Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2019-08-23

Duration: 00:25:42

Subjects: Blanco, Kathleen Babineaux, 1942-2019 | Funeral rites and ceremonies | Education | Hurricane Katrina, 2005 | Hurricane Rita, 2005 | Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center

Contributors:

• Moreau, Andre Host
• Williams, Natasha Reporter
• Fortenberry, Rex Q. Editor
• Crews, Keith Editor
• Gautreaux, Kevin Editor
• Reed, Kim Hunter Speaker
• Edwards, John Bel Speaker
• Barnes, Stephen Interviewee
• Blanco, Kathleen Interviewee
• Walters, Marketa Interviewee
• Hamilton, Gwen Interviewee
• Landry, Terry Interviewee
• Dardenne, Jay Interviewee
• Graves, Garret Interviewee
• Tate, Charles Interviewee
• Williamson, Ann Interviewee
• Mills, Tia Interviewee
• Henderson, Norris Interviewee
• Alford, Jeremy Interviewee

This special episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from August 23, 2019, features a remembrance of Governor Kathleen Blanco, who died on August 18, 2019, at age 76 following a battle with cancer. Andre Moreau first reports on the week’s headlines. He then present highlights from the Interfaith Service at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge celebrating the life of Governor Blanco, including highlights from the eulogies of Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed and Governor John Bel Edwards. Next, Moreau interviews Dr. Stephen Barnes, the new director of the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, who discusses the future of the center. Moreau also presents highlights from his September 2018 interview with Governor Blanco, where she discusses her hopes for the public policy center. Then, Moreau presents interviews from the Interfaith Service with current and former public officials discussing Governor Blanco’s legacy: Secretary Marketa Walters of the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services; Gwen Hamilton of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children; State Representative Terry Landry; Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne; Congressman Garret Graves; Charles Tate, the former chair of the Evangeline Parish Tourist Commission; and Ann Williamson, the former secretary of the Louisiana Department of Social Services. Natasha Williams then interviews Dr. Tia Mills, the new president of the Louisiana Association of Educators (LAE), who discusses Governor Blanco’s efforts to improve public education. Moreau then previews the Engaging Louisiana episode of “Louisiana Public Square,” including interviews with Norris Henderson and Jeremy Alford. The show ends with highlights from Governor Blanco’s Interfaith Service, Honor Procession, and lying in state at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge on August 22, 2019.