The Times-Picayune 05-28-2026 by The Advocate

CELEBRATING HISTORYAND CULTURE

NewOrleans welcomes historic marine vesselsfor America’s250th birthday

BY VIOLET BUCARO Staff writer

Nearly3,000 sailors and aﬂeet of historic and modern vessels will descend on New Orleansbeginning Thursday to celebrate America’s250th birthday including 18th-centurystyle tall ships that once served in tradeand wartime missions around the world.

The global gathering of tall and military ships, knownasSail250,will make its first American stop in the Crescent City through Monday.The ships willcontinueona multicity tour that will ﬁnish in Boston in late July

Navy Band Southeast performsduring awelcome

The vessels, often associated with pirates, naval battles and maritimeexploration, will be open for free public tours once they dockalong the Mississippi River near downtown New Orleans. Thousands of visitors are expected to show up to see theirmultiple masts andbillowing stacks

of sails. As she welcomedthe ships’ arrival,New Orleans MayorHelenaMorenosaid Wednesday thecity’smore than 300-year-old maritime industry remains central

Historic GrandIsle

hoteltoget newlife

Nonprofitraises money forOleander transformation

BY LARA NICHOLSON Staff writer

Athree-year effort to restore ahistoriclandmarkon Grand Isle is now coming to fruition after alocal nonproﬁt purchased the nearly centuryold Oleander Hotel last week Restore Grand Isle,a nonproﬁt run by local residents,

purchasedthe derelicthotel from the Augustin family for $362,000lastweek afterraisingmorethan$400,000for its acquisition and preservation, in partnership with the town of GrandIsle. While theOleander will likely never house hotel guests again, thegoal istotransform the site intoavisitor and cultural center featuring apermanentexhibit for photographer Fonville Winans,famous for his black-and-white

ä See HOTEL, page 3A

BY JOHN SIMERMAN Staff writer

When apoliceSWATteamfoundtwo teens last week holedupinanattic with agun in the Desire neighborhood, each waswearing an electronic monitor

The one strapped to 19-year-old Ja’Maarion Banks, to enforce ajudge’sorder for home incarceration, had pinged dozens of possible violations since March, according to the provider.Thatincluded it pinging earlier this month when police allege he leda group of teens on an Uber carjacking spree. The incident has sparked acaustic exchange between themonitor’sprovider, ASAP Release, and Criminal District Judge Tracey Flemings-Davillierover the lapse in oversight, while raising fresh questions about what it meanstobemonitored in New Orleans. To Matt Dennis, the company’soutspoken CEO,Flemings-Davillierisfalling downon the job.

“Why is she the only judge who doesn’t know how to read areport?” he said. “This kid is running the streets. She could have corrected him.”

to its identity because of its longstanding role as an international port. “Our riverfront haslong been thegateway connecting New Orleans to the nation andalso to theworld,” Mor eno said. “We value and honor that con ne ction because it is one of the main reasons New Orleans developed therich and diverse culture thatmakes our city so incredibly special today.”

Walt Leger III, president andCEO of tourism marketing organization New Orleansand Co., added

ä See VESSELS, page 5A

But the judge sounded off in court Tuesday as she accused ASAP,the dominant provider of electronic monitors foradult defendants in New Orleans, of “lazy work” that fails to keep accurate tabs on suspects whopay afew hundred dollars monthly to wearamonitor She accused theoutﬁt of collecting “a big

See MONITORING, page 3A

‘Still not feelingsafe’

Mall of Louisiana trafficdownafter fatal shooting,workers say

BY IANNE SALVOSA Staff writer

Mothers pushed strollersthrough theBlue Zoo Aquarium at theMallofLouisiana early on the afternoon of April 23, cruising their children through the dark rooms, illuminated by the lights of tanks ﬁlled with aquatic creatures.

Around 1:23 p.m., two groups opened ﬁre following an altercation in the mall food court upstairs, killing one teen fromLafayetteand injuring five, sparking achaotic sceneas shoppers ﬂed to safety.Blue Zoo Aquarium managerGarrett Callender recalls his staff ushering allguestsout of theaquarium within aminute.

Ever since the tragedy,the aquarium has not been the same, he said, with revenue this quarter downmore than half from the previous one.

“Many people are still not feeling safe,” Callender said.

ä See MALL, page 8A

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

The former Oleander Hotel is seen in Grand Isle on March 13, 2024. After beingpurchased by the nonprofitRestoreGrand Isle the historic hotel will be transformedinto avisitorand cultural center

FlemingsDavillier

STAFF PHOTOSBySOPHIAGERMER

The ARA Libertad, asailing vessel from Argentina, docks on the downtown riverfront for Sail 250 in NewOrleans on Wednesday.

celebration forSail 250 at the Julia Street Pier in New Orleans on Wednesday.

Moreno

Puerto Rico announces erosion emergency

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico’s governor announced a state of emergency Wednesday to ﬁght a surge in coastal erosion along the U.S. territory’s north coast.

Gov Jenniffer González said the executive order would allow her administration to accelerate projects to protect natural resources and vulnerable coastal communities. The government said in a statement that rising sea levels, storm surges and other factors have intensified coastal erosion in Puerto Rico.

González pledged to help northern towns including Loiza, where people have been evacuated and chunks of asphalt from coastal roads have tumbled into the ocean following heavy swells.

The order was signed just days before the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov 30.

The cost of the projects has not yet been determined.

SpaceX’s rockets grounded after test

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — SpaceX Starship launches are on hold pending an investigation into last week’s test ﬂight.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday that the hourlong spaceflight resulted in a mishap based on the performance of the mega rocket’s ﬁrst-stage booster Minutes after Starship blasted off from Texas on Friday, the booster separated as normal but engines conked out as it made its way back to Earth. Instead of a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, the booster came in hard. There were no reports of injury or property damage, according to the FAA, which will oversee the company’s investigation. The spacecraft continued around the world, releasing 20 mock satellites before ending the mission as planned with a ﬁery splashdown in the Indian Ocean.

The 407-foot rocket is SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s biggest and most powerful Starship yet, designed to carry crews to Mars NASA is looking for it to land astronauts on the moon as soon as 2028 and help build a lunar base.

Teen charged with killing stepsister remains free

MIAMI A federal judge on Wednesday allowed a teenager charged with sexually assaulting and killing his 18-year-old stepsister, Anna Kepner, on a Carnival Cruise ship to remain free for now as the judge considers arguments following a hearing in Miami.

Timothy Hudson was initially arrested and charged as a juvenile, and U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres ruled in February that the 16-year-old could live with an uncle and be electronically monitored. But after the case was transferred to adult court, prosecutors wanted Hudson in custody

Minors are rarely prosecuted in federal court, and this case landed there because Kepner apparently died in international waters, outside any state’s jurisdiction. The judge ended Wednesday morning’s hearing without making a final decision, saying he wanted to speak with the U.S. Marshals Service about the logistics of detaining Hudson in central Florida, closer to his family rather than South Florida, where the trial is taking place.

It’s unknown when Torres will announce his decision. In the meantime, Hudson walked out of the courthouse after the hearing, rather than being immediately taken into custody Hudson has pleaded not guilty to charges of ﬁrst-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse. His federal public defenders have declined to comment on the charges Kepner, had been traveling on the Carnival Horizon ship in November with her family, including Hudson. Before the ship was scheduled to return to Florida, her body was found concealed under a bed in a room she was sharing with Hudson and another teen, a criminal complaint said.

Trump sets Ebola response policy

Americans exposed while abroad to be sent to Kenya

BY ALI SWENSON and MIKE STOBBE Associated Press

NEW YORK President Donald Trump’s administration is planning to send Americans who are exposed to Ebola while abroad to a new facility in Kenya instead of ﬂying them to the United States, an administration ofﬁcial said Wednesday

The quarantine and treatment center being set up by the Departments of Defense, State and Health and Human Services will be designed for Ebola patients who need to get out of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and receive care quickly, said the ofﬁcial, who insisted on anonymity to share the Republican administration’s plans.

The person said the plan would help patients avoid an hourslong medical evacuation to the U.S.

It was unclear where in Kenya the new facility will be built or whether the Kenyan government has signed off on the plan.

The ofﬁcial said the facility will be able to care for the full spectrum of Ebola, a rare but severe disease that is often fatal in people. But the ofﬁcial said people may be transported elsewhere for more advanced care as appropriate.

Kenya’s health minister conﬁrmed ofﬁcials there were talking with the U.S. about “preparedness and response mechanisms for Ebola” but didn’t address whether the country would establish a treatment facility for Americans.

“Any arrangements regarding international health cooperation will be guided by Kenya’s national laws, public health regulations, biosafety and biosecurity standards, and the government’s responsibility to safeguard the health and welfare of Kenyans,” Health Minister Aden Duale said in a statement.

For decades, medical experts have suggested moving patients suffering from Ebola and similar

illnesses as little as possible in case their condition worsens, said Dr. Ali Khan, the public health college dean at the University of Nebraska Medical Center But, he added, the quality of care must be equivalent to what someone would receive in American facilities.

“You’ve got to make sure the patient gets the best quality care, and you need to ensure excellent infection control,” said Khan, who earlier in his career led international responses to Ebola and other outbreaks for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr Craig Spencer, a public health professor and emergency medicine doctor at Brown University who survived Ebola in 2014, said he doesn’t expect the facility in Kenya to provide the same quality of care that dedicated facilities in the United States do. He said refusing to consider bringing American Ebola patients home for treatment is “a moral abdication of

Uganda closes border with Congo as precaution

Suspected cases of rare strain of Ebola surging

BY RODNEY MUHUMUZA Associated Press

KAMPALA, Uganda Uganda on Wednesday ordered the closure of its border with Congo, where suspected cases of a rare type of Ebola are surging, and as cases have been conﬁrmed at home after Ugandan health workers were exposed to the disease from Congolese patients.

The measure, which goes against the guidance by the World Health Organization, underscores growing fears of contagion in East Africa from Bundibugyo, a rare type of the Ebola virus that is behind this outbreak and that has no approved medicines or vaccines.

Like Congo, Uganda has faced Ebola outbreaks in the past. A local Ugandan task force made the decision on the border closure. The Ugandan health workers were exposed to the virus by Congolese patients who had crossed the border before the outbreak was declared in eastern Congo on May 15.

Border crossings will be authorized only in emergency cases, including for the outbreak response, cargo or security reasons, Dr. Diana Atwine of the Ugandan Ministry of Health told journalists. Anyone entering from Congo under emergency circumstances will be taken into mandatory isolation for 21 days.

Tracing and isolating Ebola contacts is seen as key to stopping the spread of the disease, which usually manifests as hemorrhagic fever The virus is spread through close contact with sick or deceased patients’ bodily ﬂuids. Experts say healthcare workers and family members caring for patients face the highest risk.

The number of suspected cases in eastern Congo is nearing 1,000, with at least 220 suspected deaths. Congo’s health ministry on Tuesday said 101 cases have been conﬁrmed, and they are looking into over 3,000 possible contacts.

On Wednesday, Congolese authorities said that the ﬁrst person who recovered from the Bundibugyo virus has been released home from a treatment center in Rwampara, one of the towns in eastern Congo at the heart of the outbreak.

WHO has discouraged border closures with Congo while acknowledging that neighboring countries are at high risk of contagion. The U.N. health agency has declared this outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

Closures “push the movement of people and goods to informal border crossings that are not monitored, thus increasing the chances of the spread of disease,” the agency said.

The Uganda-Congo border is several hundred miles long and crossed by numerous footpaths beyond formal border posts. Many people come and go in the course of a day to visit families or to trade.

Divers ﬁnd 5 villagers alive in cave

Two are still missing in Laos

BY JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI Associated Press

BANGKOK Five villagers who became trapped in a ﬂooded cave in central Laos more than a week ago have been found alive by divers who discovered them sitting on a rock in the darkness, rescuers said Wednesday but two others are still missing.

The seven villagers entered the cave in Xaisomboun province on May 19, but heavy rain triggered ﬂash ﬂooding that blocked

the exit, according to Lao and Thai rescue teams involved in the operation.

Thai rescuer Chakkit Taengtang posted video of himself in the cave saying divers were delivering food and water to the ﬁve and planning to extract them as soon as possible.

All of the villagers are men, according to a Facebook post by the Lao group Rescue Volunteer for People.

“I’m still shaking. Our team made it happen,” Bounkham Luanglath, a member of the Lao rescue team, said in a voice message to The Associated Press He said the search for the missing would con-

tinue.

A video posted by the rescue group appeared to show the moment divers emerged from the water and discovered the trapped men. In the footage, the men are wearing headlamps and sitting on a rock surrounded by ﬂoodwater

Other videos showed rescuers inside and outside the cave cheering, jumping and hugging each other in joy after the discovery Another villager who went into the cave with the seven was able to escape when the ﬂooding began, and he raised the alarm about the trapped men.

what this country owes its own.”

Officials have been expanding the number of U.S. airports where CDC staffers are screening and monitoring incoming passengers from outbreak countries Enhanced screenings began last week at Washington Dulles International Airport and Hartsﬁeld-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. CDC staff began screenings at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston this week, and are being dispatched to start screenings Friday at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The CDC’s acting director, Jay Bhattacharya, sent an email Monday to CDC employees asking for volunteers from across the agency to work the screening stations. CDC veterans say it’s not unusual to see a call for volunteers for stafﬁng major epidemic responses.

The government also has temporarily banned the entry of people without U.S. passports, as well as U.S. green-card holders, who have visited Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days.

Congress members visit N.J. immigration detention center

Advocates say immigrants are on a hunger strike

BY TED SHAFFREY and PHILIP MARCELO The Associated Press

NEWARK, N.J Democratic members of Congress visited a federal immigration detention center in New Jersey on Wednesday, where protesters have been demonstrating in recent days and asserting that detainees are on a hunger strike.

U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat, a Manhattan Democrat, said after touring Delaney Hall in Newark that detainees were refusing to eat over what he described as “inhumane” conditions.

“We will shut this center down. We will shut it down,” he vowed after the roughly hourlong visit.

U.S. Reps. Jerry Nadler and Dan Goldman, also Manhattan Democrats,

later spoke with protesters and family members of detainees demonstrating outside the facility’s security gate.

“We want to make sure the conditions here are going to be dealt with,” said Goldman, shortly before the two lawmakers entered the facility

More than 50 people held signs saying “Stop Family Separation” and chanted “Free Them All” and other slogans.

Some shouted directly at the armed and helmetwearing Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers standing outside, calling them “cowards” and “idiots.”

The protests began Friday and have been tense at times.

On Monday U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, a New Jersey Democrat, said he was pepper-sprayed as he and New Jersey Gov Mikie Sherrill led a delegation of Democratic officials who tried to visit detainees but were denied entry

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MOSES SAWASAWA

A Muslim man washes his hands as a precaution against Ebola before attending the Eid al-Adha prayers at Sayo Muhamed School in Bunia, Congo, on Wednesday.

Louisianaredistricting effort in home stretch

GOPleaders ‘close’ on adealasprotests continue

BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer

Republican leaders in the Louisiana House and Senate say they are nearing aﬁnal deal on anew congressional map as the lower chamber is set to take avoteThursday that would bringthe proposal near thelegislative ﬁnish line.

Senate President Cameron Henry said the two chambers are “very close” to an agreement after several key GOP players in the redistricting effort met early Wednesday afternoon to discuss the plan.

He andothers said the map will likely look similar to an initialversion approved by the Senate two weeks ago.

Lawmakers who have been working on the map have reached “a compromise that, Ithink, will make everybody as comfortable as they’re gonna be and follows all the rules and regulations of redistricting,” Henry said.

But even as Republicans appeared close to adeal, Democrats continued

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images of south Louisiana.Itwill also include rotating worksfrom Louisiana artists, avisitor center, museum space and community gathering areas.

“Today would not have beenpossible without the generosity and support of so many people who believe in preserving the history andspirit of GrandIsle,”Restore Grand Isle President Ronnie Sampey said in anews release.

Hotelhistory

The Oleander Hotel, commissioned by Grand Isle resident John Ludwig, opened in 1929with 30 rooms and alarge porch overlooking the Gulf of Mexico’s waters. It was billed at the time by the New Orleans Item as “the most desirable stopping place for people desirous of the best,” with prices of about $3 per day to rent aroom in the 1930s and ’40s.

to protest the new congressional map, which will eliminate one of two majority-Black voting districts that favor Democratic candidates andadd adistrict that favors Republicans.

Arecent U.S. Supreme Court decision weakening the federal Voting Rights Actthat led to redistricting in Louisiana represents “the most signiﬁcant attempt” to reduce Black and Democratic congressional representation in the South in ageneration, Rep. Kyle Green, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, said at a Wednesday news conference alongside Democratic leaders from other Southern states.

Republicansget on same page

Sen. Jay Morris, the sponsor of the maplegislation, andstate Rep. Beau Beaullieu, chair ofthe House committee that handles redistricting, agreed that adeal was imminent

“We’re prettyclose to an agreement,” Beaullieu said. “Conceptually,we’ve gotten to aplace where we think we can get it outofboth bodies.”

Beaullieu, Morris and Henry all expressed optimism about the prospect of adeal, but they also cautioned that any plans remained tentative.

It’srumoredthat the hotel played apivotalrole in the state’s highway system as well. Joseph Augustin, aformer co-owner of thehotel,oncetolda researching graduate student that Long had told Ludwig he’d build thetown a road if they built ahotel, according to thePreservation Resource Center

Four years after theOleander opened its doors, State Route No. 78 opened to drivers, marking the ﬁrst and only entryway by car in and out of the town. Beforethat road, Grand Isle was only accessible by ferry

The Oleander is the only survivorout of17hotels andresorts that once dotted the island, which has been hitrepeatedlyby the most severe storms in Louisiana history

“It’snot over till it’sover, and things are always subjectto change,”Morris said.

Senate Republicans wereset to meet Wednesday evening to review the proposedmap,aswere House Republicans on Thursday morning. Last week, aHouse committeealtered the initialversion of themap approved by the Senate. Districts in southeast Louisiana andanchored in New Orleans remained intact. But the committeemade signiﬁcant changes to district lines in the BatonRouge and Acadiana regions, as well as Calcasieu Parishand some parishes in north Louisiana. Some of those changes irkedsenators.

“Wehavetotalk to members and make sure that we have the votes,” Beaullieu said of the latest agreement. “We’re not gonna makeeverybody happy.It’simpossible to make everybody happy.”

Henry,Morrisand Beaullieuwere allatthe Wednesday afternoon meeting about the proposed map So were Sen.Caleb Kleinpeter,chair of theSenate redistricting committee, House Speaker Phillip DeVillier andRep.Dixon McMakin,R-Baton Rouge, who sponsored the House amendments. The House is set to take up the re-

Restorationefforts

RestoreGrand Isle, run by Sampeyand Elsie David, according to businessﬁlings,launched in 2023 in thewakeofHurricane Ida’sdevastationasaneffort to purchase andrenovate thebuilding, which was addedtothe National Register of Historic Places last year

“The Oleander Hotel serves as a unique andpreserved snapshot of its time, speciﬁc to LouisianaGulf Coastarchitecture.Itillustrates boththe challenges posed by natural forces andthe community’s adaptive responses,highlighting the evolution of coastal vernacular practices on Grand Isle,” the nomination packet read.

districting bill on Thursday andput it to avote. Should it pass, the Senate will need to sign off on it

Henrysaid he’shopeful the Senate will be able to agree to the plan without the need forfurther negotiations in aclosed-door “conference committee.” If that’sthe case, theSenate’ssign-off could happen as early as Thursdayafternoon or Friday, he said.

Thelegislation, Senate Bill 121, wouldthengotoGov.JeffLandry for his signature. The legislative session is scheduled to end Monday Democratsprotest

Meanwhile, Louisiana Democrats continued to protest theGOP map, holding anews conference Wednesday at the State Capitol alongside prominent Democrats from other Southern states.

Rep.Gene Wu,chair of the Texas HouseDemocratic Caucus, said Louisiana’sRepublican redistricting effort reﬂects broader concerns with theGOP agenda, like affordability, underfunding of schoolsand ahealthcare system that’sbroken

“If you’re thinking that this is just about Democrats, or you’re thinking this is just about the Black community, you’re wrong,” Wu said. “Redis-

tricting, gerrymandering —this is howthey steal the American dream from you. This is how they steal your democracy.”

Wu called on voters to get involved in thepolitical process.

“Gotellyour state legislators, ‘We want ourdemocracy back. We want this country back from the king. We want it back from the orange king,’” he said, apparently referencing President Donald Trump Georgia Democratic Minority Leader Carolyn Hugleyalso spoke, along with Mississippi state Rep. Zakiya Summers.

“The vote is still our most powerful weapon,” saidHugley. “It’syour protest.It’syourright.It’syour weapon.It’syour power.”

State Rep. Edmond Jordan, a Baton Rouge Democrat and chair of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, said Democrats are ready to bring alawsuit over any map passed by the Louisiana Legislature.

“Our motto has always been over the last fewyears, whatwecan’t win through legislation, we’ll win through litigation,” Jordan said. “Andsoweare prepared to do that. We’regoing to continue to ﬁght for theAfrican Americansofnot only of this state but throughout the whole country.”

It’sunknown exactly when the hotel shut down,but best guesses are that it was sometime in themid1990s. Now the building’syellow painthas faded andchipped,its windows are broken and boarded up, andits insides covered in debris anddecay

It has sincereceived about $405,000 from various donors, a quarter of which camefromone anonymous donor. Another $57,000 came from Jefferson Parish Council member for District 1Timothy Kerner Jr.’soffice; $50,000 each from theKaren B. YohFoundation and Gary Chouest;and $25,000 each from Todd Graves and the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation.

About $68,000 came from smaller individualcontributions, including through fundraising events like crawﬁsh boils.

During its heyday, the Oleander attracted some of the most powerful people in Louisiana, like Gov Huey P. Long, while providing locals with asnazzy eatery between ﬁshing trips.

But while much of the building appears to beindisrepair,engineering reports have indicated the structure of the buildingisstill intact, as well as some originalﬁxtures like toilets and bathtubs.

RestoreGrand Isle estimatesit will cost an estimated $2 million to complete the work at theOleander,according to thePreservation Resource Center.State officials have previously saidthey’ll raise funds at theLegislature to assist theproject once the building is

acquired. “Places like the Oleander Hotel play an importantroleinthe history of ourtown,” said GrandIsle Mayor David Camardelle. “This project helps ensure the Oleandercontinues to be part of our future as well. Restoring this historicpropertywill create aplace

where residents and visitors can celebrate the culture, history and resilience of Grand Isle for generations to come.” Restore GrandIsle also partakes in othercommunity preservation and conservation efforts like tree plantings, iris ﬂowerplantings and cleanup days.

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chunk of money just to autogenerate locations of aclientwithout any further information to the court.”

Troubles with electronicmonitoring in New Orleans have cropped up since well before the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Ofﬁce gave up running the operation adecade agoina dispute with the city overfunding, leaving it to private operators.

The controversy involvingBanks centers on ASAP Release and Dennis, abail bond veteran whohelped push new state regulations and reporting requirementsonanindustry that has long operated in the wild.

Dennis hasn’tshied from calling out judges for failing to address warnings when violence ensues.

Last week, he claimed FlemingsDavillier had letsit almost 50 violation reports since March about Banks, who awaits trial on acharge of illegalpossession of stolen things tied to vehicle break-ins.

Thejudge in February set his bail at $10,000 and ordered Banks on 24/7 electronic monitoring and home incarceration, with the lone exception that he “mustattend school.”

Police say Banks’ extracurricular activities included hailing Uber drivers, then stealing their vehicles. The system helpedpolice tie Banks to the carjackingscheme before his arrest, Dennissaid. Banks, who turned 19 last month, appeared at least once in FlemingsDavillier’s Section Bcourtroom since hispurported violations began, for aMay 15 hearingthat was continued, according to online courtrecords.

He was rebookedlastThursday

on adozennew felonycounts, accusing him of armed robbery,carjacking andcontributingtothe delinquency of aminor.Bail in that case was set at $600,000. Prosecutors have asked Flemings-Davillier to revoke hisearlier bail based on thenew allegations.She seta July 7hearing date.

‘A lack of doingthe work’

On Tuesday,Banks stood silently in orange jail scrubs with apublic defenderasFlemings-Davillier unloaded on ASAP,after sheaccused Dennis of promoting a“blatant misconception …that the court has not addressed certain issues in an appropriate manner.”

Saying judicialethics barred her from discussing details of Banks’ case, she portrayed ASAP as adubiousvalue for the $8 perday it chargesdefendants, plus astartup feeofmorethan$300.

She then highlighted addresses flagged by ASAPinits notices about Banks that she said were either close by hishome, around his mother’shouse, or near the agency on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard where hewentfor his GED.

“These are examplesofanabsence or lack of investigation, anda lack of doing the work they need to be doing,” Flemings-Davillier said.

DennissaidASAP sends out 15,000 violationreports annually, but the judge called theinformation containedinthem sketchy and the company’snotiﬁcation process slipshod.

“Calling parents, guardians, schools —this is what themonitoringcompany is obligated to do in exchange for theirfor-proﬁt business,” she said.“Actual information to the court, sothe court can act on that information.”

Flemings-Davillier echoed criticism contained in aletter Friday to aTimes-Picayune reporter that was

signedbyRob Kazik, the court’sjudicial administrator

“ASAP reports include locations thatare not accurate; and ASAP fails to provide any details regarding the alleged violations and what, if any, research is conducted to verify the listed locations thatare reported as violations,” it states.

The letter addedthat neither the court nor District Attorney Jason Williams’ ofﬁcehad received “any reportsofviolations on either May 8orMay 9, 2026” for Banks, aperiod during which he and other teens are accused of carjackingUber drivers.

Dennis, however,provided copies of emails sent to an address tied to the judge’s courtsection, citing violations for Banks on May 8and May9.Eachnoticewas sent theday after the alleged violations, according to ASAP’s records

Williams’office saidina statement thatits prosecutors take compliance seriously and said areview found “noemails, alerts,ornotiﬁcations from ASAP concerning the allegedmonitoring violations” attributedtoBanks

“Any claim suggesting this ofﬁce ignorednotiﬁcationsisunsupported by the documented recordpresently available to us,” the statement said.

Conflicting statements

State law requires firms like ASAP to report suspected violationswithin 30 minutes to the bail agent, relevant law enforcement agency,prosecutor’soffice and court. Dennis saidhis auditorsinvestigate every alarm, reviewing “dots”onamap and the conditions of adefendant’s release before sending off aviolation report

“What more does she want from me? Does she want me to go there andjust measure them all?” Dennis said. “She cangolookherself. We

all know thecity.She should open thatemail andshe shouldsay,‘I need him to comeinhere.’ Defendants aresupposed to text ASAP when they leave home. If they don’t, Dennis said, aviolation report goes out.

“If he walks 100 feet away and stands on acorner,Idon’tcare that he’sclose to his house. That’saviolation,” he said. “My obligation is to follow thecourt’sorder to the letter. If someone cuts their ankle monitororletsthe power run down, a specialenforcement team goes out, Dennis said,but notfor suspected violations of home incarceration limits.

“I’ve had judges telling me,‘I don’twantyou doingthat. Youhave to tell me, and Idecide,’”hesaid.

Even so, Dennis acknowledged a seriesofstruggles ensuring his reportsciting violations reach prosecutorsinWilliams’ ofﬁce, particularly those assigned to FlemingsDavillier’s court.

Atop prosecutor last year shut off a“catch-all” emailaddress at the District Attorney’sOffice whereASAP sent all its violations, balking at the volume. Prosecutors in Section Balso began reporting in February that they weren’treceiving ASAP’semails at another address, he said.

Dennis blamed aproblem at the District Attorney’sOfﬁce. He added that abouttwo dozenprosecutors still have loginaccesstohis system. ASAP doesn’tsend the alerts to public defenders, who are “very anti-this stuff,” Dennis said. “They don’t want to look like they’re cooperating.” Apublic defender for Banks, Catherine Kearney,saidincourt Tuesday that ASAP’sreports “leave us sorting through, trying to ﬁgure out what exactly are the violations

and makes it very difﬁcult for us to address them with our clients.” Rafael Goyeneche, president of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, called it a“missedopportunity,” saying defense counsel should receive those noticesdirectlyto head off trouble.

Goyeneche said the ASAP systemhas proven itself in helping law enforcement place asuspect at acrimescene. Butafter Tuesday’s court event, he questioned if it provided “actionable” information for revoking abond.

‘Our thingisbulletproof’

In Dennis’ view, thecriticism is evidence of bad blood on the bench over the newregulationshepushed in theLegislature.Dennis pointed to anew requirement that forces judges to jail people after“athird ﬁnding of noncompliance by thecourt.”

“That’swhy they’re mad at us,because we actually did allofthis in a box. We forced them into this process,” Dennis said. “They don’tlike thefact that the ‘his fault, herfault’ is over.”

Dennis said other judgesinthe courthouse have become morevigilant about those violation reports, however Banks is among14defendants on ASAP monitors in SectionB,accordingtoDennis. One, TyrinHamilton, has had about 10 violations per month over 15 months, according to ASAP’swebsite, though not all listed offenses may be violations. Hamilton is allowedtowork, attend church andbring his kids to school Dennis argued that the criticism threatenstosow false doubt in a system he said is accurate within 14 feet.

“Ourthing is bulletproof,” he said. “Ifwhatshe saysistrue, there’snot agood criminal caseinthe courthouse that has anything to do with my program.”

GRAND ISLE

Barataria Bay

Gulf of Mexico 1 Staffmap

Oleander Hotel

A photograph shows Huey P. Long in front of the Oleander Hotel in Grand Isle.

STAFFFILE

PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Former Advanceheadwho ownedTimes-Picayunedies

Donald Newhouse ‘cared aboutpeople,’ former publishersays

By The Associated Press

Donald E. Newhouse, whooversaw The Times-Picayune for more than half acentury while serving as president of Advance Publications, one of the largest familycontrolled publishing companies in the nation, died Tuesday He was 96 and diedathis home in New Jersey,his family said.

Newhouse spent decades overseeing The Times-Picayune, one of 35 newspapers owned by Advance Publications, the media business started by his late father Samuel IrvingNewhouseSr.,in 1922. His older brother,S.I. Newhouse Jr., who died in 2017, was chair of the company and oversaw Condé Nastmagazines.

Newhouse attended Syracuse University but never graduated, heading into the family’snewspaper business instead.The family was known for regularly visiting its newspapers but left theultimate authorityofrunningthem to their local publishers.

