St. Joseph’s Day Celebrations, Festival Weekend and TV Merger Lead Local Headlines

New Orleans is heading into the weekend with a full calendar and a few notable developments making headlines across the city.

St. Joseph’s Day Traditions Take Center Stage

Churches and community groups across the metro area are marking St. Joseph’s Day with elaborate altars, traditional foods and public celebrations honoring the city’s Italian roots. Organizers say New Orleans hosts one of the country’s largest observances, with altars open for viewing and donations supporting local causes.

Parades and related events are also on the schedule in the coming days, continuing a spring festival season that barely paused after Carnival. For many families, the altars are both a faith tradition and a cultural touchstone, blending food, history and neighborhood pride.

Busy Weekend of Festivals and Events

The Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival is drawing crowds with its signature Stella shouting contest and outdoor performances. Elsewhere, cultural events range from film screenings and live music to Derby Day festivities and museum programs.

Jefferson Parish is even hosting a lighthearted pet wedding at the library, underscoring just how varied this weekend’s lineup is. From Uptown to the French Quarter and into Metairie, the region’s spring calendar is in full swing.

Major Media Merger Finalized

In business news, a major broadcast ownership change is now official. Nexstar Media Group has completed its acquisition of Tegna, the parent company of WWL-TV. The deal, finalized this week, reshapes the local television landscape and could bring operational changes in the months ahead.

WWL-TV has long been a dominant news presence in New Orleans, and industry observers say viewers may notice shifts in branding or strategy as the merger settles in.

As March moves forward, New Orleans finds itself balancing tradition, creativity and change — all in a single weekend.

Sources

https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/19/st-josephs-day-altars-parades
https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/19/dog-wedding-festivals-parades-stella-shouting-contest
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWL-TV