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

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Gumbo of the week in New Orleans: Gris-Gris

The menu is full of stick-to-your-ribs Cajun and Creole dishes.

Food and Drink

New Orleans grapples with shrinking tree canopy amid severe weather

New Orleans has lost at least 13 live oak trees in recent weeks.

News

Must-try restaurant in New Orleans metro: Banh Mi Boys

This Vietnamese deli is attached to a gas station.

The story of hip-hop is incomplete without New Orleans

The genre created an entirely new opportunity for the city's sounds to grow beyond its boundaries.

Music

What to know about drinking water, appliances as saltwater intrusion threatens New Orleans metro

You can't drink water with high salt levels.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleanians are on edge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/09/22/salt-water-intrusion-mississippi-river-drought" data-vars-content-id="af85da9e-894b-4ae3-9fe3-774ceebdddca" data-vars-headline="What to know about drinking water, appliances as saltwater intrusion threatens 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/2023/09/22/salt-water-intrusion-mississippi-river-drought" target="_self">New Orleanians are on edge</a> as salt water makes its way up the Mississippi River, inching <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closer to drinking water supplies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/09/20/salt-water-intrusion-drinking-water" data-vars-content-id="af85da9e-894b-4ae3-9fe3-774ceebdddca" data-vars-headline="What to know about drinking water, appliances as saltwater intrusion threatens 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/2023/09/20/salt-water-intrusion-drinking-water" target="_self">closer to drinking water supplies</a>. <ul><li>The threat has residents snapping up <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bottled water at stores" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/carlie_kollath/status/1705310177577099618" data-vars-content-id="af85da9e-894b-4ae3-9fe3-774ceebdddca" data-vars-headline="What to know about drinking water, appliances as saltwater intrusion threatens New Orleans metro" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/carlie_kollath/status/1705310177577099618" target="_blank">bottled water at stores</a> and gaming out what to do about everyday activities like brushing teeth, washing dishes and laundering clothes.</li></ul>Why it matters: You can&#x27;t drink water with high salinity levels, and you&#x27;ll need to make some changes in your daily routine if the salt reaches New Orleans.

Illustration of a faucet with a drop of water with a sad face.

Saltwater intrusion expected near New Orleans by late October

The river needs rain — and it's nowhere in sight.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salt water" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/09/20/salt-water-intrusion-drinking-water" data-vars-content-id="99fe4bfa-4cb1-4c35-8141-300d45410d95" data-vars-headline="Saltwater intrusion expected near New Orleans by late October" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/09/20/salt-water-intrusion-drinking-water" target="_self">Salt water</a> from the Gulf of Mexico could creep into the New Orleans water supply by late October if current forecasts hold, officials said Friday. Why it matters: Saltwater intrusion is already affecting communities closer to the coast, and New Orleans-area concern is on the rise as local reports indicate residents are buying up bottled water.

You can get free things in New Orleans and Jefferson Parish with a library card

Jefferson Parish is adding a museum pass program this month.

Culture

Library cardholders 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="7c20f71d-18ac-4f12-a103-2fb68b3121f5" data-vars-headline="You can get free things in New Orleans and Jefferson Parish with a library card" 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> and Jefferson Parish have access to a &quot;Library of Things&quot; in addition to books, and the options are growing this month.Why it matters: Libraries are a wonderful solution to stretch your money and fill your time in low-cost ways.

Illustration of a rolling pin rolling on top of a library due date card.

Anne Kirkpatrick starts as interim NOPD chief ahead of confirmation hearing

The confirmation hearing is scheduled for Oct. 11.

Friday is Michelle Woodfork&#x27;s last day as interim superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department.<ul><li>She is stepping aside for Anne Kirkpatrick, who Mayor LaToya Cantrell <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nominated to be the next police chief" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/09/11/new-orleans-police-chief-anne-kirkpatrick" data-vars-content-id="af689da0-44d2-4191-a8cb-6f64c447989c" data-vars-headline="Anne Kirkpatrick starts as interim NOPD chief ahead of confirmation hearing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/09/11/new-orleans-police-chief-anne-kirkpatrick" target="_self">nominated to be the next police chief</a>.</li></ul>Driving the news: Kirkpatrick, most recently the police chief in Oakland, California, will be the interim chief while going through the confirmation process with the City Council, Cantrell says.

