NORDC has for years taught thousands of people to swim for free — but a facility fee from the American Red Cross stands in the way of NORDC expanding that program further, aquatics director Jezell Smith-Jones says.

Why it matters: Louisiana has the third-highest drowning rates in the country, according to the CDC Foundation, and swim lessons are a proven way to reduce risk.

Zoom in: NORDC's swim lessons are wildly popular, especially in the summer, Smith-Jones says.

• Before the department switched to online sign-ups this year, it wasn't unusual to see the swim lesson registration line stretch around the building, she says.
• "Most [registrants] would get there at maybe 6:30, 7 o'clock in the morning," Smith-Jones says. "And that's Rainey, Tremé, Gert Town and Joe Brown. They sit with their chairs, and they'll just wait until the staff gets there."

The intrigue: In seven years, NORDC has more than doubled its number of swim students despite consolidating lessons at each of its 17 pools to now only five.

• That consolidation, Smith-Jones says, was because the American Red Cross changed how it charged NORDC facility fees for its lessons. NORDC previously paid one fee for all of its pools, Smith-Jones says, but now pays the fee per pool.
• Now, in order to continue growing the program, NORDC would have to come up with several hundred dollars to cover facility fees at each additional pool. The fee covers instructional materials.
• "We're trying to work out something with the Red Cross," Smith-Jones says. "We could have done lessons at all of [our] pools this year."

Pro tip: Swim lessons are at their most popular during the summer, but NORDC's indoor facilities make them possible year-round. So, if you have trouble signing up, try back later, Smith-Jones says.

• "If you don't get in in June, try July, try August, September, October," she says. "In September through April, it's almost like [having] private lessons."

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Young people in New Orleans have only days left to sign up for free RTA rides.

Why it matters: The Opportunity Pass program has had "overwhelming demand," a press release says, prompting organizers to discontinue sign-ups after Aug. 14.

How it works: The pilot program, which launched in September 2024, allows New Orleanians aged 16–24 to secure free RTA passes by signing up at any New Orleans Public Library.

• The free passes will expire when program funding ends, though it's not yet clear exactly when that will be.

What we're watching: The program was launched as a pilot and paid for with one-time federal funds.

• Local transit nonprofit RIDE "is committed to collaborating with city leaders and potential funders to explore opportunities to sustain youth access to transit beyond the pilot," a press release says.

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🧑‍🍳 It's been nearly 20 years since Emeril Lagasse's popular Food Network show was canceled, but the chef's early TV shows have found a new audience with young viewers online. (The New York Times gift link)

🚰 New Orleans City Council approved Sewerage and Water Board governance changes yesterday intended to bring the utility under its direct oversight, including a full audit and leadership review. Catch up quick.

• "What changes today is that when we see your problem … this council can now, by ordinance, go in and actually fix the problem," Council President JP Morrell said.

🇺🇸 Former Vice President Kamala Harris is in town today for a Louisiana Democratic Party fundraiser and a back-to-school rally for InspireNOLA.

🚂 The Polar Express returns to New Orleans this holiday season. The popular attraction skipped the city last year. Tickets go on sale Aug. 18. (Website)

As New Orleans continues to pinch pennies in the face of a $110 million budget shortfall, Mayor Helena Moreno's administration released a new tool to offer citizens a closer look at the city's finances.

Why it matters: New Orleans' budget problems are far from over.

Catch up quick: The city faces a $110 million gap after Moreno decided against requesting the state's OK to borrow funds in the fallout of a state leadership spat over AG Liz Murrill's indictment.

• This week, City Council began approving measures aimed at avoiding running out of cash on hand by the end of the month.

How it works: The dashboard has a department-by-department breakdown of money that's been budgeted, committed and already spent.

• The city website also now has the latest general fund and cash management fund balances.

Explore the dashboard

Drew Brees gets his gold jacket tomorrow.

Zoom in: The former Saints quarterback and forever New Orleans icon will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Catch up quick: Former coach Sean Payton will be there to introduce Brees.

• And here's everything to know about related events in Canton, Ohio, from Axios Cleveland's Troy Smith.

Go deeper: What made Brees so great, according to his coaches and fellow players, via ESPN.