Significant public school closures are on the horizon in New Orleans. We'll learn what's in store from the local school board president. Private school vouchers are not yet widely available in Louisiana; we have an update from Arkansas, where they're now universal. And for something completely different, we discuss what Happy Gilmore and New Orleans have in common.

The 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina has provided an opportunity to measure progress. How much has changed? How much of it has been for the better. Areas where research shows New Orleans – and all of Louisiana – has failed to improve are economic hardship and violence. We talk with a local researcher who’s explored how women and children are especially prone to these dangers.

New Orleans' beleaguered public school system was imploded after Hurricane Katrina. The decision came at the cost of cultural capital from thousands of Black educators — all dismissed. Where do Black teachers and administrators fit in the new New Orleans public education landscape? We'll hear from someone working on that answer.

Catch-and-release isn’t without risks for certain fish. We'll learn what's being done to improve their odds of survival. The news isn't so good for other injured wildlife species in Louisiana, where officials want to limit which ones can be rescued and rehabilitated. Also, we look at the Trump administration's latest rollbacks for clean air standards.

A group of civil rights advocates recently toured three Louisiana detention centers where immigration authorities are detaining thousands of people the federal government believes are in the U.S. illegally. Kerry Kennedy with the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization was part of that tour and shares what she saw – and her thoughts on the corporations that benefit from Trump policy.     

We'll share how Gov.  Landry is giving the old college try to end what he considers “woke” college curricula. There could also be changes coming on campus for those lucrative name, image and likeness deals for student athletes. Plus, we're moving into peak hurricane season with a big question about what federal disaster response might look like under the Trump administration. One state isn’t happy about the answer they received.

Activist groups in the River Parishes are suing a company that wants to build a manufacturing facility on a former plantation, where descendants of slaves say their ancestors are buried. We'll look at the rather novel legal strategy they're using to argue their case.

President Trump's "One Big, Beautiful Bill" contains endless provisions that impact state government. This week's episode looks at the potential fallout for Medicaid and the lifeline it provides for rural hospitals in Louisiana. We'll also look into the latest Trump administration moves on broadband internet access. Plus, we'll hear from the state that inspired Gov. Landry to take on prescription drug middlemen.    

A Russian couple is seeking asylum in America over fears they could face punishment in their home country for their anti-Putin views. They took all the proper steps to enter the U.S., yet they were separated and placed in ICE detention when they appeared for their immigration appointment. More than a year later, they remain apart – with one of them held in Louisiana facing  probable deportation.

The Light Switch team is off for the Fourth of July holiday, but we are sharing an episode of the Gulf States Gumbo from our friends at the Gulf States Newsroom. We'll be back next week!

Editor’s Note: This episode contains descriptions of sexual violence that may be upsetting for some listeners. 

Public health reporter Drew Hawkins takes over this week’s episode to focus on a single story — the Gulf South’s shortage of sexual assault nurse examiners, better known as SANEs. 

Over the last year, Drew has been reporting on the impacts the shortage has had on hospital systems and sexual assault survivors. In partnership with Type Investigations, Drew examines who these nurses are, what they do and how they help survivors of sexual assault.