Episodes

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: ‘Human decency’ The post Behind The Lens episode 274: ‘Human decency’ appeared first on The Lens.

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 More... from Behind The Lens episode 273: ‘Caught in the lurch’ The post Behind The Lens episode 273: ‘Caught in the lurch’ appeared first on The Lens.

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 threat’ The post Behind The Lens episode 272: ‘Growing threat’ appeared first on The Lens.

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 271: ‘Death warrant’ The post Behind The Lens episode 271: ‘Death warrant’ appeared first on The Lens.

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... from Behind The Lens episode 270: ‘The wrong schools’ The post Behind The Lens episode 270: ‘The wrong schools’ appeared first on The Lens.

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 Washington and Gail LeBoeuf are co-founders and co-directors of Inclusive Louisiana, a local organization dedicated [...] Read More... from Behind the Lens episode 269: ‘They are not forgotten’ The post Behind the Lens episode 269: ‘They are not forgotten’ appeare...

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 Part II: ‘The best spot on Fat Tuesday’ The post Behind the Lens episode 266 Carnival Part II: ‘The best spot on Fat Tuesday’ appeared first on The Lens.

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... from Behind The Lens episode 268: ‘Cruel and unusual’ The post Behind The Lens episode 268: ‘Cruel and unusual’ appeared first on The Lens.

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... from Behind The Lens episode 267: ‘Young, Black, vibrant’ The post Behind The Lens episode 267: ‘Young, Black, vibrant’ appeared first on The Lens.

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 Behind the Lens episode 266 Carnival Part I: ‘Throw less, throw better’ The post Behind the Lens episode 266 Carnival Part I: ‘Throw less, throw better’ appeared first on The Lens.

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 Board amid its financial crisis. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 265: ‘That’s just a payday loan’ The post Behind The Lens episode 265: ‘That’s just a payday loan’ appeared first on The Lens.

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’ The post Behind The Lens episode 264 Part II: ‘Our Katrina narrative’ appeared first on The Lens.

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’ The post Behind The Lens episode 264 Part I: ‘Our Katrina narrative’ appeared first on The Lens.

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 allege violated the state constitution in giving Greenfield LLC tax breaks. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 263: ‘They never paid’ The post Behind The Lens episode 263: ‘They never paid’ appeared first on The Lens.

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 The Lens episode 262: ‘A new generation’s fight’ The post Behind The Lens episode 262: ‘A new generation’s fight’ appeared first on The Lens.

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’

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’ The post Behind The Lens episode 260: ‘Tough Transitions’ appeared first on The Lens.

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 education. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 259: Opinion: ‘The education situation’ The post Behind The Lens episode 259: Opinion: ‘The education situation’ appeared first on The Lens.

Delaney Dryfoos and Eric Schmid on new insurance models Mississippi River towns are leaning on. Nick Chrastil on juveniles leaving the Jackson Parish Jail. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 258: ‘Floodplains’ The post Behind The Lens episode 258: ‘Floodplains’ appeared first on The Lens.

Delaney Dryfoos and La'Shance Perry on "Cajun Coral," a type of 3D printed coral used to help rebuild living reefs. Marta Jewson on the NOLA Public Schools' $36 million budget shortfall and superintendent's midyear resignation. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 257: ‘Creating new reefs’ The post Behind The Lens episode 257: ‘Creating new reefs’ appeared first on The Lens.

Delaney Dryfoos a federal rule to eliminate lead pipes in the next decade. Nick Chrastil on changes to federal welfare money. Jay Marcano on the call for Tulane University to divest from fossil fuels. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 256: ‘A Tricky Endeavor’ The post Behind The Lens episode 256: ‘A Tricky Endeavor’ appeared first on The Lens.

Delaney Dryfoos on a wharf redevelopment in the Lower 9th Ward. Marta Jewson on Louisiana AG's decision to join a lawsuit targeting transgender men and women, and broader civil rights. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 255: ‘Civil rights at risk’ The post Behind The Lens episode 255: ‘Civil rights at risk’ appeared first on The Lens.

Marta Jewson and La'Shance Perry on their interview with a women about what it's like to be pregnant in Louisiana after the fall of Roe. Delaney Dryfoos on St. James residents' fight against industry. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 254: ‘It’s scary, dangerous’ The post Behind The Lens episode 254: ‘It’s scary, dangerous’ appeared first on The Lens.

Nick Chrastil and Katy Reckdahl on the Jackson Parish Jail housing kids without the required license to do so. [...] Read More... from Behind the Lens episode 253: ‘Mace with no warning’ The post Behind the Lens episode 253: ‘Mace with no warning’ appeared first on The Lens.