New Orleans houses turn into Mardi Gras floats
House floats are giving out-of-work artists big projects to work on, and lifting spirits in the Big Easy.
Mardi Gras
The Dish: Inside the Commander’s Palace
Along with jazz, the French Quarter and Mardi Gras, amazing food has always been a hallmark of New Orleans. It’s found in both local cafes and in famed restaurants known the world over. At one of the most renowned — Commander’s Palace — there’s someone new in charge of the kitchen. Jamie Wax speaks with Chef Meg Bickford, the first woman executive chef in the restaurant’s long history, about caring on a tradition while making a mark of her own.
New Orleans announces new restrictions for Mardi Gras
The restrictions will last from February 12 to February 16.
New Orleans houses become Mardi Gras floats
Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans have been canceled for this year – but that's not stopping residents from celebrating in a big way. Thousands of houses have been transformed into floats.
"The Whole Gritty City" has some unusual cinematographers. Filmmakers Richard Barber and Andre Lambertson gave digital cameras to some of their young subjects and the result is an intimate look at a dangerous world from a child's point of view.
"The Whole Gritty City" filmmakers gave digital cameras to some of their young subjects. The result is an intimate look at a dangerous world from a child's point of view. One boy narrates his walk to school, "This is the street I don't like, 'cause it has guns." For more: "48 Hours Presents: the Whole Gritty City"
"The Whole Gritty City", airing Saturday, Feb. 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, follows three New Orleans marching bands. The bands' directors do more than prepare students to march in Mardi Gras parades
"The Whole Gritty City", airing Saturday, Feb. 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, follows three New Orleans marching bands. The bands' directors do more than prepare students to march in Mardi Gras parades: they battle for their lives and souls against the lures and dangers of the streets.
New Orleans P.D. Officer Shelita Haynes responds to shootings nearly every night. Many of the victims are around the same age as her teenage sons. But Haynes finds comfort knowing her sons are in the L.E. Rabouin H.S. Marching Band.
Officer Shelita Haynes with the New Orleans P.D. Crime Scene Unit responds to shootings nearly every night. Many of the victims are around the same age as her teenage sons, Jerome and Jamal. But Officer Haynes finds comfort knowing her sons are in the L.E. Rabouin High School Marching Band. Within the walls of the band room there is safety from the streets. More: "48 Hours Presents: the Whole Gritty City"
Go behind the scenes as the L.E. Rabouin H.S. Marching Band rehearses before a parade. Director Lonzie Jackson demands excellence from the band, flag team and cheerleaders.
Go behind the scenes as the L.E. Rabouin High School Marching Band rehearses before a Mardi Gras parade. Director Lonzie Jackson demands excellence from the band, flag team and cheerleaders. For more: "48 Hours Presents: the Whole Gritty City"
Four months before The Roots of Music Marching Band started it's very first Mardi Gras parade season, students didn't even have all their instruments. But that didn't stop band founder Derrick Tabb from teaching his young musicians how to play drums.
Four months before The Roots of Music Marching Band started it's very first Mardi Gras parade season, students didn't even have all their instruments. But that didn't stop band founder Derrick Tabb from teaching his young musicians how to play drums. For more: "48 Hours Presents: the Whole Gritty City"
Family is oldest creator of Mardi Gras floats
Mardi Gras floats have long been part of the big day’s Pre-Lenten celebration. One family has been building them for four generations. Jamie Wax reports.
2nd person killed by Mardi Gras float
New Orleans has banned all tandem floats after another deadly Mardi Gras accident. Both people were killed after being trapped between the linked floats.
Mardi Gras Indians give special performance
A New Orleans woman has photographed and documented the stories of the Mardi Gras Indians for years. But she was diagnosed with brain cancer in Spring 2019 and hasn't been able to cover their work.
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.
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.
New Orleans could run out of ventilators in early April, governor warns
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said that a 17-year-old is now among the dead.
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.
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.
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.
2 dead after driver plows into crowd
Police suspect the driver, Tashonty Toney, 32, was impaired when he killed two people and injured seven others Saturday in New Orleans. Most of the victims were riding bikes on a busy thoroughfare as large crowds gathered in the city for Mardi Gras.
Police: Driver in New Orleans crash that killed 2 was likely impaired
Tashonty Toney, 32, was arrested at the scene of the crash where people had been gathering for Mardi Gras
Calendar: Week of March 4
From a Monkee's birthday to the 60th anniversary of Barbie, "Sunday Morning" takes a look at some notable events of the week ahead
3 shot dead, 5 wounded amid Mardi Gras celebrations
Police are seeking multiple suspects in three separate shootings that broke out during Tuesday's Mardi Gras festivities
Mardi Gras parade-goers disturbed by blackface figurines
"I thought maybe they were salt shakers or something like that. ... But the more I thought about it, the more upset I became about it."
Calendar: Week of February 12
From Fat Tuesday to Random Acts of Kindness Day, "Sunday Morning" takes a look at some notable events of the week ahead
Car drives into marching band at Mardi Gras parade in Alabama
12 high school and middle school students injured, several critically, when elderly man's car hits marching band in Gulf Shores, Ala.
Live
Trump says U.S. will continue blockade after Iran says strait "completely open"
President Trump has welcomed Iran's announcement that the Strait of Hormuz is "completely open" to all ships.
Exclusive
CBS News took a boat into the Strait of Hormuz. Here's what we saw.
Reporters from CBS News carefully arranged a risky trip into the Strait of Hormuz. Here's what they saw.
Trump says Iranians have "agreed to everything," including removal of enriched uranium
President Trump spoke with CBS News Friday in a new telephone interview.
How the dispute between Trump and Pope Leo escalated
President Trump has lobbed insults at Pope Leo XIV in response to his criticisms of the war in Iran, marking an unusually pronounced rupture between the leaders of the world's most powerful country and the world's largest Christian denomination.
U.S. delegation visited Cuba last week as Trump heaped pressure on island
A delegation of senior State Department representatives traveled to Cuba via a U.S. government plane last week, officials said, a diplomatic opening amid intense pressure from the Trump administration.
Lead prosecutor on probe into John Brennan is removed from case, sources say
Maria Medetis Long, who was overseeing a criminal investigation into whether former CIA Director John Brennan lied to Congress is no longer assigned to the case.
Thomas, Alito not planning to retire from Supreme Court this year, sources say
Sources close to Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas tell CBS News neither is planning to retire this year.
Judge blocks Nexstar's acquisition of Tegna until antitrust suit resolved
The deal, approved by the FCC, would create a company that owns 265 television stations in 44 states and Washington, D.C.
Cuban man dies in ICE custody in Miami after apparent suicide attempt, agency says
A 27-year-old Cuban man died in ICE custody in Miami after an apparent suicide attempt, the agency said, adding to a string of recent detainee deaths locally and nationwide.
U.S.
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Judge blocks Nexstar's acquisition of Tegna until antitrust suit resolved
The deal, approved by the FCC, would create a company that owns 265 television stations in 44 states and Washington, D.C.
How the dispute between Trump and Pope Leo escalated
President Trump has lobbed insults at Pope Leo XIV in response to his criticisms of the war in Iran, marking an unusually pronounced rupture between the leaders of the world's most powerful country and the world's largest Christian denomination.
Reported tornado in Lena, Illinois, causes major damage; town is shut down
A reported tornado in Lena, Illinois, about 47 miles west of Rockford, has caused extensive storm damage, including possibly to schools that had students inside at the time.
Spirit Airlines reached out to Trump administration for emergency bailout
Spirit executives and other low-cost carriers are expected to meet with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy next week.
Airlines cut routes in response to rising jet fuel costs amid Iran war
Rising jet fuel prices are forcing airlines to cut routes and trim schedules.
MoneyWatch
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Judge blocks Nexstar's acquisition of Tegna until antitrust suit resolved
The deal, approved by the FCC, would create a company that owns 265 television stations in 44 states and Washington, D.C.
Airlines cut routes in response to rising jet fuel costs amid Iran war
Rising jet fuel prices are forcing airlines to cut routes and trim schedules.
Oil prices plummet after Iran says Strait of Hormuz is "completely open"
Prices dropped after Iran's foreign minister said the Strait of Hormuz is "completely open" for the remainder of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire.
Here's who is spending money on AI subscriptions, and how much they cost
Households are starting to make room in their budgets for spending on generative AI subscriptions, new data shows.
Ford recalls nearly 1.4 million pickup trucks due to gearshift issue
The recall affects F-150 vehicles quipped with a six-speed automatic transmission produced between March 12, 2014, and Aug. 18, 2017, according to NHTSA.
Politics
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Judge blocks Nexstar's acquisition of Tegna until antitrust suit resolved
The deal, approved by the FCC, would create a company that owns 265 television stations in 44 states and Washington, D.C.
U.S. delegation visited Cuba last week as Trump heaped pressure on island
A delegation of senior State Department representatives traveled to Cuba via a U.S. government plane last week, officials said, a diplomatic opening amid intense pressure from the Trump administration.
