🌱 Patch AM: How the council’s veto override could affect New Orleans services in 2026

Hi New Orleans! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How the council’s veto override could affect New Orleans services in 2026
• Which New Orleans New Year’s Eve party fits your plans and budget?
• How UNO’s late rally at Lakefront Arena slipped away

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Tribute to Queen and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Cooler; breezy in the morning, with a high of 61 and low of 44 degrees.
• Saturday: Partly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 74, low: 61.
• Sunday: Some sun with showers around, with a high of 72 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. New Orleans City Council unanimously overrides Cantrell's 2026 budget veto (wgno.com) — New Orleans residents will see the City Council’s version of the 2026 budget move forward after members unanimously overrode Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s veto, avoiding what leaders warned would be deep cuts to essential services. Councilmembers say they relied on disputed revenue sources to keep sanitation, public safety, NORD, and senior services funded, while Cantrell maintains her rejected plan was the only truly balanced option.
   

2. New Orleans to ring in 2026 with parades, fireworks, late-night concerts and more–see the list (wwltv.com) — If you’re staying in New Orleans for New Year’s Eve, you’ve got options ranging from free riverfront concerts and fireworks at Woldenberg Park to pricey VIP balcony parties on Bourbon Street. Families can celebrate early at the Louisiana Children’s Museum, while night owls can hit venues like Tipitina’s, the Orpheum, and riverfront cruises to welcome 2026.
   

3. Brynn Lusby scores 27 to lead UIW past New Orleans (expressnews.com) — A women’s college basketball matchup at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans saw Incarnate Word top the UNO Privateers 79–68, despite a late push from the home team. Brynn Lusby came off the bench for a career-high 27 points as UIW rebuilt a shrinking lead with a decisive 8–0 run in the third quarter.
   

4. Pre-trial release denied for man accused of planning New Orleans terror attack (fox8live.com) — A federal judge has ordered a New Iberia man to remain jailed while facing a charge tied to alleged threats involving a possible terror attack in New Orleans targeting federal law enforcement. Investigators say online posts and surveillance suggested he was headed toward the city with weapons and body armor, prompting his arrest and a broader discussion of online radicalization and political violence risks.
   

📸 Around New Orleans

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in New Orleans

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Thursday December 18

• Candlelight: Tribute to Queen
  Ogden Museum of Southern Art , 925 Camp St , New Orleans
  8:30 pm

Saturday December 20

• Arts Market New Orleans – Holiday Market
  New Orleans Chamber of Commerce Marsalis Harmony Park
  10:00 am
• French Quarter - Drum Circle with Mama Jamilah
  National Park Service French Quarter visitor center , 419 Decatur St , New Orleans
  10:30 am
• NOLA ChristmasFest Returns - Let the Yuletide Roll!
  New Orleans Chamber of Commerce , 1515 Poydras St #1010 , New Orleans
  11:00 am
• Prairie Acadian Cultural Center - Candle Making
  Prairie Acadian Cultural Center , 250 West Park Ave , Eunice
  1:00 pm
• French Quarter - Jazz Program - Naomie April Trio
  National Park Service French Quarter visitor center , 419 Decatur St , New Orleans
  3:00 pm
• Prairie Acadian Cultural Center - Rendezvous in the Prairie
  Prairie Acadian Cultural Center , 250 W. Park Avenue , Eunice
  3:00 pm
• The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - New Orleans, LA
  Sheraton Metairie - New Orleans Hotel , Galleria Blvd , Metairie
  6:00 pm

Sunday December 21

• NOLA ChristmasFest Returns - Let the Yuletide Roll!
  New Orleans Chamber of Commerce , 1515 Poydras St #1010 , New Orleans
  11:00 am

Tuesday December 23

• Prairie Acadian Cultural Center - Read with a Ranger
  Prairie Acadian Cultural Center , 250 W. Park Avenue , Eunice
  10:00 am

Saturday December 27

• Courtyard Cocktails: A Happy Hour Mixology Class
  New Orleans School of Cooking , 524 St. Louis , New Orleans
  2:30 pm

Thursday January 1

• New Orleans Drunk Spirits Pub Crawl Tour
  Lafitte Hotel and Bar , 1003 Bourbon St , New Orleans
  7:00 pm

📣 New Orleans Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Good news.
  The City of New Orleans, the Sewerage & Water Board (S&WB) and Entergy New Orleans collectively cut the ribbon on the new West Power Complex, an… (Nextdoor Gentilly Terrace and Gardens)
• Parsnip (better known as Boop Boop) went missing from our home on the 2000 block of Kerlerec on Monday.
  She is a big fat dark grey cat with fat pouches on her belly that swing when she walks and some baldish spots on her arms from overgrooming. She’s… (Nextdoor Seventh Ward West)

• McDonald's posted a job opening for Shift Manager in New Orleans. Apply here.
• Louisiana Staffing posted a job opening for Senior Payroll Specialist in New Orleans. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near New Orleans here.

Ok New Orleans! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook