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The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais has set off a wave of redistricting across the Gulf South.Elise Gregg from the Gulf States Newsroom reports on how smaller communities in the South are being affected by new state voting maps that mostly favor Republican candidates.Student researchers at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette have made a finding that could change the way scientists interpret information about climate change in both the fossil record as well as the modern ecosystem. And they made that discovery simply using oak leaves collected from the university's campus.Dr. Brian Schubert, professor and director of environmental science at the School of Geosciences at UL Lafayette, along with his recently-graduated student, Clinton Vincent, tell us more.LSU Health New Orleans is one of four medical programs in the state and 50 in the nation taking part in a federal program to promote nutrition education among medical students. Its purpose is to make sure participating schools add a 40-hour program in nutrition.Dr. Robin English, associate dean for undergraduate medical education, LSU Health New Orleans, 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!
Today we're bringing you the second part of the latest Sea Change episode, Losing Paradise.As Louisiana's coastal wetlands are claimed by the rising Gulf, fishermen and oil companies disagree over who has the right to the drowned land. Oil companies say they still pay taxes on the drowned property and have a right to keep off trespassers. Meanwhile fishermen say these are public navigable waters.Attempts to pass legislation that would bring clarity have failed, so host Carlyle Calhoun brings us to another battlefront - the courthouse.Billions from opioid settlements are flowing to local governments to help communities devastated by addiction.In Louisiana, one of the hardest-hit areas — Jefferson Parish — is set to receive tens of millions of dollars.But as the Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins and Verite News' Katie Jane Fernelius report, the parish has spent little of it so far.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. We get production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and 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!
Residents in Holly Ridge, Louisiana, are complaining about the health impacts of the construction of the Meta data center — the largest data center in the country.The Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins is conducting a community monitoring project to test the air, dust and water. Today, he visits Holly Ridge to talk with residents about how it works and how the data will be analyzed.Last November, Calvin Duncan, a formerly incarcerated man, was elected Orleans Parish clerk of criminal court. He won with 68% of the vote on a campaign that promised to reform the justice system that kept him locked up for nearly thirty years from a wrongful conviction. But now, the legislature is trying to eliminate his job as he prepares to be sworn in.Jack Brook has been covering this story for the Associated Press. He joins us with the latest. In the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans, there's a venue where the buildings themselves make music. At Music Box Village, artists have created a collection of small, whimsical structures that double as instruments — creating a sound-rich and quirky environment.After a quieter period in recent years as the organization faced funding challenges, the venue is back with new leadership and a lineup of spring and summer performances. Operations manager Jenelle Malbrough joins us with this season's lineup, and what makes the space so unique. __Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Sara Henegan. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber, and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
Liquified natural gas, or LNG, is a natural gas that has been super-cooled into a liquid so that it can be stored and shipped. It's been touted as a bridge fuel to wean the world off of fossil fuels and onto renewable energy. In December 2024, Sea Change hosts Carlyle Calhoun and Halle Parker investigated the liquified natural gas exports being built on the Gulf Coast in a series called “All Gassed Up.” And they followed those exports around the world from Louisiana to Germany to Japan. What they found was that LNG may not be a cleaner fuel after all. It releases an even more dangerous gas called methane into the atmosphere. And the export terminals are negatively impacting air and water quality for our Gulf coast communities. Today, Carlyle returns to the LNG story with Gulf States Newsroom reporter Drew Hawkins. They talk about how LNG exports are affecting your electricity bills and what the war in Iran means for this industry.What started out as a wordplay joke among friends quickly turned into one of New Orleans most popular bands. LSD Clownsystem is an LCD Soundsystem clown-themed cover band, and since launching on Halloween of 2018, has amassed a cult following with members and fans dressing up like clowns for sold out shows. In the last year they've made their music available through the New Orleans Public Library's Crescent City Sounds. And now, they're gearing up for their French Quarter Fest debut, today April 17 at 5pm on the Jack Daniels Stage.Three of the band's members, bass guitarist Ricky Ostry, singer Howe Pea and singer and percussionist Brooke Paulus, join us for more on creating an imaginative world at their performances. ___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. Matt Bloom and Aubry Procell are assistant producers. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
The Birmingham Squadron, the minor league affiliate of the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans, is relocating to Kenner, Louisiana. The Gulf States Newsroom's Joseph King went to their last basketball game in the Magic City to see how fans are feeling about the news.This Thursday through Saturday, LSU Libraries will host the annual Book Bazaar — but this year, they're celebrating 50 years. The event is well known for a large sale of books as well as other types of physical media. Outreach librarian Mitch Fontenon tells us more about the history of the event and what to expect this year.The Louisiana Orphan Train Museum tells us the story of a train that brought orphan passengers from the New York Foundling Hospital to other parts of the country from 1854 to 1929. Although it's located in Opelousas, the museum is taking a new presentation to St. Francisville.Board president Martha Aubert tells us more about this history and what stories will be told at the upcoming event. —Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
Two years ago, we investigated the Liquified Natural Gas export build out on the Gulf Coast. We followed those exports around the world from Louisiana to Germany to Japan to unravel the story of LNG. But that story isn't over. Today, host Carlyle Calhoun returns to LNG with Gulf States Newsroom reporter Drew Hawkins. They talk about how people in Southwest Louisiana are still being impacted by this build out, how LNG exports are affecting your electricity bills and what the war in Iran means for this industry. “Carbon Coast” is part one of our three part series about LNG called “All Gassed Up,” reported and produced by Halle Parker and Carlyle Calhoun. You can listen to parts two and three by searching for “All Gassed Up” in our feed. CREDITS This episode of Sea Change was Carlyle Calhoun and Drew Hawkins. Our theme music is by John Batiste, and our sound designer is Kurt Kohnen. Carlyle Calhoun is the executive producer. Sea Change is a WWNO and WRKF production. We're a part of the NPR Podcast Network and distributed by PRX. Sea Change is made possible with major support from the Gulf Research Program of the National Academy of Sciences Engineering and Medicine. WWNO's Coastal Desk is supported by the Walton Family Foundation, the Miro Foundation, and the Greater New Orleans Foundation.
A recent investigation by the Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins found that dozens of elected officials in Louisiana have signed nondisclosure agreements related to large-scale developments, including the Amazon data centers in northwest Louisiana. The announcement caught many by surprise. Critics say the agreements keep communities in the dark.Hawkins joins us for an update in his reporting. The Artemis II rocket is making its way back from the far side of the moon after a mission where astronauts traveled the furthest ever distance from earth. As it turns out, a piece of Louisiana has been traveling with them. Part of the rocket was made at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, and more than forty Michoud employees traveled to the Kennedy space center last week to watch the rocket launch. Back in July of 2024, we heard from Chandler Sheuermann, a NASA engineer based at Michoud, about Louisiana's contributions to the Artemis II. We'll revisit the discussion.On Saturday, Opéra Louisiane, will present a performance of Puccini's “Madama Butterfly” to the River Center in Baton Rouge. The show will feature Metropolitan Opera soprano Teresa Perrotta.Opéra Louisiane's general director, Paul Groves, tells us more about bringing world-class operas to the capital city. —Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
An investigation found dozens of elected officials in Louisiana have signed nondisclosure agreements related to large-scale developments — like the Amazon data centers in northwest Louisiana.The announcement caught many by surprise and critics say the agreements keep communities in the dark. The Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins tells us more.It's the first night of Passover, and Jewish communities across the country are molding matzo balls, mixing charoset and taking out their sharpest knives to slice up briskets. Next time you look at a knife, remember that many popular varieties of the tool? actually trace their history to Louisiana. Back in the 1600s, knives were a popular item to trade between Spanish colonizers, French Canadian explorers and natives. And later, James Bowie, while living in Louisiana, would popularize the knife synonymous with his name.Stephen Bateman, knifemarker and historical researcher with the Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy at The National World War II Museum, joins us with more on knife history and craftsmanship. Protecting your home from flooding is a concern for many Louisianians, but options like elevating can be limited and costly, especially for older homes. Now, Buoyant Foundation, is promoting homes that are capable of floating as an economical option.Elizabeth English, founder and director of the Buoyant Foundation Project, tells us more about the benefits of so-called “amphibious homes.”—Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards wants to give employees at the Baton Rouge Police Department a raise. Edwards' plan hopes to give sworn officers at least a 15% raise, non-sworn employees a 3.5% raise and the chiefs a 5.9% raise.But this still needs to be approved by the East Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council, which they will consider in an upcoming meeting.Report for America corps member Alex Cox joins us with more.Many Louisiana school districts are still under court-ordered desegregation plans dating back to the 1960s and 70s. Under the second Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Justice has set out to dismiss desegregation cases across the country, and has already lifted at least two orders in Louisiana — in Plaquemines and DeSoto parishes. Natalie McLendon is a freelance reporter in Southwest Louisiana who recently published a story in The Current about that school system's still-open desegregation case. She spoke with WWNO's and WRKF's education reporter, Aubri Juhasz, for more.As Mississippi's legislature debates how to spend opioid settlement funds, some of the voices missing from the conversation are people who have struggled with addiction.The Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins held listening sessions and attended events, talking with people impacted by the opioid crisis. He asked how they think the state should spend the money.__Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Sara Henegan. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
Curbside recycling in New Orleans may soon disappear. Mayor Helena Moreno floated the possibility of eliminating it as a potential cost-saving measure to help deal with a massive budget deficit. This is despite the fact that New Orleans was poised to participate in a universal recycling initiative, which would have been fully funded. Katie Jane Fernelius has been reporting this story for Verite News. She joins us with more. Louisiana author Rachel Marsh is coming out with her second middle grade novel. Titled, “Grandpere's Ghost Swamp,” the story follows a 12-year-old girl who explores the bayou as a way to reconnect with her Cajun roots. The novel also focuses on coastal restoration, which continues to be a major issue in the state.Marsh tells us now more about her novel, and reconnecting to her Cajun heritage through her writing. The Gulf South has some of the strictest laws when it comes to losing one's right to vote and getting that right back. Some Mississippi lawmakers have been trying to change that for several years now in the state, but measures continue to fall through.The Gulf States Newsroom's Elise Gregg takes a look at how that affects Mississippians and what could be next.—Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
The Nous Foundation is a New Orleans-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting Louisiana's French, Creole and Indigenous cultures and languages. Recently, the organization received a $100,000 grant to launch an archival initiative. Scott Tilton, co-founder of the Nous Foundation, and Dr. Kim Vaz-Deville, leading scholar of African American ceremonial culture in Louisiana, tell us how the grant will allow them to further their research.The Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University is gearing up for its 59th season. This year, they'll present three musicals: “Chicago,” “La Cage aux Follies” and “A Little Night Music.” Artistic director C. Leonard Raybon joins us with the details.In the southwestern corner of Louisiana, a massive buildout of liquefied natural gas export terminals is underway. The industry says it's creating jobs and strengthening America's energy dominance.But as the Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins reports, the multibillion-dollar industry has reshaped the landscape, the economy and the daily lives of the people who have lived here for generations.__Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
The LSU women's basketball team has wrapped up the regular season and is headed to March Madness. The team last won the tournament in 2023. In 2024 and 2025, they lost in the Elite 8 round. Reed Darcey covers LSU women's basketball for The Baton Rouge Advocate. He joins us for more on the team's regular season and how they're shaping up for the big dance.Louisiana's state bird, the Brown Pelican, is among a variety of colonial waterbird species benefiting from the recently completed restoration of a small island off Louisiana's coast. The Terrebonne Houma Navigation Canal Bird Island is a major nesting area that was shrinking due to erosion. Then, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority stepped in to restore the land. Renee Bennett, project manager at the CPRA, joins us for more.This year, Mississippi's legislature will decide how to spend millions of dollars meant to be used to fight the opioid epidemic.But as the Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins reports, so far, the state has largely not invested in programs that support addiction recovery.—Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
