The council advanced a motion instructing the administration to formalize regulations for its equitable business program, and create a mentorship program between small and large minority-owned businesses.
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
Council moves to lift restrictions on live outdoor music and entertainment
The vote directs the City Planning Commission to consider zoning changes that commissioners recommended more than a year ago.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Mayor Cantrell moves to reverse bans on facial recognition, predictive policing and other surveillance tech
Privacy advocates say the city would be taking a step in the wrong direction.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Council rushing to draw new district map with deadline only a month away
Residents can start giving input on the council’s new “redistricting engagement portal”
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Entergy defends billing accuracy, but few details on whether bills are rising
The company also claims to have made major improvements since it accidentally cut power to thousands of customers during Mardi Gras 2021.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Council advances funding plan for SWB substation over concerns from Cantrell administration
Councilwoman Moreno questioned the authenticity of Cantrell’s objections, asking whether they were simply “a delay tactic.”
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Entergy shareholder payments reach $1.5 billion in last two years as customer bills rise
Experts who spoke to The Lens said that the practice effectively insulates shareholders from risk, shifting it to ‘captive customers.’ But Entergy insists that the payments encourage investment, lowering borrowing costs and ultimately benefiting its customers.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
City Council may go to court against Cantrell in dispute over controversial Wisner Trust extension
The council plans to hire a lawyer and intervene in a lawsuit over the trust.
Posted inEnvironment
New Orleans only recycles 3 percent of waste, one-tenth of national average
Low participation rates — even when the city is offering curbside pickup — along with contamination of recyclables and costs of using recycling centers contribute to the low rate.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Convention Center rehires president for another five years, recommitting to massive development projects
Amid ongoing uncertainty in the tourism industry, Sawaya hopes to move forward with expansion plans