Informed Sources- Apr-June 2013
4/5/13
Host: Larry Lorenz
Segments:
1. Orleans Parish Prison- Stephanie Grace
The Orleans Parish Prison is under scrutiny after a video is released showing what is going on
inside the prison. Prisoners have access to things they shouldn’t: cell phones, poker, beer and more. This
all came out over a consent decree regarding the conditions of the prison.
2. Ray Nagin- Errol Laborde
Ray Nagin’s trial team asked for a delay in his trial. The opposing side didn’t object. It seems
both sides would like more time for preparations.
3. Jindal Poll- Tyler Bridges
Jindal isn’t happy to hear that his polls are declining. The reason for the decrease in polls is said
to be the budget cuts that have been happening around the state. Also, most people aren’t in favor of
Jindal’s out-of-town trips.
4. Future Watch: Street Programs- Dawn Ostrom
There are many road construction projects going on around the city. The biggest project is a
flood prevention project on Claiborne Avenue. It’s going to update the drainage system and help with
flooding problems during a storm.
5. Senate Elections- Stephanie Grace
Senator Mary Landrieu is up for election again in 2014.The race got a little more clear this week
as far as candidates go. John Flemming announced he won’t challenge her, but Congressman Bill
Cassidy, Republican, said he will.
6. Gretna Elections- Errol Laborde
A new mayor will be chosen tomorrow for the Gretna elections. One of the candidates is
Melinda Constant, Democrat, elected to the council in 2005. The other is Vincent Cobbs III, Republican,
he has served on the council for 25 years.
4/12/13
Host: Larry Lorenz
1. Jindal’s Tax Plan- John Maginnis
Jindal parked his tax proposal but it has apparently found its way into a number of other
committees. Jindal has become the “backseat driver” in the process of moving the plan forward. But
now there is also no plan to make up for lost revenue.
2. Prisons- James Gill
There is a new development on the New Orleans Parish Prison situation. Sherrif Gusman is
charged with being racist in the way it’s been run but he’s just been doing a bad job overall. Somehow,
and inmate got loose and just went for a stroll around the corner. Things like that should not be
happening.
3. Charters- Rebecca Catalanello
There seems to be a general feeling of improved in the overall education process in the schools
since Katrina. The governor recently released a report stating that graduation rates are the highest
they’ve ever been. The school system still needs a lot of improvement but it is making progress.
4. Newhouses- Errol Laborde
The Newhouse newspapers are cutting back and starting to convert some papers to online
papers in New Orleans. Cleveland almost suffered the same fate but the final decision was to keep the
Cleveland Plain Dealer, a paper established in the 1840s, as a daily newspaper. But distribution has been
reduced to three days a week.
5. Senate Election- John Maginnis
The Senate race is heating up and a few polls have been released. One of the polls said the Bill
Cassidy was only five points behind Mary Landrieu. And Landrieu has raised double the amount of
money that Cassidy has.
6. Geraldo Rivera- Fox- James Gill
Geraldo Rivera and Bill O’Reilly deprecated New Orleans this week. O’Reilly was talking about
how corrupt New Orleans has been and for how long. Rivera was mocking the Orleans Parish Prison.
4/19/13
Host: Larry Lorenz
1. Legislature- John Maginnis
With Jindal’s Tax plan repealed, the legislature is moving on to other matters. Such as,
Optometrists who don’t have medical degrees want to be able to perform eye surgery, the optimologist
don’t want that. They feel it would infringe upon their specialized practice.
2. Bomb Squads- Mike Perlstein
The New Orleans bomb squad is made up of officers who have volunteered the job and of
course have the necessary training. They have trained in Quantico, VA and worked with the FBI and
handle anything from a bomb threat to an actual bomb. They work closely with the SWAT team.
3. Johnson Incident- Errol Laborde
With the recent tragedies in the country, New Orleans is reminiscing about one of the city’s
biggest scares in history, the sniper on top of the Howard Johnson. One of the comparisons is that the
sniper event didn’t get as much media attention as the Boston Bombing.
4. Future Watch- Convention Center- Dawn Ostrom
There have plans to expand the Convention Center since before the Super Bowl in February. It
had a few improvements done by the time the super arrived. Now the convention center has another
expansion planned and hope to be finished with it in time for the tercentennial year for the city of New
Orleans.
