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La. 2nd majority-Black congressional district faces lawsuit; ULM team preserves ancient mounds

ACLU of Louisiana
Voters holds signs at a voting rights rally.

A group of self-described “non-Black voters” is suing Louisiana over the state’s new congressional maps. The suit alleges a new second majority-Black district violates racial gerrymandering laws.

The lawsuit is expected to go to court in early April, and could result in another shakeup in the state’s long running legal battle.

Jared Evans, senior policy counsel with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, joins Louisiana Considered to discuss what’s at stake. The NAACP has advocated for the creation of a second majority-Black district for years. Gov. Jeff Landry signed the map into law earlier this year.

Ouachita Parish, in north Louisiana, is home to an ancient archeological site that’s older than the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge. The collection of 11 man-made mounds connected by an oval-shaped ridge is known as “Watson Brake.”

Diana Greenlee, archaeologist and professor at the University of Louisiana Monroe, joins the show and tells us more about the ancient structures.

A team of researchers at Louisiana State University recently made waves in the world of quantum physics. Omar Magana-Loaiza, LSU associate professor of physics, is a part of the LSU quantum photonics group, which published their research in the journal Nature Physics. He joins the show to explain what the research means for the production of everyday medical and household products.

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Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber; our contributing producers are Matt Bloom and Adam Vos; we receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.

You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at 12:00 and 7:00 pm. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.

Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Karen Henderson is an award-winning journalist whose stories have aired nationally on NPR.