Talk Louisiana

Ray Strother, legendary political consultant, assesses the victory for Gov. John Bel Edwards over Republican Eddie Rispone. Pulitzer Prize finalist Aaron Glantz talks about his book “Homewreckers.” Many Trump administration members are featured in this work about profiteering in the housing collapse.

Pollster Bernie Pinsonat assesses the governor’s election in which John Bel Edwards defeated Eddie Rispone. Ashley Shelton, executive director of the Power Coalition, talks about African American turnout efforts which enabled Gov. Edwards to win by huge margins in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell and political consultant Scott Wilfong assess the gubernatorial contest on election eve in Louisiana. Highland Coffees proprietor Clark Cadzow notes 30 years of service at the gates of LSU, an area considered a graveyard for businesses.

Political consultant Roy Fletcher assesses the governor’s race two days out. Mark Ballard of the Advocate discusses issues that could swing the race between John Bel Edwards and Eddie Rispone. Christina Lake of Preserve Louisiana comments on an event tonight at the Old Governor’s Mansion. Congressman Mike Johnson on the president’s rally in Bossier City.

LSU Shreveport Political Scientist Jeffrey Sadow and Political Consultant Mary Patricia Wray weigh in on the governor’s election and President Trump’s visit to Bossier City on Thursday. Writer Robert Greene reflects on his career of penning books about strategy, power and greed.

Lt. Gen. Russel Honore assesses the Louisiana gubernatorial election and its impact on the environment. Mary Durusau of the Old State Capitol discusses a new exhibit “Victory from Within: The American Prisoner of War Experience.” Author Phil Keith details the legendary life of Eugene Bullard profiled in the book “All Blood Runs Red.”

Dr. Gene Mills, president and CEO of the Louisiana Family Forum, discusses the strength of evangelical voters as Louisiana prepares for a Saturday electoral showdown for governor. Dr. Eric Robinson, graduate of the Manship Schoo,l on the limits of political speech. Jessica Kemp, Vice President of CPEX, on the Smart Growth Summit.

Former Louisiana lawmaker Troy Hebert and Professor Dayne Sherman square off on the governor’s election, Senator John Kennedy and the impact of President Trump on Louisiana voters. Singer/songwriter David St. Romain and Douglas Gay of the Baton Rouge Music Studio detail Veterans Songs of Survivors Workshops. Acclaimed writer Ruta Sepetys talks about her later work pertaining to post WWII Spain “The Fountains of Silence.”

Famed political consultant Mark McKinnon, host of Showtime’s “The Circus,” talks about the state of American politics. Mark Ballard of the Advocate assesses the governor’s election nine days out. Jason Andreason of the Baton Rouge Gallery comments on Friday’s live art auction “Kinetics.”

Bob Edwards, host of Morning Edition for 25 years, comments on the show’s 40th anniversary. Marcia Gaudet, friend and associate of Ernest Gaines, recalls Louisiana’s great writer who died yesterday at 86. We remember Ernest Gaines with an encore interview on his 75th birthday.

Lamar White of the Bayou Brief comments on the governor’s election which is eleven days away. Vastine Stabler and Femi Euba discuss the production of Gloria at Swine Palace. Lawrence Jackson, White House photographer for eight years with President Obama, details his book “Yes We Did.”

Senate candidate Beverly Brooks Thompson looks at her campaign against Franklin Foil. Rich Rubino discusses his book “American Politics on the Rocks."

Longtime Louisiana politico Jim Brown on his memoir “My Louisiana Odyssey” and the governor’s race 16 days before the election between John Bel Edwards and Eddie Lee Rispone. Mark Ballard of the Advocate on being a panelist in the lone debate between Gov. Edwards and Eddie Lee Rispone. Author Marta McDowell on the gardening life of the famed poet Emily Dickinson.

Rep. Franklin Foil assesses his Senate quest against Beverly Brooks Thompson. Rep. Julie Stokes comments on her fight against breast cancer.

