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News

Timely coverage of the people, policies, and events shaping New Orleans and Louisiana. This category delivers clear, factual reporting that keeps readers informed about local government, community issues, and stories that matter most to everyday residents.

America’s air monitors are disappearing, along with the power to expose polluters

Laws in Louisiana and other states now curb the use of community-collected data. In Louisiana, public air monitors are often located miles from major industrial polluters and fail to test for some of the most dangerous chemicals.
by Ames Alexander and Brad Racino, Floodlight September 10, 2026 Updated September 10, 2026

The Voices in Our World: “I See Potential in My Life”

A series by Louisiana for Children’s Rights, in partnership with The Lens, that elevates the voices and experiences of Black youth currently or formerly detained in the Orleans Parish juvenile jail
by Cierra Chenier, introducing youth poets September 9, 2026 Updated September 9, 2026

As one in five Louisiana families lose SNAP, N.O. schools brace for free lunch impact

More than 90% of Orleans public schools automatically offer free breakfast and lunch to all students due to high SNAP enrollment rates. With Louisiana SNAP cutting 1 in 5 recipients, school cafeterias could also be serving fewer free meals.
by Vivi Smilgius September 8, 2026 Updated September 8, 2026

Damiri Eves, Abramson student killed by pickup in Gentilly, had just turned 14

Abramson Sci Academy and the Gentilly community mourn 14-year-old band student Damiri Eves, tragically killed in a traffic collision on his mini-bike.
by Gus Bennett September 5, 2026 Updated September 19, 2026

Louisiana balloon release ban inspires Sci High students to rethink tradition

Environmental science students are exploring affordable alternatives that honor loved ones while protecting wildlife, waterways and local infrastructure.
by Vivi Smilgius and Delaney Nolan September 2, 2026 Updated September 8, 2026

Meta’s data center will be the biggest in the U.S., but no one knows who they’re hiring

Research shows that AI data center facilities are landing in Black and low-income communities already treated as environmental sacrifice zones. In Louisiana, the two neighboring towns have a majority Black population, but residents fear that the jobs are not reaching them.
by Adam Mahoney, Capital B August 31, 2026 Updated September 8, 2026

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

Loud enough for Washington to hear

Residents of the enclaves of District 6 carry a shared inheritance: cancer, pennies-an-hour wages, broken sewer lines, and highways aimed at their front doors. When divided into separate voting districts, those griefs were left unheard and isolated.
by Emmanuel Felton, with photographs by Gus Bennett August 27, 2026 Updated August 27, 2026

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

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

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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 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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