New Orleans

New Orleans Alerts

Alert

A picture of New Orleans with the letters MSY

blue

Axios New Orleans Partners

Axios New Orleans Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Get smarter, faster on what matters in New Orleans with Carlie Kollath Wells and Chelsea Brasted.

Axios New Orleans

Standard

New Orleans Members

Membership

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.

New Orleans election Saturday: What to know

Three legislative seats are up for grabs.

Election

Some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="691dcd2d-9c96-46c0-954b-59ac51ea12f8" data-vars-headline="New Orleans election Saturday: What to know" 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> voters head to the polls Saturday for a special legislative primary <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/election" data-vars-content-id="691dcd2d-9c96-46c0-954b-59ac51ea12f8" data-vars-headline="New Orleans election Saturday: What to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/election" target="_self">election</a>.Why it matters: Voters are charged with tapping replacements for a trio of lawmakers who recently bowed out of their posts.

How Louisiana's closed party primaries will work

Election changes are coming this year for some races.

Some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louisiana elections" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/election" data-vars-content-id="2ca3e430-e8cd-4f40-a468-ff8444d6f2b2" data-vars-headline="How Louisiana&#x27;s closed party primaries will work" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/election" target="_self">Louisiana elections</a> will look a lot different this year as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closed party primaries" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/09/12/louisiana-begins-voter-education-for-closed-party-primaries" data-vars-content-id="2ca3e430-e8cd-4f40-a468-ff8444d6f2b2" data-vars-headline="How Louisiana&#x27;s closed party primaries will work" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/09/12/louisiana-begins-voter-education-for-closed-party-primaries" target="_self">closed party primaries</a> begin — reshaping contests like Rep. Julia Letlow&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump-backed challenge" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/jbletlow/status/2013646066801955020" data-vars-content-id="2ca3e430-e8cd-4f40-a468-ff8444d6f2b2" data-vars-headline="How Louisiana&#x27;s closed party primaries will work" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/jbletlow/status/2013646066801955020" target="_blank">Trump-backed challenge</a> to incumbent Bill Cassidy&#x27;s Senate seat.Why it matters: How and when Louisiana votes is changing for certain races, including the U.S. Senate, which is bound to cause some confusion as voters hit the polls in 2026.

Incoming City Council brings deep statehouse experience

Politics

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="incoming New Orleans City Council" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/14/new-orleans-city-council-election-results" data-vars-content-id="35662820-7fb0-40f9-a785-ba6858ac0de2" data-vars-headline="Incoming City Council brings deep statehouse experience" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/14/new-orleans-city-council-election-results" target="_self">incoming New Orleans City Council</a> is packed with political experience, especially at the state level.Why it matters: Their skills may help reset what has recently been an adversarial relationship with Gov. Jeff Landry and Baton Rouge lawmakers.

Helena Moreno officially becomes New Orleans' mayor

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Helena Moreno" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/12/election-mayor-results-helena-moreno-wins" data-vars-content-id="f3a4812e-f856-4f49-89de-442342f99c7e" data-vars-headline="Helena Moreno officially becomes New Orleans&#x27; mayor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/12/election-mayor-results-helena-moreno-wins" target="_self">Helena Moreno</a> has been the de facto mayor of New Orleans since she was elected in October — and Monday she makes it official.Why it matters: Moreno has promised a sharp break from outgoing Mayor LaToya Cantrell&#x27;s leadership as she takes over a city facing a &quot;terrible&quot; financial situation.

How a Supreme Court case could reshape the South's congressional representation

It's not clear when the Supreme Court will rule.

