The Super Bowl Experienceopened tofans at theNew Orleans Ernest
The SuperBowlExperienceopened to the public Wednesday in New Orleans Theevent transforms 700,000 square feet —anarea roughlythe size of 12 full NFLfootball fields —atthe Ernest N. Morial Convention Center into an“experiential and exhibitory space,” saidNicki Ewell, senior director of NFL Events.“We know noteverybody is lucky enough to get that coveted Super Bowl ticket,” Ewell said, “but we still want those that are local or visiting to know thisis for them —for fans of all ages.” MORE SUPERBOWLCOVERAGE IN SPORTS,1C.
Carlnetta Rabb,of NewOrleans, gets her photo taken by JamalBrown as she stands behind aNew Orleans Saints football playermannequin at theSuper Bowl Experience on Wednesday.
Palestinians reject
BY WAFAA SHURAFA, SAMYMAGDY and JULIA FRANKEL Associated Press
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip— Saeed Abu Elaish’swife, two of his daughters and two dozen others from his extended familywere killed by Israeli airstrikes over the past 15 months. His house in northern Gaza was destroyed. He and his surviving family now live in atent set up in the rubble of his home. But he says he will not bedriven out after President Donald Trump called for transferring allPalestinians from Gaza so theUnited States could take over the devastated territory and rebuild it for
others.Rights groups saidhis commentswere tantamount to acall for “ethnic cleansing” and forcible expulsion
“Wecategorically reject and willresist any plans to deport and transfer us fromour land,” he said from the Jabaliya refugee camp.
Trump’scall for depopulating Gaza has stunned Palestinians. Hundreds of thousands in the territory rushed to return to their homes —even if destroyed —as soon as they could followingthe ceasefire reachedlastmonth between Israel and Hamas.
Though some experts speculated thatTrump’sproposal might be a negotiating tactic, Palestinians across theregionsaw in it an ef-
fort to erase them completely from theirhomeland, acontinuation of the expulsion and displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes in what is now Israel during the1948 war surrounding its creation.
Thatevent is known amongPalestinians as the “Nakba,” Arabic for “Catastrophe.” Trump’sstatement— awild swing away from years of U.S. policy—meshedwith calls from far-right politicians in Israel to push Palestinians outof Gaza, particularly into Egypt. “Wedon’twant arepeat of our ancestors’tragedy,”saidAbu Elaish, ahealth care worker
ä See GAZA, page 4A
Landry’s civilservice move halted
governor’s effort to remove hundreds from system
BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer
Gov.Jeff Landry’sadministrationistrying to permanently remove civil service employment protections for hundreds of attorneys and engineers in agencies across state government. But that planran into oppositionfrom astate commission Wednesday after one member warned the movemay not be constitutional.
Louisiana’scivil service system givesgovernment employees extra barriers against being fired and is meanttolimit patronage and political retaliation. But the system is sometimes criticized as an obstacle to holding employees accountable when they underperform.
Landry’sadministration said the changes would help hire top professional talent, fillcritical vacancies and makegovernment moreefficient.
“We’ve heard from so manyabout the difficulty of recruiting,” said PatrickGoldsmith, deputy commissioner of the Division of Administration. The movewould help alleviate “the brain drain
Helicopter measures
forthe SuperBowl
BY DAVID J. MITCHELL Staff writer
Ahelicopter outfitted with radiological detection equipment has been making low-altitude flightsoverNew Orleansand surrounding areas since Sunday in advance of the Super Bowl. Underthe U.S. Department of Energy,the Leonardo AW-139 helicopter is measuringexpected background radiation across the region as part of standard preparation to protect public health and safety during the big gameonSunday,federal officials said.
Flights will occur only during daylight hours and could be low enough to be noticeable by the public, officials with the Energy Department’s
STAFF PHOTOSBYCHRISGRANGER
N. Morial Convention Center on Wednesday.
Parked plane apparently struck by taxiing plane
SEATTLE AJapan Airlines plane that was taxiing on the tarmac of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport apparently struck the tail of aparked Delta aircraft on Wednesday morning, airport authorities said.
Authorities responded to the incident around 10:17 a.m., the airport said on X. There were no injuries, and airport authorities were working to get the passengers offthe airplane andbring them back to the terminal.
Delta spokesperson Samantha Moore Facteau said in an email that its Boeing 737 was waiting to have ice removed from itsexterior when the wing tipofanotheraircraft reportedly made contact with its tail. Deicing, as it’sknown, can occur before a flight begins to taxi to the runway,she said.
There were 142 passengers onboard Delta Flight1921 to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and they were being transferred to anew aircraft, she said.
Japan Airlines did not immediately respond to an emailed requestfor comment
Mother charged with killing son, burying body
DETROIT Awoman accused of killing her 9-year-old son and burying his body inher Detroit backyard has been charged with murder,aprosecutor said
Wednesday Ashallow grave holding remains was discoveredonJan.6 while thelandlord was preparing the house for new tenants.
No details were released at that time although Detroit police acknowledged an investigation was underway
Zemar King was smothered to death on Oct.24, two weeks beforehis 41-year-old mother left for Georgiawith a3-year-old son, Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy said.
“I have been aprosecutor for along time, and Ioften say that Ihave seen it all. The horrors of this child abuse casedefy that,” Worthy said.
Themother was arrested Jan. 10 in an unrelated case in Cobb County,Georgia, online records show.She was awaiting extradition to Michigan on a murder charge and other crimes.
Worthy said Zemar’sfather recently became awareofthe boy’sdeath.
“This case is rather shocking,” said Todd Bettison, Detroit’sinterim police chief. “In my 27year career,Idon’tremember seeing anything like this.” Guatemala agrees to acceptmigrants
GUATEMALA CITY Guatemalan
President BernardoArévalo said Wednesday his country will acceptmigrants from other countries who are being deported from the United States, the second deal that SecretaryofState Marco Rubio has reachedduring his trip to Central America
Under the agreement announced by Arévalo, the deportees would be returned to their home countries at U.S. expense
“Wehave agreed to increase by 40% the number of flightsof deportees both of our nationality as well as deportees from other nationalities,” Arévalo said at anews conference withRubio. Guatemala has been cooperating in receivingdeportees from the United States, accepting both civilian and military flights. McConnell reportedly falls down Senate stairs
Kentucky senior Sen. Mitch McConnell fell down the stairs in Washington on Wednesday afternoon, according to media reports.
Fox Newscongressional correspondent Chad Pergram posted to social media site X that he’d confirmed the incident occurred afterMcConnell, 82, voted to confirm Scott Turner as the secretary of United States Department of Housing andUrban Development.
Another reporter with Washingtonoutlet Punchbowl News witnessed the fall.
“Sen. McConnell just fell down the stairs on his way outofthe chamber,” Diego Areas Munhoz wrote on X. “He got up with the help from some senators and seemedtowalkit off as he left.”
NewAGBondi orders review of Trumpcases
BY ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and ERIC TUCKER Associated Press
WASHINGTON New Attorney General PamBondi on Wednesday ordered areview of thefederal prosecution of Donald Trump as she unveiled aseries of directives designed to overhaul aJustice Department the president claims is biased against conservatives.
Hours after shewas sworn in at the White House, Bondi called for the creation of “weaponization working group” that will examine the work of special counsel Jack Smith, who charged Trumpintwo criminal cases. Thegroup will also review the “pursuit of improper investigative tactics and unethical prosecutions”stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021,riotatthe U.S. Capitol, among other things, according tothe memo.
The memo satisfies the longstanding contention of Trump and his allies that theJustice Department under the Biden administration had become “weaponized” against conservatives, eventhough some of its most high-profile probes concerned the Democratic president and his sonand there’s beennoevidence to support the ideathat the prosecutions against Trump were launched fora partisanpurpose.
Bondi herself had foreshadowed the working group’screation by asserting ather confirmation hearing lastmonth that theJustice Department had “targeted Donald Trump.”
Bondi, who was Florida’sfirst female attorney general before becoming alobbyist,islikely to be one of the mostclosely scruti-
ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOBYEVANVUCCI
President Donald Trump presents AttorneyGeneral PamBondi with a document after she wassworn in by Supreme CourtAssociate Justice Clarence Thomas on Wednesdayinthe Oval Office of the White House.
nized members of Trump’sCabinet, givenher close relationship the president, who during his 2024 campaign suggested that he would try to exact revenge on his perceived enemies Bondi has said that politics will play no role in her decision-making, but she also refused at her confirmation hearing last month to rule potential investigations into Trump’sadversaries. She also has repeatedTrump’sclaims that the prosecutions againsthim amountedtopolitical persecution, telling senators that theJustice Department“had been weaponized for years and years and years, and it’s got to stop.”
Despite the wide-ranging ambitions of the “weaponization work-
ing group” memo, it notably excludesfrom review investigations into Democrats by Biden’sJustice Department, including special counsel probes into the former president’shandling of classified information and his son Hunter’s gun and tax allegations, which resulted in felony convictions. Smith’steam investigated Trump over hisefforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and his hoarding of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Both of those cases resulted in indictments that were withdrawn after Trump’sNovember presidential win because of longstanding Justice Department policy prohibiting the federal prosecution of asitting president.
Hawaii fireworksdeath toll reaches6
BY AUDREY MCAVOY Associated Press
HONOLULU Asixth
person died Wednesday from injuries sustained when crates of illegal fireworksignited during aNew Year’sEve party in aHonolulu neighborhood, setting off achain of explosionsthatleftmore than adozen people with severe burns.
The 30-year-old woman died at alocal hospital at about 5:59 a.m., the Honolulu Police Department said in astatement.
The others killedincluded a3-year-old boy,three women and one man.
The blast set off fresh calls for acrackdown on illegal fireworksthat have become increasingly more common in Hawaii.
Police have so far arrested 10 peopleinconnectionwiththe explosion. Authorities accused them of reckless endangering, endangering the welfare of aminorand multiplefireworks offenses.
Policesaidthey are working with prosecu-
tors to file charges but it is taking time dueto the number of people arrested, large volume of evidence being examined and fireworks being tested.
Authoritiesseized500 pounds of unused fireworks from the scene.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green has proposed allowing police to issue $300 tickets to those who shoot off fireworks andimposing potential class Afelony charges and decades in prison on those whose use of fireworks leads to seri-
Racial gapwidensindeathsof U.S. moms around childbirth
Blackwomen died at rate 3.5times higher than Whitewomen in 2023
BYMIKESTOBBE Associated Press
NEWYORK— Black women in theU.S died at aratenearly 3.5 times higher than White women around the time of childbirth in 2023, as maternal mortality fell below prepandemiclevelsoverall but racial gaps widened, according to federal health datareleased Wednesday In 2021 and 2022, the maternal death rate for Black women was about 2.6 times higher than White women.
The data suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic, at its peak, impacted all pregnant women. But “once we went back to ‘usual activities,’ then theimpactof systemic racism and unequal access (to medical care) came right back into place,” said Dr.Amanda Williams, interim medical director for the March of Dimes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’sreportWednesday on the 2023 deaths was drawn from death certificates.The CDC counts women who died while pregnant, during childbirth andupto42daysafter birth. Accidental deaths are excluded
The report found:
n Thematernal death rate for White womendropped from 19 deaths per 100,000 live birthsin2022 to 14.5 per 100,000 in 2023.
n Theratefor Black women wentfrom 49.5 to alittle above 50, though the report saysthat increase was not statistically significant.
n The rate for Hispanicwomen
dropped from about 17 to about 12.
n The rate for Asian Americans fell from about 13 to about 11.
In total, 669 women died in 2023 during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth, the CDC reported. That’sdown from 817 deaths in 2022 and 1,205 in 2021, when it was the highest in more than 50 years.
Excessive bleeding, blood vessel blockages and infections are leading causes of maternal deaths.
Among those infections is COVID-19. The coronavirus and itscomplications proveddangerous to pregnant women. And, in the worst days of the pandemic, burned out physicians may have added tothe risk by ignoring pregnant women’s worries, experts say COVID-19’soverall impact on pregnancies declined as thepandemic subsided and as hospitals and birthing centers returned to normal operations.
Also, the federal Medicaid program expanded to cover postpartum carefor up to 12 months,instead of just seven weeks. That helped more moms recover and made them healthier for the next time they tried to have ababy,Williams said.
The number of maternal deaths is also tied to the number of pregnancies. U.S. birthshavebeen declining, and fewer pregnancies contributes to fewer pregnancy-related deaths, noted Eugene Declercq, amaternal deaths researcher at Boston University
CDC officials refused an Associated Press request to talk to areport author
The government is still receiving and processing death reports from last year But Declercq said his analysis of available data suggests the number of 2024 maternal deaths may end up about the same as 2023.
Tribunal to prosecute Russians gainsfavor in Europe
BY MOLLYQUELL and RAF CASERT Associated Press
BRUSSELS Aproject to establish acourt to prosecute the Russian leaders who orchestrated the invasion of Ukraine took astep forward Wednesday,with an announcement from agroup of international organizations, including the European Union and the Council of Europe, working together with Ukraine. Legal experts agreed on the framework for the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, which will allow for the prosecution of senior Russian officials for planning and coordinating the full-scale invasion in 2022.
“When Russia chose to roll its tanks over Ukraine’sborders, breaking the UN Charter,itcommitted one of the gravest violations: theCrime of Aggression. Now,justice is coming,” European Commission PresidentUrsulavon der Leyen said in astatement.
The move to create aspecial tribunal aims to fill avoid createdbylimitationsonthe InternationalCriminalCourt While The Hague-based court cangoafter Russiannationals for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, it cannot prosecute Russians for orchestrating the invasion itself.
ousinjury or death. The state Department of Law Enforcement has asked the Legislature for $5.2 million to hire eight people and expand aforensic lab to counter rampant fireworks smuggling. Six of the injured were flown to aburn centerin Arizona for treatment last month because Hawaii’sonly burn care facility reached capacity with the wounded from the incident. One of them, a29-year-old man, died last week.
The 2002 Rome Statute which created thecourt does include the crime of aggression but only for countries who have joinedthe court.The Russian Federation is not amember state. There are still significant issues to be worked out, including how the tribunal will be paid for and where it will be located.
The Netherlands,hometo the ICC, theInternational CourtofJustice and otherjudicial organizations, has offered to host the tribunal.
The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putinand several militaryleaders forwar crimes.
Demonstrators gathered in citiesacross theU.S.on Wednesday to protest the Trumpadministration’s early actions, decrying everything from the president’s immigration crackdownto his rollback of transgender rights and aproposal to forcibly transfer Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
Protesters in Philadelphia and at state capitols in California, Minnesota, Michigan, Texas, Wisconsin, Indiana and beyond waved signs denouncing President Donald Trump; billionaire Elon Musk, the leader of Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency; and Project 2025, ahard-right playbook for American government and society
“I’m appalled by democracy’schanges in the last, well, specifically two weeks —but it started along time ago,” Margaret Wilmeth said at aprotest outside the Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. “So I’m just trying to put a presenceinto resistance.”
The protests were aresult of amovementthathas organized online under the hashtags #buildtheresistance and #50501, which stands for 50 protests, 50 states,one day.Websites and accounts across social mediaissued calls for action, with messages such as “reject fascism” and “defend our democracy.”
Outside the state Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, acrowd of hundredsgathered in freezing temperatures
Catie Miglietti, from the AnnArbor area, saidMusk’s access to TreasuryDepartment data was especially concerning. She painteda sign depicting Muskpuppeteering Trump from his outraised arm —evoking Musk’sstraight-arm gesture during aJanuary speech that some have interpreted
as aNazi salute. “If we don’tstop it and get Congress to do something, it’sanattack on democracy,”
Miglietti said.
Demonstrations in several cities piled criticism on Muskand the Department of Government Efficiency “DOGEisnot legit,”read one poster on the State Capitol steps in Jefferson City, Missouri, where dozens of protestersgathered.“Why does Elon have your Social Security info???”
Members of Congress have expressed concern that DOGE’sinvolvement with the U.S. government payment system could lead to security risks or missed payments for programs such as Social Security and Medicare. ATreasury Department official says atech executive working with DOGE will have “read-only access.”
Trump has signed aseries of executive orders in the first couple of weeks of his new term on everything from trade and immigration to climate change. As Democrats begin to raise theirvoice in opposition to Trump’s agenda, protests have multiplied. Demonstrators strode through downtown Austin, Texas. They assembled in Atlanta’sCentennial Olympic Park for amarch to Georgia’sstate Capitol and gatheredoutside California’sDemocratic-dominated Legislature in Sacramento. In Denver,protests coincided with nearby operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and an unspecifiednumber
of people detained. Thousands protestedin St. Paul, Minnesota, where 28-year-old Hallie Parten carried aDemocratic presidential campaign sign, revised to read “Harris Walz Were Right.” The Minneapolis resident says she was motivated by fear
“Fearfor what is goingto happen to our country if we don’tall just do something about it,” Parten said. In Alabama, several hundred people gathered outside the Statehouse to protest actions targeting LGBTQ+ people.OnTuesday,Alabama Gov.Kay Ivey promised to sign legislation declaring that there are only two sexes, maleand female —echoing Trump’s recent executive order for the federal government to define sex as only male or female.
