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Kenner PD received $440K in federal immigration payments

The department did not release detail of the payments.

News

The Kenner Police Department received more than $440,000 from ICE and Homeland Security between February and May, public records show.Why it matters: While the KPD did not confirm these payments were directly related to assisting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigration enforcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/04/border-patrol-arrests-begin-in-new-orleans-immigration-crackdown" data-vars-content-id="92b84f16-e0c7-4cf0-bfc5-636b260cf911" data-vars-headline="Kenner PD received $440K in federal immigration payments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/04/border-patrol-arrests-begin-in-new-orleans-immigration-crackdown" target="_self">immigration enforcement</a> efforts, they were disclosed after Axios New Orleans requested records on those efforts.

Spotted: Waymo in Metairie

There are about a dozen Waymo vehicles (with human drivers) in the region.

Transit

<figure><img alt="Image shows a blue Waymo SUV driving through a parking lot." height="450" id="584e5ac1-b261-415c-85d3-071f01a09f35" src="https://images.axios.com/_8sTRafViGVg8Wj6fQrOmekxfXY=/2026/08/12/1786562936088.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>This Waymo SUV pulled into a Metairie parking lot before taking off down Veterans Memorial Boulevard. Image: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios</figcaption></figure><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/06/15/waymo-testing-regulations-louisiana-city-council" data-vars-content-id="0ff07310-aeb8-46c8-a495-d783c34c6f70" data-vars-headline="Spotted: Waymo in Metairie" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/06/15/waymo-testing-regulations-louisiana-city-council" target="_self">Waymo</a> continues to test its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="self-driving vehicles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/02/25/fully-dressed-waymo-on-the-road" data-vars-content-id="0ff07310-aeb8-46c8-a495-d783c34c6f70" data-vars-headline="Spotted: Waymo in Metairie" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/02/25/fully-dressed-waymo-on-the-road" target="_self">self-driving vehicles</a> in metro New Orleans. Why it matters: The company hopes to eventually offer robotaxi services in southeast Louisiana.

What New Orleans homeowners do for a living

Some careers offer a much clearer path to homeownership.

Business

Business professionals and technical workers are most likely to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="own homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" data-vars-content-id="aabc731d-a529-4581-8c7b-cfbceeacfa2e" data-vars-headline="What New Orleans homeowners do for a living" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" target="_self">own homes</a> 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="aabc731d-a529-4581-8c7b-cfbceeacfa2e" data-vars-headline="What New Orleans homeowners do for a living" 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>, according to an analysis shared exclusively with Axios.Why it matters: Some careers offer a much clearer path to homeownership than others.

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.

Need your pants hemmed? Bring them to the bar

Cathy Dickey started a sewing pop-up last fall.

Culture

If you&#x27;ve got a pair of pants with a missing button or a hem that needs to get taken in, you might try bringing it to The Kingpin on a Wednesday night.Why it matters: That&#x27;s where you&#x27;ll find Cathy Dickey, who started a sewing pop-up at the Uptown bar last October.

Monster forces New Orleans coffee shop's latte name change

The Swamp Monster is now known as the Bayou Beast.

The most popular drink at CR Coffee Shop has a new name thanks to a series of cease and desist letters from Monster Energy, shop owner Kevin Pedeaux says. Why it matters: It&#x27;s a David vs. Goliath story that ends with David laughing off the whole thing — well, mostly.

White Linen Night and more things to do this weekend

Things to Do

In this brief moment before the school year begins, here are a few things to keep you busy.Zoom in: Here are our picks for what&#x27;s happening 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="6228c280-868e-4553-ae45-865c480f7433" data-vars-headline="White Linen Night and more things to do 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> this weekend.

X Games bring elite action sports to New Orleans

The three-day event includes sports, music and a fan fest.

The X Games are heading to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="8228e63c-f972-4615-b142-0a7eb6c8c911" data-vars-headline="X Games bring elite action sports 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> this weekend, offering a rare chance to see elite-level competitive action sports. Zoom in: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="three-day event" data-vars-click-url="https://www.xgames.com/events/new-orleans-2026/" data-vars-content-id="8228e63c-f972-4615-b142-0a7eb6c8c911" data-vars-headline="X Games bring elite action sports to New Orleans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.xgames.com/events/new-orleans-2026/" target="_blank">three-day event</a> includes Smoothie King Center concerts, a fan festival, and skateboarding, BMX and motocross competitions inside the Caesars Superdome.

$1,000 ladder fines, band stop ban and other Mardi Gras changes

New Orleans City Council approved the rules changes Thursday.

Mardi Gras

Hang on to your Jell-O shots: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="c8f63356-c805-4446-8c6d-613361187229" data-vars-headline="$1,000 ladder fines, band stop ban and other Mardi Gras changes" 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> just passed new rules for <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="c8f63356-c805-4446-8c6d-613361187229" data-vars-headline="$1,000 ladder fines, band stop ban and other Mardi Gras changes" 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> that&#x27;ll adjust how the city celebrates Carnival in 2027.Why it matters: Mardi Gras is the city&#x27;s most well-known celebration, but house rules still apply.

