Good morning, New Orleans.

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is preparing for over 207,000 available airline seats from today through Tuesday, Sept.

8. Friday is set to be the busiest day with more than 39,000 available seats, and officials advise travelers to arrive at least two hours before departure & check parking availability.

Officials in Harahan and Kenner broke ground this summer on two inclusive playgrounds designed for children of all abilities.

The Park of Heroes project in Harahan and the $1.8 million Laketown Inclusionary Playground in Kenner feature accessible equipment & sensory areas, building welcoming community spaces.

Registration is open for the NOLA Dogs Race to the Rescue 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, Oct.

11 at Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery, where participants will run to raise funds for animal rescue organizations (Animal Rescue New Orleans, Take Paws, Trampled Rose Rescue, Zeus' Rescues, and The Inner Pup).

Crescent Canna, which ranked No. 407 on Inc.5000 after 858% revenue growth, now faces a federal rule set for Nov.

12 that will limit hemp-derived THC drinks above a 0.4-mg threshold, forcing nearly 20 salespeople layoffs and delays in major retail deals that may slow its growth.

Kourtney Williams launched Third House Marketing LLC, a creative agency specializing in communications for local businesses and organizations, in January 2026.

The New Orleans native (a former reporter and deputy press secretary) plans to expand partnerships to help local clients tell their stories.

The Times-Picayune | The Advocate staff won top awards at the 2026 Green Eyeshades for their coverage of the 2025 New Year’s Bourbon Street terror attack (14 deaths, many injured), earning honors for breaking news, crisis, data-driven and legal reporting.

New Orleans native Zachary Materne has been elected president of the Barbershop Harmony Society with his term set to begin Jan.

1 (2027), making him the first Louisianan to hold the post. Materne has long supported local singing through NOLA Vox and will lead a historic institution.

unCommon Construction announced it is joining the Building Futures Skilled Trades Coalition (a national group aiming to train 1 million skilled tradespeople by 2035) to expand its apprenticeship program from New Orleans and the Twin Cities to Baton Rouge and 20 cities over the next decade.

UHC reported its fourth straight semester of enrollment growth, reaching record levels and surpassing fall credit hour goals.

The school launched an online Master of Arts in Teaching program this summer and a health sciences program in spring, with nursing and radiologic graduates hitting 100% pass rates on certification exams.

At New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School, teacher Rahn Broady led environmental science students in discussing alternatives to traditional balloon releases after a new state law banned releases of 12 or more balloons to protect wildlife and powerlines.

The students prepared presentations to suggest affordable, locally inspired substitutes.

Letters from the Louisiana Department of Revenue notify over 22,000 individuals & businesses that the deadline to claim state tax refunds is Friday, Sept.

4 using vouchers or online submissions. Refund checks will be mailed to responders & remaining funds will go to the state's Unclaimed Property Division.

Healthy Blue will cease offering its Medicaid plan in 2027, leaving about 290,000 recipients to switch to one of four remaining options.

Affected members will receive instructions by Oct. 1 and can enroll in a new plan from Oct. 15 to Nov. 16 (Louisiana Department of Health).

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will launch its 155th Thoroughbred racing season on Nov.

19 with live racing, family events and a new lineup that runs until March 21, 2027. The season will feature renovations to the Black Gold Room & slot floor and fresh community programs.