Talk Louisiana

Louisiana native and LSU graduate Donna Brazile discusses her book detailing the Hillary Clinton campaign of 2016. Brazile will reflect on what went wrong in the final days of Secretary Clinton’s bid for the White House and will also talk about a host of prominent politicians being engulfed in sex scandals. Vastine Stabler of Swine Palace Theatre at LSU comments on “The Mountaintop.” The production, which details the final day of life for Martin Luther King, is now playing. We will visit with actors Curtis Wiley, who plays Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Sara Osi Scott, who plays the mysterious maid Camae. Gary Mossor from Blue Cross Blue Shield Louisiana on the annual enrollment deadline for Medicare.

Former State Representative and candidate for Treasurer, John Schroder, will be with us. Schroder is in a runoff to succeed John Kennedy. His opponent in Saturday’s election is Democrat Derrick Edwards. Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard opines on the number of elections in Louisiana and the prospect of a low turnout for Saturday’s statewide election. The turnout in Orleans Parish to select a successor to Mayor Mitch Landrieu could represent 30 percent of the overall vote.

Baton Rouge Symphony Conductor Timothy Muffitt and celebrated pianist Jeremy Denk on Thursday's concert at the River Center.Beverly Gray, author of "Seduced by Mrs. Robinson," on the 50th anniversary of the premiere of "The Graduate." Gray examines the enduring appeal of the film. Music promoter Johnny Palazzotto on the Slim Harpo Music Awards and the emergence of Baton Rouge as a major music venue.

Science writer Dava Sobel, often featured on NPR, discusses her work, “The Glass Universe, How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars.” Barry Erwin, President of the Council for a Better Louisiana, on a major economic announcement from Gov. Edwards and the danger of the looming fiscal cliff. Erwin is a former television reporter who will also reflect on his career in media and as a government watchdog.

Tulane History Professor Walter Isaacson, former Editor to Time Magazine, on his latest biographical target, Leonardo da Vinci. MSNBC Host Lawrence O’Donnell comments on the significance of the 1968 presidential election. Lawyer Byard Edwards on Tangipahoa residents’ lawsuit over I-12’s role in historic flooding last year.

LSU Mathematics Professor Jim Madden remembers his childhood friend from Connecticut, Paul Manafort, the former campaign chairman for President Trump. Manafort is under indictment, and Madden recalls him as a young man attending Catholic schools and later Georgetown University. Highland Coffees Owner Clarke Cadzow on the annual Northgate festival tonight at the gates of LSU. National Review Senior Editor Quin Hillyer, a New Orleans native who lives in Mobile, comments on explosive allegations of sexual misconduct against U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler gives his forecast for voter turnout for the statewide election for Treasurer on Nov. 18th. Hall of Fame Political Consultant Ray Strother assesses wins by the Democratic Party in Virginia and New Jersey this week. David Hallberg, the first American to join the famed Bolshoi Ballet as Principal Dancer the the artist described by the New Yorker as “the most exciting male ballet dancer in the Western world, discussed his book, “A Body of Work, Dancing to the Edge and Back.”

LSU Libraries Dean Stanley Wilder on the future of the Middleton Library on campus. The building sitting prominently on the Quadrangle at LSU faces possible demolition. Pulitzer Prize winning sportswriter Jeffrey Marx on the rise of former LSU infielder Alex Bregman, the starting third baseman for the World Series champion Houston Astros. Historian Robert Merry details the life of the 25th American President William McKinley, who was assassinated in office. Merry’s book is “President William McKinley, Architect of the American Century.”

Rev. Chris Andrews of Rebuilding Baton Rouge responds to the tragic church massacre in Texas where 26 people were killed and 20 wounded Sunday. Andrews was pastor of First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge for 22 years. Sportswriter John Feinstein comments in his latest book detailing the personalities and pressure on the course for the 2016 Ryder Cup.

Jason Badeaux, student body president at LSU, comments on the conversation about an 85-million dollar recreation center constructed near Sorority Row and the state of affairs on a campus that has other buildings with major structural challenges. Rachel Diresto, Vice President for the Center for Planning Excellence, and John Snow of Emergent Method on this week’s conference in Baton Rouge. The 12th Annual Smart Growth Summit starts tomorrow and will feature a Smart Cities track of sessions.

