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Exclusive: Bayou Boogaloo to scale back and relocate

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bayou Boogaloo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/02/27/spring-festivals-things-to-do-free-events" data-vars-content-id="d504e327-d817-431f-8ea5-ad4b5df37658" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Bayou Boogaloo to scale back and relocate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/02/27/spring-festivals-things-to-do-free-events" target="_self">Bayou Boogaloo</a> is ditching its signature floating free-for-all this year, with organizers telling Axios exclusively that they are moving the festival to new venues and overhauling the format.Why it matters: The 20th edition of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="d504e327-d817-431f-8ea5-ad4b5df37658" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Bayou Boogaloo to scale back and relocate" 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> festival will look nothing like the &quot;beautiful, chaotic scene&quot; that turned Bayou St. John into a floating party each May.

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.

Staying power tastes good in New Orleans

Food and Drink

Restaurants aren&#x27;t just businesses 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="5163ac67-92b9-4f42-acec-3b05eed5f65e" data-vars-headline="Staying power tastes good 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> — they&#x27;re institutions. And several are hitting big birthdays this year.Why it matters: In an industry where <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="beloved spots close" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/09/02/new-restaurants-bars-closed-summer" data-vars-content-id="5163ac67-92b9-4f42-acec-3b05eed5f65e" data-vars-headline="Staying power tastes good 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/2025/09/02/new-restaurants-bars-closed-summer" target="_self">beloved spots close</a> all the time, longevity is worth toasting.

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.

A defining moment for New Orleans' first Latina mayor

Helena Moreno says it's "imperative" she speaks up now.

Politics

Mayor Helena Moreno — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/politics" data-vars-content-id="e1c187ce-f13d-4095-95a9-b28eca36853c" data-vars-headline="A defining moment for New Orleans&#x27; first Latina mayor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/politics" target="_self">New Orleans</a>&#x27; first Latina mayor — says it&#x27;s &quot;imperative&quot; that she speaks up during what she describes as a &quot;very challenging time&quot; for Latinos facing increased targeting.Why it matters: Moreno&#x27;s background wasn&#x27;t central to her campaign, but it&#x27;s now shaping how she governs — from speaking out against immigration enforcement tactics to pushing for city services that reach residents in their own language.

What's inside Angola's ICE detention contract

The contract covers a facility at Angola Prison.

Louisiana is paying — and getting federal reimbursement for — a $949,000 monthly fee to house hundreds of immigration detainees at Angola prison, according to public records <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="8e2f49ab-13a9-439f-88a3-ba3802917ef8" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s inside Angola&#x27;s ICE detention contract" 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">Axios New Orleans</a> obtained.Why it matters: The contract with a corrections operator from the northern part of the state offers the most extensive look yet into how Louisiana operates a federal detention facility on the grounds of the nation&#x27;s largest maximum security prison.

Border Patrol draws mix of selfies and protests in New Orleans metro

The dichotomy illustrates the region's political diversity.

Immigration

Although <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/09/26/ice-pepper-spray-broadview-protest-fence-chicago" data-vars-content-id="93d8cb0a-af67-430f-ae61-7fefc5cef9f3" data-vars-headline="Border Patrol draws mix of selfies and protests in New Orleans metro" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/09/26/ice-pepper-spray-broadview-protest-fence-chicago" target="_self">Chicago</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Los Angeles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/08/la-protests-immigration-ice-national-guard-photos" data-vars-content-id="93d8cb0a-af67-430f-ae61-7fefc5cef9f3" data-vars-headline="Border Patrol draws mix of selfies and protests in New Orleans metro" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/08/la-protests-immigration-ice-national-guard-photos" target="_self">Los Angeles</a> faced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal immigration crackdowns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/08/immigration-crackdown-ice-border-patrol-catahoula-crunch" data-vars-content-id="93d8cb0a-af67-430f-ae61-7fefc5cef9f3" data-vars-headline="Border Patrol draws mix of selfies and protests in New Orleans metro" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/08/immigration-crackdown-ice-border-patrol-catahoula-crunch" target="_self">federal immigration crackdowns</a> with occasionally explosive protests, Border Patrol agent in charge Gregory Bovino is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="praising the Louisiana operation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR-6RYDD2gS/?igsh=Njh2ZmF6ZmF2ZWsz" data-vars-content-id="93d8cb0a-af67-430f-ae61-7fefc5cef9f3" data-vars-headline="Border Patrol draws mix of selfies and protests in New Orleans metro" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR-6RYDD2gS/?igsh=Njh2ZmF6ZmF2ZWsz" target="_blank">praising the Louisiana operation</a> as &quot;much less violent&quot; because the agency has &quot;state and locals on our side.&quot;Why it matters: It&#x27;s a little more complicated than that, New Orleans politicians and polling say.

New Orleans immigration crackdown following city-by-city playbook

But there are a few things that make the Louisiana blitz different.

