🌱 Jefferson Jail Overdose Death + New Omicron Subvariants Discovered

Hey, neighbors! It's me, Shannon Denney, your host of the New Orleans Daily. Keep reading for everything you need to know about what's going on around town...

First, today's weather:

A couple of thunderstorms. High: 89 Low: 78.

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Here are the top five stories in New Orleans today:

1. An inmate at Jefferson Parish jail has been arrested on a murder charge for allegedly providing a drug containing fentanyl that was involved in the overdose death of another inmate. Two inmates suffered overdoses at the jail and were taken to the hospital for treatment, but ultimately only one recovered. (NOLA.com)
2. LSU Health’s New Orleans lab has claimed it has discovered two new strains of the highly contagious Omicron subvariants that were previously unknown in the U.S. until now. It seems that these new subvariants are less resistant to immunity and are more likely to spread. (FOX 8 Local First)
3. A new $13 million program, the "Community Lighthouse Project" aims to support New Orleans residents during post-disaster power outages to avoid situations like the one after Hurricane Ida this fall. Supporters and volunteers gathered last week to get the organization started that will provide community spaces that can detach from the main power grid during outages and provide electricity to their neighbors. (Louisiana Weekly)

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Today in New Orleans:

• Gallery Talk with Casey Delmont at the New Orleans Museum of Arts (noon)
• Public Tour of Queen Nefertari’s Egypt at NOMA (1 p.m.)
• Twilight at Longue Vue: Anaïs St. John at Longue Vue House and Gardens (5 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• A new documentary that chronicles the friendship of the two historians that culminated in the founding of New Orleans' National WWII Museum will premiere next week. (WWNO)
• Fell asleep before getting to watch the 4th of July Fireworks this year? You can watch a video of the fireworks across the Mississippi here. (WGNO New Orleans)
• Getting bored during these hot summer months? Considered adopting the dogs, cats and pets that are looking for a home across the city! (New Orleans Patch)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with another update.

— Shannon Denney

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming New Orleans Daily? Contact me at neworleans@patch.com