Shows
Gulf States GumboA train ride along the Gulf Coast for the first time since KatrinaIt’s been 20 years since a train service along the Mississippi Coast from Mobile to New Orleans was possible. Hurricane Katrina put a stop to that service. But in August, the train finally came back. In this week's episode, economic mobility reporter Stephan Bisaha takes the ride and stops at two locations along the Mississippi Coast to learn about the damage Katrina brought to the state and how it changed these communities two decades later. This episode is hosted by Joseph King, who is also our social producer. The podcast is produced by Stephan Bisaha, Kat...
2025-08-2913 min
Gulf States GumboGumbo Live: When water costs more than a carOn this week's episode, we stir the pot from the Saturn music venue in Birmingham. Recorded on August 9th, 2025, Joseph King interviews senior reporter Stephan Bisaha about nightmare utility bills. This episode is hosted by Joseph King, who is also our social producer. The podcast was produced by Stephan Bisaha, Kat Stromquist, Drew Hawkins, Orlando Flores Jr. and Ryan Vasquez. Nellie Beckett is our audience engagement producer. Our theme music is by DJ Supreme. To get in touch with the team, email connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org. And support our local station partners by donating to...
2025-08-2213 min
Louisiana ConsideredSNAP cuts impact local grocers; urban planning post-Katrina; legendary Baton Rouge sports reporter retiresSteep cuts are coming to SNAP benefits, better known as food stamps. And that’s bad news for grocery stores that see the bulk of their sales from SNAP dollars. The Gulf States Newsroom’s Stephan Bisaha reports from one independent grocery store in Alabama bracing for the cuts.An unprecedented natural disaster is a dramatic way to learn hard lessons about how we plan and construct our cities. Yet Hurricane Katrina, 20 years ago, did just that for New Orleans. Since Katrina, New Orleans has been trying to make buildings and infrastructure more resilient, while prese...
2025-08-1324 min
Gulf States GumboWater versus landOn this week's episode, we venture onto the Pearl River, which flows through Jackson, Mississippi, down into southeastern Louisiana. For more than 100 years, that river has flooded in northeast Jackson. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been trying to stop the flooding, but each plan has caused backlash and concern from Jackson down to Slidell, Louisiana. We talk with WWNO’s Michael McEwen and hear from Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s Shamira Muhammad about those worries. WWNO’s Eva Tesfaye also explains why a multi-billion-dollar plan to deal with Louisiana's land loss was recently cancelle...
2025-08-0813 min
Gulf States GumboMom-and-pop grocers brace for SNAP cutsSteep cuts are coming to to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, better known as food stamps. And that’s bad news for independent grocery stores that see the bulk of their sales from SNAP dollars.In this week's episode, economic mobility reporter Stephan Bisaha visits an Alabama grocer bracing for the cuts.Also, the Gulf South continues to be left out of the tech industry boom. Stephan also reports on the advantages of being a tech company in Mississippi — and what’s holding the state back.This episode is hosted by our sports...
2025-08-0113 min
Gulf States GumboHow losing funding for Narcan could lead to more overdose deathsFederal grants helped bring down opioid overdose deaths by supporting peer services, expanding treatment access and increasing the availability of overdose-reversal drugs — like Narcan. But the Trump administration has stalled that funding. In this week’s episode, we go to the streets of Birmingham, Alabama, to find out how losing the funding for overdose-reversal drugs could reverse progress made in the opioid crisis. We also hear from public health reporter Drew Hawkins and NPR’s Brian Mann, who first broke the story about the funding changes. This episode is hosted by community engagement producer Nellie Beckett...
2025-07-2513 min
Gulf States GumboWe break a New Orleans bar out of Facebook jailMajor hacks at big companies like Sony and Equifax often get plenty of attention. But small businesses fall victim to cyber attacks, too — about four times as often as larger organizations, according to a report from Verizon.For this week's episode, we go to a New Orleans neighborhood bar that lost about $10,000 because of scammers, along with losing access to her Facebook and Meta accounts — which helped drive a large part of its business. We also talk about how we helped get those accounts back. This episode is hosted and written by economic mobility reporter Steph...
2025-07-1813 min
Gulf States GumboThe Dutch solved their opioid crisis. Can their approach work in the Gulf South?As thousands in the United States die from opioid overdoses each year, the Dutch responded to their own opioid crisis by changing their approach. That included embracing harm reduction and an integrated public health model to policing drug use. In this week’s episode, public health reporter Drew Hawkins takes us to the Netherlands, where he explores how these different tactics could work in the Gulf South. And for this week’s Gulf States Gem: Drew went to Dutch Carnaval in a small village in the Netherlands. This episode is hosted and written by publ...
2025-07-1113 min
Gulf States GumboAs storms surge, Alabama leads by fortifying its roofsOn this week’s episode, we’re handing the reins over to the NPR science podcast Short Wave. Our economic mobility reporter Stephan Bisaha went on the show last month to talk about how Alabama’s fortified roofs have become a model program, protecting residents from hurricanes and rising insurance costs. We also hear from NPR climate correspondent Lauren Sommer about a similar program in California meant to fight wildfires. This episode is hosted and written by Stephan Bisaha. The podcast is produced by Kat Stromquist, Drew Hawkins, Orlando Flores Jr. and Ryan Vasquez. Joseph King is...
2025-07-0413 min
Gulf States GumboLouisiana gets serious about third-grade reading testsIn this week’s episode, we share some good news from the region: our states are leading the way on third-grade reading skills, a vital benchmark that can be a positive sign for future success in school. Mississippi was once at the bottom when it came to third grade reading levels. Now, it's close to the top. Alabama and Louisiana are climbing the ranks faster than other states, and Louisiana is implementing a new rule to make more gains. Starting this year, students who don’t pass a reading test will be held back — a law alre...
2025-06-2713 minLouisiana ConsideredThird-grade reading law; New Orleans Ballet Association's upcoming season; future of tech in the Deep SouthLouisiana 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 te...
2025-06-2524 min
Gulf States GumboHow capital punishment methods can go wrongA quick warning — today’s episode is about the death penalty and includes talk about recent executions and methods. Capital punishment is a priority of the Trump administration, with the Deep South at the epicenter. We talk with our criminal justice reporter Kat Stromquist about the new method Alabama pioneered. Kat also talks with researcher Corinna Barrett Lain about her new book, “Secrets of the Killing State,” and how executions can go wrong. This episode is hosted and written by Stephan Bisaha. The podcast is produced by Kat Stromquist, Drew Hawkins, Orlando Flores Jr. and Ryan Vasqu...
2025-06-2013 min
Gulf States GumboThe Gulf South’s nurse shortage is impacting sexual assault survivorsEditor’s Note: This episode contains descriptions of sexual violence that may be upsetting for some listeners. Public health reporter Drew Hawkins takes over this week’s episode to focus on a single story — the Gulf South’s shortage of sexual assault nurse examiners, better known as SANEs. Over the last year, Drew has been reporting on the impacts the shortage has had on hospital systems and sexual assault survivors. In partnership with Type Investigations, Drew examines who these nurses are, what they do and how they help survivors of sexual assault. This episode is...
2025-06-1313 minLouisiana ConsideredWhy hackers target small businesses; how cuts to research funding will impact LSU; La.’s revenue volatility ratingCyberattacks 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 tempora...
2025-06-1124 min
Gulf States GumboNo movie theater in Clarksdale, Mississippi? That’s a sinOn this week's episode, we zoom into Clarksdale, Mississippi, where Ryan Coogler’s latest blockbuster "Sinners" is set. Movie critics said it's one of the best of the year, but residents couldn’t watch it without driving elsewhere. That changed after one man spoke out. Our sports and culture reporter Joseph King and Mississippi Public Broadcasting's Shamira Muhammad tell us about what they saw at a series of special screenings of the film in the Mississippi Delta town. This episode is hosted and mixed by our public health reporter Drew Hawkins. The podcast was produced by Ste...
2025-06-0613 min
Gulf States GumboPutting the wind (and inflation) back into US shipbuildingOn this week's episode, we’re heading to Mobile, Alabama, to find out why the Trump administration wants more ships built there and and across the Gulf. And, why critics say the policy meant to make that happen is not enough carrot and too much stick.Also, this August will mark 20 years since Hurricane Katrina, an event that forever changed New Orleans. Whether you left Louisiana or stayed after Katrina, we want to hear your story. On behalf of our partner station WWNO, we're asking listeners from near and far to share love letters to the...
2025-05-3013 min
Gulf States GumboWashington makes cuts, the South feels the painOn this week's episode of the Gulf States Gumbo, we examine how cost-cutting in Washington is being felt in the South. Take the federal funding that’s played a major role in fighting the U.S. HIV epidemic — especially in hard-hit places like Alabama — for example. DOGE cuts and Trump administration policy changes threaten to undo that progress, according to advocates. And Louisiana lawmakers are asking Congress to bring back a federal program that helped schools buy food from local farms. WWNO and WRKF education reporter Aubri Juhasz explains how one school district used the money.
2025-05-2313 min
Gulf States GumboChicago Pope? More like Creole PopeChicago has a lot to celebrate right now. After all, before he was Leo XIV of the Vatican, he was Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago. What’s less well known are the Pope’s Creole ties. In this week's episode, we hear how Catholics in Jackson, Mississippi, and New Orleans are reacting to the news, and we talk to the man who uncovered the Pope’s Southern connection. This episode is hosted and written by economic mobility reporter Stephan Bisaha. The podcast was produced by Drew Hawkins, Kat Stromquist, Orlando Flores Jr. and Ryan Vasq...
2025-05-1613 minLouisiana ConsideredIs John Bel Edwards considering a run for Senate?; Louisiana’s environmental future; decline of American shipbuildingIt’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...
2025-05-1524 min
Gulf States GumboHow Louisiana continues to change the sports worldOn this week's episode, we round the bases with a couple of sports stories, like a "torpedo bat" design giving baseball players newfound power. But what is it about these bats that allows players to hit the ball so deep? WWNO's and WRKF’s Alana Schreiber visited Marucci Sports, a bat manufacturer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to find out. New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders says football should be open for everybody. That’s why the two-time Super Bowl champion says his youth football camp is inclusive to the queer community. Our sports...
2025-05-0913 min
Gulf States GumboUsing nature to solve man-made problemsOn this week's episode of the Gulf States Gumbo, we take a look at how communities are turning to nature to solve their environmental problems, from urban flooding in New Orleans’ Treme neighborhood to using forests to tackle greenhouse gases — while getting tribal nations paid for it. Plus, a send-off to our environment and communities reporter Danny McArthur. This episode is hosted by public health reporter Drew Hawkins. The podcast is produced by Stephan Bisaha, Kat Stromquist, Danny McArthur, Orlando Flores Jr. and Ryan Vasquez. Joseph King is the social producer. Nellie Beckett is our audien...
2025-05-0213 min
Gulf States GumboHip-hop takes center stage at Jazz FestThe first weekend of New Orleans’ highly anticipated Jazz and Heritage Festival is underway. And this year, New Orleans native and hip-hop legend Lil Wayne will take the main stage with The Roots for the first time in the festival’s history. Our sports and culture reporter Joseph King tells us why this is a big moment for hip-hop artists at Jazz Fest.Joseph also talks with Big Freedia, New Orleans' Queen of Bounce, ahead of her performances on the Jazz Fest main stage and in the gospel tent. She also shares her Jazz Fest Gulf States Gems...
2025-04-2513 min
Gulf States GumboStatehouse roundtable: Chaos, caution, finished honeymoonsCampaigns and election days tend to hog the political spotlight. It's much harder to follow the time of year when the state leaders who won those elections actually get together and work to pass laws big and small. On this week’s show, we find out what our state lawmakers have been up to in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana with updates from the public radio reporters covering recent legislative sessions. This episode is hosted by our economic mobility reporter Stephan Bisaha. The podcast was produced by Kat Stromquist, Danny McArthur, Orlando Flores Jr., Kat Stromquist and...
2025-04-1813 min
Gulf States GumboWhy Gulf Coast shrimpers see tariffs as a winIt's been a wild few weeks in global trade. President Donald Trump put 10% tariffs on all imports, and some countries started getting hit with much higher amounts. Stock markets have been swinging and economists say the odds of a recession this year are going up. While these are international issues, how do they actually play out in our region? To learn more, we talked to our economic mobility reporter, Stephan Bisaha, who has been interviewing workers — including shrimpers — across the Gulf South. This week’s Gulf States Gem: the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. This epi...
2025-04-1114 min
Gulf States GumboHBCUs and the next generation of environmental activistsHow are HBCU students working to respond to a changing climate? Environment and communities reporter Danny McArthur spoke to a few of them at a conference in New Orleans to find out. On this week's episode, Danny joins host Joseph King to dig a little deeper on the historical connection between those universities and environmental justice. This week’s Gulf States Gem: Danny's picks for Indian food around the South. This episode is hosted by sports and culture reporter Joseph King. The podcast was produced by Stephan Bisaha, Kat Stromquist, Danny McArthur, Orlando Flore...
2025-04-0413 min
Gulf States GumboHow Alabama and Louisiana schools defied the COVID declinePandemic disruptions put a lot of kids behind. But in the South, some schools seized the moment, making unexpected gains in different subjects. Alabama is the only state to see improvements in math. The same goes for Louisiana in reading. NPR reporters Jonaki Mehta and Cory Turner join the GSN team to talk about their reporting about the improvements. This week’s Gulf States Gem: Picks from Mehta and Turner for road trips to Alabama and Louisiana.This episode is hosted by public health reporter Drew Hawkins. The podcast was produced by Stephan Bisa...
