The Advocate 02-14-2025 by The Advocate

2025 COLLEGE BASEBALL PREVIEW:

ADVOCATEADVOCATEA

Landry takes national spotlight

Governor promotes louisiana and himself amid recent events

BY TYLER BRIDGES staff writer

An elegant reception at the French ambassador’s residence. A White House bill signing. A fancy Washington Mardi Gras ball. An extravagant dinner at New Orleans’ City Park hosted by Saints owner Gayle Benson.

Flights on private planes of big campaign donors. A forum to promote investment in Louisiana. Forgoing a hotel in New Orleans during Super Bowl week for nights on a friend’s yacht. Watching the game in a Superdome suite with President Donald Trump.

Gov Jeff Landry had an eventful time over the past month, spent mostly in Washington and New Orleans, showcasing Louisiana — and himself.

Landry traveled at least four times to Washington to join with the crowd of conservatives trying to impress Trump and his inner circle.

“When you’re a governor promoting your state, you’re obviously promoting your own brand. I don’t know how he does one without the other. There’s no two ways about it.”

charlie cooK, publisher of the nonpartisan cook Political report

nor’s roles is to be the state’s chief salesperson.

“When you’re a governor promoting your state, you’re obviously promoting your own brand,” Cook said.

“I don’t know how he does one without the other There’s no two ways about it.”

In trying to gain favor with Trump and his inner circle, Landry has invited speculation about his political future.

LSU wins appeal over suspended professor

law school instructor again barred from classroom

BY ALYSE PFEIL staff writer

A state appeals court has halted a lower court’s ruling requiring LSU to return a tenured law professor to his teaching duties after the university suspended him from the classroom in January

The order from the Louisiana 1st Circuit Court of Appeal came Thursday, just two days after state district Judge Tarvald Smith late Tuesday night signed off on a preliminary injunction barring LSU from interfering with professor Ken Levy’s employment.

As part of his ruling, Smith ordered LSU to immediately reinstate the professor to teaching and refrain from violating his free speech and due process rights while Levy’s lawsuit against LSU played out.

LSU asked the appeals court to block the reinstatement, and it did.

“To the extent the district court issued a mandatory preliminary injunction, such injunction is stayed pending further order of this court,” the order from the 1st Circuit says.

Jill Craft, who is representing Levy in the lawsuit, said the order issued by the 1st Circuit isn’t clear as to which part of the lower court’s order is blocked.

ä see APPEAL, page 6A

La. schools tops in reading recovery report

ranks success in bouncing back after pandemic

BY ELYSE CARMOSINO staff writer

“He was visible and passionate. That gets people excited about visiting and hopefully makes them want to invest here,” said Lt. Gov Billy Nungesser

Said Jefferson Republican U.S House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Landry: “He was everywhere in town. I ran into him at so many stops.”

Charlie Cook, a Shreveport native who gained renown in Washington as publisher of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, said one of a gover-

Landry accompanied two cabinet secretaries during their visits to New Orleans to view security measures before the Super Bowl, and he hosted investors, business executives, elected ofﬁcials and public relations ofﬁcials at a pavilion erected by the state on Convention Center Boulevard.

The governor has pledged to serve his full term and is raising money for his reelection in 2027.

John Breaux, who spent more than 30 years in Congress split between the House and the Senate, guesses that Landry is positioning himself for a run as a MAGA-style candidate for president.

Others believe that the next logical step for Landry would be to run for Senate, although he has ruled out challenging Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, when he’s up for reelection next year Cassidy is already facing one Republican challenger, and others could jump in the race

ä see LANDRY, page 6A

Louisiana ends mass vaccinations

seasonal vaccine promotion banned by state surgeon general

BY EMILY WOODRUFF staff writer

Louisiana Surgeon General Dr Ralph Abraham sent an internal directive to state health workers Thursday ending long-standing mass vaccination efforts and banning staff from promoting seasonal vaccines, while publicly issuing a

letter criticizing the state’s COVID-19 response and public health institutions.

The letter was posted on the Louisiana Health Department’s website as the U.S. Senate voted to conﬁrm Robert F. Kennedy Jr a vaccine critic as Health and Human Services secretary Abraham’s message directed employees to avoid recommending vaccines and instead provide data and encourage residents to consult their health care providers. “Rather than instructing individuals to receive any and all vaccines LDH staff should communicate data regarding the reduced risk of disease, hospitalization, and death associated with a vaccine and encourage individuals to discuss considerations for vaccination with their healthcare provider,” Abraham wrote in his communication, obtained by The Times-Picayune.

ment

ä see ENDS, page 7A

Louisiana students led the nation in recovering from pandemic learning loss in reading and made the second biggest recovery in math, according to a new report. It also found that Louisiana is the only state where the average student has returned to pre-pandemic achievement levels.

Between 2019 and 2024, Louisiana students gained an average of one-ﬁfth of a grade level in math and nearly 30% of a grade level in reading, even as their peers in many other states fell further behind, according to the latest Education Recovery Scorecard. The report by researchers at Harvard, Stanford and Dartmouth tracks students’ progress in bouncing back from learning disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic

ä see SCHOOLS, page 6A

sTaFF PhoTo by chris GranGer

Gov. Jeff landry talks to the media inside the louisiana now Pavilion during super bowl festivities last week.

sTaFF File PhoTo by daVid GrunFeld louisiana surgeon General dr ralph abraham has put an end to mass vaccination efforts by state health workers.

ä Vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr sworn in as health chief PaGe 7a

Ex-Mississippi sheriff

going to federal prison

Former Hinds County interim sheriff Marshand Crisler has been sentenced to 21/2 years in federal prison for soliciting and accepting bribes during his unsuccessful 2021 campaign

U.S. District Court Judge Tom Lee sentenced him Tuesday for the two counts he was convicted of in November Crisler received concurrent sentences of 30 months in custody of the Bureau of Prisons, followed by three years of supervision and an order to pay a $15,000 ﬁne, according to court records.

Crisler faced up to 10 years in prison. He remained out on bond until his sentencing.

The court recommended Crisler to be assigned to the nearest facility to Jackson. Nearby federal facilities are in Yazoo City, Aliceville, Alabama, central Louisiana and Memphis.

Crisler was charged with soliciting and accepting $9,500 worth of bribes during his 2021 campaign for Hinds County sheriff in exchange for favors from a man with previous felony convictions and giving ammunition the man can’t possess as a felon.

The jury heard from several witnesses, including Crisler himself and Tonarri Moore, the man with past felonies and pending state and federal charges who the FBI recruited as an informant.

Parts of recorded conversations between the men, which Moore made for investigators, were played in court.

During several meetings in Jackson and around Hinds County in 2021, Crisler said he would tell Moore about investigations involving him, move Moore’s cousin to a safer part of the Hinds County jail, give him a job with the sheriff’s ofﬁce and give him freedom to have a gun despite prohibitions on Moore having one.

Crisler was found guilty after a three-day trial in Jackson. The jury took about two hours to reach a unanimous verdict for both charges.

NOAA, weather service

renaming Gulf of Mexico

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its ofﬁces, including the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service, will be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

All maps, nautical charts, websites and weather products will reflect the name change that is part of an executive order President Donald Trump signed focused on what the administration says is “restoring names that honor American greatness.”

“Work is underway to update the naming convention as quickly as possible,” a spokeswoman for the National Weather Service said in an email

On the NHC website, the new image of the Atlantic basin now shows the new label for the body of water known to brew up tropical activity and plague Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana Texas and Mexico.

The NHC’s daily tropical outlook, which through Wednesday still referred to the body of water as the Gulf of Mexico, shifted Thursday morning. It included a “Gulf of America Gale Warning” discussing a cold front that extended from the Florida Panhandle to just north of Veracruz, Mexico.

On Sunday, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced on X that the agency had updated its maps to reﬂect the change The following day, Alphabet Inc.’s Google announced it would make the change for U.S. users. Apple Inc. did so for U.S. users of its map product Tuesday and said it would eventually roll out the shift for all users globally

CORRECTION

In the preprinted Mardi Gras Guide inserted into subscribers’ home-delivered editions of The Times-Picayune | The Advocate today, information about the Krewe of MadHatters is incorrect. MadHatters will roll at 5 p.m. Feb. 22 on the Metairie parade route with the theme “Magic of Wonderland.” The Mardi Gras Guide regrets the error

Driver plows into crowd in Munich

30 injured; afghan man arrested

BY GEIR MOULSON associated Press

BERLIN A driver drove a car into a labor union demonstration in central Munich on Thursday injuring 30 people including children, authorities said. Officials said it was believed to be an attack.

The suspect, an Afghan asylumseeker, was arrested. The incident follows a series of attacks involving immigrants in recent months that have pushed migration to the forefront of the campaign for Germany’s Feb 23 election.

Participants in a demonstration by the service workers’ union ver di were walking along a street at about 10:30 a.m. when the suspect’s Mini Cooper overtook a police vehicle following the gathering, accelerated and plowed into the back of the group, police said.

Ofﬁcers arrested the suspect after ﬁring a shot at the car, deputy police chief Christian Huber said. Some of the victims sustained serious injuries. The car, with a battered front and a shattered windshield, was lifted onto a tow truck late Thursday afternoon after investigators inspected it among

debris including shoes.

The suspect was a 24-year-old Afghan asylum-seeker, police said. Bavaria’s state interior minister, Joachim Herrmann, said ofﬁcials believe the protest was likely targeted at random.

The state’s justice minister, Georg Eisenreich, said a prosecutors’ department that investigates extremism and terror was looking into the case.

Police said the man, who they added lived in Munich and had a

valid residence permit, was known to authorities from investigations in which he had been a witness because of a former job as a store detective.

“It is suspected to be an attack — a lot points to that,” Bavarian Gov Markus Söder told reporters at the scene.

Mayor Dieter Reiter said that children were among those injured.

The Munich incident comes three weeks after a 2-year-old boy

and a man were killed in a knife attack in Aschaffenburg, also in Bavaria. An Afghan whose asylum application was rejected was the suspect in that attack, which propelled migration to the center of the German election campaign. Germany’s main opposition conservative bloc, in which Söder is a prominent ﬁgure, has demanded a tougher approach to irregular migration, calling for many more people to be turned back at the border and for an increase in deportations. Curbing migration is also a core issue for the far-right Alternative for Germany, which polls put in second place behind the conservatives.

“This is more evidence that we can’t go from attack to attack and show dismay, thank police for their deployment,” Söder said. “This is not the first such act We are determined that something must change in Germany, and quickly.” Alternative for Germany’s coleader, Alice Weidel, posted on social network X: “Is this supposed to carry on forever? Migration turnaround now!”

Center-left Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government said it already has done a lot to reduce irregular migration, and that the opposition’s plans are incompatible with German and European Union law

Vance visits Dachau concentration camp

BY AAMER MADHANI associated Press

DACHAU, Germany U.S.

Vice President JD Vance visited the Dachau concentration camp memorial on Thursday, walking the solemn halls with a group that included a Holocaust survivor once held at the site of so much suffering and mass murder

His experiencing firsthand a powerful symbol of World War II came at a time of ongoing conﬂict in Europe. Vance on Friday has critical talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the three-year Russia-Ukraine war A light rain and sleet mix fell as the vice president and his wife, Usha Vance, spoke to a group of dignitaries near the concentration camp’s gate.

The couple then listened intently to details about the camp from its director and other museum ofﬁcials. Among those participating was 96-year-old Abba Naor, a Holocaust survivor who was held at Dachau.

“I’ve read a lot about the Holocaust in books,” Vance said. “But being here, and seeing it up close

Vice President Jd Vance and second lady usha Vance enter

in person, really drives home what unspeakable evil was committed and why we should be committed to ensuring that it never happens again.“

The second couple, holding hands, eventually moved inside to a long concrete room in front a large map plotting concentration camps. The area was Dachau’s administrative room.

They next saw the intake room, where those interred arrived at the camp. It included a series of museum cases filled with personal belongings of those who were held there, like watches and government ID cards.

“That’s where you started?” Vance said to Naor Vance laid a wreath with a red, white and blue ribbon stenciled with “We re-

Russia rejoices at Trump-Putin call; Zelenskyy rejects talks without him

BY BARRY HATTON, ILLIA NOVIKOV and DASHA LITVINOVA associated Press

Russian ofﬁcials and state media took a triumphant tone Thursday after President Donald Trump jettisoned three years of U.S. policy and announced he would likely meet soon with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a peace deal in the almost three-year war in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meanwhile, said he would not accept any negotiations about Ukraine that do not include his country in the talks. European governments also demanded a seat at the table.

Trump’s change of tack seemed to identify Putin as the only player that matters in ending the ﬁghting and looked set to sideline Zelenskyy, as well as European governments, in any peace talks The Ukrainian leader recently described that prospect as “very dangerous.”

Trump’s announcement created a major diplomatic upheaval that could herald a watershed moment for Ukraine and Europe.

Russian ofﬁcials and state-backed media sounded triumphant after Wednesday’s call between Trump and Putin that lasted more than an hour

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that the “position of the current (U.S.) administration is much more appealing.”

The deputy chair of Russia’s National

Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, said in an online statement: “The presidents of Russia and the U.S. have talked at last. This is very important in and of itself.”

The pro-Kremlin Russian tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda went even further and published a column stating in the headline that “Trump signed Zelenskyy’s death sentence.”

“The myth of Russia as a ‘pariah’ in global politics, carefully inflated by Western propaganda, has burst with a bang,” the column said.

In his first comments to journalists since Trump held individual calls ﬁrst with Putin and then Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian leader conceded that it was “not very pleasant” that the American president spoke ﬁrst to Putin. But he said the main issue was to “not allow everything to go according to Putin’s plan.”

“We cannot accept it, as an independent country, any agreements (made) without us,” Zelenskyy said as he visited a nuclear power plant in western Ukraine.

Trump also effectively dashed Ukraine’s hopes of becoming part of NATO, which the alliance said less than a year ago was an “irreversible” step, or getting back the parts of its territory captured so far by the Russian army Russia currently occupies close to 20% of the country

Some European governments that fear their countries could also be in the Kremlin’s crosshairs were alarmed by Washington’s new course, saying they must be part of negotiations.

member” and “United States of America” embossed in gold lettering at a large sculpture known as the Inter-

national Monument. Inaugurated in 1968, the monument was designed by Nandor Glid, who was persecuted as a Jew by the Nazis in his home country Yugoslavia and joined the resistance to Nazi occupation forces.

“I really am really moved by this site,” the vice president said in subsequent comments. He added, “It’s very important that it’s here, and it’s very important that those of us who are lucky enough to be alive and can walk around, can know what happened here and commit ourselves to do everything to prevent it from happening again.”

On Friday, Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are set to sit down with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. They’ll discuss Trump’s intensifying push for Ukraine and Russia to begin negotiations to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.

dPa PhoTo by maTThias balK

emergency services attend the scene of an accident after a driver hit a group of people in munich, Germany, on Thursday

associaTed Press PhoTo by maTThias schrader

the dachau concentration camp memorial site

Two La. executions set; nitrogen gas could be used

BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN and JOHN SIMERMAN staff writers

Louisiana has not executed anyone in 15 years. Now under a pair of death warrants signed this week, the state could soon execute two people back-to-back.

Judges in St. Tammany Parish and DeSoto Parish have signed death warrants to schedule executions for March 17 and March 18.

Judge Alan Zaunbrecher of the 22nd Judicial District Court signed a death warrant Wednesday for Jessie Hoffman, who was sentenced to death for the 1996 execution-style killing of Mary “Molly” Elliott. Hoffman was accused of raping Elliott, a 28-year-old advertising executive, in a remote area of St. Tammany Parish before killing her Hoffman’s execution date is set for March 18, according to the warrant. Collin Sims the district attorney for Washington and St. Tammany parishes, requested the warrant on Monday Hoffman’s defense team filed a motion to recall the warrant Thursday and asked to stay the execution pending the outcome of a long-pending challenge to the state’s execution methods. If his execution date holds, Hoffman could be executed by nitrogen gas. His execution is scheduled for one day after the ﬁrst scheduled execution in 15 years, of Christopher Sepulvado. DeSoto Parish District Attorney Charles Adams sought Sepulvado’s death warrant this week, and a judge signed off for his execution on March 17.

At 81, Sepulvado is the oldest of the 57 people on death row in Louisiana. He was convicted in the 1992 murder of his 6-year-old stepson, Wesley Allen Mercer Shawn Nolan, Sepulvado’s attorney says Sepulvado’s health has taken a bad turn and that he has been recommended for palliative care.

“This is really pretty outrageous that they’re moving forward with this execution,” Nolan said Thursday Sepulvado is “in a wheelchair and is dying.”

Nitrogen gas is untested in

Louisiana, Nolan added. The scheduled executions of Hoffman and Sepulvado are far from guaranteed. Their lawyers are expected to ﬁle a ﬂurry of state and federal challenges to both the state’s protocols and claims particular to each of their cases.

State Public Defender

Rémy Starns released a statement this week that criticized the decision to move forward on executions, saying that death penalty cases are expensive for the public. He said his ofﬁce has spent at least $7.7 million annually defending death penalty cases, which excludes additional costs from district attorneys’ ofﬁces, courts and law enforcement.

Starns said that while his attorneys “will zealously and vigorously defend the rights of each and every person facing execution,” doing so will diminish his ofﬁces’ resources.

“Resuming executions will undoubtedly increase the expenditure of every entity involved,” Starns said. “Its usage redirects state and local government resources that would be much better utilized in other areas that make communities safer The death penalty only serves to champion retribution.”

Legal challenges and a shortage of drugs used for lethal injection have left Louisiana’s execution chamber dormant since 2010, when the state killed death row prisoner Gerald Bordelon at his request. Last year, Gov. Jeff Landry and state lawmakers set about to change that, adding nitrogen hypoxia and electrocution to lethal injection on a new menu of execution methods for the state.

Alabama is the only state so far to execute someone with nitrogen gas and last week killed its fourth condemned prisoner using the method. On Monday, Landry announced that Louisiana has a protocol and is ready to join Alabama in carrying out an execution by gas.

Another Louisiana district attorney, Phillip Terrell of Rapides Parish, was denied in his request to secure an execution warrant calling

Judge extends stay of order pulling USAID staffers off job

BY LINDSAY WHITEHURST

and ELLEN KNICKMEYER associated Press

WASHINGTON A court order halting Trump administration plans to pull all but a fraction of USAID staffers off the job worldwide will stay in place for at least another week.

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols ordered the extension after a nearly three-hour hearing Thursday, much of it focused on how employees were affected by abrupt orders by the Trump administration and ally Elon Musk to put thousands of USAID workers on leave and freeze foreign aid funding.

The judge said he plans to issue a written ruling in the coming days on whether the pause will continue.

Nichols, a Trump appointee, closely questioned the government about keeping employees on leave safe in high-risk overseas areas. When a Justice Department attorney could not provide detailed plans, the judge asked him to ﬁle court documents after the hearing.

USAID staffers who until recently were posted in Congo had ﬁled afﬁdavits for the lawsuit describing the aid agency all but abandoning them when looting and political violence exploded in Congo’s capital last month, leaving them to evacuate with their families

The funding freeze and purge of top USAID officials meant agency staffers are now stranded in Washington, without homes or agency funding, and facing the loss of their jobs, staffers said in the afﬁdavits.

The judge handed the administration a setback last week by temporarily halting the plans that would have put thousands of work-

for Larry Roy to be put to death on March 19 Roy was convicted in the 1993 stabbing deaths of Freddie Richard Jr and Rosetta Silas at a home in Cheneyville. The judge, Lowell Hazel, at ﬁrst granted the death warrant for Roy this week, but then dismissed it as “null and void” after Roy’s attorneys argued he hadn’t yet exhausted his rights.

On Wednesday, Terrell again asked Hazel to sign a death warrant, according to the case docket, which shows Hazel denied the motion Thursday

Mixed views from victims Top state ofﬁcials, including Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill, have vowed to see the executions carried out and promised justice for families

“For too long, Louisiana has failed to uphold the promises made to victims of our State’s most violent crimes; but that failure of leadership by previous administrations is over,” Landry said in a news release Monday “The time for broken promises has ended; we will carry out these sentences and justice will be dispensed.”

Family members of victims have mixed views about whether perpetrators should be killed. During a special session on crime last year, some were vocal advocates of Landry’s push to see the executions through.

One was Wayne Guzzardo. Death row inmate Todd Wessinger was convicted of killing Guzzardo’s daughter, Stephanie Guzzardo, in 1995 inside the restaurant she managed. Guzzardo has fought for nearly 30 years for Wessinger’s sentence to be carried out, saying the

evidence in the case is clear and that Wessinger has had the chance to visit his family over the years, while he has to visit his daughter’s grave Meanwhile, Brett Malone, whose mother was killed in 2000, has pleaded for mercy for the death row inmate, Jeremiah Manning, convicted in his mother’s case. Malone has cited his faith as among his reasons to oppose Manning’s death sentence, saying the death penalty is “reactionary rather than proactive or reparative.”

Opposition mounts Opposition has also mounted from some members of the Catholic and Jewish com-

munities, who are gearing up to ﬁght the executions.

The Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, who opposed the state’s decision last year to expand execution methods, released a statement Thursday opposing the death warrants.

“We promote a culture of life, not death, in this great State we love,” the statement reads. “As bishops, we will continue to promote life from conception to natural death and work to end the execution of another human being.”

As Louisiana began to pursue nitrogen hypoxia as a new execution method last year, some Jewish leaders formed the coalition Jews

Against Gassing. The group plans to rally Feb. 17 in New Orleans to oppose the death warrants, according to a news release.

“The use of poison gas for state sanctioned execution unmistakably and immediately evokes for millions of American Jews horrific memories of the depravities our ancestors endured at the hands of Nazi Germany, when lethal gas was used to mass murder our people,” said Rabbi Phil Kaplan of Metairie’s Congregation Beth Israel.

Email Meghan Friedmann at meghan.friedmann@ theadvocate.com.

ers on leave and given those abroad only 30 days to return to the United States at government expense.

Two associations representing federal employees asked him to continue his stay, as well as suspend Trump’s freeze on almost all foreign assistance. The president’s pause has shut down almost all of the thousands of U.S.-funded aid and development programs around the globe, USAID workers and humanitarian groups say While the administration and Musk’s cost-cutting initiative, the so-called Department of Government Efﬁciency have taken aim at other agencies, they have moved most destructively against USAID, asserting without evidence that its work is wasteful and out of line with Trump’s agenda.

In a court filing, deputy USAID head Pete Marocco argued that “insubordination” made it impossible for the new administration to undertake a close review of aid programs without first pushing almost all USAID staffers off the job and halting aid and development work He did not provide evidence for his assertion.

USAID staffers, in court ﬁlings, have denied being insubordinate. They said they were doing their best to carry out what they describe as vague and confusing orders, some of which were said to come from a Musk associate and other outsiders.

Agency supporters told Democratic senators earlier this week that the shutdown along with other administration steps, including revoking USAID’s lease on its Washington headquarters — was really about eradicating USAID before lawmakers or the courts could stop it.

LANDRY

continued from page 1a

as well.

U.S. Sen John Kennedy, R-Madisonville, who will be 76 when his current term ends in 2028, has given no indication he won’t run for reelection.

Breaux said he doesn’t have any special insight into Landry’s thinking but added, “All politicians are always thinking about their political future.”

Landry dismissed suggestions that he is promoting himself.

“This is not Jeff Landry’s brand,” he said in an interview last month “My brand is Louisiana. How would it be about Jeff Landry and not be about the state?”

Landry traveled to Washington to tell members of the House Transportation Committee on Jan 15 that easing federal rules would generate new jobs and investment by allowing Louisiana to build infrastructure projects more quickly

Landry remained in Washington to ingratiate himself with the incoming Trump administration

But he skipped the inauguration on Jan. 20 to take an early morn-

ing American Airlines ﬂight back to Louisiana to oversee preparations for the historic snowstorm that covered the southern part of the state the next day His return to Louisiana meant that he missed two fundraisers in Washington that raised $1 million for his reelection campaign

With the state returning to normal, Landry ﬂew to Washington on Jan. 23 on a private plane owned by Boysie Bollinger, a business owner, Republican megadonor and philanthropist.

In Washington, Landry held the Bible while former South Dakota Gov Kristi Noem took the oath administered by Justice Clarence Thomas to become Trump’s secretary of homeland security

Landry also attended a national anti-abortion march and put on a tuxedo one night to join his wife and son at a Washington Mardi Gras ball.

Landry returned to Washington several days later to be with other Republicans governors at the White House as Trump signed an executive order calling for more taxpayer dollars for children to attend private schools.

Back in New Orleans at the beginning of Super Bowl week,

Plaquemines, Rapides, St. Tammany, Terrebonne, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana

Landry accompanied Noem one day and Attorney General Pam Bondi three days later as they viewed security arrangements.

In between, he returned to Washington on Feb 5 on the private jet of business owner Shane Guidry to attend a bill signing with Trump that bans transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports. The same-day trip meant that Landry missed that evening’s gala event in New Orleans, where Children’s Hospital was renamed Manning Family Children’s.

Two days later in New Orleans, he was interviewed on Fox News and on several national radio programs, telling Fox viewers, “We knew this was our opportunity to showcase not only for America but for the world what a great city New Orleans is.”

Landry would spend the three nights before the Super Bowl sleeping on a yacht docked on Lake Pontchartrain owned by Guidry, a megadonor and ﬁshing buddy

On Friday night, Landry hosted hundreds of political insiders and business owners at the Louisiana Now Pavilion, although several guests expressed surprise that he mostly stayed in a side room rather than mingle with the crowd. In

the side room were Donald Trump Jr and House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from northwest Louisiana.

In Washington and New Orleans, Landry relentlessly promoted what he says are his wins as governor: lower taxes, fewer government regulations, Meta’s plans for a $10 billion data center in northeast Louisiana, more school choice, improved education test scores and lower crime in New Orleans But he did not always tell the full story and sometimes took credit for the accomplishments of others.

Landry didn’t mention that an increase in state sales taxes offset much of the income tax reduction.

A week earlier, Landry held a news conference with schools chief Cade Brumley where he took a bow for gains in fourth grade reading that resulted from policies adopted by Brumley, former Gov John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, and the preceding Republicancontrolled Legislature.

Landry touted a sharp reduction in the crime rate in New Orleans after he installed the Troop NOLA team from State Police.

Jeff Asher, who lives in New Orleans but tracks crime statistics na-

tionally, noted that ﬁgures show violent crime in New Orleans began to drop in late 2022, more than a year before Landry became governor On Saturday night, the governor sat next to Gayle Benson at a glamorous party she threw at City Park that featured a rousing performance by Harry Connick Jr and his band. Others who sat at the head table included NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, media mogul Rupert Murdoch, Sen. John Kennedy and Archbishop Gregory Aymond.

On Sunday, he and his wife Sharon sat two rows behind Trump at the Superdome. Michael Hecht, the president and CEO of GNO Inc. who oversaw efforts to clean up New Orleans in advance of the Super Bowl at the governor’s behest, said Landry and Susan Bourgeois, secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, deserve credit for their efforts to promote the state to investors during Super Bowl week.

“This level of engagement is different from any previous Super Bowl in New Orleans, and I don’t know of any other state that has leveraged the big game for economic development to this extent,” Hecht said.

by analyzing reading and math test scores from every state over the past ﬁve years. Louisiana is the only state that’s stronger in reading now than before the pandemic and one of only two states, with Alabama, where math scores are back to pre-pandemic levels, according to the analysis. By contrast, students nationwide remain almost half a grade level below where they were before the pandemic in both reading and math.

“It really sets Louisiana apart,” said Thomas Kane, faculty director of the Center for Education Policy and Research at Harvard University and a co-author of the report.

The report comes just weeks after Louisiana’s 4th graders led the country in reading progress on a closely watched national test.

The researchers also identiﬁed 100 school districts across the country where students have recovered academically, meaning their reading and math scores have returned to or surpassed exceeded pre-pandemic levels. Thirteen Louisiana districts made the list: Ascension, Avoyelles, Bienville, Calcasieu, Lafayette, Lafourche, Natchitoches,

APPEAL

continued from page 1a

“I don’t know if it applies to a portion of it or all of it,” she said But Jimmy Faircloth Jr., who is representing LSU in the lawsuit, said the 1st Circuit is clear in stopping Smith’s order “dead in its tracks.”

“It relieves LSU of the obligation to return him to his teaching responsibilities,” Faircloth said Faircloth also noted that the appeals court has not yet issued a full ruling on the matter, and that will come at some point in the future. Thursday’s order is merely a “stay” that ensures LSU doesn’t have to return Levy to teaching LSU suspended Levy with full pay last month, saying it had received student complaints of inappropriate comments and was investigating. Audio recordings of

Terrebonne made the biggest reading gains among large school districts and low-income school districts nationwide.

Still, recovery has been uneven across Louisiana

The report shows that 46% of Louisiana students are in districts where average math scores last year remained below 2019 levels, and a quarter are in districts still behind in reading.

Racial achievement gaps also have grown, especially in math.

While White students now score above pre-pandemic levels in math, Black and Hispanic students’ math scores remain lower than they were in 2019

The report also states that rising student absenteeism hindered improvements. In Louisiana, 25% of students were chronically absent last year, up seven percentage points from 2019

“Louisiana’s academic progress reflects a focus on fundamental skills and strong educator support,” state Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley said in a statement. At the same time, “there are still too many Louisiana students who can’t read on grade level, can’t do basic math and who don’t attend school on a regular basis.”

a class lecture include Levy saying “f*** the governor” as well as “I can’t believe that f***** won,” referring to President Donald Trump.

Levy who has taught at the law school since 2009, sued the university over the suspension, arguing it violated his free speech and due process rights.

LSU has pushed back on both claims, defending its actions toward Levy as entirely within the bounds of law Its lawyers contend that due process entitles Levy to keep his job as a tenured professor, but not necessarily remain in class as an instructor during an investigation.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill early Thursday afternoon applauded the decision.

“I’m glad to see that the Court of Appeal paused this clearly improper order,” Murrill said in a statement. “This matter will proceed now in an ordinary course,

Now in its third year, the Education Recovery Scorecard provides the most detailed window available into students’ progress since COVID derailed student learning beginning in 2020.

The analysis looks at student scores on national and state tests from 2019 to spring 2024. To compare results across states, the researchers translated the scores using a scale that equates one grade level to one year of learning.

The report found that many Louisiana districts led the country in reading growth.

For example, students in Lafayette Parish grew 75% of a grade level in reading since 2019 — some of the biggest gains of any large school district in the country

Superintendent Francis Touchet Jr praised the district’s educators and students and credited the district’s strategy of using data to identify students who need extra support, such as small-group lessons. He also cited the district’s speedy return to in-person learning after the pandemic temporarily shut down schools.

“Face-to-face learning is essential to student growth,” he said.

Rapides Parish where 71% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch — was one of a handful of high-poverty districts across the country that managed

and I’m sure Professor Levy will get the process to which he’s due.” Gov Jeff Landry, who was the subject of one of Levy’s vulgar comments the first day of a law class this semester also weighed in.

“Good ruling out of the First Circuit this morning,” Landry said in a social media post at noon Thursday “Levy should stay far, far away from any classroom in Louisiana!” Landry’s comment came on the heels of another social media post he made Wednesday evening, one day after the district judge’s order that LSU reinstate Levy to teaching and not interfere with his employment.

On Wednesday, Landry posted a copy of a law school exam question Levy gave in his criminal law class during fall semester of 2022.

The exam is what’s known as a “hypothetical,” which poses a ﬁctitious scenario involving legal

to return to pre-pandemic learning levels. Nationally, low-poverty districts were much more likely to recover academically

Superintendent Jeff Powell said his district put much of the $90 million it received in federal pandemic aid toward learning recovery efforts such as intensive tutoring.

The resources helped “to not just mitigate any potential losses from the pandemic,” he said, “but also address some very dire academic needs for students” that existed previously

In Terrebonne Parish, where nearly 75% of kids qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, students improved by almost an entire grade levelinreading—outpacingallother large school districts in the country

Superintendent Aubrey “Bubba” Orgeron said his district used literacy screeners to identify struggling students and created a “targeted literacy class” to catch them up. He also praised the district’s teachers. “They do a tremendous job,” he said. The researchers found that districts that spent more federal aid on academic recovery tended to see bigger gains.

Louisiana received $4 billion in federal relief funds for K-12 schools, or about $5,700 per student. The national per-student average was $3,700.

problems that students must analyze and apply the law to.

The scenario presented by Levy in that exam includes a 17-yearold who during Halloween enjoys “penetrating his neighbors’ pumpkins with his genitals.”

It also includes three 11-year-old boys who were enticed into the home of a “suspected pedophile” and “powerful Republican” who asked the boys to take off their costumes and used his phone to record them dancing.

Landry in his social media post called Levy’s exam “deranged” and “disgusting and inexcusable behavior.”

“If tenure protects a professor from this type of conduct, then maybe it’s time to abolish tenure,” Landry said.

In court testimony earlier this week, Faircloth brought up the pumpkin exam question, criticizing the content as “shock-value graphics.”

Amid the state’s overall progress, disparities grew among some student groups.

For example, while White students in Louisiana improved by 27% of a grade level in math between 2019 and 2024, Black students declined by 12% of a grade level and Hispanic students lost 57% of a grade level, according to the report.

In reading, White and Black students both made gains, while Hispanic students fell further behind.

The achievement gap between poor and nonpoor districts also grew in math and reading. The report stated rising student absenteeism contributed to the disparities.

“A widespread rise in absenteeism is slowing the recovery, especially in high-poverty districts,” it states.

The researchers recommended that states, districts and even community leaders funnel more resources toward improving attendance, with efforts such as public awareness campaigns, student transportation support and more extracurricular activities to draw kids to school.

“Rather than place the responsibility for academic recovery entirely on school leaders’ shoulders,” the report states, “reducing absenteeism is one burden that others can help schools carry.”

Aside from a brief explanation by Faircloth, the full exam question was not presented or explored during testimony, and it wasn’t entered into evidence.

Nonetheless, when the pumpkin hypothetical was raised with a witness during testimony, Craft pointed out that law students may one day encounter public indecency crimes.

“Are they just supposed to ignore that because somebody, like, anybody else might ﬁnd that offensive?” Craft said, referring to the teaching of criminal law

While describing the rationale behind his ruling on Tuesday night, Smith, the district court judge, said he was “intrigued” by the exam question Faircloth raised.

Smith said such an exam “invites thought” and challenges students to get past their own personal and political views to arrive at an answer that can be debated.

Vaccine skeptic RFK sworn in as health chief

BY AMANDA SEITZ associated Press

WASHINGTON Robert F. Kennedy

Jr was sworn in Thursday as President Donald Trump’s health secretary after a close Senate vote, putting the prominent vaccine skeptic in control of $1.7 trillion in federal spending, vaccine recommendations and food safety as well as health insurance programs for roughly half the country

Nearly all Republicans fell in line behind Trump despite hesitancy over Kennedy’s views on vaccines, voting 52-48 to elevate the scion of one of America’s most storied political — and Democratic — families to secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Democrats unanimously opposed Kennedy

Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, who had polio as a child, was the only “no” vote among Republicans, mirroring his stands against Trump’s picks for the Pentagon chief and director of national in-

telligence.

“I’m a survivor of childhood polio. In my lifetime, I’ve watched vaccines save millions of lives from devastating diseases across America and around the world,”

McConnell said in a statement afterward. “I will not condone the re-litigation of proven cures, and neither will millions of Americans who credit their survival and quality of life to scientiﬁc miracles.”

The rest of the GOP however, has embraced Kennedy’s vision with a directive for the nation’s public health agencies to focus on chronic diseases such as obesity

“We’ve got to get into the business of making America healthy again,” said Sen. Mike Crapo, RIdaho, adding that Kennedy will bring a “fresh perspective” to the ofﬁce.

Kennedy — joined by his wife, other family members and several members of Congress was sworn in Thursday afternoon in the Oval Ofﬁce by Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, hours after

and fear

comment.

Parish health units will continue to stock vaccines, the document said, but the Health Department “will no longer promote mass vaccination.” Previous efforts across the state have resulted in thousands of ﬂu shots given in a single day, according to news reports.

The directive is the first time the instructions about vaccine promotion have been put into writing, according to multiple employees who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal. In recent weeks, the department has discouraged promoting flu, COVID-19 and mpox vaccines verbally, according to the employees and reporting from NPR.

While much of Abraham’s public-facing letter focused on the state’s response to the pandemic and the erosion of trust in public health authorities, he took aim broadly at what he called “promotion of speciﬁc pharmaceutical products.”

“Perhaps there are some treatments that every human being should take, but they are few and far between, and things that are good generally don’t have to be pushed by the government,” Abraham, a family physician, wrote in the letter also signed by Deputy Surgeon General Wyche T. Coleman, an ophthalmologist.

In New Orleans, City Council President Helena Moreno filed a resolution Thursday after hearing testimony from the city Health Department to support the distribution of vaccine information and continue to help New Orleans residents get inoculated.

Moreno said the state has some of the highest rates of ﬂu, and also has high rates of chronic disease, which make it more likely a seasonal illness could have lasting effects.

