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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.

The No. 1 fish cleaning tip from a guy who butchers 500 pounds a day

Food and Drink

If you want to get better at something, it&#x27;s a good idea to ask an expert. So if you&#x27;re looking to improve your fish game, the guy you want to talk to is GW Fins&#x27; Michael Perkins.Why it matters: Perkins has been personally responsible for butchering 300 to 500 or more pounds of fresh-caught fish every day for more than 20 years.

Norman Francis, Xavier's longtime president, dies at 94

"He changed this country, this city, and me for the better."

Norman Francis, the longtime president of Xavier University and a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, died Wednesday, his family said. He was 94. The big picture: Francis led <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Xavier for 47 years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.xula.edu/news//2026/02/remembering-president-emeritus-dr-norman-c-francis-52.html" data-vars-content-id="c6349139-9350-4528-9791-9643babf3aa5" data-vars-headline="Norman Francis, Xavier&#x27;s longtime president, dies at 94" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.xula.edu/news//2026/02/remembering-president-emeritus-dr-norman-c-francis-52.html" target="_blank">Xavier for 47 years</a> and was instrumental in shaping New Orleans&#x27; recovery after Hurricane Katrina.

Where to recycle Mardi Gras beads in New Orleans

Several drop-off sites are open all year.

Mardi Gras

<figure><img alt="Image shows beads, footballs and other Mardi Gras parade throws on the grass." height="450" id="68baf701-5460-42fa-b2b3-9d43def9bb7a" src="https://images.axios.com/2j69gb74-8n9K21a7v71d54_m2M=/2026/02/17/1771360086576.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Mardi Gras throws include beads, doubloons, cups, footballs and plush items. Image: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios</figcaption></figure>Several <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="1d319c76-b376-405e-9f75-c2bbf8ef7537" data-vars-headline="Where to recycle Mardi Gras beads 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> organizations can help keep your <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="1d319c76-b376-405e-9f75-c2bbf8ef7537" data-vars-headline="Where to recycle Mardi Gras beads 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/mardi-gras" target="_self">Mardi Gras</a> beads, stuffed animals and other throws out of landfills.Why it matters: Mardi Gras leaves behind mountains of trash. Recycling cuts waste and supports local nonprofits.

French Quarter construction drags into festival season

French Quarter streets are a mess as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="4f4b96a1-4f1d-468e-b115-a95a12bb421d" data-vars-headline="French Quarter construction drags into festival season" 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> heads into its busy spring festival season.Why it matters: Businesses say they are struggling as a behind-schedule construction project drags on.

New Orleans leaders hail Mardi Gras as "resounding success"

New Orleans leaders say <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="8b483573-bcba-4485-a0d3-ed7d549bac53" data-vars-headline="New Orleans leaders hail Mardi Gras as &quot;resounding success&quot;" 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> was a &quot;resounding success,&quot; citing robust tourism numbers, great weather and no major public safety issues.Why it matters: The city relies on Mardi Gras for an economic boost.

Shia LaBeouf arrested on Mardi Gras morning in New Orleans

Actor Shia LaBeouf faces two counts of simple battery after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="a4461893-6616-486a-a1e8-382f36e5cdee" data-vars-headline="Shia LaBeouf arrested on Mardi Gras morning 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> police say he punched two men early <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="a4461893-6616-486a-a1e8-382f36e5cdee" data-vars-headline="Shia LaBeouf arrested on Mardi Gras morning 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/mardi-gras" target="_self">Mardi Gras</a> morning.Driving the news: The altercation happened around 12:45am Tuesday at a Marigny business in the 1400 block of Royal Street, NOPD said in a statement.

Arthur Hardy makes his retirement official

<figure><img alt="A man shows off a formal proclamation in a folder. He closes is and says &quot;thank you.&quot;" height="450" id="6847d367-c3ea-407a-ba88-336b495a2e29" src="https://images.axios.com/glYNU3NiOhRh6cC9hiJbWL_tm2o=/2026/01/20/1768941200460.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Arthur Hardy shows off a special recognition from Rex during a Carnival-season lunch ahead of his retirement. Video: Chelsea Brasted/Axios</figcaption></figure>For the past half-century, Arthur Hardy has narrated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans&#x27; Carnival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/mardi-gras" data-vars-content-id="e5c9c017-c0d6-4bed-a5e1-22dc8803b51e" data-vars-headline="Arthur Hardy makes his retirement official" 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">New Orleans&#x27; Carnival</a>, season in and season out. Why it matters: That changes on Ash Wednesday, when Hardy officially retires.

National Guard to leave New Orleans at end of month

However, there's a new federal task force in town.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Guard" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/23/trump-national-guard-new-orleans-louisiana-deployment" data-vars-content-id="1b61cf20-4e95-4738-93cb-f26456d7446e" data-vars-headline="National Guard to leave New Orleans at end of month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/23/trump-national-guard-new-orleans-louisiana-deployment" target="_self">National Guard</a> will leave New Orleans at the end of February after a roughly two-month deployment, officials confirmed Tuesday.Why it matters: President Trump is using the deployment to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="claim credit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/02/02/mayor-helena-moreno-donald-trump-national-guard-meeting" data-vars-content-id="1b61cf20-4e95-4738-93cb-f26456d7446e" data-vars-headline="National Guard to leave New Orleans at end of month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/02/02/mayor-helena-moreno-donald-trump-national-guard-meeting" target="_self">claim credit</a> for falling crime rates, while local officials say those gains predate the federal presence.

Louisiana's car insurance rates are falling

Business

Car insurance prices dipped last year after a post-pandemic stretch of skyrocketing costs, a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Insurify report" data-vars-click-url="https://insurify.com/car-insurance/report/" data-vars-content-id="fefecea5-6cb1-43e1-aa0c-621f6c35ab84" data-vars-headline="Louisiana&#x27;s car insurance rates are falling" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://insurify.com/car-insurance/report/" target="_blank">Insurify report</a> finds.Zoom in: Louisiana&#x27;s annual full-coverage premiums fell 15% between 2024 and 2025, Insurify says, outpacing a national average 6% drop.

What New Orleans learned from hosting the Super Bowl

City leaders want to make it more financially beneficial to local businesses.

Sports

It&#x27;s only been a year since New Orleans hosted the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Super Bowl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/super-bowl" data-vars-content-id="4a682113-332d-4d98-b5f1-5b594377ac55" data-vars-headline="What New Orleans learned from hosting the Super Bowl" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/super-bowl" target="_self">Super Bowl</a>, and city leaders are already going after their next one.Why it matters: Officials are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rethinking how New Orleans hosts big events" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/06/national-championship-super-bowl-tax-return" data-vars-content-id="4a682113-332d-4d98-b5f1-5b594377ac55" data-vars-headline="What New Orleans learned from hosting the Super Bowl" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/06/national-championship-super-bowl-tax-return" target="_self">rethinking how New Orleans hosts big events</a>, with an emphasis on making them more financially viable for the city.

New Orleans hotel adds country's first concierge service for dogs

Pups can drink "Chompagne" and get personalized toys.

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="22991628-4653-4d37-896e-cfebe1406fff" data-vars-headline="New Orleans hotel adds country&#x27;s first concierge service for dogs" 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> hotel launches the country&#x27;s first dog concierge program this weekend in time for the Krewe of Barkus.Why it matters: We love our pups.

News 🗞

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