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Halloween season has arrived – that magical time when revelers across the country take to the streets disguised as ghosts, vampires, and witches. Here in Louisiana, of course, you'll find those kinds of spooky sightings all year round! On this week's Louisiana Eats, we've got all treats for you – and no tricks!Witchcraft has cast a spell on society for a long time, and with it, many literary and film references to good witches and bad witches. But it's not always so cut and dried. To begin our show, we speak with Orenda Fink, author of the memoir, The Witch's Daughter. Orenda, who's perhaps best known as half of the dream pop duo Azure Ray, tells us the story of being raised by a mother who claims to be a witch, and the madness that bound her family together.Orenda Fink will be presenting and signing her new book when she appears at Octavia Books in conversation with host Poppy Tooker on Friday, November 1 at 6pm.Next, we sit down with Cristina Quackenbush, the witchy chef behind Tatlo, a restaurant and absinthe bar in the French Quarter. From the menu to the décor, everything at Tatlo springs from Cristina's practice of benevolent witchcraft.Then, we hunt for specters in the home of Leslie Castay and Bryan Burkey, before raising a toast to our ghostly friends – with cocktails to die for! Sharon Keating and Christi Keating Sumich, authors of Hauntingly Good Spirits, take us on a historical romp through the supernatural by way of New Orleans' bar scene.For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

Today on Louisiana Considered, we speak with East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome about her re-election campaign as part of our interview series with the top three candidates in the race. Plus, we hear why multiple Lafayette schools may soon close or consolidate.

Today on Louisiana Considered, ahead of All Saints Day, we take a look at a new exhibit that explores Creole death and mourning traditions in New Orleans. We also dive into the state’s campaign finance laws and catch up on the week in politics.

Today on Louisiana Considered, we hear how the first Black woman elected to the state legislature, famous for desegregating Mardi Gras Krewes, is being honored. We also learn about a family fun day to spend Thanksgiving, and get the latest on this week in politics.

Country singer Kelsey Waldon grew up in the Ohio River bottoms of Ballard County, Kentucky, a place called “Monkey’s Eyebrow,” where her father runs a hunting lodge and her mother’s family has been farming for generations. Kelsey started writing songs at a young age, went to Nashville at nineteen, played in bars, studied songwriting and later released noted albums that landed her on stage at the Grand Ole Opry. It was there with the now late songman John Prine that she agreed to join his label, Oh Boy Records, in 2019, the first artist Prine had signed in fifteen years. Kelsey counts John as a mentor, but remembers the first encounter with music came from her nanny.

Today on Louisiana Considered, we learn about a new law meant to improve the development of the state’s workforce. Plus, we celebrate Tiger Stadium’s 100th birthday with a conversation with LSU bandmembers, and hear about sanitation issues in rural Alabama.

Today on Louisiana Considered, we look ahead at New Orleans’ next mayoral race. We also discuss the life and contributions of National World War II Museum co-founder, author and historian, Stephen Ambrose.

This is American Routes, about to go into the studio with Creole jazz and soul singer John Boutté. You may know him for singing his theme for the TV series Tremé. John comes from an African, French, Spanish, Native, and Irish family background that begins in the mid-18th century New Orleans. His immediate family numbered ten kids; singing was a household and street corner pastime. John counts the influence of jazz elders, like Paul Barbarin, Louis “Big Eye” Nelson, and Danny Barker, as well as New Orleans piano and vocal heroes like Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, and James Booker. The quality of his voice has been recognized by Stevie Wonder. He's been paired in shows with Lou Rawls and Herbie Hancock. A New Orleans vocal icon who was raised in a storied, musical neighborhood. I asked John about it.

Today on Louisiana Considered, we discuss the abrupt departure of New Orleans’ public schools superintendent. We also dive into a new photography book on Louisiana’s natural beauty and learn about Black beekeeping traditions in the South.

Today on Louisiana Considered, we hear about two new podcasts. One on the investigation into a 1972 shooting at Southern University. The other, celebrating the contributions of French-speaking Cajun servicemen in World War II.