Tana's best customers? The folks who paid $25k just to keep coming

Members include lawyers, doctors, hospitality owners and oil and gas execs.

Food and Drink

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tana&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/05/22/tana-italian-old-metairie-what-to-order-cheese-pasta" data-vars-content-id="83b2609f-0521-480c-914f-6d77ee324312" data-vars-headline="Tana&#x27;s best customers? The folks who paid $25k just to keep coming" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/05/22/tana-italian-old-metairie-what-to-order-cheese-pasta" target="_self">Tana&#x27;s</a> been open for nearly three years, but it became <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="83b2609f-0521-480c-914f-6d77ee324312" data-vars-headline="Tana&#x27;s best customers? The folks who paid $25k just to keep coming" 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> metro&#x27;s most exclusive restaurant this summer with the addition of a $25,000 members-only lounge.Why it matters: A new membership program with eye-raising prices may have folks talking but most importantly, chef Michael Gulotta says, it&#x27;s guaranteeing Tana stability at a time when that&#x27;s increasingly hard to come by in the hospitality industry.

Tales of the Cocktail opens up programming for everyday consumers

New programming admits what's long been true.

<figure><img alt="A man in a fedora shakes a cocktail at a busy bar." height="450" id="14fd2afa-3db2-4ad1-ba7f-6b8205e32251" src="https://images.axios.com/OVSNJGFV335Pa8-MlmgGk27zvGo=/2026/07/16/1784216908043.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><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tales of the Cocktail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/07/21/tales-of-the-cocktail-2025-tickets-events" data-vars-content-id="58c650f9-5dfc-45d9-a901-a5c1c3d653eb" data-vars-headline="Tales of the Cocktail opens up programming for everyday consumers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/07/21/tales-of-the-cocktail-2025-tickets-events" target="_self">Tales of the Cocktail</a> has brought the drinking industry to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="58c650f9-5dfc-45d9-a901-a5c1c3d653eb" data-vars-headline="Tales of the Cocktail opens up programming for everyday consumers" 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> every summer for more than 20 years.Zoom in: Cocktail enthusiasts unaffiliated with the business have long dipped into its programming simply for a love of the game.<ul><li>But now, for the first time, the conference is adding programming for everyday consumers.</li></ul>

A French exchange student made me see home differently

Here's what visitors notice that locals miss.

One unexpected joy of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/12/world-cup-2026-usmnt-loss-usa-soccer" data-vars-content-id="4314d5d9-1e04-4f7a-a59c-2261db4b5a89" data-vars-headline="A French exchange student made me see home differently" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/12/world-cup-2026-usmnt-loss-usa-soccer" target="_self">World Cup</a> was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="watching visitors react" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/20/world-cup-tourists" data-vars-content-id="4314d5d9-1e04-4f7a-a59c-2261db4b5a89" data-vars-headline="A French exchange student made me see home differently" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/20/world-cup-tourists" target="_self">watching visitors react</a> to everyday American life.Why it matters: Sometimes it takes seeing your home through someone else&#x27;s perspective to appreciate it again.

New Orleans catches puzzle fever

Here's where you can find puzzle competitions and swaps.

Hi! I&#x27;m Carlie, and one of my favorite <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;grandma&quot; hobbies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/07/needlepoint-grandma-hobbies-tiktok" data-vars-content-id="1435127f-1fb0-4624-87fb-45d895390a84" data-vars-headline="New Orleans catches puzzle fever" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/07/needlepoint-grandma-hobbies-tiktok" target="_self">&quot;grandma&quot; hobbies</a> is puzzling with friends.Why it matters: Puzzling&#x27;s shift from solo to social mirrors a bigger trend as people turn <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analog hobbies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/23/analog-bag-screen-free-wellness" data-vars-content-id="1435127f-1fb0-4624-87fb-45d895390a84" data-vars-headline="New Orleans catches puzzle fever" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/23/analog-bag-screen-free-wellness" target="_self">analog hobbies</a> into in-person communities.

The library where you can borrow a crawfish pot and American Girl doll

Libraries are about much more than books these days.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Libraries" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/09/22/things-to-do-free-library-card-jefferson-parish" data-vars-content-id="570b1e6c-7a1e-4b19-b384-8681ae4169a2" data-vars-headline="The library where you can borrow a crawfish pot and American Girl doll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/09/22/things-to-do-free-library-card-jefferson-parish" target="_self">Libraries</a> are about much more than books these days.Why it matters: Library leaders in New Orleans and Jefferson Parish say they&#x27;ve been adapting for years to the needs of their communities.

Culture

Emeril finds a new young audience

Need your pants hemmed? Bring them to the bar

Monster forces New Orleans coffee shop's latte name change

White Linen Night and more things to do this weekend

X Games bring elite action sports to New Orleans