After Gov Jeff Landry earlier this month attempted to remove civil service protections for hundreds of engineers and attorneys across state government, a broader effort to give Louisiana elected officials greater control over more than 35,000 workers in the civil service system could be underway Some argue a system that was originally designed to reward competency and merit over political connections is falling woefully short, instead keeping employees in their jobs regardless of their performance.
“We do not have a meritocracy, which is critical for providing a high level of service in an efficient and effective way,” said Sen. Jay Morris, RWest Monroe. “Civil servants work for the people of the state, and the people deserve a more efficient government.” Morris said he will likely bring
ä See CHANGES, page 5A
Pope Francis in critical condition after respiratory health crisis
BY NICOLE WINFIELD and SILVIA STELLACCI
Associated Press
ROME Pope Francis was in critical condition Saturday after he suffered a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis while being treated for pneumonia and a complex lung infection, the Vatican said.
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The 88-year-old pope, who remains conscious, received “high flows” of oxygen to help him breathe. He also received blood transfusions after tests showed low counts of platelets, which are needed for clotting, the Vatican said in a late update.
Gordon McKernan takes on Morris Bart on his home turf
Personal injury firms vying to be biggest in the state
BY TYLER BRIDGES | Staff writer
“The Holy Father’s condition continues to be critical, therefore, as explained yesterday (Friday), the pope
ä See POPE, page 6A Francis
“One Call, That’s All.” With that tagline, Morris Bart III built the biggest personal injury law firm in New Orleans.
“Get Gordon. Get it Done.” With that tagline, Gordon McKernan more recently built the largest personal injury law firm in Baton Rouge. Now McKernan is challenging Bart on his home turf in what is shaping up to be an epic battle between two legal titans — with big bank accounts, fierce competitive streaks and a flair
ä See FIRMS, page 4A
The Golden Grannies dance down River Road as the Krewe of Orion parade rolls through downtown.
STAFF PHOTOS By JAVIER GALLEGOS
Float riders make tosses from the top deck of a royalty float as the Krewe of Orion parade rolls through downtown on Saturday.
The Tiger Ragtag Marching Band plays as the Krewe of Orion parade rolls on Saturday.
BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS
1 dead, 3 wounded in France knife attack
PARIS A passerby was stabbed to death and three police officers injured Saturday near a crowded market in eastern France An Algerian man identified as an Islamic extremist with a schizophrenic profile was detained in the attack, the interior minister said.
France’s national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office took over the investigation. The attack happened in the city of Mulhouse, located in a region that borders Germany and Switzerland.
Macron said the government has “complete determination” to respond to the attack, which he blamed on “Islamist terrorism.” France has been on high alert for extremist threats
The victim was a 69-year-old Portuguese man, the anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office said. The three injured included a parking control officer stabbed in the aorta and torso who remained hospitalized, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau told reporters at the scene. The other two sustained lighter injuries.
A 37-year-old Algerian man was arrested, prosecutors said. He said “Allahu akbar,” “God is great” in Arabic, during the attack, and was armed with a knife and screwdriver, Retailleau said. The suspect arrived in France without papers in 2014 and was arrested and convicted of glorifying terrorism in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, Retailleau said. Police experts had “detected a schizophrenic profile” in the suspect, he added.
Cholera kills 58, sickens about 1,300 in Sudan CAIRO A cholera outbreak in a southern Sudanese city killed nearly 60 people and sickened about 1,300 others over the last three days, health authorities said Saturday.
The outbreak in the southern city of Kosti was blamed mainly on contaminated drinking water after the city’s water supply facility was knocked out during an attack by a notorious paramilitary group, the health ministry said. The group has been fighting the country’s military for about two years.
The ministry said in a statement the disease killed 58 people and sickened 1,293 others between Thursday and Saturday in Kosti, 261 miles south of the capital, Khartoum.
The ministry said it has taken a series of measures to fight the outbreak, including launching a vaccination campaign against cholera in the city, which lies on the west bank of the White Nile River, opposite Rabak, the capital of White Nile province.
The ministry said it also expanded the capacity of an isolation center in cooperation with the United Nations and other international medical groups.
Doctors without Borders said its cholera treatment center in the Kosti hospital has been overwhelmed, prompting health authorities to use adult and pediatric emergency rooms to provide additional space to treat stricken patients.
Mall roof collapse in Peru leaves 6 dead LIMA, Peru The collapse of a food court roof at a shopping mall in northwestern Peru killed six people and left at least 78 others injured, the defense minister said Saturday.
The heavy iron roof at the Real Plaza Trujillo shopping mall, a city in the La Libertad region, fell Friday night on dozens of people who were at the site.
Defense Minister Walter Astudillo said at a news conference that according to the information provided by local firefighters in La Libertad, five people died on site and a sixth at a hospital after the collapse.
Astudillo also said that 30 injured people have already been discharged and 48 remain hospitalized Three remained in critical condition. The minister expressed his condolences to the victims’ families.
Luis Roncal, head of the local fire department, confirmed that they “did not find any signs of life” as they monitored with rescue dogs, but that the search for survivors would continue.
Israel delays release of Palestinian prisoners
Authorities cite ‘humiliating’ handovers of hostages as Hamas releases 6 more
BY WAFAA SHURAFA, MOHAMMED JAHJOUH and MELANIE LIDMAN Associated Press
TEL AVIV, Israel Israel says the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners is delayed “until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies” at handovers of Israeli captives in Gaza.
The statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office came early Sunday as military vehicles that normally move in advance of the buses carrying prisoners left the open gates of Ofer prison, only to turn around and go back in.
The release of 620 Palestinian prisoners had been delayed for several hours and was meant to occur just after six Israeli hostages were released on Saturday It was meant to be the largest one-day prisoner release in the Gaza ceasefire’s first phase.
Israel’s announcement abruptly put the future of the truce into further doubt.
The Palestinian Authority’s commission for prisoners’ affairs confirmed the delay “until further notice.” Associated Press video in the West Bank showed prisoners’ families, waiting outdoors in near-freezing weather apparently dispersing. One woman was shown walking away in tears
Five of the six hostages freed Saturday had been escorted by masked, armed militants in front of a crowd a display that the U.N. and Red Cross have criticized as cruel after previous handovers
The Israeli statement cited “ceremonies that demean the dignity of our hostages and the cynical use of the hostages for propaganda purposes.” It was likely a reference to a Hamas video showing two hostages who have yet to be released watching a handover in Gaza
on Saturday and speaking under duress.
The six were the last living hostages expected to be freed under the ceasefire ‘s first phase, with a week remaining in the initial stage. Talks on the ceasefire’s second phase are yet to start
The six included three Israeli men seized from the Nova music festival and another taken while visiting family in southern Israel during the Hamas-led Oct 7, 2023, attack that triggered the 16-month war in Gaza. The two others were held for a decade after entering Gaza on their own.
Five were handed over in staged ceremonies. In one, Omer Wenkert, Omer Shem Tov and Eliya Cohen were posed alongside Hamas fighters. A beaming Shem Tov, acting under duress, kissed two militants on the head and blew kisses to the crowd. They wore fake army uniforms, though they were not soldiers when abducted.
Cohen’s family and friends in Israel chanted “Eliya! Eliya! Eliya!” and cheered.
“You’re heroes,” Shem Tov told his parents as they later embraced, laughing and crying. “You have no idea how much I dreamt of you.” His father, Malki Shem Tov, told public broadcaster Kan his son was held alone after the first 50 days and lost 37 pounds.
Earlier Saturday, Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 38, were freed. Mengistu, an Ethiopian-Israeli, entered Gaza in 2014. His family told Israeli media he has struggled with mental health issues. The Israeli-Austrian Shoham was taken from Kibbutz Be’eri. His wife and two children were freed in a 2023 exchange Later, Israel’s military said Hisham AlSayed, 36, was released. The Bedouin Israeli entered Gaza in 2015. His family has told Israeli media he was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia. Israel’s government didn’t respond to questions about the delay in releasing prisoners. Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire deal, with spokesperson Abdel Latif AlQanou accusing Netanyahu of “deliberately stalling.”
Russia: Preparations underway for Trump-Putin summit
By The Associated Press
Preparations are underway for a faceto-face meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia’s deputy foreign minister said Saturday It marked a clear departure from Western efforts to isolate Moscow over its war in Ukraine.
Speaking to Russian state media, Sergei Ryabkov said a possible Putin-Trump summit could involve broad talks on global issues, not just the war in Ukraine.
“The question is about starting to move toward normalizing relations between our countries, finding ways to resolve the most acute and potentially very very dangerous situations, of which there are many, Ukraine among them,” he said.
But he said efforts to organize such a meeting are at an early stage, and that making it happen will require “the most intensive preparatory work.”
Ryabkov added that U.S and Russian envoys could meet within the next two weeks to pave the way for further talks among senior officials Russian and U.S. representatives meeting in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday agreed to start working toward ending the war in Ukraine and improving their diplomatic and economic ties, an extraordinary about-face in U.S foreign policy under Trump. Senior U.S. officials have suggested Ukraine will have to give up its goals of joining NATO and retaining the 20% of its territory seized by Russia. After the meeting, U.S. Secretary of
State Marco Rubio told The Associated Press the two sides agreed broadly to pursue three goals: to restore staffing at their respective embassies; to create a high-level team to support Ukraine peace talks; and to explore closer relations and economic cooperation.
He stressed, however, that the talks, which were attended by his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, and other senior Russian and U.S. official, marked the beginning of a conversation, and more work needs to be done. Lavrov, for his part, hailed the meeting as “very useful.”
No Ukrainian officials were present at the Saudi meeting, which came as their beleaguered country is slowly but steadily losing ground against more numerous Russian troops, nearly three years after Moscow launched an all-out invasion of its smaller neighbor
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country would not accept any outcome from the talks since Kyiv didn’t take part, and he postponed his own trip to Saudi Arabia scheduled for last Wednesday European allies have also expressed concerns that they are being sidelined.
Trump on Friday appeared to walk back his earlier comments that falsely blamed Kyiv for starting the war, but insisted that Zelenskyy and former President Joe Biden should have done more to come to terms with Putin.
“Russia attacked, but they shouldn’t have let him attack,” he said during a radio interview with Brian Kilmeade of Fox News, referring to the Russian leader Russia’s army crossed the border on Feb. 24, 2022, in an all-out invasion that Putin sought to justify by falsely saying it was needed to protect Russian-speaking civilians in eastern Ukraine and prevent the country from joining NATO.
Officer killed after gunman takes hostages at Pa. hospital
Authorities say suspect killed in shootout
BY MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
YORK, Pa. — A man armed with a pistol and carrying zip ties entered a Pennsylvania hospital’s intensive care unit on Saturday and took staff members hostage before he was killed by police in a shootout that also left an officer dead, authorities said.
Three staffers at UPMC Memorial Hospital including a doctor, a nurse and a custodian, and two other officers were shot and wounded in the attack, York County District Attorney Tim Barker said. A fourth staff member was injured during a fall.
Gunfire erupted after officers went to engage the shooter, who Barker identified as Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, 49. He said Archangel-Ortiz was holding at gunpoint a female staff member who had her hands tied with zip ties when police opened fire.
“This is a huge loss to our community,” Barker said at a news conference following the shooting. “It is absolutely clear, and beyond any and all doubt, that the officers were justified in taking their action using deadly force.”
Barker added that while the investigation is in its early stages, it appears Archangel-Ortiz had previous contact with the hospital’s ICU earlier in the week for “a medical purpose involving another individual” and that he intentionally targeted the workers there.
The officer who died in the shooting was identified as Andrew Duarte of the West York Borough Police Department.
“We all have broken hearts and are grieving at his loss,” West York Borough Manager Shawn Mauck told The Associated Press. Duarte was a law enforcement veteran who joined the West York Borough Police Department in 2022 after five years with the Denver Police Department in Colorado, according to his LinkedIn profile. He described receiving a “hero award” in 2021 from Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his work in impaired driving enforcement for the state of Colorado.
Freed Israeli hostage Eliya Cohen gestures Saturday from a van as he arrives at Beilinson hospital in Petah Tikva, Israel, after he was released from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip.
THE PATRIOT-NEWS PHOTO By SEAN SIMMERS Law enforcement responds to the scene Saturday of a hostage standoff at UPMC Memorial Hospital
Trump fires chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
BY TARA COPP and LOLITA C. BALDOR Associated Press
WASHINGTON President Donald Trump abruptly fired Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr as chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday, sidelining a history-making fighter pilot and respected officer as part of a campaign led by his defense secretary to rid the military of leaders who support diversity and equity in the ranks.
The ouster of Brown, only the second Black general to serve as chair, is sure to send shock waves through the Pentagon. His 16 months in the job had been consumed with the war in Ukraine and the expanded conflict in the Middle East.
“I want to thank General Charles ‘CQ’ Brown for his over 40 years of service to our country, including as our current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is a fine gentleman and an outstanding leader, and I wish a great future for him and his family,” Trump posted on social media.
Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr., chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks during a news brie
on April 26 at the Pentagon in Washington. President Donald Trump abruptly fired Brown as chair on Friday, sidelining a history-making fighter pilot and respected officer as part of a campaign led by his defense secretary to rid the military of leaders who support diversity and equity in the ranks
according to his military biography.
Republican chairs of the House or Senate armed services committees.
Sen. Roger Wicker, GOP chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, didn’t mention Caine’s name in a statement Friday
“I thank Chairman Brown for his decades of honorable service to our nation,” Wicker said. “I am confident Secretary Hegseth and President Trump will select a qualified and capable successor for the critical position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”
Congressional Democratic leaders called out the firings as a direct attempt to politicize the military
“A professional, apolitical military that is subordinate to the civilian government and supportive of the Constitution rather than a political party is essential to the survival of our democracy,”
can, elected leaders — especially Senate Republicans — must defend that enduring principle against corrosive attempts to remake the military into a partisan force.” Brown’s future was called into question during the confirmation hearing for Hegseth last month. Asked if he would fire Brown, Hegseth responded, “Every single senior officer will be reviewed based on meritocracy, standards, lethality and commitment to lawful orders they will be given.”
Hegseth had previously taken aim at Brown.
“First of all, you gotta fire, you know, you gotta fire the chairman of Joint Chiefs,” he said flatly in a podcast in November And in one of his books, he questioned whether Brown got the job because he was Black.
Brown’s public support of Black Lives Matter after the police killing of George Floyd had made him fodder for the administration’s wars against “wokeism” in the military His ouster is the latest upheaval at the Pentagon, which plans to cut 5,400 civilian probationary workers starting next week and identify $50 billion in programs that could be cut next year to redirect those savings to fund Trump’s priorities.
Tr
um p said he’s nominating retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine to be the next chair Caine is a career F-16 pilot who served on active duty and in the National Guard, and was most recently the associate director for military affairs at the CIA,
Caine’s military service includes combat roles in Iraq, special operations postings and positions inside some of the Pentagon’s most classified special access programs. However, he has not had key assignments identified in law as prerequisites for the job, including serving as either the vice chair, a combatant commander or a service chief. That requirement could be waived if the “president determines such action is necessary in the national interest.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a statement praising both Caine and Brown, announced the firings of two additional senior officers: Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Jim Slife.
Franchetti becomes the second top female military officer to be fired by the Trump administration. Trump fired Coast Guard Commandant Adm Linda Fagan just a day after he was sworn in.
A surface warfare officer Franchetti has commanded at all levels, heading U.S. 6th Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Korea. She was the second woman ever to be promoted to four-star admiral, and she did multiple deployments, including as commander of a naval destroyer and two stints as aircraft carrier strike group commander Slife led Air Force Special Operations Command prior to becoming the service’s vice chief of staff and had deployed to the Middle East and Afghanistan. He told The Associated Press on Friday: “The President and Secretary of Defense deserve to have generals they trust and the force deserves to have generals who have credibility with our elected and appointed officials. While I’m disappointed to leave under these circumstances, I wouldn’t want the outcome to be any different.”
Trump has asserted his executive authority in a much stronger way in his second term, removing most officials from the Biden administration even though many
of those positions are meant to carry over from one administration to the next.
The chair role was established in 1949 as an adviser to the president and secretary of defense, as a way to filter all of the views of the service chiefs and more readily provide that information to the White House without the president having to reach out to each individual military branch, according to an Atlantic Council briefing written by retired Maj. Gen Arnold Punaro. The role has no actual command authority
Trump acted despite support for Brown among key members of Congress and a seemingly friendly meeting with him in mid-December, when the two were seated next to each other for a time at the Army-Navy football game.
The firing follows days of speculation after a list of officers, including Brown, to be fired was circulated on Capitol Hill — but notably was not sent via any formal notification to either of the
Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement late Friday “For the sake of our troops and the well-being of every Ameri-
“Was it because of his skin color? Or his skill? We’ll never know, but always doubt — which on its face seems unfair to CQ But since he has made the race card one of his biggest calling cards, it doesn’t really much matter,” Hegseth wrote.
hearing of the Town
the Parish of
ny will be held at the regular meeting place, Town Hall Council Chambers,located at 209 Hwy22W., Madisonville,Louisiana, 70447 on Wednesday,April 9, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. to consider levying additional or increased millage rateswithout further voterapproval or adopting the adjusted millage rate after reassessmentand rolling forwardtorates not to exceed the prior year’s maximum. Theestimatedamountoftax revenues to be collectedfor General Alimonyinthe next tax year from the increased millage is $165200.76 and the amountofincrease in taxes attributable to the millage increase is $4631.91.
By The Associated Press
BERLIN The suspect in a stabbing attack at Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial that seriously injured a Spanish tourist is a Syrian refugee who apparently wanted to kill Jews, investigators said Saturday
The 19-year-old suspect was arrested on Friday evening, nearly three hours after the attack, when he approached officers with blood on his hands and clothes. Police and prosecutors said in a statement that the victim sustained life-threatening injuries to the neck when he was attacked with a knife. The 30-year-old underwent an emergency operation and was put into an
artificial coma for a while, and his life is no longer in danger, they added The suspect arrived in Germany in 2023 as an unaccompanied minor and successfully applied for asylum, investigators said. He lives in Leipzig The attack took place two days before a German national election in which migration has become a top issue, pushed to the forefront by five deadly attacks involving immigrants over the past nine months.
The investigation so far points to a link between the attack and the conflict in the Middle East, police and prosecutors said They added that evidence so far, particularly from what he told police in questioning
suggests that he had decided in the last few weeks to kill Jews. That was apparently why he chose to mount the attack at the memorial dedicated to the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust.
At the time of his arrest, he was carrying a backpack containing a prayer mat, a Quran, a sheet with verses from the Quran as well as Friday’s date, and the knife apparently used in the attack.
Investigators were working to determine whether the suspect suffered from mental illness. They said he was not previously known to police or judicial authorities in Berlin.
He is under investigation on suspicion of attempted murder and bodily harm.
ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By KEVIN WOLF
Caine
“He pretty much imitates whatever I do,” Bart said, saying that McKernan copies Bart’s yellow and red color scheme on his billboards.
for showmanship — that will play out on a public stage.
On Jan. 1, McKernan launched a blitz that features him in TV ads and on giant billboards in New Orleans, all to prompt people injured in car accidents in the metro area to hire his firm.
McKernan says he’ll grab a good-sized chunk of the business in New Orleans because he has succeeded in every other market in Louisiana.
“The phones are ringing. People are hiring us. So it looks promising,” McKernan said during a lengthy interview “There’s room for another guy to come alongside.” It won’t happen, Bart says. He’s confident McKernan will become only the latest out-oftown law firm that makes a splash in New Orleans but ends up failing to knock him off his perch.
“I’m not blasé about it,” Bart said. “We’re watching what he does very carefully But my recognition and brand after being in the marketplace for decades is so strong in New Orleans that I haven’t seen any effect.”
The billboard wars heat up Just to be sure, Bart has plastered his face on 10 to 20 more billboards in New Orleans and upped his TV advertising.
During a two-hour stretch during “The Today Show” on Tuesday morning, Bart accounted for seven of the 21 ads by personal injury law firms, while McKernan had four The Womac Law Firm and Daly & Black also ran four, while Dudley DeBosier accounted for three. Bart said 40 to 50 law firms advertise on TV and billboards in New Orleans. He has a TV set in his office that he keeps on throughout the day so he can track the ads.
“It’s a fiercely competitive market,” he said.
Both attorneys agree that McKernan’s entry into New Orleans won’t lead to more lawsuits there because the market is already saturated. For McKernan to succeed, then, he will have to take cases from Bart and the other personal injury law firms in New Orleans.
Bart and McKernan both estimate that they spend $20 million to $25 million annually on advertising statewide. The two men are friendly, but Bart nurses a complaint against the upstart McKernan.
“Drive down Causeway Boulevard (in Metairie). If you look at his billboard and you look at my billboard, they really look identical until you get close. It has resulted in me getting more business because people look at it, and they think it’s one of my ads.”
Bart also takes issue with McKernan’s statement that he might have the biggest personal injury law firm in Louisiana.
“He is not even close to being the largest injury firm,” said Bart. “You can simply verify this for yourself Go online, look at his website and count the number of lawyers he has.”
Measuring it that way is difficult because Bart has attorneys who work for him in Mississippi and Alabama. But he said he has 70 to 75 lawyers in Louisiana, all based in New Orleans, while McKernan said he has 60 lawyers in 13 different offices throughout Louisiana.
Personal injury lawyers speaking privately said they believe Dudley DeBosier is currently the second-biggest firm in New Orleans after Bart’s.
Steve DeBosier, whose firm is based in Baton Rouge but has operated for years in New Orleans, also expresses confidence that McKernan’s entry won’t hurt him.
“If you call me in six months, I think I’d tell you it didn’t make a difference,” he said.
How ads became common
For decades and decades, lawyers were prohibited from advertising their services Doing so would have been seen as grubby
A landmark 1978 Supreme Court decision opened the door
Bart rushed through it in 1980, only two years after graduating from Loyola Law School.
He remains proud that he was the first lawyer to begin advertising on TV in Louisiana, and afterward, fended off efforts by staid lawyers to knock him off the air
Bart argued successfully that he was simply practicing free speech protected by the First Amendment. Now both McKernan and Bart have become household names through their constant advertising. Many people can recite the lawyers’ phone numbers by heart.
While McKernan and Bart have built their practice
LEFT: Attorney Gordon McKernan has been slowly expanding operations into the New Orleans area. He stands in front of one of his billboards in downtown New Orleans on Thursday.
RIGHT: Attorney Morris Bart stands in front of one of his many billboards around the New Orleans area on Thursday.
STAFF PHOTOS By
CHRIS GRANGER
around their personal brands, don’t expect them to personally handle cases. Staff attorneys do most of the work, and when their clients win money, it’s almost always through a settlement because few cases go to trial. The lawyers work on a high-risk, high-reward contingency basis, meaning the law firm gets paid only if it wins the case. That’s generally 33% to 40% of the settlement or verdict.
McKernan acknowledges he hasn’t appeared in court for years, while Bart said he was in Jefferson Parish and federal courtrooms recently Each man serves as his firm’s chief executive officer, overseeing dozens of attorneys, marketing people and others.
Asked to describe his role, McKernan said, “I get involved in cases in terms of strategy what should we do next? Do we want to spend the money financing this case because these are the potential problems with the case? Is there a potential problem with this case? I’m always involved with problem-solving.”
Asked to describe his role, Bart said, “I have my fingers in everything. I kind of micromanage. All management issues come to me. I do the marketing. All the creatives flow from me.”
Bart said he also heads the section of his firm that handles big lawsuits that blame injuries or deaths on mismanagement or defective products.
He said his firm is representing the families of five of the 14 people killed in the Jan. 1 attack on Bourbon Street and 25 people who were injured.
The brief that his law firm filed in the case, Bart said, “reads like a novel But it’s nonfiction.”
Different personalities
The two men offer a study in contrasts.
Bart, 72, was raised in New Orleans and began his law firm with just a secretary
He operates from the 24th floor of the Pan-American Building in the Central Business District, with a sweeping view of the New Orleans skyline and the Mississippi River Bart is Jewish and donates money to help elect candidates who are pro-Israel.
McKernan grew up in Baton Rouge and worked at the law firm of his father Jerry before taking it over and expanding it.
His office in Baton Rouge overlooks Interstate 10.
Soft-spoken in private, McKernan said his Christian
faith underlies his work. He said that one morning, while going through a difficult time years ago, he spied a cleaning product in the shower with the word “purpose.”
He took that as a message from God and said to himself about his law firm, “If this gets successful and big, I can advance the Gospel, I can show people that lawyers can be different — especially personal injury lawyers who are seen as ambulance chasers. We can do good for people.”
McKernan gives every client a Bible after their case is resolved.
They also get the chance to pick out something from what he calls the “swag room” in his office: a T-shirt, a baseball hat, a mug, a robe — all emblazoned with the letter G.
Both men are known as generous philanthropists, with McKernan contributing money for school scholarships and breast cancer and diabetes awareness programs. Bart recently gave $1 million to Second Harvest, which feeds the hungry in New Orleans.
To be sure, the charitable giving reinforces their brand.
The McKernan web pages that highlight the causes he supports also include a form headed by: “Injured? Get Free Consult Now!”
Alongside news of Bart’s generous giving is a photo of him embedded in an online form that says “Accept no
imitation. Work with the best personal injury lawyers.”
Both men speak well of each other, saying they are friends.
Bart said McKernan called him two years ago to see if Bart wanted to join him in giving $100,000 to help elect then-Attorney General Jeff Landry, the Republican candidate for governor. Bart said he didn’t feel comfortable doing so because his whole family favors abortion rights, unlike the fiercely anti-abortion Landry
Both men are intense competitors.
McKernan said he wasn’t content when he was younger to run a 10K race. He had to run the 100K race.
Bart said that he worked seven days a week to build his firm.
McKernan’s law firm owns a Bombardier Challenger 300 private jet, while Bart said he has access to a charter jet that flies him to his vacation home in Aspen, Colorado.
The competitive streak explains why McKernan, at 58, is spending heavily to try to muscle his way into New Orleans.
Why take on Bart in New Orleans?
“The challenge is there,” McKernan, picking up a piece of fried shrimp off his plate at a Baton Rouge seafood restaurant. “Sometimes, someone looks at a mountain you want to climb it because it’s there. We want to give a different choice to
New Orleans.”
“I always had my eye on New Orleans,” he added. “It’s the crown jewel of the state. I can’t say I’m Louisiana’s lawyer without being in New Orleans.”
McKernan said he is starting slowly, with two lawyers in a leased office in Metairie.
“The plan would be to buy a permanent structure in a highly visible central location,” McKernan said. “We just have to make sure that the people of New Orleans like us and receive us and want us to help them That just takes time.”
McKernan said he will need three to five years.
In the meantime, Bart said he relishes this latest test.
A few years ago, Bart said, a Florida-based law firm jumped into the New Orleans market, seeking to stand out with ads on pink billboards and pink-painted public buses that told anyone who was injured to dial “411-PAIN.”
They flamed out, he said. Lerner & Rowe, an Arizonabased firm, advertised heavily beginning in 2017 after partnering with New Orleans attorney Mike Brandner That gambit failed badly, with both law firms suing each other
“It motivates me when Gordon McKernan comes in, not in a bad way, but in a good way,” Bart said. “It’s like, ‘OK, fine, here’s the new kid on the block who wants to challenge me.’ It gets the creative juices flowing.”
back legislation that is similar to a proposal he championed last year to amend the Louisiana Constitution and give the Legislature sweeping authority to remove civil service protections for government workers. That power currently rests with the State Civil Service Commission, the body that sets policy for the state workforce and adjudicates employment disputes.
Morris’ plan fell short of passage by just two votes of the 70 total needed in the state House.
While the debate over civil service rules isn’t unique to Louisiana, some argue that loosening protections for government employees is a particularly troubling idea in a state where politics operate in the ever-present shadow of Huey Long, who infamously drew funding for his political campaigns from state workers.
“It’s a very dangerous notion, here, to be talking about eliminating civil service,” said Jay Dardenne, a Republican who served over three decades in varying roles in state government, including most recently as commissioner of administration during John Bel Edwards’ two terms as governor “That would just simply restore a system of patronage for governors and elected officials to hire people who they want to hire.”
“I think the protection that is afforded in the Louisiana Constitution for civil servants is one of the most important reforms that Louisiana has ever enacted,” he said. What is civil service?
The civil service systems at both the federal level and in Louisiana date back to the end of the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries, as the nation moved away from the “spoils system” — one of political patronage, in which winners of elections rewarded supporters with government jobs and other perks.
The name is a nod at the phrase, “To the victor go the spoils.”
Civil service protections were initially instituted in Louisiana in state statute, until they were eliminated during Earl Long’s administration. Louisiana then codified protections in its constitution, first in 1952 and again in 1973.
“The whole idea is to have career public employees who can work from administration to administration and not be allowed to, or have to, work on political campaigns,” said Daniel Sullivan, who served as executive vice president of the Louisiana Civil Service League for over 50 years.
Under the system set out in the constitution, two sets of state government workers exist: classified and unclassified employees.
Classified employees — those meant to be shielded from political pressure can only be disciplined or fired for cause with proper documentation and after a chance to respond or take corrective action. They’re also barred from supporting political candidates or parties.
Unclassified employees are considered at-will and can be hired or fired at any time, and they face no restrictions on political activity
The constitution specifically delineates which positions are unclassified.
Among them: elected officials, agency heads, city attorneys, members of government boards or commissions, and some government staffers.
Agencies can also request that Civil Service Commission to grant additional unclassified positions on a temporary basis.
State civil service does not have jurisdiction over the state’s roughly 30,000 unclassified employees, the majority of whom work in higher education or health care.
Under civil service rules, classified jobs must meet certain pay and qualification requirements Unclassified jobs are not necessarily subject to pay or hiring or firing requirements, much like the private workforce.
‘Slows down government’
Sen. Patrick McMath, RCovington, a vocal supporter of Morris’ effort to overhaul Louisiana’s civil service sys-
tem, acknowledged that the influence of politics originally catalyzed the creation of the current system.
But he argued that we no longer live in the era of the 1930s and 1940s, and workers today can address workplace discrimination claims in the civil court system.
“There’s no reason why we need this extra layer of protection,” he said. “It slows down the government.”
McMath said a primary driver of complaints he receives as a legislator are “civil service-based.”
“Whether it’s a contract or plans sitting on DOTD’s desk up in Baton Rouge or somebody spending three hours at the Office of Motor Vehicles, we clearly have a government that is not working as efficiently and effectively as it can for its citizens,” he said.
And civil service reform that prioritizes “meritocracy over tenure” like private business — offers a path toward remedying the problem, he said.
“We are often blamed for inefficient government,” Morris said. “The Legislature should have the authority to implement the people’s will. The current system stymies the Legislature from taking action.”
In addition to allowing lawmakers to remove government jobs from the classified service, the proposal Morris put forward last year would have changed the constitution to give the governor greater control over the makeup of the State Civil Service Commission by reducing the length of commissioners’ terms and loosening restrictions on nominees.
Is civil service the problem?
But not everyone agrees that civil service protections are a problem.
Dardenne, the former commissioner of administration, ran the agency that acts as the administrative and operational arm for all of state government and regularly interfaces with other departments Before that, he served as lieutenant governor and secretary of state and spent 15 years as a state senator.
State employees in recent years have been characterized as being lazy or incompetent, Dardenne said, but his experience with the
vast majority of workers “has been just the opposite.”
Dardenne said his time in state government afforded him many interactions with the Civil Service Commission and with state employees and disciplinary procedures.
He contended that appropriate mechanisms exist for cases where employees should face discipline or termination.
“But it does require some work,” he said. “It requires managers to manage.”
He added: “As long as managers adequately document problems, attempts to correct the problems, notices given to employees about what they need to do to improve, then in those events, the disciplinary process allows for people to be disciplined or to be terminated.”
What’s in place?
State Civil Service Director Byron P. Decoteau Jr
explained that under the constitution, classified employees are afforded due process before disciplinary action can be taken.
For permanent employees, this entails notifying an employee of any action to be taken, providing a reasonable opportunity to respond, considering any response from the employee, and then making a decision as to discipline.
“We do acknowledge that some agencies find this a bit of a pain point,” Decoteau said.
He added that State Civil Service has been working to streamline documentation to make it easier for agencies to show cause for discipline and to hold trainings to help supervisors with difficult conversations and with documenting performance issues.
“It takes time as a supervisor, as a manager, to manage your employees,” Decoteau said.
Management that’s not
handled properly, effectively and timely can be a contributor to government inefficiency, Decoteau said. However the civil service system as a whole, he said, was designed to ensure a continuity of government services and institutional knowledge even as administrations change — a contributor to government efficiency Decoteau also noted that civil service doesn’t merely exist to manage discipline. Instead, he said it’s a “comprehensive human resources program” that works with agencies to manage workforce development, assist with recruitment and retention, and develop pay plans. “We are here first and foremost for our taxpayers, our citizens, and then secondly for our agencies,” Decoteau said.
Email Alyse Pfeil at alyse.pfeil@theadvocate. com.
USDA scholarship for students at historically Black colleges suspended
By The Associated Press
WASHINGTON
— A federal scholarship aimed at boosting students from underserved and rural areas attending historically Black colleges and universities has been put on hold.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture suspended the 1890 Scholars Program, which provided recipients
POPE
Continued from page 1A
is not out of danger,” the statement said. It was the first time “critical” had been used in a written statement to describe Francis’ condition since he was hospitalized Feb. 14.
The statement also said that the pontiff “continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair although in more pain than yesterday ” Doctors declined to offer a prognosis, saying it was “reserved.”
Doctors have said Francis’ condition is touch-and-go, given his age, fragility and preexisting lung disease
They have warned that the main threat facing Francis would be the onset of sepsis, a serious infection of the blood that can occur as a complication of pneumonia. As of Friday, there was no evidence of any sepsis, and Francis was responding to the various drugs he is taking, the pope’s medical team said in their first in-depth update on the pope’s condition Saturday’s blood tests showed that he had developed a low platelet count, a condition called platelopenia or thrombocytopenia. Platelets are cell-like fragments that circulate in the blood that help form blood clots to stop bleeding or help wounds heal. Low platelet counts can be caused by a number of things, including side effects from medicines or infections, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
Francis, who has chronic lung disease and is prone to bronchitis in winter, was admitted to Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14 after a weeklong bout of bronchitis worsened Doctors first diagnosed the complex viral, bacterial and fungal respiratory tract infection and then the onset of pneumonia in both lungs. They prescribed “absolute rest” and a combination of cortisone and antibiotics, along with supplemental oxygen when he needs it. Saturday’s update marked the first time the Vatican has referred to Francis suffering an “asthmatic respiratory crisis of prolonged magnitude, which also required the application of oxygen at high flows.”
Dr Sergio Alfieri, the head of medicine and surgery at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, said Friday the biggest threat facing Francis was that some of the germs that are currently located in his respiratory system pass into
with full tuition and fees for students studying agriculture, food or natural resource sciences at one of 19 universities, known as the 1890 land grant institutions. It’s not clear exactly when the program was suspended, but some members of Congress first issued statements criticizing the suspension of the program on Thursday. A message seeking more detail
was left Saturday with the Department of Agriculture.
“The 1890 Scholars Program has been suspended pending further review,” the department said in a post on the program’s website.
The suspension coincides with a funding freeze President Donald Trump’s administration instituted. Administration officials had said the pause was necessary to
review whether spending aligned with Trump’s executive orders on issues like climate change and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
The freeze has been challenged in court, with a temporary hold on the executive action already in place.
The affected universities include Alabama A&M, Florida A&M, North Caro-
lina A&T and Tuskegee University in Alabama among others.
The scholarship program dates to 1992, but 1890 in the title refers to the Second Morrill Act of 1890 which established historically Black colleges and universities.
Eligibility rules include being a U.S. citizen with a GPA of 3.0 or better, along with acceptance to one of the 19
the bloodstream, causing sepsis. Sepsis can lead to organ failure and death
“Sepsis, with his respiratory problems and his age, would be really difficult to get out of,” Alfieri told a news conference Friday at Gemelli. “The English say ‘knock on wood,’ we say ‘touch iron.’ Everyone touch what they want,” he said as he tapped the microphone. “But this is the real risk in these cases: that these germs pass to the bloodstream.”
“He knows he’s in danger,” Alfieri added. “And he told us to convey that.”
Meanwhile, the Vatican hierarchy went on the defensive to tamp down rumors and speculation that Francis might decide to resign. There is no provision in canon law for what to do if a pope becomes incapacitated. Francis has said that he has written a letter of resignation that would be invoked if he were medically incapable of making such a decision The pope remains fully conscious, alert, eating and working.
The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, gave a rare interview to Corriere della Sera to respond to speculation and rumors about a possible resignation It came after the Vatican issued an unusual and official denial of an Italian media report that said Parolin and the pope’s chief canonist had visited Francis in the hospital in secret. Given the canonical requirements to make a resignation
legitimate, the implications of such a meeting were significant, but the Vatican flat-out denied that any such meeting occurred.
Parolin said such speculation seemed “useless” when what really mattered was the health of Francis, his recovery and return to the Vatican.
“On the other hand, I think it is quite normal that in these situations uncontrolled rumors can spread or some misplaced comment is uttered. It is certainly not the first time it has happened,” Parolin was quoted as saying. “However, I don’t think there is any particular movement, and so far I haven’t heard anything like that.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Saturday that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the pope’s condition and was working on his own statement that will be released later
“We’re praying for the pope,” Leavitt said.
Leavitt is one of three administration officials who
face a lawsuit from The Associated Press on first- and fifth-amendment grounds.
The AP says Leavitt and two others are punishing the news agency for editorial decisions they oppose
The White House says the AP is not following an executive order to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
Deacons, meanwhile, were gathering at the Vati-
1890 land grant universities. Eligible students must also study agriculture or related fields and “demonstrate leadership and community service,” according to the department’s site. In October, the department said it had set aside $19.2 million for the program. In fiscal year 2024, 94 students were awarded scholarships, the department said.
can for their special Holy Year weekend. Francis got sick at the start of the Vatican’s Holy Year, the onceevery-quarter-century celebration of Catholicism. This weekend, Francis was supposed to have celebrated deacons, a ministry in the church that precedes ordination to the priesthood.
In his place, the Holy Year organizer will celebrate Sunday’s Mass, the Vatican said. And for the second consecutive weekend, Francis will skip his traditional Sunday noon blessing, which he could have delivered from Gemelli if he were up to it.
“Look, even though he’s not (physically) here, we know he’s here,” said Luis Arnaldo López Quirindongo, a deacon from Ponce, Puerto Rico, who was at the Vatican on Saturday for the Jubilee celebration. “He’s recovering, but he’s inw our hearts and is accompanying us, because our prayers and his go together.”
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ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ALESSANDRA TARANTINO
Candles and a photo of Pope Francis sit Saturday in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, in Rome, where the pope has been hospitalized since Feb 14.
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Airman killed at shooting at N.M. Air Force base
By The Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A shooting at a U.S. Air Force base in New Mexico early Saturday left one airman dead and another wounded, military officials said, add-
ing that it was not an act of terrorism or an attack by an outsider
A statement from Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque said security forces responded to a shooting near one of the entrances to
the base at about 2 a.m. One airman died at the scene, and the other was taken to a hospital with a gunshot wound to a hand and later discharged, the statement said. An update in the after-
noon said the shooting occurred following “an offbase pursuit.” There was no threat to the public, it said.
The Air Force released few other details and did not immediately say whether anyone was in custody A
spokesperson declined to say whether the shooter or shooters also were airmen.
The names of the airmen who were shot were not immediately released.
The Air Force Office of Special Investigations was
leading the probe. FBI investigators were also at the scene being helped by Albuquerque police, said Gilbert Gallegos, a police spokesperson. Police were not searching for any suspects, he added.
Musk tells federal workers to explain what they did last week
BY STEVE PEOPLES AP national political writer
NEW YORK
— Hundreds of thousands of federal workers have been given little more than 48 hours to explain what they accomplished over the last week, sparking confusion across key agencies as billionaire Elon Musk expands his crusade to slash the size of federal government.
Musk, who serves as President Donald Trump’s costcutting chief, teased the extraordinary request on his social media network on Saturday
“Consistent with President @realDonaldTrump’s instructions, all federal employees will shortly receive an email requesting to understand what they got done last week,” Musk posted on X, which he owns. “Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation.” Shortly afterward, federal employees received a threeline email with this instruction: “Please reply to this email with approx 5 bullets of what you accomplished last week and cc your manager.”
The deadline to reply is Monday at 11:59 p.m., although the email did not include Musk’s social media threat about those who fail to respond.
The latest unusual directive from Musk’s team injects a new sense of chaos across beleaguered multiple agencies, including the National Weather Service and the State Department, as senior officials worked to verify the message’s authenticity Saturday night and in some cases, instructed their employees not to respond.
Thousands of government employees have already been forced out of the federal workforce either by being fired or offered a buyout — during the first month of Trump’s administration as the White House and Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency fire both new and career workers, tell agency leaders to plan for “large-scale reductions in force” and freeze trillions of dollars in federal grant funds
There is no official figure available for the total firings or layoffs so far, but The Associated Press has tallied hundreds of thousands of workers who are being affected. Many work outside of Washington. The cuts include thousands at the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, Health and Human Services, the Internal Revenue Service and the National Park Service among others.
AFGE President Everett
Kelley quickly condemned the ultimatum as an example of Trump and Musk’s “utter disdain for federal employees and the critical services they provide to the American people.”
“It is cruel and disrespectful to hundreds of thousands of veterans who are wearing their second uniform in the civil service to be forced to justify their job duties to this out-of-touch, privileged, unelected billionaire who has never performed one single hour of honest public service in his life,” Kelley said. “AFGE will challenge any unlawful terminations of our members and federal employees across the country.”
Musk on Friday celebrated his new role at a gathering of conservatives by waving a giant chain saw in the air He called it “the chain saw for bureaucracy” and said, “Waste is pretty much everywhere” in the federal government
McLaurine Pinover, a spokesperson at the Office of Personnel Management, confirmed Musk’s directive and said that individual agencies would “determine any next steps.”
What happens if an employee is on leave or vacation? Again, she said individual agencies would determine how to proceed.
Chaotic scene unfolds as 3 killed outside Ky. driver’s license office
BY DYLAN LOVAN Associated Press
LOUISVILLE, Ky. Witnesses described a chaotic scene in which three people were shot and killed outside of a Kentucky driver’s license office, including one man shot multiple times by masked assailants.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office issued a statement late Friday identifying the victims from earlier in the day as ranging in age from 18 to 33 years old. Officers who responded around noon Friday found one man dead at the scene and two wounded women, who later died after being taken to a hospital, according to Louisville Metro Police Department.
The coroner’s statement said that the man, 18-yearold Leslye M. Harbin Jr., died of multiple gunshot wounds at the scene, while the two women, 33-year-old Antwanette Chillers and 29-year-old Raysa Pacios Val-
des, each died of a gunshot wound at a hospital. Authorities have not said whether the victims knew each other or knew whoever was responsible for the shooting.
Witnesses said the chaos unfolded at the busy office, which had a line out the door Jalen Eddings told WHASTV that he had gone to the office but went back to his car to wait out the long line when the shooting unfolded nearby He said two masked men shot the man multiple times, including as he lay on the ground, before they ran off. He said he didn’t see them fire at the women
“Like I was just in shock, I couldn’t believe it, it was like something off of a movie,” Eddings said.
Numerous police responded to the shooting at a state Driver Licensing Office on the southern outskirts of Louisville. Police evidence markers were set on the ground around an area about 20 feet from the entrance to
the building Friday afternoon.
