Crescent City Pulse

  On May 8, the New Orleans City Council made a big decision. They voted to protect sex workers from being arrested or charged for prostitution   if they report a crime committed against them while they are working . All six council members who were present at the meeting voted “yes” to this new law, called an  ordinance  (which is a law made by a city or local government). One member, Freddie King, wasn’t there for the vote, but he had already shown support for the law in an earlier meeting. Now, the ordinance just needs to be signed by the mayor, LaToya Cantrell, to officially become law in New Orleans. What Does This Law Do? This new law says that if a sex worker becomes a victim of a crime (like being robbed or attacked), or if they witness a crime happening to someone else, they  can report it to the police without being afraid of getting arrested for prostitution . This law  puts into writing  (or  codifies ) a policy that the New Orleans Po...

  What’s Next for the New Orleans City Council? Big changes are coming to the New Orleans City Council, and several seats are opening up in the upcoming election. Here’s a look at the important races and what they mean for the future of the city. At-Large Seat Helena Moreno , the current Council Vice President, will not run for re-election to the city council. Instead, she is running for mayor of New Orleans in 2025. Moreno has been a key figure on the Council, known for fighting for affordable healthcare, fair wages for workers, and stronger climate action. She also worked on criminal justice reforms, including limiting certain police practices like no-knock warrants (which allow police to enter homes without warning) and promoting better police accountability. As Moreno’s at-large seat opens, several candidates are stepping up to run for it. An at-large seat means the person elected represents the entire city, not just one district. Some of the candidates looking to fill ...

A recent disagreement between the New Orleans City Council and Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration has sparked confusion and concern about who will be responsible for trash collection in the French Quarter this August. Beyond the legal back-and-forth, the situation raises broader questions about how city contracts are handled and how decisions made at City Hall affect everyday residents and businesses. What’s Happening? On April 16, 2024, Mayor Cantrell announced that the City would end its emergency sanitation contract with IV Waste on July 30. In its place, Henry Consulting, LLC, is slated to take over sanitation services for the French Quarter and Downtown Development District beginning August 1. However, the City Council has publicly stated that Henry Consulting does  not  currently hold a valid contract to take over those services. Here’s why: According to Section 70-10 of the New Orleans City Code, any city contract over $1 million requires approval from the City...

Why Lincoln Beach Matters Before it closed in the 1960s, Lincoln Beach was an important place for the Black community in New Orleans. At a time when most public beaches were off-limits due to segregation, Lincoln Beach offered a rare space to enjoy the water, music, and time with family. Big names like Fats Domino, Irma Thomas, and Nat King Cole performed there, and it became a place full of life, joy, and pride. For many, it wasn’t just a beach, it was a safe place. Reopening Lincoln Beach is about more than just building new things; it’s about honoring that history and giving it the care it deserves. Photograph by Michael P. Smith, The Historic New Orleans Collection, Acc. No. 2007.0103.1.149 Public Spaces and Why They Matter Lincoln Beach is also part of a bigger conversation: who gets access to public spaces, and why that matters. For Black communities in New Orleans and across the country, access to public space has long been shaped by segregation, disinvestment, and exclusion...

  Councilmember Harris Leads Efforts to Address DNA Backlog and Sexual Assault Awareness Councilmember Lesli Harris convened a Quality-of-Life Committee meeting on April 8, 2025, to address the progress in reducing New Orleans’ DNA backlog and to recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The meeting featured presentations from local agencies and sparked a discussion about the city's efforts to support survivors and provide justice for victims. Tackling the DNA Backlog One of the key topics of the meeting was the ongoing DNA Outsourcing Project, which aims to reduce the backlog of untested DNA kits in the city. Since late 2023, the backlog has been reduced from 4,600 cases to 2,098. Councilmember Harris emphasized the importance of this progress, stating, “Clearing this backlog has been one of my top priorities because every untested kit represents a delayed opportunity for justice.” Thanks to $3 million in funding that Harris helped secure, along with support from the New Orleans P...

What is Hogs for the Cause? Hogs for the Cause is a nonprofit organization in New Orleans that helps families whose children are fighting brain cancer. The charity raises money to assist with medical bills, travel costs, and other important needs during the child’s treatment. Each year, the organization hosts a big BBQ festival to raise money for this cause. The BBQ Festival Hogs for the Cause is more than just a BBQ festival; it's a celebration of food, music, and community. BBQ teams gather to compete in different categories, such as whole hog, ribs, and creative side dishes. The event also features live music, local vendors, and an exciting atmosphere that brings people together. A Successful 2025 Event The 2025 Hogs for the Cause event was a huge success! Over 100 BBQ teams participated and showed off their creativity with unique dishes. Some teams served up sweet treats like peanut butter, chocolate, and bacon hand pies, bacon praline cheesecake, and mayo-shortbread cooki...