NEW ORLEANS - District "B" Councilmember Lesli Harris has issued the following statement regarding restoring the full Mardi Gras parade routes for 2023:

"Last month, I met with Mardi Gras krewe leaders and CAO Gilbert Montaño to work toward restoring the full, pre-COVID Mardi Gras routes. We know the Carnival season provides immeasurable benefits to our residents and a sizable portion of our small businesses’ annual revenue -- especially those in District B. I’m so pleased that the administration now has a path forward to bring Mardi Gras back to the front doors of businesses and residents along Jefferson, Magazine, and Tchoupitoulas. We have the funding to support security in these areas, and I stand ready to partner with the administration, NOPD, other law enforcement agencies, and the krewes to restore the Mardi Gras we know and love."

NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans City Council has joined together to voice concerns on the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO)’s proposed rate hike. SWBNO officials discussed a possible rate increase with the City Council’s SWBNO Billing Advisory Committee on Wednesday. This proposal comes as the number of disputed bills has skyrocketed.

NEW ORLEANS - Thursday, September 15, District A Councilmember Joe Giarrusso will
convene more than a dozen mental health stakeholders to help identify and fill gaps in
mental health care access across the city.
 

Our Sheriff Susan Hutson has recently notified partners in the Criminal Justice System that Deputy Sheriffs will be pulled away from their assigned duties and responsibilities to support prevention of the recent tragedies that have happened at the Criminal Justice Center.

During today's regular meeting, the City Council adopted Resolution R-22-85, stressing the Council's continued support for a retrofit of the existing jail over the alternative plan to construct a new "Phase III" jail facility.