Louisiana Considered

WWNO/WRKF Newsroom
  • 5.0 (15)
  • DAILY NEWS
  • UPDATED DAILY

“Louisiana Considered” showcases South Louisiana's biggest stories and features interviews with journalists, newsmakers, and artists. The show is a collaboration between the WWNO and WRKF newsrooms.  Airs Monday through Friday at noon. 

  1. 12H AGO

    Potential new funding for GATOR program: Louisiana Catholics react to Trump, Pope feud; rock band music education

    The state legislature is considering increasing funding for the La GATOR private school scholarship, which puts public funds towards private school education.  The Advocate’s Patrick Wall tells us more about the proposal and which students would be served by this initiative.  The public dispute between Pope Leo XIV and President Donald Trump has escalated sharply in recent weeks. The feud — over global conflicts — has been on the minds of many Catholics across the U.S., including in Louisiana, where more than a quarter of people in the state identify as Catholic. Trump also won the state in the past three presidential elections. WWNO and WRKF’s Morning Edition producer Mel Bridges spoke to residents about that dichotomy.  Music education has always played an essential role in Louisiana schools, but it’s not just marching bands that get students excited. LSU professor David Dockan is beginning the “modern band” movement, meant to teach music in the model of a rock band: learning about multi-instrumentalism, collaboration and technology.   Dockan, who was recently named to the Yamaha Music USA 40 Under 40 Music Educators, is an assistant professor of music education at the LSU School of Music. He joins us for more on rock band music education.  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!

    24 min

  2. 14H AGO

    New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno’s first 100 day; ACLU weighs in on state legislative session

    New Orleans mayor Helena Moreno recently marked 100 days since taking office. So far, she’s dealt with infrastructure projects, water main breaks, new development plans and an ongoing budget crisis.  The Times-Picayune editorial director and columnist Stephanie Grace spoke with Moreno about her first 100 days and her priorities going forward.  The current legislative session in Louisiana is set to wrap up at the beginning of June. As lawmakers debate a wide range of proposals, civil liberties groups are tracking what they say could have major impacts on human rights, criminal justice and public accountability.  Executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana, Alanah Odoms, tells us where the organization stands on various bills.  __ Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Sara Henegan. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber, and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts.  Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

    24 min

  3. 2D AGO

    Baton Rouge shooting; judges who have ties to oil companies; capture of New Orleans in Civil War

    Last Thursday, a shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge left one high school senior dead while wounding five others. Police soon arrested 17-year-old Markel Lee, a suspected gunman.  Capitol Access reporter Brooke Thorington joins us to discuss the victims, the recent arrest and the latest in the investigation.  Federal judges are currently hearing some of the most consequential environmental lawsuits in Louisiana’s history. But many of these judges have investments in the oil companies being sued and are allowed to collect payments from defendants, even while cases are ongoing. Investigative reporter Garrett Hazelwood has been exploring the financial ties judges have to the oil industry, and the surprisingly lax regulations, for Floodlight, Type Investigations and WWNO/WRKF. He joins us for more on what he’s uncovered. Saturday (April 25) marked the 164th anniversary of the capture and occupation of New Orleans. Due to its location and significance as a port city in the South, this capture was a major turning point in the Civil War.  Aaron Sheehan Dean is the Fred C Fyre chair in history of LSU’s Department of History, known for his research, publications and courses on the Civil War and Reconstruction. He joins us to dive into this history.  — 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!

    24 min

  4. 2D AGO

    Voices of the Culture: Black Masking Indians on where to catch them at Jazz Fest and starting next year’s suits

    Jazz Fest signals the end of parade season for Black Masking Indians – the last time they’ll wear the feather and beaded suits they worked on all year.  Today, we bring you the latest episode of Voices of the Culture, a podcast hosted by two Black Masking Indians. Spyboy Horace Anderson of the Creole Wild West and Big Chief Dowee Robair of the 9th Ward Black Hatchet discuss the winding down of their season, where to catch them parading during Jazz Fest and how they’re getting started on next year’s suits.  ___ 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!

