Staff Writer, Times Picayune
Staff writer for the New Orleans Times Picayune
PROFILE
Michael Perlstein
Guest
FROM Michael Perlstein
To the Point
The Effort to Save New Orleans' Criminal Justice System In New Orleans this year there have been 83 murders but just one murder trial--for a killing that occurred before Katrina. This week, Mayor Ray Nagin announced an initiative to replace the cops, prosecutors and defense attorneys who left town and haven't come back. Meantime, judges are releasing suspects being held under deplorable conditions. We get an update and hear about efforts to find prosecutors and defense attorneys before judges let suspects out of jail.
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To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
To the Point
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
To the Point
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
To the Point
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.