“Louisiana Considered” showcases South Louisiana's biggest stories and features interviews with journalists, newsmakers, and artists. The show is a collaboration between the WWNO and WRKF newsrooms. Airs Monday through Friday at noon.
It's Thursday, and that means it's time for our week in Politics with The Times Picayune/New Orleans Advocate's editorial director and columnist Stephanie Grace. Today, she joins us from Washington, D.C. to discuss Mardi Gras at the nation's capital, and how Louisiana congresspeople missing their home state led to this new tradition.Gov. Jeff Landry is unveiling what he's billed as a framework to better connect state agencies, utilities and the energy industry to Louisiana's economic development. It's called the Whole of Louisiana Energy Strategy. The effort will be led by the development arm of Landry's administration (LED), and Landry says he wants to establish Louisiana as the 'industrial power leader' of the U.S. The Coastal Desk's Michael McEwen has been going through the report. He joins us today for more.Each February, we observe and celebrate the achievements of African Americans, recognizing their role in U.S. History. This year, Black History Month occurs a full century after the founding of Negro History Week by historian Carter G Woodson and other African Americans in 1926.The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History sponsored the observance, choosing the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Joining us to talk about that anniversary is the president of Xavier University of Louisiana, Reynold Verret. —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!
Earlier this month, an East Baton Rouge Parish judge denied the state of Louisiana's motion to dismiss a lawsuit regarding gender affirming care. The plaintiffs — five minors and their parents — are challenging a 2023 law banning medical professionals from providing trans health care to minors. Drew Costley, reporter for Verite News, tells what comes next.You've heard of spelling bees. But did you know that academic ‘bee' competitions have expanded to include other areas of interest, like history bees, geography bees and science bees?Now, local chambers of commerce across the U.S. are working to bring civics bees to middle school students nationwide. The St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce is bringing it to Louisiana.Michelle Biggs, vice president of the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce, tells us more about the civics bee headed to Louisiana.Back in 2021, Hurricane Ida caused more than $65 billion worth of damage throughout Louisiana, including the destruction of many century-old buildings in New Orleans. One of those buildings was the old Karnofsky tailor shop on Rampart Street, where Louis Armstrong spent much of his childhood with the Jewish family that lived there. WWNO's Alana Schreiber paid a visit to the newly rebuilt structure, where architects from Studio West are working to restore the space and recognize its contributions to jazz history.---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 recent months, New Orleans has been in the spotlight for law-enforcement reasons — a federal immigration surge, a National Guard deployment.But what could that do to tourism, especially during Mardi Gras? The Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist reports.The Acadian Museum of South Louisiana is expanding. The museum, which is located in Erath, will open a new annex on Jefferson Island. There are also plans for more museum annexes in the future. Chairman of the museum and a CODOFIL board member, Warren Perrin, joins us for more.New Orleans virtuoso guitarist Jimmy Robinson and friends are gearing up for the annual Across the Pond International Guitar Festival, with stops in 4 Southern cities. The tour will feature artists from Italy, Canada and New Orleans, and coincide with the group's new CD, The International Guitar Trio. Jimmy Robinson joins us with all the details. __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!
Sunday night, Louisianans prepared for a cold front, protecting their plants, pipes and pets from freezing temperatures. Meteorologist Jennifer Narramore joins us for an update on the unusually cold and windy weather and when we should expect to see sunshine again.In 1996, the Krewe of Oshun was founded in New Orleans with the mission of including individuals of ordinary means in Mardi Gras. Now, 30 years later, the krewe is being reborn under new leadership. It will now be a co-ed family-based model, even including child riders. For more on this next chapter for the Krewe of Oshun, we are joined by the Krewe captain, Gian Durand.You might not know this, but Louisiana actually played a role in the American Revolution. Before the area was a state, the Spanish colonial Louisiana's governor recruited residents to join the fight for American independence. Now, Louisianans will have a chance to discover that history, thanks to new online resources developed by Louisiana Public Broadcasting's education services team. LPB education specialist Katy Stark tells us about the new teaching resources available. —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!
Earlier this month, federal immigration officers left Louisiana in droves and headed to Minneapolis. The abrupt pivot signals a wrapping up of the Louisiana deployment, dubbed “Catahoula Crunch,” that began in December. Jack Brook has been covering immigration for the Associated Press. He joins us from Minneapolis for more.Mardi Gras wouldn't be Mardi Gras without the Black Masking Indians, African American community members who dress in elaborately adorned feather and beaded suits that honor Native American cultural traditions. Four years ago, two Black Masking Indians launched a podcast of their own to share more about the history of this tradition. We're joined by the hosts Spyboy Horace Anderson of the Creole Wild West Black Masking Indians and Big Chief Dewey Robair of the 9th Ward Black Hatchet for 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!
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 hear about President Trump's recent endorsement of Rep. Julie Letlow (R-LA), who is running for Sen. Bill Cassidy's seat. Last week, the Supreme Court began to hear oral arguments in Chevron U.S.A. v. Plaquemines Parish. The case could determine the outcome of dozens of lawsuits seeking billions in damages from oil companies that allegedly polluted Louisiana's coastline. The parish argued that the pollution has contributed to Louisiana's land loss crisis. The Times-Picayune/The Advocate's Alex Lubben has been covering this story. He joins us for more.A recent ruling by a 3-judge panel of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals could have a far-reaching effect on songwriters, their intellectual property, and music companies. Louisiana songwriter Cyril Vetter reclaimed his total ownership of his 1963 hit “Double Shot of My Baby's Love” when he terminated his contract with Resnik Music Group back in 2022. Copyright laws made it so that he only retained the U.S. rights to the song. But the appeals court ruling struck down that long-time practice. The attorney who represented Vetter, Tim Kappel, joins us to explain what this ruling means for songwriters. —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!
