Behind The Lens Episode 186: ‘There was a real power struggle at the time’

Environmental reporter Joshua Rosenberg recaps a visit to Lake Charles where shrimpers and activists launched a flotilla outside an LNG conference. City government reporter Michael Isaac Stein recaps the new "Healthy Homes" ordinance and explains the charter change giving City Council more oversight over mayoral appointees.

This week on Behind The Lens, a flotilla of boats bringing fishermen, shrimpers and climate activists together protested in the waters surrounding a hotel and casino where a gathering of oil and gas industry executives was taking place.

The New Orleans City Council, last week unanimously passed a “Healthy Homes” ordinance to create new protections for renters. Some housing advocates say the law was significantly pared down and wasn’t worth passing while other said it was a good start to protecting renters.

On Tuesday, voters in New Orleans granted the City Council oversight of the Mayor for some key hiring decisions. 

Our guests this week are Lens reporters Joshua Rosenberg, Michael Isaac Stein and editor Marta Jewson.

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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.