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 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.