Behind The Lens episode 103: ‘Safeguarded and removed as far as humanly possible from any form of political influence’

The OPSB elections. Civil Service and the Mayor's Office. And more material witness warrants connected to a DA candidate.

A crowded field of candidates is running for seven seats on the Orleans Parish School Board. We will look at who is leading the fundraising race so far.

The longtime chair of the New Orleans Civil Service Commission was quietly replaced earlier this month, raising some questions about what’s next for city staffers in the midst of a looming budget crisis.

Material witness warrants used to arrest crime victims continue to make headlines in the DA race. One candidate denied signing any in the past, but records show otherwise.

Our guests this week are criminal justice reporter Nick Chrastil, government and cultural economy reporter Michael Isaac Stein, education reporter Marta Jewson, and The Lens editor, Charles Maldonado.

Behind The Lens is available on Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle Play and Stitcher. And we broadcast the show on community radio stations 102.3 FM WHIV LP in Mid-City and 90.3 FM WAMF-LP in the Marigny.

Carolyne Heldman

Carolyne Heldman has been in media for 35 years, most recently as Executive Director at an NPR member station in Colorado where she was responsible for new multi-platform content initiatives, strategic planning, research, branding, and non-traditional revenue generation. During her tenure she also created and launched four weekly news, public affairs and cultural affairs programs and monthly live Town Hall broadcasts. Heldman moved to New Orleans last summer with her husband and canine companion and they live happily in The Marigny.