Hundreds of people with criminal records arrived Wednesday at the gymnasium of Southern University at New Orleans with résumés in hand, hoping to find employment despite the challenges they’ve faced since leaving prison. The job fair was created in partnership with the university to assist offenders who are actively seeking employment as a means to earn a livable wage and become productive members of society.
Lester Thomas discusses his hopes of finding a job with Colette Tippy, organizer for Stand with Dignity, at the career fair for people with criminal records. Dacia Idom | NYT Institute
Second Chances Granted to Ex-Offenders at New Orleans Job Fair
As Enrollment Drops, Jefferson Parish Board Votes to Shut 7 Schools
The Jefferson Parish School Board voted 8-1 on Wednesday to shut down seven of its schools by the end of May. The parish has about 90 schools with a total of 44,844 students. With this new plan 2,512 students would be directly affected, and will be attending schools elsewhere in the parish.
Specter of Drew Brees Hovers at Saints’ Charity Softball Game
Almost 50 New Orleans Saints took part in a charity softball game on Wednesday, but the focus, was on the players who were not there, most notably quarterback Drew Brees. Brees is in the midst of contract negotiations with the team, which, he said during an interview with WWL-AM radio station on Wednesday has “been…
YMCA Is a New Place to Play in Marine Forces Reserve Neighborhood
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Tulane Sues New Orleans After Zoning District Freezes Stadium Construction
Tulane University sued the City of New Orleans on Wednesday in an attempt to stop the creation of an interim zoning district that would halt the university’s plans to build a football stadium on its Uptown campus. The zoning district was approved, 4-2, by the City Council at its May 3 meeting. It required the…
Jury Undecided in 7th Ward Murder Trial
A jury at the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court did not reach a verdict Wednesday in the trial of Joseph Gabriel, who was accused of knocking on a man’s door and shooting him to death in November 2010. The jury deliberated after hearing the closing arguments from the prosecution and the defense, in which both…
Taylor Lewis
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Aaron Turner
Aaron Turner discovered his passion for photojournalism in an introductory photography class his freshman year of college. “I like to observe things around me, but I chose a camera to help me,” Turner said. “I like telling stories better that way as opposed to writing them.” The University of Memphis senior plans to graduate in…
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Like Two Others Before, Inmate Flees, But His Run Is Brief
For the third time in recent weeks an inmate has escaped from the custody of the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, which has been housing prisoners in temporary facilities. Juan Vazquez, 25, escaped Monday and was captured a day later. Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Marc Ehrhardt told the Times-Picayune that Vazquez was found taking cover…
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During the Institute, students are working journalists supervised by reporters and editors from The New York Times and The Boston Globe. Opportunities for students include reporting, copy editing, photography, Web production, print and Web design, and video journalism. Institute graduates now work at major news organizations, including The Associated Press, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post and The New York Times itself, and dozens of midsize news organizations.