Talk Louisiana

Editorial writer and columnist Danny Heitman of The Advocate talks the loss of his close friend, Curt Eysink. Eysink, who died suddenly at the age of 53 last month, is the former secretary of Workforce Development and was a reporter for The Advocate. Also on today's program , Michael Tisserand on race in New Orleans beyond the monuments, here .

New Orleans writer Michael Tisserand talks on issues of race in New Orleans that go beyond today's tension over the removal of monument of Confederate era icons. Also on today's program : Danny Heitman remembers Curt Eysink, here .

(Kelly Tate) Sue Lincoln with Capitol Access reviews a lively week at the State Captiol, where they have addressed everything from budget issues to hair braiding. Also on today's program : Carl Hiaasen and his novel about Cajun rooster farmers, here .

Journalist, columnist and novelist Carl Hiaasen wrote "Razor Girl," in which one of the main characters, Buck Nance, is the star of a reality show about a family of Cajun rooster farmers. Since 1985, Hiassen has written a regular column. He comments on the state of journalism in America. Also on today's program : Seth Stephens-Davidowitz uses internet data to conclude that everybody lies, here .

Seth Stephens-Davidowitz has used data from the internet to get insights into the human psyche. Davidowitz has used Google searches to measure racism and sexual trends as well as humor and depression. He is a contributing op-ed editor with the New York Times and will soon be teaching at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. His data contradicts many claims by Americans and his book...

Juliette Brophy, LSU paleoanthropologist, explains to us her research that helped identify a newly-discovered human ancestor, the Homo Naledi. This new species was found in a 130-mile long narrow cave system in South Africa. Also on today's program , David Poole on Baton Rouge's high HIV and AIDS rates, here .

David Poole, Director of the Southern Bureau of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, addresses Baton Rouge ranking in the top five cities in HIV and AIDS rates. Also on today's program : Barry Weinstein, J.B. Hunt, and Dr. Azeem Kahn talk aortic aneurysms, here .

Aortic aneurysms are the third leading cause of sudden death among U.S. men. Rabbi Barry Weinstein talks with us about his one-year recovery from an aortic aneurysm. J.B. Hunt of Aneurysm Outreach shares with us the importance of being examined for a possible aortic aneurys. We also hear from Dr. Azeem Kahn, the surgeon who saved Rabbi Weinstein's life. Also on today's program , David Poole on Bat...

(whitehouse.gov) Author Morgan Moltrop of New Orleans, a biographer of Andrew Jackson, compares America's 7th President to the current inhabitant of the White House. President Trump often praises President Jackson and accepts comparisons with the populist hero of the Battle of New Orleans. Some historians say the differences between the two men are profound. Also on today's program : Jeff Sadow on...

(LSU Shreveport) Political Scientist Jeff Sadow, professor at LSU-Shreveport and columnist for the Advocate, discusses his contention that Louisiana needs to preserve the death penalty. Senator Dan Claitor is sponsoring legislation to abolish capital punishment in our state. Earlier on this program, Claitor said the death penalty is too expensive and is not an efficient means of thwarting crime in...

We catch up with music legend Jimmy Clanton, a product of Baton Rouge High School, who had a flurry of Top Ten hits in the 50's and 60's. Clanton is returning to his alma mater for a concert on May 20. Also on today's program , Lamont Cole, Dujan Johnson, and Jim Madden on the Community School for Apprenticeship Learning, here .

One of Baton Rouge's inner city schools is showing remarkable test scores from its students. The Community School for Apprenticeship Learning is headed by principal Lamont Cole, the Metro Councilman, along with CEO Dujan Johnson and Jim Madden, professor of mathematics at LSU. -

Bryn Stole of The Advocate discusses with us the latest revelations involving Alton Sterling case. Also on today's program : Jim Wharton on the possible TOPS restoration, here .

LSU Chancellor Emeritus Jim Wharton talks about the possible restoration of TOPS and an attempt to name the LSU Parade Grounds in honor of William Tecumseh Sherman, the founder of the Ole War Skule. -

(wikimedia.org CC A-SA 2.0) University of California professor Dacher Keltner on "The Power Paradox, How We Gain and Lose Influence." Professor Keltner opines that acquisition of power often results in loss of empathy, collaboration, fairness and generosity. -

(ice.gov) Former Baton Rouge police chief Jeff LeDuff comments on the mood of the community two days after the U.S. Justice Department decision not to press federal civil rights charges against two Baton Rouge police officers in the death of Alton Sterling. Also on today's program : Blue Cross of Louisiana's Mike Bertaud on the impact of Thursday's healthcare law repeal in Congress, here .

Mike Bertaud is the senior economist for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana. Bertaud assesses the possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act as the U.S. House voted Thursday to scrap the health care law that has been in place since 2010. -

(Kelly Tate) We hear from WRKF's Sue Lincoln from Capitol Access on the fourth week of the state legislative session. Also on today's program : Former Baton Rouge police chief Jeff LeDuff looks at the community after Sterling decision, here .

Activist Keon Preston comments on the mood of the African-American community in light of the Justice Department announcement of its findings in the Alton Sterling case. Also on today's program : Gary Chambers talks about the Sterling family reaction to the Justice Department finding, here .

(LRN) Former prosecutor Prem Burns reviews the options available to Attorney General Jeff Landry, who now is in charge of the investigation of officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II in relation to Alton Sterling's shooting death. Also on today's program : Gary Chambers talks about the Sterling family reaction to the Justice Department finding, here .

Gary Chambers is a blogger with The Rouge Collection. He discusses the reaction Alton Sterling's family after Wednesday's announcement of the decision by the U.S. Justice Department not to press federal charges against two police officers in the death of Sterling last July at the Triple S Food Mart. -

(LRN) Former lawmaker turned pastor Raymond Jetson comments on the anticipated U.S. Justice Department decision in the Alton Sterling case. Reverend Jetson heads Star Hill Baptist Church, one of the community's largest churches. His church is three blocks from the Triple S Food Mart where Sterling was killed last July. Reports are at this time that the Justice Department has decided not to prosecu...

(Amy Jeffries) State Rep. Ted James of Baton Rouge weighs in on the Alton Sterling decision. He also addresses the friction at the state legislature as the House battles budget issues in week four of the regular session. Also on today's program : Raymond Jetson on the expected decision in the Alton Sterling case, here .

(East Baton Rouge City/Parish) East Baton Rouge Councilwoman Tara Wicker assesses the mood in the minority community ahead of the rumored potential decision from the U.S. Department of Justice on the Alton Sterling case. She addresses concerns that violence may erupt in reaction to a decision not to bring charges in the case against the officer who shot Sterling last July, even though much of the...

(U.S. Congress) Former U.S. Attorney and ex-Congressman Don Cazayoux comments on the Alton Sterling case. He explains how the Justice Department reviews evidence and renders a decision in cases such as the one agains the officer who shot Sterling. Also on today's program : East Baton Rouge Councilwoman Tara Wicker addresses the mood in our minority community anticipating a decision in the case aga...