On November 15, New Orleans voters will go to the polls for the second time this fall. Earlier this week, we discussed the race for clerk of criminal court and the city council positions still at play. Today, we’ll discuss the propositions and amendments voters will consider.  For more, we’re joined by Katie Jane Fernelius from Verite News. After Brian Kelly was fired as head football coach at LSU, word soon broke that Gov. Jeff Landry played a part in that decision. But this is hardly the first time a Louisiana governor got involved at LSU – more specifically, with its football team. LSU professor emeritus of mass communication Bob Mann is the author of Kingfish U: Huey Long and LSU. In the book, Mann tells the story of former governor Huey Long’s deep-rooted interest in LSU. One year ago, Mann joined us to discuss the book and how Huey Long’s playbook of LSU involvement might influence Landry. First we give that conversation a second listen. Then, Mann joins us again to discuss his predictions and what he makes of the ousting of athletic director Scott Woodward.  ___ 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 for our weekly politics review with the Times Picayune/The Advocate’s editorial director and columnist, Stephanie Grace. She breaks down the upcoming New Orleans elections for clerk of criminal court and city council. On Tuesday, we observed Veterans Day and those who have served the United States during times of conflict. To continue our observation, we’re speaking with a Louisiana native who has served the U.S. in many positions in South Korea, Germany, Washington, D.C. and southeast Louisiana, among others.  Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré joins us for more on how to honor veterans, the January 6th attack and the role of the National Guard. It was a moment of joy and pride for the restaurant industry in New Orleans this past week when the Michelin ratings came out, and a number of the Crescent City’s eateries were noted, recognized and starred. Emeril’s Restaurant won two stars, a surprising number for a debut restaurant. Saint Germain & Zasu both were awarded a single star. Host of Where Ya Eat and reporter on Food and Lifestyle for the Times Picayune/The Advocate, Ian McNulty, joins us for more on these ratings. — 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!

The Orleans Parish clerk of criminal court race on the ballot this Saturday will see voters choosing between incumbent Darren Lombard and challenger Calvin Duncan.  Lombard has been in the position since 2022, while Duncan began as an inmate counsel substitute, otherwise known as a jailhouse lawyer, following a wrongful conviction that led him to spend more than 28 years behind bars.  Writer and producer Eve Abrams joins us for the latest in the race. It’s no secret that political polarization is a major problem in the United States. Now, there’s a new project in Louisiana to help address the political divide and find commonalities across the ideological spectrum.  The Public Affairs Research (PAR) Council of Louisiana has partnered with LSU’s Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs to start a series of events that encourage people with different opinions to talk productively with one another. It’s called the Common Ground Project. PAR president Steven Procopio and director of LSU’s Reilly Center Michael DiResto join us for more on this initiative.  While a lot of the country is packing away its gardening tools, here in Southeast Louisiana, the growing season still has plenty of life left, with opportunities to not only plant crops for the fall but also to prepare for spring. Assistant extension agent for the LSU Ag Center, Chris Dunaway, joins WWNO’s Sara Henegan to help us navigate the intricacies of our fall gardens. — 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!

After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005, many wondered: Is a city below sea level worth rebuilding? Answers to that question came in the form of music and dance collaboration, featuring the company Bodytraffic and The Preservation Hall Band.  Now, on the 20th anniversary of Katrina, the New Orleans Ballet Association is reviving the performance “Why New Orleans Matters.” We hear from NOBA executive director Jenny Hamilton and choreographer Trey McIntyre for more.  Today, November 11th, is Veterans Day, a time to honor those who have served our country in times of armed conflict. And many Louisiana servicemen held a rather peculiar role during World War II. While many French-speaking Cajuns were outcasts 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.” Last year, he began The Frenchie Podcast, a series that dives into the individual contributions of these service members. He spoke to WRKF’s Adam Vos for more.  __ Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts.  Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Shortly after LSU head football coach Brian Kelly was fired, athletic director Scott Woodward resigned under pressure. Last week, LSU announced the appointment of a new athletic director, Verge Ausberry. Ausberry most recently served as the deputy athletic director and has been with the department for 24 years. The Baton Rouge Advocate’s baseball and football reporter Koki Riley tells us more about Ausberry, and the ongoing search to replace Kelly.  For years, the Chitimacha tribe of Louisiana has been working with linguists to revitalize the Chitimacha language. While the language lost its last native fluent speakers in the 1930s, efforts to teach and speak the language continue to grow.  Linguist Daniel Hieber and Erin Daniels, cultural instructor with the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana, join us to discuss historical and modern efforts to revitalize the language.  — 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!

