Consolidation or Retaliation? Republican lawmakers move to eliminate the job Calvin Duncan won in a landslide election

Criminal justice reporter Bernard Smith and editor Katy Reckdahl examine Senate Bill 256 and the effort to eliminate the position won by Calvin Duncan, raising questions about consolidation, political power, and the will of voters.

A four-panel collage of Calvin Duncan speaking animatedly during an interview with The Lens. He wears glasses, a checkered shirt, and a t-shirt, using expressive hand gestures as he shares his story. The background is clean and white, highlighting his emotion and energy in each frame. — Calvin Duncan gestures as he speaks during a portrait session with The Lens, reflecting on his landslide election victory as Republican lawmakers advance Senate Bill 256, a proposal that could eliminate the very position he was elected to hold. (Photo by Gus Bennett / The Lens)

In this episode of Behind the Lens, criminal justice reporter Bernard Smith and editor Katy Reckdahl break down Senate Bill 256, a controversial proposal that would eliminate the position recently won by Calvin Duncan in a decisive election.

The discussion explores whether the legislation represents a legitimate effort to consolidate court functions—or a political move with deeper implications for accountability, voter choice, and the future of New Orleans’ criminal justice system.

Podcast Host: Carolyne Heldman

Theme music by Podington Bear. Additional music includes “Down and Around” by Podington Bear via soundofpicture.com. Additional sound courtesy of WWL-TV.

You can also listen to Behind The Lens on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other services.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS