The Times-Picayune 02-08-2025

Chris and Rachel Sack are enthusiastic about the Philadelphia Eagles as they roam along Canal Street on Friday.

FANATICAL FOLLOWERS

Chiefs boosters excited to see shot at history

BY SAM KARLIN Staff writer

A sea of people clad in red pushed up against the barricades on Canal Street, waiting for a glimpse of their team leaving the Marriott Hotel.

Wendell Winton, 67, craned his head.

Winton, of Lenexa, Kansas, was dressed head to toe in Kansas City Chiefs red. He’s been a Chiefs fan his whole life, and he remembers the dark days. Fifty years between Super Bowl victories Lengthy and frustrating playoff droughts. The days when, he said, “200 people”

were in the stadium at home games. Then, all of the sudden, a dynasty Head Coach Andy Reid walked out of the hotel. The crowd erupted. A “Chiefs” chant broke out Fans jostled a look for 20 minute shouting at veteran ceiver Deandre Ho kins, tight end Travis Kelce and finally, star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who ignored the noise as he boarded the bus. Confidence is too understated for what Winton and

Philly fans see similarities between Eagles, Saints

BY JOSEPH CRANNEY Staff writer

What does it look and sound like when tens of thousands of Philadelphia Eagles fans visit New Orleans?

On a recent afternoon on Bourbon Street, ahead of Suny’s Super Bowl between the Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, it’s a man in a gold chain stepping out of a hotel and yelling, “Yo Philly!” to a crowd of people in green jerseys.

“25th & Lehigh,” he said, a signal to his neighborhood back home and a common

Philly way of showing street cred.

“Go birds!” another group of Eagles fans yelled at a local tour guide who they walked past on St. Philip Street. “Not me!” she replied, apparently not a fan. And it’s a local bartender who recalled a loud bunch wearing green and white who overran her bar one game day and made an obnoxious and drunken show of themselves. She is not looking forward to Sunday, she said, adding a profanity Smoking outside downtown hotels, bopping around

Court asked to enforce deal

Cantrell says she never signed the settlement

BY MARIE FAZIO Staff writer

Days after Mayor LaToya Cantrell reneged on a multimillion-dollar settlement agreement with the city’s public schools, the Orleans Parish School Board has gone to court to force the mayor to uphold her end of the deal. The board on Friday filed a motion in Orleans Civil District Court imploring a judge to enforce the settlement, announced on the steps of City Hall in November The deal was designed to bring an end to the district’s 2019 lawsuit against the city which alleges it withheld millions that should have gone to educating children. The city serves as tax collector for the public schools. In the pact, the city agreed to pay the district $20 million by April, as well as $7 million a year for the next decade, for a total of $90 million. It also agreed to stop charging a fee for tax collection, which officials estimated would result in another $11 million a year

The City Council allocated the first $10 million settlement payment in November, and the School Board drafted a cooperative endeavor agreement and sent it to the city attorney, who made changes. But this week, Cantrell asserted there was no deal after it was reported that her administration was late making an initial payment.

The mayor is now arguing the cooperative endeavor agreement is invalid because she never signed it and because council members drafted it on her behalf without her consent.

The news immediately sounded alarm bells, as district officials were counting on the $20 million lump sum to fund an unrelated budget gap, now believed to be about $50 million, which stemmed partially from a district accounting error Board members have said they will find the money elsewhere if the city doesn’t come through, but school leaders have warned of possible cuts, including to after-school and summer learning programs. In a statement issued Feb. 1, the mayor said agreeing to the settlement would be fiscally irresponsible because the city has a lack of available cash, is facing possible

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD ä See COURT, page 5A

Kansas City Chiefs fan Patrick Bruna shows his team spirit on Bourbon Street on Friday.

STAFF PHOTOS By BRETT DUKE

Fans of the Chiefs and the Eagles walk Bourbon Street on Friday.

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

ä Photos from activity on Radio Row. Page 6A

NFL Man of the year community day held.

More active-duty troops going to Mexico border

WASHINGTON The Pentagon will deploy roughly 1,500 more active-duty soldiers to the southern border to support President Donald Trump’s expanding crackdown on immigration, a U.S. official said Friday

That would eventually bring the total to about 3,600 active duty troops at the border

The order has been approved, the official said, to send a logistics brigade from the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Liberty in North Carolina. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the deployment has not yet been publicly announced

The Pentagon has been scrambling to put in motion Trump’s executive orders signed shortly after he took office on Jan. 20. The first group of 1,600 active duty troops has already deployed to the border, and close to 500 more soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division are expected to begin moving in the coming days.

About 500 Marines also have been told to go to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where some of the detained migrants will be held. Several hundred Marines have already arrived there.

Troops going to the border are expected to help put in place concertina wire barriers and provide needed transportation, intelligence and other support to the Border Patrol. The logistics brigade will help support and sustain the troops.

Troops going to Guantanamo are helping to prepare the facility for an influx of migrants and do other support duties.

Alaska Legislature asks Trump to retain ‘Denali’

JUNEAU, Alaska The Alaska Legislature passed a resolution Friday urging President Donald Trump to reverse course and retain the name of North America’s tallest peak as Denali. Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order calling for the name to revert to Mount McKinley an identifier inspired by President William McKinley, who was from Ohio and never set foot in Alaska. He said he planned to “restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs. President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent.”

The 19-0 vote in the state Senate came just over a week after the House passed the measure 31-8.

The Interior Department late last month announced efforts were underway to implement Trump’s renaming order, even though state leaders haven’t seen the matter as settled.

According to the National Park Service a prospector in 1896 dubbed the 20,310-foot peak Mount McKinley for William McKinley, who was elected president that year Denali, or “the high one,” was bestowed on the mountain in interior Alaska by Athabascan tribal members, who have lived in the region for centuries.

UCF frat sanctioned after hazing allegations ORLANDO, Fla. — The University of Central Florida has temporarily suspended the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity after viewing a photo of a blindfolded pledge holding a Nazi swastika.

The university learned about the image in the fall 2024 semester and determined it depicted an off-campus hazing incident from 2023, according to Courtney Gilmartin, a UCF spokeswoman. “UCF unequivocally condemns hazing and acts of antisemitism,” Gilmartin wrote in an email.

CORRECTION

A photo accompanying a preview of Saturday’s Super Bowl parade in the Living section Friday showed members of the Baby Doll Ladies Carnival walking group to illustrate the groups joining the parade. While Baby Dolls will be in the parade, the Baby Doll Ladies group is not among them. The Times-Picayune regrets the error

Hamas names 3 more hostages to be freed

Israel will release 183 Palestinians

BY JULIA FRANKEL Associated Press

JERUSALEM Hamas identified three more Israeli hostages it plans to free as part of the fragile ceasefire agreement, a sign the deal was moving forward Friday even as U.S. and Israeli officials continued calls to relocate Gaza’s population after the war

The three men, captured by Hamas during its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, are set to be freed Saturday, in the fifth exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinians jailed in Israel.

An Israeli official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive material, confirmed that the hostages scheduled for release are: Eli Sharabi, 52; Ohad Ben Ami, 56; and Or Levy, 34. Israel is set to release 183 Palestinian prisoners Saturday to fulfill its side of the agreement, according to the Hamas-linked prisoners’ office in Gaza. The terms of the deal’s first six-week phase call for Hamas to gradually free a total of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Sharabi was taken captive from Kibbutz Beeri, a communal farm that was one of the hardest hit in the Hamas attack. His wife, Lianne, and their teenage daughters were killed by militants.

Ben Ami, a father of three, was taken hostage from the same community, where he was the kibbutz accountant. His wife, who was also captured was released during a brief ceasefire in November 2023.

Levy, a computer programmer from the city of Rishon Lezion, was pulled by militants from a bomb shelter near the Nova music festival in southern Israel. His wife was killed during the attack. The couple’s toddler son has been under the care of family members.

Hamas has so far released 18 hostages, including five Thai citizens captured in Israel during the attack. Last week, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners in accordance with the deal.

Details of the planned exchange came as U.S. President Donald Trump continued talking up his widely criticized proposal to move all Palestinians from Gaza and redevelop it as an international travel destination.

The idea, which Trump characterized Friday as a “real estate transaction,” has been roundly rejected by the region’s Arab

governments and by Palestinians themselves, who say forcing them from their homes would constitute ethnic cleansing.

Israeli forces have withdrawn from most of Gaza, as specified by the ceasefire agreement, but remain in border areas.

Negotiators have yet to agree on terms for the deal’s second phase, in which Hamas would release dozens more hostages in return for more prisoners and a lasting ceasefire.

The Palestinian prisoners’ office said that of those set for release Saturday, 18 are serving life sentences, 54 have long-term sentences, and 111 are Gazans who were detained after the Oct. 7 attack.

A list of those expected to be released, distributed Friday by Palestinian authorities, included Iyad Abu Shakhdam, 49, who has been imprisoned for nearly 21 years over his involvement in Hamas militant attacks that killed dozens of Israelis in the early 2000s. He is serving 18 life sentences.

Also on the list is Jamal al-Tawil, 61, a Hamas politician and former mayor of the West Bank city of AlBireh who has spent nearly two decades in and out of Israeli prisons. Since his most recent arrest in 2021, he has been held without trial for allegedly organizing violent riots.

Trump imposes sanctions on International Criminal Court

BY DARLENE SUPERVILLE and JOSHUA GOODMAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel, a close U.S. ally

Neither the U.S. nor Israel is a member of or recognizes the court, which has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes over his military response in Gaza after the Hamas attack against Israel in October 2023. Tens of thousands of Palestinians, including children, have been killed during the Israeli military’s response.

The order Trump signed Thursday accuses the ICC of engaging in “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel” and of abusing its power by issuing “baseless arrest warrants” against Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant

“The ICC has no jurisdiction over the United States or Israel,” the order states, adding that the court had set a “dangerous precedent” with its actions against both countries.

Trump’s action came as Netanyahu was visiting Washington He and Trump held talks Tuesday at the White House, and Netanyahu spent some of Thursday meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

The order says the U.S. will impose “tangible and significant consequences” on those responsible for the ICC’s “transgressions.” Actions may include blocking property and assets and not allowing ICC officials, employees and relatives to enter the United States.

Human rights activists said sanctioning court officials would have a chilling effect and run counter to U.S. interests

in other conflict zones where the court is investigating.

Like Israel, the U.S. is not among the court’s 124 members and has long harbored suspicions that a global court could arbitrarily prosecute U.S. officials.

A 2002 law authorizes the Pentagon to liberate any American or U.S. ally held by the court. In 2020, Trump sanctioned chief prosecutor Karim Khan’s predecessor Fatou Bensouda, over her decision to open an inquiry into war crimes committed by all sides, including the U.S., in Afghanistan.

However, those sanctions were lifted under President Joe Biden, and the U.S. began to tepidly cooperate with the tribunal — especially after Khan in 2023 charged Russian President Vladimir Putin with war crimes in Ukraine.

Driving that turnaround was Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who organized meetings between Khan and GOP lawmakers who have been among the court’s fiercest critics.

Now, Graham says he feels betrayed by Khan — and is vowing to crush the court as well as the economy of any country that tries to enforce the arrest warrant against Netanyahu.

State Dept. lays out plans for arms sale to Israel

BY LOLITA C. BALDOR Associated Press

WASHINGTON The State Department has formally told Congress that it plans to sell more than $7 billion in weapons to Israel, including thousands of bombs and missiles, just two days after President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.

The massive arms sale comes as a fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas holds, even as Trump continues to tout his widely criticized proposal to move all Palestinians from Gaza and redevelop it as an international travel destination.

The sale is another step in Trump’s effort to bolster Israel’s weapons stocks. In late January soon after he took office, he lifted the hold on sending 2,000-pound bombs to Israel.

The Biden administration had paused a shipment of the bombs over concerns about civilian casualties, particularly during an assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Trump told reporters he released them to Israel “because they bought them.”

According to the State Department, two separate sales were sent to Congress on Friday One is for $6.75 billion in an array of munitions, guidance kits and other related equipment. It includes 166 small-diameter bombs, 2,800 500-pound bombs, and thousands of guidance kits, fuses and other bomb components and support equipment. Those deliveries would begin this year

The other arms package is for 3,000 Hellfire missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $660 million Deliveries of the missiles are expected to begin in 2028 and their use will require additional training by the U.S. military Biden administration officials informally notified Congress about the sale last month Officials at the time said some of the arms in the package could be sent from current U.S stocks but the majority would take a year or several years to deliver

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ABDEL KAREEM HANA

Palestinians walk in the destruction caused by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Jabaliya, Gaza Strip, on Thursday.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By EVAN VUCCI

President Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office on Tuesday.

Federal workers have more time to weigh buyouts

BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON — Federal employees

who want to take President Donald Trump’s buyout offer now have until 11:59 p.m. Monday because of a federal court ruling.

Until the court hit pause, about 2.4 million federal workers had until Friday at midnight to decide on the Deferred Resignation Program. They need only to send an email to hr@opm.gov from the employee’s work account with “Resign” typed in the “Subject” line, according to an Office of Personnel Management memo sent Friday morning.

Active military, Postal Service employees, immigration enforcement personnel and some national security employees are exempt, according to the Office of Personnel Management.

Those who refuse the buyout offer according to the memo, “will be subject to enhanced standards

of suitability and conduct” as federal agencies are downsized. This is part of Trump’s promises to radically reduce the size of government and rid taxpayers from the responsibility of paying for so many federal employees.

“This is a rare, generous opportunity,” McLaurine Pinover, from the Office of Personnel Management, said in a statement, “one that was thoroughly vetted and intentionally designed to support employees through restructuring.”

The buyout program has proved controversial.

“Louisiana’s federal employees — and millions like them nationwide are the backbone of our government,” said U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, D-New Orleans. “They process Social Security benefits, protect our environment, care for our veterans, and keep our communities safe. Yet, once again, they face attacks from President Donald Trump, who seeks to dismantle the civil service and replace skilled professionals

with political loyalists.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, said the administration estimates that “5% to 10% of the federal workforce will take their golden parachute.” That would be somewhere between 120,000 and 240,000 federal employees.

Just how many took the offer before the deadline was extended is a bit up in the air

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said about 40,000 federal workers have already taken the offer

“If they don’t want to show up to the office,” she said, “if they want to rip the American people off, then they’re welcome to take this buyout and we’ll find highly competent individuals who want to fill these roles.”

Reuters reported Friday its sources said about 60,000, while The Wall Street Journal heard about 65,000.

No list has been made public so there’s no way to know from which

agencies and from which localities the acceptances have come. Louisiana has about 19,000 civilian federal employees who are eligible to tender their resignations now and receive full pay until September 30. They’re not expected to continue working and can seek a second job through September, according to the memo. Multiple lawsuits have challenged the buyouts, arguing they violate federal employment rules and contracts.

Federal law forbids the executive branch from spending any money not specifically authorized by Congress. Also, federal work rules allow for layoffs to be paid for with a single buyout amount, but that generally cannot exceed $25,000.

The American Federation of Government Employees filed a lawsuit alleging the Trump administration failed to provide the required legal basis for the buyout offer A few hours before the Friday

midnight deadline, U.S. District Court Senior Judge George O’Toole Jr in Boston stopped implementation of the directive “pending the completion of briefing and oral argument on the issues.” O’Toole, who was nominated by Democratic President Bill Clinton, set a 2 p.m. Monday hearing. He can delay the deadline again to give more time to consider the arguments or block it permanently A dozen Democratic state attorneys general called the deferred resignation offer misleading. “These supposed offers are not guaranteed,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement.

Carter agreed: “His latest scheme — a so-called ‘deferred resignation’ offer — is a trap. There is no legal basis for it, and those who accept could find themselves unemployed with no recourse.”

Email Mark Ballard at mballard@theadvocate.com.

Musk team’s access to student loan systems raises alarm

Internal files have personal info on millions of people

BY COLLIN BINKLEY and BIANCA VÁZQUEZ TONESS AP education writers

WASHINGTON Democrats are pushing back against Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency as it turns its attention to the Education Department, with lawmakers raising concerns about DOGE’s access to internal systems containing personal information on tens of millions of Americans.

In a letter to the acting education secretary, a group of Democrats is seeking to intervene as DOGE gains increasing access to student loan databases and other systems. Democrats fear it could lay the groundwork for a takeover akin to Musk’s attempt to close the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Democrats including California Rep. Mark Takano were turned away by secu-

rity when they tried to enter the department’s Washington headquarters on Friday after demanding a meeting with leaders.

“President Donald Trump has promised to abolish the Department of Education,” Takano said in a news conference. “He believes that he can do this through executive order, and we’re here to remind him that he cannot.”

The department has been in turmoil as Trump, a Republican, sets out to abolish it. The White House is considering an executive order that would tell the education secretary to slash the department as far as possible and urge Congress to fully terminate it. Dozens of employees have been placed on paid leave with little explanation, and workers from DOGE have begun scouring the department’s records as they look to slash spending. Musk’s DOGE team already has gained access to a database housing personal information on millions of students and parents with federal student loans, according to two people with

knowledge of the issue. One of them, a department employee, said a DOGE representative requested the access more than a week ago.

The people spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

Employees described a DOGE team of several young men that has been working out of the undersecretary’s office on the seventh floor

Staff members have been told little about the team, which has been spotted in hallways and rummaging through boxes but mostly ignores others, said Sheria Smith, president of a federal employees union that represents some of the agency’s staff. “They are not interacting at all, not even cordially with anyone who is not part of their team,” Smith said.

Among the cuts sought by the DOGE team is an 80% reduction in spending on a contract to manage websites and call center technology that parents and students use for help applying for federal student aid, said two department employees, who spoke on condition of anonymity

Federal agencies told to create lists of underperforming workers

BY BRIAN WITTE Associated Press

President Donald Trump’s administration has ordered all federal departments and agencies to provide lists of employees who are underperforming, as it seeks to shrink the workforce and awaits a court ruling related to its deferred resignation offers.

A memo sent by the Office of Personnel Management on Thursday directs the agencies to submit names of every employee who has received less than a “fully successful” performance rating in the past three years and to note whether the workers have been on performance plans.

The memo, which was viewed by The Associated Press, also emphasized that the agencies report any obstacles to making sure they have “the ability to swiftly terminate poor performing employees who cannot or will not improve.”

The memo seeks the employee’s name, job title pay plan and other details, as well as

whether that employee is “under or successfully completed a performance improvement plan within the last 12 months.”

The office also is asking if an agency has proposed or issued a decision in such cases, and whether any action is being appealed or challenged, as well as any outcome.

The data is due by March 7.

Charles Ezell, the acting director of OPM who sent the memo, wrote that the office is developing new performance metrics for evaluating the federal workforce, a standard that “aligns with the priorities and standards in the President’s recent Executive Orders.” To assist the office, Ezell wrote that all agencies should submit data regarding their performance management plans and policies, including those contained in collective bargaining agreements.

So far, 65,000 federal workers have opted into the deferred resignation program, according to a White House official who wasn’t authorized to disclose the latest figures and spoke on condition of anonymity

Musk says he will rehire DOGE staffer

25-year-old was linked to social media posts that espoused racism

BY MICHELLE L. PRICE Associated Press

WASHINGTON Elon Musk said on Friday he is rehiring a staff member at the Department of Government Efficiency who resigned a day earlier after he was linked to social media posts that espoused racism. Musk in a post on his social media network X, said he would bring back Marko Elez after Vice President JD Vance called for him to be rehired. President Donald Trump later endorsed his vice president’s view Marko Elez resigned Thursday after The Wall Street Journal linked the 25-year-old DOGE staffer to a deleted social media account on X that posted last year, “I was racist before it was cool” and “You could not pay me to marry outside of my ethnicity,” among other posts The account in September included a post that said, “Normalize Indian hate.” The vice president’s wife, Usha Vance, is the daughter of Indian immigrants. Vance, in a post on Musk-owned X, said Elez should be brought back and blamed “journalists who try to destroy people

“I obviously disagree with some of Elez’s posts, but I don’t think stupid social media activity should ruin a kid’s life,” Vance said. The vice president said Elez should be fired “if he’s a bad dude or a terrible member of the team.”

“I’m with the vice president,” Trump told a news conference Friday A few hours later, Musk posted: “He will be brought back. To err is human, to forgive divine.”

The White House did not immediately respond to a message Friday confirming if Elez had been rehired. The administration earlier in the day had confirmed Elez’s resignation. Elez did not respond to a message seeking comment Friday

Elez was among two DOGE employees who were at the center of a controversy this week when they accessed the U.S. Treasury Department’s payment system, prompting a court challenge and a judge’s decision to restrict their access.

In its report, The Wall Street Journal found a since-deleted account under the handle @nullllptr with a user described as an employee at SpaceX and Starlink, two of Musk’s companies. The account previously went by the username @marko_elez. Elez, in archives of his personal website, said he worked for SpaceX and on its Starlink satellites, and at X.

for fear of losing their jobs.

There are two years remaining on an $824 million contract with information technology services company Accenture for the work.

Education Department employees pushed back, telling the DOGE team that much of the work to help simplify loan applications was required by Congress, the staff members said.

Last year, after a botched rollout of a revised FAFSA student aid form, the department added additional support to the call centers to help families with their applications.

A federal lawsuit filed Friday seeks to block DOGE’s access to student financial aid systems, saying it violates privacy rights of millions of federal student loan borrowers. It was filed by the advocacy group Student Defense on behalf of the University of California Student Association. It says DOGE could now

have access to Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, dates of birth and contact information for student loan borrowers. The database also houses information on the parents of dependent loan applicants, including citizenship status and income information.

The suit says it’s an “enormous and unprecedented” invasion of privacy for more than 42 million people whose personal data is stored in Federal Student Aid systems.

The Education Department said DOGE is helping it return to in-person work, restoring accountability for employees and reforming the hiring process to focus on merit It said there is “nothing inappropriate or nefarious going on.”

Rep. Bobby Scott, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, asked a government watchdog to review data security at the Education Department and other agencies where Musk’s team has gained access. His Friday letter to the Government Accountability Office called it a “constitutional emergency.”

“There is now a void of oversight for a very young and inexperienced team and their leader, the world’s richest man,” Scott wrote. Trump campaigned on a promise to close the department, claiming it has been infiltrated by “radicals, zealots and Marxists.”

But Trump’s pledge is colliding with the reality that the department’s existence and most of its spending is ordered by Congress.

“The DOGE employees are federal employees,” the department said in a statement. “They have been sworn in, have the necessary background checks and clearances, and are focused on making the Department more cost-efficient, effective, and accountable to the taxpayers.”

Bay St. Louis draws overflow gameday crowds

Mississippi Coast city becoming tourist hot spot for Super Bowl

BY POET WOLFE Staff writer

As New Orleans gets ready to host the Super Bowl on Sunday, some residents and tourists are escaping the chaos by retreating to a quaint coastal city just an hour away Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, has been a favorite weekend getaway for decades for New Orleanians.

But as the face-off between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles quickly approaches, the seaside city is becoming

EAGLES

Continued from page 1A

Bourbon Street, hunching over bottles of cheap beers at dark bars, Eagles fans this week were quick to acknowledge that it’s difficult for outsiders to accept the ferocious way that Philadelphians follow their team.

They’re OK with that

Some wear the notoriety like a kelly green badge of honor “People don’t like us and we don’t care,” one Eagles fan said. Others argue the perception is more like a bad rap.

A few offered another take.

You know who ought to be able to understand Eagles fans, a die-hard bunch composed almost exclusively of Philadelphia locals, whose hard edges stem from decades of heartbreak, decades of waiting for their team to win its first championship?

Saints fans.

“It’s almost the exact same,” said Mike Moyer, 54, a native of New Hope, {span}Pennsylvania{/span}, who has lived in New Orleans for a decade.

“Except Saints fans don’t have a reputation. And we do.”

‘It’s everybody’

Visiting the costuming capital of America, Eagles fans over the last six days showed they do know how to dress up.

Christy Gindhart, a 32-year-old athletic trainer from Pennsylvania’s Delaware County, looked ready for the Carnival at the Super Bowl second-line last weekend, donning white tail feathers and a bald eagle headpiece she fashioned herself.

Sewed into the back of the costume was a diagram of the “Philly Special,” the immortalized trick play that helped the Eagles beat the New England Patriots in the

CHIEFS

Continued from page 1A

his partner Bridget Cooper feel heading into the game Sunday They bought tickets to come to New Orleans the day after the Chiefs won their second straight Super Bowl last year It was a sure bet.

“History is going to be made in (New Orleans),” he said.

The mood of Chiefs fans who trekked to New Orleans for the Super Bowl week ranged from giddy disbelief to ultimate confidence. For the most part, they’re avoiding tipping into hubris.

Thousands came to soak in the city where they expect the Chiefs to become the first-ever NFL team to win three consecutive Super Bowls.

They have good reason to believe Kansas City has emerged as a gravity-defying dynasty

Members of its storied 2022 draft class have never experienced an NFL season without going to the Super Bowl. Winning close games has become routine: The team has won 17 straight one-score games, an NFL record. Chiefs fans expect it.

“I think it’s going to be a really, really, really close game,” said Kelley Slagle, who started planning her trip to New Orleans six months ago “(But) they work this magic.” Slagle, wearing Chiefs earrings and red and white shoes, came to the city alone to catch a piece of the experience. She’ll head back to Kansas City this weekend for a Super Bowl watch party with friends, where they’ll have cardboard cutouts of Mahomes and Kelce.

In the days leading up to the game, 70-degree sunny days brought out fans and locals alike to the French Quarter, which was un-

more crowded this week.

New Orleans residents are crossing the state lines to avoid the tens of thousands of visitors flocking in. And out-of-state tourists are viewing Bay St. Louis as a cheap and peaceful overnight stay not far from the Super Bowl host city, officials said this week.

“The location is an hour’s drive into the city We got a lot of restaurants and night life It’s just an opportunity for people to stay on the outside and travel back and forth,” said Bay St. Louis Mayor Mike Favre.

After Hurricane Katrina ripped through the Gulf Coast city Bay St. Louis revived itself, becoming an ever-growing entertainment hub for residents and visitors. Favre listed out its latest restaurant

additions, including Barracuda Taco Stand and Tacos & Beer — two popular eateries that have expanded from New Orleans.

Favre, who is expecting a subtle influx of tourists to arrive this week, said traffic between Bay St. Louis and New Orleans should be low Jim MacPhaille, the owner of vacation rentals, PJ’s Coffee, Creole Creamery and 200 North Beach Restaurant in downtown Bay St. Louis with his wife, Catherine, also estimates an uptick in visitors.

“The Super Bowl is going to have an impact in Bay St. Louis,” MacPhaille said.

MacPhaille, who owns Bay Town Inn on North Beach Boulevard, said 30% to 35% of bookings in

the last two weeks are people who are coming in town for the sporting event. Instead of paying for an expensive stay in New Orleans, they’re commuting from Bay St. Louis.

In January, last-minute booking was going for more than $1,000 per night for standard hotel rooms in and outside of Orleans Parish, according to booking agents.

“Hotel rooms in New Orleans are ridiculous,” MacPhaille said “Whereas we’re not beefing up our rooms for the Super Bowl.”

“You can still be able to attend everything and not pay the price for lodges,” Haydel said.

Meanwhile, about a mile away from downtown, Driftwood Motel is hosting a mix of New Orleans guests and Eagles fans, according to the manager, Alex Fugatt. Fugatt added that the hotel especially noticed “a big influx of reservations” that were quickly followed up by cancellations after the Baltimore Ravens’ playoff loss last month. Now, the hotel is about 70% occupied this weekend, she said, with only five or six rooms left.

Email Poet Wolfe at poet.wolfe@ theadvocate.com.

Lauren Hayel, owner of Fleurty Girl, is experiencing the same clientele as MacPhaille at her Airbnb rentals above the boutique store in Bay St. Louis. The suites are completely booked this weekend with guests who are driving into New Orleans for the Super Bowl.

2018 Super Bowl, the franchise’s first championship.

Megan Mewbron, a 41-year-old

TV producer who said she’s a frequent visitor to New Orleans and Philly, sees the similarities.

For one, you don’t tell people in New Orleans or Philly that you’re a fan of their teams’ rivals (Good luck wearing a Dallas Cowboys jersey in South Philadelphia)

Sitting at the end of a French Quarter dive bar on a recent afternoon, Mewbron spoke in low tones when she said she knows better than to tell anyone that she’s an Atlanta Falcons fan.

“I’ll stop getting served,” she said.

Moyer, the Pennsylvania native who lives in Marigny argued the two cities have even more resem-

blances. Among them: demographics, two cities full of blue-collar locals, where allegiances are deep rooted, where many grew up watching games with their parents or grandparents.

“It’s everybody,” said Moyer, 54, a small-business consultant. “It’s men, women, grocery workers, executives It goes up and down, all genders, all levels of the socioeconomic strata. That’s not the same in every town.”

Loud and proud

Still, there was plenty of skepticism toward the invasion of Eagles fans.

Brooke Flaherty, a bartender at Erin Rose on Conti Street, summed it up nicely

“I’m rooting for the Chiefs,”

she said. “Cause (expletive) the Eagles.”

She recalled a group of exceedingly loud visiting Eagles fans who filled the bar for a game against the Saints a couple years ago

One blew on a referee’s whistle while the group stumbled its way through a number of team chants.

“They got so drunk they couldn’t spell E-A-G-L-E-S,” Flaherty said.

Don Davis, a 61-year-old business owner from South Jersey, didn’t deny that element of his team’s fan base. But he insisted it was a minority

“Every franchise has 5-10% of fans who they’re not proud of,” said Davis. He was visiting New Orleans for a few days but, like many others, said game tickets were too expensive.

characteristically well-paved and clean. Swarms of red and green bobbed throughout the Vieux Carre, ducking into dive bars as Super Bowl organizers set up temporary stands sponsored by chip companies. The city rumbled with fans who traveled from around the world and spent untold amounts of money to be here.

Many Chiefs fans made the trip to soak up the city even though they weren’t shelling out thousands of dollars for a ticket to the game.

Bill Rusch sidled up to the bar at Erin Rose as the afternoon light poured in. Chiefs and Eagles fans filtered in and out, sipping beers and frozen Irish coffees. Rusch and his wife enjoyed shrimp and beef debris po-boys. A bartender

poked fun at Eagles fans. A man in the corner shouted something unintelligible about Taylor Swift. A light breeze flowed in from the open windows. Rusch, with a Chiefs visor pinning back long silver hair, wore a red shirt that said “Tequilagators,” the name of his tailgating crew back home in Kansas City His group repurposed a delivery truck into a red and white Chiefs tailgating vehicle, which they drive to Arrowhead Stadium every game day, waiting three hours before gates open to get in. Rusch, who moved to Kansas City in 1978, has held season tickets for 32 years. He has traveled to the Super Bowl host city with his wife and friends for the past two years. They’re staying in Slidell

to avoid exorbitant hotel rates, and plan to drive back home for a watch party with their tailgating crew for the game. The team’s shocking run of success is not lost on him. He sipped from a draft beer and recalled the 1990s, when he said no one went to the games.

“Back in those days it was quiet,” he said. “Now you’re going to a party.”

‘A little taste of home’ Steve Mock shut down his restaurant.

A Lawrence, Kansas, native, Mock has run Smoked, a BBQ joint in Harahan, since 2018. But this week, he closed up shop and hauled a red trailer to Pour House, a bar on Girod Street with Chiefs

Reno Raines, a former French Quarter restaurant owner, said he’s never had a problem with the many Eagles fans he’s encountered over the years.

“People say they’re loud, they’re dirty, blah, blah, blah,” Raines, 64, said. “They tip well. They’re a family We respect them.”

Go birds

Like a lot of families, Eagles fans tend to speak in their own language.

“Go birds!” is their calling card. A team rallying cry, yes, but also a uniquely Philly catchall, communicating something that Eagles fans say is almost indescribable to outsiders. It often means, “Hello.” It can also mean, “Keep your head up,” or, “I’m sorry your aunt died.” For visiting fans strolling the French Quarter this past week, recognizing one another in green and white, it was a passing acknowledgment that one could have overheard a hundred times, “like someone flashing their lights at another Jeep owner,” an Eagles fan said.

“It means everyone hates us and we don’t care,” said Tommy Neilson, a 56-year-old software salesman from South Jersey

“It means go for it,” said Dean Donley, 63, who spent more than 30 years as a wrestling coach at a suburban Philly high school. “Don’t hold anything back.” Ryan Quigley, a Pennsylvania native and lifelong Eagles fan, is a survivor of the New Year’s Eve attack on Bourbon Street. His best friend, Lafayette native and converted Eagles fan Tiger Bech, died. Quigley wrote a tribute to Bech online.

“Thank you for bringing so many wonderful people together these past few weeks,” Quigley wrote. “It’s been so pure. It’s been so powerful. It’s been so beautiful.”

“I love you so much and go birds.”

flags flying outside.

After living most of his life in Kansas, Mock found a new home in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Now, he was preparing to make 400 pounds of brisket to feed hundreds of Chiefs fans that were set to descend upon the bar

“It gives me a little taste of home,” he said.

The Chiefs have been to so many Super Bowls recently that some superfans have gotten the travel and tailgating down to a science.

