Talk Louisiana

Mike Bertaut, chief health care economist for Blue Cross Blue Shield Louisiana, comments on the remaining uncertainties about the Affordable Care Act and how the state budget chaos could affect health care services in Louisiana. Journalist Shane Snow discusses his book, “Dream Teams,” Snow analyzes why individuals consistently outperform teams.

Retired LSU Mass Communications Dean Jerry Ceppos comments on the state of journalism in America and the perception about fake news. Writer Ken Jennings on his book “Planet Funny, How Comedy Took Over Our Culture.”   Pictured: Jerry Ceppos    

Dr. Gene Mills, President of the Louisiana Family Forum since its inception 20 years ago, scores the performances of President Trump, Governor Edwards, and the Louisiana Legislature and reflects on the U.S. Supreme Court decision this week allowing a baker to discriminate by declining to make a wedding cake for a gay couple on religious grounds. Actress Ann Harris and Swine Palace spokesman Vastin...

Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard comments on the conclusion of the late night special session and what it means about the state’s budget. Executive Director of the Center for Planning Excellence Camille Manning Broom on watershed management and flood control in Louisiana.

LSU economist, Jim Richardson, who is part of the influential panel that tells the legislature that tells how much money is coming into the state and Council for a Better Louisiana's Barry Erwin on their predictions of what will happen on today's special session.  Mississippi native George Mulvaney on his debut book, "Cups Up: How I Organized a Klavern, Plotted a Coup, Survived Prison, Graduated C...

Author David Campt on his appearance in Baton Rouge and BR Area Chamber of Commerce President Adam Knapp. They will talk about the importance of dialogue in addressing divisions along racial lines. Smiley Anders, columnist for The Advocate, reminisces about 39 years of writing his six day per week column.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon on the perils of hurricane season and a large percentage of Louisiana residents without flood insurance. LSU History Professor Alecia Long on the parallels between Huey Long and Donald Trump and their conflict with media coverage.   Advocate Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard comments on the coming collision of wills between the House and Senate over the fiscal cl...

Raegan Carter of Smoke Free EBR on the new anti-smoking ordinance which takes effect on June 1. Singer Rusty Yates on years of performing in smoke-filled rooms. Best-selling health author Nancy Addison on her move to Baton Rouge and the link between diet and diabetes.

University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson on the perils of funding for higher education. Sadie Wilks and Amanda Rabalais on the Manship School Bateman Competition success. Carl Zimmer, NY Times Science writer, on the power of heredity.    

Larry Carter, president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, on an LFT survey about teacher pay and collective bargaining. Dan Borne, historian, and former public servant, on the 100 th birthday anniversary of former Louisiana Governor John McKeithen and the 200 th  birthday of PGT Beauregard.        

Former state lawmaker Troy Hebert and Southeastern Louisiana University Professor Dayne Sherman on the continuing impasse on the budget in Louisiana and the first 70 weeks of the presidency of Donald Trump. Public Affairs Research Council Robert Travis Scott on the prospect of yet another Special Session. There have already been six in the 28 months of Gov. John Bel Edwards. Julie Schwam Harris, C...

Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Ballard of the Advocate on the Special Session budget chaos.  Renowned Tailor Manuel Martinez of Baton Rouge on summer fashion.  Dr. Jacques Berlinerblau on the complex legacy of writer Philip Roth.

State Representative Julie Stokes on her run for Secretary of State and the special session prognosis. AFL-CIO President Louis Reine on the failure of the Legislature to approve equal pay and minimum wage increase measures. Writer Jessica Hooten Wilson on the enduring popularity of Walker Percy….28 years after the famous author from Louisiana died.

State Representative Steve Carter on the prospect for success in the Legislative Special Session opening today with the fiscal cliff hovering in 40 days. Writer Charles deGravelles on his definitive biography about LSU legend Billy Cannon. The school’s only Heisman Trophy winner died Sunday in Baton Rouge at 80.

Activist and Television talk host Dianne Andrews and Lawyer and Professor Susan Nelson discuss Gov. John Bel Edwards on the brink of another special session and Donald Trump 16 months into his presidency. Advocate Reporter Tyler Bridges on the collapse of the Harrah’s deal. Former LSU Sports Information Director Bud Johnson on the death of Billy Cannon.

Chance McNeely, Executive Director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, on the plight of truck drivers in Louisiana. Mark Ballard of the Advocate comments on the final stretch of the Regular Session with lawmakers duking it out in bar rooms over legislative disputes. Tracy Fessenden, professor at Arizona State University, on her book about jazz singer Billie Holiday and her connection to...

Louisiana Democratic Party Executive Director Stephen Handwerk assesses the state of the Democratic Party in Louisiana and nationally. American Gaming Association Spokesperson Kasey Clark responds to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to allow sports gaming outside of Nevada. Singer Chuck Hawthorne previews his performance tonight at the Dyson House.

Stephen Waguespack, President and CEO of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, comments on his contention that a Constitutional Convention is a necessity for resolving Louisiana’s perennial budget issues. Also Waguespack will detail the LABI position on the fiscal cliff, minimum wage and equal pay.

Baton Rougean Deborah Sternberg on her new role with the Young Entrepreneurs Academy and her former job as Dan Rather’s assistant. Economist Loren Scott on the chemical industry in Louisiana, the fiscal cliff and the Trump tax plan.

Democrat Melissa Flournoy and Republican Scott Wilfong assess the political terrain in Baton Rouge and in the Beltway.  Former Grant Parish District Attorney Ed Tarpley on non-unanimous jury verdicts in Louisiana as lawmakers debate changing the state law.  Advocate Bureau Chief Mark Ballard on a week at the Capitol as nursing home residents were warned of losing their homes because of budget chal...

Former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe on the state of the Democratic Party in the South and his appearance at the True Blue Gala for Louisiana Democrats next week. Malcolm Suber of Take ‘Em Down Nola on his quest to have more monuments removed in New Orleans. Baton Rouge gardening icon Walter Imahara on his profession and his days as a young man in a Japanese Internment Camp. Pictured: Walter I...

Political Consultant Roy Fletcher comments on recent news about Gov. Edwards and President Trump. U.S. Senator John Kennedy discusses the Harrah’s bill that lawmakers in Baton Rouge are considering Presidential candidate Andrew Yang on his book, “The War on Normal People.” Yang says he is offering truth about America’s disappearing jobs.

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell on move to hike payday loan rates in Louisiana. Author Rachel Slade on her book, “Into the Raging Sea.” The book details the sinking of the container ship “El Faro” in 2015 in the Bermuda Triangle.

LSU Faculty veteran Kevin Cope on peaks and valleys at the Ole War Skule with budget issues remaining prominent at Louisiana’s flagship university. Author Richard Allen on the legacy of Robert Kennedy who was assassinated nearly 50 years ago in Los Angeles. Pictured: Kevin Cope 

Retired Executive Director of the Louisiana ACLU Marjorie Esman on legislation to require unanimous jury verdicts in felony trials in Louisiana. Former Advocate columnist and NPR commentator Ed Cullen on the state of journalism locally and nationally.