The Times-Picayune 04-15-2025

Landry seekscompromise on auto insurancerates

Gov. Jeff Landry addresses the Legislature on the opening dayofthe 2025 sessiononMonday.

Governor faceslegislative opposition

BY TYLER BRIDGES Staffwriter

Gov.Jeff Landry on Monday

pinned the blame for Louisiana’scar insurance crisis on both trial lawyers and insurance companies, saying “a darkcloud continues to linger in the halls of this Capitol” over the issue.

But as Landry opened the

ä Teacherpay amongtop education issues. PAGE 4A

2025 regular legislativesession, it was not clear thatthe 144House andSenatemembers sitting in front of him agree with his approach. Landry was animated as he gave an unusually long 63-minutespeech, pounding thepodi-

um andjabbing his fingerfor emphasis.

“Year after year after year, we come heretoargue about excessive insurancerates,” Landry told lawmakers.“Year after year,people from both sides show up to gaslight us. Butwhile legislatorsapplauded him while seated from time to time, thetwo biggest standing ovations he received

Legislationmay overhaul post-convictionprocess

Bill wouldshorten time to executions

BY MEGHANFRIEDMANN Staffwriter

As the state resumesexecutions of death row prisoners, abill in the Legislature aims to cut back on the time people convicted of crimes can spend trying to reduce or overturn their sentences, and it wouldvest morepower over theprocess with the Attorney General’sOffice.

The move also comesseven monthsafter state lawmakers took action against Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams over deals he made through the post-conviction relief process to reduce the sentences of long-servinginmates.

Attorney General Liz Murrill, aconservative Republican with astaunch prodeath penalty stance, says House Bill 572 would prevent victimsfrom waiting decades to see justice done. She has long complained that families of victims must wait too long to see death row inmatesexecuted duetolengthy appeals processes. In Louisiana,death rowinmateshavesat in prison for decades awaiting execution.

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

Rep. Brian Glorioso, R-Slidell, is sponsoring House Bill 572, which would overhaul Louisiana’spost-conviction relief process.

“Victims of crime deserve finality,but our system does not provide it,” Murrill said in astatement. “The decades of inactionperpetuatedbylawyers and individuals convicted of heinouscrimes and

ä See EXECUTIONS, page 5A

The Pelicans fired DavidGrif

n, executivevice president of basketball operations, on Monday.

Pelicans fire Griffin

He hadservedas executiveVPof basketball operations since2019

BY RODWALKER Staff writer

The New Orleans Pelicans are making achange at the top.

The Pelicans fired David Griffin, executive vice president of basketball operations, the team announced Monday

“Afterconsiderable thought and evaluation, Ihave decided to relieve David Griffinofhis duties as executive vice president of basketball operations,” Pelicans owner Gayle Benson said in astatement.

camefromhis senior legislative staffand Cabinet seated in onecornerofthe House chamber

Afew House Democrats stood to applaud at one point when Landry said aperson’s credit score shouldn’tinfluence their insurance rates.

Landryfaces opposition frommanyRepublican House members, led by agroup of 15 freshmen. They are pushing for changes that would tilt car

ä See LANDRY, page 4A

Solutions to home insurance crisis sought

BY SAM KARLIN Staff writer

Ayear after lawmakers agreed to apackage of bills to make Louisiana friendlier to insurance companies, the ongoing home insurance crisis is prompting ahost of legislators to seek more relief fromspiraling costsfor homeowners. Lawmakers have filed bills to ramp up oversight of insurers, to crack down on what some seeas “excessive”profits andtoprovide

See INSURANCE, page 5A

“This wasa difficult decision, but one that I feel is necessary at this time to bring afresh approach to our frontoffice and build aculture that willdeliver sustainable success, on andoff the court.”

The firing came after the Pelicansconcludeda disappointing season Sunday with a loss to Oklahoma City at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans finished21-61, the second-worst record in an 82-gameseason in franchisehistory.The 2004-05 team finished 18-64. Griffin spent sixseasons in charge of the team’sbasketball operations after replacing Dell Dempsin2019.

ä More on the Pelicans in Sports. PAGE 1C

Detroit Pistons legend Joe Dumars, who was the2003 NBA Executive of the Year and won a championship as the general manager of the Pistons in 2004, has emergedasthe front-runnerto replace Griffin in New Orleans, ESPN reported Monday afternoon. Dumars, who won two NBA titles as aPistons player,isaShreveport native who played college ball at McNeese State. Dumars has spent the past three seasons as executive vice president and head of basketball operations forthe NBA. His last role with aspecificteam was in the 2020-21 season when he was the chief strategy officer forthe Sacramento Kings. The Pelicans’ 49-33 record last season tied forthe second-most wins in franchise history Butthis season,the Pelicans were hit hard by injuries and never

“This was adifficult decision, but one that Ifeel is necessary at this time to bring afresh approach to our front office and build a culture that will deliver sustainable success,on and offthe court.” GAyLEBENSON, Pelicans owner ä See GRIFFIN, page 7A

STAFF FILE PHOTOByDAVID GRUNFELD

fi

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

BRIEFS

Gen. Caine tapped as Joint Chiefs chair

WASHINGTON Air Force Gen.

Caine

Dan Caine has been sworn in as chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff after a flurry of paperwork was finished to allow him to fill the job nearly two months after President Donald Trump fired his predecessor A formal White House ceremony is expected to take place this week.

In a message to the force posted on the Joint Staff website, Caine said “the most important thing you should know from me is that I trust you. I trust you — to make hard decisions, to persevere in adversity and to do the right thing.”

He added that the U.S. military needs to be properly armed, globally integrated and ready to fight and win the nation’s wars. And to do so, he said, the force must keep pace with technological and strategic changes, foster innovation and be ready to adapt.

Caine, a decorated F-16 fighter pilot and well-respected officer took over on Saturday after Trump signed the necessary documents. He will serve the remainder of the fouryear term of Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr who was fired by Trump as part of a broader purge of military officers believed to endorse diversity and equity programs.

Hungary amendment bans LGBTQ+ events

BUDAPEST, Hungary Hungary’s parliament on Monday passed an amendment to the constitution that allows the government to ban public events by LGBTQ+ communities, a decision that legal scholars and critics call another step toward authoritarianism by the populist government.

The amendment, which required a two-thirds vote, passed along party lines with 140 votes for and 21 against. It was proposed by the ruling FideszKDNP coalition led by populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Ahead of the vote — the final step for the amendment opposition politicians and other protesters attempted to blockade the entrance to a parliament parking garage. Police physically removed demonstrators, who had used zip ties to bind themselves together

The amendment declares that children’s rights to moral, physical and spiritual development supersede any right other than the right to life, including that to peacefully assemble. Hungary’s contentious “child protection” legislation prohibits the “depiction or promotion” of homosexuality to minors aged under 18.

The amendment codifies a law fast-tracked through parliament in March that bans public events held by LGBTQ+ communities, including the popular Pride event in Budapest that draws thousands annually

That law also allows authorities to use facial recognition tools to identify people who attend prohibited events — such as Budapest Pride — and can come with fines of up to $546.

Hamas sending envoys to Qatar for Gaza talks

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip A Hamas official said Monday that the Palestinian militant group is sending a delegation to the Gulf state of Qatar to continue indirect ceasefire talks with Israel over the war in Gaza, as the territory’s Health Ministry said that 38 people were confirmed dead over the past day

The Hamas official said teams have been discussing terms for a new ceasefire agreement over recent days in Cairo, including a proposal that Hamas free eight to 10 hostages held in Gaza. But the Hamas official said a major sticking point remained over whether the war would end as part of any new deal. The talks in Qatar are meant to take place later this week or next, the official said.

The Hamas official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the sensitive talks with the media Officials from Israel and Qatar had no immediate comment.

El Salvador refuses to send Md. man to U.S.

Bukele, Trump advisers say no basis to return wrongly deported man

BY SEUNG MIN KIM and MARCOS ALEMÁN Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump’s top advisers and Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador, said Monday that they have no basis for the small Central American nation to return a Maryland man who was wrongly deported there last month. Bukele called the idea “preposterous” even though the U.S. Supreme Court has called on the administration to “facilitate” Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s return.

Trump administration officials emphasized that Abrego Garcia, who was sent to a notorious gang prison in El Salvador, was a citizen of that country and that the U.S. has no say in his future. And Bukele, who has been a vital partner for the Trump administration in its deportation efforts, said “of course” he would not release him back to U.S. soil.

“The question is preposterous. How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States?” Bukele, seated alongside Trump, told reporters in the Oval Office Monday “I don’t have the power to return him to the United States.”

Should El Salvador want to return Abrego Garcia, the U.S. would “facilitate it, meaning provide a plane,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said.

But first and foremost, he was illegally in our country, and he had been illegally in our country,” she said. “That’s up to El Salvador if they want to return him. That’s not up to us.”

In a court filing Monday evening, Joseph Mazzara, the acting general counsel for the Department of Homeland Security, said it “does not have authority to forcibly extract” Abrego Garcia from El Salvador because he is “in the domestic custody of a foreign sovereign nation.”

Mazarra also argued that Abergo Garcia is “no longer eligible for withholding of removal” because the U.S. designated MS-13 as a foreign terror organization.

Abergo Garcia’s attorneys say the government has provided no evidence that he was affiliated with MS-13 or any other gang.

The refusal of both countries to allow the return of Abrego Garcia, who had an immigration court order preventing his deportation over fears of gang persecution, is intensifying the battle over the Maryland resident’s future It has also played out in contentious court filings, with repeated refusals from the government to tell a judge what it plans to do, if anything, to repatriate him.

The judge handling the case, Paula Xinis, is now considering whether to grant a request from the man’s legal team to compel the government to explain why it should not be held in contempt

The fight over Abrego Garcia also underscores how critical El Salvador has been as a linchpin of the U.S. administration’s mass deportation operation.

Since March, El Salvador has accepted from the U.S. more than 200 Venezuelan immigrants whom Trump administration officials have accused of gang activity and violent crimes — and placed them inside the country’s maximum-security gang prison just outside of the capital, San Salvador That prison is part of Bukele’s broader effort to crack down on the country’s powerful street gangs, which has put 84,000 people behind bars and made Bukele extremely popular at home.

“I want to just say hello to the people of El Salvador and say they have one hell of a president,” Trump said as he greeted Bukele, who was wearing a black mock turtleneck sans tie.

Bukele struck a deal under which the U.S. will pay about $6 million for El Salvador to imprison the Venezuelan immigrants for a year

But Democrats have raised alarm about the treatment of Abrego Garcia and other migrants who may be wrongfully detained in El Salvador Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland pushed for a meeting with Bukele while he was in Washington to discuss Abrego Garcia’s potential return, and New Hampshire

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, urged the administration to release Abrego Garcia and others “with no credible criminal record” who were deported to the maximum-security prison.

“Disregarding the rule of law, ignoring unanimous rulings by the Supreme Court and subjecting individuals to detention and deportation without due process makes us less safe as a country,” Shaheen said.

U.S. Army to control land on Mexico border as part of base

Migrants

could be detained, officials say

BY TARA COPP and LOLITA C. BALDOR Associated Press

WASHINGTON — A long sliver of federal land along the U.S.-Mexico border that President Donald Trump is turning over to the Department of Defense would be controlled by the Army as part of a base, which could allow troops to detain any trespassers, including migrants, U.S. officials told The Associated Press.

The transfer of that border zone to military control — and making it part of an Army installation — is an attempt by the Trump administration to get around a federal law that prohibits U.S. troops from being used in domestic law enforcement on American soil.

But if the troops are providing security for land that is part of an Army base, they can perform that function. However, at least one presidential powers expert said the move is likely to be challenged in the courts.

The officials said the issue is still under review in the Pentagon, but even as any legal review goes on, the administration’s intent is to have troops detain migrants at the border The National Security

Council did not respond to a request for comment.

The land transfer is the furthest the Trump administration has gone yet to use the military for border security Up until now, the military’s involvement has been limited largely to helping build or fortify sections of the border wall and operating deportation flights to send migrants back to their home countries or, in some cases, to the detention facility in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. The military also has assisted U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents by conducting surveillance or performing backup administrative tasks.

The corridor, known as the Roosevelt Reservation, is a 60-foot-wide federal buffer zone that ribbons along the border from New Mexico to California, except where it encounters tribal or privately owned land. It had been run by the Interior Department until Trump directed control be transferred to the Defense Department in a presidential memo released Friday night.

For the next 45 days, the Defense Department will test taking control of a section of the Roosevelt Reservation in New Mexico, east of Fort Huachuca, which is an Army installation in Arizona, one of the U.S. officials said. During that period, the Army will put up additional fencing and signs warning people not to trespass.

Suspect

in Pa. governor’s mansion arson denied bail

BY MARC LEVY and MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press

HARRISBURG, Pa

A man who allegedly scaled an iron security fence in the middle of the night, eluded police and set fire to the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion was denied bail Monday as he faced charges including attempted homicide, terrorism and arson.

Cody Balmer spoke with a public defender at times as he appeared in court late Monday afternoon after being released from a hospital, where he had been taken after an unrelated medical event.

Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, told police he planned to beat Gov Josh Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if he encountered him after breaking into the building, according to court documents. A motive for the attack, including whether it had anything to do with Shapiro’s politics or religious beliefs, wasn’t immediately clear

Balmer’s mother told The Associated Press on Monday that she had made calls in recent days about his mental health issues, but “nobody would help.” Christie Balmer said her son was not taking his medicine.

However, in court, Balmer politely told a judge he did not suffer from any mental illness.

“That’s the rumor, but no, ma’am,” he said. He said he was an unemployed welder with no income or savings and “a lot of children.” He did not enter a plea to the charges, which include aggravated assault.

The fire caused significant damage and forced Shap-

iro, his family and guests, including other relatives, to evacuate the building early Sunday The residence, built in 1968, did not have sprinklers, Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline said He estimated the damage could be in the millions of dollars.

Shapiro said he, his wife, their four children, two dogs and another family had celebrated the Jewish holiday of Passover in the same room Saturday night along with members of Harrisburg’s Jewish community They were awakened by state troopers pounding on their doors about 2 a.m. Sunday They fled and firefighters extinguished the fire officials said No one was injured.

Balmer had walked an hour from his home to the governor’s residence, and during a police interview “admitted to harboring hatred towards Gov Shapiro,” according to a police affidavit that did not expand on that point Afterward, he returned home, where police said they later found clothing he wore at the time and a small sledgehammer Balmer turned himself in at state police headquarters after confessing to his former partner and asking her to call police, which she did, the affidavit said. Authorities did not say whether he has a lawyer Balmer had been due in court later this week in an assault case in which he was accused of punching two relatives and stepping on a child’s already broken leg in 2023. In court Monday, he told the judge he did not have any drug or alcohol problems, but acknowledged missing a few court dates in the past.

Fire damage to the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion remains after authorities say a man set fire to it Sunday in Harrisburg Pa

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ALEX BRANDON

President Donald Trump greets El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele as he arrives Monday at the West Wing of the White House in Washington.

5.2 magnitude quake shakes Southern California

BY JULIE WATSON Associated Press

SAN DIEGO A 5.2 magnitude

earthquake shook Southern California on Monday morning, sending boulders tumbling onto rural roadways outside San Diego, items rattling off shelves and elephants at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park scrambling to encircle their young Officials reported no injuries or major damage.

The quake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, struck at 10:08 a.m., and was centered in San Diego County only a couple miles from Julian, a mountain town of about 1,500 people that is known for its apple pie shops. It was felt as far north as Los Angeles County, about 120 miles away The quake was followed by several aftershocks.

“I thought the single-pane windows were going to crack because they were shaking pretty good, but they didn’t,” said Paul Nelson, owner of a former gold mine that oper-

ated in the 1870s in Julian. He said some picture frames on the counter at the gift shop fell over at the Eagle Mining Co., but the tunnels that tourists can explore suffered no damage. On Sunday, Nelson said a smaller quake hit when about two dozen visitors were touring the defunct mine but everyone stayed calm. No one was inside the old mine when Monday’s temblor rocked the ground for a longer time.

Transportation officials warned motorists to watch out for rocks that tumbled down hillsides and onto roads and highways, including State Route 76 northwest of Julian. Crews were assessing roadways for potential damage, the California Department of Transportation in San Diego County said.

At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, a herd of African elephants was caught on video running over to protect their young by encircling them during the quake. Elephants have the ability to feel sound through their feet, and the

“But thankfully everything seems to be back to normal.” The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department also said they had received no immediate reports of damage or

behavior is known as an “alert circle.” The herd consisting of Ndlula, Umngani, Khosi, and youngsters Zuli and Mkhaya, appeared to relax after several minutes the park said.

North County Transit District trains were delayed

Russia claims Palm Sunday attack targeted military forces

European leaders condemn strike that killed at least 34 at gathering

BY LORNE COOK Associated Press

BRUSSELS Russia on Monday claimed its deadly missile attack on Ukraine’s Sumy that killed and wounded scores including children had targeted a gathering of Ukrainian troops while European leaders condemned the attack as a war crime Ukrainian officials have said two ballistic missiles on Palm Sunday morning hit the heart of Sumy, a city less than 20 miles from Ukraine’s border with Russia, killing at least 34, including two children, and wounding 119. It was the second large-scale attack to claim civilian lives in Ukraine in just over a week.

Asked about the attack, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia’s military only strikes military targets.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said the strike targeted a gathering of senior military officers and accused Kyiv of using civilians as shields by holding military meetings in the city’s center The ministry claimed to kill over 60 troops. Russia gave no evidence to back its claims.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for a global response to the attack, saying the first

strike hit university buildings and the second exploded above street level “Only real pressure on Russia can stop this. We need tangible sanctions against those sectors that finance the Russian killing machine,” he wrote Monday on social media.

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski, whose country holds the European Union’s rotating presidency, called the attacks “Russia’s mocking answer” to Kyiv’s agreement to a ceasefire proposed by the U.S. over a month ago

“I hope that President Trump, the U.S. administration, see that the leader of Russia is mocking their goodwill, and I hope the right decisions are taken,” Sikorski told reporters in Luxembourg, where EU foreign ministers met.

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen noted that the attack on Sumy came shortly after President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, was in Saint Peters-

burg for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It demonstrates that “Russia shows full disregard for the peace process, but also that Russia has zero regard for human life,” Valtonen said.

Lithuania’s foreign minister Kestutis Budrys echoed Ukraine’s assertion that the Russian strike used cluster munitions to target civilians, calling it “a war crime by definition.” The Associated Press has been unable to verify that claim.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the attack shows that Putin has no intention of agreeing to a ceasefire, and called for the European Union to “take the toughest sanctions against Russia to suffocate its economy and prevent it from fueling its war effort.”

The EU has imposed 16 rounds of sanctions on Russia and is working on a 17th, but the measures are getting harder to agree on because they also impact European economies.

Palestinian activist expecting U.S citizenship interview arrested by ICE

BY PATRICK WHITTLE and HOLLY RAMER Associated Press

A Palestinian man who led protests against the war in Gaza as a student at Columbia University was arrested Monday at a Vermont immigration office where he expected to be interviewed about finalizing his U.S. citizenship, his attorneys said Mohsen Mahdawi, a legal permanent resident who has held a green card since 2015, was detained at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Colchester by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, his lawyers said. The attorneys said they do not know where he is They filed a petition in federal court seeking an order barring the government from removing him from the state or country

“The Trump administration detained Mohsen Mahdawi in direct retaliation for his advocacy on behalf of Palestinians and because of his identity as a Palestinian

His detention is an attempt to silence those who speak out against the atrocities in Gaza. It is also unconstitutional,” attorney Luna Droubi said in an email. According to the court filing, Mahdawi was born in a refugee camp in the West Bank and moved to the United States in 2014. He recently completed coursework at Columbia and was expected to graduate in May before beginning a master’s degree program there in the fall. The petition describes him as a committed Buddhist who believes in “nonviolence and empathy as a central tenet of his religion.” As a student, Mahdawi was an outspoken critic of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and organized campus protests until March 2024. He co-founded the Palestinian Student Union at Columbia with Mahmoud Khalil, another Palestinian permanent resident of the U.S. and graduate student who recently was detained by ICE

Khalil was the first person arrested under President Donald Trump’s promised crackdown on students who joined campus protests against the war in Gaza.

On Friday, an immigration judge in Louisiana ruled that Khalil can be deported as a national security risk. Christopher Helali, a friend of Mahdawi who lives near him in Vermont, was present outside the immigration office when Mahdawi was detained and recorded a video of Mahdawi being led away by authorities. In the video, which Helali released on social media Monday, Mahdawi is shown giving a peace sign with his hands and being led away to a car Helali described Mahdawi as a peaceful demonstrator who has worked to foster dialogue about the struggle of Palestinians in his homeland. Helali said he and Mahdawi were aware that Mahdawi could be detained today and that his friend went forward with the appointment anyway

so crews could inspect the tracks for any potential damage, spokesperson Mary Dover said in an email to The Associated Press. Schoolchildren were escorted outside of buildings as a precaution when the ground started moving, said

Capt. Thomas Shoots of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for San Diego County He got a shake alert and then started feeling things rolling and banging.

“There was a lot of shaking and rattling around,” he said.

Feds freeze $2.2B in grants to Harvard over campus activism

BY MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press

BOSTON The federal government says it’s freezing more than $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard University, since the institution said Monday it won’t comply with the Trump administration’s demands to limit activism on campus.

In a letter to Harvard Friday, the administration called for broad government and leadership reforms, a requirement that Harvard institute what it calls “merit-based” admissions and hiring policies as

well as conduct an audit of the study body, faculty and leadership on their views about diversity The demands, which are an update from an earlier letter, also call for a ban on face masks — which appeared to target pro-Palestinian protesters. They also pressure the university to stop recognizing or funding “any student group or club that endorses or promotes criminal activity, illegal violence, or illegal harassment.”

Harvard President Alan Garber, in a letter to the Harvard community Monday, said the demands vio-

lated the university’s First Amendment rights and “exceeds the statutory limits of the government’s authority under Title VI,” which prohibits discrimination against students based on their race, color or national origin.

“No government regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,” Garber wrote, adding that the university had taken extensive reforms to address antisemitism.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By DENIS POROy

Tracy Turner, owner of the Wynola Junction, looks over pictures that fell from

earthquake hit Monday in Julian, Calif.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By EVGENIy MALOLETKA

Smoke rises Monday from an explosion following a Russian drone strike on Sumy, Ukraine.

