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SpaceX comes to Louisiana with $100B new Starbase

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SpaceX" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/03/spacex-stock-lockup-earnings" data-vars-content-id="1c0c5ab6-7e71-46f1-8d46-0f9b860b91a2" data-vars-headline="SpaceX comes to Louisiana with $100B new Starbase" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/03/spacex-stock-lockup-earnings" target="_self">SpaceX</a> is building a new spaceport on 125,000 acres in Southwest Louisiana, making it the largest in the world, the company and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gov. Jeff Landry announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAgPOiirX0o" data-vars-content-id="1c0c5ab6-7e71-46f1-8d46-0f9b860b91a2" data-vars-headline="SpaceX comes to Louisiana with $100B new Starbase" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAgPOiirX0o" target="_blank">Gov. Jeff Landry announced</a> Tuesday.Why it matters: The $100 billion investment will not only reshape <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Acadiana&#x27;s economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/news/spacex-launches-new-era-of-commercial-spaceflight-with-100-billion-louisiana-campus" data-vars-content-id="1c0c5ab6-7e71-46f1-8d46-0f9b860b91a2" data-vars-headline="SpaceX comes to Louisiana with $100B new Starbase" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/news/spacex-launches-new-era-of-commercial-spaceflight-with-100-billion-louisiana-campus" target="_blank">Acadiana&#x27;s economy</a> but it has the capacity to influence the greater New Orleans area, too, local leaders say.

Louisiana National Guard to end New Orleans deployment

Troops have been in New Orleans for eight months.

The Louisiana National Guard&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eight-month deployment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/02/national-guard-to-stay-in-new-orleans-six-more-months" data-vars-content-id="d6edce0f-a3fd-4b5d-bb28-e45330b2d312" data-vars-headline="Louisiana National Guard to end New Orleans deployment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/02/national-guard-to-stay-in-new-orleans-six-more-months" target="_self">eight-month deployment</a> in New Orleans is coming to an end, Mayor Helena Moreno confirms.Why it matters: The federal deployment became a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="political flash point" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/02/02/mayor-helena-moreno-donald-trump-national-guard-meeting" data-vars-content-id="d6edce0f-a3fd-4b5d-bb28-e45330b2d312" data-vars-headline="Louisiana National Guard to end New Orleans deployment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/02/02/mayor-helena-moreno-donald-trump-national-guard-meeting" target="_self">political flash point</a> over who deserves credit for New Orleans&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="falling crime rate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/01/06/violent-crime-murder-capital-improvement-statistics" data-vars-content-id="d6edce0f-a3fd-4b5d-bb28-e45330b2d312" data-vars-headline="Louisiana National Guard to end New Orleans deployment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/01/06/violent-crime-murder-capital-improvement-statistics" target="_self">falling crime rate</a>.

Pay what you can at these New Orleans restaurants

Food and Drink

When budgets get tight, dining out often goes out the window, but on Wednesday, some of the world’s best restaurants will let diners <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pay what they can" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/18/dc-restaurants-pay-what-you-can-day" data-vars-content-id="00878821-4120-4d81-829a-0523d47dbe39" data-vars-headline="Pay what you can at these New Orleans restaurants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/18/dc-restaurants-pay-what-you-can-day" target="_self">pay what they can</a>.Why it matters: What began as a community-minded experiment among Mexico City chefs is going global this year — and two New Orleans restaurants are joining in.

Second-line season returns to New Orleans

Brass band-led parades are one of the city's best traditions.

Culture

<figure><img alt="A boy wears a plaid suit as he dances in a crowded street." height="450" id="8a30616a-beb9-4b41-a20c-a88380b1a232" src="https://images.axios.com/WZ8lRbDSoFVPHrcPzEH4pK4a8S0=/2026/08/18/1787080911890.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Second-lines are often family affairs. Video: Mario Tama/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Second-lines are back this week after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="f8e30a18-4321-4611-a688-a707814faba6" data-vars-headline="Second-line season returns to New Orleans" 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; annual pause, when social aid and pleasure clubs bypass some of the worst summer heat. Why it matters: The season will begin without any of last year&#x27;s hubbub over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="potentially costly new rules" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/08/04/second-line-clubs-new-orleans-fees-increase" data-vars-content-id="f8e30a18-4321-4611-a688-a707814faba6" data-vars-headline="Second-line season returns to New Orleans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/08/04/second-line-clubs-new-orleans-fees-increase" target="_self">potentially costly new rules</a> for how the parades operate.

