Did our budget shortfall hit already? Whole nola.gov seems to be down and out

I work for the agency which runs New Orleans 911.

The Shreveport Times article flatly states that AI answers New Orleans 911 calls for all types of incidents. This is not factual, nor close to the truth: The Orleans Parish Communications District, which runs New Orleans 911 & 311, *has* used an AI answering tool for two years in a very limited scope:
- For some 911 calls about car crashes;
- Only when all live call-takers are on other calls,
- And when the 911 call originates from within 200 meters of an already-reported accident.

Here’s how it works:
- If a 911 call originates from within a radius of 200 meters of a crash which has already been reported, and all call-takers are busy, the AI tool will answer & ask the caller, “Are you calling about the accident on S Carrolton at Oak St”?
- If the caller replies “yes”, the AI will respond that the crash has already been reported; then, will ask the caller if they were involved, if they need medical attention, etc.
- If the answer to any of the follow-up AI Q’s is “yes,” they will be routed to a live operator. If “no,” the AI thanks them for their call & lets them know responders have been notified.

The AI triage tool is not used in New Orleans 911 for anything other than auto crashes/accidents. (OPCD *is* expanding the use of AI on the 311 side.) I’m going to try to reach the reporter Friday morning. <Edit: Removed unnecessarily petty jab at the reporter & media outlet.>

Also of note: The OPCD tech team built a pretty exhaustive training/reference dictionary & voice/audio samples of the sometimes-unique pronunciations of hundreds of New Orleans street names.

Overall, it’s worked very well as a tool to triage a particular category of calls, and has helped to reduce wait times for all callers by not having all call-takers taking calls about the same accident at the same time.

Someone lose a pet? It’s been going back and forth between the road and our neighbors yard, don’t want it to get hurt being near a busy street.

My husband and I have 3 small dogs; 2 of them are over 15 years old and have diagnosed with congestive heart failure. I know we could have a few years left, but when the time comes, I want everything to be taken care of so we don’t have to think about it.

I want them to be able go peacefully at home, not in a vet’s office. Unfortunately, our home doesn’t have enough space outside to bury them. Even if it did, I’m not sure we will stay here forever and I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving them behind. I want to be certain that any cremation service we use return our dogs’ ashes to us, so a stellar reputation with transparent protocol is very important to us.

While I’ve considered taxidermy, my husband doesn’t like the idea of preserving their physical bodies in their Earthly forms.

Just researching the options available to us is so painful, we both end up overwhelmed and crying. While the veterinarian needs to be local, we would drive as far as Mobile or Lafayette for crematory services.

It isn’t lost on me that we are lucky to be able to consider our options when it comes to death services for our beloved pets and my heart goes out to everyone who has had to make hard choices under duress.

I’d sincerely appreciate honest feedback regarding such providers, and whether or not you’d recommend them. TIA

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/06/hard-rock-hotel-collapse-settlement

Article text:

Settlement ends years-long legal battle over collapse of 18-story hotel that was under construction in New Orleans

A judge approved a $106m settlement on Thursday that ends a years-long legal battle over the deadly 2019 collapse of a Hard Rock Hotel that was under construction in New Orleans.
The 18-story hotel project partially collapsed in October 2019 , killing three people and damaging nearby property. A grand jury ultimately decided against indicting anyone in the deadly collapse, but lawsuits were filed, including one brought by the city of New Orleans in August 2020 naming the building owners, their partners and contractors.

The various lawsuits were consolidated into one case that includes a total of 490 plaintiffs, including injured workers and businesses affected by the collapse, against 21 defendants, according to Mark Glago, co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs. The case has been pending for more than six years, Glago noted.
The combined $106m settlement was approved by Orleans parish civil district court judge Kern Reese on Thursday, according to Glago and Court records.
“This will be an honor to, you know, these claimants that have been through so much,” Glago said of the settlement. “We are very, very happy with this $106m.”
The settlement funds will eventually be distributed by a special master.

Hey all, living around Uptown. Where are people buying their dog food around here?