EBR District Attorney Hillar Moore opines on crime in the state’s largest parish. Brian Shaw of the LSU Music School joins acclaimed musician Ben Folds to preview their appearance later this week. Elaine LaLanne, widow of famed muscle man Jack LaLanne, reflects on her husband’s legacy to fitness.

State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton previews the Louisiana Book Festival. Baseball great Denny McLain assesses the World Series. Hollywood icon Ruta Lee on Alex Trebek and Nikita Khrushchev.

Professor Jeff Sadow of LSU Shreveport and former state lawmaker Melissa Flournoy debate the fate of the governor’s race and the state of the presidency. Saints Coach Sean Payton in an interview with Graham Bensinger comments on President Trump and gun control. Dr. Gail Gross discusses her book “How to Build Your Baby’s Brain.”

Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain on the status of hemp in Louisiana and the governor’s election. Strain was re-elected to a fourth term on Oct. 12. Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard on Republican responses to Ukraine scandal testimonies, the Governor's race, and the future of St. George. Singer Susan Cowsill on her upcoming performance at the Dyson House November 7th.

Colonel Rob Manesss, head of GatorPac and erstwhile U.S. Senate candidate, says he’s leaving the Republican Party because of actions by prominent GOP Louisiana donor Lane Grigsby. Tobin Smith, 14-year Fox News contributor and guest anchor, describes his association with the network in “Foxocracy.”

Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra Executive Director Eric Marshall on the season ahead. LSU Manship School Dean Martin Johnson comments on the departure of Sheppard Smith at Fox News and upheaval at NBC two years after Today Show host Matt Lauer was ousted. National Book Award winner Tim O’Brien, the acclaimed novelist, reflects on the challenges of fatherhood late in life.

Kimberly Neustrom, Executive Director of the Baton Rouge Blues Foundation, showcases a major gala. Author Lydia Pine on her book "Genunine Fakes: How Phony Things Teach us about Real Stuff". Susan Mailer, eldest daughter of Norman Mailer comments on his remarkable and controversial life.

Candidate Belinda Davis on LA House District 70 runoff election against Barbara Freiberg. Noel Hammatt details tomorrow’s Baton Rouge Kiwanis Club's 70th Annual Pancake Breakfast which begins at 6 AM in the Carl Maddox Field House. Charles Bush on his film, Music Dreams An American Story, featuring Henry Turner Jr. and Turner’s influence on Baton Rouge Blues.

LSU Journalism School Graduate Sydnie Kohara talks about anchoring network coverage for ABC when the San Francisco Earthquake hit the Bay Area 30 years ago tonight. Mark Ballard of the Advocate on the bid by businessman Lane Grigsby to buy Franklin Foil out of a contested race for Senate District 16. Pulitzer Prize winner James Stewart discusses his book “Deep State, Trump, the FBI and the Rule of Law." Adam St. Pierre and Andrew Tadman of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library on Saturday’s 6th annual Maiker Faire.

Republican Political Consultant Roy Fletcher comments on the gubernatorial runoff between Democratic incumbent John Bel Edwards and Republican Eddie Rispone and the prospective three way runoff for the Louisiana Senate with Democrat Beverly Brooks Thompson facing Republicans Steve Carter and Franklin Foil who tied for second place. Foil is Fletcher’s client. LSU Professor Vincent LiCata previews the SciArt New Science Play Festival at LSU. Capitol Park Museum Curator Joey David on exhibits featuring Martin Luther King’s hearse and the Canary Islands.

Former Democratic Congressman Charles Melancon of Napoleonville on the death of moderates in American politics and the forecast for the Nov. 16 runoff for governor between John Bel Edwards and Eddie Rispone. Lizy Dastin, art history professor at UCLA, discusses the popularity of public art in our country and in Baton Rouge.

Republican Dan Claitor and Democrat Jim Nickel comment on the gubernatorial primary with Governor Edwards being forced into a runoff with challenger Eddie Rispone and Claitor’s vacated Senate now a tie between Franklin Foil and Steve Carter for second place behind Beverly Brooks Thompson.

