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PODCAST

The Light Switch

Louisiana Illuminator

The Light Switch podcast from the Louisiana Illuminator brings you an earful weekly on Louisiana politics.

news politics

All Episodes

29:28

Revisiting Kratom in Louisiana

The Light Switch ·

2025/12/26

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.

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21:42

Bear in mind

The Light Switch ·

2025/12/19

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.

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23:31

Violence in Louisiana

The Light Switch ·

2025/12/12

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.

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23:35

Immigration front lines

The Light Switch ·

2025/12/05

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.

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23:39

Wetlands and what they hold

The Light Switch ·

2025/11/28

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.

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23:47

The Carbon Conundrum

The Light Switch ·

2025/11/21

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.

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22:50

Political Privacy

The Light Switch ·

2025/11/14

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.

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22:23

LSU Turnover

The Light Switch ·

2025/11/07

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.

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21:00

Revisiting Angola Prison Rodeo

The Light Switch ·

2025/10/31

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

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13:32

The next big leader

The Light Switch ·

2025/10/24

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

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19:55

Ethical concerns

The Light Switch ·

2025/10/17

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.

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22:58

Deep Concerns

The Light Switch ·

2025/10/10

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.

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19:37

Troubled Waters

The Light Switch ·

2025/10/03

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.

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25:20

Tests and Tribulations

The Light Switch ·

2025/09/26

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.

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19:16

A New Way of Life

The Light Switch ·

2025/09/19

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.

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21:00

Toxic Relationships

The Light Switch ·

2025/09/12

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/

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24:55

Schools and glam golf

The Light Switch ·

2025/09/06

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.

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21:34

Katrina 20: Women and children at risk

The Light Switch ·

2025/08/29

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.

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25:45

Black educators, Katrina + 20

The Light Switch ·

2025/08/22

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.

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26:25

Healing nature

The Light Switch ·

2025/08/15

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.

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38 results

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