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National Guard exits New Orleans as federal surge winds down

About 350 troops have been in the city since December.

News

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louisiana 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="e0350341-b3fd-452d-a914-ebc18ccae75d" data-vars-headline="National Guard exits New Orleans as federal surge winds down" 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">Louisiana National Guard</a> leaves New Orleans this weekend.Why it matters: The departure ends two months of heightened federal law enforcement presence in the city, sparked by Gov. Jeff Landry&#x27;s request and backed by President Trump.

15+ New Orleans festivals to put on your calendar this spring

Things to Do

It&#x27;s spring, the most glorious time of the year 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="e5c332d0-e0c7-4adf-859b-8738284deb05" data-vars-headline="15+ New Orleans festivals to put on your calendar this spring" 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>. Crawfish are boiling, it doesn&#x27;t feel like a furnace outside yet and everything is blooming.Why it matters: This is one of the busiest social periods of the year, with festivals almost every weekend.

Tree giveaway returns to New Orleans on Saturday

The NOLA Tree Project is trying to replace trees lost during Hurricane Katrina.

Residents in metro <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="837dc1f7-d869-43c3-bebe-c0d199dd5871" data-vars-headline="Tree giveaway returns to New Orleans on Saturday" 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> can get free trees this weekend at the NOLA Tree Project&#x27;s biggest giveaway of the year.Why it matters: Trees help absorb stormwater runoff and mitigate extreme heat.

National Guard to stay in New Orleans 6 more months

The federal deployment was supposed to end Feb. 28.

Politics & Policy

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Guard" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/02/25/national-guard-exits-new-orleans-federal-deployment" data-vars-content-id="a300a76c-7971-43c6-a701-75a4d99b6a72" data-vars-headline="National Guard to stay in New Orleans 6 more months" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/02/25/national-guard-exits-new-orleans-federal-deployment" target="_self">National Guard</a> isn&#x27;t leaving New Orleans anytime soon after Gov. Jeff Landry on Monday announced a six-month extension of the federal deployment.Why it matters: The move deepens federal involvement in local policing even as city leaders tout <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="significant drops in violent crime" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/01/06/violent-crime-murder-capital-improvement-statistics" data-vars-content-id="a300a76c-7971-43c6-a701-75a4d99b6a72" data-vars-headline="National Guard to stay in New Orleans 6 more months" 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">significant drops in violent crime</a>.

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.

The Super Bowl brought $1.25B to Louisiana

It was the 2nd largest pot for any NFL championship, officials say.

Money

<figure><img alt="Drum majors dance in front of a marching band. " height="450" id="3f7e08ab-7599-4479-affd-10c2313b4d5e" src="https://images.axios.com/xnyfQlJaNriTi8Ms3uAspXZ0KPk=/filters:no_upscale()/2025/06/03/1748969060129.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>The Edna Karr Marching Band drum majors show out during a Super Bowl media party. Image: Chelsea Brasted/Axios</figcaption></figure><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Super Bowl LIX " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/02/07/mardi-gras-indians-culture-super-bowl" data-vars-content-id="29bd75cd-56d8-4c01-998c-5a28a0b332a4" data-vars-headline="The Super Bowl brought $1.25B 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/2025/02/07/mardi-gras-indians-culture-super-bowl" target="_self">Super Bowl LIX </a>was one of the most lucrative Super Bowls of all time, according to a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="economic impact study" data-vars-click-url="https://admin.opportunitylouisiana.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ebpr-economic-impact-2025-super-bowl-la-economy-df-page-view1.pdf" data-vars-content-id="29bd75cd-56d8-4c01-998c-5a28a0b332a4" data-vars-headline="The Super Bowl brought $1.25B to Louisiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://admin.opportunitylouisiana.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ebpr-economic-impact-2025-super-bowl-la-economy-df-page-view1.pdf" target="_blank">economic impact study</a> from LSU.Why it matters: City and state officials rolled out the red carpet for the NFL with big promises in return for the region. Now, they appear armed with the data to back up what they&#x27;re categorizing as a huge victory.

