Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInNEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The New Orleans music venue Ohm Lounge expressed “regret” after allowing a performer into its club and onto its stage Saturday night (May 3) wearing a shirt emblazoned with a large swastika on the back. “We regret that this occurred within our space and are taking immediate action to ensure it does not happen again,” Ohm Lounge ownership and management said Sunday in an Instagram post. The nightclub promised an updated code of conduct, revised performance guidelines and additional training for staff “to better recognize and address attire or imagery that could be perceived as threatening, hostile or divisive -- regardless of intent.” The nightclub did not elaborate on what it might consider acceptable intent of displaying a swastika, seen for more than 80 years as the most identifiable symbol of Nazi Germany. The incident unfolded Saturday during a show featuring rapper Waka Flocka Flame, though the venue claimed it had not known about it until seeing social media posts after the performance ended. “Following last night’s Waka Flocka performance, we were made aware that a New Orleans-based co-performing artist wore apparel featuring a symbol widely recognized as one of hate and violence,” the statement said. “This symbol has no place in our venue, our values, or our city. Notably, Waka Flocka’s manager, who is Jewish, was just as shocked and disturbed to learn how the situation unfolded online today.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ohm Lounge at Barcadia (@ohmlounge_nola) But several people who said they attended the show posted on social media that they had complained immediately to Ohm staff and even left the performance early because of the imagery on stage Many identified the performer who wore the shirt as New Orleans-based rapper Loudiene “@wakaflocka Knew I Was High Risk Before I Sign A Deal.” Loudiene also dismissed the criticism with an Instagram story post Sunday saying “y’all gotta chill” over his attire because he is “not no (expletive) Nazi.” Waka Flocka Flame has not commented on Loudiene or his fashion statement See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Click Here to report it Subscribe to the Fox 8 YouTube channel. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ohm Lounge at Barcadia (@ohmlounge_nola) 2025Save this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links The Italianate-style mansion—with its soaring ceilings and stately proportions—was built in 1859 by the architect Henry Howard best known for shaping the antebellum aesthetic of New Orleans through his opulent town houses and plantation homes the AD PRO Directory designer was both thrilled and daunted the pull of New Orleans’s deep-rooted charm was what drew her back to her home state after many years living in California “Everything there just became very formulaic for me,” she explains of her earlier career in the Golden State “When we moved to New Orleans after having children it really opened up so much more.” Reimagining the Garden District gem was simply the icing on the cake Among the few decorative elements left in situ from the previous owners was this hand-painted mural of a Louisiana swamp by the artist AM CREATIVE FINISHES “Our main inspiration was those Parisian Haussmann-style apartments that maintain the original architecture while blending in modern furniture and kitchens,” Erwin says There were a few elements kept in situ from the previous design including a moody hand-painted mural of a Louisiana swamp “We approached this project with deep respect for the home’s architectural legacy,” adds Amy Petersen who served as Lee Ledbetter & Associates’ project manager for the renovation “The goal was never to modernize for the sake of change but to create a home that supports the rhythm of daily life while allowing the original craftsmanship and character to shine through and making every intervention feel like it had always belonged.” The architecture of the house was the guiding influence for everyone involved “The owners are a fun couple with four young children so we had to make it modern while blending it with the existing [shell],” explains the designer that meant introducing sculptural furnishing with subtle curves and abstract shapes—a 1950s boomerang-style sofa upholstered in bouclé an Atelier Fevrier rug that resembles shattered ceramics a pair of wedge-like Achille armchairs by Pool Studio—and painting the walls and ceiling a warm almond-toned shade of cream as a way of softening the room’s ornate details and gargantuan scale separated from the living room by a series of arches held aloft by Corinthian columns the space revolves around a 12-foot custom Egg Collective dining table and a Lindsey Adelman Branching Disc chandelier “Having to work with these big spaces meant finding the right proportions,” Erwin explains “The volume of each room is so massive that we had to be specific about each piece we put in the room.” A vintage Italian mirror and brass-toned hardware enhance the jewel-box effect balancing the home’s natural grandeur with more intimate spaces was equally as important so they wanted a home that could host everything from a black-tie event to Sunday fundays when they have a bunch of families over,” Erwin says where a vintage Willy Rizzo chrome and wood bar and matching games table evoke the feeling of 1970s glamour it remains very much a family house at heart Lee Ledbetter & Associates designed the kitchen and Erwin selected a functional Bulthaup-designed system with fuss-free Cosentino countertops and a sun-drenched breakfast nook where they can all sit occupying a piece of history doesn’t necessarily mean living in a museum they didn’t want a ‘don’t touch’ house,” she adds “The furniture had to be usable and family-friendly—somewhere the kids could run around and make a mess.” The Garden District mansion was built in 1859 by the architect Henry Howard inject bold contrast into the light-filled room Erwin specified Farrow & Ball’s earthy Green Smoke wall paint for the boy’s room “We made sure the garden furniture was easily moveable, so you can set up a dining table and have an outdoor dinner party,” says Erwin, who sourced a set of Kettal Cala Club Armchairs for the tree-filled backyard. Not a subscriber? Join AD for print and digital access now Affordable Housing in America Through Three People’s Eyes Inside a Party With The White Lotus Cast at a Storied Beverly Hills Home Mark D. Sikes Brings All-American Optimism Home With Pottery Barn Amy Astley’s Entertaining Essentials