Behind The Lens episode 272: ‘Growing threat’

Delaney Dryfoos on the Calcasieu River's concerning pollution. Marta Jewson on Lycee's $400k property tax bill and the city's offer to settle a lawsuit with the school board.
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This week on Behind The Lens, the Calcasieu river’s ongoing pollution, on top of decades of hazardous waste dumping, earned it a top 10 slot on American Rivers’ 2025 list of most endangered rivers.

The Orleans Parish School Board heard a settlement offer from the City of New Orleans in a years-old tax lawsuit. The school board contends the city has illegally skimmed millions of tax dollars from schools.

After missing a crucial step in the renovation of its Leonidas campus, Lycée Français de la Nouvelle Orléans ended up paying more than $408,000 in property taxes — even though public schools are exempt from such charges in Orleans Parish.

Our guests this week are Lens reporters Delaney Dryfoos and Marta Jewson. 

Theme music by Podington Bear. Additional music Glockenspiel Beat by Podington Bear soundofpicture.com. 

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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.