Skip to content

Focused On

  • Top 10 of 2025
  • ICE in Orleans
  • Justice
  • Katrina20
  • Schools

Main Navigation

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

Focused On

  • Top 10 of 2025
  • ICE in Orleans
  • Justice
  • Katrina20
  • Schools

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
  • Katrina20
  • Criminal Justice
  • Schools
  • Opinion
  • In the N.O.
  • Environment
  • Podcast
  • About The Lens
  • Support Us

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 235: ‘One step behind Exxon’ News Update

April 25, 2024 Updated May 1, 2024
This week on Behind The Lens, Sara Sneath on a Louisiana law that allows carbon capture well sites to remain unknown under a "trade secret" exception and Nick Chrastil on state legislation that could cut food stamps for thousands.

Behind The Lens episode 234: ‘Rabble-rousing at the Big Green’

April 12, 2024 Updated April 12, 2024
La'Shance Perry on St. John Parish's vote on rezoning for Greenfield. Delaney Dryfoos on Gov. Landry's Task Force for Sewerage and Water Board. And Katy Reckdahl on union organizing at Tulane University.

Behind The Lens episode 233: ‘A Black hamlet’

March 29, 2024 Updated March 29, 2024
Delaney Dryfoos on St. John the Baptist Parish's voted to allow heavy industrial uses on the parish’s rural West Bank after years of contentious debate. Nick Chrastil on Gov. Jeff Landry's seismic changes to the criminal justice system.

Behind The Lens “Sunshine Week” episode 232: ‘It’s so powerful to see’

March 15, 2024 Updated March 18, 2024
Lens reporters on the Louisiana Public Records Act and how it helps us fulfill our mission. We reflect on how records made possible reporting on Henry Montgomery, a graduation scandal at Kennedy High School and the uncovering of the state's decision to send kids in juvenile detention across state lines.

Behind The Lens episode 231: ‘We cannot allow it to fail’

March 8, 2024 Updated March 8, 2024
Katy Reckdahl and La'Shance Perry on the loss of musician Kerry "Fatman" Hunter. Marta Jewson and Dr. Ashonta Wyatt on the district's decision to open a direct-run school at Lafayette.

Behind The Lens episode 230: ‘It’s easy to get lost in the fun of Mardi Gras’

February 23, 2024 Updated February 23, 2024
La'Shance Perry on the Krewe of Choctaw's harmful portrayal of culture to those of Choctaw heritage. Delaney Dryfoos on stepped up Carnival recycling efforts this year. And Nick Chrastil on gun arrests during Mardi Gras and concerns about racial profiling.

Behind The Lens episode 229: ‘Backtracking on promises’

February 8, 2024 Updated February 8, 2024

Behind The Lens episode 228: ‘The river knows what to do’

February 2, 2024 Updated February 2, 2024
Marshland restoration is underway in Barataria Basin. Lafayette Academy families are still trying to catch their breath after the district told them their school would close — and then reversed its decision. A parade celebrating Martin Luther King Jr., returned to its historic route on St. Claude Avenue this year.

Behind The Lens episode 227: ‘There’s no real public oversight’

January 26, 2024 Updated January 26, 2024
Nick Chrastil on The Lens' lawsuit against the state Office of Juvenile Justice for public records related to its $9.5m emergency staffing contract. And author Matthew Kincaid joins us to talk about his new book: Freedom Teaching.

Behind The Lens episode 226: ‘The means to fight this’

January 12, 2024 Updated January 12, 2024
Nick Chrastil on the federal consent decree guiding the jail's construction of a facility called Phase III. Terry Jones from Floodlight on carbon capture and sequestration in the state.

Posts navigation

  • «
  • 1
  • …
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • …
  • 21
  • »

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.

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

Four injured, one dead, after man enters Dooky Chase’s with gunman in pursuitFour injured, one dead, after man enters Dooky Chase’s with gunman in pursuitJanuary 17, 2026Katy Reckdahl with photos by Gus BennettCriminal Justice
Footprint of solitary confinement in Louisiana expands because of ICE use of isolationFootprint of solitary confinement in Louisiana expands because of ICE use of isolationJanuary 20, 2026Bernard SmithCriminal Justice
Buyouts for a petrochemical complex threaten to erase ModesteBuyouts for a petrochemical complex threaten to erase ModesteJanuary 12, 2026Delaney NolanEnvironment

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
  • 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