The Lens sits down with the VERA Institute of Justice and VOTE, Voice of the Experienced, to speak about the alleged exclusion of people with felony convictions from serving on juries in several Louisiana parishes despite a 2021 law change.
Posted inNews
Tornadoes are deadlier in the Southeast, and NOAA wants to know why
The program is the largest tornado field study in more than a decade.
Posted inSchools
Two New Orleans schools will merge this summer
The merger comes as citywide enrollment continues to decline
Posted inEnvironment
Gas export terminals pose a growing and invisible threat: air pollution
Residents around existing LNG facilities in Louisiana already notice the smell and irritants from nearby terminals. With more under construction, air quality is poised to worsen.
Posted inSchools
Lycée students walk out to support fired teacher
Parents and students say the school’s civics teacher was fired after informing students they could attend public meetings.
Posted inEnvironment
Lawsuit alleges Port of South Louisiana violated state sunshine law
Emails exchanged before the meeting circumvented the state’s Open Meetings Law, lawyers argue.
Posted inSchools
Who benefits from TOPS? It just became harder to know.
The program’s need-blind structure means that the most disadvantaged students are hit hardest by reductions.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Alleged exclusion of people with felonies from jury pool doesn’t warrant new trial, judge rules
Jury summonses continued to list outdated qualifications after a state law change in 2021.
Posted inBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens episode 193: ‘It really is kind of horrifying’
Reporter Nick Chrastil on the criminal court’s decision to halt jury trials and reporter Josh Rosenberg discusses “forever chemicals” found in the Mississippi River.
Posted inCriminal Justice
After halting Criminal Court jury trials, hearing reveals new details on juror summons
Lawyers and advocates argue jurors with felony convictions have been improperly excluded from jury pools.