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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President Trump’s recent decision to deploy troops into U.S. cities has sparked nationwide debate, and Louisiana may be next. We break down what’s really happening, why Governor Landry has requested federal funds to deploy the Louisiana National Guard, and what it means for New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport.

We talk about the difference between policing and militarization, how public perception of crime often clashes with actual data, and why language like “war on crime” shapes public opinion and policy. Drawing on memories from post-Katrina New Orleans, we question whether sending troops into cities truly makes us safer or if investing in our communities is the better path forward.

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The University of New Orleans is making headlines after officially moving from the University of Louisiana System back to the LSU System. We sit down to unpack what this shift really means for the university, its students, and the city it serves. Charles breaks down UNO’s complex history, from its early days as LSU New Orleans to years of post-Katrina enrollment struggles and ongoing budget challenges.

We explore whether a rebrand back to “LSU New Orleans” could spark new growth or if deeper issues like outreach, funding, and student engagement need to be addressed first. Together, we reflect on what this transition says about Louisiana’s higher education landscape and why UNO’s role in building New Orleans’ middle class deserves renewed attention and support.

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The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is facing a $25 million budget deficit and we’re unpacking what’s really going on behind the numbers. Etosha, a proud UL alum, and Charles break down how a university with record freshman enrollment still ended up in financial trouble. From leadership changes and student retention issues to statewide and national trends in higher education, we explore what this means for Louisiana students and the future of affordable college access.

We also look at the bigger picture: how declining enrollment, rising costs, and student debt are reshaping higher education across the country. As UL Lafayette searches for a new president, we ask what it will take to keep Louisiana’s universities strong and sustainable for the next generation.

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Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s time in office is coming to an end, and we’re breaking down her final 90 days as New Orleans prepares for new leadership. From federal indictments and travel controversies to unfinished infrastructure and budget deadlines, we take a hard look at what the mayor should stop doing—and what she still has time to make right before leaving office.

We also reflect on how her legacy may ultimately be remembered: a leader who guided the city through COVID but later became defined by controversy. Etosha and Charles discuss the shift in City Hall dynamics, how the City Council’s power evolved during her tenure, and what lessons the next administration can take as New Orleans turns the page.

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