Louisiana

August 25, 2015

Storm-tossed relatives moved in with my dad in Memphis as Katrina bore down, crowding a lonely widower's home but bringing him joy and community in what would turn out to be his final months.

Environment

Ten years later, the lessons of Hurricane Katrina apply to all of us

The World

August 14, 2015

With storms intensifying and sea levels rising, the lessons of Katrina are lessons for all of us.

Environment

BP's $18.7 billion Deepwater Horizon settlement provides relief, but perhaps not justice

Living on Earth

July 26, 2015

Five years ago, the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster caused billions of dollars in economic and environmental damages to the Gulf region. Civil and criminal lawsuits have kept BP in court for years. Now an agreement might bring relief for those government agencies seeking fines and compensation. But is it enough?

Health

Looking at the 'virtue' that drives some to kill themselves and others

The World

July 24, 2015

Professor and suicide researcher Thomas Joiner estimates that at least two percent of suicides in the US also involve the killing of at least one other person.

Environment

The $50 billion plan to save Louisiana's wetlands

Living on Earth

July 19, 2015

The state of Louisiana is disappearing at an incredible rate, and its sinking deltas threaten some of the nation's crucial oil, gas and fisheries industries. But Louisiana has a “Hail Mary” plan to save it. Industry and government have created an unprecedented plan to save and rebuild these wetlands over the next 50 years — and say failure is not an option.

Culture

Here's how they're keeping French alive in Louisiana

The World in Words

June 30, 2015

Updated

07/07/2015 - 12:45pm

Allons! We head down to the bayous to explore the language, culture, and music of French-speaking Louisiana. From one tiny town determined to keep heritage French alive to an elementary using language to bridge race and class divides. And of course a little lagniappe (something extra).

Music

In New Orleans, Marco explores Japan's jazz links to the Big Easy

The World

May 22, 2015

PRI's The World host Marco Werman is in the middle of a two-week, cross-country writing residency aboard Amtrak trains. His first stop was in New Orleans, where he heard about the death of famed trumpet player Travis "Trumpet Black" Hill and was reminded of how Japan and New Orleans are linked by a love of jazz

Environment

How one woman fought one of the world’s biggest oil companies — and won

Living on Earth

March 27, 2015

It took decades of tragedies and illnesses, and a trip to see UN officials, but a retired teacher in the small town of Norco, Louisiana persuaded Shell Oil to relocate the residents of her neighborhood away from a dangerous chemical plant. Now her example may help other local activists do the same.

Music

How Cajuns and Creoles reinvented rock 'n' roll — swamp style

The World

March 09, 2015

During the 1950s and '60s, musicians living in the swamps of Louisiana grew tired of traditional music and turned to the sounds of rock 'n' roll. A mashup of the two created a new style called swamp pop, which is still alive in southwestern Louisiana today.

Culture

This Louisiana radio station likes their news 'en Franglais'

The World

March 04, 2015

For more than half a century, one small commercial radio station has been keeping French alive in the bayous of Louisiana.

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