Nestled along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, amidst the sultry swamps of Louisiana, lies a city like no other – New Orleans. With its vibrant mix of cultures, rich history, and captivating allure, the Crescent City beckons visitors from around the globe to immerse themselves in its unique blend of Southern hospitality and […] The post New Orleans: A Journey Through History, Culture, and Cuisine appeared first on The Lens ..read more

After Lycée Français teachers began working toward a union, demanding better working conditions, the school’s CEO warned that a union could change the school’s culture. But to the school’s French national teachers, unions are central to the very culture the school emulates. The post Conditions d’emploi: unionizing at Lycée Français appeared first on The Lens ..read more

“Today, 12 years after the fire, 35 years after Women With A Vision’s founding, our world is on fire,” writes Deon Haywood, in this adapted foreword for the newly released book, “Fire Dreams: Making Black Feminist Liberation in the South.” The post Deon Haywood: From flames came new dreams appeared first on The Lens ..read more

On Tuesday, May 7th The Lens and Hip Hop Caucus will present an Environmental Justice Media Roundtable focussing on Louisiana Climate Change.  The event, Environmental Forum: Sharing Our Stories, will feature local media outlets and community activists. Each panelist will share an environmental story that is important to their community and how they did this […] The post Environmental Forum: Sharing Our Stories appeared first on The Lens ..read more

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. The post Behind the Lens episode 235: ‘One step behind Exxon’ appeared first on The Lens ..read more

When the power goes out, it shuts down the economy and potentially costs lives. And while we can’t control the weather, better-planned transmission lines can help ensure that power outages happen less frequently and are less costly when they do occur. What we need is a buildout of regional transmission lines across our state and […] The post Needed: a grid for the future appeared first on The Lens ..read more

For $5 million dollars, Louisiana’s flagship university will let an oil company help choose which faculty research projects move forward. Or, for $100,000, a corporation can participate in a research study, with “robust” reviewing powers and access to resulting intellectual property. Those are the conditions outlined in a boilerplate document that Louisiana State University’s fundraising […] The post LSU’s fossil-fuel partnerships appeared first on The Lens ..read more

Two dozen carbon capture projects are proposed in Louisiana — but where is a bit of a mystery. A 2021 state law regulating carbon capture includes a provision allowing companies to claim a wide range of project information — including location — as trade secrets. The post Where Was Exxon Planning to Inject CO2 in Louisiana? It’s a Trade Secret. appeared first on The Lens ..read more

In Louisiana, one of the nation’s most impoverished states, recipients could easily lose food stamps through the work-requirement red tape, advocates say. The sponsoring legislator says that “work provides lasting value we can give back to our families, our community, and God.” The post Thousands of food-stamp recipients may face more strict work requirements appeared first on The Lens ..read more

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. The post Behind The Lens episode 234: ‘Rabble-rousing at the Big Green’ appeared first on The Lens ..read more