Behind The Lens

Sara Sneath on the fossil fuel industry's relationship with Louisiana universities. Marta Jewson and Katy Reckdahl on Rooted School's guaranteed income study. [...] Read More... from Behind the Lens episode 248: ‘They’ve harmed our public health’ The post Behind the Lens episode 248: ‘They’ve harmed our public health’ appeared first on The Lens .

Delaney Dryfoos and Katy Reckdahl on Formosa's proposed plastic complex in St. James Parish. And Greenfield's retreat from its plans for an $800 million grain terminal. [...] Read More... from Behind the Lens episode 247: ‘Cumulative emissions’ The post Behind the Lens episode 247: ‘Cumulative emissions’ appeared first on The Lens .

Nick Chrastil and Katy Reckdahl on a court of appeals' ruling in favor of three young Black men stopped by security district officers. Marta Jewson on a new sunshine law. [...] Read More... from Behind the Lens episode 246: ‘unreasonable doubt’ The post Behind the Lens episode 246: ‘unreasonable doubt’ appeared first on The Lens .

Nick Chrastil on "extreme" conditions incarcerated people face at David Wade Correctional Center. Marta Jewson on a judge's order that will give Kennedy High School seniors who endured a graduation scandal their day in court. And Delaney Dryfoos on what a 'D' for New Orleans' water system means for residents. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 245: ‘Adults failed them’ The post Behind...

Nick Chrastil on changes that have resulted in thousands of Louisianans losing food stamps and a new state law that threatens thousands more. And Delaney Dryfoos on spring flooding in the Midwest and how it can benefit Louisiana. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 244: ‘More and more extremes’ The post Behind The Lens episode 244: ‘More and more extremes’ appeared first on The Lens .

Nick Chrastil on a judge's order to the Dept. of Corrections requiring a plan to protect Angola inmates working the Farm line in blistering heat. Delaney Dryfoos on the The Sisters of the Holy Family nuns who are working to build a solar-powered microgrid resilience hub for their neighbors in New Orleans East. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 243: ‘The solar Motherhouse’ The post Be...

La'Shance Perry, Nick Chrastil and Katy Reckdahl on the jail exceeding its population cap and Angola prisoners still forced to work the fields in extreme summer heat. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 242: ‘Extreme heat and dirty water’ The post Behind The Lens episode 242: ‘Extreme heat and dirty water’ appeared first on The Lens .

Mizani Ball on the historical and ongoing struggle for civil rights in New Orleans and how its expressed through music in the city. Katy Reckdahl on a teacher accused of restraining a student been involved in a similar incident 8 years ago, raising concerns about background checks into school personnel. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 241: ‘Radical Black joy’ The post Behind The Le...

Special guest writer Lolis Eric Elie on local civil rights pioneers who are being to replace the current street names, including his father, Lolis Edward Elie. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 240: ‘An enduring insult’ The post Behind The Lens episode 240: ‘An enduring insult’ appeared first on The Lens .

Nick Chrastil on an eye-popping State Police contract The Lens had to sue to obtain. It's been one year since JPSO shot and killed Calvin Cains III and his family is suing for body camera footage. And a redesign of City Park could disrupt Grow Dat Youth Farm. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 239: ‘It’s unconscionable’ The post Behind The Lens episode 239: ‘It’s unconscionable’ appea...

Nick Chrastil and Katy Reckdahl on a bill that would provide funding to build new local juvenile-detention faciilites. Marta Jewson and La'Shance Perry on the Living School's final days as it prepares to close its doors. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 238: ‘Juvenile Jails’ The post Behind The Lens episode 238: ‘Juvenile Jails’ appeared first on The Lens .

Marta Jewson on Lycée Français charter school's teachers union victory. And Delaney Dryfoos on both industry and activists taking aim at the EPA. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 237: ‘A union victory’ The post Behind The Lens episode 237: ‘A union victory’ appeared first on The Lens .

Sara Sneath on LSU's unusual relationship with the oil and gas industry. Marta Jewson on Lycée Français charter school's union drive. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 236: ‘An energy company deciding subject matter’ The post Behind The Lens episode 236: ‘An energy company deciding subject matter’ appeared first on The Lens .

This week on Behind The Lens, Sara Sneath on a Louisiana law that allows carbon capture well sites to remain unknown under a "trade secret" exception and Nick Chrastil on state legislation that could cut food stamps for thousands. [...] Read More... from Behind the Lens episode 235: ‘One step behind Exxon’ News Update The post Behind the Lens episode 235: ‘One step behind Exxon’ News Update appear...

La'Shance Perry on St. John Parish's vote on rezoning for Greenfield. Delaney Dryfoos on Gov. Landry's Task Force for Sewerage and Water Board. And Katy Reckdahl on union organizing at Tulane University. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 234: ‘Rabble-rousing at the Big Green’ The post Behind The Lens episode 234: ‘Rabble-rousing at the Big Green’ appeared first on The Lens .

Delaney Dryfoos on St. John the Baptist Parish's voted to allow heavy industrial uses on the parish’s rural West Bank after years of contentious debate. Nick Chrastil on Gov. Jeff Landry's seismic changes to the criminal justice system. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 233: ‘A Black hamlet’ The post Behind The Lens episode 233: ‘A Black hamlet’ appeared first on The Lens .

Lens reporters on the Louisiana Public Records Act and how it helps us fulfill our mission. We reflect on how records made possible reporting on Henry Montgomery, a graduation scandal at Kennedy High School and the uncovering of the state's decision to send kids in juvenile detention across state lines. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens “Sunshine Week” episode 232: ‘It’s so powerful to see’...

Katy Reckdahl and La'Shance Perry on the loss of musician Kerry "Fatman" Hunter. Marta Jewson and Dr. Ashonta Wyatt on the district's decision to open a direct-run school at Lafayette. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 231: ‘We cannot allow it to fail’ The post Behind The Lens episode 231: ‘We cannot allow it to fail’ appeared first on The Lens .

La'Shance Perry on the Krewe of Choctaw's harmful portrayal of culture to those of Choctaw heritage. Delaney Dryfoos on stepped up Carnival recycling efforts this year. And Nick Chrastil on gun arrests during Mardi Gras and concerns about racial profiling. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 230: ‘It’s easy to get lost in the fun of Mardi Gras’ The post Behind The Lens episode 230: ‘It...

Nick Chrastil on Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams's decision to work closely with newly elected Governor Jeff Landry’s office, despite his progressive campaign promises. Aidan McCahill on New Orleans water bills, some of the highest in the nation, and seniors who are feeling the pinch. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 229: ‘Backtracking on promises’ The post Behind Th...

Marshland restoration is underway in Barataria Basin. Lafayette Academy families are still trying to catch their breath after the district told them their school would close — and then reversed its decision. A parade celebrating Martin Luther King Jr., returned to its historic route on St. Claude Avenue this year. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 228: ‘The river knows what to do’ Th...

Nick Chrastil on The Lens' lawsuit against the state Office of Juvenile Justice for public records related to its $9.5m emergency staffing contract. And author Matthew Kincaid joins us to talk about his new book: Freedom Teaching. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 227: ‘There’s no real public oversight’ The post Behind The Lens episode 227: ‘There’s no real public oversight’ appeared...

Nick Chrastil on the federal consent decree guiding the jail's construction of a facility called Phase III. Terry Jones from Floodlight on carbon capture and sequestration in the state. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 226: ‘The means to fight this’ The post Behind The Lens episode 226: ‘The means to fight this’ appeared first on The Lens .

Delaney Dryfoos on new land growing along Louisiana's coast. Sara Sneath on Venture Global's tax incentives in Plaquemines Parish and parallels to the mining town of Port Sulphur. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 225: ‘If there’s an accident, it’d be hard to evacuate’ ‘ The post Behind The Lens episode 225: ‘If there’s an accident, it’d be hard to evacuate’ ‘ appeared first on The L...

Delaney Dryfoos on St. John Parish's President cutting off advocate Joy Banner during public comment. Now, she's suing for the violation of her First Amendment rights. A judge again barred the parish from changing the zoning on the Greenfield Property. [...] Read More... from Behind The Lens episode 224: ‘Holding power to account’ The post Behind The Lens episode 224: ‘Holding power to account’ ap...