Public Service Commissioner and ranking Democrat Foster Campbell exchanges views with Republican activist Darrell Glasper, invited guest of the White House to tonight’s Trump rally in Lake Charles on the eve of Louisiana’s gubernatorial primary. Linda Gail Lewis, rock veteran and sister of Jerry Lee Lewis, talks about her show tonight at the Dyson House, hosted at Zeeland Street Market in Baton Rouge.

Conservative columnist and commentator Michelle Malkin comments on immigration in the age of President Trump, who visits Lake Charles tomorrow night. EBR Clerk of Court Doug Welborn on his quest for an eighth term against a vigorous challenge from recent guest Donna Collins Lewis. Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard looks at the governor’s election two days from the Oct. 12 primary. Gov. John Bel Edwards and Republican foes Eddie Rispone and Ralph Abraham debated for a fourth and final time last night in Shreveport.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., son of the slain senator and attorney general and nephew of President John Kennedy, comments on his environmental mission. Kennedy appears in Baton Rouge Thursday as the keynote speaker for the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper. RFK Jr. is joined by Monica Fisher, the outreach coordinator for the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper. Darryl Gissel and Mark Armstrong, Chief Adminstrative and Communications Officers for Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, look at Saturday’s election to approve or stop the formation of the Village of St. George. Skidmore College Professor Robert Boyers reflects on his book “The Tyranny of Virtue.” Boyers says too many campuses are protecting students from uncomfortable ideas.

Democrat Mary Patricia Wray and Republican Scott Wilfong square off on the governor’s election four days away from the Oct. 12 primary. Famed Sports Sociologist Harry Edwards chimes in on the wisdom of paying college athletes after the signing of bill allowing this by California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

New York Times reporters Robin Pogrebin comment on the legacy of the explosive confirmation hearing of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Melanie Couvillion, director of the Manship Theatre, on the year ahead in the arts downtown.

Former Louisiana Congressman and high ranking member in the administration of George H. W. Bush Henson Moore celebrates his 80th birthday and reflects on what he sees as changes for the worse in American politics. Former LSU quarterback Matt Flynn, who won two NCAA titles as a Tiger and a Super Bowl ring with Green Bay talks about life after football and LSU’s Heisman Trophy candidate Joe Burrow.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon assesses his reelection quest against the challenge of Tim Temple. Donelon has served 13 years in his current post. Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard comments on the election landscape nine days before the Oct. 12 primary. Ann Vail, Executive Director of Louisiana Clean Fuels discusses the Clean Fuels Summit. Dr. Trey Dunbar, President of Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health, talks about the new children’s hospital in Baton Rouge.

Candidate for Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple on his challenge of fellow Republican, incumbent Jim Donelon, in the Oct. 12 primary. Loyola University President Tania Tetlow, lawyer, law professor and first woman and first layperson to hold the top position at the New Orleans campus.

LSU Marching Band Director Kelvin Jones and Assistant Director Cliff Croomes discuss the rich history of the Golden Band from Tigerland. National Book Award winner Robert Jay Lifton assesses themes in his book “Losing Reality, On cults, Cultism, Mindset of Political and Religious Zealotry.”

Danny Heitman, editorial writer for The Advocate, comments on state and local politics and his award winning column “At Random.” Dan Moldea, well known investigative reporter, surveys the landscape in the Beltway where House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has opened an impeachment inquiry against President Trump.

Dr. Allison Stanger, author of “Whistleblowers: Honesty in America from Washington to Trump,” comments on the impeachment inquiry of President Trump related to a whistleblower complaint. Mark Ballard, Capitol Bureau Chief of the Advocate, previews tonight’s gubernatorial debate 16 days before the Oct. 12 primary.

Quin Hillyer, conservative columnist and commentator and former top aide to Louisiana Congressman Bob Livingston, comments on impeach proceedings launched against President Trump.Dr. James Gordon, director of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine and Toni Bankston, executive director of the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center, preview the Community Day of Healing on Baton Rouge on September 27th.

Pennington Biomedical Center Professor and President of the Obesity Society Steven Heymsfield discusses the epidemic of overweight Americans and reflects on his childhood friendship with President Trump, who grew up on the same block in Queens in the 1950s and early 1960s. Author William Schaberg comments on his work, “Writing the Big Book,” The Creation of A.A.”

