Petrochemical industry in Louisiana plans a ‘defense’ amid growing opposition
After residents of America’s ‘Cancer Alley’ in Louisiana put a national spotlight on their fight for a healthy environment, the state’s economic interests and petrochemical giants are backing the creation of a new “sustainability council” to counter grassroots activists, documents show. In recent years, the activists have successfully fought construction of two multibillion-dollar plastics facilities…
Recent Posts
Requiem for a Big Man Gone
After playing a night of gigs – and maybe shooting a few games of pool – Jeffrey Hills Sr. walked into the door with his sousaphone slung over his shoulder, pulled on his plaid pajama pants with a muscle shirt, made himself a little snack and crawled under the covers. If that sleep was like…
Gifted group asks school district to expand services
Universal screening and a gifted coordinator could help expand gifted services in Orleans Parish, advocates say.
Offshore wind workforce a weak link in plan to build out renewables
A national push toward offshore wind energy could create thousands of well-paying domestic jobs in Louisiana and elsewhere, according to clean energy advocates and President Joe Biden, who wants to establish 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030. But it’s unlikely there will be enough trained and certified workers to fill those positions, and…
A Louisiana lawmaker wants mandatory life without parole sentence for fentanyl distribution
A measure that would add a conviction for fentanyl distribution to the short list of crimes punishable by a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole is being backed by Louisiana prosecutors as a response to the opioid epidemic in the state, while advocates warn that the harsh sentence will throw people away for…
NOLA Public Schools considers third tier of charter school warnings
The administration presented draft recommendations of the Charter School Accountability Framework on Tuesday.
Award-winning reporter Katy Reckdahl joins the staff of The Lens
Award-winning reporter Katy Reckdahl is a new staff writer with The Lens. Reckdahl was a staff reporter for The Times-Picayune and the alt-weekly Gambit before spending a decade as a freelancer, writing frequently for the New Orleans Advocate | Times-Picayune, The New York Times and the Washington Post. She’s received more than two-dozen first-place New…
PODCAST
Behind the Lens: Episode 109 Gifted students and a musician remembered
Marta Jewson talks about the push for more gifted offerings in New Orleans schools, reporter Nick Chrastil discusses a measure being considered by lawmakers to increase penalties for fentanyl dealers and reporter Katy Reckdahl remembers a musician and friend.
opinion
The City Council must stand up for our neighbors and culture
As the artist Phlegm says, “Everything you love about New Orleans is because of Black people.” You can’t say you love and appreciate the culture we’re famous for while simultaneously hollowing out the Black neighborhoods responsible for it to serve wealthy tourists who call us “ghetto” and “sketchy.” Just check the Airbnb reviews in Central City or…
It is sweet and glorious to die for shag carpet
“Louisiana can once again sun itself in the intellectual power of its state’s representatives.”
It looks like OneApp is the whole damn problem!
The former OneApp policy specialist opines on the city’s centralized school enrollment system.
The real threats to New Orleans come from Louisiana conservatives
C.W. Canon opines on political state of the city, state and nation.
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.
