Skip to content

Focused On

  • Top 10 of 2025
  • ICE in Orleans
  • Justice
  • Katrina20
  • Schools

Main Navigation

The Lens
  • Subscribe
  • ❤ Donate
The Lens
  • Subscribe
  • ❤ Donate

Focused On

  • Top 10 of 2025
  • ICE in Orleans
  • Justice
  • Katrina20
  • Schools

Topics

  • Criminal Justice
  • Environment
  • Government & Politics
  • Land Use
  • Schools

Sign Up for the Latest News

  • The Lens Newsletter
  • About The Lens
  • Our Staff

Follow The Lens

  • Bluesky
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

Listen to Behind The Lens Podcast

  • Spotify
  • Katrina20
  • Criminal Justice
  • Schools
  • Opinion
  • In the N.O.
  • Environment
  • Podcast
  • About The Lens
  • Support Us

Category
Investigations

In-depth reporting that uncovers the truth behind complex issues affecting New Orleans and beyond. This category features stories grounded in evidence, accountability, and public interest—where photography and journalism come together to reveal what’s often hidden in plain sight.

Around the country, bail bondsmen’s political muscle works overtime against reform efforts

Across the country, efforts to reform bail have run headlong into opposition from the bail bond industry. The bondsmen, it turns out, have considerable political muscle. Injustice Watch reports from New Orleans, Maryland and New Mexico.
by Injustice Watch December 14, 2016 Updated November 7, 2019

The top pick for a post at the 911 center is a cop who was suspended for getting medical treatment on the clock

The board overseeing the center could vote to hire Sgt. Willie Davis at its meeting Friday.
by Charles Maldonado December 8, 2016 Updated November 7, 2019

Twice this fall, police have been called to get a student off the roof at ReNEW’s building in Carrollton

The building houses a program for students who need special attention for behavioral issues.
by Marta Jewson December 5, 2016 Updated November 7, 2019

Many New Orleans voters are still driving farther to vote than before Katrina

Many polling places were flooded by the storm, so elections officials consolidated them. Ten years later, many of us are still driving farther to vote than we did before the storm. The average distance to a voting location in the core of the city has increased 50 percent since 2004.
by Charles Maldonado November 8, 2016 Updated December 16, 2019

At last, the city passes The Lens’ school zone light test

We recently did our fourth survey of every school zone light in the city. They're supposed to flash every morning and afternoon that school is in session. Many more lights are working now than before -- almost 80 percent. When we checked before, it was 40 to 50 percent.
by Marta Jewson October 21, 2016 Updated November 7, 2019
Illustration of Bienville Basin mixed-income housing development

Hey tourists! Live like a local in a taxpayer-subsidized Airbnb apartment

We found nine listings that appear to be in developments built with funds for affordable housing.
by Charles Maldonado October 6, 2016 Updated November 7, 2019

New Orleans 911 center is answering calls more quickly, as long as you don’t count hangups

When you count disconnected calls, the rate is slightly better than it was most of last year.
by Charles Maldonado September 21, 2016 Updated November 7, 2019

The NOPD is downgrading the importance of some calls to focus on life-threatening emergencies

The New Orleans Police Department has reduced response times for emergencies. They’ve done that in part by lowering the importance of some 911 calls. Department leaders say they need to prioritize life-threatening situations in order to manage the workload. But are they overlooking some true emergencies?
by Charles Maldonado September 1, 2016 Updated November 7, 2019

How Lusher’s school board shut out the public in dealing with teachers’ union drive

State law says the public is entitled to observe how government bodies make decisions. But Lusher board members privately discussed how to respond to the union, using a boardwide email group. And they set up several private meetings that appear to have circumvented the Open Meetings Law.
by Marta Jewson August 4, 2016 Updated November 7, 2019

State says it’s still waiting on Gusman to prove deputies should get extra pay

Gusman hasn’t provided proper paperwork to show they’re eligible for a $500 monthly pay bump.
by Charles Maldonado June 15, 2016 Updated November 7, 2019

Posts navigation

  • «
  • 1
  • …
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • …
  • 17
  • »

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.

Our reporting has more urgency than ever.

Sign up to get the latest news on New Orleans and the Gulf South sent directly to your inbox.

 
 

Support The Lens

We depend on your support. A generous gift in any amount helps us continue to bring you this service.

Donate Now

Most Popular

Why MISO’s 2026 grid analysis matters to LouisianansWhy MISO’s 2026 grid analysis matters to LouisianansJanuary 6, 2026Madelyn SmithEntergy
Louisiana town fights for relief after billion-dollar oil disasterLouisiana town fights for relief after billion-dollar oil disasterJanuary 6, 2026Adam Mahoney, Capital BEnvironment
Inside the Battle for the Future of Addiction MedicineInside the Battle for the Future of Addiction MedicineJanuary 9, 2026Aneri Pattani, KFF Health NewsHealth

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.
  • Bluesky
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • About The Lens
  • Our Staff
  • Contact us
  • Corrections
  • Support The Lens
  • Get The Lens Newsletter
INN Member LION Member
© 2024 The Lens. All Rights Reserved.

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.

 
 

Continue to The Lens