| By Chad Calder | Staff writer Stepping away: Nine months after winning exclusive rights to negotiate a broadband internet contract, a consortium of private companies is walking away from the city's ballyhooed "smart city" project. The decision comes as scrutiny builds over ties between the companies, a consulting firm and two city officials involved in the bid process. Read the latest, and what comes next, here. The search continues: Another day, another agonizing wait for the families of the three children who slipped into the current of the Mississippi River Saturday night. The Coast Guard called off its search Sunday evening, and on Monday, local law enforcement agencies continued the search with hopes for a happy ending all but extinguished. Losing ground: Six years ago, Louisiana ranked worst in the nation for congenital syphilis — babies born after contracting the disease in the womb, making them susceptible to organ damage, bone deformities, blindness and stillbirth. The state made strides, cutting its ranking to 7th in 2020, but has lost ground since and the problem has gotten worse than ever. Emily Woodruff has the story of how that's happened. Thanks for starting your day with us. Be sure to check out NOLA.com for more news throughout the day. CC | 