Mornings with Brian Haldane

Congresswoman Julia Letlow joins Brian Haldane for a wide-ranging discussion on Louisiana priorities, including data center energy costs, flood mitigation, insurance affordability and federal legislation. Letlow highlights new research funding for LSU focused on severe flooding and discusses efforts to protect Louisiana ratepayers from rising energy costs. She also shares updates from her statewid...

Mike Smith, speaking on behalf of ExxonMobil, joins Brian Haldane to discuss pipeline safety and Louisiana’s Pipeline Emergency Training Program. Smith explains how the free training prepares firefighters to respond to incidents involving crude oil, natural gas and carbon dioxide. The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on exercises, helping first responders build the skills and musc...

Louisiana State Representative Paul Sawyer joins Brian Haldane to discuss energy policy, politics and Louisiana’s growing manufacturing economy. Sawyer explains why he believes the state’s energy strategy has remained resilient across political changes, while addressing debates surrounding carbon capture, data centers and social media misinformation. He also highlights Louisiana’s role as a major...

David Cresson, president of the Louisiana Chemical Association, joins Brian Haldane to discuss Louisiana’s growing energy demands and the infrastructure needed to support new industrial investment. Cresson explains the potential role of microgrids, natural gas, nuclear power and other energy sources while emphasizing the need to protect residential ratepayers. The conversation also explores cooper...

Attorney Franz Borghardt joins Brian Haldane for a legal deep dive into the Lindsay Clancy case, discussing shifting defense arguments, insanity defenses, prior trial testimony, and the challenges those strategies can create. The conversation then turns to the developing New Orleans grand jury investigation, including allegations of potential jury tampering, perjury, obstruction of justice, and ma...

Bipartisan federal legislation is tackling key challenges in disaster preparedness and workforce reintegration. The proposed FEMA Workforce Planning Act mandates structured staffing strategies to accelerate disaster response across the nation. Simultaneously, the TWICE Act helps qualified individuals apply for maritime work credentials before prison release, removing employment delays. Together, t...

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy of Baton Rouge guides high school students through the step-by-step process of creating, registering, and launching real companies. Participants earn LSU college credit while working directly with local business mentors to draft financial strategies and polish pitch decks. Students present their ventures at a Community Pitch event to secure real startup capital dona...

Hyundai Posco Louisiana Steel is actively recruiting to fill 1,300 new jobs at its upcoming Donaldsonville facility before opening in 2029. The state-of-the-art facility will operate as the world's only fully integrated steel mill that slashes carbon emissions by 70% while bolstering American manufacturing supply chains. Job openings range from entry-level to experienced roles, featuring unique pe...

Ascension Parish is seeing massive economic progress through continued industrial investment and proactive regional development. To support this momentum, the Ascension Parish Chamber of Commerce emphasizes relational networking through signature community events like its annual Golf Classic and a new Sporting Clay Shoot at Covey Rise Lodge. Programs like "Opportunity Ascension" offer local busine...

Brian Haldane and Ringside Politics host Jeff Crouere analyze the expanding political and legal rift between Louisiana state officials and New Orleans leadership. They review the state Republican Party's public campaign regarding Attorney General Liz Murrill and Councilmember Helena Moreno alongside the fulfillment of recent public records demands. The discussion highlights District Attorney Colli...

Louisiana is positioning itself at the forefront of the global energy transformation through strategic investments and collaborative state initiatives discussed at Tulane University's annual energy forum. Supported by over $200 million in federal and state funding, the FUEL program drives the commercialization of university research into high-growth energy startups. The state's forward-looking str...

In this engaging broadcast discussion, hosts Brian and Moon Griffon analyze major officiating flaws in the NFL, highlighting how instant replay often fails to resolve subjective call discrepancies. Moving to college football, they celebrate LSU's decisive victory in Tiger Stadium while expressing confidence in the team's depth despite key player injuries heading into critical November matchups. Th...

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) has announced its 2026 Business Excellence Award winners, honoring outstanding businesses and leaders driving statewide economic growth. Top honors include Phillip May of Entergy Louisiana as Executive of the Year and the Ascension Chamber of Commerce as Economic Development Partner of the Year. The awards also highlight key community contr...

As Election Day approaches, political campaigns heavily rely on SMS messaging to drive voter turnout across the country. Travis Trawick, CEO of FullPac, explains that campaigns use detailed voter data to send segmented, precinct-level texts rather than generic district-wide blasts. While replying "STOP" unsubscribes a voter from one specific organization, independent PACs often continue messaging...

Sarah Joy Hays, owner of CounterSpace Bakery, joins Mornings With Brian Haldane for Foodie Friday to discuss the bakery’s growth, scratch-made menu and popular treats. Hays shares baking tips, including why home bakers should use a kitchen scale, bench scraper and oven thermometer. She also talks about CounterSpace’s famous chocolate chip cookies, breakfast offerings, wholesale partnerships and ex...

Paula Jordan of Pennington Biomedical Research Center joins Mornings With Brian Haldane to explain the CROWN Network, a new initiative connecting Louisiana communities with health researchers. CROWN provides health education while giving residents opportunities to help shape research priorities, participate in studies, join focus groups and advisory boards, and access research findings. Jordan als...

Senator Bill Cassidy joins Mornings With Brian Haldane to discuss his efforts to address Social Security’s long-term finances and reform college athletics. Cassidy outlines his proposal to create a $1.5 trillion investment account to help address future Social Security obligations and emphasizes the need for bipartisan support. He also discusses proposed changes to college sports, including transf...

Laurie White Adams, director of government affairs at the Pelican Institute, joins Mornings With Brian Haldane to break down Louisiana’s 10 proposed constitutional amendments. The discussion covers the Pelican Institute’s call for a constitutional convention and examines the first three amendments involving disabled veterans’ property tax exemptions, property tax millage rates and post-conviction...

Rodney Mallet, spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), joins Mornings With Brian Haldane to discuss the ongoing I-10 widening project in Baton Rouge. Mallet addresses concerns about traffic congestion, road closures and construction impacts, explaining how DOTD has worked to minimize disruptions through nighttime work and an extended project timeline. He...

The Louisiana Art & Science Museum is hosting its annual gala featuring the vibrant theme "Louisiana Untamed" to support local educational outreach and community programs. Attendees will enjoy unique VIP experiences, including Cajun caviar tastings, photo opportunities with a live alligator, signature cocktails, and exclusive gallery exhibits. The event highlights LASM's 64-year mission of int...

After surviving a tragic 2017 line-of-duty call, Nashville police officer Nick Diamond founded Restoring Responders to provide crucial mental health support for emergency personnel. The organization hosts five-day, all-inclusive retreats nationwide that blend high-end recreational activities like guided fishing with evening trauma-counseling sessions. Designed as a preventive refuge rather than a...

The Louisiana Department of Health is hosting "Strong Her Louisiana," a free community fun run and walk taking place on September 30th at Proofworks in Baton Rouge. Designed to celebrate National Women's Health and Fitness Day, the event aims to empower women to prioritize their physical health alongside family responsibilities. Organizers have partnered with local run groups, vendors, and Varsity...

National Railroad Safety Week highlights essential practices designed to prevent vehicle collisions and pedestrian injuries at train intersections. Many driver errors stem from complacency or misinterpretation of traffic light preemption systems that hold signals red until trains pass. When a collision occurs, a stopped train blocks multiple intersections across the city, disrupting entire traffic...

Recent legislative efforts in Australia aim to allow users to opt out of social media algorithms, pushing platforms like Meta to offer chronological feeds to curb screen addiction. However, removing targeted algorithms may result in chaotic feeds filled with irrelevant advertisements rather than a better user experience. Meanwhile, cybercriminal groups like "Shiny Hunters" demonstrate the persiste...

East Baton Rouge Parish leaders are actively evaluating the potential financial and operational impacts of deconconsolidating city and parish governments. Metro Councilwoman Jenn Racca advocates for a cautious, budget-first approach to uncover hidden costs and service duplications before taking formal action. Highlighting the lessons learned from neighboring parishes, local officials caution again...