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New Orleans weekend guide: Swampus parade, live music and more 

Learn about Joan of Arc and Filipino culture at free events.

Things to Do

October is here, bringing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="packed calendar of festivals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/things-to-do" data-vars-content-id="b2dcc758-2267-4229-9c51-6cdeeec990bc" data-vars-headline="New Orleans weekend guide: Swampus parade, live music and more " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/things-to-do" target="_self">packed calendar of festivals</a>, live music and a parade if the weather cooperates.The big picture: The forecasted rain in New Orleans has already changed some events this weekend.

HNOC hosts expansive Bunny Matthews exhibition

The exhibition is included with free museum admission.

Culture

A new museum exhibition and book explore the life and work of Bunny Matthews, the artist behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="98905084-c83c-41d7-ba1a-ca3a5f5dcd5a" data-vars-headline="HNOC hosts expansive Bunny Matthews exhibition" 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; locally iconic Vic and Nat&#x27;ly cartoons.Why it matters: The retrospective offers a gentle reminder that, for Matthews especially, sometimes loving New Orleans means recognizing its many faults, too.

The best things to do for Halloween in New Orleans 

We've got parades, vampire balls, witches brunches and more.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="89d21089-41db-4184-988c-a3a4baa8bec7" data-vars-headline="The best things to do for Halloween 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" target="_self">New Orleans</a> doesn&#x27;t need much encouragement to get spooky, but the city really embraces its supernatural side in October.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Halloween" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/01/halloween-haunted-houses-vampires-ghost-stories" data-vars-content-id="89d21089-41db-4184-988c-a3a4baa8bec7" data-vars-headline="The best things to do for Halloween 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/2025/10/01/halloween-haunted-houses-vampires-ghost-stories" target="_self">Halloween</a> isn&#x27;t just one night here. We get a whole month of vampire balls, witches brunches, parades, haunted houses and over-the-top decorations.

Coastal restoration efforts are working — but not fast enough

New research shows what works for protecting the coastline.

Climate

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louisiana&#x27;s coastal restoration efforts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/06/24/climate-migration-sea-level-change-louisiana-relocating" data-vars-content-id="da5bffb5-5f78-4ebe-8874-bcbe568de890" data-vars-headline="Coastal restoration efforts are working — but not fast enough" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/06/24/climate-migration-sea-level-change-louisiana-relocating" target="_self">Louisiana&#x27;s coastal restoration efforts</a> from 1984 to 2025 built or saved about 153 square miles of land, according to new research cited by The Times-Picayune.Why it matters: It&#x27;s proof the state&#x27;s mitigation efforts are working, even if the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rate of land loss" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/03/louisiana-map-shrinking-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="da5bffb5-5f78-4ebe-8874-bcbe568de890" data-vars-headline="Coastal restoration efforts are working — but not fast enough" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/03/louisiana-map-shrinking-climate-change" target="_self">rate of land loss</a> is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="only getting faster" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/15/new-sea-level-rise-forecast-warns-increasing-flooding" data-vars-content-id="da5bffb5-5f78-4ebe-8874-bcbe568de890" data-vars-headline="Coastal restoration efforts are working — but not fast enough" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/15/new-sea-level-rise-forecast-warns-increasing-flooding" target="_self">only getting faster</a>.

New Orleans garbage rate hike starts Oct. 1 

Low-income seniors can apply for a discounted rate.

Politics

<figure><img alt="Image shows a woman dumping recycling items into a blue recycling cart." height="450" id="24308891-02ca-4e78-95d2-6265dbf29acc" src="https://images.axios.com/qqkMxzLebKtsm4ewyHiP_iIakCM=/2026/09/24/1790274279679.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>New Orleans residents can get two garbage carts and one recycling cart for free. Image: Chelsea Brasted/Axios</figcaption></figure>The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="garbage rate hike" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/09/04/trash-fees-increased-monthly-council-vote" data-vars-content-id="4ad4d95d-d02f-48f3-8f87-74c45331e743" data-vars-headline="New Orleans garbage rate hike starts Oct. 1 " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/09/04/trash-fees-increased-monthly-council-vote" target="_self">garbage rate hike</a> goes into effect Thursday, marking the first increase in 15 years in New Orleans.Why it matters: Leaders say they can no longer afford to subsidize sanitation service from the city&#x27;s coffers.

