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Why NASA sends hot sauce into space

Aerospace

NASA sent five hot sauce varieties on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Artemis II" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/04/01/artemis-launch-date-rocket-made-michoud" data-vars-content-id="26518a0c-ec7f-468c-a4b5-efc75434514a" data-vars-headline="Why NASA sends hot sauce into space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/04/01/artemis-launch-date-rocket-made-michoud" target="_self">Artemis II</a>, deeming the spicy staple an essential item.Why it matters: Even in space, flavor matters.

How mahjong became the hottest game in town

Events dedicated to the strategy game are becoming wildly popular.

Culture

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.

New Orleans debuts one of country's longest riverfront parks

Here's a first look at the downtown park.

Business

New Orleans opens the first phase of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Riverfront for All" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/04/21/audubon-riverfront-park-renderings-timeline" data-vars-content-id="7349e2b8-ec0f-43ae-ae9b-a02ea81b02bc" data-vars-headline="New Orleans debuts one of country&#x27;s longest riverfront parks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/04/21/audubon-riverfront-park-renderings-timeline" target="_self">Riverfront for All</a> park this week, completing a project that&#x27;s been in the works for more than a decade.Why it matters: The Audubon Nature Institute, which manages the public-private partnership, hopes to build on the momentum and add a second phase along the Mississippi River.

First look: New Orleans' riverfront park and playground

Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park opens Tuesday.

Development

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/04/06/goldring-woldenberg-riverfront-park-hours-playground" data-vars-content-id="0fb521b4-9328-4bdb-9225-3fb8e399e8ca" data-vars-headline="First look: New Orleans&#x27; riverfront park and playground" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/04/06/goldring-woldenberg-riverfront-park-hours-playground" target="_self">Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park</a> opens Tuesday in downtown New Orleans. The big picture: The park is built on top of Gov. Nicholls Wharf&#x27;s concrete deck, with the Mississippi River flowing underneath, according to Jackson Kerby, Audubon&#x27;s VP of construction.

Elon Musk's latest idea: Tunneling beneath New Orleans

He says he'll meet with local leaders next.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Elon Musk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/business/elon-musk" data-vars-content-id="d4da4372-79a3-4e36-a3b6-cb91af21c995" data-vars-headline="Elon Musk&#x27;s latest idea: Tunneling beneath New Orleans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/business/elon-musk" target="_self">Elon Musk</a> wants to build an underground tunnel in New Orleans through his startup, Boring Company.Why it matters: We&#x27;re a city below sea level with flooding problems — and we don&#x27;t have many tunnels.

New Orleans airport plans major expansion

The master plan calls for a new parking garage and a second terminal.

<figure><img alt="Overhead blue airport signs direct departures, arrivals, and the airport exit. A white van and a white truck pass below on a clear day, with palm trees, a wooden guardrail, and a blue sky." height="450" id="00f15d00-2a40-4c5d-b0a0-a6bf4df597c3" src="https://images.axios.com/9LwMInBOHbUdCFFADa2TbJU6zFQ=/2026/03/20/1774038766388.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>The expansion plan includes improved roads and a new parking garage. Image: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios</figcaption></figure>The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is gearing up for its next major expansion as passenger growth continues.Why it matters: Almost 85% of people flying into Louisiana use MSY, officials say.

No quick fix for New Orleans water main breaks

The projects will cost millions to complete.

News

At least one thing is clear in the Sewerage &amp; Water Board of New Orleans&#x27; new plan to prevent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more main breaks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/11/grossly-unacceptable-council-blasts-swbno-over-pipe-failures" data-vars-content-id="44693622-75eb-4190-8a04-7d250bff0a8a" data-vars-headline="No quick fix for New Orleans water main breaks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/11/grossly-unacceptable-council-blasts-swbno-over-pipe-failures" target="_self">more main breaks</a>: None of the fixes will be quick or cheap.Why it matters: Residents are demanding action after a<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" string of water main breaks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/13/another-uptown-water-main-breaks" data-vars-content-id="44693622-75eb-4190-8a04-7d250bff0a8a" data-vars-headline="No quick fix for New Orleans water main breaks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/13/another-uptown-water-main-breaks" target="_self"> string of water main breaks</a> in recent months.

