By Danae Columbus, opinion columnist “We knew he was destined for something, because he had all the qualities of a leader,” said the city’s former First Lady Sybil Morial about her friend and college classmate Norman C. Francis. A courageous civil rights icon, chairman of Liberty Bank, original investor in the Saints, and former president Read More…
By Danae Columbus, Mid-City Messenger With the mid-term elections less than eight weeks away, political organizations are giving the nod to their preferred candidates. In turn, those endorsements are fueling fundraising for the all-important get-out-the-vote efforts, which will make or break most races. Last night, Municipal Court Judge Mark Shea courted donors at Junior’s in Read More…
By Danae Columbus, opinion columnist Regardless of race, gender, age, political affiliation or neighborhood, the residents of New Orleans are clearly at a crossroads. Voters in every City Council district voiced displeasure about the direction the city is moving in a survey released Wednesday (Sept. 7). Conducted by Edgewater Research in cooperation with My People Read More…
Social media guru Eileen Carter and community organizer Belden “Noonie Man” Batiste grew up on the opposite sides of New Orleans. While it’s easy to think of them as an odd couple, they’re really a perfect match. Batiste, who was trained in grassroots organizing by Treme living legend Jerome “Duck” Smith, verbally attacked Carter’s sister Read More…
By Danae Columbus, opinion columnist I am not a fan of ultra-conservative Fox television personality Tucker Carlson. Yet I could not ignore his 15-minute diatribe Tuesday evening (Aug. 23) on Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s recent ill-advised actions, a diatribe that was viewed in prime time by millions across the world. Carlson’s premise was carjackings are the Read More…
By Danae Columbus, opinion columnist Labor Day is recognized as the traditional start of our fall campaign season. So these hot August weeks are when candidates flesh out their messages, pick up a few early endorsements, and beg friends, family and deep-pocketed business associates for money. With the economic uncertainty brought on first by Covid-19 Read More…
By R. Stephanie Bruno, Mid-City Messenger It is a blistering summer day when I set out to explore the architectural offerings of the Fairgrounds Triangle. The thermometer may read 98 degrees but the “feels like” temperature Is 112. Such is the physical misery we must endure in the New Orleans summer. I curb my wandering Read More…
By Danae Columbus, opinion columnist There were few surprises Wednesday (July 20) during the first day of qualifying for Louisiana’s mid-term elections, which will be held Nov. 8. As expected, U.S. Sen. John Kennedy led the pack in his run for re-election. In addition to Democrats Luke Mixon, Syrita Steib and Gary Chambers — whose Read More…
Editor’s note: The City Council hearing on 1100 N. Broad was delayed after this column was published. It is now scheduled for Aug. 4. By John L. Schackai III, guest columnist Commercial development in historic neighborhoods — in a bullish real estate market — is causing a crisis for familiar landmarks of traditional New Orleans Read More…
By Danae Columbus, opinion columnist In the middle of this hot summer, we’re getting ready for an even hotter election cycle. Qualifying for almost a dozen races — from U.S. Senate to clerk of First City Court — starts next Wednesday (July 20). The election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 8. With inflation increasing Read More…
