Talk Louisiana

Former LSU Basketball Standout Collis Temple, the first African-American to play for the Tigers on the court, analyzes the fallout over the suspension of head Basketball Coach Will Wade amid revelations of an FBI wiretap of Wade. Kayla Perkins and Jessica McDaniel of the EBR Library and author Sherry Thomas of the Lady Sherlock series on this year’s One Book One Community Selection, “The Hound of the Baskervilles” by Arthur Conan Doyle.

Federal Judge Shelly Dick, Chief Judge of the Middle District of Louisiana, comments on today’s forum for “Unlocking Opportunities for Employment.” Former Congresswoman Nan Hayworth, Republican of New York, talks about being the keynoter at the Breaux Symposium at the Reilly Center for Media and Public Affairs. Hayworth discusses the challenges of women running, winning and serving. Glenn Guilbeau of the USA Today Network assesses the controversy swirling about LSU Basketball Coach Will Wade, who is not commenting about reports of the FBI wiretapping a conversation in which Wade allegedly talked of an offer to a player.

Lisa Freeman, Executive Director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, reflects on her first year anniversary on road safety in Louisiana, accenting the high number of motorcycle accidents and fatalities in the state. Mark Ballard, Capitol Bureau Chief of the Advocate looks ahead to the start of the Legislative Session in one month. Will it be a yawner or will sports betting and possibly raising the age for legal smoking be contentious issues for debate by lawmakers? Singer Mary McBride previews a series of performances in the Baton Rouge area.

Inspector General Stephen Street on eleven years of ferreting out corruption in Louisiana. Street has battled budget woes and criticism from those he has investigated to rise to the post of national President of Inspectors General. Raymond Strother, the fabled political consultant from Louisiana, assesses the fate of Governor John Bel Edwards, who is seven months from a re-election bid, and President Trump, who faces the national electorate again in November of next year.

Raegan Carter of Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation on the continuing challenge of curbing smoking in Louisiana. Organic Farmer Bob Quinn comments on his book “Grain by Grain,” A Quest to Revive Ancient Wheat, Rural Jobs and Healthy Food. Southern University Political Scientist Albert Samuels assesses the St. George petition. Author Clinton Johnson tells the story behind the action movie from Tom Hanks that was filmed in Baton Rouge.

Political Consultant Roy Fletcher on Louisiana’s red tide in state elections and the prospect for re-election for President Trump. Greg Bowser, President of the Louisiana Chemical Association comments about a major investment announcement by ExxonMobil in Baton Rouge. Author Blake Harris discusses his book which takes readers behind the scenes for the larger than life story of Oculus, the upstart virtual reality company founded in 2012 and sold to Facebook for more than two billion dollars.

EBR Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore reflects on crime in the Capital City, the fight against opioid deaths and a wrinkle in the case involving the death of LSU fraternity pledge Maxwell Gruver. Drake University Professor Jennifer Harvey comments on her book, “Raising White Kids, Bringing up Children in a Racially Unjust America.

Investigative Reporter Dan Moldea assesses testimony before the U.S. House Oversight Committee from former Trump attorney Michael Cohen. Mark Ballard, Capitol Bureau Chief for The Advocate on the prospect for the City of St. George and Louisiana Congressional members votes on background checks for guns. Celebrated Author Greg Isles of Natchez on his latest work “Cemetery Road” about a journalist in Mississippi.

Author Steve Luxenberg comments on Plessy v. Ferguson, the infamous Supreme Court decision involving a Louisiana man who sought equality in America three decades after the Civil War. Luxenberg’s book is “Separate, the Story of Plessy v. Ferguson and America’s Journey from Slavery to Segregation. Environmental activist Doug Daigle recalls his colleague Len Bahr, who died last week at 78. Renee Chatelain of the Arts Council for Greater Baton Rouge showcases the Ebb and Flow Festival. Storied journalist Greg Palast on Venezuela.

LSU Professor Kevin Cope talks hazing and other LSU issues. Sophie Hannah discusses holding grudges. Julie Bogart on her Brave Writer program.

