New Orleans City Business

La. Sen. Landrieu Tries to Pry Loose $1.17b From Fema for Road Home

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will vote this morning on a bill authored by Disaster Recovery Subcommittee Chairman Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-New Orleans, to allow Louisiana to use $1.17 billion in hazard mitigation money for The Road Home program. This is not new money, Landrieu said. It is money tied up in federal red tape.

N.O. Public Library Offering Downloadable Books

The New Orleans Public Library system said it has begun offering downloadable e-books and audio books from its Web site. The New Orleans Public Library Foundation is funding the service, which is provided by OverDrive Inc. of Cleveland.

Leake & Andersson Merges with Lafayette Firm

The law firm of Leake & Andersson said it completed today a merger with the Lafayette firm of Roy, Bivins, Judice, Roberts & Wartelle. The merged firm will practice as Leake & Andersson and have offices in New Orleans and Lafayette. It will have 25 lawyers and 35 support personnel.

Louisiana Cancer Rates Outpace National Average

The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans has mapped the geographic distribution of cancer for the first time. "This volume - is the first to show cancer incidence and mortality maps for major cancer sites by parish, providing the foundation for future geo-spatial studies to reduce cancer burden and disparity in the state," said Dr. Vivien Chen, professor of public health and director of LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans Louisiana Tumor Registry.

Campaigning Falconer Departs St. Tammany West Chamber Temporarily

Reid Falconer, St. Tammany West Chamber chairman, is taking a leave of absence to Campaign for Parish Council. The temporary leadership change took place Tuesday at the St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce board meeting when Falconer said he would take a leave of absence during his campaign for the Fourth District seat on the St. Tammany Parish Council.

Recovery School District Closing Registration Center in N.O.

The state-run Recovery School District said it is closing its registration center at Edgar P. Harney Elementary School, 2503 Willow St., because the site receives little traffic. Beginning today, parents can register students at the RSD's Central Office, 1641 Poland Ave.

Nonprofit Trying to Extend Deadline to Recover Hurricane Losses in La.

A nonprofit has filed lawsuits to extend the amount of time victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita have to recover insurance payments for storm damages. Katrina Justice filed two lawsuits in Baton Rouge to extend the Aug. 29 deadline for Katrina victims and the Sept. 25 deadline for Rita victims.

Allman Tops Stars at Fanfest 2007 in Hammond

Louisiana University and the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts today announced headliners of Fanfare 2007, a month-long celebration of the arts, humanities and social sciences. Gregg Allman, founding member of the Allman Brothers Band, tops the bill of the 22nd annual event featuring theater, art, music, dance, film, lectures and nationally known writers and scholars throughout October.

Cancer Patients Say Hope Lodge in N.O. Allows Them to Get Treatment

When Diane Cousin returned to Hope Lodge after spending several hours in cancer treatment, she said she threw open the doors with a smile and announced, "I'm home." It seems unusual that someone would express so much joy upon returning to a "residential cancer facility," but Hope Lodge residents say it is far from usual.

Tensions Mount in Debate Over N.O. District Attorney Jordan's Job Performance

New Orleans District Attorney Eddie Jordan entered the City Council chambers July 18 to answer for his recent dismissal of two high-profile homicide cases. In the weeks leading up to his appearance, a biracial coalition of citizens came together and demanded improvements to his office

La. Sen. Landrieu Snips Fema Red Tape On Road Home Cash

The Senate Homeland Security Committee today unanimously voted for a bill authored by Disaster Recovery Subcommittee Chairman Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-New Orleans, to allow Louisiana to use $1.17 billion in hazard mitigation money for The Road Home program. The money was part of the $7.5 billion originally allocated for the program but the Federal Emergency Management Agency would not allow the state to use it for Louisiana's housing program, which has a shortfall projected at about $3 billion.

'Coolbaugh Night' Coming to Z's Field in N.O.

The late Mike Coolbauch, who holds the Zephyrs' single-season home run record with 30, will be the subject of "Mike Coolbaugh Night" at Zephyr Field before a 6 p.m. game Aug. 18. The Zephyrs are collecting money for the Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Fund since Coolbaugh's tragic July 22 after being struck by a line drive while coaching the bases.

Fema Estimates Proving Woefully Short of Road Home Needs in N.O.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates for The Road Home program are proving woefully short of the mark. FEMA estimated only 123,000 homeowners would apply for the program and 174,262 did so through Monday.

Terrytown Man Pleads Guilty to Social Security Fraud

U. S. Attorney Jim Letten said today that a Terrytown resident has pleaded guilty to Social Security fraud. Ronald P. Leo, 55, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge A.J. McNamara to one count of falsely reporting his work status to the Social Security Administration, Letten's office said.

Wrda Veto Threat Alarms Louisiana Legislators

President Bush will veto a $20 billion water projects bill unless lawmakers remove the billions added for new plants and new costs shifted onto the federal government, the White House said Wednesday. The veto threat brought immediate clamor from Louisiana's congressional delagation.