Good morning, New Orleans.

Central City BBQ will mark its 10th anniversary with Backyard Boogie & BBQ Fest on Nov.

19 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at its indoor/outdoor venue, featuring Flow Tribe and DJ Raj Smoove; admission is free with RSVP and VIP tickets are $20.

Debate over Mignon Faget's move is sparking a wider look at independent shops competing with national brands for Magazine Street real estate, and the Urban Conservancy's StayLocal director Maryann Miller is urging policies & support programs to help local businesses adapt.

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana will host a free Día de los Muertos Festival on Nov.

1, noon to 6 p.m. at Lafayette Square featuring live music, food vendors, a Children’s Corner, a Catrina & Catrín showcase, and proceeds that will fund college scholarships.

Sixteen Louisiana chefs will showcase Cajun, Creole, and seafood dishes at Taste Louisiana in Chicago on Nov.

4 at City Hall by Recess in the West Loop (including Brennan's, Saffron, and The Kingsway), with local beverages and live music from Wayne Toups and David St. Romain to promote state tourism.

The New Orleans Region Industry Alliance in Metairie announced its Industry Economic Outlook Index is 65 for the fourth quarter of 2026, up from the previous two measured quarters and remaining above the 50 expansion threshold despite workforce challenges.

LSU New Orleans' chancellor search has been narrowed to four finalists: Sebastian van Delden, Michael J.

Savoie, Jeanette Weiland, and Kent L. Willis. They will visit campus Nov. 3 and 4 (to meet faculty, students, and external stakeholders), and the LSU System president plans to pick a candidate in December to boost enrollment.

Port of New Orleans commissioners will vote today on an $11.4 million reimbursement to relocate a 16-inch natural gas pipeline for the planned Louisiana International Terminal, plus about $6.8 million in grants for cleaner trucks and workforce training and a $1.53 million contract for three wharf repairs at a 9 a.m. meeting (Port HQ).

Louisiana sued Dollar General on Monday (joining the FTC and 19 other states) to allege the chain charged customers more at checkout than shelf prices and knew about tens of thousands of complaints; regulators are seeking refunds for shoppers and an order to stop the practice.

The CDC says Louisiana has the highest flu activity in the continental U.S., with H1N1 driving an early, moderate level season, and health officials are urging vaccination because local vaccine rates are low and many residents are uninsured.

Tulane received a $4 million contract for a four-year project to develop T-prop, an experimental treatment to activate innate immunity within hours against multiple viruses and bacteria.

Mouse studies showed full protection when given 24 hours before lethal influenza; researchers will study safety, delivery, and duration before human trials.

New Orleans was named a finalist to host the NCAA men's and women's Final Fours for the 2032-36 cycle, and final decisions are expected in July 2027 after presentations in Naples; the bid is led by Tulane + LSU New Orleans with the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and city partners.