“The president thinks he has alot of power,” the Rev Julie Conrady,aUnitarian Universalistminister,told the crowd. “He does not have the power to determine your gender.Hedoes not have the power to define your identity.”
BY JULIE CARR SMYTH
Associated Press
COLUMBUS,Ohio— Callers are getting busy signals and voicemail inboxes are full at many U.S. Senate offices as people try to reach out and voice their opinionson President Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks, executive orders and moves to dismantle various federal programs.
Amemodistributedto Senate staff on Tuesday said there was ahigher number of calls than usual and that some callers were having trouble getting through.
“TheSenateisexperiencing an unusually high volume of inbound calls. External callers may receive atemporary busy signal when phoning aSenateoffice,” accordingtothe memo obtainedby The Associated Press
The influx of phone calls comes as Trump and ally Elon Musk are workingto shrinkthe federal government duringthe president’s first weeks in office. They are shuttering agencies, temporarily freezing funding and pushing workers to resign, all while staffers with Musk’sso-called De-
partment of Government Efficiency infiltrate departments in astated effort to root outfraud and abuse.
One popular post making the rounds on social media urged opponentsofthose actionstocall their lawmakers six times aday,every day —two calls each to their two senators and two to their House member.“Youshould NOT be bothering with online petitions or emailing,” it said. The post urged use of a smartphone app that would make thetask of making multiple calls per day easier.
Caitlin Christman, an institutional support contractor in Wisconsin furloughedlast week from the U.S. Agency for InternationalDevelopment, said it took her four attempts over five daystosuccessfullyleave amessage for her senator,Republican RonJohnson, after dealing with an overloaded voicemail box, grainy recorded greetingsand abusysignal.
“I wanted to express my concernwith dismantling USAIDwithout any sortof review,and to relay my experiencewith its work, which I believe hasbeeninour country’sbest interest,” she said,
noting that she expectstobe fired later this week.
Meryl Neiman of Ohio Progressive Action Leaders and others withinher network sought to draw attention to the fact that they were having trouble reaching both her state’ssenators —Republicans Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted —byphone or in person at their field offices before Wednesday’snationwide protestsagainst Trump and Project 2025, ahardright playbook for American government and society.
Both senators are close with Trump’svice president, JD Vance, and were with him as recently as Monday,during atour of the 2023 derailment site in East Palestine.
Those frustrated by Trump’sactions shared similar stories with the AP of being unabletoreach their lawmakers. They seemed to be experiencing particular barrierstoconnecting with the Senate offices of Trump’s fellow Republicans, who may be more inundated than Democrats becauseRepublicans hold thechamber’s majority and are more likely to have the president’sear Lawmakers were frus-
ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOBYMICHAEL CONROY Protestersrally against Project 2025 on Wednesdayatthe Statehouse in Indianapolis.
AP PHOTO BY GENE J. PUSKAR Aperson protests Wednesdayatthe federal courthouse in Pittsburgh.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO BY DAVIDZALUBOWSKI Participantscheer during apolitical protest outside the Colorado StateCapitol in DenveronWednesday.
Like many,Abu Elaish could point to his own family’sexperience. In May 1948,Israeli forces expelled his grandparents and other Palestinians and demolished their homes in the village of Hoj in what’snow southern Israel just outside the Gaza Strip, he said.
Thefamily resettled inGaza’s Jabaliyacamp, which overthe decades grew into adensely built urban neighborhood. Israeli troops leveled most of the district during fierce fighting with Hamasmilitants over recent months.
Mustafa al-Gazzarwas 5years old, he said, whenhis family and other residents were forced to flee as Israeli forces in 1948 attacked their town of Yabneh in whatis now central Israel.
Now in his 80s, he sat outside his home in thesouthernGazacityof Rafah,flattened by an airstrike, and said it was unthinkable to go after surviving 15 monthsofwar
“You think you’ll expel me abroad and bring otherpeople in my place? Iwould rather livein my tent, under rubble,” he said. “I won’tleave. Put that in your brain.”
“Instead of being sent abroad, I should return to my original land where Iwas born and will die,” he said, referring to Yabneh, located near what is now the central Israeli city of Yavneh. He said Trump should be seeking atwo-state solution. “This is the ideal, clear solution, peace for the Israelis and peace for the Palestinians, living side by side,” he said.
In his comments Tuesday alongside visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said Palestinians from Gaza should be resettled in lands in Egypt,Jordan or elsewhere, promisingthem a“beautiful place.” Egyptand Jordan have both rejected Trump’s call to resettlePalestinianson their soil.
Trump said theU.S. would take over Gaza and rebuild it into a “Riviera of the Middle East” for “the world’speople,” dismissing theideathatPalestinianswould refuse to leave or want to return.
Trump’stop diplomat and his main spokesperson on Wednesday walked back the president’s proposal, saying he only wants to
temporarily relocate Palestinians from Gaza to allow for reconstruction
Amna Omar,a71-year-old from the central Gaza town of DeiralBalah, called Trump a“madman.”
Omar was able to go to Egypt during the war after her husband wasdiagnosed with pancreatic cancer.InCairo, doctors told them his cancer had gone untreated for too longand he died in October
She said she intends to go back home as soon as she can, as did other PalestiniansinEgypt.
“Gaza is our land, our home. We asGazans have the right to the land and want to rebuild it,” she said. “I don’twant to die in Egypt like my husband. Iwanttodie at home.”
Palestinians have shown apowerfuldetermination to return to theirhomesafter nearlythe entire population was displaced by thewar.Joyous crowds streamed
back to northern Gaza and Rafah, both of which were devastated by Israeli bombardment and ground offensives.
With their neighborhoods reduced to landscapes of rubble, many returnees arehomeless, water is scarce and electricity is largelynonexistent in most areas. Still, for most, the destruction has not diminished their will to stay
“Weremain here, even if it means livinginthe rubble of our homes —better that than living in humiliation elsewhere,” said Ibrahim Abu Rizk, who returned to Rafah to find his home in ruins.
“For ayear and ahalf, we have been slaughtered, bombed, and destroyed, only to then leave just like that?”
The ceasefiredealbrokered by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar,calls for areturn of Palestinians to their homes as well as amassive international reconstruction effort in
its third phase— assuming Israel and Hamas can reach adealon who will govern the territory International law forbids the forced removal of populations. The Israeli rights groupB’tselemsaid Trump’s statement “constitutes a call for ethnic cleansingthrough uprooting and forcibly transferring some 2million people. This is Trump and Netanyahu’sroad map for asecond Nakba of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.”
Palestinian refugees have long demanded they be allowed to return to their homes in what is now Israel, citing the right to return widely recognized for refugees underinternational law. Israel argues that right does not apply to the Palestinians and says amass return would end the Jewish majority in the country
Throughout the 15-month war in Gaza, many Palestinians expressed fear that Israel’sgoal
was to drive the population into neighboring Egypt. The government denied that aim, though some hard-right members of the coalition called for encouraging Palestinians to leave Gaza and for restoring Jewish settlements there. The Israeli-occupied West Bank —home to more than 500,000 settlers —has also seen more than ayear of escalated violence. The rejection of Trump’scall was echoed by Palestinians in the West Bank and in surrounding Arab countries like Jordan and Lebanon which are also home to large refugee populations.
“If he wants to displace the population of Gaza,” Mohammed al-Amiri, aresident in the West Bank city of Ramallah, said of Trump,“then he should return them to theiroriginalhomeland from which they were displaced in 1948,insideIsrael, in thedepopulated villages.”
from Louisiana,” he said.
But the State Civil Service Commission, which oversees the civil service system, rejected Landry’s proposalina4-2 vote Wednesday Commissioner Codi Plaisance said she had heard from employees who feareditwould introduce political influence and instability —and forjobsliketransportation department engineers, that could have negative consequences for public safety Commissioner Scott Hughes said it’sunclear if the sweepingchanges sought by the Governor’sOffice comply with the civil service rules enshrined in the state constitution.
“Maybe the time has come to ask the people what system you want,” he said, referring to the fact that voters must approve any changes to the stateconstitution.
Asked for comment on the commission’svote against the plan, Landryspokesperson KateKelly said: “Commissioner Hughes rejected our request but in doing so,essentially said legislationto
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Continued from page1A
National Nuclear Security Administration said.
“These aerialradiation assessment surveys are anormal and
explore whether the classified civil servicesystem was still sustainableintoday’semployment environment was the best way to proceed so that the people could weighin.”
Landry’srequest sought to change 394 attorney jobs and506 engineering jobs —atotal of 900 government positions— from classified statustounclassified appointments, according to aCivil Service Commission memorandum dated Jan. 29.
Classifiedgovernmentemployees can bedisciplined or fired only
for causeand if certain procedures are followed, and they’re barred from political activity.Classified jobs must be hired through an open, competitiveprocess and meet certain pay scale and qualification requirements.
Unclassifiedemployees can be fired withoutcause and can engage in political activity
“These appointmentswould be consideredat-will employment, and incumbents wouldnot be entitled to due process before disciplinary action or removal from state service,” the memo says.
It adds that status change would be “applieduniformly across all state agencies and local units of government.”
The Governor’sOffice requested the change take effect beginning July 1for any new hires. Current employees could maintain classified status, butthe positions would become unclassified as vacancies are filled.
The memo also explained: “Critics of civil service systems and protections have long argued that unclassifiedemployees are more productive due to their at-will status, implying that classified employees underperform due to job security and appealrights. While this perspective is basedonopinion rather than empirical data, it remains aprevalent narrative.”
Goldsmith and Emily Andrews, specialcounsel to the governor, went before the Civil Service Commission on Wednesday to make the case for the change.
Their central thesis wasthatincreasing the number of unclassified state employees would aid in attracting and retaining atalented and knowledgeable government workforce. They also said it would help with increasing government
efficiency and filling critical vacancies.
“Our goal in doingthat, in unclassifying these professionals,is to first improve recruitment and retention by allowing Louisiana to attract and retain our highly qualified professionals,” said Andrews. Commissioner Plaisance asked if there is aplan to address problems related to recruitment and pay
“We’ve started those conversations,” said Goldsmith.
Hughes said the vote “may be the hardest one” in his 14 years on the commission.
He questioned why he had received the request just aweek earlier and was beingasked to take action so quickly.Healso questioned the administration’sarguments about talent retention.
“We’re trying to move at the speed of business,” said Goldsmith, acknowledging hisuse of a refrain often invoked by Louisiana Economic DevelopmentSecretary Susan Bourgeois.
He added: “The governor has challenged us: How do we think differently?”
Email Alyse Pfeil at alyse.pfeil@ theadvocate.com.
routine part of security and emergencypreparedness activities,” the officials said in astatement.
Theflights, whichare handled by aspecial nuclearemergency support team, are expected to last through Thursday Agency radiation-sensing aircraft, which also include fixed
wing planes, conducted nearly 1,000 flight hours on surveys in 2024, officials said.
ground and below-ground nuclear weapons testing.
The federal aerial measuring system program has ahistory that dates back to thelate 1950s when it was originally tied to the U.S. Geological Survey and used to measure the effects of above-
The program later took on arapid response functiontoemergency events involving potential radiological releases, likethe Three Mile Island incident in 1979.
The aerial system has also become astandard security measure
for major public events, including Super Bowls, national political party conventions andthe presidential inauguration,agency officials say David J. Mitchell can be reached at dmitchell@ theadvocate.com.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOBYABDEL KAREEM HANA
Aman sells bread Wednesdayunder the destruction of his bakery,which was hit by the Israeli airand ground offensiveinJabaliya, Gaza Strip
STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
Gov. Jeff Landryseeks to changeatotal of 900 governmentpositions from classified status to unclassified appointments.
Trumpsigns executiveorder on transgenderathletes
‘The waronwomen’s sports is over’
BY WILL GRAVES
AP national writer
President Donald Trumpsigned
an executive order on Wednesday intended to ban transgender athletes fromparticipatingingirls’ and women’ssports.
The order,titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’sSports,” gives federal agencies widelatitude to ensure entitiesthatreceive federal funding abide by Title IXin alignment with the Trump administration’sview,which interprets “sex” as the gender someone was assigned at birth.
“Withthisexecutive order,the war on women’ssports is over,” Trump said at asigning ceremony in the East Room that included lawmakers and female athletes who have come out in support of aban, includingformer collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines.
White House press secretary
KarolineLeavittsaidthe order “upholdsthe promise of Title IX” and will require “immediateaction, including enforcement actions, against schools and athletic associations”that deny women single-sex sports and single-sex locker rooms.
The timing of the order coincided with National Girlsand Women in Sports Day,and is the latestin
astringofexecutive actionsfrom theRepublican president aimed at transgender people.
Trump found during the campaign that the topic resonated beyond the usualparty lines. More than half the voters surveyed by AP VoteCast said support for transgenderrights in government andsociety hasgone too far.Heleaned into the rhetoric before the election, pledging to get rid of “transgender
insanity,” thoughhis campaign offered little in theway of details.
The order offers someclarity. Forexample, it authorizes the Education Department to penalize schools that allow transgender athletes to compete, citing noncompliance with Title IX, which prohibits sexual discrimination in schools. Any school foundinviolation could potentially be ineligible for federal funding.
Enforcing Trump’sorders will be apriority of the embattled department. In acall this week, the actingdirector of the Office for Civil Rights told staff they would need to align their investigations with Trump’spriorities, according to people who were on the call who spoke on the condition of anonymity to AP forfear of reprisals. Since Trump took office, thedepartment has opened an inquiry
into Denver public schools over an all-gender bathroom that replaced agirls’ bathroom, while leaving another one exclusive to boys.
Trumpalso issued awarning to the International Olympic Committee ahead of the 2028 Summer OlympicsinLos Angeles. The president said he had empowered Secretary of State Marco Rubio to make it clear to the IOC that “America categorically rejects transgender lunacy.Wewant them to change everything having to do with the Olympics and having to do with this absolutely ridiculous subject.”
The IOC has essentially passed the buck on transgenderparticipation, deferring to the international federations for each sport.
Trump also said that Director of Homeland Security Kristi Noem will “deny any and all visa applications made by men attempting to fraudulentlyenter theUnited States while identifying themselves as women athletes to try and get into the Games.”
Organizers for the 2028 Olympics didnot immediatelyrespond to requests for comment.
NCAA President Charlie Baker said its Board of Governors was reviewing the order and “will take necessary steps to alignNCAA policy in the coming days, subject to further guidance from the administration.” Baker,who said last year he wasaware of fewer than 10 active NCAA athletes who identifiedastransgender,noted the order at least provides auniform policy instead of apatchwork of state laws.
BY ERIC TUCKER and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Associated Press
WASHINGTON— Atop Justice Department official accused the FBI’sacting leadersof“insubordination” in aWednesday memo in which he sought to sootheanxiety inside the bureau over the potential for abroad purge of agentsinvolvedininvestigating the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol
The memo from actingDeputy Attorney GeneralEmil Bove said agents “who simply followedor-
ders and carried out their duties in an ethical manner” while investigating the Capitol attack face no risk of beingfired. Butthe memo also provided noreassurances for any agents found to have “acted with corrupt or partisan intent” and suggeststhose employees, if there are any,are at risk of discipline or even termination.
The scrutiny of career FBI agents beingundertaken by thedepartment is highly unusual given that rank-and-file agents do not select the cases they are assigned to work on and are not generally dis-
ciplined because of theirparticipation in mattersseen as politically sensitive. There’salso been no evidence anyFBI agents or lawyers who investigated or prosecuted the cases did anything wrong. The messagefrom Bove is aimed at providing ameasure of clarity after days of turmoil and uncertainty at the FBI as aresult of an extraordinary Justice Department demand on Friday forthe namesof agents whoparticipated in theinvestigations so that officials could determine whether additional personnel action was merited.
FBI employees who participated in investigationsrelatedtoJan.6 wereasked over the weekend to complete in-depth questionnaires about theirinvolvement in theinquiries as Trump’sJustice Department weighs disciplinary actions. FBI employees filed two lawsuits Tuesday to haltthe collection and potential dissemination of names of investigators. Ahearing is scheduled on Thursday Bove, in his memo Wednesday accused the FBI’sacting leadership of “insubordination” for resisting his requests last week “to identify
the core team” responsible for Jan. 6investigations. He said the requests were meant to “permit the Justice Department to conduct a review of those particular agents’ conduct pursuant to Trump’sexecutive order” on “weaponization” in the Biden administration. After acting Director Brian Driscoll refusedtocomply, Bove wrote, he broadened the request for information about all FBI employees who participated in the investigations. Driscoll had no response to the insubordination allegation, the FBI said.
ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOBYEVANVUCCI
President Donald Trump speaks before signinganexecutiveorder barring transgender femaleathletes from competing in women’sorgirls’ sporting events Wednesdayinthe East Room of theWhite House in Washington.
Gaines
Shown
Trumpdemands aidworkers return to U.S.