Teacher pay among top education issues

Bills filed include funding, TOPS, exams

BY ELYSE CARMOSINO Staff writer

As Louisiana’s next legislative session started Monday, education bills already filed by lawmakers ran the gamut from changing how schools are funded to making the ACT a graduation requirement instead of end-of-course exams and overhauling eligibility requirements for Taylor Opportunity Program for Students college scholarships

Perhaps the most controversial education issue on the table is teacher pay

Last month, voters overwhelmingly rejected a jam-packed constitutional amendment championed by Gov Jeff Landry that would have, alongside several other tax policy changes, provided funding for teacher pay increases. Now some lawmakers are proposing bills that would attempt again to revise the constitution in order to fund teacher pay raises.

With the session set to run through June 12, here are some of key education bills to watch.

Teachers

House Bill 321: Requires teachers to undergo training in how to teach numeracy

House Bill 391: Prohibits the inclusion of certain student test scores in teacher evaluations.

House Bill 466: Requires school systems to provide a salary increase for teachers and other school employees using savings that stem from the payment of debts related to the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana.

Students

House Bill 486: Requires public schools to offer a mental health assessment to students in fourth through 12th grades at the beginning of each school year

Senate Bill 117: Prohibits the serving and selling of ultra-processed

LANDRY

Continued from page 1A

insurance laws against trial lawyers and their clients in ways that Landry opposes. That is putting Landry at odds with a key part of his political base

The House leadership is acting quickly on those bills by taking up a batch of them in the Civil Law and Procedure Committee on Tuesday and the Insurance Committee on Wednesday

“We are committed to staying focused on our goal,” Speaker Pro Tem Mike Johnson, R-Pineville, said in an interview He predicted that the two committees would pass most of the bills on those two days and that the full House would take them up next week.

Besides the House conservatives, Landry also faces opposition from Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple on some measures that favor trial lawyers

“I don’t believe we’re exactly on the same page,” Temple said in an interview in the Capitol’s Memorial Hall after Landry’s address. Temple said he supports two bills filed by freshmen legislators that Landry has told the legislators he opposes.

One is House Bill 435, sponsored by Rep. Peter Egan, R-Covington. It would cap the damages award for pain and suffering at $5 million. While Louisiana has no cap today, Temple noted that Mississippi’s limit is $1 million

The other one is House Bill 431 by Rep. Emily Chenevert, R-Baton Rouge, and involves a legal theory known as “modified comparative fault.” That bill would make it harder for big payouts when apportioning blame in an accident where several people are at fault.

Trial lawyers say no evidence exists to show that making it harder for them to sue and win large payouts for their clients would actually lower car insurance rates.

“I’m still waiting for @JeffLandry, @TimTtemple, and @BlakeMiguezLA to give me the name of one, just one large automobile insurance company in Louisiana that agrees to reduce their rates if any of your laws pass,” tweeted Morris Bart, who operates the biggest personal injury law firm in Louisiana.

Miguez is a Republican state senator from New Iberia. Landry kicked off his second regular session after suffering his biggest political defeat on March

foods in public schools.

Senate Bill 121: Requires public schools to offer annual mental health screenings for students and notify parents of available resources if students need them.

House Bill 201: Expands student eligibility for participation in the Reading Enrichment and Academic Deliverables program, a statefunded program that provides free books and other literacy materials for Louisiana kids.

House Bill 478: Requires information about pregnancy, adoption and neonatal care to be posted at health centers in public high schools and public colleges and universities.

Senate Bill 198: Authorizes nonpublic school students to participate in public school activities.

Testing and curriculum

House Bill 614: Requires students to attain a minimum ACT score to graduate high school while prohibiting state-administered, end-ofcourse exams.

House Bill 243: Adds accountability measures to the LA GATOR program, the state’s new school voucher program.

Senate Bill 105: Requires schools to use a nationally recognized assessment in place of Louisiana’s LEAP test for the purpose of school and district accountability

House Bill 52: Requires high schoolers to take a financial literacy course that includes instruction on how to apply for scholarships, grants and other

financial opportunities to pay for postsecondary education.

House Bill 372: Adds computer science as a high school graduation requirement.

Senate Bill 180: Establishes a pilot program, called Farm-Ed, that allows for the integration of controlled environment grow chambers and related curriculum in K-12 classrooms.

Senate Bill 81: Requires parental access to instructional materials in public schools.

TOPS scholarships

House Bill 70: Revises initial academic eligibility requirements for a TOPS-Tech award. Students are eligible if they meet at least two of three requirements.

House Bill 77: Revises award amounts for the TOPS program and adds an award category for students with an ACT score of 31 or above.

House Bill 275: Authorizes students who qualify for a TOPS award but graduate from an outof-state college to apply unused award amounts to medical or dental school in Louisiana. Requires repayment unless certain conditions are met.

House Bill 378: Lowers the ACT score required for initial qualification for a TOPS award for students who complete approved home study programs.

Finance

House Bill 185: Requires districts to submit quarterly attendance data to determine how much state funding they receive.

Discipline

House Bill 225: Authorizes public school staff to conduct a weapons search of students when they enter a school campus.

House Bill 237: Updates rules for secluding or physically restraining students with disabilities.

House Bill 384: Updates penalties for students in sixth through 12th grades found in possession of marijuana or any chemical derivative.

Senate Bill 178: Allows for 14 separate updates to the School Employee Bill of Rights.

Higher education

House Bill 279: Requires students who are members of certain organizations at a postsecondary institution to complete an anti-hazing course.

Senate Bill 202: Transfers the University of New Orleans to the LSU system.

Senate Bill 200: Requires a cap on athletic scholarships awarded to citizens of a foreign country and places restrictions on international intercollegiate athletes and athletic scholarships.

Email Elyse Carmosino at ecarmosino@theadvocate.com.

29 when voters rejected four proposed amendments to the state constitution

He is also facing skepticism from restive freshmen of what he calls his “balanced” approach on car insurance rates. They are working with Johnson and Rep. Gabe Firment R-Pollock the House Insurance Committee chair.

The governor entered the House chamber Monday to a more subdued reaction from legislators than a year ago.

“We were collectively elected to bring change, reform and a renewed sense of public service to Louisiana’s government,” he said, referring to changes they adopted last year with education, insurance and anti-crime laws “I can say with pride and excitement we are doing so.”

In his speech, Landry twice blamed progressive billionaire George Soros for funding the campaign that defeated the four amendments but has yet to provide the evidence.

Landry also touted his LA-DOGE program, saying it is “eliminating wasteful spending.”

But the two Democratic mem-

“I travel around Louisiana more than anyone else, and I don’t see insurance companies or plaintiff lawyers going broke. But I sure do see way too many people and businesses struggling financially because of both.”

GOV. JEFF LANDRy

bers of the task force that he created in January — Rep. Adrian Fisher, of Monroe, and Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, of Lafayette — said Monday that the group hasn’t met since The Advocate reported in February that it was not publicly advertising its meetings.

Landry took up car insurance about two-thirds into his speech, emphasizing repeatedly that he sides with people who pay high insurance rates, believed to be the steepest in the country

“I travel around Louisiana more than anyone else, and I don’t see insurance companies or plaintiff lawyers going broke,” he said. “But I sure do see way too many people and businesses

struggling financially because of both.”

On some issues, Landry sided with insurance companies and business interests, saying he would sign a bill that would reduce how much an injured driver could collect if they didn’t have car insurance. He also said he supports House Bill 34 by Rep. Brian Glorioso, R-Slidell, that would allow insurance companies in court to challenge what they consider to be excessive medical bills for injured drivers.

But Landry also said studies show insurance companies earn excessive profits in Louisiana and said the companies should not be allowed to recoup their advertising costs in the form of higher premiums.

Rep. Matthew Willard, who heads the House Democratic Caucus, applauded the governor for urging that “this is not a time to pick sides.”

“We’ve heard promises from the insurance industry for several years,” Willard said, but rates have not gone down. The House Democratic Caucus is focused on providing relief to

Louisiana insurance ratepayers. The caucus has filed legislation that would eliminate the use of credit scores or education attainment in determining insurance rates, limit excessive rate filings by insurance companies, bring transparency to insurance companies’ use of algorithms in rate setting, and provide tax credits for high property and auto insurance premiums.

Landry sparked concern among business interests by meeting at a Texas hunting lodge two weeks ago with key legislators and prominent trial attorneys who made substantial donations to his campaign.

Landry dismissed the concern in a brief interview after his speech Monday

“I’ve taken hunting trips and campaign contributions from a lot of people,” he said “It doesn’t mean they’re favored in any particular way I just laid out a pretty balanced approach. The question is: Can we balance the scales?” Capitol bureau reporter Alyse Pfeil contributed to this article. Email Tyler Bridges at tbridges@theadvocate.com.

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

Speaker of the House Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice, gavels in the opening day of the legislative session on Monday at the State Capitol.

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

Rep. Joseph Orgeron, R-Cut Off, greets Gov Jeff Landry, center, as Landry leaves the House Chamber after speaking on the opening day of the legislative session on Monday.

Lawmakersseektokeepfederal floodinsurance

BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON Louisiana House members from both partieshave teamedupwith aMississippi Republican to try to keep flood insurancefromexpiring on Sept. 30

Legislation filed Monday would addmore than ayear to the life of the program that provides insurance for damage fromrising waters —policies that financial institutionsrequire manyproperty owners to buy before agreeing to lend mortgage money

Filingthe bill wereDemocratic Reps. Troy Carter,ofNew Orleans, and Cleo Fields, of Baton Rouge; Republican member Julia Letlow, of Start, whose northeast Louisiana-based district includes some neighborhoods in the Baton Rouge; and GOP Rep. Mike Ezell,whose Mississippi congressional district represents that state’spopulous Gulf Coast.

The House legislationisa companion to asimilar measure filed by Louisiana’stwo U.S. Senators, both Republicans, Bill Cassidy, of Baton Rouge,and John N. Kennedy,ofMadisonville.

Louisiana property owners held about 400,000 food insurance policies as of the end of March, accordingtoFEMA.

The authority for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to overseethe sale of flood insurance policiesexpired last year.Extensions have been attached to the resolutionsthat maintain funding for the government.

In fact,during the past decade, Congress had to pass 33 shortterm authorization extensions to keep the National Flood Insurance Program operating. HadCongress failed to pass anyofthe contentiousgovernment funding bills —several times they have come within hours of it —itwould halt flood insurance policies from beingissued or renewed, whichin turn could shut down real estate actions.

Accordingtothe National Asso-

ciation of Realtors, alapse of NFIP could impact 1,360 home sale closings daily,translating to approximately 41,300 affected monthly transactions nationwide.

Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary KristiNoem has said shewants to close FEMA and movemany of its major functions to state governments. FEMA has moved to lay off personnel and has endedone pre-disastermitigation grant program and paused taking applications for another Noem heads apresidential task force withaneye on recommending changes to FEMA’s operations, funding, duties and mission.

Carter said this bill would lock in FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Programthrough 2026 without further legislative action needed. Should both chambers of Congress approve the bill, and President DonaldTrump sign it, floodinsurance wouldremainoperational while Congress works to “strengthen and modernize”the program Carter added thebill is astraightup reauthorizationthat would al-

low “uninterrupted access to flood insurance across the country.”

“Given our state’shistory with extreme weather events, we must ensure that flood insurance remainsaccessibletoall,” Fields said.

Ezell, R-Pascagoula, said passageofthe act would deliverstability in communities that arebeingimpacted more and more by severe weather

“For far too long, families, businesses, and entire communities along our coast have lived with the uncertainty caused by short-term extensions of the National Flood Insurance Program,” Ezell said. Louisiana leaders praised the idea.

“A two-year reauthorization will provide arunwayfor Congress andstakeholderstoholdconversationsand hearingsaroundcatastrophic insuranceand towards highly-demanded comprehensive NFIPreform, like ameans-tested benefitfor affordability,athirdparty review of theRisk Rating 2.0methodology,and properincentivization of flood risk mitigation,”

saidMichael Hecht, president of New Orleans business and economic development organization GNO Inc.

In Risk Rating 2.0, Hecht is referring to the new premium-setting system Congress wanted FEMA to implement. Taxpayers have to pick up the costs when the flood insurance funds are exhausted.

The goal of Risk Rating 2.0 is to betteralign the cost of policies with the covered property’slikelihood of flooding. Those rates have been lower for manypolicyholders, but are significantly higher forothers in closer to the Gulf Coast —includingmany in Louisiana

“For manyLouisianans, flood insuranceisnot just apolicy —it’s alifeline,” Letlow said in astatement. “Given the frequent storms and flooding our state endures, I’m astrong advocatefor renewing the NationalFlood InsuranceProgram andmaking sure it servesthose whodepend on it.”

Email Mark Ballardat mballard@theadvocate.com.

perpetuated by this system is cruel and unjust.”

The bill would apply to all inmates seeking to change their sentences, not just those on death row

Some criminal justice advocates argue the billwould increase the odds that innocent people stay in prison or are executed. Critics also say the bill sets overly harsh deadlines for the post-conviction relief process and could keep people in prison under illegal sentences.

“This bill may prevent a factually innocent person from ever getting outof prison,” said JeePark, executive director of the Innocence Project New Orleans, an organization that works to exonerate innocent inmates.

HB572 would reshape the process of post-conviction relief, which defendants use to trytoget theirsentences shortened or overturned after they have finished with their direct appeals. They can either raise flaws in the process of their conviction or argue they are actually innocent of the crime.

Republican lawmakers already clamped down on post-conviction relief last year,setting stricter timelinesand procedural rules through Act 10 of the special legislative sessiononcrime. That act also allowed the attorney generaltoappeal judicial orders granting relief for prisoners.

Thebillwould prevent prisoners who pleaded guiltytocrimes from asserting factual innocence claims

“If they plead guilty,they are admitting to the factual predicate, they are admitting that they committed the crime and they are waiving all of these rights to appeal,” Murrill said. “Nobody is required to pleadguilty to a crime.”

ButParkargues innocent people sometimes take plea dealsand plead guilty to crimes to avoid the risk of a harsher sentence.

For an innocent person who is facing life in prison butgets offered a20-year sentence, and who is uncomfortable with risk, “you mightbeinclined to take the 20 years insteadoflife,” Park said.

Acknowledging those

concerns, the bill’ssponsor, state Rep. Brian Glorioso, RSlidell, said he wants to pull from the bill the provision that would prevent people who plead guilty from asserting they are innocent.

“Our entire systemright nowisstructuredwherepeopleare incentivized to plead guilty to lesseroffenses,” he said. “There are times when peopleplead guilty to something they didn’tdo, because they’re facing charges and they don’tfeel they have adequaterepresentation or means” and they wanta lesser sentence.

He expects there will be a lotofchanges to thebillbefore it goes to aHouse committee forapproval, he said. Glorioso wants to ensure “we’re protecting those people that have legitimate rights and need to make sure that they’reable to present their case and bringnew evidence,” he said. “Wenever want to have any innocent person in jail ever.”

But, Gloriososaid, the state also needs to address “abuses in the system”that allow post-conviction relief cases to remainstatic for long periods of time.

When Louisiana executed Jessie Hoffman Jr.last monthusing nitrogen gas thestate’s first execution in 15 years— Murrill said she wouldattempt to“clear the underbrush” on long-dormant death penalty cases. Weeks later,she backedtwo deathwarrants forCaddo Parish inmateswhose at-

torneys argued that they still had not exhausted all of theirpost-conviction appeals.

The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled in favor of the inmates last week, recalling their death warrants and ordering astate district judge to hear their post-conviction reliefclaims before setting execution dates.

Murrill arguedthatitwas an example of the need to change the law

“The state has funded appealsinthese cases with millionsofdollars forthe last 20 years and has little to nothing to show for it,”she said in astatement about theCaddocases.“This is thereason we need comprehensivereformofpost-conviction relief.Lawyers for theseindividuals obtained delay after delay then did nothing.District attorneys and judgeslet these cases falter as well.”

Currently, it’s up to local district attorneys to respond to post-conviction relief petitionsasthey see fit.

For example, Williams, the progressive-mindedNew Orleans district attorney,used thatpower in recent yearsto make deals with hundreds of prisoners, citing shoddy police workorsuspect tactics by prosecutors. The stricter post-conviction relief rules passedlast year wereexpected to hamper that work, and it is unclear whether Williamshas been able tomake such deals since.A spokespersonfor

Williams’office didnot return arequest for comment. If HB572 passes, theattorney generalcould take over any post-conviction reliefcase from adistrictattorney, shutting down deals like theones Williams’office made. She also would automatically get control over post-convictionreliefcases for death row inmates.

Currently,the constitutionprevents the attorney

general from intervening in criminal casesunless a district attorney recuses themselves or gives express permission. She does have the authority to intervene in civil cases, and HB572 would movepost-conviction relief to the civil code.

So far, district attorneys have not taken apublic stance on the bill.

The Louisiana District Attorneys Association “is reviewing HB572 closely, said ExecutiveDirector Zach Daniels, but hasnot yet voiced support or opposition

Thebillwould also set stricter timelines for prisonersseeking post-conviction relief

All defendants would have to file within oneyear of a conviction;currently,they have twoyears, and capital defendants have unlimited time, saidCecelia Kappel, an attorney for death row inmates.

Defendants would also be required to file substantive motions more frequently, andjudgeswould have deadlinestomakecertain rulings.

Murrill said post-conviction relief procedures “have long been abused.”She argued defense attorneys draw out cases by repeatedly amending post-conviction reliefpetitionstoget around timelimits.

“The delays also do not serve acriminal defendant’s interest eitherbecause legitimateclaimsfalter from inaction, forgotten on district court dockets for years,” she said.

Murrill also wants to cut back on “shell petitions,” where attorneys file barebones petitionsand then return months later to flesh them out.

In capital cases, tighter deadlineswould be problematic, said Kappel, as it can take years to get the records necessary fora postconviction application. It could also harm average prisoners without outside resources whostruggle to get the records for their cases, saidPark, of theInnocence Project.

Though state courts are the first line of appeal for death rowprisoners, they can also file federalhabeas corpus claimstoreview their sentences. The bill also would prohibit death row inmates from filing applications within oneweek of their execution, aprovision Kappel slammed.

“We’ve got the highest per capita exoneration rate from death row in the nation,” she said.“We have to useevery single hour these guys have left to prevent awrongful execution.”

Getting

the IRSonthe

phone is more difficult

Taxpayers calling the IRS for help processing their taxes this filingseason may find it harder than normal to get someone on the phone, experts say,aproblem that is only expectedtoget worsenext year with staffing cuts that could slash the workforce considerably

For this year,data of tax return processing times shows numbers largely in line with those fromlast year.IRS employees involved in the 2025 taxseason were not allowed to accepta buyout offer from the Trumpadministrationuntil after the taxpayer filing deadline of Tuesday,though thousands of probationary workerswere laid off earlier this year

Legal experts in tax compliance say the long wait timesare going to increase as more buyouts and layoffs take effect.

Comparing figures through thefirst week of Aprilfrom 2024and 2025, 101.4 million returnswere processed this year compared to 101.8 milliontax returns last year.Refunds are up, with 67.7 million issued this yearcompared with 66.7 million in 2024.

Former IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said even in a normal yearthe IRS’ responsiveness slows the further into tax season it gets.

“Next year,ifthey cut 10,000 or 20,000 employees, they’re headed back to really bad taxpayerservice on thephone,” he said. “And the taxpayer priority line will become an oxymoron.”

Nvidia plans to make AI chips in the U.S. Nvidia announced Monday that it will produce its artificial intelligence supercomputers in the United States for the first time.

The tech giant said it has commissioned more than 1million square feet of manufacturing space to build and test its specialized Blackwell chips in Arizonaand AI supercomputers in Texas —part of an investment thecompany said will produce up to half atrillion dollarsofAI infrastructure in the next four years.

“The engines of the world’s AI infrastructure are being builtinthe United States forthe firsttime,” Nvidiafounder Jensen Huang said in astatement. “Adding Americanmanufacturing helpsusbetter meet the incredible and growing demand for AI chips and supercomputers, strengthens our supply chainand boosts ourresiliency.”

Nvidia said in apost on its websitethatithas started Blackwell production at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. chip plants in Phoenix. The Santa Clara, California-based chipcompany is also building supercomputermanufacturing plants in Texas —with Foxconn in Houstonand Wistron in Dallas Mass production at both plants is expected to ramp up in the next 12-15 months, Nvidia said. The company alsoplans on partnering with Taiwan-based company SPIL and Amkor for “packaging and testing operations” in Arizona.

Pfizer stops obesity pill development

Pfizer is ending the developmentofits potential once-daily pill treatmentfor obesitybeforeventuring into the biggest and most expensive level of clinical testing. The drugmakersaid it would stop studying danuglipronafter aparticipant in one of itstrials experienced apossible druginduced liver injury that ended once the person stopped taking the treatment. The once-daily version of the pill was in early-stage testing, with researchers trying to figure outthe best dose for patients, aspokeswoman said The company intended to move the drug into late-stagetesting, which is generally thelast phase of development before a company submits the potential treatment to government regulators for approval.

BUSINESS

NOLA.COM/BIZ

Stocks rallyafter Trumpeases some tariffs

BY STAN CHOE AP business writer

NEWYORK Stocks rose worldwide

Mondayafter President Donald Trumprelaxed some of his tariffs, for now at least,and as stress from within the U.S. bond market seems to be easing. TheS&P 500 climbed, though tradingwas still shaky,and it briefly gave backall of itsbig early gain of 1.8%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq composite also closed higher Apple and other technology companieshelpedliftWallStreet after Trumpsaidhewas exempting smartphones, computers and other electronics from some of his stiff tariffs, which could ultimately more than doubleprices forU.S

customers of productscoming from China. Such an exemption would mean U.S. importers don’t have to choosebetween passing on the highercosts to theircustomers or taking ahit to their own profits Apple climbed2.2%, andDell Technologies rose 4%.

But suchrelief may ultimately prove fleeting. Trump’stariff rollout has been full of fits and starts, and officials in his administration said this most recent exemption on electronics is only temporary Thatcould keep uncertainty high for companies, which are trying to makelong-term plans when conditions seem to change by the day.Such uncertainty sent the U.S. stock marketlast week to chaotic andhistoric swings, as investors struggledtocatch up with Trump’s

moves on tariffs, which could ultimately lead to arecession if not reduced.

China’scommerce ministry nevertheless welcomed the pause on electronics tariffs in aSunday statement as asmall step, even as it called for the U.S. to completely cancel the rest of itstariffs. China’sleader Xi Jinping on Monday said no one wins in atrade waras he kicked off adiplomatic tour of SoutheastAsia, hoping to present China as aforce for stability in contrast with Trump’sfrenetic moves on tariffs

Elsewhere on Wall Street, Goldman Sachs rose 1.9% after reporting astronger profitfor thelatest quarterthanexpected.Itjoined otherbig banks in doing so,such as JPMorgan Chase and Morgan

Stanley

Perhaps moreencouragingly for Wall Street, the bond market also showed signs of increasing calm. Treasury yields eased following theirsuddenand scary rise last week, whichseemed to rattle not only investors but also Trump. Trump noted themoves in the bond market,which suggested investors “were getting alittle queasy,” after he announced a90daypause on many of histariffs last week.

