A mass shooting outside a church was likely retaliation. And Cantrell’s re-election a lock?

THE FRONT PAGE: A mass shooting outside a church was likely retaliation. And Cantrell’s re-election a lock?

By Ramon Antonio Vargas

Cycle of violence: One of two groundsworkers killed amid a quadruple shooting outside a New Orleans church on Wednesday was awaiting trial on attempted murder charges and was victimized by another shooting a little more than a year ago. For now, police believe he was at least one of the targets of Wednesday’s deadly ambush, which they hope to solve before the cycle of violence escalates.

Lock for re-election?: New Orleans’ ongoing garbage collection crisis has residents wanting new trash collectors, but Mayor LaToya Cantrell remains a virtual lock for re-election, the Power Poll survey says. Meanwhile, our Jessica Williams profiles Cyndi Nguyen’s campaign for re-election in City Council District E, where she is facing a stiff fight against former councilman Oliver Thomas as well as other candidates.

Casino referendum on: A St. Tammany Parish judge has ruled that the December referendum on whether to build a casino near Slidell can move forward as scheduled, derailing an effort to scuttle the election.

We’ve also got: Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a woman accused of killing her 1-month-old son. And two Covington high school students were arrested for allegedly videotaping a violent attack on a teacher on campus.

Thanks for starting your weekend off with The Front Page. Have a great one.

RAV