Louisiana Considered

Statewide elections are approaching this Saturday, but there’s confusion over which votes will count. While residents will weigh in on ballot amendments, the Senate race and judgeships, Gov. Jeff Landry postponed the U.S. House race after the Supreme Court deemed the state’s congressional map unconstitutional. Still, the candidates remain on the ballot, and there are lawsuits circulating that advocate for these votes to still count. Stephanie Grace, the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate’s editorial director and columnist, joins us to break down the confusion. According to New Orleans Police Department traffic reports, at least four bicyclists and over two dozen pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes in New Orleans last year. This doesn’t include those injured in such accidents.Just over a month ago, the city council adopted the Safe Streets and Roads for All Safety Action Plan to eliminate all traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2041. Allene La Spina, executive director of Bike Easy, joins us for more on this plan. This weekend, Bayou Boogaloo, the annual May festival, will celebrate its 20th anniversary. But this year, the semi-aquatic musical festival comes with major cuts and new locations. Festival founder Jared Zeller joins us for more on this year’s event and why they’re scaling back. —Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Bob Pavlovich. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. Matt Bloom and Aubry Procell are assistant producers. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

This Saturday, Louisiana voters will weigh in on whether to let the new city of St. George form its own school district. To do that, they have to amend the state’s constitution.The Baton Rouge breakaway suburb has been trying to start its own school system for more than a decade. WRKF’s Report for America corps member Alex Cox joins us with more.The Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children have partnered to bring a recognition called “The Best Place for Working Parents” to Louisiana. The recognition acknowledges employers who self-assess to gauge how friendly their workplace is for workers with children. Taylor Henry, executive director of the Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, tells us more about improving working conditions for parents. Since the Make-A-Wish Organization was first founded, it’s helped grant more than 12,000 wishes to children in Louisiana. In 2025, it granted 650 wishes across the Gulf Coast region, the highest total in the organization’s history.May is a busy month for the Make-A-Wish Texas, Gulf Coast and Louisiana Chapter. After World Wish Month and World Wish Day, the organization has many local events hoping to raise money to support the mission. Wish Kid, Abron Fyre, his mother Misty Frye, and the organization’s director of development, Tommy Fonseca, join us with more.—Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

A new study from researchers at Tulane University is delivering a stark message about the future of coastal Louisiana: New Orleans is not forever.The study warns that rising seas, sinking land and ongoing coastal erosion mean the question is no longer if the coastline will move inland, but how we prepare for the inevitable reality that our region will be taken over by the Gulf of Mexico. Torbjörn Törnqvist, geology professor at Tulane and lead author of the study, joins us for more on the findings and the logistics of relocating an entire city. This month, one of William Shakespeare’s most powerful and haunting tragedies takes the stage in New Orleans. “King Lear” — a story of power, family, betrayal and madness — will come to life at the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane University.Jana Mestecky, director of the production, and John Neisler, the actor who plays King Lear, tell us more about adapting the work with a fast-paced style and ensemble cast.__Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Sara Henegan. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber, and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

A new podcast from WNYC’s “On The Media” seeks to tell the story of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “American Emergency: The Movement to Kill FEMA,” is a four-part series that chronicles the agency from its founding to its current uncertain status in the Trump Administration. The second episode takes a deep dive into the failings of FEMA during Hurricane Katrina. Micah Loewinger, reporter and host of the series, joins with the details.The story of boxing great Muhammed Ali takes musical form in a new album from Baton Rouge-based composer and guitarist D.J. Sparr. The album “The Tao of Muhammad Ali” is based on a podcast by writer Davis Miller that explores his friendship with the champ and how Ali — even through his later years battling Parkinson’s disease — was an inspiration and role model.Sparr joins us with more on the musical tribute. —Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Louisiana’s congressional election map is unconstitutional. Governor Jeff Landry quickly responded with an emergency declaration to suspend the ongoing congressional primary election. While the state argues it now has to redraw the maps  before the election can move forward, some legal experts are asking whether it’s right to suspend an election when some voters have already cast absentee ballots. Dane Ciolino, professor at Loyola New Orleans College of Law, and Peter Robins-Brown, executive director of Louisiana Progress, spoke with WRKF’s Adam Vos for more.Longtime Times-Picayune theater critic and entertainment writer David Cuthbert passed away one week ago. For 43 years, he was at the front of showbiz information and profiled legends in the industry. From copy boy to editor of the paper’s TV Focus, his writings showcased his thirst for entertainment news and his love of New Orleans theatre. He was 79. Just over a year ago, Cuthbert joined WWNO’s Bob Pavlovich around the time of Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary. He discussed the time SNL came for Mardi Gras, the ill-fated show and his experience interviewing original cast members.  ___Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. Matt Bloom and Aubry Procell are assistant producers. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

It’s Thursday, and that means it’s time to catch up on politics with The Times-Picayune’s editorial director and columnist, Stephanie Grace. Today, we discuss the latest in the postponed elections, as well as the ongoing court battle over the elimination of Calvin Duncan’s office as clerk of the Orleans Criminal District Court. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention says that one in four girls and one in 20 boys experience sexual abuse. About 90% of those instances of abuse are perpetrated by someone known and trusted by the child or the child’s family members. But what happens to them when they become adults?Silence Broken is a New Orleans-based non-profit that serves adult survivors of child sexual abuse. Director Dr. Mary Brown and Claudia Barker, a survivor of abuse, join us with more. May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, so we wanted to take the time to look back on Asian history in Louisiana. In the mid-18th century, new immigrants established the first Filipino settlement in the United States. Saint Malo was a small fishing village in St. Bernard Parish until its destruction in a 1915 hurricane. Kirby Araullo, Filipino historian, culture bearer and content creator, tells us more about the history and impact of this settlement. —Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Bob Pavlovich. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. Matt Bloom and Aubry Procell are assistant producers. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Last Friday, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked a ruling from the FDA that allowed the medication abortion drug mifepristone to be sent to patients without an in-person visit to a healthcare provider. Shortly after, the Supreme Court issued a temporary stay, allowing the drug to continue to be distributed for a short period of time.Kelcie Moseley-Morris has been covering this story for the Louisiana Illuminator and Stateline. She joins us with the latest.According to new population data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, New Orleans and the surrounding communities are continuing to decline in population. Since 2020, the 7-parish metro area has decreased by more than 36,000 residents. In the meantime, the Baton Rouge area has seen a slight uptick in residents.Allison Plyer, chief demographer at the Data Center and former chair of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Scientific Advisory Committee, joins us with more.Martha Reeves, the legendary Motown voice, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas, is coming to New Orleans. The singer known for the hit songs “Dancing in the Street” and “Heatwave” will headline a one–night event at the New Orleans Jazz and Blues Market tonight (May 6). Dubbed, “Come and Get These Memories,” the event will feature Reeves discussing behind-the-scenes stories about some of the most iconic musicians and songs in Motown history. Martha Reeves joined Louisiana Considered’s managing producer — and longtime fan — Alana Schreiber with more. —Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