The first numbers are out for the new Amtrak route between New Orleans and Mobile — the Mardi Gras service. It opened in August, and the numbers show the route has seen nearly double the ridership than was originally forecast. The response has been so strong that Amtrak just announced it added one more train car per round-trip, increasing capacity, which on some days is still not enough to meet demand.Amtrak spokesperson Marc Magliari joins us to discuss what this says about demand in our region for passenger train service.LSU's Center for Energy Studies published its latest outlook reviewing the future of the energy industry in the Gulf South. It highlights the policy uncertainty that stakeholders are dealing with, along with an uncertain situation for international trade agreements and tariffs.Executive director of LSU's Center for Energy Studies Greg Upton joins us for more.Chagas disease is on the rise in Louisiana. The condition, which causes cardiac and digestive issues, is spread by parasite-carrying bugs in the Triatomine family — also known as kissing bugs. While the disease is endemic to South America, researchers are now calling for the reclassification of the disease as endemic in the United States.Tulane researchers have been studying the transmission and prevention of Chagas disease for over a decade. Claudia Herrera, assistant professor at Tulane's school of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, joins us for 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!
The outcome of a trial over Missouri's abortion laws could have ripple impacts far beyond the state, where the judge is weighing the constitutionality of abortion restrictions. If more abortion clinics are opened in Missouri, that could cut down travel times for those who need care in the Gulf South and go out of state. Anna Spoerre has been covering this case for the Missouri Independent. She joins us for more.Louisiana's petrochemical industry is growing. One of the newest proposed projects is a hydrogen plant in Ascension Parish. And it's being pitched as a clean, low-pollution facility. But, as the coastal desk's Eva Tesfaye reports, some parents are concerned it could put their children at risk. Mardi Gras season is officially underway, and parades would be nothing without flambeaux carriers — the people who carry giant fiery torches — adding light and spectacle to the marches. There was a time when this job was even more essential, back before floats had electricity of their own. But when flambeaux carriers went on strike in the 1940s, demanding a pay raise for their hot, grueling work, Mardi Gras parades rolled in the dark. —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!
Back in June, 22-year-old registered nurse Vilma Palacios had just accepted a position at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans when she was arrested by ICE agents. She then spent six months in a detention center, all while family members and immigration advocates called for her release, pointing to her community involvement, lack of a criminal record and commitment to nursing during a time of a nursing shortage. But in late December, she returned to Honduras, a country she had not visited since she left as a child. Palacios joins us to share her story, her experience in detention and why she still has hope.Since May of 2020, WWNO's Rosemary Westwood has been a leading reproductive health care reporter in the U.S. She's broken stories on restricted access to abortion care, rising rates of whooping cough and growing numbers of medications listed as controlled substances. She also created, hosted and reported the award-winning podcast, Banned, telling the story of Mississippi's last abortion clinic — which lost the case that overturned Roe v. Wade. After nearly five years with the station, Rosemary is moving on to a new opportunityShe joins us to reflect on her career and journey with WWNO and WRKF.___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!
Thanks to a renewal, the Leah Chase School will operate in New Orleans for at least two more years. The school opened back in 2024 and is named after the legendary New Orleans chef, author and television personality. WWNO's education reporter Aubri Juhasz tells us about the growth of the city's only non-charter school within the larger education landscape. With New Orleans money woes of the past few months, eyes have turned to how to raise funds without raising taxes — the perennial dilemma when trying to fund city government.The Bureau of Governmental Research has called for a 5-year financial plan with an eye toward identifying funding strategies for the city's looming needs. At the same time, Professor of Urban Studies and Public Policy at Dillard University, Robert Collins, says the city needs to diversify its economy beyond the traditional reliance on tourism, hospitality and river port operations.Collins joins us for more on what he believes are the best strategies to uplift the city's economy. 2026 marks a Mardi Gras milestone for a major carnival krewe. The Krewe of Endymion is celebrating 60 years since its founding with a parade and extravaganza scheduled for Valentine's Day. The 60th anniversary celebration will include special celebrity musical guests performing at the Caesars Superdome.Endymion Captain Dan Kelly joins us for more on the krewe's origins and how members are marking the occasion.—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!
Since the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro nearly two weeks ago, the Trump administration has threatened Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, Chile and Iran. The administration is also renewing its push to obtain Greenland against the wishes of fellow NATO nations. Trump appointed Gov. Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland to assist with that effort.To break it down for us, Capitol Access Reporter Brooke Thorington spoke with U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields about current U.S. foreign relations and how Louisiana fits into the broader picture.Louisiana could benefit from substantial economic growth driven by the carbon capture and sequestration industry, according to the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, which recently released an economic forecast for the capital region. According to the report, carbon capture-related projects could represent more than 90 percent of capital investment and 80 percent of direct jobs in the region. Susan Bourgeois, secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, joins us with the details.The 20th Baton Rouge Jewish Film Festival returns to the capital tonight with four films that tell stories about Jewish communities from around the world. It's also the final time the festival will be held.WRKF Report for America Corps member Alex Cox sat down with Ara Rubyan, one of the event's organizers, to discuss the festival, its history and why the lights will be going down one last time.______________________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!
Yesterday, Helena Moreno was inaugurated as the 63rd mayor of New Orleans, and former Vice President Kamala Harris swore her in. The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate's editorial director and columnist Stephanie Grace joins us to break down the event. Le Petit Theatre is gearing up for a performance of Noel Coward's supernatural black comedy, ‘Blithe Spirit.' Le Petit Theatre's artistic director, A.J. Allegra, and actor/director Ricky Graham join us with more on this production.In 2026, New Orleans will host its first marathon since 2019. The 26.2-mile race will take runners on a double loop course that finishes in City Park, but it won't be the only event of the weekend. The marathon will be part of the larger Fit Fete, a weekend full of community games and wellness events. Walt Leger III, president and CEO of New Orleans and Company, tells us more about the marathon and the entire Fit Fete weekend. __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!
If you have the flu or know someone who does, you are not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Louisiana is among the states with the highest number of flu cases. Last week, state health officials confirmed the first pediatric death this year in the state from the flu. Dr. Julio Figueroa, chief of infectious diseases at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, breaks down the latest data. In 2013, many Americans learned the story of Solomon Northup, a free Black man from New York who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Louisiana. His story was told in the Academy Award-winning film, “12 Years a Slave,” based on his memoir of the same name.Avoyelles Parish, where Northup spent most of his captivity, recently unveiled a statue of him on the 173rd anniversary of when he was set free. For more on Northup's legacy, the commemoration and the artistic inspiration behind this statue, we spoke with Emmy and Academy Award-winning sculptor Wesley Wofford, and Northup's great-great-great-grandson, Justin Gilliam. —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!
