Talk Louisiana

Baton Rouge Symphony Conductor Tim Muffitt on a major performance this week from BRSO. LSU President King Alexander and Director Alexander Shebanow on the film “Fail State” which is showing this week at the Louisiana International Film Festival. Kris Cangelosi on the annual Baton Rouge version of Dancing With The Stars. General Russel Honore on the Green Army’s legislative agenda.

Speaker Pro Tem of the Louisiana House Walt Leger on the regular session progress and his induction into the LSU Alumni Hall of Distinction. Chris Brooks on the Baton Rouge Blues Fest and Eliott Estelle on the Louisiana International Film Festival. Actor Billy Slaughter on his performance in two films at LIFF. Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard on the week that was at the State Capitol.Pictured: Eliott Estelle

Molly Buchman of the Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre on the staying power of one of the city’s cultural treasurers. Political Consultant Raymond Strother on the prospect of Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise becoming Speaker of the House, President Trump and Gov. Edwards. Colonel Brett Holdiman of the Army War College on his visit to LSU.Pictured: Colonel Brett Holdiman

Director Tiffany Bartok on her film about the life of Kevyn Aucoin, a famed make-up artist from Louisiana. Tiffany’s film will be showing at the Louisiana International Film Festival. Former LSU football great Jerry Stovall on his induction in the LSU Hall of Distinction this Friday. Health Secretary Rebekah Gee with an update on budget at the state’s largest agency. Washington Post Reporter Amy Brittain on her appearance at LSU, her alma mater, and her stories which ended the journalism career of Charlie Rose.

Political consultant Roy Fletcher on the raid of the office of lawyer Michael Cohen, attorney to President Trump and the political winds in Louisiana with a governor’s election 18 months away. University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson on ULS Day at the State Capitol tomorrow, the status of TOPS and funding issues for higher education in Louisiana.

Former State Representative Raymond Jetson on this week’s Urban Congress for African-American Males to be held in Baton Rouge. Jetson is also former pastor of Star Hill Church, located a block from where Alton Sterling died in July of 2016. We will talk with him about the aftermath of the decision to file no charges against Officer Blane Salamoni. Elizabeth Crisp of the Advocate on her revelation that a state lawmaker, Rep. Dodie Horton, was pushing “fake news” to make her point on a key piece of legislation.

Dennis Slocumb of the International Union of Police Associations reacts to the firing of BR Police Officer Blane Salamoni, who fired six shots that took the life of Alton Sterling. Baseball Legend Denny McLain on the 50th anniversary of his 31-6 season and the first week of Major League action. Author Kim Brophey on the importance of dogs in the lives of Americans.

Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard on this week at the session including the Senate passing a measure to require unanimous verdicts in felony trials. LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Michael Henderson on how Louisiana citizens regard government, taxes and gender equality. Clemson University Professor Gary Machlis on the disregard for conservation in America as Dr. Machlis prepares a conference at LSU next week.

Musician Eric Baskin on his youth in Memphis and recollection of April 4, 1968 when Dr. Martin Luther King was killed in his hometown. Michael McClanahan, president of the Louisiana NAACP, on the legacy of MLK. Danny Plaisance, owner of Cottonwood Books, on his most famous customer--Tom Hanks.

Missouri Law Professor Rigel Oliveri on the continuing issue of segregated neighborhoods 50 years after the Fair Housing Act. LSU Mass Communication Professor Bob Mann on what’s happening at the State Capitol, in national politics and in Baton Rouge with the aftermath of the decision in the Alton Sterling case. Marc Perrusquia, author of “A Spy in Canaan,” on a story about the FBI using a famous photographer to infiltrate the Civil Rights movement.

United States Attorney Brandon Fremin and former U.S. Attorney Don Cazayoux discuss federal law enforcement in the Middle District of Louisiana and reflect on the Alton Sterling case. Former State Lawmaker Ben Bagert remembers his childhood friend, Rusty Staub, the baseball great from New Orleans who died last week at 73. Veteran Actress Judy Norton of the Waltons talks about her resurgent career.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu on his decision to remove Confederate Era monuments from the city’s landscape and Landrieu’s view of contemporary politics. Former Tulane Professor Richard Marksbury on his reasons for leading the fight against the removal of the monuments. Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard on the week at the State Capitol where bills to raise the minimum wage and ensure equal pay for men and women failed in the Louisiana Senate.

State Representative Denise Marcelle on the decision from Attorney General Jeff Landry not to indict the two officers involved in the 2016 death of Alton Sterling. Sterling Attorney John McLindon on the decision from Landry. LSU Law Professor Chris Tyson and Dialogue on Race President Maxine Crump on how Baton Rouge responds to the Sterling case.

East Baton Rouge Councilman Matt Watson on industrial tax exemptions and the Alton Sterling case. Financial analysts Andy Anderson and Fred Dent on the erratic market. Author VeeraHiranandani on her book, “The Night Diary,” which tells the story of Indian’s partition that caused the largest human migration in history.

Andrew Muhl of AARP Louisiana on issues at the Legislature pertaining to seniors. Laurinda Cologne, Chief Academic Officer for Our Lady of the Lake, on educational opportunities at OLOL. Trey Burvant, president of Louisiana Film and Entertainment, on the resurgent film industry in our state. Pastor Jackie King of First United Methodist in Denham Springs on the Storm Daniels accusations against President Trump.

GOP Political Consultant Scott Wilfong and Democratic blogger Lamar White of The Bayou Brief on the challenges of President Trump and Governor Edwards. Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard on an eventful week for the regular session.

World renowned cognitive scientist World renowned cognitive scientist Steven Pinker provides his take on why we should be more optimistic about contemporary life. Margie Jenkins, a 96-year-old farmer from Amite, talks about her induction in the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction. Ian Birnie of the Louisiana International Film Festival on next month’s event in Baton Rouge. Associated Press Capitol Reporter Melinda Deslatte previews the annual Gridiron Show and reviews week two of the regular session.

Walt Handelsman, Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist for The Advocate, on the joys of his craft in the Age of President Trump.Charles Steinberg, owner of the Pawtucket Pawsox, and Public Relations strategist Len Sanderson on a summit on public funding for professional sports to be held tonight at the LSU Manship School. Local writers Mike Hinton and Sherry Melancon on their science fiction thriller, “Afflicted.”

EBR Councilwoman Donna Collins-Lewis on her attempt to have former city employees not take retirement and return to work in other capacites while receiving benefits. Author Kate Moore on her appearance at the Main EBR Library this Saturday to discuss her book, The Radium Girls. Sarah McBride, the first transgender person to speak at a national convention, talks about her life that is detailed in Tomorrow Will Be Different.Veteran actress Joyce Bulifant on her Hollywood odyssey that includes turbulent marriages to some famous men in show business.

Broderick Bagert, lead organizer for Together Baton Rouge, on the fight to curb the state's industrial tax exemptions. Steve Gillon comments on the 50 year legacy of the Kerner Commission report on race in America.

Jeremy Alford of La Politics on the legacy of Louisiana columnist and commentator John James Maginnis, who would have celebrated his 70th birthday Saturday. Mark Ballard of the Advocate on the first week of the Regular Session of the Legislature. Singer Phillip Manuel of New Orleans on the 100th birthday celebration of Nat King Cole tomorrow at Snug Harbor. Lonnie Luce of University Academy on learning in a virtual school.

State lawmaker John Milkovich on his bill to curtail abortions and the state of the Legislature in the first week of the regular session. Democrat Melissa Flournoy and Republican Ali Akbar on the fates of President Trump, Governor Edwards and Secretary of State Schedler. Fairleigh Jackson on an Irish Event featuring Preserve Louisiana and Patrice Walker and Tammy Duncan-Swope on the American Business Women’s Association in Baton Rouge.

LSU Mass Communication Professor Len Apcar on his Solve the Budget project inviting citizens to provide their input on cutting the Louisiana budget. Also Apcar will discuss a tight Congressional election in Pennsylvania and President Trump’s continuing battle with the media. Atchafalaya Basin keeper Dean Wilson, and Attorney Misha Michell on the Bayou Bridge Pipeline project and author Amy Kaufman on her book about what she terms America’s guilty pleasure, the television show “The Bachelor.”

Political Consultant Raymond Strother on the abrupt firing of Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State. Blue Cross Blue Shield Louisiana Chief Health Care Economist Mike Bertaut on what is left of the Affordable Care Act. Author Joseph Rodota on “The Watergate.” Rodota reports about America’s most infamous address, a landmark that endures 46 years after the break-in that brought down a president.

LSU President King Alexander on the budget, the Greek System and the economic impact of LSU on the Louisiana economy. Biographer Geoffrey Mark on the enduring legacy of singer Ella Fitzgerald.

Baton Rouge Rep. Denise Marcelle on the Capitol maneuvering as the regular session starts Monday amid much conflict remaining from the collapse of the special session; Louisiana music legend Mickey Gilley is joined by fellow singer Johnny Lee to reflect on the legacy of the film, “Urban Cowboy,” which propelled them both to stardom; Veteran journalist Mark Whitaker on his critically acclaimed book about the Black heritage in Pittsburgh, “Smoketown” and Pulitzer Prize winner Steve Coll, Dean of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, opines about the strained and dangerous relations the U.S. has with Pakistan.

Julie Baxter Payer sits in for Jim Engster today. Guests are Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne on the budget, Mark Ballard of the Advocate on the special session disaster and the forecast for averting the fiscal cliff and author Elaine Weiss on her book “The Woman’s Hour” about the fight for women to vote a century ago.

Craig Stevens of GAIN on the status of the Bayou Bridge Pipeline project. General Ron Richard, former President of the Tiger Athletic Foundation, reflects on the plight of veterans in America. Wallis Watkins, Capitol Access Reporter, on prospects for the regular session after a special collapse. Jamie Setz, Executive Director of the Capital Region Planning Commission, on the benefits of carpooling in Baton Rouge traffic.

Rep. Steve Carter, R-Baton Rouge, comments on the collapse of the special session to address the fiscal cliff. Former Louisiana House Member Raymond Jetson of Baton Rouge reflects on budget battles of the past and addresses the call for more gun regulation and dealing with the mental health of young men most often involved in mass shootings. Daniel Erspamer of the Pelican Institute on the role that U.S. Senator John Kennedy is playing in the net neutrality issue that continues in Congress.

WAFB Capitol Correspondent Kevin Frey on the budget stalemate at the Capitol. Dr. Tina Holland, President of Franciscan University, on the institution’s place in a city populated by major universities. Louisiana Economist Loren Scott and Ray Keating, Chief Economist of the Small Business and Entrepreneur Council, on President Trump’s call for tariffs on imported steel and aluminum.

Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey of the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church on her work with 486 congregations in the state. Writer Jennifer Moses on her feature about Plaquemines Parish which appeared in last Sunday's New York Times. Film critic John Wirt on the 90th Annual Academy Awards event. Actress Marion Ross on her career spanning more than six decades.

Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard of the Advocate on the current impasse in the House regarding solutions to the fiscal cliff. Tom Aswell of Louisiana Voice and Attorney Mike Wolf on the call from Governor Edwards for Secretary of State Tom Schedler to resign and the politics of guns as President Trump riles the NRA with his comments on Wednesday about gun control.

Former ATF Agent Chuck Hustmyre of Baton Rouge on the raid at Waco 25 years ago today. Hustmyre, a crime writer, was part of the ill-fated mission at the Branch Davidian Compound on Feb. 28, 1993.Former State Lawmaker Troy Hebert and Law Professor and former Louisiana Democratic Party Communications Director Susan Nelson on the move to have teachers carry guns into classrooms and the challenges facing Gov. John Bel Edwards.History Professor Amy Bates on her book about sports and integration in a Maine city, “ONE GOAL, A Coach, A Team and The Game That Brought a Divided Town Together.”

Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott on the second week of the special legislative session to address the looming fiscal cliff on July 1st. Brad Metzler, the political thriller novelist, television show creator and comic book author on his latest work: "I am Harriet Tubman" Author Howard Blum on his investigation into Russian spies during the Cold War.

Republican Political Consultant Scott Wilfong and Democratic blogger and commentator Dayne Sherman on the political consequences of the special legislative session, the challenges of President Trump and new leadership in the Louisiana GOP.

Legendary political activist Daniel Ellsberg on the legacy of the Pentagon Papers and the dangers of nuclear proliferation. Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard comments on the first week of the special legislative session on the budget. Singer Cory Branan on his performance tonight in Baton Rouge. Yale Law Professor Amy Chua on her book, “Political Tribes.” Dr. Chura says America is dislaying destructive political dynamics more typical of developing non-Western countries.

State NAACP President Michael McClanahan and former Louisiana Senator Elbert Guillory, director of minority outreach for the Louisiana Republican Party, discuss controversy in Tangipahoa Parish over a noose being displayed on the Facebook page of a school board member, the tenth-month delay for a decision in the Alton Sterling case from Attorney General Jeff Landry, and the call for gun control in response to last week’s shooting rampage that killed 17 people at a Parkland, Florida school. Film Directors Greg Dicharry and Kevin Hines on their work: “Suicide, The Ripple Effect.” The film premieres in Baton Rouge on Friday. Hines survived jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge.

Writer Jason Berry on the 30th anniversary of Rev. Jimmy Swaggart’s infamous “I Have Sinned” sermon at the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, and Berry on the death of Rev. Billy Graham at age 99. Berry is the writer who broke many of the early stories about sexual abuse by priests in the Catholic Church. Israel Consul General Gilad Katz on his work in the American South and issues related to Israel’s stability. Former UCLA basketball star Ed O’Bannon on his war with the NCAA. Author Peter Levy remembers the racial violence of the 1960s.

Legendary Political Consultant Ray Strother on the politics of gun control and actions Congress will take in light on the tragedy in Florida which left 17 people dead last week. Chrissy Gregg of the WWII Museum in New Orleans on African-American contributions to the War. Former Vanderbilt basketball great Bob Dudley Smith on a memorable fight he had with former LSU Coach Dale Brown 44 years ago in Baton Rouge. Tonight, there will be a reunion at the PMAC.

Baton Rouge Symphony Conductor Tim Muffitt on a major performance this Thursday at the River Center. Former Louisiana Budget Director Steve Winham on the budget chaos at the Capitol with a special legislative session starting today. Author Mark Lipton on his book, “Mean Men.” Lipton says there is a troubling psychology behind some of America’s most famous men.

LSU Law Professor Phillip Hackney on the new tax law’s impact on non-profit organizations. Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard of the Advocate on the upcoming special session. LSU’s most decorated gymnast Susan Jackson and former Tiger gymnast Malia Mathis on the revelation that Dr. Larry Nassar sexually assaulted 250 female gymnasts. Nassar has been sentenced to what amounts to life in prison for his crimes.

Joseph Califano, former U.S. Secretary of Health, on his latest work: “Our Damaged Democracy.” Califano will address what he views as a crisis in American government and discuss Wednesday’s mass shooting at a Florida school that left 17 people dead. Veteran journalist Michael Finkel on his latest target, the last American hermit. Author Anthony Davenport on the importance of being vigilant about credit scores.

Brian Moscona, President of Christo Ray Baton Rouge, on the first Catholic High School to open in Baton Rouge in decades…and Monique Scott-Spaulding, a corporate supporter of Christo Ray. I will make note that the school is a WRKF underwriter. Former state House member Melissa Flournoy and LSU Shreveport Political Scientist Jeff Sadow assess the fates of Gov. John Bel Edwards and President Trump.

Former EBR Councilman Darrell Glasper and commentator Tony Brown on the presidency of Donald Trump and the governorship of John Bel Edwards. President Trump found opposition from both Republican U.S. Senators from Louisiana in last week’s budget vote, and Governor Edwards faces a daunting task getting lawmakers to reach a consensus on the state budget. Legal scholar Bryan Garner on his book about Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who died two years ago today. Garner is the author of “Nino and Me: My Unusual Friendship with Justice Antonin Scalia.”

Dr. John Kirwan, Director of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, on groundbreaking research on Diabetes at the Baton Rouge facility. George Judy from Swine Palace on the latest production, “Arcadia,” premiering this week at the Shaver Theatre. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser on the state’s new slogan, “Feed Your Soul,” and the importance of Mardi Gras to tourism in Louisiana. Irish Poet Tom Malmquist on a deeply personal account of loss.

Past President of the Baton Rouge and Louisiana Bar Associations Darrel Papillion discusses the Trump judicial nominees, the investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller and the state of the legal profession in Louisiana with 23-thousand attorneys. World record holding runner Julie Welles Hawkins celebrates her 102nd birthday with us and discusses the release of her memoir; “It’s Been Wondrous.” Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard of the Advocate provides the forecast for a potential special session to address the budget.

Lanny Davis, White House Counsel to President Clinton, on the impact on the 2016 election of former FBI Director James Comey. Davis is the author of “The Unmaking of the President 2016.” Whistleblower Dan Collins on the State Ethics Board dismissing his eight year complaint against former Natural Resources Secretary Scott Angell in connection with a long-running lawsuit over dredging in Bayou Postillion in the Atchafayala Basin.

Dr. Rebekah Gee, Secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals, on the influenza outbreak, the opioid crisis and budget woes for the state’s largest agency. Mary Stein, assistant director of the EBR Library, on the One Book One Community launch and other developments with the library system.

Financial analysts Fred Dent and Andy Anderson on the market downturn and the implications of higher interest rates. Professor Kyle Longley on his book: “LBJ’s 1968, Power, Politics and the Presidency in America’s Year of Upheaval.” Actress Jency Hogan on the upcoming Louisiana International Film Festival.

University of Oklahoma Journalism Professor Jensen Moore on the commercials from Super Bowl 2018. Lawyers Ben Bagert and Mike Wolf spar on the legitimacy of a controversial memo released by Congress.