After last week’s historic ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that Louisiana's congressional map is unconstitutional, Gov. Jeff Landry issued a state of emergency to postpone the U.S. House of Representatives race in the state.Capitol Access Reporter Brooke Thorington joins us with the latest.Nurses at University Medical Center (UMC) New Orleans are wrapping up a five-day strike. This is the sixth time over the last 18 months that nurses have walked out over ongoing contract negotiations. Terry Mogilles, a registered nurse at UMC’s orthopedic clinic, and Hailey Dupré, a registered nurse in endoscopy at UMC, discuss their demands and why they believe patient care is currently at risk.New Orleans-based artist, culture bearer and community organizer Willie Birch is hitting the road with a new traveling art exhibit. Dubbed “Willie Birch: Stories to Tell,” the exhibit features six decades of paintings, sculptures and installations. The tour begins today, May 5, in partnership with the American Federation for the Arts. Willie Birch joins us for more on his career and how he was impacted by New Orleans’ social justice movements.__Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Sara Henegan. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber, and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Southern University in Baton Rouge is requesting urgent funds from the state legislature. Interim President Orlando McMeans is asking lawmakers to approve a $19 million one-time investment to help address infrastructure concerns and campus blackouts. The Louisiana Illuminator’s Piper Hutchinson joins us with more. The Louisiana legislative session is in its final months, and there have been both wins and losses for environmental causes. There are new protections for river basins, failed efforts to curb carbon dioxide pipeline storage, a lawsuit against the Army Corps of Engineers over dam construction and more. The Louisiana Illuminator’s Elise Plunk has been covering it all. She joins us with the latest. The New Orleans-based hair salon Silk Me Kids recently announced the launch of its 2026 summer camp. The program will offer hands-on beauty and barbering experience to youth while helping build their confidence, creativity and styling skills. This summer camp also comes years after many New Orleans schools lost their beauty and barbering programs after Hurricane Katrina. Founder of Silk Me Kids, Megan “Meme” Kelly, tells us more about the summer camp and the significance of grooming programs for kids.—Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

 If you’ve ever attended Jazz Fest then it’s likely you’ve seen the Black Masking Indians, dancing and singing on stage or parading down the path. The Indians have actually played a role in Jazz Fest since its founding, and the music event helped to make more people aware of the Backstreet culture.Last week, WWNO’s Alana Schreiber spent some time with Black Masking Indians getting ready for Jazz Fest performances. They discussed how the culture has changed over time, from one of seclusion and occasional infighting, to one of community and sharing. Any day now, a decision is expected in a bench trial challenging forced labor on the farm line at the Louisiana State Penitentiary – better known as Angola. The lawsuit was filed three years ago by both current and former incarcerated men, who argue the work constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.For more, WWNO’s Michael McEwen spoke with Samantha Pourciau, a senior staff attorney at the Promise of Justice Initiative, the organization representing the plaintiffs in federal court. The Grammy award-winning New Orleans band, Tank and the Bangas, is coming out with a new album, The Last Balloon. This Saturday May 2, fans can catch the band promoting their latest songs at the Joy Theater. Lead singer Tarriona “Tank” Ball and band member and co-founder, Norman Spence, dive into some of the tracks and discuss the band’s Grammy win for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album.___Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. Matt Bloom and Aubry Procell are assistant producers. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

It’s Thursday, and that means it’s time to catch up on politics with The Times-Picayune/The Advocate’s editorial director and columnist, Stephanie Grace. She breaks down the constitutional amendments Louisiana voters will soon weigh in on, including a new school district in St. George, permanent teacher raises and changing the retirement age for judges.The United States Supreme Court has invalidated Louisiana’s election map that created a second, majority-Black district. The ruling comes just days before statewide primary elections for the U.S. House, and early voting has already begun.  Mark Ballard, reporter for the Times Picayune/The Advocate, breaks down the decision and how this weakens the Voting Rights Act.New Orleans singer Robin Barnes is gearing up for a big weekend. She’s releasing a new album on Friday and closing down Jazz Fest on Sunday.  The songbird of New Orleans joins us for more on her upcoming performance. —Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. Matt Bloom and Aubry Procell are assistant producers. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

The state legislature is considering increasing funding for the La GATOR private school scholarship, which puts public funds towards private school education. The Advocate’s Patrick Wall tells us more about the proposal and which students would be served by this initiative. The public dispute between Pope Leo XIV and President Donald Trump has escalated sharply in recent weeks. The feud — over global conflicts — has been on the minds of many Catholics across the U.S., including in Louisiana, where more than a quarter of people in the state identify as Catholic.Trump also won the state in the past three presidential elections.WWNO and WRKF’s Morning Edition producer Mel Bridges spoke to residents about that dichotomy. Music education has always played an essential role in Louisiana schools, but it’s not just marching bands that get students excited. LSU professor David Dockan is beginning the “modern band” movement, meant to teach music in the model of a rock band: learning about multi-instrumentalism, collaboration and technology.  Dockan, who was recently named to the Yamaha Music USA 40 Under 40 Music Educators, is an assistant professor of music education at the LSU School of Music. He joins us for more on rock band music education. Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.--You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

