Metro Councilwoman Laurie White Adams joins the conversation to unpack Baton Rouge’s ongoing budget hearings. With public safety consuming 57% of the city’s budget, Adams highlights the fragile balance between courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, and public defenders—likening them to four tires on a car that must all function to keep justice moving. Severe understaffing, particularly in the District Attorney’s office, threatens efficiency and safety. Meanwhile, East Baton Rouge residents are subsidizing state court costs, raising fairness concerns. As layoffs loom, debates over outsourcing and funding intensify. Adams stresses transparency, legislative collaboration, and tough choices ahead to keep the city secure.

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Rico Alvendia, a retired Lieutenant Colonel and member of LSU’s Board of Supervisors, joins the show to discuss the university’s renewed effort to reactivate the Corps of Cadets. While the Board is also focused on hiring a new football coach, Alvendia emphasized the significance of restoring a tradition that dates back more than 160 years. Originally founded in 1860 when LSU began as a military academy, the Corps of Cadets was once mandatory for male students and boasted thousands of members before disbanding in the 1960s. During World War II, LSU was among the nation’s top commissioning sources for military officers, rivaling West Point and Annapolis. Alumni of the “Old War School” have continued supporting ROTC programs and veterans, and they are enthusiastic about the Corps’ revival.

The reactivated Corps will differ from its historic model by welcoming non‑military track students. Inspired by Texas A&M’s program, LSU’s Corps will allow participants to wear a common uniform, take leadership courses, and earn minors in cybersecurity and national defense leadership. This expansion provides opportunities for students who may not serve in the military but want to develop leadership skills and enhance their résumés. Alvendia highlighted the growing importance of cybersecurity in both national defense and corporate America, noting LSU’s new center dedicated to the field.

The initiative has received strong backing from the LSU Board of Supervisors, Governor Landry, the state legislature, and ROTC alumni. Funding has been secured to hire staff, including a deputy commandant, and new uniforms modeled after West Point have been introduced. The Corps was formally reactivated during a halftime ceremony at LSU’s military tribute game, symbolizing pride and tradition. Alvendia stressed that the program will strengthen character, integrity, and campus culture while preparing students for future careers in both military and civilian sectors.

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Zach Kilshaw joins the show to unpack the fallout from last weekend’s failed Thrive propositions and what comes next for Baton Rouge. He reflects on the close loss, comparing it to a basketball game of missed free throws and turnovers, while noting broader statewide resistance to new taxes. Kilshaw emphasizes that distrust in government and the perception of losing services fueled opposition, even though entities like the library weren’t actually losing funds. Looking ahead, he outlines the need to reintroduce millages for the library, Council on Aging, and mosquito abatement, while confronting a $52.4 million deficit through cuts, restructuring, and right-sizing government.

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Meg Klaing from the St. George Fire Department joins the show to share critical holiday safety reminders. With Thanksgiving just days away, she explains why it’s the busiest day of the year for cooking fires, detailing common mishaps like unattended stoves, flammable clutter, and the dangers of frying frozen turkeys. Kling stresses safe practices—keeping fryers outside, maintaining a 10-foot clearance, and using protective gear. Beyond the kitchen, she highlights the importance of working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, safe travel habits, and heightened awareness during family gatherings. Her message is clear: preparation and vigilance save lives during the holidays.

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Central Mayor Wade Evans joins the show to reflect on the fallout from the failed Thrive initiative and broader issues of governance in East Baton Rouge Parish. The conversation began with controversy over his access to City Hall, which Evans dismissed as a distraction from more pressing matters. He emphasized that the mayor has authority to issue access cards and argued critics should focus on government performance rather than symbolic issues.

Turning to Thrive, Evans explained that voters rejected the measure largely due to distrust in government. He noted that constitutional offices remain underfunded, with parish millage rates too low to sustain mandated services. To rebuild trust, Evans advocated for zero-based budgeting, transparency in costs, and a focus on government’s core responsibilities: roads, drainage, police, and fire. He stressed that government exists to provide services, not employment, and that restructuring—“right-sizing”—is necessary to align resources with actual needs.

Evans criticized messaging around Thrive, saying talk of layoffs created unnecessary panic. He argued that eliminating frozen positions and reassigning staff could demonstrate efficiency without mass job losses. He highlighted inefficiencies in personnel structures, where long-tenured employees may be less productive, and suggested reclassifying roles to better match skills while removing outdated positions.

On governance, Evans expressed concern that some Metro Council members prioritize trivial matters over systemic reform. He rejected the idea that voters hold too much power, instead pointing to the need for elected officials who understand their responsibilities. He supported legislative efforts to require training for new mayors and council members, with compliance tied to city audits, to ensure officials grasp their roles and avoid micromanagement.

Ultimately, Evans framed the debate as one of trust, efficiency, and priorities: government must first deliver essential services effectively before expanding into quality-of-life initiatives.

