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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 162: The ‘clickbait’ special

Millions of dollars in New Orleans property owned by Folgers is missing from the tax rolls. The legislature considers two bills on prison medical services. And a proposed tax for early childhood education could be a financial boon for the NOLA Public Schools district.
by Carolyne Heldman March 25, 2022 Updated March 25, 2022

Behind The Lens episode 161: ‘Out of courtesy for the candidates’

New City Council district maps. OPSB moves 'one or more' superintendent candidates forward. And a federal judge tells the city to move forward on the controversial Phase III facility.
by Carolyne Heldman March 18, 2022 Updated March 18, 2022

Behind The Lens episode 160: ‘They knew that the storm was coming’

Oil workers on foreign-flagged ships are subject to fewer protections. BGR says livestreaming public meetings should be adopted permanently. And an update on the DA's office's review of split-jury convictions.
by Carolyne Heldman March 11, 2022 Updated March 11, 2022

Behind The Lens episode 159: ‘We have a massive volume, a massive backlog’

Singleton Charter School gets another warning letter from NOLA Public Schools. City may roll back surveillance bans. And with criminal trials set to restart next month, the court faces a long list of delayed cases.
by Carolyne Heldman February 25, 2022 Updated February 25, 2022

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

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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, we are 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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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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