This year’s congressional midterm elections in Louisiana are the first in decades using closed party primaries — except they’re not really closed. And that’s been a sticking point for some politicians. This week, we hear from two Republican state officials who are on opposite sides of the debate over whether closed party primaries are here to stay — or one and done after this year. 

Louisiana officials have put new rules in place for what you can buy with SNAP benefits, what we often call food stamps. These are big changes, not just for consumers but for the grocery stores where they shop. The Louisiana Department of Health handles SNAP benefits, and we’ll hear from its leader about what you can and can’t buy— and the reasons for all the change.

There's been so much change at LSU: A new president, a new chancellor and, pretty soon, an old school with a new name, LSU New Orleans. Plus, there's the reorganization of the entire LSU System. We’ll talk with a key university administrator about what’s next in the school's quest to achieve elite academic status.

Louisiana restaurants have to let diners know when they are serving imported seafood, and they can’t use terms like "Cajun" on "Creole" if it describes such menu items. State officials are starting to get serious about enforcing this law, and we have a first look at how many restaurants have been cited and fined for violating the rules.

Back in July we brough you the story of a Russian couple seeking asylum in America over fears they could face punishment in their home country for their anti-Putin views. They took all the proper steps to enter the U.S., yet they were separated and placed in ICE detention when they appeared for their immigration appointment. More than a year later, they remain apart – with one of them held in Louisiana facing  probable deportation. We provide an update on that story as well.

We have an extended conversation with a 2nd Amendment advocate here in Louisiana about how our state concealed carry law treats situations like the one in Minneapolis in which Alex Pretti was killed. He's also a gun safety instructor with thoughts to share on how federal agents handled the confrontation.

The federal funding spigot remains largely closed for health research, and that has an impact on Louisiana medical schools that are known for their breakthroughs in chronic disease treatment. We talk with a New Orleans oncologist  about how the unreliability of research resources has impacted how he cares for his patients.

Five months after the explosion at a Tangipahoa plant, it looks like there will be a criminal investigation into the environmental disaster. New reports from federal regulators reveal a long list of problems and violations. Plus, there’s a new report on use of force by Louisiana State Police. We talk with the analyst that pulled it together and learn why troopers don’t feel the numbers paint a fair picture

Since the U.S. Supreme Court allowed states to outlaw abortion in 2022, you would think the number of people terminating pregnancies has fallen off a cliff. But that’s not the case according to groups that advocate for self-managed abortions. We talk to a leader for the movement to improve access to reproductive care in the post-Dobbs era.

This week we will revisit an episode from earlier in the year, Kratom collision course. Louisiana lawmakers were deciding whether to ban or regulate kratom. Its proponents say the herbal substance has helped them conquer anxiety, depression and opioid addiction. Its detractors say kratom is just as dangerous as the drugs it purports to replace. Host Greg LaRose shares stories from people on both sides of the debate.