James Carville recalls the night of Nov. 3, 1992. Twenty-five years ago, Bill Clinton won the presidency with the Ragin' Cajun political consultant at his side.Nick Saban, in an encore interview, remembers leaving LSU. Tomorrow, Saban and Alabama host the Tigers in Tuscaloosa.Journalist Martha Raddatz, who moderated a Trump-Clinton debate, on her substantial career.

Blues Artist Kenny Neal reflects on the legacy of Fats Domino, who died last week in Harvey at age 89. Kenny also discusses turning 60 and his continuing road show with 200 performances this year. Louisiana Democratic Party Executive Director Stephen Handwerk and State Treasurer candidate Derrick Edwards. Edwards was recently endorsed by the Democratic Party in his runoff election against Republican John Schroder. The election is Nov. 18th. Former Broadway Star Tim Federle on his book about his experiences on the New York stage: “Life is Like a Musical, How to Live, Love and Lead Like a Star.”

LSU Professor Kevin Cope discusses a forum on higher education to be held Thursday at the Claiborne Building.

Baton Rouge businessman Hans Sternberg, who came to the city as a youth from Nazi Germany, discusses his long tenure in business in the Capital region, including owning the largest family owned department store in America. Charity Parsons and Lisa Delpit on their involvement in Black Minds Matter, a discussion of how young black men are affected by the education system. Parsons is the facilitator of the program, and Delpit is a Southern University professor and MacArthur Genius Award winner.

Baton Rouge writer Chris Russo Blackwood discusses her true crime mystery about the death of businessman Gary Kergan more than 30 years ago. The murder of Kergan has been solved and Blackwood discusses her book, “My Brother’s Keeper.” Kergan’s brother, Ted, will also join us. Author Liza Mundy on her book, “Code Girls, The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II.

Music critic John Wirt and Fats Domino biographer Rick Coleman remember the portly piano playing prodigy who died at 89 this week in Harvey. Wirt and Domino note that Domino was one of the most influential performers in the history of rock and roll and ranks among the best of a legion of musical talents from New Orleans. Author Cynthia Lejeune Nobles on “The Fonville Winans Cookbook.” Nobles will be featured at Saturday’s Louisiana Book Festival. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser will also be joining us to discuss the Louisiana Book Festival and pay tribute to Fats Domino.

Former Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman and veteran lobbyist Jim Nickel comments on the state’s shifting political winds, the 2019 gubernatorial race and the impact of lobbyists at the State Capitol post-term limits. Writer Jennie Lightweis-Goff talks about her appearance at Louisiana Book Festival this Saturday in Baton Rouge.

We will open today’s show with Will Sutton, Director of Communication at Grambling State University. Sutton will comment on the shooting deaths of two students overnight on campus. Dr. Laura Cassidy, wife of U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, on her school for dyslexic children in Baton Rouge, The Key Academy. Blogger Lamar White of Bayou Brief and Dan Fagan, columnist for the Advocate and former reporter for WAFB, on violence in Baton Rouge and New Orleans and the issue of race in our culture.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards remembers his only defeat in five races for governor. It happened on this date 30 years ago as Edwards conceded the election to Buddy Roemer after running second in the Oct. 24, 1987 primary. Manship School of Mass Communications Bob Mann reflects on the impact of the Edwards loss to Roemer three decades ago, and Mann has sparked a debate about President Trump with a critical column in the Times-Picayune and at NOLA.Com.

Paul Arrigo of Visit Baton Rouge will comment on efforts to lure tourists to the Capital region amid a plethora of negative stories related to the city’s crime epidemic. Arrigo will also assess the chances of passing a hotel-motel tax in an anti-tax environment. There is a measure on the Nov. 18 ballot to utilize the tax to spur tourism and entertainment in Baton Rouge. Former NPR CEO Ken Stern visits to talk about his book, “Republican Like Me, How I Left the Liberal Bubble and Learned to Love the Right.”

