Good morning, New Orleans.

StartupNOLA and Startup Noir NOLA hosted Access to Capital: Meet the VCs at NOLA Brewing on Sept.

22 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., where founders + investors connected with 15 venture groups to explore funding options.

New owners Mike Davis and Melissa Politte will revive Hi-Ho Lounge at the corner of Marigny and St. Claude, promising live music + red-beans-and-rice Mondays with local brass acts.

A benefit event is set for Sept. 25 after the Dolly Parade and the lounge will officially reopen Oct. 1.

Renaissance Publishing's Louisiana Life and Acadiana Profile magazines won 29 awards (including 11 Gold Awards) at the International Regional Magazine Awards in Calgary on Sept.

18. The awards honor excellence in regional journalism, photography, design and storytelling.

Nearly three dozen restaurants, caterers, and food trucks have been announced to serve dishes at the National Fried Chicken Festival, which will feature a 5K run+ live music, kids' activities, and more at Lakefront Arena Festival Grounds from Oct.

2-4.

The Pelican Institute released its summer Economic Report on Sept.

2, showing that Louisiana’s economy grew at a 2.9% annualized rate in early 2026 versus Texas (0.9%), Tennessee (1.2%), and Mississippi (2.5%) as it outpaces regional competitors.

Tulane University's Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy will host a three-day executive education course Oct.

15-17 at the Tulane School of Social Work (127 Elk Place) downtown to explore nature-based resilience practices, offer continuing education credits, and certify participants; registration closes Sept. 30 at 11:59 p.m.

Gov. Jeff Landry proposed pausing diesel exports for 90 days to lower rising fuel prices + the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association warned that limited pipeline capacity may force refineries to cut production and risk higher costs.

Community leader Prince Holmes is calling for stronger safeguards after facial recognition technology wrongly linked him to a crime on GiveNOLA day, and he received a private recognition from City Council on July 9.

He insists that improved accountability is needed to protect New Orleanians from similar mistakes.

A new OIG report found that the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission missed about $150K yearly by not collecting required fees and left most sports teams with minimal oversight, as only 5% of playgrounds hosted booster clubs and lacked enforced background checks for coaches. The report recommends clearer policies.

Avondale Global Gateway purchased the shuttered Holy Guardian Angels Parish campus in Westwego from the Archdiocese as part of its downsizing efforts, a seven-acre property near its facility with two church buildings and an education center; officials say the purchase supports future growth plans ($750,000 sale price).

New Orleans Saints left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. sustained a high ankle sprain in Sunday's 24-17 win over the Baltimore Ravens — coach Kellen Moore said surgery is planned soon and Banks may return later this season.

LSU legend Shaquille O’Neal will DJ Diesel at the Saints’ home opener on Sunday, Sept.

27 at 3:25 p.m. at the Superdome, where enhanced fan experiences, including a commemorative coin and new food options, will celebrate the team’s 60th season.

LSU head coach Lane Kiffin said the Tigers struggled with execution and pass protection in a 32 to 24 loss to Ole Miss and they will try to bounce back Saturday night against Texas A&M without tight end Trey’Dez Green.