Podcasts about new orleans city council

We get into a secret partnership between the New Orleans Police Department and Project NOLA, a private nonprofit organisation that owns and operates an extensive network of cameras blanketing New Orleans. For years, Project NOLA has been running live facial recognition through their cameras and sending automated notifications to the police when a match is made using Project NOLA's privately maintained list of “wanted people.” By going through an unofficial private partner, police have been able to sidestep and undermine legal prohibition on their use of AI technologies like facial recognition. We get into the history of using New Orleans as a testbed for policing technology, the dangerous precedent being set by this public-private relationship, and how this surveillance nightmare is on track to become even more expansive and unleashed thanks to potential policy changes. ••• Police secretly monitored New Orleans with facial recognition cameras https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/05/19/live-facial-recognition-police-new-orleans/ ••• A bad facial recognition match costs Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto's office. See how much https://www.nola.com/news/jefferson_parish/facial-recognition-sheriff/article_3ed262bc-e360-4383-82fb-728b3783cb93.html ••• New Orleans City Council proposed ordinance https://cityofno.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=42&clip_id=5115&meta_id=741682 Standing Plugs: ••• Order Jathan's new book: https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520398078/the-mechanic-and-the-luddite ••• Subscribe to Ed's substack: https://substack.com/@thetechbubble ••• Subscribe to TMK on patreon for premium episodes: https://www.patreon.com/thismachinekills Hosted by Jathan Sadowski (bsky.app/profile/jathansadowski.com) and Edward Ongweso Jr. (www.x.com/bigblackjacobin). Production / Music by Jereme Brown (bsky.app/profile/jebr.bsky.social)

The New Orleans City Council unanimously passed an ordinance on May 8, 2025, to protect sex workers from arrest and prosecution for prostitution if they are reporting crimes committed against them. This new law codifies an existing New Orleans Police Department policy that discourages arresting sex workers who are victims or witnesses to crimes, aiming to encourage their cooperation with investigations without fear of their own arrest. A key component, the "Right to Safe Sex" provision, prevents law enforcement from using the possession of condoms as evidence of prostitution. The Trans Income Project, a Louisiana-based support group for transgender individuals, was a significant force behind this legislation, highlighting its potential benefits for trans people, many of whom have experience in the sex industry. It's important to note that while this ordinance applies to the New Orleans Police Department, it does not cover other law enforcement agencies operating within the city, such as Troop NOLA.Other Cities and Vicinities Considering Decriminalization of ProstitutionSeveral other jurisdictions have been discussing or have introduced legislation concerning the decriminalization of sex work. Here's what was found:* Washington, D.C.: Advocates in D.C. have highlighted that decriminalizing sex work is a matter of health, safety, and survival, noting that criminalization can lead to various threats for sex workers. Models in other countries like New Zealand and Belgium, where decriminalization has occurred, show improved conditions for sex workers, including better legal, health, and safety rights, and improved relations with police.* New York: Bills have been introduced (S3075/A849 in 2022) aiming to remove criminal penalties for consenting adults involved in sex work. The arguments in favor suggest this could lead to better regulation, improved healthcare access, and increased support for those in the industry.* Massachusetts: Similar to New York, Massachusetts has considered legislation (bill H1867) to decriminalize prostitution while maintaining legal consequences for pimps and buyers, focusing on reducing exploitation and ensuring sex worker safety.* Vermont: Vermont has also engaged in discussions about decriminalizing sex work (bill H630), with proponents arguing it would promote harm reduction and improve access to support services.* Missouri: Discussions regarding the potential decriminalization of prostitution are also taking place in Missouri.* Hawaii and Rhode Island: Lawmakers in Hawaii have introduced measures to decriminalize prostitution for both sex workers and clients. In Rhode Island, some lawmakers are pushing for measures to protect sex workers and clients who report crimes.* Tennessee: Legislation has been introduced in Tennessee to provide some protections for sex workers.It's worth noting that while many states have proposed legislation to decriminalize sex work over the past decade (including Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont, as well as Washington, DC), these broader state-level policy changes have often faced challenges in passing. Currently, Nevada is the only U.S. state where prostitution is legal in some counties through licensed brothels.Contact KOP for professional podcast production, imaging, and web design services at http://www.kingofpodcasts.comSupport KOP by subscribing to his YouTube channel and search for King Of PodcastsFollow KOP on X or TikTok or LinkedIn @kingofpodcastsFind KOP's other programs, Podcasters Row… and the Wrestling is Real Wrestling Podcast and The Broadcasters Podcast at http://www.kingofpodcasts.comBuy KOP a Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/kingofpodcastsDrop KOP a PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=3TAB983ZQPNVLDrop KOP a CashApp https://cash.app/$kingofallpodcastsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/depraved-and-debaucherous--5267208/support.

