The Kenner Police Department received more than $440,000 from ICE and Homeland Security between February and May, public records show.

Why it matters: While the KPD did not confirm these payments were directly related to assisting immigration enforcement efforts, they were disclosed after Axios New Orleans requested records on those efforts.

The big picture: KPD is just one of at least a dozen Louisiana law enforcement agencies that signed 287(g) agreements with ICE, which pledge support for immigration activities.

• Chief Keith Conley signed the agreement in March 2025.
• Beginning last October, ICE began reimbursing participating agencies for the salaries, benefits and overtime costs of its 287(g)-trained officers, as well as additional funds for equipment and "monetary performance awards."

The intrigue: It's not clear exactly what the payments were for. KPD canceled our interview with Conley, and did not reply to follow-up questions over email.

• KPD produced five bank transaction lines totaling $440,296.56 in response to an Axios public records request seeking records from Sept. 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, of federal payments or other compensation connected to immigration enforcement, including "Operation Catahoula Crunch."
• Axios New Orleans also requested invoices, reimbursement requests, agreements and communications related to such funding, but KPD said no additional responsive records were available.

What we're watching: Headline-busting immigration crackdowns slowed down after federal agents shot and killed two people in Minneapolis, which was followed by a Homeland Security leadership change.

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Business professionals and technical workers are most likely to own homes in New Orleans, according to an analysis shared exclusively with Axios.

Why it matters: Some careers offer a much clearer path to homeownership than others.

The big picture: The occupations with the highest homeownership rates haven't changed much in the past decade, per the National Association of Realtors analysis of census data.

• But rates increased almost across the board, especially among service workers.

By the numbers: Management and business professionals continue to lead in New Orleans metro, with roughly 71% owning homes in 2024, flat from 2014.

• STEM and technical workers gained ground. The category includes engineers and computer scientists.
• The data also showed improvements for sales, health care, construction and service industry workers.
• The figures include Metairie, NAR says.

Yes, but: The rates dipped for teachers, truck drivers, police officers and firefighters over the last decade in the metro area.

Zoom out: The U.S. overall homeownership rate is around 65%.

• Explore the national figures.

Reality check: "It's not just about jobs. It's really about where those jobs are located, and how affordable housing is in those markets," NAR principal economist Nadia Evangelou tells us.

Between the lines: A lack of affordable supply is keeping homeownership out of reach for many.

• The national median single-family home price grew to five times the median household income in 2024, according to a Harvard report in October.
• "There are not enough homes at the price point people can afford to buy, and that's pushing even strong earners out of homeownership," Evangelou says.

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🔥 July was the hottest month on record for the contiguous U.S., per new federal data dating back to 1895. (Axios)

• In New Orleans, it was the 11th hottest July on record, the National Weather Service says. July 2023 holds the top spot.

🚧 Demolition begins today on the blighted Lindy Boggs Medical Center, aka Mercy Hospital. (Instagram)

• Plans call for it to be converted into a $100 million-plus mixed-use, mixed-income project with 200 housing units, ground floor retail, office space and open space. (Axios)

🏛️ A judge approved a $106 million settlement for the Hard Rock Hotel collapse. (AP)

• The collapse killed three people and damaged nearby property. The settlement covers claims from 490 plaintiffs who say they were affected.

🙏 Frank Perez, a local historian and LGBTQ+ advocate, died over the weekend. Carlie enjoyed her interviews with him. Rest in peace, sir. (French Quarter Journal)

🗝️ Mayor Helena Moreno gifted former Vice President Kamala Harris a key to the city when she was in town last week. (WDSU)

👋 Carlie here. Witches Brew Coffee is a new-ish, whimsical coffee shop in Mid-City.

The big picture: Co-owner Deanna Holdcraft opened Witches Brew in February as a cafe "rooted in magic, warmth and community," an Instagram post says.

• The "potions" menu has drinks like Faerie Fog, Blueberry Bog Brew and Fireside Ritual.
• There's an extensive loose-leaf tea menu that includes yaupon holly and fireweed, two options not commonly found in local coffee shops.

The vibe: More enchanted forest than scary creatures that go bump in the night.

• The counters are decorated with moss, beetles and cauldrons. Incense perfumes the room.
• Godwin is the shop's guardian gargoyle, and several customers left coins on him during my visit.

The bottom line: Witches Brew fits right in with our city's supernatural side.

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