Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Local Newscast
Hear the latest from the WRKF/WWNO Newsroom.

Baton Rouge law enforcement aims for positive traffic stop interactions with new program

Driver with voucher
Courtesy of Brianna Jeansonne
Driver with voucher

Baton Rouge law enforcement recently adopted the new program, LightsOn! The initiative seeks to transform traffic stops from punitive interactions to more supportive encounters, where officers can provide drivers with vouchers rather than tickets. Christopher Csonka, Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, tells us what this new program will entail.

For years, people have been flocking to Louisiana’sSpringfield Wellness Center to receive NAD treatment. NAD, which stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is a serotonin-boosting coenzyme which has long been used to treat conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's. But Springfield is the first center to use the treatment for addiction.

For more on this treatment, its effectiveness, and where it might be headed, we are joined by Springfield Medical Center Founders Paula Norris Mestayer and Dr. Richard Mestayer, along with former patient and current outreach coordinator, Patrick Uloth.

Mardi Gras season is well underway, and while some younger people might attend parades with nothing more than a cup for drinks and a bag for throws, for parents of young kids, going to a parade involves a checklist: carseat, stroller, and maybe even a ladder. In 2005, NPR’s Chris Rose watched a parade from on top of a ladder he brought for his children. Today, we are going back to the archives to bring you this story.

Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our digital editor is Katelyn Umholtz. Our engineers are Garrett Pittman and Aubry Procell.

You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at 12:00 and 7:30 pm. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play, and wherever you get your podcasts. 

Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out ourpitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out ourlistener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.

Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Karen Henderson is an award-winning journalist whose stories have aired nationally on NPR.
Alana Schreiber is the managing producer for the live daily news program, Louisiana Considered. She comes to WRKF from KUNC in Northern Colorado, where she worked as a radio producer for the daily news magazine, Colorado Edition. She has previously interned for Minnesota Public Radio in St. Paul and The Documentary Group in New York City.