News

March 6, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

Mayor Helena Moreno Announces City Legislative Agenda Focused on Fiscal Stability and More Effective Basic Services

NEW ORLEANS-Today, Mayor Helena Moreno announced the city’s state legislative agenda, a group of proposed bills focused on delivering on her priorities for the people of New Orleans.

“I ran for Mayor promising to bring people together to press our city in a new direction and deliver on change through collaboration and urgency of action,” said Mayor Moreno. “This agenda, which was shaped and guided through deep engagement with our legislative leaders, our delegation, and with stakeholders in and across the region; centers on stabilizing our city budget and building new pathways to deliver on better services for all New Orleanians.”

March 6, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

Massive Expansion of Sales Tax Audits Underway by Moreno Administration in Effort to Collect Millions of Dollars Owed

In less than two months into Mayor Helena Moreno’s term, the city has 145 sales tax audits completed or underway, which is close to the total amount done in 12 months in 2025. This has already resulted in finding roughly $7 million dollars that has gone uncollected and legal action is now forthcoming.

For comparison, in 2024, only 26 sales tax audits were conducted. In 2025, only 173 sales tax audits were conducted.

February 26, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

New Orleans City Council Approves Ordinances to Advance Smooth Streets Program and Armstrong Park & Municipal Auditorium Strategic Master Plan

Today, the New Orleans City Council approved two ordinances that allow the city to move forward with key projects designed to improve daily life for residents and protect New Orleans’ cultural heritage. The funding allows the city to advance with the Department of Public Works Smooth Streets program and to begin planning for the future of Armstrong Park and the Municipal Auditorium.

February 25, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

MAYOR HELENA MORENO ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTION AND LEADERSHIP FOR RTA

NEW ORLEANS- Today, Mayor Helena Moreno announced a new direction and new leadership for the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA).

"The mayor is deeply focused on building equity and expanding regional cooperation in public transportation, and that is why she is moving swiftly to recruit new leadership on the RTA board," said Isis Casanova, Director of Communications for the City of New Orleans.

February 23, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

Lighting Repairs Underway on I-10 High Rise Through Mayor Helena Moreno’s Lights On Initiative

NEW ORLEANS- Mayor Helena Moreno’s “Lights On” Initiative continues to gain ground across the City of New Orleans as the I-10 High Rise bridge is noticeably brighter with lights beaming as you drive towards New Orleans East. As lighting repairs continue, drivers should expect lane closures on I-10 in approximately three to four weeks. For years, commuters traveled this stretch in near darkness due to broken lighting. As New Orleans Department of Public Works continues to repair lights under its jurisdiction in the area, commuters can already see the difference between the Lights On initiative.

“Turning lights on across the city improves public safety,” Mayor Moreno said. “The High Rise bridge, like lights in New Orleans East, is the first of many steps to address the lack of lighting across the city.”

February 19, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

City of New Orleans Announces Launch of Armstrong Park and Municipal Auditorium Strategic Master Planning Process 

NEW ORLEANS — February 19, 2026 — The City of New Orleans today announced a major step forward in revitalizing Armstrong Park with a $1m combined investment to begin development of a Strategic Master Plan. This funding will start the work on a roadmap to turn Armstrong Park into a world-class cultural space that celebrates our city’s history and culture.  

“This administration is proud to prioritize and secure the resources needed to begin this historic work,” said Mayor Helena Moreno. “Armstrong Park is hallowed ground, home to Congo Square, the birthplace of Jazz, as well as our Municipal Auditorium, a historic cultural institution we intend to revitalize and reinvent. This master planning project represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to honor that legacy while creating new cultural, community, and economic development opportunities for Treme and the entire city.” 

February 14, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

MAYOR HELENA MORENO ISSUES STATEMENT ON INAPPROPRIATE MARDI GRAS FLOAT

NEW ORLEANS —Mayor Helena Moreno issues the following statement on inappropriate Mardi Gras floats: 

“Let me be clear: the display is deeply offensive, unacceptable, and has no place in our city. New Orleans is built on respect, diversity, and inclusion. Actions that seek to demean or intimidate any member of our community violate the very spirit of who we are. Our celebrations, particularly those where our children and families attend, should be spaces of joy and unity, not exposure to hateful or harmful imagery."

February 12, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

MAYOR HELENA MORENO SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER PROHIBITING 287(g) ICE AGREEMENTS

NEW ORLEANS – Today, Mayor Helena Moreno signed an Executive Order prohibiting any public official from entering a “287(g) agreement,” the main method by which ICE deputizes local law enforcement to conduct immigration enforcement operations. 

“Immigration enforcement is not the mission of the New Orleans Police Department – it never has been and it won’t be under my watch. NOPD will never ask for anyone’s immigration status and will not be deputized under ICE,” Mayor Helena Moreno said. “NOPD’s priority is public safety — responding to violent crime, protecting residents, and building trust in our communities. We will always comply with state law while simultaneously protecting New Orleanians.”

February 11, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

Eastbound Morrison Road Closure for Improvement Project Begins February 16

The City of New Orleans announced today that the Department of Public Works (DPW), in coordination with contractor RNGD, will close eastbound Morrison Road between Mayo Boulevard and Bundy Road beginning February 16, 2026, as construction begins on the DPW574 Morrison Road Improvement Project.