Over the weekend, the City of St. George voted for its leaders. Interim Mayor Dustin Yates was officially elected, as were city council members who took office unopposed or won their elections. 

Still, the election wasn’t quite the outcome city officials hoped for, when voters rejected the proposed home rule charter.  Patrick Sloan-Turner, political reporter for The Advocate tells us about the irony behind this vote and what happens next.

The Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration has led to a string of arrests at colleges and universities. Across the country, immigration officials are targeting foreign students and professors, detaining them and often revoking their visas despite their legal statuses. While many had been involved in pro-Palestinian activism, some say their involvement was limited to online posts – or they had no traceable involvement at all. 

New Orleans immigration attorney Marco Balducci tells us more about what this says about First Amendment rights – or lack thereof – for non-citizens. 

—

Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer Aubry Procell.

You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you!

Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.

Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Over the weekend, Louisiana voters rejected all four constitutional amendments backed by Gov. Jeff Landry. Turnout for the election was almost twice as high as anticipated, and the governor is blaming liberal donors. 

Louisiana Illuminator senior reporter Julie O’Donoghue tells us why the proposals failed and what it reveals about voters’ views on the governor. 

The New Orleans Opera’s reimagined presentation of Donizetti’s “The Elixir of Love,” brings cowboy culture to the stage. The performance reimagines the classic comedy opera with an Old West theme.

New Orleans-born soprano Lindsey Reynolds tells us more about this production, and taking on the role of the leading lady.

This weekend, the city archives and special collections at the New Orleans Public Library present the second annual GenFest. This event brings together genealogical, historical, and cultural preservationists from across southeastern Louisiana.

Christina Bryant, director of the City Archives & Special Collections, and Amanda Fallis, archivist at the New Orleans Public Library, tell us more about the event and how you can get involved.

__

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 the last Monday of the month, so we’re checking in with our neighbors in Lafayette to get an update on the latest news in Acadiana. Christiaan Mader, founder and editor of The Current, tells us why a federal broadband program meant to expand internet access in the Lafayette area is now on hold. We also hear about an upcoming conference of mid-size cities coming to the region this spring.  

If you’re a parent, you likely understand these words: It. Goes. So. Fast. That’s the title of a new book, by NPR reporter and co-host of All Things Considered, Mary Louise Kelly. 

Kelly joins us to talk about her new memoir, which is about balancing her  career with parenting and the mixed emotions one feels when kids flee the nest. 

Coastal Desk reporter  Halle Parker said goodbye to WWNO and WRKF last week. During her time at the stations, Halle reported on environmental issues across the Gulf South and co-created and co-hosted the climate podcast, Sea Change. Now, she’s heading to Verite News to work as a health reporter. 

Halle joins us to reflect on her career and biggest reporting moments. 

—

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, 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 time on Louisiana Considered, we learned about the nearly century-old bond between the oil and gas industry and one university — LSU. In the second and final episode of our series, "Fueling Knowledge," we look at how much money is flowing into universities and what the industry may hope to get in return. This relationship comes with big benefits: student mentors, scholarships, research funding, and new buildings, among others. But is all that money truly free? No strings? Or could it be part of a corporate playbook to help keep the industry alive?

----

This episode is hosted by Floodlight's Pam Radke and Halle Parker. This episode was reported by Halle Parker, Pam Radtke, and Piper Hutchinson of the Louisiana Illuminator. It was edited by Johanna Zorn and Carlyle Calhoun, with additional help from Ryan Vasquez, Rosemary Westwood, Greg Larose, and Dee Hall. The episode was fact-checked by Garrett Hazelwood. Our theme music is by Jon Batiste and our sound designer is Emily Jankowski. Carlyle Calhoun is our managing producer.

Sea Change is a WWNO and WRKF production. We are part of the NPR Podcast Network and distributed by PRX. WWNO’s Coastal Desk is supported by the Walton Family Foundation, the Meraux Foundation, and the Greater New Orleans Foundation.

The media group Time Out covers food and culture around the world. They recently ranked the best food cities across the globe, and to no surprise to those of us who live here, New Orleans is No. 1!

Chelsea Shannon, trending food and dining reporter for the Times Picayune/ The Advocate tells us a little more about the list and why New Orleans outranked other cities. 

Last week, we brought you the first episode of “Fueling Knowledge,” a series from the Sea Change team that explores the ties between the oil and gas industry and LSU. Today, we dive further into their investigation to learn about the strings attached to taking  big oil money. 

—

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!

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 2025 March Madness Tournaments are headed to the Sweet 16 rounds this weekend. While the LSU Tigers women’s basketball team is the only Louisiana team left standing, McNeese State made a big splash with a first round upset victory in the men’s tournament, and a viral team manager.

Reed Darcey, a reporter for the Baton Rouge Advocate, breaks down the recent games and what to expect as LSU prepares to face NC State.

The House of Representatives recently voted on a budget plan that aims to cut $2 trillion in mandatory spending over the next decade. This includes $230 billion in cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The move could severely impact funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP. 

Roy Chrobocinski, managing director of Save the Children, and Crystal Ellis, Louisiana state manager for Save the Children Action Network, tell us more about how these cuts will impact Louisianans.

The Louis Moreau Institute is marking 11 years with a contemporary classical music festival. Founded by New Orleans-native Morris Rosenzweig, the institute aims to celebrate the intersection of traditional classical music and familiar New Orleans sounds.

The institute’s artistic director Wesley Ducote tells us what to expect as composers from around the world gather for this festival.

___

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!

In January, a Metairie family was deported to Honduras. They claim they were deceived by agents at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, better known as ICE. The family fled Honduras fearing gang violence over a decade ago and now fear they are banned from ever returning to the United States. 

Verite News’ Bobbi-Jeanne Misick has been covering this story. She joins us with more.

The 2025 March Madness tournaments are officially underway, so it should come as no surprise to see student athletes in a flood of recent advertisements and promoting sponsored content through social media. At LSU, athletes like Angel Reese and Livvy Dunne have made millions since the NCAA began allowing athletes to be paid for their names, images and likenesses. But what about athletes at smaller schools?

A group of LSU student-reporters researched how student athletes at Louisiana’s smaller universities are scrounging to make their own NIL deals. Student-reporters Ella Armstrong and Ty Cazeux join us with their findings.

Singer-songwriter Sarah Quintana grew up in New Orleans in a community of musicians, which eventually led her to pursue a career in the music industry. Her new album, “Baby, Don’t,” is her attempt at making a Louisiana record with her own unique spin. 

She joins us to discuss creating a fresh take on classic Louisiana songs and sounds.

—

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!

Almost a third of people in Louisiana are on Medicaid. And hundreds of providers rely on federal reimbursements to operate.

But funding for the program is under threat. The Trump administration – and a majority of Republican lawmakers – say they want to cut funding for Medicaid to help pay for tax cuts. Many patients and providers in Louisiana are watching the debate in Washington closely. 

Alice Riener, chief executive officer of Crescent Care, a Medicaid provider in New Orleans, and Dr. Peggy Honoré, board president of the New Orleans Musicians Clinic, tell us about how these potential cuts could impact Louisianans. 

Universities have been cozying up to the fossil fuel industry for decades, and at LSU, the mid-twentieth century oil boom helped grow the institution. 

Yesterday, we brought you the first part  of “Fueling Knowledge,” an investigation from the Sea Change podcast that explores LSU’s relationship with oil and gas. Where we pick up today, we learn about the so-called “golden age” of the fossil fuel industry in Louisiana. 

___

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 listeners like you. 

Thank you!

It’s Thursday, and The Times Picayune/the Advocate’s editorial director and columnist Stephanie Grace is here to talk politics. Today we discuss the New Orleans mayor’s race, and the news that Oliver Thomas – New Orleans city council member who once pleaded guilty to bribery charges and served in federal prison – is officially a candidate. 

Universities have grown increasingly close to the oil and gas industry, and LSU is no exception. The university’s history with the fossil fuel industry goes back decades. 

Sea Change has reviewed thousands of documents going back a century to see how that relationship has affected student’s careers and climate policy. We listen to part one of the first episode of their latest series, ‘Fueling Knowledge.’ 

—

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!