A volunteer reporter was sued for asking the city of Tallulah for records of its spending.
Category: Government & Politics
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Remembering Felicia Kahn: A relentless fighter who made a difference
Wide awake to injustice before anyone was ‘woke.’
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Investigations
How Entergy spent $1.3 million to polish its reputation, script support and monitor opposition to its new power plant
We know about the scheme to pay people to show up at meetings to support a new natural gas plant in New Orleans. But that was just a fraction of more than a million dollars the utility spent to burnish Entergy’s reputation, script support and monitor opponents.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Investigations
Councilwoman Nguyen’s nonprofit, two advisers to Cantrell worked on Entergy’s campaign for new power plant
Cantrell’s spokesman said she knew about the relationship, but “on this and on every other issue — Mayor Cantrell thinks for herself.”
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Staring down Big Brother: Citizen group asks public to help map cameras
Communities of color feel singled out for surveillance.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Health
Children in New Orleans may have had false lead test results
Nationwide, millions of lead tests kits were recalled since last year due to the risk of falsely low results. Children’s Hospital of New Orleans used the faulty kits, possibly affecting hundreds of kids. The problem affects children whose tests showed a low or slightly elevated level.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Investigations
Documents show Entergy, PR firm knew more about astroturfing campaign than they let on
Documents released to the city council cast doubt on Entergy’s contention that it didn’t know supporters would be paid to show up at public meetings to promote the power plant. An Entergy employee was told of allegations three times, as early as October. Documents also contradict the PR firm’s contention that it didn’t know, either.
Posted inEnvironment, Government & Politics, Opinion
Memo from Florida to Steve Scalise: Keep the rigs—and pollution—on your side of the Gulf
Remembering tar balls, oil slicks and the summer that wasn’t.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Investigations
Documents detail price, logistics behind the campaign to pay actors to support New Orleans power plant
A public-relations firm billed Entergy New Orleans about $55,000 to bring supporters of a new power plant to two public meetings. Some of those people were actors. Documents turned over to the city council raise questions about Entergy’s claim that it didn’t know supporters would be paid.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
School board, city in talks about diverted property taxes
City may have improperly used millions in special taxes to satisfy state pension obligations.