Entergy is still estimating it will have power back to the vast majority of New Orleans customers by Wednesday, Sept. 8.
Author Archives: 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.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, News
Raising city employee minimum wage to $15 an hour would cost roughly $10M, administration says
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.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
City Council members maintain legally dubious hotel exemption while reinstating French Quarter sales tax
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.
Posted inCoronavirus
New Orleans & Company pulls national tourism ad campaign as COVID cases, hospitalizations continue to rise
The marketing agency is continuing two other ad campaigns aimed at local and regional residents.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
New Orleans to mandate vaccination or negative COVID test to enter many businesses
The rules go into effect on Monday, Aug. 16.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
New Orleans Ethics Review Board recommends barring City Council campaign donations from Entergy, Cox and other utilities
The City Council still needs to vote on the recommendations before they become law.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Cantrell administration lays out plans for $70M in federal coronavirus aid
The Cantrell administration said it would ask the City Council in September to increase the 2021 budget by $70 million.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Future of Broadside venue in question as city delays action on outdoor music ban
Several venues have recently stopped operating after the city claimed they were out of compliance.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Council considers measures to stop Phase III jail expansion, but it’s unclear whether they will succeed
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.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Council puts library and housing property tax renewals on the November ballot
It appears that another three property taxes will be allowed to expire at the end of the year without a renewal vote.