2025-03-2827 minLouisiana ConsideredCity of St. George prepares for first election; Nous Foundation brings music to Library of Congress; data centers in South create few permanent jobsOn 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-f...
2025-03-2624 min
Gulf States GumboWhat billions spent on data centers means for MississippiTech companies have pledged hundreds of billions of dollars to build new data centers. These centers are the backbone behind AI and are being built across the country – including two record-setting $10 billion dollar projects in Mississippi. But while billions being invested in communities might sound great, our economic mobility reporter Stephan Bisaha reports they create few permanent jobs. A new collection of essays, art and poetry by men incarcerated at the Mississippi State Penitentiary — best known as Parchman Farm — is shedding light on one of the country's most notorious prison units. It's the culmination of a more than th...
2025-03-2113 minLouisiana ConsideredPush for paid parental leave; Alvin Ailey Dance Company heads to NOLA; Tulane Book Festival to feature Maureen Dowd, Connie ChungPaid 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 cul...
2025-03-1824 min
Gulf States GumboSouthern scientists protest federal funding cutsIn this episode, environment and communities reporter Danny McArthur, economic mobility reporter Stephan Bisaha and WBHM managing editor Andrew Yeager discuss what's at stake for Gulf South scientists as the Trump administration makes cuts to big agencies — like the National Institutes of Health.Also, sports and culture reporter Joseph King meets with a Black Masking Indian queen in New Orleans. As she retires from parading, she reflects on cultural appropriation. This week’s Gulf States Gem: Maria's Mercado in Morton, Mississippi.This episode is hosted by environment and communities reporter Danny McArthur. The podcast was prod...
2025-03-1413 min
Gulf States GumboWho pays when ocean oil wells run dry?This week, we’re on the water.The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management made some new rules to help clean up old oil wells in the Gulf. WWNO's Eva Tesfaye talks with environment and communities reporter Danny McArthur about why some states aren't happy — and suing to prevent it.Also, Danny takes a river trip down the Mississippi River with teens taking in the great outdoors.This week's gem: Alabama's lakes, rivers and bays. This episode is hosted by sports and culture reporter Joseph King. The podcast was produced by Stephan Bisah...
2025-03-0713 min
Gulf States GumboKeeping Mardi Gras safe comes at a costWho pays for security at the Mardi Gras parades everyone loves? Public health reporter Drew Hawkins reports that, oftentimes, smaller independent krewes foot their own bill. And it's getting more expensive after the New Year's Day attack in New Orleans. Also, economic mobility reporter Stephan Bisaha visits the French Quarter to talk to businesses in the wake of that attack.This week’s Gulf States Gem: Picks from a Carnival historian. This episode is hosted and written by criminal justice reporter Kat Stromquist. The podcast was produced by Stephan Bisaha, Danny McArt...
2025-02-2813 min
Gulf States GumboThree scary words: Out. Of. Network.Out. Of. Network. Dreaded words for anyone who needs life-saving medical care. But sometimes doctors in an insurance company’s network can’t perform that care. Our public health reporter Drew Hawkins tells us about one Mississippi family who went above and beyond to get a critically needed surgery— but were still denied.And we hear about what the Trump Administration’s plans to cut health research would mean for Alabama. For this week’s Gulf States Gem we brag on our favorite libraries. This episode is hosted by economic mobility reporter Stephan Bisaha and e...
2025-02-2113 minLouisiana ConsideredNOLA businesses prepare for Mardi Gras season; NOMA’s new chief curator; Musaica Chamber Ensemble’s new showNew 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 af...
2025-02-1824 min
Gulf States GumboSuper (Gumbo) Bowl SpecialHow the big game is impacting the Big Easy.We’ll hear about some of the steps being taken to help keep people visiting New Orleans for the Super Bowl safe in light of the New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street. And we’ll also hear more about how the Super Bowl impacts the culture and the people who live and work in New Orleans — and about some of the players connected to the Gulf South you might see out on the field. This episode is hosted by health equity reporter, Drew Hawkins, and produ...
2025-02-0716 min
Gulf States GumboRich soil. Dirty problem. Expensive fix.Alabama’s Black Belt has been dealing with sanitation issues for a long time, and now residents are creating ways to solve their problem. Our Environmental justice reporter Danny McArthur has been investigating these issues for years and tells us more. We also find out what Louisiana is doing with empty homeless encampments with the Super Bowl a week away. This week’s Gulf States Gem: The McWane Science Center in Birmingham, Alabama. This episode is hosted by sports and culture reporter Joseph King and edited by Stephan Bisaha. Our theme music is by DJ Supreme.To...
2025-01-3113 min
Gulf States GumboThe mystery of the missing water billsMissing water bills can cause headaches for utility customers. Economic mobility reporter Stephan Bisaha tells one Alabama family's story and looks into how smart water meters can be a solution. Also, reporter Matt Bloom from partner station WWNO reports on a push to close parts of the French Quarter to car traffic in the wake of a truck attack.This episode is hosted by criminal justice reporter Kat Stromquist and edited by Tyler Pratt. Our theme music is by DJ Supreme.To get in touch with the team, email connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org.
2025-01-2413 min
Gulf States GumboNew Orleans’ residents are still recovering after New Year’s Day terror attackCarnival in New Orleans started Monday, less than a week after a man drove his truck into crowds on Bourbon Street, killing 14 people and injuring dozens more. While the city is in mourning, WWNO’s Aubri Juhasz reports that New Orleans still plans to party on schedule.And our health equity reporter, Drew Hawkins, lives in New Orleans and was one of the first to start reporting on what happened – talking to eyewitnesses, official sources, and reporting the latest information as we learned it. He spoke with our sports and culture reporter Joseph King about the d...
2025-01-1013 min
Gulf States GumboNew Orleans' buried history of jailing enslaved peopleA new book argues that the roots of mass incarceration in Louisiana goes back to before The Civil War. Criminal justice reporter Kat Stromquist sat down with Louisiana State University Professor John Bardes to talk about his research. Also, sports and culture reporter Joseph King takes a look at Birmingham’s legendary Coach O who has inspired athletes from the WNBA to the NFL, on and off the field. This week’s Gulf States Gem: Pearl’s Diner in Laurel, Mississippi.This episode is hosted by community engagement reporter Maya Miller and edited by Steph...
2024-12-2013 minLouisiana ConsideredParametric insurance for disasters; guaranteed income experiment; year in politics, Part 2If 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 Lo...
2024-12-1824 min
Gulf States Gumbo2024 Wrapped (southern union edition)It’s been a big year for unions in the South.If you’ve been following the labor movement in the region for more than a hot sec, then you know there just aren’t many union wins. Membership across the country was at a record low in 2023 and the numbers are even lower in the South. Yet 2024 saw a historic union victory in Tennessee that could reshape the future of labor across the region. We go on a roadtrip lookback at 2024’s union wins and losses before peaking ahead to what’s coming up in the new...