Police Maj. Donald Boeckman said Friday that the shooter left in a vehicle. Boeckman did not have a description of the vehicle and said investigators were reviewing surveillance video.
“It’s absolutely a tragedy, and I’m surprised there wasn’t more people injured,” Boeckman said.
Aaron Ellis, a spokesman for the police department, said in an email Saturday that the department had no further updates to share about the search for suspects.
Kentucky Gov Andy Beshear posted a statement on social media calling the shooting “a senseless act of violence.”
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, which operates the license office, said in a news release that security at the office locked down the building quickly after the shooting and that none of its employees were harmed.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JOSE LUIS MAGANA
Elon Musk holds a chain saw Thursday as he arrives to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Md
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Funeral held for slain Border Patrol agent
Killing tied to cultlike group, the Zizians
By The Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS A U.S. Bor-
der Patrol agent whose killing in Vermont during a traffic stop near the Canadian border has been tied to a cultlike group was buried with full military honors Saturday at a national cemetery in Minnesota.
David Maland, 44, died Jan. 20 during the stop on Interstate 91 in Conventry, about 20 miles south of the border with Canada. The driver of the stopped car is accused of opening fire on Maland and other agents, sparking a shootout that left her companion dead. Both belonged to a group called the Zizians that may be linked to six deaths in three states, investigators said Maland was memorialized at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis during a funeral attended by family, friends, community members and Border Patrol agents from around
ASSOCIATED
U.S. Border Patrol agent David Maland is recognized with military honors Saturday before his burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.
the country Minnesota Gov Tim Walz ordered flags to fly at halfstaff in Maland’s honor A native of Minnesota, Maland, who went by Chris,
French thieves use stolen card to buy winning lottery ticket
Victim wants to share the winnings
By The Associated Press
PARIS Thieves used a stolen card to buy a winning French lottery ticket worth $523,000. But they vanished before cashing in — and now they’re among France’s most famous fugitives
The man whose card was stolen, identified in police documents as Jean-David E., is offering to split the cash with the lucky winners. He wants his wallet back, too.
The thieves, meanwhile, face the risk of arrest. As of Saturday, the state lottery operator La Française des Jeux, or FDJ, said that no one had submitted the ticket to cash out.
“It’s an incredible story, but it’s all true,” Jean-David’s lawyer, Pierre Debuisson, told The Associated Press on Saturday Jean-David discovered earlier this month that his backpack had been stolen from his car in the southern city of Toulouse, including bank cards and other documents, the lawyer said. Jean-David asked his bank to block the card, and learned it had already been used in a local shop.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO Thieves in France used a stolen card to buy a winning French lottery ticket worth $523,000, but vanished before cashing in.
At the shop, a vendor told him two apparently homeless men had used one of his cards to buy the winning scratch-off lottery ticket.
“They were so totally happy that they forgot their cigarettes and their belongings and walked out like crazy people,” Debuisson said Jean-David filed a police complaint about the theft, but is ready to withdraw it if the thieves come forward so that they can share the money, Debuisson said
“Without them, no one would have won,” Jean-
David said on public caster France-2.
Prosecutors seize the winnings, ing them illegally gains, the lawyer
The lawyer launched tional appeal Th ing the perpetrat tact his office to
“You risk nothing will share with you,” he said. “And you would be able to change your lives.”
served in the Air Force and the State Department before joining the Border Patrol.
“Chris was a loving son, brother, uncle, fiance and dedicated colleague,” his family said Friday in a statement. “His kind heart and fighting soul made him a warm and inviting person to be around and pillar of strength for his country
“We love you, Chris. You’ll
live in our hearts forever.”
In the Air Force, Maland was responsible for protecting bases, personnel and property In 2001, he worked security duty at the Pentagon during the Sept. 11 attacks, his family said.
He received the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, among other honors, according to his obituary Maland was a K-9 handler at the State Department and
at his Border Patrol job in Vermont. He first joined the Border Patrol in Texas.
“He will be remembered for his courage and commitment to protecting fellow Americans,” Minnesota state Rep. Krista Knudsen, Maland’s cousin, said on the House floor last month. “He is also a person who served faithfully with honor and bravery He always put his service above himself.”
The ticket will eventually expire, he warned.
“Time is working against us,” he said.
Shakes sold to nursing homes recalled
By The Associated Press
Cartons of frozen shakes sold to nursing homes and other institutions are being recalled after an outbreak of listeria linked to the products. The supplemental shakes are labeled under the brands Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial and were sold to institutional customers, including hospitals and long-term care facilities, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday. The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention said listeria cases linked to the products date to 2018 but investigators had been previously unable to identify the source. Some 38 people were infected with listeria, including 11 who died. The FDA’s investigation is still underway
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Researchers link gene to emergence of language
BY LAURA UNGAR AP science writer
Why did humans start speaking? Scientists suggest genetics played a big role — and they say the evolution of this singular ability was key to our survival.
A new study links a particular gene to the ancient origins of spoken language, proposing that a protein variant found only in humans may have helped us communicate in a novel way Speech allowed us to share information, coordinate activities and pass down knowledge, giving us an edge over extinct cousins like Neanderthals and Denisovans.
The new study is “a good first step to start looking at the specific genes” that may affect speech and language development, said Liza Finestack at the University of Minnesota, who was not involved with the research.
What scientists learn may someday even help people with speech problems.
The genetic variant researchers were looking at was one of a variety of genes “that contributed to the emergence of Homo sapi-
ens as the dominant species, which we are today” said Dr Robert Darnell, an author of the study published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications Darnell has been studying the protein — called NOVA1 and known to be crucial to brain development since the early 1990s. For the latest research, scientists in his lab at New York’s Rockefeller University used CRISPR gene editing to replace the NOVA1 protein found in mice with the exclusively human type to test the reallife effects of the genetic variant. To their surprise, it changed the way the animals vocalized when they called out to each other
Baby mice with the human variant squeaked differently than normal littermates when their mom came around. Adult male mice with the variant chirped differently than their normal counterparts when they saw a female in heat.
Both are settings where mice are motivated to speak, Darnell said, “and they spoke differently” with the human variant, illustrating its role in speech.
Researchers
BY SETH BORENSTEIN
AP science writer
Climate change is accelerating the melting of the world’s mountain glaciers, according to a massive new study that found them shrinking more than twice as fast as in the early 2000s.
The world’s glaciers lost ice at the rate of about 255 billion tons annual from 2000 to 2011, but that quickened to about 346 billion tons annually over about the next decade, according to the study in last week’s journal Nature. And the last few years, the melt has accelerated even more, hitting a record 604 billion tons lost in 2023, the last year analyzed.
The study drew on an international effort that included 233 estimates of changes in glacier weight. In all, the world’s glaciers have lost more than 7 trillion tons of ice since 2000, according to the study
“The thing that people should be aware of and perhaps worried about is that yes, the glaciers are indeed retreating and disappearing as we said they would. The rate of that loss seems to be accelerating,” said William Colgan, a glaciologist for the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland and one of about 60 authors of the study Glaciers in Alaska are melting at the fastest rate of any of the 19 regions studied, losing about 67 billion tons of ice a year, producing the biggest net ice loss, the study found.
In the past 24 years, Central Europe’s glaciers have lost the highest percentage
Casts of skulls are seen inside an exhibit of early human species in 2023 inside the Smithsonian Hall of Human Origins at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, in Washington. A new study links a particular gene to the ancient origins of spoken language.
This isn’t the first time a gene has been linked to speech. In 2001, British scientists said they had discovered the first gene tied to a language and speech disorder
Called FOXP2, it was referred to as the human language gene. But though FOXP2 is involved in hu-
man language, it turned out that the variant in modern humans wasn’t unique to us. Later research found it was
shared with Neanderthals.
The NOVA1 variant in modern humans, on the other hand, is found exclusively in our species, Darnell said.
The presence of a gene variant isn’t the only reason people can speak. The ability also depends on things like anatomical features in the human throat and areas of the brain that work together to allow people to speak and understand language.
Darnell hopes the recent work not only helps people better understand their origins but also eventually leads to new ways to treat speechrelated problems.
University of Minnesota’s Finestack said it’s more likely the genetic findings might someday allow scientists to detect, very early in life, who might need speech and language interventions.
“That’s certainly a possibility,” she said.
of ice of any region, now 39% smaller than they were in 2000, the paper said. Colgan said he worries most about the Alps because “elevated summer temperatures have been hammering the Alps. ” Fifteen years ago, scientists were worried most about the Andes and the Patagonia glaciers, but the Alps have shrunk so fast they could eventually disappear, Colgan said.
“Glaciers are apolitical and unbiased sentinels of climate change, and their decline paints a clear picture of accelerated warming,” said Gwenn Flowers, a professor of Earth Sciences at Simon Fraser University in Canada, who wasn’t part of the study University of Colorado ice scientist Ted Scambos, who also wasn’t part of the study, said glaciers shrank and grew in the past for local, well-understood reasons that were not climate change. What’s happening now is different and clear, he said:
“It’s due to greenhouse gas increases caused direct-
ly by coal, oil, and natural gas burning. No amount of rhetoric, tweeting, or proclamation will change that.”
Scambos, Flowers and other outside scientists called the assessment sobering and accurate but not surprising.
Colgan said that many places — such as those in the U.S. West — are seeing extra water now from fast-melting glaciers and benefiting from that boost, but that will soon disappear as the glaciers melt beyond a point of no return.
Melting glaciers contribute more to sea level rise than ice loss in either Greenland or Antarctica. Only the expansion of water as it warms plays a bigger role in sea level rise, the paper said.
The overall glacier loss rate is similar, if maybe slightly less, than that found by earlier and less comprehensive studies. But this new work will probably trigger new predictions that will be even gloomier in the future because of better information and worsening warming, Colgan said.
ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By JACQUELyN MARTIN
ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By MATTHIAS SCHRADER
Water drips from a melting chunk of ice that originated from the Jamtalferner Glacier in 2023 near Galtuer, Austria.
GULF COAST
Bay St. Louis hub anticipating return of Amtrak train
Restaurants, vacation rentals bring Depot District back to life
BY POET WOLFE Staff writer
Standing near shelves stacked with homemade dog treats shaped like doughnuts and cookies, Roxanne DeNicola reflected on how her pet boutique came to life in 2018.
“It all started from scratch,” she said, her magenta lips curling into a warm smile.
Cafe BoneJour, DeNicola’s store in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, was the first of many developments to pop up in the waterside town’s Depot District after much of it was purchased by a New Orleans developer 7 years ago. The colorful row of buildings, once home to many of the city’s iconic bars and restaurants, was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.
Through the years, stores opened in the Depot District, attempting to reincarnate the hub to what it once was before the storm. But most of them came and went, opening for short periods of time and then closing up shop.
But the vibe is different now, business owners and city officials said this week.
On a drizzly Wednesday afternoon, a bartender inside TBT Depot Deli made bloody marys in togo cups while others sat and had a late lunch Just down the way at Uncle Joe’s Pizza and Wings, families filled a few tables before the dinner rush.
“It’s all changed,” said Jim MacPhaille, the businessman behind the Depot District.
MacPhaille bought and fully renovated nine of the 12 properties that make up the row of mixed-use development in 2018 After an un-
relenting cycle of installing new roofs, rewiring and replumbing, he sought out new tenants. Today, the multimillion-dollar investment is an eclectic mix of restaurants, a wine bar and a specialty spirit store, fitness centers and vacation rentals.
“It’s got a vibe of almost like Freret Street,” MacPhaille said, referencing the popular thoroughfare in Uptown New Orleans.
The Depot District already attracts crowds of foodies, drinkers and fitness gurus alike. Some business owners are expecting the
area to get higher foot traffic when Amtrak passenger service from New Orleans to Mobile returns in June, with a stop in Bay St. Louis. Others have their doubts.
Business owners torn
DeNicola is used to a regular flow of health-conscious customers coming into Cafe BoneJour and purchasing organic treats for their pets. But when asked if passenger service could heighten customer flow at her store and others in the Depot District, she shrugged. Downtown Bay St. Louis tends
to attract more residents and tour-
ists, DeNicola said, because of Second Saturday — its bimonthly art walk and its substantial number of stores specializing in antiques, fashion and food. The art colony is also a seaside retreat for New Orleanians wanting an escape from city life.
“There’s always things going on downtown,” DeNicola said, “And they can be busy, busy, busy, busy And we don’t see any of that.”
She isn’t completely doubtful, though, noting that the train station being directly across from the Depot District works in her store’s favor Scott Sutherland, the owner of TBT Butcher Shop and Seafood Market and Depot Deli, expects travelers to “see the charm” in the area.
He chose the location for his two businesses because of the return of Amtrak passenger service and, like DeNicola, he found downtown far too crowded.
“I think (the Depot District) has a lot of potential for exposure for
new folks that may not have come by or realized this was here,” Sutherland added.
Amtrak’s potential impact
In 1996, Gulf Coast Limited — an Amtrak-operated train service that no longer exists offered passengers a scenic excursion between New Orleans and Mobile. Like the up-and-coming route, there were stops scattered throughout Mississippi: Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula. The service came to an end less than a year later
The state funding for the single train was limited, only lasting nine months, according to Kay Kell, the Mississippi commissioner of the Southern Rail Commission. And the growth it brought to local economies was minute, though “activity in the Depot (District) area picked up,” Kell recalled.
When asked if the new Amtrak passenger service will attract more crowds to the Depot District, Kell said she “definitely thinks it will,” considering two trains will be rolling through, rather than just one, and the station’s location.
“If you travel anywhere by train, when you get off, you’re looking around at what’s right there,” she added.
Tish Williams, the executive director of the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, noted that Amtrak will attract New Orleans visitors to Bay St. Louis, while expanding its market as well.
“I think it’s going to give us the opportunity to attract that international market that’s already going to New Orleans,” Williams said. “They just don’t know about us, and they don’t have a public transit way to get here.”
A study by the University of Southern Mississippi found that connecting New Orleans to Mobile could annually provide between $24 million and $485 million in benefit to Mississippi’s economy Nationwide, Amtrak says its services and passengers generate $8 billion in economic benefit.
Email Poet Wolfe at poet.wolfe @theadvocate.com.
DeNicola
Trump revels in mass federal firings at CPAC
BY WILL WEISSERT and ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON Associated Press
OXON HILL, Md. — President Donald Trump said Saturday that “nobody has ever seen anything” like his administration’s sweeping effort to fire thousands of federal employees and shrink the size of government, congratulating himself for “dominating” Washington and sending bureaucrats “packing.”
Addressing an adoring crowd at the Conservative Political Action Conference in suburban Washington, Trump promised, “We’re going to forge a new and lasting political majority that will drive American politics for generations to come.”
The president has spent the opening weeks of his administration arguing that voters in November gave him a mandate to overhaul government while cracking down on the U.S.-Mexico border and to extend tax cuts that were the signature policy of his first administration.
Trump clicked easily back into campaign mode during a speech that lasted more than an hour, predicting that the GOP will continue to win and defy history which has shown that a president’s party typically struggles during midterm congressional elections. He insisted of Republicans, “I don’t think we’ve been at this level, maybe ever.”
“Nobody’s ever seen anything like this, and nobody’s ever seen four weeks like we had,” Trump said, likening his new administration’s opening month to being on a roll through the first four holes of a round of golf, which he said gave him confidence for the fifth.
Trump has empowered Elon Musk to help carry out
LUIS MAGANA
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JOSE
President Donald Trump dances as he speaks Saturday at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Md.
the firings, and the billionaire vowed Saturday that more might be coming.
“Consistent with President @realDonaldTrump’s instructions, all federal employees will shortly receive an email requesting to understand what they got done last week,” Musk posted on X, which he owns. “Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation.”
Trump also repeatedly said Saturday that he’d carry out harder-line immigration policies. But those efforts have largely been overshadowed by his administration’s mass federal firings. He announced that one agency that had been significantly reduced, the U.S. Agency for International Development, would have its Washington office taken over by Customs and Border Protection officials.
“The agency’s name has been removed from its former building,” he said.
The president also repeated his previous promises that his administration will scrutinize the country’s gold depository at Fort Knox.
“Would anybody like to join us,” he said to cheers from
the crowd. “We want to see if the gold is still there.”
But Trump also devoted large chunks of his address reliving last year’s presidential race, jeering at former President Joe Biden and mispronouncing the first name of former Vice President Kamala Harris — his Election Day opponent — gleefully proclaiming, “I haven’t said that name in a while.”
He even mentioned Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who ran for president in 2020.
The president said immigration and border policy under Biden made him angry “I couldn’t stand it,” Trump said, before cautioning himself, “Donald, don’t get angry.” He went on to use an expletive to describe how he thinks of Biden’s handling of border security, despite noting that evangelical conservatives have urged him not to use foul language.
Trump had kinder words for Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying “I happen to like” him, while adding, “we’ve been treated very unfairly by China and many other countries.”
Musk’s DOGE laying off workers at auto safety agency overseeing Tesla
BY BERNARD CONDON Associated Press
NEW YORK Elon Musk’s cost-cutting team is eliminating jobs at the vehicle safety agency that oversees Tesla and has launched investigations into deadly crashes involving his company’s cars.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has cut a “modest” amount of positions, according to a statement from the
agency Musk has accused NHTSA of holding back progress on self-driving technology with its investigations and recalls. Asked about whether the cuts would impact any probes into Tesla, the agency referred to its statement that says it will “enforce the law on all manufacturers of motor vehicles and equipment.”
The job cuts at NHTSA enacted by Musk’s advisory
SUNDAY NEWS SHOWS
group on shrinking the federal government, the Department of Government Efficiency, was earlier reported by The Washington Post
In addition to investigations into Tesla’s partially automated vehicles, NHTSA has mandated that Tesla and other automakers using selfdriving technology report crash data on vehicles, a requirement that Tesla has criticized and that watchdogs fear could be eliminated.
Landry supports NHL team in N.O
Gov Jeff Landry said Thursday he supports an NHL hockey team coming to New Orleans.
“It’s time Louisiana has an @NHL Team,” Landry said on the social media site X. “The economic impact would be substantial and having the Stanley Cup in the Big Easy would be a win for all!”
Landry highlighted an article from a website, The Score. It cited a report by ESPN’s Kevin Weekes about a meeting Wednesday at NHL headquarters in New York between league staff and a group interested in bringing a team to New Orleans.
The report did not identify who was part of that group.
The president of the company that manages the Smoothie King Center and other entertainment in venues, said Wednesday that he has not been contacted about an NHL team.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has not publicly committed to expanding the league.
New Orleans once had a minor-league hockey team, the New Orleans Brass, that played in the Smoothie King Center from 1997-2002.
Louisiana currently has two minor-league teams, the Baton Rouge Zydeco and the Monroe Moccasins, which are in their second and first seasons, respectively LMOGA names new top lobbyist
The Louisiana Mid-
ABC’s “This Week”: Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I.; Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y.; retired Gen. George Casey, former Army chief of staff.
NBC’s “Meet the Press”: Sens. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., and Cory Booker, D-N.J. CNN’s “State of the Union”:
Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East; Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, DN.Y CBS’ “Face the Nation”: Witkoff; Sens. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and John Curtis, R-Utah; Gov Kathy Ho-
chul, D-N.Y.; Scott Gottlieb, former Food and Drug Administration commissioner “Fox News Sunday”: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth; Reps. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Jim Himes, D-Conn.
The Associated Press
Continent Oil and Gas Association, the influential group that represents the state’s oil and gas industry, has named James Lee as its Executive Director of Government Affairs. Lee will “spearhead legislative engagement at both the state and national levels,” the association said in a news release Lee is formerly the legislative liaison for the Louisiana Department of Revenue. He worked on the gubernatorial campaigns of Gov Jeff Landry’s and Richard Nelson and the Congressional campaign for Garret Graves, among others.
“James knows how Louisiana government works, and I am confident he will levy his experience and influence to do great things for LMOGA and Louisiana Energy,” Tommy Faucheux, the organization’s president, said in the release.
An LSU graduate, James is also an alumnus of the Charles Koch Institute and the Pelican Leadership Academy He is a former chairman of Louisiana Young Republicans and former state director of Americans for Prosperity
Housing Corporation chair is named
Wendy Gentry, who has served on the board of the Louisiana Housing Corporation since last April, is the agency’s new chairman, Gov Jeff Landry announced in a news release Friday
tate holding companies, which provides her with widespread and in-depth knowledge of real estate acquisitions and management,” the release said.
“In addition to her involvement in the real estate and rental housing market, Mrs. Gentry is a partner and CFO of a local finance company and oversees all accounting activities.”
LHC is the agency that administers federal and state funds for affordable housing and home energy efficiency projects, as well as leading efforts to find housing for people after disasters.
“Wendy has served LHC for nearly a year where she has brought new ideas and innovation to the corporation,” Landry said in the release.
“I am confident that in her new role as Chair, she will help streamline the agency in a way that best serves the people of our State.”
Gentry lives in Calhoun, a town west of Monroe.
“Mrs. Gentry’s extensive professional career includes managing and directing three real es-
BUZZ staff reports
Flipped plane shows dangers of holding kids on your lap
BY JOSH FUNK Associated Press
The crash landing of a Delta Air Lines flight in Toronto this week highlighted the potential dangers of flying with a young child sitting on an adult’s lap. The plane flipped over, which would make holding onto a baby extremely difficult.
Authorities haven’t said whether the 18-month-old child who was injured in the crash was riding on a parent’s lap. All 21 people who were hurt were released from the hospital, but young children have died in previous crashes.
Despite the recent rash of aviation disasters, airline crashes remain rare, but children could easily get hurt if they are on a parent’s lap when a plane encounters turbulence.
Experts agree it’s safer for children younger than 2 years old to have their own plane seats and ride in approved car seats when flying, even if families have to pay for an extra ticket But babies are still allowed to travel in laps, so parents continue doing it despite the risks.
“The saddest part is that most families who travel with a lap child think that because it’s allowed, it’s safe,” said former flight attendant Jan Brown, who had to look a mother in the face after she had just lost her 22-monthold son when their plane crashed and broke into several pieces near Sioux City, Iowa, in 1989. Brown stopped that mother from climbing back into the
wreckage of United Flight 232 after it came to rest upside down in a cornfield
“I told her what I thought would stop her: that rescue workers would find him. And she just looked up at me and said, ‘You told me to put my baby on the floor And I did. And he’s gone.’ And so I think that was the moment that I became a child seat advocate,” Brown said. Of the four lap children on that plane, three were injured and the woman’s son was among the 112 people who died.
A 6-month-old boy traveling on a parent’s lap was killed in 2012 when a plane landed hard and overran the end of a runway in Nunavut, Canada. Last year, three infants on laps could have been sucked out of an Alaska Airlines plane after a door plug flew off midflight, but none were sitting close enough to the opening for that to happen. What do experts recommend?
The National Transportation Safety Board and its counterpart in Canada, the Transportation Safety Board, have long recommended that young children fly only in approved car seats to protect them. The Federal Aviation Administration also recommends the use of car seats but doesn’t require it despite lobbying from advocates.
In addition to those safety regulators, the American Academy of Pediatrics and most major airline trade groups and unions support requiring young children to fly in approved car seats.
The main crash investi-
gators in the United States and Canada started recommending car seats for children under 2 and specialized restraint systems for older kids until they are taller than 40 inches (102 centimeters) after the deadly crashes in their countries decades ago.
“We’ve all been there at that point in your life when you’ve got young children. You’re not swimming in money. You’re trying to save nickels and dimes any way you can. And if you can avoid buying an extra seat, it’s a completely understandable reaction,” NTSB member Tom Chapman said. “It’s just that people don’t understand the risk that they are subjecting their child to by not buy-
ing that seat and properly restraining them.”
Not only is it safer for children to ride in their own seats, but it’s more enjoyable for parents who don’t have to hold a squirming baby for hours in the air
Car seat expert and mother Michelle Pratt, who founded Safe in the Seat, said no matter how tempting it is to check that lap child box, families should get everyone a ticket.
“Your baby could cost less than your checked suitcase. Why not take advantage?” Pratt said.
What do parents think?
Some parents like Clare Ronning aren’t convinced After landing in Burbank,
California, with her husband and 5-month-old baby Thursday she said she doesn’t see a need for a car seat on a plane
“I don’t really see the difference, personally,” said Ronning, who already has taken her daughter on six flights. “It just seems like another money grab.”
But Meredith Tobitsch never imagined flying without a seat for her 3-year-old daughter and won’t do it with her 14-month-old now, either, because of safety and practical concerns.
“If there was turbulence, your natural reflex would be to let go of your child,” said Tobitsch, who lives in Connecticut, adding that her oldest daughter always slept
better in her car seat, making the flights much more enjoyable.
“Obviously, that does add to the cost of air travel for families, but it is a safety thing. At least for us, we’re fortunate to do that,” she said.
Why isn’t it required?
The FAA relies on a study done in the 1990s to justify not requiring families to buy tickets for children younger than 2.
The rationale is that if families had to buy those extra tickets, more of them might drive instead of fly Because driving is riskier than flying, that would mean more kids would die in car crashes than would be saved in planes if car seats and separate tickets were required.
Chapman with the NTSB thinks that logic is a stretch and the study should be revisited, particularly since airline tickets are more affordable today
But parent Andrea Arredondo suggested there might be some truth to it, saying she might fly less if she had to buy a ticket and lug along a car seat for her 4-month-old when flying with her family and two older kids.
“I would be more likely to decrease our plane travel than bring a car seat,” Arredondo said, explaining she and her husband already have their hands full traveling with three kids, three car seats that they check, a stroller and play set.
Associated Press writers
Jaimie Ding, Michael Casey and Kathleen Ronayne contributed to this report.
BY GEIR MOULSON Associated Press
BERLIN The contenders in Germany’s election made their final appeals to voters Saturday, with opposition leader and front-runner Friedrich Merz vowing to revive the stagnant economy and defend Europe’s interests in the face of a confrontational U.S. administration.
Chancellor OIaf Scholz, meanwhile, insisted that he still hopes for an improbable last-minute comeback.
Germans are electing a new parliament Sunday after a campaign focused on the state of Europe’s biggest economy and calls to curb migration, while uncertainty has grown rapidly about the future of Ukraine and the strength of Europe’s alliance with the United States. It appears to have done little to shift parties’ position in polls. They have consistently shown the centerright opposition, main challenger Merz’s Union bloc, in the lead. It’s ahead of the far-right, anti-immigration Alternative for Germany, which is on course for the strongest result for a farright party since World War II, but has no other party willing to go into government with it. Scholz’s center-left Social
Democrats have shown little sign of coming back from a large poll deficit after the chancellor’s three-party coalition collapsed in November following a long-running argument about how to revitalize the economy That led to the election being held seven months ahead of schedule.
At a closing rally in a Munich beer hall, Merz told supporters that “three years in opposition are enough.”
Germany is a traditional leader of the 27-nation EU and the bloc’s most populous member, but like fellow heavyweight France has been consumed in recent months by domestic instability Merz said that “with me, Germany will have a strong voice in the European Union again.”
“Europe must be a player and not ask maybe to get a seat at a side table,” he said. “No, we must sit at the main table; and we must safeguard our interests against Russia, against China, and if necessary also with respect to America.”
“Anyone who shows up there as a dwarf is treated as a dwarf and sent home as a dwarf,” Merz added.
He said, however, that “we will only gain respect in this European Union again if we finally overcome our
country’s economic weakness.” He said that was “overwhelmingly homemade.”
Merz also underscored his calls for a tougher stance on migration, which created friction in recent weeks. Last month, he brought a nonbinding motion calling for many more migrants to be turned back at Germany’s borders to parliament. The motion was approved thanks to votes from Alternative for Germany, or AfD — a first in postwar Germany that prompted opponents to accuse Merz of breaking a taboo. He rejects the criticism.
“We will under no circumstances discuss any talks, never mind negotiations or a participation in government, with AfD,” Merz said Saturday
At an event in Potsdam, which he represents in parliament, Scholz again cast doubt on Merz’s reliability and portrayed his party as the strongest bulwark against AfD playing any role.
“Anyone who wants to be sure this doesn’t happen must ensure that there are strong Social Democrats and that they can provide the next chancellor,” Merz said.
On the sidelines of an earlier event in Potsdam, Scholz said that he was “convinced
that, this time, many people will only make their decision at the polling station.”
“I don’t believe in miracles, but in an election victory,” he said, German news agency
dpa reported. If Merz does win, it’s unclear whether he will be able to put together a two-party coalition or need a third partner, a more awkward
prospect. “If we govern, we need few partners and not an endless number of them,” senior conservative ally Markus Söder said in Munich.
IMAGE FROM TRANSPORTATION SAFETy BOARD OF CANADA VIDEO
flight 4819 is flipped upside down on the ground on Tuesday at Toronto Pearson International Airport,
Kids’ disability rights cases stalled amid Trump changes
BY HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH, COLLIN BINKLEY and ANNIE MA Associated Press
WASHINGTON It was obvious to Christine Smith Olsey that her son was not doing well at school, despite educators telling her to leave it to the experts. The second-grade student stumbled over words, and other kids teased him so much he started to call himself “an idiot.”
Though her son had been receiving speech and occupational therapy, Smith Olsey said his Denver charter school resisted her requests for additional academic support. She filed a complaint with the state and then in September the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights.
In January, her son’s case came to a halt.
“I have to postpone meetings with you to discuss the case,” a department mediator wrote to her on Jan. 23, three days after President Donald Trump’s inauguration. “I am sorry for the inconvenience. I will be in touch as I am able.”
As Trump began to reshape the Education Department investigations and mediations around disability rights issues came to a standstill.
Standing up for children with disabilities has been a primary role of the department’s civil rights office, which enforces protections guaranteed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Historically, most complaints to the department have involved disability discrimination — parents saying their disabled child is not receiving accommodations they need to learn, which schools must provide under federal law
It’s not unusual for new presidential administrations to freeze
an individualized education program for a developmental delay
This month, the school agreed her son needs extra academic help, but she is seeking compensatory services to make up for time he went without adequate support. She also is seeking reimbursement for money she spent out of pocket on therapy, tutoring and testing.
When families believe their child is not receiving adequate services for their disability, filing a complaint with the Education Department is one way of prompting districts to provide additional help. Parents may also file a complaint with state agencies or pursue litigation Referee of disability rights cases
Services could take over that work. Families outraged and adrift
In the fall, DarNisha Hardaway was relieved when an Education Department mediator found her son’s school needed to reevaluate him and provide tutoring. She had filed a complaint with the department after a series of suspensions that she said stemmed from her son being overwhelmed and not getting enough academic help. The 12-yearold has an intellectual disability, autism and epilepsy
The Education Department, Hardaway said, “made the school system do what they’re supposed to do.”
cases while they adjust priorities, but exceptions typically are made for urgent situations, such as a child’s immediate learning situation. The freeze on pending cases and Trump’s calls to dismantle the department altogether left many parents worrying about the federal government’s commitment to disabled students’ rights.
In the first weeks of the Trump administration, the Education Department has launched investigations of complaints involving antisemitism and transgender athletes allowed to compete in women’s sports, delivering on Trump’s vow to use federal funding as leverage to assail perceived “wokeness” in schools.
It’s worrisome the administration has said so little about responding to complaints from families of students with disabilities, said Catherine Lhamon, who led the Office for Civil Rights under former presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama.
“If it is not aggressively engaged in protecting those rights, the office is not doing its job,” Lhamon said in
an interview
An Education Department spokesperson said the Office for Civil Rights ended the pause on its review of disability complaints Thursday, after The Associated Press asked for comment on the findings of reporting for this story
The Trump administration lifted its pause on disability cases sooner than the Biden administration did in its first months in office, spokesperson Julie Hartman said.
Progress stalled
The freeze had upended progress for families like Smith Olsey’s, whose children’s special education services may hinge on the outcomes of the department’s dispute resolution process.
“It’s a scary time right now to be a parent of special needs kiddos,” Smith Olsey said.
Her son has been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, dyslexia and dyscalculia, a learning disorder caused by differences in parts of the brain involved with numbers and calculations. Since preschool, he has had
Between 2021 and 2024, the department’s Office for Civil Rights received 27,620 complaints related to disability rights. The office is required to process all complaints it fields, but politics can play a role in setting priorities and choosing which cases to pursue.
Typically, more than half of the complaints to the department have involved disability discrimination, but last year accusations of sex discrimination surged to account for a majority of them, according to an annual report. Disability discrimination accounted for 37%, while discrimination over race or national origin accounted for 19%.
In recent years, the office has seen a significant decline in its staffing, even as the number of cases it must look into has increased.
Parents and advocates say they are concerned about the future of the department’s oversight role as Trump and his nominee for education secretary, Linda McMahon, outline a vision for a dramatically reduced footprint for the agency
At her confirmation hearing, Democrats pressed McMahon on whether she would support the department’s enforcement role in disability rights. She suggested the Department of Health and Human
If the school district broke the mediation agreement, she was told to contact the Office for Civil Rights again This month, after her son had an outburst in class, his suburban Detroit school told her he would need to learn online for the rest of the year — a ruling Hardaway saw as a violation of his disability accommodations. On Tuesday, an Office for Civil Rights representative told her they could not respond with any substantive information
Every day she waits, her son learns in front of a computer “He can’t learn online, and DarNisha is not a teacher,” said Marcie Lipsitt, who is working with the family “The OCR is just closed for business, and I’m outraged.”
Complaints about racial discrimination in schools are also pending.
Tylisa Guyton of Taylor, Michigan, filed a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights on Jan. 20 over her 16-year-old son’s repeated suspensions from a suburban Detroit school district, alleging a White administrator has been targeting him
The teen has been out of school since Dec. 4 with the latest suspension, and she has heard nothing about when he might be allowed to return. Since missing so much school, she doubts he will be able to graduate on time. “I just feel lost,” she said.
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THEADVOCATE.COM | Sunday, February 23, 2025 1bn
Lawsuit against officers reopened
Prolonged case ‘travesty of the justice system,’ Greene’s mother says
BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer
The family of a Black motorist beaten to death by Louisiana state troopers has reopened its federal civil rights lawsuit against the state agency and several officers involved.
Librarians checking books for explicit material
youth sections empty until review is done
BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer
There’s a readathon underway at Livingston Parish libraries.
The parish library shelves reserved for young adult books are temporarily empty, while librarians read tens of thousands of the books to hopefully resolve concerns about children having access to potentially sexually explicit books at the parish’s libraries.
The local library board of control in January approved pulling 30,000 young adult print and audiobook materials from children’s sections and moving those deemed sexually explicit to the adult side in each of the five library branches. Young adult is a category of books geared toward youths 13 and older
Each book is being reviewed to make sure it complies with the Louisiana law that defines minors’ access to sexually explicit materials. The law outlines several examples of what qualifies as sexually explicit content.
This move is a long time coming for certain residents of Livingston Parish. Since 2022, residents and local officials have voiced repeated worries about the possibility of sexually explicit content in books placed in the children’s section in the libraries.
“Reviewing 30,000 materials is a huge undertaking that will naturally take away from other responsibilities. But given the importance the Board of Control has placed on this, we are making this review process a top priority,” said David Gray, spokesperson for the parish libraries. The goal is to have all material reviewed by June, after starting the process Feb. 19, Gray said.
The five libraries have 15 certified librarians reviewing the books and audiobooks to see if they meet the state’s definition of sexually explicit material. Those that do are catalogued for the adult section of the local libraries.
Gray said it’s too early to tell if staff will have to work extra hours to complete the review, but it seems extremely likely given the “sheer volume” of work to do. The librarians don’t have a set number of books they have to read in a day to accomplish the goal.
Library board vice president Becky Morgan initially proposed the review of the 30,000 young adult books, in response to months and months of community outcry from various pockets of the parish. The intention is the ongoing review will give the libraries a chance to prevent certain objectionable books from children and to ease residents.
Jennifer Holden, an outspoken parish resident about book content children can read at local libraries, said further actions need to be taken, like making the classifications
Proceedings in the federal complaint, originally filed in May 2020, had been stalled for two years as a criminal investigation into the officers’ use of force against Ronald Greene played out.
But in a report last month, the U.S. Department of Justice
announced that prosecutors won’t bring federal charges against the officers present.
Video captured officers beating and using a Taser on Greene after a high-speed chase near Monroe.
Tayla Greene, Ronald’s daughter, petitioned for the stay to be
lifted Monday, and Magistrate Judge Kayla McClusky signed an order Thursday putting the civil case back on track, U.S. Western District Court of Louisiana records show “It’s criminal activity by all those complicit in this,” Mona Hardin, Ronald Greene’s mother maintained Friday “People say you don’t want to step on any toes, you don’t want to do this and that. But we’ve done everything according to all procedures and we kept with protocol.
“Its vital, because if this isn’t done as it should be I’ve always said that Louisiana needs to
CAPITOL KREWE
BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer
TOP: Revelers cheer for throws as La Krewe Mystique de la Capitale parade rolls through downtown on Saturday
RIGHT: The Golden Guys dance down River Road. LEFT: Paraders on the LSU Tigers float release throws.
BY CAITIE ZEILMAN Staff Writer
STAFF PHOTOS By JAVIER GALLEGOS
PROVIDED PHOTO
Denham Springs High Stem Center Design Sharks members Khadija Henni, left, and Adalyn Farrell work on editing app codes.
Archdiocese footprint shrinks as bankruptcy drags on
Decreasing attendance has taken toll on financial health
BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer
In the five years since Archbishop Gregory Aymond placed the New Orleans archdiocese under federal bankruptcy protection, the church has closed or consolidated 11 of its more than 100 parishes and sold off at least $15 million in real estate, including a Howard Avenue office tower and a former school on Freret Street.
Aymond is also in the process of shedding Christopher Homes, a charity that provides housing to low-income seniors, and indicated earlier this month that he may part ways with Second Harvest of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana, the food bank that’s been embroiled in controversy since he fired its CEO.
The sales and reorganizations have taken place as church officials prepare for another set of high-level mediations with representatives for the hundreds of clergy abuse survivors who have made claims against the church.
Attorneys and church officials haven’t indicated when, or even if, the archdiocese will successfully close its bankruptcy case by coming to an agreement on a financial settlement with those survivors. But recent moves by Aymond have made one thing clear: The church that emerges will look very different from the one that existed just a few years ago.
“All of this is in an effort to create a more sustainable and efficient archdiocese for the future that carries less liability and bureaucracy so that our focus may be on sharing the faith and bringing the gospel to the community,”
Aymond wrote in a letter to the city’s 500,000 Roman Catholics on Feb. 13, of his efforts to separate from several church charities.
In a statement Saturday, the archdiocese said “steps were taken to reduce expenses and staff to become a smaller, more fiscally responsible and efficient” administration prior to filing for bankruptcy
That process will continue “to ensure that decisions regarding the future relationships between the archdiocese and its agencies are in the best interest
of all ...”
Aymond’s recent letter acknowledging the transformation of the local church came in response to criticism in recent weeks from former members of the Second Harvest board of directors. In public statements and advertisements they’ve asked the archbishop to divest himself from the organization.
Second Harvest was founded by the church more than 40 years ago and operated under the archdiocese affiliate Catholic Charities until 2011, when it separated itself. However, Aymond has remained the food bank’s sole “corporate member” and recently fired its CEO Nathalie Jayroe and removed her top board leaders over a disagreement related to the bankruptcy and Second Harvest funds.
The archbishop’s moves spawned a backlash among prominent donors, who threatened to withhold funds to the food bank.
Aymond, who has since replaced Jayroe with Jon Toups, a businessman and former administrator with the Diocese of HoumaThibodeaux, responded with the letter earlier this month saying that “conversations around the future of Second Harvest’s relationship to the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the terms of a formal separation are ongoing.”
He did not offer specifics about what that might look like or whether it would occur before a settlement in the bankruptcy is reached.
In the same letter, Aymond said he was having similar conversations about separating the
church from Christopher Homes, which operates 21 apartment complexes for low-income seniors.
In November, the archdiocese turned over management of the complexes to Providence Community Housing, a local nonprofit that develops affordable housing and has owned six of the 21 Christopher Homes complexes since purchasing them from the archdiocese more than a decade ago.
Providence CEO Terri North said her organization would be interested in purchasing the other complexes, though she said the church has not had any discussions with her about it
Though the church could sell the properties to a private investor, as a practical matter it’s easier said than done.
“It’s very complicated because all these properties have large HUD mortgages and a lot of regulatory agreements,” North said. “It’s not that you can’t undo those things, but it’s not straightforward. You can’t just come in and throw people out on the street.”
The scaling back of the archdiocese’s reach through food banks, retirement homes and other ministries underscores how the local church has changed in recent decades.
In 1950, New Orleans had nearly 160 parishes, 30% more than today, and its cultural influence extended over a vast array of schools and charitable organizations in one of the nation’s oldest predominantly Catholic cities. But shifting demographics, a shrinking and aging population, and declining Mass
By CLAIRE GRUNEWALD
By
The young adult section at the Denham Springs-Walker library branch in Livingston Parish is seen on Tuesday after the Board of Control unanimously approved temporarily relocating young adult materials to the adult section while they are under review.
consolidated 11 parishes into five new ones. Two others were absorbed into existing parishes. All had been struggling financially amid rising costs of operation and dwindling attendance. In an interview last year, Aymond said a smaller wave of closures would be likely in the months to come, though, so far, that hasn’t happened.
“The funerals outweigh the baptisms and confirmations and marriages,” he said at the time. “We cannot afford that in terms of the viability of the community, and we also cannot afford it financially.”
attendance and participation in the sacraments has taken a toll on its financial health and sustainability
To be sure, some of the church’s parishes remain vibrant and well attended. And it continues to oversee dozens of schools that educate more than 30,000 children across the metro area. But insurance and other costs have risen sharply in recent years, while the bankruptcy and the possibility of a ninefigure settlement has laid bare the financial challenges Aymond faces.
The archdiocese is following a familiar playbook in shedding its assets ahead of a bankruptcy settlement, according to Marie T. Reilly, a law professor at Penn State University and expert in church bankruptcy cases.
But even if the New Orleans archdiocese weren’t embroiled in the bankruptcy process, which has cost nearly $43 million in legal fees to date, Reilly said that longer-running trends, present across the U.S., concerning the church’s role in the community and declining attendance would likely be reducing its size and scope.
“Catholic dioceses have closed parishes and sold real estate and other assets over the last decade in part because of declining church attendance, fewer priests, declining school enrollment, increased operating costs, and general demographic shifts from church-dense urban areas to suburban areas,” Reilly said. “Dioceses in bankruptcy have these problems plus the cost of sex abuse liability.”
In late 2023, the church
STUDENTS
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going on with the body of water Air Products and Chemicals has proposed building a $4.5 billion “blue” hydrogen production plant in Ascension Parish. Hydrogen is widely used for industrial processes, but is seen as a potential manufacturing fuel with zero carbon emissions.
The company expects to capture 95% of the carbon-dioxide emissions from the production process, send the gas 35 miles north by pipeline and then inject it permanently underground beneath Lake Maurepas.
Residents, crabbers and others have opposed the plans over concerns about carbon-dioxide leaks and aquifer damage.
Khadija Henni, president of the Sharks group of science, technology mathematics and engineering students, said they wanted to do a project to help their community The students are using different technologies and computer coding platforms, like JavaScript and Python, to meet their goal.
“We might not be able to do anything to affect the progress of the (Air Products) project, but we might at least be able to help the community around and help them be a little more aware about what’s happening to their lake,” Henni said.
Mark Zweig, teacher and adviser for the group, said the students have been able to get guidance and data from other organizations like Southeastern Louisiana Universi-
In addition to the parish consolidations, the church is stepping back from other areas as well It got out of another business that serves older residents — nursing homes and hospice care two years ago, when it sold its Notre Dame Health System to northshorebased CommCare. The deal shifted more than 800 beds and apartment units in the New Orleans metro area away from the local church, which first began offering older adults housing in 1977, when Archbishop Philip Hannan founded Chateau de Notre Dame.