Guest host Julie Baxter-Payer. LA National Guard spokesperson Colonel Ed Bush discusses military service. Society for the Preservation of Lagniappe board member Doug Cossman. BR Blues Festival Producer Eric Carnegie on this spring’s slate of festival fun. James Carl Nelson, author of “The Polar Bear Expedition” on America’s 20th century short war in northern Russia.

Longtime WAFB-TV meteorologist and Baton Rouge Police Officer Mike Graham is retiring after 49 years with BRPD and moving to Arizona. Graham will be joined by his former WAFB colleague George Sells. Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard analyzes friction between Attorney General Jeff Landry and New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell.

Reporters Lea Skene and Andrea Gallo of The Advocate detail the history of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity at LSU. The DKE chapter has been kicked off campus after nine arrests of members who allegedly engaged in extreme hazing of pledges. Allegations of burning new members and urinating on them are among the charges against the DKE Nine. The latest scandal comes after the death in 2017 of pledge Max Gruver at another LSU fraternity. Former DKE member Steve Myers, a lawyer, real estate mogul and founder of Tiger Rag, comments on his experience with the fraternity and offers his reasons for keeping the chapter alive at LSU.

Greater Baton Rouge Business Report Editor Stephanie Riegel reports on the high cost of mosquito abatement in Baton Rouge. LSU Student Journalist Kennedi Walker comments on the reaction from campus regarding stunning allegations of criminal misconduct by members of the DKE fraternity. Former LSU Student and National Book Award winner Kimberly Willis Holt of Forest Hill talks about her latest book “The Lost Boy’s Gift.”

Residents in Spanish Town, a famous and historic Baton Rouge neighborhood, have launched a crusade to stop vacant homes from being converted into short-term rental units. Celebrated photographer Marie Constantin is leading residents from the neighborhood near the State Capitol in an effort to convince the Metro Council to require owners to live on site of a residential property being rented through sites like Airbnb. Jerry Ashton, co-founder of RIP Medical Debt, offers a prescription to cure America’s $1 trillion healthcare debt. Ashton notes that medical debt for veterans alone will impact 29,000 families in America this year and is the leading cause for bankruptcy in the United States. Former Congressional candidate Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code, opines about her latest book “Brave Not Perfect.” Saujani says the book forces women to look at their lives and ask: Am I living the life I always imagined for myself, or am I living a life that merely feels safe?

Daniel Erspamer, CEO of the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, discusses his organization, which is described as a non-partisan research and educational organization. The think tank was on the front lines of criminal justice reform and is a voice for free markets in Louisiana. Democrat Dayne Sherman, Southeastern Louisiana University Professor, and Republican Scott Wilfong square off on major issues in the governor’s election and President Trump’s decision to call a national emergency to build a wall at the Southern border of the U.S.

Baton Rouge Attorney Phil Preis surveys the fallout of the collapse of the Stanford Financial Group. It was ten years ago that investors lost billions of dollars in retirement funds in a Ponzi scheme led by Allen Stanford. Many retirees of ExxonMobil in Baton Rouge were hardest hit by the failure of the Houston-based firm. Preis is representing hundreds of plaintiffs in legal action against the Stanford Group.Jim discusses new allegations of hazing at LSU.

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell on relaxed federal regulations on payday loans and prison phones and his contention that ExxonMobil will never leave Baton Rouge. Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard on reasons why the Legislature has shifted dramatically away from Campbell’s proposed processing tax on oil and gas. Meghan Cox Gurdon of the Wall Street Journal speaks about her book “The Enchanted Hour, The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction.”

Former State Senator Elbert Guillory, Director of Outreach for the Louisiana GOP, and Lamar White, Publisher of the Bayou Brief exchange views on Blackface in Louisiana, the border wall, President Trump and Gov. John Bel Edwards. Architects Chris and Trula Remson of Baton Rouge talk about some of their projects, including the BR High School renovation and addition, the Knock Knock Children’s Museum and The Advocate Building.

