PUBLIC BROADCASTING 2016 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT LPB partnered with The Council for A Better Louisiana who in- vited five candidates to participate in the U.S. Senate debate. The debate originated from the campus of Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. The candidates invited to participate were L to R: U.S. Rep- resentative John Fleming, State Treasurer John Kennedy, attorney , Public Service Commissioner , and U.S. Representative .

Since 1975, Louisiana Public the highly publicized shooting of content, and trained personnel to Broadcasting has been the public Alton Sterling and then the shoot- continue providing employment television network for the state of ing of six Baton Rouge Police services to a nine parish area. Louisiana with stations in Alexan- Officers that left three dead. One Through a grant from Entergy dria, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake month later, record setting floods Corporation, LPB early childhood Charles, Monroe and Shreveport. devastated several regions, leav- educators provided monthly work- LPB is also affiliated with WLAE- ing 20 parishes declared federal shops to teachers at ten childcare TV in . Louisiana disaster areas, 146,000 homes centers in New Orleans. The train- Public Broadcasting is a statewide damaged, and 21 schools damaged ing focused on how to effectively resource - on the air, on the web, or destroyed. LPB news and public use the curriculum and resources in the classroom, and in the home. affairs programs provided timely from the popular Sid the Science Our mission is to provide program- information and coverage of these Kid series. Quarterly workshops ming that is intelligent, informa- events, conducted town hall discus- for parents focused on teaching tive, educational and entertaining. sions, held a telethon that benefited them how to use the resources to LPB strives to connect the citizens flood damaged schools, and even continue their children’s learning of Louisiana by creating content brought comfort to the youngest at home. Children at two centers that showcases Louisiana’s unique flood victims with visits from our created their own science activities, history, people, places and events. popular kids show characters. based on Sid the Science Kid, for LPB is engaged in informing our LPB continued its pledge to be their centers’ science fairs. LPB audiences about public affairs and relevant throughout our state’s also hosted the culminating cele- news that impacts them, but LPB communities. In 2016, LPB part- bration for all ten centers at Story- is also engaged in our communities nered with the Catholic Charities land in City Park in New Orleans. through educational outreach for of the Diocese of Baton Rouge Friends of LPB, LPB’s support children and adults, job training, (CCDBR) on a Walmart Founda- organization, hosted some spectac- veterans affairs, community service tion grant to provide job skills, ular events for their members. Over and coverage of health and envi- career counseling and employment 60 guests attended LPB’s preview ronmental issues. LPB was honored services to nearly 300 participants. of the finale of the hit seriesDown - with three nominations at the 40th In addition to the training materi- ton Abbey with a “Champagne and Annual Suncoast Regional Emmy als, the Employment Services of Chocolate” event in March. Guests Awards for its public affairs pro- the CCDBR received laptop com- had an opportunity to be the first to ductions. puters to create a mobile training see the final episode of the popular LPB was on the forefront of our lab for offsite employment training. series. state’s biggest challenges in 2016. Because of this project, CCDBR In July, Louisiana was rocked by has the equipment, instructional As part of the buildup sur- rounding the PBS Ken Burns documentary Jackie Robinson, LPB held two screening events. In March, at the East Baton Rouge Parish Library, former LSU Baseball Coach Skip Bert- man, Southern University Base- ball Coach Roger Cador, and LPB’s Charlie Whinham dis- cussed the social impact of Jack- ie Robinson’s legacy. The next week, Whinham headed north to the Eddie Robinson Museum on the campus of Grambling State University, where he and re- Louisiana Veterans Coming Home tired Grambling Baseball coach Wilbert Ellis hosted a screening and panel discussion featuring Louisiana Public Broadcasting erans. The show brought together former major leaguers Ralph is dedicated to producing relevant veterans of the armed forces with Garr, George Stone, and Mackie public affairs programming on is- panelists from different branches, Freeze, and former sports writer sues impacting our state. as well as civilians who provide Paul Letlow. Attendees drew for Louisiana Public Square is outreach and support for returning door prizes, and participated in a LPB’s monthly public affairs soldiers. As part of the episode, 16 lively discussion. program designed to be a forum local veterans support organiza- for citizens’ opinions and concerns tions participated in an information about issues affecting Louisiana to fair before the screening. leading experts and key decision Other episodes included coverage makers, with the goal of encourag- of the overdose epidemic in Loui- ing civic engagement and civil dis- siana with Opiates & the Bayou course - the foundations of a strong State; the state’s public defender democracy. LPB has received shortage, which leaves those who state and national recognition for are accused and indigent without the series and we are proud that it representation on Justice on Hold; serves as a model for other stations and minority community policing around the country. Topics this on Police POV: Body Cameras in year included Medicaid expansion Louisiana. The November epi- in Louisiana, the state’s criminal sode of Louisiana Public Square justice and prison system, educa- sought to bring attention to the tion challenges, veterans issues, flood recovery effort, bringing Election 2016, and Recovery from together affected homeowners the 2016 Floods. and panelists including representa- Through a grant from the Entergy tives from FEMA, the federal Corporation, LPB continued work agency that is disbursing aid, along on its Louisiana: Veterans Com- with members of the business com- ing Home initiative with a Public munity and the state’s workforce Square episode that targeted an un- commission. derserved audience: post-9/11 vet- In April, LPB hosted the The 21st Annual Louisiana Young Heroes Awards. LPB and partner, Rotary Club of Baton Rouge, honored eight outstanding Louisiana students in grades 7 through 12. For the first time, the award ceremony was livestreamed online. The nighttime banquet and awards ceremony was also live- streamed.

