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Community Corner

🌱 Medical Bill Forgiveness + Facial Recognition Tech Ban Removed

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in New Orleans.

Shannon Denney, Neighbor
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Hello, friends! It's me, Shannon Denney, your host of the New Orleans Daily. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening locally, including:

  • Tuesday carjackings
  • Medical debt could be paid by City Council
  • Facial recognition software is returning to New Orleans

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny and warmer. High: 72 Low: 65.

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Here are the top stories today in New Orleans:

  1. Six teens were arrested after a string of carjackings earlier this week. In total, four cars were stolen in four carjacking incidents on Tuesday. NOPD arrested six juveniles, aged 15-17, and booked them for illegal firearm possession and possession of stolen property. NOPD recovered all four vehicles. (WWLTV.com)
  2. New Orleans law enforcement has reversed its facial recognition ban. In light of the recent increase in violent crime, this measure is believed to help in investigations. NOPD has been training officers to use the software but will try to limit its use to prevent potential abuse. The tech will only be used to help investigations, but not prevent crime or use for probable cause. (FOXNEWS)
  3. New Orleans City Council is working to forgive outstanding medical bills. City Council will use funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to pay off debt accrued by Orleans Parish patients. It will take some time for the city to figure out who exactly will benefit from this measure, but it will help both hospitals and patients with their financial wellness. (WWLTV)

Today in New Orleans:

  • Coffee and Gratitude with the Virtual Breakfast Networking Hour (8:00 AM)
  • First Friday Tours & Tea at Longue Vue House and Gardens (11:30 AM)
  • Objects in Focus: Newcomb Pottery at the Newcomb Art Museum (12:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • The New Orleans Jazz Museum's Sound Collage is today! The Sound Collage is a multimedia experience celebrating the intersection of different mediums in art. (New Orleans Jazz Museum via Instagram)
  • The New Orleans Family Justice Center wants you during this holiday season to give a gift to survivors by donating to the expansion of Crescent House, their emergency safe shelter. The new facility will allow them to expand the number of clients they can host! (New Orleans Family Justice Center via Facebook)
  • Join the Urban League of Louisiana's Annual Meeting & Celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 7 to commemorate their year with food, music, an open bar, and more! (Urban League of Louisiana via Facebook)

Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Shannon Denney

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming New Orleans Daily? Contact me at neworleans@patch.com

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