“When you get a ﬂu or COVID vaccine, you may still

get ﬂu or COVID, but your level of illness will be lessened and (that’s) potentially lifesaving,” Moreno said The timing of Abraham’s announcements coincided with the confirmation of Kennedy as leader of the nation’s health agencies.

In 2021, Kennedy appeared before the Louisiana Legislature as a guest of then-Attorney General Jeff Landry and falsely claimed that the COVID-19 vaccine was “the deadliest vaccine ever made.”

In a hearing ahead of his confirmation, Kennedy walked back his previous anti-vaccine stance, saying he vaccinated his own children and would not prevent or discourage people from taking the polio or measles vaccines, though he refused to say that vaccines do not cause autism.

After struggling with voting to conﬁrm Kennedy U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, offered his support after assurances from Kennedy that he would not dismantle the nation’s vaccine systems or take down the government’s vaccine guidance. Cassidy a physician, also said Kennedy has pledged not to change vaccine policy without approval from the Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions, which Cassidy leads.

The developments have sparked concern among pediatricians and public health experts.

It’s not unusual for parents to be skeptical about vaccines, said Dr Margot Anderson, a New Orleans pediatrician board-certiﬁed in infectious disease It’s hard for the average person to understand why they would take a healthy child and give them a shot if they’ve never seen an infant die of whooping cough for example, a relatively rare occurrence in the U.S But what’s new is that skepticism is now being shared widely by America’s health leaders, she said. Inconsistent messaging can introduce more confusion

confirmation. He said he’d first been there in 1961, and told stories of seeing his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, there as a child.

Trump announced that Kennedy will lead a new commission on making America healthy again, and Kennedy said Trump has been a blessing in his life and will be for the country, calling him a “pivotal historical ﬁgure.”

Kennedy, 71, whose name and family tragedies have put him in the national spotlight since he was a child, has earned a formidable following with his populist and sometimes extreme views on food, chemicals and vaccines.

His audience only grew during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Kennedy devoted much of his time to a nonproﬁt that sued vaccine makers and harnessed social media campaigns to erode trust in vaccines as well as the government agencies that promote them.

With Trump’s backing, Kennedy insisted he was “uniquely positioned” to revive trust in those

Anderson noted that Louisiana had a case of measles last year, and said she’s seeing more cases of whooping cough, which is especially dangerous for infants and preventable through vaccination.

“I fear that we will be seeing many more of these diseases,” said Anderson.

In his letters to employees and the public, Abraham emphasized that medical decision-making should take place between doctors and patients, not public health agencies.

Many people in Louisiana do not have primary care providers, said Susan Hassig, an infectious disease epidemiologist and professor emerita at Tulane University’s School of Public Health. Even if they do, they might see a different doctor every time they get care.

“They go to an urgent care or a clinic,” said Hassig. “In Louisiana, they go to the emergency room.”

Abraham said that cancer screenings, substance abuse treatment, mental health disorders, chronic disease rates and maternal and infant mortality have been ignored by public health departments “still stuck in pandemic-response mode.”

He said that those issues would be the focus of the Health Department moving forward.

“Much of the solution will likely come down to the usual hard work of improving diet, increasing exercise and making better lifestyle choices,” Abraham said.

Shifting all vaccinations, or even conversations about lifestyle, to physicians won’t work for most health care practices that are strapped for time, Hassig said.

“Physicians are functioning on a level where they barely have time to make sure they’ve got the right patient name and do a few basic assessments,” said Hassig. “If every single person had to go to a private physician to get vaccinated, for most patients, they’re not going to do it.”

public health agencies, which include the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes for Health.

Last week, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said he hoped Kennedy “goes wild” in reining in health care costs and improving Americans’ health. But before agreeing to support Kennedy, potential holdout Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, a doctor who leads the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, required assurances that Kennedy would not make changes to existing vaccine recommendations.

During Senate hearings, Democrats tried to prod Kennedy to deny a long-discredited theory that vaccines cause autism. Some lawmakers also raised alarms about Kennedy financially benefiting from changing vaccine guidelines or weakening federal lawsuit protections against vaccine makers.

Kennedy made more than $850,000 last year from an ar-

rangement referring clients to a law ﬁrm that has sued the makers of Gardasil, a human papillomavirus vaccine that protects against cervical cancer If confirmed as health secretary, he promised to reroute fees collected from the arrangement to his son. Kennedy will take over the agency in the midst of a massive federal government shake-up, led by billionaire Elon Musk, that has shut off even if temporarily — billions of taxpayer dollars in public health funding and left thousands of federal workers unsure about their jobs.

On Friday the NIH announced it would cap billions of dollars in medical research given to universities and cancer being used to develop treatments for diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s. Kennedy, too, has called for a stafﬁng overhaul at the NIH, FDA and CDC. Last year he promised to ﬁre 600 employees at the NIH, the nation’s largest funder of biomedical research.

N.Y. governor rejects La. extradition

signed an order that

BY MATT BRUCE staff writer

Shortly after receiving an extradition request Thursday from Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry, New York’s governor ﬂatly rejected it, saying “not now not ever,” will she send a family doctor to this state to face criminal charges for allegedly prescribing abortion pills online Allen cal state to state Dr pe is of

THE FLOWER OF LOVE

LEFT: macy heroman, left, hands a bouquet to customer anthony holmes as he picks up his order ahead of Valentine’s day at original heroman’s Florist on Thursday. BELOW: customer John Power shares a laugh with employee danielle bonaventure as she rings up his flowers for a Valentine’s day gift at original heroman’s Florist on Thursday. sTaFF PhoTos by JaVier GalleGos

Housingdevelopment proposal advances

BY HALEY MILLER staff

Two

schools

close in suburban BR

baker sites both had ‘F’ ratings

BY CHARLES LUSSIER staff writer

The city of Baker is closing its two “F”-rated public schools and placing them under the control of its highest performing school, the K-8 Park Ridge Academic Magnet School. The closures, approved Wednesday by the board that oversees this suburban Baton Rouge school district, are the latest salvo in a push by Louisiana education leaders to drastically reduce the number of schools earning “F” academic letter grades. City of Baker School Board members acted despite receiving letters Tuesday and Wednesday urging them to stop. The letters were sent after Baker released the agenda for Wednesday’s special meeting. They were from Pam Schooler, who leads the Recovery School District, the arm of the Louisiana Department of Education that takes over and tries to turn around “F” schools. “With this letter we hereby request that the City of Baker School District cease and desist from any and all actions to merge Baker Heights and Baker Middle School into a single K-8 school,” Schooler

than a third of their disposable income in rent. When asked about the change, he declined to comment.

“He said something entirely different from what he’s trying to sell to y’all right now,” Port Allen resident Maggie Edward said. “And that bothers me.”

Resubdivision passes

The majority of the council agreed to resubdivide. Council member Gary Hubble, who has expressed concerns about additional traffic brought by the development, voted no. That frees up approximately 8 acres for the new houses if the city sells the land to Rowanoak and the plan moves forward. The decision overrode the vote of the Planning and

Zoning Commission Lance Joseph, chief administrative officer of Port Allen, said the commission’s rejection of the proposal partly stemmed from opposition to development in general. “Ultimately, I think it just came down to some folks who don’t want any development, some people who didn’t want it to be rental and some people who had issues relative to the market value that was expressed by the developer,” Joseph said.

Several residents have suggested that the land should instead be used to build a new wastewater treatment plant. Clerice Lacy, a resident and former council member, said the housing proposal does not meet the city’s needs.

“This project has not been supported by the constituents, the planning and zoning board, real estate agents or the previous municipality,” Lacy wrote in a message to The Advocate.

“Why support the project now?”

The proposed development, funded by state and federal grants for disasterresilient affordable housing, would bring 44 freestanding houses for rent to Port Allen.

According to a market feasibility analysis for the Louisiana Housing Corporation, the project will target low- to moderate-income families, with certain units reserved for tenants

at 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% area median income. Before Rowanoak can build, the land must be appraised, and then the city can sell.

“No development of this magnitude is going to be financed without multiple studies and a lot of work to verify that the property is suitable,” Joseph said.

Email Haley Miller at haley.miller@ theadvocate.com.

EXTRADITION

continued from page 1b

is an essential right,” Hochul, the state’s ﬁrst female governor, told reporters in her New York City ofﬁce.

“Louisiana has changed their laws, but that has no bearing on the laws here in the state of New York,” Hochul said. “Doctors take an oath to protect their patients. I took an oath of office to protect all New Yorkers, and I will uphold

SCHOOLS

continued from page 1b

wrote in her Wednesday letter Schools Superintendent

J.T Stroder said those letters are the first communications he’s had with the state since December and said it’s not for lack of trying on his part to communicate. He said he submitted required reconfiguration plans for both schools in September and then revised them in November, but the state has sat on the plans the whole time without saying whether they pass muster

“We have heard nothing,” Stroder said.

After the meeting, a spokesperson for the state education agency released a list of 22 times that it and Baker school ofﬁcials communicated since late August, doing so in writing, orally as well as two face-toface visits with each other As Stroder said, though, the last formal written communication, before this week’s meeting, was Dec. 12 Four more communications during that two month stretch

BLOTTER

continued from page 1b

juveniles. The tip was from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Detectives identified 38-year-old Kyle Hatch, of Los Alamos, New Mexico, as the owner of the social media account they were investigating. After obtaining arrest warrants, Los Alamos Police Department detectives took Hatch into custody He was then extradited back to Louisiana and booked in the Livingston Parish Detention Center

A juvenile victim involved in the case lives in Livingston Parish, according to LPSO. The LPSO along with its Internet Crimes Against Children task force often receives tips from the same national agency and works outside parish lines frequently In 2024, the task force held investigations in 24 different states and ﬁve countries, according to LPSO spokesperson Lori Steele.

Sheriff Jason Ard said after further investigation more charges, including distribution of pornography involving children under the age 13, were added. His bond is $500,000 and the investigation is ongoing, according to the Sheriff’s Ofﬁce.

Crash leaves one dead, another injured

One person is dead and another injured after a multicar crash early Thursday

Yerin Nahin Lobo-Urbina, 22, was later identified by the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Ofﬁce as the man killed in the wreck.

East Baton Rouge Parish deputies responded to the

not only our constitution, but also the laws of our land. And I will not be signing an extradition order that came from the governor of Louisiana. Not now, not ever.”

Hochul’s refusal sets the stage for state prosecutors in Louisiana to seek a writ of mandamus in U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana, where they could ask a federal judge to order Carpenter’s apprehension on the national arrest warrant, over the objections of New York au-

were with individual Baker School Board members. On Jan. 30, Stroder had a brief email exchange with Schooler For parents in Baker, the closures will mean little immediate change. Park Ridge, Baker Heights Elementary and Baker Middle already share space on two campuses that abut each other on Groom Road. Putting them all under the control of the highest performing school in the bunch, however, means the state can’t take control of those campuses and hand them over to a charter school as has occurred in the past.

“If you don’t have the school in operation, there’s nothing for (the state) to take over,” said Brandon Decuir, attorney for the board that oversees this suburban Baton Rouge school district. The city of Baker School Board also voted to change the official addresses to Baker Heights and Baker Middle to campuses that are not currently operating schools. All votes taken Wednesday passed by 3-2 margins Board members Clara Joseph and Linda Perkins both voted no.

scene around 6:20 a.m. at the intersection of O’Neal Lane and Woodwick Avenue

According to statements given to the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Ofﬁce, a vehicle was turning left onto Woodwick Avenue when a second vehicle approached from behind and struck its rear passenger side, causing the first vehicle to strike a third car

thorities. It’s not known if or when Louisiana authorities will go into federal court to seek a forced extradition of Carpenter, who was indicted Jan 31 by a West Baton Rouge Parish grand jury

Landry’s bid for extradition and the speedy refusal from Hochul were the anticipated next steps, in what is shaping up to be a protracted legal ﬁght to force Carpenter into a Louisiana courtroom to face criminal charges. It’s a scrap between leaders in

Last year, two north Louisiana school districts closed schools at the behest of state Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley Caddo Parish schools closed two “F”-rated elementary schools, handed a third “F” school over to a charter school group and made a variety of changes at other low-performing schools. Grant Parish, located northwest of Alexandria, closed an “F”-rated elementary school.

East Baton Rouge Parish has 12 “F”-rated schools. It recently closed three of them, all charter schools. The district is planning to close more schools later this spring, likely including more “F”-rated schools. After the current school year ends in May the Baker school district will have just two schools left in operation: Park Ridge and Baker High Baker Heights Elementary and Baker Middle have been in the crosshairs of the state since last summer Both schools have had “F” academic letter grades for four years in a row, making them candidates for state takeover Park Ridge, located at 5905 Groom Road and home

stopped at a trafﬁc light on Woodwick.

A bystander pulled the man from the ﬁrst vehicle, who was pronounced dead on the scene. Another passenger was taken to a local hospital and is being evaluated.

No one in the other vehicles reported injuries. The crash remains under investigation.

the respective red and blue states that has played out live and on social media along political battle lines surrounding the hot-button abortion issue

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, the state’s top prosecutor, has been in lockstep with Landry, her Republican predecessor in championing Carpenter’s indictment as critical enforcement of the state’s abortion ban. Providing an abortion including abortion medication, has been banned in

to about 100 students, will grow to almost 600 students from prekindergarten to eighth grade. It has a “C” letter grade.

Baker High will remain the district’s lone high school with less than 400 students in grades nine to 12. The high school’s 3200 Groom Road campus was closed in 2016 due to ﬂooding and did not reopen until last year after the completion of a $23.4 million renovation. It has a “D” letter grade.

Baker city schools collectively educate around 1,000 students, making it the fourth-smallest district in Louisiana Enrollment has declined 24% compared with 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the district has grown the past two years. Ninety-three percent of Baker students are

Louisiana since the summer of 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade with its Dobbs v. Jackson ruling. West Baton Rouge prosecutors said Carpenter, 55, illegally sold mifepristone pills online to the mother of a pregnant Port Allen teenager The mother subsequently allegedly coerced the teen to take the pills that caused her to have a miscarriage ending her pregnancy according to the indictment.

Both Carpenter and the

considered “economically disadvantaged” and 87% are Black.

Stroder said he will proceed internally with much of the restructuring plan he submitted to Brumley in November

“This consolidation will enable us to concentrate resources and efforts under one central administration to maximize operational and instructional efficiency,” Stroder wrote to Brumley then. “The district will hire a highly qualiﬁed transformational leader to lead this redesigned campus.”

Stroder said the teachers with “consistent success on state assessments” will be retained, while all other teachers and administrators will need to reapply for their jobs. The school district also will seek out “top-tier candidates” for vacancies, as well

teen’s 39-year-old mother were charged with criminal abortion by means of abortion-inducing drugs. It’s a felony punishable by one to ﬁve years in prison. The mother turned herself in days after the indictment in West Baton Rouge and was released on $50,000 bond. She’s slated to appear in court March 11, according to West Baton Rouge Parish court records.

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

as new positions such as instructional coaches and social workers, he wrote. To finance the improvements, Stroder is calling for a new round of Central Ofﬁce staff cuts.

Email Charles Lussier at clussier@theadvocate. com.

BUSINESS

THEADVOCATE.COM/news/business

BRIEFS

International Paper to close Campti facility

International Paper’s Red River containerboard mill in Campti will close permanently this spring as part of the company’s effort to streamline its footprint.

The Natchitoches Parish facility is one of four facilities the ﬁrm announced Tuesday that it will close.

According to Communications Manager Amy Simpson, about 450 employees will be impacted by the closure

A news release from the ﬁrm said that employees will receive outplacement assistance, access to mental health support resources and severance beneﬁts where possible.

The Red River containerboard mill closure is expected to reduce the company’s containerboard capacity by approximately 800,000 tons on a yearly basis.

Wall Street rallies after yawning at tariff threat

U.S. stocks rallied to the brink of a record Thursday after more companies reported fatter profits than expected. Wall Street mostly yawned, again, at the latest announcement on tariffs by President Donald Trump, which may not take full effect for at least several weeks

The S&P 500 climbed to pull within 0.1% of its all-time high set last month The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained and the Nasdaq composite jumped MGM Resorts International leaped to one of the market’s biggest gains, 17.5%, after reporting stronger proﬁt for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It cited growth in China and said trends are looking up for its Las Vegas and North American digital businesses.

Other companies reporting better proﬁt than expected included GE HealthCare Technologies, which rose 8.8%, Molson Coors Beverage, which gained 9.5%, and Robinhood Markets, which jumped 14.1%.

Such reports, along with a remarkably solid U.S. economy, have kept U.S. stocks near their records. A report on Thursday said fewer U.S. workers applied for unemployment beneﬁts last week, the latest signal of a ﬁrm job market.

Cocoa costs make hearts shudder

Valentine chocolates always seek to show how deep your love is. This year, it might just also show how deep your pockets are. With the price of cocoa beans setting unprecedented records on the commodities market, it will certainly turn the gift of love into a bigger ﬁnancial commitment than it once was. Turns out that if love is reputed to be eternal, a low price for cocoa, the essential ingredient in chocolate, is not.

“The price increase of cocoa is absolutely spectacular now for 2, 21/2 years,” said Philippe de Sellier, the head of both Leonidas and Belgian chocolate federation Choprabisco. When it stood at less than $2,000 a ton in the summer of 2022, it really took over early last year and peaked at well over $12,000 during the Christmas season and has been hovering around the $10,000 mark since.

Nexus Louisiana finds new CEO

board votes to enter negotiations with local software executive

BY TIMOTHY BOONE business editor

Nexus Louisiana has found its new head, after being without a permanent president and CEO for almost 3 years.

The Nexus Louisiana board voted Thursday afternoon to enter into negotiations with Tony Zanders, a local software executive, to head up the nonproﬁt business development organization.

Zanders said he will accept the

job. While he’s still working out the particulars he said the plan is to start around Mardi Gras.

Nexus Louisiana has a unique opportunity to expose and connect disparate talent from LSU, Southern University and Baton Rouge Community College with opportunities to develop, he said.

“All across our schools, we have students learning engineering and how to write code,” Zanders said “But maybe they haven’t seen the connection yet on how to use those skills to impact industries and solve critical problems.” The plan is to lean into emerging technology such as robotics and virtual reality Zanders is a native of New Or-

leans who founded Baton Rougebased Skilltype Inc., a software platform that allows libraries to develop and share expertise.

More than 200 libraries, archives and museums across the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia and Israel use Skilltype, according to the company’s website.

Before starting Skilltype, he was the ﬁrst entrepreneur in residence for Boston University Libraries

Nexus Louisiana was originally a subsidiary of Research Park Corp., concentrating on connecting growth-focused companies to capital, resources and talent. But in 2020, Research Park was rebranded as Nexus Louisiana. Genevieve Silverman stepped down as president and CEO in June 2022 after ﬁve years of leading the organization. Calvin Mills was interim head of Nexus Louisiana until the end of 2024.

Zanders has served as a coach and entrepreneur mentor for Nexus Louisiana and Idea Village. He earned a bachelor’s in philosophy and English from Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania. Zanders and David Collins, a Canadian management consultant who has worked with Innovate Mississippi, were the two ﬁnalists for the Nexus Louisiana job. Both were in Baton Rouge this week for in-person interviews.

Email Timothy Boone at tboone@theadvocate.com.

January wholesale prices up a hot

0.4%

inflation fight appears to have stalled

BY PAUL WISEMAN aP economics writer

WASHINGTON U.S. wholesale prices came in hotter than expected last month with progress against inﬂation appearing to have stalled, further undercutting expectations for lower interest rates this year

Economists and ﬁnancial markets fear President Donald Trump’s policies will push inﬂation higher yet. His tariffs on foreign goods and plans to deport millions of undocumented workers could translate into higher prices and on Thursday, Trump said that he’ll sign an order that increases U.S. tariffs to the rates other countries charge on imports.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that its producer price index — which tracks inﬂation before it reaches consumers — rose 0.4% from December and 3.5% from January 2024. The monthly increase was down from an upwardly revised 0.5% in December, and the year-over-year uptick matched December’s.

But forecasters had expected a 0.2% change month over month and 3.2% year over year

Excluding volatile food and energy prices, so-called core producer prices rose 0.3% last month from December and 3.6% from a year earlier

Wholesale services prices rose 0.3%, pushed higher by increasing hotel costs. Goods services climbed 0.6% on higher energy prices, including a 10.4% in the price of diesel fuel.

associaTed Press File PhoTo by daVid ZaluboWsKi shoppers guide their carts through the milk display in a costco warehouse in sheridan, colo. u.s. wholesale prices came in hotter than expected last month with progress against inflation appearing to have stalled, further undercutting expectations for lower interest rates this year

Wholesale food prices jumped 1.1% in January as the cost of eggs rocketed up 44%, reflecting the impact of bird flu. The wholesale price report arrived a day after the Labor Department delivered some bad news about inflation at the consumer level. Its consumer price index rose 3% in January from a year ago, up from a 2.9% year-overyear increase in December Wholesale prices can offer an early look at where consumer inflation might be headed. Economists also watch it because some of its components, notably health care and financial services, flow into the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge the personal consumption expenditures, or PCE, index.

Despite the higher-than-expected wholesale price increase, Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics wrote in a commentary “The components that feed into the Fed’s preferred PCE price measure were, on the whole, very tame,” including modest changes in some health care prices.

Inﬂation ﬂared up in early 2021 as the economy rebounded with unexpected strength from COVID-19 lockdowns, overwhelming factories, ports and freight yards and leading to shortages, delays and higher prices.

Japanese automakers end collaboration talks

honda, nissan and mitsubishi had mulled joint holding company

BY YURI KAGEYAMA aP business writer

TOKYO Japanese automakers Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi said Thursday they are ending talks on business integration.

Nissan Chief Executive Makoto Uchida said the talks had changed focus from setting up a joint holding company to making Nissan into a subsidiary of Honda.

“The intent was to join forces to win in the global competition, but

this was not going to realize Nissan’s potential, so I could not accept it,” he told reporters. He said that Nissan was going to aim for a turnaround without Honda instead.

Honda Chief Executive Toshihiro Mibe said in a separate news conference that Honda had suggested a stock swap to speed up decisionmaking.

“I am really disappointed,” Mibe told reporters. “I felt the potential was great, but I also knew actions that would bring pain were necessary to realize that.”

The automakers ended their agreement on considering a structure for a collaboration, according to a joint statement. The decision was passed by board meetings at each of the companies.

Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Corp. announced in December that they were going to hold talks to set up a joint holding company Mitsubishi Motors Corp. had said it was considering joining that group. From the start, the effort had analysts puzzled as to the advantages to any of the companies, as their model lineups and strengths overlap in an industry shaken by the arrival of powerful newcomers like Tesla and BYD, as well as the move to electriﬁcation.

Honda and Nissan initially said they were trying to finalize an agreement by June and set up the holding company by August.

The three automakers will con-

tinue to work together on electric vehicles and smart cars, such as autonomous driving, they said Thursday In recent weeks, Japanese media had various reports about the talks breaking down, citing unidentiﬁed sources. Some said Nissan balked at becoming a minor player in the partnership with Honda.

Mibe denied he knew or heard anything about the media speculation that Taiwan’s Foxconn was considering taking a stake in Nissan.

Uchida also denied have held any ofﬁcial talks with Foxconn but stressed that various options will be considered as Nissan attempts a turnaround, promising a more detailed plan within a month.

Zanders

Obituaries

Alexander, Joshlyn Marie 'Moo'

Joshlyn "Moo" Alexander peacefullypassed away on January 31, 2025 in BatonRouge, Louisiana at the age of 74. Joshlyn was full of love, laughter and kindness and she touched lives of all who knew her. She leaves to cherish her memories her mother, Lucy Antoine, five sisters; Ada Slaughter; Emma Howard(Clifford); Theresa Anderson(Tate); Donna Marie Alexander and Martha Ross. One goddaughter Ashley Howard. Two brothers, Raymond Johnson (Tabitha) and Stefon Antoine and ahost of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.She was preceded in death by her father, Walter Alexander, Sr.; abrother Walter Alexander, Jr.; and asister, Ruby Lee Alexander. Services willbeheld at The New Mount Olive Baptist Church, 1187 Rosedale Road, Port Allen, Louisiana Visitation is on February 15, 2025 from 9am to 11am. Homegoing service is 11am. Services entrusted to Hall Davis and Sons Funeral Services, 9348 Scenic Hwy, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Armand Jr., Fred

Fred Armand Jr. passed away on Wednesday, Feb‐ruary 5, 2025, in Zachary, Louisiana at the age of 70 He was born on Tuesday, September 28, 1954, in Bunkie Louisiana to the late Ruth and Fred Armand Sr. He was a resident of Springﬁeld, Louisiana where he loved proudly serving his community as Justice of the Peace Fred is survived by his children, Holly Fontenot, Aaron Ar‐mand and (Tres') Fred Ar‐mand III; grandchildren, Taylor and Aulton Fontenot, Amelia, Aubrey and Kaden Armand and (James) Fred Armand IV; great-grandchild Ivy Fontenot; siblings, Kevin and Noel Armand and lov‐ing partner, Lori Favre. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Fred Armand Sr.; and brother Joel Armand. Relatives and friends are invited to at‐tend the memorial at St Margaret Catholic Church, 30300 Catholic Hall Road Albany, Louisiana 70711, on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 8:30 am until the service starts at 10:30 am. In lieu of ﬂowers…take the trip, spend the money eat the cake!

Burial to follow at Mount Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery, 14905 Hwy. 417. Batchelor, La. 70715. Pro‐fessional services en‐trusted to Charles Mackey

Elizabeth

Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee,and thou mayest live long on the earth.(Ephesians 6:2-3)

Mrs. Elizabeth "Bessie" Cannon (Moses), abeloved matriarch and dedicated caregiver, passedaway peacefully on February 4, 2025, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at the remarkable age of 102. Bornon December 9, 1922, in Clinton, Louisiana, she lived a life defined by love,service,and devotion to her family and community Elizabeth was the daughter of devotedparents, William and Rebecca Moses, who nurtured her caring spirit. She married the late Reverend David Cannon, and togetherthey built alegacy of love and resilience.Asa loving wife, devoted mother, and cherished grandmother, Elizabeth dedicatedher life to uplifting others both personally and professionally. Working as adietary aide and private caregiver, she left behind an extraordinary legacy of compassion and selflessness that touchedcountless lives. Elizabeth was also adevoted member of herchurch community, serving as a deaconess at LittleZion Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, LA. Additionally, she was aformer First Lady of Galilee Baptist Church (Rev. David Cannon) on Wilson Clinton Road in Wilson, LA. Acelebration to honor Elizabeth'sextraordinary life will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025. Serviceswill take place at Little Zion Baptist Church located at 1955 74th Ave., Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70807. The viewing willbegin at 8:00 AM and services will begin at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Galilee Baptist Church Cemetery on Wilson-Clinton Rd., Wilson, Louisiana. Elizabeth "Bessie" Cannon leavesbehind alegacy of love that will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew her. May her memory bring comfortto all who mournher passing "May the workthatI've done speak for me."

and Rose Marie DixonUncles: Alven Greavis, Reginald Patterson, Walter Scott,Sr. (God Father) GodChildren: Riesha Crump, Sabrina B. Christophe, Brandon Dixon Neices/ Nephews: Zoyie Coleman, Louis Coleman, Jr. and a great niece Z'Andrea Beatrice Coleman Amina Eave, Amiee Coleman and Akkai Coleman, Jr. Special Nephew: Akkai "Bud"Coleman, Sr. Special Friend: Lillie Moore Close Friend:Brian "69" Harris. He is preceded in deathby: Father and Mother: Ernest Coleman, Sr. and Beatrice Dixon Coleman, Grand Parents: ClydeDixonand Murthey Morgan Dixon; Julius Coleman and Ophelia Paul Coleman God Mother: Joyce Lee Dixon Scott.

Rev. Joe M Coleman, Sr , entered into eternal rest at his residence in Zachary, Louisiana on Saturday, Feb‐ruary 1, 2025. He was a 78year old native of Shreve‐port, Louisiana and 30-year retiree of ExxonMobil Viewing at St. Mark Mis‐sionary Baptist Church 5956 LA 19 Ethel, Louisiana 70730, on Saturday, Febru‐ary 15, 2025 at 9:00 am until Celebration of Life Service at 10:00 am conducted by Rev Joseph Washington Interment will be held at Louisiana National Ceme‐tery on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 10:00 am. Sur‐vivors include his devoted wife of over 56 years, Joyce Coleman; loving daughters Yolonda Robinson and Corinne Coleman, both of Baton Rouge; siblings, Levi Coleman, Jr. (Lena) and Ruby O'Bannon all of Los Angeles, California, and Rev John Coleman Hous‐ton, Texas; ﬁve grandchil‐dren, nine great-grandchil‐dren, other relatives and friends Arrangements en‐trusted to Miller & Daugh‐ter Mortuary.

Critney Jr., Brian K. Brian K. Critney Jr., a resident of White Castle LA passed away Friday, January 31, 2025 at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. Visitation on Saturday February 15 2025 from 9 a.m until reli‐gious service at 11 a.m. at City of Refuge Church, 32855 Bowie Street White Castle, LA Interment in Golden Ridge Cemetery 27330 LA-405, Plaquemine, LA. Arrangements en‐trusted to Pugh's Mortu‐ary, Plaquemine, LA.

Clipps, Jimmie Services for Jimmie Clipps will be held Satur‐day, February 15, 2025, at Charles Mackey Funeral Home, 1576 Robin St Reli‐gious services will begin at 11:30 a.m with a public vis‐itation to be held after the services Interment: Pri‐vate. Professional services entrusted to Charles Mackey Funeral Home. Crockett Jr.,

Coleman Jr., Ernest

Beach, FL; One Brother, Alton Crockett, Sr.; Three Sisters Velma Phillips (James), Cheryl Crockett, and Rose Marie Carter; Eighteen Grandchildren, Thirty-Two Great Grandchil‐dren, One Great Great Grandchild and a host of Nieces, Nephews, Family and Friends Preceded in death by Father, Clarence Joseph Crockett, Sr.; Mother, Lucy Kibby Crock‐ett; Late Wife, Dorothy Gates Crockett; Former Wife, Shirley White Crock‐ett; Brothers James Crock‐ett, Sr. and Warren Crock‐ett, Sr.; and Granddaugh‐ter, Danielle Alexander Arrangements entrusted to Miller & Daughter Mortu‐ary

Sharon Decuir entered into eternal rest on February 2, 2025, at the ageof57. Survived by her mother, Laura J.Thomas; daughter, Jazmin Stewart;son, Travis Stewart; sisters, Latrinda Sandford,Karissa Stewart, and Crystal Stewart;brother, Nathaniel Stewart Jr.; grandchildren, Jakeem Stewart, Jacee Nelson, Travis Stewart Jr., Jaxton Carter, Tommy Netter, and Tailyn Stewart;Preceded in deathbyher father, Nathaniel Stewart Sr.; sister, Cherice Lacy; and aunt, Elnora Clark. Memorial Saturday, February 15, 2025, Hall's Celebration Center, 9348 Scenic Hwy., Baton Rouge, LA at 11:00 am.

LSU football andofcourse the Saints. He loved cooking for his family, music and dancing with our mother, telling jokes and making others laugh. He loved making his big spring and fall gardens and sharing the fruits of his labor with family and friends. He was also known as the "Egg Man"heloved hischicken farm and selling hiseggs all over. Raising cattle was another thing he enjoyed in his younger years. He served as the Justiceofthe Peace in Ward 6, West Baton Rouge Parish from 2009 until hisdeath. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and amember of the Knights of Columbus #8878. He cherished his time at Manresa for annual retreats up until recently. He served as aCorporal in the 769th AAA, BN Army National Guard of the US and theArmy National Guard of Louisiana from March 8, 1954, to March7, 1957. He is survived by his wife and best friendofalmost 49 years Elise Ducote, his daughters, Lisa (Kirk), Charlotte (Tootie), Cathy, Tami andsons, Mark, Todd (Missy) and Tommy. Grandchildren Jeanine, Kacie, Trey, Justin M., Illisa, Justin L., Todd, Braelyn and Chance. Great Grandchildren, Haelyn,Cora, Emelia, Landon, Luke, Eli, Adley, Presley, Lane, Taylor, Michaela, Adelaide, Emile and Jace. One great-great randdaughter, Oaklynn Ann. Proceeded in death by his first wife Evelyn Ducote, grandson Michael Britt andson-in-law Paul Britt. Pallbearers, Kirk White, Tommy Lott, Trey White, Chance Lott, Todd Lott, II. andJace Lott. Honorary Pallbearers, Jesse Gardener, Mark Lott, Todd Lott, Bud Carrier, Leon Day, Wesley Torres and Scott Boudreaux. Visitation Friday February 14, 2025, at Niland's Funeral Home, 210 West End Dr., New Roads, LA from 6-9pm with Funeral Mass on Saturday February 15, 2025 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Lakeland, LA. at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Immaculate Conception, Lakeland, LA, PO Box 158, Lakeland, LA 70752, American Heart Association or St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Flanagan, Martin

the many talented people he learned from and the many manytalented designers andartists he taught and inspired. Martin and Xdesign won more than afew awards. He reveled in the bounty of collaboratingwith his colleagues and friends over the years. Martin took great pleasure in sharing his design knowledge with those in need of help after aslow retirement. Martin then spenttime writing songs and singing his stories. He performed in afew legendary dives around Baton Rouge, and released an album in 2012, Beneath these Strings. He had one song top theInternet country music chart and hissong, Screen Door, reached No. 1onRadio Free Texas and wonthe Great American Song Contest. Martin celebrated Gay's life in 2017, and found new parts of old stories to tell. There were epic fishing adventures, harrowing helicopter landings, and all sorts of unusual situations with wild animals. Alot more gettinginto trouble than you could imagine. Or so we were told. Martin loved his children and grandchildren (who he bragged about endlessly) more than anything, and reveled in the time he was able to spend with them in his final years. His last request was asimple one: In lieu of flowers, Martin asks only that you...take akid fishin'.

Born in Lafayette &long life resident &native of Maringouin, La was called to glory February 3, 2025 at the age of 59. Visitation services Friday February 14, 2025 at A. Wesley's Funeral Home 10810 Ventress Dr, Maringouin, La from 2pm to 7pm. Religious servicessaturday February 15, 2025 at SweetHome Baptist Church 10300 Church St. Maringouin, La 9am visitation until11am Religious service.Interment Church Cemetery. Ernest Cherished Memories Children: MorganColeman, Christian Robinson, and their Mother Stacey Smith Grandchild: Harmony Robinson Siblings: Debra J. Coleman and Louis Coleman, Sr. (Wife:Jordanna) Aunts: Ruby Blanchard, Delores Greavis, Antoinette Patterson, Nora Coleman, Theresa Adams and Rose Marie Dixon Uncles: Alven Greavis, Reginald Patterson, Walter Scott,Sr. (God Father) GodChildren: Riesha Crump, Sabrina B. Christophe, Brandon Dixon Neices/

Clarence “CJ” Crockett Jr., native of Baton Rouge, LA, was the ﬁrst born to the late Clarence Joseph Crockett, Sr. and Lucy Kibby Crockett on June 16, 1941. He departed this life on January 27, 2025. CJ graduated from Capitol High School in 1959. He continued his education at Southern University where he studied Bacteriology He began working at Exxon‐Mobil as a Lab Technician in 1973 until retirement. He was a member of the Quar‐terback Club at Southern University and the Ex‐change Club of Baton Rouge His favorite pas‐times included ﬁshing and watching the New Orleans Saints and Southern Uni‐versity football. CJ is sur‐vived by his wife, Joann Crockett; Three Sons Michael Crockett (Lois), Clarence Crockett, III (Cindy), Christopher Crock‐ett all of Baton Rouge; Four Daughters, Vivian C John‐son, Gilda C. Williams (Stanley), Sandra Crockett (Oliver) all of Baton Rouge, Kerrie Crockett of Miami Beach, FL; One Brother, Alton Crockett, Sr.; Three Sisters, Velma Phillips (James) Cheryl Crockett and Rose Marie Carter; Eighteen Grandchildren Thirty-Two Great Grandchil‐dren One Great Great

James Ducote, anative of Hessmer, LA,resident of Bueche, LA.a wonderful husband, loving father and grandfather passed away on February 10, 2025, at Our Ladyofthe Lake Hospital at theage of 88. Jim, as he was affectionately known will always be remembered as aman of great faith being kind, generous and most of allgenuine. He loved life and lived it to the fullest, but his big heart was tired, so our Lord took him home to rest peacefully in His arms. Heaven has truly gained an angel and those of us left behind will miss him tremendously. We are so grateful for thetime that we had withhim, but goodbyes are never easy. Jim was the owner of Ducote Plumbing Co. for over 40 years an accomplishment he was very proud of. He was always honest and dependable and expected the same of his many loyal employees over the years. At the age of 75 he retired and began doing small plumbing repair jobs for which he was well known. He even received aphone call for ajob as he lay in his hospital bed.Heloved LSU football and of course the Saints. He loved cooking for his family, music and dancing with our mother, telling jokes and making others laugh. He loved making his spring and fall and sharing the fruits his labor with family friends. He was also as the "Egg his chicken ing his eggs ing cattle thing he enjo younger years. as the Justice in Ward 6, Rouge Parish til his deat member of Conception Church and the Knightso #8878. He time at Manresa for annual retreats up until recently. He served as aCorporal in the 769th AAA, BN Army National Guard of the US and the Army National Guard of Louisiana from March 8, 1954, to March 7, 1957. He is survived by his wife and best friend of almost 49 years Elise Ducote, hisdaughters, Lisa (Kirk), Charlotte (Tootie), Cathy, Tami and sons, Mark, Todd (Missy) and Tommy. Grandchildren Jeanine, Kacie, Trey, Justin M., Illisa, Justin L., Todd, Braelyn and Chance. Great Grandchildren, Haelyn, Cora, Emelia, Landon, Luke, Eli, Adley, Presley, Lane, Taylor, Michaela, Adelaide, Emile and Jace. One great-great

F. Martin Flanagan of Baton Rouge died February 11th at theage of 73, after an extraordinary and creative life. Martin was born in Montgomery, AL in 1951, and adopted soon after by David andBertha of Leland, MS. Martin was molded by his childhood on a Delta farm, where alove of the blues took root before he discovered his love of design at LA Tech .Itwas there that he met his wife of 44 years, Gay Hardy of Alexandria. Those two! Martin and Gay began their married life in Baton Rouge, starting afamily, and then,building asuccessful business, Xdesign Throughouthis life Martin was enamored by art, architecture, music,and storytelling. He considered it ajoy, not ajob, to work in design, especially with the many talented people he learned from and the many manytalented designers andartists he taught and inspired. Martin and Xdesign won more

Our beloved brother, uncle,cousin,and friend entered into eternal rest on February 6, 2025 at the age of 73. Services will be Saturday, February 15, 2025, Greater Philadelphia Baptist Church, 24497 Cook Rd., Zachary, LA., 1:00pm until religious services at 2:00pm. Arrangements entrusted to Richardson Funeral Home of Clinton

Free Texas and wonthe Great American Song Contest. Martin celebrated Gay's life in 2017, and found new parts of old stories to tell. There were epic fishing adventures, harrowing helicopter landings, and all sorts of unusual situations with wild animals. Alot more gettinginto trouble than you could imagine. Or so we were told. Martin loved his children and grandchildren (who he braggedabout endlessly) than anything, in the time he was able to spend with them in his final years. His last request was asimple one: In lieu of flowers, Martin asks only

Knowinghis dad miraculously recoveredfromthree open-heart surgeriesafter discoveringa passion forcycling, ﬁlmmakerEricD.Seals proposes an ambitious idea:BiketogetherfromSt. LouistoChicago.350 miles. 4days. This is theirjourney Brown, Alvin Visitation services for Alvin Brown will be held Saturday, February 15, 2025 at Greater True Love Mis‐sionary Baptist Church 2143 Curtis St. A public visi‐tation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m Burial to follow at Mount Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery 14905 Hwy. 417 Batchelor, La 70715. Pro‐fessional services en‐trusted to Charles Mackey Funeral Home.

Decuir, Sharon

Veal, Leamenia Greater Philadelphia Baptist Church, 24497 Cook Road in Zachary, at 11 a.m

Coleman Sr., Rev. Joe M.

Francois, Lurenza Lurenza "Lue" Francois, a92year old retiree and resident of Baton Rouge died on January 24, 2025. Lurenza is survived by a host of nieces and nephews. Shewas preceded in death by herparents, Frank and AugustusFrancois, brothers, Jessie, Cornelius, Wilbert, Frank and Marshall; sisters Fernella, Hester and Odeal; and a devoted companion Hurd Robinson

Ducote, James 'Jim'

Gray, Cloddie Lee 'Red'

Jones, Opal B.

Saturday, February 15, 2025

at 9:00 am until Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 am; interment at Southern Memorial Gardens. Sur‐vivors include her devoted husband, Joseph Jones, Jr.; children, Kieara, Destiny, Arianna and Cardell Jones; mother, Gloria Antwine; siblings Ellis III, Pamela and Austin Badon, Brenda Rayford, Chanel and Yolanda Givens, and Linda Williams other relatives and friends; preceded in death by her father Ellis Badon, Sr Arrangements entrusted to Miller & Daughter Mortuary.

LeJeune, Eva Mae Lambert 'Shorty'

Eva Mae Lambert LeJeune, affectionately known as "Shorty" gently departed from this life on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones, including her beloved husband of 67 years, Stanley Anthony LeJeune. During her wonderful 87 years (and one day) of life, she enjoyed dancing, singing, picking pecans and cooking. And, above all, her family and friends. In her youth, she was atalented majorette as well as ahairdresser. Shorty leaves behind her three children, Maudie LeJeune Hunt (Kraig), Deno LeJeune (Gwen), and Todd LeJeune (Nedra); daughter-in-law, Jewell Cedotal LeJeune; eighteen grandchildren, Demi, Logan, Austin, Hunter, Stanley "T-Mike", Jaci, and Londie LeJeune Rodney, Jr. and Rody Willis, Tyler and Timmy Simoneaux, Luke, Mark, Phillip, Gabriel, Stephen, and Francesca Hunt and Steven Ellis; and twelve great grandchildren, including one on the way, Rylan, Rayne,Harper, Josephine, Kaden, Emmylou, Genevieve, Brantley, Isaac, Maria, baby Caston, Gavin and Basie. She is preceded in death by her son, Stanley "Mike Micheal LeJeune; daughter, Susan LeJeune Cauthron; grandson, Kody Ned LeJeune; parents, Ambrose and Elouise Lambert; sister, Lorina T. Lambert; and brothers, Clayborne and Sonny Lambert. Avisitation will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Plaquemine on Friday, February 14, 2025, from 11am until Mass for Christian tombment Grace Plaquemine. thanks Home nurses and Bridgeway the support have extended ly. Also, her nephew and family Cannella years of

lou, Genevieve, Brantley, Isaac, Maria, baby Caston, Gavin and Basie.She is preceded in death by her son, Stanley "Mike" Micheal LeJeune; daughter, Susan LeJeune Cauthron; grandson, Kody Ned LeJeune;parents, Ambrose and Elouise Lambert; sister, Lorina T. Lambert; and brothers, Clayborne and Sonny Lambert. Avisitation will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Plaquemine on Friday, February 14, 2025, from 11am untilMass for Christian burial at 1pm. Entombment will followat Grace MemorialPark, Plaquemine. Special thanks to Legacy Nursing Home nurses and staff, and Bridgeway Hospice for the supportand love they have extended to our family. Also, special thanks to her nephew Barry Rafflee and family friend Donny Cannella for their many years of love and support.

Anna Boudreaux Mayet, 81, anative of Grand Bayou, LA, and resident of Pierre Part, LA, passed away at her home on Saturday, February 8, 2025. Anna was aloving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. She was adevout Catholic who cherished her faith. Anna was aparishioner of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church where she servedasanEucharistic Minister, money counter, a memberofthe Bereavement Committeeand Our MotherThrice Admirable. She was an active member in her community where she served as President and Chaplain of the American Legion Auxiliary and Secretary of the localAARP Chapter.Above allthings Anna enjoyedspending time with her family, especially hergrandchildren and great grandchildren. She leaves behind to cherish hermemoryher husband of sixty two years, Sylvester Mayet; two children, Kevin Mayet (Lisa) and Karla M. Landry (Durk); four grandchildren, Ryan Mayet(Lisa), Jeremy Mayet, Jacob Mayet, and Hannah L. Short; two great grandchildren, August and Archer Mayetand her three siblings, Robert

years, Sylvester Mayet; two children, Kevin Mayet (Lisa) and Karla M. Landry (Durk); four grandchildren, Ryan Mayet (Lisa), Jeremy Mayet, Jacob Mayet,and Hannah L. Short; twogreat grandchildren, August and Archer Mayet and her three siblings, Robert Boudreaux (Peggy), Royce B. Dufour and Ulysse Boudreaux (Mary). She is preceded in death by her grandson, Blake Landry; parentsRichard and Violet Sanchez Boudreaux and four siblings, Orien Boudreaux, Roland Boudreaux, Milton Boudreaux and Helen B. Guillot.

Pallbearers will be: Kevin, Ryan, Jeremy, Jacob Mayet, Durk Landry and Carl Boudreaux. The family would like to thank all caregivers who administered wonderful care of their mother during her illness.

Avisitation will be held at Ourso Funeral Home in Pierre Part,LA, on Monday, February 17, 2025 from 8:30am until Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00pm conducted by Rev. Al Davidson at St. Josephthe Worker Catholic Church. Interment to follow in the church mausoleum.

Mickelborough,Darla Jean Myers

On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, Darla Jean (Myers) Mickelborough, 62, of Prairieville, moved to her Heavenly home. The family will receive friendson Monday, February 17, 2025, from 10:00 -11:15 a.m. at Gonzales Baptist Temple in Gonzales, LA followed by a service to celebrateher life at 11:15 a.m.

Morrison, Shawntine Visitation services for Shawntine Morrison will be held Saturday February 15 2025 at Charles Mackey Fu‐neral Home, 1576 Robin St A public visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m Burial to follow at New Zion Baptist Church Cemetery, 6039 Hwy. 963, Ethel La 70730. Profes‐sional services entrusted to Charles Mackey Funeral Home.

Robertson,Robert

Robert Robertson, affectionately known as Lefty, passed away on February 8, 2025. He was surrounded by his wife of 66 years Betty Robertson, family and friends.

Viewing will be at MJR Friendly Service Funeral Home on Sunday February 16, 2025 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm. He will be laid to rest at Louisiana National Cemetery on Monday February 17, 2025.

Sharma, Krishan K.

Krishan K. Sharma passed away on February 11, 2025, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the ageof89. Krishan was born on February 22, 1935, in India, to Jagan NathPathak and Shakuntala Pathak. Ahighly respected engineer, Krishan earned his bachelor's degree in engineering and made significant contributions throughout his career. His passionfor innovation was only matched by his affection for those close to him. He was known for his vibrant personality; he enjoyed tennis, ping pong,watching football, singing, and spending quality timewith his beloved family. Krishan is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Mithlesh Rano Sharma; his loving daughter, Shobha Sharpless (Dr. James Lynford Sharpless Jr.); sons, Sanju Sharma and Sudhir Sharma (Janice); sister, Sudershan Sharma; grandchildren Brittany Sharma, Chanda Sharma, Roen Sharpless, and Mithlesh Sharma; as well as his great-grandchild, Ocean Sharma Hall. He is also survived by his nephew, Satya Jeet Sharma. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jagan Nath Pathak and Shakuntala Pathak. Avisitationwill be held on Friday, February 14, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, followed by afuneral serbeginning at 10:00 AM Resthaven Funeral family would ea special Maya Sharma, Sharma, Chanpan Saroj Goyal, Mary Holloway, Dr. Venkat Dr. Vaughn their help durdifficult time.

nephew, Satya Jeet Sharma. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jagan Nath Pathak and Shakuntala Pathak. Avisitation will be held on Friday, February 14, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, followed by afuneral service beginningat10:00 AM at Resthaven Funeral Home. The family would like to give aspecial thanks to Maya Sharma, Suresh Sharma, Chanpan Sharma, Saroj Goyal, Mary Grace Holloway, Dr. Venkat Banda, and Dr. Vaughn Meiners for their help during this difficult time.

Simms, Louis Louis Simms entered into eternal rest on Thurs‐day, January 30, 2025. He was 89 years old. A Mass will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 10:00am at St Paul the Apostle Catholic Church 3912 Gus Young Ave Visita‐tion will begin at 8:00am Interment: Southern Memorial Gardens Ceme‐tery, Baton Rouge, LA Arrangements by Rhodes United Fidelity. Please visit www rhodesfuneral com to sign guest book

Shirley St. Angelo was born September 15, 1958, in Baton Rouge, LA, and passed away in her home on January 15, 2025, at the age of 66. Shewas aproud member of the Sulphur community. She retired from Calcasieu Parish School Board. She was a loving mother and grandmother.

She is survived by her daughter, Sarah St. Angelo; grandchildren,Gauge, Brody, Harper, Ella, sister, Beverly Johnson; and Michael St. Angelo.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Billie Duchmann; sister, Toni Barr; and brother, Donald Carlton.

ACelebration of Life Memorial for family and friends will be held Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the Hampton Inn, 201 Rushing Road, in Denham Springs, Louisiana, at 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Sharon Lynette Entered into eternal rest on February 6, 2025 at the age of 71. Survived by her daughter,

and

Carolyn A. Winsey and Thelma L. Tate; 7grandchildren.Preceded in death by her parents, Rev. L. V. Winsey and Carrie S. Winsey. Visitation Saturday, February 15, 2025, Living Word Church of Baton Rouge, 3730 North Sherwood Forest Drive,Baton Rouge, LA., 9:00 am until religious service at 10:00 am. Entombment Heavenly Gates Cemetery of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge, LA. Funeral Service Entrusted to Hall Davis andSon. www.halldavisandson.com

Willis,

Mayet,Anna Boudreaux

St. Angelo, Shirley Rae

Winsey,

Sonja R. Battley; sons, James D. Carter

Kendrick D. Carter; sisters,

OPINION

Reduce methane emissions to compete with China

Here in the Gulf South, we’ve had a front-row seat to Louisiana’s transformation into America’s energy powerhouse. In a little over a decade, fossil fuel import infrastructure, initially built to ensure our energy security, was rapidly reimagined into the world’s largest liqueﬁed natural gas export market. In 2023, Louisiana provided nearly 60% of the nation’s LNG export capacity

Adam Bashaw GuesT columnisT

As a veteran and Louisianan, I supported the Biden administration’s 2024 pause on new LNG export projects because I thought it would help us ensure our nation’s LNG exports are in the public’s interest, including our national security

The Department of Energy used the pause to evaluate and update the information it considers when weighing the risks of LNG exports.

With the results of this most recent election, that assessment

of LNG exports’ trade-offs is sure to be minimized That deeply concerns me. One big reason is China. Our strategic competitor is exploiting LNG to advance its interests at our expense. A report from the American Security Project last month conﬁrmed my concerns that we’re at risk of losing our nation’s competitive edge.

According to the report, China buys our LNG at rock-bottom prices and then resells it globally at premium rates. While Louisiana workers and companies produce and deliver reliable energy to world markets, China pockets the proﬁts, reinvests and promotes its global inﬂuence. We have been enabling our most serious competitor to outpace us while shortchanging our future.

But for fossil fuels to be part of a climate-conscious system, American oil and gas operators must make signiﬁcant reductions

Funding uncertainty undermines fight for equal opportunities

As we celebrate Black History Month, a time to honor the resilience and contributions of Black communities, we must also confront the ongoing systemic challenges that threaten progress. Recent shifts in the funding landscape, including a federal freeze on grant funding and efforts to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, are undermining the very programs designed to uplift underserved communities. These changes have created a crisis for organizations like Thrive New Orleans, which depend on federal and corporate funding to support workforce development and economic empowerment.

The consequences of these policy decisions are devastating. At Thrive New Orleans, we’ve been forced to make heartbreaking choices, including laying off dedicated staff who are integral to our mission. These layoffs not only weaken our organization but also jeopardize the progress we’ve made in addressing systemic inequities. Many individuals in our neighborhoods rely on holistic programs to overcome barriers to employment and these programs are essential to creating brighter futures for families and communities.

The urgency of these changes has made it increasingly difﬁcult for organizations like ours to secure the resources necessary to continue our work. The fallout is severe: program cuts, reduced stafﬁng and diminished services for those who need them the most The impact is particularly harsh for the most vulnerable members of our community including returning citizens seeking to rebuild their lives. Without our support, their paths to reintegration become steeper and more uncertain.

This funding crisis doesn’t just affect Thrive New Orleans It ripples through the communities we serve, exacerbating existing inequalities. Black communities, which have historically been marginalized and underserved, bear the brunt of these

in emissions. The LNG exported from our shores is produced in our gas ﬁelds and then transported through communities across Louisiana.

The production of fossil gas that is liquefied into LNG has an emissions profile itself. It is mostly from leaked, vented and flared methane gas, the primary component of natural gas and a climate super-pollutant.

If politicians are serious in their rhetoric to hold China accountable, they must ensure our own methane emissions are not the next prey for China’s predatory LNG import strategy

In Louisiana, we’re emitting natural gas and money into thin air Recent aerial surveys show that the emissions of methane are ﬁve times higher in Louisiana than industry standards. In 2023 alone, the Environmental Defense Fund estimates oil and gas operators across Louisiana lost an estimated $170 million worth of gas to venting, leaks and ﬂaring, which is enough energy to

disruptions. The ﬁght for equity and opportunity — core principles of Black History Month — is undermined when funding for programs that address these disparities is stalled or eliminated. Despite these challenges, there is hope. I commend the companies and foundations that remain steadfast in their commitment to social justice and community empowerment. Their support is a testament to the values of equity and inclusion that are essential to building stronger, more resilient communities.

As we reﬂect on the legacy of Black leaders who fought for justice and equality, we are reminded of the power of collective action. Now more than ever we must come together to advocate for the restoration of funding and the reinforcement of DEI initiatives.

These efforts are not just about preserving programs they are about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, has an opportunity to succeed.

The challenges we face are signiﬁcant, but they are not insurmountable. By uniting as stakeholders in this community we can explore strategies to address funding uncertainties and advocate for policies that promote equity and inclusivity Together, we can ensure that the most vulnerable among us are not left behind.

Black History Month is a time to honor the past, but it is also a call to action. It is a reminder of the work that remains to be done to achieve true equity and justice. Let us use this moment to recommit ourselves to the ﬁght for opportunity and empowerment for all.

The time to act is now We cannot allow funding uncertainty to dictate the fate of our most vulnerable populations. Together, we can navigate these challenges and build a future where everyone has the chance to thrive.

Chuck Morse is the executive director of Thrive Nola.

ﬁll approximately 22 LNG tankers. Meanwhile, consumers in the US and across the globe want to cut emissions and support cleaner sources of energy

Reducing emissions keeps Louisiana’s energy industry competitive in markets increasingly seeking lower-emissions intensity LNG.

But there is good news. We already have the tools to ﬁx this problem.

The EPA’s new methane rules, which have support from major industry players, provide a pathway for Louisiana to clean up its LNG in the world. By implementing these common-sense and costeffective rules quickly, we can:

n Protect Louisiana’s competitive edge: To stay competitive, our industry must cut methane emissions along the supply chain.

n Create high-paying local jobs: The demand for methane monitoring and control will create new positions in our state, from advanced monitoring to infrastruc-

ture repair, offering good-paying jobs

n Preserve community health and environment: Reducing methane emissions directly impacts air quality, which beneﬁts public health, especially in communities near oil and gas infrastructure.

n Fortify America’s energy security: By controlling our emissions, we strengthen America’s energy leadership and resist foreign competitors beneﬁting from our vulnerabilities.

Real energy leadership should consider national security and act on cutting wasteful and harmful methane emissions. We must remember Louisiana has built an energy legacy on strength and resilience, but we must also adapt to remain competitive. Now is the time for Louisiana to step up, reduce methane waste and secure its place at the forefront of the global energy landscape.

Adam Bashaw is retired Navy veteran and a member of VetVoice Foundation.

a state trooper keeps pedestrians from walking

‘The day just kept going’ What it was like to treat victims of the terror attack

In the early hours of Jan. 1, 2025, we began our shifts at a local medical facility in New Orleans when the calls began to come in: multiple trauma cases would be coming into our hospital, and we needed to be ready the number of patients was unknown.

Minutes earlier, a devastating terrorist attack occurred when a man drove a pickup truck through barriers on Bourbon Street, killing 14 people and injuring 57 others.

This horriﬁc event left emergency services searching for locations to bring the victims for care on an already busy night

Local hospitals rose to the challenge with the expertise and experience of certiﬁed registered nurse anesthetists, including American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology members like us. CRNAs are professionals trained to care for the sickest patients, which enabled our team to adapt and remain nimble as the situation evolved. Through the overwhelming emotions in the hospital, with family members and friends attempting to identify the victims, the safety of patients remained the top priority for all of us who provided their care.

The most difﬁcult part of the day was the notoriety of the patients we cared for

It’s like the day just kept going — seeing pictures, videos and stories about the patients that we treated in our hospital makes it so much more personal, because it’s that much closer to home.

In the days following the attacks, we found community and understanding among our colleagues who were by our sides that day

Our group of CRNAs were brought so much

closer because only we know and understand what each other went through and saw that day, and we’re here for each other in ways nobody else could be.

Those who showed up that day to help are human, and it’s difﬁcult for us to deal with seeing things like that.

This past weekend, before football’s biggest game, we joined dozens of other ﬁrst responders in a moving tribute to the resilience of the city and those who serve it, featuring Lady Gaga, Tom Brady and Michael Strahan.

Wearing our scrubs and lab coats, we stood side by side with firefighters, police officers and others who lent their bravery and a hand in assisting with the city’s recovery

The ﬁlming took place on a closed-off Bourbon Street during the 2 a.m. hour, around the same time and site as the attack just two months prior. Both before and after performing her hit song “Hold My Hand,” Gaga addressed the crowd and recognized the signiﬁcance of that fateful New Year’s Day So many meaningful connections were made with the other responders — we understood each other and what we had gone through.

Through natural disasters and terrorist attacks, the “Big Easy” remains a glowing beacon of culture, entertainment and triumph — thanks to strong community support and the continued efforts of everyone who stepped up to aid their city

Ashley Battaglia and Robin Bundick are both practicing CRNAs

Ashley Battaglia GuesT columnisT

Robin Bundick GuesT columnisT

Chuck Morse GuesT columnisT

sTaFF PhoTo by daVid GrunFeld

down bourbon street in new orleans on Jan. 2

COMMENTARY

ROOM FOR DEBATE doGe

President donald Trump campaigned promising to fundamentally change the federal government. some believed him. some did not yet, in his first weeks in office, he’s shown that he was serious. he appointed billionaire elon musk to lead the department of Government efficiency, which is tasked with rooting out waste, fraud and abuse in the federal budget. musk and his team in recent days have marched into offices, frozen federal funds, canceled contracts and announced that entire agencies would be shut down. is it a long overdue structural shift or a major power grab? here are two perspectives.

GOP lawmakers sit on their hands in Trump’s power grab

Are there no red lines? Are there no limits?

Angus King, the independent senator from Maine who caucuses with Democrats posed this gut-punching query to his Republican colleagues as they prepared to vote to conﬁrm Russell Vought, the presidential power extremist Donald Trump tapped for a second tour of duty as the head of the Ofﬁce of Management and Budget.

King’s question contained unmistakable echoes of Army lawyer Joseph Welch’s challenge to demagogue Joseph McCarthy: “Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last?” At one point, King directly channeled Welch, referencing Elon Musk’s boast that he had spent the weekend “feeding USAID into the wood chipper,” an action that, as King noted, “will literally take food from the mouths of starving children.”

the steady and not-so-slow usurpation of congressional authority and fundamental alteration of the framers’ scheme,” King urged.

Again and again, he asked his colleagues: Shouldn’t this be a red line?

He warned of “the literal destruction of a statutorily established and funded federal agency by people ostensibly working for the President under vague authority, no transparency, and certainly no guidance from the Congress.” Of “the power seemingly assumed by DOGE to burrow into the Treasury’s payment system, or the Ofﬁce of Personnel Management for undeﬁned purposes and zero oversight raising questions up to and including threats to national security.”

“Forget red lines,” King said “Do we have no decency?”

These days, there are no red lines for any but a few Republicans, and then only the faintest. Not a single one — not King’s fellow Mainer, Sen. Susan Collins, not Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, not the seemingly liberated former majority leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky — defected from the party-line vote to conﬁrm Vought

The Constitution, King warned “is under the most direct and consequential assault in our nation’s history An assault not on a particular provision, but on the essential structure of the Constitution itself.”

To grasp the signiﬁcance of this speech, it’s important to understand King, a former two-term governor just reelected to his third term in the Senate. The 80-year-old King shares the independentcaucusing-with-Democrats label with his Vermont neighbor Bernie Sanders, but the two politicians could not be more different, in temperament or ideology. If Sanders is a bomb-thrower, King is a soother

So his uncharacteristically biting words had the prospect, at least of getting Republican senators’ attention, if not altering their behavior “Don’t stand aside in the midst of these conﬁrmations, ill-considered foreign policy pronouncements, ﬂood of executive orders and ignore

King told me in a telephone interview a few days after the speech that his goal was twofold: to “cut through all the smoke and hoo-rah about Musk and DOGE and the Gulf of Mexico to the bigger picture of what’s actually going on” and “to try to catch the conscience of the Republicans and get through to them that this is a serious matter.”

Was anyone listening?

Self-preservation is the ﬁrst rule of politics, and conscience has been in short supply for the nine years during which Trump has seized control of the Republican Party

To hope that will change now when his behavior is ever more heedless of legal boundaries, is understandable; to expect it, when his power is at its apex, would be naive.

King told me he sent the speech to several Republican colleagues. Their response was telling: “Well, Joe Biden tried to cancel student loans.” This reﬂexive whataboutism, King said, is “like comparing a fender bender to a head-on collision. Presidents are always nibbling around the edges of trying to obtain additional authority.” Meantime, Trump is barreling through all guardrails.

“They’re rationalizing,” King said of GOP lawmakers. “They’re rationalizing allowing this to happen.” But, he added, “If this continues and we have a fundamental rewriting of the separation of powers, history is not going to treat those well who were complicit.”

Ruth Marcus is on X, @RuthMarcus

Trump, Musk are spring cleaning the government

It’s a bit early for spring cleaning but that’s what President Donald Trump and his faithful companion Elon Musk appear to be doing.

When I was a child, every spring my mother would open closets and check the attic and basement for clothes and other items that could be discarded or given to charity Sometimes it was difﬁcult to part with them, especially if they had sentimental value, but generally we went along with most of it because clutter was regarded as unnecessary and taking up space that could be used for other things.

Today’s cable shows have programs about what they call “hoarding” that gives you a ﬂavor of what I mean in case you are not old enough to share my memories.

“Who voted for Musk?” is the cry by some Democrats who are resisting his and Trump’s effort to downsize government, something Trump promised to do during his campaign. Does any politician want to say the government is too small, costs too little and that we need more regulations? Maybe some on the fringes of the Democratic Party (and we know who you are), but probably no one else.

The pathetic image of a few radical politicians showing up at the Department of Education (DOE) and getting blocked from entering the building by what appeared to be a security guard, was only the latest example of how Democrats have run out of even bad ideas. What were they protesting? The guard asked them, “What is your business here?” No one answered because the protest was the endgame. They couldn’t even tell the guard who they wanted to see.

One of the showboating protesters at the DOE was Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., whose district includes Los Angeles public schools. According to U.S. News and World Report: “Los Angeles Uniﬁed School District spends $19,576 per student each year.” And what are taxpayers getting in return? The publication reports that in math elementary students are at just 33% proﬁciency By middle school the number drops to 25%. It declines further to 18% by

high school. It’s not much better with reading where the numbers are 40%, 38% and 46, respectively Perhaps Rep. Waters ought to focus on the schools in her district rather than engage in bad political theater in Washington that helps no child. Once again, we see how money and education achievement are unrelated. If they were, these proﬁciency levels would be much higher It’s a major reason school choice is winning approval in increasing numbers of states, thanks to an executive order by President Trump, perhaps soon at the national level.

Back to the main reason Democrats, the party of big government, are apoplectic when it comes to Musk. Their main criticism is that no one elected him. Who “elected” the people responsible for these wasteful, fraudulent and in many cases, unnecessary and duplicative programs? The answer is no one. They are mostly appointed or hired bureaucrats and regulators who have made life (and the cost) worse for America. Sometimes it takes a chainsaw, instead of a scalpel, to get a job done. So far, voters who put Trump in ofﬁce for a second term appear to be pleased with his (and Musk’s) performance. According to the latest YouGov poll: “Slightly more Americans strongly or somewhat approve of Donald Trump’s job performance (46%) than disapprove (44%).” The breakdown by party shows approval by “90% of Republicans, 38% of Independents, and 10% of Democrats.” Democrats claim that cutting or ending some U.S. foreign aid will cause poor children to starve. Some news organizations, who have lost credibility among many Americans, follow suit. Much of the public seems not to be buying what they are selling. Three weeks into Trump’s second term, Democrats have nothing new to offer the country and that’s where Trump and Musk would like them to stay while they continue making cuts. Email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@ tribpub.com.

associaTed Press PhoTo by aleX brandon

President donald Trump listens as elon musk speaks in the oval office at the White house on Tuesday in Washington.

Ruth Marcus Cal Thomas

Baton Rouge Weather

2025 C LLEGE BASEBALL PREVIEW

LSu slugger Jones passed on the mLb draft — twice. Now he wants to lead the Tigers to the college World Series.

1 Derek Curiel • LF, Fr. • (L) curiel was the no. 10 player in the nation out of high school, per Perfect Game, and is mature beyond his years at the plate. his elite speed also means he can play center field.

2. Steven Milam • SS, So. • (S) “monster” milam came up big in the postseason last year and shined all season defensively at second base This year, he’s moving to shortstop and will be a prominent piece of the lineup

3. Jared Jones • 1B, Jr. • (R) Jones has decided to put off his major league dreams for another season, returning to lsu after blasting 28 home runs. he’ll provide a necessary thump to the Tigers’ lineup in 2025

4. Josh Pearson • DH, Sr. • (L) Pearson is the Tigers’ lone threeyear returning starter and the only player who was on Johnson’s first lsu team in 2022 he brings a veteran presence that Johnson covets

5 Daniel Dickinson 2B, Jr. (R) a transfer from utah Valley state, dickinson has gone from freshman walk-on to preseason third-team all-american after posting a 1.085 on-base plus slugging percentage with the Wolverines last year

6. Jake Brown • RF, So. • (L) brown took a big step forward offensively this fall, making him a strong candidate to start in the Tigers’ crowded outfield. more power may be in store after he added weight in the offseason

7. Luis Hernandez C, Sr • (R) hernandez, a transfer from indiana state, only played three games at catcher last season but lsu’s been impressed with his defense this preseason/fall, and he blasted 23 homers last year

8. Michael Braswell •3B, Sr • (R) braswell will change positions after serving as lsu’s shortstop last season. at the plate, more power could be coming. Tendonitis in both knees hampered his ability to drive the ball.

9. Chris Stanfield • CF, Jr • (R) The auburn transfer starts in center thanks to his elite speed and experience at the position offensively, lsu has adjusted his mechanics, similarly to what the Tigers did with braswell last year.

Tanner Reaves, INF, R-Jr (L) reaves is a junior college transfer who led blinn college to its first-ever junior college national championship last summer his defensive versatility will be key — he can play seven positions.

Ashton Larson • OF, So. • (L) during much of sec play last season, larson was one of lsu’s best hitters his ability to make consistent contact and get on base will be valuable for this deep Tigers’ lineup.

Ethan Frey • OF, Jr • (R) Frey often started at dh against left-handed pitching a season ago. now fully recovered from his shoulder injury, he can play a corner outfield spot while providing versatility for the lineup.

Cade Arrambide • C, Fr. • (R) arrambide had a chance to be selected in the first few rounds of the mlb draft as the no. 2 catcher in the nation out of high school. he’s strong has a big arm and a powerful bat.

LSU slugger Jones always has been physically mature, but now he’s ready to lead the Tigers during his third season.

ALL GROWN UP

BY KOKI RILEY staff writer

Jared Jones still remembers the conversation It was his freshman year, and the LSU ﬁrst baseman was hitting off of a tee the morning after a rough day at the plate. He was in the starting lineup but struggling. He needed to clear his head.

Then Paul Skenes walked into the room.

“Why are you hitting off a tee?” Skenes asked.

“I don’t know, just trying to get my mind off things,” Jones replied.

“You remind me a lot of myself,” Skenes said

Skenes, LSU’s ace that season, went on to start the MLB All-Star Game and win the National League Rookie of the Year award less than two years later But in this moment, he proceeded to ask a question: “Do you know who I played my ﬁrst college game against?”

Jones knew the answer It was LSU. Skenes began his collegiate career as a two-way player at Air Force and primarily was a hitter His debut was nearly four years before LSU’s season opener on Friday against Purdue Fort Wayne (2 p.m., SEC Network+).

“You know what my stat line was that weekend?” Skenes asked Jones.

“No,” Jones replied.

“0 for 11, nine Ks,” Skenes said. (He actually went 0 for 8 with ﬁve strikeouts.)

“Yeah, not a good weekend,” Jones said.

“No, not a good weekend,” Skenes agreed.

The rest of the year didn’t go swimmingly for Jones. He lost his starting job by the time the postseason came around, mostly watching from the bench as LSU went on to win its seventh national championship on the backs of Skenes, Dylan Crews, Tommy White, Tre Morgan, Cade Beloso and Gavin Dugas, among others.

Jones learned from all of them.

“The senior leadership kind of helped mold (Jared) to understand the standard at LSU along with the coaches,” Jones’ father, George, said. “Even through the struggles of his freshman year, he leaned heavily on the seniors for emotional and performance support. And they embraced him.”

After hitting 28 home runs the next season and turning down Major League Baseball for a second time, Jones — aka

“Bear” — returns to LSU for his junior year as the face of the program.

He enters this season as the No. 1 ﬁrst baseman in the nation, according to D1Baseball. As Skenes once was for him, he’ll be the man his new teammates look up to as the Tigers bring back only 12 players who played in a game for them a year ago.

But what led Jones to this moment — becoming the star power hitter and centerpiece of a consensus top-5 team in the country was more than just one conversation with Skenes.

“He has matured mentally and emotionally beyond what I could have imagined he would,” Michelle Jones, Jared’s mother, said.

An extra year

Michelle wishes they’d done it with their older son.

Her and her husband had gone through it four times before, having three daughters and a son enter high school at a young age and graduate before turning 18. But the chaos of raising so many children didn’t give them the time to think about whether they should let their kids attend school with legal adults.

“Do we really want our 14-year-old being around 17 and 18-year-old people?” George said.

Despite his size Jared grew 10 inches in the summer between seventh and eighth grade — and strong grades, he was young for his grade because he

was born on Aug. 1. With most of Jones’ four older siblings out of the house, Michelle and George had the time and perspective to choose a different route for Jared before he reached high school.

After his eighth grade year — and after the local school system didn’t agree to hold him back Michelle and George pulled Jared out of school to home-school him for a year before he attended Walton High.

Jones’ routine that year was wellorganized.

He’d wake up early each morning as Michelle was getting ready for work The night before, she would lay out the next day’s curriculum with Jared. George, who worked from home, was tasked with making sure Jared did his schoolwork.

Michelle would return home in the afternoon and go over any questions he had and made sure he accomplished what needed to get done that day The online curriculum he worked with was a Georgia accredited system.

“He wasn’t laying around in bed until 10 o’clock,” Michelle said, “and rolling up in his pajamas to do schoolwork.”

Once he ﬁnished his school assignments, Jared would work on his game with his father in the afternoons. For three days a week, George would bring him to the batting cages or help him practice his blocking and throwing as a catcher. He’d also work out in the makeshift weight room in their basement garage.

sTaFF PhoTo by michael Johnson

lsu first baseman Jared Jones is seen on Feb 4 at alex box stadium. The slugger will begin his third season at lsu on Friday

George relished having the opportunity to spend extra time with his son. It was something that wasn’t afforded to him with his four other children

“He probably thinks I’m a little bit intense,” George said. “But I completely enjoyed that time because there were zero distractions.”

Jared doesn’t remember many specifics from that year, except that he worked out a lot and may have been a little bored. But there was no denying how important that time was for his development on and off the ﬁeld

By the beginning of his freshman year, he received a scholarship offer from LSU.

“It seems to have worked out,”

George said. “We feel like it’s one of our best decisions as a family.”

Surviving the draft, twice

Shane Amos hasn’t forgotten the ﬁrst time he saw Jones

It was the fall of Jared’s freshman year, and Amos was in the weight room as the future LSU slugger walked in.

“I said, ‘Oh my goodness. That’s a big boy,’ “ Amos said.

He then remembers seeing Jared hit in the cages for the ﬁrst time, and how the sound of the bat against the ball was different.

“I knew right then,” said Amos, the Walton baseball coach

This was a sound Jones made often throughout his four seasons playing for Amos. At Walton, he posted an .814 slugging percentage, .450 batting average and blasted 35 home runs.

He started at designated hitter as a freshman before becoming Walton’s catcher and part-time ﬁrst baseman for the remainder of his high school career. Perfect Game ranked him as the No. 4 catcher in the nation in the 2022 class.

“You don’t see guys like that just walk in the door that can move like he can,” Amos said, “that can do the things he could do.”

As he continued to ascend as a high school prospect, Jared’s college recruitment was relatively free of drama

He didn’t go on many recruiting trips because of COVID-19, but it hardly mattered He committed to LSU roughly a year after receiving his scholarship offer, the same day Skip Bertman’s statue was unveiled in front of Alex Box Stadium

George said Jared never seriously considered going anywhere else, not even Georgia.

