Mornings with Brian Haldane

North America’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards Bring Culinary Spotlight to New Orleans

North America’s 50 Best Restaurants is bringing its 2026 awards ceremony to New Orleans on May 28. Organizers say the city earned the honor because of its rich food culture and influence on dining across North America. The rankings come from 300 anonymous voters including chefs, restaurateurs, food critics, and culinary experts. Instead of strict scoring rules, voters simply choose their best dining experiences from the past year. Food quality matters, but service, atmosphere, value, and overall experience can also shape rankings. Organizers say that means any restaurant style has a chance to make the list. Officials believe food tourism plays a major role in local economies by bringing visitors into communities and encouraging them to explore local culture through cuisine. The awards ceremony is invite-only, but fans can follow along through a livestream and online updates when the rankings are revealed.

LegisGator Expands Into Multi-Day Louisiana Leadership Event Focused on Policy and Growth

Louisiana leaders are expanding Legislator into a larger, multi-day event focused on policy, economic growth, and the state's future. The longtime Southwest Louisiana gathering, known for honoring lawmakers who move business priorities forward, will now include new leadership and policy discussions. The expanded event runs Aug. 19-21. Day one brings the LABI Policy Forum, where leaders will discuss insurance reform, workforce development, education pathways, energy policy, and legislation from the 2026 session. Day two features the Future Louisiana Conference: Ideas for Leadership, bringing in national speakers and experts to share ideas on economic growth, education, workforce development, and community redevelopment. The traditional Legislator event remains the anchor on the final day, with continued focus on Southwest Louisiana growth, energy investment, and long-term economic strategy. Organizers say the goal is simple: bring business leaders, lawmakers, and policy experts together to create stronger conversations about Louisiana’s future.

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month: Louisiana Drivers Urged to Watch for Motorcycles During Memorial Day Travel

As Memorial Day weekend begins, more drivers are expected to hit Louisiana roads than ever before. The busy travel period also lines up with Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month, bringing renewed focus to motorcycle safety across the state.Scotty Drake with the Motorcycle Awareness Campaign (MAC) joined Talk 107.3 to remind drivers that awareness saves lives. MAC is a nonprofit organization that works to reduce crashes involving motorists and motorcyclists. Its mission centers on preventing right-of-way violations that often lead to serious accidents.

Memorial Day Book Preserves Stories From Final Living World War II Marines

Scott Davis joined the show to discuss The Last of the Old Breed, his oral history book focused on some of the final living World War II Marines who fought in the Pacific Theater. He said the project follows veterans from the Great Depression through World War II combat and into their lives after service. Davis said the Marines he interviewed carried pride, confidence, and resilience long after their military service ended. He focused on the Pacific Theater because he believes those stories often receive less attention than battles in Europe. One story highlighted Marine Dean Ladd, who survived serious injuries during the Battle of Tarawa after doctors believed he would not live past age 50. Ladd lived to 101 years old. The conversation also touched on patriotism, sacrifice, and preserving firsthand stories before they disappear with history.

CCA Star Tournament Returns to Louisiana With Big Prizes and Coastal Impact

The CCA Star Tournament [https://ccalouisiana.com/star/] returns to Louisiana this weekend, bringing anglers across the state a chance to compete for more than $750,000 in prizes while supporting conservation work that benefits Louisiana fisheries and coastal habitats.