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Isaias expected to strengthen to near Category 3 strength 

Watches are in effect from Louisiana to Florida.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tropical Storm Isaias" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/10/06/invest92l-gulf-forecast-hurricane-louisiana-isaias" data-vars-content-id="57637ff6-3850-4f01-ab57-fdd365813cdc" data-vars-headline="Isaias expected to strengthen to near Category 3 strength " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/10/06/invest92l-gulf-forecast-hurricane-louisiana-isaias" target="_self">Tropical Storm Isaias</a> is rapidly strengthening in the Gulf and is expected to be nearly a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall this weekend near the Alabama-Florida state line.Why it matters: Hurricane and tropical storm watches are in effect from Louisiana to Florida.

It's been 20 years since Saints returned home to the Superdome

It was one of the most memorable nights in sports history.

Sports

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans Saints" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/09/11/new-orleans-saints-60th-season-paris-tyler-shough" data-vars-content-id="c5df819f-277e-479f-bb56-754d56bfb27f" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s been 20 years since Saints returned home to the Superdome" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/09/11/new-orleans-saints-60th-season-paris-tyler-shough" target="_self">New Orleans Saints</a> celebrate the 20th anniversary of the team&#x27;s post-Katrina Domecoming game on Monday.Why it matters: There were a lot of impossibly tough moments in the months and years after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/08/22/watch-book-podcast-movie-hurricane-katrina" data-vars-content-id="c5df819f-277e-479f-bb56-754d56bfb27f" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s been 20 years since Saints returned home to the Superdome" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/08/22/watch-book-podcast-movie-hurricane-katrina" target="_self">Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans</a>. <ul><li>But that moment on Monday Night Football — which introduced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Drew Brees" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/08/04/drew-brees-hall-of-fame-sean-payton" data-vars-content-id="c5df819f-277e-479f-bb56-754d56bfb27f" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s been 20 years since Saints returned home to the Superdome" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/08/04/drew-brees-hall-of-fame-sean-payton" target="_self">Drew Brees</a> to the Superdome and memorialized <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Steve Gleason" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/04/18/steve-gleason-art-ai-als-diagnosis" data-vars-content-id="c5df819f-277e-479f-bb56-754d56bfb27f" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s been 20 years since Saints returned home to the Superdome" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/04/18/steve-gleason-art-ai-als-diagnosis" target="_self">Steve Gleason</a> as a Saint forever — that was glorious.</li></ul>

New Orleans will be among the last places in U.S. to see fall foliage

It'll be weeks before we get colorful leaves.

The leaves are changing. Just not 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="ca2d8de3-2743-475f-884b-49d6708e1710" data-vars-headline="New Orleans will be among the last places in U.S. to see fall foliage" 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>.The big picture: Peak foliage is expected to sweep south over the next several weeks, according to a map on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Explore Fall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.explorefall.com/fall-foliage-map" data-vars-content-id="ca2d8de3-2743-475f-884b-49d6708e1710" data-vars-headline="New Orleans will be among the last places in U.S. to see fall foliage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.explorefall.com/fall-foliage-map" target="_blank">Explore Fall</a>.

Spirit Halloween brings vacant storefronts back from the dead

The store has three locations in metro New Orleans this year.

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Spirit Halloween" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/24/spirit-halloween-store-previous-tenant" data-vars-content-id="711d3afa-b378-4b70-84a2-05f8bd905ee8" data-vars-headline="Spirit Halloween brings vacant storefronts back from the dead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/24/spirit-halloween-store-previous-tenant" target="_self">Spirit Halloween</a> has three locations in metro New Orleans this year.Why it matters: Spirit&#x27;s seasonal takeover gives vacant retail space a brief second life.

National Fried Chicken Festival turns up to turn 10

The fest is celebrating with national touring acts on the lineup.

