I'm not from NO, and never visited. But I have seen and heard NO pronounced "Nawlins"....never new that was an outsider pronunciation, and always thought it sounded stupid, so I'm happy NOT to pronounce it that way.
So I'm wondering what IS the correct way to pronounce NO? According to the locals! Spelled phonetically, with caps for syllabic emphasis, I have heard "new ORlins", "new orLEENS", and "new orleANS". Which is correct? If none of those, please provide the correct pronunciation. I'll say it that way, and dutifully correct anyone who says it wrong north of the Mason Dixon in south-central PA. May not have a huge impact, but ya gotta start somewhere right?