| BY BOB WARREN | Staff writer |
'Smart city' contempt: The New Orleans City Council voted unanimously Thursday to hold two of Mayor LaToya Cantrell's top aides in contempt for failing to respond to a subpoena for documents associated with a botched broadband contract. The council's motions now head to the attorneys, says Matt Sledge, who has been covering this developing story and has the very latest here. (And here's a little smart city background.) Feds investigating State Police: The feds have launched a civil rights investigation into Louisiana State Police. The U.S. Department of Justice said this morning it wants to determine if state troopers have a pattern of using excessive force and discrimination against Black people and other people of color. Read the latest on this developing story. Pain at the pumps: If you’ve stopped at the pump lately, we don’t have to tell you that gasoline is taking a bigger bite out of your budget these days. A much bigger bite. Reporter Faimon Roberts asked motorists how they’re coping. Looking for more local business coverage? Sign up for the NOLA Business Insider newsletter here. Nursing homes, classic cars: You might remember reading about Bob Dean, who came under intense scrutiny after many of his nursing home residents were evacuated to a sweltering warehouse following Hurricane Ida. A couple dozen classic cars that Dean owns are now being auctioned off to cover some of his debts. Business writer Tony McAuley tells us about the cars and how high the bids might climb. Oh, and you’ll definitely want to check out the car photos . . . Eating (and TikToking) across Acadiana: If you’re looking for some of the best food in Acadiana, check out Gerald Gruenig’s social media accounts and thank us later. Pairing a one-of-a-kind personality with booming TikTok and Instagram followings, Gruenig hits the backroads, celebrating the mom and pops where five-star Cajun doesn't need a fancy tablecloth and fat expense account. You can find contributing writer Molly Reid Cleaver's teriffic story here. And for more great food and drink coverage be sure to sign up for our Where Nola Eats newsletter. Hope you enjoyed today’s Lunch Line. Thanks for reading. BW | 