Good morning, New Orleans.

USDA cuts have eliminated 1.2 million meals from food banks in 23 parishes—leaving local residents facing growing hunger; food banks now rely on community donations—with concerns that summer break will further strain resources.

Attorney Charlie Thomas, who once worked at Bayou Bicycles, bought the long-standing shop in summer and partnered with nonprofit Bike Easy — now in the shop’s upstairs office — to build a New Orleans cycling hub while boosting rental and used-bike programs without blending his separate bike law practice.

NOPD reported a young girl was found alone near Chef Menteur Highway and Sherwood Drive around 7 a.m. Tuesday and is now working to locate her family by asking anyone with information to call the Special Victim's Unit at (504) 658-5267.

On May 2nd, a New Orleans officer fatally shot Gregory Williams outside a Walmart after Williams awoke from Narcan treatment during an overdose and drove his car into a pedestrian+ both the officer and the pedestrian were hospitalized.

This year's Jazz Fest in New Orleans drew 460,000 fans—about eight percent fewer than last year—and featured performances by local music stars and national acts like Lil Wayne and Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

Proceeds from the festival go toward education, economic development, and cultural enrichment—its 2026 dates are set for April 23—26 and April 30—May 3.

New Orleans high school students at Sci High are building three portable solar generators (each 5,000 watts) to provide clean energy during outages caused by disasters.

The students trained with We Share Solar and the Footprint Project in a four-week STEM program and will install the mobile microgrids in May (boosting local resilience).

A decades-old oil well in Plaquemines Parish leaked crude into Louisiana wetlands and federal teams are cleaning up 79,000 gallons of oily water near Garden Island Bay—Spectrum OpCo is investigating the cause while the U.S. Coast Guard and NOAA work to protect the local ecosystem.

New Orleans residents are preparing for a multi-day flood event as a Flood Watch remains in effect until Thursday 7 p.m.—rainfall of 3 to 6 inches with locally higher totals is forecast and flash flooding is likely.

The city advises everyone to avoid flood waters and move vehicles to higher ground—following safety steps outlined for flood events.

After a series of fatal crashes, New Orleans officials launched a new road safety initiative called Safe Streets for All to make roads safer for drivers and pedestrians.

The city is asking residents to share their feedback via a survey open until June 20 and will host a Safety and Mobility Summit on May 17 at 10 a.m. at University Medical Center's Conference Center on Canal Street.

October London Concert

8:00 – 9:30 PM — Saenger Theatre — Tickets starting at $81 — Experience an electrifying evening with October London in New Orleans.

Spring Music Festival

11 a.m. - 6 p.m. — Zony Mash Beer Project — Free entry for under 18 — Celebrate the talent of young musicians with diverse performances across genres.

Mother's Day Brunch

10 a.m. — The Pelican Club — Starting at $76 — Treat Mom to a memorable 3-course brunch with diverse options for everyone.

Doug Jones Author Talk and Book Signing

6-8 p.m. — Baldwin & Co. coffee + bookstore — Ticket required — Debut author Doug Jones discusses his gripping novel on displacement and identity set against the backdrop of the 1996 Olympics.

Smino Concert

8:00 – 9:30 PM — Joy Theater — Tickets from $40 — Catch Smino live in an electrifying night of hip-hop at Joy Theater.

NOCCA Spring Jazz Ensemble Concert

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro — Tickets required — Experience a showcase of New Orleans' talented young musicians led by renowned pianist Michael Pellera.

George Porter Jr Concert

8-10 p.m. — Tipitina's — Tickets starting at $27 — Enjoy a night of vibrant music from a legendary New Orleans musician.

BLERDFEST! 2025

11 AM – 6 PM — McDonogh 35 College Preparatory High School — Cost not specified — Immerse yourself in a celebration of fandoms at the Gulf Coast's First & Only Black Nerd Festival.

Open House on Chef Menteur Highway

2-4 p.m. — Chef Menteur Highway, New Orleans — Listed at $450,000 — Explore this stunning waterfront retreat with modern upgrades and gorgeous lake views.

Salon Supper Club at NOMA

6-9 p.m. — New Orleans Museum of Art — $250 — Indulge in a culinary journey with progressive food stations inspired by art while enjoying live Cajun music.