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Author: Carolyne Heldman

About Carolyne Heldman
Carolyne Heldman has been in media for 35 years, most recently as Executive Director at an NPR member station in Colorado where she was responsible for new multi-platform content initiatives, strategic planning, research, branding, and non-traditional revenue generation. During her tenure she also created and launched four weekly news, public affairs and cultural affairs programs and monthly live Town Hall broadcasts. Heldman moved to New Orleans last summer with her husband and canine companion and they live happily in The Marigny.

Behind The Lens episode 159: ‘We have a massive volume, a massive backlog’

February 25, 2022 Updated February 25, 2022
Singleton Charter School gets another warning letter from NOLA Public Schools. City may roll back surveillance bans. And with criminal trials set to restart next month, the court faces a long list of delayed cases.

Behind The Lens episode 158: ‘Even though I’ve been released, I’m still not free’

February 18, 2022 Updated February 18, 2022
Questions about school COVID data. Entergy's generous shareholder payments. And an interview with special guest Brandon Jackson, who was granted parole after 25 years in prison on a split-jury conviction.

Behind The Lens episode 157: Eye in the sky

January 28, 2022 Updated January 28, 2022
State Police monitored George Floyd protests with drones. COVID cases down in city schools. And the City Council rehires longtime Entergy consultants.

Behind The Lens episode 156: Surveillance creep

January 21, 2022 Updated January 21, 2022
The city finds yet another use for its expanded surveillance network. A dispute between OPSB and the New Orleans City Council over grants. And a wrap of the second week of the David Wade Correctional Center civil rights trial.

Behind The Lens episode 155: Is it peaking yet?

January 14, 2022 Updated January 14, 2022
COVID cases at local schools explode with the rise of the omicron variant. Civil rights case against state prison goes to trial. And Bobby Sneed is finally free.

Behind The Lens episode 154: We’re sorry. There are no rapid tests in stock at this location.

January 7, 2022 Updated January 7, 2022
School's out again for some students due to omicron. A City Council vote on pedicabs raises concerns about fairness. And a four-year old class-action suit over conditions at a state prison finally goes to trial next week.

Behind The Lens episode 153: ‘An effort at rebranding’

December 17, 2021 Updated December 17, 2021
The final round of charter school renewals. Allegations of contract-fixing for the New Orleans "smart cities" plan. And a reform effort in state prisons has not produced the promised results.

Behind The Lens episode 152: Off and running

December 10, 2021 Updated December 10, 2021
The municipal runoff is Saturday. We take a look at what's on the ballot in New Orleans. And the state releases 'simulated' performance scores for Louisiana public schools.

Behind The Lens episode 151: ‘The authority to grant or deny parole’

December 3, 2021 Updated December 3, 2021
The 2022 city budget passes. A newly proposed tax could expand early childhood education. And Angola prisoner Bobby Sneed is once again denied freedom.

Behind The Lens episode 150: ‘I’m the mayor right now’

November 19, 2021 Updated November 19, 2021
Last week's election results. City budget hearings wrap up. And alleged special education violations at a Lower 9th Ward charter school.

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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 and deeply committed to sharing our knowledge with the community at large. We center human impact in all our work.

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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.
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