New Orleans working to get cash payments for new parents

An expansion of the Rx Kids program is in the works.

Health

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="16ddc68b-9e87-47ea-9ccd-5df116f97636" data-vars-headline="New Orleans working to get cash payments for new parents" 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> leaders are exploring how to provide direct cash payments for new parents.Why it matters: The payments could combat poverty, which health officials say contributes to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high maternal mortality rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/30/louisiana-maternal-mortality-map" data-vars-content-id="16ddc68b-9e87-47ea-9ccd-5df116f97636" data-vars-headline="New Orleans working to get cash payments for new parents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/30/louisiana-maternal-mortality-map" target="_self">high maternal mortality rates</a> and other poor family health outcomes.

Jewel of the South to open ambitious French Quarter bar residency

The ambitious project will run for 30 weeks.

Food and Drink

<figure><img alt="A man in a fedora shakes a cocktail at a busy bar." height="450" id="1260de4e-f2df-4a20-86da-bf24980680ca" src="https://images.axios.com/9vdKyczgIWZ75joxbJCDkQsMwWM=/2026/09/23/1790192861510.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Chris Hannah shakes up a cocktail during a Dusse event for Tales of the Cocktail in 2025. Video: Chelsea Brasted/Axios </figcaption></figure>The team behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jewel of the South" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/11/jewel-of-the-south-dakar-nola-win-james-beard-awards" data-vars-content-id="36cd2a6a-d95e-4cdb-9ec2-52a1c97c6626" data-vars-headline="Jewel of the South to open ambitious French Quarter bar residency" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/11/jewel-of-the-south-dakar-nola-win-james-beard-awards" target="_self">Jewel of the South</a> are opening a pop-up bar in the French Quarter with theatrical, immersive production design and a rotating cast of guest bartenders, managing partner John Stubbs tells Axios New Orleans. Why it matters: It&#x27;ll be one big cultural exchange opportunity, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="36cd2a6a-d95e-4cdb-9ec2-52a1c97c6626" data-vars-headline="Jewel of the South to open ambitious French Quarter bar residency" 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; cocktail culture at the center.

How one New Orleans developer is tackling AI anxiety

Business

As <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national AI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/13/ai-labs-regulation-safety" data-vars-content-id="7e780d2d-f920-4332-80ad-2f7bedec2334" data-vars-headline="How one New Orleans developer is tackling AI anxiety" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/13/ai-labs-regulation-safety" target="_self">national AI</a> and political leaders <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="worry publicly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/09/ai-doom-regulation-stop-doomsday-kill-humans" data-vars-content-id="7e780d2d-f920-4332-80ad-2f7bedec2334" data-vars-headline="How one New Orleans developer is tackling AI anxiety" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/09/ai-doom-regulation-stop-doomsday-kill-humans" target="_self">worry publicly</a> about the new tech <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="killing us all" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/09/anthropic-insiders-warn-ai-could-kill-all-humans" data-vars-content-id="7e780d2d-f920-4332-80ad-2f7bedec2334" data-vars-headline="How one New Orleans developer is tackling AI anxiety" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/09/anthropic-insiders-warn-ai-could-kill-all-humans" target="_self">killing us all</a>, one New Orleans software developer is prioritizing supporting his staff&#x27;s mental health.Why it matters: As his day-to-day work transforms with the rise of AI, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Neel Sus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.linkedin.com/in/neelsus" data-vars-content-id="7e780d2d-f920-4332-80ad-2f7bedec2334" data-vars-headline="How one New Orleans developer is tackling AI anxiety" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/neelsus" target="_blank">Neel Sus</a> is putting his energy toward the 20 or so people who work for him — and hoping it&#x27;ll make a difference.

Fall migration is underway in Louisiana

Keep an eye out for hummingbirds and butterflies.

