You're listening to American Ground Radio with Louis R. Avallone and Stephen Parr. This is the full show for September 9, 2026. We open with Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux's proposal to give city police officers and firefighters a 6% pay increase without raising taxes or dipping into the city's reserves. We look at the new economic activity coming to Shreveport, including major data centers, and examine how economic development is supposed to expand the economic pie, create new revenue, improve quality of life, and ultimately make investments like better public safety salaries possible. In our Top 3 Things You Need to Know, we cover Louisiana's argument before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals over the FDA's rules allowing abortion drugs to be prescribed remotely, LSU's apparent removal from the SEC's agenda after the university said its 2026-27 roster does not include the former NFL players at the center of the dispute, and Shreveport's proposed $7 million annual investment in police and firefighter pay based on anticipated revenue from new data centers. We take on a viral claim about Speaker of the House Mike Johnson allegedly working only 20 days since July. We examine what members of Congress actually do beyond voting on the House floor, including committee work, constituent services, negotiations, fundraising, campaigning, and recruiting other candidates. We also look at where the current congressional logjam actually exists and ask whether criticism of Johnson's schedule is fair when the Senate has yet to act on legislation passed by the House. We dig into what it means to be fair and accurate in political debate. We talk about the temptation to post something online as absolute fact without taking the time to consider the full picture, and why being partisan or passionate doesn't have to mean abandoning fairness. We may disagree with people, challenge their arguments, and be tough in our criticism—but accuracy still matters. We also take a look at the Republican Party's midterm convention in Dallas, where we check in live with KTBS anchor Jeff Beimfohr from the American Airlines Center. We hear what he's seeing on the convention floor, the response to speakers including Senator Tim Scott, the appearances by Christopher Macchio, Newt Gingrich, and Dean Cain, and what attendees are expecting from President Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson. Then we revisit Texas Senate candidate James Talarico's changing statements about biological sex, gender, and God, asking what changed and why voters should accept a walk-back of positions that were previously presented as fact. And in a lighter moment, we settle an important question: Which Girl Scout cookies are America's favorites? Thin Mints lead the way, followed by Samoas, Tagalongs, Do-si-dos, and Trefoils. We close by examining the criticism surrounding the Republican convention being held in Dallas County and the argument that holding a political event in a predominantly Democratic area somehow demonstrates racism. We consider what political parties are supposed to do—build coalitions, reach voters, and bring together people with different backgrounds and priorities—and why political disagreement doesn't have to mean abandoning reason or fairness. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, visit AmericanGroundRadio.com, and join the conversation at 866-AGR-1776.
