Talk Louisiana

Maya Cummings, widow of Congressman Elijah Cummings of Baltimore, remembers her husband and his conflict with President Trump. Lucas Spielfogel, executive director of the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition, talks about his organization’s involvement in the community as The Covid-19 stay at home order is relaxed effective May 15. Writer Chester Johnson recaps a race massacre in Elaine, Arkansas a century ago with an estimated 200 African-American citizens killed.

Brad Meltzer discusses his latest book on the first assassination attempt on President Lincoln. Economist Dr. Loren Scott predicts the national economy will bounce back strong by fall. Dr. Saul Weiner talks about his journey into medicine.

Hall of Fame songwriter and singer Don McLean discusses his career and the inspiration behind “American Pie”. Mike Manning of the Baton Rouge Food Bank on the incredible increase in demand for food bank services. UL System President Jim Henderson details their plan to reduce costs for adults who got college but never finished their degree.

Investar Bank President John D’Angelo recounts how he founded the institution and where banking will go post COVID-19. Advocate Bureau Chief Mark Ballard on the partisan wrangling over the stay at home order.

Alka Joshi discusses arranged marriages and her book The Henna Artist. One of Louisiana’s most prolific politicos, Jim Brown, calls in on his 80th birthday. Conservative commentator Jerome Corsi evaluates the performance of Dr. Anthony Fauci. Eric Borsuk details the art heist that landed him in jail and his recounting of it in American Animals.

Baton Rouge Area Chamber President Adam Knapp on the state of business in Baton Rouge. Financial Advisor Ameen Walker on small business loans and unemployment payments. WRKF Station Manager Paul Maassen asks listeners to donate for Giving Tuesday.

Renowned Louisiana Attorney Lewis Unglesby discusses the difficulty of reopening courts in the middle of a pandemic. Deborah Wiles on her book “Kent State”.

Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Giles recalls the Kent State massacre 50 years ago and how his newspaper in Akron first reported the deaths of four students.Peter Kovacs, the editor of The Advocate, reflects on seven years of new ownership of Louisiana’s newspaper of record and how journalism has been affected by Covid-19.Katherine Landdeck salutes female aviators from WWII and previews an appearance at the WWII Museum in New Orleans.

Veteran journalist Michael Hainey, deputy editor of Air Mail, remembers his father, Bob, a prominent Chicago newspaperman who died mysteriously 50 years ago. Hainey is the author of “After Visiting Friends." Mark Ballard of The Advocate, details the clash between Gov. Edwards and President Trump over the stay at home order continuation until May 15.

Pastor and former state representative Raymond Jetson looks at the impact of Covid-19 on Baton Rouge and comments on shooting deaths of a BRPD officer and a former cop on Sunday. Raisin’ Canes founder Todd Graves talks about efforts to keep the restaurant industry afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Pettit of LSU remembers his mentor, strength coach Alvin Roy, whose birth was 100 years ago this month.

EBR DA Hillar Moore on the recent outbreak of violence in Baton Rouge. Former WAFB star anchor George Sells on the future of TV journalism after coronavirus.

(Talk Louisiana)EBR Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome discusses the overnight shooting of two police officers and the possibilities for repoening the economy come May.

Sandy McDade and Dayne Sherman debate Trump’s coronavirus performance. Dan Moldea discusses Trump’s reelection chances.

Celebrated tailor Manuel Martinez discusses fashion in the Covid-19 Era and the challenge of serving clients without taking measurements.Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard looks at a potential soft roll out as Gov. Edwards weighs changes to his stay at home order.

Political consultant Ray Strother discusses the impact of coronavirus on the 2020 Presidential election. Reverend Ralph Reed on the evangelical case for Trump.

Jeffrey Marx, Pulitzer Prize winning sportswriter who lives in Baton Rouge, details his 17,000 word profile of LSU Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow, who is the likely first pick in Thursday’s NFL Draft. Sandy Rosenthal, founder of levees.org after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, compares that tragedy to the Covid-19 pandemic and is impact on New Orleans.

Faye Williams and Darrell Glasper debate the President’s coronavirus response. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser remembers the BP Oil Spill.

