WE SUPPORT SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING AT LOCAL SCHOOLS TO
BUILD A BRIGHTER PATH TO BETTER JOBS AND HELP PREPARE THE NEXT
GENERATION BECAUSE TOGETHER, WE POWER LIFE.
ENTERGY. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED
BY THE FRED B. AND RUTH B. ZIEGLER FOUNDATION AND THE
ZIEGLER ART MUSEUM LOCATED IN JENNINGS CITY HALL.
THE MUSEUM FOCUSES ON EMERGING LOUISIANA ARTISTS AND IS AN
HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CENTER FOR SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA.
AND THE FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENCE IN LOUISIANA PUBLIC
BROADCASTING WITH SUPPORT FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU.
CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY LNS CAPTIONING WWW.LNSCAPTIONING.COM
WE REALLY FOCUS ON THE KIDS, MAKING SURE THEY KNOW WHY THEY ARE IN THE HOSPITAL.
A VISION FOR THE FUTURE IS REALIZED WITH THE OPENING OF A NEW CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.
WE WANT TO IMPROVE. WE WANT TO OVERALL. THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN
STARTING OVER. CANDIDATES FOR BESE'S SIXTH DISTRICT TELL LPB WHY THEY ARE
RUNNING. I AM VERY DISTRESSED BY THE NASTINESS.
I AM VERY DISTRESSED BY THE INABILITY OF PEOPLE TO BE CIVIL. EARLY VOTERS HAVING THEIR SAY
AT THE BALLOT BOX. HI, EVERYONE. I'M NATASHA WILLIAMS.
I'M ANDRE MOREAU. MUCH MORE ON THOSE TOP STORIES IN A MOMENT ON THIS WEEK'S
EDITION OF "SWI," BUT FIRST, NEWS TODAY FROM THE SUPREME COURT.
THE HIGH COURT ANNOUNCING TODAY THEY WILL TAKE UP A LOUISIANA LAW THAT COULD LEAVE
THE STATE WITH JUST ONE ABORTION CLINIC. A DECISION IS LIKELY TO COME BY
THE END OF JUNE. THE LOUISIANA LAW IS VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL TO A TEXAS
LAW THAT THE SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN IN 2016 THAT REQUIRED DOCTORS TO HAVE
ADMITTING PRIVILEGES TO A NEARBY HOSPITAL. NOW A LOOK AT OTHER HEADLINES
MAKING NEWS ACROSS LOUISIANA. REPUBLICAN RALPH ABRAHAM IS NOW PUMPING HIS OWN MONEY INTO HIS
CAMPAIGN TO BE GOVERNOR AS HE STRUGGLES TO KEEP UP THE SPENDING PACE TO UNSEAT DEMOCRAT
JOHN BEL EDWARDS. THE LATEST FINANCE REPORTS SHOW THE THIRD-TERM CONGRESSMAN FROM
ALTO IN RICH LAND PARISH HAS LOANED HIS CAMPAIGN THE MONEY IN
THE FINAL STRETCH BEFORE THE OCTOBER 12 ELECTION.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS FINALLY COME OUT SWINGING IN
REGARDS TO THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, URGING GOP VOTERS TO OUST
EDWARDS. IN TWEETS THIS WEEK, TRUMP
DIDN'T PICK AMONG EDWARDS' MAIN REPUBLICAN CHALLENGERS, BUT
SIMPLY CALLED ON VOTERS TO TAKE THE DEMOCRAT EDWARDS OUT OF
OFFICE. A STATE AGENCY HAS FIRST DOWN 27
-- HAS FOUND 27 ISSUES IN AN AUDIT OF THE CITY
OF SHREVEPORT'S 2018 FINANCES. THE FINDINGS OF THE STATE
AUDITOR NOTE THE ARRESTS OF FOUR CITY EMPLOYEES ACCUSED OF USING
CITY MONEY FOR THEIR OWN GAIN. THREE WERE ACCUSED OF USING CITY
RESOURCES WORTH $25,000 FOR WORK ON PRIVATE DRIVEWAYS.
THE AUDIT ALSO SAYS THE CITY WAS FINED NEARLY $190,000 FOR THE
LATE FILING OF PAYROLL TAXES. SHREVEPORT OFFICIALS SAY THEY
ARE WORKING WITH THE AUDITOR TO ADDRESS ANY PROBLEMS.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS BOUGHT OUT AN ENTIRE FLOOD-PRONE
NEIGHBORHOOD IN GONZALES AND THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED THERE HAVE
MOVED TO HIGHER GROUND. THIS WAS ON SILVERLEAF STREET IN
THE ASCENSION PARISH CITY. THE STREET WAS CARVED OUT OF A
WETLAND AND FREQUENTLY FLOODED. THE AGENCY IS BUYING THE HOMES
AT PRE-FLOOD MARKET VALUE AND RESTORE LOUISIANA IS OFFERING TO
MAKE UP SHORTFALLS IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS.
