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Author: Michael Isaac Stein

About Michael Isaac Stein
Michael Isaac Stein covers New Orleans' cultural economy and local government for The Lens. Before joining the staff, he freelanced for The Lens as well as The Intercept, CityLab, The New Republic, and Pacific Standard. He was recently awarded a fellowship from the Heinrich Boll Foundation, which he used to report on water scarcity, division, and colonialism in Cyprus.

A week after Hurricane Ida, 61 percent of customers who lost power are still in the dark

September 5, 2021 Updated September 5, 2021
Entergy is still estimating it will have power back to the vast majority of New Orleans customers by Wednesday, Sept. 8.

Raising city employee minimum wage to $15 an hour would cost roughly $10M, administration says

August 19, 2021 Updated August 19, 2021
The ultimate price tag largely depends on fire fighter pay increases, which could cost the city anywhere from $280,000 to $11.3 million a year.

City Council members maintain legally dubious hotel exemption while reinstating French Quarter sales tax

August 19, 2021 Updated August 19, 2021
Even after the vote, how the money is administered will still have to be worked out in an agreement between the Cantrell administration, the City Council and the French Quarter Management District.

New Orleans & Company pulls national tourism ad campaign as COVID cases, hospitalizations continue to rise

August 16, 2021 Updated August 20, 2021
The marketing agency is continuing two other ad campaigns aimed at local and regional residents.

New Orleans to mandate vaccination or negative COVID test to enter many businesses

August 12, 2021 Updated August 12, 2021
The rules go into effect on Monday, Aug. 16.

New Orleans Ethics Review Board recommends barring City Council campaign donations from Entergy, Cox and other utilities

August 11, 2021 Updated November 2, 2021
The City Council still needs to vote on the recommendations before they become law.

Cantrell administration lays out plans for $70M in federal coronavirus aid

August 2, 2021 Updated August 2, 2021
The Cantrell administration said it would ask the City Council in September to increase the 2021 budget by $70 million.

Future of Broadside venue in question as city delays action on outdoor music ban

July 30, 2021 Updated July 31, 2021
Several venues have recently stopped operating after the city claimed they were out of compliance.

Council considers measures to stop Phase III jail expansion, but it’s unclear whether they will succeed

July 27, 2021 Updated July 28, 2021
The council advanced a motion asking the City Planning Commission to study an alternative to Phase III, even though the director of the City Planning Commission said it likely isn't necessary.

Council puts library and housing property tax renewals on the November ballot

July 15, 2021 Updated July 15, 2021
It appears that another three property taxes will be allowed to expire at the end of the year without a renewal vote.

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The Lens fights to reveal and report on issues that impact the community and the region. Staunchly defending the public's right to know and deeply committed to sharing our knowledge with the community at large. We center human impact in all our work.
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Our reporting has more urgency than ever.


For more than a decade, we have reported on issues as well as public policy meant to address the needs of residents. The Lens seeks to focus on the inherent inequality that has created a multi-tiered system. We, at The Lens seek to uncover, illuminate, inform and take part in a forward-looking community. Join us.

 
 

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