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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.

Map: Louisiana's planned data centers

The projects are primarily in North Louisiana.

Business

Louisiana&#x27;s planned data centers are expected to have 9,431 MW capacity, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="records" data-vars-click-url="https://cleanview.co/data-centers/us" data-vars-content-id="20e555a0-1e60-459e-bb81-6cea432c28cd" data-vars-headline="Map: Louisiana&#x27;s planned data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cleanview.co/data-centers/us" target="_blank">records</a> analyzed by market intelligence company Cleanview.Why it matters: That would give Louisiana the 13th most capacity among states with data centers, Cleanview&#x27;s data show.

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.

Louisiana "committed" to continuing executions, Landry says

Landry made the comment after Tennessee's failed execution attempt.

Politics

Gov. Jeff Landry remains &quot;committed&quot; to Louisiana&#x27;s death penalty despite Tennessee&#x27;s recent failed execution attempt, he told <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="132eb997-c905-4cbe-b93b-084ee30e8e0c" data-vars-headline="Louisiana &quot;committed&quot; to continuing executions, Landry says" 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> in an exclusive interview.Why it matters: Tennessee death row <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="inmate Christa Pike" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/10/06/tennessee-christa-pike-awake-failed-execution" data-vars-content-id="132eb997-c905-4cbe-b93b-084ee30e8e0c" data-vars-headline="Louisiana &quot;committed&quot; to continuing executions, Landry says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/10/06/tennessee-christa-pike-awake-failed-execution" target="_self">inmate Christa Pike</a> is awake and talking despite being administered two doses of lethal injection drugs. Louisiana also conducts executions using lethal injection.

OPSO to move juvenile inmates out of New Orleans jail

The shift should open up space for adult inmates.

Public Safety

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Orleans Parish Sheriff Michelle Woodfork" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/08/12/michelle-woodfork-jail-orleans-parish-sheriff" data-vars-content-id="b0a69e0e-39d5-4934-b417-abb2406eaa90" data-vars-headline="OPSO to move juvenile inmates out of New Orleans jail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/08/12/michelle-woodfork-jail-orleans-parish-sheriff" target="_self">Orleans Parish Sheriff Michelle Woodfork</a> is working on plans to move juvenile inmates from the New Orleans jail to the city&#x27;s juvenile detention center.Why it matters: Even though there are only about 15 juvenile inmates at the Orleans Justice Center, the shift would free up space for 60 adults in the already overcrowded facility, Woodfork says.

NOPD releases drone use map amid calls for program suspension

The New Orleans Police Department released <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new dashboard" data-vars-click-url="https://cloud.skydio.com/dashboard/nopd" data-vars-content-id="2a386128-7945-4de7-82aa-6a7dae410891" data-vars-headline="NOPD releases drone use map amid calls for program suspension" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cloud.skydio.com/dashboard/nopd" target="_blank">a new dashboard</a> with maps and details of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="its drone usage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/11/30/new-orleans-police-nopd-drones" data-vars-content-id="2a386128-7945-4de7-82aa-6a7dae410891" data-vars-headline="NOPD releases drone use map amid calls for program suspension" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/11/30/new-orleans-police-nopd-drones" target="_self">its drone usage</a>.Why it matters: The update comes after opponents of the drone program called for the department to suspend it over transparency concerns.

How Flock cameras are used in New Orleans metro

Flock cameras are just part of the surveillance in New Orleans.

Activists and citizens across the political spectrum are pushing back against license plate readers made by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock and similar companies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" data-vars-content-id="9c7664b8-1568-4682-b9ba-2b0b2eee1d11" data-vars-headline="How Flock cameras are used 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/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" target="_self">Flock and similar companies</a>, fueled by privacy concerns and suspected police misuse.Why it matters: Though touted as a boon to public safety, Flock cameras are suddenly emerging as the next big target of populist anti-tech, pro-privacy sentiment.

No, AI isn't answering all of New Orleans' 911 calls

A since-retracted story spread misinformation.

A recent news headline reported that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="58223740-241e-4d94-8053-0cec59817e7e" data-vars-headline="No, AI isn&#x27;t answering all of New Orleans&#x27; 911 calls" 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 replacing its human 911 dispatchers with AI.Why it matters: It&#x27;s not true, Orleans Parish Communication District executive director Karl Fasold says, and it pushed staff to go on the offensive this week to counter fears that someone won&#x27;t answer an emergency call.

Sheriff Woodfork pledges jail turnaround

Woodfork's been on the job about 100 days.

