Louisiana Unfiltered

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Officer Down: Sergeant Caleb Eisworth Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

Daniel Brown joins Kiran Chawla as they discuss the horrific intentional crash injuring BRPD Motorcycle Officer Sargent Caleb Eisworth.
Kiran and Daniel discuss the crime, the current status of Sargent Eisworth and take a look into the past of Gad Black, 41, of Baton Rouge, who is charged with attempted first-degree murder of the police officer.
#louisianaunfiltered #kiranchawla #podcast #news #CalebEisworth #louisiana
Chapters
01:52 Sargent Caleb Eisworth’s Critical Condition
02:08 The Crash Overview
05:48 Reporting the Story
10:35 Uncovering Gad Black’s Past
15:36 The Arrest and Initial Charges
17:00 Digging Deeper into the 2014 Incident
31:28 The Girlfriend's Involvement

The Louisiana Manhunt Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

In this episode Kiran Chawla and Jim Chapman update you on the Louisiana Manhunt for the last two of ten inmates who escaped The Orleans Parish Jail. They discuss the up to the second updates as well as a discussion into the cost to track them.
Chapters
01:23 The national response.
05:07 Inside help and planning.
10:16 The status of the fugitives.
12:55 Social media missteps.
15:43 The budget implications.
19:54 The systemic issues revealed.
25:36 Consequences of the escape.
35:49 The ongoing search.
Tags: #louisianaunfiltered #kiranchawla #podcast #unfilteredwithkiran #news #crime #louisiana #prison #jail #escape
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Another Chance Bail Bonds:
Sound and Editing for this audio podcast by Envision Podcast Production:

Megan’s Story Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

In this powerful conversation, Kiran Chawla and Megan H. Kelly delve into the complex and often taboo subject of domestic violence. Megan shares her personal journey as a survivor, discussing the signs of abuse, the impact of isolation, and the importance of support systems. They explore the societal issues surrounding victim blaming and the need for awareness and resources for those affected.
#louisianaunfiltered #kiranchawla #podcast #unfilteredwithkiran #news #crime #Louisiana
Chapters
03:04 Megan's Personal Journey with Domestic Violence
05:59 Understanding the Dynamics of Control
08:57 The Escalation of Abuse
26:54 The Journey to Becoming a Conqueror
48:42 The Impact of Domestic Violence on Families
50:15 Victim Blaming and Public Perception
Local Sponsors for this episode include:
Neighbors Federal Credit Union:
Another Chance Bail Bonds:
Sound and Editing for this audio podcast by Envision Podcast Production:

Just Getting Started: John Foster May 29, 2025

Show notes

Kiran Chawla interviews John Foster Benoit, the 2025 American Idol runner-up, who shares his inspiring journey from a small Louisiana town to national fame.
John discusses the impact of personal tragedy, specifically the loss of friends, which led him to write the poignant song "Tell That Angel, I Love Her."
He reflects on his American Idol experience, highlighting a pivotal audition moment and the support he received from judges and his Louisiana community. John also expresses deep gratitude for the friendships he formed during the competition and shares hopes for his future music career.
Brusly High student John Foster composes song to honor teens killed in crash on New Year’s Eve:
https://unfilteredwithkiran.com/brusly-high-student-composes-song-to-honor-teens-killed-in-crash-on-new-years-eve/
Chapters
04:23 Journey to American Idol
07:40 The Judges’ Impact
10:54 Embracing Criticism
13:30 Community Support
16:14 The Top Two Moment
23:24 Remembering Maggie Dunn
#louisianaunfiltered #kiranchawla #podcast #news #johnfoster #louisiana #AmericanIdol

Quitters Never Win: Laine Hardy Reflects On Six Years Post “American Idol” May 22, 2025

Show notes

Laine Hardy, the Louisiana country music star and 2019 "American Idol" winner, speaks with host Kiran Chawla about his journey to fame, family life, and upcoming music projects.
He reflects on the emotional highs of his Idol experience, the challenges he faced—and the valuable lessons he learned. Laine shares how fatherhood has transformed his perspective and emphasizes the importance of faith, family, and personal growth.
He also discusses his interests beyond music, including archaeology and a brief stint in biblical college, ultimately leading to a new appreciation of cherishing life’s journey and connections to his community.
#louisianaunfiltered #kiranchawla #podcast #news #LaineHardy #louisiana #AmericanIdol
Chapters
05:30 Life Changes: Fatherhood and Engagement
06:29 Musical Journey Post-American Idol
08:35 Overcoming Bumps in the Road
12:16 Music Career Update
16:31 Discovering Lane Hardy's Hobbies
20:18 Diving into Biblical Studies
21:28 Music as a Lifelong Passion
26:02 Speaking with John Foster
Local Sponsors for this episode include:
Neighbors Federal Credit Union:
Another Chance Bail Bonds:
Sound and Editing for this audio podcast by Envision Podcast Production:

Seeking Justice, Not Vengeance: The Son of Mary Malone May 15, 2025

Show notes

In this conversation, Brett Malone shares the profound impact of his mother's tragic murder on his life and the community of Plain Dealing, Louisiana. He recounts the loving legacy of his mother, her role in the community, and the shocking events surrounding her death at the hands of Jeremiah Manning.
Chapters
00:16 A Tragedy Unfolded
01:41 Meeting Brett Malone
16:56 The Night of the Murder
33:43 Seeking Justice, Not Vengeance
41:27 The Path to Forgiveness
54:46 A Call for Dialogue
Local Sponsors for this episode include:
Neighbors Federal Credit Union:
Another Chance Bail Bonds:
Sound and Editing for this audio podcast by Envision Podcast Production:

A Mothers Plea: The Search for Christopher Brewer May 08, 2025

Show notes

A mother shares her five-year search for her missing son, Christopher, ahead of Mother's Day, reflecting on his struggles with addiction and the emotional toll on her family while offering a 10K reward and urging anyone with information to come forward.
Chapters
00:22 A Mother's Desperation for Answers
12:25 The $10,000 Reward
16:45 Who is Christopher?
24:23 Understanding Addiction
26:16 The Downward Spiral
39:19 A Mother's Plea for Justice
45:41 A Mother's Day Wish 47:04 Call to Action
Tags: #louisianaunfiltered #Jaygrymes #mississippiriver #kiranchawla #podcast #hurricaneseason #unfilteredwithkiran #news #crime #Louisiana
Local Sponsors for this episode include:
Neighbors Federal Credit Union:
Another Chance Bail Bonds:
Sound and Editing for this audio podcast by Envision Podcast Production:

The Rising Mighty Mississippi | Jay Grymes In Studio May 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Louisiana Unfiltered, State Climatologist Jay Grymes joins Kiran Chawla as they discuss the massive rise in the Mississippi River and the impacts expected as well as the impending hurricane season.
Chapters
01:14 Transition to Jay's New Role
07:34 Reflecting on Past Floods
10:10 Understanding Mississippi River Dynamics
14:15 The Impact of Flooding
19:56 Consequences of Spillway Openings
24:55 The Weight of Water
27:56 Current River Levels
41:28 Preparing for Hurricane Season
47:53 The Threat of Hurricanes
52:40 Importance of Preparedness
Tags: #louisianaunfiltered #Jaygrymes #mississippiriver #kiranchawla #podcast #hurricaneseason #unfilteredwithkiran #news #crime #Louisiana
Local Sponsors for this episode include:
Neighbors Federal Credit Union:
Another Chance Bail Bonds:
Sound and Editing for this audio podcast by Envision Podcast Production:

The Ski-Mask Rapist: Chief Bill Landry Recounts the Case Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

In this episode Kiran explores the case of John Barry Simonis, the Ski Mask Rapist, who received 21 life sentences. Former Gonzales Police Chief Bill Landry recounts Simonis's capture and how as a young officer, his seemly unrelated tip led to the rapist’s capture.
Chapters
00:22 Chilling Case of John Barry Simonis
01:46 Introducing Chief Bill Landry
03:23 John Simonis: The Early Years
08:04 A Dangerous Escalation
10:35 The Gonzales Incident
13:46 Investigating the Crime Scene
15:30 Unraveling the Connection
16:37 The Task Force Takes Action
20:50 The Arrest of Simonis
23:49 Simonis's Calculated Crimes
26:59 Reflecting on Technology's Impact
32:43 The Arrest: A Long-Awaited Moment
40:57 Conclusion: A Case of a Lifetime
Local Sponsors for this episode include:
Neighbors Federal Credit Union:
Another Chance Bail Bonds:
Sound and Editing for this audio podcast by Envision Podcast Production:

Revisiting “The Stray Bullet” Apr 17, 2025

Show notes

It has been 3 years and still no arrests have been made and no know suspects in the murder of Devin Page Jr. Ty Tolliver and Kathy Tolliver share the horrific details of three-year-old Devin Page Jr.'s tragic death due to a stray bullet and quest for justice amidst unanswered questions. Kiran Chawla is joined by Devin's mother Ty Tolliver and Grandmother Kathy Tolliver as they delve into the events preceding the shooting, an individual named Johnny Brown and the negligence of an ankle monitoring company's, underscoring missed opportunities for safety.
Ty discusses her PTSD struggles and the plea for witnesses to step forward, while Kathy advocates for support systems for grieving families and memorial initiatives, showcasing their resilience and determination for justice and remembrance in the aftermath of a devastating loss. If you have information on this case and would like to remain anonymous we encourage you to contact Capital Region Area Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.
Timestamps:
0:07:17 Discovery of the Tragedy
0:13:38 The Impact on Family
0:19:25 Impact on Surviving Children
0:23:14 Arrest of Johnny Brown
0:25:04 Courtroom Drama
0:31:51 Anger and Frustration
0:34:21 Pleas for Safety
0:36:26 The Manager's Frustration
0:41:04 Pleas for Safety Measures
Tags: #louisianaunfiltered #Devinpage #straybullet #kiranchawla #podcast #walloflove #unfilteredwithkiran #news #crime #Louisiana
Local Sponsors for this episode include:
Neighbors Federal Credit Union:
Another Chance Bail Bonds:
Sound and Editing for this audio podcast by Envision Podcast Production:

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