Cassie Schirm

Anchorage

Investigative Reporter at WDSU-TV (New Orleans, LA)

Love God,life, family, friends,ΦΜ, sports, and Razorbacks! Future sports broadcaster! ΦΜ at the University of Arkansas!

Articles

Orleans Parish sheriff says water problems at jail could cost up to $900,000

3 days ago | wdsu.com | Cassie Schirm

The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office and the New Orleans City Council held a meeting Tuesday to address the ongoing water problems at the jail. According to Sheriff Susan Hutson, the jail has significant infrastructure problems, and the long-term fix could cost $900,000. A short-term solution for the water leak would cost $300,000. According to Ernie Anderson with Powerhouse Construction, the jail's recent leak was caused by a noncompressed fitting.
Judge sets schedule mapping potential end to Archdiocese bankruptcy case

1 week ago | wdsu.com | Cassie Schirm

After years of delays, emotional court hearings, and complex negotiations, the Archdiocese of New Orleans appears to be approaching a final resolution in its long-running bankruptcy case. Federal Judge Meredith Grabill has now outlined a firm schedule that could see the case wrapped up by the end of 2025. The bankruptcy stems from more than 500 lawsuits filed against the Archdiocese alleging clergy sexual abuse.
Tents, toilets, and tax dollars: Former jail insider shares OPSO maintenance spending concerns

1 week ago | wdsu.com | Cassie Schirm

A former maintenance supervisor at the Orleans Justice Center is speaking publicly for the first time, raising concerns about how millions of taxpayer dollars allocated for jail repairs may have been managed over the years. The former longtime employee Charles Reed worked at the facility for more than a decade, he says routine maintenance and critical repairs were often delayed or incomplete—despite more than $50 million being allocated the jail from the city each year.
WDSU Investigates: Jail Insider Defends Accused Worker, Cites Long-Term Failures before jail break

1 week ago | wdsu.com | Cassie Schirm

Ten inmates. One accused accomplice. A jail with a history of warnings. And now, a former insider says the man behind bars isn't the one who should be blamed. It was just after midnight when ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail. The breakout was bold, dangerous—and disturbingly simple. Authorities say they broke a toilet fixture, entered a maintenance pipe chase, and slipped into the night.
Legislative Audit Investigation Launched into Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office After Jail Break

2 weeks ago | wdsu.com | Cassie Schirm

The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office is now the focus of a multi-agency investigation — as questions mount over how millions of tax dollars are being spent and whether the public is getting a return on that investment. The Louisiana Legislative Auditor officially launched a full financial audit of the Sheriff’s Office this week.
New Orleans police form new unit to address domestic violence

2 weeks ago | wdsu.com | Cassie Schirm

Domestic violence continues to be one of the most urgent and complex public safety challenges in New Orleans. Each year, thousands of calls for help come from individuals facing violence in their own homes, situations that are often difficult to predict, respond to, or resolve. A devastating tragedy that took the lives of three young children has renewed the city’s focus on how to better support victims and strengthen responses to domestic violence.
Justice with Compassion: The Movement Taking Root in a New Orleans Courtroom

3 weeks ago | wdsu.com | Cassie Schirm

A courtroom is often seen as a place of judgment, but in New Orleans, one judge is working to turn it into a place of healing. Judge Simone Levine, who presides over Section A of Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, is focusing on a trauma-informed approach to justice, one that centers empathy, safety and trust. WDSU Investigates got an exclusive look inside her courtroom, where traditional practices are being reimagined to better serve victims, defendants, and the community at large.
WDSU investigation prompts changes for New Orleans Traffic Division

1 month ago | wdsu.com | Cassie Schirm

Traffic light repair workers in New Orleans are facing hazardous conditions and a severe lack of resources, leading to prolonged delays in fixing broken lights across the city. Flashing red lights across the city are making navigation difficult and creating safety hazardsThe traffic and signal division workers are responsible for repairing these lights, but with only three employees handling 450 traffic signals. Within those more than 700 traffic lights, the task is overwhelming.
City Council members grill Cantrell administration on trash controversy

1 month ago | wdsu.com | Cassie Schirm

Tensions escalated at New Orleans City Hall as Mayor LaToya Cantrell's administration faced scrutiny from the New Orleans City Council over the French Quarter garbage contract. This comes after Cantrell informed IV Waste that its emergency contract would end in July, and Henry Consulting would take over the contract. The controversy stems from an emergency contract issued to IV Waste last year.
Watchdogs concerned over bill that could change government ethics laws

1 month ago | wdsu.com | Cassie Schirm

Lawmakers in Louisiana are considering a bill that could redesign the state's code of government ethics, potentially providing more protections for politicians. In the House and Governmental Affairs Committee, there was no objection from lawmakers to this bill, but government watchdog groups came forward with concerns.