Debbie Elliott

The New Year's terror attack raised questions about pedestrian safety in New Orleans' popular French Quarter.

At the time, the city was in the process of replacing malfunctioning bollards, steel columns intended to block vehicles from entering Bourbon Street.

A year later, the street remains protected by a mix of removable barriers, including bollards, barricades and police vehicles blocking

what one police official calls a temporary solution to a permanent problem.

Now, New Orleans police are asking the city council to approve a $1.5 million plan to install permanent metal swing gates along Bourbon Street.

Debbie Elliott, NPR News.

Tennessee National Guard troops are patrolling alongside Memphis police in areas including tourist attractions near downtown.

Their fatigues are marked military police.

Unlike cities, including Portland and Chicago, local officials have not sued to block the Guard deployment.

Democratic Mayor Paul Young says he didn't request the outside troops since his crime was already on the decline.

But he says instead of fighting the deployment, which is supported by Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Lee, Memphis is instead working to make sure it benefits the community.

Young says National Guard troops are limited to a support role and will not make arrests or issue warrants.

Debbie Elliott, NPR News.

I'm Tanya Mosley, co-host of Fresh Air. At a time of sound bites and short attention spans, our show is all about the deep dive. We do long-form interviews with people behind the best in film, books, TV, music, and journalism. Here our guests open up about their process and their lives in ways you've never heard before. Listen to the Fresh Air podcast from NPR and WHYY.

I'm Tanya Mosley, co-host of Fresh Air. At a time of sound bites and short attention spans, our show is all about the deep dive. We do long-form interviews with people behind the best in film, books, TV, music, and journalism. Here our guests open up about their process and their lives in ways you've never heard before. Listen to the Fresh Air podcast from NPR and WHYY.

I'm Tanya Mosley, co-host of Fresh Air. At a time of sound bites and short attention spans, our show is all about the deep dive. We do long-form interviews with people behind the best in film, books, TV, music, and journalism. Here our guests open up about their process and their lives in ways you've never heard before. Listen to the Fresh Air podcast from NPR and WHYY.

A panel of three federal judges says the Alabama legislature intentionally drew its congressional district map to dilute black voting strength, which is unconstitutional and violates the Voting Rights Act. The court enjoined the state from using the map in future elections. The ruling comes in a lawsuit that made it to the U.S. Supreme Court.

A panel of three federal judges says the Alabama legislature intentionally drew its congressional district map to dilute black voting strength, which is unconstitutional and violates the Voting Rights Act. The court enjoined the state from using the map in future elections. The ruling comes in a lawsuit that made it to the U.S. Supreme Court.

which agreed that Alabama's congressional map was discriminatory in a state where African Americans make up about a quarter of the population. Black voters who sued called the ruling a testament to the persistence of generations of black Alabamians who pursued political equality at great cost. Debbie Elliott, NPR News.

which agreed that Alabama's congressional map was discriminatory in a state where African Americans make up about a quarter of the population. Black voters who sued called the ruling a testament to the persistence of generations of black Alabamians who pursued political equality at great cost. Debbie Elliott, NPR News.