NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - New Orleans is mentioned 536 times in the federal government’s latest dump of Jeffrey Epstein investigation materials, including the search for a woman from the city initiated by the late financier and convicted sex offender.

The Moody’s downgrade to “Baa2” puts New Orleans at the second rung from the bottom of its investment-grade scale, just two notches above junk status.

Facing another round of uncertainty over being able to cover future payroll expenses, New Orleans leaders signaled a need to ask the state for more assistance. The city has used most of the $125 million loan it secured in November to bridge a cash shortfall that grew as its finances worsened last year.

Water main break causes pressure drop, prompting precautionary measure

According to police, the victim was 24-year-old Roshawn Smith. He had a wife and three children, and he was a deacon at the Abundant Life Tabernacle Church on Franklin Avenue.

New Orleans Pelicans (13-40, 14th in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (32-20, fifth in the Western Conference) Minneapolis; Friday, 8 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans plays the Minnesota Timberwolves after Trey Murphy III scored 44 points in the Pelicans' 141-137 overtime loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Louisiana Department of Health has expanded the Louisiana Carrot Initiative to Walmart stores in East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishes, giving SNAP recipients a 30-cent bonus for every dollar they spend on fresh produce,

Just before parade time, a cluster of clowns wearing camouflaged costumes, white face paint and red rubber noses, gathered near the starting point of the miniature procession on St. Roch Avenue. The group called themselves “The Irrational Guard” and seemed to parody the military security forces deployed to the city during Carnival.