Good morning, New Orleans.

Cox Communications announced that Spectrum products, pricing and branding will begin appearing for its New Orleans customers in mid-September following Charter Communications' acquisition.

The companies confirmed the move on Aug. 20.

Chaffe & Associates is expanding its local team by hiring three new analysts in its Business Valuation and Investment Banking groups, reflecting ongoing growth and rising client demand.

The new hires bring strong academic backgrounds and will support the firm's increasing market presence.

Former Today co-host Hoda Kotb has partnered with Ochsner Health to offer Joy 101’s wellness content to about 40,000 employees, and she plans to host Joy Fest — set for next year — in New Orleans with 1,500 to 2,000 expected attendees.

New Orleans-based Camelback Ventures is accepting applications for its 2027 Fellowship that offers a $50,000 capital investment and tailored business coaching for early-stage entrepreneurs; submissions are due (Sept.

18).

New Orleans Botanical Garden will unveil its redesigned Sun Garden at a community event on Sept.

2 from 10 a.m. to noon at City Park. The renovation features drought-tolerant plants & xeriscaping techniques, with free admission for Louisiana residents and complimentary succulents while supplies last.

Public Culture, an internationally respected academic journal, moved its home from NYU to Tulane University’s Global Humanities Center on July 1.

Tulane faculty now lead the journal’s research on global trade and migration while highlighting local Gulf South issues (reflecting our city’s rich cultural ties).

The New Orleans Film Festival will run Oct.

22-27 with its Virtual Cinema available through Nov. 1 at venues including the Contemporary Arts Center and Prytania Theatre Uptown. It features 175 films, including 53 from Louisiana, and free filmmaker conference events with panels and workshops.

Louisiana officials will launch the ‘Every Moment Feeds Your Soul’ campaign in November to market the state’s food, music, recreation, history, culture and festivals after 45 million visitors generated $19.5 billion last year; Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser unveiled the plan at the New Orleans Travel Summit.

Gov. Jeff Landry will announce next Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Abbeville that SpaceX plans to build a multibillion-dollar spaceport 45 miles southwest of Lafayette.

Son of a Saint and GNO Inc. launched a four‑week pre‑internship program — training young men in skilled trades, advanced manufacturing and aviation at the New Orleans Career Center and Nunez Community College.

Participants take part in hands‑on classes, employer visits and mentorship and can earn a stipend upon completion.

Louisiana public schools will implement updated K-12 PE standards in the 2027-28 school year (emphasizing fitness, movement skills and active participation) after the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved the guidelines following an extensive review, while teacher training begins in the 2026-27 school year.

Louisiana public universities face athletic budget deficits and plan to set up economic development districts to use sales tax revenue following the passage of Act 374 by state lawmakers.

Universities will also boost funds with corporate sponsorships and events at sports venues (like concerts), aiming to ease the budget strains.

Louisiana will begin accepting applications on Thursday for its first recreational alligator hunt, with up to 5,000 hunters selected from eight harvest zones.

The season runs Oct. 1-31 and requires hunters to secure the necessary licenses and nontransferable tags.

At the Louisiana Department of Insurance Conference in New Orleans, Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple said the state is closing loopholes to lower homeowners, flood, and auto premiums.

Auto insurers have already reduced rates, a change credited to safer car technology (saving nearly $400 million that will boost the local economy).

The Commercial Investment Division of NOMAR earned Diamond Commercial Services Accreditation from NAR by meeting 67 of 70 benchmarks.

It offers free continuing education and networking to local commercial realtors and will host its annual Economic & Real Estate Forecast Symposium on Oct. 8 at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center.