New
in New Orleans
Friday, October 17th, 2025
Good morning, New Orleans. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 17th of October.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Smitty’s Supply filed a lawsuit against Fulton Thermal Corp. and J&M Boiler Combustion Control Services after a defective boiler tank exploded and burned its Tangipahoa plant—chemicals spilled into nearby waterways and EPA crews are cleaning up while the company moves storage to Independence. New Orleans City Business
- ➤ Lewis Marine Supply, a marine supplier with a long history, has been named the only U.S. distributor for Seajet, a leader in underwater coatings. The company will use its Gulf Coast warehouses — including one in Belle Chasse — to help boatyards and marinas access the new products. Biz New Orleans
- ➤ Miel Brewery, a small-batch Latina-owned taproom in Irish Channel, won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival on October 11 for its Flor De Jamaica sour ale brewed with hibiscus, pink salt and cinnamon bark — the medal recognizes the brewery's excellence among 273 competitors. Biz New Orleans
- ➤ Louisiana Gateway Port hosted its annual State of the Port Luncheon, partnering with the Plaquemines Association of Business and Industry to share progress in global commerce. More than 100 port commissioners, elected officials and industry leaders attended the event—showing the region’s expanding influence. Biz New Orleans
- ➤ Spirit is cutting two direct flights from Louis Armstrong International Airport to Houston and Las Vegas with the last flights on Dec. 3—additionally, the airline will suspend its service from MSY to O'Hare from Dec. 4 to Jan. 7, extend the suspension of its flight to Raleigh-Durham until March 3, and halt flights to Tegucigalpa from Nov. 6 to Jan. 7. NOLA.com
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ In Carrollton, a resident found a 2,000-year-old headstone carved for a Roman sailor while gardening, and experts from UNO and Tulane confirmed it disappeared from an Italian museum during World War II. Local columnist Jeff Duncan said the Saints must change course after one win and five losses, and writer Chris Turner-Neal discussed his tense Jeopardy game—details shared on Louisiana Considered. WWNO
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Louisiana Economic Development launched a $150M FastSites fund to prepare industrial sites and attract new business investments. Projects must start construction within nine months and applicants must submit their proposals from Oct. 30 to Dec. 15—an informational webinar is set for Oct. 27. New Orleans City Business
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The U.S. Department of Education awarded Loyola University New Orleans $1.3M to boost retention and graduation rates among low-income, first-generation, and disabled students through its TRIO Student Support Services Program—providing $272,000 per year for five years to support 140 students. The grant will help students receive academic tutoring, career guidance, and personal mentoring at the Pan-American Life Student Success Center. Biz New Orleans
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Smitty's Supply took back its Roseland site at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 15 to start cleaning up after an Aug. 22 fire—EPA and state officials still watch the work as the firm hires help to remove harmful chemicals and has already spent over $39 million. Lawsuits are also in play against those blamed for the explosion. WWL-TV
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ New Orleans will soon open five SNAP application assistance centers to help families learn about and apply for benefits—sites include AP Sanchez Service Center, City Hall, Allie Mae Williams Service Center, Edna Pilsbury Health Center and New Orleans East WIC Clinic, each operating on a regular monthly schedule. WWL-TV
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ A Commonwealth Fund report on Medicare in the Gulf South found that Louisiana ranked last on a scorecard using 31 measures, with many seniors skipping care due to cost and receiving low quality treatment. The report, using data from 2023 to 2025, shows that chronic conditions and economic vulnerability pose serious challenges — issues that require policy attention. WWNO
- ➤ New CDC guidance now lets Louisiana residents ages 6 months and older get COVID-19 vaccines at local pharmacies and clinics without a prescription—ending weeks of confusion over access. Local providers like Manning Family Children’s and Ochsner Health are offering the updated shots following the new shared clinical decision-making process. NOLA.com
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ The government shutdown has delayed 1,400 home applications each day in Louisiana as government-backed loans are not being processed. Homes in flood zones cannot sell because the Flood Insurance Program is closed—this will affect buyers and sellers for months. WWL-TV
- ➤ Foreclosure filings rose in south Louisiana during the first half of 2025, with 45 of 64 parishes reporting more filings and areas like Orleans and Jefferson showing increases of 36% and 50% respectively — experts say the rise is due to high insurance costs and overextended buying during the pandemic. State filings increased 24% overall, yet brokers note that current levels remain far below those seen during the Great Recession. NOLA.com
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Louisiana Home Show
10 AM-8 PM — Tanner Gallery & Studio — Free entry — Explore a wide range of home improvement ideas and meet local experts in a vibrant setting.
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Silent Planet / Invent Animate: The Bloom In Heaven Tour Part II
5:30-7 p.m. — House of Blues New Orleans — Ticketed event — Experience the powerful sounds of progressive metalcore from Invent Animate and Silent Planet.
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Ivan Neville Live Concert
8-11 p.m. — Chickie Wah Wah — Tickets starting at $32.61 — Enjoy a lively performance by Ivan Neville in a popular local venue.
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Hippie Sabotage Concert
8:00-9:30 p.m. — Joy Theater — Ticket prices vary — Experience the electronic beats of the Saurer brothers live in New Orleans.
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THIRDSTREAM | Strings & Sax Concert
7:30-10 p.m. — Marigny Opera House — Suggested donation of $25 — Experience a unique blend of strings and saxophone from talented musicians across Chicago and New Orleans.
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Emo Night Karaoke
8-9:30 p.m. — Gasa Gasa — Signups available — Sing your heart out live with a band at this fun karaoke night dedicated to emo music.
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Authors in the Haunted City - NOLA
6 PM - 12 AM — Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Qtr - Astor — Ticket prices vary — Immerse in the spooky ambiance with authors and a masquerade ball in the Big Easy.
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World Ballet: Cinderella
6-7:30 p.m. — Orpheum Theater New Orleans — Tickets required — Witness the enchanting tale of Cinderella brought to life by the World Ballet Company.
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Boston Celtics vs. New Orleans Pelicans
7:00-8:30 p.m. — Smoothie King Center — Tickets starting at $12 — Catch the action as the Celtics take on the Pelicans in an exciting NBA matchup.
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Alexandra Kay Concert
7:00 – 8:30 PM — House of Blues New Orleans — Tickets from $42 — Catch live music from rising star Alexandra Kay at this local venue.
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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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