This hour, Scoot continues his discussion about Lt. Gov. Nungesser urging the New Orleans City Council to give IV Waste the French Quarter sanitation contract. Also, Scoot talks about the controversy of administering the death penalty and Elon Musk's appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast.

On today's show, Scoot continues his discussion about Lt. Gov. Nungesser urging the New Orleans City Council to give IV Waste the French Quarter sanitation contract. Also, Scoot talks about the controversy of administering the death penalty and Elon Musk's appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast. Then, Scoot talks about Bill Belichick's younger girlfriend taking topless pics for social media, a politician passing legislation to ban "furries" from school, and the controversy surrounding the new live-action Snow White.

Councilmember Freddie King joins Scoot to share his thoughts on Lt. Gov. Nungesser's letter to the New Orleans City Council urging that the French Quarter cleanup contract be awarded to IV Waste.

This hour, Scoot talks about the reason Isaac Hayes may have left the show South Park. Then, Councilmember Freddie King joins the show to share his thoughts on Lt. Gov. Nungesser's letter to the New Orleans City Council urging that the French Quarter cleanup contract be awarded to IV Waste.

On today's show, Scoot talks about if New Orleanians are apathetic to Mayor Cantrell's antics, an Oregon mental health advisor that identifies as a turtle, and the reason Isaac Hayes may have left the show South Park. Also, Scoot has on Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser to talk about Sidney Torres's IV Waste contract and trash pickup after the Super Bowl. Then, Councilmember Freddie King joins the show to share his thoughts on Lt. Gov. Nungesser's letter to the New Orleans City Council urging that the French Quarter cleanup contract be awarded to IV Waste.

It's Thursday and that means it's time to catch up on the week in politics with The Times-Picayune/The Advocate's editorial director and columnist, Stephanie Grace. We learn how the New Orleans City Council is aiming to restrict the travel of Mayor LaToya Cantrell, and how she's pushing back. The recent severe weather and January's heavy snowfall shed light on an ongoing problem: a lack of adequate parking for long-haul truck drivers. The Louisiana Transportation Research Center is looking for solutions to the state's truck parking problem. They've awarded a grant to Bethany Stich, professor of Planning and Urban Studies and director of the University of New Orleans Transportation Institute to study the issue. She joins us to discuss  potential solutions to this issue.The Lenten season, which follows Carnival's period of excess and indulgence, is observed by many Christians as a time for atonement, introspection, reflection, and repentance. But how does that last bit fit into our 21st century mindset? Father John D Cunningham, vice president of Mission and Identity at Loyola University New Orleans, tells us how to think about lent in contemporary times. —Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Bob Pavlovich. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber; our contributing producers are Matt Bloom and Adam Vos; we receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon  and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Checking In With New Orleans City Council: JP Morrell full 990 Fri, 14 Feb 2025 15:17:39 +0000 CGHQpMbClFegzGBD5zQG2cYvNmBRK0Cv new orleans,education funding,news WWL First News with Tommy Tucker new orleans,education funding,news Checking In With New Orleans City Council: JP Morrell Tommy Tucker takes on the days' breaking headlines, plus weather, sports, traffic and more   2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. News False https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?

Tommy spoke to Matt Jewell, the president of St. Charles Parish, Lauren Nash of the National Weather Service, and New Orleans City Council member Lesli Harris for the latest updates from the winter storm in South Louisiana.

New Orleans City Council member Lesli Harris joined Tommy. Harris shared the city's plan for sheltering individuals during the winter storm.

Bourbon Street reopens with new security barriers in place after an attacker plowed his truck into a crowd of people. The FBI takes the lead in the investigation after a vehicle exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. New Orleans City Council member Eugene Green discusses questions surrounding the city's security measures. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill gives an update into the truck attack investigation. House Speaker Mike Johnson's leadership status is in jeopardy as the Congress prepares to convene.

