Latest Metro New Orleans News

Updated 24 hours, every day

Man killed in St. Charles Parish when car crosses median

by The Times-Picayune

Thursday August 28, 2008, 6:30 PM

A Westwego man was killed in a collision with a garbage truck early Thursday, the State Police reported.

Post a comment | View comments (5)

Race the X-factor in presidential election

by Bruce Alpert, The Times-Picayune

Thursday August 28, 2008, 6:17 PM

DENVER -- For all the excitement about the historical moment of a major political party nominating an African-American presidential candidate, Democrats realize that Barack Obama's race also will be an obstacle to some voters.

Post a comment | View comments (4)

Federal DEA agent beaten, in critical condition

by Brendan McCarthy, The Times-Picayune

Thursday August 28, 2008, 5:35 PM

A federal law enforcement agent visiting New Orleans for a conference was found severely beaten and abandoned early Thursday in the 7th Ward.

The victim, a member of the Drug Enforcement Agecny, is in critical condition in a local hospital with severe injuries, an agency spokesman said.

Michael DeMocker / The Times-PicayuneA New Orleans crime scene technician carries evidence bags from 1334-36 Frenchmen Street following the execution of a search warrant related to the severe beating early Thursday morning of a DEA agent.

Post a comment | View comments (17)

New Orleans delegate takes long route to meeting Hillary Clinton

by Bruce Alpert, The Times-Picayune

Thursday August 28, 2008, 1:53 PM

DENVER -- For Felicia Kahn, a New Orleans Hillary Clinton delegate, the 2008 Democratic Convention was a little more than she had bargained for.

Post a comment | View comments (1)

Barack Obama delivers address on King 'Dream' anniversary

by The Times-Picayune

Thursday August 28, 2008, 1:26 PM

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)The stage is set for Sen. Barack Obama to accept the Democratic Party presidential nomination tonight at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver.

Exactly 45 years after Martin Luther King Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and articulated a dream "that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character," Barack Obama will close the Democratic National Convention tonight as the first African-American ever nominated for president by a major political party.

Post a comment | View comments (41)

FCA rally postponed

by The Times-Picayune

Thursday August 28, 2008, 12:30 PM

Because of the threat of Gustav, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes of the River Parishes has postponed its kickoff rally scheduled for Sunday at East St. John High School in Reserve.

Post a comment | View comments (0)

Danny Glover seeks prayers for Louisiana

by Bruce Alpert, The Times-Picayune

Thursday August 28, 2008, 12:25 PM

DENVER -- Actor Danny Glover spoke to Louisiana's Democratic National Convention delegates this morning, leading them in a prayer that the New Orleans metro area be spared from Tropical Storm Gustav's fury.

Post a comment | View comments (34)

Feds send big guns to Louisiana for Gustav

by David Hammer, The Times-Picayune

Thursday August 28, 2008, 11:56 AM

In a display of the federal government's heightened concern for New Orleans and its desire to show tangible improvements since Hurricane Katrina struck almost exactly three years ago, the Bush administration's top two disaster response officials come to Louisiana today with Tropical Storm Gustav on their minds.

Post a comment | View comments (24)

Gustav taking toll on Louisiana delegation

by Bruce Alpert, The Times-Picayune

Thursday August 28, 2008, 11:43 AM

DENVER -- It will be a depleted Louisiana delegation that watches Sen. Barack Obama's acceptance speech tonight at Invesco Field.

Post a comment | View comments (12)

St. Augustine, Newman cancel football jamborees

by Times-Picayune

Thursday August 28, 2008, 11:35 AM

Newman and St. Augustine have canceled their high school football jamborees scheduled for Friday and Saturday because of the anticipated approach of Gustav.

Post a comment | View comments (1)

Obama nomination packs an emotional wallop with La. delegation

by Bruce Alpert, The Times-Picayune

Thursday August 28, 2008, 11:30 AM

DENVER - They knew coming into the convention that Barack Obama was going to win the presidential nomination.

Post a comment | View comments (5)

Woman shot to death in Harvey

by Allen Powell II, The Times-Picayune

Thursday August 28, 2008, 11:04 AM

A woman was shot to death in her Harvey home this morning, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office reported.

Post a comment | View comments (9)

Alabama man guilty in 2006 slaying of contractor from Chalmette

by Charlie Chapple, The Times-Picayune

Thursday August 28, 2008, 10:13 AM

An Alabama construction worker faces a mandatory life prison sentence after his conviction Wednesday night for the 2006 slaying of his boss.

Post a comment | View comments (2)

Coast Guard searching river for jumper

by The Times-Picayune

Thursday August 28, 2008, 8:18 AM

The Coast Guard will resume its search today for a man who reportedly jumped into the Mississippi River near the Canal Street Ferry about 4 p.m. Wednesday, according to a Coast Guard spokeswoman.

Post a comment | View comments (11)

Reports: John McCain has made VP choice; announcement expected Friday

by The Times-Picayune

Thursday August 28, 2008, 8:04 AM

Media outlets are reporting that Republican presidential hopeful John McCain has made his choice for a running mate, with a public announcement expected Friday, the day after the Democratic National Convention ends.

(AP Photo/Matt York)Media sources say Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, has decided on a running mate and will make the public announcement Friday.

Post a comment | View comments (28)

Clintons, Biden set the stage for Barack Obama's historic moment

by The Times-Picayune

Thursday August 28, 2008, 6:50 AM

In the elaborate protocol of political conventions, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama is now the "official" nominee of the Democratic Party, although organizers hope that everyone will tune in tonight to see if he accepts.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., makes a surprise appearance at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday after receiving his party's presidential nomination.

Post a comment | View comments (53)

Calm weather expected through weekend

by The Times-Picayune

Thursday August 28, 2008, 6:24 AM

The National Weather Service is predicting a 20 percent chance for thunderstorms today with highs in the lower 90s and lows in the lower 70s. Friday will have similar weather conditions.

Post a comment | View comments (0)

No problems on the Causeway Bridge

by The Times-Picayune

Thursday August 28, 2008, 6:19 AM

There are no accidents or other problems on the Causeway Bridge, according to bridge police.

To find out how traffic is moving on the Causeway and other New Orleans area roads, check out the state highway department's traffic cameras.

Post a comment | View comments (2)

Today at the Democratic National Convention

by The Times-Picayune

Thursday August 28, 2008, 5:19 AM

TODAY
(All times CDT)

6 p.m.
Rep. John Lewis, Ga., introduces Martin Luther King Tribute Video and Martin Luther King III

8 p.m.
Musical Performance

8:55 p.m.
Sen. Dick Durbin, Ill., introduces Obama's Video

9 p.m.
Obama Video
Obama acceptance speech (35 -40 minutes)

For more convention coverage

Post a comment | View comments (1)

Hurdles remain as Slidell continues its recovery

by Christine Harvey, The Times-Picayune

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 10:44 PM

It's rare to see FEMA trailers still lurking along Slidell's streets, so finding two in one place is truly an anomaly.

Post a comment | View comments (0)

Barack Obama makes first convention appearance

by The Associated Press

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 10:42 PM

DENVER -- Barack Obama stepped triumphantly into history Wednesday night, the first black American to win a major party presidential nomination, as thousands of Democrats transformed their convention hall into a joyful, shouting celebration.

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., left, and Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., wave to the crowed following Biden's vice-presidential nomination acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver on Wednesday night.

Post a comment | View comments (17)

Jury hears children describe slaying

by Benjamin Alexander-Bloch, The Times-Picayune

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 10:08 PM

A child's drawing of a gun, two days after his mother's killing, is assembled with thin pencil lines based on a 7-year-old's memory.

Post a comment | View comments (7)

Road Home deadlines are rescinded

by David Hammer, The Times-Picayune

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 10:07 PM

Thanks to a living room chat with a cancer-stricken 9th Ward resident and other recent face-to-face meetings with Road Home applicants or their advocates, the state's recovery chief has agreed to rescind looming deadlines.

Post a comment | View comments (6)

Man shot dead in Algiers

by Leslie Williams, The Times Picayune

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 9:14 PM

A man was shot Wednesday night and found dead in a spot not far from an Algiers apartment complex where -- according to neighborhood residents -- shots were fired weeks aqo in the air and in the ground "just for fun."

Post a comment | View comments (35)

Youth movement starts at the top in La. Obama campaign

by Bruce Alpert, The Times-Picayune

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 6:38 PM

DENVER -- Barack Obama won the Democratic presidential nomination primarily because he won more support among young voters than did Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Post a comment | View comments (17)

Barack Obama gets Democratic presidential nomination

by The Associated Press

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 6:01 PM

DENVER -- Barack Obama, standing where no African-American has ever stood before, swept to the Democratic presidential nomination today as thousands of national convention delegates cheered his improbable triumph.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., steps out of the plane as he arrives to attend the Democratic National Convention in Denver tonight.

Post a comment | View comments (68)

Jury awards $12,500 but finds no civil rights violations in St. Tammany inmate suit

by Kia Hall Hayes, The Times-Picayune

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 5:28 PM

Federal court jurors Wednesday found no civil rights violations but awarded $12,500 due to negligence to a St. Tammany Parish inmate who lost his eye in a fight with another prisoner in 2005.

Post a comment | View comments (19)

St. Rose man jailed in connection with dual robberies

by Matt Scallan, The Times-Picayune

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 5:20 PM

A 29-year-old man accused of robbing a Destrehan dry cleaner in January was booked Tuesday booked with a second robbery authorities say he committed on the same day.

Post a comment | View comments (2)

Jindal appoints seven to Ethics Board

by Robert Travis Scott, The Times-Picayune

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 5:07 PM

BATON ROUGE -- Gov. Bobby Jindal has appointed seven members to the Louisiana Board of Ethics, restoring a quorum on the panel after a controversial mass resignation in June by former members who were unhappy with the governor's new ethics laws.

Post a comment | View comments (9)

Biden time: Barack Obama's VP choice takes center stage

by The Times-Picayune

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 4:37 PM

Delaware Sen. Joe Biden gets top billing tonight at the Democratic National Convention as he makes his first major speech since being tapped Saturday as Barack Obama's choice as a running mate.

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., gestures as he tours the podium at the Democratic National Convention in Denver on Tuesday. The presumptive vice presidential nominee is scheduled to speak tonight.

Post a comment | View comments (5)

Slidell bans new metal buildings

by The Times-Picayune

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 3:58 PM

Brick, stone, stucco and various other materials - but not metal - will be the standard for building exteriors in Slidell from this point forward, the City Council agreed this week.

Post a comment | View comments (6)

No problems on the Causeway

by The Times-Picayune

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 3:55 PM

Traffic is moving smoothly this afternoon on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, bridge officials report.

Post a comment | View comments (0)

Joe Biden has ties to Tulane

by Bruce Alpert, The Times-Picayune

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 3:49 PM

DENVER - Sen. Joe Biden, D-Delaware, who accepts the vice presidential nomination tonight, became a regular New Orleans visitor when his daughter, Ashley, attended Tulane University between 2000 and 2004.

Post a comment | View comments (8)

St. Tammany's crisis team preparing for Gustav

by Charlie Chapple, The Times-Picayune

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 3:36 PM

CHUCK COOK / THE TIMES-PICAYUNEJennifer Hart fills gas cans at a station near Covington Wednesday in preparation of the approach of Hurricane Gustav.

St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis early Wednesday afternoon called in the parish Crisis Action Team to begin preparing for a storm that could possibly hit the mouth of the Mississippi River on Monday with Category 3-force.

Post a comment | View comments (12)

Jefferson Parish to stop issuing new re-entry placards

by Richard Rainey, The Times-Picayune

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 2:50 PM

Citing an inundation of requests today, Jefferson Parish authorities will stop issuing new re-entry placards to local businesses at 4:30 p.m.

Deano Bonano, an aide to Parish President Aaron Broussard, said administration officials will do their best to fill all requests filed prior to that afternoon deadline. Employers who applied afterward can pick up their passes after the storm.

Post a comment | View comments (1)

S&WB repairing pipes at City Park pump station

by Michelle Krupa, The Times-Picayune

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 2:21 PM

As Tropical Storm Gustav gathers strength, the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board is working to repair "significant deterioration" at the bottom end of discharge tubes attached to three of the five enormous pumps that move water out of the Orleans Avenue Canal at Pump Station No. 7 near the Marconi Underpass.

Post a comment | View comments (7)

Civil Service upholds firing of NOPD officer

by Laura Maggi, The Times-Picayune

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 2:09 PM

A police officer fired for beating an elderly man on Bourbon Street more than a month after Hurricane Katrina was properly dismissed by the New Orleans Police Department, the Civil Service Commission decided in a decision released Wednesday.

Post a comment | View comments (18)

La. delegates applaud Hillary Clinton's speech

by Bruce Alpert, The Times-Picayune

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 12:49 PM

DENVER - Louisiana Democratic delegates - both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton supporters - praised the New York senator's "unity" speech Wednesday night, and predicted it would help some of her still disenchanted followers to back Obama in November.

Post a comment | View comments (7)

Jefferson Parish readies for Gustav

by Richard Rainey, The Times-Picayune

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 12:24 PM

While Hurricane Gustav is still a long way off and could land anywhere on the Gulf coast, Jefferson Parish officials warned residents today to begin preparing now, just in case.

Parish government's plans would not kick off until five days before the storm's projected landfall, said Deano Bonano, aide to Parish President Aaron Broussard. Most pressing now, however, are applications for re-entry placards: The parish plans to stop issuing new ones by 4:30 p.m. today.

Post a comment | View comments (5)