What Was Lost

A Better New Orleans

When people say New Orleans isn't what it used to be they're not only referring to how much the city has changed in the 20 years since Hurricane Katrina, but also about what's still missing. In our final episode, host Terry Baquet brings of stories of things that were lost like neighborhood schools and a longstanding hospital and one of something that came back but greatly reduced like the formerly robust public transit system. What Was Lost,  is a podcast from Verite News and WWNO and WRKF.

History Lost

A culturally rich city three century old city like New Orleans is teeming with history. When Katrina tracked through the area, and the levees broke, and the flood waters rose it enveloped many historical places and pieces. Our host Terry Baquet brings us stories of lost history some historical some personal from Fats Domino's pianos to a reporter's lost awards for the kind of reporting that forewarned a disaster like Katrina.  What Was Lost,  is a podcast from Verite News and WWNO and WRKF.

Destroyed Communities

Hurricane Katrina took away many tangible things cars, possessions, houses..., you can replace those things, maybe not exactly but you can try. What about things you can't replace, like people? In this episode host Terry Baquet brings us stories of lost community and the little contributions people make in their communities that have large impacts. All of which were swept away by Katrina. What Was Lost,  is a podcast from Verite News and WWNO and WRKF.

Sounds of New Orleans

Thoughts of New Orleans evoke a rich musical history the city possesses, from jazz to zydeco. Our host Terry Baquet takes us through stories of opera scores, record collections, and the sounds you might take for granted, like the ones in your neighborhood, to highlight how Hurricane Katrina drowned out the sound of New Orleans for many. What Was Lost,  is a podcast from Verite News and WWNO and WRKF.

Lost Memories

August 2025 marks 20 years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, in New Orleans levees failed, and life changed as we knew it. Many folks lost much in Katrina: lives, homes, family members who moved away. But sometimes, it’s the little things we lost that trigger the most vivid memories of that time. Maybe it’s the photograph you took when you graduated high school, or maybe it’s a memento or piece of furniture your grandmother handed down to you. Or a book signed by your favorite author. Or a drawing done by your young child. Twenty years after Katrina, some things will never be replaced. This is What Was Lost,  podcast from Verite News and WWNO and WRKF. Our first episode focuses on memories, our host Terry Baquet shares the inspiration for this series, his lost koi pond, and we'll hear stories of other lost personal items that held strong memories like diaries, a doll house and something abstract like a feeling of grief.