Talk Louisiana

Advocate editor Peter Kovacs speaks with us about the future of the largest newspaper in Louisiana.Also on today's program: Journalist Bill Moyers on the imprisonment and the criminal justice system, here.

(LRN)Bill Moyers speaks with us about his newest PBS documentary about New York City's infamous Rikers Jail and the issues surrounding imprisonment in America.Also on today's program: Advocate editor Peter Kovacs on the newspaper business, here.

(LRN)Steve Clifford talks to us about "The CEO Paying Machine." He says CEO pay is why others may not get the same kind of income.Also on today's program: Beth Kobliner on the millennial approach to personal finance, here.

(LRN)Beth Kobliner outlines for us how millennials handle money differently from their elder generations. Kobliner wrote the book "Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties."Also on today's program: David McCullough and the American political landscape and how it relates to our history, here.

Historian David McCullough assesses the American political landscape and its relationship to our ancestors in his latest book, "The American Spirit, Who We Are and What We Stand For."-

(LRN)Singer B.J. Barham appears tonight at the Dyson House.Also on today's program: Bodi White on flood assistance, here.

(LRN)State Senator Bodi White of Central discusses his effort to get more of his constituents to sign up for flood assistance.Also on today's program: David Madden on Confederate monuments, here.

(LRN)David Madden addresses the removal of New Orleans monuments as state lawmakers take action to prevent future removals of statues of military icons. Madden is a former head of the U.S. Civil War Center at LSU.Also on today's program: Bodi White on flood assistance, here.

(LRN)Jerome Loving talks about the wild nexus between writer Norman Mailer and fellow author Jack Henry Abbott, a convicted killer who was captured in Morgan City after writing the well-received "In the Belly of the Beast." Loving is a professor at Texas A&M.Also on today's program: McKinley High School principal Herman Brister on this weekend's shooting death of a student of his, here.

(LRN)Ron Faucheux talks about the changing electorate in Louisiana and its impact on the state’s voting patterns. Faucheux is a former state lawmaker, pollster, and columnist.Also on today's program: McKinley High School principal Herman Brister on this weekend's shooting death of a student of his, here.

McKinley High School principal Herman Brister responds to the shooting death this weekend of quarterback and honor student Bryant Lee.-

Professor Godon Lafer on his book "The One Percent Solution." Lafer believes the 2010 Citizens United decision at the U.S. Supreme Court revolutionized American politics and business. He says it sparked the nation's domination by a small segment of the economic elite.Also on today's program: Danny Heitman remembers Curt Eysink, here.

Editorial writer and columnist Danny Heitman of The Advocate talks the loss of his close friend, Curt Eysink. Eysink, who died suddenly at the age of 53 last month, is the former secretary of Workforce Development and was a reporter for The Advocate.Also on today's program, Michael Tisserand on race in New Orleans beyond the monuments, here.

New Orleans writer Michael Tisserand talks on issues of race in New Orleans that go beyond today's tension over the removal of monument of Confederate era icons.Also on today's program: Danny Heitman remembers Curt Eysink, here.

(Kelly Tate)Sue Lincoln with Capitol Access reviews a lively week at the State Captiol, where they have addressed everything from budget issues to hair braiding.Also on today's program: Carl Hiaasen and his novel about Cajun rooster farmers, here.

Journalist, columnist and novelist Carl Hiaasen wrote "Razor Girl," in which one of the main characters, Buck Nance, is the star of a reality show about a family of Cajun rooster farmers. Since 1985, Hiassen has written a regular column. He comments on the state of journalism in America.Also on today's program: Seth Stephens-Davidowitz uses internet data to conclude that everybody lies, here.

Seth Stephens-Davidowitz has used data from the internet to get insights into the human psyche.Davidowitz has used Google searches to measure racism and sexual trends as well as humor and depression. He is a contributing op-ed editor with the New York Times and will soon be teaching at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.His data contradicts many claims by Americans and his book is "Everybody Lies."Also on today's program: Carl Hiaasen and his novel about Cajun rooster farmers, here.

Juliette Brophy, LSU paleoanthropologist, explains to us her research that helped identify a newly-discovered human ancestor, the Homo Naledi. This new species was found in a 130-mile long narrow cave system in South Africa.Also on today's program, David Poole on Baton Rouge's high HIV and AIDS rates, here.

David Poole, Director of the Southern Bureau of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, addresses Baton Rouge ranking in the top five cities in HIV and AIDS rates.Also on today's program: Barry Weinstein, J.B. Hunt, and Dr. Azeem Kahn talk aortic aneurysms, here.

