Keeping Mardi Gras safe comes at a cost

Who pays for security at the Mardi Gras parades everyone loves?

Public health reporter Drew Hawkins reports that, oftentimes, smaller independent krewes foot their own bill. And it's getting more expensive after the New Year's Day attack in New Orleans.

Also, economic mobility reporter Stephan Bisaha visits the French Quarter to talk to businesses in the wake of that attack.

This week’s Gulf States Gem: Picks from a Carnival historian.

This episode is hosted and written by criminal justice reporter Kat Stromquist. The podcast was produced by Stephan Bisaha, Danny McArthur, Orlando Flores Jr. and Tyler Taboada Pratt. Joseph King is the social producer. Nellie Beckett is our audience engagement producer. Our theme music is by DJ Supreme.

To get in touch with the team, email connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org.

News

New Orleans has beefed up security for Mardi Gras. For smaller parading krewes, it's costly

Drew Hawkins

The city is requiring more police officers at parades this year, putting higher costs on smaller, independent krewes vital to New Orleans’ Mardi Gras heritage.

Listen • 4:04

Business

Tourism in New Orleans remains strong despite terrorist attack. Will the trend last?

Stephan Bisaha

The Super Bowl is in town, and so far, fears that visitors would avoid the big game because of January’s attack on Bourbon Street have not rang true.

Listen • 3:48