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What's new at French Quarter Fest 2026

The city's largest free festival starts Thursday.

Things to Do

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="French Quarter Fest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/04/10/things-to-do-weekend-festivals-free" data-vars-content-id="921f2586-8c16-457b-9474-2709f6e6744d" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s new at French Quarter Fest 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/04/10/things-to-do-weekend-festivals-free" target="_self">French Quarter Fest</a> kicks off Thursday with four days of food, music and dancing throughout <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="921f2586-8c16-457b-9474-2709f6e6744d" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s new at French Quarter Fest 2026" 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; oldest neighborhood.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the city&#x27;s largest free festival.

Checking off your North Carolina bucket list

North Carolina is the best place to live in the country. If you can't live here, you can plan a visit based on some of our favorite spots.

Culture

We at Axios Raleigh and Axios Charlotte are obviously a bit biased, but we believe that North Carolina is the best place to live in the country. If you can&#x27;t live here, you can plan a visit based on some of our favorite spots.<ul><li>Drive a few hours west, and you&#x27;re surrounded by the dramatic Blue Ridge Mountains. Head east, and you&#x27;ll find some of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="best beaches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/05/24/best-beaches-north-carolina-guide-travel-tourism" data-vars-content-id="3ed9bd94-e719-46c3-b5cc-d824441c8f76" data-vars-headline="Checking off your North Carolina bucket list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/05/24/best-beaches-north-carolina-guide-travel-tourism" target="_self">best beaches</a> around. In between, you&#x27;ve got college towns, big cities, rural charm and rich history.</li></ul>

New Baldwin & Co. lounge aims to get you off your phone

Think reading lounge combined with a wine bar.

Business

Baldwin &amp; Co. is opening a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="ecafba77-b07c-45de-91ca-0c6b46fc968b" data-vars-headline="New Baldwin &amp; Co. lounge aims to get you off your phone" 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> reading lounge designed for unplugging.Why it matters: It&#x27;s part of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national trend of bars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/05/phone-free-restaurants-bars-bans-restrictions-offline" data-vars-content-id="ecafba77-b07c-45de-91ca-0c6b46fc968b" data-vars-headline="New Baldwin &amp; Co. lounge aims to get you off your phone" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/05/phone-free-restaurants-bars-bans-restrictions-offline" target="_self">national trend of bars</a> and restaurants that are discouraging or banning phones.

Louisiana diners aren't the biggest tippers

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louisianans diners" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/07/11/how-louisiana-tips-compared-to-national" data-vars-content-id="c9836b13-a9d3-4967-a08a-da539785867a" data-vars-headline="Louisiana diners aren&#x27;t the biggest tippers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/07/11/how-louisiana-tips-compared-to-national" target="_self">Louisianans diners</a> tip less than the national average, according to Toast data.Why it matters: Tipping expectations are rising, even as diners grow more confused — and sometimes frustrated — about when and how much to tip.

Lead contamination widespread at New Orleans playgrounds, Verite finds

Verite reporters tested the soil at more than 80 playgrounds.

News

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.

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.

Fully Dressed: 🏛️ Mifepristone ruling

Federal judge rules against Louisiana in mail-order abortion drug ban

🩺 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.

Health 🩺

Federal judge rules against Louisiana in mail-order abortion drug ban

Lead contamination widespread at New Orleans playgrounds, Verite finds

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

Louisiana families face highest health costs

Louisiana is least healthy state, United Health Foundation report says