-
If you’re a Southwest Airlines customer, you now have added protections in the event that your flight is canceled by the carrier.
After a federal probe, Southwest has been forced to pay a $35 million fine as part of a $140 million settlement.
The money is the result of a settlement connected to delays and cancellations that took place during year-end holiday travel on 2022.
How To Get a Refund With Southwest
To get a refund, Southwest says you can choose either to a) receive a method-of-payment refund or b) hold the value of the ticket as a flight credit or Transferable Flight CreditTM(depending on the fare) to buy a future flight.
-
TV producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is moving into a colossal movie studio to create his content.
The deal for Jackson to lease Millennium Studios in Caddo Parish was unanimously approved by the Shreveport City Council on Dec. 12, 2023.
The move makes 50 Cent’s G-Unit Film & Television Louisiana LLC official.The mogul announced the news on his social media accounts. “All Roads lead to Shreveport if you ready to work in 🎥film and television. G-unit studios Is officially in Louisiana. 💣BOOM💨 GLG🚦GREENLIGHTGANG.”
Where Is Millennium Studios in Shreveport?
Millennium Studios is located at 300 Douglas St, Ste 243 Shreveport, La. 71101.
Final Act
Louisiana’s film industry is growing by leaps and bounds. The Crescent City is the fourth-largest moviemaking mecca in the United States, behind Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta.
Film production in New Orleans has created a huge demand for jobs in the film industry from crew to actors and producers. Stay with NolaFi.com for the latest casting calls and casting news in the industry.
More NolaFi.com Articles:
-
Starbucks has a December offer to all New Orleans customers naughty or nice: free hot chocolate.
The deal is good through the end of the month.
To get a free cup of hot chocolate, you must purchase one of Starbucks’ handcrafted beverages in at least the grande size.
Starbucks introduced the freebie deal on Instagram with the headline, “Hot Chocolate Cheer Weekends are here!”
Where To Find Starbucks in New Orleans
To find a Starbucks near you in New Orleans, use this Store Locator.
Final Word
If you plan on visiting the city for New Orleans, you should know that the area you’re staying in is safe.
Expect to indulge in many foods that New Orleans is known For, including Gumbo, Beignets and more.
Read about things to see and do in New Orleans.
More From NolaFi.com:
-
LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels was awarded the Heisman Trophy at a New York ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023.
Daniels has put up video game numbers against a tough SEC schedule but many feel he lacks a signature win.
In 53 games, Daniels is the only player in FBS history to pass for 12,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards.
Against Florida, Daniels passed for 372 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 234 and two more touchdowns in a 52-35 win. He accounted for 606 yards and became the first player in Football Bowl Subdivision history with 350 yards passing and 200 yards rushing.
It would be hard to argue that LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels is not Heisman-worthy or more for the Tigers, considering LSU’s schedule.
-
Acadiana has their Topgolf franchise and it’s in Lafayette, Louisiana. Now you can take friends and family to a cool place to play golf and enjoy food and drink.
Topgolf is set to open on Dec. 15, 2023, in Lafayette. What is topgolf, you say?
Topgolf is a modern golf experience where you can participate in the sport in a relaxed, no-pressure environment. You’ll take aim at giant targets on the field while playing virtual courses or Topgolf’s signature games like Angry Birds. And just so you know, Topgolf celebrates the bad shots just as much as the beautiful swings.
Where Is the Lafayette Topgolf Located?
The Topgolf Lafayette will be located in the Ambassador Town Center approximately 15 minutes from downtown Lafayette at 301 Meadow Farm Road.
This will be Louisiana’s second Topgolf venue in addition to Baton Rouge. Topgolf also has plans to open a venue in New Orleans by early 2025.
Globally, this will be Topgolf’s 97th outdoor venue when it opens on Dec. 15 and 87th in the U.S.
The venue will employ roughly 200 Playmakers (aka Associates) – think bay hosts, bartenders, ball picker upper people, etc.
Final Swing
As a top-tier convention city, New Orleans is known for its many festivals, parties and events. Is the city safe? Of course. That also means that Nola is also a top travel destination.
Want real-time tips on how to save when you’re on a trip? Read our Travel Savings Guide,
-
The Bayou has some wonderful green spaces to behold as and they’re not situated around swamps.