The Best Airbnbs in Istanbul Are Historic Gems Inside an Italianate-Style New Orleans Mansion That Channels Parisian Glamour Jennifer Aniston’s Houses: Inside the Friends Star’s Multimillion Dollar Real Estate Portfolio This 850-Square-Foot Brooklyn Heights Apartment Is the Epitome of Romance Meet Ficus Interfaith, Two Rising Stars Making Art Furniture From Everyday Refuse Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the best of design in your inbox. but their performance turned out to be a triumph of energy and gratitude towards a city that’s always had their back Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town Better Man/Save It For Later (The English Beat) Rockin’ In The Free World (Neil Young) Pearl Jam has a deep history of epic shows in New Orleans and this marked their third appearance at the legendary Jazz Fest cementing once again their special connection with the city and the festival immediately paying homage to New Orleans and the Jazz Fest during the break The band then dropped a “festival-style” set full of crowd-pleasers but they also threw in some hidden gems for the hardcore fans like the killer double-header of Tremor Christ and Love Boat Captain Before Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town Eddie spoke about the importance of activism and encouraged everyone not to feel alone: “Don’t just react Eddie gave a shout-out to Steve Gleason in the crowd saying he’d inspire Mike to bring his A-game — and sure enough McCready unleashed a scorching solo that set the place on fire Some of the most intense moments came when the crowd belted out Black and a jaw-dropping version of Red Mosquito with Danny Clinch playing harmonica It’s worth mentioning that the original setlist had two more tracks from Dark Matter — the title track and Won’t Tell — but those got swapped at the last minute with Red Mosquito taking Dark Matter’s spot Eddie praised the crowd for their respect and energy: “In Florida we had to stop a few times because people were getting sick everything’s been smooth sailing.” The closing stretch was an absolute thrill: Better Man Porch (with Eddie waving at the fans on the side bleachers) Pearl Jam turned their concert into a collective celebration and a setlist that hit all the right notes — from the long-time fans to the newcomers hearing them for the first time He created pearljamonline.it in 2001 and wrote the first edition of “Pearl Jam Evolution” in 2009 along with his wife Daria he is behind 2 podcasts: “Pearl Jam dalla A alla Z” and “Fuori Orario Not Another Podcast” He continues relentlessly to try to find “beautiful melodies that say terrible things” News Release > Entergy New Orleans helps restore power at Dominican High School we understand the critical role schools play in shaping our communities and the importance of maintaining consistent operations to support student learning Mary’s Dominican High School was unable to receive power due to internal electrical issues our team quickly responded to support their swift return to normal operations The school’s administration had previously been advised by their electrician that the secondary wiring on campus was deteriorating Plans were in place to address the issue over the summer break as repairs would require a temporary power outage the wiring failed resulting in a loss of power to the entire campus The next morning Entergy crews were on-site to assess the situation and determine how we could assist Entergy New Orleans took immediate action – expediting the order and delivery of a new transformer All of the work was completed within 48 hours enabling the school’s electrical contractor to begin replacing the secondary wiring Through close coordination with Dominican High School and the office of Councilmember Joe Giarrusso power was restored to the school on Thursday morning “We recognized how important it was to act fast,” said Nyka Scott customer service and economic development at Entergy New Orleans our team worked proactively to reduce downtime and support students’ return to the classroom as quickly and safely as possible.” Mary’s Dominican High School community extends its sincere gratitude to Entergy for its prompt response and collaboration in securing the necessary equipment and restoring power to our campus,” said Dr “Their efforts were instrumental in ensuring the successful completion of our school year “A school’s doors being open is critical but maybe even more so at year end,” said Councilman Joe Giarusso Entergy expedited receipt and installation of equipment to ensure the school and kids finish the year on the right note.” Entergy New Orleans is committed to delivering reliable service and responding promptly to challenges We will continue to actively collaborate with local leaders to ensure timely effective solutions that support the communities we serve The firm utilized Community Development Block Grant dollars to make the underwriting feasible amid rising insurance costs A few months after acquiring a 1,068-unit affordable housing portfolio in the Carolinas American South Capital Partners has bought a 250-unit apartment community in New Orleans for an undisclosed price a joint venture of SDS Capital Group and Vintage Realty Co. partnered with New Orleans-based VPG Holdings to purchase The Marquis Making the numbers work for a property in New Orleans where insurance costs are notoriously high senior vice president of originations for ASCP Annual insurance costs are up to $4,000 per unit in some of the properties Epps has examined in the city “This deal didn't have that dramatic of an insurance rate just because of the quality of the product — it is 2009 vintage,” Epps said “Then you layer on the fact that the ground-floor level is parking and the actual units are above grade and above the parking flood insurance is a little bit cheaper because residents aren’t as likely to be flooded because they're about 10 feet above the ground.” ASCP took advantage of Community Development Block Grant dollars from the post-Hurricane Katrina era that could be assumed as part of the transaction “We were able to acquire 250 units of high-quality newer construction at a very attractive cost basis,” Epps said The Marquis features a combination of non-restricted and deed-restricted affordable housing units comprising one- A large portion of the units are at deeper affordability levels for residents earning less than 60% of area median income ASCP and VPG Holdings plan to fund deferred maintenance and the implementation of energy- and water-efficient appliances “We do have capital set aside for pretty standard interior upgrades