Louisiana Considered

Louisiana recently began its medical marijuana program, ramping up release of the raw, smokable product called “flower.” But long wait lines and pharmacy stocking issues have made the rollout of this program anything but seamless. Medical marijuana patients and advocates Angela Broussard and Joshua Moffet tell us more about the importance of access to this kind of medical treatment. As pandemic re...

This upcoming Monday marks the 25th anniversary of the International Day of Action for Rivers. It’s a day activists are dedicating to highlight the importance of rivers, their biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. Simone Maloz of Restore The Mississippi River Delta tells us more about issues facing the Mississippi River in Louisiana. Two fish found in the Mississippi River drainage basin, the sp...

Evita Perón is one of the most captivating women in South American history, and a new performance brings her story to New Orleans. We speak with Ballet Hispánico’s artistic director and CEO Eduardo Vilaro about the debut production of Doña Perón : The Rise and Fall of a Diva.  The 8th annual Danny Barker Banjo and Guitar Festival kicks off this weekend with performances, interviews, and panel disc...

There has been plenty of discussion about how to educate children and what the experience should look like, but little to none of it has involved students – until now. Recently, students in Baton Rouge were given the opportunity to step into the “Truth Booth” and freely share from their personal experiences in education and offer suggestions for change. CEO of the Baton Rouge Alliance for Students...

Louisiana law once permitted defendants to be found guilty in criminal cases by non unanimous juries. While this Jim Crow-era law was struck down by voters in 2019, the ruling only applied to cases still on direct appeal. But now that might change. Criminal Justice Reporter for The Lens, Nick Chrastil, tells us about an upcoming state Supreme Court case that might decide whether the 2019 ruling is...

Access 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 obstacle...

In the United States, Black women are three times as likely to die during childbirth than white women. Now, season 2 of the NATAL podcast is sharing the stories, obstacles, and triumphs of African American pregnant women living in rural America. Host Gabrielle Horton and OBGYN and Founder of The Well Woman Center, Tonya Hawkins Hunter , tell us more about racial discrepancies in maternal healthcar...

Mardi Gras 2022 is not just a special moment for the Krewe of Rex as it celebrates 150 years, but also a milestone for WYES-TV as it celebrates 25 years of providing live coverage of the Rex Ball. We learn more about the Rex Ball from executive producer and host, Peggy Scott Laborde . And while the reign of Rex might end at midnight, memories of the anniversary will last a little longer. We hear a...

New Orleans Mardi Gras might be synonymous with krewes, floats, and throws, but in more rural areas of the state, carnival celebrations include riding horseback, catching chickens, and singing call and response French songs. Professor Emeritus of Francophone Studies and Center for Louisiana Studies Research Fellow at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Dr. Barry Ancelet, tells us more about...

A Black History Month book signing event returns a former New Orleans Saint turned motivational speaker to the metro area. Reggie Jones joins five African American women who captured their emotional healing journeys in the new book, The Ashes Have Voices . We hear from two of the authors, Cynthia Jones and Antoinette Walker. Do you ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of Mardi Gras floats, k...

A new report from the new nonprofit WorkingNation identified the economic impact of green jobs in Louisiana. According to their research, the state’s green economy is expected to grow in the next five years due to increasing demand and a federal investment on the way. Environmental analyst Paula DiPerna tells us more about the future of Louisiana’s green economy. Two weeks ago, Brandon Jackson had...

Two 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 u...

In 1960, three six-year-old girls integrated McDonogh 19 Elementary School in New Orleans, escorted by US Marshalls. Earlier this month, one of those girls, Leona Tate, along with Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser unveiled a historical marker to commemorate this moment in civil rights history. Activist and advocate Leona Tate joined Louisiana Considered to tell us more about her journey, and how...