Former Louisiana Insurance Commissioner and Secretary of State Jim Brown on the arrest of Roger Stone and the statewide elections eight months from today. Texas Tech Professor Brian Ott on the president’s tweets. His book is “the Twitter Presidency: Donald J. Trump and the Politics of White Rage. Historian and Author Tom Clavin on the fascinating life of Wild Bill Hickok.

Greg Bowser, President of the Louisiana Chemical Association, comments on the controversial ITEP program and LCA’s support for ExxonMobil. Michael Learned, matriarch of “The Waltons, reflects on the legacy of the number one television program from the 70s and its enduring impact 45 years later.

Baton Rouge Animal Control and Rescue Center Director Hilton Cole on nearly 40 years of tending to animals on the streets. The motto of the organization is “We Protect the Public and Their Animals.” Cole will discuss sheltering, adoptions, rescue and euthanasia services. Sarah Kracke and Dave Hinson detail the activities of the Baton Rouge Adult Music Club. Peggy Sweeney McDonald of Preserve Louisiana premiere next week’s production at the Old Governor’s Mansion, “Love Letters.” The play features Sweeney-McDonald and Scott Jefferson. They first performed “Love Letters” 25 years ago in New Orleans.

Advocate Reporter Andrea Gallo discusses her series on revelations of widespread sexual misconduct by priests in Baton Rouge. Mark Ballard, Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief, on how political friction in the Beltway has filtered down to the Bayou State Analyst Kali McFadden tells why Baton Rouge and New Orleans are two of the Top Ten states in America in delinquent student loans

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne celebrates his 65th birthday with us and talks about ITEP, the state budget and Revenue Estimating Conference and his hope for LSU Basketball to return to the Parker Coliseum for some games. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon opines about auto insurance rates in Louisiana. Karen Egedy and John Engelsman on the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at LSU.

Len Apcar, professor at the Manship School and fellow at the Reilly Center for Media and Public Affairs, comments on the threat of fake news to democracy. Maxine Crump, president of Dialogue on Race, talks about the controversy enveloping the governor of Virginia and continuing issues of race in America and Louisiana.

University of Oklahoma Journalism Professor Jensen Moore on Super Bowl 53 and the commercials that ran in the Patriots 13-3 win over the Rams. Doctor Joseph Abraham of Church Point discusses the appeal of authoritarian rule and demagogues detailed in his book ‘”Kings, Conquerors, Psychopaths.” Wetland Ecologist Scott Nesbit comments on soil and groundwater contamination in the St. Gabriel Oil Field.

Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders assesses Louisiana’s abortion law requiring hospital admitting privileges for doctors who perform abortions. The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to rule on the validity of the Louisiana law. Sportswriters Glenn Guilbeau of Gannett News and James Moran of Tiger Rag (I will note that I am the proprietor) comment on Super Bowl 53 between the Rams and Patriots. Richard Pryor Jr. remembers the extraordinary life of his famous father.

Matt Saurage, President of Community Coffee, comments on the 100th anniversary of the family business he has headed since 2012. Saurage will assess the international coffee industry which offers a plethora of competitors. Mark Ballard, Capitol Bureau Chief for the Advocate, looks at the politics of the Super Bowl and of the ITEP program that was revamped and is now under fire after removal of tax exemptions of a major corporate player in the state. Paul Maassen, the fourth President and General Manager of WRKF, takes inquiries from listeners as the station celebrates its 39th anniversary.

General Russel Honore,’ head of the Green Army, responds to the decision by the EBR School Board to remove tax exemptions from ExxonMobil.

State Representative Steve Carter on the controversy about the EBR School Board denying a $290,000 per year tax incentive for Exxon Mobil. LSU Manship School Dean Martin Johnson on the contemporary media environment with charges of fake news and media bias and more options for listeners, readers and viewers. Filmmaker Ann de Mare on “The Homestretch,” her production showing at LSU. Radio owner and host Chuck Redden on his parody song about NFL officiating as the Super Bowl looms between the Patriots and Rams.

