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Criminal Justice

‘Mayhem’ at Orleans Parish jail persists as mayor, sheriff fight over reforms and funding | NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune – “Twenty-three-hour lockdown, mayhem, absence of staff to supervise what’s going on — it’s the quintessential definition, the English definition of mayhem.” That’s how Orleans Parish Prison monitor Susan McCampbell described the troubled jail during a court hearing on its federal consent decree.

McCampbell’s testimony seemed to bolster the U.S. Department of Justice’s claim that Sheriff Marlin Gusman needs at least $10 million in additional city funding this year to pay for the decree. But former U.S. Attorney Harry Rosenberg, who is representing the city in the case, says Gusman has failed to implement needed cost-cutting measures.

Juvenile Judge Yolanda King indicted for filing a false public record | The New Orleans Advocate – A grand jury indicted Orleans Parish Juvenile Court Judge Yolanda King on Thursday for allegedly lying about her residence on her campaign qualifying form. King said she lives in New Orleans, but she has a homestead exemption in Slidell. The state charge comes nearly a year after King’s opponent in the May 2013 election for the seat publicly made the accusation.

La. Licensing Board For Contractors takes action against Sader Power; Owner admits he has no license | WDSU-TV – Following a series of reports on deceptive practices in the solar panel industry by WDSU, the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors fined New Orleans-based Sader Power $7,500 and ordered it to stop accepting new clients. Owner Jon Sader, who did not contest the charge, admitted he does not have a license to install the panels.

Government & Politics

 New Orleans property tax hike sails through committee | The Advocate  – The House Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs quickly advanced two bills on Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s legislative agenda Thursday, including a proposed property tax increase to pay for police and fire services.

Russian Foreign Ministry tells Mary Landrieu: ‘Nyet’ | The Advocate – As tensions over Ukraine escalate, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu is one of nine U.S. officials targeted for sanctions by the Russian government. “Being sanctioned by President Putin is a badge of honor,” Landrieu said in a prepared statement. 

Edwards Leads Congressional Poll | LaPolitics

In the first snapshot of the 6th Congressional District race that already has attracted national media attention, Edwin Edwards leads seven other candidates in an independent, automated poll of 718 registered voters. ... 

While not a traditional poll from a widely-recognized source, it’s enough to get politicos talking … . 

Land Use

Panel unable to reach decision on Holy Cross plans | The New Orleans Advocate – The Historic District Landmarks Commission couldn’t make a definitive up-or-down vote on a developer’s controversial proposal to build a large condo complex at the former Holy Cross School site in the Lower 9th Ward. The commission tied 5-5 on two votes, one to deny the plan as proposed and another to deny it altogether. The proposal now heads to the New Orleans City Council.

New Orleans Fair Grounds’ soggy turf a point of contention | NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune – A series on the New Orleans Fair Grounds racetrack continues today with a report on the sorry state of the track’s turf. State Rep. Patrick Connick has filed two bills seeking to pressure Churchill Downs, the track’s owner, to improve the course.

Schools

 Still no definitive stance from Bobby Jindal on Common Core | NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune

Gov. Bobby Jindal wouldn’t take a definitive position Thursday on proposals to halt Common Core in the state of Louisiana or do away with associated testing, instead saying he’d work with lawmakers on an “issue-by-issue” basis.

Suspensions decline after switch to positive behavior reinforcement, not just punishment | The Lens – James M. Singleton Charter School officials believe they’ve found an effective way to decrease suspensions: rewards for good behavior. Year-to-date suspensions at the school are at 29, down from 34 last year. That might not sound like a lot, but principal Debra Roberts said it was a step in the right direction.

Environment

Ousted levee authority member John Barry rallies support in St. Bernard for suit against energy companies | NOLA.com – Former Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority—East officer John Barry appeared before the St. Bernard Parish Rotary Club on Thursday to rally support for the levee board’s coastal loss lawsuit against the oil and gas industry. Barry has formed a nonprofit group, Restore Louisiana Now, to lobby for the suit.

Gulf shrimp and long-line fisheries named some of “dirtiest fisheries” in recent report | NOLA.com

The Gulf of Mexico shrimp and long-line fisheries are named as some of the nine “dirtiest fisheries” in a report released Thursday by the ocean conservation and advocacy nonprofit Oceana. The “Wasted Catch” report lists fisheries that have the largest amount of bycatch, which is fish and wildlife that are unintentionally caught when attempting to catch other species.

Charles Maldonado

Charles Maldonado is the editor of The Lens. He previously worked as The Lens' government accountability reporter, covering local politics and criminal justice. Prior to joining The Lens, he worked for...