No longer a pop-up: House Brew founder Manning Bergeron is opening a permanent coffee shop at 278 North St. in downtown Baton Rouge after starting as a mobile cart and pop-up, with a soft opening on Aug. 11 and a grand opening on Aug. 15. The new location will expand its menu to include breakfast, lunch, specialty coffee drinks, baked goods, paninis and locally sourced products while aiming to serve downtown workers and foster a welcoming community gathering space. 225 has the full story.
Moderna’s mRNA approach: The FDA has approved Moderna’s mFlusiva, the first flu vaccine using mRNA technology, for adults ages 50 and older ahead of the upcoming flu season. The vaccine showed a 27% reduction in flu cases compared with a commonly used flu shot among adults ages 50 to 64 and produced strong immune responses in older adults. Moderna says the mRNA approach could allow faster vaccine updates as flu viruses evolve, while reported side effects were similar to existing vaccines, including temporary pain, fever, headache and fatigue. The Associated Press has the full story.
Strong labor market: U.S. unemployment claims remained below 200,000 for the third consecutive week, signaling continued strength in the labor market. Initial jobless claims rose slightly to 199,000 for the week ending Aug. 1, while the four-week average dropped to its lowest level since September 2022. Economists expect the upcoming July jobs report to show steady employment growth, supported by resilient consumer spending. Bloomberg has the full story.
