As midterm exam season comes to an end, some students are shifting their focus from academics to Voodoo Fest and Halloween. Beyond the festivities, however, current events in the city have not slowed down. From a lawsuit over the opioid crisis to the world’s largest bounce house, here’s what’s been happening in the larger New Orleans community.

• The city of New Orleans sued pharmaceutical companies over the opioid epidemic. Citing that opioid overdoses have “taken more from our people than gun violence ever has,” Mayor Cantrell is pursuing this lawsuit to force pharmaceutical companies to effectively warn their patrons about the negative effects of opioid abuse. She said this is a step toward holding these large companies accountable to the effects of the prescription opioid epidemic in New Orleans and across the country.

• A decision regarding unanimous juries of felony trials is on the statewide Louisiana ballot this year. The measure would require juries to agree unanimously to reach a conviction, as opposed to the current standard where only 10 out of the 12 jurors need to. Louisiana is one of just two states — the other being Oregon — which currently do not require this standard. Further, this is already the standard upheld within federal courts by the Supreme Court, and serves as a check on the imprisonment of innocent women and men. Doing research on each of these ballot measures is an important step to complete before going to the polls.

• Early voting for the 2018 election cycle opened Oct. 23 and closes Oct. 30. Though Election Day is Nov. 6th, voting early is a great way to both make your voice heard and to ensure that the lines at the voting booths will be minimal. These polls are open from 8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m., and, if you’re registered to vote in Louisiana, the nearest voting location to campus is on Cromwell Place, just a quick walk on Loyola’s side of campus. Don’t forget your driver’s license!

• A park in Metairie will have the world’s largest bounce house over the weekend of Nov. 2-4. This bounce house is 10,000 square feet and 32 feet high, which is quite an adventure and the perfect Saturday morning, post-Friday night activity. Though it costs $12-17, there is no sight quite like such an expanse of pure bounce.