New Orleans Entrepreneur Week is back. More than 100 summit sessions, 12 city-wide events and numerous workshops, pitch competitions and founder stories geared towards promoting business ventures will take place March 9-14. Sam McCabe, director for the Center of Entrepreneurship and Community Development at Loyola University of New Orleans, gives us the details.The Marigny Opera Ballet continues its season with two premieres celebrating Louisiana culture and traditions. The two newly commissioned works, “Homecoming” and “Un Autre Soir…Another Evening,” will be accompanied by music composed and performed live by indie group Sweet Crude. Marigny Opera Ballet executive director Dave Hurlbert and choreographers Shane Urton and Amalia Najera tell us more. A brutal winter storm dealt some heavy blows to the South in January, when ice, sleet and freezing rain swept across the region.Across the Gulf States, thousands were left without power, with hundreds of outages persisting in northern Mississippi.While government services are still moving to reach people, communities are working together to recover. Elise Gregg of the Gulf States Newsroom and Mississippi Public Broadcasting tells us more.__Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
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!
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!
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!
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!
Let's say you're in the car-making business and wanting to avoid tariffs. You can buy American, but how do you meet those American suppliers? One option: speed dating. The Gulf States Newsroom's Stephan Bisaha reports from a carmaker matchmaking day.A partnership between LSU and the global agricultural technology corporation Syngenta is aimed at advancing a tool that's used in industry. They're called “digital twins” and they're used as a prototype of sorts to help model and test physical objects in a virtual space.LSU's College of Art & Design is involved, and they're using techniques from the entertainment industry to help in this concept that's used for industry and manufacturing.Associate professor of digital art at the LSU College of Art & Design, Derick Ostrenko, andassistant professor of virtual production and immersive media, Jason Jamerson, join us for more on the artistic side of this initiative. They're joined by chemical process engineer at Syngenta, Ben Spry, for more.It's been a little over a year since Ed Daniels, New Orleans sportscaster, television sports director at WGNO and youth sporting advocate, passed away at the age of 67. As the longest-serving sports director in New Orleans, Daniels was known for his calm demeanor, making his point without raising a voice — often contrasting with the aggressive sportscaster stereotype. Over the summer, Daniels was officially inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. His wife, Robin Daniels, along with his longtime friend and fellow sports commentator Kenny Trahan join us to remember their loved one and his impact on the New Orleans sports scene. —Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
The once-vibrant Louisiana film and television industry has dramatically slowed down. There are five independent feature films in pre- or full production in the state, a stark contrast from previous years.CEO of The Ranch Film Studios in Chalmette and president of Film Louisiana, Jason Wagespack, breaks down the situation and the efforts of lobbyists to revive the industry.A spooky, creepy, unique adventure, just in time for Halloween, awaits those who dare to step inside The Delaporte Manor is hosting a spooky adventure just in time for Halloween. The former funeral home will welcome guests to a horror-themed home full of escape rooms and other activities. Delaporte Manor director Andrew Preble tells us more about his creation and how he first fell in love with haunted houses, creating them in his childhood home in Abita Springs. The South Korean car company Hyundai is committing $26 billion to building out its U.S. manufacturing over the next four years. That includes a nearly $6 billion steel plant in Louisiana. And the company is sticking with the investment despite complications with the Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdowns. Stephan Bisaha of the Gulf States Newsroom reports that some activists are also questioning whether that commitment will lead to American jobs.__Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
During Hurricane Katrina, thousands of people were locked in the Orleans Parish jail complex as the storm made landfall.In the third of a series remembering that crisis, The Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist visits with a mom whose son survived the storm in the jail — and speaks with experts, who say disaster planning could improve in jails and prisons.New research out of Tulane University's Newcomb Institute has found a definitive link between long heat waves and the incidence of domestic violence. The data came out of New Orleans and it's especially concerning in a geography that stands to see heatwaves intensify and increase in frequency.Anita Raj, executive director of the Newcomb Institute of Tulane University, tells us more about the findings.The Universities of Louisiana Maritime Academy is making progress in its effort to establish a combined higher-ed effort to bolster the maritime workforce. Earlier this month, they signed a memorandum of understanding with the Propeller Club of New Orleans that will help develop the Maritime Academy at Nicholls State University.Kelly Denning is the executive director of Universities of Louisiana Maritime Academy. She tells us more about increasing educational and skills-building opportunities for maritime workers. --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 been a long road to election day here in New Orleans, but we're in the home stretch. On October 11, anyone who didn't vote early will cast their ballots in several races, including for the city's next mayor. Verite News reporter Katie Jane Fernelius, WWNO education reporter Aubri Juhasz and the coastal desk's Eva Tesfaye join us to share what the candidates are saying about key issues. Southern University has gotten off to a rough start this fall. Since August, the campus has shut down four times due to threats of violence. More recently, the Historically Black University had a power outage that sent everyone home. Dr. Melanie Smith Johnson has been an associate professor of political science at Southern for 23 years. She spoke with WRKF's Alex Cox about how the school is remaining hopeful. As Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, thousands of incarcerated people remained in the parish jail.Twenty years later, we consider the legacy of that event. In the second report in a series, the Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist speaks with corrections officials about how Katrina changed their thinking — and how they care for people in lockups during storms now.___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!