THE FEDS ARE ALSO GIVING PLAQUEMINES PARISH A $4 MILLION
GRANT TO IMPROVE ITS WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND HELP PROTECT
BUSINESSES FROM NATURAL DISASTERS.
MOST OF THAT MONEY WILL BE DIRECTED AT THE BELLE CHASSE
WATER TREATMENT PLANT. IT COMES FROM A PROGRAM DESIGNED
TO HELP PAY FOR DISASTER RELIEF AND RECOVERY FROM HURRICANES AND
OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS. PINK SLIPS STUNNED 376 WORKERS
AT A STEEL MILL IN LAPLACE, WHICH SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING.
THE GOVERNOR SUGGESTED TARIFFS MAY HAVE PLAYED A ROLE IN THE
CLOSURE. THE BAYOU STEEL GROUP FACTORY IS
THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH, BUT THE
COMPANY SAYS IT WILL CLOSE BY THE END OF NOVEMBER.
MORE THAN 150 RESTAURANTS IN THE STATE HAVE BEEN CITED FOR NOT
TELLING CUSTOMERS THEY SOLD SEAFOOD IMPORTED AND NOT FROM
LOUISIANA. A NEW STATE LAW REQUIRES FOOD
BUSINESSES TO POST INFORMATION ABOUT IMPORTED CRAWFISH OR
SHRIMP ON MENU OR ON ENTRANCE SIGNS.
THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOUND VIOLATIONS FROM BATON ROUGE TO
NEW ORLEANS, IN THE LAKE CHARLES AREA AND BOSSIER CITY AND
SHREVEPORT. ALSO TODAY THE GOVERNOR
RELEASED A NEW AD THAT WILL RUN IN THE FINAL WEEK OF THE
ELECTION. IT'S CALLED "STILL JOHN BEL" AND
ITS GOAL IS TO REMIND VOTERS OF HIS FIRST-TERM ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
THE STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY ALSO ANNOUNCED BIG NEWS.
MONDAY NIGHT, THE SON OF THE PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP JR.,
WILL HEADLINE A GOP EVENT IN LAFAYETTE.
BOTH LEAD REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES PLAN TO BE THERE.
STAFF OF OUR LADY OF THE LAKE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OFFICIALLY
BLESSED THEIR BRAND NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART BUILDING THIS
MORNING IN BATON ROUGE. TOMORROW THE DOORS OPEN AND
PATIENTS WILL BEGIN RECEIVING CARE AT THE $230 MILLION
FACILITY, AS THE GOAL TO CREATE A PLACE SOLELY FOR CHILDREN AND
THEIR FAMILIES BECOMES A REALITY.
BECAUSE A HOSPITAL VISIT IS RARELY SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD
TO, EXTRAORDINARY LENGTHS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO CALM AND COMFORT
THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO ARRIVE AT OUR LADY OF THE LAKE'S
BRAND NEW FREESTANDING CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.
IT'S EVIDENT IN THE COLOR AND IN THE SOUND THAT ENVELOPE THE
ENVIRONMENT. THE LAKE COMMISSIONED ACCLAIMED
ARCHITECT, CHRISTOPHER JANNEY TO SET THE TONE FOR THE HEALING
THAT DOCTORS AND HOSPITAL WORKERS WILL STRIVE TO ACHIEVE.
BY COMBINING ARCHITECTURE AND JAZZ, IT'S ALWAYS ALLOWED ME TO
THINK OF NEW IDEAS, SO SOMETIMES I TRY TO MAKE ARCHITECTURE MORE
LIKE MUSIC. SOMETIMES I TRY TO MAKE MUSIC
MORE LIKE ARCHITECTURE, SO COMING UP WITH THESE IDEAS THAT
ARE REALLY THE SYNTHESIS OF THESE TWO DISCIPLINES ARE WHAT
INTRIGUES ME THE MOST. THIS IS ACTUALLY A GROUP OF
WORKS I'VE BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS CALLED URBAN
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND THIS PIECE TITLE HARMONIC GROVE IS
THE LATEST ITERATION. VISITORS ENTER BENEATH A
CANOPY OF BLUE AND GREEN AND ROSE COLORED STAIN GLASS WHICH
CASTS COLORFUL SHADOWS. LOUISIANA SWAMP SOUNDS CHIRP AND
CROAK FROM 24 INTEGRATED SPEAKERS.
