Talk Louisiana

Former Louisiana lawmaker Elbert Guillory, an Opelousas lawyer and head of Minority Outreach for the State GOP, talks about the three church fires at historically black churches in his parish of St. Landry, assesses the comeback of Tiger Woods and the prospect for re-election of Gov. John Bel Edwards and President Donald Trump. Ameen Walker of First Financial Tax and Accounting Services surveys the winners and losers at the tax deadline under the tax reform measure signed by President Trump.

Lieutenant Gov. Billy Nungesser on a huge month for tourism in Louisiana and the ninth anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon explosion and BP oil spill. Chris Meyer, CEO of New Schools for Baton Rouge, assesses charter schools in Baton Rouge and the hunt for new superintendent of schools.

Democrat Eddie Ashworth and Republican Scott Wilfong exchange views of the political landscape exactly six months before the Oct. 12 primary. Music Critic John Wirt looks at Blues Fest in Baton Rouge and the French Quarter Fest in New Orleans. Author Lisa Wingate talks about her appearance at the Main Library tomorrow night and her book about a notorious scandal in wich the director of Memphis adoption agency kidnapped and sold children to wealthy families across the nation.

Former Trump Administration official George Papadopoulos on his status as the first person convicted in the Mueller probe. His book is “Deep State Target.” Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard on the opening of the Legislative Session and an election six months from the October primary. Trumpeters Brian Shaw and Wayne Bergeron preview their concert with the LSU Jazz Ensemble. Legendary cartoonist Cathy Guisewite talks about her 34-year run as one of the nation’s most published cartoonists and her latest work of essays about the challenges of womanhood.

Racheal Hebert, President and CEO of Sexual Trauma Awareness Response, comments on five members of the Louisiana U.S. House delegation voting against renewal of the Violence Against Women Act, which passed the House by a 263-158 margin. Congressman Cedric Richmond was the lone member of the state delegation to vote for the measure. Stephanie Grace, editorial writer of the Advocate, discusses her column about Louisiana U.S. Senator John Kennedy. Grace took the senator to task for remarks about the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Kennedy said “It must suck to be that dumb” in reference to an effort to retrieve tax returns from President Trump.

University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson assesses funding for higher education in Louisiana as college leaders hold a rally at the State Capitol. LSU Manship School Director of the Public Policy Research Lab Michael Henderson provides information on voter opinion of the Louisiana economy and a potential gasoline tax increase. Henderson also unveils polling indicating strong support for minimum wage increases. Fairleigh Jackson of Preserve Louisiana previews an April 11 event, “How Juke Joints Shaped the Blues.”

University of Houston Law Professor David Dow on his novel about the death penalty and a move from the Louisiana Legislature to abolish capital punishment in the state. Robert Travis Scott, President of the Public Affairs Research Council, comments on the opening the Louisiana Legislative Session. Tyler Kepner, Baseball writer for the New York Times, details his book about the art of pitching and the ten pitches that have dominated the history of the national pastime.

Republican Rob Maness and Democrat Dayne Sherman exchange views on state and national politics. Former Assistant Secretary of State and Assistant Defense Secretary John Kirby comments on classified communications. Su King of the Baton Rouge Concert Band on Sunday’s concert as part of the Ebb and Flow Festival. Singer Carson McHone previews her appearance at Zeeland Market.

Advocate Investigative Reporter Bryn Stole analyzes the saga of suspended LSU basketball coach Will Wade. Mark Ballard, Capitol Bureau Chief of the Advocate, comments on the upcoming regular legislative session and discusses votes likely to come from the Louisiana delegation in the U.S. House on taking gun rights away from those convicted of domestic abuse and the Democratic majority request for six years of presidential tax returns. Lulu Roman of Hee Haw fame on her appearance this weekend in Livingston Parish.

Former State Lawmaker Erich Ponti, who heads the Louisiana Coalition to Fix Our Roads, comments on the prospect of the Louisiana Legislature embracing a boost in gasoline taxes during an election year. WRKF Station Manager Paul Maassen discusses funding for Public Radio in Baton Rouge as the station approaches its 40thanniversary of broadcasting to South Louisiana. New Orleans Author Samantha Downing reflects on overnight recognition for her first published novel “My Lovely Wife.”

Mike Bertaut, Chief Health Care Economist for Blue Cross Blue Shield Louisiana, reviews possible changes to the Affordable Care Act, now nine years old. What will happen to public health care in Louisiana if Congress or the courts strike down Obamacare? Bertaut notes that 53 percent of state residents are recipients of Medicaid or Medicare benefits. Actor and singer John Schneider discusses his life in Livingston Parish which includes a flood and bankruptcy. Schneider remains active and in Louisiana despite his recent challenges.

WAFB Morning Show Host and Crime Stoppers Reporter Matt Williams comments on the prospect of Village St. George. Sportswriter Ron Rapoport on the baseball legacy of Chicago Cubs great Ernie Banks. Clive Thompson of the New York Times discusses his book “Coders, The Making of a New Tribe and the Remaking of the World.”

LSU Scientist Gabriela Gonzales on her finding in 2015 at the LIGO Observatory that confirmed Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. Stanford Psychology Professor Jennifer Eberhardt discusses her book, “Biased, Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think and Do”.

