Recall Petition for LaToya Cantrell Filed

A petition for the recall of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been filed at the Secretary of State’s office as of Friday, August 26. State recall rules are that a recall petition must collect the signatures of at least 20 percent of the eligible voting population, which will then be verified by the registrar of voters. In New Orleans, that means the petition needs at least 53,000 valid signatures, according to WDSU in New Orleans. Cantrell, a Democrat currently presiding over a major crime wave in the city as well as a dwindling police force, did not issue any comment herself but her office released a statement Friday evening. [08/28/2022]

Mayor LaToya Cantrell

LaToya Cantrell recall »


Michoud Making More Moon Milestones

The Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in New Orleans East is America's Rocket Factory, especially when it comes to Moon rockets. Apollo's Saturn V Moon rocket was built there in the 60's, and now its the Artemis Space Launch System and the Orion crew capsule that together will put men and women on the Moon by the last half of this decade. In between Michoud gave birth to every single giant External Fuel Tank which provided the liquid hydrogen fuel for the Space Shuttles of the 80's, 90's, and 2000's. Here's everything you need to know about MAF and the new Moon rocket which will be launching in the next month or so. [07/21/2022]

Artemis Moon Rocket

Michoud-made Moon rocket »


Drones Replacing Fireworks

It looks like drones will replace fireworks in some 4th of July shows this weekend. There are plenty pf pros (like reduced fire risk), but a few cons (nothing goes "Boom!" like fireworks. [07/01/2022]

Drone Fireworks

Drones replace fireworks »


One Small Step Back to the Moon

New Orleans is home to the NASA Michoud Facility where the Apollo Saturn V moon rockets were built. So going back to the Moon is special for New Orleanians, no matter where the hardware is built. It looks like one small step has been taken toward going back to the Moon. And Michoud will indeed be builting part of NASA's new Moon rocket.[06/28/2022]

Scene of shooting

Back to the Moon »


Five More Shootings Last Night in New Orleans

Four separate incidents resulted in five people being shot in the early hours of Saturday, June 25 in New Orleans. One took place in the 500 block of Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. [06/26/2022]

Scene of shooting

5 more shot in NOLA »


New Orleans murder rate per capita pacing highest in U.S.

It's not the sort of statistic you want for a tourist mecca or your hometown. But the New Orleans murder rate per capita pacing highest in U.S. It's higher than the rate in Birmingham, Baltimore, and St. Louis at the moment. [06/18/2022]

Dancing on a cop car

New Orleans Murder Rate »


Vince Vance and the Valiants Songwriter Sues Mariah Carey

Andy Stone, who co-wrote Vince Vance & the Valiants' song All I Want For Christmas Is You" is sueing Mariah Carey for $60 million for using Stone's song title for her own completely different hit five years later. It's about time! [06/03/2022]

Mariah Carey

Vince Vance Songwriter Sues »


Stones Start 60th Anniversary Tour

The Rolling Stones kicked off their 60th Anniversary Tour in Spain on June 1, 2022. They played Tou Can't Always Get What You Want live for the first time ever. [06/02/2022]

The Rolling Stones June 1, 2022 in Spain

Stones 60th Anniversary Tour »


Yes Drummer Alan White Dies

Alan White, drummer for the progressive rock band Yes, died May 26 in Seattle at age 72 after a brief illness. He had also played with Beatles John Lennon and George Harrison. [05/27/2022]

Alan White

Alan White of Yes Dies »


Kiss’ Paul Stanley Selling 2022 Corvette VIN 001

Paul Stanley of Kiss is auctioning off his 2022 Corvette Stingray. He talked the Chevy folks into giving him the first 2022 model delivered with VIN 001. It comes with an autographed guitar. It will happen at he upcoming 2022 Barrett-Jackson event in Las Vegas, and will be offered at no reserve. The event is set to take place June 30th through July 2nd at the Las Vegas Convention Center. It's a 3LT convertible in Red Mist Metallic Tintcoat paint, a hue which Stanley apparently developed with the Chevy design team. Corvette collectors and Kiss fans should love it! [04/23/2022]

2022 Corvette Stingray

Paul Stanley sells his Corvette »


Bobby Rydell Dies at 79

Bobby Rydell, a Philadelphia native and teen idol of the late 50's and early 60's died April 5th of complications from pneumonia at a hospital in a suburb of his hometown. The heartthrob of early rock 'n roll was a star of radio, television, and the movie musical Bye Bye Birdie. Between 1959 and 1964, he had nearly three dozen Top 40 singles including Wild One, Volare, Wildwood Days, The Cha-Cha-Cha and Forget Him, a song of consolation for a bereft girl that helped inspire the Beatles' classic She Loves You.

Bobby Rydell and Ann-Margret

Bobby Rydello dies »


Jon Batiste wins album of the year, 4 other Grammy Awards

Kenner native Jon Batiste became the first artist from the New Orleans area to ever win the prestigious "Album of the Year" Grammy on April 3. He took home four other Grammys along with it. The album was We Are. During the Grammy telecast on CBS, he performed the song Freedom from the album. The telecast also memorialized New Orleans rhythm & blues singer Lloyd Price, of Personality and Stagger Lee fame.

Jon Batiste

John Batiste wins Grammys »


2022 Jazz Fest Schedule Cubes

Schedule cubes for the 2022 New Orleans Jazz & Heritsage Festival have been released. For now, there's a "TBA" block for the headliner on Sunday, May 1 due to the understandable cancellation by the Foo Fighters. Their drummer, Taylor Hawkins was found dead in his Bogota, Columbia hotel room on Friday, March 25th. Festival producer Quint Davis has routinely dealt with last-minute schedule modification for one reason or another, and he'll come up with something. In 2019, the Rolling Stones cancelled because Mick Jagger got sick. Their replacement, Fleetwood Mac, then had to bow out days later when Stevie Nicks caught the flu. Ultimately, Widespread Panic filled the bill. But aside from the Foo Fighters replacement question, you can now plan your Jazz Fest visit.

