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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.

New Orleans' distinctive Eiffel Tower building hits the market

Its current tenant, the Nieux Society, is looking for a new location.

One of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="e96819f4-84f6-4f3c-9cc6-8744c2c52723" data-vars-headline="New Orleans&#x27; distinctive Eiffel Tower building hits the market" 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; most recognizable buildings is back on the market. The big picture: The distinctive building at 2040 St. Charles Ave. is made of 11,000 pieces of the Eiffel Tower&#x27;s former restaurant, according to a 1986 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New York Times article" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/10/garden/new-orleans-s-eiffel-tower.html" data-vars-content-id="e96819f4-84f6-4f3c-9cc6-8744c2c52723" data-vars-headline="New Orleans&#x27; distinctive Eiffel Tower building hits the market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/10/garden/new-orleans-s-eiffel-tower.html" target="_blank">New York Times article</a>, which opened 562 feet above Paris in 1937.

Gulf system expected to become season's first hurricane

Residents from Louisiana to Florida should be on alert.

A tropical depression in the Gulf is expected to become the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first hurricane" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/09/15/hurricane-season-atlantic-historic-no-storms" data-vars-content-id="72644985-cee6-4036-8698-0bb41da9e928" data-vars-headline="Gulf system expected to become season&#x27;s first hurricane" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/09/15/hurricane-season-atlantic-historic-no-storms" target="_self">first hurricane</a> of the Atlantic season.Why it matters: It could bring heavy rain, gusty winds and coastal flooding to the Gulf Coast, but it&#x27;s too early to tell how much <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="72644985-cee6-4036-8698-0bb41da9e928" data-vars-headline="Gulf system expected to become season&#x27;s first hurricane" 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> could see.

Hurricane Isaias forms, expected to rapidly intensify in Gulf

Landfall is forecast overnight Friday near the Alabama-Florida state line.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hurricane Isaias" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/10/07/tropical-storm-isaias-hurricane-strength-track-louisiana" data-vars-content-id="8b6ee3ff-e530-494d-a2b2-faf5b9616f5d" data-vars-headline="Hurricane Isaias forms, expected to rapidly intensify in Gulf" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/10/07/tropical-storm-isaias-hurricane-strength-track-louisiana" target="_self">Hurricane Isaias</a> is expected to rapidly intensify in the Gulf and become nearly a Category 3 storm before making landfall late Friday near the Alabama-Florida state line.Why it matters: New Orleans is now outside the storm&#x27;s cone, but NHC says residents from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle should monitor Isaias closely.

WWE, Fried Chicken Fest: Things to do this weekend in New Orleans

Our picks for this weekend include an improv show performed in total darkness.

Things to Do

WWE is in town, and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Fried Chicken Fest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/10/08/national-fried-chicken-festival-new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="a312cd06-c301-4004-9e48-1a30789f3c3f" data-vars-headline="WWE, Fried Chicken Fest: Things to do this weekend 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/2026/10/08/national-fried-chicken-festival-new-orleans" target="_self">National Fried Chicken Fest</a> gets a redo this weekend 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="a312cd06-c301-4004-9e48-1a30789f3c3f" data-vars-headline="WWE, Fried Chicken Fest: Things to do this weekend 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>.Zoom in: Here are our picks for things to do in the city this weekend.

How New Orleans is celebrating Dolly Day

A memorial parade will begin at 5pm in the French Quarter.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="aea9160c-4a98-4f7c-9d20-780cca77c58c" data-vars-headline="How New Orleans is celebrating Dolly Day" 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> sends Dolly Parton off in style on Friday, which her fans know as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="9-to-5 Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/09/17/nashville-dolly-day-9-25" data-vars-content-id="aea9160c-4a98-4f7c-9d20-780cca77c58c" data-vars-headline="How New Orleans is celebrating Dolly Day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/09/17/nashville-dolly-day-9-25" target="_self">9-to-5 Day</a>, with a full slate of memorial events.Why it matters: The world is full of reasons to disagree with our neighbors, but respecting Dolly Parton remains universal.

Nashville may join New Orleans' exclusive airport club 

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

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.

Ye's New Orleans concert puts star's controversy in the spotlight

Ye performs Friday in the Caesars Superdome.

Music

Ye may not have everybody buying tickets to 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="e9189e0a-394c-46be-8603-6dbf787d279f" data-vars-headline="Ye&#x27;s New Orleans concert puts star&#x27;s controversy in the spotlight" 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> tour stop, but he&#x27;s certainly got <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="everybody talking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/11/yes-tampa-stop-faces-pushback" data-vars-content-id="e9189e0a-394c-46be-8603-6dbf787d279f" data-vars-headline="Ye&#x27;s New Orleans concert puts star&#x27;s controversy in the spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/11/yes-tampa-stop-faces-pushback" target="_self">everybody talking</a>.Why it matters: The artist formerly known as Kanye West hasn&#x27;t performed here in 13 years, but he&#x27;ll return Friday amid questions about whether audiences will embrace him after years of controversy.

