Audio from the opening of the Bonnet Carre spillway. A proposed chemical plant gets pushback from St. James Parish residents. And New Orleans charter school leaders are trying to align their calendars.
Posted inCriminal Justice
‘Who’s going to be smarter on crime?’ A look ahead at the 2020 DA’s race
The themes of what could be a tough election in 2020 may have already started to emerge. Councilman Jason Williams has criticized DA Cannizzaro’s hardball tactics. Cannizzaro has taken on a tough-on-crime message.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Civil rights lawsuit over fake subpoenas, witness arrests allowed to go forward, judge rules
Judge denies much of Cannizzaro’s motion to dismiss the suit, which alleges systematic civil rights violations.
Posted inSchools
Student brings unloaded gun to Baby Ben, prompts brief lockdown, officials say
The lockdown was lifted and police are investigating.
Posted inEnvironment
St. James residents slam Wanhua chemical plant plans in Convent
A representative of the Chinese-based chemical giant assured parish planning commissioners Monday that its planned isocyanate plant in Convent would provide hundreds of new direct and indirect jobs and would be managed safely. But some members of the public offering were not having it.
Posted inSchools
New Orleans charter leaders work to align school calendars
Participation is voluntary, but some New Orleans charter school leaders say they want to coordinate days off when possible to ease the burden on parents with children in multiple schools.
Posted inInside the News Room
Week in Review: How and when does the Orleans school district decide to close schools? How should it?
Plus, following this week’s decision to OK a controversial power plant, a look at the relationships — business and political — between some City Council members and Entergy. And more on the Mosaic Fertilizer wastewater situation in St. James Parish.
Posted inBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens episode 20: ‘Not two cents’
This week’s Entergy vote. A troubling warning about the wastewater situation in St. James Parish. And The Lens’ new series on school closures in New Orleans.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Entergy fined $5 million, can move forward with new power plant
The vote on a settlement with company automatically cancels proposed resolutions to repeal the City Council’s March 2018 power plant approval. Plant opponents criticized council members for taking contributions from the company.
Posted inSchools
Class Dismissed: How and when New Orleans schools close
The Orleans Parish school district is closing five schools this spring. In the first part in a series on school closures, The Lens talks to experts, advocates and parents about how a decision to close a school is made, and how it should be made.