That Trumpacted only after the bond market madeits scary move, but not after the U.S. stock market began trembling, “reveals this administration’sAchilles’ heel,” according to Lisa Shalett, chief investment officer at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.

BY JOSH BOAK AND MICHAEL LIEDTKE Associated Press

WASHINGTON President DonaldTrump on Monday suggestedthathemight temporarilyexempt theauto industry from tariffs he previously imposed on the sector,to give carmakerstimetoadjust their supply chains.

“I’m looking at something to help someof thecar companieswith it,” Trump told reporters gathered in the OvalOffice. The Republican president said automakers needed time to relocateproductionfrom Canada Mexico and other places,“And theyneed alittle bitoftimebecause they’regoing to make them here, but they need alittle bit of time. So I’m talkingabout things like that.”

Thestatement hinted at yet another round of reversals on tariffs as Trump’sonslaught of import taxes has panicked financial markets andraised deep concerns from Wall Street economistsabout apossible recession.

When Trumpannouncedthe 25% auto tariffs on March27, he describedthem as “permanent.” Hishard linesontrade have become increasingly blurred as he hassought to limit thepossible economic and political blowback from his policies

Last week, after abond market selloff pushed up interest rates on U.S. debt, Trump announced that for90dayshis broader tariffs against dozens of countries would instead be set at abaseline 10% to give time for negotiations.

At thesame time, Trump increased the importtaxes on China to 145%, only to temporarily exempt electronics from someof those tariffs by having thosegoodscharged at a20% rate.

“I don’tchange my mind, but I’m flexible,”

Trump saidMonday Trump’s flexibility has also fueledasense of uncertainty and confusion about his intentionsand end goals. The S&P 500 stock index was up Monday, but it’sstill down

nearly 9% this year.Interest rates on 10year U.S. Treasury noteswerealsoelevated at roughly 4.4%

Carl Tannenbaum, chief economist for theNorthern Trust global financial firm, said the whiplash had been so great that he might have to “get fitted for aneck brace. Tannenbaum warned in an analysis: “Damage to consumer, business, andmarketconfidence may alreadybeirreversible.”

Maroš Šefcovic,, the European commissioner for trade and economic security, posted on XonMondaythat on behalf of theEuropeanUnion he engaged in tradenegotiations with Commerce SecretaryHowardLutnickand U.S. TradeRepresentative Jamieson Greer

“The EU remains constructive andready fora fair deal —including reciprocity through our 0-for-0 tariff offer on industrial goodsand the work on non-tariff barriers,” Šefcovic said.

BY BRIAN WITTE and BARBARA ORTUTAY AP technologywriters

WASHINGTON Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stand Mondayinahistoricantitrust trial that couldforcethe techgiant to break offInstagram andWhatsApp, startups it bought more than adecade ago thathave since grown into social media powerhouses. The Federal Trade Commission called Zuckerberg as its first witness, as it seeks to prove that Meta

acquired Instagram and WhatsApp to preserve its monopoly in the social networking space. In opening statements, FTC attorney Daniel Matheson saidMeta has used its position to generate enormous profits even as consumer satisfaction hasdropped. He said Meta was “erecting amoat” to protect its interests by buyingthe two startups because the company feared they were athreat to Meta’s dominance. Zuckerberg andother key Metawitnesses will testify throughout the trial.

“We’re going to give them their chance to tell their side of the story,” Matheson said. MarkHansen, an attorneyfor Meta, said the FTCwas making a “grab bag” of arguments that were

wrong. He said Meta hasplenty of competitionand has made improvements to the startups it acquired.

“This lawsuit,insummary,is misguided,” Hansen said, adding: “anyway you look at it, consumers have been the big winners.”

The trial will be the firstbig test of President Donald Trump’sFederal Trade Commission’sability to challenge Big Tech. The lawsuit was filed against Meta —then calledFacebook —in2020, during Trump’s first term.Itclaims the company bought Instagram and WhatsApp to squash competition and establish an illegal monopoly in the social media market. Meta, the FTC argues, has maintained amonopolybypursuing

Zuckerberg’sstrategy,“expressed in 2008: ‘It is bettertobuy than compete.’ True to that maxim, Facebook has systematically tracked potential rivals and acquired companies that it viewed as serious competitive threats.” Facebook also enacted policies designed to makeitdifficult for smaller rivals to enter the market and “neutralize perceived competitive threats,” theFTC says in its complaint, just as the world shifted its attention to mobile devices from desktop computers.

“Unable to maintain its monopoly by fairly competing, the company’s executivesaddressed the existentialthreat by buying up new innovators that weresucceeding where Facebook failed,” the FTC says.

President Donald Trumptold reporters gathered in the Oval Office on Mondaythat

companies with (tariffs).’

GOP-dominated Legislature continue on the path championed by Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple, a Republican and former insurance executive who has pushed to make it easier for insurers to drop policyholders and raise rates?

Temple believes the strategy will attract more insurers to Louisiana and that the competition will drive rates down. He said several insurers are considering entering the market, while a handful have filed for rate decreases. He supports several proposed measures to boost building codes and strengthen fortified roof incentives, while he’s continued to try to woo insurers with fewer regulations.

But the session comes as Gov Jeff Landry and Temple are at odds over insurance issues, a rift that has grown since lawmakers convened last year And there is growing disquiet among some lawmakers that insurance rates continue to rise for most of their constituents, years after a series of hurricanes threw the market into turmoil Temple said in a recent interview that he has not “had the opportunity” to speak with Landry about insurance since last spring.

The governor has not championed a major package addressing property insurance. During a recent news conference on insurance costs, Landry focused almost entirely on auto insurance, though he again said he’s frustrated that the package of industry-friendly bills he signed into law last year haven’t resulted in major savings for homeowners. It was similar to the message he gave late last year, when he said he was open to supporting a different strategy on home insurance, such as legislation that requires insurers to provide certain levels of discounts in exchange for fortified roofs.

“We don’t want to go down the road that Florida traveled, which is what we’re hearing continuously echoed in this Capitol: If we believe everything the insurance companies tell us, we’ll be just fine,” Landry said last week.

‘Top concern’

While much of the energy at the State Capitol is focused on high auto insurance rates, Louisiana homeowners are also being hit in the pocketbook by increasing

GRIFFIN

Continued from page 1A

could recover Because of injuries, the Pelicans used 47 different starting lineups this season. The lineup that was supposed to be the starting five this season (Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Herb Jones, Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum) never played in a single game together Ingram was traded to the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline, while Williamson Jones, McCollum, Murray and Trey Murphy all had their seasons end early because of injuries.

Griffin, in his first year in the job in 2019, orchestrated the Anthony Davis trade and drafted Williamson with the No. 1 overall pick.

Griffin fired head coach

Alvin Gentry a year later and hired Stan Van Gundy

homeowners insurance rates. An analysis of rate filings from The Times-Picayune | The Advocate shows they have continued to climb since last year’s laws were passed, and the average policyholder who experienced a rate change since then saw a 9% increase.

The rate hikes have threatened the ability for people to stay in their south Louisiana homes. In some coastal areas, communities are being ripped apart. Rising premiums have exacerbated shortages of affordable housing in metro areas. And the housing market has taken a hit in many south Louisiana markets.

“It is still a top concern of everyone,” said Rep. Jacob Braud, a Belle Chasse Republican who filed a bill to allow homeowners to reduce coverage to only the unpaid principal balance of their mortgage, rather than having coverage on their home’s full value. Doing so could lower their premiums but leave them with less protection during a hurricane.

“The rates are just so high. It might be the highest thing in their escrow, more than their house

But after one season Griffin fired Van Gundy and replaced him with Willie Green, who still remains in place as Pelicans head coach

The Pelicans saw their number of victories increase in each of Green’s first three seasons before plummeting this season.

The Pelicans went 209263 with Griffin in his six seasons. They were 109-105 during his time in games

Williamson played Griffin’s last time speaking to the media about the season and the state of the franchise was in February

“When these types of things happen, they really reveal a lot about who you are and what your team represents,” Griffin said.

“And unfortunately for us, I think it’s revealed we have a lot of work to do from a front office perspective, from a team-building perspective.”

note,” Braud said. Louisiana voters have increasingly voiced concerns about rising home insurance costs since the state’s insurance market tanked in 2022 and 2023.

John Couvillon, a pollster who works on behalf of many Republican elected officials, said his recent polling shows high property insurance costs are the No. 1 issue of concern in the state, particularly in south Louisiana.

Tricky problem

The Times-Picayune | The Advocate found in a series of stories on the crisis last year that homeowners in south Louisiana are being hit with staggering price increases, which in some cases are driving people out of their homes. Communities in coastal Louisiana are seeing an exodus of residents, hit with the double whammy of the insurance crisis and the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in 2021.

Finding quick solutions is not easy The state relies heavily on the global reinsurance industry, which backstops insurance companies and ultimately decides rates for

That task now will be left up to someone else. It’s the second major change Benson has made in the past six months.

Benson, who is also the owner of the New Orleans Saints, fired head football coach Dennis Allen in November after his team lost seven straight games.

“I am committed to hiring the right person to lead our basketball operations department and deliver an NBA Championship to our city,” Benson said. “That is what our fans deserve. I am truly appreciative of David for his leadership and many contributions to the Pelicans organization and the New Orleans community over the last six years. We wish David and his wife, Meredith, and their family all the best moving forward.”

Email Rod Walker at rwalker@theadvocate. com.

homeowners. The California wildfires at the start of this year were another setback for the market, much of which is based in Bermuda.

That means Louisiana is, in many ways, at the whims of global catastrophes, which are becoming worse because of climate change.

But there are signs that reinsurance costs could be topping out after years of steep increases. A rate index kept by the reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter forecasts a slight drop in reinsurance costs in 2025 after years of steep hikes.

Some elected officials and advocates have begun pushing for a federal solution to homeowners insurance, which could work similarly to how the federal government underwrites flood insurance But it is unlikely Congress will swiftly enact such a program.

Meanwhile, Louisiana is trying to incentivize large numbers of homeowners to build fortified roofs that are less likely to come off during a hurricane, which can provide premium discounts.

State Rep. Edmond Jordan, DBaton Rouge, said he’s preparing to file a bill that would require the state to back catastrophe bonds, which provide a backstop to insurers in the case of a major hurricane. He said the idea would help alleviate high reinsurance costs that are putting upward pressure on home insurance bills.

Jordan is also pushing a bill to give out tax credits for people paying high premiums. The measure would give homeowners a tax credit for the amount in home insurance premiums they pay over $3,000 a year The amount of the credit would cap at $5,000.

“Hardworking families in Louisiana are still facing a crisis,” Jordan said. “More of their income is going toward paying insurance than people in other states. If that’s the case, they’re entitled to some relief until we can fix it.”

Staying the course

Temple and Republicans in the Legislature have enacted a series of changes to laws and regulations that make it easier for insurers to raise rates, drop policyholders and avoid costly lawsuits after hurricanes.

While premiums have not meaningfully dropped since then, Temple said he remains optimistic. He said several insurers are considering entering Louisiana’s market, and noted that several companies filed for rate decreases this year Rate filing data

shows the vast majority of policyholders are not seeing significant rate declines, though some insurers have filed rate decreases for small groups of homeowners.

“We’re trending in the right direction,” Temple said. Temple is supporting several bills on property insurance. One would require homeowners to sign a “satisfactory proof of loss” document when filing a claim, while others would require insurers to give more notice before canceling a policy Much of his package is focused on auto insurance, part of a hotly contested debate between the insurance industry and trial lawyers over lawsuits filed after car accidents. Battle brews

With home insurance costs still high, many lawmakers are pushing for a different approach.

Sen Patrick Connick, R-Marrero, is pushing a bill to require insurers to report more information about their finances, including transactions with affiliates. The TimesPicayune | The Advocate last year found that 11 of the 12 companies that went insolvent in the wake of Hurricanes Laura and Ida sent hundreds of millions of premium dollars to less-regulated affiliates, making it difficult to say how much profit they were extracting from the insurance companies and whether they were spending money wisely

“Everybody I know who has a house is fed up paying these high premiums,” Connick said. “Where is the money going? They get no relief.”

Landry threw his support behind an effort to give Temple more power to reject “excessive” rates from insurance companies. Sen. Jay Luneau, D-Alexandria, and Rep. Robby Carter, D-Amite, are sponsoring bills to do that.

“Our insurance commissioner has been unable to hold insurance companies to their word,” Landry said. “I do not believe it is personal. I just believe he does not have the power to be able to do that.” Temple rejected the idea, saying in an interview that insurers do make significant profits in some years, but that they lost tremendous amounts of money after hurricanes in 2020 and 2021.

“To say insurance companies are making excessive profits is extremely disingenuous,” Temple said. “I have the regulatory and legal authority to deny excessive rates.”

STAFF FILE PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple, right, paces by himself as he gets ready to face a gym filled with concerned south Louisiana residents during

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APRIL2025

JanRisher

LOUISIANA AT LARGE

Army reachesout with video games

Ms. Pac-Man is more my speed, butlast week, Ifound myself playingMortal Kombat in adark trailer straight out of asci-fifilm. With eerie green lighting, the trailer had gaming towers, giant surround-style screens and reclining chairs along each side of the interior.Itwas “equippedwith the latest for competitive multiplatform gaming,” according to the U.S.Army On the surface, it’stricked out for fun and an esports fan’s nirvana.

Esports —competitive multiplayer video games oftenplayed for spectators —may seem an unlikely recruiting tool, but the Army has figured out that the hand/eye coordinationrequired for video games is askill that transfers well to defend the country.Video game wizards can transfer their skills to operating drones, working withother emerging threats or putthem to use in another area of technology

To be clear,the Army will not be recruiting me for my mad video gaming skills

“These are going to be your buttons that you use the highpunch, low punch, high kick and low kick,” Sgt. Scott Brooks explained to me, despite my never having played Mortal Kombat before.

While Mortal Kombat is brutal fantasy,Brooks’ real-world missions have taken him to places with firsthand views of unpixelated life and death. Brooks has traveled to Iraq, Afghanistan, Qatar, Kuwait, Italy,Belgium, Cameroon, Germany and more.

Now,hetravels with the esport trailer 280 to 310 days ayear

“Before Ijoined, Ididn’teven knowyou could be aphotographer in the military,” he said as we prepared to play Mortal Kombat. Once Iwas settled into arecliner,Brooks asked me to pick a character

“Is this one agood guy?” Iasked. His answer confirmed parallels between video games andreal life.

“Well, whetherthey’re agood guy or not in the story mode doesn’tmatter when you’re fighting each other,” Brooks said. “’Cause the goal is to beat the other person. Youknow what I’m saying?”

Itried, but the carnage in the game was so realistic that Icouldn’t forcemyself to look much. Brooks tried his best to give me a fighting chance.

Finally,hesaid, “Miss, you’re going to have to look at the screen if you want to hit me.”

As realistic as the graphics are, the game concept is completely unrealistic regarding life and death. After the sergeant would bust my on-screen character’s head into athousand pieces,my character would jump back up and go at it again.

While Icould not finishthe video game part of the experience quickly enough, many of thestudents appreciate the fancyvideo game setup.

Capt. Terron Riggins said theesports trailersheds anew light on the military for some.

“A lot of people justgooff what they see on social media and what they see in the movies,” Riggins said. “As far as the gaming opportunities we offerthrough themilitary,itkind of widens the scope of what they see the Army as.” In short, Riggins said the concept works. Gaming can open the door for some kids who may have never considered the military —gaming can be agood place to start theconversation.

Denham Springs High freshman

ä See RISHER, page 2B

Hurricane conference kicksoff

N.O. eventlacks federalexperts duetoTrump policies

BY JOSIE ABUGOV and KASEY BUBNASH Staff writers

An annual national conference on the evolving threat of hurricaneskickedoff in NewOrleans on Monday, butwithout theusual presence of experts from the federal government due to costsavingmeasures put in place by President Donald Trump’sadministration.

The conference is also taking place with the White House reportedly planning major cuts to theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which overseesthe nation’shurricane and weather forecasting services.

Weatherforecasters, hurricane researchers andemergency responders from agencies across thecountry convene at the Na-

tional Hurricane Conference to discuss paststorms andstrategies to improvepreparedness in the face of achanging climate and intensifying disasters. Officials with agencies such as NOAA andthe Federal Emergency Management Agency typically attend, leading discussions andoffering presentationsand training sessions. Butevents thatwere supposed to be led by NOAA and FEMA offi-

cials this year have been canceled or reworked.Travel restrictions placed on federal employees by theTrump administration areto blame for thelack of representation, according to National Hurricane Conference media coordinator Rebecca Mueller and other sources close to NOAA.

“It’scritical forthemtobe here,” said Julie Roberts, aformerNOAA official whonow operates aprivate sector company

SPRING CLEANING

Arbiter: Cantrell leaned on chieffor promotion

Official says mayor attemptedtohelp controversialofficer

BY JOSEPH CRANNEY Staff writer

New OrleansMayor LaToya

Cantrellleaned on police SuperintendentAnne Kirkpatrick in an attempttohelpacontroversial lieutenant’s shot at apromotion last fall, actions the Civil Service Commission in anew ruling called an “improper” violation of city policies. Kirkpatrick initially complied with Cantrell’sinterferenceon Lt.Sabrina Richardson’sbehalf, civilservice records show,with thechieftellingofficers, “Mayor

Cantrell was theboss andshe was goingtodowhather boss wanted,” civil servicecommissioners said. But Kirkpatrick eventually involvedfederalconsent decree monitors and lawyers forthe U.S. Department of Justice, and after a five-month delay,the two highest-ranking candidates, not Richardson, received promotions to captain in February Kirkpatrick said in October that she had “paused” promotionsupon Cantrell’srequest, but the detailsofthose deliberations hadn’tbeen made public.

Eric Hessler,attorney for the Police Association of New Orleans,saidrank-and-fileNOPD officers cheered Kirkpatrick for

ABOVE: Spencer Bloom, right,and Lesley DelRosario,bothwith theLouisiana ConservationCorps, pullupa buriedcar tire at The Nature Conservancy’sLafitte Woods Preserve on GrandIsle. Corps members and volunteers from thecommunity were preparingthe area forthe upcomingannual GrandIsleMigratoryBirdCelebration on April 25-26. Birders andnature lovers from across thecountry frequently attend the event which includesexpert-led bird watching and kayaktours of thearea.

LEFT: Cameron Campbell, right,and Spencer Bloomadd birdseed to afeeder

‘Brazen’

French Quarter shooting injuresfive

BY MISSY WILKINSON and LAUREN WALCK Staff writers

The four-day French Quarter Festivalended in violence Sunday after agunman shot andinjured five people in full view of police officers on the festival’s final night It was the thirdshooting to mar asoutheast Louisiana festival this weekend, after three people were wounded in two unrelatedshootings near the Pontchatoula Strawberry Festival in Tangipahoa Parish on Saturday The New OrleansPolice Depart-

mentonMonday identified the suspect in the French Quarter Festival shootingasChristopher Parker, 25, of New Orleans.Hefaces five counts of aggravated second-degree battery and one count of illegal use of weapons.

Eighth District Capt. Sammy Palumbosaid Sundaythatgunshots rang out about 8:25 p.m.near Ibervilleand Decatur streets, where officers were clearing festival crowds.

Palumbo described the shooter as “brazen,” saying he opened fire in front of officers. None of theinjuries victims suffered were lifethreatening.

Parker was apprehended near the intersection of Decatur and Canal streetsafter abrief foot chase,

City says violence hasnoplace at festivals ä See SHOOTING, page 2B

STAFFPHOTOSByCHRIS GRANGER

Police: Driver in chase jumped into LakePontchartrain

Suspect later arrested

BY BOB WARREN Staff writer

A Slidell-area vehicle chase came to a quick end Monday morning when a 2018 Yukon being pursued by St. Tammany sheriff’s deputies was remotely disabled on the westbound Interstate 10 twin span, prompting the driver to bail and jump over the guardrail into Lake Pontchartrain, authorities said

The driver, a 36-yearold Arabi man, was plucked from the water and arrested, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office said.

The Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Monday afternoon that a homeowner reported about 10:30 a.m. that a man had just stolen a vehicle from the driveway of a North Summerfield

Loop residence.

Deputies used the SUV’s GPS-locating service OnStar to locate the Yukon near Oak Habor Boulevard and I-10 and began pursuing it. Then, using OnStar, they were able to have the vehicle disabled as it motored along I-10. Once the vehicle came to a halt in one of the traffic lanes, the driver, identified as Keith Hebert, jumped over the railing and into the lake, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. The Sheriff’s Office’s Marine Division was able to pull him from the water Authorities said Hebert was brought to a local hospital, and that when he is released he will be booked with theft of a vehicle valued greater than $25,000, aggravated flight from an officer, aggravated obstruction of a highway, resisting an officer and no driver’s license.

N.O coroner identifies two men

Roommates killed in 7th Ward shooting

BY MARCO CARTOLANO Staff writer

The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office identified two men killed in an early morning Thursday shooting in the 7th Ward.

James E. Newman, 53, and William J. Shoop, 73, were roommates of the suspect,

RISHER

Continued from page 1B

Christopher Villagomez and his friend William Dupas signed up to play the games under a small tent near the gaming trailer

Then, the pair climbed the steps into the heavily airconditioned trailer Once there, Villagomez soundly defeated Dupas in Mortal Kombat.

Between classes, Villagomez came for the games — not the Army talk — but he left thinking about both.

Norma

De Leon, a junior

who was apprehended following a four-hour standoff in the French Quarter on Thursday

The man reportedly was suffering a mental health crisis when police encountered him, according to police.

At the 1700 block of Rousselin Street, officers made a welfare check at a home about 12:50 a.m. and discovered that Newman and Shoop had been shot. They were declared dead at the scene, according to NOPD.

Police received a call about

at Denham Springs High, entered the trailer as the freshmen were leaving. De Leon said she has already decided to join the military She wants to work in the medical field. Her friend Carter Heggins joined her for the video games. He said he’s considering joining the military too and that he loves to play video games.

“I’m a nerd,” Heggins said. Meanwhile, camouflageclad soldiers stood along the edge of the shadows of the small tent outside the trailer, waiting for other students to approach.

an armed subject about a half-hour later in the French Quarter in the 900 block of Royal Street. During the standoff, the man reportedly fired at police. At least one officer also fired a gunshot, but it didn’t hit anyone. Police said the man was injured by nonlethal force by officers in the standoff, but they did not elaborate on specifics.

