Latest news with #TheLightSwitch
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘The Light Switch,' Episode 7: A smatter of ethics
Here's something you don't hear much: 'Boy, Louisiana is just TOO ethical.' Political corruption has been our brand for a Long time – pun intended. There are few corners of the state that haven't been touched by greed, envy and every other sticky finger of those in power. This sordid history serves as the backdrop for what would be a very significant rewriting of Louisiana's ethics laws, with Gov. Jeff Landry behind the pen. In this episode of 'The Light Switch,' senior reporter Julie O'Donoghue walks us through just a few of the changes being proposed. They include increasing the limits on gifts for elected officials and government employees, ranging from the governor down to your local building inspector. Read Julie's coverage of the ethics proposals lawmakers are considering: Confidential complaints against elected officials, gov't workers might be eliminated Lawmakers might lift limits on gifts to officials, gov't employees As charges linger over Landry, Louisiana House votes to overhaul ethics investigations Also weighing in on the ethics topic is Steven Procopio, president of the Public Affairs Research Council. The 75-year-old good government group doesn't take stands on legislation, but its leader says he's concerned about the possible changes in the works. For our News from the States segment, we head to Indiana where there are changes in store for the naturalization ceremonies where new U.S. citizens take their citizenship oaths. Reporter Leslie Bonilla Muñiz with the Indiana Capital Chronicle explains how some traditions are being eliminated – and why. Read Leslie's coverage of the naturalization changes. Listen to Episode 7 of 'The Light Switch' on and SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘The Light Switch' Episode 6: Kratom collision course
Photos by Getty Images, Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator You might have heard of kratom – but it's more likely you've seen it, or at least the word – written in neon on the front of a smoke shop — or on a little bottle next to the checkout at a convenience store. Technically, kratom is not a drug, but some people use it like one. In many cases, they're using it to help them get off of drugs, like highly addictive opioids. But there are other kratom stories, and they don't have happy endings. There are two bills being debated in the Louisiana Legislature – one seeks to ban kratom entirely, and the other would regulate how it's packaged and sold, keeping it available for people who say it's changed their lives for the better. In this episode, Illuminator editor Greg LaRose explores both sides of the kratom issue. You'll hear from the people it affects, good and bad and explore the science behind substance and the disputes over it. Plus, we'll chip away at the misinformation that surrounds the political debate – here in Louisiana and in other states that have chosen to regulate, ban and un-ban the substance. Please subscribe and rate The Light Switch on Spotify or Apple.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘The Light Switch' Episode 4: Risk and rewards from the Angola Prison Rodeo
This week's episode of 'The Light Switch' focuses entirely on the Angola Prison Rodeo, now in its 60th year at Louisiana State Penitentiary. While the rest of the state is deep into its unofficial festival season, about 75 incarcerated men take part in a rodeo that's not your traditional apple pie, bucking broncos and fancy horses event. Its critics describe it more like a sordid gladiator exhibition from peak Roman Empire times. They say this exploitation of inmates reflects outdated views on incarceration in Louisiana, a state where more than 1,000 of every 100,000 residents are behind bars according to the Promise of Justice Initiative. But the rodeo also has its supporters – and some of the most ardent are the inmates who are part of the show. Reporter Piper Hutchinson attended the event last month and heard why they see the rodeo as a key part of positive prison culture. Read more about her visit to 'The Wildest Show in the South.' There are two ways to listen to 'The Light Switch' … Spotify (listen below on the embedded player or use this link) Apple (listen with the embedded player or use this link)
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘The Light Switch' Episode 3: Temple, tables and a wrongful arrest
LAI, Getty Images photos Episode 3 of the Louisiana Illuminator podcast, 'The Light Switch' is now available on and . This week, Illuminator reporter Wes Muller serves up details on restaurant reservation trading, a burgeoning digital industry that's made a splash in big dining destinations such as New Orleans. Think of it as eBay, but for tables at high-demand spots. Winning bids have reached four figures just for seats – food not included. But restaurants aren't really embracing these apps, and Wes tells us why lawmakers are getting behind a proposal to place some restrictions on them. Wes also caught up with Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple to get the skinny on why he and Gov. Jeff Landry have seemingly been at odds over their respective proposals to bring down auto insurance rates. They actually have some common ground, but it's clear a political fence needs to be mended. Finally, we hear from one of our fellow reporters from the States Newsroom network: Jackie Llanos of the Florida Phoenix. She broke a story that went viral a week ago when police in her state arrested a U.S.-born Georgia man under a Florida law that forbids immigrants without legal status from entering the state. Juan Carlos Lopez-Gomez was held in jail even after providing with his Real ID and a birth certificate that he's an American. The judge said she was obligated to keep him in custody for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Jackie followed Juan Carlos' case alongside his family, as they feared the worst. Please listen, follow and rate 'The Light Switch.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Q&A with University of Louisiana System President Rick Gallot on higher education