New Orleans mayor Helena Moreno recently marked 100 days since taking office. So far, she’s dealt with infrastructure projects, water main breaks, new development plans and an ongoing budget crisis. The Times-Picayune editorial director and columnist Stephanie Grace spoke with Moreno about her first 100 days and her priorities going forward. The current legislative session in Louisiana is set to wrap up at the beginning of June. As lawmakers debate a wide range of proposals, civil liberties groups are tracking what they say could have major impacts on human rights, criminal justice and public accountability. Executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana, Alanah Odoms, tells us where the organization stands on various bills. __Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Sara Henegan. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber, and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

It’s Thursday, and that means it’s time to catch up on politics with The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate’s editorial director and columnist Stephanie Grace. Today, we discuss the homestretch of the Republican Senate primary race, and the rumor that former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu is considering a run for president. The Louisiana Legislature has been working on bills that would resize New Orleans courts. While Republicans say the goal is to have the courts more accurately reflect judicial districts across the state and combine the criminal and civil courts, Democrats argue that this process is too rushed.Earlier this week, we spoke with Jack Brook at the Associated Press to hear about the potential impacts should these bills pass. Today, we’ll break down the fine print in the legislation. The Bureau of Governmental Research President and CEO, Rebecca Mowbray, and lead researcher, Paul Rioux, walk us through their examinations. One year ago this month, the Trump administration canceled more than 85% of the National Endowment for the Humanities' existing grants. That meant the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities lost over $600,000 overnight.We check in with the executive director of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, Miranda Restovic, to find out how LEH has weathered the losses and how the cuts have affected the upcoming America 250 celebration in the state.  —Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

In recent years, a group called The Campus Victory Project — backed by the conservative organization Turning Point USA — has turned its eyes to student life at universities. At LSU, students are claiming that this group is influencing student government elections. Now, LSU students are putting forward a measure that would change how people off-campus could get involved in student politics.WRKF Report for America corps member Alex Cox joins us with the latest.Opioid use disorder (OUD) and stimulant use disorder (SUD) are leading causes of preventable death in Louisiana and across the country. But now, LSU Health is taking part in a national collaborative to help address how the treatment of substance use disorders is researched and pursued.Marcus Bachhuber, clinical associate professor at LSU School of Medicine and co-founder of the Integrated Health Clinic at LSU Health, joins us with more. We’re in the midst of crawfish season, but have you ever wondered how the crustacean became so popular in Louisiana? Sam Irwin is the author of the book, “Louisiana Crawfish: A Succulent History of the Cajun Crustacean.” He’s giving a talk on the subject at the East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library on Saturday (April 24).He joins us for more on the history of the crawfish in our region.--Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Residents in Holly Ridge, Louisiana, are complaining about the health impacts of the construction of the Meta data center — the largest data center in the country.The Gulf States Newsroom’s Drew Hawkins is conducting a community monitoring project to test the air, dust and water. Today, he visits Holly Ridge to talk with residents about how it works and how the data will be analyzed.Last November, Calvin Duncan, a formerly incarcerated man, was elected Orleans Parish clerk of criminal court. He won with 68% of the vote on a campaign that promised to reform the justice system that kept him locked up for nearly thirty years from a wrongful conviction. But now, the legislature is trying to eliminate his job as he prepares to be sworn in.Jack Brook has been covering this story for the Associated Press. He joins us with the latest. In the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans, there’s a venue where the buildings themselves make music. At Music Box Village, artists have created a collection of small, whimsical structures that double as instruments — creating a sound-rich and quirky environment.After a quieter period in recent years as the organization faced funding challenges, the venue is back with new leadership and a lineup of spring and summer performances. Operations manager Jenelle Malbrough joins us with this season’s lineup, and what makes the space so unique. __Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Sara Henegan. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber, and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

The parents of former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy have filed a lawsuit against the Louisiana State Police, alleging officers falsely implicated Lacy in a December 2024 fatal crash on Louisiana Highway 20. After the accident, Lacy’s draft stock plummeted, and months later, he took his own life. Mel Bridges has been reporting this story for WWNO and WRKF. She joins us today with the latest. Louisiana lawmakers are considering drastic changes to the state Department of Children and Family Services, including dismantling the department and moving its tasks to other state agencies. This follows years of criticism that DCFS has not properly followed up on cases that could have prevented child deaths. Greg LaRose, editor of the Louisiana Illuminator, tells us more about these potential changes. Pickney Benton Stewart Pinchback, otherwise known as PBS Pinchback, served as the 24th governor of Louisiana in 1872 and is commonly referred to as the first Black governor in the United States.  While his tenure as governor of Louisiana was brief — a mere 35 days — he remains one of the most prominent Black officeholders during the Reconstruction era. Nicholas Patler, author of the new book, “Pinchback: America’s First Black Governor,” joins us for more on his life and legacy.—Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Liquified natural gas, or LNG, is a natural gas that has been super-cooled into a liquid so that it can be stored and shipped. It’s been touted as a bridge fuel to wean the world off of fossil fuels and onto renewable energy. In December 2024, Sea Change hosts Carlyle Calhoun and Halle Parker investigated the liquified natural gas exports being built on the Gulf Coast in a series called “All Gassed Up.” And they followed those exports around the world from Louisiana to Germany to Japan. What they found was that LNG may not be a cleaner fuel after all. It releases an even more dangerous gas called methane into the atmosphere. And the export terminals are negatively impacting air and water quality for our Gulf coast communities. Today, Carlyle returns to the LNG story with Gulf States Newsroom reporter Drew Hawkins. They talk about how LNG exports are affecting your electricity bills and what the war in Iran means for this industry.What started out as a wordplay joke among friends quickly turned into one of New Orleans most popular bands. LSD Clownsystem is an LCD Soundsystem clown-themed cover band, and since launching on Halloween of 2018, has amassed a cult following with members and fans dressing up like clowns for sold out shows. In the last year they’ve made their music available through the New Orleans Public Library’s Crescent City Sounds. And now, they’re gearing up for their French Quarter Fest debut, today April 17 at 5pm on the Jack Daniels Stage.Three of the band’s members, bass guitarist Ricky Ostry, singer Howe Pea and singer and percussionist Brooke Paulus, join us for more on creating an imaginative world at their performances. ___Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. Matt Bloom and Aubry Procell are assistant producers. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

