This hour, Newell has on Steve Camarota, Director of Research at the Center for Immigration Studies, to talk about the recent surge of immigrants, both legal and illegal, into the country. Then, Lawrence Chehardy, Captain of the Krewe of Argus, joins the show to talk about the Argus parade rolling on St. Patrick’s Day for the first time!

Throw me something, mistah, maybe a cabbage?!? Sunday we’ll witness history in Metairie when the Krewe of Argus joins the St. Patrick’s Parade of Jefferson, blending two cherished traditions, Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day, for the first time! Argus rolls at 10am with the St. Patrick’s Parade following. We’ll get all the splendid details from Lawrence Chehardy, Captain of the Krewe of Argus, and former Jefferson Parish City Councilman.

The government’s January 2025 Current Population Survey (CPS) shows the foreign-born or immigrant population (legal and illegal together) hit 53.3 million and 15.8 percent of the total U.S. population in January 2025, both new record highs. Steve Camarota, Director of Research at the Center for Immigration Studies, joins Newell to talk about the recent surge of immigrants, both legal and illegal, into the country.

This hour, Newell has on Arnie Fielkow, former CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, and Olia Hercules, celebrated Ukrainian chef and cookbook author whose talents have been recognized worldwide, to talk about the American Ukrainian nonprofit “Razom For Ukraine” (Together for Ukraine) and their exciting culinary initiative that highlights the rich and diverse flavors of both Louisiana and Ukraine. Then, Rick Gallot, President of the University of Louisiana System, joins the show to talk about the prospect of UNO going back under the umbrella of LSU.

Remember LSUNO? When the University of New Orleans was founded, it was a member of the LSU system from 1958 to 2011. Now the question being explored is, should the financially struggling university be moved back into the LSU system?

(Note: Before Hurricane Katrina, student enrollment was more than 17,000. As the local population was greatly reduced, the pool of applicants followed suit. At the start of the 2024 semester, UNO had 6,488 students.)

Rick Gallot, President of the University of Louisiana System, joins Newell to talk about UNO’s budget crisis, the possible solutions, and the prospect of it going back under the umbrella of LSU.

Arnie Fielkow, former CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, and Olia Hercules, celebrated Ukrainian chef and cookbook author whose talents have been recognized worldwide, join Newell to talk about the American Ukrainian nonprofit “Razom For Ukraine” (Together for Ukraine) and their exciting culinary initiative that highlights the rich and diverse flavors of both Louisiana and Ukraine. This groundbreaking fusion project aims to bridge cultural gaps and bring people together through food, celebrating the deep culinary traditions of both regions.

This hour, Newell talks about Orleans Parish being the 5th fastest population-shrinking parish/county in the country due to the lack of confidence in New Orleans city governance.

Newell talks about Orleans Parish being the 5th fastest population-shrinking parish/county in the country due to the lack of confidence in New Orleans city governance.

On today's show, Newell talks about California having to borrow $3.44 billion to fund their Medicaid healthcare program, including the costs of illegal immigrants benefiting from the program.

Also, Newell speaks with:

Ed Michel, Inspector General of the City of New Orleans

Kevin Caldwell, Southeast Legislative Manager of the Marijuana Policy Project,

Stephanie Turner, Senior Vice President of Convention Sales & Strategies at New Orleans & Co.,

and Rafael Goyeneche, President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission.

This hour, Newell speaks with Rafael Goyeneche, President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, about the reinstating of the Inspector General of New Orleans after a unanimous Ethics Board vote, Mayor Cantrell breaking City Council ordinance and continuing to travel, and Constitutional Amendment No. 3.