🌱 Patch AM: Why a Julia Street favorite suddenly lost $60,000 in one weekend

Hello New Orleans! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why a Julia Street favorite suddenly lost $60,000 in one weekend
• Why some New Orleans churches are canceling Christmas services this week
• How Louisiana will publicly honor victims of the Bourbon Street attack

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

Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Sunny and pleasantly warm, with a high of 77 and low of 59 degrees.
• Wednesday: Partly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 75, low: 59.
• Thursday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 73 and low of 60 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. New Orleans restaurant faces $60,000 loss due to sewage issue (wdsu.com) — A popular Warehouse District restaurant on Julia Street, Sofia, was forced to close during a key holiday weekend after a sewage backup, leaving the New Orleans business facing about $60,000 in lost revenue. The owner and staff describe slow, confusing responses from the Sewerage and Water Board as they juggle temporary fixes, independent plumbers, and hopes that the reopened restaurant can recover.
   

2. New Orleans-area churches cancel Christmas services amid Border Patrol operation (wwltv.com) — Border Patrol operations in the New Orleans area are prompting some Hispanic churches to cancel Christmas services and many families to stay home out of fear of detention. Local pastors report attendance down by about half, while Archbishop Gregory Aymond has granted a Mass dispensation for fearful Catholics. Faith leaders are also organizing food and toy donations for affected families.
   

3. Louisiana governor signs executive order to remember victims of New Orleans terrorist attack (myarklamiss.com) — New Orleans residents are being asked to join a statewide remembrance for victims of the Bourbon Street terrorist attack, with flags at half-staff and bells ringing 14 times on Jan. 4. Governor Jeff Landry’s order follows the January 1, 2025 truck-and-shooting rampage that killed 14 people and injured others, including two New Orleans police officers.
   

4. What's swarming around New Orleans oak trees? (wgno.com) — If you’ve noticed clouds of fluttering beige and brown insects around New Orleans’ oak trees, they’re buck moths, and experts say there are more than usual this year. Specialists from Audubon Nature Institute and LSU warn this surge could mean a big outbreak of painful buck moth caterpillars by spring, so residents should be prepared to avoid stings.
   

5. 13News looks back at the stories that impacted our news team in 2025 (wthr.com) — A 13News reporter recalls how a routine Sugar Bowl assignment in New Orleans turned into frontline coverage of the Bourbon Street terror attack that killed 14 people and injured many more. His reflections highlight how the tragedy reshaped both visitors’ experiences and journalists’ work that New Year’s Day.
   

📸 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!

Wednesday December 24

• Prairie Acadian Cultural Center - Saints & Souls Talk
  Prairie Acadian Cultural Center , 250 W. Park Avenue , Eunice
  11:00 am
• NOLA ChristmasFest Returns - Let the Yuletide Roll!
  New Orleans Chamber of Commerce , 1515 Poydras St #1010 , New Orleans
  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
• French Quarter - Jazz Piano Hour - Kyle Cripps
  National Park Service French Quarter visitor center , 419 Decatur St , New Orleans
  3:00 pm

Thursday December 25

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

Friday December 26

• Prairie Acadian Cultural Center - Historical Tea and Coffee
  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
• French Quarter - Jazz Program - Cristina Kaminis Duo
  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!

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

🗓 Events Nearby

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

Wednesday December 31

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

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

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• As Christmas gets closer, I just want to remind everyone to look out for one another.
  This time of year can carry a lot of weight. Stress, worry, exhaustion, uncertainty. You never really know what someone else is holding when they… (Nextdoor South 7th Ward)
• Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
  Arthur was LOST on December 21, 2025 in New Orleans, LA 70127 near Near Morrison Road, New Orleans, LA Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest… (Nextdoor Bunny Friend)

• The Buckle, Inc. posted a job opening for Seasonal Freight Coordinator (Part Time) in New Orleans. Apply here.
• Louisiana State University Health posted a job opening for ASST/ASSOC DEAN ADMISSIONS & STUDENT AFFAIRS 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 find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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