Podcasts about east baton rouge parish

This episode was originally published on The Murder Sheet's main feed on May 9, 2025. The Cheat Sheet is The Murder Sheet's segment breaking down weekly news and updates in some of the murder cases we cover. In this episode, we'll talk about cases from Portugal, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Colorado, and Washington.The New York Post's coverage of the latest developments in the Madeleine McCann disappearance: https://nypost.com/2025/05/08/world-news/sick-hard-drive-evidence-from-lair-of-madeleine-mccann-suspect-christian-brueckner-seen-in-new-documentary/Colorado Community Media on the murder of Matthew Hire: https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/05/08/donald-harris-rv-murder-trial-jury-deliberations-begin/Kokomo Tribune on Flint Farmer's acquittal in the murder of Karena McClerkin: https://www.kokomotribune.com/news/police_and_fire/flint-farmer-found-not-guilty-in-death-of-karena-mcclerkin/article_45d66877-a17a-46ef-904e-726ea0e5b9fa.htmlKOMO News's report on Patrick Cress: https://komonews.com/news/local/patrick-cress-safeway-detectives-searching-tips-40-year-old-cold-case-13-year-old-boy-crime-stoppers-puget-sound-washington-crime-kirkland-head-injury-king-county-sheriffs-officeIf you have information about Patrick Cress's unsolved murder, call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). To cover Patrick Cress's case, we also relied on reporting from the Daily Herald of Everett, Washington, accessed via Newspapers.com. WCPO on the homicide of retired Hamilton County Sheriff's Deputy Larry Henderson by Rodney Hinton Jr. and the police shooting of Ryan Hinton: https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/were-gut-punched-hamilton-county-sheriffs-deputy-remembered-as-astute-officer-even-better-humanFox19 homicide of retired Hamilton County Sheriff's Deputy Larry Henderson by Rodney Hinton Jr. and the police shooting of Ryan Hinton: https://www.fox19.com/2025/05/07/court-testimony-reveals-new-details-deputys-slaying/Fox19 homicide of retired Hamilton County Sheriff's Deputy Larry Henderson by Rodney Hinton Jr. and the police shooting of Ryan Hinton: https://www.fox19.com/2025/05/06/chaos-inside-courthouse-disrupts-hearing-deputys-accused-killer/Local 12 homicide of retired Hamilton County Sheriff's Deputy Larry Henderson by Rodney Hinton Jr. and the police shooting of Ryan Hinton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cxKnsBQk4UThe Advocate on the death of Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill, the case against David Cauthron and the chase with Tyquel Zanders: https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/caroline-gills-parents-filed-a-federal-lawsuit-against-brpd/article_feeeee86-889c-11ee-b3a6-b3666402d5c7.htmlWBRZ on the death of Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill, the case against David Cauthron and the chase with Tyquel Zanders: https://www.wbrz.com/news/my-heart-just-melted-mother-of-teen-killed-in-brusly-crash-reacts-to-american-idol-tribute-175317/The Guardian on the death of Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill, the case against David Cauthron and the chase with Tyquel Zanders: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/08/officer-arrested-police-chase-car-crash-kills-two-teensPre-order our book on Delphi here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/shadow-of-the-bridge-the-delphi-murders-and-the-dark-side-of-the-american-heartland-aine-cain/21866881?ean=9781639369232Or here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Shadow-of-the-Bridge/Aine-Cain/9781639369232Or here: https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Bridge-Murders-American-Heartland/dp/1639369236Join our Patreon here! https://www.patreon.com/c/murdersheetSupport The Murder Sheet by buying a t-shirt here: https://www.murdersheetshop.com/Send tips to murdersheet@gmail.com.The Murder Sheet is a production of Mystery Sheet LLC.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join LaTangela as she chats with Judge Wilson Fields on the #tanline Over 1,300 students in East Baton Rouge Parish with a GPA of a 3.0 or above will gather at The Raising Cane's River Center for an exciting day celebrating their academic achievements. The Academic Honors Network is gearing up for their 13th annual college fair/ scholarship and car giveaway. Highlighting all of the opportunities for higher education within the state of Louisiana, creating resources and bridging the gap. Watch full episode HERE Join the conversation www.LaTangela.com THE LATANGELA SHOW RADIO - WEMX- Baton Rouge, La. Mon-Fri 10a.m.-3p.m.CST KTCS - Beaumont, Tx. Mon-Fri 3p.m.-8p.m..CST TV - WAFB+ YouTube - #LaTangelaFay Podcast - ALL digital platforms #iTunes #Spotify #WEMX #WAFB+ www.LaTangela.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Randall Barnes is joined by Anthony Kenney, Southern University alumnus and new city councilman of District Two in East Baton Rouge Parish.  In this special episode, they discuss Kenney's incredible journey from SGA President to one of the youngest elected officials in the parish, and delve into the impact of HBCUs on public service.  Kenney also discuss his famous question to President Obama, and his ambitions to unify and serve his community. He also delves into his SGA Presidential Campaign in 2018-2019, including behind-the-scenes details of his campaign music video, his greatest achievement as Southern University SGA President, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're a homeowner, you're probably already familiar with the conditions imposed on insurance deductibles when disaster strikes. Cities and towns also have insurance for their losses when the weather gets destructive.Now, mayors along the Mississippi River are piloting a new insurance experiment to better help communities recover after disasters.Delaney Dryfoos, environmental reporter for the Lens Nola, has been covering this story for the Mississippi River Basin Ag and Water Desk and joins us for more.This was a busy year in politics – yes we had the presidential election, but Louisiana had some pretty noteworthy political happenings as well. Gov. Jeff Landry and lawmakers overhauled the state's tax code, and Republican Sid Edwards was elected to be the next mayor-president of East Baton Rouge Parish,  ending a 20-year streak for Democrats. Yesterday, we brought you Part 1 of Capitol Access reporter Brooke Thorington's “politics year in review” with LSU political science professor Robert Hogan. Today we hear the second part, and discuss what's on the horizon for future office seekers in Louisiana.Guaranteed income is the idea that to help some people in need, governments should give them cash, no strings attached. It's long been a pipe dream for many welfare reformers. And in recent years, that dream has been given test runs in cities across the U.S. and here in the South.The Gulf States Newsroom's Stephan Bisaha and WWNO's Aubri Juhasz have been covering the movement. They caught up to discuss how these recent pilots went.—Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts.Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Donald Trump has been elected as the 47th president of the United States, and many Republicans in down-ballot races also saw some surprising success, including in East Baton Rouge Parish, where Republican Sid Edwards is headed for a runoff in the Mayor-President race against Democratic incumbent Sharon Weston-Broome.Reporters Aidan McCahill and Drew Hawkins join us with more on the results of races and ballot initiatives throughout Louisiana. The last few presidential elections raised concerns about potential violence at the voting booths and on the campaign trail. Over the summer, President-elect Donald Trump experienced two assassination attempts, and on Election Day, multiple polling sites  in swing states received bomb threats. For many, the modern political violence brings to mind the Colfax Massacre in Louisiana. On April 13, 1878, a mob of armed white men attacked the courthouse in Colfax, a town in Grant Parish, killing at least 80 Black men who were exercising their right to vote. Today, we revisit this story, and how two men with personal connections to the tragedy are working to preserve the truth behind what happened. WRKF's Karen Henderson explores what A Reconstruction-era episode of political violence can teach us in today's divisive climate. ___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts.Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Early voting wrapped up Tuesday in Louisiana and voters in the Bayou State broke all kinds of records. WRKF's Capital Access reporter Brooke Thorington speaks with Joel Watson, director of communications at the Louisiana Secretary of State Office, about  what early voting statistics can and can't tell us. The November elections are just days away, and in East Baton Rouge Parish, residents are deciding who they want as their mayor-president. Earlier this week, we heard from the incumbent, Sharon Weston Broome, and the top Republican candidate, Sid Edwards. Today, we're speaking with the Democratic challenger Ted James. James is a former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives and served as a regional administrator in the U.S. Small Business Administration. He joins us to discuss  why he joined the race, his top priorities if elected, and the recent scandal surrounding an ad put out by Weston-Broome's campaign. ___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. We get production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