Bob Crowley, former Executive Director of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, comments on the prospect of teacher walkout. Film Critic Richard Roeper on this year’s Oscar derby.

Celebrated author James Lee Burke talks about his rich Louisiana laden career with his Dave Robicheaux character back for another turn in “New Iberia Blues. Burt Ward, the original Robin on Batman, recalls the highly popular series and its 120 episodes from 1966-68 and his conversion at 72 from caped crusader to canine crusader. John Kaufman, marketing director for the Manship Theatre from its beginning on March 5, 2004, reflects on 15 years of performances of the arena in the Shaw Center for the Arts.

Baton Rouge Symphony Conductor Timothy Muffitt discusses his decision to retire as BRSO leader after two decades. Muffitt, the longest serving conductor and music director in the history of the BRSO, will leave his post in 2020. Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard of the Advocate on a week in which Exxon-Mobil made a startling announcement and Gov. John Bel Edwards made his long awaited official announcement. Best-selling author James Rollins on his long career and his latest work, “Crucible.” NYU School of Medicine Physician Leonardo Trasande talks about environmental risks to good health detailed in his book, “Sicker, Fatter, Poorer.”

Pollster Bernie Pinsonat on Governor John Bel Edwards’ official announcement as a gubernatorial candidate and the election of October 19. Pinsonat will also assess the politics in Louisiana of the border wall demanded by President Trump. Veteran Actor Demond Wilson on his days as Lamont Sanford on Sanford and Son and his current work nearly a half-century later.

Governor John Bel Edwards joins us for a campaign announcement. Edwards announced his candidacy for governor on this program six years ago and is making his official announcement for re-election today. The election is October 12. Secretary of Health Rebecca Gee reflects on her three years heading the state’s largest agency with a budget of more than $14 billion annually. Ernest Gaines 2019 Literary Award winner Jamel Brinkley talks about his book, “A Lucky Man,” and his appearance Thursday to accept his honor at the Manship Theatre. Dr. Joel Nitzkin, Public Health Physician in New Orleans and Senior Fellow for Tobacco Policy, compares regulation of e-cigarettes to the old fashioned kind of cigarettes.

Steven Pinker, best selling author and professor of psychology at Harvard, on his latest work: “Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism and Progress.” Former Louisiana GOP Chairman Roger Villere and conservative commentator Quin Hillyer on differences regarding President Trump in GOP circles.

Mark Ballard, Capitol Bureau Chief for the Advocate, assesses a major vote against Exxon-Mobil last night by the EBR Parish School Board and the latest on the 2019 governor’s election. Dr. Loren Scott, longtime LSU economist, looks at how the Trump tariffs are affecting Louisiana and defends the state’s decision to not raise its minimum wage.

Advocate Editor Peter Kovacs, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, surveys the state of media in America with the mantra of fake news, accusations of bias and a host of options for consumers. Kovacs has led the state’s daily newspaper of record for nearly six years. University of North Carolina Professor Melinda Maynor Lowery discusses her book “The Lumbee Indians: An American Struggle. Lowery is director of the Center for the Study of the American South.

Bicycling activist Mark Martin on the light sentence received by the driver who killed Baton Rouge Councilman Buddy Amoroso last year as Amoroso was riding his bicycle in West Feliciana Parish. CNN Political Analyst Julian Zelizer, a Princeton professor, on the reasons for polarization in America. Racheal Hebert, CEO of Sexual Trauma Awareness and Assault comments on the impact of the government shutdown on services provided by STAR.

Ara Rubyan previews the 13th annual Jewish Film Festival in Baton Rouge. Democratic activist Faye Williams and Republican Darrell Glasper share views about the president’s trip to New Orleans, the partial government shutdown and possible collusion with Russia.

Attorney Morgan Lamandre, who lost an Ethics Board ruling for child care expenses, comments on the decision. Lamandre is a legislative candidate and was seeking to defray costs historically covered by campaign accounts. Sportswriter Mark Kram looks at the playoff clash between the Eagles and Saints, the 50th anniversary of Joe Namath and the New York Jets beating Baltimore 16-7 in Super III and the 75th anniversary of the birth of former Heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier, a biographical subject of Kram.

