The Light Switch

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Not long ago, there was talk of some 30 carbon capture projects planned throughout Louisiana. But the Trump administration has recalled money the Biden administration dispersed to move these projects forward. What does that mean for the future of this nascent industry in our state? We’ll talk to a couple of advocates who worry it might be running out of air.

Changes are on the way in Louisiana law that will allow hundreds, maybe thousands of elected officials and public employees in positions of authority to keep certain information off of the internet. We'll explain how this will close the door to information that’s important to you.

LSU might not have a standout football team this year, but the university is definitely dominating the news cycle these days. Reporter Piper Hutchinson joins us with the latest developments. Also, we'll review a new study on child poverty in Louisiana, and what type of policy change it might create.

This week is one of the months the Angola Prison Rodeo takes place back in the spring Light Switch host Greg LaRose talked to reporter Piper Hutchinson, after she attended the Angola Prison Rodeo. She shares details on the educational aspects behind the event – as well as what participants think about the negative views outsiders have of the rodeo. Piper also talked with a former Angola inmate who's now helping others prepare for life outside of prison.

The Light Switch is a podcast from the Louisiana Illuminator.

Within the next few weeks, we should know who will be chosen to fill the vacancy for one of the most powerful jobs in Louisiana: LSU's next president. Of course, politics will play a huge role in who gets picked. Also, we'll unveil a new feature – a commentary segment called "Shed Some Light." We've got thoughts.

https://lailluminator.com/2025/08/19/lsu-hires-louisiana-firm-for-presidential-search/

https://lailluminator.com/2025/10/06/lsu-student-alleges-anti-transgender-discrimination-after-her-protest-arrest/

https://lailluminator.com/briefs/lsu-readjusts-timeline-to-hire-next-president-for-white-house-visit/

It would be a massive understatement to say Louisiana's ethics laws have been through some changes in recent months. Nowhere is that more evident than the state Board of Ethics. In this episode, we’ll hear from the person who leads that panel to learn more about what keeps its members busy these days.

Yes, it's another episode about what's in the water in Louisiana – because clearly somebody needs to be paying attention to this! We've got the latest on the aftermath of the Smitty’s Supply explosion in Tangipahoa Parish and its effects on nearby waterways. There's also new info about the Atalco alumina refinery in St. James Parish, where state officials still have concerns about toxic red sludge leaking draining into adjacent swamps.

Water runs through nearly every aspect of our lives in Louisiana. It’s where we live, where we work, where we get a lot of our food, and even where we pass a good time. And all that means we’re very vulnerable when something threatens this natural resource. This week, we cross the state to explore two examples of industry’s impact on our essential water supply.

A Baton Rouge author shares how he made sure his mother's Medicare Advantage plan made good on its promise – and wrote a book about it. We'll also look at the new "conservative" alternative to the ACT and SAT, and we hear from LSU's president about campus growth and growing pains.

Reentry into society is often a difficult path for the formerly incarcerated in Louisiana, but there's help available for those who need a guiding hand. We’ll hear the stories of two women at different points on their journey. Both share their struggles and triumphs as we learn more about the program that’s helping them get back on their feet.

The fire is finally out at the Smitty’s Supply facility in Tangipahoa Parish, but the cleanup effort is just starting. Parish President Robby Miller shares a progress report. Also, a new study shows the little lizards that skitter around New Orleans patios and landscapes have developed what you might call a super power. What can we learn about how they’ve adjusted to the toxins in their environment?

https://lailluminator.com/2025/09/09/lead-lizard/

Significant public school closures are on the horizon in New Orleans. We'll learn what's in store from the local school board president. Private school vouchers are not yet widely available in Louisiana; we have an update from Arkansas, where they're now universal. And for something completely different, we discuss what Happy Gilmore and New Orleans have in common.

The 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina has provided an opportunity to measure progress. How much has changed? How much of it has been for the better. Areas where research shows New Orleans – and all of Louisiana – has failed to improve are economic hardship and violence. We talk with a local researcher who’s explored how women and children are especially prone to these dangers.

New Orleans' beleaguered public school system was imploded after Hurricane Katrina. The decision came at the cost of cultural capital from thousands of Black educators — all dismissed. Where do Black teachers and administrators fit in the new New Orleans public education landscape? We'll hear from someone working on that answer.

Catch-and-release isn’t without risks for certain fish. We'll learn what's being done to improve their odds of survival. The news isn't so good for other injured wildlife species in Louisiana, where officials want to limit which ones can be rescued and rehabilitated. Also, we look at the Trump administration's latest rollbacks for clean air standards.

A group of civil rights advocates recently toured three Louisiana detention centers where immigration authorities are detaining thousands of people the federal government believes are in the U.S. illegally. Kerry Kennedy with the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization was part of that tour and shares what she saw – and her thoughts on the corporations that benefit from Trump policy.     

We'll share how Gov.  Landry is giving the old college try to end what he considers “woke” college curricula. There could also be changes coming on campus for those lucrative name, image and likeness deals for student athletes. Plus, we're moving into peak hurricane season with a big question about what federal disaster response might look like under the Trump administration. One state isn’t happy about the answer they received.

Activist groups in the River Parishes are suing a company that wants to build a manufacturing facility on a former plantation, where descendants of slaves say their ancestors are buried. We'll look at the rather novel legal strategy they're using to argue their case.