WHAT MAKES THE SPACE TRULY UNIQUE, THOUGH, IS THAT IT'S
INTERACTIVE. ANYONE WHO PRESSES OR WAVES A
HAND TO ONE OF THE INVITING HAND PRINTS, LOCATED ON SUPPORT
COLUMNS, WILL TRIGGER A SERIES OF MELODIC INSTRUMENTS AND WILL
EVEN AFFECT THE LIGHTING. ONE OF THE GOALS IS TO CREATE
A PLACE OF PLAYFUL CREATIVITY WHERE CHILDREN OF ALL AGES CAN
COME AND GET A SENSE OF EVEN BEFORE THEY GO INTO THE BUILDING
THAT IT'S A PLAYFUL, BUT A CREATIVE PLACE, AND IN A SENSE
PLAY WITH THE ARCHITECTURE. IT IS A PLAZA WHERE PEOPLE CAN
RELAX AND IN A SENSE PLAY WITH THE ARCHITECTURE.
THROUGHOUT THE NEW HOSPITAL, EACH FLOOR IS MARKED BY ITS OWN
COLOR SCHEME AND BY WAYFINDING SIGNAGE.
EACH FLOOR HAS ITS OWN SET OF ANIMAL AMBASSADORS.
SHARON WESTBERRY, MANAGER OF THE CHILDLIFE DEPARTMENT, SAYS THE
SIGNAGE, THE SOUNDS, AND VISUALS WORK IN HARMONY WITH HER JOB,
WHICH IS TO MAKE THE CHILDREN FEEL THAT WHERE THEY ARE IS
SAFE. WE REALLY FOCUS ON THE KIDS
AND MAKING SURE THEY UNDERSTAND WHY THEY'RE IN THE HOSPITAL,
MAKING SURE THEIR ANXIETY IS DECREASED, YOU KNOW.
WE DON'T WANT THEM TO BE AFRAID BEING HERE.
WE TRY TO NORMALIZE THE EXPERIENCE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
AND WE DO A LOT OF TEACHING FOR KIDS AND THAT MEANS HELPING THEM
THROUGH PLAY UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THEM WHILE
THEY'RE IN THE HOSPITAL. IT'S A CHALLENGE, I WOULD
THINK, RIGHT? WE GET ON A CHILD'S LEVEL,
WE GET TO KNOW THEM, KNOW WHO THEY ARE, AND WE REALLY JUST
GAIN THEIR TRUST. SO THAT'S A BIG PART OF WHAT WE
DO IN WORKING WITH KIDS, IS REALLY LETTING THEM KNOW WE ARE
A SAFE PERSON AND WE WANT THEM TO TRUST US.
WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO GO INTO THE ROOMS AND TALK ABOUT
UPCOMING PROCEDURES. FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE DOCTOR
ORDERS AN I.V., SO WHAT IS AN I.V.?
SOME KIDS ASSOCIATE IT WITH POISON IVY, BUT WE WANT TO HELP
THEM UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS AND ACTUALLY EXPLAIN ING
THROUGH PLAY THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS LEADING
UP TO THE ACTUAL PLACEMENT OF THE CATHETER INTO THEIR SKIN AND
SO WE PLAY THROUGH THAT EXPERIENCE.
AND SO WE COME UP WITH A PLAN, A COPING PLAN.
AND ALLOWING THE CHILD TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR ROLE IS,
WHAT THE NURSE'S ROLE IS, AND WHAT MY ROLE IS AS A CHILDLIFE
SPECIALIST AND EVEN WHAT THE PARENTS' ROLE IS, AS SUPPORT FOR
THEIR KIDS. DR. TREY DUNBAR, PRESIDENT OF
CHILDREN'S HEALTH FOR OUR LADY OF THE LAKE, SAYS WHAT'S BEEN
DREAMT OF BY PEDIATRIC SPECIALISTS AND PEDIATRICIANS
FOR YEARS IS NOW A REALITY. SO HAVING THIS FACILITY IS
GOING TO BE HUGE FOR US TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND WHAT WE'VE
ALREADY BEEN DOING. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, WE'VE BEEN
DOING PEDIATRIC TRAUMA AT THE MAIN HOSPITAL.
THIS GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO TRAUMA IN TOTALLY DIFFERENT
WAYS AND EXPAND AND ATTEST TO BEING A TRAUMA PROGRAM ON OUR
OWN FOR PEDIATRICS, GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE MORE
INNOVATIVE IN HOW WE PROVIDE CARE.
