New
in New Orleans
Wednesday, January 21st, 2026
Good morning, New Orleans. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 21st of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ WWL-TV launched an afternoon newscast hosted by evening anchor Devin Bartolotta—she began the weekday 4 p.m. broadcast Monday following Family Feud at 3 p.m. Bartolotta brings award-winning local reporting to the expanded schedule. NOLA.com
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Spirit Airlines will expand service at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport this February by resuming nonstop flights from Charlotte and Miami from Feb. 12 to Feb. 18 and increasing daily flights from Fort Lauderdale and Orlando ahead of Mardi Gras. Biz New Orleans
- ➤ Capital flows into startups are increasing in Louisiana due to private investment, federal funding programs and a growing network of state-backed initiatives (including events like New Orleans Entrepreneur Week and the 3rd Coast Venture Summit in March). Biz New Orleans
- ➤ Thien Nguyen and Brian Tran opened a new franchise of The Brothers That Just Do Gutters in New Orleans, offering professional gutter installation, repair, and maintenance to meet growing home service demand. New Orleans City Business
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Family Gras returns Feb. 6 and 7 in Jefferson Parish at Lakeside Shopping Center in Metairie, featuring GRAMMY-winning Lady A, Gin Blossoms and Uncle Kracker. Saturday also offers a Mardi Gras Classic 5K race and a kids' half-mile race. WWL-TV
- ➤ WYES will premiere a new documentary on Arthur Hardy’s 50-year Mardi Gras career on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. on WYES-TV — it will also stream live online via wyes.org/live and the PBS app, featuring insights from Hardy’s family, friends and colleagues. Biz New Orleans
- ➤ Local businesses are unveiling Carnival+themed offerings as Mardi Gras season ramps up. Gris-Gris revives its King Cake Daiquiri for pre-orders, Saint John reintroduces VIP parade passes in the French Quarter, and the NOCCA Foundation’s limited-run king cake program runs Jan. 19 to 29. Biz New Orleans
- ➤ NBC reporter Char Adams' new book, Black-Owned: The Revolutionary Life of the Black Bookstore, details how radical bookstores became safe spaces for ideas; it shows how local stores like Baldwin and Co. and Community Book Center grew from a dozen to about 130 since the 1960s, offering hope amid chaos. Verite News
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Viking Attachments will invest $160K to expand production of its VMV Series vibratory pile drivers and add 38 jobs at its 146 Taylor Road facility in Morgan City — the full-scale upgrade will complete by March 2026 as the company transitions from pilot operations to meet national demand. Biz New Orleans
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ The Hakim family acquired 400 Poydras Tower from Hertz Investment Group in downtown New Orleans, expanding their office holdings on Poydras Street. The 32-story building closed on Oct. 6 and boosts their growing presence in the central business district. NOLA.com
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Tulane added quarterback Zeon Criss through the transfer portal last Friday to bolster its competition. New head coach Will Hall said Criss will vie with returning starter Caden Somanza and three young prospects as spring football kicks off March 9. Fox 8
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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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Blue House Music Presents CHA WA!
2-5 p.m. — The Broadside — $15 for adults, free for kids — Experience a lively Carnival season show with the Grammy-nominated Mardi Gras Indian group Cha Wa.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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Reveal the authorAbout New in New Orleans
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