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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.

Behind The Lens episode 158: ‘Even though I’ve been released, I’m still not free’

Questions about school COVID data. Entergy's generous shareholder payments. And an interview with special guest Brandon Jackson, who was granted parole after 25 years in prison on a split-jury conviction.
by Carolyne Heldman February 18, 2022 Updated February 18, 2022

Behind The Lens episode 157: Eye in the sky

State Police monitored George Floyd protests with drones. COVID cases down in city schools. And the City Council rehires longtime Entergy consultants.
by Carolyne Heldman January 28, 2022 Updated January 28, 2022

Behind The Lens episode 156: Surveillance creep

The city finds yet another use for its expanded surveillance network. A dispute between OPSB and the New Orleans City Council over grants. And a wrap of the second week of the David Wade Correctional Center civil rights trial.
by Carolyne Heldman January 21, 2022 Updated January 21, 2022

Behind The Lens episode 155: Is it peaking yet?

COVID cases at local schools explode with the rise of the omicron variant. Civil rights case against state prison goes to trial. And Bobby Sneed is finally free.
by Carolyne Heldman January 14, 2022 Updated January 14, 2022

Behind The Lens episode 154: We’re sorry. There are no rapid tests in stock at this location.

School's out again for some students due to omicron. A City Council vote on pedicabs raises concerns about fairness. And a four-year old class-action suit over conditions at a state prison finally goes to trial next week.
by Carolyne Heldman January 7, 2022 Updated January 7, 2022

Behind The Lens episode 153: ‘An effort at rebranding’

The final round of charter school renewals. Allegations of contract-fixing for the New Orleans "smart cities" plan. And a reform effort in state prisons has not produced the promised results.
by Carolyne Heldman December 17, 2021 Updated December 17, 2021

Behind The Lens episode 152: Off and running

The municipal runoff is Saturday. We take a look at what's on the ballot in New Orleans. And the state releases 'simulated' performance scores for Louisiana public schools.
by Carolyne Heldman December 10, 2021 Updated December 10, 2021

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

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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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