New Orleans City Business

Ironman Tour Commits to Three Years in New Orleans

Endurance athletes will test themselves on a 70.3-mile route through the Crescent City when the Ironman World Championship tour comes here in 2009. A corporate sponsorship deal will keep the tour stop in New Orleans through 2011. The Ochsner Ironman 70.3 will take place April 5, 2009, starting at the University of New Orleans Lakefront. Registration for the event opened Tuesday. Fifty qualifying slots for the 2009 Ironman World Championship 70.3 in Clearwater, Fla. will be up for grabs at the...

N.O.-Based Whitney Holding Corp. To Repurchase 4m Stock Shares

Whitney Holding Corp., parent company of Whitney Bank, will repurchase up to 4 million shares or approximately 5.9 percent of its outstanding common stock. Based on this morning's $25.32 opening bell value of Whitney stock on the Nasdaq Exchange, the 4-million share repurchase would cost $101.3 million.

Canal Street to Close for City Celebration in N.O.

The city's Department of Public Works will close to motorists the river-bound lanes of Canal Street between St. Charles Avenue and Camp Street from noon until midnight Thursday for a city-sponsored community event. The city will close the street for Mayor C. Ray Nagin's Merci Beaucoup Dinner, a city celebration to show thanks to the residents for their commitment to the city after Hurricane Katrina.

Winn-Dixie to Celebrate Destrahan Store Renovation

Winn-Dixie customers will enjoy a fire-burning rotisserie, wing bar, expanded organic and produce sections, an olive cart, custom sandwich shop, muffin cart and a specialty dessert case in the remodeled grocery store at 12519 Airline Highway. "We are excited that this major renovation improves our customers' shopping experience and the expanded offerings better serve their needs and expectations," said Morris Soudelier Jr., store director. "Our intent is to reinforce our commitment to the Des...

N.O. Foreclosure Rate 78th Among U.S. Metro Areas

Stockton, Calif., is setting the national pace with one foreclosure filing for every 31 households during the third quarter, the highest rate among the nation's 100 largest metro areas. Four of the top 10 highest metro area foreclosure rates were in California.

Hammond Bank Buys Competitor for $19m

First Guaranty Bancshares Inc., parent company of First Guaranty Bank, will acquire First Community Bank for $19 million. First Community has two banking offices, located in Hammond and Mandeville.

About Half of Louisiana's Road Home Money Is in Homeowner Hands

Of the $9.2 billion already calculated in Road Home benefits for homeowners damaged by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, $4.5 billion is already in the hands of eligible applicants. Road Home officials report interviews have been held or scheduled 196,659 interviews with homeowners who can apply for up to $150,000 in compensation to help rebuild or relocate. An estimated 162,000 aplicants are expected to be found eligible and paid.

Northrop Grumman Awarded $90m Add-On to Navy Ship Contract in Pascagoula, Miss.

The Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman Corp. an additional $90- million contract modification for production activities related to the construction of a Zumwalt-class destroyer, also known as DDG 1000. The contract modification amends a $191-million contract modification issued by the Navy in June for construction of the first Zumwalt-class destroyer, a war-fighting ship. The earlier contract modification provides funds to purchase materials and equipment for construction.

Fema Touts $4k Relocation Assistance Program in Louisiana

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has helped 658 families already, another 178 will soon move and tens of thousands more are eligible for relocation assistance. More than 1.2 million households were forced from their homes following hurricanes Katrina and Rita. With recovery well under way in Louisiana, many are ready to come home. After the storms, many applicants rented apartments, placed their children in schools and found jobs in new temporary homes as they waited to return.

Nearly $1m Granted to Help Build 'Knowledge-Based Economy' in N.O.

Nicolas Bazan, a professor at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, said a $850,000 research grant he was awarded will benefit more than the fight against blindness-causing diseases. "This new grant will allow us to attract more grants, which will allow us to fight diseases and recruit more scientists to work with us," Bazan said. "And that will help build a knowledge-based economy in New Orleans, and the future belongs to knowledge-based economies."

Soaring Oil Prices Fuel Renewed Interest in Alternative Gulf Energy

With crude oil teetering in triple-digit territory, a federal agency tasked with developing U.S. petroleum reserves took a preliminary step toward better developing offshore wind, wave and hydroelectric resources. "Today, we're laying the groundwork for a new energy frontier for our nation," Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne said Nov. 5 as the Minerals Management Service, a subsection of his agency, released the final environmental impact assessment tied to its offshore alternative energy pr...

No. 1 Versus No. 2 Collide When N.O. Saint Williams Takes On Bush Sunday

Today's New Orleans Saints conference call with Houston Texans defensive end Mario Williams centered around how Williams, who was drafted No. 1 ahead of No. 2 pick running back Reggie Bush, will fare against the No. 2 choice of the 2006 National football League draft in their first professional matchup. Q: How do you feel about how things turned out after the whole draft process?

Experts Analyzing N.O. Da Operations

A five-member team of experienced district attorneys elected by the National District Attorneys Association arrived in New Orleans Monday to conduct a weeklong review of the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office. The experts will review 2005, 2006 and 2007 case dismissals, court-granted continuances and guilty pleas.

New Orleans Inspector General Cerasoli to Participate in Panel Discussion with City Leaders

New Orleans Inspector General Robert Cerasoli will address community leaders at an event, "Ethics in Public Service and the Inspector General Function," at 7 p.m. Nov. 27 at Loyola University New Orleans. During the event, Cerasoli will explain the role of the inspector general and participate in a panel discussion with city leaders.

Free Primary Care Clinic Opens in N.O.

Luke's House, a free primary care clinic, opened Tuesday at Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 2700 Louisiana Ave., between St. Charles and S. Claiborne avenues. The new clinic will offer basic primary care for adults and children, pastoral and mental health counseling and referrals at no charge to New Orleans residents.

Computer Snafus Snarl Chase Bank Business

Chase Bank customers trying to bank online are experiencing slower or limited access to their accounts. Greg Hassell, a Chase spokesman, said the bank has been working on the problem since midday but has not determined how long it will take for the problem to be corrected.