News & Announcements

February 6, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

Office of Nighttime Economy and Louisiana Department of Health Host Harm Reduction Pop-Ups for Nightlife and Hospitality Workers

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Office of Nighttime Economy, in coordination with the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), will host harm reduction pop-ups in the lobby of Gallier Hall on Monday, February 9, and Tuesday, February 10, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

These pop-ups are designed to support nightlife business operators and hospitality workers with the tools, training, and knowledge needed to respond effectively in emergencies as the city prepares for the upcoming parade season. Attendees will be able to pick up free harm reduction supplies, including naloxone (commonly known by the brand name Narcan), a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, as well as fentanyl test strips, which can be used to detect the presence of fentanyl in substances. The Office of Nighttime Economy will also have a limited supply of drink test strips available and informational signage for venues to post, reinforcing overdose prevention, patron safety, and emergency response awareness in nightlife and hospitality settings.

February 6, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS APPOINTS DARRICK HESSON TO DIRECTOR OF NEW ORLEANS OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS 

NEW ORLEANS – The City of New Orleans appoints Darrick Hesson as Director of the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness. The Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) serves as New Orleans’ coordinating agency for public safety and emergency management. As director, Hesson will oversee the administration of all crises and consequence response protocols safeguarding New Orleans. 

Hesson is a native New Orleanian with more than 24 years of progressive experience in emergency management and homeland security. His career spans local, parish, state, and private sectors, giving Hesson a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in safeguarding the City of New Orleans. 

February 5, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

City Council Unanimously Advances Mayor Moreno’s Pick for Public Works Director

NEW ORLEANS – Today, the New Orleans City Council Governmental Affairs Committee has voted to advance the appointment of Steve Nelson as the Director of the Department of Public Works. 

Nelson’s nomination highlights Mayor Helena Moreno’s commitment to a “Fix the Basics” strategy, providing a comprehensive overhaul of how the city’s infrastructural issues are tackled. Nelson serves as both the city’s Deputy CAO for Infrastructure, as well as nominee for Director of Public Works. He is responsible for maintaining and improving the city’s streets, sidewalks, streetlights, traffic signals, parking enforcement, and public right-of-way infrastructure. 

February 3, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

Mayor Moreno and City Council launch major initiative to repair lighting across the city 

Today, Mayor Helena Moreno and the New Orleans City Council announced a $2.8M investment to urgently repair lighting around the city. Prioritized projects include the High Rise bridge in New Orleans East, Interstate 10 and other major routes. Repairs for lighting will also include converting some lighting to solar and aluminum to eliminate the threat of copper theft which has plagued the lighting infrastructure in New Orleans. In addition to repairs across the city, a portion of the funding will be utilized to hire a few electricians within the Department of Public Works to do minor repairs within city buildings. Currently, most minor electrical work is being contracted out. This is more costly.  

The funding for this effort comes from a 2018 penalty fine the City Council imposed on Entergy New Orleans for deceptive practices during their efforts to build the New Orleans Power Station. A portion of the $5M fine for what was called the “Paid Actors Scandal” has been spent over time by the City Council, yet $2.8M remains. 

February 2, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

City of New Orleans Announces Public Safety and Preparedness Efforts for Mardi Gras

The City of New Orleans announced today the public safety and operations plans for Mardi Gras. As Mardi Gras celebrations continue across the city, the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) is maintaining close coordination with local, state, and federal partners to support preparedness efforts and event operations throughout the season. 

A Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) I designation is in place from Friday, Feb. 13 through the early morning hours of Wednesday, Feb. 18. To support these large-scale events, the City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will activate at City Hall for all major parades beginning Friday, Feb. 6, and will remain operational through the disband of the Crescent City parade on Tuesday, Feb. 17. 

January 29, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

THE CITY  OF NEW ORLEANS ACTIVATES  FREEZE PLAN AND EXPANDS SHELTER ACCESS

NEW ORLEANS — Today, the City of New Orleans announced that it will activate the Citywide Freeze Plan from Friday, Jan. 30, through overnight Sunday, Feb. 1, in anticipation of sustained cold weather conditions.   

January 28, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

City of New Orleans Awarded Mayors Alliance Action Fund to End Childhood Hunger Grant From Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign and Dollar Tree

The City of New Orleans announced today that it has been selected as an inaugural recipient of the Mayors Alliance Action Fund to End Childhood Hunger (Mayors Action Fund), a grant program of the Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger. The initiative is supported by Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign and Dollar Tree and brings together collective voices and resources to end childhood hunger and strengthen family economic mobility in communities across the country.

January 28, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

City of New Orleans Seeks DJs for 2026 Mardi Gras Season

NEW ORLEANS - The City of New Orleans is seeking qualified DJs to provide music services for the 2026 Mardi Gras parade season, bringing energy, culture, and coordination to the city’s official Mardi Gras stands at Gallier Hall. Through the Office of Cultural Economy, the City of New Orleans is now accepting submissions from DJs interested in providing music services for the city’s official Mardi Gras stands at Gallier Hall.

DJs will be compensated in accordance with the musician pay ordinance which guarantees at least $200 per hour. Due to the city’s fiscal crisis, DJs will be paid for through private donations. The Greater New Orleans Development Foundation (GNODF) is the fiscal agent receiving donations from businesses and organizations that stepped up to support the effort and will directly fund DJs to perform at Gallier Hall. To date, more than $40,000 has been pledged. Any funds not used for Mardi Gras will be directed to fund musicians at other city events. 

January 26, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

RecycleDAT! Mardi Gras Sustainability Initiative Returns for a Fourth Year

New Orleans, LA –  This Carnival Season, Grounds Krewe is again collaborating with New Orleans & Company and the City of New Orleans’ Office of Resilience & Sustainability, alongside presenting sponsors Entergy Corporation and Dr Pepper, for RecycleDAT! - an initiative to promote a more sustainable Mardi Gras.  Members of the public can expect to see recycling stations and bins along the Uptown parade route during the day for parades on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, as well as other programming throughout the city.  

January 25, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

City Hall To Open At 12 Noon Due To Inclement Weather

Due to inclement weather conditions, New Orleans City Hall and offices will open at 12:00 pm on Monday, January 26.  The later start time is to protect the safety of the public and city personnel. This additional time will allow for tending to cold-weather plans and for greater warmth.

All employees should report to work at 12:00 pm for their regularly scheduled hours.