Welcome to your Thursday. Nearly to the long weekend!

Today's weather: A chance of rain this afternoon, and it'll feel like 105.

🎂 Happy birthday to our member Dorothy Schouest!

🎧 Sounds like: "Pony" by Ginuwine, who's at the Smoothie King Center on Sunday. More things to do this weekend.

Today's newsletter is 834z words — a 3-minute read.

New Orleans City Council members will decide today whether to increase garbage rates and Mardi Gras parade fees as the city navigates a financial crisis.

Why it matters: Both measures would shift more of the cost of city services to the people who use them while generating additional revenue for the cash-strapped city.

The big picture: The proposals came from the Moreno administration, and the garbage rate hike — the first in 15 years — is the more controversial of the two.

• City leaders say it is needed because the current rate hasn't covered the cost of service for years. The city has spent millions to pay the difference.
• That option isn't sustainable, they say, because Mayor Helena Moreno inherited a cash-flow crisis and the money is dwindling. She's already taken out one loan to make payroll, while city employees are also furloughed a day every pay period.

Zoom in: The garbage rate proposal calls for a $99 annual increase for residential service, raising the monthly rate from $24 to $32.25.

• The new rate would cover weekly trash and recycling pickup. It would also fund a strike force to quickly respond to illegal dumping.
• If approved, the new rates would start Oct. 1 and be reassessed in March.

Yes, but: A rate hike is only one option.

• Council members last week floated several alternatives — from removing curbside recycling to increasing enforcement for illegal dumping.
• They also considered possibilities to return to twice-weekly pickup, which is what council members hear about most from constituents, they say.

Zoom out: Council members will also vote on increasing the fees the city charges Carnival krewes to parade.

• The money will help pay for police, street cleanup and other public costs related to parades. Officials say these services left the city $3.75 million in the hole in 2023.
• The rates would be charged to each krewe and break down to about $6.64 per rider, according to a city presentation.

What's next: The meeting starts at 10am at City Hall and is open to the public.

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As New Orleans debates raising garbage rates, some residents and City Councilmembers are pointing next door to Jefferson Parish.

The big picture: Jefferson Parish ended curbside recycling in December 2023, citing increased costs and low residential participation.

• The new contract with River Birch includes twice-weekly curbside garbage pickup.
• Separately, the parish pays for weekly recycling drop-off sites for residents.

By the numbers: Residents in unincorporated Jefferson Parish pay $26.63 a month for curbside trash pickup. The rate can be adjusted annually.

• Residents can sign up individually for curbside recycling with Ramelli, Glass Half Full or Realcycle. Monthly rates start at $20, which is on top of the parish's garbage fee.
• Residents can also drop off recyclables for free on Saturdays at parish-funded Glass Half Full sites in Metairie and Marrero.

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💊 Your New Orleans Library card now includes Culture Pass access to the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, we're told. Don't have a card? Now's a good time to sign up: It's National Library Card Sign-up Month. (Details)

🔎 New Orleans isn't applying for the federal Model Cities grants, which will fund public safety programs in two to four cities. Mayor Helena Moreno's administration cited legal, financial and oversight concerns. (Verite)

• Baton Rouge, however, is raising its hand as a contender. (WAFB)

🚀 SpaceX will receive incentives with an estimated value of $27.5 billion, according to a copy of the state's letter of intent for Starbase Louisiana. (Louisiana Illuminator)

💰 The Army Corps' controversial project to replace the Industrial Canal lock moved through another planning stage. The estimated cost has ballooned to $5.2 billion. (The Times-Picayune 🔒)

👋 Chelsea here because I wrote a book!

Why it matters: I'm having a party to celebrate, and you're invited.

Zoom in: "New Orleans Food Story" is out now. Find it on Amazon and in select local stores, like Fleurty Girl and Octavia Books.

• The book rounds up 80 restaurants, bars, stores and makers who not only anchor New Orleans' food culture now, but who I think are going to be part of its future.

If you go: I'll be at Snake & Jake's (yep, it's in the book!) tomorrow from 5pm to 6:30pm. Stop by for a signed copy. RSVP here.

• If you can't make it, no sweat. I'm also presenting at the Jefferson Parish East Bank Regional Library on Sept. 14.

🥳 Chelsea is excited to celebrate this weekend.

📖 Carlie is looking forward to buying a signed copy of Chelsea's book.

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Thanks to our editor Jen Burkett.