New
in New Orleans
Saturday, September 20th, 2025
Good morning, New Orleans. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 20th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ A busy slate of local events unfolds in New Orleans as Big Freedia will perform a mashup of symphonic sound and bounce energy with the Louisiana Philharmonic on Sept 26 at the Orpheum Theater—today a haunted house in Jefferson opens its Harvest and Blood Shed attractions through Nov 8. Other offerings include a garden-to-glass cocktail competition at the WWII Museum on Sept 24, a Joan of Arc conference at the Old Ursulines Convent on Sept 27, and a ghost-hunting workshop at St. John Theatre on Oct 25, along with several concerts, lectures, film screenings and fundraisers in the coming weeks. NOLA.com
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Arthur Hardy, founder of the Mardi Gras Guide, announced that the 2026 edition will be his last as he retires to enjoy more time traveling with his wife and grandchildren—he launched the guide in 1977 and it is now published by Georges Media. WWL-TV
- ➤ Thousands of Hispanics in New Orleans are celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15—though a festival in the French Market District was canceled because of budget cuts and immigration policy changes, its music series continues with events planned throughout the month. Que Pasa fest will take place on Oct. 11 and 12 despite earlier sponsor pullouts. WDSU
- ➤ New Orleans will host its first-ever Yoga Festival from Sept. 25 to 28 at Republic NOLA and ARORA NOLA in the central business district. The festival will offer yoga classes, live music, a local artisan market and community health talks while tickets are on sale now — all ages and skill levels are welcome. WDSU
- ➤ The Global Diaspora Celebration in New Orleans will feature original compositions by emerging musicians from the U.S.—with performances from artists in the U.K., Brazil, and the Bahamas. WWL-TV
- ➤ Innocence and Justice Louisiana awarded the Historic New Orleans Collection HNOC the 2025 John Thompson Award for Courage and Justice on Sept 13 for its exhibition Captive State: Louisiana and the Making of Mass Incarceration that showed links between slavery and mass incarceration to over 25,000 visitors from July 19 to Feb 16— a related book will be available for preorder starting Oct 1. Biz New Orleans
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Tulane University researchers learned that New Orleans brown anoles have blood lead levels far above safe limits for people, and the lizards show signs of adapting to long-lasting lead pollution (the highest levels recorded in wildlife). The study may help scientists understand lead poisoning and how animals change in urban environments. The Lens
- ➤ New Orleans and nearby areas have seen little rain as nearly 45% of the state remains abnormally dry, leaving lawns and porch plants withering according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Forecasters say rain may briefly return Tuesday and Wednesday — a short break before dry fronts keep conditions largely unchanged over the next three months. NOLA.com
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it will build an underwater sill in the Mississippi River near Myrtle Grove to block saltwater from moving upriver from the Gulf. Officials said the saltwater wedge is expected to reach River Mile 80 Above Head of Passes — triggering construction that will take about two weeks once the contract is awarded. WWL-TV
- ➤ MSY is inviting locals to watch an online video and send in feedback on its 20-year Master Plan Update from Sept. 18 to Oct. 1 — the plan shows that the airport may add 15 gates and other improvements to handle more passengers and ensure safety while considering the environment. This update builds on work since 2019 and outlines a phased approach to meet future travel needs. Biz New Orleans
- ➤ Louisiana’s public worker health insurance spent $200M a year on GL‑1 drugs like Ozempic even though it does not cover obesity treatment—new pharmacy benefit manager contracts were approved to boost transparency on rising prescriptions. Lawmakers discussed switching to cheaper compounded versions while the FDA warned about their safety. New Orleans City Business
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ John Ochsner Heart & Vascular Institute in New Orleans today said it is the first in Louisiana to use AI-powered technology — made by Volta — that helps doctors study 3D heart maps during catheter ablation to treat atrial fibrillation. Biz New Orleans
- ➤ The Emergency Nurses Association brought nearly 4,000 nurses and 800 exhibitors together at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for its annual conference, which runs from Sept. 17 until today—offering over 100 sessions and workshops to tackle problems like understaffing and workplace violence. Biz New Orleans
- ➤ Agencies began testing seafood Thursday to check if contaminants from the Smitty's Supply fire last month have affected fish from the Tangipahoa River and Lake Pontchartrain. Labs will analyze samples for heavy metals and petroleum-related hydrocarbons and share the first results in two weeks—seafood from Bayou Lacombe remains unaffected. WDSU
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Destin Conrad - Love On Digital Tour
7-8:30 p.m. — House of Blues New Orleans — Tickets range from $37 to $162 — Enjoy an electrifying evening with rising star Destin Conrad live on stage.
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Walter Trout Band Live Performance
7:30-9:30 p.m. — New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market — Ticketed event — Experience the blues mastery of Walter Trout in a vibrant local setting.
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Raphael Saadiq Live
8:00-9:30 PM — Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts — Tickets vary — Experience Grammy-winning artist Raphael Saadiq in a night of soulful music.
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Shinyribs Performance
9 PM – 12 AM — Chickie Wah Wah — Tables for four available — Enjoy a lively night with Shinyribs in a vibrant local atmosphere.
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Heart N Hands Love Your Heart Gala
The Heart N Hands Love Your Heart Gala takes place Saturday, September 27 at the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans. This unforgettable evening will bring together community partners, supporters, and advocates for a night filled with purpose and passion. Guests will enjoy a VIP Patron Party, live entertainment, auctions, and a celebration of heart health that truly makes a difference.
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Giacomo Turra Live Performance
8-11 p.m. — Chickie Wah Wah — Ticket prices not listed — Experience the groove-heavy rhythms of Italian guitarist Giacomo Turra in a night of funk and fun.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Everyone you admire started as a version of themselves that they didn't admire.
~ James Clear
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