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Behind The Lens

This category offers reflections, artist notes, and behind-the-scenes insights from our photographers and reporters’ perspectives—revealing the thought, emotion, and intention behind the images that define their work.

Beads Won: Politics in Mardi Gras parades

Delaney Nolan discusses the anti-ICE paraders during Mardi Gras.
by Carolyne Heldman February 27, 2026 Updated February 27, 2026

Innovative or Ill-Advised?: A NOLA addiction doctor leaves after her novel approach raises questions at her hospital

Aneri Pattani from KFF Health News talks about Elyse Stevens, who was a primary care and addiction medicine doctor in New Orleans.
by Carolyne Heldman February 20, 2026 Updated February 24, 2026

23 & 1: Solitary confinement in LA prisons is on the rise; also local churches provide shelter and power during outages using solar

Bernard Smith on the dangers of solitary confinement and Delaney Dryfoos on resiliency hubs.
by Carolyne Heldman February 13, 2026 Updated February 27, 2026

A town on the brink of extinction: Modeste is facing an acute concentration of industry as a proposed new development threatens to engulf it

Delaney Nolan on the town of Modeste and a new giant industrial park planned for the area.
by Carolyne Heldman February 6, 2026 Updated February 24, 2026

Emboldened: LA lawmakers ask FDA to restrict abortion meds nationally

Marta Jewson on one year of Act 246, the Louisiana law that locked up life-saving maternal medication. Elise Plunk on a suspended LNG permit that was reissued in Cameron Parish.
by Carolyne Heldman January 16, 2026 Updated January 17, 2026

Instability is the word of the year for one local school

Delaney Nolan on exit bonuses for voluntary deportation promised by the Department of Homeland Security. Marta Jewson on the fate of The Leah Chase School.
by Carolyne Heldman January 9, 2026 Updated January 9, 2026

An Oil Well in Reverse: Smitty’s hopes to inject liquid waste into a landfill in Jefferson Parish

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality allows the operator of Smitty’s to dump pollutants from its recent explosion deep into a Jefferson Parish landfill. Plus, NOLA Public Schools improves, getting a B from the state.
by Carolyne Heldman November 21, 2025 Updated December 3, 2025

Kicking the Can: SNAP during the shutdown and charter schools await their fate

The shutdown is over, how did the state do in protecting its most vulnerable. And charters await their fate with state evaluations.
by Carolyne Heldman November 14, 2025 Updated December 17, 2025

“A Fundamental Reset”

Fossil fuel companies rebrand as "energy" producers. Also construction of a new LNG terminal is halted by a federal judge.
by Carolyne Heldman October 31, 2025 Updated December 17, 2025

Boxing Up Choice: Louisiana AG sues the FDA to halt the shipment of abortion meds. And the Leah Chase School Principal Resigns.

Greg LaRose on Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill's lawsuit against the FDA challenging the distribution of abortion drugs by mail. Marta Jewson on the resignation of Leah Chase School's principal, just two months into the school year.
by Carolyne Heldman October 17, 2025 Updated December 17, 2025

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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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