How the dispute between Trump and Pope Leo escalated
President Trump has lobbed insults at Pope Leo XIV in response to his criticisms of the war in Iran, marking an unusually pronounced rupture between the leaders of the world's most powerful country and the world's largest Christian denomination.
Thomas, Alito not planning to retire from Supreme Court this year, sources say
Sources close to Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas tell CBS News neither is planning to retire this year.
Lead prosecutor on probe into John Brennan is removed from case, sources say
Maria Medetis Long, who was overseeing a criminal investigation into whether former CIA Director John Brennan lied to Congress is no longer assigned to the case.
HealthWatch
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HealthWatch
Dr. Erica Schwartz nominated for CDC director
President Trump nominated a new director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday. Dr. Erica Schwartz is a former deputy surgeon general and retired Coast Guard rear admiral.
RFK Jr. defends proposed 12% health budget cut, measles response in House testimony
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified before the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday, kicking off an expected sprint of seven budget hearings he'll attend over the next week.
Trump announces he's nominating Dr. Erica Schwartz for CDC director
CBS News reported Wednesday that Dr. Erica Schwartz was emerging as the president's top pick for the role.
Exclusive
Trump to sign executive order on psychedelic drug used abroad to treat PTSD
Ibogaine is used in Mexico and the Caribbean to treat depression, anxiety, addiction and brain trauma.
As U.S. birth rate falls, Trump officials downplay contraception in Title X program
According to new CDC data, there were 3.6 million U.S. births in 2025, a 1% decline from 2024 and down 23% since 2007. The Trump administration has said it wants to reverse this trend.
World
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U.S. delegation visited Cuba last week as Trump heaped pressure on island
A delegation of senior State Department representatives traveled to Cuba via a U.S. government plane last week, officials said, a diplomatic opening amid intense pressure from the Trump administration.
How the dispute between Trump and Pope Leo escalated
President Trump has lobbed insults at Pope Leo XIV in response to his criticisms of the war in Iran, marking an unusually pronounced rupture between the leaders of the world's most powerful country and the world's largest Christian denomination.
Trump says Iranians have "agreed to everything," including removal of enriched uranium
President Trump spoke with CBS News Friday in a new telephone interview.
U.S. could send senior officials back to Pakistan for Iran talks within days, sources say
The Trump administration is considering a renewed diplomatic push that could send officials back to Pakistan within days, sources said.
Exclusive
CBS News took a boat into the Strait of Hormuz. Here's what we saw.
Reporters from CBS News carefully arranged a risky trip into the Strait of Hormuz. Here's what they saw.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
What we know about d4vd's arrest
David Burke, a singer who performs under the name d4vd, is behind bars on suspicion of murder. He was arrested after the body of a 14-year-old girl was found in the trunk of his Tesla in September 2025. Matt Gutman reports.
AI version of Val Kilmer to star in new movie
Actor Val Kilmer died last April, and yet he is starring in a new movie, made after his death. Jo Ling Kent reports on how filmmakers resurrected his voice and image by using artificial intelligence.
Surprise twist in "Survivor 50" elimination
(Warning: Spoilers ahead!) "CBS Mornings" reveals a surprising twist in Wednesday's "Survivor 50" episode that led to a historic trial council ceremony.
More on Live Nation, Ticketmaster ruling
A jury ruled that Live Nation and Ticketmaster operated as an illegal monopoly. Variety's Jem Aswad joins CBS News with more.
Simon Helberg on "The Audacity"
Simon Helberg, known for his role as Howard in "The Big Bang Theory," talks about the new show "The Audacity." Helberg plays a developer who is creating an AI companion. He explains what drew him to the role and discusses the show's messages about humanity and technology.
Technology
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Technology
Experts have warning for AI-generated podcasts
Millions of Americans get health information from podcasts. Now, some medical experts are warning about the harmful impacts of misinformation on these programs. CBS News medical contributor Dr. Céline Gounder has more.
AI "agents" can do your shopping. Should you let them?
Big retailers are embracing agentic commerce as a new way to shop. But you should think twice before handing over your credit card, tech experts say.
How AI powered robots are helping small farms
From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.
AI version of Val Kilmer to star in new movie
Actor Val Kilmer died last April, and yet he is starring in a new movie, made after his death. Jo Ling Kent reports on how filmmakers resurrected his voice and image by using artificial intelligence.
Key takeaways on Anthropic's new AI model
More concerns are emerging about Anthropic's new Mythos AI model. Matt Shumer, a former AI company founder and CEO, joins CBS News with more details.
Science
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First major forecast for 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is released
Colorado State University has released its annual Atlantic hurricane forecast, predicting 13 named storms and six hurricanes may develop during the 2026 season.
