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Isaias expected to strengthen to near Category 3 strength 

Watches are in effect from Louisiana to Florida.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tropical Storm Isaias" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/10/06/invest92l-gulf-forecast-hurricane-louisiana-isaias" data-vars-content-id="57637ff6-3850-4f01-ab57-fdd365813cdc" data-vars-headline="Isaias expected to strengthen to near Category 3 strength " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/10/06/invest92l-gulf-forecast-hurricane-louisiana-isaias" target="_self">Tropical Storm Isaias</a> is rapidly strengthening in the Gulf and is expected to be nearly a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall this weekend near the Alabama-Florida state line.Why it matters: Hurricane and tropical storm watches are in effect from Louisiana to Florida.

Louisiana "committed" to continuing executions, Landry says

Landry made the comment after Tennessee's failed execution attempt.

Politics

Gov. Jeff Landry remains &quot;committed&quot; to Louisiana&#x27;s death penalty despite Tennessee&#x27;s recent failed execution attempt, he told <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="132eb997-c905-4cbe-b93b-084ee30e8e0c" data-vars-headline="Louisiana &quot;committed&quot; to continuing executions, Landry says" 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">Axios New Orleans</a> in an exclusive interview.Why it matters: Tennessee death row <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="inmate Christa Pike" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/10/06/tennessee-christa-pike-awake-failed-execution" data-vars-content-id="132eb997-c905-4cbe-b93b-084ee30e8e0c" data-vars-headline="Louisiana &quot;committed&quot; to continuing executions, Landry says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/10/06/tennessee-christa-pike-awake-failed-execution" target="_self">inmate Christa Pike</a> is awake and talking despite being administered two doses of lethal injection drugs. Louisiana also conducts executions using lethal injection.

Gulf system expected to become season's first hurricane

Residents from Louisiana to Florida should be on alert.

A tropical depression in the Gulf is expected to become the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first hurricane" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/09/15/hurricane-season-atlantic-historic-no-storms" data-vars-content-id="72644985-cee6-4036-8698-0bb41da9e928" data-vars-headline="Gulf system expected to become season&#x27;s first hurricane" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/09/15/hurricane-season-atlantic-historic-no-storms" target="_self">first hurricane</a> of the Atlantic season.Why it matters: It could bring heavy rain, gusty winds and coastal flooding to the Gulf Coast, but it&#x27;s too early to tell how much <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="72644985-cee6-4036-8698-0bb41da9e928" data-vars-headline="Gulf system expected to become season&#x27;s first hurricane" 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> could see.

Hurricane Isaias forms, expected to rapidly intensify in Gulf

Landfall is forecast overnight Friday near the Alabama-Florida state line.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hurricane Isaias" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/10/07/tropical-storm-isaias-hurricane-strength-track-louisiana" data-vars-content-id="8b6ee3ff-e530-494d-a2b2-faf5b9616f5d" data-vars-headline="Hurricane Isaias forms, expected to rapidly intensify in Gulf" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/10/07/tropical-storm-isaias-hurricane-strength-track-louisiana" target="_self">Hurricane Isaias</a> is expected to rapidly intensify in the Gulf and become nearly a Category 3 storm before making landfall late Friday near the Alabama-Florida state line.Why it matters: New Orleans is now outside the storm&#x27;s cone, but NHC says residents from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle should monitor Isaias closely.

Preservation Hall opens bar and restaurant

The move expands the historic New Orleans venue's footprint considerably.

Food and Drink

A new restaurant and bar from the Preservation Hall team is now open next door to the historic venue 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="971b7469-1b34-48b3-8977-3390cb2a29b4" data-vars-headline="Preservation Hall opens bar and restaurant" 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>, a press release says.Why it matters: The change fills a long-standing void at Pres Hall, which hasn&#x27;t previously had a bar.

First look: Hut 8's under-construction Louisiana data center

The project should come online in early 2027.

