1 00:00:08,600 --> 00:00:11,467 THAN POWER. WE SUPPORT SCIENCE AND 2 00:00:11,600 --> 00:00:14,367 ENGINEERING TO BUILD A BRIGHTER PATH TO BETTER JOBS AND HELP 3 00:00:14,500 --> 00:00:18,367 PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION BECAUSE TOGETHER, WE POWER LIFE. 4 00:00:18,500 --> 00:00:25,533 ENTERGY. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED 5 00:00:25,667 --> 00:00:27,400 BY THE FRED B. AND RUTH B. ZIEGLER FOUNDATION AND THE 6 00:00:27,533 --> 00:00:28,633 ZIEGLER ART MUSEUM. LOCATED IN JENNINGS CITY HALL, 7 00:00:28,767 --> 00:00:31,000 THE MUSEUM FOCUSES ON EMERGING LOUISIANA ARTISTS AND IS A 8 00:00:31,133 --> 00:00:38,767 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CENTER FOR SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA. 9 00:00:38,900 --> 00:00:41,067 AND THE FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENCE IN LOUISIANA PUBLIC 10 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:44,733 BROADCASTING WITH SUPPORT FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU. 11 00:00:44,867 --> 00:00:59,000 ♪♪ ♪♪ 12 00:00:59,133 --> 00:01:02,200 SUGAR RECOVERY WAS AT RECORD LEVELS. 13 00:01:02,333 --> 00:01:03,567 HOW THE STATE'S SUGAR CANE HAS APPARENTLY SURVIVED OUR 14 00:01:03,700 --> 00:01:07,633 WINTER. THIS SEASON, MOTHER NATURE IS 15 00:01:07,767 --> 00:01:09,367 REALLY PLAYING WITH US. THE RULES AREN'T APPLYING. 16 00:01:09,567 --> 00:01:14,033 THE RULES AREN'T APPLYING. TRYING TO EXPLAIN WHY IT'S 17 00:01:14,167 --> 00:01:16,600 BEEN SO COLD. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS ARE 18 00:01:16,733 --> 00:01:18,567 LIKE A KNIFE FIGHT. A FIRST EVER SUMMIT LOOKS AT 19 00:01:18,700 --> 00:01:22,533 REDISTRICTING IN LOUISIANA. HI, I'M ANDRE MOREAU. 20 00:01:22,667 --> 00:01:29,867 MORE ON THOSE STORIES IN A MOMENT, BUT RIGHT NOW ON SWI, 21 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:32,200 THE STATE WE'RE IN, THE WEEK'S HEADLINES. 22 00:01:32,333 --> 00:01:33,667 SEVERE COLD WEATHER PROMPTED GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS TO 23 00:01:33,800 --> 00:01:37,700 ISSUE AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION THROUGHOUT LOUISIANA. 24 00:01:37,833 --> 00:01:41,533 THE ICING ON ROADS CAUSED THE INTERSTATE SYSTEM TO SHUT DOWN 25 00:01:41,667 --> 00:01:45,700 AND FOR DAYS, PEOPLE BASICALLY STAYED HOME. 26 00:01:45,833 --> 00:01:50,500 THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DEPLOYED 1,200 WORKERS FOR 24 27 00:01:50,633 --> 00:01:53,567 HOUR OPERATIONS TO SECURE AND DE-ICE ROADS. 28 00:01:53,700 --> 00:01:58,233 SEVERAL HUNDRED TRUCKS POURED ONE AND A HALF MILLION POUNDS OF 29 00:01:58,367 --> 00:02:01,567 SALT TO MELT ICE TO REDUCE THE DANGERS OF TRAVEL. 30 00:02:01,700 --> 00:02:05,000 FIVE OF THE STATE'S AIRPORTS CLOSED DURING THE DEEP FREEZE. 31 00:02:05,133 --> 00:02:07,967 AT LEAST FOUR PEOPLE DIED IN LOUISIANA DURING THIS ICE EVENT. 32 00:02:08,100 --> 00:02:11,533 THEY INCLUDED A MAN WHO WAS KNOCKED OFF AN ELEVATED SECTION 33 00:02:11,667 --> 00:02:16,833 OF INTERSTATE 10 IN NEW ORLEANS WHEN A PICKUP SPUN OUT ON ICE. 34 00:02:16,967 --> 00:02:19,933 AN 8-MONTH-OLD BABY DIED IN A CAR THAT SLID INTO A CANAL IN 35 00:02:20,067 --> 00:02:25,400 SUBURBAN NEW ORLEANS. WE ALL WANT THE BEST BANG FOR 36 00:02:25,533 --> 00:02:28,967 OUR BUCK HEATING AND INSULATING OUR HOMES AND THIS WEEKEND LSU'S 37 00:02:29,100 --> 00:02:33,467 AG CENTER CAN SHOW YOU ALL THAT'S AVAILABLE. 38 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:35,000 THEIR LOUISIANA HOUSE RESOURCE CENTER DEMONSTRATION HOME WILL 39 00:02:35,133 --> 00:02:37,900 SHOWCASE THE LATEST IN ENERGY SAVINGS. 40 00:02:38,033 --> 00:02:41,167 THERE'S AN OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY, JANUARY 20 FROM 10 TO 2 ON 41 00:02:41,300 --> 00:02:46,967 GOURRIER AVENUE. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, GO ONLINE 42 00:02:47,100 --> 00:02:54,300 TO WWW.LSUAGCENTER.COM/LAHOUSE. YOU WILL GET ALL THE INFO YOU 43 00:02:54,433 --> 00:02:58,800 NEED FOR THE EVENT. ALABAMA BEAT OUT LOUISIANA 44 00:02:58,933 --> 00:03:01,867 FOR A $1.6 BILLION TOYOTA-MAZDA JOINT AUTO PLANT THAT WILL MEAN 45 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:04,667 4,000 NEW JOBS FOR THE YELLOWHAMMER STATE. 46 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:08,767 STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY DON PIERSON SAYS THE 47 00:03:08,900 --> 00:03:11,367 BIDS WERE COMPARABLE, BUT ALABAMA'S FOOTPRINT WITH 48 00:03:11,500 --> 00:03:18,933 EXISTING CAR MANUFACTURING PLANTS WAS AN ADVANTAGE. 