5. Guns- John Maginnis
David Vitter voted against the gun bill, Mary Landrieu voted for it. The gun bill required universal
background checks for people interested in owning a gun. It was a good political move for Landrieu
because the projection for votes in 2014 has many NRA followers voting against her, so the decision
didn’t hurt her.
6. Judges- Mike Perlstein
Criminal court judges get insurance for themselves from money collected from fines. They’ve
been using fines and fees collected from defendants to buy themselves supplemental insurance that
they were already entitled to have.
4/26/13
Host: Larry Lorenz
1. World Trade Center- Tyler Bridges
There is a request for a proposal to do something with the World Trade Center site and the foot
of Canal Street. The land is city owned property and there are three bidders who have ideas to do
something with the property. There is one preferred bidder who has an advantage over the other two
because they are involved with the phase 5 planning of the Convention Center too.
2. Tobacco Tax- Stephanie Grace
The legislature decided not to do anything with the tobacco tax proposal. Stephanie says
cigarette and tobacco taxes are the easiest to raise because they don’t affect everybody. But there was a
big push from the lobbyists who represent tobacco companies to not raise the taxes. Louisiana has the
third lowest cigarette tax.
3. Local Security- Norman Robinson
Norman discusses New Orleans’s susceptibility to an attack. Michael Anderson, the special agent
in charge of the local FBI, believes we are better prepared than most areas because we are accustomed
to hosting large special events like Jazz Fest and Mardi Gras and recently the Super Bowl.
4. Xavier Prep- Errol Laborde
Xavier Prep will remain open. Six generous alumni have given donations to save the school. And
then the Archdiocese of New Orleans have said they will help with funds as well. Xavier Prep was
originally a school for black females but now it is co-ed and the name is being changed to Drexel Prep in
honor of Kathleen Drexel, founder of the school.
5. State Medicaid- Stephanie Grace
The State Medicaid issue is very partisan. The debate was about the state being able to accept
the expansion of Medicaid as an overall package. Republicans jumped in saying they didn’t want to take
the money. The Democrats want the money and seem to have the public on their side.
6. Times Picayune- Errol Laborde
The Newhouses now have a print publication in Baton Rouge. The publication comes out once a
week, on Wednesdays, and advertises their online publications. They are using print to try to sell digital.
It is called BR, is free and includes sports and entertainment.
5/3/13
Host: Larry Lorenz
1. Oil Field – David Hammer (4 minutes)
Oil, natural gas and sea water are produced on oil platforms. Regulations are needed to be
followed to pump water back into the Gulf. Frequently, water that is found to be polluted and dirty after
tested are filtered using a standard coffee filter. Dirty water is being emptied back into the Gulf of
Mexico while the samples look clean. Sometimes even local spring water is added in to dilute impurities.
Hammer interviewed a whistle-blower who made complaints against WNT Offshore in a civil suit. His
contention is that there were oil spills that were covered up too.
2. Times-Picayune – Errol Laborde/Kevin Allman (11 minutes)
John Georges quote: If The Advocate could double the number of subscribers in New Orleans,
the newspaper would “be in good shape.” There are opportunities in the city because The TimesPicayune was “wounded and confused… “We have a unique opportunity to grow this newspaper. It just
happens that there’s a geography to the south that’s dying for quality journalism seven days a week.”
Around the same time, The Times-Picayune announced that they would have a full newspaper three
times a week only available on news stands . Ryan Chittum from Columbia Journalism Review wrote:
“NOLA’s ham handed PR (is) not going to win back the trust of Picayune readers who have been so badly
burned in the last year. The company controls one of the great brand names in American journalism in
the Times-Picayune, and it goes and names something TPStreet.” The publication is being offered but
not by delivery. It will also be offered electronically but that is still leaving a large part of the population
out. Now instead of a digital media company, they are calling themselves mulit-media. The publication
seems to be much less news and more photos. The public doesn’t want to read a tabloid
3. Future Watch: The Coming of Costco – Dawn Ostrom (4 minutes)
A 148,000 foot Costco is being built in the old Carrollton Avenue shopping center and will be the
first ever in Louisiana. The company saw hope and promise of a positive future here. It is set to open in
August 2013. It will create about 200 jobs and competition is fierce. The package to make them come
here is $5.5 million and Ostrom breaks down the various costs.
