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National Guard to stay in New Orleans 6 more months

The federal deployment was supposed to end Feb. 28.

News

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Guard" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/02/25/national-guard-exits-new-orleans-federal-deployment" data-vars-content-id="a300a76c-7971-43c6-a701-75a4d99b6a72" data-vars-headline="National Guard to stay in New Orleans 6 more months" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/02/25/national-guard-exits-new-orleans-federal-deployment" target="_self">National Guard</a> isn&#x27;t leaving New Orleans anytime soon after Gov. Jeff Landry on Monday announced a six-month extension of the federal deployment.Why it matters: The move deepens federal involvement in local policing even as city leaders tout <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="significant drops in violent crime" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/01/06/violent-crime-murder-capital-improvement-statistics" data-vars-content-id="a300a76c-7971-43c6-a701-75a4d99b6a72" data-vars-headline="National Guard to stay in New Orleans 6 more months" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/01/06/violent-crime-murder-capital-improvement-statistics" target="_self">significant drops in violent crime</a>.

NASA's next lunar mission has deep New Orleans roots

Artemis II is scheduled to launch in April.

Aerospace

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="cad93e16-eaac-4072-a86f-27dbdd5e7c21" data-vars-headline="NASA&#x27;s next lunar mission has deep New Orleans roots" 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> built the backbone of NASA&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="next Moon mission" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/07/19/artemis-ii-core-stage-rocket-engine-moon-mission" data-vars-content-id="cad93e16-eaac-4072-a86f-27dbdd5e7c21" data-vars-headline="NASA&#x27;s next lunar mission has deep New Orleans roots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/07/19/artemis-ii-core-stage-rocket-engine-moon-mission" target="_self">next Moon mission</a>.Why it matters: Artemis II will mark NASA&#x27;s first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years — and a major piece of the rocket was made in New Orleans East.

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.

Paul Rudd to film movie in New Orleans

Viola Davis is also filming in Louisiana.

Paul Rudd, Evan Peters, Amy Ryan and Paul Giamatti are filming a movie in New Orleans and Chalmette.The big picture: Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are among the executive producers of the movie, called &quot;The Statement,&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Deadline reports" data-vars-click-url="https://deadline.com/2026/02/paul-rudd-evan-peters-tatiana-maslany-tom-mccarthy-new-film-1236736444/" data-vars-content-id="2fd16594-ff02-4b63-976a-b5852b6878d0" data-vars-headline="Paul Rudd to film movie in New Orleans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://deadline.com/2026/02/paul-rudd-evan-peters-tatiana-maslany-tom-mccarthy-new-film-1236736444/" target="_blank">Deadline reports</a>.

Louisiana flu season heats up amid fears of mutated strain outbreak

Peak flu season in Louisiana is December-March.

Health

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>

Shhh ... Louisiana needs to sleep more

Residents could catch more ZZZs, Apple Watch data shows.

The average Louisiana resident is only getting about 6-1/2 hours of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sleep" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/01/bedtime-average-sleep-apple-data" data-vars-content-id="bc25b249-f681-4773-9b69-8eea778abb77" data-vars-headline="Shhh ... Louisiana needs to sleep more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/01/bedtime-average-sleep-apple-data" target="_self">sleep</a> a night, Apple Watch <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/05/23/sleepmaxxing-sleep-tracker-oura-fitbit" data-vars-content-id="bc25b249-f681-4773-9b69-8eea778abb77" data-vars-headline="Shhh ... Louisiana needs to sleep more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/05/23/sleepmaxxing-sleep-tracker-oura-fitbit" target="_self">data</a> shows.Why it matters: That&#x27;s below the recommended <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="7 to 9 hours" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep/how-much-sleep" data-vars-content-id="bc25b249-f681-4773-9b69-8eea778abb77" data-vars-headline="Shhh ... Louisiana needs to sleep more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep/how-much-sleep" target="_blank">7 to 9 hours</a> of sleep per night, which impacts mood and health.

Vaccine confusion reigns as whooping cough, COVID spread in Louisiana

The CDC could change COVID booster recommendations again this week.

As Louisiana faces a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high COVID-19" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/08/15/louisiana-covid-back-to-school-highest" data-vars-content-id="2801339b-9c0d-43f0-8c84-4254128ed788" data-vars-headline="Vaccine confusion reigns as whooping cough, COVID spread 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/2025/08/15/louisiana-covid-back-to-school-highest" target="_self">high COVID-19</a> rate and increasing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="whooping cough" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/06/09/louisiana-whooping-cough-pertussis-cases-increase" data-vars-content-id="2801339b-9c0d-43f0-8c84-4254128ed788" data-vars-headline="Vaccine confusion reigns as whooping cough, COVID spread 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/2025/06/09/louisiana-whooping-cough-pertussis-cases-increase" target="_self">whooping cough</a> cases, the latest federal guidelines are creating confusion around who can get vaccines and where.Why it matters: Fall brings the start of the traditional season for respiratory illnesses.

Lizards may hold the key to treating lead poisoning

Brown anole lizards are surprising scientists.

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="common lizard" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/03/21/new-orleans-welcomes-back-its-native-lizards" data-vars-content-id="7ed4f1e9-06e9-4544-a0c8-1aa22246d74d" data-vars-headline="Lizards may hold the key to treating lead poisoning" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/03/21/new-orleans-welcomes-back-its-native-lizards" target="_self">common lizard</a> across the South is surviving with more lead in its body than researchers previously thought possible — and the toxin doesn&#x27;t appear to affect it at all, a new study says.Why it matters: Unlocking their secret could help scientists develop new ways to treat lead poisoning in humans.

New Saints, Pelicans sports medicine complex coming to Metairie

Construction is due to begin later this year.