A decade ago, Nate Morrow and some friends started a Facebook page to organize tailgates, and as the Chiefs kept winning, it grew to 30,000 followers.

The name: Lot J Tailgating Crew, named after their corner of the stadium parking lot.

Morrow and Josh Young, both of St. Joseph, Missouri, have had a lot of practice setting up Chiefs fan parties in other cities since. Now the two run a travel club for Chiefs away games. They set up parties on Saturday and Sunday at Pour House along with an afternoon “French Quarter takeover” at B Mac’s. The “X Factor” Dante Hall, a legendary Chiefs return man and wide receiver, is set to make an appearance.

“It’s been a ride,” Morrow said. For Noel Miller, the Super Bowl in New Orleans is a collision of worlds. A Lawrence native, she lived in New Orleans for several years, building up a group of Chiefs fans who would watch the game at the Wit’s Inn or Miel Brewery She moved back to Lawrence in 2021.

On Thursday, she touched down in New Orleans again. She had plans to hit up Coop’s Place for dinner and Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop for purple drinks She’ll head to the Superdome on Sunday in hopes of seeing history

“I’m very confident,” she said. “I don’t see how we can lose.”

STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

Philadelphia Eagles fans drink and mingle at the Riverside Hilton on Friday.

STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

Kansas City Chiefs fans drink and mingle in the lobby of the Marriott Hotel on Friday

Super Bowl program boosts St. Roch neighborhood

BY JONI HESS Staff writer

Two years after renovating their St. Roch Avenue duplex to a singlefamily home, Hurricane Katrina floodwaters stained Euritici and Mark Durand’s newly painted walls. They were forced to slowly rebuild the home that has remained a staple in their family for decades. Mark, a “jack-of-all-trades” according to his wife, did much of the work on his own.

But health scares, money issues and time interfered in their progress over the years

Last year, they became one of five low-income households selected for home repair projects through national nonprofit Rebuilding Together

“He wasn’t able to do the things he used to do. This was a perfect opportunity because at one time, he would not let anybody touch anything that needed fixing,” Euritici said.

Projects ranged from building a fortified roof, replacing air conditioning, installing fencing and other needed improvements.

To qualify, homeowners have to make less than 80% of the area median income, or $45,000 a year for a single person. Rebuilding Together Executive Director William Stoudt said many of those served are also elderly or disabled

Euritici, who is still feeling the effects of open-heart surgery two years ago, recalled breaking her wrist on two separate occasions after falling down the stairs outside their home. Volunteers have since removed one of the outside stairwells and put a large deck in its place, along with a small concrete patio near a second set of stairs.

On Tuesday, volunteers laid out the final parts of a wooden fence, and they plan to paint and pressure

washing the homes’ exterior

Over the past few weeks, volunteers have helped repair homes, build out a community garden, and make park improvements in the St. Roch neighborhood as part of the NFL’s annual Kickoff to Rebuild initiative in Super Bowl host cities.

To culminate their efforts, the organization, in partnership with NFL sponsor Lowe’s Home Improvement, held an event Friday at St. Roch Park in full New Orleans

fashion with a second-line brass band and members of the walking krewe Krewe des Fleurs.

“Much of the Super Bowl focus has been about improving our city for visitors,” said Stoudt

“We think Kickoff to Rebuild is an opportunity to showcase what makes our communities so special, its people and our culture,” he said.

Across the street from the Durands is a community garden and bee sanctuary where volunteers are leveling the ground, installing planter boxes and a pergola greenhouse among other elements.

“We thought it was something the community would benefit from and also the general neighborhood,” Stoudt said.

The bee haven and food forest sit on a plot of land that, along with the home next door, has belonged to 33-year-old Carl Harrison Jr.’s family for decades.

Rebuilding Together is providing some of the legwork for the garden, Harrison said, but much of the work so far has relied on community efforts gardeners and neighbors pitching in to plant trees, clear weeds and build garden beds.

Harrison’s vision for the space is a wide-ranging endeavor born from conversations with his late father about declining honeybee populations and their importance to the local food supply

“He told me about bees disappearing and smart people learning to keep bees, grow food and move to higher ground,” he said of the last conversation shared with his father Like many community gardens that have sprouted across the city in recent years, the St. Roch garden project serves as one way to battle food insecurity in a city with high poverty rates.

And despite recent commercial investments in St. Roch that include two food halls on St Claude Avenue and a grocery store that opened in 2017, barriers to healthy food options remain a public health issue, according to Tulane University professor and nutritional epidemiologist Chelsea Singleton.

“It’s a lot more complicated than opening a grocery store in the community Is it affordable? Is it culturally relevant to the area?” she said, adding that an overabundance of unhealthy foods should be taken into account as well.

Singleton said community gardens in low-resourced areas provide better access to locally grown food and help engage people in their food system.

Engagement and food education is also a priority, Harrison said.

“The kids today still don’t even know what a tomato looks like. They don’t know that you can eat a fruit off of a tree. That’s what we’re actually fighting. We’re fighting a mentality here,” he said.

Week of big game features private shows with big names

BY KEITH SPERA Staff writer

At 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, the Steve Mignano Band unspooled a solid cover of Chris Stapleton’s signature “Tennessee Whiskey” in the 200 block of Bourbon Street at the Drinkery

Three hours later and six blocks away, Stapleton played it himself. The acclaimed country singer/ songwriter appeared Thursday at a SiriusXM and Pandora event at the Fillmore. Stapleton typically sells out arenas with a capacity of 14,000 or more; the Fillmore’s capacity is only 2,200.

The exclusive show — also to be broadcast on Stapleton’s curated SiriusXM channel 63 — was open to subscribers of the satellite radio service who preregistered for free tickets. The line to get in stretched around the entire Caesars casino block as fans waited to have their names verified and receive a wristband granting admission

The SiriusXM/Pandora show was the first of Stapleton’s two back-toback nights at invitation-only Super Bowl LIX events. On Friday night, he was scheduled to join

COURT

Continued from page 1A

cuts to federal funding and has other outstanding settlements it owes.

On Friday, city spokesperson Leatrice Dupre reiterated that the mayor believes the City Council made an agreement with the School Board without the authority to do so. City Council member Joe Giarrusso said the School

Jelly Roll and Shaboozey at the Orpheum Theater for EA Sports’ annual Madden Bowl blowout.

Many other marquee entertainers are earning big paychecks to play at private events during Super Bowl week, as companies spend hundreds of thousands of dollars — and in some cases, seven figures to entertain clients and guests.

On Friday, Post Malone was slated to perform at the Fillmore for a private show Blink-182 and Megan Thee Stallion are co-headlining an invitation-only FanDuel party at Second Line Stages. A different Second Line soundstage is hosting an Uber party for Uber One members starring rapper Travis Scott on Friday Scott and Post Malone are both slated to perform at Fanatics founder and CEO Michael Rubin’s private event Saturday at the Sugar Mill on Convention Center Boulevard, along with Don Toliver Also on Saturday TAO and Verizon are staging an event at Fulton Street with rappers T-Pain and Doechii, Jermaine Dupri and Chase B.

The PepsiCo/Frito-Lay corpo-

Board’s legal response was “completely justified and expected.”

“The administration agreed to and publicly supported the deal in November; the mayor signed the amended budget ordinance approving the first settlement payment in November; and, they did not object to the deal until late January,” he said Friday. “The School Board is on the right side of the legal issue and in protecting New Orleans’ kids.”

The board’s motion before

rate entity is spending big on entertainment in New Orleans One Republic, ex-Foreigner singer Lou Gramm and homegrown modern rock band Better Than Ezra are all booked for Pepsi parties.

So, too, is the singer Seal, who reportedly was contracted for just five songs at a private event at the Royal Sonesta. On Sunday, Post Malone wraps up his big weekend by headlining the Super Bowl LIX YouTube Tailgate Concert, which starts at 3 p.m. outside the Caesars Superdome and will be streamed on the NFL’s YouTube channel. It’s not just out-of-towners who are getting paid during Super Bowl.

Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews was among the guests along with Jason Kelce and sportscaster Erin Andrews — for Thursday’s Stapleton show at the Fillmore. On Sunday, Andrews and Lauren Daigle will perform “America the Beautiful” during the Super Bowl pregame show

But first, he planned to play a total of eight private events on Friday and Saturday, including the Madden Bowl. The set lengths

Judge D. Nicole Sheppard includes a request that the matter be heard within three weeks, noting it has been more than a month since the city’s first payment was due on Dec. 31.

The School Board said the city has withheld nearly $135 million in taxes from the district since 2008, a combination of funds diverted to pay the city’s pension debts and an “administrative/collection fee” skimmed from tax collections.

vary — some would be only 20 minutes, some an hour but that’s a whole lot of lip work before appearing live on a global telecast watched by millions. The Soul Rebels had about as many gigs this week. On Monday, they were in the Caesars Superdome for the Super Bowl opening night festivities, playing as part of the NFL Network’s broadcast.

After a quick detour to Houston for a private show on Saturday, the Soul Rebels planned to make a late-night drive back to New Orleans for a special appearance on Sunday Stapleton’s show at the Fillmore ranked among the week’s hottest tickets.

Patrons at his Thursday concert could sample free beignets and coffee and free shots of Stapleton’s signature Traveller whiskey in the Fillmore’s lobby. Thus fortified, they entered the main music room, where Stapleton presided over a full show His craggy voice was as strong as ever As he sang, he often glanced to his left to lock eyes with his wife and backing vocalist, Morgane.

The agreement included two $10 million payments — due in December and April — as well as a commitment to funding education programs over the next decade, including ThriveKids, workforce development programs and Travis Hill School, which serves incarcerated students

The city also agreed to stop collecting the 2% administrative fee from property and sales taxes it distributes to the school district.

His ace band also included longtime Willie Nelson harmonica player Mickey Raphael. Led by Stapleton, they showcased a slew of hearty songs from his catalog: “Starting Over,” “You Should Probably Leave” during which, ironically enough, venue security escorted a man out of the show — “Parachute” and “Cold.” He teased out an understated “Freebird” before segueing into his own “The Devil Named Music.” After a tidy “Traveller,” he dove into “Fire Away.” During the song’s breakdown, he urged fans to hold aloft their lighters, cellphones or “golden handcuffs” — his term for the light-up yellow bracelets distributed as promotional items by Glad — for a final chorus. A sumptuous “Broken Halos” followed by “Tennessee Whiskey” finished the regular set. The house lights briefly turned on as guests started heading for the exits. But just as quickly, the lights went down and the band returned for an encore of “Outlaw State of Mind.”

Because even if this wasn’t a “regular” show, Stapleton wasn’t slacking.

Familiar Faces, Focusedonthe

With acombined 35 yearsofservice to UCB, Sonnyand Prentiss bringa wealth of experience,dedication, andastrong commitment to thecommunities of South Louisiana. UCBiscommitted to drivinggrowth, fosteringinnovation, anddeliveringexceptional servicetoour clients. Whetheryou are buildingyourbusinessormanagingday-to-day finances, we providethe tools, expertise, and personalized supporttohelpyou succeed

STAFF PHOTO By JOHN MCCUSKER

Dave Kopra and Ann Drorbaugh construct a new set of steps for a resident of St Roch on Wednesday.

Super Bowl LIX Radio Row, which wrapped up Friday morning in New Orleans, is considered the media nerve center of the Super Bowl. Radio and TV shows from across the country broadcast live while NFL players, former players and celebrities pass by and give interviews.

ON THE AIR

Using a scooter, New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan makes his way through the crowds and members of the media posted along Radio Row in the Convention Center

Former NFL quarterback Cam Newton chats on Radio Row Thursday.

STAFF PHOTOS By BRETT DUKE

Media packs Radio Row at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans during Super Bowl LIX festivities.

Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees makes his way through Radio Row on Thursday.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is interviewed by USA Today.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler sits down for an interview with Zach Ewing of Nola.com on Thursday.

NFL Hall of Fame member Emmitt Smith, center, chats with Clint Stoerner

Trump wants to slash U.S. trade deficit with Japan

President says he isn’t taking tariffs off the table

BY AAMER MADHANI and MARI YAMAGUCHI Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump said Friday he wants to slash the U.S trade deficit with Japan as he welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to the White House for their first face-to-face meeting. Trump added that he isn’t taking the possibility of levying tariffs against Japan off the table, but believes the issue can be resolved without punitive action. The United States has a $68 billion trade deficit with Japan “I think it will be very easy for Japan,” Trump said at start of his Oval Office meeting with Ishiba. “We have a fantastic relationship. I don’t think we’ll have any problem. They want fairness also.”

Trump announced that Japan’s Nippon Steel was dropping its $14.1 billion acquisi-

tion of the Pittsburgh-headquartered U.S. Steel and would instead be making an “investment, rather than a purchase.” Trump said he would “mediate and arbitrate” as the companies negotiate the investment. The

U.S. president mistakenly referred to Nippon Steel as “Nissan,” the Japanese automaker

President Joe Biden, before leaving office last month, blocked the purchase, citing national security con-

Trump says he’s ending Biden’s classified intelligence briefings

BY DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press

PALM BEACH, Fla. President Donald Trump said Friday that he’s revoking former President Joe Biden’s access to government secrets and ending the daily intelligence briefings he’s receiving in payback for Biden doing the same to him in 2021.

Trump announced his decision in a post on his social media platform shortly after he arrived at his Mar-a-Lago home and private club in Palm Beach for the weekend.

“There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information. Therefore, we are immediately revoking Joe Biden’s Security Clearances, and stopping his daily Intelligence Briefings,” Trump wrote. “He set this precedent in 2021, when he instructed the Intelligence Community (IC) to stop the 45th President of the United States (ME!) from accessing details on National Security, a courtesy provided to former Presidents.”

The move is the latest in a vengeance tour of Washington that Trump promised during his campaign.

He has previously revoked security clearances from more than four dozen former intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter saying that the Hunter Biden laptop saga bore the hallmarks of a “Russian information operation.” He’s also revoked security details assigned to protect former government officials who have criticized him, including his own former secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, who faces threats from Iran, and former infectious disease expert Dr An-

thony Fauci.

Biden didn’t immediately comment on the move. Biden ended Trump’s intelligence briefings after Trump helped spur efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and incited the Jan 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. At the time, Biden said Trump’s “erratic” behavior should prevent him from getting the intel briefings

Asked in an interview with CBS News what he feared if Trump continued to receive the briefings, Biden said he did not want to “speculate out loud” but made clear he did not want Trump to continue having access to such information.

“I just think that there is no need for him to have the intelligence briefings,” Biden said. “What value is giving him an intelligence briefing? What impact does he have at all, other than the fact he might slip and say something?”

in 2022, federal agents searched Trump’s Florida home and seized boxes of classified records He was indicted on dozens of felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified records and obstructing FBI efforts to get them back He pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. A judge dismissed the charges, ruling the special counsel who brought them was illegally appointed, and the Justice Department gave up appeals after Trump was elected in November In a related matter, Trump dismissed Colleen Shogan as the archivist of the United States, White House aide Sergio Gor posted on X Friday night. Trump had said in early

January that he would replace the head of the National Archives and Records Administration. The government agency drew his anger after it informed the Justice Department about issues with Trump’s handling of classified documents. Shogan wasn’t the archivist of the United States at the time the issue emerged.

In his post on Biden, Trump cited the special counsel report last year into his handling of classified documents, saying, “The Hur Report revealed that Biden suffers from ‘poor memory’ and, even in his ‘prime,’ could not be trusted with sensitive information.”

He ended his post by saying, “I will always protect our National Security JOE, YOU’RE FIRED. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Special counsel Robert Hur investigated Biden’s handling of classified information and found that criminal charges were not warranted but delivered a bitingly critical assessment of his handling of sensitive government records. The report described Biden’s memory as “hazy,” “fuzzy,” “faulty,” “poor” and having “significant limitations.” It said Biden could not recall defining milestones in his own life such as when his son Beau died or when he served as vice president.

It is a sitting president’s decision on whether a past president should continue to have access to classified information.

Steven Cheung, the president’s communications director, shared Trump’s post on X and said, “Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back no more!”

cerns. Trump in December said he was “totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company.” Trump told reporters Friday that he remained opposed to the Japanese company buying

U.S. Steel outright.

Trump’s push to cut the trade deficit comes as he has pursued tariffs on both friends and foes in an effort to boost American manufacturing.

Ishiba, who was making a whirlwind trip to Washington to get face time with Trump, said he understands that Trump’s goal is mutually beneficial trade policy

But the prime minister also noted Japanese companies have held the top spot for cumulative foreign direct investment in the U.S. over the last five years. He added that Japan was looking to invest more in the United States.

Ishiba also heaped praise on Trump, saying he was inspired by the “undaunted presence” of a bloodied Trump pumping his fist after surviving an assassination attempt at a July campaign rally Ishiba added that many in Japan were also excited about his return to the White House.

“It is not only among politicians, but also among the general public as well as business leaders,” Ishiba

said. “There are many that were anxiously awaiting your comeback.”

He also said he was excited, before coming to Washington, about meeting a television celebrity like Trump. Ishiba said of Trump that “on television, he is frightening,” but during their Oval Office meeting the president was actually “very sincere.” He added that he didn’t come to “suck up” to the president. Trump also said at his news conference with Japan’s prime minister that he wanted to see some FBI agents fired as the Justice Department reviews how the agency handled investigations into the attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters on Jan. 6, 2021. “I’ll fire some of them, because some of them were corrupt,” Trump said. He added, “it will be done quickly, and very surgically.” Ishiba, who took office in October, is just the second world leader to visit the White House during Trump’s new term Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week was the first hosted by Trump.

Trump says he will fire Kennedy Center chairman, appoint himself

BY JACOB CALVIN MEYER

Baltimore Sun (TNS)

BALTIMORE President Donald Trump on Friday announced his plans to remove several board members of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, including Baltimore Orioles owner David Rubenstein as chairman. In his post on Truth Social, Trump announced that he would install himself as Rubenstein’s successor “At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN,” Trump wrote. “I have decided to immediately terminate multiple individuals from the Board of Trustees including the Chairman, who do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture. We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP.”

Rubenstein, who officially purchased the Orioles in March for $1.725 billion, has served as the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees Chairman since 2010. The private equity billionaire became only the sixth chairman in the center’s history, which dates to 1958 when its creation was authorized by Congress.

A spokesperson for Rubenstein declined to comment.

The center’s board has 36 members who are appointed to six-year terms Members include former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre; former transportation secretary Elaine Chao, who is married to Sen. Mitch McConnell; Attorney General Pam Bondi; and country music singer Lee Greenwood.

The group is evenly divided by party Whether Trump has the authority to dismiss board members re-

mains to be seen. Rubenstein, 75, was added to the board by President George W. Bush and was later reappointed by Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Rubenstein announced last year that he would retire as the board’s chairman in January, but the Baltimore native agreed to remain on through September 2026 after Trump’s election in November The Atlantic first reported Trump’s planned takeover of the Kennedy Center, which was followed by his post on social media In it, he said the Kennedy Center featuring drag shows is a reason for his shakeup of the institution.

“The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation,” he wrote. “For the Kennedy Center, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!”

BY MURI ASSUNÇÃO New york Daily News (TNS)

A Texas man pardoned by President Donald Trump for his role in the Jan 6 attack on the Capitol was arrested Thursday morning on an outstanding child sex crimes charge, authorities said.

Andrew Taake was arrested in Leon County, Texas, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release. He was taken into custody following a multi-agency operation, which concluded earlier this week that the 36-year-old Houston man had been staying at a residence in Leon County

Taake — who was wanted in Harris County on a 2016 charge of soliciting a minor online was one of the approxi-

mately 1,500 MAGA supporters who were convicted of offenses related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. He was accused of attacking police officers with bear spray and a metal whip. Taake pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon in late 2023.

On June 5, 2024, he was sentenced to six years and two months in federal prison. Taake was set free after a newly inaugurated President Trump issued a blanket pardon for the Jan. 6 insurrectionists. According to Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare, his office faxed federal authorities a copy of Taake’s outstanding warrant on Jan. 15, but he was released five days later

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By EVAN VUCCI

President Donald Trump, center, greets Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, right, Friday at the White House in Washington.

New Orleans Forecast

Mother, daughter killed in tornadoes that hit Tennessee

By The Associated Press

WARTBURG, Tenn. — Two tornadoes moved through eastern Tennessee, leaving a mother and daughter dead and injuring three other people, officials said Friday A mother and daughter from the same household were killed when the storm passed through the sparsely populated communities of Deer Lodge and Sunbright in Morgan County on Thursday night, according to a social media post by the county emergency management agency Further details about the three people injured weren’t immediately released. Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers were on site Friday morning helping to secure structures that were damaged or destroyed, Capt. Stacey Heatherly said in an email. Officials didn’t believe anyone was still missing, Heatherly said Preliminary storm surveys released midday Friday determined that two tornadoes hit the region

on Thursday, the National Weather Service office in Morristown said.

The tornado in Deer Lodge in Morgan County had maximum winds of 135 mph and was rated as an EF2, which is considered “significant” on the Enhanced Fujita scale. The tornado in Thorn Hill in Grainger County had maximum winds of 115 mph and received an EF1 rating.

Gov Bill Lee traveled to Morgan County on Friday to survey the damage, noting that he talked to a man who lost his daughter and his home. “It’s hard to see these folks and you see what they’re facing today,” Lee told reporters. “We’re here to encourage them, wanting them to know that they’re seen and they’re heard.”

The Tennessee Highway Patrol said on social media that troopers were in Morgan County ensuring resident safety and assessing and helping with structure damage.

The Morgan County School District said on its website that schools would be closed Friday because of “significant damage from

A flooded concert amphitheater

the Kanawha River is shown Friday in Charleston, W.Va.

tornadoes in parts of our county.” Additionally, the storm downed trees and damaged several structures in the Thorn Hill area of Grainger County, but there were

no injuries or deaths there, county Emergency Management Director Jeffrey Atkins said by telephone.

Thursday’s storm comes almost a year after a fatal tornado

Missing plane found on sea ice in Alaska; 10 dead

Authorities say it had loss in elevation and speed before its signal was lost

BY BECKY BOHRER and GENE JOHNSON Associated Press

JUNEAU, Alaska A small commuter plane that crashed in western Alaska on its way to the hub community of Nome was located Friday on sea ice, and all 10 people on board died authorities said. The crash appeared to be one of the deadliest in the state in the last 25 years.

Mike Salerno, a spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard, said rescuers were searching the aircraft’s last known location by helicopter when the wreckage was spotted. Two rescue swimmers were lowered to investigate.

A photo provided by the Coast Guard showed the plane’s splintered body and debris lying on the sea ice. Two people in brightly colored emergency gear circled the wreckage.

The Bering Air single-engine turboprop plane was traveling from Unalakleet on Thursday afternoon with nine passengers and a pilot, Alaska’s Department of Public Safety said. It

was operating at its maximum passenger capacity, according to the airline’s description of the plane.

The Cessna Caravan left Unalakleet at 2:37 p.m., and officials lost contact with it less than an hour later, according to David Olson, director of operations for Bering Air. There was light snow and fog, with a temperature of 17 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

The Coast Guard said the aircraft went missing about 30 miles southeast of Nome. Radar forensic data provided by the U.S Civil Air Patrol indicated that about 3:18 p.m., the plane had “some kind of event which caused them to experience a rapid loss in elevation and a rapid loss in speed,” Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Benjamin McIntyreCoble said. “What that event is, I can’t speculate to.” McIntyre-Coble said he was unaware of any distress signals from the aircraft. Planes carry an emergency locating transmitter If exposed to seawater, the device sends a signal to a satellite, which then relays that message back to the Coast Guard to indicate an aircraft may be in distress. There have been no such messages received by the Coast Guard, he said. All 10 people on board the plane were adults, and the flight was a regularly scheduled commuter trip, according

to Lt. Ben Endres of the Alaska State Troopers. Local, state and federal agencies assisted in the search effort, combing stretches of ice-dotted waters and scouring miles of frozen tundra. Flying is an essential mode of transportation in Alaska due to the vastness of the landscape and limited infrastructure. Most communities are not connected to the developed road system that serves the state’s most populous region, and it’s common to travel by small plane. Some high school teams fly to sporting events against rival high schools and goods are brought to many communities by barge or by air

Bering Air serves 32 villages in western Alaska from hubs in Nome, Kotzebue and Unalakleet. Most destinations receive twice-daily scheduled flights Monday through Saturday Unalakleet is a community of about 690 people about 150 miles southeast of Nome and 395 miles northwest of Anchorage. The village is on the Iditarod trail, route of the world’s most famous sled dog race, during which mushers and their teams must cross the frozen Norton Sound.

Nome, a Gold Rush town, is just south of the Arctic Circle and is known as the ending point of the 1,000-mile Iditarod.

touched down in a northeast Tennessee area that included Morgan County The tornado damaged a funeral home and a house in the town of Sunbright. Emergency officials have repeatedly said that Tennessee experiences more tornadoes at night than any other state in the U.S. This makes it difficult to warn the public, which likely is asleep and can’t see the storms coming. Meanwhile, communities in Kentucky and West Virginia continued to clean up from flooding in low-lying areas caused by severe thunderstorms Thursday Some creeks and rivers remained slightly above flood stage Friday According to the National Weather Service, Tennessee experienced 19 tornadoes last year that resulted in one death In 2023, Tennessee saw 40 tornadoes that resulted in 17 deaths. While the majority of Tennessee’s tornado activity takes place in the spring, it’s not unusual for the number of tornadoes to start increasing in February

Trump administration pulls support for transgender minors in Tennessee case

BY MARK SHERMAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON The federal government no longer backs transgender minors and their families in Tennessee who are challenging a state ban on genderaffirming care, the Trump administration told the Supreme Court Friday The court’s conservatives, at arguments in December, had already seemed likely to uphold the state ban on puberty blockers and hormone treatments.

The Tennessee law known as SB1 is similar to measures in about half the states that prohibit genderaffirming care for minors. The Biden administration had intervened in the Tennessee case, arguing that the restrictions amount to unconstitutional sex discrimination and warning that the court’s decision in favor of the state could lead to restrictions on transgender adults.

“The Department has now determined that SB1 does not deny equal protection on account of sex or any other characteristic,” Deputy Solicitor General Curtis Gannon wrote in a letter to the court. “Accordingly, the new Administration would not have intervened to challenge SB1 — let alone sought this Court’s review of the court of appeals’ decision” effectively upholding the law A decision is expected no later than early summer Trump has signed orders that define the sexes as unchangeable, open the door to banning transgender people from military service, call for new rules about how schools can teach about gender and set the stage to ban transgender women and girl athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JOHN RABy

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NOLA.COM | Saturday, February 8, 2025 1bN

Homeless services director under investigation

Worker accuses Nathaniel Fields of sexual assault

BY SOPHIE KASAKOVE Staff writer

A contracted worker has accused Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s homeless services director of sexually assaulting her on the job, triggering an investigation by City Hall.

Mary Bonney, who works for Civix, a public sector technology firm based in Metairie, said Na-

Woman arrested using stolen credit cards

Police: ‘Career criminal’ seen leaving hotel room where reporter found dead

BY MICHELLE HUNTER Staff writer

Two days after a Kansas City Telemundo reporter visiting New Orleans to cover the Super Bowl was found dead in his hotel room, Kenner police announced the arrest of a woman seen leaving his room and later using his credit cards at several local stores.

Danette Colbert, 48, of Slidell, is only facing fraud and theft charges, said Deputy Chief Mark McCormick, of the Kenner Police Department. But authorities noted that she has a criminal history that includes allegations of drugging men, theft and credit card fraud. Colbert has convictions in Jefferson and Orleans Parish for targeting tourists on Bourbon Street and illegally using credit cards, according to authorities.

“She was stopped quite frequently in the French Quarter, and she’s known for these fraud schemes,” Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley said Friday Adan Manzano, 27, of Topeka, Kansas, was working as a sideline reporter for KBKC, Kansas City’s Telemundo affiliate, according to the station.

He was found dead in a hotel room in Kenner on Wednesday afternoon, police said. His cause of death has not yet been determined. The Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office is awaiting the results of further testing.

But authorities have said there were no signs of obvious trauma to his body Authorities didn’t say where they suspect Manzano met Colbert. But she was with him when he returned to his room about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Comfort Suites Airport hotel, 2710 Idaho Ave., Kenner, according to Conley Hotel security video shows Colbert entering Manzano’s room and leaving a short time later She later returned to the room but left again by 6 a.m.

“Mr. Manzano was not seen on that security footage after entering that room,” Conley said Manzano’s co-workers called about 4 p.m. Wednesday to ask for a wellness check after he missed a morning appointment, according to McCormick. That’s when he was discovered dead.

Detectives learned that Manzano’s cellphone and the credit card he used to check into the hotel were missing, Conley said. The card was later used at several stores in the New Orleans area, Conley said.

Kenner police working with the Major Crimes Task Force took Colbert into custody about 10:30 p.m. Thursday in New Orleans, Conley said She was being held Friday

thaniel Fields forcibly kissed her twice the night of Jan. 6 while they were working to transport homeless people to an emergency shelter during a cold snap.

Bonney said that Fields continued to harass her in the following days including calling her phone four times in a ten minute span prompting her to request that Civix submit a complaint with the city on her behalf.

Reached by text, Fields declined to comment, citing the city probe.

The City Attorney’s Office said Monday it had received a “sexual harassment complaint” from a contracted worker on Jan. 13 and that the city was investigating it “in accordance with its policy,” which was codified in 2018. Officials did not name the subject of the complaint. Cantrell hired Fields in 2023 to

run the city’s newly created Office of Homeless Services with the ambitious goal of finding permanent housing for everyone living on the streets of New Orleans. Fields, a native of Baltimore who experienced homelessness as a teenager, worked with service providers to clear encampments and place residents in suitable housing. In recent months he became a high-profile defender of the administration’s efforts, while the city’s chief critic — Republican Gov Jeff Landry — took the unusual

step of creating a state-sanctioned homeless encampment and then a state-run homeless shelter in Gentilly to clear the streets around the Superdome before Sunday’s Super Bowl.

A Cantrell spokesperson did not answer questions about Fields’ employment status while the city conducts its investigation, which it has 60 days to complete, according to its policy A spokesperson for Civix also

COOL KIDS CLUB

Judge makes ruling on contracts

City Council can’t block Cantrell’s agreements

BY BEN MYERS Staff writer

A second judge has ruled that the New Orleans City Council cannot block Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s professional services contracts, a new authority the council gave itself in recent years as part of a broader push to reshape the City Hall power balance.

Civil District Court Judge Jennifer Medley this week upheld a contract for lawyer Charles Rice, who the administration tapped to work on a lawsuit against the

state Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System Council members refused to authorize a $75,000 contract for Rice’s firm last year, objecting to the administration’s legal strategy and to Rice himself.

Medley also struck down the 2022 and 2023 ordinances requiring the council’s vote on professional services contracts worth more than $1 million and all legal services contracts. The ruling follows Judge Paulette Irons’s similar but less expansive order in December that the council must approve a controversial sanitation contract.

Irons’s order, which was limited to a $73 million contract for Henry Consulting contract and did not rule on the ordinances, is on hold

while the council appeals. The council’s lawyer, Adam Swensek, said Medley’s order in the Rice case will also be appealed.

“We, as a body, will continue to do everything in our power to ensure transparency in public contracting,” Swensek said in an email.

In a statement, Rice said Medley’s ruling “upholds the integrity of the City’s governing structure and confirms that the Council cannot simply rewrite the rules.”

The Cantrell administration did not respond to questions.

While it’s not clear how the 4th Circuit Court of Appeal might rule in either case, the lower court orders are rare defeats for

ä See CONTRACTS, page 2B

Board votes against housing complex

1,000 neighbors sign petition opposing project

BY LARA NICHOLSON Staff writer

A proposal to build a $49 million affordable apartment complex in Marrero suffered a huge setback Thursday when the Jefferson Parish Planning Advisory Board recommended denial of the project, following a barrage of opposition from nearby residents.

The 5-1 decision came after more than 1,000 neighbors signed a petition against the project and more than 100 turned up at the meeting to voice their objections. Residents said they are concerned the complex would increase traffic and crime, decrease surrounding property values and cause overcrowding at nearby schools. The project first came before the board on Dec. 5, and a vote was deferred twice to address residents’ concerns. The Jefferson Parish Council will make the final decision on

whether to approve the plan at its meeting on Feb. 26. Council member Byron Lee, who represents the area, said he was waiting until after the vote to review the plan.

“I respect the decision of the Planning Advisory Board, and I respect the views of the public,” said the developer, Tom Delahaye, of Denham Springs-based CST Land Developers LLC, on Thursday He told the board his company has a reputation for “first-class developments” and has previously

Judge clears way for promotions

BY GABRIELLA KILLETT and JOHN SIMERMAN Staff writers

JEFFERSON PARISH

STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

N.O. officer hit by car in Bywater

Three teens arrested in incident

BY GABRIELLA KILLETT and POET WOLFE Staff writers

Three teens have been arrested in connection with an incident this week in which a New Orleans police officer was hit by a car that had been pulled over.

