New Orleans

New Orleans Alerts

Alert

A picture of New Orleans with the letters MSY

blue

Axios New Orleans Partners

Axios New Orleans Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Get smarter, faster on what matters in New Orleans with Carlie Kollath Wells and Chelsea Brasted.

Axios New Orleans

Standard

New Orleans Members

Membership

Louisiana advances congressional map with reduced Black representation

Louisiana advances map that eliminates one majority-Black district

Senators heard nearly 10 hours of testimony in the overnight meeting.

Politics & Policy

Louisiana senators voted early Wednesday to advance a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="congressional map" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/12/louisiana-special-elections-congressional-map-town-hall" data-vars-content-id="ee30918a-b8ac-44da-8b62-70f17f167e76" data-vars-headline="Louisiana advances congressional map with reduced Black representation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/12/louisiana-special-elections-congressional-map-town-hall" target="_self">congressional map</a> that eliminates one of the state&#x27;s majority-Black districts.Why it matters: The proposed map pits U.S. Rep. Troy Carter against U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields for their seats, which are currently in two different districts, writes Piper Hutchinson of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louisiana Illuminator" data-vars-click-url="https://lailluminator.com/2026/05/13/louisiana-senate-committee-drops-one-of-two-majority-black-districts-in-advancing-map/" data-vars-content-id="ee30918a-b8ac-44da-8b62-70f17f167e76" data-vars-headline="Louisiana advances congressional map with reduced Black representation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://lailluminator.com/2026/05/13/louisiana-senate-committee-drops-one-of-two-majority-black-districts-in-advancing-map/" target="_blank">Louisiana Illuminator</a>.

New Orleans joins national effort to promote music investment

Louisiana's music industry employs more than 35,000 people.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="ccb6b827-e753-4f5c-a656-b871dd4a4e6b" data-vars-headline="New Orleans joins national effort to promote music investment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a> is partnering with other cities and states in a new trade organization focused on strengthening local <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="music scenes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/music" data-vars-content-id="ccb6b827-e753-4f5c-a656-b871dd4a4e6b" data-vars-headline="New Orleans joins national effort to promote music investment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/music" target="_self">music scenes</a>.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louisiana&#x27;s music industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.louisianamusicpartners.com/about" data-vars-content-id="ccb6b827-e753-4f5c-a656-b871dd4a4e6b" data-vars-headline="New Orleans joins national effort to promote music investment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.louisianamusicpartners.com/about" target="_blank">Louisiana&#x27;s music industry</a> is worth $1.4 billion and employs more than 35,000 people.

Louisiana's political mess just got messier

New Orleans city leaders pushed back legally and verbally Monday.

Election

<figure><img alt="Image shows Troy Carter, Mayor Helena Moreno, JP Morrell, Jason Williams, Alanah Odoms, Jared Evans and Sidney Barthelemy talking on stage." height="450" id="371c0850-4ced-4c25-844b-3cb46d7b7f5f" src="https://images.axios.com/39x_W_MaSnp1oGfwjXOKL17b7fc=/2026/05/12/1778561400217.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>U.S. Rep. Troy Carter at his town hall at Dillard University. GIF: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios</figcaption></figure><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans leaders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/politics" data-vars-content-id="ce616ba0-af81-4d6f-91b9-242bf66935a0" data-vars-headline="Louisiana&#x27;s political mess just got messier" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/politics" target="_self">New Orleans leaders</a> pushed back legally and verbally Monday against Gov. Jeff Landry&#x27;s efforts to redraw the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state&#x27;s congressional map" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/11/louisiana-begins-redistricting-while-new-orleans-proposes-special-election" data-vars-content-id="ce616ba0-af81-4d6f-91b9-242bf66935a0" data-vars-headline="Louisiana&#x27;s political mess just got messier" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/11/louisiana-begins-redistricting-while-new-orleans-proposes-special-election" target="_self">state&#x27;s congressional map</a> and eliminate an elected office in the city.Why it matters: The fights could reshape Black political representation in the state and local control in New Orleans.

Louisiana lawmakers weigh cuts to Black House districts

The proposals eliminate one or both of the state's majority-Black districts.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louisiana lawmakers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/05/louisiana-redraw-congressional-map-troy-carter-cleo-fields" data-vars-content-id="b392d3fe-6459-48db-9d4b-b72a12e32c86" data-vars-headline="Louisiana lawmakers weigh cuts to Black House districts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/05/louisiana-redraw-congressional-map-troy-carter-cleo-fields" target="_self">Louisiana lawmakers</a> on Friday will consider congressional maps that could reshape Black political representation in the state.Why it matters: The four proposals eliminate one or both of the state&#x27;s majority-Black congressional districts.

New Orleans-shot "Is God Is" opens Friday

Vivica A. Fox and Sterling K. Brown star.

Things to Do

Vivica A. Fox&#x27;s new movie, which was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="filmed in New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/10/29/people-you-meet-vacation-book-movie-filming" data-vars-content-id="4b2970a8-9ca0-4aff-bdae-a32b163a9e68" data-vars-headline="New Orleans-shot &quot;Is God Is&quot; opens Friday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/10/29/people-you-meet-vacation-book-movie-filming" target="_self">filmed in New Orleans</a>, hits theaters Friday.The big picture: &quot;Is God Is&quot; is based on the play by Aleshea Harris, who adapted it for the big screen and made her directorial debut.

