In December, Louisiana led the nation in flu cases. The first wave hit hard — especially with one specific population. Are we heading to a second wave? What can you do now to protect yourself?

Dr. Jordan Harry, medical director of quality and student health at Ochsner Urgent Care & Occupational Health, shares his expertise on this week’s Biz Talks.

Two New Orleanians – attorney Tim Kappel, and his client, Cyril Vetter – are at the heart of a high stakes legal battle that has been waging for years between musicians and music publishers/studios. On Monday, Jan. 12, a federal appeals court upheld a major ruling in U.S. copyright law affecting the ownership rights of songwriters over their songs — and all creators over their work. In this week’s podcast, Kappel explains how this landmark decision could significantly affect long-standing agreements across the music industry.

Marking five years in business next month, Baldwin & Co. is a Black owned café and independent bookstore on Elysian Fields — but that’s just the beginning. Jerid Woods, customer relations and partnership manager, shares how the company’s mission — helping individuals improve their lives and achieve economic independence through the power of books — plays out through an incredible array of projects, with more constantly in the works.

Five months into his new role as head of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Jim Cook shares what this year will bring for the upcoming Omni New Orleans Hotel, as well as how the now-increased capital plan is coming along and his thoughts on the future of the River District.

How does Biz New Orleans choose the elite group of honorees each year? What does it take to be named CEO of the Year? Editor Kim Singletary explains the process, along with how you may have a say over next year’s picks. She also breaks down the highlights of this year’s class and why their inspirational stories provide the perfect inspiration to help you dominate in 2026.

On Dec. 9, New Orleans & Company launched Vision 2035: a plan created with big local stakeholders to make the city a better place to live and visit.

What are some of the biggest goals of the plan and where do we start? Walt Leger III, CEO of New Orleans & Company, shares his thoughts.

A week into ICE’s “Operation Catahoula Crunch,” New Orleans’ immigrant community, along with businesses that employ immigrants, are feeling the effects. This week, Mayra Pineda, president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana, pushes back against misinformation online and shares what she’s hearing from area businesses and what the chamber is doing to support New Orleans’ only growing community.

Today is Giving Tuesday https://www.givingtuesday.org/, which strategically falls toward the end of the year, providing the last chance to take advantage of tax benefits for charitable giving for the year. This week, Biz Talks welcomes Shayna Lear Harvey, partner and president of Wealth Management fro JECohen. She shares the new rules for giving for 2025, what changes are coming for 2026 and four ways you can maximize your giving right now.

Founded by New Orleanian Geoffrey Meeker in 2012, French Truck Coffee has become a local coffee success story with now 13 locations across New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Memphis. Last month, Meeker stepped away as CEO, handing the company over to long-time partner Bobby Winston and his brother Sam. Together, the Winstons share their thoughts on how coffee is changing and what they envision for the future of French Truck.

As parents and area schools look ahead to next fall, BizTalks caught up with Kaitlin Karpinski, executive director of Rooted School New Orleans. Located on the campus of Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO), this two-time “Most Innovative Charter School” winner allows students to start taking college courses on day one, as well as offers 15 different industry-based certifications. Karpinski shares all the details on this unique school, including how its success has led to nationwide expansion.For more information, visit https://www.rootedschool.org/