Good morning, New Orleans.

Local libraries and the REACH Center are hosting free community events this October, starting with a beginner yoga series tomorrow at Corpus Christi Epiphany Church Community Center, Lionel Milton's engaging art workshops and robotics sessions, and a teen volunteer reading program across venues.

Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company raised $127,400 at its 19th Annual Auctions in August, with funds benefiting 149 local nonprofits.

The fundraiser underscores the bank's commitment to supporting community organizations and filling the summer giving gap.

Hancock Whitney reopened the renovated Elmwood financial center at 5200 Mounes St. on Wednesday, Sept.

23 — the ribbon-cutting event featured the Saints’ mascot, Super Bowl trophy, refreshments, and giveaways for community members.

New Orleans-based Canal Barge added a 400-foot deck barge, Triton, built in Morgan City to boost offshore project cargo capacity.

Announced on Sept. 30, the vessel features a 105-foot width and a deck strength of 4,200+ pounds per square foot to support heavy, oversized cargo moves.

The new Black Schoolhouse will formally celebrate its grand opening on Oct.

10 at 1660 N. Roman St. in the 7th Ward, offering youth art education, a graphic design apprenticeship, community events, and a gallery (set in shipping containers with solar panels) to boost local civic engagement.

The Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival celebrates 20 years at Lafayette Square from Oct.

9-11 with 18 live performances featuring Ruthie Foster, Samantha Fish and others, and Saturday includes an All-Star Tribute to former director Scott Aiges while free food, art and local vendors join the celebration.

Steve Gleason's nonprofit will host The Rebirth Second Line on Monday, Oct.

5 at 3:15 p.m. at Gallier Hall on Camp Street, where Mayor Helena Moreno will present him a key to the city. Gleason will then lead a parade from Lafayette Square through downtown plus join civic leaders.

On Sat. Dec. 5, thousands will gather along the Algiers Batture for the annual Algiers Bonfire, where families enjoy live music from Royal Essence and Robin Barnes (the Songbird) and local vendors boost West Bank businesses.

The event supports initiatives for local programs and youth career training.

New Orleans and Company announced more than $1 billion in hospitality investments beginning in 2027, including extensive hotel renovations, three new hotels opening in 2026, and a planned Omni headquarters hotel in the convention district — bolstering tourism that attracted nearly 19.5 million visitors in 2025.

Non-teaching staff at Tulane University filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board on Wednesday to unionize for better pay and working conditions after the university declined voluntary recognition (65% of eligible employees have already supported the effort).

At Manning Family Children's Hospital in New Orleans, 11-year-old (Peyton Stewart) celebrated his life-saving bone marrow transplant on Thursday by ringing a bell for a fresh start; his older brother's matching donation treated his rare autoimmune deficiency.

Mignon Richard Diaz, executive with NAI Rampart, will serve as real estate advisor for two public school boards and the Archdiocese to reposition underutilized properties into housing and economic opportunities.

She said projects — including investments by SpaceX, Venture Global, and LIT — will spur redevelopment that benefits our community.