How NOMA protects its art from New Orleans' harsh climate 

Heat, humidity, rain and critters can cause art to age faster.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="ba071374-6428-4c20-95ae-4f565914ff7f" data-vars-headline="How NOMA protects its art from New Orleans&#x27; harsh climate " 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; climate is constantly trying to destroy NOMA&#x27;s art, forcing conservators to fight back with wax, air-conditioning and a lot of preventive care.Why it matters: South Louisiana&#x27;s heat, humidity, rain and critters can cause art to age faster, requiring more maintenance than visitors might realize.

My favorite tools for surviving New Orleans' brutal summer

Hats, fans and disposable cooling wipes FTW.

Anyone else in New Orleans melting this <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/08/14/heat-wave-extreme-weather-growing-toll" data-vars-content-id="b6456801-350b-4a48-a300-2aca1d643d44" data-vars-headline="My favorite tools for surviving New Orleans&#x27; brutal summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/08/14/heat-wave-extreme-weather-growing-toll" target="_self">summer</a>? I&#x27;ve been testing some new tools to stay cool when I have to go outside.Why it matters: The heat index has been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="around 115°" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=LAZ077&amp;warncounty=LAC071&amp;firewxzone=LAZ077&amp;local_place1=3%20Miles%20NNW%20Gretna%20LA&amp;product1=Heat+Advisory&amp;lat=29.9546&amp;lon=-90.0751" data-vars-content-id="b6456801-350b-4a48-a300-2aca1d643d44" data-vars-headline="My favorite tools for surviving New Orleans&#x27; brutal summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=LAZ077&amp;warncounty=LAC071&amp;firewxzone=LAZ077&amp;local_place1=3%20Miles%20NNW%20Gretna%20LA&amp;product1=Heat+Advisory&amp;lat=29.9546&amp;lon=-90.0751" target="_blank">around 115°</a> the past few days, making it important to take precautions.

New Orleans heat wave underscores extreme heat's growing toll

The heat index is expected to hit 110°F through Saturday.

Greater shares of Americans now say that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extreme heat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/06/us-heat-wave-death-toll-july-2026" data-vars-content-id="9d56787f-b381-4bca-ba19-604f421938af" data-vars-headline="New Orleans heat wave underscores extreme heat&#x27;s growing toll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/06/us-heat-wave-death-toll-july-2026" target="_self">extreme heat</a> has affected various parts of day-to-day life compared to just two years ago.Why it matters: New Orleans is in the middle of another heat wave, with the heat index expected to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climb to 110°F" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=LAZ077&amp;warncounty=LAC071&amp;firewxzone=LAZ077&amp;local_place1=3%20Miles%20NNW%20Gretna%20LA&amp;product1=Heat+Advisory&amp;lat=29.9546&amp;lon=-90.0751" data-vars-content-id="9d56787f-b381-4bca-ba19-604f421938af" data-vars-headline="New Orleans heat wave underscores extreme heat&#x27;s growing toll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=LAZ077&amp;warncounty=LAC071&amp;firewxzone=LAZ077&amp;local_place1=3%20Miles%20NNW%20Gretna%20LA&amp;product1=Heat+Advisory&amp;lat=29.9546&amp;lon=-90.0751" target="_blank">climb to 110°F</a> Friday and Saturday.

Mercy Hospital demolition begins in New Orleans

The Mid-City building has been vacant since Hurricane Katrina.

Business

<figure><img alt="Image shows heavy equipment tearing down a wall." height="450" id="c07dffad-ee6f-460a-baab-dc5f81bc6a46" src="https://images.axios.com/km_i5lWQ4CcD0WSYSS9y0HBZ8KM=/2026/08/11/1786480036430.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Workers began demolition Tuesday on the former Mercy Hospital. Image: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios</figcaption></figure>Long-blighted <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mercy Hospital" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/02/plaza-tower-mercy-hospital-blighted-properties" data-vars-content-id="b7f75302-1e65-4081-9507-88d438794962" data-vars-headline="Mercy Hospital demolition begins in New Orleans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/02/plaza-tower-mercy-hospital-blighted-properties" target="_self">Mercy Hospital</a> is finally coming down, clearing the way for a project designed to help reduce flooding 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="b7f75302-1e65-4081-9507-88d438794962" data-vars-headline="Mercy Hospital demolition begins in New Orleans" 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; Mid-City neighborhood.Why it matters: The basement of the building, also known as the Lindy Boggs Medical Center, will be converted into an underground cistern to hold millions of gallons of rain during storms.

