🌱 Patch AM: What investigators say happened in the deadly Chef Menteur crash

Morning New Orleans! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What investigators say happened in the deadly Chef Menteur crash
• How a visiting football team helped clean up New Orleans marshland
• Why New Orleans’ airport ranks among America’s best for boozy layovers

Also on today's calendar: Courtyard Cocktails: A Happy Hour Mixology Class and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Cloudy, a shower; humid, with a high of 77 and low of 62 degrees.
• Monday: Cloudy with a shower in spots, temps: high: 74, low: 59.
• Tuesday: Warm with plenty of sunshine, with a high of 77 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Dirt bike driver dies after collision with Tesla on Chef Menteur Highway (fox8live.com) — A man riding a dirt bike died after colliding with a Tesla at Chef Menteur Highway and Dodt Avenue in New Orleans on Saturday afternoon. Police say the Tesla driver remained on scene and is cooperating, while NOPD’s Traffic Fatality Unit continues investigating the cause. The Orleans Parish Coroner will release the victim’s identity after notifying family.
   

2. Hilltoppers volunteer in cleanup of Bucktown Marsh in New Orleans - WNKY News 40 Television (wnky.com) — Western Kentucky’s football team spent Saturday morning helping clean up Bucktown Park and Marsh in New Orleans, clearing long-lingering Mardi Gras trash that threatens local wildlife. Their volunteer work supports the Pontchartrain Conservancy’s preservation efforts, and the visit comes just before the Hilltoppers face Southern Miss in the New Orleans Bowl at Caesars Superdome on Tuesday.
   

3. The best US airports for drinking alcohol, ranked (republicanherald.com) — Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport ranks fifth in a new national list of the best U.S. airports for grabbing a drink during a layover. The ranking, based on bar and restaurant concentration, accessibility, and Google review quality, puts New Orleans ahead of major hubs like San Diego, Philadelphia, and Las Vegas, highlighting MSY as a strong spot to unwind before or between flights.
   

4. FBI Arrests Louisiana Man for Threats Against ICE Officers (ntd.com) — Federal officials link a Louisiana man’s alleged threats against ICE to broader terrorism concerns as they highlight vigilance ahead of the one-year mark of the New Orleans New Year’s Day terror attack. The story recounts Gov. Jeff Landry’s Bourbon Street visit after that attack and describes ongoing investigations into extremist threats against immigration officers nationwide.
   

📸 Around New Orleans

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🗓 Upcoming Events in New Orleans

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Monday December 22

• 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
• 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 - Crafts Club (Felt Ornaments)
  Prairie Acadian Cultural Center , 250 W. Park Avenue , Eunice
  1:00 pm
• French Quarter - Arrowhead Jazz Band
  National Park Service French Quarter visitor center , 419 Decatur St , New Orleans
  3:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• 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 - Saints & Souls Talk
  Prairie Acadian Cultural Center , 250 W. Park Avenue , Eunice
  11:00 am
• French Quarter - Jazz Piano Hour - Matt Lemmler
  National Park Service French Quarter visitor center , 419 Decatur St , New Orleans
  1:00 pm

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!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday December 21

• NOLA Christmas Festival
  New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center · New Orleans , LA , Chalmette
  5:30 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Library Closed - Christmas
  Saint Bernard Parish Library , 2600 Palmisano Blvd , Chalmette

Wednesday December 24

• Christmas Eve (SBPG Holiday)
  St. Bernard Parish, LA Calendar Chalmette, LA 70043

Thursday December 25

• Christmas Day
  St. Bernard Parish, LA Calendar Chalmette, LA 70043

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

• I picked her up Wednesday morning.
  She was very weak. She's much better now and well-rested. Thank you for all the prayers, well wishes, messages, and support. I know it helped me and… (Nextdoor Riverside Gen. Meyer)
• Update: His Momma came and picked him up!
  Any one know this guy? Please come get him!! 3520 Mimosa CT. Tall Timbers. (Nextdoor Tall Timbers)

• Walmart posted a job opening for Janitorial Associate in New Orleans. Apply here.
• Ryder posted a job opening for Warehouse Forklift Operator 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 feel lightheaded!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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