2024-12-1313 min
Gulf States GumboStrike while the iron is hot. Just be quick about itTraditionally, union strikes have lasted until their demands were met. But in the last decade, unions have taken a new approach to strikes — making them shorter. Economic mobility reporter Stephan Bisaha looks at a nurse’s union who went on strike for just one day.Also on this week' episode, sports and culture reporter Joseph King talks to transgender students who worry about their safety on college campuses and justice, incarceration and gun violence reporter Kat Stromquist looks into a new report that found Alabama leads the country in “pregnancy criminalization” cases.This week’s Gulf State...
2024-12-0613 min
Gulf States GumboYou’re panic buying wrongWhen dock workers went on strike in October, many people rushed to panic buying. Senior economic mobility reporter Stephan Bisaha reports on the one thing people don’t have to rush to buy. And Eva Tesfaye with partner station WWNO reports on a community that’s fighting an upcoming grain elevator that could disrupt the majority Black neighborhood. This week’s Gulf States Gem: Red Bluff outside Morgantown, Mississippi. This episode is hosted by Danny McArthur and edited by Priska Neely. Our theme music is by DJ Supreme. To get in touch with the team...
2024-11-1513 minLouisiana ConsideredNOLA funk icon Leo Nocentelli to perform long lost music; new study finds LNG more toxic than coalThe 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 present...
2024-11-1224 min
Gulf States GumboCan you tell me how we got to District 2?Alabama has a new congressional leader — a Democrat. We learn more about this blue win in a red state. And we take a look at some of the food insecurity issues residents in the southern part of the state are experiencing. The Gulf States Newsroom presents an election week look back at our coverage of Alabama’s Congressional District 2. This week’s Gulf States Gem: Bacchanal Wine in New OrleansThis episode is hosted by sports and culture reporter Joseph King and edited by Tyler Pratt. Our theme music is by DJ Supreme.Read mo...
2024-11-0813 min
Gulf States GumboWhat’s the best way to use money to help people in need?The South is receiving hundreds of millions of dollars from historic lawsuits with opioid manufacturers and distributors. Some call it a once in a lifetime opportunity. This giant pot of money is meant to help heal the damage caused by the opioid crisis. But our health equity reporter Drew Hawkins reports that in Alabama, medication that can help treat addiction is out of reach for many who need it the most. Also, guaranteed income is having a moment in the South. Cities have been test running giving people cash and now advocates are looking to turn that in...
2024-11-0113 minLouisiana ConsideredPlay examines voting in 1966 Selma; Lafayette opens center to divert youth from prison systemDestructive 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 righ...
2024-10-2224 min
Gulf States GumboThe rising cost of storm evacuationWhen a hurricane is headed your way, do you stay or go? Economic mobility reporter Stephan Bisaha stuck with one family from New Orleans who made the choice to leave and keep track of the costs. Also, criminal justice reporter Kat Stromquist examines the growing movement to end forced labor in prisons. This week’s Gulf States Gem: Harold & Lillian’s in Clermont Harbor, Mississippi. This episode is hosted by health equity reporter Drew Hawkins and edited by Priska Neely. Our theme music is by DJ Supreme.Read more: 1 reason people don’t evacuate for hurrica...
2024-10-1813 minLouisiana ConsideredHelping underserved Louisianans get health care; Holocaust Survivor Band founder, 99, shares his story; Nissan workers talk union effortsLouisiana’s network of oil and gas pipelines — some tens of thousands of miles long — is under scrutiny. Some residents want to know where those pipelines are — and what can be done to protect their communities if there’s a leak, the Gulf States Newsroom’s Danny McArthur reports. Federally qualified health centers, or community health centers, are the health care safety net for low-income and underserved people. These facilities provide primary care, dental care and mental health services to anyone who walks through the doors — regardless of whether they have insurance or are on Medicaid.
2024-08-1422 minLouisiana ConsideredShreveport paracanoe athlete and prosthetist Jillian Elwart gears up for Paralympics; bringing the dying Maurepas Swamp back to lifeThe 2024 Paris Olympics have officially begun, and Louisiana is boasting plenty of Olympians this year, both LSU students and Bayou State natives. But we also have no shortage of para-athletes gearing up for their own games beginning on Aug. 28.One of those athletes is Jillian Elwart, a paracanoe racer getting ready for her Paralympic debut. She is also a certified prosthetist at Shriners Children’s in Shreveport, the same hospital where she was once treated. She joins us to talk about her journey to the Paris Games.This fall, construction will begin on a l...
2024-07-2624 minLouisiana ConsideredLouisiana’s role in NASA’s upcoming moon mission; Baton Rouge painter on the relationship between art and healthThe push to unionize auto plants in the South appears to have lost momentum. This comes after a big loss in May when workers at a Mercedes factory rejected joining the United Auto Workers.Stephan Bisaha of the Gulf States Newsroom visited the UAW’s campaign in Montgomery, Alabama to learn why it’s so hard to unionize in the Deep South.Last week, the large core of the Artemis II moon rocket left an assembling facility in Michoud, Louisiana and headed for the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This is just the latest journey for...
2024-07-2424 min
The BroadsideHow many dollar stores are too many? (Revisited)This week, we're revisiting a story from last year that's recently been back in the headlines. Discount stores like Family Dollar and Dollar General have become ubiquitous in the American landscape — especially in the South. They can be convenient and even necessary, but some advocates warn that their rapid spread is creating food deserts. But while pushback to dollar stores grows, researchers say that we need more data to know their true impact. So how many dollar stores are too many?Featuring:Stephan Bisaha, reporter at Gulf States NewsroomLinks:
Check out Stephan Bisaha’s ex...
2024-05-0221 min
Louisiana ConsideredSt. George gets court’s OK to build new city; NOLA garden fights mystery sewage billA multi-year fight to form a new city out of an unincorporated suburban portion of southeastern East Baton Rouge Parish culminated last week with a Louisiana Supreme Court decision. Justices ruled in favor of the organizers working to incorporate the city of St. George.
The court ruled against objections by East Baton Rouge officials, which had claimed the incorporation was “unreasonable,” that St. George couldn’t provide city services with a balanced budget and that the loss of tax revenues would hurt the city-parish.
St. George organizers want to keep the area’s tax money within the...
2024-05-0124 min
Scenic RootsA Reporter’s Path: Stephan Bisaha Of The Gulf States NewsroomStephan Bisaha(Gulf States Newsroom)When workers at Chattanooga’s Volkswagen plant voted on whether to join the United Auto Workers union, the vote story was part of a larger story for the South and the country - and part of Stephan Bisaha’s beat.Stephan is a reporter, based in Birmingham, who covers wealth and poverty for the Gulf States Newsroom - a regional collaboration between NPR and member stations in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.Last week, we shared his take on the vote here in Chattanooga.Now, the rest of our conv...
