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SpaceX comes to Louisiana with $100B new Starbase

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SpaceX" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/03/spacex-stock-lockup-earnings" data-vars-content-id="1c0c5ab6-7e71-46f1-8d46-0f9b860b91a2" data-vars-headline="SpaceX comes to Louisiana with $100B new Starbase" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/03/spacex-stock-lockup-earnings" target="_self">SpaceX</a> is building a new spaceport on 125,000 acres in Southwest Louisiana, making it the largest in the world, the company and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gov. Jeff Landry announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAgPOiirX0o" data-vars-content-id="1c0c5ab6-7e71-46f1-8d46-0f9b860b91a2" data-vars-headline="SpaceX comes to Louisiana with $100B new Starbase" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAgPOiirX0o" target="_blank">Gov. Jeff Landry announced</a> Tuesday.Why it matters: The $100 billion investment will not only reshape <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Acadiana&#x27;s economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/news/spacex-launches-new-era-of-commercial-spaceflight-with-100-billion-louisiana-campus" data-vars-content-id="1c0c5ab6-7e71-46f1-8d46-0f9b860b91a2" data-vars-headline="SpaceX comes to Louisiana with $100B new Starbase" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/news/spacex-launches-new-era-of-commercial-spaceflight-with-100-billion-louisiana-campus" target="_blank">Acadiana&#x27;s economy</a> but it has the capacity to influence the greater New Orleans area, too, local leaders say.

Louisiana National Guard to end New Orleans deployment

Troops have been in New Orleans for eight months.

The Louisiana National Guard&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eight-month deployment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/02/national-guard-to-stay-in-new-orleans-six-more-months" data-vars-content-id="d6edce0f-a3fd-4b5d-bb28-e45330b2d312" data-vars-headline="Louisiana National Guard to end New Orleans deployment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/02/national-guard-to-stay-in-new-orleans-six-more-months" target="_self">eight-month deployment</a> in New Orleans is coming to an end, Mayor Helena Moreno confirms.Why it matters: The federal deployment became a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="political flash point" 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="d6edce0f-a3fd-4b5d-bb28-e45330b2d312" data-vars-headline="Louisiana National Guard to end New Orleans deployment" 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">political flash point</a> over who deserves credit for New Orleans&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="falling crime rate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/01/06/violent-crime-murder-capital-improvement-statistics" data-vars-content-id="d6edce0f-a3fd-4b5d-bb28-e45330b2d312" data-vars-headline="Louisiana National Guard to end New Orleans deployment" 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">falling crime rate</a>.

LSU dorm rooms get Instagram-ready makeovers

Social media is fueling a push for fancy dorm design.

Culture

Dorm rooms are tiny. The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dorm decor economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/06/26/dorm-room-moving-taskrabbit" data-vars-content-id="4f9222f4-adf0-4c57-acd6-c5bc10b03901" data-vars-headline="LSU dorm rooms get Instagram-ready makeovers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/06/26/dorm-room-moving-taskrabbit" target="_self">dorm decor economy</a> is not.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="College dorms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/dorm-decorations-kids-parents" data-vars-content-id="4f9222f4-adf0-4c57-acd6-c5bc10b03901" data-vars-headline="LSU dorm rooms get Instagram-ready makeovers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/dorm-decorations-kids-parents" target="_self">College dorms</a> are becoming customized, social-media-ready micro-apartments thanks to growth within the &quot;designer dorm&quot; industry and viral TikTok dorm tours and hauls.

Second-line season returns to New Orleans

Brass band-led parades are one of the city's best traditions.

<figure><img alt="A boy wears a plaid suit as he dances in a crowded street." height="450" id="8a30616a-beb9-4b41-a20c-a88380b1a232" src="https://images.axios.com/WZ8lRbDSoFVPHrcPzEH4pK4a8S0=/2026/08/18/1787080911890.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Second-lines are often family affairs. Video: Mario Tama/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Second-lines are back this week 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="f8e30a18-4321-4611-a688-a707814faba6" data-vars-headline="Second-line season returns 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" target="_self">New Orleans</a>&#x27; annual pause, when social aid and pleasure clubs bypass some of the worst summer heat. Why it matters: The season will begin without any of last year&#x27;s hubbub over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="potentially costly new rules" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/08/04/second-line-clubs-new-orleans-fees-increase" data-vars-content-id="f8e30a18-4321-4611-a688-a707814faba6" data-vars-headline="Second-line season returns 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/2025/08/04/second-line-clubs-new-orleans-fees-increase" target="_self">potentially costly new rules</a> for how the parades operate.

New Orleans awaits update on Elon Musk's proposed tunnel 

The NOLA Loop would connect two tourist destinations.

Transit

Elon Musk&#x27;s companies now have two potential projects in Louisiana: The newly announced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SpaceX facility" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/08/25/spacex-starbase-louisiana-jeff-landry" data-vars-content-id="86614934-bd54-4dee-ba50-178e6cc639f6" data-vars-headline="New Orleans awaits update on Elon Musk&#x27;s proposed tunnel " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/08/25/spacex-starbase-louisiana-jeff-landry" target="_self">SpaceX facility</a> in Acadiana and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="proposed Loop tunnel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/24/elon-musks-tunnel-boring-company" data-vars-content-id="86614934-bd54-4dee-ba50-178e6cc639f6" data-vars-headline="New Orleans awaits update on Elon Musk&#x27;s proposed tunnel " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/24/elon-musks-tunnel-boring-company" target="_self">proposed Loop tunnel</a> in New Orleans.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Boring Company" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/04/21/elon-musk-boring-company-value" data-vars-content-id="86614934-bd54-4dee-ba50-178e6cc639f6" data-vars-headline="New Orleans awaits update on Elon Musk&#x27;s proposed tunnel " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/04/21/elon-musk-boring-company-value" target="_self">Boring Company</a> in March selected New Orleans, Baltimore and Dallas as the winners of its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tunnel Vision Challenge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.boringcompany.com/tunnelvision" data-vars-content-id="86614934-bd54-4dee-ba50-178e6cc639f6" data-vars-headline="New Orleans awaits update on Elon Musk&#x27;s proposed tunnel " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.boringcompany.com/tunnelvision" target="_blank">Tunnel Vision Challenge</a>.

Amtrak marks a year of Gulf Coast service

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Amtrak" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/07/10/photos-amtrak-mardi-gras-train-tickets-cafe" data-vars-content-id="8d2f84f2-1e2f-43fe-95cf-5e6e44df8a3c" data-vars-headline="Amtrak marks a year of Gulf Coast service" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/07/10/photos-amtrak-mardi-gras-train-tickets-cafe" target="_self">Amtrak</a> marks a year of service Tuesday for its Mardi Gras rail line that connects New Orleans to Mobile.Why it matters: Passenger numbers have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="doubled expectations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/08/amtrak-mardi-gras-service-train-passenger-numbers" data-vars-content-id="8d2f84f2-1e2f-43fe-95cf-5e6e44df8a3c" data-vars-headline="Amtrak marks a year of Gulf Coast service" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/08/amtrak-mardi-gras-service-train-passenger-numbers" target="_self">doubled expectations</a>, though multiple fatal crashes have raised safety concerns along the route.

Spotted: Waymo in Metairie

There are about a dozen Waymo vehicles (with human drivers) in the region.

<figure><img alt="Image shows a blue Waymo SUV driving through a parking lot." height="450" id="584e5ac1-b261-415c-85d3-071f01a09f35" src="https://images.axios.com/_8sTRafViGVg8Wj6fQrOmekxfXY=/2026/08/12/1786562936088.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>This Waymo SUV pulled into a Metairie parking lot before taking off down Veterans Memorial Boulevard. Image: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios</figcaption></figure><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/06/15/waymo-testing-regulations-louisiana-city-council" data-vars-content-id="0ff07310-aeb8-46c8-a495-d783c34c6f70" data-vars-headline="Spotted: Waymo in Metairie" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/06/15/waymo-testing-regulations-louisiana-city-council" target="_self">Waymo</a> continues to test its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="self-driving vehicles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/02/25/fully-dressed-waymo-on-the-road" data-vars-content-id="0ff07310-aeb8-46c8-a495-d783c34c6f70" data-vars-headline="Spotted: Waymo in Metairie" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/02/25/fully-dressed-waymo-on-the-road" target="_self">self-driving vehicles</a> in metro New Orleans. Why it matters: The company hopes to eventually offer robotaxi services in southeast Louisiana.