<figure><img alt="Michelle Woodfork, wearing an Orleans Parish Sheriff&#x27;s Office uniform, speaks at a podium." height="450" id="aca2dfb3-e004-40cc-ac7e-8809aa006915" src="https://images.axios.com/mjIC-0RaFTeBYsuGm7H1lnGIgLg=/2026/08/11/1786478265596.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Orleans Parish Sheriff Michelle Woodfork has been on the job for about 100 days. Video: Chelsea Brasted/Axios</figcaption></figure>On a recent night, Orleans Parish Sheriff Michelle Woodfork got a call that the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans jail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/11/17/new-orleans-jailbreak-locks-changes" data-vars-content-id="b9f5502b-1811-49f7-b8c5-d33993c31b5c" data-vars-headline="Sheriff Woodfork pledges jail turnaround" 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/new-orleans-jailbreak-locks-changes" target="_self">New Orleans jail</a> was short-staffed. She got up, put on a uniform and went to fill the gap herself. Why it matters: Woodfork describes her first 100 days on the job as the beginning of a turnaround for a department struggling with staffing, safety, funding and dysfunctional facilities.

NOPD cracks down on speeders in back-to-school rush

School zone traffic cameras remain turned off.

<figure><img alt="An SUV drives past a trio of New Orleans Police cops as one of them uses a radar gun on passing vehicles." height="450" id="3577b332-b7dd-475a-bae8-e788a273bb20" src="https://images.axios.com/NV_Lr34ZRUDGy4U_YIYH98IQTLE=/2026/08/11/1786457179120.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>The speed limit in school zones is 20 miles per hour. Video: Chelsea Brasted/Axios</figcaption></figure>Students are returning to class and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans Police Department" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/public-safety" data-vars-content-id="3f3a31d6-1065-4d73-9747-f9368941569a" data-vars-headline="NOPD cracks down on speeders in back-to-school rush" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/public-safety" target="_self">New Orleans Police Department</a> is cracking down on speeders in school zones.Why it matters: Manual enforcement is the only way to slow down school zone speeders with tickets while the city&#x27;s traffic cameras remain turned off.

New Orleans sees spike in e-bike fatalities

Four people have died on e-bikes since May, NOPD says.

Transit

New Orleans is seeing a spike in e-bike fatalities, officials say, amid a national surge in e-bike-related injuries, especially among young riders.Zoom in: Four e-bike riders have died in New Orleans since April, according to Capt. Buddy Micheu with the New Orleans Police Department in a press conference Thursday.

New Orleans on pace for lowest murder count in decades

Calls for service have remained steady, however.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="b5ea607a-39ca-4d61-90d1-bf0a1de7c6ba" data-vars-headline="New Orleans on pace for lowest murder count in decades" 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 on pace to record its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lowest number of murders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/19/homicide-rates-fall-nopd-national-guard-crime-trends" data-vars-content-id="b5ea607a-39ca-4d61-90d1-bf0a1de7c6ba" data-vars-headline="New Orleans on pace for lowest murder count in decades" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/19/homicide-rates-fall-nopd-national-guard-crime-trends" target="_self">lowest number of murders</a> since at least the 1960s, according to crime analyst Jeff Asher.Zoom in: That&#x27;s a remarkable turnaround for a city long plagued by a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="violent reputation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/08/national-guard-violence-tourism-louisiana-jeff-landry-new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="b5ea607a-39ca-4d61-90d1-bf0a1de7c6ba" data-vars-headline="New Orleans on pace for lowest murder count in decades" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/08/national-guard-violence-tourism-louisiana-jeff-landry-new-orleans" target="_self">violent reputation</a>.

New Orleans' new partnership with federal law enforcement is underway

The partnership aims to maintain low violent crime rates.

A new federal-local law enforcement partnership aims to &quot;build on the successes&quot; of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans&#x27;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="49dee28a-fc1c-4193-8a07-8a1a1be4bf47" data-vars-headline="New Orleans&#x27; new partnership with federal law enforcement is underway" 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&#x27;</a> recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="crime reduction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/01/06/violent-crime-murder-capital-improvement-statistics" data-vars-content-id="49dee28a-fc1c-4193-8a07-8a1a1be4bf47" data-vars-headline="New Orleans&#x27; new partnership with federal law enforcement is underway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/01/06/violent-crime-murder-capital-improvement-statistics" target="_self">crime reduction</a>, according to District Attorney Jason Williams.Why it matters: Even as local leaders tout the city&#x27;s 50-year low in violent crime, they say the job is never done — and the new partnership will provide a nuanced way to sustain that momentum, Williams said.