Sean Reilly, Chief Executive Officer of Lamar Advertising, talks about the largest business based in Baton Rouge and his time in the Louisiana House as a state representative from 1988-96.

LSU Manship Professor and Louisiana Political Hall of Famer Bob Mann assesses Thursday’s gubernatorial debate and the state of the Trump presidency. Holly Howat, Executive Director of Beacon Community Connections in Lafayette, discusses health care accessibility and the 2019 South Louisiana Culture of Health Summit. Bridget Gordon, registered nurse and coordinator of the Community Injury Prevention Program at University Medical Center New Orleans, conveys the importance of child safety seats. Carlos Thomas of Baton Rouge, former Vanderbilt running back, looks at Saturday’s game in Nashville between his alma mater and LSU.

State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton remembers the late journalist Cokie Roberts, who died this week at 75. Harrison Golden of WVLA previews tonight’s gubernatorial debate at the LSU Union Theater. Mark Ballard of the Advocate assesses the governor’s election 23 days before the Oct. 12 primary.

LSU Manship School Dean Martin Johnson and friends on the state of campus newspapers and collaboration with LSU athletics. A salute to the late journalist Cokie Roberts from an encore interview in 2015. The New Orleans native died yesterday at age 75. Serena Pandos and Leslie Charleville from the Louisiana Art and Science Museum comment on Friday’s gala “Chroma, Color Your Senses.”

LSU Alumnus and Academy Award winning composer Bill Conti previews his performance tonight at the Union Theater with the LSU Symphony and looks back on his days as a student who lived in Tiger Stadium. Former Baton Rouge Coroner Hypolite Landry talks about his varied life as he celebrates his 93rd birthday with listeners of Talk Louisiana.

EBR Councilwoman Donna Collins Lewis on her bid to unseat veteran Doug Welborn as Baton Rouge Clerk of Court…and the prospect of the Village of St. George. New York Times reporter Megan Twohey comments on her role in breaking the story of sexual harassment by Harvey Weinstein, detailed in the book “She Said.”

Former Louisiana GOP Chairman Mike Francis, current member of the Louisiana PSC, discusses solar energy and politics four weeks before the gubernatorial primary. Pulitzer Prize winning reporter Tyler Bridges of the Advocate contrasts this year’s governor’s race with the 2015 campaign that prompted Tyler’s book with Jeremy Alford, “Longshot.”

Ken Perret, President of Louisiana Good Roads and Transportation Association reviews the deplorable condition of state roads and predicts 2020 will provide another push for a gasoline tax in Louisiana. Mark Ballard, Capitol Bureau Chief for the Advocate, looks at Bernie Pinsonat’s gubernatorial poll one month before the Oct. 12 election. Lee Hartley Carter on the art of persuasion in an era where facts don’t seem to matter.

General Russel Honore’, hero of Katrina and head of the Green Army, joins activist Hays Town to discuss the vulnerability of the Baton Rouge water system, and Honore’ looks back 18 years to the 9-11 attack on America. Dr. James Gordon, Chairman of the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine, discusses his book “The Transformation.”

Style writer Dana Thomas discusses her book “Fashionopolis” which examines the clothing industry with is a 2.4 trillion dollar annual business with one of six workers on the Earth connected to it. Baton Rouge tailor Manuel Martinez reflects on 35 years as one of America’s most celebrated clothiers and how the industry is evolving. Glenn Guilbeau of the USA Today Network and James Moran of Tiger Rag comment on the Saints 30-28 last second win over Houston and LSU’s impressive 45-38 victory at Texas.

Mara Liasson, NPR national correspondent, comments on the politics of appointing Supreme Court justices and surveys the landscape for the election of 2020. Celebrated author Brad Meltzer showcases his two new biographical subjects, Walt Disney and Marie Curie. Torrie Fields, Program Manager for Blue Shield of California, discusses her role as moderator for a forum this Thursday about end of life care hosted by the LSU Manship School and its Reilly Center for Public Affairs at the LSU Heath Center in New Orleans.