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Smoke pours out from the Downman Mansion in the 2500 block of St. Charles Avenue. Three people who lived there escaped with their dog uninjured, but residents nearby were forced to evacuate their homes for what's become a seven-alarm fire. Since 1907, the house has been a regular stop for the Rex parade on Mardi Gras. We'll have updates on the fire -- and the latest images -- throughout the day. (Photo by Michael DeMocker, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)

He 'didn't see any hope for himself': Family members share additional details about Reginald Bursey, the man accused of initiating a shootout with police near a downtown bus stop Sunday night. The shootout left Bursey dead and five bystanders wounded.

Imagine all of Brooklyn on Quaaludes: Two linguistic researchers decided to explore a long-held belief about the local Yat dialect: Is there a connection between the distinct New Orleans accent and how certain New Yorkers speak? Among their findings, we certainly don't talk like Southerners.

New Orleans Saints running backs Alvin Kamara, left, and Mark Ingram turned ski-mask style into a fashion trend. Meet the 25-year-old New Orleans designer who created the signature look that would -- and still could -- be huge, if not for a certain officiating crew. (Image from New Orleans Saints on NOLA.com video)

'The pope ignored them': The Vatican knew about abuse of deaf children.
Take 'Em Down NOLA wants Zulu to take off the blackface.
A Covington man dies 5 days after reportedly being shot in New Orleans.
A permit for a West Bank cyanide plant could be pulled.
2 more Sewerage & Water Board employees are caught sleeping on the job.
Duran Duran time-travels back to the '80s in their New Orleans stop.
A process to place a new monument at Lee Circle slowly unfolds.
New Orleans' coroner identifies 5 of the 6 people killed over 8 days.
Why is there a huge Simon Bolivar statue in downtown New Orleans?
You don't have to drive to get around during Mardi Gras.