Talk Louisiana

(LRN)Author and photographer Sally Westerhausen talks about a meat-free blog that focuses on the adventurous side of vegetarian cooking.-

(Kelly Tate)Sue Lincoln, from WRKF's Capitol Access, talks about the continuing battle between Gov. John Bel Edwards and Superintendent of Education John White.The governor is not ruling out filing a lawsuit designed to remove White from his post.The superintendent says he serves at the pleasure of the BESE Board.

(LRN)Reporter Craig Unger from New Republic talks about the connection between Russia and President Donald Trump.In the latest issue of the magazine, Unger reports Trump has had financial dealings with Russians for more than three decades.Unger writes Trump was also was a guest of the former Soviet Union in an all expenses paid trip with his first wife, Ivanna, in 1987.

(LRN)Author Julie Klam theorizes why Americans are so enthralled by celebrity and meeting famous people. Klam shares about this and her book, "The Stars in Our Eyes."Also on today's program: Mike Bertaut talks about the fate of healthcare as Republican votes erode, here.

Mike Bertaut, chief health care economist for Blue Cross Blue Shield Louisiana, talks with us about the fate of the Affordable Care Act as U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell promises a vote for repeal next week.Bertaut will discuss the prospects of more than 400,00 Louisiana residents currently receiving Medicaid benefits.Louisiana Senators Cassidy and Kennedy have not indicated how they will vote on a repeal measure after efforts to replace Obamacare was stymied by the Senate this week.

(LRN)Author Zinni Clemmons talks about how her background as a girl from Philadelphia raised by a South African mother and an American father contributed to her debut novel, "What We Lose." Clemmons notes that issues of race in America are not exclusive to the South.Also on today's program: Manuel Martinez, Baton Rouge's world-renowned tailor, here.

Renowned tailor Manuel Martinez has been in Baton Rouge since 1984 and has been recognized for his work three times at the World Congress of Tailors.Also on today's program, Professor Jacques Berlinerblau on tenure-tracak university professor jobs, here.

(LRN)Professor Jacques Berlinerblau from Georgetown University tells us about his belief that more university professors should have tenure. His book is "Campus Confidential, How College Works, or Doesn’t, for Professors, Parents, and Students."-

Janet Humphreys, former U.S. Intelligence officer and resident of New Roads, talks about her association with General Michael Flynn. President Trump's former National Security Adviser was fired for lying to Vice President Pence about his meetings with Russian officials and is now at the center of the probe directed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.-

Professor Ellen Meacham, who teaches journalism at Ole Miss, talks about Senator Robert Kennedy's memorable visit to Mississippi, which occurred 50 years ago. Meacham is the author of the forthcoming book, "Delta Epiphany: RFK in Mississippi."-

Paul Arrigo, President of Visit Baton Rouge, assesses tourism in the Capital region. We also press Arrigo on his favorite restaurants where he might take visitors from out of town. Arrigo also spends time recalling the tragic shooting of four police officers one year ago today.Also on today's program: Bradley Beychok on the role of the media in the age of President Trump, here.

(LRN)Bradley Beychok discusses the role of media watchdog groups and the interaction between the press and President Donald Trump.Beychok, a Baton Rouge native, is senior adviser and executive chief of staff for American Bridge, a group with ties to the Democratic Party. He was formerly with the watchdog group Media Matters.

(LRN)Colonel Rob Maness talks about his unwavering support for President Trump amid multiple investigations into Trump's 2016 campaign.Maness remains an ardent Trump supporter despite revelations this week of a June 2016 meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and two high-ranking officials of the campaign with a Russian emissary.Maness is a former Louisiana Senatorial candidate.

(LRN)Conservative columnist and commentator Quin Hillyer weighs the dilemma faced by Republicans who are dismayed with the first 25 months of the Trump Presidency.Hillyer is a former aide to Congressman Bob Livingston of Louisiana.