Restaurant owners Stephanie Phares and Clarke Cadzow talk about losing more than 70 percent of their business since the March 16 stay at home order in Louisiana. Business owner Deborah Sternberg previews the April 19 salute at 1900 hours for workers who continue to toil amid the Covid-19 crisis. Pulitzer Prize winning reporter Eric Eyre, graduate of Loyola in New Orleans and author of “Death in Mud Lick,” comments on his investigative journalism which details the opioid epidemic in West Virginia, including one town of 382 residents prescribed 9 million pills in a period of two years.

Rep. Ted James, D-Baton Rouge, details his recovery from a near fatal case of Covid-19. Mark Ballard, Capitol Bureau Chief of The Advocate, looks at last four weeks which have seen an increase in Coronavirus deaths in the state go from four to 1103.

Pastor Donnie Wilkinson of Broadmoor United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge comments on two suspected arson cases at his church and tending to his congregation amid Covid-19. Julie Baxter-Payer, Deputy Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, assesses Veterans’ facilities. Noted Architect Trey Trahan discusses efforts to help New Orleans in a time of crisis and reflects on his work at Tiger Stadium and the Superdome.

Adam Knapp, President and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, surveys the economic climate amid Covid-19. Baton Rouge lawyer Steve Myers, who owns 60 properties, looks at landlord challenges spurred by the Coronavirus pandemic. Historian Robert Hutchinson reflects on the assassination of President Lincoln 155 years ago today.

Rick Edmonds discusses the operation of abortion clinics during the coronavirus shutdown. Fashion icon Betsey Johnson on life in the fashion industry, and if the industry can survive coronavirus.

Joseph Long, attorney for Pastor Tony Spell, talks about his client’s refusal to adhere to Gov. John Bel Edwards’ stay at home order amid the coronavirus pandemic.Baton Rouge businessman Jim Mayer looks at the future of rural hospitals in the Covid-19 environment.Baseball great Denny McLain says his hometown of Detroit has been devastated by coronavirus cases.

Jim discusses the latest in coronavirus news, and Senator Bernie Sanders’ departure from the Democratic Primary. Mark Ballard talks about how long it may be before life can return to normal.

Actor John Schneider discusses his efforts to continue filming during the statewide lockdown, and offers coronavirus advice. Former Advocate reporter Elizabeth Crisp discusses the state of D.C. during the COVID crisis. Rabbi Barry Weinstein explains how he’s keeping his congregation together, and offers a reading.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain discusses the impact of coronavirus on the state agricultural economy, and the possibility that the virus can spread to cats. Former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial on the virus’s impact on New Orleans.

New Orleans singer Phillip Manuel remembers the life and accomplishments of Ellis Marsalis and Bill Withers, and talks about life in New Orleans during the COVID-19 Crisis. Political consultant Mary Patricia Wray discusses the President’s and Joe Biden’s response to coronavirus.

Financial adviser Ameen Walker explains the new SBA loan process for businesses suffering from COVID-19 closures. Former state senator Dr. Mike Robichaux on healthcare in the time of coronavirus. Dr. Chad Seals discusses his book Religion Around Bono.

Veronica Mosgrove on her cruise line trip on the boat that was patient zero for many US coronavirus transmissions. The Advocate's Mark Ballard on Ed O, COVID in NYC, and local responses.

Baton Rouge Bishop Michael Duca comments on the impact of coronavirus on the Catholic Diocese in the Capital region. NPR Morning Edition Host Steve Inskeep reflects on Covid-19 and discusses his book about John Fremont, the first Republican presidential nominee in 1856. The book is “Imperfect Union” which focuses on Fremont’s fame and his impact on his Republican successor Abraham Lincoln.

LA State Director for AARP Denise Bottcher on a statewide teleconference. Dr. Andrew McCall on telemedicine. Rudy Macklin on state efforts to prepare for the possibility of a hurricane in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thomas Kostigen on his new book “Hacking Planet Earth”.

Dr. Charles Page, author and surgeon from Texas, assesses the Coronavirus pandemic. Loyola University President Tania Tetlow looks at the impact of Covid-19 in New Orleans and on her campus. Former Louisiana Health Secretary Rebekah Gee stresses the importance of staying at home during this time. Jim recalls WRKF legend Bob Mooberry, who died yesterday in Las Vegas at 79.

