City begins “BlightStat”
The city inaugurated a blight-tracking program today, bringing together several city departments to share myriad statistics with each other and the public.
New coalition wants small jail
Anticipating a draft report this afternoon on the appropriate size of a new city jail, a coalition of smaller-jail advocates have renewed the call for an 850-bed jail in line with national averages.
Council questions why budget doesn’t include new planners
No contest: Sheriff snags ankle-monitoring contract
In an unusual move, Mayor Mitch Landrieu awarded Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman a contract in October for more than Gusman originally bid – and for more than the lowest bidder for the same deal.
City Council supports reinstatement of New Orleans red-light camera system
Update: The council voted today 6-1 in favor of the cameras, with Jon Johnson dissenting.
Budget talks focus on transparency, expansion of open-government budget
Today’s City Council budget hearings focused on providing better city openness and customer service, and on the expansion of Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s “open and effective government” budget.
Agencies pledge blight fight, but City Council skeptical
Monday’s City Council budget hearing opened with a lively presentation by a singing and dancing youth group from Durban, South Africa, that had the mayor and council members literally dancing in the aisle.
Kickin' it old school on Election Day
Gusman’s courthouse threat looms as he awaits payment
The city has until Friday to reach a deal with Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman over security at the Criminal District Courthouse, or Gusman could still cause closure
Jindal to beef up berms
Standing on the second floor of the Acme Oyster House alongside BP America President Lamar McKay, Gov. Bobby Jindal today announced that the state will use $140 million from BP to transform sand berms into barrier islands to protect the coast.