The redistricting legislative session at the capitol is winding down, and GOP lawmakers are unlikely to introduce maps that include a second majority-Black district. Columnist for The Advocate, Stephanie Grace joins us to discuss what might happen ahead of the lawmakers’ final vote. As climate change continues to drive rising seas and more extreme weather, Louisiana's coastal communities remain on...

Louisiana has been slow to join a majority of American states now regulating marijuana in medical programs. In January, the two-year old program began offering raw cannabis – or flower product – to its patients. But so far, it’s been a bumpy road, with long lines, high prices, substitutions, and waits for up to a week.  Yesterday, the Louisiana House Health and Welfare Committee held a hearing on...

In 1949, Lena Richard became the first known African American to host her own cooking show, which aired on WDSU twice a week, and introduced New Orleans cuisine to a larger audience. But she is just one of a number of prominent Black chefs to help spread Creole recipes. Endowed Chair and Director of the Ray Charles Program in African American Material Culture at Dillard University, Zella Palmer ,...

This year, the Krewe of Rex is marking its 150th Anniversary. To honor this milestone, the Historic New Orleans Collection launched a new exhibit showcasing rare holdings from its Rex Archives. Curatorial cataloger with the Williams Research Center, Katherine Dunn , tells us more about the exhibition dubbed, “Fit for a King.” Valentine’s Day might be over, but the Musaica Chamber Ensemble is keepi...

February 13 marked the 102 anniversary of baseball’s Negro Leagues. But while some of the most well remembered Negro League teams were in Kansas City, Indianapolis, and Newark, New Orleans has a rich history of teams, players, and promoters that has often been overlooked. President of the Negro League Baseball Musuem , Bob Kendrick tells us more about the history Black baseball in Louisiana.  Loui...

Violent crime is on the rise in New Orleans, and authorities are at odds with how to respond. Staff writer for the New Orleans Advocate, Ramon Vargas, tells us more about the political infighting over crime fighting strategies.  The redistricting battle at the State House is waging on, and questions loom over how Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards might respond to Republican-proposed maps. Advoc...

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, Jazz Fest is finally set to return to New Orleans. Executive Director of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, Don Marshall , tells us how they’re gearing up for the big event. 24 years ago, Brandon Jackson was convicted of armed robbery by 10 out of 12 jurors, back when juries did not have to be unanimous for felony convictions. Today,...

The FBI is investigating a series of bomb threats targetting Historically Black Colleges and Universities around the country. The Gulf States Newsroom Criminal Justice Reporter, Brittany Brown , tells us about this latest wave of racially-motivated hate crimes.  While the Saints won't be making a Superbowl appearance this year, former LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow is giving Louisianans something to r...

The Mahalia Jackson Theatre for the Performing Arts is returning this weekend for a Gala Performance following a 2 year hiatus. Carol Rausch ,  acclaimed New Orleans Opera Chorus Master and Music Administrator, tells us about the opera performance soon to take the stage.  A dip in temperatures is signaling the perfect setting for the arrival of Disney’s Frozen. The Broadway Musical is opening this...

School boards are redrawing district lines, but in East Baton Rouge Parish, a demographer recently quit after he was unable to meet with certain board members. School Board President David Tatman tells us how the Parish is moving forward with redistricting, and how board members hope to prioritize racial equity in the new maps. According to the US Department of Agriculture, the Lower Ninth Ward is...

An estimated 33% of Louisiana residents are Black, yet the state only has one majority Black congressional district. While legislators are gearing up to draw new congressional maps, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund has threatened to sue if lawmakers don’t pass a plan with two majority-Black districts. Redistricting counsel for the NAACP, Kathryn Sadasivan , tells us more about how these Republican-pro...

Nonprofit organizations, an integral part of any successful contemporary economy, have absorbed the brunt of the impacts of the pandemic economy in different ways. The Greater New Orleans Foundation has been tracking these impacts, and 2021’s report has just come out.  Kellie Chavez Greene , Vice President for Programs of the Greater New Orleans Foundation, and Dr. Steve Mumford , faculty in the U...