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New Orleans' worst blighted properties, according to the city

Plaza Tower, Lindy Boggs and Canal Street Hotel topped the list.

News

Where to eat for Hanukkah in New Orleans

Holidays

Your guide to Christmas and holiday events in New Orleans

We go big with special meals, picture-perfect hotel lobbies, giant menorahs and bonfires.

10+ New Orleans Christmas parades and light shows

Celebration in the Oaks, a boat parade, creepy Krampus  and more.

Renderings: Luxury apartments to open near Metairie's Clearview mall

Rent starts at $1,495 at The Metro at Clearview.

Business

A $55 million luxury apartment complex is in the works for Metairie.Why it matters: Metro at Clearview is part of a multimillion-dollar <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="redevelopment effort" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/06/12/clearview-city-center-metairie-target" data-vars-content-id="ff909f91-a734-4161-aa0d-40d4ec2c2fdd" data-vars-headline="Renderings: Luxury apartments to open near Metairie&#x27;s Clearview mall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/06/12/clearview-city-center-metairie-target" target="_self">redevelopment effort</a> of one of Metairie&#x27;s busiest intersections — Veterans Memorial Boulevard and Clearview Parkway.<ul><li>It&#x27;s one of several projects looking to convert an area dominated by the struggling Clearview Mall into a bustling mixed-use destination.</li></ul>

Haunted real estate listings in New Orleans aren't scaring off buyers

Real estate signs in the French Quarter advertise "haunted" locations.

The &quot;haunted&quot; real estate signs in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="French Quarter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="1007b63f-127f-4842-afca-92fd33e36f7f" data-vars-headline="Haunted real estate listings in New Orleans aren&#x27;t scaring off buyers" 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">French Quarter</a> aren&#x27;t scaring off buyers, says the agent who created them.Driving the news: Finis Shelnutt, the broker behind Finis Shelnutt Real Estate Enterprises, has been hanging his haunted signs for 15 years.<ul><li>&quot;They get a lot of attention, I must say,&quot; he tells Axios.</li></ul>

Renderings: Developers plan riverfront park with restaurants for Uptown New Orleans

The Batture should be finished by spring 2026.

Two New Orleanians are proposing a new Uptown riverfront park with space for playing, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eating and drinking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/food-and-drink" data-vars-content-id="1a6f387b-6a1a-42dc-9e3b-35826c515ee1" data-vars-headline="Renderings: Developers plan riverfront park with restaurants for Uptown 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/food-and-drink" target="_self">eating and drinking</a>.Driving the news: The project, called The Batture, will be like The Fly but with food, drinks and &quot;other mixed-use elements,&quot; developers Ben Jacobson and Casey Burka of Federated Historic Holdings say.

Rendering shows a park with a covered deck on the Mississippi River

River District construction to begin by end of year

The project will include Shell's new building, a Topgolf facility, entertainment venues, green space, retail, at least one hotel and housing.

Real Estate

Developers expect to break ground on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="River District" data-vars-click-url="https://riverdistrictnola.com/" data-vars-content-id="0b8b8c37-1d63-4b0e-8811-668d2591c58c" data-vars-headline="River District construction to begin by end of year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://riverdistrictnola.com/" target="_blank">River District</a> development 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="0b8b8c37-1d63-4b0e-8811-668d2591c58c" data-vars-headline="River District construction to begin by end of year" 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> by the end of the year.Why it matters: The massive project will bring into commerce a long-empty stretch of greenway between downtown and the Irish Channel.

After 50 years, Dew Drop Inn to reopen in New Orleans

The Green Book-listed hotel and Chitlin' Circuit music venue is a part of New Orleans music history..

Once a must-stop for every Black R&amp;B artist who traveled through <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="1585d2e4-7e9e-452f-8920-5980e07b580d" data-vars-headline="After 50 years, Dew Drop Inn to reopen 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>, the long-defunct Dew Drop Inn is getting new life this fall thanks to a local developer.Why it matters: The once-blighted, Green Book-listed hotel and Chitlin&#x27; Circuit music venue is a part of New Orleans music history.

Redevelopment plans move forward for former Six Flags in New Orleans

The high-profile site has been vacant since Hurricane Katrina.

