This week we analyze the optimism -- though not roundly held -- in the latest budget talks, with a special audio treat to give us some perspective. We also get into the release of school letter grades, test scores, growth and other data. Lawmakers are at attention, but what are the ramifications? And, as always, we round it out with our popular Headliners of the Week. Listen in with reporters Craig Jarvis, Colin Campbell, Lynn Bonner, Taylor Knopf and Keung Hui of the News & Observer and Patrick Gannon and Benjamin Brown of the Insider. Hosted by Andy Curliss of the N&O.

The Domecast is available and can be subscribed to on iTunes.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices