07/03/2009 2009 Essence shaping up to be the largest It’s grown into one of the nation's most popular music festivals -- drawing fans from points across the map. See Photos

Struggles to rebuild in Lower 9 continue It looks like a Fourth of July picnic, but is actually another sort of celebration. Mark's Muffler Shop in the Lower 9th Ward is commemorating 25 years in business.

Dry conditions cause for concern with fireworks As we head into the Fourth of July weekend, there are certain steps you can take to make sure fireworks stay a fun part of the celebration and not a dangerous one--steps everyone can take even if you are not planning to light off fireworks of your own.

Boat safety, DWI patrols ramped up over holiday weekend Law enforcement officers will be out in full force this weekend looking for drunk drivers, both on Louisiana roadways, and Louisiana’s waterways.

NOPD arrests man in connection with Canal Street Hotel murder NOPD arrested a man on Friday in connection with the murder of a 20-year-old woman five days earlier at the Canal Street Hotel. Judge OKs city's desire to close hotel Tourists upset at timing of closing

Happy 4th of July Festival Weekend Schedule
Looking for a list of July 4 weekend festivities? You can look for a list right here:

Former Saint Houser searching for answers Though Kevin Houser has been in involved in Louisiana’s tax credit system before, he said the most recent case in which he and several Saints teammates were involved is the first one that hasn’t worked out right. Watch the story

Applications for fall semester at UNO are up The University of New Orleans reports an increase in the number of students applying for admission for the fall semester for the second consecutive year.

State weighing appeal options for Charity State officials are reviewing a planned appeal to FEMA on the agency's position that Louisiana has not proven it's owed nearly a half-billion dollars to replace a New Orleans hospital damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

JPSO investigating River Ridge murder Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Officers are investigating the early morning murder of a man in River Ridge after responding to a call of subject shot.

07/02/2009

Northshore residents grill corps on flood protection
A crowd of residents and parish officials in St. Tammany Parish sent a clear message to the Army Corps on Engineers about their expectations for storm and flood protection.

Tourists upset at timing of closure of Canal Street Hotel A crime haven and a dangerous fire hazard – that's how the city of New Orleans described the Canal Street Hotel on Thursday in Civil District Court.

In Pensacola, tourism is weathering the recession well Days before the Fourth of July, the sparkling white sands of Pensacola Beach are jammed with visitors sunbathing, building sand castles and splashing in the turquoise surf.

Seafood Festival redeeming rained-out tickets The Mandeville Seafood Festival was shut down early because of heavy thunderstorms overhead, but organizers have a nice consolation prize for those who attended: free tickets for the rest of the weekend.

Man killed in New Orleans East apartment
A man is dead after a shooting in New Orleans East, according to NOPD Assistant Superintendent Marlon Defillo.

Batiste family brings music class to RSD school If there's one thing the Batiste family knows, it's definitely music. Now this legendary New Orleans musical family is looking to share that knowledge full-time with the students of the Crescent City.

Two Amite men arrested for burglarizing relative Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested two men on Thursday and charged them with aggravated burglary to a relative.

Council divided on spending millions for new City Hall As New Orleans leaders decide whether to move City Hall into a new home, officials working on the deal say it's important to act quickly.

Judge grants city's wish to shut down Canal Street Hotel
Civil Court Judge Michael Bagneris granted a city request to shut down the Canal Street Hotel on Thursday, saying it’s a hotbed of criminal activity.
City asks for hotel to be shut down
Photos from the scene

Nagin and tech group at odds over e-mail retrieval Mayor Ray Nagin claims the group that discovered his email box intentionally removed from the city's e-mail server is searching for the spotlight. Nagin questions ability of tech firm retrieving e-mails

Pregnant Amite woman arrested for allegedly trying to murder woman A pregnant Amite woman was arrested for attempted murder after allegedly stabbing a woman twice in the shoulder, according to Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards.

Clarkson likes idea of liquidating City Hall, using Chevron short term As the City Council prepares to take up buying the Chevron Building and moving City Hall, City Council Vice President Jackie Clarkson said now is not the time to spend recovery dollars on a new building.

UNO reports another jump in applicants
The University of New Orleans reported that applications for admission have grown for the second year, according to Andy Benoit, UNO director of admissions.

National unemployment rate at 26-year high Employers cut a larger-than-expected 467,000 jobs in June, driving the unemployment rate up to a 26-year high of 9.5 percent, suggesting that the economy's road to recovery will be bumpy.

07/01/2009 Funds drying up for Finance Authority's first-time homebuyer program A program that offers government money to help out first-time homebuyers is quickly depleting.

Owners want to delay closure date of Slidell landfill A new battle is brewing this summer over the Slidell Landfill. The new owners are asking the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to allow them to continue operating past the January 2010 closure date.

Canal streetcar to temporarily close for eight weeks There is a major traffic watch for those Canal Street streetcar commuters.

City asks Canal Street Hotel to close, calling it a 'nuisance'
Thursday, city officials again asked the Canal Street Hotel to close, citing 451 complaints in the past year, heightening their efforts two days after a 20-year-old woman was killed there.
Photos from the scene

Burrito-shaped tubes to be pivotal in protecting Grand Isle from storms Gary Grzybowski knows how brutal storms can be on Grand Isle.

