Rules of the New Orleans City Council
Weekly Crime Statistics
 One violent crime is too many. However, progress is being made. Orleans Parish, with its millions of visitors per year and historical pressures on its social fabric has special challenges relative to crime - challenges that are distinct in the State of Louisiana. Appreciation is due to residents and to members of the law enforcement community - led by the NOPD's constitutional patrols and investigations - for the progress being made. There is still much to do.
Call 311 or report what you see at nola311.org.
2026 Proposed Budget Hearings Week One Summary
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NEW ORLEANS, LA - Beginning on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, the City Council held the first of several 2026 Proposed Budget Hearings. The Council conducted two additional hearings on October 15 and 16 during the first week of the 2026 budget season. Throughout this initial week, Council members met with representatives from the Department of Finance, the Chief Administrative Office, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, Michael J. Waguespack, and others. The Council also received presentations on the Capital Budget and the Five-Year Capital Plan, beginning on the third day of hearings. Read More
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Governmental Affairs Committee Summary
NEW ORLEANS, LA - On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, the Governmental Affairs Committee met to review several personnel appointments, discuss a Professional Service Agreement with Aptim Environmental and Infrastructure, LLC, and consider three amendments to previous Professional Service Agreements. The Committee also reviewed and approved two ordinances regarding the City Code. Read More
Councilman Green to Honor Breast Cancer Survivor Tranell Scott Perrault
New Orleans resident Tranell Scott Perrault, a 15-year breast cancer survivor, will be honored by Councilman Green on Breast Cancer Awareness Day at the Oct. 23rd City Council Meeting.
NORD and Openwaters Launch Swim-To-Career Workforce Initiative
 Click here to register.
NORD Commission Offers Free Kid Café After-School Meal Program in Partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank
NEW ORLEANS, LA — The New Orleans Recreation Development (NORD) Commission is pleased to announce that Kid Café, a free after-school meal program for youth ages 18 and under, is now underway. In partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank, No Kid Hungry, and Share Our Strength, the program provides children in afterschool program sites across New Orleans with consistent access to nutritious meals during the school year.
Kid Café meals are available Mon. through Fri. from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at NORD Commission recreation centers:
- Cut-Off Recreation Center – 6600 Belgrade Street
- Desire/Florida Multi-Service Center – 3250 Industry Street
- Gernon Brown Recreation Center – 1001 Harrison Avenue
- Hunter’s Field Recreation Center – 1659 N. Claiborne Avenue
- Joe W. Brown Recreation Center – 5601 Read Boulevard
- Lyons Recreation Center – 624 Louisiana Avenue
- Milne Recreation Center – 5420 Franklin Avenue
- Morris F.X. Jeff Recreation Center – 2529 General Meyer Avenue
- Rosenwald Recreation Center – 1120 S. Broad Avenue
- Sanchez Multi-Service Center – 1616 Fats Domino Avenue
- Stallings St. Claude Recreation Center – 4300 St. Claude Avenue
- St. Bernard Recreation Center – 1500 Lafreniere Steet
- Treme Recreation Center – 900 N. Villere Street
“By providing free, healthy meals, Kid Café helps give children the strong foundation they need to learn and grow,” said Larry Barabino, Jr., CEO of the NORD Commission. “When we invest in our youth, we invest in the future of New Orleans.”
Kid Café is part of NORD Commission's broader mission to provide accessible recreational and cultural opportunities, while addressing critical needs in the community. For more information, visit nordc.org or call 504-658-3052.
Benjamin Franklin Mathematics & Science School Launches First “Bears Under the Oaks” Music Fest Featuring Grammy-Winning Artists and Student Performances
NEW ORLEANS, LA – Benjamin Franklin Mathematics & Science School (Baby Ben) is proud to announce the inaugural “Bears Under the Oaks” Music Fest, taking place Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. on the Uptown campus located at 1116 Jefferson Avenue.
The event is the kickoff to Baby Ben’s 40th Anniversary celebration: Paving the Path to 40. “In 2026, Benjamin Franklin will proudly celebrate its 40th anniversary," said Benjamin Franklin Elementary CEO Dr. Jeremye Brooks. “To commemorate this milestone, we are engaging our students and families in a meaningful campaign to strengthen our programs and enrich student life.”
The outdoor festival will showcase world-class professional musicians alongside the extraordinary talents of Baby Ben’s own students. Headlining the evening is the Jordan Family & Friends, performers include violinist (and baby Ben Strings Teacher) Rachel Jordan, trumpeter Marlon Jordan, and featuring internationally renowned artists including Grammy Award-winning bassist David Pulphus, celebrated pianist Jordan Baker and drummer Peter Varnado. In addition, audiences will be treated to performances by the Singing Bears Choir, Orchestra, and Concert Band, shining a spotlight on the school’s robust and growing arts program.
“We are thrilled to launch this new tradition that brings together our students, families, and neighbors for a joyful evening of music under the oaks,” said Dr. Jeremye Brooks, CEO of Benjamin Franklin Mathematics & Science School. “At Baby Ben, we believe that the arts and academics go hand in hand. This festival is not only an opportunity for our students to perform on the same stage as acclaimed professional musicians, but also a chance for our community to come together, celebrate culture, and invest in the creative spirit of our children. We hope this event becomes a beloved annual gathering for Uptown and beyond.”
Admission is $15 per person, or families can purchase a Family Package for four at $50 and can be purchased at babyben.org or at the gate. Local food trucks and beverage vendors will be on site, making this an evening of entertainment, culture, and community for all ages.
ABOUT THE JORDAN FAMILY & FRIENDS
- Rachel Jordan (violinist) has performed at the Kennedy Center and Salzburg Mozart Festival and is a member of the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra in Houston and the James Carter String Quartet at Loyola University New Orleans.
- Marlon Jordan (trumpeter) was celebrated by Columbia Records as a “Young Jazz Lion” and has shared the stage with George Benson, Wynton Marsalis, and Miles Davis.
- David Pulphus (bassist) is a Grammy Award and Jazz Allstars Award winner who has performed with legends including Elvin Jones and Tony Bennett.
- Jordan Baker (pianist) is a recipient of the Theodore Presser Foundation Award and Jazz Allstars Award, with performances at Bonnaroo, the Discover Jazz Festival, and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
- Peter Varnado (drummer) serves as BAM Director of Music Application at Tulane University and is a Preservation Hall drummer and internationally respected music educator.
For more information about Benjamin Franklin Mathematics & Science School and the Music Fest, visit www.babyben.org.
N.O. Film Festival: Dédé Documentary
 Tickets:
https://nofs.eventive.org/schedule/68c87558cb8ac47023b78340ti
New Orleans Health Department Launches Big Easy Swim Easy to Teach Hundreds of Local Kids to Swim for Free
This summer, the New Orleans Health Department is proud to announce the launch of Big Easy Swim Easy, a new citywide initiative offering water safety courses and free swim lessons to children and teens across Orleans Parish. The program aims to prevent drowning, promote water safety, and increase access to lifesaving swimming education for New Orleans youth.
Now through September 2026, the program will offer swimming instruction to approximately 700 lower-income children who meet the requirements, ages 5 to 18, with an emphasis on beginner-level swimmers on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration is required, and families can sign up now through our partner organization, The 18th Ward, via nola.gov/swim. Registration for the fall season is now open, with additional groups becoming available later for the winter, spring, and summer 2026 seasons. All pools will be located in Orleans and may vary by season.
What’s Provided:
All the necessary swim gear is available at every lesson. Instructors will provide:
- Goggles
- Kickboards
- Barbells
- Pull buoy
- Boat swim trainer
- Hand paddles
What kids/families need:
- A towel
- Swimwear (one-piece or two-piece suits, swim trunks, or athletic shorts)
- Preferably no T-shirts
How to Register:
Families must pre-register via The 18th Ward. Registration links and more information can be found at nola.gov/swim. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. Waitlists will be created once all the slots are filled. All swim instructors are certified and provided by The 18th Ward.
Get more information about water safety education and resources at nola.gov/health or email us at BigEasySwimEasy@nola.gov.
