Newell Normand

Newell addresses the Louisiana Legislative Auditor Michael Waguespack calling for strict policy changes after a state report revealed that New Orleans paid out $4,292,517 in accrued, unused leave to departing civil servants, and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry issuing extensive line-item vetoes striking between $33 million and $36 million in state funding from New Orleans projects and community pro...

On today's show, Newell Then, Newell has on political analyst Bernie Pinsonat to look at the races and the mood of the voters ahead of Saturday's election. Sam Caruso, St. Tammany Parish Chamber of Commerce Board Member, to discuss what St. Tammany voters are being asked to approve, what these tax issues mean for businesses and families on the Northshore, and how the parish balances growth, servic...

This hour, Newell is joined by Rafael Goyeneche, President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, to talk about how former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith has pleaded guilty and resigned, becoming the latest elected official from the parish to leave office with a felony conviction, what comes next for the sheriff’s office, and how this case fits into a troubling recent history of public corr...

This hour, Newell has on Sam Caruso, St. Tammany Parish Chamber of Commerce Board Member, to discuss what St. Tammany voters are being asked to approve, what these tax issues mean for businesses and families on the Northshore, and how the parish balances growth, services, and affordability. Then, Romina Boccia, Director of Budget & Entitlement Policy at the CATO Institute, joins the show to talk a...

Is Social Security already a much bigger debt problem than Washington admits? Romina Boccia, Director of Budget & Entitlement Policy at the CATO Institute, joins Newell to talk about whether politicians are protecting seniors or just avoiding a painful conversation about taxes, benefits, debt, and the math that keeps getting harder to ignore.

St. Tammany voters will head to the polls Saturday with major tax questions on the ballot, including millages that could affect parish services, public safety, infrastructure, and the cost of local government. Newell talks with Sam Caruso from the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce about what voters are being asked to approve, what these tax issues mean for businesses and families on the Northshore,...

Saturday is election day, and political analyst Bernie Pinsonat joins Newell to look at the races and the mood of the voters. They’ll break down the Senate runoffs and what kind of turnout to expect in a summer election.

On today's show, Newell talks with Janatan Sayeh, Iran analyst with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about what Tehran is really trying to achieve, whether the regime has been weakened or emboldened, and whether the United States can trust any deal that does not include real access, real verification, and real consequences. Newell then talks with Kristi App, the chief commercial officer...

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry joins Newell to talk about what he believes were the successes and failures of this year's legislative session, his rejected plans to give teacher pay raises, what he thinks is working, what still needs to change, and more.

This hour, Newell has on Dr. Bruno V. Manno, Chair at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, to talk about what has to happen for education, training, and the workforce to line up. Then, Newell talks about the three progressive candidates endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani participated in Democratic congressional primaries, Brad Lander, Darializa Avila Chevalier, and Claire Valdez winning th...

Are career pathways actually leading Louisiana students to good jobs, or are we just giving them more programs, credentials, and options that look impressive on paper but don’t clearly connect to meaningful employment? Dr. Bruno V. Manno, Chair at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, joins Newell to talk about what has to happen for education, training, and the workforce to line up.

This hour, Newell talks with Janatan Sayeh, an Iran analyst with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about what Tehran is really trying to achieve, whether the regime has been weakened or emboldened, and whether the United States can trust any deal that does not include real access, real verification, and real consequences. Then, Kristi App, the chief commercial officer for the Port of New...

The Port of New Orleans is more than just ships and containers. It has a deep impact on the economy of New Orleans and our entire area. And Ports America, a terminal operator, has been an integral part of the port for over 100 years. Newell talks with Kristi App, the chief commercial officer for the Port of New Orleans, and Keith Palmisano, the general manager of Ports America.

The memorandum of understanding with Iran is signed, but the fight over nuclear inspections, sanctions, and regional influence is far from settled. Newell talks with Janatan Sayeh, Iran analyst with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about what Tehran is really trying to achieve, whether the regime has been weakened or emboldened, and whether the United States can trust any deal that does...

President Donald Trump is suddenly sparring with members of his own party over Iran and a bipartisan housing bill. We break that down, plus the latest rules on airline travel to Europe and the best foodie destinations in the Midwest.

On today's show, Newell has on Orleans Parish Sheriff Michelle Woodfork to discuss the most recent hiring of an NOPD officer with history, get an update on the consent decree, and get her thoughts on the office she inherited, WWL News Director Dave Cohen to St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith pleading guilty to charges of second-degree battery and disturbing the peace and officially resigning f...

The 2026 Americas Selection of the Bocuse d’Or and Pastry World Cup returns to New Orleans July 24 & 25, bringing elite culinary teams from across the Americas to compete for a spot on the world stage in Lyon, France. Newell talks with Alice Glenn Executive, Vice President at New Orleans & Company, and Chef Donald Wressell, Training Operations Director for Club Coupe du Monde Team USA, about what...

The "Mamdani Effect" was in full force during this week's primaries -- Does it mean a larger shift in American politics? We dive into that and into how American politics have gotten so polarizing.

After 18 years leading Greater New Orleans, Inc., Michael Hecht is moving into an emeritus role, marking the end of a defining chapter for one of the region’s most visible economic development voices. Under his leadership, GNO, Inc. says the region saw more than 18,500 jobs created, $52 billion in capital investment, major flood insurance reforms, Super Bowl LIX preparations, the NOLA Coalition, a...

This hour, Newell speaks with Orleans Parish Sheriff Michelle Woodfork to discuss the most recent hiring of an NOPD officer with history, get an update on the consent decree, and get her thoughts on the office she inherited. Then, WWL News Director Dave Cohen joins the show to discuss St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith pleading guilty to charges of second-degree battery and disturbing the peac...

WWL News Director Dave Cohen joins Newell to discuss St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith pleading guilty to charges of second-degree battery and disturbing the peace and officially resigning from office.

Orleans Parish Sheriff Michelle Woodfork joins Newell to discuss the most recent hiring of an NOPD officer with history, get an update on the consent decree, and get her thoughts on the office she inherited.

St. Tammany Parish District Attorney Collin Sims discusses Randy Smith's guilty plea

As the rhetoric keeps changing about what we were trying to do in Iran and whether it succeeded, some are at their breaking point, including farmers. WWL's Newell Normand asks why a clear truth seems to be such a challenge. We also dive into the truth about frozen yogurt and whether it's actually healthier than ice cream.