The common wisdom we're taught when starting up a business is, “Solve a problem that needs solving.” But the truly exceptional success stories of our time have not followed this advice. When Coca Cola came along, nobody who was enjoying a long, cool glass of lemonade was clamoring for a sweet, syrupy, brown drink. When Uber came along people weren't fantasizing about getting into a car with a total stranger. And when Jeff Bezos started selling books online, nobody in their right mind would give their credit card number to a person they didn't know on the world wide web. At the end of the day, it wasn't Bezos' ability as a salesman that convinced people to trust Amazon, it was the invention of a piece of software called “encryption” that made it safer to give your credit card to Amazon than to a server in a restaurant. Today there are other online companies poised to capitalize on the next technological change to e-commerce. One of those is a local startup called Cucuron, an online art gallery based in New Orleans, founded by Megan Manning.  You might ask, “How many people are going to pay $2,000 for a piece of artwork based on a photo on a phone?” Maybe not a whole lot, but… When augmented reality and virtual reality become a part of our device's operating system – which they definitely will at some point – looking at a piece of art online will be exactly, in every way, like looking at a piece of art on the wall in a gallery. Whether or not Cucuron becomes the Amazon of art is unknowable. But it's building the architecture ready for the day when buying art online is as second-nature as buying the shoes, furniture, and mattresses people at one point said they would never buy online. Over 55% of e-commerce shoppers say the reason they buy online is, “home delivery.” Maybe it's the legacy of the pandemic, maybe it's the influence of Gen Z., but more of our lives these days seem to be home-centric. Very few New Orleanians know more about the many notions of “home” than Kristin Palmer. Kristin was Executive Director of an organization called Rebuilding Together. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Kristin led over 10,000 volunteers who rebuilt hurricane-damaged structures so New Orleanians could come home. In 2010 Kristin was elected to the New Orleans City Council. She represented District C which includes the French Quarter, the Marigny, Treme, Bywater and Algiers. In 2014 she founded Bargeboard, a home renovation and restoration company whose goal is to keep Old Algiers affordable and accessible through historic renovation, recycling and reuse. Bargeboard is a culmination of a lifetime of Kristin's New Orleans-centric personal and professional passions. In the 1940's, Abraham Maslow, a psychology professor, came up with a pyramid-shape explanation of human existence which has come to be known as Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. On the bottom level of the pyramid are the most basic needs, including shelter – a home. At the top is something Maslow called Self Actualization, which includes creativity, like producing art. Maslow's interpretation of human existence has become a foundational teaching in understanding human motivation and behavior. But, if any place on earth was to challenge Maslow's conventional wisdom, it would be New Orleans. Here, our homes are of course vital, but an equally vital part of our lives - that makes New Orleans New Orleans - is music, beauty, and art. So, although both Megan's and Kristin's businesses – Bargeboard and Cucuron – theoretically represent the extreme poles of human existence, our lived experience here in New Orleans rates them as equally essential to our everyday lives. Out to Lunch was recorded live over lunch at Columns in Uptown New Orleans. You can find photos from this show by Jill Lafleur at itsneworleans.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell told the New Orleans City Council she had a track record of delivering results. So what are they? Rosalind Cook, Adjunct Lecturer of Political Science in the Political Science Department at Tulane University, joins Ian Hoch to figure it all out.

* Talking with Joe Giarrusso about the New Orleans City Council's Utility committee meeting * It's Falls Prevention Awareness Week! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 in 4 older adults fall each year—but many of these falls are preventable. Dr. B. from Peoples Health to share tips for staying steady and lowering your fall risk.

Tommy talks to New Orleans City Councilmember JP Morrell

Talking with Tim Temple about insurance fraud and scams that go around after disasters like Francine. And the New Orleans City Council's utility committee is meeting today to discuss the Francine response

Francine is churning in the Gulf Coast and expected to make landfall in Louisiana late Wednesday. Across the state, residents are preparing for the storm and deciding whether or not to evacuate. The Coastal Desk's Halle Parker joins us to discuss the latest forecasts and advice. The New Orleans City Council may be putting an end to its special exceptions process for  short-term rental properties, like Airbnbs and Vrbo. Council members have cited “unforeseen challenges” with their current process that began earlier this summer. The Gambit's Kaylee Poche tells us more about the scale of this issue and why the city council is cracking down now.Hispanic Heritage month kicks off mid-September and award-winning New Orleans inter-disciplinary artist José Torres-Tama is honoring Latin American immigrants with his latest work. He joins us for more on his open studio event, exhibiting a new series of paintings from his latest visual history project called “NO PAPERS! NO FEAR!” Alabama is set to receive millions from lawsuits with opioid manufacturers to fight an epidemic that has many hidden victims. Like the children of people with opioid use disorder — and the family members who step up to raise them. As the Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins reports, the state plans to give some of this money directly to grandparents, which is a first in the country.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. Matt Bloom and Aubry Procell are assistant producers. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Don Dubuc in for Tommy. Don starts off with a conversation with Councilmember Joe Giarrusso about the Sewerage & Water Board, Entergy, and mylar balloons. After that, Don gets the economic news in our Monday Morning Markets with Mark Rosa segment.

