Podcasts about gulf states newsroom

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!

Economists like to say nobody wins a trade war. The counter point is the American auto industry. Foreign carmakers have opened dozens of factories in the U.S. over the last 40 years, largely due to conflicts over trade.The Gulf States Newsroom's Stephen Bisaha shares some of that history and why it might not repeat itself with the current trade war.For the eighth time, acclaimed painter and sculptor James Michalopoulos is the official poster artist for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. This time, he's spotlighting the Crescent City's Grammy Award-winning band, Tank and the Bangas, led by vocalist Tarriona “Tank” Ball. Michalopoulos joins us to discuss capturing the essence of a festival in his artwork.LSU has  long offered an undergraduate nursing program, but in the past, students have had to complete their training elsewhere. But next fall, the university will offer a new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, along with a Master of Public Health degree and an epidemiology program.Jennifer Manning, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Nursing Programs at LSU, tells us more about this new program and how she hopes it will address the nationwide nursing shortage.__Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

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

A bill that would crack down on restaurant reservation apps is making its way through the Louisiana Legislature and could soon pass in the House. The bill would ban certain apps from arranging reservations without explicit contracts with restaurants. Reporter Wesley Mueller discussed this with Greg LaRose, host of the new podcast, “Light Switch,” from the Louisiana Illuminator. This past Monday, athletes gathered for the 139th Boston Marathon, which also marked 50 years since Bob Hall became the first wheelchair user to complete the course, which soon ushered in a wave of wheelchair racing at marathons.And this past weekend, another racer raised the bar.  Brian Marelo, 15, won first place in the wheelchair racing division of the Crescent City Classic. He joins us along with his mother Gwenn Marelo, board president of the Spina Bida Foundation of Louisiana, to talk about  his racing journey and opportunities for adaptive sports in the state.The New Orleans' Jazz and Heritage Festival is upon us, and this Saturday, hip hop legend and NOLA native Lil Wayne will take the main stage with The Roots for the first time at the festival. The Gulf States Newsroom's Joseph King tells us why this is a big moment for hip hop artists at Jazz Fest.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. Matt Bloom and Aubry Procell are assistant producers. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Last week, President Trump issued sweeping tariffs on goods coming into the United States, with a 10% tariff across the board and higher duties on imports from certain trading partners – specifically Asian countries. While administration officials argued the tariffs would eventually lead to more manufacturing jobs returning to the US, many critics say this will significantly raise the price of goods and slow the country's economy. Blake Paterson, reporter for the Times-Picayune/The Advocate, tells us more about how these tariffs will likely impact Louisiana businesses and consumers. When you think about pollution, cars and planes are the most harmful modes of transportation.  That's something former Coastal Desk reporter Halle Parker really cares about. So when she traveled home to New Orleans from  Chicago, she decided to reduce her carbon emissions — and try out the train. Today, we hear how it went.Marginalized communities often have to bear the brunt of environmental injustices, while also coming up with their own solutions. An annual conference in New Orleans has celebrated the role students play in addressing climate change. Danny McArthur of the Gulf States Newsroom attended the conference to report on how the region  is growing the next generation of changemakers.—Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

On March 29, voters in the City of St. George will elect their mayor and city council members for the first time. They will also decide if the city will adopt a home rule charter. Capitol Access reporter Brooke Thorington spoke with city spokesperson Andrew Murrell about what the proposed charter could mean for residents.This week, the Louisiana-based Nous Foundation, is at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. to unveil a new French and Creole music album  featuring six Louisiana musicians before it enters the library's permanent collection.Scott Tilton, co-founder and co-director of the Nous Foundation, tells us how this opportunity came about, and the importance of preserving Creole heritage in public records. Tech companies have pledged hundreds of billions of dollars to build new data centers across the country–including in the South–which are the backbone of AI.While billions being invested in communities might sound promising, the Gulf States Newsroom's Stephan Bisaha reports that these centers create few permanent jobs.—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 state of Louisiana carried out its first execution in 15 years Tuesday, fatally poisoning Jessie Hoffman, Jr. with nitrogen gas. The state is expected to carry out more death sentences in the coming months. Currently, there are more than 50 people on death row. Kat Stromquist has been covering this story for the Gulf States Newsroom. She joins us with more details. The Maroon, the student newspaper at the Loyola University of New Orleans, was just awarded the Pacemaker Award, recognizing their excellence in student journalism. And this Friday, the university will host its annual Media Day, celebrating their recent recognition and the importance of student publications. Michael Giusti, director of student media and advisor to the Maroon, and editor-in-chief Sophia Maxim, tell us more about the award, the upcoming event, and the role of student reporters.It's hard for anyone to process grief, but this can be especially true for children who lose a parent, friend or otherwise important person in their lives. Camp Bearable is a grief camp for kids grappling with their feelings about loss. It helps kids learn to cope with their grief and take steps towards healing. The camp will take place this weekend in Slidell and registration is still open.Miranda Lindsay, executive director of the Hospice House and assistant director Cheryl Scaglione, tell us more about Camp Bearable and how members of the community can help kids cope with  loss.—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!