ONE EXAMPLE OF THAT IS OUR ST. JUDE'S FLOOR.
A MAJOR PART OF THE IDEA OF THE HOSPITAL IS TO KEEP KIDS
CLOSE TO THEIR HOMES. SO IT MORE CLOSELY SERVES METRO
BATON ROUGE, THE STATE AND THE GULF REGION.
AS AN AFFILIATE OF ST. JUDE'S CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, DUNBAR SAYS
IT MEANS IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO VITAL RESEARCH FOR TRAUMA OR
CANCER SERVICES. THERE AREN'T TOO MANY PLACES
YOU CAN GO IF YOU'RE A CHILD WITH A BLOOD DISORDER OR CANCER
AND GET CARE ALL IN ONE FLOOR. AND THAT'S WHAT OUR THIRD FLOOR,
OUR ST. JUDE, ALLOWS US TO DO. HAVING A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IS
A DESTINATION FOR PEDIATRICS SPECIALISTS OR PEOPLE WHO WANT
TO BE PROFESSIONALLY INVESTED IN PEDIATRICS.
SO WE'VE ALREADY HAD AN UPTICK IN OUR RECRUITMENT FOR SUB
SPECIALS OR PEDIATRIC NURSES WHO WANT TO TAKE CARE OF KIDS
IN A NEW AND INNOVATIVE ENVIRONMENT.
ALWAYS ON THE THIRD FLOOR ISSA'S ROOM.
DONATED AND FUNDED BY THE BOWMAN FOUNDATION FOLLOWING THE DEATH
OF THEIR DAUGHTER. THIS IS PALLATIVE CARE ROOM,
SO CHILDREN WHO ARE AT END OF LIFE CARE WILL BE PLACED IN THIS
ROOM UNTIL IT IS TIME FOR THEM TO PASS AWAY.
AND SO IT'S A LARGER ROOM AND IT'S THERE TO ACCOMMODATE
FAMILY, EXTENDED FAMILY, BUT THE GOAL OF THIS ROOM IS REALLY TO
MAKE IT MORE OF THAT FEELING OF HOME AND JUST BE A LARGER SPACE
FOR FAMILIES THAT ARE GOING THROUGH SUCH A DIFFICULT TIME IN
THEIR LIFE. THERE IS ALSO HOSPITAL
HISTORY INTEGRATED INTO THE NEW SIX-STORY STRUCTURE, EASILY
VISIBLE FROM INTERSTATE 10 IN BATON ROUGE.
THIS OUTDOOR PAVILION AND ITS STAINED GLASS WINDOWS ARE A
THROWBACK TO THE ORIGINAL OUR LADY OF THE LAKE HOSPITAL BUILT
IN DOWNTOWN BATON ROUGE IN 1923. THEY WERE DISCOVERED IN STORAGE,
HIDDEN AWAY FOR YEARS, AFTER THE HOSPITAL COMPLEX MOVED TO ESSEN
LANE IN 1978. THIS HOSPITAL IS SOLELY
DEDICATED TO CARING FOR KIDS AND SO WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE
THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH ALL STAFF AND JUST UNDERSTAND THE
UNIQUENESS OF CHILDREN AND HOW CHILDREN COPE AND HOW WE CAN
BEST HELP THEM TO BE SUCCESSFUL DURING THEIR HOSPITAL STAY WITH
US. MEDICAL TEAMS HAVE SIMULATED
THE MOVING OF PATIENTS THIS WEEK, BUT IT HAPPENS FOR REAL
TOMORROW. 50 CHILDREN WHO'VE BEEN IN CARE
AT THE LAKE WILL BECOME THE FIRST PATIENTS TREATED IN THE
NEW CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. IT OFFICIALLY OPENS TOMORROW.
COULD LSU FOOTBALL BE A REASON WHY WE'VE SEEN A STRONG
TURNOUT OF EARLY VOTERS AT THE POLLS?
ON ELECTION NIGHT IN TIGER STADIUM, THE TIGERS TANGLE THE
FLORIDA GATORS IN WHAT COULD BE A MATCHUP OF UNBEATEN SEC
HEAVYWEIGHTS. REGARDLESS OF WHY VOTERS
TURNED OUT IN DROVES AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE
TELLS US EARLY VOTING REMAINS STEADY.
WE HIT THE STREETS TO TALK ABOUT RESIDENTS ABOUT POLITICAL
ENGAGEMENT AND IF THEY PLAN TO VOTE EARLY.
I ACTUALLY VOTED MONDAY AROUND NOON.