Louisiana voters and elected officials are waiting on a Supreme Court decision that could reshape voting in much of the South. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The case" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/15/louisiana-callais-supreme-court-voting-rights-act" data-vars-content-id="576b7235-26f5-47a2-9d2f-67222836f1bf" data-vars-headline="How a Supreme Court case could reshape the South&#x27;s congressional representation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/15/louisiana-callais-supreme-court-voting-rights-act" target="_self">The case</a> targets the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Voting Rights Act" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/15/supreme-court-voting-rights-act-trump-louisiana" data-vars-content-id="576b7235-26f5-47a2-9d2f-67222836f1bf" data-vars-headline="How a Supreme Court case could reshape the South&#x27;s congressional representation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/15/supreme-court-voting-rights-act-trump-louisiana" target="_self">Voting Rights Act</a>, a key tool for challenging racially discriminatory election maps, and could allow Republicans to lock in more congressional seats across the South.

'Jailhouse lawyer' Calvin Duncan wins in New Orleans

Calvin Duncan won for clerk of criminal court.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans voters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/11/14/new-orleans-nov-15-election" data-vars-content-id="53cd2714-e05d-43c1-a668-88328ebdbd35" data-vars-headline="&#x27;Jailhouse lawyer&#x27; Calvin Duncan wins 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/2025/11/14/new-orleans-nov-15-election" target="_self">New Orleans voters</a> officially tapped &quot;jailhouse lawyer&quot; Calvin Duncan as their new Criminal District Clerk of Court in Saturday&#x27;s unexpectedly fascinating race.Why it matters: The votes in that race and several others mark the end of Louisiana&#x27;s 2025 elections.

New Orleans heads to the polls Nov. 15

Turnout has been low for this general election.

Many Louisiana voters will head back to the polls Nov. 15 for the final election of 2025.Why it matters: In New Orleans, Saturday&#x27;s election brings runoffs to decide several leadership positions, plus decisions on a trio of bond propositions and a smattering of other municipal issues.

What to know about the Nov. 15 general election in New Orleans

It&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/election" data-vars-content-id="216f0bcc-7751-476e-b00c-6b52da8195ab" data-vars-headline="What to know about the Nov. 15 general election 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/election" target="_self">election</a> time again in the New Orleans metro.Why it matters: This time, voters are making decisions on a small but meaningful handful of local races and propositions.

New Orleans bond vote: What $510M would pay for

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleanians will vote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/11/05/nov-15-voters-guide-general-election" data-vars-content-id="9d12bd3b-a598-451a-a2d1-473da0e68b3b" data-vars-headline="New Orleans bond vote: What $510M would pay for" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/11/05/nov-15-voters-guide-general-election" target="_self">New Orleanians will vote</a> Nov. 15 on bond measures to fix roads, improve drainage and expand affordable housing.Why it matters: The city needs major repairs but is already <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stretched thin financially" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/29/helena-moreno-liz-murrill-payroll-loan-budget" data-vars-content-id="9d12bd3b-a598-451a-a2d1-473da0e68b3b" data-vars-headline="New Orleans bond vote: What $510M would pay for" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/29/helena-moreno-liz-murrill-payroll-loan-budget" target="_self">stretched thin financially</a>.

As Supreme Court weighs Louisiana map, lawmakers head back to work

Lawmakers go into special session Thursday.

Louisiana lawmakers return to Baton Rouge on Thursday for a special session to finagle 2026 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/election" data-vars-content-id="0f2f3e38-f315-4191-abe9-cbd6c795f4a7" data-vars-headline="As Supreme Court weighs Louisiana map, lawmakers head back to work" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/election" target="_self">election</a> dates and deadlines.Why it matters: Any changes are the ultimate wait-and-see reaction to a pending <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Supreme Court ruling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/15/louisiana-callais-supreme-court-voting-rights-act" data-vars-content-id="0f2f3e38-f315-4191-abe9-cbd6c795f4a7" data-vars-headline="As Supreme Court weighs Louisiana map, lawmakers head back to work" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/15/louisiana-callais-supreme-court-voting-rights-act" target="_self">Supreme Court ruling</a> that could upend an already complicated batch of elections next year.

Election 🗳️

New Orleans election Saturday: What to know

How Louisiana's closed party primaries will work

Incoming City Council brings deep statehouse experience

Helena Moreno officially becomes New Orleans' mayor

How a Supreme Court case could reshape the South's congressional representation