Presidential immunity? The right-wing Supreme Court is happy to grant it to the former guy, at least partially. NOPD and New Orleans City Council end-run on Constitutional Carry; Ian makes pilgrimage to Lynryd Skynyrd memorial

Last season, you may remember the local documentary called Dirty Dogs.  The director, Ty Turner sat down and blew our mind! A 50 year old ordinance in New Orleans had allowed the local staple, Lucky Dogs the exclusive vendor inside the French Quarter. For HALF A CENTURY, this push cart brand has essentially had a monopoly in one of the oldest neighborhoods in America. Not anymore. This season, I wanted to revisit this story and hopefully get some closure to this wild tale of hypocrisy and good ole boy strongholds. After many emails, calls and conversations with different members of New Orleans City Council and their team, it seemed to me that there was significant traction being made!Today, I am super excited to welcome back to the show, the same documentary- Dirty Dogs, but this time the Producer and Cinematographer, Adrian Sosebee lets us all know what the last year has been like and just what this project means to other passionate, local businesses that are now allowed to work in this historic neighborhood, the Iconic French Quarter! Adrian has been apart of this project from the very beginning and it is awesome to see results! Especially coming from the South, where change usually takes an excruciatingly long time to happen.Adrian Sosebee also owns his own production business called Solid Ice Media.He has even taken over editing our show, Unscripted- a NolaPapa Podcast! He is everywhere and take it for me- He is good at what he does! Find him at www.SolidIceMedia.comDid you hear that? It's the lemonade man!Later, we welcome one of the new push cart vendors that is NOW ALLOWED in the French Quarter! Topher Patch, owner of his own pushcart, Meyer's Frozen Lemonaid joins me to talk about what it has been like to have his ambitions to create such a deliciously NEEDED treat to sip on in the heat of the French Quarter. My family and I have personally tried Topher's own recipes and my friends, this cat knows what he is doing! From the ground up he thought out his business plan to not only serve a uniquely yummy treat, but also make his customers smile. And this man can and absolutely did that for me and my family. He knew what he wanted to do and went for it. During LOCK DOWN! Fear need not for Meyer's Lemonade. Listen to this interview and you will find out.Find out all about his products and reserve a party today atwww.MeyersLemonade.comThank you to our family of amazing sponsors! Ochsner Hospital for ChildrenWww.ochsner.orgRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comSandpiper VacationsWww..sandpipervacations.comZak George's Dog Revolution! Pinxav Diaper Rash CreamWww.pinxav.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream CompanyWww.neworleansicecream.comReal Estate with Steph & Berkshire Hathaway www.realestatewithsteph.comAudubon Institute www.auduboninstitute.orgThe Gift of Adoption FundGiftofAdoption.org

559.  C.J. Hunt returns to the Podcast to discuss "Neutral Ground — a documentary about memory, monuments, and how to break up with the Confederacy. The Neutral Ground documents New Orleans' fight over monuments and America's troubled romance with the Lost Cause. In 2015, director CJ Hunt was filming the New Orleans City Council's vote to remove four confederate monuments. But when that removal is halted by death threats, CJ sets out to understand why a losing army from 1865 still holds so much power in America." C. J. visited the podcast with Kyle June Williams on April 25, 2014 (Episode 49) to discuss their web series Our Sunken City. If you haven't watched it yet, it's still available. This week in Louisiana history. February 3, 1820. Prohibition of slavery in western territory of Louisianan Purchase. This week in New Orleans history. The Superdome hosted Super Bowl XLVII on February 3, 2013. A partial power failure halted game play for about 34 minutes in the third quarter between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers. The power outage caused CBS, who was broadcasting the game, to lose some of its cameras as well as voice-overs by the commentators. At no point did the game go off the air, though the game had no audio for about two minutes. While the lights were coming back on, CBS reporters deployed around the stadium reported on the outage as a breaking news situation until power was restored enough for play to continue. This week in Louisiana. Everywhere else, it's just a Tuesday. Monroe/West Monroe. The Krewe of Janus Mardi Gras Parade rolls on Saturday, February 3. Theme: Jammin' with Janus February 3, 2024 Parade rolls at 6:00 PM. This parade is the big one! Floats, marching bands, and beads all come together! The parade begins in West Monroe at 1118 Natchitoches Street and ends at Oliver Road in Monroe. Postcards from Louisiana. Rickey Caesar at Blue Nile. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

Back in 2021, Mayor LaToya Cantrell aimed to bring the “smart cities” initiative to New Orleans, which would have introduced a new internet service provider to compete with Cox Communications and  equipped the city's infrastructure (including everything from traffic signals to parking spaces) with data-collecting sensors and cameras. The effort was abandoned in 2022 after allegations, first reported by The Lens, that the bid process had been rigged.  Now, the New Orleans City Council is proposing changes to city law to help avoid similar scandals. Katie Fernelius has been covering the council's efforts for Verite News and joins us for more.  Many New Orleanians will tell you recycling isn't always reliable in the city. Not only is it often disrupted and delayed after natural disasters, but there is currently no widespread glass pickup.  Now the Environmental Protection Agency, along with the nonprofit The Recycling Partnership, have awarded the city two substantial grants to expand curbside recycling and increase participation. The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate's Tristan Baurick has the details. The Musaica Chamber Ensemble continues its 18th season, “Heart and Soul,” with two upcoming performances in metro New Orleans. President and violist Bruce Owen joins us with details on their so-called “adventurous” programming. Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at 12 and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts.  Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission and the New Orleans City Council argue Entergy, the region's power company, owes $550 million in refunds to customers on top of the more $100 million  it's already agreed to pay. These refunds stem from a long-running lawsuit that accuses Entergy of mismanaging the Grand Gulf nuclear plant in Mississippi.  Davante Lewis, public service commissioner for Louisiana's third district, tells us why he believes Entergy is on the hook for reimbursement and why it's important to foster competition in the state's energy market. Primary elections are just around the corner and we're continuing to re-air our conversations with candidates running for governor. Today, we listen back to a conversation with state treasurer John Schroder.  In June, Schroder, one of several Republican candidates, spoke with Stephanie Grace, editorial director and columnist for The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate, about his experience working in law enforcement, his climate policy agenda and what he hopes to accomplish if elected.  Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at 12:00 and 7:00 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play, and wherever you get your podcasts.  Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Giarrusso joins Tommy to talk about the flooding in the New Orleans area and other city related topics. 

Joe Giarrusso joins Tommy to talk about yesterday's city council meeting with the communication director of New Orleans. 

Joe Giarrusso joins Tommy to talk about the latest on the search for New Orleans police chief, plus, what else is on their agenda this week. 

Joe Giarrusso joins Dave to talk about what the council has on their agenda this week. 

Eugene Green joins Tommy to talk about the Sewage and Water Board and other topics for city council. 

Freddie King joins Tommy to talk about permitting in New Orleans and other topics that will come up in city council. 

JP Morrell joins Tommy to talk about the latest topics in New Orleans city council this week. 

Joe Giarrusso joins Tommy to talk about the latest issues in New Orleans and what projects city council has on their agenda. 

Leslie Harris joins Tommy to talk about short-term rentals and other topics that have come up this week at the council. 

Eugene Green joins Tommy to talk about the temporary ban on short term rentals in New Orleans. 

Joe Giarrusso joins Tommy to talk about trash pickup in New Orleans and other topics around the city. 

Joe Giarrusso joins Tommy to talk about the issues the city council will have on their agenda this week. 

JP Morrell joins Tommy to talk about Mayor Cantrell and other topics around the city of New Orleans. 

Joe Giarrusso joins Tommy to talk about the Sewerage and Water Board and the changes it's going to see. 

Eugene Green joins Tommy to talk about the latest issues the council are taking up this week. 

JP Morrell joins Tommy to talk about the latest issues that the city is dealing with on the council agenda this week. 

Joe Giarrusso joins Tommy to talk about the latest new and topics that city council will discuss this week. 