Louisiana Pollster Bernie Pinsonat discusses the political landscape in Louisiana 39 weeks after the inauguration of President Trump. The state’s congressional delegation continues to back the president’s agenda in a state won by Donald Trump by 20 percentage points over Hillary Clinton. How does the national political environment affect Louisiana where less than 14-percnet of the electorate cast ballots last week in a statewide election for Treasurer. Also, documentary filmmaker James Younger on his work, “The Story of US,” now appearing on the National Geographic Channel. Younger collaborated with veteran actor Morgan Freeman on this project after the two combined previously for “The Story of God.”

New Orleans Rep. Walt Leger, Speaker Pro Tem of the Louisiana House, on negotiations to address the fiscal cliff next year. Louisiana Political Consultant Michael Beychok offers insights into the abysmal turnout for Saturday’s statewide election, a preview of the 2019 governor’s election and the state’s support for President Trump.

Louisiana Voice Publisher Tom Aswell on Louisiana sheriffs and their reliance on payments for housing inmates. The practice has become a major story in Caddo Parish. Yale University Psychology Professor John Bargh on his book, “Before You Know It, The Unconscious Reasons We Do What We Do.” Bargh is recognized as a leading authority on the study of the unconscious mind. Sally Quinn, veteran journalist and widow of Ben Bradlee, the legendary Washington Post editor, on her memoir, “Finding Magic.”

Louisiana GOP Chairman Roger Villere on the appeal of the Republican Party in statewide elections and the reluctance of elected officials in Louisiana to challenge policies of President Trump. Christina Bronsing-Lazalde and Anna Lappe’ of Real Food Media on the impact of “Big Soda” on health care in America. Sportswriter Rich Cohen on long-suffering Chicago Cubs fans hoping for a second consecutive World Series championship.

Darryl Gissel, candidate for Mayor-President of East Baton Rouge Parish last year, has been named chief administrative officer by Mayor Sharon Weston-Broome. We will talk with Darryl Gissel about his decision to join the city government. Veteran Jazz announcer Zia Tammami and saxophonist and clarinetist Victor Goines of New Orleans on a Wednesday event that is part of the River City Jazz Masters series. Author Nancy Koehn of the Harvard Business School on her book, “Forged in Crisis, The Power of Courageous Leadership in Turbulent Times.”

Secretary of State Tom Schedler on turnout for tomorrow’s election. The current forecast is that fewer than one in five registered voters will participate in a statewide election for treasurer with three constitutional amendments. Former LSU football stalwart Ramsey Dardar on his return to Baton Rouge after serving more than 19 years in prison. Dardar is expected to address the LSU team prior to Saturday’s game at Tiger Stadium against Auburn.

LSU and MIT Physics Professor Rainer Weiss on winning the 2017 Nobel Prize for his work with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory in Livingston Parish. A discovery in September of 2015 confirmed a major prediction of Albert Einstein’s 1915 theory of relativity. Professor Joseph Giaime of LSU, the director of the LIGO Observatory in Louisiana, on the major scientific discovery at the facility and the implications of detecting tiny ripples in the fabric of space-time caused by the merger of two massive black holes over a billion years ago.

Famed Political Consultant Raymond Strother, who began his career after graduating from LSU in 1962, assesses the challenges of President Trump. Strother is a former advisor to Bill Clinton, Albert Gore and Gary Hart. Pro Football Hall of Famer Y.A. Tittle died Sunday in California. The former LSU star was 91. He was a four-time NFL Most Valuable Player. We revisit a conversation with Tittle from Nov. 13, 2009.

Baton Rouge Symphony Conductor Tim Muffitt on Bachtoberfest this week at the Capitol Park Museum. Metro Councilwoman Tara Wicker and Melissa Silva of Mental Health Services in Baton Rouge discuss mental health issues in the Capital region. Veteran sportswriter Jim Kleinpeter on LSU’s challenge against Auburn Saturday at Tiger Stadium and the death of LSU great Y.A. Tittle.

Damon Baldone on his campaign for the open Public Service Commissioner seat. Gov. Edwards appointed Baldone to serve in the interim position in June. Baton Rouge Representative C. Denise Marcelle on crime in the Capital City. Marcelle discusses a crime summit that will be held on Thursday night at Baton Rouge Community College.

Grammy Award winning musician Chris Thomas King of Baton Rouge. King will discuss his life as the son of legendary bluesman Tabby Thomas and his new release as he approaches his 55th birthday this month. Robert Travis Scott, President of the Public Affairs Research Council, on the Oct. 14 election with voters statewide casting ballots in the treasurer’s race and the fate of three constitutional amendments to be decided.

Senator Neil Riser of Columbia on his bid to become Louisiana’s treasurer. The primary is nine days away. Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Jennifer Egan on her latest work, “Manhattan Beach.” LSU Professor of Political Communication Nichole Bauer on today’s forum at LSU on women and elections.

Former State lawmaker John Schroder on his bid to become Louisiana Treasurer. Attorney Lewis Unglesby on calls for gun regulation in response to the massacre in Las Vegas.

Karen Fernbaugh Roy on her recovery from a shooting incident 30 years which left her unable to walk. Roy was shot outside Tabby’s Blues Box on September 19, 1987 when she was a college student at LSU after a football game in Tiger Stadium.Dick Lehr on his latest book, Trell. Trell is about a young girl dedicated to proving her father's innocence after he's convicted of killing a 12-year-old girl in the late 1980s.

Dr. Nadia Brown, Associate Professor and African American Studies at Purdue, reflects on her book “Sisters in the Statehouse: Black Women and Legislative Decision Making.” Women and minorities remain distinct minorities in elected positions. Angele Davis, former Commissioner of Administration and candidate for Treasurer, comments on her campaign with the primary set for Oct. 14. This is the first of the interviews with the candidates. Elizabeth Crisp, Capitol Reporter for the Advocate, will discuss the race for treasurer the looming fiscal cliff that is now less than nine months away.

John Hechinger, senior editor for Bloomberg News, two-time winner of the George Polk Award for his reporting on education, on his book “True Gentlemen.” Hechinger investigates the fraternity culture with unusual access to Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Hechinger recently wrote an op-ed essay in the New York Times reflecting on the death of LSU pledge Max Gruver of Phi Delta Theta. Don Weinell talks about bicycling the Oregon Trail from the Missouri River to Oregon City over five summers. Barbara Radnofsky on “A Citizen’s Guide to Impeachment.” Her book details 19 cases of impeachment proceedings in U.S. history.

Advocate Columnist Stephanie Grace on the future for U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, who turns 60 on Thursday. Cassidy’s bid to repeal and replace Obamacare with his own legislation has fallen short again on the votes for passage. What is next for the longtime liberal Democratic physician turned conservative Republican lawmaker? Social justice activist Paul Kivel on a long tradition of white people opposing racism but not getting involved. Kivel offers his views in his book “Uprooting Racism, How White People Can Work For Racial Justice.” Vocalist and lyricist Kim Nazarian on the River City Jazz Masters Series: New York Voices.

Samuel Freedman, former columnist for the New York Times and author of “Breaking the Line,” about black college football and civil rights comments on politics and football as President Trump blasts NFL players for taking a knee during the National Anthem. Beth Courtney, President of LPB, on Ken Burns series about Vietnam, the state of funding for public broadcasting and a major event for Louisiana Public Broadcasting.

LSU Law Professor Bob Lancaster, President of the Center for Justice Innovation Keith Nordyke and Executive Director Andrew Hundley on challenges in Louisiana in changing the juvenile life without parole laws. WAFB Crime Reporter Kiran Chawla on a rash of homicides in Baton Rouge in 2017.

Felicia Harry of the LSU A.P. Tureau Chapter of the Alumni Association on the contributions of black students and graduates of the Ole War Skule. J.R. Ball, Executive Editor of the Baton Rouge Business Report, on the future of the Greek System at LSU and protests from NFL players in Sunday’s games as a response to tweeting from President Trump.

Bob Marshall, veteran Louisiana outdoors reporter, will discuss issues of climate change, coastal erosion and hurricane protection as Louisiana dodged the power of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, but remains vulnerable to environmental challenges. George Bevan, former LSU All-American linebacker on a 9-1 team of 1969, recalls the day when a 5-11, 190-pound defender could be considered the best in the nation. Bevan will compare the LSU teams he starred on with those of today as the Tigers currently field a unit with 18 players above 300 pounds.

