Explaining Jessie Hoffman
People still say, ‘That’s not the Jessie I knew.’ But most didn’t know what he endured at home – and that’s likely what drove him on that day, psychiatrists say.
Recent Posts
The doctor defending Louisiana’s controversial execution method
Dr. Joseph Antognini travels across the nation, being paid over $500 an hour by government officials who rely on him to vouch for their execution protocols.
Despite spotty track record, Venture Global to become picture of new federal “energy dominance”
During a visit to Venture Global’s liquified natural gas plant in Port Sulphur, Gov. Jeff Landry and two members of President Trump’s cabinet told workers that securing U.S. energy dominance would build prosperity and world peace. Critics say that LNG is heading toward a glut, which will prompt prices to drop, leaving communities with little…
All in a Carnival’s Pay
High winds on Mardi Gras Day truncated Rex’s route and kept Zulu from downtown New Orleans, taking a toll on business owners and on local school bands, which went unpaid for Zulu and other weather-affected parades. Then Rex announced that it would pay the bands booked for its parade, raising questions about the history of…
Renewable energy could meet the intense appetites of AI data centers. But Entergy is looking to fossil fuels.
Entergy, the Louisiana utility, has dragged its feet on renewables. Now, it seems that a proposed Meta data center in northern Louisiana might instead create an “urgent” push for dirty, fossil-fuel power. To power the center, Entergy will rely mostly on new gas-fired generators – paid for by ratepayers.
Taking in parades together, but apart
New Orleanians maintain certain traditions at Carnival parades. We say hello to strangers, tote wagons and folding chairs and blankets. But along the St. Charles parade route, we most often settle in areas with our people.
Scattershot statutes
Is it illegal to carry a concealed gun while watching a parade in Louisiana? Depends who you ask.
opinion
Who gets hurt by an execution?
Beyond the condemned, I’ve seen the harm done to family members, victims, prison guards, and even jurors. There may be too many people harmed by executions for Louisiana to bear. We don’t need this. Execution is not the solution.
Firing up the chamber of death
THIS IS PART OF “OPERATING CAPITAL,” AN ONGOING LENS DISCUSSION ABOUT LOUISIANA’S RESUMPTION OF EXECUTIONS. Why do we kill people who may have killed people to show that killing people is wrong? It is important to keep the word “may” in there, because a shocking number of innocent people face execution. Over the last 30…
Lift up the voices of New Orleans youth
Sign up today to help make sure that the Citywide Youth Survey hears from as many New Orleans students in grade 6 – 11 as possible, in both public and private school.
The Death Penalty as Seen by Glenn Ford
Glenn Ford taught me that every chance for life matters. It was easy to see why: prosecutors told the court Glenn was innocent 30 years after he was wrongly convicted of murder and sent to Death Row. Despite being sentenced to death, Glenn and others on the Row refused to forget their humanity.
PODCAST
Behind The Lens episode 267: ‘Young, Black, vibrant’
Mizani Ball and Marta Jewson on how Mardi Gras Day parade route changes affected local businesses and marching bands. Delaney Dryfoos on Venture Global’s expansion plans amid its spotty environmental compliance record.
About the Lens
The Lens aims to engage and empower the residents of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. We provide the information and analysis necessary to advocate for more accountable and just governance.