Louisiana Considered Podcast

It's the end of the week and time to catch up on politics with The Times-Picayune/The Advocate's editorial director and columnist, Stephanie Grace. She tells us about President Donald Trump's endorsement of Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA) in her challenge for Bill Cassidy's Senate seat. When you're approaching your 50s, most people don't expect to learn about a life-changing family secret. But that was the case for Texas police sergeant and bomb squad commander Brad Ewell. At 48, he discovered he was adopted. Not only that, but he learned that his biological father was locked up at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, notoriously known as Angola Prison, serving life without parole for a murder he committed in 1972.Ewell and his “pop,” Jimmie Graves, join us to share how they connected after 50 years apart, and fought for Graves' freedom.___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!

Louisiana will have to pay a larger share of its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) because of changes made in the Trump administration's “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” to shift costs to states. Starting in October, Louisiana will be required to pay an additional $50 million. In October 2027, a cost increase could occur based on the state's error rate.WRKF's Alex Cox spoke with Gina Plata-Nino, SNAP director for the Food Research and Action Center, for more. When we think of researching ancient civilizations, we imagine archeological digs, bushwhacking through jungles and dodging wild animals. Yes, researchers still do that today, but they also rely on modern technology to learn about the past. Marcello Canuto, Tulane professor and director of the Middle American Research Institute, has spent much of his career researching Mayan civilizations, debunking many of the things we thought we knew. And a lot of research happens in a lab in New Orleans. He and his colleagues will present their findings at an upcoming Maya Cities Symposium at Tulane from March 5-7 — which is free and open to the public.Canuto joins us for more on the role of technology in archeology.For a long time, Louisiana has struggled with the health of new mothers and babies. Now, New Orleans is tackling that problem with the return of an old-fashioned practice: the house call. WWNO's former reproductive healthcare reporter Rosemary Westwood shares 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!

Louisiana public schools must display the Ten Commandments after a federal appeals court allowed the law to take effect late last week, overturning a lower court's decision. But critics have vowed to keep fighting it. And schools are weighing what it all means for them.WWNO and WRKF's education reporter Aubri Juhasz tells us more. Artificial intelligence data centers are growing across the country. In Louisiana, construction for a massive Meta data center is underway in Richland Parish.But what are the energy costsof these centers? And who will pay for skyrocketing electric bills? In Louisiana, that may fall to residents.Paul Arbaje, energy analyst for the Union of Concerned Scientists, has been reporting on the costs of AI data centers for The Equation. He joins us with more. A new exhibit at the Louisiana Children's Museum explores how children think, create and interact with the world around them. Curators say it's not just for kids. It also presents it in a way grownups can understand and it encourages parents and educators to experience how young children process the world.Shannon Blady, the museum's chief learning officer, 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!

Norman C. Francis, the New Orleans civil rights leader, businessman, educator and president of Xavier University for nearly half a century, died last week. He was 94. Francis is remembered for his commitment to making the city a better place to live, whether through integration efforts or recovery after Hurricane Katrina. In 2006, then-president George W. Bush  honored him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Patrick Francis, one of Francis' six children, joins us to discuss his father's life and legacy and constant commitment to civil rights. We'll also hear a recording of Norman C. Francis himself from last July, reflecting on his own role in the Freedom Riders movement.The earliest-known full-length opera written by a Black American composer is now available as a new CD. The album of Edmond Dede's “Morgiane” was produced by Opera Creole and features singers from across the country. Opera Creole founders Givonna Joseph and her daughter Aria Mason join  us to discuss the details and explain the longevity of the 1887 work.  __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 has passed a number of laws since the pandemic meant to improve students' reading scores — and they appear to be working. In 2019, Louisiana's fourth graders ranked 50th in the country for reading. As of last year, they'd risen to 16th. WWNO and WRKF's education reporter Aubri Juhasz joins us with more. Earlier this month, Louisiana Rep. Troy Carter and Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse paid a visit to the Bayou State. They addressed problems like climate change, failing infrastructure, and the weather-driven insurance crisis. Louisiana Considered's Managing Producer Alana Schreiber caught up with them at a construction site where they discussed finding both short and long-term solutions to these issues.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. 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, 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, she breaks down some of the satirical floats during Mardi Gras season, which krewes criticized the presidential administration, and which krewes defended it.Last year, some Louisiana residents experienced a scheduled blackout, and many of them blamed — perhaps unfairly — the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO).  Later this year, MISO will conduct what's called a load pocket risk assessment. It's a look at Louisiana's electrical grid, its capabilities and inadequacies. Madelyn Smith, Louisiana program manager for the Southeastern Wind Coalition, a major promoter of MISO membership, explains what this means. Major Louisiana industries are placing multibillion-dollar bets on blue ammonia — a product made from fossil fuels and extra technology in order to capture planet-warming gases and store them underground. But despite promising major emissions cuts, a recent investigation by Floodlight found that similar carbon capture projects can still cause pollution and environmental damage. Ames Alexander, investigative reporter for Floodlight News, tells us 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!

