👋 Chelsea and Carlie here. We're handing the keyboard over to the next generation today.

Why it matters: We've heard a lot about how this mayoral election feels consequential for all New Orleanians.

• That includes the youngest voters. It makes sense to hear from them before Saturday's primary. (Our guide)

Be smart: Today's newsletter was written by Loyola University students, who considered big picture issues for the mayoral election.

• They did the interviews and research below.

Read on for their takes.

New Orleans politicians and grassroots organizations tell Axios they are working to bring Gen Z voters to the polls, but face a deep sense of distrust from them.

Why it matters: If mobilized, they could make a difference in local elections.

• Louisiana Secretary of State data shows that nearly a quarter of voters in Orleans Parish were between the ages of 18 and 34 (which includes some millennials) as of Sept. 1.

Zoom in: Organizations like Pumps to the Polls aim to get students to the voting booths.

• "We see a lot of Gen Z that have a lack of trust, not just in the actual candidates, but also in the democratic process," says founder Sherie Thomas, whose organization also seeks to make voting easier by providing transportation.

By the numbers: Younger Americans are wary of big institutions, which may be affecting how they show up to the polls, data shows.

• A 2023 Gallup study found that half of Gen Z had "very little" trust in Congress and 46% felt the same about the presidency.

What they're saying: New Orleans native and Loyola student Em Bay, 21, says Gen Z's local political participation reflects that distrust.

• "So many young people don't care about local politics. A lot of us just put trust in federal elections instead of the campaigns that really matter," says Bay, who's determined to vote this October. "It's not fair to complain about our government without trying to make any difference."

The bottom line: "I wish people felt like the state of Louisiana wanted them to vote, like voting was accessible," says Ashley Shelton from the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, a voting advocacy organization. "Yes, the system is broken, but not voting isn't going to fix it."

By Cecilia Calderín

Rent is often the deciding factor for Gen Zers debating between staying in New Orleans or leaving for more affordable markets.

Why it matters: The policies of the next elected mayor could have an impact on the housing crisis.

The big picture: New Orleans real estate agent Van Truong, who is a Gen Zer, says she's seeing her clients of all ages have trouble with rising rent prices.

• "It's not just a Gen Z problem, although it's tougher for us," she says. "The current pay and salaries don't match inflation prices."
• But Gen Z renters often rely on part-time jobs, internships or entry-level pay while juggling school costs or debt, which makes rising rent harder to absorb, she says.
• The average rent in New Orleans is $1,650 per month for a two-bedroom apartment, according to Zillow.

Case in point: Loyola student Liana Obiol, 20, says she couldn't afford a place to rent near her internship in Uptown so she opted to live at home on the West Bank and commute to work.

• Loyola student Ava Dufrene, 19, says she was priced out, too. "Apartment hunting without a roommate is almost impossible," she says.

What's next: Read how mayoral hopefuls Royce Duplessis, Helena Moreno and Oliver Thomas plan to address housing issues.

By Isabelle Kehoe Lopez

🚨 Cam Jordan's Old Metairie home was burglarized during the Saints' Sept. 14 game against the 49ers, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says. Two Georgia men are in custody, and JPSO is looking for another two. (The Times-Picayune 🔒)

• "Yah," Jordan posted on X. "That Sunday sucked."

⚖️ Louisiana's controversial law requiring the Ten Commandments be displayed in public school classrooms is going back to court. An earlier decision was overturned this week. (Louisiana Illuminator)

🚔 Louisiana AG Liz Murrill is reviewing Kyren Lacy's case. (WWL)

• Louisiana State Police released a new video yesterday — days after another video challenged the official timeline that led to a negligent homicide charge for the former LSU football player.

Many Gen Z voters are seeking a mayoral candidate willing to de-escalate climate change crises in New Orleans.

The big picture: A 2021 study by Pew Research shows Gen Z and millennials are more active than older generations in engaging in climate change advocacy.

• Dillard student Kobe Robinson, 27, says he'd like to see the candidates talk about water quality, pollution and other issues facing a city with so many bodies of water.
• Other threats include tropical weather, extreme heat and saltwater intrusion.
• A new analysis from the Urban Institute says Louisiana will face more than $4 billion in annual property damage due to extreme weather by 2050, writes Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick.

The bottom line: "It's going to require many generations' worth of work to fix some of the problems that we've created for ourselves, so [I'm] hopeful and overwhelmed at the same time," says Griffin Gansar, 24, president of the environmental science club at the University of New Orleans.

By Ludovica Ballou

New Orleans' next mayor must also focus on the basics — from fixing streets to public safety — if they want to earn Gen Z's votes, Loyola and Tulane students indicate in a small survey.

Why it matters: College students' priorities signal how young voters could shape the city's future.

By the numbers: In an online, unscientific survey of 82 Uptown college students conducted by Loyola's Pack News, 36% of students identified human rights as the most important issue to them this election.

• But the basics of city living — like public safety, affordability and infrastructure — combined for nearly 39% of the students' top issues.

Zoom in: That gels with what older New Orleans residents are saying, too. Go deeper.

By Dessadra Tezeno