2024-04-3004 minScenic RootsThe Historic Vote To Join The UAW At Chattanooga’s Volkswagen PlantVolkswagen workers in Chattanooga celebrate as results from this month's union election at the auto plant come in.(Stephan Bisaha / Gulf States Newsroom)By a nearly three-to-one margin, workers at Chattanooga’s Volkswagen plant have voted to join the United Auto Workers union.It’s a historic win for the UAW - and for unions - in the South after previous votes in 2019 and 2014.Stephan Bisaha is a reporter for the Gulf States Newsroom - a regional collaboration between NPR and member stations in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.He has covered the UAW’s push...
2024-04-2308 min
Louisiana ConsideredTrump, Biden win Louisiana primaries; NOLA’s Grow Dat Youth Farm faces possible closureLouisiana voters made their choice for Republican and Democratic presidential nominees over the weekend. Former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden easily won their respective races during Saturday’s primaries.
Voters also weighed in on local and regional issues, including the closely-watched Caddo Parish sheriff’s race. Brian Brox, associate professor of political science at Tulane University, joins us to discuss the results.
A community farm that's been in New Orleans’ City Park for more than a decade would be displaced under a redevelopment proposal from park leadership.
But supporters of Grow Dat Youth...
2024-03-2524 min
Louisiana ConsideredDollar store chains threaten La.’s small businesses; Super Bowl 2025 is hiring diverse NOLA suppliersYou can go to some of the most remote corners of Louisiana and you still won’t have to look far to find a dollar store. In fact, the state has more than 650 Dollar Generals alone. A new report says the chains threaten small businesses and local economies. The Louisiana Workforce Commission shared a report last week with state legislators about the issue.
Stephan Bisaha, reporter with the Gulf States Newsroom, joins Louisiana Considered to talk to us about the report and its recommendations.
Also, we hear the biggest takeaways from a new poll published by...
2024-03-0624 min
Louisiana ConsideredA look back at Louisiana’s news media history and the first female publisher of a major newspaperNewspapers have shaped the rich history of Louisiana for hundreds of years. On today’s Louisiana Considered, we’re joined by two experts at The Historic New Orleans Collection to discuss their upcoming event “Above the Fold: The History of Newspapers in Louisiana.”
Plus, we’ll hear the story of a female newspaper publishing pioneer. Eliza Jane Nicholson was a small-town poet born in the 1840s in Mississippi who would go on to become the first female publisher of a major metropolitan newspaper, The Picayune in New Orleans.
Later, Gulf South home energy bills have spiked thi...
2024-02-2324 min
Louisiana ConsideredImpacts of Deepwater Horizon spill 13 years later; exploring political middle groundsJackson, Miss. is known for its water — and not in a good way. Beyond the attention grabbing boil water notices, residents have had to deal with expensive water bills for years.
For the latest utility bill of the month, Stephan Bisaha of the Gulf States Newsroom brings us the story of how one Jackson resident is fighting for accurate bills.
Last April marked the 13th anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon spill, when an oil rig leased by BP exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. 11 were killed, 17 injured and in the years since, many have been im...
2024-01-2524 min
Louisiana ConsideredLouisiana farmers will gather to discuss climate change; understanding this year’s crawfish shortageAfter winning a substantial new contract from the Big Three automakers in November, the United Auto Workers are targeting a part of the country it’s long struggled to unionize — the South.
Today we hear part two of The Gulf States Newsroom’s Stephan Bisaha’s conversation with Stephen Silvia about his book “The UAW’s Southern Gamble.” They discuss the UAW’s failed attempts to organize in Alabama and why things could be different this time around.
It’s Carnival season, and usually, Mardi Gras and crawfish season go hand in hand. But this year, we’re seeing a b...
2024-01-1724 min
Louisiana ConsideredNew exhibit explores Louisiana’s connection to Haiti; NOLA mural collection unveils 10th paintingRoughly a third of workers at a Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama want to join the union, according to the United Auto Workers.
This comes after the UAW won a substantial new contract from the Big Three Automakers in November. The UAW previously failed to unionize in Alabama after an initial attempt that began in 2011.
Stephen Silvia is the author of The UAW’s Southern Gamble. He spoke to Stephan Bisaha of the Gulf States Newsroom about why the Mercedes union campaign in Alabama failed and what it means for the UAW’s new southern push.
...
2024-01-1624 min
Louisiana ConsideredLouisiana DCFS warns about card skimmers; mental health programs for service industry workersThe Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is warning SNAP and EBT beneficiaries about potential benefit theft from card skimmers found at retail stores. Louisiana Considered assistant producer Aubry Procell spoke with Rhonda Brown, fraud and recovery director for DCFS about the issue and what cardholders can do to protect their benefits.
The holiday season is just behind us, and even though it can be a relaxing time with family, it can be stressful for service industry workers. But there are some organizations working to provide mental health services for service industry employees.
T...
2024-01-0324 min
Louisiana ConsideredGulf South food banks; the year in politics; a French Quarter museum discusses urban enslavementIt has been a hot year for the economy, at least on paper. But in the Gulf South, many people are still turning to food banks for help. Each year around this time, Stephan Bisaha of the Gulf States Newsroom checks in with food banks and the people using them to see how things are going.
Between the race for governor, the appointment of Shreveport representative Mike Johnson to speaker of the house and resounding failures by the state Democratic Party, this year in politics has certainly been memorable.
Politics reporter Molly Ryan and The Ti...
2023-12-2124 min
Louisiana ConsideredUMC nurses vote to unionize; NOPD’s plan to deploy drones; Upcoming Ogden After Hours performanceHundreds of nurses at University Medical Center New Orleans voted to unionize last week. It’s one of Louisiana’s largest union elections in recent decades and the first private hospital in the state to unionize, according to National Nurses United, a union representing nurses across the country.
Lucy Mendez is a registered nurse at UMC New Orleans in the emergency department. She spoke with the Gulf State’s Newsrooms Stephan Bisaha about why she voted for and campaigned to join the union.
Last month, the New Orleans Police Department released a draft proposal to deploy...
2023-12-1224 min
Louisiana ConsideredA look back on Mitch Landrieu’s role in Biden administration; Running of the Santas returns to NOLAWater leaks come with some simple math: The longer the leak continues, the more it costs. But utility companies don’t always warn customers about potential leaks in their pipes.
That’s the story at the heart of our latest Utility Bill of the Month. The Gulf States Newsroom’s Stephan Bisaha reports on how an undetected leak led to one Alabama family owing thousands of dollars.
With Thanksgiving officially in the rearview mirror, New Orleans is kicking off the holiday season with its 12th annual Running of the Santas. Event director Steve Schulkens tells us abou...
2023-11-2824 min
Louisiana ConsideredNew opera highlights racial injustice; NOLA embarks on massive plan to address homelessnessThe state of Georgia recently promised nearly $2 billion in incentives to persuade Hyundai to open an electric vehicle plant there. But Georgia isn’t\ the only Southern state betting that EVs will usher in a manufacturing renaissance in the region. As the Gulf States Newsroom’s Stephan Bisaha reports, many Southern states are also preparing for the EV industry to lead to carloads of good jobs.