Last chance call for New Orleans youth to get free RTA passes

Young people 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="bb4a0970-a7f6-45d2-9c69-c35885e898d1" data-vars-headline="Last chance call for New Orleans youth to get free RTA passes" 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> have only days left to sign up for free RTA rides.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Opportunity Pass program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/09/03/rta-free-fare-bus-ferry-streetcar-young-riders" data-vars-content-id="bb4a0970-a7f6-45d2-9c69-c35885e898d1" data-vars-headline="Last chance call for New Orleans youth to get free RTA passes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/09/03/rta-free-fare-bus-ferry-streetcar-young-riders" target="_self">Opportunity Pass program</a> has had &quot;overwhelming demand,&quot; a press release says, prompting organizers to discontinue sign-ups after Aug. 14.

New Orleans sees spike in e-bike fatalities

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

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.

Taxi rides could cost $1 more in New Orleans

Drivers asked for the surcharge to offset gas prices.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans City Council" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/politics" data-vars-content-id="22f8798d-750f-458a-ae11-7e30531ec14a" data-vars-headline="Taxi rides could cost $1 more 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/politics" target="_self">New Orleans City Council</a> will vote Thursday on whether to add a $1 surcharge to every taxi ride through the end of 2027.Why it matters: Drivers asked for the surcharge to offset rising gas prices and insurance costs, says Councilmember Eugene Green, who is supporting the proposal.

Waymo's New Orleans ambitions face regulatory hurdles

Waymo currently is testing autonomous rides in the city.

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/04/20/new-orleans-leader-has-concerns-about-waymo" data-vars-content-id="a36178f2-ee25-429e-bf6d-9d8d4cbe2a42" data-vars-headline="Waymo&#x27;s New Orleans ambitions face regulatory hurdles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/04/20/new-orleans-leader-has-concerns-about-waymo" target="_self">Waymo</a> likely won&#x27;t be operating an autonomous taxi service in New Orleans before 2027.Why it matters: City Council leaders began public discussions last week that could lead to laws that would regulate driverless vehicles.

New TSA tech aims to speed up lines at MSY

You have to pay for TSA PreCheck use the new Touchless ID option.

Passengers at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/23/msy-airport-expansion-timeline-parking-garage" data-vars-content-id="f43f9267-e20f-4c1a-88ac-95cdde5e7cf4" data-vars-headline="New TSA tech aims to speed up lines at MSY" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/23/msy-airport-expansion-timeline-parking-garage" target="_self">Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport</a> now have a faster option at the TSA checkpoint.Why it matters: Long lines at security are a vibe-killer for the start of your trip.

Elon Musk's latest idea: Tunneling beneath New Orleans

He says he'll meet with local leaders next.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Elon Musk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/business/elon-musk" data-vars-content-id="d4da4372-79a3-4e36-a3b6-cb91af21c995" data-vars-headline="Elon Musk&#x27;s latest idea: Tunneling beneath New Orleans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/business/elon-musk" target="_self">Elon Musk</a> wants to build an underground tunnel in New Orleans through his startup, Boring Company.Why it matters: We&#x27;re a city below sea level with flooding problems — and we don&#x27;t have many tunnels.

New Orleans airport plans major expansion

The master plan calls for a new parking garage and a second terminal.

Development

<figure><img alt="Overhead blue airport signs direct departures, arrivals, and the airport exit. A white van and a white truck pass below on a clear day, with palm trees, a wooden guardrail, and a blue sky." height="450" id="00f15d00-2a40-4c5d-b0a0-a6bf4df597c3" src="https://images.axios.com/9LwMInBOHbUdCFFADa2TbJU6zFQ=/2026/03/20/1774038766388.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>The expansion plan includes improved roads and a new parking garage. Image: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios</figcaption></figure>The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is gearing up for its next major expansion as passenger growth continues.Why it matters: Almost 85% of people flying into Louisiana use MSY, officials say.

A donut chart illustrating the distribution of body regions treated for e-bike injuries in emergency departments from 2024 to 2025. The head, face, and neck account for the largest share at 32.4%, followed by shoulder/arm/elbow (18.8%), leg/knee (18.6%), hand/wrist/finger (11.4%), torso/trunk (10.4%), foot/ankle/toe (6.2%), and other injuries (2.3). 

Transit 🚗

New Orleans awaits update on Elon Musk's proposed tunnel

Amtrak marks a year of Gulf Coast service

Spotted: Waymo in Metairie

Last chance call for New Orleans youth to get free RTA passes

New Orleans sees spike in e-bike fatalities