In New Orleans, no signs of recovery for tourism industry
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The fall season may look a little different for many of us, as we face more uncertain times and what could be a lengthier pandemic.
In New Orleans, the fall season was set to be busy with festivals that would help musicians and hospitality workers recover economically. Now, prospects are dim. Following Jazz Fest's announcement, the city is seeing the domino effect of cancellations.
Across Louisiana, the student to social worker ratio is 1277 to one. We spoke to advocates, school officials and doctors about the plans to address the social and emotional well-being of young students returning to the classroom.
In Mississippi, we take you on a trip to a few local Black-owned bookstores. I definitely order books online but I enjoy the experience of going to a bookstore, perusing the titles and selecting my next great read.
Finally, if you have plans for a cookout, we have recipes for the grill. Scroll to the end of the newsletter if you're looking to turn up the heat on dinner.
Thank you for reading. Take good care!
Ashley Hopkinson (Editor, The American South)
In New Orleans, no signs of recovery for tourism industry as pandemic continues
In a normal year, New Orleans shakes off the summer doldrums in the fall. The temperature drops. Hurricane season winds down. Tourists return. And events fill the calendar. This year, with Jazz Fest and other spring festivals postponed to the fall due to the pandemic, the season was set to be supercharged.
But now with cancellations, fall no longer looks like a season of recovery for the city’s music and hospitality sectors. As Louisiana ranks as one of states worst hit by the delta variant, it is clear that in New Orleans the pandemic will not end soon.
How Louisiana schools are addressing mental health concerns after years of counselor shortages
The pandemic has created a significant disruption in the lives of young children and teens who have had to adjust to interrupted routines, a loss of community, and greater social isolation.
Public health measures have intermittently forced the closure of schools, summer camps, and other settings that help children with socialization and learning. Young children have also had to cope with the loss of loved ones and the financial struggles that have affected hundreds of families during the pandemic.
As a new school year begins, school districts across the state are looking at ways to address the emotional and social needs of their students that have been amplified by the pandemic, while at the same time trying to manage limited resources and professionals able to handle those needs.
Black-owned bookstores in Mississippi: A new chapter and a storied past
Several Mississippi shops are bucking a national trend of dwindling Black-owned bookstores in the United States. From 2000 to 2012, the number of Black-owned bookstores in the United States fell from 325 to 54.
In Biloxi, there’s the shop and publishing company Black Authors Rock. In Pearl, there’s Milestone Books. And in Jackson, there’s Marshall’s Music & Bookstore, opened in Jackson 83 years ago by Ora Page Marshall. Today, her granddaughter Maati Jone Primm runs the store.
"It kind of makes us the unicorn of bookstores, that we could go through three generations and five owners and still come out successful."
Grilled summer favorites
There is just something about the flavor from the wood chips and charcoal that turns even the most simple dish into something truly spectacular. From juicy burgers to tender chicken, food just tastes better once it's been kissed by the grill.
Get the full list of recipes here🍴