Behind The Lens
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.
Recent Episodes
Nov. 6, 2026
Behind The Lens: Palestinian villages and New Orleans ties (audio)
This week on Behind The Lens, a cluster of small villages in the Israeli-occupied West Bank have strong ties to the West Bank of New Orleans. Many Palestinian-Americans have their roots in the occupied area and often spend summers there to get out of the oppressive heat and humidity of southern Louisiana, and to expose their [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens: Palestinian villages and New Orleans ties (audio) The post Behind The Lens: Palestinian villages and New Orleans ties (audio) appea
Nov. 1, 2026
Behind The Lens: Tackling chronic absenteeism and expanding special education in New Orleans (audio)
Chronic absenteeism and educational opportunities for students with cognitive disabilities are at the center of this episode of Behind The Lens, as New Orleans public schools take new approaches to addressing two significant challenges facing students and families. NOLA Public Schools has established a new office dedicated to combating chronic absenteeism, a persistent problem across the [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens: Tackling chronic absenteeism and expanding special education in New
Oct. 16, 2026
Behind The Lens: Thrust and Power — SpaceX’s $100 Billion spaceport proposal (audio)
A proposed $100 billion SpaceX spaceport in Louisiana’s Vermilion Parish is raising questions about the potential impact of large-scale space operations on nearby communities and the environment. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens: Thrust and Power — SpaceX’s $100 Billion spaceport proposal (audio) The post Behind The Lens: Thrust and Power — SpaceX’s $100 Billion spaceport proposal (audio) appeared first on The Lens.
Oct. 9, 2026
Behind The Lens: “As Meta rolls into Louisiana with a massive data center … (This is Part 2 of 2 audio discussions)
... the owner of the paper of record in the state, John Georges, rolls out the red carpet for Meta and explains how he thinks these deals will save journalism in the state. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens: “As Meta rolls into Louisiana with a massive data center … (This is Part 2 of 2 audio discussions) The post Behind The Lens: “As Meta rolls into Louisiana with a massive data center … (This is Part 2 of 2 audio discussions) appeared first on The Lens.
Oct. 2, 2026
Behind The Lens: “As Meta rolls into Louisiana with a massive data center … (This is Part 1 of 2 audio discussions)
... the owner of the paper of record in the state, John Georges, rolls out the red carpet for Meta and explains how he thinks these deals will save journalism in the state. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens: “As Meta rolls into Louisiana with a massive data center … (This is Part 1 of 2 audio discussions) The post Behind The Lens: “As Meta rolls into Louisiana with a massive data center … (This is Part 1 of 2 audio discussions) appeared first on The Lens.
Sept. 25, 2026
Behind The Lens: Sunrise Foods sprinkler system raises fire code concerns in Lower 9th Ward (audio)
In this episode of “Behind The Lens,” questions of public safety, regulatory oversight and neighborhood concern come into focus in New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward. Sunrise Foods International has received approval for a sprinkler system at a large grain-loading facility at the Alabo Wharf, despite the use of a system expressly forbidden by the state [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens: Sunrise Foods sprinkler system raises fire code concerns in Lower 9th Ward (audio) The post Behind The Lens: S