I LIVE IN WEST BATON ROUGE PARISH AND IT WAS VERY EASY TO
DO. I FEEL LIKE PEOPLE ARE
ENGAGED IN THEIR OWN CAMP AND NOBODY IS TRYING TO WORK
TOGETHER TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS AT HAND AND WHEN THEY DO, WE
SHOULD SEE THAT AS A GOOD THING. IT'S A POSITIVE THING FOR OUR
COUNTRY, FOR OUR PARISHES, OUR STATE, OR WHATEVER.
I AM DEFINITELY GOING TO VOTE.
WE KNOW WHO IS RUNNING, KIND OF KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, BUT WE USUALLY GO TO PAR OR ONE OF
THOSE SITES AND SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE AMENDMENTS
AND SOMETIMES THE CANDIDATES, JUST AN OBJECTIVE OVERVIEW.
I VOTED YESTERDAY. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO EARLY
VOTE? EARLY VOTING IS MUCH MORE
CONVENIENT THAN TO HAVE TO TAKE OFF FROM WORK AND VOTE ON THE
ONE DAY AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE PARTICIPATION
AND ALL VOTE. I THINK IT IS REALLY
DISHEARTENING, IT SEEMS, THAT POLITICIANS DON'T SEEM TO BE
ENGAGED WITH THE CIVICS THAT THEY NEED TO KNOW AND DEFINITELY
THE GENERAL POPULATION ISN'T ENGAGED IN THE CIVICS THEY NEED
TO KNOW. AS IN WHAT ROLES POLITICIANS
HAVE AND WHAT THEY CAN ACCOMPLISH OR THE LIMITS THEY
HAVE. I'M VERY DISTRESSED BY THE
NASTINESS, BY THE INABILITY OF PEOPLE TO BE CIVIL TO EACH OTHER
BECAUSE I THINK WE CAN DISAGREE, BUT BE FRIENDS.
SO WHY ARE YOU EARLY VOTING? BECAUSE THERE IS A FOOTBALL
GAME, ONE, ON THE REAL VOTING DAY.
I DO FEEL LIKE I KNOW THE PEOPLE RUNNING.
I WISH I KNEW MORE ABOUT THE AMENDMENTS.
I'M GOING TO HAVE TO READ THEM WHEN I GET THERE.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO EARLY VOTE?
I JUST WANT TO GO IN AND GET IT DONE, I GUESS.
WE WENT TO THE ARCHIVES AND SOMEONE SAID IF YOU ARE OVER 65,
LOOKING AT ME, THEY HAVE A SPECIAL ROOM FOR YOU.
WHAT WAS THE GIVEAWAY? ANYWAY, WE HAD TO GO THROUGH
LONG LINES OF PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT 65.
WE GOT IN THERE AND IT JUST TOOK A FEW MINUTES TO VOTE.
I'M HAPPY WITH IT. I'M UNHAPPY WITH OUR NATIONAL
POLITICAL SITUATION. I'M UNHAPPY WITH THE LOCAL
POLITICAL SITUATION. I'M CONSERVATIVE, BUT VOTING
LIBERAL MORE. IF EVERYBODY DOESN'T GET OUT
AND VOTE, IT IS LIKE VOTING FOR THE WRONG PERSON.
IF YOU DON'T GIVE YOUR OPINION, IT IS GIVING TO SOMEONE THAT
DON'T NEED IT. REALLY MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.
REMEMBER, YOU CAN CAST YOUR EARLY BALLOT UNTIL TOMORROW AT
6:00 P.M. YOU CAN GO TO LPB.ORG FOR A
COMPLETE LIST OF WHERE YOU CAN EARLY VOTE THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
CLEO FIELDS IS TRYING TO REGAIN THE SENATE DISTRICT 14
SEAT HE ONCE HELD. HIS CHALLENGER IS LONGTIME
LAWMAKER PAT SMITH. FIELDS CONTINUES TO FACE
QUESTIONS ABOUT WHERE HE LIVES AND HIS CHARACTER.
THE VETERAN POLITICIANS FACED OFF AT THE PRESS CLUB ON MONDAY.
DOMICILE IS 5346 HOLLYWOOD STREET FOR 30 SOME YEARS.
DON'T HAVE ANY PLANS OF CHANGING IT, WILL NOT CHANGE IT.
IF ANYBODY HAD ANY DOUBTS ABOUT WHERE I'M DOMICILED, THERE IS A
MECHANISM YOU CAN FILE A LAWSUIT.
