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The Executive Editor for the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report, JR Ball, joined as the guest for the hour. He commented on BR traffic and gridlock in government. Ball is originally from Baltimore.
Superintendent of Education John White was here to discuss the state of education in Louisiana. Superintendent White ppointed to his current position in January 2012 by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Tina Freeman is a photographer of architecture, landscape, portraits, and interiors. She has published in House and Gardens, Southern Accents, and New York Times Magazine. Currently, she lives in New Orleans and Italy. Freeman shares her new book, Artists' Spaces. Morgan Northrop joins us as well. Northrop helped to shape the book. Freeman also speaks about her time with the late Andy Warhol.
Matt Lee and Ted Lee are brothers and authors of The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook, The Lee Bros. Simple Fresh Southern, and The Lee Bros. Charleston Kitchen. They discuss today their new TV show, "Southern Uncovered with The Lee Brothers," which premiered June 14th. Their New Orleans episode airs July 19th. @TheLeeBros
John Folse is a New Orleans chef who specializes in crafting unique Cajun creations. He has had international success with Lafitte’s Landing Restaurant.
For years, Louisiana has had the highest murder per capita rate in the country and New Orleans Police recently reported they've already eclipsed 100 homicides for this calendar year. As governor, what steps would you take to reduce the murder rate?
Scott Angelle wants to supplement local police with State Police and "maybe National Guard." Angelle also says "Crime on the streets is a result of a breakdown of the family unit."
Jay Dardenne wants to maintain the state police presence in the French Quarter and also feels we should engage local and faith based groups.
David Vitter did not respond.
John Bel Edwards asks if it is a coincidence that Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate and the highest crime rate.
John White is the Louisiana State Superintendent of Education. Louisiana's ACT average score has gone from 19.2 to 19.4. 2,000 more African-Americans in Louisiana recevied TOPS this year. @LouisianaSupe
Bob Courtney remembers the late Louisiana Secretary of State Fox McKeithen who died ten years ago today. Courtney recalls McKeithen was a brilliant storyteller and many thought he would be governor.
Hour one:
First guest today is State Superintendent of Education John White.
Common Core PARCC tests start Monday, White says, "This is a basic description of what a kid should be able to do at the end of each grade level."
"We've got a lot of kids who have memorized everything, but can't tell you why. That's why we struggle in math."
"We've got to start teaching our kids 'Why?'"
"We need to focus on those who have legitimate concerns about their kids education and not those who prey on those concerns."
"Very few people like to take tests. But they are necessary and part of life. That's why they are required by the state."
"I think it should be up to parents to decide what to do with their kid's education. We also hold accountability for taxpayers."
"There is a correlation between wealth and educational success, but the question is what do you do with that information? We've got kids with things rough at home, but if things are also rough at school then we've really got a problem."
White says he has no plans to leave the Department of Education, in fact, "I'm more invigorated than I ever have been before."
Renee Chatelain, creator and director of The Fading Line: A Commemoration of the 1953 Baton Rouge Bus Boycott; March 17-18 at the Manship Theatre at 7:30 p.m.
Hour Two
Gary L Stewart, author of "The Most Dangerous Animal of All: Searching for my Father ... and Finding the Zodiac Killer."
Has new information on the case and evidence that further proves his father is the Zodiac Killer.
The book will soon be in paperback.
Next we look at today's Advocate article which talks about an article written by Steve Vockrodt in The Pitch. Sexual harassment allegations have surfaced against Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden. Vockrodt talks about the suit and where it came from.
Lt Governor hopeful Kip Holden is involved in a sex scandal as a four-year-old lawsuit has surfaced claiming the Baton Rouge mayor repeatedly sexually harassed a woman who was in Louisiana on business. The lawsuit does not name Holden as a defendant and it's actually targeted at her former employer.
In a statement, Holden denies the accusations that are made in the 2011 lawsuit, which was filed in Kansas City. Holden ended the statement by saying both he and his wife know the truth on this one.
A poll was released this week showing Holden in good position to make the run-off in the lieutenant governor's race.
Baton Rouge lawyer Mike Wolf is in studio and defends Mayor Holden. Wolf says at most Holden solicited a friendship with a woman if anything. And this is none of our business. A private matter.
