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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 267: ‘Young, Black, vibrant’

March 14, 2025 Updated March 14, 2025
Mizani Ball and Marta Jewson on how Mardi Gras Day parade route changes affected local businesses and marching bands. Delaney Dryfoos on Venture Global's expansion plans amid its spotty environmental compliance record.
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Behind the Lens episode 266 Carnival Part I: ‘Throw less, throw better’

March 2, 2025 Updated March 2, 2025
Nick Chrastil on how gun laws clash during Carnival, including on the parade route. Delaney Dryfoos on krewes' efforts to make parades greener. And Marta Jewson on high school marching bands — and their budgets.
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Behind The Lens episode 265: ‘That’s just a payday loan’

February 21, 2025 Updated February 21, 2025
Nick Chrastil on records that show plans for Gov. Jeff Landry's "transitional center" were well underway before the terrorist attack. Marta Jewson on the ongoing dispute over a supposed $90 million settlement between the City and School Board amid its financial crisis.
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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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About The Lens

The Lens fights to reveal and report on issues that impact the community and the region.

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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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