The city looks to prevent gun violence through the health department.

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.

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.

Producer Carolyne Heldman catches up with Criminal Justice Reporter Nick Chrastil.

This week on Behind The Lens, reporters discuss what to watch for on the criminal justice, environmental and education beats in the new year.

Reporter Nick Chrastil on the state’s backlog of inmates awaiting transfer to the state’s psychiatric hospital, Joshua Rosenberg on an ongoing Lake Maurepas project and Michael Isaac Stein how the city’s managed its federal COVID relief funds.

The city passed its annual budget — with the surprise addition of millions in one-time funds. More updates on Greenfield’s proposed $400 million grain silo project and a federal judge denied the sheriff’s request for a consent decree NDA.

Reporters discuss asthma-related health data, Orleans Parish Public Defender funding and potential New Orleans city charter changes in 2023.

Reporter Nick Chrastil looks into the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office expansive requests for search warrants of a 16-year-old who died in custody. Reporter Michael Isaac Stein tells us about the New Orleans Office of Inspector General’s plans for 2023.

Environmental reporter Joshua Rosenberg recaps a visit to Lake Charles where shrimpers and activists launched a flotilla outside an LNG conference. City government reporter Michael Isaac Stein recaps the new “Healthy Homes” ordinance and explains the charter change giving City Council more oversight over mayoral appointees.