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Government & Politics

For first time in 5 years, New Orleans closes out budget with cash in piggy bank | The Lens – City posted a surplus for 2013, a year earlier than expected.  Increased sales collections helped to put the city in the black by $8.3 million.

Budget relies on nearly $1B in piecemeal funding | Associated Press – “The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Office says $991 million used in next year’s budget won’t be available the following year.”

Zurik: Campaign finance reforms head to Jindal’s desk | FOX 8 WVUE – Following the “Louisiana Purchased” series by FOX 8 and The Times-Picayune, new laws will force elected officials to disclose more details about their campaign expenditures.

A programmer designed an … | Twitter / TheLensNOLA

Land Use

Signs of life at long dormant Lake Terrace shopping center | WWL-TV — “The shopping center has sat virtually untouched for eight years, despite promises from its developer, Ken Charity.” See Karen Gadbois’ previous reporting at The Lens for background on the beleaguered commercial property.

The Better Question | My Spilt Milk – My Spilt Milk publisher Alex Rawls responds to a Lens opinion piece by C.W. Cannon that traced the evolution of Frenchmen Street. Rawls suggests that New Orleanians discuss what sort of businesses they want in the Quarter, and other neighborhoods, rather than raise (easier) objections about what they don’t want.

Proposal to create unique attraction on riverfront | FOX 8 WVUE – Some French Quarter residents are wary of a developer’s plans for a helium balloon ride by the Mississippi River.

Schools

Groups behind civil rights complaint call for resignation of state schools chief | The Lens – Superintendent White charges that the groups attacking him are more interested in politics than the education of children.

Algiers Charter School Association considers takeover of Milestone Sabis | The Lens – For now, discussions are limited to having ACSA take over daily operations, not management.

Lunch May Be Healthier, But Students Aren’t Eating Up | Associated Press – Chef Mark Ott, a director of dining services in a Central Pennsylvania school district, says: “Teach students what a good and healthy balanced meal is. What is not happening from the USDA is any education of parents so that they could reinforce with healthy meals at home. It is all on the school services.”

Environment

Jindal rejects Caldwell recommendation to veto [SB469] | The Advertiser – Gov. Bobby Jindal is unconvinced by warnings from the state Attorney General and legal experts who warn of unintended consequences if a SB469 becomes law. Environmental Law Professor Robert Verchick’s latest letter reiterates concerns that the legislation— which aims to scuttle a flood authority lawsuit against Big Oil for wetlands damages— would actually threaten the state’s claims against BP for the 2010 oil spill.  

BP must pay Clean Water Act fines for spill, judge calls argument ‘ridiculous and really desperate’ | Associated Press – “The owners of the blown-out Macondo well cannot avoid federal fines for the 2010 oil spill by blaming another company’s failed equipment, a federal appeals court ruled.”

New York’s New $335 Million Storm-Surge Barrier Will Transform the Lower East Side | Next City – The “Bridging Berm” proposal will raise a New York City riverbank nine feet above current level for over two miles in an effort to protect 150,000 residents.

Criminal Justice

Third District police officers encouraged to make more bicycle stops | Mid-City Messenger

Police should be more aggressive about stopping people on bicycles for traffic infractions, Third District Commander Gary Marchese told officers at a meeting in his district Tuesday.

Man behind French Quarter patrol group wanted on felony charge | New Orleans | WDSU – The founder of the French Quarter Minutemen is wanted for stalking a woman “who appears to work for a local court.”

Mark Moseley

Mark Moseley blogs at Your Right Hand Thief. Until mid 2014, Mark Moseley was The Lens' opinion writer, engagement specialist and coordinator for the Charter Schools Reporting Corps. After Katrina and...