NEW ORLEANS, La. — A $500,000 subsidy for a national New Year’s Eve broadcast from Jackson Square will be paid from a New Orleans cultural fund after Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s criticisms of musician Lauren Daigle caused Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser to pull his office’s funding from the project, according to NOLA.com.
The newspaper reports that money will mean eight minutes of "Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" will be broadcast from New Orleans or feature the city’s first responders this year by covering the production costs of the event.
At a board meeting Friday of the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund, Cantrell’s administration and appointees on the board said that funding the local part of the national broadcast was an important way of highlighting the city.
They argued that the national New Year's Eve broadcast, which could have an even bigger audience this year if people decide to stay in for the holiday, will ensure viewers keep New Orleans in mind as they consider post-pandemic travel plans.
But the proposal drew fierce opposition from City Council member Kristin Gisleson Palmer, who argued it amounted to a rushed decision to spend money that would be better spent assisting local artists directly.
You can read the full article at NOLA.com
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