Skip to content

Focused On

  • Katrina20
  • Justice
  • Living with Industry
  • NOLA Public Schools

Main Navigation

The Lens
  • Subscribe
  • ❤ Donate
The Lens
  • Subscribe
  • ❤ Donate

Focused On

  • Katrina20
  • Justice
  • Living with Industry
  • NOLA Public Schools

Topics

  • Criminal Justice
  • Environment
  • Government & Politics
  • Land Use
  • Schools

Sign Up for the Latest News

  • The Lens Newsletter
  • About The Lens
  • Our Staff

Follow The Lens

  • Bluesky
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

Listen to Behind The Lens Podcast

  • Spotify
  • Katrina20
  • Criminal Justice
  • Schools
  • Opinion
  • In the N.O.
  • Environment
  • Podcast
  • About The Lens
  • Support Us

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.

NBA legend Magic Johnson tells City Council to back Cantrell’s ‘smart cities’ project, despite missing details

April 6, 2022 Updated May 26, 2022
The City Council still needs to approve the multi-year contract for the contract, but so far, that contract hasn't been presented to the public or Council President Helena Moreno.

City considering merging EMS and Fire Department

April 4, 2022 Updated April 4, 2022
EMS unaware of any merger plans prior to remarks from mayor, spokesman says.

Brad Pitt’s Make It Right Foundation no longer maintaining, paying taxes on remaining properties

March 31, 2022 Updated March 31, 2022
The foundation owes nearly $15,000 in back taxes and unpaid fines. But that number may be even larger when taking 2022 taxes into account.

Assessor again grants Folgers millions in erroneous tax exemptions

March 24, 2022 Updated March 26, 2022
The inaccurate exemptions, some of which have been active since 2019, apply to upwards of $140 million of Folgers’ property.

Council flexes budgetary power in dispute with Mayor over unfinished roadwork, struggling departments

March 17, 2022 Updated March 19, 2022
Council members say they are trying to use the power of the purse to force Cantrell to improve city services and communication. The measures are expected to go to a final vote next month.

City Council finalizes new district map, but redistricting debate will continue

March 16, 2022 Updated March 16, 2022
All of Treme going to District C, Broadmoor to B. Lower 9th Ward to remain in District E.

City Council formally tells Mayor Cantrell to ‘fairly follow and enforce laws’

March 10, 2022 Updated March 16, 2022
The council’s complaints were related to the Phase III jail expansion, the lack of enforcement of certain laws and the city’s decision to start enforcing a law limiting the size of second lines

New BGR report urges government to continue livestreaming public meetings after pandemic

March 9, 2022 Updated May 26, 2022
Group urges legislature to amend the state’s Open Meetings Law to add livestreaming and archiving requirements

City Council struggles to attract firms to help regulate Entergy New Orleans

March 4, 2022 Updated March 4, 2022
The council is planning to rebid a contract to do a management audit into Entergy New Orleans, after the first bid received zero responses.

Consultants release draft maps for new City Council districts, ask for community input

February 23, 2022 Updated February 23, 2022

Posts navigation

  • «
  • 1
  • …
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • …
  • 41
  • »

About The Lens

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.

Support The Lens

We depend on your support. A generous gift in any amount helps us continue to bring you this service.

Donate Now

Newsletter

Sign up

Most Popular

Judge rules permit for LNG terminal in Cameron Parish ignored potential climate impactsJudge rules permit for LNG terminal in Cameron Parish ignored potential climate impactsOctober 17, 2025Elise Plunk, Louisiana IlluminatorEnvironment
New report ranks states on climate-related health risks, clean energy policiesNew report ranks states on climate-related health risks, clean energy policiesOctober 16, 2025Nada Hassanein, StatelineEnvironment
Boxing Up Choice: Louisiana AG sues the FDA to halt the shipment of abortion meds. And the Leah Chase School Principal Resigns.Boxing Up Choice: Louisiana AG sues the FDA to halt the shipment of abortion meds. And the Leah Chase School Principal Resigns.October 17, 2025Carolyne HeldmanBehind The Lens
The Lens
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.
  • Bluesky
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
INN Member LION Member
© 2024 The Lens. All Rights Reserved.

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.

 
 

Continue to The Lens