Tropical Storm Bertha makes landfall in south Louisiana

Energy & Climate

<figure><img alt="Image shows a wave crashing on a bulkhead." height="450" id="1c73c181-1500-4dbc-9db0-41a1830af4f8" src="https://images.axios.com/mXSrCrLcmCB17Low9Fiw3N4RpeE=/2026/07/22/1784754186719.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>A rough day on Lake Pontchartrain, thanks to Tropical Storm Bertha. Image: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios</figcaption></figure><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tropical Storm Bertha" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/21/tropical-storm-bertha-louisiana-new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="ec1ba042-4f0c-416a-8e20-77e4819eedbb" data-vars-headline="Tropical Storm Bertha makes landfall in south Louisiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/21/tropical-storm-bertha-louisiana-new-orleans" target="_self">Tropical Storm Bertha</a> made landfall around 2pm Wednesday in St. Bernard Parish.Why it matters: The worst of the storm stayed offshore, and Louisiana officials called the preparation work a good &quot;dry run&quot; for the rest of hurricane season.

Tropical Storm Bertha to make landfall Wednesday in Louisiana

New Orleans is under a tropical storm warning.

<figure><img alt="Image is a satellite view of Tropical Storm Bertha in the Gulf, with bands of red, yellow, green and blue." height="552" id="f166c9de-60cd-4426-a9a7-49b916211685" src="https://images.axios.com/TqcoevMl939y_C5NYCw5yH7O768=/2026/07/21/1784660810257.gif" width="982"/><figcaption>Tropical Storm Bertha on satellite as of Tuesday afternoon. Image: NOAA</figcaption></figure><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tropical Storm Bertha" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/20/tropical-storm-bertha-landfall-louisiana-rainfall" data-vars-content-id="d59a0cc9-42cc-4dce-b51c-9ccb53a696d3" data-vars-headline="Tropical Storm Bertha to make landfall Wednesday in Louisiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/20/tropical-storm-bertha-landfall-louisiana-rainfall" target="_self">Tropical Storm Bertha</a> is forecast to make landfall Wednesday in Southeast Louisiana, bringing rain, wind and coastal flooding to the region.Why it matters: It&#x27;s unclear how much of the bad weather will reach <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="d59a0cc9-42cc-4dce-b51c-9ccb53a696d3" data-vars-headline="Tropical Storm Bertha to make landfall Wednesday in Louisiana" 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>, forecasters say.

Tropical Storm Bertha expected to dump rain on Gulf Coast

New Orleans shifted into storm prep mode Monday.

A tropical depression in the Gulf is expected to become Tropical Storm Bertha and bring heavy rain to south <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louisiana" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="3c5925f9-9c3f-46f0-923d-d71e56935f09" data-vars-headline="Tropical Storm Bertha expected to dump rain on Gulf 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" target="_self">Louisiana</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="3c5925f9-9c3f-46f0-923d-d71e56935f09" data-vars-headline="Tropical Storm Bertha expected to dump rain on Gulf Coast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" target="_self">Texas</a>.Why it matters: Residents in New Orleans shifted into storm prep mode Monday, filling sandbags and clearing street drains.

The fight over coastal Louisiana's future isn't going away

A Tulane researcher recently defended a controversial climate study.

