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Behind The Lens

Behind the Lens offers reporter’s thoughts, analysis and perspective on their stories, offering a glimpse into the inner workings of the Lens newsroom; how a particular story came to be, why it matters and what it might mean to our listeners.

Behind The Lens episode 177: ‘For these reasons, the Court will hold yet another status conference’

Alleged violations of special education law at the city's largest charter network. An expensive tax deal in St. John Parish. And yes, we indeed have more Phase III content.
by Carolyne Heldman August 12, 2022 Updated August 29, 2022

Behind The Lens episode 176: ‘Plaintiffs look to the court to bring this nightmare to an end’

Gulf Coast 'dead zone' smaller this year, but still larger than it should be. Council tries to rein in facial recognition. And a lawsuit over the 2019 JFK High graduation scandal is still ongoing.
by Carolyne Heldman August 5, 2022 Updated August 5, 2022

Behind The Lens episode 175: ‘The evidence was not there’

A federal jury acquits Orleans Parish DA Jason Williams on 10 counts of tax fraud. And the New Orleans City Council and Entergy agree to a moratorium on service suspensions.
by Carolyne Heldman July 29, 2022 Updated July 29, 2022

Behind The Lens episode 174: Defendant Williams

The DA goes on trial. St. James rejects solar ban. And another new Orleans school fails to graduate students on time as a result of administrative problems.
by Carolyne Heldman July 22, 2022 Updated July 22, 2022

Behind The Lens episode 173: ‘Too vague to be valid’

Nick Chrastil breaks the most recent news over a controversial jail building. Joshua Rosenberg on the relocation of dozens of families from the Gordon Plaza subdivision. Marta Jewson on the state's abortion trigger laws, including a preview of Friday's Orleans Parish Civil District Court hearing.
by Carolyne Heldman July 8, 2022 Updated July 20, 2022

Behind The Lens episode 172: Trigger bans

Reporters discuss the state of abortion in Louisiana following last week's Supreme Court ruling. And the Army Corps of Engineers is taking a close look at a proposed construction project in St. John.
by Carolyne Heldman July 1, 2022 Updated July 1, 2022

Behind The Lens episode 171: Here’s why this is actually a good thing

Newly released 'smart cities' emails. Louisiana kids are being shipped to out-of-state jails. And the city still doesn't have school zone lights under control.
by Carolyne Heldman June 17, 2022 Updated June 17, 2022

Behind The Lens episode 170: ‘Accountability is not always an attack. And seeking transparency isn’t necessarily a witch hunt.’ 

The 'smart cities' controversy goes to court. Phase two of the Angola healthcare civil rights trial. And a state auditor finds that New Orleans schools have fewer certified teachers than others around the state.
by Carolyne Heldman June 10, 2022 Updated June 10, 2022

Behind The Lens episode 169: ‘Greetings OPSO Family’

A tough first month for the new sheriff. Masks are back at some city school. Contempt charges possible in 'smart cities' probe. And an introduction to The Lens' new environmental reporter.
by Carolyne Heldman June 3, 2022 Updated June 3, 2022

Behind The Lens episode 168: ‘We keep peeling back an onion and there’s more layers’

City WiFi project appears to share many of the same conflicts as abandoned 'smart cities' deal. A bill to send 17-year-olds to adult jail advances. And more details on the enrollment decline at NOLA Public Schools.
by Carolyne Heldman May 27, 2022 Updated May 27, 2022

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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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