For four years, the podcast “Voices of the Culture” has been sharing stories about Black Masking Indian traditions. Today, we'll listen to the second part of their latest episode. Hosts Spyboy Horace Anderson of the Creole Wild West and Big Chief Dowee Robair of the 9th Ward Black Hatchet sit down with Big Chief Dow Edwards of the Timbuktu Warriors. They discuss the pressures and responsibilities of becoming a Big Chief, how the COVID pandemic impacted their community and where you can find them on Mardi Gras Day.___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!

For four years, the podcast “Voices of the Culture” has been sharing stories about Black Masking Indian traditions. Today, we'll listen to the first part of their latest episode. Hosts Spyboy Horace Anderson of the Creole Wild West and Big Chief Dowee Robair of the 9th Ward Black Hatchet sit down with Big Chief Dow Edwards of the Timbuktu Warriors. They discuss putting the finishing touches on their suits, how tariffs impacted the expenses of their materials, and how they hope spectators will engage with the music and the marching on Mardi Gras Day. __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!

Last summer, the State Library of Louisiana introduced the Check Out Louisiana Museums program. It grants free admission to a selection of museums in the state for library cardholders. Six months later, the program has 24 participating library systems and 17 participating museums. And it's passed a landmark — $100,000 worth in museum passes handed out to library cardholders for free.Kevin Calbert, communications director for the State Library of Louisiana, joins us for more on the success of the program.Last month, a video circulated on Instagram that purported to show crumbling pilings under the Atchafalaya Basin bridge– the bridge that carries Interstate 10 between Baton Rouge and Lafayette. But there was one problem — the bridge that was depicted was actually a bridge in Florida and had nothing to do with Louisiana.As it made its social media rounds, it got plenty of interaction. Most people took the narrator at their word and bemoaned the state's disintegrating infrastructure. Others — including Governor Jeff Landry — fact-checked it.Faimon Roberts, columnist for The Times-Picayune/The Advocate, joins us for more on the importance of fact-checking news that spreads through social media. Over the weekend, dozens of lawnmowers in Abita Springs lined up for the Krewe of Push of Mow, the town's annual lawnmower Mardi Gras parade. The parade generally includes about 55 participants pushing their decorated mowers, and has been parading for more than 20 years.Tayler Migues, Abita Springs' town events coordinator, 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!

Walk by any neighborhood park, and you'll usually see some kids running around and playing. It's supposed to be a place where they're safe, but that's not always true. At some parks, there's a poison lurking in the soil:  lead. Verite News, a partner news outlet of WWNO and WRKF, tested sites across New Orleans. As health reporter Halle Parker explains, most playgrounds in the city had unsafe levels of lead.The New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane returns to The Crescent City March 12-15. The annual event will feature bestselling authors, filmmakers, politicians, musicians, TV personalities and more. Cheryl Landrieu is a lawyer, author and founder of the book festival. She joins us for more on this year's event. February — Black History Month — is the shortest month of the calendar year. But it is rich in African American cultural contributions and celebrations. Anthony Bean, Founder & Artistic Director of the Anthony Bean Community Theater & Acting School, is celebrating more than 50 years of Black Theatre rooted in New Orleans. Bean joins us to look back on the legacy he and his late Monroe began with the Ethiopian Theater in the 7th Ward to center Black artists and storytellers.__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!

A new law that took effect Feb. 1st requires a camera to be in place in special education classrooms in all Louisiana public schools.  It expands on an existing law that required cameras in special education classrooms, but only if parents requested them. The new law followed an audit that found most special ed classes did not have cameras installed.Safura Syed, a reporter for Verite News, has been covering this story. She joins us today with more.Louisianans are no strangers to poor air quality, particularly for those who live in the state's industrial corridor. Over the last few years, some residents began taking air quality into their own hands, tracking pollution with commercial air sensors. But now, these grassroots air monitoring efforts are under threat. Illan Ireland is a reporter for the Mississippi Free Press who's been covering this story. He joins us with the details. Since 1981, the Spanish Town Mardi Gras parade has rolled through the streets of Baton Rouge. As the largest parade in the city, it's known for its pink flamingo mascot and the saying “poor taste is better than no taste at all.” It rolls this year on Valentine's Day, Feb 14.Robert King, president of the Mystic Krewe for the Preservation of Lagniappe (SPLL), joins us for more on the history of the parade and what to expect this year. —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!