The Lafayette Parish school system could soon see nine schools closed or consolidated. But community members are pushing back, despite declines in enrollment. Christiaan Mader, founder and editor of The Current, tells us about the potential overhaul of the city's school system. Early voting is already underway, and in East Baton Rouge Parish, voters will be choosing their next mayor-president. And so far, it's looking like a tight race between the top three candidates: incumbent Sharon Weston-Broome, Democratic challenger Ted James, and Republican Sid Edwards. Here on Louisiana Considered, we'll be bringing you conversations with all three of these candidates throughout the week. Today, we hear from Mayor-President Sharon Weston-Broome, who shares her campaign strategy, previous record and addresses a recent ad scandal.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. Matt Bloom and Aubry Procell are assistant producers. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

In this episode of “Louisiana Unfiltered”, Kiran Chawla sits down with East Baton Rouge Parish mayor president Candidate, Democrat Ted James.  Ted James expresses frustration with the city's stagnation and emphasizes his commitment to economic development and retaining local talent.He details strategies for improving public safety through collaboration among law enforcement and addressing community needs.  Ted James advocates for local government transparency and fairness in contracts, while aiming to unite the community across racial and social divides. He discusses infrastructure issues, including drainage, and highlights his vision for fostering small businesses.Ted James concludes with an appeal to voters for transformative leadership and accountability. Timestamps 05:02 Ted James's Vision for Baton Rouge08:00 Building Trust in Government10:05 Addressing Corruption Concerns16:10 The Importance of Collaboration21:10 Tackling Crime in Baton Rouge24:08 Strategies for Public Safety28:35 Overcoming Challenges in Policing32:09 The Role of Community in Safety34:45 Revitalizing Downtown Baton Rouge36:42 Critique of Current Administration40:34 Infrastructure Improvements Needed44:11 Addressing Drainage and Wastewater Issues47:25 The Need for Financial Responsibility49:48 Evaluating the Last Eight Years53:49 The St. George Situation56:58 Trust and Accountability in LeadershipLocal Sponsors For This Episode:   Capital City Coatings:Whether you're dreaming of a cozy living room retreat or a bold office makeover, Capital City Coating's team of expert painters will bring your vision to life, and with expanded services including carpentry, roofing and full remodels there is nothing that this team of expert tradesmen can't handle. Servicing South Louisiana,Houston and Florida's scenic 30A.Visit CapitalCityCoatingsLLC.com or call 225-831-0656 to schedule your consultation.    Neighbors Federal Credit Union:  Neighbors FCU is a community chartered Baton Rouge credit union that has served the community for over 60 years. For more information visit them by Clicking Here    Another Chance Bail Bonds  Their goal at Another Chance Bail Bonds is to reunite families and reconnect friends.  They accomplish this goal by providing many services which aide in the bonding process.You can learn more by visiting them Here      Jingle Jeepin Parade and Market  Jingle Jeepin' Parade & Market will take place Saturday December 7, 2024. To register a booth or to register your jeep downloadable forms can be accessed HereVideo, Sound and Editing for this podcast by the podcast experts at Envision Podcast Studios in Denham Springs, LA.

