City accused of misleading the public in campaign for property tax proposal
The Cantrell administration and library officials have come out strong in favor of a package of ballot initiatives that would cut the library budget by 40 percent in favor of housing and economic development. And they have repeatedly made false and misleading statements about the proposal.
Recent Posts
OPSB approves $70k to continue ‘Safe Routes to School’ work with city
The program provides crossing guards and trains P.E. teachers to educate students on traffic safety.
With increased city funding, public defenders avoid ‘worst possible outcome,’ but not out of the woods yet, chief defender says
A last-minute budget amendment will help the office hire outside attorneys to handle some cases. But lower ticket and fee revenues — and a growing backlog from COVID-19 court closures — are still causing problems.
New Orleans Health Department expects to lose National Guard support for COVID response within a month
Losing the support is anticipated to reduce city’s daily testing capacity by several hundred.
Some schools pivot to virtual as third wave of COVID-19 cases strikes
Cases in schools tripled last week as officials urged caution over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Behind The Lens episode 106: No Thanks
NOPD using facial recognition software. Religious schools facing additional legal scrutiny after taking PPP loans. And non-unanimous jury verdicts — we haven’t quite gotten past them.
Public defenders to receive more city funding than ever before — but not quite the ‘parity’ with DA as promised by City Council
The budget passed Thursday increased the public defenders allocation from the city by $1.8 million more than the mayor originally proposed
Resources
COVID-19 testing guide
A guide to finding and getting a test in New Orleans.
Coronavirus guide
Latest coronavirus news from The Lens, updated restrictions and links to available resources.
opinion
The intent to harass Black politicians
Jason Williams’ indictment and accusations against LaToya Cantrell fall into a broader American tradition of thwarting Black, progressive officials.
The irony of ‘Law and Order’
Voting rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer said, “Black people know what white people mean when they say law and order.”
How do we create a civil civic society? Vote!
Election day is on November 3rd. Don’t wake up the next day and wish you had done more to protect our democracy.
About the Lens
The Lens aims to engage and empower the residents of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. We provide the information and analysis necessary to advocate for more accountable and just governance.