HOUR ONE:

Dr. G. Pearson Cross

Dr. G Pearson Cross is the Interim Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Associate Professor of Political Science at Southern University. Dr. Cross will comment on Governor Jindal's announcement to run for president. He is writing a book about Governor Jindal.

Dean Ornish, MD

Dr. Dean Ornish is a nutritionist, author, and healthy lifestyle expert. He shares his expertise and insight on diabetes and obesity. Baton Rouge is the fattest city in the fattest state in America.

HOUR TWO:

John Bel Edwards

Representative John Bel Edwards is a candidate for the Gubernatorial election. He joins Jim today to comment on his campaign and Bobby Jindal's announcement for his candidacy for president.

HOUR ONE:

Political Science Professor G. Pearson Cross joins us from UL. We are now 8 months and 11 days until the October primary for Louisiana governor. Cross comments on the prospects of the candidates for governor. He says that David Vitter is the favorite because of previously run statewide campaigns. "The scandal is behind him," Cross says, "It won't be an issue in this race at all."

"The real dark horse is Scott Angelle," Cross says, "...he's the most fiery and passionate." Cross states that the most likely scenario for the run-off would be John Bel Edwards and David Vitter.

Professor Cross says that UL is "better off than most" universities in Louisiana because the previous president of the university saved money which has helped to "tide them over." He continues commenting on the budget crisis.

"I do believe it is very much a long shot," Cross says of Jindal winning the Republican presidential nomination. His brand is "intellectual," Cross continues, "which nobody else is trying to sell."

After listening to a clip from political consultant Gus Weill, Cross comments on the former Olympian Bruce Jenner's gender transformation.

Interim Director of Information Services Eric Romero discusses Mayor Kip Holden's new Open Data Initiative.

HOUR TWO:

LSU Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope discusses the budget cuts to higher education. "Well I believe I would win in any kind of Roman death match," Cope says of a fight with Governor Jindal. He calls out the previous guest, saying, "There is not university in Louisiana in good shape." He says, "There is not a lot of waste room left," for budget cuts.

Cope says the budget cuts to higher education are an attempt to discredit traditionally black universities.

"I qualify for the heavy weight category, but not because of muscle mass."

He also comments on the recent prayer rally. Cope says, "If the governor is willing to exercise his free speech rights by praying to a higher power to fix his problems then I'm willing to exercise mine to say it's preposterous."

A listener asks how and who will pay to make up for the budget cuts. Cope states that raising of state university tuition does count as a tax, thereby discounting the Grover Norquist idea.

"I don't think we need to have every program of every kind on every campus," Cope says.

"There is a gigantic rift of communication between New Orleans and everywhere else," Cope concludes of the inability of New Orleans to withstand a university.

He states that only 8% of the people in Louisiana have a higher education degree.