Paid parental leave is close to being an option for state employees in Alabama and Mississippi. Bills to make this law are working their way through both state legislatures, and comes as a trend as more states, including Louisiana, are providing paid parental leave to their employees. The Gulf States Newsroom's Stephan Bisaha tells us why the push for paid parental leave has champions on both sides of the political aisle.The New Orleans Ballet Association presents the return of the iconic Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. The dance company, which celebrates Black American cultural experiences and dance traditions, will perform two completely different performances. Choreographer Ronald K. Brown tells us about his piece, “Grace”, and Alvin Ailey's iconic “Revelations,” and how you can see the shows. The fourth annual Tulane Book Festival is coming to New Orleans at the end of March. The event brings together over 180 authors and journalists for panel discussions, book signings and family-friendly activities. Some of this year's guests include Connie Chung, Maureen Dowd, John Grisham and Bob Woodward. Festival co-chair Cheryl Landrieu tells us what to expect at the three-day event. __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!

Anxieties are high at schools and churches after moves by the Trump Administration suggested these institutions could be visited by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE). .The Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist spoke with Nora Ahmed, legal director of the ACLU of Louisiana, to explain immigrants' Constitutional rights. In a special legislative session late last year, Louisiana passed a sweeping overhaul to its tax system year that saw the state income tax slashed to a flat tax rate and increased the rates of the state sales tax.Some have said the new tax system is a very modest improvement, while others find it regressive. Neva Butkus, senior policy analyst at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy Others, tells us why this system has problematic implications for state budget stability. As we celebrate Carnival season here in Louisiana, we're taking a moment to focus on one integral part of the scene– parade throws. They have a long history, not only through Mardi Gras in New Orleans, but going back long before New Orleans existed.The Historic New Orleans Collection will be holding talks today through Saturday that outline the colorful history of Mardi Gras parade throws. Interpreter with the Historic New Orleans Collection Kurt Owens tells us more. —Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. 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!

When Donald Trump was elected president in November, one of his main campaign platforms was cracking down on immigration, calling for the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. Since taking office, he's proposed an order ending birthright citizenship and issued the first flight of undocumented immigrants to Guantanamo Bay.Hiroko Kusuda, clinic professor and director of the immigration law section at the Loyola University of New Orleans College of Law tells us how families should prepare for potential ICE raids.Fifty years ago, 17-year-old Phil Fricano worked to desegregate his high school Mardi Gras ball. Two years later, he helped form the Krewe of King Arthur – one of the first Mardi Gras krewes to be integrated from the very beginning. Now, he's preparing for his 48th year as the krewe's captain.He joins us to discuss  the krewe's history, how it's working to be accessible for riders with disabilities, and he's looking forward to during Sunday's parade.New Orleans Mardi Gras is nothing without its massive parades with masked revelers throwing beads from large floats. But because of the New Year's Day attack on Bourbon Street, the city is requiring more police officers on routes— which means higher costs. The Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins reports on how smaller, independent parades are vital in New Orleans — and how these costs impact them.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Ryan Vasquez. 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!