49 00:03:19,067 --> 00:03:20,433 LOUISIANA OFFERED A HALF-BILLION DOLLAR INCENTIVE, WHILE ALABAMA 50 00:03:20,567 --> 00:03:22,667 OFFERED LESS CASH BUT COUNTERED WITH DONATED LAND AND PROPERTY 51 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:27,967 TAX VALUES. PIERSON SAYS HIS AGENCY WILL 52 00:03:28,100 --> 00:03:29,633 REEXAMINE WHAT IT'S DOING BECAUSE IT WANTS TO BE A PLAYER 53 00:03:29,767 --> 00:03:37,167 IN THE CAR BUILDING INDUSTRY A PROPOSED $3.6 BILLION 54 00:03:37,300 --> 00:03:39,500 METHANOL PRODUCING MEGA-PLANT IN PLAQUEMINES PARISH NOW HAS ITS 55 00:03:39,633 --> 00:03:43,767 AIR QUALITY PERMIT FROM LOUISIANA'S DEQ. 56 00:03:43,900 --> 00:03:48,833 WHEN THE GULF COAST METHANOL PARK IS COMPLETED IN TWO YEARS, 57 00:03:48,967 --> 00:03:50,800 IT'S EXPECTED TO PRODUCE 7.2 TONS OF METHANOL FROM NATURAL 58 00:03:50,933 --> 00:03:54,967 GAS AND EMPLOY THOUSANDS OF WORKERS. 59 00:03:55,100 --> 00:04:00,133 THE COMPLEX, WHICH IS MADE UP OF FOUR IDENTICAL METHANOL PLANTS, 60 00:04:00,267 --> 00:04:01,800 BOASTS BEING THE LARGEST AND LOWEST-EMISSION METHANOL PLANT 61 00:04:01,933 --> 00:04:05,033 IN THE WORLD. SENATOR BILL CASSIDY HAS 62 00:04:05,167 --> 00:04:07,933 BEEN AWARDED FOR HIS EFFORTS TO SAVE THE FEDERAL HISTORIC TAX 63 00:04:08,067 --> 00:04:11,500 CREDITS. WORK DONE BY CASSIDY AND 64 00:04:11,633 --> 00:04:14,633 LOUISIANA'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION HELPED SAVE THE 65 00:04:14,767 --> 00:04:17,633 HISTORIC TAX CREDIT AS REPUBLICANS PUSHED THEIR 66 00:04:17,767 --> 00:04:20,667 SIGNATURE TAX BILL THROUGH CONGRESS. 67 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:24,000 LOUISIANA HAS BENEFITED FROM THE HISTORIC CREDIT PERHAPS MORE 68 00:04:24,133 --> 00:04:26,600 THAN ANY OTHER STATE WITH THE REHAB OF THOUSANDS OF 69 00:04:26,733 --> 00:04:28,367 HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT BUILDINGS. 70 00:04:28,500 --> 00:04:30,300 THE FUTURE OF THE PROGRAM WAS THREATENED DURING THE TAX REFORM 71 00:04:30,433 --> 00:04:35,533 PROCESS. SOME CHOICE WORDS FROM 72 00:04:35,667 --> 00:04:39,867 GOVERNOR EDWARDS ABOUT FLORIDA GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT AND HIS 73 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:41,933 SO-CALLED "TRADE MISSION" TO LOUISIANA THIS WEEK. 74 00:04:42,067 --> 00:04:45,033 SCOTT WANTS TO LURE BUSINESSES AWAY FROM LOUISIANA AND INTO 75 00:04:45,167 --> 00:04:48,500 FLORIDA. BESIDES TRYING TO POACH BUSINESS 76 00:04:48,633 --> 00:04:51,733 FROM US, EDWARDS SAYS SCOTT IS ALSO TRYING TO RAISE MONEY FOR 77 00:04:51,867 --> 00:05:00,133 FUTURE POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS. TODAY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE 78 00:05:00,267 --> 00:05:02,433 DAY THE GOVERNOR RELEASED HIS DOOMSDAY BUDGET. 79 00:05:02,567 --> 00:05:05,167 FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR. OF COURSE, THE WEATHER HAS 80 00:05:05,300 --> 00:05:10,700 DELAYED THAT UNTIL MONDAY. GREG HILBURN WITH U.S. TODAY 81 00:05:10,833 --> 00:05:12,900 NETWORK, YOU HAVE TALKED WITH PEOPLE ALL OVER THE STATE, 82 00:05:13,033 --> 00:05:16,033 TALKED WITH NEWSPAPERS. WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM 83 00:05:16,167 --> 00:05:18,500 PEOPLE? WHAT ARE THEY FEARING THE MOST 84 00:05:18,633 --> 00:05:21,400 ABOUT THE CUTS? IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN 85 00:05:21,533 --> 00:05:23,933 AND I APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME ON TODAY. 86 00:05:24,067 --> 00:05:29,700 I THINK THAT WHEN THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES HIS EXECUTIVE BUDGET 87 00:05:29,833 --> 00:05:35,933 FOR NEXT YEAR, IT WILL BE, OF COURSE, AT LEAST $1 BILLION IN 88 00:05:36,067 --> 00:05:40,033 CUTS AND IT WILL BE INTENDED TO CREATE SHOCK AND AWE. 89 00:05:40,167 --> 00:05:44,067 HE WILL CUT THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE MOST WANT IN ORDER TO 90 00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:47,767 FIND SOME PRESSURE POINTS ON THESE LAWMAKERS TO COME UP WITH 91 00:05:47,900 --> 00:05:53,467 SOME MORE OF THE REVENUE OR TAXES THAT HE WANTS TO FILL THIS 92 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:54,167 HOLE. GO AHEAD. 93 00:05:54,367 --> 00:05:59,033 ARE YOU HEARING ANYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED WHERE THERE'S BEEN 94 00:05:59,167 --> 00:06:04,633 PROGRESS OR A LACK OF PROGRESS IN THE LAST WEEK OR TWO? 95 00:06:04,833 --> 00:06:08,433 WELL IN THE LAST NINE WEEKS, WHICH IS HOW LONG THESE 96 00:06:08,567 --> 00:06:11,767 NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEEN GOING ON, IT MAY BE COLD ACROSS LOUISIANA 97 00:06:11,900 --> 00:06:15,667 THIS WEEK, BUT THOSE NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEEN EVEN 98 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:17,333 COLDER. NOW, WE'LL SEE WHETHER OR NOT 99 00:06:17,467 --> 00:06:20,567 THEY CAN THAW BEFORE THE TIME IT IS WHERE SOME DECISIONS HAVE TO 100 00:06:20,700 --> 00:06:24,167 BE MADE. I THINK THAT THERE HAVE BEEN 101 00:06:24,300 --> 00:06:27,167 MAYBE SOME PROGRESS, BUT CERTAINLY