News

FRIDAY: Oklahoma Reporter Matt Skinner, Author James Lacey

Jim Engster — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:55:21 +0000

Jim talks with veteran Oklahoma reporter Matt Skinner about the devastation in the wake of this week's deadly tornado.

Author James Lacey on his book, "Moment Of Battle"

Dust Settled, Lawmakers More Measured on Education Reforms

Amy Jeffries — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:57:04 +0000

Earlier this month, Louisiana's Supreme Court ruled that the way the state's private school voucher program was paid for was unconstitutional. It can't be paid for through the Minimum Foundation Formula, or MFP -- the pool of money that supports public education.

Rep. Kirk Talbot, a Republican from New Orleans who voted in favor of the education overhaul Gov. Bobby Jindal pushed hard for last year, says the missteps in the funding of the voucher program gave some in the legislature, " a little bit of heartburn."

Frugal Committee Backs Capital Investment for Community Colleges

Kelly Connelly — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:28:24 +0000

The House Appropriations Committee Wednesday approved $60 million in capital spending for the state’s technical colleges over the next five years — despite the state’s tight purse-strings.

Chairman Jim Fannin insisted that investing in the technical college system will grow the economy and the tax base.

THURSDAY: Former State Lawmaker Vic Stelly, Columnist Quin Hilyer

Jim Engster — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:46:57 +0000

Jim talks with former state lawmaker Vic Stelly, architect of the Stelly Tax Swap Plan which was enacted and repealed within a decade.

Conservative columnist and commentator Quin Hilyer on the trials of the Obama White House

Public School Funding Plan Rejected Twice

Kelly Connelly — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000

Next year’s method for funding for public schools is a bit up in the air after the Senate Education Committee rejected the proposed formula from the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The formula, called the Minimum Foundation Program, or the MFP, was shot down last week because of a clerical error: BESE sent the legislature a draft of the MFP rather the final version.

WEDNESDAY: AARP's Joan Ruff, Hugh Buckingham On The Oklahoma Tornado Disaster, Author James Scott

Jim Engster — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:12:18 +0000

AARP Board Member Joan Ruff on the future of Social Security. and Louisiana's resistance to the Medicaid Expansion in the Affordable Care Act.
Jim talks with former LSU professor Hugh Buckingham, who was very near the tornado disaster in Moore, Oklahoma.
Author James Scott on his book, "The War Below", about three submarines that battles Japanese forces during World War II.

Lawmakers Weigh Medicaid Options

Kelly Connelly — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000

A House bill that aims to secure state health care spending passed out of the Senate Finance committee yesterday.
The measure would create the "Hospital Stabilization Fund," which would utilize some hospital profits to draw down more federal dollars to help with uninsured patients.

TUESDAY: Congressional Candidate Paul Dietzl, Talk Show Host & Author Jim Brown

Jim Engster — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:46:20 +0000

Paul Dietzl, the grandson of former LSU Coach Paul Dietzl, who is planning to run for the District 6 U.S. Congressional seat, that will be left open by Bill Cassidy in 2014, as HE runs for U.S. Senate.
Former Louisiana Insurance Commissioner, Secretary of State, legislator and current radio show host, author and publisher Jim Brown discusses some of the challenges facing President Obama in his second term.

Budget Woes Left to Tackle

Kelly Connelly — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000

Friday, the Senate Finance Committee continued to comb through the budget, and discovered there’s a lot left to fund this session.
To get a summary, Senator Fred Mills asked Legislative Fiscal Officer John Carpenter to detail the five top worries that keep him up at night.

Choose a Hearty Palm

Dan Gill — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:06:00 +0000

Palms can stand up to hurricane winds, but can be sensitive to pruning and freezes.