Leah Chase School is New Orleans’ first traditional public school run by the Orleans Parish School Board in nearly 20 years, and its early struggles have sparked a much bigger conversation. We break down why the school is facing declining enrollment and financial challenges, and why those issues can’t be separated from the city’s post-Katrina shift to an all-charter system, the loss of neighborhood schools, and decades of disruption to educators, families, and communities.

We also zoom out to connect K–12 education to higher education, workforce development, and the long-term future of Louisiana. From housing affordability and population loss to the question of whether public education should keep being outsourced, we argue that one or two school years isn’t enough to judge success. If charter schools were given decades, then rebuilding a strong, locally run public school system deserves real investment, patience, and courage.

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Gayle Benson is the owner of the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans, and this episode breaks down what her leadership means for the future of professional sports in New Orleans. We dig into growing concerns around the Pelicans’ performance, recent front-office decisions, and the broader questions fans are asking about investment, priorities, and long-term commitment to the city.

We also unpack the bigger picture—why the Pelicans often feel like second fiddle to the Saints, how market size and fan accessibility factor into team success, and whether bold, history-making moves could reinvigorate interest locally and nationally. From arena challenges to organizational culture, we’re taking a clear-eyed look at where things stand and what could come next for New Orleans basketball.

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Xavier University of Louisiana is launching a new medical school in partnership with Ochsner Health, and we break down why this is a major moment for higher education, healthcare equity, and economic development in Louisiana. Etosha and Charles dig into what this partnership means for the city, the state, and the Gulf South, including why this will become one of only a handful of HBCU-based medical schools in the country and how it strengthens New Orleans’ growing biomedical district.

We talk about the long-term impact of building a full pipeline for Black doctors and healthcare professionals, the role research and teaching hospitals play in stabilizing local economies, and how this move helps combat brain drain by keeping talent rooted in Louisiana. From workforce development to healthcare access in underserved and rural communities, this is one of those rare higher-ed stories that checks a lot of boxes, and we’re giving it the attention it deserves.

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