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Stomach bug that causes 'explosive' diarrhea on rise in Louisiana

The state is investigating 23 cyclosporiasis cases.

Health

An outbreak of a gut-wrecking parasite is plaguing the U.S. as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/health" data-vars-content-id="debde01c-e2f5-4fda-8443-dde9ba1650c3" data-vars-headline="Stomach bug that causes &#x27;explosive&#x27; diarrhea on rise in Louisiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/health" target="_self">health</a> officials investigate what&#x27;s driving an increase in cases, including in Louisiana.The big picture: The gastrointestinal illness — called cyclosporiasis — is caused by a microscopic parasite spreading through contaminated food.

The Metairie coffee shop that's selling out before noon

Cold foam, cookie butter and a parking lot full of customers.

Food and Drink

Rougabrew Coffee has turned a quiet Metairie side street into one of the hottest spots for your morning caffeine fix.The big picture: Owners <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vinh" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/the_asian_cajun/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="b26efa2e-8017-4b81-b6c6-b472a07c5faa" data-vars-headline="The Metairie coffee shop that&#x27;s selling out before noon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/the_asian_cajun/?hl=en" target="_blank">Vinh</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Courtney Le" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/cawtneyle/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="b26efa2e-8017-4b81-b6c6-b472a07c5faa" data-vars-headline="The Metairie coffee shop that&#x27;s selling out before noon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/cawtneyle/?hl=en" target="_blank">Courtney Le</a> opened the shop last month in a renovated snoball stand near the corner of Bonnabel and Veterans Memorial Boulevard.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rougabrew" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/rougabrewcoffee/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="b26efa2e-8017-4b81-b6c6-b472a07c5faa" data-vars-headline="The Metairie coffee shop that&#x27;s selling out before noon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/rougabrewcoffee/?hl=en" target="_blank">Rougabrew</a> is known for creative flavor combos and decadent cold-foam-topped drinks.</li><li>I went over the Fourth of July weekend, and there was a line out the door and snaking through the parking lot. Thankfully, it moved quickly.</li><li>The group next to me drove from the West Bank for the Creole Coconut coffee concoction.</li></ul>My order: The Asian Cajun (iced Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk and cold foam) and the Rougarou (cold brew with brown sugar, honey syrup and salted honey cold foam).<ul><li>The Cookie Couyon is the shop&#x27;s bestseller — cold brew with milk, vanilla syrup and cookie butter cold foam.</li><li>The owners encourage you to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="skip the straw" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DZqEP3BjDZD/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="b26efa2e-8017-4b81-b6c6-b472a07c5faa" data-vars-headline="The Metairie coffee shop that&#x27;s selling out before noon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DZqEP3BjDZD/?hl=en" target="_blank">skip the straw</a> and sip from the cup to experience the cold foam and different layers. Yum!</li></ul><figure><img alt="An ornate gold frame houses a black menu board with white gothic text, mounted on a dark textured wall; a blue &#x27;ORDER HERE&#x27; sign and lush green ferns sit to the right." height="2268" id="e3b84caa-ed42-4f7a-868b-5713eb26fc4e" src="https://images.axios.com/obCPS9RNUITTzDLBX-IMKbgBldk=/2026/07/13/1783969735748.jpeg" width="4032" srcset="https://images.axios.com/MW7RN-0cbkg5DDKhpXjjsvO7qbI=/0x0:4032x2268/1920x1080/2026/07/13/1783969735748.jpeg?w=1920 1920w, https://images.axios.com/kkNnfpEhLFBPe1iSavn5zUPLwFM=/0x0:4032x2268/1600x900/2026/07/13/1783969735748.jpeg?w=1600 1600w, https://images.axios.com/Xoh5VOaK3bOS7vggFt0DFBQJEu8=/0x0:4032x2268/1366x768/2026/07/13/1783969735748.jpeg?w=1366 1366w, https://images.axios.com/GPu6rIktmLgVP4l-WX1-vS7DHTs=/0x0:4032x2268/1024x576/2026/07/13/1783969735748.jpeg?w=1024 