TUESDAY: LED Secretary to LSU, Frankenstein, and House Bill 418.

Hour One

Secretary of the Louisiana Economic Development (LED) Stephen Moret joins Jim in studio today as the lone guest for Hour One of today's show. Come Monday, Moret's stepping down as LED Secretary and will take over as the new President & CEO of the LSU Foundation.

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary, Stephen Moret. On Monday, Moret will take over as the new President and CEO of the LSU Foundation. Credit: americanpress.com

Stephen talks with Jim about the state of Louisiana's economy, current economic legislation at the Capitol, and what the future has in store for the LED. Looking back over his seven years as LED Secretary, Moret says  he's proud of his contributions in helping to bring to Louisiana such businesses as EA Sports, Bell Helicopter, and IBM. However, Moret says his best memories were made in helping Louisiana residents find careers and the "best possible job opportunity" that they could in Louisiana. Moret wraps up the hour by revealing to Jim some of the upcoming plans and ideas he has for his new role as President & CEO of the LSU Foundation.

Hour Two

Director Bernard Rose. He'll be in Baton Rouge May 9th for the American Premiere of his new film Fankenstein, at the Louisiana International Film Festival. Credit: bernardrosedirector.com.

Film Director Bernard Rose is the first guest in the second hour of today's show, and he joins us over the phone from Southern California to chat with Jim about his upcoming film release. Rose is coming to Baton Rouge this week for the American premiere of his new film Frankenstein at the Louisiana International Film Festival. Frankenstein premiere's Saturday May 9th at 9:30pm CST at the Cinemark Theaters at Perkins Rowe. Visit lifilmfest.org for more information.

Louisiana Federation of Teachers President, Steve Monaghan addressing the press outside the State Capitol. Credit: deseretnews.com.

Steve Monaghan, President of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers (LFT), is the second guest in Hour Two of today's show and he joins Jim in studio to passionately discuss House Bill 418. The bill would terminate the practice of automatic deductions from teacher and public employee paychecks to cover union or association dues. HB 418 passed the House Labor Committee Thursday, and Steve gives Jim about his opinion and view of the bill from the perspective of the LFT. He tells Jim what he thinks the bill will mean in the long run for not only the teachers of Louisiana, but for the firefighters, the state police and the other public employees who'll be affected if the bill becomes law.

MONDAY: Baltimore, La'el Collins, Milk Health Detriments, Louisiana Legislative Session, Americans and Muslims

HOUR ONE: 

Investigative Journalist Steven Janis speaks on the riots in Baltimore and the case involving the police officers and Freddie Gray.  He says there's still tension out in the streets, but with the National Guard's presence and the lifted curfew, things are starting to move to normalcy.    

Reporter Glenn Guilbeau, Editor of Tiger Rag Cody Worsham, and Sports and News Director Jeff Palermo comment on the investigation of the murder of La'el Collins' ex-girlfriend.  Palermo says that Collins seemed relieved when the interview was over.  "We know that he's not a suspect, but that's really all we know... As far as the NFL aspect, if he's cleared and never considered a suspect, he'll get lots of offers."  Collins did not get drafted.

Guilbeau says it is possible they will interview La'el again. "They haven't done a paternity test, but people close to the victim think Collins is the father." 

"I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a team sign him this week," says Jeff Palermo.  As a free agent, Collins would look forward to an earlier more lucrative option since he would only have to sign a two year contract as a free agent.  

Author Dr. Alissa Hamilton shares her book Got Milked.  "It is simply not an essential.  Plenty of bodies survive and thrive without milk."  

"Most adults can't digest the lactose in milk," she says.  

She says that milk should be eliminated as a requirement not as an option.  

"3 ounces of sardines contain more calcium than a glass of milk," she says.  "It's simply irresponsible at this point having the dairy food group telling us we have to have three servings of milk."

HOUR TWO: 

Tom Aswell of LA Voice discusses the Louisiana Legislative Session.  

John Kennedy State Treasurer endorsed David Vitter for governor.  Aswell says, "I'm baffled.  I really didn't expect that from Kennedy.  In my heart of hearts, I thought he would endorse Jay Dardenne." 

They discuss the governor's upcoming election and each of the four candidates.  

Executive Director of the Louisiana Housing Corporation has resigned after allegedly sending suggestive emails to his female employees.  

Conservative Activist David Horowitz comments on why Americans are fearful of Muslims.  He also comments on the shootings in Texas.  

His new book is the Black Book of the American Left.  

His parents were Marxists.  He was a Black Panther at one point in his life.  

He believes that the United States should have never left Iraq.  "Iraq borders Iran and Syria.  What better place to have a military base?" 

He criticizes President Obama's lack of use of the military.  

FRIDAY: National Book Award Winner, La'El Collins Investigation, January 1973, Louisiana Legislative Session, and Religious Freedom

HOUR ONE: 

Author Kimberley Willis Holt shares her book Dear Hank Williams which won the National Book Award.  She shares her inspirations for this book and her love for Louisiana.  "At some point she knows he's not going to answer her.  It's almost like a journal to her."

Louisiana Radio Network's Michelle Southern comments on LSU lineman La'El Collins as a person of interest in the investigation of his pregnant ex-girlfriend's homicide.  He was kept out of the first round of drafts.  

"They haven't even said he's not a suspect at this time.  They've just said he's not a suspect," Michelle says.  

Author James Robenalt shares his book January 1973.  Robenalt is a trial lawyer.  He discusses the Vietnam War, Roe Vs. Wade, and the day LBJ died.  "It's so ironic that on the day the Vietnam War is ending, Johnson dies." 

HOUR TWO: 

Investigative Reporter Peter Kovacs moved to the Advocate to become the editor after being the editor for the Times Picayune.  He will discuss the newspaper industry. 

Kovacs graduated from Brown University.  He jokes that although Governor Jindal also graduated from Brown, he <Jindal> must have studied harder.  

In the last measurement of newspaper circulations, the Advocate has been deemed the largest Louisiana newspaper.  "I think the Advocate is the only newspaper in America that is growing." 

They discuss the appointment of F. King Alexander as LSU President.  

"We do not intend to endorse," Kovacs says of the four candidates for governor.  

"Edwards was interesting mostly because there were so many chapters of Edwin Edwards," he says, "I think Edwards could have been a great governor." 

Rabbi Barry Weinstein and Reverend David Diamond debate religious freedom, gay rights, and marriage equality.  They each comment on Governor Jindal's support of the Marriage and Conscience Act.  

Diamond agrees with Governor Bobby Jindal that if someone won't come to Louisiana because of the Marriage and Conscious Act, then, "Go somewhere else." 

Weinstein disagrees and says, "In no way are these couples <gay couples> an abomination." 

THURSDAY: Louisiana International Film Festival, Council for a Better Louisiana, Louisiana Legislative Session, and LSU Protest

HOUR ONE: 

President and CEO of the Council for a Better Louisiana Barry Erwin discusses his opinion of the legislative session and the rally that was led by LSU President King Alexander.  

A clip is played from the protest.  An LSU student speaking at the rally said he did not want to be "collateral damage on a suicide mission for the Presidency.

"We saw this coming a number of years ago," Erwin says of the incoming deficit, "we've found dollars from other places and patched them in there." 

John Bel Edwards was the only candidate for governor who went to the rally at the capitol today.  

Erwin discusses Common Core and completes several math problems on air.  

Executive director and founder of the 
Louisiana International Film Festival and Mentorship Program Chesley Heymsfield and Directer Dan Ireland promotes the festival coming up.  Over 60 films will be show including Obama Mama.  All of the events and screening will be at Cinemark Perkins Rowe May 7-10.    

Ireland and Heymsfield comment on their favorite films.  

HOUR TWO: 

Capitol Bureau Chief of the Advocate Mark Ballard discusses the Louisiana Legislative Session and the the rally at the capitol.

They discuss the corporate income tax and tax exemptions.  "We have so many exemptions right now, a lot of corporations are paying little if any taxes."   

Governor Jindal was in Washington D.C. today instead of at the rally at the capitol.  

He says that "Part of the bucket list for conservatives is to spread the taxes paying for public schools to private schools."  

They comment on the religious liberty issue and how Governor Jindal has acted.  Ballard says, "I think he comes by it genuinely." 

The cigarette tax is only increasing 36 cents.  

Political Consultant and Author Gus Weill comments on the rally at the capitol.  "It was such a joy to see the students expressing something other than praise for LSU athletics." 

He shares his opinion on the Baltimore Riots and the funeral of Freddie Gray.  Weill thinks that we are on the brink of racial unrest and war.  

"I think he's a gutsy woman," Weill says of Bruce Jenner, "he had such unbelievable courage to come out in that manner."

WEDNESDAY: President of LSU F. King Alexander, 2016 Presidential Election, Baltimore Riots, and Healthy Living

HOUR ONE: 

President of LSU F. King Alexander joins the show to discuss the potential budget cuts to higher education and the effects on the flagship school.  

LSU ranks 46th in the country as what the school spends on its students.  

Only 13% of LSU is funded by the state.  That is a budget of 110 million dollars.  The cuts would bring the budget down to about 28 million dollars.  