NOWHERE NEAR ANY KIND 102 00:06:27,300 --> 00:06:30,600 OF RESOLUTION. DID ALL OF HIS TALKS WITH 103 00:06:30,733 --> 00:06:34,400 CIVIC GROUPS AND BUSINESS LEADER OF THE PAST YEAR, DID THAT DO 104 00:06:34,533 --> 00:06:37,167 ANY GOOD? IT WAS GOOD P.R. CERTAINLY, BUT 105 00:06:37,300 --> 00:06:40,533 DO YOU THINK IT REALLY HELPED IN TERMS OF WHAT HE WANTS TO 106 00:06:40,667 --> 00:06:41,800 ACCOMPLISH? I'M NOT SURE. 107 00:06:41,933 --> 00:06:47,967 IT DEPENDS ON WHETHER OR NOT THOSE CONSTITUENTS WHO HE TALKED 108 00:06:48,100 --> 00:06:55,433 WITH AND TO HAVE RELAYED ANY KIND OF PRESSURE TOWARD THEIR 109 00:06:55,567 --> 00:06:58,633 LAWMAKER, WHETHER HE OR SHE CAN VOTE FOR ANY KIND OF REVENUE TO 110 00:06:58,767 --> 00:07:01,833 FILL THESE CUTS OR THIS TEMPORARY $1 BILLION IN TAXES 111 00:07:01,967 --> 00:07:04,700 THAT'S GOING TO FALL OFF THE ROLLS. 112 00:07:04,900 --> 00:07:07,600 YOU KNOW, IT SEEMS YEARS, BUT CERTAINLY NOW PEOPLE HAVE HEARD 113 00:07:07,733 --> 00:07:10,367 THE SKY IS FALLING, THE SKY IS FALLING. 114 00:07:10,500 --> 00:07:15,033 HOW DO YOU PLAN ON COVERING THIS LEGISLATURE WITH THAT IN MIND 115 00:07:15,167 --> 00:07:19,000 AND PEOPLE, MAYBE THEY LOOK UP AND THEY SAY IT HASN'T FALLEN 116 00:07:19,133 --> 00:07:20,867 YET. IT'S NOT GREAT, BUT IT HASN'T 117 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:24,100 FALLEN. HOW DO YOU PLAN ON COVERING IT? 118 00:07:24,300 --> 00:07:26,167 WELL, THAT'S RIGHT. IT HASN'T AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF 119 00:07:26,300 --> 00:07:30,567 THESE TEMPORARY MEASURES THAT HAVE BEEN ENACTED AND FIRST TWO 120 00:07:30,700 --> 00:07:32,833 YEARS AGO WITH THE TEMPORARY SALES TAX COVERING MOST OF THIS 121 00:07:32,967 --> 00:07:37,833 BILLION DOLLARS, BUT THERE'S SOME OTHER TEMPORARY TAXES AND 122 00:07:37,967 --> 00:07:43,767 IT'S TRUE, PEOPLE BECOME NUMB TO THE SKY'S FALLING TACTICS AND 123 00:07:43,900 --> 00:07:46,133 THE CHAIRMAN OF THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE WHICH 124 00:07:46,267 --> 00:07:49,467 CRAFTS THE BUDGET, CAMERON HENRY, WHO'S A REPUBLICAN, HAS 125 00:07:49,600 --> 00:07:52,733 SAID HE EXPECTS THESE -- THE GOVERNOR TO ISSUE THESE WHAT HE 126 00:07:52,867 --> 00:07:57,733 CALLS SCARE TACTICS TO TRY TO PRESSURE LAWMAKERS INTO DOING 127 00:07:57,867 --> 00:08:01,833 THINGS THAT THEY, YOU KNOW MIGHT BE RETICENT TO DO, WHICH IS 128 00:08:01,967 --> 00:08:05,700 BASICALLY RAISE TAXES OR MAKE TAXES PERMANENT THAT ARE 129 00:08:05,833 --> 00:08:08,667 TEMPORARY. SO AT THE END OF THE DAY, 130 00:08:08,800 --> 00:08:13,633 WHAT DO YOU WIND UP THINKING WILL HAPPEN? 131 00:08:13,833 --> 00:08:16,400 I THINK THAT THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL SESSION, EITHER IN 132 00:08:16,533 --> 00:08:20,367 FEBRUARY OR JUNE, TAXES CAN'T BE RAISED DURING THIS YEAR'S 133 00:08:20,500 --> 00:08:22,433 REGULAR SESSION, AND I THINK THERE WILL BE A COMBINATION, A 134 00:08:22,567 --> 00:08:26,900 LITTLE PIECE OF THE PENNY, WHICH IS THE EXTRA TEMPORARY SALES TAX 135 00:08:27,033 --> 00:08:32,667 PENNY WILL BE KEPT AS AGAIN, A BRIDGE AND THEY WILL PROBABLY 136 00:08:32,800 --> 00:08:36,400 CLEAN SOME OF THE EXEMPTIONS FROM THE EXISTING PENNY IN ORDER 137 00:08:36,533 --> 00:08:42,367 TO MOVE THEM, MOVE THEM OFF THE ROLLS TO RAISE SOME REVENUE AND 138 00:08:42,500 --> 00:08:48,333 VERY POSSIBLY THEY WILL ELIMINATE THE EXCISE ITEMIZED 139 00:08:48,467 --> 00:08:50,233 FEDERAL DEDUCTION FOR LOUISIANA INCOME TAXES. 140 00:08:50,367 --> 00:08:52,667 THAT IS ONE MEASURE THAT WOULD ONLY TAKE A MAJORITY IN THE 141 00:08:52,800 --> 00:08:58,033 HOUSE, WHICH IS 53 VOTES INSTEAD OF 70. 142 00:08:58,167 --> 00:09:00,300 AND COBBLING ALL THIS TOGETHER, THAT'S MY PREDICTION. 143 00:09:00,433 --> 00:09:02,567 I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL GET TO $1 BILLION. 144 00:09:02,700 --> 00:09:05,900 I DON'T KNOW IF THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE WILL WARM TO THAT, BUT 145 00:09:06,033 --> 00:09:08,833 SOME REVENUE WILL BE RAISED. LET ME ASK YOU BRIEFLY. 146 00:09:08,967 --> 00:09:12,833 THE BIG ROADS PROJECT WAS BROUGHT UP, OF COURSE, IN THE 147 00:09:12,967 --> 00:09:17,033 PAST WEEK. DO YOU SEE THEM IN ANY SPECIAL 148 00:09:17,167 --> 00:09:19,200 SESSION TALKING ABOUT HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION AT ALL, SNEAKING 149 00:09:19,333 --> 00:09:23,333 THAT IN SOMEWHERE AND HOW TO RAISE MAYBE A GAS TAX AGAIN OR 150 00:09:23,467 --> 00:09:27,700 SOME SORT OF REVENUE BUILDING PROJECT? 151 00:09:27,900 --> 00:09:31,567 I DON'T THINK SO BECAUSE EVERYBODY'S SO FOCUSED ON WHAT 152 00:09:31,700 --> 00:09:36,800 THEY CALL THIS FISCAL CLIFF OF FALLING OFF THIS $1 BILLION. 