Shortly after 5 p.m on Thursday, police officers spotted two vehicles on the Claiborne Bridge that they suspected were involved in an armed robbery ear-

lier in the day in the 1300 block of France Street, the New Orleans Police Department said. They tried to stop both cars near North Claiborne and Poland avenues in the Bywater One car had three people inside, and all three were arrested. Destiny Jefferson, 19; Kendall Burrell, 19; and a 14-year-old boy were all booked on suspicion of illegal possession of stolen things, NOPD said Friday afternoon. But a white Kia sedan tried to drive away and hit one of the officers.

“My understanding is it accelerated, hit one of the sergeants

and fled the scene,” said Independent Police Monitor Stella Cziment, who was at the scene late Thursday. Other officers fired their weapons at the Kia shattering the back windshield.

The officer was taken to a hospital with minor injuries and released Thursday night. Normally assigned to the Fourth District in Algiers, he was on assignment helping with the Investigative Support Bureau at the time of the incident, NOPD said.

NOPD policy prohibits officers from shooting at a moving vehicle unless its occupants “are using deadly force other than the

vehicle itself,” according to its operations manual.

A perimeter was placed in the area as officers search for the Kia, NOPD said. North Claiborne was closed westbound toward the French Quarter, from Tennessee Street to Lesseps Street, as NOPD conducted their investigation.

The NOPD’s Force Investigation Team, created to investigate uses of force, was at the scene Thursday Fifth District officers are investigating the armed robbery

Missy Wilkinson contributed to this report

DIRECTOR

Continued from page 1B

declined to comment “out of respect for employee privacy and, in this case, to maintain the integrity of the investigation.”

‘He just grabbed me’

Bonney said that on Jan. 6 around 11 p.m., she and Fields were in a city vehicle parked outside the temporary shelter at the Rosenwald Recreation Center before going to pick up a client who needed transportation to the shelter

Bonney said that Fields began rubbing her arm. She said she pulled away, but “he just grabbed me and stuck his tongue down my throat. He had my head in his hands.”

Continued from page 1B

at the Orleans Parish Prison as a fugitive.

Investigators executed a search warrant at Colbert’s residence in Slidell and recovered Manzano’s credit card, his cellphone, drugs and a gun that had been reported stolen, Conley said. Kenner police don’t believe the gun is related to Manzano’s case.

Once brought to Kenner, Colbert will be booked with bank fraud, computer fraud, illegal transmission of monetary funds, access device fraud and simple robbery, Conley said.

Thus far, Colbert has not been booked on any charges directly related to Manzano’s death. The investigation is still ongoing, but Conley admitted the charges could be upgraded based on the results of the completed autopsy and toxicology testing.

“We investigate. We don’t speculate,” Conley said. “In the next 24 to 48 hours, we’ll have a lot more answers.”

History of targeting tourists

While there’s no indication, thus far, that Manzano was drugged before the theft, Conley said Colbert has been accused of such acts before.

“It’s important to note that Ms. Colbert’s criminal history does include two instances where she drugged a victim and stole his access device cards,” he said.

Conley was referring to two 2022 arrests in Las Vegas where Colbert was booked with drugging men at casinos in two separate incidents and stealing pricey watches and more than $50,000 from each, according to a story by the Las Vegas ReviewJournal.

She was booked with two counts of administering a drug to aid in the commission of a felony and two counts of felony theft, according to court records. But the charges were dropped in October 2022. It’s not clear why prosecutors didn’t move forward with the cases.

Colbert has been convicted of targeting Bourbon Street tourists and illegally using their

CONTRACTS

Continued from page 1B

a council that has often succeeded in attempts to curtail Cantrell’s power in ways that could also impact council-mayor relations in future administrations

Voters agreed in 2022 to give the council confirmation power over mayoral political appointments. Earlier that year, the council sued over Cantrell’s handling of the charitable Wisner Trust fund, a case that was allowed to move forward after drawn-out arguments over the council’s right to sue the mayor The underlying case over the

PROMOTIONS

Continued from page 1B

But after a series of reviews, including by one by the monitors who report to her, Morgan ordered the lists upheld, finding a panel of NOPD deputy chiefs involved in the grading process had conducted it by the book.

“Indeed, it appears to the Court that the NOPD Deputy Chiefs took their task seriously and did a commendable job,” Morgan wrote.

Kirkpatrick’s decision to shelve the promotions — she originally said she would toss the rankings — drew a chorus of criticism from inside and outside the police force Cantrell’s purported

credit cards in Jefferson and Orleans parishes, according to court records.

In 2014, Colbert approached a 35-year-old man on Bourbon Street about 4 a.m. and asked if he wanted to “hang out,” authorities said. She accompanied him back to his hotel on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans.

When he woke the next morning, his credit card, $100 in cash and his $4,000 Rolex watch were missing, the New Orleans Police Department said. The card was later used about 20 times at a grocery store on Chef Menteur Highway

New Orleans police found video from an ATM of Colbert withdrawing money with the pilfered card, still wearing the blonde wig and blue shirt described by the victim.

Colbert pleaded guilty in May 2015 to two counts of theft. She was sentenced to five years of active probation and three years

trust fund remains pending after the state Supreme Court affirmed the council’s right to sue last spring In late 2023, the council exercised a little-known power in the city charter to remove administration officials for cause, ousting Cantrell’s communication director Gregory Joseph, after a lengthy investigation into a political flier Joseph produced with public funds

Council President JP Morrell threatened later to oust City Attorney Donesia Turner, who he said failed to defend the council’s authority to approve contracts, forcing the council to spend tens of thousands of dollars on outside legal help.

influence on the decision added to those concerns. Some questioned whether Cantrell was seeking to prevent the promotion of two captains who ranked highest on the promotions list for major. Captains Precious Banks and Kendrick Allen both were involved in Public Integrity Bureau investigations of former officer Jeffrey Vappie, the mayor’s alleged paramour over his time with Cantrell. Vappie currently faces federal charges.

As it happens, the “error” that Morgan cites in her order resulted in Allen losing a spot in the rankings for major, from second to third place. Rising one spot up the rankings was Capt. LeJon Roberts, who currently commands the NOPD’s 8th District,

of inactive probation, according to authorities.

In 2016, she was accused of using a credit card belonging to a man who said the card and his cellphone went missing after he met a woman while out drinking with friends on Bourbon, authorities said.

Colbert tried to use the man’s card the next day to buy $1,600 worth of gift cards and other items at a Walmart in Kenner, where she was arrested.

Colbert pleaded guilty in May 2017, to access device fraud and two counts of possession of stolen property and was sentenced to three years in prison, according to court records.

She also pleaded guilty to access device fraud in December 2019. In that case, Colbert and two other women were arrested in May 2018 at a Walmart in Gretna, authorities said.

The victim told investigators he lost his credit card while visiting a Bourbon Street strip club.

Morrell and other council members have also blasted Turner for freezing them out of legal strategies they have disagreed with. That includes the city’s decision to sue the police pension system, after that system fined the city $38.5 million last year over low police staffing levels. Morrell said the administration should have instead negotiated with the pension system. Rice, a former Entergy New Orleans executive, was part of a joint-venture the Cantrell administration tapped to work on the lawsuit after a competitive solicitation.

But Morrell and others on the council opposed his involvement in the deal, pointing out that Rice

which includes the city’s French Quarter

The change appears to matter Claude Schlesinger counsel for the local Fraternal Order of Police lodge, said there were two current openings for promotions to major The two captain’s openings that those moves would create would be filled through the top ranks of the captain’s list.

In the meantime, a civil service complaint from the Police Association of New Orleans and the Black Organization of Police, alleging interference from Cantrell in the promotions process, remains pending, with a hearing before the Civil Service Commission scheduled for next week.

“I want to know why she said there was bias and cheating and she provided no evidence,” said

The suspects bought gift cards and got cash back on purchases totaling about $3,000, authorities said. They also spent about $3,000 at a Sam’s Club.

Colbert pleaded guilty to one count of access device fraud between $1,000 and $4,999. Judge Ray Steib Jr of the 24th Judicial District Court, sentenced Colbert to five years in prison, the maximum possible. But he suspended the sentence and ordered that she serve five years of active probation, according to court records. “She’s definitely a career criminal,” Conley said.

Anyone who may recognize Danette Colbert or has any information regarding her involvement in the case is asked to call the Kenner Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at (504) 712-2222 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111.

Email Michelle Hunter at mhunter@theadvocate.com.

led Entergy in 2018, when paid actors controversially packed City Council chambers to support an Entergy power plant proposal. The scandal led to Rice’s resignation. After the council refused to approve his contract, Rice argued in his lawsuit that the city charter affords no role for the council in selecting professional service vendors, and that his past affiliation with Entergy was irrelevant. Medley sided with Rice. A separate hearing on the question of whether the council should pay Rice’s legal fees is set for March. Email Ben Myers at bmyers@ theadvocate.com.

PANO attorney Eric Hessler. Both the outside assessors and the federal monitors reviewed the more subjective half of the exam process, involving a review of each officer’s disciplinary background and job history Inspector General Ed Michel was also tapped to conduct an investigation into anonymous complaints alleging cheating on promotional exams. Morgan described the latter allegations on Friday as “unfounded.”

Michel said Friday he will release the full report on his investigation in the coming weeks.

Schlesinger said he was gratified that the reviews found no evidence of bias in the process.

“I would expect the promotions will be made pretty quickly,” he said.

Bonney said that she told him repeatedly to stop but he kissed her again. She got out of the car, she said, but Fields followed her out.

“He grabbed me again,” said Bonney, who got into another city vehicle and drove home.

Bonney said that Fields continued to harass her in the coming days, including calling her phone numerous times. She also said Fields tried to get her to meet him alone, which she also reported.

Bonney, who began working with the city’s homeless services office in June, said that prior to the incident, she had a “pretty positive working relationship” with Fields but described his conduct as “inappropriate at times.”

She said that Fields would often “talk about women” while on the job, and that he spoke to Bonney aggressively at times.

Rules adopted by the City Council in 2018 prohibit sexual harassment and establish a process for reporting, investigation and discipline. They were intended to create a safe and comfortable working environment for city employees, according to City Council Vice President Helena Moreno.

The new rules were passed as allegations swirled around the leadership of the city’s Property Management Department, which Cantrell at the time called a ”cesspool” where sexual harassment was rampant for years.

Once a complaint is filed, the administration has 60 days to complete an investigation, including “separate interviews with the complainant, alleged harasser” and anyone else believed to have information on the complaint, according to procedures adopted by the city’s Chief Administrative Office in 2021, which are consistent with the 2018 ordinance.

If the investigation confirms that harassment took place, disciplinary action against the harasser may include “suspension, demotion and where circumstances warrant, termination.”

In emails to the city’s Employee Relations Division, Bonney also alleged that Fields may have been involved in her interview which would violate the city’s policy that interviews with the parties be conducted separately Bonney said that before beginning her interview, Rene Hollins, Chief Operations Manager with the city’s Employee Relations Division, informed her that “Nate has questions for you.” Bonney said that two phones were placed in front of her without explanation, leading her to believe that Fields was listening to the interview In a Jan. 17 email exchange provided by Bonney, Hollins denied she said that.

The City Attorney’s Office said Monday that “the individual accused of sexual harassment has not had any control over or involvement in conducting the investigation into this complaint,” and that the Employee Relations Division “does not report to the accused individual, either directly or indirectly.” Nevertheless, Moreno said Bonney’s allegations, first made public in a report by Gambit, were “concerning.”

On Tuesday, Moreno and council President JP Morrell requested that the Inspector General’s Office “investigate and monitor the ongoing investigation” into the complaint against Fields, “to ensure strict adherence to codified procedures.”

In a statement, New Orleans Inspector General Ed Michel said his office does not comment on ongoing investigations.

Email Sophie Kasakove at sophie.kasakove@theadvocate. com.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHELLE HUNTER

Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley stands before a mug shot of Danette Colbert, the Slidell woman arrested for allegedly using a credit card belonging to Adan Manzano, a Kansas City reporter found dead in his Kenner hotel room while in town to cover the Super Bowl.

Library board gets 2 members

Tammany Parish Council votes unanimously

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

In a surprise move, the St. Tammany Parish Council voted unanimously Thursday to add two new members to the parish’s Library Board of Control, a recently overhauled body that has been at the center of controversy over access to library materials with sexually explicit and LGBTQ+ themes for more than two years Ahead of Thursday night’s council meeting, it appeared the council would have to choose between appointing lawyer Charles Branton, endorsed by the parish’s Republican Party, and retired schoolteacher Dinah Thanars, nominated by a Democratic council member, to fill a lone vacancy, which opened in December following a board member‘s resignation.

But a last-minute change to the council’s agenda allowed it to appoint both.

In phone interviews, Thanars and Branton expressed diverging views on how to approach access to library materials for children under 18, a question that has dogged the library system. Both said they were committed to compromise and wanted to ensure the parish’s voters in March renewed a library tax, which provides 96% of the library’s funding.

“I think we need to address children’s access to sexually explicit materials,” Branton said, when asked by phone what he thought the board needed to focus on most right now. He said books like “Gender

Queer” and “Sex is a Funny Word” should be “at a minimum, restricted.”

Restricting access to certain books, he suggested, was important to do before the March vote in order to appeal to the public.

Library policy currently requires any books with sexually explicit material to be placed in the adult section, which people under 18 can access only with parental permission. Branton said he was planning to meet with the parish’s library director and would look into whether any further policies were needed

“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” he said, saying there were only seven weeks before the March election day

Thanars, meanwhile, was more skeptical of restricting access to books, recalling that she read “any and everything” as a kid

The retired schoolteacher was nominated in January by council member Jimmy Strickland, who promised to nominate a Black person to the board in response to the board’s discussion about YA novel “The Hate U Give,” which Strickland said revealed how “out of touch” the all-White board was. Citing her husband’s health, board member Carole Gillio resigned shortly after that December board meeting, creating the vacancy

The board ultimately kept the novel in the adult section due to sexually explicit materially found on one page.

Asked in a phone interview about the discussion around the “Hate U Give” novel, Thanars said she thought it showed why it was important to have people with different life experiences on the board, but said she was “fine” with the

board’s decision to keep the book in the adult section.

Thanars said she just questioned the restriction’s effectiveness. “Kids can access anything on their phone,” she said. “What are you going to do? Ban their phones?”

In general, Thanars said it was important for the Library Board to be “nonpartisan.”

“There needs to be some compromise,” she said by phone.

The second board seat came open when board member Robert H. Belknap decided to resign in order for Branton and Thanars to join the board, council member Joe Impastato said. “He did a great thing to try to bring people together,” Impastato said of Belknap’s decision.

Some attendees at the meeting questioned whether such a last-minute decision to amend the agenda and fill the newly created vacancy was fair or legal.

One person argued the council should hold off on appointing anyone new until the federal lawsuit filed by three former board members over their removal is resolved.

The council’s lawyer, Emily Couvillon, said the additional vacancy was considered a “verbal off-floor agenda item,” and adding the agenda item required a unanimous vote, which it received, as did both nominations.

Thanars will now fill out the rest of Belknap’s term and be up for a reappointment again in June 2025, while Branton will fill out Gillio’s term and be up for reappointment in June 2026.

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

HOUSING

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argued that studies indicate apartment buildings do not decrease the value of surrounding homes or increase crime in the area.

The development, called The Reserve at Lapalco, would create a 144-unit affordable apartment complex on a vacant lot at 5401 Lapalco Blvd. Tenants would be required to be employed but could earn far less than the area’s median income.

The complex would also feature amenities like a pool, clubhouse, dog park and children’s play area, as well as 24-hour onsite security The project received about $1.8 million in lowincome housing tax credits and $24 million in multifamily housing revenue bonds from the Louisiana Housing Corporation, as well as $14.4 million in Community Development Block Grant funding.

The Jefferson Parish Economic Development District also reduced property taxes for the development by about 74% under the state’s PILOT program.

An engineer for the project described it as “highend luxury” housing at previous planning board meet-

ings and said it would not participate in the Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly referred to as Section 8. However, Delahaye said in an interview Tuesday that the complex would offer housing vouchers to tenants at roughly 30 of its units and would accept applicants with their own housing vouchers at its “luxury-style” apartments.

“Your project, it looks nice,” said board member Che’ Jones, who represents the area. “But where I have to look at this in a different way is all of the things that have been changing up and stuff we’re finding out later That doesn’t help to support what was already given to us initially.” Jones agreed there was a shortage of housing in the area, which Delahaye said was the reason he was approved for the tax incentives. The Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission and other officials have pushed for the diversification of housing across the parish Jones, however, voted against the project with all but one of the board members. The lone voter in favor of recommending the project, Samantha McCann, did not give a reason for her vote. The proposal was punted multiple times so the plan-

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ning board could get questions about the project answered, including about the financing. At every meeting, the chamber was filled with Marrero residents speaking in fierce opposition to the development out of concern it would worsen their quality of life and become dilapidated over time.

One attendee at Thursday’s meeting presented a petition with 1,074 signatures and 44 comments in opposition to the apartments. He said 65% of signatures were from the surrounding 70072 and 70056 ZIP codes.

“What benefit does this project bring to the West Bank? The answer is none,” said state Sen. Patrick Connick. “It’s going to make the West Bank a place where nobody wants to live. What benefit does it bring Mr Delahaye? The answer is a profit, money.”

No attendees spoke in favor of the project except for Delahaye. If approved by the Parish Council, the project would be located about a mile away from a 324-unit luxury apartment complex called the Waters at Promenade being built by the Stoa Group on the site of the former Belle Promenade mall.

Email Lara Nicholson at lnicholson@theadvocate. com.

an involved member of the Men’s Club church usher and Father Hug Council of Knights of Columbus He worked at the American Can Company in lithogra‐phy After the closing of the company, he worked at Baptist Hospital as a main‐tenance technician until he retired to Covington LA CJ loved everyone, especially children He could talk to anyone as he never met a stranger. He enjoyed going to the casinos with his daughter or close friends CJ never hesitated to help anyone in need He was caring and kind with the biggest heart and always very devoted to his family He will be missed by all who knew and loved him In lieu of flowers, contribu‐tions in memory of Mr. Ar‐mand, may be made to masses preferably in mem‐ory of Mr Clarence Ar‐mand. Relatives and friends are invited to at‐tend the funeral mass at St. Anselm Catholic Church, 306 St Mary St., Madisonville LA 70447 on Friday, February 14, 2025, at 11:00 a.m with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m that morning. Interment will fol‐low in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens. E.J Fielding Fu‐neral Home has been en‐trusted with funeral arrangements The family invites you to share thoughts, fondest memo‐ries, and condolences on‐line at E J. Fielding Funeral Home Guest Book at www ejfieldingfh.com

Brunet, Miriam Robichaux 'Mim'

Miriam (Mim) Ro‐bichaux Brunet, born on July 26, 1924, to Estelle Dubois Robichaux and Al‐cide Robichaux in Donner, LA. A lifetime resident of Algiers, LA, was called home by our Lord on Janu‐ary 24, 2025, at the age of 100. Devoted and loving wife, mother, grand‐mother, and great-grand‐mother. Wife of the late Octave Peter Brunet, Sr., mother of Barbara Brunet Corona (Louis), and Octave P Brunet, Jr. (Vickie Jacks) Granny to Melissa Corona Gisi (John) Don Michael Corona (Barrett Schradel), and Nicolas Octave Corona (Natalie Broadus). Big Granny to Tessa Gisi Bright and Jacob Gisi, Clark Corona, and Cade Corona Also survived by sister-inlaw Jacquelyn Brias Ro‐bichaux Preceded in death by her parents Estelle Dubois Robichaux and Al‐cide Peter Robichaux, five brothers – Earl, Alcide Charles, Roy and Daniel, and one sister Beatrice (Tat) Lemoine. Mim gradu‐ated from Behrman High School in 1942. She is sur‐vived by many loving nieces nephews, relatives and friends. Miriam was a parishioner of Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal #2165 and the Rosary Group

Cockerham, Sr., and Vivian and Frank Petit, Sr Family and friends are invited to the Celebration of Life Ser‐vice on Saturday, February 8, 2025, for 10:00 a.m at Gentilly Baptist Church 5141 Franklin Ave., New Or‐leans LA 70122. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. Pas‐tor Harold Broussard Jr officiating Interment will follow at St Louis Ceme‐tery #3 3421 Esplanade Ave. New Orleans, LA 70119. Guestbook Online: www anewtraditionbegins. com (504) 282-0600. Linear Brooks Boyd and Donavin D. Boyd Owners/Funeral Di‐rectors

Joseph "CJ" Ar‐mand was called by God to his prepared Eternal home on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at the age of 89. He was born in Bordelonville, LA on January 5 1936. He peacefully passed away at his home of 27 years in Covington He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of almost 63 years Linda Helminger Armand; his son Troy Armand (Gay‐lyn) and daughter, Heidi Hankel; loving grandfather (pops) of Stacie Frey (Matthew), Dilan Hankel and Joshua and Olivia Ar‐mand.

was preceded in death by his parents Maude Ann Lacour Armand and Clarence Paul Armand Mr Armand was a faithful parishioner of St Anselm Catholic Church where he was a member of the Men’s Club and an usher He was also a mem‐ber of St Benedict’s Knights of Columbus Cov‐ington Council 3061. He was a recipient of the Knight of the Year 20182019. He also participated in the annual St Joseph s Altar CJ graduated from Bordelonville High School in Avoyelles Parish, there‐after enlisted into the U.S Army and served in the Ko‐rean War. He then moved to New Orleans where he met and married the love of his life Linda. They lived in Arabi, LA where he was a parishioner of St. Louise de Marillac where he was an involved member of the Men’s Club, church usher, and Father Hug Council of Knights of Columbus. He worked at the American Can Company in lithogra‐phy. After the closing of the company he worked at ‐

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

The property at 5401 Lapalco Blvd. is pictured in Marrero on Jan. 10.

Cockerham Jr., Calvin

4B ✦ Saturday,February 8,2025 ✦ nola.com ✦ TheTimes-Picayune

tor Harold Broussard, Jr., officiating Interment will follow at St. Louis Ceme‐tery #3, 3421 Esplanade Ave. New Orleans, LA 70119. Guestbook Online: www anewtraditionbegins. com (504) 282-0600. Linear Brooks Boyd and Donavin D Boyd Owners/Funeral Di‐rectors.

Dowd, Sally Ewing

Sally Ewing Dowd of Covington, LA was born on August 16, 1945 and passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on February 4, 2025, at the age of 79. Sally was preceded in death by her parents Jasper Gray Ewing, Jr and Mary Gayden Powers Ewing, brother Jasper Gray Ewing III, sister Georgie Ewing Brunet, brother-inlaw George Brunet and sis‐ter-in-law Charlotte Fen‐erty Ewing. Sally is sur‐vived by her beloved hus‐band of 58 years, Thomas A Dowd III, sons Tad Dowd (Sara), Tim Dowd (Christina) and her three precious grandchildren: Hunter Molly and Char‐lotte She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. Sally met the love of her life on a double date when she was a senior in high school She graduated from Riverdale High School in Metairie LA and at‐tended LSU. Sally had the best laugh and was a gifted conversationalist who never met a stranger She was blessed with an amazing group of lifelong friends many of whom she had known since grammar school Sally loved her family patiently and gener‐ously Her sons were her pride and joy and she cher‐ished being Granny to her three grandchildren. A three-time cancer survivor Sally was strong-willed and lived her life to the fullest Her battle against Alzheimer’s was brave and fierce until the end. Per her wishes, Sally will be cre‐mated and laid to rest alongside her parents and sister in the Christ Episco‐pal Memorial Garden in Covington LA A celebra‐tion of life will follow at a later date. The Dowd Fam‐ily would like to thank Sally’s extended family and numerous friends for their support and prayers In lieu of flowers dona‐tions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org). E.J Fielding Fu‐neral Home has been en‐trusted with funeral arrangements The Dowd family invites you to share thoughts, fondest memo‐ries, and condolences on‐line at E J. Fielding Funeral Home Guest Book at www ejfieldingfh.com

Fassbender, John R.

John R. Fassbender was born in New Orleans, La. on February 15, 1941. He passed awaypeacefullyat home. He is survived by the love of his life Lena Montalbano Fassbender and cherished, loving, and devoted daughter Robin Marie Fassbender, son Johnny Anthony (Raquel); grandchildren Jena, Joshua, Caitlyn, Amelia Amelia, Angelo; brother Ronald; daughters-in-law, Jo Ann and Nicolette; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and colleagues. He is preceded in death by his sons, Carlo Alphonse and Anthony Michael, sister Helen Fassbender Dizzland, grand doggies Zach, Monte, and Rocco. He loved his iced tea, M&Ms;, drawing, driving the Lakefront to The Point, The French Quarter, driving the Gulf Coast, going to the casinos, and familydinners. He was aperfectionist in his field from South PadreIsland down the coast to Daytona Beach, FL. He enjoyed his retirement. The family would like to give special thanks to Greg, Elaine Claire, Dr Tebbe, Bonnie, Shell,Lisa from P.T., Jeff, Bryce, and his favorite restaurant Casa Garcia.Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 begin-

like to give special thanks to Greg, Elaine Claire,Dr. Tebbe, Bonnie,Shell,Lisa from P.T., Jeff, Bryce,and his favorite restaurant Casa Garcia. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 beginning at 3:00pm followed by aFuneral Mass at 5:00pm at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home,5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans. Burial will be private.

Jones, Elisker Shaw

Sister Elisker Shaw Jones a native of Napoleonville and a resi‐dent of New Orleans, on Monday, January 27, 2025, at her residence she heard her Master voice saying, “my good and faithful ser‐vant your work is done, come and take your rest ” Sister Elisker S Jones, 84 was born December 29, 1940, to the late Matthew “PT” Shaw and Eliska Williams Shaw. She moved to New Orleans where she met and married the late Osborne Jones, Sr. To this union two children were born: Elisker M Jones and the late Osborne Jones, Jr She is known as “Toot Toot” in Assumption Parish and “Lisker” in New Or‐leans to family and friends She received her education at W. H Reed Public School of Assumption Parish After completing her edu‐cation at W. H Reed she went to Katie Whickham School of Beauty Culture and Barbering of New Or‐leans, LA where she learned how to use a straightening comb and iron curlers before there were hair relaxers. She has pressed many children and adults’ hair for many years Another hobby she had was ironing clothes for people Her life work also consisted of loving and caring for people and fam‐ily Everything she did she did with love and dignity Sister Elisker Jones was baptized at Saint John Bap‐tist Church of Napoleonville, LA in 1955 by the late Reverend James A Moore. After moving from New York back to New Orleans, she placed her membership at Second Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, which was under the leadership of the late Reverend William Ricks Sr and now the pre‐sent pastor Reverend Win‐ston B. Ricks for over 50 years Because of Elisker’s gift and love for singing she joined the senior choir where she served as a faithful choir member Be‐cause of the faithful work for the Lord, she found her‐self singing all over New Orleans at musical gospel concerts and funerals. She traveled to many states for the James Cleveland Gospel Music Workshop of America, and she also sang with Samuel Berfect and the Dimensions of Faith She was still singing dur‐ing her illness in the hospi‐tal for the doctors and nurses. She had many fa‐vorite songs she sang; just to name a few: Can’t no‐body do me like Jesus, Lord don’t move the mountain and If you just hold out until tomorrow. Elisker let her light shine with her singing and faithful ser‐vice. Elisker leaves to cher‐ish her memories: her daughter Elisker M Jones (Jerome Johnson), four grandchildren: Jerome Jones, Osbanatta Brown, Osborne Brown, and Os‐born Bolden, thirteen great grandchildren 1 brother: Ronald Shaw, a devoted first cousin: Ora Mae Shaw, four sisters-in-law: Bernadette, Aida, Mar‐garet and Joni Jones three brothers-in-law: Lionel, Stanford and Anthony Jones, and a host of nieces, nephews relatives and friends Elisker Shaw Jones was preceded in death by her parents Matthew “PT Shaw and Eliska Williams Shaw, husband Osborne Jones, Sr., son Osborne Jones Jr. grandson Pharris Corneilus “Neil” Jones, five sisters: Louvenia Royal, Is‐abella “Bell” Shaw-Tircuit, Sarah Shaw-Amos Ophelia “Brenda” Shaw, and Coras‐tine “Cora” Shaw-Watson one brother: Willie Shaw, Sr., two uncles, two aunts, two nieces, one great niece, three nephews, four sisters-in-law and five brothers-in-law. Relatives and friends of the family are all invited to attend the Funeral Service on Friday February 7, 2025 at 11:00 am at Second Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, 2616 St Andrew St., New Orleans, Louisiana 70113 Rev Winston B Ricks, Offi‐ciating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am. Inter‐ment in Resthaven Memor‐ial Park in New Orleans, LA Professional arr ments

s ary Bap 2616 St Andrew St., New Orleans Louisiana 70113. Rev. Winston B. Ricks, Offi‐

ciating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am. Inter‐ment in Resthaven Memor‐ial Park in New Orleans, LA Professional arrangements entrusted to Majestic Mor‐tuary Service, Inc., (504) 523-5872.

Lemons, Marilyn Margaret Dandry

Marilyn Margaret Dandry Lemons passed away on Thursday, Febru‐ary 6, 2025. She was born in New Orleans, LA on De‐cember 12, 1948. She is sur‐vived by her loving hus‐band of 57 years, Gregory James Lemons; her chil‐dren, Mindy Lemons Pelle‐grin (John Nette) and Lanie Adair Lemons (Michael Harrity); her great-grand‐son Adam Michael Pelle‐grin. She is also survived by her siblings, Margo Dandry, Elizabeth Williams, Cindy Mendow (Jerry), Lex LeBlanc (Anita), and many nieces, nephews cousins and wonderful lifelong friends She was preceded in death by her mother Hazel Marie Trosclair; her grandson Tate Douglas Pellegrin and her sister, Dina LeBlanc McGraw. Mar‐ilyn was an accomplished talker, sewer smocker quilt maker and all around craftswoman She had the ability to make anything beautiful and her taste was impeccable She lived many places and traveled extensively but home and family were her pride and joy Marilyn was instru‐mental in the raising of not only her own children, but had a huge role in the lives of her siblings, grandson and great-grandson Though small in stature she was large in life and will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Rela‐tives and friends are in‐vited to attend the funeral services Thursday, Febru‐ary 13, 2025. There will be a visitation at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home 2260 W. 21st Ave., Covington, LA 70433 on Thursday morning from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m followed by a Mass at St Jane de Chantal Catholic Church, 72040 Maple St , Abita Springs LA 70420 on Thursday at 12:00 noon In‐terment will follow in Abita Springs Cemetery E.J Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with fu‐neral arrangements The Lemons family invites you to share thoughts, fondest memories, and condo‐lences online at E J. Field‐ing Funeral Home Guest Book at www ejfieldingfh com

Levet, Henry Lionel Henry Lionel Levet passed away on January 21, 2025, at the age of 82 He was born in New Or‐leans to the late Henry Michael Levet and Sydonie Haydel Levet He was a res‐ident of Bedico, LA for the last eight years. He was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Terri Fields Levet and his brother, Wayne Levet. He is survived by his sister, Alli‐son Levet Dupaquier. He served in the U.S Navy and was a professional archi‐tect. Services are being handled privately

gr friend, whose adventurous spirit left a lasting impres‐sion on all who knew him. He even taught his grand‐kids the values of hunting and fishing not just through words, but through the strength, de‐termination, and integrity with which he lived his life John was born in Rolla Missouri, on August 15, 1936, but spent most of his childhood in Chico, Califor‐nia He is survived his lov‐ing wife, Elenora Mook; his daughter Cynthia Madden (David); his stepchildren Van Robin (Lisa), Robin Harris and Crystal Thur‐man (Billy); his sibling Clarence Mook (Suzie) Sheila Rice, and Beverly Brackin; his many grand‐children, great-grandchil‐dren, nieces, and nephews; and his family friends and hunting and fishing bud‐dies. John was preceded in death by his son John Mook; his son-in-law Ralph Harris; his sister Sherry McDuffy (Robert). A Visita‐tion will be held at St Bernard Memorial Funeral Home, 701 W. Virtue St , Chalmette LA on Saturday February 8, 2025, from 9:00 a.m - 11:00 a.m A Funeral Service will begin at 11:00 a.m in the Chapel. He will be laid to rest at St Bernard Catholic Cemetery at 2805-2747, LA-300, St Bernard, LA 70085.

Mortillaro, Salvadore Anthony

Salvadore Anthony Mor‐tillaro was born in New Or‐leans Louisiana on Sep‐tember 2, 1943, and passed away at his home in Cov‐ington on February 5, 2025, at the age of 81. He grew up on the corner of Olive and Eagle Streets in New Orleans to Joseph P. Mor‐tillaro and Rosalie D Mor‐tillaro His parents were both children of Sicilian immigrants and passed on to him an incredible work ethic and drive of entrepre‐neurial spirit that lasted the entirety of his life He was incredibly personable with everyone he met al‐ways treating and speak‐ing to strangers as if he’d known them for their en‐tire lives. He loved to con‐nect with people over food and would relentlessly make restaurant recom‐mendations to anyone who would listen He also loved to cook and was known for creating cookbooks to give to his customers He en‐tered the Army National Guard in New Orleans where he learned electron‐ics repair on radars and then went to work at the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility to help build Saturn V rockets. In 1973, he met the love of his life, Darlene Rossi and wooed her with his orange Volkswagen Beetle and charming Burt Reynolds-esque looks which were enhanced by his open collared shirts and gold chain. Sal blazed his own path owning many successful businesses throughout his years in‐cluding Qwik-Chek deli in Metairie, where he was the first to coin the term “Overstuffed Po-Boy” to describe how he made his po-boys He later founded Clearview Auto Insurance in Metairie, but his most proud business accom‐plishment was when he founded Clearview Auto Title & Notary in 1975 on the corner of Clearview Pkwy and West Napoleon where everyone knew its Big Man” statue as a Metairie icon and land‐mark. He later opened a lo‐cation in Covington in 2007 Despite his various profes‐sional successes, he would still tell you that his great‐est accomplishment was his family He was “dad” to Marguerite Mortillaro King (Jeff) Sal Mortillaro II (Tiffany), Nick Mortillaro, and Marissa Mortillaro Puffer (Tyler). He was grandfather to Marguerite Maggie” Mastromatteo Kasie Hargis, Hilarie Lognion, Salvadore Mor‐tillaro III, Hale Puffer, Vivi‐enne Puffer, Dean Puffer and Noah Puffer and greatgrandfather to 6 greatgrandchildren He put in long hours building his business to give his family everything they could ever want or need His love of travel brought him and his family on countless cruises, trips, and weekend getaways to the Missis‐sippi Gulf Coast. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Rosalie Mortillaro, brother Joseph Mortillaro Jr (Penny), and sister Santa Mortillaro Quirk He is survived by his brothers, Steve Mortillaro and Henry Mortillaro, along with countless nieces and nephews. A private, family graveside service will be held at EJ Fielding Funeral Home in Covington on Feb‐with a ‐

QHe sur y s brothers, Steve Mortillaro and Henry Mortillaro, along with countless nieces and nephews. A private, family graveside service will be held at EJ Fielding Funeral Home in Covington on Feb‐ruary 10, 2025, with a cele‐bration of life for his nu‐merous friends to be held at a later date E. J Fielding Funeral Home of Coving‐ton Louisiana, is honored to be entrusted with Mr Mortillaro’s funeral arrangements His family invites you to share thoughts, memories, and condolences by signing an online guestbook at www ejfieldingfh.com

Radecker, Thomas John 'Tommy'

Thomas “Tommy” John Radecker passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan‐uary 20, 2025 at the age of 93. Tommy was born in New Orleans on June 14, 1931 to Mary Barrett Radecker and John Julius Radecker. He is preceded in death by his sister Clare Radecker Anthony He will be lovingly missed by his wife of 30 years, Bonnie Berniard Radecker Tommy is survived by his daughter Tanya Marie Radecker (Michael Brown); his grandchildren: Ian Brown (Stephanie), Jourdan Brown Dornier (Jeremy) Quinn Brown (Jeffrey); and numerous nieces nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews Tommy will also be missed by his stepchildren: Christopher Gaconi (Kathy), Julie Gaconi and Michael Gaconi (Deana); and many stepgrandchildren Tommy served in the U.S Navy and later worked for RTA as a bus driver and a supervisor for crews repairing the streetcar lines Before the advent of GPS Tommy’s knowledge of the city made him the “go to” per‐son for driving directions to family members. He loved to dance and passed his dance moves on to his daughter and 3 grandchil‐dren. At the age of 91 he was still dancing on a party bus for his grand‐daughters’ wedding. Fam‐ily was Tommy’s priority, and he always showed up to be certain everyone was taken care of Tommy es‐pecially valued higher edu‐cation and as an older adult, he received a bache‐lor’s degree from Loyola University. Additionally, he financially supported his daughter through nursing school and his 3 grandchil‐dren through medical and law schools Tommy was a parishioner of St. Christo‐pher Church, and the fam‐ily would like to thank Fa‐ther Raymond Igbogidi for his spiritual support. The family would also like to thank Earline Roppolo Dennis Roth, Cynthia Collins and Southern Grace Hospice for their help in providing home care and support in the final stages of his life Tommy’s wishes were for family and friends to privately celebrate his life in lieu of funeral ser‐vices

Levy Simon Jr. passed Jan 18, 2025. He leaves be‐hind, daughter Tierrah Hig‐ginbotham; 1 grandson; & sisters Avis Johnson, Melanie Edmond, & Maril Jone ed by ents nor Si Sr.; w imon

Smith Sr., Southern

Southern Smith, Sr. was born to the parentage of Edward Smith Sr and Mrs Emma N Poole on August 13, 1957. Southern ac‐cepted Christ at an early age he was baptized by Rev J.H. Thompson Know‐ing he needed the Lord in his life. Southern learned and mastered the trade of a cement finisher to pro‐vide for his family He lived loved and enjoyed his life that the Lord graced him with On Janu‐ary 30, 2025, Southern en‐tered into eternal rest to be with his Lord. Southern leaves to cherish his mem‐ory his mother Emma N Poole, four sons, Southern Dantrell Sims Southern LaFronce Smith, Jr., Quincy BrumField, Roscoe Spencer and one daughter Stacy (James) Bogen Eight sis‐ters, Rita (Bernard) Bonvil‐lian) Myra (Carl) McGuin Iona (Jerome) Jupiter, Michelle Poole and Danielle Jackson all of Houma, LA, Bonnie Smith of Houston Texas and Ebonie Smith and Kendra (Clifton) Floyd of Los, An‐geles, CA, six brothers, Dwayne and Edward Gran‐dison, Ronnie Neville, Dav‐eyon (Christina) Smith Roscoe Smith, and Shawn Scott of Los Angeles, CA and Darren Smith of Hous‐ton, Texas, 19 grandchil‐dren and 10 great-grand‐children He is preceded in death by his father Edward Smith, Sr., grandparents Linward and Margaret Smith and Willie and Irene Neville, three brothers Elroy, Daniel and David Neville and one grandson Tyreek Gregoire Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the celebration of Life Service on Saturday February 8 2025, at Gertrude Geddes Willis-Terrebonne Funeral Home, Houma, LA 70360, at 11:00 am, and visitation from 9:00 am 11:00 am. You may sign the guest book on www gertrudegeddesw illis.com Gertrude Geddes Willis-Terrebonne Funeral Home, Inc in charge, (985) 872-6934.

Simon Jr., Levy

BRIEFS

Aldi plans to sell about 170 Winn-Dixie stores

Less than a year after it closed a deal with Southeastern Grocers to buy all of its WinnDixie and Harveys locations, Aldi said Friday it will sell about 170 of the supermarkets to a group of private investors. Aldi did not immediately identify which Winn-Dixie stores in Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Florida will be sold to the group. According to the company website, there are 16 Winn-Dixie stores in south Louisiana

The group that is purchasing the stores includes the president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers and C&S Wholesale Grocers. C&S had a deal to buy more than 400 supermarkets from Kroger and Albertsons as part of a deal to help smooth the merger between the two chains, but that fell through after judges in Oregon and Washington shot down the merger When Aldi announced its plans to purchase Southeastern Grocers, the fast-growing supermarket chain said it would convert many of the Winn-Dixie and Harveys stores. Aldi said it would convert about 220 of the stores to its format over the next two years. At least four former south Louisiana Winn-Dixies are currently being rebranded as Aldi stores By the end of the year, Aldi said about 100 stores will be converted to its brand. Aldi stores are smaller than WinnDixie locations and don’t have amenities such as fresh meat and seafood departments But the stores have lower costs because of the limited inventory and features like self-bagging and asking customers to put down a 25-cent deposit on shopping carts.

Bally’s acquires both downtown BR casinos

Bally’s has completed the purchase of The Queen Casino & Entertainment, a deal that gives it control of both downtown Baton Rouge casinos

Bally’s purchased Standard General, which funds owned the majority of The Queen, in an all-stock deal that closed Friday Queen shareholders received 30.5 million shares of Bally’s stock, which was trading at $18.24 a share Friday morning. The Queen’s holdings include The Queen Baton Rouge and the Belle of Baton Rouge. The Belle is undergoing a $141 million redevelopment, which will move the city’s oldest casino onto land and reopen a 242room hotel that has been closed since the COVID pandemic. The hotel is set to open in April while the expanded casino is set to open in the fall. The Belle will be rebranded with a new name. Terry Downey, president and CEO of The Queen, said the deal will not affect operations at either local casino.

The deal gives Bally’s 19 casinos across the U.S. The company already owned Bally’s Shreveport and the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Biloxi. The company is developing a landbased casino in Chicago and has rights to develop property in Las Vegas, around a proposed Major League Baseball stadium.

Local firm buys NAI Latter & Blum

New york real estate giant sold company after a year

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

Less than a year after Compass Real Estate, the nation’s largest real estate company, purchased Latter & Blum from its longtime local owners, the New York real estate giant has sold the commercial brokerage division back to New Orleans owners — Rampart/ Wurth Holding Company

Rampart/Wurth is already the largest third-party property management firm in the Gulf South, managing more than 10,000 apartments and 20 million square feet of

office space and shopping centers.

Acquiring NAI Latter & Blum, as the commercial brokerage is known, will create the state’s largest full-service commercial real estate firm, CEO Joseph Pappalardo Sr. said. “This acquisition represents a significant step forward in Rampart/Wurth’s mission to deliver unparalleled commercial real estate services across the Gulf South and beyond,” Pappalardo said in a prepared statement. “We are creating a powerhouse capable of serving a diverse array of our clients’ needs.”

Rampart/Wurth Holding has deep ties to Latter & Blum. It was founded in 1989 by Pappalardo and former Latter & Blum CEO Robert W. Merrick Jr to do property management for the firm. Over the years, it grew and eventually spun off from Latter & Blum Real Estate, though it continued doing business as Latter & Blum Property Management. In early 2023, it changed its name to Rampart/Wurth Holding Co. to end decades of confusion for clients of both companies, Pappalardo said at the time. The commercial brokerage,

which has 92 agents and five offices across Louisiana, will continue to operate as NAI Latter & Blum Commercial for now In May, the company will announce a new name. It joins Rampart/Wurth’s other business divisions, Wurth Real Estate Services, Rampart Commercial Management and Rampart Multifamily Management. Rampart/Wurth principal Michael Ricci said the deal came together within the last six months. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed but Ricci said the company will be taking over NAI Latter and Blum’s 1,200 commercial listings. Latter & Blum | Compass Residential is not a part of the deal.

Clean energy push focuses on profit

Leaders tailor message to emphasize money, jobs

BY SETH BORENSTEIN and ALEXA ST JOHN Associated Press

WASHINGTON Saving the planet is so

2024. Clean energy leaders across the globe are now tailoring their messages to emphasize the greener side of green: wealth-building. It’s an idea that sells far better in the new world of nationalism and tycoon leaders.

Messaging from the U.S. renewable energy industry and the United Nations on climate change has typically focused on the urgent need to cut greenhouse gas emissions for the sake of environmental and human health To bolster the argument, they cite record-shattering heat around the world, the frequent climate disasters costing billions of dollars and the human toll of it all.

But a sharper emphasis on profit potential has become evident as President Donald Trump stormed into office with a flurry of rollbacks to clean energy initiatives and an emphatic declaration of plans to “unleash” oil, gas and mining. In a lobbying blitz in Washington this week, solar, wind, hydropower and other cleanenergy interests touted their role in a “robust American energy and manufacturing economy” and sported lapel pins that said “American energy dominance” — a favorite Trump phrase.

Meanwhile, in a major policy speech Thursday in Brazil, the U.N.’s top climate official played up the $2 trillion flowing into clean-energy projects and recalled a friend telling him that appealing to people’s “better angels” only goes so far That friend, according to U.N. Climate

Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, added:

“In the great horserace of life ‘always back self-interest what’s in it for me.’”

It’s not that clean energy backers haven’t made the case before. But a different landscape, especially in the U.S., stands to make it more potent.

“It’s a very winning message for outreach to conservatives because it’s really true,” said former U.S. Rep. Bob Inglis, a South Carolina Republican who founded the conservative climate group RepublicEN.org. “If we play our cards right and lead the world to this, we can create a lot of wealth, create a lot of jobs here in America.”

Inglis pointed to Elon Musk’s empire-

building on electric cars, solar panels and batteries.

“When right-of-center people hear, ’You know, you can you make a profit at this,’ then it makes sense. Otherwise, it’s like, why are people giving stuff away?” Inglis said.

Jobs especially have long been a big selling point for solar and wind energy and electric cars, but there’s a push to not think of self-interest as a dirty word — and instead to harness it United Nations officials said. When Stiell mentioned the $2 trillion in his speech for clean energy, he called it “unstoppable because of the colossal scale of economic opportunity it presents.”

Slidell’s $40M Amazon center to start more construction

BY BOB WARREN Staff writer

Years after it was expected to be operational, it appears work will begin soon to finish and open the $40 million Amazon facility in Slidell.

But don’t look for company officials to provide a possible opening date yet.

The online retail giant has pulled two city permits: for interior work at the huge building, and to erect signage on it, acting Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert said.

An Amazon spokesperson, Steve Kelly, said this week that the Slidell facility remains in the company’s long-term plans, even

though its opening has been delayed.

Kelly said the company does not have an anticipated opening date that it can provide. He has said in previous interviews that hiring won’t begin until the center is 30 to 60 days from being operational

“Work is ongoing in preparation for the facility to come online,” Kelly said in an email. “That work is currently concentrated on building out our internal construction including racking and conveyance.”

“As construction progresses, we should have a better idea of a launch timeline,” he added in the email. The exterior of the

140,000-square-foot facility on Town Center Parkway near Old Spanish Trail has been complete for several years. But the company has said it still must be outfitted with racks, conveyors and other equipment

Amazon announced the Slidell center in 2021, with an initial opening date targeted for 2022. The opening has been pushed back several times, and Kelly declined to even offer a ballpark timeframe.

Officials in St. Tammany have been anxiously awaiting the opening of the center, which they have said will bring 250-400 jobs. While dates remain hazy for Slidell, Amazon has been busy in Louisiana.

Last June, Amazon opened a $200 million, 3.4 million-squarefoot facility in Baton Rouge at the former Cortana Mall. More than 1,000 people could eventually work at that site, the company said.

Another Amazon facility, in Shreveport, opened last October and employs more than 1,300 people. The facilities in Baton Rouge and Shreveport are the company’s large “fulfillment centers.” The center in Slidell will be somewhat smaller and is often referred to a “last-stop center” because it is the final stopping point for packages before they are delivered to customers.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By CHARLIE RIEDEL Wind turbines at the Buckeye Wind Energy are diffused by heat vapors as they are silhouetted against the rising sun near Hays, Kan.

New Orleans is a football town Cheering for the Tulane Green Wave and LSU Tigers is as much a part of the culture as eating red beans and rice. Hosting the Sugar Bowl has been an annual rite since 1935.

But New Orleans didn’t join the ranks of professional football cities until Louisiana U.S Rep Hale Boggs and Sen. Russell Long made a deal in Congress to allow the NFL and AFL to merge. Soon thereafter, the Saints came marching into Louisiana’s psyche on All Saints Day, 1966. The Saints first played in Tulane Stadium, then moved to the Superdome in 1975. A colorful, canny businessman named Tom Benson bought the team in 1985, keeping it from relocating. The Saints are now owned by his widow, business leader and philanthropist Gayle Benson.

In 2009, destruction and gloom caused by Hurricane Katrina still covered the city like a funeral shroud. But when the Saints won that season’s Super Bowl, its spirit came back alive. “Amen” bannered the front page of The Times-Picayune.

New Orleans has hosted 11 Super Bowls, 91 Sugar Bowls, one CFP and four BCS championship games, as well as the annual Bayou Classic that pits Grambling State against Southern University The Superdome is where LSU won the BCS in 2007 and the CFP in 2019. Football stars linked to Louisiana include the Manning family (Peyton, Eli and Archie), Joe Burrow, Bert Jones, Bobby Hebert, Jim Taylor, Ed Reed, Marshall Faulk, Odell Beckham Jr., Reggie Wayne and Terry Bradshaw, to name a few. But there’s more to the region’s rich sports history than football.

“Before 1850, organized athletic activity in New Orleans was largely limited to such upper-class amusements as horse racing, yachting, cricket, and hunt clubs,” wrote historian Roger Fischer As time went by, “rich and poor, white and black alike, began to occupy their idle hours with such diversions as baseball, bowling, cycling, billiards, roller skating, tennis, golf, and football.”

In the late 1800s, New Orleans became the “boxing mecca of the United States,” noted Fischer, when bare-knuckled prizefighter John L. Sullivan defeated world champion Paddy Ryan to claim the heavyweight title James Corbett took it away at New Orleans’ Olympic Club in 1892. Horse racing goes back to 1837. Author Dale A Somers reminds us that New Orleans racing determined American thoroughbred supremacy in the mid-1850s The New Orleans Fairgrounds is now America’s second oldest track still in operation. The 1924 Kentucky Derby winner, Black Gold, is buried in its infield. The son of Secretariat, Risen Star, won the Louisiana Derby and went on to win both the Preakness and Belmont Stakes in 1988.

The city’s first NBA team was the New Orleans Jazz (1974-79), which moved to Utah but still, for some unknown reason, uses the name. The current NBA team moved here in 2002. It started as the Hornets but is now the Pelicans, and plays in the Smoothie King Center. It has qualified for nine NBA playoffs, with two victories and one division title.

New Orleans has hosted six men’s and three women’s Final Fours. The city’s own Clara Baer published the first rulebook for women’s basketball. NBA and college basketball rosters have been built around Louisiana talent, such as Bob Pettit, Willis Reed, Elvin Hayes and Joe Dumars. “Pistol Pete” Maravich earned his chops at LSU, where he scored 3,667 points in his three years of varsity play

New Orleans started playing baseball 150 years ago. The baseball Pelicans debuted in 1887, winning their second Southern Association pennant thanks largely to the hitting of Shoeless Joe Jackson. Attendance peaked at 400,000 in 1947. They moved in 1960 and returned for a single season in 1977. The city has hosted spring training for countless teams, from the Cubs to the Yankees Legendary Negro League baseball teams called New Orleans home, including the Stars, Black Pelicans Creoles, Pinchbacks and Eagles Even Louis Armstrong sponsored his own club in the early 1930s, the Secret Nine. Baseball wasn’t integrated until 1947.

In 1993, the AAA Denver Zephyrs, a Milwaukee Brewers farm team, moved to New Orleans. After rebranding itself the Baby Cakes, the team left town after 27 years. In golf, New Orleans hosts the Zurich Classic, the only PGA tour event in the region The city also sponsors tennis and bowling tournaments, such as the NOLA Fall Classic. New Orleans may be the city that care forgot — but when it comes to sports, it has a long memory Ron Faucheux is a nonpartisan political analyst, pollster and writer based in Louisiana. He publishes LunchtimePolitics.com, a nationwide newsletter on polls and public opinion

Your recent article, “Louisiana entrepreneur wins prize with an AI program,” mentions how Cantaloupe AI, created by a Louisiana startup, has been used to expedite the application and interview process by allowing artificial intelligence to conduct immediate voice interviews, thinning out the applicant pool. This way of conducting job interviews and applicants could cause some concern. Potential bias from the AI interview could prevent applicants from having a fair chance and the opportunity for face-to-face interactions with the company AI could also be discriminatory if not trained with the proper models and guidelines, further

disqualifying potentially qualified applicants. However, with transparency and oversight from the company, this issue could be negated with proper maintenance and training. With this being said, Louisiana companies should be allowed to modernize and have the resources available while maintaining ethics with new technologies.

Artificial intelligence is an amazing tool that can be used to improve our lives and make tedious tasks easier, but certain precautions should be set in place so that applicants and companies can benefit from a more streamlined interview process.

CLINT JONES Slidell

Respectfully I ask that the newspaper assign a crackerjack political reporter or editor to interview our senator Dr Bill Cassidy, and ask him for one reason just one for his committee vote to approve the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. And, ask him if the vote fulfills

the oaths that he took, both the Code of Ethics at the LSU School of Medicine to become a physician and the oath of office he took to become a U.S. senator, especially this part: “That I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter So help me God.”

KATHLEEN RANDALL Baton Rouge

Four years ago, Jan. 6 was one of the worst events I have witnessed on TV, exceeded only by 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.

I watched with horror as marauding thugs (not tourists) stormed our seat of government, breaking windows and doors, attacking journalists and police whose job it was to secure the premises and who were greatly outnumbered. They threatened the vice president and members of Congress and defiled the Capitol with graffiti and feces.

I have followed the efforts of the Justice Department to locate and prosecute these violent lawbreakers, many of whom have admitted their guilt.

Now President Donald Trump

has released all of these violent lawbreakers with the stroke of a pen. What happened to the party that used to espouse law and order? What a slap in the face to our country’s laws and to its lawmakers who have cowered rather than confronted this affront. I am reminded of Hitler’s rise to power which was aided by his use of the brownshirts — a band of bullies and thugs who attacked Jews and Hitler’s political opponents.

Now Trump has a band of thugs loyal to him who are free to continue their lawless behavior. We should be all incensed and afraid of what will follow

NANCY PICARD Mandeville

Give a chance to Landry’s plan for temporary homeless shelter

This is regarding the story about the homeless shelter being established on France Road.

I found the story very interesting, especially the comments from New Orleans council member Lesli Harris and several of the prospective residents.

There are complaints about the lack of heating, sanitary services and mental health services at the new facility Along with the article, there were several photos of the facility and the homeless camp from where the people were being relocated.

My observation is that these people will be much better off in the new shelter than living on the street. There may be some kinks to work out, but it is certainly a better option than living in the elements, especially in light of the freezing temperatures we recently endured.

I say good for Gov Jeff Landry for doing something positive. The city and the advocates for the homeless should, instead of criticizing the project for what it lacks, add their support and resources to help make it work and possibly become a model that can be used in other communities. It seems to me that other current efforts to curb homelessness are showing very little success, if not just prolonging the problem.

JEFF WILSON Mandeville

I welcome President Donald Trump to New Orleans and the grand Super Bowl. I hope he and others will have time to rub shoulders and interact with New Orleans folks.

We are a hospitality city We welcome newcomers; we share good times over great meals; we help each other out and we help others. Maybe the president will love these qualities and take them back to Washington.

CAROL ALLEN New Orleans

Ron Faucheux

Wanting Moore?

Eagles OC made rapid ascent to become Saints’ top head coaching target

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

Kellen Moore, like practically every other quarterback listed at 6 feet or shorter, grew up a fan of Drew Brees.

But it wasn’t until Moore reached the NFL that he truly could appreciate the former New Orleans Saints quarterback’s success. In 2014, when the Detroit Lions hired then offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, the former Boise State quarterback suddenly had to learn the same Brees-Sean Payton offense that his new coach brought with him. Moore, three years into his career as an undrafted free agent, came to understand the scheme’s “nuances” and “subtleties,” built in by the complex minds of the quarterback and coach duo.

Then, as a coach, Moore intertwined with the scheme again. As the Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator in 2023, Moore was tapped to replace Lombardi which meant he had to install his own system and carry over any parts of the old offense that worked for his players.

“It was a really impressive system to learn,” Moore said Moore has spent his life learning — and blending together — offensive systems, first as the son of a high school football coach who used to draw plays up on the couch for his dad, then later as an offensive coordinator for three different teams. Now, he finds himself at the sport’s pinnacle event.

On Sunday, Moore will call plays for the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs. By Monday, he could become the next coach of the New Orleans Saints Landing such a job would complete the path that Moore seemed destined for when he hung up his cleats in 2018 at age 28 and became an offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys just one year later Over the last six years, Moore has been linked to — and interviewed for various head coaching jobs.

He turned down an opportunity to coach his alma mater in 2021. That same year, his first NFL head coaching interview came, coincidentally with the Eagles. Others occurred yearly after that. The Vikings, Broncos, Dolphins and Jaguars in 2022. The Panthers in 2023. The Chargers in 2024. Then last month, he hit the circuit with several teams again. Interviews with the Saints, Cowboys and Jaguars all came.

And it’s the Saints, who have interviewed Moore twice and want another meeting as soon as the Super Bowl ends, that appear poised to land him

That several interviews happened after Moore’s season with the Eagles

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By TyLER KAUFMAN Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts speaks with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore during a game against the Saints on Sept. 22 in the Caesars Superdome. Moore is considered the top candidate to become New Orleans’ next head coach.

“He’s been fantastic as our offensive coordinator. You know you go from an offensive coordinator to leading the entire team, but you’re still in charge of 30 guys there on the offensive side. So it’s a good preview of the type of head coach he’ll be.”

NICK SIRIANNI,

Eagles coach on Kellen Moore

shouldn’t be cast off as a coincidence

In his first year with Philadelphia, Moore’s arrival helped freshen up an offense that coach Nick Sirianni described as stale after last season. He has helped craft the league’s leading rushing attack one that maximizes star Saquon Barkley and modernizes

it with a blend of different formations, play calls and tendencies.

At 36 years old, Moore is still one of the NFL’s youngest coordinators despite this being his sixth season of calling plays.

ä See MOORE, page 4C

Saints got close look at Chiefs, Eagles

N.O. players weigh in on outcome after playing both

BY ROD WALKER Staff writer

New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee saw the two teams that will play in Super Bowl LIX up close and personal this season.

In fact, he faced the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs in a span of 15 days. Both were Saints’ losses. So which team does believe will hoist the Lombardi Trophy in the Caesars Superdome on Sunday night?

“That’s tough,” Bresee said. “I really couldn’t give you confidently a prediction on one team or the other I really think it’s a coin toss.”

It’s not often that the Saints have played both Super Bowl teams in the same season — just the eighth time it’s happened. It’s the first time since 2020 when the Saints played both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Chiefs. In the regular season, the Saints lost to the Chiefs and beat the Bucs twice. But

ä See SAINTS, page 4C

FEB. 9 • NEW ORLEANS

Countingdowntothebiggamewithalook backatSuperBowlmomentsinNewOrleans: HARD-HITTING SAFETY LOTT WINS TITLE NO. 4 IN BLOWOUT VICTORY

The San Francisco 49ers were most known for their powerful offense leading up to Super Bowl XXIV on Jan. 28, 1990, against the Denver Broncos but their defense wasn’t far off.

The 49ers outscored opponents by a combined 55 points in their two playoff games leading up to the game, with their defense allowing only 20 total points. Free safety and defensive leader Ronnie Lott had an interception in both contests.

Lott didn’t have a gaudy stat line against the Broncos, but he didn’t need to with the rest of the 49ers defense stepping up for a combined six sacks and a pair of interceptions in a 55-10 victory.

The 49ers Super Bowl triumph at the Superdome was their fourth title in franchise history. It was also the fourth for Lott and Super Bowl MVP Joe Montana.

LSU pitcher Heavener has perfect start to career

Highly touted freshman flawless in LSU’s shutout against Charlotte

BY JIM KLEINPETER

Contributing writer

LSU softball’s highly touted pitching recruit Jayden Heavener could not have been better in her collegiate debut. She was, in fact, perfect. The left-hander from Pace, Florida, pitched the sixth perfect game in LSU history during an 8-0 season-opening victory against Charlotte in the Tiger Classic on Friday at Tiger Park. Heavener’s gem overshadowed junior Sydney Berzon’s near-perfect effort in LSU’s nightcap, a 10-0 victory against Central Arkansas in five innings Berzon hurled a two-hit shutout and allowed only three baserunners. Both hits were infield dribblers, and Berzon notched five strikeouts while needing only 61 pitches.

“You couldn’t ask for anything better. Doing that on the first night as a freshman is absolutely unreal. I don’t think it will be the last time you see something like this.”

SyDNEyBERZON,LSUpitcher

The perfect game was LSU’s first since Maribeth Gorsuch threw a seven-inning perfect outing against Belmont on Feb. 22, 2020, and the first by a player in her debut. The other four were five-inning games Friday’s game was shortened to six innings by the mercy rule.

“I really didn’t know I warmed up pretty good and didn’t know what to expect,” Heavener said. “I was kind of nervous the first and second inning but got into a groove

and realized what I could do and what I’ve been preparing for

“My curveball and two seam were working pretty well. It kind of depended on the batter, where they were standing.”

Heavener, the nation’s No. 1 recruit, was razor sharp from the start, striking out 10 of the first 12 batters she faced and 13 overall. She had a streak of seven consecutive strikeouts and had only one inning without fanning at least one batter Charlotte (1-1) put only five balls into play

“I was thinking what a storybook moment this was, and our theme this year is about writing a book,” LSU coach Beth Torina said. “She’s (Heavener) an incredible player Everyone was waiting for this moment. It was an incredible day for the team.”

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON LSU pitcher Jayden Heavener delivers a pitch against Charlotte in the second inning Friday in Tiger Park. LSU defeated Charlotte 8-0 in six innings behind Heavener’s perfect game.

4

Tiger ready to compete in Genesis next weekend

Tiger Woods committed Friday to playing the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines in San Diego, returning to one of his favorite venues for his first PGA Tour start since the British Open in July Woods will be playing and walking — 18 holes next weekend in competition for the first time since he had a microdiscectomy in September to alleviate pain down his legs, his sixth surgery on his lower back.

9:30

11

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8 p.m. Ohio St. at Southern Cal FOX MEN’S COLLEGE HOCKEY

7 p.m. Michigan St. vs. Michigan BTN COLLEGE SOFTBALL

noon Missouri vs. Duke MLBN

3 p.m. Nebraska vs.Texas Tech MLBN

6 p.m. Tennessee vs Northwestern MLBN GOLF

3:30 a.m. The Qatar Masters GOLF

LSU aims to flip script on Ole Miss

BY TOYLOY BROWN III

Staff writer

Flying off screens is one of Cam Carter’s specialties.

The LSU men’s basketball guard sped to the left side to two off-ball screens that impeded the trailing defender Carter was free and ready to hoist a shot from above the 3-point arc with eight minutes remaining in the game. But the pass came too late. Freshman point guard Curtis Givens was too preoccupied with keeping his dribble at the top of the key and missed LSU’s leading scorer when he was open The ball was delivered when the defender was back in front of Carter Coach Matt McMahon went from a focused, crouched position on the sideline to immediately standing up in frustration Carter felt similarly as he hopped to get Givens’ attention to pass the ball. Inattentiveness and a lack of sharpness were at the core of consecutive poor showings for LSU (12-10, 1-8 SEC). Moments like these must be minimized if it wants a chance to beat No. 25 Ole Miss (176, 6-4) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center

Disciplined defense

Defense is the aspect of LSU’s play that has dropped most precipitously Its last two opponents shot 49.2% and 56.3%, which are the two highest field-goal percentages posted against LSU this season. Coincidentally, the third-best shooting outing occurred in its first meeting against Ole Miss. The Rebels shot 49.1% in a 77-65 win Jan. 11.

A repeat poor effort would not bode well for LSU’s chances for an upset. The Tigers can rectify their diminished defense if they are more physical and connected

While LSU is blessed with more wiry athletes than powerful ones, it has to avoid being pushed

LSU forward Daimion Collins finishes a dunk against Florida Golf Coast

the Peter Maravich Assembly Center The

ä Ole Miss at LSU 7:30

around as frequently in the paint and on the perimeter

Imposing its force is only one part of the solution. The Tigers’ awareness and connectedness have dropped off. One basket with 11:32 left in the game against Georgia illustrates the issue.

A Georgia guard had a step driving on Carter. The senior remained in position and would have made it a difficult layup.

Daimion Collins was the nearest paint defender and detached from his assignment to jump for a block on an already well-guarded shot. The ballhandler recognized the extra defender and delivered

a wrap-around pass to his wideopen teammate

LSU’s Corey Chest was in the picture in the paint and could have rotated to Collins’ man However, the redshirt freshman was unaware and did not make an impression. Too many disjointed sequences like this could crater any chance LSU has to beat Ole Miss. Protect the ball

Limiting turnovers is a critical factor in practically every game LSU plays. It is 317th in the country in turnover percentage on KenPom as of Friday for a reason.

Securing possession is even more important as Ole Miss is 21st in the country in turnovers forced per game (15.4). It’s also

elite at protecting the ball itself as it is first in the country in turnover percentage on KenPom.

The Rebels top ballhandlers Jaylen Murray and Sean Pedulla have a combined 42 fewer turnovers than LSU’s backcourt duo of Carter and Jordan Sears. The Ole Miss pair also have played one more game.

If LSU doesn’t get obliterated in the turnover battle, it can compete with Ole Miss. LSU had four more turnovers in the first matchup but still shot four more field goals thanks to its offensive rebounding strength. Ole Miss is a tough out but has lost four of its last six games. This could be the ideal opportunity the Tigers need to end a five-game slide.

