Louisiana Insider

Louisiana native Peggy Martin never imagined her love of gardening, starting as a child in the 1940's with her mother and grandmother, would lead to a flower being named after her - but it did. This year not only did the Plaquemines Parish Council official name a specific variety of rose after her, but so did the Louisiana legislature. The official rose of the state of Louisiana is the Peggy Marti...

Did you know that June is National Rivers Month? And Louisiana is home to the delta of one of the more important – and second longest - rivers in the country. The Mississippi River is a vital piece of transportation for the country and the river and Louisiana are home to one of the largest volume ports in the United States. For centuries, the river and the state have been vital to the economy, agr...

In Louisiana, conservation and protecting our wildlife and farming communities has always been at the forefront, safeguarding our way of life and the environment around it. With this in mind, House Bill 851, Act 196 was recently passed in Baton Rouge as a way to protect our environment locally from mass balloon release - a simple act that many may not even realize the impact it could make on the c...

Louisiana knows food. Whether it’s a crawfish boil in your parrain’s backyard or a night out at one of the longest running restaurants in the state – there is a character and whimsy associated with everything we do culinarily. New Orleans has truly set itself apart as a food destination and puts in some extra flare with the city’s attention to detail and hospitality. This week, I talk to Katy Casb...

In the mid-1700s the Acadian people had been settled in the Nova Scotia region of Canada for over 100 years. When the area was transferred to the British, it was encouraged that the Acadian people take an oath of allegiance to the Crown. While many battles and political moments contributed, which is encouraged for everyone to research, the unrest in the area lead to the British forcibly removing t...

Hurricane season for the gulf coast begins June 1. Each year, Pontchartrain conservancy – the nonprofit dedicated to creating an environmentally sustainable, prosperous and resilient region – host their storm aware and prepare event. This even is meant to provide hurricane preparedness resources and supplies for the upcoming season. In addition, the organization partners with local businesses, gov...

The Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival has a special performance to mark its 40th Anniversary: We Have Not Long to Love: A Celebration of Tennessee Williams , a one-night-only immersive theatrical experience directed by acclaimed director and choreographer Rob Ashford. The performance will take place March 27 within the beautiful grounds of the historic BK House and Gardens in th...

Louisiana is rich when it comes to the depth of our culture, our food, our traditions. But one aspect of our identity that many festivals have been trying to highlight is that of our vast contributions to the literary world at large. Whether native Louisianians or those who have found creative outlets along our bayous and centuries-old streets... from Tennessee Williams to James Lee Burke, Anne Ri...

This week’s podcast is a little different as we hear from Louisiana Life magazine editor Reine Dugas – not in her capacity as editor, but instead for her work with the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival. The festival is in its 40th year in New Orleans and promises to bring a lot of exciting events starting March 25. For more information, a full schedule and tickets, click here...

"Sinners," the 2025 Ryan Coogler horror/action film starring Michael B. Jordan, has already won big at major award shows like the Golden Globes, Actor Awards and Brit Awards. But everyone in Louisiana should be rooting for the movie on Sunday, March 15, as the 98th annual Academy Awards takes place. The film was shot on location in Louisiana with countless Louisiana workers. One of those...

From Clifton Chenier to Buckwheat Zydeco, Creole Zydeco music has been a part of the cultural definition of Louisiana for generations. Like many young people, 18 yr old artist Zydeco Izreal is doing what he can to preserve our history and educate both young and old about the music and culture of our great state. For the last year, he has been bringing Zydeco Jams to south Louisiana and has started...

Greasing of the poles that are outside of the Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans during Carnival may now be the start of many reveler’s Deep Gras – the final weekend before Mardi Gras Day – but this practice was originally born out of necessity. Adrienne Breaux, the hotel’s director of sales and marketing, tells us all about the history of the practice that is now an annual event from its beginnin...

Each year the louisiana endowment for the humanities host the Bright Light Awards. In this year’s award winners is Louisiana Life and Acadiana Profile magazines writer and photographer Kevin Rabalais. Kevin is being honored as the Documentary Photographer of the Year – which is awarded to a photographer whose work captures Louisiana’s history, culture and people. Kevin has been documenting all asp...

