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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.

5 Lenten fish fries to try this season

It&#x27;s the first Friday of Lent, which means it&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fish fry season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/02/16/best-lenten-fish-fries-lent-tradition" data-vars-content-id="5b49b15f-5c79-4171-96cc-a1cdcf49345a" data-vars-headline="5 Lenten fish fries to try this 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/2024/02/16/best-lenten-fish-fries-lent-tradition" target="_self">fish fry season</a> 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="5b49b15f-5c79-4171-96cc-a1cdcf49345a" data-vars-headline="5 Lenten fish fries to try this 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" target="_self">New Orleans</a>.Why it matters: Lenten fish fries are as much about neighborhood gathering as they are about the food.

I tried it: Bathtub cocktail for Mardi Gras

<figure><img alt="Image shows a bartender adding a rubber ducky to a bathtub cocktail." height="450" id="d57cfbcc-6a39-484d-acf5-1b8b7e02abd2" src="https://images.axios.com/0PYfNH6u1kGIYvFJbkWZ4X1eLR0=/2026/02/11/1770845781088.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>The Duckie cocktail at Brennan&#x27;s. Image: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios</figcaption></figure>Brennan&#x27;s has a fun new <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="092b1549-8287-4d02-8248-d6e2fb4957c5" data-vars-headline="I tried it: Bathtub cocktail for Mardi Gras" 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> cocktail in honor of Muses that&#x27;s served in a mini bathtub and topped with a rubber ducky.Why it matters: It disappears after Lundi Gras.

Hold the Mayo's ode to a classic New Orleans dish

Devin Snow with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hold the Mayo" data-vars-click-url="https://htmsports.com/" data-vars-content-id="f51fca7e-a4ed-47a2-8922-bcea8039955f" data-vars-headline="Hold the Mayo&#x27;s ode to a classic New Orleans dish" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://htmsports.com/" target="_blank">Hold the Mayo</a> wraps up his multi-year video series Monday that highlights red beans and rice across southeast Louisiana.Why it matters: Snow turned a humble Monday staple into a love letter to southeastern Louisiana food and neighborhoods.

Chicken's Kitchen to open on East Bank

Chicken's Kitchen's original location will close after service Friday, Feb. 13.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicken&#x27;s Kitchen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/04/01/chickens-kitchen-new-orleans-restaurant-james-beard" data-vars-content-id="2ff71f0e-f8c5-4a4e-bad9-a54737734586" data-vars-headline="Chicken&#x27;s Kitchen to open on East Bank" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/04/01/chickens-kitchen-new-orleans-restaurant-james-beard" target="_self">Chicken&#x27;s Kitchen</a> is making moves with a new location 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="2ff71f0e-f8c5-4a4e-bad9-a54737734586" data-vars-headline="Chicken&#x27;s Kitchen to open on East Bank" 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; CBD. Why it matters: The new restaurant will bring the James Beard-recognized meat-and-three across the river and onto the East Bank.

TSA's rules for flying with king cake, poboys and daiquiris

Want to bring a taste 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="907b5b0a-f924-4e8c-a260-ae6e0c84918f" data-vars-headline="TSA&#x27;s rules for flying with king cake, poboys and daiquiris" 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> with you on the plane? Here are TSA&#x27;s rules for flying with king cake, daiquiris and other food items.Why it matters: Because it&#x27;s Mardi Gras and we want to be New Orleanians wherever we are.

Here Today perfects the rotisserie chicken

The restaurant's menu is a deceptively simple concept.

<figure><img alt="A camera pans toward two plates of rotisserie chicken with salad, pickled vegetables and roasted potatoes." height="450" id="786d8eb4-0b3e-4d8d-9bdb-404a3ff315fa" src="https://images.axios.com/RrREryjJXEznaLaJxbGGVNdEloM=/2026/01/23/1769195528822.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Two quarter-chicken plates are served for lunch at Here Today Rotisserie. Video: Chelsea Brasted/Axios</figcaption></figure>Here Today Rotisserie proves that rotisserie chickens aren&#x27;t just for the grocery store.Why it matters: The Lower Garden District <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/food-and-drink" data-vars-content-id="e54e6db2-1b35-4db5-b385-540fa29a5e14" data-vars-headline="Here Today perfects the rotisserie chicken" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/food-and-drink" target="_self">restaurant</a> is turning the weeknight staple into something far more special, and, yep, it comes with delicious sides, too.

These are New Orleans' 2026 James Beard semifinalists

Nine area restaurants made the cut so far.

Nine <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="b5b6de66-6844-4d20-9f17-38da48928a9a" data-vars-headline="These are New Orleans&#x27; 2026 James Beard semifinalists" 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>-area businesses are among this year&#x27;s James Beard Foundation semifinalists.Why it matters: The so-called Oscars of the food world recognize the industry&#x27;s best and can catapult a business into stardom.

Pagoda Cafe's tacos shine at breakfast on Bayou Road

The restaurant has a tropical patio and fresh pastries.

Pagoda Cafe has everything I want for a chill weekend morning: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="good food" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/food-and-drink" data-vars-content-id="33302d8b-816d-4337-a41b-7a8070e50834" data-vars-headline="Pagoda Cafe&#x27;s tacos shine at breakfast on Bayou Road" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/food-and-drink" target="_self">good food</a>, friendly service and a shaded patio.Why it matters: Breakfast feels luxurious when it isn&#x27;t eaten at your desk.

New Orleans home to fewer-than-average chain restaurants

But chain restaurants are growing while independents struggle.

If it feels like you&#x27;re seeing more chain restaurant openings and fewer independents, you&#x27;re not wrong, according to Technomic food industry researcher Kevin Schimpf.Why it matters: The trend is especially notable 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="7ee1d281-f87e-49dd-af68-3a88063b0f16" data-vars-headline="New Orleans home to fewer-than-average chain restaurants" 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>, a city known for its independent restaurant culture.

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