Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a Republican, has requested the deployment of National Guard troops to New Orleans and other cities through 2026, citing the need to combat crime. This request aligns with Trump’s previous actions, which have included sending troops to other cities like Washington D.C. and Memphis, despite crime statistics showing significant decreases in some areas. While the governor pointed to elevated violent crime rates and law enforcement shortages, data indicates that New Orleans is experiencing its fewest murders since 1970, with decreases in carjackings, vehicle burglaries, and shootings. This request has drawn criticism from Democratic leaders in other states and comes amidst concerns about the potential misuse of military force.
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New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been indicted on federal charges of defrauding the city to conceal a romantic relationship with police officer Jeffrey Paul Vappie II. The indictment alleges Cantrell and Vappie conspired to commit wire fraud, obstruct justice, and make false statements. Prosecutors claim the pair used their positions to maximize their time together, engaging in personal activities while Vappie was on duty and paid. During their three-year scheme, Vappie accompanied Cantrell on numerous trips, and the city spent $70,000 on his travel.
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Nineteen skulls of Black individuals, removed from their bodies in New Orleans’ Charity Hospital in 1872 and sent to Leipzig University for racist pseudo-scientific research, are being returned. A memorial ceremony will honor these individuals, acknowledging a shameful chapter in medical history fueled by unfounded theories of racial inferiority. The event aims to confront this dark past and provide a path toward justice and remembrance for the victims. The repatriation and memorialization represent a crucial step towards reconciliation and acknowledging past injustices.
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Trump falsely suggested that the New Orleans suspect, who drove a truck into a crowd of New Year’s Eve revelers, was an immigrant. This claim, made on his Truth Social platform, directly followed the tragic event and attempted to tie the incident to his past rhetoric on immigration. The timing of the statement, made hours after the tragedy, felt exploitative, using a horrific event to further his political agenda.
This assertion was demonstrably false. Authorities quickly identified the suspect as a U.S.-born citizen and a veteran of the U.S. Army, shattering Trump’s narrative. The suspect’s identity, readily available from official sources, directly contradicted Trump’s attempt to paint the perpetrator as an undocumented immigrant.… Continue reading
New Orleans recently held a gun buyback program, exchanging firearms for PlayStation 5 consoles, aimed at improving public safety in the face of loosened state gun laws. Thirty-two firearms were collected in a single two-hour event, part of a larger initiative involving a local nonprofit that connects youth with gaming programs. While the effectiveness of gun buybacks in reducing violent crime is debated, organizers view this program as a valuable community engagement strategy, providing alternatives and opportunities for families. The initiative seeks to replace guns with positive opportunities, aiming to prevent future crime at a lower cost than incarceration.
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A man intentionally drove a pickup truck into a crowd celebrating New Year’s Day on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, resulting in ten fatalities and over thirty injuries. The driver subsequently fired upon police officers, who returned fire. The incident, occurring in a crowded tourist area, is being investigated, though its precise motivation remains unclear. Officials have confirmed that the driver’s actions were deliberate, targeting revelers.
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In a significant step towards reconciliation, the Roman Catholic archdiocese of New Orleans has agreed to publicly release confidential personnel files of priests and deacons accused of child sexual abuse. This decision, part of the archdiocese’s effort to settle a costly bankruptcy reorganization, marks a key non-monetary commitment aimed at addressing the decades-long clergy molestation scandal. The archdiocese has also pledged to apologize for the abuse, report all future allegations to law enforcement, and establish a stronger system for protecting children. While a financial settlement remains under negotiation, the archdiocese’s commitment to transparency and accountability signifies a crucial step towards healing and preventing future abuse.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood