Louisiana Considered Podcast

It's Thursday, and The Times Picayune/the Advocate's editorial director and columnist Stephanie Grace is here to talk politics. Today she discusses why some Republican lawmakers are walking back their initial support for Medicaid cuts, and tells us about a rising democratic star in Louisiana politics.Most Louisianans are familiar with the term “Cancer Alley,” referring to the stretch of land between Baton Rouge and New Orleans where petrochemical facilities have allegedly contributed to high rates of cancer. Now state residents are learning of a new term, “Detention Alley", as rural parts of the state are turning into hubs for immigration enforcement, with skyrocketing numbers of people in custody. Molly Hennessy-Fiske, a reporter for the Washington Post, has spent time in “Detention Alley,” specifically, the town of Winnfield. She joins us to discuss the emotional impacts and economic boosts the rural community is experiencing. CLECO, the utility company that provides electricity to nearly 300,000 customers in 24 Louisiana parishes, is searching for a buyer. CLECO notified the state Public Service Commission, and that set into motion a months-long process of requests for proposals as well as examinations by the PSC. .Peter Ricchiuti, a professor at Tulane's A. B. Freeman School of Business, tells us what this sale means for Louisiana 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!

A new Louisiana law could sentence more 17-year-olds to adult prison terms. But at the same time, some people serving long sentences for crimes they committed as teens are being released.Kat Stromquist of the Gulf States Newsroom reports on the challenges and joys of reentry for these "juvenile lifers." It's summertime in Louisiana, and for many that means it's time for water sports. But for people with disabilities, access to these sports is often limited. Unless of course, you join the Ski Dawgs, an organization that helps people living with disabilities get the chance to water ski. With adaptive equipment and a team of volunteers, members get the chance to ride the waves in St. Tammany Parish.Ski Dawgs, founder David Thomas and co-director Jamie Galloway share more details.Mechanical ventilators gained attention  during the COVID-19 pandemic as a form of life-saving technology when hospital supplies were limited. .But a new study out of Tulane University suggests that certain use of mechanical ventilators could cause damage to the lungs, particularly to the alveoli, small air sacs in the lungs.Don Gaver, a researcher and professor of biomedical engineering at the Tulane University School of Science and Engineering, tells us more about what this study found. –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 is the only state where students have gotten better at reading since 2019. Officials credit new laws, and now, the final piece is taking effect: holding back third graders who are behind in reading. Education reporter Aubri Juhasz explains how schools are trying to help kids pass the test. Then, she joins WRKF's Karen Henderson to follow up on the state's new third-grade reading law. Four ensembles are gearing up to open the New Orleans Ballet Association's 2025-26 season. Upcoming performances include “Dance Theatre of Harlem,” and “Argentina's Tango After Dark.” Executive director Jenny Hamilton tells us what to expect at the series of performances.The Deep South continues to be left out of the tech industry boom.Yes there are exceptions like Huntsville, Alabama, but states like Missisisppi and Louisiana have not seen nearly as many high paying jobs the tech industry has bought elsewhere.Stephan Bisaha of the Gulf States Newsroom reports on the advantages of being a tech company in Mississippi…and what's holding the state back.__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, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders came to Shreveport, the latest stop on his speaking tour, “Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here.” The senator discussed issues like tax cuts, health care, food insecurity, and Trump's “big beautiful bill” – in front of a crowd of 1,800 in House Speaker Mike Johnson's district. Ahead of his Shreveport rally, Sanders joined us to discuss some of his talking points. On Sunday, LSU Baseball won the College World Series. Their 5-3 victory over Coastal Carolina University marked the eighth time the team has won the championship, the second time in three years.Koki Riley covers LSU baseball and football for the Baton Rouge Advocate He was at the series in Omaha, and joined us for a recap. The City of Kenner has canceled its annual Hispanic Heritage Festival amid growing concerns in the Latino community about immigration enforcement activity in the area. Organizers worried attendees wouldn't feel comfortable attending the September event at the Kenner Boat Launch. AnaMaria Bech, publisher of bilingual magazine VIVA NOLA and promoter of the festival, tells us how the local Latino community is feeling.—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 official, the LSU Tigers Baseball Team is headed to the College World Series Finals. They clinched in an exciting victory over Arkansas on Wednesday, and will now face Coastal Carolina University in Omaha. If they pull out a win, it will be the Tigers second baseball title in three years. Koki Riley covers LSU baseball and football for The Baton Rouge Advocate. He joins us now from Omaha for more.Climate change is impacting everyone, but indigenous communities are often on the frontline. Today we bring you the second part of the latest episode of Sea Change to learn about similarities between tribal communities in south Louisiana and western Alaska. Coastal reporter Eva Tesfaye visits Louisiana's Point-au Chien-Indian Tribe, which is losing their land to coastal erosion. KYUK's Sage Smiley visits Nunapitchuk in Alaska where residents are being forced to move to a nearby hill as thawing permafrost destroys their village's infrastructure. —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 Thursday, and that means The Times-Picayune/The Advocate's editorial director and columnist Stephanie Grace. Today, she tells us how Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, pushed back on Gov. Jeff Landry's agenda during the legislative session, despite his record of sticking to party lines. Climate change is altering the land we live on, and Indigenous communities are on the frontline. In the first part of the latest episode of Sea Change, we bring you to Alaska, where rapid permafrost thaw is threatening the Native village of Nunapitchuk. Then, we head to Louisiana, where the Pointe-Au-Chien Indian Tribe is watching their land disappear underwater due to sea level rise. These threats are forcing these tribes to make the difficult decision: to stay and adapt, or to leave their ancestral home.—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!

Louisiana's legislative session wrapped last week with 300 bills now heading to Gov. Jeff Landry's desk.  He's expected to sign many of them into law, but he's already vetoed three. WWNO and WRKF's Capitol Access reporter Brooke Thorington, health reporter Rosemary Westwood and education reporter Aubri Juhasz join us to break down the legislation. Churchill Downs, which owns Fair Grounds race track, threatened to leave Louisiana, raising concerns about the future of horse racing in New Orleans. City and state lawmakers recently passed legislation to keep horse racing there, and on Tuesday, Churchill Downs Inc. reached an agreement with horsemen to continue racing in New Orleans. However, the deal has yet to be finalized. Before the agreement was reached, Tony McAuley, a reporter covering the matter for The Times-Picayune/The Advocate, joined Louisiana Considered to discuss the situation. —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!

While House Speaker MikeJohnson has been supporting President Trump's “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” its proposed Medicaid cuts could cause many of his constituents to lose coverage. The Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins traveled to Shreveport to hear what people are saying. One of the longest-running Broadway productions, “A Chorus Line,” opens at the Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre this weekend. And for the first time in the company's history, all productions this season are directed and choreographed by women. Director and choreographer Jauné Buisson and cast member Michael Paternostro share the details.Another performance debuts at Tulane this weekend as the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival continues its run of “The Imaginary Invalid.” Cast members Doug Spearman and Alix Paige tell us about performing Molliere's 17th century comedy.__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!

Louisiana lawmakers  passed more than 200 bills during this year's regular legislative session. WWNO/WRKF Capitol Access reporter Brooke Thorington joined Louisiana Considered to give us an overview of what lawmakers achieved this session, from approving ivermectin sales without prescriptions to insurance reform.A new lawsuit by the Southern Poverty Law Center and National Housing Law Project alleges that Louisiana's eviction process incentivizes justices of the peace to order evictions and encourages landlords to file more cases. The suit alleges that allowing justices of the peace to fund their salaries with court fee revenue violates the due process and equal protection rights of Louisiana's poorest tenants. Investigative journalist Delaney Nolan has been covering the lawsuit for Bolts, and joins us with more details.Pennington Biomedical Research launched a new initiative earlier this month that aims to reduce rates of childhood obesity in Louisiana. Melissa Martin, director of Greaux Healthy, joins us to discuss the group's work.—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!

Louisiana counts nearly 2,000 foster homes across the state. There are more than 4,000 children in the foster care system.Right away, you can see the math doesn't work unless every foster family doubles up on the number of children they take — and of course, that's not feasible or even recommended in lots of cases.This week, we'll get the perspective of those involved in Louisiana's foster care system to see if and how the gaps can be filled.We'll hear from a faith-based group that's the state's go-to for therapeutic foster care.David Matlock, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, the state agency in charge of foster care, will also join us.And we'll learn how people who were once in the system now get a say in how it operates.

It's Thursday and time for our week in politics with the editorial director and columnist for the Times-Picayune/The Advocate, Stephanie Grace. Today, she discusses how rising crime and the recent jailbreak are impacting approval ratings for the city's law enforcement officers. And she reviews approval ratings for the current mayoral candidates. Flag football's upcoming debut at the 2028 LA Olympics has sparked a debate: should seasoned flag football players or NFL bigshots be the ones going for gold? Recently, NFL team owners voted to allow the league's best players to compete in the Olympic games, but practiced flag football players want their chance to try out as well, arguing that they play this version of the game better than the pros. Darrell Doucette III, known as “Housh,” is quarterback of the U.S. Flag National Team and one of the top flag football players in the world. The New Orleans native joins us for more on his journey in the sport and what he hopes to see at Olympic try-outs. Starting a small business can be daunting, exciting, vexing and expensive. But in New Orleans, the not-for-profit group Propeller has been helping entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses since 2009.Propeller has appointed a new CEO, Jessica Allen, who comes from within the ranks of the group's team. She joins us for more on her plans to help grow the city's small business economy.__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!

Cyberattacks on big companies get plenty of attention, but small businesses are hit about four times as often. A New Orleans restaurant owner lost thousands after her Facebook was hacked. The Gulf States Newsroom's Stephan Bisaha shares why hackers are targeting small businesses. There's been roughly $11 billion in cuts to university research funding since President Trump took office in January. Trump has cited widespread political bias, including antisemitism, as the reason for these cuts, saying universities have forfeited the right to taxpayer support. While institutions like Harvard and Johns Hopkins are temporarily self-funding their research, not every institution has the means to do this. Robert Twilley,  a professor and vice president at the Office of Research & Economic Development at Louisiana State University joins us to discuss how research funding cuts could impact schools like LSU.Recent national analysis shows Louisiana is bucking a national trend related to state budgets. It's called revenue volatility, and the report from The Pew Charitable Trusts shows Louisiana's is actually lower than most of the nation.Justin Theal, senior officer with The Pew Charitable Trusts tells us how this rating relates to the state's budget.___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!

Protests against President Trump's immigration policies and deportations are happening across the country. Over the weekend, raids from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers sparked massive protests in Los Angeles. President Trump called in the National Guard, and later, the Marines.There have also been protests in New Orleans, with demonstrators demanding the release of people detained in local ICE raids, as well as people held in Louisiana, like Mahmoud Khalil.The Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins has covered a couple of recent protests in the city. He joins us to discuss them.Last week, Le Petit Theatre debuted “Ain't Misbehavin: The Fats Waller Musical Show.” The musical review of the iconic jazz musician takes viewers into 1920s Harlem with an all-local cast.Cast member and musician Rahim Glaspy joins us to talk about the musical tribute performance.“Too Many Notes,” a classical concert performance from New Resonance Orchestra and Musical Arts Society of New Orleans, kicks off with two performances this weekend. It features the world premiere of New Orleans composer Tucker Fuller's piano concerto with soloist Brian Hsu and Mozart's Jupiter Symphony. Fuller joins us alongside New Resonance Orchestra founder and music director, Francis Scully. __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!

At the end of June, LSU president William Tate IV will step down and become president of Rutgers University in New Jersey. While LSU looks for a new leader, Matt Lee, vice president for agriculture, will serve in the interim. In addition to his new role, Lee is also the dean of LSU's college of agriculture and oversees research at the AgCenter. He has also worked as a public health expert, specializing in rural crime and community development. He joins us to talk about his career and goals in this new position. According to a new report, Louisiana children rank near last in the country in overall well-being, despite some notable gains in education. Louisiana fell a spot from last year to 49th out of 50 states on the Kids Count Data Book, published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. It considers how children are doing in four main categories: economics, education, health and family. Teresa Falgoust, director of data and research for Agenda for Children, Louisiana's member of the KIDS COUNT network, joins us to break down these findings. —Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Last weekend, Dillard University hosted a memorial service to honor the lives of 19 Black New Orleanians, whose skulls were unlawfully taken to Leipzig, Germany in the 1880s. The memorial also drew attention to the history of racist pseudoscience in an effort of repatriation alongside the University of Leipzig. Dr. Eva Baham, retired Dillard University professor and chair of Dillard's Cultural Repatriation Committee, helped lead the patriation efforts working with the University of Leipzig, and joins us for more on this story.It's a big week for baseball in Louisiana. On Saturday, the LSU Tigers will play their first game of the Super Regionals in Baton Rouge. But last Friday, LSU Shreveport Pilots made history when they became the first college baseball team ever to win every game of their season. The Pilots went 59-0, capping off their perfect season by winning the NAIA championship and giving their school their first national title in any sport. Head baseball coach Brad Neffendorf joins us to discuss the thrilling end to a historic season. ___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. Matt Bloom and Aubry Procell are assistant producers. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

It's Thursday and that means it's time to catch up on politics with The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate's editorial director and columnist, Stephanie Grace. Today we dive into Gov. Landry's agenda for the current legislative session and the bills he's hoping to get passed. Nottoway, a massive plantation mansion in Iberville Parish, recently burned down. The 53,000-square-foot home, located in White Castle on the edge of the Mississippi River, had been turned into a hotel and wedding venue. Enslaved people built the property and worked on the sugar cane plantation it sat on. It held over 150 enslaved people in 1860, according to National Park Service records.  Jo and Joy Banner, founders of the Descendants Project, tell us about what the loss of the plantation means for descendants of people enslaved in the area.At the current legislative session, lawmakers are debating a series of bills on ethics, targeting things like campaign finance and financial transparency. This week on “The Light Switch” podcast from the Louisiana Illuminator, reporter Julie O'Donoghue speaks with Steven Procopio, president of the Public Affairs Research Council, to discuss these proposals. Note: This conversation was recorded before the House approved HB 674, legislation that would revise state ethics laws.___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!

Nearly two dozen violence prevention organizations in Louisiana stand to lose millions in federal funding as a result of recent Department of Justice grant cuts. These organizations include youth programs, substance abuse support, victim advocates, trauma care and more. Josie Alexander, senior Louisiana strategist at Equal Justice USA tells us how these organizations interface with violence prevention and what these cuts could mean.According to The Mississippi River Delta Transition Initiative, most of the sediment that's on its way to help rebuild the Mississippi River Delta is actually getting lost before it reaches the Gulf. Mead Allison, co-lead of the research organization tells us what these findings mean for the river delta.Tulane University recently announced it's been recognized as a top producer of students selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program –a federal government international exchange program. It's the third consecutive year that Tulane has had this honor. Laila Hlass, associate provost for International Affairs, Tulane University, tells us more.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

A bill recently advanced in the state Legislature that would give a $10,000 tax break to property owners who install a fortified roof. This comes after a recent study found that houses with fortified roofs in coastal Alabama were nearly 75% less likely to file insurance claims after hurricanes. This bill moves forward while a different insurance bill, written by state Senator Royce Duplesis, died in committee. Capitol Access reporter Brooke Thorington spoke to Duplesis about what comes next. A new series from Verite News tells the story of slavery in New Orleans. Titled, “Devil's Bargain,” the essays recount how the slave trade came to the city, sustained the economy and left a terrible legacy. Verite News' editor-in-chief Terry Baquet and former managing editor Tim Morris tell us more.The Essence Festival of Culture is one month away, but boots were on the ground last week as executives visited in advance of the “party with a purpose.” Michele Ghee, Chief Content Officer at Essence Ventures, gives us a sneak peak of this year's festival.  __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!