University of Louisiana System President Rick Gallot speaks at the Baton Rouge Press Club (Piper Hutchinson/Louisiana Illuminator) This is an interview with University of Louisiana System President Rick Gallot that took place earlier this month about how the legislative session and federal changes will impact higher education in Louisiana. It has been edited for length and clarity. You can also listen to a version of this interview on our new podcast The Light Switch. Piper Hutchinson: What do you think is coming for higher education this session? Rick Gallot: I think certainly starting with a standstill budget is always better than starting with a proposed cut. So, you know, we're certainly very grateful for that. I think there's a lot of uncertainty, coming out of Washington and with the constitutional amendments that did not pass, obviously that has created some angst in terms of what do we do now, right? And so I think there is, again, just an overall level of uncertainty that we'll see it … kind of play out over time. I think if you look at the increased revenue from the sales, sales taxes and other things, we're certainly not in a real bad spot right now as a state in terms of our finances. So I'm still optimistic that we will work through the challenges in the session, and we will come out good on the other side. Hutchinson: Looking at the bills that we have so far, what do you think is going to be the most impactful for higher education? Gallot: It's hard to say, and when you look at what's filed versus what ultimately makes it through the process; all bills filed on the front end don't always make it. Rep. (Emily) Chenevert has come back with another diversity, equity and inclusion bill. We will certainly have to see how that plays out. The bill she had last year started one way and ended up another. … Certainly with all other higher ed leaders, she was very receptive to meeting with us and working through some of those challenges last year. At the end of the day, I think the budget is always going to be the main focus that could impact the trajectory going forward. Hutchinson: There's one bill that's going to have a big impact for your system, talking about transferring UNO back to the LSU System. What should we expect on that front? Gallot: For me personally, it's a full-circle moment. I was in the house when UNO was transferred from LSU to the University of Louisiana System. You know, I just want what's best for the students, for the campus community at the University of New Orleans. It is a legislative prerogative. They have the authority to transfer universities from one system to the other. So if this legislation is successful, we will certainly do our part to ensure that it is a seamless transition. We will work with LSU, with Board of Regents and with the legislature to ensure that the transition is as smooth as it could possibly be. Hutchinson: What's that like for you [as a former legislator] during the legislative session, being kind of outside the rails? Gallot: Well, I certainly have a lot of respect for our legislators and the sacrifices they all make in serving. I'm a huge fan of Stephen Covey's 'Seven Habits,' and one of those is: 'Seek, first to understand then to be understood.' And so I think that's helpful to understand the pressures that our legislators are under, knowing that there's a lot that they have to balance. I think it's helpful, quite frankly. And I don't think I burned any bridges while here. I mean, I did oversee redistricting, so maybe I did [burn] one or two. But for the most part, I still have good relationships with many of my former colleagues … who are still there. I'm grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the process but from this side. Hutchinson: There has been a little bit of controversy in the LSU System lately, that's reignited these conversations about curbing tenure. What are you hearing on that front, and what would that mean for higher education as a whole if they did take an axe to tenure? Gallot: Going back to COVID, and you think about faculty members, who go through the process of, not only a bachelor's and a master's and a terminal degree. You know, they get hired, they're on a tenure track, they're researching, they're writing, they're building their portfolio, and at the appropriate time they apply for tenure. I think we have to respect that process. I think it is one that is deeply rooted in higher education, and so I think we certainly have to respect faculty and that they have earned this. Now, having said that, it's always one or two bad apples that will spoil the barrel, as they say. I don't know that simply doing away with tenure is the answer. If the legislature passes something, then we, as a state system, will certainly abide by whatever changes may be made. I think we want accountability at all levels, that we want our students to be in the best position to learn. We want our faculty to be in the best position to teach, and that our students would graduate and go out and make a difference in society. So we'll certainly be watching it closely, and hopefully we will see thoughtful debate throughout the process. And again, with whatever the ultimate result is, we will work with it. Hutchinson: I can't not talk about what's going on at the federal level. We're talking about cutting research funding. There are concerns about immigration and graduate students, and certainly tariffs could increase expenses for higher education. How is the UL System adapting to all of this? Gallot: Right now there's so much uncertainty just across the board. Whether it's the potential loss of research funding and indirect cost, for instance, universities build their budgets based upon what they believe the revenue stream will be from these research grants. I'm hopeful that we will sort of get through this period of uncertainty, and we will see things sort of settle down to be a little more predictable. But you know, at the same time, we will have to adjust if the rules are changed. If the funding formulas are changed, we will just have to adapt. We always have and we always will. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