“No. 1, it’s LSU. It’s the Yankees of college baseball,” George said. “But then I just think he wanted to go somewhere and make a name for himself, that he wasn’t already that guy.”

Jared still had to navigate the MLB Draft before arriving at school. But, despite being one of the 50 best high school players in the nation, he entered the process with low expectations.

He was right. No team came close to snatching him up in the draft.

“Looking back on it,” Jared said, “absolutely I was not ready for (pro ball).”

His mother agreed, even if she never told him what to do.

“I felt he was going to have more of a safety net, if you will, at LSU,” Michelle said. “Look at the life you live at a place like LSU versus grinding it out in the minor leagues.”

Two seasons at LSU quickly came and went. Despite his freshman year struggles, he made the 2023 All-SEC freshman team before breaking out as a sophomore, leading the Tigers in slugging percentage, on-base percentage and homers.

For most sophomores, a big season like the one Jared had would set him up for a critical junior year where he’d be draft eligible that summer But his birthday was on the cutoff date for draft-eligible sophomores, meaning that he could get picked in the 2024 draft.

“When we held him back in the eighth grade I didn’t realize that he would be draft eligible as a sophomore (in college),” George said.

Michelle believed her son was ready to go to the next level this time around, if the opportunity arose. The only problem was she didn’t want the family’s experience with LSU to come to an end.

“I had very very mixed emotions about which way I wanted it to go for him,” Michelle said. “I mean, obviously the end game for him and his lifelong dream is to play professional baseball. But there has been nothing like what we have experienced at LSU.

As for Jared, he didn’t know what would happen next. Finishing the year on a high note — he homered in six of LSU’s last nine games led him to believe that perhaps he was ready for pro ball.

That didn’t mean he didn’t want to come back to school With the help of his parents and his agent, longtime family friend Trevor Kieboom, Jones

set a high dollar figure for teams to reach in large part because of “the opportunity that I still had (at LSU).”

Throughout the summer leading up to the draft, he also realized what he wanted wasn’t the most relevant aspect of his situation. Whether a team drafted him or not was mostly out of his control.

“Everybody was like, ‘It’s your decision. Do what makes you happy.’ And I would just sit there and I’d try (to) reﬂect on it, think deeply about what I wanted,” he said. “But at the end of the day, I just decided, ‘You know what, it’s not really my decision.’ “

The number Jared had set for himself was high enough to where he probably would’ve had to be picked in the ﬁrst three rounds for him to leave for professional baseball.

That ended up not being the case. He called Johnson after the ﬁrst night of the draft, saying that “he was pretty much coming back to school.”

“On the off chance something crazy happens tomorrow, I will call you,” Jared remembers telling Johnson.

Jared heard “some stuff” through Kieboom about potentially getting selected in the third round, but that never came to pass No team came close to matching his asking price in the end.

But the outcome wasn’t a disappointment for Jared and his family Either way was a win.

“Look at the choices you get. You get the Cadillac Escalade with full leather interior and all of the bells and whistles, or you get the Lincoln Navigator with the leather interior and all the bells and whistles. Are you losing?”

George said. “God willing, and he stays healthy pro ball is going to be there.”

Living with a ‘Monster’

The house Steven Milam bought in Baton Rouge has three extra bedrooms, but he wanted to ﬁll only one.

His roommate, LSU teammate and freshman inﬁelder Ryan Kucherak had entered the transfer portal after the 2024 season. Milam likes to be alone sometimes, but he still wanted to have someone around to accompany him and his two Belgian Malinois, Drizzy and Nicki.

It just so happened that Jared and his black lab Remington were room-andboard free agents.

“I would say he’s more like a little kid than anything,” Milam, a sophomore inﬁelder, said. “Everybody sees a big 6-foot6 kid and living with him is awesome.”

Thanks to the dogs, life can be chaotic in the Jones-Milam house. They’ve come home to chewed up shoes and a deconstructed bed with its fuzz littered “everywhere.” Milam aka “Monster” estimates the dogs have destroyed six beds.

“(Remy) might be the biggest lab I’ve ever seen in my life,” Milam said. “She’s like 100 pounds, she has so much fat. She bullies my two dogs.”

The rest of their house is low-key Jared likes to play video games, mostly “Fortnite.” He’ll often play it with his brother online. Sometimes Milam and Jones play “Call of Duty” together Milam often cooks with his girlfriend. Jones, on the other hand, isn’t much of a cook. He’ll often order food to be delivered to the house instead.

“Usually, I don’t have a lot of time to do all that (cooking),” Jones said. Jones has even less time on his hands these days with the season quickly approaching. He spent the offseason looking to improve his plate discipline and defense at ﬁrst base. He’s also taken on a greater leadership role with the team.

He’s made time for some things outside of baseball as well, including a pledge to donate $100 to the Make-AWish foundation for every homer the Tigers hit this season. He hopes LSU fans and boosters join him this year in contributing to the charity

“I’ve seen him grow into somebody who’s really interested in paying it forward and giving back for the blessings he has received,” Michelle said, “and try to take a role in being part of the community that he has been embraced by.”

Jones’ success hasn’t blown up his ego or rushed to his head. In part because of the sarcastic nature of his family, he remains humble.

“I can go home for Thanksgiving, and they’re not going to tell me how great I am, and that I had such a great year,” he said. “They’re going to tell me how bad I am and that I need to do better and that if they were in my shoes, they would have this stat line and be better than me.”

He maintains that level headedness even when asked about how he plans on taking advantage of his third season at LSU. His response revolves around the team. He never mentions himself, only the common goal he shares with his teammates about winning another championship.

But LSU’s 2023 national championship team still had stars, players who could elevate those around them with their play on the ﬁeld and their inﬂuence off of it.

That’s who Skenes, Crews and White were for Jones, and that’s whom Jones has become for this year’s team.

“I would say kind of getting him back here was big. I mean, it was the biggest thing for this program,” Milam said. “... Showing that he wants to be here and turning down that contract of whatever he got, it’s a big (deal).

“Kind of opened my eyes a lot, like, hey he wants another shot at this.”

Skenes, Crews and White propelled LSU to its ﬁrst national title in 14 years. It’s now Jones’ turn to try to do the same two years later

“When you put those three names and then me,” Jones said, “it doesn’t feel like I should even be considered in the same conversation as that.”

Email Koki Riley at Koki.Riley@theadvocate.com.

WEEKEND STARTERS

Friday: Kade Anderson • LHP, So. anderson was dominant during the preseason and fall, adding a tight slider while improving his command. if he keeps it up, he could be a first-round pick this summer

Saturday: Anthony Eyanson • RHP, Jr. eyanson transferred to lsu from uc san diego this offseason. last season, he posted a 3.07 era in 82 innings before playing with the u.s. collegiate national Team over the summer

Sunday: Chase Shores • RHP, R-So. shores also has a chance to be a first-round pick this summer, starting games as a freshman before Tommy John surgery sidelined him for a year and a half.When healthy, his fastball is up to 100 mph.

TOP RELIEVERS

Conner Ware • LHP, Jr. Ware was lsu’s best pitcher this fall, according to Johnson. injuries limited the junior college transfer the past two years but he has the talent to be drafted in the first few rounds.

William Schmidt • RHP, Fr schmidt easily could have been a first-round pick, but he decided to come to school instead. his fastball sits around 95 mph, and he might have the best curveball on the team.

Casan Evans • RHP, Fr evans was a two-way player out of high school but his focus is now set on the mound.The decision has paid off already, as his fastball was up to 99 mph this fall.

Mavrick Rizy • RHP, Fr at 6-foot-9 and 253 pounds, rizy towers over hitters.The freshman from massachusetts has a fastball that sits in the mid-90s and a sharp slider to attack hitters with.

Gavin Guidry • RHP, Jr. Guidry returns after two seasons of being one of the Tigers’ top relief pitchers.This year, he’s looking to expand his role and become a multi-inning reliever or a starter

Zac Cowan • RHP, Jr cowan, a Wofford transfer is a strike-throwing machine and was a workhorse last season. he posted a 3.35 era and threw three complete games in 110 innings as the Terriers’ ace.

Connor Benge • RHP, Jr benge transferred to lsu from dallas baptist this summer he was also a third-team junior college all-american at lsueunice in 2023 and has a two-seam fastball that’s in the mid-90s.

Cooper Williams, LHP, Fr Williams was committed to Texas a&m before a coaching change this summer changed his pledge. he was the no. 12 left-handed pitcher in the nation out of high school.

Jacob Mayers • RHP, Jr mayers was a strikeout master at nicholls state before transferring to lsu he struck out 106 batters and held opponents to a .165 batting average last year despite walking 76 hitters in 702/3 innings.

Dalton Beck • LHP/OF, Sr after transferring to lsu from incarnate Word, beck provides versatility as a two-way player. he hit 18 home runs with a .733 slugging percentage last season and gives Johnson a left-handed option in relief.

sTaFF PhoTo by michael Johnson

lsu first baseman Jared Jones poses for a photo on Feb 4 at alex box stadium.

sTaFF PhoTo by hilary scheinuK

lsu outfielder Josh Pearson, left, returns to first base behind first baseman Jared Jones during a scrimmage on Jan. 24 at alex box stadium.

FIVE STEPS TO OMAHA

how can lsu return to the college World series? here are some

STARS EMERGE ALONGSIDE JONES

Jones enters this season as a certified star after blasting 28 home runs last year but as deep as the roster is, it doesn’t have any other obvious stars.asking any player to be as prolific as dylan crews or Paul skenes is unreasonable, but if steven milam, Kade anderson, chase shores or others can play at the level Tommy White or luke holman did at lsu, that would do wonders for the Tigers’ odds of reaching omaha.

LEFT-HANDED PITCHERS STEP UP

STRONG DEFENSE AT CATCHER

FRESHMEN OUT OF BULLPEN

POWER OUTSIDE OF JONES

even the “Tink!” of a hit off a metal bat can’t fail to make the whole scene a feast for the senses. There’s even some newness at The Box this season with the added high-roller seats pressing down on the foul lines, making the familiar ballpark feel both more intimate and more class divided at the same time LSU also raised the outfield fences slightly and moved the LSU bullpen beneath the right-field bleachers. Beneath, fittingly, The Intimidator billboard, a silent but constant reminder of all the greatness that has been LSU baseball over the past 35 years, and all that is expected this and every year For all the romance of baseball, there is serious work to do. The work of fielding another College

lsu does not possess the same left-handed pitching depth it had a year ago. it has five fewer fulltime left-handed pitchers than last season, meaning that each one will be critical to it having a balanced pitching staff anderson and conner Ware were already expected to play major roles this season, but cooper Williams and dJ Primeaux also will need to be effective contributors in relief despite their relative lack of experience.They’ve tossed a combined 32/3 innings in college.

lsu’s four catchers never have caught an inning in the sec after having so much experience behind the plate with alex milazzo and hayden Travinski recently that luxury is no longer there.The coaching staff has been impressed with luis hernandez’s defense this fall, and cade arrambide has the talent to be an elite sec catcher but for lsu to reach its lofty goals, its catchers will need to work seamlessly with a new-look pitching staff and stop balls from reaching the backstop.

Williams already has been mentioned as a critical piece in relief as a lefthander, but the Tigers have a trio of young righties who could be slotted into important bullpen roles immediately William schmidt, mavrick rizy and casan evans have the talent to make the majors someday.Their talent — combined with some questions surrounding some of lsu’s veteran bullpen arms — means Johnson may need to rely on freshmen to get big outs in critical situations.

2 5 1 4 3

since its championship season, lsu has lost a lot of powerful bats. crews, White,Travinski, cade beloso, Gavin dugas and brayden Jobert are all gone. replacing them is a lot of talented players but not much proven power besides Jones.The Tigers will need hernandez, among others, to step up and blast a few more balls out of the ballpark than expected this year lsu must take advantage of playing in the smaller ballparks that populate the sec.

World Series title contender The work of turning the championship seasons commemorated on The Intimidator from a super seven to a great eight. It has taken some effort to build a roster that can do that, to replicate or follow closely in the footsteps of what the Paul Skenes/Dylan Crews/Tre Morgan Tigers did in 2023. There’s no subtlety to the mission statement of an LSU baseball team No dancing about the obvious. No inference required. Everyone knows what the task is, as plain and obvious and hard as the industrial skyline along the

Mississippi that intrudes on the pastoral baseball scene as your eye tracks a home run ball over The Box’s left-ﬁeld stands. Win. It. All. There is some satisfaction at LSU if the Tigers turn out to be one of the grateful eight who make it to Omaha and the College World Series come June. Some. Winning enough to

believe.

“It’s a tight-knit group of guys,” Pearson said Wednesday “It’s a bunch of guys who want to play for LSU, not just get to wear cool purple and gold jerseys.

“We want to do what it takes to win a national championship.” Still, it is a new era from the glory days of old. It’s always been a lot about the transfer portal but now it’s that and NIL to the Nth degree. LSU coach Jay Johnson will tell you, with no small measure of dismay how much of his time he now has to

spend fundraising. No happy task for a man who prefers to be teaching the intricacies of getting a runner home from second with two strikes and two outs.

Just getting through the Southeastern Conference will be brutal D1Baseball.com has four SEC teams in its top

ﬁve and six in the top 10 overall. But Johnson is optimistic he’s assembled a team for the long haul. The 1,000-mile haul from Alex Box to Omaha.

“I like where we are in terms of maturity but you don’t know,” Johnson said. “I’m not alone as a

“I

tough-minded people. And they’re growing.”

Being level-headed, meeting the enormous pressure that comes with those three interlocked letters on the purple caps that spell out “L-S-U” with equanimity, that’s as big of a key to what faces the Tigers as handling a breaking ball with the bases loaded or driving a gapper into one of the gorgeous green power alleys.

“When we win, we can’t think we’re the greatest team in the world,” Johnson said. “When we lose a tough game, we can’t think the sky is falling.”

That’s when it may take a little romance about baseball to get everyone through. For more LSU sports updates, sign up

sTaFF File PhoTo by hilary scheinuK

lsu head coach Jay Johnson takes a moment in the dugout before first pitch

in omaha neb

Koki Riley

sTaFF File PhoTo by hilary scheinuK

2025 COLLEGE BASEBALL PREVIEW • LSU

CONFERENCE GAUNTLET

Previewing the sec’s top baseball players, teams entering 2025 s

BY KOKI RILEY staff writer

It has become nearly impossible to dispute the Southeastern Conference’s dominance in baseball over the past de An SEC program has made a national championship game in all but one of the last 10 completed seasons. A tea league has played in the championship series in each of the last seven full seasons, and the conference has captured ﬁve consecutive national titles

The streak continued last summer when Tennessee took down Texas A&M in the third all-SEC ﬁnal in four year

The SEC’s dominance on the diamond should continue in 2025. Six of the top 10 teams in D1Baseball’s preseason rankings from the conference, including No. 1 Texas A&M, No. 3 LSU, No. 4 Tennessee, No. 5 Arkansas, No. 8 Georgia and No. 10 Florida Here’s a preview of where the league stands heading into the new year

TEXAS A&M

The aggies have a new coach in michael earley following Jim schlossnagle’s unceremonious departure to Texas. but they still bring back a lot from a team that was a win away from a national championship. leading the charge is Golden spikes award favorite Jace laViolette and firstteam all-american Gavin Grahovac.

TENNESSEE

as the reigning national champions, the Volunteers lost a plethora of key pieces from last season’s team. however, they reloaded through the portal, adding ole miss third baseman andrew Fischer and left-handed pitcher liam doyle, as well as louisville shortstop Gavin Kilen (.330 batting average). shortstop dean curley headlines a smaller group of returning contributors.

LSU six starters in lsu’s lineup return but 12 of its top 14 pitchers from last season in terms of innings are gone.To replace the lost production, lsu was aggressive in the portal and maintained its elite-level high school recruits. Freshman William schmidt and uc san diego transfer anthony eyanson highlight the incoming group.

ARKANSAS

offense was the razorbacks’achilles’ heel a season ago, and it won’t help that infielder Peyton stovall is gone. but shortstop Wehiwa aloy and designated hitter Kendall diggs return arkansas was also active in the portal, adding Tcu outfielder logan maxwell and east carolina left-handed pitcher Zach root, among others

FLORIDA

The loss of two-way star Jac caglianone is massive, but the Gators figure to have a deeper lineup this season with the middle infield duo of colby shelton and cade Kurland returning and adding miami outfield transfer blake cyr right-hander liam Peterson (77 strikeouts in 63 innings) leads a rotation lacking proven performers.

GEORGIA

Georgia lost two stars in Golden spikes award winner charlie condon and second-team allamerican corey collins. but a strong transfer portal class and the return of infielders slate alford and Kolby branch (17 home runs apiece), and right-handed starter leighton Finley make the bulldogs a contender to get to omaha.

TEXAS

it was a program-changing offseason for the longhorns, most notably after they plucked Jim schlossnagle out of college station to become

aP File PhoTo by sean rayFord Vanderbilt pitcher Jd Thompson delivers a ball against coastal carolina during an ncaa regional game on may 31 in clemson, s.c Thompson is one of a handful of core players returning for Vanderbilt’s 2025 season.

their new coach. outfielder max belyeu and shortstop Jalin Flores headline a talented lineup but the effectiveness of the pitching staff may be a mystery outside of indiana state left-handed transfer Jared spencer

VANDERBILT

shortstop Jonathan Vastine, outfielder rJ austin, and left-handers ethan mcelvain and Jd Thompson provide Vanderbilt a strong core of returning players. however, an improved offense will be the key to the commodores’ success.

James madison transfer and second baseman mike mancini (15 homers) was their most notable addition to the lineup.

MISSISSIPPI STATE

The bulldogs lost a lot of production from the mound, with pitchers Jurrangelo cjintje and Khal stephen getting drafted. how they replace that production and outfielder dakota Jordan’s power will be crucial to mississippi state’s success. First baseman hunter hines’ return is a big boost for the lineup.

KENTUCKY

The Wildcats reached omaha for the first time in program history last season, but a lot has changed with their roster since then. Kentucky

SEC’S TOP THREE HITTERS

JACE LAVIOLETTE • OF,TEXAS A&M

laViolette has a chance to go no. 1 overall in this summer’s mlb draft after hitting 29 home runs and posting a .447 on-base percentage last year as a sophomore. he’s also a quality defender in center field.

JARED JONES•1B, LSU Jones passed up professional baseball in July to return to lsu for a third season. he took a big leap in his development last year, blasting 28 homers and producing a 1.201 on-base plus slugging percentage.

ETHAN PETRY•OF/1B, SOUTH CAROLINA

he’s cranked no fewer than 21 homers over the past two seasons. Petry’s power and consistency have made him a preseason all-sec firstteam selection the past two years. he’ll be the engine of

added 29 new players this offseason, most notably bringing in right-hander nic mccay from south dakota state (3.64 era in 712/3 innings) and columbia outfielder cole hage.

SOUTH CAROLINA

lsu national championship-winning coach Paul mainieri takes over a program that struggled defensively and on the mound a year ago. lefthander matthew becker and right-hander dylan eskew have returned to lead the rotation, while outfielder ethan Petry (21 homers) is back for a third season to anchor the lineup.

AUBURN

The Tigers retooled their struggling pitching staff through the portal this offseason, most notably adding Florida left-hander cade Fisher and cal baptist right-hander ryan hetzler (2.59 era in 412/3 innings). First baseman cooper mcmurray and catcher ike irish (14 homers each) return to a lineup that brings back some experience.

OKLAHOMA

Twins Kyson and malachi Witherspoon lead the way for a talented sooners pitching staff. Kyson was a preseason all-sec second-team selection, and malachi pitched for the u.s. collegiate national Team this summer at the plate, oklahoma has more question marks but brings back all-big 12 first-team catcher easton carmichael.

ALABAMA

shortstop Justin lebron (.338 average) and first baseman Will hodo return as preseason all-sec selections.They’ll anchor a lineup that also added lsu transfer catcher brady neal. left-hander Zane adams is back and leads a rotation still searching for answers after the departures of left-hander Greg Farone and right-hander

OLE MISS

left-hander and staff ace hunt healthy after Tommy John surg his last two seasons. he’ll potential right away after the key contributors — andrew doyle — to Tennessee in th from shortstop luke hill (.291 important for the lineup’s success.

MISSOURI

The Tigers were the only club selected to either preseason finishing second-to-last in ago, missouri was aggressiv adding junior-college transfer first baseman Jackson lovich, to hit at least 10 homers last

TOP THREE PITCHERS

RYAN PRAGER• LHP,TEXAS A&M

Prager was one of the top pitchers in the conference a year ago, posting a 2.95 era and striking out 124 batters in nearly 100 innings. he returns to school despite being selected in the third round of the mlb draft in July

KYSON WITHERSPOON• RHP, OKLAHOMA Witherspoon struck out 90 batters in 80 innings last year, earning a 3.71 era in his first season at oklahoma. life won’t be any easier in the sec, but Witherspoon has the track record to succeed in the conference.

GABE GAECKLE • RHP,ARKANSAS

Gaeckle was dominant in relief last season with a 2.32 era and 57 strikeouts in 422/3 innings. he’ll likely be the razorbacks’ Friday night starter this year after becoming a preseason firstteam all-sec selection.

sTaFF File PhoTo by michael Johnson

Texas a&m center fielder Jace laViolette leads off from first as lsu pitcher aiden moffett delivers a pitch in the eighth inning of their game on may 5 at alex box stadium. laViolette is a Golden spikes award favorite for 2025.

Koki Riley

aP File PhoTo

ethan Petry

SCHEDULE

DEEPER AND BETTER

southern has lofty expectations thanks to its newfound depth

BY TOYLOY BROWN III staff writer

Chris Crenshaw has a new favorite word: depth.

The Southern baseball coach repeats the term because it’s in contrast to last season’s team.

The 2024 team ﬁnished 22-29 and lost both games in the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s doubleelimination tournament.

That version of the Jaguars was “top-heavy,” depending too greatly on the exploits of graduate student outﬁelder Tyeler Hawkins and lacking the depth to replace key injured players.

“One of the top guys got hurt, and it was a big drop-off for the next backup,” Crenshaw said.

“But this year I think we’ve got some quality depth and some some guys from last year’s team got better.”

Southern will display its newfound balance for the ﬁrst time in the season opener at 7 p.m. Friday against Texas Southern in the Cac-

tus Jack HBCU Classic at Houston’s Minute Maid Park.

The Jaguars then play rival Grambling at 3 p.m. Saturday and close the weekend against another SWAC foe, Prairie View, at 7 p.m. Sunday

The Jaguars lost 11 starters, including key contributors like outfielder Khyle Radcliffe and inﬁelder Ryan Ollison who were among the top ﬁve on the team in RBIs, home runs, runs and walks.

But no loss looms greater than Hawkins. He led the SWAC in slugging percentage (.660) and ranked in the top 10 in the conference in batting average (.373), home runs (10), on-base percentage (.520) and stolen bases (23 of 27). Hawkins’ 48 RBIs ranked 12th in the conference.

Crenshaw isn’t searching for a player to have Hawkins’ stats. Instead, the fourth-year coach wants multiple players to ﬁll that hole.

That’s the winning recipe the team couldn’t execute in 2024.

“Last year, we relied on Tyler a

lot, whether it was getting the big hits, stealing a big base or making a big play,” Crenshaw said. “I think that’s a lot to put on one player for your team to be good.”

Crenshaw said he’s pleased with the internal growth he’s seen.

Southern wants the running game to again be a signiﬁcant part of its attack. The Jaguars were ﬁrst in stolen bases in the conference last season (154) A pleasant surprise has been the level of power hitting which is looking better than at this point last season.

Junior outﬁelders Jacoby Radcliffe and Kameron Byrd, junior infielder KJ White and senior catcher Rashard Grace are some of the key returners that produced last year and Crenshaw expects to see each continue to blossom.

New additions are expected to be a part of the all-important depth.

The crop of transfers that include junior outfielder Cardell Thibodeaux (UL-Monroe) junior inﬁelder Edward Gregory (Jackson State) and junior outfielder

Jaylon Lucky (Alcorn State) have all done well in the preseason. Freshman inﬁelders Beny Bikar and Brant Stewart catcher Xavier Bradley and outﬁelder Omari Johnson have all impressed Crenshaw and will have a chance to contribute early

On the mound, the Jaguars are excited about Ranard Grace, who was named to the preseason AllSWAC second team selection. Grace, a 5-foot-11 left-handed junior and the team’s ace, has gotten stronger this offseason.

The collection of talent assembled has Crenshaw holding his team to a expectation higher than the sixth-place ﬁnish the conference preseason poll predicts.

The Jaguars will aim for the SWAC championship, which they haven’t won since 2021.

“I think we got everything possible to be a championship team,” Crenshaw said. “We’ve just got to go out and play and meet the standard. The only people that can beat us is us.”

Catcher Grace ﬁnds his power stroke

Training program in seattle helps su senior gain more pop in swing

BY TOYLOY BROWN III staff writer

It’s hard to ﬁnd anyone who had a better offseason than Rashard Grace.

The Southern senior took signiﬁcant steps as a hitter with two home runs in fall scrimmages and a third in the preseason along with several doubles.

It’s safe to say the 5-foot-11, 190-pound catcher has literally found his power

“Before this fall, I’d only hit two home runs in my life ever,” said Grace who hadn’t had even hit a homer in high school game action.

Grace’s first home run of his career came at his ﬁrst at-bat of his junior season against Texas Southern on Feb 18 at the Cactus Jack HBCU Classic at Houston’s Minute Maid Park.

Coincidentally, Southern opens its season at 7 p.m. Friday against Texas Southern in the same ballpark.

Fans can expect the Madison, Mississippi, native to drive in runs from the third or fourth spot in the batting order in the opener thanks to his improved hitting.

The origins of his growth can be traced to Seattle, where he was a software engineering intern for Boeing over the summer

The computer science major worked on a team that handled the software that cataloged the spare parts for planes for two months starting in June.

sTaFF File PhoTo by hilary

southern catcher rashard Grace spent the summer working as an intern for boeing in seattle. While there, he took part in a program by driveline baseball to help with the mechanics of his swing

While getting on-the-job experience was his purpose in Seattle, he couldn’t help but notice his proximity to Driveline Baseball, a training organization that helps hitters and pitchers of all levels.

The data-driven program has helped more than 200 major league draft picks, 100 MLB allstars and seven players among the past nine College World Series winners, according to its website.

The chance to receive elite training was too tempting for Grace to ignore, he said.

“Going into my senior year if there was ever a time to go try and take a leap, it would be now,”

he said. Driveline did a motion-capture assessment of Grace’s body to gauge his ﬂexibility mobility and other attributes. With the data, they provided a detailed plan on what areas Grace needed to target. “Everything from weight room to stretching to drills to do in batting practice,” he said. “You just grind it out throughout the whole summer And you’re looking for things like (ways to) gain on your bat speed, your exit velocities, your launch angle, so that by the time you get to the game, you can slug it a little bit more, hit more

doubles, hit more home runs be-

cause that’s kind of what the game is trending toward nowadays.” Grace dedicated himself to improving physically, and once back on the ﬁeld in Baton Rouge he realized he didn’t have to “try to do too much” to get success. His growth behind the plate came at the right time as the Jaguars have more power in their lineup than fourth-year coach

Chris Crenshaw has seen.

“I haven’t seen us hit this many home runs throughout all of my years here, so it’s very promising for us,” Grace said.

The senior also decided to pick up pitching, although he had never done it in his three previous years at Southern.

Grace proved himself to be a helpful right-handed arm during fall practice and should be used at some point this season, he said. He received some pointers from his twin brother, Ranard Grace, who is a left-hander and Southern’s top pitcher The junior was named to the preseason All-SWAC second team.

Rashard Grace is beyond pleased with his offseason of development on and on the field With his new skills, he still hasn’t forgotten his most valuable trait.

“Just being a leader out there on the ﬁeld, that’s kind of my biggest thing,” he said. “Be vocal out there, just so I’m an actual presence out there on the field, and that like people can look at me and know that I’m tapped into the game and pretty much I’m with them every step of the way.”

Email Toyloy Brown III at toyloy.brown@theadvocate.com.

sTaFF File PhoTo by michael Johnson

southern designated hitter Jacoby radcliffe drives the ball against alcorn state on may 6 at lee-hines Field. radcliffe, a junior, is a key returnee for the Jaguars, who hope to win their first sWac championship since 2021.

scheinuK

‘NASTY’ MENTALITY

lsu gym aims for growth ahead of 1 vs. 2 showdown with oklahoma

BY SCOTT RABALAIS staff writer

LSU coach Jay Clark wants his Tigers to be more consistent no matter where they are.

Like Chick-ﬁl-A.

And like Oklahoma.

“The analogy is everywhere you go, Chick-ﬁl-A is the same,” Clark said after his Tigers’ 197.300-197.075 win last Friday at Alabama. We’ve got to grow. We’ve got to be a little more nasty in our mindset to be consistent.

“We’re so comfortable at home. We have to get where we are comfortable wherever we are Great teams do that.”

Great teams like the top-ranked Sooners, who invade the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Friday night for the ﬁrst No. 1 vs. No. 2 gymnastics dual meet since 2021.

First vault is set for 8 p.m. The meet, which was nearing a sellout as of Thursday afternoon, will be televised nationally on ESPN2.

LSU’s best score this season, a 198.000 two weeks ago at home against Missouri, is better than Oklahoma’s best score, a 197.950 that beat LSU, California and Utah on Jan. 11 in the Sprouts Collegiate Quad in Oklahoma City

But while the Tigers struggled a week before the Missouri meet to a 196.600

at Arkansas, the Sooners have posted a much tighter, more consistent batch of scores. Their lowest marks: a pair of 197.550s, the ﬁrst in their season opener in a four-team meet in Nashville, Tennessee, and the second Jan. 24 at Alabama.

The past two weeks, Oklahoma has posted identical 197.825 scores in backto-back home meets against Arkansas and Kentucky It’s brought the Sooners to Baton Rouge for the ﬁrst time as a Southeastern Conference team 10-0 overall and 4-0 in league competition.

LSU is 6-2 and 3-1 in the SEC, making this meet pretty much a do-or-die one for

Saints’ rebuild not just a one-man mission

Jeff Duncan

New Saints head coach Kellen Moore answered 65 questions and spoke for 37 minutes at his introductory news conference Thursday He didn’t reveal much during his time at the podium, which is understandable given he’d been on the job for less than 48 hours, but he presented the kind of front you’d expect from someone who just had landed the ﬁrst head coaching gig of his life. He was optimistic, energetic and enthusiastic.

“I can’t wait to get going,” Moore said with a beaming smile. “Let’s go.” Moore seemed to know what he’s getting into, even without getting into it. While maintaining a positive, can-do attitude, he admitted the road ahead is going “to take a lot of work” and “be a really hard challenge.” Moore’s admission is important. After all, the ﬁrst step to solving a problem is admitting you have one. And the Saints certainly have their share of problems. You know it. I know it.

And deep down inside, Moore knows it, even if he was unwilling to dwell on them in any detail. In becoming the 12th head coach in franchise history, he steps into a lessthan-ideal situation. The Saints have the worst salary-cap situation in the league. Their roster is in decline and aging. And the quarterback position has no long-term answer

It’s a bit of a mess, which is why Moore is here in the ﬁrst place. But Moore and his new staff can’t ﬁx this alone. They’ll need help.

As general manager Mickey Loomis said last offseason, everyone has had a hand in the downturn of the Saints.

Dennis Allen wasn’t solely at fault for digging the hole the Saints ﬁnd themselves in, and Moore won’t be capable of singlehandedly excavating them from it.

BY MATTHEW PARAS staff writer

As he walked in to his introduction as the New Orleans Saints next head coach, accompanied by his wife and two of his four children, Kellen Moore felt like he had come full circle. In 2012, Moore arrived at the Saints’ facility for his ﬁrst predraft visit. Then a quarterback at Boise State, Moore was shown around by then-Saints quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi. Backup quarterback Chase Dan-

iel technically served as his host on the visit. The Saints chose not to draft him, but the opportunity was still a taste of the NFL life, something Moore never would forget.

So here was Moore on Thursday — days after winning the Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles back in the same building, making his next big career leap.

“This is such an incredible place,” he said. At his formal introduction to New Orleans, Moore laid out

his vision for how he plans to turn the Saints into a winner once again. While the former Eagles offensive coordinator was coy on certain answers

particularly about quarterback Derek Carr — Moore detailed how he wants to build a

It will take a collaborative effort from everyone in the building.

Hiring a new head coach and establishing a new culture are great starts, and Loomis and the team’s brain trust deserve credit for luring Moore away from a great situation in Philadelphia. Moore easily could have followed the lead of Kliff Kingsbury in Washington or Ben Johnson in Detroit a year ago and waited another year for a less challenging opportunity Instead, he chose to come to New Orleans, citing the team’s collaborative synergy and leadership as the main reasons.

“This is a special place,” he said.

Moore arrives with a strong reputation and stellar résumé. If nothing else, he should inject much-needed energy and enthusiasm into the program.

But it won’t matter how skilled or spirited Moore is as a head coach and offensive strategist if he doesn’t receive the support, effort and focus of the entire organization.

It was important to hear owner Gayle Benson make such a pledge before Moore took the podium.

“My job is to provide any resource our players, coaches and front ofﬁce need to compete for a championship,” Benson said. “Kellen, you have my full commitment to doing whatever it takes to deliver another Lombardi Trophy back to our city.”

BY TIM REYNOLDS

basketball writer

SAN FRANCISCO There was a conversation that Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James had with Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic during last year’s AllStar Game that went viral, since microphones picked up the exchange.

The question was about who James played with in his first All-Star appearance.

“It was me, Wilt Chamberlain, Bob Cousy that was my

ﬁrst All-Star Game back in ‘68, I think,” James said It was an exaggeration. A slight one, perhaps.

James’ first All-Star Game was in 2005 not 1968, of course — and he hasn’t missed one since, meaning Sunday’s All-Star event in San Francisco will be his 21st and further extend his all-time record in that department.

“It’s always special and very humbling, and I don’t take it for granted, being an All-Star,” James said. “It’s something that, when I was a kid, I always watched the All-Star Game and I always wanted to be on that ﬂoor It’s always special and I’m pretty happy about it.” He went over the 70 million mark in career All-Star votes from fans this season (a record), has been the leading vote-getter 10 times (another record) and those are just the start of James’ long, long, long list of All-Star accomplishments. James — the oldest current player in the league and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer — will play on the team drafted by Shaquille O’Neal this weekend, along with Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Dallas’ Kyrie Irving Boston teammates Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Phoenix’s Kevin Durant, Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard and the Los Angeles Clippers’ James

Benson’s commitment is nice, but it can’t stop there.

Moore will need that “full commitment” from everyone in the organization, starting with Loomis, the rest of the front ofﬁce and the team leaders in the locker room. If not, Moore will get swallowed up by the job, the same way some of his peers have across the league. Exhibit A: Kingsbury in Arizona. He arrived in Phoenix six years ago with a reputation similar to Moore. Young. Bright. Ambitious. Offensive genius. And he was ﬁred four years

sTaFF PhoTo by michael Johnson

lsu gymnast aleah Finnegan reaches to catch the top bar during an uneven bars routine during a meet against missouri on Jan. 31 at the Pete maravich assembly center

sTaFF PhoTo by soPhia Germer

new saints coach Kellen moore, left, poses with saints and Pelicans owner Gayle benson and saints general manager mickey loomis during a news conference at the saints’ practice facility on Thursday

7:30

BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS

10 p.m.

9 a.m. Virginia vs.auburn esPn2

11 a.m san diego st. vs.alabama secn

noon Kentucky vs. clemson esPn2

1 p.m. ohio st. vs. Florida st. accn

2 p.m. oklahoma st. vs. ucla esPn2

COLLEGE WRESTLING

6 p.m. stanford at nc state accn

6 p.m Penn st. at ohio st. bTn

8 p.m. iowa at minnesota bTn

MEN’S LACROSSE

8:30 p.m. saskatchewan at calgary esPnu GOLF

4:30 a.m. The aramco series GolF

a.m. PGa Tour: chubb classic GolF

p.m. PGa Tour: Genesis open GolF 8 p.m.

LSU softball expects stiff competition

Two ranked foes part of event

BY JIM KLEINPETER contributing writer

LSU softball’s sneak peek weekend ended with a 5-0 record and a No. 7 national ranking this week, but the road gets tougher with the Purple and Gold Challenge at Tiger Park beginning at 4 p.m. Friday against TexasArlington.

The Tigers will play two games each against No 17 Virginia Tech and No. 22 Northwestern through Sunday after Friday’s opener Coach Beth Torina is still mulling over her lineup, which may not get settled before the end of the month. She’s a lot more certain about her pitching staff, which started the season with four shutouts before a 3-2 win over Southeastern Louisiana on Sunday Torina expects more juggling this weekend. Some spots are set, but she rotated multiple players among second base, left ﬁeld and designated player

“There are a lot of things up in the air, especially the DP spot,” Torina said. “We didn’t get as many at-bats for some people as we’d liked.

“We didn’t get (infielder) Madyson Manning in. We’ll try to get her some time this weekend. She’s had a really great preseason. There are some other names I could throw out, people who need time and opportunities, that we’d still like to see.”

