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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 224: ‘Holding power to account’

Delaney Dryfoos on St. John Parish's President cutting off advocate Joy Banner during public comment. Now, she's suing for the violation of her First Amendment rights. A judge again barred the parish from changing the zoning on the Greenfield Property.
by Carolyne Heldman December 21, 2023 Updated December 19, 2023

Behind The Lens episode 223: ‘History and art everywhere you look’

Nick Chrastil and La'Shance Perry on the NOPD's plans to use drones which concerns privacy advocates. Some of the city's iconic crescent and star water meter covers are being replaced by generic looking lids to make way for “smart meters” which could, if they work properly, help resolve the agency’s notorious inflated bills.
by Carolyne Heldman December 15, 2023 Updated December 15, 2023

Behind The Lens episode 222: ‘A safe space’

The OPSB voted to close the Living School at an emotional December board meeting and the Buttermilk Drop scrambled to pay bills after its Uber Eats account was hacked.
by Carolyne Heldman December 8, 2023 Updated February 5, 2024

Behind the Lens episode 221: ‘A force multiplier’

The Orleans Parish DA's office is using new predictive analytics software they say can help combat crime. Some critics are concerned. And annual A through F letter grades are in — what that means for schools.
by Carolyne Heldman November 17, 2023 Updated November 17, 2023

Behind The Lens episode 220: ‘Mothers want their kids out of there’

This week on Behind The Lens, Jackson Parish’s is housing kids awaiting adjudication in a detention center unlicensed to do so and state A through F letter grades are due out soon.
by Carolyne Heldman November 10, 2023 Updated November 14, 2023

Behind the Lens episode 219: ‘A community that depends on us’

This week on Behind The Lens, a historic drought at the root of ‘superfog’ causing a massive wreck on I-55 and small non-profit news outlets, like The Lens, speak up in the ever-changing media landscape.
by Carolyne Heldman November 3, 2023 Updated November 3, 2023

Behind The Lens episode 218: ‘They need stability … this does not bode well for that’

This week on Behind The Lens, a $9.5 million private security contract for Louisiana youth prisons raises eyebrows.
by Carolyne Heldman October 27, 2023 Updated February 5, 2024

Behind The Lens episode 217: ‘Wetlands may be severed from that historic protection’

A new judicial interpretation of the Clean Water Act leaves more than half of the country’s 118 million acres of wetlands unprotected, including the swamps of Acadiana and key waterfowl habitat.
by Carolyne Heldman October 20, 2023 Updated October 20, 2023

Behind The Lens episode 216: ‘It’s torturous’

This week on Behind The Lens, Calvin Cains died in police custody in June and his mother sought body camera footage from on-scene officers through a lawsuit. Those recordings, she hopes, can show her sons final moments, before he was killed by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.
by Carolyne Heldman October 6, 2023 Updated October 6, 2023

Behind The Lens episode 215: ‘A striking shock contrast’

St. John the Baptist Parish residents fight the proposed construction of a large industrial size grain terminal, but they may now have some powerful allies.
by Carolyne Heldman September 30, 2023 Updated September 30, 2023

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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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