TUESDAY: David Stewart, Tom Aswell, Joseph Califano, William Arp

HOUR ONE: 

Author David O. Stewart discusses his book, "Madison's Gift: Five Partnerships That Built America." 

Tom Aswell of LA Voice comments on the trials and tribulations of Governor Jindal.  Aswell expresses his doubt for the success of Governor Jindal in the upcoming presidential race.  

They discuss a recent article in the Louisiana Voice in which "Bobby is for immunizations but two years ago he discontinued health unit vaccinations for the poor."  

Aswell says he feels the budget cuts for higher education were planned, and that they are part of a process to privatize state schools.  69% of UNO athletic funding comes from the state.  A listener calls in to express his belief that athletics are put before academics in the state of Louisiana.  Jim says, "I think we should still have a university our football team can be proud of." The state budget is 1.6 billion dollars "out of bounds," Jim says.

HOUR TWO: 

Joseph Califano, former health secretary for President LBJ, comments on the inaccurate portrayal of LBJ in the recent movie Selma.  "I met him that first weekend on the White House lawn after coming back from the ranch," Califano says of LBJ.  He continues, quoting words of the former president to him, "What you learned on the streets of Brooklyn is a hell of a lot more important than what you learned in Harvard Law."

Califano tells the real story about the interactions of Martin Luther King Jr. and President Lynden B. Johnson.  He continues his description, calling the week in which MLK was shot, "the worst week of the Johnson presidency." 

Dr. William Arp gives his opinion on the visit of Reverend Jeremiah Wright, former spiritual advisor to Obama, to Southern University.  Jim questions if this is not the same issue as Governor Jindal's recent prayer rally at the PMAC.  Jim says, "Universities are the place controversial people speak."  Dr. Arp expresses the importance of bringing different points of views to universities.  

He calls President Obama "politically expedient" for disavowing Reverend Jeremiah Wright.  He continues, "After he <Reverend Wright> left the navy, he enlisted in the marines."  

They discuss the potential reaction of the students to the probable provocative things Reverend Jeremiah Wright will discuss in his speeches.  "It may incite the congregation, but I don't know the real impact it will have on college students," Dr. Arp says, "I teach philosophy.... This is just another philosophy the students will be exposed to, but I also think there will be a real spiritual presence."

Dr. Arp feels that the "splash by Rev. Wright" is absurd in the midst of more important issues and problems in Louisiana such as the budget crisis and the cuts on higher education.  

MONDAY: Henson Moore, Alex Martin, Tara Hollis and Roy Fletcher

HOUR ONE: 

Former Congressman and Deputy White House Chief of Staff Henson Moore shares his viewpoints on the national and state political landscape.  He comments on another round of anticipated funding cuts to higher education in Louisiana.  

Moore discusses his belief that the greatest problem in our country is the sharp divide among political ideals and the lack of compromise.  "If you want something done or you want to solve a problem, generally you have to compromise," Moore says.  
Henson Moore spearheaded the Forever LSU Campaign which raised more than $750 million.

"I don't think any of us think this will be reversed," Moore says of the budget cuts to higher education, "I don't think we will ever received more funding." 

Moore describes the year of reelection between President Bill Clinton and Ross Perot and President George Bush Sr.  He says, "It was the worst of times because we were the White House Staff, and we failed." 

"One thing I have noticed is that the government pay roll has come down since he's been there," Moore says of Governor Jindal.  He continues, "Louisiana does have too many universities for its size,"  

Henson Moore discusses the potential front runners for the upcoming governor's race.  "I'm not sure that Louisiana is a red state yet when it comes to a statewide election," Moore says.

HOUR TWO:

Deputy Managing Editor/Page One Editor of the Wall Street Journal Alex Martin discusses his opinion on NBC Anchor Brian Williams.  Alex Martin graduated from the Manship School of Mass Communication in 1981 with Jim.

Martin describes his personal experience with Hurricane Katrina and his disbelief at the flooding on Canal Street.  They discuss whether Brian Williams' career will survive the scandal.  "Everyday it's drip, drip, drip, more stories are embellished, more are misremembered," Martin says.     

Brian Williams just signed a 4 year $40 million dollar contract.  Jim points out, "Even for NBC, that is a lot of money."

Tara Hollis joins us to discuss the upcoming governor's race.  She is a teacher.  She received 18% of the vote in the 2011 Louisiana's governor's race.  In the 2011 governor's race, Hollis spent $18 thousand dollars and received 18% of the vote.  Governor Jindal spent $10 million dollars and received 66%  of the vote.

She comments on the Common Core program and parrc testing, declaring her belief that it will be a "disaster" this year.  Hollis also shares her creation for digital lesson plans.

Political Consultant Roy Fletcher joins the show to discuss how the Louisiana governor's race has changed over the past two decades.  

He describes his experiences in past campaigns.  Fletcher discusses what he thinks the big issues will be in the 2016 governor's race.  

FRIDAY: Scott Stossel, Cliff Vannoy, Matthew Patterson, Leo Honeycutt and George Sells

HOUR ONE: 

Author and editor for The Atlantic Scott Stossel discusses his book "My Age of Anxiety."  He opens the discussion explaining what exactly constitutes an anxiety disorder.  

Stossel has a phobia of cheese.  "More people would rather be the copses at a funeral than the eulogist," Stossel says.  

Stossel says that his fear of cheese, turophobia, began when he was five years old and his sister ate a piece of cheese from an airport floor, consequently becoming ill for several days.  He goes on to describe an event in which his Irritable Bowel Disorder "IBD" caused "explosive plumbing" at an ill timed moment.  

President of the LSU Alumni Association Cliff Vannoy explains that the LSU Alumni Association is organizing a lobbying effort to protect LSU campuses from significant budget cuts. LSU Alumni Association President Cliff Vannoy says they are seeking volunteers that will be part of a group called Tiger Advocates, who will have lawmakers’ attention as they craft the budget.

Vannoy agrees with Jim's assessment that "essentially LSU is turning into a private university," by default of budget cuts.  If the cuts are made, LSU will lose 1,500 course options.  

If you want to be a Tiger Advocate, go to the LSU Alumni website. Vannoy says volunteer advocates will be kept up to date on key legislation that will impact higher education and they’ll have a chance to make their voices heard.

"The only way you're going to stop cuts is if you can find the cash to recover them," Vannoy says, though he is vague about the final goal of Tiger Advocates.  

Today we remember Ronald Reagan on his would be 104th birthday.  

HOUR TWO:

Matthew Patterson from Equality Louisiana comments on Olympic gold medalist and television star Bruce Jenner's gender change.  He is joined by Dr. Dana L. Rofey, a psychiatrist and professor from the University of Pittsburgh.  

Dr. Rofey explains the difference between a transgender and a transexual is a common misconception.  She says that "unequivocable positive regard" is what is needed for someone contemplating coming out as a transgender.   

1 in 12,000 males and 1 in 34,000 females undergo sexual change.

They discuss Nicholas Kristof's article in The New York Times.  

"I never thought I would say something nice about the Kardashian/Jenner clan," Patterson says, praising their positive reactions to Jenner's potential gender change.  

He describes the discrimination against transpeople as "pervasive." Patterson continues, "Transgender people are twice as likely to be homeless."  

The only transsexual judge in the United States is a graduate of LSU. 

Author of Edwin Edwards, Governor of Louisiana: An Authorized Biography Leo Honeycutt and FOX 2 Reporter George Sells discuss NBC anchor Brian Williams and his lies about taking fire in Iraq and his experiences in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.   

Both agree that Brian Williams will survive this lie though Williams will most likely be victimized by social media attacks.  Jim jokes if Williams should or will be replaced by Dan Rather.  "I don't know of a man more hated for the wrong reasons," George Sells says of Dan Rather.  

THURSDAY: Phil St. Amant and Roger Villere

HOUR ONE: 

Colonel Phil St. Amant discusses the recent burning of the Jordanian fighter pilot by ISIS and gives his opinion on how the United States should respond.  Colonel St. Amant graduated from West Point Academy in 1963.  He spent 30 years in the army and had two tours in Vietnam.  His 97 year old father is a World War II veteran.  

"For America, we are so involved everywhere, and there is so little understanding, generally, among our leaders about these places," the colonel begins when asked about the safety of America.  

Colonel St. Amant begins describing the content of the ISIS video.  "This is a great step forward in the ISIS fighters and the degree of barbarity they are capable of," he says, "There is a big difference between cutting someone's throat and burning someone alive."  The colonel states, "I'm sorry I watched it <video>, but I think I needed to see it." 

"I don't think it's necessary for everyone to serve in the military to serve this country," the colonel says.  "I think the country is perhaps getting a little soft... ever since 1973 when Mr. Nixon did away with the draft there has been a movement to admire the military publicly, but privately hoping it's not their child going to war." 

He describes his experiences in the military in Lebanon.  "There were about 244 soldiers and marines killed, mostly marines."  

"I have heard reports that he sneaks a cigarettes from his secret service detail every once in awhile," St. Amant says of President Obama, "Though I tend to find fault with other things." 

Jim discusses Vladmir Putin and his rumored Asperger Syndrome.  

A listener comments that Representative Fleming leaves security meetings and watches instead Fox News for information.  

Colonel Phil St. Amant gives his opinion on drones.  "It's easy to think that someone not as benign as Amazon.com would drop explosive 10 lb packages."  

"I am not one who believes that soldiers should stand up and argue about lawful orders they are given." St. Amant says the best president he served under was President Ronald Reagan whose birthday is tomorrow.  "He understood that America has an exceptional history made by exceptional people.  He thought things through... He was not held up by artificial arguments.  Things were either right or wrong." 

Colonel St. Amant gives closing comments about ISIS.  

HOUR TWO: 

Louisiana GOP Chairman Roger Francis Villere Jr. comments on the upcoming governor's election and shares his opinions of Governor Bobby Jindal and the Republican Party.  He is also the owner of Villere's Flowers.  

"I anticipate an extremely big risk race," Villere says, "We just don't know yet, it's still early.  I don't see a high profile democrat getting in at this point." 

Question from twitter, "Why did they turn on Representative McAllister after his affair but still support Senator Vitter?"  Villere responds, "You know we are talking about something that happened years ago...  We need to concentrate on the positive and move forward."  

"Someone with his views... is that what we really want to hear trying to move our state forward?" Villere says of Rev. Jeremiah Wright. 

The chairman expresses the importance of prayer to him.  

Jim comments on Villere's early race with David Duke.  Villere comments on the recent news with House Whip Steve Scalise.  "I've never heard him tell an off color joke or anything out of bounds... Steve is an honorable person.  I think the whole things is ridiculous and a made up, jimmed up issue that was blown out of proportion." 

The chairman gives his opinion on Governor Bobby Jindal and shares his support for "strategic budget cuts" without raising taxes.  "Can we afford to have duplicated programs at multiple universities?" Villere comments on the proposed cuts on higher education, " I don't think so."  Villere comments on Jindal's quest for the White House.  

LSU's Pennington Biomedical Research Center launches an initiative providing doctors in Louisiana with proven strategies to reduce and treat obesity in children. The project is lead by Dr. Amanda Staiano who says the Child Obesity Treatment Toolkit helps primary care physicians determine who's at risk for obesity.  "It teaches doctors ways to assess obesity and ways to treat childhood obesity in clinic settings," said Staiano.  

Staiano says childhood obesity is a very serious issue in Louisiana with half of our kids being overweight or obese. She says they have great recommendations on how to treat obesity and screen for it, but many physicians aren't using them.