Hurricane season is upon us, and the National Hurricane Center is predicting an above-average season. Preparations are starting, but cuts to both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency might impact hurricane forecasting and response. The Coastal Desk's Eva Tesfaye tells us what these changes will mean for hurricane response. The new novel “Blood Moon Over Bohemia,” offers a fictionalized account of a true story about the forced removal of a diverse community living in Plaquemines Parish in the 1920s. Written by New York Times bestselling author and investigative journalist Susan D. Mustafa and District Attorney Charles J. Ballay, the novel follows the lives of two families—one Black and one white—as they struggle to fight the corrupt New Orleans politicians who steal their land.The authors join us for more on their collaborative process and how their story relates to issues of forced migration today. The nonpartisan advocacy group Leaders for a Better Louisiana is calling on state lawmakers to restore funding that was cut from a tutoring program that is believed to have played a major role in recent historic improvements in education. Last week, the Senate Finance Committee added back funding for the tutoring, but the funding reallocation still needs to pass the House and Senate.Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin joins us with more on the high-dosage tutoring program and its impact. now.—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 use of chemical fertilizers has been growing for decades, and despite growing environmental concerns, politicians are adding more protections for these fertilizers than ever.Today on Louisiana Considered, we hear the second part of the latest episode of Sea Change, “The True Cost of Fertilizer.” Investigative reporter Garrett Hazelwood explores the policies in place that will not only protect chemical fertilizers, but potentially expand the industry.___This episode was produced in collaboration with the Food & Environment Reporting Network, an independent, nonprofit news organization. We also had support from the Mississippi River Basin Ag and Water Desk.This episode was hosted by Carlyle Calhoun and reported by Garrett Hazelwood and Eric Schmid. This episode was edited by Eve Abrams. Additional help from Carlyle Calhoun, Eva Tesfaye, Ryan Vasquez, Ted Ross, and Brent Cunningham. The episode was fact-checked by Naomi Barr. Sea Change's executive producer is Carlyle Calhoun. Our theme music is by Jon Batiste, and our sound designer is Emily Jankowski.Sea Change is a WWNO and WRKF production. We are part of the NPR Podcast Network and distributed by PRX.

When we think of fertilizer, most of us probably picture cow manure. But some farms have been switching to a chemical formula that causes radioactive waste.Today on Louisiana Considered, we hear the first part of the latest episode of Sea Change, “The True Cost of Fertilizer.” Investigative reporter Garrett Hazelwood looks into the environmental impacts of chemical formula and why there isn't much effort to stop the damage. Federal funding has played a major role in fighting the HIV epidemic in the US — especially in hard-hit places like Alabama. But DOGE cuts and policy changes under the Trump administration threaten to undue that progress. The Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins spoke to HIV survivors and advocates in Birmingham, Alabama to see how they're feeling about these cuts.---This episode was produced in collaboration with the Food & Environment Reporting Network, an independent, nonprofit news organization. We also had support from the Mississippi River Basin Ag and Water Desk.This episode was hosted by Carlyle Calhoun and reported by Garrett Hazelwood and Eric Schmid. This episode was edited by Eve Abrams. Additional help from Carlyle Calhoun, Eva Tesfaye, Ryan Vasquez, Ted Ross, and Brent Cunningham. The episode was fact-checked by Naomi Barr. Sea Change's executive producer is Carlyle Calhoun. Our theme music is by Jon Batiste, and our sound designer is Emily Jankowski.Sea Change is a WWNO and WRKF production. We are part of the NPR Podcast Network and distributed by PRX.

Thanks to a new executive order from Gov. Jeff Landry, Louisiana colleges can now pay student athletes directly for name, image and likeness (NIL) deals. The order prohibits the use of state-allocated funds and will remain in effect until federal NIL legislation is enacted. The order after President Donald Trump halted plans to create a college sports commission. Maddy Hudak, deputy editor for Tulane for Sports Illustrated, tells us more about this order and its suspected impacts.About a year ago, the University of New Orleans said it would take steps to eliminate a $15 million deficit brought on by decades of low enrollment and other issues. And by the end of this semester, the budget was balanced, but not without its costs. There's been layoffs, furloughs, the loss of some degree programs and the closing of Milneburg Hall, which needed significant repairs. UNO President Kathy Johnson has been at the helm. She joined WWNO's Bob Pavlovich to explain how they balanced the budget and what comes next for the institution.One in three high school students report poor mental health, with half of teen girls saying they feel persistently sad or hopeless. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and one Louisiana organization is providing support for families facing emotional and mental health challenges. They're also working  to make sure adults are aware of the struggles and warning signs in our youth.Rashain Carriere-Williams, executive director of Boys Town Louisiana, tells us 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!

It's the end of the month, and that means it's time to catch up with our neighbors in Acadiana. Founder and editor of The Current, Christiaan Mader, breaks down the latest news in the region, including how U.S. deportations are raising concerns in a Laotian refugee community in the area.Following the jailbreak at the Orleans Parish Justice Center, law enforcement agencies across the state began pointing the finger at one another. Gov. Landry blamed the District Attorney's Office for delays in the inmates' cases, DA Jason Williams blamed the sheriff's office for its slow response to requests for evidence needed to prosecute cases. And Sheriff Susan Hutson pointed to jail workers and those on the outside helping the inmates. So where does the accountability actually lie here, and how common is this kind of law enforcement infighting? Mac Muir, leading expert on police accountability and the former Executive Director of the Community Police Review Agency (CPRA) in Oakland, California, joins us to share his thoughts. The Marigny Opera House is gearing up for a night of Italian music with a production of Verismo: Opera Tableaux. The upcoming performance also includes dance numbers and visual art for an immersive experience. Marigny Opera House executive director, Dave Hurlbert, and “Verismo” artistic director, Bogdan Mynka, tell us what to expect at this production. ___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. We get production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Two weeks ago, we hosted a Sea Change live event at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. We wanted to talk about the science behind the massive land loss crisis we are experiencing, what it means to live in a vanishing landscape, and importantly, what we can do about it. But this is New Orleans, so we also wanted to celebrate! Celebrate the culture and joy of living in this special place.And while we can't share food through the airwaves, we can share music. Join us for an incredible concert and conversation with musicians and scientists about the future of Louisiana's coast. Last week we brought you the first part of the live event. Today, you'll hear the second.This episode was hosted by Carlyle Calhoun and Eva Tesfaye. We'd like to thank the New Orleans Jazz Museum for hosting us for this great event and the Bywater Bakery for providing everyone with delicious food. And thank you to our amazing guests: Louis Michot, Tommy Michot, Cocoa Creppel, and Sam Bentley. Sea Change's sound designer is Emily Jankowski, and our theme music is by Jon Batiste. Our executive producer is Carlyle Calhoun.---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/The Advocate's editorial director and columnist, Stephanie Grace. Today she tells us about the political turmoil unfolding since the Orleans Parish jailbreak, including Sheriff Hutson halting her re-election campaign.If you've ever looked at the vast spreads of prepared food at groceries, bakeries, café's, and restaurants, and wondered where it all goes at the end of the day, the answer is usually – the garbage can.But an app that just launched in Baton Rouge and New Orleans is trying to help that food find a home and reduce the environmental impact of food waste. Allie Denburg, associate director of Strategy and Operations for the “Too Good To Go,” app gives us the details.The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project is the largest in Louisiana's Coastal Master Plan. The $3 billion project would divert freshwater carrying sediment from the Mississippi River into Barataria Bay to build more land and stave off Louisiana's land loss crisis.But under Gov. Jeff Landry, the project has faced significant delays, and now it's possible it might not move forward at all.The Coastal Desk's Eva Tesfaye spoke with Delaney Dryfoos, environmental reporter at The Lens, who has been following this closely t.___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!

