Jason Saul

The Tulane University football program has undergone a dramatic resurgence in the past two years, spurred by the hiring of former Saints receivers coach Curtis Johnson, the rapid construction of a new on-campus football stadium, and a commitment from a university administration involved in the intricacies of college football management on a national level.

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed 7-foot-2 center Alexis Ajinca, the team announced today.

Ajinca comes to New Orleans after two years in the Euroleague, where he played for Strasbourg, France. He was drafted 20th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Bobcats — after Charlotte, he played for the Dallas Mavericks and Toronto Raptors before moving over to the Euroleague.

The terms of Ajinca's contract have not been released, per Pelicans team policy.

The New Orleans Police Department's traffic division will conduct a sobriety checkpoint Friday night, the department said in a press release.

The checkpoint will begin at approximately 9:00 p.m. on the night of Friday, Dec. 20, and conclude at approximately 5:00 a.m. Saturday morning. The NOPD says motorists should expect only minimal delays and should have proper documentation with them, including a driver's license and proof of insurance.

210 years ago today, Governor William C.C. Claiborne issued this document to the people of New Orleans, announcing the United States' purchase of the Louisiana Territory two months earlier.

The proclamation — in three languages — explains the transition from Spain to France to the United States, and clarifies for the people of the city their new rights, and their responsibilities, as newly-minted Americans.

(h/t @wrightbryan3)

The New Orleans Saints were stunned on the road last night against the St. Louis Rams. The final score: 27-16.

The 2013 Saints continue to surprise, and not always in a good way.

Last week it was a dominant performance at every level in the Superdome against the Carolina Panthers, who are breathing down the Saints’ neck for the top of the division.

This week, New Orleans traveled to St. Louis, heavily favored against a team that hasn’t gotten much going this year.

The New Orleans Pelicans have waived forward Josh Childress, the team announced Friday afternoon.

Childress appeared in just four games with the Pelicans this season, since being signed on Nov. 12, 2013. He played 24 minutes total, scoring zero points but pulling in three rebounds, dishing out two assists, and recording a steal.

Childress, who played college ball at Stanford, has appeared in 391 career NBA games, averaging 9.1 ppints, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 26.7 minutes per game.

The Pelicans roster is now 14 players strong.

The New Orleans Police Department's Traffic Division will conduct a sobriety checkpoint Friday night, department spokesman Garry Flot said in a press release.

The checkpoint will begin at approximately 9:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, and will last until approximately 5:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Motorists are advised to have proper documentation with them, including proof of insurance and a driver's license.

The New Orleans Pelicans, plagued by injuries all this season, will now be without swingman Tyreke Evans, who was diagnosed with a left ankle sprain. He will be out from 1-2 weeks.

The team says Evans suffered the injury during the third quarter of the Dec. 6 game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Pelicans lost that game at home, 109-95.

A swingman is a player who can play both guard and forward.

Evans sprained his left ankle earlier this season, forcing him out for a few games.

The New Orleans Saints bounced back from a manhandling in Seattle last week to crush the Carolina Panthers in the Superdome, 31-13.

The Panthers had won eight straight coming into Sunday night’s nationally-televised game, and had tied the Saints for first place in the division. The Saints were lucky to escape the first quarter trailing 6-0.

But it ended up being yet another multiple record-setting night for New Orleans, an almost humdrum affair during this golden age of Saints football.