The key to New Orleans just got a redesign as one of Adler's final projects before closing.

Why it matters: LaToya Cantrell frequently gave out ceremonial keys when she was mayor. This is how Helena Moreno is putting her stamp on the tradition.

The big picture: Moreno's campaign used private funds to pay $13,875 for the gold-plated pewter keys, according to city press secretary Jonah Gilmore.

• The campaign bought 250 keys, plus matching organza bags and history cards.
• Moreno has given out more than 70 keys already to Mardi Gras krewe royalty, Gilmore said.

Zoom in: The idea came from two Moreno supporters and longtime Adler's customers, Adler's vice president Tiffany Adler told us.

• "Their request was for a new, more contemporary key to the City of New Orleans that would represent the beginning of the next chapter of our city," she said.
• Adler's has made ceremonial keys for other Louisiana cities. For this one, Tiffany Adler said she was inspired by Mardi Gras krewe pins and the chain fob from a pocket watch.
• The key has a fleur de lis surrounded by a crescent moon, plus the city's skyline and an outline of the Mississippi River. The back is engraved with Moreno's signature.
• Madeleine Moise designed the packaging, which also features Moreno's signature.

Zoom out: Adler's Metairie store closed Jan. 31, but the retirement sale continues at its flagship store on Canal Street.

The bottom line: "We were honored that one of the last high-profile original designs to be created under the Coleman E. Adler name would be to fashion this new key for Mayor Moreno," Tiffany Adler said.

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Jazz Fest is just weeks away.

Why it matters: The music and cultural fest is one of the city's signature events, drawing 500,000 visitors and generating an estimated $500 million economic impact.

The big picture: Flags are going up at the Fair Grounds and crews have begun building on the field, festival producer Quint Davis said at yesterday's press party.

• He released the daily schedules, aka the cubes, too.
• Shell, which has sponsored the festival for 20 years, also announced it has extended its sponsorship for another five years.

What's new: The Cultural Pavilion will highlight Jamaican music and food. Ziggy and Stephen Marley headline, while Sean Paul brings dancehall beats.

• Paul Rogers created this year's poster, which celebrates the 125th anniversary of Louis Armstrong. He's on a streetcar with other iconic New Orleans musicians.
• This year's BayouWear print is called "Rhythm in Blues." Inspired by Black Masking Indians, it features electric blue feathers and rhythm instruments.

By the numbers: The festival has more than 600 musicians and artists, with 85% of them from Louisiana, says City Council President JP Morrell, who spoke at Tuesday's event.

Headliners

🤖 LSU has a new degree: Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence. It's the first of its kind in Louisiana. (Press release)

• The Board of Regents approved the addition yesterday, saying it is needed for the "rapidly growing job market demand."

🍻 Check Point Charlie's is now closed. The Marigny bar was open for more than 35 years. (Facebook)

🧳 ICE agents were seen working at the luggage screening lines at MSY yesterday. (Fox 8)

• This video of a St. Charles deputy yelling at passengers is making the rounds too. Sheriff Greg Champaign says the video doesn't show the full context. (WDSU)
• Folks are also making silly AI memes about the long lines, like this one from Superior Grill and this one on Bourbon Street.

🚧 Plans to redevelop a West End property are getting momentum. The blighted plot straddles the Orleans-Jefferson parish line and requires support from both councils. (The Times-Picayune🔒)

• The New Orleans resolution was approved in committee yesterday and heads to the full council tomorrow.

Elon Musk wants to build an underground tunnel in New Orleans through his startup, The Boring Co.

Why it matters: We're a city below sea level with flooding problems — and we don't have many tunnels.

The big picture: The Boring Co. selected New Orleans, Baltimore and Dallas as the winners of its Tunnel Vision Challenge yesterday, the company posted on X.

• Musk's company says it will pay to build a mile-long tunnel in each city. The specific goals for New Orleans weren't released.
• This isn't the first time Musk has been interested in tunnels in Louisiana. In 2022, he talked about one to help with hurricane evacuations.

The intrigue: There's no word about who applied for the contest on New Orleans' behalf and where the tunnel would go.

• Musk didn't release a timeline either.

What she's saying: "We are in the early stages of exploring this project," Mayor Helena Moreno said in a statement.

• "Whether it is feasible or not, we've opened the door for conversations that could lead to opportunities, even if it's not this one."

What's next: The Boring Co. says it will meet with local leaders and perform geotechnical borings to determine whether the project is feasible.

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