Sports

Ochsner Health is partnering with the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans Saints" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/sports" data-vars-content-id="e4387dae-8530-4a87-8aaf-32857b9d4097" data-vars-headline="New Saints, Pelicans sports medicine complex coming to Metairie" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/sports" target="_self">New Orleans Saints</a> and the New Orleans Pelicans to build a new sports medicine complex in Metairie, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="press release" data-vars-click-url="https://news.ochsner.org/news-releases/ochsner-health-new-orleans-saints-and-new-orleans-pelicans-announce-plans-for-new-medical-complex/" data-vars-content-id="e4387dae-8530-4a87-8aaf-32857b9d4097" data-vars-headline="New Saints, Pelicans sports medicine complex coming to Metairie" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.ochsner.org/news-releases/ochsner-health-new-orleans-saints-and-new-orleans-pelicans-announce-plans-for-new-medical-complex/" target="_blank">press release</a>.Why it matters: While the facility will support recovery and treatment for the professional teams that practice next door, the care offered there will also be publicly accessible.

New Orleans has a secret tool to fight mosquito outbreaks

Officials say this summer's mosquito season has been particularly active.

<figure><img alt="Aquarium with a yellow pineapple-shaped decoration surrounded by purple and green artificial plants, pebbles on the bottom, and small fish swimming around." height="450" id="8246a78e-9199-467d-9854-c528c0383d4f" src="https://images.axios.com/fPuLnRWnKb_DKtVvcTZXPVITi1o=/2025/08/14/1755201155817.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>The city has a display tank of the mosquito-eating fish at the New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board office. Image: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios</figcaption></figure><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="c5f02ccd-c5cf-409e-9d55-80f7e8434284" data-vars-headline="New Orleans has a secret tool to fight mosquito outbreaks" 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> is giving away mosquito-eating fish to residents as the city sees a spike in West Nile activity, including its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first human case" data-vars-click-url="https://nola.gov/next/mayors-office/news/articles/august-2025/2025-08-08-first-human-case-of-west-nile-virus-detected-in-orleans-parish/" data-vars-content-id="c5f02ccd-c5cf-409e-9d55-80f7e8434284" data-vars-headline="New Orleans has a secret tool to fight mosquito outbreaks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nola.gov/next/mayors-office/news/articles/august-2025/2025-08-08-first-human-case-of-west-nile-virus-detected-in-orleans-parish/" target="_blank">first human case</a> of the year.Why it matters: Officials say this summer&#x27;s mosquito season has been particularly active.

Louisiana among states with highest COVID cases

A surge is unsurprising during back-to-school days.

Louisiana is among a group of states with the highest rate of COVID cases right now, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;stratus&quot; COVID variant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/08/covid-19-stratus-variant-symptoms-cases-cdc" data-vars-content-id="08268821-f2fd-4076-9ab6-155d7332d5b4" data-vars-headline="Louisiana among states with highest COVID cases" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/08/covid-19-stratus-variant-symptoms-cases-cdc" target="_self">&quot;stratus&quot; COVID variant</a> is surging throughout the country, and with kids heading back to school, it&#x27;s not exactly surprising.

Louisiana women more likely to be prescribed GLP-1 drugs

It's especially true for women approaching menopause.

Louisiana women are more likely to be prescribed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="GLP-1 weight-loss drugs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/27/american-glp1-use-weight-loss-increasing" data-vars-content-id="cd4b27ed-97d3-4c07-8108-29d87d672828" data-vars-headline="Louisiana women more likely to be prescribed GLP-1 drugs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/27/american-glp1-use-weight-loss-increasing" target="_self">GLP-1 weight-loss drugs</a> than the state&#x27;s men, new data shows.Why it matters: This is another <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cultural moment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/13/womens-underwear-tariffs-pink-tax" data-vars-content-id="cd4b27ed-97d3-4c07-8108-29d87d672828" data-vars-headline="Louisiana women more likely to be prescribed GLP-1 drugs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/13/womens-underwear-tariffs-pink-tax" target="_self">cultural moment</a> when women, especially those <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="approaching menopause" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/03/menopause-doctors-education-harvard-mayo" data-vars-content-id="cd4b27ed-97d3-4c07-8108-29d87d672828" data-vars-headline="Louisiana women more likely to be prescribed GLP-1 drugs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/03/menopause-doctors-education-harvard-mayo" target="_self">approaching menopause</a>, are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="paying more" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/26/women-health-costs-higher" data-vars-content-id="cd4b27ed-97d3-4c07-8108-29d87d672828" data-vars-headline="Louisiana women more likely to be prescribed GLP-1 drugs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/26/women-health-costs-higher" target="_self">paying more</a> for their well-being.

🩺 Louisiana leads in insurance costs 

Louisiana families face highest health costs

A choropleth map of U.S. states showing the cost of family health insurance coverage as a share of median income in 2024. Nationally, health insurance cost about 10% of a family's income. The share was highest in Louisiana, with 15.6%, and lowest in D.C., with 5.7%.

Share of income spent on family health insurance coverage in 2024

📉 America's least healthy state

Louisiana is least healthy state, United Health Foundation report says

A cartogram displaying the 2025 America's Health Rankings. New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont rank highest. Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas rank lowest in health.

2025 America's Health Rankings

🤧 Flu season could get even worse

Louisiana battles severe flu season

A map showing the activity levels of influenza in the U.S. by state. 46 states and D.C. have high or very high levels.

Health 🩺

Louisiana families face highest health costs

Louisiana is least healthy state, United Health Foundation report says

Louisiana battles severe flu season

Louisiana flu season heats up amid fears of mutated strain outbreak

How to help feed people in New Orleans