Things to Do

When the first Fried Chicken Festival opened its gates, founder Cleveland Spears found himself &quot;hoping and praying 10,000 people would show up.&quot;Why it matters: The event blew his goal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="out of the park" data-vars-click-url="https://bizneworleans.com/40000-attend-inaugural-fried-chicken-festival-at-lafayette-square/" data-vars-content-id="4a979b74-11b6-4117-8ef8-b73e06f102be" data-vars-headline="National Fried Chicken Festival turns up to turn 10" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bizneworleans.com/40000-attend-inaugural-fried-chicken-festival-at-lafayette-square/" target="_blank">out of the park</a> and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/things-to-do" data-vars-content-id="4a979b74-11b6-4117-8ef8-b73e06f102be" data-vars-headline="National Fried Chicken Festival turns up to turn 10" 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">fest</a> celebrates its 10th birthday with its biggest music lineup yet, even after a stretch of bad weather pushed its start back by a week.

Preservation Hall opens bar and restaurant

The move expands the historic New Orleans venue's footprint considerably.

Food and Drink

A new restaurant and bar from the Preservation Hall team is now open next door to the historic venue 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="971b7469-1b34-48b3-8977-3390cb2a29b4" data-vars-headline="Preservation Hall opens bar and restaurant" 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 press release says.Why it matters: The change fills a long-standing void at Pres Hall, which hasn&#x27;t previously had a bar.

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to New Orleans

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="3ca0926c-1ecb-4996-bd15-05ad795b739d" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to New Orleans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">Axios Social Club</a> is bringing readers together for dinner in New Orleans&#x27; Uptown/Carrollton neighborhood on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

What's new on the Superdome menu for the Saints' 60th season

<figure><img alt="A video moves closer to a Superdome-shaped bowl of nachos. The bowl is placed on a bar top within seating near the end zone." height="450" id="8d41a35c-ca69-4593-ac33-d7609cb90bde" src="https://images.axios.com/zfgdQ3M3Skg51rd5KegShSKbHws=/2026/09/22/1790098051680.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Fans who score the Superdome-shaped bowls of nachos will have to visit guest services to get the lids before exiting the game. The lids are too similar to frisbees and pose a risk for game time. Video: Chelsea Brasted/Axios</figcaption></figure>The Caesars Superdome has updated its menu just in time for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans Saints fans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/09/11/new-orleans-saints-60th-season-paris-tyler-shough" data-vars-content-id="625374bf-6fd4-4658-9501-dcea153c89af" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s new on the Superdome menu for the Saints&#x27; 60th 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/2026/09/11/new-orleans-saints-60th-season-paris-tyler-shough" target="_self">New Orleans Saints fans</a> to celebrate the team&#x27;s first home game of its 60th regular season.Dig in: The updates include a new burger, $6 beers and a very silly but fun collectible Superdome-shaped bowl.

Jewel of the South to open ambitious French Quarter bar residency

The ambitious project will run for 30 weeks.

<figure><img alt="A man in a fedora shakes a cocktail at a busy bar." height="450" id="1260de4e-f2df-4a20-86da-bf24980680ca" src="https://images.axios.com/9vdKyczgIWZ75joxbJCDkQsMwWM=/2026/09/23/1790192861510.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Chris Hannah shakes up a cocktail during a Dusse event for Tales of the Cocktail in 2025. Video: Chelsea Brasted/Axios </figcaption></figure>The team behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jewel of the South" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/11/jewel-of-the-south-dakar-nola-win-james-beard-awards" data-vars-content-id="36cd2a6a-d95e-4cdb-9ec2-52a1c97c6626" data-vars-headline="Jewel of the South to open ambitious French Quarter bar residency" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/11/jewel-of-the-south-dakar-nola-win-james-beard-awards" target="_self">Jewel of the South</a> are opening a pop-up bar in the French Quarter with theatrical, immersive production design and a rotating cast of guest bartenders, managing partner John Stubbs tells Axios New Orleans. Why it matters: It&#x27;ll be one big cultural exchange opportunity, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="36cd2a6a-d95e-4cdb-9ec2-52a1c97c6626" data-vars-headline="Jewel of the South to open ambitious French Quarter bar residency" 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; cocktail culture at the center.

