| By Bob Warren
Smart city investigation: It’s been more than three decades since the New Orleans City Council launched a formal investigation into City Hall. But today the council, backed by a seldom-used clause in the city’s charter, began hearing testimony into a probe of Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s “smart city” initiative. - Matt Sledge has this look back at the last time the council took this drastic step.
- And Jerry DiColo offers this primer on what to look for as the council’s hearing gets underway.
Parents could face murder charges: After the body of a 36-year-old woman was found in a crater worn into the upholstery and foam padding of a couch at her family’s home in East Feliciana Parish, authorities said she might have been there for years. Now, the DA says he’ll ask a grand jury to bring second-degree murder charges against the homebound woman’s parents.
Somber river search: For a third day, searchers scoured a section of the Mississippi River Tuesday as grieving friends and families stood watch nearby. Sadly, there's been no sign of the trio of young people who were reporting missing in the river near Algiers Saturday evening. Missy Wilkinson writes about Kevin Poole Jr., who went into the river Saturday evening to save his girlfriend.
When squirrels attack: So what’s gotten into Slidell’s squirrels? Police report that a squirrel attacked a 78-year-old man Tuesday. The said it was unprovoked and called the squirrel – I’m not making this up – “vicious.” Tuesday’s squirrel attack follows one that happened during a Mardi Gras parade in Slidell in February. Nuts, right?
Life with a view: Ever stroll down some street, notice a cool-looking balcony and wonder what it’s like to live there? Dawn Ruth checked out some awesome balconies and terraces and chatted up the folks who get to enjoy the view.
Hope you liked today’s Lunch Line. Thanks for taking a break with us. And of course, be sure to check out NOLA.com for more news throughout the day. BW | 
