Talk Louisiana

Lobbyist Jim Nickel (pictured), former Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman, on the partisan divide in Baton Rouge and in the Beltway and his insights on state and national politics. Author, attorney and banker Stephen Maitland-Lewis on his lifelong passion for his former pen pal Louis Armstrong. Maitland-Lewis, who is a Board Trustee of the Louis Armstrong House Museum in New York, is in New Orleans for this week’s 18th annual Satchmo Summerfest.

Law Professor and former Louisiana Democratic Party Communications Director Susan Nelson and LSU Political Scientist Jeff Sadow exchange views on Gov. Edwards and President Trump as they survey the political landscape in Baton Rouge and across the nation. Celebrated Paleontologist Steve Brusatte offers new history to a lost world in his book: “The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs.”

Senior Policy Analyst Scott Lincicome on his group Republicans Fighting Tariffs. Lamar White of The Bayou Brief on Governor John Bel Edwards quest for re-election. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser offers a plan to return to old-style politics and have candidates for state office run on a ticket. Musician Kenny Bill Stinson, a north Louisiana native, on his career as an artist mixing country music with the blues.

Angus Kennedy, author of “Bitter Sweet,” on his reputation as the world’s leading chocolate taste. Quin Hillyer, conservative columnist and commentator, offers criticism of President Trump for his presidential and personal conduct. Public Service Commission Chairman Eric Skrmetta praises President Trump for his 18-month performance in office and warns utility companies not to disconnect service during a record heat wave. Mark Ballard, Capitol Bureau Chief for the Advocate, assesses the race for Secretary of State and looks at the re-election prospects for Congressmen Clay Higgins and Garret Graves.

State Rep. Rick Edmonds of Baton Rouge talks about his campaign for Secretary of State. Michael Sandlin, owner of the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, discusses his new tenant, a camel, and the death of Tony the Tiger, who was a feature at his business for nearly 18 years. Louisiana author Rene Uzee (pictured) on his book; “Yellow Jack,” which details the yellow fever epidemic of 1852 in New Orleans.

Former State Senator A.G. Crowe discusses his quest to be elected Secretary of State at age 70. Celebrated Louisiana novelist David Madden on turning 85 tomorrow. Journalist Kate Davies on her book: "Intrinsic Hope.”

Renée Chatelain head of the Arts Council of Baton Rouge discusses the state of the arts in Louisiana. She is to be joined by acclaimed musician Victor Goines of New Orleans. Dr. Robert Newton (pictured) of the Pennington Biomedical Center on a study aiming to see if physical activity related to African American adults can improve brain function and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Historian Katherine Graham on her provocative book, “Christian Slavery,” which examines the connection between slavery and religion in America.

Greg Meriwether, the anchor for WAFB, reflects on his 17 years in Baton Rouge. Investigative Reporter Dan Moldea recaps the death of Vince Foster, aide, and friend to Bill Clinton, who took his life 25 years ago today. Molly Buchman of the Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre on acclaimed instructors joining forces with her group this summer.

Former Louisiana Democratic Executive Director Trey Ourso. Journalist Marc Ambinder reflects on a close call in 1983 as the U.S. and the Soviet Union weighed the prospect of a nuclear exchange. Ambinder’s book is “The Brink.” Advocate Bureau Chief Mark Ballard on qualifying for the Secretary of State election, controversy on the Metro Council and Gov. John Bel Edwards facing Bayou Bridge protestors.

Former Louisiana GOP Chairman Roger Villere on state and national politics with next year’s gubernatorial election slated for Oct. 12, 2019. Pepperdine University Professor Bruce Herschensohn on President Trump’s performance in the Helsinki Summit. Dr. Justin Lehmiller of the Kinsey Institute on Americans and their sex lives.

Former Cy Young and American League Most Valuable Player Denny McLain previews tonight’s MLB All-Star Game and recaps the first half of the season. LSU stars Aaron Nola and Alex Bregman are on the rosters of the National and American League teams. State Representative Pat Smith reflects on the two-year anniversary of the murder of three Baton Rouge police officers and talks about the prospect of more anti-abortion legislation in Louisiana with the likelihood of a more conservative U.S. Supreme Court.

State Senator John Milkovich, D-Shreveport, on his bill to restrict abortion access after 15 weeks of pregnancy and what happens with the prospect of a more conservative U.S. Supreme Court.Financial Analysts Andy Anderson and Fred Dent on the impact of the exploding debt on the stock market and the results of a trade war with China on Louisiana and national economy.

People Magazine Senior Editor Alicia Dennis of New Orleans discusses her work: “Crimes of Fashion.” Jeff Dorson, executive director of the Humane Society of Louisiana, talks about lenient sentences given to those who abuse animals in the state. Gary Chambers, editor of the Rouge Collection, on the battle over the successor to the late Baton Rouge Metro Councilman Buddy Amoroso. Journalist Curt Smith reflects on presidents and baseball.

Former Health South Chief Financial Officer Aaron Beam talks about his conviction, incarceration and comeback. EBR Councilwoman Tara Wicker on the controversy surrounding the choice to succeed Councilman Buddy Amoroso who died 12 days ago in a bicycle crash.

Louisiana Democratic Party Executive Director Stephen Handwerk on next year’s Louisiana gubernatorial election just 15 months away. Political Strategist Mary Patricia Wray (pictured) of Top Drawer Strategies on Governor John Bel Edwards’ re-election bid and President Trump’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Margalit Fox, longtime obituary writer for the New York Times, comments on her book: “Conan Doyle for the Defense: The True Story of a Sensational British Murder and a Quest for Justice, and the World’s Most Famous Detective Writer.”

Retired WAFB anchor Donna Britt celebrates her 60th birthday with us as she recaps her 37 years as a popular anchorwoman in Baton Rouge.Former State Senator and GOP activist Ben Bagert assess the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

Former CNN Chief Political Analyst Bill Schneider (pictured) on the nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. President Trump makes his announcement tonight on his choice to succeed Anthony Kennedy on the high court. Mary Durusau of the Old State Capitol and Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist Walt Handelsman of The Advocate talks about a major exhibit opening this week.

LSU Law Professor Paul Baier, who has taught with former Supreme Court Justices Harry Blackman and Antonin Scalia, previews the announcement Monday of President Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy. Baton Rouge businessman Kevin Lyle and his wife, Renee Chatelain, discuss Kevin’s Tony Award winning production, “Once On This Island.” Lyle took the Tony Award last month as producer of the musical while Chatelain heads the Greater Baton Rouge Arts Council.

Dr. Faye Williams, Dr. Chris Warner and Mike Wolf discuss the nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court next week by President Trump with New Orleans native Amy Coney Barrett a leading contender. Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard on Governor Edwards and the Legislature moving forward after a budget deal in the final hours before the fiscal cliff.

Sam Kleiner, author of "The Fighting Tigers", tells the story of American pilots who waged a secret war against Japan. John Maginnis, longtime executive with Blue Cross Blue Shield, discusses his new endeavor as a documentary filmaker. He is preparing to detail the story of a former leprosy patient at Carville, the home of the only American institution devoted to leprosy consulting, research and training. Retired state employee Leslie Tassin reflects on his recent harrowing trip to Paris. Dr. Lee Reich on "The Ever Curious Gardner, Using a Little Natural Science for a Much Better Garden."

LSU Manship School of Mass Communications Dean Martin Johnson on his new assignment and the state of journalism in America and in Louisiana. Lata Nott of the Newseum in Washington D.C. comments on attacks against the First Amendment.

East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Councilman Matt Watson on the death of his fellow councilman Buddy Amoroso Saturday in bicycling crash in St. Francisville. Law Professor and Political advisor Susan Nelson on the death of Amoroso, a former opponent, and President Trump’s nomination next week to the U.S. Supreme Court. Fairleigh Cook Jackson of Preserve Louisiana on the possibility of a significant budget cut to the Old Governor’s Mansion where her organization is based. Jim Caldwell of the Baton Rouge Airport on new options for travelers.

Veteran Political Consultant Ray Strother on the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy from the United States Supreme Court and its implications to Louisiana. Stephen Kearney of Fair Districts Louisiana on the Supreme Court decision this week on gerrymandering. Journalist Ken Auletta of the New Yorker on his latest work: “Frenemies, The Epic Disruption of the Ad Business (And Everything Else.”

Conservative columnist and commentator Quin Hillyer, a New Orleans native, on the GOP establishment rebelling against President Trump. Author Robert Fieseler on his book about the 1973 French Quarter fire that took 32 lives: “Tinderbox, the Untold Story of the Up Stairs Lounge and the Rise of Gay Liberation.” Professor Jack Davis, winner of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for History, on his book, “THE GULF, The Making of the American Sea.”

Ronnie Jones (pictured), head of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, on regulating gambling in our state.Moses Evans, Justice of the Peace in East Baton Rouge Parish, on the three year anniversary of the Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage.Princeton Professor Lauren Wright on President Trump’s speaking style.

Former state lawmaker Elbert Guillory, head of minority outreach for the Louisiana GOP, and Rev. Reginald Pitcher (pictured), a Democratic activist, square off on issues from Baton Rouge to the Beltway.Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard on the resolution of the budget impasse one week before the fiscal cliff.

Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain discusses passage of the Farm Bill and the implications of a trade war. Tyler Bridges of The Advocate updates the budget impasse at the Capitol. Ronnie Anderson, president of the Louisiana Bureau, comments on his 30th year as head of the 143,000 member group.

Democrat Lamar White and Republican Darrell Glasper (pictured) exchange views on President Trump and Governor Edwards as the special legislative session enters its final week.Capitol Bureau chief Mark Ballard of The Advocate on the action in House committees Thursday to address the fiscal cliff.

LSU Law Professor Phillip Hackney on his New York Times editorial calling for a criminal investigation of President Trump and his tax obligations. (Pictured) LSU Professor Joseph Giame on the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Waver Oberservatory being designated a historic physics site. Singer Phillip Manuel and bass player Bill Grimes on their Thursday performance at the LSU Music School. Advocate reporter Tyler Bridges on the latest developments regarding the special legislative session.

Rose Hudson, President, and CEO of the Louisiana Lottery Corporation, on gaming in Louisiana and the uncertainty over the state budget.Author Serhii Plokhy on his book, “Chernobyl, The History of a Nuclear Catastrophe.”Pictured: Rose Hudson

(Wallis Watkins)Republican Scott Wilfong and Democrat Melissa Flournoy exchange views on the start of the seventh special session at the Louisiana Capitol in 29 months and 17 months of President Trump.Writer Ann Hood on the legacy of Paul McCartney on his 76th birthday. Hood’s book is “She Loves You, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.”

WAFB Morning Show host and Crimestoppers reporter Matt Williams on the record number of murders in Baton Rouge this year and the start of another special session. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser comments on the budget considerations in the special session and Senator John Kennedy’s call for Governor John Bel Edwards to resign. Allen Gannett on his book, “The Creative Curve, How to Develop the Right Idea at the Right Time.”

East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore on the spiraling murder rate in Baton Rouge, the Truce program and the move to stop non-unanimous jury verdicts.Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard on the start of another special session next week.Pictured: Hillar Moore

Suicide authority Dr. Frank Campbell discusses the increase in suicides by prominentUnknown citizens of the U.S. Veteran anchorman George Sells comments on the final broadcast tonight from WAFB’s Donna Britt, his co-anchor for 24 years.Dr. Adam Cox on his book, “Cracking the Boy Code, How to Understand and Talk with Boys”Pictured: Dr. Frank Campbell

Tom Aswell, publisher of Louisiana Voice, on the seventh special session of the Louisiana Legislature in the past 29 months. Congressional candidate Andie Saizan talks about her challenge of Garret Graves in next year’s 6Th District election. Oenophile Kathleen Bershad discusses her book, “The Wine Lover’s Apprentice.”

NBC Today host Al Roker recalls the historic Johnstown flood of 1889 and the message it provides to contemporary America. Michelle Erenburg, founder of Lift Louisiana, on the status of abortion rights in Louisiana. Fred Parks, GOP State Senator from Parks, on drug pricing legislation and another special session. Garland Goodwin Wilson, artistic director for Of Moving Colors, previews “The Sofa Stories.” (Pictured)

Mike Bertaut, chief health care economist for Blue Cross Blue Shield Louisiana, comments on the remaining uncertainties about the Affordable Care Act and how the state budget chaos could affect health care services in Louisiana.Journalist Shane Snow discusses his book, “Dream Teams,” Snow analyzes why individuals consistently outperform teams.

Retired LSU Mass Communications Dean Jerry Ceppos comments on the state of journalism in America and the perception about fake news.Writer Ken Jennings on his book “Planet Funny, How Comedy Took Over Our Culture.” Pictured: Jerry Ceppos

Dr. Gene Mills, President of the Louisiana Family Forum since its inception 20 years ago, scores the performances of President Trump, Governor Edwards, and the Louisiana Legislature and reflects on the U.S. Supreme Court decision this week allowing a baker to discriminate by declining to make a wedding cake for a gay couple on religious grounds.Actress Ann Harris and Swine Palace spokesman Vastine Stabler on the production of “Patsy Cline.” (Pictured)

Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard comments on the conclusion of the late night special session and what it means about the state’s budget.Executive Director of the Center for Planning Excellence Camille Manning Broom on watershed management and flood control in Louisiana.

LSU economist, Jim Richardson, who is part of the influential panel that tells the legislature that tells how much money is coming into the state and Council for a Better Louisiana's Barry Erwin on their predictions of what will happen on today's special session. Mississippi native George Mulvaney on his debut book, "Cups Up: How I Organized a Klavern, Plotted a Coup, Survived Prison, Graduated College, Fought Polluters, and Started a Business."

Author David Campt on his appearance in Baton Rouge and BR Area Chamber of Commerce President Adam Knapp. They will talk about the importance of dialogue in addressing divisions along racial lines. Smiley Anders, columnist for The Advocate, reminisces about 39 years of writing his six day per week column.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon on the perils of hurricane season and a large percentage of Louisiana residents without flood insurance.LSU History Professor Alecia Long on the parallels between Huey Long and Donald Trump and their conflict with media coverage. Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard comments on the coming collision of wills between the House and Senate over the fiscal cliff. Pictured: Alecia Long

Raegan Carter of Smoke Free EBR on the new anti-smoking ordinance which takes effect on June 1. Singer Rusty Yates on years of performing in smoke-filled rooms. Best-selling health author Nancy Addison on her move to Baton Rouge and the link between diet and diabetes.

University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson on the perils of funding for higher education. Sadie Wilks and Amanda Rabalais on the Manship School Bateman Competition success. Carl Zimmer, NY Times Science writer, on the power of heredity.

Larry Carter, president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, on an LFT survey about teacher pay and collective bargaining.Dan Borne, historian, and former public servant, on the 100thbirthday anniversary of former Louisiana Governor John McKeithen and the 200th birthday of PGT Beauregard.

Former state lawmaker Troy Hebert and Southeastern Louisiana University Professor Dayne Sherman on the continuing impasse on the budget in Louisiana and the first 70 weeks of the presidency of Donald Trump.Public Affairs Research Council Robert Travis Scott on the prospect of yet another Special Session. There have already been six in the 28 months of Gov. John Bel Edwards.Julie Schwam Harris, Co-Chair Legislative Agenda for Women, commented on the implications of the budget impasse at the State Capitol.

Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard of the Advocate on the Special Session budget chaos. Renowned Tailor Manuel Martinez of Baton Rouge on summer fashion. Dr. Jacques Berlinerblau on the complex legacy of writer Philip Roth.

State Representative Julie Stokes on her run for Secretary of State and the special session prognosis. AFL-CIO President Louis Reine on the failure of the Legislature to approve equal pay and minimum wage increase measures. Writer Jessica Hooten Wilson on the enduring popularity of Walker Percy….28 years after the famous author from Louisiana died.

State Representative Steve Carter on the prospect for success in the Legislative Special Session opening today with the fiscal cliff hovering in 40 days. Writer Charles deGravelles on his definitive biography about LSU legend Billy Cannon. The school’s only Heisman Trophy winner died Sunday in Baton Rouge at 80.