An agreement is reached for a new hotel at the Convention Center, two charter schools are expected to get a failing rating and have their charter removed, and the Coalition Against Death Alley marches to Baton Rouge to protest a Formosa plastics plant.
Author Archives: Jessica Rosgaard
Behind The Lens episode 53: ‘The ramifications for our business are severe… I’m worried about long term’
With a 2020 budget now in the hands of City Council, the big debate remains what to do about property taxes. Lawyers file a personal injury suit related to the Hard Rock Hotel collapse, as local businesses are feeling an impact while they try to maintain business as usual in the city restricted disaster zone.
Behind The Lens episode 52: ‘They’re only going to be reviewing 25 student files at every school they go to for this city-wide audit’
NOLA Public Schools begins its city-wide audit of student records, the City Planning Commission votes against a proposal to add beds at the New Orleans jail, technology is helping pinpoint the impacts of the Bonnet Carre spillway diversion, and coverage from The Lens on Saturday night for election results.
Behind The Lens episode 51: ‘The city is responsible for this, not the residents of Gordon Plaza.’
NOLA Public Schools issues a report on its investigation of John F. Kennedy High School, the Orleans Parish Assessor gets caught defending a policy that his staff later said was never really a policy, and residents of the toxic Gordon Plaza housing development press Mayor LaToya Cantrell for help with relocation.
Behind The Lens episode 50: ‘It’s more than just voting for a candidate; civic engagement is bigger than that’
City Council weighs the property tax rate as a budget deadline looms, KIPP New Orleans edges closer to the New Orleans Public Schools’ enrollment cap, and a statewide effort to register Louisiana’s 36,000 re-enfranchised voters.
Behind The Lens episode 49: ‘I hope some more people can help, too. Not just us here.’
A charter group might lose Coghill school, as seven schools face renewal this year; the RTA and Convention Center could go to court over tax revenue; and local students take part in the Global Climate Strike.
Behind The Lens episode 48: ‘It raises questions about how the Assessor’s Office is tracking the several other industrial tax exemptions that currently exist’
The impact that industrial farms are having on local fishermen and the Gulf Dead Zone, verifying record keeping on the Industrial Tax Exemption Program, and why Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams is bringing her fair election fight to Louisiana.
Behind The Lens episode 47: ‘The right schools weren’t monitored, and that’s a problem.’
A roundup of the week in education news, and a recommendation that Entergy New Orleans should be “net zero” carbon emissions by 2050 to combat global warming.
Behind The Lens episode 46: ‘Hopefully all that data is still going to be made available about graduation rates… cause I think those kids deserve to know’
KIPP New Orleans will take over the charter for John F. Kennedy High School after this year, Kira Orange Jones survives an election eligibility challenge in her campaign for BESE, and a new interpretation of the comprehensive zoning ordinance could impact outdoor music at local venues.
Behind The Lens episode 45: ‘Louisiana is reliably in the bottom 10-percent of states in terms of women’s representation’
Louisiana has a record number of women running for statewide elected office, more bad news for John F. Kennedy High School regarding a student receiving special education services, The Sewerage and Water Board needs a $25 million loan for sewer repairs.