Politics & Policy

As a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal immigration crackdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/04/protests-disrupt-city-council-as-ice-crackdown-continues" data-vars-content-id="c699b387-f608-404d-bd33-991beec880b3" data-vars-headline="New Orleans immigration crackdown following city-by-city playbook" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/04/protests-disrupt-city-council-as-ice-crackdown-continues" target="_self">federal immigration crackdown</a> continues 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="c699b387-f608-404d-bd33-991beec880b3" data-vars-headline="New Orleans immigration crackdown following city-by-city playbook" 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>, both the Department of Homeland Security agents who are enforcing it and the activists protesting it are following what&#x27;s become a blueprint of actions.Why it matters: That blueprint is unfurling as the Border Patrol takes on a chaotic roadshow across <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Democratic-led cities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/16/trump-ice-democrat-cities-immigration-deport" data-vars-content-id="c699b387-f608-404d-bd33-991beec880b3" data-vars-headline="New Orleans immigration crackdown following city-by-city playbook" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/16/trump-ice-democrat-cities-immigration-deport" target="_self">Democratic-led cities</a> that isn&#x27;t likely to stop anytime soon.

New Orleans leaders demand DHS transparency in immigration crackdown

The demands are in response to agents' actions, leaders said.

<figure><img alt="Helena Moreno speaks at a podium in front of a crowd of people including Councilwoman Lesli Harris and Congressman Troy Carter." height="450" id="59ad9381-a035-4e91-9141-47983faa18c2" src="https://images.axios.com/WFKO9GuCba9caYZ85_83WTObfCE=/2025/12/05/1764968663731.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Mayor-elect Helena Moreno, a native of Mexico, issues five demands of the Department of Homeland Security she said were inspired by complaints over its agents&#x27; actions. Video: Chelsea Brasted/Axios</figcaption></figure>New Orleans City Council leaders are demanding the Department of Homeland Security release arrest data, its agents remove their masks and the department offer clear due process protections as an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigration blitz is underway" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/03/new-orleans-immigration-catahoula-crunch" data-vars-content-id="912dc5c3-1559-40ee-8632-68ce9d5ca488" data-vars-headline="New Orleans leaders demand DHS transparency in immigration crackdown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/03/new-orleans-immigration-catahoula-crunch" target="_self">immigration blitz is underway</a> in the metro area. Why it matters: The move represents the first organized political effort to push back against what DHS is calling &quot;Operation Catahoula Crunch.&quot;

Protests disrupt City Council as ICE crackdown continues

DHS has confirmed details of one arrest so far.

The Department of Homeland Security&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigration crackdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/03/new-orleans-immigration-catahoula-crunch" data-vars-content-id="9e0e3297-755b-4c12-9964-b6745654f406" data-vars-headline="Protests disrupt City Council as ICE crackdown continues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/03/new-orleans-immigration-catahoula-crunch" target="_self">immigration crackdown</a> continued in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="9e0e3297-755b-4c12-9964-b6745654f406" data-vars-headline="Protests disrupt City Council as ICE crackdown continues" 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> metro on Thursday.The latest: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Protests disrupted" data-vars-click-url="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/activists-protest-the-deployment-of-federal-agents-in-the-news-photo/2249286737?adppopup=true" data-vars-content-id="9e0e3297-755b-4c12-9964-b6745654f406" data-vars-headline="Protests disrupt City Council as ICE crackdown continues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/activists-protest-the-deployment-of-federal-agents-in-the-news-photo/2249286737?adppopup=true" target="_blank">Protests disrupted</a> New Orleans City Council proceedings as law enforcement agents were spotted around the metro.<ul><li>About 30 people were removed from City Hall as a result, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Times-Picayune reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nola.com/news/politics/new-orleans-border-patrol-protest/article_e9a5057c-86b8-4549-906f-3d36f725abec.html" data-vars-content-id="9e0e3297-755b-4c12-9964-b6745654f406" data-vars-headline="Protests disrupt City Council as ICE crackdown continues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nola.com/news/politics/new-orleans-border-patrol-protest/article_e9a5057c-86b8-4549-906f-3d36f725abec.html" target="_blank">The Times-Picayune reports</a>.</li></ul>

Border Patrol begins "Swamp Sweep" in New Orleans

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Border Patrol" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/11/17/border-patrol-national-guard-immigration" data-vars-content-id="2536c422-92fa-41f1-9777-604a85d51dc8" data-vars-headline="Border Patrol begins &quot;Swamp Sweep&quot; 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/2025/11/17/border-patrol-national-guard-immigration" target="_self">Border Patrol</a> agents are expected to start immigration enforcement efforts Monday 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="2536c422-92fa-41f1-9777-604a85d51dc8" data-vars-headline="Border Patrol begins &quot;Swamp Sweep&quot; 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>, with the goal of arresting 5,000 people in south Louisiana and Mississippi, according to reports.Why it matters: Communities are rushing to prepare amid uncertainty and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mounting fear" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/42750715.90/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL25ldy1vcmxlYW5zLzIwMjUvMTEvMjAvYm9yZGVyLXBhdHJvbC1wbGFubmVkLXByb3Rlc3QtYWN0aXZpc20_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/643ffb61050ac3162bf0e2a5Bb68d9f7d" data-vars-content-id="2536c422-92fa-41f1-9777-604a85d51dc8" data-vars-headline="Border Patrol begins &quot;Swamp Sweep&quot; in New Orleans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/42750715.90/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL25ldy1vcmxlYW5zLzIwMjUvMTEvMjAvYm9yZGVyLXBhdHJvbC1wbGFubmVkLXByb3Rlc3QtYWN0aXZpc20_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/643ffb61050ac3162bf0e2a5Bb68d9f7d" target="_self">mounting fear</a>.