Charles Maldonado

Charles Maldonado covers the city of New Orleans and other local government bodies. He previously worked for Gambit, New Orleans’ alternative newsweekly, where he covered city hall, criminal justice and public health. Before moving to New Orleans, he covered state and local government for weekly papers in Nashville and Knoxville, Tenn.

Live coverage: New Orleans residents sound off on how Airbnb is affecting their lives

The city planning commission is studying the effects of the year-old, short-term rental law.

By Charles Maldonado 3 hours ago

Affordable housing group says fears about Airbnb’s effect on New Orleans housing have come true

Many Airbnb listings are controlled by relatively few people, and most listings are for whole homes, according to a report from a group that wants to limit short-term rentals.

By Charles Maldonado March 28, 2018

As the New Orleans City Council calls for a study of short-term rentals, here’s what we know so far

The city council has called for a study on the effects of the short-term rental law, which has been in effect for a year. The Lens has mapped each license application and talked to residents in affected areas.

By Charles Maldonado March 23, 2018

City council to drop controversial proposal for surveillance cameras at businesses that sell booze

Opponents said the cameras would’ve infringed on people’s privacy.

By Charles Maldonado March 20, 2018

Criminal complaint filed with Louisiana Attorney General over Cannizzaro’s use of fake subpoenas

Two people allege that prosecutors committed forgery, intimidated witnesses and obstructed justice by sending crime victims and witnesses so-called “DA subpoenas."

By Charles Maldonado March 20, 2018

New Orleans City Council to consider limited rollback on Airbnb licenses

Mayor-elect LaToya Cantrell says she’ll call for a study of short-term rentals in New Orleans.

By Charles Maldonado March 8, 2018

Deal ends scrutiny of fake subpoenas in attempted murder case

The victim in the case got a fake subpoena before he met with police and identified the shooter. The defense didn’t know that.

By Charles Maldonado March 1, 2018

Firefighter promotion case could lead to rollbacks in civil service overhaul, employee groups say

The Great Place to Work Initiative was one of Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s signature accomplishments.

By Charles Maldonado February 20, 2018

‘This Airbnb displaced 5 people’: Here’s the story behind that photo that spread on Facebook

It’s difficult to know how many New Orleans residents have been displaced because their landlords wanted to turn their rental properties into Airbnbs. But stories aren’t hard to come by. Here are three.

By Charles Maldonado February 10, 2018

Group proposes expanding short-term rentals in New Orleans, but the city council isn’t biting

Under a proposal circulated by the Alliance for Neighborhood Prosperity, “temporary” permits would allow a home to be rented half of the year. Residential areas of the Quarter could be Airbnbs. In exchange, the group proposes a limit of two Airbnbs per block, though existing rentals would be allowed to remain.

By Charles Maldonado February 2, 2018

The Lens - In-depth news and investigations for New Orleans