New stores on the way to Lakeside Shopping Center

Three new stores are on the way to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lakeside Shopping Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/17/lakeside-mall-growth-mall-death-metairie" data-vars-content-id="ef6aa24e-446f-428b-be2a-4c6ecbd0bcda" data-vars-headline="New stores on the way to Lakeside Shopping 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/2025/10/17/lakeside-mall-growth-mall-death-metairie" target="_self">Lakeside Shopping Center</a>.Why it matters: The Metairie mall continues to buck the trend of struggling shopping destinations.

Six Flags redevelopment hinges on $50M public ask

Bayou Phoenix is a $500 million youth sports and entertainment complex.

Developers of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="former Six Flags location" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/01/29/demolition-six-flags-master-plan-timeline" data-vars-content-id="e9ee8bd8-e8f6-4590-95b5-72e7d9e3f5f9" data-vars-headline="Six Flags redevelopment hinges on $50M public ask" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/01/29/demolition-six-flags-master-plan-timeline" target="_self">former Six Flags location</a> in New Orleans say they need at least $50 million in public money to transform the blighted property into a regional destination for youth sports, entertainment and shopping.Why it matters: They say private funds are covering 88% of the cost, and called on city and state leaders to invest in New Orleans East.

Plans advance for Plaza Tower and Mercy Hospital redevelopment

The Moreno administration says it is working with urgency.

Redevelopment efforts are gaining traction at Plaza Tower, Mercy Hospital and several of the city&#x27;s biggest blighted buildings, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="0f2ec764-c170-4dc0-95fc-6911b7e33e04" data-vars-headline="Plans advance for Plaza Tower and Mercy Hospital redevelopment" 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> leaders told City Council recently.Why it matters: The buildings have sat vacant for years, dragging down surrounding neighborhoods and frustrating residents who have heard redevelopment promises before.

What's next for New Orleans' riverfront overhaul

The River District and Audubon's Riverfront for All are in flux.

Two major <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="riverfront projects" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/04/21/audubon-riverfront-park-renderings-timeline" data-vars-content-id="bb460c99-72f4-4f8b-9c2b-ef9a47e003c5" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for New Orleans&#x27; riverfront overhaul" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/04/21/audubon-riverfront-park-renderings-timeline" target="_self">riverfront projects</a> in New Orleans are in flux, according to The Times-Picayune.Why it matters: The city has spent the past decade trying to revitalize the downtown riverfront — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="with mixed results" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/07/28/new-orleans-riverfront-park" data-vars-content-id="bb460c99-72f4-4f8b-9c2b-ef9a47e003c5" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for New Orleans&#x27; riverfront overhaul" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/07/28/new-orleans-riverfront-park" target="_self">with mixed results</a>.

New Orleans delays public beach reopening until 2027

Lincoln Beach has been closed for decades.

<figure><img alt="Image shows a beach photo that transitions to another one with a wide beach being enjoyed by people." height="450" id="8a4e3c29-8c61-45c1-ab18-9d1cdadfdce9" src="https://images.axios.com/AOxJlAqmlKeDoWfaSvwsxtf7ykk=/2025/10/24/1761337526822.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>This is what Lincoln Beach looks like now and what planners hope it will look like eventually. Images: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios; Rendering: Sasaki</figcaption></figure>New Orleans officials say they won&#x27;t be able to break ground this year on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city&#x27;s first public beach" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/07/11/photos-lincoln-beach-timeline-construction-rngd" data-vars-content-id="a44fc14a-732a-4c77-8282-e03a27d18ab3" data-vars-headline="New Orleans delays public beach reopening until 2027" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/07/11/photos-lincoln-beach-timeline-construction-rngd" target="_self">city&#x27;s first public beach</a> in decades.Why it matters: The timeline to reopen the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historic Black beach" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/05/08/renderings-lincoln-beach-opening-timeline" data-vars-content-id="a44fc14a-732a-4c77-8282-e03a27d18ab3" data-vars-headline="New Orleans delays public beach reopening until 2027" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/05/08/renderings-lincoln-beach-opening-timeline" target="_self">historic Black beach</a> continues to be <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pushed back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/04/01/lincoln-beach-wont-open-for-summer-2025" data-vars-content-id="a44fc14a-732a-4c77-8282-e03a27d18ab3" data-vars-headline="New Orleans delays public beach reopening until 2027" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/04/01/lincoln-beach-wont-open-for-summer-2025" target="_self">pushed back</a>.

Development 🏗️

One Canal Place sold, and other New Orleans business developments

New Orleans debuts one of country's longest riverfront parks

First look: New Orleans' riverfront park and playground

Elon Musk's latest idea: Tunneling beneath New Orleans

Smoothie King Center unveils ambition renovation plans