Good morning, New Orleans.

The NOLA Dogs Race to the Rescue 5K Run/Walk will be held on Sunday, Oct.

12 at Metairie Cemetery where an 8 a.m. Pup Parade led by BIG FUN Brass Band will start a 3.1-mile race for humans at 8:30 a.m. and finish with a 9:30 a.m. Blessing of the Pets—proceeds will benefit local groups including ARNO, Take Paws Rescue, The Inner Pup, Trampled Rose Rescue and Zeus' Rescues.

The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission has launched Kid Café— a free after-school meal program for youth 18 and under, run with Second Harvest Food Bank, No Kid Hungry and Share Our Strength.

Students can get healthy meals Monday through Friday from 3-6 p.m. at NORD recreation centers across the city.

Today, a $9 million project by the Sewerage & Water Board is closing a block on Decatur Street in the French Quarter and slowing business as shops like Zhang's Bistro report a 40% drop in customers.

The work—begun in August and set to keep the street closed for at least five months—is expected to challenge local businesses during this busy tourist season.

The inaugural Brand Intervention business event held Oct.

1 at Loft 523 in New Orleans drew nearly 50 business owners - marketing professionals and industry leaders who received live guidance during a Hot Seat session where Vagabond Vintage’s owner learned new branding strategies. The event also featured a creative networking session with signature cocktails and will return in January for its next installment.

Gretna Fest kicked off yesterday in Gretna with three days of food, fun and music featuring headliners such as Sam Hunt, Trombone Shorty and Collective Soul.

The event continues today and will run on Sunday with special ferry service from downtown New Orleans (festival times: Friday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., today 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.).

A busy literary week is set in New Orleans as local bookstores and libraries host book signings, readings, and public discussions.

Today, Blue Cypress Books features David Michael Schneider and the East Bank Regional Library holds a Joan of Arc forum—while John T Edge, Clint Smith, and Keisha Blain have events planned later in the week.

New Orleans and Cuba share a long history of trade and culture.

One third of our port's shipments—over 1.2 million tons of sugar and molasses—helped keep more than 6,000 people working and still influence our French Quarter and local traditions.

On October 2, New Orleans mayoral candidates Councilmember Oliver Thomas and State Sen. Royce Duplessis spoke at a forum organized by NOLA Public Schools and New Schools for New Orleans, pledging to resolve the longstanding lawsuit with the Orleans Parish School Board over tax revenues and to support teacher pay and early childhood education—efforts aimed at addressing funding shortages and teacher recruitment challenges.

The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority is offering free rides on all buses, streetcars, and ferries today for early voting—free transit will also be available on Oct.

11 for Election Day as part of the Rolls to the Polls campaign. The free fare does not cover rides for special events such as the Gretna Heritage Festival.

City Park today unveiled its City Park 2050 plan, which will restore native landscapes, expand trails, create a visitor hub and upgrade athletic fields and lagoons to improve recreation and accessibility.

The five ports of the Lower Mississippi River are coordinating under the new Ports and Waterways Investment Commission—priority projects include the Peters Road Bridge and a $26 million dock tied to Hyundai Steel’s trade investment plan.

Corporate Realty announced that K&B Plaza, a historic office building on St. Charles Avenue designed by Skidmore, Owings — Merrill, is on sale for the first time in over fifty years.

The seven-story property, which is 83% leased, includes a 44,000-sf parking lot with 207 spaces and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places — offering a rare chance for buyers.

Gov. Jeff Landry and Saints owner Gayle Benson finalized a lease that will keep the Saints at the Caesars Superdome through 2035 with optional five-year extensions that could extend it to 2055.

The deal restructures revenue terms and operating expenses while adding protections to prevent relocation—cementing a long-term partnership between the team and the state.

New Orleans Saints VIP Tailgate - Giants at Saints

9:00-10:30 a.m. — Caesars Superdome — Tailgate festivities before the game — Celebrate football with fellow fans at this special VIP experience.

Empire Of The Sun Live Concert

6:00 – 9:30 PM — Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts — Ticket prices vary — Experience the electrifying performance of alt/electronic pioneers Empire of The Sun.

Louisiana Export Bootcamp

9 a.m. - 12 p.m. — Ship Happens — Free entry — Boost your export knowledge with expert insights on logistics and market entry strategies.

Yellowjackets Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market — Tickets available — Experience a soulful evening with masterful performances from Yellowjackets.

Japanese Breakfast Concert

7-9:30 p.m. — Joy Theater — Ticket prices vary — Dive into the indie-pop vibes of Japanese Breakfast after a year of supporting top acts.

Where Y'acht 10th Anniversary Show

8-11 p.m. — The Broadside — Get your cruise wear ready for an unforgettable night of Yacht Rock featuring special guests and frozen cocktails.

Yoke Lore Concert

7-9 p.m. — House of Blues New Orleans — Ticket prices vary — Experience the enchanting indie pop sounds of Yoke Lore, a project by Adrian Galvin.

Paul Thorn Performance

8-11 p.m. — Chickie Wah Wah — Ticket prices vary — Experience the soulful roots music of Paul Thorn, who blends Southern traditions with universal themes.

Big Sam's Funky Nation Live

7:30-10:30 p.m. — The Jazz Playhouse — Tickets required — Experience a night of vibrant live funk music with Big Sam Williams in a cozy French Quarter setting.

Kenny Neal Live Performance

7:30-9 p.m. — New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market — Tickets available — Experience exceptional guitar work by Kenny Neal in a vibrant local venue.