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Category: 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.

Behind The Lens episode 151: ‘The authority to grant or deny parole’

The 2022 city budget passes. A newly proposed tax could expand early childhood education. And Angola prisoner Bobby Sneed is once again denied freedom.
by Carolyne Heldman December 3, 2021 Updated December 3, 2021

Behind The Lens episode 150: ‘I’m the mayor right now’

Last week's election results. City budget hearings wrap up. And alleged special education violations at a Lower 9th Ward charter school.
by Carolyne Heldman November 19, 2021 Updated November 19, 2021

Behind The Lens episode 149: ‘I would say that if I was district attorney’

Budget hearings: Orleans Parish DA's office, but not the Sheriff's Office. A 'smart cities' proposal draws some privacy concerns. Renaming Lusher Charter School. And school agencies want out of a long-running consent decree.
by Carolyne Heldman November 12, 2021 Updated November 12, 2021

Behind The Lens episode 148: ‘Best future use’

The city continues to seek contractors for a plan to turn the Municipal Auditorium into City Hall. Phase III timeline puts FEMA funding at risk. And a look at the upcoming election.
by Carolyne Heldman November 5, 2021 Updated November 5, 2021

Behind The Lens episode 147: The case-to-quarantine ratio

School quarantines underreported due to data error. Cantrell's plan for tens of millions in federal COVID relief. And an update in the case of Brandon Jackson.
by Carolyne Heldman October 22, 2021 Updated October 22, 2021

Behind The Lens episode 146: A parole board matter

An Angola prisoner says his parole was revoked illegally. An explainer on school COVID data. And a plan to give civilian municipal employees limited police powers.
by Carolyne Heldman October 15, 2021 Updated October 15, 2021

Behind The Lens episode 145: ‘It’s like we’re in a holding pattern’

Lens reporter Nicholas Chrastil and Al Jazeera Fault Lines producer Jeremy Young talk about the case of Brandon Jackson and the ongoing impacts of the state's former split jury law.
by Carolyne Heldman October 8, 2021 Updated October 8, 2021

Behind The Lens episode 144: Real subpoenas

A settlement in a suit over conditions on death row. And OPSB is asking to subpoena financial records in an ongoing legal dispute with Singleton Charter School.
by Carolyne Heldman October 1, 2021 Updated October 1, 2021

Behind The Lens episode 143: ‘For now, there’s nowhere to go’

by Charles Maldonado September 24, 2021 Updated September 29, 2021

Behind The Lens episode 142: ‘Due to storm activity in your area’

The power situation in New Orleans and beyond. Stories of evacuees. How jails, and people inside, have done after the storm. And when schools are coming back.
by Carolyne Heldman September 10, 2021 Updated September 10, 2021

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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 and 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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