Aortic aneurysms are the third leading cause of sudden death among U.S. men. Rabbi Barry Weinstein talks with us about his one-year recovery from an aortic aneurysm.J.B. Hunt of Aneurysm Outreach shares with us the importance of being examined for a possible aortic aneurys.We also hear from Dr. Azeem Kahn, the surgeon who saved Rabbi Weinstein's life.Also on today's program, David Poole on Baton Rouge's high HIV and AIDS rates, here.

(whitehouse.gov)Author Morgan Moltrop of New Orleans, a biographer of Andrew Jackson, compares America's 7th President to the current inhabitant of the White House. President Trump often praises President Jackson and accepts comparisons with the populist hero of the Battle of New Orleans. Some historians say the differences between the two men are profound.Also on today's program: Jeff Sadow on why the death penalty saves more lives than it takes, here.

(LSU Shreveport)Political Scientist Jeff Sadow, professor at LSU-Shreveport and columnist for the Advocate, discusses his contention that Louisiana needs to preserve the death penalty.Senator Dan Claitor is sponsoring legislation to abolish capital punishment in our state. Earlier on this program, Claitor said the death penalty is too expensive and is not an efficient means of thwarting crime in society.Professor Sadow argued in his column last Sunday in the Advocate that the death penalty saves more lives than those taken.

We catch up with music legend Jimmy Clanton, a product of Baton Rouge High School, who had a flurry of Top Ten hits in the 50's and 60's. Clanton is returning to his alma mater for a concert on May 20.Also on today's program, Lamont Cole, Dujan Johnson, and Jim Madden on the Community School for Apprenticeship Learning, here.

One of Baton Rouge's inner city schools is showing remarkable test scores from its students. The Community School for Apprenticeship Learning is headed by principal Lamont Cole, the Metro Councilman, along with CEO Dujan Johnson and Jim Madden, professor of mathematics at LSU.-

Bryn Stole of The Advocate discusses with us the latest revelations involving Alton Sterling case.Also on today's program: Jim Wharton on the possible TOPS restoration, here.

LSU Chancellor Emeritus Jim Wharton talks about the possible restoration of TOPS and an attempt to name the LSU Parade Grounds in honor of William Tecumseh Sherman, the founder of the Ole War Skule.-

(wikimedia.org CC A-SA 2.0)University of California professor Dacher Keltner on "The Power Paradox, How We Gain and Lose Influence." Professor Keltner opines that acquisition of power often results in loss of empathy, collaboration, fairness and generosity.-

(ice.gov)Former Baton Rouge police chief Jeff LeDuff comments on the mood of the community two days after the U.S. Justice Department decision not to press federal civil rights charges against two Baton Rouge police officers in the death of Alton Sterling.Also on today's program: Blue Cross of Louisiana's Mike Bertaud on the impact of Thursday's healthcare law repeal in Congress, here.

Mike Bertaud is the senior economist for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana. Bertaud assesses the possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act as the U.S. House voted Thursday to scrap the health care law that has been in place since 2010.-

(Kelly Tate)We hear from WRKF's Sue Lincoln from Capitol Access on the fourth week of the state legislative session.Also on today's program: Former Baton Rouge police chief Jeff LeDuff looks at the community after Sterling decision, here.

Activist Keon Preston comments on the mood of the African-American community in light of the Justice Department announcement of its findings in the Alton Sterling case.Also on today's program: Gary Chambers talks about the Sterling family reaction to the Justice Department finding, here.

(LRN)Former prosecutor Prem Burns reviews the options available to Attorney General Jeff Landry, who now is in charge of the investigation of officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II in relation to Alton Sterling's shooting death.Also on today's program: Gary Chambers talks about the Sterling family reaction to the Justice Department finding, here.

Gary Chambers is a blogger with The Rouge Collection. He discusses the reaction Alton Sterling's family after Wednesday's announcement of the decision by the U.S. Justice Department not to press federal charges against two police officers in the death of Sterling last July at the Triple S Food Mart.-

(LRN)Former lawmaker turned pastor Raymond Jetson comments on the anticipated U.S. Justice Department decision in the Alton Sterling case. Reverend Jetson heads Star Hill Baptist Church, one of the community's largest churches. His church is three blocks from the Triple S Food Mart where Sterling was killed last July. Reports are at this time that the Justice Department has decided not to prosecute two officers, Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake, for federal civil rights violations for their involvement in Sterling's shooting death.Also on today's program: State Rep. Ted James on the expected Alton Sterling decision and state budget battles in the legislature this week, here.

(Amy Jeffries)State Rep. Ted James of Baton Rouge weighs in on the Alton Sterling decision. He also addresses the friction at the state legislature as the House battles budget issues in week four of the regular session.Also on today's program: Raymond Jetson on the expected decision in the Alton Sterling case, here.

