Mornings with Brian Haldane

In this engaging broadcast discussion, hosts Brian and Moon Griffon analyze major officiating flaws in the NFL, highlighting how instant replay often fails to resolve subjective call discrepancies. Moving to college football, they celebrate LSU's decisive victory in Tiger Stadium while expressing confidence in the team's depth despite key player injuries heading into critical November matchups. The political landscape takes center stage as the hosts evaluate a narrow four-point poll margin in Louisiana's Senate race, warning conservative voters against election day complacency. Wrapping up the session, they preview pressing statewide issues, including the economic and agricultural impacts of converting prime Louisiana farmland into solar energy developments.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) has announced its 2026 Business Excellence Award winners, honoring outstanding businesses and leaders driving statewide economic growth. Top honors include Phillip May of Entergy Louisiana as Executive of the Year and the Ascension Chamber of Commerce as Economic Development Partner of the Year. The awards also highlight key community contributions, such as the Louisiana Parole Project’s successful workforce reintegration programs and Eddie Rispone's lifetime achievements in industrial construction. All nine honorees will be celebrated during a dedicated awards luncheon hosted at the Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel on November 17th.

As Election Day approaches, political campaigns heavily rely on SMS messaging to drive voter turnout across the country. Travis Trawick, CEO of FullPac, explains that campaigns use detailed voter data to send segmented, precinct-level texts rather than generic district-wide blasts. While replying "STOP" unsubscribes a voter from one specific organization, independent PACs often continue messaging until opted out individually. Ultimately, direct texting provides an interactive communication channel that complements traditional broadcast advertising to boost participation at the polls.

Sarah Joy Hays, owner of CounterSpace Bakery, joins Mornings With Brian Haldane for Foodie Friday to discuss the bakery’s growth, scratch-made menu and popular treats. Hays shares baking tips, including why home bakers should use a kitchen scale, bench scraper and oven thermometer. She also talks about CounterSpace’s famous chocolate chip cookies, breakfast offerings, wholesale partnerships and expanding cake business. The conversation wraps with a taste test featuring the bakery’s breakfast sandwich, pimento cheese focaccia and banana pudding.

Paula Jordan of Pennington Biomedical Research Center joins Mornings With Brian Haldane to explain the CROWN Network, a new initiative connecting Louisiana communities with health researchers. CROWN provides health education while giving residents opportunities to help shape research priorities, participate in studies, join focus groups and advisory boards, and access research findings. Jordan also discusses CROWN’s focus on rural communities and its partnerships with local organizations, clinicians and researchers across Louisiana.

Senator Bill Cassidy joins Mornings With Brian Haldane to discuss his efforts to address Social Security’s long-term finances and reform college athletics. Cassidy outlines his proposal to create a $1.5 trillion investment account to help address future Social Security obligations and emphasizes the need for bipartisan support. He also discusses proposed changes to college sports, including transfer limits, academic requirements and rules designed to preserve the student-athlete model.

Laurie White Adams, director of government affairs at the Pelican Institute, joins Mornings With Brian Haldane to break down Louisiana’s 10 proposed constitutional amendments. The discussion covers the Pelican Institute’s call for a constitutional convention and examines the first three amendments involving disabled veterans’ property tax exemptions, property tax millage rates and post-conviction bail for certain offenses involving minors. White Adams explains the potential effects of each proposal and why the Pelican Institute believes some policies belong in state law rather than the constitution.

Rodney Mallet, spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), joins Mornings With Brian Haldane to discuss the ongoing I-10 widening project in Baton Rouge. Mallet addresses concerns about traffic congestion, road closures and construction impacts, explaining how DOTD has worked to minimize disruptions through nighttime work and an extended project timeline. He also highlights recent improvements, including the longer Perkins Road westbound on-ramp, and previews upcoming work on the I-10 westbound flyover and I-110 southbound off-ramp. The conversation also touches on other Baton Rouge construction and utility projects contributing to traffic delays.

The Louisiana Art & Science Museum is hosting its annual gala featuring the vibrant theme "Louisiana Untamed" to support local educational outreach and community programs. Attendees will enjoy unique VIP experiences, including Cajun caviar tastings, photo opportunities with a live alligator, signature cocktails, and exclusive gallery exhibits. The event highlights LASM's 64-year mission of integrating art and science (STEAM) to foster creativity and learning for tens of thousands of visitors each year. Guests can also support the museum by entering luxury jewelry raffles or purchasing donated fine art prints.

After surviving a tragic 2017 line-of-duty call, Nashville police officer Nick Diamond founded Restoring Responders to provide crucial mental health support for emergency personnel. The organization hosts five-day, all-inclusive retreats nationwide that blend high-end recreational activities like guided fishing with evening trauma-counseling sessions. Designed as a preventive refuge rather than a treatment facility, the program allows small groups of first responders to process trauma and build lasting peer support networks. Supporters can contribute by making donations, following social channels, or nominating deserving first responders online at restoringresponders.com.