complicated.”

Ilike spending time withher,but I’m starting to dread goingout to eat.How do Ibring this up without sounding cheap? —Tired of PickingUp theTab DearTired: There are plenty of ways to split abill that don’tleave you funding herappetizers.

Putting your card down andsettling up later can work,ifyou trust she’ll pay you back.You could also ask the waiter when youorder to bring separate checks. And if noneofthatappeals, change the setting. Ahome-cooked meal or awalkdoesn’t come witha surprise surcharge.

DearAnnie: My wife andI have had asolid 25-year marriage where we’ve bothbeen open andtoldeach other anything andeverything. Recently,mywife letitslip that she and her best friend “Claudia” smoked pot afew years ago.

The smoking doesn’t bother me,but that’s thetype of thing we would’ve toldeach other about. When Iasked herwhy she’d never

officers of violating thecivil rights of motoristRodneyKing in a1991 beating. Twoother officers were acquitted.

In 2013, amassive explosion of ammonium nitrate at aTexas fertilizerplantkilled15people and injured hundredsofothers. The blast and fireatthe West Fertilizer Co. plant left part of the smalltown of West in ruins.

In 2014, astronomers announced orbitin epl tel

mentioneditbefore, Icould tellshe wasnervous. WhenI asked who else wasatthe party whenithappened, shestumbled to tellmethe names of someofher andClaudia’s female friends. Although agood friend,Claudia hasahistory of multiple affairs, andshe’s notofthe highest moral character.The fact that my wife kept this from me makes me suspect there’smore to thestory than shesaidand likely that someof Claudia’s male friends were there. This is bothering me andmaking me wonder what Ishould do Should Ipress my wife further and risk angering herbyquestioning herfidelity? Or should Iask Claudia herversion? —Suspicious Dear Suspicious: Whatyou’re reacting to isn’tthe pot, but thefeeling that somethingwas withheld. After 25 years of openness, even asmall omission can feel larger than it is Suspicionwill do moredamagethanthe truth you’re seeking. Go back to your wife calmly and without accusation.Tellher you’re unsettled,not because of what happened, but because it felt outof step withthe honesty youtwo have built.Thenlisten

Don’tbring Claudia intoyour marriage. Thatwill only create moreconfusion andchaos. Trustis strengthenedinconversationslike this,not investigations. If it continuestoweigh on your marriage, talking it through withacouples counselor can help youreconnect andrebuild trust.

Emil dearannie@creators.com.

own orbiting ared dwarf star in the “‘Goldilocks” zonewhere it’s not too hotand nottoo coldfor life

Today’sbirthdays: Actor David Bradleyis84. Actor ClarkePeters is 74. Author NickHornby is 69. Actor Sean Bean is 67. Rock singer Maynard James Keenan (Tool)is62. Actor LelaRochon is 62. Actor KimberlyEliseis59. Singer-songwriter LizPhairis59. Director-producer Adam McKayis58. Rapper-actor Red is FootballHallof

STAFF FILEPHOTO By DAVIDGRUNFELD

Little FreddieKing

showstreamed

Facebook Live

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Take the high road. Look beyond what's unfoldingin frontofyou and map outa plan that will help you prevent setbacks and interference. Aphysical or mental change will boost your confidence.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Listen more and say less. Keep your personal lifeto yourself and work diligently to maintain the status quo. Take care of institutional, legal, medical or financial matters.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Set the record straight,lightenyour emotional load and stop worrying aboutmatters that youcannotchange. Attend areunion, andsomeonespecial will reenter your life.

cAncER(June 21-July 22) Bewareofemotional manipulation andtrapsthatcan jeopardize your reputation or position Be on guard andready to do whatever it takes to maintain balance and integrity.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Weighthe pros and cons before making amove. Youhave plenty to thinkabout, so take the time to figure outproper protocol and find informationtoensure you get the best results.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Interactingwith others will bring out the best in you. A shift in how you feel about someone will make or break yourrelationship. Express your thoughts and implement your intentions.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Set your pace and move forward with enthusiasm.How you treat others will factor into what

you get in return. Apartnership will encourage taking aunique approach to life, love and achieving happiness.

scoRPIo (oct.24-nov. 22) Talks will lead to achange of heart. Embrace what makes you feel good about yourself. Sharing your interests and intentions with loved ones will help you decipher what's best for you.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Get your house in order and the changes you desire behind you.Creating aspace that you find uplifting and convenient will encourage you to spend more time at home and to entertainmore often.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Put ahalt to everything. Rethink your motives, the cost of thechangesyou want to make andwho youtrust to give youanhonest appraisal.Implement ahealthylifestyle.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Set up interviews, makecold calls and head in a direction that offers financial freedom. An interesting position will give you something to look forward to while you update your resume, skills and prospects.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Engage in pastimesthat get you out and about.Interactingwith like-mindedpeople will help you gather the information necessary to make amove or adjust your lifestyle.

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

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

bIG

Sudoku

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

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

THewiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

CurTiS

Bridge

By PHILLIP ALDER

Dr. Stuart Brown and Christopher Vaughansaid, “The genius of play is that, in playing, we create imaginative newcognitive combinations. And in creating those novel combinations, we find what works.”

Early in ourbridge careers, we meet novel suit combinations and try to work outwhat to do. Then we hope to rememberthemfor the future. Sometimes, though, we cannot take asuitcombination in isolation;wemust be influenced by the full deal.

In thisexample, howshould South play thediamond suit forfour tricks in isolation, and howwithinthecontextof trying to make three no-trump?

South starts with seven top tricks: two spades, one heart, threediamonds and one club. Assuming he can get afourth diamondwinner,heneedsonemoretrick from somewhere. Even if the hearts are 3-3, perhaps there won’t be time to establishthe extra trick. The defenders might first take two hearts and three spades. Instead, declarer should go for two clubtricks by taking apair of finesses through East. However, that requires reaching dummy twice, which can happenonly in diamonds.

Taking diamonds in isolation, South wouldcash his king, thencross to dummy’s ace, in case East hasjack-fourth.

But not here; declarer needs diamonds 3-2. He cashes his king andqueen,overtakeshis 10 with dummy’sace, andplays aclub to his jack. It loses, but he wins the next spade, leads his diamond four to dummy’s eight, takes asecond club finesse, and claims nine tricks. ©2026 by nEa,inc., dist. By andrewsmcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzle is aword riddle whichcreates adisguisedword,phrase,name, place, saying, etc. For example: nOOn gOOD =gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuctIons: 1. Words mustbeoffour or moreletters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. additional wordsmade by adding a“d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. proper nouns, slang words,orvulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

toDAy’sWoRD nEItHER: NEE-thur: Not either.

Averagemark23words

Time limit 40 minutes

Can youfind 34 or more words in NEITHER?

yEstERDAy’s WoRD —sALutE

tesla

wuzzles

loCKhorNs

This prophecy wasgiven 700years beforethe birth of Jesus. Godkeeps His promises. G.E. Dean

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

hidato

mallard fillmore

dIrectIons: make a2-to 7-letter word from the letters in each row. add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value. all the words are in the Official sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5th Edition.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

Formore information on tournamentsand clubs,email naspa –north americansCraBBlE playersassociation:info@scrabbleplayers.org. Visitour website: www.scrabbleplayers.org. For puzzle inquiries contact scrgrams@gmail.com. Hasbro andits logo sCraBBlE associated logo,the design of thedistinctive sCraBBlE brand game card, and thedistinctivelettertile designs are trademarks of Hasbro in the United states and Canada. ©2021 Hasbro. allrights reserved.Distributed by Tribune Contentagency, llC.

ken ken

InstructIons: 1 -Each row and each columnmust containthe numbers1thorugh 4(easy) or 1through 6 (challenging) without repeating 2 -The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes, calledcages, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners. 3 -Freebies: Fill in the single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner.

WiShinGWell

HErE is aplEasanT liTTlE gamEthat will give you amessage every day.it’s a numerical puzzle designed to spell outyourfortune.Count theletters in yourfirst name. if the number of letters is 6ormore, subtract 4. if thenumberisless than 6, add 3. Theresult is your key number. start at theupperleft-hand corner and check each of yourkey numbers, left to right. Thenreadthe message thechecked figures give you

Scrabble GramS

Get fuzzy

jump Start

roSe iS roSe

animal crackerS

DuStin

Drabble

Wallace the brave

breWSter rockit

luann

OFFICIAL NOTICE

Public Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of New Orleans

will consider at its regular meeting of April 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., to be held either via video conference or in the Council Chamber,City Hall, 1300 Perdido Street, Room 1E07, the adoption of Ordinance Calendar No. 35,421 introduced at the meeting of April 9, 2026.

SAID ORDINANCE would authorize the Mayor of the City of New Orleans to enter into aCooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City of New Orleans (“City”), the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA), and Finance New Orleans (FANO), for aterm greater than one year,for the public purpose of administering the Housing Trust Fund in the City of New Orleans, as morefully detailed in the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit “A”.

Said ordinance may be seen in full in the Office of the Clerk of Council Room 1E09, City Hall, 1300 Perdido Street.

AISHA R. COLLIER

CLERK OF COUNCIL

PUBLICATION DATE: April 17, 2026 NOCP 9012

OFFICIAL NOTICE CAL. NO. 35,421 EXHIBIT A

COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, NEW ORLEANS REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY,AND FINANCE NEW ORLEANS COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITYOFNEW ORLEANS AND NEW ORLEANS REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND THE FINANCE AUTHORITYOFNEW ORLEANS HOUSING TRUST FUND

THIS COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT (the Agreement”)

is entered into by and between the City of New Orleans, represented by Helena N. Moreno, its Mayor (the City”), and the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority,represented by Brenda Breaux, Executive Director (the Contractor”or“NORA”),and The Finance Authorityof New Orleans, represented by Damon Burns, Chief Executive Officer (the Contractor”or“FANO”) (collectively the Contractors”). The City and the Contractor(s) may sometimes be collectively referred to as the Parties.” This Agreement is effective as of the date of execution by the City(the Effective Date”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS,the City is apolitical subdivision of the State;

WHEREAS,NORA is apublic body corporate and political, and their principal address is 1409 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans,LA 70113; WHEREAS,NORA exists and operates as generally provided for in La. R.S. 33:4720, et seq., for public purposes that include the prevention and elimination of blighted areas, the development of vibrant neighborhoods, and the establishment of economically and socially sound communities through abroad range of redevelopment activities; WHEREAS,FANO is apublic trust created pursuant to the provisions of the Louisiana Public Trust Act contained in Chapter 2-A of Title 9ofthe Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended (R.S. 9:2341-9:2347, inclusive) (the Public Trust Law”) with the City as its beneficiary, and is authorized to promote, encourage and further the accomplishment of all activities which areormay become of benefittothe City and which have apublic purpose, and areauthorized by the Public Trust Law,and their principal address is 201 St. Charles Ave., Suite 4444, New Orleans, LA 70170; WHEREAS,pursuant to Article 7, Section 14(C) of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974, and related statutes, and Section 9-314 of the Home Rule Charter of the City of New Orleans, the City may enter into cooperative endeavors with the State of Louisiana, its political subdivisions and corporations, the United States and its agencies, and any public or private corporation, association, or individual with regard to cooperative financing and other economic development activities, the procurement and development of immovable property,joint planning and implementation of public works, the joint use of facilities, joint research and program implementation activities, joint funding initiatives, and other similar activities in support of public education, community development, housing rehabilitation, economic growth, and other public purposes; WHEREAS,New Orleans voters approved the adoption of Home Rule Charter Section 6-201(d),providing for creation of the Housing Trust Fund (the “Trust Fund”),onNovember 5, 2024 for the purpose of investing in affordable housing programs and projects in the City of New Orleans;

WHEREAS,the New Orleans City Council (the Council”) established the Trust Fund as set forth in City Code Section 70:415.338, et seq;

WHEREAS,the Trust Fund will provide annual funding for affordable housing programs and projects;

WHEREAS,the City desires to partner with NORA and FANO because of their expertise in developing and maintaining affordable housing in the CityofNew Orleans;

WHEREAS,the City,NORA, and FANO desiretoaccomplish a valuable public purpose of enhancing housing opportunity in the City of New Orleans as part of the Trust Fund;

WHEREAS,the City,NORA, and FANO now desiretoenter into this Agreement in order to define their relationship regarding the Trust Fund; NOW THEREFORE,the City,NORA, and FANO, each having the authority to do so, agree as follows:

ARTICLE I-OBLIGATIONS OF NORA AND FANO

NORA’s and FANO’sperformance obligations under this Agreement areexpressly contingent upon: (i) annual appropriation and lawful availability of Trust Fund monies; (ii) timely disbursement of such monies by the City; (iii) approval of applicable budgets and implementation plans as required by law; and (iv) receipt of all information, approvals, and direction from the City,Committee, and Council reasonably necessary for performance. NORA and FANO will:

A. Act as prudent administratorsofthe proceeds of the Trust Fund distributed to them (“Trust Fund Proceeds”), in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and applicable law,including the City’sannual budget ordinance and any duly approved Budget and Implementation Plan;

B. Distribute Program Funds (as defined below) to sub-grantees for the purposes set forth in City Code Secs. 70:415.339 including butnot limited to all restrictions set forth in City Code Sec. 70:415.340;

C. Provide the Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee as defined in City Code Sec. 70-415.342 (the Committee”) and the City’sFinance Department, with technical assistance and such information related to the administration of Trust Fund Proceeds as may be reasonably required to enable the Committee to comply with its reporting obligation under City Code Sec. 70:415.342, and this Agreement. This includes but is not limited to:

1. Providing certified quarterly and annual reports to the Committee and City’sFinance Department, containing information set forth in City Code Section 70:415.342(d)(1), as well as any other pertinent information required by applicable law or otherwise by the City in order to comply with City Code Section 70:415.338 et seq;

2. Assisting the Committee with quarter-annual updates to be reported to the City Council in accordance with the Committee’sduties set forth in City Code Secs. 70:415.342(d) (1) and (2);and

D. Establish and provide scoring criteria to the Committee and Council to be used in awarding subgrants through the Trust Fund pursuant to this Agreement, which criteria must be included in all applicable requests for qualifications and/or proposals, notices of funding opportunity and other grant applications;

E. Provide the City with program policies and procedures, decision matrices, and any other documents or tools used to make funding decisions in grant programs similar to grants related to the Housing Trust Fund and to provide updated versions of such within 30 days of any changes to them;

F. Provide the Office of Housing Policy and Community Development with monthly programmatic reporting outlining the progress or lack thereof for all approved housing programs; G. NORA and FANO shall provide the reports required under this Agreement in substantially the form reasonably requested by the City,using

the City with any documents requested by the City for performance of any work required under this Agreement. ARTICLE II -THE CITY’SOBLIGATIONS

The City will:

A. Administer this Agreement through the Office of Housing Policy and Community Development, or such other department as the City may designate in writing, (the “Department”), which shall

serve as the primary administrative point of contact for all routine communications, approvals, and operational directives under this Agreement;

B. At the City’sdiscretion or as expressly required by law,perform an annual audit of each Contractor to ensureTrust Fund Proceeds areused in compliance with this Agreement and applicable law,including but not limited to 70:415.340 and 70:415.341. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any audit conducted by or on behalfofthe City pursuant to this Section shall be limited to books and records directly related to Trust Fund Proceeds and the Contractors’ performance under this Agreement, shall be conducted during normal business hours upon reasonable prior written notice, and shall be performed by the City’sinternal auditors, Legislative Auditor,oranindependent third-party auditor engaged by the City.The City shall provide the Contractors with awritten audit scope in advance and areasonable opportunity to respond to draft findings beforeany final determination;

C. Provide adequate staffsupport for the Administrators and the Committee to conduct public meetings as required by applicable law;

D. Provide policy-level direction regarding permissibleprogrammatic uses of the Trust Fund, as contemplated by applicable law provided however that NORA and FANO shall retain authority to administer Trust Fund Proceeds, evaluate applications, and make funding recommendations or awards consistent with approved criteria, applicable law,and the adopted Budget and Implementation Plan; and

E. Resolve any and all programmatic conflicts and provide recommendations for resolution between Administrators and the Committee within thirty (30) calendar upon notice of apotential questions and/or conflict;

F. Provide FANO and NORA with any documents reasonably necessary for the performance of any work required under this Agreement;

G. Confer in good faith with the NORA and FANO no later than thirty (30) days prior to the commencement of each program year,or as soon thereafter as reasonably practicablefollowing approval of the annual budget and implementation plan, to confirm the allocation of the Administrative Fee, Rainy Day Fund, and Trust Fund Proceeds;

H. Provide NORA and FANO with any and all relevant documents and information related to any funding or administrative requirements that may governthe administration and disbursement of Trust Fund Proceeds to ensureproper use of funds in accordance with any covenants or restrictions applicable to such bonds and the proceeds thereof;

I. Provide NORA and FANO with aquarterly and annual fiscal reporting related to all funds made available to the Trust Fund to ensurethe successful performance of the work required under this Agreement as well as to ensureaccurate reporting as required under this Agreement; and

J. Create apublic facing dashboardtobemaintained and updated quarterly or annually including all information required under City Code Section 70:415.342.

ARTICLE III -FUNDING

A. Administrative Fee. NORA and FANO will administer the Trust Fund Proceeds in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and with City Code Section 70:415.338, et seq. The aggregate administrative fee due to FANO and NORA, for performing the work required by this Agreement, shall not, collectively, exceed ten percent (10%) of the Trust Fund Proceeds (the AdministrativeFee”). NORA and FANO shall each receive 25% of the Administrative Fee. The remaining portion of the Administrative Fee shall be allocated annuallybetween NORA and FANO and shall be calculated and allocated by the City based on an equitable division taking into account the comparative duties of each Contractor and total funding allocations established for that year pursuant to applicable law,including without limitation the Council motion approving the Advisory Committee’s recommended Budget and Implementation Plan and the City’s operating budget ordinances.

1. Payment of Administrative Fee. The Administrative Fee shall be payable on an annual basis pursuant to the following schedule:

i. First Year: Payable within thirty (30) days after the City’s receipt of funds appropriated or otherwise designated for the Trust Fund. The City shall provide written notice to NORA and FANO within fifteen (15) days of receipt of such funds.

ii. Subsequent years: For each subsequent year,the Administrative Fee shall be due and payable no later than March 31st of each year.Ifthe City has not received the applicable Trust Fund revenues by such date, the City will notify NORA and FANO immediately about the source of Trust Fund Proceeds and the date when funding will be available. In this case, the Administrative Fee shall be payable within thirty (30) days after the City’s receipt of such revenues.