Dolly Parton's ties to New Orleans and Louisiana 

The queen of country died Tuesday at age 80.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dolly Parton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/07/07/dolly-parton-broadway-musical-tickets" data-vars-content-id="63708f49-a5ef-4c18-b27b-280b7fcf8c88" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton&#x27;s ties to New Orleans and Louisiana " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/07/07/dolly-parton-broadway-musical-tickets" target="_self">Dolly Parton</a>, the queen of country music, left her mark on New Orleans through her music, literacy efforts and one-of-a-kind style.The big picture: She had a soft spot for New Orleans, too.<ul><li>&quot;I just think it&#x27;s a fascinating city, probably the most fascinating city in all the United States,&quot; Parton told <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Times-Picayune" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nola.com/gambit/news/blake_pontchartrain/blakeview-as-dolly-parton-turns-80-here-are-her-connections-to-new-orleans-and-louisiana/article_c479fa78-6391-495f-ad5f-a7a226a09cbc.html" data-vars-content-id="63708f49-a5ef-4c18-b27b-280b7fcf8c88" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton&#x27;s ties to New Orleans and Louisiana " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nola.com/gambit/news/blake_pontchartrain/blakeview-as-dolly-parton-turns-80-here-are-her-connections-to-new-orleans-and-louisiana/article_c479fa78-6391-495f-ad5f-a7a226a09cbc.html" target="_blank">The Times-Picayune</a> in 1988.</li></ul>

Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz reportedly considering New Orleans wedding

They'd join a growing list of celebrities who've tied the knot here.

Culture

Actor Zoë Kravitz and singer Harry Styles are reportedly considering getting married 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="f957516f-12a6-42ce-af6f-6bbb3d58586b" data-vars-headline="Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz reportedly considering New Orleans wedding" 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>.Why it matters: We love love.

New Orleans joins national effort to promote music investment

Louisiana's music industry employs more than 35,000 people.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="ccb6b827-e753-4f5c-a656-b871dd4a4e6b" data-vars-headline="New Orleans joins national effort to promote music investment" 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 partnering with other cities and states in a new trade organization focused on strengthening local <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="music scenes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/music" data-vars-content-id="ccb6b827-e753-4f5c-a656-b871dd4a4e6b" data-vars-headline="New Orleans joins national effort to promote music investment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/music" target="_self">music scenes</a>.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louisiana&#x27;s music industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.louisianamusicpartners.com/about" data-vars-content-id="ccb6b827-e753-4f5c-a656-b871dd4a4e6b" data-vars-headline="New Orleans joins national effort to promote music investment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.louisianamusicpartners.com/about" target="_blank">Louisiana&#x27;s music industry</a> is worth $1.4 billion and employs more than 35,000 people.

Robin Barnes drops debut album in time for Jazz Fest

The "Songbird of New Orleans" is reintroducing herself.

Robin Barnes is one of the most visible working singers 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="ac53abaf-f5f2-4c13-ace4-583baf925a3e" data-vars-headline="Robin Barnes drops debut album in time for Jazz Fest" 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> today, but somehow she&#x27;s gained that reputation without ever putting out her own full-length album.Why it matters: That changes now.

What's new at New Orleans Jazz Fest 2026

<figure><img alt="Image shows a man dancing to the Treme Brass Band." height="450" id="4ce101ad-552c-4620-a733-9217c9c6b677" src="https://images.axios.com/NL-bWDhpFA1kuCR-dW0ujXbxCVM=/2026/03/24/1774379570638.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>The Treme Brass Band performed at Tuesday&#x27;s Jazz Fest press party. Benny Jones, the band&#x27;s founder, and his bandmate Uncle Lionel Batiste are featured on this year&#x27;s poster. Image: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios</figcaption></figure>The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans Jazz &amp; Heritage Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/11/new-orleans-jazz-fest-2026-full-lineup" data-vars-content-id="f842d1d7-756d-4127-b0e0-369a0b16d5a8" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s new at New Orleans Jazz 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/2025/12/11/new-orleans-jazz-fest-2026-full-lineup" target="_self">New Orleans Jazz &amp; Heritage Festival</a> is just weeks away.Why it matters: The music and cultural fest is one of the city&#x27;s signature events, drawing 500,000 visitors and generating an estimated $500 million economic impact.

Where to find private karaoke rooms in New Orleans

A new karaoke spot is quietly taking center stage in the Lower Garden District.Zoom in: Rockabye Karaoke opened about two months ago and offers private rooms for your own epic sing-along session.