Liquified natural gas, or LNG, is a natural gas that has been super-cooled into a liquid so that it can be stored and shipped. It’s been touted as a bridge fuel to wean the world off of fossil fuels and onto renewable energy. 

In December 2024, Sea Change hosts Carlyle Calhoun and Halle Parker investigated the liquified natural gas exports being built on the Gulf Coast in a series called “All Gassed Up.” And they followed those exports around the world from Louisiana to Germany to Japan. 

What they found was that LNG may not be a cleaner fuel after all. It releases an even more dangerous gas called methane into the atmosphere. And the export terminals are negatively impacting air and water quality for our Gulf coast communities. 

Today, Carlyle returns to the LNG story with Gulf States Newsroom reporter Drew Hawkins. They talk about how LNG exports are affecting your electricity bills and what the war in Iran means for this industry.

What started out as a wordplay joke among friends quickly turned into one of New Orleans most popular bands. LSD Clownsystem is an LCD Soundsystem clown-themed cover band, and since launching on Halloween of 2018, has amassed a cult following with members and fans dressing up like clowns for sold out shows. 

In the last year they’ve made their music available through the New Orleans Public Library’s Crescent City Sounds. And now, they’re gearing up for their French Quarter Fest debut, today April 17 at 5pm on the Jack Daniels Stage.

Three of the band’s members, bass guitarist Ricky Ostry, singer Howe Pea and singer and percussionist Brooke Paulus, join us for more on creating an imaginative world at their performances. 

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Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. Matt Bloom and Aubry Procell are assistant producers. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.

You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. 

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

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

It’s Thursday and that means it’s time to catch up with Stephanie Grace, editorial director and columnist for The Times-Picayune/The Advocate. Today we discuss a series of bills at the legislature that seem to pin New Orleans against the rest of the state. 

According to earthquakelist.org, an area southeast of Shreveport, Louisiana has had over two dozen earthquakes since the beginning of this year. They range in strength from 2.1 in magnitude to the big shake just over a month ago that registered 4.9 on the Richter scale.

Now locals are wondering if oil and gas drilling is to blame. 

Karen Luttrell, professor in the Geology and Geophysics department at LSU, tells us more about the causes and consequences of the quakes.

April is National Autism Awareness Month. New Orleans is hosting events and ongoing programs that not only promote acceptance, but also pride in neurodiversity. 

Executive director of the Autism Society of Greater New Orleans, 

Claire Tibbets, joins us with more. 

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Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. Matt Bloom and Aubry Procell are assistant producers. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.

You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. 

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

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

The Birmingham Squadron, the minor league affiliate of the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans, is relocating to Kenner, Louisiana. The Gulf States Newsroom’s Joseph King went to their last basketball game in the Magic City to see how fans are feeling about the news.

This Thursday through Saturday, LSU Libraries will host the annual Book Bazaar — but this year, they’re celebrating 50 years. The event is well known for a large sale of books as well as other types of physical media. 

Outreach librarian Mitch Fontenon tells us more about the history of the event and what to expect this year.

The Louisiana Orphan Train Museum tells us the story of a train that brought orphan passengers from the New York Foundling Hospital to other parts of the country from 1854 to 1929. Although it’s located in Opelousas, the museum is taking a new presentation to St. Francisville.

Board president Martha Aubert tells us more about this history and what stories will be told at the upcoming event. 

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

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

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

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

East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards has made tackling blight in the parish one of his top priorities since taking office. In his first year, his team demolished over 200 buildings, which they say is a historic high. 

WRKF Report for America corps member Alex Cox tells us more about how the mayor is continually addressing this issue.

New Orleans comedian Ryan Rogers is coming out with a new special on May 15, titled “Girl Bye.” But that’s not all he’s been up to. He’s currently on the road touring with fellow comedian Whitney Cummings, and gearing up for this year’s annual queer comedy festival, LGBTLOL.

Rogers joins us now for more on all his upcoming projects and how he discovered his comedic voice in addiction recovery. 

The Mississippi Sound Coalition is announcing new recommendations for better operation of the Bonnet Carre Spillway.

WWNO and WRKF's Coastal Reporter Michael McEwen reports on the guidelines, which follow two years-long scientific studies.

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Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Sara Henegan. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber, and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.

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

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

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

In the first 24 hours since the U.S. and Iran reached a ceasefire agreement, an oil refinery in Iran was hit, five Gulf Arab states reported attacks from Iranian drones and missiles and Israeli airstrikes killed more than 250 people in Lebanon. After failed peace negotiations this weekend, the war is showing no signs of slowing down, with the U.S. military beginning a blockade of all Iranian ports and coastal areas.

Russel Honoré is a retired lieutenant general of the U.S. Army, most well known for leading the military relief effort during Hurricane Katrina. He joins us for more on the costs of war in the Middle East.

Earlier this year, an investigation by Verite News found pervasive lead contamination in multiple New Orleans playgrounds. Now, city officials are trying to do something about it. 

Halle Parker has been the lead investigator on this story. She joins us with the latest. 

One of the nation’s longest-running free blues festivals returns this weekend to downtown Baton Rouge. Now in its 45th year, the festival remains true to its mission of promoting, preserving and advancing the swamp blues music and culture native to Baton Rouge.  

Baton Rouge Blues Festival and Foundation interim director J. Hover tells us more about the history of swamp blues in the region and what to expect at this year’s event. 

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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!

Five public officials in Evangeline Parish were arrested this week, including the mayor of Ville Platte. They were booked after a Louisiana State Police investigation found they accessed government computer databases and shared protected information with a criminal defendant.

Joe Cunningham, host of the Joe Cunningham show and Acadiana’s Morning News on Newstalk 96.5 KPEL, gives us the latest.

The third annual GenFest is coming to New Orleans. On April 11, the City Archives and New Orleans Public Library will offer a day of presentations that inform listeners about genealogical research. This year’s theme is “All in the Family,” and anyone from a seasoned researcher to a curious resident is welcome to attend.

Christina Bryant, city archives and special collections director, and Brittanny Silva, archivist and GenFest presenter, joins us with more.

New Orleans charter schools value their freedom. But their level of independence from one another can make it harder to get the right staff or tools to help students with disabilities. 

Aubri Juhasz reports on a new partnership between some charters and the district to better support students.

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Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. 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 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. 

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

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

It’s Thursday, and that means it’s time to catch up on politics with The Times-Picayune/The Advocate’s editorial director and columnist, Stephanie Grace. Today, we discuss the upcoming Republican Senate primary, where incumbent Bill Cassidy faces challenges from Rep. Julia Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming.

The Southeast Flood Protection Authority-East is tasked with maintaining and operating the levee system that protects most of New Orleans. But the board has faced turmoil over the past year and a half, ever since a law came into effect that allowed Gov. Jeff Landry to pick its president. 

One of the goals of the governor and his allies has been to boost the levee board’s police force. Now, after the latest budget approval, the levee board is spending a quarter of its budget on the police. 

The Times-Picayune/The Advocate’s environmental reporter Alex Lubben has been following the changes at the levee board. He joins us with the latest.

The world’s largest collection of preserved fish belongs to Tulane University, and they're housed in World War II-era bunkers just outside New Orleans.

So what are they doing there? And what are they teaching the researchers?

Brian Sidlauskas, director of Tulane Biodiversity Research Institute, joins us with more.

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Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. Matt Bloom and Aubry Procell are assistant producers. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.

You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. 

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

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

A recent investigation by the Gulf States Newsroom’s Drew Hawkins found that dozens of elected officials in Louisiana have signed nondisclosure agreements related to large-scale developments, including the Amazon data centers in northwest Louisiana. The announcement caught many by surprise. Critics say the agreements keep communities in the dark.

Hawkins joins us for an update in his reporting. 

The Artemis II rocket is making its way back from the far side of the moon after a mission where astronauts traveled the furthest ever distance from earth. As it turns out, a piece of Louisiana has been traveling with them.

Part of the rocket was made at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, and more than forty Michoud employees traveled to the Kennedy space center last week to watch the rocket launch. 

Back in July of 2024, we heard from Chandler Sheuermann, a NASA engineer based at Michoud, about Louisiana’s contributions to the Artemis II. We’ll revisit the discussion.

On Saturday, Opéra Louisiane, will present a performance of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” to the River Center in Baton Rouge. The show will feature Metropolitan Opera soprano Teresa Perrotta.

Opéra Louisiane’s general director, Paul Groves, tells us more about bringing world-class operas to the capital city. 

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

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

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

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

In 1993, New Orleans bankruptcy attorney John Menszer began photographing and interviewing Holocaust survivors. The project soon took on a life of its own, and he started touring the country, taking more photos, collecting more stories and curating exhibits. 

Now, there’s a new exhibition of his work at the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience. The wing opened with some survivors and their family members in attendance.

Menszer joins us for more.

New Orleans singer Erica Falls is known for her powerful voice and signature “vintage soul” style. Now, she has a new album out, along with an accompanying documentary that takes viewers behind the scenes of her songwriting process.

Falls joins us for more on her new music and what it’s like to share her musical journey with fans. 

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Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Sara Henegan. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber, and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.

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

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

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

The Trump administration is letting oil and gas industry workers off the hook when it comes to protecting endangered whales off the southern coast of the United States. This all began last week, when the Endangered Species Committee, also known as the “God Squad,” voted to grant a rare exemption from the Endangered Species Act for Rice Whales.

Anna Kramer has been covering this story for NOTUS, and joins us with the latest.

Last week, Xavier University of Louisiana won the 2026 NAIA National Cheer and Dance Championship. The Gold Rush clinched victory over 14 other teams. The team previously finished in second place in 2024 and 2025. 

At the helm of the squad is competitive cheer head coach Glenn Caston. He was named NAIA National Coach of the Year in 2022 and 2024, has coached nine national championship teams and has nationwide experience as a cheer and dance clinician. 

He joins us with more on his career and the big win.

The state legislature is considering several bills during the current session that deal with Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) and other financial aid programs for postsecondary education. 

The non-partisan advocacy group Better Louisiana says this is an opportunity for lawmakers to find ways for these programs to work together to better serve the state’s citizens and help meet Louisiana’s workforce needs.

Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin tells us where the organization stands on several bills. 

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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!