The decision by District Attorney Jason William to charge the teens as adults was controversial, if not surprising. During his campaign for DA, Williams promised to keep all cases involving kids in juvenile court, and frequently cited research on youth brain development that indicates kids are more susceptible to peer pressure, more likely to engage in risky behavior, and less likely to consider the consequences of that behavior.
Category: Top Story
Posted inSchools
Orleans school board weighing changes to charter renewals
The Orleans Parish School Board may once again approve annual charter renewal decisions — dictating which schools close and which remain open — but board members are considering whether to lower the threshold required to override the superintendent. For years, the highly anticipated closure announcements, communicated annually in November and December, were made with virtually […]
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 inCriminal Justice
How will the DA’s decision to revive the habitual offender law impact plea negotiations in New Orleans?
Earlier this month, Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams announced that he was going back on his campaign promise to never utilize or threaten to use the state’s habitual offender law, which can dramatically increase prison sentences for people who have been convicted of prior felonies. And for the first time last week, prosecutors with […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Proposal to give police 25-foot buffer raises constitutional concerns
Getting within 25 feet of a police officer after being told to stop would be a crime under a measure being pushed by a Louisiana lawmaker, but the idea is raising constitutional concerns among advocacy organizations, who say it could deter people from witnessing and recording police abuse when they see it taking place. State […]
Posted inNews
School zone lights must now work in order to ticket drivers
An ordinance passed by the New Orleans City Council requires school zone flashing yellow lights to be working properly for camera tickets to be valid
Posted inSchools
NOLA-PS orders Plessy’s French Quarter school to a new campus
The move, which will take place this summer, was announced after the city’s enrollment deadline.
Posted inEnvironment
On second try, St. John Parish Council approves dirt pit permit on Greenfield’s property
The borrow pit is on land subject to litigation and an Army Corps of Engineers review.
Posted inEnvironment
Greenfield misses initial $4m payment in Port agreement
The company’s controversial $400 million grain elevator project is behind schedule.
Posted inCriminal Justice
With future of city’s gun violence office uncertain, health department to develop its own ‘robust’ prevention program
Health director Dr. Jennifer Avegno says she wants to put tens of millions behind violence intervention programs.