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.  

Louisiana is holding its second annual bear hunting season after declaring the animal off limits for some 35 years. We’ll talk to the state official who’s keeping track of how many bears are taken and where they can be hunted. Learn more about the tasty trick wildlife agents use to keep track of bear activity around the state. 

Physical violence in Louisiana has declined over the past couple of years, but incidents are still widespread. More than half of adults in the state can expect to be victims of violence at some point in their lives, and 10% of residents experience some form of violence within the past year. These findings and more are in a new study from Tulane’s Newcomb Institute. Its lead researcher explains how this information can help shape policy decisions in Louisiana.

The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement campaign is now up close and personal in Louisiana. Operation Catahoula Crunch is underway, with Border Patrol agents fanning out from their base in New Orleans. We hear from someone with a unique perspective on criminal justice in Louisiana to hear his thoughts on what’s unfolding, and what it says about how our constitution is being interpreted. 

Federal regulators are proposing changes to landmark legislation that protects our nation’s waterways and the lands they touch. We’ll explore what this means for Louisiana, Also, we’ll follow researchers into the state’s wild coastal marshes where they believe they’ve found a new hybrid species that’s filling the void left by an apex predator.