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Category
Criminal Justice

Asking why and how, and what needs to be done.

Who is ICE arresting in Louisiana, and where? We broke it down.

ICE arrests in Louisiana have reached record highs, as more people without criminal histories are being detained.
by Delaney Nolan August 30, 2026 Updated August 30, 2026

Behind The Lens Podcast: Contempt of court (audio)

by Carolyne Heldman August 28, 2026 Updated August 30, 2026

Behind The Lens Podcast: Clean slate and school bells (audio)

by Carolyne Heldman August 26, 2026 Updated August 27, 2026

Louisiana and Alabama map battles renew voting rights fight after 61 years

Advocates celebrated the 61st anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, even after Supreme Court rulings gutted key federal protections and threw Southern congressional maps into chaos.
by Ralph Chapoco - Louisiana Illuminator August 14, 2026 Updated August 22, 2026
A large group of people stand with their bicycles in front of New Orleans City Hall during the Ride for Peace event. The diverse crowd includes men, women, and children wearing casual and event-themed clothing, some in orange shirts with slogans. The atmosphere is energetic and united, with participants posing for a photo before the community bike ride begins. The tall, glass-paneled City Hall building looms in the background, flanked by large trees.

While New Orleans invested in violence intervention, Baton Rouge made crippling cuts

Louisiana's two biggest cities took different paths: New Orleans funded community programs to historic success, while Baton Rouge shifted its priorities, leaving the program with little to no funding.
by Sateria Tate-Alexander and Danny Allen August 13, 2026 Updated August 22, 2026

Before Teacher Shield is needed, provide resources to prevent aggression

Act 141 aims to protect Louisiana educators by removing students who assault school employees.
by Julienne Louis-Anderson August 6, 2026 Updated August 5, 2026

Louisiana has waited three years for computer update to move the state beyond clunky old expungement process

by Bernard Smith August 5, 2026 Updated August 4, 2026

PODCAST: “Where did all my people go?”  (Audio)

Black defendants face major barriers to securing representative juries, while a Lower Ninth Ward family farm wins a settlement after its property was mistakenly treated with pesticides.
by Carolyne Heldman July 30, 2026 Updated August 3, 2026

‘Somebody’s life is at stake’ — Louisiana advocates push for fair, representative juries

Glenn Davis instinctively connected his predominantly white jury and his wrongful verdict. His instincts are supported by jury-deliberation studies, which shows that non-diverse juries like his err more often.
by Bernard Smith July 27, 2026 Updated July 28, 2026
Black-and-white portrait of Greg Bright seated with one arm resting across a wooden handle, looking directly at the camera.

PODCAST: Governor’s veto and student’s arrest put government power under scrutiny (Audio)

Questions about how power Is exercised in Louisiana, as the governor vetoes more money for wrongfully convicted exonerees and a 14-year-old student is handcuffed and barred from her middle-school graduation.
by Carolyne Heldman July 24, 2026 Updated July 24, 2026

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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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