In this episode of “Louisiana Unfiltered”, Kiran Chawla sits down with East Baton Rouge Parish mayor president Candidate, Republican Sid Edwards.   Sid Edwards discusses his shift from an apolitical background to running for office due to concerns over crime, homelessness, and community engagement in East Baton Rouge.  He emphasizes his experience as an educator and coach, advocating for a proactive approach to public safety and a zero-based budgeting strategy to enhance funding.Timestamps04:23 Personal Journey to Politics07:33 Background and Experience09:39 Trust and Transparency14:11 Addressing Division in the Parish17:00 Vision for Public Safety25:47 Crime and Community Safety29:07 Revitalizing Downtown Baton Rouge36:43 Infrastructure Challenges40:44 Drainage and Wastewater Issues42:37 Taxation and Funding Strategy47:47 The St. George Separation Debate49:04 Education and School System Improvement51:00 Reflection on Past Leadership56:25 Why Trust Sid Edwards?Capital City Coatings:Whether you're dreaming of a cozy living room retreat or a bold office makeover, Capital City Coating's team of expert painters will bring your vision to life, and with expanded services including carpentry, roofing and full remodels there is nothing that this team of expert tradesmen can't handle. Servicing South Louisiana,Houston and Florida's scenic 30A.Visit CapitalCityCoatingsLLC.com or call 225-831-0656 to schedule your consultation.   Neighbors Federal Credit Union:   Neighbors FCU is a community chartered Baton Rouge credit union that has served the community for over 60 years. For more information visit them by Clicking Here    Another Chance Bail Bonds  Their goal at Another Chance Bail Bonds is to reunite families and reconnect friends.  They accomplish this goal by providing many services which aide in the bonding process.You can learn more by visiting them Here       Jingle Jeepin Parade and Market  Jingle Jeepin' Parade & Market will take place Saturday December 7, 2024. To register a booth or to register your jeep downloadable forms can be accessed HereVideo, Sound and Editing for this podcast by the podcast experts at Envision Podcast Studios in Denham Springs, LA.

It's not just top-of-the-ticket races demanding attention this election season. At the bottom of your ballot, you'll find measures that could have a big impact, including one proposal to amend the state constitution.Barry Erwin, President & CEO of Council for a Better Louisiana, breaks down these ballot measures, including  offshore energy revenue and coastal restoration funding questions. There's a push to end forced labor in prisons in the South, with lawyers arguing that the work many prisoners are forced to do is low-paying and dangerous. But prison officials argue that they've improved working conditions. The Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist, takes a closer look at the movement — including a lawsuit in Louisiana.Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos events are just around the corner. And while some have expressed concern over celebrations in cemeteries, honoring loved ones at their place of rest is a cornerstone of the Latin American holiday, Day of the Dead. Mark Martin, local bicycle activist and chair of the Complete Streets Citizens Advisory Committee of East Baton Rouge Parish, tells us more about Velo Muertos, an upcoming Day of the Dead biking event that puts a modern twist on a holiday with cultural and historic significance. —Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. We get production support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

This episode of Louisiana Unfiltered dives into the controversial rulings and subsequent suspension of Judge Eboni Johnson Rose in East Baton Rouge Parish.  The discussion covers her background, notable cases including the trial of Officer Donald Steele, and the overturning of her decisions by the Louisiana Supreme Court.  The conversation highlights the implications of her actions on the judicial system and the upcoming election where she remains a candidate despite her suspension.#JudgeEbonyJohnsonRose #BatonRouge #legalsystem #judicialmisconduct #trial #election #justice #podcast #louisiana #LouisianaUnfiltered Timestamps 02:16 The Case of Officer Donald Steele08:41 Trial Verdict and Controversies12:36 The Overturning of Judge Rose's Decisions25:55 Further Legal Troubles for Judge Rose34:22 The Supreme Court's Ruling on Judge Rose37:59 Judge Rose's Future and Upcoming ElectionLocal Sponsors For This Episode:  Unspeakable: A True Crime Podcast by Kelly Jennings: Kelly is most recognizable for her sass and humor combined with a “no nonsense approach” to true crime story telling. Her first-hand experiences in a multitude of crime-related fields allow KJ to tell the story from the perspective of an expert. Kelly's style of podcasting is entertaining yet thought provoking. Leather pants and leopard print give her all the podcast super powers a strong woman with southern charm may need!  Listen Here: Capital City Coatings:Whether you're dreaming of a cozy living room retreat or a bold office makeover, Capital City Coating's team of expert painters will bring your vision to life, and with expanded services including carpentry, roofing and full remodels there is nothing that this team of expert tradesmen can't handle. Servicing South Louisiana,Houston and Florida's scenic 30A.Visit CapitalCityCoatingsLLC.com or call 225-831-0656 to schedule your consultation.  Neighbors Federal Credit Union:  Neighbors FCU is a community chartered Baton Rouge credit union that has served the community for over 60 years. For more information visit them by Clicking Here  Another Chance Bail Bonds  Their goal at Another Chance Bail Bonds is to reunite families and reconnect friends.  They accomplish this goal by providing many services which aide in the bonding process. You can learn more by visiting them Here   Video, Sound and Editing for this podcast by the podcast experts at Envision Podcast Studios in Denham Springs, LA.

The East Baton Rouge Parish school system remains without a permanent superintendent after board members delayed their vote on a final pick last week. On Monday night, another finalist dropped out of the running. The process has drawn criticism from community groups and teacher unions. They argue the current interim superintendent Adam Smith should get the job. But he wasn't even selected as a finalist. Our reporter Matt Bloom has been following this story. He spoke with WWNO's Bob Pavlovich about what to expect at the next board meeting.Louisiana has one of the highest populations of ICE detainees in the country. That's people held in immigration and customs enforcement facilities while they await court proceedings. But conditions in detention centers have been criticized by advocates and watchdog groups for years.Now, new research shows many recent deaths in these facilities were likely preventable. Reporter for Verite News Bobbi-Jeanne Misick speaks with WRKF's Adam Vos, for more. River cane is one of the few bamboos native to North America, and it's critical to the culture of Louisiana's native tribes. But while it used to be abundant, there's little of it left.The Coastal Desk's Eva Tesfaye reports on efforts to bring river cane back.___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our contributing producers are Matt Bloom and Adam Vos; we receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at 12 and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Today we talk about the Supreme Court case in Idaho and the Ten Commandments in classrooms in Louisiana.   Sister Helen Prejean, Dead Man Walking, The Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty That Sparked a National Debate,(Vintage Books, 2013), 218-219.  Michael L. Radelet, Hugo A. Bedau, Constance Putnam, In Spite of Innocence: Erroneous Convictions in Capital Cases, (Boston, Northeastern University Press, 1992).  Glenn L. Pierce and Michael L. Radelet, “Death Sentencing in East Baton Rouge Parish, 1990-2008,” LOUISIANA LAW REVIEW, 71:647-73   Drew Hawkins and Maya Miller, “Book bans are on the rise in the Gulf South. Here's what's being challenged in Louisiana,” October 6, 2023.  Death Penalty Information Center:              “Innocence Database (Louisiana)”                “Louisiana Death Penalty Staggeringly Error-Prone, Racially Biased”                “Facts About the Death Penalty”   

Edward “Ted” James is currently a candidate for Mayor-President of East Baton Rouge Parish. We talk about the conservative donors to his campaign, St. George incorporation, proposed changes to the Parish's Plan of Government, other topics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May is National Bike Month, and we're dedicating Wednesday's show to the topic of bike infrastructure in Southern Louisiana.  Baton Rouge and New Orleans have been rated as some of the most dangerous places for cyclists in the country. An analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ranks East Baton Rouge Parish the fourth-most dangerous place to cycle in the United States. New Orleans is the sixth-most.  We'll talk with two people advocating for bicycle riding and bicyclists in Baton Rouge and in New Orleans. We'll talk with a former city planner in Lafayette. And we'll also hear about how the decisions surrounding how we build our cities affect how easy it is to walk and bike. We're joined by Mark Martin, chair of the Complete Streets advisory committee of the City-Parish of East Baton Rouge; Allene La Spina, executive director of Bike Easy in New Orleans; and Carlee Alm-LaBar, chief of staff based in Lafayette for Strong Towns, a national organization that addresses urban development and city planning practices. _____ Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber; our contributing producers are Matt Bloom and Adam Vos; we receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at 12:00 and 7:00 pm. It's available on Spotify, Google Play, and wherever you get your podcasts.  Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A multi-year fight to form a new city out of an unincorporated suburban portion of southeastern East Baton Rouge Parish culminated last week with a Louisiana Supreme Court decision. Justices ruled in favor of the organizers working to incorporate the city of St. George.  The court ruled against objections by East Baton Rouge officials, which had claimed the incorporation was “unreasonable,” that St. George couldn't provide city services with a balanced budget and that the loss of tax revenues would hurt the city-parish.  St. George organizers want to keep the area's tax money within their own portion of the parish. The effort to incorporate sprouted from a desire to create a new breakaway school district more than a decade ago.  To talk us through what led to this and where the city of St. George will go from here, we speak with Lara Nicholson, Baton Rouge city hall reporter for The Advocate/Times Picayune. One of the most expensive parts of your water bill can be the sewage fees. That can be frustrating, especially when you don't have a sewer. That's the case for our latest Utility Bill of the Month. Stephan Bisaha, reporter with the Gulf States Newsroom, went to a New Orleans community garden that has been fighting for years to fix their bills. The Louisiana state legislature is considering multiple bills that would increase the number of political appointments the governor could make to various boards and commissions. The legislation would make an already-powerful governor even more powerful. One bill, if approved by voters, would let the governor appoint all state supreme court justices and would concurrently expand the state's highest court by two seats, from seven to nine justices, making Louisiana's supreme court among the largest state supreme courts in the nation.  To explain what this legislation could do and what the chances are these proposals will survive the legislative process, we speak with Barry Erwin, president and CEO of Council for a Better Louisiana. ____ Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber; our contributing producers are Matt Bloom and Adam Vos; we receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at 12:00 and 7:00 pm. It's available on Spotify, Google Play, and wherever you get your podcasts.  Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Chief Judge of the 19th Judicial District Court joins the show to explain the need for a gun violence court in East Baton Rouge Parish. Judge Donald Johnson says this could be a model for the rest of the state. Learn how this new court could be a game changer in public safety. Download MP3

School board members in East Baton Rouge Parish  rejected a proposal to rehire Superintendent Sito Narcisse last week. Many are pointing to Narcisse's proposed salary bump as one of the main reasons. Charles Lussier reports on education for The Baton Rouge Advocate. He joins us for more on Narcisse's rift with some newer board members and what might happen next. According to a report from the LSU Ag Center, Louisiana's agriculture and forests suffered $1.6 billion dollars worth of damage due to drought and excessive heat this past summer. The long months of record high temperatures and little rain not only impacted crop yields, but also led to animal health problems.  Two of the report's authors, economist Kurt Guidry and forester Robbie Hutchins, join us to break down their findings and discuss potential solutions. The Baton Rouge Area Chamber just released its 2024 economic outlook report. It highlights record-breaking numbers in terms of employment, household incomes, population and higher education enrollment. But it also finds the region struggles to keep young workers from leaving their jobs, and sometimes the state altogether.   BRAC Senior Vice President of Business Intelligence Andrew Fitzgerald joins us for more on the report and what it means for the economy in the capital region.  Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and assistant producer is Aubry Procell. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at 12 and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts.  Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

- What's What BR features one of our favorite returning guests, Ms. Mary Stein from the East Baton Rouge Parish Library.  - We have 355,000 cardholders. There's always room for one more. Because we have a lot of people that drive across the parish line to go to school here. We consider them ours. We'll take them in our big gumbo bowl. - The library is now fine free for children and senior citizens. People are still responsible to bring back the items. If you don't bring it back after a couple of months we'll send you a friendly little bill.  - Rotary has adopted a school that added to its core pilot project. Kids get to pick a book that they take home for their very own forever and ever. It's about building a habit of reading in the home. The only way to turn the dial on Generational Illiteracy.  

Explore the vital role that a nurturing school community plays in fostering safe and effective learning environments. Warren Drake and Adam Smith discuss the importance of meeting students' basic needs and encouraging them to take active roles in shaping their school's culture. They delve into strategies for breaking the culture of silence, promoting open communication, and the critical role of school leaders in facilitating a safe and supportive atmosphere. Join us as we unpack the nuances of building a school community where every student feels valued, empowered, and ready to flourish.  Warren Drake is the Senior Business Development Executive at CSRS, Inc., focusing on facility resilience and student safety in K-12 education. His notable tenure as the Superintendent of East Baton Rouge Parish Schools saw significant strides in efficiency and academic enhancement, along with the successful passage of a substantial tax plan to modernize schools. Before that, he propelled Zachary Community School District to be the state's top-performing district during his 10-year leadership. Drake, an LSU alumni and recipient of several prestigious awards, is also recognized as the Magnet Schools of America Superintendent of the Year. CSRS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/csrs/ Adam Smith presently holds the position of Associate Superintendent at the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, overseeing the Exceptional Student Services Department. With over 20 years of service in the EBR school system, he has held various significant positions, including Interim Superintendent and Executive Director for School Leadership. His leadership has seen a substantial number of schools under his supervision achieve high progress letter grades and notable improvements, particularly in the elementary sector. Throughout his career, Smith has exhibited a steadfast dedication to the East Baton Rouge Parish community. EBR Schools Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EBRPschools   Other episodes that touch on similar topics:   Scott Muri (2/15/23): Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2m27SS3OBdNUwESpyRAmHO?si=e8fdc54077d74d5f Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scott-muri-leading-change-through-passionate-leadership/id1300009573?i=1000599753490   Greg Hudnall (3/17/23): Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4yDhPO3lJqfAuu3edJjWy3?si=6f8ef291a20e47b7 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/greg-hudnall-reduce-youth-suicide-through-peer-intervention/id1300009573?i=1000604637494   School Leaders - join the Education Leaders' Organization to hear from Kerri Brady's Together We Grow Event EduSafe Transforming Education:  https://members.ed-leaders.org/spaces/12193822/page   Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com. Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Find out more about Kevin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/ For more episodes of the Better Learning Podcast, visit https://www.betterlearningpodcast.com/ Who made this episode possible? Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/ Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/ Second Class Foundation - https://www.secondclassfoundation.org/  

East Baton Rouge Parish mayor-president Sharon Weston Broome has declared September as Blight Month in Baton Rouge as her office begins cracking down on blighted properties in the city. This past May, she appointed Marlee Pittman to be the city's first director of community revitalization. Marlee, who is also the former director of community development with the Mid City Redevelopment Alliance, joins us for more on what Blight Month entails. The National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI, has seen a dramatic increase of mental health care needs over the last few years. While this is largely due to the pandemic uncertainties, in Louisiana, mental health concerns have also been exacerbated by Hurricane Ida.  The interim director of NAMI New Orleans, and retired Chief Judge of the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, Calvin Johnson, tells us more about rising mental health concerns and what we can do to address them, both in the legal system and in the community.  Two mounds in the ground stand out from the surrounding landscape on LSU's campus in Baton Rouge. It's long been known that these mounds were built long ago by ancient indigenous people, but new research reveals just how old these structures are and why they were built.  Brooks Ellwood is a professor emeritus with LSU's department of Geology and Geophysics. He joins us for more on the mounds, which he says are the oldest man-made structure in the Americas Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Adam Vos. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our digital editor is Katelyn Umholtz. Our engineers are Garrett Pittman, Aubry Procell, and Thomas Walsh.  You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at 12:00 and 7:30 pm. It's available on Spotify, Google Play, and wherever you get your podcasts.  Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to making Baton Rouge a walkable city, you need places to walk to. This week we sat down with Corey Wilson, the superintendent of BREC. BREC is the agency that is focused on connecting people to nature and parks here in East Baton Rouge Parish. Corey has been with BREC for 10 years and is doing what he can to continue to develop projects for everyone in our community to enjoy. His path began in New Orleans with the desire to have a better life. Attending college in Atlanta, GA and graduating top of his class in accounting put him in a position to land an amazing job, which was later leveraged to attend Harvard Law School. Upon graduation, he landed a job in corporate law, but later realized his passion lied elsewhere. Taking the leap to move back to Louisiana, Corey started his own law firm with a couple friends and off they went building it into a success. With their success came lots of travel and as life would have it, became too much. Corey then applied for a new position with BREC, in house counsel. After many years putting in hard work and effort, he positioned himself to take on the role of superintendent upon it becoming available. And the rest is history! Thank you for the continued support of the show, we could not keep sharing amazing stories like this without your continued interest in the amazing entrepreneurs and business people within our community. We would be forever grateful if you took the time to leave the show a review wherever you listen! Sponsors: Falaya, Horizon Financial Group, Mercedes-Benz of Baton Rouge, Gov't Taco & Lake Men's Health Center Vodcast Website: https://thepattygshow.com/ BREC Website: https://www.brec.org/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pattygshow/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/pattygshow/support

Kathleen Stewart Richey became the Director of Louisiana CASA in May, 2015.  She began her career as an attorney representing children in child dependency and delinquency matters.  During this time she served on the Children's Code Project Committee which drafted the Louisiana law regarding children's issues.  In 1991, she became the first Juvenile Judge in East Baton Rouge Parish, where she served until 2015.  During her 24 years on the bench she was instrumental in establishing Capital Area CASA and was named Louisiana CASA Judge of the year in 1997.  Additionally, she was appointed by the Louisiana Supreme Court to the Court Improvement Program Advisory Committee at its inception in 1994 and has remained active with the Court Improvement Program to the present time.  Judge Richey is a member of the Louisiana Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, serving as president of the Council in 2001, and chairman of the Liaison Committee with the Department of Children and Family Services from 2001-2008.  Judge Richey has been appointed to numerous legislative task forces, most notably the Legislative Task Force on Legal Representation in CINC Matters, which created the Child Advocacy Program in Louisiana.  She served on the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, the Juvenile Underage Drinking Enforcement (J.U.D.E.) Task Force, the Audubon Girl Scout Council Board of Directors, the Baton Rouge Bar Association Teen Court Committee and the Baton Rouge Bar Association Pro Bono Committee.  Additionally, she has been a trainer for1) the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, 2) the Louisiana Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, 3) the Louisiana Judicial College, 4) the Pelican Center for Children and Families 5) the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and 6) the Louisiana and Baton Rouge Bar Associations.  Judge Richey has been honored by receiving the YWCA Woman of Achievement Award, the Louisiana CASA Judge of the Year Award, the LSBA Children's Law Award, the Baton Rouge Children's Coalition For the Love of Children Award, and the Catherine D. Kimball Award for Advancement of the Administration of Justice.For more information about the work at the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, don't forget to visit braf.org.

In this podcast we explore “EC Guides,” an innovative pilot program in Louisiana providing individualized support to families seeking childcare assistance. Host Laura Kassner (SRI International) sits down with a panel of state leaders and EC Guides to discuss the program, and its growing impact in communities across the state. Guests include: Devon Camarota, Education Program Consultant, Louisiana Department of Education; Lizzie Cosse, Director of Access Strategy, Louisiana Department of Education; Kanedra Brooks, EC Guide, East Baton Rouge Parish; and Kim Jones, EC Guide, Jefferson Parish. Early Childhood Policy Matters is supported by the National Technical Assistance Center for Preschool Development Grants Birth through Five, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care. For episode transcripts and more information visit: https://childcareta.acf.hhs.gov/resource/early-childhood-policy-matters-podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlotte Claiborne is the Executive Director of the Bridge Center for Hope. Charlotte spent 17 years working for Entergy, managing several multimillion-dollar contracts and serving as a budget analyst and manager on some projects until she left in 2016. The Bridge Center became operational in 2021 and has served over 2,200+ patients since opening its doors.The Bridge Center for Hope, an independent nonprofit, is the first-ever adult crisis receiving facility in East Baton Rouge Parish and the State of Louisiana designed as a short-term crisis stabilization center to treat individuals 18 years or older who are experiencing a mental health crisis and/or substance use challenges who reside in East Baton Rouge Parish.For more information about the work at The Bridge Center for Hope , don't forget to visit https://brbridge.org/.

In this episode of What's What BR, Tara and Mary of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library share with us the efforts the library has done to give children better access to reading materials. Visit the Library's website at ebrpl.com to know more about the different activities they've set and events they have.

School boards are redrawing district lines, but in East Baton Rouge Parish, a demographer recently quit after he was unable to meet with certain board members. School Board President David Tatman tells us how the Parish is moving forward with redistricting, and how board members hope to prioritize racial equity in the new maps. According to the US Department of Agriculture, the Lower Ninth Ward is a designated food desert. That's because the neighborhood lacks easy access to healthy and affordable food. But that's about to change. Reverend Richard Bell, President of the nonprofit Sankofa CDC, tells us about a new healthy food store and learning kitchen coming to the area. What is…the chance to appear on Jeopardy? One student at Louisiana State University now has the answer! We talk to Stephen Privat, political science major at LSU, about his appearance on the Jeopardy National College Tournament. Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our producer is Alana Schreiber and our digital editor is Katelyn Umholtz. Our engineers are Garrett Pittman, Aubrey Procell, and Thomas Walsh.  You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at 12:00 and 7:30 pm. It's available on Spotify, Google Play, and wherever you get your podcasts.  Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of What's What BR, Dr. Sito Narcisse, Superintendent of the East Baton Rouge Parish Schools, is back on the show to share with us how the parish schools have been doing and the efforts made to keep the school going despite CoVID-19 still being around.

How cleanup from this storm is different and improved, and why you may see drones taking aerial video of our canals and creeks. Murphy Sam and Jodi visit with Fred Raiford, Director of Transportation and Drainage for East Baton Rouge Parish.

Vernon W. Thomas is a member of the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG), an Orleans Parish city prosecutor, a bookworm, former East Baton Rouge Parish public defender and has experience as a solo practitioner. Yet, Vernon did not grow up with aspirations to be a lawyer. Vernon grew up watching his father, Vernon P. Thomas, a 1979 Southern University Law Center graduate, run a thriving legal practice.  However, Vernon attended Dillard University with intentions to become a school teacher.  After numerous discussions with his father, Vernon realized that his analytical mind might enjoy law school.  As a 2009 Southern University Law Center graduate, Vernon studied with a group of classmates for the bar exam.  While being too broke to pay for a formal bar prep course and having military-style discipline, Vernon endured a tenuous schedule and prides himself on passing the Louisiana bar exam on his first try.  After working in various legal roles, in numerous cities, and on multiple active duty assignments with the United States Army Reserves, Vernon is back in his hometown of New Orleans.Currently, Vernon W. Thomas is a lawyer with the Law Office of Vernon P. Thomas; a role that Vernon inherited after his father passed away in 2016.  Vernon and his brother, Hunter Thomas, a 2017 Southern University Law Center graduate, both share the workload at their fathers' namesake office.  Vernon W. Thomas is licensed in Louisiana.  Connect with Vernon W. Thomas on LinkedIn. Follow the You Are A Lawyer podcast on Twitter @YouAreA_Lawyer, Instagram @youarealawyer, Clubhouse @youarealawyer, and on LinkedIn.  Follow the podcast host, Kyla Denanyoh, on Instagram @kjd796.  Kyla Denanyoh is a 2015 graduate of Southern University Law Center (SULC).This episode is sponsored by Attornneed (www.attornneed.com).

