For nearly a decade, Calvin Pep used what he’d learned on the streets to stop bloodshed through Cure Violence, a city-funded effort to prevent violence. From his teen years on, Pep had been “both a victim and a perpetrator,” as he describes himself. He’d been shot. He’d faced a murder charge. His co-workers had similar […]
Category: Investigations
Posted inEnvironment
Petrochemical industry in Louisiana plans a ‘defense’ amid growing opposition
After residents of America’s ‘Cancer Alley’ in Louisiana put a national spotlight on their fight for a healthy environment, the state’s economic interests and petrochemical giants are backing the creation of a new “sustainability council” to counter grassroots activists, documents show. In recent years, the activists have successfully fought construction of two multibillion-dollar plastics facilities […]
Posted inEnvironment
Leaks beneath pump stations responsible for New Orleans’ drinking water went uninvestigated for two years
Leaks from beneath one of three Sewerage and Water Board pump stations that distribute the majority of New Orleanians’ drinking water went uninvestigated by the Board for nearly two years. The drinking water leaks were discovered during major upgrades to the Claiborne Avenue Pumping Station on the northern edge of the Carrollton Water and Power […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Political connections, contributions helped utility consultants keep lucrative contracts for decades, former council members say
New Orleans City Council members have come and gone over the past three decades. But a group of consultants who help them regulate Entergy, and charge millions per year, have remained remarkably consistent.
Posted inSchools
F to D grade changes at Kennedy High School are suspicious, former administrator says
Runell King says he discovered evidence that Kennedy employees improperly inflated students’ grades. He sent it to top administrators and was fired soon after. The CEO of the school’s charter network denies the allegations, saying the changes were made to correct a software error.
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, 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 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 inInvestigations, Land Use
How a house built with public funds for affordable housing became a $500-a-night Airbnb
The house was moved from the site of the VA hospital, torn down at its new location and then replaced.