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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.

S&WB billing system contractor didn’t know about problems until this summer, employees say

October 15, 2018 Updated November 7, 2019
Utility officials didn't notify Cogsdale Corp. for more than a year after citywide billing complaints began, executives from the company told city council members.

Economists say there are reasons to doubt UNO short-term rental study

October 11, 2018 Updated November 7, 2019
Economists who spoke to The Lens say a UNO economic impact study on short-term rentals appears to have been prepared to benefit the industry. When it comes to impact reports, that is not uncommon. UNO refused to provide the data behind the report or a larger report on tourism in New Orleans.

Planning Commission votes for tighter restrictions on short-term rentals

October 3, 2018 Updated November 7, 2019
Commissioners voted in favor of recommendations requiring residency for licenses in residential neighborhoods, limit licenses in commercial zones. The proposal now goes to the City Council.

Company at center of Entergy paid actor scandal is implicated in alleged extortion scheme in new federal lawsuit

September 25, 2018 Updated November 7, 2019
The case involves a dispute between two European billionaires. According to the suit, Crowds on Demand repeatedly defamed Zdenek Bakala as part of a conspiracy to extort millions of dollars from him.

Planning Commission study recommends “effectively prohibiting” many whole-home Airbnbs

September 19, 2018 Updated November 7, 2019
Proposal would limit whole-home residential licenses to property owners who live on the same lot as the rental unit and require them to stay on-site. Spare room licenses would be available to others. Plan would also allow more rentals in the French Quarter.

Cantrell’s CleanUp NOLA plan will expand city’s surveillance network

September 18, 2018 Updated November 7, 2019
Trash clean-up plan includes at least 10 new cameras linked to the city's Real Time Crime Monitoring Center. The monitoring center collects footage from more than 300 cameras around the city, the Mayor's Office said.

City Council wants its own experts to help oversee the Sewerage and Water Board

September 17, 2018 Updated November 7, 2019
The move comes three months before Orleans Parish residents will vote on whether to change the city’s charter to add a council member to the utility’s governing board.

Group introduces short-term rental ordinance that would limit licenses to hosts’ residences

September 13, 2018 Updated November 7, 2019
The Residents for Ethical and Sustainable Tourism ordinance has been presented to the council. STR critic says she is optimistic that a council member will introduce it for consideration.

Emails: Cantrell held private phone meetings with majority of water board directors, appearing to violate law

September 11, 2018 Updated November 7, 2019
The conference calls were held days before a major staff shakeup. Cantrell administration previously denied "secret meetings."

City Council again approves short-term rental freeze

September 6, 2018 Updated November 7, 2019
Council also approves new crime cameras in Gentilly. Results of investigation into astroturfing at public meetings will be delayed until next month.

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