Behind The Lens
News & Politics
About
Behind The Lens is a weekly podcast from the team at The Lens, New Orleans' nonprofit investigative newsroom. Each week, our reporters take a close look at what they're covering in local politics, criminal justice, education and land use. Produced and hosted by Carolyne Heldman.
Episodes
- Behind the curtain: how Louisiana’s parole system and courts shape who goes free
Louisiana’s Parole Board conducts hearings in public, offering a rare window into how life-changing decisions are made inside the criminal justice system. [...]Read More... from Behind the curtain: how Louisiana’s parole system and courts…
- Paraquat and Parkinson’s: Inside the risks in Wayne County, Mississippi
Paraquat use is rising and so are concerns about its link to Parkinson’s disease. A look at one Mississippi county at the center of the issue. [...]Read More... from Paraquat and Parkinson’s: Inside the risks in Wayne County, Mississippi
- Immunity for oil & gas companies are on the horizon if HB804 becomes law in Louisiana
A new bill from State Rep. Geymann would restrict nearly any claims for damages caused by emissions. Environmental reporter Emily Sanders from ExxonKnews explains what's in the bill." [...]Read More... from Immunity for oil & gas companies…
- Consolidation or retaliation? Republican lawmakers move to eliminate the job Calvin Duncan won in a landslide election
Criminal justice reporter Bernard Smith and editor Katy Reckdahl examine Senate Bill 256 and the effort to eliminate the position won by Calvin Duncan, raising questions about consolidation, political power, and the will of voters. [...]Re…
- From roots to results: Karen Gadbois, The Lens’ co-founder and former executive director, reflects on 15 years of reporting.
On the 15th anniversary of The Lens, co-founder Karen Gadbois reflects on the newsroom’s grassroots beginnings, its mission to hold power accountable, and how it grew into a trusted voice for community-driven journalism in New Orleans. [..…
- Double the capacity, double the bill: Meta and Entergy announce a plan to build 7 new power plants for AI data centers in LA.
In this episode of Behind The Lens, host Carolyne Heldman Rovira interviews journalist and policy advisor Ned Randolph, to unpack a major energy and infrastructure development that could reshape Louisiana’s future. [...]Read More... from D…
- The day of reckoning: The Supreme Court will soon decide if oil companies have to pay for damage to the LA coast.
In this episode of Behind The Lens, host Carolyne Heldman speaks with investigative reporter Emily Sanders to unpack decades of coastal damage linked to oil and gas activity, and the growing question of accountability. [...]Read More... fr…
- Getting Squeezed: How the wars in Ukraine and Iran are affecting the pocketbooks of LA citizens
Reporter Delaney Nolan discusses how attacks on energy infrastructure drive up the price for U.S. liquified natural gas exports. [...]Read More... from Getting Squeezed: How the wars in Ukraine and Iran are affecting the pocketbooks of LA…
- Beads Won: Politics in Mardi Gras parades
Delaney Nolan discusses the anti-ICE paraders during Mardi Gras. [...]Read More... from Beads Won: Politics in Mardi Gras parades
- Innovative or Ill-Advised?: A NOLA addiction doctor leaves after her novel approach raises questions at her hospital
Aneri Pattani from KFF Health News talks about Elyse Stevens, who was a primary care and addiction medicine doctor in New Orleans. [...]Read More... from Innovative or Ill-Advised?: A NOLA addiction doctor leaves after her novel approach r…
- 23 & 1: Solitary confinement in LA prisons is on the rise; also local churches provide shelter and power during outages using solar
Bernard Smith on the dangers of solitary confinement and Delaney Dryfoos on resiliency hubs. [...]Read More... from 23 & 1: Solitary confinement in LA prisons is on the rise; also local churches provide shelter and power during outages usi…
- A town on the brink of extinction: Modeste is facing an acute concentration of industry as a proposed new development threatens to engulf it
Delaney Nolan on the town of Modeste and a new giant industrial park planned for the area. [...]Read More... from A town on the brink of extinction: Modeste is facing an acute concentration of industry as a proposed new development threate…
- Emboldened: LA lawmakers ask FDA to restrict abortion meds nationally
Marta Jewson on one year of Act 246, the Louisiana law that locked up life-saving maternal medication. Elise Plunk on a suspended LNG permit that was reissued in Cameron Parish. [...]Read More... from Emboldened: LA lawmakers ask FDA to re…
- Instability is the word of the year for one local school
Delaney Nolan on exit bonuses for voluntary deportation promised by the Department of Homeland Security. Marta Jewson on the fate of The Leah Chase School. [...]Read More... from Instability is the word of the year for one local school
- An Oil Well in Reverse: Smitty’s hopes to inject liquid waste into a landfill in Jefferson Parish
The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality allows the operator of Smitty’s to dump pollutants from its recent explosion deep into a Jefferson Parish landfill. Plus, NOLA Public Schools improves, getting a B from the state. [...]Read…
- Kicking the Can: SNAP during the shutdown and charter schools await their fate
The shutdown is over, how did the state do in protecting its most vulnerable. And charters await their fate with state evaluations. [...]Read More... from Kicking the Can: SNAP during the shutdown and charter schools await their fate
- “A Fundamental Reset”
Fossil fuel companies rebrand as "energy" producers. Also construction of a new LNG terminal is halted by a federal judge. [...]Read More... from “A Fundamental Reset”
- Boxing Up Choice: Louisiana AG sues the FDA to halt the shipment of abortion meds. And the Leah Chase School Principal Resigns.
