FROM LOUISIANA'S FERTILE DELTA TO OUR RICH COASTLAND AND THE PEOPLE WORKING TO HELP MAKE IT BETTER
See what's new this week on LPB - Louisiana's Storyteller
STARS, STRIPES & SMALL-TOWN PRIDE IN FRANKLIN PARISH
LA64: FRANKLIN PARISH
Monday 8:00pm | Friday 8:30pm
Join us as we head to Louisiana's Delta for a visit to Franklin Parish.
Franklin Parish reflects the working landscapes of Louisiana’s Delta, where agriculture, music, and community traditions remain central to daily life. The episode visits Winnsboro and winds through Wisner, Gilbert, Baskin, Crowville, and Fort Necessity, where farmers and culture keepers carry forward generations of heritage. From pecan orchards to catfish processing plants, these stops reveal a rural Louisiana where small-town pride still runs deep.
Support for LA64 is provided by: Office of the Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, Keep Louisiana Beautiful and the Louisiana Office of Tourism and by the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area, the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission, Northwestern State University of Louisiana, and the Foundation for Excellence in Louisiana Public Broadcasting and viewers like you.
EXPLORING THE CHALLENGES FACING LOUISIANA’S STRUGGLING SHRIMPING INDUSTRY
LOUISIANA SPOTLIGHT
EMPTY BOATS, FOREIGN SHRIMP
Wednesday 7:00pm | Sunday 3:00pm
The distinct flavors of Louisiana’s Gulf shrimp make them a favorite for families, but the industry that’s been putting these shellfish on tables is facing challenges that have been mounting for decades. The viability of shrimping is at its tipping point. For years, an influx of imported shrimp has decreased the value of the local catch, leaving shrimpers struggling to break even. And for an industry where the work was once passed down through generations, even finding deckhands has become a tall order.
From declining profits to an aging fleet, this episode of LOUISIANA SPOTLIGHT goes on the front lines of the struggling shrimping industry to uncover its limiting factors and the latest technology being used to restore competitiveness, including DNA technology.
Helping us understand the issues are:
- Thomas Hymel - Executive Director, LSU Ag Center’s Iberia Research Station
- Jeffrey Plumlee - Fisheries Specialist, Louisiana Sea Grant
- Paul Mladenka - Co-Owner, Couyons BBQ
- Kim Chauvin - Owner, Kim Chauvin’s Seafood Company
Christina Jensen, co-anchor of LPB’s weekly news magazine LOUISIANA: THE STATE WE’RE IN will host.
2026 LOUISIANA LEGENDS GALA LIVE FROM THE OLD STATE CAPITOL
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2026 LOUISIANA LEGENDS GALA AND AWARDS CEREMONY
Thursday 8:30pm | Sunday 1:00pm
Join LPB for a special live broadcast of the 2026 Louisiana Legends Gala and Awards Ceremony from the historic Louisiana Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge.
Co-hosted by Dr. Robyn Merrick and John Denison, the awards program is a special annual event presented by Friends of LPB, recognizing exceptional Louisianans who have distinguished themselves in a range of disciplines. This year’s honorees excel in a variety of fields including business, education, law, the arts, philanthropy, and sports.
This year’s honorees are:
Charles Alexander: An LSU and NFL standout whose athletic excellence has left a lasting mark on collegiate and professional football.
Richard A. Lipsey: An entrepreneur, civic leader, and generous philanthropist with nationwide impact.
Dr. Calvin Mackie: An engineer, educator, and motivational leader whose work has inspired communities across Louisiana and beyond.
Judy Perry Martinez: An attorney known for her dedication to excellence and public service with a legacy of integrity on the legal community.
Thomas Ryder: An entrepreneur and retired executive with extensive experience in publishing and financial services, overseeing multibillion-dollar global organizations.
Hunt Slonem: An internationally acclaimed artist, celebrated for his vibrant neo-expressionist paintings and installations.
The gala is generously supported by our Premier Sponsor, The William J. Doré Family, and Platinum Sponsor, The Stream Family. We also extend our sincere appreciation to our Gala Benefactors, including Paula and Jack de la Bretonne, Bo Harris Wealth Management, Lipsey’s, the Louisiana Lottery, RoyOMartin, Andrea and Wally McMakin, Daniel and Judy Miremont, The Perry Family, and STEM NOLA, whose contributions help make this event possible.
CLEANING UP LOUISIANA'S BAYOUS & BASINS
LOUISIANA: THE STATE WE'RE IN
Friday 7:00pm | Sunday 5:00pm
The Atchafalaya Basin is known for its beauty, but across its waterways a different story is piling up. Mounds of trash, from damaged houseboats to abandoned vehicles are clogging the basin. But what started as small community cleanups has grown into a region-wide initiative. LPB's Christina Jensen hits the water with the Louisiana Bayou Society.
Plus, Louisiana is poised for a nearly tenfold increase in solar energy production over the next decade. A new report from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette finds that it will boost the state's economy by nearly $17 billion dollars and bring in an estimated 13,000 new jobs. But those advancements could be slowed because of changes at the federal level. LPB's Johnny Atkinson breaks down the report and looks at the future of solar energy in Louisiana.