A Tulane researcher behind a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="controversial study" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-026-01820-z.epdf?sharing_token=p9qoIba6Ww5k-sGlJjBkNNRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0MlKJdRcTWB_eBmhQntD4aKg460oCdZdOh3l4vKQm2tKuPh7ec8sehTAOxp3V_JugAeLgWJrG-MdYTj-MsnWobeclnul44WJnF2OPW-3MJACX31iAYWL814or6M7c0B36A7vSWloCp-bTTDRg-BYhn5Tz1dw8s1XOC5C2SJc24LKl4BXACm6uD1haWCTLSwy1A%3D&amp;tracking_referrer=www.theguardian.com" data-vars-content-id="0ca6fc80-851c-413d-bb18-279b0b9bd21d" data-vars-headline="The fight over coastal Louisiana&#x27;s future isn&#x27;t going away" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-026-01820-z.epdf?sharing_token=p9qoIba6Ww5k-sGlJjBkNNRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0MlKJdRcTWB_eBmhQntD4aKg460oCdZdOh3l4vKQm2tKuPh7ec8sehTAOxp3V_JugAeLgWJrG-MdYTj-MsnWobeclnul44WJnF2OPW-3MJACX31iAYWL814or6M7c0B36A7vSWloCp-bTTDRg-BYhn5Tz1dw8s1XOC5C2SJc24LKl4BXACm6uD1haWCTLSwy1A%3D&amp;tracking_referrer=www.theguardian.com" target="_blank">controversial study</a> that called for planning a gradual relocation from Louisiana&#x27;s vulnerable coastal areas is defending the work after weeks of criticism from local leaders.Why it matters: The study argued that long-term sea level rise will eventually make permanent reliance on levees unsustainable, sparking a fierce debate over what the state should do next.

New Orleans prepares for Tropical Storm Arthur

The season's first named storm is expected to bring heavy rain.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="d9b4ef36-34f9-457f-a674-2895e38459cb" data-vars-headline="New Orleans prepares for Tropical Storm Arthur" 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 handing out sandbags, staffing drainage pumps and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="canceling events" data-vars-click-url="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/LANOLA/bulletins/41c5c72" data-vars-content-id="d9b4ef36-34f9-457f-a674-2895e38459cb" data-vars-headline="New Orleans prepares for Tropical Storm Arthur" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/LANOLA/bulletins/41c5c72" target="_blank">canceling events</a> ahead of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tropical Storm Arthur" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/06/17/tropical-storm-arthur-forms-in-gulf-threatens-flooding-across-southeast" data-vars-content-id="d9b4ef36-34f9-457f-a674-2895e38459cb" data-vars-headline="New Orleans prepares for Tropical Storm Arthur" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/06/17/tropical-storm-arthur-forms-in-gulf-threatens-flooding-across-southeast" target="_self">Tropical Storm Arthur</a>.Why it matters: The season&#x27;s first named storm is expected to bring heavy rain and flash flooding to southeast Louisiana through Saturday morning.

Tropical Storm Arthur forms in Gulf, threatens flooding across Southeast

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tropical Storm Arthur" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/06/16/invest90l-tropical-storm-arthur-louisiana-texas-forecast" data-vars-content-id="2ab6d4c2-c080-4b49-afbd-a514a2f0f543" data-vars-headline="Tropical Storm Arthur forms in Gulf, threatens flooding across Southeast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/06/16/invest90l-tropical-storm-arthur-louisiana-texas-forecast" target="_self">Tropical Storm Arthur</a> formed Wednesday in the Gulf off the coast of Texas, becoming the first named system of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season.Why it matters: The storm is forecast to bring life-threatening flash flooding to portions of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

🥵 Mapped: Americans without A/C

Mapped: Americans without A/C

A choropleth map of the United States showing the estimated share of households without any form of air conditioning, by county, in 2023. Overall, 6.9% of households in the U.S. lacked AC. Rates were much higher in Alaska, Hawaii, the west, and Appalachia. The county in the contiguous U.S. with the highest share without AC was San Francisco County in California, at 65.4%. The county with the highest number of households without AC was Los Angeles County, at 702 thousand.

Estimated share of households without any form of air conditioning, 2023

Axios What's Next

A chart shows the share of U.S. adults who said extreme heat has a minor or major impact on select parts of daily life in 2024 and 2026. Every aspect shown has risen, with "your electricity bill" being the highest indicator with 80% saying they've felt impacts there, up 11% since 2024. Other aspects include outdoor activity, exercise, sleep, pets, vacation, work and planning for events.

Climate 🌿

How NOMA protects its art from New Orleans' harsh climate

My favorite tools for surviving New Orleans' brutal summer

Mapped: Americans without A/C

New Orleans heat wave underscores extreme heat's growing toll

Mercy Hospital demolition begins in New Orleans