Greg LaRose on Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill's lawsuit against the FDA challenging the distribution of abortion drugs by mail. Marta Jewson on the resignation of Leah Chase School's principal, just two months into the school year.…
- Protected Speech or Anti-Semitism? A university syllabus draws scrutiny.
Delaney Nolan on a Tulane program manager who was fired. Bernard Smith on "outrageous" phone call rates in jails after new FCC Chairman delays mandated reductions. Marta Jewson on the 2019 Kennedy grads, who've won another court battle, bu…
- Energy Monsters: AI data centers prompt concern about a ‘Digital Cancer Alley.’ Also, the first U.S. climate refugees have regrets
Gus Bennett on Big Tech data centers that threaten more environmental and economic harm in Cancer Alley. Terry Jones on climate refugees 10 years after relocation. [...]Read More... from Energy Monsters: AI data centers prompt concern abou…
- Odorless, invisible and deadly: Exxon plans to lay carbon pipeline alarmingly close to La. residents
Delaney Nolan and Emily Sanders on an Exxon pipeline set to carry highly compressed carbon dioxide in St. James Parish. And Elise Plunk on a Tulane study that found lizards in New Orleans are living with levels of lead in their blood that…
- Ep. 283: After the Smitty’s Supply explosion, concerns for Lake Pontchartrain
Reporter Delaney Nolan on environmental pollution concerns in the wake of the explosion at Smitty's Supply. [...]Read More... from Ep. 283: After the Smitty’s Supply explosion, concerns for Lake Pontchartrain
- Episode 282: Orleans Parish Prison after the storm ‘We’re still in here’
Bernard Smith and Katy Reckdahl on the men trapped in the Orleans Parish Prison and Broad Street Bridge in the wake of the levee breaches after Hurricane Katrina that flooded New Orleans. [...]Read More... from Episode 282: Orleans Parish…
- Behind The Lens episode 281 part II: ‘Completely inadequate’
Longtime environmental reporter Mark Schleifstein on the federal flood after the U.S. Army Corps’ levees failed and flooded 80 percent of the city in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Delaney Nolan on ongoing corrosion that could undermine th…
- Behind The Lens episode 281 part I: ‘Completely inadequate’
Longtime Times-Picayune environmental reporter Mark Schleifstein on the federal flood after the U.S. Army Corps' levees failed and flooded 80 percent of the city in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. [...]Read More... from Behind The Lens epis…
- Behind The Lens episode 281: ‘Crumbling’
Reporter Marta Jewson, educator Deborah Richardson and advocate Ashana Bigard on John McDonogh High School's demise after a Los Angeles-based charter group took control. [...]Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 281: ‘Crumbling’
- Behind The Lens episode 280: ‘The licensing of Essence’
Bernard Smith on conditions at Angola as heat alerts persist across the country. Gus Bennett on Essence Fest's rapid expansion — and questions about who it's serving. [...]Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 280: ‘The licensing of Es…
- Behind the Lens episode 279: ‘Incompetent or lying’
Delaney Dryfoos on what the Alabo Street Wharf development may mean for neighbors. Matthew Wollenweber on NOPD's use of surveillance, including 5,000 cameras and partnerships that use facial recognition technology. [...]Read More... from B…
- Behind The Lens episode 278: ‘Failed to file’
Matt McBride on a controversial candidate for the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans. Marta Jewson on how state standardized test scores should serve the children who take the tests. [...]Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 278:…
- Behind The Lens episode 277: ‘Hotter, hotter and hotter’
Bernard Smith on New Orleans' notorious House of Detention and protections for Angola's Farm Line workers in summer heat. Marta Jewson on a student's suspension pending a mental health eval — a flagarent violation of special education law.…
- Behind The Lens episode 276: ‘Breathing poison air’
Delaney Dryfoos on Louisiana's decidion to classify natural gas, a fossil fuel, as "green energy." Brian Bienkowski on air pollutants effects on pregnant women and findings about early labor. [...]Read More... from Behind The Lens episode…
- Behind The Lens episode 275: ‘Snake hips’
Mizani Ball on ethnographic dancer Chipo Kandake on her history of American music performance. Marta Jewson on improving literacy scores for young Louisiana students. [...]Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 275: ‘Snake hips’
- Behind The Lens episode 274: ‘Human decency’
Reporter Bernard Smith and Editor Katy Reckdahl break down a new program that provides tablets to incarcerated individuals. And a recent ruling to protect Angola's Farm Line workers. [...]Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 274: ‘Hum…
- Behind The Lens episode 273: ‘Caught in the lurch’
