More cops than confetti are expected to be prevalent on parade routes when Mardi Gras goes into full swing in New Orleans this weekend.

New Orleans' efforts to reduce Mardi Gras waste and reuse beads and throws have been ongoing for decades and involve a complicated web of community groups, leaders and businesses. Carnival lasts just a few months each year, but collecting, sorting and reselling beads is a year-round endeavor.

Be on the lookout this Mardi Gras for a little extra star power in New Orleans as Shaquille O'Neal, "True Blood" star Rutina Wesley and others reign as celebrity monarchs in parades. Why it matters: Some will throw custom doubloons and swag.

New Orleans parades and the Cajun version of Mardi Gras, called the courir, may seem worlds apart, But experts say they have more in common than you may think.

Mardi Gras is less than a week away and security surrounding this year’s Fat Tuesday celebrations, marking the end of Carnival season in New Orleans, will be heightened following the deadly New Year’s Day terror attack on Bourbon Street.

Walt Leger, President and CEO of New Orleans and Company, says if you’re going by the numbers, it should still be elbow-to-elbow on the parade route.

A Mardi Gras float created a traffic headache Tuesday (Feb. 25) afternoon. A tractor pulling the float was tipped onto its side on US 90 West at the Tchoupitoulas Exit. Two lanes were blocked at 2:30 p.