4. Gas Station Wars – David Hammer (5 minutes)
WWL received video of fire bombing at a gas station, in which a man wearing a motorcycle
helmet walks in and throws Molotov cocktails behind the counter, prompting the stunned clerk to shoot
the perpetrator with his gun. The Feds investigated, found person who did it, who turned in another
person who was with him, who turned in another who paid him but question as to why wasn’t
answered. Hammer found in investigating that the owner of the gas station across the street was in a
fight with someone from the other gas station just two weeks prior and have been fighting over
property for years. He shares other sordid details.
5/10/13
Host: Larry Lorenz
1. Retail is up in New Orleans – Kathy Finn (4 minutes)
Don Schwartz, a commercial retail broker in New Orleans, has been watching and working in the
field and says he hasn’t seen the city’s retail market this vibrant since the oil boom of the 1970s.
Swedish retailer H&M is opening at old Hard Rock location right on the edge of the Quarter. DSW has
opened a store in Elmwood. Costco is being built on Carrollton Avenue and Whole Foods is scheduled to
open on Broad Street and Bienville. There are also national restaurant chains opening.
2. Food Trucks – Stephanie Grace (3 minutes)
Mayor Landrieu vetoed a city ordinance involving food trucks, claiming that it may be
unconstitutional. Stacy Head complained that he didn’t argue when the subject was being debated.
Concerns are potential competition against area restaurants, lack of a usable bathroom and permits. It
seems that everyone wants it to happen and food truck events are popping up all over town.
3. Legislature – John Maginnis (5 minutes)
The House is trying to find a way to write the budget different from how the governor did it.
They want to focus more money on higher education, Republicans and Democrats both, and take tax
cuts for the rich out. Money was moved around and a new tax amnesty program was created, which
would forgive interest if companies would pay taxes now. Governor and House are trying to reach
common ground.
4. David Vitter – Stephanie Grace (4 minutes)
David Vitter has gained prominence in Washington with his measures to reform the Army Corps
of Engineers. There is a bill with progressive Democrat Sherrod Brown to make banks capitalize more so
they will be too big to fail or the government can’t bail them out if they do. But he is also blocking the
president’s nomination for EPA president.
5. The Times-Picayune – Errol Laborde (5 minutes)
The rumor last week after Peter Kovacs was hired to be editor for The Advocate after being
number two on the editorial side for the Picayune, was that Gordon Russell, top investigative reporter,
would be hired. That has occurred as well as Martha Carr being hired as managing editor. Other huge
hires are discussed. Veterans will add power to the publication.
6. State of the City – Stephanie Grace (3 minutes)
Mayor Landrieu’s State of the City speech was very optimistic and he spoke about much
economic growth. He mentioned the 295th anniversary of the city and is looking forward to the 300th,
when is the time for the deadline in many ongoing projects. He mentioned that the city will pay for
consent decree of prison system but did not say from where the money would come.
5/17/13 ** SPECIAL REPORT ON MOTHER’S DAY SECOND-LINE SHOOTING
Host: Larry Lorenz
1. Cotton – Kevin Allman (4 minutes)
One of the Gambit’s reporters, Deborah Cotton, was at the second-line when the shooting
occurred and is still in the hospital. She moved to New Orleans in 2005 and quickly began covering
second-lines. Her website, neworleansgoodgood.com is posting updates on her condition. She was
fascinated with New Orleans politics as well as culture and frequented Town Hall meetings. Photo of
Cotton shown and graphics about fundraisers. New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic blood drive, May 22nd at
the Frenchmen Art Market and “The 19 Fund,” fundraiser at Tipitina’s Uptown on May 23rd.
2. Second-lines – Norman Robinson (5 minutes)
Second-lines are older than Jazz and are unique to New Orleans. It is an opportunity for people
to socialize with one’s neighborhood residents and to celebrate and let one’s hair down. The mayor
sounded encouraging when he insisted that he would not allow one violent act like this to prevent
second-lines from continuing. We will retain our culture and show an amazing spirit in the face of
tragedy.
