New Orleans leaders scrutinize city's financial situation

City leaders kick off another week of budget hearings today, with NOPD, RTA and the library on the schedule.

• The meetings are open to the public.

The big picture: We may get word this week from the State Bond Commission about the city's request for a $125 million loan to make payroll.

• If approved, it goes to Mayor LaToya Cantrell for a signature before the money is released.
• CAO Joe Threat tells us he thinks the funding should be enough to avoid a crisis.

Zoom in: Fallout from the city's $160 million deficit continues.

• NORD paused its teen fall internship program Saturday, citing the city's budget constraints.

Zoom out: Orleans and Jefferson parishes also got word that the feds pulled a $4.6 million Homeland Security grant they were splitting with St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes, writes Ben Myers with The Times-Picayune.

• New Orleans was planning to use the money to improve security downtown and in the French Quarter.