1024w, https://images.axios.com/oUdBHdocqU2DRw8tECJ8HtE7zbs=/0x0:4032x2268/768x432/2026/07/13/1783969735748.jpeg?w=768 768w, https://images.axios.com/MOx0vzMq2Fsjr47QldY7RX2fTlw=/0x0:4032x2268/640x360/2026/07/13/1783969735748.jpeg?w=640 640w, https://images.axios.com/ihghpdHTAVCX_wpzJJgI5hGqZJw=/0x0:4032x2268/320x180/2026/07/13/1783969735748.jpeg?w=320 320w"/><figcaption>Rougabrew&#x27;s menu. Photo: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios</figcaption></figure>The vibe: The inside has a swamp theme, with a gator rug on the floor and greenery hanging from the ceiling. <ul><li>The front is painted black with a cool mural. Very Insta-worthy!</li></ul>If you go: The takeout shop usually sells out before noon. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Check the hours." data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DatV6cFssB2/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="b26efa2e-8017-4b81-b6c6-b472a07c5faa" data-vars-headline="The Metairie coffee shop that&#x27;s selling out before noon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DatV6cFssB2/?hl=en" target="_blank">Check the hours.</a><ul><li>It has a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="roving coffee trailer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/rougabrew2/" data-vars-content-id="b26efa2e-8017-4b81-b6c6-b472a07c5faa" data-vars-headline="The Metairie coffee shop that&#x27;s selling out before noon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/rougabrew2/" target="_blank">roving coffee trailer</a> too.</li></ul><figure><img alt="People stand outside a dark blue coffee shop with ornate white lettering on the wall that says Coffee; sunny day, glass entrance, a palm plant, and a satellite dish on the side." height="2268" id="533c6303-2fd7-4d1d-bab3-ee42fc1d1c67" src="https://images.axios.com/qT7uUvttHhI2_Cd5Qxz6Q3XqYtc=/2026/07/13/1783969782634.jpeg" width="4032" srcset="https://images.axios.com/JAs_ri1R8s1sQ3nBb4sWhRWycg4=/0x0:4032x2268/1920x1080/2026/07/13/1783969782634.jpeg?w=1920 1920w, https://images.axios.com/W-r1zWv3y8LJ9xE7g9DKpxyCfOc=/0x0:4032x2268/1600x900/2026/07/13/1783969782634.jpeg?w=1600 1600w, https://images.axios.com/4yk0EbJbFFtWN-771XOcTtd4tB4=/0x0:4032x2268/1366x768/2026/07/13/1783969782634.jpeg?w=1366 1366w, https://images.axios.com/D9lnNlg54sHsnsNssiW8YFiCZnQ=/0x0:4032x2268/1024x576/2026/07/13/1783969782634.jpeg?w=1024 1024w, https://images.axios.com/9e4vV13BlH3uk_UfWi6SKW7Lvgg=/0x0:4032x2268/768x432/2026/07/13/1783969782634.jpeg?w=768 768w, https://images.axios.com/FPcWxunoxRSq9_myOqHamVAcyGo=/0x0:4032x2268/640x360/2026/07/13/1783969782634.jpeg?w=640 640w, https://images.axios.com/otEptRf8YQ2XI0x17VMfFMVmT1I=/0x0:4032x2268/320x180/2026/07/13/1783969782634.jpeg?w=320 320w"/><figcaption>Rougabrew is at 1645 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie. Photo: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios</figcaption></figure><figure><img alt="A busy cafe interior with a dark ceiling and recessed lights. On the left is an ornate silver embossed wall; on the right hangs green vines and plants, while customers line up at the counter." height="2268" id="701facfa-bbff-4bd1-a9be-2b945c5c70ec" src="https://images.axios.com/NDnQMetbQEArMIRYDt_EQoBYg8c=/2026/07/13/1783969853032.jpeg" width="4032" srcset="https://images.axios.com/ouX17AZg7fe0c6OqR4QrISnZArc=/0x0:4032x2268/1920x1080/2026/07/13/1783969853032.jpeg?w=1920 1920w, https://images.axios.com/P0ljszc7lWllxugrWwheLccE8kw=/0x0:4032x2268/1600x900/2026/07/13/1783969853032.jpeg?w=1600 1600w, https://images.axios.com/ME_ALbDWmFWxLtxiClK6k73MmfI=/0x0:4032x2268/1366x768/2026/07/13/1783969853032.jpeg?w=1366 1366w, https://images.axios.com/xqEsGmdvaa7Hit8hUzHUact-XBA=/0x0:4032x2268/1024x576/2026/07/13/1783969853032.jpeg?w=1024 1024w, https://images.axios.com/_-v0QOZ3sHKJ5cQJoWGA1xTRtug=/0x0:4032x2268/768x432/2026/07/13/1783969853032.jpeg?w=768 768w, https://images.axios.com/Ve8NCO4dY0nzUdw5L1bGjFJHktw=/0x0:4032x2268/640x360/2026/07/13/1783969853032.jpeg?w=640 640w, https://images.axios.com/hxExCVQ6Oy2fQ_Zc9Vr1IufLfqU=/0x0:4032x2268/320x180/2026/07/13/1783969853032.jpeg?w=320 320w"/><figcaption>Rougabrew is a tiny, takeout coffee shop in Metairie. Photo: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios</figcaption></figure>

New Orleans' community health ranks 57th among top U.S. cities

New Orleans ranks 57th on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 American Fitness Index" data-vars-click-url="https://acsm.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-AFI-report_final.pdf" data-vars-content-id="79b8ff98-41dc-486e-b1c9-9ce96587c0e5" data-vars-headline="New Orleans&#x27; community health ranks 57th among top U.S. cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://acsm.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-AFI-report_final.pdf" target="_blank">2026 American Fitness Index</a>, which examines community health in the 100 most populous U.S. cities.The big picture: That&#x27;s a drop from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2024 report" data-vars-click-url="https://acsm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-american-fitness-index-report_final.pdf" data-vars-content-id="79b8ff98-41dc-486e-b1c9-9ce96587c0e5" data-vars-headline="New Orleans&#x27; community health ranks 57th among top U.S. cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://acsm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-american-fitness-index-report_final.pdf" target="_blank">2024 report</a>, which pegged New Orleans at No. 52.

Meta confirms expansion of $50B data center

The facility will provide about 1,000 jobs once operational.

Business

Meta on Monday confirmed plans to expand its under-construction <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Richland Parish data center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/19/meta-louisiana-data-center" data-vars-content-id="c15ae8a8-ded0-4bdb-8d4b-7ad9dfa9bd91" data-vars-headline="Meta confirms expansion of $50B data center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/19/meta-louisiana-data-center" target="_self">Richland Parish data center</a>.Why it matters: The $50 billion project is &quot;one of the largest investments in AI infrastructure in the world,&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a press release says" data-vars-click-url="https://about.fb.com/news/2026/07/teachers-local-businesses-win-as-meta-expands-louisiana-data-center/" data-vars-content-id="c15ae8a8-ded0-4bdb-8d4b-7ad9dfa9bd91" data-vars-headline="Meta confirms expansion of $50B data center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://about.fb.com/news/2026/07/teachers-local-businesses-win-as-meta-expands-louisiana-data-center/" target="_blank">a press release says</a>.

When the solar eclipse will be visible in New Orleans and tips for viewing

Check out these eclipse parties and rooftop bars.

Eclipse

It&#x27;s time for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="solar eclipse" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/03/26/total-solar-eclipses-pathway-louisiana" data-vars-content-id="47f4eaf1-2093-45ce-8887-54498312a3fe" data-vars-headline="When the solar eclipse will be visible in New Orleans and tips for viewing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/03/26/total-solar-eclipses-pathway-louisiana" target="_self">solar eclipse</a> in New Orleans, and we&#x27;ve got all the things you need to know from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="where to find glasses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/04/04/free-eclipse-glasses-where-buy-stores-new-orleans-louisiana" data-vars-content-id="47f4eaf1-2093-45ce-8887-54498312a3fe" data-vars-headline="When the solar eclipse will be visible in New Orleans and tips for viewing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/04/04/free-eclipse-glasses-where-buy-stores-new-orleans-louisiana" target="_self">where to find glasses</a> to who is hosting public parties.Why it matters: Because science is cool.