What does it take to stay rooted on the Gulf Coast, even as the land and weather change around us? We meet individuals, from a poet to a minister to a computer programmer, each finding their own creative ways to adapt and fight for the future of their communities. From amphibious homes to inland retreats to processing our changing environment through poetry, we hear how people's ingenuity is helping chart a new path forward. To hear more from Rachel Nederveld's oral history series, No Matter the Water, click here or find it wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was hosted and produced by Carlyle Calhoun. Sea Change's theme music is by Jon Batiste, and our sound designer is Emily Jankowski. Carlyle Calhoun is the executive producer. Sea Change is a WWNO and WRKF production. We are part of the NPR Podcast Network and distributed by PRX. And to help others find our podcast, hit subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Sea Change is made possible with major support from the Gulf Research Program of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Sea Change is also supported by the Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans. WWNO’s Coastal Desk is supported by the Walton Family Foundation, the Meraux Foundation, and the Greater New Orleans Foundation.

As Xavier University of Louisiana was in final preparations for its homecoming and 100th anniversary celebration, the university announced the layoff of 46 full-time workers, citing the need to ensure its long-term health. President of Xavier University, Reynold Verret, joins us for more on the 100th anniversary and the current moment the school finds itself in. On November 15, voters in Orleans Parish will be asked to approve a $510 million capital bond authorization. The half a billion dollars will go toward infrastructure, water and drainage and affordable housing.  The President and CEO of the Bureau of Governmental Research, Rebecca Mowbray, joins us to explain what this means for the taxpaying residents.  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!

Head Start is a federal program that provides child care and early learning for low-income families. But the ongoing government shutdown has caused some programs to close, while others are taking out loans.  WWNO’s education reporter Aubri Juhasz tells us what this looks like in Louisiana. Three property taxes will be on the ballot in Baton Rouge next week. They’re all renewals, but they’ve been made a bit more complicated by a series of budget shortfalls, one of the largest reasons being the incorporation of breakaway city of St. George, a city that now collects its own property taxes. The tax renewal for the local library system has been getting the most attention, as it fights to keep its funding, while the city-parish aims to skim a little off the top. Report for America corps member Alex Cox helps break down the ballot.  Every year for the past four decades, a ship has gone out into the Gulf with a crew of scientists on an expedition to measure how much oxygen is in the water. It’s called the hypoxia cruise and it's put on by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It’s an integral component in measuring the “dead zone” to find out how much the lack of oxygen in the water caused by Mississippi River runoff is affecting marine life. Associate professor in LSU’s department of oceanography and coastal sciences and chief scientist for NOAA’s annual hypoxia cruise, Cassandra Glaspie, tells us more about the 40th voyage.  ___ 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 is facing a major budget shortfall. Parish officials need to find an extra $21 million, and one way they hope to save money is by getting more public service retirees to switch to government-funded health care.  Report for America corps member Alex Cox has the story. Last weekend, the Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge hosted a screening of “Ancestral Artistry: The Influence of Africans and Creoles of Color on Louisiana Architecture.” The film explores centuries of craftsmanship, culture and resilience passed down through generations of diverse communities who contributed to the state’s architectural landscape The film’s co-directors Charles E. Richard and Conni Castille join us for more. A community beautification project born in the years after Hurricane Katrina is celebrating a milestone. The Utility Box Art Project from the non-profit, Community Visions Unlimited, is turning 15. For over a decade the painted and decorated boxes have added a dash of color in New Orleans and surrounding cities. Vice president of Community Visions Unlimited Jeannie Tidy joins us with more. Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts.  Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

