The Light Switch

We’re back with the rest of our interview with LSU President Wade Rousse. This week, he goes into more detail about pulling the University of New Orleans into the LSU System. Rousse also explains his role in recent big coaching hires and what he thinks Congress should do to rein in unchecked spending on college athletes and limit the transfer portal.

LSU System President Wade Rousse sat down recently for an extensive interview with the Illuminator — so extensive that we need to break it up into two episodes. This week, Rousse covers his plans for academics. Next week: LSU athletics.

There are nearly 20 bills in the Louisiana Legislature dealing with artificial intelligence, covering lots of ground. One thing they have in common is that most have been put on the shelf because President Donald Trump wants the federal government to handle AI regulation. We hear from lobbyists from both sides of the issue.

Gov. Jeff Landry is cheering a brand new rating that shows Louisiana has some of the cheapest electricity prices in the country. Is that reflected in your monthly bill? We talk with a consumer advocate who's looked at the numbers and explains whether there’s any relief in sight.

There’s a possibility a Louisiana lawsuit could force abortion pills off the market at least temporarily, perhaps permanently. One organization says — regardless of the outcome of this case — abortion drugs will continue to be available. We explore what could lie ahead on the reproductive health care horizon in Louisiana and nationally.

If you’re looking for work in Louisiana, there are plenty of opportunities in the plumbing profession. But you’re looking at thousands of hours of on-the-job training before you actually get your license. Plumbers say the years of hands-on, supervised training are critical because the work involves public health and safety. But one state lawmaker wants to create a fast-track for future plumbers to...

The agency that responds to to child abuse in Louisiana faces an uncertain future. One state lawmaker has proposed shutting down the department if there's not dramatic change. How did we get here? We explore that in this episode. Plus, we have news on hunting and the latest effort to remove fluoride from our drinking water.

The 2026 legislative session is under way, and we have a look at two issues where Gov. Jeff Landry should expect a fight, even with his fellow Republicans. We also have an interview with the leader of one of the state’s most powerful lobbying groups, and single out a bill you should be following. 

This year’s congressional midterm elections in Louisiana are the first in decades using closed party primaries — except they’re not really closed. And that’s been a sticking point for some politicians. This week, we hear from two Republican state officials who are on opposite sides of the debate over whether closed party primaries are here to stay — or one and done after this year. 

Louisiana officials have put new rules in place for what you can buy with SNAP benefits, what we often call food stamps. These are big changes, not just for consumers but for the grocery stores where they shop. The Louisiana Department of Health handles SNAP benefits, and we’ll hear from its leader about what you can and can’t buy— and the reasons for all the change.

There's been so much change at LSU: A new president, a new chancellor and, pretty soon, an old school with a new name, LSU New Orleans. Plus, there's the reorganization of the entire LSU System. We’ll talk with a key university administrator about what’s next in the school's quest to achieve elite academic status.

Louisiana restaurants have to let diners know when they are serving imported seafood, and they can’t use terms like "Cajun" on "Creole" if it describes such menu items. State officials are starting to get serious about enforcing this law, and we have a first look at how many restaurants have been cited and fined for violating the rules.

Back in July we brough you the story of a Russian couple seeking asylum in America over fears they could face punishment in their home country for their anti-Putin views. They took all the proper steps to enter the U.S., yet they were separated and placed in ICE detention when they appeared for their immigration appointment. More than a year later, they remain apart – with one of them held in Loui...

We have an extended conversation with a 2nd Amendment advocate here in Louisiana about how our state concealed carry law treats situations like the one in Minneapolis in which Alex Pretti was killed. He's also a gun safety instructor with thoughts to share on how federal agents handled the confrontation.

The federal funding spigot remains largely closed for health research, and that has an impact on Louisiana medical schools that are known for their breakthroughs in chronic disease treatment. We talk with a New Orleans oncologist  about how the unreliability of research resources has impacted how he cares for his patients.

Five months after the explosion at a Tangipahoa plant, it looks like there will be a criminal investigation into the environmental disaster. New reports from federal regulators reveal a long list of problems and violations. Plus, there’s a new report on use of force by Louisiana State Police. We talk with the analyst that pulled it together and learn why troopers don’t feel the numbers paint a fai...

Since the U.S. Supreme Court allowed states to outlaw abortion in 2022, you would think the number of people terminating pregnancies has fallen off a cliff. But that’s not the case according to groups that advocate for self-managed abortions. We talk to a leader for the movement to improve access to reproductive care in the post-Dobbs era.

This week we will revisit an episode from earlier in the year, Kratom collision course. Louisiana lawmakers were deciding whether to ban or regulate kratom. Its proponents say the herbal substance has helped them conquer anxiety, depression and opioid addiction. Its detractors say kratom is just as dangerous as the drugs it purports to replace. Host Greg LaRose shares stories from people on both s...

Louisiana is holding its second annual bear hunting season after declaring the animal off limits for some 35 years. We’ll talk to the state official who’s keeping track of how many bears are taken and where they can be hunted. Learn more about the tasty trick wildlife agents use to keep track of bear activity around the state. 

Physical violence in Louisiana has declined over the past couple of years, but incidents are still widespread. More than half of adults in the state can expect to be victims of violence at some point in their lives, and 10% of residents experience some form of violence within the past year. These findings and more are in a new study from Tulane’s Newcomb Institute. Its lead researcher explains how...

The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement campaign is now up close and personal in Louisiana. Operation Catahoula Crunch is underway, with Border Patrol agents fanning out from their base in New Orleans. We hear from someone with a unique perspective on criminal justice in Louisiana to hear his thoughts on what’s unfolding, and what it says about how our constitution is being interpreted....

Federal regulators are proposing changes to landmark legislation that protects our nation’s waterways and the lands they touch. We’ll explore what this means for Louisiana, Also, we’ll follow researchers into the state’s wild coastal marshes where they believe they’ve found a new hybrid species that’s filling the void left by an apex predator.

Not long ago, there was talk of some 30 carbon capture projects planned throughout Louisiana. But the Trump administration has recalled money the Biden administration dispersed to move these projects forward. What does that mean for the future of this nascent industry in our state? We’ll talk to a couple of advocates who worry it might be running out of air.

Changes are on the way in Louisiana law that will allow hundreds, maybe thousands of elected officials and public employees in positions of authority to keep certain information off of the internet. We'll explain how this will close the door to information that’s important to you.

LSU might not have a standout football team this year, but the university is definitely dominating the news cycle these days. Reporter Piper Hutchinson joins us with the latest developments. Also, we'll review a new study on child poverty in Louisiana, and what type of policy change it might create.