Today on  Louisiana Considered, we’ll hear the latest episode  of “Leaving the Island.” Louisiana’s Office of Community Development revamps the rules of the resettlement project, but the Jean Charles Choctaw Nation fights back to restore its original vision. We hear what tensions emerge. 

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“Leaving The Island” is an Audiation Original Production, produced in partnership with the nonprofit newsroom Type Investigations. The story is based on an earlier print investigation by Columbia Journalism Investigations in partnership with The Center for Public Integrity and Type Investigations. Episode three was partially funded by Columbia Journalism School's Joan Konner Program in the Journalism of Ideas.

The series was reported, co-produced, written and hosted by Olga Loginova. Our Executive Producer and Showrunner is Sandy Smallens. The series producer is Max Wasserman, our story editor and co-producer is Susie Armitage, and our investigative editor is Sasha Belenky. Sound design, mix engineering and original music composition by Tom Sullivan and Paul Vitolins of Audiography. Theme music by Mobéy Lola Irizarry. 

For more information about the series, check out leavingtheislandpod.com.

Today on Louisiana Considered, we’ll hear the latest episode of “Leaving the Island.” The state agency administering the resettlement grant realizes that there are actually two tribes living on Isle de Jean Charles. A brief history lesson explains why both tribes call the Island home. 

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“Leaving The Island” is an Audiation Original Production, produced in partnership with the nonprofit newsroom Type Investigations. The story is based on an earlier print investigation by Columbia Journalism Investigations in partnership with The Center for Public Integrity and Type Investigations. Episode three was partially funded by Columbia Journalism School's Joan Konner Program in the Journalism of Ideas.

The series was reported, co-produced, written and hosted by Olga Loginova. Our Executive Producer and Showrunner is Sandy Smallens. The series producer is Max Wasserman, our story editor and co-producer is Susie Armitage, and our investigative editor is Sasha Belenky. Sound design, mix engineering and original music composition by Tom Sullivan and Paul Vitolins of Audiography. Theme music by Mobéy Lola Irizarry. 

For more information about the series, check out leavingtheislandpod.com.

Today on Louisiana Considered, we’ll hear the latest episode of  “Leaving The Island.” It took the chief of the Jean Charles Choctaw Nation over 20 years and two failed attempts to move his people out of harm’s way. And now, with a federal grant of $48 million, it seems like his plan is coming to fruition. Then, a letter lands on the Governor’s desk that changes everything. 

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“Leaving The Island” is an Audiation Original Production, produced in partnership with the nonprofit newsroom Type Investigations. The story is based on an earlier print investigation by Columbia Journalism Investigations in partnership with The Center for Public Integrity and Type Investigations. Episode three was partially funded by Columbia Journalism School's Joan Konner Program in the Journalism of Ideas.

The series was reported, co-produced, written and hosted by Olga Loginova. Our Executive Producer and Showrunner is Sandy Smallens. The series producer is Max Wasserman, our story editor and co-producer is Susie Armitage, and our investigative editor is Sasha Belenky. Sound design, mix engineering and original music composition by Tom Sullivan and Paul Vitolins of Audiography. Theme music by Mobéy Lola Irizarry. 

For more information about the series, check out leavingtheislandpod.com.

This week on Louisiana Considered, we are bringing you the new podcast, “Leaving the Island,” a story about the nation's first attempt to relocate an entire community due to climate change. Today we’ll hear the first part of episode one.

In 2016, Louisiana received $48 million from the federal government to move the residents of Isle de Jean Charles, a small barrier island at the tip of Terrebonne Parish that has become uninhabitable due to climate change. This resettlement was seen as a pilot program that other communities in need of relocation could replicate. Today, we’ll learn what made the Island residents decide to leave their beloved home. 

But first, we hear from podcast host and journalist Olga Loginova about how she first became interested in this story, and what she hopes this podcast can accomplish.

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“Leaving The Island” is an Audiation Original Production, produced in partnership with the nonprofit newsroom Type Investigations. The story is based on an earlier print investigation by Columbia Journalism Investigations in partnership with The Center for Public Integrity and Type Investigations. Episode three was partially funded by Columbia Journalism School's Joan Konner Program in the Journalism of Ideas.

The series was reported, co-produced, written and hosted by Olga Loginova. Our Executive Producer and Showrunner is Sandy Smallens. The series producer is Max Wasserman, our story editor and co-producer is Susie Armitage and our investigative editor is Sasha Belenky. Sound design, mix engineering and original music composition by Tom Sullivan and Paul Vitolins of Audiography. Theme music by Mobéy Lola Irizarry. 

For more information about the series, check out leavingtheislandpod.com.

It’s officially carnival season in New Orleans and around the world, so we wanted to take this time to look at variations on Mardi Gras celebrated across different cities.

Two years ago, we brought you the International Carnival roundtable, where we learned about Masopust in the Czech Republic, Shrove Tuesday in Cape Verde, and Carnaval in Uruguay.

Today, we’re focusing on Carnival in three North American cities. We are joined by Marie-Eve Jacob, the general director of the Quebec Winter Carnival; Mack Bradley, the president of the Mardi Gras Foundation in St. Louis; and RoShelle Salinas, spokesperson for Mardi Gras Galveston. They take us from the beaches to the snow to help us explore Carnival history and traditions in their regions. 

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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 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 the week in politics with The Times-Picayune/The Advocate’s editorial director and columnist, Stephanie Grace. Today we discuss new security protocols for parades and new legislation about parade-goer encampments. 

“A cultural revolution on wheels.” That’s how the Krewe of Alla describes its Mardi Gras parade this year. Named in honor of Algiers, Louisiana, the 93-year-old New Orleans Krewe rolled this week, and at its helm were Gian Durand and James Carter, the krewe’s first ever Black Queen and King. 

Durand and Carter spoke with WRKF’s Karen Henderson about their  historic first.

If you’ve ever woken up at dawn on Mardi Gras day and gone to see the Krewe of Skull and Bones in the Treme Neighborhood, then you might recognize Voodoo Queen Kalindah Laveaux blessing the morning. Or perhaps you recognize her from the Mardi Gras Indian tribe, the Yellow Pocahontas or for holding community rituals on Sundays with her snake in Congo Square. 

As a local New Orleanian and descendant of local legends, Queen Kalindah brings spiritualism and cultural traditions to the city, year round. She joins us to discuss  the spiritual underpinnings of Fat Tuesday, and give a drum performance alongside Lola Bolivar. 

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Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Bob Pavlovich. 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 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. 

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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!

Plastic beads remain a staple at most big Carnival parades, but there’s a growing number of New Orleans krewes that want to ban them due to environmental concerns. Producer Matt Bloom went to the Krewe of Freret’s parade, where leaders made plastic beads off limits for the first time – and found some eco-friendly alternatives. 

“Back to the Future: The Musical”, Alicia Keys’ “Hell’s Kitchen” and “The Great Gatsby” headline the 2025-26 Broadway season in New Orleans. David Skinner, general manager at the Saenger Theatre, tells us all about the musicals on deck for the upcoming season.  

Horses are a staple of Mardi Gras parades, but sometimes those horses don’t have a place to go after the parades are over. But the Humane Society of Louisiana has a program to help these horses get adopted, complete with a Facebook page with pictures of the horses looking for homes. 

HSLA board member Rena Sweeney tells us more about the Mardi Gras Horse Adoption program and volunteer opportunities.

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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 getting an update on the latest news in Acadiana. Editor and founder of The Current, Christiaan Mader tells us about an upcoming special election, a new mental health hospital, and Mardi Gras in Lafayette. 

It’s been about a month and a half since Sid Edwards took office as East Baton Rouge Mayor-President. The election result came as a big surprise when he upset Democratic incumbent, Sharon Weston-Broome, becoming the first Republican to lead the city in over two decades.

Edwards spoke with Capitol Access reporter Brooke Thorington about his first month in office, current projects, long-term goals and tension over library funding.

Sports competitions are not just for the young. The Southwest Louisiana Senior Games is a competition for those 50 and older with a variety of athletic, recreational, and social activities. It kicks off in April at the McNeese State University Recreational Complex in Lake Charles.

Rosalind Berry, administrative director of the Calcasieu Council on Aging and Vera Minix, one of the athletes, tell us more about the upcoming competitions and how to participate. 

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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!

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.

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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!