Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Will permanent gates soon reshape how you walk Bourbon Street?
Coming up: Bonsai Workshop at Skeeta Hawk Brewing on the New Orleans Patch calendar
Hello New Orleans! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Will permanent gates soon reshape how you walk Bourbon Street?
- How a new battery grid could change New Orleans power outages
- How needy is New Orleans compared with other U.S. cities?
Also on today's calendar: Bonsai Workshop at Skeeta Hawk Brewing and 9 more events.
Find out what's happening in New Orleansfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around New Orleans? Post it to New Orleans photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in New Orleansfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with a shower, with a high of 64 and low of 59 degrees.
- Thursday: A shower and t-storm; warmer, temps: high: 75, low: 54.
- Friday: Cooler; breezy in the morning, with a high of 62 and low of 44 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. New Orleans proposes permanent security gates for Bourbon Street ahead of attack anniversary (wwltv.com) — New Orleans officials are weighing a $1.3 million plan for 18 permanent security gates along Bourbon Street from Canal to St. Ann to prevent vehicle attacks. As the New Year’s terror attack anniversary nears, councilmembers and French Quarter leaders are pressing for more details on how nearby streets and overall safety will be handled. 
2. New Orleans City Council considers plan to reduce outages through battery grid (fox8live.com) — New Orleans residents could soon tap into a city-backed battery program aimed at cutting everyday outages and keeping more lights on during hurricanes. City Council votes Thursday on using $30 million in ratepayer funds for grants, with no rate hike expected and an implementation plan due by March 1 if it passes.
3. Three Louisiana cities among the neediest in the U.S. says WalletHub (shreveporttimes.com) — New Orleans is ranked the 10th neediest city in the country, according to a new WalletHub analysis of poverty, homelessness, and health indicators. The report also puts Shreveport at 3rd and Baton Rouge at 11th, underscoring how deeply economic hardship affects Louisiana’s largest cities and highlighting serious concerns about food insecurity, child poverty, and access to technology.
4. Michael Ward, prolific New Orleans smooth jazz violinist and Orleans deputy, dies at age 60 (nola.com) — New Orleans is mourning smooth jazz violinist and longtime Orleans Parish deputy Michael Ward, who died suddenly at 60 after decades performing at local clubs, festivals, and community events. From Jazz Fest stages to sheriff’s Thanksgiving dinners, Ward’s blue electric violin and volunteer spirit made him a beloved fixture across the city and the wider Gulf Coast.
5. The Arctic gets its latest NOAA report card, and it's flunking (eenews.net) — New Orleans hosted scientists unveiling NOAA’s latest Arctic Report Card, which warns that the region is warming faster than the rest of the planet with wide-ranging global impacts. While the findings focus on polar changes, they were presented at a major scientific conference in the city, connecting local audiences to the broader climate story.
📸 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!
- Bonsai Workshop at Skeeta Hawk Brewing
Skeeta Hawk Brewing , 455 N Dorgenois St , New Orleans
6:00 pm - 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 - 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 - 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
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
📣 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.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Does anyone know this sweet girl ?
My friend found her on hampson and short. Taking to see if she is chipped now (Nextdoor Maple Area) - Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
Cricket was LOST on December 8, 2025 in New Orleans, LA 70118 near Zimple St & Freret St Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to… (Nextdoor Hardin Park 7th Ward)
- Louisiana Staffing posted a job opening for Intermediate Billing Accountant in New Orleans. Apply here.
- Wal-Mart posted a job opening for Cart Attendant 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 can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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