The New Orleans Opera is putting racial injustice front and center at an upcoming performance of “Blue.” This contemporary opera was created by Tony Award-winning composer Jeanine Tesori and Emmy-nominated librettist Tazewell...
2023-11-0724 min
Louisiana ConsideredSea Change: Flood by Flood Part 2As natural disasters worsen and extreme weather grows more frequent, it’s led to more people being displaced across the planet. Sometimes, we call those people climate migrants. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that in the last year alone, around 3 million Americans were displaced by natural disasters. But for some climate migrants, displacement isn’t always so immediate or apparent -- it is often tangled up in bureaucracy and a broken system.
Last week on Louisiana Considered, we heard the first part of the latest episode of Sea Change, Flood by Flood, where we explored what it m...
2023-10-2724 minThe BroadsideHow many dollar stores are too many?Discount stores like Family Dollar and Dollar General have become ubiquitous in the American landscape — especially in the South. They can be convenient and even necessary, but some advocates warn that their rapid spread is creating food deserts. But while pushback to dollar stores grows, researchers say that we need more data to know their true impact. So how many dollar stores are too many?Featuring:Stephan Bisaha, reporter at Gulf States NewsroomLinks:
Check out Stephan Bisaha’s extensive reporting for the Gulf States Newsroom on dollar stores in the South.
You can find...
2023-10-2621 min
Louisiana ConsideredSea Change: Flood by Flood Part 1As natural disasters worsen and extreme weather grows more frequent, it’s led to more people being displaced across the planet. Sometimes, we call those people climate migrants. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that in the last year alone, around 3 million Americans were displaced by natural disasters. But for some climate migrants, displacement isn’t always so immediate or apparent, but it is often tangled up in bureaucracy and a broken system.Today on Louisiana Considered, we hear the first part of the latest episode of Sea Change, Flood by Flood, and explore what it means to r...
2023-10-2024 min
Sea ChangeFlood By FloodAs natural disasters worsen and extreme weather grows more frequent, it’s led to more people being displaced across the planet. Sometimes, we call those people climate migrants. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that in the last year alone, around 3 million Americans were displaced by natural disasters. But for some climate migrants, displacement isn’t always so immediate or apparent, but it is often tangled up in bureaucracy and a broken system.
Today on Sea Change, we explore what it means to recover after disaster. First, we travel to Lake Charles, Louisiana, where we look at how...
2023-10-1141 min
The NPR Politics PodcastHow Mapmaking Can Tilt The Balance In CongressCongressional redistricting in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and New York may give Democrats a chance to win more seats in the House of Representatives & improve their chances to take back the chamber in the 2024 elections. We explore why.Then, bidding farewell to Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), and saying hello to Taylor Swift. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, congressional correspondents Deirdre Walsh and Claudia Grisales, WNYC Albany reporter Jon Campbell, and Gulf States Newsroom reporter Stephan Bisaha.This episode was produced by Casey Morell and Elena Moore. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.
2023-09-1521 min
Louisiana ConsideredImpacts of La.’s ‘three strikes law;’ exploring Creole language and ASL at TEDxBatonRougeLouisiana’s habitual offender law has been in place since 2009. Often referred to as a “three strikes” rule, it’s a controversial law that allows judges to put people convicted of certain crimes in prison for extended sentences, if they’ve had previous felony convictions. A recent effort attempted to undo this law, but last week the Louisiana Supreme Court struck down the changes.
Reporter Richard Webster has been covering the habitual offender law for Verite News and ProPublica. He joins us now to discuss his recent story on one man’s experience with the law.
Using Americ...
2023-09-1324 min
The NPR Politics PodcastSummer Camp... David: Biden Welcomes South Korea, Japan LeadersPresident Biden welcomed the men in an effort to foster unity as the United States works to counter China's influence in the region. And Alabama is once again in court over its congressional district maps.This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, White House correspondent Asma Khalid, senior political editor and correspondent Ron Elving, voting correspondent Hansi Lo Wang, and Gulf States Newsroom reporter Stephan Bisaha.The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this and other bonus content...
2023-08-1822 min
Louisiana ConsideredTwo years since two hurricanes swept through Lake Charles, we look at ongoing recovery effortsIn 2020, Lake Charles, Louisiana was devastated by Hurricane Laura. Just six weeks later, the city was hit again by Hurricane Delta.
Today, we listen to a report from The Gulf States Newsroom’s Stephan Bisaha, who traveled to the city to speak with residents about ongoing recovery efforts. He also tells us what’s being done to fortify Lake Charles against future storms.
It’s back-to-school season, with many Louisiana schools opening their doors one week ago, and many of the state’s universities starting classes next Monday. Walter Isaacson, the Leonard Laud...
2023-08-1424 min
Louisiana ConsideredA look at Louisiana’s new education-related bills taking effect this school yearAt the end of July, journalists in Louisiana and Mississippi formed a union with the National Association of the Employees and Technicians – Communications Workers of America (NABET-CWA). Reporters from two nonprofit newsrooms, Verite in New Orleans, and Mississippi Today in Ridgeland, just north of Jackson, are now united in the Deep South Today Union. They’ve become the first two newsrooms in their respective states to successfully unionize.
For more on this historic union and what members hope to accomplish, we are joined by reporter for Mississippi Today, Molly Minta, and reporter for Verite, Michael Stein.
Sta...
2023-08-0724 min
Louisiana Considered‘Utility Bill of the Month’ series explores rising costs of water and power in the Gulf SouthThere’s a good chance that if you listen to WWNO often, you’ve heard NPR’s Bill of the Month series with Kaiser Health News. They look at one medical bill each month and break down what went wrong. This inspired the Gulf States Newsroom to do something similar with another type of bill that often goes wrong: utility bills.
Wealth and poverty reporter Stephan Bisaha speaks to a couple in Birmingham, Alabama, who received a water bill for $20,000, and learns why water costs often far exceed what residents expect. He also gives us an update on the...
2023-06-0224 min
Louisiana ConsideredMedical neglect is a growing problem in Louisiana prisons. Hear from those trying to change that.Dollar stores have taken over. The big brands have more stores in the U.S. than Starbucks, Walmart, and McDonald’s combined. And they’re especially huge in Louisiana, where there are more than twice as many dollar stores per person compared to the national average.
Stephan Bisaha of the Gulf States Newsroom recently brought us four stories on dollar stores, exploring what’s behind the growth and why it’s worrying some communities. He joins us today for an inside look at his reporting.
A recent complaint submitted to the Department of Homeland Security detailed...
2023-04-2124 min
Louisiana ConsideredSea levels are rising at record-breaking rates in the Gulf South, Tulane study saysSea levels along the U.S. Southeast and Gulf coasts have been rapidly accelerating, rising faster than the average rate worldwide. According to a new study led by scientists at Tulane University, this has amounted to record-breaking rates over the past 12 years.