153 00:09:36,933 --> 00:09:39,733 I DON'T THINK SO AND IT WAS SUCH A DISASTER LAST YEAR, I'M NOT 154 00:09:39,867 --> 00:09:42,867 SURE THAT -- THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE -- IF THEY RAISE ANY TAXES 155 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:47,967 IN THIS SESSION TO REPLACE THESE TEMPORARY TAXES. 156 00:09:48,100 --> 00:09:51,333 NOW, THEY MAY ADD A SWEETENER IN THERE AS PART OF THE 157 00:09:51,467 --> 00:09:54,833 NEGOTIATIONS TO SAY WE WILL VOTE ON THIS IF PART OF IT WOULD GO 158 00:09:54,967 --> 00:09:57,700 TOWARDS TRANSPORTATION. SO THAT'S A POSSIBILITY. 159 00:09:57,900 --> 00:10:00,867 ALL RIGHT, GREG HILBURN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. 160 00:10:01,067 --> 00:10:06,233 THANK YOU, ANDRE. A FIRST-EVER SUMMIT ON THE 161 00:10:06,367 --> 00:10:08,033 DRAWING OF POLITICAL BOUNDARIES IN LOUISIANA TOOK PLACE TODAY ON 162 00:10:08,167 --> 00:10:12,367 THE LSU CAMPUS. IT WAS FUELED BY WHAT'S KNOWN AS 163 00:10:12,500 --> 00:10:13,800 GERRYMANDERING, OR DRAWING DISTRICTS FOR POLITICAL PARTY 164 00:10:13,933 --> 00:10:18,633 ADVANTAGE. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CASES THAT 165 00:10:18,767 --> 00:10:22,667 COULD HEAD TO THE SUPREME COURT ABOUT HOW STATES DRAW THEIR 166 00:10:22,800 --> 00:10:24,167 DISTRICTS AND IN THE YEAR 2020, LOUISIANA WILL AGAIN LOOK AT ITS 167 00:10:24,300 --> 00:10:27,500 DISTRICTS. LPB PRESIDENT BETH COURTNEY 168 00:10:27,633 --> 00:10:29,500 MODERATED A TALK THAT INCLUDED A PANEL OF STATE LEGISLATORS. 169 00:10:29,633 --> 00:10:37,700 HERE'S A LOOK. THE LAW IS CLEAR THAT RACIAL 170 00:10:37,833 --> 00:10:42,267 GERRYMANDERING IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL. 171 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:48,300 WHAT IF DISTRICTS ARE DRAWN TO FAVOR CERTAIN PARTIES? 172 00:10:48,433 --> 00:10:51,200 IS THIS A CLEVER STRATEGY OR UNCONSTITUTIONAL? 173 00:10:51,400 --> 00:10:55,033 WE HAVE KIND OF MAINTAINED THAT AGREEMENT, IF YOU WILL 174 00:10:55,167 --> 00:10:59,033 AMONGST LEGISLATORS, THAT UNLESS YOU REALLY GET INTO A TRUE 175 00:10:59,167 --> 00:11:02,300 BATTLE ON LINES THAT I'LL DRAW MY DISTRICT, YOU DRAW YOUR 176 00:11:02,433 --> 00:11:05,533 DISTRICT AND HOPEFULLY, YOU CAN APPEASE AS MANY LEGISLATORS AS 177 00:11:05,667 --> 00:11:08,167 YOU POSSIBLY CAN. IT'S A LITTLE BIT LIKE A 178 00:11:08,300 --> 00:11:11,400 KNIFE FIGHT, PARTICULARLY WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE A MEMBER 179 00:11:11,533 --> 00:11:13,567 WHICH HAS BEEN THE CIRCUMSTANCE THAT WE'VE HAD. 180 00:11:13,767 --> 00:11:16,467 WHEN YOU MOVE A NUMBER AROUND, YOU'RE GOING TO MOVE A 181 00:11:16,600 --> 00:11:21,433 PRECINCT AROUND TO GET THAT DONE, YOU HAVE -- IT GETS SO 182 00:11:21,567 --> 00:11:26,033 CONTENTIOUS THAT WHEN YOU MOVE THE ONE, YOU MOVE IT DOWN, AND 183 00:11:26,167 --> 00:11:33,533 YOU MOVE THAT, IT'S JUST LIKE THE LAW OF PHYSICS. 184 00:11:33,667 --> 00:11:36,200 IT PUSHES SOMETHING ELSE. I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT 185 00:11:36,333 --> 00:11:39,633 THING IS WE ARE STILL LOOKING AT THE PREMISE THAT WE DON'T FEEL 186 00:11:39,767 --> 00:11:41,767 THAT MINORITY DISTRICTS NEED TO BE PACKED. 187 00:11:41,900 --> 00:11:44,700 THEY SHOULD NOT BE PACKED BECAUSE WHEN YOU PACK ONE 188 00:11:44,833 --> 00:11:48,500 MINORITY DISTRICT YOU THEN CREATE ANOTHER WHITE DISTRICT. 189 00:11:48,700 --> 00:11:51,300 IF YOU WANT TO WATCH THE ENTIRE DISCUSSION, YOU CAN 190 00:11:51,433 --> 00:11:58,733 ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT LPB.ORG/NEWSMAKERS. 191 00:11:58,867 --> 00:12:09,967 ♪♪ ♪♪ 192 00:12:10,167 --> 00:12:12,833 THIS WINTER MAY NOT GO DOWN AS HISTORICALLY, THE COLDEST 193 00:12:12,967 --> 00:12:17,600 EVER ON RECORD, BUT IF YOU ASK AROUND, MOST WILL TELL YOU THEY 194 00:12:17,733 --> 00:12:21,300 DON'T REMEMBER THAT WAS CONSISTENTLY THIS COLD. 195 00:12:21,433 --> 00:12:25,767 WE SAT DOWN WITH STATE CLIMATOLOGIST BARRY KEIM. 196 00:12:25,967 --> 00:12:29,933 IF THERE'S A METEOROLOGICAL THING ABOUT THIS WINTER, IT 197 00:12:30,067 --> 00:12:33,833 WOULD BE THE POLAR VORTEX. EXPLAIN THAT FOR US. 198 00:12:34,033 --> 00:12:36,400 THE POLAR VORTEX IS ESSENTIALLY THE POSITION OF THE 199 00:12:36,533 --> 00:12:38,833 JET STREAM AND WHEN THE JET STREAM OVER THE UNITED STATES 200 00:12:38,967 --> 00:12:43,700 GETS IN A CONFIGURATION WHERE LOUISIANA FALLS ON THE NORTH 201 00:12:43,833 --> 00:12:46,700 SIDE, WHAT THAT TELLS SUS WE ARE EXPERIENCING EITHER AIR OFF OF 202 00:12:46,833 --> 00:12:49,500 THE PACIFIC OCEAN OR OUT OF CANADA AND IN THIS CASE WE'RE 203 00:12:49,633 --> 00:12:53,267 LOOKING AT CANADIAN AIR THAT'S BEEN POURING INTO LOUISIANA. 204 00:12:53,467 --> 00:12:59,367 POURING IN REALLY SINCE NOVEMBER. 205 00:12:59,500 --> 00:13:01,000 THE DECEMBER SNOW AND COLD AND NOW THIS SECOND SNOW EVENT IN 206 00:13:01,133 --> 00:13:03,633 MID-JANUARY WITH THE ADDITION OF FREEZING RAIN AND ICE. 207 00:13:03,767 --> 00:13:06,133 THIS WEEK, SHREVEPORT AND MONROE GOT IT FIRST, WITH TWO TO THREE 208 00:13:06,267 --> 00:13:08,733 INCHES OF SNOW PLUS ICE REPORTED. 