LSU Manship School Professor Bob Mann previews his forthcoming biography of Ronald Reagan. Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie comments on the struggles of veterans who have an all-time high rate of suicides. Mark Ballard, Capitol Bureau Chief of the Advocate, on the prospect of a parish wide vote on the fate of the Village of St. George.

Tulane University Professor Richard Marksbury details negotiations with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell on the future of four Confederate Era monuments removed last year from the landscape of the Crescent City. Attorney Mike Wolf and LSU-Shreveport Political Scientist Jeff Sadow assess the Barr Report, the Age of Trump and the Louisiana governor’s election. Baton Rouge Magnet High School teacher Kim Denson on the 20th Annual Geo Journey at the school. American Red Cross Senior Vice President Trevor Riggen on Red Cross Giving Day.

Jan Kasofsky, Executive Director of Capital Area Human Services, details the opioid epidemic in Baton Rouge. Cecile Richards, former President of Planned Parenthood, previews her book “Make Trouble, Stand Up, Speak Out and Find the Courage to Lead.” Lamar White, Publisher of Bayou Brief, comments on the candidacy for governor of Congressman Ralph Abraham and the reaction in Louisiana to the report from Attorney General William Barr related to the yet unreleased Mueller Report.

Political strategist Mary Patricia Wray and former Louisiana lawmaker Troy Hebert square off on the Mueller Report and the governor’s election six and one half months away. World renowned physician William Li comments on his latest work “Eat to Beat Disease, The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself.”

LSU basketball great Rudy Macklin on the documentary about him and LSU’s prospects in the NCAA Tournament. Singer Grant Peeples on his performance at the Dyson House. John Atkinson, CEO of the Idea Village, previews New Orleans Entrepreneur Week. GOP Political Consultant Roy Fletcher comments on the feud President Trump has with the late U.S. Senator John McCain.

State Representative and former LSU Associate Athletic Director Steve Carter comments on his latest push for a road tax and LSU opening the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Jacksonville against Yale. Advocate Bureau Chief Mark Ballard analyzes the friction between former Board of Regents Chair Richard Lipsey and LSU President King Alexander. Lipsey is calling for the firing of Alexander and LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva. Theologian Serene Jones comments on her prescription for peace in a fractured world.

Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu looks back a year to his decision to remove four Confederate Era monuments from prominent places in the city. Vastine Stabler of Swine Palace Theatre previews the opening of “Airline." Sportswriter Glenn Guilbeau examines the Will Wade controversy as LSU preps for its Thursday NCAA Tournament game vs. Yale.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser talks tourism, Confederate monuments, and Feed Your Soul. LSU Manship School professor Judith Sylvester and a few of her students discuss the campus smoking ban and the rise of the e-cig.

Pastor Brady Whitton of First United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge comments on recent votes by the Church against same sex marriage and gay clergy. Melinda Deslatte of the Associate Press previews this week’s annual Gridiron Show. The oldest show of its kind outside of Washington D.C. will be the showcase for laughs at the expense of many Louisiana newsmakers.

Former State Lawmakers Ben Bagert, a Republican from New Orleans, and Melissa Flournoy, a Democrat from Shreveport, square off about their views on state and national politics. Thursday, the U.S. Senate voted 59-41 against the emergency order from President Trump to build a wall at the Southern border. Louisiana’s Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy were among 41 Republicans taking the side of the President while a dozen GOP Senators voted with 47 Democrats voting against the order. Former University of Louisiana-Monroe Professor Samuel Mitcham, a historian and author of 40 books, discusses his latest work about German military leader Erwin Rommel, a complex figure from World War II. Major General Mitcham was a U.S. Army helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War.

Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard on the academic scandal at America’s top colleges, the slim prospect of Congressman Steve Scalise entering the governor’s race and the politics of the death penalty in Louisiana. Financial advisors Brian Low and Fred Dent assess market conditions in the first quarter of 2019. Is the stock market a safe haven with rising interest rates and a dramatic rise in deficit spending? Musical prodigy James Linden Hogg comments on his passion and talent on display a few weeks ago at a sold out Manship Theatre.

LSU History Professor Zevi Gutfreund on the volatile issue of immigration. Gutfreund’s book is “Speaking American” which brings debates over border security to a broader context of questions about language, citizenship and what it means to be an American. Musician Andrew Finn Magill on his performance Thursday at Highland Coffees. Magill is a fiddle player and violinist based in Asheville, North Carolina. New York Times Reporter Matt Richtel, a Pulitzer Prize winner, on his latest work which examines our immune system.

Louis Reine, President of the Louisiana AFL-CIO, surveys the legislative stomach for pay raises for teachers and boosting the minimum wage. Hannah Cox, National Manager of Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty, talks about those positioned on the right side of the political spectrum who are calling for the abolishment of capital punishment in America. Professor Laurie Helgoe, a clinical psychologist, talks about her latest work: “Fragile Bully, Understanding Our Destructive Affair with Narcissism in the Age of Trump. Mitchell S. Jackson discusses "Survival Math", his memoir detailing the systemic forces of race and class that shape the lives of African Americans.

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.