Mornings with Brian Haldane

The Ascension Parish Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its annual Sporting Clay Shoot at Covey Rise on November 16th. Host Brian Haldane and Donnie Miller also highlight the upcoming member luncheon, which honors the 2026 leadership cohort. Furthermore, the Chamber continues to foster business growth and community development throughout the region. Plans are also underway to take the successful state showcase to Washington, D.C. in 2027.

Brian Haldane and Jeff Crouere examine the pros and cons of early voting, debating whether the convenience outweighs the traditional excitement of casting a ballot on election day. The conversation dives into recent voter turnout trends among Democrats and Republicans in Louisiana and across the nation. They also analyze how shifting party tactics and a lack of clear future leadership are impacting the political landscape. Listeners are left with a compelling look at how these voting dynamics will influence upcoming elections.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow joins the program in the final week of the Senate campaign to discuss her statewide tour and the critical importance of voter turnout. Highlighting her extensive travel across Louisiana's parishes, Letlow outlines key constituent concerns and emphasizes the weight of federal responsibilities. As early voting closes and election day approaches, she encourages voters to make their voices heard.

Brian Haldane hosted talk show host Moon Griffon to cover a dynamic mix of college sports, local basketball history, and state politics. They analyzed the chaotic SEC football standings, noting how LSU could capitalizes as rivals struggle with tough schedules. The two shared personal stories regarding legendary LSU basketball coach Dale Brown and the program's iconic 1981 Final Four team. Finally, they evaluated Louisiana's early voting data and examined shifting political campaign messaging as election day approaches.

Brian Haldane hosted Jamie Setze from the Capital Region Planning Commission to analyze the MOVE 2050 long-range transportation plan for the Baton Rouge metropolitan area. Setze highlighted key infrastructure priorities, including the LA 30 widening project across East Baton Rouge, Iberville, and Ascension Parishes to relieve severe I-10 congestion. The conversation detailed ongoing state efforts to assess new Mississippi River bridge options and potential HOV lane additions along the busy I-12 corridor. Community members are encouraged to participate in upcoming public meetings to help shape local infrastructure priorities for the next quarter-century.

Mary Beth Derrickson joins host Brian Haldane to discuss the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children’s report titled "The Missing Piece." Expanding early childhood education yields billions in increased earnings and tax collections while addressing critical workforce shortages. Furthermore, solving teacher recruitment and retention challenges enables more parents to enter the workforce successfully. Ultimately, investing in early learning creates a stronger foundation for Louisiana's economic future.

Dr. Christopher Woodward joins host Brian Haldane on Medical Monday to discuss critical Halloween safety strategies for families. The discussion highlights major hazards such as low-visibility pedestrian accidents, motorized vehicle risks, and food allergy management. Furthermore, the expert provides actionable advice on inspecting candy, carrying flashlights, and handling outdoor community gatherings safely. Ultimately, this guidance helps parents protect their children while ensuring a fun holiday celebration.

Ragin' Cajun expands its popular seasoning lineup with the introduction of two unique spice blends: a sweet-and-savory Butter Rub and a bold Cheeseburger Rub. Crafted with high-quality natural ingredients like real butter, garlic, and dried Worcestershire sauce, these rubs are designed to enhance everything from burgers to holiday turkeys. Listeners can take advantage of an exclusive 20% discount across the entire site using promo code TALK.

L.T. Dupré discusses the unique structure and demanding responsibilities of the East Baton Rouge Family Court system. Drawing upon over two decades of dedicated family law experience, Dupré highlights the critical need for fairness, dignity, and calm judicial leadership during high-stakes domestic cases. Furthermore, the interview explores the geographical and demographic challenges spanning the parish's four court seats. Ultimately, Dupré emphasizes that treating every litigant with respect creates a constructive path forward for families in crisis.

The global demand for lithium has skyrocketed due to its critical role in battery manufacturing for electronics and energy storage. Traditionally mined in Australia and South America, lithium is now being efficiently extracted from oilfield brines across the United States. This innovative extraction process taps into existing oil and gas operations to capture valuable lithium directly from produced water. Ultimately, this domestic production method strengthens energy security while turning a byproduct into a valuable resource for the growing clean energy market.