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NOPD updates immigration policy amid state pressure

News

The New Orleans Police Department updated its decade-old immigration policy during <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mardi Gras" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/mardi-gras" data-vars-content-id="1ce02cfd-996a-4650-9ad8-481291d336bb" data-vars-headline="NOPD updates immigration policy amid state pressure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/mardi-gras" target="_self">Mardi Gras</a>.Why it matters: Immigration enforcement has become a political flashpoint in Louisiana, with Attorney General Liz Murrill pressuring New Orleans leaders over so-called &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sanctuary city" data-vars-click-url="https://lailluminator.com/2025/02/14/new-orleans-sanctuary/" data-vars-content-id="1ce02cfd-996a-4650-9ad8-481291d336bb" data-vars-headline="NOPD updates immigration policy amid state pressure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://lailluminator.com/2025/02/14/new-orleans-sanctuary/" target="_blank">sanctuary city</a>&quot; policies and Mayor Helena Moreno issuing an order blocking formal ICE partnerships.

The No. 1 fish cleaning tip from a guy who butchers 500 pounds a day

Food and Drink

If you want to get better at something, it&#x27;s a good idea to ask an expert. So if you&#x27;re looking to improve your fish game, the guy you want to talk to is GW Fins&#x27; Michael Perkins.Why it matters: Perkins has been personally responsible for butchering 300 to 500 or more pounds of fresh-caught fish every day for more than 20 years.

Norman Francis, Xavier's longtime president, dies at 94

"He changed this country, this city, and me for the better."

Norman Francis, the longtime president of Xavier University and a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, died Wednesday, his family said. He was 94. The big picture: Francis led <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Xavier for 47 years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.xula.edu/news//2026/02/remembering-president-emeritus-dr-norman-c-francis-52.html" data-vars-content-id="c6349139-9350-4528-9791-9643babf3aa5" data-vars-headline="Norman Francis, Xavier&#x27;s longtime president, dies at 94" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.xula.edu/news//2026/02/remembering-president-emeritus-dr-norman-c-francis-52.html" target="_blank">Xavier for 47 years</a> and was instrumental in shaping New Orleans&#x27; recovery after Hurricane Katrina.

Where to recycle Mardi Gras beads in New Orleans

Several drop-off sites are open all year.

Mardi Gras

<figure><img alt="Image shows beads, footballs and other Mardi Gras parade throws on the grass." height="450" id="68baf701-5460-42fa-b2b3-9d43def9bb7a" src="https://images.axios.com/2j69gb74-8n9K21a7v71d54_m2M=/2026/02/17/1771360086576.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Mardi Gras throws include beads, doubloons, cups, footballs and plush items. Image: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios</figcaption></figure>Several <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="1d319c76-b376-405e-9f75-c2bbf8ef7537" data-vars-headline="Where to recycle Mardi Gras beads 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> organizations can help keep your <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mardi Gras" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/mardi-gras" data-vars-content-id="1d319c76-b376-405e-9f75-c2bbf8ef7537" data-vars-headline="Where to recycle Mardi Gras beads 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/mardi-gras" target="_self">Mardi Gras</a> beads, stuffed animals and other throws out of landfills.Why it matters: Mardi Gras leaves behind mountains of trash. Recycling cuts waste and supports local nonprofits.

Cold, windy parade weekend ahead for New Orleans

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="5d5e45fc-fb4b-4d56-8362-d7ba5f6c039c" data-vars-headline="Cold, windy parade weekend ahead for 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> is going back into Mother Nature&#x27;s freezer this weekend, so plan ahead if you&#x27;re <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="parading" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/01/28/krewe-du-vieux-parade-things-to-do" data-vars-content-id="5d5e45fc-fb4b-4d56-8362-d7ba5f6c039c" data-vars-headline="Cold, windy parade weekend ahead for 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/2026/01/28/krewe-du-vieux-parade-things-to-do" target="_self">parading</a>.Why it matters: You don&#x27;t want frostbite or hypothermia.

Louisiana gets a brief thaw — then another arctic blast

The ice storm claimed at least three lives in Louisiana.

<figure><img alt="Image shows heavy equipment clearing snow from a road." height="552" id="38977cdc-2491-4fdb-b6f4-483b2060e575" src="https://images.axios.com/PTdwAZKROm8mdx0oH_pNJsvOa8k=/2026/01/26/1769457137786.gif" width="650"/><figcaption>DOTD spent Monday clearing snow and ice off roads in Ruston, Louisiana. Image: DOTD</figcaption></figure><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louisiana" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="589491e1-8a96-461a-8c41-fd0f0afdf334" data-vars-headline="Louisiana gets a brief thaw — then another arctic blast" 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> has one more day of freezing weather before a brief thaw — then another arctic blast will bottom out temperatures this weekend.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ice storm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/01/26/new-orleans-extreme-cold-warning-road-status" data-vars-content-id="589491e1-8a96-461a-8c41-fd0f0afdf334" data-vars-headline="Louisiana gets a brief thaw — then another arctic blast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/01/26/new-orleans-extreme-cold-warning-road-status" target="_self">ice storm</a> left at least three people dead in the state and thousands without power.

2 dead in Louisiana as extreme cold reaches New Orleans

The wind chill will be "brutal," meteorologists say.

Climate

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="c6bd0389-8fd2-4ed3-810b-746b37bba964" data-vars-headline="2 dead in Louisiana as extreme cold reaches 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> and southeastern Louisiana will have &quot;brutal,&quot; below-freezing wind chill temperatures Monday and Tuesday, the National Weather Service says.Why it matters: Frostbite and hypothermia are possible, along with frozen pipes.

Arctic blast to plunge New Orleans below freezing

Parts of Louisiana are under a winter storm watch.