The amazing science behind understanding mysterious but critical ocean currents. And specifically, understanding the current in our backyard, the Gulf's Loop Current.We talk with scientists leading a huge multi-country research collaboration that is going to great lengths and depths to understand the especially unknown Loop Current. We talk about how currents connect us, how they are basically a thermostat for the globe, and why, more than ever before, we need to understand them.---This episode was hosted and produced by Carlyle Calhoun. Sea Change's theme music is by Jon Batiste, and our sound designer is Emily Jankowski. Carlyle Calhoun is the executive producer.Sea Change is a WWNO and WRKF production. We are part of the NPR Podcast Network and distributed by PRX. And to help others find our podcast, hit subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Sea Change is made possible with major support from the Gulf Research Program of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Sea Change is also supported by the Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans. 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 politics with The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate's Stephanie Grace. Today, we look ahead at some 2026 congressional races and hear about the slew of challengers Sen. Bill Cassidy is already facing. As 2025 came to a close, WRKF Report for America corps member and our East Baton Rouge metro reporter, Alex Cox, caught up with the parish's new mayor-president, Sid Edwards.Edwards – or as he's sometimes called, Coach Edwards – reflected on his first year as an elected politician and his priorities for the coming year.Why don't parishes cooperate more? Aren't there economies of scale that can serve everyone? Why does the city only get fixed up when a company is coming? New Orleans and Company, along with a group of regional stakeholders, created Vision 2035 for Greater New Orleans to answer some of those questions above and more.Lead consultant and managing director at Trepwise, Lauren Siegel, and the executive vice president of New Orleans and Company, Alice Glenn, join us 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!
It's Jan. 6, and that means it's Twelfth Night, the official kickoff to the Mardi Gras season. While the Krewe of Joan of Arc will be lining up in the French Quarter this evening for their carnival kick-off parade, another celebration of the patron saint of France is coming to the Marigny Opera House. A reimagined opera-ballet production of Tchaikovsky's ‘The Maid of Orleans' brings the story of the 15th century French heroine to the stage. Verismo Opera producer, director, and tenor Bogdan Mynka joins us with more on this performance.Late last year, a Louisiana softball legend made history as the first woman to sign with the new Women's Professional Baseball League. Amanda Gianelloni is a 2024 Nicholls State Hall of Fame inductee and has been a member of the Team USA women's baseball national team since 2016. The second baseman was drafted 8th overall, and selected for the San Francisco team. Gianelloni joined WWNO's Alana Schreiber for more on her journey in baseball and softball, her hopes for the WPBL and what it will be like to represent Louisiana on a national stage.__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 been nearly three years since landmark settlements were reached between states and major opioid producers. Since then, roughly $100 million has been dispersed to combat addiction, but it's unclear how much of that money has been spent so far. The Current's Alena Mashke joins us for more on the lack of spending transparency. From Star Wars to Jurassic Park, Hollywood movies and TV shows have long relied on special effects to bring supernatural stories to life. This process often involves sculpting, puppetry, animatronics and technology – and has many times involved Louisiana native and Emmy-award winning special effects artist, Lee Romaire.Romaire grew up in Morgan City, Louisiana, before attending LSU and later moving to Hollywood to pursue a career in the industry. He joins us now for more on his 25 years in special effects and how his background in taxidermy set the foundation for his career.Tomorrow night marks the beginning of the 2026 Mardi Gras season. And in New Orleans, the Krewe of Joan of Arc will take to the streets on Twelfth Night. Back in 2018, WWNO's Jessica Rosgaard spoke with the Krewe's founder, Amy Kirk Duvosin, about the parade's history.—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 been a chaotic year in state politics. To recap 2025 and look ahead at 2026, we spoke with The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate's editorial director and columnist, Stephanie Grace.Walt Handelsman, Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist for The Advocate | The Times-Picayune, is set to retire after four decades in the business. He joins us on today's show to discuss his career and what he's doing next.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!
Student attendance dropped in New Orleans-area schools last week as immigration sweeps ramped up across the region. Many parents are keeping their students home in fear of raids from border patrol.Aubri Juhasz speaks with some of the families about how they're handling the situation.Over the weekend, Australia's Jewish community faced the country's largest mass shooting in 30 years, when two gunmen attacked a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach in Sydney. The gunmen — a father and son — opened fire as attendants lit candles, ate donuts, painted faces and marked the start of the festival of lights. So far, at least 15 have been reported dead and at least 27 injured.For more on this tragedy, we are joined by Rabbi Mendel Rivkin, of Chabad of Louisiana. He discusses how Jews can feel safe amid the global rise in antisemitism, and his personal ties to the Sydney Jewish community, where he served as a rabbinical intern. The Center for Literacy & Learning is a Louisiana-based nonprofit that helps educators address students with learning differences. CEO Dr. John Wyble tells us more about the center and how their new expansion will help the organization reach more families.—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 early December, federal agents arrived in New Orleans prepared to arrest thousands of undocumented individuals in an operation dubbed “Catahoula Crunch.” In some cases, agents are arresting parents and taking them from their children. Now, eldest children are often left looking after their younger siblings. Jack Brook, from the Associated Press, has been reporting this story. He joins us today with the latest.Louisiana is an energy state. And a lot has changed for the energy industry under President Donald Trump. While the Biden administration made some big investments in renewable energy, President Trump promised to “Drill, Baby, Drill” and “unleash American energy.” Today, we look back at the past year to see how Louisiana's energy industry has changed under this new administration. The Coastal Desk's Eva Tesfaye and Michael McEwen join us for more.Tchaikovsky's classic ballet, “The Nutcracker,” has long been a staple of the Christmas season. Yesterday on Louisiana Considered, we discussed an upcoming production in Baton Rouge that adds some bayou flavor. Today, we discuss the ballet more broadly and hear about the multiple groups set to perform the work on New Orleans stages. Lisa Keller MacCurdy, executive director of New Orleans Ballet Theatre, tells us more about what has made the show last.__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!
All this year, we've been checking in with Christiaan Mader, founder of the Current in Lafayette, Louisiana, for updates on the Acadiana region. He joins us now to reflect on some of the biggest stories from the past year and look to what's ahead. On December 20th, Tulane will face off against Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff. If Tulane wins, they'll go to the Sugar Bowl for the first time since 1939. And while the Green Wave suffered a pretty brutal defeat from Ole Miss back in September, the university's recent coaching drama may create more opportunities for the New Orleans team to succeed. At the helm of Tulane is quarterback Jake Retzlaff, who's been generating a following for his performance and demeanor both on and off the field. He formerly played at Brigham Young University, where he dove further into his Jewish faith at the predominantly Mormon school.Retzlaff faced a civil lawsuit that accused him of sexually assaulting a Salt Lake County woman in November 2023. The lawsuit was dismissed on June 30 after "the two sides agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice." Retzlaff transferred to Tulane instead of likely facing a seven-game suspension for violating BYU's honor code, which requires students abstain from premarital sex. Retzlaff joins us for more on his journey to Tulane, how he's raising the profile of Jewish athletes and his approach to the playoffs. The Louisiana holiday staple “The Nutcracker – A Tale from the Bayou” returns to the Baton Rouge stage next week, featuring professional ballet dancer Emilia Perkins. This is a homecoming for Perkins, who first danced in the production when she was just four. She joins us now to talk about the impact it's had on her life and career, and what it is like to take the stage in her hometown as the Sugar Plum Fairy. —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!
The East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council passed the city-parish's 2026 budget Tuesday. This budget season was marked by an attempt to make up for a budget deficit. Ultimately, Mayor-President Sid Edwards proposed a budget that features near-across-the-board 11% cuts and a 33% reduction in staff. Baton Rouge metro reporter and Report for America corps member Alex Cox joins us to break down the budget. Earlier this fall, an exhibit opened at the Whitney Plantation to pay tribute to enslaved women whose hands were stained blue with dye. Titled “Indigeaux: Yes, Spirit. I'll Go…” the exhibit features hand-dyed textiles and original artwork that draws attention to the role of indigo in plantation history. Leia Lewis is the artist and educator behind the exhibition. She joins us for more. This year, fans are anxiously awaiting the start of the college football playoffs, when Tulane will face off against Ole Miss. But back in 1970, it was an Ole Miss quarterback who had his would-be home of New Orleans rooting for him, when a young Archie Manning stepped on the field at Tulane for the Sugar Bowl. By the end of the game, Manning earned the title of MVP.In this edition of The Historic New Orleans Collection's first-person narrative series, NOLA Life Stories, Manning reflects on that formative game and the many that followed.—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!
Plastics are everywhere. In the clothes we wear, the food we eat, and even running through our brains. While environmental concerns like pollution, toxic spills and trash islands make the problem feel insurmountable, a new book aims to break down the major issue into solvable problems. “The Problem with Plastic: How We Can Save Ourselves and Our Planet Before It's Too Late" was written by Judith Anck, founder and president of Beyond Plastic, and Adam Mahoney, climate and environmental reporter for Capital B News. Adam joins us for more on the book.The National Institutes of Health recently awarded a research grant to LSU Health to support its research into patients living with HIV-AIDS. Specifically, researchers will study how alcohol use and other issues affect patients with the virus.Dr. Patricia Molina, senior associate dean for research at the LSU School of Medicine, and director of the Comprehensive Alcohol-HIV/AIDS Research Center, and Dr. David Welsh, LSU professor of medicine in pulmonary and critical care medicine, join us to discuss their research. —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!
It's official: Tulane is headed to the college football playoff. The Green Wave punched their ticket in a Saturday 34 to 21 win against North Texas. Now, they'll face Ole Miss, along with their new coach, Pete Golding, on December 20 in Oxford.Jeff Duncan, reporter for the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate, spoke with WWNO's Alana Schreiber for more on Tulane's journey to the playoffs.The Black Film Festival of New Orleans, now in its 8th year, opened over the weekend and continues through the weekend in venues across the Crescent City. The festival aims to promote Black filmmakers and actors, featuring stories about Black communities and experiences. Executive director Gian Smith joins us to share details on how viewers can attend screening events or watch at home.Running for office this year, Calvin Duncan wasn't your typical candidate. He first spent decades in prison for a crime he was wrongfully convicted of.He won his race and is set to take office as the Orleans Parish clerk of criminal court. The Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist recently sat down with Duncan at his home to discuss his plans for the clerk's office.__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!
U.S. Customs and Border Protection ramped up enforcement in the New Orleans area last week. Officials say the operation, known as “Catahoula Crunch,” aims to arrest 5,000 criminals who are in the country illegally. Reporter for The Times-Picayune/The Advocate, Lara Nicholson, joins us with an update. The United Way of Southeast Louisiana is expanding its footprint of one-stop financial capability centers, called Prosperity Centers. They open in areas where more than half of parish households are facing financial hardship. The latest center opened this month in St. Bernard Parish and will offer an assortment of free, year-round financial services.United Way CEO Michael Williamson joins us to discuss how the organization is addressing financial needs for low-income families.An audit released this month finds that Louisiana ranks near the bottom among states and U.S. territories for the collection of child support payments. The Louisiana Legislative Auditor's review of the Child Support Enforcement Program run through the Department of Children and Family Services found the agency collected just over half of court-obligated payments last year. Editor for the Louisiana Illuminator, Greg LaRose, joins us with more on the results of the audit.—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!
