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Ye's New Orleans concert puts star's controversy in the spotlight

Ye performs Friday in the Caesars Superdome.

Music

Ye may not have everybody buying tickets to his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="e9189e0a-394c-46be-8603-6dbf787d279f" data-vars-headline="Ye&#x27;s New Orleans concert puts star&#x27;s controversy in the spotlight" 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> tour stop, but he&#x27;s certainly got <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="everybody talking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/11/yes-tampa-stop-faces-pushback" data-vars-content-id="e9189e0a-394c-46be-8603-6dbf787d279f" data-vars-headline="Ye&#x27;s New Orleans concert puts star&#x27;s controversy in the spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/11/yes-tampa-stop-faces-pushback" target="_self">everybody talking</a>.Why it matters: The artist formerly known as Kanye West hasn&#x27;t performed here in 13 years, but he&#x27;ll return Friday amid questions about whether audiences will embrace him after years of controversy.

Midsummer Mardi Gras, Kanye West and more things to do this weekend 

You've got options in New Orleans this weekend.

Things to Do

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/things-to-do" data-vars-content-id="486042c4-fd64-4b02-9a26-90858374d7f4" data-vars-headline="Midsummer Mardi Gras, Kanye West 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/things-to-do" target="_self">New Orleans</a> is packing a lot into the final weekend of August, from Midsummer Mardi Gras to Katrina commemorations and the last hurrah for Coolinary and Museum Month.

Pay what you can at these New Orleans restaurants

Food and Drink

When budgets get tight, dining out often goes out the window, but on Wednesday, some of the world’s best restaurants will let diners <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pay what they can" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/18/dc-restaurants-pay-what-you-can-day" data-vars-content-id="00878821-4120-4d81-829a-0523d47dbe39" data-vars-headline="Pay what you can at these New Orleans restaurants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/18/dc-restaurants-pay-what-you-can-day" target="_self">pay what they can</a>.Why it matters: What began as a community-minded experiment among Mexico City chefs is going global this year — and two New Orleans restaurants are joining in.

SpaceX comes to Louisiana with $100B new Starbase

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SpaceX" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/03/spacex-stock-lockup-earnings" data-vars-content-id="1c0c5ab6-7e71-46f1-8d46-0f9b860b91a2" data-vars-headline="SpaceX comes to Louisiana with $100B new Starbase" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/03/spacex-stock-lockup-earnings" target="_self">SpaceX</a> is building a new spaceport on 125,000 acres in Southwest Louisiana, making it the largest in the world, the company and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gov. Jeff Landry announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAgPOiirX0o" data-vars-content-id="1c0c5ab6-7e71-46f1-8d46-0f9b860b91a2" data-vars-headline="SpaceX comes to Louisiana with $100B new Starbase" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAgPOiirX0o" target="_blank">Gov. Jeff Landry announced</a> Tuesday.Why it matters: The $100 billion investment will not only reshape <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Acadiana&#x27;s economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/news/spacex-launches-new-era-of-commercial-spaceflight-with-100-billion-louisiana-campus" data-vars-content-id="1c0c5ab6-7e71-46f1-8d46-0f9b860b91a2" data-vars-headline="SpaceX comes to Louisiana with $100B new Starbase" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/news/spacex-launches-new-era-of-commercial-spaceflight-with-100-billion-louisiana-campus" target="_blank">Acadiana&#x27;s economy</a> but it has the capacity to influence the greater New Orleans area, too, local leaders say.

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.

Political campaigns will need to disclose deepfakes

AI has already proven troublesome in state campaigns.

Politics

A new Louisiana law went into effect Aug. 1 that requires disclosures when artificial intelligence is used in political ads to depict <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="candidates for office" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/election" data-vars-content-id="c98c19ac-a3fd-40f6-ac7e-276dc0e1ae56" data-vars-headline="Political campaigns will need to disclose deepfakes" 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">candidates for office</a>.Why it matters: AI-manipulated campaign content was already an issue in the recent Senate primary.

See Louisiana's new "I voted" sticker

Election

Louisiana has a new &quot;I voted&quot; sticker that&#x27;ll roll out with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="elections" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/election" data-vars-content-id="c64ff4d0-dac9-4f35-8910-002d7fff2b57" data-vars-headline="See Louisiana&#x27;s new &quot;I voted&quot; sticker" 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">elections</a> this fall. Why it matters: They&#x27;re fun! And they might actually encourage more people to head to the polls, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="researchers have said" data-vars-click-url="https://news.northeastern.edu/2018/11/06/the-powerful-social-psychology-behind-those-i-voted-stickers/" data-vars-content-id="c64ff4d0-dac9-4f35-8910-002d7fff2b57" data-vars-headline="See Louisiana&#x27;s new &quot;I voted&quot; sticker" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.northeastern.edu/2018/11/06/the-powerful-social-psychology-behind-those-i-voted-stickers/" target="_blank">researchers have said</a>.

Rep. Julia Letlow and Jamie Davis head to final round for U.S. Senate

The general election is slated for Nov. 3.

Rep. Julia Letlow and Jamie Davis will face off this fall for Bill Cassidy&#x27;s U.S. Senate seat.Why it matters: Letlow, who is favored to win November&#x27;s general election, managed to fend off a surge of support for fellow Republican competitor State Treasurer John Fleming in Saturday&#x27;s primary runoff.

Election guide for June 27 primary runoffs in New Orleans

Low voter turnout is expected in primary runoffs.

Louisiana voters will make their choices in a primary runoff for U.S. Senate among other local matters in an election Saturday.Why it matters: All eyes are on which Republican candidate — President Trump-backed Rep. Julia Letlow, or State Treasurer John Fleming — will make it through to November&#x27;s election.

Louisiana voters head to the polls in Senate runoffs

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louisiana heads to the polls" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/election" data-vars-content-id="025dbf45-50a0-40bb-8a95-ff626bced6b8" data-vars-headline="Louisiana voters head to the polls in Senate runoffs" 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 heads to the polls</a> this week for early voting in the state&#x27;s new closed-party primary system.Why it matters: These runoffs will determine who will be the Democratic and Republican candidates for U.S. Senate, Public Service Commission and other state and local offices.

Louisiana Supreme Court sides with Chelsey Richard Napoleon

It's a blow to Calvin Duncan, who was petitioning to keep his elected position.

Baton Rouge won another round in its power struggle with New Orleans on Monday when the Louisiana Supreme Court settled a dispute over the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Orleans Parish Clerk of Court&#x27;s office" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/15/louisiana-supreme-court-intervenes-orleans-clerk-showdown" data-vars-content-id="fb109125-93c4-466a-85c9-2c1a07a2b41f" data-vars-headline="Louisiana Supreme Court sides with Chelsey Richard Napoleon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/15/louisiana-supreme-court-intervenes-orleans-clerk-showdown" target="_self">Orleans Parish Clerk of Court&#x27;s office</a>. Why it matters: The ruling ends a legal and political fight that drew in the attorney general, mayor and City Council.

New congressional map sparks another campaign season

The currently suspended elections will be in November.

Louisiana congressional hopefuls are gearing up for another midterm election after state lawmakers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="redrew the state&#x27;s map" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/21/louisiana-lawmakers-debate-congressional-map" data-vars-content-id="415dd1f1-fe54-41e2-94d4-893e47b43c0d" data-vars-headline="New congressional map sparks another campaign season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/21/louisiana-lawmakers-debate-congressional-map" target="_self">redrew the state&#x27;s map</a> and reset the clock.Why it matters: The new map dismantles one of the state&#x27;s two majority-Black districts and will likely flip a Democratic-held seat to Republicans.

Louisiana lawmakers to debate new congressional map Thursday

The proposal reduces Black representation in the state.

Louisiana lawmakers will hear testimony Thursday as they consider moving forward with a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="proposed congressional map" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/14/louisiana-senate-vote-congressional-map" data-vars-content-id="30ac3426-4f3f-4a64-b449-cbbef70e7515" data-vars-headline="Louisiana lawmakers to debate new congressional map Thursday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/14/louisiana-senate-vote-congressional-map" target="_self">proposed congressional map</a> that would reduce Black representation in the state.Why it matters: Gov. Jeff Landry says a new map is needed before <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. House elections can resume" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/04/30/louisiana-halts-house-elections-supreme-court-map-ruling" data-vars-content-id="30ac3426-4f3f-4a64-b449-cbbef70e7515" data-vars-headline="Louisiana lawmakers to debate new congressional map Thursday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/04/30/louisiana-halts-house-elections-supreme-court-map-ruling" target="_self">U.S. House elections can resume</a>, so the Republican-led Legislature is racing to pass one before the session ends June 1.

Cassidy falls short as Louisiana Senate race heads to runoff

Louisiana voters also rejected five constitutional amendments.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sen. Bill Cassidy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/17/louisiana-senate-republicans-cassidy-letlow-fleming" data-vars-content-id="6b2d37be-0aa5-40b9-bed1-87879044eee1" data-vars-headline="Cassidy falls short as Louisiana Senate race heads to runoff" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/17/louisiana-senate-republicans-cassidy-letlow-fleming" target="_self">Sen. Bill Cassidy</a> failed to finish in the top two spots in Louisiana&#x27;s Republican Senate primary on Saturday. <ul><li>The race now goes to a June 27 runoff between Rep. Julia Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming. </li></ul>Why it matters: It&#x27;s a win for President Trump, who backed Letlow and urged voters to oust Cassidy, whom he&#x27;s described as &quot;very disloyal.&quot;

Election 🗳️

Kamala Harris aims to rally Southern voters

Political campaigns will need to disclose deepfakes

See Louisiana's new "I voted" sticker

Rep. Julia Letlow and Jamie Davis head to final round for U.S. Senate

Election guide for June 27 primary runoffs in New Orleans