209 00:13:08,867 --> 00:13:13,867 PRETTY TO LOOK AT, DANGEROUS TO TRY AND GET AROUND IN. 210 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:16,800 A COLD RAIN HAD ALREADY SOAKED THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE STATE, 211 00:13:16,933 --> 00:13:20,500 SO WHEN IT TURNED TO FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW, AND THE MERCURY 212 00:13:20,633 --> 00:13:23,900 DROPPED BELOW FREEZING, AN ICE EVENT, VERY UNUSUAL FOR US, WAS 213 00:13:24,033 --> 00:13:31,100 IN FULL FORCE. WHAT IS THAT MAKES THE POLAR 214 00:13:31,233 --> 00:13:33,333 VORTEX DRIFT SOUTH? WELL, THAT'S THE MILLION 215 00:13:33,467 --> 00:13:35,667 DOLLAR QUESTION. BASICALLY, WHAT HAPPENS IS WE 216 00:13:35,800 --> 00:13:39,000 GET A LOT OF COLD AIR THAT IS MANUFACTURED UP IN THE ARCTIC 217 00:13:39,133 --> 00:13:43,467 REGION WHICH MAKES PERFECT SENSE, TOTAL DARKNESS, VERY LOW 218 00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:46,267 IMPRINT OF THE SUN. AND BY VIRTUE OF THAT, LOTS OF 219 00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:48,700 COLD AIR GETS PRODUCED, AND THEN IT STARTS TO FLOW OUT. 220 00:13:48,833 --> 00:13:53,067 THAT AIR IS VERY COLD, VERY HEAVY AND VERY DENSE. 221 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:55,800 AND AT SOME POINT, THAT AIR IS GOING TO START TO FLOW OFF INTO 222 00:13:55,933 --> 00:13:58,767 SOME DIRECTION AND CREATE A BIG LOBE OF COLD AIR DRIFTING OUT OF 223 00:13:58,900 --> 00:14:03,133 THE ARCTIC REGION. AND LOUISIANA IS WHERE MUCH 224 00:14:03,267 --> 00:14:05,800 OF IT DRIFTED. THE RESULT HAS PRODUCED STUFF WE 225 00:14:05,933 --> 00:14:09,533 JUST DON'T SEE AROUND HERE. TYPICAL INTERSTATE GRIDLOCK? 226 00:14:09,667 --> 00:14:13,767 NOT A CAR IN SIGHT WITH OUR INTERSTATE SYSTEMS CLOSED, 227 00:14:13,900 --> 00:14:15,967 EVERYTHING COVERED IN ICE. THEN SNOW ON TOP OF THAT IN MANY 228 00:14:16,100 --> 00:14:20,400 PLACES. TRYING TO CROSS THE STATE'S 229 00:14:20,533 --> 00:14:23,567 MAJOR BRIDGES, IMPOSSIBLE. SOME WERE CLOSED FOR DAYS. 230 00:14:23,700 --> 00:14:27,400 AND IT'S NOT JUST ROADS AND BRIDGES THAT CLOSED. 231 00:14:27,533 --> 00:14:29,400 THE STATE'S ENTIRE TRANSPORTATION GRID WAS KNOCKED 232 00:14:29,533 --> 00:14:31,400 OFFLINE. FIVE AIRPORTS CLOSED FOR SOME 233 00:14:31,533 --> 00:14:35,900 AMOUNT OF TIME. AND YOU KNOW, THIS WINTER IS NOT 234 00:14:36,033 --> 00:14:41,700 THE ONE THAT WAS FORECAST. THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A 235 00:14:41,833 --> 00:14:46,833 WEAK LA NINA WINTER, WHICH MEANS DRY AND WARMER? 236 00:14:47,033 --> 00:14:52,633 THAT'S CORRECT. THEY TEND TO BE DRY IN LOUISIANA 237 00:14:52,767 --> 00:14:55,667 BECAUSE THE JET STREAM IS MUCH FURTHER TO THE NORTH AND BY 238 00:14:55,800 --> 00:14:58,333 VIRTUE OF THAT WE ARE BASKING IN AIR OFF THE GULF OF MEXICO. 239 00:14:58,467 --> 00:15:01,633 THIS SEASON, MOTHER NATURE IS REALLY TOYING WITH US. 240 00:15:01,833 --> 00:15:05,067 THE RULES AREN'T APPLYING. THE RULES AREN'T APPLYING. 241 00:15:05,200 --> 00:15:08,567 AND IT IS WHAT IT IS. NOT EVERY LA NINA IS ALIKE. 242 00:15:08,700 --> 00:15:13,467 THIS IS A WEAK LA NINA. HAVING SAID THAT, THINGS ARE NOT 243 00:15:13,600 --> 00:15:16,200 PLAYING OUGHT HOW WE ANTICIPATED. 244 00:15:16,333 --> 00:15:17,667 IN GENERAL, LOUISIANA IS NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE ICE AND SNOW 245 00:15:17,800 --> 00:15:21,400 EVENTS. THEY ARE RARE AND FOR US. 246 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:24,267 HERE IN LOUISIANA, IT'S RARE THAT WE'RE CONSISTENTLY IN THE 247 00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:27,567 LOW 20s AND IN THE TEENS. SO MOST OF OUR SOLID 248 00:15:27,700 --> 00:15:31,100 PRECIPITATION COMES IN THE FORM OF SLEET AND SOME FREEZING RAIN 249 00:15:31,233 --> 00:15:34,067 AND IF YOU GET PURE SNOW, IT'S A REAL GIFT. 250 00:15:34,267 --> 00:15:36,300 ONE THING TO REMEMBER, IT'S JANUARY. 251 00:15:36,433 --> 00:15:40,633 WINTER IS NOT OVER. NO IN FACT, THE TRUE MIDPOINT 252 00:15:40,767 --> 00:15:44,033 OF WINTER IS PROBABLY LIKE THE THIRD WEEK OF JANUARY. 253 00:15:44,167 --> 00:15:49,367 THAT'S ABOUT RIGHT NOW. SO WE'RE RIGHT ABOUT THE LOWEST 254 00:15:49,500 --> 00:15:52,333 POINT AS FAR AS THE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES GO. 255 00:15:52,467 --> 00:15:54,433 AND WE'LL GRADUALLY START CLIMBING OUT OF THIS. 256 00:15:54,567 --> 00:15:57,433 HAVING SAID THAT, SOME OF THE COLDEST TEMPERATURES WE'VE EVER 257 00:15:57,567 --> 00:16:00,033 HAD IN LOUISIANA WERE IN FEBRUARY. 