Good morning, New Orleans.

Galatoire Foundation set a record with its Christmas and Mardi Gras table auctions by raising $447,300 at the Jan.

12 Mardi Gras auction plus $189,000 in December for a total of $635,000. The funds benefit eight local nonprofits (including Kid smART and The 18th Ward).

The Humane Society of Louisiana (founded in 2017) relaunched its Mardi Gras Horse Adoption Program to find permanent homes for parade horses by the end of Carnival season; it partners with local stables and vets, with fees between $650 and $1,500.

Carnival season begins this week with several community parades, including Carnivalles Fous du Carnaval on Jan.

23 and Chewbacchus Parade on Jan. 24 in the French Quarter. Other events include a king cake social in Gretna and School’s Out Camp at Longue Vue House & Gardens.

Starting today, Gretna begins Mardi Gras 2026 with a weeklong celebration along Huey P.

Long Avenue. Events include a Champagne Strut from 5 to 9 p.m., a King Cake Social on Jan. 21, and a children’s parade on Jan. 24.

About 2,500 folk musicians and industry pros will meet at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel for Folk Alliance International’s 38th Conference, Jan.

21-25. The event will have panels, live performances, and streamed Folk Music Awards on Jan. 21 (honoring Clifton Chenier and Louisiana Folk Roots).

Jefferson Parish will kick off its 2026 Carnival season with the Krewe of Little Rascals on Sunday, Feb.

1 at noon. The Krewe of Excalibur will launch Family Gras in Metairie on Friday, Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m., and parades will continue through Mardi Gras Day on Feb. 17.

John D. Barbry, a dedicated cultural leader and longtime chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow Committee in Marksville, passed away after decades driving initiatives that preserved tribal language & cultural traditions and inspired innovative educational programs.

Activist Sandra '18 Wheeler' Hester (known for bold disruptions at public meetings) passed away on Jan.

9 after a lifetime of challenging city officials for fairness. Her fearless work left a lasting mark on New Orleans.

A Value Penguin report finds Louisiana has the second highest auto insurance rates at an average of $327 a month, yet premiums are down three percent and drivers can save up to 34% by shopping; (lowest rates are in Sarepta and Hornbeck while Arabi and New Orleans remain highest).

A Loyola University professor helped secure a federal ruling on Monday that lets songwriters reclaim worldwide copyright ownership, upholding Cyril Vetter's claim to his 1963 hit Double Shot - Of My Baby's Love.

The decision may change how music contracts are written.

Chevron's lawyers will argue before the Supreme Court on Monday for a federal venue as they seek to move the $744.6 million coastal damages case away from the state court that handled the Plaquemines Parish ruling + local officials say state courts have the local expertise to interpret environmental law.

Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center now offers histotripsy, a non-invasive ultrasound treatment for liver tumors in eligible patients.

The outpatient procedure breaks down tumors with minimal damage for a quicker recovery.

The historic Touro Shakspeare site in Algiers broke ground on a $26M renovation to convert a long-vacant almshouse into 52 affordable one-bedroom apartments for seniors.

Construction is underway with completion expected in early 2027 (meeting urgent housing needs while preserving its historic legacy).

The New Orleans Saints have officially extended their lease at the Superdome through 2035, ratified by the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District Board today.

City and state leaders are set to bid for Super Bowl LXV in early 2031 (competition includes Nashville, Charlotte, Denver, and Washington DC).

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.

Hadestown

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Saenger Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience a captivating musical journey to the underworld where myth and music intertwine.

Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Le Petit Theatre — Ticket prices vary — A whimsical comedy about a novelist haunted by a ghost after a séance goes awry.

DUG: Folk Duo Performance

7-10 p.m. — The Broadside — Ticket prices vary — Experience the unique blend of American and Irish folk with DUG's captivating storytelling and humorous lyrics.

Marlon Jordan Quartet Performance

5-9 p.m. — Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro — Enjoy happy hour with the Marlon Jordan Quartet, a dynamic musical experience rooted in New Orleans jazz.

Brahms Symphony No. 1

12-2 p.m. — Orpheum Theater New Orleans — $15 — Experience a live orchestra rehearsal and gain insights from the musicians and conductor about the performance.