cabinets and flooring as units turn,” Epps said “This is more of a deferred maintenance exercise — upgrading HVAC systems and the pool and dealing with roofs and asphalt in the parking areas.” ASCP invests in affordable housing real estate projects in 10 southern states Its funds have committed more than $176 million to 25 projects financing more than 7,071 housing units — 83% of which are affordable to families with incomes at or below 80% of AMI Despite a challenging transaction environment and the possibility of federal affordable housing funds drying up under the Trump administration Epps remains optimistic about the market's overall direction many of our deals haven't relied on tax credits or federal subsidy dollars,” Epps said “We’re dealing more with local and state municipal programs affordable housing seems to be a bipartisan issue right now.” Click here to sign up to receive multifamily and apartment news like this article in your inbox every weekday Get the free daily newsletter read by industry experts Bozzuto and Cardinal Group highlighted the strategies that drive value during a recent webinar Subscribe to the Multifamily Dive free daily newsletter Subscribe to Multifamily Dive for top news The free newsletter covering the top industry headlines The New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL) and the Paris Musketeers of the European League of Football (ELF) are proud to announce a groundbreaking strategic partnership aimed at uniting fan bases enhancing cross-continental football experiences and fostering the growth of American football in Europe This collaboration will encompass a series of joint initiatives and community programs in both New Orleans and Paris The partnership seeks to create immersive experiences for fans and cultural exchange events that celebrate the rich heritage of both teams "We are proud to announce our partnership with the Paris Musketeers a collaboration that reflects our ongoing commitment to growing the game of football globally," said Dennis Lauscha "This strategic alliance provides a valuable opportunity to expand the reach of the Saints brand and share the rich tradition and passion of our organization with fans around the world." expressed enthusiasm about the alliance: "Joining forces with the New Orleans Saints is a significant milestone for our organization We look forward to collaborating on initiatives that will not only enhance the fan experience but also contribute to the development of American football in France and beyond One of our first joint initiatives will be the launch of a halftime flag football series with local youth groups at our home games this season." the Saints and Musketeers will also explore opportunities for shared training programs and the development of digital content tailored to engage fans in both markets The collaboration underscores a mutual commitment to innovation and the global expansion of American football have quickly emerged as a competitive force in the ELF showcasing a dedication to excellence and a growing fan base in France bring decades of experience and a passionate following to the partnership Further details about upcoming events and initiatives resulting from this partnership will be announced in the coming months About the Paris MusketeersThe Paris Musketeers are a professional American football team competing in the European League of Football the Musketeers have quickly established themselves as a dynamic and competitive team dedicated to promoting American football in France and engaging with a growing community of fans Watch the New Orleans Saints select Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman in Round 4 of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 112th overall pick member of the French national team announced the pick live in Paris alongside Mona Pagamento and Meenah Gormezano Cette collaboration englobera une série d'initiatives conjointes des activités d'engagement des fans et des programmes communautaires à la Nouvelle-Orléans et à Paris the NFL app and NFL+ for Schedule Release '25 Three-time All-Pro missed all of 2024 season with knee injury Annual golf tournament features current New Orleans Saints players coaches and front office personnel and Saints legends  Five-year deal kicks off with 2025-26 Saints and Pelicans seasons Legendary Saints quarterback Archie Manning says Simmons was 'the best' Upwards of 3,000 attendees of all ages across the region engaged in hands-on learning The Joe Gemelli "Fleur-De-Lis" Award winner served on the Saints Athletic Training staff for 44 years one of the longest tenured members of the Saints organization DC Brandon Staley to coaching roster ahead of 2025 NFL season 10 schools will be a part of the growing program that empowers young female athletes and fosters a passion for football Ben DeCastro is talking with Delfeayo Marsalis a trombonist from New Orleans at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage festival The festival has all types of music coming together and performing for all the fans and enjoying delicious food and activities for all For more information on the festival and other events happening in New Orleans check out the website Photos courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES: From left include Sophia Goyette of Medina MEDINA – Orleans/Niagara BOCES would like to congratulate the over 160 SkillsUSA members who competed on April 24th at the New York State Fairgrounds in dozens of competitions at the 2025 NYS SkillsUSA Leadership Conference teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce SkillsUSA helps each student to excel and empowers its members to become world-class workers Many of the students winning medals have the opportunity to move on to the National competition in Atlanta Some of the local gold medal winners include: a student in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering program at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center took a gold medal in the Technical Drafting competition The competition will focused on the application of appropriate entry-level technical drafting skills to solve visualization and presentation problems of a mechanical nature as designed by the national technical committee took a gold medal in CNC 3-Axis Milling Programming competition This competition assessed the ability to program CNC milling machines The competitor will also demonstrate theoretical knowledge of CNC machine configuration a student in the Allied Health program at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center took a gold medal in Health Occupations Professional