QDOBA in Towne Center at Cedar Lodge brings in steady crowds for a reason, and Manager Deaton Trahan says 2026 is shaping up to be one of their strongest years yet. He joined us to walk through what’s driving the momentum and why Baton Rouge diners keep coming back.

State Representative Michael Melerine says the upcoming legislative session will center on one major priority: building a workforce strong enough to meet Louisiana’s rapid economic growth.He joined Talk 107.3 to outline the stakes. Major projects are landing across the state, from the $12 billion data center investment in Shreveport to the new Hyundai plant in southeast Louisiana. Melerine said lawmakers spent the fall meeting with the Louisiana Workforce Commission and LED to understand what gaps remain.“We did the reforms. We got the investment. Now we need the workers,” he said.

Pennington Biomedical Research Center will host its 26th annual Women’s Wellness Day on March 7, offering free health screenings, expert talks, and community resources. The event runs from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pennington conference center and invites women to learn, recharge, and prioritize their health.Attendees will hear from Pennington experts, including Dr. Prachi Singh on sleep and cardiometabolic health, plus sessions on Alzheimer’s, obesity management, chair yoga, CPR demos, and more. Free breakfast and lunch are included. Registration is encouraged but not required. Women can simply show up and take advantage of a day designed to support their wellbeing.

Deputy Energy Secretary James Danly visited the Magnolia Power Generating Station in Plaquemine and said the plant arrives at the perfect time. He noted that electricity demand keeps rising across the country and that Louisiana feels that pressure as new data centers and major industries come online.

The Capital Area United Way will host a free tax-prep event Saturday at the Goodwood Main Library, offering support through its IRS-certified VITA program. George Bell and Cheri Ausberry highlighted how volunteers help low- to moderate-income families file accurately and claim eligible credits. Entergy, Red River Bank, Mid City Redevelopment, and legal-aid partners will also share resources onsite. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with walk-ins welcome. Residents can book appointments at cauw.org/vita or by calling 2-1-1 to ensure access to free, reliable tax preparation and community support.

State Representative Kim Carver says workforce development will dominate the upcoming legislative session, with lawmakers aiming to prepare Louisianans for high-demand jobs tied to major economic projects. Carver wants stronger career exposure in middle school, giving students early access to real employers and clear paths to high-wage careers.He’s also pushing a bill that strengthens reporting requirements for child sexual abuse materials. Working with Attorney General Liz Murrill, Carver says the updates align Louisiana with national best practices and help law enforcement stop predators faster.The session opens Monday, with momentum building on both fronts.

Lieutenant Don Coppola returned to the studio to reflect on the powerful impact of the Beyond Bars program. Earlier this week, Dez and Rashan shared raw stories about violence, accountability, and the years they lost behind bars. Their honesty stopped listeners in their tracks. Dez spoke about missing family milestones during his 15 years in prison. Rashan described nearly three decades of incarceration and the moment he accepted responsibility for taking a life. Their message hit young audiences the hardest. Coppola said the goal is simple: stop kids before they make choices that steal their future. Parents can learn more through Crime Stoppers at 344-STOP.

State Rep. John Wyble says lawmakers enter the 2026 session with momentum and a focus on bills that affect daily life. He expects strong legislation on workforce training, coordinated statewide development, and TOPS reforms that tie public dollars to fields with high job demand. Wyble plans to codify the governor’s workforce executive order and advance HB 229, which steers TOPS funding toward degrees that lead to real careers. He also highlighted upcoming bills to support rural economic development, help small communities fight blight, and expand affordable housing.

A routine morning chat on Mornings with Brian Haldane turned into a deeper look at a growing problem: how much we’re being recorded without knowing it. Haggai Davis, host of Tech Gumbo, opened the segment by joking about his own computer troubles, but the conversation quickly shifted to something much bigger — the rise of Meta’s smart glasses and the privacy concerns that follow.

The Beyond Bars program brought two powerful voices into the studio. Desmond Kennedy and Rashan Williams shared raw stories about trauma, violence, and the choices that led them to long prison sentences. Kennedy, now 16 years into a 20-year sentence, described a childhood shaped by addiction, loss, and early exposure to guns. Williams, serving life without parole, talked about growing up with a mother battling addiction, joining gangs, and later taking a life during a moment of rage. Both men now speak to kids in schools. They use their past to show how fast bad decisions can destroy a future. Their message is direct: you always have a choice, and one choice can take your freedom or your life.