Given the rising costs and complexities of health care, officials said at the time it made sense to sell the four facilities to a larger system that could invest in upgraded services and facilities.
The church has also sold off a small portion of its vast real estate portfolio, which has an insured replacement value of more than $2 billion. Since 2021, it has sold former schools, community centers, office buildings and vacant lots, totaling more than $15 million. Several other potential sales are in the works. But selling church real estate isn’t as easy as it sounds. For one thing, the archdiocese says it can only sell up to $20 million worth of real estate under the terms of a 2017 agreement with bondholders. Though that deal could be renegotiated, neither side has indicated a willingness to do that, according to court documents.
Also, just because a vacant church building or shuttered former school is listed for sale doesn’t mean there’s a buyer willing to pay top dollar for it.
After Katrina, the archdiocese closed 27 churches. In the nearly two decades since, only 15 have been sold. Of those, just five fetched $1 million or more.
ty, which has been independently monitoring the lake for the same reasons.
Zweig said the group already has made a lot of progress and plans to have the app functional for demonstration by March and fully ready by April. He said the students are also looking at the “sustainability” of the app and how to keep it running for years to come.
Adalyn Farrell, Sharks secretary, said the students want to help people potentially feel less concerned about the carbon capture process.
“There’s not a lot of information on carbon capture to this extent,” Farrell said. “We wanted to give the people living on the lake a sense of ownership and security.”
In December, the students reached out to Dr Katherine Romanak, a researcher at University of Texas and its Gulf Coast Carbon Center, after reading one of her papers. The state geologist has since been providing support and information to the students.
“I think it’s an amazing cuttingedge project,” Romanak said. “It has the potential to be used as a real thing worldwide.”
The Sharks were the state winner for the national Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition. The school won a $12,000 technology prize package and advanced to the next national round of the competition for the group’s work on the carbon capture project.
Email Claire Grunewald at claire.grunewald@theadvocate. com.
from page 1B
right this wrong. Just fix this. It’s lies, it’s cover up. And the killing of my Ronnie has been condoned, for the fact that we’re going into six years.”
Five troopers and a Union Parish deputy are named as defendants in the lawsuit, which alleges officers brutalized Ronald Greene the night of May 10, 2019. In late 2022, Judge McClusky set a July 17, 2024, trial date. But two months after the scheduling order, defense attorneys requested a stay until criminal charges against the officers were resolved.
Dakota DeMoss was one of the first troopers who arrived to the scene of Greene’s beating and death. Leaked video from his body camera showed troopers repeatedly shocking and pummeling Greene. The Associated Press first publicized video of the beating in May 2021, sparking public outcry and suspicions of a long-running cover-up within State Police.
Footage of the deadly arrest sent shock waves across the state and became national news that prompted legislative hearings and federal investigations into the State Police.
Along with DeMoss, Union Parish sheriff ’s deputy Christopher Harpin and retired Master Trooper Kory York, Capt. John Peters, Lt. John Clary and Sgt. Floyd McElroy also remain as defendants in the civil case.
In December 2022, five officers were indicted in state court on felonies that included negligent homicide and malfeasance in office. Those cases faltered, and prosecutors in the 3rd Judicial District dismissed the most serious charges against many of the officers.
Master Trooper Chris Hollingsworth, the officer accused of the most violent behavior, died in a single-car crash in September 2020, hours after he was told he was being fired over his role in the Greene case, according to AP reports.
York, who originally faced a negligent homicide charge and eight counts of malfeasance, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery in October 2024. Harpin, the Union Parish deputy who arrived to the scene as troopers were struggling with Greene, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor simple battery last month. Authorities alleged he pepper-sprayed Greene while the man was handcuffed. Harpin had a six-month jail stint deferred and was sentenced to probation, according to news reports.
State and federal authorities have said there was not enough evidence to prove the officers’ guilt in Greene’s killing beyond a reasonable doubt.
Greene was 49 when he died. His mother called the legal twists and turns in the aftermath a “travesty of the justice system” that have amounted to his killing being swept under the rug.
“This wreaks of a condoned killing of another Black man. This screams, if nothing else, that killer cops are above the law,” Hardin said. “It’s been such a horrible, horrific roller coaster It’s impacted my family We’re a closeknit family and it’s devastating. Ronnie was such a huge force, a big brother to my other children. And I’m crushed that no one cares when these injustices aren’t dealt with.
“It’s deeper than those that were stolen from us. It rips a family apart, and the system needs to be responsible.”
Email Matt Bruce at matt. bruce@theadvocate.com.
STAFF PHOTO
STAFF FILE PHOTO By SCOTT THRELKELD
Offerings are taken during Mass at St. James Major Roman Catholic Church in New Orleans on Oct 29, 2023.
WrestleMania coming to New Orleans in 2026
BY CHAD CALDER Staff writer
WrestleMania
42 is coming to New Orleans next year
Movie star and wrestler Dwayne
“The Rock” Johnson, in town to make an appearance on WWE’s Smackdown underway at the Smoothie King Center, made the announcement from center ring before a roaring crowd Friday night.
“Finally WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans,” he bellowed, the camera moving in as he pointed to goose bumps on his forearm.
The WWE made the announcement on social media moments later
The event is set for Saturday, April 11, 2026 and Sunday, April 12, 2026.
In a news conference after Smackdown, Johnson said the decision to return was fairly easy, citing the New Orleans’ success hosting Super Bowl LIX earlier this month.
He cited the city’s impact on professional wrestling going back to the days of The Junkyard Dog in the early 1980s to the eight years he spent in the business full-time in the 2010s.
“New Orleans has always been an amazing city, dating back to when I had the privilege of lacing up the boots, raising an eyebrow and dropping People’s Elbows on some fools around here,” he said, calling the city a “big wrestling town.” WrestleMania 42 will be the third time New Orleans has hosted the
event, having held it at the Caesars Superdome in 2014 and 2018. WrestleMania 34 in 2018 had $175 million of economic impact on New Orleans, according to the consulting firm Enigma Research Corporation. That’s up about $33 million from an estimated $142.2 million impact four years earlier Enigma estimated WrestleMania 34 generated roughly $23.7 million in federal, state and local taxes, with $22 million spent on hotels and accommodations within New Orleans and $9.9 million in spending at restaurants and bars. It boasted an attendance of 78,133 people, and Enigma found that 79% came from outside the region and stayed an average of 3.9 nights.
New Orleans zoning board rules on hotel staffing requirement
what’s allowed in the city, but it creates unnecessary confusion,” said council President JP Morrell.
body’s time and taxpayer money. But more importantly, they’re going to leave glaring holes,” Smith said.
BY BEN MYERS Staff writer
An obscure zoning board has struck down a requirement that New Orleans hotels have staff on-site at all times, sending officials into a scramble to counter what critics have cast as a workaround for the short-term rental industry
The Board of Zoning Adjustments, a seven-member body that decides zoning appeals, on Monday ruled that a city policy requiring 24/7 staffing at hotels didn’t jibe with local ordinances, which don’t spell out when staff must be available.
The ruling could provide relief to operators of small guesthouses that have hotel licenses but can’t afford round-the-clock staffing
But some City Council members and neighborhood advocates worry the change will lead to layoffs at larger hotels, leave few protections for guests and notably shortcut the city’s temporary ban on commercial short-term rentals.
“This will not stand and become
At Morrell’s request, the city’s Department of Safety and Permits on Friday issued new guidance that, if upheld, would effectively undo the zoning board’s decision. Whether that happens remains to be seen, since zoning board decisions are final and typically require a lawsuit to change.
If all else fails, Morrell said the council will undergo the “messier” process of amending the city’s zoning ordinance, which could involve heated debate and take months
“This idea that something could be called a hotel with no staff is some bizarre Jetsons, Elon Musk, AI interpretation of what a hotel would be,” Morrell said. “It’s very disconcerting that someone would ever think the city of New Orleans would allow for that.”
Land use consultant Zach Smith, a former Safety and Permits director who pursued the appeal that resulted in the zoning board’s decision, said the department is attempting to upend zoning law, which he said is “illegal, improper and unfair.”
“It’s going to probably get thrown out in litigation, which is going to be a waste of every-
Until now, hotels have needed to maintain staff on-site “at all hours,” but that requirement isn’t spelled out in local ordinances It is instead contained in an earlier Safety and Permits memo, from 2018. The department occasionally issues such guidance — as it did on Friday — to clarify ambiguities in the zoning law.
The zoning board on Monday ruled the old memo is no longer valid because the council in 2019 amended the law to define hotels as establishments that have staffing to assist with guests checking in and out. The definition doesn’t say when staff must be present, or whether they can provide assistance remotely Smith, as permitting director, authored the 2018 memo, but now wants to undo it, citing the council’s 2019 law. Smaller properties, such as those with fewer than eight bedrooms, often can’t afford to pay for 24/7 staffing, he said. He said the council should get to work on a new zoning law amendment to better define what hotels are “The council is the land use
god. The council is chartered with responsibility for coming up with text amendments and definitions. They should not be relying on the administration to come up and backfill words,” Smith said.
Morrell said Smith is making a nonsensical technical argument “to try and create a whole new type of hotel.”
“Hotels as we understand them, using common sense, are commercial businesses that are staffed, that have someone to receive potential customers,” Morrell said. “If the city were going to endorse anything that bizarre, we would have done that in writing and changed the definition of a hotel.”
Hoteliers contacted for this story said they weren’t ready to weigh in on the zoning board’s decision.
The zoning board ruling followed an appeal by the owner of a six-room guesthouse in the French Quarter whose application for a hotel license was held up in part by a Safety and Permits request for a staffing plan.
Several people who live near the Barracks Street properties opposed the decision, saying the lack of staffing would be a safety risk for both guests and neighbors.
“If there’s a fire, who’s going
to report it first? The person on staff,” said Erin Holmes, executive director of Vieux Carre Property Owners, Residents and Associates. “It’s removing that human element of responsibility.” The guesthouse operator listed in appeal filings, Lynne Lightfoot, did not respond to messages. Lack of on-site personnel is a common complaint about commercial short-term rentals, especially larger properties that function like boutique hotel suites. The council in 2023 froze new applications for short-term rentals in commercial zones, and directed the Planning Commission to study ways to regulate them A consultant has been hired for that study which is expected to be finished this fall, according to Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration. Holmes said the zoning board’s decision effectively negates the ban.
“What we have now is a situation where all hotels can be operated as commercial short-term rentals, without people on site, without any oversight. This is really problematic in New Orleans,” Holmes said. Email Ben Myers at bmyers@ theadvocate.com.
255/70/R15$93.65
STAFF FILE PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD WrestleMania 34 was held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome
February 23, 2025
Biggio, Craig Lee
Craig Lee Biggio, age 71, passed awayonFebruary 4, 2025. Craig was bornin New Orleans and resided in Baton Rouge.Craig received his Master's Degree from LSU and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He graduated the top of his class in journalism for the Defense Information School, U.S. Marine Corps; including distinguished honors. His family is proud of his life-long commitment and advocacy of civil and human rights.Later, he became ateacher at Eden Park Elementary School Craig is survived by his brother, William F. Bigio, Jr. of Las Vegas, NV; sister, Brigitte BiggioSimoneaux of Santa Rosa Beach, FL and nephews,Dylan Biggio and Derek Simoneaux of Sarasota, FL. He is preceded in death by his parents, William F. Biggio and Marguerite Biggio. The family would like to thank the staff of Fresenius and Dr. James Morris, Dr. Satish Gadi and Dr. Smith for their compassionate care. We are forever grateful that you all gave us more time to spend with Craig.
Roosevelt "Teddy"
Brown, 87, of Baton Rouge, passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at his home. He was born on December 1, 1937, in Baton Rouge, LA to Cal and Luvenia Brown. Teddy graduated from Capitol High School in 1957. He then attended Southern University and A&M College, where he lettered in basketball from 1957-1961, and received aBachelor of Science and Master of Education plus 30. He also served in the United States Army Medical Corp for two years. Teddy married Sylvia Scott on June 6, 1964, and together they were blessed with two sons, Theodore and Roderick. He was also the proud father of his daughter Alexis. Teddy worked as an educator in the EBRPSS for 55 years, serving as a Teacher and Coach at McKinley Jr. High and Crestworth Jr. High; Dean of Students, Head Boys BasketballCoach, and Teacher at McKinley High School; Assistant Principal at Kenilworth Middle School; Student Transportation Supervisor with the EBRPSS Transportation Department; and Dean of Students at Sherwood Middle Academic Magnet School. He also served as the Assistant Director of the Baton Rouge Sports Academy, and aFinancial Services Consultant with Primerica FinancialServices. Teddywas apassionate sports fan, talented player, and successful coach. He earned many awards throughout his career and had an impressive coaching record of 453-187 at McKinley High School leading his teams to multiple playoff appearances and winning two state championships. He was inducted into the Southern University Sports Hall of Fame and the Louisiana High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Teddy is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 60 years, Sylvia Scott Brown; sons, Theodore Roosevelt Brown and Roderick Thomas Brown (Crystal), and daughter, Alexis Jones (Troy); six grandchildren, Morgan Brown Alnakib, Bianca Stevens (Tre), Chelse Green (Sidney), Alea Jones, Leland Jones, and Joshua Brown; seven great grandchildren, Mia Jones, Madison Stevens, McKensie Stevens, Elijah Green, LilyJones, Izabella Alnakib, and IzayahAlnakib; two brothers, Ollie Joe Brown (Georgia)and Harry Carter (the late Brenda Carter); three sisters, Luvenia "Peggy" Hall (the late Charles Hall, Sr.), Elouise Ricard (the late Ray Ricard), and Dianne
Joe Brown (Georgia) and Harry Carter (the late Brenda Carter); threesisters, Luvenia "Peggy" Hall (the late Charles Hall, Sr.), Elouise Ricard (the late Ray Ricard), and Dianne Marshall; and ahost of other family members and friends. Teddy was preceded in death by hisparents, Cal Brown and Luvenia Thomas Brown; sister, Idell "Baby Nell" Stampley; and brother, AlexBrown (Jackie). Visitation will be Monday, February 24, 2025 at 11:00 am until the Celebration of Life servicesat 12:00 pm, at HallDavis & Son Celebration Center, 9348 Scenic Highway, Baton Rouge,LA 70807. Internment will follow at Louisiana National Cemetery in Zachary, LA.
Clouatre Jr., John It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of John Gerick Clouatre,Jr.,who departed this life on February 16, 2025, at the age of 60. Born on August 27, 1964, in Lutcher, Louisiana, John was abelovedbrother, uncle, andfriend to many. John spent his formative years in Gonzales, LA, where he developeda deep appreciation for the beauty of nature.His love for walking, wondering, and exploring ledhim to the mountains of Hendersonville,North Carolina, which he proudlycalled home for the past two decades. The serene landscapes and tranquil environment of the mountains brought him immense joy and peace John was preceded in death by his parents, John Gerick Clouatre,Sr. and Brunhilde MaryLanoux Clouatre, and by anephew, Jeremy P. Roy. He is survived by his loving sisters: Angela C. Roy (Lynn), Julie L. Hurst (Freddie), Cecilia M. Landry, and KarenL Juban. He also leaves behind numerous cherished nieces and nephews, including Kristi H. Cadarette (Steve), Freddie L. Hurst, Jr. (Kadee), and Zach T. Roy; great-niecesand nephews, as well as ahost of extended family and friends, such as Charlene andGary Olsen, who mournhis loss. Aprivate burialservice will be held at alater date in Gonzales, LA to honor John's memory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who wish to celebrate John's life take amoment to enjoy awalk in nature,reflecting on the simple joysthathe so dearly loved. John will be remembered for his gentle spirit love of exploration, and the warmth he brought to all who knew him. He will be deeply missedbut forever cherished in our hearts.
Cathy Feig -January 2, 1943 -February 18, 2025
Cathy JinesFeig, 82, of Baton Rouge unexpectedly passedaway on Tuesday, February18. Avisitation will be held in her honor on Wednesday, February 26 at Healing Place Church, Baton Rouge,LAfrom 10:00am until aMemorial Service at 11:00am. Cathy is survived by her children Joey (Juan) Simoneaux and Jeff Schafer, as well as hergrandchildren Marissa (Abraham) Saunderson andher daughter Bailey; Brooks Schaferand Avery Schafer and their mother, Kay Martin; RyleeSimoneaux; and step grandsons Elijah Simoneaux and Holden (Katy) Simoneaux and his children Vera and Kato. She is also survived by her brother Floyd (Betty) Jines; along with many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by herhusband, Rick Feig; parents Jasper and Edith Jines; brothers Jean Jines, LeeJinesand Roger Jines.
Cathy was ahuge LSU Basketball fan and lifelong season ticket holder. As one of the fewremaining people who read an actual newspaper, she regularly spent time clipping and highlighting articlesofinterest from The Advocate and snapping photos of each to sharewith family and friends. Perhaps the only thing she lovedmore than Sunday afternoons on the patio at Superior Grill with Ricky and Wanda Mayeaux was being Maw Maw to hergrandchildrenno matter the occasion or event, she was thrilledto be there.
She will be sadly missed by her many friends and family members, but all have peace in theirhearts knowing that she is with Rick in Heaven planning their next, long-awaited adventuretogether.
by her many friendsand family members, butall have peace in their hearts knowing that she is with Rick in Heaven planning their next,long-awaited adventure together.
Entered intoeternal rest on February 18, 2025 at the age of 72. Survived by her sons, Emanuel T. Ginn, Sr. &Terrence G. Ginn, Ph. D; grandson, Emanuel T. Ginn, Jr.; great-granddaughter, Devyn Ann Ginn. Preceded in deathher godparents, Douglas and LueBertha Sterling and grandmother, Harriet Jones. Visitation Monday, February 24, 2025, Saint Joseph Cathedral Catholic Church, 401 Main Street, Baton Rouge, LA 8:30 am until religious service at 11:00 am. Entombment Resthaven Garden of Memory, Baton Rouge, LA Father Thomas F. Clark, SJ officiating. Funeral Service Entrusted to Hall Davis and Son. www.halldavisandson.c om
B. Mack Hearne, age95, passed on February 18, 2025. He was agifted musician, artist, and storyteller, gracing our lives withhis quick wit and generous heart.Mack was born on August 10, 1929, in Deweyville, Texas to Howard E. and Willie Mae (Bill) Hearne. For decades, Mack influenced and inspired hundreds of young musicians as aband director. He taught at Ouachita High School, Lee Middle School, and Northeast UniversityinMonroe, as well as Istrouma HighSchool in Baton Rouge. He founded directed,and played in the Platinum Sound Orchestra. Upon retirement,Mack opened an instrument repair business, helping countless musicians play to the best of their abilities. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Gayle Brueck, son Martin (Lisa), grandchildren Angela (Doug), Jason (Stacy), and Amy (Kris), sister Dana (Ray), niece Amanda, and nine great-grandchildren. Mack was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and his niece Dana D. Avisitation will be held February 25 at 11:00 am, with funeral service at noon at Greenoaks Funeral Home in Baton Rouge.
Linda Hodgeson passed away peacefully in Chattanooga, Tennessee on January 15, 2025 in the presence of her two sons and daughters-in-love. She was 84 years old. Linda was born May 29, 1940 in Baton Rougeand lived most of her life in Central. She moved to Signal Mountain, Tennessee in 2018. Linda was a1958 graduate of Central High School and a1962 graduate of Northwestern State College. She was aRegistered Nurse, retiring from the Baton RougeGeneral Medical Center in 2005. Linda loved sewing, camping, fishing, and tending to her yard in Central. She was astrong,hardworking, fiercely independent woman, who for many years excelled at being asingle Mom providing awonderful home life for her family. Her greatest joy in life was being a Granny. She is survived by her three children, Steve Raborn and wife Donis of
awonderful home life for her family. Her greatest joy in life was being a Granny. She is survived by her three children, Steve Raborn and wife Donis of Central; Tracey Raborn Napolitano and husband Chuan of Monument,Colorado; and Kevin Raborn and wife Genette of Hixson, Tennessee; her 7 grandchildren, Ethan Raborn, Matthew Raborn, Kate Napolitano,Jonah Napolitano, Addie Napolitano, Genna Raborn, and Thomas Raborn. She is also survived by her sister Sue Hodgeson York of Houston, Texas, and many nieces and nephews.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, William Wesley (Bill) Hodgeson and Augusta Marie Law Hodgeson; five sisters, Bobbie Hodgeson Forbes Kimbrough, Nita Evelyn HodgesonSides, Jean Hodgeson Nauman, JudithAnn Hodgeson, Elaine Hodgeson Gardner; and one brother,Jimmie Hodgeson.
Visitation will be held at Zoar Baptist Church, 11848 Hooper Road,onSaturday, March 1st from 9:30 am until memorial service at 11:00 am conducted by the Rev. Glen Miers. Interment will immediately follow at the Zoar Baptist Church Cemetery.
In lieuofflowers, the family welcomes memorial donations to theZoar Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 11848 Hooper Road, Baton Rouge LA 70818 or online at https://www.zoarbaptist.o rg/give
Brian JosephLandry, age 68, of White Castle, Louisiana, passed away in Baton Rouge on Friday, February 21, 2025, surrounded by his loving family and friends. Brian was born June 19, 1956, in Indianapolis, Indiana. In his younger years, Brian worked alongside his family at Deep SouthCrane &Rigging, ajob that took him across the country. His natural gift for sales—and his abilitytostrike up a conversation with anyone—left alasting impression on those he met along the way. His work led him to live in Mobile, Alabama, and later in Houston, Texas, before returning to Louisiana to be closer to his family.
Dressed in his signature whiteshirt, jeans, boots, and asmile, Brian lived life on his own terms. He was the life of the partyand had amagnetic personality, always ready witha joke, astory, or ahomecooked meal. He had a deep appreciation for good food, good music, and great company—and he was always on thelookout for alittle mischief. Whether it was awelltimed remark or pushing the boundaries just for the fun of it,heembraced life at full speed and never took it too seriously. Many would say he never met a stranger, and he always remembered birthdays and other special days for those around him.
Brian is survived by his mother Jacqueline B. Breaux; his father Camile J. Landry (Sandra); siblings Louis J. Relle, Jr. (Michele), Mitchell P. Landry(Louise) Regina M. Landry, and Mark E. Landry; and stepsisters Lisa Falcon (Brian) and Hope Blanchard (Jason). Also remaining to cherish Brian's memory are his son Jeremy K. Landry (Katherine), grandchildren Mazie, Mack, and Emme, and ahost of nieces, nephews, greatnieces, and greatnephews. Special friends who were always there for Brian includeYvonne "Brown" Stevens and Kirk Dupuy.
Preceding Brian in death are his stepfather, Philip J. Breaux, and maternal and paternal grandparents, Hazel and Roger Barlow and Milda and Edmund Landry.
Honorary pallbearers are Kirk Dupuy, Jeremy Landry, Louis Relle, Jr., Mitchell Landry, Mark Landry, and John Versen.
Visitation will be held Monday, February 24, 2025, from 9:00-11:00AMatOurso Funeral Home, 31885 Hwy 1, WhiteCastle. Afuneral mass will be said at 11:30AM at Our Lady of PromptSuccorCatholic Church, WhiteCastle, with Fr. Joey Pilola officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
remembered birthdays and other special days for those around him.
great nieces Darcey Cutrer Courville, Tori Cutrer,
Brian is survived by his mother JacquelineB Breaux; his father Camile J. Landry (Sandra); siblings Louis J. Relle, Jr. (Michele), Mitchell P. Landry (Louise), Regina M. Landry, and Mark E. Landry; andstepsisters Lisa Falcon (Brian) and Hope Blanchard (Jason). Also remaining to cherish Brian's memory are his son Jeremy K. Landry (Katherine), grandchildren Mazie, Mack, and Emme, anda host of nieces, nephews, greatnieces, and greatnephews. Special friends who were always there for Brian include Yvonne "Brown" Stevens and Kirk Dupuy.
Preceding Brian in death are his stepfather, Philip J. Breaux, and maternal and paternal grandparents, Hazel andRoger Barlow and Milda and Edmund Landry.
Honorary pallbearers are Kirk Dupuy, Jeremy Landry, Louis Relle, Jr., Mitchell Landry, Mark Landry, and JohnVersen.
Visitation will be held Monday, February 24, 2025, from 9:00-11:00AM at Ourso Funeral Home, 31885 Hwy 1, White Castle. Afuneral mass will be said at 11:30AM at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church, White Castle, with Fr. Joey Pilola officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Virginia Gayle Cutrer LeBlanc, age 80, passed away at home on 02/02/25. She was born Feb. 28, 1944, in Shreveport LA, but was alivelongresidentofBaton Rouge, LA. She is survived by her husband, Charles Maxwell, sister Vicki Cutrer Robertson, brother James P.(Sonny) Cutrer &wife Vicky Cutrer, niece Christy Cutrer, nephews, Jim Bob(wife Julie) Cutrer &Scott Neal(wife Theresa Kennedy Neal), Andy Davis, Paul Davis(wife Terri), great nieces Darcey Cutrer Courville, Tori Cutrer, great nephews Joshua Neal(wife Devin K. Neal, great great nephews Hunter Courville,
Rocky Louis Nicholas, 69, passed away at Baton Rouge General, February, 11, 2025, Rocky was born on May 5, 1955 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was a graduate of Istrouma High School. He was an insulation Supervisor and also worked aSPI as aWarehouse Manager where he retired. Fishing, gambling, and his favorite lifetime hobby was golf. Rocky was well known for his golfing skills, which included 9 Hole In Ones. He is survived by hisson, JodyRyan Nicholas; step-sons, Allen "BJ" Martin, Taylor Distefano; step-daughters, Tamara Martin, Brittney Distefano; six grandchildren; and onegreat-grand-
Ginn, Shirley Ann
Nicholas,Rocky Louis
Leblanc, Virginia Gayle
Landry, Brian Joseph
Hearne, Mack
Brown, Roosevelt 'Teddy'
Feig, Cathy Jines
Hodgeson,Linda Faye
"BJ" Martin, Taylor Distefano; step-daughters, Tamara Martin, Brittney Distefano; six grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. Also surviving him, sister, Dixie Gary and husband, Jeff; brothers, Odie Babineaux, Blaine Arnold, as well as many nieces and nephews that he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Nicholas; mother, Arlene Brusky; father, Albert Nicholas; grandparents, LiLi Mae and Watson King; sister, Tracey Babineaux; and brothers, Mark Maggio and Drake Babineaux. Aspecial thank you to Dixie Gary and Sheila Menck for taking such good care of him in his last days. Amemorial service willbeheld at Seale Funeral Home, Denham Springs, Friday, February 28, with visitation from 1p.m. until service at 3p.m.
Robert
Dale Painter Jr., 98, was born on April 17, 1926, to Robert Dale Painter Sr. and Lucille Millet in Gonzales, Louisiana, and was called to his eternal home on February 20, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He married the love of his life, Jean McCrory Painter, on March 28, 1957, and was adevoted and loving husband for 68 years. At the age of 16, Buddy enlisted in the United States Navy. He was proud of his country and served in World War II. After serving in the military, Buddy began his career in pipe fitting for Local 198 and was amember for 65 years. He was respected amongst his peers and thoroughly enjoyed what he did. Buddy found joy in the simple things in life, such as watching LSU and Saints football, rabbit hunting, training rabbit dogs, and most importantly spending time with his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Jean McPainter; children,
hunting, training rabbit dogs, and most importantly spending time with his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Jean McCrory Painter; children, FarleyPainter Sr. (Trudy), Uvonne Brewer and Ernie Brewer, Vickie Collard (John), and James Painter; grandchildren, Farley Painter Jr. (Maria), Gad Painter (Dana), Joel Painter (Ashley), JenniferBrewer, Amanda Brister (Brandon), Micah Collard (Betsy), and Amberlee Gaubert (Eddie); great grandchildren, Andre', Blaythe (Rori), Gavin, Jewell, Raef, Brayden, Chloe,Alexie,Elijah, Miah, Liberty, and Valor; and great great grandchildren, Hunter, Aiden, Aston, and Ethan. Buddy is preceded in death by hisparents, Robert Dale PainterSr. and Lucille Millet; his siblings, Dorothy Delatte (Emile), Joseph "JC" Painter, and Huey "Tut" Painter; and his son, Alex Painter. Those who knewBuddy will rememberhim for his infectious smile and overwhelming laughter, his deep-rooted faith in Jesus, and his unwavering commitment to spreading love and kindness to everyone he encountered. He had a rare gift for making others smile and laugh, leaving a lasting impact on allwho crossed his path. Avisitation for Buddy will be held Tuesday, February 25, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Ourso Funeral Home, 13533 Airline Highway, Gonzales, LA 70737, followed by afuneral service from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. After servicesare held, he will be laid to rest at Carpenter's Chapel Cemetery.
Stiglets, James Curtis
James Curtis Stiglets, born on July 10, 1930, in Hattisburg, MS, to JohnAlva Stiglets and Felice Delmas Stiglets, passed away at his home in Baton Rouge on Wednesday evening, February 19, 2025, at 6:15pm. He was 94. He was agraduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and served in the United States Marine Corps. Before retirement, he was both aDistrict Manager and store manager atJC Penney. He was amember
States Marine Corps. Before retirement,hewas both aDistrict Manager and store manager at JC Penney. He was amember of Rotary of Baton Rouge, JC Penney Retirement Org., and loved LSU sports. He was amember of Knights of Columbus and wasa parishioner at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Visitationwill be on Monday, February 24, 2025, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11441 Goodwood Blvd, from 9:30am until Mass of Christian Burial at 11am, celebrated by Father Edie Martin and Deacons Joe Scimeca and Paul Soileau. Entombment will follow at St.John the Baptist Catholic Church Cemetery, 402 Kirkland Ave. (River Road) in Brusly, LA. He is survived by his wife, Barbara LeBlanc Stiglets; two daughters: Cami Ann Stiglets and Robin Stiglets Ladd; and son, James "Jamey" Curtis Stiglets, Jr. He is also survived by his sister, Betty Stiglets Whittington; six grandchildren: Patrick Ladd, Curtis Ladd, Ashley Ladd, Austin Stiglets, Carson Stiglets, and Prestin Stiglets; as well as his great-granddaughter, Camille Elizabeth Ladd. He is preceded in deathbyhis parents, brothers, and sisters. Serving as Pallbearers will be Patrick Ladd, Austin Stiglets, Prestin Stiglets, Curtis Ladd,Carson Stiglets, and Billy Stiglets. Special thanks are expressed to Michelle Johnson, Chara Ervin, Pam Williams, Dr. Jeffery Hyde, Dr. LeoBlaise, and Dan and Geri Todd. In lieuofflowers, please consider adonation in his memory to either St.JudeChildren's Research Hospital or to St ThomasMore Catholic Church.
Barbara Ann Els Tschida went home to her Maker on January 5, 2025, at the ageof90.
Barbara was known for her youthfulness and beauty, and she made a lasting impressiononall those who knew her. Some of her many talentsincluded painting, cooking, deco-
beauty, and she made a lasting impressiononall those who knew her. Some of her many talentsincluded painting, cooking, decorating, and gardening.
Barbara was born on February 27, 1934, in Alexandria, La. She was preceded in deathbythe love of her life, Gregory Michael Tschida, her husband of 46 years, her infant sister, Hattie Helen Els; her parents, Grace and Edgar (Buddy) Els; and her brother, Dr. Edgar (Eddie) Els II.
Barbara is survived by her four sons—they were her pride and joy. David Brewer (Vicki), Daniel Brewer (Julie), Ralph Wright Brewer (Tina), and William Brewer.
She is also survived by 8 grandchildren Dana Brewer, Kristen Sitter (Doug), LauraWeathers, Christine Souza (Sostenes), Daniel Brewer Jr., Morgan Brewer, Taylor Alexeev (Andrew), Quade Brewer and 5great-grandchildren Gianna Sitter, Luke Sitter, Chloe Brewer, Maria Souza, and Levi Alexeev; her sister and best friend Kay Els Filostrat,brother-in-law Dr. Dimitri Filostrat,sisters-inlaw Jane Tschida, Judy Eilts, Kathy Holiday, and Nancy Casperson, and numerous nieces and nephews—all of whomshe held close to her heart
Amass of Christian burial was held on January 15th at St. Joseph's Abbey in Covington, Louisiana, followed by the interment at the columbarium cemetery. Father Angel Diaz was the celebrant assisted by Deacon Ed Kelly and Deacon Brian Klause.
Barbara's family would like to extend aspecial thank you to her loving caretakers, Nellie Sullivan and Cherise Abadie, the staff at the Hospice of Baton Rouge and White Funeral Home of Poplarville, MS.
Nancy Storey Walter, born October 12, 1940, in Tallulah, Louisiana, died peacefully in her home on the evening of February 14, 2025. She was the daughter of Sadie Mae Storey and Lesley Gilliam Storey. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 54 years, Gerald Lewis Walter, Jr. She is survived by her three children,Leslie Walter Carver (David), Gerald "Jerry" Walter III, and Hollie Walter Chitty (Marc). Her ten grandchildren: Taylor Carver (Katherine), Ashley Carver Meredith (Mitchell), Storey Carver Rotert (Will), Laura Walter, Hope Walter, Kate Walter, Hunter Chitty (Sadie), Sarah Chitty, Luke Chitty, Sam Chitty, and six greatgrandchildren Nancy attended LSU, where she met her husband, Gerald. She graduated in education,and taught school before staying home andraisingher family. Shevolunteered in the community in many capacities. She was active in Chi Omega sorority alumnae, the Junior Leagueof Baton Rouge, vacation bible school, variousclubs, bible studies, golf, bridge, and hiking. She also loved hunting andfishing with Gerald. Later in life, Nancy pursued her passion to help others by returning to school to obtain her nursing degree. She worked at Earl KLongfor several years and loved every minute of it. She later worked with The Hospice of Baton Rouge, where she hada truecalling for caring for those in need. Nancy loved her family, her friends, and her church, where she and Gerald became early members of the Chapel on the Campus. They attributed their spiritual growth as Christians to their pastor
Gerald became early members of the Chapel on the Campus. They attributed their spiritual growth as Christians to their pastor and friend, Donald Tabb. Nancy was known to share her faith and claimed Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer Iwho live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which
able care.
Painter Jr, Robert 'Buddy'
"Buddy"
Tshida, Barbara Ann Els
Walter, Nancy Storey
Nancy Storey Walter, born October 12, 1940, in Tallulah, Louisiana, died
OUR VIEWS
Lack of consequences for misbehaving prosecutors undermines justice system
Louisiana has long been a law-and-order state
That’s not likely to change.
But for such a philosophy to persist, it rests upon the integrity of those who prosecute accused criminals and the system that oversees those prosecutors.
An examination of the state’s recent history of disciplining prosecutors, however, reveals some troubling statistics
Despite a raft of exonerations in recent years — including some folks who lost decades of their lives in prison only to have their convictions overturned due to prosecutorial lapses — not a single prosecutor has been disciplined for failing to turn over exculpatory evidence since 2005.
That strikes us as a statistical improbability that strains credulity
We understand prosecutors have a tough and important job. But for them to retain our trust, they must be not just fair and honest but zealous in adhering to the constitutionally protected rights of defendants.
That means turning over any evidence that could point to the innocence of the accused to the defense. It’s what is known in legal circles as “Brady material” after the 1963 Supreme Court case that made a prosecutor’s responsibility clear
Many of the recent exonerations have hinged upon prosecutors not turning over Brady material to defendants.
A key weakness lies in how Louisiana’s system addresses such complaints. An agency known as the Office of Disciplinary Counsel is charged with investigating allegations against attorneys If it finds they have merit, it can file misconduct charges. Those charges are heard by a disciplinary board that makes disciplinary recommendations to the Supreme Court, which determines if any punishment is warranted.
The high court last sanctioned a prosecutor for withholding evidence in 2005.
Part of the reason sanctions are so rare is certainly the high bar that must be cleared to prove misconduct.
“You have to prove the prosecutor knew the evidence was exculpatory and didn’t turn it over knowing that,” Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino told reporter John Simerman “It’s not an offense of negligence.”
In some cases, so much time has passed that it can be difficult to prove misconduct, Ciolino noted.
In addition, in 2017, the state Supreme Court issued a decision that said prosecutors couldn’t be disciplined unless the court determined that the evidence was likely to tip the verdict.
Juries can be unpredictable. It’s impossible for anyone, even an experienced judge, to know how much a particular piece of evidence would have influenced their deliberations.
We know that there are many aggressive, hard-working and fair prosecutors in Louisiana’s courtrooms. And that, by and large, they are careful to make sure that their Brady obligations are met when working a case against a defendant.
But the inability or reluctance to punish those whose zeal pushes them into unethical territory risks tainting those good ones.
That’s why, given their sacred and important duty, we think prosecutors should be held to a high standard of ethical conduct
We urge state leaders, especially those responsible for oversight of the legal system, to take steps to make sure those who trample the rights of defendants face real consequences
OPINION
Fentanyl presents America with a terrible dilemma.
More than 74,000 Americans died in 2023 after taking fentanyl or other drugs with fentanyl mixed in. There is no proven blueprint for stopping the scourge. We’ve spent over half a century trying to address the problem.
As drugs go, fentanyl is fairly unique. It is easy to bring into the country because it’s trafficked in such small quantities. It’s not like marijuana, which takes up some space. Fentanyl is both profitable and lethal in tiny amounts. The drug the size of a pencil tip can be fatal.
Fentanyl is a synthetic drug made from a combination of chemicals. China is the main supplier of the precursor chemicals used to make it, with India a rising source. (A precursor chemical is a substance that can be used to synthesize another chemical.) Labs in Mexico put the chemicals together into the finished product. Fentanyl enters the country hidden in candy wrappers, toys, cellphones, coat linings. The size of the epidemic reminds us
that you that even the deadliest ingredients won’t stop Americans from taking drugs. As a weapon in Donald Trump’s tariff threats, fentanyl is a largely phony rap tossed against our biggest trading partners. Asking Mexico and Canada to help stop the trafficking of people over the border makes sense. For reasons stated, fentanyl is another case.
It’s true that most of the fentanyl entering the U.S. comes from Mexico. But as noted, its small shipment size makes interdicting most of it close to impossible.
In addition to Americans returning to the U.S., the drug is often hidden in truck tires or legitimate commercial goods. Toolboxes are a common container In the case of Canada, threats over fentanyl are nothing less than diplomatic abuse. Less than 1% of fentanyl seized entering this country came over the northern border In the first 10 months of 2024, Canada seized almost 11 pounds of fentanyl coming from the U.S. And a lot of it comes from neither
country entering American ports on ships. As a final complication, fentanyl was legally used by doctors as a pain reliever in the 1960s. If fentanyl is the big issue in trade wars, why would Trump put a 25% tariff on Canada, responsible for almost none of it — but only 10% on China, which provides most of the ingredients?
China responded that its drug laws are the toughest in the world.
“The U.S. needs to view and solve its own fentanyl issue,” it said. Canada and Mexico could put 100,000 more border inspectors on the job, and you still won’t stop fentanyl from entering. Are border guards going to take every laptop apart?
China is right. Only the U.S. can address its fentanyl problem. Our government could build a large network of drug rehab centers. That requires public dollars, and it appears that the current leadership is determined to cut health care spending, not add to it. Meanwhile, how much easier to export blame.
Froma Harrop is on X, @FromaHarrop. Email her at fharrop@gmail.com.
Many of you are prompted to write in when you have experiences that can shed light on an issue in the news.
It makes sense that those who have up-close knowledge of how something works want to clarify any misperceptions that others may have. Experience matters
It’s easy these days for everyone to be a critic without having all the facts, to advocate for tearing down institutions without any real idea of what they do.
Our audience is varied — we get engineers and scientists as well as teachers and entrepreneurs who write in to us. And many of you have specialized areas of knowledge and expertise.
Information from the inside of an issue often gives me a different perspective or raises issues I would have never thought of.
We also seek out those with experience, especially in state government, to delve into a topic.
Last week, we published an inter-
view with state Education Superintendent Cade Brumley Brumley’s experience in K-12 education in Louisiana goes very deep. He rose through the ranks, starting as a teacher in a rural district. In fact, Brumley told us he can even drive a school bus. And talking to him, I definitely got the feeling he’s spent a lifetime thinking about how to make education better It is good to know Louisiana has people like that in positions where they have the power to affect the lives of so many, whether you agree or disagree with his positions.
At the start of the year, we gave you our first Town Square topic of the year: If you could make a New Year’s resolution for the state of Louisiana, what would it be? There’s still a little more time to respond. Send your ideas to letters@theadvocate.com.
Turning to our letters inbox, we received 92 letters to the editor in the week from Jan. 30 to Feb. 6. It was a
busy week with lots of news. National politics, especially the flurry of executive orders by President Donald Trump, was at the top of the list of your concerns, accounting for 22 letters. Then there was also a large number of letters about the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr to be Secretary of Health and Human Services. Ten of you wrote in to tell us how you felt about that. Nine letters commented on the controversy surrounding the firings of leaders at Second Harvest Food Bank. Four letters commented on the Super Bowl.
We expect that as there is much activity around the downsizing of the federal government, we may have readers who are affected. If so, we would love to hear your perspective. Maybe you can tell us something about how the government works that we didn’t realize.
Arnessa Garrett is Deputy Editor | Opinion Page Editor. Email her at arnessa.garrett@theadvocate.com.
Arnessa Garrett
Froma Harrop
COMMENTARY
Radioactive gypsum shows government has a research role
Even conservatives should recognize that the federal government, in certain circumstances, has an important role in basic scientific research.
When millions and millions of cubic feet of radioactive and toxically acidic gypsum sit adjacent to a marsh, three-quarters of a mile from the Mississippi River, that’s exactly such a circumstance.
This newspaper editorialized last week about the gypsum conundrum. This is a case when a company making a product that helps feed millions produces waste materials that, alas, are worrisome enough that the government rightly regulates its storage and use. On the other hand, because those necessary government regulations are so burdensome, the profit motive alone can’t make it cost-effective for the private company to pay for research into alternative uses of the waste.
Quin Hillyer
Six years ago, the pile started shifting, threatening a collapse that could have released hazardous materials — not just radioactive, but dangerously acidic — into the surrounding marshes and neighborhoods. In Florida, a similar facility experienced breaches that caused the release of 200 million gallons of wastewater into Tampa Bay Louisiana has a high water table anyway, and of course, we’re in Hurricane Alley No matter how careful Mosaic is in trying to stabilize and neutralize its gypsum piles, the potential for disaster is obvious.
Nobody wants to shut down the company, Mosaic Fertilizer: Its phosphorous fertilizer helps boost crop yields all over the world, while the company supports jobs for many hundreds in St. James Parish But the (mildly) radioactive gypsum sits in a pile that reaches 200 feet high, spreading over more than 1,000 acres. Mosiac hopes to eventually raise the pile to 310 feet Inside those piles are 300 acres worth of well-lined lakes collecting toxic water runoff.
Indeed, without the government’s oversight, the disaster already would have happened back in 1987. The Freeport McMoRan mining company, which then owned the plant, was just weeks away — without objection from the Environmental Protection Agency from dumping the radioactive gypsum directly into the Mississippi River which, of course, is the source of drinking water for everybody downstream. It became a cause célèbre. Republican Rep. Bob Livingston, of Metairie, who was running for governor at the time, quickly jumped in to try to get Congress to put a temporary hold on the dumping. Democratic Rep. Billy Tauzin, of Chackbay, also then running for governor, soon provided assistance They succeeded in putting a
hold on the plan. New Orleans and state officials later followed to block the dumping long-term with their own legislative and regulatory tools.
