Budget hearings: Orleans Parish DA’s office, but not the Sheriff’s Office. A ‘smart cities’ proposal draws some privacy concerns. Renaming Lusher Charter School. And school agencies want out of a long-running consent decree.
Lusher board delays final vote on new name
The board considered, and voted to reject, keeping ‘Lusher’ by renaming the school in honor of a different Lusher. The renaming process has raised transparency questions.
NOLA Public Schools, state Dept. of Education want out of long-running special education consent judgment, but civil rights lawyers say they’re not ready
The two education agencies have been overseen by court-appointed monitors for nearly seven years under a settlement agreement. Now they say it’s time to exit the agreement.
At budget hearing, council raises privacy, cost concerns over ‘smart cities’ proposal
A proposal under consideration by the Cantrell administration would create a city-led internet service and lead to the installation of thousands of ‘smart’ devices that could collect data on residents.
Divergent rulings on how to treat old split-jury verdicts could prompt action from La. Supreme Court
On Wednesday, a state appeals court in New Orleans ruled that a non-unanimous conviction should be overturned. On the same day, an appeals court in Lake Charles ruled that another split-jury verdict was valid.
Gusman delays budget presentation, to frustration of criminal justice advocates
Sheriff’s budget hearing pushed to after primary election. Gusman’s office claims it must meet with court-appointed budgetary working group before the budget hearing, but the chair of the working group says that’s not necessary.
Now DA, Williams backs off on the need for funding parity between prosecutors, defenders
As a councilmember, Williams sponsored an ordinance meant to bring Orleans Public Defenders city funding in line with the DA’s office. On Wednesday, he asked for millions more than the defenders.
Group says it will continue work against Cantrell City Hall proposal until city stops advertising for bids on it
A Cantrell spokesman called the plan ‘dead in the water’ this week, but bid solicitations remain active on the city’s contracting portal.
See inside the proposal to create a ‘city-directed’ internet service to compete with Cox and AT&T
The proposal also includes the introduction of thousands of “smart cities” equipment throughout the city equipped with cameras and other data collecting sensors.
COVID-19 cases relatively low as district prepares for youth vaccinations
One-quarter of New Orleans residents aged 5-17 have been fully vaccinated, according to city data.