He discusses the balancing out the growing TOPS program.  

"Everything needs to be on the table, and everyone needs to pay their fair share," he says, calling the film industry a "questionable investment."

They comment on the march that will take place tomorrow at the Baton Rouge Capital.  

"Tenure is there for professors to challenge society to be a better place... we need to uphold that." 

"We want to be able to invest just enough in our students to create a new economy," Alexander concludes.  

Louisiana spends 7 times more per prisoner than per student.  

HOUR TWO: 

Pollster Elliott Stonecipher comments on the Louisiana Legislative Session.  "I think Governor Jindal is going to be exactly as he has been all these years," he says, regarding the raising of taxes.  

"This slow moving crash has been going on for the better part of 8 years," he says of potential higher education cuts.  He says that colleges used to be designed for a specific purpose.  "If you wanted to teach, you went to Northwestern.  If you wanted to be an engineer, you went to Tech." 

He comments on the governor's race and the amount of money each candidate has raised.  

5 months and 26 days until the governor's election.  

JR Ball from Nola.com comments on the events in his hometown, Baltimore and the Baltimore Orioles vs. Chicago White Sox baseball game that was played in an empty stadium.  

He comments on the rally tomorrow at the State Capital in which LSU students will march around the capital building at 1 pm.  

Authors Justin and Erica Sonnenburg share their book The Good Gut.  They are both professors at Stanford University.  

"The microbes in our gut influence not just digestive health, but fundamental processes in our bodies... metabolism, immune system..." 

Humans used to consume 100-150 grams of fiber per day.  Now a US citizen struggles to consume 15.  

TUESDAY: Solar Industry, Louisiana State Law on Creationism, Baltimore Riots, Author Jim Grimsley, and Entergy Power News

HOUR ONE: 

CEO Tom Neyhart from Posigen Solar Solutions discusses the solar leasing tax credited.  "It is designed to help put solar panels on the roof... when you buy a solar system, there is a time where you're making back the amount you invested in before it starts paying for itself."  

"Solar panels that we put up today have a 25 year power production warranty," Neyhart says.  

Neyharts says that the tax credits for solar leasing will lower the state's fiscal notes which will in turn help higher education.  

Activist Zack Kopplin comments on the Louisiana law that allows for the teaching of Creationism and unsuccessful attempts to repeal the statute.  They discuss the Louisiana Science Education Act which allows supplemental information in science classes on creation.  The repeal was once again lost last week 4 to 3.  

Senator Ben Nevers from Bogalousa sponsored the bill originally.  

Zack Kopplin attends Rice University.  

Kopplin says there are an overwhelming amount of biologists on the side of evolution.  

Kopplin's father is Andy Kopplin who worked as the chief of staff for Governor Mike Foster, and also worked for Governor Blanco.  

"In science class, we just teach science.  This isn't about saying what you can and cannot believe in." 

Dr. Faye Williams gives her opinion on the riots in Baltimore.  "Those who have committed arson will have to pay for that, but on the other hand, crimes have been committed against these young people."   

She feels that no matter how she is mistreated she should never resort to violence.

"The young people in Baltimore are acting out the craziness they see in Congress, and even in churches.  We need to show these young people better ways to solve problems." 

"There's more to policing than enforcement, it's about serving the people," Williams says.  

"We also see young people rising up like this over football games," she says, referencing unfair treatment of white communities versus black.  

HOUR TWO: 

Professor and Author Jim Grimsley shares his book How I Shed My Skin.  He grew up in a small village in North Carolina during the year of segregation that was sanctioned both legally and socially.  "In encountering these three black girls in the classroom in 1966, I came to realize they were just like us," he says.  "By the time of integration had come to pass, about half of the white kids went to private school." 

He speaks about an encounter in which he called one of the black girls, Violet, a racial slur and expected she would not talk back, but she did.  Because she surprised him, Grimsley said this made him very aware that she was just like him.  They all became friends.  "Those three girls in that 6th grade classroom were heroes as far as I'm concerned," Grimsley says.  

"When you're watching people being gunned down in your community for doing nothing, you're going to be angry," Grimsley says, "If we can't see as white people that we are part of the problem, then things won't progress." 

Former Baseball Player Denny McLain comments on the Major Leagues Baseball Game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox in an empty Camden Stadium tomorrow.  He speaks about a riot that occurred when he was scheduled to play a double header.  

Customer Service Representative Will Johnson III gives news on Entergy recovering power outages.  

Former Representative for Entergy Bill Benedetto also joins us to shed light on power outages.  For more than 30 years, he was the voice and the face of Entergy.