Mornings with Brian Haldane

Lieutenant Don Coppola joins the show to spotlight Baton Rouge’s latest Crime Stoppers cases and the urgent call to curb gun violence. From a deadly shooting sparked by an argument at the Villas at Stone Creek to unsolved homicides and theft cases, this episode underscores how quickly lives are lost over senseless disputes. Coppola details how anonymous tips helped identify suspects in recent crim...

Judge-elect Vicky Jones joins the show to discuss her recent election win and her vision for restoring trust in the judiciary. After securing 51% of the vote without a runoff, Jones explains the challenges of educating voters about judicial roles and the confusion caused by district changes during a special election. She shares plans for an advisory council to keep community voices engaged and emp...

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple joins us the show to unpack the ripple effects of the federal government’s failure to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). With over 420,000 policies in Louisiana alone, Temple explains how the shutdown impacts homeowners, closings, and mortgage renewals. He also explores the growing role of the private flood insurance market and offe...

Richard Sprinkle joins the show to dissect three explosive Louisiana legal stories. First, a Walker man faces 12 counts of indecent behavior with juveniles—Sprinkle explores the digital evidence and defense complexities. Then, he dives into the case of Judge Tiffany Foxworth Roberts, accused of lying about her military record and insurance claims. Her fate now rests with the Louisiana Supreme Cour...

Fox News anchor Bret Baier joins the show to discuss his latest book, To Rescue the American Spirit, a compelling biography of Theodore Roosevelt. Baier highlights Roosevelt’s dynamic personality and pivotal role in transforming America into a global power. The book centers on Roosevelt’s mediation of the Russo-Japanese War, which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize and marked the U.S.'s emergence as...

Dr. James Gilmore and Zach Kilshaw join the show to discuss the upcoming November 15th ballot propositions in East Baton Rouge Parish. These three propositions—renewals for the library, Council on Aging, and mosquito abatement—are not new taxes but continuations of existing millages. Dr. Gilmore, representing Generations United PAC, emphasizes the importance of voting “yes” to maintain vital servi...

Janet Simmons, head of BREC, joins the show to share major updates on park security, partnerships, and public engagement. With shorter daylight hours and rising safety concerns, BREC is rolling out mobile security towers and launching a real-time monitoring center to deter crime across East Baton Rouge Parish. Simmons also dives into a sweeping audit of outdated partnerships and new ethics policie...

Congressman Troy Carter joins the show for DC Current to discuss the ongoing government shutdown, now in its third week. He emphasizes the urgent need for bipartisan compromise, especially around ACA tax credits that benefit working-class Americans and small business owners. Carter criticizes political gridlock and calls for a return to deliberation and negotiation. He also shares his personal eff...

State Librarian Meg Placke joins the show to preview the 2025 Louisiana Book Festival, happening Saturday, November 1st. Celebrating its roots since 2002—and the State Library’s 100th anniversary—the festival features over 200 authors, from horror to biography, plus children’s storytelling, cooking demos, and book signings. With a pivot in location due to Capitol renovations, the event expands acr...

Sarah Gardner from the Baton Rouge Area Foundation (BRAF) joins the show to talk community growth, and the Foundation’s exciting move to a new downtown headquarters. She previews the open house event and highlights BRAF’s commitment to supporting nonprofits and revitalizing Baton Rouge. Sarah also teases the Ernest J. Gaines Award ceremony honoring author Essie Chambers and her novel Swift River....

Jeff Crouere checks in from New Orleans to talk Saints struggles, Tulane’s football resurgence, and the shifting NCAA landscape. The conversation pivots to the ongoing government shutdown, with sharp criticism of Democratic leadership and its impact on federal workers. Jeff and Brian discuss the political optics, media bias, and the potential fallout in upcoming elections. Locally, Mayor-elect Hel...

State Representative Beau Beaullieu joins the show to discuss the upcoming legislative session and the complex redistricting battle in Louisiana. He recapped the history of the congressional map, originally drawn as a 5-1 Republican-Democrat split, which was vetoed by former Governor John Bel Edwards and later ruled unconstitutional by Judge Shelly Dick. With mounting legal pressure and the risk o...

Dr. Katie Crifasi, physician and founder of Plantry Café, joins the show to share how her passion for holistic health inspired a plant-based fine dining experience in Baton Rouge. From BBQ jackfruit sliders to shiitake chip cookie bites, she’s redefining clean eating with creativity and flavor. We explore her philosophy of incremental dietary change, the science behind her recipes, and her upcomin...

George Bell joins the show to celebrate the United Way’s 38th annual Jambalaya Jam, featuring a record-breaking 65 cooking teams, live music from the Michael Foster Project, and a brand-new appetizer cook-off. But it’s more than just good eats — it’s a celebration of community, connection, and 100 years of service from the Capital Area United Way. From lunch plates to evening festivities, this fam...

This Medical Monday, we tackle a critical topic: prostate cancer. Dr. Marshall Stagg joins us to break down the risks, the importance of early detection, and why screening matters—especially for those with a family history. With no early symptoms and potentially deadly outcomes, a simple PSA blood test can be life-saving. We also spotlight the upcoming Check Your Tailgate event on October 25th at...

Moon Griffon joins the show with his signature blend of humor, frustration, and insight. From LSU’s disappointing weekend to the spectacle of the “No Kings” rally, Moon doesn’t hold back. He dives into the political theater surrounding Louisiana’s upcoming special session, voicing concerns about election maps, open primaries, and judicial overreach. With sharp takes on expectations, elite defenses...

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI), led by President and CEO Will Green, is sounding the alarm over a recent moratorium on carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects in Louisiana. Green likens the situation to having the best hotel during Mardi Gras but refusing reservations—an analogy for Louisiana’s prime position in CCS due to its geology, workforce, and regulatory f...

Gifford Briggs of the American Petroleum Institute joins the show to unpack Governor Landry’s controversial executive order placing a moratorium on new carbon capture projects in Louisiana. Briggs dives into the implications for the Gulf Coast’s energy future, the competitive pressure from neighboring states like Texas and Mississippi, and the economic ripple effects on jobs and investment. With n...

Metro Councilman Darryl Hurst joins the show to discuss his ambitious Revive Plank Road initiative, a transformative plan aimed at revitalizing North Baton Rouge’s historic corridor. The conversation began with Southern University’s vibrant homecoming week, highlighting Hurst’s deep personal ties to the institution. Shifting to the main topic, Hurst outlined a three-part strategy to restore Plank...

Walt Leger from New Orleans & Company joins the show to preview Rockin’ 1000, the world’s largest rock band performance coming to the Caesar Superdome on January 31. With a thousand musicians jamming together, this viral sensation—born in Italy—is making its U.S. debut in the perfect city for music and community. Walt also shares insights on New Orleans’ new mayor Helena Moreno, her leadership...

State Representative Dixon McMakin joins the show to talk football, politics, and policy. As the new voice of Tiger Stadium, McMakin celebrates LSU’s undefeated home record and shares his Memphis roots with a passionate defense of Elvis Presley. Shifting gears, he discusses the upcoming October 23rd special legislative session, called to address election date changes in light of the pending U.S. S...

Mitchell Moore, founder of The Cheesecake Lab in Baton Rouge, joins the show to talk all things cheesecake—from custard-based technique to flavor innovation. With just 22 days in business, Moore shares how his passion for cheesecake led him from Jackson, Mississippi to launching a dessert-only concept that’s already turning heads. He breaks down the art of perfect density, the versatility of flavo...

Actor Jeremy Swift joins the show to talk about his latest role in Grow, a heartwarming, family-friendly Halloween film about a gifted young girl and a magical pumpkin-growing journey. But first, Swift dives into his iconic role as Higgins in Ted Lasso, reflecting on the show's unexpected rise and the excitement around a potential fourth season. Swift shares insights on working in American comedy,...

Dr. George Xue from LSU joins the show to unveil groundbreaking AI technology revolutionizing flood forecasting. His team has developed a machine learning model that predicts compound flooding—caused by both storm surge and rainfall—across the Gulf Coast with unprecedented speed and accuracy. What once took 500 supercomputers two hours can now be done on a laptop in just four seconds. Dr. Xue expl...

In this special Crime Stoppers segment for Mental Health Awareness Month, Mrs. Louisiana USA, Courtney Vicari, joins the conversation to spotlight the unseen battles faced by veterans, first responders, and their families. Drawing from her own experience as a military spouse and youth mentor, Courtney shares powerful insights on PTSD, burnout, and the importance of recognizing mental health trigge...