Government & Politics
New Orleans on track to end chronic homelessness by 10th anniversary of Katrina | NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune – “Unity of Greater New Orleans’ executive director Martha Kegel made the prediction at the 22nd annual meeting of the organization at the Lakeview Christian Center.”
Bill to remove anti-sodomy law passes House committee | Gambit – Supporters of the bill say it is an attempt to remove an unconstitutional and unenforceable law that is still on the books. Opponents claim removing the law would somehow harm marriages, students and public health.
Washington Post’s list of scandalous Louisiana politicians forgets about David Duke | Gambit – Gambit editor Kevin Allman points out a striking omission in the Post’s anthology of scandalous pols from the Bayou State.
Mississippi has the worst elections. North Dakota has the best ones. | The Washington Post – Louisiana is among the states that have shown improvement.
Environment
How to Think Like the Dutch in a Post-Sandy World | The New York Times – When it comes to protecting the coast, perhaps we should “think regional,” like the Dutch.
The Economic Case for Restoring Coastal Ecosystems | Center for American Progress – Report says that every dollar invested in coastal restoration returns $15 in economic benefits.
INSTITUTE INDEX: Big Oil aims to kill Louisiana coastal damage lawsuit | Facing South – A fact list about the lawsuit and about state senator Robert Adley, R-Benton, the lawsuit’s top opponent.
Criminal Justice
The Nexus Between Workforce Development and Criminal Justice in Louisiana | The Pelican Post – The libertarian-leaning think tank says “two bills pending in the [state] Legislature can expand opportunity, reduce recidivism and boost economic development.”
A Fascinating Way to Put a Stop to the School-to-Prison Pipeline for Black Children | Alternet – In Brooklyn, experimental “Kid courts” — justice panels of teen peers — decide on punishments for young students.
Schools
Education Panel Backs Bill to Elect Superintendent | LaPolitics – “Widely viewed as a slap at Superintendent John White, the House Education Committee approved a proposed constitutional amendment to make the top education official’s job an elected office. “
Choice Foundation jilted in bid to take over former Dunbar Elementary campus | The Lens – Charter group says the Recovery School District promised them the Dunbar campus, then turned around and awarded it to KIPP.
This Week In Education: #EdGif Of The Day: How Do You Fix A School System Whose Middle Class Is Disappearing? | This Week in Education – Animated map shows the evaporation of the middle class in Chicago since 1970; what are the implications for its school district?
Land Use
Their purchase offer rejected, residents ask Council to make Newcomb one-way | The Lens – Safety concerns are cited as long-simmering neighborhood feud appears to be entering its final rounds.
What The Heck Is Going On With 1031 Canal Street? | Curbed NOLA – The article claims a $70 million luxury high rise that’s supposed to open next year has not paid significant permit fees.