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My Father Stood For The Anthem, For The Same Reason That Colin Kaepernick Sits

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick stands on the field during an NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons in Santa Clara, Calif. Ben Margot/AP hide caption

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Ben Margot/AP

Opinion

Code Switch

My Father Stood For The Anthem, For The Same Reason That Colin Kaepernick Sits

As a child, I found my father's love of the national anthem utterly bewildering. His was the generation of men born free but shackled by bigotry. So why did he sound so proud, singing that song?

My Father Stood For The Anthem, For The Same Reason That Colin Kaepernick Sits

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Judicial Nominee Wendy Vitter Gets Tough Questions On Birth Control And Abortion

Wendy Vitter, with her husband, David Vitter, after he was reelected to the Senate in 2010 despite being linked to the "D.C. Madam" scandal. Wendy Vitter is now nominated for a judgeship. Patrick Semansky/AP hide caption

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Patrick Semansky/AP

Law

Judicial Nominee Wendy Vitter Gets Tough Questions On Birth Control And Abortion

At her confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Vitter was grilled by Democratic senators about her failure to disclose public statements of controversial anti-abortion views.

Judicial Nominee Wendy Vitter Gets Tough Questions On Birth Control And Abortion

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As March Madness Rolls, New Orleans Tracks Its Own Red Beans Brackets

For the Bean Madness competition, decisions on this classic dish can turn on preferences set long ago by family tradition, house style and even generational differences. sandoclr/Getty Images hide caption

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The Salt

As March Madness Rolls, New Orleans Tracks Its Own Red Beans Brackets

The humble dish doesn't normally turn heads, but now red beans have inspired their own craze, thanks to a month-long citywide food competition styled after the college basketball tournament.

National

'We Cannot Be Afraid Of The Truth': New Orleans Mayor On Confederate Statues

Mayor Mitch Landrieu's new book seeks to inform readers about the monuments, which became political lightning rods in recent years. For Landrieu, the decision was to remove four statues in his city.

'We Cannot Be Afraid Of The Truth': New Orleans Mayor On Confederate Statues

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Angola Prison Lawsuit Poses Question: What Kind Of Medical Care Do Inmates Deserve?

Francis Brauner was instrumental in helping launch a class-action lawsuit on behalf of current inmates at Louisiana's Angola prison, suing for care that allegedly caused them "needless pain and suffering." Charles A. Smith hide caption

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Charles A. Smith

Shots - Health News

Angola Prison Lawsuit Poses Question: What Kind Of Medical Care Do Inmates Deserve?

WNYC Radio

Prisoners have a constitutional right to health care, but inmates at Angola prison in Louisiana are suing for medical shortfalls that have allegedly caused "needless pain and suffering."

Angola Prison Lawsuit Poses Question: What Kind Of Medical Care Do Inmates Deserve?

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Goodbye, Mr. Okra: New Orleans Remembers Its Singing Vegetable Vendor

During the 2017 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival last April, Mr. Okra drove his iconic produce truck and called out to customers. Erika Goldring/Getty Images hide caption

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The Salt

Goodbye, Mr. Okra: New Orleans Remembers Its Singing Vegetable Vendor

Arthur James Robinson, known as "Mr. Okra," died this week. But New Orleans residents will never forget his distinctive inventory call and his brightly-painted truck, winding through the city.

Listen to Mr. Okra’s Call

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'Tabasco' Opera Makes Fiery Return In New Orleans

Dancers perform in Tabasco: A Burlesque Opera, a fiery show that makes its revival this week after being locked up for more than a century. Tom Grosscup/New Orleans Opera hide caption

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Tom Grosscup/New Orleans Opera

The Two-Way

'Tabasco' Opera Makes Fiery Return In New Orleans

New Orleans conductor Paul Mauffray lifts the lid on a hot sauce opera that had been bottled up for a century. The show ran on Broadway in the late 1800s, and yes, it's about Tabasco.

'Tabasco' Opera Makes Fiery Return In New Orleans

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Lessons From Katrina: How Restaurants Can Be Beacons In A Catastrophe

Betsy's Pancake House on Canal Street in New Orleans announces its return to business after Hurricane Katrina. Ian McNulty hide caption

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Ian McNulty

Opinion

The Salt

Lessons From Katrina: How Restaurants Can Be Beacons In A Catastrophe

WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio

In good times, restaurants do more than furnish meals. They also provide a place to bring people together. As Louisiana knows all too well, that's what makes them so vital during the worst times, too.

A Doctor Who Weathered Katrina Now Tends Victims Of Harvey

Dr. Ruth Berggren stands outside Charity Hospital in New Orleans in 2005, where she had earlier cared for patients during Hurricane Katrina. Cheryl Gerber/AP hide caption

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Cheryl Gerber/AP

Shots - Health News

A Doctor Who Weathered Katrina Now Tends Victims Of Harvey

Kaiser Health News

Dr. Ruth Berggren spent six days struggling to keep patients alive in in New Orleans' Charity Hospital after Hurricane Katrina hit. She's now caring for evacuees from Hurricane Harvey.

He Survived Hurricane Katrina. Now He's Had To Leave Houston

John Livious started over in Houston after being evacuated from New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. Now, flooding has forced him to leave this new city. Debbie Elliott/NPR hide caption

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National

He Survived Hurricane Katrina. Now He's Had To Leave Houston

John Livious and his family settled in Houston after being evacuated from New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. For him, watching the flooding from Harvey is "unbearable, because it's like déjà vu."

He Survived Hurricane Katrina. Now He's Had To Leave Houston

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Hit By Flooding And Pumping System Crisis, New Orleans Braces For More Rain

Dwayne Boudreaux Jr., owner of the Circle Food Store in New Orleans, dumps out dirty water that was vacuumed up from the store on Monday, after severe flooding over the weekend. The city's pumps were not fully functional, officials now acknowledge. Boudreaux told a local news station that the last time he saw waters rise so high was during Hurricane Katrina. Gerald Herbert/AP hide caption

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Gerald Herbert/AP

The Two-Way

Hit By Flooding And Pumping System Crisis, New Orleans Braces For More Rain

Despite public assurances that pumps were operational, the city saw severe flooding last weekend. Now there are concerns more flooding might be on the way.

When Schools Meet Trauma With Understanding, Not Discipline

Nicole Boykins is principal at Crocker College Prep in New Orleans. The pre-K through eighth grade school is one of five schools in a program to better serve children who've been exposed to trauma. Clarence Williams/WWNO hide caption

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Clarence Williams/WWNO

NPR Ed

When Schools Meet Trauma With Understanding, Not Discipline

Children in New Orleans suffer from trauma at high rates. Now, several schools there are focused on catching and helping students whose behavior may be a response to their suffering.

When Schools Meet Trauma With Understanding, Not Discipline

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With Lee Statue's Removal, Another Battle Of New Orleans Comes To A Close

A statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee is removed Friday from Lee Circle in New Orleans. Lee's was the last of four monuments to Confederate-era figures to be removed under a 2015 City Council vote on a proposal by Mayor Mitch Landrieu. Scott Threlkeld/AP hide caption

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Scott Threlkeld/AP

National

With Lee Statue's Removal, Another Battle Of New Orleans Comes To A Close

WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio

Protests and court battles trailed the nearly two-year effort to get rid of the monuments. For the past month they've been acrimonious gathering places for those in favor and opposed to removal.