The primary election in the New Orleans mayor's race is just over a week away, and here on Louisiana Considered, we're bringing you conversations with the top 3 candidates. Today, we'll hear from state Senator Royce Duplessis (D-LA). He spoke to the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate's editorial director and columnist Stephanie Grace about the tactics behind his campaign, his plans if elected and why he believes his lack of city council experience is an asset. Solitary confinement is the subject of a new book co-written by incarcerated journalists and outside experts. It argues that the practice — which has been used in Louisiana — hurts mental health and doesn't make prisons safer.A mobile museum paired to the book arrives in New Orleans by bus later this month. The Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist spoke with co-author and incarcerated writer Christopher Blackwell about the book, “Ending Isolation: The Case Against Solitary Confinement.”___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!
Festivals Acadiens et Créoles is celebrating its 50th anniversary this weekend. The three-day Cajun and Zydeco music festival in Lafayette's Girard Park is an authentic celebration of Acadiana's vibrant traditions, complete with food, art and performances by local musicians. Festival founder and Acadiana folklorist Barry Ancelet and Cajun singer-songwriter Zachary Richard tell us more about the festival's history and what to expect this year. The City of Baton Rouge is redesigning its website and is asking residents to help by taking and submitting pictures that help capture the beauty, culture and character of the area. Mayor-President Sid Edwards' office launched the photo campaign, ImaginEBR, with the help of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge. Edwards' press secretary, Falon Brown, joins us with more. United States Space Command is relocating from Colorado to Huntsville, Alabama. But that doesn't guarantee all of its employees will move with it.The Gulf States Newsroom's Stephan Bisaha tells us about recruitment to the southern space belt. —Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
If you've had trouble getting a COVID shot lately, you're not alone. People in Louisiana are running into a new obstacle when it comes to getting themselves or their kids vaccinated: confusion about who can get the shot and whether they need a prescription.As the Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins reports, pharmacies are creating their own rules — and they aren't consistent.The Port of New Orleans is moving forward with its plan to build a grain transfer facility on the Mississippi River in the Lower Ninth Ward.The facility will unload organic grain imported by the company Sunrise Foods. Norfolk Southern is also reactivating train tracks in the neighborhood to transport the grain. Last week, protestors gathered in front of the Sanchez Community Center, where the Port was holding an informational community meeting about the project. The coastal desk's Eva Tesfaye tells us more. A key ingredient of New Orleans' cultural identity is its food. And for locals, food is much more than sustenance. It's a cornerstone of the community, with recipes and stories passed down through generations.Charity Qalutaq Blanchett found this to be true when she first arrived in New Orleans, and was reminded of the relationship between food, land and people in her home state of Alaska. She founded the non-profit Dipping Spoon Foundation in 2019, which helps empower the next generation of indigenous youth to become culinary rock stars and food systems leaders through cultural identity.She joins us for more on her organization and finding community in New Orleans as a Black and Yup'ik woman. ___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 week, pro football hall of famer Emmitt Smith and reality star-turned recovery advocate Zac Clark stopped at Louisiana State University to discuss the opioid epidemic and how to combat it. LSU was the latest stop on their college tour with the Ready to Rescue Initiative, an organization that aims to fight the stigma of opioid addiction and teach people how to save lives with naloxone nasal spray. The Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins was in the room, and joins us now for more. This week on Louisiana Considered, we continue bringing you Wetlands Radio, a series about coastal restoration, from producer Eve Abrams. Today, we hear about the crucial role native plants play in restoring our coast.The New Orleans-based Musaica Chamber Ensemble is celebrating a milestone as it gears up for its 20th Anniversary. At the helm is founder and violist Bruce Owen. Owen joins us with more on the organization's history and how they're marking twenty years of classical music. __Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
The deaths of two bicyclists on a busy New Orleans roadway have energized a long-running conversation about making the city's streets safer.The Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist takes a ride down St. Claude Avenue to report on the push for change.Musical siblings Marlon and Rachel Jordan's southern tour is making a stop in Baton Rouge. The Jordans are the children of legendary New Orleans jazz saxophonist, Edward “Kidd” Jordan. Rachel, the classical violinist in the group, joins us for more on the tour and her family's musical influences.This week on Louisiana Considered, we are bringing you Wetlands Radio, a series about coastal restoration from producer Eve Abrams. Today, we learn how 260 million years of geologic history sets the stage for the coast we live on today.__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!
Increasing temperatures in New Orleans are driving up utility bills as air-conditioners struggle to keep up. And some people are more vulnerable than others, like seniors.The Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins worked with the climate research group, Climate Central, and reports from the Lower Ninth Ward neighborhood in New Orleans, where seniors with lower incomes struggle to deal with the heat — both physically and financially.The U.S. rice industry has made impressive gains in sustainability over the last 40 years. Yet the crop is still at risk due to climate change, disease outbreaks, pests and human activity that can cause disturbances in production. The LSU AgCenter is continuing its research on rice sustainability, in large part thanks to a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Ronnie Levy, state rice specialist at the LSU AgCenter, joins us for more on this research.Over the next two weeks on Louisiana Considered, Producer Eve Abrams will be sharing a series of stories on coastal restoration. Wetlands Radio traces the history of coastal restoration and the methods Louisiana is using to restore our coast. Today, we learn how land loss is measured and what to do when our land disappears.—Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
For the first time since Hurricane Katrina made landfall 20 years ago, you can take a train ride across the Gulf Coast, from Mobile to New Orleans. And all these years later, the cities along that route are still living with the storm's aftermath. In this episode, we hop aboard the train and make four Gulf Coast stops along the way to share that story. About what happened during Katrina. How some places built back better, and how others are still trying to figure out how to rebuild.---This episode was reported and hosted by Stephan Bisaha of the Gulf States Newsroom. Sea Change's executive producer, Carlyle Calhoun, co-hosted the episode.Sea Change is a WWNO and WRKF production. We are part of the NPR Podcast Network and distributed by PRX. For another great podcast serving up more great stories from the region, check out Gulf States Gumbo 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.
In 2020 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that non-unanimous jury verdicts – previously legal only in Louisiana and Oregon – were unconstitutional. Yet there are more than one thousand people in our state who had been convicted by non-unanimous juries before the court ruling and who remain behind bars. Richard Webster joins us for more on what happens next to those who have been convicted by split juries.Last month, Second Harvest Food Bank announced it will open two new facilities in south Louisiana, one in Lake Charles and the other in Houma. Second Harvest says these facilities will better position the organization to respond to disasters more quickly, providing an uninterrupted supply chain. John Sillars, chief strategy officer for Second Harvest Food Bank, tells us more. Immigration remains a priority at the White House. And reports from around the country show traffic arrests are playing a part. For some, everyday roadside encounters are leading to immigration detention. Bobbi-Jeanne Misick of Verite News and Kat Stromquist from the Gulf States Newsroom wanted to find out if this was true in Kenner, a suburb of New Orleans with a large Hispanic population. They discussed their findings with The Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins.After Hurricane Katrina, many musicians left New Orleans, raising fears that the city could lose its musical culture. Then two prominent jazz musicians got together and created a village to bring the musicians back.The Gulf State Newsroom's Joseph King reports the place is still thriving. —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!
For the first time since Hurricane Katrina made landfall 20 years ago, you can take a train ride across the Gulf Coast, from Mobile to New Orleans. And all these years later, the cities along that route are still living with the storm's aftermath. In this episode, we hop aboard the train and make four Gulf Coast stops along the way to share that story. About what happened during Katrina. How some places built back better, and how others are still trying to figure out how to rebuild.This episode was reported and hosted by Stephan Bisaha of the Gulf States Newsroom. Sea Change's executive producer, Carlyle Calhoun, co-hosted the episode.Sea Change is a WWNO and WRKF production. We are part of the NPR Podcast Network and distributed by PRX. For another great podcast serving up more great stories from the region, check out Gulf States Gumbo 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.
When Hurricane Katrina made landfall 20 years ago, many residents were looking to find their way out of New Orleans, but journalists were descending upon the city looking for a way in. In the days and weeks that followed, the country was overwhelmed with a variety of media narratives, as journalists worked to report honestly on the situation without ignoring the fear and desperation they saw. For many, they had to toe the line between telling the story and getting involved in the story. Jeré Longman, a longtime New York Times sports reporter now on the Obituaries Desk,and former WWL-TV anchor, Thanh Truong, tell us about their experiences covering Katrina. They're joined by poet Shelton Shakespeare Alexander, who brought his camera to the Superdome when he evacuated, and sought to share the story from the inside. Media coverage in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has been criticized for amplifying rumors and spreading misinformation. Journalists in and from New Orleans – like some of the ones we heard from – worked to cut through the confusion. The Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins reports on how smaller, local publications also played a role in keeping the city afloat.This year, Be Loud Studios launched Born After the Storm, an audio storytelling project that brings youth – who were not alive for Hurricane Katrina – into the citywide conversation about the legacy of the storm. The stories will also anchor a new classroom curriculum that allows students to discuss the impacts of Katrina.Today, we'll hear from two of those storytellers. 12th graders Joi Metoyer and Mai Smith share how Katrina has impacted their families and their lives.___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!
Steep cuts are coming to SNAP benefits, better known as food stamps. And that's bad news for grocery stores that see the bulk of their sales from SNAP dollars. The Gulf States Newsroom's Stephan Bisaha reports from one independent grocery store in Alabama bracing for the cuts.An unprecedented natural disaster is a dramatic way to learn hard lessons about how we plan and construct our cities. Yet Hurricane Katrina, 20 years ago, did just that for New Orleans. Since Katrina, New Orleans has been trying to make buildings and infrastructure more resilient, while preserving the city's cultural identity. David Dixon, a nationally recognized urban planner, helped draft the city's post-Katrina Master Plan. He joins us to discuss the lessons he learned. For more than three decades, reporter Robin Fambrough has kept her readers updated on prep high school sports. From basketball, to softball, wrestling, cross country and more, Fambrough has often brought a voice to underrepresented sports, athletes and coaches. She was the first female president of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and first female sports writer inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, among other accolades.Fambrough has recently announced her retirement. As she prepares to leave the prep school beat behind, she joins us for more on her life and career.—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!
August signals the end of summer break, and students across Louisiana are heading back into the classroom. Monday is the first day of school for public school students in Orleans, Jefferson and Lafayette parishes. Students in Baton Rouge returned to class last week – and were met with a host of changes.Charles Lussier covers education for The Baton Rouge Advocate. He joins us to break down those changes.The Louisiana Shakespeare Company is presenting an adaptation of William Shakespeare's “The Tempest.” And many Louisianans will find the story of a storm that decimates a town rather familiar. In fact, the setting for this performance is modern-day New Orleans. Director Jennifer Bouquet and actor Timmie Callais tell us about this upcoming rendition of a classic Shakespeare tragedy. New Orleans is getting hotter. You can see that in numbers and charts — but what does it sound like? The Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins talked to musicians in New Orleans about how the heat is affecting them — and to get some help turning the data into music.—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 field for New Orleans' fall elections is now set, and there were a few last-minute surprises before the candidate filing deadline. The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate's editorial director and columnist Stephanie Grace joins us to break down the crowded field of candidates. Last week, the National Federation of the Blind National Convention came to New Orleans. The convention is the largest gathering of blind people in the world, and it offers training, support, networking and more to people from all over the country who are blind.Edward Bell was one of the guests that many were excited to meet. Bell is the director of Professional Development and Research at the Institute on Blindness at Louisiana Tech University. He joins us to talk about his life and his mission to create more employment opportunities for the blind.According to the National Registry of Exonerations, more than 80 people in Louisiana have been exonerated after being wrongfully convicted. Calvin Duncan is among them. While he faced his trial, and as he spent 28 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, Duncan started to learn everything he could about the law to fight for his freedom and the freedom of fellow inmates.Duncan and co-author Sophie Cull tell his story in the new book, "The Jailhouse Lawyer." The Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist spoke to them about the memoir. ___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!
Day 2 of the MLB draft wrapped up Monday, and now several Louisiana college ballplayers know where they'll be continuing their careers. Nine LSU prospects were selected along with three from Tulane, and a handful more from Southern, Southeastern and Louisiana Tech – but some of the picks took baseball experts by surprise. Koki Riley covers LSU baseball for The Baton Rouge Advocate. He joined us to break down the selections. The Pulitzer-Prize winning drama, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” continues the 10th anniversary season at the Tennessee Williams Theatre Company. This production is complete with the seldom-produced original Broadway ending. Co-Artistic Directors Augustin Correro and Nick Shackleford give us the details behind this performance. A high-profile jailbreak in May drew nationwide attention to the lockup in Orleans Parish. But one research group says this isn't the first time the jail has had problems — and they might know why. The Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist spoke to Rebecca Mowbray with the Bureau of Governmental Research to learn more.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. We get production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
The last remaining piece of a damaged American ship from World War II has been found. A team of scientists and explorers discovered the bow of the USS New Orleans off the coast of the Solomon Islands more than 70 years after the battle. Mark Ballard has been reporting this story for The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate and joins us to talk about the discovery.In June, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed House Bill 675, a law that restricts the ability of prisoners to try and prove their innocence once they're behind bars. The law's passage is part of Landry's larger effort to overhaul the state's criminal legal system. Piper French, a reporter for Bolts Magazine, joins us to discuss the law's intended impacts. Mississippi is set to receive more than $300 million from lawsuits against opioid manufacturers, marketers and distributors. The Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins sat down with Christina Dent, author of Curious: A Foster Mom's Discovery of an Unexpected Solution to Drugs and Addiction, to talk about her own journey rethinking drug addiction and how Mississippi can change its approach.—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!
