more images

Tom Hanks comes to New Orleans for opening of new WWII Museum theater and 4-D documentary film

NEW ORLEANS — Tom Hanks is scheduled to be there when the National World War II Museum in New Orleans debuts the war film he produced to immerse audiences with all their senses in key battles.

FBI investigates La. couple accused of selling forged works of folk artist Clementine Hunter

FBI investigates forgery claims against La. couple

Eminem, KISS, to headline Voodoo music festival in New Orleans, kicking off Halloween weekend

Voodoo music fest kicks off Halloween weekend

Playing at the wrong time during football game brings reprimands for 2 college bands

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Southwestern Athletic Conference has reprimanded the Grambling State and Prairie View marching bands for playing at inappropriate times during a game last weekend.

Voodoo Experience returns to New Orleans Halloween weekend

NEW ORLEANS — The Voodoo Experience alternative music festival returns to New Orleans for the three-day Halloween weekend with a diverse lineup that includes Eminem, Kiss, Jane’s Addiction and Widespread Panic.

New Orleans’ bawdy Bourbon Street returns to roots by reviving opera, this time with cocktails

NEW ORLEANS — Bourbon Street — where Dixieland jazz competes with karaoke bars, rock ‘n’ roll cover bands and strip club jukeboxes — is also one of the first places in America where opera was heard.

NY’s Clinton Global Initiative focuses on education, jobs; Brad Pitt gives Katrina update

NEW YORK — Education, jobs and the rebuilding of New Orleans are up for discussion at the Clinton Global Initiative — which features royalty of the real and Hollywood variety.

Music fests go green: New Orleans’ Project 30-90 the latest to leave little carbon footprint

NEW ORLEANS — A new music festival in New Orleans is pushing its environmental cred as much as its music, touting lights and sound systems powered by the sun, paperless tickets and an investment in a landfill to offset emissions.

Music festivals in New Orleans, Seattle latest to go green, leave little carbon footprint

NEW ORLEANS — A new music festival in New Orleans is pushing its environmental cred as much as its music, touting lights and sound systems powered by the sun, paperless tickets and an investment in a landfill to offset emissions.

Nicolas Cage’s ‘Bad Lieutenant’ no relation to Harvey Keitel’s, seeks no redemption

VENICE, Italy — German director Werner Herzog says his “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans,” starring Nicolas Cage as a drug-addicted homicide detective and Eva Mendes as his prostitute girlfriend, has nothing to do with Abel Ferrara’s 1992 cult classic starring Harvey Keitel. He hasn’t even seen it.

Political power couple, Carville and Matalin, to head Host Committee for 2013 Super Bowl

NEW ORLEANS — Husband-and-wife political consultants James Carville and Mary Matalin, who live in New Orleans, will be the co-chairs of the host committee for the 2013 Super Bowl, which will be played in the Louisiana Superdome.

Panthers racing to catch up with Steelers on and off field ahead of preseason finale

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson has long said he wanted his young franchise to emulate the family-run Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jamie Foxx brings music, laughs to New Orleans as city prepares for anniversary of Katrina

NEW ORLEANS — Just two days shy of the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, entertainer Jamie Foxx brought some music and laughter to New Orleans with his “Blame It” tour.

James Burton celebrates birthday, fails to set world record for largest guitar picker ensemble

SHREVEPORT, La. — Pioneering rockabilly guitarist James Burton led an ensemble of about 800 guitar players Saturday in a celebration of his 70th birthday, but failed in his attempt to make the Guinness Book of World Records.

Guitarist James Burton celebrates 70th birthday with festival, attempt to break world record

SHREVEPORT, La. — Guitarist James Burton, known for his work with the Elvis Presley and Ricky Nelson bands, plans to celebrate his 70th birthday Friday with a party, followed by an attempt Saturday to break a world record for mass guitar ensemble.

Degas exhibit at New Orleans home where he lived

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans house where Impressionist painter Edgar Degas lived for a time is hosting an exhibit about his sojourn, including a larger-than-painted reproduction of the most important work he did in the city.