It’s Thursday and that means it’s time to catch up with Stephanie Grace, editorial director and columnist for The Times-Picayune/The Advocate. Today we discuss a series of bills at the legislature that seem to pin New Orleans against the rest of the state. According to earthquakelist.org, an area southeast of Shreveport, Louisiana has had over two dozen earthquakes since the beginning of this year. They range in strength from 2.1 in magnitude to the big shake just over a month ago that registered 4.9 on the Richter scale.Now locals are wondering if oil and gas drilling is to blame. Karen Luttrell, professor in the Geology and Geophysics department at LSU, tells us more about the causes and consequences of the quakes.April is National Autism Awareness Month. New Orleans is hosting events and ongoing programs that not only promote acceptance, but also pride in neurodiversity. Executive director of the Autism Society of Greater New Orleans, Claire Tibbets, joins us with more. —Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. Matt Bloom and Aubry Procell are assistant producers. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

The Birmingham Squadron, the minor league affiliate of the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans, is relocating to Kenner, Louisiana. The Gulf States Newsroom’s Joseph King went to their last basketball game in the Magic City to see how fans are feeling about the news.This Thursday through Saturday, LSU Libraries will host the annual Book Bazaar — but this year, they’re celebrating 50 years. The event is well known for a large sale of books as well as other types of physical media. Outreach librarian Mitch Fontenon tells us more about the history of the event and what to expect this year.The Louisiana Orphan Train Museum tells us the story of a train that brought orphan passengers from the New York Foundling Hospital to other parts of the country from 1854 to 1929. Although it’s located in Opelousas, the museum is taking a new presentation to St. Francisville.Board president Martha Aubert tells us more about this history and what stories will be told at the upcoming event. —Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards has made tackling blight in the parish one of his top priorities since taking office. In his first year, his team demolished over 200 buildings, which they say is a historic high. WRKF Report for America corps member Alex Cox tells us more about how the mayor is continually addressing this issue.New Orleans comedian Ryan Rogers is coming out with a new special on May 15, titled “Girl Bye.” But that’s not all he’s been up to. He’s currently on the road touring with fellow comedian Whitney Cummings, and gearing up for this year’s annual queer comedy festival, LGBTLOL.Rogers joins us now for more on all his upcoming projects and how he discovered his comedic voice in addiction recovery. The Mississippi Sound Coalition is announcing new recommendations for better operation of the Bonnet Carre Spillway.WWNO and WRKF's Coastal Reporter Michael McEwen reports on the guidelines, which follow two years-long scientific studies.__Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Sara Henegan. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber, and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

In the first 24 hours since the U.S. and Iran reached a ceasefire agreement, an oil refinery in Iran was hit, five Gulf Arab states reported attacks from Iranian drones and missiles and Israeli airstrikes killed more than 250 people in Lebanon. After failed peace negotiations this weekend, the war is showing no signs of slowing down, with the U.S. military beginning a blockade of all Iranian ports and coastal areas.Russel Honoré is a retired lieutenant general of the U.S. Army, most well known for leading the military relief effort during Hurricane Katrina. He joins us for more on the costs of war in the Middle East.Earlier this year, an investigation by Verite News found pervasive lead contamination in multiple New Orleans playgrounds. Now, city officials are trying to do something about it. Halle Parker has been the lead investigator on this story. She joins us with the latest. One of the nation’s longest-running free blues festivals returns this weekend to downtown Baton Rouge. Now in its 45th year, the festival remains true to its mission of promoting, preserving and advancing the swamp blues music and culture native to Baton Rouge.  Baton Rouge Blues Festival and Foundation interim director J. Hover tells us more about the history of swamp blues in the region and what to expect at this year’s event. —Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Five public officials in Evangeline Parish were arrested this week, including the mayor of Ville Platte. They were booked after a Louisiana State Police investigation found they accessed government computer databases and shared protected information with a criminal defendant.Joe Cunningham, host of the Joe Cunningham show and Acadiana’s Morning News on Newstalk 96.5 KPEL, gives us the latest.The third annual GenFest is coming to New Orleans. On April 11, the City Archives and New Orleans Public Library will offer a day of presentations that inform listeners about genealogical research. This year’s theme is “All in the Family,” and anyone from a seasoned researcher to a curious resident is welcome to attend. Christina Bryant, city archives and special collections director, and Brittanny Silva, archivist and GenFest presenter, joins us with more.New Orleans charter schools value their freedom. But their level of independence from one another can make it harder to get the right staff or tools to help students with disabilities. Aubri Juhasz reports on a new partnership between some charters and the district to better support students.___Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

It’s Thursday, and that means it’s time to catch up on politics with The Times-Picayune/The Advocate’s editorial director and columnist, Stephanie Grace. Today, we discuss the upcoming Republican Senate primary, where incumbent Bill Cassidy faces challenges from Rep. Julia Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming.The Southeast Flood Protection Authority-East is tasked with maintaining and operating the levee system that protects most of New Orleans. But the board has faced turmoil over the past year and a half, ever since a law came into effect that allowed Gov. Jeff Landry to pick its president. One of the goals of the governor and his allies has been to boost the levee board’s police force. Now, after the latest budget approval, the levee board is spending a quarter of its budget on the police. The Times-Picayune/The Advocate’s environmental reporter Alex Lubben has been following the changes at the levee board. He joins us with the latest.The world’s largest collection of preserved fish belongs to Tulane University, and they're housed in World War II-era bunkers just outside New Orleans.So what are they doing there? And what are they teaching the researchers?Brian Sidlauskas, director of Tulane Biodiversity Research Institute, joins us with more.—Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. Matt Bloom and Aubry Procell are assistant producers. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

