Rules of the New Orleans City Council
Weekly Crime Statistics
The City must continue to work collectively to continue the reductions in especially violent crime. Be aware of your surroundings, avoid bad news people, call 311, file concerns at Nola311.org.
 
Suspect Wanted by the Seventh District fort illegal Dumping
 New Orleans Police are asking the public's assistance with locating a suspect wanted for multiple counts of violating LA R.S. 30:2531.1 - relative to Gross Littering.
Wanted is Johnny Wilson McGill Jr. (upper picture), Black male, DOB 08/05/1967.
According to investigators, the pictured 2024 Jeep Gladiator was used on multiple occasions between March and July of 2025 to illegally dump materials off the Michoud exit from Interstate 10. The vehicle is registered to an address in Slidell. LA.
Seventh District detectives were able to identity the driver of the vehicle as being Johnny Wilson McGill Jr. and warrants are on file for his arrest.
Anyone with information regarding the crimes or the whereabouts of Johnny Wilson McGill Jr. is asked to call Seventh District detectives at 504-658-6070 or to anonymously call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.
Temporary Lane Closure of Johnny Jackson Boulevard at Higgins Boulevard
 The City of New Orleans Department of Public Works (DPW) announces that beginning Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 7 a.m., there will be intermittent lane closures to through traffic for approximately 8-10 weeks to accommodate street repairs on Johnny Jackson Jr. Boulevard at Higgins Boulevard.
The closures will begin in the 3600 block of Johnny Jackson Jr. Boulevard / Louisa Street and continue north along Higgins Boulevard / Carver Rams Way to Almonaster Avenue (see map). The temporary lane closures will allow DPW contractor Hard Rock Construction Co. LLC to complete work as part of the DPW775: Right of Way Concrete Improvement Project. This includes concrete panel replacement, paving, and sidewalk repairs at various locations throughout the city. The 3200 block of Higgins Boulevard / Carver Rams Way will also receive concrete patching as part of this project.
Local access will be maintained. Parking will be prohibited on blocks where crews are actively working. “No parking” signs will be posted in advance to notify residents and businesses.
Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes during the closure. Traffic control measures — including signage, cones, and fencing — will be in place to ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians.
Construction generally takes place Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend work as needed.
For more information, visit https://nola.gov/next/public-works/projects/ or contact the DPW at 504-658-8036 or dpwprojectinfo@nola.gov.
The New Orleans City Council is Soliciting Proposals from Professional Service Consultants to Provide the Valuation and Recommendation Regarding Property Held in Wisner Trust
It is anticipated that the consultant will be responsible for the following services and deliverables to the City Council:
- A complete accounting of all properties in the Trust, including but not limited to legal descriptions of said properties and the current use (if any) of said properties;
- An estimate of fair market value (FMV) of all properties in the Trust by property, including an aggregate value for all properties held in the Trust;
- Detailed recommendations for the highest and best use(s) of each property held in the Trust;
- Detailed recommendations regarding a comprehensive approach for the administration of all properties held by the Trust;
- Clear statements of methodology for all determinations and recommendations, and an organized presentation of all underlying supporting information;
- Reports and testimony as requested by the Council.
RFP submissions, including samples of work products, must be submitted electronically to Justyn A. Hawkins at councilcentralstaff@nola.gov by 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
View the full RFP with additional details and criteria here.
City of New Orleans Launches “K20” Website to Commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
 The City of New Orleans today announced the launch of the K20 Commemoration Website, a digital platform that marks 20 years since Hurricane Katrina and honors the lives lost, the strength of our communities, and the journey of recovery and resilience that continues today.
For more information and updates, visit:https://katrina20.nola.gov/home
City of New Orleans Launches Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Community Engagement Survey
 The City of New Orleans today announced the launch of the 2026 Fiscal Year Budget Community Engagement Survey as part of ongoing efforts to involve residents in shaping the City’s annual budget.
Residents are encouraged to complete the online survey to share their priorities, concerns, and ideas on how public dollars should be allocated in the upcoming fiscal year.
The survey is now available at FY 2026 Budget Survey and will remain open through Thursday, August 15 at 5 p.m.
The online platform also includes a breakdown of how the City is engaging the public in the FY 2026 budget process, with resources to help residents understand how the budget is developed and how their input is used.
The City will host a public meeting in September to provide residents with an overview of the FY 2026 proposed budget before its formal presentation to the New Orleans City Council.
This effort reflects the City’s continued commitment to transparency, accountability, and community-driven governance by ensuring that all residents have an opportunity to engage in the budget process.
For more information and to complete the survey, visit: City of New Orleans Budget Webpage.