This is part 1 of a 2-part series exploring the future of farming seafood in the Gulf. Americans eat a lot of farmed seafood — but the vast majority of it comes from overseas. We just don't farm fish on a big scale in U.S. waters. Now that might start to change. There are proposals to build massive fish farms in U.S. federal waters. And guess which coast is likely to be the first home for these new farms? You guessed it, the Gulf.So is this a miracle cure or a looming ecological disaster?-----This series is produced in partnership with the Food and Environment Reporting Network. This episode was hosted by Carlyle Calhoun and Boyce Upholt. Boyce also reported this episode. Editing by Jack Rodolico. Carlyle Calhoun is the executive producer. The episode was fact-checked by Garrett Hazelwood. Our theme music is by Jon Batiste, and our sound designer is Emily Jankowski.Voices featured at the top of the episode in order of appearance: Melvin Jackman in Newfoundland, Fay Orfanidou in Greece, Nick Underdown in Scotland, and Leticia Caro and Claudio Carocca in Chile.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. Sea Change is also supported by the Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans. WWNO's Coastal Desk is supported by the Walton Family Foundation, the Meraux Foundation, and the Greater New Orleans Foundation.
Conditions at an ICE processing center in Pine Prairie, Louisiana, are reported to have deteriorated over the past year. There are multiple reports of overcrowding, and a lack of beds, hygiene products and medical care at the Evangeline Parish facility.Verite News' Bobbie-Jeanne Misick joins us for more on these findings. Often, the conversation around childcare revolves around the high costs of enrollment, low wages for workers and barriers to access. But a new study by the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children offers insights into at-home childcare options that can support working or struggling families. The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children highlights the way that families and home-based care fill in the gaps in that system, and the struggles the people providing that care at home face.Research and policy director at LPIC Mattilyn Karst Batson tells us more about the childcare alternatives.Historic preservation and revitalization are two of the central values of the Louisiana Main Street organization. The program seeks to help communities develop sustainable strategies to preserve historic assets and stimulate economies.The organization's director, Ray Scriber, tells us more about the organization's successes and its recent pivot to the Lafayette metro area.—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!
Louisiana's surgeon general has been critical of vaccines. Now, Dr. Ralph Abraham has a new job as the second-in-command at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. WWNO and WRKF's Rosemary Westwood has spent the year reporting on Abraham's leadership at the Louisiana Department of Health. She joins us for more on his appointment and why some doctors have been critical. The once-mundane process of college accreditation has become political, ever since the Trump administration began targeting universities' diversity, equity and inclusion mandates. Now, six southern schools have formed their own accreditation agency rather than rely on the national model that has been around for decades. Reporter for Stateline Robbie Sequeira tells us more about the Trump administration's ongoing influence in higher education.__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!
Over the weekend, LSU announced that Lane Kiffin would take on the job of head football coach. This comes after a weekslong search following coach Brian Kelly's ouster earlier this season. Kiffin will come to LSU from Ole Miss, and the mid-season switch is already generating a strong reaction, with the New York Times dubbing the move an “all-time hypocrisy in college football.”Koki Riley covers LSU baseball and football for the Baton Rouge Advocate. He joins us for more on Kiffin's decision and Gov. Jeff Landry's role in his hiring. A new study from Tulane University's Newcomb Institute found that while rates of sexual and physical violence are down in Louisiana, more than half of adults in the state will experience violence in their lifetimes. Executive director of the Newcomb Institute, Anita Raj, joins us to break down the study. Nicholls State University has partnered with the Audubon Aquarium and the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program to launch the first-ever turtle hatchling initiative in Louisiana. The tiny terrapins will enjoy their new home at the Audubon Aquarium while they gain weight before being returned to a protected marsh. Tim Clay, associate professor of biology at Nicholls State University, tells us more about the program. —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!
After New Yorkers elected democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as their new mayor, Louisiana's Economic Development (LED) forum took out a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal that said, “In Louisiana, we value capitalism, not socialism.” Gov. Jeff Landry was also on Fox News to promote the campaign to attract New York-based businesses to the state. Capitol Access reporter Brooke Thorington spoke to LED Secretary Susan Bourgeois about the advertisement.Louisiana company NovaSpark Energy says it has developed the world's first mobile atmospheric hydrogen generator. The machine uses electricity and air to produce hydrogen that can power energy-hungry devices, such as those used in the defense industry or in disaster recovery scenarios.Now, NovaSpark Energy is partnering with another Louisiana-based company, Maven Scouts, and LSU's FUEL Energy Institute to figure out how to commercialize this technology and employ veterans.CEO of NovaSpark Energy, Rick Harlow, and founder and CEO of MavenScouts, Grant Rogers, join us for more.In Baton Rouge, the charitable organization St. Vincent DePaul is offering a free Thanksgiving meal. It aims to give those who attend the feeling of a family sitting down for the holiday.WRKF's Report for America corps member, Alex Cox, spoke with Sunnie Johnson-Laine, the CEO and president of the Baton Rouge St. Vincent DePaul, to talk about the significance of the day.—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, news broke that roughly 250 U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents were headed to south Louisiana for an operation dubbed “The Swamp Sweep.” As agents aim to arrest close to 5,000 undocumented people, fear and concern are growing within immigrant communities, and among educators and advocates. To help us understand what's ahead — and what rights people have — WWNO's Sara Henegan spoke with Marco Balducci, an immigration attorney in New Orleans, and Laila Hlass, professor of Immigration Law at Tulane University.Report cards are out for Louisiana's public schools. The state's overall score inched up again this year, and many schools earned higher grades. But that's expected to change next year under the state's new accountability system.WWNO and WRKF's education reporter, Aubri Juhasz, joins us to break down these findings. __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!
You've probably heard of Ruby Bridges, the first grader who helped desegregate New Orleans' public schools in 1960.But have you heard of the three other girls who desegregated another local elementary school that same morning? Aubri Juhasz takes us to that school — now a museum — where students are learning why the fight for equitable education isn't over.The acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, has resigned. David Richardson only spent about six months in the position, and was known for being inaccessible during the early hours of the Texas flood disaster over the summer.Sarah Labowitz, senior fellow in the Sustainability, Climate and Geopolitics program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, tells us more about what this means for the agency. The holidays are usually a season of joy — family gatherings, big meals and celebration. But for people in recovery, it can be one of the hardest times of the year. Stress, travel, financial pressure and constant social drinking all add up. Relapse rates spike between December and January.Two people who know that struggle personally are Dan Forman and Chris Copeland. They're both in long-term recovery and the co-founders of NOLA Detox, a New Orleans–based recovery center that's reimagining what addiction treatment can look like. The Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins sat down with them to discuss strategies to stay sober through the holidays, and what families can do to support struggling loved ones.—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!
