Rafael Goyeneche, President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, joins Newell to talk about the success in terms of safety and security of Mardi Gras 2025.

This hour, Newell speaks with John Malcolm, Vice President of the Institute for Constitutional Government, Director of the Meese Center and Simon Center, and Gilbertson Lindberg Senior Legal Fellow at the Heritage Foundation, about the Supreme Court ruling not to block foreign aid. Then, Olin Parker, Orleans Parish School Board member, District 3, joins the show to talk about their financial issues with the City of New Orleans.

Last month, the Orleans Parish School Board and the New Orleans City Council stood shoulder to shoulder to announce a resolution to sue the City of New Orleans in Civil District Court, in an attempt to get as much as $90 million of owed money. The school board is also taking the fight to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, as board member Olin Parker asked district officials to appeal to the state auditor for a review of the city’s tax-collection methods, including how the city remits that money to schools. Is the city REALLY skimming money from city coffers that should be going to parish school children? Newell welcomes in Orleans Parish School Board member, District 3, Olin Parker, to give us the details.

A sharply divided Supreme Court denied the Trump administration’s request to block a lower court order on foreign aid funding, clearing the way for the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development to restart nearly $2 billion in payments for work already done. John Malcolm, Vice President of the Institute for Constitutional Government, Director of the Meese Center and Simon Center, and Gilbertson Lindberg Senior Legal Fellow at the Heritage Foundation, joins Newell to discuss the issue.

This hour, Newell talks about the sanctuary city mayors defending their policies before Congress. Then, Amy Dawson, Emergency Management Director for Port NOLA, joins the show to discuss the port’s emergency operations center and the role it plays during major events.

Amy Dawson, Emergency Management Director for Port NOLA, joins Newell to discuss the port’s emergency operations center and the role it plays during major weather events like hurricanes and the historic, unprecedented snowstorm we recently experienced, as well as during major city events like the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras.

Newell talks about the sanctuary city mayors defending their policies before Congress.

On today's show, Newell has on:

Arthur Hardy, editor and publisher of the Mardi Gras Guide,

Michelle Courseault, Executive Director of the French Quarter Management District (FQMD),

Matt Wolfe, Senior Vice President of Communications at GNO Inc.,

Thomas A. Neyhart, founder & Executive Chairman of PosiGen,

and Walt Leger, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company.

(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Walt Leger, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company, joins Newell to talk about hosting international media for Mardi Gras 2025 and looking ahead to Mardi Gras 2026, some of the events taking place in New Orleans in March, modifications to the Convention Center, and more.

This hour, Newell speaks with Matt Wolfe, Senior Vice President of Communications at GNO Inc., about the economic impact of Mardi Gras, a new tax-funded scholarship program known as LA GATOR, and more. Matt then brings on Thomas A. Neyhart, founder & Executive Chairman of Posigen, to discuss a new solar power system initiative with the VFW New Orleans.