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Community Corner

🌱 Potential New NOPD Incentive Package + Edwards Visits NOLA

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 again, everybody. It's Friday in New Orleans and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening in town. In this issue, you'll learn about:

  • Kenner middle and high school evacuated due to bomb threat
  • NOPD incentive package proposal
  • Gov. John Bel Edwards discusses criminal justice reform package

But first, today's weather:

Breezy in the morning. High: 83 Low: 70.

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Here are the top stories today in New Orleans:

  1. Students from Kenner Discovery were forced to evacuate their Health Sciences Academy Loyola and Vintage campuses after receiving a bomb threat. All students were evacuated to a safe location and then helped them get transportation home. Both campuses were investigated and deemed safe, and the student body will return to campus today. (WDSU New Orleans)
  2. The City of New Orleans is proposing a $30,000 incentive package for new NOPD recruits to try and combat the declining rates of officer enrollment and retention. The proposal will need to be approved by the Civil Service commission and action from City Council. This incentive package will be on top of guaranteed pay increased over the next three years which have already been approved by City Council. (WDSU New Orleans)
  3. Gov. John Bel Edwards visited New Orleans to discuss the success of the criminal justice reform package, a group of laws enacted five years ago, that has, according to Edwards' statement, saved the state $150 million, allowing 70 percent of that money to be reinvested into local communities. Additionally, thanks to the legislature, the prison population is down to 26,000 from the 36,000 it was in 2016. (WGNO New Orleans)

Today in New Orleans:

  • Tulane University Women's Bowling vs Sam Houston (All Day)
  • First Fridays at NOMA: House Party (6:00 PM)
  • The Music of Led Zeppelin & Zebra with the LPO at Mahalia Jackson Theater (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Join the Friends of Lafitte Greenway and sign up to plant 100 cypress trees today from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.! (Friends of Lafitte Greenway via Facebook)
  • This Saturday the galleries of the Art District of New Orleans are ready for visitors for their First Saturday gallery openings. Stroll Julia Street and the immediate blocks off on Camp and Magazine streets to see current or new exhibitions! (Arts District of New Orleans via Facebook)
  • The Austerlitz Baptist Church will not be a voting location this year due to damage from a fire in early September. If you typically go to the church to vote, you can now vote at the Renew Charter School. (WGNO)

That's it for today! See you tomorrow 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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