 | By DREW BROACH | Deputy metro editor |
OUTLIER: While many U.S. cities historically plagued by violence, including Chicago and Rochester, New York, saw drops in gun violence in 2022, New Orleans achieved its highest murder rate in 15 years. Among the causes: arguments taken too far, drugs, retaliation, poverty, housing insecurity, isolation, mental health problems and a lack of trust in law enforcers.
LESSONS FOR THE EAST: The once-promising New Orleans East is today a swath of disparate neighborhoods battered by population shifts, falling oil prices and Hurricane Katrina-induced levee failures. As community leaders try to revive the East, they might take a cue from Baltimore’s Highlandtown area. Here are four key lessons.
RISKY BUSINESS: After four property insurers failed in late 2021, Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon put the fate of thousands of Louisiana homeowners in the hands of little-known Safepoint Insurance Co. of suburban Tampa, Florida. The firm took on 30,000 risky policies after three companies abruptly collapsed, then assumed 24,000 more and now wants to add 19,800. But Safepoint’s finances have been shaky, and getting worse for years. Want more stories like this? Sign up for our free Louisiana Investigative Journalism newsletter.
Welcome to new year. Catch the latest news all day on NOLA.com. D.B. | 
