| BY BOB WARREN | Staff writer |
Lining up: Qualifying opened this morning for some big elections in New Orleans, including what are expected to be intense campaigns for mayor and sheriff. You can follow all the action on NOLA.com. There’s a special mayor’s race in Slidell this October as well. It’s looking like that will be a two-candidate race. 'Feeling adrift.' The abrupt closure of Palace Café earlier this week was a shock to many. Today, dining guru Ian McNulty takes a deeper look at what it means for the restaurant, the city’s dining scene and Canal Street. Spiffy lids: For decades, the Saints have sported gold helmets adorned with a stripe and fleur de lis. Iconic, to be sure. But today the team unveiled a dapper new helmet that will be added to the lineup, Luke Johnson reports. So chic! USS New Orleans: Do you know the story of the USS New Orleans? It’s fascinating — and recently got even more fascinating, Mark Ballard reports. Shortest. Day. Ever? Here's a fun one: Scientists say today, July 9, 2025, might just be the shortest day ever. Marco Cartolano reports that we could lose as much as 1.6 milliseconds today. Let's make the most of what little Wednesday we have left, friends. Did you get this newsletter forwarded from someone else? Sign up here. And if you're interested in becoming a NOLA.com subscriber, here's a great offer. Be cool, BW | 