A recent investigation by the Gulf States Newsroom’s Drew Hawkins found that dozens of elected officials in Louisiana have signed nondisclosure agreements related to large-scale developments, including the Amazon data centers in northwest Louisiana. The announcement caught many by surprise. Critics say the agreements keep communities in the dark.Hawkins joins us for an update in his reporting. The Artemis II rocket is making its way back from the far side of the moon after a mission where astronauts traveled the furthest ever distance from earth. As it turns out, a piece of Louisiana has been traveling with them. Part of the rocket was made at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, and more than forty Michoud employees traveled to the Kennedy space center last week to watch the rocket launch. Back in July of 2024, we heard from Chandler Sheuermann, a NASA engineer based at Michoud, about Louisiana’s contributions to the Artemis II. We’ll revisit the discussion.On Saturday, Opéra Louisiane, will present a performance of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” to the River Center in Baton Rouge. The show will feature Metropolitan Opera soprano Teresa Perrotta.Opéra Louisiane’s general director, Paul Groves, tells us more about bringing world-class operas to the capital city. —Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

In 1993, New Orleans bankruptcy attorney John Menszer began photographing and interviewing Holocaust survivors. The project soon took on a life of its own, and he started touring the country, taking more photos, collecting more stories and curating exhibits. Now, there’s a new exhibition of his work at the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience. The wing opened with some survivors and their family members in attendance.Menszer joins us for more.New Orleans singer Erica Falls is known for her powerful voice and signature “vintage soul” style. Now, she has a new album out, along with an accompanying documentary that takes viewers behind the scenes of her songwriting process.Falls joins us for more on her new music and what it’s like to share her musical journey with fans. __Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Sara Henegan. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber, and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

The Trump administration is letting oil and gas industry workers off the hook when it comes to protecting endangered whales off the southern coast of the United States. This all began last week, when the Endangered Species Committee, also known as the “God Squad,” voted to grant a rare exemption from the Endangered Species Act for Rice Whales. Anna Kramer has been covering this story for NOTUS, and joins us with the latest.Last week, Xavier University of Louisiana won the 2026 NAIA National Cheer and Dance Championship. The Gold Rush clinched victory over 14 other teams. The team previously finished in second place in 2024 and 2025. At the helm of the squad is competitive cheer head coach Glenn Caston. He was named NAIA National Coach of the Year in 2022 and 2024, has coached nine national championship teams and has nationwide experience as a cheer and dance clinician. He joins us with more on his career and the big win.The state legislature is considering several bills during the current session that deal with Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) and other financial aid programs for postsecondary education. The non-partisan advocacy group Better Louisiana says this is an opportunity for lawmakers to find ways for these programs to work together to better serve the state’s citizens and help meet Louisiana’s workforce needs.Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin tells us where the organization stands on several bills. —Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

We’re in the beginning of spring bird migration here on the Gulf Coast, which means warblers, vireos, orioles and thrushes coming through as they make their way up North. Around two billion birds make landfall along our coast from March to May after crossing the Gulf of Mexico. But even after the high-stakes crossing of open water, their next leg of the journey is no less perilous.In this episode of Sea Change, Celia Llopis-Jepsen, host of Up From Dust, tells us a story about a phenomenon threatening birds on their long flights, and we learn how we can all do our part to help them on their journeys.And while we’re on the subject, a bird poop trial has officially begun. Neighbors in the city of Harahan have been arguing over the spread and impact of bird feces since 2023. And now, the legal system is involved.Lara Nicholson has been covering this story for The Times-Picayune/The Advocate, and joins us for more.Among the bills that advanced in the Louisiana legislature this week is one that will add a citizenship marker on state IDs and driver’s licenses. Capitol Access reporter Brooke Thorington has been following this legislation and joins us with the latest.___Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

An investigation found dozens of elected officials in Louisiana have signed nondisclosure agreements related to large-scale developments — like the Amazon data centers in northwest Louisiana.The announcement caught many by surprise and critics say the agreements keep communities in the dark. The Gulf States Newsroom’s Drew Hawkins tells us more.It’s the first night of Passover, and Jewish communities across the country are molding matzo balls, mixing charoset and taking out their sharpest knives to slice up briskets.   Next time you look at a knife, remember that many popular varieties of the tool? actually trace their history to Louisiana. Back in the 1600s, knives were a popular item to trade between Spanish colonizers, French Canadian explorers and natives. And later, James Bowie, while living in Louisiana, would popularize the knife synonymous with his name.Stephen Bateman, knifemarker and historical researcher with the Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy at The National World War II Museum, joins us with more on knife history and craftsmanship. Protecting your home from flooding is a concern for many Louisianians, but options like elevating can be limited and costly, especially for older homes. Now, Buoyant Foundation, is promoting homes that are capable of floating as an economical option.Elizabeth English, founder and director of the Buoyant Foundation Project, tells us more about the benefits of so-called “amphibious homes.”—Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Last week, a bill to establish a recreational alligator hunting season passed in the state senate. While Louisiana currently allows highly-regulated commercial alligator hunting, this would open up the activity to the general public. But some are concerned this could put the species back on the endangered list.Michael McEwen, reporter for WWNO and WRKF’s coastal desk, joins us with the latest.The 2026 Winter Paralympics wrapped up a few weeks ago, featuring Louisiana’s very own Brenna Huckaby. The paralympic snowboarder brought home a bronze medal, her fifth medal overall. But Huckaby is not the only Louisiana athlete with a disability who has big aspirations. Back in 2021, New Orleans teacher Adam Sivia lost both of his legs in an accident. These days, he’s aiming to qualify for the Paralympics in 2028. He joins us for more on his rehabilitation, recovery and connecting with other athletes with disabilities. For years, the Louisiana Bucket Brigade tackled environmental issues. They’ve become known for their main effort: highlighting how petrochemical plants lead to pollution, land loss and illnesses within the communities they’re located in. Now, the organization is gearing up for an Earth Day event that pairs art and culture with environmental activism.The New Orleans Earth Day Festival returns to the Mid-City neighborhood in New Orleans on April 11th. The event is free and open to the public. Louisiana Bucket Brigade director, Anne Rolfes, and development director Rene Ronquillo, join us for more on the organization’s mission and the upcoming event.__Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Sara Henegan. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Louisiana prosecutor Hugo Holland has had a long and controversial career. He’s been accused of withholding evidence in death row cases, falsifying paperwork and racism. But that hasn’t stopped him from campaigning for a judge position in Caddo Parish. And according to recent reports, he’s the front runner.Richard Webster has been covering this story for Verite News and Pro Publica. He joins us today with more.Back in the 1970s, blind mathematician Robert McClean wanted more vision impaired people to have access to news and information. So he leased some airtime from WWNO, and began reading local newspapers over the radio. Years later, he purchased his own radio signal and established the first full-time reading radio station in the United States: WRBH.Years later WRBH is still operating, providing book and newspaper readings for blind audiences everywhere.Program Director at WRBH Del Agnew joins us with more on the history of the station and upcoming events. The East Baton Rouge Public Defender has had an uncertain year in funding. They began the year taking a large cut from the parish’s 2026 budget. But the Metro Council recently allocated them $500,000. WRKF Report for America corps member Alex Cox has more on the state of the office’s funding.—Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

For more than a century, the Gulf seafood industry has shaped towns, cultures, and identities along the coast. Yet, if you talk to almost anyone who works on the water, they’ll tell you the Gulf seafood story has changed more in the last 30 years than the hundred years before that. If you care about what’s on your plate, what happens to this coast, or what kind of future we’re leaving to the next generation of fishers and eaters, you’re in the right place.Today, Sea Change travels to the Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, for a lively live panel discussion about seafood. Host Carlyle Calhoun is joined by journalist Boyce Upholt, fisherman Ryan Bradley, chef Alex Perry, and off-bottom oyster farmer Matthew Mayfield to talk about the future of this rapidly changing industry. ---Sea Change is a WWNO and WRKF production. We are part of the NPR Podcast Network and distributed by PRX. Sea Change is made possible with major support from the Gulf Research Program of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. WWNO’s Coastal Desk is supported by the Walton Family Foundation, the Meraux Foundation, and the Greater New Orleans Foundation.

It’s Thursday, and that means it’s time to catch up on the week in politics with Stephanie Grace, editorial director and columnist for Times Picayune/The Advocate. Today, she discusses the latest in the Republican Senate primary and why there will likely be no debate between candidates.It’s been nearly a month since the United States and Israel launched a war with Iran, beginning with 900 strikes in just 12 hours and the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. This war comes despite President Donald Trump’s assurance to disengage from armed conflicts in the Middle East. What’s unknown still is how long this war might go on, how many will lose their lives and what it will take to end it.Andrew Leber, assistant professor at Tulane University’s Department of Political Science and the Middle East and North Africa Studies Program, tells us more about the war and what he thinks it will take for it to end. Many Louisianans are aware of the multi-billion-dollar Meta AI data center underway in Richland Parish. The facility is said to be one of Meta’s largest ever constructed. But it’s not the only data center coming to the region – and massive tax breaks could give tech giants reason to keep building more.Sam Karlin has been covering this for The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate. He joins us today for more.__Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Bob Pavlovich. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!  Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Wait times at the New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport have been much longer than usual in recent weeks, especially during peak travel days. Some travelers have experienced hours-long delays, with lines stretching out of the building into the airport’s parking garage. Aubri Juhasz has been covering this story for WWNO and WRKF. She joins with more.Nexus Louisiana has a lofty goal. The Baton Rouge-based startup accelerator wants to identify 1,000 founders of tech companies in Louisiana by the year 2035.Tony Zanders, president & CEO, Nexus Louisiana, joins us to share more about this organization’s mission to energize the state’s tech sector. Later on the show, we’ll hear about a team of LSU researchers who are working on ways to get microplastics out of the environment. The tiny pieces of plastics can be ingested and remain in our bodies for a long time.The LSU team recently found a way to physically “trap” microplastics in water using an eco-friendly foam.Graduate student and researcher Kennedy Guillot joins us with more.__Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards wants to give employees at the Baton Rouge Police Department a raise. Edwards’ plan hopes to give sworn officers at least a 15% raise, non-sworn employees a 3.5% raise and the chiefs a 5.9% raise.But this still needs to be approved by the East Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council, which they will consider in an upcoming meeting.Report for America corps member Alex Cox joins us with more.Many Louisiana school districts are still under court-ordered desegregation plans dating back to the 1960s and 70s. Under the second Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Justice has set out to dismiss desegregation cases across the country, and has already lifted at least two orders in Louisiana — in Plaquemines and DeSoto parishes. Natalie McLendon is a freelance reporter in Southwest Louisiana who recently published a story in The Current about that school system’s still-open desegregation case. She spoke with WWNO’s and WRKF’s education reporter, Aubri Juhasz, for more.As Mississippi’s legislature debates how to spend opioid settlement funds, some of the voices missing from the conversation are people who have struggled with addiction.The Gulf States Newsroom’s Drew Hawkins held listening sessions and attended events, talking with people impacted by the opioid crisis. He asked how they think the state should spend the money.__Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Sara Henegan. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Curbside recycling in New Orleans may soon disappear. Mayor Helena Moreno floated the possibility of eliminating it as a potential cost-saving measure to help deal with a massive budget deficit. This is despite the fact that New Orleans was poised to participate in a universal recycling initiative, which would have been fully funded. Katie Jane Fernelius has been reporting this story for Verite News. She joins us with more. Louisiana author Rachel Marsh is coming out with her second middle grade novel. Titled, “Grandpere’s Ghost Swamp,” the story follows a 12-year-old girl who explores the bayou as a way to reconnect with her Cajun roots. The novel also focuses on coastal restoration, which continues to be a major issue in the state.Marsh tells us now more about her novel, and reconnecting to her Cajun heritage through her writing. The Gulf South has some of the strictest laws when it comes to losing one’s right to vote and getting that right back. Some Mississippi lawmakers have been trying to change that for several years now in the state, but measures continue to fall through.The Gulf States Newsroom’s Elise Gregg takes a look at how that affects Mississippians and what could be next.—Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

She’s been a part of thousands of listener’s mornings for more than three and a half decades. And now, Morning Edition host Diane Mack has decided to retire. Diane joins us to reflect on her life and career. She tells us how she first discovered NPR, offers advice to the next Morning Edition host and shares her most memorable moments on air.It’s March Madness! The time of year when 68 men’s teams and 68 women’s teams compete to be the NCAA basketball champions.In honor of basketball fever, we’re going to look back at the history of the sport in our state. In 1965, high school sports in New Orleans were still segregated.  But a secret game played between Jesuit and St. Augustine changed everything.Laine Kaplan-Levinson recorded this story for the Tripod podcast. Today, we’ll give it a second listen.___Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. Matt Bloom and Aubry Procell are assistant producers. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