Yesterday on Louisiana Considered, the Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins brought us to the Netherlands to learn how the country was navigating the opioid epidemic. Today we hear how a different European country is handling this crisis – and what Louisiana could learn from it. Delaney Nolan recently reported on how harm reduction practices in Ukraine are providing a possible model for Louisiana addiction treatment. She joins us today to share more information. The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane continues its season with the Bard's romantic comedy, “A Midsummer Night's Dream.” Directed by Graham Burke, the comedy highlights magic, mischief and romance. Actors Ian Hock and Celeste Cahn give us a preview. __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're a regular NPR listener, you know that our organization is under serious threat. The House of Representatives recently approved a request from President Trump to cut funding to the broadcast network. While this could be a major blow to all stations, the smaller ones are most at risk. Oftentimes, it's just a small team of people bringing news to an underrepresented region. Or in this case, just one person. Jeff Ferrell is the news director and sole full-time staff member at Red River Radio KDAQ in Shreveport, Louisiana. He walks us through his 13-hour day and shares how budget cuts could impact his station.Louisiana's feral hog population is approaching 1 million, and the invasive species is wreaking havoc across the state by destroying property and crops. Now experts warn they're causing major erosion along the coastline.State wildlife veterinarian Jonathon Roberts joins to discuss challenges with reigning them in, and possible solutions.Millions of Americans have been locked up in the “War on Drugs.” Despite the staggering death toll of the opioid crisis, the U.S. continues to treat drug use largely as a criminal issue. But as the Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins reports, other countries like the Netherlands have taken a different approach.—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 three years since the Supreme Court reversed the nearly 50-year-old Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion. Since then, Louisiana and other conservative states have enacted strict bans against the procedure. And as a result, other aspects of reproductive health have been caught in the post-Roe wake.Lorena O'Neil covers reproductive health for the Louisiana Illuminator. She spoke with the news outlet's editor-in-chief, Greg LaRose, host of The Light Switch podcast, to share more details.Earlier this month, Louisiana lost a great journalist. Stanley Nelson ran the Concordia Sentinel in Ferriday. But his life's work was investigating cold cases from the Civil Rights era — work that made him a Pulitzer Prize finalist.Nelson left behind not only an incredible body of work — but also a legacy of investigative reporting that continues to inspire the next generation of journalists. The Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins was a student of Nelson's. He joined Louisiana Considered's Alana Schreiber to talk about Nelson's life and legacy. A recent investigation by the Alabama Reflector analyzed a large number of lawsuits from former inmates over their treatment in state prisons. The cases allege excessive force by correctional officers and have cost the state millions of dollars. Beth Shelburne investigated these cases for the four-part series “Blood Money” and spoke with Greg LaRose.___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!
Louisiana is the only state where students have gotten better at reading since 2019. Officials credit new laws, and now, the final piece is taking effect: holding back third graders who are behind in reading. Education reporter Aubri Juhasz explains how schools are trying to help kids pass the test. Then, she joins WRKF's Karen Henderson to follow up on the state's new third-grade reading law. Four ensembles are gearing up to open the New Orleans Ballet Association's 2025-26 season. Upcoming performances include “Dance Theatre of Harlem,” and “Argentina's Tango After Dark.” Executive director Jenny Hamilton tells us what to expect at the series of performances.The Deep South continues to be left out of the tech industry boom.Yes there are exceptions like Huntsville, Alabama, but states like Missisisppi and Louisiana have not seen nearly as many high paying jobs the tech industry has bought elsewhere.Stephan Bisaha of the Gulf States Newsroom reports on the advantages of being a tech company in Mississippi…and what's holding the state back.__Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
A new Louisiana law could sentence more 17-year-olds to adult prison terms. But at the same time, some people serving long sentences for crimes they committed as teens are being released.Kat Stromquist of the Gulf States Newsroom reports on the challenges and joys of reentry for these "juvenile lifers." It's summertime in Louisiana, and for many that means it's time for water sports. But for people with disabilities, access to these sports is often limited. Unless of course, you join the Ski Dawgs, an organization that helps people living with disabilities get the chance to water ski. With adaptive equipment and a team of volunteers, members get the chance to ride the waves in St. Tammany Parish.Ski Dawgs, founder David Thomas and co-director Jamie Galloway share more details.Mechanical ventilators gained attention during the COVID-19 pandemic as a form of life-saving technology when hospital supplies were limited. .But a new study out of Tulane University suggests that certain use of mechanical ventilators could cause damage to the lungs, particularly to the alveoli, small air sacs in the lungs.Don Gaver, a researcher and professor of biomedical engineering at the Tulane University School of Science and Engineering, tells us more about what this study found. –Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
While House Speaker MikeJohnson has been supporting President Trump's “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” its proposed Medicaid cuts could cause many of his constituents to lose coverage. The Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins traveled to Shreveport to hear what people are saying. One of the longest-running Broadway productions, “A Chorus Line,” opens at the Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre this weekend. And for the first time in the company's history, all productions this season are directed and choreographed by women. Director and choreographer Jauné Buisson and cast member Michael Paternostro share the details.Another performance debuts at Tulane this weekend as the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival continues its run of “The Imaginary Invalid.” Cast members Doug Spearman and Alix Paige tell us about performing Molliere's 17th century comedy.__Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