Portfolio The knowledge performance portion of this competition was the creation of a professional portfolio with title page table of contents and six required sections in specific order Competitors were required to take the NYS SkillsUSA professional development test at orientation The competition includes a live presentation by the competitor designed to evaluate the ability of an individual to present themselves to an employer using effective communication skills Winners from Orleans Technical Education Center include: A proud member of LION Publishers – supporting local NEW ORLEANS, La. (KPEL News) — A popular music venue in New Orleans issued an apology after a rapper wore a swastika shirt on stage The performer has responded — and the internet is not having it Ohm Lounge in New Orleans is catching a lot of heat from fans after a performer identified as New Orleans-based Loudiene wore a shirt with the Nazi symbol on the back Ohm said in a social media apology that it was not aware of the imagery until after the show A post shared by Ohm Lounge at Barcadia (@ohmlounge_nola) "Following last night’s Waka Flocka performance we were made aware that a New Orleans-based co-performing artist wore apparel featuring a symbol widely recognized as one of hate and violence," Ohm said in its statement "This symbol has no place in our venue was just as shocked and disturbed to learn how the situation unfolded online today." However, fans took to the Internet to push back against Omh's claim. According to Fox 8 News saying they told staff about the symbol during the show described their direct interaction with the man on stage “When we saw what the man was wearing I made my way to the stage to talk to someone,” they wrote in a statement shared with Big Easy Magazine and the vibe definitely changed once he started dancing on stage next to the DJ Some people even cheered me on because they knew I was trying to do something about it.” the attendee reached the front of the stage and repeatedly asked the man “Why are you wearing that?” but received dismissive responses like “What?” and “Huh?” “He could definitely hear me,” they said After calling the man a troll and exchanging more words security intervened but did not remove them from the venue security pulled me to the side to talk,” they continued “He agreed that what the man was wearing was unacceptable but felt his hands were tied because he was a part of the artist’s entourage where I regrouped with my friends so we could leave together.” the rapper said “I do not have no political views it’s literally a shirt y’all gotta chill.” Along with that Loudiene’s Instagram bio includes the line “@wakaflocka Knew I Was High Risk Before I Sign A Deal.” has not made any public comment while the controversy has brewed online Ohm's apology included a promise for sensitivity training for employees and new policies to be put in place there has been a growing concern over antisemitism with the issue getting attention from politicians across the U.S It has even led to a fight over university funding at places like Harvard and elsewhere as the Trump administration attempts to crack down on the rise of antisemitism on university campuses And while artists using controversial symbolism is nothing new the use of a swastika and other Nazi imagery has raised concerns among Jewish groups and many are worried that public displays of support do more to embolden those with antisemitic views New Orleans’ Ohm Lounge apologized after a rapper wore a swastika shirt during a live show. Fans say staff ignored warnings mid-performance.\nRead More NEW ORLEANS, La. (KPEL News) — A popular music venue in New Orleans issued an apology after a rapper wore a swastika shirt on stage A post shared by Ohm Lounge at Barcadia (@ohmlounge_nola) However, fans took to the Internet to push back against Omh's claim. According to Fox 8 News WGNO Cinco de Mayo & Happy Birthday Milton at Felipe's in Old Metairie Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Felipe's in Old Metairie French Chef Delivers Lunch at NOLA French School Metairie 12-year-old has award-winning handwriting Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson is breathing a sigh of relief Saturday night Her law enforcement millage renewal passed by just two votes Orleans Parish law enforcement millage renewal passes by two votes Driving Forces May Day demonstration in New Orleans covers lots of ground Participants in a Union Migrante May Day protest march up Basin Street toward New Orleans City Hall on May 1 A surprise amendment to an insurance bill causes a rift among Louisiana Republicans but advances Gov Nationwide AmeriCorps cuts impact disaster recovery The Fed keeps rates unchanged as inflation cools despite pressure from Trump and scrutiny over its spending a[...] Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto is leaving Louisiana’s environmental agency to join a Washington Trump’s 2026 budget cuts $163B from domestic programs air travelers must show a REAL ID or passport to board domestic flights under new fe[...] Get our free New Orleans e-alerts & breaking news notifications A surprise amendment to an insurance bill causes a rift among Louisiana Republicans but advances Gov Landry’s reform agend[...] Here's how the city spent it—and the opportunities critics say were missed Nationwide AmeriCorps cuts impact disaster recovery leaving nonprofits struggling to f[...] Seventeen states sue Donald Trump over his executive order halting wind energy projects citing economic and environmental ri[...] The Fed keeps rates unchanged as inflation cools despite pressure from Trump and scrutiny over its spending and independence[...] Homebuyers now need $114K income to afford a median-priced home as mortgage rates rise and[...] New Orleans CityBusiness is the industry’s #1 trusted resource for 45 years on authoritative local industry news Get our free NOCB e-alerts & breaking news notifications Subscribe for access to the latest digital and special editions The New Orleans Saints finished last in the NFC South during the 2024 NFL season It marked the first time the team ended up in the cellar since the 2008 campaign Moore inherits a roster filled with significant question marks the most glaring of which are at quarterback Will Derek Carr be able to play in 2025 as he battles a shoulder injury? How will 25-year-old rookie second-round pick Tyler Shough fare in place of him if not Those are two questions Moore will quickly have to figure out answers to if New Orleans is to be more competitive during the upcoming NFL season Will the Saints also be able to work their