New Orleans City Council set to vote on pushing the deadline to October. Investigators say they need more time to review additional records.
The budget committee advanced a proposal to fund eight new cameras through the Gentilly Development District. The cameras would be linked to the city's surveillance hub.
HomeAway and the Alliance for Neighborhood Prosperity are advocating policy changes that they call a compromise. But critics say they would lead to further expansion of short-term rentals.
Documents released to the city council cast doubt on Entergy’s contention that it didn’t know supporters would be paid to show up at public meetings to promote the power plant. An Entergy employee was told of allegations three times, as early as October. Documents also contradict the PR firm’s contention that it didn’t know, either.
A public-relations firm billed Entergy New Orleans about $55,000 to bring supporters of a new power plant to two public meetings. Some of those people were actors. Documents turned over to the city council raise questions about Entergy's claim that it didn't know supporters would be paid.
The council has asked Entergy to preserve evidence of its astroturfing campaign.
The company said it has ended its relationship with The Hawthorn Group. It hired Crowds on Demand, which hired the actors.
Dozens of people in orange shirts showed up at meetings to support Entergy's new power plant. But for many of them, it was just an acting gig. They were paid to show up and speak on the company's behalf. The Lens interviewed a few of them and reviewed messages outlining the astroturfing effort.
Projects range from a boat harbor to mental health services to relocation of an initial seven families