New research reveals Louisiana’s 10 most beautiful green spaces, with Longue Vue House and Gardens in New Orleans coming in third (New Orleans has some awesome parks).
The study by Leafwell analyzed over 28,000 TripAdvisor reviews to determine which Louisiana parks had the highest percentage of reviews mentioning “beautiful.”
1. Rip Van Winkle Gardens, New Iberia – 61%
Jefferson Island’s gardens are the most beautiful in Louisiana, mentioned in almost two-thirds of over 400 reviews, and the highest in the state. Other popular associations were ‘calm’ and ‘restful.’ One review called the park a “must-see,” and another a “relaxing, peaceful, beautiful place for your wedding.”
2. Afton Villa Gardens, St. Francisville – 59%
Following closely in second place, with 59% of reviews branding it beautiful, is St. Francisville’s historic gardens. The 250-acre grounds feature a ½ mile of oaks leading from the highway to the 19th-century green space, a popular wedding spot.
3. Longue Vue House and Gardens, New Orleans – 50%
Longue Vue House and Gardens is New Orleans’ most beautiful park, named in half of its 260 reviews. The public garden and non-profit museum are open all year round, free for children under three.
4. Lake End Park, Morgan City – 50%
Louisiana’s most beautiful campground and marina, situated on Lake Palourde. The space also features fishing, RV, tent spots, a 1.5-mile hiking trail, and a beach. Users often mentioned the park’s cypress and live oak tree-lined paths. It also ranks tenth among the state’s parks with the best views.
5. Biedenharn Museum & Gardens, Monroe – 49%
Additional to formal gardens and a historic home are a bible museum and a Coca-Cola museum. The home is open for tours, and the grounds feature a Four Seasons Garden, Oriental Garden, and Musical Grotto.
6. Jungle Gardens, Avery Island – 45%
Rated the most beautiful botanical garden in the state. It also has a bird sanctuary, a Buddha temple, and one of the oldest timber bamboo groves across 170 acres. Visitors also tour the island’s Tabasco factory, included in the $15.50 admission.
7. Lake Claiborne State Park, Homer – 43%
The most beautiful state park in Louisiana. The park’s grounds border the 6,400-acre Lake Claiborne, with plenty of areas for fishing, watersports, camping, and hiking.
8. Audubon Park, New Orleans – 42%
New Orleans’ second most beautiful park, as mentioned in over two-fifths of 1,700 reviews. Amenities include a bird sanctuary, riding stables, a golf course and clubhouse, and sports facilities. Orleans Parish residents receive free admission to the zoo, aquarium, and insectarium on certain days.
9. Gardens of the American Rose Center, Shreveport – 42%
Called ‘beautiful’ by over two-fifths of over 2,300 reviews, Shreveport’s non-profit rose garden houses over 20,000 rose bushes across 118 acres of forested woodlands. It is referred to as ‘America’s Rose Garden’. Christmas in Roseland, the center’s largest fundraiser, is ongoing until December 17.
Realtor.com data shows Shreveport’s average house price is the cheapest among Louisiana’s top cities, at $200K.
10. Houmas House and Gardens, Darrow – 42%
This historic plantation home, just a short drive from New Orleans, is the number one thing to do in Darrow, according to TripAdvisor. Experiences include a guided tour, 38 acres of gardens, a restaurant, and a gift shop.
Josh Lamb, Chief Marketing Officer at Leafwell, commented: “The study provides valuable insight into the best green spaces in Louisiana.”
“Green and blue spaces are vital, allowing us to get fresh air, reconnect with nature, and check in with ourselves, which can work wonders for our mental well-being.”
Final Word
As a top-tier convention city, New Orleans is known for its many festivals, parties and events. Is the city safe? Of course. That also means that Nola is also a top travel destination.
Want real-time tips on how to save when you’re on a trip? Read our Travel Savings Guide,
-
One of the most culturally rich experiences for a young American, especially a black collegiate, is to experience the Bayou Classic.
I’ve gone to several Bayou Classics over the years, but decided to chronicle my experience for the latest one so that others can benefit from what I share.
What is the Bayou Classic?
The Bayou Classic is the annual football game between the Southern University Jaguars and the Grambling Tigers. Both schools are well-known members of the nation’s small fraternity of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
The game was first played in 1974, and for a while was the only black college football game televised on national TV (NBC).