New Orleans is known as both the birthplace of jazz and America's first city of opera. But what do the two genres have in common? Gwen Thompkins, host of the Music Inside Out podcast, tells us more about the musical  overlaps and how this subject will be explored in a new film series from the New Orleans Opera Association.  The NOLA Project: Theater for the Bold, continues its season with a production of “White,” by 2022 Pulitzer Prize winner James Ijames. Actor Matthew Thompson tells us more about this contemporary Frankenstein story set in the fiercely competitive art world. But first, after months of debate, the New Orleans City Council passed new short-term rental laws last week. WWNO's metro reporter Carly Berlin tells us more about the big changes to the rules governing short-term rentals, like those on Airbnb and Vrbo.  Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our digital editor is Katelyn Umholtz. Our engineers are Garrett Pittman and Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at 12:00 and 7:30 pm. It's available on Spotify, Google Play, and wherever you get your podcasts.  Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Orleans City Council is getting closer to passing new laws governing short-term rentals like Airbnbs. WWNO's Carly Berlin has been tracking the potential changes. She sat down with Louisiana Considered producer Alana Schreiber to debrief us on recent news and to tell us what's coming next. Earlier this month, The Task Force on State Recognition of Indian Tribes met for the last time without being able to agree on any set criteria for recognizing tribes in Louisiana. Fifteen tribes are now recognized, but there are still not clear criteria for determining if others should be. To learn more about the importance of tribal recognition and why the taskforce is at a stalemate, we're joined by Chief Troy Kerry of the Apalachee Tribe and Elder Chief Shirell Parfait-Dardar of the Grand Caillou/Dulac Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw. The USS KIDD Veterans Museum in downtown Baton Rouge has a new permanent exhibit, “Pirates! The Story Behind the Pirate of the Pacific.” The exhibit is housed within a full-scale replica of an 18th Century pirate ship's gun deck and tells the story of Captain William Kidd, who's described by historians as “America's most ruthless buccaneer.” Parks Stephenson, Museum Executive Director, tells us more about this exciting new exhibition. Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our digital editor is Katelyn Umholtz. Our engineers are Garrett Pittman and Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at 12:00 and 7:30 pm. It's available on Spotify, Google Play, and wherever you get your podcasts.  Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, the New Orleans City Council approved a nearly $1.5 billion budget for 2023. New Orleans Metro Reporter Carly Berlin tells us about budget priorities for the new year - especially when it comes to housing and transportation. The New Orleans Museum of Art presents, “Called to the Camera,” an exhibition focusing on Black American studio photographers and their impact on the medium from the 19th Century to present day. Curator Dr. Brian Piper tells us more about the more than 150 photographs on display in the exhibit.  LSU's Golden Band from Tigerland and Lake Charles Kreole Rock and Soul musician Sean Ardoin are in the running for a Grammy in the Best Regional Roots Music Album category. Ardoin joins us along with Hank and John, two LSU students in the marching band, for more on their historic collaboration on the album, Full Circle.  Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our digital editor is Katelyn Umholtz. Our engineers are Garrett Pittman, Aubry Procell, and Thomas Walsh.  You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at 12:00 and 7:30 pm. It's available on Spotify, Google Play, and wherever you get your podcasts.  Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Voting on the Healthy Homes ordinance – a landmark housing proposal that proponents hope would hold landlords accountable for the wellbeing of their properties – has been stalled for the second time. This has caused an eruption of protests at New Orleans City Council, where renters claim living among rats, mold, and collapsing ceilings. WWNO's New Orleans metro reporter Carly Berlin tells us why the council is deferring the vote and what the repercussions might be. Earlier this month, more than 100 marine scientists sent a letter to the Biden administration urging government officials to protect the endangered Gulf of Mexico Whale. They claim that if the whale goes extinct, it will be the first recorded time in world history that humans cause the extinction of an entire whale species. Coastal organizer for Healthy Gulf, Christian Wagley, tells us what makes this species unique and what needs to be done to save it.  Basketball season is officially underway, but not just for NBA players. This year, the New Orleans Pelicans have joined seven other NBA and WNBA teams in participating in the new Jr. NBA League, which will partner professional basketball teams with local athletic programs for kids. Pelicans Youth Basketball Development Manager, Jason Lapouble, tells us more about the program's inaugural year. Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our digital editor is Katelyn Umholtz and our engineers are Garrett Pittman, Aubry Procell, and Thomas Walsh.  You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at 12:00 and 7:30 pm. It's available on Spotify, Google Play, and wherever you get your podcasts.  Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a busy week in Louisiana politics, so the Advocate's Editorial director and columnist Stephanie Grace joins us to break it all down. We hear updates on Attorney General Jeff Landry's bid for governor and learn why the state's bond commission recently approved a hefty new grant for the Sewage and Water Board.  In 2019, New Orleans officials pledged to make the city safer for cyclists after 9 cyclists were hit by a motorist and two died during Mardi Gras. But three years later New Orleans City Council is now ordering the removal of some protected bike lanes in Algiers.  WWNO's Metro reporter Carly Berlin tells us what bike safety advocates had to say before the city council convened, and how they're feeling after the vote. Ruby Bridges, who integrated a New Orleans public elementary school 62 years ago, was thrust into the role of a civil rights activist at the age of six. In her new children's book, I Am Ruby Bridges, she retells her story through her childhood eyes. She spoke about the book with NPR's Mary Louise Kelly. And if you're interested in getting your hands on Ruby Bridges' new book, the good news is that September is Library Card Sign Up Month! Louisiana Considered's Alana Schreiber spoke with NOLA Public Libraries Head of Outreach, Aimé Lohmeyer to learn more about the library's events, programs, and prizes.  Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Patrick Madden. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our digital editor is Katelyn Umholtz. Our engineers are Garrett Pittman, Aubry Procell, and Thomas Walsh.  You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at 12:00 and 7:30 pm. It's available on Spotify, Google Play, and wherever you get your podcasts.  Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Orleans jail detainees report serious injuries from raid last month. St. James Parish rejects zoning change for site of stalled methanol plant. And the New Orleans City Council takes action on short-term rentals and disputed water bills. The post Behind The Lens episode 178: ‘It was like they were trying to keep it a secret' appeared first on The Lens.

