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Hi New Orleans, hope you’re having a great weekend! In today's in-case-you-missed-it edition: Towing fee changes, Alvin Kamara’s new deal, and shark week bingo + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.
Some family trips fade. This one didn't. Twenty years later, I still remember standing under that giant tipping water bucket, waiting to get soaked. That was Great Wolf Lodge, and my family spent the whole weekend like that, drenched and laughing, climbing back up for one more slide. The water park is entirely indoors, kept at 84 degrees year-round, and included with every stay, so the forecast doesn't matter. You can book a discounted family getaway right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing Most popular stories this weekThe three top stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
City fee changes ahead: Starting July 27, New Orleans will raise towing, booting and storage rates, tying fees to Louisiana’s statewide schedule, though some commercial towing prices will drop under the new standards -- see the new fee schedule.
A renewed regional partnership: After a decade of stalled talks, New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno and Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng agreed to a cooperative plan to revive West End’s long-dormant lakefront -- read the full story.
Saints keep their star back: Alvin Kamara agreed to a reworked deal to stay with the Saints, quieting Broncos trade talk. With Travis Etienne aboard, his role could shift, but New Orleans keeps its star -- see Kamara's new contract.
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's 50% off right now.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.* All the crowd favorites: |
02 — From our sponsor Some family trips fade. This one never did.Twenty years later, I can still put myself in that water park: standing under the giant tipping bucket with a crowd of other kids, waiting to get soaked, then climbing the stairs with my family for one more run down the slide. We spent the entire weekend like that, drenched and happy. Most childhood vacations blur together. That one stuck. What I understand now, as the adult who'd be planning it, is why it worked so well. Great Wolf Lodge is an indoor water park resort, kept at 84 degrees every day of the year, and the water park comes with every overnight stay. No separate tickets, no watching the forecast all week, no rained-out weekend. The big slides keep the older kids busy, the shallow splash areas keep the little ones happy, and nobody has to sit out. Everything else is under the same roof too: an arcade, interactive adventures, daily kid programming, and places to eat. You park the car on Friday and don't think about it again until Sunday. The suites are built for families, with themed rooms and enough space that everyone actually sleeps. Clean, safe, and simple, which on a trip with kids counts for as much as the slides. Your kids will remember the bucket. You'll remember how easy it was. *Plan a getaway they'll never forget → |
03 — On our radar
This week's top findsLocal spotlights your fellow readers loved last week.
Serious sandwich energy: Between school drop-offs and Saints debates, treat yourself to Cochon Butcher, where house-made charcuterie meets next-level sandwiches. Think Cochon Muffaletta, the Butcher Burger, maybe a Cajun Pork Dog, then take home sausages or steaks for the grill. Easy win for your week, and your fridge.
Serious bagel upgrade: Flour Moon Bagels is turning weekday mornings into something you actually look forward to with NOLA-made, NYC-inspired rounds that are hand-rolled, kettle-boiled, and given an 18-hour nap before baking. Load up on tartines, proper schmears, and smoked fish, then take a victory lap on the Lafitte Greenway.
Midweek park therapy: Whether you need lakeside loops under live oaks, a quick disc golf round, or a romp at the dog run, New Orleans City Park is the easy reset your week needs. Bonus points for wandering NOMA and the Sculpture Garden, then calling it wellness.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan →
A blown engine can cost more than your car is worth: And it almost never warns you. One day it runs fine, the next you're staring at a $7,000 repair on a car you still rely on every morning. That's the kind of bill an extended warranty exists to absorb, the engine, transmission, and electrical failures that wreck a budget overnight. You bring it to any certified mechanic, pay a deductible, and the rest is handled. Enjoy a free year of Elite Benefits and a 30-day money-back guarantee on top. *See everything it covers →
A window quote that takes an hour and costs you nothing: No showroom, no sales runaround, no obligation to buy anything. A design consultant comes to you, measures your windows, walks you through the options, and leaves you with an exact price and timeline, that's the whole visit. Keep the quote as long as you like and decide whenever you're ready, or don't. Booking takes about a minute. *Book your free visit → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Sneak peek at next weekPlan ahead for the next seven days. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎤 Stage Door Idol @ BB's Stage Door Canteen | Tuesday (7/28) at 6:00 PM – Summer at BB's Stage Door Canteen means crooners duking it out on 1940s standards, local celeb judges, and a $2,000 carrot. Open seating, so stake a spot, grab a drink, and let the Victory Six Swing Band and big voices do the heavy lifting.
🎒 Back 2 School Rally 2026 @ Franklin Avenue Baptist Church | Wednesday (7/29) at 4:00 PM – Think you’re ready for back-to-school, or ready for food trucks? Swing by Franklin Avenue Baptist Church for live music, family fun, student encouragement, and a school supply giveaway. Registered students snag free supplies, while they last, because pencils vanish faster than a snowball in July.
🦈 Shark Week Bingo @ Pete's Irish Channel Bar | Thursday (7/30) at 7:00 PM – Shark Week calls for bingo, bad shark jokes, and doing some good. Play 10 games for prizes and a shot at two bar tabs, while every card helps CRCL restore our coast. Krewe du Crave will be slinging glorious empanadas, the perfect pre-bingo fuel.
🌿 Friday at the Farm: Free Garden Tours @ Garden and Grace Urban Farm & Community Garden | Friday (7/31) at 10:00 AM – Friday mornings at Garden & Grace mean slipping behind the gate for a free, slow stroll, plant gossip, and a seat in the pollinator garden. Meet the resident bunny, pick up seasonal tips, maybe a sprig to take home, and reclaim sanity from the humidity.
🧘 Yoga @ The Cabildo | Saturday (8/1) at 8:30 AM – If you prefer your Saturday in the Quarter quiet, stretch with Layla Ross at the Cabildo on Jackson Square before the brass kicks in. Open to members, locals, and brave tourists, it is $10 for Friends, $20 for everyone else, and mats are available.
🥕 Barcelo Gardens Farmer's Market @ Barcelo Gardens | Saturday (8/1) at 10:00 AM – The 9th Ward’s Barcelo Gardens market is serving up fresh, truly local groceries for 70117, putting your dollars with farmers and Black-owned businesses. Expect okra that snaps, tomatoes that remember flavor, neighborly gossip, and the miracle of easy church parking across the street.
🍷 Weindorf @ Deutsches Haus | Saturday (8/1) at 4:00 PM – Think Oktoberfest’s quieter cousin, with better glassware. Deutsches Haus builds an indoor wine village for Weindorf, where your passport gets you over 30 tastings from Germany and beyond, plus culinary bites, live entertainment, and a souvenir glass you will absolutely pretend is for water.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — New Orleans report Weather forecastToday — High: 94°F — Low: 80°F — Precip: 6%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 106. West wind around 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 80. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 95°F — Low: 81°F — Precip: 7%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 81. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Most popular house this weekPenthouse 12E at One River Place spans about 2,454 square feet with 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and jaw-dropping views of the French Quarter, Mississippi River, and Warehouse District. Limestone floors, silk wall coverings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a gourmet kitchen bring polished style, while resort-style amenities add a polished New Orleans flair.
Take a peek inside → |
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