Happy Easter! METAIRIE 504-885-5565 | RIVER RIDGE 504-737-8146 GARDEN DISTRICT 504-262-6017 | CHALMETTE 504-262-0750 BELLE CHASSE 504-393-1012
MILLER & LAHAYE LOUISIANA CRAWFISH TAILS 16 OZ
24 COUNT
$5
EA
99
PICTSWEET FARMS SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE 22 OZ
$549
EA
ZAPP’S, UTZ, OR GOLDEN FLAKE POTATO CHIPS
STRAWBERRIES
2/$6
$289
SELECTED 7.7-8 OZ
PRICES VALID 4/1/26 - 4/7/26
$12
99
GREEN GIANT CORN ON THE COB
EA
7 INCH DOUBLE LAYER CARROT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE ICING
1 LB
$999
EA
EA
U.S. GAS PRICES TOP $4 A GALLON, HIGHEST SINCE 2022 3B
N O L A.C O M
|
W e d n e s d ay, a p r i l 1, 2026
Hotel project eyed for Faubourg Marigny
$2.00X
2026 LEGISLATURE
Lawmakers stall bills to regulate AI
Trump administration threatens broadband funding BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN Staff writer
STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD
501 Esplanade Ave. was the longtime home of Check Point Charlie’s bar. The building and the one next to it have recently sold with plans to turn the property into a hotel and entertainment venue.
Billionaire buys bar, neighboring building; negotiations in the works for third property BY JONAH MEADOWS Staff writer
A preliminary deal is in the works to turn three buildings on the edge of the Faubourg Marigny — including a historic, 19th-century structure on Frenchmen Street — into a 40-room hotel and entertainment venue, a potentially transformational project for a long-neglected block that serves as the gateway to one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations. The buildings are located on the triangular block bounded by Frenchmen and Decatur streets and Esplanade Avenue. Two of the buildings have recently sold, according to their former owners and property records. Negotiations over the third building are in the works, according to a representative of its owner. Property transfer records filed Monday in Orleans Parish identify the buyer as Galaxy Investment Partners, the family office of New York billionaire Michael Novogratz, a
A slew of bills filed in the Louisiana Legislature this year aims to grapple with the rise of artificial intelligence, but some are being placed on hold amid opposition from President Donald Trump’s administration. One proposal would bar health insurance companies from relying solely on AI to deny coverage. Another would restrict how employers can use AI when making hiring and firing decisions. Those are two of myriad measures, sponsored by Republicans and Democrats, that have shown signs of bipartisan support. But now those proposals are hitting a roadblock: the White House. Officials have been told Louisiana could lose federal funding for high-speed internet in rural areas if certain bills pass, according to multiple legislators.
ä See STALL, page 7A
Ex-LDWF head pleads guilty
Sentencing set for Montoucet in kickback scheme BY CLAIRE TAYLOR Staff writer
STAFF PHOTO By JONAH MEADOWS
The same buyer who recently closed on the purchase of 500-504 Frenchmen St. and 501 Esplanade Ave. has inquired about buying the 1950s-era apartment ä See HOTEL, page 6A complex at 511 Esplanade Ave.
Former Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet, of Lafayette Parish, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one federal felony count for his role in a kickback scheme while he led the department. Montoucet, 78, was indicted in May 2025 on one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and
ä See PLEADS, page 7A
Chefs from N.O. named finalists for James Beard awards BY IAN McNULTY
Outstanding Restaurateur
When the James Beard Foundation announced the semifinalists for its 2026 awards, New Orleans, Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region had a long roster of contenders, including well-known names, rising talent, bakers and pros in the wine realm. Now four continue to the next round as finalists, all from New Orleans, including two up for national honors and two for regional awards. They are:
Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski, Link Restaurant Group (which includes Pêche Seafood Grill, Herbsaint, Cochon, Gianna, Cochon Butcher, La Boulangerie, and Chemin Á La Mer with the Four Seasons Hotel). These two chefs started working together at Link’s first restaurant, Herbsaint, and started a partnership with the next, Cochon. As a restaurant group, they have six James Beard awards for restaurants, chefs and Link’s cookbooks and numerous nominations
Staff writer
WEATHER HIGH 84 LOW 70 PAGE 8B
Best Chef, South
This regional award covers Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Puerto Rico. Ana Castro, Acamaya, 3070 Dauphine St. With her sister, Lydia Castro, the chef opened this modern Castro Link Lagasse Stryjewski Mbaye and stylish Mexican seafood resthrough the years. which he has transformed into taurant in the Bywater, which has a world-class tasting menu ex- gained many accolades. Castro has Emerging Chef perience built around Louisiana been a semifinalist or finalist for numerous James Beard awards for E.J. Lagasse, Emeril’s Restaurant, flavor. Last year, it made an extraor- her prior work at other restaurants 800 Tchoupitoulas St. The son of restaurant founder Emeril La- dinary two-star debut in the Miä See FINALISTS, page 6A gasse is now chef at the flagship, chelin Guide.
Business ......................3B Commentary ................7B Nation-World................2A Classified .....................8D Deaths .........................4B Opinion ........................6B Comics-Puzzles .....4D-7D Living............................1D Sports ..........................1C
13TH yEAR, NO. 232