Development

Plans are moving forward to convert the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="abandoned Six Flags property" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/real-estate" data-vars-content-id="bc6de4b9-3964-4161-ac8d-9bc424d86699" data-vars-headline="Redevelopment plans move forward for former Six Flags 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/real-estate" target="_self">abandoned Six Flags property</a> in New Orleans East into a bustling $500 million complex with sports fields, waterparks, hotels, restaurants and shops.Why it matters: The high-profile site has been vacant since Hurricane Katrina, with the exception of temporary film production crews.

Rendering shows an outdoor water park in New Orleans

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 Orleans homebuilding permits drop despite national increase

A post-pandemic nationwide housing shortage is keeping prices high.

Just more than 23 new homebuilding permits per 100,000 residents were issued in New Orleans in May 2023, down from 25.2 in May 2020 — the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ul><li>Of the 296 total permits, 206 were issued for single-family homes, 43 for buildings with two to four units and 47 for those with five or more units.</li><li>That&#x27;s per a new analysis of Census Bureau data.</li></ul>The big picture: Nationwide, 42.3 new homebuilding permits per 100,000 residents were issued in May 2023, up from 32.9 in May 2020.

A blue line representing New Orleans homebuilding permits tracks mostly below a grey line, representing permits issued nationwide. The most recent data is for May 2023, and New Orleans shows 23.3 and nationally 42.4 homebuilding permits issued per 100,000 residents.

Share of $1M+ homes in Louisiana up since before the pandemic

Nearly 1 in 10 U.S. homes were valued at $1 million or more in June.

Roughly 2.2% of homes are worth at least $1 million in the New Orleans metro area, down sightly from 2.3% a year ago, per a new report from Redfin.Why it matters: Low inventory is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pushing up prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/17/housing-prices-affordability-rise-fall-2023-goldman-sachs" data-vars-content-id="2366508f-bf9d-482c-bd7e-0160e30372a4" data-vars-headline="Share of $1M+ homes in Louisiana up since before the pandemic" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/17/housing-prices-affordability-rise-fall-2023-goldman-sachs" target="_self">pushing up prices</a> nationwide and sending more homes into seven-figure territory.

The facade of a home at 5931 St. Charles Avenue shows French influence.

Louisiana homeowners locked up by "golden handcuffs"

Low rates are locking homeowners in place.

Roughly 54% of homeowners with mortgages in Louisiana have a rate below 4%, per Redfin data shared with Axios. <ul><li>That&#x27;s locking homeowners in place and leaving buyers with few homes to choose from.</li></ul>Why it matters: Mortgage holders are experiencing the &quot;golden handcuffs&quot; phenomenon: They might have a great rate now, but likely can&#x27;t move without spending a lot more cash, explains Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather.

GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early

Politics & Policy

Multiple GOP lawmakers expect former House Speaker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kevin McCarthy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" data-vars-content-id="dbdacc28-b2ed-40c2-a4cb-3bf4792a4d9b" data-vars-headline="GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" target="_self">Kevin McCarthy</a> (R-Calif.) to step down from his seat before the end of the year, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The potential exit of McCarthy — who privately told donors he is looking to &quot;get the hell out,&quot; according to a source familiar with the conversation — could leave the House GOP with an even narrower majority.

George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress

The House is slated to vote to expel Santos on Friday.

Ahead of a vote that could make him the first House lawmaker to be expelled in more than 20 years, Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) is introducing an expulsion resolution on Thursday targeting a House lawmaker from his own state. Why it matters: Santos — who faces an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="uphill battle in a vote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" target="_self">uphill battle in a vote</a> to remove him from office following a scathing House Ethics report — is seeking an expulsion vote on Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jamaal Bowman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" target="_self">Jamaal Bowman</a> (D-N.Y.), who pulled a fire alarm in one of the House office buildings.

Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social

Trump warned that his indictments have opened up a "very big and dangerous Pandora's Box."

Former President Trump has spent the last 24 hours on Truth Social unleashing a torrent of grievances, vengeful promises and links to online conspiracy theories about his political rivals.Why it matters: Trump&#x27;s online rhetoric has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frequently dipped into violent extremism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" data-vars-content-id="4ce9173c-4439-425e-8986-ec54c92037e6" data-vars-headline="Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" target="_self">frequently dipped into violent extremism</a> since he left office, escalating as his legal troubles have mounted. Public fatigue and the pro-Trump echo chamber created by Truth Social have at times softened the shock value of the GOP front-runner&#x27;s daily musings.