Elyse Stevens earned a reputation as a New Orleans doctor who provided flexible care. She sought out patients who were experiencing homelessness, had histories of addiction, or other issues, and aimed to provide them with treatment plans. But in 2024, the treatment she had once been praised for was suddenly scrutinized by her supervisors. And Stevens eventually left the city of New Orleans, and her patients, behind.KFF Health News reporter Aneri Pattani tells us more about Stevens' story and what it says about addiction treatment.Between oil spills, land loss and other consequences of climate change, times haven't been easy for the small, largely indigenous town of Dulac. Thankfully, one resource has long helped keep the Terrebonne Parish town afloat — the Dulac Community Center. It served as a hub for emergency response during disasters and was also an important cultural resource for the Indigenous residents of the town.But now, after almost a hundred years, the center is closing its doors. Coastal reporter Eva Tesfaye went down to Dulac to talk to board member Bette Billiot, along with former board member Kirby Verret. They discussed the center and what closing it means for the Native community.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. Aubry Procell is our 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, she tells us what went down at D.C. Mardi Gras and how the election year changed the tone of the event. As we cocoon and try to keep warm in the winter months, our normal patterns of helping others typically drop off. And blood donations, like other critical needs, become short in supply.Dr. Tim Peterson, Medical Director of The Blood Center in New Orleans, joins us for more on why it's important to donate during the colder season. Recently, the New Orleans Museum of Art unveiled its latest exhibit: “Hayward Oubre: Structural Integrity.” The exhibit features the sculptures created by Oubre, which he often created out of found objects like wire coat hangers or TV antennas. For more on this exhibition and what it tells us about American southern art in the 20th century, we're joined by NOMA's chief curator, Anne Collins Smith. ---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 Louisiana organization that examines how public policy decisions impact the care, education and development of our youngest children has developed a new interactive online tool. The tool shows how funding decisions at the parish level affect early childhood resources for infants and toddlers.Mattilyn Karst Batson, policy & research director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, joins us for more on this new technology.  Researchers at the LSU LCMC Health - Cancer Center and LSU Health New Orleans have published new insights into one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer. They analyzed triple-negative breast cancer in 250 Louisiana patients and identified genetic markers and immune differences that may play a role in treatment and therapies. Researchers say their discoveries could lead to more personalized, more effective breast cancer treatment.Dr. Lucio Miele, director at LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center, joins us now for more.If you consider yourself a baker and you celebrate Mardi Gras, making a king cake is a rite of passage. And in New Orleans, where the dessert is practically sacred, the pressure is on to get it right and make it your own. Aubri Juhasz joined local culinary students for their first attempts.—-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 documentary by a New Orleans-based filmmaker was recently selected for screening at the Olympic Winter Games Cultural Olympiad and will be screened multiple times during the upcoming competitions in Milan. The film, “Unseen Olympiad,” focuses on young athletes with big dreams and unites competitors across nations. Filmmaker Casey Shaw tells us more about the film and its upcoming screenings.The New Orleans premiere of “Fat Ham,” a reimagined take on Shakespeare's Hamlet, is in its final days. The Pulitzer Prize-winning work by playwright James Ijames is being presented by The NOLA Project: Theatre for the Bold in conjunction with Dillard University.  The NOLA Project's artistic director, Tenaj Wallace, joins us for more.The NFL announced there will be a game played in Paris, France, this year. This is the first time a regular-season game will be played there, and the New Orleans Saints will play in it. The Gulf States Newsroom's Joseph King has 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!

Louisiana's parole rates have sunk to their lowest number in 20 years under Gov. Jeff Landry. This is perhaps the clearest example of the “tough on crime” agenda he campaigned on. Richard Webster has been reporting on the plummeting parole numbers for Verite News and ProPublica. He joins us for more. A new exhibit at the West Baton Rouge Museum examines the lost burial grounds of enslaved people across West Baton Rouge Parish. It also tells the story of cemeteries in danger of becoming lost — due to nature or land development. For more on the exhibit “Gone But Not Forgotten: Black Cemeteries of West Baton Rouge,” we're joined by genealogist and cemetery mapper, Debbie Martin, and museum curator Lauren Davis.Tulane University biomedical engineering professor J. Quincy Brown has been named a 2025 fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) for his pioneering work in cancer imaging technologies.His invention, MAGIC-SCAN, allows surgeons to confirm within minutes that all cancerous tissue has been removed during surgery.J. Quincy Brown joins us for more on this advancement and his recognition. —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!

State legislative sessions are well underway in both Mississippi and Alabama. In Mississippi, education has been a major subject of multiple bills that have passed the House, while in Alabama, immigration and social media are dominating much of the conversation. The Mississippi Free Press' Heather Harrison and AL.com's Mike Cason join us to break down the sessions.Good fiction is often not too far removed from reality. Or at least that's the case for New Orleans author Delaney Nolan. She's also an investigative journalist, covering topics like heat death, pharmaceutical exploitation and coastal land loss, so she spent years reporting on the very systems of neglect and bureaucratic cruelty that drive her fiction.Nolan's first novel, “Happy Bad,” just came out. The Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins sat down with Nolan to discuss the book and how her journalism informs her fiction.___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 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!