New Orleans is forecast to go from 70-degree weather to below freezing this weekend, thanks to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="massive winter storm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/21/winter-storm-snow-ice-forecast-east-coast-south" data-vars-content-id="b1ea3ef3-dd61-487f-96df-209061c1da6e" data-vars-headline="Arctic blast to plunge New Orleans below freezing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/21/winter-storm-snow-ice-forecast-east-coast-south" target="_self">massive winter storm</a> that&#x27;s expected to dump snow and ice elsewhere in the Deep South.Why it matters: Residents should prepare for freezing nights and possible pipe damage — even though the worst of it will be north of New Orleans.

New Orleans could get snow again this weekend

It's been almost a year since a historic snowstorm hit the region.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="80fd7496-2de7-4625-b2a2-6a3a51e33ce7" data-vars-headline="New Orleans could get snow again this weekend" 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 a chance of snow this weekend, nearly a year after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historic snowstorm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/01/21/in-photos-historic-snowstorm-new-orleans-louisiana" data-vars-content-id="80fd7496-2de7-4625-b2a2-6a3a51e33ce7" data-vars-headline="New Orleans could get snow again this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/01/21/in-photos-historic-snowstorm-new-orleans-louisiana" target="_self">historic snowstorm</a> dropped <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="about a foot of snow" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/01/22/record-snowfall-new-orleans-totals" data-vars-content-id="80fd7496-2de7-4625-b2a2-6a3a51e33ce7" data-vars-headline="New Orleans could get snow again this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/01/22/record-snowfall-new-orleans-totals" target="_self">about a foot of snow</a> in Southeast Louisiana.Why it matters: Mardi Gras snowmen are fun to make, but the region&#x27;s infrastructure isn&#x27;t equipped to handle extreme winter weather.

Moreno faces backlash over climate office restructuring

A petition asks the new mayor to reverse course.

Politics

<figure><img alt="Image shows people talking behind a podium." height="450" id="b7bb12e2-e81b-4ba9-ae4f-47b288f3cea0" src="https://images.axios.com/7oOvdMdz6Eawpgon-SyI6LmlMsg=/2026/01/14/1768426398773.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Chris Lang, one of the laid-off city staffers, talked at a press conference Wednesday about his concerns for the future of climate projects in the city. Image: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios</figcaption></figure><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mayor Helena Moreno" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/01/12/mayor-helena-moreno-100-day-plan-priorities" data-vars-content-id="dfb05375-294c-4a2b-90ee-18dc219fa7f8" data-vars-headline="Moreno faces backlash over climate office restructuring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/01/12/mayor-helena-moreno-100-day-plan-priorities" target="_self">Mayor Helena Moreno</a> is shaking up how New Orleans City Hall approaches climate change.Why it matters: Hundreds of residents are pushing back and asking Moreno to reverse course.

Louisiana's map is shrinking again

The boot of Louisiana's toe is getting much smaller.

Louisiana&#x27;s map is set to shrink again next year as federal officials recognize the ongoing effects of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sea level rise" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/04/14/dramatic-sea-level-rise-gulf-coast-new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="bed30ba3-8bdb-4376-af51-ef07359b9a3b" data-vars-headline="Louisiana&#x27;s map is shrinking again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/04/14/dramatic-sea-level-rise-gulf-coast-new-orleans" target="_self">sea level rise</a> on the state&#x27;s marshy outline.Why it matters: It&#x27;s yet another reminder that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/07/01/new-orleans-sinking-faster-sea-level-rise" data-vars-content-id="bed30ba3-8bdb-4376-af51-ef07359b9a3b" data-vars-headline="Louisiana&#x27;s map is shrinking again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/07/01/new-orleans-sinking-faster-sea-level-rise" target="_self">climate change</a> is literally shifting the ground beneath our feet.

From 80 to 40 degrees: New Orleans gets its winter preview

A frigid arctic airmass is settling into south Louisiana, and meteorologists warn it will be a &quot;shock to the system.&quot;Why it matters: Temperatures dropped more than 30 degrees in about 48 hours over the weekend 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="c4173bff-a741-4f97-9a73-9346e3ca8b77" data-vars-headline="From 80 to 40 degrees: New Orleans gets its winter preview" 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>.

Hurricane season winds down in Louisiana

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hurricane season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/05/30/hurricane-season-storm-cone-forecast-extended" data-vars-content-id="813e1d97-d2e8-43f0-99d9-3ff65c23ac44" data-vars-headline="Hurricane season winds down 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/2025/05/30/hurricane-season-storm-cone-forecast-extended" target="_self">Hurricane season</a> is likely over for Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, Louisiana state climatologist Jay Grymes told the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louisiana Radio Network" data-vars-click-url="https://louisianaradionetwork.com/2025/11/03/44277/" data-vars-content-id="813e1d97-d2e8-43f0-99d9-3ff65c23ac44" data-vars-headline="Hurricane season winds down in Louisiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://louisianaradionetwork.com/2025/11/03/44277/" target="_blank">Louisiana Radio Network</a>.Why it matters: While hurricane season doesn&#x27;t officially end until Nov. 30, the Gulf historically doesn&#x27;t get strong storms this late.

New Orleans temps dip into 50s as fall arrives

It&#x27;s fall, y&#x27;all, 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="de9acb7e-695c-4a46-9daf-7f29a24f4965" data-vars-headline="New Orleans temps dip into 50s as fall arrives" 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>.Why it matters: Enjoy the gorgeous, crisp weather while it lasts.

Climate 🌿

Cold, windy parade weekend ahead for New Orleans

Louisiana gets a brief thaw — then another arctic blast

2 dead in Louisiana as extreme cold reaches New Orleans

Arctic blast to plunge New Orleans below freezing

New Orleans could get snow again this weekend