Civic Focus: Jim Shapkoff

In this episode of Locally Hated, Jessica and Greg sit down with Vernon Parish 4-H Agent Chad Hagan (aka Cowboy Chad) to talk about his roots growing up in Hicks, Louisiana, and his lifelong journey with 4-H.Describing his job as the "FBI of agriculture for kids," Chad breaks down what the program is really all about—and spoiler alert: you don't need a cow or a tractor to join! From his early mischief driving a truck at 8 years old to leading kids through life-changing summer camps and state horse shows, Chad shares why 4-H remains such a vital cornerstone of our local community.We dive into how the program has evolved far beyond livestock to include STEM, robotics, and community food drives, all while staying true to the traditions of Vernon Parish. If you thought 4-H was just farming, tune in to find out how they're building the next generation of well-rounded kids.Want to get involved? Follow Vernon Parish 4-H on Facebook to stay up to date on camps, the upcoming State Horse Show in DeRidder, and holiday food drives:https://www.facebook.com/Vernon4H

Ralph McRae joins the podcast to talk about all things aviation: flying Bird Dogs in Vietnam, his plane's appearance on Netflix's hit series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and life in general.

Special guest Valerie Cain joins the crew for an incredibly raw and open conversation about her 23-year battle with addiction, the rock-bottom moments that ultimately saved her life, and the challenging but rewarding journey of finding herself sober.Links for Sobriety Did That:https://linktr.ee/sobrietydidthat

Welcome back to the Locally Hated podcast! This week we're celebrating the month of racing. Jessica, Greg, and Galen sit down with three generations of local racing talent: Todd, Ty, and Ryder Johnson. We dive deep into the golden era of Louisiana dirt track racing, swapping stories about track beefs, invisible methanol fires, and the insane science of sprint car setups. Todd and Ty share what it takes to master the oval and the leap from Superstocks to sprint cars. Meanwhile, 12-year-old Ryder talks about tearing up the national BMX circuit, holding state championships, and his sights on the Olympic track. Whether you're fueled by the smell of 110-octane racing fuel or just pure competitive rage, this episode has something for every gearhead.

The crew sits down with Will Anderson, candidate for Leesville City Council, District 3.

The crew sits down with Leesville mayoral candidate Jim Shapkoff.

Stepping in at the last minute, local broadcasting legend Rick Barnickel, famously known as the "Voice of Vernon Parish," drops by to share decades of wild stories and give the ultimate preview of the upcoming Mayfest. Rick brings his unmatched expertise to break down the festival's evolution from its humble beginnings on a haybale trailer to this year's massive lineup, which features acts like Stereo Drive, Bad Moon Rising, and The Voice winner Craig Wayne Boyd.The conversation goes completely off the rails in the best way possible, diving into his starstruck encounters with music royalty like Marty Stuart and Estelle Brown, the chaotic saga of a hyperactive radio station mouser cat named Radio, and an unbelievable tale of hitchhiking to a New Orleans Mardi Gras at just sixteen years old. Packed with incredible music history, local lore, and a legendary insider tip for a $9 Mississippi fried chicken combo, this episode is everything you need to gear up for Mayfest madness.

The crew sits down with Leesville mayoral candidate Andrey Sandanski.

The crew sits down with Leesville mayoral candidate Lafonda Stelly.

This week on the Locally Hated Podcast, we’re bridging the generational gap and comparing the wild, unsupervised days of our childhoods to the hyper-connected reality of Gen Z.From the absolute lawlessness of AOL chatrooms and Omegle to the days of drinking from the water hose and fixing busted go-karts before the adults found out, we're laying it all on the table. We debate whether kids today are too sheltered, the reality of having a GPS tracker on your car, and how the uncensored early internet permanently shaped our generation.Plus, we tackle modern issues like the rise of AI in the classroom, the loss of true problem-solving skills, and why "gentle parenting" doesn't always work at Raising Cane's.