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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 270: ‘The wrong schools’

Education reporter Marta Jewson on the state's request that the courts free them from a special education consent decree, the city council seeks to send $10m to schools and NOLA Public Schools has a new superintendent.
by Carolyne Heldman April 11, 2025 Updated April 11, 2025
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Behind the Lens episode 269: ‘They are not forgotten’

by Carolyne Heldman March 28, 2025 Updated March 28, 2025
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Behind the Lens episode 266 Carnival Part II: ‘The best spot on Fat Tuesday’

Mizani Ball on family and friends settling in to their traditional parade watching spots on the route. Katy Reckdahl on a Black Masking Indian continuing his father's tradition.
by Carolyne Heldman March 27, 2025 Updated March 27, 2025
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Behind The Lens episode 268: ‘Cruel and unusual’

Special guest Ned Randolph on Entergy's proposal to build a massive AI data center in an impoverished section of north Louisiana that Meta is eyeing. Nick Chrastil on the state's push to use nitrogen hypoxia for executions.
by Carolyne Heldman March 21, 2025 Updated April 4, 2026
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Behind The Lens episode 267: ‘Young, Black, vibrant’

Mizani Ball and Marta Jewson on how Mardi Gras Day parade route changes affected local businesses and marching bands. Delaney Dryfoos on Venture Global's expansion plans amid its spotty environmental compliance record.
by Carolyne Heldman March 14, 2025 Updated March 14, 2025
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Behind the Lens episode 266 Carnival Part I: ‘Throw less, throw better’

Nick Chrastil on how gun laws clash during Carnival, including on the parade route. Delaney Dryfoos on krewes' efforts to make parades greener. And Marta Jewson on high school marching bands — and their budgets.
by Carolyne Heldman March 2, 2025 Updated March 2, 2025
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Behind The Lens episode 265: ‘That’s just a payday loan’

Nick Chrastil on records that show plans for Gov. Jeff Landry's "transitional center" were well underway before the terrorist attack. Marta Jewson on the ongoing dispute over a supposed $90 million settlement between the City and School Board amid its financial crisis.
by Carolyne Heldman February 21, 2025 Updated February 21, 2025
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Behind The Lens episode 264 Part II: ‘Our Katrina narrative’

The Lens spent January talking to Lower 9th Ward residents to tell their stories, narratives a Super Bowl committee wanted to control.
by Carolyne Heldman February 17, 2025 Updated February 17, 2025
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Behind The Lens episode 264 Part I: ‘Our Katrina narrative’

The Lens spent January talking to Lower 9th Ward residents to tell their stories, narratives a Super Bowl committee wanted to control.
by Carolyne Heldman February 7, 2025 Updated February 7, 2025
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Behind The Lens episode 263: ‘They never paid’

Nick Chrastil and Katy Reckdahl on a temporary shelter Gov. Jeff Landry opened in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl and local concerns about the process. Delaney Dryfoos on The Descendants Project's lawsuit against agencies they allege violated the state constitution in giving Greenfield LLC tax breaks.
by Carolyne Heldman January 24, 2025 Updated January 24, 2025

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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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