Freeport President Jim Bob Moffett eventually was mollified by the idea of using the waste material for road-building. Freeport also provided millions of dollars to LSU to research other possible ideas for the waste. Alas environmentalists blocked the road-building efforts, arguing that roads, too, could be made unstable and leach contaminated gypsum via the wear of traffic or through washouts and the like. More than 30 years later, the radioactive gypsum still isn’t used for highway construction. Meanwhile, the LSU research didn’t provide enough workable ideas, leaving the massive, lined and reinforced piles as the only current option. Mosaic this year secured permission to build another pile 160 feet high next to the existing pile.
In 2021, five academicians led by Natalie Nelson of North Carolina State University authored a paper called “Hazardous Spills at Retired Fertilizer Manufacturing Plants Will Continue to Occur in the Absence of Scientific Innovation and Regulatory Enforcement.” They acknowledged that “the current global food system relies heavily on phosphorus mining and fertilizer production, and the rewards of phosphorus fertilizer inputs are experienced immediately through increased crop yields.”
But they warned that “the societal and environmental threats of a catastrophic failure remain real at dozens of phosphorus plants across the U.S.” Still, they insist that “various chemical, physical, and thermal treatment processes could be developed to remediate phosphogypsum to meet EPA radioactivity requirements, permitting its use in construction and agricultural sectors with lower risk.”
Here’s a situation where a public good nationwide — better crop yields — causes a threat to the very communities sponsoring the good. This isn’t just about profits for Mosaic; it’s about legitimate competing priorities on a macro scale. In sum, it is inherently a matter involving public policy and one which only the national and state governments might have the money, through research, to solve.
The state of Louisiana and the federal government both should make such research a priority That’s why a blunderbuss approach (rather than carefully targeted efforts) at cutting government research and grants, such as the one employed by billionaire Elon Musk and his misnamed Department of Governmental Efficiency is dangerous. It risks throwing the public safety baby into the gypsum-infused river water
There’s nothing conservative about that. Email Quin Hillyer at quin.hillyer@ theadvocate.com
Ever so tentatively, Kennedy breaks with Trump on Russia
For the first few weeks of the new Trump administration, a lot of people were hanging on the words of one Louisiana U.S. senator, Bill Cassidy as he publicly struggled over whether, as a physician, he could bring himself to support someone with little knowledge of federal health care programs and deep skepticism toward proven lifesaving vaccines to run the Department of Health and Human Services. (Spoiler alert: Cassidy could and did provide the decisive vote to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation).
The opposite was true of Cassidy’s junior colleague from the state. U.S. Sen. John Kennedy no relation to the legendary Democratic clan from which RFK Jr descends — always has plenty to say, but aside from some colorful and often blithely offensive word choices, it’s rarely interesting Unlike Cassidy, who has a track record of at least occasionally staking out his independence from the Republican Party and its newly returned president, Kennedy is utterly predictable in defending everything Donald Trump says and does, no matter
how dangerous or outrageous
So it was actually pretty interesting last week to hear Kennedy step out of line, if only briefly
The subject matter was an incredibly important one, American policy toward Ukraine and Russia
Trump has bashed Ukrainian
president Volodymyr Zelenskyy,
going so far as to call him a dictator and blaming him for getting his country invaded by its aggressively hostile neighbor He’s parroted Russian conditions for ending the war, sent top administration officials to open peace talks with Russia without Ukraine or
our European allies, and insisted that Russia wants to “to stop the savage barbarianism” it started.
He’s making plans to meet with Vladimir Putin and talking about welcoming his country back into the world community
Trump’s respect for strongmen in general and Putin particular has alarmed many who worry about maintaining our country’s leadership in the world, and its defense of both territorial sovereignty and democratic values.
But not many Republicans currently in office are speaking out.
So I’ll give Kennedy credit for this: Last week, in a roundabout way that was definitely designed not to directly criticize Trump, he did.
“To the extent that the White House said that Ukraine started the war I disagree,” Kennedy said. “I think Vladimir Putin started the war I also believe, through bitter experience, that Vladimir Putin is a gangster I trust this guy like I trust gas station sushi.”
Speaking with reporters, he said that “Vladmir Putin has a black heart. He clearly has Stalin’s taste for blood” and is “an evil man.”
That’s some welcome actual straight talk from a guy who’s prone to cloaking naked political attacks in the language of plainspoken truth-telling. He did so in
the very same conversation with journalists, in which he labeled the committed government workers losing their jobs and the vital programs being undermined as part of Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE initiative as mere “bureaucrats” and “spending porn.”
He also made it clear he’d only go so far in addressing Trump’s shocking reorientation of American foreign policy Asked in follow-up whether he thinks it’s a mistake to normalize relations with Russia, he responded by saying he rejects the question’s premise.
So, to borrow a phrase from that other John Kennedy we’re not exactly talking profile in courage material here.
But it’s something.
Or it could be, if Kennedy decides to really stand up to the administration when it’s time for Congress to do its job and vote — and maybe even rally his colleagues, many of whom surely agree with him even if they’re not saying so. Because one thing we don’t need is another senator who talks a good game but, at crunch time, backs off.
We’ve already got Bill Cassidy for that.
Email Stephanie Grace at sgrace@theadvocate.com.
Spat highlights our leaders’ increasing lack of decorum
Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not the foul-mouthed, cussing type. It makes me want to holler when some of you can’t say more than two or three sentences without including a four-letter word. Actually it’s the five-letter “b” word that especially galls me because it references women who I prefer to call by a five-letter “q” word that means royalty And don’t get me started about people using the “n” word. There are quite a number of words — and even abbreviations that you won’t catch me using. Well, not on the regular in any given day, week, month or year Certainly there have been those moments in the many decades of my life when I stunned myself when one somehow crossed my lips in a moment of losing-it anger I think it was some level of anger that caused Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis to call out the governor on social media, using the “a” word that is a synonym for but-
thole. For that offense, Lewis on Wednesday lost his commission role as vice chair Frankly, there are a few perks, but it’s not even a ceremonial job. There are no clear duties and responsibilities — except one: If for some reason the chair is unable to do the job, the vice chair steps up. That’s happened only twice in recent years. Once when former GOP congressman Clyde Holloway was serving as commission chair when he died in October 2016. The vice chair served as chair for a few weeks. Another time when a commission chair moved to another state. Lewis was vice chair when the Wednesday meeting started at 9:12 a.m. He was not vice chair when the meeting ended at 12:21 p.m. There wasn’t a lot of notice. The Wednesday agenda was distributed on Feb. 10, about two weeks ago. A supplemental agenda, including an item to remove Lewis as vice chair, was added Friday and posted online Monday Lewis
posted his comment in response to an unnecessary post from Landry about Robert F. Kennedy Jr being confirmed for his role as health and human services
secretary Lewis told me that he had a scheduled meeting with commission chair Mike Francis on Friday but the chair canceled it an hour before it was scheduled to start.
There’s no part of the Louisiana Constituton, state law or board policy that says members can’t cuss.
There’s no part of the constitution, state law or board policy that regulates board functions such as electing leaders.
In a Jan. 15 X post, Lewis proudly announced that he had been reelected commission vice chair He didn’t say that it was a unanimous vote. He didn’t say that he and the other commissioners unanimously reelected Francis, a Republican, as chair
In a Wednesday X post, Lewis, a Democrat, denounced the Republican Party as “full of hypocrites” after a majority of his colleagues voted to withdraw the vice chair honor with a nonunanimous vote,
3-2.
To be fair, Lewis didn’t simply use that word to criticize Landry On Feb, 13, the governor supported the confirmation of Kennedy as the nation’s health and human services secretary, calling him a “major upgrade” from Dr Rachel Levine, a trans woman pediatrician who is the first female fourstar admiral in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. Oh, and she wasn’t our health and human services secretary She was an assistant health and human services secretary Lewis posted his Landry comment the same day According to Lewis, that day Francis sent him a text using the same word. Take Commissioner Eric Skrmetta’s November public comment when Lewis was asking for his respect as a duly elected public official and commission colleague. Skrmetta’s response: “Not a chance.” Skrmetta got the vice chair job Wednesday When he delivered his “Seven Words You Can’t Say on TV” monologue in 1972, comedian
George Carlin said “Be careful with words. I like to think that the same words that hurt can heal. It’s a matter of how you pick them.”
I like to think we should be careful with our words and not use obviously offensive words or even non-offensive words strung together to be offensive.
It’s one thing for a majority of the nation’s voters to elect as president someone who is so vulgar that he regularly spews foul language. It’s another for Republicans to go low, low, low with him. It’s another thing for a Democrat to get in the mud and aim to outdo the cussing GOP leader of the country and nasty GOP colleagues. Lewis and supporters said his Landry comment had free speech protection. What about free decency?
Landry was wrong. Lewis was wrong. Francis was wrong. Skrmetta was wrong. The commission demotion was wrong. Enough said.
Email Will Sutton at wsutton@ theadvocate.com.
Stephanie Grace
Will Sutton
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By BEN CURTIS Sen. John Kennedy, R-Madisonville, speaks during a confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in January.
Baton Rouge Weather
LSU men put scare in No. 2 Florida
BY TOYLOY BROWN III Staff writer
The Pete Maravich Assembly Center was as raucous as it has been all season
LSU men’s basketball was leading by six points against the second-ranked team in the country at halftime, but the Tigers were unable to maintain that level of energy during a poor second half in their quest for a third straight victory The end result was a 79-65 loss to No. 2 Florida on Saturday at the PMAC.
“Credit to Florida, really good basketball team,” third-year LSU coach Matt McMahon said. “I think when you look at the story of the game, obviously, they physically dominated us in the painted area.” Robert Miller had career-highs of 19 points and 10 rebounds for LSU (14-13, 3-11 SEC). Curtis Givens had 11 points, four assists and zero turnovers, but LSU’s leading scorer Cam Carter accounted for just seven points on 3-of-13 shooting Florida’s Rueben Chinyelu had a careerhigh 19 points and 13 rebounds.
LSU used the same four-guard lineup as
ä See SCARE, page 5C
LSU’s Curtis
drives to the basket over Florida’s Rueben Chinyelu in the first half of their game Saturday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center
LSU angles to help players earn more money
BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer
As LSU gets ready to pay players for the first time, athletics officials believe they found a way to exceed the cap on how much money they can spend by arranging outside name, image and likeness deals instead of using the department’s NIL collective. LSU joined a program last year started by Playfly Sports, its longtime multimedia rights partner, designed to find NIL deals. The future of booster collectives is unclear with revenue sharing expected to begin this summer, and officials think the initiative, NILSU Max, will provide a legal way for athletes to earn more than the school can give them.
LSU plans to pay players the projected maximum of $20.5 million allowed in the first year of a settlement in three federal antitrust cases. The House settlement must be approved in April by U.S District Judge Claudia Wilken.
“We feel at LSU we have a competitive advantage with other schools because of our brand and who we are,” LSU athletics’ director of revenue generation Clay Harris said.
ä See LSU, page 6C
SPORTS
LSU in
good spot with SEC, Big Ten influence growing
They called it “Go fever” — the headlong rush by the U.S. in its Cold War space race with the thenSoviet Union to get to the moon before 1970 — to deliver on the deadline set by America’s martyred president, John F. Kennedy
College athletics has been caught up in its own version of “Go fever” over the past three or four years. Conferences have been ripped apart. Decadeslong rivalries have been dismantled. The authoritarian hand of the NCAA, which once banned schools from paying for student-athletes’ snacks and strong-armed LSU into cutting loose former men’s basketball coach Will Wade for shenanigans that are now mostly legal, has retreated like a melting glacier
Stepping into the void are the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten. College sports’ two most powerful conferences, perhaps soon to be the only two major conferences, are telling the rest of major college athletics how they want things run. Or else.
Wednesday at New Orleans’ Windsor Court Hotel, SEC and Big Ten commissioners, athletic directors, football coaches and lawyers (oh
yes, there were lawyers) wrapped up meetings. Little was revealed as to what was discussed regarding the College Football Playoff, other than that the two leagues want the CFP to do away with byes for the top four conference champions and go to straight seeding. That plan is likely to meet with a stone wall of opposition Tuesday when the CFP Management Committee, which includes the other eight conferences and Notre Dame, meets in Dallas. Any CFP changes
BY REED DARCEY Staff writer
Kim Mulkey, the LSU women’s basketball team and their next opponent have a history
Remember the Virginia Tech team that the Tigers defeated in the 2023 Final Four? Kenny Brooks, the coach of those Hokies, is in his first season at Kentucky, the program he’s now building with an assist from point guard Georgia Amoore.
“Never heard of ‘em,” Mulkey said Thursday with a smile and a wink. “No, you know what I think of Kenny Brooks. I mean, I just love that guy.”
Mulkey and Brooks haven’t shared a conference until this season, yet their teams met four times in the previous nine years, including twice in the NCAA Tour-
ä LSU
ä See RABALAIS, page 6C
nament. Mulkey’s teams have taken all four matchups, starting with her 2015-16 Baylor team’s regular-season meeting with Brooks’ James Madison squad. The next season, Brooks took the job at Virginia Tech and began slowly building the Hokies into a national title contender They earned three bids to the WNIT, then collided with Mulkey’s Baylor team in the second round of their first trip to the NCAA Tournament under Brooks. The Bears won that 2021 matchup 90-48 and advanced to the Elite Eight, where they lost to UConn. LSU lured Mulkey away from Baylor a few weeks later By the end of her second season in charge, the Tigers had reached the Final Four earning themselves that clash
Kim Mulkey STAFF FILE PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK
Scott Rabalais BySTAFFILLUSTRATION TANyARAMIREZ
PHOTO By PATRICK DENNIS
Givens
LSU bats wake up in 2nd game
BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer
The LSU lineup had its issues to begin last season.
The Tigers were held to six runs in two games on opening weekend against Central Arkansas. Before Southeastern Conference play began, they suffered 5-2 and 2-1 losses.
Scoring didn’t seem to be an issue to begin this season. LSU tallied 45 runs in four games against Purdue Fort Wayne and Southern. But through the first eight innings of Saturday’s doubleheader against Omaha, the Tigers couldn’t buy a hit, let alone a run LSU was hitless through the first 72/3 innings in Game 1 with the Mavericks at Alex Box Stadium. Trailing 5-0, sophomore Ashton Larson’s single broke up the no-hit bid.
“We’ve actually had kind of a game like this the second weekend three years in a row here,” LSU coach Jay Johnson said, “which is frustrating .”
The Tigers made a furious comeback attempt, scoring four runs before there were two outs in the ninth. But Larson struck out and sophomore Steven Milam flew out to end the game with runners on the corners.
The Tigers lost 5-4, but the ninth-inning resurgence woke up their bats, as they won Game 2 of the doubleheader 12-1 to clinch the series.
“If you want to take a positive from today that was it,” Johnson said regarding the Tigers’ offensive resurgence “I told the team between games (that) I was having a conversation with Dylan Crews the day he left, and I don’t even know how we got on the topic — he was just like, ‘You know what you have right after you lose a game.’
“I thought they responded great. And you know, that’s what I’ll choose to focus on.”
In the later game, LSU (6-1) had 13 hits with five going for extra bases. Milam, junior Jared Jones and freshman Derek Curiel had multiple hits. Jones drove in five runs, and senior Josh Pearson had a pair of RBIs.
The Tigers kicked off the scoring by driving in a run apiece in the second and third before scoring three in the fifth. A sacrifice fly from junior-college transfer Tanner Reaves who led off and played third base in his first start for LSU — drove in a run prior to a two-run single from Jones.
LSU then added three more runs in the sixth and four more in the seventh. Included in the offensive barrage was a run-scoring single from Incarnate Word transfer Dalton Beck, his first hit with the Tigers.
“I just think we stopped trying to do too much,” Jones said. “Like coach Johnson always says, trying to do too much isn’t a plan, and I think we kind of controlled the zone a lot better.”
The LSU pitching was phenom-
enal once again, except for one inning.
UC San Diego transfer and right-hander Anthony Eyanson and junior right-hander Chase Shores — LSU’s starters in games 1 and 2, respectively combined to allow no runs on six hits in 11 innings.
Eyanson tossed six innings while striking out seven and allowing just two hits on 93 pitches.
He walked two batters and surrendered a double in the first two innings, but allowed only two hits from then on. His outing was the longest start from an LSU pitcher this season.
“I wanted to strike more people out on the fastball,” Eyanson said. “I think that worked a little bit more today.”
Shores threw five innings while
striking out six, and he didn’t surrender an extra-base hit. He utilized his sinker to induce six groundouts.
“Strikeouts are great,” Shores said. “But if I can throw a first pitch sinker down the middle and get a groundout, I think that’s huge for going deep in games.”
Infield defense has been a strength for the Tigers to begin the year They’ve yet to commit a fielding error or make an errant throw through seven contests.
“That gives us a chance in every game,” Johnson said.
The LSU bullpen in Game 2 was nearly as good as the starters. Wofford transfer and right-hander Zac Cowan threw two shutout innings before the game got out of hand in the eighth, and Nicholls State right-handed transfer Jacob Mayers walked in a run.
The unit’s struggles instead came in the seventh inning of the first game. In a scoreless tie, LSU’s offensive woes placed a lot of pressure on the bullpen, and for the first time this year it cracked.
After replacing Eyanson, Texas transfer and right-hander Grant Fontenot hit both batters he faced. Dallas Baptist righthanded transfer Connor Benge, who recorded a pair of outs on seven pitches Friday, replaced Fontenot and surrendered a runscoring single before throwing a wild pitch that allowed a second runner to score Benge struck out the next two batters but then gave up a threerun home run to right fielder Jackson Trout. The blast handed Omaha (2-5) a 5-0 lead. It was the first homer LSU had surrendered this year
“We made a mistake right when he came in the game, which he knew he made a mistake with a sign,” Johnson said. “(It) caused a problem defensively that really opened the two runs up. But he almost got us out of it.
“And credit to Trout. He’s a good hitter.”
LSU is back in action Monday against Nicholls State. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m., and the game can be streamed on SEC Network+.
Healthy again, LSU OF Paul counts blessings
BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer
Mic Paul woke up on the morning of April 1 last year with a swollen left shoulder It felt like someone had attached a pump to his left arm. But he also wasn’t in any pain, so the LSU outfielder got out of bed and started the rest of his day as he normally would. He went to the ballpark — LSU had just gotten back from a three-game road trip at Arkansas lifted weights and then saw the training staff.
“I think I slept on my side, so (when) I woke up it was kind of like numb a little,” Paul said. “Just swollen, no bruising or anything like that.” But his visit with the trainers quickly was followed by a trip to the hospital. After being admitted to the emergency room and undergoing a variety of tests, Paul was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome — a condition where blood vessels located between the collarbone and the first rib are compressed.
“It was hard because for the test
like, ‘Hey, you should probably get your parents on the phone.’ “
in the spot that he’s in right now.”
Cavaliers big man Allen injures hand vs. Knicks
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ latest blowout victory included an unexpected bump.
Center Jarrett Allen hurt his right hand at some point in the first half of Cleveland’s 142-105 rout of the New York Knicks on Friday night, an injury that could leave the NBA’s top team without one of its key players. Allen was set to undergo an MRI on Saturday, an off day for the team. The Cavs, who improved to a league-best 46-10 with their most-lopsided win ever over New York host the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday Allen played just a few minutes in the second half before the Cavs announced he would not return.
Fresno St. players held out amid gambling probe
Fresno State suspended two of its top men’s basketball scorers and removed a third player from the team in the midst of a gambling investigation, according to a report.
ESPN.com reported Saturday that Jalen Weaver and Zaon Collins were “being withheld from team competition as it reviews an eligibility matter.” The third player, Mykell Robinson, has not played since Jan 11 and is no longer on the team.
Fresno State (5-23, 1-16 Mountain West) was trying to snap a nine-game losing streak on Saturday when it faced Air Force. The Bulldogs lost 72-69.
The Fresno Bee initially reported on the school’s internal investigation. School officials then contacted the NCAA, which is now conducting an investigation.
Potgieter maintains edge during PGA’s Mexico Open Aldrich Potgieter has the lead going into the final round of the Mexico Open, despite a sloppy finish Saturday that made him settle for a 4-under 67 and a one-shot advantage over Brian Campbell at Vidanta Vallarta in the Mexico Open. Potgieter, a 20-year-old from South Africa, started with a fourshot lead and held off one challenge early from Stephan Jaeger who closed within one shot after six holes.
The next challenge came from Campbell, who at times was 50 yards shorter off the tee than Potgieter but made up for it with his putter, including a 60-foot birdie on the par-3 ninth.
Potgieter was leading by three shots with two holes left before running into trouble.
American Yin builds huge lead at LPGA Thailand
Angel Yin birdied three of her final four holes on the front nine to set up an 8-under 64 on Saturday to take a five-stroke lead into the final round of the LPGA Thailand tournament.
The American, 26, had a threeround total of 21-under 195 at Siam Country Club’s Pattaya Old Course.
Akie Iwai of Japan, who led after the first two rounds, shot 71 and dropped into second place She stumbled with her first bogey of the tournament on the ninth hole.
The event is the first stop of the LPGA’s Asian swing before the tour moves to Singapore and China over the next two weeks.
they do, an ultrasound can’t really pick it up because it’s underneath the collarbone,” Paul, now a redshirt sophomore, said. “So you kind of have to look at the surrounding areas. And originally, it pretty much didn’t show anything.
The CT scan looked good.
“They’re like, ‘Hey, we’ll just take a look at you next week.’ And then they came back five minutes later,
The pinching caused by his first rib to a blood vessel had created blood clots in his shoulder One of the clots had broken off and gone to his lung, causing a pulmonary embolism.
“Kind of a long process, scary process, but something I’m very thankful for,” Paul said. “I think you can kind of get caught up in the day to day and you don’t realize how many blessings and gifts you have.”
He was in the ICU for four days, undergoing multiple procedures before going back to the hospital a week later to have his first rib removed. He returned to the hospital over the following months for surgeries meant to expand his blood vessel and allow more blood to flow into his arm.
Paul was on blood thinners for six months before he was cleared to play in October
“If everybody was exactly like him, the world would be a better place. We would be a better team,” LSU coach Jay Johnson said. “... I don’t know that every guy that we have could go through that and be
Paul is 100% healthy and back on the field He played in each of LSU’s first five games, going 2-for3 at the plate with a walk.
The LSU outfield is arguably the deepest part of the team with three returning starters, Auburn transfer Chris Stanfield, standout freshman Derek Curiel and junior Ethan Frey But Johnson still believes Paul will find a way to earn playing time this season. Even before his medical situation, the plan was for Paul to redshirt last year
“He’s going to play in a lot of games this year,” Johnson said, “and as a junior player next year, senior player the following year, that’s a guy I’m excited to have in the program.” Throughout it all, even as he was lying in an ICU bed with his baseball career in jeopardy, Paul’s thoughts never drifted into a dark space. His mind was at peace.
“Kind of one of those situations where you just become very thankful for all the blessings you have,” Paul said, “and opportunities to just play baseball in the first place.”
Yin’s best finish in four appearances at LPGA Thailand was a share of third in 2021.
Russian teen caps big tennis week with victory Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva beat Clara Tauson 7-6 (1), 6-1 in the Dubai Championships on Saturday to earn the biggest title of her career
The victory will earn Andreeva her debut in the top 10 of the rankings next week — the first 17-yearold to achieve that since Nicole Vaidisova in 2007. It caps quite a week for Andreeva, who also had wins over 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, five-time major champion Iga Swiatek and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina to become the youngest player to defeat three major champions at a single event since Maria Sharapova at the 2004 WTA Finals. She also became the youngest player to reach the final of a WTA 1000 event.
STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON LSU outfielder Mic Paul tracks the flyball on Feb 16 at Alex Box Stadium. Paul is contributing this season after suffering from thoracic outlet syndrome in 2024.
PHOTO By PATRICK DENNIS
LSU outfielder Derek Curiel celebrates his stand-up double in the second inning of LSU’s 4-2 win over Omaha on Friday at Alex Box Stadium.
LSU softball overcomes biggest deficit of 2025
BY JIM KLEINPETER
Contributing writer
A game in which LSU softball faced its biggest deficit of the season turned into a rout Saturday at Tiger Park
The No 6 Tigers tallied a season-high 14 hits, and Tatum Clopton provided 31/3 innings of scoreless relief in a 12-5 victory against Southern Mississippi during their first game Saturday in the LSU Invitational.
The Tigers used the same script in the second game, falling behind 2-0 against Nicholls State before turning that game into a 12-2 rout in a five-inning game shortened by the mercy rule.
The Tigers (14-0) came from behind twice against Southern Miss and took the lead for good in the fourth inning. Maci Bergeron tied the game with a run-scoring double, and McKenzie Redoutey continued her hot hitting with a base hit to put LSU ahead to stay
The LSU bats kept going in the fifth as Jalia Lassiter gave her team some breathing room, 7-5, with a twoout, run-scoring single. Two batters later, Redoutey hit a two-run double to give her eight RBIs in the last three games. Lassiter, Danieca Coffey and Tori Edwards had run-scoring hits in the sixth to pour it on.
“I liked seeing our team in a lot of different spots and being able to weather the storm,” LSU coach Beth Torina said. “They did a good job of finding ways, finding answers for all the things today Maybe they weren’t some of our prettiest moments, but it takes what it takes. They were able to figure it out.”
Star LSU freshman lefthander Jayden Heavener had a rough night in the circle. In the second inning, she surrendered a three-run homer to Kayce Bennett, a redshirt freshman who played at nearby Live Oak High School in Watson. It was the first career homer for Bennett, who entered the game batting .179. It was also LSU’s largest deficit of the season and the third time it has trailed. The Tigers tied it in the bottom half of the inning on a run-scoring single by Avery Hodge and a two-run
homer by Coffey, the sixth of her career Coffey was on base four times with a triple, a homer and two walks, and she had three RBIs against Southern Miss. Heavener ran into bigger trouble in the fourth when she allowed two runs without surrendering a hit. With two outs and the bases empty, she hit No. 9 batter Madison Moak and walked the next two batters to load the bases Then she hit the next two batters to force in two more tuns for a 5-3 Southern Miss lead She allowed three hits, four walks, four hit batters and struck out six during her outing.
“She’s a freshman. There are going to be ups and downs,” Torina said. “No one is going to walk through a perfect season as a freshman. This is all to be expected. She’s in good shape. The next outing she throws may be the best one yet.”
Clopton slammed the door shut, getting Mikaila Fox on a fly ball to left field to end the fourth. She then retired nine of the next 10 batters without allowing a runner past second base. The only threat came after a walk, an error by Coffey and a sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third with one out. But Clopton, a transfer from Oklahoma State, struck out Moak and Hannah Christian looking to snuff out the
threat. She struck out four and walked two without allowing a hit.
Southern Miss dropped to 4-10.
“Like (assistant coach)
Bryce (Neal) tells us all the time, it’s not about the scoreboard, it’s about hunting pitches all the time,” Coffey said. “That’s something we’ve gotten better at.
“We showed resilience. Long term when we do get into situations, we know we can trust ourselves no matter what the score.
LSU 12,Nicholls State 2: Edwards hit her second grand slam and team-best fourth home run of the season in a six-run third inning as the Tigers had another big offensive game.
Bergeron hit a three-run double in the second inning and McNeese State transfer Ashley Vallejo scattered seven hits to win her second game. She walked one and struck out one.
Lassiter had two hits, drove in two runs and scored three times.
Nicholls (6-9) got a two-run double in the first inning by Brynne Songy and Claire Sisco and Reagan Heflin had two hits each in the game.
LSU was scheduled to play Nicholls in the finale of the event at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, but that game was canceled because inclement weather in the forecast.
Crawley makes impact in HBCU Legacy Bowl
BY SPENCER URQUHART Staff writer
Former Grambling quarterback Myles Crawley got to start in the HBCU Legacy Bowl for Team Robinson, which was named for legendary Grambling coach Eddie Robinson.
Crawley completed 6 of 10 passes for 90 yards, including the game’s longest completion for 58 yards, in Team Robinson’s 17-14 win over Team Gaither at Yulman Stadium.
Crawley’s 58-yard pass to Savannah State wide receiver Da’Shun Mitchell set up a 22-yard field goal by Tennessee State kicker James Lowery to put Team Robinson up by 10 with 13 seconds left in the third quarter
“I really had fun playing with all the top athletes around HBCUs,” said of the game played for the fourth straight season in New Orleans. “Then just being able to show the scouts what I can be at the next level. Show that I’m a big, athletic quarterback that can make every throw on the field.” Team Robinson scored first on a drive led by the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Crawley that was capped by a 10-yard touchdown run by Florida Memorial running back Walter Wilbon.
“The guys have been performing at a high level, and they came out and showed it today,” Team Robinson
coach T.C. Taylor said.
“(Crawley) had a great week. He led the team all week long and did everything the right way He came and took to coaching, and you saw it out here today.”
Team Robinson orchestrated another scoring drive in the second quarter to take a 14-0 lead. Florida A&M quarterback Daniel Richardson capped the drive when he found Fort Valley State wide receiver Dejuan Bell for a 9-yard touchdown. Mitchell led Team Robinson with four receptions for 89 yards, and Bell was the second-leading receiver with two catches for 25 yards. Wilbon led the way in rushing with 18 yards and on five carries.
“We had a couple guys from Savannah State (Mitchell and Jhaydon Sullivan) that made some plays,” Taylor said “Just a cast of characters that played well, but we’ve been seeing it all week.”
Team Gaither scored its first points as time expired in the first half after Tennessee State quarterback Draylen Ellis found college teammate and wide receiver Jalal Dean for a 6-yard score. Ellis connected with Dean again from 10 yards out for Gaither’s second touchdown, but they Team Gaither was unable to score again after Alabama State safety Amon Scarbrough intercepted Ellis with 1:28 remaining to
BY CHARLES ODUM AP sportswriter
HAMPTON, Ga. — A massive fine leaves
Chase Briscoe facing a huge points deficit heading into Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway Even so, Briscoe insisted he feels no new pressure. He said he already felt an urgency to win this week because those are the expectations at Joe Gibbs Racing, his new NASCAR home.
“I mean, I feel like I’m in a must-win situation just starting at JGR,” Briscoe said Saturday “Like you need to be winning at JGR. So yeah, I don’t feel like it changes anything from that standpoint.”
Ryan Blaney won the pole on Saturday for Sunday’s race. Two other Team Penske drivers, Austin Cindric and Joey Logano, will start second and fourth.
“Hopefully the first stage you can control but it’s not going to stay that way the whole race,” Blaney said of the potential for the teammates to help each other Briscoe won the pole for last week’s Daytona 500 and finished fourth before NASCAR announced on Wednesday its inspection found Briscoe used a modified spoiler on the No. 19 Toyota in time trials. Joe Gibbs Racing was docked 100 driver/ owner points and 10 playoff points and fined $100,000 Also, crew chief James Small was suspended for four races.
Small is still coordinating Briscoe’s plan for Sunday’s race as the team appeals the devastating penalties. Briscoe was left with negative 67 points and dropped from 10th to 39th in the standings.
“You know, if we don’t win the appeal, you’ve kind of used up your mulligans,” Briscoe said.
Briscoe acknowledged “I was bummed” on Wednesday before realizing he had to approach the Atlanta race with the same goal for his No. 19 Toyota.
William Byron surged from ninth on the final lap of overtime to win the Daytona 500, giving the Hendrick Motorsports driver a repeat win in the sport’s biggest race.
Daniel Suarez won in Atlanta last February edging Blaney and Kyle Busch in Atlanta’s closest finish. Suarez beat Blaney by only 0.003 seconds, the narrowest margin at any 1.5-mile track.
Logano won Atlanta’s second race last year in the opener of the NASCAR playoffs.
Briscoe qualified 25th in his Toyota. Suarez will start 29th.
Josh Berry qualified third as Ford drivers earned 10 of the top 11 spots in the lineup. Kyle Busch qualified sixth in his
Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing.
Hendrick eyes three straight
Chase Elliott, who won in Atlanta, his home track, in 2022, opened this season by winning the Clash. Byron will start 16th, Kyle Larson will be 17th and Elliott 19th as Hendrick Motorsports drivers will be looking for a third straight win to launch the season.
The last year a team won the Clash and the first two points races was in 1997 when Hendrick Motorsports’ Jeff Gordon won the first three races.
Preece tries to stay grounded
Ryan Preece, who will start 11th, said “I feel fine” following a scary crash at Daytona in which his No. 60 Ford became airborne and flipped It was the second time his car flipped at Daytona, following another terrifying crash in 2023 that left him with two black eyes the following week. Preece had no black eyes on Saturday but said he hopes he doesn’t have another similar scare.
“I joke with my wife that I’m like a cat with nine lives right now,” Preece said. “You don’t want to use all nine of them.” New iron man
Martin Truex, who retired from full-time racing after last season and finished
seal the victory Alabama State defensive linemen Trequan Thomas was named defensive player of the game after recording multiple sacks.
“You saw (Thomas), he gave us some replays,” Taylor said “In the secondary you’ve got some guys that have a shot to play at the next level with (Kendall) Bohler, Rob McDaniel. They’ve got a lot of what the NFL’s looking for, and we knew that would be an advantage for us today.”
New Orleans native Travis Martin, a former Langston star, saw time at defensive back.
“I had to make the best of my opportunities when I got in the game,” Martin said.
“I wasn’t a starter, but that I did my part. Made plays, made tackles.”
The win for Team Robinson evens up the series at 2-2.
“It was a great week,” Taylor said. “These guys made a great impression on scouts starting with the combine on Sunday and then the week of practice leading up. To be a part of that win here today means a lot.”
Former Grambling quarterbacks Doug Williams and James “Shack” Harris were in attendance.
“It means a lot,” Crawley said. “Especially with the greats Doug Williams and Shack Harris. I’m just trying to put on like they did.”
STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
LSU center fielder Jalia Lassiter slides into home after a Penn State passed ball in the third inning on Friday at Tiger Park.
THE VARSITY ZONE
BR teams dominate indoor meet
Robin Fambrough
McKinley’s Brown was coaching legend
It’s another crossover season with championship events, basketball playoffs and regular seasons for several spring sports. Few people appreciate a good crossover — whether it’s a season or a dribble more than me.
Today I am thinking about a coach who loved all things basketball.
Longtime McKinley boys basketball coach Roosevelt “Teddy” Brown died earlier this week at the age of 87.
Brown
Though some tributes to Brown rightfully cite his 1981 championship team that defeated Ouachita 58-46 to win the Class 4A title, the one I’ll always remember is the 1993 title team.
Baton Rouge had three teams led by legendary coaches in the Class 4A semifinals at LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center — Brown (McKinley), Kenny Almond (Woodlawn) and Gary Duhe (Plaquemine).
Woodlawn beat St. Martinville in one semifinal and McKinley topped Plaquemine by three points in the other McKinley then edged Woodlawn 41-40 in overtime in front of loud capacity crowd for the championship. By today’s standards, two teams scoring in the 40s would barely raise an eyebrow The coaches and players all knew each other so well and it factored into how the teams played that night. Obviously, both teams wanted it so bad and they gave it all they had. So did the coaches So much passion. So much energy. Former players will tell you Brown was a teacher first. He spent 55 years working in the East Baton Rouge Parish school system. His record at McKinley was 453-187.
Brown’s record as a human being was even better He was one of many coaches who accepted me, without hesitation, when I started covering high school sports fulltime in 1991. I always had a seat at the scorer’s table or nearby He answered questions honestly returned phone calls when I left messages at the front office. Yes, we did that back in the day Brown, Almond, Duhe, Harvey Adger, the late Joel Hawkins and others got it. And they got to me and my basketball roots as someone who grew up in Kentucky
There is one other game I remember: Tara at McKinley, a few years later The late Larry Grantham instructed Tara to hold the ball. Rather than force the issue, Brown had McKinley stay in its zone defense and wait. What we got were four vignettes, each about 15 to 20 seconds long, at the end each quarter It was three-dimensional chess match on an 84-foot basketball court. I’d like to think Brown and Grantham are talking about that one now Godspeed, coach Brown. Playoffs x 2
The LHSAA’s girls basketball playoffs continue Monday with the regional round. Then on Tuesday, the boys basketball playoff brackets for all eight select/nonselect divisions along with Classes B-C will be released by the LHSAA. Girls quarterfinals follow on Thursday, a day before most boys teams begin their playoffs.
Email Robin Fambrough at rfambrough@theadvocate.com
St Joseph’s, Catholic, Parkview Baptist take crowns at LHSAA event
BY CHRIS CHAPPLE
Contributing writer
Baton Rouge teams claimed three of the four team titles and all four runner-up team finishes in the LHSAA indoor track and field meet Saturday at LSU’s Carl Maddox Fieldhouse.
Multiple individual titles were earned by athletes from local teams.
St. Joseph’s Academy (50 points) and Parkview Baptist (62) won the Division I (Class 4A-5A) and Division II (Class 3A and below) girls titles. Catholic High (52) won the Division I boys title.
Zachary (34 points) and Madison Prep (52) were the Division I and II girls runners-up. Scotlandville (40) and Glen Oaks (51) were the Division I and II boys runners-up.
Catholic and St. Joseph’s finished strong with 4x400 relay wins.
SJA dropped the baton in the
4x200 girls relay But athletes like senior Michelle Daigle made up some of the points. Daigle was projected to finish sixth in the 3,200 and finished third.
“It’s exciting to win state,” Daigle said. “I ran as hard as I could in every event. It was a team effort.”
Daigle won the 1,600 in 5 minutes, 6.75 seconds, and was the anchor on the winning 4x800 relay team (9:47.68). SJA won its fifth state indoor title and first since 2022.
“We had girls step up,” SJA coach Vernon Langley said “Our 4x400 team was ranked second. They came out and did exactly what I asked them and really competed.”
Parkview’s sister duo of sophomore Lucy Cramer and freshman
Molly Cramer were stellar and finished 1-2 in the 1,600 and 3,200.
Lucy Cramer won the 1,600 in 5:11.73 and the 3,200 in 11:17.93. Lucy Cramer was second in the 800 (2:17.61) behind Madison Prep’s Dynasty Wilfred (2:17.04). Parkview’s 4x800 team of Georgia and Macey Theriot and Molly and Lucy Cra-
mer got the Eagles rolling with a first-place finish in 9:52.44.
“We ran a good time in the 4x800 relay and I didn’t run as fast as the anchor to save myself for the other races,” Lucy Cramer said. “Molly and I were happy with our 1,600 and 3,200 times. We got the lead and kept a good pace. Our team has really worked hard Winning state is amazing.” Catholic’s 4x400 relay team of Harrison Lalande, Christopher McCullen, William Decuir and Amari Clayton rallied with two strong last legs to finish in 3:25.24. Scotlandville’s team of D’Adario Conway, Ferzell Shepard, Dylan Evans and Fayden Brown ran a close second in 3:25.29 Scotlandville was third entering the event and surged past Jesuit to finish second.
“It was exciting to win state,” said Decuir who was second in the 800 in 1:58.81 and was part of the thirdplace 4x800 team. “The 4x400 relay was fun.” Clayton, a Nicholls State football signee, was second in the 400 meters in 50.74.
Glen Oaks, which won the Division II boys title in 2024, was two
points behind Lake Charles College Prep entering the 4x400. In a backand-forth race, Lake Charles won in 3:29.19 and Glen Oaks was second in 3:32.53. Lake Charles won the Division II boys title with 55 points. University (33) and Parkview Baptist finished third and fourth in boys. East Ascension’s Kristen Mcgirt won the Division I girls shot put with a 48-foot, 6-inch throw The throw was a Division I state meet record and was more than 10 feet farther that the second-place toss. West Feliciana’s Tristen Harris set a Division I girls meet record with her 20-21/2 long jump. Harris also won the 60 meters in 7.44 seconds.
Parkview Baptist’s Aiden Monistere was a double winner He won the 1,600 (4:23.13) and the 3,200 (9:34.49). Monistere beat his own Division II meet record in the 3,200. He was second in the 800 meters (1:57.01) to Calvary Baptist’s Jackson Burney (1:56.56). Monistere was part of Parkview’s fourth-place finish in the 4x800. It was Monistere’s 14th state running title including outdoor track and cross country
St. Paul’s edges Catholic for Division I state championship
BY WILLIAM WEATHERS
Contributing writer
St. Paul’s and Catholic High were two teams with unconventional starts to the season that had the final word when this year’s Division I state champion was crowned.
Senior forward Holger Padilla scored in the 72nd minute to break a tie and send the No. 6 Wolves to a 2-1 victory over the No. 4 Bears on Saturday in the LHSAA boys state soccer championship at SLU’s Strawberry Stadium in Hammond.
“I’m pleased with my team,” Catholic soccer coach Jonathan Brunet, who led the Bears to the state final for the fifth time in six years. “I’m pleased with the effort and all of the hard work they’ve put in this season. You could say the same for them.” Catholic (16-4-3) was just 2-1-3 in the first six games of the season. The Bears put together an eight-game win streak in the final month of play, including the district title over Baton Rouge High and the school’s 11th trip to the state championship game which resulted in a sixth runner-up finish.
“At the beginning of the season when we had some losses, I was kind of down as the captain,” Catholic senior Cooper Allen said “But seeing our team come back, get to the state final and become a runner-up, that’s just amazing to see.”
St. Paul’s (22-5-3) was 7-4-2 in early January, but didn’t lose again the remainder of the way
The Wolves, which won their past 12 games, claimed the school’s 12th state championship and first as a sixth-seeded team.
“Every year you get a different set of kids. There might be some returners, but this group had a really special personality to them,” St. Paul’s coach Sean Moser said.
St. Paul’s broke the scoreless game in 47th minute on a 60-yard run from Liam Dannels-Smith. He avoided a slide tackle from Catholic’s Cooper Allen and uncorked a 10-yard shot that beat Catholic goal Santi Occupati (three saves) to the right corner of the net. That triggered a run of three goals in the second half.
The Bears, which had a nearmiss from Mac Couhig off the right post in the 33rd minute, nearly tied the game in the 64th minute. Max Chamberlain’s headed a corner from Caden Bland, a
shot that carried over St. Paul’s goalie Felix Aceves, but an alert play from defender Tyler Smith resulted in a header out of danger Allen, the starting center back, moved to forward with 30 remaining and the results paid dividends. Couhig maintained possession against a couple defenders, dished off to his left where Allen beat Aceves on a 10-yard shot to the left for a 1-1 tie in the 67th minute. The momentum lasted five minutes when St. Paul’s Outstanding Player Bryce Bordes sent in a cross from the left into the 6-yard box where Padilla shielded off Catholic defender Noah Romaine to score the game-winning goal.
“They just finished their chances really well,” Allen said. “Props to them. “It was an emotional rollercoaster to be honest.”
LHSAA STATE SOCCER
STAFF PHOTOS By MICHAEL JOHNSON
St Paul’s defenseman Liam Murphy, right, clears the ball from Catholic striker Marcus Couhig during the first half of their Division I state title game on Saturday at Strawberry Stadium in Hammond St. Paul’s won 2-1.
Catholic striker Ben Jewett reacts to missing a shot against St. Paul’s in the first half.
Pelicans rave about Olynyk’s early impression
BY ROD WALKER Staff writer
Less than 90 seconds into his
first game with the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, Kelly Olynyk showed one of the reasons he’s stuck around the NBA for 12 seasons.
Olynyk picked up a pass deflected by Trey Murphy, took a couple of dribbles and lofted a pass from halfcourt right into the hands of a soaring Zion Williamson, who completed the alley-oop with a thunderous slam.
