Axios New Orleans

June 05, 2026
🍩 Happy Friday! It's National Donut Day.
- Krispy Kreme and Dunkin' have freebies today.
- Our fave local options — Bakers Dozen, District, Dough Nguyener's and Sweet Things.
Today's weather: Rain likely with a high of 84. Storm chances stick around all weekend.
🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios New Orleans members Connie Jackson, Mandi Wallis, Linda Baynham and Janet Roby!
🎧 Sounds like: "New Orleans Boy" by Assata Renay, who performs at the Creole Tomato Fest this weekend.
Today's newsletter is 766 words — a 3-minute read.
1 big thing: 🛞 Celebrity car show set for Bourbon Street
New Orleans is hosting a celebrity car show on Bourbon Street tomorrow at the site of last year's deadly terrorist attack.
Why it matters: City leaders and law enforcement have spent the past year restricting vehicular access to parts of Bourbon Street in response to the attack.
The big picture: More than 100 supercars are expected for the Gumball 3000, organizers say.
- They'll be at Canal and Bourbon streets, which is where Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a truck into the crowd on New Year's Day, killing 14 people and injuring 57 more.
- The intersection is still open to traffic during certain hours, but the vehicle barricades and increased security protocols remain in place.
- Other events have been rerouted off Bourbon over the past year, with authorities citing security concerns.
Yes, but: The Gumball 3000 supercar rally has a permit from the city, a New Orleans police spokesperson confirmed.
- NOPD officers will be working the event and there will be barricades.
- New Orleans & Co. has a marketing collaboration with the group for the event, Walt Leger III, president and CEO of New Orleans & Co., confirmed.
What they're saying: Bourbon Street is a venue that's hosted many special events, Leger says, and it's important that the city remains welcoming with its public spaces.
- Gumball is "utilizing iconic Bourbon Street to promote their brand in the way that the NFL used Bourbon Street to support their brand during the Super Bowl," Leger added.
- While it's a historic neighborhood, he says, it's an important business district, and conversations are ongoing about how to regulate traffic patterns.
What's happening: The Gumball 3000 started in Miami yesterday and is headed to Mexico City.
- The rally is stopping in New Orleans along the way.
- Celebrity drivers include the founder, Maximillion Cooper, and his wife, Ruff Ryders rapper Eve, along with "Fast & Furious" star Michelle Rodriguez, former Saints star Jimmy Graham, EDM superstar deadmau5 and other artists, athletes and YouTubers.
Zoom in: From 6pm to 9pm tomorrow, visitors will be able to see the world's most exclusive supercars, organizers say.
- NOPD will escort the cars from Canal Street into a "barricaded chute" on Bourbon Street where they will parade at low speeds for three blocks, says Diane Lyons with Accent New Orleans, who's handling Gumball's local logistics.
- Only the sidewalks will be open to pedestrians.
- From 9pm to 11pm, there will be a free music show.
2. 🍅 More things to do
Summer's here and our social scene isn't slowing down.
- Here's what's on tap this weekend.
🍅 Creole Tomato Fest: It's the fest's 40th year at the French Market.
🤣 LGBTLOL: Organizers say this is America's biggest queer comedy fest.
🌈 Black Pride Weekend: Celebrate Black and brown LGBTQ+ lives.
🪖 D-Day anniversary: The National WWII Museum commemorates the mission with special honors for Rosie the Riveters.
🇮🇹 Opera in the Piazza: Annual event showcases arias under the stars.
🌱 Sankofa Bayou Fest: Celebrate wetlands culture and check out the new birding trail.
💜 Purple Takeover: Party with DJ Soul Sister at New Orleans' annual birthday celebration for Prince.
3. Fully Dressed: 🥁 Band is back
🥁 UNO is bringing back its marching band program as it transitions to LSU New Orleans next month. The school hasn't had a marching band since the 1970s.
- It hired Eddie Williams Jr. to lead the program. He was previously at West Jeff and St. Aug. (Press release)
- The school hopes to march in Mardi Gras parades by 2028.
🚔 Law enforcement news:
- St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith is accused of assaulting a man during a fight at a Madisonville restaurant. (Fox 8)
- Levee District Police Chief Joshua Rondeno was placed on leave without pay Wednesday. (The Times-Picayune 🔒)
🧛🏻 "The Vampire Lestat," based on Anne Rice's books, premieres Sunday on AMC. It's a TV sequel to "Interview With the Vampire." (Axios' streaming guide)
☀️ Drought conditions in southeast Louisiana have improved dramatically thanks to the recent rain. (Drought Monitor)
💦 Splash pads have reopened in Jefferson Parish. (Hours)
- These public pools are open in New Orleans.
🏊🏻♀️ Carlie hopes the weather doesn't interfere with her pool plans.
🐣 Chelsea is on parental leave.
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Thanks to our editor Jen Burkett.
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