In New Orleans, where the Newhouses purchased The TimesPicayune in 1962, that meant for most of his ownership, it remained under the leadership of AshtonPhelps Sr., who wasnamed publisher in 1967, and Ashton Phelps Jr., who became publisher in 1979and oversaw the paper until 2012.

The Times-Picayune suffered fromaweak national reputation in the earlyyears of Newhouse ownership. But by 1980, its proﬁle and prospects began to improve. That year, it combined with its sister publication, The StatesItem. It also began addinga series of suburban bureaus across the metro area. Those bureaus,inJefferson, St. Tammany,St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and St. Bernard parishes,allowedfor zoned editions and comprehensive local coverage.

“My late father and Ifelt the

Newhouse owner-

Newhouse

ship was good for the communities the newspaper served,”Ashton Phelps Jr.said by phone Wednesday, recalling relationships with S.I. Norman andDon Newhouse that were “were bothbusiness and personal.”

“They encouraged editorial quality,but left editorial decisions to local leaders,” he said. “Wecollaborated onbusiness decisions.”

In 1997, the paper was awarded two Pulitzer Prizes, one for aseries on the world’sthreatened ﬁsheries and one for the editorial cartooning of Walt Handelsman.

Under the Newhouses, The TimesPicayune went on to win two more Pulitzers, for breaking news and public service, for its coverage of

Hurricane Katrina

Phelpsrecalled Donald Newhouse’scommitment to the paper andits staffinthe storm’saftermath, with frequent phone calls to offer help.

“They cared about people. Such was neverclearerthan Don’s support in the days immediately afterHurricane Katrina when the newspaper and the city were nearly destroyed,” Phelps said.

“He supported us during that terrible time.”

The Times-Picayune and many other Advance newspapers were abletothrive and remain proﬁtablebecause they dominated their market,but Newhouse saidhe was very much aware of what he called the “dramatically changing media landscape” andhow people get their news.

“The 15th-century revolution was epitomized by the printing of the Gutenberg Bible; oursby TedTurner’scablenews network andbyweb-based news sites —news in real time fromanywhere to everywhere,” Newhouse said in 2004 at the rededication of acommunications school named after his father atSyracuse University

Threeyearslater,hetold one of hispapers, ThePost-Standard of

Syracuse, New York,thatnewspapers cansurvive “byproducing content that is relevant,interesting, accurateand entertaining for newspapersand theinternet.”

Yetthe papers did ultimately struggle ﬁnancially

Advancewas known in theindustry for apledge that employees whoweren’t in aunionwould have jobsregardless of economic downturns or technological advances. In 2009, the company announced that thepledge would be withdrawn.

The company also moved away from daily publishing of several papers. In 2012, The Times-Picayune announced it would cease daily publication andwould only offer print editions on Wednesdays,Fridays and Sundays.Those changes were accompanied by hundreds of layoffs.

Newhouse stepped back from daily operations in the mid-2000s, though he retained the title of president for several years. His eldest son, Steven, oversaw The Times-Picayune until 2019, when it was sold to Dathel and John Georges andreturned to daily publication.

John Georges recalled achance meeting and brief conversation withDonald NewhouseataManhattan restaurant several months before the purchase that he said helped pave theway for the eventual deal.

“It was fortuitous and opened thedoor for the later conversations we were able to have,” Georgessaid.“Igivehim alot of credit for doing the right thing. The deal could not have happened without him.”

“I am very,very appreciative,” he added.

While Newhouse wasdedicated to Advance, histruepassion was his family.His daughter, Katherine Mele, said his favorite pastime was taking 3-mile walks with them.

In additiontohis children, Newhouseisalsosurvived by his grandchildren. His wife,Susan, died in 2015. Stephanie Riegel contributed to this report.

Fair housinggroupsﬁle lawsuit over

afederal rule change

Organizationsargue protectionshave been removed

BY MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press

Fair housing organizations filed alawsuit Wednesday over afederal rule change that they say would reverse decades of lendingprotectionsand openthe door to discrimination against Black people, Latinos and other minorities. The federal lawsuit, ﬁled in Washington, D.C., takes aim at achange made earlierthis year by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, which bars lenders from discrimi-

nating against credit applicants. Amongthe changes being challenged is that lenders will no longer have to consider“disparate impact”— policies that appear neutralbut tend to cause disproportionate harm to certain groups

Plaintiffs also argue the rule would make it easier for lenders to market loans to predominantly white neighborhoods,forcingminoritycommunities to rely on risky, high-costlendersthat offerpredatory loanswith exorbitantinterest rates.

“Thisisthe deliberate dismantling of50years of legaljurisprudence, regulatory guidance,and bipartisanconsensus that lending discrimination hasnoplace in America,” Lisa Rice, the CEO and president of the

National Fair Housing Alliance, oneofthe plaintiffs that ﬁled thelawsuit, said in astatement.

“This reversal by theCFPB is acontinuation of this Administration’sefforts to gut fair housing and lending protections,” she said. “Eviscerating these guardrails will ultimately result in less credit access for many people, make our markets less sound, andcause oureconomy to be less productive.”

Paulina Gonzalez-Brito, theCEO of another plaintiff, Rise Economy, aCalifornia nonproﬁtthat advocates for economic justice, accused theCFPB of ignoring“public comments,commonsense, anddecades of precedent in its misguidedattempt to turn anti-discrimination law on its head.”

Trumphad said countrywas ‘negotiating on fumes’

BY AAMER MADHANI and KONSTANTIN TOROPIN Associated Press

WASHINGTON U.S. forces carried out new defensive strikes on Wednesday on an Iran militaryfacility after downing Iranian attack drones, according to U.S. ofﬁcials The officials, whowere not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity,said U.S. Central Commandforces shot down four Iranian one-way attack dronesthatposed athreat around theStrait of Hormuz.

U.S. forces also struck an Iraniangroundcontrol station in Bandar Abbasthat wasabout to launch aﬁfthdrone, according to theofﬁcials.

Thestrikescame afterPresident DonaldTrump asserted Wednesday that Iran is “negotiating on fumes” and insisted that November’smidterm elections won’tmake him rush into adeal to endthe nearly three-monthold conflict that’sspurred unease across the global economy Speaking at thestartofa Cabinet meeting, Trump expressedconfidence thatadeal is near.Over the weekend, he even declared that his administration andTehran had “largelynegotiated”a settlement, though the talks are still in flux.

The president is looking for a settlement that will reopen the Strait of Hormuz and provide him with acredibleargument thatIran’snuclear capability hasbeen diminishedenough to declarevictory,winding down a conﬂict that’sbeen politically unpopular forRepublicans.

Butasthings stand, Trumpalso risksﬁndingthatclosuretohis war of choice comes withanunsatisfactory ending.

Theemerging deal puts off manycritical issues to be resolved later and has already exposed the Republican president to fierce

criticism —even from some of his ownsupporters —that Iran’s hardline leaders will emerge from the conﬂict battered but emboldened. It all comes to ahead just as the midterm elections to determine control of Congress come into focusand as Republicans worry that rising costs and fuel prices aredarkening the American electorate’smood. But Trump on Wednesdaydismissed the ideathat the upcoming elections wouldshape his Iran strategy “They thought they were gonna outwait me.You know,‘We’ll outwait him. He’sgot the midterms,’”Trump said. “I don’tcare about the midterms.”

Trump acknowledged there’s still worktodo, but he spoke with ameasure of certainty that the twosides would get there.

“They wantvery much to make adeal,” Trumpsaid. “So far, they haven’tgotten there. We’re not satisﬁed with it, but we will be either that or we’ll have to just ﬁnish the job.”

Talks were further complicated after U.S. forces carried out what the Pentagoncalled“defensive” strikesonmissile launchsites and minelaying boats in southern Iran on Monday.The U.S. said it acted with“restraint”inlightof theweekslongceasefire, while Iran decried the action as asign of “bad faith andunreliability.” Wednesday’sstrikes are likely to cause morecomplications.

While Trump insists adeal is within reach,there appearsto be daylight between the U.S. and Iran on severalkey issues.The president is also facing scrutiny from Republican allies, including Sens. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Lindsey GrahamofSouth Carolina andTed Cruz of Texas, who have said the terms seem too favorable to Tehran.

They’re balking at aspects of the deal thathaveemerged publicly that they say too closely resemble the nuclear agreement reached with IranbyDemocratic President Barack Obama, which Trump scrapped during his ﬁrst term. Underthe potentialdeal, Tehran would agreetogive up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium in return for sanctions relief.

Majorfortified roof grantexpansion in Louisianabegins

Landry signsbill

formorefunding

BY SAM KARLIN Staff writer

Louisiana will dole outarecord

3,000grants to help homeowners put fortiﬁed roofs on theirhomes in the coming weeks, after elected ofﬁcials agreed on abill that injects $50 million into the program.

Insurance Commissioner

been desperate forrelief from staggering propertyinsurance costs in recent years, andfortiﬁed roofs have proven to save homeowners money on theirpremiums.

TimTemplesaid Wednesday his ofﬁce will open up alottery for the next batch of grants from Monday to June 19. Until now,the program has seen far more demand than supply,with only about 20% of people whosignupfor thelotteries winning grants. Homeowners have

that the five Louisiana ports stretching from New Orleans to Baton Rouge form what he considers oneofthe world’smost signiﬁcant port systems. The ports played akey role in the Louisiana Purchase and continue to shapeLouisiana and the nation’seconomy, he said.

“I think it’sareallygreat symbol of preserving and protecting the past and celebrating the history and the culture, but also leaning into the innovation and the modern development of new technologies,” Leger said of the vessels.

While afew ships are replicas, several are authentic vessels dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries.

New Orleans itselfwas founded nearly 60 years before the United States, and its port system emerged shortly afterward, helping establish the city as amajor center for trade and commerce. Leger said the event also highlights the military,international commerce and the importance of the Mississippi River,which connects 31 states and two Canadian provinces.

Lt. Gen. Len Anderson, a commander with the U.S. Marines, said the event could also spark an interest in sailing for younger people, and it underscoresNew Orleans’ status as astrategic location for the country’sarmed forces.

It “lets people remember what that time was like, and then perhaps, for some of the younger generationinNew Orleans, you see an opportunity and join the Navy,” he said.

The Department of Homeland Security has granted the Sail 250 eventa Special Event Assessment Rating of 3, which means federalagencies will offer some help to local and state agencies’ security efforts.

Temple

But lawmakers, Temple and Gov Jeff Landry agreed on House Bill 1187 by Rep.PaulSawyer,R-Baton Rouge, which will allow the LouisianaCitizens Property Insurance Corp. to sendexcess funds from Hurricane Katrina-era emergency bondstothe fortiﬁed roof program. The move is expected to net $50 million for the program, on top of $30 millioninannual dedicated funding. Landry signedthe bill at anews conference Wednesdayatthe State Capitol.

“People want to protect their homes,”hesaid. “Louisianans are hungry for solutions that will actually work anddrive down their

insurancecosts.” The new lotteryround in midJune represents the ﬁrst 3,000of 8,000 grants the state will be able to fund this year.The Insurance Department is also expanding the eligibilitycriteria to include more parishes,not just those closest to thecoast. Parishes newly eligible to participate include Lafayette,Acadia and Jefferson Davis.Homeownerswho had previously been excluded are also now eligible in Ascension, Calcasieu, Iberia, Livingston, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Vermilion parishes

Fortiﬁed roofs have emerged as abipartisan solution to thestate’s homeowners’insurancecrisis, which has driven premiumstounsustainablelevelsfor thousands of Louisianans. Around the nation, climate change and inﬂation have

caused aspike in insurance rates, particularly in places where wildﬁres,hurricanes andothertypes of severe weather are worsening. “Risk is whywepay so much money,” Sawyer said at the news conference. “This bill represents managing risk andpromoting resiliency.”

The 2020 and 2021 hurricane seasons ratcheted up crisis here, as adozen insurers went belly up and tens of thousands of Louisianans were forced onto the rolls of Citizens, theinsurer of last resort. Elected leadershavesearched for ways to getmoremoney into thefortiﬁed roof grant program. Louisianans have provedeager to fortify theirhomes: Nearly 5,000 have put newroofsonthrough the grant program, which gives homeowners $10,000 each.Intotal, 13,000 people have put fortiﬁedroofsontheir homes in Loui-

siana,meaning most people are doing it on their owndime Landry earlierthis year asked theLouisiana Workers’ CompensationCorp. to use some of itsmoney to fund theprogram but theideadidn’t go anywhere. Instead, Temple andlegislative leaderslandedonSawyer’sbill.

The legislation targets money thatCitizens raisedbyassessing policyholders afee, part of a20year effort to raise money to pay off emergencybonds needed to pay claimsafter hurricanes Katrina andRita Having raisedenough moneyto payoff the bonds, Citizens ﬁnally canceled thesurchargelast year But it took months for insurers to stop collecting the money,leaving Citizenswith$64 million in excess funds. Citizens is expected to send $50 million of that to the fortiﬁed program.

Security measures this weekinclude explosive detection teams, bomb-snifﬁng canine sweeps, drone sensors, air support and Coast Guard boats, Coast Guard Capt. Greg Callagan said Tuesday Theships are expected to line the riverfrontfrom the

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Robot with 20 legs can see in any direction

DURHAM, N.C. — A robot being developed at Duke University is almost ready to face the world, in any direction.

Instead of trying to copy symmetrical shapes from nature by building robots that look like people, dogs or insects, engineering professor Boyuan Chen and his team focused on uniformity in action, or what he calls “dynamic symmetry.”

The result was Argus The roly-poly robot named after a mythological many-eyed giant has depth-sensing cameras attached to 20 telescoping legs that radiate from a central core. With no front, back, top or bottom, it can see and move in any direction instantly.

“Instead of measuring how your legs are arranged around a different part of your body, we’re measuring how fast you can move in any direction,” Chen said. “Who said, you know, if you have a robot to help us in a most effective way, it has to look like us?”

In experiments, Argus has navigated sandy beaches and forest undergrowth, rolling over obstacles and stabilizing itself after being pushed It can climb between parallel brick walls by alternating bracing and thrusting motions with its legs. If one or more motor dies or a leg breaks, it continues to function.

“Watching Argus move is unlike watching any other robot we’ve worked with,” said Jiaxun Liu, a graduate student and co-author of a study about Argus published online Wednesday in the journal Science Robotics. “The ﬁrst time we saw it navigate among trees and rough terrain, even under heavy collisions, we knew this was something different.”

Meta lays off nearly 1,400 in Seattle area

Meta’s sweeping layoffs announced last month hit 1,395 employees in King County, per a recent state ﬁling last week

While Meta is headquartered in Menlo Park, California, the company maintains a significant presence in the Seattle area. Meta’s Puget Sound hub grew rapidly during the pandemic — reaching a local head count of 8,800 employees at some point — as the company focused its virtual reality efforts in the area. The layoffs affect 259 employees across two Seattle offices, 699 workers at a Bellevue office and 206 at a Redmond office, plus 231 remote workers statewide. Engineering and product manager roles were hit the hardest.

The tech giant let go of the employees on May 20, though their official separation date will be July 22, according to a worker adjustment and retraining notiﬁcation sent to the Washington State Employment Security Department on Friday. Their severance packages include 16 weeks of base pay, plus two additional weeks for every year of continuous service. Canada, Germany reach LNG deal

TORONTO Canada has reached a deal to export liqueﬁed natural gas to Germany from a planned Paciﬁc Coast terminal, an official familiar with the matter said Tuesday

The official confirmed Canada will sign the agreement with Germany’s SEFE group, which stands for Securing Energy for Europe, from the proposed KSI Lisims export facility on the coast of British Columbia. The official spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak ahead of Wednesday’s announcement

The ofﬁcial said up to 1,1 million tons 1.1 million of liqueﬁed natural gas per year will be exported. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has set a goal to double non-U.S trade in a decade Oil- and gas-rich Canada exports almost all of energy oil and gas to the U.S. currently

BUSINESS

NOLA.COM/BIZ

U.S. stocks on the rise to more records

BY STAN CHOE AP business writer

NEW YORK — U.S. stocks inched to more records Wednesday after oil prices fell and eased the pressure on households and businesses worldwide.

The S&P 500 edged up by less than 0.1% and added to its all-time high set the day before.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 182 points, or 0.4%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.1% as both indexes also set records.

Stocks of companies with big fuel bills helped lead the way on hopes that lower oil prices will remove a big drag on their proﬁts. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

climbed 6.1%, and United Airlines rallied 6.3%. Delta Air Lines rose 3% and set an all-time high. The price for a barrel of Brent crude oil fell 4.6% to $92.25 after the ceaseﬁre between the United States and Iran appeared to hold despite the U.S. military launching what it called “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran. A barrel of benchmark U.S crude fell even more, 5.5%, to settle at $88.68 and is back to where it was in midApril on hopes that the United States and Iran can reach an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and allow oil tankers to exit the Persian Gulf for deliveries again. Stocks have been able to run to records despite the painful inﬂa-

tion and uncertainty caused by high oil prices largely because companies have reported surprisingly strong profits for the start of 2026, and the forecast is for them to continue Bath & Body Works rallied 9.7%, and Abercrombie & Fitch climbed 8.9% after both reported bigger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. That’s even as U.S. consumers continue to say they’re feeling discouraged about the economy and inflation.

Lululemon Athletica rose 2.9% after reaching a deal with its founder, Chip Wilson, where it will add a former chief marketing ofﬁcer of ESPN and a former co-CEO of On to its board of directors.

On the losing side of Wall Street was Dick’s Sporting Goods, which dropped 6% despite delivering a proﬁt for the latest quarter that edged past expectations.

Analysts pointed to how much proﬁt it wrung out of each $1 in revenue, which some called a bit weak.

Oil-and-gas stocks also sank, hurt by the dropping prices for crude. Exxon Mobil fell 1.3%, and Chevron slipped 1.3% Halliburton dropped 3.6% to bring its gain for the year so far back toward 40%. All told, the S&P 500 rose 1.24 to 7,520.36. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 182.60 points to 50,644.28, and the Nasdaq composite gained 18.55 to 26,674.73.

GAINING INDEPENDENCE

Independent bookstores are multiplying, but many people still think they’re dying

BY HILLEL ITALIE AP national writer

NEW YORK Allison Hill, CEO of the American Booksellers Association, is used to strangers expressing sympathy when they learn what she does for a living.

“It’s all so funny,” she says “When I tell them I run the trade association for independent stores, they’ll say, ‘It’s just so sad that they’re disappearing.’ I don’t think they’re really keeping track, or they just know about a store that closed or heard about one closing.”

The decline of physical bookstores remains so embedded in popular culture that the man dating Anne Hathaway’s character in “ The Devil Wears Prada 2 ” laments that bookstores are “getting downsized and consolidated.” But the decline actually ended years ago, and the latest numbers from the American Booksellers Association show independent stores expanding at a pace not seen this century

Membership in the ABA grew by more than 500 over the past year, to a total of 3,417 (at 3,783 locations), nearly triple what it was a decade ago and the highest level since the late 1990s. The surge included stores of various kinds — general interest shops like Hey Books! in San Diego; mobile stores like the Wandering Quills Bookshop in Westerville, Ohio; pop-up stores like Banyan Books in St Petersburg Florida.

Many of the new members reﬂect the current boom in romance, fantasy and their hybrid, romantasy, whether the Spicy Librarian in Denver or the Flutter Romance Bookstore in Austin, Texas: “Where butterﬂies begin. And every story ends in happilyever-after,” according to its website.

Both a business and a calling Independent bookselling, rarely a way to get rich, is a meeting ground for idealists — for young people with a sense of mission, retirees embarking on a new life or middleaged people no longer satisﬁed with their careers “I think people want to realign their lives with their values,” Hill says.

In Wentzville, Missouri, 55-year-old Kelley Hartnett is a marketing consultant and copywriter who had always wanted to run a bookstore.

Her husband’s concerns included competing against Amazon, but Hartnett went ahead and opened Double Dog Bookshop in 2025 as a mobile store She rode about the area in a converted cargo trailer, joined by two Australian Cattle Dog mutts, and has since opened a storefront downtown.

“For me, Double Dog is about maybe 50% books and 50% community,” says Hartnett,

Trump’s

BY GONZALO

SOTO Bloomberg News (TNS)

who hopes to ﬁnd a larger space that would make it easier for customers to gather and “just be.”

“People are craving connection, especially in-person connection,” she said. “People are over the internet and virtual meetings and algorithms. They’re not the same as having a human to human connection. It feels really healing.”

Hill can joke about the mistaken elegies for bookselling, while expressing concern that the state of independent stores is healthy but “precarious.” Costs are high, and schools and libraries face budget cuts that limit their purchases from local stores.

Is there room for indies and giants?

Independent owners also ﬁnd themselves worrying about a onetime competitor which itself had seemed endangered, Barnes & Noble.

The superstore chain was the dominant seller in the 1980s and 1990s, and was widely seen as the leading cause for hundreds — maybe thousands of independent stores shutting down. But by the 2010s, Barnes & Noble had been surpassed by Amazon. It began shutting down stores instead of open-

ing new ones and struggled for years to ﬁnd a new owner before the hedge fund Elliott Management Corp. bought it in 2019.

Under the leadership of CEO James Daunt, Barnes & Noble is expanding again, adding more than 100 stores over the past two years. In Chicago, the owner of the decade-old Volume Books has blamed a new Barnes & Noble for putting her out of business, while Hill added that “even a small decrease in sales can make or break a bookstore’s year in an industry with paper-thin margins.”

Daunt denies any intent to take business from independent sellers, saying it’s not in his “DNA.”

“I’m an independent seller myself,” he says, noting that he founded Daunt Books in London. Daunt says he has customers who shop at his store and the British chain Waterstones (where he’s also managing director) “I never thought of the market as ﬁnite.”

The owners of The Book Loft Oak Park, another Chicago-area store that opened last summer acknowledge some nerves about a nearby Barnes & Noble coming soon. But Heather Nelson and Sophie Schauer Eldred hope the stores ultimately compliment each other

“We’re hoping people whose curiosity is piqued by the new Barnes & Noble will walk down the street,” Schauer Eldred said, “and pop into our bookstore.”

tariffs are pushing Mexico back toward low-value exports

U.S. tariffs pushed by President Donald Trump and supply-chain disruptions are eroding Mexico’s gains as a manufacturing hub, raising the risk that the country slips back into exporting lowervalue goods that create few jobs or investment opportunities. On the surface, Mexico’s exports are still breaking records, giving President Claudia Sheinbaum a headline number to tout as proof of economic resilience. Shipments surged nearly 33% from a year earlier in April to $72 billion, according to official data released Monday Imports climbed 24% to a record as well, but with a telling detail: intermediate goods used

in manufacturing and assembly made up nearly 80% of total imports in the ﬁrst four months of the year

“Mexico’s export profile has deteriorated significantly since last year,” said Gabriela Siller, director of economic analysis at Banco Base. “Mexican exports have become extremely reliant on inputs from Asia that are just assembled in Mexico.” The data suggest Mexico’s trade profile is shifting away from more lucrative industries built around highly integrated supply chains, such as its vast auto sector, and back toward lower-value goods that require simpler assembly, or none at all.

That marks a setback for Sheinbaum’s plan to move Mexico be-

yond its maquiladora model and toward higher-value exports to the U.S. The goal, outlined in her “Plan Mexico” economic blueprint, now faces even steeper challenges as a high-stakes review of the USMCA trade pact approaches.

“Mexican factories are essentially triangulating products. They receive high-value inputs and package them for shipment to the U.S.,” Siller said. “If the US strategy was to transform Mexico into a new, closer China, it’s succeeding.”

In fact, Mexico’s exports of light vehicles have stagnated as US tariffs and other barriers to trade with its northern neighbor — by far its top main export market — have increased. At the same time, exports of computer equipment spiked by

144% last year, doubling their share of the country’s total exports to almost 13%, largely due to lower trade barriers for those products in the U.S. plus strong demand from the AI-driven data center boom. But such triple-digit growth can mask where the Mexican economy would beneﬁt more. While Mexico’s automotive industry employs 800,000 people, computer equipment assembly employs only 60,000, mainly in the northern part of the country where production is concentrated. Mining is another sector that underscores the trend of growth without adding value Metals exports rose 71% in April and by an even higher level during the ﬁrst four months of this year

Hartnett

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By RACHyEL P MAGAÑA

Co-owners Anika Omark, left, and Matthew Hein appear behind the counter at their bookstore, Hey Books!, in San Diego.

The mall — more than a million square feet of space for retail, food and services galore — is usually humming with the shufﬂe of shoppers. But attendance since the shooting has been sparse: 17 mall employees contacted said trafﬁc has fallen, by double digits for some stores, as the community continues to reel from the tragedy

A dozen other mall employees either declined to comment or deferred comment to their corporate ofﬁce in fear of retribution from their employer or company policy restricting employee communication with the press.

Mass shootings at retail centers tend to decrease revenues, customer shopping time and trafﬁc at stores within a 1.25-mile radius from the incident, according to a 2025 study on the retail impact of such shootings. The ripple effects from April’s shooting extend beyond retail: In response, the state Legislature passed a bill this session to expand the definition of first-degree murder, potentially making more people eligible for the death penalty

The mall, considered to be a superregional shopping center due to its size, has fared relatively well compared to other shopping centers since it opened in the 1990s. It has survived the fall of brick-and-mortar retail across the country in the past decade thanks to trendy spots like Zara and experiential tenants like Dick’s House of Sports, though some local real estate experts heed caution concerning the mall’s future due to vacancies surrounding its campus.

Lately, customers who do return seem jumpy, said Charita Antoine, manager of clothing store New Square. Business has suffered in the past month since many people are afraid to go to the mall, she said. “Most of them who come in are rushing,” Antoine said.

The shooting

The April 23 shooting took the life of 17-year-old Martha Odom, a student at Ascension Episcopal School in Lafayette, who was remembered as “a light to everyone around her.” Donnie Guillory, 43, was shot three times during the shooting He is recovering and returning to his ac-

tivities, including Special Olympics events and shopping at GameStop at the mall.

The investigation of the shooting is ongoing Last week, Baton Rouge police announced that they have identiﬁed an individual who appeared in a surveillance video during the time of the shooting and is wanted for questioning.

Police arrested 17-year-old Markel Lee the day after the shooting when Lee turned himself in. He faces charges including illegal use of a weapon, attempted ﬁrst-degree murder and ﬁrst-degree murder.

Security updates

More security guards and police officers began patrolling the mall following the shooting, according to spokespeople at the Baton Rouge Police Department and GGP the retail arm of Chicago-based Brookfield Corp., which owns the mall They declined to specify the exact number of guards and officers and declined to share other security updates to prevent compromising the efficacy of their work.

The mall’s curfew policy, which requires customers younger than 18 to have a chaperone 21 or older after 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, is still in effect after its enactment in June 2024 as a proactive measure

Some staff members, including Callender, said they feel like security has gone back to the preshooting level after a large uptick in presence immediately after the tragedy Others aren’t convinced that the mall is completely safe despite the security update due to the random nature of the April 23 shooting.

“It might happen again, you never know,” said Jamie Johnson, a sales associate for Essence Fragrances.

Sarah Forest, manager of Sake Japan and Sake Sushi N Ramen, said she joined the staff about two weeks after the shooting. After seeing crime all around the state, she doesn’t think the mall should be seen as a dangerous place.

“The streets of Baton Rouge aren’t safer than the Mall of Louisiana,” she said.

Mall traffic

While traffic has slowed at the mall, it hasn’t ceased. Shoppers have milled around the mall’s grounds since the Saturday after the shooting.

The mall does not release trafﬁc data, per Brookﬁeld Corp. policy

Michael McKee, a 24-year-old LSU

student, returned to the mall on May 21 for the ﬁrst time since the shooting to get his phone ﬁxed at the Apple store. The violence wasn’t what deterred him from coming back — he doesn’t have much reason to be at the mall since he feels its popularity has dwindled, he said.

While waiting for his phone repair McKee ate lunch at the food court, which he said made him feel a little uneasy due to it being the site of the shooting. While he is comfortable returning to the mall, he said the violence adds to the “unrest” that already existed in Baton Rouge.

“It doesn’t help that our city isn’t the safest place,” McKee said.

Some stores have seen an uptick in sales tied to holidays and other annual celebrations.

An employee at Lush, who declined to share their name due to fear of retribution from their employer, said trafﬁc at the bath products store started to pick up around Mother’s Day Chelsey Cook, a shoe stylist at Steve Madden, said graduation and prom season have attracted shoppers back to the store as they look for shoes to match their outﬁts. The shooting has been “heartbreaking” for the mall, she said, but she hopes that a few more months of calm at the shopping center will assure shoppers it is safe to come back.

William Bourgeois, an employee at Charleys Cheesesteaks, said he has started to see trafﬁc pick back up after an initial setback.

“Should be better with the kids being out of school,” Bourgeois said.

Tenant protocol

Large retailers typically have their own safety protocols for employees during active shooter situations, and some managers said they recall mall management holding a brieﬁng on active shooter protocol the week of the shooting

For most stores in the main interior of the mall, employees pull down the gate at the front of the store, hide in a safe space and exit the store if possible. The open-air portion of the mall outside its front entrance has a similar protocol to lock its doors, hide and exit if it is safe.

Jeans retailer True Religion was one of the few stores that successfully pulled down their gates on April 23, manager Ronald Norwood said, since the store’s gate is manually operated, while others are automated.

Kiosks spread throughout the mall, selling items like phone cases and fragrances, are in the open so the employee protocol is to run to safety, said Shahab Uddin, who runs the Jewelry World kiosk just outside the food court.

Leaving his inventory behind made him a bit nervous, but safety must come ﬁrst, he said.

Stanton Hargrave, a manager at Zara, said the shooting activated his ﬁght-or-ﬂight instinct as he ushered guests to the back of the store to wait until it was safe to evacuate.

Kelsey Caldwell, another manager at Zara, said the responsibility of mall employees to protect their shoppers by leading them to a safe

and

space feels natural

“We’re all human beings by the end of the day,” Caldwell said. “If I need to do something, I will do it.”

Employee impact

While Mall of Louisiana customers can opt to satiate their shopping needs online or at other shopping centers, the level of fear remains for some staff members who have to be there regularly

Many mall employees frequent the food court on their breaks, but some have not returned to the site since the shooting, Norwood said

“There’s clear apprehension among employees,” he said

Yan Sun, a manager at Dos Bros, said experiencing the shooting has put her on edge.

“Loud noises can be frightening,” she said through Google Translate.

Mall management and corporate ofﬁces of some retailers brought in counselors following the shooting, which many staffers said was helpful for processing the traumatic event.

Uchenna Okoroma, manager of Journeys Kidz, said she appreciates mall management’s efforts to remember the life taken on April 23 and ensuring employees had mental health professionals to speak with. She has worked at the mall for ﬁve years and has formed bonds with other employees in and out of her store, a community she said is helping them get through the emotional impact.

“There’s still something to smile about,” she said

Ex-CEO sues RTA board after resignation

Filing alleges Open Meetings Law violations

BY BLAKE PATERSON Staff writer

A day after resigning as CEO of the Regional Transit Authority, Lona Hankins ﬁled a lawsuit Wednesday accusing the agency’s board of violating Louisiana’s Open Meetings Law and asked a

judge to impose $3,500 penalties against four RTA board members.

The suit, ﬁled in Orleans Parish Civil District Court, focuses on a meeting earlier this month where the board met behind closed doors before reconvening in public to vote on a trio of resolutions affecting Hankins’ job.

The resolutions invalidated an October extension of Hankins’ employment contract, allowed RTA board Chair Ann Duplessis to negotiate with Hankins on leaving her position and authorized

Duplessis to start a national search for her replacement.

Hankins’ lawsuit alleges seven different violations of the state Open Meetings Law, including improper use of executive session and failure to provide sufficient public notice on the agenda of the resolutions. It asks a judge to declare null and void all three resolutions and

names as defendants the RTA and the four board commissioners who attended the meeting: Duplessis, Barbara Major, Mitch Guidry and Nelita Manego-Ramey If successful, the suit could bolster Hankins’ hand in negotiations with the RTA over a wrongful termination claim that she said she plans to ﬁle. The October contract extension added three years to Hankins’ contract. Should the board votes be rendered null, Hankins could argue that she’s owed the extra $945,000 she would’ve

‘Paperwork error’ blamed for mistakenly freed inmate

BRETT DUKE

Orleans Parish Sheriff Michelle Woodfork arrives for a news conference at the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office in New Orleans on Wednesday.

Woodfork says suspect back in custody

BY MISSY WILKINSON Staff writer

A man awaiting trial on multiple violent charges was back in custody Wednesday after being mistakenly released for six

days because of a “paperwork error,” Orleans Parish Sheriff Michelle Woodfork said. Dreion Williams, 30, who faces charges of aggravated battery, simple battery, possession of a ﬁrearm by a felon and aggravated assault with a ﬁrearm, turned himself in Wednesday morning at Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Fair said.

By 10 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office was processing him back into the jail. At 1 p.m., officials held a news conference to explain the latest breakdown — 23 days into Woodfork’s tenure as sheriff and roughly a year after a high-profile mass jailbreak that proved the downfall of her predecessor’s reelection campaign. That jailbreak

New judge sworn in at N.O. criminal court

Longtime defense attorney takes the bench

BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer

Newly elected Criminal District

Judge John Fuller took his oath of ofﬁce in a packed Orleans Parish courtroom Wednesday, taking the

bench ahead of pending state legislation that threatens his seat and that of several other judges in the city Fuller, a well-known criminal defense attorney, defeated Andre Gaudin, a longtime Orleans Parish prosecutor, in the May 16 election to ﬁnish out the remaining seven months of former Judge Darryl Derbigny’s unexpired term presiding over Section J, one of 12 sections at the criminal court-

house. It was a joyous occasion as Fuller, 52, donned his black judicial robe for the ﬁrst time and walked into the courtroom with his 11 colleagues on the bench. He received an ovation from family members in the gallery

Deputy Chief Judge Kimya Holmes read Fuller his oath, while Chief Judge Juana MarineLombard, the court’s magistrate judge, held a Bible for him.

“Many of you have extended much grace and patience to me, especially when I was a young lawyer,” Fuller said of his new colleagues on the bench. “And I intend to extend that same grace, patience and fairness to all who come before me.”

Fuller joins the ranks of the judiciary just as lawmakers in the Republican-controlled Legislature

Hip-hop, EDM artists to perform during X Games

League championship will be at Superdome

BY JONAH MEADOWS

King Center features a pair of Atlanta-based rappers. Metro Boomin, born Leland Wayne, has been one of the most

received had she stayed employed through that extension.

“If the judge says the resolution was void when she turned in her resignation, that would mean the addendum was still in effect,” Hankins’ attorney, Bill Aaron, said in an interview A spokesperson for the RTA didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Duplessis, Major and Guidry declined to comment. Manego-Ramey couldn’t be

See RTA, page 2B

School Board member resigns

Guitterrez cites new job, political frustrations

BY ELYSE CARMOSINO Staff writer

Jefferson Parish School Board member Steven Guitterrez has resigned ahead of a fall board election, citing a board culture that prioritizes “politics and optics” and his need to make time for a new job.

Guitterrez, elected in 2023, said Tuesday that he will step down from his part-time board role immediately to give himself time to transition from his job as principal of J.B. Martin Middle School in Paradis to a new position as director of child welfare and attendance for St. Charles Parish schools. In a letter to district ofﬁcials and his board colleagues, Guitterrez said he had also become increasingly concerned with a board culture that he said put “politics, optics and self-interest political positioning” over studentcentered decisions.

“Throughout my service, I refused to remain silent when I believed students and educators deserved stronger advocacy,” Guitterrez wrote. “I have remained committed to speaking openly and honestly about the needs of students, teachers, staff and families — even when those conversations were uncomfortable.”

Representatives for Jefferson Parish schools issued a statement Tuesday thanking Guitterrez for his “dedication to public education” and wishing him success in his new role.

Guitterrez said he submitted his formal resignation to the Secretary of State’s Office over the weekend. Once the office notifies the board about the vacancy, state law gives board members 20 days to appoint a replacement. That replacement will serve temporarily until the next School Board election on Nov 3. Two of Guitterrez’s colleagues, board members Ricky Johnson and Michael Pedalino, said they respected his commitment to transparency and his advocacy for teachers and students.

“Some viewed him as a lightning rod,” Pedalino said in a statement. “In my opinion, he was simply someone who was

STAFF PHOTO By

JEFFERSON PARISH

Guitterrez

Hankins

reached.

Contract amendment

Hankins, who took over as permanent CEO of the RTA starting in 2023, submitted her resignation letter to the board on May 17 after negotiations around a separation agreement broke down. In the letter, she argued her departure wasn’t voluntary but instead the result of a hostile work environment and signaled the plan to sue for wrongful termination.

The RTA board, newly installed earlier this year by Mayor Helena Moreno, accepted Hankins’ resignation at a meeting Tues-

INMATE

day and appointed Ronald Baptiste, the agency’s director of procurement and grants, to serve as interim CEO while it conducted a search for a permanent replacement.

In recent months, Hankins’ contract with the agency has come under scrutiny by the RTA’s new board.

The contract was amended by the previous board on Oct. 15, shortly after Moreno won the mayoral race. It extended Hankins’ contract from 2028 to 2031 with a salary of at least $315,000. It also allowed her to cash in unused paid time off in the event she was terminated for cause among other changes. Moreno and board members hadn’t been aware of the contract extension un-

also became fodder for Hutson’s indictment last month on 30 felony counts related to her four-year term. Williams’ release and the jailbreak are “apples and oranges,” said Woodfork, who blamed a rocky transition from the old AS400 jail management system to the new Beacon platform, plus human error Speaking at a media briefing inside the jail’s conference room, Woodfork said the Beacon system had been “prematurely implemented” with “glitches and inadequate training” less than a month before she took ofﬁce.

“When I was sworn in I knew that I would uncover issues and ﬂaws that I was not aware of,” Woodfork said, “and today, we are addressing one of those issues.” Woodfork said neither the Sheriff’s Ofﬁce staff, the bail company nor Williams realized there was a problem when he walked out of jail late Thursday under a court order The next morning, a bail bondsman for Free Me Bail Bonds called the records department wanting to know why Williams had been released.

Free Me Bail Bonds had canceled Williams’ bond, which means the bond agent was no longer liable for him, and he should have been taken back into custody, the Sheriff’s Ofﬁce said.

“Our staff saw no red ﬂags in the system, because the notes of the bond cancellation were no longer visible,” Woodfork said.

Woodfork said she could not be sure why Free Me Bail Bonds canceled the bond, though she

JUDGE

Continued from page 1B

are ﬁnalizing a bill that aims to downsize New Orleans’ system of courts, in part by axing judges across the spectrum.

Sen. Jay Morris, RWest Monroe, has spent months shepherding Senate Bill 217 through House and Senate chambers. Last week, Morris pivoted and referred the bill to a conference committee for further tweaks. It hasn’t returned to the Senate ﬂoor but remains a vote away from reaching Gov Jeff Landry, who’s said he will sign it. In its current form, SB217 would reduce the criminal court bench from 12 judges to nine, remove one of 14 civil court judgeships and eliminate two of four juvenile court jurists.

If no sitting judges agree to forgo a new term, the criminal court

RESIGNS

Continued from page 1B

til early April. The agenda for the May 9 meeting included one action item, a “personnel matter,” to be discussed in executive session: Hankins’ employment agreement and the contract amendment.

In public remarks before entering executive session, Duplessis said the board planned to discuss the recommendations of outside counsel hired to examine Hankins’ employment agreement.

After exiting executive session, Duplessis announced that the board had discussed the three resolutions in executive session. The board then voted to approve each one.

Hankins’ lawsuit argues that the board violated the law by both failing to include the resolutions on

the agenda ahead of time and failing to get a unanimous vote to add them to the agenda before approving them.

It accuses the board members of using executive session “to deliberate, formulate, discuss, and or/ reach consensus regarding matters not legally permitted to be discussed in Executive Session under Louisiana law,” including the validity of Hankins’ contract amendment and the decision to hire a search ﬁrm.

The lawsuit also argues that the board “reached consensus and/or formulated decisions” during executive session prior to returning to open session, citing as evidence the resolutions, which were already in written form prior to the board

exiting executive session.

“For every allegation we make, there’s a section of Louisiana law that supports it,” Aaron said. “The meeting minutes basically admit that they violate the law.”

The lawsuit argues that the four board members should be ﬁned $500 each for seven violations of the law, amounting to $3,500 per board member It also asks for attorney’s fees to be paid.

The case has been assigned to Judge Omar Mason in Division E. A hearing date hasn’t been set.

Email Blake Paterson at bpaterson@ theadvocate.com or send him an encrypted message on Signal at blakepaterson.504.

“When I was sworn in, I knew that I would … uncover issues and flaws that I was not aware of, and today, we are addressing one of those issues.”

MICHELLE WOODFORK, Orleans Parish sheriff

noted Williams had failed to appear in Orleans Parish Criminal Court, and court records indicate he didn’t show several times since his April 2024 arrest A representative for the company told a reporter, “We have nothing to dis-

judgeships to be axed on Dec. 31 belong to Fuller, Leon Roche and Simone Levine — in that order Fuller inherits a docket that’s been greatly reduced over the past year, after bloating to more than 500 open cases under Derbigny Franz Zibilich, named by the Louisiana Supreme Court as a temporary replacement, was charged with paring down the Section J caseload, working with local prosecutors, Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office and public defenders. Under Zibilich, whose last day was Tuesday, the docket was reduced to fewer than 150 open cases. “This was a complete team effort with all of the folks involved in the criminal justice system, that are typically so adversarial as to be almost uncooperative with one another,” Zibilich said in an interview earlier this year “I did my best to force them to cooperate with one another so that

unwilling to be a ‘company man.’” A longtime educator, Guitterrez often pushed for better pay for the district’s employees, saying higher salaries would help attract more quality educators to the parish. His approach earned support from many Jefferson Parish teachers, but it often caused friction with other board members

Legislature OKs stricter voter ID law

Opponents call it another hurdle to cast a ballot

BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer

Louisiana is poised to tighten its laws requiring photo ID to vote after the Legislature passed Senate Bill 319 on Tuesday Currently if voters show up to the polls without a picture ID, they can sign an affidavit conﬁrming their identity and listing their date of birth and mother’s maiden name. Under SB319, voters will no longer have that option. Instead, to cast a ballot without a photo ID or other identifying documents, they’ll have to go to the office of the registrar of voters in that parish and cast a conditional ballot. Then, they’ll have two days to present the required photo identiﬁcation for the ballot to be counted. The bill would also limit what documents count as photo ID.

Examples include a Louisiana driver’s license or ID, passport or other citizenship document that has a photo and signature and a military or tribal ID. Currently, to confirm someone’s identity, poll workers can accept a “generally recognized picture identiﬁcation card that contains the name and signature of the applicant.”

cuss.”

Judge Franz Zibilich signed a warrant for Williams’ arrest, and the Sheriff’s Office said it immediately notified the New Orleans Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service and Williams’ alleged victims that he had been mistakenly released Media outlets were notiﬁed ﬁve days later, and Williams surrendered the next morning.

“We did not want to alert him that we were looking for him,” Woodfork said. It’s far from the ﬁrst such failure at Orleans Justice Center which mistakenly released a man without an ankle monitor in 2023

Criminal District Court Chief Judge Juana

Lombard, left, holds a Bible for newly elected Judge John Fuller center as Deputy Chief Judge

Holmes reads his oath of office Wednesday. Fuller took the bench for the first time Wednesday.

we could attain the goal that we did, which was a reduction of the docket.”

Fuller won the seat in his ﬁrst run for elected

and district officials who said the district’s tight budget offered little ﬂexibility

Earlier this year, nearly 1,000 teachers retroactively received bonuses they had been denied after Guitterrez openly criticized Jefferson Parish schools for declining to give hundreds of employee performance stipends for the 2024-25 school year citing changes to eligibility requirements. Guitterrez called the move “despicable” and argued that the district should pay out the missing bonuses be-

ofﬁce.

Email Matt Bruce at matt.bruce@ theadvocate.com.

cause it had failed to properly inform teachers about the change. District leaders countered that the school system had simply updated its eligibility requirements to align with the state’s new teacher evaluation system.

Another plan Guitterrez presented that asked Superintendent James Gray to explore ways for the district to give teachers and support staff a permanent 5% or 10% raise was voted down following a contentious discussion in March, during which the majority

and freed another inmate because of a clerical error in 2025. But it is the ﬁrst major breakdown under Woodfork, who ran on a promise to harden the beleaguered jail. She renewed that pledge Wednesday, outlining seven corrective measures the Sheriff’s Office says it is implementing, including supervisory reassignments, expanded overnight staffing, digitized records additional Beacon training and stricter release-veriﬁcation procedures.

“I will personally see that these measures are implemented,” Woodfork said. Staff writer Marco Cartolano contributed to this report.

X GAMES

Continued from page 1B

inﬂuential hip-hop producers of the past decade, crafting chart-topping hits with Migos, The Weeknd and Future. He will be joined by J.I.D., born Destin Rose, who is signed to J. Cole’s Dreamville Records label and picked up two Grammy nominations this year Saturday’s lineup shifts from rap to electronic dance music.

Philadelphia-based producer and DJ Jesse Kardon, who performs dubstep music Subtronics and is himself an avid skateboarder, has headlined major EDM festivals. He has been booked alongside Bunt, the project of German producer Levi Wijk, who layers samples of acoustic instruments over dance beats.

The New Orleans championship weekend will conclude the ﬁrst season of the restructured X Games, the extreme sports competition founded by ESPN in 1995 and sold to private equity firm MSP Sports Capital in 2022. Instead of annual summer and winter events with athletes competing for medals as individuals, the new MoonPay X Games League is a year-round, team-based format.

of board members said such a raise wouldn’t be possible considering the district’s numerous other expenses.

Guitterrez said frequent pushback from his peers led him to become disillusioned with the position.

“I did not come into this role as a politician,” he wrote. “I came in as an educator a parent and a member of this community who believed our students deserved strong advocacy and thoughtful leadership.”

Board member Clay Moise said Guitterrez’s decision

If a voter doesn’t have photo ID, they’ll have the option to present a combination of two other identifying documents. At least one would have to be a “primary” document such as a birth certiﬁcate, Social Security card or certiﬁcate of citizenship. The second document could be an item like a voter registration notice, recent utility bill, bank statement or pay stub.

Sen. Thomas Pressly, R-Shreveport, who sponsored SB319, has said the new procedure ensures that all polling places follow the same rules and all voters are treated the same. But critics of the legislation say it will disenfranchise voters. “We’re trying to ﬁx something that isn’t broken,” state Rep. C. Denise Marcelle, D-Baton Rouge, said during debate on the bill before the Louisiana House approved it. “I don’t see this as voter integrity I see this as voter suppression.”

Gov Jeff Landry must sign the bill for it to become law

Four clubs, representing Los Angeles, New York, Sao Paulo and Tokyo, drafted 40 athletes in March. The season opens in Sacramento, California, on June 26, and heads to Chiba, Japan, for the ﬁrst weekend in July before concluding in New Orleans.

This year’s event is expected to draw up to 20,000 visitors per day during the annual summer tourism slump, with ABC and ESPN scheduled to air 13 hours of television coverage.

Jay Cicero, president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, said city ofﬁcials had made a bid to host the 2018 X Games, the second of four years awarded to Minneapolis, but those plans were put on hold by planned Superdome renovations.

Cicero said he believes the X Games audience, which skews younger and more adventurous, is a natural ﬁt for New Orleans.

“Hopefully it’ll be a multiyear event,” Cicero said. “I think that’s gonna come down to what they do business-wise here, their experience at the Caesars Superdome and the Smoothie King Center for the concerts, and then the service that we provide them.”

Email Jonah Meadows at jonah. meadows@theadvocate.com.

means the rest of the board will need to focus on ﬁlling that seat.

“Whenever there’s a change in leadership, best case it’s chaotic, worst case, it’s catastrophic,” he said, “because we’ve got to turn our attention to replacing that board member.”

As part of his farewell, Guitterrez urged residents to continue holding their elected ofﬁcials accountable.

“Remain engaged, ask questions, and continue holding leadership accountable,” he said. “Public

education works best when communities stay informed and involved.”

STAFF PHOTO By MATT BRUCE

Marine-

Kimya

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Orleans Parish Sheriff Michelle Woodfork speaks to members of the media at the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office regarding the recent accidental release of an inmate in New Orleans on Wednesday.

NewOrleans Area Deaths

Alveris, Irowion Baumann, Raymond Bayhi,Kailee CargoSr.,Alvin Edison III, Henry Guichard Sr., Truman Joseph Sr.,Albert LandryJr.,Byron Lockett, Pearl McClureSr.,Lee Baumann, Raymond Peter

Paquay, Sean

Payne,Dolores

Peters Sr., Herbert

Radecker,Patricia

Rapp, Rosemary

Redinger, Betty

Robinson, Shirley

Simon, Joseph

Small, Therian

Smith Sr., Leonard Stevens, Margaret Strickland,Annette Strug, Gerald Webb, Nancy

Weidert, Patricia

Williams-Price, Lillie

EJefferson

Garden of Memories

Redinger, Betty Richardson FH

CargoSr.,Alvin NewOrleans

Boyd Family

Edison III, Henry Guichard Sr., Truman Joseph Sr.,Albert

Charbonnet

Alveris, Irowion

Lockett, Pearl Small, Therian

DW Rhodes

Rapp, Rosemary

Simon, Joseph Estelle JWilson

Robinson, Shirley Greenwood

Baumann, Raymond

Paquay, Sean Radecker,Patricia

Lake Lawn Metairie

Strug, Gerald

Littlejohn FH

Williams-Price, Lillie West Bank

DavisMortuary

Payne,Dolores

Smith Sr., Leonard

Robinson FH

Bayhi,Kailee

LandryJr.,Byron

EllenLee andJackieJustin; and brother, Clifford Jiles. Familyand friendsare in‐vited to attend theCele‐bration of Life Servicein the Chapel at Charbonnet Labat GlapionFuneral HomeonSaturday, May30, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Visitation at12:00 p.m. Bishop Ronnie London, Ofﬁciating. Inter‐ment- Private. Please sign the online guestbook at www.charbonnetfuneralho me.com. Charbonnet Labat Glapion Directors, (504) 581-4411.

RaymondPeter Bau‐mannbornand raised in Uptown NewOrleans passedawaypeacefully on May 25,2026, aftera brief illness surrounded by his lovingfamily. He is pre‐ceded in deathbyhis par‐ents, Edward Raymond Baumann andLouis Viola Hickey; hisinfantson,Vin‐centJames Baumann; and his grandson,GordonF Reed.Heissurvivedbyhis beloved wife of nearly 70 years,Marie BogelBau‐mannaswellashis sisters, Marie B. Mauer, SusanB Norris, andBetty B. Carter Together,Raymond and Marie builta beautifulfam‐ily rooted in love andloy‐alty. He wasthe proudfa‐therofRaymond Baumann, Jr. (Amy); Mary EllenBau‐mann; William Baumann (Vicky);MaryJosephine Baumann (Nick);Marie LouiseReed(Brent);and EdwardRay Baumann, II (Maria).Raymond wasa deeply lovedgrandfather toSteve Baumann(Karen); LaurenBaumann (Greg); NoraWhite (John);Gordon F.Reed (Natalia); Jude Young;Sasha Baumann (Will); TaliaGlass; Hunter Magno;OnyxMagno;Ed‐wardBaumann, III; Vincent Baumann;and Raymond Baumann.Hewas also the cherished great-grandfa‐therofNoahReed, Maren Oudheusden, and Sadie Oudheusden. Raymond was aconstructionsuper‐intendent forover50years buildingchurches,schools, hospitals,malls,banks and remodeling countless other buildings. Oneofhis proudestaccomplishments was therenovationofthe St. LouisCathedral.After retiringatthe ageof80, he took up thehobby of woodworkinginhis shop which he referred to as “my office.” He made rock‐ing horses,bowls,cutting boards, andlazySusans, all of which he lovingly gavetofamily, friends, and neighbors.Raymond’s strength, humor,loyalty, and love forhis familywill berememberedalways. Thoughdeeplymissed, his legacylives on throughthe familyhetreasured so dearly. TheBaumann fam‐ily findscomfort in know‐ing that hislifewas one welllived andwellloved Familyand friendsare in‐vited to attend theFuneral MassonSaturday, May30, 2026, beingheldatHoly NameofJesus Catholic Church,6367 SaintCharles Ave., NewOrleans,LA 70118 beginningat12:00 PM. Visitation will startat 10:00 AM until theMass. A private burialwillfollow. In lieuof flowers, thefamily asksthatdonations be madetoyourfavorite char‐ity in Raymond’smemory. Tosignthe online guest‐book as well as share memoriesand condo‐lences, please visitwww greenwoodfh.com

McClureSr.,Lee Bayhi, Kailee Nicole

Webb, Nancy

Obituaries

Alveris, Irowion

To donate and to seethe

4B ✦ Thursday, May28, 2026 ✦ nola.com ✦ The Times-Picayune andappreciated. Sheloved Jesus,peopleand music and could ﬁnd beauty any‐where shewent. Sheloved her familyand friendsim‐mensely.She hadmany talents like writing, key‐board,and keepingfolks chuckling.Kaileeis sur‐vived by hermom anddad, and brothers Brinden and Bradley,along with her grandparentsGlenS Bayhi,Carol S. Bayhiand CherylDean, andmany aunts,unclesand cousins. Kaileewas preceded in death by hergrandfather Elton P. BilliotSr. andher uncle EltonP.Billiot Jr Familyand friendsare in‐vited to attend aCelebra‐tionofLifethatwillbeheld onThursday, May28, 2026 withvisitationstartingat 10a.m.and servicestart‐ing at 11 a.m. at OneAc‐cordMinistries, locatedat 713 S. JamieBlvd. in Avon‐dale, LA 70094. Thosewho wishtohonor Kailee with ﬂowersmay send them to One Accord Ministries on Wednesday,May 27, 2026 Any monetary donations may be made by contact‐ing Robinson Family Fu‐neral Home.Noinsidepho‐tographyorvideography pleaseand thankyou.Fu‐neral planning entrustedto RobinsonFamilyFuneral Home. Online condolences atwww.robinsonfamilyf uneralhome.com.

Alvin Cargo, Sr., 81, ana-

tive of NewOrleans, LA, entered eternal rest on Friday, May 8, 2026. He was the beloved son of the late Horace and Irene Cargo. Alvin proudly served his country in the United States Army and will be remembered forhis dedication, strength, and love for his family. He leaves to cherish his memories his devoted wife,Varronise G. Cargo; two children, Monette Cargo and Alvin Cargo, Jr (Barbara); eight grandchildren;seven siblings; anda host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends who will misshim deeply.

Relatives andfriends areinvited to attend the funeral service on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Richardson Funeral Home, 11112 Jefferson Hwy., River Ridge, LA. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. until the hour of service. Interment willfollow at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Slidell, Louisiana. Arrangements have beenentrusted to RichardsonFuneral Home of Jefferson, River Ridge, LA. www.richardsonfunera lhomeofjefferson.com.

Henry“Bird”Edison, III entered thegates of HeavenonSunday, May17, 2026, at hishomeinNew Orleans,Louisiana,sur‐rounded by hislovingfam‐ily at theage of 55.Hewas the sonofthe late Henry Edison, Jr.and MathildaP Edison. Henrywas awellknown barber who per‐fectedhis craft forover40 years.Hewas thecoownerofStarPlusBarber Shop. He is survived by his lovingmother, Mathilda; his daughter,Jaylyn; and his son, Bryce. Relatives, friends;pastors,ofﬁcers, members of Second Zion #2Baptist Church;employ‐ees of Star Plus Barber Shop, former employees of Good Fellaz Barber Shop; EastJefferson Hospital, WestJefferson Hospital members of theGet Up N RideBikeCluband Cruise LifeCar Club;aswellas patrons of BulletsSports Bar,are allinvited to at‐tendthe CelebrationofLife Service on Saturday,May 30, 2026, for12:00 p.m. at BeaconLight Baptist Church,1937MirabeauAv‐

enue,New Orleans, LA 70122. Visitation will begin at10:00 a.m. Bishop Darryl Brister will ofﬁciate. Inter‐mentwillfollowatMt. OlivetCemetery, NewOr‐leans,LA. Guestbook On‐line: www.anewtraditionbe gins.com(504)282-0600 LinearBrooksBoydand Donavin D. Boyd Own‐ers/FuneralDirectors

Guichard Sr., Truman Charles

Truman Charles GuichardSr. wasa devoted familyman,faithfulser‐vantand aretired U.S. Viet‐nam Veteran. He peace‐fully departed May13, 2026. Abeloved son, brother,husband,father, grandfather,uncle,cousin, friendand lovedone,his kindness, strength,and generositytouched every‐one.Trumandescends fromanold-lineNew Or‐leans family whose patri‐archincorporatedThe City ofNew Orleansin1812. He was preceded in deathby his parents, Lenora Wadley Guichardand Vernon GuichardSr. andhis older brother,Louis Guichard.He lived aliferooted in family, friendship, faith andser‐vice. Truman served in the UnitedStatesArmyduring the VietnamWar andre‐turneddecorated,earning highaccolades forhis ser‐viceasa combat/construc‐tionengineerand ranked asa 4thclass specialist NationalDefense Service Medal,Vietnam Service Medal W/2stars,Vietnam CampaignMedal W/60 De‐vice. Formorethan26 years,herenderedout‐standingservice as an Op‐erationsSpecialistfor Tex‐aco Inc. Retiring in March 1999, Truman dedicated eachday to helpingothers selﬂessly. He lovedracing his cars andHarley-David‐son motorcycle,restoring classic cars andspending timewithhis intelligent pets: Charlieand Stink. Trumanleavestocherish his precious memories: children(former wife Glo‐ria Guichard), Truman GuichardJr. (Sigrunn) and KeishaGuichardMeans (Sanders);bonus children (longtime companion ClementineChancley), BrendaCooley(Paul), Shirell Shuler (Lester), Keith Chancley,and Zarul Walker(John); siblings, BrendaGuichardJackson PatriciaGuichardClark and VernonGuichard, Jr.(Ber‐nice);12grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and ahostofnieces, nephews,cousins,ex‐tendedfamilyand friends. Heisa longtime member ofBeulah Land Baptist Church.A Celebrationof LifeisheldonSaturday, May 30,2026, Franklin Av‐enue BaptistChurch 8282 I10Service Rd., NOLA70126 Visitation: 8a.m.– 10 a.m. Services: 10 a.m. Burial: Mount Olivet Cemetery 2050 Caton Street,NOLA 70122. Repast &Car Show: Brezzy Palace 9511 Chef Menteur Hwy.,Suite 106, NOLA70127. Services are entrusted to Boyd Family FuneralHome. Guestbook Online: www.anewtraditi onbegins.com(504)2820600. Linear BrooksBoyd and DonavinD.BoydOwn‐ers/FuneralDirectors

Joseph Sr., Albert Anthony'Frog'

Albert AnthonyJoseph, Sr.,affectionatelyknown as“Frog,”was born on Au‐gust14, 1943, in New Or‐leans,Louisiana.Hepeace‐fully transitioned from his earthly home to hisheav‐enlyhomeonMay 14, 2026, atthe ageof82. He was the thirdofeight children borntoWaldren andAdele Bijou Joseph.Albertgrew upinthe SeventhWardof New Orleans, where he built lifelong friendships and cherishedfamilymem‐ories.Ata young age, he met theloveofhis life Charlotte

together they shared 60 years of faithfulmarriage. Their union wasblessed withfourchildren: Albert Anthony Joseph,Jr.,Corey Patrick Joseph,Terrence Michael Joseph,and TiffanyAnn Joseph.Albert workedfor OwensIllinois and Sam’sClubbefore serving as asupervisorfor RiteWay Janitorial Ser‐vices.Healsoowneda snowballand carwash business. He wasa de‐voted husband,father, grandfather,brother,and friendwho will be deeply missed. Family andfriends are invitedtoattenda Cel‐ebrationofLifeand Legacy onSaturday, May30, 2026 atCorpusChristi–Epiphany Catholic Church.Visitation: 8:00–10:00 a.m. Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. Inter‐mentwillfollowatMount OlivetCemetery. Guest‐book Online:www.anewtra ditionbegins.com(504)2820600. Linear BrooksBoyd and DonavinD.BoydOwn‐ers/FuneralDirectors

ByronChristopher Landry, Jr.affectionately known as “Duna”and “Bee” enteredeternal rest onSaturday, May2,2026, in Saudi Arabia.Hewas ares‐ident of Algiers, LA.Byron was born on July 8, 1994 The eldest sonofByron C. Landry, Sr.and Laurie Tan‐ner Landry;brother of Brit‐taniand Nicholas Landry Byron made apersonal professionoffaith andfol‐lowed JesusChristinbap‐tism. He wasbaptizedby PastorJames N. Brownat the GreaterSt. Mary Bap‐tistChurch in Algiers. He was a2012 graduate of the EdnaKarrHighSchool and attended theUniversityof Louisiana at Lafayette BRCCand DelgadoCol‐leges.Byron is survived by his parents, ByronC Landry, Sr.and Laurie Tan‐ner Landry,Grandmother Trina Landry,siblings; Brit‐taniand Nicholas Landry, Godparents; Russelland Brigitte Tanner,Damian Landry, girlfriend;Taylor Bowman, uncles,aunts, cousins,and friends. Pleasejointhe familyto Celebrate theLifeofByron onSaturday, May30, 2026 atthe GreaterSt. Mary Baptist Church,located at 1533 Horace Street,New Orleans,LA70114. Visita‐tionstartsat8:30am, Ser‐vicetime: 10:00am,Pastor CurtisR.Carroll,Ofﬁciant. Entombmentinthe West‐lawnCemetery, 1225 Whit‐ney Avenue Gretna,LA 70056. Funeralplanningen‐trusted to Robinson Family FuneralHome. Please visit www.robinsonfamilyfuner alhome.com to sign the guestbook

PearlSantiagoLockett was born on April16, 1927 inNew Orleans, LA to the union of thelateMarcel, Sr. andEvelynWilliams Santiago. Reared by loving Christian parents, shewas baptizedatIsraelBaptist Church at theage of twelve by Rev. Horace Brown.

