LA Legislature Special Session, Gregory Kallenberg, & Shreveport Prize Fest

You're listening to American Ground Radio with Louis R. Avallone and Stephen Parr. This is the full show for October 9, 2025. 0:30 We dive into a major development in New Orleans: U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan says she’s ready to lift the federal consent decree that has governed the city’s police department since 2013. The conversation explores how the decree—originally introduced under Mayor Mitch Landrieu and the Obama DOJ—transformed policing in the Crescent City through oversight, paperwork, and bureaucracy, but failed to bring crime down.9:30 Plus, we cover the Top 3 Things You Need to Know. The New Orleans Consent decree is coming to an end as the federal government no longer contends that there is a racial bias problem in the New Orleans Police Department. A candidate for the New Orleans city council admits she used campaign funds to advertise for her private business, but insists she's done nothing wrong.The last remaining escapee from a mass jail break earlier this year in New Orleans has finally been captured.12:30 Get Brain Reward from Victory Nutrition International for 20% off. Go to vni.life/agr and use the promo code AGR20.13:30 We return from covering the New York City mayor’s race and shine a spotlight on something closer to home — the creative boom happening in Shreveport, Louisiana. Guest Gregory Kallenberg, founder of Prize Fest, joins the show to share how this once-small film competition has transformed into a national celebration of creativity, innovation, and community impact. Listeners get an inside look at how Film Prize, Music Prize, Food Prize, Comedy Prize, and Startup Prize are turning Shreveport into a hub for filmmakers, chefs, entrepreneurs, and artists from across the country. Kallenberg also highlights Film Prize Junior, which teaches filmmaking, teamwork, and confidence to Louisiana’s middle and high school students — inspiring the next generation of creators.23:00 We discuss how Northwest Louisiana is becoming a cultural hub thanks to the vision of Gregory Kallenberg, who brought inspiration from Austin’s South by Southwest to Shreveport. PrizeFest now includes Comedy Prize, Film Prize, Music Prize, Food Prize, and the Golden Lens photography competition, making it one of the most exciting creative events in the country — with the world’s largest cash prize for a short film.Visit PrizeFest.com to explore the event, which draws filmmakers, musicians, chefs, and creatives from all over while showcasing local talent and boosting the state’s cultural profile.26:00 We Dig Deep into a special session of the Louisiana legislature expected to convene on October 23rd. While there had been speculation this session would address redistricting for Congressional District 6, current reports indicate that lawmakers will focus on moving the closed primary dates to accommodate potential delays in a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.32:30 Get NSorb from Victory Nutrition International for 20% off. Go to vni.life/agr and use the promo code AGR20.33:30 We react to the mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson's, doubling down on his commitment to resist federal enforcement of immigration laws, framing it as a fight against authoritarianism. Critics argue that his approach prioritizes illegal immigrants over law-abiding Chicago residents, allowing the city to spend taxpayer money on non-citizens for housing, healthcare, and SNAP benefits. ICE agents, contrary to Johnson’s framing, are enforcing federal law, not targeting random residents. 36:30 Plus, we have a little fun guessing the 10 best large cities to visit in America. Play along!40:30 And we end today's show with a recent report from Baton Rouge highlighting two people who received counterfeit Botox injections. One person ordered it online, while the other received injections from someone not licensed to practice medicine.The Louisiana Department of Health issued a public warning emphasizing the dangers of unregulated, online-purchased medications.Follow us: americangroundradio.comFacebook: facebook.com / AmericanGroundRadioInstagram: instagram.com/americangroundradio