Scoop: Biden warned Bibi Israel can't operate in southern Gaza the way it did in north

The U.S. is extremely concerned that an Israeli operation in southern Gaza would lead to significantly more civilian casualties.

World

President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Biden" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/joe-biden" data-vars-content-id="caeda4df-4ee9-4a64-895d-e9305a0775b8" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Biden warned Bibi Israel can&#x27;t operate in southern Gaza the way it did in north" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/joe-biden" target="_self">Biden</a> told Israeli Prime Minister <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Benjamin Netanyahu" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/11/gaza-palestinian-authority-control-netanyahu-hamas-war" data-vars-content-id="caeda4df-4ee9-4a64-895d-e9305a0775b8" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Biden warned Bibi Israel can&#x27;t operate in southern Gaza the way it did in north" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/11/gaza-palestinian-authority-control-netanyahu-hamas-war" target="_self">Benjamin Netanyahu</a> last Sunday that he is concerned about a possible Israeli military operation in southern Gaza after the current pause in fighting ends, two U.S. officials told Axios.Driving the news: The Biden administration is extremely worried that an Israeli operation in the southern <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gaza Strip" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/21/gaza-strip-israel-hamas-war-demographics" data-vars-content-id="caeda4df-4ee9-4a64-895d-e9305a0775b8" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Biden warned Bibi Israel can&#x27;t operate in southern Gaza the way it did in north" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/21/gaza-strip-israel-hamas-war-demographics" target="_self">Gaza Strip</a> — where 2 million Palestinians are concentrated — would lead to significantly more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="civilian casualties" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/29/biden-netanyahu-hamas-israel-war-palestinians-civilians" data-vars-content-id="caeda4df-4ee9-4a64-895d-e9305a0775b8" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Biden warned Bibi Israel can&#x27;t operate in southern Gaza the way it did in north" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/29/biden-netanyahu-hamas-israel-war-palestinians-civilians" target="_self">civilian casualties</a> and deepen the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="humanitarian crisis in the enclave" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/13/gaza-hospitals-shifa-babies-humanitarian-collapse-israel-war" data-vars-content-id="caeda4df-4ee9-4a64-895d-e9305a0775b8" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Biden warned Bibi Israel can&#x27;t operate in southern Gaza the way it did in north" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/13/gaza-hospitals-shifa-babies-humanitarian-collapse-israel-war" target="_self">humanitarian crisis in the enclave</a>, the officials said.

President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 18. Photo: Handout/GPO/Anadolu via Getty Images

Exclusive: Biden emails 800k student loan borrowers about forgiven debt

"I hope this relief gives you a little more breathing room," the Tuesday email said.

More than 800,000 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="student loan borrowers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/31/biden-student-loan-forgiveness-debt-relief-proposal" data-vars-content-id="9a773fa1-fd63-42d4-a1a4-1019230c4bff" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Biden emails 800k student loan borrowers about forgiven debt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/31/biden-student-loan-forgiveness-debt-relief-proposal" target="_self">student loan borrowers</a> are set to receive a message from President Biden Tuesday afternoon.Why it matters: The email, shared in advance with Axios, is a direct appeal from the president to beneficiaries of his administration&#x27;s debt forgiveness push, as his approval rating among Democrats hit a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="record low" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/26/biden-approval-rating-democrats-israel-gaza" data-vars-content-id="9a773fa1-fd63-42d4-a1a4-1019230c4bff" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Biden emails 800k student loan borrowers about forgiven debt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/26/biden-approval-rating-democrats-israel-gaza" target="_self">record low</a> last month, jeopardizing his 2024 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="re-election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/06/trump-biden-presidential-candidates-unfavorable-poll" data-vars-content-id="9a773fa1-fd63-42d4-a1a4-1019230c4bff" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Biden emails 800k student loan borrowers about forgiven debt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/06/trump-biden-presidential-candidates-unfavorable-poll" target="_self">re-election</a> bid.

Biden speaks at a lectern with American flags behind him.

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