Pearlattended Marignyand JosephS.Craig Elementary Schools, Albert Wicker MiddleSchool andgradu‐atedfromMcDonogh 35 HighSchool in 1946. She later attended YMCA School of Commerce and graduated in Accounting and Business Management in1948. Sheworkedat XavierUniversityfor 27 years.Pearl also worked over50years in various areas until retirement in 2000.In addition to herpar‐ents, Pearlisalsopre‐ceded in deathbyhus‐band, FrankLockett; sib‐lings,MarcelJr.,Freddie and Fermin Santiago, Willie Pollard andDoretha Santi‐ago McCray;son,Myron Lockett; stepdaughter Katie Jean LockettStreet; niece,Wanda McCray; great greatniece,Miracle Montana andgreat great great niece, Jade Montana. She is survived by stepson, Arthur Lockett, nieces Yvonne Montanaand Cyn‐thiaMcCray, as well as a hostofnieces, nephews, other relativesand friends. A Celebrationservice hon‐oring thelifeand legacy of the late PearlSantiago Lockett will be held at Is‐raelBaptist Church,1701 MaraisStreet,New Or‐leans,LA70116 on Friday May 29, 2026 at 11 am.In‐terment St.Louis Cemetery #3. Visitation 10 am in the church.Pleasesignonline guestbook at www.cha rbonnetfuneralhome.com. Charbonnet LabatGlapio, Directors,(504)581 4411.

LeeIrvin McClureSr.,of HarveyLA.,departedthis lifepeacefully on Monday, May 11, 2026 at Ochsner Medical Center in Gretna Hewas 66 yearsold anda nativeofCarpenter,Mis‐sissippi.Son of thelate EdnaCraft McClureand Willie FrankMcClure Sr Devoted husband of Ruby Lee HoustonMcClure Beloved father of Sharlita Houston (Raymond), Lee IrvinMcClure Jr.and the lateKerry VonMcClure Grandfather of Sherman and Jeremiah Houstonand Leijahron McClure. Great grandfather of Shaquil Kenny,Ma'Kia, Immanul and PeterHouston.Brother ofEvangelistBobbieJean Nunn (James), Brenda Tru‐itt, Sherlena Wilson (John‐nie), Tyra Butler,Rev.Lonzo Sr. (Doris), Larry (Jackie), JohnnyLee (Lois),Jasper (Loree),Robert(Michelle), McArthur andMichael Mc‐Clure,VictorPringles, and the late Erma Jean,Willie Frank Jr., LorenzoSr.,Willie Lee andClyde McClure. Stepbrother of L.C. Wilson (Rita). Mr.McClure is also survivedbyhis father in law Rev. JamesHouston, sisters andbrothersinlaw; CarrieSmith,JannieM., Linda J.,ErnestL and Willie J. Houston, Willie J. Goffner,and Mary Birden aswellasa host of aunts, uncles, nieces,nephews, cousins,other relatives and devotedfriends.Rela‐tives andfriends of the familyare invitedtoattend the funeralservice on Sat‐urday,May 30, 2026 at Greater WhiteOak Mis‐sionary BaptistChurch lo‐cated at 5142 Hwy18, Utica Mississippi.39175. Thevisi‐tationwillbegin at 10Am followedbyan11AMser‐vice. Pastor LonzoMcClure Sr. will ofﬁciateand inter‐mentwillfollowinthe church's cemetery.Funeral planningentrusted to RobinsonFamilyFuneral Home. Visitwww.robinso nfamilyfuneralhome.com foronlinecondolences

Sean AnthonyPaquay, born on October9,1980, in Metairie,Louisiana,passed away on April12, 2026, at theage of 45, leavingbe‐hind alegacyofhardwork, devotion,and love forhis family andfriends.Sean wasa belovedson brother, uncle,and friend whose presence brought strength andwarmthto thosearound him. He was theson of AnthonyPaquay andMichelle Guerre Paquay andthe stepsonof Avia Paquay.Heissurvived by hissister, Cassie Paquay;his nephew,Do‐minicPaquay; andhis niece, DelylahPaquay. He also leaves behind his cherishedfur baby,Cap‐tain Meow,along with many uncles,aunts, cousins, andfriends who will foreverholdhim in theirhearts. He waspre‐cededindeath by his niece, PaigePaquay, and hisfur baby,Delaney.Sean grew up in theMetairie area andattended Arch‐bishop Rummel High School,where he builtthe foundation fora life marked by determination andpracticality. Afterhigh school,hebrieﬂyattended theUniversityofNew Or‐leans, where he studied Marketing. Though his path eventually ledhim in anotherdirection,the ex‐perienceshegathered alongthe waybecamepart of thewell-rounded and thoughtful person he was knowntobe. For more than 20 years, Sean worked side by side with hisfatherat thefamily-ownedbusi‐ness, Sewerman Plumbing Service, where he served as aplumber.Healso spentmanyyears working in theservice industry Sean wasthe kind of per‐sonwho lovedto ﬁxthings, andthere wasoften no problemtoo smallortoo complicatedfor himtotry to solve. He hada natural curiosityand couldoften be found rummaging throughthings, lookingfor whatcould be repaired,re‐purposed,ormadeuseful again. Sean Anthony Paquay will be deeply missedand lovingly re‐membered by allwho had theprivilege of knowing him. Hislifewas oneof dedication,resilience,and heart, andhis legacy will live on throughthe family he cherished, theworkhe completed, andthe many liveshetouched alongthe way.Relatives andfriends areinvited to visitCelebra‐tion Church,2001 Airline Drive, Metairie,LA70001, on Saturday,May 30, 2026, starting at 10:00 AM.Fol‐lowedservicesat11:00 AM Everyone is invitedtothe receptionfollowing the services in theGathering Area.Wealsoinviteyou to shareyourthoughts, fond memories,and condo‐lences online at www greenwoodfh.com.Your sharedmemorieswillhelp us celebrateSean’slife andkeep hismemoryalive

DoloresRuffinPayne age 92, peacefully transi‐tionedonSunday, May17, 2026, at herresidence sur‐rounded by closefamily. She wasa native andresi‐dentofNew Orleans, LA Beloved wife of 41 yearsto the late Warren Albert Payne,Sr. Loving mother of Gilda Payne(Kenneth) Malarchar,Chester Carl (Veronica)Payne,Sr., HaroldRuben Payne, Sr and thelateWarrenAlbert Payne,Jr. Cherishedgrand‐motherand greatgrand‐motherofMelita“Kellie Payne,Kenneth Malarchar, Jr.,Tracy Malarchar, Ryne Payne,KoriSpencer, Kennedi Malarchar, KayleighPayne,Kyle-Jared and KennethMalarchar,III, and thelateKrystal Payne, HaroldPayne,Jr. andBaby Malarchar.Daughterofthe lateWesley, Sr.and Olivia LandryRuffin. Sister of Wesley“Pete”(JoLynn) Ruffin, Jr Curtis “Kite” Ruffin, Sr., Gladys R. Butler, John(Angela)Ruffin, Mar‐guerite R. Robinson,Linda R.Black,MeriteR.Cain, OtisRuffin, andthe late CeasarRuffin, Sr., Dorothy R.Lee, MableR.Brooks, and Olivia R. Wallace. Do‐lores is also survived by a hostofother relativesand friends.Relatives and friends of thefamily, also pastors,officers andmem‐bersofSecondBaptist Church,Christian Fellow‐shipCathedral,and all neighboring churches are invited to attend theCele‐bration of Life at Second Baptist Church,2836 Sullen Place,New Orleans, LA on Friday, May29, 2026, at 10:00a.m. Pastor Andre Sigler, host pastor;Rev Anthony Ruffin, officiating. Visitationwillbegin at 8:30a.m.until serviceatthe church.Interment: Resthaven Cemetery,New Orleans,LA. Arrangements byDavis Mortuary Service, 230 Monroe St.Gretna, LA Toviewand sign theguest‐book,pleasegotowww davismortuaryservice.com.

HerbertJosephPeters, Sr.was born December 31, 1940 to theunionofthe lateHermanand Alma Peters. He transitionedand embraced thearms of Christ on Saturday, May16, 2026. He attended McDonough #35 and workedfor several years at Bernard Lumber Co. as a master craftsman in carpentry untilhis retirement. He wasanamazing man to all whoknewhim, no matter his role.Hewas proudofhis projects dispersed throughout thecity of NewOrleans andhewas an avidfan of theNew OrleansSaints. He united with TheNew Inspirational Missionary Baptist Church of NewOrleans in 2004 and later wasappointedas ChairmanofThe Deacons Ministry. He wasalso a member of TheMt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Gretna, Rev. T. Lynn Robinson,Sr.,Pastor-

Landry Jr., Byron Christopher

Cargo Sr., Alvin

McClureSr.,Lee Irvin

Peters Sr., Herbert Joseph

Lockett, PearlSantiago

Edison III,Henry 'Bird'

Teacher.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mathilda Peters, 2children Muriel and Herbert Jr,1 grandson Gregory,and all ofhis siblings Irma, Cora, Irene, Anna, Alma (sisters); Herman and Arthur (brothers). He will be fondly remembered and cherished by 3daughtersDarlene, Cynthia, and Jalisa, son-inlaw Frank, pastor and friendRev. T. Lynn Robinson Sr, First Lady and cousinDebra, nephew Percy, 15 grandchildren Alecia (Byron Sr.), Shanika, Perry, Gary, Tinille, Tymillion, Ashley,LaBaron, Samira, Herbert, III, Jamal, Arleana, Toni, Terrance and Joey, several greatgrandchildren, and 1greatgreatgrandchild, his hospice team at Serenity Hospice Services, and a host of other relatives and friends. Relatives and friends of the family, former officers and members of New Inspirational Missionary Baptist Church and officers and members of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Gretna are invited to attend the memorial services on Saturday, May 30, 2026 1:00pm on the Lakefront, Pavilion near Shelter #3 located near Lakeshore Dr. and Franklin Ave. (behind the University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena). Final arrangements handled by Charbonnet-LabatGlapion, 1615 St. PhilipSt., New Orleans, LA 70116 (504) 581-4411. Burial will be private.

Radecker,PatriciaLaiche

Patricia Laiche Radecker passedawayonFriday, May22, 2026, at theage of 97. Born on August 25,1928, to thelateLouis &Antonia Laiche.Beloved wife of the late HenryPhilipRadecker. Mother of HenryPhilipJr. (Cindy), KevinMichael KeithJames,and Lawrence Joseph (Joy), grandmother of Patrick(Sarah),and greatgrandmother of Ellen andAnnie. Patricia is pre‐cededindeath by hersib‐lings; Pierre,Edvige, An‐toine, George,Cecile, Numa,Louis,Emile,Ursula, Claire,Theresa,Beatrice, Felix,and Paul Laiche.She is survived by hersister, CatherineLaicheBaia‐monte. Patricia Radecker wasa Matriarch, a Mémère,Aunt Patsy, Miss Patsyand always therock forher four Donald Court Boys.Familyand friends areinvited to attend a visi‐tation at 10:30amon Thursday,May 28,2026, at St.MaryMagdalen Catholic Church,6425 W. Metairie Ave.,Metairie, LA 70003, followed by aFu‐neralMassat12:00 pm.In‐termentwillbeatGreen‐wood Mausoleum.

Rosemary Payne Rapp entered eternal rest at her home on Thursday, May 15, 2026, at the age of 85. She was avery Classy Lady with an infectious smile and quiet demeanor. She was born on January 30, 1941, to the union of the late Harry Payne, Sr., and Hannah Duplessis Payne in Braithwaite, LA., which she affectionately referred to as down home. She was agraduateof Phoenix High School Class of 1960 and amember of the Village de L'est Neighborhood Association for 40+ years.She retired from Charity Hospital after 30 years of service. Rosemary married the love of her life, Vernon Rapp, Sr., on September2, 1961. Their love story spanned 64 years, and from their unionwas born one son, Vernon Rapp, Jr She leaves to cherish her husband, Vernon, Sr. one son, Vernon, Jr., adopted daughter NicoleWagner Banks, and devoted niece Lynette Harris, four grandchildren, Vernon Rapp III (Kierra) and Natalie Rapp (Michael) of Colorado Springs, CO,Christoper Rapp and Jacorey Huggins of Shreveport, LA. 10 great -grandchildren: Christopher &Chloee Thomas, Vernon Rapp, Janiyah Huggins, Naomi Ferguson, Colton Rapp, Mailah Crenshaw, Khylan Rapp, Ryder Crenshaw, and Rose Connally. One brother, Arthur Payne, one aunt, Brenetta Young, Goddaughter, Barbara Ann Isidore, Godson, Charles Williamson, Brother in

laws, Rev. NathanielRapp, Sr.(Rose),Horatio (Marcia) Rapp, Rev. Eddie Brown, III, SisinLaws, Daisy,Ruby and Norma Lee Rapp, and ahost of nieces, nephews, cousins, and otherrelatives and friends. Shewas precededin death by her parents, Harry, Sr., and Hannah Payne; In laws Henry (Alberta)Rapp, sisters Myrtle Williamson and Irene (Willie)Brock,brothersLionel, Melvin, Thomas, Beauregard, Harry,Jr.,and Ulysses (Verna Mae) Payne, brother in laws Herbert, Sr., Rev. Harold, Kermit (Theresa), Alton (Irma), and DonaldRapp, sister in laws VivianRapp Williams (Jimmy), Myrza RappTrench (Benjamin) & IvaRapp Brown. Special thanks to Dr. Rene Louapre and CompassusHospice for their care.

Relatives and friends of the family, also pastors, officers, and members of Branch Bell Baptist Church, St AndrewBaptist Church, New HorizonMissionary BaptistChurchand neighboring churches, employeesofRegionalTransit Authority (RTA), former employees of New Orleans Public Serviceand Charity Hospital, areinvited to attend the Homegoing Celebration at Branch Bell BaptistChurch, 1231 St Maurice Avenue, New Orleans,LA., 70117, on Friday, May29, 2026,at 10:00am. ElderKevin L. Williams,Sr.,officiating. Visitation9:00 am- 10:00 am. Interment: New Horizons Missionary BaptistChurchCemetery, Vacherie, LA Arrangements entrusted to Rhodes Funeral Home3933 Washington Avenue, New Orleans,LA. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to signthe online guestbook

Redinger,Betty C.

Betty C. Redinger,De‐cember4,1938-May20, 2026. BettyClement Redinger, age87, of Man‐deville,Louisiana,passed awaypeacefully on May20, 2026. Born on December 4, 1938, in NewOrleans Louisiana,Betty wasthe beloved daughter of the lateJulie DomingoClement and thelateEarlClement and waslater lovingly raisedinpartbyher step‐father, thelateFrank Sil‐ver.Betty graduatedfrom F.T.Nichols High School and went on to enjoya ca‐reer as an administrative assistant.She will be re‐memberedfor herwarm spirit, herloveofpickleball and taichi,and most espe‐cially forthe joyshe found inspendingtimewithher familyand friends. She was preceded in deathby her belovedhusband GeorgeRedinger. Betty leavesbehinda loving fam‐ily who will cherishher memoryalways, including her husband,George Moore; herbrother,Robert Clement;her daughters, Cindy Riecke(Alan)and Sherri Duplantis(Ryan); and hertreasured grand‐children: AlexanderLa‐cour, NicholasLacour, JustinDuplantis,Joshua Duplantis,BenjaminBorde‐lon,AbbyDuplantis,Gracie Riecke, and Madison Riecke. Sheisalsosurvived byeight great-grandchil‐dren. Thefamilyextends their heartfeltgratitude to St. Tammany Health Sys‐tem Hospiceand Home Healthfor thecompassion‐ate care andsupport pro‐vided to Betty andher loved ones.FuneralSer‐vices will be held on Friday, May 29,2026 at Garden of Memories FuneralHome&

Cemetery,4900 Airline Drive Metairie,LA70001 Visitationwillbegin at 12:00 noon with theser‐vices starting at 2:00 pm followedbyinterment.To order ﬂowersoroffercon‐dolences, please visit www.gardenofmemorie smetairie.com.

Robinson,Shirley

ShirleyRobinson, age89 passedawaypeacefully at Touro InfirmaryinNew Or‐leans,LAonFridayMay 8, 2026 surrounded by her lovingfamily. Shirleywas bornonOctober 1, 1936 and wasa devotedmother, grandmother,aunt and friend. Mother of Cherry DeniseWorkman (Earl), DennisRobinson, Stephanie Robinson andStacy RobinsonYoung (Tony) She wasprecededindeath byher husband Theodore Robinson, herson Jerome Robinson, four brothers, and eightsisters.Alsosur‐vived by nine grandchil‐dren, five great-grandchil‐dren, anda host of nieces, nephews,cousins,other relatives andfriends.Rela‐tives andfriends of the familyalsopastor, officers and membersofHistoric SecondBaptist Church are invited to attend theCele‐bration of Life Services on SaturdayMay 30, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Historic Sec‐ond BaptistChurch,2505 Marengo Street NewOr‐leans,La. 70115. Visitation from9:00a.m.until 10:00 a.m.service time.Rev RobertB.Jackson officiat‐ing.Interment:Gardenof MemoriesCemetery, 4900 Airline Drive, Metairie Louisiana 70001. Arrange‐ments EntrustedToEstelle J.WilsonFuneralHome, Inc. 2715 Danneel Street NOLA70113. Information: (504) 895-4903. To sign on‐lineguest book please visit www.estellejwilsonfh.com

JosephE.Simon, Jr.entered eternal life on May 14, 2026, at theage of 87. BorninNew Orleans, LA on February 11, 1939, to JosephE.(JoeBosce) Simon and Marguerite B. Simon, he was thebeloved husband of Muriel Simon; devoted father of JoAnn Simon-Martin, JosephE Simon, III, Denise Simon Hayes, Sean JosephSimon, and Marc A. Simon, Sr.; and stepfather of Steven Morris.

He was theproud grandfather of Jade E. Simon, JosephE.Simon, IV, Chad M. Simon, Armand J. Simon-Martin, Megan A. Haynes, ErinR.Haynes, PaigeSimon, Kamryn Simon, ChaseSimon, Eric Simon, Markeina Simon, Marc Simon, Jr., and Chapelle Simon; and greatgrandfather of Landon K. Simon and NaomiR.Simon.

He is also survivedby his brothers and sisters-inlawEarl Harden, James Chapman, Jacqueline Minor, BrendaBrownlee SylviaEllis, and Claire Brown; niece Lisa King; godson, Curt Brown, along with ahost of othernieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Josephwas preceded in death by his father, mother,brother Arthur J. Carr and sister EvelynMoore, as wellashis nieces, Gloria Cunequinand PamelaCarr, and nephew Michael Carr. Mr. Simon was alifelong resident of NewOrleans, LA.Heattended JosephS Clark HighSchool He dedicated more than 50 years of servicetolaw enforcement, beginning his careerin1962 with the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office,the NewOrleans Police Department, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.OnMarch 3, 1971, he joinedthe Unites States Marshals Service, the Witness Protection Division, where he served for 20 years, and he retired June 30, 1995. Following hisretirement, he continued hispublicservicewith theLouisiana FifthCircuit Court of Appealincourt security, where he concluded his career. He was amember of the Fraternal OrderofPolice,Crescent City LodgeNo. 2. Relatives and friends of thefamily;priests and parishioners of St.Peter ClaverCatholic Church, The City of Love Full GospelBaptist Church, Judgesand members of theLouisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal, members of theUnitedStates Marshals Service, the Louisiana Supreme Court, Circle"C" Riding Club, WestBank Riding Club, BuffaloSoldiers, 504 Boys and Girls Dyn-O-Mite Riders, and otherriding clubsare invited to attend theFuneral Mass of ChristianBurial at St. Peter ClaverCatholic Church, 1923 St.Phillip Street,New Orleans, on Friday, May 29, 2026. Visitation willbegin at 9:00 a.m. with mass to follow at 10:00 a.m Interment willfollow at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries. Arrangements entrusted to D.W.Rhodes Funeral Home,New Orleans, LA.Pleasevisit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sig theonline guestbook.

TherianMichael Small, “T. Small”,entered peace‐fully into eternalreston Saturday, May9,2026 at the ageof52. He leaves to cherish hismemory, beloved wife,Kathy Dao Small;mother, Vivian Mon‐trel; sister,KimberlyMon‐trel; father,Jeremiah Small;children, Therian, Treyand TaelynnDrummer and Theriell (Don’tail) Brown. He is preceded in death by hisbrother, KenyanA.Montrel;grand‐parents,Josephand Nellie Mae Martin,WillieMae and Abe Small; uncles,Philip and KennethMartin, MacArthur,Johnand Gary Small;aunts, Peggy Pinkstonand VickyWard. Relatives andfriends are invited to attend thefu‐neral.A Mass of Christian Burialhonoringthe life and legacyofthe late Therian M.Small will be held at St PeterClaverCatholic

Church,1923 St.Phillip Street,New Orleans, LA on Thursday,May 28, 2026, at 10am, Father AjaniGibson, Celebrant.Interment Mount Olivet Cemetery New Orleans, LA.Visitation 9 am in thechurch.Please signonlineguestbook at www.charbonnetfuneralho me.com. Charbonnet Labat Glapion,Directors (504)581-4411

SmithSr.,Leonard I.

LeonardI.Smith,Sr. en‐tered eternalrestat JoEllen SmithConvalescent CenteronFriday, May15, 2026, at theage of 90. He was anativeofGretna, LA and aresidentofNew Or‐leans,LA. Leonardwas a graduateofL.B.Landry HighSchool,and he was employedasroofer. Beloved father of Ramona S.Borden, Leonard(Alma) Smith,Sr.,Michael Smith and thelateJanet S. Cos‐ton.Son of thelateJohn Smith andOleviaR.Smith, alsosurvivedby4 grand‐children, 2great grandchil‐dren, 1great greatgrand‐child,and ahostofother relatives andfriends.Rela‐tives andfriends of the familyare invitedtoattend the CelebrationofLifeat Davis Mortuary Service, 230 Monroe Street,Gretna, LA, on Friday,May 29, 2026, at10:00a.m.PastorDavid Richard,ofﬁciating. Visita‐tionwillbegin at 8:30a.m. until servicetimeatthe parlor. Interment: New HopeCemetery, Gretna,LA. Toviewand sign theguest‐book,pleasegotowww davismortuaryservice.com.

Margaret J. Stevens departedthis life on Wednesday, May20, 2026 at the age of 86. Relatives andfriends of thefamily are invited to attend a

Funeral Service at Greater GraceFellowship, 5481 CrowderBlvd,New Orleans, La 70127 on Friday, May29, 2026 at 10:00 am. Visitation will begin at 8:00 am. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook. Strickland, AnnetteMarie

It is with great sadness that the familyofAnnette Marie Yarbrough Stricklandannounces her passing on May23, 2026 at the age of 84. Mrs. Stricklandpassed away peacefully in herhomesurroundedbyfamily. Annettewho wasborn on September 1, 1941 in Bayou CaddyMississippi, grew up in Lake Catherine LA androde thetrain to Colton School in New Orleans, LA. After marriage, shewas aresident of NewOrleans,LA. Annette'sfaithwas the compass of herlife, inspiringher legendaryhospitalityand quietgenerosity. Shewas of Catholic religion andattendedOur Lady of Lourdes and St Ann'sChurch andserved as an Eucharistic Minister formanyyearsinMetairie, LA. Shealso enjoyedfamily trips to the beach,fishing, attendingjazzercise classes, reading books putting puzzles together andcoloring.But,most of all,she enjoyed herfamily, including hertwo pets Hobo (deceased)and Missy. Shewas the daughterof thelateFrederick Clifford Yarbrough,Sr. andOlivia Camilla Lafontaine.She wasalso preceded in death by herhusband Emerson Victor Strickland, Jr.of52years; sister, Bessie A. LaBorde;and grandsons, Jeffrey Ray Manaleand JamesHarold Ladner. Sheissurvived by her threedaughters,Annette S. McDow(Kenneth) of Eden Isles, LA, Tammy S. Bourgeois(Don) of Diamondhead, MS,and Lisa S. Ladner(Ernest), of Ansley, MS;brothers, Frederick Yarbrough,Jr. (Merlinedeceased) of New Orleans, LA, Alvin Yarbrough (Laura) of Metairie, LA andJoseph Yarbrough (Norma) of Pearl River, LA; grandchildren Kenneth D. McDow,III (Sarah), Sgt. QuinnP McDow, U.S. Army (Megan), Frederick J. Manale, Jr.(Katie), and Jesse E. Ladner; greatgrandchildren, Marie Manale, Olivia Manale,and

Stevens, Margaret J.

Small, TherianMichael 'T.Small'

Simon,Joseph E.

Rapp, Rosemary Payne

See more DEATHS page

OURRECOMMENDATION

JuliaLetlow forU.S. Senate

In the race for U.S. Senate, Louisiana voters have heard many messages. Early on,we urged candidates to focus their campaigns on what matters most to Louisianans.

There are afew chapters yet to be written before Louisiana voters make their ﬁnaldecision known. The move to partyprimariesthiselectioncycle means that theelectorate has multiple chances to weigh in. We are hopeful that voters willsee theprocess throughtothe end. Yetweare at acritical phase in the election Sen. Bill Cassidy,the two-term incumbent, failed to advance to the runoff in the May16Republican primary.Voters are now left to evaluate the remaining candidates to determinewho can bring the experience andvisionnecessary to succeed asenator whose decadeofservice gave him the seniority —withall thatentails to push forward issues that makea difference to our state.

Looking at the entire ﬁeld,Democratand Republican,webelievethatU.S. Rep. Julia Letlow makes the best case that sheisprepared to make an immediateimpact in the Senate, as she has throughout her career AnativeofMonroe, Letlow has represented Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District in Congress since April 2021. She serves on the all-important House Appropriations Committee, whereshe has beenableto securefunding for hospitals, airport infrastructure and other state needs. Before her time in Congress, she heldadministrative roles at the University of Louisiana at Monroe and Tulane University School of Medicine, demonstratinganability to work with awiderange of people in large, complex organizations.

At 45,she would also representgenerational change in the Senate. As amom of two young kids,she has achance to bring aspotlighttothe real concernsofLouisiana’swomen,who face some of thehighestrates of domestic violence and maternal mortality in thecountry.Ifelected, she would be the ﬁrst Republicanwoman senator fromLouisiana.

She also has acompellingpersonal story of resilience. She took office after aspecialelection following her husband LukeLetlow’sdeath from COVID in December 2020, just days before he was set to be sworn into Congress. Though national politics are often frontand center in campaigns for Senate—and Letlow has received the powerful endorsementof President Donald Trump inaddition to that of Gov.Jeff Landry and other stateofficials— ultimately,weelect senators to servethe needs of our state first.

On primary night, Letlow addressed supporters saying, “I promise you this,I will neverforget this is not my seat, this is yours, the people’s seat. And that will be at theforefrontofevery decision Imake and every votethat Itake.” We agree government functions best when it is accountable to the people. We trust that Letlow,ifelected, will be guided by those principles

Editor’s note:Noreporters or editors in The Times-Picayune newsroom or itsWashington Bureau participated in anyway in the endorsement.

LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE AREOUR

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

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

TO SEND US A LETTER, SCANHERE

Speedinefforttodismantle voting rights says it all

My grandmother had aphrase she used when she watched somebody move toofast. Not when theywereeager.Not when they wereexcited. When theywereguilty. She’d narrow her eyes and say, “Uptonogood.”

The Supreme Court handed down its decision in Louisiana v. Callais on aWednesday.ByThursday —before the ruling was even certiﬁed— Gov Jeff Landryhad suspendedLouisiana’s House primaryelections so theLegislature could redraw thecongressional map. As U.S. Rep. Troy Carter pointed out,mail ballots werealready out,early voting was settobegin that Saturday, and soldiers overseas had already cast votes thatwouldn’tcount.

Aday.Landrygave it aday

Youdon’tmove that fast on aprocess you believe in. Youdon’tsuspend an active electionunless you already know what map you want and youalready know the public won’tlike how you got it. The speed is the tell. If this wereabout fair representation, there would be hearings. There would be public input.There would be the slow, patient,grinding work of democracy thatdoesn’tmake the cable news. Instead, we got an executive order and athank-younotefor moving quickly

My grandmother wouldn’tneed alaw degree to read this one. She’d read it from the porch. She’d read it from the speed alone. Up to no good.

DAVID W. HOOVER NewOrleans

Let’swelcome Broadway when tourists flee Mamdani

Here is an idea that would dynamically build thepopulation, business revenue and tax base of New Orleans. The annual sales of theater tickets in New York Cityexceed $2 billion. That industry would ﬁt our tourist economy perfectly.Best of all, we have free marketing from Mayor Zohran Mamdani as his high taxes and increasing crime frighten away New Yorkers and tourists.

In acouple more years, theaters and producers may be ready to move, so we need to be their ﬁrst choice!

Let’sstartnow to get themovers and shakers in the NYC theater industry acquainted with New Orleans. New Orleansistheir natural new venue.

Let’skeep reminding them that we have top-quality hotels and restaurants available for their patrons. Most importantly,weneed to evaluate our theater capacity and determine what improvements are necessary so we can indeed deliver truly modern high-tech theaters. That would seal the deal. Thanks for considering this idea, and Ibet most of the City Council would help makeitareality.Mayor Helena Moreno, you are doing agreat job, and accomplishing this could well be themost-remembered crown in your mayorship.

SIDNEYPULITZER NewOrleans

We need to encouragesmall business growth in NewOrleans

Jonah Meadows’ piece from May 4 captured thehonest, unﬁltered voices of Louisiana small business owners. They named theobstacles clearly: limited access to public contracting opportunities, crushing insurance costs, economic uncertainty and supply chain disruption. Their voices paint aclear picture of an economy where the people doing themost essential work are also carrying the heaviest load.

Small businesses account for 99.5% of Louisiana’seconomy and employ morethan half thestate’sworkforce. Nearly half are women-owned, and morethan aquarter are led by Black, Indigenous and People of Color entrepreneurs. We need clear pathways

to removethese obstacles and drive growth.

At theNew Orleans Chamber of Commerce, we represent morethan 1,400 member businesses employing over 140,000 New Orleans residents. We know that these challenges are notsolved by any single organization. Ourobligation now is to continue the conversation with civic organizations and community leaders, collaborate on concrete solutions andput those plans into action. Whether you’re attending aChamber event, aCity Council meetingorsending an email to your legislator,let’smove the conversation forward and create change.

SANDRA LINDQUIST CEO,

NewOrleans Chamber of Commerce

Our state has an opportunity to confront asimple but important question: Who does our banking system truly serve?

Over the past twodecades, consolidation and acquisitions have done morethan close branches in certain neighborhoods. They have fundamentally changed how capital ﬂows through communities like New Orleans and across Louisiana, making it harder forindividuals and businesses to access the resources they need to thrive.

It wasonce understood that deposits taken in aplace werelargely loaned in that place. Alocal bank had both afamiliar face and adefined geography,somoney flowed in from the community as deposits and back out into it as loans. The bank earned areasonable return forits stockholders on that circulation, and residents and businesses gained access to capital forcommercial and personal growth. When local banks were sold to regional or national institutions, that geography expanded. Deposits still flow in, but people in NewOrleans now compete forcapital with borrowers in Nashville, NewYork and across the Gulf Coast. When an algorithm designed forthe benefit of stockholders sees ahigher return elsewhere, fewerdeposits are recirculated locally

This is not about bad intentions, but rather,adriftinthe legitimate purpose of banking from serving the people to serving stockholders. Two decades after deregulation enabled this waveofconsolidation, we should recall that ﬁnancial institutions are authorized as primarily essential to afunctioning society as education, health, recreation or nutrition. Apurely extractive, stockholderserving model quietly undermines acommunity’sability to reach its potential. We should reﬂect on this developmenttoreexamine neighborhood access, restore true intermediation of local capital and embrace their role in building amore inclusive and resilient economy forall.

STEVE HENNIGAN CEO,Credit Human

Letlow

LucasMcDow

Thefamilywould like to extend aspecial thank you to Dr Matthew McElveen and Compassus Hospice Visitation will be held on Friday, May 29, 2026, at St Ann's CatholicChurch, 5858 Lower Bay Rd. Bay St. Louis MS. 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. followed by amass of Christian Burial. Interment tofollowatBayou Caddy Cemetery in Ansley, MS Edmond Fahey Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements.

DEATHS continued from and sales assistant. Jerry was honoredtobethe supervisor on the construction of the firstHabitatfor Humanityhome builtin NOLA. He served as presidents of the Home Builders AssociationofGreater New Orleansand of the Louisiana Home Builders Association. He also served on the board of Temple SinaiinNew Orleans

Strug, Gerald Leopold

Gerald "Jerry" Strug was born on April 26, 1928, in Bogalusa, Louisiana.He died on May 24 peacefully surrounded by family. His parents, Ida Vihon Strug and Morris Strug were immigrants from the Ukraine. He had two older, loving sisters who doted on him, Ethel Strug Berg and Florence Strug Kerner.

Jerry graduated with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree from Georgia Tech. After that heserved in the US Army Corps of Engineers from 1950-1952. He was stationed in the Philippines and was attached to the 29th Engineering Battalion. Jerry wore his Korean War Vet cap to almost his last day on earth.

He met the loveofhis life, Yvonne Yuspeh in New Orleans and after only four dates they decided to marry. Yvonne was 20 years old and determined to finish college, so they moved into Newcomb College's Married Students Dorm.At 26, Jerry attended sorority formals just like any other college student.

Jerryworked for several engineers before landing a job with J. Ray McDermott, where he was employed for nine years.Heresigned to form Gerald Builders, a home building company. Yvonne became his trusted partner, interior designer

After losing theirhome in Hurricane Katrina, Jerry and Yvonnemovedto Dallastobecloser to their daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Mike Kottwitz. Yvonne passed awayjust 3 months after moving to Dallasafter alongbattle with breast cancer. The silver lining to Katrina is that Jerrygot to spend much time with the appleofhis eye, granddaughter Kimberly Rachel Kottwitz.

Jerry picked up the piecesand bonded with otherNOLA evacuees. He was the social coordinator forthe NOMADS (New Orleans Men At Dining) ,also known as the ROMEOS (ReallyOLD MEN EATING OUT.) Here, theDallas evacuees solved many world problems. He was fortunatetoenjoy almost 15 years with longtime friendand loving companion,PhyllisScharff Stern.

Heispredeceased by his lovingwifeofover 51 years, Yvonne Yuspeh Strug, who he never stopped missing, sisters Etheland Flossie,nephew Ralph Kerner,bestfriend Bernard Goldmanand partner PhyllisScharff Stern.

The family is grateful to Jerry's lovingcaretakers, Kafayat Fadipe,Mezan Galata andSlyde Nangamba. In lieu of flowers, donations wouldbe welcomed to SusanG KomenorTempleSinai New Orleans.Funeral is May28at11amatHebrew Rest

Webb, NancyMarie

NancyMarie Webb, of Westwego, LA,departed thislifeonThursday,May 14, 2026, at theage of 40 She wasbornonDecember 16, 1985, in NewOrleans Nancy wasa loving soul whose kindness, strength and warmth touched everyonearound her. Beloved daughter of Lula Webband Ullman Powell Devoted mother of Carlton, Khiaand Anarie T. Webb Grandmother of Brazil and Carlton Webb Jr.and Tyler Joseph. Sister of Katie Webb, JoyceMabry,Elbert Webband Ullman Ander‐son.Aunt of Stevie Echols, Kevin andLabarronWebb. She is also survived by manyother relatives, friends,and lovedones who will foreverholdher close in theirhearts. Rela‐tives andfriends of the familyare invitedtoattend the funeralservice on Fri‐day,May 29, 2026 at True VineBaptist Church,lo‐cated at 249 Sala Ave. WestwegoLA70094. The visitationwillbegin at 9 a.m.followedbya 10 a.m. service ofﬁciated by Pastor Leander Johnson. Inter‐mentwillbeprivate.Fu‐neral planning entrustedto RobinsonFamilyFuneral Home. Online condolences atwww.robinsonfamilyf uneralhome.com.

livedinCovington. She was thebeloved wife of Fred Weidert for 59 years tillhis passing.She is survived with 2sons Stephen and Scott Weidert and sister SylviaToups. Patricia worked for theDAoffice forThe City Of New Orleans and retired years ago. Everyone that knew her knew her love forholidays and family gatherings. But most of allher love forcats. Amemorial servicewillbeheldon Saturday, May 30thfrom 10am to 1pm at Most Holy TrinityCatholicChurch, 501 Holy TrinityDr. in Covington,La.

Williams-Price passed awaypeacefully,sur‐rounded by herfamily, on May 17, 2026. Shewas born onAugust19, 1964, in Glen‐dora, Mississippi,and raisedinNew Orleans, Louisiana.She waspre‐ceded in deathbyher par‐ents, Virginia JeffersonWilliams andEdroWilliams Sr.,aswellasher daugh‐ter,CatinaWilliams. She was alovingwifetoLeo Price,a devotedfriendto WilbertTriggs, anda loving motherofseven daughters and oneson—Kimberly Jones (Darnell), Renata Mitchell(Dwayne), Ashley Flores(Rigo), IndiaBelcher (Dennis), Shantell Pugh, JoanAddison(Ted),Ricky Dyer, andthe late Catina Williams—aswellasone godson, LamirFleming.She was ahomemaker and cook who ﬁlledmanylives withlove, laughter,and care. Lillie wasveryfamilyoriented, outgoing,and brought warmth andjoy to those around her. Hersib‐lings includeEdro Williams,David Williams, JoanScott (Lawrence) JohnWilliams, Patricia Williams,Demetrius Givens (Steve),MarkWilliams, CatinaFleming (Clarence), and Fenton Williams (Melissa). Shealsoleaves

to cherishher memory a hostofgrandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family, anddearfriends.A Celebration of Life service willbeheldonFriday, May 29, 2026, at RayAvenue Baptist Church,4712 Ray Avenue, NewOrleans, Louisiana 70126. Church visitation9:00amuntil the timeofthe service. Service beginsat10:00 am.Rev‐erend Robert Brown, pas‐tor ofﬁciating. Interment, Resthaven Memorial Park -10400 OldGentillyRoad, New Orleans, LA 70127 ProfessionalService En‐trusted to:LittlejohnFu‐neral Home,2163 Aubry Street,Cal K. Johnson, Fu‐neral Director/Manager Info:(504) 940-0045.

SPORTS

BY SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writer

MIRAMAR BEACH,Fla. Recently releasedNCAA eligibility guidelines aimed at restrictingthe inﬂux of international and previously professional basketball players could have amajor effect on returning LSUmen’s basketball coach Will Wade’s 2026-27 roster If Wade is overlyconcerned about it,heisn’tletting it show “Wefeel very comfortable in ourposition,” Wade said with asmile Wednesday as he prepared to head home from the Southeastern Conference spring meeting here at the Sandestin Hilton. Wade, who returned toLSU in Marchafteraprevious stint from 2017-22, gave littleelaboration, though he did add: “We’ve got ajob to do.A big task aheadofus. We’ve gottoget it done ”

Potentiallyinquestionisthe eligibility of ﬁve of LSU’s

BY RASHAD MILLIGAN Staff writer

UNOannounced Wednesday that Michael

“Gio” Giorlando is the school’snew athletic director to usher in anew era onthe campus.

Giorlando

UNO’stransition to rejoin the LSU System is set to be completed this summer

“Gio’slonghistory with UNO and his extensive experience in collegiate athletics make him atremendous ﬁt to lead Privateers athletics,” Jeanette Weiland, interim chancellor of UNO, said in anews release. “Heunderstands this university,heunderstands ourstudent-athletes, and he brings decades of experience as both acoach and athletics administrator

nine newcomers. They include: BriceDessert: A6-foot-11, 23-year-old center from France, Dessert plays for Anadolu Efes in the Turkish League Saliou Niang: A6-6, 22-year-old wing player from Senegal, Nianghas played in theEuroLeague. He wasalso the 58th overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft by theCleveland Cavaliers.

Michael Ruzic: A7-0, 19-year-old forward/center from Croatia, Ruzic played for Jovenhut in Badalona, Spain. Marcio Santos: A6-9, 23-year-old center/forward from Brazil, Santos plays forMaccabiTel Aviv in Israel and in the EuroLeague. Also in question is LSU commitment RJ Luis. The 2025 Big East Player of the Year at St.John’ssigned with LSU after having previously signed atwo-way contract with theNBA’s Utah Jazz. He later played three exhibition games for the Boston Celtics.

U.S. senators propose bill with ‘Kiffin Rule’init

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. It’s being called the Lane KifﬁnRule. It’s just one segment of asweeping and potentially landmark bipartisan piece of legislation called the Protect College Sports Act, put forward Wednesday by Republican Sen. TedCruz of Texas and Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington, intended to regulate college athletics. But in Louisiana, one part of the ponderous 111-page bill will get the mostattention.

The part that pertains to Kiffin, whoyou may have heard leftOle Miss to become the LSU football coach on the eve of the Rebels’ appearance in the College Football Playoff, would prohibit coaches from leaving their schools foranother coaching position before the season ends, or for schools to makesuch ahire. The act is obviously along way from becoming law,especially with all of Congress and one-third of the U.S. Senate facing impactful midterm elections in November But it begs an interesting question: If the act had been law this past season, would Kiffinhave been able to coach Ole Miss in the CFP before taking —oreven entering into negotiations —the LSU job? There’salot to absorb about the proposed act and how much it does to cure someofcollege sports’ ills —believe it or not, someofwhich Kiffinhas nothing to do with —currently imperiling college athletics. But if it does get passed, the Lane KiffinRule is on its way to becoming

Torina says LSUsoftballtrendingup

BYJIM KLEINPETER

Contributing writer

LSU’sdefeat in theTuscaloosa Super Regional wasamicrocosm of its season. After being shackled offensively in the first game, the Tigers rebounded witha much better effort butstillcould notovercomethe No. 1national seed Alabama that scored 7-0 and 4-1 wins last weekend. TheTigers started the season slowlybut came on strong

na said. “I’m glad Igot this week with them Iwould like to have had another week. They showed aton of growth throughout the season, and I’m excited about what’sinfront of them.

“I still think last year’steam was kind of flukey; we played badfor oneday.This team grew aton, they finished strong. We’d like to continue to playon, but we’ve gotto keepgrowing andcontinuetofind waysto

Scott Rabalais

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

softball coach Beth Torina talks with

baseman Tori Edwards in the third inning

championship game against Virginia Tech on May17atTiger Park.

regionals.

STAFF FILE PHOTOByMICHAEL JOHNSON

Kiffinpumps his

to acrowd on Nov. 30 as he leavesthe MMR hangar at Baton RougeMetro Airport.

On TV

COLLEGE SOFTBALL(WCWS)

11 a.m.Mississippi State vs.Texas Tech ESPN

1:30 p.m. Tennessee vs.Texas ESPN

6p.m. UCLA vs.Alabama ESPN2

8:30 p.m. Arkansas vs. Nebraska ESPN2 GOLF

6a.m.DPWorld Tour:Austrian Open Golf

COLLEGEBASEBALL

BROADCASTHIGHLIGHTS

3p.m. PGATour:Schwab ChallengeGolf

11 p.m.LIV: Busan, South Korea FS1 MEN’S HOCKEY (IIHF)

9a.m. Canada vs. U.S. NHLN

1p.m. Swizerland vs. Sweden NHLN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Noon L.A.Angels at DetroitMLB

3p.m. Atlanta at Boston MLB

6p.m. Toronto at Baltimore MLB

Things to know as NCAAtourney gets startedFriday

BY ERIC OLSON AP sportswriter

The NCAA baseballtournamentopens Friday with play in 16 double-eliminationregionals.

Regional winners advance to best-of-three super regionals next week, and the final eight go to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, beginningJune12.

Who’shot

Alabama State (34-21) and The Citadel (35-24) each have won eight straight games entering regionals SWAC Tournament championAlabama State, which opens at Alabama as aNo. 4seed, turned nine double plays and averaged better than eight runs per game in the conference tournament. Miguel Oropeza drove in 13 runs over the past four games. The Citadel (35-24), which plays Oklahoma as aNo. 3 seed in Atlanta, knocked off regular-seasonchampion Mercertwice on its way to the Southern Conference title.The Bulldogs have won 17 of their past 20.

Who’snot

Boston College (36-21) has lost four in arow entering itsgame against Liberty as theNo. 2seedinAthens, Georgia. The Eagles have been outscored46-5 over those games —38-3 in three games against Georgia Tech and 8-2 by Miami in the ACC Tournament. Kentucky (31-21) has dropped three in arow and 11 of its past 16.

Still waiting East Carolina (36-22-1), which received the American’sautomatic bid by winning theconferencetournament, hasnever reached the College World Series in 35 previous NCAA Tournamentappearances, the longest streakofits kind.The Pirates are in an eighth straight regional and 10th in 11 years.

Florida State (38-17) has never won anational championship in 61 previous appearances.The Seminoles are aregional host for a record38thtimeand open against St. John’s(33-24).

Welcometothe party

Tarleton State (37-19) is the only ﬁrst-time participant, winning the Western Athletic ConferenceTournamenttoearn theNo. 3 seed in Austin, Texas. The Texans also won the WAC in 2024 but weren’teligible for NCAA championships because they were transitioning fromDivision II

Tarleton State, which opens against UC Santa Barbara (38-18), owns three wins over teams from power conferences.The Texans will be playing on the same field where they beat regionalhostTexasinMarch.

Toughest regional

The Lincoln Regional, hosted by Nebraska, appears tobethe toughest of the 16. Nebraska (42-15), the No. 13 national seed,won 40 regular-seasongames forthe ﬁrsttime since 2003 and will play in aregional at home for the ﬁrst time since 2008. The Huskers played ameaty nonconference schedule and posted wins over national seeds Auburn, FloridaState and Oregon.

Ole Miss (36-21), the No. 2regional seed, played the fourth-toughest schedule in the country and was inthe running to be ahost until two weeks ago. TheRebels lost 10oftheir past17and tied for ninth in the SEC. The Rebels open against No. 3regional seed Arizona State (37-19). The Sun Devilstied for third in the Big 12 and bring apowerful offense featuring conference player of the year Landon Hairsto(28 homers). South Dakota State (2431), the bottom seed, opens againstNebraska.The Jackrabbits lost 5-4inLincoln in March.

No guarantees Regional hostshaveadvanced to super regionals 66.3% of the time(276 of 416) since the tournament went to its current format in 1999. Last year,nine hosts won regionals

The fewest hosts to advance wereseven in 2007 and 2014 and eight in 2018.

Feelingadraft

Fourteen of the first 25 playersinthe mockdraft by MLB.com analystJonathan Mayoare in thetournament, includingthree of thetop ﬁve.

Heading the group are UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky (1), UC Santa Barbara RHP JacksonFlora (3), Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey (5), Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Burress (7), Texas A&M second baseman Chris Hacopian (8) and Arkansas catcher Ryder Helfrick (10).

Next areAlabamashortstop Justin Lebron(11), Florida RHP Liam Peterson (12), Virginia outﬁelder

A.J. Gracia(14),Kentucky shortstopTyler Bell (17), Coastal Carolina RHPCameron Flukey (18), Tennessee RHPTegan Kuhns (23),Arkansas LHP Hunter Dietz (24) and Virginiashortstop Eric Becker (25).

BashingBulldogs

Georgia leads the nation in home runs forthe secondstraightyear and is on pace to set its single-season record. The Bulldogs enter with149 in 58 games, two shyofthe 151 in 60 games in 2024. TheBulldogs are in their fourth straight season with at least100 homers SECplayerofthe year Daniel Jackson leads the Bulldogswith 27 and is among six players with double-digit homers. Whoisthisguy?

Thebestplayeryou’ve probably never heard of is Cincinnatiﬁrst baseman QuintonCoats. The6-foot3, 225-pound sophomore is tied for fourth nationally with 28 homers,isﬁfth with 78 RBIsand thirdinthe Big 12 with a.764 slugging percentage. He has four multihomer games and went hitless in just six of 57 games

Geographylesson California, Florida and Texas all have ﬁve teams in regionals, most among the 30 states represented in thetournament. Alabama, North Carolinaand Virginia all have four schools in regionals. Massachusetts,not knownasa bastion of college baseball, has three teamsin thetournament in Boston College, Holy Cross and Northeastern.

NBA PLAYOFFS

7:30 p.m.Oklahoma City at SanAntonio NBC MEN’S SOCCER

1:30 p.m.Ireland vs.Qatar FS2 TENNIS

1p.m.French Open TNT/TruTV WNBA

7p.m.Las VegasatDallas PRIME

9p.m.Indiana at GoldenState PRIME

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByVASHAHUNT

Alabama starting pitcher JocelynBriski throws against Belmont during an NCAA regional game on May16inTuscaloosa, Ala.

Fullyloaded

No.1 seed Alabama, reigning champion Texaslead deep,talented fieldatWomen’s CollegeWorld Series

BY TIMWILLERT Associated Press

OKLAHOMACITY Topoverallseed Alabama, reigning national champTexas, and Big TenConference champion Nebraska headline abalanced ﬁeldatthe Women’sCollege World Series. Alabama, with starpitcher Jocelyn Briski (22-3, 1.30 ERA), is capable of knocking offthe second-seeded Longhorns and six others, including newcomers ﬁfth-seeded Arkansasand unseeded Mississippi State.

The Crimson Tide (54-7) will open on Thursday against No. 8seed UCLA, whichboasts NCAA single-season home runleader MeganGrant andthe top scoring team in the nation.

No. 4seed Nebraska, which is ranked ﬁrst in the latest ESPN.com/USA Softball poll, is making itsﬁrst series appearance since 2013. TheCornhuskers (51-6) have won26straight gamesand areled by USASoftball Collegiate Player of the Year Jordy Frahm.

Frahm led Oklahoma to anational title in 2023 as Jordy Bahl before transferring, then later getting married and changing hername. Herprevious team —eight-time nationalchampion Oklahoma —won’tbemaking the 26-mile drive to Oklahoma City’sDevon Park for the ﬁrst timesince2015.

The third-seeded Sooners, who won four of the past ﬁve nationaltitles, were eliminated by Southeastern Conference upstart Mississippi State in threegames at the Norman Super Regional.The Bulldogs (43-19) are coached by former Sooners All-American Samantha Ricketts, who played forcoach Patty Gasso at Oklahoma.

“This week right now has beenabout enjoying themoment afterobviously a historicsuper regional forusand also just being where our feet are,”Ricketts said. “Wewant our players to enjoy everystepofthis, being present,but then really using today to lock back in and knowing that we’re not done yet.”

Mississippi State will open with 2025 runner-up Texas Tech and ace NiJaree Canady.The Red Raiders (57-7), seeded No. 11 overall, took downsixth-seeded Floridaatthe Gainesville Super Regional and are looking to get back to the championship series. Canady,who wore down against Texas last year,now has help from pitcher KaitlynTerry,a transfer from UCLA.

Arkansas, the teamwith thetop regular-season RPI,makes itsDevon Field debut. The Razorbacks haven’treached the World Series, despite playing in super regionals in 2018, 2021, 2022and 2025. Coach Courtney Deifel’steam racked up 26 run-rule victoriesthis season, including ﬁve straight. The Razorbacks went undefeated in regional and super regional competition.

Texas opens defense of its title Thursday against No. 7seed Tennessee and hard-throwingKarlyn Pickens, the No.1 overall pickinthe AUSLdraft.

The Volunteers(47-10) are making their 10th appearance in Oklahoma City and Pickens (15-7, 1.53 ERA and six saves) is among thereasons why,with 180 strikeouts in 1321/3 innings. But the Lady Vols can throw more than just Pickens at opponents. Sage Mardjetko (0.99 ERA) and Erin Numar(1.09 ERA) rank second and fourth, respectively

“They deﬁnitely have three pitchers that have shown they can beat anybody at any time, especially going through the SEC Tournament,”Texascoach Mike White said. “They’re dangerous. They’re well coached.”

IN BRIEF FROM STAFFAND WIRE REPORTS

Saints sign LB Sirmon, sonoflinebackerscoach

The Saints signedlinebacker Jackson Sirmon—the sonof Saints linebackers coach Peter Sirmon.

Jackson Sirmon, 26, signedafter atwo-year stint with the New York Jets.The 6-foot-2, 240-pounder mostly spent time on thepractice squad, appearing in one game last season. Peter Sirmon joined the Saints last season when Kellen Moorehired him. He coached Jackson at Cal, where Peter served as thedefensive coordinator while Jackson wasa ﬁrst-team all-Pac-12 choice in 2022. Jackson Sirmon went undrafted in 2024. He played 18 specialteams snaps and recorded atackle in hiscareerdebut againstthe Carolina Panthers. To make room for Sirmon, the Saints waived cornerback Jeremiah McClendon.

Major league players ask for expandedfreeagency

NEW YORK Baseball players ﬁred the opening salvo Wednesday in whatisexpected to be long and contentiouslabor negotiations, asking forexpanded free agency andsalary arbitration rights along with almost doubling the major league minimum and increasing the money high-revenue teams share with the less-wealthy clubs.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByNICK SMITH

UCLA senior Megan Grant leads the nation withanNCAA-record 40 home runs this season.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Aday before Major League Baseball is expected to make a salary cap proposal, the union outlined its initial economic proposals during abargaining session at the players’ association ofﬁce in Manhattan.Itincludedwhat it called a“competitive integrity tax”that would penalize teams dropping below apayroll ﬂoor and called for the luxury tax threshold to rise to $300 million next year

Game1: TexasTech vs Mississippi State, 11 a.m.,ESPN Game2: Texasvs. Tennessee,1:30 p.m., ESPN Game3: Alabama vs.UCLA, 6p.m., ESPN2 Game4: Nebraska vs.Arkansas, 8:30 p.m.,ESPN2

The Longhorns counter with Teagan Kavan,the Most Outstanding Playerof last year’sWomen’sCollegeWorld Series. Kavan hasa25-5 record with a2.47 ERAand beat Alabamainthe SECtitle game. Katie Stewart leadsthe team with a.436average and 27 home runs.

Briski has 198 strikeouts in 1562/3 innings. She combined with teammateVic Moten to limit LSU to onerun andseven hits in twogames at theTuscaloosa Super Regional.

“I just think really themain goal here is to just go out and win one game at a time and win each game,” Briski said. “I’mjustexcited to take theﬁeld. It all starts (Thursday), and we’re just focusing on that game.”

The Tide staff will be tested right away

UCLA (52-8) features Grant, aUSA SoftballCollegiate Playerofthe Year ﬁnalist whohas 40 home runs, and Jordan Woolery,the 2026 BigTen Player of the Year who is on pacetobecomethe ﬁrst player in NCAA history to hit.500 with 30 or more homers and 100 or more RBIs in the same season.

“I think alot of the times me andJordan are talked about as aduo, but I’m happy to say that Ican ﬁnally talk about her individually becausewhatshe’sdone this year is simply incredible,” Grant said. “I mean, honestly,she’s justgoing out there and she’sbeing herself, and she’sbeing everything that we always knew that she could be.”

Alabamacoach welcomes support

Alabama coach TimMurphy invited fans of the Sooners to switch their allegiances for the next 10 days or so.

“First, to all the Oklahoma fans that are looking for ateam to cheer for,it’s right here,” Murphy told reportersduringmedia day interviews. “Wehavethe same color palette.AMA at the bottom. Youcan almost think it saysOklahoma, pretend it does. I’ll take those 10,000 fans cheering forus.”

WCWS hasabig talent pool

Texas Tech coach Gerry Glasco called the overalltalent level “unbelievable.”

“There’sliterally— Ithink anyone in the ﬁeld can win it,and Ijustdon’tsee anybody that’sgoing to be aclear-cutfavorite,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a warfromstart to ﬁnish. There’s just so many teamsthatare really good here.”

PackersRBJacobsreleased fromjail after Tuesday arrest GREEN BAY, Wis. Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs was released from aWisconsinjailon Wednesday while authorities further investigate allegations of domestic abuse. Jacobswas arrested Tuesday in Brown County on allegations of strangulation and suffocation and other offenses over the weekend. His lawyers said he denies wrongdoing. District Attorney David Lasee said it’stoo soon to make aformal charging decision. Hobart/Lawrence Police Chief Michael Renkas said police respondedtoacomplaint aboutJacobs around 8:30 a.m. Saturday Jacobsisthe Packers’ topreturning rusher after running for 929 yards and13touchdowns in 2025.

Former NL MVP McCutchen designated forassignment

ARLINGTON,Texas Former NL MVP outﬁelder Andrew McCutchen was designated for assignment by the Texas RangersonWednesday,after he hit .192 in his 37 games. The 39-year-old McCutchen had joined the Rangers on aminorleague contract midwaythrough spring training andmadetheir opening-day roster for his 18th MLB season. He started only 15 games, nine as the designated hitter and six in the outﬁeld.

Texas signed infielder Nicky Lopez to amajor league contract. The31-year-oldLopez has played in 693big-league games over parts of eight seasons with ﬁve teams. Theleft-handed hitter wasdesignated forassignment by theChicago Cubs on Saturday McCutchen hadtwo doubles, one homer and ﬁve RBIswith Texas.

Busch death certificate reveals health struggles

NASCAR driver Kyle Busch had been suffering from pneumonia for “days to weeks,” triggering a “chain of events,” including sepsis, thatresultedinhis untimely death, according to areport.

Busch’ssepsis progressed rapidly,within 24 hours turning into disseminated intravascular coagulation, which is the formation of small blood clots that ultimately block blood flow to the organs, per the death certificate, obtained by US Weekly From there, Busch suffered hemorrhagic shock due to lack of blood flow

Busch died on May21, aday afterhefellunresponsive in aracing simulator while preppingfor the Coca-Cola 600 in NorthCarolina.

WADE

Continued from page 1C

A 6-7 wing player, Luis also signed with Boston’s G-League afﬁliate the Maine Celtics but never played for that team and was waived because of an injury Luis may need to ﬁle a lawsuit to gain eligibility to play for the Tigers.

“We’ll let that play out,” he said. Under the NCAA’s new eligibility rules issued earlier this month, players who have “entered an agreement with, competed on or received compensation from a team that par-

UNO

Continued from page 1C

We are pleased to welcome him back to LSU New Orleans at such a pivotal time for the university.”

Giorlando has been an assistant basketball coach at both UNO and LSU. He was a dentist for eight years before becoming a graduate assistant at UNO in 1991-92. During his last two years as a full-time dentist, Giorlando was also a junior varsity basketball assistant coach at St. Martin’s He then became the boys basketball coach at St. Martin’s, Archbishop Shaw and Archbishop Hannan high schools from 1992-97 before returning to UNO as an assistant from 1997-2001. In 2001, he joined the LSU men’s basketball staff, where he scouted opponents and oversaw LSU head coach John Brady’s summer basketball camps.

ticipates in a league with minimum compensation that exceeds actual and necessary expenses” would not have their college eligibility reinstated. According to Sports Illustrated, which obtained a document outlining the new NCAA rules, the document speciﬁcally mentions the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA and Premier League, though other top international basketball leagues also could become part of the same ruling. Including Luis, LSU has nine prospective players on its 202627 roster Wade didn’t rule out the possibility of adding more. “We may get another couple,” he said.

From 2004-14, Giorlando served as athletic director and head coach of men’s basketball at Loyola University New Orleans. Most recently, he was the dental director for MCNA Dental LA for the Louisiana State Dental Medicaid Program.

