Possibly the best news to come to New Orleans in some time is news that the Saints will remain in NOLA.
A new deal between the New Orleans Saints and state officials will reportedly keep the National Football League team here through 2010.
The New Orleans Times-Picayune newspaper reported that the Saints reached a deal with officials to remain in the Lousiana Superdome for the next four seasons, eliminating contract escape clauses that could have let the club relocate in the next year.
Damage caused by Hurricane Katrina forced the Saints to shift training and home games to San Antonio, Texas, and nearby Baton Rouge in 2005.
There was speculation Saints owner Tom Benson would try to make the move to San Antonio permanent but NFL officials insisted the team play a role in the recovery of the southern US city from the devastating storm.
Some may say that a sports team pales in importance to the pressing issues the city now faces, but we all know what a pyschological lift a home team can give to people when their team does well and stays in the community. At last, a reason to smile in NOLA.