New Orleans faces rat problem amid pandemic

The city of New Orleans has seen a surge in coronavirus cases, quickly straining hospital staff and resources that were not ready for the spike. However, the precautions put in place to slow the virus’ spread have inadvertently led to a new problem: with no food littering alleyways from people visiting the city’s many restaurants, hungry rats that relied on the scraps have been driven out onto the streets. Omar Villafranca reports on how the city is combatting its problems.

• Mar 28, 2020
• 02:48

Coronavirus hits "close-knit" predominately black NOLA group

In New Orleans, the prestigious Mardi Gras Zulu Krewe has had at least 25 of its 800 mostly black members infected, with at least five dead. Mireya Villarreal speaks to Zulu Krewe members about the devastating effects of the pandemic.

• Apr 25, 2020
• 02:04

Mason Hereford shakes up the culinary scene

Mason Hereford, chef and owner of Turkey and the Wolf sandwich shop in New Orleans, was nominated for his first James Beard Award on Monday. Jamie Wax speaks to the chef about his story, and how he has rewritten the rules of the modern dining experience with his eye-popping and satisfying culinary creations.

• May 9, 2020
• 05:13

Racial disparities of COVID-19 in New Orleans

Shortly after the iconic Zulu Club showcased their annual Mardi Gras celebration, dozens of members fell ill with the coronavirus. New York Times Magazine contributor Linda Villarosa joins CBSN to explain why the death of Cornell Charles highlights the racial disparities of coronavirus in New Orleans and across the U.S.

• May 11, 2020
• 12:20

New Orleans musicians adapt to pandemic

New Orleans musicians face an uncertain future as the coronavirus pandemic has forced the city to cancel major music festivals and events. Some are trying to adapt by performing on balconies and in driveways instead of clubs and bars. Mireya Villarreal reports.

• May 9, 2020
• 02:23

New Orleans musicians perform amid lockdown

New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. All major concerts have been canceled, and the streets are no longer buzzing with the musical sounds the city is known for. The artists of New Orleans have found a way to continue entertaining audiences with live streamed online concerts, some right outside of their homes in the driveway and others playing to empty streets from balconies. Mireya Villarreal speaks to some of these musicians about their creative new performances.

• May 6, 2020
• 04:49

Sean Penn joins the fight against COVID-19

Actor and activist Sean Penn has joined the fight against the coronavirus with his nonprofit, CORE. The group have been helping manage free drive-through COVID-19 test sites and giving out free test kits in California, and announced new sites in New Orleans, Atlanta and Detroit -- all areas that have been underserved and particularly hard-hit by the pandemic. Penn speaks to Jamie Yuccas about why he is mobilizing on the front lines.

• Apr 28, 2020
• 04:43

Sean Penn's nonprofit to expand free virus testing sites

CORE is currently helping manage testing sites in California and plans to open new sites in New Orleans, Atlanta and Detroit.

• Apr 28, 2020

Pandemic: New Orleans, before and after lockdown

Photojournalist Sophia Germer, of The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate, offers a view of the effect of coronavirus on the Big Easy

• Apr 19, 2020
• 12 photos

Pandemic: A snapshot of life in New Orleans

Photojournalist Chris Granger captures a moment in time in the Big Easy, when the city became subsumed by the coronavirus pandemic

• Apr 19, 2020
• 20 photos

Food banks see surging demand across U.S. amid coronavirus crisis

An estimated 17 million people could now be facing hunger, in addition to those who already battle it every day.

• Apr 18, 2020

Louisiana becomes 4th state with more than 1,000 COVID deaths

Governor John Bel Edwards said it was a "grim milestone."

• Apr 15, 2020

Tyler Perry pays grocery bills for elderly shoppers

"You hear about these things, but you never expect for it to happen to you," one shopper said.

• Apr 9, 2020

Rats swarm New Orleans' streets as coronavirus precautions leave them empty

With restaurants closed save for take-out service, far less food waste is being discarded in the city's alleyways, driving the local rodent population out into the open to search for scraps.

• Mar 29, 2020

New Orleans mayor says she was given "no red flags" about COVID before Mardi Gras

She said federal agencies gave the city "no red flags" before the famous celebration.

• Mar 27, 2020

Drew Brees donates $5 million to coronavirus relief

The effort by the New Orleans Saints quarterback and his wife is one of the biggest celebrity contributions so far during the deadly pandemic.

• Mar 26, 2020

Southern states face spike in coronavirus cases

Louisiana, Florida and Georgia are facing alarming spikes, with more than 4,700 cases and 125 deaths in those states alone.

• Mar 25, 2020

The Dish: Inside Turkey and the Wolf

New Orleans has a world-renowned dining scene and more than its share of iconic restaurants, but just a few miles from the French Quarter, there’s a lesser-known establishment – a sandwich shop with a simple menu and no shortage of hungry fans. Jamie Wax reports.

• Jun 23, 2018
• 06:11

The Dish: Chef David Guas

David Guas was born and raised in New Orleans and started cooking Louisiana specialties as a teen. He started his career as a pastry chef and was eventually hired by a restaurant group in the Washington, D.C., area. In 2010, he opened Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery in nearby Arlington, Virginia, serving southern-influenced specialties. He's also the author of two cookbooks, both savory and sweet, "Grill Nation" and "Damn Good Sweet."

• Feb 9, 2019
• 05:39

Zion Williamson pledges to pay salaries of arena employees for 30 days

Williamson said he will cover the salaries for all Smoothie King Center employees for the next 30 days, as many are "still recovering from long term challenges created by Katrina."

• Mar 13, 2020

Mardi Gras Indians sing to woman battling brain cancer

"I can't walk with them this year so this was the biggest treat, the biggest treat," New Orleans resident Wendy Good said.

• Feb 27, 2020

Man hit and killed by float in New Orleans Mardi Gras parade

Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced Saturday night that tandem floats, multiple floats connected together and pulled by a tractor, would be banned.

• Feb 23, 2020

One family has built Mardi Gras floats for four generations

The Kern family holds a key role in innovating and preserving Mardi Gras parade traditions.

• Feb 22, 2020

Behind the meteoric rise of beer and cocktail prices

Bar owners have admitted to routinely marking up alcohol prices by 300 to 400%, meaning a $10 drink could have originally cost $2.50 or less.

• Feb 18, 2020

Ransomware attacks hit 4 U.S. cities this month

Florida, New Orleans and California faced cyberattacks that crippled some city government systems in December.

• Dec 17, 2019

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