A $50,000 Powerball ticket sold at Discount Depot in Marrero remains unclaimed and is listed by the Louisiana Lottery with an Aug. 10, 2026 deadline.

Council committee backed a short extension and ordered Entergy New Orleans to clarify Direct Transfer Trip rules that can add costs. The city’s 60 MW pipeline could serve thousands if technical questions are resolved.

A Metairie mother says her 17-year-old son died by suicide hours after Rummel High expelled him and has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit alleging negligence.

The governor has signed onto a federal foster initiative and a state budget would add money to raise daily board payments. Officials say higher pay is aimed at recruiting and keeping more licensed homes for kids in care.

St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter is now uploading incoming animals to Petco Love Lost so owners can find missing pets faster. Photo‑matching and social scans will help speed reunions.

The 13th UNCF New Orleans Mayor’s Masked Ball raised more than $1M for scholarships, with Entergy matching the raise‑the‑paddle auction to boost student aid.

NOPD handed out medals and unit citations this week, honoring officers and civilian staff for lifesaving and brave acts.

Madisonville residents say manganese has left taps brown and stained, sparking health worries. City leaders are weighing a $9M well and have paused bids until April.

A fresh wave of scam texts impersonating the Louisiana OMV threatens license suspension and demands payment through fake ExpressLane-style links.

Rep. Troy Carter helped secure $1.03M to fund 5,750 biometric gun safes and safe‑storage training for families across southeast Louisiana.

The New Orleans Career Center says enrollment has jumped to roughly 800 as it expands building‑trades and health programs at the renovated Tremé campus. Employers from hospitals to hotels are hiring graduates.

The Odyssey House sobering center closed on Jan. 15 after the city removed its funding from the 2026 budget, leaving a 25‑bed site shuttered and advocates scrambling. Providers warn hospitals and police will absorb more demand without the center.

An outside analysis and district data warn New Orleans has more seats than students; officials say several K–8 campuses and a few high schools may need to close.