It's Friday!

• On this day in 1972, a plane carrying Louisiana Rep. Hale Boggs disappeared in Alaska. The crash site was never found, leading his wife, Lindy Boggs, to run for and fill his congressional seat.

Today's weather: Mostly sunny, with a high of 85. Big changes tonight. More on that below.

🎂 Happy early birthday to our member Stacey Eccleston!

🎧 Sounds like: "Float Up" by Galactic and Jelly Joseph, who headline NOLA Funk Fest tonight.

Today's newsletter is 965 words — a 3.5-minute read.

Fake fall arrives today.

Why it matters: We'll get crisp mornings and flannel-ish weather for a few days before highs climb back into the 80s.

The big picture: A strong cold front moves through this afternoon, dropping lows into the 50s, the National Weather Service says.

• Daytime temps will be in the 60s tomorrow and Sunday.
• It should be dry too, making it a great weekend for all your outdoor festivals and activities.
• It'll be a nice change from this week, which has been unseasonably warm with highs in the 90s.

Threat level: Tomorrow will be windy, increasing the risk of fires spreading, especially on the North Shore, NWS meteorologist Hannah Lisney says.

• All of southeast Louisiana is either abnormally dry or in a drought, per the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Zoom out: We aren't done with the heat.

• By Wednesday, our highs will be back in the 80s.
• Until then, catch us at the park, walking the levee and enjoying a glass of wine on a patio.

Share this

Chef Alon Shaya's new cookbook preserves the memories — and meals — of World War II.

Why it matters: "This book is about humanity and not government decisions," Shaya said Wednesday.

• "Food is our greatest common denominator. Food is the one thing that all of us have history with, that all of us relate to, no matter what your political views are."

The big picture: The book, which Shaya co-wrote with food historian June Hersh, collects recipes preserved from families impacted by WWII and includes new ones inspired by their stories.

• They share copies of recipes from the Fenves family cookbook, saved by their former cook, Maris, who stowed it away after the family was sent to Auschwitz.
• There are recipes inspired by Navajo code talkers, and even recreations of dishes dreamed up by hungry POWs.

What they're saying: "Without the story, they're just ingredients," Hersh said.

• "But when you tell the story, the ingredients come to life."

Flashback: Shaya was first struck by how food can be a vehicle for culture and memory after seeing a scrap of fabric signed by concentration camp prisoners, who'd made up a food club for remembering pre-war meals.

What's next: Shaya continues celebrating the book's release with an event at NOLA Brewing on Sunday.

Share with a chef

🎉 The Audubon Zoo's mandrills are expecting a baby, we're told. It's good news because the species is considered vulnerable due to habitat loss. Lucy, the 14-year-old mother-to-be, is receiving special care, the zoo says.

🚰 New Orleans' Sewerage and Water Board got approval on a Bond Commission request aimed at securing $7.5 million to fix water mains and pumps. (Fox 8)

🎀 Coach Lane Kiffin had Tiger Stadium's visiting locker room repainted bright pink to try to get in the heads of LSU's opponents. (The Advocate 🔒)

💰 Hotel tax collections in New Orleans were down 12% year over year in August, but tourism leaders still expect a strong finish for 2026. (WWL Radio)

📊 Essence Fest continues its campaign to stay in New Orleans by sharing new numbers it says prove the event's return on investment, including a $1.31 billion economic impact between 2022 and 2025. (Instagram)

👋 Carlie here. Kelly Clarkson's drama with a mechanical bird has me thinking about New Orleans' famous bird automaton.

The big picture: Walt Disney was vacationing here in the 1950s when he found a singing robotic bird at an antique shop.

• He was likely at M.S. Rau, but spokesperson Sarah Celino says they don't have definitive proof.
• The caged bird whistled, flapped its wings and turned its head. He bought it, the Disney family museum says, and asked his Imagineers to figure out how it worked.
• The technology led to Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room and the company's expertise in animatronics, the official fan club says.

Zoom in: Singing bird boxes are still "wildly popular" at the Royal Street store.

• "We don't hold onto them for very long," Celino says.
• M.S. Rau currently has three for sale, starting at $19,850 for a jeweled silver version.
• Feel like splurging? Go for the $68,500 option with a feathered bird that sings while turning its head, fluttering its wings and opening its beak.

Share this

We have a whopping 12 festivals this weekend.

🎃 SPOOKY SEASON

• Boo at the Zoo is this weekend at Audubon.
• Ghosts in the Oaks is at City Park.
• Ghost Manor returns after a year off. The free shows start at sunset.
• The Kraken House has two locations now: Memphis Street in Lakeview and 3832 Edenborn Avenue in Metairie.
• More of our favorite things to do this month.

🎉 FESTIVALS

• NOLA Funk Fest
• Oktoberfest
• NOLA BugFest
• Praise Fest
• Feel the Rhythm of the Drums Festival
• Tattoo Arts Festival
• Ashé Rooftop Festival
• Crescent City Chamber Music Festival
• Dominican NOLA Fest
• Louisiana Shrimp Festival
• Louisiana Oyster Culture Festival
• Wooden Boat Festival

🏈 FOOTBALL

• The Saints visit the Giants.
• LSU hosts Mississippi State.
• Tulane hosts Memphis.

🛍️ Shop 'til you drop at the World Oddities Expo or Gretna's citywide garage sale.

Share this

🤧 Chelsea can't believe she has laryngitis again.

🪵 Carlie is excited about a cozy night in front of the fireplace.

Tell a tattooed friend to subscribe.

Thanks to our editor Jen Burkett.