Public Television 2018 Annual Report WLAE-TV is a trusted multi-media resource offering quality, values-based content and outreach increasing awareness of inspirational, cultural and educational services that positively impact the lives of the people of Southeast .

We’re Local And Enlightening

Presents In 2018, the city of New Orleans celebrated its Tri-centennial. CatholiCs in the Throughout the year, many programs and projects marked the CresCent City The First 300 Years historic events that occurred over this 300 year time period. WLAE commemorated this occasion by partnering with the Archdiocese of New Orleans and producing three inspiring one-hour films entitled, Catholics in the Crescent City – The First 300 Years. The first installment featured the St. Louis Cathedral, the cornerstone of New Orleans. From the city’s earliest beginnings a Catholic Church has stood in the heart of French Quarter. Surviving hurricanes and floods… rising from the ashes of fires and disasters…this iconic church has stood the test of time. The second documentary film highlighted the beginnings of a city built by faith and covered the years 1718-1850. In the final film, the Catholic Church in New Orleans grew beyond the boundaries of central city and began to take shape with the help of Historic St. Louis Cathedral bricks and mortals. From war, plagues and internal conflicts to a visit from Pope John Paul II and the creation of Saints of the gridiron, the Catholic Church thrived in faith, hope and life.

“Growing up in my Jewish New Orleans family, there is so much I had not known about local Catholic history, until seeing last night’s program. Thanks WLAE for sharing with me”. Barbara Spiegel Members of the WLAE Tri-Centennial WLAE Viewer Committee at the premiere screening of Catholics in the Crescent City We’re Local And Educational PRESENTS

Public Service is a noble calling and those individuals entrusted by the voters with a political office are given both a great honor and a tremendous responsibility. One such elected official who met every test of integrity and honesty is former Louisiana Lt. Governor Jimmy Fitzmorris. WLAE was thrilled to have been chosen to produce the documentary film Fitz! The Life and Political Legacy of Jimmy

Fitzmorris. Before the TV debut, the film was premiered at a reception THE LIFE AND POLITICAL LEGACY OF JIMMY FITZMORRIS EXECUTIVE CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS JIM DOTSON & RON YAGER PRODUCERS JEFF CROUERE & PAT DENECHAUD PRODUCED DIRECTED EDITED DIRECTOR OF BY JEFF CROUERE & STAN GELPI BY STAN GELPI BY TED OCHOA PHOTOGRAPHY JEREMIAH FRY NARRATED to local political dignitaries and civic leaders at the New Orleans BY PAT MATTHEWS ©2018 LAE PRODUCTIONS & WLAE-TV

Joseph C. & Sue Ellen PATRICK F. TAYLOR FOUNDATION Museum of Art with the 97 year old Jimmy Fitzmorris in attendance. Canizaro Fitz even addressed the audience with a few words of wisdom. It was a special evening.

Louisiana Lt. Governor Jimmy “I think that Jimmy Fitzmorris has uplifted the whole Fitzmorris, Governor Edwin Edwards and Attorney General Billy Guste political system in Louisiana” Honorable Moon Landrieu Former Mayor of New Orleans

On May 7, 2018, the city of New Orleans inaugurated its first female Mayor. WLAE broadcast “live” the Latoya Cantrell ceremony and Executive Producers with Jimmy provided the television pool coverage of the prayer service from St. Fitzmorris at the premiere screening of Fitz! at the New Orleans Museum Louis Cathedral. of Art

2 We’re Local And Entertaining

The WLAE and Emmy Award winning travel series Go Coast: Louisiana was on the road once again in 2018. Series host Tom Gregory and crew spent time on the Louisiana bayou in St. Bernard Parish enjoying the food and festivals of this rich cultural region of the state.

“The WLAE GO Coast coverage of the rebirth of St. Bernard will shine a light on the cultural, economic and environmental resurgence of our area. That exposure will let the world know that St. Bernard is thriving and that the parish is a destination for visitors, businesses, and families looking live the good life in Louisiana.” Katie Tommaseo Director of Film & Tourism St. Bernard Parish Government

WLAE continues to win awards for excellence in local production and programming. In 2018, WLAE earned a Telly Award for the documentary film,Leah Chase: The Queen of Creole Cuisine. WLAE was also honored by the Press Club of New Orleans with a first place award in the Best Planned Event category for the live Voice of the People Mayoral Debate.

3 WLAE partners with organizations and area businesses to produce quality local programming

Hello Health – A bi-monthly, one-hour live call-in program and speaker series addressing health concerns, medical information and education.

Partner: Ochsner Hospital and Humana

Doctors of New Orleans – A bi-monthly, one-hour program with news feature stories about doctors and experts in the field of medicine, along with a live-call in segment.

Partner: New Orleans Living Magazine & Muro Media

Money Talks – A monthly, half-hour program that features area bankers and financial experts as they educate and inform viewers on money matters ranging from savings accounts and school loans to 401(k)s and home mortgages.

Partner: EM Productions

Affordable Housing Matters – A monthly, half–hour educational series that invites experts in the fields of real estate, banking, insurance, finance and community organizations to discuss home ownership and renting opportunities.

Partner: NOLA Lending Group, Louisiana Affordable Housing Management Association, Whitney Bank and The Willwoods Community

The Daily Mass – A daily 30-minute Mass on TV and the Internet for shut-ins, the sick and those in prison. Partner: The Archdiocese of New Orleans

New Orleans Living – A bi-monthly series that highlights the good works of local non-profit organizations. Partner: Muro Media & New Orleans Living Magazine

Ringside Politics - A weekly half-hour program that features interviews and discussion with politicians and community organizations.

Partner: WGSO 990 AM Radio

4 Inside New Orleans Sports – A live weekly call-in program with local sports reporters discussing the hot topics from the Saints, Pelicans, LSU Tigers, and high school athletic events.

Partner: WGSO 990 AM Radio

Go Coast: Louisiana – One of the top-rated programs produced by WLAE. The multiple Emmy award- winning series continues with new episodes featuring the culinary trail in St. Tammany Parish.

Partner: Louisiana Tourism Coastal Coalition

The Spudcast – New Orleans actor and media personality John “Spud” McConnell uses his unique brand of humor for a weekly one-hour get-together of interesting locals from the business, civic and arts communities.

Partner: Local Businesses

Primetime Sports – Radio personality Scott Alexander brings on guests from local and national sports scene to discuss the teams and games fans like to follow in this weekly one-hour program.

Partner: Local Businesses

Talk of Glory – Hosted by TV sports anchor Ken Berthelot, this weekly program spotlights the New Orleans Catholic League and its rich history of prep football over the past 50 years.

Partner: Local Businesses

5 Thanks To Our Partners

The Willwoods Community The Smile Design Center Louisiana Humana The Gayle and Tom Benson Catholic Journeys Charitable Foundation Mitch Crusto Foundation Ray Brandt Auto Group New Orleans Living Magazine Joe and Sue Ellen Canizaro The Catholic Cultural Heritage Center First Bank and Trust John Redmann, Attorney at Law NOLA Lending Group Ochsner Fidelity Bank Louisiana Tourism Coastal Coalition Historic New Orleans Collection Fr. Cedric Pisegna Notre Dame Hospice Muro Media St. Anthony’s Garden The Catholic Foundation Domino’s Pizza Catholic Community Radio WGSO Radio Phyllis M. Taylor Foundation The Iberia Bank Catholic Cemeteries Eric Asher AT&T Scott Alexander Entergy Ed Marshall The Archdiocese of New Orleans St. Tammany Parish Tourist Commission

“2018 was a busy and exciting year for WLAE as we welcomed new underwriting partners and produced numerous local offerings including four outstanding documentary films following our mission to educate, inform and inspire the viewers of New Orleans and Southeast Louisiana” Ron Yager President WLAE-TV