Tori Edwards had a big weekend with three home runs and eight RBIs in two games Saturday, then drove in the game-winning run against Southeastern on

PhoTo by John oubre

lsu’s Tori edwards is safe at home after beating the tag of charlotte’s brooke bowling last saturday at Tiger Park.

ä UT-Arlington at LSU 4 P.m. Friday,secn+

Sunday. She said the attitude this week has been to build on the ﬁrst weekend.

“We’re ready, well-prepared,” said Edwards, a redshirt freshman. “At the end of the day whether they are ranked or not, we’re

going to play LSU softball and have fun.”

The LSU pitchers stood out, and fans got a treat from highly-touted freshman left-hander Jayden Heavener, who earned national honors for a six-inning perfect game with 13 strikeouts in the season opener Torina had no problem putting her in the circle to start

the 2025 campaign.

Heavener responded with the program’s sixth perfect game and is looking for some personal improvement.

“I picked pieces from the game that I could do better on,” she said. “You can always get better; new pitches, new form.”

Heavener credited Torina, who specializes in pitching, with polishing her ability

“She’s helped me mechanically, working with my best pitches to perfect them, hit the right spots the best spots,” Heavener said. “When I got here my mechanics were a little crazy Just through the fall it has gotten so much better, I’m feeling so much better with my body and everything.

“I’m grateful to have her and talk to her I can tell her exactly how I’m feeling and she knows. One on one and I’m not uncomfortable.”

Torina keeps her pitching strategy close to the vest, but Heavener likely will get chances against one or both of the ranked foes, along with ace Sydney Berzon. Virginia Tech (5-0) outscored five opponents 50-0 last weekend. Emma Lemley threw 11 scoreless innings to go 2-0. Inﬁelder Jordan Lynch (.571) and outfielder Cori McMilan (.462) lead the offense. Northwestern (3-2) lost to Missouri and Tennessee but defeated Duke in its opening weekend. Shortstop Kaylie Avvisato is batting .563 for the Wildcats.

Texas-Arlington (4-1) is coached by Kara Dill, who worked on Torina’s LSU staff in 2015-16. Outﬁelder Natalia Hill (.429) and shortstop Talia Maldonado (.385) lead the Mavericks at the plate.

Bregman, Red Sox agree to $120M, 3-year contract

BY RONALD BLUM

aP baseball writer

Alex Bregman and the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a $120 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday night.

Bregman gets a $5 million signing bonus, a $35 million salary this season and $40 million in each of the following two years, with some of the money deferred, and he can opt out after the 2025 and 2026 seasons to become a free agent again.

He is likely to shift from third base to second with the Red Sox, who already have All-Star slugger Rafael Devers at the hot corner

“I texted him right when it went through last night. I just couldn’t be more fired up to have him here,” new Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet said Thursday “I think you look at the intangibles, and he has them all I’ve heard a lot of good stuff about him being an absolute baseball rat, a guy that loves the game and works hard. Obviously, his pedigree speaks for itself, won a couple of World Series, the Gold Glove last year shows that he’s still at the top of his game.” Red Sox manager Alex Cora, Houston’s bench coach in 2017, compared the former LSU star with former Boston star Dustin Pedroia. Cora was suspended for the 2020 season for his role in the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal that year.

“That is a person I really like,” Cora said. “With all those guys we went through a lot. We’re still going through a lot. We made a mistake in ‘17 and some of us paid the price. We’re back in

baseball. We got a second chance.

A.J. (Hinch) got a second chance I did, too. Carlos (Beltrán) is still getting penalized because he did that. He should be a Hall of Famer already. He should be managing, too.”

A two-time All-Star and twotime World Series champion during nine years with Houston, the 30-year-old Bregman is coming off one of his poorest offensive seasons. He hit .260 with 26 homers and 75 RBIs in the final season of a $100 million, five-year contract, also winning his first Gold Glove.

Bregman has 19 postseason home runs, tied for sixth in major league history He was selected by Houston with the second overall pick in the 2015 amateur draft, made his big league debut a year later and hit .284 with 19 homers, 71 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 2017.

He had four homers and 10 RBIs in the postseason as the Astros won their ﬁrst World Series title, a championship marred when a Major League Baseball investigation revealed the team used banned electronics to steal opponents’ signs.

Bregman had RBIs in his ﬁrst ﬁve World Series games, homering off Clayton Kershaw in the opener and Kenley Jansen in Game 4, and hitting a walk-off 10th-inning single against Jansen in Game 5.

Bregman was ﬁfth in AL MVP voting in 2018 and second to Mike Trout in 2019, Bregman’s two most productive years at the plate. He batted .286 with 31 homers, 103 RBIs and a major league-leading 51 doubles in 2018, then set career highs the following season with a .296 average, 41 homers, 112 RBIs and a major league-leading 119

LSU baseball moves its Saturday game to 11 a.m.

LSU baseball’s matchup against Purdue Fort Wayne on Saturday has been moved up from 1 p.m to 11 a.m., LSU announced Thursday

The altered ﬁrst-pitch time is a result of storms in the forecast for Saturday afternoon.

LSU opens its season Friday at Alex Box Stadium against Purdue Fort Wayne. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. Sunday’s game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. All three games will be available to stream on SEC Network+.

The Tigers enter this weekend as the No. 3 team in the country, according to D1Baseball. Purdue Fort Wayne, meanwhile, had a 19-37 record a year ago but also earned victories over Indiana and Missouri (twice) during the campaign.

East Ascension O-lineman for 2026 commits to LSU

Four-star offensive lineman and Class of 2026 recruit Brysten Martinez has announced his commitment to LSU football, he announced on social media Thursday Martinez is the No. 6 offensive tackle and No. 53 prospect in the nation, according to the 247Sports Composite. He attends East Ascension High and is the No. 5 recruit in Louisiana. Martinez is the sixth recruit from the 2026 class to commit to LSU. He is also the second offensive lineman to make his pledge to the Tigers, joining three-star interior offensive lineman Jalan Chapman. LSU already had earned commitments from four-star safeties Aiden Hall and Jakai Anderson, fourstar wide receiver Kenny Darby and four-star defensive lineman Richard Anderson.

Kings add former No. 1 pick Fultz to backourt

The Sacramento Kings signed former No. 1 overall draft pick Markelle Fultz for the remainder of the season.

The team announced the deal with Fultz on Wednesday night as the Kings seek more depth at point guard after recently trading away star De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs in a deal that also sent Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine to to the Kings.

Fultz was drafted ﬁrst overall by Philadelphia in 2017. He has played 234 career games with the 76ers and Orlando, averaging 11.1 points, 4.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game. Fultz last played in the 2023-24 season for the Magic. He averaged 7.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 43 games, including 18 starts, last season.

Rematch between Curry, Ionescu not in cards

There will be no Stephen Curry vs Sabrina Ionescu rematch at AllStar weekend.

The NBA announced Thursday that the 3-point shooting event bringing together two of the biggest stars in the NBA and WNBA — which was one of the highlights of last year’s All-Star weekend in Indianapolis — is not going to be part of the lineup in San Francisco. Talks went on for weeks to try to make it happen, even stretching into All-Star week itself. It seemed more than logical that a rematch would occur; All-Star weekend is on Curry’s home ﬂoor this weekend and Ionescu — who plays for the WNBA champion New York Liberty is a Bay Area native.

Dodgers, Kershaw agree to a one-year contract

walks. He walked just 44 times this year with a 23.6% chase rate, his highest since 2017. Bregman has a .272 average with 191 homers and 663 RBIs in nine big league seasons Because he turned down a $21.05 million qualifying offer from the Astros, they will receive an extra pick after the fourth round of the amateur draft in July. Houston forfeited its second- and ﬁfth-highest selections for signing Christian Walker Boston will lose its second-highest pick for signing Bregman and forfeit $500,000 of international signing bonus pool allocation.

After going 81-81 and missing the playoffs for the third straight season, the Red Sox also have added Crochet along with fellow pitchers Walker Buehler, Patrick Sandoval, Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson. “I’ve been relatively active in terms of talking to Bres,” Buehler said, referring to chief baseball ofﬁcer Craig Breslow “I love to play GM in my head, not that I have any real sway in it, but any time you join a new franchise, or where you have been, you want to feel like you’re a part of it and have some voice in it.”

The return of three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw gives the Los Angeles Dodgers a 36-year-old leader valued for maturity after nearly two decades with the organization. Los Angeles hopes the 10-time All-Star also has a few more onthe-ﬁeld contributions remaining, including another World Series title. The left-hander and the Dodgers ﬁnalized a $7.5 million, one-year contract on Thursday, adding another option to a pitching staff that eventually could include Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki and Tony Gonsolin. Kershaw expects to go on the 60-day injured list after offseason foot and knee surgery, but he hopes to be close to ready when eligible to be activated. He’s been playing long toss and running recently

associaTed Press File PhoTo by KeVin m. coX

alex bregman of the houston astros celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a game against the los angeles angels on sept. 24 in houston. bregman will play in boston in 2025.

Jets moving forward without Rodgers

BY DENNIS WASZAK JR.

aP pro football writer

Aaron Rodgers’ disappointing two-year stint with the New York Jets is over And the team’s only Super Bowl trophy is still standing by itself. The Jets announced Thursday they told the 41-year-old quarterback they are moving on without him next season. While Rodgers hasn’t said whether he intends to continue playing for a 21st NFL season, the Jets — with new general manager Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn in charge — have ofﬁcially ruled out a return to New York.

In a joint statement issued by the team, Mougey and Glenn said they met with Rodgers last week and informed him “that our intention was to move in a different direction at quarterback.”

“It was important to have this discussion now to provide clarity and enable each of us the proper time to plan for our respective fu-

tures,” Mougey and Glenn said in the statement. “We want to thank him for the leadership, passion, and dedication he brought to the organization and wish him success moving forward.”

The four-time MVP, who’s the ﬁfth player in NFL history to throw 500 touchdown passes in the regular season, has one year left on his contract, worth a non-guaranteed $37.5 million New York would absorb a $49 million dead money charge next season unless it designates Rodgers a post-June 1 cut and can spread out that charge over two years. If the Jets do that, Rodgers would remain on their roster — while carrying a $23.5 salary cap charge — until the start of the NFL’s new league year on March 12.

In April 2023, Rodgers was traded to the Jets after 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers — looking to help the franchise end a Super Bowl drought that dates to the glory days of Joe Namath and the

associaTed Press File PhoTo by seTh WeniG new york Jets quarterback aaron rodgers stands with teammates before a game against the miami dolphins on Jan. 5 in east rutherford, n.J

1968 season. At his introductory news conference, Rodgers noted how the franchise’s only Vince Lombardi Trophy looked “lonely” in the team’s lobby

The hope was Rodgers would change all that. The reality ended up being more of the same for the Jets. Rodgers’ first season in New York ended just four snaps into his

sTaFF

MOORE

continued from page 7c

“smart, fast and physical” team that plays with tempo and excels in situational football.

And the Saints, coming off a 5-12 season, appealed to him, he said. Throughout the interview process, Moore watched as other candidates for the job dropped out of consideration. And he likely heard the chatter that the opening was viewed as one of the most challenging in the NFL given the Saints’ salary-cap constraints, aging roster and unsettled future at quarterback.

But Moore said he was drawn by the team’s leadership in general manager Mickey Loomis and owner Gayle Benson, adding “it was clear” that’s what made the organization “special.” The 36-year-old, now the youngest head coach in the NFL, did not sound like someone who thought a lengthy rebuild was about to happen. Instead, he talked about the wide-open NFC South and how the Saints’ roster can compete.

“Obviously, that was one of the attractive pieces of this (opportunity),” Moore said. “I think this is a talented roster Throughout this season, you’ve seen it. Obviously, injuries were a challenge this year and those things sometimes are challenging, uncontrollable circumstances.

“We recognize there’s so much good going on here. We want to embrace the good, don’t lose any of the good while building this thing the right way.”

Whether that “right way” includes Carr remains to be seen

The new coach was asked several times Thursday whether the quarterback would be back with the team next season. Moore gave

a complimentary, but noncommittal, answer about Carr, whose release would carry a $50 million dead cap hit if he is cut before June 1.

“Derek Carr is a tremendous starting quarterback in this league,” Moore said. “I’ve had so much respect for him, the journey that he’s been on. Really excited to team up with him and go through this process. And so just like any player on this roster, I just got here a few days ago and I’m excited to go through this journey with all of them.”

Moore said that process will include individual conversations with each player, some of which have started. The coach, too, has to fill out his staff, and Moore said he’s in the process of interviewing candidates. Eagles quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier has been ﬂoated as an option for offensive coordinator, while former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley and Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones have been linked as candidates for defensive coordinator

It’ll continue what has been a whirlwind experience for Moore as of late. Last week, Moore had an extended stay in the city while trying to focus solely on helping the Eagles win the Super Bowl. And then, when they pulled it off with a dominant upset over the Kansas City Chiefs, Moore flew back with the team to Philadelphia before ﬁnalizing his contract with the Saints.

By Wednesday Moore was back in New Orleans, where he attended a New Orleans Pelicans game and was introduced to the crowd. On Friday, he’ll temporarily return to Philadelphia to participate in the Eagles’ parade. The Saints have been perfectly content waiting for Moore. New

Orleans’ search to land him lasted more than a month, and the team had to wait until after the Super Bowl to hire him.

“It took longer than we anticipated, simply because the Eagles kept winning,” Loomis said with a smile, later adding, “Ultimately, we determined that Kellen is the best ﬁt for our team, and his experience and success as a player, as a position coach and as an offensive coordinator have prepared him well for this opportunity It’s very easy to get excited about the direction that he and his staff are going to take our team.”

Benson praised Moore as an “exceptionally bright” coach and “tremendous leader” who has won at every stage of his career Moore’s career has spanned from Boise State, where he finished as the NCAA’s all-time winningest quarterback, to the NFL, where he lasted six years as a backup quarterback before his rocketlike ascent through the coaching ranks. Moore has been the offensive coordinator at three stops in Dallas, Los Angeles (Chargers) and Philadelphia, and he’s worked with four head coaches in Jason Garrett, Mike McCarthy, Staley and Nick Sirianni.

But no coach was a bigger influence than his dad, Tom, who spent more than 20 years as a high school football coach in Prosser, Washington.

On Thursday, Moore talked about the impact of those coaches and how grateful he was for their guidance. Moore said he kept notes over the years that helped inform him in case he became a head coach.

That moment is here.

“I felt really prepared for this,” Moore said.

Email Matthew Paras at matt paras@theadvocate.com

SAINTS RE-SIGN RB EDWARDS-HELAIRE

clyde edwards-helaire will return to the new orleans saints in 2025, the team announced Thursday afternoon. edwards-helaire, a baton rouge native who starred at lsu, played in the saints’ ﬁnal two regular-season games last season, amassing 70 yards from scrimmage on 16 touches. he joined the team late in the season after being released by the Kansas city chiefs. The 25-year-old running back was the chiefs’ ﬁrst-round pick in 2020, and he enjoyed a strong start to his career, tallying 1,100 yards from scrimmage in 13 games as a rookie. but he fell out of the rotation in Kansas city ceding snaps to running back isiah Pacheco, and the chiefs let him go in december of last year he caught on with the saints and after spending a week on the practice squad he made his season debut in Week 16. new orleans currently has six running backs under contract for 2025: edwards-helaire,alvin Kamara, Kendre miller, Jamaal Williams, Jordan mims and Xazavian Valladay. Luke Johnson

debut because of a torn left Achilles tendon that sank the Jets’ Super Bowl hopes that were stirred by the QB’s arrival.

He worked his way back to the field to start every game this past season, but he and the offense struggled with consistency and results and the Jets finished 5-12. Rodgers finished his Jets tenure with six wins — including the victory during which he was injured — in 18 starts.

“I personally want to thank Aaron for his time at the New York Jets,” owner Woody Johnson in a statement. “His arrival in 2023 was met with unbridled excitement and I will forever be grateful that he chose to join us to continue his Hall of Fame career From Day 1, he embodied all that it meant to be a New York Jet, embraced our fans and immersed himself in our city That is what I will remember most when I look back at his time here.

“He will always be welcome, and I wish him only the best in whatever he chooses to do next.”

network) Temple at Kentucky 6 p.m. (secnetwork+) alabama, missouri, illinois, iowa, 6:30 p.m.# auburn at Florida, 7:30 p.m. (sec network)

#-Zou to the lou meet, st. charles, missouri all times central

LSU

the Tigers in terms of their hopes of winning at least a share of the SEC regular-season crown.

But whether or not LSU outscores OU on Friday, little will change nationally for the two programs. Given that national rankings in gymnastics are not based on opinion polls but season averages, it’s unlikely either team will ﬁnd itself outside the top four nationally come Monday Whatever Friday’s result, both the Tigers and Sooners still will be on track for one of the top seeds in the four NCAA regionals feeding into the eight-team NCAA semifinals in April.

“We’re competing against the whole country,” Clark said. “In many ways, we compete against Oklahoma every week. That’s the way our sport is.”

Though LSU is the reigning NCAA champion Oklahoma failed to make last year’s NCAA final after a disastrous turn on vault in the national semiﬁnals

Clark knows the six-time national champs are still the one everyone else, including the Tigers, are hunting.

“We’re not the six-time national championship team,” he said.

“We were the Cinderella story last year We’re not the gold standard. They are. Our mindset has to be the same. We’re chasing and pushing.”

Though the meet won’t be a watershed moment that could knock either team out of the national title picture, it will be a showcase for some of the sport’s most dazzling collegiate gymnasts.

DUNCAN

continued from page 7c

continued from page 7c later after going 28-37-1, largely because the decision-making around him was not strong enough. Likewise, the Eagles’ victory in Super Bowl LIX was a collective team effort. Head coach Nick Sirianni obviously played a big role, but it was an organizational achievement, led by owner Jeffrey Lurie, general manager Howie Roseman, and

“It’ll be great for the fans,” Clark said. “I love that our fans get to come and see what are currently the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country.”

Oklahoma relies on its core trio of Faith Torrez, Jordan Bowers and Audrey Davis. They’re ranked Nos. 2-3-4 nationally in the all-around behind U.S. Olympian Jade Carey of Oregon State. Davis is also No. 1 in the country on balance beam.

LSU, meanwhile, counters with more depth, consistently using 12 or 13 gymnasts per meet. The Tigers are led by senior and 27-time All-American Haleigh Bryant, the 2024 NCAA all-around champion. Bryant won’t do uneven bars Friday because of her elbow injury from December, but she will compete on the other three events. She leads the nation and LSU’s top-ranked vault squad in that event (9.925 average). Freshman Kailin Chio is No 2 nationally on vault (9.917) and has won the all-around with 39.650s the past two meets. That’s the kind of consistency Clark craves. Bryant said the Tigers have the right mental approach for this meet, understanding all the little things that will make a difference in the ﬁnal score.

“We know what we have to ﬁx from meets before,” Bryant said Monday “The big skills are there. Landing, handstands, toe point. That’s what adds up to a big score. That’s what adds up to success.”

The details are the secret sauce in what the Tigers hope will be a winning hand.

For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter

stars such as Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley

Moore, who at 36 is now the youngest coach in the NFL, will need similar organizational support and guidance to succeed here.

The Saints are saying all the right things about making a full commitment to Moore right now But like anything, their actions in the days and months ahead will speak louder than their words Thursday Email Jeff Duncan at jduncan@ theadvocate.com.

PhoTo by soPhia Germer saints owner Gayle benson hugs new saints head coach Kellen moore during a news conference at the saints’ practice facility on Thursday.

BY CHARLES SALZER contributing

writer

The Southern women’s basketball relied on its defense in Thursday night’s showdown with Texas Southern.

Southern forced 27 turnovers and held Texas Southern to its lowest point total in Southwestern Athletic Conference play this season. The result was a 63-53 win over the visiting Tigers at the F.G. Clark Activity Center

The win was a measure of payback for Southern (12-14, 10-2 SWAC), which lost at Texas Southern 55-51 on Jan. 4. The Jaguars lost a 15-point fourth-quarter lead in the ﬁrst game, and nearly lost a 52-39 lead with eight minutes left on Thursday

Texas Southern (12-11, 11-1) ran off 14 straight points to take a 5352 lead at the four-minute mark

This time Southern had an answer The Jaguars scored the last 11 points of the game to turn a nail-biter into a comfortable ﬁnish.

Southern’s win tightens up the conference standings. The Jag-

“I knew it was going to be a battle. I thought both teams came out and played extremely hard. It got a little dicey, but we made enough plays to win the game.”

carlos Funchess southern coach

uars are tied with Jackson State for second place one game behind Texas Southern.

“I knew it was going to be a battle,” Southern coach Carlos Funchess said. “I thought both teams came out and played extremely hard. It got a little dicey, but we made enough plays to win the game.”

Southern had plenty of individual superlatives. Aniya Gourdine led with 14 points and six rebounds, Soniyah Reed added 12 points and Tionna Lidge grabbed 10 rebounds. There was also a strong outing by Jocelyn Tate with nine points and seven rebounds.

Texas Southern leading scorer

Aylasia Fantroy was held to eight

los angeles lakers forward lebron

middle,

between utah Jazz forward lauri markkanen,

Wednesday

points. Courtlyn Loudermill was the only Tigers player in double ﬁgures with 12 points.

As poorly as Southern started the contest, it was that good in the second quarter In the ﬁrst 20 seconds, Gourdine scored on a drive and Aleighyah Fontenot nailed a 3-pointer to give the Jaguars their ﬁrst lead of the game at 16-12.

Southern outscored Texas Southern 13-2 in the first four minutes of the quarter and eventually took its largest lead of the half at 29-16. Southern made 7 of 13 shots before missing its last seven, but the Jaguars defense was steady throughout the quarter Southern forced 18 turnovers in the ﬁrst half and outrebounded Texas Southern 20-19. The rebounding total was indicative of the second-quarter turnaround.

Texas Southern won that battle 14-5 in the ﬁrst quarter to help the Tigers take a 12-11 lead

Southern missed its first six shots of the game and trailed 7-0 before Reed’s jumper gave the Jaguars their first points four minutes in.

LEBRON

Harden.

A look at some of James’ AllSstar career ranks:

Games played, started — 1st

This is James’ 21st All-Star Game selection, two more than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar It’ll also be his 21st All-Star appearance, three more than Abdul-Jabbar and six more than Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan.

It also is James’ 21st time when he’s been designated as an AllStar starter (six more than Bryant, who is second on the list). He technically could start two games on Sunday if his team makes the championship game of the new mini-tournament.

And all 21 of those starts have been consecutive, which is eight more than Bob Cousy’s secondplace run of 13 straight All-Star starts.

MVP awards — tied for 3rd

James is a three-time All-Star

MVP, tied with Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal and Oscar Robertson. That’s tied for third on the NBA all-time list: Kobe Bryant and Bob Pettit were both four-time All-Star MVPs.

Points — 1st

This record could stand for a long, long time, especially if this new mini-tournament format where the first-to-40-points team wins continues.

James has 434 points in All-Star Games, well ahead of No. 2 Bryant (290) and No. 3 Kevin Durant (268).

Jordan is fourth with 262 and Abdul-Jabbar is ﬁfth with 251.

Among active players, only Durant has scored at least half the points James has managed in AllStar Games.

Oldest All-Star — 3rd

James is the second-youngest AllStar ever, and now he’s about to be

the third-oldest as well.

Abdul-Jabbar was 41 years, 302 days old when he played in his ﬁnal All-Star Game in 1989 Dirk Nowitzki was 40 years, 243 days when he made his farewell appearance in 2019.

James, who turned 40 on Dec. 30, is set to join them as the only 40-somethings to play in the All-Star Game. Jordan was about a week shy of 40 when he played his ﬁnal AllStar Game in 2003.

A lot of other things, too

He’s the all-time leader in AllStar minutes (537), ﬁeld goals made (182), field goals attempted (355) and 3-pointers attempted (138). James’ rank in other stats: • Made 3-pointers, 3rd: He has 41, while Curry has 51 and Lillard has 42.

• Assists, 3rd: He has 113, while Chris Paul has 128 and Magic Johnson has 127.

• Rebounds, 6th: He has 114, while Chamberlain has 197, Pettit has 178, Abdul-Jabbar has 149, Bill Russell has 139 and Duncan has 136.

associaTed Press PhoTo by rob Gray

sTaFF PhoTo by michael Johnson

southern guard aleighyah Fontenot makes a move against Texas southern guard anela Thomas in the second quarter on Thursday at the F.G. clark activity center

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

UPCOMING PARADES

BATON ROUGE: Oshun, noon, Saturday; Krewe of Mutts, 2 p.m., Sunday

l DENHAM SPRINGS: Krewe of Denham Springs, 3 p.m., Saturday l DONALDSONVILLE: Krewe of Donaldsonville, 2 p.m., Sunday maps, 2D

READY TO ROLL

Mardi Gras parade takeover begins with BR-area celebrations

BY JUDY BERGERON staff writer

Carnival parades in Baton Rouge and the surrounding areas kick off this weekend, with mobile celebrations in north Baton Rouge, Denham Springs and Donaldsonville. On Sunday, it’s the ever-popular parade for our fourlegged friends, the Mystic Krewe of Mutts, in downtown Baton Rouge.

Here are the details on those and the rest of the area parades leading up to Fat Tuesday Be safe and laissez les bon temps rouler

SATURDAY

KREWE OF OSHUN PARADE: noon, from Howell Boulevard to 72nd Avenue and Scenic Highway, ending on Harding Boulevard. Make a day of it as once the parade is done, the all-ages festival cranks up at 2 p.m. at 3200 Harding Blvd. The parade will include 12 bands, dance

of oshun Parade and Festival on Jan. 19, 2024.

Pianist Emmet Cohen will play joyful jazz in BR next week

BY JOHN WIRT contributing writer

Following two weeks of playing jazz cruises in the Caribbean, acclaimed pianist Emmet Cohen’s ﬁrst gig on land is a River City Jazz Masters concert in Baton Rouge.

Appearing with his Emmet Cohen Trio, the 34-year-old jazz star makes his local debut Thursday at the Manship Theatre. He goes to Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro in New Orleans the following day and then to Dallas and Austin, Texas.

“I like to share music,” Cohen said last week from the Botti at Sea II cruise. “I consider music a gift that I try to honor in whatever way possible.”

WEDDING INTERRUPTED

love is in the air at the wedding of Vivian duval and Fitzgerald Graham — until someone’s murdered. The shaw center for the arts hosts “bloody Valentine — a murder mystery event” at 7 p.m. Friday. dress code is dressy casual; event is both inside and outside. $75-$150. eventbrite.com.

AFTERNOON OF ANIMATION

For the 20th consecutive year shortsTV and magnolia Pictures are presenting “oscarnominated short Films,” opening sunday with the animated category. showtime is 2 p.m. at the manship Theatre, 100 lafayette st. here’s your chance to predict the winners. $12.50. manshiptheatre.org

‘SING & SWING’

Tickets are on sale for opera louisiane’s annual “sing & swing” fundraiser at 7 p.m. saturday at crowne Plaza, 4728 constitution ave. local celebrities will compete to be karaoke champion. also, food and a silent auction. $125; table for 10, $1,250. operalouisiane.com.

Love

We asked and you answered. Here’s what we learned this Valentine’s Day

staff report

“If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that love, actually, is all around.” — The Prime Minister (played by Hugh Grant) in the 2003 romantic comedy “Love Actually” This Valentine’s Day, we used the question “What is love, actually?” as a jumping-off point as we headed out into the community to find out how others define l-o-v-e. We didn’t limit it to the romantic love amplified annually on this day, but to love in all forms. Here’s what they had to say:

“It’s treating people like you’d like to be treated,” said Winnie Hughes, an art and music teacher in Springﬁeld, while on a trip to buy cloth at Joann Fabric and Crafts.

“I’d say love to me is a mix of a lot of different things. There’s like dependency There’s trust. I don’t mean like you have to be next to the person, but I mean, because I’ve been in a longdistance relationship for a bit — even without physical closeness, there was still emotional closeness,” said Edward Wagner, who works at 2nd & Charles Bookstore. “There’s just a sort of ‘otherness’ to it that is hard to really pin down. You know for it to be love love, there’s this sort of just extra je ne sais quoi It’s more than just support. It’s just wanting them to be there for the sake of it.”

Sakia Bass while shopping for ﬂowers at Trader Joe’s, said that love both “comes natural” and “is very hard.” She said that real love means “not having to worry about what this person’s doing or how they’re doing it. You know they’re doing the right thing. I’m dealing with something that’s very hard right now, but it’s worth it. Because in the end, having somebody who you know is there for you, who actually loves you, that’s love.”

“I think that question is pretty broad. Are you thinking about love as pertaining to your community or to a relationship?” asked Brenda G. Jackson, former council member for the City of Baker and now a leader in community service. “Because love is pretty broad. To me, love is loving myself, knowing who I am, knowing my value and my self-worth and not settling or negotiating for anything less. I know what I deserve because, because I am created in my Father’s image That is love.”

“Love is accepting someone for who they are,” said Daryl Loupe while walking into a PetSmart with his partner and their dog, Sookie.

“I would say it’s caring for somebody, but not so much that you lose yourself in the process,” Loupe’s partner, Marley Wade said. “There’s a lot of people, they put love but then they end up, like, sacriﬁcing themselves and it’s not what’s beneﬁcial to them.”

“And if somebody loves you,” said Loupe looking at Wade, “That’s the last thing they want you to do.”

see LOVE, page 2D

sTaFF File PhoTo by JaVier GalleGos Families wave and jump about to catch beads thrown from a float during the Krewe

Hughes

Bass

Wagner Jackson

sTaFF PhoTo by serena PuanG marley Wade and daryl loupe with their dog sookie

ä see PARADES, page 2D

page 2D

by The associated Press

Today is Friday, Feb. 14, the 45th day of 2025. There are 320 days left in the year This is Valentine’s Day Today in history

On Feb. 14, 2018, a gunman identified as a former student opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 people in the nation’s deadliest school shooting since the Sandy Hook Elementary School attack in Newtown, Connecticut, more than five years earlier (Nikolas Cruz pleaded guilty to murder in October 2021 and was sentenced in November 2022 to life in prison without the possibility of parole.)

On this date:

In 1779, English explorer James Cook was killed on the island of Hawai’i during a melee following Cook’s attempt to kidnap Hawaiian monarch Kalani‘opu‘u, who was to be used as leverage for the return of a boat stolen

PARADES

continued from page 1d

troupes and more. The festival will offer performances by K. Levy and Letrainiump Also, a retail alley, resource way, food cul-de-sac and children’s ville. facebook. com/KreweofOshunBR.

KREWE OF DENHAM SPRINGS:

3 p.m., from Denham Springs High School along Florida Boulevard, ending at Veterans Boulevard. This year’s theme is “The Greatest Show.” www.thekreweofdenhamsprings.com/.

SUNDAY

MYSTIC KREWE OF MUTTS PA-

RADE: 2 p.m., along North Boulevard, downtown Baton Rouge. Walk your Fido in the parade, enter the dog costume contest or just watch all the doggone fun as a spectator Theme this year is “Game of Bones: House of Waggin’.” Festivities begin that morning with Bark in the Park in North Boulevard Town Square from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring local vendors. At 11 a.m., the Baton Rouge Police Department will give a K-9 demonstration on the Galvez Plaza stage. The dog costume contest is at 1 p.m. After the parade, the after-pawty with live music runs from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., also on the Plaza stage. https://caaws.org/special_events/krewe-of-mutts/. KREWE OF DONALDSONVILLE PARADE: 2 p.m., from Marchand Drive at Church Street to Railroad Avenue and ending at Mississippi Street. https:// www.donaldsonville-la.gov/ events.

FRIDAY, FEB. 21

KREWE OF ARTEMIS PARADE: 7 p.m., from the Raising Cane’s River Center along River Road, to Third, Spanish Town Road, Fourth, Main, Ninth, Laurel and Sixth streets to Convention, and River Road back to the River Center The ﬁrst and only women’s parading krewe in Baton Rouge, Artemis was founded in 2001. https://kreweofartemis.net/.

SATURDAY, FEB. 22

KREWE MYSTIQUE DE LA CAPI-

TALE PARADE: 2 p.m., from the Raising Cane’s River Center along River Road, to Third, Spanish Town Road, Fourth Main, Ninth, Laurel and Sixth streets to Convention and River Road back to the River Center. The oldest parading krewe in Baton Rouge, Mystique has been rolling since 1977 https:// krewemystique.com/.

KREWE OF ASCENSION MAMBO:

2 p.m., starting on Irma Boulevard, to Cornerview Road, Burnside Avenue and ending at La 30. This year’s theme: “Parading Through the Decades.” The krewe’s Masquerade Ball is from 6 p.m to 1 a.m. Saturday at the Price LeBlanc PACE Center in Gonzales. $100, general admission; formal attire mandatory. facebook. com.

KREWE OF ORION: 6:30 p.m from the Raising Cane’s Riv-

from one of Cook’s ships. In 1876, inventors Alexander Graham Bell and Elisha Gray applied separately for patents related to the telephone. (The U.S. Supreme Court eventually ruled Bell the rightful inventor.)

In 1929, the “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” took place in a Chicago garage as seven rivals of Al Capone’s gang were gunned down.

In 1984, 6-year-old Stormie Jones became the world’s ﬁrst heart-liver transplant recipient when the surgery was performed at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. In 1989, Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling on Muslims to kill Salman Rushdie, author of “The Satanic Verses,” a novel the Ayatollah condemned as blasphemous against Islam.

In 2013, double-amputee Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, at his home in Pretoria, South Africa; he was later convicted of

murder and served nearly nine years of a sentence of 13 years and ﬁve months before being released from prison in January 2024.

In 2017, a former store clerk, Pedro Hernandez, was convicted in New York of murder in one of the nation’s most haunting missing-child cases, nearly 38 years after 6-year-old Etan Patz disappeared while on the way to a school bus stop.

Today’s birthdays: Businessman-politician Michael Bloomberg is 83. Saxophonist Maceo Parker is 82. Journalist Carl Bernstein is 81. Magician Teller (Penn and Teller) is 77. Journalist-radio host Terry Gross is 74. Actor Ken Wahl is 68. Opera singer Renée Fleming is 66. Actor Meg Tilly is 65. Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly is 65. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, is 58. Actor Simon Pegg is 55. Rock singer Rob Thomas (Matchbox Twenty) is 53. Former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe is 53. Actor Danai Gurira is 47. Actor Freddie Highmore is 33.

er Center along River Road, to Third, Spanish Town Road, Fourth, Main, Ninth, Laurel and Sixth streets to Convention and River Road back to the River Center The krewe’s 26th parade will feature colorfully lighted and tractor-pulled ﬂoats, costumed riders, marching bands, dance groups and marching units. https:// kreweoforion.com/.

SUNDAY, FEB. 23

KREWE OF MID CITY GRAS PARADE: 1 p.m., along North Boulevard from 19th Street to Foster Drive This year’s theme is “Squirrels on Film!”. Mid City Gras is a 501©3 nonproﬁt committed to showcasing the vibrant and diverse community https://www.midcitygras org/.

FRIDAY, FEB. 28

KREWE OF SOUTHDOWNS PARADE: 7 p.m., beginning at Glasgow Middle School along Glasgow Avenue to Whitehaven Street, Lee Drive, Hyacinth, Arrowhead, Stuart, Whitehaven to Stephens. For its 38th parade, Southdowns is taking on a safari theme.

SATURDAY, MARCH 1

KREWE OF SPANISH TOWN PARADE: noon, starting at 4th Street and Spanish Town Road, to Ninth, North, Fourth Main Ninth, Laurel, Fourth, Florida, Seventh to Convention streets and River Road, ending at North Street. The largest parade in town, the ﬂamingo-ﬁlled procession takes the theme, “In Smiley Town, Smiley Says …,” honoring the late Advocate columnist and local personality Smiley Anders. https://mardigrasspanishtown.com/.

KREWE OF CHEMIN NEUF PARADE: 6 p.m., New Roads, starting at Jackson and Parent streets, to New Roads, Main, Olinde, Napoleon and Poydras streets ending at Poydras and New Roads.

FRIDAY

SHOWS TO WATCH — ACADIANA

FRIDAY NIGHT JAM: La Mai-

son de Begnaud, Scott, 6 p.m.

AMY & KYLE ACOUSTIC SHOWS: Adopted Dog Brewing, Lafayette, 6 p.m.

AUDREY BROUSSARD: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Jim Deggy’s Brick Oven Pizza & Brewery, Lafayette, 6 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Buck & Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m.

NICKI NEEDHAM: Agave Downtown, Lafayette, 6:30 p.m.

SECOND CHANCE: Agave, Youngsville, 6:30 p.m.

GENO DELAFOSE & FRENCH

ROCKIN’ BOOGIE: La Poussiere Cajun Dancehall, Breaux Bridge, 7 p.m.

BUDDY ANDREWS & BLAKE

BURCH LIVE! VALENTINE’S NIGHT!: Gloria’s Bar & Grill, Lafayette, 8 p.m.

NORTHSIDE ERIC AND THE SOUTHSIDE PLAYBOYS: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8 p.m.

