Talk Louisiana

Jim looks at the state of the Presidential Race and the chances of college football beginning on time. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings discusses where the country is in the post George Floyd world. Baton Rouge Area Chamber CEO Adam Knapp on BRAC’s statement on Connie Bernard. John Wirt on Tom Hank’s Greyhound.

New LSU Board of Supervisors member Collis Temple on his appointment by the Governor, and his experiences as LSU’s first black basketball player. Franklinton Representative Beth Mizell discusses legislation awaiting the Governor’s signature that would expand rural broadband opportunities.

Julie Baxter-Payer, Deputy Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, on the state of the state’s five veteran’s homes. Author Warren Farrell on how dads are holding up in the age of COVID-19.  

George Gillam, convicted of murder at 16 and released after 25 years at Angola State Prison, talks about his year as a free man with Jon Odenwald of Providence Road. Together they are working with kids in North Baton Rouge. Mark Ballard of The Advocate wraps up the special session and reflects on unwavering support of President Trump from Louisiana’s congressional delegation.

Tyler Bridges discusses David Duke’s legacy on the former Klan leaders’ 70 th birthday. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser on the removal of statues.

Pastor Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church and his Attorney Jeff Wittenbrink discuss their conflict with the state over operating during the stay at home order.

LSU Professor of Sociology Dr. Lori Martin on the removal of confederate flags and statues. Louisiana Budget Project head Jan Moller discusses the Supreme Court’s ruling on a Louisiana abortion law.

BR Councilwoman Tara Wicker discusses her run for Mayor. Godfather of the Louisiana Libertarian Party Mike Wolf talks about the impact of third parties in presidential elections. WVLA’s Kennedi Walker on the removing of Middleton’s name from the LSU campus library.

Local activist Gary Chambers and former Metro Councilman Darrell Glasper engage in a spirited debate about a recent controversy invovling EBR School Board member Connie Bernard. 

Adam Knapp, President and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, updates listeners on how companies are adapting to the prolonged Phase Two, and a recent controversy involving the school board. LSU luminary James Wharton discusses the renaming of Middleton library and school desegregation.

Jason Berry, author of “City of a Million Dreams,” analyzes the conversation about removal of Confederate icons and segregationists from the public square. Fairleigh Jackson, executive director of Preserve Louisiana, addresses the dilemma of preservation of monuments of controversial Americans.

Wall Street Journal Print Editor Alex Martin on the state of newspapers in 2020 and his journey from New Orleans to New York. Former LSU Law Professor Paul Baier discusses his retirement, his new book, and recent US Supreme Court decisions.

Baton Rouge Councilman Matt Watson on his run for Mayor. Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard updates us on the ongoing special session.

Rachel Maddow producer Steve Benen on his critique of Congressional Republicans. Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson on an impending US Supreme Court decision on abortion clinics and admitting privileges. Writer David Albertyn on his book Undercard .

Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul discusses the George Floyd protests. Colin Woodard on his book Union, the Struggle to Forge the Story of United States Nationhood.

Faye Williams, President of the National Congress of Black Women, and Atlanta advertising executive Angela Dortch comment on social and political implications of unrest in American cities over police killings of unarmed black men. Paul Arrigo, President of Visit Baton Rouge, reflects on the economic cost to the Capital City which has endured a pandemic for three months.

State GOP Head of Minority Outreach Elbert Lee Guillory and activist Pat Smith discuss the George Floyd protests. Andy Anderson and Fred Dent discuss recent market volatility.

Dolores Johnson recounts growing up as an interracial girl in the 60s, and having a cross burned in the front yard of her home in a Baton Rouge neighborhood. Mark Ballard updates listeners on the ongoing special session, and a tentative agreement to rename LSU’s Middleton Library.

Veteran jazz and blues radio host Zia Tammami recaps his 44-year career at the microphone at LSU as host of “Spontaneous Combustion.” Rep. Denise Marcelle says she is planning to enter the Nov. 3 mayor’s election in East Baton Rouge Parish. Actor Michael O’Neill relishes his role on NBC’s “Council of Dads” and offers advise to college graduates after being the commencement speaker at Auburn last y...

Famed political consultant Roger Stone joins Jim for a rare interview to discuss his early relationship with President Trump, his potentially impending incarceration, his return to Catholicism, and his long journey through GOP politics. Columnist Quin Hillyer on his dislike for Roger Stone and the state of the Alabama GOP Senate primary.

Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome talks about the Capital’s response to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and the wave of protests that have enveloped the nation since. Harriet Shugarman discusses her new book How to Talk To Your Kids About Climate Change .  

Maxine Crump, CEO of Dialogue on Race Louisiana and civil rights attorney Jim Boren describe reaction to the death of George Floyd and provide thoughts about improving race relations in America and Louisiana. Smiley Anders reflects on 41 years as an Advocate columnist. Curator Hal Wert details an exhibit featuring campaign posters 1844-2012 showing at the Old State Capitol.

Jim discusses Drew Brees’ recent controversial comments. Carolyn Baker details racial disparities in America through her book  An Unintentional Accomplice: A Personal Perspective on White Responsibility . Mark Ballard of the Advocate on the shocking rejection of Ronnie Jones for reappointment.  

Sean Reilly, CEO of Lamar Co., talks about the impact of COVID-19 on the world’s largest billboard company. Longtime NPR commentator Andrei Codrescu provides a look at unrest in New York City after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Writer Stephen Rebello examines the affect on American culture of the 1966 cult book and film, “Valley of the Dolls.”

Adam Knapp, President of Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce, comments on Louisiana moving to Phase Two in the comeback from COVID-19. Tim Barfield, President of CSRS, looks at infrastructure needs in Baton Rouge. Colleen Temple, University High School senior, and commentator Clay Young call for peaceful demonstrations in response to the death of African-American George Floyd after Minneapolis of...