Local News Briefs: NOPD Cover-Up Charges, Kristin Palmer stands up for non-profits, New LSU Clinic Open 24hrs, and the Greenway is on the Way!

Charges were filed in murder (and subsequent cover-up) of Henry Glover at the hands of several NOPD officers in the aftermath of the levee failures nearly 5 years ago.

Newly elected city councilwoman Kristin Palmer laid into the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) over all of the red tape and slow disbursement involved with the Non-Profit Rebuilding Pilot Program (NPRPP) grant.  I had the misfortune of being at one of the NPRPP meetings a few months ago, that the state holds to answer any questions and provide guidance to the non-profits that have been awarded this grant.  Many questions were asked, and I can't remember if any were answered to anyone's satisfaction.  It eventually devolved in frustrated yelling, since the money was "awarded" nearly a year ago, but as the article states, a minuscule amount has actually been disbursed.  I'm excited to see what Kristin Palmer will do as a city councilwoman.  I found her frightening when I worked at Rebuilding Together last summer, but scary people are the best ones to have on your side.

LSU opened a 24hr clinic at 2025 Gravier St. to treat minor injuries earlier this year, and they are now fully operational.

The City of New Orleans recently acquired the last parcel of land needed to turn the Lafitte Greenway from a dream to a reality.  I participated in the annual walk of the Lafitte Greenway back in May, and was so inspired and excited by all of the ideas that they presented that I became a member of Friends of Lafitte Corridor.  Check out their website at the link above, and help support the cause!  Check out the pictures that I took during the walk below.

News Briefs: New Orleans Economy, Something Useful from the Road Home, Changing Kilograms

Here's an article from CNN about the recovery with regards to the economic crisis.

Homeowners can apply for more Road Home aid and an extension on their 3 year rebuilding deadline. This is great news, but I could go on and on about the awful stories that I've heard from residents trying to get their initial payment from the Road Home.

This story is of the kilogram. Is it just me, or does this sound completely fucking stupid? So if I were a scientist, I could look at this beaded rhinoceros sitting in front of me on my kitchen table, claim it as a new standard of weight measurement, the rhinogram, and people would just start using it and basing the weight of objects on the rhinogram? Also, where did it come from? I'm thinking aliens...

News Briefs: RSD Fires "Surplus" Teachers, OC Haley Gets Renovated, 2 Day Tax Holiday, WLN

This is frustrating. Why not put the bad teachers in the surplus pile? Oh, right, that would require actually taking the time to evaluate teachers properly. It's much easier to just force veteran teachers to search for new jobs. Why don't Teach For America recruits have to search for jobs? I believe they are placed in schools.

ETA: Here's a write-up by someone who knows more than I do about the school system here.

Progress! In the past few weeks I've noticed new businesses on Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, including a women's employment center that appears to provide childcare. Nine businesses are going to receive money to renovate, including one that a coworker of mine and her husband plan to start (the live music venue mentioned in the article).

I'll actually have money to take advantage of the sales tax holiday this year. But why is it only 2 days long? In the DC area it lasts a week, I think, or at least a whole weekend.

I was there, were you? It was a fun night, but I must say, now that I've experienced both, I like Dirty Linen Night better. Appetizers and booze (good booze) are free, and the art is a little more accessible to me, meaning I wouldn't have to save up two year-long Americorps salaries just to buy one piece of art. Can't wait until this Saturday!