LSU History Professor Paul Hoffman on the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic and it’s impact on LSU. OLOL infectious disease specialist Catherine O’Neal on the state’s progress with COVID-19 and how we could develop herd immunity over the next six to nine months.

LSU Mathematics Professor Jim Madden on COVID-19 grow rates. Advocate reporter Mark Ballard on the state of COVID-19 in Louisiana and it’s likely devastating impact on the state budget.

Rev. Chris Andrews analyzes the spiritual aspect of coronavirus. Captain Bobbie Ragsdale, West Point graduate and New Orleans-area native, examines scams erupting during a pandemic. Actress Jessica Jain, graduate of LSU, talks about the surreal shutdown of New York City with Broadway shuttered and businesses closed.

Jeanne Smith, underwriting director for Louisiana Public Broadcasting recaps her trip to Italy amid the Covid-19 outbreak. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser discusses the challenges of tourism and the state budget with the state and nation stalled due to coronavirus. Actress Lee Purcell reflects on the 90th anniversary of the birth of her mentor, legendary actor Steve McQueen. Ingrid Newkirk, founder of PETA, looks at 40 years of her organization.

LSU President Tom Galligan discusses the impact of coronavirus on the state’s flagship university. Blue Cross Blue Shield Louisiana Chief Health Care Economist Mike Bertaut assesses the ten-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act.

Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston-Broome comments on local efforts to fight Covid-19. Accountant Ameen Walker assesses government moves to assist businesses amid Coronavirus shutdowns. Pulitzer Prize winner Matt Richtel of the New York Times discusses his book “An Elegant Defense, The Extraordinary New Science of the Immune System.”

Clark Cadzow of Highland Coffees and Jimmy Weatherford of Louie’s discuss the impact of the restaurant full service shutdown which took effect Monday night. Mark Ballard of the Advocate talks about the coronavirus impact at the Capitol and the politics of Covid-19.

Baton Rouge Airport Director of Aviation Mike Edwards and spokesman Jim Caldwell comment on air travel amid the coronavirus. Adrienne Raphael on the fascination with crossword puzzles. Sharon Cameron talks about survival among the Nazis, detailed in “The Light in Hidden Places”

General Russel Honore, who led the state's Katrina response, adresses the COVID-19 scare and the impact of the virus. Emily Nemens, former editor of the Southern Review at LSU makes her novel debut with a book about baseball.

University of Chicago Scientist Neil Shubin assesses four billion years of evolution detailed in his book “No Assembly Required.”Baton Rouge School Board member Tremelle Howard and school board watcher Raymond Allman look at school closures related to the Coronavirus and the search for a new EBR superintendent of schools.Former Major Leaguer Bill Ripken on the postponement of the MLB season and the reliance on analytical research of players.

Jim recaps a dramatic night in COVID-19 news, the President’s speech, and suspension of the NBA season. Mark Ballard on the politics of COVID-19. John Feinstein on the fan-less March Madness tourney.

Senator Cleo Fields of Baton Rouge previews the session and gives the latest on precautions against coronavirus. Author Ariana Neumann on her father’s survival in Nazi Germany. Chef Elana Horwich discusses her book “Meal and Spiel.”

Former Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders looks at the coronavirus crisis.

Rob Shadoin and Mary Patricia Wray preview the start of the legislative session. Andy Anderson and Fred Dent break down today’s market turmoil due to the collapsing price of oil.

Erin Hawley on Chuck Schumer’s US Supreme Court comments. Lamar White on the Democratic Primary.

Dallas Hartwig on eating and living healthy. Mark Ballard on insurance, Joe Biden. Stephanie Posa on Insurance.

Famed political consultant James Carville recaps an eventful Super Tuesday. Baton Rouge Library’s Mary Stein.

Sean Illing of Vox previews Super Tuesday. Veteran Political Consultant Roy Fletcher looks at the Democratic endorsements of Joe Biden as the former vice president seeks to challenge Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders for his party’s nomination. LSU Mass Communication Professor Lance Porter previews this week’s John Breaux Symposium.