Julia Letlow joins Brian Haldane to discuss the final days of the Louisiana Senate race, negative campaign ads, and what she’s hearing from voters across the state. She also explains her new FEMA reform bill aimed at speeding up disaster relief after hurricanes and why she believes the agency still needs major changes.

Louisiana Economic Development says carbon capture is now a major factor in landing new business projects across the state. Paige Carter with LED said about 80% of current economic development projects involve CCUS because global markets, especially in Europe and Asia, demand lower-carbon production. She said Louisiana’s existing oil and gas infrastructure, research partnerships with LSU, and investments from companies like ExxonMobil are helping position the state as a leader in the future of energy and long-term job growth.

Louisiana tow truck operators say insurance costs are becoming impossible to manage. Jared Varnado of Varnado and Sons Towing told Talk 107.3 his company pays more than $400,000 a year to insure 14 trucks, even with a clean record. He said many towing companies across Louisiana are shutting down because of rising premiums. Varnado explained that tow companies face strict state regulations on non-consensual towing rates while also struggling to collect payments on many abandoned vehicles. He said those losses eventually raise towing costs for everyday customers. The conversation also focused on lawsuit abuse and tort reform at the Louisiana Capitol. Varnado argued that inflated medical billing tied to lawsuits drives up insurance rates for businesses statewide. He said the towing industry supports reforms aimed at lowering projected insurance losses and providing more transparency in medical billing.

Louisiana State Representative Paul Sawyer discussed efforts to speed up major infrastructure projects by giving Louisiana more control over the federal environmental review process. He said that could help move projects like the new Mississippi River bridge forward faster. Sawyer also talked about Louisiana’s redistricting debate and new flood control funding proposals tied to the Amite River Basin.

Cory Dennis joined “Mornings with Brian Haldane” to encourage Louisiana voters to show up for Saturday’s election and pay close attention to the constitutional amendments on the ballot. Dennis argued that too many voters automatically reject amendments without understanding them. The conversation focused heavily on Amendments 1 through 4. Dennis called Amendment 3 one of the most important proposals because it would make teacher pay raises permanent instead of relying on yearly stipends. Both Dennis and Brian Haldane said the measure could have a major impact on education across the state. They also discussed Amendment 4, which would change Louisiana’s inventory tax structure. Dennis explained the amendment would allow individual parishes to decide whether to impose the tax instead of keeping it as a statewide requirement. Amendment 1 was described as a government reform measure that would give lawmakers more control over how certain state government jobs are classified. The interview also touched on Louisiana politics, racial rhetoric in campaigns, and recent redistricting debates. Dennis criticized Democrats for using race-based arguments in political fights and said Republicans need to continue growing support among Black voters. Dennis said Democrats were leading Republicans in early voting turnout by several thousand voters and urged conservatives to vote Saturday and support Amendments 1 through 4.

Attorney Franz Borghardt joined “Mornings with Brian Haldane” to break down Louisiana’s $4.8 million settlement with the family of Ronald Greene. The conversation focused on how wrongful death settlements are calculated, what factors drive the dollar amount, and whether taxpayers should feel satisfied with the outcome. Borghardt explained that settlements are about more than lost income. He said emotional loss, litigation risks, public accountability, and years of legal delays all play a role. The discussion later shifted into media ethics and the rise of one-sided reporting online. Borghardt criticized reporters and social media personalities who chase clicks instead of context. He argued that some stories spread quickly without presenting both sides or verifying facts. He contrasted that with traditional journalism, praising outlets like CBS News and “60 Minutes” for taking time to fully develop stories before airing them.

Councilwoman Laurie White Adams says the Baton Rouge Metro Council is preparing for major discussions over proposed employee pay raises and long-term budget concerns. The current proposal includes a 3.5% raise for city-parish employees. Leaders are also reviewing pay scales after a study found many workers earn below market averages. White Adams says some positions still start in the teens or low $20,000 range, making it difficult to recruit and retain employees. Council members are also weighing concerns about retirement costs and employee benefits. White Adams says officials have already made changes to retiree health insurance plans and are looking for more ways to lower expenses. The discussion comes as city-parish leaders move away from relying on federal COVID-19 relief money and search for long-term financial solutions. White Adams expects many questions from council members before any final vote.

Trey Godfrey from the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership joined Talk Louisiana to discuss the changing tone at the State Capitol and several workforce development bills moving through the Legislature. He explained how recent redistricting fights and congressional map debates shifted the atmosphere inside the session and slowed movement on other legislation. Godfrey also highlighted Senate Bill 376, known as the “Learn and Earn Act,” which has been sent to Gov. Jeff Landry for approval. The bill would allow businesses to partner with schools to create paid, on-campus internships for high school students. The goal is to give students real-world job experience while removing barriers like transportation and limited internship access in rural areas. The conversation also focused on Louisiana scholarship programs like TOPS and MJ Foster Promise. Godfrey said new studies will track whether students stay in Louisiana after graduation and whether taxpayers are seeing a return on investment from those programs.

Bill Cassidy joined Brian Haldane to discuss Louisiana’s upcoming Senate primary election and urged voters to head to the polls Saturday. Cassidy stressed that Republican voters will decide the race and reminded no-party voters they must request a Republican ballot to participate. During the interview, Cassidy responded to negative campaign ads and text messages flooding voters ahead of election day. He pushed back against claims that he is tied to pharmaceutical lobbyists and pointed to legislation he worked on with President Donald Trump’s team to lower prescription drug costs. Cassidy also defended criticism aimed at opponents, saying some campaign attacks rely on public records and past statements. The senator also discussed voter confusion surrounding the election. He said ongoing issues tied to congressional district maps and ballot changes have left some voters unsure about what races are happening this weekend. Cassidy encouraged voters to stay informed and make sure they participate before polls close Saturday.