Business

<figure><img alt="An excavator digs into a pile of dirt, viewed from afar. Behind it, a large under-construction steel-frame building." height="450" id="96c715a6-9c8f-4932-ac12-33bba6495f27" src="https://images.axios.com/fJkyOjkml6Z2u6BDawZxtm3UGOc=/2026/10/06/1791306256202.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Hut 8&#x27;s River Bend data center under construction Oct. 5. Video: Chelsea Brasted/Axios</figcaption></figure>When <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hut 8" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/19/jazz-museum-to-get-1-1m-revamp" data-vars-content-id="68e5399f-c3b4-43cb-b465-c9c8c19cd987" data-vars-headline="First look: Hut 8&#x27;s under-construction Louisiana data center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/19/jazz-museum-to-get-1-1m-revamp" target="_self">Hut 8</a> brings its West Feliciana Parish data center online early next year, the scale and size of the project will make it unlike anything Louisiana has seen. Why it matters: It&#x27;s one of four in-the-works <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data center projects" data-vars-click-url="https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/data-center" data-vars-content-id="68e5399f-c3b4-43cb-b465-c9c8c19cd987" data-vars-headline="First look: Hut 8&#x27;s under-construction Louisiana data center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/data-center" target="_blank">data center projects</a> touted by Louisiana Economic Development and, though it appears on track to be the first to turn the lights on, it&#x27;s not the largest.

Map: Louisiana's planned data centers

The projects are primarily in North Louisiana.

Louisiana&#x27;s planned data centers are expected to have 9,431 MW capacity, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="records" data-vars-click-url="https://cleanview.co/data-centers/us" data-vars-content-id="20e555a0-1e60-459e-bb81-6cea432c28cd" data-vars-headline="Map: Louisiana&#x27;s planned data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cleanview.co/data-centers/us" target="_blank">records</a> analyzed by market intelligence company Cleanview.Why it matters: That would give Louisiana the 13th most capacity among states with data centers, Cleanview&#x27;s data show.

Spirit Halloween brings vacant storefronts back from the dead

The store has three locations in metro New Orleans this year.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Spirit Halloween" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/24/spirit-halloween-store-previous-tenant" data-vars-content-id="711d3afa-b378-4b70-84a2-05f8bd905ee8" data-vars-headline="Spirit Halloween brings vacant storefronts back from the dead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/24/spirit-halloween-store-previous-tenant" target="_self">Spirit Halloween</a> has three locations in metro New Orleans this year.Why it matters: Spirit&#x27;s seasonal takeover gives vacant retail space a brief second life.

Jewel of the South to open ambitious French Quarter bar residency

The ambitious project will run for 30 weeks.

<figure><img alt="A man in a fedora shakes a cocktail at a busy bar." height="450" id="1260de4e-f2df-4a20-86da-bf24980680ca" src="https://images.axios.com/9vdKyczgIWZ75joxbJCDkQsMwWM=/2026/09/23/1790192861510.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Chris Hannah shakes up a cocktail during a Dusse event for Tales of the Cocktail in 2025. Video: Chelsea Brasted/Axios </figcaption></figure>The team behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jewel of the South" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/11/jewel-of-the-south-dakar-nola-win-james-beard-awards" data-vars-content-id="36cd2a6a-d95e-4cdb-9ec2-52a1c97c6626" data-vars-headline="Jewel of the South to open ambitious French Quarter bar residency" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/11/jewel-of-the-south-dakar-nola-win-james-beard-awards" target="_self">Jewel of the South</a> are opening a pop-up bar in the French Quarter with theatrical, immersive production design and a rotating cast of guest bartenders, managing partner John Stubbs tells Axios New Orleans. Why it matters: It&#x27;ll be one big cultural exchange opportunity, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="36cd2a6a-d95e-4cdb-9ec2-52a1c97c6626" data-vars-headline="Jewel of the South to open ambitious French Quarter bar residency" 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>&#x27; cocktail culture at the center.

How one New Orleans developer is tackling AI anxiety

As <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national AI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/13/ai-labs-regulation-safety" data-vars-content-id="7e780d2d-f920-4332-80ad-2f7bedec2334" data-vars-headline="How one New Orleans developer is tackling AI anxiety" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/13/ai-labs-regulation-safety" target="_self">national AI</a> and political leaders <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="worry publicly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/09/ai-doom-regulation-stop-doomsday-kill-humans" data-vars-content-id="7e780d2d-f920-4332-80ad-2f7bedec2334" data-vars-headline="How one New Orleans developer is tackling AI anxiety" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/09/ai-doom-regulation-stop-doomsday-kill-humans" target="_self">worry publicly</a> about the new tech <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="killing us all" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/09/anthropic-insiders-warn-ai-could-kill-all-humans" data-vars-content-id="7e780d2d-f920-4332-80ad-2f7bedec2334" data-vars-headline="How one New Orleans developer is tackling AI anxiety" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/09/anthropic-insiders-warn-ai-could-kill-all-humans" target="_self">killing us all</a>, one New Orleans software developer is prioritizing supporting his staff&#x27;s mental health.Why it matters: As his day-to-day work transforms with the rise of AI, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Neel Sus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.linkedin.com/in/neelsus" data-vars-content-id="7e780d2d-f920-4332-80ad-2f7bedec2334" data-vars-headline="How one New Orleans developer is tackling AI anxiety" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/neelsus" target="_blank">Neel Sus</a> is putting his energy toward the 20 or so people who work for him — and hoping it&#x27;ll make a difference.

Glass Half Full bets on a bigger future in Chalmette 

The Louisa Street location will close at the end of September.

Glass Half Full started with two Tulane students, a pile of bottles and an idea. Six years later, it&#x27;s a 25-person company serving three states.Why it matters: The homegrown business has found success solving a problem <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="c7e75bff-cb0b-42d1-a259-9e6a9ab96191" data-vars-headline="Glass Half Full bets on a bigger future in Chalmette " 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> has long struggled with — what to do with all those empty glass bottles.

New Orleans' latest restaurant openings and closings 

Say hello and goodbye to more than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="25 restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/29/new-closed-restaurants-2026-cafe-sbisa-emeril-coquette" data-vars-content-id="5d2113f7-265e-43a6-8c3b-db748382962d" data-vars-headline="New Orleans&#x27; latest restaurant openings and closings " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/29/new-closed-restaurants-2026-cafe-sbisa-emeril-coquette" target="_self">25 restaurants</a> in New Orleans metro.The big picture: Here&#x27;s a snapshot of some of the eateries that have opened and closed in recent weeks, as well as a roundup of more on the way.

How SpaceX bought 125,000 acres of Louisiana's coast

The deal is the result of a fairly new Louisiana law.

One of the key pieces of the puzzle leading to the announcement of SpaceX&#x27;s $100 billion planned <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Starbase Louisiana" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/08/25/spacex-starbase-louisiana-jeff-landry" data-vars-content-id="66717897-1149-48a0-b6be-a92f45a08126" data-vars-headline="How SpaceX bought 125,000 acres of Louisiana&#x27;s coast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/08/25/spacex-starbase-louisiana-jeff-landry" target="_self">Starbase Louisiana</a> is that the company scored 125,000 acres of the state&#x27;s coastline for $100,000,000. Why it matters: The no-bid deal was only made possible by a relatively new state law.

Essence Fest, New Orleans leaders weigh what's next after contract expires

Organizers say they want the annual event to remain in the city.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Essence Fest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/02/essence-fest-contract-negotiations-headliners" data-vars-content-id="65008e07-af3e-452a-831a-9ef5a3fa02b4" data-vars-headline="Essence Fest, New Orleans leaders weigh what&#x27;s next after contract expires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/02/essence-fest-contract-negotiations-headliners" target="_self">Essence Fest</a> organizers and New Orleans leaders are figuring out what comes next in their 30-year relationship.Why it matters: The festival&#x27;s multiyear contract with the city ended Friday, leaving its future in New Orleans up for negotiation.

Business 🏦

Preservation Hall opens bar and restaurant

First look: Hut 8's under-construction Louisiana data center

Map: Louisiana's planned data centers

Spirit Halloween brings vacant storefronts back from the dead

Jewel of the South to open ambitious French Quarter bar residency