New
in New Orleans
Wednesday, April 15th, 2026
Good morning, New Orleans. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 15th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ More than 2,000 Entergy customers in the French Quarter remain without power today; utility crews expect to restore service by 6 p.m. WWL-TV
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Local hotels expect occupancy to exceed 90% on Friday + Saturday nights during French Quarter Festival weekend, signaling strong spring tourism demand. Conventions and group business further boost local bookings for a busy event period. Biz New Orleans
- ➤ Kenji Kazoku, an upscale Japanese restaurant serving dry-aged seafood and sushi cooked over binchotan charcoal, will open April 29 at 2929 Metairie Road in Old Metairie. The venue will begin with dinner service + plans to add lunch later. New Orleans City Business
- ➤ Saks Fifth Avenue at Canal Place closed Wednesday after 40 years — marking the end of a local luxury shopping tradition as clearance sales gave loyal shoppers a bittersweet farewell. NOLA.com
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Pfister Sisters will headline the Third Sunday Concert at Christ Episcopal Church in Covington on April 19 at 5 p.m.—accompanied by Matt Rhody and Amasa Miller and featuring traditional New Orleans jazz with a reception to follow. NOLA.com
- ➤ New Orleans leaders presented a safety plan for French Quarter Fest and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, adding police, parking enforcement & medical teams while closing key streets. French Quarter Fest will run Thursday through Sunday and Jazz Fest will follow over the next two weekends. WRNO
- ➤ Northshore artist and arts educator Gail Hood will be honored with a retrospective of her life's work at the Atrium Gallery in Covington. An opening reception is scheduled for April 25 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.—the exhibition will run through May 30. NOLA.com
- ➤ The Ogden Museum is showcasing the iconic King and Queen Zulu ceremonial garments to offer a rare up-close look at a key Mardi Gras tradition; visitors can view the exhibit now at the museum. WWL-TV
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ New Orleans East residents have experienced a persistent rotten egg smell from a sewage leak in the Dwyer Canal, sparking health concerns and community frustration. Officials say the Sewerage and Water Board is monitoring the issue while residents plan a community meeting on Apr. 29 to discuss next steps. WDSU
- ➤ Applications for 2026 tree planting grants opened on April 13 for nonprofit groups to apply by May 15. The $146,500 fund will provide grants from $15,000 to $25,000 to support the city’s plan to plant 40,000 trees by 2030 (details discussed in the April 28 webinar). New Orleans City Business
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ A Path of Remembrance gathering will take place in Covington at LOPA Donor Memorial Park on April 18 (10 a.m.-11 a.m.) to honor donor heroes for organ and tissue donations, with family-friendly events for children and other activities. It is free to attend with advance registration requested. NOLA.com
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ City Planning Commission approved a zoning change for the Omni hotel that allows its 27-story tower to reach 336 feet and house 1,000 rooms near the convention center in the Warehouse District. City Council approval is now needed before construction starts in 2027 and the hotel opens in 2030. NOLA.com
- ➤ New Orleans has reached a deal with private developers to demolish the abandoned Lindy Boggs Mercy Hospital in Mid-City this summer. An $11.5 million bond investment will fund the tear down as plans for a mixed-use development with housing, retail & office space move toward construction in early 2027. WWL-TV
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Former LSU star Flau'jae Johnson was drafted 8th overall by Golden State Valkyries and traded an hour later to Seattle Storm (Golden State received Marta Suarez and a 2028 pick), making her the 10th LSU first-rounder and marking the third straight year LSU posted a Tiger taken in the draft. WDSU
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French Quarter Festival 2026
11 AM - 8 PM — House of Blues New Orleans — $449+ — Experience the vibrant culture of New Orleans with exclusive VIP amenities at the French Quarter Festival.
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Justin Hayward: The Story In Your Eyes Tour
8-9:30 p.m. — Orpheum Theater New Orleans — Tickets available — Experience the iconic music of Justin Hayward live in New Orleans.
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Grayson Brockamp's Wildlife Duo Concert
4:30-6 p.m. — Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro — Free entry — Enjoy a lively happy hour concert featuring local talent in a vibrant setting.
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Bored Teachers Comedy Tour: Is It Friday Yet?!
3-6 p.m. — Orpheum Theater New Orleans — Tickets available — Experience hilarious teacher-comedy that resonates with anyone involved in education.
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ASI Show fASIlitate 2026 New Orleans
Apr 20-23 — The Windsor Court — Registration required — A premier hosted-buyer event fostering meaningful connections in the promotional products industry.
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John 'Papa' Gros Solo Performance
6:30-7:30 p.m. — Ellis Marsalis Center for Music — $15 General Admission, $45 Reserved, $5 Student — Experience the vibrant sound of New Orleans through the music of John 'Papa' Gros.
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Jill Butler's Joyride
5-6 p.m. — Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro — Free entry — Enjoy a delightful happy hour concert featuring Jill Butler's Joyride.
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Candlelight Concert - Neo-Soul Favorites
6-7 p.m. — Hotel Peter and Paul — Tickets required — Experience a magical evening with the sounds of neo-soul in a stunning atmosphere.
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King Tuff Live with Morgan Nagler
7:30-9 p.m. — Gasa Gasa — Ticket info not provided — Enjoy a night of nostalgic tunes as King Tuff performs with Morgan Nagler.
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The Iguanas Live Performance
4:30-6:00 p.m. — Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro — Free entry — Enjoy a happy hour concert featuring The Iguanas in a vibrant New Orleans venue.
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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.
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