3. Solutions – Errol Laborde (5 minutes)
Every time there’s a major incident, there are rallies and prayer vigils. The long-term solution
will be found through education, which is improving but it’s too early to see a widespread benefit. The
Landrieu administration is trying to bring back the recreation department, which may help too. Leaders
are out in full force and the police department seems to be doing a good job with arrests. They are
trying to hold the judges accountable.
4. Police Work – Michael Perlstein (5 minutes)
The high profile case led the police to seek out federal help with their investigation. The phone
was ringing off the hook with tips and the award immediately jumped. Police relied on citizens a great
deal to help identify the suspects. There were arrests for harboring fugitives too as citizens were
promised that anyone who helped the shooters would be punished. These kinds of crimes reflect a
growing disregard for humanity. This should be treated as an act of terror.
5. Media – Errol Laborde (5 minutes)
Although many complain about the negativity of media, it was a great help in this case. A story
like this has the potential to go global in a matter of minutes thanks to social media, particularly if
camera footage is involved. It also shows that three time a week newspapers do not work. Once the
story could have been reported by The Times Picayune, it was too late.
5/24/13
Host: Larry Lorenz
1. Legislature – John Maginnis (5 minutes)
Two proposed Constitutional amendments have been proposed and are making their way
through the Legislature in funding for hospitals, pharmacies and nursing homes. The idea is that money
will be raised to go to private hospitals and that money won’t be able to be cut. The Jindal
administration is not in favor of it but it has been heavily lobbied and has a lot of support. Higher
education may be the last standing category that will be unprotected.
2. The Times-Picayune – Errol Laborde (5 minutes)
On the anniversary of the three times a week publication, quotes from various sources are cited:
“Readers no longer want today’s news tomorrow. They want it now.” – Jim Amoss announcement in The
Times-Picayune; “We have no intention of selling no matter how much noise there is out there.” – Steve
Newhouse to The New York Times; “If your family does not believe in the future of this great city and its
capacity to support a daily newspaper, it is only fair to allow us to find someone who does.” – Citizens
group to Newhouses; “From a pure business perspective, you’re about to get smoked. The Advocate
and others are moving in to fill the void you are creating. And TP subscribers, including me, will be eager
to cheer them on by trading our subscriptions.” – David Vitter to Newhouses;
“First my boss
the job I lost
Since you walked out on me, yeah
Holy smoke, what you doing to me, me?” – Allen Toussaint at Rock ‘N Bowl rally
A year later, the noise hasn’t stopped and various prior employees of The Times Picayune have been
hired by The Advocate. There are still a lot of questions regarding its future.
3. Future Watch: Avondale – Dawn Ostrom (4 minutes)
The last Navy ship is scheduled to come out of Avondale Shipyard at the end of this year. Now
the question is what will be done with the space. Huntington Ingalls Industries is known worldwide as a
shipbuilding company but Avondale’s workers are skilled at modular engineering and construction. The
corporation will transition into another commercial arena, and they are currently building relationships
in the oil and gas industry.
4. Gangs – Michael Perlstein (5 minutes)
Recent violence has shed light on a new gang culture in the city. New Orleans gangs are looseknit and usually neighborhood-based. Another characteristic is that gangs here are fluid since they
haven’t had as much time to develop. In other cities such as L.A., gangs have built power over
generations. Here, leaders have been killed and quickly replaced by other new groups. Powerful gangs
outside of New Orleans have not been able to infiltrate them because they are too family oriented.
5. Money & Politics – John Maginnis (5 minutes)
There are many players in Louisiana politics and politicians have the ability to raise a lot of
money for elections. Maginnis breaks down what money usually goes to which party. The Legislation
scores politicians on the power they have in getting certain things done, which leads to further
endorsements. Lawmakers also form clubs and a certain level of endorsement can make a contributor
part of one.
5/31/13
Host: Larry Lorenz
1. Evacuations – Rob Masson (5 minutes)
Statues are being put up all over town of a stick figure (graphic shown) indicating where to go to
catch a bus in the need of a city-wide evacuation. Transportation will be available up to twelve hours
before landfall. Citizens are urged to get evacuation plans in place. Hurricane season begins this
weekend.
