New Orleans

A picture of New Orleans with the letters MSY

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in New Orleans with Carlie Kollath Wells and Chelsea Brasted.

Axios New Orleans

Standard

New Orleans Alerts

Alert

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting New Orleans.

Axios New Orleans Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

New Orleans Members

Membership

Axios New Orleans Partners

Nashville may join New Orleans' exclusive airport club 

Nashville wants to rename its airport in honor of Dolly Parton.

News

Nashville is moving forward with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="renaming its airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/28/nashville-airport-rename-dolly-parton" data-vars-content-id="2f33206d-c4c0-4b17-b74a-81b1d7dcbbbd" data-vars-headline="Nashville may join New Orleans&#x27; exclusive airport club " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/28/nashville-airport-rename-dolly-parton" target="_self">renaming its airport</a> in honor of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dolly Parton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-louisiana-connections-mardi-gras" data-vars-content-id="2f33206d-c4c0-4b17-b74a-81b1d7dcbbbd" data-vars-headline="Nashville may join New Orleans&#x27; exclusive airport club " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-louisiana-connections-mardi-gras" target="_self">Dolly Parton</a>.Why it matters: If it does, Nashville will join New Orleans in the rare club of airports named after musicians.

Frank Brigtsen's new cookbook serves up his legacy

The cookbook is available online and in his restaurant.

It took decades, but chef Frank Brigtsen recently put out a cookbook he feels like he&#x27;s been writing since the very beginning of 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="2e0a9ff0-7363-406d-8c54-3eac97af3f57" data-vars-headline="Frank Brigtsen&#x27;s new cookbook serves up his legacy" 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> career.Why it matters: &quot;It&#x27;s not just a collection of recipes; it&#x27;s my legacy,&quot; Brigtsen says. &quot;This is what I share with the world, and I finally got it done.&quot;

Photos: Krewe of Dolly marches for Dolly Parton in New Orleans

Fleurty Girl is also raising money for Dolly's Imagination Library.

The Krewe of Dolly participated in Midsummer Mardi Gras for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first time" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DcsCYRTFiC7/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1" data-vars-content-id="746c185e-7ff6-4234-ad30-b965b43b9ea7" data-vars-headline="Photos: Krewe of Dolly marches for Dolly Parton in New Orleans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DcsCYRTFiC7/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1" target="_blank">first time</a> over the weekend and is planning to hit the streets again soon in honor of its namesake.The big picture: The krewe says it is holding a second-line Sept. 25 for Dolly as part of a citywide celebration.

Tropical storm warnings in effect for Louisiana and Texas 

Tropical Storm Edouard is expected to form Monday in the Gulf.

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tropical depression" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/climate" data-vars-content-id="1b84f7dd-e5ad-4a65-9191-bb92e4e4af88" data-vars-headline="Tropical storm warnings in effect for Louisiana and Texas " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/climate" target="_self">tropical depression</a> in the Gulf is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Edouard and bring rain to southwest Louisiana and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="1b84f7dd-e5ad-4a65-9191-bb92e4e4af88" data-vars-headline="Tropical storm warnings in effect for Louisiana and Texas " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" target="_self">Texas</a>, the National Hurricane Center says.The big picture: Some showers could reach <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="1b84f7dd-e5ad-4a65-9191-bb92e4e4af88" data-vars-headline="Tropical storm warnings in effect for Louisiana and Texas " 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> on Monday and Tuesday, forecasters say, but they will be spotty.

Planned Parenthood aims for early November return

The organization has not yet announced where the new clinic will be located.

Health

It took less than a year for grassroots support to combine with a willing affiliate for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Planned Parenthood" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/08/05/planned-parenthood-closes-louisiana" data-vars-content-id="9f91fc33-6e48-4c7a-8dd2-05c73fd2382b" data-vars-headline="Planned Parenthood aims for early November return" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/08/05/planned-parenthood-closes-louisiana" target="_self">Planned Parenthood</a> to return to Louisiana.Why it matters: The nonprofit sexual health provider aims to reopen a New Orleans clinic by early November.

Cyclosporiasis cases reach 125 in Louisiana

Six people have been hospitalized, health officials say.

Louisiana health officials have tracked 125 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cyclosporiasis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/24/louisiana-cyclosporiasis-rates-rise" data-vars-content-id="0cb1f037-8180-4517-8978-0f6ccce7a585" data-vars-headline="Cyclosporiasis cases reach 125 in Louisiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/24/louisiana-cyclosporiasis-rates-rise" target="_self">cyclosporiasis</a> cases in the state so far this year, with six hospitalizations, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="numbers released Tuesday" data-vars-click-url="https://ldh.la.gov/page/cyclo" data-vars-content-id="0cb1f037-8180-4517-8978-0f6ccce7a585" data-vars-headline="Cyclosporiasis cases reach 125 in Louisiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ldh.la.gov/page/cyclo" target="_blank">numbers released Tuesday</a>.Why it matters: That&#x27;s past historical norms, officials have said, but still well below how the outbreak is tracking in the hardest-hit states.

Where to donate blood in New Orleans during supply shortage

The U.S. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="blood supply" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/10/red-cross-blood-shortage" data-vars-content-id="3e1630d6-7f2e-4692-a26b-30694a52b3e8" data-vars-headline="Where to donate blood in New Orleans during supply shortage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/10/red-cross-blood-shortage" target="_self">blood supply</a> has reached crisis levels, prompting the American Red Cross and the Surgeon General&#x27;s Office to urge people to donate. Why it matters: There are plenty of places in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans area" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/01/02/new-orleans-terror-attack-blood-donation" data-vars-content-id="3e1630d6-7f2e-4692-a26b-30694a52b3e8" data-vars-headline="Where to donate blood in New Orleans during supply shortage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/01/02/new-orleans-terror-attack-blood-donation" target="_self">New Orleans area</a> where you can donate.

