Heat Advisory in effect Saturday, July 18: highs near 95°F and heat‑index readings into the 100s. Cooling centers and safety tips listed inside.

NOPD says Robert A. Shavers was arrested in connection with 11 business burglaries across the Fifth District, several at churches. Detectives are reviewing surveillance and seeking tips.

The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office carried out a court-ordered eviction at New Orleans Cremation Service; the coroner has taken custody of human remains amid ongoing legal and regulatory action.

Mid‑90s today in New Orleans with weekend heat‑index values near 106°F. Little rain through Monday; city cooling sites are listed.

Mag's 940, a Marigny gay bar known for drag shows, shut suddenly this week; its sign was removed and at least one entrance boarded with no public statement.

Fire crews extinguished a blaze at Sam's Southern Eatery on Pontchartrain Drive in Slidell; no injuries were reported and the department calls the fire accidental.

A woman was shot Wednesday at the Victorian Condominiums in Metairie; detectives were on scene and no arrests have been announced.

A photo republished by The Advocate shows convicted killer Terry Speaks at Louis Armstrong Airport, renewing focus on the 2012 killing and dismemberment of Jaren Lockhart.

Bipartisan Gulf lawmakers want to extend state waters to nine nautical miles, shifting future offshore leases and revenues to Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Federal officials have flagged costs and legal questions as BOEM schedules a major lease sale.

A HireAHelper analysis finds only Louisiana, Iowa and Minnesota meet the 30% mortgage-to-income test. High prices and rising rates leave most states out of reach.

A $4.2M federal award will double ULM’s Louisiana State Mesonet and boost flood forecasting across the Lower Mississippi Basin.

A federal officer was killed Monday during a fugitive search in Alexandria. FBI New Orleans is leading an active investigation and the suspect is in custody.

Federal regulators reached a consent agreement with Denka in LaPlace that requires cleanup of chloroprene waste, new controls and a civil penalty of roughly $996,700. The deal follows inspections that found hazardous open‑pit handling and very high short‑term emissions.