News

September 17, 2025 | From City Council

City Council’s Quality of Life Committee to Consider “Healthy Workplace Program”

On Thursday, September 18th at 1:00PM, the New Orleans City Council’s Quality of Life Committee will consider a motion to create a new Healthy Workplace Program. The program would allow employers to be designated as Healthy Workplaces, with one of its goals being to educate and support small local businesses. By promoting locally owned employers and providing resources to help them create healthier workplace environments, the program aims to improve the lives of workers and their families across the city.

September 15, 2025 | From City Council

Public Works Committee Meeting Summary

NEW ORLEANS, LA - On Monday, September 15, 2025, the Public Works Committee convened to review contracts according to Council Rule 57, including professional service agreements and rental agreements. The Committee also discussed several matters relating to different public works projects in New Orleans. The discussion and vote on the proposed resolution by Councilmember Green amending District D bond projects approved via Resolution R-25-427 was deferred to the following Public Works Committee meeting.

September 11, 2025 | From City Council

City Council Regular Meeting News Summary

NEW ORLEANS, LA – At the regular meeting on Thursday, September 11, 2025, the City Council unanimously overruled Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s veto to stop the appropriation of $5 million in unencumbered funds to Louisiana State University (LSU). Additionally, the Council adopted an ordinance to amend a section of the City Code, which will require rest breaks for city employees to protect against hazards such as extreme heat. The Council also adopted Resolution R-25-463 in opposition to the Alabo Street Sunrise food grain terminal in the Lower Ninth Ward, among other items on the meeting agenda.

As part of the Special Orders of Business, the Council recognized the BRW New Orleans band for their impact on the New Orleans music scene and notable achievements, including a Lifetime Achievement Award for over 50 years in the music industry.

September 10, 2025 | From City Council

Joint Utility, Cable, Telecommunications and Technology, and Climate Change and Sustainability Committee Summary

NEW ORLEANS, LA – On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the Utility, Cable, Telecommunications, and Technology Committee and the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee held a joint meeting to consider several resolutions and contracts for full approval by the Council. The joint committee also received an update on the selection process for a distributed energy resource (DER) advisor.

September 8, 2025 | From City Council

New Orleans City Council Hails Landmark Win on Short-Term Rental Rules

NEW ORLEANS, LA — The City secured a landmark victory in Federal Court today. The Honorable Judge Zainey dismissed Airbnb’s lawsuit with prejudice for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. The lawsuit alleged that the City’s 2023 short-term rental laws—creating non-commercial short-term rental permits—violated property owners’ constitutional rights. Additionally, the platform claimed the City’s regulations also violated the platform’s constitutional rights as well as federal laws. 

September 8, 2025 | From City Council

City Council Vice President Moreno Leads Legislation to Create Emergency Alert System for Vulnerable People

NEW ORLEANS, LA — New Orleans City Council Vice President Helena Moreno filed legislation to establish a new local safety alert system designed to locate and aid missing vulnerable children and adults. While AMBER Alerts and Silver Alerts are important tools, they are limited to specific cases, leaving out many at-risk individuals, including children who don’t meet AMBER criteria and adults of all ages with cognitive, developmental, or physical challenges.

The proposed local alert program would fill those gaps, ensuring swift public notification when such an individual is reported missing in Orleans Parish. Alerts would be distributed through the City’s NOLA Ready platform or a comparable system, operating 24/7.

September 5, 2025 | From City Council

Councilmember Lesli Harris Responds to HUD suspension of Mayor LaToya Cantrell ability to sign contracts

NEW ORLEANS, LA – In response to the letter from the Department of Housing and Urban Development suspending Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s ability to sign funding contracts, Councilmember Lesli Harris issued the following statement

September 5, 2025 | From City Council

Governmental Affairs Committee Summary

NEW ORLEANS – On Friday, September 5, 2025, the Governmental Affairs Committee convened to discuss federal funding concerns for the Housing Authority of New Orleans following the suspension of Mayor LaToya Cantrell from participating in procurement and non-procurement transactions with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

September 4, 2025 | From City Council

Council President Morrell and Council Vice President Moreno File Resolution In Opposition to the Alabo Street Grain Terminal

NEW ORLEANS, LA - Councilmembers JP Morrell and Helena Moreno are standing with the Lower 9th Ward community and stating their opposition to the Alabo Street Grain Terminal through a City Council resolution that will be heard at next week’s meeting. Under the agreement made between the Port of New Orleans and Sunrise Foods International, negotiated without any community input, a 10-car train would transport grain through residential neighborhoods with little plans for pest and dust mitigation.

Neighbors have expressed concerns regarding the potential negative impacts of the Alabo Street Sunrise Food grain terminal, including but not limited to: environmental concerns, traffic and safety issues, community displacement, and lack of community engagement. The resolution expresses the need for Sunrise Foods to move to an alternative location.