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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.

Time is running out to register to vote in Louisiana's primaries

You have to register for a political party if you want to vote in their primary.

Politics

The deadline is approaching to update your voter registration if you want to cast a ballot in the state&#x27;s hotly contested U.S. Senate race on May 16.Why it matters: Louisiana switched to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closed primary elections" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/01/20/closed-party-primaries-louisiana-how-it-works" data-vars-content-id="35acef25-3d0e-4f77-8575-1d6172bb95b3" data-vars-headline="Time is running out to register to vote in Louisiana&#x27;s primaries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/01/20/closed-party-primaries-louisiana-how-it-works" target="_self">closed primary elections</a> for some races this year.

Voter guide to the special election this weekend in New Orleans

Election

Voters in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="7dc2c337-1c19-49c3-b68c-4e1869974c81" data-vars-headline="Voter guide to the special election this weekend 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> and St. Bernard Parish head to the polls Saturday in a special election to fill vacant state legislative seats.Why it matters: The winners will help shape state policy on taxes, insurance and other issues that directly affect the city.

New Orleans election Saturday: What to know

Three legislative seats are up for grabs.

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

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.

Election 🗳️

Time is running out to register to vote in Louisiana's primaries

Voter guide to the special election this weekend in New Orleans

New Orleans election Saturday: What to know

How Louisiana's closed party primaries will work

Incoming City Council brings deep statehouse experience