Hard Rock developers have contributed nearly $70,000 to Mayor Cantrell and her political action committee
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and her associated political action committee, Action New Orleans, have collected at least $69,838 in political contributions from the partners of 1031 Canal Development LLC — the group behind the Hard Rock Hotel. The hotel was still under construction on Oct. 12 when it collapsed, killing three workers and injuring […]
Recent Posts
Safety and Permits employees suspended in connection with federal corruption probe agree to resign in settlement with city
Employees will receive back pay from the date of their suspensions in September.
City Council to hold a public hearing on the Hard Rock collapse
A statement from Councilwoman Helena Moreno said that “those responsible must be held to account.”
Plessy Community School to take over Joseph Craig campus
Craig was rated an F by the state last fall and its charter was not renewed.
Convention Center proposes agreement to end RTA hotel tax dispute, board member says
Proposal seeks to settle disagreement on transit agency’s hotel taxes, which it split with tourism agencies for years. Details on the proposed deal were not immediately available.
Civil rights lawyers in federal bail suit ask judge to hold New Orleans Magistrate Harry Cantrell in contempt of court
Lawyers say that in spite of a legal agreement, Cantrell still fails to consider defendants’ ability to pay. In a second motion, they are asking for him to stop setting cash bail altogether.
Appeals court denies Kennedy HS operator's request to be taken out of graduation scandal lawsuit
The attorney representing the students and families suing the school accused the charter network of delay tactics.
behind the lens
Behind The Lens episode 65: Blowin' in the wind
Michael Isaac Stein updates the Hard Rock Hotel site story. Marta Jewson reports on New Beginnings’ bid to get out of a lawsuit. Jessica Rosgaard says goodbye and Tom Wright returns.
opinion
White fears, black people: voluntary segregation and how to stop it
In late October 2019, at the Obama Foundation Summit in Chicago, former First Lady Michelle Obama said she “can’t make people not be afraid of black people.” Continuing, she said, “I don’t know what’s going on. I can’t explain what’s happening in your head. But maybe if I show up every day as a human, […]
The New Orleans public school busing crisis should be treated as the civil rights issue that it is.
For children attending public schools in New Orleans who rely upon public transportation to go to school, the privatization of New Orleans public schools has created barriers to accessing free and safe yellow school bus transportation, and therefore, access to education altogether.
'The Second Battle of New Orleans' republished for 50th anniversary of end to Riverfront Expressway fight
Sandra Stokes remembers her friend Bill Borah, whose classic book on preservationists’ fight to stop the expressway project was recently republished.
Corporate wealth or the truth
The Advocate’s editorial board “welcomes” petrochemical plants, even as its reporters show how dangerous that attitude has been.
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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.