Batteries stolen from Terrebonne pump stations, possibly to make drugs Terrebonne Parish authorities say there may be a connection between a recent spate of battery thefts down the bayou and illegal drug labs.

Houma man dies after truck flips over into bayou
A Houma man died Wednesday morning when his pickup truck went off the roadway and overturned in Bayou Black just after midnight, according to Louisiana State Police spokesman Gilbert Dardar.

Postal worker pleads guilty to tossing mail into dumpster
A mail carrier pleaded guilty to dumping dozens of pieces of junk mail into a dumpster instead of delivering them, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Nagin's e-mail box intentionally removed from server, group says Technology experts say they can't recover Mayor Ray Nagin's e-mail from 2008 because the data was professionally removed from the server intentionally.

St. Bernard judge and lawyers formally charged in bribery scheme A St. Bernard Parish judge and two lawyers were charged in a federal bribery scheme on Wednesday, according to U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.

Police identify suspect in Tuesday attempted armed robbery Police are looking for a suspect in an attempted armed robbery that happened Tuesday.

FBI, NOPD join forces to look for bank robber The FBI and New Orleans Police department are asking the community for help finding a suspect in a bank robbery that took place on Wednesday.

Fielkow frustrated by Jindal's veto of NOAH money City Council President Arnie Fielkow said in a statement he was “frustrated” with Gov. Bobby Jindal’s decision to use a line-item veto and take away $14.2 million from New Orleans Adolescent Hospital, essentially ensuring the Uptown hospital will be closed.

Canal streetcar to be shut down for 8 weeks The Canal Street streetcar line will stop for approximately eight weeks while workers replace cables, according to Rosalind Cook, an RTA spokeswoman.

New Orleans the nation's fastest-growing city The Big Apple is still the country's biggest draw, but New Orleans is the fastest-growing city.

Driving restrictions in French Quarter for Essence Festival weekend Several streets in the French Quarter will have restricted traffic flow due to heavy pedestrian traffic expected for this weekend’s Essence Festival and Fourth of July celebration.

Louisiana ranks in top 10 for adult, childhood obesity Louisiana is the eighth worst state when it comes to adult obesity and ranks seventh for obesity among children.

Release of independent investigation into e-mails imminent Eyewitness News has learned that the Louisiana Technology Council, which was hired by the city to retrieve Mayor Ray Nagin’s deleted e-mails and calendar, will announce its findings soon, possibly by Wednesday.

Photos: Dead fish in Metairie canal

06/30/2009 Get ready for some extra cash as Stelly Plan repeal approaches With today's prices, economy and three kids of your own, any extra money at the end of the month is always a welcome surprise.

ACLU says Louisiana law enforcement racially profiling against minorities It started out as a New Years Eve celebration, and ended as a nightmare the Grimes family will live with forever.

07/01/2009 Dow Chemical to close 3 Louisiana production units HAHNVILLE, La. - Cutbacks at Dow Chemical will affect the company’s plants in Louisiana.

06/30/2009

Woman killed in Canal Street hotel shooting; death accidental, says hotel clerk
A woman was shot and killed in a hotel on Canal Street Tuesday night.
PHOTOS: Four taken into custody
Grief stricken relatives sob: Crime has to stop

Catholic officials investigate whether woman was saved by N.O. priest's miracle Catholic church officials in Baltimore are poised to begin the process of investigating a miracle attributed to Francis Xavier Seelos, a 19th century Redemptorist priest who lived, worked and died in New Orleans, the city which has helped give rise to the cause for his canonization.

Action Report: Despite proof to the contrary, water board says home owes $1700 After fighting the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board for 18 months, Algiers resident Dennis Sheldon and his landlord Anna Ghelase are fed up.

Desegregation plan not perfect but best available, proponents say 44 years after the original lawsuit was filed, Tangipahoa Parish school leaders presented their desegregation plan to a federal judge.

Pivotal La. assembly plant in building space shuttles lays off workers The space shuttle program is winding down and so is Lockheed Martin's presence in New Orleans.

Calculator lets you know how much you'll save from Stelly Play rollback The Louisiana Department of Revenue has created a way for state taxpayers to figure out how much they will save on their 2009 taxes from the Stelly Plan rollback.

Prominent community activist arrested on theft, misappropriation charges The U.S. Marshal’s Service arrested a prominent community activist on charges of theft and misapplication of contractor payment Tuesday morning.

Jindal's veto message on NOAH funding Below is a full copy of Bobby Jinda's veto message of HB 881.

Jindal vetoes funding for N.O. Adolescent Hospital Governor Bobby Jindal has vetoed a bill that would have provided funding to keep the New Orleans Adolescent Hospital open, according to Alan Levine, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals.

Members say Krewe of Tut will roll again Members of the Krewe of Tut, Houma’s newest Carnival club, say the organization will make its second ride in 2010 despite alleged financial mismanagement by former leaders and rumors that the group has dissolved.

