Good morning, New Orleans.

Fifty-three Louisiana companies made the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing businesses.

Omega Foundation Services, which topped the list last year, made its third appearance, while Crescent Canna and Independent Offshore Services made their debut, marking strong growth across the state.

Beken Bio, based at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center, received a $1.25M federal grant to advance its ovarian cancer blood test and fund a multicenter clinical study in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport.

Part of the funding will support early development of a lung cancer test and commercialization planning.

Fifty-three Louisiana businesses made the Inc.5000 list, with Omega Foundation Services (from Slaughter) topping the state for the third year.

Newcomers like Crescent Canna in New Orleans and Independent Offshore Services in Baton Rouge reported strong revenue growth.

Phoenix — a Marigny institution at 941 Elysian Fields Ave. since 1983 — will accept credit cards on Aug.

24 at 3 p.m. to ease payments for Southern Decadence visitors while still favoring cash for regulars.

Jazz & Blues Market New Orleans will host its 'Groove for Good' benefit concert on Sept.

12 at 8 p.m. at its venue to raise funds for facility improvements and youth education programs, with host Judith Owen and Harry Shearer leading performances by local jazz and blues musicians.

The Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights has launched The Voices in Our World series that shares personal reflections from Black youth in juvenile detention in New Orleans.

The campaign (ItTakesAVillageNOLA) invites the community to listen and visualize a fairer future.

Louisiana saw its first drop in auto insurance rates in five years as fewer accidents led to fewer claims (46 providers lowered premiums, saving drivers $400 million), and insurance commissioner Tim Temple said the trend may continue.

In July, Louisiana small business optimism reached a one-year high as the NFIB index rose by 2.4 points to 99.8; a net 20% of owners planned to hire while challenges filling positions kept uncertainty high + local leaders noted similar trends.

Entergy Louisiana is seeking regulatory approval to build seven new natural gas plants (5.3 gigawatts) to power Meta’s Hyperion data center in north Louisiana as renewable options like solar with battery storage and geothermal energy are explored for faster, cheaper deployment.

On Tuesday, demolition began at the blighted Lindy Boggs Medical Center (near Bienville and Conti) after city leaders held a news conference.

The site will be redeveloped into a 4 million gallon stormwater retention facility to reduce flooding and spur future housing and retail.

NORD invites community feedback for its upcoming CEO selection; a stakeholder meeting will be held at Milne Recreation Center on Aug.

19 (6:00 to 7:30 p.m.) with additional staff meetings and an online survey closing on Aug. 20, ensuring residents help shape candidate evaluation.

The Louisiana Department of Health warned that as of today nine cases of vibrio infections have been reported with five fatalities from seawater exposure among people with underlying conditions, and the agency urged at-risk residents to monitor symptoms (fever, swelling, or redness around wounds).

New Orleans-based LCMC Health is offering eligible Medicare patients GLP-1 weight management medications for a $50 monthly copay.

The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program runs through Dec. 31, 2027, and providers verify eligibility through prior authorization with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors reported a 6.6% rise in metro home sales in the first half of 2026—Orleans Parish up more than 6.3% and St. Tammany Parish rising 12.3%.

Realtors caution that higher mortgage rates may slow sales later this year.

Billy Iuso Concert

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