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

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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.

Bayou Classic turns 50 in New Orleans

Bayou Classic history began on Thanksgiving weekend in 1974.

Music

The Bayou Classic celebrates 50 years of gridiron rivalry this week.Why it matters: The annual matchup between Grambling State and Southern University is arguably the biggest rivalry in HBCU football.

Southern University and Grambling State's football teams line up against each other, with Southern on offense.

How the Saints do — and don't — impact New Orleans elections

Football context matters when a politician thinks about messaging.

Politics

If a politician wants to win an election, they need to be able to zero in on a city&#x27;s mood. And in New Orleans, that mood is often impacted by what the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Saints" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/05/12/nfl-new-orleans-saints-football-schedule-2023" data-vars-content-id="2b047229-7f33-49d4-b990-970939dc79ae" data-vars-headline="How the Saints do — and don&#x27;t — impact New Orleans elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/05/12/nfl-new-orleans-saints-football-schedule-2023" target="_self">Saints</a> are up to.Why it matters: As some experts tell Axios, being clued in on local sports can mean the difference between being seen as part of the team — or a hapless outsider.

Illustration of a fleur de lis on a voter's button.

Metairie to break ground on new pickleball complex

Construction should be finished in April 2024.

Sports

Jefferson Parish officials will break ground Thursday on a $1 million <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pickleball" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/06/14/pickleball-new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="77fa0557-2536-4ac5-be36-ae3f7222208c" data-vars-headline="Metairie to break ground on new pickleball complex" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/06/14/pickleball-new-orleans" target="_self">pickleball</a> complex in Metairie at Mike Miley Playground.Why it matters: Pickleball is the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fastest growing sport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/11/15/pickleball-sport-tennis-how-to-play" data-vars-content-id="77fa0557-2536-4ac5-be36-ae3f7222208c" data-vars-headline="Metairie to break ground on new pickleball complex" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/11/15/pickleball-sport-tennis-how-to-play" target="_self">fastest growing sport</a> in the U.S.<ul><li>Even former Saints quarterback Drew Brees is getting in on the action. He hosted a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pickleball tournament" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nolapicklefest.com/" data-vars-content-id="77fa0557-2536-4ac5-be36-ae3f7222208c" data-vars-headline="Metairie to break ground on new pickleball complex" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nolapicklefest.com/" target="_blank">pickleball tournament</a> over the summer and is part owner of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Major League Pickleball team" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/saints-legend-drew-brees-joins-ownership-group-of-major-league-pickleballs-mad-drops/" data-vars-content-id="77fa0557-2536-4ac5-be36-ae3f7222208c" data-vars-headline="Metairie to break ground on new pickleball complex" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/saints-legend-drew-brees-joins-ownership-group-of-major-league-pickleballs-mad-drops/" target="_blank">Major League Pickleball team</a> in Austin.</li></ul>

Photo shows players on a pickleball court

LSU women's basketball returns to defend championship

The team enters the season ranked No. 1 and is looking to defend last season's championship.

The LSU women&#x27;s basketball team returns to the court Monday night seeking to defend last season&#x27;s championship win.Why it matters: The team&#x27;s 2022-2023 performance rocketed the team to center stage, enshrining its best players with star status and granting coach Kim Mulkey with her first NCAA trophy for her home state.

For these LSU fans, the best designated driver is Amtrak

When the Tigers head to Tuscaloosa this weekend to take on the Crimson Tide, hordes of LSU fans will also make the biannual pilgrimage to the University of Alabama.<ul><li>Among them will be a group of friends who, for the 12th time, will take over an entire Amtrak car, turning it into their own tailgate on the tracks.</li></ul>Why it matters: Good friends make sure they&#x27;ve got a designated driver.<ul><li>Great friends make sure no one&#x27;s driving at all.</li></ul>

Illustration of a blinking light railroad sign that says LSU TIGER CROSSING with purple and gold lights

The Savannah Bananas are coming to Louisiana

The team is baseball's answer to the Harlem Globetrotters.

The wackiest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="baseball" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/sports" data-vars-content-id="0f29d756-a474-4e28-9ed1-617a39e34824" data-vars-headline="The Savannah Bananas are coming to Louisiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/sports" target="_self">baseball</a> team in America is headed to Baton Rouge for three exhibitions this spring.Why it matters: The Savannah Bananas&#x27; unique blend of humor, dance and athleticism has made the team a touring sensation and you&#x27;ll need to act quickly for a chance at tickets.

