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.

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Carolyne Heldman

Carolyne Heldman Rovira has been in media for 35 years, and is currently the podcast host and producer for Behind The Lens. Heldman served as executive director at Aspen Public Radio, an NPR affiliate, where she launched four weekly news, public affairs, and cultural affairs programs. She has been a guest lecturer at Tulane University, is a frequent guest and moderator for the Aspen Institute, Rocky Mountain Institute, and the American Enterprise Institute.