New
in New Orleans
Tuesday, January 20th, 2026
Good morning, New Orleans. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 20th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ City Park Conservancy invites local volunteers to serve on National Day of Service at City Park; the event will offer hands-on tasks in community improvements and is scheduled for a future date, so interested residents should review guidelines for shifts & roles. Fox 8
- ➤ Residents in Hollygrove have long raised concerns about dark, bumpy streets, and new road repair projects plus plans to install solar street lights are underway under Councilwoman Aimee McCarron's guidance following Monday's community meeting. WDSU
- ➤ New Orleans community leaders & residents honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 19 with a march from New Zion Baptist Church & an interfaith service that recalled his role in founding the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Leaders spoke on unity & the fight to overcome division. Fox 8
- ➤ The Chamber of Commerce will host the 7th annual Power Up Women’s Leadership Conference on March 13 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, offering over a dozen sessions, two keynotes, and a networking happy hour (registration costs $270). Biz New Orleans
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Jefferson Parish officials announced a free, two-day Family Gras with concerts and carnival at Mardi Gras Plaza across from Lakeside Mall on Feb. 6-7. The lineup features Heartbreakers Jukebox, Karen Waldrup, Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone, Imagination Movers, The Rocketmen, Uncle Kracker, Gin Blossoms and Lady A. WDSU
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ The Idea Village’s 3rd Coast Venture Summit runs March 10 to 12 in New Orleans. National investors, local founders, and ecosystem builders will join panels, networking sessions, and showcases to explore venture capital trends and regional opportunities in AI (logistics and industrial tech). Biz New Orleans
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ New Orleans East Hospital partnered with The Center for Literacy & Learning and unveiled a book vending machine in its Emergency Department today to give free books to children after treatment. Hospital leaders hope the machine will help combat book deserts by encouraging literacy among local families. Biz New Orleans
- ➤ The Mystical Order of the Phoenix announced its 2026 scholarships awarding $1,000 each to Flames of the Future winners (Mackenzie Venable from Frederick Douglass, Sophia Dusang from Northshore, and Beija Lopes-Morgan from Mandeville) who will ride in the Spartan Society Parade on Feb. 7. NOLA.com
- ➤ A state audit found that NOLA Public Schools’ overly-optimistic revenue projections led to a $41 million shortfall last year — forcing the district to use reserve funds. The report recommended better data sharing between the school board and city to improve future forecasting. NOLA.com
- ➤ Dillard University continues to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1959 baccalaureate address at Lawless Chapel—showing how his call for a complete life still inspires education and justice on campus. Verite News
- ➤ On Jan. 10, UQ-Ochsner honored 83 incoming medical students with its 16th annual White Coat Ceremony that marked the start of their clinical training in New Orleans. The event featured a welcoming reception and oath recitation that stressed compassionate care (a signature element of the tradition). Biz New Orleans
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Tuesday morning brings freezing lows on the Northshore (upper 20s to low 30s) and near 40 in the metro, with temperatures reaching about 60 in the afternoon. Forecasts predict a warm up between Wednesday and Friday and a potential southern winter storm with rain showers expected from Saturday night to Sunday. WDSU
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Mayor Helena Moreno invites New Orleans residents to volunteer in community projects across the city today after inclement weather delayed her planned service day before inauguration. Participants can join projects in their council districts to help address local challenges. WWL-TV
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center in New Orleans began reorganizing cancer research programs + clinical trials operations statewide one year into its push for National Cancer Institute designation as cancer rates in Louisiana remain more than 40% above national levels. Biz New Orleans
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Jambalaya Soccer Academy in Kenner delayed reopening its youth soccer program after fewer than 10 kids attended practice as parents remain fearful following a recent Border Patrol operation. The academy, which enrolls over 120 children, will address team and health concerns before resuming practices. WWL-TV
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Cajun Music Celebration with Bruce Daigrepont
5:15-7:15 p.m. — Tipitina's — Tickets starting at $21.83 — Experience the rich cultural heritage of Cajun music with Bruce Daigrepont and his band.
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Rebirth Brass Band Performance
9 PM – 12 AM — The Rabbit Hole — Cost not listed — Experience the vibrant energy of New Orleans' brass band revival with the Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band.
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Mardi Gras 2026 Balcony and Viewing Stand Tickets
6 PM – 3 PM, Feb 6-17 — Blake Hotel New Orleans, BW Signature Collection — Ticket prices vary — Experience the vibrant Mardi Gras parades from the comfort of a prime balcony spot.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The first draft of anything is garbage.
~ Ernest Hemingway
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