Behind The Lens episode 177: ‘For these reasons, the Court will hold yet another status conference’

Alleged violations of special education law at the city's largest charter network. An expensive tax deal in St. John Parish. And yes, we indeed have more Phase III content.

On this week’s episode, the state Supreme Court may have the final word on whether the practice of sending juvenile prisoners to detention facilities out of state is legal.

A federal magistrate judge is demanding to know why high-level discussions continue to take place about a proposed alternative to the Phase III jail facility, which the city of New Orleans has been repeatedly ordered to build.

A recent independent analysis concludes that a tax deal on a controversial grain elevator project in St. John the Baptist Parish will cost local government bodies more than $200 million over 30 years.

New Orleans schools are welcoming kids back this month. And the NOLA Public Schools district has accused KIPP New Orleans Schools, the city’s largest charter school operator, of violating state and federal laws on discipline and special education. KIPP denies the allegations.

Our guests this week are Lens reporters Nick Chrastil, Marta Jewson, Joshua Rosenberg and editor Charles Maldonado.

You can also listen to Behind The Lens on Apple PodcastsSpotify and other services.

Carolyne Heldman

Carolyne Heldman has been in media for 35 years, most recently as Executive Director at an NPR member station in Colorado where she was responsible for new multi-platform content initiatives, strategic planning, research, branding, and non-traditional revenue generation. During her tenure she also created and launched four weekly news, public affairs and cultural affairs programs and monthly live Town Hall broadcasts. Heldman moved to New Orleans last summer with her husband and canine companion and they live happily in The Marigny.