🌱 Patch AM: Will FEMA’s extension finally keep New Orleans road repairs on track?

What's up New Orleans! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Will FEMA’s extension finally keep New Orleans road repairs on track?
• Will this Ole Miss arrest shake up the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans?
• How a Coast family leans on New Orleans care for Rhett

Also on today's calendar: New Orleans Drunk Spirits Pub Crawl Tour and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What two things can you never eat for breakfast? . 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: An a.m. shower; windy, cooler, with a high of 58 and low of 38 degrees.
• Tuesday: Cold; breezy in the morning, temps: high: 50, low: 41.
• Wednesday: Cool with plenty of sunshine, with a high of 55 and low of 43 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. FEMA extension to continue New Orleans road projects into 2026 looks promising (wdsu.com) — New Orleans drivers could see long-delayed road repairs continue into 2026, as Mayor-elect Helena Moreno says FEMA is poised to grant a short extension on federal funding. The current deadline was the end of this year, but a likely six-month extension would keep millions of dollars in street upgrades moving while city leaders push for more time.
   

2. Ole Miss Defensive Back arrested days before Sugar Bowl (wtva.com) — New Orleans will host the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day as Ole Miss faces Georgia, but the Rebels are dealing with off-field trouble after a freshman defensive back was arrested in Alabama on drug-related charges. The player bonded out, and there’s no word yet on how this might affect his status for the game in the Superdome.
   

3. Coast community 'rallies for Rhett,' supports boy with rare brain tumor diagnosis (wlox.com) — A Biloxi family is leaning on Gulf Coast support as 5‑year‑old Rhett undergoes treatment for a rare, inoperable brain tumor, including radiation sessions in New Orleans. Neighbors and local businesses are organizing fish fry fundraisers and online donations to help cover his medical and travel costs. His parents say every prayer, share, and small contribution helps them face an uncertain year ahead.
   

4. The 25 Headlines That Defined 2025: From Beyoncé's Grammy Win to Culture-Shifting Political Moments (bet.com) — One of 2025’s defining moments for New Orleans was a dramatic Orleans Parish Prison escape, where ten inmates, including murder suspects, crawled through a cell wall and sparked a months-long manhunt ending with the final capture in Atlanta. That headline sits alongside national cultural, political, and entertainment milestones, from Beyoncé’s long-awaited Album of the Year win to a bruising federal shutdown and shifting immigration enforcement.
   

📸 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 30

• French Quarter - Arrowhead Jazz Band
  National Park Service French Quarter visitor center , 419 Decatur St , New Orleans
  3:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• French Quarter - Jazz Program - Kalindah Laveaux
  National Park Service French Quarter visitor center , 419 Decatur St , New Orleans
  3:00 pm
• Fete du Nouvel An
  The MISI by Messina's-Nouveau River Room , 600 Decatur St. , New Orleans
  9:00 pm

Thursday January 1

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

Friday January 2

• KIDZ BOP LIVE: The Concert Movie - Elmwood
  AMC Elmwood Palace 20 1200 Elmwood Park Blvd Harahan, LA 70123
  12:00 pm

Saturday January 3

• Chalmette Battle Game - Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center
  Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center , 314 St Mary St , Thibodaux
  1:30 pm

Thursday January 8

• Wreath Laying Ceramony
  Jean Lafitte National Park , 419 Decatur St , New Orleans
  11:00 am
• French Quarter - 1812: March Through Musical History
  National Park Service French Quarter visitor center , 419 Decatur St , New Orleans
  3:00 pm
• Candlelight: From Bach to The Beatles
  Hotel Peter and Paul , 2317 Burgundy St , New Orleans
  6:00 pm
• Candlelight: Tribute to Whitney Houston
  Hotel Peter and Paul , 2317 Burgundy St , New Orleans
  8:30 pm

Saturday January 10

• Bonsai Bar Workshop at Oak Street Brewery
  8201 Oak St , New Orleans
  2:00 pm
• The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - New Orleans, LA
  Sheraton Metairie - New Orleans Hotel , Galleria Blvd , Metairie
  6:00 pm

📣 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

• Update: Pet Reunited
  A dog who went missing in New Orleans, LA, has been safely reunited with their family after 4 hours, 14 minutes. Message from Finder: "FOUND… (Nextdoor Mid-7th Ward Triangle)
• This guy broke into my house on Christmas night and stole a tv, a bunch of sentimental jewelry, a backpack (that I need for my job at a high school, has no monetary value), clothes, etc.
  Let me know if anyone sees a dark grey back pack with “career compass” embroidered on the front. Figuring he might have dumped it close once he… (Nextdoor Mid City)

• Marriott posted a job opening for Housekeeper in New Orleans. Apply here.
• ServiceMASTER Clean posted a job opening for Weekend Janitorial - early mornings 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: Lunch and dinner. (From Norine S.)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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