Behind The Lens episode 135: ‘A quarter for the Quarter’

A forensic audit reveals new details about Singleton Charter School's background check problems. A dispute over whether hotel rooms should be included in the French Quarter security tax. And more politicians oppose a mandated new jail facility.

This week on Behind the Lens, a forensic investigation of the Dryades YMCA, which runs James M. Singleton Charter School, specifically names the organization’s former CFO and details the process for allegedly producing fake background checks. 

The French Quarter security tax, approved by voters in the spring, has been delayed over demands for an exemption for hotel rooms.

A candidate for sheriff joins a current council member and reform advocates to oppose the new jail facility known as Phase III.

Our guests this week are education reporter Marta Jewson, government and cultural economy reporter Michael Isaac Stein, criminal justice reporter Nick Chrastil and Lens editor Charles Maldonado.

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.