🐪 It's Wednesday. Halfway there!

Today's weather: Sunny with a high of 93.

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🎧 Sounds like: "Viva La Money" by Allen Toussaint.

Today's newsletter is 878 words — a 3.5-minute read.

Mayor Helena Moreno proposes cutting 152 positions and shrinking city government in 2027.

Why it matters: Some of the cuts could be offset by new fees and increased property taxes if there's public support.

The big picture: The city's expenses are about $100 million more than the forecasted revenue for next year, Moreno told City Council yesterday during her executive budget proposal.

• After searching the proverbial couch cushions, Moreno says she had about $77 million left in cuts to make.
• NOFD is facing a 10% cut, while millions more are being trimmed from the low-barrier homeless shelter, Mardi Gras cleanup, grass cutting, public defenders, mobile crisis intervention and other city-funded services.
• The administration says the budget is a "menu of options." The council can alter it until it adopts a finalized budget by Dec. 1.

Yes, but: The proposal could change dramatically should the city roll forward property tax millages, which would bring in $20 million to $42 million.

• These are the property tax rates that voters previously approved to fund public services.
• Under the proposal, the owner of a $100,000 house on the East Bank with a homestead exemption would pay $29.55 more annually, Chief Administrative Officer Joe Giarrusso says.
• The council will vote on the issue Nov. 5.

What's she saying: "What is the right balance for the people of New Orleans?" Moreno says. "Every dollar matters to the city services, but also every dollar matters to the people who pay for them."

Zoom in: City employees are still furloughed one day every pay period.

• The furloughs won't carry over into 2027, and Giarrusso says the city is trying to end them earlier.

Behind the scenes: Giarrusso and Moreno have committed to a 10% cut to their own salaries, no matter what else happens with the budget.

• Giarrusso makes $325,000 annually and says Moreno makes about $180,000 to $200,000.

Zoom in: Department heads will present their budgets to the City Council over the next month.

• This is also when residents should speak up about what they want to keep, says Councilmember Lesli Harris, who is the budget chair and will lead the meetings.

What's next: The meetings start next week. See the schedule.

Historic staffing levels

Smoke & Honey is closing its doors this weekend.

The big picture: Smoke & Honey opened nearly three years ago in Mid-City with a menu focused on Greek and Jewish deli food.

• The closure announcement didn't give a reason. The restaurant is throwing "a big lamb party" Saturday and Sunday to go "out the only way I know how."

Elsewhere on the restaurant scene:

🎉 New: Maison Revant is a French Caribbean restaurant on North Rampart Street. (WWL)

• RibMaster Soulfood & BBQ is in Westwego.
• Byblos Lakeview is in the former Boil and Barrel location.

🔜 On the way: The team behind Pigeon & the Whale has a new Italian concept on Magazine Street called St. Elmo's.

• Honey's is adding an Uptown location near Magazine and Napoleon in the former Undergrowth Coffee/Hey Cafe! spot.
• Mason's Lobster Rolls is opening at Magazine and Louisiana in the former Poke Loa location.
• Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken will be on Veterans Memorial Boulevard in the former Dickey's Barbecue spot.

🍴 Lagniappe: Le Petit Bleu, the casual concept from Commander's Palace, now has a patio.

• Gaijin, a Japanese sando spot, added a dog-friendly patio.
• Poor Plume. The Algiers restaurant got its liquor license drama handled, but now the city thinks it is an unregistered business.
• Bayona is ending Sunday brunch.

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🔜 New businesses:

• The Whit, a boutique hotel in the Garden District, will open this fall. It will have a tea and cocktail salon. (Instagram)
• Hi-Ho Lounge is returning to St. Claude. (Instagram)
• Bloom Yoga is opening a location on Magazine Street. (What Now)

🐟 Louisiana is stocking redfish in its coastal waters for the first time. (The Times-Picayune 🔒)

🌀 Hurricane forecasters are tracking two systems in the Atlantic, but they aren't a threat to us. (Latest)

🤑 The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana has partnered with Kalshi to launch what it says is the country's first tribal prediction market app. (New York Times and press release)

New Orleans is full of interesting people you haven't met yet. Axios Social Club puts six locals around a table and lets dinner take it from there.

How it works: Take a quick quiz and reserve your seat. We'll choose the restaurant, make the reservation and find your dinner crew.

The fun part: Who you're meeting — and where you're eating — stays a surprise until event day.

• After dinner, everyone's invited to a secret afterparty nearby.

If you go: Join us Uptown on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 6:30pm.

• Tickets are $15.99 per person.
• Food and drinks are purchased separately.

👉 Save your mystery seat.

🌮 Carlie enjoyed dinner with her in-laws last night.

🙃 Chelsea seems to have lost her marriage certificate.

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Thanks to our editor Jen Burkett.