2022 Jazz Fest Logo

2022 Jazz Fest Cubes »


Last Live Gig for Genesis

Genesis performed what it says is its final concert March 26 at London’s 02 arena. The band's drummer, Phil Collins, joked that now he'll have to get a real job. “The Last Domino? Tour” came after a 14-year live performance hiatus. It was also postponed during the pandemic. The group’s final tour included concerts in the U.K. last September and in North America last fall, concluding with another 14 concerts in Europe and the U.K. [3/28/2022]

Jayden Daniels

Genesis’ Last Gig »


LSU Gets New Quarterback Candidate

Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels is transferring to LSU and will be eligible for spring practice. Daniels, a three-year starter, threw for 6,024 yards and 32 touchdowns at Arizona State. He also rushed for 1,288 yards and 16 touchdowns. He joins fifth-year senior Myles Brennan, redshirt freshman Garrett Nussmeier, and freshman Walker Howard in the LSU quarterback pool [3/6/2022]

Jayden Daniels

Jayden Daniels to LSU »


Missed Mardi Gras?

In case, like JD, you missed Mardi Gras, here's a good collection of photos from The New Orleans Advocate. Like concerts and Jazz Fest, Mardi Gras is one of JD's favorite picture-taking events. [3/3/2022]

Zulu parade

Mardi Gras »


Saints' Alvin Kamara flagged for more than unsportsmanlike conduct

The New Orleans Saints' Alvin Kamara may have a heap of trouble on his hands, especially the one he allegedly used to punch a guy eight times in Las Vegas. The alleged victim suffered a fractured orbital bone and was knocked unconscious at one point. According to ESPN, the police report claims the New Orleans Saints running back is on surveillance video punching the man at the Cromwell Casino, and three of those punches came while the man was already down. [2/8/2022]

City of St. George sign

Alvin Kamara arrested »


Science: COVID lockdowns were useless

Upon further review, Johns Hopkins University researches conclude the lockdowns used in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID were near useless. Instead, they had devastating effects. “They have contributed to reducing economic activity, raising unemployment, reducing schooling, causing political unrest, contributing to domestic violence, and undermining liberal democracy,” the report said. [2/2/2022]

City of St. George sign

COVID lockdowns useless »


Neil Young pulls his music off Spotify

Neil Young told spotify they could have either Neil Young's music or Joe Rogan's podcast, but not both. Spotify acted quickly, choosing the Joe Rogan podcast, and began removing the Canadian rocker's music January 26. For the moment, Neil's fans still have the option to listen for his music on WTIX-FM in New Orleans. [1/26/2022]

City of St. George sign

Spotify deletes Neil Young »


Baton Rouge Democrats seek to overturn election result

It sure seems to JD that Baton Rouge Democrats are seeking to overturn the result of an election. In October 2019, a valid election was held as required by state law and voters approved the creation of the City of St. George from parts of the City of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish. Democrats immediately filed suit, claiming the election should be ignored and voters be required to remain as subjects of the political jurisdictions they voted to leave. Action on the vote has been delayed ever since. In JD's opinion, Whether St. George has an adequate plan for city services should not be a concern for the court. Voters made that determination when they voted to proceed with the new city. [1/21/2022]

City of St. George sign

Democrats want election overturned »


Meat Loaf off to check out paradise

Rock singer and movie star Meat Loaf died on 1/20/2022, unofficially from severe COVID. He had significant health problems over the years, such as asthma. His 1977 album Bat Out of Hell turned him into a superstar and rock & roll icon. His movie roles included The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Fight Club. He was 74. [1/21/2022b]

Meat Loaf

Meat Loaf to paradise »


2022 Jazz Fest

Will it really happen this year? Our hopes have been dashed twice by the response to COVID. Is the third time the charm? Many of the prospective performers from those canceled years, like Stevie Nicks and The Who, are betting it is. [1/21/2022a]

Jazz Fest Fais Do Do

2022 Jazz Fest »


2022 Mardi Gras Parades

Mardi Gras Parades for 2022. Will they really happen? Let's hope so. They're how we describe normalcy in New Orleans. [1/20/2022]

Joe Pags and Mark Weinstein

2022 Mardi Gras Parades »


Joe Pags & MeWe's Mark Weinstein - Why MeWe?

JD left Facebook over a year ago for MeWe. Here, broadcaster Joe Pags talks to MeWe founder Mark Weinstein who explains what MeWe is all about, and why it's a better Facebook than Facebook. Watch, then join me at MeWe and say hi. [Opinion 1/18/2022]

Joe Pags and Mark Weinstein

Why MeWe? »


Is Gun Control racist?

Are you a racist if you support gun control? There's a pretty good chance you are. Read why. [Opinion 1/16/2022]

Gun & Drug Control

Gun Control racist? »



Dixie Cups’ Rosa Lee Hawkins dies

Rosa Lee Hawkins, one of the three original singers in New Orleans rhythm & blues vocal trio the Dixie Cups, died December 11 at Tampa General Hospital in Florida. She was 76.

Rosa Lee Hawkins

Rosa Lee Hawkins dies »



Ronnie Spector dies at 78

Ronnie Spector, the lead singer of the Ronettes, died today at the age of 78. Spector, who was married to music producer Phil Spector, became a sassy legend in music circles and in the memories of baby boomers with songs such as Be My Baby, Baby I Love You, and Walking in the Rain. [1/12/2022]

Ronnie Spector

Ronnie Spector dies »




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