Salt water intrusion threatens New Orleans drinking water

This is the second year in a row low water levels have been an issue.

Low water levels in the Mississippi River caused by the ongoing drought mean salt water intrusion from the Gulf of Mexico could threaten water supplies as far upriver as the French Quarter.Why it matters: Salt water intrusion threatening local water supplies used to be a once-in-a-decade concern, but this is the second year in a row low water levels have been an issue.

A barge on the Mississippi River and the downtown New Orleans skyline is seen from above.

New Orleans' median household income drops

Yet, the share of households making $100,000 or more rose.

Business

The median household income across <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans metro" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="48ce605b-3ac9-4a20-9a48-c96dd4fa1ac7" data-vars-headline="New Orleans&#x27; median household income drops" 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 metro</a> fell 4.3% from 2019 to 2022, per new U.S. Census Bureau data.<ul><li>New Orleans&#x27; median income was $61,602 in 2022, compared with $64,400 in 2019, adjusted for inflation.</li><li>Statewide, the median income dropped 6.14% to $55,416.</li></ul>The big picture: Nationally, median household income fell 1.6% to $74,755 over the same time period.

Rates climbing for Louisiana's insurer of last resort

Thousands of Louisiana homeowners could switch from Citizens, the state's insurer of last resort.

Homeowners insurance rates from Louisiana&#x27;s insurer of last resort increased by 63% on average, and National Flood Insurance Program premiums will increase by 234% on average this year, according to a new report.Why it matters: The cost of Louisiana homeownership is increasing substantially as both homeowners and flood insurance rates climb, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="First Street Foundation&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://firststreet.org/" data-vars-content-id="d375c7a5-11da-4730-87c1-6285f8ae2133" data-vars-headline="Rates climbing for Louisiana&#x27;s insurer of last resort" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://firststreet.org/" target="_blank">First Street Foundation&#x27;s</a> 9th National Risk Assessment report.

New 7th Ward community center includes free co-working space

The New Orleans Public Library is slated to soon open a new community center in the 7th Ward that offers free co-working space, special events and other resources for entrepreneurs.Driving the news: The initiative, called the Reach Center, is inside the Corpus Christi Epiphany Church Community Center at 2022 St. Bernard Avenue.<ul><li>&quot;Residents and businesses in this neighborhood have repeatedly voiced their desire for a free place to gather, learn and grow together, and we&#x27;re so excited to start filling that need,&quot; said Shukrani Gray, the library&#x27;s African American Resource Collection and equity and inclusion librarian. </li></ul>

Photo shows librarians standing in front of the 7th Ward community center

Smart water meters coming to Orleans, Jefferson parishes

After the work is done, households and businesses should get accurate billing without technicians manually checking meters every month.

Smart water meter installation is beginning 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="470ffc62-a0d7-4f94-97f5-7377469e1820" data-vars-headline="Smart water meters coming to Orleans, Jefferson parishes" 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> and Jefferson Parish in the coming months. Why it matters: The meters offer remote monitoring, which means local households and businesses should get accurate billing without technicians manually checking the meters every month.

Illustration of a wireframe futuristic landscape with large water faucets in the distance surrounded by abstract circles and radical colors

More than 10% of New Orleans households don't have a vehicle

That number almost doubles for Black New Orleanians.

More than one in five U.S. adults without access to a vehicle or public transportation missed or skipped a medical appointment last year, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rwjf.org/en/insights/our-research/2023/04/more-than-one-in-five-adults-with-limited-public-transit-access-forgo-healthcare-because-of-transportation-barriers.html" data-vars-content-id="1b2cd4b6-1f9c-4df0-83f1-ece731bed3a7" data-vars-headline="More than 10% of New Orleans households don&#x27;t have a vehicle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rwjf.org/en/insights/our-research/2023/04/more-than-one-in-five-adults-with-limited-public-transit-access-forgo-healthcare-because-of-transportation-barriers.html" target="_blank">a report</a> by the Urban Institute.Why it matters: Transportation is a key social driver of health equity.

A chart showing 10.2% of New Orleans area households go without a vehicle, and among Black households that number jumps to 18.5%.

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