From Crime Crackdowns to Campus Carry: Louisiana Pushes Back

You're listening to American Ground Radio with Louis R. Avallone and Stephen Parr. This is the full show for February 10, 2026. 0:30 A low-turnout special election in rural Louisiana is suddenly getting national attention—and Democrats are calling it the start of a “blue wave.” But is it really? We break down the House District 60 race, why the media narrative doesn’t match the political reality, and what special elections actually do (and don’t) predict about the 2026 midterms. We dig into turnout math, historical voting patterns, and why this Democrat’s victory says more about campaign strategy and family-values messaging than any sweeping ideological shift. Is this a warning sign for Republicans—or proof that special elections are terrible crystal balls?10:00 Plus, we cover the Top 3 Things You Need to Know. Governor Jeff Landry has named Julie Emerson as his new Chief of Staff.The Police Chief for New Roads, Louisiana resigned this week after investigations by local TV stations, WAFB and WBRZ.LSU has named Dr. David Guzik the new senior vice chancellor of the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans.12:30 Get Performlyte from Victory Nutrition International for 20% off. Go to vni.life/agr and use the promo code AGR20.13:00 Louisiana lawmakers are pushing the gun debate into a new arena: public college campuses. State Rep. Danny McCormick, a driving force behind Louisiana’s constitutional carry law, is now proposing campus carry for law-abiding adults at state-funded universities. Supporters argue the Constitution makes no carve-outs for campuses—and point to data from states like Texas and Utah showing no increase in campus violence, accidental shootings, or crime. Critics raise concerns about safety, while advocates counter that armed citizens deter criminals and reduce response times when police can’t be everywhere. We dig into the constitutional argument, the real-world data, and why the fight over guns, safety, and freedom is heading straight to Louisiana’s college campuses.23:00 New Orleans public schools are facing a hard math problem: fewer kids, too many buildings, and rising costs. Births in the city are down 25% over the last decade, mirroring a national and global population decline that’s already forcing school closures from Baton Rouge to Austin to Denver. But while other districts are consolidating, New Orleans has largely resisted — even as under-enrolled schools drain millions in taxpayer funding. We break down why shrinking enrollment makes consolidation inevitable, how empty classrooms still cost real money, and why emotional attachment to neighborhood schools is colliding with fiscal reality. With school choice programs like GATOR potentially accelerating the trend, the question isn’t whether closures are coming — it’s how long New Orleans can afford to wait.27:00 Louisiana law enforcement is sending a clear message: the days of catch-and-release are over. From Alexandria to New Orleans, sweeping crime crackdowns have led to more than 600 arrests, the seizure of over 200 illegal firearms, and massive quantities of cartel-linked drugs pulled off the streets. Federal, state, and local agencies are coordinating like never before, targeting drug trafficking, violent offenders, and repeat criminals who once counted on getting away with it. At the same time, Attorney General Liz Murrill is expanding Louisiana’s child exploitation task force statewide, responding to a surge in cyber tips and rescues of abused children. We lay out why aggressive law enforcement, real consequences, and visible arrests matter—and why restoring order is the first step toward safer communities, economic growth, and true freedom.32:00 Get Prodovite Plus from Victory Nutrition International for 20% off. Go to vni.life/agr and use the promo code AGR20.32:30 Louisiana’s U.S. Senate race is suddenly wide open, with major shakeups on the Republican side and new political lines being drawn. As candidates drop out, Julia Letlow jumps in with a Trump endorsement, and polling shows growing vulnerability for the incumbent, Senator Bill Cassidy joins us on American Ground Radio to respond directly. Cassidy addresses his slipping numbers, defends his conservative record, and pushes back on claims that he’s out of step with Republican voters—pointing to billions in federal dollars brought home to Louisiana, his pro-life and Second Amendment credentials, and his support for key Trump priorities. The conversation also turns national, as Cassidy explains why he’s sounding the alarm on rising antisemitism and campus safety. Wet break down the evolving Louisiana Senate race, Trump’s influence, and the high-stakes questions facing Republican voters ahead of the primary.39:30 Frustration with Senator Bill Cassidy is boiling over among Republican voters in Louisiana, and it’s not subtle. Long lines of conservatives are eager to vote for anyone but Cassidy, driven by lingering ...