Latest news with #OrleansParishSchoolBoard
Axios
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Axios
New Orleans wants to transform to an EV-friendly city
New Orleans leaders want at least 40% of passenger vehicles registered in Orleans Parish to be electric within 10 years, according to a draft report. Why it matters: It will require infrastructure upgrades and financial incentives to encourage people to make the switch. The big picture: One of the biggest priorities, the report says, is adding EV charging infrastructure in convenient locations. The city wants to install 600 charging ports in the next five years. Some could be installed on streetlights. The recommendations in the report call for the city to create a hiring program to construct the ports and deploy other EV projects. The report says the city plans to use a mix of local, federal and private funding for the initiatives. Public sentiment is also a challenge, the report says. Drivers in the survey cited the high upfront costs of buying an EV. They also said a lack of charging options at home is a turnoff. They also have uncertainty about the reliability of EVs and charging stations during power outages and evacuations in south Louisiana, the report says. The report suggests putting chargers on pedestals above flood levels and adding solar energy and battery storage to mitigate power outages. Financial incentives may be needed to encourage people to make the switch, the findings say. Meanwhile, the city is looking at having a greater share of electric vehicles in its fleet. The report says leaders are talking with the Regional Transit Authority, Orleans Parish School Board and the Port of New Orleans about their plans to electrify their own fleets. Another suggestion is to give city contractors, like waste haulers, extra points in their bids if they have EVs in their fleets. Between the lines: The city wants to encourage electric cars, truck, e-bikes and scooters. Part of the report focuses on increasing e-bike use through a rebate program and more protected bike lanes. Another idea is using e-cargo bikes for local deliveries. Zoom in: The city says it is focusing on EVs because leaders believe these changes will bring more jobs and business to New Orleans, according to a statement. They want to use a tax-exemption program to attract EV and battery manufacturers to New Orleans metro. This has been a hot topic as the Trump administration pushes for more tariffs on imported products. Simply put, the U.S. can't build EVs without China, writes Axios' Joann Muller.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Homeowners tax credit bill killed, no relief for low-income homeowners
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — A bill designed to save Louisiana residents money on their homeowner's insurance is dead at the state legislature. As the legislative session winds down to Thursday's adjournment, the House vetoed Senate Bill 235, which would have assisted low-income homeowners in tax credits. City of New Orleans, Orleans Parish School Board back in court involving $90M negotiation Senator Royce Duplessis, who sponsored the bill, called it unfortunate. 'I can assure you that the people of Louisiana would have wanted this bill to pass,' Duplessis said. 'And if the people of Louisiana had a voice and a vote, they would have passed it overwhelmingly. So, unfortunately, another good policy was shot down by justifications that are not good enough.' Families of four making less than $64,000 could have been eligible to claim up to $2,000 in a tax credit. Those making less than $25,000 would receive a cash rebate to help cover their insurance costs. Housing Louisiana President Andreanecia Morris says this was an immediate need to help people, especially as we see population loss. 'We're seeing thousands of people leave Louisiana, some voluntarily and some not voluntarily,' Morris said. 'A lot of people gotten a notice just in the last few weeks and have seen their insurance rate for the second, third, fourth year in a row, significantly increase.' Louisiana bill would allow concealed guns at parades Originally the bill was capped at $10 million but the House dropped it, capping it at $1 million. Morris calls it a slap in the face to the people who, time and time again, are told to be resilient after a storm. 'People are tired of that word being applied to them by leaders who could make their communities resilient, who could put resilient systems in place so that they don't have to just roll with the punches,' said Morris. Duplessis said he will continue to fight for insurance relief. 'We're going to continue to have conversations and work on solutions to try to bring relief to people,' Duplessis said. 'But we are getting towards the final hours of the session. So, we're going to continue to have conversations to see what could potentially be.'Partners for Stennis and Michoud raise concerns about proposed NASA budget cuts Heavy rain moving through Tuesday evening Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' gets boost from LA immigration protests Homeowners tax credit bill killed, no relief for low-income homeowners Police arrest man accused of woman's shooting death in Baton Rouge Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
West Nile Virus detected in New Orleans mosquitoes, city expands control measures