2. Effect of Delay.Ifthe City fails to timelydisburse any portion of the Administrative Fee, any deadlines for performance by NORA or FANO that aremateriallyaffected by such delay shall be equitably extended, and neither NORA nor FANO shall be deemed in default for delays resulting directly for such nonpayment.

3. Status Pending Disbursement. Until disbursed to NORA or FANO in accordance with this Agreement, the Administrative Fee shall remain part of the Trust Fund. The City may require such reporting relative to the use and draw down of the Administrative Fee as may be necessary to comply with the applicable funding source of the Trust Fund Proceeds.

B. Program Funds. That portion of the Trust Fund Proceeds remaining after deduction of the Administrative Fee and Housing Rainy Day Fund (as herein defined) shall constitute the program funds to be administered under this Agreement (“Program Funds”). NORA and FANO shall each maintainaseparate escrow account dedicated to Program Funds, wherefunds aretobeheld prior to being further allocated to grantees in accordance with this Agreement. Program Funds shall be used solely for purposes authorized by this Agreement, the approved budget, applicable law,and any funding-source restrictions disclosed by the City Except as otherwise provided in Section III, Trust Fund Proceeds shall be remitted to Administrators by the Department of Finance in accordance with the following schedule:

1. First Year: (a) If the source of funding is derived from proceeds of bonds issued by the City,the Trust Fund Proceeds shall be due within 30 days after bond proceeds arereceived. (b) If the source of funding is derived from general fund appropriations or other revenue sources, Trust Fund Proceeds shall be disbursed in two substantiallyequal payments during the first calendar year this Agreement is in effect.

2. Subsequent Years. In each subsequent year,Trust Fund Proceeds shall be paid on asemi-annual basis, with one-half of the funds due on or beforeMarch 31st and one-half due on or beforeSeptember 30th of each year.The City will notify FANO and NORA by April 1st, about the source of Trust Fund Proceeds and the date when funding will be available. If the City has not received the applicable Trust Fund revenues by such dates, the City will notify NORA and FANO immediately about the source of Trust Fund Proceeds and the date when funding will be available. In this case, the Program Funds shall be payable within thirty (30) days after the City’sreceipt of such revenues. C. Additional Funds. Any additional funds that the City,FANO,or NORA designates as part of the Trust Fund Proceeds, including but not limited to grant funds, public funding

company providing any insurance with respect to this Agreement is declared bankrupt, becomes insolvent, loses the right to do business in Louisiana, or ceases to meet the requirements of this Agreement. Special Risks or Circumstances: The City of New Orleans shall reserve the right to modify these requirements, including limits, based on the nature of the risk, prior experience, insurance coverage, or other circumstances, based on any change in the Scope of Work and/or Contractor obligations. ARTICLE VII -PERFORMANCE MEASURES

A. Factors. The City will measurethe performance of the other Parties according to the following non-exhaustive factors: work performed in compliance with the terms of the Agreement; staff availability; stafftraining; staffprofessionalism;staffexperience; customer service; communication and accessibility; prompt and effective correction of situations and conditions; timeliness and completeness of submission of requested documentation (such as records, receipts, invoices, insurance certificates, and computer-generated reports).

B. Failure to Perform. If NORA or FANO fail to perform according to the Agreement, the City will notify the non-compliant party.If thereisacontinued lack of performance after notification, the Parties can mutually agree to declarethe Non-compliant Party in default and may pursue any appropriate remedies available under the Agreement and/or any applicable law ARTICLEVIII -LIVING WAGES

A. Definitions. Unlessotherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, Capitalized terms used but not defined herein, shall have the definition attributed to them in Article VIII, Section 70-802 of the City Code.

B. Compliance. To the fullest extent permitted by law,the Contractor agrees to abide by City Code Sections 70-801, et seq which requires, in pertinent part, the following:

1. Payment of an hourly wage to Covered Employees equal to the amounts defined in the City Code (“Living Wage”);

2. Receipt of at least seven (7) days per year of compensated leave for Covered Employees, as required by Section 70-807 of the City Code; and

3. Post notice in aprominent place regarding the applicability of the Living Wage Ordinance in every workplace in which Covered Employees areworking that is within the Covered Employer’scustody and control, as required by Section 70810 of the City Code.

C. Living Wage. In accordance with the Living Wage Ordinance, Living Wage shall be as follows: $16.01 per hour plus any adjustment provided in subsection Dbelow for any work performed during calendar year 2025 or thereafter

D. Adjusted Living Wage.Inaccordance with Section 70-806(2) of the City Code, the Living Wage shall be annually adjusted for inflation, as defined by the Consumer Price Index calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as applied to the South Region, except that in no instance shall the Living Wage be adjusted downward. The first adjustment shall become effective on January 1, 2024 using the Consumer Price Index figures provided for the preceding year,and thereafter on an annual basis.

E. Subcontract Requirements. As required by Section 70-804 of the City Code, the Contractor,beneficiary, or other Covered Employer prior to entering into asubcontract, shall notify subcontractors in writing of the requirements and applicability of Article VIII –The Living Wage Ordinance (“Article”). City contractorsand beneficiaries shall be deemed responsible for violations of this Article by their subcontractors.

F. Reporting. On or beforeJanuary 31st and upon request by the City,the Contractor shall identify (a) the hourly wage earned by the lowest paid Covered Employee and (b) the number of days of compensated leave received by Covered Employees earning less than 130% of the then-prevailing wage during the current term of the Agreement, and provide the identified information to the following: Office of Workforce Development Living Wage -Compliance 1340 Poydras Street –Suite 1800 New Orleans, Louisiana 70112

G. Compliance Monitoring Covered Employers under this Agreement aresubject to compliance monitoring and enforcement of the Living Wage requirements by the Office of Workforce Development (the “OWD”) and/or the Chief Administrative Office (“CAO”). Covered Employers will cooperate fully with the OWD and/or the CAO and other City employees and agents authorized to assist in the administration and enforcement of the Living Wage requirements. Steps and actions include, but arenot limited to, requirements that: (i) the Contractor will cooperate fully with the OWD and the CAO and other City employees and agents authorized to assist in the administration and enforcement of the Living Wage requirements; (ii) the Contractor agrees that the OWD and the CAO and their designees, in the performance of their duties, shall have the right to engage in random inspections of job sites and to have access to the employees of the Contractor payroll records and employee paychecks; and (ii) that the City may audit such records of the Contractor as he or she reasonably deems necessary to determine compliance with the Living Wage standards.

H. Remedies.Ifthe Contractor fails to comply with the Living Wage requirements during the term of the Agreement, said failuremay result in termination of the Agreement or the pursuit of other remedies by the City,including, but not limited to, the penalties and enforcement mechanismsset forth in Section 70-811 of the City Code.

ARTICLE IX -HIRENOLA PROGRAM

To the extent allowed by law,the Contractors agree to abide by City Code sections 70-496, et seq.,todemonstrate good faith efforts to fully carry out the applicable requirements of the HireNOLA Program as defined in the City Code. If the Contractors fail to comply with the requirements of the HireNOLA Program during the term of the Agreement, said failure may result in termination of the Agreement or pursuit of other remedies.

ARTICLE X-NON-DISCRIMINATION

A. Equal Employment Opportunity In all hiring or employment made possible by,orresulting from this Agreement, the Contractors (1) will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, gender,age, physical or mental disability,national origin, sexual orientation, creed, culture, or ancestry,and (2) whereapplicable, will take affirmative action to ensurethat the Contractor’s employees aretreated during employment without regardtotheir race, color,religion, sex, gender,age, physical or mental disability national origin, sexual orientation, creed, culture, or ancestry.This requirement shall apply to, but not be limited to the following: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer,recruitment or recruitment advertising,layoffortermination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and selection for training, including apprenticeship. All solicitations or advertisements for employees shall state that all qualified applicants will receive consideration foremployment without regardtorace, color, religion, sex, gender,age, physical or mental disability,national origin, sexual orientation, creed, culture, or ancestry.

B. Non-Discrimination.Inthe performance of this Agreement, the Contractors will not discriminate on the basis, whether in fact or perception, of aperson’srace, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry,age, sex, gender,sexual orientation, gender identity,domestic partner status, marital status, physical or mental disability,orAIDS- or HIV-status against (1) any employee of the City working with the Contractorsin any of the Contractors’ operations within Orleans Parish or (2) any person seeking accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, services, or membership in all business, social, or other establishments or organizations operated by the Contractor.The Contractors

agree to comply with and abide by all applicable federal, state and local laws relating to non-discrimination, including, without limitation, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section Vofthe Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

C. Incorporation into Subcontracts.The Contractors will incorporate the terms and conditions of this Article into all subcontracts, by reference or otherwise, and will requireall subcontractors to comply with those provisions.

D. The City may terminate this Agreement for cause if the Contractors fail to comply with

23:1021(6), for any benefits or coverage as provided by the Workmen’sCompensation Law of the State of Louisiana. Under the provisions of La. R.S. 23:1034, any person employed by the Contractors will not be considered an employee of the City for the purpose of Worker’sCompensation coverage.

C. Exclusion of Unemployment Compensation Coverage.The Contractors, as independent contractors, arebeing hired by the City under this Agreement for hireand defined in La. R.S. 23:1472(E) and neither the Contractors nor anyone employed by them will be considered an employee of the City for the purpose of unemployment compensation coverage, which coverage same being hereby expressly waived and excluded by the Parties, because: (a) the Contractors have been and will be free from any control or direction by the City over the performance of the services covered by this contract; (b) the services to be performed by the Contractors areoutside the normal course and scope of the City’susual business; and (c) the Contractors have been independently engaged in performing the services required under this Agreement prior to the date of this Agreement.

D. Waiver of Benefits.The Contractors, as independent contractors, will not receive from the City any sick and annual leave benefits, medical insurance, life insurance, paid vacations, paid holidays, sick leave, pension, or Social Security for any services rendered to the City under this Agreement.

ARTICLE XII -FORCE MAJEURE

A. Event. An event of Force Majeurewill include any event or occurrence not reasonably foreseeable by the City at the execution of this Agreement, which will include, but not be limited to, abnormally severeand unusual weather conditions or other acts of God (including tropical weather events, tornados, hurricanes, and flooding); declarations of emergency; shortages of labor or materials (not caused by City); riots; terrorism; acts of public enemy; war; sabotage; cyber-attacks, threats, or incidents; epidemics or pandemics; court or governmental order; or any other cause whatsoever beyond the reasonable control of City,provided such event was not caused by the negligence or misconduct of City, by the failureofCity to comply with applicable laws, or by the breach of this Agreement.

B. Notice.Toseek the benefitofthis Article, the City must provide notice in writing to the Contractors stating: (1) an event triggering this Article has occurred; (2) the anticipated effect of the Force Majeureevent on performance; and (3) the expected duration of the delay,ifthe Agreement is being suspended.

C. Effect.

1. Upon the occurrence of aForce Majeureevent, for which the City has provided required notice, the City may,atits sole discretion:

a. Suspend this Agreement for aduration to be set by the City, not to exceed 90 days. During such time of suspension, the Parties will not be liable or responsible for performance of their respective obligations under this Agreement, and therewill be excluded from the computation of such period of time any delays directly due to the occurrence of the Force Majeureevent. During any such period of suspension, the Contractor must take all commercially reasonable actions to mitigate against the effects of the Force Majeureevent and to ensurethe prompt resumption of performance when so instructed by the City; or b. Terminate this Agreement, either immediatelyorafter one or moreperiods of suspension, effective on notice to Contractor(s) and without any further compensation due.

2. Notwithstanding Section C(1) above, the obligations relating to making payments when due (for services or materials already provided) and those obligations specified to survive in the Agreement will be unaffected by any suspension or termination.

ARTICLE XIII -NOTICE

A In General.Except for any routine communication, any notice, demand, communication, or request required or permitted under this Agreement will be given in writing and delivered in person or by certified mail, returnreceipt requested as follows:

1. To the City: Director of the Office of Housing Policy and Community Development City of New Orleans 1340 Poydras St, Suite 1000 New Orleans, LA 70112 & The President of the City Council City of New Orleans 1300 Perdido Street, Second Floor New Orleans, LA 70112 & The Chairofthe Council’s Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee City of New Orleans Through the City Council Research Officer 1300 Perdido Street, Suite 1E06 New Orleans, LA 70112 & City Attorney City of New Orleans 1300 Perdido Street, Suite 5E03 New Orleans, LA 70112 & Executive Counsel New Orleans City Council 1300 Perdido Street, Suite 1E06 New Orleans, LA 70112

2. To NORA: Brenda Breaux Executive Director 1409 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, Suite B New Orleans, LA 70113

3. To FANO: Damon Burns 201 St. Charles Avenue, Suite 4444 New Orleans, LA 70170

B.

their interest shall revert to the City

Audit and

FANO will submittoany

and

and, at the

will

or pertaining to

of FANO,

by

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:873-541 JPMORGAN CHASEBANK, N.A. VERSUS NICOLE GERACI (A/K/A NICOLE MARIEGERACI)

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedMarch 9, 2026, Ihave seized andwill proceedto sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, May27, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

ACERTAIN LOT OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐ments thereonand all therights, ways, privileges, servitudes,ap‐purtenances and advantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐tainingsituated in theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, EIGHTH WARD, in AIRLINEPARK NORTH SUBDIVISION, being partsof Elmwood and Lafreniere Plan‐tations, location in Sections 41,42 and43, Town‐ship 12 South, Range10East, Southeastern District of Louisiana, East of theMissis‐sippiRiver.Ac‐cordingtosur‐veyofH.E Landry,Civil Engineer,dated September1, 1954, revised October 20, 1954, said por‐tion of ground is desig‐natedasfol‐lows,to-wit:

squa e s bounded by Eisenhower Av‐enue,Lafreniere Street,HallAv‐enue andCam‐phor Street

Allinaccor‐dancewith a survey by J.J. Krebsand Sons, C.E.&S., certified correcton June 19,1969, a copy of which is annexedtoven‐dors ActofPur‐chase, passed before me,No‐tary,thisdate.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges

TERMS- Thefull purchase price isdue at the timeofthe sale

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or PersonalCheck with Bank Letter ofCredit.

EMILYA MUELLER Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: April17, 2026, May 22, 2026

apr17-may222t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:873-378

NEWREZ LLC VERSUS HARRYLOUIS STANLEYJR

p eges servitudes,ap‐purtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in TerrytownSub‐division,Section 3, being part of Oakdale Subdivision, SectionB,First Ward,all in ac‐cordance with theSurvey registered in COB510 folio 492, andinPlan Book 39, folio 66, which said property is more fullyde‐scribedasLot No.23inSquare No.59, bounded by Cooper Road, East Forest Lawn Drive, Fordham Place, andHer‐itageAvenue which said Lot commences at a distance of 297 feet from the corner of Cooper Road andEast Forest Lawn Driveand mea‐suresthence61

sures thence 61 feet fronton Cooper Road,by awidth in therearof58.66 feet,bya depth alongthe side line nearer East Forest Lawn Drive of 110 feet,by a depth alongthe opposite side line of 110 feet; allinaccor‐dancewith survey of Adloe Orr, Jr.and As‐sociates,C.E., datedJuly17, 1961, resur‐veyedMarch 29, 1972, copy annexedhereto

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

OFFICIALNOTICE

CANDACEA COURTEAU Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: April17, 2026, May22, 2026 apr17-may222t

SION OF ALLEN JOHN CA‐MARDELLE A/K/AALLEN JOHN CAMARDELLE A/K/AALLENJ CAMARDELLE A/K/AALLEN CAMARDELLE

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedMarch 12, 2026, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, May27, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

That certain portionof ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐ments thereon, andall of therights, ways,privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurte‐nances and advantages thereuntobe‐longingorany‐wise appertain‐ing, situated in theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part known as WhiteHouse Subdivision, in the City of West‐wego, in Square 10, bounded by Avenue "A", Otto Street (for‐merly11th Street), the SalavilleLine (Laroussinin Street side)and 10thStreet, which said lots of ground area re‐subdivisionof Lots 1and 2of Square 10, Whitehouse Subdivision, as shownonthe

Public Notice is hereby given that the Councilofthe City of New Orleans will consider at itsregular meeting of April23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.,tobe held either via video conference or in the CouncilChamber,CityHall 1300 Perdido Street, Room 1E07, the adoption of Ordinance Calendar No.35,401 introduced at the meeting of April9,2026.

SAID ORDINANCEwould authorizethe Mayorofthe City of New Orleans to enter into an Amendment No.1 to aCooperative EndeavorAgreement between the City of New Orleans (the “City”), and Arts Council of New Orleans (“ArtsCouncil”),for atermgreater than one year,for the public purpose of promotingpublicart by establishing the procedureand funding for the executionand acquisition of works of art in publicplaces in the City of New Orleans, as morefully detailedinAmendment No.1 to the Cooperative EndeavorAgreement form attached hereto as Exhibit “A”.

Saidordinance may be seen in fullinthe Office of the Clerk of Council, Room 1E09, City Hall, 1300 Perdido Street.

AISHA R. COLLIER CLERKOFCOUNCIL

PUBLICATION DATE: April 17, 2026 NOCP 9002

OFFICIALNOTICE CAL. NO.35,401

EXHIBIT A AMENDMENT NO.1 TO THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THECITYOFNEW ORLEANS ANDARTSCOUNCIL OF NEW ORLEANS [COVER PAGE]

AMENDMENT NO.1TOTHE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN

THECITYOFNEW ORLEANS AND ARTS COUNCIL OF NEWORLEANS

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT (the Amendment”) is entered into by and between the City of New Orleans, represented by HelenaN.Moreno, Mayor (the City”),and Arts CouncilofNew Orleans, represented by Joycelyn L. Reynolds, President and CEO(the“Arts Council”).The City and the Arts Councilare sometimes each referred to as a“Party”and collectivelyreferred to as the Parties.” The Amendment is effective as of the date of executionbythe City (the Effective Date”). RECITALS WHEREAS,the City and the Arts Councilare parties to acooperative endeavor agreement dated April 18, 2022 (the Agreement”) forthe

LOTNO. 20, SQUARE NO.116, beinga portion of SQUARE 116, measures 68 feet frontonEisen‐howerAvenue, thesamein widthinthe rear,bya depth andfront on Lafayette Street of 102.5feet,be‐tween equal andparallel lines. Said square is b d d b

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, ParishofJeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, dated March10, 2026,I have seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, May27, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: That certain pieceorportion of ground,to‐gether with all the buildings and improvements thereon, andall therights, ways, privileges, i d

shown on the sketch attached to Ordinance No.564, City of Westwego, and approved by the City of West‐wego on Octo‐ber4,1960, recorded in COB 526, folio 307, EntryNo. 200888, andac‐cordingtosaid sketch,saidlots aredesignated as Lots "B"and "C"; said Lot"B" and"C" adjoin each otherand measureeach 32’ feet frontonAvenue "A", same width in therear, by a depthbetween equaland paral‐lel linesof90’ feet Said Lot"B" formsthe cor‐nerofTenth and Avenue "A". All as more fullyshown on plan of survey by Gilbert, Kelly &Couturie, Sur‐veying and Engineering, datedMarch 9, 1968, acopyof which is an‐nexedtoact registeredin f li

Council swears that it complieswith City Code §2-8(c). No Arts Council principal, member or officerhas, within thepreceding five years, beenconvictedof, or pled guilty to, afelonyunder state or federal statutes for embezzlement,theft of public funds, bribery,orfalsification or destruction of public records. E. NON –SOLICITATION STATEMENT. TheArts Council swears that it hasnot employed or retainedany companyorperson, other than abona fide employee workingsolely for it,tosolicit or secure this Amendment.The Arts Council hasnot paid or agreed to pay anyperson, other than abona fide employee workingfor it,any fee, commission, percentage,gift, or anyother consideration contingent uponorresulting from this Amendment

F. ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE AND DELIVERY. TheParties agreethata manuallysigned copy of this Amendment andany other document(s)attached to this Amendment delivered by facsimile,email or other means of electronic transmission shall be deemed to have thesame legal effect as delivery of an originalsigned copy of this Amendment.No legally bindingobligation shall be createdwithrespect to aPartyuntil such Party hasdeliveredorcausedtobedelivereda manuallysigned copy of this Amendment G. PRIOR TERMS BINDING. Except as otherwise provided by this Amendment,the terms andconditionsofthe Agreement,asamended, remain in full force andeffect.

(Signatures contained on the following page) (The remainder of this pageisintentionally left blank) IN WITNESS WHEREOF,the City andthe Arts Council, throughtheir dulyauthorized representatives, executethisAmendment CITYOFNEW ORLEANS

BY:__________________ HELENA N. MORENO, MAYOR

Executed on this________ of____________ ,2026

FORM AND LEGALITYAPPROVED:

Law Department

By:

Printed Name:

ARTS COUNCIL OF NEW ORLEANS

BY:_ JOYCELYN L. REYNOLDS, PRESIDENTAND CEO

FEDERALTAX I.D.

AISHA R. COLLIER

CLERKOFCOUNCIL PUBLICATIONDATE: April17, 2026 NOCP 9003 184214-638032-apr17-1t

OFFICIAL NOTICE

Public

SAID ORDINANCE

Said ordinance may be seen in full in the Office of the Clerk of Council Room 1E09, City Hall, 1300 Perdido Street.

AISHA R. COLLIER CLERK OF COUNCIL

PUBLICATION DATE: April 17, 2026 NOCP 9006

OFFICIAL NOTICE CAL. NO. 35,403 EXHIBIT A

COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITYOFNEW ORLEANS, NEW ORLEANS RECREATION DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, AND ST.AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL, INC., NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITYOFNEW ORLEANS AND THE NEW ORLEANS RECREATION DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AND ST.AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL, INC., NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA PERRYROEHM STADIUM

THIS COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT (the Agreement”) is entered into by and among the City of New Orleans, represented by Helena N. Moreno, Mayor (the City”), the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission, represented by Theodore C. Sanders, III, Chairman (“NORD”),and St. Augustine High School, Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana herein represented by Aulston Taylor,President (“St. Augustine or “Contractor”), which aresometimes each referred to as a“Party”, and collectively,asthe “Parties”. This Agreement is effective as of October 10, 2025 (the “Effective Date”)

RECITALS

WHEREAS,the City is apolitical subdivision of the State of Louisiana; WHEREAS,St. Augustine High School, Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana is anon-profitcorporation located at 2600 A. P. Tureaud Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70119

WHEREAS,the City,through NORD, owns Perry Roehm Stadium, located at 2939 TouroStreet, New Orleans, LA 70122; and WHEREAS,pursuant to Article 7, Section 14(C) of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974, and related statutes, and Section 9-314 of the Home Rule Charter of the City of New Orleans, the City may enter into cooperative endeavors with the State of Louisiana, its political subdivisions and corporations, the United States and its agencies, and any public or private corporation, association, or individual with regard to cooperative financing and other economic development activities, the procurement and development of immovable property,joint planning and implementation of public works, the joint use of facilities, joint research and program implementation activities, joint funding initiatives, and other similar activities in support of public education, community development, housing rehabilitation, economic growth, and other public purposes;

WHEREAS,Section 2-318 of the New Orleans City Code authorizes NORD to: plan, supervise, and conduct acomprehensive and coordinated program of cultural and physical recreation; promote cooperative planning with public and private entities concerned with recreation; manage, maintain and operate recreational facilities owned or operated by the City of New Orleans; and perform other related duties as may be provided by ordinance of the City Council; WHEREAS,the City,NORD, and St. Augustine desiretoaccomplish the valuable public purpose of improving the Perry Roehm Stadium for public use; and WHEREAS,the City,NORD and St. Augustine desiretocreate alongstanding relationship whereby St. Augustine utilizes Perry Roehm Stadium for baseball games and practices; and WHEREAS,a cooperative effort between the City,NORD and St. Augustine High School will grant St. Augustine first preference utilizing the Perry Roehm Stadium in exchange for year-round, comprehensive maintenance of the facility NOW THEREFORE, the City,NORD, and St. Augustine each having the authority to do so, agree as follows: ARTICLE I- OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES A. Obligations of City. The City shall: 1. Administer this Agreement through NORD. B. Obligations of St. Augustine.

Submit schedule requests to NORD’sAthletics Director and Rentals Manager at least 3months in advance of scheduled dates; if thereisany weather occurrence that forces the cancellation of a game on the previously submitted schedule, contractor is allowed to utilize facility another open day with 24 hours’

funding, if required, is allocated by the City Council

ARTICLE IV -TERMINATION

A. Termination for Convenience. The City may terminate this Agreement at any time during the term of the Agreement by giving the Contractor written notice of its intention to terminate at least 120 calendar days beforethe intended date of termination.

B. Termination for Cause. Either Party may terminate this Agreement immediately for cause by sending written notice to the other Party “Cause” includes without limitation any failuretoperform any obligation or abide by any condition of this Agreement or the failure of any representation or warranty in this Agreement, including without limitation any failuretocomply with the requirements of the City’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program and any failureto comply with any provision of City Code §2-1120 or requests of the Office of Inspector General.Ifa termination for cause is subsequently challenged in acourt of law and the challenging party prevails, the termination will be deemed to be atermination for convenience effective 30 days from the date of the original written notice of termination for cause was sent to the challenging party; no further notice will be required.

INDEMNITY

V-

ARTICLE

A. Duty to Indemnify the City To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Contractor will indemnify,defend, and hold harmless the City its agents, employees, officials, insurers, self-insurance funds, and assigns (collectively,the Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all claims, demands, suits, and judgments of sums of money accruing against the Indemnified Parties: for loss of life or injury or damage to persons or property arising from or relating to any act or omission or the operation of the Contractor,its agents or employees while engaged in or in connection with the discharge or performance of any Services under this Agreement; and for any and all claims and/ or liens for labor,services, or materials furnished to the Contractor in connection with the performance of work under this Agreement.

B. Limitation. The Contractor’sindemnity does not extend to any loss arising from the sole negligence or gross negligence or willful misconduct of any of the Indemnified Parties, provided that neither the Contractor nor any of its agents or employees contributed to such gross negligence or willful misconduct.

C. Independent Duty.The Contractor has an immediate and independent obligation to, at the City’soption: (a) defend the City from or (b) reimburse the City for its costs incurred in the defense of any claim that actually or potentially falls within this indemnity, even if: (1) the allegations areormay be groundless, false, or fraudulent; or (2) the Contractor is ultimately absolved from liability.

D. Expenses. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary,the Contractor shall bear the expenses including, but not limited to, the City’sreasonable attorney fees and expenses, incurred by the City in enforcing this indemnity ARTICLE VI -INSURANCE

A. Except as otherwise noted, at all times during this Agreement or the performance of work required by this Agreement, the Contractor and the City will maintain the following insurance in full force and effect for the duration of the work under this Agreement: 1. Minimum Requirements.

a. Commercial General Liability(CGL).CGL coverage, including contractual liability insurance, personal injury,bodily injury property damage and advertising injury,with limits of liabilityof not less than $1,000,000 each occurrence /$2,000,000 policy aggregate. Insurance shall be written on an “occurrence” form.

b. Abuse and Molestation Coverage. Either by endorsement to the CGL Policy or by separate policy with limits no less than $1,000,000.00 per claim.

c. Workers’ Compensation. In compliance with the applicable Workers Compensation Act(s) of the state(s) wherein the work is to be performed or wherejurisdiction could apply in amounts required by statue. Employers LiabilityInsurance, with limits of liability of not less than $1,000,000 per accident for bodily injury or disease.

d. Umbrella insurance with limits of liability excess of Employer’s LiabilityInsurance, AutomobileLiability, and Commercial General LiabilityInsurance in an amount of not less than $2,000,000.

e. Professional (E &O)LiabilityInsurance appropriate to the Contractor and the City’sprofessional services with limits of liability of not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence or claim /$2,000,000 policy aggregate. Coverage shall be sufficiently broad to respond to the duties and obligations as is undertaken by Contractor in this Agreement.

f. The Contractor and the City shall ensurethat coverage under this policy shall be kept in force and

period of three (3) years beyond final payment. If

is discontinued for any reason during this

Contractor and the City must procureand evidence

for

Extended Reporting Period (“ERP”) coverage. 2. Other Insurance Provisions. The insurance policies areto contain, or be endorsed to contain, the

provisions: a. Additional Insured Status. The Contractor and the

will provide and maintain acurrent Certi

cate of Insurance including the Contractor,The City of New Orleans, its departments, political subdivisions, officers, Officials and employees, and volunteers as “Additional Insureds” on the CGL policy with respect to liabilityarising out of the performance of this Agreement. General liability coverage can be provided in the form of an endorsement to the City and Contractor’sinsurance (at least as broad as ISO Form CG 20 10 11 85 or both CG 20 10 and CG 20 37 forms if later revisions used). The Certificate of Insurance, as evidence of all required coverage, should identify the City of New Orleans Risk Manager as Certificate Holder and be delivered via U.S. Mail to 1300 Perdido Street, 9E06—City Hall, New Orleans, LA 70112. In addition, the Certificate of Insurance, as evidence of all required coverage, should the Contractor as Certificate Holder and be delivered to 2600 A.P.Tureaud Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70119.

b. The Additional Insured Box must be marked “Y” for Commercial General Liability, Umbrella coverage. The Subrogation Waiver Box must be marked “Y” for Workers Compensation/Employers Liabilityand Property coverage.

c. Primary Coverage. For claims related to this contract arising out of St. Augustine games, the Contractor’sinsurance coverage shall be primary insurance with respect to the City,its departments, political subdivisions, officers, officials, employees, and volunteers.

d. For any claims related to this contract arising out of games involving any remaining high schools, the City’sinsurance coverage shall be primary insurance with respect to the Contractor,its departments, representatives, officers, officials, employees, and volunteers Claims Made Policies. If applicable, the retroactive date must be shown and must be beforethe date of the contract or the beginning of work. If the coverage is canceled or non-renewed, and not replaced with another claims-made policy,Contractor must purchase “extended reporting” coverage for minimum of 3years after the termination of this Agreement.

e. Notice of Cancellation.Each insurance policy required above shall not be canceled, except with prior notice to the City and the Contractor not less than 30 days of the date of requested cancellation.

f. AcceptabilityofInsurers. Insurance is to be placed with insurers licensed and authorized to do business in the StateofLouisiana with acurrent A.M. Best’srating of no less than A:VII

(2) where applicable, will take affirmative action to ensurethat the Contractor’semployees aretreated during employment without regardtotheir race, sex, color,religion, gender age, physical or mental disability,national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity,creed, culture,orancestry. This requirement shall apply to, but not be limited to the following: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer,recruitment or recruitment advertising, layoff or termination,rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and selection for training, including apprenticeship. All solicitationsor advertisements for employees shall state that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regardtorace, sex, color,religion, gender,age, physical or mental disability,national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity,creed, culture,orancestry

B. Non-Discrimination. In the performance of this Agreement, the Contractor will not discriminate on the basis, whether in fact or perception, of aperson’srace, color,creed, religion, national origin, ancestry,age, sex, gender,sexual orientation, gender identity domestic partner status, marital status, physical or mental disability or AIDS- or HIV-status against (1) any employee of the City working with the Contractor in any of Contractor’soperations within Orleans Parish or (2) any person seeking accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, services, or membership in all

Orleans, LA 70112

2. To: Aulston Taylor,President St. Augustine High School 2600 APTureaudAvenue New Orleans, LA 70119 & Randy G. McKee McKee Law Firm, L.L.C. 1100 Poydras Street Suite 1475 New Orleans, LA 70163

B. Effectiveness.Notices areeffective whenreceived, except any notice that is not received due to the intended recipient’srefusal or avoidance of delivery is deemed received as of the date of the first attempted delivery

C. Notification of Change. Each Party is responsible for notifying the other in writing that references this Agreement of any changes in its address(es) set forth above.

ARTICLE XI -ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

A. Amendment. No amendment of or modification to this Agreement shall be valid unless and until executed in writing by the

City Code §2-1120, including without limitation City Code §2-1120(12), which requires the Contractor to provide the Office of Inspector General with documents and information as requested. Failuretocomply with such requests is amaterial breach of the Agreement. In signing this Agreement, the Contractor agrees that it is subject to the jurisdiction of the Orleans Parish Civil District Court for purposes of challenging asubpoena.

D. Choice of Law This Agreement will be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Louisiana without regardto its conflict of laws provisions.

registered in COB700, folio 993.

This sale is sub‐jecttoall supe‐riorsecurityin‐terests,mort‐gages,liens and privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchaseprice isdue at the timeofthe sale

NOTE:All funds mustbe Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or PersonalCheck withBankLetter ofCredit.

COREYJ.GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:873-473

TheNew Orleans Advocate: April17, 2026, May22, 2026 apr17-may222t

GITSIT SOLU‐TIONS, LLC, NOT IN ITSINDIVID‐UALCAPACITY BUTSOLELYIN ITSCAPACITY AS SEPARATE TRUSTEEOFGV TRUST2025-1 VERSUS NAPOLEON R.C. GOSSIAUX Byvirtueofand inobedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALEfromthe 24thJudicial DistrictCourt, ParishofJeffer‐son,State of Louisiana,inthe above num‐bered andenti‐tledcause, dated March12, 2026, Ihave

2026, I have seized andwill proceed to sell tothe highest bidderatpublic auction,atthe Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex,1233 WestbankEx‐pressway, Har‐vey,Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday May27, 2026 at 10o'clock a.m. the following described prop‐ertytowit: That certain piece or portion ofground,to‐getherwithall the buildings and improvements thereon, andall the rights,ways, privileges, servitudes,ap‐purtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining,situated inthe Parish of Jeffer‐son,State of Louisiana, Greenlawn Ter‐race Subdivi‐

race Subdivi sion,saidpor‐tion beingdesig‐nated as LotA ofSq. 99. ac‐cording to plan ofAdloe Orr, Jr & Associated C.E.,dated Janu‐ary 29, 1968 Square99is bounded by 39thStreet, Col‐orado Avenue,38th, Street andCali‐forniaAvenue, Lot Aforms the cornerof39th Street of 120feet,and a depth on the propertysite sidelinecloser to38thStreetof 120 feet

This sale is sub‐jecttoall supe‐riorsecurityin‐terests,mort‐gages,liens and privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchaseprice isdue at the timeofthe sale

Cashier s Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or PersonalCheck withBankLetter ofCredit.

CANDACEA COURTEAU Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: April17, 2026, May22, 2026 apr17-may222t

ATION, AS TRUSTEEFOR BAYVIEWFI‐NANCIAL MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH TRUST2006-D, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2006-D VS MARIANNE TIZ‐ZARD TUSA WIFE OF/AND CHAD MICHAEL TUSA

NOTE:All funds mustbe Cashier'sCheck, ifi d h k

Byvirtueofand inobedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALEfromthe 24thJudicial DistrictCourt, ParishofJeffer‐son,State of Louisiana,inthe above num‐bered andenti‐tledcause, dated January 20, 2026, Ihave seizedand will proceed to sell tothe highest bidderatpublic auction,atthe Jefferson Parish Sheriff'sOffice Complex,1233 Westbank Ex‐

Westbank Ex pressway,Har‐vey,Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, April22, 2026 at 10o'clock a.m. the following described prop‐ertytowit: Acertain piece orportion of ground,to‐getherwithall the buildings and improve‐ments thereon, andall ofthe rights ways, privi‐leges,servi‐tudes,appurte‐nancesand advantages thereuntobe‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining,situated inthe Stateof Louisiana, Parish of Jeffer‐son,inELM‐WOOD PARK SUBDIVISION,in SQUARENO. 11,bounded by PikeDrive,37th Street (late 19th),Senac Drive and39th Street (late 21st), desig‐d

21st) desig natedasLOT 29; saidlot com‐mences304.75 feet from the cornerofPike Driveand 37th Street andmea‐sures thence 55 feet fronton PikeDrive,same in widthinthe rear, by adepth of105 feet on bothsidelines Accordingto a surveyby Gilbert, Kelly & Couturie, Inc., dated June 30, 1995, copy of which is at‐tachedtoa Cash Sale dated July7,1985 and recordedas COB 2919 Folio 612, Entry# 95-32265 in the ParishofJeffer‐son,saidlot has the same loca‐tion, designa‐tionand measurements as setout above

This sale is sub‐jecttoall supe‐riorsecurityin‐terests, mort‐li d

terests, mort gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchaseprice isdue at the timeofthe sale

NOTE:All funds mustbe Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or PersonalCheck withBankLetter ofCredit.

