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This fall, Louisiana will choose a new governor and, because of term limits, a host of new legislators. The state struggles on many fronts, confronting long-term problems that were compounded by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. But Louisiana also has the opportunity to change the way it has done business for decades. Each Sunday over the next two months, The Advocate, LPB and WBRZ-TV are joining forces to explore the problems faced by the state and some of the things Louisiana’s leaders — and its voters — can do about them. LPB will run special segments on Louisiana: The State We’re In every Friday starting July 13 that will address the same topics as the Sunday Advocate stories. WBRZ-TV will air a special Sunday Journal on that week’s topic.

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Time for a change

Louisiana: The State We’re In (Robyn Ekings, producer)– Friday, July 13 at 7PM and Sunday, July 15 at 2PM

Sunday Advocate - July 15

Sunday Journal – Sunday, July 15 at 8AM

Many people feel that Louisiana, which seems to be perpetually last among the best and first among the worst in so many aspects, has reach a “do-or-die” point. Experts say the state’s leaders must make hard, forward-looking decisions — and the people who elect them must insist on change instead of settling for more of the same.

Economic Development

Louisiana: The State We’re In (Christina Melton, producer) –Friday, July 20 at 7PM and Sunday, July 22 at 2PM

Sunday Advocate - July 22

Sunday Journal – Sunday, July 22 at 8AM

Louisiana’s workforce — at 41 percent of the population, the smallest in the nation even before Hurricanes Katrina and Rita — is struggling to meet the challenges of recruiting new business to the state and rebuilding what was destroyed. Hampered by poor education and overly reliant on the petro-chem industry, Louisiana needs to land more well-paying jobs in more diverse fields.

Higher Education

Louisiana: The State We’re In (Robyn Ekings, producer) –Friday, July 27 at 7PM and Sunday, July 29 at 2PM

Sunday Advocate - July 29

Sunday Journal – Sunday, July 29 at 8AM

In North Carolina and Texas, universities have long played a key role in fueling booming economies. But Louisiana lags many states in building the type of research programs that attract grants and businesses — and must find a way to provide the education needed to fill well-paying but demanding jobs.

Elementary and High Schools

Louisiana: The State We’re In (Charlie Whinham, producer) –Friday, August 3 at 7PM and Sunday, August 5 at 2PM

Sunday Advocate – August 5

Sunday Journal – Sunday, August 5 at 8AM

Louisiana’s students do poorly when compared to the nation, not surprising given the state’s pervasive poverty. Employers complain that high schools fail to produce workers able to function at the most basic level. The state’s decade-old “school accountability” program offers some hope, but much remains to be done, both in and out of the classroom.

Transportation

Louisiana: The State We’re In (Kevin Gautreaux, producer)–Friday, August 10 at 7PM and Sunday, August 12 at 2PM

Sunday Advocate – August 12

Sunday Journal – Sunday, August 12 at 8AM

Roads are a key factor in economic development, and Louisiana’s are terrible. By some estimates, at least $14 billion of needed work, both repairs and major new construction, remains undone. But paying for it will require hard decisions in a poor state where every penny set aside for roads will be fought over.

Health Care

Louisiana: The State We’re In (Al Godoy, producer) – Friday, August 17 at 7PM and Sunday, August 19 at 2PM

Sunday Advocate – August 19

Sunday Journal – Sunday, August 19 at 8AM

Louisiana has too few doctors, nurses and medical specialists. The shortage — made far worse by Hurricane Katrina — threatens to further erode the health of a state where too many people are sick and too many are uninsured. And the situation could drive