Sönke Dangendorf, assistant professor in the Department of River-Coastal Science and Engineering at Tulane, tells us more about what the recent study reveals about the causes of accelerated sea level rise in this region.
Working as an independent contractor comes with its own benefits, like flexibility and being your own boss. But it...
2023-04-1224 min
Louisiana ConsideredFrench Quarter Festival is turning 40: Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming eventThis weekend, French Quarter Festival is returning to New Orleans and celebrating an important milestone: 40 years. Emily Madero, president and CEO of French Quarter Festivals Inc., tells us how this annual celebration has grown over the last four decades and what to expect this year.
The Musaica Chamber Ensemble is gearing up for an adventurous finale. The 17th season will wrap up next week with a performance dubbed “A Celebration of Relatives.” Musaica president and violist Bruce Owen joins us with the details.
But first, Dollar General plans to open more than 1,000 new stores across the c...
2023-04-1124 min
Louisiana ConsideredA conversation with the artist behind this year’s Baton Rouge Blues Festival posterIt’s no secret that chemical plants in Louisiana have been releasing toxic emissions for years, risking the lives of the community members around them, who are most often people of color. But now, in a rare move, the Environmental Protection Agency is taking emergency action, trying to force one plant to immediately reduce or completely halt its emissions.
Reporter Lylla Younes, who has been covering this story for the environmental magazine Grist, joins us now for more.
The Baton Rouge Blues Festival returns April 21-23, featuring internationally-recognized performers and local blues legends. But even befor...
2023-04-1024 min
Louisiana ConsideredReproductive health bills are on the docket as state gears up for next legislative sessionForget “I Spy.” There’s a new road trip game in town: counting dollar stores. It’s not hard, as Dollar General opens about three new stores a day! Add up all the major dollar store brands in the US, and they outnumber Starbucks and Walmart combined. Stephan Bisaha of the Gulf States Newsroom plays the game and explains what’s behind the dollar store takeover.
The legislative session starts next week, and it will be the first time politicians will gather at the capitol since Louisiana banned nearly all abortions just under a year ago. Already, lawmakers h...
2023-04-0724 min
Louisiana ConsideredIn celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, a look back on Irish immigration history in LouisianaNew Orleans and the Gulf South are not known for their great public transit. But some New Orleanians remember a time when the buses in the city were much faster and more reliable. The Gulf States Newsroom’s Stephan Bisaha and Carly Berlin report on the region’s hopes for a better bus future while it deals with today’s transit problems.
In December of last year, we carried a piece detailing the journey of one violin. For centuries, luthiers – caretakers of acoustic instruments – have worked to keep these instruments in top form. Today we encore a presentati...
2023-03-1624 min
Louisiana ConsideredThe latest on the recall effort against New Orleans Mayor LaToya CantrellOrganizers fighting to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell claim they have enough signatures to move forward. But where the recall effort goes from here has yet to be determined. The Times-Picayune | The Advocate’s editorial director and columnist Stephanie Grace gives us an update, and tells us what could happen next.
February is not only Black History Month, but also brings the one hundred and third anniversary of the founding of baseball’s Negro Leagues. Before baseball was integrated, the Negro League was where baseball players of color participated in America’s pastime.
But while so...
2023-02-2424 min
Louisiana ConsideredWhat's next for Claiborne Expressway? Our metro reporter breaks down the redesign proposalsIn the 1960s, the construction of New Orleans’ Claiborne Expressway split a prominent Black neighborhood in half. WWNO’s Metro reporter Carly Berlin spoke to business-owners and residents in the neighborhood to hear how they would like to see the highway be redesigned. Then, she gives us a behind-the-scenes look into her reporting.
Between the end of many pandemic relief programs and rising costs due to inflation, lines at food banks have surged. The Gulf States Newsroom's Stephan Bisaha reports on what the last year has been like for food pantries and the people who rely on them...
2022-12-2224 min
Louisiana ConsideredFrom a Tunica-Biloxi basket weaving summit to Día de los Muertos, we hear all about fall festivalsIt’s not Mardi Gras, but it’s definitely the season of festivals! Between a Tunica-Biloxi basket weaving summit, Dia de los Muertos, and of course, Halloween, there’s a lot to celebrate.
Historian Dr. Laura Kelley tells us more about how all of these fall celebrations are centered around the changing seasons and the harvest, and basket weaver Elizabeth Pierite Mora gives us some insight into the traditional tribal craft. Then, Susan Larson, host of “The Reading Life,” helps explain the cultural significance of the upcoming Louisiana Book Festival.But first, how do you solve a pro...
2022-10-2724 min
Louisiana ConsideredHow nonprofit organizations and small country stores are addressing the problem of food desertsThis week is Fire Prevention Week: a time to learn a bit more about fire safety. In honor of the week we encore a conversation with Louisiana Fire Marshal Ashley Rodrigue, who tells us what makes fire safety particularly relevant in October.
In March of 2022, we interviewed Aidan Reilly of Farmlink, an organization that seeks to connect farms in abundance with communities in need. Today, we give that conversation a second listen to hear more about efforts to address food insecurity. But large nonprofits are not the only organizations targeting food deserts. Today we re-air...
2022-10-1324 min
Louisiana ConsideredHow upcoming Moth events and a new French news program emphasize storytelling on "the front porch"Earlier this month, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, in partnership with Télé-Louisiane, released the first of eight episodes of La Veillée, a new weekly news program that takes a look at the happenings of Louisiana’s French-speaking communities, all told in French. Executive Producer of Louisiana Public Broadcasting, Linda Midgett, and CEO/Cofounder of Télé-Louisiane, Will McGrew, tell us more.
For the past few weeks, team members of The Moth, a nonprofit storytelling collaborative, have been traveling throughout the south hosting workshops as part of The Moth Pop Up Porch Tour. The Moth’s Artistic D...
2022-10-1124 min
Louisiana ConsideredIn honor of Labor Day, an update on workers’ movements across the SouthObserved the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. This year, Labor Day comes at a time when multiple workers – be it Starbucks baristas or coal miners – are forming unions or going on strike throughout the South. The Gulf State’s Newsroom’s Stephan Bisaha joins us for an update on the labor movement in the region.
It’s no secret the live music industry has been heavily plagued by the pandemic. But for the last few months, attendance at local music venues has returned to pre-COVI...
2022-09-0124 min
Louisiana ConsideredHow weathering hurricanes and other natural disasters impacts our mental healthYesterday, we looked at the physical impacts of hurricanes in Louisiana and heard stories from survivors. Today, we dive deeper into the psychological affects of navigating natural disasters. Disaster and trauma expert Kate Yurgil, who is an assistant professor of psychology at Loyola University New Orleans, joins us for more.
