Louisiana voters will make their choices in a primary runoff for U.S. Senate among other local matters in an election tomorrow.

Why it matters: All eyes are on which Republican candidate — President Trump-backed Rep. Julia Letlow, or State Treasurer John Fleming — will make it through to November's election.

Zoom in: The race has turned heated in its final days, with attack ads and texts flooding voters as Fleming mounts a surprisingly strong campaign against Letlow.

• Together, the pair knocked incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy out of the picture in May's party primary.
• That race ended with 45% of the vote for Letlow, 28% for Fleming and 25% for Cassidy, according to Secretary of State Nancy Landry's office.
• Since then, the battle between Fleming and Letlow has revved up, with Fleming's supporters appearing more energized than Letlow's in a low-turnout race, according to The Times-Picayune.

The other side: Democrat-affiliated voters will select between Jamie Davis and Gary Crockett.

• Davis, who received 47% of the primary vote, is favored to win. He's backed by the state's Democratic party.

Go deeper: WRKF has a Q&A with all four U.S. Senate candidates.

Some voters in New Orleans and Jefferson Parish will make selections for additional Republican runoffs on their ballots ahead of November's general election. They include:

• The Public Service Commission District 1 seat. State Rep. Stephanie Hilferty and former Jefferson Parish president John Young are looking to fill that post. Go deeper.
• The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education District 1 seat. Joseph Cao faces Ellie Schroder. Go deeper.

What's next: Polls are open from 7am to 8pm.

• Find your polling place and sample ballot.

Go deeper for a reminder on how closed party primaries work

Officials are offering small business grants for French Quarter businesses that are struggling amid ongoing construction on their blocks.

Why it matters: At least three businesses have closed already, with others saying they are in dire straits as the city enters what is historically its slowest tourism season.

The big picture: Mayor Helena Moreno unveiled a $200,000 "business stabilization fund" this week that will be used to give grants to French Quarter businesses.

• She estimates at least 40 businesses will meet the qualifications for a $2,500 to $5,000 one-time grant.
• Even though the grants don't cover everything, it is psychologically important to show "evidence of the city caring," GNO Inc. President and CEO Michael Hecht says.

Support programs announced Wednesday night:

Grants: Applications open Monday via the Greater New Orleans Foundation and will stay open for a week.

• Businesses need to be on a block with construction and show a decrease in revenue, among other requirements.

Marketing: The state kicks off a $2 million "staycation" campaign next week aimed at getting Louisianans to visit New Orleans, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says.

• It will start in North Louisiana and include markets within 150 miles of the state.

Gift cards: New Orleans & Co. is working on a summer promotion to encourage spending at local businesses, says CEO and President Walt Leger III.

• It will offer gift cards to hotel guests, he said. Details are still being worked out.

Construction timeline

🔥 Storyland's new and improved dragon slide is ready for showtime. It's been revamped with more safety features than the previous one. Catch up quick.

🤑 Check your tickets: A $50,000 Louisiana Lottery Powerball prize for the Feb. 11 drawing has yet to be claimed. The winning ticket was purchased at Discount Depot in Marrero.

⚖️ Louisiana is among 17 states suing California over a plastics law. The law aims to scale back single-use plastic use, but the coalition of states argue it'll create price increases that'll get passed along to consumers. (AP)

🛐 Archbishop James Checchio is traveling to Rome for a blessing from Pope Leo XIV on Monday. He'll return with a vestment he'll wear for special Masses. (The Times-Picayune 🔒)

Members-only club Common House is changing hands and getting a new name, the owners tell us ahead of a public announcement.

The big picture: Common House New Orleans will relaunch as 420 Julia on Wednesday, according to a statement from Schulte Hospitality Group, Common House and Nashville-based developer AJ Capital Partners.

• It will be fully rebranded by Oct. 1.
• Schulte, a Kentucky-based company, is AJ's new operating partner for the club.
• Common House opened in 2024 in the Warehouse District space that was previously home to the Louisiana Children's Museum.

Zoom in: The owners say current memberships will transition to 420 Julia, and existing agreements will be honored.

Zoom out: Common House's location in Richmond, Virginia, went through a similar transition earlier this year.

Keep reading

Mayor Moreno volunteered behind the bar at Molly's this week in support of businesses affected by the construction.

Why it matters: It's not every day the mayor will pour you a shot.

The big picture: "You want a beer? I got you," she joked with us in an exclusive interview before her shift.

• She quickly found her groove, serving Molly's famous frozen Irish coffees, posing for selfies and pouring Jameson shots for Gambit editor John Stanton and videographer Crista Rock.

Her go-to drink order: "Tito's and soda. And then I love a good margarita, but who doesn't?"

In the room: Two French Quarter residents paid for a $1,000 drink tab, including tip.

• Micah Loewenthal and Lance Zaal told us they did it to support their neighborhood.

More pictures