Council approves 2023 budget with surprise addition of $124M in federal coronavirus relief spending
The council approved roughly $262 million in one-time spending through the budget.
Category: Top Story
This category showcases the lead coverage readers need to know, offering context, clarity, and insight into issues shaping New Orleans and beyond.
Increased funding and role for independent police monitor on hold after concerns from ethics board
The ethics board argued that the city should first amend the city charter to increase the office's minimum guaranteed funding before granting it new authority and responsibilities.
Proposed 2023 budget close to providing funding parity between New Orleans DA, public defenders following 2020 ordinance
Council President Helena Moreno to introduce amendment to fund homicide unit for DAs office while maintaining parity for defenders.
Louisiana’s state-run juvenile detention facilities no longer accepting kids, citing lack of bed space
The Office of Juvenile Justice will ask judges to release kids who can be "safely reintegrated back into the community."
After an autistic teen’s in-custody death, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office used criminal search warrants to dig into his past
Lawyers for the boy's parents say the warrants were unconstitutional and violated state law.
City gets much needed deadline extension to spend $1.7B in Katrina FEMA funds
The deadline has been moved from 2023 to 2024, but the city will ultimately need further extensions to 2026 to allow for its current spending plans.
Voters give New Orleans City Council power to approve mayoral appointees
The Public Service Commission district 3 race, which covers New Orleans, heads to a run-off election on Dec. 10.
Fishermen, shrimpers stage boat convoy to protest methane refinery buildout in Lake Charles area
Construction of LNG export terminals threatens the fishermen's livelihoods, they said.
Mental health care at David Wade Correctional Center ruled unconstitutional
Judge Elizabeth Foote called the conditions at David Wade "inhumane."
Nonprofits have committed to helping clean up a ‘dirty little secret’ of the oil and gas industry
There are more than 4,600 abandoned and orphaned wells in Louisiana.