Getting older with my mom

Somewhere between diapers and dishes, my mom and I became friends.

Culture

One unexpected gift of adulthood is realizing your parents are people, too.Why it matters: As mine get older, I&#x27;ve become more intentional about enjoying the time we have together.

Robin Barnes drops debut album in time for Jazz Fest

The "Songbird of New Orleans" is reintroducing herself.

Music

Robin Barnes is one of the most visible working singers in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="ac53abaf-f5f2-4c13-ace4-583baf925a3e" data-vars-headline="Robin Barnes drops debut album in time for Jazz Fest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a> today, but somehow she&#x27;s gained that reputation without ever putting out her own full-length album.Why it matters: That changes now.

10 classic New Orleans cocktails

New Orleans may not have invented cocktails, but it did perfect them.

Food and Drink

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="5e5c65f8-6621-481a-a33c-def863ea3969" data-vars-headline="10 classic New Orleans cocktails" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a> may or may not have invented the cocktail, but we feel pretty confident that the city&#x27;s bars and bartenders perfected it.Why it matters: There&#x27;s no better place to get in touch with your favorites, whether they&#x27;re shaken or stirred.

Jazz Fest 2026: What to know before you go

It's one of the biggest annual events in New Orleans.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans Jazz &amp; Heritage Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/24/whats-new-jazz-fest-poster-music-bayouwear" data-vars-content-id="4e012df9-d2d9-47df-a4e5-ee242d7b6d7b" data-vars-headline="Jazz Fest 2026: What to know before you go" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/24/whats-new-jazz-fest-poster-music-bayouwear" target="_self">New Orleans Jazz &amp; Heritage Festival</a> kicks off Thursday with two weekends of music, food and culture at the Fair Grounds.Why it matters: It&#x27;s one of New Orleans&#x27; biggest events of the year, drawing massive crowds and big-name talent.

Checking off your North Carolina bucket list

North Carolina is the best place to live in the country. If you can't live here, you can plan a visit based on some of our favorite spots.

We at Axios Raleigh and Axios Charlotte are obviously a bit biased, but we believe that North Carolina is the best place to live in the country. If you can&#x27;t live here, you can plan a visit based on some of our favorite spots.<ul><li>Drive a few hours west, and you&#x27;re surrounded by the dramatic Blue Ridge Mountains. Head east, and you&#x27;ll find some of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="best beaches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/05/24/best-beaches-north-carolina-guide-travel-tourism" data-vars-content-id="3ed9bd94-e719-46c3-b5cc-d824441c8f76" data-vars-headline="Checking off your North Carolina bucket list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/05/24/best-beaches-north-carolina-guide-travel-tourism" target="_self">best beaches</a> around. In between, you&#x27;ve got college towns, big cities, rural charm and rich history.</li></ul>

How mahjong became the hottest game in town

Events dedicated to the strategy game are becoming wildly popular.

Kelly Walker was eager to connect with new friends when she started hosting mahjong nights at her home a little more than a year ago.Why it matters: The game nights have since became so popular that venues across <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="eaf9d044-eacb-4799-a2de-88241a410aa9" data-vars-headline="How mahjong became the hottest game in town" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a> are asking her to set up shop.

The New Orleans gumbo you can only get once a year

<figure><img alt="Image shows a table with green gumbo and fried chicken." height="450" id="2801b6d9-4ea6-4327-a9fe-a6908ff7e769" src="https://images.axios.com/xmj4yZ9hkfo10G6VnhssbS9tIKY=/2026/04/02/1775164677147.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Gumbo z&#x27;herbes at Dooky Chase&#x27;s Restaurant in New Orleans. Image: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios</figcaption></figure>Dooky Chase&#x27;s is a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="31818d55-0652-4552-bb8b-3c16d2f2932a" data-vars-headline="The New Orleans gumbo you can only get once a year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a> institution, especially on Holy Thursday.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the only day of the year to get chef Leah Chase&#x27;s gumbo z&#x27;herbes, a dish steeped in faith and New Orleans tradition.

New Orleans Easter baskets have one thing in common

Elmer's makes the popular seasonal chocolate treats.

<figure><img alt="Image shows an Easter basket with candy in it." height="450" id="71d3ed3a-d338-4070-90e3-e62570e0ace1" src="https://images.axios.com/-LJBu9nglH963CACqTpeFTZqgVM=/filters:no_upscale()/2025/04/16/1744828446326.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Elmer&#x27;s is known for its candy eggs for Easter. Image: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios</figcaption></figure><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Easter in New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/04/17/elmer-chocolate-easter-candy-company-louisiana" data-vars-content-id="96243d0d-f9e0-4845-8e86-e884c26e1a52" data-vars-headline="New Orleans Easter baskets have one thing in common" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/04/17/elmer-chocolate-easter-candy-company-louisiana" target="_self">Easter in New Orleans</a> isn&#x27;t complete without an Elmer chocolate egg in your basket.Why it matters: The longtime Louisiana company still anchors Easter traditions across the Gulf Coast, even after last year&#x27;s sale.