Good morning, New Orleans.

The New Orleans Book Festival is underway and Black-owned bookstores Baldwin and Company (one of only two in town) and Community Book Center are urging visitors to explore community spaces beyond festival grounds.

They host author talks and serve as cultural hubs with a rich tradition of community support.

On Thursday, Mar. 12, a 30-inch water main on Willow Street in Uptown burst around 1 p.m., flooding nearby streets and Tulane campus while forcing a daycare to dismiss students early (city crews expect repairs to take up to three days following installation of a temporary valve).

Lefort’s Seafood marked its expansion into Marrero on March 11 when it reopened the former Sal’s Seafood building (a longtime local favorite) with funding from JEDCO and Home Bank.

The family run restaurant now employs nearly 50 people across two locations while continuing its local seafood tradition on the Westbank.

Lilly’s Cafe will open its second location at 3329 Magazine Street after the City Council approved a permit on Thursday to end a five-year delay.

Owner Lilly Vuong will offer a revamped menu featuring creative dishes and street food that highlight Vietnamese culture.

New Orleans & Company announced that the city will host Americas qualifying competitions for both the Bocuse d’Or and Pastry World Cup at the Ernest N.

Morial Convention Center. Eight teams from North and South America will compete with challenges like reinventing the American pecan tart.

Festival organizers announced Bayou Boogaloo will move from Bayou St. John to a new venue in 2026, with further details on the relocation to be shared soon.

At a March 10 board meeting, Lycee Francais International de la Louisiane reported a 17.5% enrollment drop that has led to an $835,000 deficit and over $300,000 in legal fees after issuing cease and desist letters to critics.

The school will expand with a new Lafayette campus opening in fall.

After a $3.6 million renovation, the nearly century-old building at 2533 Columbus St. in the Bayou Road neighborhood now serves as the KID smART Center for Arts and Education.

The transformed 10,700 sqft facility (formerly a parish hall) expands arts-integrated programs by over 250% for students and teachers.

Two new bills by Sen. Royce Duplessis could let the Sewerage & Water Board use $152 million in federal funds to replace lead pipes on private property.

The proposals, one for a constitutional amendment and one for a law change, are set for legislative review.

Sen. Robert Allain’s bill (SB 244) proposes a new recreational alligator season that lets anyone enter a $50 lottery for up to two tags using hook and line catch only; the season will start October 1 in areas south of Interstate 10 if approved.

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins (on Fox 8’s Morning Edition) said the administration eased visa rules to help Louisiana crawfish and shrimp farmers.

The agency already changed the H-2A program and plans to adjust other visa rules to address labor shortages for aquaculture operations.

The Savannah Bananas will play two Banana Ball games against the Party Animals at the Caesars Superdome on March 14 and 15, with free YouTube streaming and tickets starting at $40 + Meet and Greet options available.

The Pelicans beat the Raptors 122-111 in New Orleans — with Trey Murphy III scoring 28 and Dejounte Murray adding 27 points.

They won back-to-back games and will face the Houston Rockets tomorrow.

Big Easy Blues Fest

7:00-8:30 p.m. — UNO Lakefront Arena — Mobile ticket delivery — Enjoy live performances from top blues artists in a vibrant New Orleans atmosphere.

Khamari Concert

7:00 – 8:30 PM — House of Blues New Orleans — Tickets from $56 — Catch last-minute concert tickets for Khamari at this vibrant venue.

NCTM 2026 Spring Conference

12 AM — Sheraton New Orleans — Registration required — National gathering for mathematics educators exploring strategies and practices in a vibrant setting.

Brian Sella Concert

6-10 p.m. — House of Blues New Orleans — Ages 18+ with valid ID — Enjoy a live performance by Brian Sella and Emperor X at this iconic venue.

Lawrence Sieberth & Brad Walker Concert

5-9 p.m. — Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro — Cost info unavailable — Experience the captivating sounds of two jazz masters in the heart of New Orleans.

ASIPP 28th Annual Meeting

8 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Hilton New Orleans Riverside — Registration fee varies — Attend the conference focused on interventional pain management and connect with peers in the field.

Continental Drifters Concert

8-10:30 p.m. — The Broadside — Ticket prices TBA — Enjoy classic hits and harmonious vibes from a celebrated Vermilion lineup returning to New Orleans.

Alejandro Canales & Geovane Paiva Santos Concert

4:30-8:30 p.m. — Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro — Cost varies — Experience the smooth sounds of seasoned saxophonist Alejandro Canales and Geovane Paiva Santos during a vibrant concert.

Phil Degruy & Sasha Elliahna Durta Concert

4:30-8:30 p.m. — Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro — Check for ticket prices — Enjoy a vibrant happy hour concert featuring the unique musical blend of Phil Degruy and Sasha Elliahna Durta.

Charmaine Neville Band Performance

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro — Ticket required — Experience the captivating sound of Charmaine Neville's rich voice in the vibrant New Orleans jazz scene.