Newell Normand

Last week Chevron was ordered to pay more than $740 million to restore damage it caused to southeast Louisiana’s coastal wetlands. But was that GOOD news? This was a landmark trial more than a decade in the making, and the case was the first of dozens of pending lawsuits against the world’s preeminent oil companies for their role in accelerating the loss along Louisiana’s rapidly disappearing coast. Many worry that the verdict could set a precedent and cost other oil and gas companies billions in damages tied to land loss and degradation of the environment.

Newell talks about the insurance concerns ahead of the upcoming regular session in Baton Rouge and the regulation of THC products versus alcohol and tobacco products.

On today's show, Newell talks about the state of the LA Gator school voucher program, Amendment 2 failing to pass, and the current state of Louisiana's insurance.

Then, Newell speaks with:

Dr. Jennifer Avegno of the New Orleans Health Department,

Andrea Manuel, Jefferson Parish City Council, District 1 candidate,

Cameron Henry, President of the Louisiana State Senate,

and Rafael Goyeneche, President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission.

This hour, Newell has on Rafael Goyeneche, President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, to talk about the Teneo/Bratton New Orleans Major Event Review & Security Recommendations report, the clearing of the NOPD Crime Lab's DNA backlog with the assistance of other agencies, and the First Quarter Crime Stats.

Rafael Goyeneche, President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, joins the Sheriff to talk about the Teneo/Bratton New Orleans Major Event Review & Security Recommendations report.

This hour, Newell speaks with Andrea Manuel, Jefferson Parish City Council, District 1 candidate. Then, Cameron Henry, President of the Louisiana State Senate, joins the show to talk about what to expect from the upcoming regular session on April 14th.

Cameron Henry, President of the Louisiana State Senate, joins Newell to talk about the latest with the upcoming regular session, which commences Monday, April 14. Senator Henry expects the budget, the reconstruction of DOTD, and insurance legislation to be a few of the major focuses.

Saturday’s primary saw Manuel lead with 5,722 votes, followed closely by Kerner with 5,648, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office. The General Election Runoff is Saturday, May 3, 2025. Andrea Manuel, Jefferson Parish City Council, District 1 candidate, joins Newell.

This hour, Newell talks about the state of the LA Gator school voucher program, Amendment 2 failing to pass, and the current state of Louisiana's insurance—all issues that are being addressed in the legislative session. Then, Dr. Jennifer Avegno of the New Orleans Health Department joins the show to talk about threats to federal funding that are putting the future of local public health programs in jeopardy.

Recent threats to federal funding are putting the future of local public health programs in jeopardy — including life-saving violence prevention efforts. One of New Orleans Health Department’s key partners, the data team at Tulane’s Violence Prevention Institute, was funded by the CDC and has already been significantly impacted. Just last week, the entire violence prevention team at the CDC level was let go, and the Tulane program is now awaiting the final word on a full shutdown. Their department's Violence Prevention Program relies heavily on this data-driven partnership to guide strategy and respond effectively to violence in New Orleans. Without this work, they risk losing not only data capacity but also momentum in addressing one of our city’s most urgent public health challenges. Dr. Jennifer Avegno of the New Orleans Health Department joins Newell to discuss the issue.