New
in New Orleans
Saturday, December 20th, 2025
Good morning, New Orleans. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 20th of December.
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ A fire at an abandoned school renewed safety concerns for local residents as firefighters said people had been entering the long-vacant building; officials warn neighbors to avoid the site. WWL-TV
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ The Vaucresson family, whose century-old sausage recipe has been handed down since 1899, continues its legacy at the reopened Creole Cafè and Deli on St. Bernard Avenue in 2022. The company now supplies traditional sausages for local restaurants and festivals + grocery stores across the region. Verite News
- ➤ Paul Nugent, a lifelong insider, has been named brand president of New Orleans Original Daiquiris after 32 years with the chain, and he will lead local reinvestment efforts + seasonal menu updates including a loyalty app launch planned for early Q1 and upgrades later in 2026. Biz New Orleans
- ➤ EO Louisiana celebrated 20 years of its Accelerator Program on Dec. 11 with keynote speeches from first participant Neel Sus plus visionary Kevin Langley in New Orleans. Applications are now open for local entrepreneurs seeking growth that builds on a legacy of small business success worldwide. Biz New Orleans
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Abby Mumphrey, a young ballerina who recovered from back surgery, will perform as Clara in The Nutcracker at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. Her shows begin tomorrow at 6 p.m. and again on Sunday at 2 p.m. while tickets remain available. WDSU
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Louisiana ended 2025 with over $61B in investments and 9,300 new, high-paying jobs, officials said, boosting sectors from AI to maritime manufacturing (LED recently announced $11.2B in projects that added nearly 2,500 jobs statewide). New Orleans City Business
- ➤ Louisiana Economic Development has reported that 2025 is the biggest year for new jobs and investments, with over $61 billion invested and more than 9,300 new jobs created since January in New Orleans & the region. New jobs pay an average salary of $91,000, which is $30,000 higher than usual. Biz New Orleans
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ On (Dec. 18) the Orleans Parish School Board deferred its vote on Leah Chase School until early January after a contentious meeting where community representatives rallied to save the school and a conditional $1.5 million donation was introduced but later rejected. Verite News
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Fitch Ratings downgraded New Orleans’ bond rating to A- on Oct. 29, citing a drop in financial resilience after the city issued $125 million in debt to cover payroll (raising investor concerns). A negative watch signals another downgrade may come within six months, affecting a planned $510 million bond sale. NOLA.com
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ UnitedHealthcare will exit the state Medicaid program after March 31, affecting about 330,000 enrollees. Health officials will work quickly to move members to one of five remaining providers & ensure no gap in care during the compressed transition. New Orleans City Business
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Tulane (11-seeded) football, fresh off an American Conference title, faces Ole Miss in a first-round College Football Playoff game today in Oxford; Ole Miss, amid a coaching change after Lane Kiffin’s departure, braces for a tough battle against a revitalized Green Wave. WDSU
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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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The Soul Rebels Brass Band
11 PM - 2 AM — Le Bon Temps Roule — Cost Info Unavailable — Experience the vibrant sound of one of New Orleans' most contemporary brass bands blending various musical genres.
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New Orleans Pelicans vs. Phoenix Suns
7-8:30 p.m. — Smoothie King Center — Check for ticket prices — Catch the Pelicans take on the Suns in an exciting NBA matchup.
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Tuba Skinny Concert
6-9 p.m. — DBA — Admission varies — Experience lively performances of early jazz, ragtime, and blues from a renowned New Orleans street band.
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Hot 8 Brass Band Performance
10:30 PM - 12:00 AM — The Howlin' Wolf — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a lively mix of funk and brass with the Grammy-winning Hot 8 Brass Band.
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Charmaine Neville Band Performance
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro — Ticket info not provided — Experience the soulful sounds of Charmaine Neville, a beloved figure in the New Orleans music scene.
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The Revivalists: New Year’s Eve Ball
7-11 p.m. — Orpheum Theater New Orleans — Ticket prices vary — Experience the intimate RevHeads Ball and celebrate the New Year with live music from The Revivalists.
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Galactic Concert Featuring Anjelika Joseph
9:00-10:30 p.m. — Tipitina's — Tickets available — Experience a powerful performance by Anjelika 'Jelly' Joseph following her hit 'Fya'.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.
~ Maya Angelou
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