L. GRAHAM ARCENEAUX Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: March13, 2026, April17, 2026 mar13-apr17-2t

OFFICIAL NOTICE

Public Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of New Orleans

will consider at its regular meeting of April 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., to be held either via video conference or in the Council Chamber,City Hall, 1300Perdido Street, Room 1E07, the adoption of Ordinance Calendar No. 35,402 introduced at the meeting of April 9, 2026.

SAID ORDINANCE would authorize the Mayorofthe City of New Orleans to enter into Amendment No. 1to an existing Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City of New Orleans (the “City”)and New Orleans &Company (“NO &Co.”) for the continued distribution of the ShortTerm rental Taxbetween the City and New Orleans and Company.Amendment No. 1tothe Cooperative Endeavor Agreement will extend theCEA throughDecember 31, 2028,and update termsand provisions set in the original CEA.

Said ordinance may be seen in full in the Office of the Clerk of Council, Room 1E09, City Hall, 1300 Perdido Street.

AISHA R. COLLIER

CLERK OF COUNCIL

PUBLICATION DATE: April 17, 2026

NOCP 9004

OFFICIAL NOTICE CAL. NO. 35,402

EXHIBIT A AMENDMENTNO. 1 TO THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVORAGREEMENTBETWEEN NEW ORLEANS AND COMPANY AND THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS [COVER PAGE]

AMENDMENT NO. 1TOTHE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF NEWORLEANS AND NEW ORLEANS &COMPANY

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT (the Agreement”) is entered into by and between the City of New Orleans, represented by Helena N. Moreno, Mayor(the City”), and New Orleans &Company,aLouisiananonprofitcorporation(“NO & Co.”orthe Contractor”), herein represented by Walter “Walt” J. Leger III, its President and CEO. The City and the Contractor may sometimes be collectively referred to as the Parties.” The Amendment is effective as of January 2, 2024 (“Effective Date”)

RECITALS

WHEREAS,onand effective March 11, 2021, the City and the Contractor entered into aCooperative Endeavor Agreement (the Agreement”or“K21-194”) pursuant to the authority granted by La. R.S. 47:338.221 for the purpose of implementing the allocationofrevenue derived from the occupancy tax on short-term rentals within the City of New Orleans (the STR Tax”), as authorized by ordinance of the City Council; WHEREAS,inaccordance with La. R.S. 47:338.221, twenty-five percent (25%) of the proceeds of the STR Taxwereallocated to NO &Co. to be used exclusively for the purpose of promoting tourism in the City of New Orleans;

WHEREAS,the remaining seventy-five percent (75%) of the proceeds werededicated to the City’sinfrastructuremaintenance fund (“IMF”), to be used for eligible infrastructurepurposes as defined by law and City policy; and WHEREAS,the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement entered into by the City and the Sewerage and Water BoardofNew Orleans (“SWBNO”) provides that the City shall transfer and deliver to the SWBNO 100% of all funds deposited into the IMF,with 25 %ofthe IMF funding dedicated to the minor drainage system effective January 1, 2025; and WHEREAS,the City and the Contractor,each having the authority to do so, desiretoenter this Amendment to extend the term and to add and/ or reaffirm certain terms and provisions. NOW THEREFORE,for good and valuable consideration, the City and the Contractor amend the Agreement as follows:

1. Term. a. Pursuant to Section 16 of the Agreement, the Parties mutually agree in writing to amend the Agreement as follows: Section 4, “Term,” is removed in its entirety and replaced with the following:

Section 4. Term.The term, or duration of this Agreement shall extend until the earliest of i) December 31, 2028; ii) the termination of the Short-Term Rental Proposition, passed by Orleans Parish voters on November 16, 2019; iii) or until the City of New Orleans stops collection of the “STR Tax” by under La R.S.47:338.221.

b. Additionally,the Agreement is amended to include Section 4.1, “Extension,” as follows:

Subsection 4.1 Extension. The City may extend this this Agreement for an additional four (4) years, from January 1, 2029, through December 31, 2032, if the City Council approves the extension as amulti-term cooperative endeavor agreement (“CEA”)under Section 9-314(c)ofthe City’sHomeRule Charter

2. Notice. The designated recipients for written notices, demands, communications, or requests under Section5 “Notice,”are amended, as follows: Section 5. Notice.Sunni LeBeouf is removedand replaced with City Attorney; and ii) J. Stephen Perry is removedand replaced with Walter (Walt) J. Leger,III, whose contact email address is walt@neworleans.com.

3. Reports. Section 3, “Reports,” is amended to requireNew Orleans &Company to provide an annual report to the Mayor of New Orleans andthe City Council detailing the utilizationofSTR Taxrevenues and the tourism promotion efforts funded by these revenues. In addition to the annual report, NO&COmust furnish any data, documents, or other records necessary for the City’sworkrelated to Short-Term Rentals (STRs). This includes, butisnot limited to, hotel andSTR occupancy rates by month—covering historical data from thepast several years as well as futureprojections—to facilitate amorecomprehensive analysis of Fair Sharerevenues.

4. Additional Miscellaneous Provisions. The following terms and conditions arereaffirmed and/or added to the Agreement:

a. Convicted Felon Statement. The Contractor swears that it complies with City Code Section2-8(c). No Contractor principal, member,orofficer has, within the preceding five years, been convicted of, or pled guilty to, afelony under state or federal statutes for embezzlement, theftofpublic funds, bribery,or falsification or destruction of public records.

b. Non-Solicitation Statement. The Contractor swears that it has not employed or retained any company or person, other than abona fide employee working solely forit, to solicit or secure this Amendment. The Contractor has not paid or agreed to pay any person, other than abona fideemployeeworking for it, any fee, commission, percentage,gift, or any other consideration contingent upon or resulting from this Amendment.

c. Prior Terms Binding Except as otherwise provided by this Amendment, the terms and conditions of the Agreement remain in full force and effect.

d. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original copy of this Amendment, but all of which, when taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement

e. Electronic Signature and Delivery. The Parties agreethat amanually signed copy of this Amendmentand any other document(s) attachedtothis Amendmentdelivered by facsimile, email, or other meansofelectronic transmission shall be deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an originalsigned copy of this Amendment. No legally binding obligation shall be created with respect to aParty until such Party has delivered or caused to be delivered amanually signed copy of this Amendment.

[SIGNATURES CONTAINED ON FOLLOWING PAGES]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,the City and the Contractor,through their duly authorized representatives, execute this Amendment.

CITY OF NEW ORLEANS

BY:_

HELENA N. MORENO,MAYOR

Executed on this of ,2026.

FORM AND LEGALITY APPROVED:

Law Department

By:

Printed Name:

NEW ORLEANS &COMPANY

BY:_

WALTER “WALT” LEGER III, PRESIDENT &CEO

FEDERAL TAXI.D.

[END OF AMENDMENT]

COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS AND NEW ORLEANS &COMPANY

THIS COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”)

is entered into by and between the City of New Orleans (the City”) herein represented by the HonorableLaToya Cantrell, its Mayor, and New Orleans &Company,a Louisiana nonprofitcorporation (“NO &Co.” or the Contractor”), herein represented by J. Stephen Petry,its President and CEO. ThisAgreement is effective as of the date of execution by the City (the Effective Date”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS,the City is apolitical subdivision of the StateofLouisiana; WHEREAS,NO&Co. is anon-profitcorporation, which principal address is located at 2020 St. Charles Ave.,New Orleans, LA 70130, whose mission is to ensurethat the tourism industry benefits all residents of the City; WHEREAS,pursuant to Article 7, Section14(C) of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974, and related statutes, and Section9-314 of the HorneRule Charter of the City of New Orleans, the City may enter into cooperative endeavors withthe StateofLouisiana, its political subdivisions and corporations, the United States and its agencies, and any public or privatecorporation, association, or individual withregard to cooperative financing and other economic development activities, the procurement and development of immovableproperty,joint planning and implementation of public works, the joint use of facilities,joint research and program implementation activities, joint funding initiatives, and other similar activities in support of publiceducation,communitydevelopment, housing rehabilitation, economic growth, and other public purposes; and WHEREAS,the City is authorized, pursuant to La. R.S. 47:338.221, to impose atax by ordinance on the occupancy of short-term rentals located in the City (the STR Tax”). In accordance withthe statute, an amount equal to twenty-five percent of the proceeds shall be allocated, pursuant to acooperative endeavor agreement, to NO &Co. to be used to promote tourism in the city,and an amount equal to seventy-five percent of the proceeds shall be dedicated to the infrastructurefund of the City NOW THEREFORE,the City and NO &Co., (each a“Party”and sometimes collectivelyreferred to as the Parties”) agree as follows:

Section 1. New Orleans &Company will utilizeanamountequalt o twenty-fivep ercento fthe proceeds of the “STR Tax” to promote tourism in the CityofNew Orleans in accordance with La. R.S.47:338.221 when those proceeds aredisbursed to NO &Co. from the CityofNew Orleans.

Section 2. The City will, in accordance withLa. R.S. 47:338.221, disburse proceeds from the City to NO &Co.

Section 3. Reports. New Orleans &Company will provide an annual report to the MayorofNew Orleans and to the City Council of the City of New Orleans briefing them on the utilization of the STR Taxrevenues and describing the promotion of tourism accomplished through use of the STR tax funds.

Section 4. Term The term of thisagreement shallextend through (i) January 1, 2024, (ii) the terminationofthe Short-Term Rental Proposition passed on November 16, 2019 by the voters of Orleans Parish, or (iii) for as long as the “STR Tax11 shallbecollected by the City of New Orleans in accordance with provisions of La R.S. 47:338.221, whichever occurs first.

Section 5. Notice. Any notice, demand, communication or request required or permitted hereunder shall be in writingand delivered in person or by certified mail,returnreceipt requested as follows:

If to the City: Sunni LeBeouf City Attorney City of New Orleans 1300 Perdido Street New Orleans, Louisiana 70112

If to NO &Co.: J. Stephen Perry New Orleans &Company 2020 St.Charles Avenue New Orleans, Louisiana 70130 sperry@neworleans.com & TammieBoteler New Orleans &Company Vice-President of Finance 2020 St.Charles Avenue New Orleans,Louisiana 70130 tboteler@neworleans.com

Section 6. Prohibition Against Financial Interest in Agreement No elected official, appointed official or employee of the CityorNO&Co. shall have a financial interest,directorindirect, in this Agreement,including through any financial interest heldbythe spouse, child, or parent. Any willful violation of this provision, with the expressed or implied knowledge of NO &Co., will render thisAgreement voidablebythe City.Any willful violation of thisprovision, with the expressed or implied knowledge of the City,will render this Agreement voidable by NO &Co.

Section 7. Non-Solicitation Statement. NO &Co. swears thatthey have not employed or retained any company or person, other than abona fide employee working solely for it, to solicitorsecurethisAgreement.NO &Co. has not paidoragreed to pay any person, other than abona fide employee working forit, any fee, commission, percentage, gift,orany other considerationcontingent upon or resulting from this Agreement

Section 8. Convicted Felon Statement.NO& Co.swears that they comply with City Code §2-8( c).Noprincipal, member,orofficer of NO & Co.has been convicted of or pled guilty to afelony under stateorfederal statutes forembezzlement, theft of public funds, bribery,orfalsification or destruction of publicrecords in the past five years.

Section 9. Audit and Other Oversight. NO &Co. will submit to any City audit, inspection, and review and, at the City’s request, will make available all documents relating or pertaining to this Agreement maintained by or under the control of NO &Co., itsemployees, agents, assigns, successors and subcontractors, during normal business hours at NO &Co. office or place of business in Louisiana. If no such location is available, NO &Co. will make the documents availableatatime andlocation that is convenient forthe City.NO& Co.will abide by all provisions of CityCode §2-1120, including without limitation City Code§ 2-1120(12), which requires contractors to provide the Office of InspectorGeneral withdocuments and information as requested. Failure to complywithsuch requests is a material breach of the Agreement In signing this Agreement,NO& Co agree that they aresubject to the jurisdiction of the Orleans Parish Civil District Court for purposes of challenging asubpoena. The Legislative Auditorofthe state of Louisiana shall have the option of auditing all records and accounts which relate to this Agreement.The Parties shall retain all documents and records pertaining to this Agreement forthree (3)years.

Section 10. Jurisdiction. The Parties consent and yield to the jurisdiction of the Civil District Court of the Parish of Orleans and formallywaives any pleas or exceptions of jurisdiction on account of the residence of NO & Co

Section 11. Governing Law Any disputearising from or relating to this Agreement or the performance of any obligations under this Agreement shall be resolved in accordance with the laws of the StateofLouisiana. Section 12. Survival of Provisions. Allrepresentations and warranties and all responsibilities regarding recordretention, access, and ownership, and cooperation with investigations of the Office of Inspec!orGeneral or the Legislative Auditor of the

compliancewithany provision of this Agreement, to enforce anyright, or to seek anyremedy upon discovery of anydefault or breach of the other Party shallnot affect or be deemed awaiver of anyParty’sright to insist upon compliancewith thetermsand conditionsofthe Agreement, to exercise anyrights, or to seek anyavailable remedy with respect to any default, breach,ordefective performance.

Section 14.NoAssignment Without Consent. Th.is Agreementis personal to each of the Parties andnoPartymay assignordelegate any rights or obligations hereunderwithout first obtaining the writtenconsent of the otherPartiesintheirabsolute discretion

Section 15. No Third-Party Beneficiaries This Agreementisentered into for apublic purpose for thebenefitofthe public within the Area,and the Parties expressly disclaim anyintenttobenefitany particular person thatisnot aPartytothis Agreement.

Section16. Amendments. This Agreementmay be amendedonly by writteninstrument signed on behalf of each of theParties.

Section 17.Rules of Construction. This Agreementhas been reviewed by the Parties andshall be construed andinterpretedaccording to the ordinary meaning of the words usedsoastofairly accomplishthe purposes andintentions of allParties. Theheadings andcaptions of this Agreementare provided for convenienceonly andare notintendedto have effect in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. The singular numberincludesthe plural, whereappropriate. Neitherthis Agreementnor anyuncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construedor resolved in favor of or against either Party on the basis of whichParty drafted the language

Section 18. Severability The Parties intend allprovisions of this Agreementtobeenforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. Accordingly,ifacourt of competent jurisdiction finds anyprovision to be unenforceableaswritten, thecourt should reform the provision so that it is enforceabletothe maximum extentpermittedbylaw.Ifacourt finds anyprovision is notsubject to reformation, thatprovision shall be fully severable andthe remainingprovisions of this Agreementshall remain in full force andeffect andshall be construedand enforced as if such legal, invalid, or unenforceableprovision wasnever included, andthe remaining provisions of this Agreementshall remain in full force andeffect

Section 19.Complete Agreement. This Agreementsupersedes and replaces anyand allprior agreements, negotiationsand discussions between the Parties hereto with regard to the terms, obligations and conditions herein.

Section20. Counterparts This Agreementmay be executedinone or morecounterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement, but allofwhich, whentaken together, shall constitute one andthe same agreement.

Section21. Non-Discrimination.

A. Equal Employment Opportunity. In allhiring or employment made possible by,orresulting from this Agreement, NO &Co. (1)will notbe discriminate against anyemployeeorapplicant for employment because of race, sex, color,religion,gender,age,physical or mentaldisability nationalorigin,sexual orientation,gender identity,creed, culture, or ancestry,and (2)whereapplicable, will take affirmative action to ensure thatNO& Co.’s employees aretreated during employment without regard to their race, sex, color,religion,gender,age,physical or mentaldisability nationalorigin,sexual orientation,gender identity,creed, culture, or ancestry.This requirementshall applyto, but not be limitedtothe following: employment, upgrading,demotion or transfer,recruitment or recruitment advertising, layoffortermination, ratesofpay or other forms of compensation, andselection for training, including apprenticeship. All solicitations or advertisementsfor employees shall state thatall qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color,religion,gender,age, physical or mentaldisability,national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity,creed, culture,orancestry

B. Non-Discrimination. In the performanceofthis Agreement, NO &Co. will not discriminate on the basis, whetherinfact or perception, of aperson’srace, color,creed, religion,nationalorigin, ancestry,age, sex, gender,sexual orientation, genderidentity,domestic partner status, marital status, physical or mental disability,orAIDS- or HIVstatus against (1)any employee of theCity workingwithNO&Co. in anyofNO&Co.’soperations within OrleansParish or (2)any person seeking accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, services, or membership in allbusiness, social, or other establishments or organizations operated by the Contractor.The Contractor agrees to comply with andabide by allapplicable federal, state andlocal laws relating to non-discrimination,including, without limitation,Title VI of the Civil Rights Actof1964, Section Vofthe Rehabilitation Actof1973, and the AmericanswithDisabilities Actof1990.

C. Incorporation intoSubcontracts NO &Co. will incorporate the terms andconditions of this Article into allsubcontracts, by reference or otherwise, andwill requireall subcontractors to comply with those provisions.

D. TheCity mayterminate this Agreement for cause if NO &Co. fails to comply with anyobligation in this Article,whichfailureisa materialbreach of this Agreement.

Section 22.Independent Contractor

A. Independent Contractor Status. NO &Co. is an independent contractor andshall notbedeemed an employee, servant, agent, partner or joint venture of theCity andwill not hold itself or anyofits employees, subcontractors or agents to be an employee, partner,oragent of the City B. Exclusion of Worker’sCompensation Coverage. The City will not be liable to NO &Co., as an independent contractor as defined in La.R.S. 23:1021(7),for anybenefits or coverage as provided by theWorkmen’s Compensation Lawofthe State of Louisiana.Underthe provisionsofLa. R.S. 23:1034, anypersonemployedbyNO& Co. will not be consideredan employee of theCity for the purpose of Worker’sCompensation coverage. C. Exclusion of Unemployment Compensation Coverage. NO & Co.,asanindependentcontractor,isbeing hired by the City under this Agreementfor hire anddefinedinLa. R.S. 23: 1472(12)(E) andneither NO &Co. nor anyone employed by it will be consideredanemployee of the City for the purpose of unemployment compensation coverage, whichcoverage same beinghereby expressly waivedand excludedbythe parties, because: (a) NO &Co. hasbeen andwill be free from anycontrol or direction by theCity overthe performanceofthe services covered by this Agreement; (b) the services to be performed by NO &Co. areoutside the normal course andscope of the City’susual business; and(c) NO & Co. hasbeen independently engagedinperformingthe services required underthisAgreementprior to the date of this Agreement.

