Good morning, New Orleans.

NOCHI will host its annual Cooking for a Cause fundraiser on Sept.

23 at 725 Howard Ave, featuring alumni chef dishes, live music, and an online auction that benefits culinary education. The event will honor Emeril Lagasse and Kathy Hebert with auction prizes including exclusive dining experiences.

NORD is partnering with over 25 organizations to expand fall programs at 13 recreation centers — registration opens Sept.

2 and programs run Sept. 14 through Nov. 21. The lineup includes STEM, arts and wellness activities for various ages.

The Idea Village announced today the selection of five companies for the 2026 IDEAfuel cohort, awarding each $15,000 in non-dilutive funding and valuable mentorship.

The program received 208 applications from the Gulf South and partners with Regions Foundation to support Black founders and founders of color.

The New Orleans Museum of Art is set to install Isamu Noguchi’s 40-ton Mississippi Fountain donated by the Besthoff family outside its building this fall.

The 18-foot sculpture has stood at K&B Plaza since the early 1960s — honoring Sydney Besthoff III’s legacy.

A second line honoring civil rights leader Jerome Big Duck Smith took place on Aug.

26 from Tuba Fats Square to Hunter’s Field in the 7th Ward, and his visitation is set for Sept. 11 at Gallier Hall + a celebration follows on Sept. 12 at Mahalia Jackson Theater.

On Aug. 20, WWNO hosted a live panel at Prytania Theater where coastal experts, scientists and community organizers discussed lessons from Katrina and plans to safeguard the city from future storms.

The event featured a documentary screening and expert presentations.

Louisiana students can now access free live tutoring at HomeworkLA.org, with over 4,000 teachers covering nearly 200 subjects.

Tutoring is available on demand seven days a week from 10 a.m. to midnight — no library card is needed, and Spanish and Vietnamese options are offered.

Heavy storms drenched New Orleans on Thursday morning with 2-4 inches of rain that caused minor flooding and left about 1,500 without power in surrounding parishes while some schools delayed opening - NWS issued a flood advisory until 8:30 a.m. for low-lying areas.

SpaceX announced plans for a $100 billion launch site near Pecan Island in Vermilion Parish, stating it will develop just a part of 125,000 acres to protect high value wetlands.

Wildlife advocates caution that proposed FAA rule changes may waive key environmental reviews and limit public information.

Louisiana will receive $180 million from Meta over nine years as part of a multistate settlement addressing concerns that Facebook and Instagram were designed to addict teenagers — the deal also mandates safety measures such as a two-hour daily limit and stronger age-verification controls.