Skip to content

Read Our 2025 Impact Report

Focused On

  • Driving District 6
  • Justice
  • Opinion
  • ICE in Orleans
  • In the N.O.

Main Navigation

The Lens
  • Subscribe
  • ❤ Donate
The Lens
  • Subscribe
  • ❤ Donate

Focused On

  • Driving District 6
  • Justice
  • Opinion
  • ICE in Orleans
  • In the N.O.

Topics

  • Criminal Justice
  • Environment
  • Government & Politics
  • Land Use
  • Schools

Sign Up for the Latest News

  • The Lens Newsletter
  • About The Lens
  • Our Staff

Follow The Lens

  • Bluesky
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

Listen to Behind The Lens Podcast

  • Spotify
  • Environment
  • Criminal Justice
  • ICE enforcement
  • Opinion
  • Schools
  • In the N.O.
  • Podcast
  • About The Lens
  • Support Us

Author: Adam Mahoney, Capital B

Meta’s data center will be the biggest in the U.S., but no one knows who they’re hiring

August 31, 2026 Updated September 8, 2026
Research shows that AI data center facilities are landing in Black and low-income communities already treated as environmental sacrifice zones. In Louisiana, the two neighboring towns have a majority Black population, but residents fear that the jobs are not reaching them.

Black and white Louisiana churches split over $250B Meta data center

July 17, 2026 Updated August 31, 2026
As Meta’s massive AI data center, the most expensive in the nation, transforms rural Richland Parish, Louisiana's Black and white churches are divided over whether technological progress represents a God-given opportunity or a powerful new force likely to deepen inequities.

Young Black men are now dying by suicide at a historic rate

June 24, 2026 Updated June 23, 2026
New CDC data shows that young Black men are now dying by suicide at higher rates than their white peers, for the first time on record.

Toxic chemicals spread even as officials told Black residents of Roseland that they were safe

April 17, 2026 Updated April 17, 2026
Newly released tests and documents in the Louisiana town contradict government reassurances and are fueling protest.

Black residents win key ruling in ‘Cancer Alley’ environmental racism case

February 20, 2026 Updated March 25, 2026
Lawyers for residents say that zoning that concentrates pollution in Black districts is a violation of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery.

Louisiana town fights for relief after billion-dollar oil disaster

January 6, 2026 Updated January 7, 2026
Federal and state officials have sued the company behind the blast, but Roseland, Louisiana, residents say the case won’t bring relief to their town.

About The Lens

The Lens fights to reveal and report on issues that impact the community and the region.

Staunchly defending the public's right to know, we are deeply committed to sharing our knowledge with the community at large. We center human impact in all our work.

Our reporting has more urgency than ever.

Sign up to get the latest news on New Orleans and the Gulf South sent directly to your inbox.

 
 

Support The Lens

We depend on your support. A generous gift in any amount helps us continue to bring you this service.

Donate Now

Most Popular

Damiri Eves, Abramson student killed by pickup in Gentilly, had just turned 14Damiri Eves, Abramson student killed by pickup in Gentilly, had just turned 14September 5, 2026Gus BennettIn the N.O.
As one in five Louisiana families lose SNAP, N.O. schools brace for free lunch impactAs one in five Louisiana families lose SNAP, N.O. schools brace for free lunch impactSeptember 8, 2026Vivi SmilgiusGovernment & Politics
America’s air monitors are disappearing, along with the power to expose pollutersAmerica’s air monitors are disappearing, along with the power to expose pollutersSeptember 10, 2026Ames Alexander and Brad Racino, FloodlightEnvironment

The Lens
The Lens fights to reveal and report on issues that impact the community and the region. Staunchly defending the public's right to know and deeply committed to sharing our knowledge with the community at large. We center human impact in all our work.
  • Bluesky
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • About The Lens
  • Our Staff
  • Employment
  • Contact us
  • Corrections
  • Support The Lens
  • Get The Lens Newsletter
  • Privacy policy
  • Code Of Ethics
  • Republish our stories
Candid Platinum INN Member LION Member
© 2024 The Lens. All Rights Reserved.

Our reporting has more urgency than ever.


For more than a decade, we have reported on issues as well as public policy meant to address the needs of residents. The Lens seeks to focus on the inherent inequality that has created a multi-tiered system. We, at The Lens seek to uncover, illuminate, inform and take part in a forward-looking community. Join us.

 
 

Continue to The Lens