Good morning, New Orleans.

Taylor Hickman, event manager at the New Orleans Ernest N.

Morial Convention Center, was named to the International Association of Venue Managers’ 30 Under 30 Class of 2025—she will be honored at VenueConnect 2025 in July in New Orleans and has managed major events such as Super Bowl LIX, Bocuse d’Or and the National Veterans Wheelchair Games.

CVS Caremark faces a class-action lawsuit from Broussard, David & Moroux for allegedly sending political texts to Louisiana residents urging them to oppose a pharmacy benefit manager bill — the texts reportedly used confidential patient information in violation of privacy laws — and some customers received messages that local stores might close after House Bill 258 passed.

New Orleans police are investigating two separate shootings: one near St. Roch where a man died at the scene around 8:35 p.m. Wednesday at the corner of North Prieur and Franklin Avenue, and another in Central City where a man was taken to a hospital at 3:45 a.m. Thursday & no suspects have been identified.

Crime in New Orleans has dropped almost two-and-a-half times faster than the national average as GNO Inc. President and CEO Michael Hecht said the NOPD under Chief Anne Kirkpatrick is handling its officer shortage—helping the city stay safer.

New Orleans police say a suspect involved in a shoplifting incident at Walmart on Tchoupitoulas began stabbing himself in the neck with two knives at 10:30 a.m.—officers tried to subdue him with a taser before he was taken to a hospital where he died.

Retired Dillard University history professor Eva Baham—leading the Cultural Repatriation Committee—researched 19 skulls taken from Charity Hospital in 1871 that were held in Germany for over 150 years and identified 17 individuals using records from the New Orleans Public Library.

The team held a commemorative service at Dillard University’s Lawless Chapel on May 31 and plans to continue researching local ancestry.

New Orleans celebrated the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth yesterday as local festivals featured live music, parades, and community gatherings at Louis Armstrong Park and other venues.

Tonight, residents will attend events including the Freedom Gala at André Cailloux Center — a festive tribute to a historic day.

The Financial Wellness Collaborative — led by Propeller, Thrive New Orleans and Fund 17 — received a $1M investment from JPMorganChase to expand assistance for local small businesses seeking better access to capital.

The program has already helped 366 businesses secure over $2M in loans and will work to secure up to $5M and create new jobs by 2026.

MISO and Entergy testified before the Public Service Commission on Wednesday about a Memorial Day weekend outage that left 100,000 customers without power in New Orleans.

They explained the quick load shedding procedures they followed and will reveal the outage’s root causes and plans for improved communication at an August meeting — a requirement by the commission.

The Sewerage and Water Board is revamping its power system—crews work to upgrade pumps for more efficient operation ahead of hurricane season.

The department remains optimistic that these improvements will better support storm preparedness.

Ala Jaza Live Performance

10 PM — Empire — Ticket prices vary — Experience an electrifying live show by Ala Jaza in the heart of New Orleans.

Musical Encounters

6:00 – 6:30 PM — New Orleans Museum of Art — Free for Louisiana residents — Experience intimate performances and conversations with musicians about their creative processes.

The Soul Rebels Live Performance

11 PM – 2 AM — Le Bon Temps Roule — Check website for ticket info — Experience the vibrant sound of The Soul Rebels at this iconic New Orleans venue.

The Dancing Pixel Party

7-9 p.m. — Cafe Istanbul — $10 admission — Celebrate animated GIFs, collage, and dancing in a vibrant community gathering.

Dinosaurs on the Moon: Stories from the World of Collage

7-9 p.m. — Cafe Istanbul — $10 — Experience an evening of storytelling, poetry, and collage with laughter and creativity.

Honey Revenge Concert

6:00 – 10:30 PM — House of Blues New Orleans — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a night of vibrant pop-rock from Los Angeles' rising stars, Honey Revenge.

Essence Music Festival - 4 Day Pass

July 3-6 — Caesars Superdome — Day passes and 3-day weekend packages available — Celebrate Black excellence with a star-studded lineup and vibrant marketplace at ESSENCE Fest.

New Orleans 4th of July Fireworks Celebration

9 p.m. — Riverwalk Outlets — Free entry — Experience a dazzling fireworks display over the Mississippi River with patriotic tunes during this vibrant celebration.

Essence Festival - Saturday

7-10 p.m. — Caesars Superdome — Check website for ticket info — Enjoy performances from iconic artists including Boyz II Men and a special tribute to Quincy Jones.

Essence Festival - Sunday

6-10 p.m. — Caesars Superdome — Check event page for pricing — Experience a star-studded lineup featuring Boyz II Men, Nas, and a tribute to Quincy Jones.