Behind The Lens episode 123: ‘Intended only for personal use’

City school system has competition for Harrah's dollars. And the DA's office says it will no longer prosecute most low-level drug offenses.

This week on Behind the Lens, New Orleans City Council has signaled they may be prioritizing early childhood education with funds paid by Harrah’s New Orleans casino as part of its lease with the city. Those funds previously went to the NOLA Public Schools district.

And the New Orleans DA’s office will no longer prosecute most low level drug offenses, according to internal emails obtained by The Lens. 

Our guests this week are education reporter Marta Jewson, criminal justice reporter Nick Chrastil, and The Lens editor Charles Maldonado.

Behind The Lens is available on Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle Play and Stitcher. And we broadcast the show on community radio stations 102.3 FM WHIV LP in Mid-City and 90.3 FM WAMF-LP in the Marigny.

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.