‘The Light Switch’ Episode 3: Temple, tables and a wrongful arrest

Episode 3 of the Louisiana Illuminator podcast, “The Light Switch” is now available on Apple and Spotify.

This week, Illuminator reporter Wes Muller serves up details on restaurant reservation trading, a burgeoning digital industry that’s made a splash in big dining destinations such as New Orleans. Think of it as eBay, but for tables at high-demand spots. Winning bids have reached four figures just for seats – food not included.

But restaurants aren’t really embracing these apps, and Wes tells us why lawmakers are getting behind a proposal to place some restrictions on them.

Wes also caught up with Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple to get the skinny on why he and Gov. Jeff Landry have seemingly been at odds over their respective proposals to bring down auto insurance rates. They actually have some common ground, but it’s clear a political fence needs to be mended.

Finally, we hear from one of our fellow reporters from the States Newsroom network: Jackie Llanos of the Florida Phoenix. She broke a story that went viral a week ago when police in her state arrested a U.S.-born Georgia man under a Florida law that forbids immigrants without legal status from entering the state.

Juan Carlos Lopez-Gomez was held in jail even after providing with his Real ID and a birth certificate that he’s an American. The judge said she was obligated to keep him in custody for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Jackie followed Juan Carlos’ case alongside his family, as they feared the worst.

Please listen, follow and rate “The Light Switch.”