The St. James Parish government’s long history of locating highly pollutive industrial facilities in areas of the parish home to large concentrations of Black residents constitutes discrimination, and the parish must cease the practice, residents and environmental groups argued in a lawsuit filed in federal court this week. “We stand here today to say we […]
Posted inOpinion
The City Council must stand up for our neighbors and culture
As the artist Phlegm says, “Everything you love about New Orleans is because of Black people.” You can’t say you love and appreciate the culture we’re famous for while simultaneously hollowing out the Black neighborhoods responsible for it to serve wealthy tourists who call us “ghetto” and “sketchy.” Just check the Airbnb reviews in Central City or […]
Posted inEnvironment
U.S. Gulf Coast helps the world with natural gas exports, but at what cost?
About 30 miles south of New Orleans, a construction site visible from space is rising. Sandwiched between the Mississippi River and disappearing wetlands, the 256-hectare (632-acre) site is visited by a stream of tipper trucks and concrete mixers that stir up dust on Louisiana 23, the state highway that goes down to Venice, the last […]
Posted inBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens episode 197: ‘You can’t come out later and say it was in the name of safety’
Jurors are back in the criminal district courtrooms after a pause due to summons issues. Environmental groups review their options after a judge dismisses their lawsuit over an LNG facility.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Proposal to give police 25-foot buffer raises constitutional concerns
Getting within 25 feet of a police officer after being told to stop would be a crime under a measure being pushed by a Louisiana lawmaker, but the idea is raising constitutional concerns among advocacy organizations, who say it could deter people from witnessing and recording police abuse when they see it taking place. State […]
Posted inNews
School zone lights must now work in order to ticket drivers
An ordinance passed by the New Orleans City Council requires school zone flashing yellow lights to be working properly for camera tickets to be valid
Posted inEnvironment
Judge dismisses suit over Plaquemines LNG facility, environmental groups review options
Judge Wilson Fields of the 19th Judicial District Court in Baton Rouge on Monday sided with the state in dismissing the group’s petition but did not rule on the merits of their case. The environmental groups are now evaluating their legal options.
Posted inInside the News Room
A note from the new managing editor of The Lens
A new managing editor for The Lens returns home, bringing new ideas to a familiar place
Posted inEnvironment
Bill would end eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines
Fears of explosions prompt CO2 pipeline bill.
Posted inBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens episode 196: ‘There’s room for more transparency’
Our guests this week are Lens reporters Joshua Rosenberg and Marta Jewson.