Cyberattacks on big companies get plenty of attention, but small businesses are hit about four times as often. A New Orleans restaurant owner lost thousands after her Facebook was hacked. The Gulf States Newsroom's Stephan Bisaha shares why hackers are targeting small businesses. There's been roughly $11 billion in cuts to university research funding since President Trump took office in January. Trump has cited widespread political bias, including antisemitism, as the reason for these cuts, saying universities have forfeited the right to taxpayer support. While institutions like Harvard and Johns Hopkins are temporarily self-funding their research, not every institution has the means to do this. Robert Twilley, a professor and vice president at the Office of Research & Economic Development at Louisiana State University joins us to discuss how research funding cuts could impact schools like LSU.Recent national analysis shows Louisiana is bucking a national trend related to state budgets. It's called revenue volatility, and the report from The Pew Charitable Trusts shows Louisiana's is actually lower than most of the nation.Justin Theal, senior officer with The Pew Charitable Trusts tells us how this rating relates to the state's budget.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
Protests against President Trump's immigration policies and deportations are happening across the country. Over the weekend, raids from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers sparked massive protests in Los Angeles. President Trump called in the National Guard, and later, the Marines.There have also been protests in New Orleans, with demonstrators demanding the release of people detained in local ICE raids, as well as people held in Louisiana, like Mahmoud Khalil.The Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins has covered a couple of recent protests in the city. He joins us to discuss them.Last week, Le Petit Theatre debuted “Ain't Misbehavin: The Fats Waller Musical Show.” The musical review of the iconic jazz musician takes viewers into 1920s Harlem with an all-local cast.Cast member and musician Rahim Glaspy joins us to talk about the musical tribute performance.“Too Many Notes,” a classical concert performance from New Resonance Orchestra and Musical Arts Society of New Orleans, kicks off with two performances this weekend. It features the world premiere of New Orleans composer Tucker Fuller's piano concerto with soloist Brian Hsu and Mozart's Jupiter Symphony. Fuller joins us alongside New Resonance Orchestra founder and music director, Francis Scully. __Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
When we think of fertilizer, most of us probably picture cow manure. But some farms have been switching to a chemical formula that causes radioactive waste.Today on Louisiana Considered, we hear the first part of the latest episode of Sea Change, “The True Cost of Fertilizer.” Investigative reporter Garrett Hazelwood looks into the environmental impacts of chemical formula and why there isn't much effort to stop the damage. Federal funding has played a major role in fighting the HIV epidemic in the US — especially in hard-hit places like Alabama. But DOGE cuts and policy changes under the Trump administration threaten to undue that progress. The Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins spoke to HIV survivors and advocates in Birmingham, Alabama to see how they're feeling about these cuts.---This episode was produced in collaboration with the Food & Environment Reporting Network, an independent, nonprofit news organization. We also had support from the Mississippi River Basin Ag and Water Desk.This episode was hosted by Carlyle Calhoun and reported by Garrett Hazelwood and Eric Schmid. This episode was edited by Eve Abrams. Additional help from Carlyle Calhoun, Eva Tesfaye, Ryan Vasquez, Ted Ross, and Brent Cunningham. The episode was fact-checked by Naomi Barr. Sea Change's executive producer is Carlyle Calhoun. Our theme music is by Jon Batiste, and our sound designer is Emily Jankowski.Sea Change is a WWNO and WRKF production. We are part of the NPR Podcast Network and distributed by PRX.
It's Thursday, and that means it's time for our week in politics with the Editorial Director and Columnist for the Times-Picayune/The Advocate, Stephanie Grace. Today we dig into the rumors that Sen. Chuck Schumer is trying to convince former Gov. John Bel Edwards to run for Senate.Coastal stories are all over the news these days, with vanishing wetlands causing major concerns for the future of Louisiana's coastline. On today's episode of “The Light Switch” podcast, host Greg LaRose speaks with reporter Elise Plunk about the state's environmental future. Then, Plunk speaks with Ehab Meselhe, professor in the Department of River-Coastal Science and Engineering at Tulane University, about the overlap between environmental science and politics. President Donald Trump wants the U.S. to build more commercial ships by adding a new expense on Chinese ships trading with the U.S. All the while, the cost of his current tariffs are leading to fewer ships setting sail. Reporting from Mobile, Alabama's waterfront, the Gulf States Newsroom's Stephan Bisaha explains why the decline of American shipbuilding is a serious national security concern.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Bob Pavlovich. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
Court hearings wrapped up last week in a case brought by inmates working the farm line at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola —an agricultural work assignment, where incarcerated men are forced to work long hours, sometimes in the heat of the summer.The Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist has been in court following this story and joins us to share more details. As we await a ruling on whether the case will be certified as a class action lawsuit, we wanted to take a deeper look at the history of prison labor, something many have said is . rooted in racism and slavery.Nina Mast, policy and economic analyst with Economic Policy Institute, evaluated the issue in a report titled “Forced prison labor in the “Land of the Free,” and joined us to share more. Urban flooding has long plagued the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans. Now residents are taking matters into their own hands. The Gulf States Newsroom's Danny McArthur reports on how people living in Treme are figuring out and addressing the root causes of urban flooding.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!
Who will win today's cage match?Welcome to The Smackdown! For the next several weeks Brittany is hosting debates in cities and regions across the United States to find out who and what are the most influential things from those places. This episode Brittany lands in New Orleans, Louisiana, and debates with Gulf States Newsroom health equity reporter Drew Hawkins and writer & editor Ko Bragg. There will be winners. There will be losers. There will be surprises.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Who will win today's cage match?Welcome to The Smackdown! For the next several weeks Brittany is hosting debates in cities and regions across the United States to find out who and what are the most influential things from those places. This episode Brittany lands in Birmingham, Alabama, and debates with Gulf States Newsroom sports & culture reporter Joseph King and AL.com culture reporter Cody Short. There will be winners. There will be losers. There will be surprises.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy