Good morning, New Orleans.

Hancock Whitney and the Greater New Orleans Foundation are accepting grant applications from eligible nonprofits addressing food insecurity, workforce development and youth programs to support low-to-moderate income communities.

Eligible organizations in select assessment areas must apply online by October 29+ for competitive grants up to $25,000 as part of the bank’s CRA program.

GNO Inc. Startup NOLA is featuring a busy fall program to connect founders, investors and ecosystem supporters.

The Access to Capital event on Oct. 21 at The Shop at the Contemporary Arts Center from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. will focus on family offices influencing early funding—followed by a NOFAB meetup on Oct. 22 at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and a November 12 session hosted by Benson Capital Partners that may offer Pelicans game tickets.

Louis Mason opened Mason’s Motel in 1962 on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard — an ultra-modern lodging for Black travelers during segregation — and later launched Mason’s Motel Americana in 1966 on Claiborne Avenue, hosting top entertainers like Stevie Wonder and James Brown.

The original motel later became Hotel Hope shelter for women and children — while the Claiborne property continues to operate under new ownership.

A century old church in Uptown was restored as The Josephine on Napoleon—a modern 8000 square foot event venue that features projection mapping and state of the art audio—and it already has bookings scheduled through 2027.

Dile Que NOLA — a local dance studio in New Orleans — offers Cuban Casino dance classes that teach traditional moves and Spanish vocabulary to preserve Hispanic culture.

Executive Director Nicole Goldin Muro said the sessions bring together dancers of all ages to connect with Cuba’s history and language.

Dr. Calvin Mackie, founder and CEO of STEM NOLA, was named a Champion of STEM, Class of 2025 by the STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice—he will be honored at a national awards ceremony on October 21 at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, D.C.

The Army Corps of Engineers completed an underwater sill in the Mississippi River near Myrtle Grove to stop salt water from reaching New Orleans' drinking water (55 feet deep) on Oct.

10 after 12 days of work. The Corps said it will monitor river flows until the river reaches 400,000 cubic feet per second (a level that will flush salt water back to the Gulf).

Louisiana officials are prioritizing six carbon capture projects as part of a new law that requires more local input; energy secretary Dustin Davidson said the projects (located in Pointe Coupee, Vernon, Calcasieu, Cameron, Caldwell, and Ascension parishes) show the best economics and least leak paths.

The City Council Governmental Committee approved a new parade order on Wednesday that sets the 2026 Thursday Mardi Gras lineup with Knights of Chaos starting at 4:30 p.m., followed by Knights of Babylon at 5:30 p.m.—and ending with Muses at 6 p.m. The changes aim to improve parade flow and prevent delays from previous issues.

Boeing’s Government Services team completed upgrades for 37 U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle jets at the Louisiana Air National Guard Base in New Orleans, finishing a four-year mission to modernize the aging fighter fleet.

The team installed the Advanced Display Core Processor II and the Multi-Function Information Distribution System—Joint Tactical Radio System to keep the jets combat-ready into the 2030s.

Today, Manning Family Children's opened its first ThriveKids Community Clinic at 12000 Hayne Blvd in New Orleans East to serve students from the Educators for Quality Alternatives schools and local residents.

Doctors will provide primary care and mental health support five days a week—part of the hospital's effort to boost access to care for vulnerable children.

Law enforcement officials warned the public about a dangerous new green fentanyl that was seized yesterday in southeast Louisiana — including areas on the North Shore and parts of Jefferson Parish—and said the drug could be mistaken for marijuana products.

Authorities are working with local treatment centers to increase awareness and help those struggling with addiction.

Young patients at Manning Children’s Hospital are dressing as superheroes for an early Halloween celebration that aims to lift spirits and offer a creative break during treatment—hospital staff said the event fosters a positive atmosphere.

A Bobby Guidry-led investor group is in advanced talks to purchase the historic Le Pavillon Hotel in downtown New Orleans for roughly $43 million—about one-third below its 2015 sale price—and they expect to finalize the deal before year-end.

The move comes as local investors increase their presence in the market amid a national cooling in hotel transactions.

Nik Parr & The Selfless Lovers Concert

9:00 – 10:30 PM — Chickie Wah Wah — Ticket info TBA — Experience late-night revelry infused with Southern soul and Texas Gulf Coast groove.

Louisiana Home Show

10 AM-8 PM — Tanner Gallery & Studio — Free entry — Explore a wide range of home improvement ideas and meet local experts in a vibrant setting.

Silent Planet / Invent Animate: The Bloom In Heaven Tour Part II

5:30-7 p.m. — House of Blues New Orleans — Ticketed event — Experience the powerful sounds of progressive metalcore from Invent Animate and Silent Planet.

Ivan Neville Live Concert

8-11 p.m. — Chickie Wah Wah — Tickets starting at $32.61 — Enjoy a lively performance by Ivan Neville in a popular local venue.

Hippie Sabotage Concert

8:00-9:30 p.m. — Joy Theater — Ticket prices vary — Experience the electronic beats of the Saurer brothers live in New Orleans.

THIRDSTREAM | Strings & Sax Concert

7:30-10 p.m. — Marigny Opera House — Suggested donation of $25 — Experience a unique blend of strings and saxophone from talented musicians across Chicago and New Orleans.

Emo Night Karaoke

8-9:30 p.m. — Gasa Gasa — Signups available — Sing your heart out live with a band at this fun karaoke night dedicated to emo music.

Authors in the Haunted City - NOLA

6 PM - 12 AM — Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Qtr - Astor — Ticket prices vary — Immerse in the spooky ambiance with authors and a masquerade ball in the Big Easy.

World Ballet: Cinderella

6-7:30 p.m. — Orpheum Theater New Orleans — Tickets required — Witness the enchanting tale of Cinderella brought to life by the World Ballet Company.

Boston Celtics vs. New Orleans Pelicans

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Smoothie King Center — Tickets starting at $12 — Catch the action as the Celtics take on the Pelicans in an exciting NBA matchup.