SELA drainage canals didn’t increase flooding on July 10, report finds

The intensity of the July 10 rainfall — with as much as 9 inches in three hours — overwhelmed the city’s pumping and drainage system. Streets were inundated, and many became impassable; cars were submerged; homes and businesses flooded; and the tally of damages went far beyond an annoying commute.

Among the rumors circulating after the deluge was the claim that the massive Southeast Louisiana Urban Flood Control Program, or SELA, construction project, designed to reduce the flood risk in certain low-lying areas, hindered the drainage capacity in other areas of the city.

Video: Ghost Manor lights up the October night

by Andres Fuentes

At the corner of Magazine and Second Streets, lit-up pumpkins, skulls, and spiderwebs provide a spooky spectacular for your evening stroll and, on Halloween, trick-or-treating. The Ghost Manor annual Halloween display has a bit more flare this year—21 more pumpkins were added to the front lawn, fitted with lights that flare to the sounds of haunting music.

“I think it just really puts you in the spirit of Halloween,” neighbor and spectator Lyndsey Edwards said. “It’s super fun to see all the pumpkins and all the lights.”

Danae Columbus: Gwen Collins-Greenup calls for audits, paper backups in voting process

Secretary of State Candidate Gwen Collins-Greenup told a New Orleans audience Wednesday night that every citizen should receive a receipt after casting his or her vote. “Printing out a paper receipt would build confidence in the election process,” she said. Collins-Greenup would also institute post election audits to ensure the accuracy of results and that “every Louisiana voice is heard.”

She believes that early voting should be allowed until the day before an election and that the voting hours should be extended to accommodate working mothers. “Louisiana is not a red state, it’s a non-voting state,” said Collins-Greenup.