"This toolkit is trying to get into the hands of doctors, nurses & dietitians, so they can better understand what children are most at risk for obesity," said Staiano. "And then give that advice to parents and families."

Staiano says they have over 2,000 hard copies of the toolkit they plan to distribute throughout the state or doctors can download it online at www.pbrc.edu/obesitytoolkit. 

She says Louisiana ranks near the top of obesity prevalence even in preschoolers.

"It's really important to intervene early in a child's life," said Staiano. "Make sure that child is set up with good eating habits, good physical activity and also good self-esteem."

WEDNESDAY: Melinda Deslatte, Jeff Palermo, E Eric Guirard, Michelle Southern, Jim Mayer

Hour 1:

We start the show with Melinda Deslatte who covers Louisiana news for the AP. The subject? Louisiana's major budget issue.

She says part of the problem this time around is that short term fixes have already been used.

Deslatte had the opportunity to speak with the Governor who said when he talks to legislators about the budget on February 27th he'll indicate it will contain deep cuts, but the administration will have a package of "suggested solutions."

You can follow Melinda on Twitter: @MelindaDeslatte

Louisiana Radio Network's News and Sports Director Jeff Palermo steps in from the newsroom to talk about national signing day.

Hour 2:

E Eric Guirard joins us in studio next along with producer Michelle Southern to talk about the appearance of candidates and if it matters to voters.

Jim Mayer will round out the hour to discuss the closing of charity hospitals in Louisiana. The Baton Rouge General Mid-City just announced they have to close the ER within 60 days because the influx of people coming in for care who aren't insured has been a cost to big to bare.

TUESDAY: Terry Layman, Jane Page, Rob Maness, Dale Brown, George Morris

HOUR ONE: 

Actor Terry Layman and Director Jane Page promote LSU's upcoming play, All My Sons by Arthur Miller which premieres Friday night.  Terry Laymon will be playing 'Joe Keller' in the play.  Layman shares his experience working with Scarlett Johanson.  

"It's a classic play... It's extremely funny and when it turns dark it takes your heart right along with it," Layman says.

Colonel Rob Maness who received 14% of the vote in the senate elections joins the show to discuss his conservative views.  He comments on the national budget and his ideas on how to improve the national security strategies.  

When asked if he would run for federal office, Maness says, "We'd like to keep our options open." 

Maness discusses his views on the national debt.  

"Giving out free community college when you have the opportunity to work for it?  I don't think so," says Maness.

A listener says the United States went to war in Iraq and Afghanistan "on a credit card."  Maness responds, "I call on Congress and our President to put our country into a declared state of war."  He continues, "As a country and as a people, we have to get right with our own citizens and our own law."

Maness comments on the Measles Outbreak and the question of vaccinations.  "We think the vaccination system worked very well in our family... We all have different opinions, and mine is that it works."  

"Choose the opportunity," Maness says, "Don't worry about getting free money."  

HOUR TWO: 

Former Louisiana Basketball Coach and two time NCAA Basketball Coach of the Year Dale Brown commemorates the 25th anniversary of the highest scoring game in United States college basketball at LSU vs. Loyola Marymount.  It was a non conference game: 148-141 overtime.  

"When I was on the court watching it," Brown says, "I thought I was watching a Chinese ping-pong match."  

On May 18, 1990, Ronald Reagan joked at the LSU commencement speech asking whether all the cameras were for him or Dale Brown.  

"The ball changed once every twelve seconds," Jim says of the LSU v. Loyola-Marymount basketball game in 1990.

"I told them, these guys could catch you faster than you could say shizam!" Dale Brown says, "And guess what?  They said shizam." 

Dale Brown comments on the basketball player Hank Gathers.  

When he retired, Brown asked his wife, "Where do you want to live?  Any place in the world? ...and we wanted to live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana." 

"The first time I ever went out to recruit... I said, 'I'm here to recruit a human being first and a basketball player second.'" 

Writer for The Advocate, George Morris, discusses his coverage of the LSU vs. Loyola-Marymount game.