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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 234: ‘Rabble-rousing at the Big Green’

La'Shance Perry on St. John Parish's vote on rezoning for Greenfield. Delaney Dryfoos on Gov. Landry's Task Force for Sewerage and Water Board. And Katy Reckdahl on union organizing at Tulane University.
by Carolyne Heldman April 12, 2024 Updated April 12, 2024

Behind The Lens episode 233: ‘A Black hamlet’

Delaney Dryfoos on St. John the Baptist Parish's voted to allow heavy industrial uses on the parish’s rural West Bank after years of contentious debate. Nick Chrastil on Gov. Jeff Landry's seismic changes to the criminal justice system.
by Carolyne Heldman March 29, 2024 Updated March 29, 2024

Behind The Lens “Sunshine Week” episode 232: ‘It’s so powerful to see’

Lens reporters on the Louisiana Public Records Act and how it helps us fulfill our mission. We reflect on how records made possible reporting on Henry Montgomery, a graduation scandal at Kennedy High School and the uncovering of the state's decision to send kids in juvenile detention across state lines.
by Carolyne Heldman March 15, 2024 Updated March 18, 2024

Behind The Lens episode 231: ‘We cannot allow it to fail’

Katy Reckdahl and La'Shance Perry on the loss of musician Kerry "Fatman" Hunter. Marta Jewson and Dr. Ashonta Wyatt on the district's decision to open a direct-run school at Lafayette.
by Carolyne Heldman March 8, 2024 Updated March 8, 2024

Behind The Lens episode 230: ‘It’s easy to get lost in the fun of Mardi Gras’

La'Shance Perry on the Krewe of Choctaw's harmful portrayal of culture to those of Choctaw heritage. Delaney Dryfoos on stepped up Carnival recycling efforts this year. And Nick Chrastil on gun arrests during Mardi Gras and concerns about racial profiling.
by Carolyne Heldman February 23, 2024 Updated February 23, 2024

Behind The Lens episode 229: ‘Backtracking on promises’

by Carolyne Heldman February 8, 2024 Updated February 8, 2024

Behind The Lens episode 228: ‘The river knows what to do’

Marshland restoration is underway in Barataria Basin. Lafayette Academy families are still trying to catch their breath after the district told them their school would close — and then reversed its decision. A parade celebrating Martin Luther King Jr., returned to its historic route on St. Claude Avenue this year.
by Carolyne Heldman February 2, 2024 Updated February 2, 2024

Behind The Lens episode 227: ‘There’s no real public oversight’

Nick Chrastil on The Lens' lawsuit against the state Office of Juvenile Justice for public records related to its $9.5m emergency staffing contract. And author Matthew Kincaid joins us to talk about his new book: Freedom Teaching.
by Carolyne Heldman January 26, 2024 Updated January 26, 2024

Behind The Lens episode 226: ‘The means to fight this’

Nick Chrastil on the federal consent decree guiding the jail's construction of a facility called Phase III. Terry Jones from Floodlight on carbon capture and sequestration in the state.
by Carolyne Heldman January 12, 2024 Updated January 12, 2024

Behind The Lens episode 225: ‘If there’s an accident, it’d be hard to evacuate’ ‘

Delaney Dryfoos on new land growing along Louisiana's coast. Sara Sneath on Venture Global's tax incentives in Plaquemines Parish and parallels to the mining town of Port Sulphur.
by Carolyne Heldman December 28, 2023 Updated January 2, 2024

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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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