As AI technology gets bigger and bigger, so do data centers. Meta is building the largest data center in the world in a small Louisiana town. It'll have a footprint nearly the size of Manhattan, and the construction has brought an onslaught of heavy traffic.An investigation from the Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins found that trucks contracted to work at the Meta facility are causing delays and dangerous roads for the people who live there.There are few writers as closely associated with New Orleans as Anne Rice. Born and raised in the Irish Channel, Rice was famous for her Gothic fiction, notably The Vampire Chronicles. Throughout her career, she never forgot her New Orleans upbringing and Catholic roots, which played major roles in her writings. She died in 2021Earlier this month, the Orpheum Theater honored her life with An All Saints Day Celebration. And the celebration will be broadcast worldwide this Thanksgiving on AnneRice.com. Anne's son, Christopher Rice, and friend, Eric Shaw Quinn, produced the event and documentary. They join us for more on Anne's life and legacy.___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!
Over 4000 anthropologists have descended on New Orleans for the American Anthropological Association's annual meeting. They're here to share their latest research, professionally develop and do a little networking. Their theme is Ghosts, thanks to New Orleans' reputation as “the most haunted city in America.” Anthropologist and host of the podcast Sonic Anthropology Radio, Tom Miller, joins us with more. Each week, award-winning columnist Tammy C. Barney publishes a column in “Back in the Day,” a series from Verite News. She explores often-overlooked chapters in Louisiana history, including profiles on historical figures and deep dives into the state's French and Spanish colonial history. Barney joins us now for more on her column with a historical bent, and her long and accomplished career in journalism. If preparations for your Thanksgiving dinner involve making reservations, reporter on food and lifestyle for the Times Picayune/The Advocate, Ian McNulty, has some advice. He joins us today with insights on dining out during the holidays.—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!
Roughly 250 agents are set to come to New Orleans for an immigration crackdown dubbed the “Swamp Sweep.” Agents are aiming to arrest 5,0000 undocumented people in southeast Louisiana and Mississippi. Jack Brook reported this story for The Associated Press. He joins us with the latest. Loyola University's School of Music and Theatre Professions was recently recognized as a top music business school of 2025 by Billboard Magazine. Loyola joins the ranks of schools like Berklee College of Music, the University of Southern California and Belmont University in Nashville.This comes as Loyola is building its own hub for music business entrepreneurship and on-the-job education – it's known as Wolf Moon Entertainment and involves partnering with the venue Gasa Gasa.Kate Duncan, director of Loyola's School of Music and Theatre Professions, and Tim Kappel, associate director and professor of practice in music law, join us for more.Last month, two Louisiana doctors performed the first robotic pediatric spinal surgeries in the Gulf South. Ochsner Children's doctors Lawrence Haber and Ryan Farmer work with patients with varying degrees of scoliosis. Now, technology is helping them to straighten patients' spines. Pediatric orthopedic surgeonsBoth doctors join us for more on the future of technology in surgery.—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
Over the weekend, Thrive EBR, the tax rededication plan meant to help pull East Baton Rouge out of a $21 million deficit, failed on all three measures. This means the 2026 budget will include nearly 11% cuts to departments across the board and 33% cuts to staff, at the very least.Report for America Corps member Alex Cox tells us more about what this means for the parish. Residents of New Orleans and Baton Rouge weren't the only ones to go to the polls last weekend. On Saturday, voters in Lafayette Parish weighed in on millages to fund infrastructure projects, road repairs, rural firefighters and a no-kill animal shelter. Camden Doherty, a reporter for The Current in Lafayette, spoke with WWNO's Sara Henegan for more. Arts New Orleans will unveil its latest mural in downtown this week — the 11th large-scale outdoor mural from the organization. The mural collection is titled ‘Unframed' and sponsored by the Helis Foundation.Artist Annie Moran and strategic projects director from Arts New Orleans, Lindsay Glatz, tell us more about the latest work and an upcoming dedication ceremony. __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!
Over the weekend, New Orleans voters returned to the polls for the second time this fall. The Times-Picayune/The Advocate's editorial director and columnist Stephanie Grace joins us to break down the results of the elections, including city council runoffs, bond propositions and one race that captured national attention.The LSU women's basketball team's season began earlier this month, and so far, the Tigers are undefeated. The team has some familiar faces like Flau'jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams, and an unusually large class of first-years already making names for themselves.Reed Darcey covers LSU women's basketball for The Baton Rouge Advocate, and he joins us now for more on the strong start to the season amid the turmoil at the athletics department. State and federal officials have filed a lawsuit against Smitty's Supply Inc. They are seeking fines and penalties that could exceed $1 billion over what they say are years of environmental violations and an August explosion and massive oil spill at its oil manufacturing plant in Roseland, Louisiana, in Tangipahoa Parish.Wesley Muller, reporter for the Louisiana Illuminator, joins us with 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!
On November 15, New Orleans voters will go to the polls for the second time this fall. Earlier this week, we discussed the race for clerk of criminal court and the city council positions still at play. Today, we'll discuss the propositions and amendments voters will consider. For more, we're joined by Katie Jane Fernelius from Verite News.After Brian Kelly was fired as head football coach at LSU, word soon broke that Gov. Jeff Landry played a part in that decision. But this is hardly the first time a Louisiana governor got involved at LSU – more specifically, with its football team. LSU professor emeritus of mass communication Bob Mann is the author of Kingfish U: Huey Long and LSU. In the book, Mann tells the story of former governor Huey Long's deep-rooted interest in LSU.One year ago, Mann joined us to discuss the book and how Huey Long's playbook of LSU involvement might influence Landry. First we give that conversation a second listen. Then, Mann joins us again to discuss his predictions and what he makes of the ousting of athletic director Scott Woodward. ___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 for our weekly politics review with the Times Picayune/The Advocate's editorial director and columnist, Stephanie Grace. She breaks down the upcoming New Orleans elections for clerk of criminal court and city council.On Tuesday, we observed Veterans Day and those who have served the United States during times of conflict. To continue our observation, we're speaking with a Louisiana native who has served the U.S. in many positions in South Korea, Germany, Washington, D.C. and southeast Louisiana, among others. Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré joins us for more on how to honor veterans, the January 6th attack and the role of the National Guard.It was a moment of joy and pride for the restaurant industry in New Orleans this past week when the Michelin ratings came out, and a number of the Crescent City's eateries were noted, recognized and starred. Emeril's Restaurant won two stars, a surprising number for a debut restaurant. Saint Germain & Zasu both were awarded a single star.Host of Where Ya Eat and reporter on Food and Lifestyle for the Times Picayune/The Advocate, Ian McNulty, joins us for more on these ratings.—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!