    25 min

  5. 6D AGO

    Republican Senate primary in homestretch; bills to resize New Orleans courts; how LEH fared one year after major cuts

    It’s Thursday, and that means it’s time to catch up on politics with The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate’s editorial director and columnist Stephanie Grace. Today, we discuss the homestretch of the Republican Senate primary race, and the rumor that former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu is considering a run for president.  The Louisiana Legislature has been working on bills that would resize New Orleans courts. While Republicans say the goal is to have the courts more accurately reflect judicial districts across the state and combine the criminal and civil courts, Democrats argue that this process is too rushed. Earlier this week, we spoke with Jack Brook at the Associated Press to hear about the potential impacts should these bills pass. Today, we’ll break down the fine print in the legislation.  The Bureau of Governmental Research President and CEO, Rebecca Mowbray, and lead researcher, Paul Rioux, walk us through their examinations.  One year ago this month, the Trump administration canceled more than 85% of the National Endowment for the Humanities' existing grants. That meant the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities lost over $600,000 overnight. We check in with the executive director of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, Miranda Restovic, to find out how LEH has weathered the losses and how the cuts have affected the upcoming America 250 celebration in the state.   — Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts.  Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

    24 min

  6. APR 22

    Outside influence on LSU student elections; addiction treatment at LSU Health; history of crawfish in Louisiana

    In recent years, a group called The Campus Victory Project — backed by the conservative organization Turning Point USA — has turned its eyes to student life at universities. At LSU, students are claiming that this group is influencing student government elections.  Now, LSU students are putting forward a measure that would change how people off-campus could get involved in student politics. WRKF Report for America corps member Alex Cox joins us with the latest. Opioid use disorder (OUD) and stimulant use disorder (SUD) are leading causes of preventable death in Louisiana and across the country. But now, LSU Health is taking part in a national collaborative to help address how the treatment of substance use disorders is researched and pursued. Marcus Bachhuber, clinical associate professor at LSU School of Medicine and co-founder of the Integrated Health Clinic at LSU Health, joins us with more.  We’re in the midst of crawfish season, but have you ever wondered how the crustacean became so popular in Louisiana?  Sam Irwin is the author of the book, “Louisiana Crawfish: A Succulent History of the Cajun Crustacean.” He’s giving a talk on the subject at the East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library on Saturday (April 24). He joins us for more on the history of the crawfish in our region. -- 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!

    24 min

  7. APR 21

    Health impacts of AI data center; why Calvin Duncan’s elected office may be eliminated; Music Box Village

    Residents in Holly Ridge, Louisiana, are complaining about the health impacts of the construction of the Meta data center — the largest data center in the country. The Gulf States Newsroom’s Drew Hawkins is conducting a community monitoring project to test the air, dust and water. Today, he visits Holly Ridge to talk with residents about how it works and how the data will be analyzed. Last November, Calvin Duncan, a formerly incarcerated man, was elected Orleans Parish clerk of criminal court. He won with 68% of the vote on a campaign that promised to reform the justice system that kept him locked up for nearly thirty years from a wrongful conviction. But now, the legislature is trying to eliminate his job as he prepares to be sworn in.Jack Brook has been covering this story for the Associated Press. He joins us with the latest.  In the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans, there’s a venue where the buildings themselves make music. At Music Box Village, artists have created a collection of small, whimsical structures that double as instruments — creating a sound-rich and quirky environment. After a quieter period in recent years as the organization faced funding challenges, the venue is back with new leadership and a lineup of spring and summer performances.  Operations manager Jenelle Malbrough joins us with this season’s lineup, and what makes the space so unique.  __ Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Sara Henegan. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber, and our assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It’s available on Spotify, the NPR App, and wherever you get your podcasts.  Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

    24 min

  8. APR 20

    Kyren Lacy’s parents sue state police; potential changes to DCFS; new book on PBS Pinchback

    The parents of former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy have filed a lawsuit against the Louisiana State Police, alleging officers falsely implicated Lacy in a December 2024 fatal crash on Louisiana Highway 20. After the accident, Lacy’s draft stock plummeted, and months later, he took his own life.  Mel Bridges has been reporting this story for WWNO and WRKF. She joins us today with the latest.  Louisiana lawmakers are considering drastic changes to the state Department of Children and Family Services, including dismantling the department and moving its tasks to other state agencies. This follows years of criticism that DCFS has not properly followed up on cases that could have prevented child deaths.  Greg LaRose, editor of the Louisiana Illuminator, tells us more about these potential changes.  Pickney Benton Stewart Pinchback, otherwise known as PBS Pinchback, served as the 24th governor of Louisiana in 1872 and is commonly referred to as the first Black governor in the United States.   While his tenure as governor of Louisiana was brief — a mere 35 days — he remains one of the most prominent Black officeholders during the Reconstruction era.  Nicholas Patler, author of the new book, “Pinchback: America’s First Black Governor,” joins us for more on his life and legacy. — 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!

    24 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

“Louisiana Considered” showcases South Louisiana's biggest stories and features interviews with journalists, newsmakers, and artists. The show is a collaboration between the WWNO and WRKF newsrooms.  Airs Monday through Friday at noon. 

Information

  • Creator
    WWNO/WRKF Newsroom
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1.2K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Louisiana Considered

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