The man was apprehended before 6 a.m. ahead of the opening of French Quarter Fest nearby

A barbell was in the center of the tent. One of the soldiers explained that recruits need to be able to deadlift at least 150 pounds. Another soldier made a comment about a woman in a dress and heels trying to deadlift and I couldn’t resist trying.

So, I did. Turns out, brute strength may be more my military asset than pixelated punches.

Like the students, I came for the experience and left with questions — about war, work and the strange places conversations begin.

SHOOTING

Continued from page 1B

and two firearms were recovered from the scene.

her forthright testimony to the commission.

“We appreciate that,” Hessler said. “We just didn’t appreciate the outcome the possible outcome, meaning these candidates were going to be denied promotions because one particular person wasn’t happy.”

A spokesperson for Cantrell in a statement Monday denied that the mayor did anything improper

“The City of New Orleans respectfully disagrees with the findings of the Civil Service Commission and affirms that Mayor LaToya Cantrell did not interfere with the recent promotional process,” spokesperson Leatrice Dupré said. NOPD released a separate statement noting that Kirkpatrick “consistently prioritized integrity and adherence to process, and the department will continue to uphold these standards moving forward.” Kirkpatrick took office in November 2023 amid speculation that Cantrell denied NOPD’s then-interim Chief Michelle Woodfork the permanent job because Woodfork upheld misconduct allegations against now-retired Officer Jeffrey Vappie, Cantrell’s former bodyguard and alleged paramour

In later interfering with the department’s promotions last fall, police officers’ groups accused Cantrell of other political retaliation They alleged she was trying to sideline two officers up for promotion to the rank of major because those officers had also signed off on the internal findings against Vappie.

Friday’s 15-page ruling from the Civil Service Commission centered largely on Richardson’s candidacy for captain. Richardson was a 24-year veteran who was promoted to lieutenant in 2015 and held a commander’s post in the department’s Public Integrity Bureau from 2019 until 2021, when she was named in a watchdog’s report flagging potential NOPD time sheet violations. She was among at least 11 NOPD officers investigated for payroll fraud, though she was never charged. In 2022, the department demoted Richardson from captain to lieutenant and suspended her without pay for 120 days.

The shooting came as residents and tourists were celebrating the close of French Quarter Fest, a four-day free event that kicked off Thursday Though many of the festival’s major musical performances had wrapped by 7 p.m., a few after-dark events were scheduled throughout the neighborhood.

HURRICANE

Continued from page 1B

geared toward disaster relief. “They need to be here to talk about what is going on.” Roberts served as NOAA’s deputy director of communications under Trump’s first administration and worked at FEMA under the Bush administration She has attended the conference each year for the past decade or more, and said NOAA and FEMA officials share critical information there, helping them better prepare and strategize for the upcoming hurricane season. Roberts said failing to do so could result in less accurate forecasts, worse storm preparations, and, ultimately, lives and property lost in natural disasters. Since Trump took office, NOAA has faced repeated threats of staffing and funding cuts. Last week, the administration proposed to eliminate the agency’s research arm, according to reports by NPR.

“I think we can all agree that we need to look at how to make cuts to the government, every agency,” Roberts said. “But you need to

Mayor LaToya Cantrell and Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick on Monday thanked

do it with a scalpel, not a sledgehammer.” Officials with NOAA did not immediately respond to requests for comment John Wilson, chair of the conference, opened Monday’s general session with a note about the unusual circumstances.

“We hope this is just a one-year happenstance that we’re facing this year and we’ll see our friends and folks and comrades next year at our conference in Orlando,” Wilson said.

A conference amid cuts

For the nearly 1,600 people who were able to attend, the conference began with emergency managers, elected officials and meteorologists recounting lessons learned during Hurricane Katrina and the critical importance of storm preparedness as extreme weather becomes more common. Much of this year’s conference, which runs through Thursday, centers on the 20th anniversary of the destructive storm and accompanying levee failures that flooded 80% of New Orleans

There was little public mention of the lack of federal employees during event’s opening day

police officers and condemned the shooting.

“Violence has no place in our city especially at festivals We continue to urge our residents to support our unified security efforts: If you see something, say something,” they said in a joint statement Monday

“We remain committed to

Trump’s acting FEMA administrator, Cameron Hamilton, did attend and speak, stressing the importance of local, community-centered disaster response and cutting the red tape that often makes it difficult to reach people in the aftermath of storms.

“The best responders to disasters are those who know their communities best,” Hamilton said. He pointed to efforts following Hurricane Helene last year that “enabled residents to work more directly with survivors.”

“In some circumstances, we literally employed survivors to help survivors,” he said. “This is the community approach and framework we want to achieve and pursue.”

FEMA is among a slew of federal agencies cutting landmark programs and terminating employees.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem even proposed eliminating the agency altogether Last week, FEMA announced that it will end the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, or BRIC, program, which Louisiana relies on heavily to build levees, elevate homes and conduct other mitigation projects.

working together to provide resources, increase law enforcement presence, and strengthen security measures to ensure a safe environment for both residents and visitors to experience and enjoy the culture of New Orleans.”

Festival organizers did not immediately respond to a re-

20 years after Katrina

Speakers only hinted at the broader political climate, focusing instead on lessons learned from Katrina and the importance of pushing forecasting and emergency response technology forward in a world increasingly threatened by extreme weather

Margaret Orr, the recently retired WDSU meteorologist, choked up as she recalled the destruction brought to New Orleans two decades ago.

She described frantically pulling her favorite paintings off the walls of her Lakeview home, packing up her entire wardrobe and gathering up beloved photographs as she prepared to evacuate to the Hilton Riverside Hotel, where several WDSU employees were hunkering down through the storm

“I think words have a hard time expressing the destruction, the fear, the hopelessness that we went through,” Orr said. It was an emotional start for many of those gathered at the conference, and Orr warned that solid weather forecasts have never been more important.

“We are seeing more extreme tornadoes — that EF4

quest for comment

Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 or toll-free at (877) 903-7867 Anonymous tip can be submitted online at crimestoppersgno.org.

Email Lauren Walck at lauren.walck@ theadvocate.com.

recently We are seeing extreme droughts, 30 inches of rain below average, 17 100-degree days in 2023, saltwater intrusion, that terrible fog event where 167 cars crashed and seven people died,” Orr said. “We now have had two Cat 4 hurricanes within two years of 150 mph: Laura and Ida. But Katrina was the worst.”

Others echoed the theme, highlighting emergency management wins during Katrina and Milton and advancements in recording video footage from the worst parts of storms in real time.

Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng, who was first elected to the position in 2020, said she was “the poster child” for new politicians being faced with the realities of intense and unexpected extreme weather events — from hurricanes to wildfires to unprecedented snow Emergency preparedness can be “a back burner issue” for areas spared from recent disasters, Lee Sheng said, but this is a big mistake

“We’re in a different world right now,” she said. “We all know this.”

Email Josie Abugov at josie.abugov@ theadvocate.com.

Cantrell believed Richardson’s middling spot in NOPD’s promotional rankings list was the result of “institutional bias” stemming from those issues. Cantrell never explained those concerns, however and civil service investigators didn’t find any evidence to back them up. Richardson, a Black woman, had complained separately that she was also the victim of sex discrimination. Either way Cantrell told Kirkpatrick to disregard NOPD’s rankings that placed her further down the list of candidates, civil service commissioners wrote.

“Also, I do not wish to use the final lists provided,” Cantrell texted Kirkpatrick on Sept. 25, adding that Cantrell preferred separate testing results that ranked Richardson third among candidates, five spots higher than the NOPD rankings.

“Thus, it was clearly conveyed to the NOPD officers that the Mayor was in charge of the promotions and that the Mayor, not Superintendent Kirkpatrick, was calling the shots as to the promotions,” civil service commissioners wrote.

In response, Kirkpatrick froze the promotions, while federal monitors and the New Orleans Office of Inspector General reviewed the process for signs of bias, finding none. The top two candidates, according to testing results and the department’s rankings, were Lt. Rebecca Gubert and Lt. Samuel Palumbo, according to the civil service ruling. Both were promoted to captain in February

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Tourists cross through crime scene tape to get to a hotel after at least four people were hurt in a French Quarter shooting on Sunday

NewOrleans Area Deaths

Edmonson Jr., Frederick

Hebreard, Danny

Raimondo,Letizia

Rodriguez, Patricia

Trosclair, Enola

EJefferson Garden of Memories

Rodriguez, Patricia

NewOrleans

Charbonnet

Hebreard, Danny

River Parish

HC Alexander

Trosclair, Enola

West Bank

West Leitz-Eagan

Raimondo,Letizia

Obituaries

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Frederick "Freddie" Bartholomew Edmonson, Jr., who peacefully transitioned on April 6, 2025, at the age of 76.

Born in New Orleans on August 3, 1948, Freddie was truly one-of-a-kind.He genuinely valued everyone who touched his life and was authentically transparent about challenges he overcame. His unwavering Christian faith reinforced his belief in redemption, restoration, and reconciliation;and his ability to see himself in others affirmedGod's infinite

grace in meetinguswhere we are.

Freddie willbefondly rememberedfor love he lavished on lovedones; the way his infectious laughter ofteninterrupted hisown jokesand stories;and a lifelong sense of style that ensured he was ALWAYS the best-dressed person in any room!

Hislegacy continues through his threechildren: sonFrederick BartholomewEdmonson, III (wife Derwjauna Maxey Edmonson); daughter Monique Nicole (Edmonson) Wardrick (husband Dermaine Wardrick); and son Israel Frederick Elder (wife Shawntana Tiara Elder); seven grandchildren: Kymberli Rachelle Edmonson, Malcolm Xavier Logan, II, Rhianne Justice McGuire, Au'briRayne Edmonson, Rhyan Brielle Edmonson, Maleah Lyric Elder, and Iyan Zoharah Elder; and great-granddaughter LondonKourtney Nicole Kess. He willalsobe deeply missed by brothers Byron Jacob Edmonson and Michael Jude Stewart; sisters DeniseTheresa (Edmonson) Jackson and Yolanda (Stewart) Scott; and ahost of closefamily and dear friends.

Freddieisreunited in eternity with hismother and father, Viola Isabella (Harrison) Edmonson and FrederickBartholomew Edmonson, Sr.; devoted stepmother OraDee Edmonson; brothers Phillip Edmonson and Peter Joseph Edmonson; and sistersJoyce Mary (Edmonson) Sampson and SheilaAnn (Edmonson) Ford.

Acelebrationofhis remarkable life willtake placeatCharbonnet Family Services, 1615 St Philip Street, New Orleans, Louisiana,70117, on April 25, 2025,at12:00 p.m. Hebreard,Danny Michael Gilbert'DannyBoy'

Danny“DannyBoy Michael GilbertHebreard, passedawaypeacefullyat theage of 63 on Thursday,

April3,2025 with familyat his side.Hewas born on December11, 1961 in New Orleans,LAtothe late Ser‐ial,Sr. andMaryLouiseHe‐breard. Dannywas em‐ployedasa Facilities Man‐agerfor Gulf Ventures As‐sociates. He wasa mem‐ber of NOLA Church in New Orleans,where he wasac‐tiveinserving thecommu‐nity. Survivorsinclude his wife, Arlene BeitaHe‐breard; daughters, Layla DanielleHebreardand Madison Louise Hebreard; bonus children,ErisCe‐leste Ramosand Evan Gabriel Ramos; beloved granddaughter,Alaya Rosie” Ramos; siblings, Sheryl(Donald)Brown, Stephanie Thaggard,Serial Hebreard, Jr., Sonia(Cleve‐land) Cobb andKeith (Lisa) Hebreard. He will be dearly missedbymanynieces, nephews,and cousins. In additiontohis parents, Danny is also preceded in death by abrother,John Prince"Gilbert (Arlene).A Celebration servicehonor‐ing thelifeand legacy of the late Danny"Danny Boy"M.G.Hebreardwillbe heldinthe Chapel of Char‐bonnetLabat GlapionFu‐neral Home,1615 St.Philip Street,New Orleans, LA 70116 on Thursday,April 17, 2025 at 10 am.Inter‐mentPrivate.Visitation9 aminthe chapel.Inlieuof flowers, plants areappre‐ciated. Please sign online guestbook at www.cha rbonnetfuneralhome.com. Charbonnet LabatGlapion Directors (504)581 4411.

LetiziaMontagninoRai‐mondo enteredintoeter‐nal rest on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Born in Alia Sicily,Italy on May12, 1945 tothe late Pietro andAn‐gelaMontagnino. Beloved wifeof59years to Stefano Raimondo. Loving mother ofJosephine Raimondo, AngelaRaimondoCulber‐son (the late Jarrod), and StefanoRaimondo, Jr.De‐voted grandmotherofLuca Wyatt Culbersonand Re‐becca Lynn Culberson. Sis‐

terofMaria Teresa Alberg‐amo,Francesca Mis‐erendino, andthe late LoretaMontagninoMiceli, GiuseppinaMontagnino Gibiino,LoretoMon‐tagnino,and Antonino Montagnino. Godmotherof Maria Miserendino, An‐toninoMontagnino, Jr Giovanna LaRocca,and GiuseppinaArceneaux Survivedbynumerous nieces, nephews, andother familymembers.A long‐timeresidentofMarrero Letizia wasa loving and caringperson. Shewillbe deeply missed. AFuneral MasswillbeCelebratedat 10:30AM on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at St.Joseph Catholic Church,610 6th Street in Gretna,Louisiana The visitation will beginat 9:00AMatthe church and continue until theMass time. Letizia will be laid to restfollowing theMassat WestlawnMemorialPark CemeteryinGretna, Louisiana.Inlieuof flow‐ers,donations in hermem‐ory maybemadetoChil‐dren'sHospitalofNew Or‐leans

Rodriguez, Patricia Hahn 'Patsy'

Patricia “Patsy”Hahn Rodriguez,age 91, passed awaypeacefully on April6 2025. Shewas born in New Orleans,Louisiana on De‐cember4,1933, to thelate HaroldF.Hahnand Beaulah SongyHahn. Patsy was preceded in deathby her parents, herloving husband of 46 years, Ed‐wardWilliam “Boo” Ro‐driguez,aswellasher chil‐dren, Al andPat Rodrigue She wasalsoprecededin death by hersiblings, HaroldHahn, Jackie Hosch, and DonnellJones.She leavesbehinda legacy of loveand family, surviving byher twochildren: Karen Rodriguez Bosworth (Brant Sr.)and Eric Rodriguez (Judy Schmidt),aswellas seven cherishedgrandchil‐dren: Tara Rodrigue Gi‐ambelluca (Mike),Allison Rodrigue, BrantBosworth Jr.,Brian Bosworth,EricRo‐driguez(Carlie), Adam Ro‐

driguez(Sophia), andAlex Rodriguez.Patsy wasalso the proudgreat-grand‐motherofseven:Ian,Reid, Rhys, andNolan Bosworth, Sophiaand Vivian Gi‐ambelluca,and Oliver Eu‐stis. Additionally,she is survivedbyher siblings: HattieMae Hahn,JoAnn Eiserloh, andDanya Wilke. Patsy wasa devoted homemaker andmother, whose life wascentered around caring forher fam‐ily andthose around her. In her free time,she enjoyed being an active member of the DeltaGoldenAgers and the RedHats, andshe was known forher love of sewing. Patsyhad akind and nurturingspirit, al‐waysputting others before herself.Patsy’s memory willliveoninthe hearts of her familyand friends, and she will be deeply missed byall who knew her. The familywould like to give special appreciation to Sis‐ter Servants of Mary and Donna Rodrigue fortheir assistance in hertimeof need.Relatives andfriends are invitedtoattendthe memorialservicesonTues‐day,April 15, 2025, at St AngelaMericiChurch,901 Beverly Garden Dr, Metairie, LA 70002. Visita‐tionwillbeheldfrom10:00 am–12:00 pm,witha mass tobegin at 12:00 pm.A bur‐ial will follow theservices inGardenofMemories Cemetery, 4900 Airline Drive,Metairie, Louisiana 70001. In lieu of flowers, the familyasksthatdona‐tions be made to Sister ServantsofMary, 5001 Per‐litaSt.,New Orleans, LA 70122 or https://sisters ervantsofmary.org/donate. Tooffer thefamilyonline condolences,send flowers, orplant atreeinMemory ofPatricia“Patsy” Hahn Rodriguez please visit www.gardenofmemorie smetairie.com

EnolaZeringueTrosclair passedawayApril 13, 2025, atthe ageof95. Anativeof New Sarpyall herlife. Daughterofthe late Tous‐saint andGertrude Zeringue,and belovedwife

of thelateEldon Trosclair. She helped herparents run the familygrocery store, New SarpyFood Store. She would go on to work as a school librarianand workedinspecial educa‐tionwithSt. Charles Parish. Herpassion was working with theneedsof children. Enolawas alov‐ing mother to herthree sons, RonnieTrosclair,Sr. and wife Joan of Norco, ToddTrosclair,Sr.,and wife Amy of Destrehan, Elwin Trosclair andwifeColleen ofLutcher,and daughter ConnieBoudreaux and husband,CurtisofMontz Grandmother of Jason Smith,Sr.,Jill Cadow, NicoleLasserre, Danielle Poirier,RonnieTrosclair,Jr. Blake Trosclair, Todd Trosclair,Jr.,Tasha Warren Tonia Trosclair, Amanda Trosclair,and Jared Trosclair,aswellas20 great grandchildren, and one great- greatgrand‐child.She is also survived byher brother, Sterling Zeringue. Sheispreceded indeath by hergrandson, CurtisG.Boudreaux and TateTrosclair andher brothers, Carl,Melvin, Roy, and Curtis Zeringue.Enola loved historyand kept up withcurrent affairs and had heropinions. Visita‐tionwillbeheldon Wednesday,April 16, 2025, atSt. CharlesBorromeo Catholic Church,13396 River Rd.Destrehan,LAbe‐ginning at 10AM. AMassof Christian Burial will begin at11:30AM with burial to followinthe church ceme‐tery. In lieu of flowers pleasemakea donation to the ArcofSt. Charles https://www.arcofstchar les.comorMagnoliaCom‐munity Services https:// www.mcs-nola.org

Trosclair, EnolaZeringue

Raimondo,Letizia Montagnino

Edmonson Jr., Frederick Bartholomew'Freddie'

OUR VIEWS

BGRisright:City needsbetter budgeting practices

As New Orleans officials grapple with an April 17 meeting wheretheyliterally will argue about whether or not thecityfaces abudget crisis, they should welcomesome new recommendations from the Bureau of Governmental Research, even if they quibble with BGR’scriticisms of their past performance. Released this month, BGR’s“After theWindfall: Strengthening the City of New Orleans’ Financial Management Practices” is full of good advice. Three points standout:

n Thecityshould make ahabit of keeping reserve funds equal to more thantwo months’ worth of regularly budgeted expenses.Especially in acity as prone to natural disasters as New Orleans is, asignificantemergencyfund is essential

n There should be aclear policy for whenand how cityreserves can be accessed, preferably with some sort of higher hurdle —a supermajority City Council vote, perhaps, or some other safeguard against too easily tapping the reserve.

n The city should strive mightily toavoid spending one-time revenues on annual,recurring expenses. If it does spend one-timerevenues that way,itshould be transparent and explain how it willmeet those costs in future years BGR makes other good recommendations. To wit: The mayor and council should domulti-year financial planning, not just year by year.The city should be more transparentabout,and improve the accuracy of, its revenue and spending projections. And if the council adds “discretionary”itemstothe mayor’sbudget,itshoulddoso with far more transparency andspecificity,with better lead times whenever possible, andwith at least an attempt to find concomitant cutsfrom themayor’sproposal.

Discretionary alterationsshouldn’tbejust a one-way ratchet for more spending. Even if the council can’tproduce dollar-for-dollar savings for each added spending item, theveryexercise of trying to reachthat goal will help ward off future budget crises.

For illustrative purposes more thantomake toobig adealofthose CityCouncil add-ons, consider this: BGR notes that for2025 thecouncil added 45 projects costinga total of $62.3 million, some of which —suchasvarioussummer jobs and youth programs, funding the Algiers ferry and ongoing criminal justice diversion programs —look like recurring ratherthanonetime expenses, Suffice it to say that the explanatory notes for some of those items certainly don’t seem to justify,justaspurearithmetic, thedollar figures listed —and that,when asked, severalcouncil members can’treally say howtheyarrived at thespecificdollar figures. Even if the spending choices are wise,the transparency and specificity seem lacking. That’s BGR’slarger point: “The processfor reviewing the city’sbudget and financesisnot as robust as it should be,” said Rebecca Mowbray,BGR’s president andCEO. Moreover:“In thebig picture, long-term,the currentnumbers aren’tsustainable.”

BGR is right that the mayor and council should adopt thesecommon-sense practices to help their successorsavoid fiscal ruin

LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE AREOUR

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OPINION

YOUR VIEWS

Autoinsurance ratesshould notbebased on credit scores

As aretired militaryveteran and Louisiana resident,I’ve always valued fairness and accountability —principles challenged by our state’sexcessively high auto insurance premiums. Louisianaconsistently ranks as the most expensive statefor car insurance, significantly outpacing our neighbors Mississippi, facing similar hurricane risks, hassubstantially lower premiums, showing storms aren’tthe sole reason forour inflated costs The insurance industry blamed Louisiana’slitigation environment, prompting substantialtortreforms in 1996, 1997, 2003 and, mostrecently,in2020, aimed at reducing premiums. Yet, premiums haven’tdecreased; instead, they’ve continuedrising. Clearly,litigation alone wasn’tthe main driver of our insurance crisis.What’s moretroubling is insurers’

use of credit scores to set rates. Unlike driving records or claimshistory,a credit scoreoften reflects circumstances unrelated todriving safety.Veterans transitioning to civilian life, families facing medical debt or workers temporarily unemployed can unfairly experience soaring premiums. Otherindustries —employment, housing, lending —already limit credit-based discrimination. It’stimeLouisiana’s Legislatureand insurance regulators mandate insurers to base premiums on actual driving behaviorand claimshistory,not economic profiles.

If tort reform didn’tdeliver relief, addressing discriminatory credit-based pricing may finally bring fairness to Louisiana drivers.

WAYNE HORNING Prairieville

Catholicsshouldstopgiving financiallytochurch

The argument thatparishes should not contributetoclergy abuse settlements is aconvenient way to absolve the laity of responsibility.Itignores afundamental truth: The Catholic Church runs on the financial support of itsmembers. Aslong as Catholics continue tithing without demanding real reform,they are enabling an institutionthat has protected predators and fought survivors for decades.

