Mayor-elect Helena Moreno poses for a photo Friday on the steps of Gallier Hall beneath banners celebrating her upcoming inauguration. The banners were removed yesterday. Photo: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios
🍿 Banners related to Mayor-elect Helena Moreno's inauguration were removed from Gallier Hall yesterday at Mayor LaToya Cantrell's request.
Moreno's team says they were previously approved to stay up through Jan. 12. However, Cantrell's spokesperson says they were related to Friday's press conference, which is over so it's "standard business practice" to remove them. (WDSU)
💸 Audubon memberships will temporarily go back to their previous prices after a community uproar. New rates will be announced next month. (Press release)
🎻 Jazz violinist Michael Ward died Monday. He was a prolific contributor to the local music scene, but also was an educator and law enforcement officer. (The Times-Picayune 🔒)
👀 The Mystic Kings Krewe is dead on arrival. Founder Cecil Roebuck tells us he's canceled plans for a Jan. 5, 2026, parade and gala "due to limited community support and interest, as well as ongoing public misunderstanding and scrutiny."
The krewe initially signed up about 60 participants, Roebuck says, but all have dropped out.
Roebuck was arrested last week on a theft charge and heads to court in February.