New Orleans was set to have a big 2025. The city hosted the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras season is especially long this year, stretching all the way into March. But the terrorism attack on New Year's Day has business owners worried about what will happen to the tourism they rely on.The Gulf States Newsroom's Stephan Bisaha caught up with some in the French Quarter to hear how they're preparing for what's usually the busy season. The New Orleans Museum of Art has a new chief curator. Anne Collins Smith comes to NOMA after serving as director of the Xavier University of Louisiana Art Gallery. The New Orleans native joins us for more on curatorial history and her new role, leading exhibition initiatives with a focus on the museum's modern and contemporary art. The New Orleans-based Musaica Chamber Ensemble continues its 19th season, Hidden Treasures, in concert tonight. The company is presenting, “French Connections,” with works by Ravel, Saint-Saens and others. Musaica violist and president Bruce Owen shares  more about this musical journey. ___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Since President Trump has taken office, he's made massive cuts to American foreign aid. According to USAID, over 10,000 American jobs have already been lost, and estimates suggest more than 100 thousand global jobs could be lost. These job cuts don't just directly affect aid workers, but also everyday Americans whose incomes rely on some foreign investment.For more on how the cuts to the program will impact Americans, including Louisiana farmers, we speak with a former humanitarian assistance expert at USAID who is choosing to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. In the lead up to the Super Bowl, there were numerous concerns about increased human trafficking, and the city saw increased patrolling, investigating, and intervening into suspicious activity. Before the game, we spoke with Brandi Bynum, acting unit chief for the Center for Countering Human Trafficking at the Department of Homeland Security, about what signs to look out for.However some advocates for sex workers say this increased focus is misdirected. The Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist tells why this increased concern can be potentially harmful to consensual sex workers.Beginning Feb 12., lottery registration opens for the Louisiana Fortified Homes program, in which eligible homeowners can register for a chance to receive up to a $10,000 grant to help make their homes more resilient against natural disasters.Capitol Access reporter Brooke Thorington spoke with John Ford, spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Insurance, about the logistics and the specifics behind this program and how you can qualify. ___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. 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 night was the 59th Super Bowl. At the Superdome in New Orleans, we saw the Philadelphia Eagles dominate the Kansas City Chiefs, winning 40 to 22.  The Gulf States Newsroom's sports and culture reporter Joseph King breaks down some memorable plays, big disappointments and an electrifying halftime show from Kendrick Lamar. There are rising concerns over drone safety in Louisiana, and we could soon see legislation to allow state law enforcement to better mitigate security risks posed by the technology. A special drone advisory committee recently made recommendations to lawmakers on how to mitigate the risks drones can pose.Vice chair of the Louisiana Advanced Aviation and Drone Advisory Committee, George Rey Sr., tells us more. Last week was National News Literacy Week. It's an effort to bring attention to today's complicated information landscape—the way that all of us are constantly bombarded with not just bona fide information, but also opinion, conjecture, social media influencers, concealed marketing campaigns and more. Chair in media literacy at LSU's Manship School of Mass Communication, Len Apcar, spoke with WRKF's Adam Vos for advice on how to discern fact from fiction.—Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

There's a shortage of specialized nurses who play a critical role in providing care to sexual assault survivors. Particularly in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. They are called sexual assault nurse examiners — or SANEs.As Drew Hawkins reports for the Gulf States Newsroom, one potential solution is to use telemedicine — but it's currently not available in the Gulf South.College textbooks are expensive. You might already know this if you've been to college, but prices have accelerated just in the last few years. And while tuition hikes and admission practices often create barriers of entry to higher education, sometimes it's that are prohibitively expensive, as they're often not covered by scholarships. As the spring semester gets into swing at schools across Louisiana, we found ourselves interested in efforts LSU is taking to address the accelerating problem of college textbook prices. Allen LeBlanc, Open Scholarship Librarian, at LSU Libraries tells us more about solutions.In June 2024, researchers released a medical study involving one Out Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. It looked at techniques for intubating patients, the practice putting a tube down your throat to provide ventilation, is something that's generally done when you're in critical condition. The trial involved Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge as well as other ERs and ICUs across the nation. They're using a BPAP, a bilevel positive airway pressure machine.Dr. Christopher Thomas is a pulmonary critical care specialist at the hospital. He tells us more about this study, what researchers are hoping to find, and the results of a new airway pressure machine. ___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. 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!