LSU women receive unlikely offensive boost

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

It had been a while since any of the LSU women’s basketball reserves affected a game quite like Mjracle Sheppard did in a tough road win over Missouri Sheppard, a transfer guard, is a long, lanky defensive specialist. Before Thursday, the sophomore hadn’t logged more than 19 minutes in a game all season. The most action she saw against a Southeastern Conference opponent was 14 minutes of mostly mop-up duty in the No. 6 Tigers’ lopsided Jan. 2 win over Arkansas. LSU’s 71-60 win over Missouri turned into a much tighter battle, yet coach Kim Mulkey trusted Sheppard with 28 minutes of run that she used to score 11 points, snare seven rebounds and give the Tigers a spark they sorely needed. LSU outscored Missouri by 17 points in the time she was on the floor “Mjracle was outstanding tonight,” Mulkey said. “She pres-

ä Tennessee at LSU 3 P.M.SUNDAy, ESPN

sured the ball. She’s very active rebounding the ball for her size, and we sure needed her to be as good as she was tonight. It was very good for her confidence.”

That belief stems from LSU’s first exhibition, a game in which Sheppard tallied 12 points, six rebounds and six steals in 25 minutes. The Mississippi State transfer hasn’t seen that kind of opportunity since then because a stress reaction injury in her foot shelved her for the first month of the season. By the time she returned for a Thanksgiving trip to The Bahamas, Mulkey already had begun tightening her rotation, leaving little room inside of it for the player she once deemed her best defender

Shayeann Day-Wilson won the battle for lead ballhandling duties. Kailyn Gilbert emerged as a scoring threat off the bench. Even Jada Richard a 5-foot-7 freshman from Lafayette, crept her way

onto the floor while LSU searched for someone who could hit open shots on the perimeter

Sheppard won’t threaten opposing defenses from beyond the arc. But Mulkey is always happy to save a spot in her rotation for an extra perimeter defender, especially when one of her best — Last-Tear Poa falls outside of it for LSU’s wins over Texas A&M, No. 15 Oklahoma and Mississippi State

The problem was that Sheppard, in her limited time on the floor, was tallying more turnovers and fouls than points and assists. That is, until her activity earned her 28 minutes on Thursday against Missouri.

“She’s been trying to get back in the lineup,” Mulkey said, “and sometimes when you try, you force things. Force a bad shot, or you have a turnover.”

Instead, Sheppard started forcing turnovers. With seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, Flau’jae Johnson missed a 3-pointer giving Missouri a chance to move within

two possessions of LSU at the other end.

But before Laniah Randle could dribble outside of her own 3-point arc, Sheppard snuck behind her and poked the ball loose. It bounced to Aneesah Morrow, who lobbed a pass for an easy layup chance to Sheppard, who added three more buckets to help the Tigers preserve their lead.

Another layup off a nicely timed cut. A spinning floater away from a tumbling defender Then one final lay-in she scored from the baseline after her defender helped on a drive by Mikaylah Williams. Those field goals pushed Sheppard into double figures and gave the LSU bench 21 points the most it’s scored in a game in nearly a month.

The Tigers needed all those points to avoid an upset loss to Missouri.

“She deserves to have that kind of game,” Mulkey said, “because that’s how she was playing before she got injured.”

Woods is the host of the Genesis Invitational, which was moved from Riviera Country Club because of wildfires that devastated the surrounding Los Angeles community of Pacific Palisades. He has never won at Riviera, but his eight wins at Torrey Pines include the 2008 U.S. Open.

Indiana basketball coach Woodson set to step down

Indiana basketball coach Mike Woodson is leaving his alma mater on his own terms.

The 66-year-old Woodson, who has been under fire most of the past two seasons because of underperforming teams, decided to step down at the end of this season, the school announced Friday

The Hoosiers missed last year’s NCAA Tournament for the first time since Woodson took the job in 2021-22, and they’re in danger of being left out of the 68-team field again this season.

Indiana (14-9, 5-7 Big Ten) heads into Saturday’s matchup against Michigan having lost four straight games and six of seven. The Hoosiers were this season’s preseason pick to finish second in the Big Ten.

WR Hill changes course, wants to stick in Miami

Tyreek Hill wants to stay in Miami, and he regrets his comments after the Dolphins’ final game of the season that suggested he wanted out.

The receiver said he doesn’t want to play for another team when asked Friday on the “Up & Adams” show about his comments after Miami’s regular-season finale against the Jets, when the Dolphins were eliminated from playoff contention.

Not happy with missing the postseason for the first time in his career Hill said afterward: “For me, I have to do what’s best for me and my family, if that’s here or wherever the case may be. I’m (going to) open that door for myself. I’m opening the door I’m out, bro.”

NFL Hall of Famer Faulk to coach Colorado RBs

Deion Sanders added another Pro Football Hall of Famer to his staff at Colorado by bringing in Marshall Faulk to oversee the running backs.

Faulk becomes the third member of the Buffaloes’ coaching ranks to boast a gold jacket, joining Warren Sapp and Sanders Sapp is the senior quality control analyst for the defense.

Faulk will try to improve a running game that’s been one of the worst in the nation the last two seasons. The Colorado offense has relied heavily on quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter who both will get drafted in April.

Faulk was a dual threat out of the backfield over a 12-year career with the Indianapolis Colts and the St. Louis Rams.

Detry sits at 12 under for Phoenix Open lead

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Thomas Detry nearly aced the par-3 16th hole and shot a 7-under 64 in the second round to take a two-shot lead in the Phoenix Open on Friday

Detry had eight birdies and a bogey to reach 12 under on another day of perfect conditions at TPC Sawgrass. Michael Kim shot a bogey-free 63 to reach 10 under and was tied with Alex Smalley, who shot 65.

Jordan Spieth put himself in the mix with eagles on 13 and 15, shooting 65 to reach 9 under in his second tournament since offseason wrist surgery Argentine Emiliano Grillo set off the biggest roar of the day, slamdunking his tee shot on the rowdy par-3 16th for an ace.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

in the second half on Dec. 8 at

Pelicans ready to sport new look

BY ROD WALKER Staff writer

The NBA trade deadline has come and gone, and two players from the New Orleans Pelicans’ starting lineup on opening night are no longer with the team.

First, the Pelicans traded Daniel Theis to the Oklahoma City Thunder for cash considerations, a move to get under the luxury tax. Then late Wednesday on the eve of the trade deadline, Brandon Ingram was traded to the Toronto Raptors In exchange for Ingram, the Pelicans received a pair of role players with plenty of playoff experience in Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk Brown is in his seventh NBA season, and his strength is his versatility. His best year was in the 2023-24 season when he averaged 12.1 points and 4.7 rebounds. Two years ago, he played for the Denver Nug-

ä Pelicans at Kings. 9 P.M SATURDAy GCSN

gets when they captured an NBA title.

For Brown, 28, this will be the sixth different team he has played on. He also played for the Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, Nuggets, Indiana Pacers and Raptors Brown has averaged 8.4 points and 3.8 rebounds this season in the 18 games he’s played Olynyk, a 6-foot-11 center, has averaged 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds in his career He’s in his 12th NBA season. New Orleans is the seventh team he’s played for, joining a list that also includes the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz, Pistons and Raptors. He was also named team captain for the Canadian national team that played in the Paris Olympics.

Injuries have taken their toll on New Orleans. Of the five Pelicans who started

on opening night, only CJ McCollum remains active.

In addition to Ingram and Theis, the Pelicans are also without Herb Jones and Dejounte Murray Murray is out for the season with a torn Achilles and Jones could miss the rest of the season as well with a shoulder injury

“It’s tough, especially with what we have been dealing with this season,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said.

“Especially with the amount of injuries we’ve had.”

The Pelicans (12-39) will take a seven-game losings streak into Saturday’s game against the Sacramento Kings. After that, they’ll play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, then the Pels return home to play back-to-back games Wednesday and Thursday in the Smoothie King Center against the Kings.

“It comes down to discipline,” Green said. “We know our margin of error is small.”

Tulane men turning up defensive heat

BY GUERRY SMITH

Contributing writer

As is the case for anyone facing North Texas and its rugged man-to-man defense, Tulane could struggle to score in a matchup of men’s basketball teams tied for third place in the American Athletic Conference. That is only half of the story, though. The exact same thing is true for North Texas.

The surprising Green Wave (13-10, 7-3 AAC) has ridden terrific defense into AAC contention under coach Ron Hunter’s signature matchup zone system, equaling and even surpassing the Mean Green (16-6, 7-3) in several categories heading into the teams’ only regular-season meeting Saturday in Denton, Texas (2 p.m., ESPN+).

Tulane, not North Texas, boasts the stingiest defense in the league, holding opponents to 39.4% shooting — tied for 18th best in Division I. The teams are dead even in league play, with opponents hitting 41.3% of their shots.

The Mean Green and Green Wave also are 1-2 in scoring defense. Slowerpaced North Texas, whose games have an average of eight fewer possessions, yields 62.2 points while Tulane gives up 68.2

“The whole defensive thing, people get so glued that you’re a man-to-man team and (believing) that’s how you’re supposed to play,” Hunter said. “It’s just different styles getting basically the same results. Ours is different because you don’t see it is as much, so by the time you get it figured out, it’s sometimes too late. Our guys have really bought into it.”

That buy-in has allowed Tulane to stay afloat despite a dramatic offensive slump.

The Wave’s three lowestscoring outputs have come in its past three games, but it is 2-1 in that span, beating Tulsa 59-56 and Texas-San Antonio 61-60 after falling to 19th-ranked Memphis 68-56. If Saturday turns into a rock fight, the Wave has proven capable of winning it.

The turnaround has come a year after what Hunter considered one of the worst defensive teams in his 30year coaching career With an all-new starting five, Tulane is guarding well in every facet. It leads the AAC in 3-point field goal percent-

LeBron becomes oldest player to score 40 points

BY GREG BEACHAM AP sportswriter

LOS ANGELES Age is more than just a number to LeBron James. It’s also a target.

ä Tulane at North Texas. 2

P.M.SATURDAy,ESPN+

age defense during conference play (.289), averages a league-best 4.65 blocks in all games and is tied for second in steals per game in conference action (8.4).

“It’s basketball IQ,” Hunter said. “When I coach teams with basketball IQ, it makes it a lot easier than just being a great athlete. Yes, we have length, but we can make adjustments on the fly.”

Hunter had some excellent defenses in his eightyear tenure at Georgia State, which held opponents to the fourth-lowest field goal percentage (.380) in the nation in 2011-12 and led the Sun Belt Conference in 2016-17 and 2017-18. This is easily his best in six seasons at Tulane, with all five starters contributing and reserve center Percy Daniels making sure there is no drop-off from the bench.

“We bring our defense every night,” said sophomore forward Kaleb Banks, whose emphatic blocked shot in the final minute led to the go-ahead points in a wild comeback victory against UTSA on Wednesday “I feel like I’m having clutch blocks at key moments.”

Hunter pointed to post defender Gregg Glenn, who has blocked only 10 shots all year, as a pivotal piece.

“He’s not a rim protector, but he’s the best communicator that I’ve had back there,” Hunter said. “His communication because he sees everything really helps us, especially in the ballscreen action.”

Banks and freshman Kam Williams, a pair of wiry 6-foot-8 defenders, get into passing lanes for deflections while turning apparent open looks into contested shots with their quick recovery ability

“We actually block jump shots,” Hunter said. “That’s something none of my teams have done before.”

Guards Asher Woods and Rowan Brumbaugh play key roles, too. Woods, inserted as a starter for the conference opener, prevents penetration. Hunter cites that lineup change as the catalyst for Tulane’s surge.

Brumbaugh, who has learned the defense on the fly after transferring from Georgetown, benefits from Woods’ instruction and his own quick hands. He ranks third in the AAC with 2.0 steals per game in league action.

“I’m understanding the system more and then just wanting to prove I can be a really good defender,” Brumbaugh said. “God blessed me with quick hands.”

Brumbaugh expects a low-scoring game against North Texas between what he labeled the two best defensive teams in the league. The winner which will move into third place by itself, figures to be the one that strings together good possessions.

“We’re struggling offensively right now, but at some point we’re going to make some shots,” Hunter said. “When we do them both, those five-point wins will be 15-point wins.”

The 40-year-old James became the oldest player to score 40 points in an NBA game Thursday night, putting up a season-high 42 in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 120-112 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

James passed the record held by Michael Jordan, his idol and the only other NBA player to score 40 after his 40th birthday

“I’m old, that’s my take,” James said when asked about his latest achievement. “I need a glass of wine and some sleep, that’s what I think.”

Jordan did it for the Washington Wizards just three days after turning 40 in February 2003. James is 38 days removed from his 40th birthday last Dec. 30 — and it seems highly unlikely this will be the last time he hits the mark, since the top scorer in NBA history is still playing phenomenal basketball deep in his recordtying 22nd NBA season.

This feat is a remarkable bookend for James as well: He also is the youngest player in NBA history to score 40 points in a game.

James first hit the mark 88 days after his 19th birthday on March 27, 2004, scoring 41 as a rookie for the Cleveland Cavaliers

against the New Jersey Nets.

“Throughout my journey anytime I’ve been named or put in a category of whatever the case, to cross paths with the greats is always humbling,” James said. “Just to know where I come from and I love the game so much, so it’s pretty cool.”

James also grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds and added eight assists while carrying the Lakers down the stretch against the Warriors and 36-yearold Stephen Curry, who put up 37 points in defeat.

“We’ve run out of words and superlatives and descriptions to capture what he’s doing at this stage of his career and at this age,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “It continues to be remarkable. It really does, and he really led us tonight. AR having an off shooting night, and we needed all of that offense from LeBron.”

James is still making NBA history while he waits to begin his new partnership with Luka Doncic, who watched his new teammate’s domination from the bench for the second straight game since arriving in a trade with Dallas. Doncic is likely to make his Lakers debut on Monday night at home against Utah.

“I can’t wait, because everything I do on the floor he has the ability to do it or do it even better,” James said. “That’s how great he is. Even at his young age,

25, he’s such a unique player He’s a special player, a generational talent, so I’m super-appreciative to be able to share the floor with him and then watch him do his thing.”

James was outstanding all night against the Warriors. He scored 18 points in the second quarter in a spree highlighted by three 3-pointers in 38 seconds the third from the Lakers’ logo at midcourt. He basked in a standing ovation from the Lakers crowd while teammate Rui Hachimura placed an imaginary crown on his head.

James then stepped up down the stretch when the Lakers’ 26-point lead dwindled to five in the fourth quarter Golden State trailed by only six when James drained his sixth 3-pointer of the night with 1:08 to play and he followed it with a halfcourt assist to Hachimura for a dunk that essentially sealed the win with 49 seconds left.

James didn’t quite manage a triple-double against the Warriors, falling just short for the second straight game. He is the second-oldest player in NBA history to record a triple-double, and he’s still about 90 days too young to break the record set by Karl Malone in 2003.

James has 10 triple-doubles this season, each one making him the secondoldest player to accomplish the feat.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By KEVORK DJANSEZIAN Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James shoots a jumper against Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield during the second half of a game on Thursday in Los Angeles.

STAFF PHOTO By SCOTT THRELKELD

Tulane forward Kaleb Banks blocks a shot by Memphis guard PJ Carter in the second half during a game on Jan. 30 at Devlin Fieldhouse.

SAINTS

Continued from page 1C

the Bucs won the one that mattered most in the playoffs, the final game of Drew Brees’ career In seasons the Saints played both Super Bowl teams, they are just 4-18 against those teams. The only wins are the two against the Bucs in 2020, a win over the Bengals in 1981 and a win over the St. Louis Rams in 2001. If you include the seasons the Saints played just one of the Super Bowl teams, the record is even worse They are 12-44 all-time against Super Bowl teams.

This year’s 15-12 loss to the Eagles was a game the Saints let slip away The Chiefs game, a 26-13 Monday Night Football loss at Arrowhead Stadium, wasn’t quite as close. Saints players both past and present see this game going either way Quarterback Spencer Rattler, like Bresee, calls it a tossup.

“It’s going to be a good game,” Rattler said. “If the Eagles run the ball like they have, they are going to be tough to beat. They have a good defense. But it’s hard to bet against Mahomes and what they’ve done.”

The oddsmakers in Vegas have it close, too. The Chiefs were just 11/2-point favorites as of Friday morning

“To me, it’s going to be hard to beat the Chiefs,” former Saints offensive lineman Jermon Bushrod said. “I think it always comes down to that quarterback position. But Philly has a way to win this game. They have a very good offensive line and the best running back in the game. Ground it and pound it and keep that dude (Mahomes) off the field and you have a chance.” The Chiefs are trying to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls. Former Saints receiver

NOT SO SUPER RESULTS

The seasons the Saints played both Super Bowl teams New Orleans is 4-18 in those games.

■ 1974 Lost to Steelers, lost to Vikings (0-2)

■ 1978 Lost to Steelers, lost to Cowboys (0-2)

■ 1981 Lost to 49ers twice, beat Bengals (1-2)

■ 1994 Lost to 49ers twice, lost to Chargers (0-3)

■ 1999 Lost to Rams twice, lost to Titans (0-3)

■ 2001 Lost to Patriots, split with Rams (1-2)

■ 2020 Won 2 of 3 vs. Bucs, lost to Chiefs (2-2)

■ 2024 Lost to Eagles, lost to Chiefs (0-2)

Marques Colston predicts history will be denied.

“I think the Eagles,” Colston said. “The Eagles have a throwback offense with road graders up front and an All-Pro running back. Teams don’t have the personnel to deal with that type of rushing attack.”

The past two Super Bowls played in New Orleans both were decided by three points. The Ravens beat the 49ers 34-31 in 2013. The Patriots beat the Rams 20-17 in 2002.

Receiver Rashid Shaheed doesn’t expect this one to be any different.

“It’s going to be a good game,” Shaheed said. “I think it will come down to whoever has the ball last.”

Email Rod Walker at rwalker@ theadvocate.com.

MOORE

Continued from page 1C

Moore’s friends and colleagues have long said he’s ready to become an NFL head coach. But this year has been his best argument yet for why that’s the case.

“He’s been fantastic as our offensive coordinator,” Sirianni said. “You know you go from an offensive coordinator to leading the entire team, but you’re still in charge of 30 guys there on the offensive side. So it’s a good preview of the type of head coach he’ll be.”

■ ■ ■

If there’s anyone on the Eagles’ roster who should have less than a glowing endorsement of Moore, it is Jahan Dotson.

Dotson, after all, is the third wide receiver in a runfirst offense. In other words, he doesn’t get the ball. And that should be tough to handle for a 24-year-old former first-round pick who was traded to the Eagles from Washington in August

“He’s a brilliant offensive mind,” Dotson said.

Sure, players rarely — if ever — criticize their coaches publicly, but Dotson still raved about the way Moore puts his players in a position to succeed.

“He’s really easy to talk to,” Dotson said. That can go a long way toward massaging concerns about whether Moore, who’s quieter in a media setting, can command a room.

Backup quarterback Kenny Pickett said Moore’s level of detail was apparent from the beginning, and that earns respect. As soon as the Eagles started to install their offense last spring, Pickett noticed how Moore was “unbelievably clean” in how he communicated the scheme to his players. He made sure they understood it all — from the rhythm of the plays to the structure of the formation’s front to every detail in between.

“I think it’s one of my favorite things about playing for Kellen,” Pickett said.

Moore welcomes players’ feedback, too. When the Eagles opened their first drive in the NFC championship game with a 60-yard touchdown run, Moore dialed up a play with a misdirection that he knew Barkley was a fan of.

“If Saquon suddenly says he likes plays, take really good note of it,” Moore said with a grin.

With the Eagles, Moore spent the year tailoring to his personnel — sometimes in dramatic fashion. Philadelphia pass-game coordinator Kevin Patullo said if you turned on the tape of the offense Moore used to run with the Cowboys, it would look “definitely different” from this year’s Eagles.

Some of that, of course, was the inclusion of Barkley after the Eagles lured him away from the New York Giants. But Moore’s changes also boil down to philosophy and adapting to the head coach in charge.

Sirianni is the fourth head coach Moore has worked under in the NFL. Three Jason Garrett, Mike McCarthy and Sirianni — come from an offensive background. While Moore has been allowed to call plays at each stop, he’s had to incorporate their ideas and make sure their offense is tailored to the coach’s vision That’s a necessity of the job, Moore said But the Eagles also wanted Moore to bring his own ideas. Philadelphia was in search of a new voice on offense after a disappointing end to a 2023 season that saw a 10-1 start crash into an 11-6 finish with a first-round exit.

“When we first got together, and we learned his system, we taught him our system and tried to merge them and went through it all,” Patullo said “A lot of it was just the way he views the game, how he likes to set plays up and sees the long forecast of how

plays are strung together which was unique.

“It was very different. It’s worked well for us.”

■ ■ ■

Three years ago, Vic Fangio came into his postgame news conference with a bit of swagger

His Denver Broncos had just put a beatdown on the Dallas Cowboys, holding them scoreless — “a goose egg,” Fangio beamed until a pair of late-game garbage touchdowns. Fangio was so impressed with the win, he boasted that his team had just provided a blueprint to shut down the league’s topranked scoring offense.

“Teams just haven’t played them the right way,” Fangio said.

Moore was still the Cowboys coordinator at that point. And reminded of that game — and Fangio’s bragging this week, Moore broke out in a laugh.

“It’s come up a couple times,” Moore said.

Moore and Fangio are now together on the Eagles, as the latter was hired as the Philadelphia defensive coordinator last offseason, another move that explains why the Eagles are in the Super Bowl.

But Moore isn’t the same coach who took his medicine against a wily old defensive mastermind in 2021. Neither is Fangio, who, at 66 years old has found ways to consistently innovate his system. The best coaches find ways to evolve. And the former quarterback feels like he has done that.

“I was fortunate to be a young play-caller, (but) I viewed it from a quarterback’s lens,” Moore said. “Probably early on in my career, I leaned towards solving every problem throwing the football, because you know the answers within that.”

The 2022 season, he said, helped him grow Starter Dak Prescott missed several games and Moore found ways to get production out of the team’s rushing attack to support backup Cooper Rush.

Doug Nussmeier has seen Moore’s evolution at each stop. The current Eagles quarterbacks coach, Nussmeier has followed Moore from Dallas to Los Angeles to Philadelphia. The 54-yearold said Moore’s intellect allows him to keep growing.

“He’s exceptionally smart,” Nussmeier said.

“When it comes to the game, he has the ability to look at the game from so many different viewpoints. I can’t talk about that enough, just how smart he is.”

■

When he played quarterback, Moore’s favorite throws were choice routes. He loved the sense of anticipation, the chemistry he had to form with receivers to anticipate which way they would run. And it would take knowledge from each of them to read coverages and make the play

Perhaps this partially explains why Moore found his way into coaching. As a coach, every designed play is a way to get the X’s and O’s to read and react. Moore, even more as a coach than a quarterback, gets to control the chessboard. But his roots run deeper than that. In the days of the

dial-up, Moore sought out any information he could about football. He’d scour the internet to print off playbooks and buy VHS tapes of all sorts of different offenses. His love for football was guided by his father, Tom — a Prosser, Washington, football coach who won four state championships. His brother, Kirby, eventually became a coach as well. The opportunity to coach came much earlier than Moore expected. In 2016, Moore suffered a season-ending ankle injury in training camp that, in hindsight, paved his way into the profession During that season, the quarterback would go about his rehab in the morning and then tend to his kids in preschool. But in other moments, Moore started to help the coaching staff with that week’s game plan. He served as a go-between in helping Prescott, then a rookie, adjust to an offense that had been tailored for years toward Tony Romo, who was also out most of that year with a back injury

“Like any building, when the quarterback is the quarterback for a long time, there’s a lot of layers,” Moore said.

So Moore decided to eventually peel the layers back full time. By 2018, he chose to retire when the Cowboys reshuffled parts of their coaching staff and offered him the job to coach quarterbacks. Moore realized he was fortunate and knew his playing days were at a crossroads. He played six seasons in the NFL, but he was far from the star he was at Boise State, where he finished with the winningest record of alltime as a starter (51-3). But even that route was arguably a benefit to Moore in the long run.

“The more you go through as a coach and a player, you’re able to build upon those experiences and you can relate to everybody,” Patullo said. “That’s important. He can relate to the superstars, and he can relate to the guys that are the backups.

“That’s an important trait for all coaches.”

At seven seasons, Moore now has been a coach in the NFL longer than he was as a player His journey has taken him to three stops, all across different parts of the country He was in Dallas long enough, for instance, for Moore’s 10-year-old son to have his favorite NBA player be Luka Doncic. And he was in Los Angeles long enough for his son’s favorite NBA team to become the Lakers.

“He was very excited,” Moore said of his son’s reaction to the Lakers’ stunning trade this week for Doncic. Funny enough, Moore said he hasn’t spent much time in New Orleans. He’s had a few stops here and there in the NFL over the years. And in college, he spent time in Louisiana as a mentor for the Manning Passing Academy That’s really it. But if the Eagles win on Sunday, New Orleans could be home to the greatest professional achievement of Moore’s life. Then, if everything goes right with the Saints, it could also become literally home for Moore and his family, too.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By JAE C. JONG

Former Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore points to his players during training camp May 31, 2023, in Costa Mesa, Calif

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By ED ZURGA

Saints quarterback Jake Haener is hit by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Felix AnudikeUzomah on Oct. 7 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 26-13.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed isn’t able to come down with the ball as Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Quinyon Mitchell defends Sept. 22 in the Caesars Superdome. The Eagles won 15-12. CAESARS SUPERDOME NEW

Super Bowl three-peat eluded QBs Bradshaw, Brady, Montana and Aikman. Now Mahomes takes his shot.

BY SCHUYLER DIXON

AP pro football writer

Terry Bradshaw always wondered what might have been if his Pittsburgh Steelers had reached the Super Bowl either of the times they had a chance to win three in a row Ronnie Lott has long lamented just one bounce of the oblong ball that he said could have helped send the San Francisco 49ers to the big game when they were in just about perfect position for a three-peat.

Kansas City is the first team to reach the Super Bowl after winning the previous two, which means Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have done what Tom Brady, Joe Montana, Troy Aikman and Bradshaw couldn’t before them.

Now they’ll try to finish the job Sunday night against the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans

“You got to have a lot of luck,” Lott said. “You got to find moments where you want the ball to bounce your way And then the other thing is, you’ve just got to get over the idea that nobody thinks you can do it.”

There is one asterisk. Bart Starr led Green Bay to the 1965 NFL championship and the first two Super Bowl titles. Plus, John Elway retired after winning consecutive Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos.

Bradshaw and those Steel Curtain teams lost to the Oakland Raiders, coached by the late Pro Football Hall of Famer John Madden, in the AFC championship game during Pittsburgh’s first run as the two-time reigning champ.

The Steelers didn’t even make the playoffs the second time around, which was four years later

“Had we gotten to the Super Bowl, then I would say the chances of a three-peat would have been very good because you are a defending champion and you’ve experienced a Super Bowl and winning a Super Bowl,” Bradshaw said.

“It’s that long, drawn-out football season where you’re just waiting to get to the playoffs. And it’s a difficult task.”

Roger Craig’s late fumble is what most remember when the 49ers lost at home to the Giants 15-13 on New York’s field goal on the final play of the NFC championship game during the 1990 season.

Lott, however, recalls in vivid detail 34 years later an earlier play when the Hall of Fame safety says Jeff Hostetler lost control of the ball in the backfield with him blitzing, but the ball bounced the Giants quarterback’s way instead of his.

A second consecutive 14-2 season with Montana, Jerry Rice and John Taylor amounted to nothing in the minds of the Niners. Besides the luck of the bounce, Lott was quick to bring up the health of the players — as was Montana.

“The seasons are long. The offseasons are short,” Montana said. “Usually you’re not at 100% strength, your body doesn’t have its usual time to prepare itself during the offseason. When you compound that over the years it makes it even worse.”

Aikman, running back Emmitt Smith and receiver Michael Irvin also got the Cowboys back to an NFC title game as two-time champs, but the Hall of Fame trio lost at San Francisco during the 1994 season, when Steve Young had taken over for Montana at QB.

Daryl Johnston, the fullback when Dallas became the first to win three Super Bowls in a span of four seasons, believes the Cowboys had an asterisk of their own.

After beating Buffalo for the title in consecutive years, owner Jerry Jones and coach Jimmy Johnson had their infamous and acrimonious split. Barry Switzer coached the team that fell short of a threepeat.

In the 38-28 loss to the Niners, the Cowboys turned over the ball the first three times they had it and

trailed 21-0 halfway through the first quarter

“So, you lose your head coach,” Johnston said. “Where would Kansas City be if they lost Andy Reid? And then to play the worst six minutes of football you’ve ever played as a group to start that game, it was just so unexpected.”

Coach Vince Lombardi left the Packers after winning the first two Super Bowls, and Green Bay didn’t make the playoffs the year Joe Namath led the New York Jets to their famous upset of Baltimore in Super Bowl 3.

The first of Miami’s consecutive titles is still the only undefeated season of the Super Bowl era, the 17-0 run during the 1972 season. The Dolphins lost their playoff opener when they were two-time champs.

The New England Patriots fell two victories short of a three-peat in 2005, the only chance they had to do that while winning six championships with Brady and coach Bill Belichick.

Mahomes is well aware of the history as the Chiefs try to to shrug off talk of a three-peat. A victory Sunday over Philadelphia would be the 29-year-old’s fourth Super Bowl title. Brady was 37 when he won the fourth of his record seven.

“I think you always want to leave a legacy and kind of make your imprint on history, but more than anything, you just want to accomplish a goal that you have with your teammates,” Mahomes said “We know that’s a hard process We know it’s hard week-in and weekout. But I’m proud of how our guys have kind of went about that process.”

Bradshaw still talks about how hard trying to three-peat was on him. As part of the Fox television crew covering the Super Bowl, the Hall of Famer will share the stage with the winning team, which could mean handing the Lombardi Trophy to Mahomes.

DB Allen among four voted into Pro Hall of Fame

BY JOSH DUBOW AP pro football writer

Antonio Gates, Jared Allen, Eric Allen and Sterling Sharpe were voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the smallest induction class in 20 years following offseason rule changes meant to make it harder to get inducted. Sharpe got in as a seniors candidate in voting announced Thursday night at the NFL Honors and will join younger brother Shannon as the first siblings ever inducted into the Hall. Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning fell short and won’t join older brother Peyton in Canton, Ohio, this year

Shannon delivered the news directly to Sterling, and they will be together forever at the Hall after the induction ceremony on Aug. 2.

“I don’t think that has really set in yet,” Sterling Sharpe said. “It’s one of those situations where the closer it gets to having the same color jacket he has and standing in same place he stood and being able to have a conv about the journey to get there I think it will set in. But right now it hasn’t hit home yet.”

Eric Allen starred for 14 seasons as a top cornerback in the NFL and never had to move to safety as he aged. Allen’s career spanned from the “Fog Bowl” game in 1988 when he starred for Philadelphia as a rookie to the “Tuck Rule” game in the 2001 season for Oakland in his final game. He played for the Saints from 1995-97.

Allen finished with 54 interceptions, including eight returned for touchdowns. He was a firstteam All-Pro in 1989 and had two other seasons as a second-team selection. He got in on his 19th year of eligibility

“Rarely does life play out like you want it to,” Eric Allen said “There’s always some curves and bends. But time always reveals the truth. It took maybe time for people to see the complexity of my situation.”

While the small class is a change from past years when at least seven people got inducted in each of the previous 12 classes, it isn’t unprecedented.

There were only four inductees in the 2005 class and there were 18 other years with three or four inductees since the first class of 17 was enshrined in 1963.

“You almost appreciate it more,” Jared Allen said. “Nothing comes easy When I found out it was only four, it became more special. There’s a true emphasis on what it means to be a Hall of Famer Clearly we fit that. For me, it was kind of a sigh of relief.”

New rules were instituted this year after a push by Hall of Famers to make the Hall more exclusive, and that led directly to the smaller class. The modern era candidates were voted from 15 down to seven in the final stage, instead of five in past years.

egories were then all placed in a group with voters picking three. Candidates also needed 80% support with the top finisher automatically getting in even if he fell short.

Hall of Fame spokesman Rich Desrosiers said no decision was made on whether to keep this system in place for 2026 but said one year might be too soon to draw any conclusions. Gates got elected in his second year of eligibility He played only basketball in college before turning into one of the NFL’s top tight ends after being drafted by the Chargers.

“The opportunity I got speaks volumes of how (the Chargers) believed in me,” Gates said. “I’m happy it all paid off.” He became an All-Pro in just his second season in 2004. He was an All-Pro again the next two seasons and went on to have a 16year career with the Chargers. Gates finished with 955 catches for 11,841 yards and an NFL record for tight ends with 116 touchdown receptions He ranks seventh all-time in TD catches.

Sharpe had a short but productive career for the Green Bay Packers from 1988-94 His best season came in 1992, when he became the sixth player to win the receiving triple crown, setting an NFL record with 108 catches for 1,461 yards and 13 touchdowns.

He broke his own record with 112 catches in 1993 and led the NFL with 18 touchdown receptions in his final season, 1994, before a neck injury cut his career short.

Sharpe was a three-time AllPro and had 595 catches for 8,134 yards and 65 TDs. He trailed only Jerry Rice over his sevenyear career in receptions and TD catches.

The Sharpe brothers will join three father-son tandems in the Hall: Tim and Wellington Mara; Art Rooney Sr and Dan Rooney; and Ed and Steve Sabol.