(East Baton Rouge City/Parish)East Baton Rouge Councilwoman Tara Wicker assesses the mood in the minority community ahead of the rumored potential decision from the U.S. Department of Justice on the Alton Sterling case. She addresses concerns that violence may erupt in reaction to a decision not to bring charges in the case against the officer who shot Sterling last July, even though much of the community remains hopeful of a peaceful reaction.Also on today's program: Lawyer Don Cazayoux comments on Alton Sterling case, here.

(U.S. Congress)Former U.S. Attorney and ex-Congressman Don Cazayoux comments on the Alton Sterling case. He explains how the Justice Department reviews evidence and renders a decision in cases such as the one agains the officer who shot Sterling.Also on today's program: East Baton Rouge Councilwoman Tara Wicker addresses the mood in our minority community anticipating a decision in the case agains the officer who shot Alton Sterling, here.

(LRN)Music legend Herb Alpert talks to us about how he received a big break from New Orleans icon Al Hirt as well as his first appearance at the Jazz and Heritage Festival.Also on today's program: WRKF's Sue Lincoln from Capitol Access reviews the legislative week, including the CAT tax defeat and a medical marijuana update, here.

(LRN)George Morris is a feature writer for The Advocate and was a long-time sports writer there. We touch on the general demise of newspapers and remember a time when Baton Rouge had two thriving newspapers.Also on today's program: WRKF's Sue Lincoln from Capitol Access reviews the legislative week, including the CAT tax defeat and a medical marijuana update, here.

(LPB)The Chicago Tribune's Rick Kogan on the 20th anniversary of the death of Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Mike Royko. Royko died two decades ago in the late 1990s; we're talking with Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune today about Royko, his death, and his legacy.Also on today's program: WRKF's Sue Lincoln from Capitol Access reviews the legislative week, including the CAT tax defeat and a medical marijuana update, here.

(Kelly Tate)WRKF's voice of Capitol Access, Sue Lincoln, joins us for our weekly look at the legislative session. This week, we saw the withdrawal of Gov. John Bel Edwards' plan to impose the Corporate Activities Tax. Also this week, LSU AgCenter Chancellor Bill Richardson gave an update on the state's plan to get the medical marijuana program up and running by January 2018.Also on today's program: The Advocate's George Morris talks newspapers, here.

(LRN)New York Times sportswriter Jere Longman, a native of Eunice and an LSU Manship School graduate, reflects on his feature about pole vaulting sensation Armand "Mondo" Duplantis. Duplantis is a 17-year-old student at Lafayette High School and has set the national prep record in the event.Also on today's program: Political strategist Timmy Teepell looks at executives past and present, including his client, Former Governer Bobby Jindal, here.

(LRN)Timmy Teepell is the political strategist for Former Governor Bobby Jindal. Teepell discusses the Jindal legacy and assesses the first 15 months of Governor John Bel Edwards. Teepell consults nationally for GOP candidates. He will also provide observations about the first 100 days of President Trump.-

Columnist and capitol reporter Jeremy Alford updates us about the collapse of the governor's tax plan.With the tax bill prepped for almost certain defeat in the House Ways and Means Committee, the Edwards administration pulled the gross receipts tax proposal from a vote Tuesday.The measure saw strong opposition from business groups.The governor was proposing a gross receipts tax or a corporate activity tax to help shore up state finances without steep cuts. Proposals included a flat $250 per year tax on businesses receiving a the most modest levels of gross receipts.

LuAnn Bombet of B'Nai Israel talks with us about the history of the oldest synagogue in Baton Rouge and their upcoming annual event.-

Ty Tashiro, author of "Awkward: The Science of Why We're Socially Awkward and Why That's Awesome," on how the same traits that make us feel uneasy in social situations can provides the seeds for success.-

Joining us to talk about unique ways for citizens to weigh in on ways to resolve state budget woes, we have LSU Mass Communications Professor Len Apcar, Advocate Editor Peter Kovacs, and Capitol Bureau Chief for The Advocate Mark Ballard.-

(LRN)State Representative C. Denise Marcelle speaks with us about race in Baton Rouge and also addresses week three of the state legislative session.-

(LRN)Reporter Della Hasselle touches on concerns that some of the destruction from the historic flooding of 2016 could have been prevented and that one interstate highway is to blame.Also on today's program: Len Apcar, Peter Kovacs, and Mark Ballard on the citizen's voice in the state budget, here.

(wikimedia.org CC A-SA 2.0)Richard Marksbury talks in response to the decision by the city of New Orleans to perform an unannounced removal of the controversial Battle of Liberty Place obleisk early Monday morning. Marksbury advocates against the removal of Confederate monuments from public spaces in New Orleans.-