D. Waiver of Benefits. NO &Co., as an independent contractor,will not receive from the City anysickand annualleave benefits, medical insurance, life insurance, paid vacations, paid holidays, sick leave, pension, or SocialSecurity for anyservicesrendered to theCity under this Agreement.

Section 23. Performance Measures

A. Factors The City will measure the petformance of NO &Co. according to the following non-exhaustive factors: work performed in compliancewiththe terms of the Agreement; staffavailability; staff training; staffprofessionalism; staffexperience; customer service; communication andaccessibility; prompt andeffective correction of situations andconditions; timeliness andcompleteness of submission of requested documentation (such as records, receipts, invoices, insurance certificates, andcomputer-generated reports). B. Failure to Perform. IfNO &Co. fails to perform according to the Agreement, the City will notify NO &Co. If there is acontinuedlack of performanceafternotification,the City maydeclareNO&Co. in default andmay pursue anyappropriate remediesavailable underthe Agreement and/or anyapplicable law. In the event of anotificationofdefault, the City will invoicethe defaulting contractor for anyincrease in costs andother damages sustained by the City.Further, the City will seek full recovery from the defaulting contractor

Section 24.Choice of Law This Agreementwillbeconstrued and enforced in accordance with thelawsofthe State of Louisiana without regard to its conflictoflaws provisions.

Section25. EntireAgreement. This Agreement, including all incorporateddocuments, constitutesthe finaland complete agreement andunderstandingbetween the parties. All prior andcontemporaneous agreements andunderstandings, whetheroral or written, aresuperseded by thisAgreementand arewithout effect to vary or alterany terms or conditions of this Agreement.

Section 26.Limitations of the City’sObligations The City hasno obligations to NO &Co. notexplicitly set forth in this Agreementorany incorporateddocuments or expressly imposedbylaw

Section 27.NoThird-Party Beneficiaries This Agreementisentered into for theexclusive benefitofthe parties andthe parties expressly disclaim anyintenttobenefitanyone not apartytothisAgreement. Section 28. Prohibition on Political Activity None of the funds, materials, property,orservicesprovided directly or indirectly underthe terms of this Agreementshall be usedinthe performanceofthis Agreementfor anypartisanpolitical activity,ortofurther the election or defeatofany candidate for public office.

Section29. Remedies Cumulative. No remedy setforth in the Agreement or otherwise conferred upon or reservedtoany party shall be considered

exclusive of any other remedy available to aparty.Rather,each remedy shallbedeemed distinct, separate and cumulative and each maybe exercised from time to time as often as the occasion may ariseor as may be deemed expedient.

Section30. Terms Binding Thetermsand conditions of thisAgreement arebindingonany heirs,successors, transferees, and assigns.

Section31. ElectronicSignatureand Delivery TheParties agree that amanuallysigned copy of this Agreement and any other document(s) attached to this Agreementdelivered by email shall be deemed to have thesame legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Agreement. No legallybinding obligation shall be created with respect to aparty until such party hasdeliveredorcaused to be delivered amanually signed copyofthis Agreement.

[Theremainderofthis pageisintentionallyleft blank]

[SIGNATURES CONTAINED ON FOLLOWING PAGES]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,the Parties, through their duly authorized undersigned representatives, have signed this Agreement for the consideration and under the conditionsset forth above, to be effective as of the date specified

seized andwill proceedto sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, April22, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

RESOLUTIONS OF BOARDOFDIRECTORS OF NEW ORLEANS &COMPANY

IT IS RESOLVED thatthe President, J. Stephen Peny is hereby authorized to execute for andonbehalfofthe Corporation andwithout :furtherauthority of the Board, contracts, purchase orders andother documents on suchterms andonconditions as he shall deem to be in the best interest of the Corporation, with acost, value or obligation to the Corporation of up to andincluding the sum of $250,000 for projects or acquisitions approvedinthe annualbudget.

IT IS RESOLVED thatthe President, J. Stephen Perry or Chairperson, DavidBilbe,beand arehereby authorizedtoexecute for andonbehalf of the Corporation without furtherauthority of the Board,contracts, purchase orders andotherdocuments on suchterms andconditions as theydeem to be in the best interest of the Corporation with acost, value or obligation to the Corporation of morethan$250,000, for projects or acquisitions approvedinthe annualbudget.

IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED thatthe President, J. Stephen Perry or Chairperson,DavidBilbe be andare herby authorized to execute for andonbehalfofthe Corporation, only with prior authority of the Board contracts, purchase orders andotherdocuments on suchterms and conditions as theydeem to be in the best interest of the Corporation with acost, value or obligation to the Corporation for projects or acquisitions not previously approvedinthe annualbudget.

CERTIFICATE

I, the undersigned, hereby certify thatI am the duly andvalidly elected, qualified andacting Secretary of NewOrleans&Company (the “corporation )and thatthe foregoing is atrue, correct andcomplete

and in

FACIAS from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedFebruary 3, 2026, Ihave

Acertain lotof ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐mentsthereon, and therights, ways, privileges, servitudes,ad‐vantages and appurtenances thereunto belongingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in Township 14 South, Range23 and24East, SoutheastLand District of Louisiana, West of theMissis‐sippi River, knownasHar‐veyCanal Prop‐erty,Jefferson Parish Louisiana, for‐merlydesig‐natedasParcel Q-2-B,which id i f

Q said portion of ground hasbeen resub‐dividedinto Woodmere SouthSubdivi‐sion,Section 3, allasper plan of resubdivision made by J. J. Krebsand Sons Inc.,C.E.&S., datedOctober 10, 1983,approved by theJefferson Parish Council by Ordinance No.15784, recorded in COB1064, folio 925, andasper ActofDedica‐tion before Odom B. Heebe, N. P., datedFebruary 2, 1984, recorded in COB 1067,folio 270, same beingdes‐ignatedat follows:

Lot907, Square T, which said square is bounded by Sweet Gum Drive, Cimwood Drive, Touch‐wood Driveand DestrehanAv‐enue,saidlot 907 commences at a distance of 338.07 feet from thepoint of cur‐vature of Sweet GumDrive into DestrehanAv‐enue,and mea‐suresthence60 feet fronton

Sweet Gum Drive, same in thewidth across therear, by adepth of 100 feet be‐tween equal andparallel lines; all as persurvey made by J. J. Krebsand Sons, Inc.,I.S dated December 12, 1986, resurveyed Feb‐ruary9,1987.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages,liens and privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

COREYJ.GIROIR

Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans

Advocate: March13, 2026, April17, 2026

mar13-apr17-2t

Expressway, Harvey Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, April22, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

NO:863-183

PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC VS TAREKA.FADL ANDMELODY STUART ISMAIL A/K/AMELODY STUART RICCIARDOIS‐MAIL FADL

THAT CERTAIN PIECEORPO‐TION OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐mentsthereon, andall of the rights,ways, privileges servitudes, appurtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated In the City of Kenner Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in UNIVERSITY CITY SUBDIVI‐SION,SQUARE NO.80, which said square is bounded by Kilgore Place, North‐westernDrive, John Hopkins Driveand Tu‐lane Driveand accordingto a plan of subdivi‐sion by theof‐fice of Surveys, Inc, datedNo‐vember 4, 1960, revisedon December 31, 1960, February

Advocate: March13, 2026, April17, 2026 mar13-apr17-2t

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritofFIERI FACIAS from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedNovem‐ber5,2025, I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

TheImprove‐mentsthereon bear Municipal No.94JohnHop‐kins Drive, Ken‐ner, LA 70065.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

ZACHARYGAR‐RETT YOUNG Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans

DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:867-001 NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC VERSUS THERESA WILLIAMS By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedJuly25, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday April22, 2026 at l k CLASSIFIEDS.NOLA.COM

y 20, 1961, andas furtherrevised October13, 1961, copy of which is on file in therecords of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and in accordance with aresubdi‐vision of apor‐tion of Univer‐sity City Subdivisionby Rene A. Harris datedNovem‐ber15, 1965, ap‐proved under Ordinance No.881, City of Kenner,onDe‐cember 20, 1965, said lotisdesig‐natedasfol‐lows: LOTNO. 7forms thecornerof Northwestern Driveand John HopkinsDrive and measures thence 65.26 feet fronton John Hopkins Drive, 53.95 feet In width in the rear,bya depth alongNorth‐westernDrive of 110.58 feet and adepth of 110 feet on theopposite sideline.All in accordance with survey by J.J. Krebs& Sons,Inc dated August 18, 1975, resurveyed and certified correct December 10, 1976; subjectto restrictions servitudes, rights-of-way andoutstanding mineralrights of record affectingthe property

OFFICIAL NOTICE

Public Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of New Orleans will consider at its regular meeting of April 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., to be held either via video conference or in the Council Chamber,City Hall, 1300 Perdido Street, Room 1E07, the adoption of Ordinance Calendar No. 35,414 introduced at the meeting of April 9, 2026.

SAID ORDINANCE would authorize the Mayor of the City of New Orleans to enter into aCooperative Endeavor Agreement, Lease of Land, and Act of Donation between the City of New Orleans (the “City”) and Mercy Partners, LLC (“Mercy Partners”), for the public purpose of constructing water retention infrastructureatthe site formerly known as Lindy Boggs Medical Center (the “Site”)for the benefitofthe water,sewer,and drainage infrastructurefor the City of New Orleans, and in turnthe health, welfare, and safety of the citizens in the City of New Orleans, and related activities, as morefully detailed in the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement form attached hereto as Exhibit “A”, the Lease of Land form attached hereto as Exhibit “B”, and the Act of Donation form attached hereto as Exhibit “C”.

Said ordinance may be seen in full in the Office of the Clerk of Council, Room 1E09, City Hall, 1300 Perdido Street.

AISHA R. COLLIER CLERK OF COUNCIL PUBLICATION DATE: April 17, 2026 NOCP 9010

OFFICIAL NOTICE CAL. NO. 35,414

COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITYOFNEW ORLEANS AND MERCY PARTNERS, LLC

MERCYDRAINAGE AND STORMWATER RETENTION PROJECT

THIS COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT (the Agreement”) is entered into by and between the City of New Orleans, represented by Helena Moreno, Mayor (the City”) and Mercy Partners, LLC, represented by Paul Flower,Manager (“Mercy”). The City and Mercy may sometimes each be referred to as a“Party,” and collectively,asthe Parties.” The Agreement is effective as of the date of execution by the City (the Effective Date”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS,the City is apolitical subdivision of the State of Louisiana; WHEREAS,Mercy Partners, LLC is aLimited Liability Company of the State of Louisiana which principal address is located at 1000 S. Norman C. Francis Pkwy,New Orleans, LA 70125;

WHEREAS,pursuant to Article 7, Section 14(C) of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974, and related statutes, and Section 9-314 of the Home Rule Charter of the City of New Orleans, the City may enter into cooperative endeavors with the State of Louisiana, its political subdivisions and corporations, the United States and its agencies, and any public or private corporation, association, or individual with regard to cooperative financing and other economic development activities, the procurement and development of immovable property,joint planning and implementation of public works, the joint use of facilities, joint research andprogram implementation activities, joint funding initiatives, and other similar activities in support of public education, community development, housing rehabilitation, economic growth, and other public purposes;

WHEREAS,Mercy owns the land and the building located at 301 N. Norman C. Francis Pkwy., New Orleans, LA 70119, formerly known as the Lindy BoggsMedical Center (the Site”);

WHEREAS,the City and Mercy desiretoaccomplish avaluable public purpose of establishing on the Site and for the benefitofthe City awater retention control structureand system connected into the City’sexisting storm drainage system (the “Public DrainageSystem”), which Public Drainage System is presently operated and maintained by the Sewerage and Water BoardofNew Orleans;

WHEREAS,asaprerequisite to constructing awater retention control structureonthe Site, it is necessary to demolish the existing buildings on the Site; in furtherance of the foregoing, Mercy will demolish the existing buildings on the Site and design, engineer,and construct the water retention control structureand system conveyance, which design shall include capabilities of up to four million gallons of underground water retention (the “Retention Area”) and inflow and outflow structures (the Inflow and Outflow Structures”) connected to the Public Drainage System (collectively,the “Project”);

WHEREAS,the Inflow and Outflow Structures will cross portions of the Site and the public right of way (collectively,the Inflowand Outflow Area”); WHEREAS,onNovember 15, 2025, pursuant to City Council Resolution No. R-25-427, amajority of the electors of the City authorized the issuance of up to $415 million in general obligation bonds for the purpose of making capital improvements in the City (the Approved Bonds”); WHEREAS,the Approved Bonds will be used to fund the infrastructure projects described in City Council Resolution No. R-25-427, as amended by City Council Resolution No. R-25-524, which projects include redevelopment of the Site; and WHEREAS,the City will use aportion of the proceeds of the Approved Bonds in the amounts described in Article II hereof and such other City funds as may be lawfully available (the Project Funds”) to fund the Project and any additional costs related to the Project (the Project also referred to herein as the Mercy Drainageand Stormwater Retention Project”). NOW THEREFORE,the City and Mercy,each having the authority to do so, agree as follows: ARTICLE I- OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES A. Obligations of Mercy Mercy shall:

1. Design, engineer,and construct the Project at the Site owned by Mercy and the adjacent public right of way in accordance with the plans attached hereto as “Exhibit

alease in the form attached heretoas“Exhibit B” (the “Lease”);

ow Structures located within the

ow and Out

Donate the In

right of way (the “Public In

owand Outflow Structures”) to the City pursuant to an Act of Donation in the form attached hereto as “Exhibit C” (the Donation”); and

4. Control, staff, operate, and maintain the Project (excluding the Public Inflow and Outflow Structures) on the terms and conditions described in the Lease and otherwise as required by applicable law

B. Obligations of City The City shall:

1. Administer the Agreement through the Office of Community Development;

2. Fund the Project using the Project Funds, subject to the provisions of Article II, below;

3. Dedicate, appropriate, and release the Project Funds to Mercy pursuanttothe Payment Schedule in Article II, below;

4. Intentionally Omitted.

5. To the fullest extent allowed by law,and in furtherance of the Project, work collaboratively with Mercy Partners to support the creation and establishment of an economic development district and TaxIncrement Financing district (TIF) pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statute 33:9038.72. The use of any funds generated by such adistrict will be governed by aseparate cooperative endeavor agreement (the EDD CEA”) containing terms mutually acceptable to the parties thereto, but the City and Mercy Partners acknowledge their intent that these funds can be used for capital financing as well as ongoing operations and maintenance of the Project contemplated in this Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions described in the EDD CEA. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, neither the City nor the City Council will be required to take any affirmative legislative action with respect to this provision;

6. Control, staff, operate, and maintain the Public Inflow and Outflow Structures on the terms and conditions described in the Lease. ARTICLE II –FUNDING OR COMPENSATION

D. Project Funding Schedule.The City’sfunding for the Project will be made according to the Project funding scheduleattached hereto as “ExhibitD”(the “Payment Schedule”).

E. The City’sfunding obligations under this Agreement aresubject to the successful issuance of 2026 Drainage and Stormwater and City InfrastructureProject Bonds. Any termination for non-appropriation is subject to the provisions under Article III of this Agreement.

F. Mercy Partners will utilize the BRASS system for payments, or by any other means as may be lawfully available and agreed to by the Parties.

ARTICLE III -DURATION AND TERMINATION

A. Term. The term of this Agreement shall be for three(3) years from the Effective Date. The term of the Lease shall be for 99 years as described in the attached form of Lease.

B. Termination for Cause.The City or Mercy may terminate this Agreement for cause on written notice to the other Parties, if the other Party breaches any provision of this Agreement and either the breach cannot be cured or,ifthe breach can be cured, it is not cured within 30 days after the breaching Party’sreceipt of written notice of such breach.

C. Termination for Non-Appropriation.The City or Mercy shall have the right to terminate this Agreement immediatelyinthe event of nonappropriation of funds sufficient to maintain the Project and/or the purpose of this Agreement without the requirement of notice, and no Party shall be liable for any amounts, funds or liabilities accrued to it for the Project beyond the City funds appropriated, encumbered and paid to Mercy. ARTICLE IV –INTENTIONALLYOMITTED

ARTICLE V– INSURANCE

A. Except as otherwise noted, at all times during this Agreement or the performance of work required by this Agreement, Mercywill maintain or cause to be maintained, the following insurance, as specified in items Bthrough Ibelow,infull force and effect for the duration of the work under this Agreement. Evidence of coverage shall be provided prior to the start of any activities/work, in conjunction with Mercy’s obligations and/or scope of work under the Agreement. If Mercy maintains broader coverage and/or higher limits than the minimums shown below,the City requires and shall be entitled to the broader coverage and/or the higher limits maintained by Mercy Any available insurance proceeds in excess of the specified minimum limits of insurance and coverage shall be

D.

1. Umbrella/Excess policies must “Follow form” of the underlying policies and scheduling.

F. Builders Risk (coverage shouldnot be bound until aNotice to Proceed (NTP) is issued for aproject)

1. Builder’sRisk (Course of Construction) Insurance utilizing an “All Risk” (Special Perils) coverage form, on areplacement cost basis, including coverage on the entireProject, to include but not limited to coverage for Flood and Named Storm, Fire, Theft, Mysterious Disappearance (if available), Damages due to Changes or Extremes of Temperature, Property of others in the care, custody or control, DebrisRemoval, Vandalism and Soft Cost (i.e. professional services, permits, etc.), with limits equal to the completed value of the project and no coinsurance penalty provisions.

2. Policy shall include coverage during transit, installation and while materials arebeing stored offsite. Such coverage shall name the City of New Orleans as aLoss Payee as their interest may appear

3. If not covered under the “all-risk” insurance or otherwise provided in the Agreement, Mercyshall effect and maintainsimilar insurance on portions of the work stored offthe site when such portions of the work aretobeincluded in any applications for payment and such procedures have been approved by the City

4. Builders’ Risk Insurance shall be written and provide such that any portions of abuilding or site vacated by the City to accommodate the work areprotected and covered by the terms of the policy.The insurance shall not be cancelled or permitted to lapse due to such vacancy 5. Mercyshall obtain consent of the insurance carrier that no action will be taken with respect to partial occupancy or use that would cause cancellation,lapse of reduction of insurance.