LSU Manship School Professor Bob Mann will discuss his recent column which took aim at Louisiana’s continuing problems with its economy, education and environment. Mann, who served as aide to three U.S. Senators as well as Governor Kathleen Blanco, will reflect on why Louisiana has increased less than ten percent in population in the past 45 years while the nation has gained 60 percent. Mann will also talk about the death of an LSU pledge and how the alleged hazing of Maxwell Gruver will impact the Greek system on campus.

Former Governor Buddy Roemer unveils his first book Scopena. Roemer reflects on his formative years on his family plantation in Northwest Louisiana, the segregation of the 1950s and his departure for Harvard when he was 16. This is Governor Roemer’s first major broadcast interview since he suffered a stroke three years ago.Advocate Reporter Rebekah Allen discusses LSU’s troubled history with the Greek System that dominates its campus and the latest on the arrest of a suspect in the deaths of two African-American pedestrians who were gunned down this month in Baton Rouge.Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel attacks U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy saying the senator lied about healthcare legislation. We hear from the Senator and Jimmy Kimmel.

Karen Fernbaugh Roy on her recovery from a shooting incident 30 years which left her unable to walk. Roy was shot outside Tabby’s Blues Box on September 19, 1987 when she was a college student at LSU after a football game in Tiger Stadium. Joyce Walker, former LSU basketball standout, on her varied career which includes a stint with the Harlem Globetrotters. Walker will be inducted in the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday.

EBR District Attorney Hillar Moore comments on the investigations of two tragedies last Thursday, the death of 18-year-old Max Gruver, a pledge for Phi Delta Theta, and the murder of 49-year-old Donald Smart, a 20-year employee of Louie’s Café, who was gunned down a block from the LSU campus. Baton Rouge Symphony conductor Tim Muffitt starts his 18th year as the maestro this week. Muffitt will detail the season for 2017-18 and reflect on his tenure as the longest serving conductor in the history of the symphony.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Jimmy Taylor of LSU recalls the first Saints regular season game of Sept. 17, 1967. Sunday marks the 50th anniversary of the NFL coming to New Orleans. Pulitzer Prize winner Mike McIntire of the New York Times on “Champions Way, Football, Florida, and the Lost Soul of College Sports.” McIntire believes the business of college sports has gone awry. Legal scholars Cynthia and Sanford Levinson argue that the Constitution is flawed and that the Electoral College should be abolished.

University of California-Davis Professor Jon Entine tried to detail ethic differences in athletic skills 17 years ago with his book, “Taboo.” The work remains controversial nearly two decades after it was published. LSU will field a football squad for its SEC opener Saturday that is 84-percent African-American with a student body with about one in ten black students. Entine will discuss why it remains taboo to recognize one race as more gifted athletically to another. Dr. Geoffrey Mount Varner, Director of Emergency Medicine at Howard University, discusses his book “Home Alive, 11 Must Rules for Surviving Encounters with the Police.” Music Critic John Wirt on the return of 70s music to Baton Rouge.

Guest host Stephanie Riegel talks with EBR Councilwoman Barbara Reich Freiberg about tax issues the council is scheduled to review this year. Mike Olivier, the former Louisiana Economic Development Secretary, comments on prospects for business in the state and discusses his role as chairman of the Committee of 100.

New York Times Editor Dean Bacquet on the Times friction with President Trump, and Bacquet’s appearance next week as the keynote speaker for the WRKF event. Wall Street Journal News Editor Alex Martin, also a New Orleans native, on his induction in the LSU Manship School Hall of Fame and how his path to the Pulitzer Prize has Louisiana roots with his background as editor of the Daily Reveille at LSU and as a reporter for the Times-Picayune.

Peter Kalmus, Atmospheric Scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, speaks about the impact of climate change.Marie Constantin, veteran photographer, on her induction in the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication Hall of Fame. Kurt Andersen, host of Public Radio’s Studio 360, comments about his book “FANTASYLAND, How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History.”