NEWS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Children’s Health Matters | December 2020 | Louisiana Public Square

According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2020 Kids Count report, Louisiana ranks 48th for the health of its children. Contributing to the low ranking is the percentages of low birth-weight babies, accidental deaths and obese children which exceed the national average. Louisiana also has among the highest death rate for pregnant women in the U.S. So, how is Louisiana addressing these issues among one of its more vulnerable populations? And how is the state handling the mental health challenges of children and families dealing with poverty, natural disasters and the pandemic?

Election 2020 | November 2020 | Louisiana Public Square

Despite being in the midst of a global pandemic, the nation saw a surge in turnout for the November presidential election. Louisiana voters also voted for their U.S. Representatives, Senators and seven constitutional amendments. What will the outcome of these elections mean for the state? And will delays in determining a winner affect the voting process moving forward? Louisiana Public Square looks for answers to these questions and more on “Election 2020” Wednesday, November 25 at 7pm on LPB and in New Orleans on WLAE. The episode will re-air Friday, November 27 at 8pm on LPB.

Delay of Game: Football & COVID-19 | October 2020 | Louisiana Public Square

No tailgating. Restricted fan attendance. Athletes opting out of playing. Some football conferences postponing their entire seasons. The coronavirus has not only upended Louisianans’ daily lives but their most popular sport – football. Whether high school, collegiate or professional, the experience for Louisiana football players and spectators this fall will be unprecedented. What can fans expect this football season? How are teams addressing the health concerns of athletes and attendees? What are the potential economic impacts to businesses and the state from deeply disrupted schedules? Louisiana Public Square looks for answers to these questions and more.

Dialogue on Disparity | September 2020 | Louisiana Public Square

As the COVID-19 pandemic has progressed, it’s exposed health disparities between blacks and whites. African-Americans are three times more likely to become infected from the virus and twice as likely to die. In the midst of the epidemic, the death of George Floyd has reignited debates about racial inequities within the criminal justice system. And, political analysts are already expressing fear that certain voting practices will discourage minority participation in November’s critical election. So, how is Louisiana addressing health inequities in its battle against the coronavirus? How is it confronting racial disparities when enforcing the law? And, what barriers to voting exist for people of color in the state and can they be overcome? Louisiana Public Square looks for answers on “Dialogue on Disparity” Wednesday, September 23 at 7pm on LPB.

Reopening Education | July 2020 | Louisiana Public Square

The COVID-19 outbreak in March triggered the closing of all of Louisiana’s public and private schools, serving over 800 thousand K-12 students. Colleges and universities closed through the spring semester and two-thirds of early learning centers were shuttered. Five months later amid a statewide surge in cases, nearly 67 percent of childcare facilities are operating again and the Louisiana Department of Education, Board of Secondary and Elementary Education and Board of Regents have issued standards for reopening K-12 and college campuses. So, what will Louisiana’s next school year look like? What health concerns do students and teachers face? How will buses handle reduced capacity requirements? How will younger students regain the nine weeks of in-person instruction they missed? Are longer school days in the future? And, how successful can online instruction be when one-third of the state’s households lack internet access? Louisiana Public Square addresses the challenges and concerns of students and educators re-entering pre-K through higher ed classrooms on “Reopening Education”.

Pulse of a Pandemic | April 2020 | Louisiana Public Square

In just a matter of months, a microscopic virus has wreaked havoc around the globe and here in Louisiana. The outbreak has caused deaths and illness while leaving stress and uncertainty in its wake. Louisiana Public Square helps to bring clarity and calm in an hourlong special edition answering questions about the status of the epidemic in the state, financial assistance for those in need and economic concerns moving forward. Join Governor John Bel Edwards, members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation, and other experts.

Hacked! | February 2020 | Louisiana Public Square

In July, four Louisiana public school districts were hit by computer hackers infecting networks with ransomware. In November, multiple state websites were cyberattacked, triggering a shutdown of servers and a disruption of some services. Just weeks later, the New Orleans’ mayor declared a state of emergency following a breach of the city’s entire computer network by ransomware software. So, how vulnerable are Louisiana’s computer systems to hacking? How can the state and its residents protect personal information from being compromised? And will conflicts with Iran lead to more aggressive cyberattacks against U.S. entities? Louisiana Public Square looks for answers to these questions and more on “Hacked!”

Vaping in Louisiana | January 2020 | Louisiana Public Square