The church is not acollection of independent parishes; it is ahierarchical system whereevery priest,bishop and layperson operates under its authority. Abuse happenedinchurches, schools and confessionals —places where Catholics worshipped, donated and trustedchurch leaders to protect them. That trust was betrayed.

The ArchdioceseofNew Orleans,like many others, has fought survivors in court while spending millionsonlawyers and bankruptcy proceedings to shield assets. It has not declared bankruptcy out of repentance —itisa legal maneuver to

limit financial accountability. If the laity wantstrue reform, it must stop funding the church’sdefense against justice. Some claim settlements will “destroy” the church. Nonsense. TheCatholic Church has survived warsand financial crises. What truly threatensitisthe moraldecay of prioritizingwealthover justice.

If Catholics believe in justice, they must act.Donot donate to achurch that refuses transparency.Donot fund bishops who cover up abuse. Do notenable an institutionthat treats survivors as liabilities.

The only language the Church hierarchy understands is money.Until it stops protecting itself at the expense of victims, Catholics mustwithholdtheir financial support.Justicewon’t come through emptyapologies —itwill come when the laity refuses to bankroll corruption. Stop tithing until real changehappens.

SCOTT “ALEX” PEYTON Opelousas

As manyofusrunners prepare for the fun annual Crescent City Classic 10K in New Orleans on Holy Saturday,April 19, Ifondly recall running in the first event, held in 1979 ,when Iwas fast,and it used to end at the wonderful Audubon Park. As Ilook forward to the upcoming CCC (I’m nowa“slow mode runner” and the race nowhas its finish in the beautiful CityPark.), Iwant to thankall the friendly Esplanade Avenue onlookers whoprovide freerefreshments to us geezers as we strive to finish ourstrides. And there are many charitable agencies that benefitfrom theCCC, so whatever your agemay be,pleaseparticipate in this great health promotionalevent KEITH HORCASITAS Baton Rouge

Inefficiencies of government on displayevery day

It’stime to file my 2024 tax return, and Ihaven’treceived my tax refund for my 2023 filing. In July 2023, Idownloaded the IRS2Go app to inquire about my refund status. It stated that my tax return has been received and is being reviewed. By September, Istill had not received my refund, so Iwent to the app again and was told the same thing. This time I asked to speak with an agent. After holding for several minutes, I was told that my refund was being reviewed and no other information was available. Since Iinquired with an agent, Iwas told that Ihad to wait 180 days before inquiring again if Ihad not received my refund. If Iinquired before 180 days, the 180-day wait would start over On March 30, Icalled that same number and extension and spoke with an agent who told me to call that same number and use adifferent extension, whichshe gave me At that number and extension, an agent gave me adifferent number to call. Arecording at this number directed me to the same number and extension with whichIbegan this process, so Irequested and got to speak with an agent. After several minutesand being put on hold three times, this agent informed me that she had put in arequest that Ireceive my refund or receive acall with another agent to discuss my claim.This could take up to 90 days, and if Ihaven’treceived my refund or acall within 90 days, I should call again. An hour and a half on the phone and the problem is unresolved.

This is why we need DOGE. BUTCH POLITO Hammond

Themotivebehindall movementsisthe same

Rosa Parks was notprotesting the bus. Gandhi wasnot protesting the food. Colonists were not protesting tea. Players are not protesting the flag or the anthem Palestinian supporters are not protesting the Jews. They are all protesting injustice. MARYLARSON Baton Rouge

SidEdwards’newness is agoodthing

Three months in, Sid Edwards is still apolitical rookie.

The coach-turned-candidate-turnedmayor-president has gone from leading his Istrouma High football team into theplayoffs last fall to running thestate’smostpopulous parish, ajob with its share of pitfalls —and political pitbulls —just waiting for him to stumble.

Faimon Roberts

They didn’thave to wait long. It took Edwards just over amonth to stumble into a fight when he proposed aplan to rededicatethe library millage to help pay for police raises. It was abad plan, and Edwards’ rollout made it appear asifhewas asking voters to choose between cops or libraries. Edwards’ response is worthnoting. And —Iknow this is apipe dream— emulatingbyother leaders.

Faced with immediate blowback,Edwards recalibrated his plan, eventually coming to acompromise with library leaders. And when he sat down to talk about his term so far,hetook responsibility for how it played out.

“That was on me,” Edwardstold The Advocate’sPatrickSloan-Turner for a story reflecting on his first 100days in office. “Me being arookie andputting it out there there’salearningcurve.”

Think about that. An elected official worked with his opponents to find a compromise, then took the blamehimself.

Faced withthat same scenario —a negative reaction from constituents —Edwards could have doubleddown. He could have warned of the chaos and cuts that would hit the Baton Rouge Police Department if voters didn’t go along with his plan. He could have loudlytrumpeted his electoral “mandate” and tried to cow other officials into toeing the line. He could have pointed the finger at his political enemies for stirring up trouble.

Those are all well-known moves, used by far more seasoned politicians than Edwards. After voters resoundingly beat back four constitutional amendments that Gov.Jeff Landry championed, for example, the governor blamed “far-left liberals” and“George Soros” for the defeat.

Never mind that the coalition that opposed theamendments included liberals, yes, but alsoplenty of conservatives. No one would call Woody Jenkins, who chairsthe East Baton Rouge Republican Party,aSoros operative. One of the amendmentseven failed in St.TammanyParish, not exactly abastion of leftist thought. This playbook is not party-specific. Democratic New OrleansMayor LaToya Cantrellhas routinely reacted with disdain toward theall-Democratic New Orleans City Council and any others she perceives as challenging her leadership. Edwardsdidn’tdoany of that. Not only did hetake the blame for how the planwas rolled out, he also credited library leaders for coming to the table.

“This part ended very well withus working together,” he said.

Maybe thereason Edwards has reacted so differently than others is because he’snot been in politics for very long. He was an outsider candidate who actually won. Now he’sa newbie mayor-president And certainly,these first few months have beenacold-water baptism.

The reason Edwards put forward the library planinthe first place is that East Baton Rouge Parishisfacing a

yawning budget gap estimated at $40 million-$50 million due to theformation of the city of St. George. Edwards didn’tcreatethe problem,but now he has to solve it.His first pass was not a good one, but credit tohim for adjusting on the fly. With Edwards, it’seasy to makefootball analogies. He makes them himself, frequently

In this case, he took over ateam already facing adeficit, and then he took amajor loss in one of the first games in theseason.

Butheresponded like acoach, not a politician. Coaches know you will take the“L” everynow and then. It’show you respond to it that will define your tenure. Edwards didn’tlash out at nameless boogeymen or malevolent forces at work. He looked at himself, figured out what he and his team could do better, and then went out and did it. Whether or not you agree with his final proposal, theway he has handled this is worth respecting. The question is whether other elected officials will adopt this winning strategy

Faimon A. Roberts III can be reached at froberts@theadvocate.com.

Congress needsa SupremeCourt jolt to rein in arampant presidency

AMadisonian moment has arrived Power vested in the judiciary by the Constitution’sArticle III might yet prod Congress into exercising itsatrophied Article Ipowerstorestrain today’srampant presidency,whose Article II powers can only be checked by the courts, and by aCongress reinvigorated by the courts. This processmight advance when the Supreme Court considers the constitutionalityof ararely noticed item in your phone bill. The Federal Communications Commission hopes the court willoverturn an excellent appellate-courtruling about some FCC mischief. Until antitrust policy in the1980s ended AT&T’smonopoly of telephone services, Congress encouraged “universal” telecommunications service by allowing AT&T to charge extra-high rates to urban customersinexchange for also serving high-cost rural customers. After AT&T’sbreakup, Congress mandated vague “mechanisms” to advance universal service but did not stipulatehow the FCC should finance these mechanisms.

Taking Trump seriously

President Donald Trumpsays he’s“not joking” about possibly running forathird term

But the Constitution clearly forbids such a move. So what’sgoing on?

It’s hard to know what Trumpisreally thinking. But here is what he’scertainly not joking about: ruling as if all the guardrails designed to restrain presidential power, including the Constitution, do not exist.

tribution” amounts, which contribute to your phone bills. Validating George Orwell’sdictum that “thegreat enemy of clear language is insincerity,” theFCC says “fees” make up what it mincingly calls the “contribution factor.” The U.S. Court of Appeals for the5th Circuit, with Judge Andrew S. Oldham writing for the majority,briskly says: “Wecall it what it is” —a tax

George Will

The FCC chose to levy “contributions” (beware suspiciously delicate language) from telecommunications carriers for aUniversal Service Fund to be distributed to schools, libraries, health care facilities and low-income individuals. The FCC delegated the administration of all this to aprivate company: the Universal Service Administrative Co., managed byrepresentatives of “interest groups affected by and interested in universal service programs.” The USAC is composed of representatives of private, for-profitcarriers eager for Universal Service Fund subsidies to expand universal service programs. The USAC decides the“con-

The power to tax is, Oldham writes, “a quintessentially legislative power” that cannot be delegated.Here it is doubly delegated:tothe FCC, its discretion not inhibited by intelligible principlesarticulated by Congress, and then to anongovernmental entity,the USAC, which has a financial incentive to see that universal service subsidiesgrow Unsurprisingly,the Universal Service Fund tax rate has increased ninefold since 1998, and the almost $10 billion raised by the tax in 2021 was nearly 20 times the FCC’sannual budget So,amultibillion-dollar social programis operated outside thecongressional appropriations process. And without any semblance of supervision by an executivebranch agency:“Contributions” assessed by the USAC take legal effect, without formal FCC approval,unless the FCC objects within 14 days, which had never happened before this litigation. Imagine, writes Oldham,Congress saying: “The defense budget is whatever Lockheed Martin wants it to be, unless Congress intervenes to revise it.” Oldham, who is 46 and merits promotiontoahigher court, notes that Congress’s amorphous language hardly guidesthe FCC: It is to raise “sufficient”funds to advance “universal service,” which Congress left undefined. This, says Oldham,amountsto

the“suggestion” that the FCC exact as much tax revenue as the FCC thinks is good. Cellphone use is inelastic because it is “essential to participation in the modernworld.” Andusers are, Oldham wrote, “subject to amultibillion-dollar tax nobody voted for.The size of that tax is defacto determined by atrade group staffed by industry insiders.”

Today,Congress is evidently unembarrassed about being mostly aspectator in thebleachers at the game of government. Anditprobably regretsthe court’smajor questions doctrine, which is: If Congress intends to authorize executive agencies to make decisions with large economic and political consequences, it must clearly say so. The court can further discomfitCongress, constructively,bycurbing itspower to delegateits core powers.

The vexing problem, inescapable when power is vested in asingle executive, is how to circumscribe his or her discretion. Hence, thetitle of Harvard political philosopher Harvey C. Mansfield Jr.’s1989 study of executive power: “Taming the Prince.” Today’s challenge is to “recage the executive lion,” says University of Virginia law professor Saikrishna Prakashin“The LivingPresidency” (2020).

The tamingand recaging will advance if oral argumentspersuade the court to limit Congress’sdelegation of its legislative powers to executive agencies and, especially,todisapprove double delegation to privateentities. The court has rightly called this “delegation in its most obnoxious form.”

The presidency will cease casting a dark shadow across the nation only if Congress ceases to be ashadow of its former self.

Email George Will at georgewill@washpost.com.

The latest example of his drive fordomination is an executive order requiring voters to prove their citizenship while curtailing their right to vote by mail. This is an invidious answer to an invisible problem.Voter fraud barely exists, and it is already afelony.But Trumpisfollowing the classic tyrant’splaybook: Create afraudulent problem and use it to justifyanextremecounterattack.

“The president’sexecutive order is an unlawfulaction that threatens to uproot our tried-and-tested election systemsand silence potentially millions of Americans,” said Danielle Lang, senior director of voting rights at the Campaign Legal Center,which has already moved to block Trump’sorder in federal court. “Itissimply not within the president’sauthority to set election rules by executive decree, especially when they would restrict access to voting in this way.”

This is aproven strategy followed by many autocrats Trumpadmires, strongmen whohave trashed legal obstacles to maintain their grip on power: Russia’sVladimir Putin (20 years), Hungary’sViktor Orban (15 years) and Turkey’s Tayyip Erdogan (11 years).

“It’sworth considering whyTrumpcontinually praises dictators,” historian Ruth BenGhiat wrote forCNN on the eve of the election. “Someofitisnodoubt Trumpairing his fantasies of the kind of authority he could exert as president. He praises Hitler,Chinese leader Xi, Russian President Putin and others because of their absolute power,not in spite of it.”

Indeed, Trumpattimes sees himself as a divinely ordained monarch, not just an elected leader.Heoften boasts about being chosen by God,after his narrow escape from an assassin’sbullet. He eagerly shared afake magazine cover of himself wearing agolden crown and grinning broadly at the tagline, “LONGLIVE THE KING.”And he’sposted this on social media: “He whosaves his Country does not violate any Law.”

Over the years, Trumphas talked frequently about running forathird term.His allies have usually dismissed it as aclever trolling trick, designed to irritate foes and generate attention, and that’sobviously part of his motivation now Afew words to NBC’sKristen Welker andthe wholepolitical world wentnuts.

There’salso the lame-duck problem that plagues all second-term presidents. As their power to reward friends and punish enemies diminishes, so does their leverage. If folks fear athird Trumpterm, that might slow the decline of his influence. And remember: Trumpisareality TV star One key to success in that format is maintaining suspense, and here’sthe president playing his part to the hilt after the election: “I’ve raised alot of money forthe next race that I assume Ican’tuse formyself,but I’mnot 100% sure because Idon’tknow.I think I’mnot allowed to run again. I’mnot sure. Am Iallowed to run again?” All good fun. Until it’snot. As this CNNheadline put it: “Trumpsounds dead serious about athird term,nomatter what’sinthe Constitution.” He told NBCthat “there are methods” he could employ to defythe law,but he did not elaborate.

Steve Bannon, alongtime Trumpconfidant, was moreexplicit on NewsNation, saying: “I’m a firm believer that President Trumpwill run and winagain in 2028.” When host Chris Cuomo asked fordetails, Bannon replied: “We’re working on it. Ithink we’ll have acouple of alternatives.” It’s timetotake Trumpseriously,warns Susan Glasser,aNew Yorker writer whohas studied Putin’srise to power in Russia. “Don’t underestimate Donald Trump’swillingness not only to socialize the unthinkable in American politics, but actually to act on it,” she told CNN. “What’sreally remarkable here is the willingness to flout the law,totest the basic normsof settled governance.” Altering the election law is only one of those tests. So are Trump’scalls to impeach judges and ice out law firmsthat dare to thwart him We don’tknow yet if Trumpisserious. But if he does aspire to run again, this is exactly what he’d be doing: using his power to tear downthe barriers that might stand in his way.

Email Steven Roberts at stevecokie@gmail. com.

Steve Roberts

STAFF PHOTO By HILARySCHEINUK

East Baton RougeMayor-PresidentSid Edwards mingles before thestart of anews conference last month at CityHall in downtown Baton Rouge.

SPORTS

Report: Pels eye Dumars to lead franchise

BY RASHAD MILLIGAN Staff writer

Now that the New Orleans Pelicans have

fired executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin, two big questions remain: Who will replace him, and what does the future hold for head coach Willie Green?

A couple of potential answers gained traction Monday after the Griffin news came to light.

According to an ESPN report, Louisiana native Joe Dumars is the lead candidate to take over basketball operations for the Pelicans. The Detroit Pistons legend and former McNeese State basketball star is currently in his third season working in the NBA league office as the executive vice president and head of basketball operations.

Dumars, a Shreveport native, was the 2003 NBA Executive of the Year and a 2004 NBA champion while leading the Pistons franchise.

A talented guard in his playing days,

ä See PELICANS, page 3C

Linebacker a spot Saints may

look at in draft

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

The New Orleans Saints are at an interesting crossroads when it comes to the linebacker position.

7

Demario Davis, their 35-year-old longtime star, arguably started to show his age last season, even while playing at an overall productive level. Pete Werner their other starter, doesn’t fill up the stat sheet he failed to record an interception or a sack — but the Saints badly missed his presence in the four games he sat out because of an injury. Even so, the pair’s play badly was overshadowed by what Zack Baun did in Philadelphia. The Eagles linebacker was a Defensive Player of the Year finalist a year removed from sitting on the bench in New Orleans. The mixed results put the Saints in a spot in which linebacker isn’t a desperate need, though it would be understandable if the franchise tries to add more talent

Let’s take a look at this year’s linebacker class and see who might be an option for the black and gold. Can the Saints find the next Baun?

NEW PAINT JOBS

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

On Thursday, the LSU women’s basketball team held its annual banquet for fans and boosters. Nine players showed up. Among them was Jersey Wolfenbarger, a 6-foot-5 forward who drew a compliment in a speech by university president William F. Tate IV He said he was eager to see how Wolfenbarger would develop her game. Now Tate will have to watch another team to find out the answer.

Not even a day later, Wolfenbarger entered the transfer portal, only heightening the need for coach Kim Mulkey and her staff to overhaul their frontcourt. The Tigers have so far lost seven contributors from their 2024-25 team, and five of them played in the post. Two ran out of eligibility, and three hit the portal. Mulkey must now give a group comprised entirely of newcomers the most important responsibilities in her system. Defensive rebounding. Offensive rebounding. Help defense. Rim protection.

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

LSU coach Kim Mulkey

AP FILE PHOTO By CARLOS OSORIO

Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars speaks during a news conference on Aug. 6, 2013. Dumars is the lead candidate to take over basketball operations for the Pelicans.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By PAMELA SMITH

Aneesah Morrow, left, poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected seventh overall by the Connecticut Sun during the first round of the WNBA draft on Monday in New york.

Play-in teams seek path to playoffs

Fifth full season of the NBA tournament starts on Tuesday

BY TIM REYNOLDS AP basketball writer

Steve Kerr, the basketball fan, raves about the play-in tournament and the drama that it creates down the stretch of the NBA’s regular season and leading into the official start of the playoffs.

Kerr, the basketball coach, doesn’t like it so much.

“I haven’t loved it because we’ve been on the wrong end of it,” said Kerr, the Golden State Warriors coach. “We’re 0-3 in these play-in games. And so, you finish in the top eight, you feel like you should be in the playoffs. On the other hand, it’s been great for the league. If you’re eighth and-or seventh, well, you had 82 games to do better — and you didn’t do better.”

This is where the Warriors — and seven other teams now find themselves. They’re in the postseason. They’re not in the playoffs. And six games this week all will have either a playoff berth, season elimination, or both on the line

The fifth full season of the NBA’s play-in tournament starts Tuesday: No. 7 Orlando hosts No. 8 Atlanta in the Eastern Conference, and No. 7 Golden State hosts No. 8 Memphis in the Western Conference.

The winners of those games make the playoffs with the MagicHawks winner earning the chance to play Boston and the WarriorsGrizzlies winner off to play Houston For Tuesday’s losers, all is not lost. The Magic-Hawks loser will host either No. 9 Chicago or No. 10 Miami on Friday in an elimination game to see who faces No. 1 Cleveland in the East, while the Warriors-Grizzlies loser hosts either No. 9 Sacramento or No. 10 Dallas to see who’ll take on No. 1 Oklahoma City in the West.

The Chicago-Miami and Sacramento-Dallas games are Wednesday. The losers of those games are eliminated.

“You want to be mindful that you don’t over-clutter the mind,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We’re at our best when we have great clarity And we know what our game is at this point. We know what their game is. We’ve played them three times in the last two months. So, we will do a little bit more prep than a normal regularseason game but I don’t want over-saturation of information to slow us down.”

The play-in tournament started in the Walt Disney World bubble in 2020, a way to even out an uneven schedule that year The only game

was Portland-Memphis to decide the final playoff spot in the West; Portland won to grab the No. 8 position.

The full tournament started a year later Home teams are 17-7 in those games, which is a good sign for Golden State, Sacramento, Orlando and Chicago

Play-in past performances

Of the eight teams in this year’s play-in tournament, six have been there before. Atlanta is 3-1 in past play-in games, Memphis is 2-1, Chicago and Miami are 2-2, Sacramento is 1-1 and Golden State is 0-3.

“We haven’t fared well in these play-in games,” Warriors forward Draymond Green said. “Got to get locked in and get ready to go.”

Dallas and Orlando are there for the first time.

“The beauty of it and the blessing of it is being at home, in front of our fans,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said.

Atlanta at Orlando, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.

(TNT)

Season series: Tied, 2-2.

BetMGM Sportbook: Orlando by 5.5.

At stake: The winner is the No. 7 seed and opens the playoffs Sunday at No. 2 Boston. The loser will host the Chicago-Miami winner in an elimination game on Friday to decide the No. 8 seed.

Outlook: It’s the third meeting in an eight-day span for these clubs, though Sunday’s regular-season finale saw both teams holding out a ton of players because this matchup was already set. In the three other Hawks-Magic games this season, the final margins were six, six and seven points. This format seems to work for Hawks guard Trae Young; he’s 3-1 in play-

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO Golden State coach Steve Kerr and the Warriors are 0-3 in NBA play-in tournament games.

in games. The good news for the Magic: Teams that enter the playin as the No. 7 seed have made the playoffs every time. Memphis at Golden State,Tuesday, 9 p.m. (TNT)

Season series: Warriors, 3-1.

BetMGM Sportsbook: Warriors by 6.5.

At stake: The winner is the No 7 seed and opens the playoffs Sunday at No. 2 Houston. The loser will host the Sacramento-Dallas winner in an elimination game on Friday to decide the No. 8 seed.

Outlook: The Warriors looked at this week — Sunday’s regularseason finale against the Clippers then this game, then potentially Friday — as having three home chances to win one game to get to the playoffs. It’s a healthy way to think. The question is, how healthy are the Warriors? Stephen Curry’s thumb was taped Sunday and Jimmy Butler was hobbling when it was over The Grizzlies

love playing road games; Ja Morant says he feeds off the negative energy Miami at Chicago, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.

(ESPN)

Season series: Bulls, 3-0.

BetMGM Sportsbook: Bulls by 1.5.

At stake: The winner plays at either Orlando or Atlanta on Friday to decide the No. 8 seed in the East. The loser is eliminated.

Outlook: It’s the second meeting between the teams in a week after the Bulls rallied from a double-digit deficit to beat the Heat in Chicago on Wednesday and essentially lock up No. 9. This will be a pace game. If it’s at Chicago’s faster pace, advantage Bulls. If it’s at Miami’s slower pace, advantage Heat. Miami is seeking a sixth consecutive playoff appearance while Chicago is trying to get to Round 1 for what would be just the second time in the past eight years. Dallas at Sacramento,Wednesday, 9 p.m. (ESPN)

Season series: Kings, 3-0.

BetMGM Sportsbook: Kings by 4.5.