Photo shows a Savannah Banana's player doing tricks on the field

Caesars Superdome ranks meh on walkability

The stadium is set to host the Super Bowl in 2025.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Caesars Superdome" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/09/05/caesars-superdome-renovation-superbowl-2025" data-vars-content-id="63181253-57c6-470f-af69-70ded30e8ed4" data-vars-headline="Caesars Superdome ranks meh on walkability" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/09/05/caesars-superdome-renovation-superbowl-2025" target="_self">Caesars Superdome</a> lands in the middle of the NFL pack on stadium walkability, according to a Redfin company report that clearly doesn&#x27;t consider go-cup friendliness in its rankings. Why it matters: The Superdome is set to host the Super Bowl in 2025, and you can bet New Orleans&#x27; downtown will be filled with tourists as they bounce between bars, restaurants and NFL events.

Get to know Saints superfan Whistle Monsta

In about 1995, Mitchell crafted a giant whistle-shaped helmet, painted it and himself gold, and the rest is superfan history.

Culture

If the New Orleans Saints are playing at home in the Caesars Superdome, you can bet you&#x27;ll find Leroy Mitchell, aka Whistle Monsta, in the stands.Who dat?: Mitchell&#x27;s alter ego is well-known among Saints fans and NFL camera operators because it&#x27;s kind of impossible not to notice him.

Leroy Mitchell stands amongst his fell Saints fans. He wears a black Saints jersey and a black and gold helmet in the shape of a giant whistle .

How to watch Saints vs. Texans

The Saints are finally home after an eventful several days on the West Coast.

The<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" New Orleans Saints" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/sports" data-vars-content-id="914ca871-5486-4de3-b49e-97797523c190" data-vars-headline="How to watch Saints vs. Texans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/sports" target="_self"> New Orleans Saints</a> have one more chance to get things together during the preseason when they host the Texans on Sunday at 7pm.Why it matters: Roster cuts land Tuesday, so this is the final chance rookies and veterans alike have to make a case for why they should be on the team this fall.

How to watch Saints vs. Chargers

The Saints are coming off a wild finisher in their preseason start against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans Saints" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/sports" data-vars-content-id="8eb3dcb0-2fb9-4ce0-a220-b4febbbce141" data-vars-headline="How to watch Saints vs. Chargers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/sports" target="_self">New Orleans Saints</a> are on the road for the first time this preseason, kicking off against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a chance to see how the boys of the black and gold look on the road before roster cuts define who will make it into the regular season.

Jake Haener eyes downfield as he prepares to throw the football.

George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress

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

Politics & Policy

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.

George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers

Rep. Robert Garcia encouraged fellow Democrats to support Republicans' expulsion measure.

House Democrats and Republicans finally have something they agree on: booting Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" data-vars-content-id="4eec0a24-5338-46c4-8b6e-5526cda73c0f" data-vars-headline="George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) from Congress.Driving the news: In an email sent to Democratic congressional offices on Thursday, Rep. Robert Garcia&#x27;s (D-Calif.) office advocated for Republicans&#x27; resolution to expel the embattled Long Islander.

GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early

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.

Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote

Santos is the first Republican to be expelled from the House.

The House on Friday voted to expel Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) over his many fabrications on the 2022 campaign trail and his two federal indictments.Why it matters: The vote makes Santos just the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sixth lawmaker" data-vars-click-url="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" target="_blank">sixth lawmaker</a> – and first Republican – to be expelled from the House in U.S. history.

“How’s that going for you”: Newsom zings DeSantis over Trump at Fox News debate

The debate put the governors' escalating public feud on stark display.

In a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="prime-time debate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/desantis-newsom-debate-2024-fox-news" data-vars-content-id="f40a8543-f36a-4dae-8b03-147f8d0b3d60" data-vars-headline="“How’s that going for you”: Newsom zings DeSantis over Trump at Fox News debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/desantis-newsom-debate-2024-fox-news" target="_self">prime-time debate</a> Thursday often dominated by Fox News host Sean Hannity trying to stop the two from shouting over each other, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="California Gov. Gavin Newsom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/09/gavin-newsom-california-election-results" data-vars-content-id="f40a8543-f36a-4dae-8b03-147f8d0b3d60" data-vars-headline="“How’s that going for you”: Newsom zings DeSantis over Trump at Fox News debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/09/gavin-newsom-california-election-results" target="_self">California Gov. Gavin Newsom</a> repeatedly used former President Trump against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2023/11/30/ron-desantis-gavin-newsom-debate-where-to-watch" data-vars-content-id="f40a8543-f36a-4dae-8b03-147f8d0b3d60" data-vars-headline="“How’s that going for you”: Newsom zings DeSantis over Trump at Fox News debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2023/11/30/ron-desantis-gavin-newsom-debate-where-to-watch" target="_self">Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis</a>.Driving the news: Newsom came in with a theme — that DeSantis is &quot;trying to out-Trump Trump&quot; in the GOP 2024 presidential primary race — and hammered the point home.

Florida Governor and Republican presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis (L) and California Governor Gavin Newsom (R) appear on screen from the press room during a debate held by Fox News, in Alpharetta, Georgia, on November 30, 2023.

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