Storm Prep Special 2026: FULL SHOW

Full Show 6/26/2026: Registered voters in Louisiana have become reprehensibly apathetic to the political process

On today's show, Newell Then, Newell has on political analyst Bernie Pinsonat to look at the races and the mood of the voters ahead of Saturday's election. Sam Caruso, St. Tammany Parish Chamber of Commerce Board Member, to discuss what St. Tammany voters are being asked to approve, what these tax issues mean for businesses and families on the Northshore, and how the parish balances growth, services, and affordability, Romina Boccia, Director of Budget & Entitlement Policy at the CATO Institute, to talk about whether politicians are protecting seniors depending on Social Security or just avoiding a painful conversation about taxes, benefits, debt, and the math that keeps getting harder to ignore, Rafael Goyeneche, President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, to talk about how former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith has pleaded guilty and resigned, becoming the latest elected official from the parish to leave office with a felony conviction.

Hour 3: Former Sheriff Randy Smith becomes the latest elected official from St. Tammany Parish to leave office with a felony conviction

This hour, Newell is joined by Rafael Goyeneche, President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, to talk about how former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith has pleaded guilty and resigned, becoming the latest elected official from the parish to leave office with a felony conviction, what comes next for the sheriff’s office, and how this case fits into a troubling recent history of public corruption and scandal on the Northshore.

Hour 2: How does St. Tammany avoid the issues that plagued New Orleans?

This hour, Newell has on Sam Caruso, St. Tammany Parish Chamber of Commerce Board Member, to discuss what St. Tammany voters are being asked to approve, what these tax issues mean for businesses and families on the Northshore, and how the parish balances growth, services, and affordability. Then, Romina Boccia, Director of Budget & Entitlement Policy at the CATO Institute, joins the show to talk about whether politicians are protecting seniors depending on Social Security or just avoiding a painful conversation about taxes, benefits, debt, and the math that keeps getting harder to ignore.

Is Social Security already a much bigger debt problem than Washington admits?

Is Social Security already a much bigger debt problem than Washington admits? Romina Boccia, Director of Budget & Entitlement Policy at the CATO Institute, joins Newell to talk about whether politicians are protecting seniors or just avoiding a painful conversation about taxes, benefits, debt, and the math that keeps getting harder to ignore.

St. Tammany voters face major tax questions on Saturday’s ballot, including millages that could affect parish services

St. Tammany voters will head to the polls Saturday with major tax questions on the ballot, including millages that could affect parish services, public safety, infrastructure, and the cost of local government. Newell talks with Sam Caruso from the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce about what voters are being asked to approve, what these tax issues mean for businesses and families on the Northshore, and how the parish balances growth, services, and affordability.