President Trump's "One Big, Beautiful Bill" contains endless provisions that impact state government. This week's episode looks at the potential fallout for Medicaid and the lifeline it provides for rural hospitals in Louisiana. We'll also look into the latest Trump administration moves on broadband internet access. Plus, we'll hear from the state that inspired Gov. Landry to take on prescription drug middlemen.    

A Russian couple is seeking asylum in America over fears they could face punishment in their home country for their anti-Putin views. They took all the proper steps to enter the U.S., yet they were separated and placed in ICE detention when they appeared for their immigration appointment. More than a year later, they remain apart – with one of them held in Louisiana facing  probable deportation.

The Light Switch team is off for the Fourth of July holiday, but we are sharing an episode of the Gulf States Gumbo from our friends at the Gulf States Newsroom. We'll be back next week!

Editor’s Note: This episode contains descriptions of sexual violence that may be upsetting for some listeners. 

Public health reporter Drew Hawkins takes over this week’s episode to focus on a single story — the Gulf South’s shortage of sexual assault nurse examiners, better known as SANEs. 

Over the last year, Drew has been reporting on the impact...

There's still uncertainty over just how the federal government will respond should a major hurricane impact Louisiana this year. Also unclear now is what role Washington will play – if any – in helping reduce the size of the annual "dead zone" in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Plus, we'll look at efforts in one state to remove a reference to slavery in its constitution.  

Politics is a spectator sport in Louisiana, so it only makes sense that we talk about actual sports. Specifically, we'll examine how proposals dealing with taxes on sports betting and tax breaks for name, image and likeness (NIL) deals fared in this year's legislative session. We'll also hear from LSU's new interim LSU president, and we take a wide-angle view at the changes being forced on Planned Parenthood.   

The rust-colored dust that covers everything in and around the Atalco Alumina refinery in Gramercy is clear evidence that neighbors of the facility are forced to cope with its noxious output. But what's gone virtually unnoticed by the public is the escape of toxic sludge from the huge waste pits on the refinery site – for months. Illuminator reporter Wes Muller shares findings from his latest investigative series. 

We've got the latest developments on the Louisiana law that treats reproductive health medication as controlled dangerous substances. Also, there's a rising business trend of investment groups buying care facilities for the disabled and elderly. Learn why regulators are concerned. Plus, Alabama is paying a lot of settlements to incarcerated people who've sued for being abused while behind bars. But guess who's making even more money? 

Louisiana counts more than 4,000 children in the foster care system and not quite 2,000 foster homes. Right away, you can see the math doesn’t work. We gain perspective from those involved in Louisiana’s foster care system to see if and how the gaps can be filled. 

Gov. Jeff Landry is pushing for dramatic changes to ethics laws in Louisiana, a state not exactly known for its pristine political reputation. Senior reporter Julie O'Donoghue has been covering this story from the get-go and brings us up to speed on the proposals. She also talks with the leader of the state's top good government watchdog group about his concerns over the legislation. Finally, we'll check in on how Indiana is dealing with new U.S. naturalization policies.

Louisiana lawmakers are deciding whether to ban or regulate kratom. Its proponents say the herbal substance has helped them conquer anxiety, depression and opioid addiction. Its detractors say kratom is just as dangerous as the drugs it purports to replace. Host Greg LaRose shares stories from people on both sides of the debate.  

This week’s edition of The Light Switch dives into the debate over Louisiana’s vanishing wetlands. Host Greg LaRose explores the topic with reporter Elise Plunk, who literally has stepped into the latest research on coastal restoration. She also spoke with a leading expert in the field of wetlands restoration science about the future of the state’s fragile coast. And in this week’s News from the States segment, we look at the Rhode Island road kill menu.

This week on The Light Switch from the Louisiana Illuminator, host Greg LaRose talks to reporter Piper Hutchinson, who recently attended the Angola Prison Rodeo. She shares details on the educational aspects behind the event – as well as what participants think about the negative views outsiders have of the rodeo. Piper also talked with a former Angola inmate who's now helping others prepare for life outside of prison.

This week on The Light Switch form the Louisiana Illuminator, host Greg LaRose talks to reporter Wesley Mulller about efforts to ban an app for high-end restaurant reservations trading. Wesley then caught up with Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple to discuss his efforts to lower insurances costs and why he and the Governor aren't seeing eye to eye. We then conclude with this week's News from the States which brings us to Florida for a viral story regarding a US citizen who was held under arrest due to a suspended immigration law. Greg talks to Florida Phoenix reporter Jackie...

This week on The Light Switch form the Louisiana Illuminator, host Greg LaRose talks to reporter Piper Hutchinson about the challenging fiscal times Louisiana public universities are facing, Piper then talks to Rick Gallot president of the University of Louisiana system. We conclude with this week's News from the States which brings us to Idaho for a very specific new public indecency law, Greg chats with Idaho Capital Sun reporter Kyle Pfannenstiel about what the laws bans.

Welcome to The Light Switch, a weekly podcast covering Louisiana politics from the Louisiana Illuminator. What better way to kick off our podcast then on the eve of the Louisiana legislative session. Host Greg LaRose will chat about the upcoming session with reporter Julie O'Donoghue followed by an interview she had with the President of the Louisiana Senate Cameron Henry, and we'll finish up with a look at where else measles cases are popping up outside of Texas.