THE HAS BEANS: Hideaway on Lee, Lafayette, 8 p.m.

BAYOU COUNTRY: Toby’s Lounge, Opelousas, 8:30 p.m.

THE BROKEN MEAUXJO

BAND: The Grouse Room, Lafayette, 9 p.m.

THE ROUGE KREWE: Rock ’N’ Bowl, Lafayette, 9 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Cowboys Nightclub, Scott, 10 p.m.

SATURDAY

CAJUN JAM: Moncus Park, Lafayette, 9 a.m.

CAJUN JAM: Tante Marie, Breaux Bridge, 11 a.m.

JAMMIN’ ON THE BAYOU: St. Landry Visitor’s Center Opelousas, 1 p.m.

LOVE

continued from page 1d

Making its inaugural run, the family-friendly parade will feature lighted floats, local performances and a festive atmosphere. Preceding the parade will be the Chemin Neuf Mardi Gras Festival from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown New Roads https://www.kreweofcheminneuf.com/.

SUNDAY, MARCH 2

“I think love is connection — not just with your tic partner but with friends and communisaid KristynVan Cleave, promanager and private lessons coordinator at Kids’ estra. “I think love requires selﬂessness and the desire to put others before yourself. 34, and I’m in my ﬁrst serious, long-term relationright so my views on have own a Now recognize love is selfless acts of service,” Van Cleave continued “And seeing through someone’s flaws but still wanting to spend your life with them I think love is knowing someone so deeply that when you annoy each other or step out of line, you can

LIVE MUSIC: Jim Deggy’s Brick Oven Pizza & Brewery Lafayette, 6 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Buck & Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m.

MAGGIE AND GRACE: The Tap Room, Youngsville, 6:30 p.m.

STEVE ADAMS TRIO: Agave, Youngsville, 6:30 p.m.

CHARLES & WENDY TRICHE: Whiskey & Vine, Lafayette, 8 p.m.

THE GTO PARTY BAND: Rock ’N’ Bowl, Lafayette, 9 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Cowboys Nightclub, Scott, 10 p.m.

SUNDAY LE BAL DU DIMANCHE —

JOSHUA HUVAL & THE OST

RAMBLERS: Vermilionville, Lafayette, 1 p.m.

MIKE BROUSSARD: Buck & Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 1 p.m.

CAJUN JAM: Bayou Teche Brewing, Arnaudville, 2 p.m.

FORET TRADITION: Pat’s

Atchafalaya Club, Henderson, 4:30 p.m.

MICHALIS: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Randol’s Cajun Restaurant, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m.

SING ALONG SUNDAYS: Bolt, Lafayette, 5 p.m.

SWAMPLAND STRING BAND AND NIKIA YUNG: Hideaway on Lee, Lafayette, 8 p.m.

RUSTY METOYER & ZYDECO KRUSH: Rock ’N’ Bowl, Lafayette, 9 p.m.

MONDAY PATRICIO LATINO SOLO: Café Habana City, Lafayette, 11 a.m.

DAVE TRAINER: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m.

apologize with conﬁdence, knowing they will support you, forgive and continue to love you in return. It’s like those beloved ‘carol singer cue cards’ (from the movie “Love Actually”) that read, ‘To me, you are perfect.’ ”

“Love is not 50/50. It’s 100%. Love is always being ready to compromise and always ready to forgive. God is love,” said Renz Victorino while having a morning Starbucks frappuccino at the Perkins Rowe Barnes & Noble.

“Love is actually having somebody adore you but even more, adoring that somebody It’s also putting that person who loves you before yourself so your feet don’t touch the ground,” said Emily Freeman, married for 45 years.

“The word ‘love’ is frequently used to describe

TUESDAY TERRY HUVAL & FRIENDS: Prejean’s Restaurant, Lafayette, 6 p.m.

JAZZ TRIO: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m.

GROOVE ROOM: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

Lafayette, 6 p.m. JOSH TAYLOR: The Tap Room, Youngsville, 6:30 p.m.

OPEN JAM: Gloria’s Bar & Grill, Lafayette, 8 p.m. CAJUN JAM: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8 p.m.

THURSDAY JAZZ TRIO: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m. LAYLA LAVERGNE: Whiskey & Vine, Lafayette, 6 p.m.

Charley

KREWE OF GOOD FRIENDS OF THE OAKS PARADE: 1 p.m., Port Allen, starting at the La. 1 Service Road at Oaks Avenue to South Jefferson Avenue, Court to Sixth, Louisiana Avenue, North Jefferson to South Jefferson and Oaks returning to the starting point. For its 40th year, it features kings and queens, marching bands, ﬂoats and throws, all in a family-friendly atmosphere. https://www.facebook.com/kogfoto1985.

KREWE OF COMOGO PARADE: 7 p.m., Plaquemine, starting at St. John the Evangelist Church, to La. 1 and Eden Street to Belleview Drive, ending at the Carl F. Grant Civic Center https:// kreweofcomogo.com/.

MONDAY, MARCH 3

KREWE OF SHENANDOAH PARADE: 6:30 p.m., from Tigerbend Road along Jones Creek Road to Shenandoah Avenue, Vicksburg Drive, Malvern Hill Avenue, Antioch Boulevard, Shenandoah Avenue and Jones Creek back to Tigerbend. Reigning over its second parade will be King and Queen Anthony Moody and Ashley Bartel. https:// www.kreweofshenandoah. com/.

TUESDAY, MARCH 4

NEW ROADS COMMUNITY CENTER

PARADE: 11 a.m., downtown New Roads. NEW ROADS LIONS CLUB PARADE: 2 p.m., downtown New Roads.

Email Judy Bergeron at jbergeron@theadvocate. com.

COHEN

continued from page 1d

Cohen previously performed in Louisiana with the Herlin Riley Quintet at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. He counts Riley, a renowned drummer, and pianist Sullivan Fortner both New Orleans-born musicians, among his dear friends.

“Knowing Herlin and being part of his world gave me insight into what it means to be from New Orleans,” Cohen said. “You can’t play jazz and not deal with the New Orleans stuff. And I love going down there and connecting with the community It’s one of my favorite places to make music.”

The Jazz Cruise and Botti at Sea II aren’t bad gigs either About 100 musicians supply the music for the voyages.

“Stuff happens that would never happen on land,” Cohen said of the seafaring jams. “That’s the cool part about it.”

Cohen has met his jazz heroes during the cruises and played alongside colleagues he sees often and not so often. He also served as cohost for the 2025 Jazz Cruise.

“Which means I was an ambassador connecting with the fans and the musicians,” he said.

During his latest Jazz Cruise, Cohen performed with his former teacher at the University of Miami’s

Frost School of Music, Dean Shelton G Berg. Mentor and student also reunited for a pre-cruise concert at the University of Miami, an allstar event featuring other Jazz Cruise musicians that was one of Cohen’s “Live from Emmet’s Place” online concerts.

“Shelton is one of my musical and life mentors,” Cohen said of Berg. “Every time I see him play, it’s meaningful A lot of teachers teach you what they know, but he helps you become the best version of yourself.”

In 2020, Cohen launched “Live from Emmet’s Place” from his apartment in Harlem, New York City, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We were way into it before I realized we were doing a Harlem rent party, something that happened during the 1920s in the same neighborhood,” he said. “And it was a powerful thing to invite people throughout the world into the living room and give them a snapshot of contemporary New York.”

Cohen estimates his “Live from Emmet’s Place” concerts and clips number 40 million views.

“That has been an unbelievable opportunity,” he said of the streamed performances. “If I was only playing in person in clubs, I could spend my whole life trying to get 40 million views.”

Cohen grew up in Coral Gables, Florida, and New Jersey He began playing

Compiled by Marchaund Jones. Want your venue’s music listed? Email info/ photos to showstowatch@ theadvocate.com. The deadline is noon FRIDAY for the following Friday’s paper

our favorite food, a good song and beautiful weather, and then the same ‘love’ is told to the people who mean the most to us,” according to Denham Springs’ Kristen Bell

“Love is an action, and in order for love to truly have meaning are the actions that go along with it. When we love someone, we want to spend time with them, make them smile or laugh, and encourage them to be their best,” Bell said.

“Loving someone also involves forgiveness and discussing hard things because your love for them is worth working through difficult times. Love is unselfish, kind, and generous, and we can only truly love someone well through Jesus’ love for us as these are attributes of Him,” she added. “Love is not how you feel about someone, but love is an action you do for someone to show how much you care.”

piano at 3 years old via the classical music-based Suzuki method.

“Somewhere along the line,” he said. “I found jazz. It spoke to me. Over the years, I heard Frank Sinatra records. I saw Jimmy Smith and Monty Alexander play when I was young. I heard the music and felt it. The joyous feeling of swing made me so happy It connects to your emotions, expresses how you feel, in the moment, celebrating the moment.”

During his senior year at the Frost School of Music, Cohen was a finalist in the 2011 Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition. In 2019, he won the prestigious American Pianists Awards Competition. And he’s been a regular presence in Downbeat magazine critics and readers polls. In addition to his Emmet Cohen Trio performances and “Live from Emmet’s Place” webcasts, Cohen released five “Masters Legacy Series” albums, collaborations with the jazz veterans Jimmy Cobb, Ron Carter Benny Golson, Tootie Heath, George Coleman and Houston Person.

“Some of them lost some of their technique due to their age,” Cohen said of the elder jazz masters. “But they ﬁltered their playing to only the most important notes. These masters find the most important aspect of the musical statement. That’s something I strive for and it comes from the wisdom of experience.”

Victorino

Van Cleave Bell

Future mother-in-law still not ‘mom’

Dear Miss Manners: I’ve been with my ﬁancé for 16 years I have a good relationship with his mother, though I wouldn’t call us best friends. We talk and get along well when we go to her house, but she and I don’t spend time together on our own — only when my partner and I go visit her Her husband died six months ago, so we have been trying to spend more time with her

Judith Martin miss manners

Anyway, she’s been asking me to call her “Mom.” As I am extremely close to my own mother, I’m just not comfortable with this. For now I pretty much never call her anything! I just hug her and say, “Hi! How’ve you been?” without ever using a name, but it’s a little awkward, as you can imagine. I am just not willing to call anyone else “Mom.” It would feel like an insult to my own mother But explaining my

SHOWS TO WATCH — BATON ROUGE

rieville, 11 a.m.

FRIDAY

JUDE & MARK DU-

PONT: Leola’s Café, 11 a.m.

ORIGINAL MUSIC

GATHERING: La Divina Italian Café, 6 p.m.

3:05 EXPRESS: T’Quilas, Zachary

6 p.m.

CAM PYLE: Galvez Seafood, Prairievile, 6 p.m.

ERIC STELLY: Agave Blue, Zachary, 6 p.m.

ERIC WHITFIELD: Crowne Plaza, 6 p.m.

FLOYD BROWN: Pedro’s Siegen, 6 p.m.

STEVE GUSTAFSON: Stab’s Restaurant, 6 p.m.

THE ROUX TONES: T’Quilas, Denham Springs, 6 p.m.

EDDIE SMITH: El Paso, Denham Springs, 6:30 p.m.

KIRK HOLDER: Pizza Art Wine, 6:30 p.m.

TAYLOR NAUTA: Le Chien Brewing Co., Denham Springs, 6:30 p.m.

RHETT GUILLOT: 18 Steak at L’Auberge, 7 p.m.

CHRIS ROBERTS: Bin

77, 7 p.m.

DON POURCIAU & KONSPIRACY: VFW Zachary Taylor Post,

7 p.m.

RHODES, MAURER & FRIENDS: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 7 p.m.

HENRY TURNER JR. & ALL-STARS: Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 8 p.m.

MOM AND DAD: Spanky’s, Dutchtown, 8 p.m.

DERRICK LEMON: The Vineyard, 9 p.m.

NIGHT HOG: Phil Brady’s, 9 p.m.

REGENERATION: Coop’s on 621, Gonzales, 9 p.m.

RYAN JENKINS: Jack’s Place, Port Allen, 9 p.m.

SHANE MADERE TRIO: Swamp Chicken Daiquiris, St. Amant, 9 p.m.

THE DRUNK UNCLES: Icehouse Tap Room, 9 p.m.

FOAM FINGER: Fred’s Bar in Tigerland, 10 p.m.

SATURDAY

OPEN JAM SESSION: The Smokey Pit, 4 p.m.

IAN WEBSTER DUO: Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 5:30 p.m.

BRENT ARMSTRONG: T’Quilas, Zachary

6 p.m.

ProVided PhoTo by daVid normand baton rouge blues artist chris leblanc plays The Vineyard at 9 p.m Thursday.

MATT HOLT: Pedros Siegen, 6 p.m.

PAPO Y SON MANDAO: Pedros Juban, 6 p.m.

ROCKIN’ ROUGE: T’Quilas, Denham Springs, 6 p.m.

RUSTY YATES: The Colonel’s Club, 6 p.m.

DON POURCIAU & KONSPIRACY: El Paso, Denham Springs, 6:30 p.m.

GRAND COUNTRY

JUNCTION: Suma Crossing Theatre, Satsuma, 7 p.m.

MATT TORTORICH: 18 Steak at L’Auberge 7 p.m.

CAKE MIXX: Bin 77, 7 p.m.

UNITED WE JAM: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 7 p.m

CHRIS MILLER & BAYOU ROOTS: Ric Seeling Dance Studio, 7:30 p.m.

SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK: Manship Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

ACOUSTIC NIGHT W/ HENRY TURNER JR.: Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 8 p.m.

DAMON KING & BO

JAMISON: The Vineyard, 9 p.m.

I-10 BOUND BAND: Southern Rhythm, Denham Springs 9 p.m

KENDALL SHAFFER: Crazy Dave’s, Livingston, 9 p.m. LA GROOVE: Churchill’s, 9 p.m.

NIGHT HOG: Moonlight Inn, French Settlement, 9 p.m. THE AWEN TRIO: Hayride Scandal, 10 p.m.

SUNDAY

JUSTIN BURDETTE TRIO: Superior Grill MidCity, 11 a.m.

ROBERT CALMES: Cocha, 11 a.m.

LONGNECK LITE: On The Half Shell, Prai-

CHRIS ALLEN & DA-

KOTA CIVELLO: Red Stick Social, noon

CAJUN JAM: West Baton Rouge Museum, Port Allen, 3 p.m.

JOEL COOPER & SCOTT JORDAN: Icehouse Tap Room, 3 p.m.

OPEN MIC JAM: Fat Cat Saloon, Prairieville, 7 p.m.

MONDAY

10,000 BEES/BEN BELL: La Divina Italian Café, 5 p.m.

VICTOR VIGNES & SKIP DORAN: Phil Brady’s, 6 p.m.

JEFF BAJON PROJECT: Pedros Juban, 6 p.m.

MIKE ESNEAULT: Stab’s Restaurant, 6 p.m.

TUESDAY

RALPH DAIGLE: Rio Verde Mexican, 6 p.m.

EDDIE SMITH: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 6:30 p.m

WEDNESDAY

CHRIS ALLEN & DAKOTA CIVELLO: Galvez Seafood, Prairieville, 5:30 p.m

PEYTON FALGOUST: Mason’s Grill, 5:30 p.m. FLORIDA STREET BLOWHARDS: Barclay House, 6 p.m.

SONGWRITERS OPEN MIC: Le Chien Brewing Co., Denham Springs, 6 p.m.

KIRK HOLDER: Bin 77, 6:30 p.m.

SONGWRITERS OPEN MIC W/HEATH RANSONNET: Coop’s on 621, Gonzales, 7 p.m.

ANDY PIZZO TRIO: Hayride Scandal, 7:30 p.m.

DIXIE ROSE’S ACOUSTIC CIRCLE: Teddy’s Juke Joint, Zachary, 8 p.m OPEN MIC JAM: Brickyard South, 8 p.m.

THURSDAY

DUSTIN LEE GUEDRY: Don’s Seafood, Gonzales, 5:30 p.m.

KYBALION: El Paso Sherwood, 6 p.m.

OPEN MIC W/ AMANDA JO HESS: Istrouma Brewing, St. Gabriel, 6 p.m. THE STARDUST BOYS: The Brakes Bar, 6 p.m.

2 DOMESTIC 1 IMPORT: Thai Kitchen, 6 p.m. ANN + WANDA: La

reasoning to my partner’s mother would offend her She isn’t the type of woman to let me address her by her ﬁrst name, so what else could I call her?

Gentle reader: Blame your mother Moms are used to taking the fall for their children, and if you are as close as you say, yours will likely be willing. Miss Manners suggests you say something like, “I am worried that it might upset my mom if I call someone else that, but let’s think of another name that will suit you and our relationship.”

Divina Italian Café, 6 p.m.

DON POURCIAU & KONSPIRACY: La Carreta, Denham Springs, 6 p.m.

DRAMA KINGS: Pedros Juban, 6 p.m.

KEVIN SCHEXNAYDER: T’Quilas, Denham Springs, 6 p.m.

STEVE GUSTAFSON: Stab’s Restaurant, 6 p.m.

TOBY TOMPLAY: T’Quilas, Zachary

6 p.m.

UNITED WE JAM: Pedro’s Siegen, 6 p.m.

BEN RAGSDALE: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 6:30 p.m.

CHRIS ALLEN & DAKOTA CIVELLO: Bin 77, 6:30 p.m.

FLOYD BROWN: El Paso, Denham Springs, 6:30 p.m.

THE BISHOP ELLIS

TRIO: Hayride Scandal, 7 p.m.

ENUF: Swamp Chicken Daiquiris, Gonzales, 7 p.m.

EMMET COHEN: Manship Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

HENRY TURNER JR. & ALL-STARS: Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 8 p.m.

BRITTON MAJOR: O’Haras Irish Pub, 8 p.m.

BLUES JAM: Phil Brady’s, 9 p.m.

CHRIS LEBLANC: The Vineyard, 9 p.m.

PECOS & THE ROOFTOPS WITH HUSER BROTHERS: The Texas Club, 9 p.m.

VOYAGE: Churchill’s, 9 p.m.

OUTLYING

FRIDAY

KENNY LATTIMORE: Mári Showroom at Paragon Casino, Marksville, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY

KENNY FIFE: Big J’s Side Porch, Clinton, 6 p.m.

SUNDAY

WILL WESLEY: Full Moon Saloon, Hammond, 6 p.m.

Compiled by Marchaund Jones. Want your venue’s music listed? Email info/photos to showstowatch@ theadvocate.com. The deadline is noon FRIDAY for the following Friday’s paper

Just make sure that you prepare your actual mom to corroborate the story the next time the two of them meet.

Dear Miss Manners: We have a preferred dinner party guest who can’t seem to stop himself from imposing a sales pitch on the party host (me). I’m not interested in the product! How can I politely shut off the sales pitch?

Gentle reader: And why exactly is this guest preferred?

Miss Manners considers it the height of poor dinner guest

FRIDAY

FRIDAY NIGHT LECTURE:

7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., BREC’s Highland Road Park Observatory, 13800 Highland Road. Skygazing tips, physics phenomena, space programs and famous events are covered. For ages 14 and older Free. https://hrpo.lsu.edu/. Also, evening sky viewing 7:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Saturday.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

“RED VELVET”: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday (ASL interpreter show), Shaver Theatre, LSU Music and Dramatic Arts Building, Dalrymple Drive, LSU. A Swine Palace production. lsu.edu/cmda/theatre/ events/index.php.

SATURDAY

RED STICK FARMERS MAR-

KET: 8 a.m. to noon, Fifth and Main streets, downtown. Farm-fresh produce, goods, cooking demonstrations. breada.org.

FAMILY HOUR STARGAZING:

10 a.m., Irene W. Pennington Planetarium at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum, 100 S. River Road. Learn about the stars and constellations in the local nighttime sky, followed by an all-ages show. lasm.org.

“THE CONFUSING WORLD OF FOLK TALES” AUDITIONS:

1 p.m., 225 Theatre Collective, 7338 Highland Road. Cold readings from the script. 225theatrecollective.com.

“THE DINNER DETECTIVE”:

6 p.m., Holiday Inn, 4848 Constitution Ave. An interactive murder mystery show. Script is “Dirty Money.” Includes meal. $61.99 and up. thedinnerdetective.com.

“THAT’S MY WORD: A NIGHT OF POETRY AND MONOLOGUES”: 7 p.m., 225 Theatre Collective, 7338 Highland Road. Hosted by J. Broux and featuring Kristen Sheree. $10. 225theatrecollective.com.

MARDI GRAS CAJUN DANCE:

7:30 p.m., Ric Seeling Dance Studio, 10776 N. Harrells Ferry Road. Music by Chris Miller and Bayou Roots. Free dance lessons at 6:45 p.m. after paid admission. $10, Cajun French Music Association members; $15, nonmembers; $10, students with ID; and free, children 12 and younger. Bring snacks and beverages. batonrougecajundance.com.

SUNDAY

FRIENDS OF THE OLD STATE

CAPITOL ANNUAL MEETING AND PROGRAM: 3 p.m., Old State Capitol, 100 North Blvd. Randy Haynie, lobbyist and philanthropist, will speak on “Louisiana Banking and Commerce from 1800 to 1900.” He’ll also show samples of rare currency. Public invited.

TUESDAY

FLEX AND FLOW YOGA: 6:30 p.m., Jolie Pearl Oyster

behavior to solicit business. She suggests that next time he starts up, you cut him off by saying, “Howard, we’ve invited you over to socialize, not to help you drum up sales. Now, how is that adorable puppy of yours?”

Send questions to Miss Manners at her website, www missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

AROUND BATON ROUGE

Bar, 315 North Blvd. Rotating instructors and a variety of techniques. Free.

TRIVIA NIGHT: 6:30 p.m., Burgersmith, 18303 Perkins Road. Collect your team and jockey for ﬁrst place. loom. ly/y-CKtQ4.

WEDNESDAY

TRIVIA NIGHT: 6:30 p.m., Burgersmith, 27350 Crossing Circle, Suite 150, Denham Springs. Collect your team and jockey for ﬁrst place. loom.ly/y-CKtQ4. THE PRICE IS RIGHT LIVE — STAGE SHOW: 7:30 p.m., Raising Cane’s River Center Performing Arts Theatre, 240 St. Louis St. Randomly selected contestants will play the game for an array of prizes. $35-$205. raisingcanesrivercenter.com.

THURSDAY RED STICK FARMERS MARKET: 8 a.m. to noon, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, 6400 Perkins Road. Farm-fresh produce, goods and more. facebook.com/redstickfarmersmarket.

WINTER ART THAW OPEN HOUSE AND RECEPTION:

5 p.m.-7 p.m., Elizabethan Gallery, 680 Jefferson Highway. Art, shopping and meet-theartists event. Free; refreshments served.

ART AFTER HOURS: 6 p.m.9 p.m., Louisiana Art & Science Museum, 100 S. River Road. Celebrating yearlong exhibit “Discoveries on the Nile: Exploring King Tut’s Tomb and the Amin Egyptian Collection.” Includes panel discussion and reception. Free. lasm.org.

TRIVIA NIGHT: 7 p.m., Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar, 315 North Blvd. Test your trivia skills with your friends and family Free.

BUTTERR & FRIENDS IMPROV

COLLIDER SHOW: 7:30 p.m., Manship Theatre, 100 Lafayette St. Baton Rouge and New Orleans improv comedians offer a night of laughter and creativity. $14. manshiptheatre.org.

ONGOING

BATON ROUGE GALLERY

CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY

ART: 1515 Dalrymple Drive. Works of Malaika Favorite, Tom Richard and Michael G. Williams, through Feb. 27. Free. batonrougegallery.org.

CAPITOL PARK MUSEUM: 660 N. Fourth St. “Billy Cannon: They Called Him Legend,” through Jan. 10, 2026. (225) 342-5428 or louisianastatemuseum.org.

CARY SAURAGE COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER SHELL GALLERY: 233 St. Ferdinand St. “Eternal Celebration of the Black Experience Here, Now, Forever,” through March 12. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. artsbr.org.

ELIZABETHAN GALLERY: 680

Jefferson Highway. Group show. Call (225) 924-6437 or follow the gallery’s Facebook page.

LOUISIANA ART & SCIENCE MUSEUM: 100 S. River Road. “Discoveries on the Nile: Exploring King Tut’s Tomb and the Amin Egyptian Collection,” through Oct. 31. (225) 344-5272 or lasm.org.

LSU MUSEUM OF ART: Shaw Center for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St. “In a New Light: American Impressionism 1870-1940,” works from the Bank of America Collection, through March 23. (225) 3897200 or lsumoa.org.

LSU’S GLASSELL GALLERY: Shaw Center for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St. Britt Ransom’s “Sticky,” 3D printed ants and sugar serve as metaphors for sugar’s journey from production to consumption, through Feb. 28.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. MondaySaturday and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. brec.org/facility/MagnoliaMound.

OLD GOVERNOR’S MANSION: 502 North Blvd. Open for tours. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Free admission. oldgovernorsmansion.com.

OLD STATE CAPITOL: 100 North Blvd. “The Biggest Celebrity of His Time,” exhibition surrounding Lafayette, the ﬁrst foreign-born general to command forces in the American Revolution, through March 13. Also, “America’s Sacred Freedoms in the First Amendment,” yearlong exhibit. Free admission. louisianaoldstatecapitol.org. THE POYDRAS CENTER: 500 W. Main St., New Roads. Exhibit by artists Kellie Martin Smith and Olivia McNeely Pass, through March. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday. Free and open to the public. https://650poydras.com/. USS KIDD VETERANS MUSEUM: 305 S. River Road. D-Day exhibit marking the 80th anniversary of the invasion. “Pirates! The Story Behind the Pirate of the Paciﬁc,” permanent exhibit. Note: Vessel is currently in Houma for drydock repairs. usskidd.com. WEST BATON ROUGE MUSEUM: 845 N. Jefferson Ave., Port Allen. “Blues Festival Posters Through the Years,” through April 6. (225) 336-2422 or westbatonrougemuseum.org. Compiled by Judy Bergeron. Have an open-to-the-public event you’d like to promote? Email details to red@theadvocate.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday for the following Friday’s paper

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Put your feelings aside and look at the real issues. Communication will help you sort through your concerns and encourage those you are dealing with to meet you halfway.

PIsCEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Listen carefully Keep your feelings and intentions private until you can better predict how others will react. Focus more on putting things in place and mapping out a comfortable path.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Move confidently; walk with a swagger and command attention. Be objective, dissect every bit of information you receive and propose a plan regardless of who is with you.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Set a course and refuse to veer off track in order to please others. Follow your heart, share your feelings and execute your plans. Put your time, energy and expertise into something that can help you advance.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) You want to simplify your life, not make it spin out of control. Getting together with an old friend will bring back memories and feelings. Engage in heartfelt conversations.

CAnCER (June 21-July 22) A warm and welcoming approach to dealing with others will encourage people to let down their guard. Your high energy and enthusiasm will be matched by someone who challenges you.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Make learning a priority. Scour the internet for informa-

tion to help you gain ground. Put your energy, skills and experience to use Let someone know how much you care about them; it will brighten your day.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Look around you, be critical and change whatever is holding you back. Life is about choices, and although you may not reach your expectations right away, you can make incremental improvements over time.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Look at the big picture. Don't limit yourself or what you can do Whether it's a personal or professional goal you are trying to achieve, set yourself up for success.

sCoRPIo (oct 24-nov 22) Get in the game and have some fun. Socializing, participating and stretching your mind will encourage you to explore an exciting adventure. An aggressive attitude will help you reach your goal.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Pick up the pace and delve into physical fitness, smart living and opportunities leading to a better lifestyle and greater prosperity. It's up to you to make things happen.

CAPRICoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Update essential documents, investments and agreements. Discuss plans with the people affected by your choices. Base your decisions on what's necessary, not on what's desired, and follow through.

FAMILY CIrCUS

McMeel Syndication

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

toDAy's CLuE: J EQuALs K

CeLebrItY CIpher

For better or For WorSe

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

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

By PHILLIP ALDER Bridge

Alfred,LordTennysonsaid,“Hemakes no friends who never made a foe.”

At the bridge table, a suit can be like a friend or foe, often depending on how the suit divides between your other foe, your opponents. How is that relevant to this deal? South is in four hearts. West leads the diamond queen. Since this marks East with the ace, declarer plays low from the dummy at this trick and the next, when West continues the suit. However, East takes the third trick with his ace, then shifts to the club queen. How should South continue?

South rebid two spades in case he and his partner had a better fit there than in hearts. (North could have held five spades and three hearts. To respond one spade with that hand would have been wrong, in particular if South had rebid two clubs or two diamonds. Then North’s preference to two hearts would have shown only a doubleton, and South would have misevaluated the fit.)

Having lost three tricks, South needed the trumps to break 3-2. But he also had a potential spade loser. If the missing cards were friends, breaking 3-3, there would not be a problem. But if they were foe, dividing 4-2, declarer would need some luck.

Southdrewtworoundsoftrumpsusing dummy’s queen and his ace. Then he shifted to spades, cashing his ace, crossing to the king, and leading back to his queen. If the suit had been 3-3, declarer would have drawn the last trump and claimed. Here, though, he ruffed his fourth spade on the board, led a club to his ace, removed West’s last heart, and claimed.

Each Wuzzle is a word riddle which creates a disguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD = GOOD AFTERNOON

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuCtIons: 1. Words must be of four or more letters 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

toDAy’s WoRD DEBAtER: dih-BAY-ter: One who contends in words.

Average mark 43 words Time limit 50 minutes

Can you find 48 or more words in DEBATER?

yEstERDAy’s WoRD — WELtERs

welt were west wrest wrestle else ewer leer lest terse tree reel reset rest seer sere sewer sleet slew steel steer stew strew sweet swelter

today’s thought “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:17

2025 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

wuzzles

loCKhorNs

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles hidato

mallard fillmore

METROPOLITAN COUNCIL GREATER BATON ROUGE AIRPORT AUTHORITY EASTBATON ROUGE SEWERAGE COMMISSION CAPITOL IMPROVEMENTS DISTRICT

CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND PARISH OF EAST BATONROUGE Wednesday,December 11, 2024 4:00 PM

The Metropolitan Council of the Parish of East Baton Rouge and the City of Baton Rouge convened in regular session on Wednesday,December 11, 2024 at 4:00 PM, in the Council Chambersofthe Governmental Building, Room 348, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Meeting was called to order by the Presiding Officer and the following members werepresent: Present: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Absent: None

CONDEMNATIONS

GREGORYDONELL WILLIAMS, FLORIA W. MCNABB, DORIS ANN WILLIAMS DICKERSON, ERNEST LLOYD WILLIAMS, ROSE MARIE WILLIAMS-CAREY,HUSTON M. WILLIAMS, WILLIE WEE WILLIAMS, ELOISE FAYE WILLIAMS FIELDS, BOBBY RAYWILLIAMS, JEROME WILLIAMS, REEDY MICHELLE WADE,LEANORA CONSUELO THOMAS, TRAVIS JAMES THOMAS, KATRINA MCKNIGHT,THE ESTATEOF PATRICIAW.SMITH, AND THE ESTATEOFHUSTONR.WILLIAMS 10107 AVENUE J, LOT 28-A (RESUB OF LOTS 27-30), SQ.50, UNIVERSITY PLACE AKA HIGHLAND FARMS SUBDIVISION-COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 –BANKS

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. An interested citizen speaking without favor or opposition of the proposed condemnation proceeding was Mitchell Conner.Amotion was made by Ms. Amoroso and secondedbyMs. Banks to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on March 12, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

KATIE EVANS 9945 AVENUE B, ACERTAIN FRACTIONAL LOT BEING A 2/7 INT.INAND TO FARM 60, SQ.38, HIGHLAND FARMS SUBDIVISION

-COUNCIL DISTRICT 2-BANKS

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Banks to delete the proposed condemnation proceeding. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

FRANKLINWILSON AND ADRIANNA MOORE WILSON1588 SWAN AVE. &1590 SWAN AVE., (DUPLEXWITH THE ADDRESSES1588 &1590 SWAN AVE.), UNDESIGNATED LOT (A CERTAIN PARCELOFLAND IN SQUARE 106 NORTH BATONROUGE, BEGINNING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 106, THEN RUN WEST ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE OF SWAN ST FOR81.5 FT.THEN SOUTH 134 FT.; EAST 81.5 FT.THENNORTH 134 FT TO P.O.B.), SQ. 106, NORTH BATON ROUGE SUBDIVISION- COUNCIL DISTRICT 2–BANKS

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Ms. Banks and seconded by Mr.Noel to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on March 12, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent, the motion was adopted.

FRANKLINWILSON AND ADRIANNA MOORE WILSONlocated at 1584 Swan Ave. (Duplex With The Addresses 1584 &1586 Swan), Undesignated Lot (A Certain Parcel Of Land In Square106 North Baton Rouge, Beginning At The Northeast Corner Of Lot 106, Then Run West Along The South Side Of Swan St. For 81.5 Ft. Then South 134 Ft.; East 81.5 Ft. Then North 134 Ft.ToP.O.B.), Sq. 106, North Baton Rouge Subdivision,Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11453

THE ESTATEOFWENDY LEONARD TOLLIVER4463 ADAMS AVE., LOT 367, BELFAIR HOMES SUBDIVISION- COUNCIL DISTRICT 7- DEROZAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotion was made by Ms.Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Banks to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on January 8, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

HUGHES MEMORIAL UNITEDMETHODIST CHURCH 850 N38TH ST.& 842 N38TH ST (DUPLEX WITH ADDRESSES842 &850 N38TH), LOT 5, SQ. 27, EDEN PARK SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 7- DEROZAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Banks to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on January 8, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

THE HARMONY CENTER, INC. 223 ATKINSON ST LOT9 PT+ (NORTH 86 FT.OFLOTS 9&10SQ. 3), SQ. 3, WILSONPLACE SUBDIVISION, SEC. 1-COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 –COLEMAN

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

THE ESTATEOFMELVIN H. BROWN &THE ESTATEOFDAISY W. BROWN 635 TERRACE ST LOT C-1, SQUARE BSUBURB SWART-

COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 –COLEMAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Banks to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on March 12, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

KINETIC ESTATES LLC 1716 NHARCO DR., LOTS 60, 61, &62LABELLE

AIRE SUBDIVISION, 1ST FILING -COUNCIL DISTRICT 6- DUNN JR.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotion was made by Ms.Amoroso and seconded by Ms.Banks to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on February 12, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did NotVote: None

Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

EARL A. MARCELLE, JR., LAMAR A. MARCELLE, MARVIN M. MARCELLE, YVONNEM.MARCELLE, YVETTE A. MARCELLE AND

CHERYL R. MARCELLE MURRAYlocated at 1849 Georgia St. (House and accessory structures), Lot 14+ (Lots 14 &16), Sq. 14, South Baton Rouge

Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11454

VALERIA M. SEPT located at 3877 Uncas St., Lot 22, Sq. 206, Suburb

Istrouma Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11455

LAURIE ANN MCNEIL located at 9154 Redbud St., Lot 192, Broadmoor

Subdivision, 3rdFiling, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11456

THE ESTATEOFORA LEE YOUNG(LEE) located at 3007 Jackson Ave., Lot 1-A (Lot 1-A Being Lot 1&the W10Ft. of Lot 2), Sq. 26, Fairfields Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11457

JEFFREY WAYNE PLAISANCE located at 4165 NRow Ave. (House, Awning, and Abandoned Vehicle), Lot 6-B-1, Pleasant Park Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11458

AMOS ROOSEVELT SPANN, JR., UREKA RENEE SPANN, AND NIKISHA

LASHAWNSPANN 10505 AVENUE H. (ASSESSOR RECORDS MAY SHOW 10542 AVE. I), PT FARM 94, HIGHLANDFARMS SUBDIVISION -

COUNCIL DISTRICT 2- BANKS

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Banks to delete the proposed condemnation proceeding. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

PAMELA L. BETHLEY FORD 1067 CENTRAL RD., LOT 61 PT (W ½OF LOT 61), NORTH BATON ROUGE SUBDIVISION -COUNCILDISTRICT

2-BANKS

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms.Banks to delete the proposed condemnation proceeding. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

HERMAN L. PEELER 5155 GREENWELL ST.(HOUSE, ALL OUTBUILDINGS, &ALL ABANDONED VEHICLES), LOT 7, CRESTVIEW PLACE SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 5- HURST

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Mr. Hurst and seconded by Mr.Noel to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on March 12, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None Absent: Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent, the motion was adopted.

