Rebuilding
by Karly Taranto, staff writer Grand Isle is home to about 1,460 people, many of whom are still recovering from Hurricane Ida’s devastation. It is also a second home for many camp owners, some of whom say they are debating whether to rebuild or demolish. “We had about $80,000 in wind insurance, but rebuilding would […]
Aid to Help Island Recovery
By Karly Taranto, staff writer The Recovery from Hurricane Ida’s devastation has been ongoing since the day after landfall for the Islanders. There has been an abundance of helping hands from different groups across the state. The Bayou Community Foundation (BCF) began awarding assistance grants in October 2021, so far totaling $4,365,918 in aid relief. […]
Coastal Restoration
By Kelsi Chapman, Podcast Editor
Insurance Challenges
By Jonathan Eastwood, features editor Many Grand Isle residents that survived Hurricane Ida are now faced with rebuilding damaged houses and camps. But, for some, insurance is not paying enough to cover the cost of damages, leading them to take legal action. “I used to live at our camp, and it was a beautiful camp,” […]
Island Water Quality
By Brittany Chaisson, staff writer Much of Louisiana’s coastal waters are polluted, but Grand Isle’s location at the mouth of the Mississippi River and its human inhabitants make its waters particularly susceptible to contamination. Experts say that agricultural runoff and marine debris are the leading cause of water pollution on Grand Isle’s coast. “The thing […]
Grand Isle Origins
By Cayden Stump, staff writer Although Grand Isle was discovered in 1528 by French explorers, ownership of the island alternated between the French and the Spanish for a while. According to Tiffany Kleynhans, former resident of Grand Isle, the French ultimately took control in the 1720s due to the island’s proximity to New Orleans. Before […]
Island Pirates
By Paul Gagneaux, staff writer In the past, many pirates sailed around the island areas of Louisiana. Although many of these pirates are gone, some of their descendants and relics of their history remain in Louisiana’s coastal areas, like Grand Isle. “One of them is actually buried right in my backyard, and not many people […]
Island Industry
By Alaina Pitre, staff writer Grand Isle, Louisiana, is home to several industries including oil, seafood and fishing, tourism and several types of recreation like surfing and birding. Over time, natural and historical factors have caused significant shifts in these industries. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, fishing and seafood are two prominent industries on […]
The People
by Jonathan Eastwood, features editor When hearing about people from another area or culture, it can be easy to forget that they are regular, ordinary humans. The people of Grand Isle form a strong, close-knit community. They work, play, and live together on the island. The residents know each other and are friendly to visitors. […]
Liz Watkins
Grand Isle, Louisiana What is your favorite memory from Grand Isle? “I have so many. We started back in the 60’s with my family. My favorite memory, now that my kids are grown with their own families, are thanksgiving, Easter, and the 4th of July. They all come down and visit us to do beach […]