LPB’s Louisiana Legends, for the 26th year, spotlighted some of the best and brightest of Louisi- ana’s sons and daughters who have distinguished themselves in a vari- ety of disciplines and have brought honor to the state. The 2016 honor- ees at the gala in May were Hollis Conway, two-time Olympic Medal- ist, National Track and Field Hall Of Fame Inductee; , political analyst, Editor and Pub- lisher of the Cook Political Report; William Doré, leader in the marine construction industry, 2000 Horatio Alger Award Winner; Sylvia Good- man, philanthropist and community leader, Shreveport’s Citizen of the Year; W. , Louisi- ana Congressman, George H. W. Bush Deputy Chief of Staff; and Charlie Weems, community Leader and philanthropist, LSU Law Cen- ter Hall of Fame Honoree. Again this year, LPB hosted approximately 45 in attendance. the affected areas. Teachers whose three week-long summer camps. In August, following the floods homes and/or schools were af- The first week in June was a Lit- that devastated parts of the Greater fected by the flood went on the air eracy Camp for 4-year-olds. The Baton Rouge area, LPB donated to share the stories of devastation. next two weeks were Math, Sci- 10% of the money raised in the Louisiana’s First Lady Donna Ed- ence, and Technology Camps, first August/September membership wards also appeared on air, encour- for 4-year-olds, and the second for campaign towards flood relief aging viewers to help the schools 5-year-olds. victims. We also devoted one night dealing with such overwhelming In July and September, LPB of the pledge drive that was entitled destruction. During this special, Senior Producer Kevin Gautreaux Education and Recovery: LPB 100% of donations were desig- gave a presentation to the Loui- Gives Back. During this 90-min- nated for supplies for the schools siana Legislative Youth Advisory ute special, LPB shared personal affected by the flood waters. The Council (LYAC) at the State Capi- stories from people impacted by program was also streamed live on tol about the monthly LPB series, the flooding, and raised funds to the Louisiana Public Broadcasting Louisiana Public Square with support students and teachers in Facebook page. LPB continued to track the state’s recovery by producing seg- ments for Louisiana: The State We’re In. The December Not Home for the Holidays piece high- lighted a family of five still living in a hotel and a couple living in a shed beside their flooded trailer. In 2016, candidates were vying for retiring U.S. Senator ’s vacant seat. On October 18, 2016, LPB and the Council for A Better Louisiana hosted Decision 2016: The Race for the Senate, In response to the floods, LPB role this hotel played in World War a candidate forum featuring the received donations from more than II. Also, Charlie cast his line at the major candidates in the 2016 U. S. 80 public television stations across Toledo Bend Reservoir, rated the Senate race. The debate was aired the country. An auditorium full #1 bass fishing lake in the nation. live from the campus of Louisiana of flood relief supplies including Louisiana: The State Were In, Tech University in Ruston, and clothes, cleaning supplies, pillows, LPB’s weekly newsmagazine, hit a included questions from the univer- blankets, diapers, household items, milestone in September, 2016 – its sity’s students. The program was etc., were distributed to affected 40th year on the air! Host Charlie hosted by CABL President Barry LPB employees, churches, and oth- Whinham continues to showcase Erwin and LPB President and CEO er partner organizations. Over 100 the people, places, and events that Beth Courtney. teachers picked up school supplies make our state unique. Louisiana: Also in October, Louisiana to restock their own classrooms and The State Were In also presented Public Broadcasting received three for their fellow colleagues. Over the news that our citizens needed nominations in the 40th Annual 2,000 books were given to East to be aware of: high profile shoot- Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards. Baton Rouge Parish and Livingston ings in Baton Rouge, flooding and Kevin Gautreaux and Kelly Spires school libraries and to Livingston the aftermath in several areas of the were nominated in the “Interview/ Parish teachers who came to LPB state, the challenges that veterans Discussion” category for Louisi- for help in rebuilding their class- face upon return home to Loui- ana Public Square: Symbol or room libraries. Livingston Parish siana, President Obama’s trip to Statement? History in Public preschools received two carloads of Louisiana, Medicaid expansion in Places. Charlie Whinham was school supplies. Two hundred PBS Louisiana, along with lighter topics nominated twice in the “Intersti- Playtime Pads were distributed such as a new head coach at LSU. tial” category for the segments on to seven pre-school classrooms As part of the “Chasing the Avery Island and Global Wildlife in Livingston Parish and to Glen Dream” grant, LPB produced con- Center on Louisiana Travels with Oaks Park Pre-K classrooms in tent that focused on low to moder- Charlie Whinham. Louisiana East Baton Rouge Parish that had ate income families in Louisiana. Public Square: Symbol or State- been flooded. Teacher professional Three Louisiana: The State We’re ment? History in Public Places development was provided to help In segments touched on the effects discussed the display of Civil War teachers effectively use the devices of Louisiana accepting the Med- statues in public - is it justified or and resources in their teaching. icaid expansion; how the public do they belong only in museums? In September, LPB debuted a defender shortage impacts the What should be the role of state new episode of Louisiana Travels indigent and the two sides of the and local government in regulating with Charlie Whinham. In his minimum wage increase debate, as these symbols? third outing around our state, Char- seen through a profile of a work- lie visited the historic Hotel Bent- ing mother of four who holds down ley in Alexandria, revealing the two jobs to pay her house note. Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise viewing.