258 00:16:00,167 --> 00:16:02,100 SO THERE'S A LOT OF WINTER STILL IN FRONT OF US. 259 00:16:02,300 --> 00:16:07,833 BE ON THE LOOKOUT. THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A 260 00:16:07,967 --> 00:16:09,433 WARMUP THIS WEEKEND. SO HOW DID SOME OF THE 261 00:16:09,567 --> 00:16:11,333 STATE'S TOP CROPS WEATHER THE SEVERE COLD? 262 00:16:11,467 --> 00:16:17,600 LPB'S KELLY SPIRES FOUND OUT FROM AN LSU AG ECONOMIST. 263 00:16:17,733 --> 00:16:18,933 THAT'S RIGHT, ANDRE. KENT GUIDRY IS BASED OUTSIDE OF 264 00:16:19,067 --> 00:16:20,233 THE TOWN OF RAYNE IN ACADIA PARISH. 265 00:16:20,367 --> 00:16:22,467 WE TALKED VIA SKYPE AND HE TOLD ME THERE'S MORE GOOD NEWS THAN 266 00:16:22,600 --> 00:16:27,300 BAD. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THERE 267 00:16:27,433 --> 00:16:29,167 AREN'T TOO MANY CROPS IN THE GROUND THIS TIME OF YEAR AND 268 00:16:29,300 --> 00:16:33,400 THAT SUGAR CANE HARVEST IS COMING TO A CLOSE. 269 00:16:33,533 --> 00:16:37,333 I AM WONDERING IF YOU COULD TELL US WHAT HAPPENS TO SUGAR CANE 270 00:16:37,467 --> 00:16:41,600 WHEN IT GETS TOO COLD AND HOW THIS COLD SNAP COULD AFFECT THE 271 00:16:41,733 --> 00:16:45,233 HARVEST AS A WHOLE. YES, MA'AM. 272 00:16:45,367 --> 00:16:47,933 PRIOR TO THE FIRST FREEZING EVENT AND SNOW EVENT THAT WE HAD 273 00:16:48,067 --> 00:16:52,400 EARLY IN JANUARY, WE WERE APPROACHING ABOUT 90% OF THE 274 00:16:52,533 --> 00:16:57,067 SUGARCANE CROP BEING HARVESTED. WHEN WE DO GET THESE REALLY 275 00:16:57,200 --> 00:17:01,633 COLD, FREEZING TEMPERATURES, IT CAN START TO DETERIORATE THE 276 00:17:01,767 --> 00:17:03,867 SUGARCANE IN THE FIELD, WHICH MAKES IT MUCH MORE IMPORTANT TO 277 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:09,900 GET THAT SUGARCANE PROCESSED MUCH MORE QUICKLY THAN WE 278 00:17:10,033 --> 00:17:12,533 NORMALLY WOULD. TYPICALLY, YOU HAVE ABOUT TWO 279 00:17:12,667 --> 00:17:14,933 WEEKS. ONCE YOU GET THESE FREEZING 280 00:17:15,067 --> 00:17:18,167 TEMPERATURES BEFORE YOU START TO SEE SOME SIGNIFICANT 281 00:17:18,300 --> 00:17:19,667 DETERIORATION OF THE CROP IN THE FIELD. 282 00:17:19,867 --> 00:17:24,700 KIND OF THE AMAZING THING, THOUGH, IS THAT MOST OF THE CROP 283 00:17:24,833 --> 00:17:28,033 WAS ALREADY OUT OF THE GROUND AND WE'RE SEEING RECORD NUMBERS 284 00:17:28,167 --> 00:17:32,100 IN TERMS OF SUGAR RECOVERY. ABSOLUTELY. 285 00:17:32,233 --> 00:17:36,200 PRIOR TO THE FIRST EVENT THAT WE SAW EARLIER THIS YEAR IN 286 00:17:36,333 --> 00:17:40,600 JANUARY, SUGAR RECOVERY WAS AT RECORD LEVELS. 287 00:17:40,733 --> 00:17:43,667 WE HAD INCREASED PRODUCTION THIS YEAR. 288 00:17:43,800 --> 00:17:46,600 WE HAD INCREASED ACRES IN SUGARCANE PRODUCTION THIS YEAR. 289 00:17:46,733 --> 00:17:51,333 WHEN YOU COUPLE THAT WITH INCREASED CANE TONNAGE AND 290 00:17:51,467 --> 00:17:56,267 INCREASED SUGAR RECOVERY, THIS YEAR, EVEN THE SPIKE, THE ISSUES 291 00:17:56,400 --> 00:18:01,733 THAT WE'VE HAD HERE IN JANUARY, THE 2017 CROP WILL BE A RECORD 292 00:18:01,867 --> 00:18:05,767 LARGE CROP FOR LOUISIANA. AND SUGARCANE IS A MULTIYEAR 293 00:18:05,900 --> 00:18:07,000 CROP. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR CROPS 294 00:18:07,133 --> 00:18:11,000 DOWN THE LINE? YEAH, CERTAINLY WHEN WE LOOK 295 00:18:11,133 --> 00:18:15,033 AT SUGARCANE, WE PLANT IT IN ONE YEAR, AND THEN WE HOPE TO 296 00:18:15,167 --> 00:18:18,133 HARVEST IT FOR TWO TO THREE YEARS. 297 00:18:18,267 --> 00:18:21,733 SOMETIMES, EVEN FOUR YEARS AFTER THAT INITIAL PLANNING. 298 00:18:21,867 --> 00:18:29,033 SO CERTAINLY WHAT HAPPENS IN ONE YEAR CAN IMPACT ON THE SUGARCANE 299 00:18:29,167 --> 00:18:33,300 PRODUCTION IN THE REMAINING LIFE OF THAT PRODUCTION CYCLE. 300 00:18:33,433 --> 00:18:38,700 PROBABLY A LITTLE TOO EARLY TO TELL. 301 00:18:38,833 --> 00:18:41,867 WE WON'T HAVE A TRUE INDICATION OF ANY IMPACT THAT WE MAY HAVE 302 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:44,767 HAD FROM THESE FREEZING TEMPERATURES. 303 00:18:44,900 --> 00:18:48,433 UNTIL THIS CROP STARTS TO GROW OUT LATER THIS SPRING. 304 00:18:48,633 --> 00:18:51,600 IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS COLD WEATHER COULD BE GOOD 305 00:18:51,733 --> 00:18:55,000 NEWS FOR CROPS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN PLANTED YET. 306 00:18:55,133 --> 00:18:58,433 CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT FOR ME? CERTAINLY, WHEN YOU LOOK AT 307 00:18:58,567 --> 00:19:03,533 LOUISIANA THE MAJORITY OF OUR CROPS ARE SPRING PLANTING CROPS. 308 00:19:03,667 --> 00:19:08,233 WHEN YOU LOOK AT THINGS LIKE CORN, SOYBEANS, COTTON, THOSE 309 00:19:08,367 --> 00:19:14,133 MAKE UP A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF OUR TOTAL AGRICULTURAL VALUE IN 310 00:19:14,267 --> 00:19:19,333 LOUISIANA. WHAT THESE COLD SNAPS CAN HAVE 311 00:19:19,467 --> 00:19:21,800 IS A BENEFICIAL IMPACT ON PEST POPULATIONS. 