EPA, LDEQ and even the Justice Department are monitoring efforts by Mosaic Fertilizer to prevent a potential release of acidic wastewater into nearby wetlands. There’s little chance of a release into the Mississippi River. But local residents draw little relief from the company’s assurances.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
The city should get a bigger chunk of hotel tax revenue, report says
The report says New Orleans should get at least $12 million more annually from the hotel taxes, and that all 16 hotel taxes should be reexamined by the state legislature.
Posted inSchools
School district can’t access federal funds assigned to Harney elementary
Orleans school district officials say that Harney, which the district took over from a charter operator, faces a $430,000 deficit. Federal funds allocated to its former charter board could close most of the gap. But the district can’t collect them.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Death penalty repeal gaining momentum — but needs your support
Pope Francis is unwavering in his opposition to capital punishment.
Posted inInside the News Room
Week in Review: Soon-to-be-enacted law could leave just one abortion provider in Louisiana
Plus, Entergy hits another snag on proposed power plant. NOPD makes some progress meeting consent decree requirements, but it’s still not quite there. And rural communities across the state may soon have to take action on their aging water systems.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Abortion access in Louisiana could soon be reduced to a single physician
A 2014 law set to take effect next month could leave only one clinic in the state. This week, lawyers seeking to overturn it tried to delay an appeals court ruling upholding it. They were denied. Now, the only place for them to go is the U.S. Supreme Court.
Posted inBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens episode 16: ‘We will not go backwards’
The podcast wraps a busy end of the week in New Orleans, with breaking news on two fronts: Louisiana’s new abortion restrictions and the NOPD consent decree.
Posted inOpinion
Botched refereeing rekindles a familiar Whodat Nation vibe: paranoia
Saints fans wonder why America hates us
Posted inEnvironment, Government & Politics
Tough choices ahead for Louisiana’s struggling water systems
An infrastructure review graded the state’s drinking water systems at D-minus. Billions of dollars will be needed to repair and upgrade these public systems, and it’s not clear where all that money will come from. But drilling private wells simply isn’t an option for most residents.
Posted inEnvironment
Entergy power plant hits another snag with air quality permit application
Lawyers for groups opposed to the plant say the company botched an application for a state permit renewal. State agency should not grant it, they argue.