way into the competition especially if Tampa Bay takes a step back as it pivots to a fourth different offensive coordinator in the last four years It could depend on just how difficult New Orleans' schedule ends up being Here's what to know about who the Saints will face during the 2025 NFL season SAINTS TICKETS: Buy tickets to 2025 New Orleans Saints games Saints 2025 opponentsHere's the full list of Saints opponents for 2025: The Saints will play each of their NFC South divisional foes twice during the 2025 NFL season They will also play all of the teams in the AFC East and NFC West as part of the NFL's rotating schedule New Orleans' final three opponents – the Bears Giants and Titans – were determined based on the Saints' last-place finish in the NFC South last season The NFL is set to reveal its 2025 schedule in full on Wednesday the NFL will reveal its entire 18-week slate of matchups and bye weeks for each team This year's schedule release will be held one day earlier than last year's The NFL announced the full 2024 schedule at 8 p.m so fans can expect a similar release time for this year's schedule Already holding commercial rights in France the New Orleans Saints have decided to further strengthen their ties with the country.This time the NFL franchise has chosen to collaborate with a flagship team: the Paris Musketeers the sole French representative in the European League of Football (ELF) This collaboration will include joint initiatives as well as community programs organized in both New Orleans and Paris The partnership will offer immersive fan experiences such as player meet-and-greets and cultural exchange events highlighting the rich heritage of both teams “We are proud to announce our partnership with the Paris Musketeers a collaboration that reflects our ongoing commitment to promoting football globally,” said Dennis Lauscha “This strategic alliance provides a valuable opportunity to expand the reach of the Saints brand and share the tradition and passion of our organization with fans around the world.” “Partnering with the New Orleans Saints represents an important milestone for our organization We look forward to collaborating on initiatives that will enhance the fan experience while contributing to the growth of American football in France and beyond One of our first joint initiatives will be the launch of a series of halftime flag football games with local youth groups at our home games this season.” coaching exchanges and the development of digital content designed to engage fans in both countries This collaboration demonstrates a mutual commitment to innovation community involvement and the global expansion of American football Further information on future events and initiatives arising from this partnership will be communicated in the coming months Get the biggest stories delivered straight to you - for free you consent to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy nad to receive marketing and account-related emails from The Playoffs The Playoffs has been a go-to source for sports and sports betting enthusiasts Our mission: To help bettors make the best choices with in-depth analysis Our motto: Share our passion for sports and betting our editorial teams work to deliver the most accurate and relevant information so you can place bets with confidence—and most importantly and understand that betting is a form of entertainment—not a way to earn money If gambling stops being enjoyable or starts affecting your life negatively don’t hesitate to seek support or take advantage of self-exclusion tools provided by betting platforms responsible betting is the key to a safe and enjoyable gaming experience DISCLAIMER: This site is 100% for entertainment purposes only and does not involve real money betting COPYRIGHT © 2025 - THE PLAYOFFS - SHARE THE PASSION FOR SPORTS AND BETTING ABATE Rally in Orleans County on Sunday May 4 Email notifications are only sent once a day Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist  Would you like to receive our daily news? Sign up today Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account gives the Albion Rotary Club a tour of the Fairhaven Inn last Thursday Fairhaven offers eight rooms on Ridge Road next to the Tavern on the Ridge Marlene Seielstad and Don Bishop were among those on the tour ALBION – Orleans County saw its bed tax revenues top $100,000 for the third straight year in 2024 The total at $116,712 is just below the $119,003 in 2023 Orleans first topped $100,000 in 2022 with $111,548 There are about 200 rooms for rent in the county especially near Lake Ontario where many fishermen come to catch Chinook salmon “We are losing hotel rooms to Batavia and Corfu,” Borchert said “People want to be closer to the water and not have to get up so early Many of the fishermen are up before the crack of dawn to go fishing at Lake Ontario and the tributaries They don’t want to have to drive more than a half hour from Genesee County Orleans County imposes a 4 percent bed tax on top of the 8 percent sales tax Before reaching $100,000 in bed tax in 2022 according to data from the county treasurer’s office The revenue has been up since the 58-room Comfort Inn & Suites in Medina opened on March 18 There also have been numerous new short-term rentals available as Airbnbs Bent’s Opera House also opened 10 hotel rooms in 2021 The county sets aside the bed tax to fund tourism department and initiatives to bring in visitors The increase in funds allowed the county to hire a sportsfishing coordinator in December 2022 filling a position that had been vacant for nearly five years Ron Bierstine promotes the county’s top tourism draw of sportsfishing attending more of fishing shows The county also has stepped up its digital advertising on Facebook to promote events in Orleans to attract more visitors to the area The tourism department promotes local festivities Sportsfishing has a total economic impact of $28 million in Orleans County according to the NY State DEC Anglers Survey for 2017 Out-of-state anglers account for 70 percent of the fishing economic output in Orleans County County residents who fish accounted for $1,767,334 in economic activity while other New York state residents outside Orleans represented another $6,601,571 Julie Gable is co-executive director of Grow Dat Youth Farm Grow Dat Youth Farm co-executive director Julie Gable told Gambit about their mission Grow Dat Youth Farm spans seven acres in New Orleans City Park and offers programs for young people to develop leadership skills and learn how to grow their own food The nonprofit farm also hosts workshops for the