New Orleans guitar master Jimmy Robinson is gearing up for a three-night extravaganza of international guitar performances. Today, Jimmy tells us more about the Across the Pond Guitar Festival in New Orleans and Covington.
But first, coal miners have been striking for 16 months in Alabama, and...
2022-08-3024 min
Louisiana ConsideredTo navigate strict abortion laws, one doctor has an idea: open a boat clinic in the GulfBack in June when Roe v. Wade was overturned ending the constitutional right to an abortion, that instantly activated multiple state laws to restrict and ban the procedure. In order to navigate these laws in Louisiana and across the South, one doctor in California has an ambitious idea: a floating reproductive health clinic in the Gulf of Mexico.
Obstetrician, gynecologist, and professor at the University of California San Francisco, Dr. Meg Autry, tells us more about this idea and what it’s going to take to get this clinic off the ground.
According to the US...
2022-07-2024 min
Louisiana ConsideredCatching catfish and fighting off worms: two stories on animal species in LouisianaOver the weekend, employees at a Starbucks in Louisiana voted to form a union, becoming the first Starbucks in Louisiana to do so. The Gulf States Newsroom’s Stephan Bisaha tells us how this move is part of a larger trend of Starbucks unionization across the Gulf South.
A bill to legalize noodling, the practice of using one’s bare hands to catch catfish, recently passed the Louisiana house and senate and is on its way to the Governor’s desk. Bill author and noodler himself, Jonesboro Rep. Jack McFarland, tells us why this legislation is important.
An...
2022-06-0624 min
Louisiana ConsideredProposed incorporation of St. George denied by judge, but organizers say they'll appealYesterday, a judge denied efforts by organizers in the St. George area of Baton Rouge to split off from the city and create a municipality of their own. The proposal has been controversial from the start — with a largely white and affluent part of the parish trying to separate from the majority-Black Baton Rouge. Staff writer for The Advocate Paul Cobler tells us more.
If you've been to a New Orleans public library, or sat in the grandstands at Jazz Fest, you likely have seen some of the large scale public art murals painted by Nola art col...
2022-06-0124 min
Louisiana ConsideredIn honor of National Rescue Dog Day, a conversation on why the day was foundedOn Monday, we heard a conversation between two Starbucks employees – one in Birmingham and one in New Orleans – about their unionizing attempts. The Gulf States Newsroom’s Stephan Bisaha tells us about upcoming votes on whether to join or reject unionizing, and how Starbucks has waged an anti-union campaign in response.
Friday May 20 is National Rescue Dog Day, an annual event that recognizes how these beloved pets help teach children to navigate developing relationships. Lisa Wiehebrink, founder of the day as well as the nonprofit Tails That Teach, tells us how to celebrate.
A $39 billion operati...
2022-05-1924 min
Louisiana ConsideredState lawmakers take major steps to limit use of solitary confinement for youth in LouisianaBack in February we spoke to Beth Schwartzapfel from the Marshall Project who, along ProPublica and NBC News, found horrific conditions at the Acadiana Center for Youth in St. Martinville, including teens held in solitary confinement for weeks at a time. But recently, state lawmakers took major steps to limit the use of solitary confinement for the state’s youth.
Beth Schwartzapfel joins us again to discuss the future of the use of solitary confinement on youth in Louisiana facilities.
The small Louisiana town of Vidalia is set to become a major player in the clea...
2022-05-1624 min
Louisiana ConsideredAs Pelicans return to New Orleans for Game 6 of the playoffs, here's what to expect on the courtTonight is Game 6 for the NBA playoff series between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Phoenix Suns. And while the underdog Pelicans have largely been holding their own this series, if they lose tonight, they will be eliminated from the tournament.
To learn more about what to expect on the court, Louisiana Considered’s Managing Producer, Alana Schreiber, spoke with Christian Clark, who covers the Pelicans for the New Orleans Advocate.
After months of planning, city-led guaranteed income pilots have finally started handing out money to Gulf States residents. The cities hope the pilots will pro...
2022-04-2824 min
Louisiana ConsideredFood deserts were a problem in Louisiana before COVID. Now it's even worseAccess to nutritional, affordable food was a challenge for many before the pandemic, but the Farmlink Project is aiming to redistribute healthy food to communities that need it most. Farmlink’s Aidan Reilly tells us more about connecting the broken pipelines in the food and agriculture industries.
Despite efforts to strengthen these supply chains, many Louisiana residents continue to face obstacles in attaining dry goods and fresh food. The Gulf States Newsroom’s Stephan Bisaha tells us more about the recent closures of multiple grocery stores across the South.
While Louisiana released a new medical mari...
2022-03-0324 min
Louisiana ConsideredA new Amtrak line could connect New Orleans to Mobile, but not all Alabamans are on boardTwo decades ago, an Amtrak line used to run from Louisiana all the way to Orlando, Florida. Hurricane Katrina brought that to a halt, but now officials are discussing ways to restore part of that service, connecting New Orleans to Mobile. Gulf States Newsroom’s Stephan Bisaha tells why not everyone is supportive of this new proposal. One Louisiana scientist is touting research that seeks to come up with ways to mimic the health benefits of exercise in some other way. Exercise psychologist and director of the Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine Lab, Chris Axelrod, tells us mo...
2022-02-2324 min
Louisiana ConsideredLouisiana Considered: A look at the state’s newest political hopefulsToday on Louisiana Considered, Patrick Madden and Stephanie Grace break down this week in politics, including a look at the state’s latest political hopefuls. Then, Stephan Bisaha of the Gulf States Newsroom tells us how Louisiana and Mississippi are aiming to mirror Alabama’s success in improving their tech economies. And, we hear a feature from American Routes on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2022-01-1424 min
Louisiana ConsideredLouisiana Considered: Special education programs and more in New Orleans schools
Patrick Madden hosted this Monday’s episode of Louisiana Considered.
WWNO/WRKF education reporter Aubri Juhasz speaks with the Center for Learner Equity’s Jennifer Coco about a recently-published guide that helps New Orleans parents of children with disabilities to find schools with the right special education programs for their children. Aubri also visits New Orleans’ first academy for English language learners who speak Spanish as their first language.
Gulf States Newsroom wealth and poverty reporter Stephan Bisaha speaks with Mississippi residents who would face serious financial trouble if federal child tax credit payments and SNAP benefit increases lapse at the en...
2021-12-2024 min
The Sunflower News PodcastPresident Jay Golden talks campus shut-down, online classes and COVID-19 prepWichita State University President Jay Golden met with reporters on Thursday, just before the university released a statement about canceling in-person classes and moving to online classes after spring break. The situation is changing rapidly. Knowing that many of you have some of the same questions that we at The Sunflower have, we’ve put out a bonus episode of that interview here on The Sunflower News Podcast.
You’ll hear Golden speak about his coordination efforts with campus businesses, the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR), the American Athletic Conference (AAC), restrictions to on-campus gatherings and how the university is prep...
2020-03-1335 min