The 2015 vote of the  New Orleans City Council to remove four Confederate monuments from public grounds was met with death threats, protests, lawsuits, and rallies.  Writer and comedian CJ Hunt, curious “why a losing army from 1865 still holds so much power in America” covered the hearings and protests. The result of Hunt's exploration is a documentary called *The Neutral Ground--*a personal, disturbing, sometimes-funny, and informative exploration of the struggle over the removal of the monuments in New Orleans. But more broadly, the film, an official selection of the both the Tribeca Film Festival and AFI Docs, is an examination of collective memory, the myths of the confederacy, how history was re-written and reaffirmed, and the price paid, especially by Black people, to keep the story of “Lost Cause” alive.  In this podcast from 2021, CJ Hunt talks about the film's journey from short funny video to a timely and scholarly documentary, his decision to insert himself as a central character in the film, the conversations Black people have been having about these monuments since Frederick Douglass, and how humor can be a great method to get people to examine uncomfortable truths.

The residents of Gordon Plaza are fighting for a fully-funded relocation from the toxic land that their community was built on by the City of New Orleans. The subdivision was built on top of what was once the Agricultural Street Landfill – an area designated by the EPA as a hazardous waste site in 1994. Since 1993, residents have been fighting for financial compensation for emotional distress and property damage. They've also pushed for a fully-funded relocation, which after decades, may now be in sight. On June 23, the New Orleans City Council voted unanimously to approve a $35 million plan to ​​relocate the residents of Gordon Plaza. The $35 million dollar figure is an estimated cost of relocation for the owners of all 67 households including home replacement costs and moving expense. The estimate came from a study authored by two professors at Tulane University in December. Along with relocating the residents, the City plans to convert part of the land into a solar energy farm. In the 2022 budget passed in December, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell allocated $2 million in bond funding to survey the site for redevelopment. Residents of Gordon Plaza are optimistic but are still keeping things in perspective. Gordon Plaza residents have won several judgments in class-action lawsuits against the City of New Orleans, the Housing Authority of New Orleans, and the Orleans Parish School Board, for lost property value and emotional distress. But, many of the residents have still not received compensation from those judgments, and probably never will. According to a 2021 investigation by the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate, the City has more than 560 outstanding judgments and settlements, with a backlog of about $40 million. Some date back 25 years. The difference this time is that the money has been allocated: The City Council is diverting funding from municipal bonds in this year's capital budget from stalled projects the city hasn't yet initiated. The city has scheduled meetings with residents and is working with a law firm to work out distributing the funds. But Jesse Perkins, other residents of Gordon Plaza, and advocates are hoping to get this money as soon as possible – and potentially even find new homes by the new year. A city spokesperson told The Takeaway that "the city has hired a firm to assist with the property acquisition, the firm is planning to identify the escrow and title companies by the end of July. And then will be providing the city with timelines on the process." We spoke with Jesse Perkins, a resident of Gordon Plaza about these updates, and how he and the other 54 families still living there, feel after decades of fighting to get city officials' attention.  Check out our previous coverage: Gordon Plaza Residents Fight for Relocation from Toxic Land.