general public and sells annual farm shares which get members a weekly supply of fresh produce Julie Gable is Grow Dat Youth Farms’ co-executive director It's a family-style dinner on-site that highlights many of the fruits international influences on New Orleans cuisine For more information or tickets, visit growdatyouthfarm.org Julie Gable: It is an after-school program in a sense We bring together a diverse group of young people and we do that based on the premise of growing food from total beginners to advanced leadership programs Young people are putting their hands in the dirt and learning how something grows from a small seed to becoming a meal on the plate Food doesn’t just appear on the shelves; there’s a lot of work involved in how you grow that food This is what some people do for a living every day it’s the people who aren’t paid [fair wages] They get paid an hourly wage to come and grow food learn about sustainable agriculture and learn about climate change and the environment in general But they only spend about 50% of the time doing agricultural tasks They are also in programs that teach job readiness skills They are learning that it’s OK to disagree and it’s not appropriate to bring people down.” There are also workshops about workers’ rights fair wages and how to speak up if you’re being treated unfairly We don’t expect them to leave wanting to become farmers but knowing they have a voice and they can make a difference in the community and the city they live in We host a lot of workshops that are open to the public it was a golf course before Hurricane Katrina Indigenous people were the first on that land just about everything that you can think of that can grow in a warm We grow about 50,000 pounds of produce a year People can buy yearly memberships through our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program you get 29 weeks of being able to come to the farm once a week and pick up your share You can get enough food for a family of four About 80% of our food is distributed through the CSA program The other 20% we donate to our shared harvest partners Those are other organizations that are able to distribute it to people in need And our young people are able to take home fresh produce every week It's in a beautiful setting outdoors under the starlight Our space is located along a bayou under a huge oak tree that’s probably 300 years old We’ll have the opportunity for people to take a short tour of the farm (led by students) and learn about the history of the land and see all the crops we’re growing The theme is “Entwined Roots.” We’re celebrating the diverse flavors of New Orleans and the history of migration Each chef will pick an ingredient that we’re growing on the farm and incorporate that into the dish they are preparing Even the cocktails will have garnishes we grow on the farm Keep up with the latest New Orleans events at calendar.gambitweekly.com Email Sarah Ravits at sravits@gambitweekly.com The internet is an easy place to talk to strangers The Saints have expressed interest in adding a red zone threat and contested catch target over the offseason. After skipping on adding a receiver through the 2025 NFL Draft New Orleans could target these wideouts to the roster Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) reacts after a touchdown reception against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter at Soldier Field Among the players most frequently linked to the Saints was former Los Angeles Chargers and Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen The veteran pass-catcher played under new Saints' head coach Kellen Moore in 2023 making him a strong candidate to fill the team's need.  In 2024, Allen put up a respectable 744 yards and 7 touchdowns in 15 games with the Bears, being a reliable target for then-rookie Caleb Williams.  At 33 years old, Allen brings a veteran presence to the young wide receiver room. With his ability to help as a contested-catch target and Allen's high-level route-running, New Orleans would add a veteran who fills a major need and helps their young quarterback.  Amari CooperBuffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (18) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Highmark Stadium Veteran wide receiver Amari Cooper surprisingly remains unsigned despite an impressive 1,250-yard season just two years ago While Cooper wasn't as productive in 2024—accumulating 547 yards in 14 games—the 30-year-old wide receiver still has a lot to offer.  Cooper is a strong candidate to join the wide receiver room in New Orleans.  Allen RobinsonBrace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports Wide receiver Allen Robinson hasn't had an impact on an NFL team since his 1,250-yard season with the Chicago Bears in 2020. Robinson's role has become smaller over the years and he ended the 2024 season with just 3 receptions while appearing in 12 games with the Detroit Lions.  Despite the 6-foot-3 receiver's lack of production over the last four seasons he can earn a larger role with New Orleans and fill their need for a big-bodied contested catch target Robinson would be in the cheaper range of the available receivers and has the experience of a Pro Bowl receiver.  Photos and article courtesy of Howard Owens/The Batavian BATAVIA – Protesters came with signs and bullhorns to the Buffalo Detention Facility in Batavia on Friday evening in a hastily organized demonstration to raise their voices against Immigration and Customs Enforcement an organization coordinator for the United Farm Workers after 14 migrant workers the union claims to represent were picked up en masse early Friday morning in Albion by agents of ICE All 14 were on a bus owned by Lynn-Ette & Sons Farms in Kent They were stopped on Route 98 in the Village of Albion “They were on their way to work,” said Szpunt “These are workers we’ve been organizing with for at least a year An entire family was picked up in this raid and other workers have been here for decades We’re here to support them and let them know they’re not alone in this process.” She said the union doesn’t inquire about the legal status of migrants they organize with but given the longevity of several of the workers though she couldn’t say with certainty that they all were documented Szpunt said the UFW is in the process of securing legal counsel for the farm workers The protesters chanted a revolving set of messages many of them demanding an end to deportation and for the protection of workers but a few of them were laced with profanity such as “eff ICE” and “eff Fasicist America.” When asked about the tone of some of the chants