The Orleans Parish clerk of criminal court race on the ballot this Saturday will see voters choosing between incumbent Darren Lombard and challenger Calvin Duncan. Lombard has been in the position since 2022, while Duncan began as an inmate counsel substitute, otherwise known as a jailhouse lawyer, following a wrongful conviction that led him to spend more than 28 years behind bars. Writer and producer Eve Abrams joins us for the latest in the race.It's no secret that political polarization is a major problem in the United States. Now, there's a new project in Louisiana to help address the political divide and find commonalities across the ideological spectrum. The Public Affairs Research (PAR) Council of Louisiana has partnered with LSU's Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs to start a series of events that encourage people with different opinions to talk productively with one another. It's called the Common Ground Project.PAR president Steven Procopio and director of LSU's Reilly Center Michael DiResto join us for more on this initiative. While a lot of the country is packing away its gardening tools, here in Southeast Louisiana, the growing season still has plenty of life left, with opportunities to not only plant crops for the fall but also to prepare for spring.Assistant extension agent for the LSU Ag Center, Chris Dunaway, joins WWNO's Sara Henegan to help us navigate the intricacies of our fall gardens.—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 Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005, many wondered: Is a city below sea level worth rebuilding? Answers to that question came in the form of music and dance collaboration, featuring the company Bodytraffic and The Preservation Hall Band. Now, on the 20th anniversary of Katrina, the New Orleans Ballet Association is reviving the performance “Why New Orleans Matters.” We hear from NOBA executive director Jenny Hamilton and choreographer Trey McIntyre for more. Today, November 11th, is Veterans Day, a time to honor those who have served our country in times of armed conflict. And many Louisiana servicemen held a rather peculiar role during World War II. While many French-speaking Cajuns were outcasts as children, their bilingual abilities gave them a powerful tool during World War II. They translated documents, deciphered messages and spoke directly to French-speaking Europeans.Jason Theriot is the author of the three-volume book, “To Honor Our Veterans: An Oral History of World War II Veterans From the Bayou Country.” Last year, he began The Frenchie Podcast, a series that dives into the individual contributions of these service members. He spoke to WRKF's Adam Vos for 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!
Shortly after LSU head football coach Brian Kelly was fired, athletic director Scott Woodward resigned under pressure. Last week, LSU announced the appointment of a new athletic director, Verge Ausberry. Ausberry most recently served as the deputy athletic director and has been with the department for 24 years. The Baton Rouge Advocate's baseball and football reporter Koki Riley tells us more about Ausberry, and the ongoing search to replace Kelly. For years, the Chitimacha tribe of Louisiana has been working with linguists to revitalize the Chitimacha language. While the language lost its last native fluent speakers in the 1930s, efforts to teach and speak the language continue to grow. Linguist Daniel Hieber and Erin Daniels, cultural instructor with the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana, join us to discuss historical and modern efforts to revitalize the language. —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!
What does it take to stay rooted on the Gulf Coast, even as the land and weather change around us? We meet individuals, from a poet to a minister to a computer programmer, each finding their own creative ways to adapt and fight for the future of their communities. From amphibious homes to inland retreats to processing our changing environment through poetry, we hear how people's ingenuity is helping chart a new path forward.To hear more from Rachel Nederveld's oral history series, No Matter the Water, click here or find it wherever you get your podcasts.This episode was hosted and produced by Carlyle Calhoun. Sea Change's theme music is by Jon Batiste, and our sound designer is Emily Jankowski. Carlyle Calhoun is the executive producer.Sea Change is a WWNO and WRKF production. We are part of the NPR Podcast Network and distributed by PRX. And to help others find our podcast, hit subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Sea Change is made possible with major support from the Gulf Research Program of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Sea Change is also supported by the Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans. WWNO's Coastal Desk is supported by the Walton Family Foundation, the Meraux Foundation, and the Greater New Orleans Foundation.
As Xavier University of Louisiana was in final preparations for its homecoming and 100th anniversary celebration, the university announced the layoff of 46 full-time workers, citing the need to ensure its long-term health.President of Xavier University, Reynold Verret, joins us for more on the 100th anniversary and the current moment the school finds itself in.On November 15, voters in Orleans Parish will be asked to approve a $510 million capital bond authorization. The half a billion dollars will go toward infrastructure, water and drainage and affordable housing. The President and CEO of the Bureau of Governmental Research, Rebecca Mowbray, joins us to explain what this means for the taxpaying residents. 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!
Head Start is a federal program that provides child care and early learning for low-income families. But the ongoing government shutdown has caused some programs to close, while others are taking out loans. WWNO's education reporter Aubri Juhasz tells us what this looks like in Louisiana.Three property taxes will be on the ballot in Baton Rouge next week. They're all renewals, but they've been made a bit more complicated by a series of budget shortfalls, one of the largest reasons being the incorporation of breakaway city of St. George, a city that now collects its own property taxes. The tax renewal for the local library system has been getting the most attention, as it fights to keep its funding, while the city-parish aims to skim a little off the top.Report for America corps member Alex Cox helps break down the ballot. Every year for the past four decades, a ship has gone out into the Gulf with a crew of scientists on an expedition to measure how much oxygen is in the water. It's called the hypoxia cruise and it's put on by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It's an integral component in measuring the “dead zone” to find out how much the lack of oxygen in the water caused by Mississippi River runoff is affecting marine life.Associate professor in LSU's department of oceanography and coastal sciences and chief scientist for NOAA's annual hypoxia cruise, Cassandra Glaspie, tells us more about the 40th voyage. ___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 is facing a major budget shortfall. Parish officials need to find an extra $21 million, and one way they hope to save money is by getting more public service retirees to switch to government-funded health care. Report for America corps member Alex Cox has the story.Last weekend, the Governor's Mansion in Baton Rouge hosted a screening of “Ancestral Artistry: The Influence of Africans and Creoles of Color on Louisiana Architecture.” The film explores centuries of craftsmanship, culture and resilience passed down through generations of diverse communities who contributed to the state's architectural landscape The film's co-directors Charles E. Richard and Conni Castille join us for more.A community beautification project born in the years after Hurricane Katrina is celebrating a milestone. The Utility Box Art Project from the non-profit, Community Visions Unlimited, is turning 15. For over a decade the painted and decorated boxes have added a dash of color in New Orleans and surrounding cities.Vice president of Community Visions Unlimited Jeannie Tidy joins us with 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!
When there's an outbreak of an infectious disease, state health officials usually rush to alert doctors and the public about what's going on. But this year, during Louisiana's worst outbreak of whooping cough in decades, health officials did not appear to follow that playbook. WWNO's health reporter Rosemary Westwood tells us more.This Veterans Day, Laura Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana will hold a special event to honor the enslaved men from Laura Plantation who fought in the U.S. Army during the Civil War. This comes out of a partnership with the African-American Civil War Memorial and Museum in Washington, D.C., to honor the veterans of the 75th United States Colored Infantry regiment.With a look into this history and their story, Laura Plantation general manager Sand Marmillion and historian Katy Morlas Shannon tell us about this history and commemoration. Crescent Care, a nonprofit health care agency in New Orleans, has adopted a new model when it comes to treating behavioral health. They've expanded high-quality integrated care across the city, leading to fewer wait times, same-day assessments and more treatment options. Lucy Cordts, a licensed clinical social worker and director of Behavioral Health at Crescent Care, 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 Thursday, and that means it's time to catch up on politics with the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate editorial director and columnist, Stephanie Grace. We discuss what's on the ballot in the November elections, including city council runoffs and ballot proposals. The St. Tammany Parish Economic Development Corporation appointed a new President and CEO in late August. A northshore native, Russell Richardson brings his experience from the Baton Rouge Area Chamber and Louisiana Economic Development to the position. He joins us for more on his plans to develop the area without losing its charm and character. This past weekend, the New Orleans Reggae Fest had rain issues that forced its postponement. The organizers' wheels started turning as they began rescheduling amid a potentially disastrous Hurricane headed towards reggae's birthplace. Now, the festival will be more than just a concert; it will be a way to help others. Organizer Joel Hitchcock-Tilton tells us how the new event will fundraise for victims of Hurricane Melissa. —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!
Let's say you're in the car-making business and wanting to avoid tariffs. You can buy American, but how do you meet those American suppliers? One option: speed dating. The Gulf States Newsroom's Stephan Bisaha reports from a carmaker matchmaking day.A partnership between LSU and the global agricultural technology corporation Syngenta is aimed at advancing a tool that's used in industry. They're called “digital twins” and they're used as a prototype of sorts to help model and test physical objects in a virtual space.LSU's College of Art & Design is involved, and they're using techniques from the entertainment industry to help in this concept that's used for industry and manufacturing.Associate professor of digital art at the LSU College of Art & Design, Derick Ostrenko, andassistant professor of virtual production and immersive media, Jason Jamerson, join us for more on the artistic side of this initiative. They're joined by chemical process engineer at Syngenta, Ben Spry, for more.It's been a little over a year since Ed Daniels, New Orleans sportscaster, television sports director at WGNO and youth sporting advocate, passed away at the age of 67. As the longest-serving sports director in New Orleans, Daniels was known for his calm demeanor, making his point without raising a voice — often contrasting with the aggressive sportscaster stereotype. Over the summer, Daniels was officially inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. His wife, Robin Daniels, along with his longtime friend and fellow sports commentator Kenny Trahan join us to remember their loved one and his impact on the New Orleans sports scene. —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 once-vibrant Louisiana film and television industry has dramatically slowed down. There are five independent feature films in pre- or full production in the state, a stark contrast from previous years.CEO of The Ranch Film Studios in Chalmette and president of Film Louisiana, Jason Wagespack, breaks down the situation and the efforts of lobbyists to revive the industry.A spooky, creepy, unique adventure, just in time for Halloween, awaits those who dare to step inside The Delaporte Manor is hosting a spooky adventure just in time for Halloween. The former funeral home will welcome guests to a horror-themed home full of escape rooms and other activities. Delaporte Manor director Andrew Preble tells us more about his creation and how he first fell in love with haunted houses, creating them in his childhood home in Abita Springs. The South Korean car company Hyundai is committing $26 billion to building out its U.S. manufacturing over the next four years. That includes a nearly $6 billion steel plant in Louisiana. And the company is sticking with the investment despite complications with the Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdowns. Stephan Bisaha of the Gulf States Newsroom reports that some activists are also questioning whether that commitment will lead to American jobs.__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!
On Sunday night, LSU fired head football coach Brian Kelly following a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M. What began as a discussion on staffing changes ended with Kelly's firing, according to multiple news outlets. Koki Riley covers LSU baseball and football for The Advocate and joins us for more. 2025 marks 100 years since the founding of Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans. To this day, it's the nation's only historically Black and Catholic University. Now, a new exhibition at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art celebrates the centennial. Dubbed “Each One Teach One” the exhibit showcases 100 years of art from the Xavier community. Ron Bechet, professor and former head of the Art Department at Xavier University, and Bradley Sumrall, curator at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, tell us more about the exhibition and Xavier art history.This coming Saturday marks the 100th anniversary of the State Library of Louisiana. It's also the date for the annual Louisiana Book Festival in downtown Baton Rouge, where organizers plan to celebrate the milestone. With more on the library's role and impact across a century and what's planned for this year's book festival, State Librarian Meg Placke and the festival's executive director, Robert Wilson, tell 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!
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