Behind The Lens episode 171: Here’s why this is actually a good thing

Newly released 'smart cities' emails. Louisiana kids are being shipped to out-of-state jails. And the city still doesn't have school zone lights under control.

On this week’s episode, traffic cameras are off in school zones, but lights are still flashing in some areas creating a dangerous and confusing situation for some drivers.

A city official raised ethics concerns about the Smart Cities project days before it was abandoned, despite the administrations’ continued dismissal of bid-rigging allegations. 

Some Louisiana kids are being sent to detention facilities in nearby states, potentially violating state laws.

Our guests are Lens reporters Marta Jewson, Michael Isaac Stein, Nick Chrastil and editor Charles Maldonado.

You can also listen to Behind The Lens on Apple PodcastsSpotify and other services.

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.