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.

Voters approve renewal of library tax, but reject housing tax renewal

December 11, 2021 Updated December 11, 2021
Housing advocates said the NHIF tax was critical for a city facing an affordability crisis.

Harris, Thomas defeat incumbents in City Council races

December 11, 2021 Updated December 11, 2021
Green, King win two open seats. Following Saturday's results, Moreno and Giarrusso will be the only two sitting council members to return to their seats.

High stakes in library and housing tax renewal votes on Saturday, proponents say

December 9, 2021 Updated December 9, 2021
If voters shoot down the tax renewals, the Library would lose more than half of its annual budget, and the city would lose millions of dollars for affordable housing initiatives.

Expanded ‘Royal Street Patrol’ will soon launch to deter ‘aggressive panhandling, inebriants, and illegal sales’

December 3, 2021 Updated December 3, 2021
Advocacy group worries that the patrols will be used to harass street performers.

City Council passes 2022 budget, debates Gordon Plaza relocation

December 1, 2021 Updated December 1, 2021
Moving residents from Gordon Plaza site will likely cost tens of millions of dollars. Council members hope to allocate the money in the capital budget, but that takes time.

Council budget additions could include Gordon Plaza relocation, night mayor, crime cameras and eviction defense

November 24, 2021 Updated November 24, 2021

BGR comes out in support of library property tax, against housing tax on Dec. 11 ballot

November 22, 2021 Updated November 22, 2021
City has provided no answers about varying Housing Fund collections and has not followed required budgeting procedures for the affordable housing tax, the group says.

French Quarter supplemental police patrols secure funding after more than a year of tense negotiations

November 18, 2021 Updated November 18, 2021
A French Quarter sales tax is expected to produce about $2.3 million in revenue next year, all of which will go to off-duty police patrols.

Morrell wins hotly contested at-large council seat

November 14, 2021 Updated November 14, 2021
Moreno, Giarrusso easily keep their seats on the council. Others headed to a second round.

Cantrell wins second term as mayor

November 13, 2021 Updated November 13, 2021
Incumbent mayor defeats 13 challengers, cruising to a second term without a runoff.

Posts navigation

  • «
  • 1
  • …
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • …
  • 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
No Papers! No Fear!No Papers! No Fear!August 5, 2025José Torres-Tama Katrina20
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
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