DuBos: Jindal, a winner of legislative session; LSU, health care, losers This year's legislative session went swimmingly for Gov. Bobby Jindal, but for many others it was a drowning pool. Here's our annual recap of "Da Winnas and Da Loozas" of the annual session:

Stormy Daniels resumes `listening tour' in Lafayette Porn star Stormy Daniels kicks off a second "listening tour" this week at a gun store in Lafayette as she publicizes a possible run for U.S. Senate.

Day laborers, huge targets in region for wage theft, ask council for help Presenting a united front, dozens of day laborers entered the New Orleans City Council chambers, looking for a sympathetic ear on the issue of wage theft.

Would-be church burglar caught sleeping on the job A man was arrested by Tangipahoa Sheriff’s deputies after breaking into a church, trying to pry a safe open and then going to sleep in a church building, according to Sheriff Daniel Edwards.

Fire erupts at N.O. East junkyard Firefighters battled an early morning fire at a junkyard in New Orleans East, according to the New Orleans Fire Department. See Photos

Man shot, killed in Avondale Jefferson Parish sheriff’s deputies are investigating the shooting death of a man in Avondale, according to Col. John Fortunato.

06/29/2009 Massive investment in coastal restoration spurs hope Gov. Bobby Jindal is applauding the $368 million investment to help coastal restoration and hurricane protection.

Council looking to protect migrant workers from deadbeat contractors It’s a new push for a not so new problem, one that some say continues to target some of the most vulnerable people in our area.

Action Report: After several months, overgrown home taken care of It may seem mundane, but to Shannon Roussell, an empty lot in the Lower Ninth Ward, covered in a layer of fine brown sand, is so exciting.

New Bay St. Louis mayor looking to build on post-Katrina recovery In Bay St. Louis, the areas and structures that have been rebuilt, like the new Bay Bridge, are beautiful. But like every other community ripped apart by Hurricane Katrina, there is a great deal of work ahead.

State colleges waiting to learn specifics on budget cuts Leaders at public colleges and universities across Louisiana have been on edge since last week, when the 2009 legislative session ended, calling for more than $110 million in cuts to higher education.

Locals lose life savings in $7 billion Ponzi scheme Texas financier R. Allen Stanford will spend at least one more night in jail, while a federal judge in Houston decides whether he should be released on bond.

Local judges becoming more efficient, report says
Texas financier R. Allen Stanford will spend at least one more night in jail, while a federal judge in Houston decides whether he should be released on bond.

Honduran community in N.O. keeping eye on unrest back home
At the studios of Radio Tropical in Metairie, the political intrigue in Honduras is heating up the airwaves.

Sex offender arrested after allegedly kidnapping step child Over the past few weeks Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s deputies have been working with other law enforcement agencies to arrest 33 convicted sex offenders that have not fulfilled their responsibilities.

Bittersweet ruling for family as man pleads guilty to '99 murder A 41-year-old man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the killing of an LSU medical professor who was found dead inside of his Bayou St. John home in 1999.

18-wheeler overturns, dumping contents off to the side After an 18-wheeler overturned on Lapalco Blvd., its load off to the side PHOTOS: 18-wheeler overturns on Lapalco Blvd.

Superdome improvements help building compete with newer structures The time-worn Superdome's facelift should make it a signficant competitor again for major events.

Woman dies in I-10 traffic accident A 55-year-old woman died Monday in a car accident that knotted up morning commute traffic on Interstate 10.

NOPD investigating Central City murder A violent weekend continued late Sunday night when a man was murdered in Central City.

La. Medicaid program under review, facing $180 million cut Private health-care providers who treat Louisiana's poor are facing a $180 million cut in the government health insurance program that pays them.

06/28/2009 Seafood Festival releases parking information Officials from the Seafood Festival have announced the parking plan for the Fourth of July weekend.

GOP struggling with image amid sexual scandals The party that has arguably tried to keep its hold on family values is now facing tough criticism in the wake of some recent missteps by prominent Republicans.

Paying tribute to Michael Jackson, N.O. style Hundreds showed up for a second line to remember Michael Jackson, the pop icon who died last week. PHOTOS: King of Pop second line Court fight looms over children

56 cats found in Lafourche trailer; 10 now dead Lafourche animal-shelter workers are trying to nurse to health the survivors among 56 cats found in an elderly woman's trailer last week and hope to find homes for as many of them as possible.

Former publicist says family kept away from MJ leading up to death Sadness mixed with confusion from New Orleans’ own Kevin McLin, a long-time friend of the Michael Jackson family and a former publicist to the King of Pop for nearly a decade. Photos: Mourning Michael

06/27/2009 7 people shot in New Orleans East Seven people were shot after two gunmen entered a home in New Orleans East and opened fire, according to the NOPD. Photos from the scene

Homebuyers find deals in storm-damaged properties Two New Orleans neighborhoods could soon be on the fast track to recovery, as hundreds of properties become available for purchase.

Police investigate death of 15-year-old; 17-year-old charged Police investigating the death of a 15-year-old arrested and booked a 17-year-old in connection with the shooting, according to NOPD spokesman Officer Janssen Valencia.

