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 Rovira has been in media for 35 years, and is currently the podcast host and producer for Behind The Lens. Heldman served as executive director at Aspen Public Radio, an NPR affiliate, where she launched four weekly news, public affairs, and cultural affairs programs. She has been a guest lecturer at Tulane University, is a frequent guest and moderator for the Aspen Institute, Rocky Mountain Institute, and the American Enterprise Institute.