WE HAVE MORE CANDIDATES CHALLENGED ACROSS THIS STATE
THAN EVER BEFORE, YOU KNOW. I DON'T KNOW WHY IT WASN'T
CHALLENGED, BECAUSE I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE
CHALLENGE. BECAUSE MY DOMICILE IS 5347
HOLLYWOOD. DO I OWN OTHER PROPERTIES?
YES. THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF
THIS STATE GIVES ME THE RIGHT TO DO THAT.
THE ARTICLE IN THE NEWSPAPER BROUGHT FORWARD THE ISSUES ON
RESIDENCY AND DOMICILE. WHILE THE LAW PROVIDES YOU TO
HAVE A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION ON A PARTICULAR HOUSE AND TO BE ABLE
TO VOTE THERE, IT IS A LOOPHOLE IN THE LAW AND I THINK IT IS
IMPORTANT THAT WHEN YOU DO WANT TO RUN FOR OFFICE, YOU SHOULD
LIVE WITH THE PEOPLE YOU WANT TO REPRESENT.
CAN YOU SHARE WITH US TODAY WHAT YOU THINK YOUR MOST
SIGNIFICANT ACTIONS IN THAT CAPACITY HAS BEEN IN YOUR
CAREER? MOST SIGNIFICANT WAS WORKING
WITH THE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN MY DISTRICT.
BEFORE EVERY LEGISLATIVE SESSION, ONE OF THE THINGS I
DID, I MET WITH THE PRESIDENT AT SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND THE
PRESIDENT OF LSU. AND NOW BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY
COLLEGE IS PART OF THE 14th SENATORIAL DISTRICT AS WELL.
I ALWAYS CONSIDERED THE 14th DISTRICT AS THE HUB FOR HIGH
EDUCATION IN THIS STATE. I HAVE A NUMBER OF THEM, I
WILL PROBABLY GIVE YOU COUPLE OF THEM.
ONE, I HEARD THE MERGE OF SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND UNO, UH
STOOD THE GROUND. AND ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE
PAPER SHOWS ME HOLDING THE LINE WITH JIM TUCKER NOT BEING ABLE
TO BRING THAT BILL TO THE FLOOR FOR A VOTE.
AS THE CHAIR OF THE BLACK CAUCUS THAT IS SOMETHING I FEEL PROUD
ABOUT. SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY DID NOT LOSE
STATUS AS THE ONLY HBU SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY.
MY CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILLS WOULD BE SATISFYING FOR THE CITIZENS F
IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA BECAUSE IT DEALS WITH MASS
INCARCERATION IN OUR STATE. I THINK THE QUESTION IS HOW
SHOULD VOTERS LOOK AT A MEETING I HAD WITH THE GOVERNOR.
AS IT RELATES TO -- I THINK THEY SHOULD LOOK AT IT VERY
CAREFULLY. QUITE FRANLY, THE VOTERS HAVE
LOOKED AT IT AND THEY CONCLUDED I WAS WORTHY OF THE OPPORTUNITY
TO GO BACK TO THE STATE SENATE AND I THANK THEM FOR THAT.
LET'S BE CLEAR. MY OPPONENT TAKES A LOT OF SHOTS
AT ME ALL THE TIME. YOU FIND A MAN, A WOMAN OR A
CHILD THAT HASN'T MADE MISTAKES, THEY HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING.
AM I A PERFECT SERVANT? NO.
I'M A PUBLIC SERVANT. DID I DO ANYTHING WRONG?
ABSOLUTELY NOT. FOLKS ASK THE QUESTION ALL
THE TIME AND MR. FIELDS HAS AN ANSWER.
IT IS UP TO THE PEOPLE TO DETERMINE IF THAT IS AN ANSWER
THEY WILL ACCEPT OR NOT ACCEPT. DISTRICT 14 INCLUDES LSU,
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, THE STATE CAPITAL, AND LOW-INCOME
NEIGHBORHOODS NEAR THE PETROCHEMICAL PLANTS.
THE BOARD OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION OR BESE, IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE POLICIES THAT COULD DETERMINE THE SUCCESS
OR FAILURE OF MORE THAN 720,000 PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN AROUND
THE STATE. WE SAT DOWN WITH ALL THE
CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE SEAT IN DISTRICT SIX TO HEAR THEIR
PLANS FOR FIXING WHAT MANY SAY IS A BROKEN EDUCATION SYSTEM.
RONNIE MORRIS IS THE FIRST TO ADMIT HE WAS ANYTHING BUT A
TRADITIONAL COLLEGE STUDENT. I WENT BACK TO SCHOOL AT 32,
GRADUATED AT 37 WITH AN ENGINEERING DEGREE.
