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New Orleans will host one of the biggest gatherings of tall ships

Here's what to know about the free tours.

Things to Do

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="1bbe9ab2-db9b-443e-b77a-af3cf8207405" data-vars-headline="New Orleans will host one of the biggest gatherings of tall ships" 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> hosts a flotilla of international tall ships next week for the kickoff of Sail 250, which is part of the country&#x27;s 250th birthday celebrations.Why it matters: The 12 ships will be open for free public tours along the Mississippi Riverfront.

New Orleans among worst places for new grads to find jobs

News

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.

New TSA tech aims to speed up lines at MSY

You have to pay for TSA PreCheck use the new Touchless ID option.

Passengers at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/23/msy-airport-expansion-timeline-parking-garage" data-vars-content-id="f43f9267-e20f-4c1a-88ac-95cdde5e7cf4" data-vars-headline="New TSA tech aims to speed up lines at MSY" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/23/msy-airport-expansion-timeline-parking-garage" target="_self">Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport</a> now have a faster option at the TSA checkpoint.Why it matters: Long lines at security are a vibe-killer for the start of your trip.

Louisiana lawmakers to debate new congressional map Thursday

The proposal reduces Black representation in the state.

Election

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.

Crape myrtle popularity makes this pest popular, too

The invasive pest is coming for your ornamental trees.

Environment

<figure><img alt="A video pans down a small tree branch infested with tiny white insects." height="450" id="b41e273b-f227-40c6-82db-812a1a56f6d3" src="https://images.axios.com/RWZZ-7idgB7YPlAoRyc68Wd3SAw=/2025/12/19/1766170370016.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>A crape myrtle bark scale infestation attacks a tree. Video: Chelsea Brasted/Axios</figcaption></figure>The destructive creepy-crawlies known as bark scale came for my crape myrtle seemingly overnight, filing its limbs with sticky, furry little insects that threatened to kill the tree it fed upon.Why it matters: This was preventable, and you can learn from my mistakes.

The world's largest fish collection just got a little bigger

The scientific library's use is growing all the time.

<figure><img alt="A video pans down metal shelves of jars with preserved fish inside. " height="450" id="113cb3ee-733e-4142-b4f0-f5db885e20ff" src="https://images.axios.com/jphUzXtKncl2nREbhbi8hE8cAgI=/2025/12/19/1766173485694.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>The Royal D. Suttkus Fish Collection is stored inside World War II-era ammunition bunkers in Belle Chasse, Louisiana. Video: Chelsea Brasted</figcaption></figure>The world&#x27;s largest collection of fish specimens, which is housed in World War II-era ammunition bunkers outside <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="b95f8eb9-5ea4-47b5-96c9-e77874498ced" data-vars-headline="The world&#x27;s largest fish collection just got a little bigger" 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>, just got a little bigger.Why it matters: The collection allows scientists to explore 75 years of biodiversity at a level of specificity its creator likely never even dreamed possible when he first started sticking fish in jars.

Lead contamination widespread at New Orleans playgrounds, Verite finds

Verite reporters tested the soil at more than 80 playgrounds.

Unsafe lead levels were found in the soil at about half of New Orleans playgrounds tested in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new investigation" data-vars-click-url="https://veritenews.org/2026/02/05/poison-at-play-playgrounds-lead-levels/" data-vars-content-id="1bcb858a-d958-485f-86a4-80ef5d7352db" data-vars-headline="Lead contamination widespread at New Orleans playgrounds, Verite finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://veritenews.org/2026/02/05/poison-at-play-playgrounds-lead-levels/" target="_blank">new investigation</a> by nonprofit newsroom <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Verite News" data-vars-click-url="https://veritenews.org/" data-vars-content-id="1bcb858a-d958-485f-86a4-80ef5d7352db" data-vars-headline="Lead contamination widespread at New Orleans playgrounds, Verite finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://veritenews.org/" target="_blank">Verite News</a>.Why it matters: There is no known safe exposure level for children, and even small amounts can cause behavioral problems and reduced cognitive ability.

The best way to X-ray a hummingbird

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

Education

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.

Louisiana's map is shrinking again

The boot of Louisiana's toe is getting much smaller.

Louisiana&#x27;s map is set to shrink again next year as federal officials recognize the ongoing effects of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sea level rise" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/04/14/dramatic-sea-level-rise-gulf-coast-new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="bed30ba3-8bdb-4376-af51-ef07359b9a3b" data-vars-headline="Louisiana&#x27;s map is shrinking again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/04/14/dramatic-sea-level-rise-gulf-coast-new-orleans" target="_self">sea level rise</a> on the state&#x27;s marshy outline.Why it matters: It&#x27;s yet another reminder that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/07/01/new-orleans-sinking-faster-sea-level-rise" data-vars-content-id="bed30ba3-8bdb-4376-af51-ef07359b9a3b" data-vars-headline="Louisiana&#x27;s map is shrinking again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/07/01/new-orleans-sinking-faster-sea-level-rise" target="_self">climate change</a> is literally shifting the ground beneath our feet.

What to read, watch to better understand Hurricane Katrina

New documentaries are out in time for the 20th anniversary.

As we approach the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina 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="ce4e5c92-8afd-4317-bac7-ee8084581a98" data-vars-headline="What to read, watch to better understand Hurricane Katrina" 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>, dozens of media outlets, bloggers and content creators have debuted documentaries, podcasts and shows to explore stories from that historical moment and its recovery.Why it matters: For people who were directly impacted, a lot of it can just be painful — or even impossible — to relive.

