Arthur Hunter, who parlayed a stint as a New Orleans police officer into more than two decades as an Orleans Parish criminal court judge, plans to run for New Orleans mayor, he said Thursday, Feb. 27. The field of candidates battling to succeed LaToya Cantrell as New Orleans' mayor is growing.

The race for mayor in New Orleans has picked up its second official candidate. Former Orleans Parish Criminal Court Judge Arthur Hunter filed paperwork Thursday signaling his intention to enter the race.

Former judge Arthur Hunter has announced he is running for Mayor of New Orleans. Hunter’s campaign team said Hunter filed his paperwork on Thursday, Feb. 27. “To date, I’ve personally met with over 300 different people,

When people visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras this year, there will be additional tactical teams and overall a larger police presence than in years past.

Three parades will roll Thursday night in New Orleans with scores of masked riders on colorful floats. More processions will continue every day through Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday. Costumed revelers will jam the French Quarter as more parades roll in New Orleans’ suburbs, other Louisiana cities, and all along the Mississippi and Alabama coasts.

The rooftop snipers, bomb-sniffing dogs and armored vehicles seen during the Super Bowl will be back in the French Quarter on Fat Tuesday.