Soundbreaking premiere. In October, over 100 guests attended a VIP Champagne Recep- tion at the Robinson Film Center in Shreveport, LA, for the premiere of In October, LPB and Alexis de find out whether that dream is still the eight part series Soundbreak- Tocqueville Project at the Uni- alive. Following the short screen- ing. versity of New Orleans hosted a ing, Chris Surprenant, associate In October, LPB hosted a pre- screening and panel discussion that professor of philosophy and direc- view of Hamilton’s America at the explored issues of economic and tor of the Alexis de Tocqueville Columbia Theatre in Hammond, political equality. The event was Project at UNO, moderated a panel LA. LPB also gave the audience a held in the Liberal Arts Building discussion. peek at the PBS Fall Arts Film Fes- on UNO’s campus. A preview of On Halloween, Louisiana Public tival. Special guests from Center the documentary Dream On was Broadcasting participated in the Stage Performing Arts Academy in shown. The film features political annual Louisiana Book Festival Gonzales, LA, performed musical comedian John Fugelsang as he in downtown Baton Rouge. Staff numbers inspired by the PBS Fall retraces the 1831 journey of Alexis members and volunteers handed Arts Festival. The event was free de Tocqueville, who popularized out flyers for upcoming events and open to the public. the idea of the American Dream, to and talked to attendees about LPB programming. In November, LPB partnered with Southern University for a preview screening of Black Amer- ica Since MLK: And Still I Rise followed by a panel discussion on Southern’s campus in Baton Rouge. Also partnering in present- ing this event were the La Capitale Chapter of The Links, Inc. and the 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge, LTD. The panel discussion afterward was moderated by Dr. Robyn Merrick, with the Southern University System and past Board Dream On preview and discussion. Chair of Friends of LPB. of LPB hosted a Holiday Tea inspired by Victoria on Master- piece. A group that spanned several generations enjoyed delectable pastries and other tasty treats while seeing a preview of episode one of Victoria on Masterpiece. LPB’s Educational Services Department started a parent e- newsletter in 2016. Mothers and fathers can read about helpful parenting tips, early childhood learning, along with crafts, games, and printable activities. This is in addition to the newsletter that goes out to 46,000 educators in the state, alerting teachers to e-programs, resources, and services provided by PBS and LPB that can be used in the classroom. LPB continues to partner with In November, LPB welcomed In December, at the Louisiana the LA State Archives to expand PBS Kids star Bob the Builder Governor’s Mansion, LPB record- the LA Digital Media Archive for a special event at Stine Home ed live An Evening at the Gov- (LDMA) which currently has over & Yard in Walker, LA. Kids met ernor’s Mansion: A Christmas 3,500 videos available for viewing Bob, registered for door prizes, and Celebration. This was a special on-line. made crafts to keep. Some kids performance by singer/songwriter LPB has plans for more engag- came dressed like Bob and they Zachary Richard, featuring the ing productions, plus entertaining participated in a Bob the Builder Myrtle Place French Immersion events for all age groups, and, of lookalike parade with all of the Children’s Choir. course, great programming during entrants receiving a gift! At the end of December, Friends each day of 2017. In December, LPB premiered a new documentary, Deeply Rooted: An Evening at the Governor’s Mansion: Saving Our Seeds & Stories. A Christmas Celebration Renowned seed saver, Master Gar- dener, and classically trained artist John Coykendall has spent the past 40 years traveling to Louisiana, saving the heirloom seeds and il- lustrating and documenting more than 80 volumes of oral histories, foodways and farming traditions of a rural Louisiana Parish. It’s as if a restorative, feel-good program grounding us to the earth and the food we eat by rooting us to our past and future.