Mornings with Brian Haldane

Congresswoman Julia Letlow joins the show for DC Current to discuss the reopening of the federal government and her priorities moving forward. After a 50-day shutdown, Letlow expressed optimism about the House returning to work, with votes scheduled to swear in a new member and pass a continuing resolution (CR) alongside three appropriations bills. As part of the House Whip team, she reported stro...

Senator Bill Cassidy joins the show to discuss key issues unfolding in Washington, D.C., including a recent meeting with President Donald Trump and pressing concerns around government funding and healthcare reform. Cassidy described the president’s frustration with recent political outcomes and emphasized their shared commitment to developing actionable plans moving forward. On the legislative fro...

Dr. Sammy Wyatt joins the show to discuss his bold bid for the U.S. Senate. A Navy veteran, former SWAT officer, and fraud investigator, Wyatt lays out a platform focused on border security, fiscal responsibility, and rooting out government waste. He calls for eliminating the Department of Education, restoring traditional values in schools, and holding politicians accountable for misuse of taxpaye...

David St. Romain joins the show to unpack the rise of AI-generated music, including the chart-topping “Walk by Walk” by Breaking Rust, and what it means for the soul of country. While AI nails the sound, David argues it can’t replicate the human connection that fuels true artistry. From texting fans heartfelt Monday messages to hosting songwriting workshops for veterans through his nonprofit Songs...

LSU’s firing of head coach Brian Kelly has sparked a legal showdown over a $54 million buyout. In this episode, attorney Franz Broghardt breaks down the tangled web of contract law, moral clauses, and administrative missteps. Was Kelly fired for cause—or was it a bureaucratic blunder? From Brinks truck metaphors to the governor’s influence on university leadership, we unpack the drama, the dollars...

Bill Profita, chairman of the Greater Baton Rouge Airport Commission, joins the show to unpack the ripple effects of the federal shutdown on air travel. With canceled flights and a growing 6% disruption rate, Profita explains how airplane re-sequencing works and why delays compound across major hubs. From Baton Rouge to Charlotte to New York, every leg of a flight matters—and there are no spare pl...

District Attorney Hillar Moore joins the show to unpack the devastating impact of Baton Rouge’s proposed 2026 budget. With an 11% cut across constitutional offices, Moore’s team faces a $1 million shortfall—on top of losing 30 assistant DAs in just 16 months. Compared to Jefferson and Orleans parishes, Baton Rouge’s caseload is overwhelming and underfunded. The result? Delayed trials, rising backl...

Mason Batts from the mayor’s office joins the show to break down Thrive EBR, a pivotal funding proposal on the November 15th ballot. With widespread support from both political parties, unions, and all Metro Council members, Thrive aims to prevent deep cuts to constitutional offices and essential services like transportation and drainage. Batts clarifies misconceptions around the library millage a...

Scott Bardwell of the Home Builders Association joins the show to break down Baton Rouge’s housing market. From rate buy-downs helping first-time buyers to middle-market sluggishness, the theme is clear: uncertainty. Inflation fears, ICE raids, and tariffs are shaking labor and material costs, while consumer confidence remains low. Buyers are remodeling instead of relocating, and new construction—...

Jeff Crouere joins the show to unpack two major stories shaping New Orleans and beyond. First, the Catholic Church’s financial crisis deepens as 150 parishes and charities file for bankruptcy, driven by abuse lawsuits, shifting demographics, and dwindling enrollment. Once a powerhouse, the archdiocese now faces closures and consolidation. Then, we zoom out to the national stage: the looming end of...

Metro Councilwoman Jenn Racca joins the show to discuss the newly proposed budget, emphasizing transparency and dispelling misinformation about its timing relative to the Thrive vote. She clarified that the budget’s release follows a set governmental schedule and was not strategically timed. The budget, over 500 pages long, contains significant changes and requires thorough review. One of the most...

Moon Griffon joins the show to unpack LSU’s rocky football season, the looming end of the government shutdown, and the ballooning costs of healthcare. From missed red zone chances to coaching contracts worth millions, Moon reflects on Tiger football’s turbulent year and the hope for a brighter future. He also weighs in on Jeff Landry’s controversial stance on college coach buyouts and the national...

Janet Simmons, interim director of BREC, joins the show to unpack a wave of reforms reshaping Baton Rouge’s parks and rec system. From revamping outdated policies to hiring a dedicated equine vet for Farr Park, Simmons is steering BREC toward transparency, efficiency, and community impact. She shares updates on a $10K tire cleanup grant, a pilot HVAC project at Mayfair Park, and plans for new tier...