Lakeview H&H Drainage Study Community Meeting on October 22nd
 The Office of Resilience and Sustainability is hosting a community meeting on Wednesday, October 22 to share the Hydrologic and Hydraulic (H&H) drainage study results for Lakeview and to hear your feedback.
Our goals are to:
- Build trust among residents, businesses, and partner organizations
- Be transparent that not every request will be feasible, while showing how input shapes decisions
- Help everyone understand City processes and timelines
- Clarify who provides input and who makes final decisions for different project choices
- Set clear expectations for how we will work together on engagement tasks
Meeting details
- Date: Wednesday, October 22
- Time: 6-7:30PM
- Location: Edward Hynes Charter School-Lakeview, Library (900 Harrison Ave)
- Format: Short presentation, Q&A, and small group input
What to expect
- A plain-language overview of the H&H analysis for Lakeview
- What the findings mean for near-term and long-term drainage improvements
- How today’s feedback will inform next steps in design, funding, and coordination with partner agencies
How to participate
- RSVP: https://linktr.ee/resiliencenola
- Share questions in advance: ors@nola.gov
- Help spread the word by sharing the flyer
Thank you for being part of this work. Your experience and local knowledge are essential to building a safer, flood-resilient Lakeview.
Community-Led Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunity & Info Session
Grants of up to $150,000 are available to community-based non-profit organizations working to address flooding and heat in their neighborhoods with green infrastructure. Applications for Round 1 Grants are due October 24, 2025.
The Greater New Orleans Foundation and its subsidiary, The New Orleans Community Support Foundation (NOCSF), invites applications from eligible nonprofit and community-based organizations for grants under the Community-Led Green Infrastructure initiative. This initiative, supported by federal funding, aims to advance environmental well-being and community resilience through the development, implementation, and evaluation of community-led green infrastructure projects focused on flood mitigation, community resilience, and water quality improvement in vulnerable and underserved communities in the Greater New Orleans region.
The Foundation will distribute $1.75 million in grants over two rounds to implement community-led green infrastructure projects in underserved communities at highest risk for adverse environmental impacts.
You can view the Request for Applications here
Reminder: the fine for tagging buildings with graffiti has increased from $100 to $500 due to City Council passage and Mayor Cantrell’s signing of an amendment to an Ordinance introduced by CouncIlman Green.
Areas such as along historic Claiborne have been negatively impacted by the destructive work of some selfish people. Anyone writing or drawing on property owned by someone else without that owner’s permission has committed the crime of vandalism.
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Follow NOLA Ready to stay updated on the latest severe weather impacting the area. During a mandatory evacuation, NOLA Ready will send important information by text message and phone call. |
City of New Orleans Civil Leadership Academy
Fest On The Chef on October
Southwest Shootout Presented by the Team Hope Foundation on October 18th
Neighborhood Summit on November 1st
The Summit will fill up two weeks in advance - it always does. Each time the summit is held, registration exceeds the room's capacity. Free parking is available for the first 500 enrollees, with breakfast provided for those who attend early. Every Department and Office will be represented. Please - sign up today if you plan to attend.
Superintendent Student Leadership Council
French Market October Newsletter
Applications for ACT-SO 2025-2026 Now Open
 
United Way of Southeast Louisiana Inspired Up Program
18th Ward Family Fun Day Series
 
NORD Commission Events
 NORD Outdoors: Canoeing & Fishery every Saturday!
 Joe W. Brown Tennis: EVERYDAY!
 Join NORD Swim Team, today! We want you. Open to all
 NORD Pickleball Open-Play is available!
 Rec Center Computer Access, available at NORD locations
Computer access is available during normal center hours. Please note: ALL users will have to present proper form of identification prior to use. For more information, please contact the center directly or call 504-658-3052.
Would you like to become a NORD Volunteer? Let's meet!
 Come volunteer with us! People volunteer for a variety of reasons. Volunteering offers individuals the opportunity to contribute to their community and also provides an opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge. Scan our QR CODE to start your volunteer process, today! For more information and further questions visit nordc.org/volunteer.
Would you like to donate to NORD Foundation? Donate here!
 PSA Contest
 NORD Swimming Hours
NORD Lifeguard Training
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