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Louisiana National Guard to end New Orleans deployment

Troops have been in New Orleans for eight months.

News

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>.

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 Flock cameras are used in New Orleans metro

Flock cameras are just part of the surveillance in New Orleans.

Public Safety

Activists and citizens across the political spectrum are pushing back against license plate readers made by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock and similar companies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" data-vars-content-id="9c7664b8-1568-4682-b9ba-2b0b2eee1d11" data-vars-headline="How Flock cameras are used in New Orleans metro" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" target="_self">Flock and similar companies</a>, fueled by privacy concerns and suspected police misuse.Why it matters: Though touted as a boon to public safety, Flock cameras are suddenly emerging as the next big target of populist anti-tech, pro-privacy sentiment.

LSU dorm rooms get Instagram-ready makeovers

Social media is fueling a push for fancy dorm design.

Dorm rooms are tiny. The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dorm decor economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/06/26/dorm-room-moving-taskrabbit" data-vars-content-id="4f9222f4-adf0-4c57-acd6-c5bc10b03901" data-vars-headline="LSU dorm rooms get Instagram-ready makeovers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/06/26/dorm-room-moving-taskrabbit" target="_self">dorm decor economy</a> is not.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="College dorms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/dorm-decorations-kids-parents" data-vars-content-id="4f9222f4-adf0-4c57-acd6-c5bc10b03901" data-vars-headline="LSU dorm rooms get Instagram-ready makeovers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/dorm-decorations-kids-parents" target="_self">College dorms</a> are becoming customized, social-media-ready micro-apartments thanks to growth within the &quot;designer dorm&quot; industry and viral TikTok dorm tours and hauls.

Mapped: Louisiana is back in class while summer lingers elsewhere

Gone are the days of a shared "back-to-school" moment nationally.

Education

America&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="start-of-school season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/education" data-vars-content-id="9a1165b1-afef-4c6a-a174-b111382f2759" data-vars-headline="Mapped: Louisiana is back in class while summer lingers elsewhere" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/education" target="_self">start-of-school season</a> stretches nearly two months.Why it matters: Gone are the days of a shared &quot;back-to-school&quot; moment. Schools reopen on schedules that stretch from mid-July to mid-September, depending on where they are.

NOPD cracks down on speeders in back-to-school rush

School zone traffic cameras remain turned off.

<figure><img alt="An SUV drives past a trio of New Orleans Police cops as one of them uses a radar gun on passing vehicles." height="450" id="3577b332-b7dd-475a-bae8-e788a273bb20" src="https://images.axios.com/NV_Lr34ZRUDGy4U_YIYH98IQTLE=/2026/08/11/1786457179120.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>The speed limit in school zones is 20 miles per hour. Video: Chelsea Brasted/Axios</figcaption></figure>Students are returning to class and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans Police Department" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/public-safety" data-vars-content-id="3f3a31d6-1065-4d73-9747-f9368941569a" data-vars-headline="NOPD cracks down on speeders in back-to-school rush" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/public-safety" target="_self">New Orleans Police Department</a> is cracking down on speeders in school zones.Why it matters: Manual enforcement is the only way to slow down school zone speeders with tickets while the city&#x27;s traffic cameras remain turned off.

Kamala Harris aims to rally Southern voters

The Supreme Court "basically undid the Voting Rights Act," she said.

Politics & Policy

<figure><img alt="Kamala Harris onto a modern-designed set onstage, while she claps and waves. Four people stand behind her and clap to welcome her." height="450" id="8d322ed0-5741-4f5c-b6d6-1f59240ad8df" src="https://images.axios.com/EfcE3IFoDOQlohCEgzG020Svw2s=/2026/08/07/1786128163737.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Mayor Helena Moreno and former Rep. Cedric Richmond welcome former Vice President Kamala Harris onstage Friday. Video: Chelsea Brasted/Axios</figcaption></figure>Former Vice President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kamala Harris" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/kamala-harris-us-election-2024" data-vars-content-id="ad854f81-4e03-49cc-b17f-95a518c59eaf" data-vars-headline="Kamala Harris aims to rally Southern voters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/kamala-harris-us-election-2024" target="_self">Kamala Harris</a> plans to spend the next few months rallying <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Southern voters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/08/05/mitch-landrieu-long-play-southern-politics" data-vars-content-id="ad854f81-4e03-49cc-b17f-95a518c59eaf" data-vars-headline="Kamala Harris aims to rally Southern voters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/08/05/mitch-landrieu-long-play-southern-politics" target="_self">Southern voters</a> after the Supreme Court &quot;basically <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="undid the Voting Rights Act" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/05/kamala-harris-louisiana-callais-new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="ad854f81-4e03-49cc-b17f-95a518c59eaf" data-vars-headline="Kamala Harris aims to rally Southern voters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/05/kamala-harris-louisiana-callais-new-orleans" target="_self">undid the Voting Rights Act</a>,&quot; she said while speaking to students Friday in New Orleans.The big picture: Harris characterized the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louisiana v. Callais decision" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/29/supreme-court-redistricting-race-gerrymander" data-vars-content-id="ad854f81-4e03-49cc-b17f-95a518c59eaf" data-vars-headline="Kamala Harris aims to rally Southern voters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/29/supreme-court-redistricting-race-gerrymander" target="_self">Louisiana v. Callais decision</a>, which narrowed legal protections against racial gerrymandering, as one of several &quot;obstacles&quot; to voting ahead of November&#x27;s elections.

UNO officially becomes LSUNO with return to LSU system

Leaders hope the transition helps stabilize the school.

