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Author: Philip Kiefer

Who benefits from TOPS? It just became harder to know.

February 2, 2023 Updated February 3, 2023
The program’s need-blind structure means that the most disadvantaged students are hit hardest by reductions.

What we know about how schools collect COVID data and make quarantine decisions

October 12, 2021 Updated October 12, 2021
The NOLA Public Schools district recently criticized a state policy loosening school quarantine guidelines for unvaccinated contacts.

‘We can’t depend on the government’: Mutual aid groups work to fill needs for immigrant communities after Ida

September 28, 2021 Updated September 28, 2021
With FEMA cash aid limited to certain groups, grassroots organizations have mobilized to fill unmet needs.

Ineligible for federal aid, ‘unqualified’ immigrants in disaster zone face enormous barriers to recovery

September 22, 2021 Updated September 23, 2021
FEMA provides cash aid only to citizens and ‘qualified immigrants,’ a category that doesn’t include undocumented people, many on temporary visas or DACA recipients.

RTA Union president alleges retaliatory firing over hurricane hazard pay

September 14, 2021 Updated September 14, 2021
Valerie Jefferson says she was fired after asking about an agreement the union inked with the agency for hurricane pay. The RTA denies she was fired for her advocacy and says RTA workers will get the extra pay.

Governor Edwards suspends evictions until Sept. 24

September 7, 2021 Updated September 7, 2021
Housing advocates asked Edwards to suspend proceedings in the wake of Hurricane Ida last week.

Gatherings, evacuations during and after Ida worry epidemiologists as COVID delta surge continues

September 6, 2021 Updated September 9, 2021
State shelters are performing COVID tests. But testing is currently scarce in the city.

Where to get tested for COVID post-Ida

September 5, 2021 Updated September 13, 2021
A number of healthcare centers in the area were temporarily closed this week. But some have restarted testing services.

Health care: Updates on hospital power and what’s open

September 3, 2021 Updated September 5, 2021
What we know about available resources as of Friday, Sept. 3.

After FDA approval, no plans to call for student vaccine mandates at New Orleans-area school districts

August 24, 2021 Updated August 25, 2021
The Louisiana Department of Health sets statewide school immunization requirements, but districts can request permission to include additional vaccines for their students. As of Tuesday, St. Tammany, Jefferson, St. Bernard and NOLA Public Schools have no plans to make that request.

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