but she wasn’t there to censor what the people who participated wanted to chant “Our message is that we believe these workers have been here for decades They deserve to a process if they’re going to be facing these kinds of immigration proceedings That hasn’t been the case under the Trump administration People with green cards have been picked up a stream of cars exited the detention facility A passenger in one car held a mobile phone in one hand apparently shooting video as the car drove past while simultaneously extending the middle finger on his other hand the UFW has been involved in disputes with Lynn-Ette farms The union filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the farm for allegedly requiring a UFW representative to leave the farm while meeting with workers The Public Employees Relations Board in October required Lynn-Ette Farms and two other farms to engage in binding arbitration with the union By Isaac MacDonald It’s hard to leave New Orleans when the jasmine is in bloom — especially when you’ve spent a decade learning its rhythm The scent floats in the air like a soft spell the sudden sweetness a harbinger of spring and the slow turning of seasons The white flowers seem to appear all at once adorning the tangled vines that trace the city’s fences and phone poles A friend tells me that every city you live in is a kind of love affair They say it takes exactly as long to move as you need it to I think I needed that whole time to learn what this place was trying to teach me — about pace My first home was a house in the Irish Channel a red camelback shotgun with too many roommates and not enough hallways What I remember most are my neighbors sitting on their porches every day long talks interrupted only by the sounds of Mr Okra driving through the streets selling vegetables Compared with what I knew from the East Coast the most striking difference was the pace of things Years later I would learn a word for this   that New Orleans has aspects of a polychronic society in contrast to the more rigid monochronic frame that dominates the rest of the country time is seen as cyclical and relational rather than fixed That shift in orientation touches everything: multitasking Everyone thinks their early 20s were the golden age of the place they lived but New Orleans in 2015–2020 had a special quality to it DJ Soul Sister spinning classic vinyl Saturday’s at Hi Ho Lounge New Orleans was the Goldilocks city — slow enough to feel luxurious small enough to always run into someone at the grocery store I tell them there’s more life in a cubic inch of swamp muck than in a whole pile of Virginia clay The swamp doesn’t offer the postcard peaks of the Sierras or the expansive plains and skies of West Texas One night during a kayaking trip in the Ponchatoula Basin I lay in a hammock strung up between old cypress trees Dusk came with a deafening chorus of frogs That night I happened to be awake at 2:00 am and heard the heavy splash of an alligator rolling off of a log Louisiana can’t just be seen ;  it has to be heard The choice is deciding to stick around long enough to listen One feature of being alive for the last decade is that we’ve had lots of time to soul search about why things are on the wrong track, and how our society has become so polarized. Recently, a heatmap from a 2019 study in Nature called “Ideological Differences in the Expanse of the Moral Circle” made the rounds on the internet Participants were asked to assign moral concern to various groups of people The allocation options began with immediate family and radiated outward to “all things in existence.” The heatmaps could not be more different across political divides: liberal respondents’ allocation was clustered at the outer edge toward the universal; conservatives were more concentrated on their inner circles Each side interpreted the findings to confirm what they already believed Liberals scorned conservatives’ narrow empathy   demonstrated in their recent glee over the dismantling of foreign aid and unlawful detentions what kind of life is it to lead where you can’t extend your care beyond just your family and friends conservatives mocked liberals for caring more about “all natural things in the universe including rocks” than about their grandmothers grandmothers are included in “all natural things”!) reflecting arguments from progressive movement leaders about how internal dynamics are harming our movements for social change (adrienne marie brown & Maurice Mitchell I know from my own experience that it is true: sometimes we are so focused on the universal that we forget to inhabit a lived politics of care I found a model for balancing these perspectives a massive parade snowballing through the Treme and snarling traffic on Claiborne someone had set up a popup bar in the bed of a U-Haul rental second lines are celebrations born from exclusion Black mutual aid societies and pleasure clubs formed in response to lack of access to life insurance due to racial discrimination These clubs held jazz funerals to advertise their services The first line was the mourners; the second line was the band and everyone else Today’s second lines are jazz funerals without a body  That sweet spot between intimacy and universality is something New Orleans does well John or through any number of neighborhoods in the city but also a willingness to extend that graciousness outwards to strangers There is no contradiction between caring deeply for those closest to you and extending that care outward to the broader community Extracting ourselves from the political and spiritual hole we’re in will require this embodied politics—not just about issues but about how we carry ourselves and treat others as we move through the world this is something that organizers in the Deep South have in spades What the progressive movement needs isn’t more ideological refinement or a perfect policy agenda but better ways of being with each other; a little less theory and a little more porch time I’d argue the level of care that New Orleans excels at the most is actually missing from the Nature study It’s a circle that sits between “all people you have met” and “all people in your country” — an allocation for collective care at the community level For the people you haven’t met yet but still feel connected to Lately I’ve been working on how to stop thinking things through so much and just feel I remember one of the first times I really cried because of a beautiful thing:  listening to a recording sent to me by the archivist from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Archive features legendary performer