Staffers worldwide scramble foranswers
BY ELLENKNICKMEYER,MATTHEW
AMIRI
LEE and FARNOUSH
Associated Press
WASHINGTON Frustration boiled over Wednesday among supporters of the United States’ lead aid agency at aWashington rally, and anxious aid workers abroad scrambled to packuphouseholds after the Trump administration abruptly pulled almost allagency staffers off the job and out of the field.
The order issued Tuesday followed 2½ weeks that have seen the Trumpadministration and teams led by billionaire ally Elon Musk dismantle much of the U.S. Agencyfor International Development, shutting downa six-decade mission intended to shoreupU.S. security by educating children, fighting epidemics and advancing other development abroad.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has been touring Central America on his first visitinoffice, defended the administration’s broad shutdown of aid funding and other actions while saying, “Our preference would have been to do this in amore orderly fashion.” But, Rubio said, the administration faced alack of cooperation in an attempt to review the worth of each agency program. He gave no evidence, and agency staffers deny his and Musk’sclaims of obstruction. As aresult, Rubio said, the administration would now “work from the bottom up” to determine which U.S. aid anddevelopment missions abroadwere in thenationalinterest andwould be allowed to resume.
In Washington, Democratic lawmakers and hundreds of others rallied outside the Capitol to protest the fast-moving shutdown of an independent government agency. “Thisisillegal andthisisa coup,” California Democratic Rep. Sara Jacobs cried.
“Weare witnessing in real time the most corruptbargaininAmerican history,” Maryland Sen. Chris VanHollen shouted to supporters at the rally,referring to Musk, his support for President Donald Trump and his role in challenging USAID and other targeted agencies. “Lock him up!” membersofthe crowd chanted.
Demonstrators and lawmakers rally WednesdayonCapitol Hill in Washington against President Donald Trump and his ally Elon Musk as theydisruptthe federal government, including dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development, which administers foreign aid approvedbyCongress.
Addressing Democratic lawmakers, whohavepromised court battles andotherefforts buthave been unable to slow the assault on USAID, they said: “Do your job!”
Scott Paul, adirector at the OxfamAmerican humanitarian nonprofit,saidthe damage already done meant that key parts of the global aidand developmentsystem would have to be rebuilt “from scratch.”
Jennifer Kates, senior vice president and director of the global health andHIV policyprogram at KFF,citedone large organization alone that expects to close up to 1,226 maternal and child-care clinics serving more than 630,000
women “The health care system is not onethat youjust pressonand off,” Kates said. If the U.S. shutdown lays off staffers and closes those clinics,“youcan’t just say, ‘All right, we’re ready to start again. Let’sgo.’
USAID has beenone of the agencies hardest hit as thenew administration andMusk’sbudget-cutting team target federal programs they say are wasteful or not aligned with aconservative agenda.
U.S. embassies in many of the
more than100 countries where USAID operates convened emergency townhall meetings for thethousandsofagency staffers and contractors looking for answers. Embassy officialssaidthey had been given no guidance on what to tell staffers, particularlylocal hires, about their employment status.
AUSAID contractor posted in an often violent region of the Middle East said the shutdown had placed thecontractor andthe contractor’s family in danger because they were unable to reach the U.S. government for help if needed.
The contractor woke up one morning earlier this week blocked from access to government email and other systems, and an emergency “panic button” app was wiped off the contractor’ssmartphone.
“You really do feel cut off from a lifeline,” the contract staffer said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of aTrumpadministrationban forbidding USAID workers from speakingtopeople outside their agency
USAID staffers and families had already faced wrenching decisions as therumored order loomed,including whether to pull children out of school midyear.Somegave away
pet cats and dogs, fearing the administrationwould notgiveworkers time to complete the paperwork to bring the animals with them.
Despite the administration’sassurances that the U.S. government wouldbring the agency’s workers safely home as ordered within 30 days, some feared being stranded and left to make their own way back.
Most agency spending hasbeen ordered frozen, and most workers at the Washington headquarters have been taken off thejob,making it unclear howthe administration will manage and pay for the sudden relocation of thousands of staffers andtheir families.
The mass removal of thousands of staffers woulddoom billions of dollarsinprojects in some 120 countries, including security assistance for Ukraine and other countries, as well as development work forclean water, jobtraining and education, including for schoolgirls under Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
The online notification to USAID workers and contractors said they would be off the job, effective just before midnight Friday,unless deemed essential. Direct hires of the agency overseas got 30 days to
return home, the notice said.
The United States is the world’s largest humanitarian donor by far It spends less than 1% of its budgetonforeign assistance, asmaller share of its budget than some countries. Hundreds of millions of dollars of food and medication already delivered by U.S. companies are sitting in ports because of the shutdown.
Health programs like those credited with helping end polio and smallpox epidemics and an acclaimed HIV/AIDS program that saved more than 20 million lives in Africa have stopped. So have programs for monitoring and deploying rapid-response teams for contagious diseases such as Ebola.
South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi told Parliament on Wednesday that officials scrambled to meet with U.S. Embassy staff forinformation after receiving no warning the Trump administration would freeze crucial funding for the world’sbiggest national HIV/AIDS program.
South Africa has the world’shighest numberofpeople living with HIV,ataround 8million, and the United States funds around 17% of its $2.3 billion-a-year program through the President’sEmergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR. The health ministerdid notsay whether U.S. exemptions for lifesaving care affect that work. Democrats and others say the USAID is enshrined in legislation as an independent agency and cannot be shut down without congressional approval.
Supporters of USAID from both political parties say its work overseas is essential to countering the influence of Russia, China and other adversaries and rivals abroad, and to cementing alliances and partnerships.
In Istanbul on Wednesday,Hakan Bilgin sat in the downsizedoffice of his medical-care nonprofit, surrounded by half-unpacked boxes and worried colleagues. Days ago, Doctors of the World Turkey received an unexpected stop-work order from USAID, forcing them to close 12 field hospitals and lay off over 300 staff members in northern Syria.
“As amedical organization providinglifesaving services,you’re basically saying, ’Close all the clinics, stop allyourdoctors,and you’re not providing services to women, children and the elderly,”’ Bilgin said.
Charge filedagainst doctor
Severalwomen come forwardaccusing Crowleysurgeon of gropingthem
BY ALENA MASCHKE Staff writer
Aformal charge of misdemeanor sexual battery has beenfiled against aCrowley surgeonaccused of sexualmisconductbyseveral southwest Louisiana women. Vanessa Macato, of LakeCharles,
Oysters recalled from part of La.coast
Officialsseek to reassure hungry tourists
BY IAN McNULTY,MARCO
CARTOLANO and ALEX LUBBEN Staff writers
Arecall of oysters from one area off Louisiana’scoast due to health concerns led to ascramble by state officials Wednesday to reassure hungry tourists as Super Bowl week revs up, while restaurants rushed to secure supplies for a NewOrleansarea-event celebrating the shellfish.
The Louisiana Department of Health issued the recall late Tuesday for oysters from one ofthe harvest areas near New Orleans, known as Area 3. The recall was in response to 15 people falling ill withnon-life-threatening symptoms aftereatingoystersfrom there, oneof28harvestingareas off Louisiana.
The timing was doubly bad, with therecall announcednot only during Super Bowl week but also on the eve of the inaugural New Orleans OysterNight, an official citywide food and environmental event timed to coincidewiththe builduptothe game. On Tuesday, The New York Times even posted aglowing feature on the state of New Orleans’ oyster culture.
Largenumber
of guns seized in Calcasieu Parish
alleges that Dr.Ben Sabbaghian inappropriately touched her on or aboutSept. 20, 2024,according to abill of information filed with the 31st Judicial District Court in Jennings onJan. 14.
In an interview with Lake Charles TVstation KPLC, Macato said she was referred to Sabbaghian for a
colonoscopy after struggling with severe abdominal pain for months.
During her appointment, Macato told KPLC, Sabbaghian asked her to lift her shirt over her bra and touched her breasts without gloves. Macato said she panicked and let out ascream, causing him to back away.Macato’sexperience echoed that of several women who have come forwardfollowing a Facebook post by Scott resident Bethany Cooney-Palmer,who also alleged that the surgeon touched
her inappropriately Cooney-Palmer andothers filed reports with the Crowley Police Department, which were forwarded to District AttorneyDon Landry’soffice, which filed and then dropped charges against Sabbaghian.
The district attorney’soffice at the time reserved the right to pick up charges again within six months, aperiod that would expire in April, but according to court records has not done so yet.
Several women, including
Cooney-Palmer,have been in communication withthe firmofpersonal injury lawyer Dudley DeBosier to discuss pursuing acivil suit, but none has been filed so far Cooney-Palmer said she fears potential legal action against herself for making her accusations public and expects little by way of legal recourse for the alleged attack,which she said took place during aMay 2022 appointment.
See SURGEON, page 4B
is
grader Ahmed
Prairie ElementarySchool in Lafayette.
by faculty and students during
STUDENTCELEBRATESCITIZENSHIP
BY ASHLEY WHITE Staff writer
Fifth grader Ahmed Muthanawas the last in his family to earn his U.S. citizenship. His Prairie Elementary classmates, teachers, parents and siblings honored the milestone with asurprise celebration Wednesday Earning his citizenship in October felt great, Ahmed said. The congratulations from his friends and teachers made it even more special.
BYSTEPHENMARCANTEL
Staff writer
Authorities gave adriver a verbal warning after he said he unknowingly transported alarge supply of guns bound for the Mexican border Detectives with the combined Anti-Drug Task Force seized a large stockpile of guns andammunition in Calcasieu Parish, according to aCalcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office statement. On Jan. 31, detectives pulled over atruck traveling in the westbound lane of Interstate 10 around mile marker 37 fora traffic violation. The vehicle towed atrailer carrying three cars. Detectives searched aDodge Caravan after they believed there to be possible criminalactivity The driver gave consentto search the vehicle.
“It made me feel like everyone else,” the 10-year-old said.“Then everyone took it a step further to make me feel welcome.”
See CITIZEN, page 4B ä See OYSTERS, page 4B
Officials: Driver,heading to Mexico border, givenverbalwarning Fifth grader Ahmed Muthana chats with his classmates as they enjoycake and punch following a ceremony to
BY
JA’KORI MADISON Staff writer
Kayaking through scenery imbued with rich history and culturewhile surroundedbymarsh grasses on the banks of Bayou Vermilion is an enjoyable outing— and you don’teven need to haul around the equipment.
Wanderlust Rentals, which describes itselfasLouisiana’sfirst multipoint self-service kayak rental system, opened last sum-
STAFF PHOTOSBYLESLIE WESTBROOK
Fifth
Muthana
surprised
OUR VIEWS
Remembering all that SidWilliams gave our community
It would be hard to measure theimpactthat Sydney “Sid” Williams left on Acadiana.Weonly knowthat it was tremendous.
The Zydeco legend, who died Sunday at age 73, was best known as the proprietor of El Sid O’sZydeco and Blues Club, oneofthe last remainingofthe original Zydecodance hallsin the state. Over the years at El SidO’s,one could enjoythe performances by some of the top musicians in thegenre such as Rockin’ Dopsie, Chubby Carrier and Rosie Ledet.
The legendary Buckwheat Zydeco spentalot of his early years there, and Williams’ younger brother,Nathan, got his start playingFriday nights with his band Nathan &the Zydeco ChaChas. While the club thathestarted in1984 became the center of the Zydeco universe,Williams and his family became some of thebiggest evangelizers for the music throughout the world
ButWilliams was more than aclubownerand impresario. He was acommunity connector Since his death, stories of his generosity,his ingenuity and, of course, his humor have been sharedbyfriends and loved ones. Somany of thosewho knew him remember his givingthem counsel or aid and introducingthemtonew opportunities.
One such person was Madonna Broussard, the now James Beard-nominated chef who runsLaura’sIIrestaurant. When the late travel journalist AnthonyBourdain came to Lafayette in 2018 to filmasegment of his popular show “PartsUnknown,” it was Williams who brought him to Broussard’srestaurantfor her smothered stuffed turkey wings.
Williams was also known forhis philanthropy He gave back to the community duringthe annual Thanksgiving Zydeco Food Drive,whichhe started and which has been goingstrong since 1986. He would bring together musicians fora concert to raise money to help needyfamilies Entrance fee was usually afew dollars and a canned good. For decades, it has helped feed hundreds of familiesinour community during the holidays.
But those are just the big things thatWilliams deserves credit for.There were myriadsmall and lesser known ways that Williamsand his wife Susanna showed up for our community They operatedSid’sOne-Stop, aconvenience storethat offered gas, groceries, beer and boudin in north Lafayettefor 47 years. When it closed in 2023, their daughter rememberedhow patrons were treated like family In that 2018 episode of “PartsUnknown,” Williams was shown playing theaccordionatSid’s One-Stop. Among the manyinspirationalmessagesaround the store, you could seeasignthat read, “Wonderwhere you’re going. Never forget whereyou camefrom.”Itwas oneofhis many pearls of wisdom. People like Williams arewhy we never want to take for granted theunique community we live in.Theymakeusproud to call Acadiana home.
LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE AREOUR
GUIDELINES: Letters are published identifying name, occupation and/or title and the writer’scity of residence The Advocate |The Times-Picayune require astreet address and phone 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.
‘The problemisnot the library’ in Livingston
What theeditorial on Livingston Parishlibraries failed to mention is that every single member of theLivingston ParishLibrary Alliance is a resident of Livingston Parish. In fact, almost all, including me, were born and raised here and we work here. We are Livingston Parish. We are mothers, fathers, grandparents, educators, first responders, servers, counselors, librarians, homemakers, health care professionals, Sunday school teachers, machinists, attorneys, etc. who all love our library
We are an organization of residents, created to defend our library from outside attacks, that does no fundraising and takes no money from anyoutside sources. We have abudget of zero. We are united with acommon love of literacy and upholding theConstitution. The outside activists are theones leading thecharge against our library Tonot clarify this fact is adisservice to the community of Livingston Parish and to those of us pushing to save our library from people who do not even utilize itsresources.
This editorial suggests that thepa-
trons who value and support libraries have lost their trust in libraries, but thenumbers say otherwise. The Livingston ParishLibrary statistics in every category improved, with arecordbreaking year of checkouts, attendance at programming and increased participation in reading challenges. When library services were cut by board memberswith their own personal agendas, thecommunity rallied and spoke out. Hundreds of emails and calls were placed to the Parish Council to restore our library board back to normal because we love and support thelibrary and our library workers. Iamalifelong Livingston Parish resident. Ivalue and support the library.I have not lost faithinthe library —not once. What Ihave lost is trust in Louisiana legislatorsand leaders whoconsort with extremists and whowork against thecommunities and lawsthey were elected to support. The problem is not thelibrary
Overthe last couple of weeks, we have been hearing of some truly astounding executive orders coming outofWashington. While we mayormay not agree with them, theyneedtobelawful. Ihopeall Americans agree thatupholding the Constitution, to which the president swears, is important. If an executive order defieslaw andiscontested in the courts, it is the taxpayer who will pay to contest it.
WhenIspeak to others about what alarms me, Ihear: n People don’tcare. It has to hurt them personally before they do anything.
n People don’tknow whotheir representatives are. Yet, they know how to find an ice cream parlor on their phones.
n People feel like their one voice will not change anything. (From my experience, this is mostly true. So, all you voices, speak. And all you voters, vote.)
TO SEND US A LETTER, SCANHERE
Canada fought alongside us in multiple wars, took great risks to get U.S. hostages out of Iran and has helped us in emergencies, such as the current firefighting in California. Ourclosest friend and ally takes pride in its independence, as do we. The president’sjustification for the (now paused) threat of tariffs on Canada was to stop theflow of fentanyl and illegal immigrants into our country, yet thanks to Canada’salready active fight against fentanyl, less than 1% of incoming fentanyl seizures occur at theU.S.-Canada border.Only 1.5% of illegal immigrant apprehensions are at that border.Our president wantsCanada to give up its sovereignty and become part of the U.S. Drug trafficking and immigration appear to be excuses to use economic force to incorporate Canada into the United States. Canada, acooperative ally with U.S. bases on their soil, already grants access to its strategic Arctic Sea coastline, so the desire to incorporate it is mainly to get itsvaluable resources.
Ilike to think that when Americans voted to makeAmerica greater,they didn’tintend to do so by bullying allies; that they don’tteach their kids that bullying smaller,faithful friends out of coveted possessionsisthe path to greatness. Mexico has different problems. The drug cartels’ combined power rivals that of the Mexican government. Those cartels would not have paid tariffs on theproducts they export to theU.S. The tariffs would have only weakened legitimate businesses and thegovernment that is fighting these powerful criminal organizations. As far as thepipe dream of tariffs helping theU.S. economy,the country whose economy benefited the mostfrom the previous China tariffsisVietnam Do we want to impose higher prices on ourselves so we can bully and alienate staunch allies while weakening the fight against Mexican drug cartels? Would that make America greater?