When it comes to being a mom, or even an adult, it can sometimes feel like there isn’t a space anymore for the activities that always brought you joy. This is how the concept of Bad Moms That Dance classes started with founders Alyse and Whitney This eventually lead them to create the Bad Moms That Dance Carnival performance krewe. But this krewe isn’t all sequins and pompoms. They pride themselve...

Louisiana is the 3rd largest rice producing state in the US and rice is one of the state's top agricultural exports. The family behind 4Sisters Rice knows the industry inside and out, and is doing everything they can to bring attention back domestically and locally to Louisiana. Meryl Kennedy is the youngest of the 4 Kennedy sisters behind the brand and acts as the company's CEO. Meryl sha...

It is said that if you do what you love you’ll never work a day in your life. I believe that is true for Lafayette native Daniel Barousse. Barousse is a skateboarder and artist, who combines both of his passions into creating unique furniture pieces out of skateboards meant for the trash. Recently, none other than Aquaman himself found Barousse’s work through his robust social media channels and c...

It’s common lore the ghost and spirit-infused stories of New Orleans. The vast history of the area along with the endless amounts of tragedy leave behind a lingering spirit you feel the moment you step into the city. But what lead to the Big Easy’s cemented status as one of the most haunted places? Mother/daughter duo Rory O’Neill Schmitt and Rosary Hartel O’Neill took the time to dive into the st...

On Nov. 15, Beignet Fest in New Orleans will host its 8th annual event. Not only is this festival highlighting a culinary fan favorite, the event as a whole was created to support the Beignet Fest Foundation and its mission to celebrate and support children with autism and their families. This week, we hear from festival founder Sherwood Collins, who tells us about the creation of Beignet Fest, th...

Since 1906, the State Fair of Louisiana has been bringing Louisianians and visitors a like together for fun, food and the promotion of agriculture across our state. From the largest livestock show and carnival in the state, to lumberjack competitions and even a petting zoo - the state fair has a little something for everyone. The fairs marketing director Russell Adams shares insight into the festi...

In this week's episode, editor Reine Dugas takes over the podcast to talk to John Hoffman. The Shreveport-native is the new drummer for the band Primus. Hoffman won the spot in a long audition process that saw thousands of competitors. Hoffman shares with Dugas his experiences with the band, the long audition process and his life in Louisiana.

You may know him as a member of Team Niall on the current season of "The Voice" on NBC, but Dustin Dale Gaspard is helping to put Cajun music and language on an international stage. The artist, from Cow Island Louisiana has officially made it to the third round of the singing competition after going head to head in the knockout round with another member of the team. Reba McEntire says he...

Each year, Food & Wine magazine shares their list for Best New Chefs in the country. Kelly Jacques – cofounder and chef of Ayu Bakehouse in the Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans – joins the ranks of Nina Compton, Anna Castro and Nicole Cabrera Mills as a Best New Chef. Jacques started the highly popular bakery following the COVID-19 pandemic and really made a splash on the famous Frenchman S...

In today’s episode, we’re highlighting this year’s Festival Acadien et Creoles in Lafayette with VP of Programming & Development Patrick Mould. The festival, as it’s known today, is in its 51st year of bringing Cajun and Creole culture to the masses. The three-day festival is set to highlight the food, music and art of the region and includes multiple stages, art exhibit and symposium, chef de...

Nicole Beauchamp is a world-renowned paranormal researcher with a soft spot for the spirit of the Crescent City. Her recent contribution to the paranormal world is her newest book “Haunted French Quarter Hotels,” where she takes a dive into the history and hauntings of 10 New Orleans hotels. This week, we talk to the author about her new book, her personal paranormal experiences in the city and ar...

For a couple decades West Monroe has played host to the Louisiana Celtic Festival. While northeast louisiana might not strike many as the most celtic areas of the world, the festival brings together those from all over looking to don a kilt and learn more about the rich culture. And for those of us who are part of the “Outlander” fandom, it’s the perfect opportunity to have your own Scottish exper...