New
in New Orleans
Friday, April 3rd, 2026
Good morning, New Orleans. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 3rd of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Four New Orleans public libraries are closed right now — leaving neighborhoods without a spot to borrow books or charge devices. Officials have not yet provided a date for reopening. WWL-TV
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Elmer Chocolate — a Ponchatoula confectionery founded in 1850 and now owned by a Florida family — asks customers to help design a new Easter candy flavor as it embraces innovation amid ongoing economic shifts. WDSU
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ A 10-year-old from Kenner built a LEGO model of Artemis II that is on display in the Kenner Planetarium lobby to celebrate Wednesday’s rocket launch on a 10-day mission around the moon. Visitors will see the display on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. WDSU
- ➤ Today at Dooky Chase in Treme, residents gather to celebrate Holy Thursday with Gumbo Z'herbes while Archbishop James Checchio eats his first bowl during his inaugural Holy Week. The meal serves until 3 p.m. and upholds a cherished culinary tradition. WDSU
- ➤ Local makers celebrate National DIY Day on April 2 and National Handmade Day on Saturday with creative events across the city. Virginia Hoff will sell her Easter headpieces at Crown & Anchor Pub while Kate Clark displays crafted ceramics at Jazz Fest in Bywater. WWL-TV
- ➤ Gayle Benson toured the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris on March 26, 2026, meeting with chief architect Philippe Villenueve and touring the spire with Philippe Jost, which highlighted cultural ties as she now leads renovations at St. Louis Cathedral (preserving local heritage). New Orleans City Business
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ LCMC Health increased its minimum wage to $15 per hour on March 17 for about 400 support staff (a 30% raise from $7.25), fueling local discussions on fair pay and economic challenges. Biz New Orleans
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Laureate Academy Charter School in Harvey bought its campus last month from the Archdiocese of New Orleans, ending nearly a decade of renting (with a six-acre plot and six buildings) and setting the stage to expand extracurricular offerings for its 550 students. NOLA.com
- ➤ The University of New Orleans announced academic program changes as it transitions to LSU New Orleans. The updates, affecting less than 2% of students, include restructuring and teach-out plans to support degree completion — a move designed to align education with workforce needs and long-term growth. Biz New Orleans
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport is preparing for busy Easter travel as officials told city council that TSA staffing is nearly back to normal amid a government shutdown that had caused long waits. Travelers (arrive two hours early) are advised before their flights. WDSU
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Residents in New Orleans East now have a more convenient non-emergency care option as The Complete Care Urgent Center opens on Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 8030 Crowder Blvd, offering prompt treatment for common health issues. Biz New Orleans
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ A parish housing study shows St. Tammany must build 11,500 to 17,300 new homes by 2030 to keep pace with rising jobs and a 46,609-person growth since 2010, while highlighting affordability issues and a need for more residential permits + stronger planning. NOLA.com
-
McNeese State Cowboys vs. New Orleans Privateers Baseball
2-5 p.m. — Privateer Park — Ticket prices vary — Experience an exciting Southland Conference baseball showdown in the heart of New Orleans.
-
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Orlando Magic
6:00 – 8:15 p.m. — Smoothie King — Ticket prices vary — Experience the high-energy matchup between the Pelicans and Magic at home.
-
ZZ Top Concert
8:00-9:30 p.m. — Saenger Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate classic rock with ZZ Top's electrifying performance in New Orleans.
-
The Wards: All Strings Attached
6:30-8 p.m. — Ellis Marsalis Center for Music — Ticket details TBA — Enjoy a multigenerational live jazz and funk experience led by a family of violinists.
-
Roadway7 Live at The Howlin' Wolf
7-11 p.m. — The Howlin' Wolf — Ticketed event — Enjoy an eclectic mix of rock and folk-rock from emerging New Orleans bands Roadway7, The Cicadas, and Collections.
-
Ciara Elise Album Release Show
9:30 p.m. — Gasa Gasa — $8 — Celebrate the release of Ciara Elise's new album with an energizing performance.
-
Hondo Rodeo Fest featuring Jason Aldean and Lynyrd Skynyrd
2:30-8 p.m. — Caesars Superdome — Friday Pass Only — Celebrate Western culture with music and rodeo excitement.
-
Leonid & Friends Live in Concert
8-9:30 p.m. — Orpheum Theater New Orleans — Tickets available — Experience the musical magic of Leonid and Friends' renditions of Chicago's legendary hits.
-
Anna Laura Quinn Live Performance
4:30-8:30 p.m. — Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro — Free entry — Enjoy a happy hour concert with Anna Laura Quinn.
-
Pump Action Co-Headline Tour
9 p.m. — Gasa Gasa — $15 — Experience the high-energy funk rock of Pump Action and The Retrograde with soaring guitar solos and engaging grooves.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A happy person isn't someone who's happy all the time. It's someone who effortlessly interprets events in a way that benefits them.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout New in New Orleans
Welcome to the New in New Orleans, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the New Orleans, Louisiana community. If you like the New in New Orleans, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in New Orleans.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in New Orleans and across Louisiana. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to New in New Orleans
A free New Orleans community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://newinneworleans.com/sitemap