| BY CHAD CALDER | Staff writer |
Cardell Hayes' about-face: The widow of slain former Saints player Will Smith and her children showed up in court Wednesday expecting to see the man convicted of killing her husband seven years ago plead guilty to the same crime. But Cardell Hayes, who was granted a new trial in 2021, surprised everyone by not pleading to manslaughter as expected, and now the case will go to trial. Jillian Kramer was in the courtroom. Avondale deal approaches test: The Port of South Louisiana's bid to buy the former Avondale shipyard for $330 million faces a crucial hurdle as the state Bond Commission could decide whether to approve the controversial deal Thursday. The original price tag of $445 million drew controversy, and the later decision to precipitously drop the price by $115 million hasn't assuaged many critics of the deal. So what are its prospects? Sam Karlin has the details. Jail walkout: Four jail supervisors walked off their shifts at the New Orleans jail Friday after there were multiple fires, at least one stabbing and a feces-throwing incident there. Missy Wilkinson and Gabriella Killett have the story. Thanks for starting your day with Morning Headlines. Check out all the latest news, sports and entertainment coverage from The Times-Picayune. Chad | 