TV’s Elly May Clampett is grateful for role, still loves ‘critters’ and country living

TV’s Elly May Clampett is happy at home in La.

BATON ROUGE, La. — Donna Douglas still embodies Elly May Clampett, the critter-loving beauty from “The Beverly Hillbillies.”

New Orleans greats Allen Toussaint, Ernie K-Doe to join Louisiana Music Hall of Fame

NEW ORLEANS — Over music and gumbo served in a historic New Orleans nightclub, pianist and hit songwriter Allen Toussaint will join the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.

Historic New Orleans hotel reclaims past, boosts city’s future 4 years post-Katrina

NEW ORLEANS — The massive lobby, with its ornate trim, glittering Italian crystal chandeliers and mosaic floors, looks much as it did when Louisiana’s Kingfish, Gov. Huey P. Long last strolled through. Some say a box full of kickbacks and shakedown money was tucked under his arm as he made his way to his regular suite in the 1930s.

Chris Owens, glittery chanteuse of New Orleans’ rowdy Bourbon Street, dances down the decades

NEW ORLEANS — The band kicks up the tempo, the crowd applauds and Chris Owens prances out on stage at her Bourbon Street night club, her black curls flying and sequined tights twinkling.

Louisiana man arrested after refusing to turn down loud music at 1:30 a.m.

DERIDDER, La. — A 27-year-old man was arrested and booked with disturbing the peace and resisting an officer after he refused to turn down his music. The Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to the man’s home around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, and asked him to turn down the music on his stereo.

Salut! Danny DeVito serves up Italian-style lemon liqueur at New Orleans cocktail festival

NEW ORLEANS — Actor Danny DeVito served up his own premium “Limoncello” liqueur flavored with zesty Italian lemons and gave a cry of “Salut!” to a drink-sipping crowd at Tales of the Cocktail, a New Orleans cocktail and culinary festival.

Bill Clinton inducted into black fraternity Phi Beta Sigma as honorary member

NEW ORLEANS — A historically black fraternity has voted to induct former President Bill Clinton as an honorary member.

Britney flip-flops on her Christian faith by sporting Jewish symbol in Paris

NEW YORK - Reports questioning Britney Spears’ “changing” faith have emerged once again, after the singer was spotted sporting a Jewish symbol while sightseeing Paris.

Season 2 of kids’ TV show ‘Imagination Movers’ filming in New Orleans for Disney Channel

NEW ORLEANS — In their “office” — a colorful fairy tale room with a gingerbread house and giant beanstalk — the Imagination Movers are busy filming the second season of a Disney Channel television show that has become must-see viewing for multitudes of preschoolers.

Lionel Richie gets a little help from Commodores to close out 15th annual Essence festival

Lionel Richie joined by Commodores at Essence fest

En Vogue marks 20-year anniversary, thrills fans with reunion show at Essence Festival

NEW ORLEANS — En Vogue marked their 20th anniversary as one of music’s most successful female groups with a reunion show that electrified the crowd at the Essence Music Festival.

Final day of Essence Music Festival ends with tributes to Jakes, Maze and Frankie Beverly

NEW ORLEANS — Inspiring gospel music and messages reigned supreme Sunday inside the Morial Convention Center on the final day of the Essence Music Festival which honored Bishop T.D. Jakes as part of its 15th annual celebration.

Beyonce, other artists at Essence Fest pay New Orleans-style tribute to Michael Jackson

NEW ORLEANS — Brass band musicians on trumpet, trombone and tuba belted out “A Closer Walk With Thee” as the Essence Music Festival gave a salute to Michael Jackson befitting a New Orleans jazz funeral procession.

Queen Latifah promotes beauty, empowerment at Essence Music Festival in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS — Queen Latifah dropped by the Essence Music Festival on Friday to help celebrate its 15th year of uplifting and empowering the African-American community through issues-filled seminars by day and high-powered musical performances by night.

Beyonce, Lionel Richie headline Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, celebrating balck music

NEW ORLEANS — The celebration of black music and culture at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans will provide comfort to artists and fans alike after a tough week following Michael Jackson’s death.