We’re all back in the saddle today after a heavy weekend of fun and festiveness in the Crescent City. It’s a struggle to get caught up – especially when the holidays occupy our time with preparations. But while the weekend was fueled with present purchasing and the dazzling lights of LUNA Fête and parades, the breaking news this weekend was in fierce competition for attention. Here’s what you need to know this week as you battle Monday.
Cyberattack on city
The city of New Orleans was the victim of a cyberattack on Friday, paralyzing City Hall, closing courts and affecting the New Orleans Police Department. Employees were told Friday to shut down their computers and unplug them. According to the city, the attackers were using phishing techniques – emails that are used to persuade recipients to reveal passwords and usernames – and ransomware, an attack that forces the user to pay a ransom as the attacker shuts down their computer. City websites were down over the weekend. Mayor LaToya Cantrell said 4,000 computers will need to be scrubbed. As the city recovers, here’s a list of services resuming operations. (NOLA.com, WWLTV, WDSU)
Explosion at Sewerage and Water Board Carrollton Plant
A turbine at the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board Carrollton Water Plant exploded on Saturday. Two people were taken to the hospital. A third person refused medical treatment at the scene. The explosion could be felt nearly a dozen blocks away from the source. Windows were shattered in some homes. Officials said that the damage to the turbine was significant. An upcoming storm on Monday is stirring concerns over flooding potential since the Uptown plant has two turbines offline now, meaning no backup system to power the pumps if flooding occurs. “It’s not supposed to blow up,” SWB Director Ghassan Korban said in a news conference Saturday night. “We really have no redundancy in the system.” (WDSU, WWLTV)
Parts of French Quarter evacuated after car explosion
A portion of the French Quarter was evacuated Monday morning after a car exploded on Dauphine Street near Toulouse Street. Manholes nearby were blown open in the blast. The blast happened about 5 a.m. and people were evacuated from Dauphine Street between St. Louis and Toulouse streets. No injuries have been reported. The cause is under investigation. (NOLA.com, WDSU)
Notable Headlines
- Louisiana suing California over right to sell alligator skins (Newsweek)
-
As New Orleans court prepares ruling on Obamacare, Louisiana’s alternative remains in infancy (NOLA.com)
- Two water mains break, advisory lifted, repairs underway (WDSU, NOLA.com)
What’s Happening This Week
Monday
Game Day Fest | Central City BBQ | 3:30 p.m. | No cover
Are you ready for some football? Get rid of those Monday blues at Central City BBQ with live brass music, BBQ, plenty of beer and free parking as the Saints go against the Indianapolis Colts. Click here for more information.
Tuesday
Hip Hop Ya Brass | Crescent Park | 5:45 p.m. | Free
This high energy cardio class takes hip-hop moves to create a challenging dance fitness workout. No dance experience is needed and all levels are welcome. Click here for more information.
Wednesday
Holiday Maker’s Market | Home Malone on Magazine | 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. | Free to attend
Need last-minute Christmas gifts? Home Malone, a shop that support local artists, is extended its store hours and is featuring 10 gift makers and artist at its Magazine Street location. Click here for more information.
Thursday
Professor Longhair’s Birthday Celebration | 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. | New Orleans Jazz Museum | $25
This solo performance features John “Papa” Gros (pronounced “grow”), a bedrock New Orleans artist, a keyboardist, singer and songwriter who draws on funk, rhythm and blues and Americana songcraft. He also knows his way around the Mardi Gras music repertoire about as well as anyone. He’ll be paying tribute to the legendary Professor Longhair. Click here for more information.
Friday
NOLA Christmasfest | 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Morial Convention Center | $20
A skating rink in New Orleans? Yep! Of course we have a fest for Christmas, and this one features rides, an ice slide, spacewalks, a rock wall, gingerbread houses and a huge snow globe for those Instagram posts! Click here for more information