(LRN)Political consultant Raymond Strother comments on the political consequences of the connection between the Trump campaign and Russia. Strother discusses why President Donald Trump remains popular with his base of supporters and is a powerful force in the American South.Strother worked for Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Gary Hart, and many major elected officials,

(LRN)Alexander Howard of the Sunlight Foundation talks about the resignation of Walter Shaub as head of the Office of Governmental Ethics. Howard analyzes ethics issues in the Trump administration.Also on today's program: Bernie Pinsonat on the state of President Trump's popularity in Louisiana, here.

Pollster Bernie Pinsonat talks about President Donald Trump's popularity in Louisiana and how Republican lawmakers in the state might still be reluctant to challenge initiatives from an embattled president.-

Deepa Soul is a Billboard-charting singer from of New Orleans. Soul talks with us about her recording career as an award-winning performing ahead of her performance in New Orleans later this year.Soul is a former LSU journalism student.

East Baton Rouge Councilwoman Chauna Banks talks to us about controversy regarding the location of the Baton Rouge Zoo. She also addresses the pending anti-smoking ordinance and the anticipated decision in the Alton Sterling case.

(LRN)Photographer Aaron Hogan and filmmaker Jency Griffin Hogan talk about "Wanderlust," an exhibition featuring travel photography and film.(LRN)Also on today's program: Commissioner of Higher Education Joseph Rallo on funding and TOPS, here.

(LRN)The classic tune "Ode to Billy Joe" by Bobbie Gentry was recorded 50 years ago. Music critic John Wirt is with us today to talk about it.Rolling Stone Magazine ranks "Ode to Billy Joe" among the Top 500 songs of all time.

(LRN)Louisiana's Commissioner of Higher Education Joseph Rallo talks about restoration of TOPS and continuing budget woes on college campuses in our state.-

(LRN)Journalist Jason Berry talks with us about the future political prospects of New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu in the aftermath of his decision to remove four Civil War-era confederate monuments.Also on today's program: U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson talks civility in politics, here.

(LRN)In 1998, Celia Farber wrote what is credited as the definitive profile of O.J. Simpson for Esquire. Farber talks with us about what she calls the humiliating end for Simpson.We're talking to Farber because it's two day's before Simplson's 70th birthday.

U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Shreveport) talks to us about his quest for civility in politics, a mission that began after the shooting of fellow Congressman Steve Scalise on June 14.-

Clinical psychologist Diane Medved talks to us about why married couples should avoid divorce like the plague.Also on today's program: Donna Collins-Lewis on the Alton Sterling tension and the smoking ban, here.

Journalist John Camp of St. Francisville discusses the era of "fake news" and the firing of three top reporters by CNN.Camp was formerly a CNN investigative reporter and is a Peabody Award winner.

East Baton Rouge Councilwoman Donna Collins-Lewis speaks to us about the tension as community waits for a decision from Attorney General Jeff Landry in the Alton Sterling case. Collins-Lewis also addresses how the council will vote on the bar and casino smoking ban on August 9th.-

Michelle Gable, best-selling author, on her latest work, "The Book of Summer."Also on today's program: Rep. Ted James on the one year anniversary of the Alton Sterling shooting, here.

State Rep. Ted James visits with us on the one-year anniversary of the shooting of Alton Sterling. With Attorney General Jeff Landry reviewing the case involving two police officers, Rep. James comments on the tension lingering from the events of last July 5th.-

(LRN)Rachael Hebert, executive director of Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response (STAR), joins us to talk about counseling those affected by sexual trauma in an age when some of our male role models have been accusued of sexual harassment and assault.Also on today's program: Jamie Hanks on commerce on the west side of the river, here.

Jamie Hanks, executive director of West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce, talks with us about economic development on the west side of the Mississippi River and the issues West Baton Rouge faces.-

(LRN)Stephanie Grace of the Advocate joins us to talk about President Donald Trump, health care, and Governor John Bel Edwards.Greg Hilburn from the News-Star joins us to talk about politics from his viewpoint in the northern regions of the state.Also on today's program: Mike Strain joins us to talk agricultural issues, here.

On today's program live from the Louisiana Farm Bureau convention, Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain addresses agricultural topics, including trade with Cuba and the sugar industry and its response to trade with Mexico.-

(LRN)East Baton Rouge Metro Councilman Matt Watson discusses the council's decision to delay the vote on a proposed smoking ordinance until August 9.Also on today's program: Randy Hayden of Smoke Free Baton Rouge, here.

(LRN)Randy Hayden of Smoke Free Baton Rouge discusses the decision by the Metro Council to delay a vote on the smoking ordinance until August 9.Also on today's program: EBR Council Member Matt Watson on the decision to delay the smoke vote, here.

(LRN)Director Nancy Gregory on "Jambalaya, the Musical," which opens July 6 at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center.Also on today's program: Faye Williams on Trump's health care plan, here.

(LRN)Activist Faye Williams comments on the health care plan proposed by President Donald Trump. Williams is Chair of the National Congress of Black Women.Williams is also a former candidate for Congress from Louisiana.Also on today's program: Matt Watson on Metro Council's decision to delay smoke vote, here.

(LRN)Actor Anson Williams joins us to reminisce about his long career, beginning with the television program "Happy Days."Williams also addresses the dangers of driving while drowsy as we approach a big holiday travel weekend this July 4th.Also on today's program: Bruce Herschensohn on the Trump doctrine and today's Supreme Court news, here.

(LRN)Bruce Herschensohn talks to us about the Trump doctrine on foreign affairs and the Supreme Court decision this week on the president's travel ban for people from six countries.Herschensohn is a former member of the Nixon and Reagan White Houses. He is a professor of public policy at Pepperdine.

Former U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu talks to us about the Senate healthcare debate. Landrieu also shares about her focus on curbing domestic violence.Also on today's program: Bruce Herschensohn on the Trump doctrine and today's Supreme Court news, here.

Emad Nofal with the Islamic Center of Baton Rouge talks with us about the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Trump travel ban. Nofal addresses the challenges of being a Muslim in the United States.Also on today's program, Rusty Yates and Tom Aswell on the proposed smoking ban, here.

Entertainers Rusty Yates and Tom Aswell give us opposing views on a smoking ban proposal before the Baton Rouge Metro Council. A vote is expected Wednesday on whether to ban smoking in bars and casinos in Baton Rouge.-

(LRN)Jonathan Goldsmith gained fame late in life as "the most interesting man in the world." Goldsmith talks about his past life as a garbage truck driver in the Bronx and as a small-time actor who learned his craft with Dustin Hoffman.Also on today's program: Quin Hillye and Lamar White on what our chances are at experiencing care reform, here.

(LRN)Today we're talking to political writers. Quin Hillyer of the American Spectator and Lamar White of Bayou Brief reflect from different sides of the political spectrum on President Donald Trump's chances of convincing the U.S. Senate to pass health care reform this week.-

(LRN)Phillip Manuel talks about his upcoming appearance on stage at LSU on Thursday night. Manuel is a New Orleans legend.-

Dan Borne talk on the legacy of basketball great Pete Maravich, who would have been 70 years old on Thursday. The LSU and college basketball scoring king died at age 40 of heart failure.Borne is a longtime LSU public address announcer.

(LRN)Meteorologist Jeff Huffman, with the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network, updates us on the latest developments pertaining to the diminishing Tropical Storm Cindy.-

Anne Helen Peterson joins us to talk about what she calls the rise and reign of the unruly woman, outlined in her latest book.Also on today's program: Jan Kasofsky and Jan Laughinghouse on the drug abuse epidemic, here.

Roy Fletcher is a political consultant. He joins us to talk about the significance of the outcome of the recent special election for a Georgia U.S. House seat.Also on today's program: Jan Kasofsky and Jan Laughinghouse on the drug abuse epidemic, here.