Not bad for a 6-foot-11 center
“I was a point guard growing up, so that’s how I learned to play basketball,” Olynyk said. “(Zion) has a big catch radius, so you just throw it up and let him go get it. Now it’s
about helping him see where he can get some easy ones.”
Olynyk’s final stats (four points, three rebounds and three assists) in the Pelicans’ 111-103 loss to the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center may not have jumped off the page. But his plus/minus was plus-11, the best of any Pelican in Olynyk’s first game with the team that he joined just two weeks ago as part of the Brandon Ingram trade.
“It was fun to get out there with the guys finally,” Olynyk said. “Obviously, it was like a big hiatus for me. It was like two or three weeks where I hadn’t practiced or played a game. So it was fun to get out
1:58.34. 2. William Decuir, Catholic High, 1:58.81. 3. Keeton Johnson, Leesville, 1:59.70. 3,200: 1. Brady Monahan, Jesuit, 9:31.81. 2. Noah Mooney, Brother Martin, 9:32.13. 3. Augustin Juneau, Catholic High, 9:32.75. 4x400: 1. Catholic High, 3:25.24. 2. Scotlandville, 3:25.29. 3. Ruston, 3:28.46. Division II Team scores: 1. Lake Charles College Prep, 55. 2. Glen Oaks, 51. 3. University, 33. 4. Parkview Baptist, 32. 5. Delhi Charter, 24. 6. Highland Baptist, 22. 7. Mansfield, 20. 8. Episcopal, 16. 9. ARCA, 15. 10. Sterlington, 13. Field events Long jump: 1. Jaydan Hamilton, Mansfield, 22-2.25. 2. Nathan White, Sterlington 22-.0.50, 3. Tayven Carter, Delhi Charter, 21-11.75 High jump: 1. Rafael Cuartas, Houma Christian, 6-2.75. 2. Ty’kimion Ford, Slaughter Community Charter, 6-0.75. 3. Catron Hargrove, Glen Oaks, 5-10.75. Triple jump: 1. Cameron Brazzle, Lake Charles College Prep, 47-3.75. 2. Tayven Carter, Delhi Charter, 46-9. 3. Braylon White, Lake Charles College Prep, 46-1.50. Shot put: 1. Lamar Brown, University, 54-4. 2. Curtis Harrison, Northeast, 52-2.75. 3. Justin Suire, Highland Baptist, 48-7.75. Pole vault: 1. Lucas Owens, ARCA, 14-5.25. 2. Beau Domengeaux, Ascension Episcopal, 13-11.25. 3. Eli Parich, Catholic High New Iberia, 12-11.50. Track 4x800: 1. Lake Charles College Prep, 8:27.47. 2. University, 8:27.70. 3. Glen Oaks, 8:29.73. 60 hurdles: 1. Jaden Youngblood, Mansfield, 8.08. 2. Jamarcus Young, Glen Oaks, 8.38. 3. Austin Geisler, Berwick, 8.64. 60: 1. Keidron Thomas, Delhi Charter, 6.91. 2. Erin Moore, University, 6.94. 3. Jermaine Brown, Kentwood, 6.95. 1,600: 1. Aiden Monistere, Parkview Baptist, 4:23.13. 2. Tyler Blissett. 2. Highland Baptist, 4:25.13. 3. Owen Melancon, Westminster Christian, 4:29.61 4x200: 1. Lake Charles College Prep, 1:32.25. 2. Glen Oaks, 1:33.43. 3. University, 1:33.56.
400: 1. Kaleb Bigwood, Hamilton Christian
50.36. 2. Catron Hargrove, Glen Oaks, 50.37. 3. Careion Franklin, Lake Charles College Prep, 50.97. 3,200: 1. Aiden Monistere, Parkview Baptist, 9:34.49. 2. Tyler Blissett, Highland Baptist, 9:42.79. 3. Anderson Frank, Episcopal School of Acadiana, 9:45.36. 4x400: 1. Lake Charles College Prep, 3:29.19. 2. Glen Oaks, 3:32.53. 3. Episcopal, 3:34.23. Girls Division I Team scores: 1. St. Joseph’s, 50. 2. Zachary 34. 3. Lafayette, 26. 4. Alexandria, 26. 5. West
Feliciana, 22. 6. East Ascension, 20. 6. Barbe, 20. 8. Lutcher, 19. 9. Mount Carmel, 17. 10. Scotlandville, 16. 10. Warren Easton, 16. Field Pole vault: 1. Olivia Woods, St. Thomas More, 13-0.25. 2. Scarlett Petticrew, Lafayette, 11-5.75. 3. Miranda Weeks, Mount Carmel, 11-5.75. Shot put: 1. Kirsten McGirt, East Ascension, 48-6. 2. Kaci Fulton, Barbe, 38-3. 3. Laylah Branch-King, Alexandria, 38-0.25. Long jump: 1. Tristen Harris, West Feliciana, 20-2.50. 2. Jaelyn Jones, St. Joseph’s, 18-2.50. 3. Ciera Cammon, Lutcher, 17-1 High jump: 1. Addilyn Dufrene, John Curtis, 5-5. 2. Julia Jenkins, Covington, 5-3. 3. Shelby Ledet, Airline, 5-3. Triple jump: 1. Ciera Cammon, Lutcher, 373.25. 2. Noelle Williams, Alexandria, 36-11. 3 Bethany Long, Lafayette, 36-7 Track 4x800: 1. St. Joseph’s, 9:47.68. 2. Teurlings Catholic 9:51.86. 3. Lafayette, 10:04.65. 60: 1. Tristen Harris, West Feliciana, 7.44. 2. Marley Richard, Destrehan, 7.56. 3. Talar Johnson, Zachary, 7.67. 4x200: 1. Scotlandville, 1:45.09. 2. Zachary 1:45.44. 3. Alexandria, 1:46.03. 1600: 1. Michelle Daigle, St. Joseph’s, 5:06.75. 2. Grace Keene, Northshore, 5:07.30. 3. Emma Aldana-Huegla, The Willow School, 5:08.91.
400: 1. Kennedi Burks, Barbe, 54.36. 2. Jaleyia Woods, Woodlawn, 55.44. 3. Alexandria Stewart, St. Joseph’s, 56.50 800: 1. Madison Bailey, Hahnville, 2:18.00. 2. Aaliyah Lane, Warren Easton, 2:18.06. 3. Riley Siner, Lafayette, 2:19.45. 60 hurdles: 1. Katie Truett, East Ascension, 8.98. 2. Serenity Early, Zachary, 9.04. 3. Courtney Smith Denham Springs, 9.06. 3200: 1. Catalina Reichard, Mount Carmel
11:11.33. 2. Emma Aldana-Huegla, The Willow School, 11:18.18. 3. Michelle Daigle, St. Joseph s, 11:22.32. 4x400: 1. St. Joseph’s, 4:03.94. 2. Zachary 4:05.94. 3. Woodlawn, 4:07.62. Division II
Team scores: 1. Parkview Baptist, 62. 2. Madison Prep, 52. 3. St. Louis, 48. 4. Country Day, 28. 5. Lake Charles College Prep, 25 6. Menard, 24. 7. Episcopal, 21. 8. Lafayette Christian 17. 9 Delcambre, 14 10. Port Allen, 13. 10. Northlake Christian, 13 Field High jump: 1. Emma Smith, Delcambre, 5-3.75. 2. Mackenzie Hayes, Northlake Christian, 5-3.75. 3. Semaj Malveaux, Lake Charles College Prep, 5-3.75. Long jump: 1. Zoey Hodges, Episcopal, 17-1.50. 2. Madison Brown-Adams, Cabrini 16-9.25. 3. Alaysia Titus, Lafayette Christian, 16-8.50. Pole vault: 1. Cami Harrison, Menard, 113.75. 2. Anna Myers, Castor, 10-00. 3. Olivia Marcantel, Menard, 9-6.25 Shot put: 1. Leilani Hudson, Lafayette Christian, 36-1. 2. Carly Meynard, Menard, 35-0. 3 Chidera Ajoku, St. James, 32-11.25. Triple jump: 1. Jada Recasner, Newman, 346.25. 2. Naryah McAllister, Lake Charles College Prep, 34-3.75. 3. Dedricanna Johnson, Port Allen, 34-1.50. Track 4x800: 1. Parkview Baptist, 9:52.44. 2. Country Day, 9:57.94. 3. St. Louis, 10:08.81. 60: 1. Makayla Miller, Madison Prep, 7.76. 2. Diamond Bossier, Lafayette Renaissance Charter, 7.79. 3. Nakyiah Polk, Port Allen, 7.84. 4x200: 1. St. Louis 1:42.71. 2. Madison Prep, 1:44.00. 3. John F. Kennedy, 1:49.06. 1,600: 1. Lucy Cramer, Parkview Baptist, 5:11.73. 2. Molly Cramer, Parkview Baptist, 5:13.12. 3. Raine Goldenberg, Country Day, 5:15.26. 400: 1. Hannah Boullion, St. Louis, 55.90. 2. Malajia Hubbard, East Iberville, 58.75. 3. Halee Jackson St. Louis, 58.80. 800: 1. Dynasty Wilfred, Madison Prep, 2:17.04. 2. Lucy Cramer, Parkview Baptist, 2:17.61. 3. Coco Alvarado, Country Day, 2:20.33. 60 hurdles: 1. Makayla Miller, Madison Prep, 9.03. 2. Dynasty Wilfred, Madison Prep, 9.10. 3. Kelsey Bomersbach, Vermillion Catholic, 9.55. 3,200: 1. Lucy Cramer, Parkview Baptist, 11:17.93. 2. Molly Cramer, Parkview Baptist, 11:22.31. 3. Neva Lambert, Episcopal, 11:33.17. 4x400: 1. St. Louis, 3:55.99. 2. Lake Charles College Prep, 4:05.53. 3. Madison Prep, 4:06.11.
there. Obviously shaking some rust off to get back in rhythm.”
He shot 2 of 6 from the floor and missed both of his 3-point attempts, but he appreciates the open looks he gets playing alongside a guy who draws the attention Williamson does.
“Everybody gravitates towards (Zion) because he plays with such force,” Olynyk said. “He puts so much pressure on defenses at the rim that it just opens things up.”
The sample size is small, but Pelicans coach Willie Green likes what he’s seen so far
“He’s picking it up,” Green said. “He’s a vet. He’s been in situations where he’s been on a few teams. We all kinda run similar plays and have similar concepts. The terminology may be a bit different, but he’ll pick
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it did last game, which included freshman guards Vyctorius Miller and Givens against Florida (243, 11-3).
LSU was tense on offense to start as Daimion Collins made the only two field goals for the Tigers in nearly the first eight minutes of the game. The rut LSU was in on offense allowed Florida to steadily find good looks inside and on the perimeter Robert Miller was the second LSU player to score, making a 3-pointer with 12:11 left in the first half.
Florida especially was alert defending Carter, who started 1 of 4 from the floor and was being run off of the 3-point line. The Tigers were forced to create offense late in the shot clock and were shooting over strong contests on most possessions.
LSU’s fortunes were altered thanks to the final seven minutes of the first half. Its defense began to create easy offense right after Robert Miller made a pair of free throws to cut the Tigers’ deficit to eight with five minutes.
On LSU’s following defensive play, Carter aggressively jumped a passing lane to get a steal. He dished it to Dji Bailey, who threw a cross-court pass to Mike Williams in the left corner The sophomore pump-faked a defender into the air and sidestepped into a 3-pointer, making it a five-point
MULKEY
Continued from page 1C
with Virginia Tech, Brooks and Amoorein the semifinals.
In Dallas, Amoore, Elizabeth Kitley and four complementary players built a 12-point lead by the 5:40 mark of the third quarter before letting LSU storm back, win 79-72 and reach the national championship game for the first time in school history
The Tigers won the rematch at homeintheSEC/ACCChallengethe following season a few months before Brooks made the jump to Kentucky which is now 10-3 in league play ahead of its top-15 matchup withLSUonSunday(3 p.m.,ESPN).
“Same system,” Mulkey said. “Same kind of players. A lot of those players are now with him at Kentucky.”
The No. 14 Wildcats’ two leading scorers followed Brooks from
it up quickly He’s an extremely talented player with his ability to pass, stretch the floor and rebound. He brings more size to our group, so we’re excited to get him and have him on the floor.”
Olynyk didn’t just make his debut. He was in the starting lineup Friday alongside CJ McCollum, Murphy, Williamson and Yves Missi. It was the 31st lineup Green has used in a season filled with injuries.
“He reads the game really well,” Williamson said. “When you have someone like that with a high IQ for the game, he’s looking to make that pass. I feel like with him, it’s not going to take long at all for the chemistry to be there.”
Olynyk is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds over his career that has included stints with the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz and Toronto Raptors. Green is impressed with more than just Olynyk’s size and his ability to stretch the floor
“It’s his professionalism,” Green said. “Guys that compete who have been in this league that long, they understand what it takes every season, every practice, every shootaround, every film session.”
Olynyk is expected to make his Smoothie King Center debut Sunday when the Pelicans (13-43) host the San Antonio Spurs (24-30). The Spurs are without second-year center Victor Wembanyama, who the team shut down for the remainder of the season after he was diagnosed last week with a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder
game with 4:58 left.
With four minutes left in the half, Givens passed the ball to Robert Miller on a pick-and-roll, and the 6-foot-10 big man threw down a one-hand dunk to make the score 29-26 with LSU trailing.
“Rob Miller really has invested a lot of time,” McMahon said.
“You see him getting better and better every time out. Skill level on full display tonight.” Miller then drained a pick-andpop 3-pointer to tie the game. Bailey gave LSU its first lead, drilling a right-wing 3-pointer for a 32-31 advantage with 2:39 left in the half. The Tigers repeatedly forced Florida to pick up its dribble prematurely Florida was uncomfortable with LSU’s defensive activity, which helped LSU close the final seven minutes of the first half on a 22-2 run. The Tigers entered halftime leading 37-31. Miller had 12 points and made multiple 3-pointers for the first time in his career Florida coach Todd Golden said that LSU “punked” his team during that stretch of the first half. McMahon said that stint was the best his team has defended all season, but it didn’t carry over to the second 20 minutes.
Florida regained the lead after Walter Clayton made a jumper for a 49-48 advantage with 12:16 remaining. The Gators did not relinquish it for the remainder of the game. Thomas Haugh and Chinyelu imposed their will as 6-9 and 6-10 bigs, respectively. They combined for 35 points and 23 re-
Virginia Tech to Kentucky One of those players is Amoore, the fifthyear senior point guard who guided the Hokies to the Final Four in 2023.
The Australia native never has scored more points, assisted more buckets or converted more of her field goals than she has this season. In fact, only one Division I player has a higher assist average than Amoore, who’s also scoring 19.0 points per game on 43% shooting. Amoore played under Brooks for three of his four matchups with Mulkey In those contests, the veteran point guard scored 20 ppg, but she shot only 36% from the floor and 27% from 3-point range while assisting on an average of just three field goals.
Now Amoore is running one of the most efficient offenses in the Southeastern Conference.
Since the calendar flipped to 2025, only two SEC teams are converting either their total field goals or their 3-pointers at a higher rate than Kentucky
bounds for the Gators.
“Defensively, I thought we drilled down, did a better job of taking away their high pick-androll game,” Golden said. “A big part of this win for us tonight was (rebounding) plus-15 on the glass gave ourselves secondchance opportunities.”
Florida had 48 rebounds, 19 on the offensive side.
Carter never was able to find his rhythm because of immense attention Florida paid to him.
“I thought they did a really good job from an effort standpoint of flying at our shooters,” McMahon said. “I thought they ran at (open looks) with urgency to contest or run them off the 3-point line. And just got him a couple looks just wasn’t his night to knock those down.”
LSU also was looser with its ball security in the second half. After having only one turnover in the first half, it finished with seven and allowed 12 points of those miscues.
Florida went on a 15-3 run to take a 75-59 lead with 2:55 left in the game. LSU was outscored 4828 in the second half.
Jordan Sears of LSU scored his 2,000th career point after his first made shot of the game. Sears split his first four seasons between Gardner Webb and TennesseeMartin.
LSU’s next game is against No. 6 Tennessee at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the PMAC.
Email Toyloy Brown III at toyloy.brown@theadvocate.com
which is fighting for a top-four seed in the conference tournament a year after it dropped 12 of 16 league games.
“They’re having an outstanding season,” Mulkey said. “See, that portal does wonders for you, doesn’t it? It can either help you or hurt you, and man, he’s just transformed that program in one year because of the portal, because of those kids coming there.”
Aneesah Morrow is expected to return to the floor against Kentucky after she sat out LSU’s Thursday win over Georgia to rest a foot contusion.
The No. 7 Tigers will need her for each of the final three games of their regular season: road matchups with the Wildcats and No. 18 Alabama and a home game against Ole Miss, which is slotted at No 13 in the NCAA’s latest NET rankings. With a win over Kentucky, LSU would clinch a double bye in the SEC Tournament.
Lanier leads Vols to win over Aggies
By The Associated Press
COLLEGE STATION,Texas Chaz Lani-
er had a season-high 30 points, including 8 3-pointers, and No. 6 Tennessee defeated No. 7 Texas A&M 77-69 on Saturday Lanier, a senior transfer from North Florida, went 8 of 13 from beyond the arc and 10 of 18 overall in game that featured 11 lead changes and eight ties. Jordan Gainey made a 3-pointer with 3:33 to left to give Tennessee (22-5, 9-5 Southeastern Conference) a 63-59 lead. Zakai Zeigler hit a 3 in front of the Vols’ bench on an inbound pass with 21 seconds remaining to seal the victory NO 1 AUBURN 82, GEORGIA 70: In Auburn, Alabama, Johni Broome scored a season-high 31 points and added 14 rebounds as No. 1
Auburn defeated Georgia on Saturday For the second straight game, Auburn (25-2, 13-1 SEC) found itself in a tight contest against an unranked opponent before pulling away in the final minutes.
NO 5 HOUSTON 68, NO. 8 IOWA STATE 59: In Houston, L.J. Cryer scored 28 points, Milos Uzan added 19 points and No. 5 Houston held on to beat No. 8 Iowa State on Saturday Cryer and Uzan combined to shoot 18 of 27, including 8 of 12 on 3-pointers. Emanuel Sharp added 11 points for Houston (234, 15-1 Big 12), which won its sixth straight.
Milan Momcilovic scored all 16 of his points in the second half to
lead a furious rally for the Cyclones (21-6, 11-5). Nate Heise added 12 points, and Tamin Lipsey scored 11.
NO 9 TEXAS TECH 73, WEST VIRGINIA
51: In Lubbock, Texas, JT Toppin scored 22 points, freshman Christian Anderson had a season-high 21 points with five 3-pointers in his first career start and ninthranked Texas Tech beat West Virginia on Saturday Toppin and the Red Raiders (216, 12-4 Big 12) overcame a slow start, with the 6-foot-9 reigning AP national player of the week making nine of his last 10 shots after missing his first six. Tech fell behind 24-15 when missing 18 of its first 23 shots before ending the first half with a 15-3 run to go ahead to stay OREGON 77, NO. 11 WISCONSIN 73: In Madison, Wisconsin, Nate Bittle
had 23 points and Jackson Shelstad made a desperation 3 to force overtime as Oregon beat No. 11 Wisconsin on Saturday Bittle, a 7-foot center scored six points in overtime to help snap Wisconsin’s five-game winning streak. Shelstad scored 13 points as the Ducks (20-8, 9-8 Big Ten) extended their winning streak to four games. NO 18 CLEMSON 79, SMU 69: In Dallas Jaeden Zackery had 19 points, including a career-best five 3-pointers before halftime, plus six rebounds, seven assists and five steals to help No. 18 Clemson beat SMU Saturday. Chase Hunter added 17 points and Viktor Lakhin had 16 for the Tigers (22-5, 14-2 Atlantic Coast Conference), who are tied for second with Louisville and one-game behind Duke.
Southern men cruise past Grambling
Guard Johnson leads the way with six 3-pointers, 22 points
BY CHARLES SALZER
Contributing
writer
Continued from page 1C
for the 2025-26 cycle require unanimous consent. That means major changes for this playoff cycle such as seeding seem to have a Hail Mary’s chance of being enacted. That stone wall is crumbling, however After this playoff cycle, a memorandum of understanding reportedly exists that will transfer control from the CFP Management Committee to the SEC and Big Ten. The Big Two still will be required to consult with the other conferences and Notre Dame about changes, but we all know who’s in charge here. It’s like a family with two parents and three kids trying to decide where to go on vacation.
Unlike Southern’s 67-60 win on Jan. 18, Saturday’s game didn’t go down to the final seconds. Southern led by as many as 13 points in the final minutes and didn’t let Grambling get closer than six.
The turning point came five minutes into the second half after Grambling had taken a 47-43 lead. Southern came right back with a 10-0 run and never trailed again.
Cam Amboree, who finished with 13 points, started the Jaguars’ move with two driving baskets
Southern’s Jordan Johnson has shown flashes of precision shooting at times this season, but everything came together for him in Saturday’s game at Grambling Johnson made six 3-pointers and scored a career-high 22 points leading Southern to a 71-64 win over Southwestern Athletic Conference rival Grambling. The win leaves Southern (18-9, 13-1 SWAC) three games ahead of Jackson State in the league standings. Grambling (9-18, 6-8) is still in position to make the conference’s postseason tournament, but is in danger of missing out on a first round bye
He added a steal, an assist and two more drives as Southern went on to outscore Grambling 22-5 over a nine minute stretch.
Grambling scored six straight points to pull within 65-58 with four minutes left. The Tigers had a chance to get closer, but MIkale Stevenson’s 3-pointer from the right wing was too strong. Amboree went down the lane for another basket, and Southern made just enough plays in the final two minutes to pull out the win.
The Southern offense also got help from Michael Jacobs, who scored 12 points. Brentay Noel and DaMariee Jones each had six rebounds as Southern outrebounded Grambling 35-33.
Chilaydrien Newton led Gram-
bling with 13 points while Stevenson and Kintavious Dozier each scored 11. Southern led nearly the entire first half, but never by more than four points over its last 10 minutes. The Jaguars got two quick 3-pointers from Johnson as they took a 9-0 lead two minutes into the game. Grambling fought back and eventually took its only lead of the half 19-18 after a 3-pointer from Dozier
Southern led by four points twice in the last four minutes of the half.
In the final minute, Stevenson scored on a jumper and a drive to the bucket, and Southern led 38-37 at halftime.
The Jaguars finished the half with six 3-pointers, four from Johnson.
Southern women throttle Grambling from jump
BY CHARLES SALZER
Contributing writer
There wasn’t much that went wrong for the Southern women’s basketball team in the first three quarters of its Southwestern Athletic Conference game at Grambling on Saturday
The Jaguars played so well that they easily withstood a six-minute scoring drought to open the fourth quarter as Southern posted an easy 70-47 win. The win was the fifth consecutive for Southern (14-13, 12-2) and kept the Jaguars near the top of the SWAC standings. For Grambling (11-14, 8-6), the loss snapped a three-game winning streak as the Tigers were held to their lowest point total of the season Grambling scored the game’s first bucket and kept the score close as Southern took a 15-9 lead after one quarter After Grambling’s Kahia Warmsley scored to slice the margin to four points, Southern held the Tigers scoreless for eight straight minutes.
The defensive surge allowed Southern to concoct a 16-0 run. D’Shantae Edwards and Aleighyah
LSU
Continued from page 1C
“We’re trying to capitalize on that to go over and beyond that $20.5 million per year the right way.”
The athletic department received approval to move forward Friday when the LSU board of supervisors approved an amended contract between the school and Playfly through 2032, revealing one of the first signs of what LSU’s strategy will be in the revenuesharing era. The deal begins July 1, the same day the settlement would take effect nationwide. Baylor and Penn State also joined the Playfly Max program last year
“Our work together through the Playfly Max platform will provide robust personnel support on campus to help LSU student-athletes maximize NIL revenue opportunities,” Playfly Sports Properties president Christy Hedgpeth said in a statement. According to the contract, LSU granted Playfly the “exclusive right” to provide NIL services on behalf of the athletic department. Playfly staff members will try to find deals for LSU athletes through existing and new sponsorships. Harris said LSU has more than 100 corporate sponsors that Playfly currently manages for the department.
LSU officials thought this was important because the settlement
Fontenot each made 3-pointers to help Southern take a 31-11 lead.
Sharonica Hartsfield of Grambling finally made a layup with six seconds left, but DaKiyah Sanders for Southern banked in a long 3-pointer to give the Jaguars a 34-13 halftime lead.
Sanders also closed out the third quarter with a last-second scoop shot and led Southern with 15 points. Fontenot made two of Southern’s six 3-pointers and totaled 12 points, while Soniyah Reed and Tionna Lidge each scored 10.
Aniya Gourdine turned in another all-around game with six points, five rebounds and six assists for the Jaguars Southern made 18 of 23 free throws in the game, and took its largest lead at 55-23 after Reed made a pair of free throws with 2:44 left in the third. Grambling responded with an 8-0 run while taking advantage of four Southern fouls that were whistled in a 30-second span.
Arianna Mosley was the only Grambling player in double figures with 10 points For the game, Grambling made 15 of 53 shots (28.3%) and went 14 for 25 at the foul line.
includes an NIL enforcement arm aimed at curbing pay-for-play recruiting activity that has grown through collectives.
NIL deals of more than $600 will have to be disclosed to a clearinghouse operated by Deloitte The NCAA has said agreements with boosters or collectives must meet fair market value and provide a “valid business purpose” to be approved.
How that will be determined remains unclear But LSU deputy athletic director Keli Zinn said the new system means NIL deals will need to be legitimate, as they were originally intended.
“The settlement is seeking to either mitigate or eliminate traditional donor dollars who provide massive amounts of money in exchange for little or no business purpose,” Zinn said. “This allows us to have a team of people via corporate entity to go out and secure those opportunities with the thought being those will then get submitted and approved because there’s much more of a valid business purpose.”
Zinn called the program “completely voluntary” for LSU athletes. They will have to approve deals arranged by Playfly, and they can still enter into NIL agreements on their own.
Still, LSU believes this program will give the department a workaround to the cap without relying on its collective, Bayou Traditions, which has become an important
One child wants to go to Disney World. Another wants to go skiing. The third wants to go to the beach. The parents say, “We have heard you, but we’re going to New York for the plays and museums and a Yankees game.” And that’s it. The CFP is expected to expand from 12 teams in 2024-25 and 2025-26 to 14 or 16 teams by 2026-27. In that number the SEC and Big Ten reportedly both want four guaranteed bids per conference, leaving two for the ACC, two for the Big 12, one for the Group of Five conferences and one for an at-large team or Notre Dame (in a 14-team scenario), provided the Irish are ranked high enough. There’s a word for this: greed. One can make the argument that SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and Big Ten commish Tony Petitti are looking out for their conferences and their membership, as they should.
But the SEC and Big Ten, with their 34 combined members, comprise only about a quarter of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). What is good for some is not good for all. Especially if, as has also been reported, SEC and Big Ten schools will get more revenue from the new five-year, $1.3 billion deal with ESPN to televise the CFP starting in 2026. The rich in the SEC and Big Ten will get richer, and everyone else will have to live with the scraps. Tasty scraps — we’re talking prime rib and fondant potatoes here but scraps nonetheless. What does this all mean if you’re an LSU fan? You may bemoan the end of the Oklahoma-Oklahoma State football rivalry because they’re in different leagues now You might shake your head with dismay when imagining the ice floe that Oregon State and Washington State were left on when everyone else abandoned the Pac-12 for the Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC.
part of roster building in the NIL era. Past this summer its role is unclear
“Some schools have opted to already eliminate their collectives,” Zinn said. “We are not doing that. We do believe at minimum, in the short term, Bayou Traditions serves a really significant purpose for us.”
Under the amended terms, LSU will receive a cash infusion from Playfly at a time when athletic departments are searching for new revenue to take on the expense of paying players without affecting their bottom line.
Playfly has to send a $3 million signing bonus by the end of June 2026, and LSU will receive an additional $337,500 per year in annual rights fees through the 2027 school year As long as Playfly provides the NIL service, it will pay a $1 million signing bonus from 2027-29 and a $3 million guarantee annually through the end of the contract.
Playfly also will search for companies that would buy jersey patches and on-field advertisements at LSU. The NCAA began allowing advertisements on playing surfaces last year and Cox has a logo on the floor of LSU basketball games this season. Harris said LSU is “not too far in the distant future” from placing sponsor logos on the field at Tiger Stadium and Alex Box Stadium.
While jersey patches are still prohibited under NCAA rules, LSU has been exploring options as dis-
cussions continue at the national level. Harris called a jersey patch “one of the most valuable sponsorship assets that LSU will ever have to sell,” and Zinn expressed support for the idea, adding LSU is ready to “capitalize” if the rule changes.
“We technically cannot go sell that right now but I can tell you, over the past six months, we have done our due diligence and valued out what that might cost,” Harris said. “Whenever we get the green light, we are prepared to take that to market because it is a major opportunity for revenue to our athletic department.” At the same time, LSU’s board also permitted the Tiger Athletic Foundation, the athletic department’s third-party fundraising arm, to negotiate a new apparel deal.
LSU’s current agreement with Nike, which pays the athletic department $1 million per year, ends June 2026. Nike, according to the contract, has the right of first refusal and first dealings.
“I think everybody’s going to pursue an opportunity for additional revenue, and in this case, it’s significant revenue,” Zinn said. “But we love Nike. Nike is a premier brand in our space. They’ve been good to us, so we’ll see how things shake out.”
For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter
But for LSU, there was perhaps never a better decision in the school’s history than the one in 1932 when the Tigers left the old Southern Conference to help form the SEC. It may not be good for college football as a whole, but four automatic SEC bids would give LSU a shot at more CFP access. It certainly means more money It likely will lead to a ninegame SEC schedule, which removes one “rent-a-win” from the Tigers’ annual slate. In an increasingly stormy world of college athletics, it’s a snug harbor You think Florida State or Kansas State wouldn’t like to be in LSU’s cleats right now?
All that said, there has been too much change much too fast in college athletics. There is only one set of data on a 12team CFP before expansion is apparently on the way Changes have been driven largely by fear of being left out of the big conference payday The face of college football, a national sport comprised of a patchwork of delightful regional factions, has been erased and redrawn.
Once “Go fever” has you in its grip, it’s hard to shake. The SEC and Big Ten aren’t even trying. They’re saying, “Go faster.”
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Petitti
Sankey
STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
Southern guard DaKiyah Sanders, right, is fouled by Prairie View guard Nyam Thornton on Feb 15 at the F.G. Clark Activity Center Sanders led Southern with 15 points Saturday in a rout of Grambling
OUTDOORS
Hot under the collar
BY JOE MACALUSO
Contributing writer
For a cowboy, it’s a burr in the saddle; a soldier, it’s a pebble in a boot; for a princess, a pea. Life’s irritations.
And, sometimes, it’s folks who just want their way. Folks in a position of power. Folks who ignore what the real world presents.
The latest irritation comes in setting the 2025-2026 waterfowl season dates in our state’s West Waterfowl Zone.
This discussion began about this time last year when West Zone hunters petitioned the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to move what were proposed West Zone hunting dates to the latest date allowed by federal waterfowl managers.
That’s Jan. 31, a date which never appeared on our state’s duck hunting calendar
Much to the consternation of some, the commission amended the proposal to push the zone’s third split to end Jan. 31.
The argument against by some hunters is a long-standing belief that our coastal and near-coast duck season should run no later than the middle of January That group was mightily miffed by the change. Note here, the West Zone runs the length of the coastal marshes and encompasses all major drainage basins.
So, when Wildlife and Fisheries’ Wildlife Division managers proposed 2025-2026 West Zone dates, those opponents of this past season’s late date exacted what can only be labeled as revenge.
The original proposal, three segments running Nov 8-30, Dec. 13Jan. 4 and Jan. 17-30, was offered in early January and mimicked what was a still unfinished season
The amendment came quickly — Nov 8-30 and Dec. 13-Jan. 18 — and was passed by the seven-member commission almost before the final date was spoken.
The first question came immediately Why didn’t the commission wait to find out how this latest-date-ever season turned out? Were there ducks? Were hunters satisfied with what they saw in the skies and how successful were those late-season hunts?
Nope. The commission didn’t. Several hunters reported seeing ducks.
One hunter said he finally saw what he had missed all those years when the West Zone season ended before cold weather chased more ducks into our state.
Today, with the public comment period on the proposed seasons nearing a deadline, the hunters who approached the commission for that late date last year are marshaling their objections to make another push for that originally proposed Jan. 30 close.
Jeff DeBlieux led that push last year, and he, and many others, are pushing again.
This group has prepared a ninepage response to the amended close, which lopped 12 days off the original proposal.
“We were totally upset about the amendment,” DeBlieux said. “The data we have indicates there is no reason to open the season so early, and (Wildlife and Fisheries) aerial surveys suggest peak duck migration occurs later in the season.
“Hunters are impacted by these changes. The dates should be later,” he said
DeBlieux said his group has documented, and will present the information, showing ducks remain in northern states longer than in long-past years and move south
only when cold weather and north winds push them southward and into Louisiana.
Those aerial surveys from the recent season, and those of the past four years, bear out DeBlieux’s statement.
The most recent survey from Wildlife and Fisheries’ Waterfowl Study group showed an estimated 510,000 ducks in the three survey areas (Southwest, Southeast and Little River) in its November 2024 flyovers, a number that jumped to 1.561 million in December, then to 2.249 million in January That last survey was taken before an Arctic blast hit the Deep South Jan. 20-24 and sent flying any lingering migratory waterfowl up north to Louisiana’s marshes. That was a full week before the West Zone season closed.
The group also mentioned duck hunting dates in other states to show a mid-January close isn’t shared Arkansas and Mississippi, which run seasons to Jan. 31.
DeBlieux also said duck hunters will hunt dates no matter the days of the week for openings and closings of each segment.
Wildlife and Fisheries is holding a virtual meeting via Zoom on Wednesday beginning at 6:30 p.m All proposed/amended season dates, bag limits and regulations on resident game and migratory birds/waterfowl will be presented and public comment will be accepted.
Public comment will be taken during the commission’s March 6 meeting in Baton Rouge and will be accepted through 4 p.m. March 7.
You can address public comment to: Jeffrey Duguay, LDWF Wildlife Division, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA. 70898-9000 or to his email: jduguay@wlf.la.gov
CALENDAR
MONDAY RED STICK FLY FISHERS FLY TYING: 7 p.m., Orvis Shop, 7601 Bluebonnet Boulevard. Open to public. Handson clinic covering basics of fly tying. Materials and tools provided. Website: rsff.org
WEDNESDAY
2025-2026 HUNTING SEASONS PUBLIC MEETING: 6:30 p.m., via Zoom/ Webinar. All proposed season dates, bag limits and regulations on resident game and migratory birds/waterfowl open for public comment. Registration website: wlf-la.zoom.us/webinar/register/_ 96uzly6VRwSuNhHVXznKgw
WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY
BASSMASTER COLLEGE SERIES/ LEGENDS TRAIL: Smith Lake, Cullman, Alabama. Website: bassmaster.com
THURSDAY
ACADIANA BUGS & BREWS: 6 p.m., Pack & Paddle, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette. Open to the public. Email Flip Siragusa: redfish452@gmail com. Website: www.packpaddle. com
THURSDAY-SATURDAY
MLF TOYOTA BASS SERIES/PLAINS
DIVISION: Lake of the Ozarks, Osage Beach, Missouri. Website: MajorLeagueFishing.com
THURSDAY-SUNDAY
BASSMASTER ELITE SERIES: Lake Okeechobee, Okeechobee, Florida. Website: bassmaster.com
SATURDAY ANGLING FOR AUTISM BASS
TOURNAMENT: Safe daylight to 3 p.m. weigh-in, Doiron’s Landing, Stephensville. Benefits Port City Enterprises. Call Moonie Bergeron (225) 938-2834 or Keith Thibodaux (225) 938-0941. FLY FISHING 101: 9-11 a. m., Orvis Shop, Bluebonnet Boulevard, Baton Rouge. Fee free. Basics of casting, rigging, fly selection. Equipment furnished. All ages, but 15-andyounger must be accompanied by an adult. Preregistration required. Call Shop (225) 757-7286.Website: orvis.com/batonrouge
ONGOING
DERELICT CRAB TRAP REMOVAL: Through Feb. 26, northern half of Calcasieu Lake; through Feb. 28, Terrebonne Basin (between Dulac and Cocodrie).
HUNTING SEASONS
SNIPE: Through Feb. 28, statewide.
QUAIL/RABBITS/SQUIRRELS:
Through March 2, private lands and selected wildlife management areas.
GEESE/CONSERVATION ORDER: Through March 2, East & West zones. Limited to take of blue, snow and Ross’ geese only. No daily nor possession limits. Hunters allowed to use electronic calls and shotguns capable of holding more than three shells.
AROUND THE CORNER
MARCH 2—BASSMASTER HIGH SCHOOL AND JUNIOR SERIES: Smith Lake, Cullman Alabama. Website: bassmaster.com
MARCH 4—MARDI GRAS
MARCH 4—GULF COUNCIL SHRIMP
ADVISORY PANEL MEETING: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. (CST), Council offices, 4107 West Spruce Street, Suite 200, Tampa, Florida. Website: gulfcouncil.org
MARCH 5—JUNIOR SOUTHWEST
BASSMASTERS MEETING: 7 p.m., Seminar Room, Bass Pro Shops, Denham Springs. Boys & girls agegroup bass tournaments for ages 7-10, 11-14 & 15-18 anglers. Call Jim Breaux (225) 772-3026.
In addition to the recreational red snapper survey in last week’s edition,Wildlife and Fisheries also emailed an online survey to randomly selected fishermen in the Atchafalaya River Basin region. The agency’s Inland Fisheries Division wants to get information about fishing preferences and opinions and the anglers’ opinions on the “current state of the Atchafalaya River Basin.” Beginning Monday and lasting two weeks, the survey will be open to all anglers on the LDWF website — wlf.louisiana. gov. Fisheries Biologist manager Brac Salyers is handling the survey. His email: bsalyers@wlf. la.gov
And, the agency will email the online survey to wildlife management area and public lake alligator lottery harvest program participants to get info on the lottery harvest and ways to enhance it. Jeff Duguay — jduguay@wlf.la.gov — is handling this survey for the department.
JoeMacaluso
MARCH 6—LA. WILDLIFE & FISHERIES COMMISSION MEETING: 9:30 a.m., Joe Herring Room, state Wildlife and Fisheries headquarters, Quail Drive, Baton Rouge. MARCH 6—GULF COUNCIL RECREATIONAL WORKING GROUP VIRTUAL MEETING: Via webinar. Public comment/input session, 5-8 p.m. (CST). Website: gulfcouncil.org/ recreational-initiative/ MARCH 6-8—MLF TOYOTA BASS SERIES/SOUTHWESTERN DIVISION: Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Website: MajorLeagueFishing.com
MARCH 6-9—MLF BASS PRO TOUR: Lake Murray, Columbia, South Carolina. Website: MajorLeagueFishing.com
MARCH 7-9—PHEASANT FEST & QUAIL CLASSIC: Convention Center, Kansas City, Mo. Seminars & special events. Website: quailforever.org
MARCH 8–31ST ANNUAL RED STICK DAY: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Waddill Outdoor Education Center, 4142 North Flannery Road, Baton Rouge. Free. Fly & kayak fishing programs; tying demos, casting clinics. Red Stick Fly Fishers event. Website: rsff.org.
MARCH 8—LA. HIGH SCHOOL/JUNIOR QUALIFIER/NORTH DIVISION: Jimmie Davis State Park, Caney Lake, Chatham. Call Tommy Abbott (504) 722-6638. Website: louisianahighschoolbassnation.com
MARCH 8—FLY FISHING FOR BASS: 9-11 a.m., Orvis Shop, Bluebonnet Boulevard, Baton Rouge. Fee free. Basics of casting, rigging, fly selection. Equipment furnished. All ages, but 15-and-younger must be accompanied by an adult. Also: Fly Tying for Bass, 2-4 p.m., March 9. Call Shop (225) 757-7286. Website: orvis.com/batonrouge
FISHING/SHRIMPING
SHRIMP: Inshore season closed except in Breton/Chandeleur sounds & all outside waters open.
CLOSED SEASONS: Greater amberjack, red snapper; gag, goliath & Nassau groupers in state/federal waters.
STAFF FILE PHOTO
Ducks scatter from a marsh pond in the Delta National Wildlife Refuge, an area in Louisiana’s West Waterfowl Zone. Season dates for this zone have become a contentious issue among waterfowl hunters.
Who
gave order for Union soldiers to burn down Alexandria?
BY ROBIN MILLER Staff writer
No buildings predating 1864 can be found in Alexandria. Most of the structures were incinerated in the wake of the Union Army withdrawal on May 13, 1864. The few buildings that survived were leveled in subsequent years, leaving Kent Plantation House as the city’s only intact centuries-old structure.
However, that isn’t a contradiction about the city’s preCivil War structures, because Kent House stood on what was considered outside of town at that time. But that really wasn’t Leon Bergeron’s concern when he asked Curious Louisiana about the burning of Alexandria.
PROVIDED PHOTO By LIBRARy OF CONGRESS
Gen. A.J Smith was an associate and admirer of Gen. William T. Sherman, who was burning his way through Georgia during the Civil War. Smith is said to be a proponent of the burning of Alexandria.
Who made the call?
“I want to know who gave the order to burn the city,” the Alexandria resident said. “There’s been some historical dispute about that question, and I’d like to find out the answer.”
Some historians readily place responsibility on Gen. Nathaniel Banks, whose troops were occupying the city during the Union’s Red River Campaign. Others say he gave no such order.
Before names can be named it’s important to know what led to the fire. That is, if there is a name.
“Most of the historians’ books I’ve read say Gen Banks gave the order, but through my research, I believe that isn’t true,” historian and author Michael D. Wynne said. “Now, being the commanding officer, he ultimately bears responsibility. But he didn’t give the order.” The fire was deliberate Still, Wynne said, the fire was deliberate. He even emphasizes this rationale in the title of his 2022 book, “All Was Lost: The Deliberate Burning of Alexandria in 1864.” The unleashing of hell in Alexandria was the Union Army’s final act in central Louisiana. “Hell” was the soldiers’ words, and they had been through it after marching from New Orleans to Mansfield between March 10 and May 22, 1864. The Union’s goals were to capture Shreveport, the state’s
ä See CURIOUS, page 6D
LIVING
their
BY JOY HOLDEN Staff writer
Women who dance together during Mardi Gras create bonds unlike any other
From hours of practice to perfecting costumes to performing in parades, dance krewes make the most of the two Carnival months.
For the Prancing Babycakes and Dancing Girls, two Baton Rouge dance krewes, dancing on a parade route is just a small reason why the women join the krewes. The sisterhood camaraderie and self-expression lead the way
Other dance groups in Baton Rouge include the Flamingeauxs and the Baton Rouge BeignYAYS and the Golden Guys
For Jessa Mayard, the high priestess of the Prancing Babycakes, the choreography satisfies her inner child, but it’s the support and encouragement found in practices and parades that keep her marching.
“We have an ever-evolving sisterhood,” said Mayard, “which is really the ground level to our group. We all celebrate each other, and it’s the ultimate girlhood of just really
ing Girls, has been with the group for 25 years, and she said the friendship is second to none
“Each woman is a rock star in her own life,” Burke said. “Throughout the years, different women might need support of a community, and this group of women come together wholeheartedly to support and rally around one another.”