G. Contractors Pollution Liability(whereapplicable) –Mercy shall maintain Contractors’ Pollution LiabilityInsurance (or equivalent coverage) applicable to the work being performed with limits of not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence or claim /$2,000,000 policy aggregate, covering losses caused by pollution conditions that arise from the handling, transporting, disposal and related contractor activities/ operations. Insurance shall apply to bodily injury,property damage, including loss of use of damaged property that has not been physically impacted and defense, including cost and expenses incurred in the investigation, defense, or settlement of claims. Coverage shall include but not be limited to Fines, Penalties, Punitive Damages and Clean-up cost.

H. Professional LiabilityInsurance -Asprofessional services arerequired under the Agreement, insurance is appropriate to the contractor’s profession, with limits of liability of not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence or claim /$2,000,000 policy aggregate. Coverage shall be sufficiently broad to respond to the duties and obligations as is undertaken by Mercyinthis agreement. Policy shall be kept in force and uninterrupted for aperiod of three (3) years beyond policy expiration. If coverage is discontinued for any reason during this three (3) year term, Mercy must procureand evidence full extended reporting period (ERP) coverage.

I. General Provision and Requirements 1. Mercy shall be able to meet the above referenced specificpolicy limits of liabilitythrough acombination of primary and umbrella/ excess coverage 2. The obligations for Mercytoprocureand maintaininsurance shall not be constructed to waive or restrict other obligations. It is understood that neither failuretocomply nor full compliance with the foregoing insurance requirements shall limit or relieve Mercyfromany liability incurred as aresult of its activities/ operations in conjunction with Mercy’sobligations and/or scope of work under the Agreement. Mercyshall be responsiblefor any losses, expenses, damages, claims and/or suits and cost of any kind which exceed Mercy’slimits of liability that arise from the performance of work under the Agreement. 3. Certificates of Insurance Additional Insured Status: i. Mercyand all contractors and subcontractors (where applicable) will provide, and maintain current, aCertificate of Insurance naming the City of New Orleans, its departments, political subdivisions, officers, officials, employees, and volunteers as “Additional Insureds” on the CGL and AL policies with respect to liability arising out of the performance of this Agreement.

ii. Additional Insured coverage should be provided in the form of an endorsement to the Mercy/contractor’s/subcontractor’s insurance, at least as broad as ISO Form CG 20 10 11 85 or both CG 20 10 and CG 20 37 forms (if later revisions are used). The Certificate

discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color,religion, sex, gender,age, physical or mental disability,national origin, sexual orientation, creed, culture, or ancestry,and (2) where applicable, will take affirmative action to ensurethat its employees aretreated during employment without regardtotheir race, color,religion, sex, gender,age, physical or mental disability,national origin, sexual orientation, creed, culture, or ancestry.This requirement shall apply to, but not be limited to the following: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer,recruitment or recruitment advertising, layoffortermination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and selection for training, including apprenticeship. All solicitations or advertisements for employees shall state that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regardtorace, color,religion, sex, gender,age, physical or mental disability,national origin, sexual orientation, creed, culture, or ancestry

B. Non-Discrimination. In the performance of this Agreement, Mercy will not discriminate on the basis, whether in fact or perception, of aperson’srace, color,creed, religion, national origin, ancestry,age, sex, gender,sexual orientation, gender identity,domestic partner status, marital status, physical or mental disability,orAIDS- or HIVstatus against (1) any employee of the City working with the Parties in any of Parties operations within Orleans Parish or (2) any person seeking accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, services, or membership in all business, social, or other establishments or organizations operated by Mercy.Mercy agrees to comply with and abide by all applicable federal, state and local laws relating to nondiscrimination, including, without limitation, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section Vofthe Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

ARTICLE VII -INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

A. Independent Contractor Status. For the limited purpose of the scope and delivery of the Project, Mercy shall be considered an independent contractor and shall not be deemed an employee, servant, agent, partner,orjoint ventureofthe City,and will not hold itself or any of its employees, subcontractors or agents to be an employee, partner,or agent of the City

B. Exclusion of Worker’sCompensation

p 10 o'clock a.m.

Sons Inc L S datedJanuary 21, 1986, resur‐veyedMarch 5, 1986; subjecttore‐strictions,servi‐tudes, rights-ofwayand out‐standing min‐eral rights of record affecting theproperty.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

ZACHARYGAR‐RETT YOUNG Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: March13, 2026, April17, 2026 mar13-apr17-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:868-260 STANDARD MORTGAGE CORPORATION VERSUS KEITHJ.SAVOIE, JR.

ACERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings and improvements thereon, andall of therights, ways,means, privileges servitudes, appurtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining situated in the Parish of Jeffer‐sonState of Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as AirlinePark NorthSubdivi‐sion,and ac‐cordingtoa plat of survey by RichardT Dading,Incor‐porateddated April21, 1987,a copy of which is annexedtoan act registered in COB1733,page 233, said portion of ground is designated as Lot5, Square 110, which square is bounded by BullardAvenue Amanda Street, Eisenhower Av‐enue andLafre‐niereStreet andwhich lot commences at a distance of twohundred forty-five feet (245')feet from theintersection of Lafreniere Street and BullardAvenue andmeasures thence sixty feet (60')front on BullardAv‐enue,same width in the rear,bya depth of onehundred onefeet (101') between equal and parallel lines.

TheNew Orleans Advocate: March13, 2026, April17, 2026 mar13-apr17-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL

DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:870-430

MORTGAGE SO‐LUTIONSOF COLORADO,LLC D/B/AMORT‐GAGE SOLU‐TIONS FINANCIAL VERSUS TEDANDREW BELLANGER, JR (A/K/A TEDBEL‐LANGER)AND CANDIE ANN WATSON

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedNovem‐ber24, 2025, I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, April22, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

98 a d September25, 1984, approved by Summary No 16233, regis‐teredinCOB 1139, folio 124, said plat is recorded in Plan Book 124, folio 167 and167A,bear‐ing designations 124-135, de‐scribedasfol‐lows:

LOT127, SQUARE 3, bounded by Long Branch Drive, Spring Drive, Bent Tree Drive, east line of sub‐division and Bark Avenue andmeasures 60 feet fronton Long Branch Drive, thesame in width in the rear,bya depth of 100 feet be‐tween equal and parallel lines. All in accordance with survey by Southern Sur‐veying,Inc dated January15, 2000 acopyofwhich is attached to an actregis‐teredinCOB 3027, page 654.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

EMILYA MUELLER

LLC F/K/AQUICKEN LOANS INC. VERSUS JOHN W. GILBERTA/K/A JOHN GILBERT

thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: THAT CERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐mentsthereon, andall of the rights,ways, privileges servitudes, appurtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in Township 14 South, Ranges 23 and24East, SoutheastLand District of Louisiana, West of theMissis‐sippi River, knownasHar‐veyCanal Prop‐erty,Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, for‐merlydesig‐nated as Parcel Q-2-B, which said por‐tion of ground hasbeen resub‐dividedinto Woodmere SouthSubdivi‐sonSection 3, allasper plan of resubdivision made by J.J. Krebs& Sons,Inc., C.E. & S.,dated Octo‐ber10, 1983, ap‐proved by the JeffersonParish CouncilbyOrdi‐nanceNo. 15784, recorded in COB 1064, folio 925, andasper Act of Dedication be‐fore Odom B. Heebe, Notary Public,dated February 2, 1984, recorded in COB1067, folio 270, same beingdesig‐natedasfol‐lows: Lot811, Square R, which said square is bounded by Keith-WayDrive, Destrehan Avenue,Prim‐wood Driveand Cimwood Drive, andsaidLot 811 commencesata distance of 541 feet from thein‐tersection of Cimwood Drive andKeith-Way Drive, andmeasures thence 60 feet frontonKeithWayDrive,same in width across the rear,bya depth of 100 feet be‐tween equal andparallel lines;all as per survey made by J.J. Krebs& Sons,Inc., L.S.,

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedAugust 29, 2025,I have seized andwill proceedtosell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058,on Wednesday, April22, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchaseprice is due at the time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit LGRAHAM ARCENEAUX Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

THAT CERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐mentsthereon, andall of the rights,ways, privileges, servitudes appurtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in the PARISH OF JEF‐FERSON,STATE OF LOUISIANA, in that part thereof known as BENT TREE ESTATES, MODIFIED PHASE2,asper plan made by John F. Marshall, R.S., datedDecem‐ber14, 1983, re‐visedFebruary 7, 1984 and

Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: March13, 2026, April17, 2026 mar13-apr17-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:871-180 ROCKET MORT‐GAGE,LLC F/K/A QUICKEN

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedDecem‐ber12, 2025, I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, April22, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: Acertain piece or portionof ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐ments thereon, andall of therights, ways,privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, advan‐tagesand appurtenances thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theState of Louisiana, Parish of Jeffer‐son, in Town‐ship14South Range23and 24 East, SoutheastLand District of Louisiana, west of theMissis‐sippi River, knownasHar‐vey CanalProperty, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, des‐ignatedasPar‐celQ-2-A,all as per plan by J.J. Krebs& Sons Inc.,C.E., dated May15, 1973, re‐visedSeptem‐ber26, 1973, April11, 1974, May5, 1975, December 29, 1975, Octo‐ber19, 1976, March27, 1978, July 24, 1978, December 5, 1979, May22, 1981 andOcto‐ber1,1982, which said portionhas been resubdi‐videdinto Woodmere SouthSubdivi‐sion Section2, all l f

all as perplanof resubdivision made by J.J. Krebs& Sons, Inc.,C.E.& S., dated September28, 1982, approved by theJefferson Parish Council by ordinance no 15418, recorded in COB1042, folio 673, andas perAct of Dedi‐cation before Odom B. Heebe, No‐tary Public, dated June 30, 1983, recorded in COB1056, folio 898, same beingdes‐ignatedasfol‐lows:

Lot373, Square J, which said square is bounded by Du‐laneyDrive, Keith-WayDrive, Morriswood Driveand De‐strehanAvenue andsaidLot 373 commences at a distance of 801.22 feet from theinter‐sectionofDe‐strehanAvenue an Dulaney Drive, and measures thence 60 feet frontonDu‐laneyDrive same in widthin therear, by a depthof100 feet between equaland paral‐lellines;all as persurvey made by J.J. Krebs& Sons Inc. C.E. &S., datedJanuary 5, 1984, resur‐veyedFebruary 16, 1984, to show im‐provements

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

COREYJ.GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: March13, 2026, April17, 2026 mar13-apr17-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:841-459

PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES LLC VERSUS JAREDTAYLOR

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritofFIERI FACIAS from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedDecem‐ber5,2025, I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, April22, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: That certain portionof ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐ments thereon, andall of therights, ways,privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurte‐nances and advantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theState of Louisiana, Parish of Jeffer‐son, which Par‐celA-11, Lake Timberlane Es‐tates, now knownasLot 7, Square B, Lake Timberlane Es‐tates, Section4, in accordance with theplanofsub‐division by J.J. Krebs& Sons, Inc.,dated De‐cember 8, 1989, approved by the JeffersonParish CouncilonFeb‐ruary14, 1990, by Ordinance No 17929, recorded March15, 1990, under EntryNo. 90-10219, in COB 2305, folio 207, more fully de‐scribedasfol‐lows: Square B, is bounded by Brighton Place, i

g JupiterStreet, thenorthern boundaryofthe subdivisionand Manhattan Blvd., Lot7 com‐mences 365 feet from thecorner of JupiterStreet andBrighton Place, measures thence 60 feet fronton Brighton Place, same widthin therear, by a depthbetween equaland paral‐lellines of 105 feet.All s more fully shownonsur‐veybyJ.J.Krebs &Sons, Inc.,re‐datedand certi‐fied November13, 1991.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

COREYJ.GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: March13, 2026, April17, 2026 mar13-apr17-2t

LOANS,

JR. A/K/AJOHN M. LEE, JR.

A/K/AJOHNLEE, JR.

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND

SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedDecem‐ber22, 2025,I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat publicauction at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233Westbank

1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey Louisiana, 70058,on Wednesday, April22, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: Acertain piece or portionof ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐ments thereonand all therights, ways privileges, servitudes,ad‐vantages, pre‐scriptionsand appurtenances theretobelong‐ingorinany‐wise appertain‐ing,situatedin th St t f

OFFICIAL NOTICE

ing, situated in theState of Louisiana, Parish of Jeffer‐son, in Wood‐mere Subdivi‐sion,Section 7, allasper plan approved by the Jefferson Parish CouncilbyOrdi‐nanceNo. 13812, in COB955 folio 226, andasper ActofDedica‐tion in COB957 folio 60,being designated as Lot1917, Square "YY"

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges TERMS- Thefull purchase price i d h

Public Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of New Orleans will consider at its regular meeting of April 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., to be held either via video conference or in the Council Chamber,City Hall, 1300 Perdido Street, Room 1E07, the adoption of Ordinance Calendar No. 35,404 introduced at the meeting of April 9, 2026.

SAID ORDINANCE would authorize the Mayorofthe City of New Orleans to enter into aCooperative Endeavor Agreement (“CEA”)between the City of New Orleans (“City”), and the Sewerage and Water BoardNew Orleans (“SWBNO”), foraterm greater than one year,for thepublic purpose of construction of the Dwyer Canal Project and allowing public access and use of the Project Area following completion of the Project in the City of New Orleans, as morefully detailed in the CEA form attached hereto as Exhibit “A”.

Said ordinance may be seen in full in the Officeofthe ClerkofCouncil, Room 1E09,City Hall, 1300 Perdido Street

AISHA R. COLLIER CLERK OF COUNCIL

PUBLICATION DATE: April 17, 2026 NOCP 9008

OFFICIAL NOTICE CAL. NO. 35,404

EXHIBIT A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVORAGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS AND SEWERAGE &WATER BOARD OFNEW ORLEANS [COVER PAGE]

COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS AND SEWERAGE &WATER BOARD OFNEW ORLEANS DWYER CANAL MAINTENANCE AND JOINT USE

THIS COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered intobyand betweenthe City of New Orleans, represented by Helena Moreno, Mayor (the City”),and the Sewerage &Water Boardof NewOrleans, represented by RandyE.Hayman, Esq Executive Director (the SWBNO”orthe Board”). TheCity and SWBNO may sometimes each be referred to as a“Party,” andcollectively, as the Parties.” The Agreementis effective as of the date of execution by the City (the Effective Date”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS,the City is apolitical subdivisionofthe State of Louisiana;

WHEREAS,the Sewerage &Water BoardofNew Orleans is apolitical subdivision of the State of Louisiana, with its principal address located at 625St. Joseph Street, New Orleans, LA 70165; WHEREAS,pursuant to Article 7, Section14(C) of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974, and related statutes, and Section9-314 of the Home Rule Charter of the City of New Orleans, the City may enter into cooperative endeavors with the State of Louisiana, its political subdivisions and corporations, the United States and its agencies, and any public or private corporation, association,orindividual with regard to cooperative financing and othereconomic development activities, the procurement and development of immovable property,jointplanning and implementation of public works,the joint use of facilities, joint research and program implementation activities, joint funding initiatives, and other similar activities in support of public education, communitydevelopment, housing rehabilitation, economic growth, andotherpublic purposes; WHEREAS,the City and SWBNO desiretoaccomplish avaluable public purpose of improving walkability,connectivity,and recreational opportunities within and across the Pontchartrain Park and Gentilly Woods neighborhoods by constructing trails,apedestrian bridge, lighting, seating, and solidwaste receptacles (the “Project”) along the Dwyer Canal between Providence Placeand France Road (the Project Area”);

WHEREAS,SWBNO will provide the City with access to SWBNO managed property in the Project Area forthe construction of the Project, and allow public access and use of the Project Area following completion of the Project;

WHEREAS,the City will construct the Project with FederalEmergency Management Agency (FEMA)HazardMitigationGrant Program (HMGP) and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) National Disaster Resilience Program (NDR) funding;and WHEREAS,the City will construct andmaintain the Project improvements in the Project Area.

NOW THEREFORE,the City and SWBNO,eachhaving the authority to do so,agree as follows:

ARTICLE I-SWBNO’S OBLIGATIONS

A. Services TheBoardwill provide all tasks and deliverables as outlined in this Subsection.

1. Grant the City and its Contractors access and use of SWBNO managed property in theProject Area forthe construction of the Project’sscope of work.

2. Allowpublic access and use to the Project Area and the Project upon completion of construction.

3. Maintain the grey stormwater infrastructureassets existing prior to the implementation of the Projects.

4. Continue to maintain the Project Area greenspace in the manner and standardmaintained as of the Effective Date of this Agreement.

5. Provide access to SWBNO personnel to discuss the required servicesduring normal working hours, as requestedbythe City.

6. SWBNO is not responsible or obligated to makeany payments for work performed on the Project by the City or any City Contractor.

ARTICLE II -THE CITY’S OBLIGATIONS

A. Administration. The City will:

1. Administer this Agreement through the OfficeofResilience& Sustainability (the

purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

DENNISWIG‐GINS,JR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans d

Orleans Advocate: March13, 2026, April17, 2026

mar13-apr17-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:871-546

A/K/AJANEANP QUINTANA A/K/AJANEAN QUINTANA

Maintain, through the Department of Public Works, thewalking and bicyclingtrails, non-motorized bridges, and lightingconstructed by the City as part of the Project.

5. Contract with adesignprofessional as well as alicensed contractor through the City Procurement process toenter

LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC VS CARLOS H. QUINTANA A/K/ACARLOS QUINTANA AND JANEAN PADDEN QUINTANA 1-800-960-6397 Lookingfor the right hire?

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedJanuary 5, 2026, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐

ARTICLE III-DURATION ANDTERMINATION

A. Term. The termofthisagreement shall be for 20 years from the Effective Date.

B. Extension.The City can opt to extend the termofthisAgreement provided that the City Councilapproves it as amulti-term cooperative endeavor agreement and that additional funding, if required, is allocated by the City Council.

C. Termination for Convenience.Either Party may terminate this Agreement at any time during the termofthe Agreement by giving the remaining partywritten notice of the termination at least 30 calendar days beforethe intended date of termination

D. Termination for Cause.Either Party may terminate thisAgreement immediatelyfor cause by sending writtennoticetothe remaining party. “Cause”includes without limitation any failuretoperform any obligation or abide by any condition of thisAgreement or the failureofany representationorwarranty in thisAgreement,including without limitation any failuretocomply with any provision of City Code §2-1120 or requests of the Office of Inspector General.Ifa termination for cause is subsequentlychallengedina court of law and the challenging party prevails, the.termination willbedeemed to be atermination for convenience effective 30 days from the date of the original writtennoticeoftermination for cause was sent to the challenging party;nofurther notice willberequired.