The four other modern-era candidates who reached the final stage but fell short were Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri. Those four automatically advance to the final 15 for next year’s voting.

BY DAVE SKRETTA AP sportswiter

those strings is Steve Spagnuolo, the Chiefs defensive coordinator, whose job in helping Kansas City get back to the Super Bowl had him interviewing with several clubs last week for another shot at being a head coach

The

Reid expects to

scientist pulling

The 49 voters then got to vote for five of the seven with anyone reaching 80% or finishing in the top three getting into the Hall. In past years, the five finalists all got an up-or-down vote with all five getting in for the past 17 years. The candidates from the seniors, coach and contributor cat-

The other eight finalists who got cut earlier were Manning, Jahri Evans, Steve Smith Sr., Terrell Suggs, Fred Taylor, Reggie Wayne, Darren Woodson and Marshal Yanda.

The seniors candidates who fell short were Maxie Baughan and Jim Tyrer, with Mike Holmgren falling short as the coach and Ralph Hay as the contributor

“He’s incredible,” Reid said ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles “My first year here, like,

CAESARS SUPERDOME • NEW ORLEANS KANSAS CITy CHIEFS (15-2) VS. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (14-3)

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By HARRy CABLUCK

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw sits on the bench as the rest of his team watches the closing minutes of Super Bowl XIII in Miami on Jan, 21, 1979. The Steelers beat the Cowboys 35-31.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By DAVID J PHILLIP

Former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jared Allen, right, hugs former San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates as they are introduced into the Pro Hall of Fame Class of 2025 on Thursday in New Orleans.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

Former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Eric Allen, who played for the Saints from 1995-97, was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Thursday night.

Wright’s ‘throwback’ player sparks win

BOYS BASKETBALL

For much of the past month, however, he has been playing with a hurt ankle.

He showed good touch in the third quarter with a high-arching floater along the baseline and scored on a driving layup in the fourth.

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

Sophie B. Wright senior Jacorey

Washington has a basketball coach who calls him “a throwback” because of all the different ways he can score.

A three-year starter in his fourth season on the varsity, the 6-foot-2 Washington can drive to the basket, make 3-pointers and score from midrange all the while making an impact on defense.

By Friday, during a key district game against De La Salle, Washington showed flashes of his usual self.

“Now that he’s getting healthy you can see the difference,” Warriors coach Jason Bertrand said.

“The burst is back He’s strong.”

Washington scored 28 points and made four 3-pointers as Wright won at home against De La Salle 78-71.

His first points came on a short jumper while getting fouled, and he made the ensuing free throw

His next four baskets came from behind the 3-point arc, including one at the first-quarter buzzer that put his team ahead by 11 points.

But Washington, healthier than he has been in about a month, felt best about being able to play defense to the fullest of his ability, he said.

He also liked what the rest of his team did.

“We shared the ball,” said Washington, who has more than 1,000 career points.

“At the beginning of the season, we were actually having problems sharing the ball but tonight we showed we could put it together and we can win.”

Senior sharpshooter Hiram Bloudin made four 3-pointers and finished with 18 points. Zion Cameron, a 6-foot-7 sophomore, made a 3-pointer in the second quarter, dunked in the fourth and finished with 15 points. Senior Paul Chester

scored 10 points. Starting point guard Lebron Leal, with eight points, is another standout with an academic scholarship to Villanova.

Washington, who is averaging 22 points, seven rebounds, three steals and four assists, hurt his ankle during the Country Day tournament championship in December He aggravated the injury a week later Still, he never missed a game.

“It would take a whole military to keep him off the court, so he played through it,” said Bertrand, who noted Washington’s continued desire to win.

The win against De La Salle positioned Wright (17-7, 2-1 District 10-3A, No. 9 in the latest LHSAA Division II select power ratings) for a possible district showdown next week against first-place Kennedy (3-0 in district, No. 10 in power ratings).

“This group, they have a chance to be special if they can stay healthy,” Bertrand said. “That’s the main thing.”

For De La Salle (15-6, 2-1 District 10-3A), sophomore Manny Young made six 3-pointers and scored 24 points as junior Levon Gipson made four 3s and scored 22 points.

The Cavaliers trailed 27-16 after the first quarter and rallied to lead 29-28 on a bucket by junior Trey Williams. The lead changed four times in quick succession until Cameron made a 3-pointer that put Wright ahead for good.

The teams combined for 22 3-pointers — 11 for each.

“They made a lot of 3s throughout the game,” De La Salle coach Chris Perrone said. “Different guys, multiple shooters. We didn’t do a good enough job defensively Miscommunicating switches, getting there late. But give all credit to Sophie B. Wright.”

Scherzer says Jays have potential to win Series

By The Associated Press

TORONTO Max Scherzer joined the Toronto Blue Jays convinced he can win a World Series with a third team following titles with Washington and Texas.

“Winning cures everything,” the 40-year-old right-hander said Friday, three days after his $15.5 million, one-year contract was announced. “All you need to do to wake up in the morning is to have that drive to win and the rest kind of takes care of itself.”

A three-time Cy Young Award winner, Scherzer was 2-4 with a 3.95 ERA last year for the Rangers. He started the season on the injured list while recovering from lower back surgery and was on the IL from Aug. 2 to Sept 13 because of shoulder fatigue. He didn’t pitch after Sept. 14 because of a left hamstring strain.

Scherzer feels healthy

“Normal ramp up kind of in the lifting, normal ramp up in the throwing, right where I need to be in terms of my bullpen pro-

gression,” he said during a Zoom news conference. “So I’m looking to come in here into spring training at full tilt.” He joined a rotation projected to include José Berríos, Kevin Gaus-

man, Chris Bassitt and Bowden

Francis.

“The backbone of any team is always the starting rotation,” Scherzer said.

“It doesn’t matter how much of-

fense you got, if you don’t have a starting staff, you’re always going to be in trouble if you don’t have starters going out there and eating innings.”

Scherzer learned about the current Blue Jays when he spoke with Bassitt, a New York Mets teammate in 2022, and assistant hitting coach Hunter Mense, a University of Missouri teammate from 2004-06.

“Just understanding how the team is, how the organization is, how they treat the families and how the guys on the team are, where the state of the organization is, how they want to improve,” Scherzer said.

“I had a good chat with those guys how the Blue Jays handle everything and felt like this was going to be a fit.”

A Florida resident, Scherzer had geography in mind when considering teams.

“First and foremost is kind of staying here on the East Coast, especially with my family here in Florida, the kids are in school,” he

said.

“That makes it very easy to be able to get back and forth, be able to see them and have them be able to travel in, as well.”

Scherzer is 216-112 with a 3.16 ERA over 17 seasons with 3,407 strikeouts in 2,878 innings. His average fastball velocity has dropped from 94.7 mph in 2020 to 92.5 mph last year

“I still feel I can pitch at a very high level here. I frankly got all the pitches to be able to navigate a lineup,” he said.

“It’s not about throwing 98. If you can throw 94, 95, you can get a lot of people out.”

He limits his use of analytics.

“There’s too much data actually,” he said. “What we’re talking about with pitching now I actually completely disagree with. And so for me I understand what I do well, what I need to look at, what I actually need to be thinking about in terms of all my pitches, in terms of everything I’m doing.

There’s some data that’s good, but a lot of data is bad.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By STEPHEN BRASHEAR

Texas Rangers starter Max Scherzer delivers a pitch against the Seattle Mariners on Sept 14 in Seattle.

Washington

Box Stadium LSU coach Jay Johnson said Brown, who is also a left-handed pitcher, is unlikely to pitch this season.

LSU coach Johnson sheds light on Brown’s future this season

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

LSU baseball player Jake

Brown’s focus has been simplified to just hitting ahead of the start of the 2025 season, coach Jay Johnson said Friday After pitching during fall practices, Brown, a sophomore outfielder-left-handed pitcher has not toed the rubber this preseason He did not pitch for the Tigers last year despite being drafted as a pitcher out of high school by the Texas Rangers.

“Anytime you’re trying to get a player better at something, I try to simplify things,” Johnson said Johnson, however, would not rule out a return to the mound for Brown this season. Injuries and the Tigers having fewer lefthanded pitching options than last year might keep the door open for

HEAVENER

Continued from page 1C

Berzon was cheering Heavener on throughout the first game.

“I was telling her how great she was doing the entire game,” Berzon said. “You couldn’t ask for anything better Doing that on the first night as a freshman is absolutely unreal. I don’t think it will be the last time you see something like this.”

A two-time All-American, Berzon retired the first 11 batters she faced before Madi Young hit a high bouncer that shortstop Avery Hodges couldn’t field on the short hop in the fourth inning After Kaitlyn Graham reached on a swinging bunt, Lily Hood hit into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.

“I felt good. My movement pitches came together and my location was good,” Berzon said. “It felt natural for me. I’ve finally gotten to that age where the nerves are gone. It just felt normal.”

ä Season Opener Purdue Fort Wayne at LSU 2 P.M.FRIDAy,SECN+

Brown to pitch again.

But Johnson is confident in the Tigers’ left-handed options and noted that their right-handed pitchers are better equipped to retire left-handed hitters than at any point before during his tenure at LSU.

“We’ll see how that goes,” Johnson said.

Brown is seemingly content with simplifying his role ahead of the new season, saying that it will allow him to focus on becoming the best hitter he can be.

“I think just being able to be where my feet are and trying to limit all the stuff that can affect me on the outside, whether that’s what’s going on the next day, what’s going on the previous day whether that’s pitching, whether

that’s school work, anything,” Brown said. “If I can just eliminate that and focus on being in the batter’s box and doing my job at that time, that always makes it easier.”

Brown, according to Johnson, had a strong fall at the plate, but his starting spot in the outfield isn’t guaranteed.

Auburn transfer Chris Stanfield and freshman Derek Curiel have impressed offensively and defensively through fall practices and the preseason. Sophomore Ashton Larson and senior Josh Pearson are also returning starters, while junior Ethan Frey is a weapon against left-handed pitching and healthy again after he played through a shoulder injury for most of last year

“I think the depth of that group on this roster is probably the strength of the team,” Johnson said.

Dodgers favored to be repeat champions

Offseason moves enhance L.A.’s already star-studded lineup

BY RONALD BLUM AP baseball writer

Miguel Rojas gladly gave up his No. 11 to Roki Sasaki and went back to 72, his jersey as a Los Angeles Dodgers rookie in 2014.

“I’m not asking for anything. I have everything that I want in life,” the 35-year-old infielder said. “All I ask for him is trying to get us another championship.”

He’s in the right spot. Spring training workouts start Sunday with the Dodgers trying to become the first repeat champion since the New York Yankees won three in a row from 1998 to 2000. Coming off their second title in five seasons, the Dodgers added Sasaki, the prized 23-year-old right-hander from Japan, and left-hander Blake Snell to a pitching staff expecting two-way star Shohei Ohtani to return to the mound in April or May after recovering from elbow surgery

“Kudos to them. They’re doing everything right,” said Toronto pitcher Max Scherzer, who pitched for the Dodgers briefly in 2021. “They have a well-oiled machine.”

Los Angeles opens the season in Tokyo against the Chicago Cubs with a two-game series starting March 18. The Cubs are the first team to start practice, on Sunday in Mesa, Arizona, and all clubs will be on the field by Thursday Chicago manager Craig Counsell also is switching numbers, to 11, yielding No. 30 to Kyle Tucker, the All-Star outfielder acquired from Houston. Counsell chose 11 in honor of Jim Leyland, one of his early big league skippers. When Leyland led the Florida Marlins to the 1997 World Series title, he reminded players they needed 11 postseason wins for the title, matching the number on his back.

“I’m hoping to use that speech a little bit later in the month of September,” Counsell said. Chicago’s other team, the White Sox, is coming off a 121-loss season, the most in the major leagues post-1900, Hooray for Hollywood

Los Angeles committed $452 million to eight players during the offseason. The Dodgers kept utilityman Tommy Edman with a $74 million, five-year contract, outfielder Teoscar Hernández with a $66 million, three-year deal and right-hander Blake Treinen for $22 million over two years.

do and have done is consistent with our rules. They’re trying to give their fans the best possible product. Those are all positives. I recognize, however, and my emails certainly reflect that there are fans in other markets who are concerned about their team’s ability to compete. And we always have to be concerned when our fans are concerned about something. But pinning it on the Dodgers, I’m not in that camp.”

Mets also paying top dollar

In search of the team’s first World Series title since 1986, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen gave a record $765 million, 15-year contract to outfielder Juan Soto, luring him from the rival Yankees, part of a $925 million splurge on eight free agents.

“If you want something that’s amazing, it’s going to be uncomfortable. It’s never going to be comfortable,” Cohen said. “And so I always stretch a little bit because I know that’s what it takes to get it done.”

In the first game, Danieca Coffey, Maddox McKee and McKaela Walker knocked in two runs each for the Tigers. Coffey, Walker and Tori Edwards had two hits each as LSU picked up 10 hits off two Charlotte pitchers. Coffey, who missed all but 16 games last year with a knee injury celebrated her return with a leadoff single to start the game. Jalia Lassiter was safe on a fielder’s choice, and Edwards drove in Coffey with a single. McKee added a sacrifice fly later in the inning.

ning, and Sierra Daniel knocked in a pair of runs with a double. Coffey also had a run-scoring single, and two more scored on a wild pitch.

In the nightcap, the Tigers offense produced 11 hits, including the season’s first home run on a two-run shot by catcher Maci Bergeron. Avery Hodge had a tworun single in a three-run second in-

“Offense did a great job,” Torina said. “Our coaches were commenting on how well we ran the bases, and our speed played a factor. We had a lot of big swings but the way we ran the bases set a tone for the season and who they want to be.”

In addition to Sasaki ($6.5 million signing bonus) and Snell ($182 million for five years), the Dodgers added reliever Tanner Scott ($72 million for four years), outfielder Michael Conforto‘ ($17 million for one season) and second baseman Hyeseong Kim ($12.5 million for three years). Tyler Glasnow is projected for the rotation after finishing last season on the injured list. Threetime Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw is expected to re-sign and return after he recovers from knee and toe operations.

“The Dodgers are a really wellrun, successful organization,” baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said. “Everything that they

Following an NL Championship Series loss to the Dodgers, the Mets also added right-handers Frankie Montas, Clay Holmes and Griffin Canning along with left-hander A.J. Minter, and resigned first baseman Peter Alonso, left-hander Sean Manaea, right-hander Ryne Stanek and outfielder Jesse Winker They acquired outfielder Jose Siri in a trade with Tampa Bay A pair of rules changes MLB increased the penalty for a violation of the shift rule requiring two infielders to be on the infield dirt on each side of second base when a pitch is thrown. A batter will now reach on an error, with a manager having the option of taking the result of the play During the 2023 and ‘24 seasons, the penalty was a ball being added to the count or the manager taking the result of the play There were just four violations of the shift rule in 2023 and two last year If a baserunner runs through second or third base on a potential force play and doesn’t try to hold the base or advance, he will be called out for abandonment. If a lead runner crosses the plate, a video review would determine whether he touched the plate before the trailing runner’s second foot touched the ground on the other side of the base. The intent is to discourage baserunners from going through second and third with no attempt to hold the base in order to allow a lead runner to score.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON LSU pitcher Jayden Heavener delivers a pitch against Charlotte in the top of the sixth inning Friday in Tiger Park.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU outfi elder Jake Brown drives the ball during a fall scrimmage on Oct. 27 at Alex

AP PHOTO By DAMIAN DOVARGANES Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher

Roki Sasaki poses during an introductory news conference on Jan. 22 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) When one door closes, another opens. Refrain from laboring over what's ending when embracing new beginnings will optimize your chance to advance. Talk less and do more.

PIsCEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Stick close to home. Venturing out will lead to tempting offers. Choose to concentrate on health, diet and exercise, not on indulgent behavior. Refuse to let an emotional situation take control.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Go over every detail and change whatever is necessary. Take care of matters personally and be secretive regarding your choices. Emotional spending will set you back.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Concentrate on what matters most to you and clear a path forward. Getting personal papers in order will ease your mind. It's up to you to create opportunities.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Approach every issue openly and honestly. Decisiveness will help you gain trust, and proof that you know what you are doing and saying is accurate will seal the deal. Put your emotions on the shelf and do your best.

CAnCER (June 21-July 22) Think before you act. Emotions will surface quickly and require restraint if you want to avoid trouble Avoid hasty decisions and unnecessary changes. Pay attention to your health and emotional well-being.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Pay attention to detail; research, learn and be creative with the information you gather. Attend

a reunion or function that will bring back memories or prompt you to revisit a pastime that brings you joy.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Experience is golden. A change will spark your imagination and encourage you. Heading to a destination you've never been to and participatinginsomethingthatintrigues you will encourage new friendships.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Refuse to let someone's angst or emotional madness affect your plans. Look at the big picture; consider how others react and socialize with those who share your sentiments.

sCoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Let your creativity take over your life. Get together with people who spark your imagination and encourage you to pursue your dreams. Travel and physical endeavors will help put things in perspective.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Stick to what and who you know and trust. Refuse to fold under pressure just to keep the peace. Find common ground and incentives to ensure that equality prevails.

CAPRICoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Emotional manipulation is apparent. Look for solutions instead of getting bogged down in what-ifs. Refuse to jeopardize your health or risk damaging a meaningful relationship.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2025 by nEa inc., dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

FAMILY CIrCUS

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

toDAy's CLuE: G EQuALs W

CeLebrItY CIpher

For better or For WorSe

FrAnK And erneSt SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

LAGoon

bIG nAte

Sudoku

InstructIons: sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the 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 wiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

CurTiS

By PHILLIP ALDER Bridge

Hunter S. Thompson, a journalist and author who died in 2005, said, “When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.”

If it looks weird, talks weird and smells weird, it must be weird especially if produced by a pro. In other words, if a competent player does something weird, it is (almost certainly) not because he has lost his marbles, but because he is hoping to sneak a trick past an unsuspecting opponent

In today’s deal, South is in three notrump.Eastisinthespotlight.Westleads a fourth-highest club six. What should East be thinking?

First, though, let’s look at declarer’s problem He has only eight top tricks: five spades, two diamonds and one club. And with clubs wide open, he must hope that East has the heart ace and is sleeping soundly. South should win the first trick and call for the heart jack, trying to look like a man about to take a finesse

What should East conclude now?

Initially, East should have asked himself this question: What is declarer likely to do at trick two? Here, if South doesn’t have the spade ace, he will surely establish that suit. So, when South doesn’t do that, it is because he has the spade ace. Ergo, the suit is ready to run and declarer has eight top tricks: five spades, two

wuzzles

diamonds and one club. Why is he calling for the heart jack?

South must be trying to sneak his ninth trick.

East mustn’t fall for it: He should jump in with the heart ace and play clubs. If East ducks, South, in desperation, will put up his king and, when it wins, claim. © 2025 by nEa, inc., dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzle is a word riddle which creates a disguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: nOOn gOOD = gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

InstRuCtIons: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

toDAy’s WoRD tEMPuRA: TEM-por-uh: Seafood or vegetables dipped in batter and fried.

Average mark 40 words

Time limit 50 minutes

Can you find 47 or more words in TEMPURA?

yEstERDAy’s WoRD — PAnGoLIn

today’s thought

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

loCKhorNs

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles hidato

dIrectIons: make a 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row. add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value. all the words are in the Official sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5th Edition.

ken ken

InstructIons: 1 Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 thorugh 4 (easy) or 1 through 6 (challenging) without repeating. 2 The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes called cages must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners. 3 Freebies: Fill in the single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner. HErE is a

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

Scrabble GramS

Get fuzzy

jump Start

roSe iS roSe animal crackerS

DuStin

Drabble

Wallace the brave

breWSter rockit

luann

Together forour community

Community PurposeinAction

Community Impact Around the BigGame

TheBigGamecomingtoNewOrleansisachanceto spotlightthestories,history,andfutureofourcity–a citythatradiatescultureandresilience.Thisyear,Ochsner HealthishonoredtoserveastheOfficialMedicalProvider oftheNewOrleansSuperBowlHostCommittee.Beyond thegame,theNewOrleansSuperBowlHostCommitteeis committedtogivingbacktothecommunity.

Partnering to Build aBetter Future

Theimpactofthisgameextendsbeyondtheevent itself,especiallythroughtheNFLFoundation’s collaborationwithlocalorganizationstodriveeconomic andeducationalchange.TheImpact59programisa cornerstoneofthiseffort,dedicatedtocreatinglasting philanthropyinGreaterNewOrleans.Thisinitiative,ledby theNFLFoundation,theEntergyCharitableFoundation, NewOrleansSaints,UnitedWayofSoutheastLouisiana NOLACoalition,andOchsnerHealth,hasawardedover $3millioningrantstolocalnonprofits.Withstrategic investments,wearebuildingafutureofopportunityand successforthenextgeneration.

Super STEM Bowls: AGame-Changer forLearning

Inthelead-uptotheBigGame,OchsnerEducation OutreachhostedfiveSuperSTEMBowlsatlocal

schools:LakeForestElementary,LawrenceCrocker, WillowMiddleSchool,Dr.JohnOchsnerDiscovery HealthSciencesAcademy,andKennerDiscovery.STEM (science,technology,engineering,and mathematics)educationinyouthis essentialinhelpingchildrendevelop criticalthinkingskills,creativity,anda loveoflearning.Theseeventsbrought STEMlearningtoover4,200students allowingimpressionablemindstoexploreover30handsonSTEMactivitieslinkingtheexcitementoftheBigGame withlearningandinnovation.Weareespeciallygrateful tothe241Ochsnerteammemberswhovolunteeredtheir time,totalingmorethan750volunteerhours.

4,200+ students were impacted by the Super STEM Bowls program

KeepingNew Orleans SafetoCelebrate OchsnerHealthisalsoplayingacrucialroleinproviding medicalcarethroughouttheBigGame’sfestivities.Weare offeringbothnon-emergencyandemergencyservicesat keylocationsaroundthecity,ensuringthatfans,staff,and attendeeshaveaccesstotop-tierhealthcare.Additionally oursupportfortheNewOrleansPoliceDepartmentwith thedonationofAutomatedExternalDefibrillators(AEDs) andtheNewOrleansFireDepartmentwithiPaddonations furtherunderscoresourcommitmenttocommunityhealth andsafety.

Through partnerships and ashared commitment to New Orleans, Ochsner Health is proudtobeatthe heart of a transformative experience forour city, our people, and our future.

Tolearnmore,visitochsner.org/communityimpact

Carethatkeeps youmoving

AtOchsnerAndrewsOrthopedics&SportsMedicineInstitute,we’re dedicatedtogettingyouwell,soyoudon’tmissabeat.Whetheryour injuryisminororsomethingmorecomplex,ourmultidisciplinaryteamof orthopedicandsportsmedicineproviderswillworkwithyoutodevelop acustomizedcareplantofityourneeds.Equippedwiththelatest technologyandenrichedbyDr.Andrews’expertknowledge,weare innovatingourapproachtosportsmedicinecareandrecoverythroughout theGulfSouth.Formoreinformationvisitochsner.org/sportsmed SkylarG. | SportsMedicinePatient

Super Bowl Host Committee Parade

in the FrenchQuarter

Saturday,Feb. 8, 2025 | 10am

Showcasingthe magicofMardisGras, the first-ever SuperBowlHostCommittee Parade will be held on Saturday,Feb.8,2025, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. CT,inthe heartofthe French Quarter. Theparadeisa celebration of NewOrleans hostingits record-tying11th SuperBowl, featuringSuper Bowl-themed floats from NFLpartners, high school andcollege marching bands, and localstompinggroups, allhighlightingthe city’s uniqueculture to theworld.Parade-goerscan expect to catchavariety of throws, includingNFL-themedbeads andplush footballs. BroughttolifebyCarnivallegend BarryKernofMardi Gras World, theSuper Bowl Host Committee Parade promises astar-studdedlineupof celebrityguestsand athletes.Reigningaskingofthe parade will be Louisiana’sown celebrity,Todd Graves

Free and open to the public,the parade will kick off atthe corner of EsplanadeAvenueand DecaturStreet, windingthrough theFrenchQuarter anddownDecatur to PoydrasStreet, concluding on St.Charles Avenue in the WarehouseDistrict. MardiGrasbleachers andstands will be set up forviewing of this family event.

The entire parade is being streamedonline at Nola.com and broadcasted on WDSU NBC News Channel 6.

Super Bowl Host Committee Parade

in the FrenchQuarter

Saturday,Feb. 8, 2025 | 10am

Free and open to the public,the parade will kick off atthe cornerofEsplanade Avenue andDecatur Street, winding throughthe French Quarterand down Decatur toPoydras Street,concludingonSt. CharlesAvenueinthe WarehouseDistrict. MardiGrasbleachers andstandswill beset up forviewing of this family event.

As afan warm-upto theSuper Bowl itself,a parade will rollthrough thestreets of NewOrleans on Saturday morning.

TheCarnival-style parade will be auniqueevent forthe biggame, with nearly twodozen floats,celebrities,local marching bandsand more.Cane’sfounder Todd Graves will serveasgrand marshal.

Theparadebeginsat10a.m.and is expected to endaround noon TheNOLA.comparadecam sponsoredbyOchsner health will be positioned near theend of theroute.

Meteorologist andnewspersonality Scot Piliéand entrepreneur andhostAlexPomeswill host thelivestream.

WELCOME FOOTBALL FANS TO NEWORLEANS

The NewOrleans Super Bowl Host Committee,led by theGreater NewOrleans Sports Foundation and theNew OrleansSaints, is responsible forplanning,executing,and hosting the record-tying11thNFL Championship game,Super Bowl LIX in 2025 The Host Committee worksinpartnership with theNational Football League (NFL) andlocal andnational stakeholders to create auniqueand memorable experience forall SuperBowlattendees.

TheNew OrleansSuper Bowl Host Committee serves as theliaison betweenthe NFLand theNew Orleans community andthe StateofLouisiana TheHostCommittee andits partners plan to deliveranunforgettable and authenticSuper Bowl LIX experience whiledriving significant economic impact across theGreater NewOrleans region andthe StateofLouisiana.

THE CAESARSSUPERDOME is established as apremier destination forevery type of event, andthe grandstructurebuilds on that legacy continually. From the biggest, most elaborateproductionsthat thrill thousandstomemorable intimate gatherings,the Superdomeadapts andcaptivates. Locatedinthe heart of theNew OrleansCentral Business

District,the Superdomeisamong the most enviable venues in thenation. Andwitha stunning spot on theNew Orleansskylineand itsiconicdesign, theSuperdome is oneofAmerica’s most recognizable landmarks.

TheCaesars Superdomeunderwent a five-phase renovation spanning five New OrleansSaintsoff-seasons,beginning on January14, 2020, andconcluding on August 21, 2024, when Broadmoor construction teamsformallyturnedover thebuilding.

The$560 million projectwas financed throughmultiple sources: theLouisiana Stadium& Exposition District (LSED) contributed$326 million, largelyfunded by refinancingdebt, eventrevenue, hotel/motel tax, andoperating cash flow. TheNew OrleansSaintscovered $180 million,approximatelyone-third of therenovation cost,while theState of Louisianaprovided$54 million througha combination of pandemic aidand capital outlay appropriations.

Despiteongoing construction,the Superdomehostednumerousmajor events,including theNCAA Men’sFinal Four in April2022, Beyoncé’sconcert in September2023, andthe annual Essence

Music Festival from 2021 to 2024. Othereventsheldduringthe renovation period included theAllstateSugar Bowl, BayouClassic Football Game,Endymion Extravaganza MardiGrasBall, Garth Brooks’Sugar Bowl CountryFest, and Zach Bryan’sconcert in July 2024.

Therenovationreclaimed over 100,000 square feet of public spacebyremoving rampsinthe endzones andsidelines to create widerconcourses. An additional 50,000 squarefeetwas addedtobackof-house operations, enhancingfood commissaryand kitchenfacilities. Three newentrancelobbiesand atriumswere also created, each with escalators that transportpatrons from the100 level to the650 levelinjustthree minutes. Additionally,18“grab-and-go” Market Pantry outletswereinstalled across multiple levels,offeringa fast alternative to traditional concession lines.

Overall, therenovationhas transformed theCaesars Superdomeintoamodern, spacious,and efficientvenue readyfor future events.Itnow features wider concourses,streamlined entryand exit points,improvedverticaltransportation, andamoreconvenient flow for concessionsand restroom access,ensuring an enhanced experience forevery visitor.

INSIDE

ONE IN A MILLION: A 5,000-squarefoot condo overlooking the river for $6M Page 18 IN DETAIL: Stone materials that exude stability Page 7

DINING IN

With a lot on her plate, chef Melissa Araujo focuses on comfort at home

HOME | DESIGN | GARDEN | REAL ESTATE

The taste of home

Chef Melissa Araujo, of Alma Café, is a James Beard Award-nominated rising star with a growing string of restaurants. At home, the chef wants soothing colors and comfortable, easy-care furnishings. Melissa invited InsideOut to see her space, then shared her Honduran grandmother’s classic comfort food recipes that make a house a home. Page 12.

The year was 1885, and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show had made camp at Metairie Cemetery for its

four-month residency. John McCusker has the backstory on Page 4.

New Orleans runs hot and cold this time of year, with balmy temps following a record snowfall. But before the weather warms up for good in March, there’s time for one more round of planting of cool-season vegetables, Dan Gill says, on Page 8. Plus, are your azaleas outgrowing their space? Prune carefully, if you must. Page 9.

— Annette Sisco,

features editor

The InsideOut home and garden section is published every Saturday by The Times-Picayune Questions about InsideOut should be directed to the editor

INSIDEOUT EDITOR: Karen Taylor Gist, kataylor@theadvocate.com CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS:

Victor Andrews, Jyl Benson, Dan Gill, John McCusker

COVER DESIGN: Andrea Daniel

COVER PHOTO: Jeff Strout

TO BE FEATURED: Send information and photos to insideout@theadvocate. com

InsideOut’s mission is to give readers peeks inside the many different ways that people in the New Orleans area live. We profile spaces that are opulent, or just offbeat; sophisticated or simple; functional or lighthearted; historic or brandspanking new And anything in between.

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

BACKSTORY

When Metairie Cemetery was the Wild West. PAGE 4

INSIDE INFO

Home and garden happenings. PAGE 6

IN DETAIL

A rock-solid design choice. PAGE 7

GREEN THUMB

Beat the hot weather in your garden. PAGE 8

COVER STORY

Chef Melissa Araujo’s Honduran home cooking. PAGE 12

ONE IN A MILLION A penthouse condo with river views. PAGE 18

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS Recent transactions in the metro area. PAGE 19

addressesenviable

5612 Woodlawn Place•Lakeview/Navarre

$549,900

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A poster from one of Buffalo Bill Cody’s tours. Over the winter of 1884-1885, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show performed at Oakland Park, on the grounds of what is now Metairie Cemetery.

PROVIDED PHOTO By LIBRARy OF CONGRESS

BY JOHN McCUSKER Contributing writer

Metairie Cemetery is a massive garden of stone and solitude where Anne Rice, Louis Prima, Tom Benson and 9,000 others sleep in their eternal rest With its stately live oaks, statuary, memorials to soldiers, mausoleums and one-of-a-kind tombs, it is a picturesque spot.

The view would have been no less picturesque had you visited on this day 140 years ago. But you would have encountered an encampment of 40 Native Americans, including Kiowa, Sioux and Pawnee people, and a small herd of buffalo. Where today there is solitude, then there was the crack of Winchester rifles, the snap of gaucho whips and the battle cries of Indian warriors.

The year was 1885, and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show was amid a four-month stay in New Orleans.

At that time, the land was in the process of being converted from a horse-racing track, Oakland Park, into Metairie Cemetery by owner Charles

ABOVE: Metairie Cemetery occupies land that was once home to Oakland Park, a horse-racing track.

STAFF PHOTO By JOHN McCUSKER

LEFT: Sitting Bull and Buffalo Bill Cody.

PROVIDED PHOTO By LIBRARy OF CONGRESS

T. Howard. According to lore, Howard was insulted when the previous owners, the New Orleans Jockey Club, refused to grant him membership. He swore revenge and pledged to someday buy the land and put a cemetery there.

Howard bought the land in 1872, but much of the space remained available to host William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody’s large company of players, livestock and set pieces.

The Wild West Show’s inaugural year was 1884. “Nothing had ever existed on this scale. From circuses to tent shows, nothing compared in size,” said Jerry Brock, who has studied the shows for decades.

Indeed, the logistics of getting people, props and livestock moved from Nebraska to New Orleans were vexing. On the way, a steamboat carrying the show’s live buffalos sank, and Cody had to wire back home for more. Bison were a novelty to audiences east of the Mississippi River and a major drawing card. And of course, they were also Buffalo Bill’s namesake.

Deciding to go on with the show rather than wait on replacement bison, the company was met with another setback. Torrential rains delayed the

BACKSTORY

Buffalo Bill Cody and an unidentified Native American in his Wild West Show perform a shooting demonstration. Over the winter of 1884-1885, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show performed at Oakland Park on the grounds of what is now Metairie Cemetery.

December 1884 opening and required the cancellation of several subsequent performances in the new year

When the weather cleared, audiences, sometimes as many as 4,000 a day, flocked to experience the wonder, melodrama and mock combat the show promised. There were tableaus of stagecoach robberies and mock battles between cowboys and Indians. There were feats of roping and sharpshooting, sometimes performed on horse-

back to the “oos” and “aws” of the assembled New Orleanians. Between the more frenetic portions of the program, spoken word offerings described life on the “real” frontier The performances of ritual tribal songs and dances by the company’s 40-person Indigenous contingent were a favorite among visitors.

Locals engaged with the Native people between shows at their encampment, among their teepees and fires. While Cody

A metal statue of a bison, or buffalo, stands today at Metairie Cemetery, next to the Goldring family tomb. William Goldring’s company owns the Buffalo Trace brand of bourbon.

poured it on thick in performance, with melodrama and sometimes vaudevillian stereotypes, he also created a venue where regular Americans could witness Native peoples in an arguably authentic representation of their lives.

Brock said Cody was sending the message that “These are Indians. They are people, too.”

The Buffalo Bill Wild West Show was not the first of its kind, nor the first to visit New Orleans. Dr W.F. Carver promised “a thrilling representation of life of the plains” during his visit to New Orleans in February 1884. Carver had first

brought his show to the city in the late 1870s, offering much of the same package as Buffalo Bill.

Cody’s 1885 visit was over in April. He would return many times in the coming decades, though there would be no repeat performances at Metairie Cemetery

The cemetery is no longer a place where live buffalo roam, but that’s not to say buffalo are no longer shown.

Along the cemetery’s fence line on the Metairie Road side, among the tombs and mausoleums, is a life-size, metal sculpture of a buffalo.

STAFF PHOTO By JOHN McCUSKER

PROVIDED PHOTO By LIBRARy OF CONGRESS

INSIDEINFO

Hundreds of blooms set for Camellia Show

Hundreds of blooms, including new and rare varieties, from throughout the Gulf South will be exhibited at the Camellia Club of New Orleans‘ 85th annual Camellia Show on Feb. 22 at the University of New Orleans University Center.

The free event, open to the public from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Sen. Ted Hickey Ballroom on the Lakefront campus, will also feature a photo component for students through professionals.

Bloom and photo competitions, which can be entered from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., include a novice class. Sales of camellia plants will start at 9 a.m. and include introductions, fragrant varieties and heritage favorites. More than 40 types will be on sale. For information, including on entering the show and photography competition and a list of varieties on sale, can be found at the club’s Facebook page or by contacting John Grimm, president, at (504) 610-7828, or Nick Piazza, show chair, at (504) 616-4378.

Start spring with Sip, Sow and Mow seminar

Lawns and blooms will be the emphasis of a half-day Sip, Sow and Mow spring seminar March 13 by the St. Tammany Master Gardener Association in conjunction with the LSU AgCenter at the Castine Center in Pelican Park in Mandeville.

Presenter Will Afton, county agent for St. Tammany Parish, will be joined by Christine Coker, Mississippi State University extension specialist, who will discuss resources for fruit and vegetable gardens.

Rinalda Rocquin, nutrition and community health agent from St. Charles Parish, and Layne Langly, nutrition and community health agent of the southeast region, will give a demonstration on canning basics.

Table talks include native plants, fleur de lis tea, vermiculture, red roselle hibiscus and zen gardens.

Registration is required; the event is from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 63350 Pelican Drive. Tickets start at $25. Visit stmastergardener.org.

Bonsai and brews blend at workshops

Beginners interested in learning the ancient Asian art of bonsai can grab a brew and a friend and head out to one several classes in the metro New Orleans area in the coming weeks.

Bonsai Bar puts horticulture together with craft brew culture to provide fundamental skills and techniques. Teachers will provide the core concepts to pot, prune and design a bonsai tree.

Upcoming sessions include:

n Feb. 12: Parleaux Beer Lab, 634 Lesseps St., New Orleans

n Feb. 19: Port Orleans Brewing Co., 4124 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans

n Feb. 22: Oak Street Brewery, 8201 Oak St., New Orleans

n March 12: Port Orleans Brewing Co., 4124 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans

n March 21: Chafunkta Brewing Co., 69123 Sky Brook Road, Mandeville

Additional sessions are planned.

Cost starts at $85. For information, visit bonsaibar.com.

Grab a brew and learn the art of bonsai at one of the upcoming Bonsai Bar events at various locations around the area.

STAFF FILE

PHOTO By

HILARy SCHEINUK

Cabildo offering tour guide classes

Applications are being accepted for the 2025 Friends of the Cabildo walking tour guide class. Classes start March 10. Almost 100 hours of class time across one month provide an overview of New Orleans history, architecture and culture. The class is offered one time per year at the Cabildo, 701 Chartres St., in New Orleans. For information, visit friendsofthecabildo.org.

Volunteer projects abound at City Park

A variety of cleanup days and initiatives are on tap at City Park to improve and maintain the extensive urban green space. Those coming up during the week of Feb 8 include:

n Urban Forest Support Initiative: 9 a.m. Saturday and Feb. 15 Volunteer Center, 1031 Harrison Ave.

n LitterAbatement Campaign: 9 a.m. Tuesday. Volunteer Center

n Big Lake Native PlantTrail Restoration Project: 9 a.m. Friday. Big Lake Native Trail near 7 Friedrichs Ave. Register for the programs and find out more about what to bring at friendsofcitypark. volunteerhub.com.

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

INDETAIL

Stone-faced

If you’re going for a home that’s rock-solid, try using stone as a building material. It exudes a sense of timelessness and stability, but also adds a welcome touch of texture.

— Karen Taylor Gist

STAFF PHOTOS By JOHN McCUSKER

GREENTHUMB

GARDEN TIPS

STARTING CALADIUMS: Plant caladium tubers indoors this month for a head start. Start tubers in flats or pots of potting soil kept evenly moist in a warm, out-of-the-way area.They should begin to sprout in a few weeks As the leaves appear, move the containers to a sunny window or shady area outside (if days are in the 70s and nights in the 60s). Plant the sprouted caladiums in the garden in mid-April.

KEEP UPWITH PARSLEY: Harvest parsley regularly by breaking off the lower, older leaves.There is still time to plant parsley transplants for harvest through early summer.

COLOR INTHE SHADE: Need coolseason color in a partly shaded area? The best choices are cyclamen, primroses, pansy, viola, nicotiana, lobelia, foxglove, columbine and forgetme-not.

EYES ON POTATOES: It’s time to plant potatoes in the garden. Cut the potatoes (use seed potatoes available at nurseries and feed stores) into egg-sized pieces, each with an eye.Allow the cut pieces to air dry and heal for a few days, and then plant 4 inches deep about 12 inches apart in well-prepared, sunny raised beds. Harvest in late May when the plants begin to turn yellow.

FREEZE CHANCES: Spring is right around the corner, but there is still a chance of freezing temperatures. Don’t let spells of mild weather fool you into planting tender warm-season vegetables and bedding plants early unless you are willing to protect them if necessary.This especially applies in areas north of Lake Pontchartrain. Cautious gardeners will wait until around mid-March.

Salad

Next month is an exciting time in the vegetable garden

In March, spring planting begins for warm-season vegetables, such as tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, peppers and green beans. These plants will produce for us in the late spring through early to midsummer.

With such anticipation, it is easy to overlook what we can plant in February.

Now, however, while the weather is chilly to mild and freezes may yet occur, there is still time to plant wonderful cool-season vegetables.

ä See SPRING, page 10

days

It’s not too late to plant cool-season vegetables for one more harvest

Now’s

to

the

time

plant carrot transplants into the garden.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK

Dan Gill GREEN THUMB

GREENTHUMB

Don’t wait to prune oversized azaleas

BY DAN GILL Contributing writer

Across the front of my house,I have azaleas and gardenias that are 6 feet or so tall.I would like to trim them down to about 3 or 4 feet.Can this be done after their next bloom,and will they bloom the next year? — John

Although what you are proposing is a rather severe pruning, they should resprout reliably. Prune after they finish flowering — the azaleas in late April or early May and the gardenias in June or early July Because the plants are too big for the area where you planted them, they will require annual pruning to hold them to the shorter 4-foot height. It is better to trim them every year after they finish flowering than to let them grow up to 6 feet again before you control their size. Pruning after flowering usually does not affect blooming the next year, but yours may not bloom as well next year after cutting them back so far

My husband left my 7-foot corn plant on the patio during the freeze It sure looks bad.Do I cut off dead leaves or wait till I see some green coming back? Can I start a new plant from stalks? —

Pauline

Scratch the bark of the corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) starting at the top and working your way down. If the bark is loose and/or the tissue under the bark is brown all the way to the soil, the plant is most likely dead and can be discarded. If you find a section of the trunk that is still green under the bark, you can cut back to that point and the trunk should resprout. I wouldn’t worry about starting new plants until you know if the one you have is alive.

What time of year is best to have mud delivered and spread onto your yard? Also,what type of dirt are we looking for? Currently,there is St.Augustine grass in the yard.Never having done anything like this,we are not sure how

did not likely bother your lawn grass. The grasses we use for lawns, including St. Augustine, centipede, bermuda and zoysia, are winter hardy here. We don’t expect to see any damage to area lawns despite the unusual frozen precipitation we received.

To ensure your lawn grows vigorously this spring, you may apply a lawn fertilizer in late March. If your lawn has a significant weed issue when it is time to fertilize in late March, you may use a com-

bination fertilizer and weed killer (weed and feed) at that time. A second fertilizer application may be made in July to stimulate vigorous growth in the late summer into the fall.

Dan Gill is a retired consumer horticulture specialist with the LSU AgCenter. He hosts the “Garden Show” on WWL-AM Saturdays at 9 a.m. Email gardening questions to gnogardening@agcenter.lsu. edu.

to proceed.— Gerald

Filling is not uncommon in the subsidence-prone areas of greater New Orleans south of the lake. Wait to fill until the grass is in active growth — generally late April through August. It is best to use pump sand or river sand for filling, as these materials are less likely to contain weed seeds, which can lead to weed problems in your lawn. Mow the grass just before you spread the fill over the lawn.

Lawn grasses will not reliably grow through more than

about 2 inches of fill. In especially low spots where you must fill several inches deep, you may need to replace the turf. Filling over large areas of a tree’s root system with more than 2 inches of fill can also damage or kill them, so be careful if you have trees in your yard.

What should I be putting on my lawn to ensure a good,healthy green lawn after all the cold,ice and snow we have been having here in southeast Louisiana? — Mike

Not a thing. Your lawn is dormant now, and the recent cold

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

GREENTHUMB

plant them again and enjoy harvests of these popular vegetables in the late spring.

Be mindful of space

Gardeners can begin to plant broccoli now, but there’s no hurry It’s a coolseason vegetable.

These vegetables cannot grow here once the weather gets hot, and include potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, collards, lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, beets, turnips, mustard, carrots and radishes.

If you planted cool-season vegetables in the fall and enjoyed your harvests over the winter, it is not too late to

There is a major consideration, however, especially for gardeners with limited space. Most of these vegetables will occupy the area where you plant them until it is well past the ideal time to plant many of the spring-planted warmseason vegetables.

Tomatoes, for instance, are best planted in our area by mid-April. They are sensitive

to the heat, and flower set is greatly reduced as temperatures reach the 90s during the day and stay in the 70s at night (heat tolerant tomatoes, cherry tomatoes and paste tomatoes will produce in the heat).

We expect our main crop of tomatoes to be set in April and May and harvested in May and June.

If you plant broccoli transplants now, it will be about two months before you harvest the main head. And, since the plants will send up more, smaller florets after that, harvest continues for several more weeks. So, you can see that if you intended to plant tomatoes or bell peppers into that location, you would be past the ideal time by the time the broccoli finishes and is removed.

Fast-maturing crops

This is a legitimate reason to be reluctant to plant some of these crops, even if you have space available now That space will be needed in a few weeks for your warmseason vegetables. But planting fast-maturing crops like lettuce transplants or radish seeds is still entirely possible If you have room to plant

STAFF FILE

PHOTO By TRAVIS

some of these cool-season crops and still have room for the warm-season crops you will plant next month, I say go for it. When the cool season vegetables finish up and are removed from the garden, it is not too late to plant heattolerant vegetables. They will do very well planted as late as May or June.

Heat-tolerant vegetables are ideal to follow cool-season vegetables planted now that may linger into the late spring/early summer period. They include popular vegetables like hot peppers, sweet peppers (other than bell peppers), peanuts, edamame (edible soybeans), Southern peas (such as purple hull peas, crowder peas and black-eyed peas), okra, yardlong beans and watermelons.

Broccoli is an easy favorite

Broccoli is one of my favorite cool-season vegetables and is easy to grow. Transplants of broccoli should be planted about 12 to 18 inches apart in rows or beds.

Broccoli heads are harvested when the largest flower buds in the head are about the size of the head of a kitchen match. After the main head is harvested, side florets will be produced, and harvesting can continue for several weeks often double the production of each plant.

Cauliflower and cabbage transplants should be spaced 18 to 24 inches apart. These vegetables produce only one head, so after harvesting remove the entire plant from your garden to make way for planting.

Blanch the head of the cauliflower to make it white by pulling the leaves up over the head when it is about the size of a silver dollar Fasten the leaves with a clothes pin and check the head frequently Harvest before the curds of the head starts to separate. Give kohlrabi a try

Other related vegetables that can be planted from seeds or transplants now

GREENTHUMB

generally happens when you transplant seedlings, the result is a deformed root.

Plant the seeds rather thickly to make sure you get a good stand, and then thin the seedlings to the proper spacing.

Commonly planted root crops and the proper spacing include beet, 3 to 4 inches apart; radish, 2 to 3 inches; turnip, 3 inches; and carrot, 2 inches. Failure to thin the young seedlings to the proper spacing leads to poor root development.

Let’s hear it for Swiss chard

include kale, kohlrabi and collards.

Kohlrabi is a relatively quick maturing crop (especially if you plant transplants) grown for the sweet, crispy turnip-shaped stem it produces. It is delicious, easy to grow, and I wish more gardeners would give it a try. If you don’t see transplants available, it’s not hard to grow from seeds.

A variety of root crops can be planted now Root crops should always be directly seeded into the garden where they will grow, and never transplanted.

The tiny root the seed first sends out eventually develops into the edible vegetable. If this is damaged or bent, as

Swiss chard is a delicious, nutritious and beautiful leafy green. It’s easy to grow and you should give it a try. This cool season vegetable is fairly heat tolerant and will provide a long season of harvest well into June. The leaf stems may be white, red, magenta, pink, yellow, gold or orange, and make this among the most beautiful of vegetables. Space transplants about 8 to 12 inches apart. Harvest by breaking off the larger, older leaves at the bottom, and young leaves can be harvested to add color to salads. Just take a few leaves from each plant.

Whether you are growing vegetables in traditional inground beds, raised beds or containers, consider planting some cool-season vegetables now

LAKEVIEW/GENTILLY

FILE PHOTO By COLETTE DEAN

Bywater and MidCity. The owner and chef has a 2,000-squarefoot home in Chalmette.

Melissa Araujo, center, owns Alma Café restaurants in

PHOTOS By JEFF STROUT

Chef Melissa Araujo’s office, above, is filled with memorabilia, and family photos and magazine layouts are hung over the home bar, right.

COVER STORy

Melting pot

Chef’s life at her Chalmette home centers on food, simple pleasures and her beloved pets

BY JYL BENSON Contributing writer

In addition to her 2,000-square-foot home in Chalmette, chef Melissa Araujo owns a massive vacant lot next door. There, she is installing raised vegetable and herb beds to supply her restaurants, Alma Cafe in the Bywater and another by the same name, which opened just last weekend on North Carrollton Avenue in Mid-City.

Araujo is also the executive chef at Oscar (named after her father) at Pirogue’s

ä See CHEF, page 14

Hibiscus Tea Makes 4 cups.

½ cup dried hibiscus

flowers

4 cups hot water

Sugar to taste

Ice,for serving Sweetener of choice,

such as sugar,maple syrup,honey or agave, optional

1 small bunch fresh mint,for garnish

Place the hibiscus flowers in a one-quart jar or medium pitcher Add the water and the sugar, stir to combine. Cover and allow the tea to steep for at least an hour, preferably overnight. Strain out the hibiscus flowers before serving over ice with mint.

A daybed is a cozy nook, and it can double as a banquette when extra seating is needed at the dining room table in Araujo’s home.

MORE RECIPES ON PAGE 16

CHEF

Continued from page 13

Whiskey Bayou in Arabi. And she runs Saveur Catering. This exhausting combination comprises the Araujo Restaurant Group, which is eternally in the process of growing

Last weekend, Araujo was fielding reservations for the hordes in town for the Super Bowl, those headed here for Mardi Gras and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, because they want a taste of her farm-fresh take on the Honduran cuisine she learned at the knee of her grandmother Alma in La Ceiba, Atlántida, Honduras, a small beach town on the Atlantic Coast where she was born.

Araujo acknowledges she works hard. “I start my day at 4 a.m. I am in my home gym by 4:15 every morning,” she said.

The chef’s stress-busters are a Fight Camp boxing bag, a Peloton bicycle, a Peloton treadmill and a Peloton Hydro rowing machine. She competes against herself every morning as she prepares to tackle her day

She converted one of her four bedrooms, with a window overlooking her leafy Chalmette neighborhood, into a home gym with a large flatscreen television on one wall should she tire of watching the screens on the Pelotons.

She sacrificed another bedroom and ditched its closet to accommodate the home office from which she runs her growing empire when she is not at one of the locations manning the stove or running between them.

Trophies and treasures

The moss-green wall behind her desk is hung with framed trophy articles documenting the international course of her culinary career and pieces of art collected on her travels.

Two original mixed-media works, “Best Friends” and “Treasure” by Honduran artist L. Banegas, have an ethereal air. They might seem incongruous next to a framed

Clay miniatures of house fronts decorate a wall.

“I need the truck to pull my catering rig,” she said. The 10foot rig is right there with all the transportation firepower.

The chef bought her newly built home in 2022 and furnished it with midcentury modern pieces, mostly from her go-to source, West Elm.

The home’s rustic engineered wood floors are scattered with woven seagrass rugs and runners, and the living room furniture is of cognac leather, ensuring easy care while maintaining life with retrievers Hella and Charlotte, plus Odin, a rescue mutt with one blue eye and one deep gold.

Sleek, simple lines

“When I am home with my dogs, the last thing I want to do is clean and yell at them to get off the furniture. I want to hang out with them, so I go for sleek, simple lines and soothing natural colors,” Araujo said. “The brighter colors come in from the art.”

The art throughout the onestory home, with a dynamic combination of vaulted and multi-layered tray ceiling designs, is bathed in natural light through the windows.

graphic poster from the 1961 Isle of Man TT races, the fourth round of the 1961 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season.

However, Araujo’s myriad interests make them less so.

“I love motorcycles,” Araujo said. Her Royal Infield Café

Racer is parked in her driveway with a Jeep Cherokee, a Jeep Wrangler and a Ford F250 pickup truck.

Original works by local artists Becky Fos, Terrance Osbourne and Nurhan Gokturk accompany the collection of pieces depicting the likeness of Mexican feminist icon and artist Frida Kahlo that weave throughout the home.

“I identify with her,” Araujo said. “Her paintings were selfportraits that tell a story.”

PHOTOS By JEFF STROUT Books about food, travel, gardening and other interests of chef Melissa Araujo are slotted into her office shelves, along with some keepsakes and art.

Pleasure in simple things

Also woven throughout the home — in the open living room, dining room, kitchen and primary bed and baths — are large glass vases overflowing with long-stemmed white roses.

“My mother loved white roses, “Araujo said. “She loved crimson ones, too, but I identify with the white ones. I replace them every two weeks. They make me think of her

“It is an indulgence to walk into Trader Joe’s every other Sunday morning and buy them out of white roses, but when I focus on them, they remind me to find pleasure in simple things,” she said.

In the kitchen, a 7-foot seated island is topped in a waterfall fashion with white cultured marble. Araujo employs the island and her dining room table to accommodate her extended family, who started relocating to New Orleans from Providence, Rhode Island, in the 1960s.

A wooden daybed covered in green velvet pillows sits under a window, creating a plush nook where the chef likes to read.

The daybed is pressed into service as makeshift banquette seating to accommodate guests when moved up to the heavy, rustic wooden table.

Sculptural globe chandeliers

Like the deep soaking tub in the primary bath, living room and dining room, the island where the chef preps for meals is illuminated by a sculptural multi-light globe chandelier suspended from brass poles. Light glints off stainless appliances.

A paella pan filled with arroz con pollo (chicken and rice) simmers on the stove behind her while a pierna de puerco (pork roast) bakes in the oven, and Odin howls for attention from a guest.

The chef surveys her domain with a contented smile.

“I enjoy living here.” She said. “It took me two years to overcome the impostor syndrome and accept that it was mine. I am happy. Happy with my career. Happy with who I am.”

$2,600,000 6Beds,5.5Baths 6,751SqFt Theeleganceofclassical architecturecombined w/theconveniencesof moderncomforts

ABOVE: The primary bedroom is simple and inviting LEFT: The primary bathroom uses natural light as well as a collection of multi-globe lights over the deep soaking tub 920POEYFARRESTREET

$599,000

Gorgeous3Bed, 2Bath,1,800SqFt condow/18+ft ceilings,rustic features&exposed brickinCottonMill+ somuchmore!

Chef Melissa Araujo gets an enthusiastic welcome from pups Hella, Charlotte and Odin.

$2,500,000 Elegant2Bed, 2.5Bath,2,639SqFt CornerUnitw/Breathing Panoramic.Views ofIconicFrQtr.& MississippiRiver

731SAINT CHARLES

ENJOYMARDI GRAS FROM YOUR OWNBALCONY!

Onthe iconic St. Charles streetcarlineinthe LafayetteSquare HistoricDistrict, 731St. Charles offersthe grandlifestyle youwantnow! Only afew select 2bedroom unitsremainfrom1190sfto1583sf. Bosch appliancesw/gas range, wood flooring throughout, generousceiling heights. Privatebalconies,garageparking,24hr. lobbyattendant, pool,fitness, courtyards,and roof terrace. Pricedfrom $789,900 to $899,900

“MY MOST CHERISHED MEMORIES”

Recipes from the chef’s Honduran grandma’s kitchen

Chef Melissa Araujo was born in La Ceiba, Atlántida, Honduras, a small beach town on the Atlantic Coast She spent her summers in Honduras, learning to cook with her grandmother Alma, who inspired the name of her celebrated restaurant in the Bywater neighborhood.

The two-time James Beard Award nominee (most recently this year) quietly opened another restaurant in Mid-City, also named in her grandmother’s honor The chef says time with her grandmother provided her with “my most cherished memories, allowing me to learn so much about my heritage, cultivate a love for cooking at a young age, and

PHOTOS By JEFF STROUT

Chef Melissa Araujo preps for a friendly dinner at her Chalmette home.

help my family on the farm.”

The rest of the year, Araujo lived in Providence,

Rhode Island, with her family. When she turned 16, her family moved to New

Orleans, where she was inspired to pursue a career as a chef.

After working her way through local restaurants, including Restaurant R’evolution, Doris Metropolitan, Shaya and Dominica, she felt confident in having developed her own style that is influenced by her heritage, the places she has traveled and the years she spent living in Mexico and in Milan, Italy

On a recent weekend, the celebrated chef invited InsideOut to join her in the kitchen as she prepared a casual dinner of familiar Honduran foods for friends and family.

— Jyl Benson

Arroz con Pollo: Honduran-Style Chicken with Rice

The chef makes this in a large, flat-bottomed paella pan. A 12-inch cast iron skillet works, too. Serves 8.

1 cup dry white wine at room

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

8 bone-in,skin-on chicken thighs

4 cups chicken stock

1 cup sofrito (recipe above)

1 tablespoon ground cumin

2 teaspoons chili powder

2 bay leaves

Kosher salt to taste

2 cups frozen diced mixed vegetables (corn,peas and carrots)

2 tablespoons salted butter

2 cups long-grain rice

2 10-ounce jars of large pimentostuffed Spanish olives,drained

Chopped cilantro to taste

All recipes courtesy of chef Melissa Araujo, Alma Café

Sofrito

Makes about 4 cups.

1 large red onion,cut into quarters

1 small of each — red,green,yellow and orange bell pepper; seeded and cut into quarters

6 cloves garlic

1½ bunches of fresh cilantro

1 bunch scallions

¼ cup olive oil

1. Add all ingredients except the olive oil to a food processor and process until smooth.

2. Heat the olive oil in a medium sauce pot over medium heat.

3. Add the sofrito, and cook, frequently stirring, until the sofrito is caramelized, about 30 minutes.

1. Add the saffron threads to the wine. Set aside.

2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, skin side down, and cook until the chicken is browned and releases easily from the pan, about 6 minutes.

3. Deglaze the pan with the wine/saffron mixture, scraping the fond from the bottom of the skillet

4. Add enough chicken stock to cover the chicken. Add the sofrito, cumin, chili powder, saffron, bay leaves and salt to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the chicken is cooked through about 30 minutes. Add the mixed vegetables and cook for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat.

5. Remove the chicken from the skillet. Set aside. Strain the broth out of the pot, reserving both the broth and the vegetables.

6. Return the skillet to the stove. Add the butter and the skillet and heat over mediumhigh heat. Add the rice and cook, stirring frequently, until it becomes transparent, about 4 minutes. Add additional broth to the reserved cooking broth to make 4 cups of liquid. Add this to the rice. Stir Add the reserved vegetables and the olives.

7. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat to low. Nestle the reserved chicken pieces into the rice and vegetable mixture. Cover and cook until the rice is done, 20-30 minutes. Scatter the cilantro over the cooked dish.

Chef Melissa Araujo makes Arroz con Pollo in her paella pan at her Chalmette home.

Pierna de Puerco (Roast Pork)

Serves 6-8.

1 7½-pound bone-in pork shoulder

2 cups mojo (available in Hispanic markets or online)

2 cups NaranjaAgria (available in Hispanic markets or online)

2 bay leaves

3 cans of El Pato tomato hot sauce (available in Hispanic markets or online)

1½ cups sofrito (recipe on Page 16)

1 ounce ground cumin

1 ounce kosher salt

Fresh Mexican oregano to taste

Fresh cilantro,to taste

Hot cooked rice and tortillas for serving

Honduran-Style Potato Salad

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Add the pork to a high-sided baking pan. Set aside.

2. Combine the mojo, Naranja Agria, bay leaves, Patio hot tomato sauce, 3 cups of the sofrito, cumin, salt, fresh oregano and cilantro to taste.

3. Place the pork in the oven and roast until it reaches 140-165 degrees, about 25 minutes per pound. Allow to rest for 15 minutes before serving over hot cooked rice or with warm tortillas.

The chef calls Whole Foods brand Garlic Herb marinade/dressing her “secret weapon” to achieve a melded, vibrant flavor. Serves 6.

5 medium Russet potatoes,peeled and boiled In salted water until very tender about 20 minutes

3 large,hard-boiled eggs,peeled and diced

¼ cup chopped celery

¼ cup chopped red onion

2-4 tablespoonsWhole Foods brand organic Garlic Herb Marinade (in the refrigerated produce section)

¼ cup mayonnaise,plus more as desired Black pepper to taste

Honduran-Style Potato Salad

Drain, cool, peel and chop potatoes.

Combine the potatoes, eggs, celery, onion, Garlic Herb marinade, mayonnaise and pepper in a large bowl. Mix gently with a spatula, adding more mayonnaise as desired. Serve warm or cold.

Hibiscus Cocktail

Makes 6 cocktails

4 cups strained HibiscusTea (recipe on Page 13)

2 cups sparkling water

6-8 ounces orange vodka or white rum

Fresh mint leaves and strawberries for garnish

Add the sparkling water and the vodka or rum to the strained hibiscus tea. Add ice to six 12-ounce Collins glasses. Divide the spiked tea among the glasses. Garnish with fresh mint and a strawberry

Tres Leches Cake

Makes one 9-inch by 13-inch cake.

1½ cups all-purpose

flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ cup unsalted butter

1 12-ounce can evaporated milk

1 cup granulated white sugar

5 eggs

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups whole milk

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1½ cups heavy whipping cream

1 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Fresh fruit for serving (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan

2. Sift flour and baking powder together; set aside.

3. Beat sugar and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Mix flour mixture about 1/2 cup at a time until well-blended.

4. Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Pierce cake all over with a fork; let cool to room temperature.

5. Mix whole, condensed and evaporated milk in a bowl. Pour the whole, condensed and evaporated milk mixture over the cooled cake and allow to soak in.

6. Whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a chilled glass or metal bowl with an electric mixer until thick. Spread over the top of the cake.

7. Refrigerate the cake until serving with fruit, if desired.

Chef Melissa Araujo makes a pork roast the way she learned to do it from her grandmother in Honduras.

ONEINAMILLION

PROVIDED PHOTOS By SNAP REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHy

The foyer is a welcoming landing spot in this lofty space at One River Place, leading into two of the living rooms.

Cooking becomes culinary art in this stylish and effective kitchen, skillfully designed to accommodate plenty of cuisine crafters with expansive space.

How’s the view from the bedroom? With an eye toward Lake Pontchartrain, the Central Business District is the sight to be seen from the bedroom at the end of the home’s main hallway, with a full bath and walk-in closet included in the suite.

Riverside penthouse condo is a slice of opulence

BY VICTOR ANDREWS Staff writer

With Super Bowl LIX kicking off Sunday, all eyes are on downtown New Orleans It isn’t hard to image how stellar it would be having a spot to call home in the vibrant center of the metropolis Options for living in the sector are myriad, but some rise above the rest in commanding fashion.

Perched like an eagle’s nest overlooking the Mississippi River in one of the city’s landmark buildings is Apartment 15F at One River Place, a threebedroom slice of opulence with almost 5,000 square feet of space, panoramic views and a cornucopia of details and assets for $6 million

Grandly configured with multiple public rooms and possibilities for entertaining, the chief benefits of the home might well be in the flexibility the layout affords

A grand foyer with a broad hall welcome visitors into the space, with an inlaid marble floor, architectural details and visual cues through to the expansive rooms of the home.

Side by side, the home’s great room and living room overlook the river through broad windows and flow one into the other through a large opening, at once together yet conveniently separate. A bayed wall of windows in the living room lets in natural light, while in the great room, double doors with the building’s signature circle-in-arch transom design lead to a terrace.

Windows on the world — that’s the featured attraction of the home’s primary den, a v-shaped room that takes full advantage of the exterior views offered from the penthouse perch.

Through another arched opening is the dining room, an inviting spot for elegant evenings that also features a built-in buffet following the unique line of the space. Double doors that match the great room’s pair lead to the balcony as well.

The kitchen, accessible from the dining room as well as the foyer, abounds with space and a central island offering a trio of spaces for culinary creativity, including a dropped counter section suitable for seating. White cabinets are blended with stainless fixtures for a

crisp look, with warm earth-tone counters and red tiled floors adding subtle and natural hues. A full laundry room is accessible through the kitchen as well.

Down the hall, beyond a door that delineates the public and private spaces, is a collection of more bedrooms and dens.

Next to the kitchen and down a hall lies a flexible room that can serve as an additional den or bedroom, with a full bath attached. Currently used as a cozy television room, the space has access to the balcony as well.

The primary den offers a impressive wall of windows looking toward the river’s signature crescent, with the French Quarter and Algiers Point laid out in dramatic vistas. Cabinetry and shelves provide a host of storage and electronic configurations.

Through a door is the primary suite, a sizable retreat that includes a main sleeping chamber and two walk-in closets, each with a full bath — one with a shower and one with a tub.

A wall of windows that looks toward the lake is a feature of an additional bedroom that sits at the end of the home’s main hall. Built-in cabinets and shelves make the sleeping spot a prime sanctuary from daily tasks. An en suite and walk-in closet are also part of the space.

In addition to the multiple dens and bedrooms, the home also has an interior study off the primary den, perfect for solitary tasks.

In addition to the voluminous space, the home also includes three parking spaces in the building’s parking garage. Bounteous amenities offered with the building include concierge, valet and security services, fitness facility, a glimmering pool, gardens, grilling area and an entertainment suite.

The home is listed by Glennda Bach, of Latter & Blum | Compass, (504) 5832792.

One in a Million is an occasional series featuring upscale homes for sale in the metro area.

REALESTATETRANSFERS

EAST JEFFERSON

n TRANSFERS FOR JAN. 17-31 HARAHAN

ASHLAWN DRIVE 430: Linda B. Bertheaud to Kenneth E. Stieffel, $265,000.

E. SHANNON LANE 289: Cardinal Investment Group LLC to Tara M Rousset, $186,000.

FRANKLIN AVE. 921: Linda A. Stauder to Melanie E. Johnson, $200,000.

HARRIS AVE. 8205: Beverly M. W. Abbott to Jeffrey D. Giardina, $205,000.

HICKORY AVE. 610: Chris A. Pierce to Amn 1. LLC, $260,000.

RAVAN AVE. 163: Cheryl Erwin to Symbiotic Properties LLC, donation, no value stated.

REN PASS AVE. 180: Annie Le to Teresa Chau, $143,500.

