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The Light Switch

"The Light Switch" is a weekly podcast on Louisiana politics hosted by Louisiana lluminator Editor-in-Chief Greg LaRose and produced by WWNO/WRKF News Director Ryan Vasquez.

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Latest Episodes
  • 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.
  • 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.