University of Florida Professor Jack Davis, author of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize winning book, “The Gulf, Making of the American Sea,” talks about the Earth’s tenth largest body of water, one of the planet’s most productive marine ecosystems. His work covers the history of the Gulf of Mexico from geological formation to the present. Former State Senator Elbert Guillory of Opelousas, Director of Minority Outreach for the Louisiana GOP, analyzes President Trump’s speech from the White House in favor of a border wall with Mexico. Democratic activist Susan Nelson assesses the partial government shutdown in its 19th day.

Mary Patricia Wray, the strategist who helped Gov. John Bel Edwards win the governor’s election four years ago joins Republican activist Scott Wilfong to weigh in on the 2019 governor’s election and the federal government shutdown as President Trump addresses the nation tonight. Wilfong was a Louisiana elector for Trump. Libertarian Mike Wolf, a prominent Baton Rouge lawyer, comments about the government shutdown and assesses a controversial case involving Louisiana Judge Wayne Ray Chutz. The Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal Judge has sued an ex-girlfriend, seeking the return of a $62.000 diamond ring and reimbursement of more than $30,000 in expenses. Talk Louisiana remembers Elvis Presley on the 84th anniversary of his birth.

Debbie Meaux, President of the Louisiana Association of Educators, makes her case for a teacher pay increase in the state. Governor John Bel Edwards is an advocate. Some lawmakers have expressed concern about the budget implications of a salary hike for those in the classroom. Veteran trial attorney Mike Fawer of New Orleans recaps five decades in the courtroom in Lousiana. Fawer’s book is “From The Bronx to the Bayou, A Defense Attorney’s Odyssey From Charles Evers to Edwin Edwards and Beyond.”

Ellen Keith discusses her first work of fiction, “The Dutch Wife”. Eric Dawson on the importance of youth leadership, and “Putting Peace First”. Mary Jo McConahay talks WWII and South/Central America in “The Tango War”. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran previews the Fiesta Bowl.

LSU Chancellor Emeritus Jim Wharton sounds off about the prospect of holistic admission standards at the Ole War Skule. Wharton led the change from open to selective admissions at LSU 35 years ago. LSU President King Alexander is a strong advocate of a move to holistic admissions. Celebrated writer Brad Meltzer on his latest work, “The First Conspiracy the Secret Plot to Kill George Washington.”

Mark Ballard, Capitol Bureau Chief for the Advocate, comments on the election year of 2019. Michael Roizen, Chief Wellness Officer for the Cleveland Clinic, discusses the link between diet and healthy hearts. Roizen’s latest book is “What to Eat, When.” Dr. Steven Masley surveys the link between dementia and nutrition.

Laura Vinsant, Executive Director for Teach for America South Louisiana, on the role her organization plays in the region. Teach for America, which started in 1989, has a mission to enlist, develop and mobilize young leaders who start their careers in the classroom. LSU Assistant Professor of Communication at the Manship School Nichole Bauer comments on the new Congress convening tomorrow in Washington. There is a record number of female representatives on Capitol Hill, but Louisiana has no female members in its delegation. Dr. Jonahan Bailor on his book, “The Setpoint Diet,” The 21-Day Program to Permane ntly Change What Your Body Wants to Weigh. Dr. Bailor pioneered the field of wellness engineering.

Guest host Julie Baxter-Payer. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser talks New Year's Eve celebrations. Writter Ed Cullen on a year of stories. LSU superfan and videographer Steve Miley on the Fiesta Bowl.

Political Consultant Roy Fletcher looks at the biggest political stories of 2018 and forecasts Louisiana elections in 2019 as voters anticipate an October 12 gubernatorial primary. Longtime minister Chris Andrews, former pastor of First United Methodist in Baton Rouge for more than two decades, reflects on what happened in the Capital City this year and the prospect of a vote on the Village of St. George in the year to come. Andrews also offers advice on peace during turbulent times.