TYLER AVE. 810: C Bach to Brian D. Hopkins, $130,000 JEFFERSON

ARLINGTON ST. 2820: Sylvester J. Lewis Jr. to Two Thousand Eight Hundred Twenty Two Arlington LLC, $21,500.

BROOKLYN AVE. 145: Terry A. Gillies to Travis J. Leiva Jr., $190,000.

CLAIBORNE DRIVE 1202: Reverse Mortgage Funding LLC to Carrington Mortgage Services LLC, $230,500.

ISABEL ST. 3921: Lindsey M. Vathy to Madison L. Naquin, $320,000.

JOYCE AVE. 38: Perk Properties LLC to Dustin M. Leray, $348,000.

JULIUS AVE. 511: Kris P. Kiefer to Adrienne A. Kieffer, donation, no value stated.

NEWMAN AVE. 609: Benton Erlyn Madonia Irrevocable Trust to Martha Berfield, $499,000.

SAN JOSE AVE. 4: Alison White to Richard E. II Anderson, $322,000

SUNDORN ST. 3109: Bertucci Investment Group LLC to Nicholas Lemoine, $317,000.

KENNER

ARIZONA AVE. 3606: Troy R. Gardner to Marie A. Noote, $238,000.

DAVID DRIVE 4505: Inez Petta to Allyson Mae, $360,000.

FAIRWAY ST. 1715: Brigid Forsyth to Ariane R. Durel, $170,000.

GEORGETOWN DRIVE 225: Ashley Ruiz to Christina L. Hendricks, $208,500.

GRANDLAKE BLVD. 3221: James R. III Killebrew to Maricela Ortiz, $280,000.

ILLINOIS AVE. 2600: Margot Y.

NO NEW ORLEANS TRANSFERS

Transfer information was not collected during the week of the snowstorm in January.

Picou to Nanda G. Das, $225,000.

INDIANA AVE. 2603, UNIT: Eliseo R. Jordan Jr. to Ana G. Jordan, donation, no value stated.

INDIANA AVE. 2603, UNIT: Ileana

C. J. Smith to Ana G. Jordan, donation, no value stated.

INDIANA AVE. 2603, UNIT: Jeny X Barrios to Ana G. Jordan, donation, no value stated.

INDIANA AVE. 2603, UNIT: Roberto C. J. Gonzales to Ana G. Jordan, donation, no value stated.

IOWA AVE. 1930: Alex Dupre to Jonathan Michas, $240,000.

KANSAS AVE. 2533: Dean Lanier to Daniel B. IV Lanier, $160,000.

LESAN DRIVE 1114: Zachary P. Dufour to Jazmin E. Itzel, $147,000

MINNESOTA AVE. 1709: Ricardo Tauceda to Julian Tauceda, $131,250.

MONTANA AVE. 1708: Starr Madere to Gopesh Dubey, $254,000.

NEWPORT PLACE U19 1621: Chambertin LLC to D Burgess, $107,000.

STOULIG DRIVE 3445: Jodi H. Little to Elda Q. Oliva, $240,000.

METAIRIE

27TH ST. 8905: Shay M. Jaume to Kenny Hernandez, $235,000. 46TH ST. 3139: Maxine Morgavi to Landscape Orleans LLC, $378,000.

ACADEMY DRIVE 3708: John R. Finklea to Sidney London, $125,000.

AIRLINE HIGHWAY 3634: Lawrence G. Brown to Abigail Merritt, donation, no value stated.

ATHANIA PARKWAY 302: Cynthia C. Gerlich to Michelle D. Rosamond, $410,000.

ATHANIA PARKWAY 820: New Orleans Property Ventures Inc. to Ignacio III Quintero, $300,000.

AVRON BLVD. 4537: A Chia to Fu Li, $236,000

BEVERLY GARDEN DRIVE 437: Bonnabel Properties Inc. to Yvonne K. Smith, $6,000.

BLANKE ST. 7109: Carol Delaune to Craig Delaune, donation, no value stated.

BONNABEL BLVD. 510: Candace Farrington to Dorothea Bischof, $310,000.

CODIFER BLVD. 620: Cyril B. Burck to Julie M. Hecker, $450,000.

COURTLAND AVE. 4404: Carol Murvis to Gladys Pineda, $400,000.

DIVISION ST. 1119: Carol A. Poche to Craig R. Pond, $250,000.

ELMEER AVE. 504: Olivia Leonard to Meaghan Lindsay, $420,000.

GIUFFRIAS AVE. 400: Edward W Hamberger to Jessica R. Messina, $229,900.

GLENDALE ST. 4713: Carl J. Thiele Sr. to Tracy Thiele, donation, no value stated

GLENN ST. 112: Allison M. Renn to Premium Rentals LLC, $1,240,000.

GREEN ACRES ROAD 4016: Forteco LLC to Megan H. Hingle, $320,000.

GRUNER ROAD 158: Msle LLC to Victoria Romaguera, $50,000.

ä See EAST, page 20

HALL AVE. 1805: Scott F. Mccants to Elena E. Washington, $167,500.

HESPER AVE. 436: Bancroft Property Investments LLC to Naf Cash LLC, $1,000,000.

HOLLYWOOD DRIVE 252: George R. Sumner to Louis M. Grossman, $970,000.

HOUMA BLVD. 713: Caroline Kelin to Hayley M. Yoskowitz, $215,000.

JANICE AVE. 4413: Abigail Merritt to Lawrence G. Brown, donation, no value stated.

JASPER ST. 4650: Dorothy Devall to Alicia Laborde, $335,000.

KAWANEE AVE. 7005: Margaret Kind to Hai H. J. Su, $179,550.

LILLIAN ST. 1027: Donna G. Caf-

REALESTATETRANSFERS

farel to Brandon J. Schroeder, $175,003.

LONDON AVE. 222: Monica F. Weiner to Lauren Williams, $89,900.

MARCIE ST. 6480-82: Oscar A. Rodriguez to Park Marcie Property LLC, $244,000.

MARGIE ST. 2604: Diane M. Mitchell to Bertucci Investment Group LLC, $150,000.

MASON SMITH AVE. 1421: Jennifer Fontenelle-wall to Margaret Zelaya, $205,000.

MELODY DRIVE 609: Vanessa R. Coleman to Ruiz Realty LLC, $175,000.

METAIRIE HEIGHTS AVE. 420: Kimberly L. U. Fall to Mlm Holdings LLC, $277,000.

MINNESOTA AVE. 2113: Roger Cuevas Jr. to Sarah Isreal, $320,000.

MULBERRY DRIVE 105: Mary A.

SHERRYL.OWEN CRS, GRI, SFR, ABR 228-760-2815 •228-822-9870 OWENSHERRYL@AOL.COM 2208 18TH ST,SUITE B, GULFPORT,MS39501 WWW.OWENANDCO.COM

$2,800,000 4Bed /5.5 Baths 6,118SqFt/2.1 acres Gorgeousviews,saltwater pool andspa, double garage anddoublecarport,and boathouse

Barkerding to Mary A. Barkerding, donation, no value stated.

N. ELM ST. 309: Aguirre Nilda Living Trust to Charles A. III Harrison, $380,000.

N. TURNBULL DRIVE 413-415: Diane Wiebelt to Gerald L. Howat, $245,000.

NORA ST. 6424: Six Thousand Four Hundred Twenty Four Nora St LLC to James J. Laborde, $100,000.

PALM VISTA DRIVE 3109: James L. Donovan Jr. to Laura A. Puente, $612,500.

PAPWORTH AVE. 27: Donna K. King to Dardel Properties LLC, $375,000.

PHOSPHOR AVE. 400-402: Laura Eberhardt to Victoria Rivas, $280,000.

PIKE DRIVE 4913: Carolyn Cazenave to Holly Walker, $316,000.

PURDUE DRIVE 5040: Gail Nick to

Carolyn Lano, $592,364.

RICKEY ST. 5729: Amanda K. Luman to Linda L. Delarca, $245,000.

RIDGEWAY DRIVE 3209: Joseph P. Austin to Shannon Hartley, $360,000.

RIDGEWOOD DRIVE 1005: Kahnhart Properties LLC to Yulia Bogdanov, $655,000.

RIVERSIDE DRIVE U581 6220: Qi Tse to Stephanie Chambliss, $60,000.

SENAC DRIVE 5101: Federal National Mortgage Association to Noelle D. Donald, $344,000.

SONFIELD ST. 4420: John J. Durio to Terry D. Camardi, $515,000.

TARTAN DRIVE 3624: Kh Flip LLC to Insi Diego, $297,000.

TARTAN DRIVE 4300: Russell T Rehm to Vincent A. Maenza Jr., $120,000.

THIRBA ST. 404: Alice Swick to

WEST JEFFERSON

n TRANSFERS FOR JAN. 17-31 AVONDALE

CAPITOL DRIVE 316: Restoration Nola LLC to Green Homes Rem LLC, $60,000.

HOMEPLACE DRIVE 4008: Dsld LLC to Daniel Berrincha, $268,265.

HOMEPLACE DRIVE 4016: Dsld LLC to Ida Vernessa, $277,550.

RUTH DRIVE 540: Edward D. Arnaud to Mi Group LLC, $100.

BARATARIA

MARRERO BLVD. 7575: Lisa A. F Foret to Leroy J. Foret Jr., dona-

tion, no value stated.

BRIDGE CITY

U.S. 90 1133: Jiang Holding LLC to Gx Property LLC, $100.

GRAND ISLE

LA. 1 3583: Poor Boys of Louisiana LLC to Boudreaux Real Estate LLC, $225,000.

PIRATES COVE MARINA 28: Krista M. Dykes to Evers Group LLC, $45,000.

VERLEY LANE 122: W. Luther Wilson to TJ Land & Dock LLC, $90,000.

W. CENTRAL AVE. 237: Anita H. Simmons to T Heyward, donation, no value stated.

Kristin Keller, $95,000.

THIRBA ST. 912: Cmn Investments LLC to Sur Properties LLC, donation, no value stated.

WADE DRIVE 5201: Us Bank Trust National Association to Stephanie Carmona, $565,000.

W. ESPLANADE AVE. 1500: Javis Hollins to Daniel Darden, $233,000.

ZENITH ST. 4833: Nathan J. Lansing to Vickie L. Nichols, $76,500.

RIVER RIDGE

IDLEWOOD PLACE 10120: Deborah Cross to Burk Property Investments LLC, $387,500.

JOEL AVE. 10104: Victoria M. Sadin to Empire Group LLC, $115,000.

UPSTREAM ST. 460: Catherine P. Kravat to Bridget F. Heymann, $540,000.

WALNUT LANE 192: G. Investments & Property Management LLC to Christopher Peck, $255,000.

GRETNA

11TH ST. 1032: Melinda Biddy to Jennifer Reed, $241,000.

11TH ST. 918: Randy L. Petty to Cityside Properties LLC, $122,640.

BRETT DRIVE 215: Terri Boudreaux to Quyen V C. Tran, $260,000.

CLAIRE AVE. 2700: Edward R. Bealer to Brandi L. B. Woods, donation, no value stated.

FAIRFIELD AVE. 395: Malayne Lulich to Alan C. Czop, $370,000.

HUEY P LONG AVE. 628, 630: Marc C. Doughtery to Gregory J. West, $525,000.

LAUREL AVE. 2133: Lester D. Cromwell to John D. D. Josil, $224,000.

LAWRENCE ST. 845: Ginger Rogers to Richelle Harvey, $268,000.

MASON AVE. 10: Jessica Y. Bodiford to James J. Jaycox, $241,000.

MICHELLE COURT 729: Jonathan Dang to Abdallah S. Hindi, $365,000.

PARK LANE 2465: Us Bank Trust Company National Association to Seven Thousand Two Hundred Downman Rd LLC, $141,000.

REALTY DRIVE 424: Halal Equities LLC to Halal Equities LLC, $468,000.

HARVEY

ASPEN DRIVE 3712: Nikita Bradley to Dominique W. Brown, $240,000.

DEERGLEN DRIVE 4013: Kim L. T. Nguyen to Angelian Dupart, $270,000.

FIFTH AVE. 725: Laurie J. Calato

REALESTATETRANSFERS

WEST

Continued from page 20

to United Brothers Properties Inc., $72,500.

KINGS ROAD 1543: Monique J. Williams to Aneury A. Marte, $104,000.

PAIGE JANETTE DRIVE 2429: Ken A. Cobette Sr. to Sidney Roussell, $210,000.

STALL DRIVE 2200: Quynh H. N. Nguy to Edgewater Directed Investments LLC, $199,000.

LAFITTE

GLORIA DRIVE JEAN 4846: Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC to Grannysairbnb LLC, $141,750.

MARRERO

544-46 ST. ANN ST. 540-42: Lori L. Hart to Stann Property Investments LLC, $240,000.

BARATARIA BLVD. 7575: Lisa A. F Foret to Leroy J. Foret Jr., donation, no value stated.

BENEDICT DRIVE 6557: Ernest Patterson to Javon B. Ballard, donation, no value stated.

EAST AMES BLVD. 4290: John Nugent to M Kenney, $230,000.

EAST AMES BLVD. 4920: John Nugent to M Kenney, $230,000.

EHRET PLACE 180: Paul L. Breaux Jr. to H Falgout, donation, no value stated.

GAUDET DRIVE 1224: Anh B. D Trinh to Megan Cooper, $168,000.

GIAISE ST. 2017: Paul J. Schubert to Joseph R. Lebouef, $125,000.

GLASCO DRIVE 5816: Brenda L. E. Couppe to Kent Larrimer, $48,750.

JAVEZ ST. 1623: Dsld LLC to Minh Pham, $257,750.

LIBERTY OAK DRIVE 4912: Yolande N. Sapia to Ashleigh Littell, $282,800.

LIBERTY OAKS DRIVE 4821: Pennymac Loan Services LLC to New Orleans Property Ventures Inc., $172,000.

MELROSE DRIVE 6: Charlotte S. Porter to Tina M. Sanchez, $490,000.

PAGE ST. 5148: Ursula L. Gifford to Scott M. Robichaux, donation, no value stated.

PARC HELENE DRIVE 924: Kim A. Stogner to Jordan R. B. Stricklin, $310,000.

QUINN DRIVE 2805: Truong Q. Dinh to Huynh L. Dinh, donation, no value stated.

RUE LOUIS PHILLIPE 6432: Carrington Mortgage Services LLC to Ans Homes LLC, $114,950.

SINSKEY DRIVE 1240: Cutina S.

Clayton to Cutina S. Clayton, donation, no value stated.

SPRIG DRIVE 2717: Thu T. T. Nguyen to Men E. T. Nuynh, $296,000.

VARNADO ST. 2740: Ljs Remodeling LLC to Nguyen T. Le, $257,000.

WESTBANK EXPRESSWAY 6850: Perinos Sam Seafood & Deli to Pa & Az LLC, $825,000.

TERRYTOWN

BRUCE AVE. 416: Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing to Adrien Dubois, $69,000.

CAROL SUE AVE. 1836: Carmen A. Ortiz to M Fuster, donation, no value stated.

HOLMES BLVD. 227: Horton Inc. Gulf Coast D. R. to Loyce M. N. Nyagechi, $310,900.

WESTWEGO

117 LAROUSSINI ST. 115: Real Estate Carrier LLC to First Equity Funding L.P., $450,000.

AVE. E 724: Gabriele L. R. Duncan to Blake D. Ronquille, donation, no value stated.

AZALEA DRIVE 416: Gaynell Green to Jade Cockrell, $219,000.

BRITT ST. 7845: New Orleans Porperty Ventures Inc. to Gunderson Homes II LLC, donation, no value stated.

FIFTH ST. 315: Monte J. Davidson Jr. to Brett A. Pellegrini, $189,000.

FOUR O CLOCK LANE 32: Anna Seifert to Jinnylynn Daigle, donation, no value stated.

OAK AVE. 636: Thomas M. Byrne III to Mcdonald Properties LLC, $48,000.

ST. TAMMANy

n TRANSFERS FOR JAN. 13-17

ABITA SPRINGS

HENRY CLAY AVE. 21120: Melissa J. Lemoine and Ginger J. Geiger to Kevin L. Watterson and Babette B. Watterson, $915,000.

MAPLE ST. 72066: Maple Street Cottages LLC to Frederic D Thomas and Kimberly C. Thomas, $150,000.

NEAR ABITA SPRINGS, PORTION OF GROUND: Christian B. Pierce and Tara T. Pierce to Chandler Adams and Madison Pierce Adams, donation, no value stated.

COVINGTON

ABITA RIDGE SUBDIVISION, PHASE 3B, LOT 61: Vanne Construction LLC to Richard V. Betbeze and Judith Betbeze, donation, no value stated.

CEDAR DRIVE 71225: Steven J. Kohn to 255 & 275 Florida LLC, $190,000.

CHRETIEN POINT AVE. 856: Scott Baustert to Ashley Baustert, donation, no value stated.

CYPRESS POINT DRIVE 4280: Watercross Development LLC to J P Huff Construction LLC, $150,000.

D ST. 70367: Milton R. Saba and Betty J. Miley Saba to LBL Real Estate LLC, $24,000.

DIVISION OF NEW COVINGTON SUBDIVISION, LOT 5, ALLEY, SQUARE 2302: 202 Properties LLC to GW. SJ Investments LLC, $375,000.

GABRIEL DRIVE 2119: DSLD Homes LLC to Matthew D. Chisholm and Melissa A. Chisholm, $338,815.

HICKORY DRIVE 34: Lauren

Huval Coxe to Johnye F. Bernard, $229,000.

I ST. 70432: Little Red School House of Covington Inc. to Ashley Bayer, $250,000.

LA. 437 77477: Daniel M. Holden to Angela B. Meyers, donation, no value stated.

LOUIS PRIMA DRIVE 90: 90 Louis Prima LLC to VKB Holdings LLC, $965,000.

MILITARY ROAD 74458: Susan Felker Family revocable living trust to Shamar Busby and Shekira Price Busby, $305,000.

N. ACADIA PARK LAND 516: Alexander M. Payloff Jr. and Fran B. Payloff to Lizabeth S. Gruber, $75,000.

N. BUCHANAN ST. 203: Earnestine Hartley to Joshua R. Dean and Laura West Dean, $268,000.

N. FLORIDA ST. 210: Rase Ventures LLC to SS Investments of Covington LLC, $915,000

NEEDLEPOINT LANE 1207: Bradley Kohl and Lisa Klarner to Christian H. Hahn Jr. and Susan Hahn, $629,500.

PINEY PLAINS LANE 553: Jessica D. Rushing to Alfred Moynan III, $259,000.

POLDERS LANE 1330: Crosscountry Mortgage LLC to Michael Ely, $232,220.

RED ADMIRAL DRIVE 3072: Darling Design Homes Inc. to Jeffrey M. Huth, $369,000.

SECOND ST. 70087: Succession of Maurice E. Rieffel Sr. and Evelyn F. Rieffel to Kathleen M. Houte, $150,000.

ST. JOHN DIVISION OF COVINGTON SUBDIVISION, PORTION OF GROUND: William H. Hiller testamentary trust III to Glenn E. Lala, $47,334. ä See TAMMANY, page 22

REALESTATETRANSFERS

TAMMANY

Continued from page 21

SYLVIA DRIVE 75665: Jordan M. Talley to Kimberly O. Seither, $250,000.

FOLSOM

NEAR FOLSOM, PORTION OF GROUND: Rodney U. Keating to Amanda Garner, donation, no value stated.

NEAR FOLSOM, PORTION OF GROUND: L&HB Properties Ltd. and succession of Larry B. Burns to Matthew J. Coyne, $300,000.

NEAR FOLSOM, PORTION OF GROUND: Weyerhaeuser Co. to Weyerhaeuser Forest Holdings Inc., no value stated.

LACOMBE

CREOLE ROAD 28190: Omar L. Duncan and Gina T. Duncan to Kaitlyn Duncan, donation, no value stated.

FOREST GLEN SUBDIVISION, LOTS 26, 27, SQUARE 23: Ernesto Abdo Sr. to Hector L. Chirinos, $26,000.

NEAR LACOMBE, PORTION OF GROUND: Walter G. Links Jr. to David Rivera and Tracy Walther Rivera, donation, no value stated.

ROUVILLE SUBDIVISION, LOT 18B: Kenneth Marshall and Tanisha Marshall to Willie J. Marshall Jr., donation, no value stated.

MADISONVILLE

BEDICO CREEK SUBDIVISION, LOT 977: Hearthstone Homes LLC to Angelle Madere Migliore, $490,000.

BLUE HERON LANE 517: Nest Custom Homes LLC to David White Jr. and Ann M. White, $524,500.

COVINGTON ST. 406: Gray and Graham Holdings LLC to Four Zero Six Covington LLC, $399,000.

FOX SPARROW LOOP 1144: BMI

Construction LLC to Peyton M. Bernell and Makensie Lyn Barbee Bernell, $449,000.

GUSTE ISLAND ESTATES, LOT 433:

GMI Construction Inc. to Jordan M. Talley and Chelsey L. Ryan Talley, $464,000.

MOSS POINT LANE 3057: DEPP

Construction LLC to Anthony F. Dennis and Allison B. Dennis, $389,000.

UPTON GREY COURT 508: Thomas Calvert to Jared Averill and Ashley Averill, $710,000.

MANDEVILLE

CENTURY OAK LANE 102: Gateway Property Investments LLC to NAF Cash LLC, $259,000.

CHATEAU SONESTA 373: RCF 2

Acquisition Trust to Marco Ramos and Brittany Picolo, $490,000.

EDGEWATER DRIVE 7145: Louis D. Hebert and Dana L. Hebert to Brandon M. Luckett, Kristen L. Luckett, Peter Y. Lu and Zoila V. Lu, $750,000.

EVERGREEN DRIVE 536: John R. Burks Williams and Laura L. Smith Williams to Rayond C. Serpas III and Lauren G. Serpas, $635,000.

JENNIFER COURT 1: Teresa M. Shriner to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, $240,000.

KINGS ROW SUBDIVISION, LOT 5, SQUARE 6: Bettina Dishon to Brand A. Dishon, donation, no value stated.

LOGAN LANE 1832: April Talley Ashmore to Sean McMahon and

Jeanette McMahon, $325,000.

MAGNOLIA LANE 429: Scott A. Wandler and Lesley M. Wandler to Zain N. Kassam and Aline M. Hernandez Kassam, $755,000.

MONTGOMERY ST. 1212: Audrea L. Hicks to Stephanie N. Bourgeois, $204,667.

MONTGOMERY ST. 740: Eleven Oaks LLC to Andrew Owen and Tiffni Owen, $155,000.

REMMY COURT 185, 191: Daniel J. Ciufl and Jessica L. Ciufi to Charles R. Broussard Jr., $390,000.

RIDGE COURT 2109: Timothy S. Eirich and Stacie H. Eirich to Robert H. Hoffman Jr. and Stephanie F. Hoffman, $330,000.

RUE BAYONNE 1235: William S. Pappas and Dianna G. Pappas to Brodie J. Trahan, $580,000.

STATE ST. 70349: Angela Suzanne Weeks to Lucas Rogelio Bradfute, $260,000.

TOWN OF MAILLEVILLE, LOT 6, SQUARE 52: Terry E. Engel to Yanda LLC, $50,000.

WINCHESTER CIRCLE 344: Michael E. Dupont to NAF Cash LLC, $687,000.

PEARL RIVER

CENTRAL AVE. 36456: Douglas W. Wallace to Sean P. Mcchesky, $40,000.

CHRIS KENNEDY ROAD, PORTION OF GROUND: James N. Strahan Jr. to Robert A. Ring Jr., $45,000.

NEAR PEARL RIVER, PORTION OF GROUND: Mary Karen O’Brien to Magdalena Hudowski, $55,000.

ZEREDA COURT 39224: DSLD Homes LLC to Lori Lea Beard, $311,350.

SLIDELL

APPLEWOOD DRIVE 316: Eugene

Seivers and Jennifer Seivers to Ryan Helwig and Alyssa Helwig, $150,000.

ASHTON PARC 155: Jarrod Douthitt and Tammy Douthitt to Douglas G. Toups, $342,000.

AUDUBON DRIVE 219: Marva S. Guillory to Eminent Investment Group LLC, $55,000.

BANKS VIEW ST. 1402: D. R. Horton Inc.-Gulf Coast to Juan Pablo Pol, Ramona Esquea-Boyer and Juan Pablo Pol Vasquez, $307,000.

BELLWICK BAY DRIVE 3393: D. R. Horton Inc. Gulf Coast to Jeremy M. Landers, $246,900.

BEVERLY HILLS SUBDIVISION, ANNEX NO. 1, LOTS 3, 4, SQUARE 3: Stone Properties #1 LLC to Black Bridge Group LLC, $16,000.

BLUEFIELD DRIVE 146: Paul E. Wood and Julie C. Wood to Tiffany Mitchell, $105,000.

CAMPBELL BUSINESS PARK SUBDIVISION, LOT 5: Grant W. Campbell and Cynthia A. Campbell to KTF Ventures LLC, $620,000.

CHANTILLY LANE 101, DIJON DRIVE 112: Christopher S. Barduca and Karly Chabreck Barduca to Thomas A. Bachot, $289,000.

CYPRESS BRANCH DRIVE 5294: Ashleigh N. Greathouse, Joshua Greathouse, Miley Greathouse, J’Noah Morgan and Nolan Greathouse Jr. to Renette Cook, donation, no value stated.

DELLWOOD SUBDIVISION, LOT 50: Evelyn McHenry Stanton to Crystal Parnell Faciane, donation, no value stated.

DELTA HORIZON DRIVE 5557: D. R. Horton Inc.-Gulf Coast to Danielle R. Bienemy, $290,459.

DELTA RIDGE AVE. 6672: D. R. Horton Inc.-Gulf Coast to David B. Wallace and Sashima A. Rivera, $379,900.

DIXIE CIRCLE 107: Malysa Weaver

to Timothy J. Pillsbury and Erika Jurkowski Pillsbury, $187,500.

EDEN ISLES SUBDIVISION, UNIT 1, LOT 104: Shirley L. Cazalot to JT Assets LLC, $50,000.

FORESTWOOD DRIVE 1320: Billie L. Garrett Semmes and Debra G. Garrett Levis to Claudia Nicol Sanchez, $55,000.

GAUSE BLVD. 2180: Theriot Holdings LLC, Manhattan Square LLC, Alred R. Blossman Jr. and Royanne H. Blossman to Cross Development CC Slidell LLC, $770,000.

HARBOR DRIVE 1490, UNIT 209: Corine H. Massicot to Northshore Family Homes LLC, $60,000.

HILLARY DRIVE 1454: Kenneth Thomas Mire to Steven D. Jeffrey and Hannah R. Scioneaux, $225,000.

KENT ST. 3911: Brittany Denise Afkarian to Mariel J. Jilifa Houha, $246,000.

LANDON DRIVE 316: Jennifer Dorion to Trevor Sansom, $338,000.

MELODY LANE 35445: E. J. Milligan Construction Co. LLC to Christopher Sims, $279,900.

MORROW DRIVE 133: Anderson Developments LLC to Dustin M. Lyons and Lauryn E. Lyons, $209,250.

NEAR SLIDELL, PORTION OF GROUND: George B. Dunbar II, Ladd D. Dunbar, Adelaide W. Benjamin and Edward B. Benjamin Jr. Trust to Wesley Hall and Lien Tran Hall, $160,000.

NEAR SLIDELL, PORTION OF GROUND: Samantha E. Overton to Maureen L. Garnica, $75,000. PORTSMOUTH DRIVE 511: Succession of Douglas R. Simmers to ZCE Three LLC, $87,500.

RIVIERA DRIVE 3901: Michelle J. Ritchie Williams to Hong Nguyen, $126,000.

TANGLEWOOD DRIVE 412: Roger B. Olivier and Judith C. Olivier to Jeremiah Johnson Enterprises LLC, $234,850.

WINBOURNE DRIVE 553: Maurice L. Bacon to Jennifer Dorion, $497,000.

WYNDHAM COURT 85: Donna Piontkowski Valent to Valerie Jean Hesse, $382,000.

SUN/BUSH

CRAWFORD ROAD 79323 A: Elsie Moore Witt to Clayton J. Tebbs, $315,000.

CRAWFORD ROAD 79418 A: Dupont Homes LLC to Joseph W Rogers and Michelle R. Rogers, $561,000.

NEAR BUSH, PORTION OF GROUND: L&HB Properties Ltd. to Jonathan F. Pursell and Amelia N. Pursell, $34,000.

TODAY IN HISTORY

By The Associated Press

Today is Saturday, Feb. 8, the 39th day of 2025. There are 326 days left in the year. Today in history

On Feb. 8, 1968, three Black students were killed and 28 wounded as state troopers opened fire on student demonstrators on the campus of South Carolina State College in Orangeburg in the wake of protests over a Whitesonly bowling alley The event would become known as the Orangeburg Massacre.

On this date:

In 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots was beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle in England after she was implicated in a plot to murder her cousin Queen Elizabeth I.

In 1693, a charter was granted for the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg in the Virginia Colony

In 1904, Japan launched a surprise attack on the Russian Navy at Port Arthur (now Dalian, China), marking the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War.

In 1910, the Boy Scouts of America was incorporated by William D. Boyce.

In 1915, D.W. Griffith’s controversial epic film “The Birth of a Nation” premiered in Los Angeles.

In 1924, the first execution by gas in the United States took place at the Nevada State Prison in Carson City as Gee Jon, a Chinese immigrant convicted of murder, was put to death.

In 1936, the first NFL draft was held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Philadelphia.

In 1960, work began on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located on Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Los Angeles.

In 1971, NASDAQ, the world’s first electronic stock exchange, held its first trading day

Today’s birthdays: Composer-

A

on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard honors New Orleans musical legend Fats Domino. Work began on the Los Angeles landmark on Feb. 8, 1960.

conductor John Williams is 93. Broadcast journalist Ted Koppel is 85. Actor Nick Nolte is 84. Comedian Robert Klein is 83. Actor-rock musician Creed Bratton is 82. Actor Mary Steenburgen is 72. Author John Grisham is 70. Hockey Hall of Famer Dino Ciccarelli is 65. Rock singer Vince Neil (Mötley Crüe) is 64. Basketball Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning is 55. Actor Seth Green is 51. Actor William Jackson Harper is 45. Actor-comedian Cecily Strong is 41. Hip-hop artist Anderson .Paak is 39. Professional surfer Bethany Hamilton is 35.

Friend feels forgotten after surgery

DearAnnie: I value your advice and would like your opinion. I recently had hip replacement surgery. I now have mobility issues and cannot perform many tasks that I could in the past. I cannot walk now without a walker. I had a friend who I thought was a close friend. We live about half a block from each other In the past, when she had surgery and was recovering from cancer treatments, I took her to the hospital, prepared meals and supported her She’s a widow with no family here in town. After my recent surgery, she didn’t visit or call. We have a mutual friend who had a birthday while I was recovering, and they went to lunch without inviting me. Before my surgery, I offered my friend a ride to church, but she declined, saying she liked to go early to have coffee. She didn’t offer me a ride. I had even taken her some fruit and vegetables shortly before my surgery. She invited me in and mentioned she was about to go eat with friends. She only invited me then because I happened to be there, but I declined since I had groceries in the car

She knew I was released and home from the hospital but only contacted me once. I would have enjoyed just visiting with her and having coffee. I can’t imagine why I haven’t heard from her. When other friends have asked her how I’ve been doing since my surgery, she’s apparently claimed she didn’t realize I’d already had my procedure. Later, when I was getting out and going places again, a group of our friends went out to eat. She called afterward to ask if she could stop by I told her I had a conflict because I was hurt she hadn’t asked me to join them in the meal. Was I wrong to feel this way? — Recovering and Forgotten

Dear Recovering: It’s likely your friend doesn’t realize how her exclusions and actions, or inactions, rather, have built up to be so impactful. Either way, intentional or not, your feelings are valid. It’s hurtful when it feels like the balance that friendship requires is uneven, especially when you are in a time of need.

The next time you two have some one-on-one time together, share how much you’ve missed her and how her lack of presence during your recovery has felt — especially given the effort you’ve made to support her in the past. It might feel a little awkward at first, but communication and honesty are two of your best

tools for getting your friendship back on track.

DearAnnie: My company has a back-to-office four days a week mandate this year. While it’s nice to have the in-person camaraderie, coworkers who are conspicuously ill are coming in and spreading their contagion. My company provides a generous two weeks of “occasional absence,” which may be used for sick days, doctors appointments and such.

No one says anything when people come in ill. I am now at home and sick. These coworkers are not heroes for coming in to work with their germs, but rather are selfish and inconsiderate. I feel I should say something to our office manager What do you suggest? — Sick of Sick Co-workers

Dear Sick: You’re absolutely right. Coming to work sick isn’t heroic; it’s harmful. Speaking to your office manager or human resources rep is definitely the way to go. Hopefully your feedback will turn into a companywide reminder that when people violate this rule, they seriously put others at risk — plus, it certainly doesn’t contribute to enhanced productivity or a more positive office mood.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@ creators.com.

FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL DEMOCKER

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DEAR ANNIE

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