312 00:19:21,933 --> 00:19:26,300 THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS WHEN WE'VE HAD RELATIVELY MILD 313 00:19:26,433 --> 00:19:31,567 WINTERS, INSECT POPULATIONS, DISEASE POPULATIONS TEND TO 314 00:19:31,700 --> 00:19:38,767 INCREASE DURING OUR -- TEND TO LEVEL OUT WHEN WE HAVE THOSE 315 00:19:38,900 --> 00:19:41,800 MILD WINTERS. HOPEFULLY, WITH THESE REALLY 316 00:19:41,933 --> 00:19:47,300 COLD TEMPERATURES, THAT WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON 317 00:19:47,433 --> 00:19:51,200 THOSE INSECT POPULATIONS. IF WE DON'T HAVE THAT INSECT 318 00:19:51,333 --> 00:19:53,933 PRESSURE, PRODUCERS DON'T HAVE TO SPEND THE MONEY THEY NORMALLY 319 00:19:54,067 --> 00:19:58,933 WOULD TO MANAGE THOSE PARTICULAR PESTS SO IT CAN HAVE SOME 320 00:19:59,067 --> 00:20:04,767 BENEFITS FOR OUR LATER SPRING PLANTING CROPS AND FOR MOST OF 321 00:20:04,900 --> 00:20:10,000 THOSE PRODUCERS WE'RE NEEDING A GOOD PRODUCTION YEAR IN 2018. 322 00:20:10,133 --> 00:20:14,500 2016, 2017, IT WAS DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF CERTAINLY THE FLOODS 323 00:20:14,633 --> 00:20:21,833 THAT WE HAD IN AUGUST OF 2016. AND THEN THIS YEAR WE ALSO HAD 324 00:20:21,967 --> 00:20:25,300 SIGNIFICANTLY WET CONDITIONS, EXCESSIVE RAIN THROUGH MOST OF 325 00:20:25,433 --> 00:20:30,100 OUR GROWING YEAR, WHICH REALLY HAD AN IMPACT ON A LOT OF OUR 326 00:20:30,233 --> 00:20:32,800 PRODUCTION FOR A LOT OF OUR COMMODITIES SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT 327 00:20:32,933 --> 00:20:36,933 THOSE TWO THINGS, LAST COUPLE OF YEARS BEING VERY, VERY 328 00:20:37,067 --> 00:20:40,767 DIFFICULT, 2018 HOPEFULLY WILL BE A BETTER YEAR FOR OUR 329 00:20:40,900 --> 00:20:43,567 PRODUCERS AND LOWER INSPECT AND DISEASE POPULATION PROVIDES KIND 330 00:20:43,700 --> 00:20:49,267 OF A BASIS OR A GOOD FOUNDATION FOR THOSE CROPS GOING INTO THE 331 00:20:49,400 --> 00:20:53,800 2018 PRODUCTION YEAR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR 332 00:20:53,933 --> 00:20:56,500 EXPLAINING ALL THIS AND FOR YOUR TIME, KIRK. 333 00:20:56,700 --> 00:21:00,900 THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I APPRECIATE IT. 334 00:21:01,100 --> 00:21:06,567 AND A CROP OF CRAW FISH, HOW DOES THE COLD AFFECT THEM? 335 00:21:06,700 --> 00:21:08,033 WELL, YOU MAY WANT TO WAIT A LITTLE LONGER BEFORE THAT FIRST 336 00:21:08,167 --> 00:21:10,167 BOIL. AS IS TYPICALLY EARLY IN THE 337 00:21:10,300 --> 00:21:12,233 SEASON, SUPPLY IS TIGHT, SO PRICES ARE HIGH. 338 00:21:12,367 --> 00:21:16,600 GUIDRY EXPECTS THAT TO LAST A LITTLE FURTHER INTO THE SPRING 339 00:21:16,733 --> 00:21:21,900 THAN IN A TYPICAL YEAR. THANKS FOR THAT. 340 00:21:22,033 --> 00:21:23,267 IT'S RARE TO SEE LOUISIANA FIRST IN ANYTHING EDUCATION 341 00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:27,500 RELATED, BUT FOR TWO YEARS IN A ROW, THE LUMINA FOUNDATION 342 00:21:27,633 --> 00:21:34,233 RANKED US NUMBER ONE FOR THE PERCENTAGE OF WORKING AGE ADULTS 343 00:21:34,367 --> 00:21:35,433 WITH A HIGH-QUALITY POST-SECONDARY CERTIFICATE. 344 00:21:35,567 --> 00:21:36,800 THE STATE COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM HAS 345 00:21:36,933 --> 00:21:39,167 MADE GREAT STRIDES DURING ITS 19 YEAR EXISTENCE. 346 00:21:39,300 --> 00:21:41,633 DR. MONTY SULLIVAN, THE PRESIDENT OF THE STATE COMMUNITY 347 00:21:41,767 --> 00:21:46,200 AND TECH COLLEGE SYSTEM, TOLD ME IT'S AN EVER-EVOLVING PROCESS TO 348 00:21:46,333 --> 00:21:47,600 REMAIN VIBRANT AND PRESENT. HERES AN EXCERPT FROM OUR 349 00:21:47,733 --> 00:21:53,833 INTERVIEW. WE HAVE CERTAINLY FELT THE 350 00:21:53,967 --> 00:21:56,667 BRUNT OF CUTS. WE'VE BEEN CUT BY $80 MILLION 351 00:21:56,800 --> 00:21:59,800 OVER THE LASTING DECADE. HOWEVER, WE SPEND OUR TIME 352 00:21:59,933 --> 00:22:02,800 FOCUSED NOT SO MUCH ON THE CUTS, BUT RATHER HOW WE CONTINUE TO 353 00:22:02,933 --> 00:22:05,067 DELIVER IN EVERY COMMUNITY ACROSS LOUISIANA. 354 00:22:05,200 --> 00:22:07,500 THE MISSION OF TWO YEAR COLLEGES IS SO IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE OF 355 00:22:07,633 --> 00:22:10,133 THIS STATE AND TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE 356 00:22:10,267 --> 00:22:13,800 HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN WHAT HAS BECOME A STRONG 357 00:22:13,933 --> 00:22:16,600 ECONOMY. JOIN US NEXT WEEK. 358 00:22:16,733 --> 00:22:21,600 WE'LL HAVE THE FULL INTERVIEW ON NEXT WEEK'S EDITION OF SWI, 359 00:22:21,733 --> 00:22:23,767 "LOUISIANA: THE STATE WE'RE IN." IN NOVEMBER, THE STATE 360 00:22:23,900 --> 00:22:28,267 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LAUNCHED A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND IN THE 361 00:22:28,400 --> 00:22:30,367 COUNTRY ONLINE DATABASE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTERS. 362 00:22:30,500 --> 00:22:36,133 IT'S CALLED THE LOUISIANA SCHOOL FINDER TOOL, AND IT GIVES 363 00:22:36,267 --> 00:22:38,233 PERFORMANCE SCORES FOR ALL OF THE STATES PUBLICLY FUNDED EARLY 364 00:22:38,367 --> 00:22:40,267 CHILDCARE CENTERS TO SHOW HOW WELL STUDENTS ARE PREPARED TO 365 00:22:40,400 --> 00:22:47,267 MOVE ONTO THE NEXT GRADE. WOMEN GENERALLY HAVE 366 00:22:47,400 --> 00:22:51,833 PART-TIME JOBS THAT ARE TWICE THE NUMBER OF MEN, AND THEY 367 00:22:51,967 --> 00:22:55,933 OFTEN CITE THE FACT THEY'RE NOT FULL-TIME WORKERS BECAUSE OF THE 368 00:22:56,067 --> 00:22:58,467 HIGH COST OF CHILDCARE SO IF THEY HAD AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE 369 00:22:58,600 --> 00:23:02,700 CHILDCARE THEY COULD PROBABLY ENTER THE FULL-TIME WORKFORCE AS 370 00:23:02,833 --> 00:23:06,067 WELL. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE STATISTICS 371 00:23:06,200 --> 00:23:12,467 IN TERMS OF ABSENTEEISM, IN TERMS OF PRODUCTIVITY, 372 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:13,867 EVERYTHING ABOUT EARLY CHILDCARE AND LEARNING IMPACTS THE 373 00:23:14,000 --> 00:23:17,500 WORKFORCE AND THE ECONOMY. THIS MONTH, LOUISIANA PUBLIC 374 00:23:17,633 --> 00:23:22,100 SQUARE AIRS WEDNESDAY, JANUAR 24th AT 7:00 P.M. ON LPB AND 375 00:23:22,233 --> 00:23:29,433 IN NEW ORLEANS ON WLAE. VISIT LPB.ORG/PUBLICSQUARE FOR 376 00:23:29,567 --> 00:23:32,067 MORE INFORMATION. ACCLAIMED LOUISIANA AUTHOR 377 00:23:32,200 --> 00:23:34,633 ERNEST GAINES HAS WRITTEN A NEW NOVELLA, "THE TRAGEDY OF BRADY 378 00:23:34,767 --> 00:23:37,433 SIMS." THE STORY REVOLVES AROUND A 379 00:23:37,567 --> 00:23:41,267 COURTHOUSE SHOOTING THAT LEADS A YOUNG REPORTER TO UNCOVER AN OLD 380 00:23:41,400 --> 00:23:44,100 STORY OF RACE AND POWER, BLACK AND WHITE. 381 00:23:44,233 --> 00:23:47,133 THE 11th ERNEST GAINES AWARD FOR LITERARY EXCELLENCE WAS 382 00:23:47,267 --> 00:23:50,467 GIVEN THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE MANSHIP THEATRE AT THE SHAW 383 00:23:50,600 --> 00:23:52,867 CENTER FOR THE ARTS IN BATON ROUGE AND FEATURED ERNEST GAINES 384 00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:56,567 HIMSELF READING FROM HIS NEW BOOK.. 385 00:23:56,767 --> 00:24:00,900 NEXT, CAME THE LOUDEST SOUND THAT I HAD EVER HEARD. 386 00:24:01,033 --> 00:24:06,133 I SAW THE PRISONER FALL BACK WITH BLOOD SPLASHING FROM HIS 387 00:24:06,267 --> 00:24:17,400 BODY AND BOTH DEPUTIES LET GO OF HIS ARMS AT THE SAME TIME. 388 00:24:17,533 --> 00:24:18,700 THE WINNER OF THE 11th ERNEST GAINES AWARD IS LADEE 389 00:24:18,833 --> 00:24:23,967 HUBBARD FROM NEW ORLEANS FOR HER NOVEL, THE TALENTED RIBKINS. 390 00:24:24,100 --> 00:24:25,867 SHE RECEIVED $10,000 CASH AND A COMMEMORATIVE SCULPTURE. 391 00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:27,367 THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK. 392 00:24:27,500 --> 00:24:29,767 REMEMBER, YOU CAN WATCH LPB ON DEMAND ON YOUR PHONE OR TABLET 393 00:24:29,900 --> 00:24:33,333 WITH OUR LPB ANYWHERE APP. THE DOWNLOAD IS FREE FROM YOUR 394 00:24:33,467 --> 00:24:37,533 APP STORE. YOU CAN CATCH LPB NEWS AND 395 00:24:37,667 --> 00:24:39,000 PUBLIC AFFAIRS SHOWS, AS WELL AS OTHER LOUISIANA PROGRAMS YOU 396 00:24:39,133 --> 00:24:41,933 HAVE COME ENJOY OVER THE YEARS. AND PLEASE LIKE US ON FACEBOOK 397 00:24:42,067 --> 00:24:45,400 AS WELL. FOR EVERYONE AT LOUISIANA PUBLIC 398 00:24:45,533 --> 00:24:47,733 BROADCASTING, I'M ANDRE MOREAU, THANKS FOR WATCHING. 399 00:24:47,867 --> 00:24:53,233 UNTIL NEXT TIME, THAT'S THE STATE WE'RE IN. 400 00:24:53,367 --> 00:25:19,300 ♪♪ ♪♪ 401 00:25:19,433 --> 00:25:21,800 CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER AND VISIT LPB.ORG, WHERE 402 00:25:21,933 --> 00:25:24,133 YOU CAN VIEW MORE STORIES AND LEAVE US A COMMENT. 403 00:25:24,267 --> 00:25:29,633 THIS PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE ON DVD. 404 00:25:29,833 --> 00:25:33,733 SUPPORT COMES FROM -- ENTERGY PROVIDES MUCH MORE 405 00:25:33,867 --> 00:25:37,133 THAN POWER. WE SUPPORT SCIENCE AND 406 00:25:37,267 --> 00:25:38,600 ENGINEERING IN LOCAL SCHOOLS TO BUILD A BRIGHTER PATH TO BETTER 407 00:25:38,733 --> 00:25:41,000 JOBS AND HELP PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION, BECAUSE TOGETHER, WE 408 00:25:41,133 --> 00:25:45,700 POWER LIFE. ENTERGY. 409 00:25:45,833 --> 00:25:48,467 ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY THE FRED B. AND RUTH B. 410 00:25:48,600 --> 00:25:52,000 ZIEGLER FOUNDATION AND THE ZIEGLER ART MUSEUM LOCATED IN 411 00:25:52,133 --> 00:25:54,700 JENNINGS CITY HALL. THE MUSEUM FOCUSES ON EMERGING 412 00:25:54,833 --> 00:25:58,800 LOUISIANA ARTISTS AND IS A HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CENTER 413 00:25:58,933 --> 00:26:01,933 FOR SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA. AND THE FOUNDATION FOR 414 00:26:02,067 --> 00:26:04,467 EXCELLENCE IN LOUISIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, WITH SUPPORT FROM 415 00:26:04,600 --> 00:26:07,100 VIEWERS LIKE YOU.