Category: Investigations
Petrochemical industry in Louisiana plans a ‘defense’ amid growing opposition
Leaks beneath pump stations responsible for New Orleans’ drinking water went uninvestigated for two years
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
