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Each December 24th, along the Mississippi River above New Orleans, families gather around massive bonfires–some shaped as log cabins or animals–to light the way for Santa Claus or Papa Noel. It’s a holiday tradition that goes back to colonial times along what is now called the Côte des Allemands, the German Coast. I caught up with CJ and his young son CJ Jr. who were tending to a big bonfire on the levee in Lutcher, LA.

This edition of Louisiana Eats takes a look back at the year that was 2025 – and there’s plenty to celebrate! First, we hear from mixologist extraordinaire, Chris Hannah. His Jewel of the South tavern, named one the 50 best bars in the world in 2025, serves as both a center of cocktail innovation, and an homage to Crescent City highball history.

On this week’s edition of Le Show, Harry brings us regular features like News of Smart World, News of Forever Chemicals, News of the Olympic Movement, News of Crypto-Winter, News of the Warm, News of Musk Love, Truth Social Audio with Donald Trump, News of the Atom, The Apologies of the Week, News of Microplastics, What the Frack?!, and more.

Joe Baum was considered by many to be the greatest restaurateur of the last century. Before he died in 1998 at the age of 78, Joe had created no fewer than 50 restaurants. He’s responsible for creating America's first themed restaurants like the Four Seasons, Windows on the World, and the restored Rainbow Room. On this week's show, we pay tribute to the great Joe Baum by speaking with three people who knew him well: Charlie Baum, Dale DeGroff, and Melanie Young.

Today on Louisiana Considered, we get the latest on U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations in and around New Orleans. We also hear why Louisiana ranks low among states in child support payments and learn about a new United Way initiative called Prosperity Centers.

John Mayall and his band the Bluesbreakers pioneered British blues rock, introducing it to a larger audience. They included musicians who went on to join legendary bands like Cream, Fleetwood Mac, and the Rolling Stones. Mayall moved to the states in 1968 and had a discography of 70 studio and live albums. Before he passed in 2024, John called Los Angeles home and his favorite climate for living, but it was in Macclesfield, Cheshire where he first heard the blues.

Today on Louisiana Considered, we hear why some students are staying home from school amid fears of immigration raids. We also hear from a New Orleans rabbi who discusses rising antisemitism and his ties to the Sydney Jewish community. We also learn how an education nonprofit is addressing learning differences.

Today on Louisiana Considered, we get an update on arrests targeting immigrants in the New Orleans area. We also break down a year’s worth of news in energy, and discuss why the classic Nutcracker ballet remains a staple of the Christmas season.

We review the year in Louisiana politics and look ahead at 2026. Also, we speak with Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Walt Handelsman about his storied career.

Songwriter and singer Joan Shelley prefers to make music in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky rather than the industry centers of Nashville and New York City. She’s recorded a series of well-crafted contemplative albums with guitarist Nathan Salsburg at home in Louisville, at Jeff Tweedy’s Loft in Chicago, and even in Iceland. You’ll find references to rivers, waterways, and oceans in her songs and albums. We began asking her what the Ohio River means to her.