Just after 3 a.m. on New Years Day, pedicab driver Tyler Burt was finishing his shift, when a white SUV turned the corner of Bourbon and Canal Street, running over the man he had been high-fiving as the truck rammed down the street. In his first trip back to the French Quarter since the attack, Burt spoke with the Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins about what he saw and how he's coping. Concerns over security failures have been a major part of the conversation ever since the Bourbon street attack. Bollards, the steel beams embedded in the ground meant to protect pedestrians from vehicle attacks, were not in place on New Year's Eve. City crews were in the process of installing new ones ahead of the Super Bowl.Louisiana Considered's Alana Schreiber spoke with Juliette Kayyem, a national security expert and senior lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School. They discussed why security on Bourbon Street was so ineffective and what needs to be done about it.While Louisianans still have questions about what happened, many are focused on recovery efforts. In the days since the attack, blood drives have popped up across the city and thousands are coming out to donate.Alana Schreiber visited one of those blood drives on the corner of Iberville and Canal Street to speak with residents who want to play a part in recovery efforts.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber and Drew Hawkins. 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, 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, President Joe Biden visited New Orleans to mourn with grieving families and remember the victims of last week's attack on Bourbon Street. He also met with Gov. Jeff Landry to discuss formally recognizing the disaster.WWNO and WRKF's Aubri Juhasz and Brooke Thorington tell us more about the events and memorials to honor the victims. It's been roughly a week since the Bourbon Street attack, and the city is looking for ways to move forward and heal while still remembering the tragedy. And for many New Orleanians, recovering from this attack has reminders of what it was like to move forward after Hurricane Katrina, almost 20 years ago.Dr. Robin Gurwitch is a clinical psychologist at Duke University and expert in supporting children in the aftermath of disasters. She also previously worked with survivors of Hurricane Katrina. She spoke with the Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins about  healing strategies. ___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, 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 been less than a week since the attack on Bourbon Street, and new information is coming to light about the suspect in question, Shamsud-Din Jabbar. Louisiana Considered's managing producer Alana Schreiber spoke with the Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins for more on the FBI's investigation. Tonight, the Joan of Arc parade will roll, officially kicking off the Mardi Gras season. The annual parade doesn't just mark the start of Carnival, but also celebrates the birthday of the French Saint and honors New Orleans' French heritage. But this year, it comes less than a week after the New Year's Day attack on Bourbon Street.Parade founder Amy Kirk-Duvoisin, and this year's captain, Scott Tilton, tell us more about the origin of the parade and the new tone it's taking on this year.The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra is gearing up for a historic collaboration with Grammy Award-winning composer and trumpeter, Terence Blanchard. The New Orleans native will perform his award-winning work “A Tale of God's Will: A Requiem for Katrina” for the first time ever in its entirety.Blanchard joins us along with LPO Music Director Matthew Kraemer to discuss the healing powers of music, both in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the recent attack.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. 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, 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!

Just after 3 a.m. on New Years Day, pedicab driver Tyler Burt was finishing his shift, when a white SUV turned the corner of Bourbon and Canal Street, running over the man he had been high-fiving as the truck rammed down the street. In his first trip back to the French Quarter since the attack, Burt spoke with the Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins about what he saw and how he's coping. Concerns over security failures have been a major part of the conversation ever since the Bourbon street attack. Bollards, the steel beams embedded in the ground meant to protect pedestrians from vehicle attacks, were not in place on New Year's Eve. City crews were in the process of installing new ones ahead of the Super Bowl.Louisiana Considered's Alana Schreiber spoke with Juliette Kayyem, a national security expert and senior lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School. They discussed why security on Bourbon Street was so ineffective and what needs to be done about it.While Louisianans still have questions about what happened, many are focused on recovery efforts. In the days since the attack, blood drives have popped up across the city and thousands are coming out to donate.Alana Schreiber visited one of those blood drives on the corner of Iberville and Canal Street to speak with residents who want to play a part in recovery efforts.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber and Drew Hawkins. 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, 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 homeowner, you're probably already familiar with the conditions imposed on insurance deductibles when disaster strikes. Cities and towns also have insurance for their losses when the weather gets destructive.Now, mayors along the Mississippi River are piloting a new insurance experiment to better help communities recover after disasters.Delaney Dryfoos, environmental reporter for the Lens Nola, has been covering this story for the Mississippi River Basin Ag and Water Desk and joins us for more.This was a busy year in politics – yes we had the presidential election, but Louisiana had some pretty noteworthy political happenings as well. Gov. Jeff Landry and lawmakers overhauled the state's tax code, and Republican Sid Edwards was elected to be the next mayor-president of East Baton Rouge Parish,  ending a 20-year streak for Democrats. Yesterday, we brought you Part 1 of Capitol Access reporter Brooke Thorington's “politics year in review” with LSU political science professor Robert Hogan. Today we hear the second part, and discuss what's on the horizon for future office seekers in Louisiana.Guaranteed income is the idea that to help some people in need, governments should give them cash, no strings attached. It's long been a pipe dream for many welfare reformers. And in recent years, that dream has been given test runs in cities across the U.S. and here in the South.The Gulf States Newsroom's Stephan Bisaha and WWNO's Aubri Juhasz have been covering the movement. They caught up to discuss how these recent pilots went.—Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. 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!

Tiger Stadium's 100th birthday is just three  days away. Over the last two months, we've been bringing you stories all about the historic venue. But gameday at LSU wouldn't be what it is without the Golden Band from Tigerland. Originally founded by two students in 1893, the band now has 325 members. And their world famous music was even nominated for a Grammy back in 2023.As we wrap up our Tiger Stadium stories, our intern Marty Sullivan spoke with band members George Wilson and Trent McKenny about what makes the band so special.  Back in June, lawmakers passed a new law meant to address the state's labor shortage and hiring concerns. Known as ACT 330, the law officially delegates the Louisiana Workforce Commission in addressing labor concerns. Adam Knapp was previously the president of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, and now runs the Committee of 100, a nonprofit group of business leaders that advise the state on economic policy. He joins us for more on this new law.Poor sanitation has long plagued residents in Alabama's Black Belt, and people living in manufactured homes in this largely rural area face specific challenges when it comes to fixing it. The Gulf States Newsroom's Danny McArthur talks to one couple who are looking for a new septic system - but have a few barriers along the way. ___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Ryan Vasquez. 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!

On Nov. 16, 1972,  police officers shot and killed two Southern University students, Denver Smith and Leonard Brown, during a peaceful college protest. The shooting and its ripple effects are the subject of a new investigative podcast called Bitter Jaguar. It's written, produced and hosted by Gulf States Newsroom reporter Drew Hawkins and stems from an investigation from the LSU Cold Case Project — a class for students at the Manship School of Mass Communication. He spoke with WRKF's Karen Henderson about the five-part series. Monday was Veterans Day, and this week on Louisiana Considered, we are diving into the state's military history and the contributions of its servicemen and women.Earlier this week, we brought you a conversation on Black military history at Southern University and other HBCUs, and today we are exploring the story of the Frenchies. While many French-speaking Cajun servicemen were outcast as children, their bilingual abilities gave them a powerful tool during World War II. They translated documents, deciphered messages, and spoke directly to French-speaking Europeans.Jason Theriot is the author of the three-volume book, “To Honor Our Veterans: An Oral History of World War II Veterans From the Bayou Country.” More recently, he's released “The Frenchie Podcast,” that dives into their individual contributions. He joins us now for more.—Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. 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!

The dock worker strike that shut down ports along the South and east coast last month only lasted a few days, but it set off panic buying across the U.S., with shoppers worried store shelves would go empty.Stephan Bisaha of the Gulf States Newsroom reports there's one panic-buying staple that people can keep off their shopping list.New Orleans funk icon and co-founder of The Meters, Leo Nocentelli, is headlining a concert celebrating the re-release of his critically acclaimed acoustic guitar album “Another Side”.  This live performance features the Grammy award-winning artist presenting music that had been lost for 50 years. He joins us for more on the upcoming show. More natural gas is being transported to the coast of Louisiana and shipped overseas. To sell it globally, it has to be supercooled to a liquefied natural gas, called LNG for short. And Louisiana is at the center of this booming industry, set to double – or even quadruple – in the coming years. While the industry says LNG is better for the environment, a new study out of Cornell University debunks this sales pitch. Professor of Ecology and Environmental Biology at Cornell University, Robert Howarth, found that LNG is actually worse than coal. He spoke with The Coastal Desk's Halle Parker for 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!

Early voting is underway across the country, but millions of people with felony convictions are not eligible to vote.  The Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist tells us about efforts to ease these restrictions in the South, where the movement is less popular than in the rest of the country. Loyola University's College of Music and Media has  a new exhibit celebrating   Harold Baquet, a legendary New Orleans photographer who spent 30 years capturing the city, specifically Black political figures and daily life. “A Tribute to Harold Baquet: Picturing Blackness” will feature Baquet's works and  the works of 10 local photographers he inspired. L. Kasimu Harris, the photographer and writer curating the exhibition, and Cheron Brylski, wife of the late Harold Baquet and former political speechwriter and press secretary, join us for more.The classic thriller, “Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical” continues its run at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center just in time for Halloween. Maestro Dennis Assaf tells us more about his spooky and suspenseful musical. ___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. Matt Bloom and Aubry Procell are assistant producers. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