Interim president appointed for Southern U.; Gen. Honore not chosen The Southern University Board of Supervisors has chosen a top-ranking vice president as the interim president of the Southern system.

Edgard woman killed in St. Charles crash An Edgard woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash in St. Charles Parish when she didn’t stop at a stop sign and was hit by a pickup truck, according to State Police spokesman Trooper Joseph Pigila.

Man shot outside of Harrahs; two charged Two people were arrested in connection with a shooting in front of Harrah’s that sent a man to the hospital, according to the New Orleans Police Department.

State provides grants for farmers, businesses recovering from Ike, Gustav The state has set aside $44.5 million for grants and loans to help farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses recover from last summer's hurricanes.

Armed robbery, man shot at Mid-City bar An early morning armed robbery resulted in a person being shot in a Mid-City bar, according to New Orleans police. See surveillance video

NY man charged with posing as air marshal on flight to N.O. A federal grand jury has indicted a New York man accused of pretending to be a federal air marshal and threatening a JetBlue flight attendant on a flight to New Orleans for Mardi Gras.

Amid state budget crisis, analysts sift through $137 million in tax breaks Louisiana lawmakers have approved a minimum of $137 million in tax breaks over the next five years, according to a preliminary tally, but budget analysts are still combing through legislation to pin down the total projected loss of government revenue.

Golf Channel visits Angola Prison The Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, the only prison in the U.S. with a golf course inside its prison walls, has captured the attention of the Golf Channel.

Man shot to death on Algiers Street
The NOPD is investigating the shooting death of a 19-year-old man in Algiers that occurred just after midnight Saturday.

06/22/2009 Two shot near Xavier New Orleans Police began their Monday the way they begin so many other days – investigating a shooting and searching for the gunman.

HUD secretary in New Orleans today U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan will be in New Orleans Monday to help volunteers rebuild a home destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and to promote a federal summer volunteerism program.

06/19/2009 Rep. Melancon thinking about running for U.S. Senate Rep. Charlie Melancon said Friday that he is considering running for the U.S. Senate in opposition of current Louisiana Senator David Vitter.

Vagrants cause three-alarm fire on Desire Street A three-alarm fire on Desire Street early Friday morning damaged four buildings in a block of homes currently under construction.

Man stabbed while breaking up domestic dispute dies A man trying to break up a domestic dispute died after being stabbed in the chest with a knife Thursday night.

06/17/2009 Mose Jefferson fights to keep lawyer A former Louisiana congressman's brother charged in a racketeering conspiracy case fought Wednesday to keep his lawyer and preserve an Aug. 3 trial date.

06/15/2009 Algiers murder adds to already violent weekend An already violent weekend turned more violent late Sunday night when a man was shot and killed in Algiers. In all three people were shot and killed during the weekend.

Miss. River could become even stronger money maker for New Orleans It can be an intimidating sight – the powerful, churning currents in the Mississippi River. The swirling waters are so strong, in fact, they could lead to an economic windfall for the New Orleans area.

06/10/2009 JPSO arrests carjackers hours after hijacking Hours after hijacking a car from its owner in a New Orleans East parking lot Wednesday morning, two people were arrested at a Metairie apartment by Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s officers.

06/08/2009 Levees.org founder wants Dutch-style flood protection Levees.org founder Sandy Rosenthall now has seen the Dutch flood protection system. And now she wants the same thing for New Orleans.

06/02/2009 Entergy says restoring power after hurricanes still will take time Though Entergy says it learned from last year's hurricane season, the company wants customers to know restoring power still will take time.

Coast Guard searching for missing fisherman
The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a fisherman missing since Monday morning.

NOPD seeking help in identifying French Quarter robbery suspect The NOPD is seeking help in finding and identifying a woman who robbed a man in the French Quarter on May. 15.

Causeway Police honoring two men who rescued driver in Pontchartrain
Nearly two weeks after rescuing a pickup truck driver who drove into Lake Pontchartrain off the Causeway, Rick Sterner and Mike Thomas are being commended by the Causeway Police Department.

Report says Katrina showed need for officer-in-charge A think tank is calling for a legislative change that would authorize a presidential appointee to take charge of the government's response to major disasters like Hurricane Katrina.

Make It Right readies for storm season Homes built in the Lower 9th Ward through the Brad Pitt-backed Make It Right program have been equipped with hurricane-resistant materials and technologies for added protection during storm season.

House to debate ban on smoking in bars, casinos Lawmakers in the state House take their turn to debate a proposal to ban smoking in bars and gambling facilities, after the Senate passed a similar bill last week.

06/01/2009 City Council gives DA half the money asked to hire investigators New Orleans District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro is asking for nearly half a million dollars to hire more investigators. The City Council is granting him only half his wish.

Man killed while trying to cross I-10 on foot A man was killed on Interstate-10 early  Monday morning when he was hit while attempting to cross the major thoroughfare on foot.

Officials hope residents have hurricane evacuation plan Emergency officials hope problems that popped up in the return of evacuees during Hurricane Gustav won't keep people from leaving in case of a storm this season.

05/22/2009 Appeals court reviews ex-inmate's $14M award The New Orleans district attorney's office asked a federal appeals court today to throw out or reduce a 14 million dollar award to a former death row inmate who was exonerated after 18 years in prison.

Bolar expected to be indicted today Gretna Councilman Jonathan Bolar is expected to be arraigned in federal court today.

New Orleans recovery chief leaving June 30 New Orleans' hurricane recovery director said he's leaving the job next month -- satisfied he's done what he was hired to do more than two years ago.

No interim protection in Industrial Canal The Army Corps of Engineers won't have New Orleans as protected as it had hoped this hurricane season.

NOAA forecasts 9 to 14 tropical storms this season Federal forecasters say hurricanes will strike the United States this season and Americans must be prepared. They predicted nine to 14 named tropical storms this year.

Bank reopening at 1:30 p.m. after heist
NOPD is investigating a bank robbery at Fidelity Homestead on S. Carrollton Ave at Oak Street.

05/19/2009 Two wanted by NOPD for attempted murder The NOPD is searching for two men wanted in connection with an attempted murder in late April.

05/18/2009 Zurik, WWL-TV accept 7th Peabody Award At a ceremony Monday at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York, members of the Eyewitness News team accepted WWL-TV's seventh George Foster Peabody award.

High court won't delay trial of ex-Rep. Jefferson The Supreme Court has refused to delay the upcoming trial of former Louisiana Rep. William Jefferson on bribery and other charges.

State committee approves bill to repay Pou The Committee on Appropriations in the Louisiana Legislature approved a bill that will allow the state to pay for legal fees and expenses incurred by Dr. Anna Pou as well as provide for payment to the Dr. Anna Pou Defense Fund.

Man rescued after car goes into Lake Pontchartrain Causeway police helped rescue a man after his pickup trick plunged into Lake Pontchartrain early Monday morning.

Supreme Court expected to decide on Jefferson appeal The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide today whether or not to drop more than a dozen corruption charges filed against former Congressman William Jefferson.

NOPD investigating Forshey Street murder NOPD is investigating another murder after a double shooting left one man dead and another in serious condition late Sunday night.

Lee Zurik's Peabody Award acceptance speech
Lee Zurik accepted the Peabody Award on Monday in New York City. This is a transcript of his acceptance speech.

05/11/2009 CDC confirms 11 new cases of H1N1 in Louisiana Eleven more cases of H1N1 in Louisiana were confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state’s Department of Health and Hospitals said Monday.

State Rep hoping to set up homicide court As murders pile up in New Orleans, so does the case load at criminal court.

05/05/2009 Saints cut Ealy, Kapanui after weekend arrests Two days after being arrested and charged with obscenity and disturbing the peace, wide receiver Biren Ealy and tight end Kolo Kapanui both were released from the Saints on Tuesday afternoon.

05/04/2009 School closed for 3-day scrub down after student diagnosed with H1N1 Crews used a hospital-strength disinfectant on the chairs, desks and door handles of classrooms at Audubon Charter School in Uptown Monday. The scrub-down comes on the heels of a second-grader there having been diagnosed with swine flu. Swine flu questions and answers Meg has answers on swine flu

05/02/2009 Police arrest man in French Quarter slaying of wife Police arrested a man they say shot and killed his wife and critically injured another man in a French Quarter bar just off Bourbon Street early Saturday morning.

Jindal: flu causes Lafayette school closure; no Orleans Parish schools closed Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration closed a Lafayette Parish school, the fifth closed in that parish because of swine flu fears, as the number of suspected cases in Louisiana rose to 23 on Saturday.

Trial delayed for man linked to fatal overdose
A federal judge has agreed to postpone a trial for a New Orleans man accused of conspiring to sell heroin that a teenager ingested before he died of an overdose last year.

05/01/2009 Victims may not be getting enough from Victims' Rights Act Theodore Todd came to New Orleans to work and help replace roofs following Katrina. Now he’s recovering after getting shot twice in the head during a robbery.

05/02/2009

Man wanted for murder of woman in French Quarter
A 25-year-old man is wanted in connection with the murder of a woman in the French Quarter early Saturday morning. Eighth District police are searching for Roy Parker, the estranged husband of the 23-year-old woman who died at the hospital.

05/01/2009 Hydroxycut pulled from local shelves It's a popular weight loss supplement, one that its users live by. But now, the federal government said the drug Hydroxycut may have been responsible for a user's death.

Preservationists sue over hospital plans A preservation group is suing the federal government, claiming it failed to adequately assess the effect of building two new hospitals in New Orleans' Mid-City neighborhood.

Was witness killed before he could testify in murder case? New Orleans Police are still trying to determine if 51-year-old Stephen Hymel was killed because of his potential testimony in the 2nd Degree murder case against Kedrick Johnson.

Students remember John McDonogh during 119th commemoration Students and community leaders helped carry on a New Orleans tradition on Friday for the 119th annual commemoration of John McDonogh Day.

Running universities like businesses, capping TOPS could help schools With more than $200 million in cuts potentially coming to higher education, Northshore Rep. John Schroder wants to let universities operate like businesses and set their own tuition prices.

Metro universities claim multi-million dollar economic impact On the heels of the big cuts expected at universities across the state, two schools in the metro area have released information on their economic impact on the state.

La. agency: thumbs down for cargo airport Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration is recommending an end to state funding for a proposed cargo airport between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

04/30/2009 Saints new deal goes through 2025, includes Benson purchase of N.O. Centre, Dominion Tower A long-term deal that would keep the New Orleans Saints in a refurbished Superdome through the year 2025 has been reached, the team announced Thursday.

Man shot, killed in St. Claude neighborhood
The NOPD is investigating the latest murder in New Orleans after finding a man shot in the St. Claude neighborhood.

Motorcyclist dies after being hit by car A 24-year-old man died late Thursday night after his motorcycle was hit by a car in New Orleans East.

04/27/2009 Man dies after car strikes light pole exiting I-610 A man died after his car crashed into a light pole while leaving an Interstate 610 exit ramp early Monday morning.

04/22/2009 Police: No reports that Covington sex offender molested local children Police arrested a man after they found him outside the Covington Library carrying a notebook of children’s names and the sexual acts he had performed with them, authorities said Wednesday.

Police add charge of murder to Barnes in kidnapping case Police have charged Kenneth Barnes with 2 counts of first-degree murder in connection to the kidnapping, murder of 2 teens. Family implored suspect to turn himself in PHOTOS: Suspect surrenders, family grieves

04/20/2009 NOPD: Male victim may have had dealings with suspect The New Orleans Police Department found two bodies in a Gert Town house Monday afternoon near an area they were searching for two teenagers kidnapped a day earlier. PHOTOS: Family holds vigil

Crimestoppers tip leads to arrest of man in connection with January murder Following a lead procured from a Crimestoppers tip, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 19-year-old man in connection to a January murder in Harvey, authorities said Monday.

Police look in abandoned homes for clues in kidnapping; Mom pleads for daughter's return New Orleans Police said they have arrested a man in connection with the kidnapping of two teenagers this past weekend. Mom pleads for daughter's return

04/15/2009 Man found guilty of providing drugs to 16-year-old sentenced to 15 years A judge sentenced the man who helped provide Lusher High School student Maddy Prevost with the illegal drugs that led to her overdose to 15 years in prison on Wednesday.

04/13/2009 Authorities investigating early morning West Bank murder The string of violence that has plagued the metro area during the past few days continued early Monday morning when a fourth person was found murdered.

5 new traffic cameras go online Monday More traffic cameras go online today in attempt to continue curbing red-light running and speeding in the metro area.

Prosecutors seek 20-year sentence for bond broker tied to Jefferson Federal prosecutors are seeking a 20-year prison sentence for a woman convicted of participating in a money laundering scheme with a former Louisiana lawmaker.

Victims' relative: 'We didn't deserve it' A day after a shocking triple murder in Terrtown, a family member of one of the victims spoke out about the deadly rampage and the search for the suspect still on the run.

04/09/2009 Tickets for concert benefitting Drew Brees' charity on sale Drew Brees is used to delivering thrills in the Superdome. Now he’ll get the chance to do it in the New Orleans Arena just across the street.

04/02/2009 Lawmakers unhappy with Saints payment Lawmakers are bristling at Gov. Bobby Jindal's proposal to use more than $20 million in state tax dollars to meet the state's contractual obligation to the New Orleans Saints and Hornets next year.

03/31/2009 Obama administration names hurricane chief The Obama adminstration has named a new federal coordinator for Gulf Coast rebuilding, tabbing Janet L. Woodka for the position Tuesday.

03/30/2009 Voodoo Fest, City Park reach agreement Confusion over dates nearly pulled the plug on the Voodoo Music Experience this year. But Monday, organizers announced an agreement to hold the festival in City Park on Halloween weekend.

03/23/2009 City Park officials eyeing more golf courses For some golfers, playing at City Park just feels right. Their options are fewer these days with two courses still down and out after the storm. But crowds are flocking to the recently re-opened North course

03/16/2009 Schedule to sign up for school voucher program More than 40 schools in the New Orleans are opening up space for in their classes for children taking advantage of the state's voucher program.

03/13/2009 Sheriff's investigating shooting in unincorporated Gretna Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Deputies are looking into an early morning shooting in unincorporated Gretna.

03/12/2009 Louisiana homes threatened with foreclosure rises The number of Louisiana households threatened with losing their homes through foreclosure rose 40 percent from January to February, far exceeding the national average of 6 percent, a national firm that lists foreclosed properties said Thursday.

03/11/2009 Fugitive accused of rape, molestation caught by U.S. Marshals Service U.S. Marshals captured a suspect wanted in connection with the aggravated rape and molestation of a juvenile in Plaquemines Parish, Sheriff’s officials said Wednesday.

St. Tammany deputies find dead woman on side of interstate St. Tammany Parish deputies found the body of a young female along the side of Interstate 12 early Wednesday morning, authorities said.

Rapper to stay in jail for breaking rules
A state judge has ordered Rapper Corey "C-Murder" Miller to remain in jail until his trial next month for allegedly breaking the rules of his house arrest.

Group claims housing rule is biased against blacks A housing advocacy group is asking a federal judge to strike down an ordinance that it claims is designed prevent blacks from moving into a suburban New Orleans parish after Hurricane Katrina.

Kermit Ruffins, Trombone Shorty, Galactic headline Wednesday's at the Square Wednesday at the Square is about to kick off with another all-star lineup. It’s the 10th year for the free concerts at Lafayette Square in downtown New Orleans. This year, they will be held every Wednesday from April 1 through June 17.

NOPD searching for robbery suspect The NOPD is searching for a man who robbed a business on Gentilly Blvd. on March 4.

Police arrest babysitter after finding children in locked car Police arrested a Hammond woman who left three children she was babysitting in a parked car, authorities said Wednesday.

03/10/2009 Hung jury forces mistrial in Vazquez murder case The jury in the Jose Vazquez murder trial was not able to come to a unanimous agreement in deliberations Tuesday, meaning that the case ends in a mistrial.

PHOTOS: Airlift of Christmas Trees into Bayou Sauvage The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service placed thousands of trees into Bayou Sauvage on Tuesday in order to form breakwaters in open ponds and build new marsh habitat. PHOTOS

03/09/2009

Shooting in Treme injures 1 Monday morning
New Orleans police are investigating a shooting in the Treme area this morning after shots rang out at about 5:30 a.m.

03/02/2009 Jury selection to begin in murder case of mother who gave son gun Jury selection in the case of a mother accused of giving her son a gun to commit a murder is expected to begin today nearly two years later.

02/23/2009 NOPD asking for help in search of robbery suspects The New Orleans Police Department is searching for two suspects they believe were involved in an armed robbery of a business in the neighborhood surrounding Dillard University.

Crowds a positive in leadup to Mardi Gras Tourism officials say the big crowds and nearly full hotels this past weekend bode well for a busy Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Paradegoers take in Bacchus
If getting a good spot for the Bacchus parade means getting up early, Karen Stogner will tell you it's much better when someone else does all the work.

02/16/2009 2 shot, 1 killed in Avondale early Monday morning Two people were shot early Monday morning on the West Bank, leaving one teenager dead and another wounded.

02/09/2009

Court hearings set for today in French Quarter, Uptown murders
Last month, two murders sent shockwaves through two separate communities in New Orleans. Today, court hearings are set for murders that took place in the French Quarter and Uptown.

Local musicians facing challenging industry For many in New Orleans, music is a way of life. The 2009 Grammy Awards proved the Crescent City adds life to music.

01/22/2009 Parents turn in 14-year-old suspect in Quarter killing The third suspect in the murder of a French Quarter woman was turned in by his parents late Thursday night, an NOPD spokesman said.

Nungesser presents 12-year-plan for coastal restoration in Plaquemines It's a three part plan to restore the coastline and each phase could cut down storm surge by about five feet.  The proposal was unveiled Thursday in Plaquemines Parish.

Louisiana colleges bracing for extensive budget cuts The state's two-year and four-year colleges are bracing for extensive cuts to their budgets that could translate into fewer academic programs and employees, as well as higher tuition.

Lawmakers question public hospital plans Skeptical lawmakers questioned the financing plans for a new $1.2 billion public hospital complex, with some suggesting the state might need to reconsider rebuilding the shuttered Charity Hospital facility instead.

Motorcycle driver killed in fiery wreck with pickup truck A 49-year-old woman died Thursday when the motorcycle she was riding on ran into a pickup truck head on, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s officials said.

Residents want 'aesthetically pleasing' new pumps from Corps
As the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers moves towards building three new permanent pump stations along Lake Pontchartrain, residents in the affected neighborhoods are paying close attention as plans are drawn up.

01/20/2009 Local leaders aim for help from Obama White House Today's historical change of power means a change of players in what's become a race for recovery dollars.  Local leaders are hoping to do what they can to ensure their agendas remain at the top of the list for newly sworn-in President Barrack Obama.

New Orleans resident speaks out after teenagers rob her, lead police on chase Police arrested a 17-year-old and a 15-year-old near Slidell on Monday night after the teenagers stole a Mercedes in Uptown New Orleans, where they committed several robberies.

Family: Helicopter crash survivor off ventilator, opens eyes The only survivor of a Jan. 4 helicopter crash is breathing on his own and opening his eyes.

Local children take in inauguration by IMAX It was the ultimate civics class, watching Americans transfer leadership on a screen five stories tall. More than 300 children from New Orleans public elementary schools came to the IMAX Theaterfor the inauguration.

Metairie man killed after being pinned by car in parking lot A Metairie man died when he was pinned between two cars in a drug store parking lot, Jefferson Parish Sheriff's officials said Tuesday.

01/19/2009 Lone survivor of helicopter crash in stable condition The lone survivor of the helicopter crash that killed six people in the first week of January remains in “stable, but guarded condition,” officials with Ocshner Hospital said Monday in a news release.