BEATRICESERATHINE SCOTT 2415 WILLOW ST (HOUSE, REAR

APARTMENT,ABANDONED VEHICLES &PUSH MOWER), LOT 11, SQ. 3, LAWNDALE SUBDIVISION -COUNCILDISTRICT 7- DEROZAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms.Banks to delete the proposed condemnation proceeding. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

SHELIA MICHELLE WILLIAMS FRANKLIN 789 N36TH ST LOTS 23 &24, SQ. 3, EDEN PARK SUBDIVISION -COUNCILDISTRICT 7-DEROZAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms.Banks to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on January 8, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did NotVote: None

Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

JOHN GRAY 858 N36TH ST LOT 8, SQ. 25, EDEN PARK SUBDIVISION

-COUNCIL DISTRICT 7- DEROZAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Banks to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on January 8, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did NotVote: None

Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

KE TENTERPRISES LLC 5325 WINBOURNE AVE., LOT 239-A (RESUB OF LOT 239), EAST DAYTON SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 7DEROZAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotion was made by Ms.Amoroso and seconded by Ms.Banks to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on January 8, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

ALLEN LEROY BUCKNER, SR. 3913 WASHINGTON AVE., LOT 162, BELFAIR HOMES SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 7- DEROZAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens

spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. Amotion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Banks to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on January 8, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

GEAUX HOME BUYERS, LLC &CONSOLIDATED HOLDINGS, INC. 229 WWASHINGTON ST LOT 29+(LOT 29 &30OFARESUBDIV.OFSQ. 22), SQ. 22, SOUTH BATON ROUGE SUBDIVISION, (ACQUISITION SAYS LOT 29) -COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 –COLEMAN The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion wasmade by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Banks to delete the proposed condemnation proceeding. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion wasadopted.

LARRYE.PAUL, JR., CALVIN WOODERS, RHONDA WOODERS, LARRY C. WOODERS, &THE ESTATEOFANTHONY PAUL located at 1909 Mulberry St., Lot 20, Sq. 6, Northdale and Addition Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

PUBLIC HEARING /MEETING

The following proposed ordinance was introduced by Ms. Coleman and read in full at the meeting of the Metropolitan Council on November 13, 2024. On November 26, 2024, the public hearing washeld and final action deferred until December 11, 2024. With apublic hearing called thereon for this meeting, the proposed ordinance wasreadinfull.

ORDINANCE 19436

AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT(S) 48 AND 50, BLOCK 12, SOUTH BATON ROUGE SUBDIVISION, MUNICIPAL ADDRESS(ES) 2037 THOMAS H. DELPIT DRIVE, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA 70802, AND 2051 THOMAS H. DELPIT DRIVE, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA 70802 AS SURPLUS PROPERTY AND NOT NEEDED FOR APUBLIC PURPOSE, AND AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SAME PURSUANT TO LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTE 33:4712 ET SEQ., UNTO ZEROPOINT SOUTHERN, INC. FOR THE SUM OF $14,400.00,AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE APURCHASE AGREEMENT,CASH SALE/CLOSING DOCUMENTS, AND ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS IN FURTHERANCE OF THIS SALE, WITH THE PARISH ATTORNEY’S OFFICE TO PREPARE, REVIEW,AND/OR APPROVE ALL SUCH DOCUMENTATION.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Mr.Hurst and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: Racca With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent, the motion was adopted. PROPOSED RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PARISH ATTORNEY’S OFFICE TO INSTITUTE EXPROPRIATION PROCEEDINGS AND/OR TO TAKE SUCH OTHER ACTIONS AS MAYBEREQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACQUISITION OF LAND NECESSARYFOR THE MOVEBR ENHANCEMENT PROJECT -LA42(HIGHLAND ROAD) AT PECUE LANE -BEING PROJECT NO. 23-EN-HC-0028. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Gaudet and seconded by Ms. Adams to defer the proposed resolution to the council meeting on January 29, 2025. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Racca With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent, the motion wasadopted.

ORDINANCE 19437

AMENDING TITLE 1(MUNICIPAL AND PARISH ORGANIZATION), CHAPTER 4(REGULATION OF DEPARTMENTS), PART III. (DIVISION OF PURCHASING), SECTION 1:701 (ESTABLISHED; AUTHORITY FOR PURCHASES), SO AS TO ADD SUBSECTION (J) TO PROVIDE FOR AGREEMENTS WITH QUALIFIED GROUP PURCHASING ORGANIZATIONS FOR PURCHASES AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion wasadopted.

PROPOSED ORDINANCE ENACTING AN ORDINANCE AND AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYORPRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT,GRANTING TO ENTERGY LOUISIANA, LLC, THE RIGHT,PRIVILEGE AND FRANCHISE, FOR A PERIOD OF FORTY-ONE YEARS, TO LAY, MAINTAIN, AND OPERATE MAINS AND PIPES IN, UNDER, ALONG AND THROUGH THE PUBLIC STREETS, AVENUES, ALLEYS, ROADS, HIGHWAYS, AND OTHER PUBLIC PLACES OF AND WITHIN THE UNINCOPORATED AREAS OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH FOR THE TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION AND SALE OF GAS; PROVIDING REGULATIONS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXERCISE OF SAID RIGHT,PRIVILEDGE AND FRANCHISE, AND PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION HEREOF

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time. An interested citizen speaking without favor or opposition to the proposed ordinance wasMichelle Berg. A motion wasmade by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Racca to delete the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: Gaudet Absent: None With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 1not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

PROPOSED ORDINANCE ENACTING AN ORDINANCE AND AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYORPRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT,GRANTING TO ENTERGY LOUISIANA, LLC, THE RIGHT,PRIVILEGE AND FRANCHISE, FOR A PERIOD OF EIGHTEEN YEARS, TO LAY, MAINTAIN, AND OPERATE MAINS AND PIPES IN, UNDER, ALONG AND THROUGH THE PUBLIC STREETS, AVENUES, ALLEYS, ROADS, HIGHWAYS, AND OTHER PUBLIC PLACES OF AND WITHIN THE UNINCOPORATED AREAS OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH FOR THE TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION AND SALE OF ELECTRICITY;PROVIDING REGULATIONS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXERCISE OF SAID RIGHT,PRIVILEDGE AND FRANCHISE, AND PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION HEREOF

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time. An interested citizen speaking without favor or opposition to the proposed ordinance wasMichelle Berg. A motion wasmade by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Racca to delete the proposed ordinance. A“Yea” and “Nay” vote wascalled for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: Gaudet

Absent: None With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 1not voting, and 0absent, the motion

was adopted.

RESOLUTION58326

AMENDING THE 2024 CURRENT EXPENSE AND CAPITAL BUDGET

SO AS TO ADJUST ESTIMATED REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS AND TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OFFINANCE TO MAKE CERTAIN

INTERDEPARTMENTAL INTERFUND TRANSFERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATEBUDGET ACT AND THE PLAN OFGOVERNMENT.

(BUDGET SUPPLEMENT 9086).

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for oragainst the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Coleman and seconded by Ms. Derozan to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION58327

AMENDING THE 2025 ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGETSOASTO

APPROPRIATE $682,110 FROMINTEREST EARNINGS FROM THE AMERICANRESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) FUND FOR POLICE

DEPARTMENT SPECIALEVENT OVERTIME ($426,250), TRAVEL ALLOWANCE AUTHORIZEDINLRS 33:1233(B) ($108,600), OPERATIONAL SUPPORTFORJUVENILE COURT($73,750), AND COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENTS IN THE PARISH ATTORNEY’S OFFICE ($73,510) (BUDGET SUPPLEMENT 9076).

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotionwas made by Mr.Hurst and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Hudson, Hurst, Noel Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: Amoroso, Gaudet, Moak, Racca With 8yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 4absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION58328

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ACCEPT AND EXECUTE THE FY 2024 LEAD HAZARDCONTROL CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT (LHCCBC), GRANT NUMBERLALCB0021-24, FUNDED THROUGH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OFHOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT INTHE AMOUNT OF $1,500,000.00 TO ENHANCE THE CITY’S INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAPACITY TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS LEADBASED PAINT HAZARDS IN OWNER-OCCUPIEDOR RENTAL UNITS OCCUPIED BY LOW-TO-MODERATE INCOME FAMILIESWITH ACHILD UNDER 6YEARS OLD. FOR THE PERIODDECEMBER 2, 2024 THRU DECEMBER 1, 2027 AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIONOFALL DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTIONTHEREWITH.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Ms. Coleman to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Hudson, Hurst, Noel Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: Amoroso, Gaudet, Moak, Racca With 8yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 4absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION58329

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NO. 1TO THECONTRACT WITH GRACE HEBERT CURTIS, LLC FOR ADDITIONAL DESIGN SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR CONTRACT FOR THE JUVENILE DETENTIONCENTER UPGRADES, BEING CITY PARISH PROJECT NO. 21-ASD-CP-1408 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $154,110.00. (ACCOUNT NO. 27125300-20-5310-0000-YR21-000000-647200-41016).

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. An interested citizen speaking in favor of the proposed resolution was Redell Norman. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Ms. Coleman and seconded by Mr Noel to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Amoroso, Moak With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION58330

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH MS BENBOW AND ASSOCIATES ENGINEERING CORPORATION FOR ARCHITECTURALDESIGN SERVICES IN CONNECTIONWITH EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH SHERIFF OFFICE GLEN OAKS SUBSTATION, BEING CITY PARISH PROJECT NO.21-ASD-CP-1569 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $68,850.00. (PS ACCOUNT NO.4115200621-2712 GLOM-EBRSOSTAT-647200).

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. Ainterested citizen speaking in favor of theproposed resolution was Redell Norman. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Mr.Gaudet and seconded by Mr Hudson to adopt the proposed resolution. A“Yea” and “Nay” vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Amoroso, Moak With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION58331

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT,ONBEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS &GROUNDS, TO EXECUTE A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH SCOTLANDVILLE AREA FOUNDATION, GRANTING THE USE AND OCCUPANCY OFCITY-PARISH IMMOVABLE PROPERTY KNOWN AS THE OLD FIRE STATION#16, ON OR ABOUT THE 1200 BLOCK OFROSENWALD, AND PRESCRIBING CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS, FOR ATERM OFTEN YEARS. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. Interested citizens speaking in favor of the proposed resolution wereJoshua Combs, Eric Porter,and Vickie. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Mr.Moak and seconded by Mr.Noel to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Derozan, Gaudet, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: Hudson Did Not Vote: None

Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr With 9yeas, 0nays, 1abstaining, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION58332

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT,ONBEHALF OF BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS TO EXECUTE ACONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH A1 ELEVATOR, LLC FOR THE CITY HALL ELEVATOR ID #07 MODIFICATION AND UPGRADE RFP LOCATED AT 222 ST.LOUIS STREET IN THE AMOUNTOF$385,400.00.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Mr.Noel to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Derozan, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION58333

AIRPORTAUTHORITY RESOLUTION 12-11-24-01

AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND/OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORTCOMMISSION TO EXECUTEAPROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACTWITH STAR SERVICES, INC. TO PROVIDE HVAC

SYSTEM &EMS MAINTENANCE IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED

$288,504.00. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Mr.Hurst to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Derozan, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: Coleman, Dunn Jr With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58334

AIRPORTAUTHORITY RESOLUTION 12-11-24-02

AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR-PRESIDENTAND/OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORTCOMMISSION TO EXECUTEA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACTWITH MERIPLEX SOLUTIONS, LLC IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $80,000.00.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Mr.Moak to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Derozan, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did NotVote: None

Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58335

AIRPORTAUTHORITY RESOLUTION 12-11-24-03

AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND/OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORTCOMMISSION TO EXECUTE APROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACTWITH MMRCOMMUNICATIONS, INC. TO PROVIDE THE CCTV,ACS &PASYSTEMSINANAMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $180,000.00.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Mr.Moak to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Derozan, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did NotVote: None

Absent:Coleman, Dunn Jr With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58336

AIRPORTAUTHORITY RESOLUTION 12-11-24-04

AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND/OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORTCOMMISSION TO EXECUTE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NO. 2WITH ELOS ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $83,000.00. (ACCOUNTNO.9800000096-58210000050000000000-653100). The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Hurst and seconded by Ms. Adams to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did NotVote: None Absent:Dunn Jr With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58337

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENTTOEXECUTE ACOOPERATIVE

ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH SOUTH CENTRAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, TO PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTIONSAND ENFORCEMENTFOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT,INANAMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $338,000.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. Interested citizens speaking in favor of the proposed resolution wereGaylynne M. Mack, Interested citizens appearing in favor of the proposed resolution, but not wishing to speak wereVashti Jenkins, Daron Brown, Mitchell Conner,and Roderick Shannon. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Mr.Moak to adopt the proposed resolution. A Yeaand Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58338

AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENTTOAMEND ASUB-RECIPIENT AGREEMENTWITH AGALVANIZED INNOVATIVE APPROACHTO LEADING EXCELLENCEPLANNING SOLUTIONS, INC DBA AGILE PLANNING SOLUTIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $388,500.00 FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $949,765.00 TO SUPPORTTHE EXPANSION OF HIGH-RISK INTERVENTION PROGRAMS, THE SAFE PASSAGE SCHOOL-BASED INITIATIVE, AND THE OVERALL ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENTOFTHE BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY STREET TEAM (BRCST). FUNDED BY THE COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PREVENTION INITIATIVE (CVIPI) GRANTFROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. Interested citizens speaking in favor of the proposed resolution wereRachel Givens, CoreyBrown, Jacqueline Germany,Darius Crockett, Yolanda Filmore, Aaron Banks, and Redell Norman. Interested citizens appearing in favor of the proposed resolution, but not wishing to speak wereVashti Jenkins, Daron Brown, Mitchell Conner,Roderick Shannon, and Gaylynne M. Mack.Aninterested citizen speaking without favor or opposition to the proposed resolution was Sateria Tate. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Ms. Banks and seconded by Ms. Derozan to adopt the proposed resolution, contingent on the approval of the Grants and Contracts Review Committee. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: Amoroso, Racca With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58339

AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENTTOAMEND ASUB-RECIPIENT

AGREEMENTWITH 100 BLACK MEN OF METRO BATON ROUGE IN THE AMOUNT OF $186,250.00 FOR ATOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $507,500.00 TO SUPPORTTHE ORGANIZATION IN LAUNCHINGHIGHRISK INTERVENTION EFFORTS THAT WILL ALIGN WITH THE CITY’S COMMUNITY-BASED PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVES FUNDED BY THE COMMUNITY VIOLENCEINTERVENTION PREVENTION INITIATIVE

(CVIPI) GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. Interested citizens speaking in favor of the proposed resolution wereCheryl Spoone and Redell Norman. Interested citizens appearing in favor of the proposed resolution, but not wishing to speak wereVashti Jenkins and Roderick Shannon. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Coleman to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: Hurst Did NotVote: None Absent:Derozan With 10 yeas, 0nays, 1abstaining, 0not voting, and 1absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58340

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO AMEND THE CONTRACT WITH MAXIMUS CONSULTING SERVICES, INC., FOR INDIRECT COST ALLOCATION SERVICES FOR THE CFR PART 200 PLAN AND THE FULL COST PLAN BY $36,000 FOR ATOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $135,500 FOR CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE FY 2025 AND FY 2026 ALLOCATION PLANS. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time. No interestedcitizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Ms. Coleman to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Amoroso, Racca With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58341

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH NEARMAP US INC FOR SERVICES TO PROVIDE AERIAL IMAGERYINTHE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $85,000. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Gaudet and seconded by Ms. Adams to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Amoroso, Racca With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58342

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO AMEND AN AGREEMENT WITH CHERBONNIER, MAYER &ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR CYBERSECURITY SERVICES INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF THE CONTRACT BY $197,666.00FOR ATOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $ 1,075,565.00

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interestedcitizen submittingan emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard.A motion wasmade by Ms. Coleman and seconded by Mr.Gaudet to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: Amoroso, Racca With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58343

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH THE STATEOF LOUISIANA TO PROVIDE FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $850,000, FROM FUNDING PROVIDED IN ACT 4OFTHE 2024 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. An interested citizen speaking in favor of the proposed resolution was Redell Norman. Interestedcitizens appearing in favor of the proposed resolution, but not wishing to speak were Daron Brown, Mitchell Conner,and Roderick Shannon. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion wasmade by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Coleman to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58344

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF THE DIVISION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT &SERVICES, HEAD STARTPROGRAM TO APPLYAND RECEIVE FUNDING FROM THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR THE PROVISION OF BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE FOR ELIGIBLE HEAD STARTCHILDREN WITH PARENTS WORKING OR ATTENDING SCHOOL AND TO SIGN ALL DOCUMENT CONNECTED THEREWITH. The Presiding Officerannounced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Hurst and seconded by Ms. Derozan to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Amoroso, Racca With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58345

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE DIVISION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES, OFFICE OF SOCIAL SERVICES WITH CAPITAL AREA UNITED WAYFOR THE VOLUNTEER INCOME TAXASSISTANCE (VITA) PROGRAM IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10,500 FOR ACCEPTED IRS INCOME TAXRETURNS DURING THE 2024 TAXSEASON.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interestedcitizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Mr.Hurst and seconded by Ms. Adams to adopt the proposed resolution. A“Yea” and “Nay” vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Amoroso, Racca With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58346

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO AND EXECUTE ASUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, AND THE LOUISIANA HOUSING CORPORATION TO SUPPORTTHE DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLEHOUSING FOR PRE-APPROVED PROJECTS. THE AGREEMENT ALLOCATES UP TO $4M IN ERAP HOUSING FUNDS AND $360,000 IN HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP FUNDS AND AUTHORIZES THE EXECUTION OF ALL RELATED DOCUMENTS. THIS AGREEMENT WOULD INCLUDE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ADMINISTER FEDERAL COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS ON BEHALF OF OCD AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO THE CITY-PARISH TO REDUCE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN ON BOTH THE CITY PARISH AND THE DEVELOPERS. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interestedcitizen submitting an emailed comment

DECEMBER 31, 2025.

Amotion was made by Mr.Gaudet and seconded by Ms. Adams to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted

as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: Amoroso, Racca With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION58348 EBROSCO RESOLUTION8708

AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND/OR EBROSCO TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO. 8TOTHE CONTRACT WITH W. P. ENTERPRISE, LLC FOR PUMP STATION LAWN MAINTENANCE –NORTH SITE GROUP

BEING CITY-PARISH CONTRACT NO. 800000773 FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000.00 AND EXTENDING THE CONTRACT

THROUGHDECEMBER 31, 2025.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Mr.Gaudet and seconded by Ms. Adams to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: Amoroso, Racca

With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION58349

EBROSCO RESOLUTION8709

AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND/OR EBROSCO TO EXECUTE

AMENDMENT NO. 7TOTHE CONTRACT WITH CARRUTH HOLDINGS, LLC FOR PUMP STATION LAWN MAINTENANCE –SOUTH SITE GROUP BEING CITY-PARISH CONTRACT NO. 800000862 FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $125,000.00 AND EXTENDING THE CONTRACT THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2025.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Mr.Gaudet and seconded by Ms. Adams to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: Amoroso, Racca With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION58350 EBROSCO RESOLUTION8710 AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND/OR EBROSCO TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO. 12 WITH ECM CONSULTANTS, INC. FOR CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SUPPORTSERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH ANNUAL CONSTRUCTIONINSPECTIONSUPPORT– FIRM 1, BEING PROJECT NO. 15-CN-MS-0008, RESULTING IN AN INCREASE IN THE CONTRACT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED$600,000.00 AND AN EXTENSION OF CONTRACT TIME TO DECEMBER31, 2025.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. A motion was made by Mr.Gaudet and seconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposedresolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Noel

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: Amoroso, Coleman, Moak, Racca With 8yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 4absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION58351

EBROSCO RESOLUTION8711

AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND/OR EBROSCO TO EXECUTE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NO. 19 TO THE CONTRACT WITH ARCCO COMPANY SERVICES, INC. FOR MAINTENANCE,REPAIR, INSTALLATION AND STORAGE OFGENERATORS FOR PUMP STATION SITES FOR AFEE NOT TO EXCEED $2,500,000.00.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. A motion was made by Mr.Gaudet and seconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposedresolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Noel Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Amoroso, Coleman, Moak, Racca With 8yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 4absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION58352

AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NO. 22 TO THE CONTRACT WITH CH2M HILL ENGINEERS, INC. (FORMERLYCH2M HILL, INC.) FOR PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR PHASE II OF THEBATON ROUGE SANITARYSEWER OVERFLOW (SSO) CONTROL AND WASTEWATER FACILITIES PROGRAM RESULTING IN AN INCREASE IN THE CONTRACT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $3,250,000.00 AND AN EXTENSIONOFCONTRACT TIME TO DECEMBER 31, 2025. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Mr.Hurst and seconded by Ms. Adams to adopt the proposedresolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Objecting: Dunn Jr Absent: Amoroso With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, 1objecting, and 1absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION58353

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ACCEPT THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 ACTION PLANAND ENTER INTO AND EXECUTE AGRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OFHOUSING AND URBAN

DEVELOPMENT FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,316,455, HOME INVESTMENTS AND PARTNERSHIP (HOME) IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,333,446.47, HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH AIDS (HOPWA) IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,268,697, AND EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANTS (ESG) IN THE AMOUNT OF $280,646.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Mr.Gaudet and seconded by Ms. Adams to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION58354

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT

$400,000.00 AND

AN EXTENSION OF THE CONTRACTTIME THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2025. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. A motion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Racca to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did NotVote: None Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58355

AWARDING THE CONTRACTFOR ANNUAL PARISHWIDE SEWER

CLEANING AND PHYSICAL INSPECTION SERVICES TO THE SELECTED VENDOR, COMPLIANCE ENVIROSYSTEMS, LLC (CES); AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACTINANAMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $6,500,000.00 ANNUALLYTHROUGH CALENDAR YEAR 2029. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Mr.Gaudet and seconded by Ms. Adams to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did NotVote: None Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58356

AWARDING THE CONTRACTFOR ANNUAL PARISHWIDE WASTEWATER VALVEMAINTENANCE SERVICES BEING CITY-PARISH PROJECTNO. 23-VM-MS-0032 TO THE SELECTED VENDOR, GRADY CRAWFORD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY,INC.; AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACTINANAMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED

$500,000.00

ANNUALLYTHROUGH CALENDAR YEAR 2029.

The Presiding Officer announced that a public hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Mr.Gaudet to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58357

AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENTTOAMEND THE EXISTING COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT FOR THE YEAR 2025 WITH BIG BUDDY PROGRAM FOR THE SUMMERYOUTH PROGRAM IN AN AMOUNT OF $400,000; FUNDED BY THE MAYOR’SOFFICE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM AND ARPA-COMMUNITY VIOLENCEINTERVENTION

PROGRAM The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. An interested citizen speaking on the proposed resolution was Samuel L. Baker,Jr.,Gaylynne M. Mack, and Redell Norman. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Mr.Hudson and seconded by Ms. Derozan to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Noel Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Moak, Racca With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 5absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58358

AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENTTOENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH JAZZI SOLUTIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $150,000.00 TO PROVIDE GRANT COORDINATION FUNDED BY THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE FY2019 COMMUNITY-BASED CRIMEREDUCTION GRANT,THE BJA FY23 NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY PARTNERSHIP CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT, AND THE COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION INITIATIVE, ALL DEDICATED TO COMBATING COMMUNITY VIOLENCEAND LEVERAGING COMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTIONS ANDSTRATEGIES TO REDUCE VIOLENT CRIME.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. Interested citizens speaking on the proposed resolution wereSamuel L. Baker,Jr.,Joshua Brumfield, Ardana Winbush, Gaylynne M. Mack, and Redell Norman. Interested citizens appearing in favor of the proposed resolution, but not wishing to speak wereVashti Jenkins, Daron Brown, Mitchell Conner,and Roderick Shannon. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Mr Dunn Jr.and seconded by Mr.Hurst to adopt the proposed resolution. A Yeaand Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Noel Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Amoroso, Banks, Hurst, Moak, Racca With 7yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 5absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58359

AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENTTOENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH 4MPCONSULTING LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $100,000.00 TO PROVIDE GRANT COORDINATION FUNDED BY THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE FY2019 COMMUNITY-BASED CRIMEREDUCTION GRANT,THE BJA FY23 NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY PARTNERSHIP CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT, AND THE COMMUNITY VIOLENCEINTERVENTION AND PREVENTION INITIATIVE, ALL DEDICATED TO COMBATING COMMUNITY VIOLENCE ANDLEVERAGINGCOMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTIONS ANDSTRATEGIES TO REDUCEVIOLENTCRIME.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. Interested citizens speaking on the proposed resolution wereJoshua Brumfield, Ardana Winbush, and Redell Norman. Interested citizens appearing in favor of the proposed resolution, but not wishing to speak wereVashti Jenkins, Daron Brown, Mitchell Conner,and Roderick Shannon. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Coleman to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay” vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did NotVote:None Absent: Amoroso, Banks, Moak With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 3absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58360

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENTTOENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH JEWEL OF HOPE COUNSELINGSERVICES, LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $75,000.00 TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY-BASED WELLNESS COACHING, INCLUDING INDIVIDUALIZED COACHING, GUIDANCE, AND SUPPORTFOR BATON ROUGE COMMUNITYMEMBERS, ESPECIALLYTHOSE IMPACTED BY VIOLENCE, ON BEHALF OF SAFE HOPEFUL HEALTHY

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. An interested citizen speaking in favor of the proposed resolution was Redell Norman. Interested citizens appearing in favor of the proposed resolution, but not wishing to speak wereVashti Jenkins, Daron Brown, Mitchell Conner,and Roderick Shannon. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Mr Dunn Jr.and seconded by Mr.Gaudet to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did NotVote: None Absent:Amoroso, Moak With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58361

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH RODRICK JARREAU IN THE AMOUNT OF $70,000.00 TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY-BASED WELLNESS COACHING, INCLUDING INDIVIDUALIZED COACHING, GUIDANCE, AND SUPPORTFOR BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE IMPACTED BY VIOLENCE, ON BEHALF OF SAFE HOPEFUL HEALTHY

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interestedcitizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Interestedcitizens appearing in favor of the proposed resolution, but not wishing to speak were Vashti Jenkins, Daron Brown, Mitchell Conner,and Roderick Shannon. An interested citizen submittinganemailed comment against the proposed resolution wasPhillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Mr.Gaudet and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Amoroso, Moak With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58362

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICEAGREEMENT WITH BRIDGE THERAPY LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $80,000.00 TO PROVIDE SUPERVISION, OVERSIGHT, COORDINATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF THE DAILYOPERATIONS OF COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION TEAMS ON BEHALF OF SAFE HOPEFUL HEALTHY

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time. An interested citizen speaking in favor of the proposed resolution was Redell Norman. Interestedcitizens appearing in favor of the proposed resolution, but not wishing to speak were Vashti Jenkins, Daron Brown, Mitchell Conner, and Roderick Shannon. An interested citizen submittinganemailed comment against the proposed resolution wasPhillip Lillard.A motion was made by Mr Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Coleman to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Amoroso, Moak With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58363

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO AMEND THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH VINFORMATIX FROM $180,000.00TOANOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $275,000.00 TO FUND DATA ANALYTIC SUPPORTSERVICES FOR THE DEPARTMENT SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED ON THE SAFE, HOPEFUL, HEALTHY (SHH) INITIATIVE, WITH THE PRIMARYOBJECTIVE OF FACILITATING COMPREHENSIVE DATA ANALYSIS AND REPORTING TO EVALUATE AND ENHANCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SHH INITIATIVE.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. An interestedcitizen speaking in favor of the proposed resolution was Redell Norman. Interestedcitizens appearing in favor of the proposed resolution, but not wishing to speak wereVashti Jenkins, Daron Brown, Mitchell Conner, and Roderick Shannon. An interested citizen submittinganemailed comment against the proposed resolution wasPhillip Lillard. Amotion wasmade by Mr Gaudet and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58364

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NO. 6FOR ADDITIONAL ENGINEERING AND RIGHT OF WAYSERVICES, AND LIMITED CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES WITH HNTB, INC. ASSOCIATED WITH THE NICHOLSON-PLANK BUS RAPID TRANSIT PROJECT,BEING CITY-PARISH PROJECT NO. 16-CI-US-0032, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $565,198.50. (ACCOUNT NO. 9207100043-4370.000000000000000-653240). The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution wasPhillip Lillard Amotion wasmade by Ms. Coleman and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58365

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO ASUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH SOMEONE ALWAYS CARES FOUNDATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $75,000.00 TO IMPLEMENT PROGRAMMING GEARED TOWARD REDUCING DELINQUENCY AND RECIDIVISM IN JUSTICE-INVOLVED YOUTH AGED 11-17 WHO HAVE ACTIVE PETITIONS BEFORE THE COURT, FUNDED BY THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT AND DEDICATED TO COMBATING COMMUNITY VIOLENCE.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. An interested citizen speaking in favor of the proposed resolution was Redell Norman. Interestedcitizens appearing in favor of the proposed resolution, but not wishing to speak were Vashti Jenkins, Daron Brown, Mitchell Conner, and Roderick Shannon. An interested citizen submittinganemailed comment against the proposed resolution wasPhillip Lillard. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Coleman and seconded by Mr.Gaudet to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58366

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICEAGREEMENT WITH FAMILYSERVICES OF GREATER BATON ROUGE IN THE AMOUNT OF $87,000.00 TO DELIVER SURVIVOR SUPPORTSERVICES TO VICTIMS OF GUN VIOLENCE IN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, ON BEHALF OF SAFE HOPEFUL HEALTHY

adopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resulted as follows:

Yeas:Adams, Banks,Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays:None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent:Amoroso

With 11 yeas,0 nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58368

AUTHORIZING THEMAYOR-PRESIDENTTOENTERINTOA

SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENTWITHBIG BUDDY IN THE AMOUNT OF $220,000.00, BY WAYOFSAFE HOPEFULHEALTHY, TO PROVIDE PLANNING, COORDINATION,AND IMPLEMENTATIONOF THE MAYOR’S SCHOOL-BASEDOUTREACH DREAM ACADEMY.

The Presiding Officerannounced that apublic hearingonthe above resolutionwas in order at this time.Aninterested citizen speaking in favor ofthe proposed resolutionwas Gaylynne M. Mack.Aninterested citizen submittinganemailedcomment against theproposed resolutionwas Phillip Lillard.A motion wasmade by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Colemantoadopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nay votewas called forand resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Banks,Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays:None Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas,0 nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58369

AUTHORIZING THEMAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT, ON BEHALFOFMOSQUITO ANDRODENTCONTROL (“MARC”), WITH SAFRAN HELICOPTER ENGINES USA, INC. (“SAFRAN”), FORENGINE SERVICE AND MAINTENANCEOFMARC’S HELICOPTERARRIEL2D

ENGINEFOR ATERM OF FIVEYEARS AT $50,000.00 PER YEAR IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED$250,000.00.

The Presiding Officerannounced that apublic hearingonthe above resolutionwas in order at thistime. Nointerested citizens spokeeither fororagainstthe proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailedcomment againstthe proposed resolutionwas Phillip Lillard Amotionwas made by Ms.Coleman andseconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.to adopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nayvotewas calledfor and resulted as follows:

Yeas:Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst,Moak,Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas,0 nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58370

AMENDING RESOLUTION #57959 TO CORRECT ATYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR IN THEHEAD STARTLEASE CONTRACTWITHM &J PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, LLC,CONTRACT #8-5834, FROMA TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TOEXCEED $62,000TOA TOTALAMOUNT NOTTOEXCEED $62,400. RESOLUTION#57959 EXTENDED THE TERM OF THE ORIGINAL LEASE TO THEPERIODAUGUSTTHROUGH DECEMBER 2024, INCREASING THE ORIGINAL AMOUNT OF THE LEASE FROM $36,400 TO AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNTOF$26,000, FORA TOTAL LEASE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $62,400, BASED ON AMONTHLY RATE OF $5,200 FORTHE YEAR. The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearingonthe above resolutionwas in order at thistime. Nointerested citizens spokeeither fororagainstthe proposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Ms.Adams andseconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt theproposed resolution. AYea andNay votewas calledfor and resultedasfollows:

Yeas:Adams, Banks,Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays:None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas,0 nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58371

RESCINDING AND DIRECTING THE CLERK OF COURTTOCANCEL THE NOTICETOATTEND RECORDED ON JANUARY12, 2024, AT ORIGINAL 933 OF BUNDLE13292, ANDORIGINAL 934 OF BUNDLE 13292 AND THEDECISION AND ORDERRECORDED ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2024, AT ORIGINAL455 OF BUNDLE 13334 IN THE MATTEROF“CITY OF BATON ROUGEVS. CHARLES RAYANDERSONTRUST &GLENDA FAYJOHNSON (INDIVIDUALLYAND AS TRUSTEE)” -CONDEMNATION PROCEEDING NO. 11408 (1445 DANIELWEBSTERST.,LOT 25, SQ.176, SOUTH BATONROUGE SUBDIVISION)

The Presiding Officerannounced that apublic hearingonthe above resolutionwas in order at this time.Nointerested citizens spokeeitherfor or against theproposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Ms.Coleman and seconded by Mr.Moak to adopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams,Banks,Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr., Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas,0 nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58372 RESCINDING AND DIRECTING THE CLERK OF COURTTO CANCEL THE NOTICE TO ATTENDRECORDED ON MAY31, 2024, AT ORIGINAL 185 OF BUNDLE13315, AND ORIGINAL 188 OF BUNDLE13315 AND THE DECISION AND ORDERFROMTHE SEPTEMBER25, 2024, METRO COUNCILMEETING IN THEMATTEROF“CITY OF BATONROUGEVS. THE LEONARD A. BROWN ANDGERALDINE S. BROWN REVOCABLE LIVINGTRUST”-CONDEMNATION PROCEEDINGNO. 11409(569 E BUCHANAN ST LOT26& 27,SQ. 35, SOUTH BATON ROUGE SUBDIVISION) ThePresiding Officerannounced that apublic hearingonthe above resolutionwas in order at this time.Nointerested citizens spokeeitherfor oragainst the proposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Ms.Coleman and seconded by Ms.Adamsto adopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nayvotewas calledfor and resultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams,Banks,Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr.,Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel,Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas,0 nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58373

RESCINDING AND DIRECTING THE CLERK OF COURTTO CANCEL THENOTICETOATTENDRECORDED ON JUNE 10, 2024, AT ORIGINAL 572OFBUNDLE13316, ANDORIGINAL 573 OF BUNDLE 13316; AND THE DECISION AND ORDER RECORDED ON AUGUST30, 2024, AT ORIGINAL30OFBUNDLE 13330 IN THE MATTEROF“CITY OF BATON ROUGEVS. THE ESTATEOFPETERCHAMBERS AND THE ESTATE OF FLORENCEFISHER CHAMBERS”-CONDEMNATIONPROCEEDING NO. 11391 (1900 N. 38TH ST LOT230, BELFORT SUBDIVISION)

ThePresiding Officerannounced that apublic hearingonthe above resolutionwas in order at this time.Nointerested citizens spokeeither for or against theproposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Ms.Derozan and seconded by Ms.Adamstoadopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nayvotewas calledfor and resultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Banks,Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel,Racca Nays:None Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas,0 nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58374

RESCINDING AND DIRECTINGTHE CLERK OF COURTTOCANCEL THE NOTICE TO ATTENDRECORDED ONJULY22, 2024, AT ORIGINAL 136OFBUNDLE13323 AND THE DECISIONAND ORDER RECORDED ONOCTOBER11, 2024, AT ORIGINAL 9OFBUNDLE13338 IN THE MATTER OF“CITY OF BATON ROUGEVS. DARRELL A. BATES”CONDEMNATIONPROCEEDINGNO. 11421 (155 TAYLORST.,LOT 27, SQ. 32, SOUTH BATONROUGE SUBDIVISION).REASONFOR RESCISSION: PROPERTYOWNERISSELLING THE PROPERTY AND THENEW OWNER WILL REPAIR THE PROPERTY. The Presiding Officerannounced that apublic hearingonthe above resolutionwas in order at this time.Nointerested citizens spokeeither for or against theproposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Ms.Coleman and seconded by Ms.Adams to adopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote wascalledfor and resultedasfollows: Yeas:Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58375

RESCINDING ANDDIRECTING THE CLERKOFCOURT TO CANCEL THE NOTICE TO ATTEND RECORDED ON JULY22, 2024, AT ORIGINAL 144 OF BUNDLE 13323, ANDTHE DECISIONAND ORDER RECORDED ON OCTOBER 11, 2024, AT ORIGINAL 4OFBUNDLE 13338 IN THE MATTER OF “CITYOFBATON ROUGE VS. PDB REALTY ANDINVESTMENTS LLC” -CONDEMNATION PROCEEDING NO.11416 (9732 AVENUE B, LOT15A,SQ. 16, HIGHLAND FARMS SUBDIVISION,AKA LOT 15, SQ. 16 UNIVERSITY PLACE SUBDIVISION)

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolutionwas in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Ms. Coleman and seconded by Ms. Adams to adopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams,Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr., Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst,Moak, Noel,Racca Nays: None Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58376

RESCINDING ANDDIRECTING THE CLERKOFCOURT TO CANCEL THE NOTICE TO ATTEND RECORDED ON JULY2,2024, AT ORIGINAL

363 OF BUNDLE13320 ANDORIGINAL 364 OF BUNDLE 13320, AND THE DECISIONAND ORDER RECORDED ON AUGUST 19, 2024, AT ORIGINAL 803 OF BUNDLE13327 IN THE MATTER OF “CITYOF BATON ROUGE VS. ERMA ALEXANDER ANDTHE ESTATEOFDIXIE ALEXANDER” -CONDEMNATION PROCEEDING NO.11386 (2846 69TH AVE.,LOT 26-A, SQ. 50, BANKADDITION SUBDIVISION).

