🌱 Patch AM: How your tossed tree can help protect New Orleans’ coastlines

Hi there, New Orleans! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How your tossed tree can help protect New Orleans’ coastlines
• Could this immigration crackdown quietly drive up New Orleans housing costs?
• Why a New Orleans bus monitor still faces charges after an alleged attack

Also on today's calendar: Courtyard Cocktails: A Happy Hour Mixology Class and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: A thunderstorm in spots, with a high of 76 and low of 54 degrees.
• Friday: Cooler; breezy in the morning, temps: high: 65, low: 44.
• Saturday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 74 and low of 61 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. New Orleans announces Christmas tree recycling program (wgno.com) — New Orleans is again turning curbside Christmas trees into coastal protection, and residents have several ways to take part right after the holiday. From Dec. 26 to Jan. 9, you can schedule limited 311 pickups or set trees out on regular trash days, helping restore wetlands like Bayou Sauvage instead of filling landfills.
   

2. Businesses say city could see financial crisis if immigration crackdown continues across New Orleans (wdsu.com) — New Orleans business owners say an aggressive immigration operation is already thinning their workforces and could soon drive up housing costs and strain local services. Contractors and landscapers report losing long-time Hispanic employees, some allegedly here legally, and warn that continued arrests may push more immigrant workers into hiding and force prices higher citywide.
   

3. Former New Orleans bus monitor wants justice after alleged attack by student and mother (fox8live.com) — A former New Orleans school bus monitor says she’s still facing a disturbing-the-peace charge in Municipal and Traffic Court months after an alleged attack by a student and parent, while no charges have been filed against them. She and her husband argue video evidence supports her and say the unresolved case is keeping her from working again, as city officials and NOPD have not responded to questions.
   

4. Despite no FEMA funding extension, Mayor Cantrell wants to move forward with major infrastructure projects (fox8live.com) — New Orleans faces a looming cutoff of FEMA reimbursement for major road and infrastructure work at the end of 2025, even as the city confronts a projected $160 million budget deficit. State auditors urge pausing projects, but Mayor Cantrell is keeping contracts active and leaving any suspension decision to Mayor‑elect Helena Moreno, raising stakes for services, layoffs, and neighborhood construction.
   

5. Many hearing what Binder has to say (vindy.com) — New Orleans readers will recognize Leanne Binder from her New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival appearances, but her blues career now stretches from Nashville studios to UK stages and national radio podcasts. She reflects on her opera roots, the vocal crisis that reshaped her path, and why she’s now prioritizing original songs over bar-band covers while teaching those same techniques to her own students.
   

📸 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

• Courtyard Cocktails: A Happy Hour Mixology Class
  New Orleans School of Cooking , 524 St. Louis , New Orleans
  2:30 pm
• Candlelight: Christmas Classics
  Ogden Museum of Southern Art , 925 Camp St , New Orleans
  6:30 pm
• Candlelight: Tribute to Queen
  Ogden Museum of Southern Art , 925 Camp St , New Orleans
  8:30 pm

Friday December 19

• Prairie Acadian Cultural Center - Saints & Souls Talk
  Prairie Acadian Cultural Center , 250 W. Park Avenue , Eunice
  11:00 am
• French Quarter - Jazz Program - Jason Marsalis Duo
  National Park Service French Quarter visitor center , 419 Decatur St , New Orleans
  1:00 pm
• French Quarter - Jazz Program - Jamil Sharif Duo
  National Park Service French Quarter visitor center , 419 Decatur St , New Orleans
  3:00 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
• Courtyard Cocktails: A Happy Hour Mixology Class
  New Orleans School of Cooking , 524 St. Louis , New Orleans
  2:30 pm
• The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - New Orleans, LA
  Sheraton Metairie - New Orleans Hotel , Galleria Blvd , Metairie
  6:00 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.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• West Bank Gretna , Harvey , Algiers , and near by areas we need your help!!!
  17 year old is missing 5 "10 ( Jamil Wright ) , Full Blown Autism, he not be away rare of anything , he has on a all black uniform . He was last… (Nextdoor Marlyville)
• This dog and another brown and tan dog about the same size attacked my daughter and dog today at around 4:15pm.
  Both of them suffered bite marks. If anyone has information on these dogs please contact me. We need to know if they are updated on rabies and other… (Nextdoor Maple Area)

• Johnston & Murphy posted a job opening for Stock Person in New Orleans. Apply here.
• State of Louisiana posted a job opening for Curator 1-3 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 know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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