By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | New Orleans taxpayers are likely to be asked to pay more money to run city libraries, officials with that system told the City Council today. The need for more operating funds is due in large part to a post-Katrina rebuilding of the system that one-time disaster grants […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Sheriff borrows another $5 million for jail
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman held a six-minute meeting of a little-scrutinized agency he controls this afternoon to issue $5 million of taxpayer-financed bonds to help build his new jail. Gusman still has the ability to issue as much as $30 million more in bonds, permission voters […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Land Use
Council OK's St. Charles Avenue demolition
By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writer | A substantial group of Uptown property owners attended today’s City Council meeting to address a proposal to tear down an 80-year-old house on St. Charles Avenue. Jeffery Goldring was seeking permission to demolish a 1928 Emile Weil-designed triplex. The applicant’s father, William Goldring, in 2007 wanted to […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Caddo leaders to take down Confederate flag
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Caddo Parish Commissioners voted 11-1 to remove a Confederate flag from outside the Caddo Parish Courthouse in Shreveport this afternoon. Nov. 4, 2011: This story has been corrected to reflect the Louisiana Supreme Court appeal. The third national flag of the Confederate States of America, adopted in […]
Posted inInvestigations, Schools
Many charter schools say they weren't aware of open-budgeting law, promise to comply in the future
Only six of the 43 charter school boards in New Orleans could show that they even come close to complying with a state law designed to ensure public input in their budgeting process.
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board meeting agenda released
The notice for Saturday’s Lusher Board meeting is reprinted below: The Board of Directors of Advocates for Arts Based Education Corporation will be held Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 10:00 a.m., in Room 207, at 5624 Freret Street, New Orleans, Louisiana. Below is the Agenda For the Meeting. AGENDA 1. Adoption of previous meetings’ minutes; […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board meeting agenda released
Success Prep Agenda released. Review it here.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Connect the dots: Did Jindal ghostwriter have a hand in Cain scandal?
Below is a selection of excerpts from articles you may find useful while following Presidential campaign politics in the important weeks and months to come. I’ve highlighted points of interest in bold, including connections to Louisiana pols and politicos. Remember: coincidences don’t prove causation, but do keep them in mind as events unfold. 1. The […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Public library to raid reserves, cut programs if city slashes budget supplement to zero
By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | Despite perennial financial woes and a tough rebound from Hurricane Katrina, the city’s long-beleaguered library system will start 2012 in better shape than many of its peers around the country. At a time when 60 percent of libraries nationwide report flat or significantly decreased operating budgets and […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Overall crime may be lower, but council wants NOPD to bring down homicides
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas faced tough questioning this afternoon from a skeptical City Council about how his well-publicized reforms are addressing the city’s homicide rate. The chief came armed with a sheaf of statistics to support his efforts, but council members were not receptive just two days […]