Mornings with Brian Haldane

Patrick "Patty G" Gremillion joins the show to explore how Baton Rouge can better recruit talent and retain jobs. He highlights the Downtown Development District and LSU’s Small Business Development Center, which are teaming up to offer free Friday consultations for local entrepreneurs. Their goal? Strengthen downtown by supporting small businesses and fostering growth. It’s a fresh look at revita...

Rocco joins the show to dive into Italian-American heritage, culinary creativity, and Baton Rouge pride. From tortellini stuffed with veal and beef to fashion-forward Diadora sneakers, Rocco blends humor, history, and heart. This month Rocco's New Orleans Po-Boys celebrates 25 years of local food excellence. It’s a flavorful mix of nostalgia, culture, and personality—served with a side of sauce, n...

Mayor-President Sid Edwards joins the show to express strong support for bringing the National Guard to Baton Rouge to address rising crime and public safety concerns. He emphasized that misconceptions about the Guard’s role have led to premature judgments, clarifying that he envisions a supportive presence—not aggressive enforcement. His advocacy stems from personal experiences, including the tra...

Whitney Hoffman Sayal of the Downtown Development District (DDD) and Adam McCluskey from LSU’s Small Business Development Center join the show to discuss the DDD millage renewal on the October 11th ballot and a new initiative to support downtown businesses. Whitney highlights the DDD’s 42 active projects and its role in shaping Baton Rouge’s future through Plan Baton Rouge Phase III. Adam shares h...

Lieutenant Don Coppola from Capital Region Crimestoppers joins the show to discuss the effectiveness of anonymous tips that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of wanted criminals. If you have any information and would like to leave an anonymous tip, call 344-7867.For more, visit:  crimestoppers225.com  and  facebook.com/CS225

Calli Boudreaux, candidate for Baton Rouge City Court Judge, joins the show to discuss her background, legal experience, and community involvement. A seasoned civil litigator with 18 years of experience, Boudreaux has handled complex medical malpractice cases and served as a Special Assistant Attorney General. Beyond the courtroom, she’s deeply involved with CASA, advocating for foster children, a...

J. Hover joins the studio to preview Federales Fest, a genre-blending music festival happening October 4th at Live Oak at Cedar Lodge. Now in its third year, the event features headliners like Paul Cauthen and George Porter Jr., plus local talent including Baton Rouge Music Studios’ youth band. Hover also dives into the legacy and evolution of Live After Five, Baton Rouge’s beloved free concert se...

Metro Councilwoman Jenn Racca joins the show to discuss the city-parish’s efforts to reduce spending and improve public safety. She emphasized that the Metro Council is actively seeking cost-saving measures to avoid increasing the tax burden on residents. A recent example is the new retiree health care plan, which is expected to save the city $16.3 million this year. Racca noted that 11 council me...

Haggai Davis joins the show to unpack the uproar over Cracker Barrel’s logo change, revealing how much of the online outrage is fueled by bots designed to stir division. He warns listeners about the dangers of relying on social media for news, emphasizing how easily misinformation spreads. Davis dives into digital manipulation, public perception, and the importance of verifying sources in an age o...

Congresswoman Julia Letlow joins the show to discuss the recent federal government shutdown, expressing frustration over the Senate’s failure to pass a House-approved continuing resolution (CR) that would have extended funding for seven weeks. She emphasized that the House had completed its work, passing a clean CR without controversial additions, and that the responsibility now lies with the Sena...

Senator Bill Cassidy joins the show to discuss the recent federal government shutdown, which began at 11 p.m. local time yesterday. He emphasized that while the government is officially closed, many Republicans are still working to resolve the situation. Cassidy blamed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for the shutdown, citing pressure from the far-left and political maneuvering to oppose forme...

Attorney Franz Borghardt joins the show to unpack the explosive retrial of Melanie Curtin, convicted in the infamous Livingston Parish case tied to Dennis and Cynthia Perkins. With graphic evidence and high-stakes accusations of rape and voyeurism, the state wants the courtroom closed during the victim’s testimony. But Curtin’s defense insists on transparency, claiming new evidence will contradict...

Joe Carvalhido and Lauren Giffin from the LSU Alumni Association join the show to spotlight how the university is strengthening ties between students and alumni—starting before students even arrive on campus. From high school senior send-offs to mentoring and career connections, LSU is building a lifelong network rooted in support and opportunity. They also discuss the impact of football season on...

Rodney Mallett from Louisiana’s Department of Transportation joins the show to break down the latest milestone in the decades-long effort to build a new Mississippi River bridge south of Baton Rouge. With the Federal Highway Administration greenlighting the environmental assessment phase, Mallett explains how years of groundwork—site studies, traffic modeling, and public input—have positioned the...

Leah Long from the National Federation of Independent Business joins the show to unpack how small businesses are bracing for Q4 amid fresh uncertainty from a federal government shutdown. While immediate impacts remain unclear, Long highlights the broader challenges facing entrepreneurs—especially labor shortages and rising insurance costs. Optimism is up thanks to the permanent small business tax...

Donnie Miller from the Ascension Parish Chamber joins the show for a lively update on upcoming events and initiatives. He previews the Chamber’s 27th annual golf tournament and a member luncheon featuring LSU’s Taylor Jacobs, who will discuss NIL, athlete branding, and its relevance to local entrepreneurs. Miller emphasizes how small businesses and parents can engage with NIL opportunities, even w...

Congressman Troy Carter joins the show for DC Current to discuss the looming government shutdown and its unprecedented implications. Unlike previous shutdowns where federal employees were furloughed and later compensated, this time many face actual layoffs with no guarantee of rehire or back pay. Carter emphasizes the severity of this shift, noting that many Americans live paycheck to paycheck and...

Pat Mashburn returns to the show with a grim update on the environmental fallout from the Smitty’s explosion along the Tangipahoa River. Now 40 days in, Mashburn describes worsening water conditions, mysterious chemical runoff, and a lack of meaningful response from officials. Despite EPA updates online, locals report no visible cleanup efforts. Airboats stir up oil slicks, and soil samples reveal...

Jeff Crouere joins the show to discuss the tragic shooting of Jessica Williams, a 33-year-old innocent bystander celebrating her birthday on Bourbon Street. Her death highlights ongoing concerns about violent crime in New Orleans. Despite recent improvements, public safety remains a pressing issue. Crouere explores the potential deployment of the National Guard to support local law enforcement and...

As Louisiana prepares for massive energy demands from new data centers near Monroe and St. Francisville, Devin Hartman of the R Street Institute joins the show to break down the challenges ahead. Hartman explains how competitive energy markets—like Texas’s—can help manage costs and improve efficiency, while Louisiana’s monopoly model risks passing infrastructure costs onto consumers. He discusses...

Josh Margolin from ABC News joins the show to break down the shocking attack at a Church of Latter-Day Saints in Michigan where no motive has yet been found. Authorities say ex-Marine Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, drove a pickup truck into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, opened fire, and set the building ablaze during a packed Sunday service. Margolin shares the latest...

Moon Griffon joins the show to reflect on a weekend filled with heartbreak and headlines. He breaks down LSU’s tough loss to Ole Miss and revisits the lingering environmental effects of the Smitty’s explosion in Tangipahoa which took place over a month ago. Moon also weighs in on the tragic shooting at a Mormon church in Michigan, where a gunman opened fire and set the building ablaze, leaving a c...

Louisiana’s newly formed Task Force on Energy, Infrastructure, and Modernization recently held its first meeting, marking the beginning of a crucial initiative to address the state’s long-term power needs. With rising energy demands from data centers and large-scale economic projects, the task force aims to ensure Louisiana can meet future requirements without burdening current ratepayers. State S...

Will Green, President of LABI and author of the Nola.com article “When it comes to carbon capture, the choice is clear: lead, or lose,” joins the show to explore Louisiana’s pivotal role in the future of carbon capture. Green argues the state still has a chance to lead the nation in safe, responsible carbon storage and utilization—bringing jobs, investment, and sustainability. It’s a conversation...

Former LSU quarterback Matt Flynn joins the show to break down the highly anticipated matchup between LSU and Ole Miss. For the first time since 1959, both teams enter the game undefeated, setting the stage for a historic SEC clash. Flynn shares insights on key players, game-day strategies, and what this rivalry means for fans and the future of both programs. Don’t miss this deep dive into one of...