Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Piper D. Griffin on Friday ruled that the New Orleans City Council violated the state’s Open Meetings Law in 2018, when dozens of residents were barred from entering two public hearings on Entergy New Orleans’ proposed $210 million power plant in eastern New Orleans. Griffin also issued a ruling […]
Author Archives: Charles Maldonado
Charles Maldonado is the editor of The Lens. He previously worked as The Lens' government accountability reporter, covering local politics and criminal justice. Prior to joining The Lens, he worked for Gambit, New Orleans
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Records show longer emergency call-answering times, more abandoned calls since 311, 911 merger
The agency is still meeting national standards and will soon add more staff, director says.
Posted inSchools
New Beginnings board unable to give Kennedy High School parents update on graduation review
As students prepare for college, the class of 2019 remains in limbo. Board president can’t commit to a timeline for completion, but he says parents should know more soon.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
AG opinion: 911 and 311 merger, in effect for months, is ‘improper,’ doesn’t follow state law
The merger took effect months ago. The city’s 911 center director says there is no conflict between the opinion and the arrangement with the city.
Posted inInside the News Room
Week in Review: State looking into Kennedy High practices in midst of grade fixing investigation
Plus, a state environmental review of a former dump site being eyed as a school athletic field. And a new episode of Behind The Lens.
Posted inInside the News Room
Week in Review: Watchdog group says Orleans court drug-testing methods could lead to false positives
Plus, an update on the habitual offender law, the next steps on short-term rentals and a new episode of our weekly podcast, Behind The Lens.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Court orders city to hand over records on surveillance network
Judge rejects argument that cameras are used for terrorism prevention.
Posted inInside the News Room
Week in Review: Low water pressure adding to delays in school lead filter project
Plus, short-term rentals and Mayor Cantrell’s infrastructure deal. A GiveNOLA Day reminder. And a new episode of Behind The Lens.
Posted inBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens episode 29: ‘I will not in any way apologize for that’
Michael Isaac Stein talks traffic cameras. Marta Jewson looks at some new research from the Education Research Alliance. And an exit interview with former Behind The Lens host Tom Wright.
Posted inInside the News Room
Week in Review: After Lens and WWL-TV investigations, charter school network CEO suspended
At an emergency meeting Monday night, the New Beginnings Schools Foundation board placed CEO Michelle Blouin-Williams on paid leave pending the outcome of an independent investigation into allegations of grade inflation and falsifying public documents related to a bus contract. The three-school charter network’s board voted unanimously to hire the law firm Adams and Reese […]