Good morning, New Orleans.

The Fred Hampton Free Store in the Lower 9th Ward serves as a crucial community hub, offering donated items, basic medical services + harm reduction support every Monday evening.

Neighbors use the free center to access essential resources and connect safely.

In the early 1900s, two Black men, George Curry and George Goode, worked as head waiters at the St. Charles Hotel and led dining room teams during segregation — a rare leadership role in their era.

Harry Connick Jr. is set to lead a performance for Rockin’1000 as he curates a special act featuring local musicians in New Orleans on January 31 at Caesars Superdome.

The event will mark the U.S. debut of the global collective.

Recent warm weather (after heavy rain) has helped crawfish grow faster in New Orleans, according to expert Mark Shirley.

This boost comes just in time for Mardi Gras parades as operations recover from a dry fall delay.

Mitchell Gaudet honored over 100 Orleans Parish victims at the annual City Hall memorial — lighting symbolic flames and paying tribute to those lost on Bourbon Street as part of a longstanding remembrance tradition.

Carnival 2026 will run for 43 days with 68 parades and adjusted start times, including Thursday-before-Mardi Gras events at 4:30 p.m. for Knights of Chaos and 6:00 p.m. for Krewe of Muses; city agencies began closing lanes on St. Charles Avenue (for barrier installation) to boost safety.

Louisiana ranked as the nation’s top outbound state as 66% of shipments moved out and the population dropped over 84,000 since 2020 because of high housing costs + underwater mortgages.

State leaders are boosting competitiveness with projects like Hyundai Steel’s $5.8 billion mill in Ascension Parish.

David Shapiro, board president at NorthShore Robotics, said local employers now value hands-on tech skills and real-world problem solving over traditional credentials, so his nonprofit is set to expand year-round programs to 250 youth and plan a summer camp for 500 starting in May.

Audubon Zoo is hosting its 'Lights for Lions' drive until Jan 12 whereby locals can drop off old string lights at the zoo’s front gates to help raise funds for lion conservation in Africa — proceeds from sales by Southern Recycling will support the Lion Recovery Fund.

Seafood testing by SeaD Consulting found that eight restaurants on the west bank mislabeled imported shrimp as local catch (a violation of labeling laws), while two-thirds of establishments served domestic shrimp and showed higher authenticity on the east bank and at Westwego Shrimp Lot.

Senator Bill Cassidy opposed the CDC’s new vaccine schedule for children that shifts doses of flu, COVID, and hepatitis vaccines to a shared decision-making model, warning that families may delay immunizations and local doctors have reported pertussis deaths (whooping cough).

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed one child died from the flu while CDC numbers (5,000 deaths, 120,000 hospitalizations, and over 11 million illnesses) show a surge this season.

Local doctors advise residents (especially with carnival season coming) to get a flu shot soon.

Dr. Elyse Stevens, known for her flexible addiction treatment, was suspended by her New Orleans hospital in summer 2024 amid internal review of her prescribing practices, and hundreds of patients were reassigned to other providers.

She later accepted a job in the Virgin Islands.

Bangers Album Release Party

8 PM — Maple Leaf Bar — $15 Adv, $20 Day of Show — Enjoy a lively night featuring SLUGGER with local talents.

Fair Grounds Live Racing

12:45-2:15 p.m. — Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots — Reservation required — Enjoy a thrilling afternoon of live horse racing and clubhouse dining.

Fair Grounds Live Racing

12:45-2:15 p.m. — Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots — Ticket prices may vary — Experience the excitement of live horse racing while enjoying clubhouse dining.

Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Le Petit Theatre — Ticketed event — Experience a delightful séance with the charmingly eccentric Madame Arcati and the hauntingly humorous antics that ensue.

Steve Detroy Trio Live Performance

1:00 PM – 8:30 PM — Fritzel's European Jazz Pub — Check for pricing — Experience the soulful, sophisticated sounds of the Steve Detroy Trio as part of the Happy Hour Concert Series.

Fair Grounds Live Racing

12:45-2:15 p.m. — Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots — Reservation required — Enjoy an exciting day of live horse racing with buffet dining options.

Charmaine Neville Band Performance

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro — Tickets required — Enjoy Charmaine Neville's captivating voice and vibrant personality at one of New Orleans' favorite jazz spots.

Keiko Komaki Concert

6:30-7:30 p.m. — Ellis Marsalis Center for Music — Tickets available — Celebrate New Orleans piano traditions with a live performance.

Folk Alliance International Conference

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. — Sheraton New Orleans Hotel — $300 CAD for artists — Celebrate folk music with showcases and networking opportunities in the vibrant heart of New Orleans.

Blithe Spirit

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Le Petit Theatre — Ticket info not provided — Enjoy a comedic ghost story that brings the past to life with charm and wit.