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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 podcast logo

Protected Speech or Anti-Semitism? A university syllabus draws scrutiny.

Delaney Nolan on a Tulane program manager who was fired. Bernard Smith on "outrageous" phone call rates in jails after new FCC Chairman delays mandated reductions. Marta Jewson on the 2019 Kennedy grads, who've won another court battle, but the war continues.
by Carolyne Heldman October 10, 2025 Updated October 27, 2025
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Energy Monsters: AI data centers prompt concern about a ‘Digital Cancer Alley.’ Also, the first U.S. climate refugees have regrets

Gus Bennett on Big Tech data centers that threaten more environmental and economic harm in Cancer Alley. Terry Jones on climate refugees 10 years after relocation.
by Carolyne Heldman October 3, 2025 Updated October 3, 2025
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Odorless, invisible and deadly: Exxon plans to lay carbon pipeline alarmingly close to La. residents

Delaney Nolan and Emily Sanders on an Exxon pipeline set to carry highly compressed carbon dioxide in St. James Parish. And Elise Plunk on a Tulane study that found lizards in New Orleans are living with levels of lead in their blood that should be lethal.
by Carolyne Heldman September 26, 2025 Updated December 7, 2025
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Ep. 283: After the Smitty’s Supply explosion, concerns for Lake Pontchartrain

Reporter Delaney Nolan on environmental pollution concerns in the wake of the explosion at Smitty's Supply.
by Carolyne Heldman September 19, 2025 Updated September 30, 2025
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Episode 282: Orleans Parish Prison after the storm ‘We’re still in here’

Bernard Smith and Katy Reckdahl on the men trapped in the Orleans Parish Prison and Broad Street Bridge in the wake of the levee breaches after Hurricane Katrina that flooded New Orleans.
by Marta Jewson September 5, 2025 Updated September 7, 2025
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Behind The Lens episode 281 part II: ‘Completely inadequate’

Longtime 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. Delaney Nolan on ongoing corrosion that could undermine the system again.
by Carolyne Heldman August 26, 2025 Updated August 26, 2025
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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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About The Lens

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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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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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