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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.

Council to hire outside investigator for its probe into ‘smart cities’ contract-fixing allegations

May 5, 2022 Updated May 26, 2022
The investigator will have 45 days to review documents, subpoena witnesses and issue a report.

City walks back restrictive social media policy to settle First Amendment lawsuit filed by two city employees

May 4, 2022 Updated May 4, 2022
Following the publication of a less restrictive policy, the plaintiffs and the city filed a joint motion to dismiss the suit on Wednesday.

‘I see how this looks’: Council grills top Cantrell official over ‘smart cities’ deal

April 27, 2022 Updated May 26, 2022
The City Council passed a resolution requesting an IG investigation into potential ethical violations in the procurement process.

‘Smart cities’ contractors drop out of project as investigation intensifies

April 25, 2022 Updated May 26, 2022
The city official at the center of the contract-fixing allegations is set to answer questions under oath at a City Council meeting this week.

Council opens formal investigation into ‘smart cities’ deal

April 21, 2022 Updated May 26, 2022
Council members also approved a resolution to halt a proposed short-term contract for the project, which could be adopted without their approval.

Responding to council subpoena, city turns over hundreds of pages on smart cities deal

April 18, 2022 Updated May 26, 2022
The documents include a draft contract and hundreds of emails showing frequent communications going back years between city officials, a ‘pro bono’ consultant and companies that would eventually win the city bid for the project.

Council members considering subpoena to Cantrell admin for details on Gordon Plaza plan

April 14, 2022 Updated April 14, 2022
Council members and Gordon Plaza residents both criticized the administration for providing few details of its plan while taking public credit for taking action.

City releases new information on ‘smart cities’ project after council subpoena

April 12, 2022 Updated May 26, 2022
The four-page letter does not address many of the council’s questions and concerns, but it does provide more information about the plan than was previously available.

Council president subpoenas Cantrell administration over ‘smart cities’ deal

April 11, 2022 Updated May 26, 2022
The Cantrell administration is now considering beginning the project — originally pitched as a multiyear contract — with a one-year agreement, which would not require council approval.

Council freezes budgets of two struggling departments to force Mayor Cantrell to make changes

April 7, 2022 Updated April 7, 2022
The council characterizes the moves as accountability measures for underperforming departments. But the Cantrell administration says they could make things worse.

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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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