Latest in New Orleans

Saying that "your vote counts, even if they make you do it twice," a group of SAG-AFTRA members in New Orleans say they will "embrace" the mandated re-run of their local's election even though they think the do-over is the result of a "biased decision." "The decision to re-run the NOLA election is a biased decision…

EXCLUSIVE: The New Orleans local of SAG-AFTRA has been ordered to re-run its recent election. The order, handed down by the local's election committee in a 12-page decision, found that the winning NOLA Slate for Change candidates had accepted "unlawful contributions" from employers at a campaign event held on June 29…

Don’t expect moviegoers in Louisiana’s Gulf Coast to head to Sam Raimi’s Category 5 hurricane/alligator movie Crawl this weekend, or any title for that matter. With Tropical Storm Barry expected to dump 25 inches of rain after it reaches landfall Saturday as a Category 1 hurricane, AMC is shutting down all New Orleans…

Film production is shutting down completely in New Orleans in advance of Tropical Storm Barry, which is expected to make landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on Saturday. "All shows here are shut down but one, and that one is shutting down at noon," said Cory Parker, business agent of New Orleans IATSE Local 478. He…

The New Orleans film industry is battening down the hatches as Tropical Storm Barry bears down on the Louisiana coast. "People aren't shooting today or tomorrow on physical locations," said Carroll Morton, director of Film New Orleans, the city's film office. "They're shifting over to soundstages. There's been no real…

Six-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Dr. John has died. His death was announced on his official Facebook page by his family. “Towards the break of day on June 6, 2019, iconic music legend Malcolm John Rebennack, Jr., professionally known as Dr. John, passed away of a heart attack,” said the…

Singer/actress Diana Ross said she was “violated” by an aggressive pat-down from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the airport security checkers who screen passengers for contraband. Ross, who was in New Orleans to perform Saturday night at the annual Jazz & Heritage Festival, complained on Twitter…

In another devastating blow to the newspaper industry, The Times-Picayune of New Orleans has laid off its entire staff following a sale to rival publication, the New Orleans Advocate. The 182-year-old Times-Picayune and its website nola.com were acquired Thursday, The Advocate announced on its website. The article…

Film and TV productions in New Orleans are shutting down early as Tropical Storm Gordon bears down on the Gulf Coast. "We're all being cautious and keeping an eye on it," said Cory Parker, business agent of IATSE Local 478 in the Big Easy, whose offices are still open at this time. Two productions, he said, "chose to…

UPDATED, Wednesday 2:39 PM: Many major chain circuits in the Houston area remain closed in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Now that the rain has stopped, AMC is assessing its buildings with the hope to open over the next few days. Ditto for Regal, both in Houston and the Beaumont, TX area. However, parts of Louisiana…

Peter Hoffman pleaded not guilty today at his arraignment in Federal District Court in New Orleans on six felony counts of defrauding Louisiana's film incentive program. A trial has been set for January. A hearing on the Seven Arts Entertainment founder's motion to dismiss the charges is scheduled for July 16…