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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.
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Behind The Lens episode 264 Part II: ‘Our Katrina narrative’

February 17, 2025 Updated February 17, 2025
The Lens spent January talking to Lower 9th Ward residents to tell their stories, narratives a Super Bowl committee wanted to control.
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Behind The Lens episode 264 Part I: ‘Our Katrina narrative’

February 7, 2025 Updated February 7, 2025
The Lens spent January talking to Lower 9th Ward residents to tell their stories, narratives a Super Bowl committee wanted to control.
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Behind The Lens episode 263: ‘They never paid’

January 24, 2025 Updated January 24, 2025
Nick Chrastil and Katy Reckdahl on a temporary shelter Gov. Jeff Landry opened in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl and local concerns about the process. Delaney Dryfoos on The Descendants Project's lawsuit against agencies they allege violated the state constitution in giving Greenfield LLC tax breaks.
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Behind The Lens episode 262: ‘A new generation’s fight’

January 17, 2025 Updated January 17, 2025
Delaney Dryfoos on the sale of Entergy New Orleans' natural gas arm to a new entity and La'Shance Perry on the legal challenge to Act 246, the nation's strongest law blocking certain reproductive healthcare.
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Behind The Lens episode 261: ‘A moment in the year’

December 19, 2024 Updated December 19, 2024
The Lens staffers reflect on our work, including favorite stories, in 2024 and look ahead to 2025.
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Behind The Lens episode 260: ‘Tough Transitions’

December 12, 2024 Updated December 12, 2024
Marta Jewson on the annual December announcement of which charter schools will close. Delaney Dryfoos on work to revitalize Maurepas Swamp.
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Behind The Lens episode 259: Opinion: ‘The education situation’

December 9, 2024 Updated December 9, 2024
In a special episode, Adrinda Kelly, the founding Executive Director of Black Education for New Orleans (BE NOLA), whose mission is to support Black educators and Black-led schools, reflects on two decades of changes in New Orleans education.
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Behind The Lens episode 258: ‘Floodplains’

November 30, 2024 Updated November 30, 2024
Delaney Dryfoos and Eric Schmid on new insurance models Mississippi River towns are leaning on. Nick Chrastil on juveniles leaving the Jackson Parish Jail.
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Behind The Lens episode 257: ‘Creating new reefs’

November 22, 2024 Updated November 22, 2024
Delaney Dryfoos and La'Shance Perry on "Cajun Coral," a type of 3D printed coral used to help rebuild living reefs. Marta Jewson on the NOLA Public Schools' $36 million budget shortfall and superintendent's midyear resignation.
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Behind The Lens episode 256: ‘A Tricky Endeavor’

November 15, 2024 Updated November 15, 2024
Delaney Dryfoos a federal rule to eliminate lead pipes in the next decade. Nick Chrastil on changes to federal welfare money. Jay Marcano on the call for Tulane University to divest from fossil fuels.

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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, we are 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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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.

 
 

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