DAVID KNELLING
Baton Rouge
If your candidate won, and you arehappy with A,B,C, yet X,Y,Z shock you, tell your representative that. It’snot allornothing despite whatour leaders may say. Life is complex, not simple. Simple solutions andthrowing the baby outwith the bath water areunwise
There is ametaphorabout boiling afrog. If you put afrogin really hotwater,the frog jumps out. But if yougradually heat the water,thenthe frog stays in and dies.
The American frog has been simmering for quite awhile. He seems to be tiredand inattentive just as the water temperature is really rising. Many Americans nowacceptbeing told lies.
Insulting others andtaking revenge on others have become acceptable,supposedly indicative of strength. The frogisdying.
ANN GONZALES Baton Rouge
Invoting for PresidentDonald Trump’smost outlandish executive branchnominees, U.S. Sen.Bill Cassidy of Louisiana blew it. For the electorally pressured Cassidy,R-Baton Rouge, doing the right thing,counterintuitively, might also have proved to be the politically savvy thing.Instead, he chose the short-term political salve of bowing to Trump —especially by votingto confirm horrendous Healthand Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr rather than following what his conscience and long experience as apracticing physicianshouldhavedictated. The senator is in an obviouspolitical bind. Facing aperilous Republican primary in April 2026, Cassidy is an effective, traditional conservative whois being pressured by MAGA radicalism. Conventional wisdom holds that Cassidy, who has arecord of at leastsome independencefrom Trump, has no more margin for error.IfCassidyhad voted against any of Trump’snominees, or if otherwise crosses the president in any public way, then most pundits think his political doom would be virtually sealed.
Conventional wisdom, however,may bewrong.
If apostasy from Trumpisapolitical killer for Republicanofficeholders, then Cassidy is already awalkingdead man despite his campaign’s$6.6 million cashonhand. By pundits’ reckoning, asenator already censured by his own state party’sexecutive committee for failure to toe Trump’sline in 2021, when he was less powerful and popular than heisnow,would be hard-pressed to win a Republican primaryanyway against aMAGA torch-beareralready holding statewide office. Assuaging the fury of MAGA voters would be nearly impossible. Then again, political fortunes can change remarkably quickly.InMarch of 1991, President GeorgeH.W.Bush luxuriated in national approval ratings of 89%.Fourteen months later,his approval had tanked to 40%.InJuly1976, challenger Jimmy Carter led incumbent President Gerald Ford by 33 polling points. Just three months later,Ford
RobertF.KennedyJr.,right, President Donald Trump’snominee to serve as SecretaryofHealth and Human Services, talks with CommitteeChairmanSen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, followinghis testimony during aSenate Committee on Health, Education, Laborand Pensions hearing for his pending confirmation on Capitol Hill last week.
camewithin 18,488 votes (in Ohio and Hawaii, combined) of winning reelection.
By the second year of their terms, presidents often are far less popular, even in their own parties, than when they were elected. This especially could provetrue for thevolatile Trump. IfTrump’strade wars cause major domestic economic problems, and if heavy-handedand arguably unconstitutional executive orders cause major disruption in social systems that affect themiddle class —both of which easily couldhappen —then aCassidy record of sober andprincipled independence from Trumponoccasional issues, combined with effective support for conservative policies in general, could look good, not bad, to primary voters.
This doesn’tmean Cassidy should adopt the showy,politically kamikaze tactics against Trumpof, say,former Rep. LizCheney of Wyoming. It does, though, mean thoughtfulindependence could make himlook strong and wise compared tothe lickspittle obeisance of somanyotherRepublicans.
Likewise, if Cassidy had voted against someofTrump’struly outlandish nomi-
nees who end up confirmed anyway, such as Kennedy or Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, thelikelihood of MAGA voters still being angry in 14 months isn’thigh. But if he had voted against anominee who then makes agrievous error,Cassidy would have become the rare standout withthe courage and foresight to have stood athwart MAGAworld saying, “Stop!”
If that sort of approach won’twork, then Cassidy isn’tgoing to be reelected anyway.Cassidy’sbrand is that of steadiness and studiousness, and it’stoo late now to change it. Most voters detest inauthenticity
Either way,ifbylate autumn Cassidy is suffering in Republican Party polls, he could forego reelection entirely There are worse things at age 69 than retiring on one’sown terms from a second stint in theU.S. Senatewhile knowing one followed one’sconscience all along.
As conservative intellectual lodestar Edmund Burke said, an elected representative’s“unbiased opinion, his mature judgment,his enlightened conscience, he ought not to sacrifice to you, to any man, or to any set of men living…. Your representative owesyou, not his industry only,but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.”
Much moreshould be written about how appalling achoice RFK Jr.was but no intelligent person should believe his confirmation-eve conversions on vaccination and other issues on which Cassidy himself expressed deep concern. Andnobody honestly believes Dr Cassidy believes it. He should not have betrayed his earlier,correct skepticism. In thelong run, Cassidy can never out-MAGA aLouisiana opponent. But if he foregoes reelection in 2026 and thus avoids aloss that saps his political mojo, and if Trump’sadministration by 2028 has proved an unmitigated disaster then Cassidy could be well-positioned for even higher office. Conscience then would have served him well indeed. If only
Quin Hillyer is acolumnist and editorial writer for The TimesPicayune |The Advocate. He can be reached at quin.hillyer@TheAdvocate. com
One of the things that frustrates so many people about Washington is its dysfunction. We are paying moreand getting less. Another day older and deeper in debt as an old song goes. The cost, bureaucracy and government’sfailure to produce manyresults despite the promises of politicians feeds the cynicism manyfeel about the capital. That may be about to change as the Trump administration followsthrough on its pledge to deport undocumented immigrants, some of whom have been convicted or charged with the mostheinous crimes.
It didn’ttake long for the Trump Justice Department to launchanall-out war against what it considers the deep state. The departmentsummarily informed senior officials in the divisions that oversee civil rights and environmental enforcementthat theywere being transferred to anewly created office to take action against sanctuary cities. The career lawyers were told they could either accept the reassignment or face disciplinary action, including removal.
The transfers, involving at least six members of the nonpartisan Senior Executive Service with decadesof experience in their areas of expertise, represent an unprecedented and unwise intervention into the topmost ranksofthe civil service.
These are, by and large,nonpartisan experts in their fields, traditionally servingfrom administration to administration regardless of which party is in power.The Trump Justice Department’sactions, targeting four SES section chiefs in the Environment and Natural Resources Division and at least two additional officials in the Civil Rights Division, violate the long-standingpracticethat these professional attorneys carry over notwithstanding changes in administration.
tobepartofthe Sanctuary City Working Group, effective today,” the individuals were informed Calling the “Department of Government Efficiency”: Putting so many members of the department’selite corpsofSES employees in this one smallareamakes no logical or administrative sense.
“It’spotentially cripplingtogovernment operations and will put communitiesacrossAmericaatrisk if the Trump administration removes allthe senior leadership ofa particular agency or department,” saidDavid M. Uhlmann, whoserved as chief of theEnvironmental Crimes Section at Justice from 2000 to 2007 andlater as assistant administrator for enforcement and complianceassurancefor theEnvironmental Protection Agency under President Joe Biden. “This has never happenedbefore.”
President,” the documentstates. Thetransferswill be difficulttofight. Federal lawimposes a120-daymoratorium on reassignments of members of theSenior Executive Serviceaftera newadministration takes charge.But that moratorium only kicks in after the department head is confirmed, meaning that actingofficialsappear to have the authority to order themoves, according to experts on civil service protections TheDOJ declined to comment.
Worse, the actions constitute adramatic misuse of government resources. It takes the senior brain trust of key parts of the departmentand places them in an area in which theyhave no expertise. Many will leave the government, as their experience and specialized skills will be highly valued at private firms. Running the experts offis, of course, one goal of the Trump purge
“Please accept this email as notice that you are being reassignedtothe Office of the Associate AttorneyGeneral
The move follows the earlier transfer to the sanctuary cities office of senior officialsinthe department’snational security and criminaldivisions, some of whomwere involved in the August 2022 search of Donald Trump’sresidence at Mar-a-Lago. In addition, thedepartmentfired outright the chief immigration judge and other officials involvedinthe immigrationcourtsystem, actions that appear to run afoul of the legal requirement that employees receive at leasttwo notices of poorperformancebeforethey canbedismissed.
On his first day in office, Trump issued an orderentitled“Restoring accountability for career senior executives,”asserting that he possesses the constitutional authority to remove members ofthe SeniorExecutiveService,whichcurrentlynumbers just under 8,000.“Because SESofficialswield significant governmental authority, they mustserve at thepleasure of the
As chillingasthe Trump Justice Department’searlier moves were, given howtheyconcentrated on thosewho hadcrossed Trump personally, the assaults against the civil rights and environmentaldivisions are disturbing in adifferentway,signaling an effort to quicklyundermine,ifnot neuter, the professional attorneys whohave been faithfully executingthe laws from president to president.
Anew administration of adifferent party is fully entitled to adoptdifferent enforcementpriorities. Electionshave consequences; such changesare in the normalcourse of business.
While much of the Justice Department’sbusiness continuesnomatter whoiselected,the civil rights andenvironmental divisionsinparticular have historically been subjected to more turmoil andturnoverthaninother,less ideologically fraught areas.Thatwas true eight yearsago,asthe Trump administration took over from the Obama Justice Department.
But Trump 2.0 is shaping up to be a more ruthlesslyeffectiveversion of its predecessor.Itiswillingtobarrel through norms in pursuit of its agenda; it is contemptuousofthe bureaucracy anddeterminedtomakelife as miserable as possible for those who haddedicated theirlives to public service. This, Ifear,isonly the start.
Ruth Marcus is on X, @RuthMarcus.
Democrats and the lefthave been mostly silent about these deportations. One exception is singer Selena Gomez,who posted avideo of herself crying and expressing empathy for“the children” (adult criminals are the targets fordeportation). She quickly took downthe video after receiving a torrent of criticism.
Border Czar TomHoman wondered why Gomez is only now speaking out: “Where are her tears forthe hundreds of thousands of Americans whohave died from fentanyl coming across the southern border?” Good question.
The decline in those migrant numbers has been dramatic and can only be credited to President Donald Trump’sswift fulfillment of his campaign promise. Fox News —the only media outlet to have consistently covered the border problem to the shameof others —reports fewerthan 600 people crossed illegally into the U.S. from Mexico on arecent Sunday.The decline in numbers will makethe job of the Border Patrol much easier
These lower numbers contrast significantly from the previous administration. In the final days of the Biden administration between 1,200 and 1,400 per day werecoming in. Biden officials wereclaiming the border was “secure,” even when photographs clearly showed it wasnot.
Newlyconfirmed Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem joined ICEagents on raids in NewYork. She said “Dirtbags like this will continue to be removed from our streets.” New York City Mayor Eric Adams, after at first pledging to protect migrants and offering them free hotel roomsand other benefits as part of his “sanctuary city”policy now seemstohave stepped back. He recently met with President Trumpwhich has led to speculation that Adamsmay be seeking apardon from his recent criminal indictments in exchange forsoftening his opposition against deportation. Adamsisupfor reelection in November and manyNew York Democrats have been critical of what they see as his cozying up to Trump.
It’s not only the approach to border security that has changed since Trumptook office. The new secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, is dismantling DEIatthe Pentagon and throughout the military ranks. Trumpsigned moreexecutive orders that included banning transgender Americans from the military and restoring troops whoweredischarged forrefusing to take COVID-19 vaccinations, back pay included. Another executive order is intendedtoestablish the development of an American version of Israel’sIron Dome missile defense system.Trumpgave credit to Ronald Reagan forthe concept, but said the technology wasn’tsufficient in the 1980s to develop it. He said that technology now exists.
It’s not only the speed with which Trumpis addressing these issues —and polls indicate amajority approve —it’sthe feeling that something positive is finally being accomplished in Washington, which fortoo long has seemed stagnant and unable (or unwilling) to change things that don’twork in favor of what does.
Even those whohave been and remain critical of Donald Trumpcan’tignore success, which Trumphas said would be his best “revenge” against those whohave tried to defeat him through impeachments, indictments, atrial and two apparent assassination attempts.
Email Cal Thomas at tcaeditorstribpub.com
Quin Hillyer
Cal Thomas
Ruth Marcus
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO BY RODLAMKEY,JR.
CITIZEN
Continued from page1B
Ahmed’sfather,Tareq Muthana, earned his citizenship before the family moved to Lafayette in 2019. Ahmed’smother,Arwa Saleh, and his older brother, afreshmanatLafayette High, earned citizenship last year Tareq Muthana said he was very thankful for ev-
KAYAKS
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“Weprovide the life jacket, kayak and the paddle. The entire route takes about four hours to paddle. The goal is to have more stops in the middle, but for now,somebody can basically start at Vermilionvilleand end at Southside and leave the kayak there,” Rudasill said.
In the coming months, Rudasill wants to create more access points for kayakers to hit the water
“I am looking to expand
SURGEON
Continued from page1B
“My case is too old to do anything,” Cooney-Palmer said. Depending on the charges sought, the prescriptive period may have
GUNS
Continued from page1B
eryonewho helpedand supportedhis family “We’re happy thatAhmed and our family areU.S. citizens,”hesaid Ahmed, whosefavorite subjectismath, is shy but excels in school,his father said. Outside of school, he plays soccer and the online video game Fortnite Prairie Elementary Principal Melissa Brumleysaid the celebration, complete with cake anda certificate for Ahmed, wasa chanceto
into Bayou Teche. That is currently in the works. I think BayouTeche is great scenery also for kayakers. It takes you along ahistoric route through nine parishes, so we are excited about bringing that.”
He also wants to add up to three more points along BayouVermilion soon,so kayakers, especiallybeginners, can paddle for four hours on theVermilion, withaccess to stopping pointsinbetween.
Rudasill says kayaking should be ago-to activity for more people.
“It gives you adifferent perspective of Lafayette;
expired, which would prevent her from successfully pursuing legalaction againstSabbaghian Still, she saidshe’scontent with the role she played in bringing the accusationsto light and helping others seek potentiallegal recourse. “My goalwith all of thiswas
Detectives found 13 rifles, nine pistols, one shotgun,49 rifle magazines, 17 handgun magazines and 2,000 rounds of ammunition. The driver allegedly told deputies that he was making adelivery to the U.S./ Mexico border.The driver claimed to havenoknowledge of the weapons. Authorities gave thedriver averbal warningfor the traffic violationand was released pending further investigation.The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms willtakeover the investigation. ATF, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, Homeland
OYSTERS
Continued from page1B
Therecall affects all oysters harvested from an area east of Lake Borgne and north of Eloi Bay since Jan. 10.
Those who became ill experienced norovirus-like symptoms—nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps.Two were briefly hospitalized with illnesses that were not life-threatening,according to the Health Department. The hospitalized individuals have since been discharged.
The department suspects either norovirus or asimilar virus sickened them, but the exact cause wasn’tyet clear, nor was the reasonfor the oyster contamination.
“If these oysters are contaminated, the harvest area may have been contaminated with some unknown infectioushuman waste,” the department said ina statement.“Oysters are filter feeders and can accumulatecontaminants and microorganisms presentin the water,which can in turn affect people who eat raw or under-processedcontaminated oysters.” The agency said it was monitoring thewatersand would reopen them for oyster harvesting once they meet standardsset by the Interstate ShellfishSanitationConference, afederal organization that sets safety standards for shellfish. Restaurantspivot
For local seafood restaurantoperators,there wasa groan, and then aprotocol. If they had oysters on hand from Area 3, those were pulled. Then they started working the phones.
“We’ve been doing this so long, we have alot of fishermen that we trust and rely heavilyon. They got to work forusinother areas,”said Tony Rodrique, food and beverage director of Acme Oyster House, which has restaurants in the French Quarter,Metairieand aroundthe region and is part of OysterNight.
showcase his achievement. Ahmed told her he was excited to earn his citizenship so that he could vote when he turned 18. It shows how muchheunderstood about what it takes to be agood citizen, she said.
“We’re very proud of him,”Brumley said. “It’snot just aproud moment for his family but also for Prairie.”
Email Ashley White at ashley.white@ theadvocate.com.
yousee neighborhoodsand factories fromthe eyes of thebayou, which is abeautiful view and it changes your perspective,” Rudasill said.
Wanderlust also offers privateparties and group events such as paddle therapy,guided paddles, ecotours andsunset paddles
The self-serve kayak rentals are available only during the day. For more information on dayrentals and events, visit wanderlustrentalsla.com.
Email Ja’koriMadison at jakori.madison@ theadvocate.com.
just to spread awareness,” Cooney-Palmer said. Misdemeanor sexual battery carriesa fine of up to $1,000 or six monthsofimprisonment
Email AlenaMaschke at alena.maschke@ theadvocate.com.
Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Atlanta FieldOffice assisted in the investigation.
Stephen Marcantel writes for The Acadiana Advocate as aReport for America corps member Email himatstephen. marcantel@theadvocate. com.
Through about of early morning farming and shipping, Rodrique expected his restaurants to be back to full oyster servicelater Wednesday,well ahead of dinnertime
OysterNightrolls on Acmeisalsoone of more than 50 restaurants and bars in New Orleansand Metairie to sign up for OysterNight. After more flurries of calls and textsafter the Area 3recall, OysterNightremained on track forWednesday evening.
“The system is robust. It did exactly what it was supposed to do,” saidTroy Gilbert, founder of Chefs Brigade, thenonprofitcoordinating OysterNight.
“There are 28 oyster areas in Louisiana.Thisisonly one.”
He added: “Our restaurantshave been through everything—hurricanes, the pandemic. Theyknow how to pivot.They rollwith it.”
Chefs Brigade envisions OysterNight as arecurring eventtoraise awarenessof the state’soyster culture. It was launched this year with NFL Green, the league’s environmental program, and ahost of other partners.Aspartofthe campaign,volunteers who includedagroup of retired military special operations veterans built areef from recycled oyster shells in Leeville onMonday.That project, which deployed 59 tons of shell in honor of the 59thSuper Bowl, is part of acoastal rebuilding effort from theCoalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana. For OysterNight, participating restaurants and bars areoffering special oyster dishes, both raw and cooked, and contributingtheir shellstothe coalition‘s oyster shell recycling program to supply future reef-building projects. Otheroysters safe to eat Health officials stressed that though oysters from Area 3were recalled, oysters harvested from other coastalareas were still safe to consume.
AMass of Christian Burial will be held for Mary Lee Bourque at 1:00 PM on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Cathedral of St.John the Evangelist in Lafayette. Her devotedfamily will celebrate her lifeina visitation from10:00 AM to 12:40 PM witha recitation of the Rosaryat11:00 AM ledby BuddyHebert on Saturday morning at Martin & Castille Funeral Home, 330 St. Landry Street View theobituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com
Martin &Castille Funeral HomeDOWNTOWN,330 St. Landry Street, Lafayette, Louisiana 70506, 337-2342311
Simon,Helen B.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at a11:00 am Mass of Christian Burial in St. Edmond Catholic Church in Lafayette for MaryHelen Bernard Simon, age 95, who passed away on February 3, 2025, at her residence in Lafayette. The family requests that visitation be observed in Martin &Castille's DOWNTOWN Locationon Friday, February 7, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm and will continue on Saturday morning from 8:30 am until 10:15 am. A Rosarywill be recited on Friday evening at 6:30 pm ledbythe St. Edmond Ladies Altar Society in the funeral home.
Lt. Gov.Billy Nungesser, who oversees the Louisiana Seafood Promotion andMarketing Board,said he hadspokenwithlocal restaurants that serve seafood to make sure thatthey understood the protocol around the recall, he said.
“All oysters outside of Area 3are safefor consumption. All seafood is safe for consumption. All the fish from Area3are safe for consumption,” saidTaylor Brazan,aspokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Wildlifeand Fisheries.
At smaller restaurants, Wednesday was alsoa scramble to ensure their oyster stock was safe. Sala owner Joe Riccobono said he heardquickly from his seafood purveyor, confirming thathis supply was from adifferentharvest area.
“It shows you how the system works,” he said.“When there’sarecall, you need to protect people,but youalso need to remember it doesn’t affect all the oysters,just that area.”
Camille Staub, oneofthe managers at Porgy’sSeafood in Mid-City,saidher shopstill had safe-to-eat oystersinstock —some from Leeville andsome fromAlabama —but that they didreceiveoysters from Area 3that weresubject to the recall.
“With everyone in town for the Super Bowl, we’re not going to be able to get oysters as fast as we need to,” she said. But, she stressed, she’sstill gotplenty of other seafood in stock.
“Come and get shrimp,” shesaid. “We’ve gottonsof it.”
LOTTERY
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Arockiam
Interment will be heldinLafayette Memorial Park Cemetery. Survivors include three daughters, Cynthia Dixon and her husband, David, Brenda Veillonand her husband, Ronnie, and Sandra David; threegrandchildren, Shannon Colley, AlexDavid andhis wife, Sam, andAndrewDixon and hiswife,Kaitlyn; four great grandchildren, Cameron Richard, Beckham David, Mason David, andBeau Dixon;and threesisters-in-law,Bertha Bernard,Verna Belle Duhon, andCarolyn Simon.
Precededindeathby her husband, Hubert Simon; her parents, Renold Bernard and Lauress Aucoin Bernard; and one brother,Curtis J. Bernard. Helen, anative of Vermilion Parish anda longtime resident of Lafayette, liveda life rich in culture,faith, andservice.A proudgraduate of Erath HighSchool,she was passionate aboutpreservingher Cajun heritageand worked tirelessly to keep the French language alive in Acadiana. Shewas an active member of New Acadians, CODOFIL, and theFrenchTable, where she shared herlove of language, history, and tradition.
Awell-traveledwoman, Helenmade many pilgrimages over theyears, enrichingher faith and deepening her understanding of the world. Sheled avibrantand active lifestyle, always seekingout cultural events, theater performances, and museum exhibitions. Herlove for learningextended to her hobbies, which included genealogy, crocheting, reading, and even computer games. She also had a special fondness for collectingowls, asymbol of her wisdom and keen spirit.
Helendedicated34 years of service to St. Edmond Catholic Church in Lafayette, specializing in finances andensuringthe parish remained strong. Shewas also adevoted member of theAltar Society andservedfor 12 years as thefinancial steward of the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary.
Even inrecent years, she remained steadfast in her commitment to her church and community. Hertenacity, generosity, and love forher heritage will leave alastingimpact on all who knew her Helen's legacy of faith,service,and cultural pride will continue to inspire generationstocome.
Pallbearers will be David Dixon, AndrewDixon, Alex David, CameronRichard, Gregory Aucoin, andJerry Aucoin Honorary Pallbearers will be RonnieVeillon, Clyde Aucoin,and Ken Romero. The family of Mrs. Simon extendstheirheartfelt appreciationtothe team at Hospice of Acadiana, with special thanks to Karen Nelson and Carol Jackson for theircompassionate care.InHelen B. Simon's memory, thefamily requeststhatmemorial contributions be made to Hospice of Acadiana. Donations can be made onlineathttps://hospiceacad iana.com/donate or by mail at 2600 Johnston St., Suite 200, Lafayette, LA 70503. For more information, please call 337-2321234. View theobituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com
Martin &Castille Funeral HomeDOWNTOWN, 330 St. Landry Street,Lafayette, Louisiana 70506, 337-2342311
SunnyTime9 LLCdba Star Travel Center is applying to theOffice Alcoholand Tobacco Controlofthe StateofLAfor apermittosell beveragesofhighand lowalcohol contentatretailinJefferson Davis Parish at thefollowing address: 18889 SFrontageRd, Welsh, LA 70467 Members: Lakhwinder Singh, Pawan Kaur,JagjitSingh 126578-Feb6,1t $93.86
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Bourque, Mary Lee
SPORTS
Somethingtoprove
Cajuns in transition despitequest forsixth SunBelttitle
BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer
It’snot hard to figureout why someone might doubt the2025 UL softball team’schances at asixthconsecutive Sun Belt regular-season crown
ä Seton Hall at UL, 6P.M.THURSDAY,ESPN+
Either because of graduation or the falloutfromcoachGerry Glasco’sdeparture to Texas Tech,the Ragin’ Cajuns lost quite abit from last year’s 45-19team. And the SunBeltcoaches picked Texas State todethrone the Cajuns in the preseason Sun Belt poll Offensively, 188 of their 370 runs,38oftheir 60 homers, 207 of their 332 RBIs and 41 of their 85 stolen bases wentout the window In the circle, 41 of 45 wins, 361 of 4161/3 innings and 242 of 270 strikeouts are gone.
“I think the ones who are doubting us,it’svalid, Iguess,” senior outfielder MaddieHayden said. “They don’tknow anybody on our team. Half of our team left, so it makes sense that people have those opinions, but our biggest goal is to prove them wrong
“Just because you don’tknowanyone on our team,that’sOK. We know the people who are on our team. In acoupledays, we’re going to be onthe field together to show everybody whatwe have. Ican’t waitfor everybody to see thatand change their mindsaboutit.”
ForHaydenand her teammates to deliver the desired season, the Cajuns will have to excel in differentareasfor
BY REED DARCEY Staff writer
Chiefs look to slow down Eagles’rushing attack ledby Barkley
BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer
The goal of an NFL scout team is to present the look and feel of an opponent in practice, giving the offense and defense the best approximation of thescheme andplayers they will face in agiven week. With that in mind, the scout-team offense for the Kansas City Chiefs has its work cut out for it this week trying to mimic PhiladelphiaEagles running back SaquonBarkley andthe imposing offensive line he hasin front of him.
ä Chiefs vs. Eagles, 5:30 P.M.
“At the end of the day,their guys upfront are massive, andSaquonisone of one,” Chiefslinebacker Drue Tranquill said. “... Youcan’tsimulate it fully.Our guys do the best they can. They’ve done areally good job so far.”
The Eaglesrushing attack,spearheaded by Barkley, is oneofthe biggest obstacles standing in between theChiefsand athird consecutive SuperBowltitle.Inhis first season with the Eagles, Barkley became the ninth player in NFL history to amass 2,000 yardsrushing in asingle season,finishing with 2,005 yards in 16 games.
in arow
the program.
“Wehave alot of variety throughout ourteam,” senior outfielder Kayla Falterman said. “Wehavespeed,wehave people whocan put abunt down,we have hitters who can hit it out of the ballpark, and we also have hitters gap to gapand stealing bases.
“Wework alot on execution as ateam and figuring out ways to scoreruns and just causing chaos for teams. We want to be ateam that keeps defenseson their toes. We could have apower hitter lay abunt down, you never know.”
As spectacular as his regular season was, he has turned it up anotch during Philadelphia’s playoff run, rushing for442 yards and five touchdowns in threepostseason contests.
“He’sacomplete running back,” Tranquill said. “He’sgot the elusiveness to make you miss in space, and in tight quarters, he’sgot the power to run you over and he’sgot the speed to go the distance whenever the hole opens up. It’ll be all hands on deck to stop him.”
Barkley put together one of the most explosiveseasonsbyarunning back in
FEB. 9•NEW ORLEANS
ä LSU at Missouri, 6:30 P.M.THURSDAY,SECN+
more granular. Maybe LSU can grabmore rebounds or force more turnovers. Maybe it can —asMulkey said on Sunday aftera win over Mississippi State —thwart more ofits opponents’ transitionopportunities. “Are we better?” Mulkey said.“We’re better. But Iwant perfect.”
PittsburghSteelersdefensive endDwight Whitewas sick during theweek of Super Bowl IX and wasn’t expected to play after astayinthe hospital. Whitehad lost 20 poundsbut wasstill able to play hisusual starting role against theMinnesota VikingsatTulane Stadium even thoughteammate “MeanJoe Greenethought he “was goingtopass out.”Whitewas responsible fora safety theonlypointsscoredinthe firsthalf. The“Steel Curtain” defensewas out in full forcewithWhite,Greeneand therest of theSteelersfront holding theVikings to only17yards rushing.Vikingsquarterback Fran Tarkentonalsostruggled with three interceptions A16-6Steelersvictory wouldbethe firstoffour SuperBowlwinsfor Whiteand many otherSteelerslegends ä See UL, page 3C Mulkey says LSU ‘better’ at defense, but shewants perfection
The LSU women’sbasketball team is improving how it plays defense, but that’s notquite good enough for coach Kim Mulkey In her eyes, the No. 6Tigers always have something to refine at thatend of the floor.Sometimes, the problems are broader,with issues of effort or focus. In December,Mulkey said she thought her team needed to do some “soul searching” to figure out whether it wanted to “take pride” in its defense. Other times, the concerns are
LSU has only sevenregularseason games left to find perfection. The firstofthose contests,
ä See LSU, page 3C
Counting down to the big game with alook backatSuper Bowl moments in NewOrleans: SICK DEFENSIVEEND SHINES IN STEELERS’ VICTORY
STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD KEMP
UL outfielderMaddie Haydenstealsabaseahead of the tag by NewMexico infielder RachaelHathoot duringa game at Lamson Park on Feb.11. The Cajuns begin the 2025 seasonThursday against SetonHall.
STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson races up the courtafter making a stealagainst Texas A&M in the fourth quarter on Jan. 26 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center
STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD KEMP
UL infielder Mia Liscano, left, and outfielder DayzjaWilliams is seen during softball practiceatLamson Park on Jan. 16
STAFF PHOTO BY BRETT DUKE
PhiladelphiaEagles running backSaquon Barkleyspeaksduring amedia availability event for Super Bowl LIX at the Hilton New OrleansRiverside on Wednesday.
ä See BARKLEY, page 3C
SUNDAY,FOX
5p.m.Rutgers
5:30
6
8p.m. 2025 NFL Honors FOX MEN’S SOCCER 6:55 p.m. Guadalajara at Cibao FS2
8:55 p.m. Pumas UNAM at CavalryFCFS2 TENNIS
7p.m. Dallas-ATP Early Rounds Tennis
KellyexplainsLSU staffchanges
BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer
LSU football overhauled its coaching staff aseason ago.
Itsstruggles on defense—combined with offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s decision to return to NotreDame— meantthe Tigers needed to add coordinators on both sides of the ball andbring in new positional coaches on all three levels of the defense.
This offseason, the staff changes haven’tbeen as dramatic LSU needed to replace onlyone positional coach. Butthere has been plenty of movement within the Tigers’ analystand player personnel departments this winter
“I think it’ssuffice to say that we’ve got somechange but some continuity,which Ilike the blendingofboth as it relates to our support staff,” LSU coach Brian Kelly said Wednesday
The most notable addition to the coaching staff has been Alex Atkins, the former Florida State offensive coordinatorand offensive line coach. Atkins was fired by the Seminoles in November as they finished this past season with a2-10 record.
Atkinswill serve as the LSU tight ends coach and run game coordinator.Hereplaces tightends and special teams coach Slade Nagle, who left the Tigers to become the offensive coordinator at Houston in December
“He brings agreat deal of experienceasacoordinator,” Kelly said. “But more importantly,his depth and background in the run game as an offensive line coach, he adds another perspective in that room.”
LSU’srushing attack struggled for much of last season, averaging less than 4yards per carry in half of its games against SECcompetition. The tight ends, in particular, struggledblockinginthe run game.
“He will not be stepping on (offensive line coach Brad Davis’) toes.Brad’sdone an incredible job,” Kelly said. “Thisisreally havingsomebody that will coach the tight ends and have aspecific focus towards our run game and how it marriesand matches to what I’m looking for within our
ASSOCIATEDPRESS FILE PHOTO BY
IV LSU coachBrian Kelly speaks during SoutheasternConference media days on July 17 in Nashville, Tenn.
overall offensivestructure.
“Having somebody that has his eye on it every day that was a great need.”
Atkins fills the void Nagleleaves inthe tight ends room, but he won’tfill Nagle’srole as special teamscoordinator
Nor will senior special teams analystLesterErb or Bob Diaco, LSU’sinterim special teams coordinator in 2023 who served as a defensive analyst last season.
Diaco left this offseason to become the linebackers coach at North Carolina, while Erb was let go. Both exits lefta void within the coaching staffasitpertains to special teams. To fillit, LSUhired Grambling special teams coordinatorAmanAnand as aspecial teams senior analyst. Additionally,Kelly said he plansonhiring another special teams coach to support the unit.
“Wefeel really good about that,”
Kelly said
Besides Anand, the Tigers have hired East Carolina general manager Noah Joseph —who worked with LSU defensive coordinator Black Baker at Missouri —asa defensive analyst. They’re also in theprocess of addingLance Guidry —Miami’sdefensive coordinator for the past two seasons to the staff as adefensive analyst, sources told The Advocate.
On the other side of the ball, Kelly announced the hirings of formerOklahomaState quarterbacks coach TimRattay and Oregon offensiveanalyst Antonio Parks as offensive analysts. Rattay and Parks help replace offensive analysts Todd Fitch and Paul Turner,who both left the programtobecomethe offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, respectively,atCharlotte.
“We’re excited aboutthose that have moved on as well because they’ve been given great opportunities,” Kelly said.
TheTigers made even more
changes to their player personnel department, naming JR Belton the new director of football operations andelevating Donovan Tate into the role of director of recruiting.
The new titles for Tate and Belton —combined with LSUparting ways with six staff members —prompted aquestion to Kelly regarding whether these changes were related to LSU needing to save money because of revenue sharing expected to begin this summer
Kelly denied that the adjustments made to the support staff was to save money.But he does know there will be programs around the country cutting costs because of revenue sharing.
“That has notbeen the case here,” Kelly said.
Staffwriter Wilson Alexander contributed to this report Email Koki Riley at Koki. Riley@theadvocate.com.
Brooks family’s comments strike ‘nerve’withKelly
BY KOKI RILEY and WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer
LSU football coach Brian Kelly responded Wednesday to an allegation made by the fatherofformer safety GregBrooks in which he said the family has not heard from anyone on LSU’scoaching staff since October 2023, and specifically named Kelly Kelly called it “factually incorrect to state that Iwas not thereby Greg’sside” as Brooks underwent surgery to remove abrain tumor in September 2023. He said he visited Brooks on “multiple occasions”or sent someone from his staff “virtually every single day” to the hospital.
Notebook
“You can question me asa football coach,” Kelly said. “You canquestion me in terms of the things that we do on the field. But off the field, as a parent, as ahusband, as somebody that is actively involvedinevery community that I’ve been involved with, this is where the line is drawn with me. That comment struck a nerve with me.”
During an interview with “Good MorningAmerica” released Monday, GregBrooks Sr said he hasnot heard from any LSU coaches in more than ayear “My son almost lost his life, coach,” Brooks Sr.said.“Where were you? Forget about football. Pick up the phone and say youlove the kid, man.” Kelly refuted the notion he has not supported Brooks.
“It hit my heart because that’s
notwhy I’m in this business,” Kelly said. “I’ve beeninitfor players, will always be in it for our players. It rattled me that somebody could possibly be so factually incorrect in stating that Iwas not part of Greg Brooks Jr.’scare and support.”
Brooks filed alawsuit last year against LSU and Our Lady of the Lake regional medical center for negligence, claiming LSU staff mishandledthe events that led to his diagnosis and that the surgeon wasn’t qualified to perform the procedure Brooksunderwent emergency surgery Sept. 15, 2023, to remove atumor,which was later diagnosed as arare form of cancer called medulloblastoma.Hecannot walk, and he has difficulty speaking.
“Welove Greg,” Kelly said. “We love him for the person that he is, for the competitor that he is and the battler that he is and can only wish him continuedprogress as he goes through an incredibly difficult time. But it was important for me to set the record clear as to my care, my love forGreg Jr.during this very difficult time.”
Hurley timetableunclear
There is no timetable forLSU quarterback Colin Hurley‘s return to the field almost three weeks after he was involved in acar crash near LSU’scampus,Kelly said Wednesday.
Kelly said Hurley is recovering in his hometown of Jacksonville,
Florida
He noted that he has visited with Hurley multiple times since the crash and spoke with his father
STAFF FILE PHOTO BY HILARY SCHEINUK
LSU safety Greg Brooks is pushed aside by Florida State offensive lineman Bless Harris during the Camping WorldKickoff on Sept. 3, 2023, at Camping WorldStadium in Orlando, Fla.
Tuesday Because Hurley is only 17 years old, Kelly said “a lot”ofhis recovery has been left to his family
“It’saday-to-day situation, and talking to his dad, Charlie, there’s really good progress,”Kelly said. “So, Ithink we all are coming from asimilar perspective in that we’re hoping for thebest.”
Thenature of Hurley’s injuries are unknown.
Kellyonnew transfers
Kellynever haswantedtobuild his teams primarily through the transfer portal.
Butwith multiple starters departing on the offensive and defensive lines, secondary and wide receiver,Kelly and theTigers were aggressive in adding 16 playersout
Pelicans trade center
Theis to the Thunder
OKLAHOMA CITY TheNew Orleans Pelicans traded center Daniel Theis and a2031second-round draft pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday forcash. The6-foot-8 Theishas appeared in 38 games with nine starts for New Orleans thisseason,averaging 4.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 16.3 minutes per game. Theis is an eight-year NBA veteran fromGermany withcareer averages of 7.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 411 games. He joins aThunder squad that leads the Western Conference with a39-9 record entering Wednesday His arrival in Oklahoma City will provide additional depth to ateam that has been withoutstarting center Chet Holmgren for most of the season.
Bucks to add Kuzma, send Middleton to Wizards
The Milwaukee Bucks are trading NBA champion andOlympic gold medalist KhrisMiddleton to the Washington Wizards and getting Kyle Kuzma back in the deal, aperson with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press on Wednesday under the condition of anonymity.The trade had yet to receive league approval. Also involved in the trade: A.J. Johnson goes from the Bucks to theWizardsand Patrick Baldwin goes from the Wizards to the Bucks, along with afuture pick swapand some second-round draft capital.
The 33-year-old Middleton, who has struggledwith injuries, leaves the Bucks after spending allbut one of his 13 NBA seasons in Milwaukee.
Timberwolves’ Randleout for at least2more weeks
MINNEAPOLIS Minnesota Timberwolvesforward Julius Randle will be sidelined at leastthrough the All-Star break with astrained right groin he suffered last week. TheTimberwolves announced Wednesday beforetheirgame against Chicago that Randlewill be re-evaluated in two weeks. He hadanMRI that revealed astrain of his right adductor muscle, part of the groin, and was confirmed by asecond opinion from aspecialist. Randle was hurt during Minnesota’sgame at Utah last Thursday This assessment means he’ll miss at leasteight games. The Timberwolves host Oklahoma City on Feb. 23 in their firstgame outofthe break, and are also missing guard Donte DiVincenzo becauseofabig toe injury
Former NFL coach Rivera plans to coach in college
Former NFL head coach Ron Rivera is looking to head back to college to work at his alma mater,the University of California.
of the portal this winter
“This year was alittle bit heavier,” Kelly said Wednesday.“ We needed more depth and moreexperience across our roster to be a championship roster.”
LSU added seven players on defense, eight on offense and a punter
“The big picture plan is to surround Garrett (Nussmeier) on offense, to give (defensive coordinator BlakeBaker)the pieces that he needsondefense to have achampionship roster,” Kelly said. “And I believe we did that on paper.”
Spring practices begin March 8, butKelly already has been impressed with Oklahoma tight end transfer Bauer Sharp and Florida edge rusher transfer Jack Pyburn
The experience Sharp and Texas A&M transfer Donovan Green provides to atight ends room that brings back only freshman Trey’Dez Green,inKelly’seyes, was crucial for the unit. He’salso noticed how Pyburnalready is affecting the Tigers’ locker room in apositive manner
“His demeanor,his attitude is infectious,” Kelly said of Pyburn.
LSU’snew wide receivers Kentucky transfer Barion Brown, Florida State transfer Destyn Hill and Oklahoma transfer Nic Anderson —have stood out to the staff with their speed. Virginia Tech cornerback transfer Mansoor Delane‘s experience also has been abig boost to younger cornerbacks.
“Wedon’thave aveteran player back there,” Kelly said. “And his leadership and just the way he’s handled himself has been outstanding.”
Rivera said Wednesday on social media that he was following the lead of Bill Belichick and will take ajob in some capacity at California.
“Coach Belichick has made going back to school, cool,” he wrote. “Stay tuned Iamcoming home.” Rivera and theschool revealed no details about what role he would take at Cal.
Coach JustinWilcox is entering his ninth season in chargeofthe Golden Bears and has a42-50 career record. Cal’srival, Stanford, recently hired former star quarterback Andrew Luck to be the general manager of the program.
LIV Golfplayershave path to U.S. Openexemption
The U.S. Open becamethe first major to publishadirect pathway for LIV Golf players, on Wednesday announcing anew exemption category that awards one spot to the leading player from among the top three at LIV’shalfway point this year
The next exemption category will include one spot this year from the May 19 standings in LIV.Starting with the 2026 U.S. Open, the USGA will take the leading player in the final 2025 individualstandings, along with the leading player from the May 18, 2026, list. In each case, the exemption goes to theleading player notalready exempt, and the player must be among the top three in the standings. The other majors have not turned away players from the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League.
GEORGE WALKER
The lineup isn’ttotally without someseasonedveterans, led by Hayden (.353, 30 RBIs, 21SBs), LaneyCredeur (.331, 7HRs, 28 RBIs), Sam Roe (.320, 9HRs, 39 RBIs) and Cecilia Vasquez(.281, 6 HRs, 20 RBIs).
The offense could be bolstered by true freshmen Emily Smith at first base and Lily Knox in theoutfield.
“Her maturity as afreshmanhas been apleasant surprise as well,” UL coach Alyson Habetz saidof Smith. “Oftentimes, you might get abig hitter as afreshmanbut she needs some time to develop maturity-wise in the box, but Emily has proven she has maturity there. She’ll take awalk when sheneeds to, and she canhit the ball pretty hard.”
Other newcomers aremiddle infielders Mia Liscano and Erin Ardoin.
“I think we’re goingtoscore runs alot differently than they may have in the past —trying to create chaos for thedefense and again, playing the game fast and making it fast for the other team,” Habetz said. Expect alot more bunting,and more hit-and-runs and more stolen bases. In other words, the kind of small ball this program hasn’t seen since the last century Habetz is excited about the roster’swillingness to change.
“I’m just so blessed to have the senior class that we have—their coachabilityand howwellthey’ve received me and our staff and what we’re trying to implement hastruly been the biggest surprise and also the biggest blessingofall of it,” Habetz said. “From that trust comes teamchemistry.”
The one area Habetz hopes doesn’tchange drasticallyisdefense after the Cajuns led the nation in double plays turned last season.
“I wouldn’tsay we changed alot,” she said. “If it ain’tbroke, don’tfix it. They did well last year on defense, so Idon’twant to break that. That’sagood thing.”
The biggest question mark entering the season is the pitching staff.
Theinjury status of TexasTech transfer Sage Hoover and returnee Lexie Delbrey cloud the outlook.
Senior Nevada transfer Tyra Clary enters the seasonasthe top pitcher,and she saidthe transition has been smooth.
“It feels like I’ve been playing for them for four years, andI’ve beencoached by coach Aly for four years,” Clary said. “I’m like, ‘Ahh, Ionly get one year here.’
“Every night, Iamsograteful that Imade the decision Imade
LSU guards Shayeann Day-Wilson, left, and Kailyn Gilbert defend against Oklahoma guard Payton Verhulst during agame on Jan. 30 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center
STAFF PHOTO BY HILARY
UL SOFTBALL
POSITION
Pitchers:Best mix of health and talentare seniortransfer Tyra Clary and truefreshman Mallory Wheeler Transfer SageHooverand returnee Lexie Delbreyhavemajor injury questions. SeniorSam Ryan and juco transfer BethaneyNoble could getchancetoshine.
Catcher:The biggest lock to start out of all thenewcomers is senior transfer Savannah White.The Cajuns also havetruefreshman Mia Norwood andjuco transfer McKayla Fergusonaspromising backups
First base:Initially was going to be SamRoe,but an injuryatthird base prompted her to move to the hotcorner. If healthy, true freshman Emily Smith is the most likely replacement.
Second base:ULhas three middle infielders —Cecilia Vasquez, Mia Liscano and Gabbie Stutes. Either Vasquez orLiscanowill startat second base with the other likely movingtoshortstop.
Shortstop:Vasquez or Liscano. Third base:Roe likely willstart here with Norwoodand Ferguson as backups.
Center field:Maddie Hayden, with Dayzja Williams as abackup.
Left field:The outfield is deep. When healthy, true freshman Lily Knox could settle here, but true freshman Chayne Allen and newcomerErin Ardoin are in the mixaswell.
Rightfield:Veteran Kayla Falterman is thebestbet,but any ofthe others could end up here.
Designatedplayer: LaneyCredeur
to come here,because it wasterrifying. Ididn’tknow asingle girl, and I’mmovinghalfwayacrossthe country to the south where Idid not belong. But they’ve madethis pace asecond home and made me feel like Idobelonghere.”
True freshman Mallory Wheeler also figures to play abig role. “Recruiting-wise, shewasn’t really throwingthathard,” HabetzsaidofWheeler.“Our pitching coach might have to redshirt her,not sure. Then she comes on and she’sclocked at 70 acouple of times. Thatwas apleasantsurprise and the way her ball moves andher determined spirit.”
Email Kevin Foote at kfoote@ theadvocate.com
LSU
Continued from page1C
aroad matchup with Missouri, will tip off at 6:30p.m. Thursday on SEC Network+. In that game, the Tigers will try to prevent their opponent fromshooting at least 40%from thefield for a fifth time in their previous six contests. That threshold usually is what separates LSU from its wins and losses. In four seasons under Mulkey,the Tigers have lost eight regular-season games to Southeastern Conference teams, and six of those losses have come against an opponent thatconnected on at least 40% of its shots. This season, LSU is allowing its conference opponents to shoot41% from the field —the fourth-best rate in the league. That number is higher than the 38% rate at which SEC teams converted their field goals against Mulkey’sfirst threeLSU teams, and it’sreceiving aboost from LSU’srelatively slow defensive start. Three of
its first four opponents in 2025 shot at least 40% from the field.
The numbers have improved since then. Now,the Tigers rank fifth amongSEC teams in points allowed per possession (0.92), according to HerHoopStats,fourthinturnovers forced per game (18.4) and sixth in blocked shots per game (3.8) in league play
Mulkey thinks LSU can improve how it cleans the defensive glass and defends in transition.
“Westill don’tcommunicate,”
Mulkey said. “Wehave atendency to loaf —not go really hard back down on the other end, either after wescore or even if there’sbeen a turnover
“I think alot of it is nothingmore than communicating and understanding, from foullinetofoulline, you cannot get ina loaf trot. Yougot to run. And it’sactually our perimeter most of the time more than it is our post players.”
Each of Mulkey’sfirst three LSU teams grabbed defensive boards at one of thefive best rates in theSEC,
per Her Hoop Stats, yet this one is doing so at one of the sixlowest.
On Sunday,Mississippi State pulled down 17 offensive rebounds— the most aconference opponent has grabbed in agame against the Tigers this season.
LSU did, however,allow Bulldogs to score only two points on the fast break, far fewerthan it cededto Oklahoma in theprior game.The Sooners scored 24 fast-break points, most of which they used to shave all but one point off the Tigers’ 24-point third-quarter lead. Apress forced LSU into turnovers, and Oklahoma capitalized with easy buckets in transition. “I want to go watch filmsomeday,” Mulkey said, “and we have not given up anytransitionlayupsor3s, and when they scored,(say) ‘Man, they just had to work to score.’ ” Whichmeansthat thedefensive improvements LSU can make now lie more in the finer details than they do in the bigger picture —a positive sign for the title-contending Tigers.
BARKLEY
Continued from page1C
NFL history,notching seven touchdown runs of 60 or more yards (including the playoffs).
According to Next Gen Stats, Barkley reached at least 20 miles per hour on 14 carries this season; Ravens running back Derrick Henryhad the second-most such rushes with six.
Cornerback Trent McDuffie added: “There’sdefinitely moments when you’re watching filmand you’re like,‘Dang, how did he do that?’ ” As impressive as Barkley’s season has been, the Chiefs were quick to point out he is notthe only thing that makes the Eagles rushing attack go. Philadelphia has amassed an elite collection of talent in front of him. Right tackle Lane Johnson (6-foot-6, 325 pounds) is asix-time Pro Bowler.Left tackle Jordan Mailata (6-8, 365) was named asecond-team All-Pro by The Associated Press this year Left guard Landon Dickerson (6-6, 332) and center Cam Jurgens (6-3, 303)both made the Pro Bowl this year.Right
guard Mekhi Becton (6-7, 363) has revitalized his career in Phillyafter beingcast aside by the New York Jets. Add into that aquarterback in JalenHurts whocan hurt adefense withhis legs (630 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground this season) and it equals adifficult rushing attack to slow down.
“They’ve gotthe best running back in the league, they’ve got one of the better offensive lines in theleague —Imean, look at the numbers Saquon put up behind that offensive line,” Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones said. “It speaks volumes. They’ve had alot of success.”
Kansas Cityiscoming off a couple of shaky performances defending the run, yielding 149 yards to the Houston Texans and 147 to the Buffalo Bills in consecutive weeks. And now in the biggest game of the season, the Chiefs will face their greatest challenge.
“Weasagroup have to fly around,” Jones said. “… I don’tthink he’saguy that one person is going to wrap up and tackle. Ithink it’sgoing to take agroup effort. Ithink we have the guys to do it,I believe in the guys that we have.”
Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate.com.
UL third baseman
Sam Roe fields a ground ball during aCajuns’ practice recently
STAFFPHOTO BY BRAD KEMP
SCHEINUK
STAFFPHOTO BY BRETT DUKE Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley headsto his designated spot to speak with the media during amedia availability event for Super Bowl LIX at the Hilton NewOrleans Riverside on Wednesday.
STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD KEMP
UL shortstop Cecilia Vasquez gets ahit against Troy in the bottom of the fourth inning during their Sun Belt
Conference game at Lamson Park on May4
THEVARSITYZONE
Wait over forDartez
“All Ineeded wasone
BY ERIC NARCISSE Staff writer
Vermilion Catholic’sJonathan Dartez didn’tcare who gave him achance to play college football, just as long as he got achance
Despitearecord-settingcareer as the Eagles’ starting quarterback, offers were hard to come by In fact, he didn’thave one until recently
“I don’tknow how many times I was told (by college coaches) that Iwas too small or too short,” said the 5-foot-8, 175-pound Dartez, who accounted for astate-record 177 touchdowns and more than 13,000totalyards in hiscareer.
“All Ineeded was one team to take achance on me.” Dartez got that chance when Nicholls State offered him a scholarship on Jan. 28. Dartez committed to the Colonels on Saturday and signed with them on Wednesday
“I’m excited about getting the opportunity to play college football,” said Dartez,who is expected to play slot receiver
“I’m grateful for Nicholls State. When Ireceived the offer from
them,it was abig relief.”
Despite the lack of offers, Dartez said not pursuing football in college“was never an option.”
“I knew Iwas going to play somewhere,” Dartez said. “IfI hadtowalk on somewhere, that’s what Iwas goingtodo. Ihave too much talent to not play.Itwould be selfish of metonot play even if walkingonwas my only option.”
Eagles coach Broc Prejean said he was happy to see Dartez get a “well-deserved” opportunity
“I’m tremendously excited for Jon Jon,” Prejean said. “Hehas worked so hard for this opportunity.I’m really proud of him for staying the course. He knew he would findafit.
“He was very devout and trusted theprocess.”
Dartez was namedthe LSWA’s Class1AMostOutstandingOffensive Player after rushing for 2,761 yards and 44 touchdowns
on 348 carries last season. He also passed for 1,638 yards and 23 touchdowns on 92 of 146 attempts. He is atwo-time all-state selection, three-time district MVP and two-time All-Metro Star of Stars MVP
“He’sa kidthat approaches everything the right way,” Prejean said. “Heisgoing to go thereand give everything he has to the program. He’sgoing to work in the moments when no one is watching. He wanted to go aplace where he felt valued and wanted. Nicholls is going to reap the benefits of taking achance on him.”
Dartez is notlooking to prove people wrong as much as he wants to prove Nicholls right for giving him an opportunity
“That’sbeenhis mindset. He wanted someone to give him an opportunity so he can prove them right,” Prejean said. “Jon Jonhas awhole bag of chips on his shoulder andwhen he feels slighted in the least, it only increases his drive and motivation to succeed.”
Email Eric Narcisse at enarcisse@theadvocate.com.
Signingday adream come true forAcadianaareafootballstars
BY ERIC NARCISSE Staff writer
Adream come true.
That’sthe best way area high schoolathletes could describe national signing day Wednesday as players signed national lettersofintentwithcollegesand universities.
“This has been avery exciting day,” Acadiana defensive backBraylonNoel said.“To have the opportunity to play footballincollegehas alwaysbeen agoalofmine. It is somethingthatI wanted to accomplish, and Idid it.”
Noel will get his opportunityasamember of Nicholls State’sfootball program, which he signed with after initially committing toGrambling.
“I always wanted to go to aschool that would feel like home,” Noel said. “When Ivisited Nicholls, it felt more like home to me.Iloved theatmosphere.” Noel,a5-foot-10, 165-pounder,recorded 38 tackles (22 solo), two interceptions and nine passbreakups last season. He chose the Colonels over Jackson State, Grambling and Graceland College
“It was ahard decision,” Noel said. “It was hard because I’m aman of my word.I’m loyal.But in the end, Ifelt it wasabetteropportunity for me. So Ihad to do what was bestfor me.”
Noel’steammate, quarterback Caden DiBetta, signed with fellow Southland Conference school McNeese State
“I’m very excited, because Iworked really hard forthisopportunity,”DiBetta said.“It wasa childhood dream of mine to play football incollege.Ikept believing and Iknew it would become areality.I’m blessedtohave McNeese.”
The 6-1, 210-pound DiBetta had his best season under center for the Ramsenroute to becoming the school’sall-time leader in yards passing. The District 3-5A MVP,DiBettacompleted 59 of 76 passes for 1,412 yards, 20 touchdowns and oneinterceptionasasenior while rushing for 489 yards and four TDs. He also had an offer from Nicholls State
“Assoonasthey offeredme, Ijumpedatit,”DiBetta said of McNeese. “WhenIvisited,itwas everything Ithought it would be andmore. They have beautiful facilities. Imean everything you could dream of.”
Cecilia’sChristian Menard, a6-4, 270-pound offensive lineman, who helpedlead the Bulldogs to the Division II nonselect state championship,signedwith Northwestern State.
AREA SIGNEES
Tayden Collins, Acadiana —Butler JC (football)
Brady Bell, St. Thomas More—Milsaps (soccer) Jonathan Ford,Opelousas —Southern (football)
Tavias Gordon, Westgate —Trinity Valley (football) Noah Bloom, St. Thomas More—Trine University (soccer) Calvin Parker, Lafayette Christian —Louisiana College (football)
Jakalyn Roy, Carencro—CrownUniversity (football) Christian Menard, Cecilia —Northwestern State (football)
Zackeus Malveaux, Opelousas —Southern University (football) Josh Dupin, St. Thomas More—Louisiana Christian (baseball) Parker Bruno, Acadiana —Harding University (football) Riley Rowell, St. Thomas More—Delgado CC (baseball)
Lance Hayes, Carencro—Louisiana College (football)
Ellis Stewart, Cecilia —Arkansas Pine Bluff (football)
Thomas Landreneau, St. Thomas More—Henderson State (swim)
Jonah Gauthier, Acadiana —Garden City JC (football)
Jatyri Rankins—San Bernardino (football)
Braylon Noel,Acadiana—Nicholls (football)
Jonathan Dartez,Vermilion Catholic —Nicholls(football)
Peyton Knatt, Westgate —San Benardino (football)
Atrevion Netter, Westgate —Trinity Valley (football)
Aiden Falgout, St. Thomas More—UL(football)
“Since the beginning, Northwestern State has stayed in contact with me,” Menard said. “Out of everyone, they kept in touch with me the most. Ijust felt like they have my best interest at heart.” Menard said he chose theDemons over Air Force, Centenary and Nicholls State.
“It was an easy decision,” Menard said. “Staying close to home wasn’timportant to me because wherever Iwent, Iwanted it to be aplace that was my home awayfrom home. Ivisited Northwestern State about five times and every time Ihave gone, Ihave learned something new.”
The Demons recruited Menard to on theoffensiveline, butwhere on theline has yet to be determined.Menard said he is most comfortableat left tackle.
“I feel like I’m agood run and pass blocker,” he said. “But Idofeel I’m abetterpass blocker.Ilike playing left tackle and being out on an island.”
While Wednesday was ajoyous day for many high schoolathletes, Noel,DiBetta and Menard agreed “the work is just beginning.”
But in the end, they are happy the recruiting process is over “It was astressful andfrustrating process,” DiBetta said. “ButI just stayed patient and kept my head down. It was frustrating.”
BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer
Coming off aSun BeltConference championship season, the UL Ragin’ Cajuns were pickedtofinish third in the SBC preseason poll, led by Pitcher of the Year Chase Morgan and third baseman Lee Amedee. Morgan, who was the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and aFreshman All-America, was 5-3 last season with a3.18 ERA. He went 2.76 in Sun Belt play UL pitching coach Gunner Leger is counting on Morgan for abig sophomore season.
“C-Mo looks great,” Legersaid. “Excited to seehim go outthere this year.Nobody really got to see himinthe fall,which waskindof part of the plan to some extent. That benefitted us. He’sina great spot and feels great.”
Amedeeisexpectedtostart the season at first base after finishing last season at third base.
TheGonzales native hit.278 with four home runs and 33 RBIs last season with
the
Amedee
Vermilion Catholic record-setting
STAFF FILE PHOTO BY BRETT DUKE
Vermilion Catholic quarterback Jonathan Dartez gets past Ouachita Christian’sCooper Russell during the DivisionIVselect championship game on Dec. 12 at theCaesars Superdome. Dartez rushed for atitle-game record 47 timesfor 253 yards andtwo touchdowns,and passed for twomore scores in a33-21 win
SUPER
FOODS
Scoreextra points with these5recipes for aLouisiana SuperBowlparty full of fanfare
When was the last time youwenttoa funSuper Bowl party? Letmeguess, wasit2010, bychance, when the Saints won?
Unless youhavetickets to the big game in New Orleans, watching the Super Bowl on Sunday will probably mean aparty around aTVscreen.
Recipes, 6C
● Chicken Pot PieHand Pies
● Minestrone Liz Williams TIP OF THE TONGUE
For those who are deeply invested in watching the game, the food needs to taste amazing, but be easy to eat. Even for those not engrossed in the game, conversation will be enhanced by delicious, easy food. Hand pies are the perfect party food. And achicken pot pie is full of chicken and vegetables, so it is good for you. Youcan use arotisserie chicken for these hand pies and make the filling ahead. Ihave made my suggestions for vegetables to include, but feel free to make substitutions based on your favorite veggies. My minestrone goes well with the hand pies. It can be made ahead, just like the filling for the hand pies, and kept warm in aslow cooker so guests can get up and serve themselves another bowl whenever they want. It’svegetarian, and Ilove that it tastes better if you make it a day ahead.
The sweet potato cake is easy and features the flavors of the season. It is moist and needs no icing —just dust it with confectioner’ssugar Round out your buffet table with pita chips, corn chips and potato chips —plus avariety of dips. Isuggest hummus, salsa, asour cream dip and an avocado dip. A plate of boiled or pickled shrimp would be agreat addition. And Iwould add atray of cherry tomatoes, celery sticks, raw mushrooms, olives and apple slices.
Let’sfaceit, Super Bowls are a lotmorefun when youcare about who’splaying. Evenstill, the fanfareisall around us, especially this year with it being in Louisiana’s backyard. Evenso, at-home partieswill dot your neighborhood and mine. The good newsis, even if you’renot afootball fanatic,SuperBowl parties can be fun —even when the home team isn’tonthe field Fact: Parties of all types are more fun when people are engaged —whether thatisachieved by folkscoming prepared to showtheir dance moveswhen eachteam scores, aSuperBowl commercial rating system, guests wearingteamthemedcolors and costumes, aSuperBowltrivia contest or afootball fashionshow. Evensimple andfaithful gameslike Squarescan help keep a crowd engaged. For the Squares uninitiated, to createthe best SuperBowl squares grid, createa 10 by 10 grid. Before thegamebegins, guestscan writetheir names in aset number of squares, perhaps for $1 asquare, creating apot of $100 to be distributed as $20 after the first quarter, $20 after the second quarter, $20 after the third quarter and$40 after
Modified from arecipe in The Advocate by Barbara Hoffman 1-11/2 pounds rawpeeled medium shrimp (She buys from a vendor at the farmers market)
1lemon, cut in half
2eggs, hard-boiled, peeled and chopped
3/4 cup finelydicedcelery
3green onions, whites and dark green parts, finelychopped
1 3 cup mayonnaise (She prefers Hellman’s) Garlic powder,salt, white pepper to taste Cayenne pepper to taste for aLouisiana kick
1. Bring water to boil in largepot,with lemon. Addshrimp when water boils,and remove shrimpwhen it turns pink. Cool, devein as needed, and chop into small pieces.
2. Mix shrimp, egg, celery and green onion pieces.
3. Mix mayo with seasonings to taste.
4. Gently fold mayo into shrimp-vegetable mix. Add more mayo if needed,togive spreadable dip consistency.Chill several hours or overnight.Serve with crackers and toasted sliced French bread.
5. This recipe is also delicious served as asalad,with shrimp cut into bite-sizedpieces, and served on lettuce.
topping the cake
Powderedsugar fordusting
1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Butter andflourthe Bundt pan and set aside.
2. Mix the flour,soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmegand cardamomtogether in amixing bowl. Stir the dry ingredients with awhisk to distribute all of the ingredients evenly
3. In anotherbowl, mix the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is fluffy.This will take about 4minutes. Thenadd thesweet potato puree, eggs, (one at atime), vanilla andzest. Thenwiththe mixer running, add the dry flour mixture and alternate the buttermilk into the butter/sugar mixture,about athird of the flour mixture and athird of the buttermilk at atimeuntil just incorporated. Do not overmix.
4. Pour into the preparedpan.Place into preheated oven for1hourand 10 or 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before inverting the pan. Invert thepan onto acakestand. Allowtocool completely.Dust with confectioner’ssugarby shaking astrainer over the cake. Serve.
and culture, wherever you hear podcasts. Email Liz at lizwillia@ gmail.com.
Minestrone
1
Serves8
celery, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
5cloves garlic, minced
5cups chicken stock
110-ounce can of cannellini beans,drained
3or4yellow-skinnedpotatoes, chopped into a 1/2 inchdice
2medium zucchini, chopped
1small green cabbage, slice thinly or shredded
1/4 to 1/2 pound fresh or frozen green beans
28-ounce can of diced tomatoes
1piece of rind from Parmigiano-Reggiano about 1inch by 4inches(If this is not available, add 2tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese) and 2cupsgratedParmesan forthe table 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Continued from page5C
1tablespoon Italian seasoning
1bay leaf
1small jar of preparedpesto
1. In asoup pot add the olive oil and heat until it starts of shimmer Addthe pancetta or bacon to thepot and saute gently until cooked, about 5minutes.Remove from the potand reserve. Cook theonions until they aretranslucent, about5minutes. Add the carrots, celery andgarlic. Cook for another 5minutes.
2. Addthe chicken stock, beans, potatoes,zucchini, cabbage,green beans and tomatoes to the pot. Bring to asimmer.Add the cheese rind or the grated Parmesan. Stir.Add the black pepper,Italian seasoning and bayleaf.
3. Simmer foratleast2hours. Taste for salt, becauseeach chickenstock product is different. At this point, youcan cool and refrigerate thesoup. Reheat the next day and simmer for 15 minutes
4. Choporcrumble the pancetta orbacon into the simmering soup Serveinlarge bowls. Adda teaspoon of pestotoeach bowl.Serve with cheese on thetable.
the game ends. Each squarerepresentsa combination of the last digit of each team’sscore at the end of each quarter.The entire grid should be filled before the “score” numbers are filled in along the top and side of the grid. This should be done randomly and in frontofthe whole group, as the most desirable squares are numbers like 0, 1,3,4and 7asthey are the most common last digitsin football games. Thetop is assignedtoone team andthe side is assignedtothe other Each square represents acombinationoftwo digits (e.g., “7-3”)
Pumpkin Faces
Submitted by Brandy Cavitt
12slices white bread (She prefers Evangeline Maid)
one largeyellow onion
2tablespoons butter
1tablespoon olive oil
1cup chopped green onions
16 ounces cream cheese (room temperature) salt and pepper to taste
1cup shredded sharp cheddarcheese
1. Thinlyslice onion. (I usedamandoline.)
2.Add 2tablespoons butter and atablespoon of olive oil to aheavy skillet. Add onions and cook until onions arecaramelized, stirringoften. (I prefer adark, rich brown color.)
3. As onions are cooking, cut the crusts cut offeach sliceofbread,and thencut each sliceinto4smaller squares.(Isave thecrusts tomakebread puddinglater.)
4. Once theonions are caramelized, mix them with 16 ounces of cream cheese, acup of green onions, salt and black pepper in abowl.
5. Spreadthe cream cheese mixture onto thesmall bread squares.Place ona cookie sheet. (I placed mine right beside each other tomake the next step easier.)
6.Top with sharp yellow cheddar cheese.
Pizza dough
Recipe adapted from many recipes and attempts by Jan Risher Depending on shape of crust, this recipe works for one largepizza. Iusually use a 13-inch by 9-inchsheet pan.
1packageyeast
2teaspoons sugar
3/4 cup of warm (but not hot) water
2cups bread flour (mayneed alittle more flour)(all-purpose flour works too)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2tablespoons olive oil
1. Mix together the first four ingredients to activate the yeast. After the yeast has activated,add the salt andoliveoil.
2. Mix in enough flour so that the dough does not stick to your handsand start working thedough. Continue to add flour untilitforms into aball and starts to pull away from the sides of thebowl.
3. Youhave achoiceat thispoint —you canknead the dough or simply use a wooden spoon to incorporate. Once you’ve done one or the other,place the dough in aclean bowl that you’ve coated witholiveoil. (I use my hands to do this.) Cover with acloth and let the dough rise in awarm spot for several hours to double in size —about two hours
4. Heat the oven to 500.I prefer to spread thedough ontoa pizza pan, cookie sheet or bread stone. Youcould use arolling pin, if you prefer. Don’tput extra dough around the edges
Chicken PotPie Hand Pie
Makes eight 6-inch pies.
FILLING
4cups chicken stock
3medium carrots, peeled and chopped into cubes
4red new potatoes, scrubbed and cut into cubes
1bunch scallions, green and white chopped
2stalks celery, chopped
1bay leaf
6tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
1⁄8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2teaspoon salt
1teaspoon ground black pepper
5dashes of your favorite hot sauce or to taste
1cup frozen peas,defrosted and drained
Kernels from 3ears of corn
2cups chopped chicken,both white and dark meat
1bunch parsley,leaves removed and chopped
1. Place the stock into apot and bring to asimmer.Add thecarrots, potatoes, scallions, celery, andbay leaf andsimmeruntil they are tender.This should take about 15 minutes depending on the size of your dice. Remember not to makethe dice too large, because the filling has to fit into the dough. Remove the bay leaf and discard.
2. Use acolander and separate the solids from the broth.
3. Using the same pot, melt the butter and add the flour.Stir well andcook until the flourinthe roux is cooked, butnot brown,
All those instructions later, the real star of aSuper Bowl party is often the food. Here are multiple submitted recipes to try —and one Imodified, inspired by Jim Lahey’s “My Bread” cookbook. Itested them all and can vouch for each. They are delicious.
Email Jan Risher at jan. risher@theadvocate.com.
7. The recipe says to toast under the broiler withthe oven door slightly open for4-8 minutes on high untilthe cheese is broiled— which is what Idid. However,when Iwarmed them up thenextday,I used theair fryer, which elevated them significantly by making them even crispier.Iplaced theminthe air fryer at 400 degrees for 3-4 minutes, which is whatI’lldothe next timeImakethem on the first go-round.
5. Dot the dough with afork. Bake until the top of the crust is firm and light brown (about 8minutes).
6. Pull it out of the oven and add sauce, cheeseand ingredients of choice (pepperoni, sausage, basil, onions, bell peppers, anchovies, olives, artichokes, mozzarella,Parmesan or burrata —you’re only limitedbyyour imagination.) Placepizza back in oven and continuetobakeuntilready, depending on ingredients, at least 10-12 more minutes.
Pizza sauce
Recipe by John Tetnowski
128-ounce can of San Marzano tomatoes(Tetnowskiprefers Rega brand.)
1tablespoon sea salt
1tablespoon oliveoil
1. Pour tomatoes in abowl Using ahand mixer,blend them until smooth.
2. Addinthe seasalt and olive oil.
John’stips for makingpizza: Once the crust has lightly browned,spread someParmesan Reggiano over the sauce, then add cheese.For traditional pizzas, he adds garlic salt and oregano over thecheese and then the remainingingredients. If he’s making aMargarita pizza, he skips theParmesan and just adds fresh mozzarella and fresh basil over the sauce.
Pizza Cipolla
Modified by arecipe from JimLahey
For this pizza, you can
make the pizza crust above or another of your choice. You can also use store-bought pizza dough— thekind youpop out of acan or the prepared doughlike Trader Joe’ssells. If you use Trader Joe’sdough, Irecommend patience. Let it come to room temperature so it is easier to handle.
2yellow onions (I sliced mine thin on amandoline.)
13 cup heavycream
1teaspoontable salt 2teaspoons chopped rosemary(or thyme)
*optional 2tablespoonschopped bell pepper additionalsalt and pepper to taste Balsamic glaze
1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
2. Usea mandoline to cut onions thin.
3. Toss the onionsinabowl with cream, salt,rosemary andoptional bell pepper.Let rest for 10 minutes. Stirring occasionally
4. While the onions are resting, stretch the dough in a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish.
5. Topthe pizza dough with the onion and cream mixture. Topthe edges more heavily as they will cook faster
6. Before placing in the oven,givethe pizzaa sprinkle of salt and pepper.Then, bake for about 30 minutes until most of the onions are golden brown and the sides of the dough are beginning to pull away.Some of the onions will be roasted.
7. Serve hot or at room temperature. Suggest to your guests that they drizzle slices with balsamic glaze.
about 5minutes. 4. Measure 3cups of the cooking liquid and add it to the roux, stirring well. Cook for 5minutes. Add the nutmeg, salt, black pepper and hot sauce. Add the cookedvegetables andthe peas, corn,chickenand parsley. Stir well incorporating the thickened sauce. Set aside. This filling should not be too wet.
DOUGH Preheat oven to 350 F.
1egg
4sheets of frozen puff pastry
1. Crack the egg into asmall bowl.Add 1tablespoonwater Set aside.
2. Allow the pastry to defrost. (You should be abletoget 3 rounds from asheet, but brands differ.) Using abowlthat’s6 inches in diameter,cut 8circles of puff pastry dough. Place 2 tablespoons of fillinginthe center of the circle. Do notadd too much sauce.
By The Associated Press
Today is Thursday,Feb.
6, the 37th day of 2025. There are 328 days left in the year
Todayinhistory
On Feb. 6, 1952, Britain’s King George VI, 56, died at Sandringham House in Norfolk, England; he was succeeded as monarch by his 25-year-old eldest daughter,who became Queen Elizabeth II.
On this date: In 1899, apeace treaty between the United States and Spain was ratified by the U.S. Senate; the treaty
3. Using abrush or your fingertip, moisten the outside edge of the circle with the eggwash. This is your glue to help hold the pie closed. Fold the circle in half. With afork, press the2edges of dough together making little ridges around the semi-circle.
4. Place on abaking sheet covered with parchment paper.Cut 3slits with asharp knife in the top side of the pie for venting. The slit should be no more than 1/2 inch. Paint the pastry with the pastry brush dipped in the egg wash to give the pies and ashiny finish.
5. Place the pies in apreheated oven until thecrust is browned andflaky,about 15 minutes. Check package directions,and follow them. Each brandisdifferent. The pie filling is already cooked. We only need to cook the dough.
6. Remove from the oven and cool.
ended the Spanish-American Warand ceded the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam to the United States.
In 1998, Washington National Airport was renamed Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, honoring the former president on his 87th birthday
In 2022, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated the70th anniversary of her ascendance to the British throne, an unprecedented reign that made her asymbol of stability in the United Kingdom. In 2023, apowerful 7.8 magnitudeearthquake
struck Turkey and Syria, toppling thousandsofbuild-
Chicken PotPie Hand Pies
STAFF PHOTOSBYCHRIS GRANGER Minestrone soup
STAFF PHOTO BY JANRISHER These cheese squares or ‘Pumpkin Faces’ as some call them are addictiveand agreat choice for aSuper Bowl party
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Stick close to home andmakegratifyingadjustments Work fastand hard, put your responsibilities behind you and relax. Taking your time and doing what matters to youwill ease stress.
PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Slow down and rethink your strategy before you take on too much or lettemptation take the reins. Participating in something that requires mental and physical agility will take your mind off your worries.
ARIES (March 21-April 19) Implement energy and discipline to help you accomplish your goals. Refuse to let anyone talk youout of taking care of yourresponsibilities. You will feel at ease once you complete your tasks.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) You'll desire change.Stopletting others sway you or get in your way. Focus on aplan to getthings done andbask in the glory of your achievements. Don't procrastinate.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Mixed emotions will surface. Refuse to get swept up in someone's frenzy when you have plans to put in motion. Think big and move forward until you wow those who can influence your prospects.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) You'll gain insight into possibilities and how to use your skills to reach your financialgoals Work diligently to upgrade your skills andstayontop of what's trending.Some will be jealous, and others in awe.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Wheel and deal your wayforward with heartfelt talks and
entertaining ideas. Follow through by making suggestions to share in-depth plans that are hard to resist. Reunite with someone from your past.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Pay attention to deadlines and finish what you start. Refuse to let anyone or anything slow you down or create chaos or confusion in your life. Get togetherwith someone who makes you smile.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Openyour eyes, ask questions and absorb the information that comes your way. Participate in an event or activity that brings you in touch with people heading in asimilar direction. Communication will be vital.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Mingling will help you put your life situation in perspective. Be akeen observer and listener, and you'll map out aplan that enables you to find your niche.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Let your emotions take the lead and make your feelings known. Conversing with people who play an intricate role in your life will help you understand and articulate what's in your best interest.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) An energetic approach to managing relationships, striving for equality and creating aplan will help you bring about positive lifestyle changes. Don't dillydally.
InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1to9inthe empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.
Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer
THe wiZardoFid
BLondie
BaBY BLueS
Hi and LoiS
BY PHILLIP ALDER
PresidentJohnF.Kennedysaid,“When writteninChinese, the word‘crisis’ is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the otherrepresents opportunity.”
There are bridge deals where declarer is in danger only if two suits are lying unfavorably. Butsometimes he has the opportunity to survive anyway. How does that apply in this deal? South is in six spades. West leads the club king.
North’stwo-no-trumpresponseshowed four-plus spades and at least game-forcing high-card values. South’s three-club rebid indicated asingleton or void in that suit. Three diamonds and three hearts were control-bids (cue-bids) promising first-round controls in those suits.
Southhaspossiblelosersineachmajor. The heart finesse is apparently unavoidable. The trump suit is adanger only if it isbreaking3-0—andeventhen,declarer might avoid aloser. The key point of the deal is that the trump suit isn’t aguess. Declarer should cash dummy’s spade king first. Here, West discards, so South draws trumps with the aid of afinesse and later tries the heart finesse for an overtrick. What happens, though, if East discards under the spade king?
Each Wuzzle is aword riddle which creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD =GOOD
INSTRUCTIONS:
YESTERDAY’S WORD —CLINQUANT
hagar
BRIEFS
Ford forecasts weaker growth, EV losses
Ford Motor Co. is forecastingweaker earnings growth for this year and further losses in its electric vehicles business as it works to control costs.
The automaker saidWednesday that it expects its full-year adjusted pretax income to range between $7 billion and $8.5 billion. The company’sadjusted pretax income was $10.2 billion in 2024.
The company cited “headwinds related to market factors.” Ford hasbeengrappling with stubbornly high warranty expenses and lagging cost-cutting efforts. In the July-September quarter, the company took $1 billion in accounting charges to write down assets for acanceled three-row electric SUV Model e, Ford’selectric vehicle business, posted afull-year loss of $5.08 billion for 2024 as revenuefell 35% to $3.9 billion. The company’soutlook calls for the EV unit to lose between $5 billion and $5.5 billion this year Ford said that the Modele segment’slosses are due in part to continued investment in future products, and the company touted $1.4 billion in net cost improvementseven as theitincreasedspendingtolaunch new battery plants and new electric vehicles.
U.S. Postal Service reverses package ban
TheU.S. Postal Service is reversing course aday after placinga ban on all inbound packages from Chinaand Hong Kong. The post office had announced Tuesday that it wouldnolonger accept parcels from China and Hong Kong after the U.S. imposed an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods and ended a customs exception that allowed small-value parcels to enter the U.S. without paying tax.
ThePostalService reversed course Wednesday but gave no reason. It said it would work with Customs and Border Protection to implement acollection process for the newChina tariffs to avoid delivery disruptions. The USPS did not give areasonfor the ban Tuesday,but the suspension came after Trump closed the “de minimis”customs exemption thisweekfor China that allowed shoppers andimporters to avoid duties on packagesworth below $800.
The exemption was removed as part of an executive order to levy a10% tariff on Chinese goods.
‘Moana 2’ drives
Disney profits
Disney easily topped firstquarter expectations thanksin part to the box office smash Moana 2.”
There were some oversized expectations for the animated filmbut “Moana2,” originally intended as aseries for the company’sstreaming service before it was produced forthe bigscreen —blewpredictions out of the water. Its five-day opening set anew record for Thanksgiving moviegoing
The Walt Disney Co. earned $2.55 billion, or $1.40 per share, for the period ended Dec. 28. The Burbank, California-based company earned $1.91billion, or $1.04 per share, in the prioryear period.
Chinaretaliatesontariffs
BY HALELUYA HADERO Associated Press
Asweeping new U.S. tariff on products made in China is expected to increasethe prices American consumers pay forawide array of products,fromthe ultra-cheap apparel sold on onlineshopping platforms to toys and electronic devicessuchascomputers and cellphones
An additional 10% tariff on all Chinese goods took effect aday after PresidentDonald Trump agreed to pausehis threatened tariffs against Mexico and Canada for 30
days. Thedelayfollowednegotiations on Trump’sdemands for the North American nations to take steps to reduce illegal immigration and the flow of drugs such as fentanyl into theU.S. Afterfailing to get asimilar White House reprieve, China struck back by saying it would impose retaliatory tariffs on some U.S. goods as of next week. The sheer volume and variety of the China-made merchandise sold in theU.S. means the prices of many typicallyinexpensive items probably will tick higher if the tit-for-tat tariffs persist
The U.S. imported about $427
billion worth of goods from China in 2023, the most recentyear with complete data, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Consumer electronics,including cellphones, computers and other tech accessories, make up the biggest import categories. China is adominantproduction engine for tech gear,including for American companies like Apple that havetheir products assembled in the country.In2023, China accounted for 78% of U.S. smartphone imports and 79% of laptop andtablet imports, the Consumer Technology Association trade
group reported. The tariffs also may affect how much consumers pay for typically inexpensiveclothing, shoesand kitchen itemslikepotsand pans, as well as the big-ticket items, such as appliances, furniture and auto parts. In addition to imposing anew tariff on Chinese imports, Trump’sexecutive order also suspended alittle-known customs exemption that allowed goods worth less than $800 to come into the U.S. duty-free. The order left open the possibility for the loopholetostill be used with shipments from other countries.
NEWYORK Eugene Levy’strademark eyebrows fly off for Little Caesars.A tongue dances to ShaniaTwaintopromote Nestle’sCoffee MateColdFoam. And Meg Ryanand BillyCrystal reuniteatKatz’s Deli in an ad for Hellmann’s. Afrenzied mix of silliness and celebrities is hitting the airwavesand the internet, and that means one thing —itis Super Bowl ad time again.
Veteranadvertisers areusingtried-andtrue tactics like celebrity cameos, humor and cute animals to win over watchers. Meanwhile,first-time and newer advertisers are courting outrageousness andusing stunts to try to stand out in the battle to capture the attention of the more than 120 million viewers expected to tune into Sunday’s game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs on Fox.
SuperBowlviewers are aunique audience because they’re as primed to watch the ads as they are the game.
“Thisisasocietal moment wherewe come togetherasacountry,” said Kimberly Whitler,marketing professor at the University of Virginia’sDarden School of Business. “Wemay be on different sides, you know,ofthe gridiron or the field. But we come together.”
With 80-plus ad spots divvied up among the 50-something advertisersduring the game, it’stough to make sure viewers remember your brand message. And with a few ad spotsgoing for arecord $8 million for30seconds this year,the stakes have
BY STAN CHOE AP business writer
NEWYORK— Wall Street drifted higher Wednesday as gainsfor most stocks outweighed drops for Alphabetand some other big-name companies following their latest profitreports.
The S&P 500 rose following mixed trading across European and Asian markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq composite gained.
Toymaker Mattel jumped 15.3% after blowing pastanalysts’ forecasts for profit in the latest quarter Strength for its HotWheels brand helped make up for some softness for Barbie and other dolls. Mattel alsogave aforecast for profit this
never been higher
But the price tag is worth it,advertisers say.Rachel Jaiven, head of HäagenDazs marketing, saidthe brand decided to make its first appearance in the game due to the size of the viewership and its association with snacking.
“Weknow at the Super Bowl these days that everyone watches, it’s awide audience,” Jaiven said. Thebrand’sadshows starsfrom the “Fast&Furious” franchise enjoying an ice cream bar.“We thought it was time for us to tellour story,remind people what they love about Häagen-Dazs and of course, have them stock up on Häagen-Dazsintheir freezer.”
upcoming year that topped analysts’ expectations.
Amgen rallied6.5%and wasone of the strongest forces pushingupward on the S&P 500. It reported stronger profit for the latest quarter than expected, thanks in part to growth for its Repatha medicine, whichcan lowerbad cholesteroland reducethe risk of aheart attack. They helped offset a7.3% drop for Alphabet, which sank even though Google’sparent company reported stronger profit for the latest quarter than analystsexpected. Investorsfocused instead on slowing growth for its cloud business, whose revenue fell short of forecasts. They also homed in on the $75billion Alphabet is budgeting for investments this year,roughly
Not all advertisers release their ads early,sothere are always plenty of surprises on game day.Only two auto brands, Stellantis’ Jeep and Ram, have announced Super Bowl ad plans, but theyhaven’tgiven any details on the ads.
Dunkin’ has secured the first ad spotafter kickoff but is staying mum on details other than teasing that it will star Ben and Casey Affleck and Jeremy Strong. Canned water company Liquid Death will advertise forthe first time with an ad created in-house.
Duracell has teased that its ad will feature a“Duracell Scientist” but hasn’tgiven any other details.
$15 billion more than analysts expected, as it remains in the rush to developartificial intelligence technology Advanced Micro Devices fell 6.3% even though the chip company edged past profit expectations for the latest quarter.While analysts calledAMD’sresultssolid,theyalso asked why CEO Lisa Su did notgive more detail about expectationsfor theperformance of its AI offerings specifically Investors always want companies to deliver bigger profits, but the hopes may be even higher than usualgiven worries about how much faster stockpriceshaveclimbed than corporate profits, causing critics to call them expensive. Uncertainty is also hanging over the global
economy because of PresidentDonald Trump’stariffs. After rocking financial markets around the world at thestart of this week,worries abouta potentially punishing global trade war have eased abit after Trump gave 30-day reprieves for tariffs on both Mexico and Canada. That bolstered traders’ hopesthatTrump sees tariffsas merely atool for negotiation,rather than as along-term policy GoldmanSachs economistDavid Mericlesaysa furtherextension may happen, but he sees the tariff risk for both countries likely remaininguntil theend of areview of the United States’ existing trade agreement with the two countries, which could be in themiddle of next year