“Returning to UNO — soon to be LSU New Orleans is incredibly meaningful to me because this university helped shape both my professional and personal journey,” Giorlando said in the news release. “Privateers athletics has a proud tradition and a passionate community behind it. I look forward to supporting our student-athletes, working alongside our coaches and reconnecting with alumni and supporters as we continue building pride in LSU New Orleans athletics.”

Email Rashad Milligan at rashad.milligan@theadvocate. com.

LSU

Continued from page 1C

into focus until school opens in the fall.

While Torina is in line to welcome back six of nine daily starters and two of her top three pitchers, the comings and goings of the transfer portal — which is open for business June 8 will have something to say about the roster composition.

Last year, Torina signed five key players from the portal but also in the fold is a recruiting class that has been ranked in the top three in the nation at different times. The shift to the offense coached by assistant Bryce Neal, who just completed his second season in Baton Rouge, has begun to take hold.

“It’s the first recruiting class (Bryce) had his hands in,” Torina said. “Getting athletes that fit his style is important. We are excited about the class. They were ranked No. 1 at the time we signed them. The group of freshmen we have coming in will be immediate differencemakers.”

Bipartisan bill aims to fix college sports’ ‘chaos’

prohibited.

a center ﬁelder who could step in with the loss of senior leadoff hitter Jalia Lassiter; and Vazquez is a left-handed hitter who could step in for senior Maci Bergeron.

The freshmen will be hardpressed to unseat multiple possible returners, including shortstop Kylee Edwards, who had 10 homers, 40 RBIs and a 341 batting average. Tori Edwards is also expected back after hitting a team-best 12 homers with 45 RBIs.

The Tigers survived the loss of pitching ace Sydney Berzon to the transfer portal last offseason by bringing in veterans Cece Cellura and Paytn Monticelli, the latter of which won’t be back. But Cellura teaming with Jayden Heavener would give LSU a seasoned twosome in the circle.

“We’re on the right track. It’s a new age of college athletics. We’re learning and growing, trying to put the program in the best possible position to win We’ve made a lot of changes and keep making changes that allow us to do that.”

BETH TORINA, LSU coach

The class includes catcher Samantha Alekman (El Dorado Hills, California), infielder Giselle De Casas (Hayward, California), pitcher Addie Rackley (Buford, Georgia), outﬁelder Adelynn Siegel (Shiner, Texas), pitcher Ayla Tuua (Murieta, California), catcher Karmen Vazquez (Hanford, California) and outﬁelder Sydnee Williams (Phoenix, Arizona). Tuua, the California Gatorade Player of the Year and Rackley are two-way players; Williams is

Torina is aware that some of the 2026 team will opt for the portal, but she likes the direction the program is trending The schedule next season looks to be among the toughest ever with seven of the eight SEC opponents reaching this year’s super regionals and four of those playing in the Women’s College World Series this week.

The SEC schedule for LSU will feature Kentucky Tennessee, Florida, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama and Georgia.

“We’re on the right track,” Torina said. “It’s a new age of college athletics We’re learning and growing, trying to put the program in the best possible position to win We’ve made a lot of changes and keep making changes that allow us to do that.

“We won’t return everyone, but nobody does that anymore. Oklahoma, UCLA, whoever you are, nobody lives in that world.”

BY EDDIE PELLS AP national writer

WASHINGTON Two key senators involved in a long-simmering debate over fixing college sports will introduce a bipartisan bill designed to break a congressional logjam that would regulate payments to players, limit them to one “free” transfer over their careers and create a “Lane Kifﬁn Rule” to restrict coach movement during the season.

Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., briefed The Associated Press on details of the bill they crafted in hopes it can get the 60 votes needed to clear the Senate.

“This is a stability bill, not just an NIL bill,” Cruz said, referencing the name, image and likeness payments that have led to football rosters with $30 million payrolls and reshaped the industry Cantwell said she and Cruz teamed up on the legislation “because he and I really do believe the college sports system is in a bit of chaos.”

Meredith Page, the chairwoman of the NCAA Division I Student Athlete Advocacy Committee and a former volleyball player at Radford, called the bill “a phenomenal step.”

“I think this has lots of great protections and gives the ability

RABALAIS

Continued from page 1C

imprinted in the sports lexicon.

In case you’re wondering, Kifﬁn was leaving here to ﬂy back to Baton Rouge along with men’s basketball coach Will Wade and women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey right about the time news of the bill was breaking.

There’s obviously a lot more in the bill than what pertains to jobhopping coaches. There are provisions to prevent the creation of a so-called “super league” of an elite group of power schools, limit fees for agents to 5% of player deals, permit the pooling of media rights, and allow the NCAA and College Sports Commission to enforce strict standards to prohibit third-party NIL deals. It also leaves open the possibility of collective bargaining for athletes, a highly controversial outcome that would allow athletes to be considered university employees.

“This bipartisan bill is designed to save the part of college sports that fans actually care about,” Cruz recently told Yahoo Sports. Something tells me a lot of folks will focus on the part that they think will save college sports from Kifﬁn

In other news from the SEC spring meeting: Football scheduling: The Southeastern Conference revealed more kickoff times and TV assignments Wednesday for early season games. The only new LSU-related information was on the Tigers’ Sept. 12 home game against Louisiana Tech. Kickoff will be at 6:30 p.m., with the game being shown on a streaming basis on SECNetwork+. That means LSU’s ﬁrst three games of the Kifﬁn era will all

for us to stabilize the ﬁeld that is so, so unstable right now,” Page said. NCAA president Charlie Baker said the association was reviewing the bill and looked forward to “further productive dialogue with members of Congress.”

The bill would limit players to one unrestricted transfer over the course of their college careers — a widely supported idea across the country and would adopt something close to the ﬁve-year eligibility period that the NCAA appears ready to enact next month.

The bill also tries to regulate coaching movement.

Kiffin’s sudden move to LSU from rival Ole Miss while the Rebels were preparing for the College Football Playoff last season put a fine point on an issue that has only gotten worse in an era where teams spend millions to fill out rapidly shifting football rosters: Schools have less patience (and more money) to devote to hiring coaches for a quick fix. Under terms of the bill, midseason coaching changes would be

“It’s not fair or right to poach a coach in the middle of the season while the team is still competing,” Cruz said. “There’s a reason the NFL has a rule that you can’t do that. Obviously, NFL teams hire coaches away from each other but they don’t do so in the middle of the season.”

The bill also would rework the Sports Broadcasting Act to allow conferences to pool their TV rights — a move proponents have said could add billions of dollars to the ecosystem in a conclusion the Southeastern and Big Ten Conferences believe is inaccurate. The senators said leagues wouldn’t be required to join the media pooling but those that do would have to use a percentage of any increase from that to support women’s and Olympic sports. That alone could be a dealbreaker for the SEC, which has reportedly been discussing topics including breaking away from the NCAA and allowing collective bargaining for athletes at its league meetings in Florida this week.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, along with Jim Phillips of the Atlantic Coast Conference and Brett Yormark of the Big 12, all said they were reviewing the bill, with Sankey saying “bipartisan engagement in Washington on these issues is critical.”

sions, LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry said that remains the case.

“I’m still looking at all the pieces of the puzzle,” Ausberry said. “Figuring out what’s the best for LSU, ﬁrst of all, and then the conference. We want to make sure we get it right.”

The Big Ten, Big 12, ACC and Notre Dame are all uniﬁed in their support for a 24-game playoff.

Sankey said Wednesday that the SEC continues to support an expansion to only 16 games, at least for now

“We have not talked about our decision point,” Sankey said.

“This is likely a fall decision. As we work to gather information to see if there is interest in an expanded playoff from media markets, we’ll try to plot out the calendar All of those need time for research and planning. There’s no need to rush to do this by, to pick a date, (SEC) media days.”

start at 6:30 p.m. As previously announced, the Sept. 5 opener in Tiger Stadium against Clemson will be on ABC, as will its Sept. 19 game at Ole Miss. According to the SEC, kickoff windows for remaining SECcontrolled games — which will include all nine remaining games on LSU’s schedule will be announced June 10. Following a scheduling format that debuted in 2024, the windows are as follows: early (11 a.m.-noon), afternoon (2:30-3:30 p.m.), night (5-7 p.m.) or ﬂex (afternoon or night).

CFP expansion: SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said Monday before the SEC meetings began that there would be no vote here on whether to support expansion of the College Football Playoff from 12 to 16, 24 or even 28 teams. After a couple of days of discus-

It’s expected that the college football conferences, led by the SEC and Big Ten, have to let ESPN know about their plans for the 2027-28 playoff by December

Anti-gambling education: In the wake of the NCAA denying reinstatement to Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby over his admission of extensive sports gambling, the SEC on Wednesday unveiled its plan for mandatory sports gambling education for athletes.

The league has produced an educational video, among other initiatives, that must be viewed by all SEC athletes before their start of competition for the 202627 athletic year Among those in attendance at a news conference to announce the SEC program was former LSU offensive lineman Braden Augustus, who earlier this year was elected vice chairman of the SEC Student-Athlete Advisory Council.

FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL BACIGALUPI

LSU coach Beth Torina visits the mound during a game against Arizona on April 10 at Tiger Park.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU coach Lane Kifﬁn walks across the ﬁeld during spring practice on March 26 at the team’s football practice facility

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON

Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey speaks during a roundtable discussion on college sports in the East Room of the White House on March 6 in Washington.

Cruz

Cantwell

TwoTigersadvance to NCAA Championships

BY TOYLOYBROWN III

Staff writer

LSU javelin thrower Jack Larriviere and long jumper Jordan Turner on Wednesday eachpunched their tickets to the NCAAOutdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon

Both Larriviere and Turner ﬁnishedthird in their events during Day 1ofthe NCAA Division IOutdoor Track and FieldEast first round in Lexington, Kentucky The Tigers have36athletes(17 men, 19 women)and 49 totalentries competing over the four days of competition at the Universityof

TRACKAND FIELD

Kentucky. Thetop 12 in each event advance to the NCAA Championships, which will be held from June10-13 at theUniversity of Oregon.

LSU also had nine athletes advance to thenext round. Larriviere, aformer Jesuitstar, ﬁnished third with athrow of 231 feet, 8inches. Turner finished with aleap of 25-111/2, which wasalso good enoughtoearn atrip to Eugene. The women start competition on Thursday.

Trackevents

100-METERDASH: Junior Jaiden Reid ﬁnished fourth with atime of 10.04seconds,advancing to the quarterﬁnals.

Junior Joshua Caleb also advanced to thequarterﬁnals, ﬁnishing 18th with atime of 10.20. The top 24 competitors moveontothe next round.

110-METER HURDLES: Senior Matthew Sophia was second, ﬁnishing with apersonal-best timeof13.28 to advance to thequarterﬁnals of theregional.

200 METERS: Reid ﬁnished ﬁrst with aseason’s-best time of 20.15

Winorgohome

Spursfacing eliminationagainst reigning champion Thunder

By The Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO Victor Wembanya-

ma was quiet on the ﬂoor in Game 5ofthe Western Conference ﬁnals, and silent afterward.

The San Antonio Spurs surely are hoping to see adifferent version of him on Thursday Game 6ofthe West title series awaits, with the Spurs —facing elimination for the first time in these playoffs —set to host the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder.Oklahoma City leads the series 3-2and would have homecourt advantage if aGame7is necessary on Saturday

“I think we’ll be ﬁne,” Spursforward Julian Champagnie said. “I think we’ll be ready to play next game. Obviously,it’sa win-or-gohome situation, so I’m 100% sure everybody’sgoing to come to play.”

That would include Wembanyama, who washeld to aseries-low 20 points in Tuesday’sGame5loss at Oklahoma City. He didn’tspeak with reporters after that game, and the NBA issued him awarning on Wednesday for notfulﬁlling media obligations.

The Spurs would likely prefer

ä Thunder atSpurs 7:30 P.M.THURSDAy,NBC

Wembanyama does his talking on thefloor Thursday.Getting him more than 15 shot attempts will be apriority,Spurscoach Mitch Johnson said.

“That’sprobably the easiest (adjustment) in termsofjust surfacelevel stuff,” Johnson said. “He’ll deﬁnitelyneed to take moreshots.”

There are allsorts of technical andhighlynuanced adjustments that get made over the course of aplayoff series, especially abackand-forth playoff series like these West ﬁnals have been.

Game planscan seem quite elaborate. But forthe Thunder, the plangoing into apossible closeoutgamelikeGame 6against the Spurs couldn’tbesimpler

“We’ve got to understand what’s going on,” Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said

Here’s what’s goingon: The Spurs will be fighting for their playoff lives, with ahome crowd behind them hoping to see them extend their season for at least one more game.

Aback-and-forth series —San Antonio won Game 1, Oklahoma City won Games 2and 3, the Spurs won Game 4and theThunder prevailedinGame 5— hasnow reached the must-win phase for San Antonio.

“We’ve been greatwhenwe’re desperateall year,” Spursguard StephonCastlesaid. “I can’twait to see how we respond.”

Closeout games

The Thunder are 2-0incloseout chances this year,winning Game 4s on theroad in both Round 1 against Phoenixand Round 2 against the LosAngeles Lakers. They were 4-2 in closeout chances last season on the way to the NBA title.

The Spurs won elimination games in each of their past two playoff series before this season, but ultimately wound up losing bothofthose series.

Theodds

Oddsmakers evidently expect a Game 7. They’vemadeSan Antonio a31/2-point favorite for Game 6, which means theserieswouldgo back to Oklahoma City for adecidinggame.

SpursneedWembanyamatoup hisoutputafter lowest of series

By The Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY It’sbeen asimple formula for the San Antonio Spurs in these Western Conference finals. WhenVictorWembanyama has been the best player on the floor,they win. When he isn’t,they lose. He wasn’tthe bestplayeronthe floorTuesday night. That was not the only reason the Spurs fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5ofthe West finals —there were many—but it was certainly among them. Wembanyama, who hashad 41-point and 33-point outings in winning efforts during the series, never seemed to get fully rolling, and the Spurs lost 127-114. Now down 3-2 in the series, they’ll try to extend the matchup —and save their season —in Game 6atSan Antonio on Thursdaynight. Wembanyama scored 20 points, hislowestofthe series,and only a12-for-12 effort from the foul line helpedhim get thereinGame

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTO San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama scored 20 points in the Spurs’ 127-114 loss to OklahomaCityonTuesdaynight.

5. He was 4for 15 from theﬂoor, missing all ﬁve of his 3-pointtries, never seeming to get into any sort of rhythm.

“He’sgot to take more than 15 shots, even with the free throws,” Spurscoach Mitch Johnsonsaid in his postgame news conference.

“He’s going to have to score more than 20 points, for sure. OKC did agood job.We’ve got to do abetter job.”

to advance to the quarterfinals. Caleb andsenior Jeremiah Walker did not advance.Caleb wasone spot shy of qualifying, placing 25th in 20.75. Walker did not finish the race. 400 METERS: Four of the five Tigers competitors advanced to the quarterfinals. Junior Grant Buckmiller finished fifthwith apersonal-best time of 45.03. Redshirt freshman MalachiAustin was eighth witha personal-best time of 45.28. Senior Shakeem McKaywas ninthwith atimeof45.36. Sophomore Amal Glasgow advanced after atime of 45.59 for

14th. Walkerwas disqualifiedfor a lane violation.

400-METERHURDLES: Junior Isaac Lewis advanced to the quarterﬁnals after ﬁnishing 18th with a timeof50.59. Fieldevents

JAVELIN: Sophomore Paul Catalanatto ﬁnished33rd with athrowof 204-9, and senior Jackson Rimes ﬁnishedwith no legal throw

LONG JUMP: Junior Koi Wedderburn was theloneSouthern athlete to competeonthe ﬁrst dayofthe regional.Heﬁnished 42nd in the long jumpwith aleap of 21-9.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

BY SPENCER URQUHART Staff writer

Landen Teague has earned Greg Boyne’strust as theHahnville starting quarterbackever sinceBoyne becamethe Tigers coach in 2024. Boyne left his role as Destrehanoffensive coordinator to return to his alma mater Hahnville before Teague’ssophomore year Sincethen, Teague has puttogether back-to-back successful seasons at quarterback, totaling 4,400 yards passing and 42 touchdowns.

“(Teague) is so consistent, Boyne said of the6-foot-1, 190-pound senior.“Youput those numbersonany otherquarterback,and they’re getting (college) offers. Iget it, things are different (with recruiting), but the kid is going to playcollege ball.

Amultisport athlete who’salso astandout shortstop in baseball, Teague will be athree-year starter this fall looking to take the next the step in his ﬁnal high school year.He’sled Hahnville to the Division Inonselect regionals thepast two seasons. Teague hasgrownboth physically andmentally since his freshmanyear while becoming theunquestionedleaderofthe offense. The Tigers have averaged nearly 40 points per gameduring Teague’stwo years starting.

“The main thing that I’ve grown on is just the conﬁdence,” Teague said. “I’m excited (to becomea senior).”

Baseball season caused Teague to miss some spring football practices, but he stepped right into his starting role in Hahnville’sscrimmage against Jesuit on May 13. The Tigers scored threetimes, scoring 20 points.

“I was ready to get back to (football),” Teague said. “(Jesuit) wasa good opponent to seewhat we’ve really got, and Ilike how we performed.” One thingBoynehas noticed is how much stronger Teague is.

“(Teague) has probably put on 20-25 pounds (since the end of his freshman year), so he’s much stronger,” Boyne said.

“(Teague) is so consistent.Youput those numbers on anyother quarterback,and they’re getting (college)offers. I getit, thingsare different (with recruiting), but the kid is going to play college ball.”

“On one of the ﬁrst plays (of the spring game), Ikind of lost it, but (Teague)waved me offand said, ‘Coach, Igot it.’ ” Teague got the majority of reps in the spring game, completing downﬁeld passes while working with several new wide receivers. While Hahnville graduated some of itstop wide receivers such as Southeastern Louisiana signee Bennett Naquin, there are some experienced skill players returning.

Wide receivers Aaron Williams andKaidenBran areentering theirsenioryears along with returningstarting runningback Fabian Celestine.

“Once we workon(the offense) during the summer,we’re going to be nice during the season. Me and(Celestine)being on thesame page in the backfield and helping out the rest of the young offense is going to help us alot.” Hahnville has had achance to win nearly everygamethat Teague has started. He accounted forfive touchdowns during last year’s52-39 first-round playoff winagainst Slidell.

Teague also shined on the baseball ﬁeld this spring, hitting .476. “(Teague) might play (football), baseball or both (in college),” Boyne said. “He’sacompetitor, he’sawinner.”

Whichever path Teague decides to take in college, he’ll have lefta legacy at Hahnville.

“There’snothing better than senior year,” Teague said. “I’m going to miss it when Igraduate.”

Email Spencer Urquhart at surquhart@theadvocate.com.

Wembanyama did notspeak with reporters after the game. The first halveshave told much of the story.InSan Antonio’s two wins in this series, Wembanyama has gone 7for 15 and 6for 11 from the field. In the three losses, his halftime shot numbers —2for 4, 2for 5 and 2for 6, the last of those what he did in the first two quarters on Tuesday

Wembanyamaoffered an impassioned speech to teammatesduring atimeout barely two minutes intothe third quarter, after the Thunder opened an 18-point lead. And it worked —toapoint. Oklahoma City scored again to get the lead up to 20, but theSpurs closed within eight later in the third. It seemed like there was hope. Butthe Spursdidn’tget anycloser.The deficit was 10 goinginto the fourth,the Spurs scored only two points in thefirst 4:02 of thefinal quarter,and whatever momentum thatseemed like it was building after Wembanyama’stimeout speech appeared to be gone.

STAFFFILE PHOTOByBRETT DUKE HahnvillequarterbackLanden Teague passes against Destrehan on Nov. 1, 2024. Teague has thrown for 4,400 yards and 42 touchdowns in

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JULIO CORTEZ

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shoots against SanAntonio Spurs center LukeKornet during Game 5inthe WesternConference finals on Tuesday in Oklahoma City

GREG BOyNE, Hahnville coach

Djokovic survives heat for4-set victory

BY ANDREW DAMPF AP sportswriter

PARIS Novak Djokovic placed ice packs around his neck and on topofhis head duringchangeovers to keepcool amidthe Paris heat waveatthe French Open on Wednesday

The39-year-old Djokovic was pushed by 74th-rankedFrench player Valentin Royer —who is 15 years younger than him —for more than 31/2 hoursbeforehe reached the third roundwith a 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (7), 6-3 victory For the fourth straight dayof this year’stournament,the temperature rose above 90 degrees.

“When you play athree-and-ahalf hour matchonclay, it’slong and very exhausting,” Djokovic said. “These days have been really,really very challenging fora lotofplayers.”

The 24-time Grand Slam champion wasted achancetoclose the match out earlier when he missed abackhand long in the third-set tiebreaker,then required four more match points in hisfinal service game before aforehand from Royer landed in thenet to conclude along rally.

Before arrivinginParis,Royer hadearned only one tour-level win across 11 tournaments he played this season.

Djokovic came to Roland Garros with questions about his form after getting beat in his only clay-court match before the tournament. He lost to Croatian qualiﬁer Dino

Prizmic at the Italian Open after two months out because of aright shoulder injury

ButDjokovic is playing himself backinto form after coming back from aset downtobeat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, another Frenchman, in aﬁrst-round match that lasted nearly three hours.

Djokovic reached the third round in Paris for a21st straight year. He raisedthe Coupedes Mousquetaires trophy in 2016, 2021 and 2023.

Up next forDjokovicispotentially abigger test against 19-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca, whocame back fromtwo sets downfor a3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 victory over the 20-yearold Prizmic. Fonseca hasbeen touted as afuture GrandSlam contender

Meanwhile, Jakub Mensik collapsed to the claybecause of cramps and had atough time gettingupafter edging Mariano Navone in aﬁfth-set tiebreaker That matchlasted 4hours, 41 minutes.

Theninthe next match on Court 6, Hailey Baptistewas forced to retire while facing aset point against Wang Xiyu after landing awkwardlyonher left leg.

Djokovic suggested that French Openorganizers should consider movingmore matches later in the day and night on days with extreme heat

“With GrandSlams it shouldn’t be an issue, because we have so many courts,” Djokovic said. “If

youhavecertain days that you have extreme heat andconditions, then maybethat’ssomething to consider.”

In the night session, second-seeded Alexander Zverev beat Tomas Machac 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.

On thewomen’sside, No. 2seed Elena Rybakina, this year’sAustralian Openwinner,was beaten by UkrainianopponentYuliia Starodubtseva 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4).

Also advancing were Ukrainians Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk, who are coming off trophies at the Madrid Openand ItalianOpen, respectively

The seventh-seeded Svitolina beat Kaitlin Quevedo 6-0, 6-4to extend her winning streak to eight matches.The 15th-seeded Kostyuk beat Katie Volynets 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-3 to extend her winning streak to 13 matches.

“I’mmostpleased that Ididn’t cramp to death or didn’tpass out during this match,” Kostyuk said after her match,which lasted nearly three hours. “Itwas not easy for everyone.”

Four-timechampion and No.3 seed Iga Swiatek improved her career recordatRoland Garros to 42-3 by eliminating 35th-ranked Sara Bejlek6-2, 6-3.

Swiatek won at Roland Garros in 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

She next faces Magda Linette in theﬁrst all-Polishmeeting at RolandGarrosinthe professional era (since 1968). Linette eliminated 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 2-6, 6-2.

SánchezsetsPhillies’ franchise record forscoreless innings

SAN DIEGO After going the entire month of May without allowing a run, and breaking a115-year-old franchise record along the way, Philadelphia left-hander Cristopher Sánchezemphatically pumped his ﬁsts after getting his ﬁnal out in alandmark game.

Sánchez extended his scoreless innings streak to 442/3 innings on Wednesday to set the Phillies’ franchise record by passing Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander in a3-0 win Wednesday against the San Diego Padres for athree-game sweep.

Sánchez reached the milestone by getting through the four full innings he needed to passAlexander,who had a41-inning scoreless streak in 1911. He kept going through three more scoreless innings before leaving after throwing100 pitches. He allowed six hits, struck out nine and walked none He left his brilliant outing with a2-0 lead, pumping his ﬁsts after striking out pinch-hitter Ty France to end the seventh.

“I just went out to compete and give the best of myself,”hesaid through an interpreter

He didn’t think he hadhis best stuff, but he dominated aPadres lineup that went 0for 20 with runners in scoring position and stranded 19 in the series while striking out 32 times Interim managerDon Mattingly said theteamacknowledgedthe recordafterward, andSánchez addressed the team.

“I just told them it was somethingspecial forme,”Sánchez said. “FirstI thanked God and then Ithanked all my teammates

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By GREGORy BULL PhiladelphiaPhillies starting pitcher Cristopher Sánchez works against a San DiegoPadres batter during the first inningonWednesdayinSan Diego.

and everyone around me for their support. It’sreally special to have theirsupport, in the good times andthrough therough times as well. That’s something Iadmire with this group

“This is agame that it’snot only about me or about what Idoonthe mound, it’sabout our group and I think it’sreally something special and beautifultofeel the support of the team as awhole,” he added. With Sánchezaninningaway from the record, there was a heart-stopping moment as Manny Machado lifted aﬂyballtoleftthat Edmundo Sosa caughtjust in front of the wall leading off the fourth.

Sánchez struck out XanderBogaerts, RamonLaureano doubled to left and then the lefty got JacksonMerrill to ground outtosecond base to set the record.

The Padres stranded runners in scoring positioninthe ﬁrst and second innings,and GavinSheets

FalconsQBbattle mayrampupsoon

BY CHARLESODUM AP sportswriter

FLOWERYBRANCH, Ga. TuaTagovailoa is using the Atlanta Falcons’organized team activities to handle the bulk of the ﬁrst-team snaps at quarterback while Michael Penix continues his recoveryfrom surgery on his left knee. With Penix’sprogressalready allowing him to participate in individual drills, the competition between left-handed passers for the starting job maycomesooner thanexpected.

“Shoot, I’m impressedbywhat he’sshown out there,” Tagovailoa said Wednesday of his ﬁrsttwo weeksofOTAswithPenix. “Of course, you can just tell that he’s been here working, and working really hard to be able to get back out there, and you can see the level of respect that the guys that have been here last year with him have for him, both offense and defensively.Soit’sbeen good fun to go outthere andcompete with him. Youknow,I’m trying to help him as muchasIcan as well.”

In the ﬁrst week of OTAs last week, the Falcons released avideo of Penix taking asnap under center,dropping back andcompleting apass to Drake London. It was asurprise to many that Penix was available for even limited portions of practice after having surgery in Novembertorepair the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

“What Mike’sable to do right now in termsofindividual and theseven-on-sevens is outstanding and just shows youhow hard he’s working at it,” ﬁrst-year Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday.“Butwhenit’sappropriate, then we’ll move him intoteam drills. He’s not100%, but he’s exactly where he needs to be,and I’m very impressed with how he’s working.”

Even though he hasbeenheld outofteam drills,Penix has looked comfortableinindividual and seven-on-seven work.

“I feelgreat,” Penix said last week.“I’mjust taking it one day at atime.Just trusting the process like we talked about and

just trusting what thetrainers are telling me andgivingmeall theinformation Ineed to go out and be successful and to be healthy at the same time.”

Penix hadtwo ACLsurgeries on his right knee during his college career.His last ACL surgery camein2020 at Indiana. He transferred to Washington in 2021. The Falcons signed Tagovailoa to aone-yearcontract in March after his six seasons with the Miami Dolphins. Tagovailoa, 28, said he is looking for afresh start in Atlanta. His experience as a starter allows the Falcons to be cautious with Penix.

Tagovailoa couldbemorethana ﬁll-in for Penix. New general manager IanCunningham said Tagovailoa will have an opportunity to compete for the starting job after Penix recovers.

StefanskisaidTagovailoahas hada smooth transition in the offseason and is “working very hard.”

“Veteran.Fits in really well with our guys,” Stefanski said of Tagovailoa. “Skill setiswhatyou see fromhis Miamidays to now.Very accurate. But ﬁts in really well.” Tagovailoasaidhechose Atlanta whenlooking for an opportunity to compete fora starting job. That could provide an opportunityfor Tagovailoatoprove he can return to his 2023 form when he ledthe NFL with 4,624 yards passing, and 2024, when he led the league by completing 72.9% of his passes.

TheDolphins oweTagovailoa

$54 millioninguaranteed money in 2026. The one-year deal with the Falcons is for $1.3 million. He signed with Atlanta after the Dolphins announced they were releasing him despite taking on an NFL-record $99 million dead cap hit.

Penix said he is focused on his recovery instead of the upcoming competition with Tagovailoa. “I’ll say I’m running my own race,”Penix said. “I can’t look in another lane. But at the same time, we are working together That’swhat it’sall about, working together andhelping each other ﬁnish the race.”

QB

Jacksonnot talking contract status with Ravens

lifted aﬂyball just in front of the warning track in right to endthe third

“There were acouple of hits that Ithought were gone off thebat, but thankGod they didn’t,” Sánchez said.

Sánchez’sstreak dates to the second inning of the ﬁrst gameof adoubleheaderagainst SanFrancisco on April 30. He setanother franchiserecord by going at least seven scoreless inningsfor the ﬁfthstraight start, becoming thesixth player to do so in MLB history He alsonow has thelongest single-season scorelessinnings streak by aleft-hander in the ExpansionEra after passingformer LosAngeles Dodgers great ClaytonKershaw,who hada 41-inning scoreless streak in 2014. Orel Hershiser holds the MLB record of 59 scoreless innings set in 1988.

OWINGS MILLS,Md. As another set of contract talks drags on, Lamar Jackson said his heart is in Baltimore. “I love the Ravens. Ilove this organization. I love this city This is the team that drafted me, so (this city has) alot of love for me —I believe andI have alot of love forthe city and thisteam, as well,” Jackson said. “The restructure is done,and I’m cool with that, but Ilove Baltimore. Everybody should know that by now.” Wednesday was the ﬁrst time Jackson has been available to local reporters in awhile,and there was alot to catch up on. Coach John Harbaugh was fired after last season and replaced by former Ravens assistant Jesse Minter.Baltimore also made no secret of the fact thatitwas hoping to reach anew deal with Jackson before the start of free agency, but that cameand went with only arestructurethatfreed up cap space.The two-timeMVP quarterback has just two seasons left on the five-year deal he signed before the 2023 season. There was plenty of drama that offseason, when the Ravens used the franchise tag on Jacksonand he evenrequested atrade before eventually coming back. On Wednesday,hewas upbeat and, as usual, didn’twanttodiscuss the speciﬁcs of recent negotiations.