Delaney Dryfoos on the the largest new delta in North America. Marta Jewson on how the decentralized New Orleans school district caught one special education student in the lurch between NOLA Public Schools and KIPP New Orleans. [...]Read…
- Behind The Lens episode 272: ‘Growing threat’
Delaney Dryfoos on the Calcasieu River's concerning pollution. Marta Jewson on Lycee's $400k property tax bill and the city's offer to settle a lawsuit with the school board. [...]Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 272: ‘Growing thr…
- Behind The Lens episode 271: ‘Death warrant’
Nick Chastil and Katy Reckdahl on working conditions at Angola's Farm Line, with an eye on summer heat, and execution in Louisiana, following the first state execution in more than a decade. [...]Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 2…
- Behind The Lens episode 270: ‘The wrong schools’
Education reporter Marta Jewson on the state's request that the courts free them from a special education consent decree, the city council seeks to send $10m to schools and NOLA Public Schools has a new superintendent. [...]Read More... fr…
- Behind the Lens episode 269: ‘They are not forgotten’
This week, two St. James Parish residents who recently wrote a piece for the Lens on their families’ deep roots in the region and how local histories like their own are threatened by the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries. Barbara Wash…
- Behind the Lens episode 266 Carnival Part II: ‘The best spot on Fat Tuesday’
Mizani Ball on family and friends settling in to their traditional parade watching spots on the route. Katy Reckdahl on a Black Masking Indian continuing his father's tradition. [...]Read More... from Behind the Lens episode 266 Carnival P…
- Behind The Lens episode 268: ‘Cruel and unusual’
Special guest Ned Randolph on Entergy's proposal to build a massive AI data center in an impoverished section of north Louisiana that Meta is eyeing. Nick Chrastil on the state's push to use nitrogen hypoxia for executions. [...]Read More.…
- Behind The Lens episode 267: ‘Young, Black, vibrant’
Mizani Ball and Marta Jewson on how Mardi Gras Day parade route changes affected local businesses and marching bands. Delaney Dryfoos on Venture Global's expansion plans amid its spotty environmental compliance record. [...]Read More... fr…
- Behind the Lens episode 266 Carnival Part I: ‘Throw less, throw better’
Nick Chrastil on how gun laws clash during Carnival, including on the parade route. Delaney Dryfoos on krewes' efforts to make parades greener. And Marta Jewson on high school marching bands — and their budgets. [...]Read More... from Behi…
- Behind The Lens episode 265: ‘That’s just a payday loan’
Nick Chrastil on records that show plans for Gov. Jeff Landry's "transitional center" were well underway before the terrorist attack. Marta Jewson on the ongoing dispute over a supposed $90 million settlement between the City and School Bo…
- Behind The Lens episode 264 Part II: ‘Our Katrina narrative’
The Lens spent January talking to Lower 9th Ward residents to tell their stories, narratives a Super Bowl committee wanted to control. [...]Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 264 Part II: ‘Our Katrina narrative’
- Behind The Lens episode 264 Part I: ‘Our Katrina narrative’
The Lens spent January talking to Lower 9th Ward residents to tell their stories, narratives a Super Bowl committee wanted to control. [...]Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 264 Part I: ‘Our Katrina narrative’
- Behind The Lens episode 263: ‘They never paid’
Nick Chrastil and Katy Reckdahl on a temporary shelter Gov. Jeff Landry opened in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl and local concerns about the process. Delaney Dryfoos on The Descendants Project's lawsuit against agencies they alleg…
- Behind The Lens episode 262: ‘A new generation’s fight’
Delaney Dryfoos on the sale of Entergy New Orleans' natural gas arm to a new entity and La'Shance Perry on the legal challenge to Act 246, the nation's strongest law blocking certain reproductive healthcare. [...]Read More... from Behind T…
- Behind The Lens episode 261: ‘A moment in the year’
The Lens staffers reflect on our work, including favorite stories, in 2024 and look ahead to 2025. [...]Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 261: ‘A moment in the year’
- Behind The Lens episode 260: ‘Tough Transitions’
Marta Jewson on the annual December announcement of which charter schools will close. Delaney Dryfoos on work to revitalize Maurepas Swamp. [...]Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 260: ‘Tough Transitions’
- Behind The Lens episode 259: Opinion: ‘The education situation’
In a special episode, Adrinda Kelly, the founding Executive Director of Black Education for New Orleans (BE NOLA), whose mission is to support Black educators and Black-led schools, reflects on two decades of changes in New Orleans educati…