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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50 Cent is becoming one of the most powerful private players in downtown Shreveport. We break down how Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has quietly acquired more than 20 properties, signed ultra-low-cost leases with the city, and laid out a long-term vision to bring G-Unit Productions, studios, and a sports and entertainment district to northern Louisiana. We walk through what’s been promised so far, what’s actually happening on the ground, and why city leadership is betting big on a celebrity-led revitalization strategy.

We also dig into the bigger questions this raises: whether Shreveport is putting too many eggs in one basket, how tax incentives and special districts factor into the deal, and what success, or failure, could mean for residents, workers, and the state as a whole. From comparisons to Tyler Perry Studios and Disney’s company-town model to skepticism about guardrails and local impact, we examine whether this is a bold revival play or a risky experiment.

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We're back with an update on the UL Lafayette budget crisis. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is facing major financial and leadership shifts, and we’re breaking down exactly what’s happening. We revisit the university’s dramatic budget deficit reduction—from $25 million to $2 million—what cuts were made, how academics and research were protected, and why athletics continues to operate in the red. We also look at enrollment challenges, the long-term impact on campus operations, and what these changes signal for higher education across Louisiana.

We also unpack growing concerns around the presidential search, including reports of a potential new president being named without a public search process. As always, we’re keeping our eye on how transparency, leadership decisions, and statewide higher-ed trends affect our communities.

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Charles and Etosha break down the latest twists in the River District development. We revisit the original plans, what’s actually been built, and why the project has stalled, including litigation, missed deadlines, lost tenants, and RDN’s sudden decision to pull out. We talk through how Shell’s new headquarters fits into the future, what went wrong with Topgolf, and why New Orleans keeps struggling to move major mixed-use projects across the finish line.

We also look ahead at what’s still possible for the riverfront, how the Convention Center may take a stronger role, and why we’re not writing this development off just yet. As always, we’re keeping an eye on the politics, the players, and the potential—and we’ll keep you briefed as it unfolds.

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Call or text the Childhelp abuse hotline on 800-422-4453 or visit their website for more resources and to report child abuse or DM for help. For adult survivors of child abuse, help is available at ascasupport.org.

The Archdiocese of New Orleans is facing one of the largest clergy abuse bankruptcy cases in the country, and we’re breaking down exactly where things stand. We walk through the five-year legal battle, the newly approved $230M settlement, how the funds will be divided among hundreds of victims and other creditors, and why the church’s $50M in legal fees has pushed parishes, programs, and congregants into the fallout. We also dig into the frustration victims still feel around the lack of accountability, remorse, and transparency from church leadership.

We look at what this means for Catholic schools, charities, and community services across the region, why so many victims voted yes out of sheer exhaustion, and how new developments like the Archdiocese of Alexandria now filing for bankruptcy signal this crisis is far from over. We’re continuing to follow both the civil process and the stalled criminal investigation, and we’ve included resources in the description for anyone impacted by clergy abuse or looking to understand the broader implications for our community.

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We break down the Michelin Guide’s debut in the American South, how a tire company became the global standard for fine dining, and what the first New Orleans results mean. We cover the big wins and surprises: Emeril’s earning the region’s only two-star rating, Saint Germain and Zasu landing one star, Bib Gourmand nods for Dooky Chase, Cochon and Cochon Butcher, Parkway Tavern, Turkey and the Wolf, and Hungry Eyes, and notable snubs like Dakar NOLA and the Brennan’s family of restaurants.

We also talk about why the guide’s limited reach beyond New Orleans matters for Louisiana’s food culture, how anonymous inspections work, and what this recognition could do for tourism, reservations, and the city’s culinary reputation. Tell us which restaurants you think Michelin missed, and subscribe to stay with us as we keep unpacking the stories, issues, and debates shaping life in Louisiana.

Check out the Michelin Guide American South full list here: https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/michelin-guide-ceremony/all-the-stars-in-the-michelin-guide-to-the-american-south

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