Heat streaks are getting more common in Louisiana

New Orleans is among cities with extreme heat stretches.

Heat streaks are becoming more common in Louisiana cities and nationwide, a new analysis finds. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Prolonged heat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/22/heat-wave-dome-corn-sweat-forecast" data-vars-content-id="95d86eaa-7eaf-4975-b122-42ef256e74c4" data-vars-headline="Heat streaks are getting more common in Louisiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/22/heat-wave-dome-corn-sweat-forecast" target="_self">Prolonged heat</a> is particularly hazardous to human health.

Louisiana's electricity costs rise amid data center boom

The state's only data center is not yet online.

It&#x27;s getting more expensive to power Louisiana, and electricity costs are rising faster here than in most parts of the county, according to new data.Why it matters: Many residents <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="already struggle" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/10/28/louisiana-struggle-belt-everyday-expenses" data-vars-content-id="876a09e0-6646-4d90-8cb6-28bdda42dfb3" data-vars-headline="Louisiana&#x27;s electricity costs rise amid data center boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/10/28/louisiana-struggle-belt-everyday-expenses" target="_self">already struggle</a> with the cost of everyday living, but electricity costs could get even higher for some as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/04/ai-energy-data-center-growth" data-vars-content-id="876a09e0-6646-4d90-8cb6-28bdda42dfb3" data-vars-headline="Louisiana&#x27;s electricity costs rise amid data center boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/04/ai-energy-data-center-growth" target="_self">data centers</a> move in.

New Orleans students more likely to attend school in extreme heat

Some schools already struggle to keep classes cool.

As K-12 students head back to school in New Orleans this week, more will be sitting in classrooms in extreme <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="urban heat zones" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/11/heat-islands-us-record-temperatures" data-vars-content-id="12e05d0f-ef26-49e9-82aa-76d156be4ba0" data-vars-headline="New Orleans students more likely to attend school in extreme heat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/11/heat-islands-us-record-temperatures" target="_self">urban heat zones</a> than the U.S. average, a new analysis finds.Why it matters: The heat island effect can make some neighborhoods notably warmer than others, especially during <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat waves" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/23/heat-wave" data-vars-content-id="12e05d0f-ef26-49e9-82aa-76d156be4ba0" data-vars-headline="New Orleans students more likely to attend school in extreme heat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/23/heat-wave" target="_self">heat waves</a>.Flashback: Some regional schools started last year with canceled classes because of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="inadequate air conditioning" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/09/04/louisiana-schools-air-conditioning-heat-waves" data-vars-content-id="12e05d0f-ef26-49e9-82aa-76d156be4ba0" data-vars-headline="New Orleans students more likely to attend school in extreme heat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/09/04/louisiana-schools-air-conditioning-heat-waves" target="_self">inadequate air conditioning</a>. Driving the news: About 76% of public K-12 students in the 65 most populous U.S. cities attend schools where the heat island effect increases temperatures by at least 8°F, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new analysis from Climate Central," data-vars-click-url="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/schools-and-urban-heat-2025" data-vars-content-id="12e05d0f-ef26-49e9-82aa-76d156be4ba0" data-vars-headline="New Orleans students more likely to attend school in extreme heat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/schools-and-urban-heat-2025" target="_blank">new analysis from Climate Central,</a> a climate research group.<ul><li>Researchers there examined more than 12,000 schools, with nearly 6.2 million students.</li><li>The group&#x27;s analysis is based on its previous work modeling urban heat zones, as well as National Center for Education Statistics data.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: New Orleans is among cities working to alleviate its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat island effect" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/07/23/new-orleans-heat-island-effect-mapped" data-vars-content-id="12e05d0f-ef26-49e9-82aa-76d156be4ba0" data-vars-headline="New Orleans students more likely to attend school in extreme heat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/07/23/new-orleans-heat-island-effect-mapped" target="_self">heat island effect</a>, with city leaders last year announcing plans to create a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat mitigation plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/07/16/new-orleans-heat-mitigation-plan-extreme-weather" data-vars-content-id="12e05d0f-ef26-49e9-82aa-76d156be4ba0" data-vars-headline="New Orleans students more likely to attend school in extreme heat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/07/16/new-orleans-heat-mitigation-plan-extreme-weather" target="_self">heat mitigation plan</a>.

Some of New Orleans is sinking faster than sea level rise

A new study offers a clear picture of the city's elevation.

Parts of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="6fec8a53-b8c6-478b-ada3-8dc085440c3f" data-vars-headline="Some of New Orleans is sinking faster than sea level rise" 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>, including some of its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flood protections" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/06/24/homeowners-minority-climate-risk-flooding" data-vars-content-id="6fec8a53-b8c6-478b-ada3-8dc085440c3f" data-vars-headline="Some of New Orleans is sinking faster than sea level rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/06/24/homeowners-minority-climate-risk-flooding" target="_self">flood protections</a>, are sinking faster than the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sea level is rising" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/04/14/dramatic-sea-level-rise-gulf-coast-new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="6fec8a53-b8c6-478b-ada3-8dc085440c3f" data-vars-headline="Some of New Orleans is sinking faster than sea level rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/04/14/dramatic-sea-level-rise-gulf-coast-new-orleans" target="_self">sea level is rising</a> beyond it, according to a new study from Tulane University. Why it matters: The study offers &quot;a wake-up call,&quot; said study co-author Mead Allison in a press release, as the margin between what protects New Orleans and the water that threatens it narrows. <ul><li>&quot;We need ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure that our flood defenses don&#x27;t lose their level of protection beneath us,&quot;Allison said.</li></ul>