When there's an outbreak of an infectious disease, state health officials usually rush to alert doctors and the public about what's going on. But this year, during Louisiana's worst outbreak of whooping cough in decades, health officials did not appear to follow that playbook.  WWNO’s health reporter Rosemary Westwood tells us more. This Veterans Day, Laura Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana will hold a special event to honor the enslaved men from Laura Plantation who fought in the U.S. Army during the Civil War. This comes out of a partnership with the African-American Civil War Memorial and Museum in Washington, D.C., to honor the veterans of the 75th United States Colored Infantry regiment. With a look into this history and their story,  Laura Plantation general manager Sand Marmillion and historian Katy Morlas Shannon tell us about this history and commemoration.  Crescent Care, a nonprofit health care agency in New Orleans, has adopted a new model when it comes to treating behavioral health. They’ve expanded high-quality integrated care across the city, leading to fewer wait times, same-day assessments and more treatment options. Lucy Cordts, a licensed clinical social worker and director of Behavioral Health at Crescent Care, tells us more. — Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.  You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts.  Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

It’s Thursday, and that means it’s time to catch up on politics with the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate editorial director and columnist, Stephanie Grace. We discuss what’s on the ballot in the November elections, including city council runoffs and ballot proposals.  The St. Tammany Parish Economic Development Corporation appointed a new President and CEO in late August. A northshore native, Russell Richardson brings his experience from the Baton Rouge Area Chamber and Louisiana Economic Development to the position.  He joins us for more on his plans to develop the area without losing its charm and character.  This past weekend, the New Orleans Reggae Fest had rain issues that forced its postponement. The organizers’ wheels started turning as they began rescheduling amid a potentially disastrous Hurricane headed towards reggae's birthplace.  Now, the festival will be more than just a concert; it will be a way to help others. Organizer Joel Hitchcock-Tilton tells us how the new event will fundraise for victims of Hurricane Melissa.  — 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!

Let’s say you’re in the car-making business and wanting to avoid tariffs. You can buy American, but how do you meet those American suppliers? One option: speed dating.  The Gulf States Newsroom’s Stephan Bisaha reports from a carmaker matchmaking day. A partnership between LSU and the global agricultural technology corporation Syngenta is aimed at advancing a tool that’s used in industry. They’re called “digital twins” and they’re used as a prototype of sorts to help model and test physical objects in a virtual space. LSU’s College of Art & Design is involved, and they’re using techniques from the entertainment industry to help in this concept that’s used for industry and manufacturing. Associate professor of digital art at the LSU College of Art & Design, Derick Ostrenko, and assistant professor of virtual production and immersive media, Jason Jamerson, join us for more on the artistic side of this initiative. They’re joined by chemical process engineer at Syngenta, Ben Spry, for more. It’s been a little over a year since Ed Daniels, New Orleans sportscaster, television sports director at WGNO and youth sporting advocate, passed away at the age of 67. As the longest-serving sports director in New Orleans, Daniels was known for his calm demeanor, making his point without raising a voice — often contrasting with the aggressive sportscaster stereotype.  Over the summer, Daniels was officially inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. His wife, Robin Daniels, along with his longtime friend and fellow sports commentator Kenny Trahan join us to remember their loved one and his impact on the New Orleans sports scene.  — Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

The once-vibrant Louisiana film and television industry has dramatically slowed down. There are five independent feature films in pre- or full production in the state, a stark contrast from previous years. CEO of The Ranch Film Studios in Chalmette and president of Film Louisiana, Jason Wagespack, breaks down the situation and the efforts of lobbyists to revive the industry. A spooky, creepy, unique adventure, just in time for Halloween, awaits those who dare to step inside  The Delaporte Manor is hosting a spooky adventure just in time for Halloween. The former funeral home will welcome guests to a horror-themed home full of escape rooms and other activities.  Delaporte Manor director Andrew Preble tells us more about his creation and how he first fell in love with haunted houses, creating them in his childhood home in Abita Springs.  The South Korean car company Hyundai is committing $26 billion to building out its U.S. manufacturing over the next four years. That includes a nearly $6 billion steel plant in Louisiana. And the company is sticking with the investment despite complications with the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration crackdowns.  Stephan Bisaha of the Gulf States Newsroom reports that some activists are also questioning whether that commitment will lead to American jobs. __ Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Diane Mack. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts.  Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

On Sunday night, LSU fired head football coach Brian Kelly following a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M. What began as a discussion on staffing changes ended with Kelly’s firing, according to multiple news outlets. Koki Riley covers LSU baseball and football for The Advocate and joins us for more.  2025 marks 100 years since the founding of Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans. To this day, it’s the nation’s only historically Black and Catholic University. Now, a new exhibition at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art celebrates the centennial. Dubbed “Each One Teach One” the exhibit showcases 100 years of art from the Xavier community.  Ron Bechet, professor and former head of the Art Department at Xavier University, and Bradley Sumrall, curator at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, tell us more about the exhibition and Xavier art history. This coming Saturday marks the 100th anniversary of the State Library of Louisiana. It’s also the date for the annual Louisiana Book Festival in downtown Baton Rouge, where organizers plan to celebrate the milestone.   With more on the library’s role and impact across a century and what’s planned for this year's book festival, State Librarian Meg Placke and the festival’s executive director, Robert Wilson, tell us more. — Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.  You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts.  Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

The New Orleans government may not be able to make payroll this year as the city faces a $160 million deficit and severe cash flow problems. This means that city employees may not receive another paycheck before the end of the year. The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate’s Ben Myers joins us for more. Louisiana has one of the highest populations of deaf and blind people in the nation. To support this community at LSU, the university has been making all sorts of accommodations, including hiring a blind and low vision specialist, creating a braille library and hosting its first-ever “white cane day.” Tracy Blanchard, director of LSU’s Disability Services, and Silent McCarthy, LSU’s blind and low vision specialist, tell us more about these initiatives. NPR has lost a giant. Susan Stamberg was an original National Public Radio staffer who went on to become the first U.S. woman to anchor a nightly national news program. She died at the age of 87.  NPR’s David Folkenfilk reflects on her life, legacy and ways she shaped NPR as one of its so-called “founding mothers.”  ___ 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!

During Hurricane Katrina, thousands of people were locked in the Orleans Parish jail complex as the storm made landfall. In the third of a series remembering that crisis, The Gulf States Newsroom’s Kat Stromquist visits with a mom whose son survived the storm in the jail — and speaks with experts, who say disaster planning could improve in jails and prisons. New research out of Tulane University’s Newcomb Institute has found a definitive link between long heat waves and the incidence of domestic violence. The data came out of New Orleans and it’s especially concerning in a geography that stands to see heatwaves intensify and increase in frequency. Anita Raj, executive director of the Newcomb Institute of Tulane University, tells us more about the findings. The Universities of Louisiana Maritime Academy is making progress in its effort to establish a combined higher-ed effort to bolster the maritime workforce. Earlier this month, they signed a memorandum of understanding with the Propeller Club of New Orleans that will help develop the Maritime Academy at Nicholls State University. Kelly Denning is the executive director of Universities of Louisiana Maritime Academy. She tells us more about increasing educational and skills-building opportunities for maritime workers.  -- Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing Callais v. Louisiana, a seminal redistricting case that focuses on the constitutionality of the state’s congressional map. The court will consider whether Louisiana’s creation of a second majority-Black district in 2024 — which was required by the Voting Rights Act — is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th and 15th Amendments.  John Cusick serves as Assistant Counsel for the Legal Defense Fund, the organization arguing to keep the map as it is. He spoke with WRKF’s Report for America Corps Member, Alex Cox, for more. The Symphony Chorus of New Orleans takes audiences on an emotional, musical journey through one of the darkest episodes in human history as it presents Donald McCullough’s Holocaust Cantata: Songs from the Camps. The work is based on research of original music sung by those imprisoned in concentration camps.  Steven Edwards, music director of the Symphony Chorus of New Orleans, joins us with more. Next Tuesday, Oct. 29, WWNO will host a first-of-its-kind benefit concert. The event will honor contributions in public radio and feature New Orleans musical legends Big Sam’s Funky Nation and Stanton Moore. WWNO’s development assistant and classical network coordinator, Sara Henegan, tells us what’s on deck at the upcoming 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!

US prosecutors have accused a Louisiana man of participating in the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel. Mahmoud al-Muhtadi allegedly joined a paramilitary group that fought alongside Hamas in 2023, before traveling to the U.S.  Christiaan Mader, founder and editor of the Current, tells us more.  All this week, the New Orleans film festival is hosting screenings, panel discussions, and workshops, uniting some of the biggest names in independent filmmaking today. One of the guests is Benh Zeitlin, the Oscar-nominated director of the 2012 film “Beasts of the Southern Wild”. He’s teaching a masterclass workshop all about developing casts from inexperienced actors. He joins us now for more on his career and how you can attend his class.  Over at Tulane University, changemakers are finding new ways to increase sustainability by limiting food waste. Tulane Hospitality Sustainability is combining efforts in food recovery, farming and sourcing to limit wasteful consumption. Sustainability manager at Tulane Hospitality, Emily Slazer, tells us about their award-winning initiatives.  — 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 resident of the Carrollton neighborhood in New Orleans was gardening in her backyard when she came across an unusual engraved stone. After reaching out to anthropology departments at the University of New Orleans and Tulane, they discovered the relic was a 2,000-year-old headstone for a Roman sailor. The headstone went missing from a museum in Italy during World War II.  Ryan Gray, professor of anthropology at UNO, tells us more about this incredible discovery and what they know about the headstone’s journey across the Atlantic. The shine from the Saints' first victory of the season lasted a week, after a defeat by the New England Patriots brought them to one win and five losses this year. Writer and columnist for The Times-Picayune/The Advocate, Jeff Duncan, tells us what he thinks the Saints will need to do to turn the season around. Earlier this month, a New Orleans local appeared on the popular TV quiz show, Jeopardy. Writer and former managing editor of 64 Parishes magazine, Chris Turner-Neal, went up against a four-day winner who was vying for a spot in the tournament of champions. Their back-and-forth battle up until the final question brought viewers one of the most nail-biting games in recent memory.  Chris joins us to discuss his road to the Alex Trebek Theater and how he feels about his performance. — 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!

Louisiana’s GUMBO broadband program has been expanding internet access in rural areas for three years now. But because the state program relies on federal funding, recent changes to federal spending are impacting the initiative. Camden Doherty has been covering the GUMBO broadband program for The Current. He joins us for more. One of Louisiana’s largest hospital systems has been studying how to prevent sepsis infections, a persistent problem in health care settings that can even lead to death. And now, they’re seeing dramatic results. Dr. Christopher Thomas, vice president and chief quality officer of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, joins us with more.  It’s no secret that smoking e-cigarettes, or vapes, has seen increased popularity among teens in recent years. Last month, East Baton Rouge officials passed a new vaping law. The goal is to keep kids from starting to vape while still allowing adults to have the option to do so.  Report for America corps member Alex Cox has the story.  — 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!