Latest news with #GovernmentalAffairsCommittee
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Orleans City Council considers changes for future carnival seasons
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — As New Orleans begins preparing for next year's Mardi Gras season, city leaders are reflecting on what worked in 2025, and what might need to change moving forward. At Tuesday's Governmental Affairs Committee meeting, the New Orleans City Council discussed a variety of possible updates to the city's carnival operations, from parade routes and safety measures to vendor regulations and parking enforcement. City officials say many of the changes implemented during the most recent carnival season worked well, including the use of a serpentine route along St. Charles Avenue, which allowed for better crowd control and traffic flow. When asked if the route would return in 2026, New Orleans Police Department representatives said bringing back the serpentine path is the plan. 'That would be the intention and the plan going forward,' Lt. Buddy Micheu with the NOPD said. Downtown staple Palace Cafe suddenly closes its doors over legal dispute Homeland Security Director Collin Arnold noted that a dedicated safety lane might complicate the logistics. 'That will certainly require a lot more conversation,' Arnold said. Councilwoman Lesli Harris emphasized the need to include neighborhood associations in the planning process. 'Specifically, Faubourg Delachaise Neighborhood Association that's there, and the Garden District Neighborhood Association to get their feedback, because we did get some push back when we talked about the serpentine route,' Harris said. Council members also listened to public comments. One resident voiced frustration that older adult paradegoers were not allowed to sit along certain sections of the Avenue, while another called for street sweepers to clean up debris after each parade to reduce safety hazards. A potential ban on the sale of confetti by mobile vendors was also discussed as part of efforts to clean up the streets and reduce litter. Council members suggested the ordinance may extend to brick-and-mortar retailers as well. 'While we're addressing the mobile vendors, I think we also need to address the brick-and-mortar stores still selling it,' Harris said. Jefferson Parish announces creation of design district 'We'll look at amending the ordinance and just saying we won't allow the sale of confetti,' added Councilman JP Morrell. After the Krewe of Nyx was removed from the parade schedule, Morrell said the city saw a rush of interest from groups hoping to take the open spot. In response, he's developing a more formal waitlist system for parade permits. 'We have begun the process. We have a draft, it's not ready for airtime yet, there will be a future draft released,' Morrell said. Another proposal would consolidate parking enforcement under the NOPD, streamlining operations during parade season. 'Right now its two separate agencies to have them combined is going to be excellent. And I think it's going to be beneficial to the city of New Orleans.' While several issues remain under discussion, the committee did move forward with one ordinance: removing the requirement for hip tags on horses used in parades, simplifying compliance for krewe by day with Super BUCK Moon by night for Thursday Judge Seeber bridge to fully close for repairs: DOTD Walmart recalls about 850,000 water bottles after 2 people blinded Three fall into water at Glacier National Park while taking photo: rangers Iconic cereal maker WK Kellogg selling to Ferrero for $3B Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
LETTERS: No data on waste or cost given to justify firing of federal employees
Influencer: 'Someone qualifies as an influencer if they have a significant and engaged online following, allowing them to influence the opinions, behaviors, and purchasing decisions of their audience, often within a specific niche or industry.' Definition taken from Google. The influencers at the White House may not be influencers by a legal definition or by a typical definition. Influencers President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are, shall I say, special influencers. Their social media information and misinformation is generated by little thought or actual data. For example, neither thought or data of actual governmental waste/cost was given to justify firing federal employees by tens of thousands only to have to hire many of them back. Does hap-hazardly firing tens of thousands of federal employees save governmental waste? The General Accountability Office investigates and reports data regarding governmental waste, abuse and fraud to the Governmental Affairs Committee chaired by Republican Susan Collins from Maine. According to the GAO report, 'federal agencies spend about $1.7 billion annually to operate a fleet of about 387,0000 vehicles.' Among government agencies, excess, unused/ barely used vehicles which does not include mail carrier vehicles or military combat vehicles, cost taxpayers $300 million/year. Based on data, the Committee writes bills for legislation to stop waste and hold agencies more accountable. Researching, investigating mismanagement of funds, writing a report and authoring legislation requires a lot of critical thinking skills. What a thought provoking process unlike the impulsive actions exhibited by special White House influencers who ruin lives. Glenda Luebke, Chilton Here are some tips to get your views shared with your friends, family, neighbors and across our state: Please include your name, street address and daytime phone. Generally, we limit letters to 250 words. Cite sources of where you found information or the article that prompted your letter. Be civil and constructive, especially when criticizing. Avoid ad hominem attacks, take issue with a position, not a person. We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions. We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters. Each writer is limited to one published letter every 30 days. All letters are subject to editing. Write: Letters to the editor, The Post-Crescent, P.O. Box 59, App This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: LETTERS: No data given on waste to justify firing federal workers
