Mornings with Brian Haldane

Baton Rouge is facing tough budget decisions, and the Department of Public Works is on the front lines. Fred Raiford joins the show to break down what looming cuts mean for everyday services. With a 12% budget reduction and 40 positions eliminated, residents can expect slower response times, longer delays for repairs, and fewer resources during emergencies. Raiford explains the challenges of prior...

Mayor Ray Bourque of Broussard, who also serves as president of the Louisiana Municipal Association (LMA), is spearheading an initiative to mandate training and continuing education for Louisiana’s 306 municipal mayors. The goal is to raise the bar for local governance by ensuring mayors have essential skills and knowledge to manage their communities effectively. Currently, mayors only complete mi...

Congresswoman Julia Letlow joins the show for DC Current to share Thanksgiving laughs and serious legislative wins. While she admits her only holiday kitchen duty is bringing the rolls, Letlow is cooking up big victories in Washington. She secured $2 million for flood mitigation along the Amite River—historic for the Capital Region—and $4 million to improve healthcare access in rural Richland Pari...

This episode kicks off with a lighthearted Thanksgiving debate—turkey, ham, or the elusive turducken? Franz Borghardt and Brian Haldane swap stories of grilling traditions and holiday favorites before diving into a serious legal update. The Louisiana Supreme Court unanimously ruled to keep the courtroom open during Melanie Curtin’s retrial, rejecting the state’s attempt to shield testimony in a hi...

Central's Mayor Wade Evans joins the show to talk about what it takes to make politicians better at their jobs. From managing multi-million-dollar budgets to navigating political realities, Mayor Evans explains why local leaders need more than popularity—they need education, strategy, and common sense. The discussion dives into the Louisiana Municipal Association’s role in shaping smarter governan...

In Baton Rouge, voters recently rejected three propositions tied to renewing millages for the library, Council on Aging, and Mosquito Abatement. The initiative, branded Thrive EBR, aimed to redirect a portion of these revenues to help the city-parish pay down debt and stabilize finances under new leadership. Despite support from some, the measures failed decisively, reflecting broader public skept...

From the Smoothie King Center to the streets of New Orleans, this episode dives into the city’s highs and lows. The Pelicans lit up the scoreboard with a 143–130 win over the Bulls, sparking hope for a playoff run, while fans rave about Todd Graffini’s electric calls—even during the team’s blunders. But the conversation quickly shifts from sports to politics, as Jeff Crouere joins to unpack ICE cr...

This Giving Tuesday, Baton Rouge is mixing service with flavor. Stuart Gilley joins the show to share how hundreds of volunteers will fan out across local nonprofits, with a special spotlight on Front Yard Bikes. At their newly renovated Government Street location, volunteers will serve up thousands of plates of jambalaya—free to the community, with donations encouraged to support the youth progra...

Janet Simmons from BREC joins the show to unpack a busy season for Baton Rouge’s parks and recreation. While personnel investigations limit what can be shared about recent headlines, Simmons emphasizes strong protocols and leadership continuity. Beyond the news, BREC is rolling out a packed holiday calendar: Zoo Lights, Rain Dog Run, Sensory Santa, Creole Christmas at Magnolia Mound, and the snowy...

Donnie Miller kicks things off with Thanksgiving staples—dirty rice and fried turkey—before diving into Ascension Parish’s meteoric rise. With population surging past 130,000 and chamber membership nearing 600, the parish is seeing record ribbon cuttings and unprecedented small business momentum. From industrial giants to mom-and-pop shops, Ascension’s chamber is intentionally bridging both sides...

Moon Griffon joins the show with a mix of family tradition and fiery headlines. He shares his South Louisiana Thanksgiving menu—fried turkey, smoked ham, oyster dressing, and his 90-year-old mother’s legendary crawfish bisque—served to nearly 40 relatives in Plaquemine. Beyond the holiday table, Moon dives into political buzz, including rumors of Rep. Julia Letlow entering the U.S. Senate race and...

Steve Crim, president of Common Sense America, joins the show to introduce American Foundations, a new initiative aimed at strengthening U.S. cement production. With nearly 25% of cement currently imported—often lower quality—Crim warns of risks to infrastructure, jobs, and national security. Cement supports 600,000 American jobs and contributes $130 billion to the economy, making domestic supply...

Anna Johnson from the West Baton Rouge Chamber joins the show to share exciting updates on the newly launched Chamber Foundation, designed to strengthen workforce development through mentorships, apprenticeships, and partnerships with schools and community colleges. With major projects like Hyundai bringing hundreds of jobs, the foundation aims to close skill gaps and prepare a future-ready workfo...

Actor Corbin Bernsen joins the show to discuss his latest project, The Beldham —a psychological horror rooted in folklore and Hitchcockian suspense. Bernsen reflects on the power of indie filmmaking outside Hollywood, sharing how shooting in Oklahoma brought a raw, collaborative energy to the production. Known for iconic roles in LA Law and Major League, he compares the joy of past performances wi...

The holiday season shines bright at Burden Museum and Gardens with the return of Louisiana Lights, running November 28 through December 30, Wednesdays to Sundays. This walk-through experience transforms the historic Windrush Gardens into a glowing wonderland, complete with photo hotspots like the famous light tunnel—where engagements happen almost nightly. Families can enjoy s’mores by fire pits,...

As Thanksgiving week arrives, the holidays bring both joy and challenges. While many celebrate gratitude and family traditions, this season can also heighten stress, anxiety, and depression. Financial pressures, grief over absent loved ones, and changing family dynamics often intensify emotional struggles. To explore ways of coping, NeuroJust clinic director Carter LeBlanc joined the conversation...

Dr. Moosa joins the show on this Medical Monday to spotlight Lung Cancer Awareness Month and the urgent need for prevention and early detection. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., with over 209,000 new cases reported annually. Smoking, radon, asbestos, and family history are key risk factors, while screening—especially for adults aged 50–80 with a heavy smoking history—...

Brad Daigle, longtime conservative activist and small business owner, has officially entered the race for Louisiana’s District 60 state representative seat, earning a swift endorsement from the state Republican Party. Raised in a Democratic household but a Republican since 1997, Daigle emphasizes bipartisan respect while championing conservative priorities. His platform focuses on insurance reform...

Madelyn Burr, founder of Eloise Market and Cakery, joins the show on this Foodie Friday to share how she turned her love of food into Baton Rouge’s “most bougee bakery.” Starting during COVID with Instagram posts, Burr quickly grew from home orders to a brick‑and‑mortar shop at just 22 years old. Eloise specializes in custom cakes, vibrant designs, and Louisiana traditions like king cake, while al...

Metro Councilwoman Laurie White Adams joins the conversation to unpack Baton Rouge’s ongoing budget hearings. With public safety consuming 57% of the city’s budget, Adams highlights the fragile balance between courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, and public defenders—likening them to four tires on a car that must all function to keep justice moving. Severe understaffing, particularly in the Distr...

Walt Leger of New Orleans & Company joins the show to spotlight the city’s booming season. The 52nd Bayou Classic kicks off Thanksgiving weekend, bringing Grambling and Southern fans together for football, the Battle of the Bands, and a statewide reunion that fills hotels and restaurants. Culinary pride soared with Michelin’s first Southern guide, awarding Louisiana 34 honors, including two st...

Rico Alvendia, a retired Lieutenant Colonel and member of LSU’s Board of Supervisors, joins the show to discuss the university’s renewed effort to reactivate the Corps of Cadets. While the Board is also focused on hiring a new football coach, Alvendia emphasized the significance of restoring a tradition that dates back more than 160 years. Originally founded in 1860 when LSU began as a military ac...

Haggai Davis joins the show for a Cup of Tech Gumbo to unpack the recent Cloudflare outage that knocked countless websites offline, explaining how a simple update spiraled into a five-hour disruption affecting businesses, clocks, and daily routines. The conversation highlights the dangers of internet consolidation, where AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and third-party services hold the keys to modern li...

Meg Klaing from the St. George Fire Department joins the show to share critical holiday safety reminders. With Thanksgiving just days away, she explains why it’s the busiest day of the year for cooking fires, detailing common mishaps like unattended stoves, flammable clutter, and the dangers of frying frozen turkeys. Kling stresses safe practices—keeping fryers outside, maintaining a 10-foot clear...

Central Mayor Wade Evans joins the show to reflect on the fallout from the failed Thrive initiative and broader issues of governance in East Baton Rouge Parish. The conversation began with controversy over his access to City Hall, which Evans dismissed as a distraction from more pressing matters. He emphasized that the mayor has authority to issue access cards and argued critics should focus on go...