Mornings with Brian Haldane

U.S. Senate candidate Kathy Seiden joins the show to share her journey from small-town Louisiana to the political spotlight. A mother of four, small business owner, and current council member in St. Tammany Parish, Seiden brings a fresh, unapologetically grounded perspective to the race. She discusses her motivation to run, citing a disconnect between current leadership and everyday citizens, and...

Attorney General Liz Murrill joins the show for a rapid-fire segment on two major cases gripping Louisiana. First, the dramatic recapture of Derek Groves—convicted murderer turned escapee—whose flight to Atlanta triggered a multi-agency manhunt. Then, we pivot to the tragic Kyron Lacey case, where high-speed recklessness led to fatal consequences and a grand jury probe. Murrill breaks down her off...

Lieutenant Don Coppola joins the show to recap the powerful Law Enforcement Awards Luncheon, honoring local heroes and remembering fallen officers like Sgt. Caleb Osworth. With keynote speaker Kim Mulkey delivering an emotional tribute, the event raised vital funds to keep Crime Stoppers running. We also spotlight recent successes, including the capture of escapee Randall Boyette, and dive into un...

With election day landing on game day, Brenden Craig joins the show to make a final pitch for Baton Rouge City Court Judge. A seasoned criminal defense attorney with 16 years of experience, Craig shares how his courtroom insights can drive real change — from reducing bench warrants to improving court efficiency. His grassroots campaign has resonated with voters tired of long wait times and systemi...

Haggai Davis joins the show for a Cup of Tech Gumbo to dive into the surreal world of AI-generated media, starting with Tilly Norwood — a fully digital actress starring in a Dutch film. The conversation explores the ethical and cultural implications of generative AI, especially with the rise of Sora 2, a powerful video tool capable of rewriting history with hyper-realistic deepfakes. From Queen El...

Lana Venable joins the show during Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week to spotlight the hidden costs of excessive litigation. From nuclear verdicts like the $745 million Chevron case to everyday auto insurance hikes, lawsuit abuse affects everyone — not just lawyers and corporations. Lana explains how this culture of “jackpot justice” discourages business investment, drives up costs, and threat...

Dr. Mike Strain joins the show to share updates on Louisiana’s agriculture and fire prevention efforts. He began by celebrating the abundance of certified Louisiana seafood, especially shrimp and the upcoming crawfish season. With over 360,000 acres of farmed crawfish and favorable weather, the state anticipates a strong harvest with larger crawfish and lower prices, potentially around $2.34 per p...

Live from LABI’s Workers’ Comp Conference, Jerry Abner, VP of Marketing at L’Auberge Casino joins the show to explore how this 24/7 hotspot blends business with unforgettable entertainment. From the booming sportsbook and high-energy concerts to themed dance nights like “Sip, Spin, Repeat,” L’Auberge is redefining local nightlife. Jerry previews big acts like Chase Matthew, Better Than Ezra, and T...

Broadcasting live from LABI’s Workers’ Comp Conference, Brian is joined by defense attorneys Trent Oubre and Jennifer O’Connell—chairs of LABI’s Employee Relations and Emerging Leaders Councils. They break down why Louisiana’s workers’ comp system is among the most expensive in the nation and how misaligned incentives are driving up costs. From excessive medical treatments to prolonged disability...

Live from LABI’s Workers’ Comp Conference, Corey Moe and Michael Parker join the show to dive into the slow but powerful machinery of legislative reform. They spotlight the uphill battle to fix Louisiana’s outdated comp laws—like the staggering 520-week benefit cap—and the urgent need for grassroots support. From trial lawyer influence to skyrocketing premiums for small businesses, they break down...

Live from LABI’s Workers’ Comp Conference at L’Auberge Casino, Seth Irby of LWCC joins the show to unpack how this member-driven mutual insurance company is reshaping workers’ comp in Louisiana. From returning $1.5 billion in dividends to pioneering workplace safety across industries—even zookeeping—LWCC is redefining what it means to care for workers. Seth shares how their 360 Care program suppor...

Broadcasting live from LABI’s Workers’ Comp Conference at L’Auberge Casino, we sit down with Troy Prevot, Associate VP for Strategic Solutions and self-proclaimed “attempted fixer.” Troy breaks down the real cost drivers in Louisiana’s workers’ comp system—medical expenses and length of disability—and how outdated guidelines are failing both employers and injured workers. He explains how evidence-...

Broadcasting live from L’Auberge Casino, we dive into the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry’s annual Workers’ Comp Conference with Patrick Robinson, VP of Governmental Affairs. From early morning disco vibes to late-night trivia fundraisers, the event blends serious policy talk with engaging entertainment. Patrick shares insights on Louisiana’s workers’ comp challenges—like extended d...

Janet Simmons from BREC joins the show with a jam-packed update on Baton Rouge’s parks and programs. From Boo at the Zoo and haunted hikes to inclusive sports like Hallow Wheel and cultural celebrations like the Asian Mid-Autumn Festival, BREC’s fall calendar is buzzing. Janet also breaks down the new Rapid Response Ticketing System for park maintenance and the innovative “war rooms” driving fast-...

Step back in time with us as we chat with Kay Gaudin and Becca Bartlett about LASM’s dazzling 1920s-themed gala, “Putting on the Ritz,” happening this Friday night! Celebrating 100 years of the historic train depot and 40 years of the museum’s gala, this event promises flapper fashion, casino games, a secret speakeasy, dancing with DJ Digital, and a diamond raffle. It’s a night of glamour, giving,...

Rodney Mallett from DOTD joins the show to explain a surprise traffic snag on I-10: overnight concrete repairs didn’t cure in time, forcing a lane closure during peak morning drive. Rodney breaks down why this happens, how fast-curing concrete works, and the importance of real-time updates via 511la.org and traffic apps. He also clears up confusion about previous repairs and emphasizes safety—espe...

Jeff Crouere, host of Ringside Politics, joins the show to unpack the electric mood in New Orleans after a rare Saints win, the city's deep-rooted NFL legacy, and the implications of stadium politics. They dive into the mayoral race, where Helena Moreno leads with momentum and money, while challengers scramble for relevance. With early voting turnout surging, the stakes are high—not just for the c...

Dr. Cade Brumley, Louisiana’s Superintendent of Education, joins the show to spotlight major gains in student achievement, especially in Advanced Placement (AP) testing. With a 25% jump in qualifying scores and over 13,000 students earning college credit, Louisiana is seeing historic progress. Brumley credits early classroom returns post-COVID and rising reading proficiency. He also discusses stre...

Congressman Troy Carter joins the show to discuss the ongoing government shutdown, expressing deep frustration over the lack of communication and legislative action. A week into the shutdown, Carter emphasizes that progress is impossible without dialogue, calling the current stalemate “irresponsible” and “childish.” He criticizes both chambers of Congress for their entrenched positions and urges l...

On this week’s Medical Monday, Ben Schuler, VP and Regional COO of Our Lady of the Lake, shares exciting news about a major expansion in Livingston Parish. A $5 million investment will bring a 10-bed observation unit to the area by spring 2026—marking the first step toward overnight care locally. This upgrade means patients needing extended monitoring can stay close to home, avoiding transfers to...

Attorney Franz Borghardt breaks down the federal sentencing of Sean “Diddy” Combs, who received 50 months for prostitution-related charges. Despite the light sentence, relevant conduct and civil lawsuits loom large. Franz explains how federal sentencing guidelines work, why Diddy’s legal team is appealing, and how civil cases may dig deeper than criminal court. Then, the spotlight shifts to Congre...

Walt Leger from New Orleans & Company joins the show to celebrate a Saints win and dive into major developments for the city. With a new long-term deal keeping the Saints in the Superdome, New Orleans is pushing hard to land the 2031 Super Bowl and the 2028 College Football Championship. Walt discusses the importance of maximizing the Superdome’s legacy, enhancing fan experiences, and investin...

Moon Griffon joins the show to unpack Louisiana’s legal and political turbulence—from coastal lawsuits against Chevron to controversial redistricting battles. He highlights the staggering financial stakes of the Chevron case and warns of the business fallout from parish-led litigation. Griffon also dives into the Cleo Fields stock controversy and the behind-the-scenes drama involving Secretary of...

Jake Tapper’s Race Against Terror is a gripping nonfiction thriller that chronicles the pursuit and prosecution of an Al-Qaeda operative, Spin Gool, at the height of the post-9/11 global counterterrorism effort. The book opens during the Arab Spring in 2011, when Spin Gool, wounded and claiming allegiance to Al-Qaeda, is discovered aboard a refugee ship bound for Italy. His confession to killing A...

In this episode, we spotlight Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week in Louisiana, a campaign led by the Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch and the American Tort Reform Association to expose the hidden costs of excessive litigation. Tiger Joyce joins the show to discuss the economic toll of lawsuit abuse, including Louisiana’s ranking as a top “Judicial Hellhole.” The conversation dives into the landmark $745 mi...