NEW ORLEANS – It was just another typical New Orleans week in the summer of 2020: Louisiana’s confirmed number of coronavirus cases has surpassed 100,000. The number of deaths in the state is 3,670. Both numbers are trending upward. Tropical Storm Gonzalo, meanwhile, is threatening to become a hurricane that could enter the Gulf of Mexico.
Some of the top stories of the week:
NOLA Public Schools has announced that all schools in the system will begin the 2020-21 school year with distance learning.
Gov. John Bel Edwards said Louisiana’s mask mandate and business restrictions will stay in place for at least two more weeks as the number of hospitalized coronavirus patients rises statewide.
The state halted an emergency rent assistance program Sunday after more than 40,000 people started filling out applications for the help in less than four days.
With the 30-year mortgage rate falling this week below 3% for the first time in a half-century, more U.S. homeowners are likely to seize the chance to refinance their home loans.
City officials said it’s taking longer than expected to remove the bodies of two construction workers from the partially collapsed Hard Rock Hotel on Canal Street. Work continued throughout the week.
An open U.S. House seat attracted strong interest from candidates. At least seven contenders signed up for the race Thursday as the state reached the second day of its election registration period. The seat represents northeastern and central Louisiana.
