Man robbed at gunpoint in Leonidas

A 60-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint Sunday evening in the Leonidas neighborhood, the New Orleans Police Department reported. The victim was in the 8600 block of Cohn Street, near Leonidas Street, at about 8 p.m. when he was approached by a gunman threatening to shoot if he didn’t turn over his wallet. The victim complied. Further details were not immediately available. Anyone with information is urged to call the NOPD Second District station at 504-658-6020 to speak to a detective, or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 to leave an anonymous tip that could be eligible for a cash reward.

Viewpoint: America needs leadership from a ‘gumbo coalition,’ Marc Morial says

National Urban League President and former Mayor New Orleans Marc Morial was born to lead.  His parents, former Mayor Ernest N. “Dutch” Morial and educator Sybil Haydel Morial, wouldn’t have had it any other way. From his NORD playground days as a national champion Little League football star to his groundbreaking work in civil rights and economic empowerment, Morial has united voices and created meaningful change first in Louisiana and later across the globe.  

Man shot to death in Lower Garden District

A man was shot to death in the Lower Garden District on Sunday afternoon, the New Orleans Police Department reported. At 1:43 p.m, NOPD Sixth District officers responded to a call of shots fired in the 600 block of Felicity Street. They found a man, later identified as Johnathan Davis, suffering from gunshot wounds. Medical responders attempted life-saving measures; however, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Davis was 22.

Audubon Zoo mourns the death of baby gorilla

From the Audubon Institute

The Audubon family is devastated by the loss of a critically endangered western lowland gorilla born on Sept. 4. The 6-day-old infant was the first gorilla birth at Audubon Zoo in 24 years and the first offspring for 13-year-old Tumani. Animal care staff noticed on Wednesday evening the gorilla infant seemed lethargic and weak in the arms of the mother. The infant was transferred to the zoo’s animal hospital, but the veterinarian team could not revive the infant.

Two armed robbery suspects in custody

The Second District of the New Orleans Police Department has made two arrests in recent Hollygrove armed robbery cases. The NOPD arrested Craig Elliot, 20, on Sunday, Sept. 6, in the investigation of an armed robbery on Aug. 27 in the 9000 block of Palm Street. NOPD Second District detectives identified Elliot as potentially one of the gunmen who robbed the victim and stole his vehicle and obtained a warrant for Elliot’s arrest.

Viewpoint: Does Churchill Downs prioritize gaming over horse racing?

In a decision that critics say speaks directly to corporate greed, Churchill Downs is challenging the Louisiana State Racing Commission’s emergency ruling that requires Churchill to temporarily take in 500 horses displaced from Delta Downs by Hurricane Laura. The showdown will take place Friday, Sept. 11, in front of Judge Sidney Cates in Orleans Parish Civil District Court. 

Churchill Downs, the owner of the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots since 2004, grew from a one race-track company to a publicly traded conglomerate with multiple tracks, casinos and the country’s leading online wagering operation. They offer 800 video poker games at 13 facilities in Louisiana.    

Horsemen are puzzled because they know Churchill has the extra barn space needed for Delta’s horses and that it would be compensated for the additional operating expenses. But Churchill would not reap the same profit from horses as online wagering and video poker.