As Congress continues to debate deep cuts to Medicaid, a new report shows that the program has been central to providing health coverage for women of childbearing age. The Georgetown University study found that Medicaid covered nearly half of all births in rural America, and that Louisiana was among the states where women rely on Medicaid most.To learn more, public health reporter Rosemary Westwood spoke with Joan Alker, one of the report's authors and executive director of the Center for Children and Families at the Georgetown McCourt School of Public Policy.Louisiana's film industry has been drying up, and currently there's nothing shooting in the state. Filmmaking has been down across the U.S. but there are also factors affecting Louisiana in particular, including a proposal to get rid of the film tax credit that incentivizes production here.Miles Doleac, chair of digital filmmaking at Loyola University in New Orleans, as well as independent film director and working actor, helps us dissect the current state of the film industry.Preservation Hall is known as one of New Orleans' most iconic jazz venues. Bands play for thousands of students and music lovers each year – all in service of its mission to preserve and perpetuate jazz. Now, the Preservation Hall Foundation is planning to double the size of its efforts. It's renovating a three-story, 7,000-square-foot building next door. Producer Matt Bloom met up with the Hall's artistic director, Ben Jaffe to learn more about how he's expanding the family business.—-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!

Ten inmates escaped the Orleans Parish Justice Center last Friday, the biggest jailbreak in state history. Three of the men were captured shortly after they fled, and one more was arrested last night. Local and state law enforcement officials all seem to be pointing blame at one another. WWNO/WRKF reporter Matt Bloom has been covering the story and  joins to give us an update. Hellenic heritage will be on full display when the Greek Festival returns for its 50th year. The host, New Orleans' Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral is  celebrating its 160th anniversary. It's  the oldest existing Orthodox community in the Americas. Maggie Maag, chair of the church's Archives Committee, a conservation group also known as Keepers of the Faith, tells us more about the city's Greek history and this year's festival. “Kitten season” is in full swing, and it sounds much cuter than it is. It's the time of year when kittens tend to be born at the highest rates, often overwhelming the capacity of animal shelters despite the best efforts of staff and volunteers.Valerie Robinson, manager at Terrebonne Parish Animal Shelter, joins us to discuss what we can do to help stray cats during this time of year. ___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. We get production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Louisiana lawmakers are asking Congress to bring back a federal program that helped schools buy food from local farms. It's one of the cuts the Trump administration made to the Department of Agriculture. Education reporter Aubri Juhasz explains how one school district used the money and how cuts are impacting their current relationships with local farms.A recent investigation into Steward Health Care, which ran a hospital in West Monroe, La., found that the hospital chain's owners spent years squeezing profits out of the business, leading to a decline in the quality of care. The investigation found over 400 lawsuits involving more than 80 deaths and issues with  labor and delivery. All while owners spent millions – on a yacht, an apartment in Spain, and a prep school – instead of spending money on important hospital equipment and employee salaries.Reporter Hannah Levintova investigated the now bankrupt for-profit hospital. She joins us now to discuss her findings published in Mother Jones. —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!

Today on Louisiana Considered, we bring you a special episode of the coastal podcast Sea Change. Live from the New Orleans Jazz Museum, we hear conversations and songs about the intersection between climate and culture from scientists, tribe leaders and musicians. Hosts Carlyle Calhoun and Eva Tesfaye are joined by musician Louis Michot; his father and musician and scientist and coastal researcher, Tommy Michot; musician and former Chief of the Houma Nation, Cocoa Creppel; and Professor of Sedimentary Geology, Sam Bentley.—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 for our week in politics with the Editorial Director and Columnist for the Times-Picayune/The Advocate, Stephanie Grace. Today we dig into the rumors that Sen. Chuck Schumer is trying to convince former Gov. John Bel Edwards to run for Senate.Coastal stories are all over the news these days, with vanishing wetlands causing major concerns for the future of Louisiana's coastline. On today's episode of “The Light Switch” podcast, host Greg LaRose speaks with reporter Elise Plunk about the state's environmental future. Then, Plunk speaks with Ehab Meselhe, professor in the Department of River-Coastal Science and Engineering at Tulane University, about the overlap between environmental science and politics. President Donald Trump wants the U.S. to build more commercial ships by adding a new expense on Chinese ships trading with the U.S. All the while, the cost of his current tariffs are leading to fewer ships setting sail. Reporting from Mobile, Alabama's waterfront, the Gulf States Newsroom's Stephan Bisaha explains why the decline of American shipbuilding is a serious national security concern.___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!