Dr. Martin Setliff of Our Lady of the Lake shares the extraordinary recovery story of Jason Moore, a hospital security officer whose heart stopped for nearly nine minutes. From cardiac rehab to overcoming anoxic brain injury, Jason’s journey is a testament to resilience and the power of compassionate care. Dr. Setliff explains how his team rebuilds strength and cognition through gradual physical t...

The Louisiana Business Excellence Awards are back, spotlighting standout companies and leaders shaping the state’s economic future. Rowdy Gaudet from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) joins the show to preview this year’s honorees—from Turnkey Solutions and Marucci Sports to inspiring individuals like Paul Spolita and Melanie Cluott. Special recognition goes to Performance...

ABC News correspondent Steven Portnoy joins the show to discuss the potential end of the government shutdown, noting that the Senate voted 60–40 to advance a measure that could reopen federal agencies through January. While the bill hasn’t yet passed the Senate, it’s expected to, after which the House must reconvene—despite air traffic issues—and vote to send it to President Donald Trump for signi...

Veterans Week is in full swing, and Anthony Winters and Kyle Callihan return to the show with a high-energy rundown of events honoring service members across Baton Rouge. From a golf tournament at Greystone Country Club to JROTC gatherings at Southern University, movie nights, and the iconic “Smoke’em” celebration, the week is packed with camaraderie, cocktails, and community. Highlights include t...

Renee Amar, Executive Director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, joins the show to unpack the state’s tangled web of insurance premiums, lawsuit abuse, and medical billing chaos. With eye-popping MRI charges reaching $40,000 for truckers, Amar calls out the systemic failures driving up costs and pushing health insurance out of the equation. She highlights the energy of Louisiana’s fres...

LSU hits the road to face Alabama, and it’s more than just a game—it’s a statement. Voice of the Tigers Chris Blair joins the show to break down interim head coach Frank Wilson’s “us against the world” mentality, the renewed commitment to LSU’s run-first identity, and the locker room’s response to midseason upheaval. With offensive coordinator Alex Atkins stepping in and a four-game audition ahead...

Thanksgiving is no afterthought at Chris’s Specialty Foods, and Cobin Leindecker joins the show early this year to help you beat the holiday rush. From cornbread dressing and boil-bag gravy to creamed spinach and underrated rice dressing, Cobin breaks down the most popular sides and how to get a full Louisiana feast without breaking a sweat. We talk turkeys, turduckens, and the science behind keep...

Patrick "Patty G" Gremillion joins the show to unpack Julio Malera’s column comparing Baton Rouge to Columbus, Ohio—and why BR needs to stop chasing perfection and start executing. From the pitfalls of fragmented leadership to the scarcity mindset that pits downtown against the rest of the city, this episode dives into how Baton Rouge can build momentum with good-enough plans like Thrive EBR and P...

TEDx Baton Rouge is back and bolder than ever. Co-organizers Adrian Owen Jones and Melissa Thompson preview this year’s electrifying lineup, featuring sponge hunters, biodegradable Mardi Gras beads, and climate-conscious creators. As one of only 19 global anchor cities for TED Countdown, Baton Rouge will host talks focused on climate adaptation and innovation—including maternal health, sustainable...

The Baton Rouge mayor’s office has released its 2026 budget proposal, facing significant financial constraints and a mandate to present a balanced budget. Mason Batts from the mayor’s office joins the show to explain that reserve funds, heavily relied upon in previous years, are now depleted—leaving just over a month’s worth of operational reserves, far below the recommended two months. To avoid t...

This week’s Crime Stoppers segment hits all the right notes—literally. The team gears up for “Holiday Sinatra,” a big-band concert on December 6th at LSU Union Theater, blending classic Christmas tunes with a fundraising mission for Crime Stoppers. Proceeds support educational programs and a cutting-edge kiosk initiative that will bring real-time fugitive alerts and anonymous tip access to high-tr...

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois joins the show to spotlight the “Driving Louisiana Opportunity Tour,” a statewide initiative connecting directly with 800 key “driver companies.” From industrial giants like Pipe and Steel to global brands like Marucci, the tour showcases the innovation and impact of Louisiana-grown businesses. Bourgeois shares insights on workforce needs, s...