Etosha McGee and Charles Miller are the hosts of Pelican Briefs, and they break down what’s happening in Baton Rouge—specifically the long-awaited redevelopment of North Baton Rouge. We dig into the significance of a new $50 million mixed-use development called The Boulevard (BLVD), what it means for grocery access, commercial growth, and long-term investment in an area that has historically experienced disinvestment. From Southern University’s impact to comparisons with LSU and other booming parts of the city, we examine why this project matters beyond just new retail and restaurants.

We also explore the bigger picture: population loss in Louisiana, economic confidence, brain drain, and what strategic investment near universities can do to strengthen communities. Drawing parallels to places like New Orleans East, we talk about why investing in underserved areas isn’t just equitable—it’s smart growth policy. If Baton Rouge is the capital of our state, what does its development say about Louisiana’s future?

Follow Pelican Briefs

Patreon: patreon.com/LaPelicanBriefs

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lapelicanbriefs/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560259747696

X: https://x.com/LaPelicanBriefs

Etosha McGee and Charles Miller are the hosts of Pelican Briefs, and this week, we break down the future of New Orleans East. We dig into the promises made during the recent mayoral race around revitalization, redevelopment, and long-overdue investment in one of the city’s most overlooked yet opportunity-rich areas. From infrastructure fixes and blight removal to the long-discussed redevelopment of Lake Forest Plaza, Lincoln Beach, and the former Six Flags site, we talk about what real progress should look like over the next four years and what success actually means for residents.

We also unpack the controversy surrounding a proposed data center in a residential part of New Orleans East, the swift community backlash, and how local leaders are responding. As we weigh skepticism against hope, we make the case that New Orleans East isn’t just another development talking point, but rather it may be the future of the city. If growth, population retention, and regional economic strength are the goals, the East has to be part of the plan.

Follow Pelican Briefs

Patreon: patreon.com/LaPelicanBriefs

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lapelicanbriefs/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560259747696

X: https://x.com/LaPelicanBriefs

Celebrate Canal! Coalition is a resident-driven initiative working to reimagine Canal Street as a place that truly serves the people who live and work in New Orleans. We break down how this grassroots coalition formed, why past revitalization efforts fell short, and what makes this approach different by starting with community leadership instead of top-down mandates. Drawing from successful models like Times Square and downtown Raleigh, we talk through the coalition’s vision for restoring Canal Street as a vibrant, local-first destination.

We also unpack the coalition’s plan to divide downtown Canal Street into distinct segments, including retail, theater, riverfront, and biomedical areas, and how ideas like pedestrian-friendly design, public art, family-focused attractions, housing, and higher-end retail could finally bring sustained life back to the corridor. Hosted by Etosha McGee and Charles Miller, this conversation explores what it takes to move from talk to action, why locals matter in shaping the future of downtown, and why Celebrate Canal! may be the most promising effort yet to bring Canal Street back for New Orleans, not just tourists.

Follow Pelican Briefs

Patreon: patreon.com/LaPelicanBriefs

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lapelicanbriefs/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560259747696

X: https://x.com/LaPelicanBriefs

Helena Moreno is the newly elected Mayor of New Orleans, and we break down what her first few weeks in office are signaling for the city. We talk through what she’s inheriting from the previous administration, including the budget deficit, public works challenges, and long standing infrastructure issues, and what early actions suggest about her priorities during the political honeymoon period.

We also dig into visible changes residents are already noticing, like streetlight repairs, road work, and pedestrian safety enforcement, while staying honest about the skepticism many New Orleanians feel after years of broken systems. The conversation covers recent controversies around Mardi Gras spending and DJ pay, questions about sustainability leadership in city government, and what accountability could look like moving forward. As always, we’re watching closely, staying critical, and tracking whether early momentum turns into lasting change.

Follow Pelican Briefs

Patreon: patreon.com/LaPelicanBriefs

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lapelicanbriefs/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560259747696

X: https://x.com/LaPelicanBriefs

Community colleges in Louisiana are doing far more than most people realize, and we’re breaking down why they matter now more than ever. This week, we lean on Charles’s perspective as a professor at Nunez Community College to unpack how schools like Nunez and Delgado are expanding access, partnering directly with industry, and creating real pathways into high-demand fields like healthcare, aerospace, coastal restoration, culinary arts, and technology.

We also dig into the shifting perception of community colleges, why more students are choosing them as a first option, and how dual enrollment, credential programs, and workforce-driven curriculum are helping keep talent in Louisiana. From affordability and accessibility to fighting brain drain, we explore why community colleges are quietly shaping the future of education and the economy across the state.

Follow Pelican Briefs

Patreon: patreon.com/LaPelicanBriefs

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lapelicanbriefs/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560259747696

X: https://x.com/LaPelicanBriefs

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.

Follow Pelican Briefs

Patreon: patreon.com/LaPelicanBriefs

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lapelicanbriefs/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560259747696

X: https://x.com/LaPelicanBriefs

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.

Follow Pelican Briefs

Patreon: patreon.com/LaPelicanBriefs

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lapelicanbriefs/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560259747696

X: https://x.com/LaPelicanBriefs

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.

Follow Pelican Briefs

Patreon: patreon.com/LaPelicanBriefs

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lapelicanbriefs/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560259747696

X: https://x.com/LaPelicanBriefs