It’s Thursday, and that means it’s time to catch up on politics with Stephanie Grace, editorial director and columnist for The Times Picayune/The Advocate, for our week in politics. Today, she tells us about a legislative proposal to name a Louisiana bridge after President Donald Trump, and breaks down Mayor Moreno’s latest challenges. In the last few weeks, New Orleans has seen multiple water main breaks, with water spewing from the ground, swallowing land and blocking off streets. But it’s not limited to New Orleans. Shreveport endured a 42-inch water main burst earlier this month that closed schools and businesses, and endangered fire protection. Then there are the state’s rural water systems in places like Tallulah, Killian or Monterey that are struggling.Robert Collins is a Dillard professor whom we often turn to for political analysis, but he has also studied municipal water systems worldwide. He joins us to discuss how these water systems need new investments in infrastructure totaling $100 million.This weekend, the Danny Barker Banjo and Guitar Festival returns to New Orleans. Events will be centered at the New Orleans Jazz Museum with a series of concerts around the city.To learn more, we’re joined by festival organizer and guitarist Detroit Brooks, banjoist Sava Venet, and producer of the festival's 2nd annual golf tournament, Glennon Bazzle.--Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Bob Pavlovich. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!  Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Analysis from Pew shows state reserve funds — often called rainy day funds — largely fell in 2025. That's the first time that happened since the Great Recession. It's down from a record high for state rainy day funds nationwide just the prior year. But Louisiana actually had a record-high rainy day balance in 2025, but we can’t rest easy, as it still falls short of the national average. To learn more about what this means and how the state uses reserve funds, we’re joined by Page Forrest, associate manager of the Fiscal 50 project at The Pew Charitable Trusts. This Friday, LSU’s Reilly Center for Media and Public Affairs will present its 2026 John Breaux Symposium. The topic: “American Media at 250.”They will be exploring the influence the media has exerted over civic life in America over the past two and a half centuries, as the U.S. approaches its 250th birthday.Michael DiResto, director of the Reilly Center at LSU, tells us more about the upcoming event that highlights centuries of American political journalism.  Earlier this year, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Baton Rouge became the first hospital in the region to offer a certain type of cancer immunotherapy — referred to as CAR-T-Cell Therapy — on an outpatient basis for certain blood cancers.Dr. Andrew Dalovisio, director of the Myeloma Lymphoma and Cellular Therapy Program at Mary Bird Perkins, tells us more about this life-saving treatment.—Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

The Nous Foundation is a New Orleans-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting Louisiana’s French, Creole and Indigenous cultures and languages. Recently, the organization received a $100,000 grant to launch an archival initiative. Scott Tilton, co-founder of the Nous Foundation, and Dr. Kim Vaz-Deville, leading scholar of African American ceremonial culture in Louisiana, tell us how the grant will allow them to further their research.The Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University is gearing up for its 59th season. This year, they’ll present three musicals: “Chicago,” “La Cage aux Follies” and “A Little Night Music.” Artistic director C. Leonard Raybon joins us with the details.In the southwestern corner of Louisiana, a massive buildout of liquefied natural gas export terminals is underway. The industry says it’s creating jobs and strengthening America’s energy dominance.But as the Gulf States Newsroom’s Drew Hawkins reports, the multibillion-dollar industry has reshaped the landscape, the economy and the daily lives of the people who have lived here for generations.__Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

It’s March in Louisiana, and that means one thing: crawfish season. This year, the industry is facing major labor shortages due to federal immigration caps. This is despite the fact that most seasonal crawfish workers are typically authorized to work temporarily in the U.S. Avery White and Sheridan White reported this story for the LSU Manship School News Service. They join us for more. A new series of short films produced by Louisiana Public Broadcasting, in partnership with the HBCU Week NOW project, explores the impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities across Louisiana.  “Louisiana's HBCUs: An American Legacy” delves into their impact in athletics, education, civil rights and culture. LPB Digital Media Director Donald “D Ray” Washington tells us more about this series. The quickly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence is poised to transform almost every industry we know — a prospect that breeds excitement for some, but fear and concern for others. An upcoming event hosted by the LSU Ourso College of Business, the “AI in Action Symposium," brings together expert voices at the heart of the AI revolution to explore how they have successfully navigated implementing AI in the workplace. Andrew Schwartz, professor at LSU’s Business College, tells us more.—Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

It’s the end of the week, and time to catch up on politics. The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate’s editorial director and columnist Stephanie Grace discusses Gov. Landry’s priorities for the state legislative session.  Last month on Louisiana Considered, we brought you Voices of the Culture, a podcast hosted by two Black Masking Indians who shared their preparations for Mardi Gras day. Today, we’ll bring you the latest episode. Spy boy Horace Anderson, of the Creole Wild West, and Big Chief Dowee Robair, of the 9th Ward Black Hatchet, review their Fat Tuesdays, share the history behind Super Sunday and tell you where to catch them on St. Joseph’s Day. —Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Bob Pavlovich. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!  Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

The New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane kicks off tonight, and among the featured authors, directors and journalists is Clint Smith, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of the poetry collection “Above Ground” and the best-selling book “How the Word Is Passed.” Smith is no stranger to New Orleans. He’s a native of the city who wrote a reflection on Hurricane Katrina’s 20th anniversary in August. Smith joins us for more on where you can catch him this weekend.Last week on Louisiana Considered, we brought you the first part of the latest episode of Sea Change, exploring how artificial reefs are helping restore sea life habitats in Alabama. Today, in the second part of the episode, we learn how these reefs are playing out all the way in Cambodia.___Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

