New Orleans moves to Phase 3 of its reopening, allowing many businesses to operate at 75% capacity. Tap your toes to live indoor music again in New Orleans starting today – but curb your enthusiasm as dancing, cheering and singing along are still not allowed under the revised restrictions that seek to boost the economy while controlling the spread of the coronavirus.
Amtrak says with the passage of the Covid relief funding package, it will recall more than 1,200 furloughed employees into the next fiscal year, and a dozen daily long-distance U.S. routes will be back on the tracks this spring, including 2 routes to New Orleans, the City of New Orleans from Chicago to New Orleans and the Crescent from New York. American Airlines is adding a daily nonstop from Austin Texas to New Orleans in May.
FEMA is sending almost $4 million dollars to Louisiana to raise 25 buildings a foot above base flood elevation. It will cover around 85% of the cost to lift 10 structures in Denham Springs and 15 in Iberia Parish.
The Dow and S&P 500 soared to new highs after President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law. Tech shares rebounded too. The Dow was up 188 points, the S&P added 40 and the Nasdaq gained 329. Futures are lower.