At stake: The winner plays at either Golden State or Memphis on Friday to decide the No. 8 seed in the West. The loser is eliminated.

Outlook: It’s the first postseason meeting between the clubs in more than two decades; they played in 2002, 2003 and 2004 with the Kings winning two of those three series. The Mavs went to the NBA Finals last season behind Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving; Doncic is with the Los Angeles Lakers now and Irving is out for the season with an ACL tear Trades changed the Kings’ trajectory as well this season and they won four of their past six to claim No. 9 in the West.

Suns fire Budenholzer after one season

BY DAVID BRANDT AP sportswriter

PHOENIX The Phoenix Suns have parted ways with veteran coach Mike Budenholzer following one dismal season that featured a fast start before a maddening slide out of postseason contention for a high-priced roster that included Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. The Suns made the unsurprising announcement on Monday one day after the franchise finished with a 36-46 record which put them 11th in the Western Conference. They lost nine of their last 10 games, failing to qualify for the play-in tournament.

“Competing at the highest level remains our goal, and we failed to meet expectations this season,” the team’s short statement said. “Our fans deserve better. Change is needed.”

The 55-year-old Budenholzer was hired in May, replacing Frank Vogel, who also had a one-year tenure that ended in disappointment. Coach Bud an Arizona native — won an NBA title with the

Ex-LSU standout Peterson

retires as Arizona Cardinal

TEMPE, Ariz. — Three-time All-Pro

Patrick Peterson announced his retirement on Monday as a member of the Arizona Cardinals, where he spent the first 10 of his 13 NFL seasons as one of the league’s elite cornerbacks. The 34-year-old Peterson was honored at the team’s practice facility with a highlight video and tributes from several former teammates, including receiver Larry Fitzgerald and quarterback Carson Palmer

The No. 5 overall pick in the 2011 draft out of LSU, Peterson made an immediate impact as a rookie and was a Pro Bowl selection in his first eight seasons. He was also a special teams standout early in his career, returning four punts for touchdowns as a rookie, which tied an NFL record.

Scherzer to see specialist concerning thumb injury

TORONTO Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer is still dealing with soreness in his right thumb and will make a second visit to a specialist in the U.S. later this week, manager John Schneider said Monday A three-time Cy Young Award winner, Scherzer received a cortisone injection in his troublesome thumb during a March 31 visit with Dr Thomas Graham. Schneider said the 40-year-old Scherzer played catch several times on Toronto’s recent road trip, doing so most recently Friday at Baltimore.

Scherzer left his debut start with the Blue Jays against Baltimore on March 29 after three innings because of soreness in his right lat muscle.

Guerrero signs 14-year, $500M contract with Jays

TORONTO Calling Canada his “second house,” slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr signed his $500 million, 14-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday Guerrero, 26, was born in Montreal while his Hall of Famer father Vladimir Sr was playing for the Expos.

The younger Guerrero signed with the Blue Jays as a 16-year-old in 2015 and made his big league debut in 2019.

Edward Rogers, executive chair of team owner Rogers Communications, called Guerrero “truly a historic franchise player,” and said the contract represented “an historic deal for Canada and for this club.”

Guerrero is a .288 career hitter with 160 homers and 514 RBIs.

Yankees’ Judge named captain for Team USA

NEW YORK — Aaron Judge will captain a team other than the New York Yankees in 2026.

The reigning American League MVP has also been named captain of Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Judge, who has yet to play in the international tournament, announced the decision alongside Team USA manager Mark DeRosa MLB Network on Monday morning. With the Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout captaining, Team USA lost the 2023 WBC championship to Japan. Judge will be the second Yankees captain to play for Team USA, as Derek Jeter was on the WBC roster in 2006 and 2009.

Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, beating the Suns in six games in the Finals, and the hope was he could finally bring a championship to the desert.

He didn’t even come close. The season started with optimism after the Suns jumped to an 8-1 record, but Durant went down

The Suns tried to retool at the trade deadline, but Beal’s no-trade clause and the team’s salary cap status above the second apron made making any major moves difficult.

Budenholzer’s departure likely signifies major upcoming roster upheaval for a team that’s underachieved for three straight seasons. Owner Mat Ishbia has deep pockets and a desire to win, but almost every move he’s made since taking over the team in February 2023 has backfired.

Budenholzer has a 520-363 career record over 11 NBA seasons with the Hawks, Bucks and Suns.

with a calf strain that knocked the team into a tailspin. Even after the 15-time All-Star returned to the lineup a few weeks later, Phoenix never could recapture its early momentum. Budenholzer couldn’t seem to settle on a regular playing rotation with rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro playing big minutes one night before being benched the next. Veteran center Jusuf Nurkic had an awful start to the season — and complained about a lack of communication with Budenholzer — before being traded to the Charlotte Hornets. Booker and Durant stayed relatively healthy for most of the season, but Beal had constant injury issues and missed more than 20 games in the regular season for a sixth straight year

Reds stellar fielding IF, manager dies at age 83

CINCINNATI — Tommy Helms, the slick-fielding infielder for the Cincinnati Reds who was the 1966 NL Rookie of the Year and had two short stints as the team’s manager, has died. He was 83. The Reds Hall of Fame and Museum said Helms’ wife, Cathy, told the organization that her husband died on Sunday in Cincinnati. The cause of death was not provided. Helms was known more for his glove than his bat in 1,435 games over 14 seasons. He was an All-Star in 1967-68 and won Gold Gloves as the National League’s top-fielding second baseman in 1970-71. When Helms earned a roster spot to start 1966, the Reds had him replace Pete Rose at second base and had Rose move to third. Rose couldn’t get comfortable at third, so Helms moved to the hot corner after just 20 games and became the NL’s second-leading fielding

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MATT ROURKE

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae young reacts during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday in Philadelphia. The Hawks and the Orlando Magic kick off the NBA’s play-in tournament on Tuesday.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By CHARLES KRUPA

The Phoenix Suns went 36-46 this season in Mike Budenholzer’s only year as coach. Phoenix also missed the playoffs.

Hornets want to see Ball get stronger, stay on the floor

BY STEVE REED AP sportswriter

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Head coach

Charles Lee left no doubt about his offseason expectations from Charlotte Hornets cornerstone point guard LaMelo Ball.

“He’s got to get stronger,” Lee said Monday following the team’s exit interviews.

Opposing teams regularly stepped up their defensive pressure on Ball this season, trying to get the 6-foot-7, 190-pounder off his game by being extra physical and using hand and body checks on the perimeter and bodying him up on the way to the basket On the other side of the ball, opponents would often go right after Ball, attack him off the dribble and back him down in the lane, forcing him to defend.

Early in the season, Ball struggled to stay out of foul trouble and even fouled out of some games, but his defense improved as the season progressed

“Teams are trying to deny him, trying to be physical, and you can see early in the year when teams did it, it definitely bothered him,” Lee said. “As he got used to it, he got a lot more comfortable, so it’s going to start with his body He’s

SAINTS

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JIHAAD CAMPBELL • ALABAMA: Projected to be the first non-edge linebacker drafted, Campbell excelled at Alabama with his ability to read defenses and get downhill. He also has impressive speed to pair with his intellect: The 6-foot3, 235-pound linebacker registered a 4.52 40-yard dash And though he’s not an edge rusher, Campbell is a threat to rush the passer He had five sacks last season to pair with his 119 tackles and two forced fumbles.

CARSON SCHWESINGER UCLA: ESPN praised Schwesinger as this draft’s best tackler noting his “96.6% tackle rate ranked second in the nation among linebackers.” Schwesinger is a fundamentally sound player who has great feel at his position. The 6-2, 242-pound linebacker finished his career as a first-team All-American, concluding a dazzling journey in which he started at UCLA as a walk-on. He could be an intriguing choice for the Saints in the second round, if he lasts that long.

DEMETRIUS KNIGHT SOUTH CAROLINA: The Los Angeles Chargers didn’t draft many linebackers when Brandon Staley, now the defensive coordinator of the Saints, was the team’s head coach But in 2023, Staley’s final year, the Chargers picked Daiyan Henley — an undersized linebacker who turned out to be their leading tackler in

PELICANS

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got to get stronger and more conditioned to be able to play both sides of the ball and sustain efforts.

When you’re one of the best players in the league, you have to be ready for physicality. In order to combat that, you have to be stronger.”

Lee would not say how much weight — or muscle — he wants Ball to put on, saying that is up to the team’s conditioning staff.

Ball expressed a willingness to listen.

“I definitely agree,” Ball said.

“Just being in the weight room, and everything they’re saying.”

It’s no secret the Hornets need Ball on the floor He averaged a career-high 25.2 points this season, along with 7.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game, and he is capable of heating up at any point in the game and making some ridiculous 3-pointers off one foot.

The problem throughout Ball’s five NBA seasons has been his inability to avoid injuries. He’s played in just 56% of the franchise’s 410 games over the last five seasons because of persistent injuries, most involving ankles and feet. Ball’s last three seasons have all ended in surgeries.

Ball hasn’t come close to reaching the 75 games he played in the

2021-22 season, when he made his only appearance in the NBA AllStar game.

Hornets general manager Jeff Peterson views it as progress that Ball played in 47 games this season, after seeing in action in just 36 and 22 the previous two years.

“Is it where we want it to be? No. Is it where he wants it to be? No. LaMelo is an incredible competitor, and he knows that in order for us to have the best chance to win and get to where we want to go, he has to be on the floor,” Peterson said “We’re providing every resource, and again, he’s putting the time in and taking ownership in it. We’re happy the season is over in that regard and he’s able to ramp up and have a healthy start to the season next year.”

Peterson said Ball will “absolutely” be ready for training camp and next season following surgery on his right ankle and right wrist.

“LaMelo, he can be as good as he wants to be, and we’ve seen that,” Peterson said. “He’s played at an All-Star caliber level I told him this the other day that I’ve been fortunate, and Charles has to, to be around some great players in this league, and LaMelo is very unique and does some things that no one else can do, quite frankly.”

By

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE

Texas wide receiver DeAndre Moore, left, drops a pass while being defended by Ohio State linebacker Cody Simon during the Cotton Bowl game on Jan. 10 in Arlington, Texas.

2024. Could Knight be Staley’s version of Henley for the Saints? Henley (8.05) and Knight (8.17) share similar Relative Athletic Scores, and both know how to use their athleticism. In Knight’s case, he’s one of the older prospects in this year’s draft, as the 24-year-old played four years at Georgia Tech and one year at Charlotte before finishing his college career at South Carolina. He’s also a cousin of former NFL cornerback DeAngelo Hall.

TEDDYE BUCHANAN • CALIFORNIA: The Saints hired former University of California defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon to coach linebackers this offseason. Could he be interested in reuniting with Buchanan, who weighs 233

Ward leads talented group of hidden gems turned top prospects

BY MICHAEL MAROT AP sportswriter

INDIANAPOLIS Quarterback Cam Ward might be the first player off this year’s NFL draft board.

Five years ago, he was pretty much off everybody’s radar outside of West Columbia, Texas. Back then, Ward worked behind center in his high school’s run-heavy Wing-T offense. His roughly 12 throws per game didn’t give him much chance to match the gaudy numbers of top recruits, and not many college coaches were making the one-hour drive from Houston to his hometown of roughly 4,000 people.

So, Ward took the only scholarship he was offered, from an FCS school in San Antonio.

Now the best player in Incarnate Word history could be the No. 1 overall draft pick on April 24.

“I prayed for this moment, since I was 6 years old,” Ward said during the league’s annual scouting combine. “I think I could have gone to the NBA. I always told myself when I was a little kid, I wanted to go pro with something. So whether it was baseball, football or basketball. I always had that big dream, and I never let somebody stop me on it.”

Ward’s determination helped him win the starting job as a college freshman, which propelled him to a record-breaking career that took him to Washington State and then Miami, the cusp of the College Football Playoff and now NFL franchise quarterback.

It’s the underdog story every American athlete envisions, the one fans embrace.

But for Ward and many others who made the journey from hidden gem to NFL prospect, this is no longer a pipedream. It’s reality

Among those expecting to hear their names called on draft weekend are tight end Harold Fannin Jr of Bowling Green and running back Cam Skattebo of Arizona State who emerged as stars last season. Their stories sounds awfully similar to Ward’s.

Fannin took the only scholarship offer he received after falling behind academically during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Skattebo opted to stay home after only two FCS schools, William & Mary and Sacramento State, came calling.

Both excelled.

“Leaving Sacramento State was a big thing for me because I was home, I was comfortable,” Skattebo said. “Coach (Troy) Taylor took the opportunity at Stanford, and I knew that was my chance to take an opportunity somewhere else at a higher level. Going to Arizona State was the best decision I’ve made in my life It set me up for success.”

Similar stories can be found across the college landscape. The combination of the transfer portal and NIL money has given sometimes overlooked small-

school players an avenue to show scouts how they fare against better competition while the extra cash has allowed others to stay on campus, refine their skills and improve their draft stock. Ward and Skattebo are perfect examples.

Both made the jump from the FCS to the FBS and used their fifth and final college seasons to enter the Heisman Trophy debate, produce double-digit win seasons and, yes, generate more looks from the pro scouts.

Others took different paths to the draft.

Linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr of South Carolina was the first player from Strong Rock Christian School in Georgia to play at an FBS school.

Tight end Colston Loveland made the trek from Idaho to college football’s winningest program, where he was part of a national championship team and helped Michigan pick up win No. 1,000.

Linebacker Carson Schwesinger of UCLA and safety Dan Jackson of Georgia began their college careers as walk-ons, while linebacker David Walker left the Division II Southern Arkansas Muleriders to join Central Arkansas, another FCS school.

Yet each earned one of the precious 329 invites to the league’s annual scouting combine in Indianapolis and all but Skattebo, Jackson and Walker are now regarded as top-five players at their respective positions. Some never doubted they could make it.

“I knew this was my goal and I kind of had the belief in myself of what I could do,” Schwesinger said. “I remember after a couple of the first practices at UCLA, I was talking to my mom, and I was like, ‘I’m going to go to the NFL.’ So there was a confidence level obviously there, but there’s still a level of discipline you have to have when you start as a walk-on and kind of just working harder than everybody you’re going against.”

Others had to convince themselves they really could be a pro.

“It kind of clicked probably earlier this year, when I was leading the nation in receiving yards,” Fannin said. “That’s when I realized it and I got on the watch list for the Mackey Award — that’s when I realized I’ve got something going for me.”

Now, each is only a few days from finding out their next team and a few months away from fulfilling lifelong dreams.

If Ward lands with the Titans, as many expect him to, he will use what he’s learned from his challenging path: work hard and just keep proving himself.

“From playing Wing-T to traveling to Pullman, Washington, all the way into Miami, I just think getting to experience different atmospheres, traveling across the country it’s going to end up helping me in the long run,” he said. “At the end of the day, you never know where football will take you.”

pounds and is 6-2? Buchanan led the Bears with 114 tackles in 13 games last season and was named first-team All-ACC. He landed at Cal after four years at Cal-Davis. He has a very intriguing 9.62 RAS, thanks in part to an eyepopping 40-inch vertical.

CODY SIMON OHIO STATE: The Saints hit on their last Ohio State linebacker when they drafted Werner in 2021. Simon could be another solid find, albeit one likely to go later than Werner’s second-round selection. Pro Football Focus calls Simon a “traditional insider linebacker who would play best in a 3-4 with a fellow inside linebacker next to him.” The Saints are likely switching to a 3-4 under Staley

Dumars was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. He won NBA titles as a player in 1989 and 1990 with the Pistons. The Pelicans went 209-263 during Griffin’s six seasons. The Pelicans made the playoffs in the 2021-22 season and also last season. Only two Pelicans qualified for postseason awards by playing a minimum of 65 games this past season: rookie Yves Missi and reserve Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. The team now enters the NBA draft lottery with the fourth-worst record in the league at 21-61. The decision as to whether Green will remain the Pelicans head coach will be up to whoever is hired as Griffin’s replacement, a source confirmed to The Times-Picayune. But will Green still be with the organization when that time comes?

While Green is staying put for the moment, the Phoenix Suns may be in play to hire him to succeed Mike Budenholzer, who was fired by the franchise on Monday after one season. “While Willie Green remains in place as New Orleans’ head coach, he’s been another name, in addition to the recently-extended Chauncey Billups, league figures have mentioned as a possible replacement in Phoenix,” The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer posted on X. Green served as an assistant for the Suns from 2019-21 under former Pelicans head coach Monty Williams.

“... links between Willie Green and the Suns have been circulating, league sources say, because of Green’s relationships with (owner) Mat Ishbia and (star guard) Devin Booker,” Marc Stein reported. Email Rashad Milligan at rashad.milligan@theadvocate. com.

PHOTO

JULIO CORTEZ

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By CHRIS CARLSON

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball celebrates after scoring against the Orlando Magic during a game on March 25 in Charlotte, N.C.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL LAUGHLIN Miami quarterback Cam Ward throws the ball during his pro day on March 24 in Coral Gables, Fla.

New Fisher football coach brings varied experiences

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

Randal Agee always tried to help his teammates, even if it cost him some playing time. He played youth sports at Terrytown Playground on the West Bank, and sometimes, the players he helped would get more playing time than he did — and he was OK with that.

“I was always happy,” Agee said, “because if I wasn’t playing, the guy I was sitting behind was going to be the best person for the team.”

Agee carried that unselfish approach through his multisport playing days at Jesuit and as an offensive lineman at Southern Miss. He continued that approach over four seasons as a defensive coordinator at Patrick Taylor, and he now has become the head football coach at Fisher High School in lower Jefferson Parish.

The school recently hired the 31-year-old Agee to replace former coach Tevyn Cagins, who coached his alma mater for the past five seasons, including a 6-4 regularseason record in 2024. Cagins left Fisher for an administrative posi-

tion at John Ehret.

“I told him when I took the job, ‘Look man, you did the hard part. You taught the kids how to win. It’s our job to maintain and grow from that,’” Agee said.

Agee was a football, wrestling and track athlete while at Jesuit. He began his path toward coaching while in college.

“He was asking me advice about going into coaching right after he graduated,” said De La Salle coach Graham Jarrott, a Jesuit offensive line coach when Agee attended the school.

Agee attended Southern Miss on an academic scholarship and walked onto the football team.

He later earned an athletic scholarship and had a chance in 2014 to compete for a starting spot on the offensive line. But the same week the coaching staff told him it planned to move future Saints lineman Cameron Tom from center to tackle and opened a spot for Agee to compete at center, Agee blew out his knee. That essentially ended his playing career

“When I got hurt, it gave me an opportunity to focus on helping my teammates and embrace more of

what a coaching role would be like in the future,” Agee said.

Agee was a graduate assistant at Southern Miss in 2016 and 2017, keeping him on campus for a total of seven football seasons, until he left for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College to work for head coach Jack Wright, a former position coach for Agee at Southern Miss. The school won a junior college national championship in their second year there.

During that time Agee earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing, a master’s in business administration and a doctorate in human capital development, a human resources-centered degree geared toward focusing on “who do we have in our organization and how do we get them to be the best they can be,” Agee said.

“It’s really neat,” Agee said. “(The degree) translates into business, it translates into academics and it translates into athletics so easily and seamlessly. It’s an incredible degree. I think it holds a lot of value in this (coaching) field.”

With Agee and his wife intent on starting a family, he stepped away

Northern Ireland is prepared to give McIlroy hero’s welcome

By The Associated Press

BELFAST, Northern Ireland — From a Masters green jacket to a British Open that will be placed in his home Northern Ireland this year, suddenly everything seems to be falling into place for Rory McIlroy. After he became the sixth golfer to achieve a career Grand Slam, McIlroy’s victory at Augusta National was celebrated throughout Northern Ireland and Ireland. Locals were quick to point out that Royal Portrush will host the British Open in July, marking only the third time that the course in Northern Ireland has had that honor after 1951 and 2019.

Royal Portrush is located about an hour’s drive from McIlroy’s hometown of Holywood. McIlroy’s 61 at age 16 in the 2005 North of Ireland championship still stands as the old course record at Royal Portrush.

“He has given us one of Northern Ireland’s biggest sporting achievements,” Emma Little-Pengelly the country’s deputy first minister, posted on X. “He will undoubtedly get a deserved hero’s welcome when he comes home. The reception when he steps onto the first tee at Royal Portrush in July will

be incredible. Hopefully he can give the home fans plenty to cheer as he bids to win a second Open Championship.”

The British Open is the year’s last major First, McIlroy will play the PGA Championship in May and the U.S. Open in June.

McIlroy defeated Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff on Sunday to win the elusive Masters title, adding to his two PGA Championship titles (2012 and 2014), one U.S. Open trophy (2011) and one British Open (2014)

There were scenes of joy at McIlroy’s home club in Holywood when he finally won the Masters on his 17th try

In England, the Manchester United soccer club published a note of congratulations on Monday addressed to McIlroy, who is a big fan of the team.

After saying during the winner’s news conference that he wants to celebrate with his parents back home in Northern Ireland “next week,” McIlroy was asked if he might take the green jacket to a game at Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium.

“If it can inspire some better play, absolutely,” McIlroy said.

Former world snooker champion Dennis Taylor declared Mc-

Ilroy Northern Ireland’s “greatest ever sportsman” That’s no small assertion for a country that has produced soccer great George Best and snooker star Alex Higgins

“Massive congratulations to Rory McIlroy on his incredible victory at The Masters—making history as the first ever from our island to win the prestigious Green Jacket!” Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill said on X. “This is a huge moment in sporting history, and one that has filled everyone back home with great pride.”

Irish premier Micheal Martin described the win as “epic”.

“It was an incredible evening and we were all up late in the morning,” Martin added Monday

The Irish premier said the occasion reminded him of Ireland’s 1990 World Cup penalty shootout win over Romania and George Hamilton’s famous “the nation holds its breath” commentary

“Well, we were holding our breath every five minutes for a good few hours yesterday,” Martin said. “Literally holding our breath at every putt and every tee shot. It was a marvelous national occasion and it’s a moment in time that we will all remember.”

Theegala, Rai form top-30 team for Zurich

BY JEFF DUNCAN Staff writer

Top-30 players Sahith Theegala and Aaron Rai will compete as a team in the 2025 Zurich Classic, tournament officials announced Monday

Theegala is ranked No. 27 in the latest World Golf Ranking while Rai is ranked No. 28.

“It’s fun to see two players who both want to represent their respective sides in the Ryder Cup this fall team up,” said Steve Worthy, the CEO of the Fore!Kids Foundation, which operates the tournament for the PGA Tour

“Both are ranked in the top 30 in the world and have shown consistent, quality play for a few years. Each has won on Tour, and they should be a very strong team.”