The game is only part of the festivities of the Bayou Classic. There is also the history-making Battle of the Bands and the fanfare of the large fan bases that support each institution.
Where Is the Bayou Classic?
The Bayou Classic is always played in New Orleans at the Superdome. Each year for Thanksgiving weekend, the SWAC makes sure to book the Saturday after Thanksgiving so that fans of Southern and Grambling can travel to the game and enjoy the city.
The Bayou Classic 2023: My Experience
I went to the 2023 Bayou Classic, it had been several years since I last attended. This year, even though neither Southern nor Grambling were having a good season, it seemed like the perfect time to buy a ticket to the game and check it out.
As always city streets in and around Poydras Street, where the Superdome is located, were packed with cars. Interestingly, just a few blocks away in all directions, there seemed to be no problem with parking.
In fact, the parking for the game was way easier than I had ever remembered it to be. I eventually settled on a parking spot and walked to the game, which took me about 15 minutes.
How much did I pay for parking? Zero.
When I arrived at the game, I needed to buy a ticket, so I went on StubHub and bought the cheapest one I could find. It was about $50, but with taxes and fees, the total rose to about $83.
I was able to show my electronic ticket and enter the game in a manner of minutes, and just like that, I was inside the Superdome for the Bayou Classic.
Bayou Classic 2023: Football, Fantasia and Much Fanfare
Instantly, I heard a stream of trumpets from the Grambling Band (that’s the side I was sitting on) and I instantly picked up on the tune as the crowd got lively.
Check out Fantasia’s performance at the Bayou Classic:
The kickoff was just seconds away, but I couldn’t sit yet because I needed to find something to eat. Being in New Orleans, you can expect the Superdome to have all types of seafood, but the few places that I check out, didn’t really catch my eye or stomach.
I told myself that I’d just have to grab something after the game at one of New Orleans’ great restaurants, preferably on Bourbon or Canal Street.
In the first quarter, both teams struggled early, until Southern started to pull away with big play after big play in the second quarter. The crowd was going wild. Southern fans garbed in powder blue and yellow were screaming and Grambling fans in Marron and gold were booing.
At halftime, none other than Grammy Award-winning singer Fantasia Barrino performed her hit song When I See U. To say she was rocking would be an understatement.
Fresh from wrapping up filming for The Color Purple, Barrino came dressed in all black and did her thing.
In the second half, I wanted to see if Grambling was going to mount a ferocious comeback, but it didn’t happen: Southern whipped them 27-22.
With about 5 minutes left in the fourth quarter, I decided to bounce, so I slipped out of the Bayou Classic. What I didn’t realize when I walked out of those gates was that I had parked on the opposite of the Superdome, so I had to walk aaaaallll the way around the facility to find my car.
By the time I made it to my car, I saw that thousands of people were pouring out of the ‘Dome and the game was just about over.
Final Word
Travel to and from New Orleans was efficient and had all the hallmarks of a safe city that caters to visitors.
The Bayou Classic is more than just a football game; it’s a moment in time for millions of students and alumni who have went to Southern or Grambling. It means something when those two schools, which respect each other very much, hook up for an event.
And yes, I will be returning to the ‘Classic next year.
-
If you’ve looked at your Entergy bill lately, you likely already feel there are some improvements you can do to reduce your energy consumption.
Well, don’t just stand there, see if you can save money by putting into practice some energy-saving strategies.
This article will show you some ways to cut your energy bill at home.
1. Check Your Insulation
Make sure the insulation in your attic is adequate for the size of your home. Insulation This aids in minimizing the loss of heated or cooled air and alleviates the strain on your system.
Various alternatives exist for enhancing insulation in pre-existing structures. You can opt for professional services like blown-in insulation, or take the do-it-yourself approach. However, if you choose the latter, ensure to wear appropriate gloves and a mask for safety.
2. Upgrade Your Lights
Conventional incandescent light bulbs exhibit significant inefficiency, with a staggering 90% of the energy they consume being dissipated as heat.
That’s why people are getting away from incandescent bulbs, with compact fluorescent and, eventually, LED bulbs becoming the preferred alternatives.
Best LED Bulbs
Here are some LED Bulbs that will last longer and save you money.