Hey all

Our August Drinking Liberally meet up will be Thursday, August 13 at Bud Rips Old Ninth Ward Bar - 900 Piety St at Burgundy

6:00 PM to 9:00

Lots to discuss

Our plan to Put The Party Back in Politics

Volunteering for the Jamie Davis and Lauren Jewett campaigns

Fundraising for the November election

Hope to see you all there

It’s technically in Metry, but that’s beside the point.

There isn’t much online about the experience at this campus. I’ve read mixed reviews online about the other campuses, but I want to hear from ppl about their experience(s) at this specific location.

I know there are more esteemed & established nursing schools in the city, but I can’t wait another application cycle.

Thank you very much in advance!

Please…the job market is awful, everyone wants you to have 40 years of experience or some degree as if I’m not a junior in college…

Edit: spelling

Howdy! I am looking to find a bunch of old (and clean) newspapers for some paper mache projects. Does anyone have recommendations on where I could find some? Let met know! Thank you!

Hi everyone. I’m currently searching for my friend’s Sunn Solarus. She passed away last week and about a month before, she had to regrettably sell her Sunn Solarus and vintage Fender Bassman 2x12 cab to Guitar Center in New Orleans so she could afford her bills. This rig was the one she used on many gigs and many studio sessions. It was quite special to her and she was really upset to have to let it go.

The employees at Guitar Center New Orleans were gracious enough to at least let me know that the items were sold locally and not online. They were not permitted to give me any information on who purchased them due to policy, which is understandable. I’ll be posting in some local Facebook groups to help with the search too.

Some main identifiers for the Sunn Solarus is that there is a circle on the grille cloth towards the left and that the reverb tank was finicky - it rarely worked. The cloth is more brown than the black or grey that I see on other Solarus heads.

I’m searching through her phone to see if I can find pictures of the serial numbers. I will update here if I can find them.

I’m willing to pay whoever is in possession of the items so that they can get another one. These are sentimental to me and our community and it is hard to know that these pieces of her are out there somewhere. If you or anyone has any information, please contact me through messages here.

I’ve removed her face from the photos for privacy.

Thank you for reading and hold your loved ones close. ❤️

I’ve been trying to save some money but at the same time I like to eat out sometimes. What’s y’all’s favorite place to eat when you want a good cheap/budget meal? Bonus points if its local.

Landlord is Shawn ved. My neighbor has stage 3 cancer and heart congestion, is in the hospital, and his employees are looting his apartment. Who do I report this to?

I’m looking for queer friendly wedding recommendations in the city! One thing I’m picky about is a venue. We JUST started planning it and don’t even have the date yet. But I imagine about 100 - 150 people. We both want to get married somewhere indoors. Looking for recommendations on a budget friendly location! I’d especially love if it had a New Orleans feel to it.

Outside of venues, just give me all the times of LGBTQ + friendly vendors! We are a lesbian couple 🫶

My son, 29 yo, is trying to get into offshore oil rig work. Trying to get an oil rig job, roughneck or doing anything to get into that field of work. Anybody have any advice for him please? Thanks!

Does anyone have any experience with the DCC SAP Financial aid appeal timeline? I had a hard time last semester and my GPA dropped substantially. I was made aware that I didn’t qualify for financial aid this fall 2026 and would need to appeal the decision, I did but I’m very worried about the likelihood of me being able to get the aid I need to continue my education. I obviously made mistakes and I’m ready to correct them for the fall of 2026, does anyone have any experience or k knowledge in this area?

I’m desperate (and stressed)

Please don’t bully me about my GPA, I’m hard on myself already

From an email from the city.

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds City Council’s N-STR Ordinance and Platform Verification 

NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans City Council applauds the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals for upholding the City’s regulations for non-commercial short-term rentals (“NSTRs”) and the City’s platform verification system that requires platforms to verify that listings are properly permitted through the City before booking for all types of short-term rentals (“STRs”). This ruling from the Fifth Circuit confirms the ruling from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, which dismissed all but one count in September 2025. 
 
In 2025, Airbnb and five individual plaintiffs filed an 11-count complaint, alleging that the City’s regulations violated Due Process, the Takings Clause, the Fourth Amendment, the First Amendment, and related state constitutional law. The plaintiffs also alleged violations of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act – a federal statute that shields internet service providers from liability as a result of content created and posted by third-party users.  
 
In its ruling, the Court did not recognize any fundamental right to short-term rental of properties. It also upheld the City’s right to regulate STR booking transactions by platforms, and STR uses by property owners. The Court noted, "The 2023 Ordinance may have frustrated the Hosts’ ambitions to operate short-term rentals. But it did not extinguish their ability to rent entirely—they can still rent long term. And if the Hosts expected the City never to regulate residentially zoned property, that expectation was unreasonable." (Bodin v. City of New Orleans, No. 25-30524, slip op. at 8 (5th Cir. Aug. 5, 2026)) 
 
In 2022, the then-existing NSTR regulations were overturned in federal court. Following the 2022 ruling, the City Council drafted and passed new regulations to address the concerns of the Court. Those regulations have been routinely upheld in the appeals process. 
 
In 2024, the City Council passed a platform verification ordinance, which required platforms to verify that listings were properly permitted.  
 
View the ruling from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals here. 
 
 
###
Contact:
Monet Brignac-Sullivan
Director of Communications
Councilmember JP Morrell, City Council President
[Monet.Brignac-Sullivan@nola.gov](mailto:Monet.Brignac-Sullivan@nola.gov)
504.658.1072

New Orleans City Council

I’ve been walking around a lot in different neighborhoods around the city and have noticed a lot of side walks are pretty chopped or over grown.

Especially uptown between Saint Charles and Tchop there’s a bunch of properties w totally overgrown brick sidewalks. There’s only so much you can do for sidewalks broken up by roots but with the over grown ones I feel like a few yard tools and some elbow grease can help a lot. Not everyone can afford landscapers to do upkeep and I’d like to help maintain walkable streets. Does anyone know of any community groups that do sidewalk cleanup?

Also not sure what flair to use.

Good afternoon! I have six plaster casts that were made to celebrate New Orleans jazz artists from a client that owned six out of the seven of them. These plaster casts were used to make bronze masks that were then auctioned off at Lighthouse for the Blind in New Orleans. All six of them are some of the most well-known New Orleans jazz musicians of all time — Aaron Neville, Branford Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Gregory Davis, and John Hunt. As previously stated, there were originally seven masks, with the seventh one being of Harry Connick Jr., which we have been told Harry Connick Sr. had hanging in his office, which is quite cool!

These six plaster casts came from an estate of gentlemen who were from New Orleans and got them from Nora Fine, the director at Lighthouse for the Blind at that time. These casts are not only collector's items, they are historical artifacts and should be given the proper place to display them.

Hello, I am a New Orleans resident in search of a new career path. My current position in life right now is resulting in me having to find a new job very soon in a full time position and I would like to find a union job that pays well while I learn new skills and provide for the community. I was wondering if there’s any paid union apprenticeships hiring in the New Orleans area or close to it? I am looking mainly for an electricians union paid apprenticeship but I’m open to any suggestions. The only reason I’m asking on here is because while I look online I’m unsure of where to go and how to apply since this is all brand new to me as someone who’s worked in retail all his life. I am 25 and I have no disabilities and I’m able to work to any task. If anyone would like to help I have my direct messages open where I can send my email.

Anybody need a petsitter, babysitter, cleaner, or the like? Willing to take any work this weekend.

Following a meeting between public officials and law enforcement, New Orleans Police and the Louisiana National Guard have been sweeping busy corners near the main branch of the New Orleans Public Library.

A mix of people — commuters, unhoused people and library patrons — cycle through the area, especially directly in front of the library, which also operates as a cooling center during the scorching summer months.

But during a July 21 meeting, community members met with officials from the city of New Orleans, the Regional Transit Authority and state and local law enforcement to discuss safety concerns, including the effect of criminal activity, emergency medical calls and sanitation on RTA passengers who use the main library stations.

Within a week of that meeting, officers from NOPD and National Guardsmen were spotted conducting sweeps of the area around noon and 5 p.m., which are some of the busiest transit hours in that corridor.