New Orleans' community health ranks 57th among top U.S. cities

New Orleans ranks 57th on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 American Fitness Index" data-vars-click-url="https://acsm.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-AFI-report_final.pdf" data-vars-content-id="79b8ff98-41dc-486e-b1c9-9ce96587c0e5" data-vars-headline="New Orleans&#x27; community health ranks 57th among top U.S. cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://acsm.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-AFI-report_final.pdf" target="_blank">2026 American Fitness Index</a>, which examines community health in the 100 most populous U.S. cities.The big picture: That&#x27;s a drop from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2024 report" data-vars-click-url="https://acsm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-american-fitness-index-report_final.pdf" data-vars-content-id="79b8ff98-41dc-486e-b1c9-9ce96587c0e5" data-vars-headline="New Orleans&#x27; community health ranks 57th among top U.S. cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://acsm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-american-fitness-index-report_final.pdf" target="_blank">2024 report</a>, which pegged New Orleans at No. 52.

Stomach bug that causes 'explosive' diarrhea on rise in Louisiana

The state is investigating 23 cyclosporiasis cases.

An outbreak of a gut-wrecking parasite is plaguing the U.S. as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/health" data-vars-content-id="debde01c-e2f5-4fda-8443-dde9ba1650c3" data-vars-headline="Stomach bug that causes &#x27;explosive&#x27; diarrhea on rise in Louisiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/health" target="_self">health</a> officials investigate what&#x27;s driving an increase in cases, including in Louisiana.The big picture: The gastrointestinal illness — called cyclosporiasis — is caused by a microscopic parasite spreading through contaminated food.

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.

70% of homes tested in New Orleans water program had lead

Verite's investigation found unsafe lead levels in drinking water.

About 70% of households that participated in the Sewerage &amp; Water Board of New Orleans&#x27; free water testing program had <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lead in their water" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/10/11/lead-pipe-map-neighborhood-address" data-vars-content-id="dc5df121-9cf4-4fc1-8a0a-c1e1273f413d" data-vars-headline="70% of homes tested in New Orleans water program had lead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/10/11/lead-pipe-map-neighborhood-address" target="_self">lead in their water</a>, according to a new report from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Verite News" data-vars-click-url="https://veritenews.org/2026/02/19/exposed-toxic-tap-lead-in-water/" data-vars-content-id="dc5df121-9cf4-4fc1-8a0a-c1e1273f413d" data-vars-headline="70% of homes tested in New Orleans water program had lead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://veritenews.org/2026/02/19/exposed-toxic-tap-lead-in-water/" target="_blank">Verite News</a>.Why it matters: It will likely take years before the remainder of the city&#x27;s tens of thousands of lead pipes are replaced, Verite reporter Halle Parker writes.<ul><li>The longer the process takes, the more residents remain at risk of chronic lead exposure through their drinking water.</li></ul>

Louisiana flu season heats up amid fears of mutated strain outbreak

Peak flu season in Louisiana is December-March.

As Louisiana approaches the typical peak of its flu season, experts are warning of a new outbreak.The big picture: The new flu strain, a version of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="H3N2" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/h3n2-new-flu-strain-symptoms-virus" data-vars-content-id="9bc006ad-eeaa-4553-a374-33626778a8e4" data-vars-headline="Louisiana flu season heats up amid fears of mutated strain outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/h3n2-new-flu-strain-symptoms-virus" target="_self">H3N2</a>, emerged over the summer, raising fears that the current flu vaccine might struggle to fight it.

How to help feed people in New Orleans

Groups need your time, money or food donations.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal shutdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/27/snap-food-stamps-louisiana" data-vars-content-id="1cb8cbb4-dcd6-445b-a05f-7a0b19a4408e" data-vars-headline="How to help feed people 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/2025/10/27/snap-food-stamps-louisiana" target="_self">federal shutdown</a> is leaving some residents without money they rely on for food.Why it matters: In <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louisiana" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="1cb8cbb4-dcd6-445b-a05f-7a0b19a4408e" data-vars-headline="How to help feed people 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">Louisiana</a>, we take care of our own.

Louisiana's obesity rate hit 39.2% in 2024

Louisiana had the nation&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="third-highest obesity rate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/16/obesity-rates-state-map" data-vars-content-id="9115f47e-7c9f-4c68-ae73-501a29de8ab3" data-vars-headline="Louisiana&#x27;s obesity rate hit 39.2% in 2024" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/16/obesity-rates-state-map" target="_self">third-highest obesity rate</a> in 2024, a new report says.Why it matters: Obesity is tied to several health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID-19" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/health/coronavirus" data-vars-content-id="9115f47e-7c9f-4c68-ae73-501a29de8ab3" data-vars-headline="Louisiana&#x27;s obesity rate hit 39.2% in 2024" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/health/coronavirus" target="_self">COVID-19</a> complications and more.<ul><li>Plus, it&#x27;s expensive. Studies have linked obesity to hundreds of billions of dollars in increased annual medical costs.</li></ul>

👩‍🍼 Expanding doula care

Louisiana expands Medicaid doula care coverage

A U.S. map shows state efforts to expand Medicaid coverage of doulas, as of March 2026. 26 states and D.C. are actively reimbursing doula care. 13 states have taken adjacent actions. Seven states have implementations in process and four have either failed to pass legislation or have not taken action.

Health 🩺

Louisiana expands Medicaid doula care coverage

Louisiana health officials warn of vibrio case rise

Planned Parenthood aims for early November return

Cyclosporiasis cases reach 125 in Louisiana

Where to donate blood in New Orleans during supply shortage