MARDI GRAS

Ten months after Hurricane Ida damaged a museum celebrating New Orleans' African American parading culture, the Backstreet Cultural Museum is reopening.

Mardi Gras will return today to its homeport of Port Canaveral, Florida.

"They want to know what the Uber driver did as he witnessed a passenger dying," a statement from the family's lawyers said.

It's not yet clear why the man, identified by the Coast Guard as Tang Tran, went overboard.

It's not yet clear why the man, identified by the Coast Guard as Tang Tran, went overboard.

The Coast Guard responded with two cutters and an airplane to search for the 43-year-old man.

The Coast Guard responded with two cutters and an airplane to search for the 43-year-old man.

The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a man who jumped overboard from a cruise ship early Saturday as it approached Florida. The Coast Guard responded with two cutters and an airplane to search for the 43-year-old man. The Mardi Gras and the cruise ship Elation also participated in the search, said Coast Guard spokesman David Micallef.

Faquetaigue Courir de Mardi Gras is all about chickens, mischief and gumbo. Photographer Bryan Tarnowski captured it all.

This past Tuesday was Mardi Gras, which means this Friday is the first Friday in Lent. During this time of year, many like to forgo the meat and opt for delicious fish and seafood instead.

Party-minded people dressed in traditional purple, green and gold filled New Orleans' streets for the city's first full-dress Mardi Gras since the coronavirus pandemic began.

Celebrate Mardi Gras with music, parades and fireworks, and visit the National Gallery of Art's East Building before it closes for renovations.

When COVID forced New Orleans to cancel Mardi Gras, resident Megan Boudreaux introduced a new tradition: the house float.

Here’s where you can pick up some Paçzki in Ann Arbor.

People come out to watch the new Carnival Cruise Line ship Mardi Gras as it departs on its maiden voyage, a seven-day cruise to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral, Florida on July 31, 2021. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended into January restrictions on the cruise ship industry that were set to expire next week, citing concerns over the highly contagious delta variant and breakthrough cases among vaccinated travelers. The CDC has allowed cruise ships to operate with conditions since October 2020, requiring masks onboard and vaccinations or testing of passengers and crew, among other safety precautions. "However, CDC decided to temporarily extend the Order due to the continued spread of the Delta variant." Cruise lines that fail to secure a Covid-19 Conditional Sailing Certificate from the CDC will be barred from operating in U.S. waters.

Parade-loving New Orleans is getting its groove back.

Hundreds of cities have suffered ransomware attacks in recent years. It takes them far longer to recover than private companies.

Public health officials say the state's low vaccination rate is partly to blame for the spike.

People in a mostly maskless crowd walk down Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, Florida's famed South Beach, Monday, March 22, 2021. A party-ending curfew is in effect in Miami Beach, imposed after fights, gunfire, property destruction and dangerous stampedes broke out among huge crowds of people. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Florida’s famed South Beach is desperately seeking a new image. Ad“We definitely want people to come and have fun," Miami Beach Commissioner Ricky Arriola said Monday. Miami Beach took less proactive measures under Republican Gov.

The story of New Orleans' St. Augustine High School Marching Band Sharyn Alfonsi reports on the band that desegregated Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans and is now playing through the pandemic.

The heart and soul of the famous Mardi Gras parades of New Orleans are its marching bands, and few are as revered and storied as the St. Augustine High School Marching Band – self-dubbed the "Best Band in the Land." The "St. Aug" band, as it's known in the local parlance, is one of the few predominantly Black, all-boys Catholic high schools in the country. "In New Orleans, marching band is a culture. But here in this city, they live, breathe, eat, sleep, everything marching band," says Johnson. Because I feel like that is-- that is St. Aug, that is New Orleans.," he tells Alfonsi.

Looking at all the events Crystal Mountain Resort has lined up in the next month to send off the ski season in style, you might need those things - and a few more. So this March will be extra special.”Mardi Gras celebrations, mask-making and other fun events are on tap at Crystal Mountain this spring. Let’s take a look at the events lined up for Saturdays in March and into April, as described by Crystal Mountain staff:Mardi Gras on the Mountain, Saturday March 6: “Let the good times roll!” on Crystal Mountain. Show us your best retro ski wear for a chance to win Crystal Mountain swag. Easter Weekend, Saturday April 3 A bonus weekend to end the ski season brings fun Easter-themed activities on Saturday.

A home is decorated with a New Orleans music theme on February 05, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Bars are closed, the temperature is freezing and crowds are banned, but that hasn't stopped Louisianans from feeling the Mardi Gras spirit. Some residents enjoyed the celebrations by creating extravagant house floats to replace the usual parade floats, either adorning their homes themselves or hiring artists to do so. The celebrations are taking a different form this year after last year's Mardi Gras crowds were blamed for a Covid-19 outbreak in Louisiana. Here are some of the house floats created to celebrate Mardi Gras:

COVID-19 transforms Mardi Gras parade into socially distanced drive-thru adventure The COVID-19 pandemic closed bars and canceled Mardi Gras parties and masquerade balls. But the "Big Easy" loves a big celebration, so part of New Orleans was transformed into a socially-distanced drive-thru event called "Floats In The Oaks." Jamie Wax reports.

COVID-19 transforms Mardi Gras parade into socially distanced drive-thru adventure The COVID-19 pandemic closed bars and canceled Mardi Gras parties and masquerade balls. But the "Big Easy" loves a big celebration, so part of New Orleans was transformed into a socially-distanced drive-thru event called "Floats In The Oaks." Jamie Wax reports.

New Orleans — Giving up has never been in the DNA of New Orleans, so the cancellation of Mardi Gras parades due to the pandemic didn't kill off an old tradition, it jump-started a new one: Yardi Gras. "Whenever he gets older, I want to look back and show him how Mardi Gras was in quarantine," said Alyssa Hicks, a mother. Now, some 3,000 New Orleans homes are part of an immobile porch parade. Visitors talk with a hostess on February 13, 2021, during Mardi Gras season in New Orleans, Louisiana. From the wild to the whimsical, the stationary parade has brought neighbors together, turning Mardi Gras into a literal house party and finding a way to let the good times roll.

Tourists from Brooklyn take photos on a nearly deserted Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021. “We were expecting a little bit lower key than the normal Mardi Gras,” Wheeler said. Coronavirus-related restrictions in New Orleans included canceled parades, closed bars and a near shutdown of rowdy Bourbon Street. That, and unusually frigid weather, prevented what New Orleans usually craves at the end of Mardi Gras season: streets and businesses jam-packed with revelers. To the east, Mobile, Alabama, which boasts the nation's oldest Mardi Gras celebrations, had also canceled parades.

New Orleans turns Mardi Gras into COVID-friendly celebration With Mardi Gras parades canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, New Orleans residents are transforming their homes into stationary floats. Janet Shamlian has more.

New Orleans — Giving up has never been in the DNA of New Orleans, so the cancellation of Mardi Gras parades due to the pandemic didn't kill off an old tradition, it jump-started a new one: Yardi Gras. "Whenever he gets older, I want to look back and show him how Mardi Gras was in quarantine," said Alyssa Hicks, a mother. Now, some 3,000 New Orleans homes are part of an immobile porch parade. Visitors talk with a hostess on February 13, 2021, during Mardi Gras season in New Orleans, Louisiana. From the wild to the whimsical, the stationary parade has brought neighbors together, turning Mardi Gras into a literal house party and finding a way to let the good times roll.

CBS Evening News, February 15, 2021 Record winter storm kills at least 4, millions without power; New Orleans turns Mardi Gras into COVID-friendly celebration

Houses in New Orleans are transformed into Mardi Gras floats For the people of New Orleans, Louisiana, Mardi Gras is more than just the world's biggest free party. It is the throbbing, pulsing, beating heart of the city's culture. But the coronavirus pandemic put much of that on hold after the city of New Orleans announced on Friday that the city would close all bars, ban the sale of to-go drinks, and halt all large gatherings from February 12 to February 16. Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, the ever-creative residents of New Orleans have found a whole new canvas for their artistic expression. Jamie Wax has the details.

2/13: CBS This Morning Saturday Frigid Arctic blast brings snow and cold weather to U.S.; Houses in New Orleans are transformed into Mardi Gras floats

Mardi Gras celebrations restricted following last year's super-spreader event Citing concerns following last year's super-spreader event, New Orleans officials have restricted Mardi Gras celebrations and banned alcohol sales in the French Quarter through next Tuesday. David Begnaud reports.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – It’s not officially Fat Tuesday unless powdered sugar is on everything. Here’s where you can pick up some paczki in Ann Arbor:ARGUS FARM STOPThis year Fenton-based baking company Crust is supplying Argus Farm Stop with strawberry, raspberry and lemon paczki. DJ’S BAKERYDJ’s will have eight flavors of paczki available, including apple, blueberry, custard, cream, lemon, prune, raspberry and strawberry. AdWASHTENAW DAIRYPreordering has closed but the historic Ann Arbor business will have some paczki available for pickup on Tuesday. Paczki pickup will happen from Feb.12-16 at both the Ann Arbor North and Ann Arbor West Plum Market locations.

The city of New Orleans on Friday announced new COVID-19 restrictions to prevent crowds ahead of this year's Mardi Gras celebration. From February 12 to February 16, the city will close all bars, ban the sale of to-go drinks, and halt all large gatherings, among other measures. Under the new restrictions, foot traffic to popular Mardi Gras spots, including Bourbon Street and Frenchmen Street, will be restricted after 7 p.m. Bryan Tarnowski/Bloomberg via GettyLouisiana Governor John Bel Edwards will send agents from several law enforcement divisions to help enforce the new COVID-19 restrictions on Mardi Gras weekend. "A shame on us if Mardi Gras 2021 looks anything like Mardi Gras 2020 with the number of people with COVID in our state and across the country this year," Edwards added in a press conference Thursday.

The Dish: Famed New Orleans restaurant hires its first female executive chef 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.

Mardi Gras parades are not permitted this year because large gatherings have proven to be super-spreader events for COVID-19, said Mayor LaToya Cantrell's office. Krewe of House Floats is a local group connecting homeowners looking to celebrate Mardi Gras with businesses hit hard by the pandemic that can help with decorations. Megan Joy Boudreaux, who created the Krewe of House Floats, was one of the first people to mobilize the effort to decorate houses in lieu of regular Mardi Gras parade floats. The "Hire a Mardi Gras Artist" project, which also helps Mardi Gras artists find work, began their operation last year in partnership with the the Krewe of Red Beans. "I've never been on a Mardi Gras float until now," Demian Estevez told WWL after his house was transformed into a float by artist Caroline Thomas.

Related Coverage Factbox: Latest on the spread of the coronavirus around the worldAt least 30,800 people have tested positive for the virus in New York state and more than 17,800 in New York City alone. New York state as a whole, accounting for roughly half the countrys known infections, followed California last week in ordering non-essential businesses to close and to direct residents to stay home as much as possible. Cuomo cited recent coronavirus hospitalization figures in his state as evidence that social distancing was starting to work. The three states hardest hit so far - New York, California and Washington - were given such status previously. New Orleans restaurant owner Ronnie Evans said everyone in New Orleans was freaking out.Slideshow (16 Images)People dont know what to expect or how long this will last.

Our closeness makes us vulnerable, said Cuomo, who has emerged as a leading voice on the coronavirus. Cuomo said more than 30,800 people had tested positive for the virus in his state and more than 17,800 in New York City alone. Officials walk into a store that has a "Social Distancing" sign on the door during the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., March 25, 2020. Cuomo cited recent coronavirus hospitalization figures in his state as evidence that social distancing measures were starting to work. New Orleans restaurant owner Ronnie Evans said everyone in New Orleans was freaking out.People dont know what to expect or how long this will last.

New Orleans Jazz band preserves music of the Old South New Orleans is synonymous with jazz, and if there's one band that's synonymous with both, it would have to be the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. With the sounds of Mardi Gras still echoing in the streets, Lesley Stahl of "60 Minutes" heads to New Orleans to trace the remarkable history of the band.