Talk Louisiana

Baton Rouge Representative Ted James discusses the Senate race and his effort to become the next chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross on Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins challenge to US Senator Bill Cassidy.

Outgoing Louisiana Democratic Party Director Stephen Handwerk talks about his eight and a half year long tenure as head of Louisiana’s largest political party. New ACLU Louisiana Legal Director Nora Ahmed discusses her move from New York to New Orleans.

Jim Harper, President of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, talks about his role in guiding his 143,000 members through a economically devastating pandemic. Stan Harris, President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association, says 25-percent of restaurants in Louisiana and 40-percent in New Orleans may fail because of a surge in COVID-19 cases. Karen Kerrigan, CEO of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council, advocates federal legislation to secure broadband expansion in rural Louisiana. Bruce Feiler, author of six consecutive New York Times bestsellers, investigates ability to adapt in “Life is in the Transitions, Mastering Change at Any Age.”

WAFB anchors Greg Meriwether and Lauren Westbrook recall nine hours on the set four years ago when six officers were shot and three killed in an ambush on July 17, 2016. NPR correspondent Pam Fessler recaps the history of treating patients at the leprosarium in Carville. Her husband’s grandfather lived and died there in the 1930s. Pam’s book is “Carville’s Cure.”

Democrat Melissa Flournoy and Republican Scott Wilfong debate the mask mandate and more. The Advocate’s Mark Ballard discusses the ongoing Jeff Landry/John Bel Edwards feud.

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields discusses his call for the suspension of K-12 athletic competitions in the fall. ULL Poli Sci Professor Jason Maloy on calls for a closed primary in Louisiana. Jennifer Carwile and Abel Thompson of Together Baton Rouge education listeners on the election process for the Civil Service Board.

EBR Coroner Dr. Beau Clark discusses COVID fatalities in the parish. Broadmoor Methodist Reverend Donnie Wilkinson and Reverend Dr. Michael Waters discuss racial justice. Writer Ace Atkins on his new book The Revelators.

Democrat Antoine Pierce discusses his run against US Senator Bill Cassidy. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick opines on the Governor’s statewide mask mandate. Famed historian Larry Tye details his latest work Demagogue a comprehensive look at the life of Joe McCarthy.

Baker Mayor Darnell Waites and challengers Joyce Burges and Leroy Davis weigh in on Saturday’s election. Andrew Riecke of Riecke Mechanical surveys a dwindling field of air conditioning technicians amid the heat and COVID-19. Writer and landscape designer Kathryn Aalto celebrates 25 women who shaped how we see the natural world.

Historian Julian Zelizer discusses his new book about the rise of Newt Gingrich and how the former Speaker shaped the modern GOP. The Advocate’s Mark Ballard details Governor Edwards’ veto moves. Capitol Park Museum head Rodneyna Hart on a new exhibit at the museum about Fonville Winans.

LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Assistant Professor Dr. Rebecca Christofferson updates us on the status of COVID-19 in the USA. BR Councilwoman Chauna Banks talks about the ongoing Connie Bernard scandal and the Mayor’s race.

Jim looks at the state of the Presidential Race and the chances of college football beginning on time. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings discusses where the country is in the post George Floyd world. Baton Rouge Area Chamber CEO Adam Knapp on BRAC’s statement on Connie Bernard. John Wirt on Tom Hank’s Greyhound.

New LSU Board of Supervisors member Collis Temple on his appointment by the Governor, and his experiences as LSU’s first black basketball player. Franklinton Representative Beth Mizell discusses legislation awaiting the Governor’s signature that would expand rural broadband opportunities.

Julie Baxter-Payer, Deputy Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, on the state of the state’s five veteran’s homes. Author Warren Farrell on how dads are holding up in the age of COVID-19.

George Gillam, convicted of murder at 16 and released after 25 years at Angola State Prison, talks about his year as a free man with Jon Odenwald of Providence Road. Together they are working with kids in North Baton Rouge. Mark Ballard of The Advocate wraps up the special session and reflects on unwavering support of President Trump from Louisiana’s congressional delegation.

Tyler Bridges discusses David Duke’s legacy on the former Klan leaders’ 70th birthday. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser on the removal of statues.

