By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | With more than a hundred properties left to expropriate, the state has spent more than two-thirds of its $75 million budget to acquire private property for the construction of the $1.2 billion medical center planned to replace Charity Hospital. The $55 million spent so far has paid […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Bill to jack up traffic camera revenues speeds through Senate committee
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Like a driver that didn’t even touch the brakes before blowing a red light, a bill that would allow New Orleans Traffic Court to raise its costs from $10 to $30 passed through the Senate Finance Committee this afternoon with no discussion and without a word from […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Schools
More names surface to succeed Pastorek as Louisiana's superintendent of education
By Jessica Williams, The Lens staff writer | One measure of Louisiana’s high profile in the national debate over school reform is the active interest being shown by the Obama administration in who will succeed Paul Pastorek as the state’s superintendent of education. But there are more names in circulation than Obama’s preference, newly appointed […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
The Lens Salon: You're invited
Interested in finding out more about a new media effort aimed at creating openness and accountability in New Orleans? Bring your concerns, complaints, creative ideas and investigative news tips to a soiree hosted by the staff of The Lens. We seek your input as we strive to meet the urgent need for information and analysis […]
Posted inEnvironment, Government & Politics, Investigations
Despite health fears, trailers are housing disaster victims
FEMA trailers that sheltered New Orleanians after Katrina after back in service on the resale market, despite health warnings and a government ban on their use as housing.
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Landrieu asks City Council to move appeals of camera-generated tickets to Traffic Court
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s office this morning will place an ordinance before the City Council that, if approved, would move contested traffic-camera tickets from Civil Court to Traffic Court, a move that could raise millions of dollars for Traffic Court. Landrieu’s spokesman, Ryan Berni, confirmed the move. “The […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Mockery of scientific research comes back to haunt Bobby Jindal
A recent News Star editorial praised Governor Bobby Jindal’s leadership as the state and the Army Corps of Engineers take historic steps to manage the swollen Mississippi River. Titled “Jindal steps up in time of need,” the opinion piece commends our governor’s data-driven, pro-active approach to the situation. I’ll commend Jindal as well. He’s skilled […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Carnage at daughter's birthday does not make dad a foe of bar where it happened
By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writer | Tuesday’s meeting on whether to revoke the license of a Ninth Ward watering hole made for painful memories. And yet, even though Adrian Joseph was host of the birthday party for his daughter at which an 18-year-old was shot dead and four other patrons wounded, he was […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Deputy who punched girlfriend in face has been fired; not the first encounter with law
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | An Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy who was fired recently after admitting he punched his girlfriend in the face had other brushes with the law before he was hired less than a year ago, according to records and interviews with an alleged statutory rape victim’s mother. It’s […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Investigations
Dejean kept Gert Town board in the dark, ex-chairman of secretive non-profit contends
By Jessica Williams, The Lens staff writer | The embattled director of a Gert Town community fund has been as reluctant to share information with her board as with the community she is meant to serve, according to a former board chairman. An investigative report published last week by The Lens noted neighborhood concern that […]