The University of New Orleans&#x27; 15-year run within the University of Louisiana System comes to an end Wednesday as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="school folds back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/09/03/uno-shifts-back-to-lsu-system-amid-crisis" data-vars-content-id="87565511-c90a-41b5-a1dc-494f1a654a5a" data-vars-headline="UNO officially becomes LSUNO with return to LSU system" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/09/03/uno-shifts-back-to-lsu-system-amid-crisis" target="_self">school folds back</a> into LSU&#x27;s umbrella.Why it matters: The change, officials hope, will bring stability to New Orleans&#x27; largest public university after years of budget woes, layoffs and program cuts amid declining enrollment.

Louisiana's latest report card: The good, bad and ugly

Many of Louisiana's challenges are generational.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louisiana" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="0faa633f-a6c7-4695-a258-ab8a146aa585" data-vars-headline="Louisiana&#x27;s latest report card: The good, bad and ugly" 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> is constantly being ranked, officially and unofficially, on just about every facet of life.Why it matters: Want to know your drinking water quality, school ranking or how safe it is to walk in your neighborhood? There&#x27;s a report for that.

New Orleans among worst places for new grads to find jobs

Fast-growing Southern metros offer the best job opportunities for new college graduates, according to a new study.The big picture: Birmingham, Alabama, and Tampa Bay, Florida, top the list, based on payroll processor ADP&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ranking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.adpresearch.com/2026-youve-graduated-now-what/" data-vars-content-id="11f30d2f-4d60-4c2a-bd04-0b85b4bc7eb6" data-vars-headline="New Orleans among worst places for new grads to find jobs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.adpresearch.com/2026-youve-graduated-now-what/" target="_blank">ranking</a> of 20-something hiring rates, wages and affordability.

The best way to X-ray a hummingbird

The university treats about 1,400 wild animals a year.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds will soon make their annual migration north from Mexico through Louisiana and other Gulf Coast states.Why it matters: Some will end up injured, and those that do might land at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine&#x27;s Wildlife Hospital — which just published new research showing the best way to identify fractures in these tiny birds.

Loyola wins federal approval for prison education Pell Grants

It's one of a few options for Louisiana's incarcerated students.

Loyola University recently became Louisiana&#x27;s first four-year institution for incarcerated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="students" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/education" data-vars-content-id="3307be46-5bf2-4a36-ba0c-b6bd44e0ceb4" data-vars-headline="Loyola wins federal approval for prison education Pell Grants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/education" target="_self">students</a> to receive U.S. Department of Education approval.Why it matters: Its students can now apply for Pell Grants, which do not need to be paid back, freeing up funding for program expansion for incarcerated student education, its leaders say.

LSU gets new president, chancellor, athletic director

And Gov. Jeff Landry is making his feelings known, too.

In the span of just eight days, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LSU" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/education" data-vars-content-id="6a9c0808-6789-4946-8454-e3bd616f3ebd" data-vars-headline="LSU gets new president, chancellor, athletic director" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/education" target="_self">LSU</a> lost its football coach and athletic director, and tapped a new president, chancellor and replacement athletic director.Why it matters: The changes mark a new era for some of the university&#x27;s most prominent roles.

Louisiana battling chronic absenteeism

Officials are trying a new strategy to keep kids in school.

Louisiana <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="education" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/education" data-vars-content-id="9ae82835-a8d9-4ffc-81e8-ead361eb9e47" data-vars-headline="Louisiana battling chronic absenteeism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/education" target="_self">education</a> officials are trying a new strategy to keep kids in school this year. Why it matters: Truancy has been linked to lower test scores, negative impacts on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="social-emotional development" data-vars-click-url="https://seis.ucla.edu/news/the-effects-of-absenteeism-on-academic-and-social-emotional/" data-vars-content-id="9ae82835-a8d9-4ffc-81e8-ead361eb9e47" data-vars-headline="Louisiana battling chronic absenteeism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://seis.ucla.edu/news/the-effects-of-absenteeism-on-academic-and-social-emotional/" target="_blank">social-emotional development</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increased substance use" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2815052/" data-vars-content-id="9ae82835-a8d9-4ffc-81e8-ead361eb9e47" data-vars-headline="Louisiana battling chronic absenteeism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2815052/" target="_blank">increased substance use</a>, increased chances of trouble at home and higher likelihoods of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="criminal activity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles/truncy.pdf" data-vars-content-id="9ae82835-a8d9-4ffc-81e8-ead361eb9e47" data-vars-headline="Louisiana battling chronic absenteeism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles/truncy.pdf" target="_blank">criminal activity</a>.

🤸 Back in play

Louisiana among states mandating recess for kids

A state map shows school recess laws in the U.S. As of December 2025, 13 states (including D.C.) mandate recess laws, while 12 others have physical activity laws. Most states, 26, have no state mandate.

School recess laws

💸 School costs climb

Southern families expect to spend $800+ on back-to-school shopping, survey says

A bar chart shows expected U.S. family back-to-school spending for 2026-27 by region. The U.S. average is $922. The Northeast is highest at $1,076, followed by the West at $960 and Midwest at $954. The South is lowest at $832. Data is from 2,080 adults surveyed May 20-22, 2026.

Expected U.S. family spending for the 2026 back-to-school season, by region

A choropleth map showing U.S. public school start dates before August 16. Darker-shaded states indicate a higher percentage of schools starting early, with most of the Southeast and part of the Southwest starting before this date. Lighter shades represent states with fewer schools starting before August 16, including several Northeast states with no schools opening prior to that date.

Share of schools open before August 16

Data: MDR Education; Map: Brad Jennings/Axios. Note: Includes public schools. Does not include year-round schools.

Education 📚

Louisiana among states mandating recess for kids

Southern families expect to spend $800+ on back-to-school shopping, survey says

Mapped: Louisiana is back in class while summer lingers elsewhere

NOPD cracks down on speeders in back-to-school rush

Kamala Harris aims to rally Southern voters