When a United Kingdom-based company promised to revive the pine lumber industry and produce green energy, three majority-Black towns in the deep South — including two in rural Louisiana — jumped at the opportunity. But residents are now thinking better of the deal after seeing massive spikes in air pollution. Verite News’ Tristan Baurick joins us to share what he’s learned about international wood pellet manufacturing.Water quality monitoring is crucial for understanding the health of human communities and the wider ecosystems they rely upon. But water quality measurement along the Gulf Coast is resource-limited. Mariam Valladares Castellanos, a civil and environmental engineering researcher at LSU, joins us to discuss an effort to use artificial intelligence to fill the gaps in how we monitor coastal waterways.A shortage of Transportation Security Administration agents at Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans resulted in a considerable number of missed flights and anxious passengers this weekend. Some of those passengers shared their travel stories with WRKF Report for America corps member Alex Cox.__________Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Throughout 2025, the population at the Orleans Justice Center continuously exceeded capacity. This came even as violent crime rates and the New Orleans population continued to decline. Ashley Cusick reported this story for Verite News. She joins us with the latestThis Women’s History Month, “Two Elizas,” a poignant solo theatre piece, returns to the Hermann Grima House. Playwright, actress, and Tulane associate theatre professor Jenny Marcein presents a true story of motherhood, loss and resilience, drawn from her family’s history. The play is also a tribute to her great-aunt’s landmark 1847 U.S. Supreme Court case, Barry v. Mercein, which secured a woman’s right to retain custody of her child. Jenny Mercein joins us with the details. Artivism Dance Theatre is a New Orleans nonprofit that combines movement and social justice. In classes, workshops and recitals, students explore how to communicate social issues, spark dialogue and foster understanding through movement. From March 14-15, Artivism will present a show called “Off-The-Cuff.”Sophia Rabinovitz, owner and creative director of Artivism Dance Theatre, tells us more. __Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

The LSU women’s basketball team has wrapped up the regular season and is headed to March Madness. The team last won the tournament in 2023. In 2024 and 2025, they lost in the Elite 8 round. Reed Darcey covers LSU women’s basketball for The Baton Rouge Advocate. He joins us for more on the team’s regular season and how they’re shaping up for the big dance.Louisiana’s state bird, the Brown Pelican, is among a variety of colonial waterbird species benefiting from the recently completed restoration of a small island off Louisiana’s coast.  The Terrebonne Houma Navigation Canal Bird Island is a major nesting area that was shrinking due to erosion. Then, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority stepped in to restore the land. Renee Bennett, project manager at the CPRA, joins us for more.This year, Mississippi’s legislature will decide how to spend millions of dollars meant to be used to fight the opioid epidemic.But as the Gulf States Newsroom’s Drew Hawkins reports, so far, the state has largely not invested in programs that support addiction recovery.—Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

A New Orleans initiative to increase citywide recycling is under threat. This is despite the fact that the city has more than 5 million dollars worth of support from the EPA and a national nonprofit to support this program.Reporter for Verite News, Katie Jane Fernelius, tells us more. Sea habitats are vanishing in the Gulf due to overfishing. Now, there’s a potential human-made solution for this human-made problem: artificial reefs. In the first part of the latest episode of Sea Change, we learn how artificial reefs are helping to provide a new habitat for sea life in Alabama. And next week, we’ll learn about a similar initiative being deployed in Cambodia.___Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

The Louisiana legislative session is just around the corner, and conversations on the state budget are set to dominate. The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate’s editorial director and columnist Stephanie Grace joins us for a preview. The Tulane Book Fest is just around the corner. If you attend and decide you’d like more author discussions, writing contests and book sales, you might want to check out the Books Along the Teche Literary Festival in April. The 10th annual fest takes place in New Iberia, and will include a variety of discussion topics, like Creole trail riders, the history of swamp pop and the process of playwriting. Deb Lindsey, co-chair of the festival, joins us to give the details.The 2026 Paralympics officially kick off tomorrow with the Opening Ceremonies. More than 600 athletes from over 50 countries will compete in sports like sled hockey, para skiing and wheelchair curling. Among the competitors is Baton Rouge’s own Brenna Huckaby. The para snowboarder is a three-time Paralympic gold medalist and five-time world champion.Back in 2022, Huckaby joined us to discuss her latest win, her journey in the sport, and how she hopes to represent both the disability community and Louisiana winter athletes. Today, we’ll give that conversation another listen. ___Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. Matt Bloom and Aubry Procell are assistant producers. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

The trial has begun for three people, including two lawyers, accused of staging car accidents throughout the Crescent City. The trial is the first in a widespread insurance fraud scheme and is even connected to a possible murder plot. John Simmerman has been covering this story for The Times Picayune/The Advocate, and joins us now for more.LSU Health New Orleans has been selected to take part in a grant to help teach an often-overlooked element of medical care — compassion. This four-year medical education project will use “precision education” to provide individualized learning for medical professionals.Dr. Peter DeBleiux, assistant dean of advanced learning and simulation at LSU Health New Orleans, and Dr. Rachel Fiore, assistant professor and director for the Standardized Patient Project, join us with more. Louisiana’s Old State Capitol in downtown Baton Rouge has opened a new photography exhibit that documents Louisiana’s role in both the practices and the challenges to racial segregation. Members of the Louisiana Photographic Society used their cameras to capture present-day evidence of Louisiana’s complex history. It’s part of a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.Anne Mahoney, curator of Louisiana’s Old State Capitol, tells us more about the exhibit and the 19 photographers featured. She’s joined by Stacey Pearson and Marilyn Goff, two participant photographers in this exhibit.—Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

New Orleans Entrepreneur Week is back. More than 100 summit sessions, 12 city-wide events and numerous workshops, pitch competitions and founder stories geared towards promoting business ventures will take place March 9-14.  Sam McCabe, director for the Center of Entrepreneurship and Community Development at Loyola University of New Orleans, gives us the details.The Marigny Opera Ballet continues its season with two premieres celebrating Louisiana culture and traditions. The two newly commissioned works, “Homecoming” and “Un Autre Soir…Another Evening,” will be accompanied by music composed and performed live by indie group Sweet Crude. Marigny Opera Ballet executive director Dave Hurlbert and choreographers Shane Urton and Amalia Najera tell us more. A brutal winter storm dealt some heavy blows to the South in January, when ice, sleet and freezing rain swept across the region.Across the Gulf States, thousands were left without power, with hundreds of outages persisting in northern Mississippi.While government services are still moving to reach people, communities are working together to recover. Elise Gregg of the Gulf States Newsroom and Mississippi Public Broadcasting tells us more.__Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!