Talk Louisiana

LSU President Tom Galligan discusses the impact of coronavirus on the state’s flagship university.   Blue Cross Blue Shield Louisiana Chief Health Care Economist Mike Bertaut assesses the ten-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act.

Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston-Broome comments on local efforts to fight Covid-19. Accountant Ameen Walker assesses government moves to assist businesses amid Coronavirus shutdowns. Pulitzer Prize winner Matt Richtel of the New York Times discusses his book “An Elegant Defense, The Extraordinary New Science of the Immune System.”

Clark Cadzow of Highland Coffees and Jimmy Weatherford of Louie’s discuss the impact of the restaurant full service shutdown which took effect Monday night. Mark Ballard of the Advocate talks about the coronavirus impact at the Capitol and the politics of Covid-19.

Baton Rouge Airport Director of Aviation Mike Edwards and spokesman Jim Caldwell comment on air travel amid the coronavirus. Adrienne Raphael on the fascination with crossword puzzles. Sharon Cameron talks about survival among the Nazis, detailed in “The Light in Hidden Places”

General Russel Honore, who led the state's Katrina response, adresses the COVID-19 scare and the impact of the virus. Emily Nemens, former editor of the Southern Review at LSU makes her novel debut with a book about baseball. 

University of Chicago Scientist Neil Shubin assesses four billion years of evolution detailed in his book “No Assembly Required.” Baton Rouge School Board member Tremelle  Howard and school board watcher Raymond Allman look at school closures related to the Coronavirus and the search for a new EBR superintendent of schools. Former Major Leaguer Bill Ripken on the postponement of the MLB season and...

Jim recaps a dramatic night in COVID-19 news, the President’s speech, and suspension of the NBA season. Mark Ballard on the politics of COVID-19. John Feinstein on the fan-less March Madness tourney.

Senator Cleo Fields of Baton Rouge previews the session and gives the latest on precautions against coronavirus. Author Ariana Neumann on her father’s survival in Nazi Germany. Chef Elana Horwich discusses her book “Meal and Spiel.”

Former Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders looks at the coronavirus crisis.

Rob Shadoin and Mary Patricia Wray preview the start of the legislative session. Andy Anderson and Fred Dent break down today’s market turmoil due to the collapsing price of oil.

Erin Hawley on Chuck Schumer’s US Supreme Court comments. Lamar White on the Democratic Primary.

Dallas Hartwig on eating and living healthy. Mark Ballard on insurance, Joe Biden. Stephanie Posa on Insurance.

Famed political consultant James Carville recaps an eventful Super Tuesday.  Baton Rouge Library’s Mary Stein.

Sean Illing of Vox previews Super Tuesday. Veteran Political Consultant Roy Fletcher looks at the Democratic endorsements of Joe Biden as the former vice president seeks to challenge Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders for his party’s nomination. LSU Mass Communication Professor Lance Porter previews this week’s John Breaux Symposium.

Guest host Jan Swift talks to new Louisiana Senate President Page Cortez about the issues that will define the upcoming session, and Anne Kim about the growing number of “opportunity deserts”.

Paul Arrigo, who heads Visit Baton Rouge, comments on the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on tourism. Erin Khar discusses her 15-year battle against opioid addiction derailed in her book “Strung Out.”

Political Consultant Ray Strother opines about the Presidential election and the politics of Coronavirus. Mark Ballard of The Advocate weighs in on the jockeying for position in the legislative session starting March 9.

Financial advisers Fred Dent and Andy Anderson assess a huge decline in markets from the Coronavirus. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has tumbled more than 2,000 points this week.

Tonge Helaire and Madee Helaire, mother and sister of LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, discuss Madee’s battle with Muscular Dystrophy and how Clyde rebounded from an incident in which he killed in a man in self defense to help LSU to the national title. Investigative reporter Jerry Mitchell recaps 30 years of chasing killers from the Civil Rights Movement. Four Klansmen were convicted on th...

Time Correspondent Charlotte Alter discusses the influence of Millennials in American politics led by 26 members of Congress and presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg. EBR Council member Chauna Banks talks about friction on the Council and looks at the mayoral election 35 weeks away. Poet Donney Rose previews his sold out Manship Theatre performance this week.

On the Monday edition of the show, Jim speaks with author Charlotte Alter.  Also EBR Councilwoman Chauna Banks is in the studio.  Jim also welcomes Baton Rouge poet Donney Rose.

On the Monday edition of the show, Jim speaks with author Charlotte Alter.  Also EBR Councilwoman Chauna Banks is in the studio.  Jim also welcomes Baton Rouge poet Donney Rose.

Major General Skip Phillips and Colonel Eric Crider on the stop in Baton Rouge of the Army War College. Eugene Collins, head of the Baton Rouge NAACP, on racial strife in Zachary over alleged sexual abuse by a white teacher of a black student.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon comments on the coming showdown over tort reform and insurance rates for women. Mark Ballard of the Advocate discusses the newspaper’s account if business dealings of Attorney General Jeff Landry.

Political Consultant Rannah Gray reports on her trip through Iowa for that state’s caucuses and her visit to Nevada for the primary there. Former State Rep. Raymond Jetson, who was a pastor for 23 years, comments on the statement from former Texas Gov. Rick Perry that President Trump has been chosen by God.