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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.
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Behind The Lens episode 277: ‘Hotter, hotter and hotter’

July 11, 2025 Updated July 11, 2025
Bernard Smith on New Orleans' notorious House of Detention and protections for Angola's Farm Line workers in summer heat. Marta Jewson on a student's suspension pending a mental health eval — a flagarent violation of special education law.
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Behind The Lens episode 276: ‘Breathing poison air’

June 27, 2025 Updated June 27, 2025
Delaney Dryfoos on Louisiana's decidion to classify natural gas, a fossil fuel, as "green energy." Brian Bienkowski on air pollutants effects on pregnant women and findings about early labor.
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Behind The Lens episode 275: ‘Snake hips’

June 23, 2025 Updated June 24, 2025
Mizani Ball on ethnographic dancer Chipo Kandake on her history of American music performance. Marta Jewson on improving literacy scores for young Louisiana students.
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Behind The Lens episode 274: ‘Human decency’

June 13, 2025 Updated June 13, 2025
Reporter Bernard Smith and Editor Katy Reckdahl break down a new program that provides tablets to incarcerated individuals. And a recent ruling to protect Angola's Farm Line workers.
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Behind The Lens episode 273: ‘Caught in the lurch’

May 16, 2025 Updated May 16, 2025
Delaney Dryfoos on the the largest new delta in North America. Marta Jewson on how the decentralized New Orleans school district caught one special education student in the lurch between NOLA Public Schools and KIPP New Orleans.
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Behind The Lens episode 272: ‘Growing threat’

May 9, 2025 Updated May 9, 2025
Delaney Dryfoos on the Calcasieu River's concerning pollution. Marta Jewson on Lycee's $400k property tax bill and the city's offer to settle a lawsuit with the school board.
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Behind The Lens episode 271: ‘Death warrant’

April 17, 2025 Updated April 17, 2025
Nick Chastil and Katy Reckdahl on working conditions at Angola's Farm Line, with an eye on summer heat, and execution in Louisiana, following the first state execution in more than a decade.
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Behind The Lens episode 270: ‘The wrong schools’

April 11, 2025 Updated April 11, 2025
Education reporter Marta Jewson on the state's request that the courts free them from a special education consent decree, the city council seeks to send $10m to schools and NOLA Public Schools has a new superintendent.
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Behind the Lens episode 269: ‘They are not forgotten’

March 28, 2025 Updated March 28, 2025
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Behind the Lens episode 266 Carnival Part II: ‘The best spot on Fat Tuesday’

March 27, 2025 Updated March 27, 2025
Mizani Ball on family and friends settling in to their traditional parade watching spots on the route. Katy Reckdahl on a Black Masking Indian continuing his father's tradition.

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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
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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