This year’s Zurich Classic will be played April 24-27 at TPC of Louisiana in Avondale. The tournament previously has received commitments from reigning champions Rory McIlroy (No. 2) and Shane Lowry (No. 15), as well as top-25 players Collin Morikawa (No. 4), Wyndham Clark (No 14) and Billy Horschel (No. 23) McIlroy won the Masters in dramatic fashion Sunday to become just the sixth player in history to complete the career Grand Slam. Tournament officials expect to announce a slew of new commitments this week, starting with the team of Theegala and Rai.

Theegala, an Orange, California, native, teamed with Justin Suh to finish in a tie for 23rd at the 2023 Zurich Classic. He and teammate

from college coaching so he could find a high school job closer to home. That’s when Patrick Taylor coach Kenny Bourgeois, Agee’s former high school teammate at Jesuit, hired him to help get that upstart football program to where it won a playoff game in 2023.

Patrick Taylor and Fisher play in the same district, so Agee has coached against the players he will now guide. Fisher won 22-20 when the teams met in a District 9-3A game last season. “The kids were always tough,” Agee said about the Fisher players. “They always executed their assignments and alignments And you always knew they had great community support The whole town is up here supporting their school.” Contact Christopher Dabe at cdabe@theadvocate.com

Resiliency is mark of McIlroy’s Grand Slam

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rory McIlroy began “the best day of my golfing life” by finding a note in his locker at Augusta National before he got ready for what turned out to be one of the wildest final rounds ever at the Masters. It was from Angel Cabrera, a thoughtful gesture to wish him good luck.

Cabrera played in the final group with him in 2011 at the Masters when McIlroy had the world at his feet and a four-shot lead and one arm in a Masters green jacket. But then he threw it away with an 80 in the final round.

Will Zalatoris missed the cut by two strokes at last year’s Zurich. Theegala enjoyed his best season in 2024, finishing third in the FedEx Cup standings. He recorded nine top-10 finishes, including two runner-up placings. He started the year fast with a second at The Sentry in Hawaii to open the 2024 season He took fifth in the Phoenix Open, tied for sixth in the Arnold Palmer Invitational and tied for ninth in The Players Championship He closed out the year with a solo third in the Tour Championship, firing a 64 in the final round. He broke through with his first title at the 2023 Fortinet Championship. In his first PGA Tour tournament in June 2020, he took 14th in the Safeway Open and secured his card for the 2021-22 season by finishing sixth in the Korn Ferry Tour Championship

Theegala, 27, was a three-time All-American at Pepperdine University. In 2020, he was awarded the Haskins Award, the Ben Hogan Award and the Jack Nicklaus Award, only the fifth college player to win all three in the same year Rai, 30, has posted four top-15 finishes this season. His best finish was a tie for fourth in the Mexico Open He also tied for 11th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The Wolverhampton, England, native won last year’s Wyndham Championship for his first PGA Tour victory since joining the Tour in 2022 He recorded a total of six top-10 and 13 top-25 finishes during the 2024 season. In the Zurich Classic, Rai has played with David Lipsky the previous three years, with finishes of a tie for fourth a tie for 13th and a tie for 23rd last year

“It was a nice touch and little bit ironic at the same time,” McIlroy said of the note. “It’s been 14 long years. But thankfully, I got the job done.”

He did, barely, beating Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff with a gap wedge that spun back to 3 feet for birdie on the 18th hole.

Along with a lifelong dream of becoming a Masters champion, McIlroy is now part of golfing immortality as only the sixth player with the career Grand Slam.

“I’ve been saying it until I’m blue in the face: I truly believe I’m a better player now than I was 10 years ago,” McIlroy said. “It’s so hard to stay patient. It’s so hard to keep coming back every year and trying your best and not being able to get it done.

“It’s been an emotionally draining week for a lot of reasons. Absolutely thrilled to be sitting here at the end of the week as the last man standing.”

A final round that lasted 4 hours, 45 minutes felt like 14 years, certainly the past 11 years that have been consumed with him getting the final leg of the Grand Slam.

Staked to a four-shot lead on the back nine, he hit his worst shot of the week. McIlroy had a big target from 82 yards with a lob wedge but put it into the tributary of Rae’s Creek in front of the par-5 13th green for a double bogey This looked like the player who two-putted every green in the fi-

nal round at St Andrews, who missed two short putts in the closing stretch at Pinehurst No 2 last summer to watch Bryson DeChambeau hoist that U.S. Open trophy So much brilliance. Too many blunders.

And ultimately, so much determination to keep coming back for more, to not give up on the one prize he was chasing no matter how much it hurt.

Consider this: He set a record for making six straight 3s to start the third round. He set another record for most double bogeys — four — by a Masters champion.

McIlroy famously said two years ago after a runner-up finish in the U.S. Open left him gutted, “I would go through 100 Sundays like this to get my hands on another major championship.”

He won this Masters with that willingness to keep going no matter the setbacks.

McIlroy wasted a superb opening round with two careless double bogeys leaving him seven shots behind. He answered with a 66 the next day

He went from a four-shot lead to trailing by one shot on Sunday when he answered with his best swings — the 7-iron over the pond to 6 feet on the par-5 15th, the 9-iron to a back pin on the 16th to 9 feet, the 8-iron blind shot to 2 feet on the 17th. When he failed to convert a 5-foot birdie putt on the 18th in regulation, he was headed to a playoff with Rose as more major disappointment awaited But then he pounded his drive, hit gap wedge to 3 feet and won the Masters.

“There was points on the back nine today I thought, ‘Have I let this slip again?’ But again, I responded with some clutch shots when I needed to,” McIlroy said. “And really proud of myself for that.” Rose was gracious as ever after his second straight time finishing second in a major, having lost out at Royal Troon last summer

“We saw a part of history today,” Rose said. “Someone won a career Grand Slam.

“It’s a momentous day in the game of golf.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By GEORGE WALKER IV Rory McIlroy hits his tee shot on the fourth hole during the final round at the Masters on Sunday in Augusta, Ga.

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Sahith Theegala tees off on the 14th hole during the first round of the Zurich Classic on April 25 at TPC Louisiana in Avondale.

UnpackingLSU’s lost weekendatAuburn

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

The end of LSU’sseven-game road trip couldn’thave come sooner LSU gotswept for the firsttime this season over the weekend by Auburn, falling 8-4 on Friday,4-2 on Saturday and 3-2 on Sunday. Here are five takeaways from thesour finish to the roadstand. What’s up with thebats?

Jay Johnson didn’tsugarcoat it.

The LSU position players didn’t have agood weekend, driving in only eight runs in three games and committing multiple mistakes defensively

“It’sacollection of issues,” the LSU coach said. “It’spretty hard 37 games in to be critical of anything the position player group has done, (but) we were not very good this weekend and we will be better.”

Thelack of production at the plate was the most startlingaspect of their performance. LSU had just four hits on Sunday,one extra-base hit on Saturday and three hits through the first six innings on Friday Fly outs were aconstant problem. LSU flew out 38 times across theseries, including in 15 at-bats Saturday.Johnsonbelieves his hitters expandedthe strike zone on toomany occasions,swingingat balls or pitches they couldn’tdrive.

That’swhatJohnson thought happened during the fifth inning of Sunday’sgame when LSU had runners on second and thirdwith nobody out and couldn’t score.

“Thepitchers are good enough where, if youhelpthem out, it’sgoing to make their job easier,” Johnson said. “And we just didn’thave the caliber of at-batsweneeded, that we’vegotten this year.”

Good bullpen showing

Lost in the shuffleofLSU’sstrugglesatthe plate, the bullpen arguably had its best weekend of the season.

Against an Auburn lineup that didn’thavemuchtroubleroughing up the LSU starters, the bullpen allowed justone earnedrun in 122/3 innings in the series.

LSU relieversnot named Zac Cowan or Casan Evans combined to allow two extra-base hits and record seven strikeouts in 62/3 innings.Theytook astep forward in solving their biggest issue throwing strikes —bywalking onlytwo batters and throwing 79 of 123 pitches in thezone.

“Can’task for anythingbetter,”

JohnsonsaidSunday

Roughpatch in outfield

LSUmadea handfulofmistakes defensivelyinthe outfieldthat mayhave cost them Saturday’s game With arunneratsecondand one

Aneesah Morrow, right, celebrates after being selected seventh overall by the ConnecticutSun during the first round of the WNBA draft on MondayinNew york.

WNBA

Continued from page1C

They held me to that standard.” Twopost players were chosen ahead of Morrow on Monday. The Seattle Storm grabbed 19-year-old French sensation Dominique Malonga withthe No. 2overall pick, and the Washington Mystics chose Southern Cal forward Kiki Iriafenwith the No. 4overall selection.

Only 6-foot-1 yet oneofthe top rebounders in the history of women’scollege basketball, Morrow helped LSU reach the NCAA Tournament’sElite Eight in both seasons she spent in Baton Rouge. Only two women in NCAA Division Ihistory have grabbed more career boards than Morrow did from 2021-25, and only one (Oklahoma’sCourtney Paris) haseverposted more doubledoubles. Across her four-year collegiate career,Morrowpulleddown 1,714 rebounds —more than 300 more thanany otherplayer corralled overthat span.

Morrow also finished her career averaging 20.5 points and2.5 steals per game.Her 12.3 career rebounding average is identical to the one posted by Angel Reese, her former LSU frontcourt partner who broke the WNBA’s single-season rebounding record as arookie in 2024.

“I’m looking forward to a matchup against Angel,” Morrow said. “That’smyformer teammate, love her to death, but

LSU

Continued from page1C

“That’shard to do if you don’t work at it every day,” Mulkey told the crowd at the banquet, “especiallynow when you got akid for the first time. This one transferred in, that one leaves, this onecomes.

“It’shard, people. It’s very,very hard.” Mulkey knows because she’s done it before.

Faustine Aifuwa and Autumn Newby anchoredher first LSU team. They both moved on after that season, leading the Tigers to replace them with two transfers

out in the fourth inning, freshman

Derek Curiel crept in on a flyball thatultimately went over his head, resulting in arun-scoring double.

The next batter hit aball to right field that popped out of senior Josh Pearson’sglove,producing another run-scoring double.Pearson had to dive for it,but it was the kind of catchLSU outfielders have made almostroutinely

Additionally,juniorcenter fielder ChrisStanfield probably could have called off Pearson andmade the catch himself without exerting as much effort.

“Those balls were hit well and we have agooddefensiveoutfield,” Johnson said. “I really believe if we come up with even oneofthose, it’sa different game.”

Theoutfielddidn’tmakemany moremistakes before or after that inning, but the peculiarities of the monstrous left-field wall at Plainsman park also caught Curielin some awkwardpositionsthroughout the weekend.

Reevaluating thirdbase

LSU mixed things up alittleat thirdbase against Auburn.

Senior Michael Braswell started againsta right-handed pitcher Sunday,drawing two walks before getting pinch hit for by redshirt junior TannerReaves in the ninth inning.

Reaves notstarting probably wasn’ta result of poor play at the

ON DECK

WHO: LSU (31-6) vs. McNeese State (27-5) WHEN: 6:30 p.m.Tuesday WHERE: Alex Box Stadium ONLINE: SECNetwork+ RADIO: WDGL-FM, 98.1 (Baton Rouge); WWL-AM, 870 (New Orleans);KLWB-FM, 103.7 (Lafayette)

RANKINGS: LSUisNo. 9by D1Baseball; McNeese State isn’t ranked

PROBABLE STARTERS: LSU— TBA; McNeese State —TBA WHATTOWATCH FOR: Redshirt sophomore right-handerJaden Noot and freshman right-hander WilliamSchmidt didn’t pitch overthe weekend, suggesting that both should be available forLSU on Tuesday.

McNeese haswon 12 straight and is coming offofasweep overIncarnate Word.

Koki Riley

plate. He drove in the second run of Saturday’sgamewith apinchhitbloop single in the eighth inning. But his defenseonFridayleft alot to be desired. He committed twoerrors that resulted in runs for Auburn.

The first mistake helped load the bases for AuburnsluggerIke Irish to hit abases-clearing triple in the fifthinning. The seconderror allowed an unearned run to score in the sixth.

Expecting Reaves to become aGold Glove defenderatthird anytimesoon isn’trealistic. His experience at thepositionwas scant before arriving at LSU.But forReaves to maintainregular playing time against right-handed pitching, he’ll need to cut downon the errors.

He leadsthe team with five of them

“He’sjustgot to be wider and lower,” Johnson said. Starts at thetop

After aroaring start, the topof the LSU lineup has taken astep back recently

Curiel has furthered his on-base streak to 37, but his batting average is downto.362 after going 4 for 15 over theweekend. Junior Jared Jones struck out six times andwentjust1for 13 againstAuburn. Junior Daniel Dickinson had ahit in every game but also moved from third to fourth in the order Sunday

The recent struggles from the top of the order played abig part in Saturday and Sunday’slosses. Curiel,Jones andDickinsoncombined to go 4for 25 in those contests.

Bueckers’whirlwind week ends as No.1WNBApick

UConnstarselected by Dallas Wings

BY DOUG FEINBERG AP basketball writer

NEWYORK— Paige Bueckers is ready for her next chapter after a whirlwind week that started with herhelpingUConnwin its 12th national championship and ended with her becoming theWNBA No. 1draft pick by the Dallas Wings.

Iknow that it’sgonna be two dogs clashing on the floor andtrying to go up in thereand getasmanyrebounds as we possibly can.”

In twoyears at LSU, Morrow averaged 17.6 points and 11.7 boards per game while shooting 48% from the field. As asenior, sheled the nation in rebounding.

Morrow is now the eighth formerTiger tobeselectedinthe first round ofthe WNBA draft. All butone ofthose playerswere top-10 picks.

From2013-23, WNBA teams didnot takeasingle LSU player in the first round.

Nowex-Tigers have been drafted with top-10 choices in consecutive years. Lastseason, theChicago Sky scooped up Reese,also with theseventhoverall pick.

Before Monday,former Tigers hadcomeoff theboard within the first10selections in back-to-back WNBA drafts only once —in2005 and 2006

Only twoLSU players have ever been chosen in thetop five: Seimone Augustus (No. 1overall, 2006) and Sylvia Fowles (No. 2 overall, 2008).

Morrow,a Chicagonative, spent the first two years of her career at DePaul. She transferred to LSU in 2023. Laterinthe first round, the Sky selected former LSU guard Hailey VanLith at No. 11 to team with Reese. VanLithtransferred from Louisville to LSUfor the 2023-24season,thentransferred to TCUtoclose out hercareer last season. Thenew WNBA season will beginonMay 16.

and afreshman: Angel Reese, LaDazhiaWilliams and Sa’Myah Smith. Theteamtheyjoined woundupwinning the2023national championship.

Asimilar offseason makeover is now in store again for Mulkey’s frontcourt.

LSUquicklydipped into theportal to sign Kate Koval,astrong, sturdy 6-5 risingsophomore who can already block shots and rebound. Next season, she’ll share the paintwith GraceKnox, along, athletic 6-2 forward ranked as one of the10best recruits in the country Anothertransfer or twocould soon join them, potentially giving Mulkey ataller,longer frontcourt

“I’m just extremely excited to be there. I’ve only heard great things about the city,”Bueckers said of Dallas. “So excited to start that newchapterand be in anew city and explore thatand give everything Ihave to the Wings organization. Iknowwe’re going to do great things,and it’s afreshstart, andI think we’re allready to do somethingspecial.”

Theversatile UConn staristhe latestHuskies standouttogoNo. 1, joiningformer greats Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Tina Charles,Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart.

Bueckers has had abusy time since helping UConn win the title on April 6. She hassplit hertime between NewYorkand Connecticutdoing morning and nighttime talk shows. On Sunday, she took part in theHuskies’ championship parade.

“I’m glad NewYork and Storrs are pretty close to each otherbecause there’sbeen alot of back and forth,” Bueckers said. “Part of me wants to stay at school, celebrate with theteam, be with them, enjoy thelast momentsof being in Storrs, and the other part of me has to get ready for the next chapter.”

Bueckers got to enjoy themomentMonday night with her UConn teammates and coach Geno Auriemma whowere in the audience at thedraft, which washeldat The Shed in New York.Bueckers choked up when talking about her former Huskies teammates

“They mean everything to me. They helped me get through highs and lows,” Bueckers said.

than theone she employed for mostoflast season. Smith is only 6-2, and Aneesah Morrow is just 6-1. “All positions needed torebound for us to be successful this year,” Mulkeysaid. “Wewere really undersizedatthe post. We really were.”

YetLSU still grabbed morerebounds per game (46.1) than all but two Division Iteams. Its four NCAA Tournament opponentsstill shot36% from the field, comfortably below Mulkey’sgoal of 40%.

And for the mostpart,LSU contained 6-7UCLA center Lauren Betts in the Elite Eight. She finishedwith 17 points andseven rebounds against Morrow andSmith.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByPAMELA SMITH

UConn’sPaige Bueckers, right, poses foraphoto with WNBA commissioner CathyEngelbertafter being selected first overallbythe Dallas Wings during the first round of the WNBA draftonMonday 2025 WNBADraft First Round

Dallas Wings PaigeBueckers, UConn

Seattle Storm Dominique Malonga, France

Washington Mystics SoniaCitron, Notre Dame

Washington Mystics Kiki Iriafen, Southern Cal

Golden State Valkyries Juste Jocyte, Lithuania

Washington Mystics GeorgiaAmoore, Kentucky

ConnecticutSun Aneesah Morrow,LSU 8. ConnecticutSun Saniya Rivers, North Carolina State

LosAngeles Sparks— Sarah Ashlee Barker, Alabama

Chicago Sky Ajsa Sivka, Slovenia

Chicago Sky Hailey VanLith,TCU

Dallas Wings Aziaha James, NC State

Seattle followed Dallas’ selection by taking 19-year-old French star DominiqueMalongawiththe No. 2pick. The 6-foot-6 Malonga was part of thesilver medal winning French Olympic basketball team She’s the first French playertobe drafted this high since 1997, when Isabelle Fijalkowski wentsecond.

“I was so proud to achieve that goal,” Malonga said. “Itshowed that French basketball hasevolved as we’ve seen the past few years on theNBA side.Wesee Wemby (Victor Wembanyama) andZaccharie

“Butwhat we have to improve on is ourdefense,” Mulkeysaid. “Because we allowed people on the perimeter to beat us. And we will use thatall summer and into the fall to make sure that never,ever happens again.”

If LSU wants to addmoresize and experience, then it can reach into the portal to pursue rising seniors such as Wisconsin’sSerah Williams or St. Joseph’sLaura Ziegler.Transfer Madina Okot, a former Mississippi State center has playedonly one season of U.S. college basketball, butshe’s 6-6, andshe averaged 11.3 points and 9.3 rebounds last year withthe Bulldogs. Williams, a6-4 forward and two-

(Risacher)showthat French basketball is great.”

The Washington Mystics, witha newcoach andgeneral manager, then took Notre Dame’s Sonia Citron with the third pick and Southern Cal’sKikiIriafen with No. 4. They also took Kentucky guard Georgia Amoore with the sixth pick.

Amoore was dressed on the WNBA’s orange carpet by NBA star Russell Westbrook, who has aclothing brand called Honor The Gift.AmooresaidWestbrook designed her outfitand wasamazing to work with sincethey first got togetherona Zoom sessioninNovember

“It’sphenomenal. He did such a good job,” AmooresaidofWestbrook. “It wasn’tjust to put his name on something. He spent hours at the hotel fitting it. He’s been very active in the process.”

The expansion Golden State ValkyriesmadeJuste Jocyte of Lithuania their first draft choice in franchise history Connecticut had consecutive picks and took LSU’sAneesah Morrow seventh and N.C. State’s Saniya Rivers eighth.

time member of theAll-Big Ten defensive team, is one of the top transfers still uncommittedasof Monday.Inher junior season,she scored 19.2 points, grabbed 9.8 rebounds and blocked 2.3 shots per game. LSU is reportedly on Williams’ short list of suitors, alongside UConn and North Carolina. Adding her could give the Tigers one of the top transfer classes in the country WhatdoMulkeyand her staff have to sell her?

The opportunity to step in and compete forone of the leading roles in an overhauled frontcourt. Email Reed Darcey at reed. darcey@theadvocate.com.

AP PHOTO By PAMELASMITH

Does Wordle help?

Experts reveal ways keep your brain sharp

BY CINDY KRISCHER GOODMAN

South Florida Sun Sentinel (TNS)

FORT LAUDERDALE,Fla.— Will playing Wordle regularly fend off Alzheimer’s? Will the fish oil you take daily keep your memory sharp?

Many people think it’s worth trying anything to help with brain health. After all, the forecast is worrisome: The number of people living with dementia, including Alzheimer’s, is expected almost to double every 20 years.

In South Florida, researchers are studying ways to stop cognitive decline, which is known as memory slide. They are looking at what people eat, how they live, and who they spend their time with to learn what can affect brain health.

“There are so many strategies that have been of interest in the last five to 10 years,” said Dr Daniel Vela, neuro-interventional surgeon for St. Mary’s Hospital with Palm Beach Health Network. Not all the strategies pan out. Some, though, do seem to be of value

Sleep makes a difference

Researchers agree that sleep allows the brain to rest, repair itself, and remove all the toxins that can accumulate during the day.

Vela recommends keeping a regular sleep schedule as much as possible by going to bed and waking up the same time each day To help with better sleep quality he advises getting morning sunlight.

“This exposure in the early mornings to sunlight is a regulator of your sleep cycle,” he said. Aim to get at least 15-30 minutes of natural light exposure as soon as possible after waking up.

Dr Nicole L. Baganz, assistant director of FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, said while guidelines say you should aim for eight hours of sleep a night, for some people six hours is good enough. “It’s individualized how much sleep is necessary, but lots of studies confirm the powerful effects of sleep on brain health.”

How diet affects brain health

Everything you put in your mouth affects your brain health, particularly if your diet triggers high cholesterol or diabetes.

“Diet management is important,” Vela said. “You need to keep your arteries clean, especially the arteries of the brain, which is what we end operating on in certain people who have experienced repetitive brain bleeds or brain attacks like stroke.” Vela said that as people age, they accumulate cholesterol in their arteries, affecting blood flow to the brain. He advises a low-cholesterol diet to ward off this accumulation

Vela says reducing your sugar intake also can help keep your brain sharp. Research has uncovered a potential link between consuming excessive sugar and an increased risk of dementia. “Part of our diet is not only to consume antioxidants, nutrients, magnesium, and healthy fats, but the most important strategy to maintain cognition and brain health is to stay away from added sugar.”

Dr Andrew Newberg, a neuroscientist and MRI director at Florida Atlantic University’s

Turbulent travel

Why are some airline passengers so entitled and rude? Here’s what to do when you sit next

BY CHRISTOPHER ELLIOTT Travel Troubleshooter

On a recent flight from Dublin to Istanbul, I heard the unmistakable soundtrack to the kids’ TV show “Bob the Builder” blasting through my noise-canceling earbuds.

