Despite Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s pledge – and last week’s claim – to be more transparent and accommodating in fulfilling public-records requests, The Lens has yet to get an appropriate response to a trio of week-old requests. The law requires that requested records be provided “immediately” if not in active use; if in active use, public […]
Posted inEnvironment, Government & Politics
Five years after Katrina, the return of disaster capitalism?
One month after news of a giant Gulf Coast oil spill began making headlines across the country, aid organizations worry that the region may see an influx of workers seeking cleanup jobs that simply don’t exist. “People are being told they can drive here and apply for jobs and BP will pay for travel and […]
Posted inEnvironment
Boats moored by the BP oil spill, a long-threatened community of black fishers fears for its future
Headed down La. 39 on the east bank of Plaquemines Parish, a few miles down after the Belle Chasse Ferry, drivers pass a tall, white picket fence on the left with a sign that reads “Welcome White Ditch” in a circle around an outline of the state with a pelican inside. A few yards ahead, […]
Posted inEnvironment
Gulf oil spill: Too big to stop- or even watch on a live feed
Hundreds of thousands of people from across the world are logging on to see live video of oil gushing from a broken pipe that is responsible for the gargantuan petrochemical spill in the Gulf of Mexico and increasingly, the coastal wetlands that protect New Orleans. The live video feed, transmitted from 5,000 feet below the […]
Posted inEnvironment
Nungesser says Corps has rejected state’s plea for dredged oil barriers
Nungesser The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will not allow land barriers to be built to protect the state’s coastline, Plaquemines Parish Billy Nungesser told The Lens today. “They turned it down,” Nungesser said. “They denied the plan to do the barrier islands, so I don’t know, so we’ll have to come up with something […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Clearer picture emerges with release of complete Moreno fatal-crash report from 2002
Moreno When several news outlets got an anonymous early morning e-mail Thursday describing a fatal two-car accident involving state House District 93 candidate Helena Moreno, a “summary” preceding the report was less than accurate. As explained in The Times-Picayune today, Moreno’s opponent, James Perry, put out a news release repeating some of the inaccuracies or […]
Posted inLand Use
City tries to address homeowner's elevation hassles
This Mid-City property would be exempt from the new regulations because of its contributing status in a National Register District. New Orleans city officials this week tried to smooth an uneven policy that makes it tougher – and sometimes financially impossible – for investors to rebuild certain storm-damaged properties. It’s unclear, though, whether the change […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Serpas says daughter's beau won't get special treatement
This image from Mandy Serpas’ Facebook page shows her with a man who appears to be NOPD officer Travis Ward. Personal relationships – including his adult daughter’s cop boyfriend – will not influence Ronal Serpas’ implementation of police reform, the New Orleans Police Department Superintendent said Tuesday night after a public meeting with Department of […]
Posted inEnvironment, Land Use
Methodist deadline extended
The owner of the site of the former Methodist Hospital complex in eastern New Orleans has granted Mayor Mitch Landrieu a two-month extension on a $40 million deal to purchase the property, Methodist Health System Foundation CEO Fred Young Jr., said Monday. “The mayor asked for 60 days so he could look over the deal,” […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Schools
Charter school conversion leaves some parents anxious, some hopeful
An infant rattled his mother’s car keys in blissful ignorance as she wondered aloud where his brothers would go to school in the fall. Two students in matching school uniforms whispered and appeared confused by the worked-up parents standing around them. And a toddler covered her ears with her hands as a stranger yelled. The […]