Talk Louisiana

Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome assesses life in Baton Rouge amid a national championship season for LSU. Broome  talks about crime, traffic and the prospect of the Village of St. George.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser assesses the national impact of LSU’s national championship win over Clemson. Ara Rubyan previews the 14th annual Jewish Film Festival at the Manship Theatre. Community activist Erica Etelson talks about her book “Beyond Contempt, How Liberals Can Communicate Across the Great Divide.”

State Rep. Steve Carter comments on his final day in the Louisiana Legislature, the inauguration of Gov. Edwards and LSU facing Clemson for the national title. Former LSU defensive star Dr. Bo Strange recalls the 1958 championship Tigers closing their perfect season with a 7-0 win over Clemson in the Sugar Bowl. LSU fan Leslie Tassin was present in New Orleans for the champions of 1958, 2003and 20...

Senator-Elect Franklin Foil discusses the new look Legislature that will be seated at the State Capitol on Monday. Author Zach Williams remembers LSU football coach Bo Rein who died 40 years ago today in a plane crash. Ron Higgins, editor of Tiger Rag, previews the LSU-Clemson national championship game Monday night at the Superdome.

Author Molly Carmel comments on the perils of a sugar laden diet. Mark Ballard of the Advocate on the resignations of John White and Rebecca Gee and the Louisiana congressional delegation on Iran and President Trump. Stacy Wolf of Princeton on Broadway in America.

LSU professor Brooks Elwood comments on new revelations about the Indian Mounds. Retired Air Force Rob Maness and Lamar White of The Bayou Brief chime in on turbulence between the U.S. and Iran.

Journalist Danny Heitman on his new career move after 33 years at the Advocate. Pastor Donnie Wilkinson of Broadmoor United Methodist on the schism in his Church over the issue of gay marriage.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Care Economist Mike Bertaut comments on the state of the Affordable Care Act amid a split decision from the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court. Visit  http://www.ldh.la.gov/HealthyLaDashboard/  for Louisiana stats on the Medicaid expansion.   Congressman Mike Johnson opines about impeachment and the drone attack that killed prominent Iranian leader.

Friday, January 3rd: Professor Jeff Sadow of LSU-Shreveport and Professor Dayne Sherman of Southeastern Louisiana University chime in from opposite sides of the political spectrum to assess the November 3rd election, ten months from today.

Veteran anchorman George Sells compares media coverage of Watergate with the Clinton and Trump impeachments. Mark Ballard of the Advocate looks at the top stories of 2019.

Prolific writer and NPR contributor Ed Cullen discusses the big events of 2019. Pam Bordelon of The Advocate runs down the top 10 parties of the year. 

Lawyer Lewis Unglesby comments on trial lawyers becoming a political issue and the state’s pursuit of coastal damages from the oil and gas industry. An encore interview from 1994 with reporter Carley McCord, one of five people killed Saturday in a plane crash in Lafayette. McCord was on her way to Atlanta to cover the LSU-Oklahoma game. She was married to Steve Ensminger Jr., son of LSU offensive...

Conservative author, radio host and film critic Michael Medved unveils his 14 th  book, “God’s Hand on America, Divine Providence in the Modern Era.” Advocate feature writer and WWII authority George Morris talks about the 75 th  anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge and recalls his career as a sportswriter as LSU faces Oklahoma in the Peach Bowl on Saturday.

Democrat Susan Nelson and Republican Scott Wilfong share views about the state and national political scene. Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard takes a peek at 2020 politics.

Rev. Chris Andrews and Mike Manning of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank comment on the significance of the holiday as well as President Trump and LSU Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow. We'll be back with more Talk Louisiana Thursday, December 26th. 

EBR Councilman Matt Watson on the year in review as St. George was approved and Mayor Broome seeks re-election against Watson, a possible challenger. Actor John Schneider of Livingston Parish on his latest works, including a movie, book and hit song. Sasha Thackaberry updates listeners about LSU Online. 

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser assesses the year in tourism. Mark Ballard of the Advocate looks at the impeachment of President Trump and the departure of President King Alexander at LSU. 

Former Louisiana Senator Elbert Guillory, a lawyer from Opelousas who is Director of Minority Outreach for the Louisiana Republican Party, assesses impeachment proceedings against President Trump.

Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta comments on his role with the Trump Administration and rising costs of utilities in Louisiana. Former LSU Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope discusses the abrupt resignation of President and Chancellor King Alexander, who is leaving LSU for Oregon State. LSU Music Professor Brian Shaw previews the 8 th  Annual Cool Winter Nights, Hot Jazz at the Manship T...

Dr. Faye Williams, National President/CEO of the National Congress of Black Women, and Former Louisiana Senator and Representative Ben Bagert. 

Activist Darrell Glasper and Dr. Carl Luikart comment on the 50th anniversary of the first prep basketball game between a white school and black school in Baton Rouge. Tom Aswell of Louisiana Voice on the impeachment bids against Huey Long and Donald Trump. 

Judge Kathleen Richey, executive director of CASA in Louisiana, talks about the 17 state chapters and volunteers who advocate for underprivileged children. Mark Ballard, Capitol Reporter, comments on opposition to Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards from 95 Republicans in the Legislature with inauguration one month away. Emma Reid, LPB producer, details her documentary about duck hunting, “In the Bli...

East Baton Rouge Parish Chief Public Defender Michael Mitchell and Deputy Lindsay Blouin makes their case for a new source of funding from the parish government, as the department’s resources dwindle and case load increases. Bobby Lamb, The Advocate business editor, on the state of the Baton Rouge economy and The Advocate's upcoming 2020 Economic Outlook Summit on January 7th. 

 Dr. Shawn Wilson, Secretary of Louisiana Department of Transportation, on changes in Louisiana road conditions and challenges for the department. Author Chris Russo Blackwood reflects on a 30-year-old Louisiana murder case which inspired her recent book,  My Brother's Keeper. 

Local attorney Charles Landry discusses St. George annexation. Dr. John Kirwan, executive director of Pennington Biomedical Research Center, showcases his plan for the Pennington bariatric research and treatment center.