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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.

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Behind The Lens episode 281 part I: ‘Completely inadequate’

Longtime Times-Picayune environmental reporter Mark Schleifstein on the federal flood after the U.S. Army Corps' levees failed and flooded 80 percent of the city in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
by Carolyne Heldman August 22, 2025 Updated August 26, 2025
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Behind The Lens episode 281: ‘Crumbling’

Reporter Marta Jewson, educator Deborah Richardson and advocate Ashana Bigard on John McDonogh High School's demise after a Los Angeles-based charter group took control.
by Carolyne Heldman August 15, 2025 Updated September 2, 2025
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Behind The Lens episode 280: ‘The licensing of Essence’

Bernard Smith on conditions at Angola as heat alerts persist across the country. Gus Bennett on Essence Fest's rapid expansion — and questions about who it's serving.
by Carolyne Heldman August 8, 2025 Updated August 8, 2025
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Behind the Lens episode 279: ‘Incompetent or lying’

Delaney Dryfoos on what the Alabo Street Wharf development may mean for neighbors. Matthew Wollenweber on NOPD's use of surveillance, including 5,000 cameras and partnerships that use facial recognition technology.
by Carolyne Heldman August 1, 2025 Updated August 1, 2025
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Behind The Lens episode 278: ‘Failed to file’

Matt McBride on a controversial candidate for the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans. Marta Jewson on how state standardized test scores should serve the children who take the tests.
by Carolyne Heldman July 25, 2025 Updated July 25, 2025
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Behind The Lens episode 277: ‘Hotter, hotter and hotter’

Bernard Smith on New Orleans' notorious House of Detention and protections for Angola's Farm Line workers in summer heat. Marta Jewson on a student's suspension pending a mental health eval — a flagarent violation of special education law.
by Carolyne Heldman July 11, 2025 Updated July 11, 2025
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Behind The Lens episode 276: ‘Breathing poison air’

Delaney Dryfoos on Louisiana's decidion to classify natural gas, a fossil fuel, as "green energy." Brian Bienkowski on air pollutants effects on pregnant women and findings about early labor.
by Carolyne Heldman June 27, 2025 Updated June 27, 2025
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Behind The Lens episode 275: ‘Snake hips’

Mizani Ball on ethnographic dancer Chipo Kandake on her history of American music performance. Marta Jewson on improving literacy scores for young Louisiana students.
by Carolyne Heldman June 23, 2025 Updated June 24, 2025
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Behind The Lens episode 274: ‘Human decency’

Reporter Bernard Smith and Editor Katy Reckdahl break down a new program that provides tablets to incarcerated individuals. And a recent ruling to protect Angola's Farm Line workers.
by Carolyne Heldman June 13, 2025 Updated June 13, 2025
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Behind The Lens episode 273: ‘Caught in the lurch’

Delaney Dryfoos on the the largest new delta in North America. Marta Jewson on how the decentralized New Orleans school district caught one special education student in the lurch between NOLA Public Schools and KIPP New Orleans.
by Carolyne Heldman May 16, 2025 Updated May 16, 2025

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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 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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