Good morning, New Orleans.

NOCHI’s online auction runs until 5 p.m. Sept.

24 and offers exclusive culinary experiences, including a fishing and dining event with top local restaurateurs and a Saints Junior Captain package for the Oct. 5 Falcons game. Proceeds support culinary education programs at the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute.

BENZAIT, a New Orleans-based healthcare AI firm, helped a local health system become the first to earn The Joint Commission's Responsible Use of AI in Healthcare Certification in July (a three-week process) and will launch its Vantage platform in the fourth quarter to help hospitals manage AI risks and investments.

New Orleans-based Sazerac acquired UK-based Au Vodka for over £300 million ($405 million) on Monday to expand its global reach and boost its UK market presence.

Nola Bank (Louisiana’s first new chartered bank since 2010) has opened for business at a temporary facility at 1100 S.

Carrollton Ave and offers consumer and commercial services powered by $29.2 million in investor capital, with plans to pursue Minority Depository Institution designation.

After Jerome 'Big Duck' Smith died last month, local leaders honored him at Gallier Hall and encouraged the community to carry forward his civil rights and cultural legacy.

Community members now call for greater support of programs that educate and inspire the next generation.

NOLAxNOLA returns from Sept.

24 through Oct. 4 with 300+ performances, free concerts, and a music industry conference at 50 venues across the city. Organizers say the event supports local musicians and boosts the creative economy.

Tulane University was awarded a four-year, $6 million grant from the National Science Foundation to fund SMART Tulane, a program that transforms research into market-ready products and startups.

The initiative (one of nine nationwide) will boost local innovation and create high-wage jobs in the Gulf South.

Louisiana’s oyster season opens soon, with sacking in Vermilion Bay and West Cote Blanche Bay set to begin Oct.

12 and other areas opening in November. The state reported one million barrels of market-size oysters, 106.6% higher than last year + a 3.3% drop in seed oysters amid shifting conditions.

A building permit has been filed for the 3,700-seat Raising Cane’s 9th Ward Stadium at LCMC Health Field (adjacent to George Washington Carver High School in the Upper Ninth Ward); construction will complete by summer 2027 to serve local public schools.

St. Tammany powerlifters helped Team USA capture gold at the International Powerlifting Federation Worlds in South Africa held Aug.

18-29, with five local athletes scoring in both the men’s and women’s Sub-Junior Equipped divisions (a proud moment for our community).

The Saints nearly forced overtime after rallying from a 21-0 deficit before falling 31-30 to the Detroit Lions; expert Mike Hoss said trouble stopping the run hurt the team but noted improvement that fuels hope ahead of Sunday's clash with Baltimore.