Budget Talk with CAO Joe Giarrusso

GNO Inc's Michael Hecht Discusses His Future

I got to sit down with Michael Hecht — the guy who spent 18 years selling New Orleans to the world as President & CEO of Greater New Orleans Inc. We're talking about someone who helped shape the economic landscape of this entire region, from bringing major investments to our doorstep to playing a key role in getting the city ready for the Super Bowl. And now? He's stepping into a new chapter...and we got to talk about it before pretty much anybody else. We broke down what GNO Inc. actually does for us as New Orleanians, the initiatives that mean the most to him personally, and what he's looking forward to in this transition. We even got into the OMNI Hotel project and what developments like that mean for the growth and future of our city. This wasn't just a business conversation...it was a real talk about New Orleans, who we're becoming, and the people behind the scenes making it happen. If you love this city, you need to hear this one.

Entergy Hurricane Ida Lawsuit Update

Nearly five years after Hurricane Ida left millions without power across Louisiana, the legal battle against Entergy is entering a critical new phase. In this episode of B4U Scroll, JD Carrere sits down with attorneys involved in the Hurricane Ida class action lawsuit to break down the latest developments, including Entergy's agreement to turn over key grid data that plaintiffs have been seeking for years. What did Entergy know before Ida made landfall? Were vulnerabilities in the power grid identified but left unaddressed? And how could newly released documents and technical data impact the future of this case? We unpack the legal arguments, the discovery battle, the fight over infrastructure accountability, and what this lawsuit could mean for Entergy customers throughout Southeast Louisiana. Whether you're following the case closely or just want to understand why this lawsuit matters, this conversation helps separate the headlines from the facts.

Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter Talks Men's Mental Health

Real talk on mental health with Congressman Troy Carter...discussed why so many men struggle in silence instead of seeking help. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Men's Health Caucus, Congressman Carter breaks down what he's seeing on the ground...from the stigma that keeps men from getting care, to the work he's doing through the Mental Health Workforce Act to get more culturally competent providers from HBCUs and MSIs into our communities. We also get into the RAYS Act, putting the 988 Lifeline right on student ID cards so people have access before things become a crisis...plus a powerful conversation on sickle cell disease and how mental and physical health have to be treated together for the patients carrying that burden. And for the man listening right now who's never told anyone what he's going through...this one's for you.

Ashley Schneider and the Frenchman Street Community Garden

A community garden on Frenchmen Street has been feeding 7th Ward residents ... including some of the neighborhood's most vulnerable elders ... for years. Now, a land sale is threatening to erase it. Ashley Schneider, one of the garden's core organizers, sits down with us to break down how the sale happened, who's connected to it, and what residents are doing to fight back. With ties to State Rep. Delisha Boyd surfacing in the deal, the story goes deeper than a garden ... it's a question of who gets to decide what happens to community-built spaces in New Orleans.

Walt Leger Discusses OMNI Hotel PILOT

Part 2 of our Vision 2035 series focuses on the proposed Omni Hotel project and the PILOT (Payment In Lieu of Taxes) agreement that has generated significant discussion across New Orleans. Supporters argue the project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to attract larger conventions, create jobs, increase tourism spending, and strengthen the city's economy. Critics question whether the tax incentives being offered are too generous and whether the benefits will outweigh the costs for residents. In this episode, we break down what a PILOT agreement is, why the Omni Hotel is considered a key component of New Orleans' long-term growth strategy, and what questions residents should be asking as the project moves forward. Whether you support the deal, oppose it, or are still trying to understand it, this conversation is designed to provide context, clarity, and insight into one of the most important economic development discussions currently facing New Orleans.