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"Free buses" is one of the big ideas that helped Zohran Mamdani win the Democratic mayoral primary in New York City. But the track record in cities that have stopped collecting fares is mixed.

Frankie Graziano joined CPBN in October of 2011 as a sports producer. In addition to reporting for WNPR, Graziano produces feature profiles for CPTV and the web.

New Orleans jazz clarinet queen Doreen Ketchens is beloved by locals and tourists alike. Rain or shine, Doreen’s magnetic performance draws crowds to the corner of Royal and St. Peter each weekend. Although now known for playing jazz, Doreen Ketchens trained as a classical clarinetist. She started improvising and busking with her husband Lawrence in 1987. He now plays sousaphone with her on Royal Street, along with daughter, Dorian, on drums. Doreen has risen from the street to national prominence, global touring, feature films and viral videos, but she remains rooted in New Orleans.

This is American Routes Live with Don Vappie and friends. Don is from a New Orleans Creole family and is a studied purveyor of jazz banjo. He knows much about the history of the music and the instrument, going back to origins in West Africa. I asked Don about New Orleans banjo players.

The Hi Rhythm Section began as brothers and friends. The Hodges brothers: Teenie on guitar, Leroy, bass, and Charles on organ; joined by Howard Grimes, drums and "Hubbie" Turner on piano. The brothers grew up in a musical family. They joined their father's blues band, the Germantown Blue Dots. Hubbie Turner's mother was married to producer Willie Mitchell and was friends with the Hodges brothers who all became Willie Mitchell's band. In the late 60s, when Mitchell moved from playing clubs to producing in studios, they changed their name to Hi Rhythm Section. We had a chance to sit down with friends. Rev. Charles Hodges and Hubbie Turner, to talk about working in the studio with "Poppa Willie" Mitchell. After playing a high school talent show, Rev. Hodges started out on the road with Memphis soul singer O.V. Wright.

Eggs and milk might make for a breakfast you'd expect to find on your table each Monday. But with Fat Tuesday fast arriving, Poppy Tooker gives this standard fare some twists fit for Mardi Gras.

Amid the bustle of the French Quarter are some rooms well back from the street that are adorned with 40 Impressionist paintings. While some are for sale,…

Low water upstream threatens cargo traffic, and saltwater has encroached on the mouth of the river. Now, officials up and down the river are talking about the need for a comprehensive water resources plan.

New Orleans guitar and banjo player Detroit Brooks got a start touring with his musical family, including father George Brooks Sr. of the gospel group Masonic Kings, and his sister, gospel singer Juanita Brooks. Detroit grew up downriver, living four blocks from Fats Domino, and was greatly influenced by the late Creole banjo and guitar player, Danny Barker. He created a festival in his memory. In addition to his career in music, Detroit worked as a barber and for Amtrak. He's well versed in traditional jazz, R&B, soul, and funk. He's here as bandleader of the Syncopated Percolators at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, playing “Hindustan,” on American Routes Live.

This is American Routes Live from Marigny Studios with jazz saxophonist Donald Harrison and Quintet. I talked with Donald between songs about his life in music, from growing up in New Orleans to playing with Art Blakey in New York, and putting his own stamp on modern jazz.