Skip to content

Focused On

  • Justice
  • Opinion
  • ICE in Orleans
  • In the N.O.
  • Lens Carnival Edition

Main Navigation

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

Focused On

  • Justice
  • Opinion
  • ICE in Orleans
  • In the N.O.
  • Lens Carnival Edition

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
  • Lens Carnival Edition
  • About The Lens
  • Support Us

Author: Carolyne Heldman

About Carolyne Heldman
Carolyne Heldman Rovira has been in media for 35 years, and is currently the podcast host and producer for Behind The Lens. Heldman served as executive director at Aspen Public Radio, an NPR affiliate, where she launched four weekly news, public affairs, and cultural affairs programs. She has been a guest lecturer at Tulane University, is a frequent guest and moderator for the Aspen Institute, Rocky Mountain Institute, and the American Enterprise Institute.

Behind The Lens episode 178: ‘It was like they were trying to keep it a secret’

September 2, 2022 Updated September 2, 2022
New Orleans jail detainees report serious injuries from raid last month. St. James Parish rejects zoning change for site of stalled methanol plant. And the New Orleans City Council takes action on short-term rentals and disputed water bills.

Behind The Lens episode 177: ‘For these reasons, the Court will hold yet another status conference’

August 12, 2022 Updated August 29, 2022
Alleged violations of special education law at the city's largest charter network. An expensive tax deal in St. John Parish. And yes, we indeed have more Phase III content.

Behind The Lens episode 176: ‘Plaintiffs look to the court to bring this nightmare to an end’

August 5, 2022 Updated August 5, 2022
Gulf Coast 'dead zone' smaller this year, but still larger than it should be. Council tries to rein in facial recognition. And a lawsuit over the 2019 JFK High graduation scandal is still ongoing.

Behind The Lens episode 175: ‘The evidence was not there’

July 29, 2022 Updated July 29, 2022
A federal jury acquits Orleans Parish DA Jason Williams on 10 counts of tax fraud. And the New Orleans City Council and Entergy agree to a moratorium on service suspensions.

Behind The Lens episode 174: Defendant Williams

July 22, 2022 Updated July 22, 2022
The DA goes on trial. St. James rejects solar ban. And another new Orleans school fails to graduate students on time as a result of administrative problems.

Behind The Lens episode 173: ‘Too vague to be valid’

July 8, 2022 Updated July 20, 2022
Nick Chrastil breaks the most recent news over a controversial jail building. Joshua Rosenberg on the relocation of dozens of families from the Gordon Plaza subdivision. Marta Jewson on the state's abortion trigger laws, including a preview of Friday's Orleans Parish Civil District Court hearing.

Behind The Lens episode 172: Trigger bans

July 1, 2022 Updated July 1, 2022
Reporters discuss the state of abortion in Louisiana following last week's Supreme Court ruling. And the Army Corps of Engineers is taking a close look at a proposed construction project in St. John.

Behind The Lens episode 171: Here’s why this is actually a good thing

June 17, 2022 Updated June 17, 2022
Newly released 'smart cities' emails. Louisiana kids are being shipped to out-of-state jails. And the city still doesn't have school zone lights under control.

Behind The Lens episode 170: ‘Accountability is not always an attack. And seeking transparency isn’t necessarily a witch hunt.’ 

June 10, 2022 Updated June 10, 2022
The 'smart cities' controversy goes to court. Phase two of the Angola healthcare civil rights trial. And a state auditor finds that New Orleans schools have fewer certified teachers than others around the state.

Behind The Lens episode 169: ‘Greetings OPSO Family’

June 3, 2022 Updated June 3, 2022
A tough first month for the new sheriff. Masks are back at some city school. Contempt charges possible in 'smart cities' probe. And an introduction to The Lens' new environmental reporter.

Posts navigation

  • «
  • 1
  • …
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • …
  • 22
  • »

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

Why The Guardian's new article about New Orleans feels like 'a modern day redlining of an entire city.'Why The Guardian's new article about New Orleans feels like 'a modern day redlining of an entire city.'May 6, 2026Christopher ArdEnvironment
The boy in the video, the boy in the mugshot: Louisiana met Markel Lee twiceThe boy in the video, the boy in the mugshot: Louisiana met Markel Lee twiceMay 7, 2026Andrea HaganCriminal Justice
As Duncan waits for courts to act, New Orleanians pose for selfies with him.As Duncan waits for courts to act, New Orleanians pose for selfies with him.May 8, 2026Katy ReckdahlCriminal Justice

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
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