Editorial writer and columnist Danny Heitman of The Advocate talks the loss of his close friend, Curt Eysink. Eysink, who died suddenly at the age of 53 last month, is the former secretary of Workforce Development and was a reporter for The Advocate.

Also on today's program, Michael Tisserand on race in New Orleans beyond the monuments, here.

New Orleans writer Michael Tisserand talks on issues of race in New Orleans that go beyond today's tension over the removal of monument of Confederate era icons.

Also on today's program: Danny Heitman remembers Curt Eysink, here.

Sue Lincoln with Capitol Access reviews a lively week at the State Captiol, where they have addressed everything from budget issues to hair braiding.

Also on today's program: Carl Hiaasen and his novel about Cajun rooster farmers, here.

Journalist, columnist and novelist Carl Hiaasen wrote "Razor Girl," in which one of the main characters, Buck Nance, is the star of a reality show about a family of Cajun rooster farmers. Since 1985, Hiassen has written a regular column. He comments on the state of journalism in America.

Also on today's program: Seth Stephens-Davidowitz uses internet data to conclude that everybody lies, here.

Seth Stephens-Davidowitz has used data from the internet to get insights into the human psyche.

Davidowitz has used Google searches to measure racism and sexual trends as well as humor and depression. He is a contributing op-ed editor with the New York Times and will soon be teaching at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

His data contradicts many claims by Americans and his book is "Everybody Lies."

Also on today's program: Carl Hiaasen and his novel about Cajun rooster farmers, here.

Juliette Brophy, LSU paleoanthropologist, explains to us her research that helped identify a newly-discovered human ancestor, the Homo Naledi. This new species was found in a 130-mile long narrow cave system in South Africa.

Also on today's program, David Poole on Baton Rouge's high HIV and AIDS rates, here.

David Poole, Director of the Southern Bureau of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, addresses Baton Rouge ranking in the top five cities in HIV and AIDS rates.

Also on today's program: Barry Weinstein, J.B. Hunt, and Dr. Azeem Kahn talk aortic aneurysms, here.

Aortic aneurysms are the third leading cause of sudden death among U.S. men. Rabbi Barry Weinstein talks with us about his one-year recovery from an aortic aneurysm.

J.B. Hunt of Aneurysm Outreach shares with us the importance of being examined for a possible aortic aneurys.

We also hear from Dr. Azeem Kahn, the surgeon who saved Rabbi Weinstein's life.

Also on today's program, David Poole on Baton Rouge's high HIV and AIDS rates, here.

Author Morgan Moltrop of New Orleans, a biographer of Andrew Jackson, compares America's 7th President to the current inhabitant of the White House. President Trump often praises President Jackson and accepts comparisons with the populist hero of the Battle of New Orleans. Some historians say the differences between the two men are profound.

Also on today's program: Jeff Sadow on why the death penalty saves more lives than it takes, here.

Political Scientist Jeff Sadow, professor at LSU-Shreveport and columnist for the Advocate, discusses his contention that Louisiana needs to preserve the death penalty.

Senator Dan Claitor is sponsoring legislation to abolish capital punishment in our state. Earlier on this program, Claitor said the death penalty is too expensive and is not an efficient means of thwarting crime in society.

Professor Sadow argued in his column last Sunday in the Advocate that the death penalty saves more lives than those taken.