NOPD, district attorney want fewer marijuana arrests
Big hitters in the New Orleans criminal-justice world spoke this morning in favor of four ordinances aimed at reducing the number of people arrested for minor crimes.
Big Four redevelopments rise or fall on federal tax bill
Even as President Barack Obama agrees to keep Bush-era tax cuts, a consensus is still lacking on an extension of tax credits needed to rebuild New Orleans’ Big Four housing developments, as well as other Gulf Coast complexes.
Don’t plan on recycling bottles from New Year’s Eve bash
The recycling program for most of the city, announced in the recent contract negotiations with Metro Disposal and Richard’s Disposal, will not start with the new year, an attorney for the companies said.
Gusman’s staff won’t be charged in restraining death
District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro has declined to pursue criminal charges against Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman's office after investigating the death of a woman who collapsed after being held in restraints at Gusman’s jail in January 2009.
Dragnet cast for spokesman
New Orleans Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas has decided to replace his top contractor for communications and chief spokesman, Bob Young.
Jindal, Palin show some spine (on the bookstore shelves)
Trash contract not started
Three weeks after heralding major concessions in the Metro Disposal trash-contract negotiation, the city has yet to begin drafting the new contract or amendment that will lock in the details of this new agreement.
Some city workers lose access to documents and e-mails
The crash of a key city computer server is stymieing work across New Orleans’ already strained government and making it tougher for residents to get the services and information they need.
Crash of property computers hurts city’s anti-blight effort
While city officials struggle to tame blight, a key piece of the administration’s strategy – selling seized property at sheriff’s sale – has been hampered by the Clerk of Court’s computer crash, now in its second month.
City Council may downgrade pot possession, other charges
The City Council is set to ease the punishment for some misdemeanors in an effort to unclog the city’s jails and courts.