Super Bowl a global hit but a clear miss for some

Tax and hotel data hasn't yet come in from the event.

Super Bowl

New Orleans leaders, city employees, artists, musicians, and hospitality industry staff spent years <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="prepping" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/01/09/new-orleans-super-bowl-lix-preparation-city" data-vars-content-id="6b4aa170-8c23-482f-a989-8d05334a8a0c" data-vars-headline="Super Bowl a global hit but a clear miss for some" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/01/09/new-orleans-super-bowl-lix-preparation-city" target="_self">prepping</a> for the Super Bowl and now that it&#x27;s come and gone, some are left wondering if the major investment was worth it after all.The big picture: The week of Super Bowl itself is already a massive event, but the city may not feel its biggest impact yet, New Orleans &amp; Co. CEO Walt Leger says.

Even without Super Bowl, New Orleans planning meetings will continue

The meetings helped get things done before the big game.

New Orleans may have never been cleaner and more put-together than it was for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Super Bowl LIX" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/07/30/new-orleans-2025-super-bowl-host-projects-checklist" data-vars-content-id="a7d0ad62-9cea-4157-8534-82353dd5ab0f" data-vars-headline="Even without Super Bowl, New Orleans planning meetings will continue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/07/30/new-orleans-2025-super-bowl-host-projects-checklist" target="_self">Super Bowl LIX</a>.Why it matters: It&#x27;s proof that New Orleans can, in fact, have nice things, but also raises the question as to why we can&#x27;t always have them.

New Orleans takes center on Super Bowl stage

Mardi Gras Indians and New Orleans music was the star.

Culture

When millions of people tuned in to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Super Bowl LIX" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/02/07/how-to-watch-the-super-bowl-eagles-chiefs" data-vars-content-id="81a2bd20-3b37-47dc-956a-537048d6e15f" data-vars-headline="New Orleans takes center on Super Bowl stage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/02/07/how-to-watch-the-super-bowl-eagles-chiefs" target="_self">Super Bowl LIX</a> on Sunday, they were treated to a New Orleans cultural spectacular during pregame.Why it matters: You didn&#x27;t know &quot;America the Beautiful&quot; could be such a bop, did you?

Taylor Swift, Post Malone, and more celeb sightings ahead of Super Bowl

See photos, video of celeb sightings around town Friday.

<figure><img alt="Cameras flash as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce hold hands on their way to a car." height="404" id="889b7830-32c4-4f62-adf9-fdd83e72c1cc" src="https://images.axios.com/UdkxjinTkFySV6OvWLJ6QGCKRPg=/filters:no_upscale()/2025/02/08/1739040098524.gif" width="720"/><figcaption>Taylor Swift, in black, and Travis Kelce, wearing a pullover, walk to a waiting car as they leave Lilette on Friday. Video: Courtesy of Layne Fincher</figcaption></figure>The celebs have officially landed in New Orleans for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Super Bowl LIX" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/02/03/super-bowl-live-updates-parties-events-celebrities" data-vars-content-id="92fc66b3-f8a7-4eb4-b48a-46d80011744d" data-vars-headline="Taylor Swift, Post Malone, and more celeb sightings ahead of 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/2025/02/03/super-bowl-live-updates-parties-events-celebrities" target="_self">Super Bowl LIX</a><ul><li>See who was spotted out on the town Friday night.</li></ul>

Photos: Kourtney Kardashian eats at Cafe du Monde for Super Bowl

Kourtney Kardashian and husband Travis Barker are in New Orleans for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Super Bowl LIX" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/02/07/super-bowl-lix-everything-you-need-to-know" data-vars-content-id="bc2609b1-a246-441f-9e72-587c2fa1e7ab" data-vars-headline="Photos: Kourtney Kardashian eats at Cafe du Monde for 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/2025/02/07/super-bowl-lix-everything-you-need-to-know" target="_self">Super Bowl LIX</a>.Why it matters: This is the weekend for epic celeb-spotting.