Flooded streets and homes are a more frequent occurrence in recent years in East Baton Rouge Parish. Lots of guesses as to why, but we wanted to know the actual reasons. Fred Raiford gets real with us on what is working well, and what needs to be fixed and when!

Tonight we spoke about all kinds of things. It was a pop up show that turned into a pretty interesting show we talked about wild animals and prisons. The Nude News was really interesting tonight it was funny. Twitter: @AdhdPlanet Instagram: planet_adhd  Email:  planetadhd@gmail.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adhdplanet/   TikTok: @real_father_brian  @realmotherrebecca Links: https://www.zapsplat.com https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2021/07/02/East-Baton-Rouge-Parish-ducks-relocated/5911625253353/ https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2021/07/02/serval-bed-Atlanta-Georgia-Kristine-Frank/5341625250969/ https://www.foxnews.com/us/california-correctional-officer-sentenced-depraved-sex-with-inmate-view-prisoners https://www.foxnews.com/us/new-york-inmates-conjugal-visits-covid-vaccine 

In this episode of What's What BR, Dr. Sito Narcisse comes back on the show to give us an update on the EBR school system.   Exciting things are brewing at the EBR parish school system! With plans of opening a school for visual performing arts, building a new school in South Baton Rouge to provide more opportunities in that city, Professional development for teachers, principals, and even EBR Schools TV!   Listen to the full episode to hear it straight from Dr. Narcisse to find out what more you can expect and how to engage with them!

In this episode of What's What BR, Dr. Sito Narcisse gives us his words of wisdom about education.   He tackles and makes us understand that the achievement gap is actually coming from the literacy gap that exists. When kids can't read, write, or comprehend, it impacts them over time. When they can't do that, there's an opportunity gap.

This week on True Crime Daily the Podcast: An assistant principal is charged with murder after a teacher pregnant with his child was found dead in Louisiana. Plus, a Florida woman hid a man's dead body at a neighbor's house so she could continue to collect the dead man's Social Security checks.  Criminal defense attorney Mike Cavalluzzi joins host Ana Garcia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on What's what BR, we sit and talk with Mary Stein to update us with the latest happenings with the East Baton Rouge Parish Library.

S1E5 If you want to be a better cook, we have a free resource for you that is enriching, abundant, and may have been as-of-yet overlooked. Your public library is a wealth of information—sure, they have cook books, but you also may find magazines, historical cooking records, classes, and more! Mary Stein, Assistant Director of East Baton Rouge Parish Libraries (and irrepressible enthusiast for learning) bursts onto Smidgen to share the vast array of cooking tools that can be found at most every public library.  To put a finer point on things, you’ll hear Anne discuss one of her new favorite cook books, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat. You’ll also hear about the balance between going by the book, and confidently freestyling it in the kitchen. A different spin on “cooking the books.” Cooking Segment: In the kitchen, Red Stick Spice Co. store staffer (and avid baker) Cameron takes the lead with (non-baker) Anne to prepare a sumptuous Salted Dark Chocolate Cake. In the headiness of the cacao swirling in the air, Anne forgets the salt and goes for fancy sprinkles instead. No matter—the cake is a dream.  Mentioned on the episode: RECIPE: Salted Dark Chocolate Cake Need some chocolate intensity in your life? This is the cake for you. We recommend the Cyprus Flake Salt for this cake (or we totally understand if you fall under the sway of delightful sprinkles as we did!) Get thee to your local public library to discover all the cooking resources available to you for free Listening locally? Any East Baton Rouge Parish Library can help you become a card holder Find Mary Stein on Twitter The book Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat is required reading; makes an excellent gift to someone setting up home or starting their own home cooking journey Use discount code SMIDGEN15 to save 15% your entire order at Red Stick Spice Co. Do you love your local library as much as we do? Please let us know on on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!  Listen to Smidgen Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.  Smidgen is the podcast of Red Stick Spice Co. 

It's been said that there is no more noble a job in America today than that of the public defender. Heavy caseloads, long hours, understaffed, and under paid, but most of all, often underestimated. In this first episode of a two part special, Franz and Richard sit down with the Chief Public Defender Mike Mitchell and Deputy Public Defender Lindsay Blouin from East Baton Rouge Parish to discuss myths and realities of working in the Office of the Public Defender. Spoiler alert: both of your hosts have held that job at one point in their careers. What is it like having to represent clients you don't get to choose? How many cases does a public defender have open at any given time? How does the Office of Public Defender really help its clients beyond just representation in court? These answers and more, on this week's episode of Legally Unfiltered.