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The city of New Orleans has detected West Nile virus in mosquito populations across multiple neighborhoods, prompting an increase in spraying and public health outreach as mosquito season hits its peak. No human cases have been reported so far, but officials say the presence of the virus in local mosquito traps is a clear warning sign. 'We are collecting mosquitoes every Monday and Tuesday,' said Claudia Riegel, Director of the City's Mosquito, Termite, and Rodent Control Board. 'We're monitoring which species are present and whether they're carrying any viruses that could impact our residents or even their pets.' City of New Orleans, Orleans Parish School Board back in court involving $90M negotiation In response, mosquito control crews are actively treating neighborhoods by both truck and helicopter, using a combination of larvicide and adulticide to disrupt breeding and reduce adult mosquito populations. The city currently maintains 89 trap locations, where mosquito samples are tested weekly for West Nile, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and St. Louis Encephalitis. Officials stress that even small amounts of standing water, inside trash bins, tires, clogged gutters or yard debris can serve as mosquito breeding grounds. 'We want to make sure that when people put debris out, they bag it tightly so no water collects inside,' said Matt Torri with the city's Department of Sanitation. Health officials also caution that while most people infected with West Nile won't experience symptoms, a small percentage can become seriously ill. 'Roughly four out of five people will have no symptoms at all,' said Meredith McInturff with the New Orleans Health Department. 'But for the unlucky one in five, symptoms can include fever, fatigue and respiratory issues that last for several days or even weeks.' The city recommends using EPA and CDC approved mosquito repellents, emptying containers that hold water and keeping yards clear of debris. Residents can report mosquito problems or request tire pickup and additional trash bins by calling mother suspects foul play in daughter's Riverwalk death West Nile Virus detected in New Orleans mosquitoes, city expands control measures Two killed in Jefferson Parish car crash Hardline House conservatives swing for fences in asks to Senate GOP on megabill Start times for Men's College World Series revealed Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
City of New Orleans, Orleans Parish School Board back in court involving $90M negotiation
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — A $90 million legal battle continues in civil court between the Orleans Parish School Board and Mayor LaToya Cantrell's administration involving a 2019 lawsuit. Several motions were filed ahead of trial, being handled by Civil District Judge Nicole Sheppard. 'Talk to the city's PR department,' said City of New Orleans attorney James Garner. Girlfriend of escaped New Orleans inmate Derrick Groves arrested: U.S. Marshals The City of New Orleans Monday issued the following statement: 'All motions argued today during the hearing between the City and OPSB are equally important in relation to tomorrow's trial. The City has a pending motion for a new trial regarding the order to pay $10M to the School Board. The City reserves any further comment until after rulings by the judge and/or a full trial on the matter.' School board attorney Bill Aaron says over $100 million was diverted to other city agencies, money that should have gone to the schools. 'The constitution trumps any statutes that they have and that no money should be taken, whether it's for pensions, whether it's for collection fees, whether it's for operation. The assessor, no money should be taken. It all should go to the schools, ' said Aaron. Aaron plans to call several witnesses, including New Orleans Chief Administrative Officer Gilbert Montano, to testify. Generator safety 101: Expert gives hurricane season tips He reiterated that Montano helped negotiate the settlement agreement last year, which states the school board would receive a $90 million payout starting with two $10 million installments. However, in court, the city said its $10 million was not paid due to events like the terror attack on Bourbon Street and the recent jail escape. The other $10 million from the city council also hasn't been paid. 'Summer programs are affected by the lack of money, and other programs are affected. The school board met and basically took money from the reserve to cover. If we had gotten the money, they would have put a big dent in the projected shortfalls, ' said Aaron. Aaron says he believes the court battle may extend beyond civil district court. 'This case is probably going up to a higher court, Fourth Circuit, and possibly Supreme Court, ' said Aaron. Both sides are expected back in civil court ahead of the trial on Kitchen offering free meals to kids everyday this summer Man pleads guilty to Orleans Parish manslaughter City of New Orleans, Orleans Parish School Board back in court involving $90M negotiation Storm chances continue the next few days William Shatner to share fascinating stories about 'Star Trek' at The Fillmore Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New Orleans student with perfect attendance wins new car
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — A recent graduate of Morris Jeff High School won a new car for perfect attendance. According to officials for the New Orleans Public School system, 17-year-old Jonathan Vazquez was awarded a 2025 Toyota Corolla LE. The Orleans Parish School Board also intends to contribute $3,205 to cover taxes and registration for the vehicle, as well as the first year of car insurance. $50,000 lottery ticket sold in Chalmette still unclaimed Each year, as part of the Stay in School Car Giveaway, seniors with perfect attendance are entered into a raffle to win a new car. Sixty recent graduates were eligible. All students with perfect attendance were eligible for monetary donations and $100 Amazon gift cards provided by Troy Duhon, the founder and president of Premier Automotive. Vazquez said he was stunned to learn he had won. 'I felt my heart pounding, nervousness, and it was exciting,' Vazquez said. NOLA-PS has done this giveaway for 19 years in partnership with the Premier Automotive Group. The car was donated by Toyota of New Orleans. Over 750 students have participated in the event. 'Achieving perfect attendance is a remarkable feat,' said Katie Baudouin, President of the Orleans Parish School Board. 'The dedication and perseverance shown by these students and their families are deeply inspiring. They set a powerful example for their peers and create a solid steppingstone for their future success.'6 Senate Republicans who could hold up Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' San Diego neighborhood expresses outrage, solidarity after ICE raid shakes restaurant New Orleans student with perfect attendance wins new car Ukraine destroys 40 aircraft deep inside Russia ahead of peace talks A speeding ticket in these 5 states will make your insurance rate soar, study finds Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