Last Thursday, Robert Francis Prevost was announced as the new pope. Now known as Pope Leo XIV, he's the first American pope in the Vatican's history. Father Mark Mossa, Program Director for the Canizaro Center for Catholic Studies at  Loyola University of New Orleans, tells us more about what it means to have an American pope and how this could shape the Church's future. The start of hurricane season is just weeks away, and it will be 20 years since Hurricane Katrina. And the man who led response efforts after the storm, Lt. General Russel Honoré (retired) wants to make sure you're prepared. General Honoré joins us to reflect on Hurricane Katrina 20 years later and offer advice for this year's season. __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!

Last week, Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the new pope. Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, is the first American pope in the Vatican's history. Although he was born and raised in Chicago, a local genealogist and historian quickly traced his family's lineage to New Orleans. Jari Honora, family historian at the Historic New Orleans Collection, tells us more about what he discovered about the pope's familial ties to the Crescent City.Venture Global, the U.S.'s second largest producer of liquified natural gas, plans to build a second terminal in south Louisiana, this time in the sparsely populated Cameron Parish. The proposed terminal was recently granted a permit by the Department of Energy, its fifth LNG-related approval since President Trump took office. Verite News' Tristan Baurick tells us how residents are responding to the news.Scott Cowen has worn many hats. College football player, infantry officer, professor and president of Tulane University when Hurricane Katrina hit. He became a prominent voice for restoring the city's infrastructure, reforming the public school system and enhancing Tulane's athletic programs.More  recently, he's authored several books, including  “Lead and Succeed,” a leadership guide for recent graduates and early career professionals.  Cowen joins us to discuss his varied career and share his leadership advice for young people.—Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

We are all affected by ocean conditions, and we're talking about huge things like global food security and human health, to fisheries we depend on, to the transport of a whopping 90% of the world's goods. So it's vitally important to understand ocean conditions.What can the fascinating field of ocean forecasting tell us about the future for us on land and for life under the sea?Want to learn even more? Click here to read the report "Forecasting the Ocean."This episode was hosted by Carlyle Calhoun, and Eva Tefaye conducted the interview. Our theme music is by John Batiste, and our sound designer is Emily Jankowski. Sea Change's managing producer is Carlyle Calhoun.---Sea Change is a WWNO and WRKF production. We're a 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. It's also supported by the Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans. WWNO's Coastal Desk is supported by the Walton Family Foundation, the Mereaux Foundation, and the Greater New Orleans Foundation.

It's Thursday, and time to catch up on the week in politics with Stephanie Grace, editorial director and columnist for the Times-Picayune/The Advocate. Today we hear about the latest rift between Mayor Cantrell and the city council – this time over trash pickup in the French Quarter. Downriver from NOLA, a small Mississippi River offshoot, dubbed Neptune Pass, formed in 2020. The Army Corps of Engineers are looking at closing the opening as it presents problems for navigation. But the Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority and other coastal advocates argue it's an opportunity for coastal restoration. Alex Kolker is an oceanographer, geologist and climatologist at the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium. He joins us to share his new research on how the pass is building land using sediment from the Mississippi River. Earlier today, Robert Francis Prevost was announced as the new pope. The Chicago native – who will now be known as Pope Leo XIV – is the first American pope in the Vatican's history. Leading up to the selection, many had hopes for who the new pope might be, and what communities he might represent. Kathleen Dorsey Bellow, director of Xavier University's Institute for Black Catholic Studies, spoke to us about Pope Francis' legacy among Black Catholics and what she hopes to see for the future of the Catholic Church. And just a note, this conversation was recorded before the announcement of the new pope.___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!

Louisiana is in the midst of a deadly and growing outbreak of whooping cough. So far, two babies have died, and pediatricians have been urging the public to check their vaccine status and get vaccinated. Public health reporter Rosemary Westwood speaks with state epidemiologist Theresa Sokol to get an update on the situation.For 60 years, rodeo has been a tradition at the state's most notorious prison, Angola. The event lets inmates show off their vocational and artistic skills – and even make money. But it can be brutal, with inmates participating in dangerous activities some view as dehumanizing or exploitative. In the latest episode of The Light Switch podcast, Louisiana Illuminator reporter Piper Hutchinson speaks with Andrew Hundley, co-founder of the Louisiana Parole Project, to learn about the rodeo and opportunities for inmates after they're released.___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!

A new city ordinance would shield sex workers from prosecution when they report crimes to the New Orleans police. But it  would not protect them when state police handle their cases. Verite News' Safura Syed joins us to explain how the ordinance would work.The banks of Bayou St. John will fill up with boats, vendors and music  when the 18th annual Bayou Boogaloo kicks off next weekend. Jared Zeller,  president of Friends of Bayou St. John, and the festival's producer and founder, tells us what's on deck.This Friday, Project Lazarus, a New Orleans-based organization that helps people living with HIV and AIDS, will host their annual Guardian Angel Award Gala to honor their biggest supporters. As they prepare  for the yearly event, we take a look back at the history of HIV and AIDS in New Orleans and hear how the organization came to be. The organization's executive director Ian Bicko, tells us more about Project Lazarus and what they offer today.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. We get production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