New restaurants arrive as Smoke & Honey says goodbye

We have two new patio dining options, too.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Smoke &amp; Honey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/03/13/what-to-order-at-smoke-honey-in-new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="b1e60448-bdbc-407c-a039-b8a00ad8b1e7" data-vars-headline="New restaurants arrive as Smoke &amp; Honey says goodbye" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/03/13/what-to-order-at-smoke-honey-in-new-orleans" target="_self">Smoke &amp; Honey</a> is closing its doors this weekend.Why it matters: Its closure comes amid a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flurry of restaurant openings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/09/16/restaurant-openings-closings-whats-coming" data-vars-content-id="b1e60448-bdbc-407c-a039-b8a00ad8b1e7" data-vars-headline="New restaurants arrive as Smoke &amp; Honey says goodbye" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/09/16/restaurant-openings-closings-whats-coming" target="_self">flurry of restaurant openings</a> and closings in New Orleans.

What's next for the Turkey and the Wolf team after Hot Stuff's closure

Mason Hereford expects a new project announcement shortly.

<figure><img alt="A video of a person shifting green beans on a cafeteria line." height="450" id="2967d7bc-acec-43c4-b950-7d65bec06b43" src="https://images.axios.com/u_TeFpgQGKOeqlQr0-SL-DiyuEo=/2026/09/15/1789490454906.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Hot Stuff offers a cafeteria-style meat-and-three on Maple Street. Image: Chelsea Brasted/Axios </figcaption></figure><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hot Stuff" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/05/29/mason-hereford-hot-stuff-new-orleans-restaurant" data-vars-content-id="3548b584-ed07-4be6-9712-22d3822c1e1d" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for the Turkey and the Wolf team after Hot Stuff&#x27;s closure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/05/29/mason-hereford-hot-stuff-new-orleans-restaurant" target="_self">Hot Stuff</a>, the Maple Street meat-and-three from the team behind Turkey and the Wolf, is closing, and there are just a few weeks left to stop in for lunch.Why it matters: The closure <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdFILpLmGBQ/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1" data-vars-content-id="3548b584-ed07-4be6-9712-22d3822c1e1d" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for the Turkey and the Wolf team after Hot Stuff&#x27;s closure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdFILpLmGBQ/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1" target="_blank">announcement</a> came as a bit of a shock to fans, but restaurant partner Mason Hereford says the move brings with it a lot of opportunity.

New Orleans' latest restaurant openings and closings 

Say hello and goodbye to more than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="25 restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/29/new-closed-restaurants-2026-cafe-sbisa-emeril-coquette" data-vars-content-id="5d2113f7-265e-43a6-8c3b-db748382962d" data-vars-headline="New Orleans&#x27; latest restaurant openings and closings " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/29/new-closed-restaurants-2026-cafe-sbisa-emeril-coquette" target="_self">25 restaurants</a> in New Orleans metro.The big picture: Here&#x27;s a snapshot of some of the eateries that have opened and closed in recent weeks, as well as a roundup of more on the way.

Avegno Lounge is an Uptown gem

The lounge is a sister spot to Gautreau's Restaurant.

Maybe it&#x27;s age, or maybe it&#x27;s parenting, but at a certain point in the last several years, I started loving it when I&#x27;d get to a restaurant long enough before meeting friends to have a drink alone. Why it matters: A recent meetup at Avegno Lounge offered just such an opportunity, and with a perfect martini to boot.

Southern Food and Beverage Museum closes

It's not yet clear what will happen to the museum's artifacts.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Southern Food and Beverage Museum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/20/southern-food-and-beverage-museum-cookbook-anniversary" data-vars-content-id="687d6fd3-255c-4f7c-ab28-818915dd2d9f" data-vars-headline="Southern Food and Beverage Museum closes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/20/southern-food-and-beverage-museum-cookbook-anniversary" target="_self">Southern Food and Beverage Museum</a> has closed its doors for good.Why it matters: The institution has for more than 20 years told the story of Southern food within the broader landscape of American culture, and served as a repository for its relics and memorabilia.

Food and Drink 🍽

National Fried Chicken Festival turns up to turn 10

Preservation Hall opens bar and restaurant

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to New Orleans

What's new on the Superdome menu for the Saints' 60th season

Jewel of the South to open ambitious French Quarter bar residency