News

It&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fall migration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/04/28/bird-migration-louisiana-mississippi-flyway-common-species" data-vars-content-id="535eaa05-9884-415c-b432-f05160d30324" data-vars-headline="Fall migration is underway in Louisiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/04/28/bird-migration-louisiana-mississippi-flyway-common-species" target="_self">fall migration</a> in Louisiana, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hummingbirds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/09/18/it-s-peak-hummingbird-season-in-louisiana" data-vars-content-id="535eaa05-9884-415c-b432-f05160d30324" data-vars-headline="Fall migration is underway in Louisiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/09/18/it-s-peak-hummingbird-season-in-louisiana" target="_self">hummingbirds</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="monarch butterflies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/11/19/happy-migration" data-vars-content-id="535eaa05-9884-415c-b432-f05160d30324" data-vars-headline="Fall migration is underway in Louisiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/11/19/happy-migration" target="_self">monarch butterflies</a> and all kinds of birds heading south for the winter.Why it matters: You can catch the seasonal spectacle from your backyard and help migrating wildlife along the way.

LSU-Ole Miss: Trash talk, trolls and a record crowd

Here are some of the highlights from the rivalry game.

Sports

We are a house divided at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="352ef149-0c3b-48e4-b0e0-f416ec780f36" data-vars-headline="LSU-Ole Miss: Trash talk, trolls and a record crowd" 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">Axios New Orleans</a> after Ole Miss&#x27; victory over LSU.Why it matters: Chelsea is an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LSU grad" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/09/17/lsu-ole-miss-how-to-watch-rivalry-lane-kiffin" data-vars-content-id="352ef149-0c3b-48e4-b0e0-f416ec780f36" data-vars-headline="LSU-Ole Miss: Trash talk, trolls and a record crowd" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/09/17/lsu-ole-miss-how-to-watch-rivalry-lane-kiffin" target="_self">LSU grad</a>, while I&#x27;m an Ole Miss grad.

How a Louisiana nonprofit helped wrongful conviction go mainstream

Innocence and Justice Louisiana celebrates its 25th anniversary this weekend — and the 78 people its legal team has helped get free from life sentences. Why it matters: Once someone is convicted and faces a life sentence, their legally mandated representation generally ends after a direct appeal, even though other appeal options may remain. <ul><li>That&#x27;s where the nonprofit steps in, and its work has helped bring the idea of wrongful conviction into the mainstream.</li></ul>

What's next for the Turkey and the Wolf team after Hot Stuff's closure

Mason Hereford expects a new project announcement shortly.

<figure><img alt="A video of a person shifting green beans on a cafeteria line." height="450" id="2967d7bc-acec-43c4-b950-7d65bec06b43" src="https://images.axios.com/u_TeFpgQGKOeqlQr0-SL-DiyuEo=/2026/09/15/1789490454906.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Hot Stuff offers a cafeteria-style meat-and-three on Maple Street. Image: Chelsea Brasted/Axios </figcaption></figure><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hot Stuff" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/05/29/mason-hereford-hot-stuff-new-orleans-restaurant" data-vars-content-id="3548b584-ed07-4be6-9712-22d3822c1e1d" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for the Turkey and the Wolf team after Hot Stuff&#x27;s closure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/05/29/mason-hereford-hot-stuff-new-orleans-restaurant" target="_self">Hot Stuff</a>, the Maple Street meat-and-three from the team behind Turkey and the Wolf, is closing, and there are just a few weeks left to stop in for lunch.Why it matters: The closure <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdFILpLmGBQ/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1" data-vars-content-id="3548b584-ed07-4be6-9712-22d3822c1e1d" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for the Turkey and the Wolf team after Hot Stuff&#x27;s closure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdFILpLmGBQ/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1" target="_blank">announcement</a> came as a bit of a shock to fans, but restaurant partner Mason Hereford says the move brings with it a lot of opportunity.

How NOLA Ready became New Orleans' emergency megaphone 

About 250,000 people get the emergency texts.

Buzz. Avoid this intersection because of a building collapse. Buzz. The West Bank is under a boil water advisory. Buzz buzz buzz.Why it matters: NOLA Ready has become one of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="feae901f-630d-4953-b851-9e55428c6e15" data-vars-headline="How NOLA Ready became New Orleans&#x27; emergency megaphone " 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; most powerful tools for reaching residents directly, and the city keeps finding new uses for it.

News 🗞

New Orleans garbage rate hike starts Oct. 1

Coastal restoration efforts are working — but not fast enough

New Orleans working to get cash payments for new parents

Jewel of the South to open ambitious French Quarter bar residency

How one New Orleans developer is tackling AI anxiety