Creature thought to be world's oldest octopus isn't an octopus after all
Scientists have found evidence that a 300-million-year-old sea creature previously thought to be the world's oldest octopus is actually a nautilus relative.
March smashed heat records in several ways, federal data shows
Last month was the hottest March on record for the Lower 48 states, by the most for any month ever, federal data shows. And a forecast El Niño could heat Earth even more.
Emperor penguins listed as endangered species
The emperor penguin has been declared an endangered species as climate change pushes the icon of Antarctica a step closer to extinction, the global authority on threatened wildlife says.
Stunning photos from Artemis II show Earth, moon, eclipse from space
The astronauts aboard Artemis II are the first humans to see some parts of the far side of the moon with the naked eye.
Crime
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Crime
What we know about d4vd's arrest
David Burke, a singer who performs under the name d4vd, is behind bars on suspicion of murder. He was arrested after the body of a 14-year-old girl was found in the trunk of his Tesla in September 2025. Matt Gutman reports.
Why Todd Lyons is leaving his ICE role
Acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons is planning to leave his post soon, U.S. officials familiar with his plan told CBS News. Camilo Montoya-Galvez reports.
ICE agent faces assault charges
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Gregory Morgan Jr. of Temple Hills, Maryland, is facing assault charges for allegedly pointing a gun at two people in Minnesota. CBS News' Jonah Kaplan reports.
Activist recalls surviving assassination attempt caught on video
An environmentalist who survived an assassination attempt spoke during the presentation of a report that documented the killing of 10 activists in Mexico in 2025.
Gallego reacts to misconduct allegations
Arizona Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego is denying allegations of misconduct after his friend, California Rep. Eric Swalwell, resigned from his post over sexual misconduct accusations. CBS News' Nikole Killion reports.
Space
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Artemis II crew on historic moon mission and what it means for Earth
"We are carrying back everything we learned, not only about where we went but ourselves," mission specialist Christina Koch told "CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil.
Artemis II astronauts still awed by moonshot experience: "It was otherworldly"
The four Artemis II astronauts struggled to describe the view and overall experience of flying around the moon's far side and witnessing a solar eclipse in deep space.
"God of chaos" asteroid will pass close to Earth in 3 years, NASA says
People on the ground in the Eastern Hemisphere will be able to observe the asteroid with their own eyes, weather permitting, according to NASA.
Artemis II astronauts welcomed home to Houston after historic moonshot
The Artemis II astronauts flew back to the Johnson Space Center in Houston Saturday to cheers and applause from family members and hundreds of NASA workers.
9 highlights from Artemis II's epic journey around the moon
The Artemis II crew's nine-day moon mission set a record for the farthest any human has ever traveled from Earth. Here's a look at the key moments.
Latest Galleries
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Notable Deaths in 2026
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Evidence in the Barbara Kendhammer case
Does the evidence show a cover-up, or was Todd Kendhammer wrongfully convicted for the murder of his wife?
The life & near death of prizefighter Christy Salters-Martin
Christy Salters-Martin dominated in the boxing ring but faced her toughest challenger at home.
Timeline: The disappearance of George Smith
Family seeks answers in death of newlywed who disappeared in 2005 while on Mediterranean honeymoon cruise.
Who is Alix Tichelman?
Meet the tattooed beauty charged in the death of Google executive Forrest Hayes.
Latest CBS News Videos
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Latest CBS News Videos
Watch Pope Leo's visit to Cameroon
Pope Leo XIV visited Cameroon on his tour of Africa. He garnered a crowd of around 120,000 people for mass in Douala. He also spoke with students and faculty at the Catholic University of Central Africa and attended a Catholic hospital. The visit came amid his ongoing feud with President Trump.
Pope Leo visits Africa during Trump clash
Pope Leo was in Angola on Friday for the third leg of his tour of Africa after he held a mass in Cameroon in front of roughly 120,000 people. CBS News' Chris Livesay reports and Michelle Boorstein, a religion reporter at the Washington Post, has more.
Why might China seek involvement in Iran war?
U.S. officials tell CBS News that days after the war with Iran started, U.S. intelligence detected that China was weighing whether to supply Iran with advanced radar technology. CBS News national security contributor Sam Vinograd has more.
Democratic, GOP strategists on Strait of Hormuz
President Trump and Iran proclaimed on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz is open. Political strategists Hannah Muldavin and Kevin Sheridan join "The Takeout" with analysis.
Boy's birthday party shows lesson of love
An Idaho boy volunteered with his dad at a recreation center for people with special needs. For his birthday party, he wanted all of them there. Steve Harman goes "On the Road" with the story about Grant Mullen's wish.