Good morning, New Orleans.

The annual Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo began Thursday evening after Tropical Storm Bertha delayed the start, and it is running through the weekend.

The event features a fishing competition along with music, food, vendors and kid-friendly activities (including a crab race).

Over a dozen female-led restaurants, bars and culinary businesses will host Ladies Night NOLA events starting July 27 through Sept.

30, featuring specialty menus, live jazz, local vendor pop-ups & signature cocktails. Chef Nina Compton organizes the initiative to boost summer dining during the slow tourism season.

The NOMA Volunteer Committee will host Mahj at the Museum Sept.

27-28 at NOMA in City Park; the event starts with a reception featuring champagne and brunch bites on Sept. 27 (tickets cost $250) and includes a mahjong tournament on Sept. 28 with prizes for top finishers.

New Orleans hosts Bocuse d'Or qualifying rounds this weekend, July 25 and 26, at the convention center during the Louisiana Restaurant Association trade show.

Chefs from Team USA and South America train for a spot in the finals in Lyon — a first for the city.

Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education proposes requiring every public school student to read a state-approved classic annually starting in the 2027-28 school year.

A $2 million appropriation will support classroom library upgrades & the Department of Education prepares the required list pending rulemaking.

Xavier University is investing nearly $81 million in its new Residence Village (seven stories, 225,900 sqft, and 852 beds) at 4700 Dixon St. The mixed-use building will include dining, classrooms, study areas, and lounges and will open for move-ins in August 2027.

On the Nunez campus in Chalmette, Nunez Community College announced fall heavy equipment certification programs to boost job prospects in construction & industrial work.

Courses range from one-day forklift classes on Aug. 28 to six-week sessions on Aug. 3-Sept. 11 and Oct. 5-Nov. 13 with tuition from $100 to $5,500.

City officials are exploring an increase in Mardi Gras parade permit fees with krewe captains set to propose payment options next month (current fees are $750 to $1,500 and have not changed for over 20 years).

New Orleans City Council approved a Carnival ordinance with stricter safety requirements today.

Float riders must wear harnesses and keep both feet on floats, while new rules limit parade throws and ban smoking, glass, and alcohol dispensing from floats to enhance safety during upcoming Carnival parades.

The Louisiana Department of Health reported 79 cyclospora cases statewide, with 11 new cases and 6 hospitalizations in the past two days + officials advise scrubbing produce and refrigerating cut fruits and vegetables within two hours to reduce risk.

The FDA issued a recall for Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce linked to cyclospora illness that was shipped to 27 states.

Local fast food chains like Jack in the Box in Louisiana removed affected produce (shipped between June 29 and July 16) and advise consumers to check labels.

LSU head coach Lane Kiffin and Tigers players Whit Weeks, TJ Dottery, and Trey’Dez Green are live at SEC Media Days in Tampa.

Weeks appears for a second time while Green debuts, setting the stage for the season.

Caesars Superdome is now an action sports arena as it hosts the inaugural X Games League Championship today.

Nearly 100 top skateboarders, BMX, and motocross riders will compete over three days with new event formats and nighttime concerts that will boost local business activity.

Alfred Banks Live Performance

7-9:30 p.m. — One Eyed Jacks — $17.15 GA — Experience a night of captivating music from Alfred Banks in the heart of New Orleans.

Stanton Moore Performance

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro — $TBD — Experience the exceptional drumming and vibrant personality of Grammy-winning musician Stanton Moore.

FLYLEAF with Lacey Sturm Concert

1 PM — House of Blues New Orleans — Tickets required — Experience an electrifying concert by Flyleaf featuring Lacey Sturm in a vibrant music venue.

New Orleans Suspects Live

9:00 – 10:30 PM — Tipitina's — Check their website for ticket prices — Experience a night of captivating music from the New Orleans Suspects at the iconic venue.

Satchmo Summer Fest

11:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. — New Orleans Jazz Museum — Free entry — Celebrate the legacy of Louis Armstrong with live music and food in an iconic cultural venue.

Greg Mendez Live Performance

9:00 – 10:30 PM — Siberia — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of indie-rock with Philadelphia's own Greg Mendez.

Hot 8 Brass Band Performance

Aug 9-10 — The Howlin' Wolf — Ticket prices vary — Experience the unique fusion of funk and brass from this Grammy-winning ensemble.

Billy Iuso Concert

8 p.m. — Tipitina's — Free entry — Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Free Fridays Concert Series with live music.