New
in New Orleans
Friday, December 12th, 2025
Good morning, New Orleans. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 12th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Rosethorne Youth Basketball League players celebrated the opening of refurbished basketball, tennis and pickleball courts at Rosethorne Playground in Jean Lafitte during HoopLA 2025 — local officials and Pelicans representatives attended the event. NOLA.com
- ➤ Worries over federal Border Patrol presence have some families hesitant to attend the Times-Picayune Doll and Toy Fund's annual toy giveaway scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13 at Xavier University's convocation center (marking 130 years of service). Organizers have arranged volunteer support and Spanish-English translators to help run the event smoothly. Verite News
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Tulane Ventures invests $125K in startup Beken Bio to advance early cancer detection technology and expand local biotech innovation. Founder Christopher Millan returns home to support clinical studies, new hires and specialized equipment and plans to pursue a Series A round in the growing BioDistrict (boosting local research efforts). New Orleans City Business
- ➤ New Orleans Entrepreneur Week opened registration on Dec. 10 for its celebration scheduled for March 9-14, 2026. The event offers city-wide workshops, panels, and a special NOEW at Night for the first 200 registrants (partnered with local business groups). Biz New Orleans
- ➤ Haptech Defense Systems in downtown New Orleans will launch its next-generation M4 simulator and Haptech Hub in December to upgrade military training with a proprietary linear motor recoil system (with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth). Named Louisiana Economic Development’s 2025 Innovative Company of the Year, Haptech plans further upgrades by 2026. Biz New Orleans
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Today, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival announced its 2026 lineup featuring superstars like Rod Stewart and local favorites (Jon Batiste and Irma Thomas). The eight-day festival runs over two long weekends, starting Thursday, Apr. 23. WWL-TV
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ On Wednesday, the first Gulf oil lease sale since 2023 was held in New Orleans, drawing 219 bids across 1.02 million acres, with major companies targeting deepwater fields off the coast (including the Keathley and Mississippi canyons) as part of a federal effort to boost offshore energy production. New Orleans City Business
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Tulane professor J. Quincy Brown was named a 2025 National Academy of Inventors fellow for his breakthrough MAGIC-SCAN imaging work that helps surgeons check for remaining cancer in minutes + Brown, who holds 27 patents, co-founded Instapath Inc. to commercialize his technology. New Orleans City Business
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ A New Orleans doctor warns that recent policy rollbacks have increased toxic pollution exposure in Cancer Alley, placing local communities at higher risk for asthma and cancer; she notes that reduced protections have allowed industrial contaminants (especially in predominantly Black neighborhoods) to undermine health. The Lens
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Milky Way, a new 17-room boutique motel with a pool and cocktail bar, broke ground this month at 3039 St. Claude Ave. in Bywater and is slated to complete buildout by summer 2026 for a next-fall opening. New Orleans City Business
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Racing at New Orleans Fair Grounds is set to go on this weekend after officials announced that the Sewerage and Water Board fixed a watermain break (completed Thursday afternoon). WDSU
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December Holiday Book Party
8 PM – 12 AM — D'zara 1804 — Drinks on the house — Celebrate a year of reading in a dazzling winter wonderland atmosphere.
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Nutcracker Ballet Performance
2:00 – 3:30 PM — Orpheum Theater New Orleans — Ticket prices vary — Experience the enchanting Nutcracker ballet performed by the New Orleans Ballet Theatre.
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Stanton Moore Trio Live Performance
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro — Ticket prices vary — Experience the infectious rhythms of Stanton Moore, a New Orleans native and renowned drummer.
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Leslie Odom, Jr. - The Christmas Tour
8-9:30 p.m. — Orpheum Theater New Orleans — Tickets available — Experience a magical evening of holiday music with award-winning artist Leslie Odom, Jr.
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The Soul Rebels Brass Band
11 PM – 2 AM — Le Bon Temps Roule — Cost Info Not Available — Experience the vibrant blend of hip-hop, soul, and jazz from one of New Orleans' most dynamic brass bands.
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Hotel Burgundy Concert Featuring My Beloved
8-11 p.m. — No Dice — Ticket prices vary — Experience the unique sounds of My Beloved with their hit song 'None Prevailed'.
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Indiana Pacers vs. New Orleans Pelicans
6:00-7:30 p.m. — Smoothie King Center — Ticket prices vary — Catch the thrilling NBA matchup as the Pacers battle the Pelicans.
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Caroling in Jackson Square
7-8 p.m. — Jackson Square — Free entry — Experience a festive New Orleans tradition with holiday caroling under the stars.
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Charmaine Neville Band Performance
7:30-11:30 p.m. — Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro — Check for cover charge — Enjoy the rich voice and warm personality of a beloved New Orleans entertainer.
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Kermit Ruffins Concert
8:00-9:30 p.m. — Chickie Wah Wah — Tickets available — Experience the vibrant sounds of Kermit Ruffins, a tribute to New Orleans' jazz heritage.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.
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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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