WHAT TO WATCH & WHEN
This Week on LPB
With stunning cinematography, the four-part global series, SHARED PLANET features inspiring stories of people and wildlife flourishing together, celebrating the unique benefits of making room for nature. The first episode highlights people reshaping urban life and sharing space with wildlife.
SHARED PLANET | WEDNESDAY 9:00PM
MONDAY
7pm - ANTIQUES ROADSHOW Back in St. Louis for the first hour at Grants Farm for a Goudey baseball card set and an Andrew Clemens sand bottle.
8pm - LA64 Franklin Parish NEW Visiting Franklin Parish where agriculture, music, and community traditions remain central to daily life.
8:30pm - LA64 St. Landry Parish From historic Washington to Cajun weavers in Arnaudville, travel the Cajun Prairie Byway with LPB.
9pm - THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION An encore presentation of the epic Ken Burns docuseries on the founding of America. Tonight - Part 3.
TUESDAY
7pm - FINDING YOUR ROOTS Actors Rebecca Hall and Lee Daniels solve family mysteries.
8pm - SHAKESPEARE: RISE OF A GENIUS NEW In this 3-part series, acting legends reflect on the greatest writer who ever lived and the dangerous, exciting world that ignited his creativity.
9pm - THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION An encore presentation of the epic Ken Burns docuseries on the founding of America. Tonight - Part 4.
WEDNESDAY
7pm - LOUISIANA SPOTLIGHT Empty Boats, Foreign Shrimp NEW Louisiana's shrimping industry is struggling. We look at the challenges it faces and what's being done to make it competitive.
8pm - NOVA Athens: Birth of Democracy NEW An archaeological investigation into the dramatic origins of democracy in Greece.
9pm - SHARED PLANET Cities NEW A three-part look at how humans and nature are co-existing globally. The first part looks at urban spaces.
10pm - GOOD KARMA HOSPITAL Ruby faces new challenges during a blistering heatwave.
10:45pm - GOOD KARMA HOSPITAL Lydia discovers a former patient is in the care of an herbal doctor.
THURSDAY
7pm - GREAT PERFORMANCES The LA Phil Celebrates Frank Gehry Celebrate 20 years at Walt Disney Concert Hall with the LA Phil in a tribute to its architect.
8:30pm - LOUISIANA LEGENDS GALA NEW A celebration of inspiring Louisianans broadcast live from The Louisiana Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge.
10pm - ROBERT REDFORD: STAR OF THE SILVER SCREEN NEW The life of the acclaimed actor, director and producer.
FRIDAY
7pm - LOUISIANA: THE STATE WE'RE IN LPB SPECIAL FOCUS In-depth new coverage on important issues in the state along with Louisiana art, culture, and events.
7:30pm -WASHINGTON WEEK Roundtable discussion about the week's major news.
8pm - SAMANTHA BROWN'S PLACES TO LOVE Sam heads to Zurich.
8:30pm - LA64 Franklin Parish NEW Visiting Franklin Parish where agriculture, music, and community traditions remain central to daily life.
9pm - GREAT PERFORMANCES: NOW HEAR THIS The Iceland Sound NEW Exploring how such a small nation produces extraordinary music.
10pm - LOUISIANA SPOTLIGHT Empty Boats, Foreign Shrimp NEW Louisiana's shrimping industry is struggling. We look at the challenges it faces and what's being done to make it competitive.
SATURDAY
7pm - KEEPING UP APPEARANCES Hyacinth determines that Richard is bored in his retirement, so she gives him a new hobby.
7:30pm - EVER DECREASING CIRCLES Martin is worried about Paul "taking over" the Close. What sort of people might he invite?
8pm - MISS FISHER'S MURDER MYSTERIES NEW Glamorous Phryne Fisher is plunged into the world of politics, alchemy and poison.
9pm - SHAKESPEARE & HATHAWAY: PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS NEW DS Keeler is blackmailed after a night he cannot remember.
9:43pm - SHAKESPEARE & HATHAWAY: PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS NEW A presenter of a live TV shopping channel is sabotaged and then dies on air.
10:30pm - AUSTIN CITY LIMITS Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo.
SUNDAY
7pm - CALL THE MIDWIFE NEW Despite the closure notice, a new cohort of junior doctors joins the midwives. Binge the series with LPB PASSPORT.
8pm - MARYLAND ON MASTERPIECE This encore broadcast tells the story of two sisters reunited upon news of their mother's death. Binge the series with LPB PASSPORT.
9pm - THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO ON MASTERPIECE NEW Edmond is challenged to a duel. With the stakes high, should he reveal the truth before it's too late? Binge the series with LPB PASSPORT.
10pm - TURN: WASHINGTON'S SPIES NEW At the dawn of the Revolutionary War, struggling Long Island farmer Abraham Woodhull is recruited by the Colonial Army to spy on the British. Binge the series with LPB PASSPORT.
IT'S LOUISIANA YOUNG HEROES DAY
Today (Monday, April 27) is LPB's Louisiana Young Heroes Day - a day for celebrating these exceptional young people from across our state for their achievements both academically and personally. These seven honorees will be touring around Baton Rouge with stops at LSU, the Governor's Mansion, and the Louisiana Legislature. Congratulate them if you come across them today and learn more about each of them at www.lpb.org/youngheroes.