It's not just top-of-the-ticket races demanding attention this election season. At the bottom of your ballot, you'll find measures that could have a big impact, including one proposal to amend the state constitution.Barry Erwin, President & CEO of Council for a Better Louisiana, breaks down these ballot measures, including  offshore energy revenue and coastal restoration funding questions. There's a push to end forced labor in prisons in the South, with lawyers arguing that the work many prisoners are forced to do is low-paying and dangerous. But prison officials argue that they've improved working conditions. The Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist, takes a closer look at the movement — including a lawsuit in Louisiana.Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos events are just around the corner. And while some have expressed concern over celebrations in cemeteries, honoring loved ones at their place of rest is a cornerstone of the Latin American holiday, Day of the Dead. Mark Martin, local bicycle activist and chair of the Complete Streets Citizens Advisory Committee of East Baton Rouge Parish, tells us more about Velo Muertos, an upcoming Day of the Dead biking event that puts a modern twist on a holiday with cultural and historic significance. —Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. 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 is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Destructive hurricanes have affected millions of Americans this season  and forced many to evacuate. But the costs of evacuating are getting more expensive. The Gulf States Newsroom's Stephan Bisaha speaks with one New Orleans family who chose to leave and tracked the cost.Perhaps you've seen the movie, “Selma” which tells the story of how civil rights activists came together to fight for voting rights with a march on Alabama's Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965. But you might not know about what happened one year later, when African Americans in the state were granted equal voting rights. “Bridge the Distance” is a new one-act play that tells the story of Selma in 1966, looking at Black voters casting their ballots for the very first time. Writer Clarence Holmes Jr. and actor Lance Nichols tell us more about this play, and an upcoming staged reading at Dillard University.The Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice recently opened a new center in Lafayette aiming to divert youth in Acadiana away from jail. The Louisiana Multi-Agency Resource Center, known as LaMarc, will offer services designed to help families and young first-time offenders stay away from run-ins with the law. Program Manager Desiree Hebert joins us for more about this initiative and the effectiveness of similar programs throughout the state.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Artificial intelligence has raised concerns in schools over students using it to cheat. But some teachers are excited about the technology too.And now more than a 100,000 kids in the Gulf South have access to an AI-powered tutor that's helping them learn to read.For the Gulf States Newsroom, WWNO's and WRKF's education reporter Aubri Juhasz reports on a growing number of Louisiana schools using the tool.Last Wednesday kicked off National Business Women's Week. The annual observance focuses on the accomplishments of working women and the obstacles they still face. President and CEO of Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana, Voris Vigee, tells us more about rising through the ranks, and shares her advice for women seeking CEO opportunities today. Earlier this year, a report from the New Orleans Council on Aging found that senior citizens face obstacles like poverty and food insecurity. Many have also been feeling the impacts of inflation, medical expenses, and increased costs of living. Howard Rodgers, executive director for the New Orleans Council on Aging, and Martin Huber, director of community services, tell us why Orleans Parish is seeing some of the nation's highest rates for seniors in need – and what resources are available.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. 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!

Today on Louisiana Considered, we bring you a special episode of NPR's It's Been A Minute. 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.

It's Thursday and that means it's time to catch up on this week in politics. The Times Picayune/The Advocate's editorial director and columnist Stephanie Grace discusses the Republican party's ongoing anti-immigrant rhetoric, and tells us about the former Republican congressman who recently endorsed Vice President Harris. Over 5,000 tradeswomen – along with labor, government, and industry leaders from across North America – are descending on New Orleans for the 14th Annual Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference.The three-day conference brings tradeswomen together to share ideas about leadership, mentorship and activism and discuss how to combat ongoing issues of bias and harassment. Melissa Wells, the lead organizer for the Tradeswomen Build Nations conference joins us for more.Judges, prosecutors and faith leaders are calling for a second look at the case of Toforest – a  Black man who's been on Alabama's death row for decades for a crime many say he didn't do.Journalist Beth Shelburne investigated the case in her acclaimed podcast "Earwitness." The Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist got an update from Shelburne one year after her podcast was released. ___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Bob Pavlovich. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production and technical support  from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 pm. 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!

During the pandemic, the drug Remdesivir, was thrust into the popular lexicon when it became a part of the toolkit to treat people infected with COVID-19. But a recent study found that the drug works in a different way than originally thought. Giulia Monticone, a researcher at the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans tells us what a recent study revealed about the drug and its potential for further development. Imagine you're a crawfish in New Orleans. It's a big scary world out there, especially with the extreme effects on climate change. Now, those thoughts and fears of a crawfish have come to life in a new musical. The Coastal Desk's Eva Tesfaye speaks with playwright Rel Farrar about “Out of the Boil: A Climate-Change Musical,”  her new play set to debut at the New Marigny Theatre on Thursday Sept. 26.  Experts say prisons in the Gulf South are "graying," with more people getting old behind bars. Some reform advocates say this puts a strain on the system.The Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist reports on a push to release five women in Mississippi, who have spent more than a combined 150 years in prison.Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. 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!

Alabama's Black Belt has long grappled with food insecurity, and this issue is top of mind ahead of November's elections. The Gulf States Newsroom's Maya Miller visits a food bank in Montgomery to see what  resources there are to help keep families fed.Many filmmakers across the country flock to New York or LA with the goal of creating blockbuster hits in big markets. But 24-year-old filmmaker Justin Carmoucheheaded back to his hometown in Louisiana for his first feature film. Justin, who is also known as “Mouche,” has been making films since he was a teenager. He joins us for more on his filmmaking journey and his new movie, “Alexandria,”The New Orleans Opera Association is gearing up for their latest season with a production of Puccini's Tosca – a story of courageous women. And at the helm is Lila Palmer, the company's new general and artistic director. She joins us to talk about  how her career as a librettist, producer and arts administrator led her to be the second woman to hold this position in opera's 81-year history. ___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. We get production help from Adam Vos and our assistant producer, 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, 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!

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

Francine is churning in the Gulf Coast and expected to make landfall in Louisiana late Wednesday. Across the state, residents are preparing for the storm and deciding whether or not to evacuate. The Coastal Desk's Halle Parker joins us to discuss the latest forecasts and advice. The New Orleans City Council may be putting an end to its special exceptions process for  short-term rental properties, like Airbnbs and Vrbo. Council members have cited “unforeseen challenges” with their current process that began earlier this summer. The Gambit's Kaylee Poche tells us more about the scale of this issue and why the city council is cracking down now.Hispanic Heritage month kicks off mid-September and award-winning New Orleans inter-disciplinary artist José Torres-Tama is honoring Latin American immigrants with his latest work. He joins us for more on his open studio event, exhibiting a new series of paintings from his latest visual history project called “NO PAPERS! NO FEAR!” Alabama is set to receive millions from lawsuits with opioid manufacturers to fight an epidemic that has many hidden victims. Like the children of people with opioid use disorder — and the family members who step up to raise them. As the Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins reports, the state plans to give some of this money directly to grandparents, which is a first in the country.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. 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 Friday, the nation's youngest HBCU president was formally installed – and it happened right here in Louisiana. That's right, Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr. became the president of Grambling State University. Dr. Lemelle previously served as executive vice president and CFO at the Maryland Institute of Art, Executive Vice President and COO at Grambling, and holds multiple degrees that demonstrate his commitment to innovation and leadership. He joined us to discuss his journey to this historic appointment.The City of New Orleans recently released its findings from the 2024 Music Census. The goal of the study was to gain insight into the city's music ecosystem to bring about meaningful change that will support the city's music economy. Julie Heath, the policy & outreach manager with the New Orleans Office of Nighttime Economy, breaks down the study and its findings. Back in June,we brought you our four-part series, Road to Rickwood, that looked at the intersection of baseball and civil rights at America's oldest ballpark, Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama. One of the main guests on the podcast was former Negro Leaguer Reverend Bill Greason. And while he is best remembered as a teammate of Willie Mays on the Birmingham Black Barons  – and being the first Black pitcher signed to the Cardinals – that's only a small part of his story. Greason recently celebrated his 100th birthday at a party at Rickwood Field. The Gulf States Newsroom's Joseph King brings us this report.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. 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 Louisiana Policy Institute for Children recently announced $1.3 million in grant funding for projects that address compensation for early childhood educators in the state. Seven grantees across the state will look at ways to increase wages and benefits for the workforce that provides early education for the state's youngest children.Dr. Candace Weber, the partnerships director for the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, joins us to discuss the grants. Alabama has executed three people this year — more than any other state except Texas. The Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist takes us to a Birmingham church, to view “The Art of Resistance,” exhibit, which includes work made by people on Alabama's death row. September is National Sickle Cell Awareness month. The disease causes irregularly-shaped red blood cells that inhibit blood flow, which can lead to severe pain.Last year,  the FDA approved gene therapy for sickle cell that's widely regarded as a cure. , . Yet people still struggle with the disease, and many have limited access to the treatment which is not covered by insurance.Alvin Henry, Jr. is board president of the Sickle Cell Association of South Louisiana, and has the disease himself. He tells us more about what this new treatment could mean for Louisiana patients. —Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber; our contributing producers are Matt Bloom and Adam Vos; we receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7:00 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!

On Jan. 1, a new federal regulation will go into effect, significantly reducing the rates that inmates have to pay to call friends and family. But in New Orleans, inmates will have to wait an extra year for it to go into effect. Verite News' Bobbi-Jeanne Misick has been covering this story, and joins us now for more. After a season of transition, The NOLA Project, known for bold, innovative and imaginative theater, has named a new artistic director: Tenaj Wallace. The New Orleans-born actress, dancer and director joins us to discuss her journey to this role. Football is KING in the South. But with climate change, parents, coaches and trainers are taking precautions to keep student athletes safe amid extreme heat. The Gulf States Newsroom's Joseph King reports on what's being done in Alabama as players get ready to tackle their first games of the season.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. 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 latest state to pass a law that gives parents who choose to send their kids to private school, money to spend on it. Last week, the state's board of education signed an $11 million contract with a developer to manage the program. WWNO and WRKF's Aubri Juhasz tells us more about this law and the impact it might have on Louisiana's education system. The 14th annual Culture Collision gets underway on Wednesday WWNO, in partnership with Jefferson Performing Arts is hosting the event that gives attendees a first-hand look at what the upcoming arts season has to offer.WWNO business manager Jameeta Youngblood joins us with the details. Sustainable. Regenerative. Climate-smart. Whatever you call it, environmentally conscious approaches to farming are getting more federal support in the U.S. The Gulf States Newsroom's Danny McArthur takes us to three farms that are part of a growing sustainable agriculture network across Mississippi.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. 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, we brought you the first part of the latest episode of Sea Change, “Bringing Back the Beach”. Reporter Eva Tesfaye explores the history of Lincoln Beach in New Orleans Beach to learn how segregated beaches led to the lack of public beaches today, and how modern social change movements like Black Lives Matter have inspired activists to campaign for Lincoln Beach's reopening.Louisiana has been called the world's "prison capital." But how did it get that name? A new exhibit at the Historic New Orleans Collection wants to answer that question. The “Captive State” exhibit aims to show the connection between slavery and the state's modern-day prison and jail systems.The Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist toured the galleries with curator-historian Eric Seiferth to talk about the exhibit  and mass incarceration.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Ryan Vasquez. 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!

Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker is calling for greater military spending. That's in response to growing aggression from adversaries like Russia and China.A settlement has been reached in a federal regulatory lawsuit surrounding the death of a 16-year-old at a Mississippi chicken processing plant.And from the Gulf States Newsroom; Climate-smart agriculture is getting more federal dollars. Some farmers in the Gulf South are already using environmentally conscious practices to grow their food. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's show:A Jackson city council member has resigned and pled guilty in federal court of a conspiracy to commit bribery charge. Then, New K9 units are on duty at the Jackson airport.Plus, new regulations are now in place for how realtors interact with home buyers. Experts share how this could affect the housing market in Mississippi.And from the Gulf States Newsroom: all of Mississippi could lose access to one of the nation's most relied-upon welfare programs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For nearly her entire life, Amy Stelly has lived in the Treme district of New Orleans. Her house is near the Claiborne Expressway, a piece of Interstate-10 that was built through the neighborhood in 1969. The Claiborne Expressway is one of many American highways to divide and deprive Black communities.  Not only has this infrastructure damaged these neighborhoods economically and culturally, but it's also dangerous. These highways pollute the environment with high levels of noise and harmful particulate matter. So ever since she was a little girl, Amy Stelly has been determined to do something about the Claiborne Expressway. In this episode, we'll talk to Drew Hawkins, a journalist who originally reported this story for the Gulf States Newsroom.

News about inflation made a lot of noise in the past two years, but the national CPI reports seem to indicate that inflation is starting to normalize within the Federal Reserve's target range. However, the national CPI basket of goods can have trouble representing inflation at a local level. Today, we're joined by Drew Hawkins of the Gulf States Newsroom as he goes to the supermarket in New Orleans where the national CPI may not be the best measure of inflation for folks living in the South.For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.