Mornings with Brian Haldane

Louisiana Principal of the Year Justin Wax joined the show to discuss his path to becoming a school leader and what makes strong schools successful. Wax, principal at Denham Springs Junior High in Livingston Parish, said the selection process includes peer nominations, interviews and showcasing student and teacher success. Wax highlighted Denham Springs Junior High’s academic growth and innovative...

Louisiana Teacher of the Year Regina Hartley Beard joined the show to discuss how teaching has changed and why curiosity matters in education. Beard, a fifth-grade science and sixth-grade STEM and robotics teacher in the Zachary Community School District, shared how hands-on learning helps students become stronger critical thinkers. She explained how robotics is built into classroom lessons, givin...

New Orleans continues to strengthen its reputation as a major destination for conventions, tourism and large-scale events. Kelly Schultz with New Orleans & Company discussed the collaboration required between hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, security teams and the convention center to create a seamless visitor experience. The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center remains a major dri...

Louisiana is seeing major growth in student learning. State education leaders said Louisiana now ranks first in the nation for reading growth and second for math growth in the 2026 Education Recovery Scorecard. The state is also the only one to outperform pre-COVID academic levels. Education officials said the success comes from a focused strategy that supports students, teachers, school leaders,...

Louisiana education leaders are expanding efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism and truancy through the state’s “Power of Presence” initiative. Dr. Misty Davis with the Louisiana Department of Education said the program combines statewide guidance with hands-on support to help schools improve attendance. Schools use attendance data to identify barriers and provide targeted help for students who ne...

Live from the Teacher Leader Summit in New Orleans, Louisiana Department of Education Chief of Staff Ken Bradford discussed how the state is expanding support for military families and recognizing military service as a valuable career pathway. Bradford highlighted Louisiana’s Purple Star Schools program, which helps military-connected students transition smoothly into new schools. The program allo...

Louisiana’s Teacher Leaders Summit hit a record 7,400+ attendees this year as educators from across the state gathered to prepare for the next school year. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jenna Chaisson said the summit focuses on helping teachers grow while improving literacy, math, workforce readiness, and college and career preparation. Louisiana also combined its Fast Forward workforce development co...

Louisiana education leaders say student growth and literacy remain top priorities as the 2026 Teacher Leaders Summit brings educators together under the theme “Big Ideas Start Here.” Vice President of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Kevin Berken highlighted progress tied to Louisiana’s updated accountability system, which focuses on individual student growth instead of on...

Louisiana education leaders say momentum matters. Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education President Simone Champagne joined Talk 107.3 at the Teacher Leaders Summit to discuss education progress across the state. She called BESE the policy-making arm of education and praised State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley’s leadership after challenges from COVID-19 and major hurricanes. Champa...

Louisiana education leaders are working to improve student attendance through the STAR Task Force. Dr. Sharon Clark said chronic absenteeism remains a major issue, with causes ranging from transportation and home challenges to social-emotional struggles and classroom engagement. State leaders, schools, and community partners continue building support systems to keep students in class and improve o...

Louisiana lawmakers are entering the final stretch of the legislative session with workforce development and education leading major policy conversations. Business and education leaders say stronger partnerships between schools, workforce agencies, and economic development groups are helping move Louisiana forward. Several workforce-focused bills crossed the finish line this session, including car...

North America’s 50 Best Restaurants is bringing its 2026 awards ceremony to New Orleans on May 28. Organizers say the city earned the honor because of its rich food culture and influence on dining across North America. The rankings come from 300 anonymous voters including chefs, restaurateurs, food critics, and culinary experts. Instead of strict scoring rules, voters simply choose their best dini...

Louisiana leaders are expanding Legislator into a larger, multi-day event focused on policy, economic growth, and the state's future. The longtime Southwest Louisiana gathering, known for honoring lawmakers who move business priorities forward, will now include new leadership and policy discussions. The expanded event runs Aug. 19-21. Day one brings the LABI Policy Forum, where leaders will discus...

As Memorial Day weekend begins, more drivers are expected to hit Louisiana roads than ever before. The busy travel period also lines up with Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month, bringing renewed focus to motorcycle safety across the state. Scotty Drake with the Motorcycle Awareness Campaign (MAC) joined Talk 107.3 to remind drivers that awareness saves lives. MAC is a nonprofit organization that...

Scott Davis joined the show to discuss The Last of the Old Breed, his oral history book focused on some of the final living World War II Marines who fought in the Pacific Theater. He said the project follows veterans from the Great Depression through World War II combat and into their lives after service. Davis said the Marines he interviewed carried pride, confidence, and resilience long after th...

The CCA Star Tournament returns to Louisiana this weekend, bringing anglers across the state a chance to compete for more than $750,000 in prizes while supporting conservation work that benefits Louisiana fisheries and coastal habitats.

AI is changing how people work, and that has some worried about jobs. Tech expert Haggai Davis says AI itself will not replace workers. People who know how to use AI may replace people who do not. Companies are increasingly looking for workers with AI skills. The conversation also covered growing resistance to data centers. Critics worry about land use, resources, and tax incentives. Supporters ar...

Louisiana lawmakers continue debating legal reform as insurance costs remain a major issue across the state. State Rep. Emily Chenevert discussed House Bill 437, which would have limited expert witnesses in civil cases if they had financial interests tied to case outcomes. The bill did not move forward, but lawmakers say conversations about lawsuit reform are not stopping. Chenevert said insurance...

Crime Stoppers leaders are asking the community to help solve several active cases after another teenager lost their life to violence in Baton Rouge. Officials say youth violence remains a growing concern and stress one message: walk away before conflicts turn deadly. The segment also covers an open hit-and-run case on College Drive, an ongoing investigation into the death of a bicyclist in East B...

East Baton Rouge Parish schools continue reshaping operations through school realignment efforts aimed at improving student outcomes. Baton Rouge Alliance for Students Executive Director Adonica Duggan said closing schools and reinvesting resources has allowed the district to expand classroom support, including early learning strategies and staffing changes. Leaders are also adjusting school start...

Millions of Americans are packing bags and heading out for the Memorial Day holiday despite higher gas prices and expensive airfare. New travel estimates show this could become the busiest Memorial Day travel period ever. Travel experts expect about 45 million people to travel during the Memorial Day holiday window. Around 39 million plan to drive while more than 3 million travelers will fly to de...

Voters in East Baton Rouge Parish will decide June 27 whether to renew a Council on Aging millage that leaders say supports meals, transportation, housing and senior services across the parish. Council on Aging leaders James Gilmore and Jennifer Morsant discussed the renewal during a local radio interview. They stressed that the proposal is not a tax increase. Instead, it renews an existing proper...

Attorney Todd Gaudin joined the show to discuss estate planning, wills and Louisiana succession laws. He explained that many families do not need trusts and can often protect their wishes with a properly written will. Gaudin also covered what happens when someone dies without a will, common planning mistakes and why families should start planning early instead of waiting until later in life. He sa...

Tommy Faucheux, president of LMOGA, discussed House Bill 804, the Louisiana Energy Protection Act, which supporters say would protect Louisiana businesses from climate-related lawsuits. He also talked about carbon capture projects moving forward in Louisiana, saying they could bring jobs, investment and economic growth. The conversation highlighted ongoing energy policy debates and legislative eff...

A legal discussion broke down the Ricky Foster case and focused on how Louisiana handles bond decisions in serious criminal cases. Attorney and Metro Councilwoman Jen Rocca joined the show to explain that judges cannot use bond as punishment. Instead, courts weigh factors like flight risk, community safety, criminal history, and access to alleged victims. The conversation centered on Foster, who a...