The Dancing Girls
The Dancing Girls is the longestrunning women’s dance krewe in Baton Rouge. Belonging to the Southdowns Parade, the Dancing Girls started about three years after the parade started, around 1991. Burke has been captain of the dancing group for 10 years, and she was queen of the parade eight years ago. She said many of the queens of years past have been Dancing Girls as well.
celebrating women.”
Although the Dancing Girls of Southdowns focus more on costume than choreography the friendship and fellowship bonds are also the reason for sticking around.
Ky Burke, the captain of the Danc-
For this dance group the focus is less on choreography and more on creative costumes. The krewe learns one dance each year, and in addition to marching in the parade, they also perform their routine at the Southdowns Ball.
Glowing animals on show
BY JOY HOLDEN Staff writer
PROVIDED PHOTO
The Prancing Babycakes show off
personal styles along the Spanish Town route.
STAFF PHOTO By JAN RISHER
Owner of Zeeland Street Market
Stephanie Phares poses in glittering and glowing hearts at the Southdowns Parade in 2024.
Baton Rouge DAR
Members of the Baton Rouge Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution gathered Feb 15 to celebrate George Washington’s birthday at a luncheon at the Baton Rouge Country Club Shown are, from left, Zora McGuffee Olsson, Louise Ganucheau, Rezzie Meyer, Paul Bledsoe, Lt. Col. Terry Kostellic Lynn Tucker, Jean Chadoir Sharon Dixon and Beth Chadoir-Guidry
DAR celebrates Washington’s birthday and the military
Celebrating the birthday of Founding Father George Washington brought together members of the Baton Rouge Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for a luncheon on Feb 15 at the Baton Rouge Country Club.
Also recognized were the men and women who work tirelessly for the nation’s defense Honored guests included Louisiana State Society Second Vice Regent Louise Ganucheau, Librarian Dr Janis Lowe and H. Paul Bledsoe, president of the General Philemon Thomas Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Zora McGuffee Olsson, past chapter regent, honorary regent of the Louisiana Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and past vice president general of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, was introduced to the group. The oldest NSDAR chapter in the area enjoyed a presentation by guest
speaker Lt. Col. Terry L. Kostellic, who serves as commander of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps and Commandant of Cadets at LSU.
Kostellic also chairs the Department of Aerospace Studies at LSU. He shared the construction plans for new facilities for the ROTC program on the LSU campus, replacing the existing facilities which were first occupied in the 1930s.
Service to Veterans Chair Lea Evans recognized the veterans residing in Baton Rouge who were present for the luncheon including Ronald Ackman, honorably discharged as a first lieutenant, United States Army; Michael Fresina, honorably discharged from the United States Army at the rank of sergeant; Lt. Col. Linton J. Naquin Jr , United States Army retired, and John Ricca, honorably discharged from the United States Air Force as a staff sergeant. The ceremonies were conducted by Regent Ina Gremillion Navarre, while Chapter Chaplain Judy Burch led the opening and closing prayers.
Past presidents of Attic Trash & Treasure held their quarterly luncheon at Mansurs on the Boulevard on Feb 11. The theme was Mardi Gras Gathered are, from left, seated, Bobbie Stiglets, Iris Eldred, Sandra Campbell, Mary ‘Moo’ Svendson and Kathleen Howell; standing Keigh Ballard, Miranda Papizan, Alice Greer Chris Jackson, Linda Montagnino and Virginia Bogan Not pictured is Aleta Lester
PROVIDED PHOTO
Washington Mardi Gras princess
U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, left, congratulates Wesley Katherine Angers, one of the princesses in the 76th annual Washington Mardi Gras Ball. Angers, a Baton Rouge native, is a freshman at LSU, where she is a member of Chi Omega sorority. She was escorted by her father Jefferson Angers, right, a member of the Mystick Krewe of Louisianians, which hosts the annual ball.
COMMUNITY GUIDELINES
The Community column runs Sundays in the Living section and accepts submissions for news of events that have taken place with civic, philanthropic, social and religious auxiliary organizations, as well as academic honors.
Submissions should be sent by noon Monday to run in the upcoming Sunday column If submitting digitally, we prefer JPG files 300KB or larger. Identify those pictured by first and last names as viewed from left to right, row by row We prefer emailed Community column submissions to features@theadvocate.com.We also accept submissions by mail at P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge LA 70821.A phone number must be included.
Rotary Club of BTR
from left, Rotary Past President Chard Richard, Edwards and Rotary President Greg Wood.
Okeanos presents ‘The Greatest Show’
The circus came to town for the Krewe of Okeanos’ 45th annual Mardi Gras ball on Feb. 22 at the Carl F. Grant Civic Center in Plaquemine.
“The Greatest Show”themed night began with the master and mistress of ceremonies, Brandon Miller and Shalonda Skidmore, presenting the 2024 royal court.
The children of the krewe then spread the message that the circus had arrived, and soon after, the ringleaders, 2025 Ball Captain Kennedy Dupree and Co-Captains Dustin and Shea Bujol, opened the show They were joined by sideshow acts and dancers from Alyssa’s School of Performing Arts for the opening number
King Okeanos, the circus owner, watched the show in hopes that an act so magnificent and wonderful would make him want to enter the ring once more.
Six different circus acts entertained the audience: trick horse riders, the human cannon, knife throwers, high flyers, fortune tellers and the big cat act.
Atop a stupendous elephant, Queen Tethys arrived as the Queen of the Heavens and the Okeanos Circus’ Greatest Act.
King Okeanos XLV Dale Purpera Sr and Queen Tethys XLV Gracen Annelise
PROVIDED PHOTO
PROVIDED PHOTO
Newly inaugurated Mayor-President Sid Edwards’ first major speech of his administration was to a crowd of more than 500 for the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge at Crowne Plaza on Jan. 8. Shown are,
PROVIDED PHOTO
Woman’s Club
Woman’s Club guest speaker Nathalie Henderson gave a presentation on the year of the Dog, in celebration of the Chinese New year, on Feb 6. Shown are, from left, Karen Cordell, guest artist Chryl Casso Corizzo, Margaret Moore, Debbie Simmons Harris, Nathalie Henderson and Ruby Henderson.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Attic Trash & Treasure
PROVIDED PHOTO
Federation of Greater Baton Rouge Civic Associations
Members of the Federation of Greater Baton Rouge Civic Associations recognized its new members at their Feb 13 meeting Shown are, from left, Sherry Guarisco, Federation VicePresident Jan Bernard, Mary Fontenot, Jennifer Dietz and Federation President Ed Lagucki
Patin reigned over “The Greatest Show” and were joined by the “Green Machine” Plaquemine High Marching Band upon their
reveal. Queen Tethys is the daughter of Ty and Shannon Patin. The king and queen costumes and trains were made by seamstress
Tara Patin. She and Theresa Purpera also made the maid and duke costumes. Music was provided by DJ A.D.
PROVIDED PHOTOS By AARON CORMIER
The Okeanos royal court includes, from left, Ball Captain Kennedy Dupree, King Okeanos XLV Dale Purpera Sr., Queen Tethys XLV Gracen Annelise Patin; and Co-Captains Shea Bujol and Dustin Bujol.
Gathered at the Krewe Okeanos Mardi Gras ball are, from left, Dale Purpera Jr., Kelsey Leblanc, Kessler Bourgoyne, Genevieve Prejean, Lauren Bordelon and Michael Campbell.
Donning circus costumes are, from left, Chandler Coutarde, Chloe Markins, John Merrit Bueche, Leanne Beuche, Layla Martinez and Joe Beckman.
WEDDINGS,ENGAGEMENTS &ANNIVERSARIES
Engagement, Wedding and Anniversary announcements arepaid notices in The Advocate Theyappear in Sunday’sAdvocate.Tosubmit an announcement, go to The Advocate’s websiteatwww.theadvocate.com, scroll down to the bottomofthe page, look under Our Sites’’ and click on Celebrations’’. The deadline is noon Monday Formoreinformation call (225) 388-0738 or e-mail nuptials@theadvocate.com.
Fillinger
-Loos
With hearts full of love, Mary Katherine Loos and Mitchell Eric Fillinger,announce their marriage, Feb. 15 at St. James Episcopal Church, Baton Rouge. The Rev.Christopher Duncan officiated the ceremony,which was followed by areception at LSU’sLod Cook Alumni Center
Mary Katherine is the daughter of the late Katherine Marie Loos of Lafayette. Mitchell is the son of Mr.and Mrs. Keith Eric Fillinger,ofColumbus, Ohio. She is the granddaughter of the late Dr and Mrs. John Louis Loos of Baton Rouge. He is the grandson of Ms. Claudia Sue Price Johnson, Ms. Gail Ellen Fillinger and the late Mr.Keith Edward Fillinger, all of Columbus, Ohio. She is agraduate of Episcopal School of Acadiana (2015)and LSU (2018) and earned her J.D. and D.C.L from LSU in 2021. She is an associate attorney in Commercial Litigation at Breazeale, Sachse &Wilson, L.L.P.inBaton Rouge.
He is agraduate of Benjamin Franklin High School (2015)and LSU (2019). He completed his M.S. at LSU (2021) and plans to graduate from LSU Law in May He plans to join Baker,Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell &Berkowitz, PC in Baton Rouge as an associate at-
WEDDINGS
torney Her attendants included her sister,Grace Helen Loos as Maid of Honor, Anna Paula Simon as Matron of Honor,and bridesmaids Diane Gremillion Evans, Grace Pecoraro Falterman, Emiley Elizabeth Dillon and Blythe Trivett Bull. His attendants included his brother,Jacob Price Fillinger,asBest Man, and groomsmen Thomas
ANNIVERSARIES
Whoda ThunkIt???
Michael&Cathy Raborn
50 1/2 yearsago we metatthe LSUUnion.
50 yearsago we gotmarried.How’s we do it? Played ourmusic loud,Laughed alot Danced like no onewas looking It hasn’talwaysbeeneasybut mutual supportsurehelped smooth outthe roughspots. We have threeawesome children: Michelle andher partner Shawn, Christopherand hiswifeRosieand Adam andhis wife Christina. Threespectacular grand-children:Mia andher husbandAlex, Gaby andZoe.Plus2 very special greatgrand-children: LaylaMae andJosephine. It has been agrand time andweare lookingforward to as many more yearsthe Good Lord will blessuswith. Thank youall forbeingapartofour journey.
ANNIVERSARIES
60THWEDDINGANNIVERSARY
Lance &Candy D’Armond
Lance and Candy D’ArmondofBaton Rouge, La. celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their family
The couple’sfamily is son Chad and wifeLauren and granddaughter Anne of Gretna, La.; son Blaine and wife Brandy D’Armond and grandson Austin and wife Gabby D’Armond of E. Lancing, Mich. and granddaughter Madison D’Armond, of Lago Vista, Texas. The couple married Feb. 27, 1965, at St. Gerard Majella CatholicChurch in Baton Rouge. Mrs.
D’Armondisthe former Candy Kane, of Central.
Southdowns embarks on ‘safari’ for Mardi Gras ball
The Krewe of Southdowns celebrated its 38th annual Mardi Gras ball in the “safari lodge” at De La Ronde Hall on Feb. 8.
Wayne Kuluz, Jr., Grady William Stewart, Robert Charles Mipro III, Jake Edward Steinhardt, and Brandon Scott Andrews, Jr.Leo Michael Aaron and Sean Richard McAuliffe served as ushers.
The couple met at LSU and look forward to building their lives together in Baton Rouge with support of families and friends.
Embodying “Southdowns Safari,” this year’s parade theme, celebrants mingled while still toting their binoculars, spotting scopes and loaded Leicas, and swapping stories of “encounters” with the Big Five game animals. Southdowns Lion King Keith Bonnette and Queen of the Wild Cats Cathy Raborn arrived from the savanna in their custom Land Cruiser, accompanied by parade founder Dr Will Gladney, Ball Captain Lindsey Hutson and ball committee mavens Amy Moore, Mary Gladney and Sylvia Wilson. Ready to greet the new king and queen and install them on the golden palmetto throne were 2024 King Justin Moore and Queen Amy Moore. Queen’s attendants Mia Simonson, Christina Raborn and Gaby Akkar refreshed the couple with Ranger coffee. Master of Ceremonies Adelaide Gladney opened the royal tableau as Royal Bagpiper Stanley Masinter’s lively salutation filled the hall. The cavalcade of dignitaries began with Parade Captain and Chief Tracker Mike Raborn, followed by the Flambeaux
Corps in formation led by Royal Game Rangers Hudson Chasteen, Jesse Gladney and Michael MacKey Krewe Solicitor Joe Simmons escorted Royal Treasury officers Terri DuCote, Dawn Muscarello and Elizabeth Delaney Dancing Girls Captain Ky Burke led her troupe in a dramatic jumping dance inspired by Maasai Warriors. All hushed as Krewe Wizard Mim Aretsky waved her ivory scepter to cast her spell for auspicious skies on parade night. Next came the Caravan of Krewes, bearing trophies from their expeditions. From Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater came the Krewe of Gleaux and the Krewe of Yazoo with
action shots of zebras, hippos and waterbucks. Loose Krewe and Krewe of Pigs regaled with tales of white-water rafting down the Zambezi into Victoria Falls. The Stranger Krewe and Krewe of Woo Hoo recounted their trek pursuing the wildebeest migration across the Serengeti. The Krewe of Shrimp and the Golden Grannies presented footage of elephant herds in Botswana. In the last glow of the African sunset, revelers gathered for their sundowner happy hour in preparation for a feast of roasted haunch of wildebeest catered by Ruffino’s, capped off by dancing under the Southern Cross to the music of The Remnants.
Karnival Krewe de Louisiana marks 38th ball, raises $515,000
King Ozzie Fernandez and Queen Liz Cortsen reigned over the 38th annual Karnival Krewe de Louisiane ball on Feb. 15.
As guests entered the lobby, they walked through scenes of Louisiana swamps. At the entrance to the arena, they had their photos taken sitting in a “seasoned” pirogue surrounded by a lush swamp forest with festive lights.
Across the lobby, guests held live baby alligators as they posed in front of a backdrop depicting a waterway with a pier jetting toward the blue sky
Prior to the tableau, members of the Acadian Circus performed acrobatics on silks.
Ball Captain Kim Bowman hosted the tableau. Members of the royal court were duchesses and dukes Carolyn Hill and Houston McVea, Sara Chamberlain and Duke Richard Zimmerman, Anne Boudreaux and Keith LaNasa, Kelly Corsten and Scott Brady, Peggy Gautreau and David Mullens, Amiee Talbot and Matt Mannino, and Mandy Shipp and Stan Levy
The tableau culminated with the presentation of the krewe’s 2025 debutante coterie and their fathers who escorted them: Anna Kate Louise Alligood and David Alligood, Sarah Rose Atkinson and Robert Atkinson, Isley Rose Blanchard and Justin Blanchard, Catherine
Sarah Dunn and Michael Dunn, Sadie Ryan Everett and John Everette, Katherine Conway Fawley and Daniel Fawley, Madelyn Michelle Freeman and Mike Freeman Audrina
Rose Grodi and Tyler Grodi, Hillary Claire Howard and Jamie Howard, Molly
Catherine Perry and Ryan Perry, Jessica Leigh Ross and Jonathan Ross, Rachel Caroline Saunders and Henri Saunders, and Lauren Elise Taylor and Porter
Taylor
over the night with highenergy music.
At the end of the tableau, Krewe Board President Amy DeJean welcomed guests, sponsors and Krewe members.
Highlighting the event was the unveiling of a $515,000 check representing the krewe’s yearlong
fundraising effort to benefit cancer patients in the community Amy DeJean presented the check to representatives from Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. Also part of the presentation were members of the Lane family of Gerry Lane Enterprises, presenting sponsor of the event. Grand Marshal Gordon Trey Vargas led the court and debutantes in a second line. A battle of the bands pitted the Mckinley High School and Scotlandville High School marching bands. The Mixed Nuts took
In addition to Gerry Lane Enterprises, corporate ball sponsors were platinum: Queen of Sparkles, WVLA Local33/WGMB Fox44 and Torapath Technologies; gold: Dr Luke and Queen Liz Cortsen, the Fawley family; silver: Anton’s Fine Jewelry, Bartlett Group, Capital One, Eastman Chemical Company; associates: Acadian Ambulance Service, Angelo’s Landscape Group, Associates in Pediatric Dentistry, AZBY Foundation, b1 Bank, Baton Rouge Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Benny’s
Car Wash, CMA Technology Solutions, Crawford Construction, Distinctive Homes, Feigley Communications, Gabrielle Kees and Paul Rainwater, Go Eat Concepts, HUB International, Kean Miller LLP Louisiana Hematology Oncology Associates, LUBA Workers’ Compensation, Mary Bird Perkins-Corporate, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation-Corporate, Michael and Mischa Beard, Neuromedical Center, OneOncology, Pediatric Dental Specialists, RES Contractors, Roger Cutrer, Settoon Capital, Shipp Demolition Services Southeast Louisiana Radiation Group, Taylor Porter, Team Patel, the Alford family, the Bauder family, LLC, the DeJean family, the Fawley/Marranto family, The Spine Center of Louisiana, the Weaver family, Trade Construction and Woman’s Hospital. For more information about Karnival Krewe de Louisiane, visit www.karnivalkrewe.com.
PROVIDED PHOTO
The 2025 Krewe of Southdowns king and queen are Cathy Raborn and Keith Bonnette. ‘Southdowns Safari’ was the theme of this year’s ball.
Karnival Krewe de Louisiane President Amy DeJean, center, gathers with cancer survivors, from left, Tracey Neldare, Gaby Erny, Suzanne Ruch, Cynthia Douglas, Nikki Bourgeois and Nancy Carter
PROVIDED PHOTOS
Karnival Krewe de Louisiane board members, from left, are Josh Guagliardo, Brad Matthews, Bob Riches, Dodie Albarado, Julie Piedrahita, Valarie Vargas, Katie Graves, Amy DeJean, Naomi Nelson, Kim Kwan, Linda Crochet, Katie Varnado, Katie Alligood, Kati Weaver Mikala Morgan and Angelle Crochet. Not pictured are Scott Miller Elizabeth Johnston, Chad Sabadie, Alysia Graves, Brandi Alford, Josh Morgan and Lisa Johnson.
TRAVEL
Bayou Segnette offers plenty to do, and solitude
BY CATHERINE S COMEAUX
Contributing writer
Editor’s note: The writer and her family spent three summers exploring state, national and provincial parks, traveling by minivan from Louisiana to Alaska, to Nova Scotia, and all along the Mississippi River in between. This year, she turns her attention to Louisiana state parks to discover the natural beauty of the South less than a day’s drive from home.
Bayou Segnette State Park, situated on 600 acres of mingled marsh and swamplands, feels like a remote getaway though it’s only a short 30-minute drive south from New Orleans. As a destination in itself or a break from the goings-on in the Crescent City, the cypress trees and waterways of Bayou Segnette offer a welcome respite with opportunities for picnicking, boating, fishing and nature gazing. The waterways within the state park offer an experience of the landscape typical of the Mississippi River delta: grassy marshlands and cypress tupelo swamps interconnected by bayous and inlets, and teeming with wildlife. The state park sits at the southern edge of Louisiana’s solid ground below which the terrain turns into a succession of lakes, bays and marshlands before it reaches the Gulf.
In his 2024 book, “The Great River,” Boyce Upholt tells the complex story of the Mississippi River and how man’s attempt to engineer its waters has had unintended consequences like the subsidence and erosion seen in this region where the coastline is constantly moving northward. Upholt invites readers to “see the beauty that persists despite our mistakes.”
cello Canal (an offshoot of Bayou Segnette).
fish are biting or simply enjoy the beauty of nature. Warmer temperatures bring out the water skiers (not recommended for all only the brave who understand the tenuous but typically peaceful relationship between humans and alligators). Paddlers use the boat launch as well and enjoy exploring the side channels of the bayous.
In addition to the floating cabins, overnight tent and RV campsites are available. The campgrounds are amenable to tent camping but set up for the RV camper; each site has a picnic table, fire ring, water and electrical hook-ups but no maintained tent pads.
The ground is soft in this region and rocks aren’t an issue, but tent campers might want to check for cypress knees before laying down their ground cover Campers have access to two shower houses where they will also find laundry facilities, a dishwashing sink and a small playground. All overnight guests at the state park have access to the swimming pool.
The “group camp” area, misleadingly designated by a tent symbol on the park map, is actually a large dormitory built in the style of a dogtrot with a wide, central open-air breezeway and ample porch space. The building has a commercial kitchen, is wheelchair-accessible and accommodates up to 80 overnight guests.
creating a vivid display for nature gazers twice a year in the fall when their needle-like leaves turn rust orange and again in the early spring when they push forth bright green, feathery new growth.
Check your schedule — plan for a weekend, a day or simply a picnic at Bayou Segnette State Park where you can enjoy the beauty of Louisiana in the wild space between the bayous and the Gulf.
Know before you go
n Closest grocery stores are in Westwego.
n Wheelchair-accessible and/or pet-friendly cabins are available.
n Due to its proximity to New Orleans, overnight accommodations are often booked up in advance for events like Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest.
n Four EV charging stations are located near picnic area.
n Persons 16 or older must have a saltwater fishing license in addition to a basic fishing license to fish in the state park. Visit the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries website at www.wlf. louisiana.gov for details.
n Bring your own boat/ canoe/kayak. Check nearby towns of Westwego and Marrero for possible rental opportunities.
n The wave pool has been closed since 2020 and remains closed.
Upcoming events
Bayou Segnette State Park is a good place to do so
Activities and amenities
Owing to its unique location between one of the largest rivers in North America and the Gulf, the
TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER
By Christopher Elliott
waters of the state park offer amazing fishing opportunities for both saltwater and freshwater catch like bass, redfish, catfish, trout and perch. A fish-cleaning station bedecks the back porch of each of the 16 floating cabins along Mar-
Overnight cabin guests can catch their supper, clean it and cook it without ever having to leave their cabin. The screened front porch makes a lovely place for a meal overlooking the water
A boat landing with five launch points and a large parking area gives motor boaters easy access to explore the waterways, whether to find where the
Day visitors can take a short hike, go for a bike ride around the park, or get out on the water for a few hours. Located on the Mississippi Flyway, one of the most active migratory corridors in North America, the park is an excellent place for birding. The myriad cypress trees throughout the park are majestic year-round,
Lufthansa didn’t live up to its reputation after
Christopher Elliott
I am writing on behalf of myself and my travel companion about our recent, highly unsatisfactory experience with Lufthansa’s flight cancellation and rescheduling policies. Lufthansa canceled, then rebooked, then canceled or delayed our flights on both ends of our vacation.
Our outbound flight from New York to Delhi was delayed, and we missed our connecting flight to India. Lufthansa eventually rebooked us on another airline but offered us only a $15 meal voucher, which wasn’t enough to buy a meal in New York.We had a delay of almost 24 hours. On our return flight, Lufthansa switched
By The Associated Press
Today is Sunday, Feb. 23, the 54th day of 2025. There are 311 days left in the year Today in history
On Feb. 23, 1945, during World War II, U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima captured Mount Suribachi, where they raised two American flags. (The second flag-raising was captured in an iconic photograph by Joe Rosenthal of The Associated Press.)
On this date: In 1836, the siege of the Alamo by Mexican troops began in San Antonio, Texas. In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt signed an agreement with Cuba to lease the area around Guantanamo Bay to the United States.
In 1942, the first shelling of the U.S. mainland during World War II occurred as a Japanese submarine fired on an oil refinery near Santa Barbara, California
In 1980, American Eric Heiden completed his sweep of the five men’s speed skating
planes and didn’t have room for us. Instead, they rebooked us on a flight through Frankfurt, and we experienced a six-hour delay. According to Lufthansa’s site, we are entitled to compensation if we arrive at our final destination with a delay of more than three hours. It also promises compensation if we’re denied boarding, which we were on our return flight.At a bare minimum, Lufthansa should refund the $322 in seat assignment fees we paid.
We could have flown much more cheaply on another airline but chose Lufthansa because of its reputation Can you help? — Emily Weir, Florence, Massachusetts Lufthansa clearly didn’t live up to its reputation on your flights to and from Delhi.
TODAY IN HISTORY
events at the Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, New York, by winning the men’s 10,000-meter race in world record time; Heiden was the first athlete to win five gold medals in a single Winter Olympics. In 2011, in a major policy reversal, the Obama administration said it would no longer defend the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law banning recognition of same-sex marriage. In 2020, Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was fatally shot on a residential Georgia street; a White father and son had armed themselves and pursued him after seeing him running through their neighborhood. (Greg and Travis McMichael and neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan were convicted of murder, aggravated assault and other charges and were sentenced to life in prison.)
In 2021, golfer Tiger Woods was seriously injured when his SUV crashed into a median and rolled over several times on a steep road in suburban
Part of the problem is that it’s not immediately clear which airline consumer protections apply to your flight. It’s true, Lufthansa says it will compensate you for denied boarding and delays — but those are E.U. rules that apply only to tickets where the origination or destination is within the E.U.
On your flight from New York to Delhi, U.S. consumer protection laws apply And those say that if the airline can get you to your final destination, and if you accept the rebooked flight, it owes you nothing more. However, your seats well, that’s another story You paid for
Los Angeles. In 2023, a federal judge handed singer R. Kelly a 20-year prison sentence for his convictions that include producing child sexual abuse materials and federal sex trafficking charges., but said he would serve nearly all of the sentence simultaneously with a 30-year sentence imposed a year earlier on racketeering charges Today’s birthdays: Football Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff is 82. Actor Patricia Richardson is 74. Singer Howard Jones is 70. Japanese Emperor Naruhito is 65. Actor Kristin Davis is 60. Business executive Michael Dell is 60. TV personality-business executive Daymond John is 56. Actor Niecy Nash is 55. Democratic Sen. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland is 54. Country singer Steve Holy is 53. Actor Kelly Macdonald is 49. Rapper Residente, born René Juan Pérez Joglar, is 47. Actor Josh Gad is 44. Actor Emily Blunt is 42. Actor Aziz Ansari is 42. Actor Dakota Fanning is 31.
Third Saturdays: Dutch oven gathering with the WEGO Cookers (Louisiana Dutch Oven Society). All are invited to taste foods prepared in a Dutch oven over an open fire. April 12, 10 a.m. to noon: Love The Boot Week litter cleanup in partnership with Keep Louisiana Beautiful (sign up to volunteer at www lovetheboot.org).
flight experiences
a reserved seat on your flight and didn’t get it. You’re right: At a bare minimum, Lufthansa owes you a refund for those. Your case falls into a gray area when it comes to customer service. Clearly both of your flights didn’t go as you had hoped them to go, or as Lufthansa had intended. When that happens, your best bet is to negotiate a goodwill gesture then and there, and in real time. Ask for a hotel voucher, an extra meal voucher, frequent flyer points, or anything a representative is allowed to offer at the time. Because after your flights end, getting anything will be dif-
ficult, if not impossible. You can also reach out to one of the Lufthansa executives whose names I publish on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org. A short, polite email to them might get you the compensation you deserve.
I contacted Lufthansa on your behalf. Without comment, the airline refunded you $61 — a disappointing conclusion to your case.
Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at chris@elliott.org or get help by contacting him on his site.
Reader writes in about Medicare
Dear Heloise: I read Allison’s letter regarding a Medicare scam that was correct until the last sentence: “Please tell people there is no new Medicare card.”
Correction: Medicare has sent new cards to certain beneficiaries! The accompanying letter stated: “Medicare takes steps to protect your identity and prevent fraud. We found an issue with your Medicare number To protect you, we’re giving you a new card with a new number.”
Since I had received a new card, I called Medicare and spoke to a representative who informed me that my original number had been part of a data breach; therefore, they issued me a new number that became effective on Jan. 13. I recommend that if anyone has a concern about receiving a new card, they should call Medicare or go to their website. Agnes M., North Hills, California Agnes, the person who wrote about the fraud was made to believe that everyone who receives Medicare now held an invalid card. They claimed they had to verify whether
she was the correct person by asking her to give them her card numbers. This was when she realized they were crooks. — Heloise Grapes instead of ice
Dear Heloise: I love fresh juice in the morning, especially over ice. The problem was that the ice would start to melt and water down the juice. A friend of mine suggested that I use frozen green grapes instead of ice, and it worked out perfectly I can also munch on the grapes after I drink the juice. I asked her where she got this great idea, and she said it was from reading your column. So, thank you for all of your clever hints! — Stacy M., Royal Oak, Michigan Saving gift cards
Dear Heloise: I used to work for a company that gave employees gift cards at Christmas every year They were for a store that I don’t particularly care for, but a lot of people use the store for wedding and baby registries. So, I would just save these cards to use when I needed to buy a gift for these occasions. — Patricia Morse, via email Send a hint to heloise@heloise.com.
PHOTO By CATHERINE S COMEAUX
Hints from Heloise
AT THE TABLE
Recipe for meatball fricassee
BY DEBRA BROUSSARD TAGHEHCHIAN
Contributing writer
Long before I had ever heard the word hangry, I had seen it many times. Hangry is defined as “bad-tempered or irritable because of hunger.”
So many times, my father would enter the house from having worked in the fields cutting grass, plowing, handling cattle, baling hay or any other task required of running a farm. If my mother was slightly late with lunch preparations, he would say, “Audrey, lunch isn’t ready yet? We always eat at noon!”
She was not at all bothered by him or his mood, as she knew that he was just hangry. Only good food could humor his bad mood.
My mother was an excellent home cook, and one of my father’s favorite meals of hers was meatball fricassee. He always loved it served over white rice with sweet peas and a side of cabbage slaw that was dressed simply with white vinegar, salt and pepper. A slice of white bread rounded out the meal. Often, when there was a heavy workload on the farm, day workers were hired to help. I so enjoyed making plates of food and bringing them out to the workers for their lunch. That tradition of plate lunches is still very strong in Louisiana and really started as a way to feed workers.
Today, local markets and gas stations offer various plate lunches. Depending on the place, each store has a designated menu item for the days of the week Mondays might be pork roast in gravy Tuesday might be meatball stew Wednesday could be hamburger steak with mashed potatoes, and Thursday, sausage in a gravy Fridays are reserved for seafood, and fried catfish is the usual favorite. Various sides are available as well.
Meatball recipes are near and dear to each family, and I have included the recipe that my mother and grandmother made.
Chopped onions help to keep the meatballs moist, as does the addition of flour and milk — which create a sort of glue that holds in the moisture. Rolling the meatballs in flour before frying helps the meatballs form a crust. These meatballs are deep-fat fried and oh, so delicious They can be tossed into any gravy, such as this fricassee, or a nice tomato sauce. Quite frankly, they also make a great handheld snack.
Go on. Get in the kitchen and get cookin’. Your hangry family awaits.
Meatball Fricassee
Serves 6 For the meatballs
1 pound 85-15 ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped medium dice
1 egg
3 tablespoons flour 3/4 cup flour (used to roll meatballs in just before frying)
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/2 teaspoon red pepper 1 1/2 teaspoon salt vegetable oil for frying
1. Mix all ingredients except the 3/4 cup flour
2. Shape into 12 meatballs. Each meatball is 1/4 cup. Roll each meatball in the 3/4 cup of flour and set aside.
3. Heat 2 inches of oil over medium-high heat in a saucepan. When the oil has reached 350 degrees, or frying temperature, carefully add the meatballs to the oil, using a spatula if needed. Do not add too many meatballs at a time. Cook multiple batches if necessary Allow for enough space between each meatball.
4. Fry the meatballs for 2 minutes then turn them to the other side to cook thoroughly
5. Continue to cook and gently stir until meatballs are browned on all sides and have a crispy exterior
6. Remove from oil onto a paper towel-lined plate. Continue cooking until all meatballs are fried For the fricassee gravy 1 large onion, chopped medium dice
2 stalks celery, chopped small dice 1/2 bell pepper chopped small dice 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 4 tablespoons prepared jarred roux
cups water 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon red cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
2 cups beef broth 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 Saute onions, celery and bell pepper in 3 tablespoons of oil until golden brown.
2. Add roux and allow to melt and mix with the sauteed vegetables. Once blended, using a whisk, add water 1/2 cup at a time.
3. Add salt, red pepper and granulated garlic. Bring to a slow boil over medium heat and cook for 30 minutes.
4. Add beef broth, 1/2 cup at a time as needed to get the desired thickness of the gravy and continue to cook for 15 minutes.
5. Add fried meatballs to the fricassee gravy and cook for another 15 minutes.
6. Add chopped parsley Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.
7. Serve over white rice or mashed potatoes
PHOTOS By
Meatball Fricassee
PROVIDED PHOTO By FARRAGUTFUL
St. Francis Xavier Cathedral can be seen in present-day Alexandria.The church’s priest stood in front of the original building at this same location in 1864, declaring that Union soldiers would have to kill him in order to burn the church.The soldiers backed off, and the church was spared.
CURIOUS
Continued from page 1D
capital at the time; destroy Gen. Robert Taylor’s Confederate forces in west Louisiana; organize pro-Union state governments throughout the region; and most importantly confiscate as much cotton as possible from plantations along the Red River Cotton was needed to supply the textile mills in the North, not to mention that the commanding general in charge had his sights on the White House.
“Banks was planning on running for president,” Wynne said. If Banks was the “hero” that supplied the cotton to keep Northern mills in business, the theory is that his campaign backers would skyrocket.
Plans go awry
Banks was given 20,000 troops to move from New Orleans to Alexandria, while Brigadier Gen. A.J. Smith was coming down from Vicksburg with 15,000 more.
Meanwhile, Rear Adm. David Dixon Porter was to lead a fleet of ironclad gunboats up the Red River in support of Banks’ march into north Louisiana, the thought being that shutting off the Red River at Shreveport would isolate Texas from the Confederacy Banks’ troops were in disarray throughout the trek and were turned back at Mansfield by Gen Robert Taylor’s smaller Confederate force. A battle at Pleasant Hill followed, and Banks retreated back to Alexandria, where the Red River’s water table was seasonally low
The Red River’s rapids were prominent at Alexandria at this time, which were difficult for most water vessels to navigate. Low water crossing was doubly difficult for heavy ironclad boats, so Col. Joseph Bailey of Wisconsin was called in to create a makeshift dam that would raise the water level just enough for the boats to cross
Construction of Bailey’s Dam
Tensions were high during the building of the dam and even higher as the final boat scraped the river bottom after crossing.
“The citizenry was concerned about the potential burning of the city,” Wynne said. “They knew about Atlanta and other cities that had burnt from newspaper accounts, and the relationship between the people and the Union troops had never been very good. The soldiers had basically taken all of their food chickens, cows and crops and were confiscating the cotton for the mills up in the North.”
Not to mention that all of the trees had been chopped down on the Pineville side of the river, and the wooden buildings dismantled on Alexandria’s side were used to build what historically has become known as Bailey’s Dam.
An admirer of Gen. Sherman
The proverbial nail in Alexandria’s coffin was the presence of Smith, a close associate of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, who was burning his way through Georgia at the time.
“He admired Sherman and was a Sherman wannabe,” Wynne said of Smith.
Wynne’s research has taken him not only through history books but also court records,
Music academy marks anniversary with concert
BY ADRIAN SAINZ Associated Press
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis music studio where some of America’s most recognizable songs were recorded decades ago is now a museum. But next door trumpets blare, drums boom, and singers craft the soulful sounds of Stax Records’ biggest hits.
At Stax Music Academy, young musicians rehearse the unmistakable intro to “Theme from Shaft,” the Isaac Hayes tour de force that won an Oscar in 1972 and tantalizes listeners with its pulsating bass line, crisp hi-hat and funky guitar There’s an air of professionalism among the students as their teacher hands out sheets of music and words of wisdom.
“Here we go. Read the ink that’s on the paper From the top, one, two, ready and …,” says Sam Franklin IV the academy’s music director When they finish, Franklin says, “Hey y’all, that was good.”
Redding cut “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay,” Sam and Dave worked on “Soul Man,” and The Staple Singers made “Respect Yourself.”
Other mainstays of the Stax catalog include Booker T. and the MGs, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Wilson Pickett and Johnnie Taylor Before it went bankrupt in 1975, Stax Records helped develop the raw, emotional Memphis Sound, driven by tight horn and rhythm sections, and strong-voiced singers. Some Stax songs were energetic and raucous, others smooth and sexy Stax Records no longer churns out chart-topping music, although it still has a program for songwriters. The building has been converted into the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.
On, I’m Comin’”, Arthur Conley’s “Sweet Soul Music,” and “Cause I Love You,” by the father and daughter duet of Rufus and Carla Thomas.
A companion study guide includes lessons and activities highlighting key figures and events that shaped labor policies and standards.
“It’s all about the message for me,” said Johnathan Cole, an 18-year-old singer and songwriter “It feels good because with the world going crazy right now, everybody just needs a little bit of love, happiness and music. That’s what Stax Music Academy has always been about: love, music, creativity.”
newspaper accounts and government documents. His findings led to an interesting discovery about Banks’ character
Sure, the general had political aspirations, but when it came to military duty, Banks believed in proper protocol.
“There was this delicate balance between political and military sides,” Wynne said. “I would say he was 60% politician and 40% soldier, but he was still a proper military soldier, and he wanted to do things right. Lincoln was in the process of being reelected, and he knew the presidency would be wide open after that, because it was unlikely that Lincoln would run again.”
Banks was decent
But that didn’t mean Banks was bad.
“I have done extensive research on Banks’ life,” he said.
“There were some real bad generals who used poor judgment and were morally questionable. But, Banks was a decent man. He got along with the people of Alexandria, but his troops didn’t. And the people began hearing some of the soldiers talking about burning down the city.”
Banks also heard the rumors, so he issued a letter on May 13, 1864, ordering a Col. Gooding to station 500 men to guard the city against destruction The general was already on his way to New Orleans when the fire started.
There’s no written order by A.J. Smith, but there are accounts that he encouraged soldiers to start the fire,” Wynne said. “They went from building to building starting fires.”
Churches saved, destroyed
The priest at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral stood in front of the church, telling soldiers if they were going to burn the church, they would have to kill him first.
The church was spared.
In the meantime, St. James Episcopal Church, which stood next to the river, was destroyed, but its silver sacristy set was saved and buried That same set is used in St. James’ current location today at the corner of Bolton Avenue and Murray Street.
“Eighty-five percent of the buildings were destroyed,” Wynne said. “And as the years passed, those that did survive were eventually torn down to make way for modern buildings.”
As for Kent Plantation House, its owners had pledged allegiance to the Union before the war The 1796 structure was moved two miles from its original location in 1964, preserved and is now open for tours.
“Historian Henry Robertson actually found the amnesty oath signed by the owner of Kent House in 1864,” Wynne said.
“That’s probably what saved it.”
But saved from whom? Did Smith give the order to burn upon Banks’ departure? That’s the general consensus.
“It was probably a verbal order,” Wynne said. “And there was no need for it. It was just done out of anger and hate, and for no other reason.”
Do you have a question about something in Louisiana that’s got you curious? Email your question to curiouslouisiana@ theadvocate.com Include your name, phone number and the city where you live.
Under the guidance of Franklin and other instructors, the students are practicing for three concerts in Memphis, Tennessee, on Friday to celebrate Black History Month and the academy’s 25th anniversary Created in 2000, the academy is an after-school program for teens that teaches them to sing, dance and play instruments. Some pay nothing to attend.
The academy has graduated more than 4,000 students since it started in the working-class neighborhood of Soulsville, where Stax Records produced soul and R&B classics in the 1960s and 1970s. Since 2008, every high school senior has been accepted to a college or university, many on full scholarships. The academy has performed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, the Kennedy Center in Washington, and in Europe and Australia.
Students take pride and joy in continuing the legacy of the influential record company, where Otis
The Stax Music Academy group practicing on a rainy January evening includes both Black and White players. Before the work begins, some students joke around and dance in the hallway outside the rehearsal room, which boasts a high ceiling and a whiteboard with musical notes written on it. In a separate room, vocalists clap for each other as they take turns singing for their instructors.
“It’s so fun,” said Tatiyana Clark, a 17-year-old singer who joined the academy in 2023. “I’ve been in places where we would have the same interest in music, but nothing is like the connection that I have here. Honestly, it’s a different level of friendship, when you have the exact same feelings towards music, the same experiences — almost.”
Stax began online Black History Month presentations in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous programs have included specific themes, with this year’s being the U.S. labor movement and how it involved and affected Black people, including work training, entrepreneurship and unionization.
But this year’s show is a series of in-person concerts at a downtown Memphis venue where attendees will hear Sam and Dave’s “Hold
When the labor and civil rights movements were striving for racial equality and social justice, Booker T. and the MGs churned out “Green Onions” and other toetapping instrumental songs, with Black men at organ and drums — Booker T. Jones and Al Jackson Jr — and White players on lead and bass guitar — Steve Cropper and Donald “Duck” Dunn.
“I would describe Stax as ‘change,’” said Johnathan McKinnie, a 16-year-old piano and organ player “It drastically changed how music was formed It was definitely an advocate for civil rights.” In the vocalists’ rehearsal room, the group is perfecting Eddie Floyd’s song about luck and love, “Knock on Wood.”
“It’s like thunder, and lightning, the way you love me is frightening better knock, knock, knock on wood,” three vocalists sing in harmony “Breathe. You’re not breathing,’” one instructor tells a student, who smiles and nods.
The exchange exemplifies the spirit of cooperation and dedication that permeates the academy Pasley Thompson, a 17-year-old singer and songwriter, calls the academy “an escape from the every day.”
DANCING
Continued from page 1D
Each member is responsible for creating their own original lightup costume.
Burke said costumes can be as elaborate as desired, but they must align with the theme of the parade. This year, the Southdowns theme is “Safari,” so the Dancing Girls decided to craft each costume as an animal. Each ensemble must light up and include a headpiece.
Bizza Britton joined the Dancing Girls in 2019, and she said the organization is a “wonderful group of creative, eclectic and caring women” who love to dance and have fun.
Each year the Dancing Girls select a charity and donate a portion of their dues to the chosen nonprofit. They always present the gift after Mardi Gras to the deserving cause In the past, they have donated to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, Glasgow Middle School cheerleaders, Baton Rouge Cancer Society, Youth Oasis, Life of a Single Mom and Brave Heart of Louisiana, Children in Need.
“If you like to dress up and dance in the streets then this is completely a tribe of women to join,” Burke said.
The Prancing Babycakes In 2008, the Prancing Babycakes started at the Baton Rouge Art
Car Parade and expanded to Mardi Gras parades in 2009. Mayard joined one year later and has been a faithful member since.
The Prancing Babycakes is a diverse dance group when it comes to experience and age. Some members were professional dancers with dance studios and others had never taken a dance class before joining. Their oldest member is in her 60s, and their youngest member is in her 20s.
Heather Day, an event planner in Baton Rouge, was nervous and intimidated the first year she joined because she was not a dancer However four different choreographers within the group arrange dances in different styles, and once the krewe learns the moves, they add their own flavor to the choreography.
“What’s nice about our group is that it really is individualistic,” Mayard said. “Everybody kind of leans a little differently into the music that they like.”
She says the moves are more of a guide to ensure that the women look cohesive on parade routes, but each Babycake can put their own style into the dance.
Signature krewe colors
The Babycakes coordinate their costumes each year by combining their signature krewe colors: red, black and white with silver or gold accents. Once again, individuality prevails among the dancers. Mayard said some girls put together an outfit from their
closet while others will craft a look for months.
While Day joined the group more recently, she had been longing to dance with the Babycakes for years.
When they first started doing parades, Day had two young daughters and a new event planning business She didn’t think she had time. Now, she says becoming a Babycake is one of the best things she has ever done for herself.
