Behind The Lens episode 102: God save the state and this honorable court
Material witness warrants and DA candidates. Sidney Torres and Civil District Court. And the possible end of a five-year-old consent decree over the city's schools.
Category
News
Timely coverage of the people, policies, and events shaping New Orleans and Louisiana. This category delivers clear, factual reporting that keeps readers informed about local government, community issues, and stories that matter most to everyday residents.
Four new COVID-19 cases connected to NOLA Public Schools, 146 quarantining
Transmissions connected to schools in the city appear to remain low. The total number of “active cases” in the district is the same as last week.
Fair Wayne Bryant, man given life sentence for stealing hedge clippers, granted parole
Bryant’s story gained national attention after the state Supreme Court refused to review his sentence.
Judge orders state, district to set ‘proactive’ compliance before exiting landmark special education settlement
New Orleans public schools have been under a federal consent decree, due to special education problems, since 2015.
Judicial campaign accuses opponent of conspiring with Sidney Torres to circumvent campaign contribution rules
Torres loaned Jennifer Medley $100,000, shortly before she loaned her own campaign the same amount.
Courtroom at Tulane and Broad closes after prosecutor tests positive for COVID-19
The ADA tested positive last week, Cannizzaro spokesman says.
Cantrell tells legislators that city needs more federal aid
State has only committed $53 million in CARES Act reimbursement money to the city, out of what officials say are $200 million in qualifying expenses. Legislators respond by saying Cantrell should reopen more quickly.
Surveillance ordinance deferred again
Council official says there wasn’t enough time last week to finalize the ordinance as the city was dealing with several pressing issues including Hurricane Delta.
A look at Orleans Parish DA candidates’ histories with controversial ‘material witness warrants’
Judge Arthur Hunter approved a warrant to have one victim of domestic violence jailed, and Judge Keva Landrum issued over a dozen material witness warrants to have witnesses arrested.
Behind The Lens episode 101: Dual reporting
A critical report on special education at a New Orleans charter school. Furloughs for thousands of city employees. An ordinance that could limit city surveillance. And a court hearing in the Phase III jail dispute.