and songwriter Allen Touissant at Jazz Fest Halfway through the Soul Queen of New Orleans joins him to perform “It’s Raining,” which Touissant wrote but has since become a Thomas classic It is one thing to know intellectually that art and ritual are a tool to metabolize grief It’s another thing to feel it in your bones It’s been a hard year in Louisiana politics — decades of policy progress ripped up overnight bipartisan legislation that ended Louisiana’s reign as the most incarcerated place in the world was eliminated in a two-week special session with the stroke of a pen Governor Landry recently moved to pause the Barataria Sediment Diversion despite the dozens of millions already invested undermining a linchpin of the Coastal Master Plan effort to address land loss Census data tells us 77% of Louisiana residents were born in the state  The Pelican State doesn’t pull too many people in A friend lovingly calls New Orleans the “velvet ditch” :  a place comfy enough to distract you That feeling of being stuck is how I know that it’s time to go I suppose the simplest way to say it is that things have stopped feeling “just right”—that the proverbial porridge has gone cold I’m ready to try something new :  to live closer to my family to swim in a slightly bigger pond where we can fight for more than just the bare minimum my Uber driver tells me she’s trying to leave The governor has cut funding for special education leaving is rarely about lack of love and is almost always about protection It’s striking how many people from the East Coast look down on the South as backward and broken is their own role in the story: the South is full of things they can’t stop using but don’t want to see the byproducts of The gulf absorbs the runoff of all the nation’s choices   from fertilizers washing down the Mississippi to oil rigs drilling up fossilized dinosaur bones to keep the gas pumps from going dry Centuries of extraction and resistance settle in the delta mud My great aunt Anne — a longtime New Yorker and one of the people I most admire—told me not long before she passed about a trick she’d use to fall asleep Starting from the cot she laid in as a young girl in Guangzhou to her north-facing bed in a Brooklyn row house For my own studio in Brooklyn I think I’ll set it up the opposite way: head north Leaving New Orleans is like saying goodbye to a teacher at graduation: you know you’ll see them again but that this chapter is over because they’ve given you enough This place taught me that you can hold universal politics and still care deeply for your neighbors That it’s possible to be passionate about your profession and still move at the beat of your own drum That you can’t participate in every parade but you have time to join more than you think that when you feel something in your bones it marks another cycle ending and beginning another beat in the rhythm of a place that taught me everything I know For more writing from this author visit his Substack here Isaac MacDonald is a consultant and writer with a focus on systems change and narrative He holds an Urban Studies degree from Brown University and was a fellow with Venture for America (2015) and New Leaders Council (2021) Isaac spends his days building the strategy consulting firm Trepwise and nights arranging his collection of miniatures Get smart and engaging news and commentary from architecture and design’s leading minds a Not-For-Profit website dedicated to reconnecting architecture and design to the public There is some serious talent on the offensive line The quarterback position was decimated by injuries itself but it didn't help with the line struggling as well As the 2025 National Football League Draft approached there was a lot of speculation about who the team could pick as their first selection with Kellen Moore as head coach but most of the chatter revolved around playmakers or maybe even a quarterback but did so with an offensive tackle in Kelvin Banks Jr He's a talented guy and Pro Football Focus' Dalton Wasserman thinks he'll get a shot right away to show what he can do as he called him a "virtual lock" to start right away Each of these players was selected within the first 34 picks in the draft and has virtually nothing in their way of gaining a starting spot." This isn't the most shocking thing in the world The Saints wanted to bolster the offensive line and clear did so More NFL: Saints’ Tyler Shough’s Path To Playing Time Shared The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER ALBION – Chuck Persons rides his motorcycle at the start of a 50-mile trek through Orleans County today in the annual motorcycle safety and awareness ride The Orleans County chapter of American Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE) organized the ride and also held a rally at the courthouse steps Only a few motorcyclists went on the ride due to the rain get ready for their safety and awareness ride The bikers urge the public to “ look twice president of the Orleans County chapter of ABATE speaks during today’s rally at the courthouse steps About 110 riders are in the Orleans County chapter represented Assemblyman Steve Hawley and County Legislator Skip Draper represented State Sen They presented proclamations in support of motorcycle safety and urged other motorists to use extra caution when making a left turn or pulling out onto the roadway legislative coordinator for ABATE of New York and a meber of the Buffalo and Erie County chapter Two bills seek to hold motorists accountable for reckless driving that endangers others ABATE wants a vehicular violence awareness component into the pre-licensing course to stress the importance of a culture of responsibility and respect among drivers ABATE of NY seeks to reduce the incidence of reckless driving and vehicular violence ultimately creating safer roads for all users in New York State,” the group states Genovese also highlighted the Grieving Families Act which seeks justice for the families of those who are wrongfully killed by the acts of others including riders killed by negligent drivers “This important legislation provides surviving families the ability to seek fair compensation for their pain and suffering addressing the emotional and financial hardships that come with such a devastating loss,” ABATE states on its website “By expanding the definition of ‘family’ to include not only traditional relatives but also those who have close the Grieving Families Act recognizes the wide-ranging impact of such tragedies This bill is crucial for holding negligent drivers accountable and providing much-needed support to those left behind.”