IT WAS REALLY A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE FOR ME, THE SORT OF
THING THAT CHANGES YOUR LIFE SO YOU WANT TO SHARE IT WITH OTHER
PEOPLE. YEARS LATER, HE WOULD TEACH
MATH AND PHYSICS, SPARKING HIS TRUE PASSION FOR EDUCATION.
I WENT BACK TO LSU AND FOUNDED AN ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
FOR TEACHERS, FOR STUDENTS SEEKING A CAREER INCATION AND I
HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THAT ENDOWMENT FOR THE LAST 19 YEARS.
IT NOW IS THE LARGEST ENDOWMENT IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA FOR
STUDENTING PURSUING A CAREER IN EDUCATION.
HE ALSO FOUNDED A NONPROFIT WE PRODUCE GRADS, PROMOTING
S.T.E.M. EDUCATION AND PROJECTS AT AREA SCHOOLS.
MORRIS SAYS HE IS RUNNING FOR A SEAT AT THE STATE'S EDUCATION
POLICYMAKERS' TABLE TO -- WORK WITH THE OTHER BOARD
MEMBERS TO CREATE EFFECTIVE POLICY THAT WOULD INCLUDE
INNOVATIVE APPROACHES FOR S.T.E.M. EDUCATION, BUT MAINLY
IT'S ABOUT ENGAGING KIDS. YOU KNOW WE ARE IN THE 21st
CENTURY. THERE ARE A LOT OF REALLY
CREATIVE APPROACHES WE CAN DO TO ENGAGE KIDS.
MY FOCUS IF ELECTED IS ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
I THINK WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB OF IDENTIFYING SPECIAL NEEDS
EARLY AND ADDRESSING THEM TIMELY.
SECONDLY, I THINK WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB PREPARING OUR KIDS
FOR KINDERGARTEN. WE NEED TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES
FOR KIDS THAT MAY NOT HAVE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET THE BRAIN
STIMULATED, GET THEM INVOLVED IN PROGRAMS WHERE EXPERTS CAN HELP
THEM WITH THAT BRAIN STIMULATION TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE AN EQUAL
CHANCE AT THE STARTING LINE. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A CALL TO
SERVICE. I GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL,
WENT INTO THE MILITARY TO SERVE FOUR YEARS AS A NAVY SEAL.
I WAS CALLED IN THE MINISTRY WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE TO WORK
WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AS A YOUTH PASTOR AND JUST LEARNED THE
IMPORTANCE OF RAISING UP OUR YOUTH TO BE THE NEXT LEADERS,
TAXPAYERS, AND LAWMAKERS OF THE NEXT GENERATION.
GREG SPIERS IS A MILITARY VETERAN WHO ALSO TOOK A TOUR OF
DUTY IN THE CLASSROOM AS A MATH TEACHER AND FOOTBALL COACH AT
PONCHATOULA HIGH SCHOOL. I JUST LEARNED FROM THE
INSIDE HOW TO REACH THOSE KIDS, AND THE STRUGGLES THEY DEAL WITH
AND OUR TEACHERS DEAL WITH FROM DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.
I REALLY FEEL LIKE WE NEED GOOD PEOPLE IN THOSE POSITIONS.
HE SAYS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS HE IS RUNNING FOR A BESE
SEAT IS TO REPLACE AND REPEAL WHAT HE BELIEVES IS STILL COMMON
CORE. IT IS ONE OF THE GREATEST
DETRIMENTS TO OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM IN LOUISIANA AND HAS BEEN
FOR NEARLY A DECADE. HE SAYS HE WILL ALSO TACKLE A
NUMBER OF OTHER ISSUES IF ELECTED.
FINDING A SUITABLE CONTRACT FOR A STATE SUPERINTENDENT,
TEACHER EVALUATIONS, SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEMS, I HAVE
MY VIEWS AND OPINIONS ON ALL THESE THINGS AND THINGS I WOULD
LIKE TO GET DONE. BUT TEACHER ATTRITION IS ONE
THING I WOULD LIKE TO ABSOLVE. WE ARE LOSING THOUSANDS OF
TEACHERS EVERY YEAR AND I THINK A BIG PART OF THAT IS COMMON
CORE, WHICH STRIPS THEM OF THEIR CREATIVITY.
I ORIGINALLY DECIDED TO RUN AROUND OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR.
CIARA HART IS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER AND AN EIGHTH GRADE
LOUISIANA HISTORY TEACHER WHO IS HOPING HER EXPERIENCE IN THE
CLASSROOM WILL CHANGE HISTORY, SO TO SPEAK, HELPING LIFT
LOUISIANA FROM THE BOTTOM OF MOST EDUCATIONAL CATEGORIES.
I HAVE ENGAGED WITH A NUMBER OF ELECTED OFFICIALS AND WHAT I
HAVE LEARNED IS IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW WELL YOU WRITE A
POLICY IF YOUR HEART ISN'T WITH THE PEOPLE,
THEN YOUR SKILL SET AS FAR AS POLICY WRITING OR EVEN BEING
ENGAGED WITH POLICY WON'T BE AS EFFECTIVE.
SHE SAID SHE NEEDED TO HELP TEACHERS LIKE HERSELF GET THE
TOOLS SHE NEED TO HELP HER STUDENTS SUCCEED.
I WRITE THE POLICIES, BUT THE POLICIES AFFECT ME EVERY DAY.
I HOPE THAT WITH THAT I'M ABLE TO EXPRESS TO PEOPLE EVEN THOUGH
I MAY NOT BE A POLICY LEADER FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS, I HAVE BEEN
INVOLVED IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.
THERE ARE POLICIES THAT SHOW A SLIGHT MOVEMENT IN THE
CLASSROOM. AND I BELIEVE WE NEED TO
INCREASE THE FORMULA, THAT WAY IS AN EVERY YEAR INCREASE NOT
CONVENIENT INVEES. I'M RUNNING TO BE A PART OF BESE
BECAUSE I'M A VETERAN EDUCATOR. I AM RUNNING TO BE A PART OF
BESE BECAUSE I AM A VETERAN EDUCATOR AND I AM NOT PLEASED
WITH A LOT OF THE EDUCATIONAL REFORMS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE
OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS. PRIMARILY, A LOT OF THE
EDUCATIONAL REFORMS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE UNDER THE
SUPERINTENDENT, THE CURRENT STATE SUPERINTENDENT MR. JOHN
WHITE. SHE SAYS THERE IS TOO MUCH
PRESSURE ON TEACHERS AND STUDENTS BECAUSE OF THE HIGH
STAKES TESTING AND WHAT SHE CALLS A WASTE OF MONEY.
THE CURRENT BESE BOARD IMPLEMENTED POLICIES AND
PROCEDURES TO PROHIBIT SCHOOLS FROM POPPING UP OVERNIGHT, THESE
PRIVATE SCHOOLS. IT STIPULATED THE SCHOOL HAD TO
BE IN EXISTENCE FOR TWO YEARS WITH SELF-SUFFICIENT FUNDING,
MEANING THAT PARENTS WERE PAYING TUITION PRIOR TO BEING ALLOWED
TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LOUISIANA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
ALSO KNOWN AS THE VOUCHER SYSTEM.
SHE SAYS THOSE SCHOOLS HAVEN'T PROVEN THAT THEY ARE
MORE EFFECTIVE, BUT ARE BASICALLY TAKING VALUABLE
RESOURCES FROM ALREADY STRUGGLING LOUISIANA PUBLIC
SCHOOLS AND IT'S SOMETHING SHE WOULD WORK TO CHANGE
IMMEDIATELY. TOLLIVER AUGUST BELIEVES IT'S
TIME TO LOOK FOR A NEW SUPERINTENDENT.
I AM NOT SURE WHY BESE CANNOT COME TO A CONSENSUS IF THEY
CANNOT RENEW HIS CONTRACT, THEY SHOULD, IN MY OPINION, START
LOOKING FOR A NEW STATE SUPERINTENDENT.
SHE SAYS SHE WOULD ALSO WORK TO STOP THE FLOOD OF CHARTER
SCHOOLS IN THE STATE. FAR TOO MANY CHARTER SCHOOLS
ARE EXPANDING WITHOUT ACTUALLY SHOWING A SCHOOL PERFORMANCE
SCORE WHERE THEY ARE MUCH BETTER THAN THE LOCAL PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
FOR THE LIFE OF ME, I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE ARE ALLOWING
THESE BIG INDUSTRIES TO COME IN, A LOT OF CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE RUN
BY BIG CHARTER MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATIONS FROM OUT OF STATE.
A LOT OF THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE FUNNELING MONEY INTO THE BESE
CAMPAIGNS. TO ME THAT SAYS IT'S MORE ABOUT
MAKING MONEY THAN PROVIDING OUR CHILDREN WITH A QUALITY
EDUCATION. THE CANDIDATE WHO WINS THE
SEAT DISTRICT SIX SEAT REPLACES KATHY
ED MONSTON, WHO IS RUNNING FOR A SEAT IN THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES. THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS
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FOR ALL OF US AT LOUISIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M ANDRE
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