The city council president in New Orleans is blasting Mayor Latoya Cantrell for attending a mayor’s conference in Washington D.C., despite a city-wide travel ban for all nonessential travel. Sean Richardson has more.
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If a bear hunting season for 2025 gets the green light, it will be bigger than last year’s. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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New Orleans City Council President J.P. Morrell criticized Mayor LaToya Cantrell for violating a travel ban by attending the Yale Mayor’s College Conference in Washington, D.C.
The ban, which will be in effect until at least the end of April, prohibits non-essential travel and related expenses. Morrell’s letter argues that pre-approved travel is not exempt, as the ordinance even includes provisions for reimbursing canceled trips. He demands a full accounting of any expenses incurred.
Cut 4 (11) “…people from Yale.”
The city claims the conference was scheduled before the ban and asserts no costs will be incurred. The controversy arises amid financial concerns and scrutiny of the mayor’s travel. Morrell’s letter condemns the mayor’s actions, arguing she should prioritize financial discipline.
Cut 5 (14) “…law went into effect.”
In response, the city defends the trip as beneficial for leadership development and dismisses criticism as divisive.
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There could be another black bear hunting season this winter, and this one would be even bigger than last year’s. John Hanks, the large carnivore program manager at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says the department is looking to open up two additional bear areas along with Bear Area 4 in northeast Louisiana.
Cut 6 (11) “…Terrebonne, Iberia.”
Hanks says the number of tags would go up. Last year, there were ten tags available in Area 4. That would go up to 14 in Area 4, along with eight in Area 1 and three in Area 2. And just like last year, there would be a lottery for those tags, and the odds will be quite long.
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Hanks says the growing bear population is making it possible to have a bear hunting season.
Cut 8 (11) “…are excess animals.”
If approved, the bear hunting season would run from December 6th to the 21st. The department will accept written public comment through May 1st.
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Three suspects are now under arrest in connection with the hazing death of Southern University student Caleb Wilson. Kyle Thurman was arrested in Port Allen yesterday, and Isaiah Smith turned himself in this morning. Baton Rouge Police Lieutenant L’Jean (ELL-jeen) McKneely says police had expected Thurman to turn himself in as well.
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Lieutenant McKneely says, however, that never materialized.
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23-year-old Caleb McCray turned himself in last Friday. Investigators say Wilson died after being punched in the stomach during a hazing ritual with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. McKneely says it’s possible that more arrests could be forthcoming.
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Saints Coach Kellen Moore says he’s excited to work with quarterback Derek Carr as the 33-year-old signal caller is staying in New Orleans. Moore says he had a good conversation with Carr before he agreed to a restructured contract….
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At his introductory press conference, Moore said he was looking forward to going through a process to determine if Carr should return for a third season. Moore says it didn’t take long to determine that Carr should be the quarterback to lead the team in 2025…
Carr’s contract was restructured over the weekend, converting part of the contract to a signing bonus. The move saves the Saints 30-million dollars in salary cap space, and it means Carr will get his full 40-million dollars in salary for 2025. Moore is glad Carr will be with the Black and Gold in 2025…
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The Saints have also restructured the contracts of guard Cesar Ruiz, defensive end Carl Granderson and defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, giving the team 13-million dollars in salary cap space.