Now in our fourth year, The Lens has new website, office, funding
A site that's easier to view on phones and tablets, a new daily news roundup, more than $1 million in new pledges.

Funding crisis looms for $14 billion hurricane protection system
The agency responsible for maintaining the multibillion-dollar flood protection system can't afford the $34 million annual bill, and possible solutions are blocked by state and congressional politics. “We’ll soon be facing a $600 million question," says John Barry, vice president of the South Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East.
Middle grades showing academic gains at NOCP
Jindal airs tax plan in D.C. but here at home leaves details to his aides
With his poll numbers down sharply, Jindal has asked donors to finance a $750,000 media blitz.

Ben Mays families lament loss of community as charter is pulled
The Mays community doesn’t dispute the school’s poor scores, but they believe test scores are just one part of the formula that makes for a good school. They cite the school’s familial atmosphere as one of its greatest strengths.

Memo to charters: Steal, pirate, plagiarize the private school playbook
Private prep school have forged many of secondary education's "best practices." Folwell Dunbar says the best public charter schools are smart to be copycats.
Ivor van Heerden, LSU settle wrongful termination lawsuit
Van Heerden credits a column by The Lens' Jed Horne with helping to push LSU to settle.

Ruling stays execution of elderly killer who tortured stepson
Judge says Christopher Sepulvado is entitled to learn more about the state's plan to put him to death with a single drug.