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Haggai Davis joins the show for a Cup of Tech Gumbo to unpack the recent Cloudflare outage that knocked countless websites offline, explaining how a simple update spiraled into a five-hour disruption affecting businesses, clocks, and daily routines. The conversation highlights the dangers of internet consolidation, where AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and third-party services hold the keys to modern life. The episode closes with a lively debate on Microsoft Teams’ new location-tracking feature—raising questions about productivity, privacy, and whether presence matters more than performance.

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David Cresson of the Louisiana Chemical Association warns that Louisiana’s early advantage in carbon injection technology is slipping as Texas gains primacy over Class 1–6 wells. Once a magnet for billions in investment, Louisiana now faces uncertainty due to a state moratorium and rising misinformation campaigns aimed at stalling industrial growth. Cresson stresses that injection wells have a decades-long record of safety, yet fearmongering threatens progress and economic opportunity. With Texas and other states embracing primacy, Louisiana risks falling behind unless leaders push past mixed messages, reject misinformation, and reaffirm industry’s role in driving jobs, wages, and infrastructure statewide.

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Metro Councilman Aaron Moak joins the show to unpack Baton Rouge’s 2026 City-Parish budget in the wake of Thrive EBR’s defeat at the polls. Moak stresses that public distrust in government stems from officials’ infighting, and urges collaboration from the top down. With a 520-page budget now in council’s hands, cuts are inevitable—roughly 200 positions across departments, though police and fire remain protected. Early retirements, frozen jobs, and overlapping roles will be targeted, but services like DPW and maintenance risk being hit hardest. Moak emphasizes teamwork, transparency, and tough choices ahead to keep Baton Rouge running efficiently.

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Matt Moscona of After Further Review joins the show to break down the fast‑moving “Kiffin Watch 2025.” LSU’s firing of Brian Kelly unexpectedly threw the Tigers into the race for Lane Kiffin, who was already being courted by Florida. Meanwhile, Ole Miss complicated matters by winning far more than expected, finishing 10–1 and securing a playoff berth. Kiffin now faces a dilemma: remain at Ole Miss, where resources are limited, or move to LSU or Florida, both offering greater recruiting bases, financial backing, and facilities. Timing is critical—he wants to coach Ole Miss in the playoff, but schools need clarity before the Egg Bowl and the broader coaching carousel accelerates.

The central question is whether Ole Miss can consistently support championship ambitions. Despite occasional success, the program lacks LSU’s scale of resources and recruiting advantages. Louisiana’s talent pool, with stars like Odell Beckham Jr., Justin Jefferson, and Malik Nabers all within driving distance of LSU’s campus, makes the Tigers uniquely attractive. Ole Miss can assemble strong rosters occasionally, but sustaining that level year after year is difficult. Attendance figures highlight the disparity: LSU’s crowd for a mediocre matchup outdrew Ole Miss’s record attendance against Florida.

Financially, Kiffin is set to become the highest‑paid coach in college football regardless of his choice. Ole Miss has reportedly offered $13.5 million annually, while LSU is prepared to go north of $15–16 million. Florida would match as well, ensuring money is not the deciding factor. Instead, Kiffin’s decision hinges on championship viability and family considerations. His ex‑wife Layla, a Florida alum with family ties in Gainesville, could influence the choice, though reports suggest that connection may not be decisive. Ultimately, Kiffin must weigh legacy, resources, and timing as he decides between Ole Miss, LSU, and Florida.

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State Representative Dixon McMaken of District 68 joins the show to unpack the recent failure of three local ballot propositions in Baton Rouge, including the Thrive initiative. McMaken emphasized that messaging and clarity were central problems. Unlike past successful measures such as the MoveBR traffic project, voters this time lacked certainty about where funds would go. He argued that every question must be answered to “leave no doubt,” but acknowledged that bundling multiple proposals together often creates confusion and resistance. Voters prefer straightforward, single‑issue measures rather than complex packages tied to one another.

The library millage, historically successful, failed as part of this bundled approach. McMaken noted that while libraries enjoy strong public support, linking their funding to other initiatives hurt their chances. He raised questions about reserves, millage laws, and whether voters will support future requests given skepticism about government spending. Other agencies, like the Council on Aging and mosquito abatement, have already reduced their requests voluntarily, highlighting the broader struggle of balancing city needs with taxpayer trust.

The discussion also touched on political dynamics. Mayor Sid Edwards faced rejection of his first major plan despite broad support from mayors and council members. McMaken stressed that voter sentiment, turnout, and even timing around LSU and Southern football games can sway outcomes. With only 19% turnout, the challenge remains mobilizing citizens to vote for tangible improvements rather than abstract tax measures. He pointed out the irony that districts most reliant on libraries were the ones voting against them, a case of “cutting off your nose to spite your face.”

Ultimately, McMaken framed the defeat as an opportunity: leaders must regroup, hold town halls, and refine proposals. Just as in football, if one play fails, you adjust strategy. The lesson is clear—transparency, simplicity, and timing are key to winning voter trust.

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