The 151st Kentucky Derby is Saturday, and  a jockey from Louisiana is going for a repeat win. Brian Hernandez Jr., a native of Lafayette, won last year's derby riding Mystik Dan, following a win at the Kentucky Oaks – a race for female horses. At this year's Derby, he'll be riding Burnham Square. Right now, the horse has a 16-1 odds of winning.Hernandez Jr. joins us to talk about his horse racing journey and how he's preparing for the “most exciting two minutes in sports.” Earlier this week, Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra announced its 2025-26 concert season. The orchestra will introduce audiences current and living composers as well as the classical favorites people have been familiar with for centuries. Music director Adam Johnson gives us a preview of the year ahead. ___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 Thursday and that means it's time to catch up on politics with The Times-Picayune/The Advocate's editorial director and columnist, Stephanie Grace. Today she tells us how changes the federal Justice Department are filtering down at local U.S. attorneys offices. The federal government is currently debating cutting more than $800 billion in Medicaid funding. This is causing major concerns for people who rely on Medicaid, specifically people with disabilities. This week, disability rights advocates from across the country are gathering in New Orleans to address these concerns and drum up support for Medicaid. Armando Contreras, president and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy, and Ashley Volion, lecturer in Sociology at Tulane University, tell us more about the impacts of these proposed cuts.On Friday, May 2, Loyola undergraduate student Damian Sandoval Chable – known professionally as Damian Ch – will make his Jazz Fest debut, the first time a Loyola student has played at the music event.  Damian, a native of Mexico, will perform his own brand of Latin hip hop at the Cultural Exchange Pavilion, which is honoring Mexico this year. Damian Ch joins us to talk about his musical journey and what to expect at his upcoming performance. ___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!

Court hearings wrapped up last week in a case brought by inmates working the farm line at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola —an agricultural work assignment, where incarcerated men are forced to work long hours, sometimes in the heat of the summer.The Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist has been in court following this story and joins us to share more details. As we await a ruling on whether the case will be certified as a class action lawsuit, we wanted to take a deeper look at the history of prison labor, something many have said is . rooted in racism and slavery.Nina Mast, policy and economic analyst with Economic Policy Institute, evaluated the issue in a report titled “Forced prison labor in the “Land of the Free,” and joined us to share more. Urban flooding has long plagued the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans. Now residents are taking matters into their own hands. The Gulf States Newsroom's Danny McArthur reports on how people living in Treme are figuring out and addressing the root causes of urban flooding.___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!

Economists like to say nobody wins a trade war. The counter point is the American auto industry. Foreign carmakers have opened dozens of factories in the U.S. over the last 40 years, largely due to conflicts over trade.The Gulf States Newsroom's Stephen Bisaha shares some of that history and why it might not repeat itself with the current trade war.For the eighth time, acclaimed painter and sculptor James Michalopoulos is the official poster artist for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. This time, he's spotlighting the Crescent City's Grammy Award-winning band, Tank and the Bangas, led by vocalist Tarriona “Tank” Ball. Michalopoulos joins us to discuss capturing the essence of a festival in his artwork.LSU has  long offered an undergraduate nursing program, but in the past, students have had to complete their training elsewhere. But next fall, the university will offer a new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, along with a Master of Public Health degree and an epidemiology program.Jennifer Manning, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Nursing Programs at LSU, tells us more about this new program and how she hopes it will address the nationwide nursing shortage.__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!

Xavier University of Louisiana is making history by becoming the first HBCU in the country to offer varsity rowing and form a coed crew team, . The sport is more popular in the northeast, and has long been predominantly white and male. Xavier's team  is the latest example of rowing's newfound popularity  and diversification. To learn more about the Xavier University crew team we're joined by three of the captains, Kamryn Days, Nyla Archibold, and Victoria Duffey. Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that's found in most water. But it's been added to public water to help prevent tooth decay since the 1940s. In recent years, it's become politically controversial, with people like Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claiming the mineral is a quote “industrial waste” with links to cancer, IQ loss and autism – despite no evidence.Now, a bill to ban fluoride is headed for debate on the Louisiana Senate floor. It was written by Republican state senator Mike Fesi, who called fluoride a poison and falsely connected it to potentially causing autism.The Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins spoke with Scott Tomar, associate dean at the College of Dentistry at the University of Illinois Chicago to unpack the truth about fluoride.—Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

A bill that would crack down on restaurant reservation apps is making its way through the Louisiana Legislature and could soon pass in the House. The bill would ban certain apps from arranging reservations without explicit contracts with restaurants. Reporter Wesley Mueller discussed this with Greg LaRose, host of the new podcast, “Light Switch,” from the Louisiana Illuminator. This past Monday, athletes gathered for the 139th Boston Marathon, which also marked 50 years since Bob Hall became the first wheelchair user to complete the course, which soon ushered in a wave of wheelchair racing at marathons.And this past weekend, another racer raised the bar.  Brian Marelo, 15, won first place in the wheelchair racing division of the Crescent City Classic. He joins us along with his mother Gwenn Marelo, board president of the Spina Bida Foundation of Louisiana, to talk about  his racing journey and opportunities for adaptive sports in the state.The New Orleans' Jazz and Heritage Festival is upon us, and this Saturday, hip hop legend and NOLA native Lil Wayne will take the main stage with The Roots for the first time at the festival. The Gulf States Newsroom's Joseph King tells us why this is a big moment for hip hop artists at Jazz Fest.___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!

If you're a baseball fan, you know it's impossible to watch a game these days without hearing about torpedo bats, the new bat design giving Major League hitters unforeseen power. But what is it about these bats that allows players to hit the ball so deep?Louisiana Considered's Alana Schreiber visited Marucci Sports, a bat company in Baton Rouge, to find out. Coming to Lafayette this week is a conference on Big Towns, a gathering of representatives from places too big to be towns and too small to be cities. The meeting is a chance for these big towns to learn from one another when it comes to economics, city planning and more. Christiaan Mader, founder and editor of The Current, and Heather Blanchard, CEO of United Way of Acadiana, tell us more about the event. A former president of Xavier University, the first woman to be mayor of Lake Charles, and a photographer and food writer are some of this year's winners of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities' Bright Lights awards.Clare Shelburne, LEH program manager, tells us more about the awards and what it means to be recognized. —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!

