| BY BOB WARREN | Staff writer |
Good morning and thanks for joining us. Here's a look at some of our top headlines. Essence ramps up: Essence Festival is ramping up, and thousands of music fans are in the city for the annual summertime party. Keith Spera has the music schedule here. And Tony McAuley was there as the Biden administration’s small business chief spoke Friday. Famous . . . and haunted: Got $10 million? The Lalaurie Mansion in the French Quarter is for sale. The famous residence was once owned by actor Nicolas Cage and has a very, um, storied past. Stephanie Riegel has the details. Parade calendar competition: At least two krewes want the Wednesday night spot on the city’s Carnival calendar. Doug MacCash has the latest on the competition for Nyx’s old spot. Return of a favorite: Central Grocery, the French Quarter place so well known for its muffalettas, has been closed since Hurricane Ida. But a reopening appears on the horizon, Ian McNulty reports. We've got plenty more news, entertainment and sports from The Times-Picayune here. Thanks for reading. Bob | 