Energetic 24-Pack A19 LED Light Bulb, 60 Watt
Feit Electric Smart Light Bulbs with RGB Color
Sunco 10 Pack Vanity Globe Light Bulbs G25 LED
While the initial investment for upgrading to these newer technologies may be relatively high, the long-term benefits outweigh the costs due to reduced operating expenses. The efficiency disparity between incandescent and CFL/LED bulbs is substantial. Additionally, LED bulbs boast an extended lifespan, leading to savings by reducing the frequency of bulb replacements.
3. Watch the Use Of Your Appliances
Appliances are the #1 thing that runs your energy bill up the most. Here are some appliances to keep an eye on.
- Air conditioner
- Water heater:
- Lighting:
- Refrigerator:
- Washer and dryer
4. Switch To a Smart Thermostat
These days, high-tech thermostats are not only more convenient (many of them can be operated via app), but they give you more efficient use of your heating and cooling, which saves you money.
Here are a couple of high-tech thermostats that we like:
Ubipol Smart WiFi 7 Day/4 Periods Programmable Touchscreen
Honeywell HomeWi-Fi Smart Color
Remember to cut off or lower the temperature of your thermostat at night to reduce your bill.
Final Word
Reducing the thermostat setting during unoccupied hours or at night can result in approximately 1% in savings for every degree lowered over an eight-hour period. For instance, lowering the thermostat from 72 to 65 during the night could potentially save you $70, assuming an annual heating cost of $1,000.
As a top-tier convention city, New Orleans is known for its many festivals, parties and events. Is the city safe? Of course. That also means that Nola is also a top travel destination.
-
A Southwest Airlines flight leaving New Orleans for Atlanta had to be delayed after a passenger open an emergency exit for unknown reasons.
Video shared on social media shows passengers hurriedly going to the exits and another flier telling them, “He put something on the plane … He put something on the plane and jumped out the window.”
Additional footage showed a man attempting to get into an airport worker vehicle before being subdued by two employees.
According to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the passenger got out of the plane, which was still at the gate at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport about 7:40 p.m. and climbed onto the wing. He was “incoherent” and taken to a nearby hospital to be checked out.
When he jumped to the ground, where he was quickly subdued until law enforcement, the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Are you trying to become more financially literate? Check out Money Mondays at NolaFi.com, where we’ll share strategies to save and make cash.
If saving money is something you’re serious about, AtlantaFi.com has a lot of resources to help you.
-
If you’re considering buying a new laptop or tablet — or even a refurbished one — Black Friday and Cyber Monday feature numerous bargains and deals right now.
We’ve rounded up some of the best deals you’ll find online from Amazon and other retailers.
When Is The Best Time To Buy A Laptop Or Tablet?
The best time to buy a laptop is right now! One deal you don’t want to miss is the Amazon Fire 10 tablet, which is on sale!
Here are three places to look to save money on laptops and tablets:
1. Buy Refurbished Laptops Online
Many of the top retailers sell refurbished laptops, including Walmart and Amazon. Here are some cheap laptops I found on Amazon:
- 15.6-inch screen Acer Chromebook
- 14-inch Elitebook Laptop
- Acer Aspire Laptop
- 14.1-inch display Dell Latitude
- 14-inch Samsung Chromebook
- ASUS VivoBook
The good thing about Amazon is that they typically offer a 90-day warranty.
2. Try The Pawn Shop
If you haven’t been to the pawn shop in a while, you may be surprised to find that they may have quite a stockpile of electronics, including laptops.
Contrary to popular belief, many pawn shops today provide you with a warranty on your purchase, usually for 30 days. That’s pretty decent protection for a used item.
3. Buy From Deals Websites
If you want to get some electronics for cheap, the #1 place is on deals websites. Here are some of my favorites:
4. Buy A Display Model
You can save more money on laptops and other electronics, if you opt for the floor model or display model inside the store.
Many stores have laptops they’ve had on display for a while up for sale. Ask the store manager if it’s available for purchase.
5. Opt For A Bare-Bones Model
Another way to save on a laptop is to choose one that doesn’t have a lot of upgraded features. If you buy electronics with all the bells and whistles, you’re going to spend double or triple the cost of a base model.
Last Words
The most important way to save money on laptops and electronics in general is to comparison shop. It’s the only way to know that you’ve gotten the best price!
If you can’t find some cheap laptops on those websites or you know of other sites with electronics for less, please let us know in the comments.
More From NolaFi.com:
