Capitol Access
5:30 am
Wed May 22, 2013

Public School Funding Uncertain

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.

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The Jim Engster Show
11:12 am
Tue May 21, 2013

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

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.

AARP Board Member Joan Ruff on the future of Social Security.

Audio should be posted by 11 am on Wednesday May 22.

Capitol Access
5:30 am
Tue May 21, 2013

Lawmakers Weigh Medicaid Options

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.

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The Jim Engster Show
10:46 am
Mon May 20, 2013

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

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.

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Capitol Access
5:30 am
Mon May 20, 2013

Budget Woes Left to Tackle

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.

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Bayou Garden
6:06 am
Sat May 18, 2013

Choose a Hearty Palm

Credit rosefirerising / Flickr
Palms rising in New Orleans.

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


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Kyle Norris got her start in radio as a Michigan Radio intern. Her features have appeared on The Environment Report, All Things Considered, Weekend Edition, Marketplace, The Splendid Table, World Vision Report, Justice Talking, and The Health Show.

In 2008, she won a Division A (News Staff of 5 or more) first place award from Public Radio News Directors Incorporated for best investigative journalism.

Norris is endlessly fascinated with people and their struggles. She's also fascinated with the figurative beating of the human heart. She loves public radio because it gives her the chance to explore all of those things.

In her downtime she enjoys soccer, yoga, and coffee. Her website is at kylenorris.wordpress.com.

The Jim Engster Show
11:53 am
Fri May 17, 2013

MONDAY: WRKF's Lou Carter, The City Park Golf Course Controversy

Jim takes a look at the brewing controversy over calls to tear down the City Park golf course, in favor of new green space development. Jim gets opposing views on the subject from Fairleigh Cook Jackson and City Park area resident Millard Callicott.

A visit with WRKF's Lou Carter, as he prepares to celebrate his 90th birthday

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Capitol Access
9:25 am
Fri May 17, 2013

Some Senators Puzzled by Tax Amnesty Solution

In the Finance committee Thursday Senators questioned the way the House filled the hole it dug in the proposed budget for next year. The House took out one-time money, from selling state property, court settlements, and dedicated funds, and put in a tax amnesty program.

The Legislative Fiscal Office usually considers tax amnesty revenues to be one-time money too.

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Political Analysis
3:31 am
Fri May 17, 2013

Analyst Cokie Roberts Steeped in Louisiana Politics

NPR News Analyst Cokie Roberts grew up in Louisiana in the 1940 and 50s -- the daughter of Hale and Lindy Boggs, who both represented New Orleans in Congress.

Cokie was home, here in Louisiana yesterday, to deliver the keynote speech at LSU's commencement ceremony.

Before all the pomp and circumstance, WRKF's Amy Jeffries caught up with her.


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