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Behind The Lens episode 131: ‘What we have helps, but it won’t be enough’

Applications for New Orleans rental assistance program to be reopened, but there isn't enough funding. New names for school buildings move forward. And a report criticizes New Orleans judges for continuing to issue failure to appear warrants during the pandemic.
by Carolyne Heldman

This week on Behind the Lens, applications for a federally funded rental assistance program in New Orleans will be reopened after public outcry.

The NOLA Public Schools district has released the list of 24 new names for its facilities currently named after slave owners or Confederate sympathizers.

And a watchdog group found that local judges continued to issue failure to appear warrants during the pandemic despite the serious health risks of jail.

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

Behind The Lens is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google 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.

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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.

View all posts by Carolyne Heldman