New
in New Orleans
Saturday, October 18th, 2025
Good morning, New Orleans. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 18th of October.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Louisiana AGC announced the winners of its first Build Louisiana Awards on October 16 at the Gallagher Fall Gala in New Orleans, honoring excellence in construction and leadership. Ryan Gootee General Contractors won two awards for their work on Caesars New Orleans and the Board of Trade project — a sign of their skill in adapting old buildings for new uses. Biz New Orleans
- ➤ On Oct. 15, Biz Night at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center brought business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community partners together for networking in the renovated Riverside Meeting Rooms—hosted in partnership with Biz New Orleans. The event highlighted the center's economic role in the region. Biz New Orleans
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ New Orleans’ beloved steamboat the Natchez returns to Toulouse Street Wharf today after completing a 2,740-mile round trip that brought it to festivals in Cincinnati and Newport. A 22-person crew hosted more than 12,000 guests on live jazz cruises — and the Natchez will now operate interchangeably with Riverboat City until March 2026. WWL-TV
- ➤ This weekend, New Orleans and nearby areas will host a busy schedule of fall festivals under sunny skies and mild temperatures. Kelly Schulz from New Orleans & Company said events — including NOLA Funk Fest, Praise on the Bayou, neighborhood festivals, and pumpkin patches — will offer residents and visitors a chance to enjoy local food, music, and community spirit. WWL-TV
- ➤ Local universities are hosting a series of cultural events this week—UNO Jazz Studies will present the Jazz at the Sandbar series at the 410 Lounge on Oct. 22 with Ricardo Pascal and on Oct. 29 with Ivan Neville, Tulane will stage its Above the Oaks dance production at McWilliams 300 on Oct. 22-23, and Loyola Theatre & Dance has been presenting interweaving stories at the Lower Depths Experimental Theater since Oct. 17 with evening shows at 7:30 p.m. Four New Orleans-area students from Northwestern Michigan College earned Dean’s List honors for the summer with a GPA of 3.5 or above. NOLA.com
- ➤ Jimmie Noone, born near New Orleans, became one of the best clarinetists of the 1920s with a smooth, romantic tone—shaping early jazz through his work with Freddie Keppard, King Oliver, and the Apex Club Orchestra. He trained under Lorenzo Tio Jr. and replaced Sidney Bechet in the Olympia Band in 1913 before his career ended when he died from a heart attack in Los Angeles in 1944. Verite News
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ AAA said the national average for gas could hit three dollars a gallon—marking the lowest in four years. In New Orleans today, gas costs $2.66 a gallon—analysts credit calm weather and international dialogue for the drop. WWL-TV
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Louisiana Construction Education Foundation awarded $25,000 to unCommon Construction to support the development of its new unCommon Campus in New Orleans, a facility that will triple its capacity to deliver construction training for youth and adults. The campus will offer classes, apprenticeships, and community home repair courses—helping build a skilled workforce in Louisiana. Biz New Orleans
- ➤ Benjamin Franklin Mathematics & Science School will hold its Bears Under the Oaks music fest on Oct. 25 from 4—7 p.m. at 1116 Jefferson Ave. as part of its 40th anniversary celebration, while local schools including Willow School, Discovery Schools, Benjamin Franklin High, St. Mary’s Dominican High, and New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy will run open houses and benefit events on various dates to help families learn about their programs. NOLA.com
- ➤ The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved a change that will reduce high school tests from six to four starting in the 2026-27 school year. Dr. Cade Brumley explained that the new policy merges the English and math tests+ easing the test load for sophomores as they work toward their diploma. Louisiana Radio Network
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ A Cameron Parish judge halted construction on the Commonwealth LNG export terminal on Friday by ruling that state officials ignored potential climate impacts when issuing the permit (the project will remain suspended until the Office of Coastal Management reviews environmental justice concerns). The Lens
- ➤ Local government workers in New Orleans are struggling with shortened paychecks during the ongoing federal shutdown as one local social security employee reported a $600 shortfall on her last check; a judge recently blocked planned mass layoffs + experts warn that thousands more could lose their jobs if lawmakers do not reach a funding agreement soon. WDSU
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ As Louisiana summers grow hotter, officials say the true number of heat-related deaths remains unknown because 64 elected coroners use different methods and some do not track such cases at all—leaving a blurred picture of the real toll. NOLA.com
- ➤ The National Community Pharmacists Association is hosting its Annual Convention & Expo today at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, where pharmacy owners, practitioners and exhibitors from across the country gather for education and advocacy. Attendees will join sessions on pharmacy benefit manager reform and modern business tools—key topics for independent pharmacies continuing to drive community health. Biz New Orleans
- ➤ The second annual Freedom Fete is a one-day retreat with music, movement, massage and self-care classes for women. The event takes place tomorrow at Saloon 22 on Bienville Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., giving women a chance to pause and care for themselves. WDSU
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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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Pete Sawyer & The Left Hand Monkey Wrench Gang
10:00-11:30 PM — Toulouse Theatre — Ticket info not provided — Experience a high-energy tribute to the Grateful Dead from a rising California band.
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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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