Wealthy white residents are trying to secede from East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. The Atlantic’s Adam Harris says they’re part of a growing trend of school resegregation. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elle Marie is a Fashion and Editorial Stylist entrepreneur, with a very inspiring story of faith and perseverance. Her clients include 225 Magazine and the Mayor-President of East Baton Rouge Parish. She is also a committed Christian young woman. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sodom and Gonorrhea: The Criminalization of Sexual Acts. This week Ann, Dan, and Becky discuss sodomy... laws! What is sodomy?Though it varies from state to state, sodomy is generally anything other than traditional man on woman vaginal intercourse. Afro-Becky embarrassingly reads a number of sexual acts to see what’s considered sodomy and what isn’t. Becky (not surprisingly) has never heard of more than half of these acts. About 12 states still have anti-sodomy laws on the books including our great state, Louisiana. Anti-sodomy laws are discriminatory in nature and have historically been used to target members of the LGBTQ. Prior to 1962 sodomy was a felony in every state but most states have since repealed their anti-sodomy legislation. Some of the harshest punishments included castration, life imprisonment, and death. Acts Covered: Fingering/Fisting Rim jobs, Rusty Trombones Rubbing one out Double Penetration Doggy, Froggy, Reverse Cowgirl Mustache rides "Dan on Drugs Black don't crack unless it's your back spectacular smash" (TM) Questions covered: How do anti-sodomy laws affect gay marriage? If the woman is a transgender woman who has intercourse with a cisgender male, do anti-sodomy laws still apply? What crimes can you be charged with if you commit sodomy? Do you have to register as a Sex Offender? Registered Sex Offenders: What are the requirements that registered sex offenders have to meet? How long to registered sex offenders have to stay on the registry? How often is their information on file verified/updated? If you’re exonerated, are you removed from the registry? Headlines: A string of about a dozen undercover arrests by East Baton Rouge Parish police targeting gay men in a park. The arrests, which stretched over a 10 year period until 2013, demonstrate how problematic state laws can be when they contradict court rulings. “Cops would sit in public parks in unmarked cars, propositioning [men] for sex, then when the men agreed, the police would arrest them for attempted crimes against nature,” says Matt Patterson, managing director of Equality Louisiana. “People were being arrested for agreeing to have sex in private at a future time.” Headlines: Husband catches male nurse having sex with his dead wife's corpse. Ask an Attorney: As a teenager, my parents used my trust that my grandmother left me to send me to a mental facility for 6 months at almost $30k per month. Nothing was wrong with me mentally. They just didn’t like my boyfriend because he wasn’t Catholic and couldn’t stop us from seeing each other. In order to stop us, they sent me to an inpatient mental health facility and literally spent all of my trust money on it. Is there anything I can do to recover the money? The facility never found anything wrong with me but my parents insisted I stayed. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/blacklawpodcast/support

My first guest from the new home is Dan Collins, the whistleblower who won his lawsuit in 2015 against the Department of Natural Resources and now faces a date for oral arguments on the department’s appeal of his win. The podcast of Dan’s program while we did the show at KPEL was the most-listened to podcast of the year with nearly 1,000 downloads and streams. So, with the appeal looming, I figured let’s get things rolling with an hour of discussing the things that have made our state the fiscal and environmental mess that it is today. Dan and I only met two years ago as we each chased our corruption stories that involved DNR. Dan’s whistleblower law suit involves the hijacking of a water quality project for the Atchafalaya Basin Program into an oil and gas drilling access canal. He identified manipulation of the state mineral leasing process, as well as unusual activity involving rights of way and property agreements connected to the project. State mineral leases are run through DNR’s Office of Mineral Resources. They also collect and audit royalty payments that come to the state through oil and gas leases involving state-owned lands and water bottoms. The corruption story that I was (and still am) chasing led me to OMR, as well. In 2013, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor found that the state of Louisiana had gone three years without auditing oil and gas severance tax payments in the state. The power to perform those audits had been taken away from the state’s chief tax collector (the Department of Revenue) and given to OMR. DoR was supposed to alert OMR about severance tax payers who might be audit candidates, but within three months of the audit authority being taken away from DoR, the Jindal administration also managed to kill the department’s software program that it had used to identify non-payers. For three years, the state flew blind on severance tax payments. Evidence suggests that the industry was tipped off that this change was coming and they made off like bandits accordingly once the two step (authority transfer, then blinding of DoR) was completed. As Dan explains in our conversation, his status as a contract employee of the state gave him standing to blow the whistle on what he believed (and a jury agreed) was illegal activity in connection with the project on which he had once worked. It’s been ten years since he discovered the wrongdoing. Seven years since he filed suit. Just over one year since a jury of his peers in East Baton Rouge Parish unanimously agreed with him. If the state loses its appeal, the case will likely go to the Louisiana Supreme Court. If Dan loses, he says he’ll appeal as well. This case and the severance tax give away should matter to every Louisiana citizen. Severance taxes and royalty payments represent our modest claim on the mineral wealth of this state. Taken together, severance taxes and royalty payments make up about 15% of the state’s general fund revenue. When they don’t collect what is owed us on that revenue, our leaders are giving away our wealth, often times in ways that directly benefit them at our expense. It’s estimated that hundreds of millions of dollars in severance tax revenue was lost between 2010 and 2013 when the audits were not done. One attorney whose looked at the numbers (500,000 severance tax transactions each year when the audits were not done) says the revenue losses could be more than $1 Billion. The industry and the Jindal administration beat back an attempt by the Legislature force an audit of oil and gas production in 2014. They might well have known how much money was lost, but they did not want legislators and the public to know how much had been given away. We still continue to fight revenue shortfalls in this state today. I think those can be traced in some significant measure to the failure to audit severance taxes during those key years. The connecting tissue between Dan’s case and my ongoing work is that in each instance the public’s interest and the well-being of the state was put somewhere down the hierarchy of priorities by our elected leaders. Healthcare could be cut, but oil and gas companies could not be made to pay the taxes they owed. Tuition at colleges and universities could rise at the fastest rate in the country but oil and gas companies could not be inconvenienced by making them give us a true accounting of what they had done with our mineral wealth. Dan Collins stood up for us at considerable sacrifice to himself and his career. Listen to his story in the podcast. We owe him a debt of gratitude. ••• Thanks to Matt Roberts, AOC’s Community Programming Director for help locating the music used in this segment. A Foolish Game by Hans Atom (c) copyright 2017 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/hansatom/55394 Ft: Snowflake

Was 2016 the most violent of recent years for East Baton Rouge Parish? DA Hillar Moore joins Clay to discuss the numbers.