deltafieldwork
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Windell Curole Knows the Coast
We rolled back into Thibodaux the other day to interview Windell Curole, the now-retired longtime general manager of the South Lafourche Levee Districtâand a literal lifesaver for coastal Louisiana. Windell grew up fishing and trapping along Bayou Lafourche, learning its rhythms before levees even existed. In 1980 he took the helm of the Levee District;…
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The Harvey Canal at Sunset
The sunset coming into New Orleans via the Harvey Canal didnât quit. Every time we rounded a bend, it gave us something newâindustrial cranes in silhouette, sugar mills turned to shadow, bridges tipped to the sky. The water lit up like neon oil, and even the rust looked holy. This is how the river delivers…
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What Happened in Simmesport
Well, the case has been heard and I can finally tell the full storyâa tale of white supremacy, weaponized power, and small-town corruption. June 26, 2025. Simmesport, Louisiana. We tied up at an unmarked patch of riverbank. No signage. No fences. No purple paint. Just a strip of land beside the water, quiet and ordinary.…
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Two Voices from Thibodaux
Today we had the great pleasure of interviewing two incredible folks in Thibodaux: Quenton Fontenot, fisheries biologist and professor at Nicholls, who spoke about the health of our waterwaysâfrom phytoplankton to redfishâand how Cajun culture is inseparable from the water it grew up beside. Misty McElroy, photographer and storyteller, shared memories of growing up on…
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Summer Reading: Shanty Boat Girl
Three covers. One torrid tale.Shanty Boat Girl by Kirk Westley: my summer reading, theoretically. When we first started the project, I assumed weâd have nothing but timeâwhile floating, while docked, between interviews and cooking. In reality, thereâs barely space for pure leisure. The demands of the boat, the work, and just basic survival keep us…
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Secret History Pop-Up: Houma, July 26
Secret History Pop-Up in Houma â Sat July 26, 9AMâNoonđTerrebonne Parish Marina Park, Bayou Terrebonne Weâve floated and trailered our way down rivers and bayous all summer, and now the Secret History shantyboat lands in Houma. For one morning only, weâre throwing open the doors to the public. Come aboard, meet the crew, hear what…
