Skip to content

Read Our 2025 Impact Report

Focused On

  • Driving District 6
  • Justice
  • Opinion
  • ICE in Orleans
  • In the N.O.

Main Navigation

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

Focused On

  • Driving District 6
  • Justice
  • Opinion
  • ICE in Orleans
  • In the N.O.

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
  • 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 236: ‘An energy company deciding subject matter’

May 10, 2024 Updated May 10, 2024
Sara Sneath on LSU's unusual relationship with the oil and gas industry. Marta Jewson on Lycée Français charter school's union drive.

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.

Posts navigation

  • «
  • 1
  • …
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • …
  • 23
  • »

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

Court deems Black cultural connections as race, not cultureCourt deems Black cultural connections as race, not cultureAugust 24, 2026Emmanuel Felton, with photographs by Gus BennettDriving District 6
Louisiana judge holds ICE official in contemptLouisiana judge holds ICE official in contemptAugust 21, 2026Delaney NolanICE enforcement
While New Orleans invested in violence intervention, Baton Rouge made crippling cutsWhile New Orleans invested in violence intervention, Baton Rouge made crippling cutsAugust 13, 2026Sateria Tate-Alexander and Danny AllenCriminal 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
  • Privacy policy
  • Code Of Ethics
  • Republish our stories
Candid Platinum 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