ARTICLE IV -INDEMNITY

A. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the City willprotect, defend, indemnify, and hold harmless SWBNO,its agents, elected officials, employees, insurers, self-insurance funds, and assigns (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”)fromand against any and allclaims demands, suits, and judgmentsofsums of moneyaccruing against the Indemnified Parties: forloss of life or injury or damage to persons or property arising from or relating to any negligent act or omission or the operation of the Party,its agents or employees whileengaged in or in connection withthe increased pedestrian activity within the project’s footprint and the work being performed under thisAgreement

B. The City and the SWBNOwilleach be responsiblefor defense costs related to any claims made for work performed under thisagreement To the extent SWBNO accrues or otherwise sustains any defense costs related to any claims made pertaining to workperformed, omissions or other scenarios whereinparagraph 1ofthissection shall apply,the City shall reimburse SWBNOfor the same.

C. Limitation. The City’sindemnitydoes not extend to any loss arising fromthe negligence or willful misconduct of the SWBNO,provided that neither that City norany of itsagentsoremployees contributed to such negligence or willfulmisconduct

D. The Parties intend and agree that the City shall be fully responsible for all liabilities incurred in connection withtheirrespective acts or omissions, as detailed in paragraph 1ofthissection,regardless of the presence or absence of insurance of the City,its Contractors, or any other partyresponsible forthe performance of work associated with thisproject under the control of the City

E.Restriction on Expansion of SWBNO Liability Nothing in this agreement expands performance of work under thisagreement SWBNO is under no independent duty or obligation to permit the work being performed under thisAgreement,and it would not do so if thereisorcouldbeany possibility of SWBNObeing held liablefor any injuries, damages, or death occuning as aresult of workperformed under thisagreement

ARTICLE V- FORCE MAJEURE

A. Event. An event of Force Majeurewillinclude any event or occurrence not reasonably foreseeable at the executionofthisAgreement which willinclude, but not be limitedto, abnormally severeand unusual weather conditions or other acts of God(including tropical weather events, tomados, hurricanes, and flooding); declarations of emergency; shortages of labor or materials(not caused by the parties); riots; terrorism; actsofpublicenemy; war; sabotage; cyberattacks, threats, or incidents; epidemics or pandemics;court or governmental order; or any other cause whatsoever beyond the reasonable control of the parties, provided such event was not caused by the negligence or misconduct of the parties, by the failureofthe parties to comply with applicablelaws, or by the breach of thisAgreement

B. Notice To seek the benefitofthisArticle, the parties must provide notice in writing to the remaining partystating:(1) an event triggering thisArticle has occurred; (2) the anticipated effect of the Force Majeureevent on performance; and (3) the expected durationofthe delay,ifthe Agreement is being suspended.

C. Effect.

1. Uponthe occurrence of aForce Majeure event, for whichthe party has provided required notice, the parties may,:

a. Suspend thisAgreement foraduration to be set, not to exceed 90 days. During such time of suspension, the Parties willnot be liable or responsible for performance of theirrespective obligations under thisAgreement,and therewillbeexcluded from the computation of such periodoftime any delays directlydue to the occurrence of the Force Majeure event. During any such period of suspension, the parties must take all commerciallyreasonable actions to mitigateagainst the effectsofthe Force Majeureevent and to ensurethe prompt resumption of performance; or b. TerminatethisAgreement,either immediatelyorafter one or moreperiods of suspension, effective on noticetoall parties and without any further compensation due.

2. Notwithstanding Section C(1) above, the obligations relating to making payments when due (for services or materials already provided) and those obligations specified to survive in the Agreement willbeunaffected by any suspension or termination ARTICLE VI-NOTICE A. In General Except forany routine communication, any notice, demand, communication, or request required or permitted under thisAgreement willbegiven in writing and delivered in person or by certified mail, returnreceipt requested as follows: 1. To the

Westbank Ex pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, April22, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: Twocertain lots of ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐mentsthereon, andall of the rights,ways, servitudes,ap‐purtenances andadvantages thereunto belongingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in th t t

Louisiana in that part thereofknown as Taft Park,in Square No.11 bounded by Taft Park,Forty-Third Street,FortyFifthStreet and theupperline of said subdivi‐sion which said Lots of ground are designated by theNos.10and 11, adjoin each other andmeasure as follows, to-wit: Lot11forms the corner of Taft Park andFortyThirdStreet, andmeasures 37.47 feet frontonTaft Park,a widthin therearof43.73

the rear of 43 73 feet,a depth andfront on Forty-Third Street of 63.74 feet anda depth on theopposite sideline nearer Forty-Fifth Street of 63.08 feet.Lot 10 adjoinsLot 11 andmeasures 50.00 feet front on Taft Park, a width in therearof 50.01 feet (50.00 feet as per title),a depth on thesideline nearer Forty-Third Street of 63.08 feet anda depth on theopposite sideline of 62.62 feet,all in accordance with asketchof

C. Notification of Change. Each party is responsiblefor notifying the other in writing that referencesthisAgreement of anychangesinits address(es) set forthabove

ARTICLE VII -ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

A. Amendment No amendment of or modification to this Agreement shall be valid unless anduntil executed in writing by theduly authorized representativesofboth partiestothisAgreement

B. Assignment. C. Choice o{ Law This Agreement will be construedand enforcedin accordance with thelawsofthe State of Louisianawithout regardto itsconflictoflawsprovisions.

D. Conflicting Employment

E. Construction of Agreement. Neither party will be deemed to have drafted this Agreement.ThisAgreement hasbeenreviewedbythe Parties andshall be construedand interpreted accordingtothe ordinarymeaning of thewords usedsoastofairly accomplish the purposes andintentions of theParties. No term of this Agreement shall be construedorresolved in favor of or against theCityorthe Board on thebasisofwhichparty drafted theuncertainorambiguous language.The headings andcaptions of this Agreement areprovided for convenienceonlyand arenot intendedtohave effect in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.Where appropriate thesingular includesthe pluraland neutralwords andwords of any gendershall include theneutraland other gender.

F. Entire Agreement. This Agreement,includingall incorporated documents, constitutes the finaland complete agreement and understandingbetween theparties. All prior andcontemporaneous agreementsand understandings, whether oralorwritten, are supersededbythisAgreement andare without effect to varyoralter anytermsorconditionsofthisAgreement

G. Exhibits. Thefollowingexhibits willbeand areincorporatedintothis Agreement:“Exhibit A” -DwyerCanal SitePlan.

H. Jurisdiction. TheBoardconsents andyields to thejurisdiction of the State Civil Courts of theParish of Orleans andformallywaivesany pleasorexceptions of jurisdiction on accountofthe residenceofthe Board

LLimitations ofthe Citv’sObligations. TheCityhas no obligations not explicitly set forthinthisAgreement or anyincorporateddocuments or expressly imposed by law.

J. Non-Exclusivity This Agreement is non-exclusive andthe Board may provide services to other clients, subjecttothe City’sapproval of any potentialconflicts with theperformance of this Agreement andthe City mayengage theservicesofothersfor theprovision of some or all of thework to be performed under this Agreement

K. Non-Waiver Thefailure of either party to insist uponstrictcompliance withany provision of this Agreement,toenforce anyrightortoseek anyremedy upondiscovery of anydefault or breach of theother party at such time as theinitial discovery of theexistenceofsuch noncompliance, right, defaultorbreachshall notaffectorconstitutea waiver of either party’s right to insist uponsuchcompliance, exercise such rightorseeksuchremedy with respect to that defaultorbreach or anyprior contemporaneous or subsequentdefault or breach

L. Order of Documents. In theevent of anyconflictbetween the provisions of this Agreement anyincorporateddocuments, the terms andconditionsofthe documentswill apply in this order: the Agreement;“Exhibit A”.

M. Severability Should acourt of competentjurisdiction find any provision of this Agreement to be unenforceableaswritten, the unenforceableprovision should be reformed, if possible, so that it is enforceabletothe maximum extent permittedbylaw or,ifreformation is notpossible, theunenforceableprovision shall be fully severable andthe remainingprovisions of theAgreement remain in full force and effect andshall be construedand enforcedasifthe unenforceable provision wasnever apartthe Agreement

N. Survival of CertainProvisions. All representationsand warranties andall obligations concerning recordretention, inspections, audits, ownership, indemnification, payment,remedies, jurisdiction, and choiceoflaw shall survive theexpiration, suspension, or termination of this Agreement andcontinueinfullforce andeffect.

O. Terms Binding Thetermsand conditionsofthisAgreement are bindingonany heirs, successors, transferees, andassigns.

ARTICLE VII -COUNTERPARTS

This Agreement maybeexecutedinone or morecounterparts, each of whichshall be deemed to be an originalcopy of this Agreement,but allofwhich, when takentogether,shall constituteone andthe same agreement

ARTICLE IX -ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE AND DELIVERY

ThePartiesagree that amanuallysigned copy of this Agreement and anyother document(s)attached to this Agreement deliveredbyemail shall be deemedtohave thesamelegal effect as delivery of an originalsigned copy of this Agreement.Nolegally bindingobligation shall be createdwith respect to aparty until such party hasdeliveredorcausedtobedelivered amanuallysigned copy of this Agreement

[SIGNATURES CONTAINED ON NEXT PAGE]

[The remainder of this pageisintentionally left blank.]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,the City andSWBNO, throughtheir duly authorized representatives, executethisAgreement

CITYOFNEW ORLEANS

By: HELENA MORENO, MAYOR Executed on this of ___________________________, 2026

FORM AND LEGALITYAPPROVED BY:

THELAW DEPARTMENT

By:

Printed Name:

SEWERAGE& WATERBOARD OF NEW ORLEANS

BY:_ RANDY E. HAYMAN, ESQ.,EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

FEDERAL TAXI.D.

[EXHIBIT ACONTAINED ON NEXT PAGE]

*Due to itssize, copiesofthe attachment(s) maybeseeninfull in theClerk of Council’sOffice,1300Perdido Street, Room 1E09 City Hall or areavailable uponrequest.Please call 504658-1085.

AISHA R. COLLIER

ASSISTANT CLERKOFCOUNCIL PUBLICATION DATE: April 17,2026

NOCP9009 184217-638849-apr17-1t

with a sketch of survey by Gilbert& Kelly Surveyors, datedOctober 1, 1959.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price isdue at the timeofthe sale

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

COREYJ.GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: March13, 2026, April17, 2026

mar13-apr17-2t

depth between equaland paral‐lellines of Eighty-Nine(89’) feet

Improvements thereonbear themunicipal number: 505 ROBINSON AV‐ENUE, MARRERO, LOUISIANA 70072

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges

TERMS- 10% down balancein 30 days

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

JEFFREYM TOEPFER Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: March 13, 2026, April17, 2026

mar13-apr17-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:872-559

LOT NO 13

SQUARE “M”, is bounded by Cardinal Drive, FayStreet, Crestwood Subdivision, Lot G-314 of Ames Farmsand Evie Street (side) Said Lot13mea‐sures Sixty(60’) feet frontonCardi‐nalDrive,same width in the rear, by adepth of Eighty (80’)feet be‐tween equal andparallel lines. Allas more fully shownona sur‐veyby DonA.Garland Land Surveyor, datedFebruary 11, 1978, resur‐veyedOctober 30, 1978. Andaccording to aplatofsur‐veybyMandel Surveying, Inc., LandSurveyor, dated January4,1989, said LotNo. 13, Square “M”as the identical boundariesand measurements as aboveset forthand ahas acommencing distance of 127.52 feet from thecorner ofCardinal Driveand Fay Street Theimprove‐mentsthereon bear themunici‐palnumber2948 Cardinal Drive, Marrero LA 70072

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges

thereunto be longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that subdivision knownasAN‐DERSONPLACE And, accordingto plan of resubdi‐vision by DufreneSurvey‐ing& Engineer‐ing, Inc.,dated February 25, 2005, and adoptedbythe JeffersonParish Councilunder Docket No WS-80-05, recorded in the office of the ClerkofCourt forthe Parish of Jeffersonat COB3150, folio 69, andaccord‐ingthereto said lotisdesig‐natedasLOT 11; subject to restrictions servitudes, rights-of-way andoutstanding mineralrights of record affecting the property

Improvements thereonbear theMunicipal No.5854 Ander‐sonPlace,Mar‐rero,LA 70072

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

son State of Louisiana, West Bank of theMis‐sissippi River, in the Harvey Canal Subdivision, all as more fully shownona map of said subdivi‐sion made by Elbert G. San‐dos, C. E.,dated September19, 1927, revisedby J. H. Payne, Parish Engineer on April24, 1993, on file in theclerk’s of‐fice,and in Square No.2, bounded by PailetAvenue, Fourth Street Highway, Gold Street and BrownAvenue designated as thenos.32and 33 which adjoin andmeasure each 25 feet fronton Pailet Avenue, by adepth of 110 feet be‐tween equal andparallel lines. Lotno. 32 lies nearer andat a distance of 150 feet from Gold Street,all as more fully shownon survey by J. Perry Hotard,C E.,dated August 14, 1975.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND

SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedFebruary 12, 2026,I have seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, April22, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: THAT CERTAIN LOTORPARCEL OF GROUND,to‐gether with all of thebuildings andimprove‐mentsthereon, andall of the rights, ways, privileges, servitudes, appurtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in the ParishofJeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as Village of Mar‐rero,and form‐ingpartofthe ROBINSON AV‐ENUE SUBDIVI‐SION designated as LOTNUMBER ONEHUNDRED NINETY-THREE (193) thereof, as per plan of JamesS Webb, CivilEn‐gineer,dated NewOrleans, Louisiana, May 5, 1921, acopywhereof is attached to an ActofSale byMarreoLand andImprove‐ment Association, Ltd.,toVernice Williams,byact before LouisH Marrero, Notary Public of Jefferson Parish,dated October31, 1945, registered in COB218 folio 212, Jefferson, Louisiana; said lotmeasures Forty(40’)feet frontonRobin‐sonAvenue thesamewidth in therear, by a depth between l d l

Jefferson State of Louisiana, in that subdivision knownas, WOODMERE SUBDIVISION, SECTION5,and beingdesig‐natedonthe of‐ficial plan of said subdivision, on file andof record in theof‐fice of theClerk andRecorder forthe Parish of Jefferson, Stateof Louisiana, as LOTNUMBER ONETHOUSAND THREE HUNDRED NINETY FIVE-A (1395-A) of SQUARE LL, said subdivision, said lot having such measurements anddimensions andbeing sub‐ject to such re‐strictions andservitudes as shownonthe official subdivi‐sion mapand/or of record

HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR NOMURAHOME EQUITY LOAN, INC.,ASSET BACKED CER‐TIFICATES, SE‐RIES 2007-1 VERSUS JOSE A. MEDINA By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedFebruary 3, 2026, Ihave seized andwill proceedtosell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday April22, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND to‐gether with all thebuildings and improvements thereonand all of therights, ways,privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, on theright bank of the Mississippi Riverand form‐inga part of the original Ames Plantation,and duly resubdivided andapproved by theJefferson Parish Police Jury datedMay 23, 1956, under Ordi‐nanceNo. 3208 into Cypress GroveSubdivi‐sion,all in ac‐cordance with lot layout,Square Layout,and dedicationsof streetsas showninaccor‐dancewiththe plan of J. J. Krebs& Sons,C E.,particularly describedas follows,to-wit: LOTNO. 13, i

TERMS- Thefull purchase price isdue at the timeofthe sale

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or PersonalCheck with Bank Letter ofCredit.

PENNY M. DAIGREPONT Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: March13, 2026, April17, 2026 mar13-apr17-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:772-838

CAPTIALONE N.A. VERSUS PATRICIA WILLIAMS COLE‐MAN

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, ParishofJeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, dated June 16 2021,I have seized andwill proceedtosell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday May27, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

ONECERTAIN LOTOFGROUND, together with allthe buildings andimprove‐ments thereon, andall of therights, ways,privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurte‐nances and advantages thereuntobe‐l i i

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit CANDACEA COURTEAU Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: April17, 2026, May22, 2026 apr17-may222t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:861-067 GMFS LLC VS DAWN BEALER MALCOLM A/K/ADAWNB MALCOLM A/K/ADAWN MALCOLM

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND

SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedJanuary 28, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, May27, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

That certain pieceorportion of ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings and improvements thereon, andall therights, ways, privileges servitudes,ap‐purtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, being situated in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof L i i W t

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

COREYJ.GIROIR

Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: April17, 2026, May22, 2026 apr17-may222t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:864-724

WILMINGTON SAVINGSFUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOTINITS INDI‐VIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEEFOR VERUSSECURI‐TIZATION TRUST2023-77 VERSUS NEIGHBORS LOUISIANALLC TIMOTHY JEHRRODHAS‐SONA/K/A TIM‐OTHY J. HASSONA/K/A TIMOTHYHAS‐SONAND TAJH A. HASSON A/K/ATAJH HASSON

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedOctober 9, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, May27, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

THAT CERTAIN LOTOFGROUND, together with allthe buildings d i

all the buildings andimprove‐ments thereon, andall therights, ways, privileges, servitudes,ap‐purtenances and advantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in thePARISH OF JEFFERSON, Stateof Louisiana, in that portion thereofknown as Lincolnshire, andaccording to aplanofresubdivisionpre‐paredbyJ.J Krebs, Inc. dated September3 1970, approved by Ordinance No.9889 of Jef‐ferson Parish Council, datedNovem‐ber19, 1970 reg‐isteredinCOB 726, folio 57, as amendedby OrdinanceNo. 10022, dated February 25, 1971, registered in COB730, folio 287, said lots are designated as LOT38of SQUARE M, and is more particu‐larlydescribed as follows: SQUARE Mis bounded by Lin‐colnshireDrive, Carver Drive, Benedict Driveand Mather Drive. LOT38mea‐sures60feet frontonCarver Drive, same width in therear, with adepth of 90 feet between equaland paral‐lellines

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE: Allfunds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

ELIZABETH CROWELLPRICE Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: April17, 2026, May22, 2026 apr17-may222t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:864-827 PLAINS COM‐MERCEBANK VERSUS JAREDWILFRED HYDELL

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedMay 16, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, May27, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: THAT CERTAIN LOTORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,situ‐ated in the Parish of Jefferson, State f i i i

Furtherinac‐cordance with a survey,pre‐paredbyJ.J Krebs& Sons Inc.,dated April 24, 1978, resur‐veyedJuly22, 1978, acopy of which is at‐tached to and made apart of that certain actrecordedat COB939 Page 545, of theoffi‐cial recordsof Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, ex‐cept said lotis showntohave a depthof98.60 feet between equaland paral‐lellines

This sale is sub‐jecttoall supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

EMILYA MUELLER Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: April17, 2026, May22, 2026 apr17-may222t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:821-168

GIRODTITLING TRUST VS REGINALD D. WAYNEAND REGGIE WAYNE ENTERPRISES, LLC

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritofFIERI FACIAS from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedJanuary 29, 2026, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, May27, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: ONECERTAIN LOTOFGROUND, together with allthe buildings andimprove‐ments

ments thereonand all of therights, ways,privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, advan‐tagesand appurtenances thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theParish of Jefferson, Stateof Louisiana, in STONEBRIDGE SUBDIVISION (formerly apart of ParcelsFF-9and FF-10, Lake Tim‐berlaneEs‐tates),in SQUARE 7 thereofdesig‐nated as LOTNO. 169, which lotmea‐sure 100.48 feet frontonLake AspenEast Drive, 100 feet in widthin therear, by a depthof126.74 feet on the Northsideline anda depth of 136.46 feet on theopposite sideline.All in accordance with aplanby J.J. Krebs& Sons,Inc., dated August 31, 1981, filedinPlan Book 108, Folio 31-Bapproved by OrdinanceNo. 15014 adopted by theJefferson Parish Council on January6 1982, registered in COB1019, Folio 674, EntryNo. 1001764, Parish of Jeffersonon February 5, 1982, registered in COB1031, folio 53. Allas more fully shownonsur‐vey by J.F. Ruello, Land Surveyor, datedJuly20, 1983. Said measure‐mentsare more fullyshown on Plat of Survey by Wilton J. Dufrene, Land Surveyor, dated May25, 1990, acopyof which is an‐nexedtoact of Cash Sale datedJune 13, 1990, recorded at COB2332, Folio234, Entry No.9024382, of‐ficial recordsofJef‐ferson Parish, Louisiana, and according theretosaid square is bounded by Lake Aspen East Drive, Lake AspenNorth Drive, Lake Tim‐berlaneDrive Lake AspenSouth Drive, Lake Kristin Drive, Parcel Band Lake Louise Drive. Improvements thereonbear municipal ad‐dress3621 Lake AspenDrive East,Gretna, Louisiana700568302.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit SCOTTR CHEATHAM Attorney for Plaintiff JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: April17, 2026, May22, 2026 apr17-may222t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF

LOUISIANA NO:829-862

U.S. BANK NA‐TIONAL ASSOCI‐ATIONNOT IN ITSINDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS LEGALTITLE TRUSTEEFOR RMTP TRUST, SERIES 2021 BKM-TT-V VERSUS PATRICKL FER‐TITTA By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedJuly1 2022, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, May27, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: THAT CERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐mentsthereon, andall the rights,ways, privileges, servitudes, appurtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in the PARISH OF JEF‐FERSON,STATE OF LOUISIANA, in that part known as LOUISPARK SUBDIVISION,in accordance with plan of re‐subdivision made by Wilton J. Dufrene, Land Surveyor,dated 4/18/1973, said plan beingap‐proved by the JeffersonParish Councilunder OrdinanceNo. 11221, adopted 6/7/1973, regis‐tered COB792, folio 495; andaccord‐ingtosaidplan of said lotis designated as the WHOLEOFLOT NO.49-Ainthe square bounded by Mimosa Street,Avenue E, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Streets;and ac‐cordingtosaid plan said Lot49Ameasures 90.65 feet front on Mimosa Street,by a widthinthe rear of 91.61 feet,bya depth on thesidelinead‐joiningLot 50 of 97.49 feet and by adepth on thesidelinead‐joining Lot47-Aof 103.80 feet.And accordingto survey of Wilton J. Dufrenedated 3/18/1974 and redated. 8/14/1974, Lot 49-Ahas a first frontage of 30 feet andan additional frontage along a curveof60.65 feet on Mimosa Street,a width of 30 feet anda second widthof61.61 feet in therear, adepth of 97.49 feet on Four‐teenth Street side, a depthof103.80 feet on theFif‐teenth Street side,and com‐mences 65.11 feet along thecurve of Mi‐mosa Street from thecorner of Fourteenth Street; subjecttore‐strictions,servi‐tudes, rights-ofwayand out‐standing min‐eral rights of record affecting theproperty. Theimprove‐h

The improve mentsthereon bear theIm‐provements thereonbear theMunicipal No 1404 Mimosa Street,Marrero, LA 70072

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

CANDACEA COURTEAU Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P.

LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans

Advocate: April17, 2026, May22, 2026

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of Louisiana datedAugust 28, 1951, andaccording to said plan of survey said Square Number Sixisbounded by Ninth andTenth Streets, Garden Road,and Farm Site Number 15; said LotNumber Two commences at a distance of Fifty (50’)feet from thecornerof NinthStreet and Garden Road andthence measuresFifty (50’)feet front on Garden Road, same widthinthe rear,bya depth between equal andparallel linesofone hundred five (105’)feet.The foregoing de‐scription is in accordance with printof survey of Adloe Orr, Jr.&Associ‐ates,C.E., dated July 3, 1962, an‐nexedtoact of sale passed be‐fore NatB.Knight, Jr Notary Pub‐lic, datedJuly 26, 1962,being a sale by Grace Cemo wife of/and EarnestPhillips to Jefferson Savings& Loan Association.

Theimprove‐mentsthereon bear Municipal No.828 Garden Road,Marrero LA 70072

NO: 833-516 "I"

BIENES INMUE‐BLES,L.L.C VERSUS ANJADHOBBUB

ZUGHAYER WIFE OF/AND AMER ZUGHAYER,ET. AL

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

the following describedprop‐erty to wit:

THAT CERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,to‐gether with all the buildings andimprove‐mentsthereon, andall the rights,ways, privileges, servitudes, appurtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in TERRYTOWN SUBDIVISION, NO.1,being part of OakdaleSub‐division,Section "B", FirstWard, all in accordance with thesurvey ofAdloe Orr, Jr & Associates C.E.,dated April 30, 1959, approved by theJefferson Parish Council under Ordi‐nanceNo. 4117, adopted July 2, 1959, reg‐isteredinCOB 482, folio 53, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Louisiana, on July 15, 1959, andin Plan Book 36, folio 28,Office ofthe Clerkof Courtof the Parishof Jefferson, Louisiana, which said property is more fullyde‐scribedasfol‐lows,to-wit:

pal No 440 West ButterflyCircle, Terrytown, LA 70056.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

CANDACEA COURTEAU

Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: April17, 2026, May22, 2026

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JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:870-639

servitudes rights-of-way andoutstanding mineralrights of record affect‐ingthe prop‐erty

Theimprove‐mentsthereon bear municipal address1901 Maryland Av‐enue,Kenner, Louisiana70062.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

CANDACEA COURTEAU Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: April17, 2026, May22, 2026

105, WHICH SQUARE IS BOUNDEDBY KENNEY DRIVE, THIRTEENTH STREET LECOMPTE DRIVE, ANDORY STREET.SAID LOT50 COMMENCES AT ADISTANCEOF 285 FEET FROM THECORNEROF KENNEY DRIVEAND THIRTEENTH STREET,AND MEASURES THENCE 71 FEET FRONT ON KENNEY DRIVE, THE SAME WIDTHIN THEREAR, BY A DEPTHOF70.75 FEET BETWEEN EQUALAND PARALLEL LINES ACCORDINGTO SURVEY BY RICHARDDAD‐ING, L.S.,DATED 9/22/79

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, CertifiedCheck, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

folio 60 in theoffice of theclerk of court, Parish of Jefferson, and approved by the Police Jury under ordinance no.3433, said portionof ground is desig‐natedand mea‐suresas followstowit: Lotno. 5of Square 64, bounded by Conlin Street Murphy Drive, Transcontinen‐tal Driveand Belle Drive, andcom‐mences 186.91 feet from the corner of Belle Drive andConlin Street,and measures 50 feet fronton Conlin Street, same widthin the rear,bya depth of 137.57 feet between equal andparallel lines. Allasfur‐ther shown on asurveybyJ J. Krebs, Inc., certified correct May21, 1968. This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

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By virtue of and in obedienceto aJUDGMENT from the24th Judicial District Courtfor the ParishofJeffer‐son, Stateof Louisianainthe abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause dated,OCTOBER 03, 2025, Iwill offerfor sale to thehighest bid‐deratpublic auction, at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, MAY27, 2026, at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: ONECERTAIN LOTOFGROUND, together with allofthe build‐ings and improvements thereon, andall of therights, ways,privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in the ParishofJeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as COLLURA PLACE, being a subdivisionof thefront por‐tion of Farm Site Number 14, portionorSec‐tion “B”ofAmes Farm Subdivi‐sion,which said lothereincon‐veyedis designated as LOTNUMBER TWOOFSQUARE SIXona plan of subdivisionof ColluraPlace made by Hotard &Webb, Civil Engineers, datedMarch 16, 1951, a copy of which said survey is attached to and made apartof an actofsaleby Tony (Toni) Collurato Mr.and Mrs. Roland A. Causin,passed before Maurice J. Pitre, Notary Public, forthe Parish of Jefferson, State ofLouisiana d d

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

NATHANIELM PHILLIPS Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: April17, 2026, May22, 2026 apr17-may222t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:869-256 WILMINGTON TRUST,NA‐TIONAL ASSOCI‐ATIONAS TRUSTEE FOR TRYON STREET ACQUI‐SITION TRUSTI VERSUS DAVIDL.GOMEZ A/K/ADAVID LEDEZMA GOMEZA/K/A DAVIDEDUARDO LEDEZMA GOMEZAND GOMEZ& SONS PROPERTIES, LLC

LOTNO. 6in SQUARE NO.20, bounded by Stumpf Boule‐vard,South But‐terfly Circle,Blossom Street,Terry Parkway, Rue DeBeauand West Butterfly Circle, said lotbeginsat a distance of 319 feet from thein‐tersection of RueDeBeauand West ButterflyCircle, andmeasures thence 62 feet frontonWest ButterflyCircle, 59.19 feet in width in therear, by a depth of 110 feet between equaland paral‐lellines.All as shownon survey of Adloe Orr, Jr.& Associ‐ates,C.E., dated August 24, 1960, a copy of which is annexedtoan actbeforeEd‐ward V. Frayle, Notary Public dated August 30, 1960, recorded in COB 514, folio 122 Also beingmore particularly describedon a plan of survey made by Gilbert, Kelly &Cou‐turie, Inc.,Sur‐veying and Engineering, datedOctober 19,1981,a copy of which is an‐nexedtoanact before Hugh E. Humphrey,No‐tary Public, datedNovem‐ber11, 1981, recorded in COB 1014, folio 999. Andaccording to asurveyby LandmarkSur‐veying,Inc J. F. Ruello, Land Surveyor, dated February 17, 1995, acopy of which is an‐nexedhereto, said Lot 6issituatedin thesame Parish,Subdivi‐sion and Square,and has thesameloca‐tion andmeasure‐mentsashere‐inaboveset forth, except that RueDe‐Beau is now known as RueDeBois; subjecttore‐strictions,servi‐tudes, rights-ofwayand out‐standing mineralrights ofrecordaffect‐ingthe prop‐erty

MORTGAGE RE‐SEARCH CEN‐TER, LLCD/B/A VETERANS UNITED HOME LOANS, AMIS‐SOURILIMITED LIABILITYCOM‐PANY VERSUS MICHAELA CHAPMAN

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedNovem‐ber21, 2025, I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, May27, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:870-834

GITSIT SOLU‐TIONS, LLC, NOT IN ITSINDIVID‐UALCAPACITY BUTSOLELYIN ITSCAPACITY AS SEPARATE TRUSTEEOFGV TRUST2025-1 VERSUS WILSON JOSEPH HOSTETTLER

ASHLEY E. MORRIS Attorney for Plaintiff JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: April17, 2026, May22, 2026 apr17-may222t

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit DENNIS WIG‐GINS,JR. Attorney for Plaintiff JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATEOF LOUISIANA, IN KINGS GRANTEAST SUBDIVISION, PHASE 2, DESIG‐NATEDASLOT 2, OF SQUARE P WHICHSQUARE IS BOUNDEDBY CURTIS STREET, (FORMERLYDO‐LORES DRIVE),CAM‐PHOR STREET, FARRINGTON DRIVE(SIDE) ANDPATRIOT STREET (FOR‐MERLY16TH STREET SIDE), LOT2 MEA‐SURES66FEET FRONT ON CURTIS STREET,SAME WIDTHINTHE REAR,BYA DEPTHOF83.50 FEET BETWEEN EQUALAND PARALLEL LINES, ALLASPER SUR‐VEYOFDON GARLAND, C.E., DATEDDECEM‐BER5,1977 RESURVEYED JULY 28, 1978 A COPY OFWHICH IS ANNEXEDTO AN ACTOFSALE REGISTERED COB947, FOLIO270; sub‐ject to restric‐tions, servi‐tudes, rights-ofwayand out‐standing min‐eral rights of record affectingthe property

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

THAT PORTION OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐ments thereon, situ‐ated in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisianain that part thereof knownasHigh‐wayParkSubdi‐vision,inSquare 479 thereof, bounded by Maryland andMassachu‐setts Avenues andThird and Fourth Streets. Said portionof ground is designated as LotG on plan of resubdivision made by Adloe Orr, Jr.& Associ‐ates Inc.,dated May 10, 1954 andon acertificate of survey by Adloe Orr, Jr.& Associates,Inc., datedDecem‐ber1,1954, ac‐cordingto which said lot measures as follows:Lot G commences at a distance of 180 feet from the corner of Mary‐land Avenue and Fourth Street andmeasures thence 60 feet frontonMary‐land Avenue, same width in therear, by a depth of 122 feet 6inchesbe‐tween equal andparallel lines; subjectto restrictions servitudes, i h f JUDICIAL

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedOctober 13, 2025,I have seized andwill proceedtosell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058,on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing d ib d

Theimprove‐mentsthereon bear theMunici‐pal No.440 West B tt fl Ci l

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedDecem‐ber8,2025, I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, May27, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: THAT CERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,TO‐GETHER WITH ALLTHE BUILDINGSAND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON, AND ALLTHE RIGHTS, WAYS PRIVILEGES, SERVITUDES APPURTE‐NANCES AND ADVANTAGES THEREUNTOBE‐LONGINGORIN ANYWISEAP‐PERTAINING, SITUATED IN THE CITY OF WEST‐WEGO,PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATEOF LOUISIANA, IN A PORTIONOF ORIGINAL AR‐PENT LOTS 2 AND3 HARANG PLANTATION, NOW DESIGNATED AS WEST PARK HEIGHTSSUBDI‐VISION,INAC‐CORDANCE WITH ASURVEYBY ADLOEORR, JR &ASSOCIATES, C.E.,DATED JULY 25, 1968, WHICHSAIDLOT IS DESIGNATED ANDMEASURES AS FOLLOWS, TO-WIT:LOT 50 OF SQUARE 105, WHICH

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:871-205

ROCKET MORT‐GAGE,LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS, LLC F/K/AQUICKEN LOANS INC. VERSUS GABRIELKERLEC

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedDecem‐ber15, 2025, I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, May27, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

TheNew Orleans Advocate: April17, 2026, May22, 2026 apr17-may222t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:871-261

JPMORGAN CHASEBANK, NATIONAL AS‐SOCIATION VERSUS DEREKM.HOW‐ELLAND CINDY MCCAIROHOW‐ELL

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit CANDACEA COURTEAU Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: April17, 2026, May22, 2026 apr17-may222t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:866-588 EF MORTGAGE LLC VERSUS ALVININTERNA‐TIONAL LLCAND ALVINWOOTEN

STATE OF LOUISIANA, PARISH OF JEF‐FERSON, TERRYTOWN SUBDIVISIONin SectionNo. 3 beingpartof OakdaleSubdi‐vision SectionB,First Ward, allinac‐cordance with plan by Adloe Off, Jr.&Associ‐ated,C E. datedOcto‐ber9,1959, re‐visedJuly15, 1960, approved by theJefferson Parish Council, under OrdinanceNo. 4787, datedAu‐gust 24, regis‐teredCOB 342, folio 345, plan No.40, folio 37, Office of the Court, Parish of Jefferson, and said ground is more fully de‐scribedand designated as followsto-wit: LOTNO. 12, SQUARE 60 which said square is bounded by Farmington Place, DanielsRoad, East Forest Lawn Drive, FriedricaStreet, LotNo. 12 mea‐sures60feet frontonFarm‐ington Place, thesamewidth in therearby a depthbetween equaland parallel line of 110 feet.Lot No 12 lies nearer to andcommences at adistanceof 460 feet from thecornerof Farmington Placeand DanielsRoad, all amorefully shownonre‐cent survey of Sterling Mandle, datedAugust 14, 1980; subject to restrictions, servitudes, rights-of-way andoutstanding mineralrights of record affectingthe property

Theimprove‐mentsthereon bear themunici‐pal: 518 Farm‐ington Place, Terrytown, LA 70056

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges. TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

That certain pieceorportion of ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings and improvements thereon, andall of therights, ways,servi‐tudes, appurte‐nances and advantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as Pontchar‐trainShores Subdivision, ac‐cordingtoa plat of subdivision, thereofmadeby J. L. Fontcu‐berta, Surveyor,dated October30, 1956, copy of which is on file in Plan Book 31, folio 60,

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedDecem‐ber15, 2025, I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, May27, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: ACERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,TO‐GETHER WITH ALLTHE BUILDINGSAND IMPROVEMENTS THEREONAND ALLTHE RIGHTS, WAYS, PRIVILEGES, PRESCRIPTIONS, SERVITUDES, ADVANTAGES AND APPURTE‐NANCES THERE‐UNTO BELONG‐INGORINANY‐WISE APPER‐TAINING, SITUATED IN THEPARISHOF

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedJuly16, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Wednesday, May27, 2026 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: ACERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings and improvements thereon, andall of theservi‐tudes, rights andappurte‐nances there‐unto applying situ‐ated in the STATEOF

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit ZACHARYGAR‐RETT YOUNG Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: April17, 2026, May22, 2026 apr17-may222t

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