Behind The Lens episode 135: ‘A quarter for the Quarter’

A forensic audit reveals new details about Singleton Charter School's background check problems. A dispute over whether hotel rooms should be included in the French Quarter security tax. And more politicians oppose a mandated new jail facility.

This week on Behind the Lens, a forensic investigation of the Dryades YMCA, which runs James M. Singleton Charter School, specifically names the organization’s former CFO and details the process for allegedly producing fake background checks. 

The French Quarter security tax, approved by voters in the spring, has been delayed over demands for an exemption for hotel rooms.

A candidate for sheriff joins a current council member and reform advocates to oppose the new jail facility known as Phase III.

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

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.