| By Drew Broach | Deputy metro editor
HELP WANTED: Amid violent crime levels unseen since Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said Tuesday that almost 1 in 5 municipal jobs remain unfilled, including hundreds of public safety positions in the Police Department, juvenile justice center and ambulance services. To rectify matters, she called for spending an estimated $18 million through the end of 2023, and at least $4 million annually thereafter, with most of the initial expense going to pay bonuses to retain experenced police officers.
DOGFIGHT: Gayle Benson usually makes the news for handing out charitable donations or talking about the New Orleans Saints, which she owns. Her latest appearance comes from her suing her neighbors, whom she alleges were negligent because they let their dogs run free in the gated Audubon Place subdivision, kill one of her Yorkies and badly injury the other. Her attorney said Benson intends to donate any damages she might receive from the suit to animal welfare charities in New Orleans, and that she will match the award for local charities.
JOB ONE: Dennis Allen, the Saints' new head coach, must quickly assemble a coaching staff, including his own successor as defensive coordinator and possibly one for offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael. His most important decision, however, will be finding a quarterback to lead the team back to prominence.
Thanks for starting your Wednesday with us. Check the latest news all day on NOLA.com. D.B. | 
