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Category
Opinion

Perspectives and reflections that challenge, question, and inspire. This category features thought-provoking essays and commentary from writers, community members, and photographers offering insight into the issues, ideas, and experiences that shape New Orleans and beyond.

Levee board members have no sway over Army Corps design

The Army Corps controls the design and operational procedures of flood reduction, so it doesn’t matter whether the governor selects the levee board members or if a panel picks candidates – or even if we choose the first nine people coming out of church on Sunday.
by Stephen Estopinal April 24, 2025 Updated April 27, 2025

For hidden wonders, visit wetlands near you

Learn more about the Mississippi River Basin's wetlands from coastal Louisiana to the headwaters in Minnesota.
by Dean Klinkenberg, author of The Wild Mississippi: A State-by-State Guide to the River’s Natural Wonders April 14, 2025 Updated April 14, 2025

Dark Resurrection

Prisoners come to terms with the return of capital punishment in Louisiana.
by John Corley April 4, 2025 Updated April 2, 2025

It’s not a teacher raise, voices against Amendment 2 emphasize

As Louisiana restarts executions, stories about the state’s death penalty — from condemned men, victims, families, and those who work in the death chamber.
by Lens contributors March 29, 2025 Updated March 29, 2025

Our kids deserve better: vote NO on 3

"Accountability is about helping someone take responsibility and change," Malcolm Jenkins writes "It’s about making sure they never go back down that same road again. And for kids, that only works when you treat them like kids."
by Malcolm Jenkins March 28, 2025 Updated March 27, 2025

Who gets hurt by an execution?

by Denny LeBoeuf March 17, 2025 Updated March 17, 2025

Firing up the chamber of death

by Clive Stafford Smith March 14, 2025 Updated March 17, 2025

Lift up the voices of New Orleans youth

Sign up today to help make sure that the Citywide Youth Survey hears from as many New Orleans students in grade 6 - 11 as possible, in both public and private school.
by Jamie Carroll and Denise Woltering Vargas March 13, 2025 Updated March 29, 2025

The death penalty as seen by Glenn Ford

Glenn Ford taught me that every chance for life matters. It was easy to see why: prosecutors told the court Glenn was innocent 30 years after he was wrongly convicted of murder and sent to Death Row. Despite being sentenced to death, Glenn and others on the Row refused to forget their humanity.  
by Andrea Armstrong March 11, 2025 Updated March 27, 2025

Operating capital

As Louisiana restarts executions, stories about the state’s death penalty — from condemned men, victims, families, and those who work in the death chamber.
by Lens staff March 11, 2025 Updated March 18, 2025

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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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