As the Trump administration cracks down on immigration, students across the country are losing their international visas. The Times-Picayune/The Advocate's Marie Fazio tells us about the students in Louisiana who've had their visas revoked.The Musaica Chamber Ensemble is gearing up for its season finale with four trios, including a world premiere and the Beethoven Septet. Violist and president Bruce Owen joins us with the details.A new sculpture exhibit in Baton Rouge hopes to shed light on a glaring problem in Louisiana's criminal justice system: wrongful convictions. The organization, The Innocence Project of New Orleans, is the driving force behind the new exhibit, Exonerated: Portraits of the Wrongfully Convicted. The installation features nearly two dozen life-sized busts depicting former prisoners. Producer Matt Bloom sat down with Baton Rouge sculptor Becky Gottsegen and one of the exhibit's subjects, Raymond Flanks, who was wrongly convicted of murder as a 20 year old. __Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

The 2026 midterm elections are a long way away, but millions of dollars are already flowing into the Senate race as incumbent GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy faces a challenge from fellow Republican State Treasurer John Fleming.Greg LaRose, editor-in-chief for the Louisiana Illuminator, tells us more about what this race says about Cassidy's vulnerability.Under  a new Louisiana law, thousands of inmates  can no longer plead their cases to a parole board. This is thanks to a computerized scoring system adopted by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, which ranks an inmate's risk of reoffending. Calvin Alexander, a 70-year-old and nearly blind inmate is no longer eligible to speak before a parole board.  Verite's Richard Webster tells us more about Alexander and the thousands of other inmates whose cases are in limbo.Following heavy rainfall in the Ohio River Valley, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has activated proactive flood fight protocols as water from upstream swells the Mississippi River.  State climatologist Jay Grymes tells us how residents should best prepare for potential flooding.—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!

Today on Louisiana Considered, we bring you the first episode of “The Light Switch,” a new podcast from the Louisiana Illuminator that dives into the top political issues in our state. First, host  Greg LaRose speaks with senior reporter Julie O'Donoghue to discuss what's on the table at the current state legislative session. Then Louisiana Senate President Cameron Henry, and explore where measles cases are emerging beyond Texas.

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. We hear about the latest clashes between Mayor LaToya Cantrell and the Civil Service Commission, and a millage to support the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office. The death penalty has been a major topic in Louisiana ever since the execution of Jessie Hoffman, Jr. one month ago. He was the first person in the state to be killed with nitrogen gas. While many anti-death penalty organizations spoke up against this, there's one Louisianan who's been leading the charge against the death penalty for generations. Sister Helen Prejean is a Catholic religious leader and author of several books, including, “Dead Man Walking,” which captures her experiences serving as a spiritual adviser for two people on death row. She joins us now for more on her life's work, new book, and re-release of “Dead Man Walking,” as a graphic novel. 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!

Last month, President Donald Trump's administration slashed funding for the CDC's HIV prevention programs. Administrators of similar programs in Louisiana — which has one of the highest rates of HIV per capita of any U.S. state — are bracing for the loss of federal grants too. Public health reporter Rosemary Westwood tells us what they're doing to prepare for the loss of funding.Also at the direction of the Trump administration, the National Endowment for the Humanities this month abruptly cancelled millions of dollars in disbursements for grants that had already been awarded. The NEH helps fund museums, archives, literary festivals, historic preservation and more.A little less than half of NEH funds go directly to state-level endowments, like the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. LEH Executive Director and President Miranda Restovic discusses what these cuts mean for Louisiana.A new technology competition is coming to Baton Rouge this June. The Nexus Technology Cup will award more than $100,000 to aspiring inventors and entrepreneurs. Tony Zanders, CEO of Nexus Louisiana, joins us for more on the competition.—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!

April is National Autism Awareness Month, and in New Orleans, the next few weeks are full of events to promote acceptance of people all across the autism spectrum. Claire Tibbets, executive director of the Autism Society of Greater New Orleans, tells us more about April's events as well as resources available for the autism community throughout the year.The Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane is returning for its 58th season. On deck this year are hit Broadway musicals, “A Chorus Line,” “Company,” and “Carousel.” Artistic director Leonard Raybon tells us more about these upcoming performances and his new role at the head of the company. We all know that daily life requires energy and creates emissions. Like when you drive a car or buy a new pair of shoes. But how far would you go to account for your own carbon footprint? Former Coastal Desk reporter Halle Parker joined one New Orleans artist for a tree planting trip in Plaquemines Parish to try, as she tried to offset the emissions created by her artwork. ___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. 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, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

The 2025 regular legislative session kicks off Monday, and lawmakers will try to tackle the state budget, the insurance crisis, and anti-hazing legislation. Capitol Access reporter Brooke Thorington joins us to break down some of the bills. Louisiana Public Broadcasting and the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL) have teamed up with the nonprofit Chanbow  for “Kouri Vini 101”, a new educational digital series exploring Louisiana's endangered Creole language and culture. The show's host, actor  and singer Clif St. Laurent, and CODOFIL community development specialist Marguerite Justus tell us more about this new TV series.Each April, downtown Lafayette comes alive for a five-day cultural celebration of music, art and cuisine from around the world. The 39th annual Festival International de Louisiane will kick off on Wednesday, April 23.Festival marketing director Carly Viator Courville tells us more about all the bands, events and food guests can experience this weekend.—Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. 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, 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!

Award-winning author and journalist Michael Lewis is out with a new book, “Who is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service.” The New Orleans native is the author of multiple books, many of which have turned into blockbuster movies, like “Moneyball,” “The Blind Side” and “The Big Short.” His latest work is collaboration with multiple writers and performers, like Dave Eggers, Casey Cep and W. Kamau Bell. They each profile federal employees and the fascinating work they're doing for our government. Michael Lewis joins us to discuss his latest work and the importance of public service.___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!