That’s funny, I thought. My “Bob the Builder” phase ended when my daughter graduated from kindergarten. And then I realized that the sounds of, “Can we fix it? Yes we can!” were actually broadcasting from the row behind me A mom was playing it for her toddler so loud that I could hear it through my Pixel Buds.

I asked Mom if she could fix my problem by asking Junior to wear a headset, and thankfully, she said, “Yes, I can.” She gave her boy a pair of headphones and everyone else enjoyed a quiet flight. But that got me thinking about entitled and inconsiderate behavior on a plane. I’m not the only one who has dealt with a fellow passenger playing entertainment at top volume. In fact, read any news report of a flight diversion, and chances are there’s a thoughtless passenger behind it — someone who didn’t want to share the over-

When dealing with demanding passengers, staying calm and addressing the situation with facts rather than emotions can be highly effective in deescalating a situation.”

RyAN SAROLI, CEO of Flygreen

head bin space, insisted on jamming their seat all the way back, or didn’t want to wait to use the bathroom.

Why are passengers acting so badly? And what can you do if you’re seated next to an entitled traveler?

What’s wrong with these people?

“There’s a societal trend toward selfishness — it’s ‘me-first’ and ‘meonly,’” says Lori Freemire, a Denver-based flight attendant. “There’s little regard for the gate agents or crew trying to do their jobs.”

Thomas Plante, a professor of psychology at Santa Clara University, says passengers are becoming narcissists.

to one.

“More and more people think that the world revolves around them and that people should cater to their needs,” he told me. “Frankly, it’s breathtaking.”

I’ll say Although my story had a happy ending, others don’t On a recent flight from Seattle to Dallas, Rachel Wagner had the misfortune of sitting next to a passenger who seemed oblivious to the concept of common courtesy The passenger immediately began watching a movie on her phone — without a headset.

Wagner politely asked the passenger if she had earbuds, but the woman replied “no” and continued watching her movie After takeoff, Wagner, who was wearing noise-canceling earbuds, could still hear the movie. Again, she politely asked the passenger if she had earbuds.

“Why don’t you just get your own plane!” the woman snapped.

Oh, and here’s the kicker: Wagner is an etiquette expert, so you know she was extra polite when she asked. In retrospect, she says she should have gotten a flight attendant to intervene instead of

‘I’ll just go take a bath and write a song.’ La. native Meghan Linsey makes music her way

Former Louisiana singer Meghan Linsey’s new single, ‘Humble Again,’ was released last week

BY JUDY BERGERON Staff writer

Meghan Linsey had to laugh a little when she said it. “I wrote the whole thing one night when I was taking a bath,” the former Louisiana singer explained of the creative process involved in her brand-new single, “Humble Again,” which dropped last week. “And I feel like I just write my best when I’m just relaxed and not really thinking too hard about it. And just being

honest. So that’s kind of what I’ve been doing lately is I’ll just go take a bath and write a song.” “Humble Again” takes listeners along on the journey of being an artist, with all the ups and downs, starting and restarting. “There’s a line in the song that says ‘I was everybody’s cup of tea when I was everybody but me,’” Linsey said, “It’s like everybody wants to be your friend when everything’s going good,

THINKSTOCK FILE PHOTO

Feedingwildanimals

Dear Heloise: GlenAllen from Virginia wrote that he feeds squirrelsand birds smallpieces of regular or butter-topped bread. Glen said that the squirrels like it so much they request more, and he feeds them more bread pieces. Unfortunately,this is not agood idea. Feeding bread to squirrels and birds can make them sick or worse. According to the magazine Birds &Blooms (a reputable bird-and-garden source),dishes people consume like bread are generally bad for birds in the same way that junk food is bad forour systems. Processed foods have very little nutritional value. If birds consume bread on aregular basis, the lack of nutrients causes vitamin deficiencies that lead to serious, even fatal health issues.

Rowden,former senior director for bird-friendly communities at theNational Audubon Society

“They can be undernourished, which makes them more susceptible to disease, so it could cause health or lethal consequences.”

Hints from Heloise

With this knowledge, here’salist of nine nibblestoavoidfeeding your feathered friends: raw meat, salted nuts, bacon fat, potato chips, honey red food coloring, old birdseed (it could be moldy or rancid), and pet food

Recommended foods are a variety of fruits, vegetables (they likechewing on corncobs), seeds, and unsalted nuts.(Leavingthe shellsonisgood for their teeth.) Feeding squirrels what they normally eat is alwaysthe best option. —Holly C., in Redlands, California

Better to refrainfrom oversharingdetails

Dear Miss Manners: Ihave been takingtime off work tohelp care for my father,who has incurable cancer.Toclients Idon’tknow well, I’ve said, “I’ll be out of town to help my dad, who is sick.” They almost invariably reply,“Ihope he feels better soon.” Iknow they mean well, andIusually managetotake it that way Butthat doesn’tstop it from feeling like agut punch, because Iknow he is only going to feel worse over the few months he has left

“Malnutrition is certainly a risk if birds aren’tgettingthe food that they need,” says John

By The Associated Press

Send ahint to heloise@heloise. com.

TODAYINHISTORY

Today is Tuesday,April 15, the 105th day of 2025. There are260 days left in the year

Todayinhistory:

On April 15, 1912, the British luxury liner RMS Titanic sunk in the North Atlantic off Newfoundland just over two and ahalf hours after hitting an iceberg on its maiden voyage. More than 1,500 people died; 710 survived. On this date: In 1865, AbrahamLincoln died after being shot by John Wilkes BoothatFord’sTheater the previous evening; Andrew Johnson was sworn in as the 17th president hours later In 1947, JackieRobinson, baseball’s first Black major league player of the modern era,made his official debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on opening day at Ebbets Field. (The Dodgers defeated the Boston Braves, 5-3.)

SHARP

Continued from page1D

Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, has studied nutrition andbrain health and recommends eating more plant-based foods. “Make sure you get your vegetables, fruits, andnuts with good oils andtry to avoidprocessedfoods, he says. That type of diet, he says, reduces inflammation thatcould negatively impact brainhealth.

Getyourvitaminsand minerals

Certain vitamins and minerals are commonly touted as prevention for memory decline. Magnesium, for example, protectsbrain cells from damage causedbyoxidative stress, inflammation, and neurotoxins. Astudy published in the European Journal of Nutrition in March 2023 found eating more magnesium-rich foods lowers the risk of dementia— especially in women.

Omega-3 fatty acids may also be beneficial. Astudy by theUniversity of Texas Health Science Center found that eatingcoldwater fish andother sources of omega-3 fatty acids may enhance cognition in middle age.The researchers found consuming more omega-3s was associated with better abstract reasoning, or the abilitytounderstand complex concepts using logical thinking.

Baganz said getting nutrients from abalanced diet is more effective than supplements.

Gamesand puzzlescan help Doing Wordle, adaily crossword puzzle, or any game that requires problem-solving, strategic thinking, and quick decision-making can stimulate and challenge key brain regions. However,why they may slow decline, scientific evidence that games improve brain health is limited.

Experts say games servea purpose but advise mixing up the brain-stimulating activities.

“Reading, learning new things, talking to people, just engaging the brain in many different ways is good for your brain,” Newberg said. “The more you do different things, the better off you’ll be in terms of your cognitive reserve and putting off theeffects of aging.”

Social activity is crucial

“Loneliness is one of worst things that can happen to the brain,” says Baganz at FAU. “Social connectionisimportant for mental health and reduces cog-

In 2013,two bombs made from pressure cookersexploded at the BostonMarathon finish line, killing two women and an 8-year-old boyand injuring more than260.

In 2019, fire sweptacross the top of theNotre-Dame de Paris cathedral during renovation work on thelandmark structure; the blaze collapsed thecathedral’s spire and spread to one of its iconic rectangular towers. (The cathedral was restored and reopened to the public in December2024.)

Today’sbirthdays: Actor Claudia Cardinale is 87. Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Cooper is 69. Olympic track & field gold medalist EvelynAshford is 68. Actorscreenwriter Emma Thompson is 66. Singer Samantha Fox is 59. Olympic swimming gold medalist Dara Torres is 58.Singer Luis Fonsi is 47. Country singersongwriter Chris Stapleton is 47. Actor Luke Evans is46.

nitivedecline. Positive emotion such as compassion andappreciation is strongly linked to brain health andmental health.”

Baganz recommends volunteering in the community and reengaging in activities you once foundchallenging, or even learning anew language —anything that engages thebrain and exposesyou to social interaction.

Exercise mayhavebiggest effect

Research showsthe partsofthe brainthat control thinking and memory are larger in volume in people who exercise than in peoplewho don’t.

Baganz says anytypeofexercise, includingwalking, chair yoga, or strength training, will help. “Exercising produces chemicalsthat can promote brain health,” she says.“Tryto get some sort of aerobic exercise regularly,evenjusta brisk walk.”

Be patient, though. Several studies have shownthatittakes aboutsix months to startreaping the cognitive benefits of exercise.

Mentalwell-being

Newberg at FAUhas studied spirituality and its link to brain health. He found meditation and prayerhelp staveoff memory decline. “These practices alter the way the brainworks,” he explains. “Theyhelp the brain regulate itself and help with cognition as well as loweringstress, anxiety and depression.”

Someofthe myths aboutbrain health make researchers likeNewberg eager to set people straight.

Genetics determineyourfuture

Brainhealth as youage is acomplex interplay between genetic predisposition, and environmental and lifestylefactors. Experts have determined that about 40%ofdementia casescould be delayed by treatable mid-life factors.

Treatinghearing loss, hypertension, diabetes and obesity can lower your risk.

Alcoholkills braincells

Moderate alcohol usedoesn’t kill braincells. Alcohol can affect brain structure, function,and overall health, but it doesn’t directly cause the death of brain cells.

Videogames on thebrain

Videogames’effect on children remain unclear, but for adults, thebenefittobrain healthvaries depending on the type of game.

Experts say gamesthat connect people around theworldand those that require you to switch between tasks have the most benefit.

you until they find out enough about the situation to show the appropriateamount of sympathy? Miss Manners considers it morehelpful forher to remind anyone in your sad situation to refrainfrom confidences that require asympathetic response.

The first time this happened, Iwas so gobsmacked that Isaid, “Thanks, but this isn’t a getting-better situation,” which felt graceless and stopped the conversation.

Telling people “I’ll be out of town to help my dad, who has stage 4cancer” sometimes (not always!) avoids the “feel better”comments, but can feel like oversharing.

I’d love advice on navigating this,and perhaps also areminder to readers that when you don’t know thenature of an illness, “I hope they feel better soon” isn’t necessarily thekind comment you thinkitis.

Gentlereader: What would you suggest?That your clientsprobe

LINSEY

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youknow? And you kind of lose yourself in that, Ithink. So you really find out who your people are, who your friends are, and what you’re all about when things aren’t happening.”

That’snot thecase now,asthe Season 8“The Voice” runner-up, who’slived in Nashville, Tennessee,for severalyears, is promoting hernew single, working on newmusic, and planning an album release andsummer tour.That’s in addition to her other business offering studio experiences in the city,where she often performsfor corporate groups.

Arecentpreview party for “Humble Again” with Music City executives generated positive feedback.

“It’sactually been really cool. This song, it’svery vulnerable. It’s very honest and real,”she said. “People are like, ‘Oh,wow,like I felt like this, you know?’ It’slike people that youdon’teven think have felt like that, have felt like that. AndsoIthink it’s really resonating withpeople, especially in the music business.”

Linsey andher husband, Tyler Cain, both worked on “Humble Again,”withCainwriting themu-

TRAVEL

Continuedfrom page1D

dealing withthe entitled passenger herself. That’s sound advice. Whyare they acting like this?

Experts say there are reasons for this shiftinattitudes when traveling by plane—and specifically,this entitled behavior

Crowded planes. Airlinesare flying with record load factors, which meansthat thereare morepassengers on each flight. Add the loss of personal space due to shrinking seat sizes, and up go your chances that you’ll be seated next to an irritated —and irritating —passenger Thepandemic. Lockdowns and travel restrictions seem to have changedthe way manypeople behave in public spaces, say experts. “It’s like people just don’tcare as muchabout accommodating the people around them to make everyone’sexperience better,” says Larry Snider,the vice president of operationsatCasago, avacation rental company

Stress. The discomfort of modern air travel, with itstight schedules, cramped seating and endless lines, can turn even the most eventempered passengerinto araging monster. “’I’ve observed that the uptick in demandingpassenger behavior can be partly attributed to the stress of navigating heightened regulations and expectations in thetravel industry,” says Vlad Vynohradov,atransportation logistics expert Rising ticket prices. “Passengers payinghigherpricesare alsoexpectingbetterservice,” notesMike

Youcould have excused yourselftoyour clients by merely stating that you would be absent on family business —replying, if therewerequestions, that it was apersonal matter

Dear Miss Manners: My son and Ihave agentle disagreementabout the host’s responsibility at adinner party or holiday table. As ahost, Ilook for opportunities to foster conversationsthat might involve everyone around the table. Otherwise, couples or friends will begin their own discussions. This makes it less funfor all, especially for the quiet individuals who don’tengage in conversation with their neighbors.

At one such dinner,myson whispered to me, “You’re being manipulative!” Isaid yes, Iam doing my host duties. Help us settle this, please!

Gentlereader: Youwin. The late, great sociologist, David Riesman, once told Miss Man-

ners that he had preceded her in the etiquette business, citing his observation of the manners of fellow academics when acting as hosts. They apparently shared your son’sfear of being manipulative. Therefore, they performed no introductions, provided no seating plan and certainly did not attempt to check that everyone wasincluded in conversations.

The result, Riesman said, was perfectly terrible parties, where people talked only with those in their own departments, whom they had seen all day —orthose with whom they had arrived, and would see all night.

Dear Miss Manners: Iwent to aconcert the other night. What’sthe etiquette if the cup holder is in the armrest of everyone’schair, including both end seats? Which cup holder does each person get? Ihad an argument with the guy next to me.

Gentle reader: It’s the one to your right, just as at the table.

Sendquestions to Miss Manners at herwebsite, www missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mailtoMiss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City,MO 64106.

sicand handlingproduction.Together for 13 years and married for three, thecouple have collaboratedonmany projects, andfor a brief timeworked as aduo called Megan Tyler Linsey, whogrewupinGretna and Ponchatoula, moved to Nashville just after high school to pursue music. Her initial success there sparked from herand thenboyfriend Josh Jones winning the CMT competition series, “Can You Duet?” in 2009. As the duo Steel Magnolia and with arecord deal withBig Machine Records, their first single, “Keep on Lovin’ You,” becamepartoftheir self-titled debut album in 2011. The record also featured three morecharting singles, “Just by Being You(Halo and Wings),” “Last Night Again” and “Bulletproof.”

Taylor,who heads up travel research at J.D. Power

Social media. Facebook, Instagram and Xhave nurturedaculture of complaints. Passengers know that if they take to Twitter or Facebook to complain about their flight experience, they are likely to get a response from the airline. “Social mediahas set the stage for the go-nuclear mentality,” says Susan Sherren, who runs the travel agency Couture Trips.

Bottom line: Air travelers are more self-absorbed and stressed than ever.And it shows.VivianAu, a flight behavior expert and founder of Air Corporate, says passenger demands have spiked in the last year.For example, on the Los Angeles to New York routes, the flight attendant call button is getting pushed 40% more often than in 2023.

“First-class travelersnow demand responses in under 2minutes,” she told me.

Dealingwithunrulyseatmate

If youfly,chances arethat, at some point, you’ll be sitting next to someone whodoessomething objectionable, as if they own the plane.

Charlie Neville, the marketing director at JayWay Travel, says preparation and patience is key when dealingwiththese problem passengers.

“I’d recommendadopting amore mindful approach to travel —accepting that delays and hiccups arepartofthe journey and staying calm through it all,” he says.

Being in agood mind space ensures that when yourun intosomeone who is entitled, you’ll be better able to handle them without gettingemotionally involved.

When the couple parted ways, Linsey set out to find her way as asoloartist. She calls herrun on NBC’s“The Voice” “a really big high.” “And, just coming off the show, there was alot of really good momentum, but Idofeel like there’s this thing that happens with artists,” shesaid. “It’slikeifyou’re notTim McGraw and just putting out hit after hit, it’slike you have these lulls where it’slike, OK, something really greathappens and then now what, you know?”

Linsey’s other career boosts have included twoofher songs being featured on TV series: n “The Mourning” can be heard during apoignant moment in Season4,Episode 9ofthe ABC workplace drama“Station 19.” n Anew version of “All Things,” the theme song for Netflix’s“Queer Eye,” was recorded by Linsey in New Orleans for Seasons 7and 8, also set in the Big Easy Linsey, 39, categorizesher upcoming album as leaning into Americana, but with her signature soulful vibe.

“I feel like you can take the girl outta New Orleans, but I’malways gonna have that soul part of me in everything that Ido. It definitely fits in the country vein as well.”

Email Judy Bergeron at jbergeron@theadvocate.com.

“When dealing with demanding passengers, staying calm and addressing the situation with facts rather than emotionscan be highly effective in deescalating asituation,” adds Ryan Saroli, CEO of Flygreen, ajet chartering service.

You’ll also want to showsome empathy,say experts. Joanna Teljeur, aspokeswoman for AirAdvisor,saysyour seatmate who is having ameltdown andjabbing the flight attendant callbutton is also human.

“Empathy in all situations is important,” she says. It mayactually be the firststeptoresolving the issue.

Ipreferthe direct approach: Take adeep breath and politely but directly ask the entitled passenger to stop behaving like atoddler.Unless, of course, they are a toddler,inwhich case you’d take it up with Mom,asI did on my flight to Turkey

And if none of that works? Then it’s OK foryou to push the flight attendant call button —and ask a crew member forhelp. Here they come!

Maybe there’saway to fixthis problem.Airlines can start offering ahumane amount of personal space again, just like they did before the unfortunate deregulation of the airline industry.They can ensure their passengers have enough food and water instead of trying to sell them everything. They can stop charging junk fees forareserved seat or luggage. If they did that, Ibet the entitled passengers would disappear overnight.

Email travel writer Christopher Elliott at chris@elliott.org.

PROVIDED SINGLE COVER IMAGE

Judith Martin MISS MANNERS

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Take a moment to observe what's happening before you respond. Expend your energy wisely. Check out innovative fitness activities or equipment, and stick to your routine.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Discuss the changes you want to implement with anyone affected by your choices Check into the costs, set a budget and put your plan in motion. Knowledge and support are necessary if you want to reach your goal.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Keep an eye on certain matters to ensure that you aren't stuck with something you don't want You must be willing to contribute if you want to have a say.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Build momentum, initiate change and be efficient in your pursuits. Understanding what's important to the people you are dealing with will be your ticket to winning the support you require to achieve your objective.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Pursueanoutletconducive to overcoming obstacles. Learn by listening to others and watching how they react. Flock to the place that offers the best view of incoming problems.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Attend meetings, make phone calls and connect with experts in fields of interest. Taking a day trip, getting together with an old friend or seeing firsthand what's necessary to reach your objective will help you.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Gather information and make plans. An open conver-

sation will help you figure out what's possible and whom you can count on. Regarding money matters, take your time, budget wisely and buy only what you need.

scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Look for a fun outlet that will get you in the groove and encourage you to mingle and socialize withuniquepeople.Beingwell-informed is the best way to increase your chance of advancement.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Emotional mind games will leave you at a loss. Leave nothing to chance and do not let anyone scam you. Say no to anything that sounds too good to be true.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Congregate with people who share your interests. It's up to you to set the rules you live by and the schedules you put in place. A positive attitude evolves from having something to look forward to.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Control your emotions and focus on home, family or broadening your interests. An idea you devise has the potential to turn into additional income. Organization and hard work will pave the way to success.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Say no to outside influences and people tempting you with grand ideas. You stand to come out on top if you stick to what you do best. Commit to what makes you happy.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2025 by nEa, inc., dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

FAMILY CIrCUS

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

toDAy's cLuE: K EQuALs V

CeLebrItY CIpher

For better or For WorSe

SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

SherMAn’S LAGoon

dooneSbUrY

bIG nAte

Sudoku

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

Yesterday’s PuzzleAnswer

THe wiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

CurTiS

By PHILLIP ALDER

Who wrote this aboutwhom? “In this matter of shimmering into rooms, the chappie is rummy to adegree.”

This week we are going to look at the important topic of entries.Itisnogood having winners in your hand or on the board if you cannot get to them.

In thisexample, howshould South plan theplay in three no-trump after West leads his fourth-highest heart?

The Northhand is too strong for one no-trumpandtooweakfortwono-trump; hence, one spade. South is too weak for atwo-level response; hence, one notrump.

When theopening-lead choice is between amajor and aminor,itisusually right to pick the major because opponentswill look for major-suitfits, but rarely worry about the minors.

South shouldestablish and run his club suit. Butaslong as the opponent withthe club ace learned the game before breakfast thismorning, he will knownot to take thefirst club trick; he will win the second club. Then South will have three winning clubs in hishand and will need an entry. What is his onlyentry?

Theheartqueen.SoSouthmusttakethe first trickwith dummy’s heart king (or ace),not run it aroundtohis hand. Then he immediately attacks clubs. South will collect at leastone spade, three hearts, one diamond and four clubs.

Today’s opening quotation was written by P.G. Wodehouse about Jeeves. If you have never read any of Wodehouse’s books,enter your local libraryorbookstore (concrete or electronic) and buy one. ©2025 by nEa,inc., dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzle is awordriddlewhich creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: nOOn gOOD =gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuctIons: 1. Words must be of fourormore letters. 2. Words that acquire fourletters 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 wordsare not allowed

toDAy’s WoRD DIFFIDEnt: DIF-ih-dint: Hesitant in acting or speaking, through lack of self-confidence.

Average mark18words

Timelimit 30 minutes

Can you find 23 or morewords in DIFFIDENT?

yEstERDAy’s WoRD —GRIEVEs

give giver grieve revise rise rive egis ever veer verge verse vier vise seer sere serge serve sever siege sieve sire

wuzzles

loCKhorNs

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

dIrectIons: make a 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row. add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value. all the words are in the Official sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5th Edition.

ken

InstructIons: 1 Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 thorugh 4 (easy) or 1 through 6 (challenging) without repeating. 2 The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners. 3 Freebies: Fill in the single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner. HErE is a

Well

Puzzle Answer

Scrabble GramS

Get fuzzy

jump Start

roSe iS roSe animal crackerS

DuStin

Drabble Wallace the brave

breWSter rockit

luann