Gordon Plaza – a subdivision in New Orleans' Desire neighborhood, was established in the late 1970s and was supposed to be an opportunity for New Orleans' emerging Black middle class to buy into the American dream. But the dream that was Gordon Plaza quickly dissolved into a nightmare for the residents of this community when they discovered the very foundation of their community was toxic. In the early 1900s, the land that Gordon Plaza now occupies was low lying, swampy, and largely vacant,  New Orleans used this area as a dumping ground for the city's waste. It was called the Agriculture Street Landfill. For decades, residents in nearby neighborhoods complained about the site and eventually it was closed. But then in 1965, the city temporarily reopened the Agriculture Street Landfill as a dumping ground for debris from Hurricane Betsy. This is the land where federal funders, city planners, and developers chose to build a community for the Black working class. Gordon Plaza sits atop what was once Agriculture Street Landfill. Most of the new residents who first bought in Gordon Plaza in the 1980s did not know their homes sat on a toxic site. But within a decade, debris and residue became visible as sealed oiled drums literally popped out of the ground in family's yards. Under intense pressure from environmental activists and distressed residents, the  Environmental Protection Agency began to test Gordon Plaza's soil and found 140 toxic and hazardous materials, more than 40 of which were known to cause cancer. In 1994 the EPA declared the area a superfund, or hazardous waste site. In the mid-1990s, the EPA financed a $20 million remediation project to remove contaminated soil from some areas of the property and replace it with new soil. But now that residents in the area knew the land they owned was a former landfill and dumpsite, and they knew it was potentially hazardous to their health. They sought more than new dirt for their backyards. They wanted a way to relocate, and residents are currently still fighting with the City of New Orleans for relocation funds.  According to a 2019 report from the Louisiana Tumor Registry, Gordon Plaza's census tract has the second highest cancer rate in the state, although the report also says it's hard to prove links between cancer and certain exposures. In 2016, the City amended its master plan and included a portion about Gordon Plaza residents. It provided a five year timeline to “Identify and apply for Federal, State, and other funding or resources to relocate consenting residents of the Gordon Plaza Subdivision that was built on the Agriculture Street Landfill.” That five year timeline ended in 2021. Residents have estimated that it will now cost $35 million to relocate the 54 families on still living on Gordon Plaza. In the 2022 budget passed in December, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell allocated $2 million in bond funding to survey the site for redevelopment. In a statement provided toThe Takeaway, the city said it plans to turn Gordon Plaza “into a sustainable solar farm that would increase the City's power resilience and minimize greenhouse gas emissions.” On January 6, 2022, the New Orleans City Council earmarked $35 million in the capitol Budget to help relocate residents. But that money is not guaranteed.  According to a 2019 report from the Louisiana Tumor Registry, Gordon Plaza's census tract has the second highest cancer rate in the state, although the report also says it's hard to prove links between cancer and certain exposures. We spoke with Wilma Subra, technical advisor to the Louisiana Environmental Action Network, and President of Subra Company, an environmental consulting firm. Subra has been working as an environmental consultant for residents on the site since the late 1980s. We also spoke with two residents, Jesse Perkins and Marilyn Amar, who currently live in Gordon Plaza. They bought their houses without knowing about the dangerous toxins they might be exposed to on their own properties. You can learn more about residents' advocacy at GordonPlaza.com. Statement from the City of New Orleans from John F. Lawson II, Deputy Press Secretary: The City of New Orleans is working closely with the Environmental Protection Agency to identify additional resources to redevelop the existing Agriculture Street Landfill and properties near the site, such as those in Gordon Plaza, into a sustainable solar farm that would increase the City's power resilience and minimize greenhouse gas emissions.To date, EPA has provided technical assistance to the City in funding the science and engineering work for a project Feasibility Study through its Superfund Program. The Feasibility Study estimates building the solar farm will cost approximately $10 million. At present, $2 million in bond funding has been allocated to developing the solar farm project. The $35 million earmark by the New Orleans City Council is not actually tied to the City's project.The most critical element of moving this project forward is property appraisal and acquisition. To that end, the City plans to re-release a Request for Proposal for a third party firm to assist with determining property acquisition costs within the undeveloped property and within Gordon Plaza this month.The Cantrell Administration remains committed to bringing this project to a thoughtful resolution.