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Category
Opinion

Perspectives and reflections that challenge, question, and inspire.

The unpopular vote: why the Clancy mistrial proves the system worked

The jury room can risk becoming a mere numbers game — a race to a unanimous verdict that targets dissenting voices rather than thoroughly analyzing the testimony. But when a single juror holds out, they force evidence-driven deliberations rather than verdict-driven ones.
by William C. Snowden September 17, 2026 Updated September 16, 2026

When a giant falls, how do we honor him?

After the passing of Jerome “Big Duck” Smith, how must we as a community honor his legacy?
by Mizani Ball September 14, 2026 Updated September 15, 2026

Katrina 21: Care forgot. We didn’t.

Twenty-one years after Katrina, New Orleans is still here — not because we can take a beating, but because we keep choosing one another.
by Kristyna Jones September 4, 2026 Updated September 8, 2026

When does Black history become history, not just race, in the eyes of the law?

Black communities stretching across Louisiana did not suddenly become connected when legislators drew a congressional district around them.
by Royce Duplessis September 3, 2026 Updated September 3, 2026

Climate denial is not an option: Louisiana needs the political will to act

by Jessica Dandridge-Smith, The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans September 1, 2026 Updated September 1, 2026

When the school closes, what happens to the community?

On empty seats, full buildings and who gets left holding them.
by Kristyna Jones August 28, 2026 Updated August 28, 2026

Meta hides data center info as it pushes more risks to Entergy’s customers

Despite last Wednesday's procedural setback, the PSC's final decision on all these new gas plants is not scheduled to take place until December 16th. "The fight isn’t over, writes Paul Arbaje, as he outlines the substance of Meta's proposal and why it’s a risky proposition for Louisiana ratepayers.
by Paul Arbaje, The Equation August 18, 2026 Updated October 20, 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

Trump approval of a gigantic offshore Louisiana LNG port ignores significant risks

Constructing the massive Delfin LNG deepwater export terminal 40 miles off the Louisiana coast could threaten protected marine life, exacerbate the state’s already poor air quality, and contribute to heating our planet, writes attorney Lauren Parker of the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute.
by Lauren Parker July 30, 2026 Updated July 30, 2026

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New Orleans is safer. Don’t cut the programs that helped get us here.New Orleans is safer. Don’t cut the programs that helped get us here.October 21, 2026Sarah Omojola and Ashley Crawfordanalysis by the Big Easy Budget Coalition

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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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