🌱 Patch AM: What’s finally happening at the long-abandoned Poland Avenue naval base?

Cheers New Orleans! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• What’s finally happening at the long-abandoned Poland Avenue naval base?
• Who’s really being arrested in New Orleans’ latest immigration crackdown?
• Will New Orleans’ only traditional public school survive Thursday’s vote?

Also on today's calendar: Bonsai Workshop at Skeeta Hawk Brewing and 9 more events.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around New Orleans? Post it to New Orleans photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 60 and low of 51 degrees.
• Wednesday: Mainly cloudy, temps: high: 65, low: 60.
• Thursday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 78 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Old Poland Avenue Naval Base in New Orleans being transformed into affordable housing, retail space (fox8live.com) — Bulldozers are finally clearing the long-blighted former Naval Support Activity site on Poland Avenue in Bywater, where nearly 300 affordable apartments and new retail space are planned in the first phase. Backed by private financing and federal grants, later phases could add a tech-focused NewLab facility and a riverfront park, turning a long-standing eyesore into a major community asset over the next two years.
   

2. DHS reports more than 250 arrests in ongoing New Orleans immigration crackdown (wwltv.com) — A major federal immigration enforcement sweep in the New Orleans area has led to more than 250 arrests in about two weeks, but officials are releasing few details about who is being detained or deported. Local attorneys and Sen. Bill Cassidy are raising concerns that many people picked up may not have criminal records, prompting questions about how targets are chosen and how the operation affects long‑time residents.
   

3. Parents pack meeting, pushing back against possible closure of the Leah Chase School (wdsu.com) — Families in New Orleans are fighting to keep the Leah Chase School, the city’s only traditional public school, from closing after just one year because of low enrollment and budget deficits. Parents packed a meeting to urge the school board to reconsider, arguing students are thriving on the Carrollton campus as leaders prepare for a key vote Thursday on its future.
   

4. New Orleans Saints announce 2025 NFL Inspire Change Changemaker (neworleanssaints.com) — A New Orleans-based nonprofit leader has been honored by the Saints and NFL for her work improving education, equity, and economic opportunity across the Greater New Orleans region. Mary Ambrose of United Way of Southeast Louisiana was named the team’s 2025 Inspire Change Changemaker, recognized at Sunday’s Inspire Change game and awarded a $10,000 NFL Foundation donation for her local impact.
   

5. Former New Orleans teacher convicted in federal court of child sex trafficking (fox8live.com) — A former New Orleans school teacher has been convicted in federal court of trafficking a minor and coercing another underage girl, and now faces 10 years to life in prison. Prosecutors say he brought a 16-year-old runaway from Mississippi to New Orleans for commercial sex and later tried to pay a 15-year-old girl, prompting federal agents to arrest him in 2024.
   

📸 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!

Tuesday December 16

• Harry Shearer & Judith Owen's Christmas Without Tears
  Orpheum Theater , 129 Roosevelt Way , New Orleans
  7:00 pm

Wednesday December 17

• Latin Skate Night presented by VIVA NOLA Magazine
  Airline Skate Center , 6711 Airline Dr. , Metairie
  6:00 pm
• Bonsai Workshop at Skeeta Hawk Brewing
  Skeeta Hawk Brewing , 455 N Dorgenois St , New Orleans
  6:00 pm

Thursday December 18

• French Quarter - Jazz Program - Eric Lucero Duo
  National Park Service French Quarter visitor center , 419 Decatur St , New Orleans
  1:00 pm
• Courtyard Cocktails: A Happy Hour Mixology Class
  New Orleans School of Cooking , 524 St. Louis , New Orleans
  2:30 pm
• French Quarter - Jazz Program - Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes
  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
  5:30 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

Saturday December 20

• 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!

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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

• Loose dog with collar, black and white mixed, just attacked Pete at Dante and Hickory.
  Chased dog of down Hickory toward Leonidas. Pete ran off in opposite direction. Looking for him now, possibly injured. Checked all his roosts (that I… (Nextdoor Carrollton Riverbend)
• Lost Cat in Marigny, on Esplanade.
  My cat got out of my mother’s house today. His name is Babycat a young grey seal point tabby with blue eyes that are a little bit cross eyed, and a… (Nextdoor Marigny)

• Highgate Hotels posted a job opening for Night Auditor (Part-Time) in New Orleans. Apply here.
• USA Jobs posted a job opening for Assistant Director of Front Office - The Roosevelt Hotel New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel 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, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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