Roundup: NOLA money woes / Halloween economy / New LED initiative

Borrowing request pulled: New Orleans has withdrawn its $125 million borrowing request after Gov. Jeff Landry and other state leaders threatened to install a court-supervised fiscal administrator to manage city finances. State officials accuse the city of overspending for three years. Mayor-elect Helena Moreno, however, rejects any state takeover of local budget control. Read more from The Center Square. 

Scary prices: Chocolate prices have soared nearly 30% since last Halloween and 78% in five years as cocoa shortages, tariffs and inflation squeeze manufacturers and shoppers. The global cocoa deficit—the largest in 60 years—has driven costs up, pushing consumers toward cheaper gummy and sour candies as chocolate makers raise prices and experiment with smaller or cocoa-free treats. Read more from CNBC. 

Series to link events: Louisiana Economic Development announced late Thursday a new statewide initiative and event series uniting startups, investors and business leaders to strengthen the state’s tech-driven economy. Led by The Idea Village, the series links major entrepreneurship events across Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Shreveport and New Orleans—marking Louisiana’s largest coordinated investment in innovation and its first major program under LED’s LA.IO division.