Marta Jewson and Karen Gadbois on the guilty plea of a local Reverend and charter school board chair. Michael Isaac Stein on the city’s work to increase short-term rental enforcement. And Nick explains what’s happening behind the scenes as municipal court and city council try to clear the way for simple marijuana possession charges.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Controversial $70M BioDistrict tax diversion approved by City Council
The contract has been withdrawn several times over the last year to fix issues raised by residents.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
New BGR report endorses Nov. 8 ballot measure to require council confirmation of mayor’s department heads
The ballot measure has been a major point of contention between the Cantrell administration and the measure’s lead sponsor, Councilman JP Morrell.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Marijuana pardons passed last year should soon be reflected on criminal records, officials say
The pardons could affect roughly 10,000 cases in New Orleans.
Posted inEnvironment
Unintended consequences: Louisiana project highlights unknowns around carbon capture
A Louisiana power company wants to capture its climate emissions, raising concerns about impacts on the state’s water supplies.
Posted inBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens episode 182: ‘police aren’t being utilized correctly’
Joshua Rosenberg explains the Army Corps of Engineers’ concerns about the potential cumulative environmental and public health impacts a grain elevator project in St. John may impose on the surrounding community. Nick Chrastil on a new study that found only around a quarter of calls NOPD responded to were crime related at all.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
City increases short-term rental enforcement, but only 43 adjudications in 2022 so far
The city’s goal is to have up to 600 adjudications a year once the office is fully staffed.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Marijuana possession enforcement has ‘virtually vanished’ in New Orleans this year following council ordinance, NOPD policy change
Analysis shows there have been seven summonses issued in New Orleans in 2022, down from hundreds or thousands in previous years.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Federal judge says he still has received no information from Sheriff’s Office regarding jail deaths this summer
Sheriff Susan Hutson has faced ongoing criticism over lack of transparency since she took office in May.