Behind The Lens episode 107: ‘But that isn’t true’

The Proposition 2 campaign. DA candidates pledge a comprehensive review of non-unanimous jury verdicts. The OPSB races. And rising COVID cases in schools.

This week on Behind the Lens, three ballot proposals in the upcoming election would result in a 40 percent cut to the New Orleans public library’s budget, and city officials are promising no changes to the service or experience. The library director, however, admitted this week that there is no plan for how they will accomplish that pledge. 

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week on non-unanimous jury verdicts in the state. But two candidates facing off for District Attorney both pledge to review all those cases regardless of how the high court rules. 

There are still five open seats on the Orleans Parish School Board that will be filled after this weekend’s election. And COVID numbers are on the rise in New Orleans schools.

Our guests this week are government and cultural economy reporter Michael Isaac Stein, criminal justice reporter Nick Chrastil, 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.