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolutionwas in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Ms.Coleman and seconded by Ms.Adamstoadopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams,Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

ORDINANCE 19438

AN ORDINANCE ANDAUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT,GRANTING TO ENTERGY LOUISIANA, LLC, THE RIGHT, PRIVILEGE ANDFRANCHISE, FOR APERIOD OF THIRTYYEARS, TO LAY, MAINTAIN,AND OPERATEMAINS ANDPIPES IN,UNDER, ALONG AND THROUGH THE PUBLICSTREETS, AVENUES, ALLEYS, ROADS, HIGHWAYS, ANDOTHER PUBLICPLACES OF AND WITHINTHE UNINCOPORATED AREAS OF EAST BATON ROUGE

PARISH FOR THE TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION ANDSALEOFGAS; PROVIDING REGULATIONSAND CONDITIONS OF THE EXERCISE OF SAID RIGHT,PRIVILEDGE ANDFRANCHISE.

ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove ordinance wasinorder at this time. An interested citizen speaking without favor or oppositiontothe proposed ordinance wasMichelle Berg.A motionwas made by Ms.Racca and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt theproposed ordinance as amended to allowthe ParishAttorney’sOffice to make non-substantive changes to thedraft. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedasfollows:

Yeas: Adams,Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Hurst

Moak, Noel,Racca Nays: Gaudet,Hudson

Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None Absent:None With 10 yeas, 2nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

ORDINANCE 19439

AN ORDINANCE ANDAUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT,GRANTING TO ENTERGY LOUISIANA, LLC, THE RIGHT, PRIVILEGE ANDFRANCHISE, FOR APERIOD OF THIRTYYEARS, TO LAY, MAINTAIN, ANDOPERATEMAINS ANDPIPES IN,UNDER, ALONG AND THROUGH THE PUBLICSTREETS, AVENUES, ALLEYS, ROADS, HIGHWAYS, ANDOTHER PUBLICPLACES OF AND WITHINTHE UNINCOPORATED AREAS OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH FOR THE TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION ANDSALEOF ELECTRICITY; PROVIDING REGULATIONS ANDCONDITIONS OF THE EXERCISEOFSAIDRIGHT,PRIVILEDGE ANDFRANCHISE.

ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove ordinance wasinorder at this time. An interested citizen speaking without favor or oppositiontothe proposed ordinance wasMichelle Berg.A motionwas made by Ms. Racca and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toadopt theproposed ordinance as amended to allowthe ParishAttorney’sOffice to make non-substantive changes to thedraft. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedasfollows:

Yeas: Adams,Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr., Hurst, Moak, Noel,Racca Nays: Gaudet,Hudson

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent:None With 10 yeas, 2nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES

None.

ADMINISTRATIVEMATTERS

ADMINISTRATIVEMATTER INTRODUCTIONS

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

AMENDING THE 2025 CURRENT EXPENSE BUDGET SO AS TO INCREASE ESTIMATED REVENUES IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,210,000 FORGROSS RECEIPTS BUSINESS TAXTORESTORE AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FORVARIOUSDEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES FUNDED BY THE GENERAL FUND. CONTINGENTUPON THEPASSAGE OFLEGISLATIVEITEMS24-01607 &24-01608. (BUDGET SUPPLEMENT 9088)

Amotionwas made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms.Racca that the introductionofthe above proposed resolutionbepublished in accordance with lawand that apublic hearingthereon be calledfor thecouncil meetingonDecember 18, 2024. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams,Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet

Hudson, Hurst,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO APPROPRIATESTATE

FUNDS FROM ACT 4OF2024 REGULARLEGISLATIVE SESSION IN THE AMOUNT OF $850,000.00 FORTARGETED SERVICES AND INTERVENTIONSDESIGNED TO ADDRESS YOUTH INCARCERATION COMMUNITY VIOLENCE,PUBLICHEALTH, AND NEIGHBORHOOD

DEVELOPMENT.(BUDGET SUPPLEMENT9087)

Amotionwas made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Racca that the introductionofthe above proposed resolutionbepublished in accordance with lawand that apublic hearing thereon be calledfor thecouncil meeting on December 18, 2024. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedasfollows:

Yeas: Adams,Amoroso, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet

Hudson, Hurst,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None

Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION AMENDING THE 2024 ANNUAL OPERATINGBUDGET FORTHE BUILDINGAND GROUNDS SO AS TO APPROPRIATE$150,000 FROM THEFUND BALANCE-ASSIGNED TO JEWEL JNEWMAN COMMUNITY CENTER, GENERATED THROUGH PRIOR-YEAR RENTAL REVENUES AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER, FOR BUILDINGREPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN DISTRICT 2.

Amotionwas made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and

resulted as follows: Yeas:Adams,Amoroso, Banks, Coleman,Derozan,Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0absent,the motion wasadopted.

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERITEMS

RESOLUTION 58377

AWARDINGTHE CONTRACT FOR BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT TRAINING FACILITY,BEINGPROJECT NO. 21-ASC-CP-1560, TO THE LOWEST BIDDER THEREFOR, PRODIGY GROUP,LLC; AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACT COVERINGSUCH WORK. The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolution wasinorder at this time. No interested citizensspoke either for or againstthe proposedresolution.A motion wasmadebyMs. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Hurst to adopt theproposedresolution.A Yeaand Nayvote wascalled for andresulted as follows: Yeas:Adams,Amoroso, Banks, Coleman,Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0absent,the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58378

AWARDINGTHE CONTRACT FOR RIVER CENTEREXHIBITIONHALL ELECTRICAL FEEDER, BEINGPROJECT NO. 21-ASC-CP-1568, TO THE LOWEST BIDDER THEREFOR, BUFFALO ELECTRIC, INC.;AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACT COVERINGSUCH WORK.

The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolution wasinorder at this time. No interested citizensspoke either for or againstthe proposedresolution.A motion wasmadebyMs. Coleman andsecondedbyMs. Adams to adopt theproposedresolution.A Yeaand Nayvote wascalled for andresulted as follows:

Yeas:Adams,Amoroso, Banks, Coleman,Derozan,Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, themotion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58379

TO URGE AND REQUEST THE CITY-PARISH GOVERNMENT OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH TO NAME APORTION OF THE BUILDINGORA ROOM AT THE JEWEL J. NEWMAN COMMUNITY CENTER, LOCATED AT 2013 CENTRAL ROAD, BATON ROUGE,LA70807, IN HONOR OF CARL E. SLAUGHTER. The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolution wasinorder at this time. No interested citizensspoke either for or againstthe proposedresolution.A motion wasmadebyMr. Hurst and seconded by Ms. Banks to adopt theproposedresolution.A Yeaand Nay vote wascalled for andresulted as follows:

Yeas:Adams,Amoroso, Banks, Coleman,Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, themotion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58380

EBROSCO RESOLUTION 8712

AWARDING THE CONTRACT FOR NORTH REGIONAL WASTEWATER CONSOLIDATION, BEINGPROJECT NO. 23-FM-MS-0038, TO THE LOWEST BIDDER THEREFOR, HIGHMARK CONSTRUCTION, LLC; AND DIRECTINGTHE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACT COVERINGSUCH WORK.

The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolution wasinorder at this time. No interested citizensspoke either for or againstthe proposedresolution.A motion wasmadebyMs. Coleman andsecondedbyMs. Adams to adjourn theproposedresolution.A Yea andNay vote wascalled for andresulted as follows:

Yeas:Adams,Amoroso, Banks, Coleman,Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, themotion wasadopted. The PresidingOfficer declared themeetingadjourned APPOINTMENTS

RECREATION ANDPARKCOMMISSION (BREC):

Consideration of reappointing or replacing Jason Hughes. This appointment is athree (3)year term

Current Ballot

Jason Hughes(requestedreappointment)

Jenni Peters (application submitted)

Whitney LaNasa (application submitted

Michael Polito (application submitted)

Joseph Robins(application submitted) Collis Temple, Jr.(requestedreappointment)

An interested citizen speakingwithout favor or opposition to theproposed appointment wasArthur Dubrielle. Amotion wasmadetoappoint Michael Polito. AYea andNay vote wascalled for andresulted as follows: Yeas:Adams,Dunn Jr Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: Banks, Coleman,Derozan, Gaudet

Absent: Amoroso With 7yeas,0 nays, 0abstains, 4not voting, and1 absent, themotion wasadopted.

RECREATION ANDPARK COMMISSION (BREC):

Consideration of reappointing or replacing Collis Temple, Jr.This appointment is athree (3)year term

Current Ballot

Jason Hughes(requestedreappointment)

Jenni Peters (application submitted)

Whitney LaNasa (application submitted

Michael Polito (application submitted)

Joseph Robins(application submitted) Collis Temple, Jr.(requestedreappointment)

Amotion wasmadebyMr. Dunn Jr.and seconded by Mr.Noelto reappoint Collis Temple, III. AYea andNay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows:

Yeas:Adams,Banks, Coleman,Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and1absent,themotion wasadopted.

VISIT BATON ROUGE

Consideration of appointing Janice DeLerno, to replace Scott Michelet, who is term limited. This is athree (3)year term.(BR Lodging representative)

Current Ballot

Janice DeLerno (application submitted andsee letter andemail from Baton Rouge Lodging Association andVisit Baton Rouge)

Amotion wasmadebyMr. Gaudet andseconded by Ms. Adams to appoint Janice DeLerno to replace Scott Michelet. AYea andNay vote wascalled for andresulted as follows: Yeas:Adams,Banks, Coleman,Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and1 absent, themotion wasadopted.

VISIT BATON ROUGE Consideration of reappointing Gary Jupiter. This is athree (3)year term (BRLodging representative) Current Ballot Gary Jupiter(requestedreappointed. Seeletter andemail from Baton Rouge Lodging Association andVisit Baton Rouge) Amotion wasmadebyMs. Coleman andsecondedbyMr. Gaudet to reappoint Gary Jupiter. AYea andNay vote wascalled for andresulted as follows: Yeas:Adams,Banks, Coleman,Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None

Did Not Vote:None Absent: Amoroso With 11 yeas,0 nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

VOLUNTEER FIREDEPARTMENT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSNo.

5-EASTSIDE FIRE DEPARTMENT:

Considerationofreappointingorreplacing John Kovalcik whoseterm expiresonDecember 31, 2024, effectiveJanuary1,2025. Thisisa two (2)year term

Current Ballot

John Kovalcik(requestedappointment)

CharlesStreat (requestedappointment)

Amotionwas made by Ms.Adamsand seconded by Mr.Moakto reappoint John Kovalcik. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor andresulted as follows:

Yeas:Adams, Banks,Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas,0 nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS No.

5-EASTSIDE FIRE DEPARTMENT:

Considerationofreappointingorreplacing CharlesStreatwhose term expiresonDecember 31, 2024, effectiveJanuary1,2025. Thisisa two (2)year term

Current Ballot

John Kovalcik(requestedappointment)

CharlesStreat (requestedappointment)

Amotionwas made by Ms.Adamsand seconded by Mr.Moakto reappoint CharlesStreat.A Yeaand Nayvotewas calledfor andresulted as follows: Yeas:Adams, Banks,Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr.,Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None

Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas,0 nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE DISTRICT #8 -PRIDE

Considerationofreappointingorreplacing Paul Jumonville,whose term expiredonNovember 26, 2024, thisisatwo (2)year term Current Ballot

Paul Jumonville (requestedappointment)

VanRatcliff(requestedappointment)

Amotionwas made by Ms.Adamsand seconded by Mr.Noel to reappoint Paul Jumonville.A Yeaand Nay votewas calledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams,Banks,Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst,Moak,Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas,0 nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

VOLUNTEER FIREDEPARTMENTFIREDISTRICT#8- PRIDE

Considerationofreappointingorreplacing VanRatcliff, whoseterm expired on November 26, 2024, thisisatwo (2)year term

Current Ballot

Paul Jumonville (requestedappointment)

VanRatcliff(requestedappointment)

Amotionwas made by Ms.Adamsand seconded by Mr.Noel to reappoint

Van Ratcliff. AYea andNay votewas calledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas:Adams,Banks,Coleman,Derozan, Dunn Jr.,Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst,Moak,Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas,0 nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

VOLUNTEER FIREDEPARTMENT-FIREDISTRICT6 HOOPERROAD: Considerationofreappointingorreplacing ReginaldHiggins, whoseterm expiresonDecember 31, 2024, effectiveJanuary1,2025. Thisisa two (2)year term Current Ballot

ReginaldHiggins (requestedappointment)

CharlesMay (requestedappointment)

Amotionwas made by Mr.Moak andseconded by Mr.Noel to reappoint ReginaldHiggins.A Yeaand Nayvotewas calledfor andresultedas follows: Yeas: Adams,Banks,Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst,Moak,Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas,0 nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

VOLUNTEER FIREDEPARTMENT-FIREDISTRICT6 HOOPERROAD:

Considerationofreappointingorreplacing CharlesMay,whose term expiresonJanuary1,2025, effectiveJanuary2,2025. Thisis atwo (2) year term Current Ballot

ReginaldHiggins (requestedappointment)

Charles May(requestedappointment)

Amotionwas made by Mr.Moak andseconded by Mr.Noel to reappoint Charles May. AYea andNay votewas calledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr., Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst,Moak,Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas,0 nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

VOLUNTEER FIREDEPARTMENT-FIREDISTRICT6 HOOPERROAD:

Considerationofreplacing Stanley Pullam, whohas resigned. This is a two(2) year term Current Ballot

TommieStout (submittedapplication)

Amotionwas made by Mr.Moak andseconded by Mr.Noel to appoint TommieStout.A Yeaand Nay vote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams,Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst,Moak,Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas,0 nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

COMPLETE STREETS CITIZENSADVISORY COMMITTEE Considerationtoreplace Reed Richard, whohas resigned. This is afour (4)yearterm. Current Ballot

Mark Heinicke (applicationsubmitted)

A motionwas made by Ms.Adamsand seconded by Mr.Moak to appoint Mark Heinicke. AYea andNay vote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams,Banks,Coleman,Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas,0 nays,0 abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

ITEMS

CHANGE ORDERS

Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58382

AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF ACHANGE ORDER, BEING CHANGE ORDER NO.3,TOTHE CONTRACTEXECUTED BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE ANDJBGROUP OF LA LLC, INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONSGROUP,FOR PERMANENT COUNTSTATIONINSTALLATIONS PROJECT, BEING PROJECT NO 21-TS-HC-0004. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolutionwas in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Mr.Moak and seconded by Ms.Adamstoadopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedasfollows:

Yeas: Adams,Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

FINAL ACCEPTANCES

RESOLUTION 58383

ACCEPTING ALLWORK DONEBYTHE CONTRACTOR UNDER THE CONTRACTFOR RENOVATIONS TO THE SCOTLANDVILLE BRANCH LIBRARY(RESTART) –PHASE IARCHIVE, PROJECT NO.21-ASCCP-1448.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolutionwas in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Mr.Moak and seconded by Ms.Adamstoadopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedasfollows:

Yeas: Adams,Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58384

ACCEPTING ALLWORK DONEBYTHE CONTRACTOR UNDER THE CONTRACTFOR HVAC EQUIPMENT @MARTINLUTHER KING COMMUNITY CENTER, PROJECTNO. W.O.131452-RQ-11385.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolutionwas in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Mr.Moak and seconded by Ms.Adamstoadopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedasfollows:

Yeas: Adams,Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58385

ACCEPTING ALLWORK DONEBYTHE CONTRACTOR UNDER THE CONTRACTFOR UPGRADE TO EXISTING AIRHANDLINGUNITATTHE ATM/EOC, PROJECTNO. W.O.131365-RQ-11377.

ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolutionwas in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Mr.Moak and seconded by Ms.Adamstoadopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedasfollows:

Yeas: Adams,Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst,Moak, Noel,Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58386

ACCEPTING ALLWORK DONEBYTHE CONTRACTOR UNDER THE CONTRACTFOR PERMANENT COUNT STATIONINSTALLATIONS, PROJECT NO.21-TS-HC-0004.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolutionwas in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Mr.Moak and seconded by Ms.Adamstoadopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedasfollows:

Yeas: Adams,Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst,Moak, Noel,Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

ACCEPTANCE OF LOWBIDS

RESOLUTION 58387

AWARDING THE CONTRACT FOR MARTINLUTHER KING COMMUNITY

CENTER RENOVATIONTOUPGRADE CENTER,BEING PROJECT NO.RQ11950, TO THE LOWEST BIDDER THEREFOR, CURTIS CONSTRUCTION; ANDDIRECTING THE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACT COVERING SUCH WORK

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolutionwas in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Ms.Derozan and seconded by Ms.Adamstoadopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nayvotewas calledfor and resultedasfollows:

Yeas: Adams,Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst,Moak, Noel,Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58388

AWARDING THE CONTRACT FOR TO SUPPLYMEALS (BREAKFAST LUNCH ANDSNACK) IN BULK QUANTITY TO (C/P)HEAD START

PROGRAM LOCATED AT 6(SIX) SEPARATELOCATIONS.,BEING

PROJECT NO.2024 RFP 2024-10-6010 -CACFP FOOD VENDOR, TO THE LOWEST BIDDER THEREFOR, TRIOCOMMUNITY MEALS, LLC; AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTION OF THECONTRACTCOVERING SUCH WORK

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolutionwas in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Ms.Derozan andseconded by Ms.Adamstoadopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams,Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

PROGRAMS OFFERED IN THE GREATERSCOTLANDVILLE COMMUNITY This item wasnot heard.

RECEIVINGA REPORT FROM DAVID BRYAN, ACONSTITUENT OF DISTRICT10. MR. BRYANAPPLIED TO THE HPC TO PAINTHIS ROOF WHITE IN JANUARY2024, AND WASDENIED. HE SUBSEQUENTLY APPEALED TO THE METRO COUNCIL, AND THE COUNCIL OVERTURNEDTHE HPC DECISION, ALLOWING MR. BRYANTOPAINT THE ROOF.HEWILLREPORTTHE RESULTSTHATTHE PAINTING OF THE ROOF HAD ON THE INTERIOR TEMPERATUREOFTHE HOME

The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearing on theabove report wasinorder at this time. No interested citizensspoke either for or against theproposedreport. The report wasreceived

OTHER ITEMS TO BE ADOPTED (EMERGENCY)

RESOLUTION 58390

AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ENTER ACONTRACT FOR 2025 BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AND DR. DAN GODBEE TO SERVEASTHE DEPARTMENT’S MEDICAL DIRECTOR, NOT EXCEEDING$208,000 WITH FUNDS BUDGETEDINTHE 2025 PROPOSEDBUDGET. The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolution wasinorder at this time. No interested citizensspoke either for or againstthe proposedresolution.Aninterested citizen submitting an emailed comment againstthe proposedresolution wasPhillip Lillard Amotion wasmadebyMr. Moakand seconded by Ms. Adams to adopt theproposedresolution. AYea andNay vote wascalled for andresulted as follows: Yeas:Adams,Banks, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Moak, Noel

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: Amoroso, Coleman,Hurst, Racca

With 8yeas,0 nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and4 absent, themotion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58391

AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENTTOEXECUTE ACONTRACT

BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AND SOLUTIONS GROUP IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $285,000 FOR 2025. THESE CONTRACTS WILL BE PAID WITH FUNDS BUDGETED IN THE 2025 PROPOSEDBUDGET. The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolution wasinorder at this time. No interested citizensspoke either for or againstthe proposedresolution.Aninterested citizen submitting an emailed comment againstthe proposedresolution wasPhillip Lillard Amotion wasmadebyMr. Moakand seconded by Ms. Adams to adopt theproposedresolution.A Yeaand Nayvote wascalled for andresulted as follows: Yeas:Adams,Banks, Derozan, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Hudson, Moak, Noel Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Amoroso, Coleman,Hurst, Racca With 8yeas,0 nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and4 absent, themotion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58392

AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENT EXECUTE ACONTRACT

BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AND KEAVNEY& STREGER, LLC IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000 FOR 2025. THISCONTRACT WILL BE PAID WITH FUNDS BUDGETEDINTHE 2025 PROPOSEDBUDGET. The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolution wasinorder at this time. No interested citizensspoke either for or againstthe proposedresolution.Aninterested citizen submitting an emailed comment againstthe proposedresolution wasPhillip Lillard Amotion wasmadebyMr. MoakandsecondedbyMs. Adams to adopt theproposedresolution.A Yeaand Nayvote wascalled for andresulted as follows: Yeas:Adams,Banks, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Moak, Noel Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Amoroso, Coleman,Hurst, Racca With 8yeas,0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and4 absent, themotion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58393

AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENTEXECUTE ACONTRACT

BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AND INSIGHT BILLING CORPORATIONINANAMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,000,000 FOR 2025. THISCONTRACT WILL BE PAID WITH FUNDS BUDGETED IN THE 2025 PROPOSEDBUDGET.

The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolution wasinorder at this time. No interested citizensspoke either for or againstthe proposedresolution.Aninterested citizen submitting an emailed comment againstthe proposedresolution wasPhillip Lillard Amotion wasmadebyMr. Moakand seconded by Ms. Adams to adopt theproposedresolution.A Yeaand Nayvote wascalled for andresulted as follows: Yeas:Adams,Banks, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Moak, Noel Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: Amoroso, Coleman,Hurst, Racca With 8yeas,0 nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and4 absent, themotion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 58394

AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE ACONTRACT

BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AND ITGSTRATEGIES,LLC IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $200,000 FOR 2025. THISCONTRACT WILL BE PAID WITH FUNDS BUDGETED IN THE 2025 PROPOSEDBUDGET.

The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolution wasinorder at this time. No interested citizensspoke either for or againstthe proposedresolution.Aninterested citizen submitting an emailed comment againstthe proposedresolution wasPhillip Lillard Amotion wasmadebyMr. Moakand seconded by Ms. Adams to adopt theproposedresolution.A Yeaand Nayvote wascalled for andresulted as follows: Yeas:Adams,Banks, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Moak, Noel Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Amoroso, Coleman,Hurst, Racca With 8yeas,0 nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and4 absent, themotion wasadopted.

PROPOSEDRESOLUTION

AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE ACOOPERATIVE ENDEAVORLEASE AGREEMENTBETWEEN THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND CITY OF BATON ROUGE ON BEHALF OF THE JEWEL J. NEWMAN COMMUNITY CENTER(“JJNCC”)AND IN GOD WE TRUST FITNESS,LLC (“IGWT FITNESS”) FOR ATWO-YEAR TERM FROM JANUARY1,2025, TO DECEMBER 31, 2026, AT ARATE OF $1000/MONTH. THISAGREEMENTWILLALSO PROVIDETHE FOLLOWING COMMUNITY SERVICES:FREE WELLNESS AND FITNESS FOR JEWEL J. NEWMAN SENIOR CARE CENTERPARTICIPANTS. THE AGREEMENTSHALL BE APPROVED BY THE OFFICE OF THE PARISH ATTORNEYASTOFORM AND LEGALITY

An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment againstthe proposedresolution wasPhillip Lillard.The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolution wasinorder at this time. No interested citizensspoke either for or againstthe proposedresolution No action wastaken on this item

ADJOURNMENT

RESOLUTION 58389

RESOLUTION 58381

AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF ACHANGE ORDER, BEINGCHANGE ORDER NO. 3, TO THECONTRACT EXECUTED BETWEENTHE CITY OF BATONROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATONROUGE AND RATCLIFF CONSTRUCTIONCOMPANY,FOR RENOVATIONS TO THE SCOTLANDVILLEBRANCH LIBRARY (RESTART)– PHASE IARCHIVE BUILDING,BEING PROJECTNO. 21-ASC-CP-1448. The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearingonthe above resolutionwas in order at this time.Nointerested citizens spokeeither for or against the proposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Mr.Moak and secondedbyMs. Adams to adopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams,Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr., Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst, Moak, Noel,Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None

AWARDING THE CONTRACTFOR HIDDEN BIKE PATH (COLLEGE DRIVE –COUNTRYCLUB DRIVE),BEING PROJECT NO.20-EN-HC-0030, TO THE LOWEST BIDDER THEREFOR, TRIUMPH CONSTRUCTION, L.L.C.; ANDDIRECTING THE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACTCOVERING SUCH WORK The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolutionwas in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either fororagainst theproposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against theproposed resolutionwas Phillip Lillard.A motionwas made by Ms.Derozan and seconded by Ms.Adamstoadopt theproposed resolution. AYea and Nay votewas calledfor and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams,Banks, Coleman, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Hudson, Hurst,Moak, Noel,Racca Nays: None Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None Absent:Amoroso With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0 not voting, and 1absent,the motion wasadopted.

Amotion wasmadebyMr. Dunn Jr.and seconded by Mr.Hudson to adjourn.A Yeaand Nayvote wascalled for andresulted as follows: Yeas:Adams,Banks, Derozan, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Moak, Noel Nays: None Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: Amoroso, Coleman,Hurst, Racca

With 8yeas,0 nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and4 absent, themotion wasadopted. The PresidingOfficer declared themeetingadjourned

Council Administrator/Treasurer Mayor-PresidentPro-Tempore

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58409

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT ON BEHALFOF THEDIVISION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES,RYANWHITE PROGRAM TO AMEND SUBRECIPIENT CONTRACT WITH NOAIDS TASK FORCE IN THE AMOUNTOF$100,000,FOR ATOTAL AWARD AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $599,961 UNDER THE RYANWHITE ENDING THE HIV EPIDEMIC PROGRAM FOR THE 2024-2025GRANT PERIOD, AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF ALL DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTIONTHEREWITH.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on theabove resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposedresolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Gaudet andseconded by Mr.Kenney to adopt the proposed resolution.A Yeaand Nayvote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, DunnJr.,Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58410

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ACCEPTAND ENTER INTO A CONTRACT ON BEHALF OF THE DIVISION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT & SERVICES, OFFICE OF SOCIALSERVICES WITH THE LOUISIANA HOUSING CORPORATION FOR THE LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) IN THE OF AMOUNT $4,120,281FOR THE FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR GRANT PERIOD OCTOBER 1,2024THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIONOFALLDOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Hurst and seconded by Ms. Harris to adopt the proposed resolution.A Yeaand Nayvote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, DunnJr.,Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, themotion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58411

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NO 2TOTHE CONTRACT WITH STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES, INC., IN CONNECTION WITH CITY-PARISHPROJECT NO. 20-CS-US-0111 BEING LA 30: SOUTH BLVD TO WCHIMES STREET,INTHE ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF $48,126.30, BRINGING THE TOTALAMOUNT OFTHE CONTRACT TO AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $103,126.30. (ACCOUNT NO.1000-7100-30-7120-0-0-0-643500)ACCOUNT NO. 10007100-30-7120-0-0-0-643500. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Coleman andseconded by Mr. Gaudet to adopt the proposed resolution.AYea andNay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, DunnJr.,Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, themotion was adopted.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

RESCINDINGRESOLUTION 58031WHICH PROVIDED FOR ACONTRACT WITH CSRS, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF$10,796,486.00FOR ATWO YEAR EXTENSIONOFPROFESSIONAL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES INASSOCIATION WITH THEMOVEBR NEW CAPACITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NO.4 TO THE CONTRACT WITH CSRS, INC. TO PROVIDE FOR ATWO-YEAR EXTENSIONOFPROFESSIONAL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE MOVEBR NEW CAPACITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, BEING CITYPARISH PROJECT NO. 19-CS-HC-0001,INAN AMOUNT NOTTOEXCEED $10,849,715.00 (ACCOUNT NO.9217100062-4370000000-0000000000653140).

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposedresolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Ms. Amoroso andseconded by Ms. Coleman to delete theproposed resolution. AYea and Nay votewas called for andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, DunnJr.,Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, themotion was adopted. RESOLUTION 58412

AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT 2TOCONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONALENGINEERING SERVICES WITH BONTONASSOCIATES, L.L.C. FOR SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITHMOVEBR CAPACITY PROJECT N. ARDENWOODDRIVE –LOBDELL BLVD. CONNECTOR (BRCC), BEING CITY-PARISH PROJECT NO. 20-CP-HC-0017, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $11,756.60. (ACCOUNTNO. 9217100065-4371-00000-0000000000-653240).

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearingontheabove resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposedresolution. Amotionwas made by Ms. Coleman andseconded by Mr. Gaudet to adopt the proposed resolution.A Yeaand Nayvote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, DunnJr.,Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0absent, the motion was adopted. RESOLUTION 58413

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE ASUPPLEMENT TOANEXISTING CONTRACT FORENGINEERING SERVICES OFTHE FLOYNELL DRIVE SIDEWALK (JEFFERSON HIGHWAY TO E. INNISWOLD ROAD) FOR SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH MOVEBR PROJECT FORCITYPARISH PROJECT NO.24-EN-HC-0037 IN ANAMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $166,001.09. (ACCOUNT NO.9217100132-4370.00000-0000000000653240). The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams andseconded byMs. Coleman to adopt the proposed resolution.A Yeaand Nayvote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, DunnJr.,Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, themotion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58414

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE ASUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT TO CONTRACTNO. 8000005318 FORCONSTRUCTION COST SERVICES WITH GEM-JKM CONSTRUCTIONCONSULTANTS, LLC, FOR SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH MOVEBR CAPACITY PROJECT HOOPER ROAD (BLACKWATER BAYOUTOJOOR ROAD) LA408– BEING CITY-PARISH PROJECT NO.12-CS-HC-0017, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $6,960.00. (ACCOUNT NO. 9217100039-4370 00000-0000000000651120). The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Adams to adopt the proposed resolution.A Yeaand Nayvote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, DunnJr.,Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, themotion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58415 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE CONTRACT AMENDMENT NO. 1TOTHE CONTRACT FORPROFESSIONAL SERVICES WITH CHEMPRO SERVICES, INC. FORSERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH THEHERBICIDE APPLICATIONPROGRAM FORCANALS,BEING CITYPARISH CONTRACT NO. A24-0340, TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF$164,000.00, BRINGING THE TOTAL CONTRACT TO AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $673,292.00. (ACCOUNT NO.1000-7600-30-7640-0000-0000000000-643500).

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Ms. Amoroso to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted. RESOLUTION 58416

ESTABLISHING ASTRATEGIC PLAN TASK FORCE TO REVIEW ALL REVENUES IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH THROUGHSTUDYAND CONSIDERATION OF ALL TAXREVENUES AND FEES; AND TO PROVIDE AREPORTAND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL FOR THE CITY-PARISH REVENUES

TO SUPPORTTHE CITY-PARISH FINANCIAL NEEDS; AND APPOINTING

MEMBERS TO THE TASK FORCE.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution

was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Moak and seconded by Ms. Adams to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for andresulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES None.

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER INTRODUCTIONS

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT AND ARIGHT OF USE, POSSESSION AND OCCUPANCY AGREEMENT RELATED TO THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, AND OPERATION OF ANEW DISTRICT 6COMMUNITY CENTER. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.that the introduction of the above proposed resolution be published in accordance with law and that apublic hearing thereon be called for the council meeting onFebruary 12, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

RECEIVING AREPORTFROM THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION SERVICES ON THE PROGRESS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CITYPARISH OPEN DATA POLICY

Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.that the introduction of the above proposed resolution be published in accordance with law and that apublic hearing thereon be called for the council meeting on January 29, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER ITEMS

RESOLUTION 58417

AMENDING THE HOUSING LOAN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, AND THE HOTEL LINCOLN HOUSING DEVELOPMENT TO REFLECT THE PROPER BORROWER (FROM HOTEL LINCOLN, LLC, TO KIMBLE PROPERTIES FUND 1, L.P.LLC). THE NAME CHANGE IS NECESSARYTOAVOID IMPACT

ONTHE HISTORIC TAXCREDITS GRANTED TO THE PROJECT

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Coleman and seconded by Mr.Moak to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

APPOINTMENTS

EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH MOSQUITO ABATEMENTDISTRICT (MARC)

Consideration of reappointing or replacing Charles McCauley,whose term expires on February 13, 2025. This is athree (3) year term.

Current Ballot Charles McCauley requested reappointment Amotion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Mr.Gaudet to reappoint Charles McCauley.AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

ITEMS

CHANGE ORDERS

RESOLUTION 58418

AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF ACHANGE ORDER, BEING CHANGE

ORDER NO. 1, TO THE CONTRACT EXECUTED BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND PROCIVIL, LLC, FOR EAST BLVD. AREA ADA TRANSITION PROJECT,BEING PROJECT NO. 20-EN-HC-0051. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Hurst and seconded by Ms. Coleman to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58419

AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF ACHANGE ORDER, BEING CHANGE

ORDER NO. 1, TO THE CONTRACT EXECUTED BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND HONORE COMPANIES, LLC, FOR NORTH BLVD. AREA ADATRANSITION PROJECT

BEING PROJECT NO. 20-EN-HC-0049. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Hurst and seconded by Ms. Harris to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58420

AUTHORIZING EXECUTION

REHABILITATION PROGRAM PROJECT 20-2 ROLLINS RD, THOMAS RD AND JOOR RD, BEING PROJECT NO. 24-AO-ST-0012. The Presiding Officer announced that

FINAL ACCEPTANCES

RESOLUTION 58421

ACCEPTING ALL WORK DONE BY THE CONTRACTOR UNDER THE CONTRACT FOR SALES TAXSTREET AND ROAD REHABILITATION PROGRAM PROJECT 20-2 ROLLINS RD, THOMAS RD AND JOOR RD, PROJECT NO. 24-AO-ST-0012.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Mr.Noel to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

ACCEPTANCE OF LOW BIDS

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

AWARDING THE CONTRACT FOR OLD HAMMOND HIGHWAY –SEGMENT 1- S. FLANNERYTOGOODWOOD, BEING PROJECT NO. 12-CS-HC0043A-4, TO THE LOWEST BIDDER THEREFOR, BROWN INDUSTRIAL CONSTRUCTION, LLC; AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACT COVERING SUCH WORK.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Hudson and seconded by Ms. Harris to defer the proposed resolution to the council meeting on January 29, 2025. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 58422

AWARDING THE CONTRACT FOR LAUREL STREET/LAFAYETTE STREET AREA ADA TRANSITION PROJECT,BEING PROJECT NO. 20-EN-HC-0048, TO THE LOWEST BIDDER THEREFOR, THE LUSTER GROUP,LLC; AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACT COVERING SUCH WORK.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Hurst and seconded by Ms. Coleman to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

OTHER ITEMS

AREPORTFROM THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SERVICE ON THE SUBMISSION OF PROJECT FUNDING OF $4.9 MILLION FOR THE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM (RCIP). RCIP AIMS TO REDUCE THE OVERALL RISK TO POPULATIONS AND STRUCTURES FROM FUTURE HAZARD EVENTS AND RESTORE JOBS AND REVITALIZE COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES IN THE MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above report was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed report. Amotion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Mr.Moak to delete the proposed report. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted. OTHER ITEMS TO BE ADOPTED (EMERGENCY) ORDINANCE 19440 AMENDING AND REENACTING ORDINANCE 19406 ADOPTED OCTOBER 23, 2024 WHICH ESTABLISHED VOTING PRECINCTS WITHIN WARDS 1, 2, &3INEAST BATON ROUGE PARISH AND DESIGNATING POLLING PLACES SO AS CHANGE THE FOLLOWING POLLING LOCATION: WARD 1, PRECINCTS 33 AND 104, INDEPENDENCE PARK RECREATION CENTER LOCATED AT 7500 INDEPENDENCE BLVD., BATON ROUGE, LA TO INDEPENDENCE PARK RECREATION CENTER LOCATED AT 7505 INDEPENDENCE BLVD., BATON ROUGE, LA; WARD 1, PRECINCTS 86A AND 86B, J.K. HAYNES SCHOOL LOCATED AT 8600 ELM GROVE GARDEN DR., BATON ROUGE, LA TO SCOTLANDVILLE MIDDLE MAGNET SCHOOL LOCATED AT 9147 ELM GROVE GARDEN DR., BATON ROUGE, LA; WARD 2, PRECINCTS 14A, 14B, AND 28, ZACHARYCITY HALL LOCATEDAT4700 MAIN STREET,ZACHARY, LA TO NORTHWESTERN MIDDLE SCHOOL LOCATED AT 5200 E. CENTRAL AVE., ZACHARY, LA. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Racca to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AMEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN BREC AND THE CITY-PARISH SETTING FORTH THE UNDERSTANDING IN PRINCIPLE AND EVIDENCING THE GOOD FAITH INTENTIONS TO NEGOTIATE AND ENTER INTO ACOOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT AND ARIGHT OF USE, POSSESSION AND OCCUPANCY AGREEMENT RELATED TO THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, AND OPERATION OF ANEW DISTRICT 6COMMUNITY CENTER. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. An interested citizen submitting an emailed comment against the proposed resolution was Phillip Lillard. Amotion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Adams to delete the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

ADJOURNMENT

Amotion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Mr.Hudson to adjourn. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted. The Presiding Officer declared the meeting adjourned

Council Administrator/Treasurer Mayor-President Pro-Tempore