“I would see the girls along the route every year,” said Day, “and I’d run up and hug them and scream and yell and wish I was one of them. Finally my kids got older, and I needed to cross this off my bucket list. It’s a goal to work for, learning four dances over two months, and I do it every year.”
As for Mayard, she said she will keep dancing with the Babycakes as long as her body lets her The physical exertion is no joke.
Performing in three parades this year the dancers not only are dancing consistently, but they are also hustling to keep up with a float or a truck. Mayard said she does cardio conditioning at the gym to prepare for the “physical feat.”
All the stress and soreness are worth it, though.
“We find that this is one of those pockets of adulthood where we can still instill joy,” said Mayard, “and you know, I think everyone’s really trying to find that positive light. This really fills that void for a lot of girls.”
PROVIDED PHOTO
Dancing Girls glow so bright in their light-up costumes at the Southdowns Parade.
Mr. Jones, Mr. Smith,
Mr. Adams ... and Judy
Dear Miss Manners: I par-
Judith Martin
MISS
MANNERS
ticipate in a regular online exercise class, in which all the clients are veterans and mostly men. I am usually the only woman in the group Participants generally sign on several minutes early to chitchat, and the host (a woman) greets everyone as she sees them. My irritation is that she greets all the men as “Mr.,” and me by my first name. Everyone’s screen names include both first and last names, and none are particularly difficult to pronounce, so I don’t understand the difference in addressing us. The participants are all older than she is, so it isn’t a matter of showing respect for elders. I can imagine several possible reasons for this:
n She feels more chummy with me, as the only other woman present n She is unconsciously more respectful of the men n I’m not seen as a peer of the other veterans because I’m “only” a woman (something encountered quite a bit on active duty, sadly).
n There is some subconscious self-distancing at play when talking to men
vs. women She may not realize this can be off-putting, and might appreciate being told. Should I email her to let her know? Should I change my screen name to “Miss So-and-so” or even more snarkily, “Sergeant So-andso” as a not-so-subtle hint?
I’m conflicted about even asking this. Ironically one of my joys after retiring was to finally be called by my first name again Gentle reader: Ironic indeed. Miss Manners suggests a non-snarky reason that is not on your list: that this woman may not know which honorific you use (Miss, Ms or Mrs.) and is afraid to guess. Listing your preferred honorific, or your rank, as your screen name would certainly make the point. If she asks you about it or seems taken aback, you may helpfully say “I just noticed that you prefer to call people by their last names, so I wanted to alert you to mine.”
Dear Miss Manners: I live in downtown Houston and regularly walk through the underground network of tunnels to escape the heat between appointments. Most of the time, I notice people follow standard traffic rules: e.g walking on the right side.
However I sometimes see groups of businesspeople walking shoulder-toshoulder, as if they’re off to see the Wizard of Oz. It is reminiscent of teenagers navigating a school hallway
The way these groups block the path, a collision was inevitable, and it happened recently A woman clipped my shoulder, then loudly exclaimed, “Excuse you! Can’t you see we’re walking here?!”
Her entire group turned to look at me, as if I was at fault for simply existing in “their” world. Not knowing what else to say, I replied, “The tunnels are for everyone,” before walking away to my next appointment. As I left, I heard the woman yell, “RUDE!”
What do you recommend I should have said or done in that situation?
Gentle reader: “I’m afraid there was just no way through.”
Miss Manners suggests you omit, “ and I need to see the Wizard,” however tempting it may be.
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.
Sibling caught in the middle when brother and friend date
Dear Harriette: Despite my disapproval, my brother is dating one of my close friends. I don’t have anything negative to say about either of them individually, but I just prefer not to cross those lines where my separate worlds intertwine. These types of scenarios make me fear ending up in the middle, and that is exactly what’s happened between my friend and brother They do not spare me any details; when they have trouble in paradise, I feel like I’m at the crossroads. One always comes to vent, and the other never fails to come to me with their concerns, asking for advice or asking if I know what the issue is. How do I set hard boundaries or get them both to date outside of my immediate circle?
— Stuck in the Middle
Dear Stuck In The Middle: Even if you attempted to require that your friends and family not date, it wouldn’t work, so save your breath. What you can do is state clearly to them that you refuse to get involved in their relationship. To back up your position, change the subject, walk away or
hang up the phone when they start sharing too much, including their side of any argument. Explain that you feel awkward and do not want to be in the middle. You love them both and will not take sides. If you continue to cut off the conversation before it gets started, they will get the message Dear Harriette: Do you think tough love is necessary? Sometimes I can be a bit hardheaded and often have to learn things the hard way — especially with my love life I realize that to people around me who love and care for me, that process is probably frustrating, but for me, tough love never feels motivational Instead, it makes me feel unheard and dismissed. I am currently dating someone, and I don’t think he is the best person for me. I shared these sentiments with some close friends, and they started saying things like, Girl, he hates you. Leave him,” “I don’t know what would possess you to stay” and “I would never be caught in a situation like that.” I already acknowledged that I think I need to step away from
this relationship, so I didn’t understand all the intense negativity toward me as an individual. Is this supposed to toughen me up, or is it fair to say my friends were rude and insensitive? — Judgmental Friends Dear Judgmental Friends: The comments you just shared are absolutely judgmental and unkind, but you should ask yourself why your friends would resort to such strong statements in expressing their concerns about you. Have you been in this situation before, where you knew you should leave and couldn’t do it? Their intensity may have something to do with your unwillingness to walk away when the moment called for it in the past. Assess your behavior and theirs. Decide what you will do about this man. Finally, tell your friends that their harsh comments are more hurtful than helpful. Ask them to be kinder, even if that means making no comments at all. You will still get the message.
Send questions to askharriette@ harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
At UpStage Theatre
Tickets are on sale for UpStage Theatre’s production of “American Menu,” opening March 9 at the theater 1713 Wooddale Blvd., Baton Rouge.
Tickets are $25. Call (225) 924-3774 or email info@ upstagetheatre.biz.
Grayson and Groves
Grammy-winning tenors
Robert Grayson and Paul Groves will perform the concert, “Our Favorite Things,” a celebration of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s timeless classics, including “The Sound of Music,” “The King and I,” “South Pacific” and “Oklahoma!” at 2 p.m. Feb. 23 in the LSU School of Music’s Recital Hall on Dalrymple Drive, Baton Rouge.
The program will feature the singers’ studio members and surprise guest soloists. Admission is free. Visit calendar.lsu.edu/event.
At LSU Museum
The LSU Museum of Art in the Shaw Center for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St., Baton Rouge, will open “Golden Legacy: Original Art from 80 Years of Golden Books,” on Feb. 27. The show features 60 original illustrations that have captivated generations, taking visitors on a journey through the rich history and creative artistry of Little Golden Books.
The museum also is showing “In a New Light: American Impressionism 1870-1940, Works from the Bank of America Collection” through March 23. Visit lsumoa.org.
‘Xanadu’ tickets
Tickets are on sale for Theatre Baton Rouge’s production of the musical, “Xanadu,” opening March 7 on the Main Stage, 7155 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge. Tickets are $43-$48. Visit theatrebr.org.
At Old State Capitol
Louisiana’s Old State Capitol, 100 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, is showing “The Biggest Celebrity of His Time: General Lafayette and the 200th Anniversary of His Voyage to Louisiana,” showcasing works by members of the Associated Women in the Arts through March 15. Admission to all events is
free. For more information, visit louisianaoldstatecapitol.org.
‘Roleplay’ tickets on sale
Tickets are on sale for LSU Theatre’s production of “Roleplay,” opening March 13 in the Reilly Theatre, Tower Drive, LSU campus in Baton Rouge. Tickets are $9-$22. Visit lsu. edu/cmda/theatre/events.
‘Our Garden’
In Demand Art Studios, 5800 One Perkins Place, Suite 5D Baton Rouge, is showing “This is Our Garden,” featuring the work of eight Baton Rouge area women artists.
The two artists connected via Instagram last year when they participated in a fundraiser for St. Jude’s Children Hospital called Flower Fest. Admission is free.
‘Hunchback’ tickets
Tickets are on sale for Sullivan Theater’s production of the musical, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” opening March 14, on its stage at 8849 Sullivan Road, Central. Tickets are $25-$35. Visit Sullivantheater.com.
Open Experimental
Studio
The LSU College of Art & Design is inviting artists to apply to be a resident artist for its Open Experimental Studio Residency in the LSU School of Art’s Glassell Gallery in the Shaw Center for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St., Baton Rouge. In its second year, The Open Experimental Studio Residency is a month-long community engagement residency designed to foster playfulness and material encounters by inviting community into resident artists’ workplaces. Application deadline is March 15. Visit lsuart.slideroom.com/#/permalink/ program/82822.
‘Umbrella of Color’
The installation, “Umbrella of Color,” by students in Glasgow Middle School’s talented visual arts program will run through March 31 in the Shaw Center for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St., Baton Rouge. Admission is free.
‘Moon Mouse’ tickets
Tickets are on sale for Lightwire Theater’s production of “Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey” at 2 p.m. Feb. 23 in the Manship Theatre in the Shaw Center for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St., Baton Rouge. Tickets are $25 plus fees. Call (225) 344-0334 or visit manshiptheatre.org.
At LSU galleries
LSU’s Glassell Gallery in the Shaw Center for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St., Baton Rouge, is showing the exhibit, “Britt Ransom: Sticky,” through Feb. 28.
Integrating local history ecologies and research, “Sticky” features 3D-printed ant raft sculptures carrying candy oil barrels made of sugar down an abstract model of the Mississippi River. Ants and sugar serve as metaphors for the complex journey of sugar from production to consumption connecting it to troubled ecologies of exploitation and extraction. Admission is free. For more information, call (225) 3897180.
‘Servant’ tickets
Tickets are on sale for the UL-Lafayette School of Performing Arts’ production of “The Servant of Two Masters,” opening March 13 in the Burke-Hawthorne Hall Theatre on campus in Lafayette. Tickets are $15-$20. Visit eventbrite.com/e/theservant-of-two-masterstickets-1224294400509. At the Poydras Center Meet the artists at the Poydras Center, 500 W. Main St., New Roads, which is currently sponsoring a duo art exhibition through March 31 of Louisiana artists Kellie Martin Smith and Olivia McNeely Pass.
Harriette Cole SENSE AND SENSITIVITy
‘Biography of a song’
Former LSU professor dives into history of ‘you Are My Sunshine’
BY JOHN WIRT
Contributing writer
A song loved by generations throughout the world, You Are My Sunshine” has special resonance in Louisiana.
Statewide affection for the love song-lament largely goes to the late Louisiana Gov Jimmie Davis.
A singer and recording artist be fore he entered politics Davis released his recording of “You Are My Sunshine” in 1940. The song defined his public persona, helping him sing his way to the governor’s mansion in 1944 and 1960.
Robert Mann’s 10th book, You Are My Sunshine: Jimmie Davis & the Biography of a Song,” wraps musicology and social and political history into 161 concise pages. Straightforward though “You Are My Sunshine” is on the surface, its deeper meaning and cloudy origin contain mysteries that may never be solved. Mann, the former Manship Chair in Journalism at LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication, investigates the often-recorded song’s emergence in the 1930s, enduring popularity and political impact. The book’s extensive bibliography and notes show the depth of his research.
Mann’s conclusion that Davis almost certainly did not write “You Are My Sunshine” may be the biggest surprise. The singing governor’s shifting stories through the years about the song’s creation suggest the claim of authorship he maintained until his death in 2000 at 101 years old was fiction.
“None of it adds up,” Mann said a few weeks ago.
Chapter one, “Jimmie Davis Needed a Song,” cites an obscure Georgia singer and songwriter, Oliver Hood, as the likely true composer of “You Are My Sunshine.” In the 1930s and ’40s, Hood played for local radio broadcasts and performed with bands in Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina. Best known as a master of the mandolin, he didn’t record “You Are My Sunshine” in the 1930s or, more importantly, copyright it
“It was gratifying to tell Oliver’s story and to talk to his family members, who mourn over his lack of recognition,” Mann said. “Oliver didn’t live to see the
recognition that I give him in this book, and that others are giving him, for writing this song. I find that sad, but at least his grandchildren and great-grandchildren can have confirmation that, as close as we can come to it, he did write the song.”
Two duos from Georgia — the Pine Ridge Boys and the Rice Brothers — released recordings of “You Are My Sun-
shine” in 1939, before the Davis recording. Mann speculates that the future governor happened to hear the song and, knowing the value of a copyright, bought the rights to it from the financially distressed Paul Rice. Davis thereafter claimed ownership and authorship of “You Are My Sunshine.”
Universally perceived to be a sunny love song, Mann noticed the dark lyrics in its first verse: “The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms. But when I woke, dear, I was mistaken, and I hung my head and cried.”
“People don’t hear the lyrics because the melody is so light and appealing,” Mann explained. “But the melody masks the heartbreak.”
The “You Are My Sunshine” interpretations that Mann especially likes include Bing Crosby’s exquisitely sung and arranged 1941 release; Ray Charles’ powerful 1962 reinvention; and the recording he finds the most moving of them all, Johnny Cash’s 1989 rendition.
“I am fascinated by the many interpretations of these simple lyrics and the emotions they evoke,” Mann said. “Ray Charles’ version sounds much more about unrequited love, with more hostility than any other recording.”
Myth-buster though Mann is, he knows that Davis and “You Are My Sunshine” are inseparable.
“For me, the story of the song is that it helped a politician create an image of wholesomeness and integrity that didn’t always match his real life,” he said. “Davis was a politician who presented himself as an entertainer He was among the first entertainers, and one of the most successful, to cross over to politics.”
The book began with Mann’s idea to write a 15,000-word volume for the LSU Press series “Louisiana True.” A suggestion from the publisher prompted Mann to expand the original focus on how “You Are My Sunshine” became Louisiana’s state song to a comprehensive “biography of a song.”
A guitar, banjo and ukulele player himself, Mann enjoyed his first foray into musicology
“I learned how to write about music through a historical and political context,” he said. “And writing about the music itself — the sound, the melody, the creative work, describing it and interpreting it — that was fun.”
Email John Wirt at j_wirt@msn.com.
Danny Heitman AT RANDOM
La. poet Catharine Savage Brosman pens new memoir
We live in a loud world these days, as anyone who clicks on a TV or drops into social media is quickly reminded.
Given that reality, speaking clearly and quietly can seem like a radical act. That thought often came to mind during my week of evenings with “Partial Memoirs,” poet Catharine Savage Brosman’s latest work of prose. Brosman, a longtime professor of French at Tulane, now divides her retirement between Houston and New Orleans, a capstone to an eventful life shaped by strong convictions.
But in her new memoir, as in her previous autobiographical writings, Brosman commands our attention precisely because — on the page, at least — she never raises her voice.
The effect is bracing, a little windfall of sanity that readers accustomed to the latest exclamatory tweet or news bulletin might welcome.
Brosman is 90, so maybe the serenities of age have something to do with her reluctance to get carried away
PROVIDED PHOTO Poet Catharine Savage Brosman has written a new book, ‘Partial Memoirs.’
But in previous outings, such as her essay collection “The Shimmering Maya” and her many volumes of poems, a measure of equanimity has always informed Brosman’s style
The author describes her mother as “a nineteenth-century woman,” and Brosman’s literary gifts often evoke an earlier time, too The formality of her sentences sometimes makes me think of Henry James or Edith Wharton; it’s not too often, after all, that one sees “hence” or “shall” in a modern paragraph. If there’s anything else subversive in “Partial Memoirs,” it’s perhaps Brosman’s smiling insistence that modernity might be overrated. Explaining what pointed her toward a career teaching French, she lists the old, true things she loves about France, including “beautiful fields and vineyards, seacoasts and mountain scenes” and “one of the two greatest world literatures.”
Brosman defends the finer gifts of culture with spirit, citing Stendahl, Montaigne or T.S. Eliot as casually as hipper memoirists might name-drop movie stars.
“I am also,” she declares, “a terrible snob. I prefer intellect to obtuseness, learning to ignorance, about which I rage silently, refinement to vulgarity and elevated language to low, both in English and French.”
Her perspective might be elevated, but it’s not above the fray
Brosman writes descriptively of her Colorado childhood, two divorced husbands (one of whom she remarried) and her enduring affection for New Orleans, a love tested by Hurricane Katrina.
“The experience of driving from the nearly deserted city over the twin bridges to the West Bank and the sequel to that departure, a long exile, were terrible,” she writes.
There’s humor here, too.
Brosman recalls her husband Pat’s nickname for her, “funny animule,” hinting at her stubborn streak. Perhaps such doggedness has gotten Brosman this far This fall, University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press is publishing another collection of her poems.
“I was always eager to get away — not from, but to,” she writes.
Perhaps the chief pleasure of “Partial Memoirs” is that for all its retrospection, it gently points us ahead.
Email Danny Heitman at danny@dannyheitman.com.
PROVIDED PHOTO By DAVID CROOK
Oliver Hood, center, shown with students in 1959, is the likely true composer of ‘you Are My Sunshine,’ Bob Mann says in his book about the beloved song
PROVIDED PHOTO
Jimmie Davis, photgraphed with his band in 1944, released his recording of ‘you Are My Sunshine’ in 1941.
Mann
hopsPulling out the
Louisiana native opens the first brewery in the United Arab Emirates
BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer
Louisiana native Chad McGe-
hee has loved living, working and raising his family in the United Arab Emirates. But soon after he arrived in the “middle of the Middle East,” he realized the place was missing one important thing: fresh craft beer He decided to do something about it.
In 2018, McGehee resigned from his finance and operations job at IBM to learn the brewing business.
His vision was to replicate in the UAE what brewers like Abita did in south Louisiana: Use local ingredients to create a brand that resonates with local drinkers.
At the time, it was illegal to brew or distill alcoholic beverages in the country, but it wasn’t illegal to import them so McGehee and his partner, Jeff Karns, kicked off the venture called Side Hustle Brewing Co. — by making beer in the United States and flying or shipping it east.
Then, in 2021, the UAE legalized brewing, and McGehee’s business model expanded. He and his restaurant partners spent three years planning the launch of Craft by Side Hustle, the nation’s first brewpub, which celebrated its grand opening last February Inspired by McGehee’s south Louisiana roots the brewpub serves fried shrimp po-boys, jambalaya, beignets and other Cajun and Creole dishes along
ä See BREWERY, page 2E
jazz
of
Waitr founder’s new venture wields AI
BY TIMOTHY BOONE Business editor
Chris Meaux made a name for himself a decade ago when his Lafayettebased food-delivery company Waitr became a startup darling. Now, he’s got a new venture that aims to use artificial intelligence and the expertise of local business leaders to help more founders achieve success.
QiMana Inc. is a collaboration between Meaux and former Baton Rouge Business Report Publisher Rolfe McCollister. They’ve created an online platform called Solomon where successful business owners upload business advice and stories from their experience as entrepreneurs.
For a fee, QiMana subscribers can query the database of “luminaries” that then uses AI to provide personalized insights based on the collected expertise.
“What’s missing from the entrepreneurial ecosystem is an organized and systemized way for startup business owners to get the coaching they need to be successful,” Meaux said He noted that businesses that go through local accelerators, such as Launch Pad Ignition, Nexus Louisiana, The Idea Village or LSU Innovation, have a 20% higher likelihood of success.
QiMana came out of a conversation Meaux and McCollister had in 2019, when they talked about how they were regularly getting requests for help from fledgling entrepreneurs, but they didn’t have enough time to give advice. Originally the thought was to develop an app, but Meaux said it needed to be something different if he was going to ask people to pay for it.
Last summer, when Meaux was advising a mentee at Loyola University’s Wolf Pack LaunchU startup boot camp, he heard something from one of the other advisers that was a “light bulb moment.”
and chef
food
November
“He said the No. 1 rule is don’t share advice, share your experiences,” he said. “You give advice, people get defensive But you share experiences, it shows how you tackled the same challenges.”
Specific advice
Solomon is different from large language model AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, because it taps into a specific knowledge base.
For example, Meaux said if you ask ChatGPT how to start a business, it will give you a step-by-step list of basic functions. But Solomon will discuss experiences like how Meaux talked to 1,000 potential users and 100 restaurants to validate his idea for Waitr Meaux founded Waitr, the app-based food-delivery company, in 2013. The business was wildly successful, and in 2018, it was acquired by Texas
PROVIDED PHOTOS
Mitchell Dougherty, from left, Sange Tsing, Wayne Milford and Chad McGehee celebrate a collaboration between Craft by Side Hustle and Birthright Brewing Co in February 2024.
A
band performs in front
a mural of Bourbon Street at Craft by Side Hustle in Abu Dhabi.
ABOVE: Chad McGehee, left,
Troy Payne rest after serving jambalaya at a
festival in the United Arab Emirates in
2023. LEFT: Chad McGehee, born and raised in Louisiana poses now lives in United Arab Emirates with his family, including sons Aiden, left, and Wyatt.
TALKING BUSINESS WITH JOSEPH PAPPALARDO SR.
CEO taking on La.’s commercial real estate landscape
BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer
Joseph Pappalardo Sr got his start in commercial real estate in the earl 1970s, blow-and-go years for a then growing New Orleans.
In the late 1980s, when oil prices plummeted and the market dried up, he diversified away from the broker age business and joined Latter & Blum owner Robert Merrick to create Latte & Blum Property Management, which quickly filled a niche tending to sudden ly empty office buildings and shopping centers.
In the decades that followed, Pappa lardo grew the management compan and eventually broke away from Latte & Blum though he kept the old nam until 2023, when the firm was rebranded as Rampart/Wurth Holding
Earlier this month, Pappalardo re turned to his roots, in a sense, when Rampart/Wurth purchased the com mercial brokerage business NAI/Latte & Blum|Compass from real estate gian Compass Compass acquired Latter Blum last spring.
The deal makes Rampart/Wurth which Pappalardo runs with his son Joseph Pappalardo Jr and principal Michael Ricci, the largest-full service commercial real estate firm in the state, with more than 100 agents and 1,000 list ings.
In this week’s Talking Business, Pappalardo explains why he wanted to expand his firm’s footprint at a time when commercial real estate is being squeezed by stubborn inflation, interest rates and escalating insurance premiums.
Interview has been edited for length and clarity
Why did you want to buy NAI/Latter & Blum from Compass?
All of our competitors do brokerage as well as management, and while we were operating as a division of Latter & Blum, we didn’t have that capability nor did any brokerage profits or commissions go anywhere on our bottom line. Consequently, whenever I would bid a management assignment I couldn’t discount it because there weren’t any brokerage fees or leasing commissions earned I always felt I was at a disad-
vantage relative to my competitors but I didn’t want to go up against Latter & Blum because they were like a sister company
When did this deal come together? Was this in the works when Compass bought Latter & Blum last year?
No. But we heard that they might want to sell it late last summer and reached out to them in the early fall. It took about six months to come together
Who are your competitors now?
Corporate Realty, SRSA, Stirling, but they tend to do more office and retail.
We don’t have a lot of competition in the multifamily side, which is our specialty. Our plan is to continue to support the multifamily, expand that as much as we can and also expand our commercial portfolio.
Are you looking to expand geographically?
Yes. We already work in Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas, Alabama and are licensed in Georgia and will be doing work there before too long. We want to continue to expand that footprint and we think we have an opportunity to bring our brokerage services to those markets
Isn’t that hard when you have a new name, Rampart/Wurth, that isn’t well known in other states?
The Latter & Blum name is strong but only really in New Orleans, not so much in other parts of the state. When we rebranded to Rampart/Wurth we didn’t lose one client or miss one beat. And now, the Rampart brand is starting to gain steam and become recognized. I don’t think we are going to have any difficulty on the brokerage side not having the NAI/Latter & Blum brand. In real estate, it’s relationships that matter and
in acquiring NAI/Latter & Blum, we’re getting some of the best agents in the state. For the past two years, everyone in the real estate sector has bemoaned the worsening insurance crisis, especially in this state, on top of higher inrest rates and persistent inflation Doesn’t this make it a risky time to be getting into commercial real estate?
No question these are issues, but we have noticed an improvement in market activity since the election, which is typical. More people are expressing an interest in acquiring properties or listing properties. Insurance is a crisis, but we are hopeful the rates are getting a little bit better and we have a pro-business governor who is trying to come up with policies to keep rates down. With housing prices making homeownership unaffordable for so many people, multifamily is in demand and yet there is no land to build in New leans and constant opposition to new multifamily developments in places like St.Tammany.Where do u see opportunity in that?
It is going to be hard for anybody to develop workforce, market-rate multifamily housing because of construcon costs and insurance costs, and New Orleans is an island. So, it would have to be on the northshore or beyond the spillway We are not Houston or Dallas, and it’s unfortunate because young people, if they cannot afford to buy a house, don’t have of options But that has also created a lot of demand for the multifamily properties out there. Last year the highest performing category for NAI/Latter & Blum was in multifamily, the sale of multifamily complexes. What about retail? Does it have a future in the e-commerce era?
A lot of people are shopping online for convenience, but I think we have reached that point where people want to get back to seeing and touching and feeling rather than just buying online and hoping it fits. I think retail is going to recover to some degree. Online shopping is going to have a permanent effect on retail, but people will always want to see higher-end stuff, and they will always want the in-person shopping experience.
Email Stephanie Riegel at stephanie. riegel@theadvocate.com.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Joseph Pappalardo Sr is CEO of Rampart/Wurth Holding, formerly Latter & Blum Property Management, which Pappalardo co-founded in 1989 with Robert Merrick Sr
SPREADING JOY
Whippets Dixon and Griffin clock in shifts at Louisiana hospitals
BY MARGARET DELANEY
Staff writer
Dixon Soileau clocks in a one-hour shift every week at critical care facilities, nursing homes, children’s hospitals and sometimes even airports to help keep patients calm and lower their heart rates.
After his shift, Dixon takes a long fiveto-six-hour nap to calm down his nervous system.
Dixon is a 9-year-old greyhound and whippet mix from New Orleans.
His owners Michael and Alison Soileau have been bringing him (and his siblings) to New Orleans area care centers for 20 years as part of the Visiting Pet Program.
“It fills our buckets as much as theirs,” Alison said.
Dixon’s brother, Griffin, is always by his side spreading joy at hospitals and homes as part of the Visiting Pet Program.
The program, created in 1987, regulates the requirements needed for pets and owners to visit Louisiana’s most vulnerable.
Visiting Pet is the only animal assisted activity and therapy program in the Greater New Orleans Area Volunteers and their pet partners visit nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, special facilities for children and more.
Both Alison and Michael joined the program in 2005 with their whippets Sophia and Tyler — both dogs have since passed
on
“Within six months of getting married, we got our first whippet, and within that first year we got her in the program,” Michael said. “Then we had a second dog, Tyler We just loved it. That was our Saturday morning dates.” Saturdays are normally quiet when
ä See WHIPPETS, page 2X
Black women suffer iron deficiency at higher rates
Some face potentially serious outcomes
BY ALENA MASCHKE Staff writer
An often overlooked health con-
Yet the condition is extremely common — globally roughly 2 billion people are affected.
According to the National Institutes of Health, Black women are far more likely to experience low iron levels or anemia than other groups, with up to 20% being affected.
There are ways to combat low
cern, iron deficiency can have profound effects on a person’s daily life, leading to symptoms such as feeling weak and exhausted, or even experiencing heart palpitations.
iron and anemia, but awareness is the first necessary step.
Many patients don’t know that they’re iron deficient until they receive the results of a blood test, said Dr Cassandra Pillette, a physician with Ochsner St. Martin Hospital Community Health Clinic in Breaux Bridge.
The most common symptom is fatigue, but low iron levels can also lead to a condition called pica, a disorder in which patients develop an appetite for things not usually considered food, such as ice or mud.
“Most are asymptomatic in the earliest stages, but as it persists and as it prolongs, then that’s when the symptom starts to manifest,” Pillette explained.
If less oxygen is being carried in the blood, the heart has to pump harder to deliver oxygen to the cells in the body, which can lead to irregular heartbeat or even heart failure.
Most iron deficiency is caused by
ä See IRON, page 3X
If undiagnosed or untreated, iron deficiency can lead to more serious complications. The body needs iron to make hemoglobin, which in turn is used to transport oxygen in the blood.
STAFF PHOTOS By CHRIS GRANGER
Patient Poppy Winters, 4, and her mom, Ryliegh, are surrounded by visiting pets, Griffin and Dixon, on Dec. 17 in Poppy’s room at Ochsner Children’s Hospital in New Orleans.
Emily Leonor 8, gives a hug to Dixon as he visits her in her room.
HEALTH MAKER
Researcher: Educating immune system key to prevent RSV
BY MARGARET DELANEY Staff writer
Stephania Cormier, originally from Church Point, discovered she had asthma in her early 20s. Her discovery of a respiratory illness catapulted Cormier’s work in respiratory illness and research.
Dr Cormier is now a professor and leading researcher at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge. Her current studies look at microscopic changes in the tissues of the lungs after various exposures during pregnancy, pollution affects in adult lungs and the impact of respiratory infections in infants.
Specifically Cormier studies that lasting impacts and immune response of Respiratory Syncytial Virus. RSV is an infection of the lungs that is responsible for the hospitalization of 58,000 to 80,000 children under 5 years old each year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Cormier received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisiana, her doctoral degree from the Louisiana State University Medical Center and her fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona.
How important is studying RSV? What are the lasting impacts of these studies?
Severe RSV infection occurs within a certain window of early life, usually within about 0 to 6 months with a peak of infection at about 4 months old.
The focus of my research
PROVIDED
Dr Stephania Cormier is a professor and leading researcher at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge.
is to understand why infants in particular are more susceptible to severe RSV than kids and adults Over the past 25 years, we’ve realized that the immune system is very different in infants. Their lungs are still developing, and it makes a perfect place to have a severe RSV infection
There are millions of infants that are hospitalized with RSV every year Of those infants, the percentage of infants that then go on to develop long-term airways disease is extremely high.
If you can prevent that infant from getting that first infection — that severe infection with RSV — and prevent the development of asthma, you can save, not only lives lost, but you can also save long term health impacts I study RSV because I want infants to breathe better, now and their entire life. The impact of not being able to breathe, especially if it’s not diagnosed properly, is going to impact a patient’s
WHIPPETS
Continued from page 1X
Michael, Alison, Dixon and Griffin visit the Ochsner Children’s Hospital in New Orleans.
Poppy Winters was a patient along the group’s parade through the hospital to lift up spirits. Winters, 4, had been in and out of the hospital since she was born at a very low birthweight.
At home, Poppy has a German shepherd, a cocker spaniel and a Catahoula-lab mix
“She misses her pups at home, she hasn’t seen them in a month,” Ryliegh Winters, Poppy’s mother, said. Poppy dressed up for the visit, dazzling the pair of whippets with a Jessie the cowgirl costume from “Toy Story.” Dixon and Griffin were impressed.
Dixon even compared tattoos Dixon had an ID number under his ear from his years training as a racing dog (Dixon never made headway in the races), and Poppy’s father had Poppy’s birthday tattooed on his leg.
“They’re so gentle,” Poppy said of Dixon and Griffin. That gentleness takes a lot of training, according to Alison and Michael.
Each animal and handler must meet a certain level of requirements before becoming a therapist dog
The animal and owner are evaluated every six months for temperament, stamina and social behavior, according to the Visiting Pet Program. As owners, Michael and Alison have learned to be
ability to perform in life. It’s going to impact their ability to go do exercises. It’s going to impact their ability to play sports, and they may not even know why
It’s important for the kids. And I love the babies. I love working with the babies. I like trying to figure out why they are different when it comes to RSV It’s a challenge. What are the long-term effects from contracting severe RSV at a young age?
If you get pneumonia from the RSV, there are many long term effects, including cardiovascular effects, respiratory effects — none of those go away After pneumonia, you’ve damaged the airways. The best you can hope for is that it stays stable. The damage to the lung and airways is like getting a cut on your arm. You get a scar Your lung is doing the same thing. Underneath that airway epithelium, what’s happening is you’re developing
scar tissue, and so the more repetitive injury you have to the lung, the worse the scar tissue and thicker the airway barrier becomes, and the worse the lung function becomes. And as that layer becomes stiffer, it’s harder to breathe.
What new frontiers are you looking at for RSV studies?
We’ve figured out a lot of things, and right now our research is focused on one of the things that is important for the immune response. Our bodies protect us against RSV using a mucosal antibody, in mucus in our nasal or respiratory passages, is called IGA.
A lot of vaccines fail to produce IGA in infants. There is both clinical data and animal study data that shows that if you infect an infant or a young animal with RSV, then they don’t develop an IGA response.
IGA, the antibody that fights RSV actually binds to the virus and prevent it from infecting yourself. If you don’t make IGA, you’re
missing a key antibody that prevents you from being infected. My lab is currently focused on trying to figure out why we don’t make IGA in infants.
One of the key things about IGA is that’s one of the, one of the main antibodies that comes across in the placenta and in breast milk.
If the mom has been exposed to RSV or been vaccinated, then that IGA antibody can come through the breast milk and actually protect the infant for a few months at least.
Over time, the IGA antibody is becoming less effective in the breast milk, because mom’s immunity is waning, so the infant stops being protected.
How can infants, kids “educate the immune system” to respond better to RSV?
For example, if you honestly you get infected without the things. So, right? So that’s how you educate the immune system. So
If you’re exposed to certain bacteria or viruses that are not horrible, not harmful, not going to make you overly sick, your immune system responds and says: “OK, this is how I’m supposed to do this.”
It’s a learning process. The immune system is constantly learning from all the exposures we have. Kids that grow up on farms, for example, are exposed to a lot of different things: bacteria in dirt, fungus in dirt, animals and more.
All of those things are actually protective against severe RSV (except for cats and dogs, I don’t know why).
There is a lot of data to
suggest that growing up in a rural farm or environment is protective against severe RSV Those early exposures are actually training your immune system to respond better
What are the differences between flu and RSV viruses?
Flu and RSV have two distinct, different immune responses in the human body even though they are both RNA viruses.
The main difference is that your immune system can develop a memory to fight the flu, even if the type of flu changes each season. Your immune system never develops a memory for RSV
About 50% of infants can be reinfected with RSV two months after the initial infection. That’s shocking to me.
I actually think, by figuring out why the immune system doesn’t recognize RSV, we might actually learn how to make all infant vaccines better
Babies get a lot of repeat boosters for vaccines because their immune system doesn’t know how to develop a strong memory of the infection — or how to fight it. That’s why we “boost” the vaccines to increase that memory and keep the baby’s memory of the immune response alive.
If we figure out why this immune memory is not happening with RSV, then maybe we can improve other vaccines and make them more effective (we don’t need that repetitive boosting in infants). That’s the broad-reaching goal for us. This interview has been edited for length and clarity
ADHD diagnoses rise among adults
BY MIKE STOBBE AP medical writer
NEW YORK Allison Burk’s teenage daughter struggled with uncontrolled emotions, a shrinking attention span and a growing tendency to procrastinate. A family doctor suggested ADHD testing, which led to an unexpected discovery: The teen had ADHD, and Burk did too.
ADHD has been called the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorder in U.S. children, with more than 7 million kids diagnosed. Historically, it was thought to mainly affect boys (perhaps because boys with ADHD were seen as more disruptive in school) and to be something that kids grew out of.
respectful and watchful of the patients and people they encounter.
Older patients need to interact with a steady and still animal as to not make them off balance, children tend to tug on ears and be intimidated by larger breeds and nurses and practitioners want big long hugs from the animals
All of these quirks and potential disturbances to the dog or animal are temperament tested during a biannual evaluation.
“I’ve learned to watch people’s faces and how they are engaging with the dog. Sometimes parents are petrified of dogs,” Michael said. “If anyone doesn’t look comfortable, we don’t push it.”
Emily Leonor, an 8-yearold who is into magic as of late, was also visited by Dixon and Griffin.
“She’s back to her old self,” said Grace Hill, a specialist at the hospital. “I know that means so much.” Hill is a child life assistant specialist at Ochsner Health and often guides the therapy dogs into hospital rooms on their visits. According to Hill, even five or 10 minutes with an animal can make a difference.
It’s not just patients that need a bit of pet therapy Dixon and Griffin were able to visit hospitals during the pandemic and bring comfort and much needed love to nurses, doctors and practitioners working during COVID.
“There were pictures of nurses falling to the floor for him and crying,” Allison said. “It was a much-needed serotonin rush for them.”
During her daughter’s evaluation, Burk thought, “Wait a minute. This sounds familiar,” she recalled.
“I was able to piece together that this might be something I was experiencing,” said Burk, of Columbus, Ohio. She subsequently underwent her own testing and was diagnosed with ADHD at age 42.
More adults are being diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Diagnoses have been rising for decades but seem to have accelerated in the last few years.
A recent study suggested that more than 15 million U.S. adults — roughly 1 in 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD. The condition always starts in childhood, but about half of adults with it are diagnosed when they are 18 or older
Some doctors say the number of people coming in for evaluation is skyrocketing.
“Just in our clinic, requests for assessments have doubled in the last two years,” said Justin Barterian, a psychologist based at Ohio State University
Here’s a look at the phenomenon, and how to know if you might have the condition.
ADHD symptoms
ADHD makes it hard for people to pay attention and control impulsive behaviors. It can be inherited, and is often treated with drugs, behavioral therapy, or both.
“It’s like there’s an engine in you and you feel like it’s always running, and you can’t turn it off except with medication,” said Judy Sandler, a 62-year-old Maine woman who was diagnosed in her 50s.
But experts believe many people aren’t diagnosed as kids and live with symptoms into adulthood.
Adults with the condition talk about having trouble focusing on tasks, juggling responsibilities, and planning and managing their time. Some talk about not putting things away, and straining personal relationships with their restlessness, mood swings and impulsiveness.
Burk said she was grouped with talented and gifted students in grade school but didn’t complete college until her 30s because, “when I was 19, I hitchhiked across the country on a whim” and ended up a single mother in her early 20s She now works in marketing and media relations for Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
Diagnoses rising Diagnoses have been climbing in both kids and adults, and the recent government report found adult ADHD was more common than earlier estimates.
“We haven’t had (federal) adult ADHD data in a long time,” said one of the study’s authors, Angelika Claussen of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There were indicators of the rise, she added. Increasing demand for ADHD medication led to widespread shortages after the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020 A 2023 study showed the rise in prescriptions was particularly notable in adults — especially women. ADHD diagnoses and prescriptions were increasing before the pandemic, due partly to a change in general diagnostic criteria in 2013 that broadened the definition of ADHD and reduced the number of symptoms a
patient needed to have.
But case counts really seemed to jump in 2020, when schools were closed and many adults were forced to work from home.
“It’s very difficult to focus when you are home and you have kids,” Claussen said. “That may have exacerbated the symptoms for people who’d had mild ADHD but were able to cope” before the pandemic.
How ADHD is diagnosed
The last few years have seen growing cultural acceptance and curiosity about the condition, fueled by a proliferation of “I have ADHD” social media videos and online medical start-up companies offering 5-minute diagnostic quizzes.
Indeed, the long-held belief that ADHD was underdiagnosed in adults has given way to recent debates about whether it’s become overdiagnosed.
There’s no blood test or brain scan for ADHD. Experts say it is diagnosed when symptoms are severe enough to cause ongoing problems in more than one area of life, and when those symptoms can be traced to pre-adolescent childhood.
Ideally, a psychologist or psychiatrist diagnoses it by taking careful histories
from patients and from people who know them, experts say They also might ask patients to take tests designed to check their memory and ability to concentrate Doctors also must rule out anxiety, depression and other conditions that can have similar symptoms. But getting an appointment with a mental health professional can take months, and intensive ADHD evaluations can cost thousands of dollars. Many patients turn to family doctors or even online diagnostic quizzes, some of them connected to telehealth companies that prescribe medications.
“There is wide variability in this country in how people diagnose, how strict they are, and who they diagnose,” said Margaret Sibley, a University of Washington psychologist.
The American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders is drafting a first national set of diagnosis and treatment guidelines for health professionals who treat adults, and expects to release them later this year
The goal is “to improve the accuracy of diagnoses in this country,” said Sibley, who is leading the work on the guidelines.
PHOTO
STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER Cases of mycoplasma pneumonia and RSV are rising in Louisiana.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ROBERT F BUKATy
Judy Sandler who was diagnosed in her 50s with attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder, stands in her home on Jan. 23 in Lincolnville, Maine. More adults are being diagnosed with ADHD
STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER
Patient Poppy Winters, 4, and her mom, Ryliegh, are visited by dogs Griffin and Dixon on Dec 17 in Poppy’s room at Ochsner Children’s Hospital in New Orleans
Eat Fit Live Fit
AsMardi Gras festivities wind down, it’s not unusualto crave aseasonofrejuvenation,anopportunity to recharge, reset and refresh. If you’re contemplatingwhat this might look like for your life, we encourage you to consider doing alittle self-experiment with us, onethat can transform how you feel, look and live.
This year marks the 10thannual Alcohol Free for 40 Challengepresented by Ochsner EatFit. The premise of thechallenge is simple yetimpactful: Abstain from alcohol for40days to gain abetterunderstanding of its impact and influence on your body and mind.
Over the past few years,the concept of ‘zero-proofing’ has gained momentum, from the ‘sober-curious’ crowdtothose who decide to forgoalcohol altogether. And there’sagrowing bodyofresearch to support thistrend Alcoholislinked to ahost of negative effects, including elevatedcancer risk, heightened anxiety, higher blood pressure and inflammation, which can wreak havoc on our gut health and more.
The challenge details Fora sign-up fee of $49 (over $400 in value), you’ll receive comprehensive pre- and post-challengemetrics including laboratory tests, bodycomposition analysis, weight, blood pressure and before-and-after photos. These metrics are taken at boththe beginning and the end of the 40-day period, providing aclear picture of the changes your body experiences when
to offer zero proof Eat Fitcocktails, our team hosts Mindful Mondaysto help participants start each week on a positive note.
What’s in it for you?
Joinusandseeforyourselfthe difference40dayscanmake.Formore detailsandtoregister,visit AlcoholFreeFor40.com. BROUGHT TO
you hit pause on alcohol consumption Register at AlcoholFreeFor40.com by midnight on March 2nd to participate. On March 6th, OchsnerEat Fit will hostkick-off events in six cities across Louisiana,where participants can get their pre-challenge labs and metrics
Support everystep of the way We know change isn’t easy, so we don’texpect you to do it alone.Participants share resources, camaraderie andaccountability through the Alcohol Free for 40 Facebook group. In addition tocollaborating with local restaurants
BY THE NUMBERS
Over the years, our team has observed firsthand the transformative impact this challenge has had on thousands of participants. They consistently reportbetter energy, improved sleep greater productivity and enhanced mood –most notably, handling stress and anxiety markedly better. Within aweek, many notice brighter skin, clearer eyes and reduced cravings. By theend of the challenge, thechanges inwhole-bodywellness can be remarkable, includingimprovements in blood pressure, body composition andlab markers for inflammation, liver health, cholesterol and more.
Understandingalcohol’s deeperimpactonmentalhealth
It’s paradoxical. Alcohol is often used as astress reliever, yet it exacerbates our body’s stress response, leading to increased anxiety over time. The Alcohol Free for 40 Challenge offers abreak from this cycle, providing clarity and reducing anxiety. Many participants discover they handle stress better and
Asthma is a serious chronic disease that affects the lungs.Asthma can cause symptoms such as wheezing, difficulty breathing and coughing Louisiana ranks 27th nationally in reported cases of asthma in a lifetime, according to 2023 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
West Virginia reported the highest prevalence of asthma cases at 13.9% proceeded by Maine (12.9%), Rhode Island (12.2%), Massachusetts (11.9%) and Oregon (11.8%).
