Comic & Pop Culture: Geek’d Con is back in Downtown Shreveport Aug. 14–16 at the Shreveport Convention Center, expected to draw 10,000+ fans and bring major spending to the Shreveport-Bossier area. Tourism & Events: The Blue Boot Rodeo returns to Grand Isle July 9–11 with a kids zone, life jacket for life activities, live music, and inshore/offshore fishing divisions. Food & Travel: New Orleans’ Gris Gris restaurant will close at the end of July, after a long fight to regain business levels post-pandemic. Outdoor Fun: Louisiana’s Gulf beaches get a spotlight with Explore Louisiana’s picks, including Grand Isle Beach and Holly Beach. Community & Family: New Orleans attorney Gordon McKernan and Keyala Cottrell will host a second annual backpack giveaway July 25 at Treme Recreation Community Center for 432 students. Public Health: LSU Pennington Biomedical released first Franklin Parish results from the RURAL Heart and Lung study, showing high obesity rates and links between income and hypertension. Safety on the Road: Mississippi Highway Patrol reported two deadly crashes during the Fourth of July travel period, including a pedestrian death in DeSoto County.