New Orleans City Business

Disaster Assistance Deadline Nearing for Storm, Tornado Victims in Three La. Parishes

Homeowners, renters and business owners in Jefferson, Orleans and St. Martin parishes affected by the Feb. 12-13 storms and tornadoes have until April 24 to apply for disaster assistance, state and federal officials said. Disaster recovery officials urge people who have not applied to call (800) 621-3362. People with speech and hearing impairments should call (800) 462-7585.

Crescent City Farmers Market to Benefit From $450,000 Grant

Marketumbrella.org, the Loyola University New Orleans-based nonprofit and sponsor of the Crescent City Farmers Market, will receive $225,000 each year for the next two years from the National Rural Funders Collaborative. The funds will be used for a new program called "crop circles" - a public market-based philanthropy - and to strengthen market opportunities for farmers of color and their communities.

Homeland Security Forum to Focus On New Orleans

How to improve homeland security in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans will be the subject of a forum 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. April 20 on the 11th floor of 601 Poydras St. The forum will look at international, national and state preparations to make New Orleans a more secure place. Topics will include security in the movement of goods and services, the status of the levee system, the new Louisiana State University Disaster Management Institute, the state's communication's infrastructure and parish...

Louisiana Unemployment Claims Drop 5 Percent

Initial claims for unemployment decreased for the week ending March 31, dropping 5.4 percent to 2,105 from 2,226, the state Department of Labor said. But claims were above the 2,046 claims for the comparable week ending April 1, 2006.

N.O. Charter Schools Relying On Matchmaking Event to Find Board Members

New Schools for New Orleans will sponsor a matchmaking event for citizens interested in becoming members of charter school boards. The event will take place today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the New Orleans Charter Science and Math High School, 5625 Loyola Ave.

N.O.-Based Energy Partners Limited Extends Deadline for Purchasing Senior Notes

Energy Partners Limited is extending the deadline to buy all of its its senior notes from April 20 to May 3. As of Monday, the petroleum exploration and production company received tender offers from holders of $143.4 million or nearly 96 percent of its priority debt.

Survey: Higher Gas Prices Won't Curb Vacation Fun

Don't expect less crowded roads and waterways this vacation season. According to Nationwide Mutual Insurance's Second Annual Fueling Powersports Index, owners of RVs, travel trailers, boats and motorcycles say even if gas prices go up, their love for their lifestyle has them willing to pay to play. Nationwide polled 2,518 motorcycle, boat, RV and travel trailer owners to gauge their sentiments on how fuel prices would impact their summer plans. Nearly 70 percent of said they will not change t...

Rep. Bobby Jindal Offers Solutions to New Orleans Crime Problems at Fed Hearing

Rep. Bobby Jindal, R-Metairie, today submitted a statement at the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee field hearing titled "The Katrina Impact on Crime and the Criminal Justice System in New Orleans," at Dillard University in New Orleans. Jindal's statement focused on the Violent Crime Reduction Act he introduced to help cut violent crime.