“I was thinking abouthow Iwas going to respondtothisquestion if Igot it,but I’mgoing to give you the same answerIalways give,” Jackson said. “I just want to keep those conversations private.We restructured thedeal,and that’s what we have right now.”

As for the coaching change, Jackson said he reached out to Harbaugh after he took over the New York Giants. He said he was “shocked”byHarbaugh’sﬁring but trusts owner Steve Bisciotti’s judgment.

“I felt likeMr. Steve didwhat was best for the team, and Ihope coach Harbaugh has agreat time in New York, man,” Jackson said. “Hats offtocoachHarbaugh because he did so muchfor the city, forthe team andfor this organization. So, hats off to him in New York. We built alot. We did alot here.” One of Jackson’searly takeaways about Minteristhathe always seemstohave asmile on his face.

“Everything is just new basically,besides (the personnel staff) upstairs,” Jacksonsaid. “But,the coaching staff is just new,and I can say it’sabreath of fresh air because everything is just new.” Minter arrived with adefensive background, having been acoordinator on that side of the ball forthe Los AngelesChargers thepasttwo seasons. So thenew offensive coordinator, Declan Doyle, will be crucial as the Ravens try to unleash Jackson’sconsiderable talent after he struggledthrough an injuryriddled 2025.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByMIKE STEWART Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Michael Penix, left,and TuaTagovailoa move during afootballpractice on WednesdayinFlowery Branch, Ga.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By THIBAULT CAMUS

NovakDjokovic of Serbia celebratesafter winningagainst Valentin RoyerofFrance during their second-round matchatthe French OpeninParis on Wednesday

The Associated Press

Jackson

Chickpea Tabbouleh Saladpacked with protein

BY LINDAGASSENHEIMER Tribune News Service (TNS)

For this simple salad dinner,I combined chickpeas with bulgurwheatfor ahearty yet refreshing taste. Bulgur is made from wholewheat kernels that have been steamed, dried andthencrushed, giving it atender texture and asubtle nutty ﬂavor.Let the wheat sit alittle

intothe

andinfuse them with asavory aroma. Drained canned chickpeas addprotein, while cheddar cheese brings arich, tangy note. Ahandful of pistachio nuts ﬁnishes the dish with adelicate crunch, creating avegetarian mealfull of ﬂavors and textures. Chickpea TabboulehSalad

Yields 2servings. RecipeisbyLinda Gassenheimer

garlic

2tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup reduced-fat, shredded, sharp cheddar cheese

1(14-ounce) can chickpeas,rinsed and drained 1

pistachio nuts Salt and freshly ground black peppercorns

1/2 cup coarsely

1. Place bulgurwheat in bowl with hot water and let sit20minutes.

While wheat is soaking, prepare remaining ingredients. Combine lemon juice and garlic in abowl.Stirinolive oil. 3. Drain bulgur andsqueeze outas much moisture as possible with your hands. Add the scallions and squeeze again so that the scallionjuices penetrate the wheat.

4. Add to olive oil mixture. Foldin cheddar cheese,chickpeas and pistachios. Add salt and pepper to taste Sprinkle mint on top.

5. Divide the lettucebetween two dinner plates. Divide the chickpea mixture in half and serve over thelettuce Nutrition info per serving: 530 calories (53 percent from fat), 31.5 gfat (6.7 gsaturated, 13.6 gmonounsaturated), 20 mg cholesterol,21.4 gprotein, 46.9 gcarbohydrates,13.1gﬁber, 311 mg sodium.

Strawberry Cake 2D

May is themonth when every fruit and vegetable sold anywhere is at its peak. It could be that theabundance of your farmers market has you invigorated about enjoying the season’sbounty,or you may simply ﬁnd theproduce in your grocery store to be plumpand alluring right now Whatever you can get your hands on, Isay enjoy it while you can. Oneofmyfavorite cold soups to make this time of year uses fresh peas. It’seven worthit, to me, to shell peas for it. If you cannot ﬁnd fresh peas, or if you are disinclined to shell fresh peas, frozen peas will work. Be sure to buy frozen baby peas,not the big ones, as they aren’tasgood for this soup. And be sure to fully defrost and drain them.

Ilike to serve the soup in teacups as an appetizer.Infact, it would go well as astarter for Lemon Caper Shrimp. Besides produce, there is often an abundance of shrimpinthis season. Ithink this recipe is agood alternative to New OrleansBarbecued Shrimp. Don’tget me wrong, Ilove barbecue shrimp, but sometimes Iwant achange. This recipe can be madewith shells on, so no need to peel them, although this is up to preference. If you are having adinner party,

ä See SAVOR, page 2D

BY NICOLE HVIDSTEN

Tribune (TNS)

The Minnesota Star

Versatile asparagus is thevegetable you’ll want to include in everything while it’sinseason It is aperfect side dish, whether you’re grilling meat or baking a quiche. It can be an ingredient in quiche, too, or just add leftover asparagus to scrambled eggs if you’re in arush. It’s anatural in pasta dishes, with alight creamsauce to hold things together,and can be the star of aspringtime soup. Try yourhand at pickling, andextend

Recipes

Asparagus,Bacon and Parmesan Omelet Pie; CreamySmoked Salmon Asparagus and Peas; Cream of Asparagus Soup with Mushroom Ragu

its season even further; pickled asparagusisanatural charcuterie, andamustinahome-grownbloody mary bar When shopping for asparagus, look for spears withtightly closed tips. To prepare, cookbook author

Beth Dooley suggestssnapping offand discarding the toughest part of thestalk and storing in the fridge like cut ﬂowers —inaglass of water andtentedwitha plastic bag. (Or wrap theends in adamp paper towel, then bag, and place in therefrigerator’s crisper.) Whether to choose thick or thin stalks is amatter of personal preference, and how you intend to use

TNS PHOTO

Chickpea Tabbouleh Salad is full of protein and flavor

Strawberry cakehas cooked strawberries inside and can be topped with freshones.

Freshpeas are best formaking cold pea soup.

TODAYINHISTORY

By The Associated Press

Today is Thursday,May 28, the 148th day of 2026

There are 217 days left in the year

Todayinhistory: On May 28, 1830, President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, which forced nearly 50,000 Native Americans, primarily in the Southeastern U.S., to move to designated territories westof the Mississippi River

Also on this date:

In 1863, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, made up of free Black men, left Boston to ﬁght for the Union in the Civil War.

In 1892, the Sierra Club was founded in San Francisco by naturalist John Muir

In 1918, American troops fought their ﬁrst major battle during World WarIas they launched an offensive against the German-held French village of Cantigny; the Americans succeeded in capturing the village.

In 1959, the U.S. Army launched Able, arhesus monkey,and Baker,asquirrel monkey,aboard aJupiter missile for asuborbital ﬂight which both primates survived.

In 1972, burglars working on behalf of the Nixon White House broke into the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C., installing surveillance devices on telephones and taking photos of DNC documents. Theensuing scandal led to President RichardNixon’s resignation in 1974

In 1977, 165 people were killed when ﬁre raced through the Beverly Hills Supper Club in Southgate, Kentucky

In 1987, to the embarrassment of Soviet ofﬁcials, Mathias Rust, ateenage West German amateur pilot, landed aprivate plane near Moscow’sRed Square without authorization. (Rust was held by the Soviets until he was pardoned and freed the following year.)

In 2013, in one of the biggest money-laundering schemes in U.S. history federal prosecutorscharged seven people with effectively running an online, underworld bank, saying Liberty Reserve handled $6 billion for drug dealers, child pornographers, identity thieves and other criminalsworldwide. Its founder,Arthur Budovsky,was later convicted in the scheme and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Today’sbirthdays: Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is 82. Singer Gladys Knight is 82. Musician Billy Vera is 82. Musician John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival) is 81. Country singer-songwriter Phil Vassar is 64. Singer-actor Kylie Minogue is 58. Actor Justin Kirk is 57. U.S. Secretary of State MarcoRubio is 55. TV personality Elisabeth Hasselbeck is 49. Actor Jake Johnson is 48. Singer Colbie Caillatis41. Actor Carey Mulligan is 41.

ASPARAGUS

Continued from page1D

Asparagus, Baconand Parmesan Omelet Pie

Husband’sgamblinghurts marriage

SAVOR

Forthe filling:

11/2 pounds asparagus, trimmed

4thick slices of bacon, diced

8eggs

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

1/2 cup soft breadcrumbs

Forthe crust:

1cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon. salt

6tablespoons unsalted butter, cold 3tablespoons ice-coldwater

Harriette Cole SENSE AND SENSITIVITy

Dear Harriette: My husbandand I have been saving forahouse,but Iﬁgured out last week that he is addicted to sports betting and that alot of our savings has been feeding hisaddiction.Iwas completely blindsided by this discovery;Igenuinely had no idea how serious thesituation hadbecome. Over thepast year, we had been talkingconstantly aboutour future, looking at neighborhoods we liked, discussingwhat kind ofhomewewanted and carefully budgeting so we could ﬁnally afford adown payment. Ithought we were both equally committed to this goal Idiscovered the truth only after noticingseveral unusual withdrawals from oursavings account that didnot makesense to

me. At ﬁrst,myhusband brushed them off as random expenses or transfers, but something felt off. Eventually,after Ipushed harder for answers, he admitted that he had been bettingonsportsalmost every day and that what started out as “just for fun” had spiraled into something much more serious. He confessed that he has lost thousands of dollars over the last year trying to win back money he had already lost.How do Isupport my husband without enabling him, and how do Iknow if this marriage is still ﬁnancially and emotionally safe for me? —Gambler

Dear Gambler: First, if it’s possible, move whatever funds you have left into an account that he cannot touch. If you can’tdoitonyour own, askhim to go to the bank and do it with you to protect your money from his addiction. Next, pressure him to go to therapy. Gambling is an addiction that is bigger thaneither of you. He needs

Continued from page1D

it’snice to take the time to peel the shrimp for your guests. But family can enjoy theinformal fun of lickingtheirﬁngers.

And who can resist astrawberry cake? This onehas cooked strawberries insideand fresh ones on top.That pavé layer of strawberries is always that kind of surprise, as thecakereleases from the pan, that makes me smile

Youcan go Spartan andeat it as asnack rightafter it cools without anyembellishments. Or you can put it on acake pedestal and add ﬂavored mascarponetothe top.A nicethick layer.And then gild the lily by adding fresh sugared strawberriesoverthe top

Be sure to drain the strawberries, but keep that wonderful juice. Ilike to make asauce by heating agood strawberry preserve with the reserved strawberry juice and abit of Grand Marnier.Place the warm sauce in asmall pitcher on thetable for everyonetoserve themselves. Grate orangezest over the top and serveinwedges. Let me know what you think!

FreshPea Soup

Makes 6-8appetizer servings.

3tablespoonsunsaltedbutter

1cup chopped leeks, white parts only (you can save the tender green parts for something else)

1cup chopped scallions, white and green parts

1quartchicken stock

5cups freshly shelled small peas (you can usetwo 10-ouncepackages of babypeas that have been defrostedand drained)

2⁄3 cup fresh mintleaves

1/2 cup buttermilk

Salt and freshly ground peppertotaste

1/4 cup finely choppedparsley or chives

1. Place thebutter in apan over low heattomeltthe butter.When it has melted,add theleeks and cook slowly for about 20 minutes until the leeks are soft,but not browned.

2. Addthe scallionsand cook 10 more minutes

3. Add the chicken stock to the pot and bring the mixture to asimmer

4. Add theshelled peas (or the defrosted, drained peas) and cook for20minutes for freshpeas and 10 for frozen.Stir occasionally

5. Removefrom heat and add the mint. Add thebuttermilk.

Serves 6. Recipe is from “Southern Roots” by Spring Council (Countryman, 2026).

1unbaked 9-inch pie shell(recipe follows)

1. To make the ﬁlling: Preheat the oven to 375 F.

2. Slice the asparagus 1-inch thick on the diagonal, leaving the tips whole.

3. Fry the baconina medium skillet on medium-high heat until crispy,3to5minutes, stirring occasionally.Drain on paper towels and set aside.

5. Beat theeggsand milk together in alarge bowl. Add the Parmesancheese, asparagus, cooked bacon, parsleyand breadcrumbs Stir to combine.Set aside.

6. To make thecrust: In amedium bowl, whisk together the ﬂour and salt. Cutinthe butter withapastry cutter until coarse crumbs form. Add the water and mix everything togethertoformasoft dough.

7. Gather thedough,press it into aball, and then ﬂatten it into adisc. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to 2days.

8. When ready to prepare,remove the dough from the refrigerator.Lightly flour awork surface and roll the dough out into a 1/8-inch-thick round andpress intoa 9-inchpie plate. Place in the refrigerator until readytouse.

9. To assemble: Pour the ﬁlling mixture into the pie shell and bake for25to30minutes, or until it is puffy in the center

Creamy Smoked Salmon, Asparagusand Peas

Serves 4. From “Spinning Plates” by Anna Stanford (Hamlyn, 2025)

help to workthrough it and to learn how to controlhis behavior.You will have to decide whetheryou can live with him and his addiction as it is not likely to go away

Dear Harriette: I’ve been working for acompany forthe past three years without pay,with the promise that I’ll becomeavested shareholder in year five. When Ibegan, it felt like aworthwhile risk. I genuinely believe in my boss and thebrand trajectory.But now that I’mdeeper into it, I’mstarting to question whether Imade asmart decision or whether Iwas being overly optimistic. I’ve sacrificed a lot financially to stay committed, and while Iwant to trust that it will pay off in the long run, anythingcan happen between today and year five. Part of me feels loyal and hopeful, but another part wonders if I’ve undervalued my time and skills by working forthe promise of future compensation instead of actual income.

6. With an immersion blender (you can transfer in batches to a food processor,but theimmersion blender in more convenient) blend theingredientstogether until they are homogenous. Youdecide how much texture you want the soup to have.

7. If you are going to serve the soup cold, put intothe refrigerator for2 hours or until chilled. Serve with parsley or chive garnish. If you want toserve thesoup warm, allow the soup to stand for 1hour so that the ﬂavors can meld. Reheat over alow heat until hot. Serve withparsley or chive garnish.

LemonCaper Shrimp

Serves 4to6

5tablespoons unsalted butter

1/4 cup chopped capers (if using salt-cured capers, rinse and drain them first)

6clovesmincedgarlic

Grated zest of 2lemons

3pounds unshelled fresh shrimp

Juice from 2lemons

1lemon, sliced thinly and seeded

1/2 bottle drywhite wine

1teaspoon hot sauce with more forthe table

1tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

1bunch parsley,chopped

1. In alarge skillet, melt thebutter.When it begins to sizzle, add

14 ounces pasta of your choice

Forthe sauce: Finelygrated zest and juice of 1lemon

11/4 cups cremefraiche

1tablespoon olive oil

2leeks, trimmed, cleaned and chopped

9ounces asparagus spears, woody ends removed, stems chopped, tips reserved

2 3 cup frozen peas

51/2 ounces smoked salmon,cut into strips

(see Note)

Saltand freshly ground black pepper

Chopped fresh dill, forgarnish

1. Combinethe lemon zest and juice and thecreme fraiche in a bowl and set aside.

2. Cook the pasta in alarge pan of salted boiling water for8to10 minutes, or according to thepackage instructions.

3. Meanwhile, heat aseparate pan until hot, thenadd the olive oil, leeks andasparagusstems.Cook on amedium heat for 4minutes before adding the asparagus tips and frozen peas. Season with salt and pepper,and cook for an additional 4minutes.

4. Add thesmoked salmon, stir, and remove from heat.

5. Stir through the lemony creme fraiche, adding aladleful (about 1/3 cup) of pastawater to loosen.

6. Drain the pasta. Addthe pasta

Iamtrying to assess whether this opportunity is worth continuing, but I’mtorn between feeling like Ishouldn’twaste any more timeand feeling like the three years of work I’ve already put in deserve to see somereturn on investment. How do Iweigh these odds and my future? —Measure Up Dear Measure Up: What kind of paperwork do you have that proves the guarantee offered to you? What happens if the company isn’t able to compensate you in year ﬁve? Is there acontingency plan built in? Talk to the owners frankly and ask foranunderstanding of return on investment so that you can be clear about the future. Listen carefully and take action based on what you hear and what your gut tells you.

Send questions to askharriette@ harriettecole.com or c/oAndrews McMeel Syndication,1130 Walnut St.,Kansas City,MO64106.

2largeeggs

trimmed flat on the broad side For curing:

6tablespoonsorangeliqueur

8ouncesmascarpone

2tablespoonsto 1/4 cup of whole-fat plain yogurt

Zest of 1lemon

1. Preheat the oven to 350 Fand coat the inside of an 8-inch cake pan with olive oil (if the pan is old, prepare aparchment paper round and oil it.)

2. Siftthe dry ingredients together into abowl. Add the eggs, olive oil, orange zest, vanilla, rosewater and milk. Stir vigorously until all of the ingredients come together into asmoothbatter

3. Sprinkle the bottom of the pan evenly with the sugar. Place the whole strawberriesinconcentric circles, with the pointed side up, until the entire surface of the pan is covered

thecapers and garlic. Stir and reduce theheat to makesure that you do not burn the garlic.

2. Addthe lemon zest and the shrimp. Toss to ensure that the butter mixture covers all of the shrimp. Keep tossing to ensure that all of the shrimpcook. Do this for about 3minutes.

3. Addthe lemon juice, the lemon slices and thewine. Stir and simmer for 3to5minutes.

4. Addthe hot sauce and toss again. Turn off heat. Add the ground pepper.Let sit for5minutes.

5. When ready to serve, heat again, tossing the mixture. Dump theshrimpand the sauce into a platter.Scatter with parsley.Serve with agenerous supply of paper napkins or cloth napkins. (You may want to consider bibs.)

There should be plenty of extra hot sauce on thetable and extra lemon wedges, as well as warm French bread forsopping up the sauce.

Strawberry Cake Makes 1cake.

11/4 cup flour 1cup sugar plus 3tablespoonsfor the strawberry step

1/2 teaspoon baking

to the pan, toss together with the sauce and serve.Garnish with fresh dill.

Note: Youcan replace the smoked salmon with ﬂaked cooked salmon or hot smoked salmon.

CreamofAsparagus Soup with Mushroom Ragu Serves 4to6.Recipe is from “Southern Roots” by Spring Council(Countryman, 2026). For thesoup:

1pound asparagus, trimmed

3tablespoons unsaltedbutter

1clove garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon salt

4cups chicken broth

1/2 cup half-and-half

2teaspoons finely gratedlemon zest

2tablespoons choppedfresh thyme

1tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley

1tablespoonchoppedchives MushroomRagu(recipe follows)

Forthe mushroom ragu:

1tablespoonunsaltedbutter

2teaspoonolive oil

1clove garlic, finely chopped

1shallot, finely chopped

1/4 teaspoon salt

1(31/2-ounce) packageshiitakemushrooms, cleaned and coarsely chopped

1(8-ounce)

4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and cook for40-45 minutes or until atoothpick comes out clean. If more timeisneeded, check again every 5minutes.

4. Remove the cooked cake from the oven and cool for10minutes. Run aknifearound the edge of the pan and turn the pan onto awire rack. Flip the cake over so that it cools with the ﬂat side down.

5. When the cake is completely cool, brush the syrup on the top and sides using half of the syrup. Wrap in plastic ﬁlm and set aside in the refrigerator

6. Unwrap the cake and repeat again with the remaining syrup right before serving. Place the cake on aserving platter.Bring to room temperature.

6. Mix the mascarpone with the yogurt to thin it to aspreadable, but still thick consistency.Sprinkle the orange zest over the strawberries. Spoon the mascarpone mixture over each slice of cake as you serve it.

Liz Williams is founderofthe Southern Food &Beverage Museum in NewOrleans. Listen to “Tip of theTongue,”Liz’s podcastabout food, drink and culture, wherever you hear podcasts.Email Liz at lizwillia@ gmail.com.

cleaned and coarsely chopped

1/4 cup drywhite wine

1. To make the soup: Wash the asparagus andcut it into small pieces

2. Melt thebutter in astockpot over medium heat. Add the asparagus,garlic andsaltand cook until fragrant, stirring occasionally Add the chicken broth and simmeruntil the asparagus is tender butstillgreen, 10 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool slightly

3. Purée the soup in afood processor or blender.Return the soup to the pot. Add the half-and-half and lemon zest and bring the soup back to asimmer. Combine the thyme, parsley and chives in a small bowl.

4. To make themushroom ragu: Melt the butter with the olive oil in amedium skillet over medium-low heat.Add thegarlic,shallot, salt and mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally,untilthe mushroomsbegin to soften, about 5minutes. Add the wine andsimmerovermediumhigh heat until the liquid is reduced but not dry,about 5minutes.

5. To assemble: Spoon the mushroom ragu into the bottom of individual soup bowls or cups. Ladle the soup into each bowl andgarnish with the fresh herbs.

STAFFPHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Lemon caper shrimp

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Participate in a learning experience or a day trip that leads to something or someone you find exciting. Approach people who can offer sage advice or a helping hand to get you to a place you want to be.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Stop worrying, and start exploring the opportunities that are waiting to be discovered. A positive attitude will help you see situations from a different angle.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Reject anger; keeping busy will lead to self-satisfaction. Tie up loose ends, set boundaries and dance to your own beat. Life is too short to waste on no-win situations.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Less talk, more action, greater stabilization. Your actions should reflect what's right and best for you and those you love. Research, pay attention to detail and execute your plans flawlessly.

LIBRA (sept. 23-Oct. 23) Learn through experience. Sign up for something that interests you or that will help you make a better decision. Information is golden when navigating your path forward. Avoid situations that put you at risk.

scORPIO (Oct. 24-nov. 22) Take the initiative to put your plans in motion. Taking physical action will be tough but rewarding. Kindness trumps aggressive behavior. Expand your awareness, knowledge and plans to meet your needs.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Rearrange your surroundings Realign your space to meet demands and to ensure the flow

is designed to make your life easier. Change will offer the boost you need to trust and believe in your abilities.

cAPRIcORn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Now is not the time to take a break, you're on the right track. Discipline, ingenuity, networking, and using your knowledge expertise and charm will carry you forward with grace and glory.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Mixed emotions will lead you down a slippery slope. Do your research, fight your own battles and choose to be honest, not angry, when dealing with unsavory situations.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) What you do counts. A change someone makes will not favor your interests. Don't feel bad; head in a different direction or try something that sparks your imagination.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Follow your instincts, and use discipline to make your dreams come true. Walk away from those asking for too much or trying to tempt you to participate in expensive entertainment.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) You can jump for joy or let stubbornness set in and cause you grief. You have more going for you than you think, and allowing anyone to cost you peace of mind is on you.

FAMILY CIrCUS

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

tODAy's cLuE: D EQuALs I

CeLebrItY CIpher

For better or For WorSe

SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

SherMAn’S LAGoon

bIG nAte

Sudoku

InstructIons: sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers1 to 9inthe empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Thedifficulty level of the sudoku increases from monday to sunday.

Yesterday’s PuzzleAnswer

THe wiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

CurTiS

Bridge

By PHILLIP ALDER

Rupert Murdoch said, “The world is changing very fast. Bigwill notbeat small anymore. It will be the fast beating the slow.”

Notnecessarily at the bridge table, though. Sometimes, for example,drawingtrumps early will loseacontract. And, of course, occasionally not drawing trumps soon enough can be fatal. Which appliesinthis deal? South is in four spades, andWest leads the heart king.

NoteNorth’sfour-spaderebid.Itpromisesatleastfour-cardsupportanddenies afirst- or second-round control. South is implying that he has (atleast) nine winners whenheopenstwo clubs andrebids two spades.

North hopes thathis trumps will provide a10th trick.(Yes, South’s hand is aminimum.Some expertswould rebid two no-trump to limit the hand. But that wouldnotworkwellhere,becauseNorth would surely pass, and the contract would fail.)

Given that thetrumps are 3-1, South has fivelosers: one spade, one heart, onediamondand twoclubs. The blacksuit losers are unavoidable, so declarer must ruff his low red-suit cards in the dummy. Therightplayistowinthefirsttrick,to cash exactly one top trump, then to play offthe three top diamonds, discarding dummy’sremaining heart.Next, South ruffs the heart seven in the dummy, returns to hishandwitha trump, and ruffshisdiamondfive—missionaccomplished.

wuzzles

Note that if declarer begins with both of his top trumps, he will be stranded in the dummy after the first ruff. West can get in with his club ace and draw dummy’s last trump, leaving South with afourth loser. ©2026 by nEa,inc dist. By andrewsmcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzle is awordriddle which creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. Forexample: 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,” arenot allowed. 3. additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. proper nouns,slang words,orvulgar or sexually explicit wordsare not allowed.

tODAy’s WORD OFFEnsIVE: uh-FENT-siv: Rude or insulting.

Average mark 15 words Time limit 35 minutes

Can you find 26 or more words in OFFENSIVE?

yEstERDAy’s WORD— WAyLAyInG

wail

away yawing yawl yawn lain lanai lawn layin laying ling lying inlay inly nail gaily gain gala gnaw

“O generation of vipers,how canyou, being evil, speakgood things? for out of the abundanceofthe heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34

loCKhorNs

Our wordswill reveal whatisinour hearts. G.E. Dean

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

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

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

ken ken

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

WiShinG Well

Scrabble GramS

Get fuzzy

jump Start

roSe iS roSe

animal crackerS

DuStin

Drabble

Wallace the brave

breWSter rockit

luann

BEGINNING JUNE 1

Complete the Challenge by reading 800minutesand completing 4activities. Info at summerfun.nolalibrary.org

Lionel Milton is arenownedvisual artist from New Orleans. His vibrant and energetic artwork reflects the city’srich cultural tapestry.His creationsspan various mediums, including murals, canvases, and commercial projects, and have garnered international recognition among collectors and corporations alike. Lionel’sinspiration for this commemorativetote bag, was memories of reading with his grandmaasakid, in theLower Ninth Ward For moreinfo aboutLionel, visit lionelmilton.com.

/nolalibrary @nolalibrary

Main Library

219 Loyola Avenue (504) 596-2570

Algiers Regional Library

3014 Holiday Drive (504) 596-2641

Alvar Library 913 AlvarStreet (504) 596-2667

Central City Library

2020 Jackson Avenue,Suite 139 (504) 596-3110

Children’s ResourceCenterLibrary 913 Napoleon Avenue (504) 596-2628

Desire /FloridaSatelliteLocation 3250 Industry Street

East New Orleans Regional Library 5641 Read Boulevard (504) 596-0200

Cita Dennis Hubbell Library 725Pelican Avenue (504)596-3113

Rosa F. KellerLibrary and Community Center 4300 South BroadAvenue (504) 596-2660

Dr.MartinLuther King, Jr.Library 1611 Fats Domino Avenue (504) 596-2695

Milton H. Latter Memorial Library 5120 Saint Charles Avenue (504) 596-2625

Norman Mayer Library 3001 GentillyBoulevard (504) 596-3100

Mid-City Library 4140 CanalStreet (504) 596-2654

Nora NavraLibrary 1902 Saint Bernard Avenue (504) 596-3118

Nix Library 1401 South CarrolltonAvenue (504) 596-2630

REACH Center

2022 St.Bernard Avenue,Building C (504) 256-6983

Robert E. Smith Library 6301 Canal Boulevard (504) 596-2638

EARLY LITERA EVENTS

The NewOrleans Public offers storytimes for children to age 5and playtime all of our locations. Vis early-literacy for more

BLUE HOUSE MU

Explore natural connections language andmusic and storytelling during early literacy worksho Music is aprogram for children ages birth –5 encourages healthy through meaningful ex

Mondays through Ju from 10:30am –11a Milton H. Latter Mem

READY, SET, KIND

Asix-week series during preschoolers and their focus on adifferent early tice,including reading and singing, alongside Readiness skills as de Louisiana Department Each week will include educational centers different practices, and tivity suggestions to and growing Register at nolalibrary

Mondays through Ju from 3:30pm –4:30pm Rosa F. Keller Library &Community Center

TODDLER TIME

Read, sing, andwigg interactive storytimeg toddlers andtheir care by atime to play with activities, or crafts

Wednesdays from 10:30am –11:30am and 3:30pm –4:30pm Algiers Regional Library

Nora Navra Library

AUDUBON ZOOWILD VI

Get wild with an animal visitor Audubon Zoo.AudubonZoo edu will bring aunique,upclose and personal visitfrom their incredible Animal Ambassadors

PREDATOR AND PREY

Tuesday, June 2from11am–East NewOrleans RegionalLib

Tuesday, June 9from 1pm –2 Alvar Library

ARMORED ANIMALS

Wednesday,June 3from11am

Robert E. SmithLibrary

Wednesday,June 24 from11am

Rosa F. Keller Library &Community Center

AFROCARIBBEAN DRUMM WORKSHOPFOR KIDS

WITH MAJEK FINGERS

Dive into the world of Afro Caribbe drumming with this fun,hands experience.Explore thedjembe drum, learn its history,and play rhythms andsongs—all within high-energy session.

Thursday,June 4from 3pm –4

Milton H. LatterMemorial Library

Thursday,June 11 from 2pm Mid-City Library

Thursday,June 18 from 3pm East NewOrleans Regional Library

ADULT EVENTS

FREE PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOTS WITH CHERYL GERBER

Update your LinkedIn with afreeprofessional headshot by local photographer Cheryl Gerber. Businessorprofessional attire is strongly recommended. Aprofessional backdrop willbeavailable.

Monday,June1 from4:30pm –6:30pm Algiers RegionalLibrary

LEARNTOTYPEWITHOUT

LOOKINGAND HAVE FUNTOO!

Learn typing skills, including the ability to ﬁnd keys on the keyboard. Increase your comfort level in using acomputer. For all ages 16 and up and all computer skill levels.

Tuesdays in June from 10am –11:30am Main Library

THEWEIRDAND THEEERIE FICTION WRITINGWORKSHOPWITH VANESSASAUNDERS

Learn to use strangeness as anarrative engine in this all-levels workshop.We’ll read passages of weirdand eerie short ﬁction, then follow creative promptsto write some of our own.

Tuesday, June2

from 11am –12:30pm Central City Library

PAINTAND PLANT FORPOLLINATORS

Create your own pollinator-friendly container garden. Paint aterra cotta pot and then ﬁll it withplants toattract butterﬂies, hummingbirds,and other pollinators to your home.

Wednesday,June 3 from11am–12pm Nora Navra Library

Wednesday,June 17 from 11am –12pm Algiers RegionalLibrary

WYCINANKI

PAPERCUTTING WORKSHOP WITH ARTIST SAMWRÓBEL

Learn about the Polish folk art of wycinankiand create two wycinanki papercuttings of your ownwith artist SamWróbel.

Thursday,June 4

from 3:30pm –6pm Mid-City Library

HISTORYOFRUM

IN LOUISIANA WITH ELIZABETH PEARCE OF DRINK AND LEARN

Learn about the history of rum in Louisiana as well as the history and craft of the Daiquiri and Hurricane cocktails. Recipesand sampleswill be available

Thursday,June 11 from 5:30pm –6:30pm Rosa F. Keller Library &CommunityCenter

Thursday,June 25 from 5:30pm –6:30pm EastNew Orleans Regional Library

HOUSE OF SCHLOCK: DOUBLE FEATURE

BEASTFROMHAUNTED CAVE AND THEWASPWOMAN

Dr.Dewey leads an afternoonofmonster moviemadness. Watch Beast From Haunted Cave and TheWasp Woman, originally released in theaters as adouble feature in 1959.

Saturday,June 13 from 1pm –4:15pm Norman MayerLibrary

AUTHOR NIGHT AT HUBBELL LIBRARY:FRANK PEREZ

RAINBOW FLEUR DE LIS: ESSAYS ON QUEER NEWORLEANS HISTORY

This essay anthology covers awide variety of topics in New Orleans LGBTQ+ history, from Gay Carnival to advocacy and activism, arts and entertainment, and evenFrench Quarter preservation.

Tuesday,June 16

from 6:30pm –7:30pm Cita Dennis Hubbell Library

SONGWRITINGWORKSHOP WITH PAUL FAITH

Learn songwriting techniques using promptstoshakeupyour usual routine.Share awork in progress with fellow songwriters. Register at nolalibrary.co/songwriting

Wednesday,June 17 from 5pm –6:30pm Robert E. Smith Library

AUTHOR NIGHT AT LATTER LIBRARY: LOCALPRIDE

READINGS BY LOCALLGBTQIA+AUTHORS

Celebrate LGBTQIA+Pride with readings of poetry and prose from local writers Genevieve Rheams, Fritz Westenberger, Essie Linzy,and Gabrielle Octavia Rucker

Tuesday,June 23 from 5:30pm –6:30pm MiltonH.Latter Memorial Library

NEEDLEFELTINGMUSHROOMFIGURINE

Learn needle felting, the art of sculpting wool using abarbed needle,and makea small mushroom ﬁgurine Register at nolalibrary.co/needle-felting.

Thursday,June 25 from 4:30pm –6:30pm Alvar Library

Tuesday,June 30 from 10:30am–12:30pm Nix Library

SPEED PUZZLINGCOMPETITION

Teams of up to 4participants compete to seewho can finish their puzzle the quickest. The first 3teams to finish win prizes. Registration begins at 12:30pm. It will close at 1pmorwhen full.

Saturday,June 27 from 12:30pm –4pm Algiers Regional Library

CULTURAL DISSENT: ARTAND DEMOCRACY

The morning begins with a youthart workshop (ages 6–12) facilitatedbyThe BlackSchool,where students explorethemes of fairness, justice,and civiccourage throughhands-oncreative activities. The afternoonprogram features aconversation on culturaldissent guided by artist and professor Ron Bechet.The panel will include localartists AyoScott, Joseph Cuillier, and Carl LeBlanc, along with participating students. Together,they will discuss how artists and communities use creativity to challengedominant narrativesand imagine more just futures.

Saturday,June6 from10am –2pm REACH Center

don’tmiss don’tmiss don’t miss

cajun-zydeco festival

-yiiee!Cher, it’stimefor the Jazz &Heritage Foundation’s two-day celebration of southwestern Louisianamusic the George and Joyce Wein Jazz &Heritage Center, 1225 N. Rampart St. From 3p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday andSunday,hear Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie, Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas, Chubby Carrierand more. Food vendorswill also be on hand. cajunzydecofest.com.

symphony

Oneofthe areaslargest literary sales of books, art, sheet music, CDs, records, puzzles and games is Saturdayand Sunday at the University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena at Franklin Avenue to beneﬁt the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Entrance is free, but get in early from 9a.m. to noon Saturday for $20. The sale continues until 6p.m. and is from 9a.m. to 4p.m. Sunday. Achildren’sbook sale is from 11 a.m. to 2p.m., and accompanied children can decorate a bag and ﬁll it withbooks for$5. lpovolunteers.org.

concert

The ensemble celebrates 44 years with an “around the world” tour via dancefrom anumber of countries and cultures at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2p.m.Sunday at Loyola University’s Roussel Performance Hall, 6363 St.Charles Ave. Tickets start at $8. tickettailor.com/events/komenka.

The show started 100 yearsago in Mexico and continuestotour Central and North America with trapeze artists, jugglers, acrobats, ahuman cannonball and clowns. It will set up the“bigtop” at 5700 Read Blvd. in New Orleans East. Showsare at 8p.m.Thursday andSaturday,7 p.m. Friday,and 2p.m.and 5p.m. Saturday and Sunday.Tickets start at $20. doportugalcircus.com

Get drawn in by asmorgasbord of dishes while enjoying carnival rides, arts and crafts vendors, and kayaking at the Jean Laﬁtte Auditorium and Grounds, 4953 City Park Drive, in the national historical park and preserve. The gates open at 5 p.m. Friday and continues from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8p.m. Sunday.Admission startsat$10. laﬁtteseafoodfest.com.

stormaware

Pontchartrain Conservancy is helping folks get ready for storm season starting June 1with afree, family-friendly event sharing resources and supplies from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the New Canal Lighthouse, 8001 Lakeshore Drive. Plus, there will be food and sno-balls. scienceforourcost.org/events.

LA FÊTECRÉOLE RESCHEDULED: OperaCréole’s 15thanniversaryevents, will be rescheduledata laterdate.operacreole.org

music music music

Lyrica Baroque summer concert commemorating America at 250

BY DEAN M. SHAPIRO

Contributing writer

A local celeb and an up-and-coming jazz all-star are set to join Lyrica Baroque for its annual summer concert, this year commemorating the country’s 250th birthday with pieces by American composes and a few well-known tunes. Celebrated New Orleans actor and baritone vocalist Bryan Batt will be singing four popular songs, accompanied by local pianist Oscar Rossignoli. Batt plans to sing Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” from the musical “Oklahoma,” Cole Porter’s “Night and Day” from the 1932 musical “Gay Divorce,” Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind” and local favorite, “Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?” composed by Louis Alter with lyrics by Eddie De Lange.

The evening concert will feature the 12-minute wind quintet titled “Summer Music” by American composer Samuel Barber (1910-81), along with a selection of popular showtunes and original compositions It starts at 7 p.m. Thursday at

ABOUT LAGNIAPPE

The Lagniappe section is published each Thursday by The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate. All inquiries about Lagniappe should be directed to the editor. LAGNIAPPE EDITOR: Lauren Walck, lauren. walck@theadvocate.com

COVER DESIGN: Andrea Daniel

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Victor Andrews, Joanna Brown, Justin Mitchell, Dean M. Shapiro, Keith Spera, Dave Walker, Poet Wolfe

Christ Church Cathedral on St. Charles Avenue in Uptown.

Founded in 2015 by oboist Jaren Atherholt and several other classical musicians, Lyrica Baroque performs two annual concerts in the winter and summer, and they stage an annual ﬁve-day Chamber Festival in the spring. They also perform in schools and take part in other events throughout the cultural season.

Atherholt also serves as Lyrica’s executive director and said they are in the middle of a successful endowment campaign.

“We’re becoming more and more embedded in the community,” she said. “It feels really great to have such a loyal partner like Christ Church Cathedral to present these concerts every year and offer employment and a creative outlet for musicians. All of that feels very wonderful and special.”

She will play the oboe in the Barber piece, along with Ji Weon Ryu on ﬂute, Shaquille Southwell on clarinet, Max Paulus on French horn and Nanci Belmont on bassoon. She’ll also be featured in a duet with Rossignoli on his original composition titled “Serpent.”

Ji Weon Ryu will perform a solo on a piece titled “Danza De La Mariposa” (Dance of the Butterﬂy) by living Afri-

GET

LISTED IN LAGNIAPPE

Submit events to Lagniappe at least two weeks in advance by sending an email to events@theadvocate.com.

ON THE COVER

‘‘World War II with Tom Hanks” debuted in New Orleans on Memorial Day. Photo provided by the History Channel. Story by Dave Walker on Page 6.

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Local pianist Oscar Rossignoli is set to accompany performances in Lyrica Baroque’s show Thursday.

can American ﬂutist/composer Valerie Coleman.

“We are so pleased to have this opportunity to highlight the great art and music coming from our country,” Atherholt said. “We’ll be celebrating the wonderful music that American composers and artists created and gave to

the rest of the world.

LYRICA BAROQUE SUMMER CONCERT

7 p.m.Thursday Christ Church Cathedral, 2919 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans Free, with suggested donation of $25 lyricabaroque.com

This program is supported in part by a Community Arts Grant made possible by the City of New Orleans as administered by Arts New Orleans. Lyrica Baroque is also supported by the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund and the Goldring Family Foundation.

Performing Thursday in Lyrica Baroque’s annual Summer Concert are Jaren Atherholt, from left, Nanci Belmont, Max Paulus, Ji Weon Ryu and Shaquille Southwell.

Batt

music music music

It’s notofficially summer,but thereare signsthe season is afoot. Oneexample:Tipitina’shas resumed itsfreeFridayconcertseries.

Email Keith Spera at kspera@theadvocate.com.

BIGBAD VOODOO DADDY

SUNDAY,ORPHEUM THEATER

For atime in the late’80s and into the 1990s, America was caught upinaswingrevival. A plethora of former punk andaltrock musicianspulled on zoot suits andfedoras, dusted off their horns andhit thechartswithhigh energy,highly danceable singles.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy— reportedlynamed for an inscription blues guitar legendAlbert Collins signed ona posterfor BBVD guitarist/vocalist Scotty Morris —caughtthe latter part of this wave. Hailingfrom Ventura,California, BBVD appeared in the 1996 ﬁlm “Swingers” and landed adeal with major record label Interscope.

The band’s heyday spanned the “AmericanaDeluxe,” “This Beautiful Life” and “SaveMy

Soul” albums, as well as the singles “Go Daddy-O,” “You & Me &the Bottle Makes 3Tonight (Baby)” and “Mr.Pinstripe Suit.”

Suchwas the popularity of this swing revival that Big Bad Voodoo Daddyperformed during the 1999 Super Bowl’shalftimeshow. The band also created aversion of the opening theme music for thesitcom “3rd Rock from the Sun.”

Morris and drummer Kurt Sodergren have persevered through various versions of the band. They’ll power Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Sunday at the Orpheum Theater with theHobo GadgetJunk Bankand teenage New Orleanspiano phenom River Eckert opening the show.The music startsat 6:30 p.m. Allages are admitted.Ticketsstartat$59.

OTHERNOTEWORTHYSHOWS THURSDAY

New Orleans-based keyboardist Brian “BC”Coogan has collaborated withawide range of jazz, rock and funk artists. On Thursday,hepresides over twosolo piano shows, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.,atSnug Harbor Jazz Bistro on Frenchmen Street.Tickets are $20 LeroyThomas &the Zydeco Roadrunners are featured forthe Tickets are $17.

ummertime weekly series of ot underway last continues this Friday blues-based guitarist Eric Joopens the show at tickets are required.

EricJohanson

Keith Spera SOUND CHECK

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

music music music

FRIDAY (continued)

The Easy Star All-Stars, formed in New York City in association with Easy Star Records, reinterpret classic albums as roots reggae/dub music. Case in point: the Easy Star All-Stars’ “Dub Side of the Moon,” a full-album reimagining of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon.” On Friday at Chickie Wah Wah, the Easy Star All-Stars will perform selections from “Dub Side of the Moon,” as well as their “Ziggy Stardub,” “Radiodread,” “Lonely Hearts Dub Band” and “Thrillah” projects. They are joined by horn-heavy New Orleans roots rock, ska and reggae band FireBrain Tickets are $25 plus fees Formed in 2013, Minos the Saint conjures a sort of south Louisiana chamber pop that might feature cello, accordion, horns, electric guitars and much more Minos the Saint celebrates the release of its “Last Island Fire” album, which was recorded over three days in the French Quarter, with a show at the Broadside’s indoor Pavilion. Tickets are $20. Louisiana-born post-grunge rock band 12 Stones plugs in at Southport Hall; tickets are $20.

Costumed cover band Bag of Donuts hits Rock ’N’ Bowl; tickets are $17.

SUNDAY

Modern jazz saxophonist, clarinetist and composer Victor Goines has collaborated with fellow New Orleans native Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra since 1993. He’s also worked with Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Dizzy Gillespie, Willie Nelson, Lenny Kravitz and many others. He performs shows at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m Friday at Snug Harbor. Tickets are $40.

SATURDAY

The free Cajun-Zydeco Festival takes over the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center, 1225 N. Rampart St., from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Saturday’s closers are Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie and Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas.

Check out The Walrus: A New Orleans Beatles Experience at Chickie Wah Wah; tickets start at $25 plus fees.

Reggae/Americana singer/songwriter Kelly “Love” Jones plays a free 4:30 p.m. happy hour set at Snug Harbor Later on Saturday, Snug Harbor presents master Moroccan guitarist and multiinstrumentalist Mahmoud “Mood” Chouki and his New World Ensemble at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; tickets are $40.

From 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Broadside hosts a Grateful Dead-celebrating “Deadhead Meet Up” on its outdoor stage featuring Iko All-Stars, Busted on Bourbon and Nina Hungerland & Family Tickets are $20. Meanwhile, the Broadside’s indoor Pavilion hosts a free show by the Alex McMurray Band from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Accordionist and singer Bruce Daigrepont hosts his monthly, early-evening Cajun fais do-do at Tipitina’s. The music starts at 5:15 p.m.; admission is $15 plus fees.

The Pine Leaf Boys and Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band close the free CajunZydeco Festival at the George & Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center

Woodenhead guitarist Jimmy Robinson teams up with slide guitarist Layla Musselwhite for a free, happy hour show at Snug Harbor at 4:30 p.m. Later on Sunday, Snug Harbor presents modern jazz bassist James Singleton’s Malabar project with Will Bernard at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; tickets are $30.

MONDAY

New Orleans singer and entertainer Charmaine Neville holds court at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; tickets are $30.

TUESDAY

Blue Tang People is a different kind of hybrid New Orleans brass band featuring three trombones, sousaphone, guitar, keyboards, drums and vocals. Hear Blue Tang People at 7:30 p.m.

and 9:30 p.m. Tuesday at Snug Harbor Tickets are $30.

WEDNESDAY

Americana singer, guitarist and songwriter Jim Lauderdale and his band

the Game Changers visit Chickie Wah Wah. Tickets start at $25 plus fees. Saxophonist Trevarri Huff-Boone leads the Uptown Jazz Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Snug Harbor. Tickets are $45.

Goines

Jim Lauderdale Bag of Donuts

Mahmoud Chouki

television television television

FIRST LOOK

Tom Hanks-narrated WWII docuseries premieres with New Orleans fanfare; new episodes air Monday on History Channel

BY DAVE WALKER

Contributing writer

Almost a year ago, The National WWII Museum marked its 25th anniversary by announcing an ambitious, $300 million fundraising campaign to expand its already formidable efforts to reach outside its walls and teach the lessons of the war to students and educators, both young and old.

Another milestone approaches. The museum will celebrate the 82nd anniversary of the DDay landings — a key date in its origin story — and its own 26th anniversary in June 6 ceremonies on its campus.

Surrounding that date, the largest possible educational outreach about the war’s history will be playing out. It’s a

20-episode documentary series, produced by The History Channel in collaboration with the museum Tom Hanks narrates and his production company, Playtone, is attached as well.

“World War II with Tom Hanks” premiered on the network on Memorial Day, with its ﬁrst three episodes airing backto-back.

Hundreds of museum supporters gathered May 20 to get an exclusive look at the series’ ﬁrst episode and hear some behind-the-scenes scoops about the production. It was held in the largest public-event space on campus — advance reservations sold out in hours, and additional capacity was quickly snapped up as well.

ä See HANKS, page 8

Playtone Executive Kirk Saduski, left, and Rob Citino talk on stage during the premiere of the ‘World War II w

“When we first began discussing this project almost three years ago, our ambition was not simply to make another documentary about World War II, but to create something expansive, definitive and worthy of the scale and significance of the subject itself.”

ELI LEHRER, History Channel executive vice president and head of programming

PROVIDED PHOTOS By THE NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM with Tom Hank’ series at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans on May 20.

WWII veteran Steve Ellis attends the History Channel’s premiere of the docuseries ‘World War II with Tom Hanks’ on May 20 at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans.

television television television

Jon Batiste helps send off Stephen Colbert the New Orleans way

BY JUSTIN MITCHELL Staff writer

There were smiles, belly laughs, hugs and tears in New York City on Thursday night as Stephen Colbert bid farewell to “The Late Show” after 11 years.

And while celebrities and superfans were packed into the historic Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City for the ﬁnal taping, Louisiana native Jon Batiste and music icon Paul McCartney gave Colbert a New Orleans-style send-off that had everyone on their feet.

In a behind-the-scenes moment caught on camera by media recruiter Rob Barnett, Batiste and McCartney lead Colbert and the crowd in a jazzy rendition of “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

Barnett’s video gave a glimpse of the party beyond what viewers saw on TV Thursday night. It has so far been viewed 70,000 times.

“Nobody wanted to leave the stage or the theater and here’s legendary proof,” Barnett said.

Colbert picked Batiste (and his band Stay Human) as his band leader when “The Late Show” was preparing for its 2015 premiere It was a successful pairing, but Batiste left the show seven years later, in 2022.

“The Late Show” was canceled by CBS in July 2025, with the media conglomerate citing ﬁnancial difﬁculties as the reason why. CBS’ decision to cancel, which came at a time when President Donald Trump was targeting late-night hosts in Truth Social rants, was met with backlash and protest.

Other celebrities who joined the host for the show’s ﬁnale include Bryan Cranston, Elvis Costello, Tig Notaro and Andy Cohen.

HANKS

Continued from page 6

“I truly believe that (this) is one of the most consequential productions ever done on the war,” museum President and CEO Stephen Watson said in his opening remarks. “All of us at the museum are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to participate in this once-ina-generation event.”

Rob Citino, a distinguished fellow at the museum’s Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy, is listed as series consultant and is quoted extensively as the story of the war plays out. Other scholars afﬁliated with the Institute — both staffers and contributors to conferences, symposia and travel tours — provided historical guidance and are featured prominently on-screen, as well. But Citino is the star of the storytelling, in second position in screen time behind only the series’ movie-star narrator.

“He was the Rock of Gibraltar,” Playtone Executive Kirk Saduski said. “Rob was always the ﬁrst call or the ﬁrst email because of his breadth of knowledge.”

As a college professor and author before coming to the

museum, where he ﬁlled several leadership roles, Citino said he recognized immediately the educational opportunity presented by a 20-episode History Channel documentary series with Hanks at the top of the marquee. Besides being a blockbuster movie star, the actor has starred in “Saving Private Ryan” and piloted Playtone’s production role in the popular TV trilogy (“Band of Brothers,” “The Paciﬁc,” “Masters of the Air”) of WWII docudrama miniseries.

“I read the scripts and I looked at the scope of it, and I realized this project has the potential to reach more people, especially young people, for whom this is terra incognita … than any project I’ve ever seen, certainly anything I’ve ever been involved in,” he said after the screening.

In introducing the premiere episode, Eli Lehrer, the History Channel’s executive vice president and head of programming, said the museum and its staff had been “truly remarkable partners.”

“When we ﬁrst began discussing this project almost three years ago, our ambition was not simply to make another documentary about World War II, but to create something expansive, deﬁnitive and worthy of the scale

World War II veterans were honored May 20 during the premiere of the History Channel docuseries ‘World War II with Tom Hanks’ at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans.

and signiﬁcance of the subject itself,” said Eli Lehrer, the History Channel’s executive vice president and head of programming.

As they entered the screening, attendees could see construction underway on a new education and collections center for the museum, part of the Victory’s Promise fundraising initiative announced a year ago. In addition to its contributions to the TV series, the museum has also helped populate an online study guide that accompanies the episodes and is producing related digital content for its own website.

“The History Channel’s Save Our History initiative is designed to educate the public on the importance of historical preservation and the teaching of history in America’s classrooms, giving students access across the country to the museum’s expertise and World War II history curriculum materials,” Watson said.

The series continues with two more episodes on Monday.

Dave Walker focuses on behind-the-scenes coverage of the region’s many museums here and at www.themuseumgoer. com. Email Dave at dave@ themuseumgoer.com.

CBS VIA AP PHOTO By SCOTT KOWALCHyK

Stephen Colbert hosted his final episode of ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ May 21 in New york.

Batiste

PROVIDED PHOTO By THE NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM

stages stages stages

MEETSGuy Girl

Collaborationand romancecreates musicofthe heartinLePetit’s ‘Once’

Summer settles into theCrescent City with moderate temperatures (sofar),but local stages seem to be turning up the heat with musical productions anda comedy festival certain to bringa smile

‘Once’

Music becomes the languageofromantic attraction in this stageshow based on the motionpicture aboutanIrish musician and aCzech immigrant whoorbiteach other in this tale of melodies andheartbreak with the cast playingvariousinstruments in Le Petit ThéâtreduVieux Carré production opening June 5.

Directed by Conner Wilson, theshowfeatures Patrick Cragin as Guy andJosie OlivaasGirl who share aloveofmusic in Dublin, Ireland. He’sa busker,or street musician, andshe turns out to beapiano player.Over thecourse of theshow,they collaborateonmusic, ﬂirt with romance but seem to be stumbling through life —united by their love of music more than anything else.

“‘Once’ is amusical that speakstothe power of music in ourmost challengingmoments in life,” said A.J. Allegra, artistic director for the French Quarter playhouse. “It is aheartwarming story that we are proud to present forthe ﬁrst time in aNew Orleans-originated production.

“Welive in acity fueled by music, so the ability to bring 14 actor-musicianstothe stage to tell the story …isboth aunique privilege and, Ihope, aspecialgifttoour audience.”

Also taking part in the show are Charlie Antis, Alec Barnes, Owen Callahan,Ani Dean, Molly Graham,J.J. Hammerle, NoahHazzard, John Jabaley,Lillian Miller,Brian Sanford, JudyLea Steele, Emma Velasquez and

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Josie Oliva, left, and Patrick Cragin share aloveofmusicinthe production of ‘Once,’opening June 5atLePetit Théâtre du Vieux Carré in theFrench Quarter.

Jake Wynne-Wilson.

The show will run at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays, 3p.m. Sundays,10a.m. June 11 student matinee, and2 p.m.June 20 at 616 St Peter St.Tickets startat$40. lepetittheatre. com.

LGBTLOL QueerComedyFest

More than 50 entertainers will be bringing thelaughs for “inclusivity intersectionality, representation and big gay giggles”over four days during this festival that has gained national attention. At various spotsaround the city June 4-7, funny folks will crack jokes and more at showcases, open mic nights, roasts and parties. There’seven a secret show June 5that will be announced later

Amongthe entertainers are Ren Q. Dawe, Bailey Pope, Kalea McNeill, Ryan Rogers, Jade Bronte, Kat Dreher and Liv Sabo-Rush.

The events will be at Sports Drink, Howlin’ Wolf, Oz Dance Club, Bourbon Pub, Really Really Nice Wines and Urban South. Someofthe eventsare free, while others require tickets, starting at $28. All-festtickets start at $99.

For information, visit lgbtlol.com

In production

“KING LEAR”: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 1:30 p.m.Sundays through June 7inthe Lupin Theatre, 150 Dixon Hall Annex, 69 NewcombCircle. John Neisler

takes the title role of the king whodivides his country between three daughters. This sets in motion adisastrous landslide of calamities,ending with adescentintomadness and mortality.Tickets start at $27. neworleansshakespeare.org.

“MEDEA”: 7:30 p.m.Thursday to Saturday; Laﬁtte Greenway,436 N. Norman C. Francis Parkway.The NOLA Project takes aturn in thegreat outdoors and reaches back to ancient Greece forthe story of awoman seeking vengeance at any cost. The modern adaptation of “Medea” by Alistair Elliot brings thestory to lifeand transcends time. Tickets start at $20. nolaproject.com.

“RODGERS +HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday and2 p.m. Sunday; Rivertown Theaters forthe Performing Arts, 325 MinorSt., Kenner. Classic fairy tale of abeleaguered young woman, assisted by afairy godmother andﬁlled with songs like “Impossible,” “InMyOwn Little Corner,” “Ten Minutes Ago” and “A Lovely Night.” Tickets start at $52. rivertowntheaters.com.

“SPAMALOT”: 7:30 p.m.Tuesday through June 6, plus 2p.m. June 6, and at 1p.m. and 6:30 p.m.June 7; Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St. From the brilliant minds whobrought forth “Monty Python’sFlying Circus” comes thestage show about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table in their quest for theHoly Grail that took three Tony Awards, includingbest musical, when it debuted in 2005. Tickets start at $39. sangernola.com.

Email Victor Andrewsatvandrews@ theadvocate.com.

Rogers

Wilson

Victor Andrews

food food food

An American fried chicken in London

Trip across the pond turns up a local favorite, with some differences

BY JOANNA BROWN Staff writer

As a Louisiana food writer, I didn’t ﬂy to England to consume American fast food However, when I found myself near a Popeyes in London — accompanied by a real British person, no less — a sense of professional obligation kicked in.

My foodie goals while traveling in England were simple — share pints with old friends, enjoy a traditional Sunday roast, eat my ﬁll of British Indian cuisine and start each day with a hearty English breakfast. Fortunately, that left plenty of room for a little culinary diplomacy, courtesy of New Orleans’ iconic fried chicken. Popeyes made the jump across the pond in 2021, opening a London location that saw hundreds of people line up (or “queue”) for some of that Louisiana ﬂavor

Now, Popeyes has hundreds of locations across the UK, and it is in the middle of a major expansion in France I saw crowded Popeyes restaurants in London, Oxford and Cambridge, full of people ordering items like “Cajun citrus” wings and “superstack” sandwiches. The menu was a little different from what I’m used to, but the atmosphere felt like home. I’ve been going to Popeyes my whole life, so standards were high going in — but I was nicely surprised by how well Popeyes UK has translated the brand’s ﬂavor dominance (its seasoning is some of the best in the game) in innovative ways

You won’t ﬁnd the Honey BBQ Superstack sandwich at Popeyes around here, at least not yet, although the company recently rolled out its new Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich at both U.S. and UK locations. The Superstack comes with hash browns, pepper jack cheese, fried onions, jalapeños, pickles and ranch, with a fried chicken ﬁlet dripping in barbecue sauce. It was messy, kind of glorious, and I really liked it — almost as much as British people love hash browns.

For as much as the Superstack has going on, it all works together in a bal-

anced, ﬂavor-forward way — and that’s the Popeyes I know and love.

Speaking of, my friend Will gave the sandwich a rave review, noting that it was a “very delicious dish, with very strong barbecue ﬂavor coming through.”

“Not up to Lafayette or New Orleans standards, in my view,” he added, in a

nod to his own travels through Louisiana and the U.S.

The Cajun citrus wings include another flavor profile you won’t find at an American Popeyes. This location didn’t have wing flavors like the ghost pepper or buffalo dry rub, or sweet and spicy sauce — but it offered wings tossed in a garlic parmesan or honey barbecue

sauce, or a “Cajun citrus” dry rub. Although I wasn’t sure what “Cajun citrus” was, I was again impressed with the rather restrained ﬂavor impact on the perfectly fried chicken. No one element came through too much, although I thought the taste of Creole blend mixed with lemon pepper was a bit odd. Next time you’re abroad and come across a Popeyes, know that it is representing Louisiana with pride. And next time I pull into the drive-thru for a three-piece or a spicy chicken sandwich, it’ll come with a side of great memories in one of my favorite cities.

Email Joanna Brown at joanna. brown@theadvocate.com.

STAFF PHOTOS By JOANNA BROWN Staff members prepare food at a Popeyes in the Richmond area of London.

Honey BBQ Superstack sandwich

Popeyes locations in England have a couple items on their menus not normally found locally, like the Cajun citrus wings.

food food food

With Schlitz tapped, Snake and Jake’s eyes it next $2 beer

BY POET WOLFE Staff writer

The soul of a dive bar is often found in scratched countertops stained by decades of smoke and pint glasses, the hum of neon signs and the regular who’s occupied the same stool for decades. Those kinds of details draw neighbors, college students and late-night workers alike into Snake and Jake’s Christmas Club Lounge in the East Carrollton neighborhood. But the bar lost a piece of its soul recently when Pabst Blue Ribbon announced it is discontinuing Schlitz beer after more than a century. Regulars poured into the dive Tuesday night and ordered rounds of Schlitz as a send-off. Owner Dave Clements said “to hell with it” and drank the last cans alongside the crowd, not yet realizing it would be the last time. The distributor had already run out.

the glow of the dive’s year-round Christmas lights was, as one bartender put it, “a New Orleans experience” — one that carried the same weight as watching the bar’s late mascot dog, Peeve, smoothly take down a shot of kibble on command.

It was part of Snake and Jake’s identity, Clements said. In the bar’s early days, the cheap lager helped lure people inside, selling more cans than “you wouldn’t think is possible” for a place that small. He thinks its lowbrow reputation added to the bar’s “mystique and lure.”

“It’s probably the only reason anybody came there,” Clements said, laughing. “It gave us something that most bars weren’t doing.”

a blind beer taste test, though Clements suspects the replacement will be “along the lines of an Old Milwaukee.”

He acknowledges that making PBR the next $2 beer would be the most logical move, but Pabst’s decision to discontinue Schlitz has him considering dropping the company altogether.

Though it’s also Milwaukee-based like Schlitz and famously self-styled as “the champagne of beers,” both Clements and bartender Juan Parker know Miller High Life is not the same as the dive’s longtime staple.

To Parker, Schlitz was a time capsule in a can that exposed “younger generations to a small piece of past generations’ culture.” It helped knit together people of all ages and social classes.

At Snake and Jake’s, $2 Schlitz was the lifeblood of its late nights and early mornings. Cracking one open beneath

For now, the bar is selling $2 canned Miller High Life until it settles on another beer to take the place of Schlitz. The bartenders plan to decide through

A true dive, Parker said, should double as “a social equalizer,” where even the wealthiest patron can’t ﬂex beyond buying a $10 drink.