Bradley Cooper slings Philly cheeseteaks on New Orleans streets

It was hot and delicious too. (The sandwich, obviously.)

<figure><img alt="A man hands two sandwiches in paper baskets to a woman from the open front door of a food truck." height="450" id="34d06055-b5b9-4e05-b908-37292e9688e4" src="https://images.axios.com/tQq-mEUCVtC6_kE8vG-_oWVhjjc=/filters:no_upscale()/2025/02/07/1738959729251.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Hot, hot Philly cheesesteaks. Video: Chelsea Brasted/Axios</figcaption></figure>You know how to make the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sexiest man alive even" data-vars-click-url="https://people.com/celebrity/bradley-cooper-sexiest-man-alive-2011-on-people-3/" data-vars-content-id="ed45a709-9a56-45f7-94f9-9b61f37274b7" data-vars-headline="Bradley Cooper slings Philly cheeseteaks on New Orleans streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://people.com/celebrity/bradley-cooper-sexiest-man-alive-2011-on-people-3/" target="_blank">sexiest man alive even</a> sexier?<ul><li>Make it, the sexiest man alive handing out Philly cheesesteaks.</li></ul>What happened: Working out of his Danny &amp; Coop&#x27;s food truck parked on New Orleans&#x27; Magazine Street, Bradley Cooper handed out free sandwiches to unsuspecting passersby on Friday.

Best places to eat in New Orleans during the Super Bowl

We've got insights for first-timers and regulars.

Food and Drink

Welcome to New Orleans, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Super Bowl LIX" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/02/03/super-bowl-live-updates-parties-events-celebrities" data-vars-content-id="38d6a512-d570-43e4-8055-5ad42300a5f0" data-vars-headline="Best places to eat in New Orleans during 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/2025/02/03/super-bowl-live-updates-parties-events-celebrities" target="_self">Super Bowl LIX</a> fans. We aren&#x27;t going to let you go hungry.The big picture: These are our best food recommendations while you&#x27;re here.

Super Bowl LIX brings the world to New Orleans

From the music to the logo, New Orleans is in the spotlight.

<figure><img alt="Drum majors dance in front of a marching band. " height="450" id="115e1ad1-837e-4380-925a-4f5741b7996d" src="https://images.axios.com/GMpTcTAFMmdzcz9GWcb9lp5iK-E=/filters:no_upscale()/2025/02/06/1738873220128.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>The Edna Karr Marching Band drum majors show out during a Super Bowl media party on Tuesday. Image: Chelsea Brasted</figcaption></figure>When Jerin &quot;Jerk&quot; Beasley sat down to create the art that would become a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="limited edition collaboration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/01/17/how-to-get-new-orleans-super-bowl-exclusive-merch" data-vars-content-id="ca2d7b0d-c714-439e-8f2d-065a2e612734" data-vars-headline="Super Bowl LIX brings the world to 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/2025/01/17/how-to-get-new-orleans-super-bowl-exclusive-merch" target="_self">limited edition collaboration</a> with the NFL Shop, the New Orleans artist drew on the beadwork and feathers of Mardi Gras Indians. Why it matters: The resulting work, like the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Super Bowl LIX logo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/02/15/super-bowl-lix-logo-mardi-gras-queen-tahj" data-vars-content-id="ca2d7b0d-c714-439e-8f2d-065a2e612734" data-vars-headline="Super Bowl LIX brings the world to 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/2024/02/15/super-bowl-lix-logo-mardi-gras-queen-tahj" target="_self">Super Bowl LIX logo</a> that local artist Queen Tahj designed, threads the massive NFL event with the city that hosts it this year. <ul><li>And now, it all comes together this weekend on the world&#x27;s biggest stage.</li></ul>

Super Bowl

What New Orleans learned from hosting the Super Bowl

The Super Bowl brought $1.25B to Louisiana

Your Super Bowl hot takes

1 piano to go: Jon Batiste's now on display

Super Bowl a global hit but a clear miss for some