Pastor Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church and his Attorney Jeff Wittenbrink discuss their conflict with the state over operating during the stay at home order.

LSU Professor of Sociology Dr. Lori Martin on the removal of confederate flags and statues. Louisiana Budget Project head Jan Moller discusses the Supreme Court’s ruling on a Louisiana abortion law.

BR Councilwoman Tara Wicker discusses her run for Mayor. Godfather of the Louisiana Libertarian Party Mike Wolf talks about the impact of third parties in presidential elections. WVLA’s Kennedi Walker on the removing of Middleton’s name from the LSU campus library.

Local activist Gary Chambers and former Metro Councilman Darrell Glasper engage in a spirited debate about a recent controversy invovling EBR School Board member Connie Bernard.

Adam Knapp, President and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, updates listeners on how companies are adapting to the prolonged Phase Two, and a recent controversy involving the school board. LSU luminary James Wharton discusses the renaming of Middleton library and school desegregation.

Jason Berry, author of “City of a Million Dreams,” analyzes the conversation about removal of Confederate icons and segregationists from the public square.Fairleigh Jackson, executive director of Preserve Louisiana, addresses the dilemma of preservation of monuments of controversial Americans.

Wall Street Journal Print Editor Alex Martin on the state of newspapers in 2020 and his journey from New Orleans to New York. Former LSU Law Professor Paul Baier discusses his retirement, his new book, and recent US Supreme Court decisions.

Baton Rouge Councilman Matt Watson on his run for Mayor. Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard updates us on the ongoing special session.

Rachel Maddow producer Steve Benen on his critique of Congressional Republicans. Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson on an impending US Supreme Court decision on abortion clinics and admitting privileges. Writer David Albertyn on his book Undercard.

Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul discusses the George Floyd protests. Colin Woodard on his book Union, the Struggle to Forge the Story of United States Nationhood.

Faye Williams, President of the National Congress of Black Women, and Atlanta advertising executive Angela Dortch comment on social and political implications of unrest in American cities over police killings of unarmed black men.Paul Arrigo, President of Visit Baton Rouge, reflects on the economic cost to the Capital City which has endured a pandemic for three months.

State GOP Head of Minority Outreach Elbert Lee Guillory and activist Pat Smith discuss the George Floyd protests. Andy Anderson and Fred Dent discuss recent market volatility.

Dolores Johnson recounts growing up as an interracial girl in the 60s, and having a cross burned in the front yard of her home in a Baton Rouge neighborhood. Mark Ballard updates listeners on the ongoing special session, and a tentative agreement to rename LSU’s Middleton Library.

Veteran jazz and blues radio host Zia Tammami recaps his 44-year career at the microphone at LSU as host of “Spontaneous Combustion.” Rep. Denise Marcelle says she is planning to enter the Nov. 3 mayor’s election in East Baton Rouge Parish. Actor Michael O’Neill relishes his role on NBC’s “Council of Dads” and offers advise to college graduates after being the commencement speaker at Auburn last year.

Famed political consultant Roger Stone joins Jim for a rare interview to discuss his early relationship with President Trump, his potentially impending incarceration, his return to Catholicism, and his long journey through GOP politics. Columnist Quin Hillyer on his dislike for Roger Stone and the state of the Alabama GOP Senate primary.

Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome talks about the Capital’s response to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and the wave of protests that have enveloped the nation since. Harriet Shugarman discusses her new book How to Talk To Your Kids About Climate Change.

Maxine Crump, CEO of Dialogue on Race Louisiana and civil rights attorney Jim Boren describe reaction to the death of George Floyd and provide thoughts about improving race relations in America and Louisiana.Smiley Anders reflects on 41 years as an Advocate columnist.Curator Hal Wert details an exhibit featuring campaign posters 1844-2012 showing at the Old State Capitol.

Jim discusses Drew Brees’ recent controversial comments. Carolyn Baker details racial disparities in America through her book An Unintentional Accomplice: A Personal Perspective on White Responsibility. Mark Ballard of the Advocate on the shocking rejection of Ronnie Jones for reappointment.

