Focused On

A Town on the Brink of Extinction: Modeste is facing an acute concentration of industry as a proposed new development threatens to engulf it

Delaney Nolan on the town of Modeste and a new giant industrial park planned for the area.
by Carolyne Heldman

This week on Behind The Lens, a lawsuit targets the rezoning of land for industry, which would displace hundreds in Modeste, a predominantly Black community in Ascension Parish. Buyouts for a petrochemical complex threaten to erase Modeste.

Our guest this week is The Lens environmental reporter Delaney Nolan.

Theme music by Podington Bear. Additional music “On a Wing” 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.

View all posts by Carolyne Heldman