New Orleans, Shia Labeouf and Mardi Gras
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The 'Transformers' actor was recently arrested after an alleged altercation during Mardi Gras celebrations in the city
Redevelopment plans for the Municipal Auditorium took a step forward Thursday after New Orleans leaders said they will spend $750,000 to bring long-held visions for the historic site closer to reality.
As the sun rose in New Orleans, rows of parade-goers already lined the street. People set up chairs, coolers, grills and ladders — offering a higher vantage point to catch the eye of float riders throwing glimmering plastic beads to revelers.
The actor returned to Bourbon Street with Mardi Gras beads around his neck, dancing with fellow revelers just hours after his arrest
Mardi Gras falls right before Ash Wednesday, marking the start of the 40-day Lenten season that culminates with Easter. USA TODAY is providing live coverage of the parades around New Orleans beginning around 11:30 a.m. ET. You can watch the festivities live at the embedded video at the top of the page or on USA TODAY's YouTube Channel.
The Fat Tuesday parties kick off before the sun rises and continue throughout the day across the city, especially in the French Quarter.
DHS said FEMA travel to active disaster zones is "not canceled," though nonessential operations may be affected.
Some SNAP recipients in Louisiana question a recent change in the publicly funded benefit.