By Ian McNulty

New Orleans, La. –
Local seafood plays a role in all kinds of things besides recipes in Louisiana, a relationship that helps explain some of the deep dread that sprang up as the BP oil disaster imperils it.

Poppy's "From Scratch" Chicken Stew and Dumplings (Serves 6 - 8)

1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
Flour for dredging
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 chopped onion
1 chopped bellpepper
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 bottle of beer and 1 cups chicken stock or water
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. thyme
1 bay leaf
2 T hot sauce
Salt, cayenne and black pepper to taste
1 bunch thinly sliced green onions
2 tablespoons chopped parsley

By Fred Kasten

New Orleans – Today on "The Sound of Books" with Fred Kasten - conversation with award-winning writer Nicole Cooley - author of a new collection of Katrina-inspired poems, "Breach."

For more information on Nicole Cooley, her new book "Breach" - and reading at Octavia Books with her father, poet Peter Cooley, please click here .

By Eileen Fleming

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – More than 350 turtles have been collected, most of which were dead. Those rescued are taken to wildlife stations for cleaning and observation. Barbara Schroeder is the national sea turtle coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – The Republican lawmaker says up to 60,000 jobs are at risk if the oil industry leaves the Gulf. He suggests that drilling continue, but stop just before hitting oil reserves.

"Once the moratorium ends and if we allow them to resume drilling, at least the time gap is not wasted. But at the same time we're able to keep the rigs here and keep jobs here rather than have them go someplace else and not returning for years."

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – New York Congressman Ed Towns, a Democrat, has been meeting with government agencies in the Gulf Coast battling the oil spill. The chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee says a new plan to split up staff in charge of oversight from those imposing fines is worth a try.

By Eileen Fleming

By Eileen Fleming

By Andre Perry

New Orleans, LA – Andre Perry discusses the Louisiana Granting Resources and Autonomy for Diploma Act and its impact on students from low-income families.