City of New Orleans Launches New Payment Plan Program for Overdue Business Personal Property Taxes
 The City of New Orleans announced the launch of a new payment plan program to help business owners manage past due Business Personal Property tax balances. Beginning July 1, eligible business owners can sign up to spread out their payments in smaller, more manageable monthly installments rather than paying the full balance all at once.
To get started, visit the enrollment portal at https://nola-bpp-tax.promise-pay.com or call PromisePay at (504) 502-9020 for assistance.
The program runs from July 1 through September 30 and is part of the City’s broader commitment to expanding flexible payment options. Earlier this year, the City introduced payment plans for overdue parking and traffic camera citations. In 2024, the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans launched similar support for utility customers.
The City has partnered with Promise, a trusted technology provider, to deliver a simple and secure payment experience. For more information, visit nola.gov/treasury.
New Orleans Health Department Launches Big Easy Swim Easy to Teach Hundreds of Local Kids to Swim for Free
This summer, the New Orleans Health Department is proud to announce the launch of Big Easy Swim Easy, a new citywide initiative offering water safety courses and free swim lessons to children and teens across Orleans Parish. The program aims to prevent drowning, promote water safety, and increase access to lifesaving swimming education for New Orleans youth.
Now through September 2026, the program will offer swimming instruction to approximately 700 lower-income children who meet the requirements, ages 5 to 18, with an emphasis on beginner-level swimmers on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration is required, and families can sign up now through our partner organization, The 18th Ward, via nola.gov/swim. Registration for the fall season is now open, with additional groups becoming available later for the winter, spring, and summer 2026 seasons. All pools will be located in Orleans and may vary by season.
“Swimming is more than a summer pastime, it’s a critical safety skill that every child should have access to,” said Jeanie Donovan, Deputy Director of Population Health & Disease Prevention at the New Orleans Health Department. “By partnering with community organizations like The 18th Ward, we’re making sure families have the opportunity to keep their kids active, confident, and safe in the water this summer.”
The Big Easy Swim Easy initiative supports the city’s broader public health goals by addressing preventable childhood drowning, promoting health equity, and encouraging physical activity.
The initiative is grant-funded by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and made possible through strong partnerships with the 18th Ward, a local youth development nonprofit in our area.
Data shows that drowning is the leading cause of death for children under the age of 4. From 2019 to 2023, there were 18 accidental drowning deaths among children aged 0 to 19 in Orleans Parish, with half of those fatalities (50%) affecting children aged 1 to 4.
“Our kids deserve the chance to learn how to swim, and cost should never be a barrier to a child’s access to this life-saving skill,” said Lowrey Crews, founder and CEO of The 18th Ward. “We’re grateful that so many of our community partners are providing us with pool access, and we are thrilled to work with the New Orleans Health Department.”
What’s Provided:
All the necessary swim gear is available at every lesson. Instructors will provide:
- Goggles
- Kickboards
- Barbells
- Pull buoy
- Boat swim trainer
- Hand paddles
What kids/families need:
- A towel
- Swimwear (one-piece or two-piece suits, swim trunks, or athletic shorts)
- Preferably no T-shirts
How to Register:
Families must pre-register via The 18th Ward. Registration links and more information can be found at nola.gov/swim. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. Waitlists will be created once all the slots are filled. All swim instructors are certified and provided by The 18th Ward.
Get more information about water safety education and resources at nola.gov/health or email us at BigEasySwimEasy@nola.gov.
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504: A Youth Hip Hop Musical About Hurricane Katrina on August 30th
 Councilmember Green is pleased to serve as a sponsor for this Katrina 20th Anniversary production of "504: A Youth Hip Hop Musical About Hurricane Katrina." Saturday, August 30. 7:00 p.m. The Orpheus Theatre. A production of the Anthony Bean Community Theatre. https://anthonybeantheater.com/
Click here for info and to order tickets. One night only. General admission. Order now!
New Orleans Ballet Association Dance Class Registration
City of New Orleans Civil Leadership Academy
United Way of Southeast Louisiana Inspired Up Program
18th Ward Family Fun Day Series
Fall Registration opened on Monday, August 4th, 2025 at 10am. We will email you the registration link as soon as it’s live. See below and/or visit our website to check out the fall menu of programs, and follow us on social media for regular updates.
NORD Swimming Hours
NORD Lifeguard Training
NORD Centers for Computer Access
Katrina 20 Day of Service Volunteer Opportunity on August 23rd
Backpacks & Breakthroughs: A Back-to-School Resource Fair & Supplies Giveaway on August 16th From 12PM-3PM
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