New
in New Orleans
Wednesday, December 31st, 2025
Good morning, New Orleans. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 31st of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ On New Year's Eve, enhanced security measures, road closures, and parking restrictions will reshape festivities in the French Quarter and downtown. Law enforcement will enforce bag checks and vehicle bans, and major events like the parade and fireworks will require alternative routes & careful planning. NOLA.com
- ➤ Verite News covered key local stories throughout 2025, including municipal elections, immigration enforcement, and the 20th anniversary of Katrina. Their in-depth investigations helped shape community discussion and kept New Orleans in the know during a challenging year. Verite News
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Two local HVAC companies merged on Dec. 29 under the Tropical Air Kare name to keep ownership local amid rising consolidation. Steve & Edward St. Pierre said customers will retain regular technicians as the company expands services throughout New Orleans and surrounding areas. New Orleans City Business
- ➤ A South Louisiana jeweler is investing $4M to expand its Mandeville operations by doubling its retail space and adding a manufacturing workshop. The project will start in January, finish in October, and create two new jobs while retaining 19 positions (the store will remain open during construction). NOLA.com
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Michelin star chef E.J. Lagasse shared his favorite New Orleans restaurants in a video with influencer Isaac Hindin-Miller posted Monday, highlighting top picks in Bywater + the Garden District as well as French Quarter staples. He praised local venues like Acamaya, Saint-Germain, and Commander’s Palace. NOLA.com
- ➤ New Orleans rings in the New Year tonight with a parade at 2 p.m. in the French Quarter and the Crescent City Countdown Club dropping its fleur-de-lis at the old Jax Brewery. Later, festivities move to Woldenberg Park (9-12) with live music and fireworks over the river. WWL-TV
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Municipal Auditorium, a 95-year-old cultural staple, is at risk as officials warned that FEMA may not grant a six-month extension on Hurricane Katrina funds, and Mayor-elect Moreno said new local funds might be needed after an $8.2 million roof replacement (now underway) to complete further repairs. NOLA.com
- ➤ RNGD, a Metairie-based construction firm, is managing preconstruction for a new $84 million state office building in Harvey that will replace the existing structure along the West Bank Expressway. The modular construction method helps cut costs and save time — the project is set to finish by Dec. 2028. NOLA.com
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The Louisiana State Fire Marshall offers safety tips for avoiding firework burns tonight during New Year’s Eve festivities. He advises people to keep fireworks 200 ft from structures and have a sober adult supervise—opting for free displays along the riverfront over personal use. WDSU
- ➤ Louisiana will get over $208M in fiscal 2026 rural healthcare funding from a $50B transformation program to address provider shortages & improve access in rural communities. Funds will support six initiatives focusing on workforce, technology and care integration, with disbursements beginning in January. New Orleans City Business
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Service Properties Trust sold the 231-room Sonesta Extended Stay hotel on St. Joseph Street for $29M, about $125,500 per room, amid rising costs and high interest rates that are pressuring hotel values. The sale reflects a broader trend of hotel owners offloading assets while anticipating a bounce in convention bookings. NOLA.com
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Fifteen Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists have been unveiled, including former Saints players Drew Brees and Jahri Evans and local natives Eli Manning and Reggie Wayne. The 50-member committee will evaluate the finalists ahead of NFL Honors on Feb. 5 (in San Francisco). WWL-TV
- ➤ Fourteen NFL players were named as finalists for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Modern-Era Players class on Tuesday, Dec. 30, including Drew Brees and Jahri Evans from the Saints. The finalists will be honored during the NFL Honors award show in Feb. and enshrined in August. WRNO
- ➤ New Orleans welcomes 100,000 visitors as hotels near capacity for tomorrow's sold-out Sugar Bowl CFP quarterfinal at the Caesars Superdome (Georgia vs. Ole Miss). City officials say the event will boost the local economy with over $200 million in spending and add festive energy to New Year's celebrations. NOLA.com
- ➤ On Dec. 30, 2000, the Saints earned their first playoff win by beating the defending champion Rams 31-28 at the Superdome; quarterback Aaron Brooks threw four touchdowns + ended a 33-year playoff drought. Fox 8
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Bangers Album Release Party
8 PM — Maple Leaf Bar — $15 Adv, $20 Day of Show — Enjoy a lively night featuring SLUGGER with local talents.
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Fair Grounds Live Racing
12:45-2:15 p.m. — Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots — Reservation required — Enjoy a thrilling afternoon of live horse racing and clubhouse dining.
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Fair Grounds Live Racing
12:45-2:15 p.m. — Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots — Ticket prices may vary — Experience the excitement of live horse racing while enjoying clubhouse dining.
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Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Le Petit Theatre — Ticketed event — Experience a delightful séance with the charmingly eccentric Madame Arcati and the hauntingly humorous antics that ensue.
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Steve Detroy Trio Live Performance
1:00 PM – 8:30 PM — Fritzel's European Jazz Pub — Check for pricing — Experience the soulful, sophisticated sounds of the Steve Detroy Trio as part of the Happy Hour Concert Series.
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Fair Grounds Live Racing
12:45-2:15 p.m. — Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots — Reservation required — Enjoy an exciting day of live horse racing with buffet dining options.
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Charmaine Neville Band Performance
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro — Tickets required — Enjoy Charmaine Neville's captivating voice and vibrant personality at one of New Orleans' favorite jazz spots.
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Keiko Komaki Concert
6:30-7:30 p.m. — Ellis Marsalis Center for Music — Tickets available — Celebrate New Orleans piano traditions with a live performance.
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Folk Alliance International Conference
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. — Sheraton New Orleans Hotel — $300 CAD for artists — Celebrate folk music with showcases and networking opportunities in the vibrant heart of New Orleans.
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Blithe Spirit
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Le Petit Theatre — Ticket info not provided — Enjoy a comedic ghost story that brings the past to life with charm and wit.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.
~ Banksy
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