Sean Reilly, CEO of Lamar Co., talks about the impact of COVID-19 on the world’s largest billboard company.Longtime NPR commentator Andrei Codrescu provides a look at unrest in New York City after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.Writer Stephen Rebello examines the affect on American culture of the 1966 cult book and film, “Valley of the Dolls.”

Adam Knapp, President of Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce, comments on Louisiana moving to Phase Two in the comeback from COVID-19. Tim Barfield, President of CSRS, looks at infrastructure needs in Baton Rouge. Colleen Temple, University High School senior, and commentator Clay Young call for peaceful demonstrations in response to the death of African-American George Floyd after Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin drove his knee into a handcuffed Floyd for nearly nine minutes as three fellow officers watched Floyd beg for his life.

Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore and businessman Kenny Nguyen detail Viral Positivity to salute health care workers during the Coronavirus pandemic. Moore also addresses arrests of rioters in the week since the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis Policeman Derek Chauvin. Documentary filmmaker Cindy Hurst examines the tragic history of race in America.

Southern Political Science Department Chair Albert Samuels and LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeff Sadow discuss the tense situation in Minneapolis following the killing of George Floyd by MPD Officer Derek Chauvin. WAFB reporter Matt Houston and WRKF Capitol Access reporter Paul Braun discuss the last days of the 2020 Regular Session.

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell reflects on various Louisiana political luminaries and the legislator to lobbyist pipeline. Mark Ballard updates listeners on the state of various controversial bills in the 2020 regular session.

Melissa Flournoy and Darrell Glasper debate Joe Biden’s recent controversy and the state of the 2020 race. New York Times reporter Nikita Stewart on her book about Troop 6000.

President of Our Lady of the Lake Trey Dunbar and General Skip Phillips detail this year’s charity raffle to raise money for Children’s. Former Congressman and head of Pharma Billy Tauzin informs the audience about how vaccines and treatments are being developed to fight COVID-19.

Richard White, Dean of the LSU Business School, looks at his retirement on July 1 amid a pandemic and reflects on the legacies of Huey Long and Will Rogers, celebrated Americans who died 26 days apart in 1935. Long penned acclaimed biographies about Long and Rogers. Baton Rouge singer and musician Rusty Yates laments more than two months without live music. Tea Hacic, author of “Life of the Party,” reflects on a dearth of entertainment options in Los Angeles.

Bayou Brief Publisher Lamar White discusses tort reform efforts and his research into famed mob boss Carlos Marcello. Preserve Louisiana Executive Director Fairleigh Jackson on continuing efforts to save historic buildings.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon discusses tort reform efforts. The Advocate’s Mark Ballard talks through the end of the regular session.

Republican political consultant Scott Wilfong and Democratic political consultant Mary-Patricia Wray take the hour to debate the state of the Presidential race, allegations against Joe Biden, vote by mail, and more.

Boo Milton talks of how the Obama Foundation's MBK Alliance is assisting local communities during the pandemic.Adam Knapp, President of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, reviews the business reaction to Phase One of the return to commerce amid Covid-19.Mike Bertaut, health care economist for Blue Cross, looks at the impact of coronavirus on insurance, health care and national politics.

Council on Foreign Relations President Richard Haas discusses America’s place in the post-COVID world. General Russel Honore gives his thoughts on the 2020 Legislative Session.

Jason DeCuir, chair of the Louisiana Economic Recovery Task Force, surveys the landscape at the start of Phase One for businesses reopening after two months under a stay at home order. Journalist Celia Farber recalls her father, radio talk legend Barry Farber, who died last week one day after his 90th birthday. Best-selling crime writer Scott Turow looks back on his career of more than three decades and talks about the book industry’s relevance during a pandemic as he discusses his latest work, "The Last Trial.”

Linda Lee, Vice President of the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center, details the process of treating patients amid a pandemic. Gene Sperling, economic adviser to President Clinton and President Obama, calls for economic dignity during hard times. Mark Ballard of The Advocate looks at friction at the Capitol on a variety of fronts as a debate on insurance reform gains momentum with legislation reaching the floors of both chambers.

Former US AG Matthew Whitaker on his experiences working in the Trump White House, and his new book. Historian Tim McGrath on his biography of President James Monroe. Washington Post Columnist David Ignatius discusses his new work of fiction about the CIA.