Behind The Lens episode 123: ‘Intended only for personal use’

City school system has competition for Harrah's dollars. And the DA's office says it will no longer prosecute most low-level drug offenses.

This week on Behind the Lens, New Orleans City Council has signaled they may be prioritizing early childhood education with funds paid by Harrah’s New Orleans casino as part of its lease with the city. Those funds previously went to the NOLA Public Schools district.

And the New Orleans DA’s office will no longer prosecute most low level drug offenses, according to internal emails obtained by The Lens. 

Our guests this week are education reporter Marta Jewson, criminal justice reporter Nick Chrastil, 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.