On this week’s episode, a judge has recommended the NOLA Public Schools district move into a “probationary period” after operating under a federal consent decree regarding special education for over seven years, but  some argue the problems haven’t been resolved.

Despite multiple objections, a committee in charge of deciding a multimillion-dollar healthcare contract for the New Orleans jail decided to stick with the provider who has had the contract for the last 8 years. And a bill that would eliminate co-payments for people incarcerated in Louisiana prisons for their healthcare was discussed at the legislature this week, but the bill’s sponsor has deferred action on it for now.

NBA legend Magic Johnson was in town to promote a proposed multimillion-dollar deal that, among other initiatives, would create a “city-directed” but privately owned internet provider to address the digital divide. But the specifics are scarce, and some City Council members say they can’t sign off on the deal without more information.

Our guests this week are reporters Marta Jewson, Michael Isaac Stein, Nick Chrastil and editor Charles Maldonado.

You can listen to Behind The Lens on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other services.

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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...