Photo source: Danae Columbus The New Orleans Police Department and its partnering agencies scored a big win Friday, April 5 when Congressman Troy Carter announced a $3.3 million dollar grant for criminal justice initiatives aimed at increasing the city’s crime-fighting capabilities. “With this grant we are sending a message that we are not going to tolerate crime,” said Carter. By giving the City of New Orleans the necessary tools to push back against crime, the city will be safer, Carter continued.   The funds will be used to enhance technology at the new NOPD Crime Lab which is ope ..read more

Sometimes, what you’re looking for is right under your nose. Given that it is spring and following on from a successful New Orleans Entrepreneurship Week, with high school and college students recently graduating and contemplating what might be next, some similar introspection may be needed for our city as a whole. In recent years,  economic development, amid a housing and climate crisis, has been a bright spot in the Crescent City. This is despite the fact that there has been little to no coordinated effort to strategically guide the New Orleans economy for the near to long term. As a r ..read more

New Orleans, LA – March 21, around 3:00 pm, during public comments at the Port of New Orleans monthly board meeting, local activist Felix Allen was arrested for standing in solidarity with Palestine.  Allen, 27, is an organizer in New Orleans for Community Oversight of Police (NOCOP). Last week, a leading organizer of the same group, Toni Jones, was similarly arrested during a rally outside New Orleans Book Fair by Tulane University Police. Allen faces trumped up charges of disturbing the peace and resisting/obstructing an officer.  Felix’s only crime is calling for the Port of New ..read more

Are the Saints of 2024 better than the Saints of 2023 after this year’s first blush of free agency? The Saints are constrained in free agency because of the Saint’s strategy of kicking the can down the road, as it pertains to the salary cap. Every year sees contending teams get these bargain stars in trades, Christian McCaffery to San Francisco or Jalen Ramsey to the Rams.  The Saints are not in the hunt for these stars because signing them would put them over the salary cap. Mickey Loomis must crave mediocrity. 2024 FREE AGENCY The Saints lost Yiadom, a big loss. Zach Baun, not much of ..read more

The New Orleans Public Library is officially fine free system-wide, after Library Board approved the new policy on March 12. In 2019, the Library eliminated fines for youth materials in an effort to remove economic obstacles for New Orleans youth. Less than a year later, the Library suspended fines on all overdue items in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Emily Painton, executive director and city librarian, said eliminating fines has not impacted the Library’s operating budget or resulted in fewer items being returned. “We’ve been effectivel ..read more

In the glitzy world of Hollywood, where glamour and grit collide, few themes have consistently provided the intense, edge-of-your-seat drama like the art of playing cards. From smoky backrooms to the opulence of high-end casinos, filmmakers have artfully captured the suspense, strategy, and thrill of card games on the silver screen. This riveting genre has given rise to some of the most iconic and enduring films in cinematic history. In this exploration, we delve into the heart of the matter, uncovering the six best movies that showcase the captivating world of card games in Hollywood. Card g ..read more

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are expected to easily win Louisiana Democratic and Republican presidential primaries on Saturday, March 23. Yet there are many livelier contests underway– some too close to call – for seats on the two state central committees and 39 parish executive committees. The March 23 election is what is often known in some circles as a “closed primary” in which voting is only open to those registered with the two major parties. Voters registered as Independents, Green Party, No Party, etc. will not be allowed to cast a ballot. Louisiana Republicans ..read more

Ballot Amendment to Enshrine Worker Rights in City Charter Appears Likely to Advance Workers organizing with Step Up Louisiana and allies held a rally at City Hall before testifying in support of a Workers Bill of Rights at a New Orleans City Council Economic Development Committee hearing, Tuesday. Council members appeared receptive to changing the City Charter to enshrine worker rights, paving the way for the campaign to take the proposed amendment to voters this fall. “I don’t think you should work for a company or a corporation and get home and you can’t even feed your children o ..read more

Birthdays, those yearly milestones that mark our journey through life, offer a unique opportunity to celebrate individuality and personal growth. Much like a gardener who selects a variety of seeds to create a garden that blooms in a symphony of colors, personalizing a birthday party requires thought, care, and a touch of creativity. Starting with a birthday flower bouquet that mirrors the celebrant’s personality in its colors and arrangements, personalization can transform a simple celebration into an unforgettable tapestry of memories. Understanding the Celebrant At the core of any personal ..read more

Step Up Louisiana Dollar Store Organizer Kenya Slaughter Led by Step Up Louisiana, representatives of several community organizations and other advocates spoke passionately in support of the proposed Worker’s Bill of Rights at the New Orleans City Council’s Economic Development Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 19. On Thursday March 21, the full Council will consider a ballot proposal to amend the City’s Home Rule Charter Charter to codify a core set of rights for New Orleans workers. The charter change amendment will appear on the November 5, 2024 ballot. The current Bill of Rights does not ..read more