5 JP employees cleared of harassment charges A Jefferson Parish hearing officer dismissed a harassment complaint leveled at five Jefferson Parish employees stemming from a November 2007 incident.

Police need help in identifying 2 suspects in Quarter murder The NOPD is seeking help in identifying two suspects possibly involved in the murder of a woman in the French Quarter. PHOTOS: Friends and family mourn victim Slain woman was popular in Quarter

01/06/2009 Pittman resigns from Brother Martin Jay Pittman stepped down Tuesday as head coach of Brother Martin’s football team, a sudden and unexpected move following the Crusaders’ most successful season in years. The school also named offensive coordinator Mark Bonis head coach.

12/26/2008 2 Fair Grounds barns quarantined NEW ORLEANS -- A pair of connected barns at the New Orleans Race Course is quarantined because a 3-year-old filly tested positive for equine herpes.

Local man delivers gifts to Forgotten Angels Clarence Adams always said if he had enough money, he'd do what he could do help out children. For 10 years now, he has done just that, giving gifts and joy to children at Christmas time.

3-year-old grazed by gunfire Uptown; New Orleans East man shot at his home A 3-year-old was grazed in the arm and chest by bullets late Thursday night as he was sitting in a car his grandmother was driving Uptown. In an unrelated incident, a New Orleans East man also was shot Thursday night.

3 killed in Christmas Day wreck; 3 rescued by state trooper and Texas fireman A three-car crash in Laplace left three people dead just minutes into Christmas Day, and three were rescued from the fiery crash by a state trooper and Texas fireman who happened upon the crash.

12/25/2008 Children's Hospital giving some a reason to smile The hospital is the last place any baby should spend her first Christmas. But Jordyn Doucet is turning 4-months-old and that’s a Christmas gift like no other.

12/26/2008

La. universities owe back taxes on meal plans
At a time when Louisiana universities already are having to make budget cuts, some of them may have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in back sales taxes on student meal plans.

12/25/2008 Man emerges from trailer home as local Santa More than 1,800 families still live in FEMA travel trailers across New Orleans, on this third Christmas Day since Hurricane Katrina. The storm destroyed Willie Bailey’s home in Esplanade Ridge and the road to rebuild it continues.

Louisiana roads turn deadly on Christmas Four people died in separate accidents on Louisiana highways Wednesday and Thursday, including two children - one 3-years-old and the other 6-years-old.

Reopening eastern N.O. hospital could cost $170M A new report says it could cost $170 million to reopen a New Orleans hospital that has been closed since Hurricane Katrina.

Prosecutors to court: Get on with Jefferson trial WASHINGTON -- Federal prosecutors are urging an appeals court to get on with Rep. William Jefferson's corruption trial, saying his appeal to the Supreme Court does not have enough chance of success to justify further delays.

3 killed in Laplace interstate accident early Thursday morning An accident near Laplace late Wednesday night ended with three people, including two young children, dead and a trooper a suffering from burns and smoke inhalation.

12/22/2008 2 killed in Monday night West Bank shooting Blaring lights and sirens sounded off Monday night at Spice One, an Algiers salon and tattoo parlor-- and now, the scene of a shooting that left two brothers dead and sent a third man to the hospital.

12/23/2008 Winning more important than NFL record, Payton says Drew Brees walked into the players’ locker room at the Saints’ Metairie practice facility Monday just as the media was exiting. New Orleans’ possible record-setting quarterback didn’t get a chance to speak about a run at one of the NFL’s legendary marks.

12/22/2008 Report on trash billing leaves questions unanswered The City Council received a report Monday detailing trash pickup in New Orleans and the billing practices of three different companies, but it might not give them the answers they so dearly want.

Bonfire meeting heats up between residents, officials A public meeting got heated Monday night as more than 100 Mid-City residents fought to keep an annual New Year's Eve tradition from going up in flames.

New Orleans bucking economic trend While the rest of the nation struggles with job losses, in New Orleans, things are looking a little different. The area added more than 11,000 jobs in 2007, though a UNO report said there were job losses this year related to the financial services sector.

Judge sentences man to 80 years
It took a jury about 45 minutes to return a guilty verdict last week and Monday, a New Orleans judge sentenced 24-year-old Jeremy Johnson to 80 years in prison for his role in the brutal, deadly beating of his one-time friend, 19-year-old Louis Kaplan

SDT, St. Bernard Parish close to settlement SDT may be settling allegations of overbilling with St. Bernard Parish.

LSU releases list of options for state to cover budget shortfall The state is facing a $341 million budget deficit this year and a possible $2 billion dollar hole in the 2009-10 spending plan. On Monday, LSU released a list of options on how to address the cash-crunch without having to slash and trash key programs.

Vatican upholds closure of St. Henry's NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The Vatican upheld the decision of Archbishop Alfred Hughes to close St. Henry Parish, the local Catholic Diocese announced Monday afternoon in a press release.

09/02/2008

Gustav's miss turns to frustration as many try to get home
Soon after New Orleans dodged the wrath of Hurricane Gustav, a storm began approaching the city: Thousands of tired evacuees anxious to get home and see if their worldly possessions had survived.