Louisiana reported in 2023 that 10.6% of the population reported having asthma in their lifetime, slightly higher than the national
average of 10.3%, according to America’s Health Rankings. Mississippi had the lowest prevalence of asthma cases at 7.1% followed by Texas, Florida and Nebraska (all at 8.5%) and New Jersey (8.6%).
Common asthma triggers include tobacco smoke, dust mites, outdoor air pollution, pets and mold. Risk factors for asthma include allergies, childhood respiratory infections and family history of asthma. A person can be diagnosed with asthma at any point in their life.
feel anewfound sense of calm.
To replace old habits, we encourage finding new, healthy behaviors such as walking or joining afitness classand experimenting withdelicious zero-proof beverage options.
Why it’s worth atry
If you’ve ever wondered just how alcohol is impacting your health, this challenge is your chance to find out. It’s not about never drinking again; it’s about understanding your relationship with alcohol and making informed choices moving forward.
Group to recognize Rare Disease Day at La. Capitol
Staff report
A global movement will make its way to Louisiana on Feb. 28 as the Louisiana Rare Disease Advisory Council will recognize Rare Disease Day The Council will join advocates, patients and families at 4 p.m Feb. 28, at the state Capitol, 900 N. 3rd St., Baton Rouge, to raise awareness and support for the rare disease community by sharing stories and initiatives designed to bring attention to the challenges
IRON
Continued from page 1X
menstrual flow, the underlying causes of which can in some cases be treat-
while the resulting iron deficiency can be addressed through changes in diet or iron supplements. There are several factors that make Black women especially prone to iron deficiency Black women are more likely to develop uterine fibroids, which can cause more blood loss during menstruation and they tend to have more severe symptoms. A lack of access to nu-
faced by individuals living with rare diseases. The public is invited to attend.
Participants at the event can enter to win giveaway prizes, take part in a Mardi Gras parade, meet legislative officials and more. “Rare Disease Day is more than a day — it’s a movement. It’s a time to celebrate the resilience of those living with rare diseases and to inspire progress in research, treatments and support systems within Louisiana,” said Lauren Williams, board mem-
tritious, iron-heavy foods poses another risk — Black Louisianans report significantly higher rates of food insecurity and are more likely to live in food deserts. Untreated iron deficiency can have generational effects as well, with women who are iron deficient during pregnancy being more likely to deliver prematurely and to give birth to babies with low birth weights, compounding an already glaring racial gap in maternal and child health outcomes. Meanwhile, Pillette points out, Black women may be less likely to seek or receive help.
ber of the Council, in a news release.
There are over 7,000 rare diseases that affect 300 million people globally Many rare diseases lack effective treatments or widespread recognition.
The Louisiana Rare Disease Advisory Council is committed to changing that by advocating for research, supporting families and advocating for policy changes. For more information email rdaclouisiana@gmail. com.
“There are some issues locally with access to care and a stigma of patients having some mistrust for providers,” the physician said. “So there is a large number of patients who may be experiencing symptoms, who may not bring up their concerns to their providers.” Annual blood tests are a crucial way for identifying iron deficiency, she noted.
“Try to see your provider at least annually, for your annual lab work to make sure that you have screening to ensure that we detect this, to prevent any time, any long term consequences,” she advises. “Iron deficiency anemia is treatable.”
Email Alena Maschke at alena.maschke@ theadvocate.com.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
The Louisiana Health section is focused on providing in-depth, personal accounts of health in the state. This section looks at medical innovations, health discoveries, state and national health statistics and re-examining tried and true methods on ways to live well. Health
editions will also profile people who are advancing health for the state of Louisiana.
Do you have a health story?
We want to hear from you. Email margaret.delaney@theadvocate.com to submit health questions, stories and more.
Molly Kimball RD,CSSD
From A to Zzzs: The science behind a better night’s sleep
BY ROBERTA BURKHART
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS)
It’s no secret that a good night’s sleep plays a vital role in mental and physical health and well-being. The way you feel during your waking hours depends greatly on how you are sleeping, say sleep experts.
A pattern of getting inadequate or unsatisfying sleep over time can raise the risk for chronic health problems and can affect how well we think, react, work, learn and get along with others.
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, an estimated 50 to 70 million Americans have sleep disorders and one in three adults does not regularly get the recommended amount of uninterrupted sleep needed to protect their health.
Many factors play a role in preparing the body to fall asleep and wake up, according to the National Institutes of Health. Our internal “body clock” manages the sleep and waking cycles and runs on a 24-hour repeating rhythm, called the circadian rhythm.
This rhythm is controlled both by the amount of a sleep-inducing compound called adenosine in our system and cues in our environment, such as light and darkness. This is why sleep experts suggest keeping your bedroom dark during your preferred sleeping hours.
Sleep is also controlled by two main hormones, melatonin and cortisol, which our bodies release in a daily rhythm that is controlled by the body clock.
Exposure to bright artificial light — such as from television, computer and phone screens — late in the evening can disrupt this process, making it hard to fall asleep, explained Sanjay Patel, director of the UPMC Comprehensive Sleep Disorders Clinical Program and a professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh.
Keeping our body clock and hormone levels more-or-less regulated are the best ways to consistently achieve good sleep, Patel said. He encouraged people with sleeping struggles to focus more on behavioral changes than seeking quick fixes, such as with over-the-counter sleep supplements like melatonin or by upping alcohol intake to feel drowsy
Patel said there’s not much clinical evidence that melatonin supplements work very well and that “a lot of the clinical trials of melatonin haven’t shown consistent evidence that it helps with insomnia.”
He did point out that the supplement isn’t particularly harmful either, except when “people start increasing and increasing the dose And in particular, we worry about the high doses that a lot of children are being given by their parents, where it really can cause problems,” he said Taking any more than 3 to 5 milligrams doesn’t increase the sedative effects, “and yet, we see people showing up to clinic all the time taking 20 milligrams.”
Sleeping potions
Many have suggested that warm milk, chamomile tea or tart cherry juice can induce a somniferous effect. While Patel said there’s no evidence they work, he did point out that they’re preferable to a nightcap.
“Alcohol is really bad for your sleep long term, for a number of reasons,” Patel said. First, alcohol can relax the throat muscles and can make sleep apnea and snoring worse for sufferers. Secondly, the body metabolizes alcohol rather quickly so its sedation effects do
not last throughout the night.
“So while it may put you to sleep, what happens is, three or four hours later, the alcohol has been metabolized, and now you will wake up from not having alcohol in your system,” he said.
Evening libations can also increase acid reflux and long-term drinking can cause “changes in your brain chemistry and is a big cause of insomnia,” he said. Heavy drinkers who suffer from insomnia will often increase their intake of alcohol in an effort to fall asleep, thus creating a dangerous cycle that could lead to alcohol use disorder
Cannabis is not much better, Patel said.
While a handful of pot users — specifically those who use it to treat anxiety — may see some sleep benefits, for the most part cannabis often does not help chronic insomnia and likely will make it worse.
“They actually see a lot of people whose sleep gets better when they stop using (cannabis),” Patel said. Instead of turning to sleep aids natural or otherwise — Patel said developing a bedtime routine that promotes relaxation and unwinding is a much better route to a good night’s rest
Whether it’s taking hot bath, reading a book, meditating or even tuning into the nightly news, the brain
will associate an oft-repeated bedtime ritual with the relaxation required to fall asleep, he explained.
You can watch television, but stay off social media, he said. “The algorithms on social media are designed to keep us engaged and end up contributing to people not closing their eyes until much later than they planned.”
Other common reasons that sleep can be unsatisfying or elusive are stress, worry and the simple fact that many people don’t give themselves enough time for rest.
“We see all the time that people plan to go to bed at a certain time, but then once they get into bed, they do other things and keep their mind active,” such as responding to emails, paying bills or scrolling on social platforms.
Aging influence
The rhythm and timing of the body clock changes with age, Patel said.
People need more sleep early in life when they’re growing and developing. For example, newborns may sleep more than 16 hours a day, and preschool-age children need to take naps.
In the teen years, the internal clock shifts so that they fall asleep later in the night, but then want to sleep in late. This is troublesome
for teens because “they need to be up for school at 6:30 a.m. and so that’s causing lots of problems,” Patel said.
Some school districts in the region, including Pittsburgh Public in 2023, have shifted to later start times with this in mind.
For adults, sleep during middle age can be tricky with young children in the home who disrupt parents’ sleeping patterns. This is also a time of life when stress and worry are heightened, he said.
Older adults tend to go to bed earlier and wake up earlier, but they’ve got their own unique challenges, Patel said.
“A lot of physical problems mean that people are often waking up more in the night as they age. They have to get up to go to the bathroom. They have chronic aches and pains that are waking them up. They’re often taking medications that have side effects that affect your sleep,” he said.
Ask for help
A bad night’s rest crosses over into being a chronic condition when it really starts to impact how you function during the day, Patel said. That’s when it might be time to talk to your doctor about what’s going on.
A sleep specialist can help patients find remedies for everything from stress and acid reflux to sleep apnea.
“In general, if things are going on for more than three months, then we think of it as a chronic problem that’s unlikely to get better by itself,” Patel said. The NIH also recommends several ways to achieve a better night’s rest:
n Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day
n Try to keep the same sleep schedule on weeknights and weekends.
n Use the hour before bed for quiet time, avoiding intense exercise and bright artificial light.
n Avoid heavy meals and alcohol within a few hours of bedtime.
n Avoid stimulants nicotine and caffeine.
n Spend time outside every day and be physically active.
n Keep your bedroom quiet, cool and dark.
n Take a hot bath or use relaxation techniques before bed.
DREAMSTIME PHOTO By ANUPONG THONGCHAN
Ochsner Health puts empathyatthe heart of healing to help Louisiana smokersquit forgood
By Amanda McElfresh amcelfresh@theadvocate.com
Thisstory is broughttoyou by OchsnerHealth.
Smoking continues to be amajorhealth problem in Louisiana, with about 33 percent of adults usingtobaccoproducts.Thatisamain reason whyLouisiana also has some of thenation’shighestrates of lung cancer and heart disease. But here’s amoreencouraging statistic: 30 percentof people whoenroll in Ochsner’s Smoking Cessation Program quit withinayear, and youcan, too.
“Wedoknowthatsmoking is tied to some of the most preventable illnesseswe seeinour clinic,”saidDr. Alexander Mulamula,a pulmonologist at Ochsner Health in BatonRouge. “Smoking affects every area of ourbody –our lungs, kidney, heart,brain, arteries.Also, secondhand smoking affects those around you. We shareall of these riskswith our patients.Sometimes they arehearing but themessage is not getting through to them.You have to look forthatteachable moment wheretheyare able to hear youwithout feeling like youare judging them.”
As part of its ongoing commitment to improving overallhealth in Louisiana, Ochsner Health is a leading provider of smoking cessation services.The OchsnerSmoking Cessation Program has anexcellent track recordofhelpingpeople kick thehabit.About 30 percent of its participants quit withinone year,which is more than triple the national average. Theprogram includes multiple group andindividual counseling sessions with certified tobacco treatmentspecialists,as well as medications such as Chantix when appropriate.Patientsmay be eligible to receivetreatment forfree or at areduced cost,depending on individual circumstances
Once the initial treatmentis complete, Ochsner Health counselorsfollowupwith patients at the three-, six- and12-month points to reviewtheir progress and discuss anyrelapses
Dr.AlexanderMulamula,apulmonologistat
OchsnerHealthinBatonRouge
selor contacts them within 72 hourstodiscuss program details,treatment options andmore.
“A lot of peopledon’tknowwheretostart, whichiswherewecomein,”Costanza said “Ifsomeone is interested in the program, I always start by asking them whytheywant to quit.Somehavehealth concernsorwant to do it fortheir kids or grandkids. Some have become self-conscious about the smell. We findthatreason andbuildonit. Dianne McAnelly had no intention of quitting smoking aftermorethan 60 years. She begansmoking as ateengrowing up in Virginia,when it wascommonfor kids to usecigaretteswhile hanging outbeforeand afterschool.Eventually,McAnelly’s habit became so ingrained that shewas smoking up to three-and-a-half packsaday
seethe effecther smoking hadonloved ones.When herniecepassedawayand the family gathered at her brother’shouse,she couldsensehis disappointmentwhenhe sawher standing outsidewitha cigarette On another occasion, she waswith her son, visiting his girlfriend in the hospital. McAnelly noticedthathekept glancing at her sittingbehindhim,and shelater realized it wasbecausehecould hear herlabored breathinginthe quietroom. It wasn’tuntil McAnelly wasdiagnosed with chronic obstructivepulmonary disease, or COPD,and ablood disorderthat she thoughtseriously about quitting smoking. Herdoctorsreferredher to theOchsner Health program. McAnelly wasinitially skeptical,especially since smoking wassuchabig part of herdaily routine However, as she bonded with hercessation counselor,McAnelly began tothink more deeply about thepossibilityof quitting.
“When sheasked me whyI smoked, Icouldn’treally giveher areason,” McAnelly said.“She talked abouthow Iwould feel so much betterifI didn’t smoke. AfterIhad been in theprogram twoorthree weeks, IsaidI would try to go acoupleofhourswithouta cigarette.When Idid that,I decided to try to go afullday.I made it aday,and then Itold myself Icould do twodays. Before Iknewit, Ihad absolutelyno desiretosmoke.Itjust clicked.I didn’t miss them at all.”
“Nicotine is nondiscriminatory We seemen and womenfromevery walk of life,” said Travis Costanza an Ochsner Smoking Cessation Program counselor whoholds certification from theAmerican Heart Association. “Most people we seeeither hada recenthealth scarepersonally or have had afamily member affected by adiseaserelated to smoking We work individually with them becauseweknowthis is not easy When someone hasbeen smoking their entire adult life, they’renot going to quit tomorrow.Weemphasizethe importance of making lifelong changes. Costanza said thatwhen apatient is treatedatanOchsner Health location, they areasked if theyare asmoker. If they respond yes, their nameisreferredtothe SmokingCessation Program,and acoun-
“I couldn’tgotothe bathroom without acigarette.I couldn’tdrive acar or talk on the phone without acigarette,” McAnelly said.“Iabsolutelyhad to have acigarette or Icouldn’tdoany of thosenormal daily activities.”
Thereweretimes when McAnelly could
McAnelly didn’testablish an official quit date but knowsthatshe has not hada cigarette in at least three years. Today, she considersherself a complete nonsmoker.Her healthhas improvedsignificantly.Recenttests shownosignsofCOPD, anddaily taskssuchasclimbing thestairsinher homehavebecome easier
Costanza said many people experience physical improvementseven just afew hoursafter not having a cigarette. Theriskofheart attack and strokedecreases,and patients often report betterlung function andimprovedcirculation in ashort amount of time. In thelong term,patients who quit smoking have lowercancer risks, blood pressureand cholesterol. Costanzasaid patients with type 2diabetestend to seemajor improvements, since nicotine cancause severe harm to the pancreas McAnelly said her success would not have been possible withoutthe compassionate guidancefromher counselor as well as thesupport from Dr.Mulamula. In fact,she bonded deeply with her physician when she discoveredthatheraisessheep in his sparetime. Dr.Mulamula provided McAnelly with wool to support her hobbyoffelting,which helps keep her hands occupied andallows her to craft purses,decorations andother itemstogive to others.
“One of the most importantthingsI’ve learned as aphysician is that patients with habitual problems like using tobacco need alot of empathy. They need to feel that you understand wheretheyare coming from for
them to open up,” Dr.Mulamula said.“With Dianne’sbehavioralintervention through her felting hobby, she wasable to be avery successful nonsmoker.”
While continuingits work with patients likeMcAnelly,Ochsner Health is also expandingits smoking cessationprogram to
reach ayoungerpopulation.Costanza said many teens andyoung adultsgravitate toward e-cigarettes, vape pens,Zyn pouches andother emerging products –sometimes alone, andsometimes in conjunctionwith traditionalcigarettes. In fact,about 14 percent of teens in Louisiana usevaping products,which is one of thehighest ratesinthe country. To educatethem aboutthe dangers of thoseproducts, Ochsner Healthcounselorshavespoken to approximately 50,000 Louisiana students overthe past three yearsand have launched apilot programto place 15 certified tobacco treatmentcounselorsinschoolsaroundNew Orleans
“Thereissometimesthisfalse narrative that vaping is safer, but it causes aton of health issuesamong teens,” Costanza said. “Vaping canlead to gastrointestinal issues or preventkids from being able to do mundane tasks. If kids aremoody,anxious, groggy or wired, thosecan be telltale signs of vaping.We’re still doing alot of education with families andschoolsabout these emerging productsand thedangers they present.”
Whether OchsnerHealth is working with adecades-long cigarettesmokeror a teen whoisexperimenting with nicotine forthe first time, Dr.Mulamulasaidthe philosophyisthe same andisbuilt ona foundation of compassion andempathy
“Maybe fiveto10percent of people can quit cold turkey.The rest need alot of help,” he said. “I always tell peoplethattheyare goingtofail, but failing is apart of success That’s whyyou need champions to walk with you, empathizewithyou andhelp you look at your triggers. It canstart as simply as goingtodifferentstoresorchangingthe times yousmoke.Thoselittlethingsbegin to change the reward systeminour brain andhelp us breakthatcycle.”
Visit www.ochsner.org/quit to learnmore about smokingcessation programsand schedule an appointmentwitha counselor
Theatre preserves small-town history and helps bring downtown back to life
BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer
When L.J. Gielen first saw the Grand Opera House of the South in 1973, it was a shadow of its former self.
There were tractor parts on the stage Lawn mowers and silver-barrel barbecue pits were sprawled on the floor A stack of old wooden coffins sat where seats once were. No lightbulbs illuminated the floor and no red curtain hung behind the stage.
As the upper level of a hardware store, the only way up to this forgotten opera house was on a freight elevator When the gate opened, one working light above the stage illuminated the dusty venue.
Still, Gielen says, he could see its majesty
“What is it?” Gielen said to Luby Pommier, the hardware store employee who had taken him to the forgotten place.
Pommier told him it was a theater, one that had operated in Crowley for the first decades of the 1900s.
Gielen recalled how Pommier said its stage was graced by the likes of Babe Ruth, Huey Long, Clark Gable, Italian tenor Enrico Caruso, and Madame de Vilchez-Blizzet of the Paris Opera. He described how wealthy patrons from New Orleans would pay to travel by train to Crowley, bringing their carriages, horses and servants in tow, just for shows at this opera house.
Gielen recalls telling Pommier that the place needed to be reopened and Pommier replying, “That’s why I brought you here to see it.”
Rebuilding the Grand
The Grand Opera House of the South, or simply “the Grand,” was opened in 1901 in downtown Crowley by David E. Lyons, a livery stable owner
and a deputy sheriff. Lyons had never been involved in show business before then. When his first newspaper ad looking for other investors failed, he built the opera house for $18,000 himself, alongside two carpenters, out of Louisiana cypress, oak and pine, with pressed-tin plates on the ceilings, and hand-painted angel medallions that hung in the booths.
The Grand would host vaudeville and minstrel shows, boxing matches and magic acts. Often, when a crowd of kids who couldn’t afford a ticket would form at the bottom of the opera’s stairs, the story goes that Lyons would wait until the show was about to begin and then let them all inside for free.
In 1999, Gielen, the owner of multiple convenience stores in the Crowley area, bought the property
The “beautiful little playhouse,” as the Crowley Daily Signal called it in a 1901 piece, had stood nearly 100 years
since it had hosted Harry Ward’s minstrels in its debut show to nearly 800 viewers
Over time, the opera house transitioned from live shows to movies and talkies of the 1920s and ’30s, before finally closing its doors in 1940. The 59 years that followed saw business after business fill the bottom level: a liquor hall, a pharmacy a mortuary, a bakery and the renovation of the whole floor to become a hardware store. By the late ’90s, the city of Crowley was eyeing the space, both to preserve it and to open government offices on the lower floor But the hardware store owner sold it to Gielen on the condition he would keep its employees, including Pommier, in work.
Giving back
Gielen’s sons asked why he’d take on the money pit, which was sure to cost more than it made even after renovations.
“Until you get over 50 you won’t understand,” he said, “It’s not always about making
money Sometimes you have to give back to the community.”
The family transitioned the Grand into a nonprofit, and secured state historical grants to preserve the opera house. Gielen’s daughter, Kim GielenFogleman, traveled to New York to learn the ins and outs of booking performers and operating a theatre.
“We just knew that it was up there, and we wanted to preserve it,” Gielen-Fogelman said, now the executive director of the nonprofit.
One of the Gielen’s commissioned architects told them these two-story theatres were common in the U.S. between the 1850s and 1930s, but that less than 3% were maintained and only 1% of that number could still be used for shows.
The balcony, where Black patrons were segregated to sit and where children squeezed in near the window frames, was still intact with its original railing. The rail around the old orchestra pit was also found in a back dressing room. Even the original sign reading “GRAND” now hangs in front of the opera again It was found under one of the balconies.
Other things had to be built from scratch: era appropriate seating (now with cushions), lights that would approximate the former shine — and removal of the entire aluminum façade.
“It was like putting a puzzle together from the moment we bought it,” Gielen-Fogelman said.
They knew the new curtain had to be “blood red,” to match a newspaper description from its opening night. A 1908 graduation photo showed the stairs’ details. Scratch-tests on walls helped discover what layers of paint laid underneath.
After years of planning, the renovation started in 2006 and was completed in 2008. The complete cost was near $4.5 million, with much of the expense going to reconditioning wood and refitting the building
Jan Risher
When we adopted our daughter from China in 2001, my husband invited friends Michelle Foster and John Davenport, both originally from Iowa, to join us on the journey Foster and Davenport learned to speak and write Mandarin as adults. Though I didn’t know it at the time, their decision to join us was one of those stars-aligning moments of life. Their presence added depth and understanding to our experience. They facilitated significant connections we would have missed had they not been with us.
One afternoon in China, we visited our daughter’s orphanage. While there, we were lucky to meet several older girls who lived there. Foster spoke to the girls in Chinese. The girls spoke back in broken English. They were desperate to learn English, explaining that they saw it as a potential path out of the orphanage. They were too old to be adopted and without family connections, the chances of careers were few and far between.
Thanks to our American friends, who became our daughter’s godparents, the brief encounter with the older girls changed the trajectory of many lives — for the better, I believe.
The next year Foster invited me to go back to China with her to help set up an English program for the older girls. As I was getting ready to go on the trip, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette matched our family with two Chinese grad students in a community-international friendship program.
The young couple we were matched with were both working on their Ph.D.s. We had them over for meals. They offered us insights into Chinese culture. A month before I was going back to China, they were over for dinner We were discussing my trip and their 2-yearold son in China with their parents. They were trying to reunite with him but were afraid to leave the country with the major student visa issues of that time. They were so close to finishing their doctorates. Unfortunately all of their parents had been denied visas to come to the States.
Offhandedly, I said, “I wish I could bring him back for you.”
One of them said, “Would you?”
I said, “Of course, I would, but that’s impossible. Remember, I just brought a baby out of China last year? I know the complications and requirements.”
These were young parents who desperately wanted to be reunited with their first and only child
“But if we figured out a way, would you bring him?” the dad asked.
I assured him I would, but said again that I also knew it was simply not possible.
A week later, they called and said they may have found a way for me to bring their little boy back to Louisiana. At that point, I felt I was too far in to say anything except, “Great!”
And that is how I ended up bringing a 2-year-old boy from China to the USA, via Vancouver, Canada.
Two weeks before he and I were to make the big trip back across the ocean, I met him with his grandparents in Beijing. With my friend, who was with me at the time, translating they excitedly told us that they were teaching him English.
“Wonderful!” I said. “What words does he know? The answer was brief. He knew two English words: pumpkin and airplane.
STAFF PHOTOS By
The auditorium at the Grand Opera House of the South recently in Crowley.
Crowley
The front doors to the building
filled with water after each rain.
Besides a handful of old guard businesses, the strip the Grand sat on was deserted and unwalkable.
$18 million in combined public and private investment.
to be up to modern standards.
The upper seating area’s ceilings were always too low for those standards, so instead of selling seats, the balcony area holds tables for the Opera’s ticket holders and corporate partners.
The Gielens refitted the entire lower floor into a wedding/event space, with a bar, ballroom and grand staircase to the opera level. Contributions from this level go in-part to covering the costs of the opera house, which the Gielens say cannot support itself on ticket sales.
Multiple state and federal grants supported the The Grand’s renovation, which put requirements on the Gielens to maintain the Grand as a historic site.
A return on the investment
When the Grand’s remodel started in 2006, the rest of Crowley’s main street was largely empty The old sidewalks were deep and cracked, and they
“After Walmart came into town they shut (Main Street) down. That’s what really killed it,” said Ed Habetz, a contractor who worked on the Grand’s remodel as well as much of the business space on Crowley’s strip
Led by former mayor Isabella de la Houssaye, Crowley embarked on a plan to remake their historic downtown something its residents would be happy to walk, shop and live upon.
“So if we are going to renovate a space, what do we need?” said Jill Habetz, former president of the Crowley Mainstreet Board, of what planning downtown’s revitalization was like “The Opera House is there, and we need a restaurant, a place to shop, etc.”
Businesses, spurred on by Main Street restoration grants at the state level, began to fill in where only boarded-up storefronts once sat.
Over the last 20 years Crowley has seen over 100 new businesses, 412 new jobs, and over
“We never dreamed it’d be more than the opera house,” Gielen-Fogelman said, before adding that a wedding they’re hosting that evening will bring in 375 people, “but it’s brought so much to our town, because people have to get gas, and they shop and they eat in our restaurants.”
A connection to the past
But, for Gielen and GielenFogelman, history was always the point.
Sparking the community’s memories of a space not only abandoned but largely forgotten was why they put so much of themselves into it When the Grand Opera House of the South first re-opened in 2008, the Gielens offered community tours.
“People came out of the woodwork who remembered when they were young and they came for silent movies,” Gielen-Fogelman said.
One older woman remembered watching a magic show as a kid at the original Grand. Standing among the seats she recalled how she’d been called
onto the stage and made to disappear while the other children gasped in shock.
Nowadays, driving around Court Circle and the Acadia Parish courthouse, visitors can see the Grand and the strip of mainstream it has helped bring up around it. Wedding parties are often seen outside. Brides throwing the bouquet. Cars going by honk in celebration. The Opera has moved away from hosting “seasons” since Covid, now visitors can come for events held year round, including a March 28 performance of The Great Dubois, a variety show featured in The Greatest Showman.
Gielen-Fogelman says that her favorite days are the kids’ showcases and school plays, where elementary students stream off of buses to see a show When she guides them up the stairs, she imagines that this is the same feeling Lyons had when he pulled back the velvet rope and let children sneak into the Grand for a performance.
Email Quinn Coffman at quinn.coffman@theadvocate. com.
RISHER
Continued from page 1y
chòu.” They asked me to repeat it several times. Finally, I asked, “What does ‘dà chòu’ mean?”
“It means ‘the big stinky,’” Michelle translated “If he says ‘dà chòu’, you need to get him to the bathroom fast.”
When the time came for me to head home, my friend had already left. I was on my own to meet the little boy and his grandparents at the airport. The agreement was that they would wait there until our plane took off to make sure I made it through security with him.
None of us could have known that the flight would be delayed five hours or that once we finally reached Vancouver, we would miss our connecting flight and I would have to take a 2-year-old boy who thought he was going to see his mama to an airport hotel to spend the night — unable to explain anything that was happening.
He was distraught — as was I, but as we were walking into the hotel, he saw a pumpkin and that seemed to make things better
The next day, we continued our journey We finally met his parents. They went on to finish their Ph.D.s and moved out of state. I’ve never seen them since. Three weeks ago, however, I got a LinkedIn request from a name that jarred my memory It was the little boy
Somehow in the 23 years since our grand adventure, he has grown up. He’s graduated college from one of the nation’s top schools and is now working in high tech.
He messaged to see if we could chat.
“All of my life, my parents have told me of the trip you and I took,” he said. “I wanted to hear about it from you.” We talked about him growing up in a Chinese household trying to figure out how to be American I told him about our daughter growing up in an American household trying to figure out how to be Chinese. He told me about his interest in art and his aptitude for technology — and making the decision about a career His Chinese side said, “Be practical.” His Americanness said, “Follow your passion.” We talked for more than an hour this little boy who used to only be able to say “pumpkin” and “airplane” in English. The conversation was heartening. He thanked me for bringing him to his parents.
I thanked him for growing up well.
I asked him to use his powers for the good, and we promised to stay in touch. The whole exchange gave me a lot of hope about the world.
At Our Lady of the Lake Health, we’renot just setting the standard—weare elevating it. From lifesaving cardiovascular treatments to groundbreaking heart research, what we do today is whatothers will strive to imitate tomorrow
Our Lady of the Lake Heart &Vascular Institute brings the highest level of caretoasingle, healing environment. With input from physicians, nurses and clinical experts, we ensurepatients receivethe full continuum of careinone private, comfortable space.
Our mission guides us, and aspirit of excellence propels us —because the communities we are privileged to serve deserve nothing less.
STAFF PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK
The auditorium at the Grand Opera House of the South is pictured recently in Crowley.
High school athlete with
BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer
Brother Martin wrestler Noah
Confident was a high school freshman when he learned about Anthony Robles, a former college AllAmerican wrestler born with one leg and the subject of recent Prime Video movie “Unstoppable.”
Confident, also born with one leg, has drawn inspiration from Robles for how he created his own moves on the wrestling mat that led to his success as a national college champion.
Now a high school senior who placed third in Division I at the LHSAA state championships last season, the 17-year-old New Orleans native competed again at the state tournament in Bossier
City
How long have you been wrestling?
I’ve been wrestling since the beginning of ninth grade. People
used to say, “You should wrestle,” and I just gave it a shot.
Who encouraged you to wrestle?
The first person was (former Brother Martin coach) Andrew Nicola, and he brought up Anthony Robles. The second person that I remember was (Brother Martin senior and state champion wrestler) Richie Clementi, and I just had to give it a try because I was just trying out for different sports. I was going to do a bunch of different sports, but wrestling came first.
How has Anthony Robles’ influence had an impact on your life?
He inspired me. But not to wrestle because I feel like I wanted to try it anyway He inspired me to try new moves and get all the basics down on wrestling. I always thought I had to wrestle like everybody else. He inspired me to create my own way of wrestling.
What makes your way of wrestling differ-
ent?
My way of wrestling is different from other people because it’s less of a hand fight and it’s more shots and just slowing down my opponent to be at my pace. Overall, it’s just wrestling and doing the stuff I know how to do. I’m already low, so I don’t have to get low to get their legs. I just snatch and pull and try to get them down to the mat. How would you describe any advantages or disadvantages you may have as a wrestler with one leg?
I wouldn’t say there’s a lot of disadvantages besides trying to learn moves in different ways. As far as my wrestling career, I thought I was supposed to wrestle like everyone else. By the end of my junior year, I realized I could do my own way of wrestling. When people wrestle me for the first time, they are confused. They don’t know how to wrestle me. That’s a
big advantage. Anyone who has seen you wrestle can see the strength in your upper body Is that an advantage?
I do think that’s a big advantage just from being on crutches most of my life and building a strong upper body
Describe your high school career and the progress you’ve made.
Starting out, I wasn’t even worried about winning or losing. I just wanted to wrestle Then going into the next year, I just wanted to get better and learn more technique and everything. I wasn’t really thinking about tournaments. I just wanted to get better at wrestling.
Then in my junior year I really thought about going to state and having that goal set in mind.
Even though I didn’t (win the state championship), I’m still proud of myself for getting there.
What does it mean for you to be part of the Brother Martin wrestling team and
play such a prominent role in the starting lineup?
It really changed me as a whole person. I feel like wrestling has made me more open. When I was a kid, I always liked sports, but I was never a competitive person I always liked the idea of competing but never wanted to go through with it for the fact that I didn’t want to fail. Wrestling just made me open to how I wanted to feel and how I want to live my life.
Overall, it made me a better per-
JOHN MCCUSKER
Brother Martin wrestler Noah Confident, right, competes Jan. 17 in New Orleans.
FAITH & VALUES
Psychiatrist teaches spiritual side of mental health
Gathering trains
Christians to better welcome those in need
BY KATHRYN POST Contributing writer
Surrounded by the soaring ceilings and stained glass of Christ Community Church, the gathering looked like a typical worship service. Speakers taught and testified as the 100 or so attendees prayed and nodded along.
But the event, which took place in early January was aimed not at praise but at raising awareness among Christians about how their communities can better welcome and look out for those who suffer from mental illness. After an opening song, the group settled in for a panel and Q&A titled “It’s a Family Affair: Exploring the Intersection of Mental Health, Spirituality and Faith.”
It was hosted by the American Psychiatric Association in partnership with the Christian Mental Health Initiative and the church.
“I would love to see more of this in churches,” said Christian Mackey, a college student considering a mental health career “I think it was really helpful getting the combination of spirituality and mental health. There’s more than just prayer; there are other options available.”
Long a taboo topic in religious circles — whether clergy burning out on ministry or laypeople turning to faith communities for help mental health has become a topic too prevalent to avoid inside many faith communities, while local and national outside initiatives have recognized that houses of worship have a nearly unique ability to reach underserved communities.
One such latter enterprise is the Christian Mental Health Initiative, a nonprofit that takes free mental health trainings into churches, especially primarily Black churches like Christ Community At the January event, CMHI founder Dr Atasha Jordan, a psychiatrist at Cooper University Health Care in Camden, New Jersey, wore a top that said “JESUS + THERAPY.”
“Before I’m a doctor before being a nonprofit founder, I’m a daughter,” said Jordan, who stressed that community is an im-
portant value in mental health, as in faith. “I was born in Barbados. I’m a wife. I am a sister.”
Cheryssa Hislop, a second-year
medical student at the University of Pennsylvania and volunteer with CMHI, said: “Sometimes people embark on this journey of medicine and forget why they started, or forget where they came from. It’s just so inspiring to me that Dr Jordan clearly not only remembers where she came from, but tries to honor it by giving back.”
In her close-knit Christian family, mental health wasn’t a frequent topic of conversation, said Jordan, who faced mental health challenges while in college at Harvard University and, later, in medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. As her awareness of mental health grew, so did her understanding that Christianity and therapy could coexist.
The connection truly clicked, she said, on the first day of her psychiatry rotation as a medical student. At the Veterans Hospital in Philadelphia, Jordan watched as patients shared how the care they’d received inspired hope.
“That was a very spiritual moment for me,” said Jordan.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jordan, still a medical resident, was invited by a Philadelphia church to speak about depression. She was struck by the number of people who attended, which laid bare the hunger in the church at large for informed discussions about mental health.
Around the same time, Jordan said, she received what she described as “a very clear word from God” to start CMHI “like it was downloaded” to her mind, she said.
“Mental illness is a real thing, like diabetes, like cancer or like high blood pressure, that can be treated and is not a derogatory term,” Jordan said about CMHI’s message. “We bring down the stigma, so that people can say ‘I’m a Christian and I can experience mental illness, and it says nothing about my faith if I reach out for support from a therapist or from a psychiatrist.’”
Her first step was to gather data to assess the needs of the local faith community With the help of a fellowship and $25,000 grant through the American Psychiatric Association Foundation and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Jordan conducted a pilot study on the use of mental health first aid — a type
of training that equips laypeople to recognize warning signs of mental illness, effectively intervene and provide access to professional help in Black churches across Philadelphia.
“We saw that there was a notable difference in the self-reported knowledge that folks had related to mental illness, and that there was also a change in their likelihood to refer others to mental health services,” said Jordan about the results of the program.
Data in hand, Jordan officially founded CMHI in 2022, bringing along the mental health first aid training as a core program CMHI now offers the trainings monthly and hosts an annual mental health symposium and seminars that educate Christians on topics such as bipolar disorder or minority maternal mental health.
Caroline Ezekwesili, a CMHI intern, said the first aid training helps attendees overcome the bystander effect, in which people fail to intervene in a crisis because they think someone else will.
Making this training accessible to faith communities is crucial, Ezekwesili said, because if some-
one is struggling with their mental health, “they’re likely to go to someone in their church.”
Bernita Mapp, a longtime Philadelphia resident and a Christian, has been grieving the deaths of her mom, two sisters and her son over the past five years. After first contacting CMHI two years ago, she attended one of its mental health first aid trainings in January Days after she received a call from a college acquaintance whose young son had been researching suicide online. Mapp’s training kicked in and she had a compassionate but frank conversation with the mother about suicide risk and next steps. Her involvement with CMHI, meanwhile, has also inspired her to join a grief support group.
“I am so excited and elated that God gave her this vision, and I really see that not only is it relevant and practical, but I believe that it’s definitely a movement that will be very instrumental,” Mapp said of Jordan. “It has really helped me heal and become whole again.” Jordan, who has extended CMHI’s work to churches in the Caribbean and West Africa
thanks to video links, juggles her roles as a nonprofit founder, psychiatrist and faculty member (at Rowan University). She also finds time to mentor her volunteers and interns, guiding them through challenges in the medical field.
“I didn’t come from a background where I was super exposed to people who look like me in medicine,” said Jada Jordan (no relation), a former CMHI intern and aspiring medical student “Dr Jordan has created a network where people can come and fellowship and really connect.”
Jordan said her attention to young people contributes to her goal of helping increase access to mental health services overall. But she is intent too on training the next generation of believing professionals who recognize how faith interacts with mental health That’s crucial, Jordan said, not for the sake of the faith, but for those many she’s encountered, she said, “who say they want a provider of faith.”
Email Joy Holden at joy.holden@ theadvocate.com.
La. students save food waste from Super Bowl tailgates
BY CHELSEA SHANNON Staff writer
Large events often produce a significant amount of food waste However, over the Super Bowl LIX weekend, a national organization worked with Louisiana student volunteers to minimize the huge party’s environmental impact.
The Food Recovery Network diverted roughly 12,348 pounds of food from being wasted after two massive tailgate events in New Orleans, donating the equivalent of 10,290 meals in food to the New Orleans Mission. New Orleans Mission is an organization that helps to feed and house people who are facing {span} homelessness, addiction, abuse and other issues. Food Recovery Network worked with Tulane University and Louisiana State University student volunteers to collect food from The Players Tailgate hosted by Bullseye Event Group and Guy’s Fieri’s Flavortown Tailgate.
In addition to helping use the excess food to feed people in New Orleans, the organization’s executive director Regina Harmon said their food recovery efforts helped combat climate change.
“The impact of wasted and surplus food on our climate is undeniable, and we all see the effects,” Harmon said. “It’s important for us to shine a light on this issue in New Orleans, particularly a
that has seen too many
change-fueled tragedies.”
The
PROVIDED PHOTO By KATHRyN POST
People attend ‘It’s a Family Affair: Exploring the Intersection of Mental Health, Spirituality and Faith,’ a community roundtable hosted by the American Psychiatric Association, in partnership with the Christian Mental Health Initiative and Christ Community Church of Philadelphia, where it was held on Jan. 4.
SUNDAY, FebrUArY 23, 2025
CURTIS / by Ray Billingsley
SLYLOCK FOX / by Bob Weber Jr
GET FUZZY / by Darby Conley
HAGAR THE HORRIBLE / by Chris Browne
MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM / by Mike Peters
ZIGGY / by Tom Wilson
ZITS / by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman
SALLY FORTH / by Francesco Marciuliano & Jim Keefe
PEARLS BEFORE SWINE / by Stephan Pastis
grams wonderword
directions: Make a 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row. Add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value All the words are in the Official SCRABBLE® Players Dictionary, 5th Edition.
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 — ABsorBed: ab-
SORB'D: Soaked up.
Average mark 49 words Time limit 60 minutes
Can you find 60 or more words in ABSORBED?
ken ken
instructions: 1 - Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 through 4 (easy) or 1 through 6 (challenging) without repeating 2 The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners.
3 - Freebies: Fill in the single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner.
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 Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.
directions: Complete the grid so that numbers 1–132 connect horizontally, vertically or diagonally
Sudoku
Wish I hadn’t done that
The values for North’s twospade bid are hard to find. Perhaps he thought his modest club fit entitled him to an aggressive bid. South was Tolga Ozbay, from Turkey, who drove to game expecting to find a better dummy. East won the opening heart lead with the ace and continued with the queen of hearts to declarer’s king Ozbay placed East with seven points in hearts and presumably the ace of spades for his opening bid. West had doubled on, at most, two minor suit queens. The contract would have no chance if West had all the missing clubs, or even queen10-third. Ozbay had to hope for a friendlier trump position. If he led a spade, East would take his ace and lead a third heart, almost certainlypromotingatrumptrick for West. Instead, Ozbay led the jackofclubsandranitwhenWest played low. This pinned East’s 10 and gave Ozbay a chance, but it was far from over. The diamond queen was still a problem.Hecouldruffadiamond in dummy, but he would not be able to get back to his hand without allowing a trump promotion for West. He cashed the ace of diamonds and then led the 10 of diamonds. West played low, as would most everyone, and Ozbay
discarded a heart from dummy. He discarded dummy’s remaining heart on the king of diamonds and ruffed his last diamond. He lefttheaceofclubsindummyand led a spade, but there was now no chance for West to get a trump promotion. Beautifully played!
Take this Super Quiz to a Ph.D. Score 1 point for each correct answer on the Freshman
PISCES (Feb.
ARIES (March 21-April 19) Anger will stand between you and what you want It’s up to you to set the mood when faced with opposition. A positive attitude will overcome negativity.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Take a breather and rejuvenate. Rethink your strategy and observe how others handle similar situations. Make learning your path to letting go of whatever stands between you and your goal.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) Power forward with strength, courage and the willingness to embrace change. Refrain from letting your emotions tie you to the past Discuss the possibilities with someone you love.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) A change will be a healthy start to your day. Plan an adventure, start a new project or engage in something that offers knowledge, insight and skills that will help you improve your prospects or lifestyle
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Take a watchand-wait position when asked to participate in something questionable. Pay attention to your personal and emotional well-being and do things that make you happy.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Be willing to make accommodations and put your energy into gaining ground. Getting out and sharing your thoughts, feelings and desires will attract attention.
LIBRA (Sept 23-Oct. 23) A window of opportunity will open if you apply time and effort to something you want to achieve. Someone you chat with while doing something
you enjoy will spark your imagination.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Get out explore and try doing things differently. Reach out to someone who can explain something that irks you or stops you from moving forward.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Opportunities flow when the planets align; recognize what works and let go of what doesn’t. Personal gain, better connections and lifestyle changes are all within reach if you can free up time. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Ask questions; find out where you stand. Achieving an understanding with people who affect your well-being will make your life easier and help you establish better choices. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Pay attention and be on guard. Opportunity is apparent, but you must do your due diligence to maximize what’s available. Trust yourself, and you’ll do good while feeling good.
1. Cross my heart 2. Hearts. 3. Purple Heart. 4. "My Heart Will Go On." 5. Queen of Hearts. 6. The pure in heart 7. Heart rate. 8. Heart to heart. 9. "Heart of Glass." 10. "Heart of Dixie." 11. "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee." 12. "Heart of the Ocean." 13 Change of heart 14. "Heart of Darkness." 15. "The Tell-Tale Heart."
SCORING: 24 to 30 points — congratulations, doctor; 18 to 23 points honors graduate; 13 to 17 points — you’re plenty smart, but no grind; 5 to 12 points — you really should
the books harder; 1 point to 4 points — enroll in remedial courses immediately; 0 points — who reads the questions to you?
Saturday's Cryptoquote: It wasn't love at first sight. It took a full five minutes. — Lucille Ball
Crossword Answers
jeFF mACnelly’s shoe / by Gary Brookins & Susie MacNelly