2. School Employees – Kevin McGill (3 minutes)
7,000 are involved in a class action law suit approved years ago in which prior school employees
argue that they were wrongfully fired. Plaintiffs could seek damages against the New Orleans School
Board as well as the state of Louisiana and $1.5 billion is the price tag. Plaintiffs propose that Katrina
was used as a means to take over the system.
3. Mother’s Day Shooting – Rob Masson (4 minutes)
The attorney for Sean Scott is attempting a motion to refuse investigators’ rights to talk to
defendants. There have been discussions over bond set against Akein Scott in his previous arrest for
drug and gun possession. A second-line is scheduled this weekend in the same neighborhood where the
shooting took place and the shooting appears to be gang related.
4. Saenger – Kevin McGill (4 minutes)
The Saenger is still in the renovation process and a new opening date has been set for midOctober. Broadway Across America is scheduled to open The Book of Mormons there. The marquee sign
will match the one from the 1920s. Its reopening is expected to anchor the renaissance of that part of
Canal Street.
5. Restaurants – Errol Laborde (3 minutes)
Good news was announced this week that Tujague’s will remain in the control of the Latter
family. After Steven Latter died recently, there was a rumor that his brother might sell the building to
become a tee shirt and chicken shop. Steven’s son, Mark, will continue to run the business. Tableau, a
beautiful space nearby, is another interesting development. It is a restaurant opened by Dickie Brennan.
6. Legislature – Rob Masson (5 minutes)
Local tourism is strong currently and is better than most cities nationwide. This week, two bills
designed to boost tourism further are making their way through the Legislature. One deals with a new
marketing fee to be set up through a new corporation that will allow hotels to raise their taxes
themselves, by 1.75 cents. They will be allowed to vote and wouldn’t be allowed to use it if they vote
against. Another bill will allow reconstruction of the Convention Center.
6/7/13 and 6/14/13
INFORMED SOURCES did not air due to WYES ART COLLECTION TWELVE
6/21/13
Host: Larry Lorenz
1. The Times-Picayune – Errol Laborde (5 minutes)
TP Street will be published three times a week for 75 cents which will make it six days. There is
still demand for a daily newspaper. Many top reporters and editors have left the Picayune to join The
Advocate staff. A redesign of The Advocate is expected.
2. Legislature – John Maginnis (6 minutes)
Governor Jindal pulled the plug on the income tax repeal plan. Focus shifted to how to balance
the budget with no additions to higher education and privatization of healthcare is a hot topic. A major
bill proposes to put money into community colleges so that Louisiana will have more skilled workers
coming out of two-year colleges.
3. Jindal – Stephanie Grace (5 minutes)
Jindal wrote an op-ed piece for Politico that got a lot of attention. He called on Republicans to
“stop the navel gazing” and used language like “stop the bed wetting” and “put on your big boy pants.”
It was scorned by Democrats and shaken off by more moderate Republicans but hit home with
conservative Republicans. His message has been that Republicans do not have to alter their policies.
4. Upstairs Lounge Fire – Errol Laborde & Royd Anderson (8 minutes)
Royd Anderson produced The Upstairs Lounge Fire documenting the fire that occurred at the
gay club forty years ago on June 24th. Clip is played from film. A disgruntled customer threatened
people in the bar right before he allegedly set a fire in the entrance stairwell. The doorbell kept going
off, prompting a patron to open the door and a strong backdraft exploded into the club. A bartender led
about twenty people out of the club through the fire door exit but twenty-eight people could not
escape. Some who escaped died or were badly burned. Fire safety codes changed after the horrific
event. Although the arsonist was known, there was no arrest made. He committed suicide about a year
later. It was suggested that police did not investigate as thoroughly as they could have since it was a gay
club. It wasn’t a hate crime against gays but a violent crime by a mentally disturbed patron of the bar.
6/28/13
Host: Larry Lorenz
1. The Times Picayune - Kevin Allman (5 minutes)
The Times Picayune has just released its tabloid Newspaper Street, and is set to be priced at 75
cents an issue. Its design is similar to that of a tabloid paper and will be distributed Monday, Tuesday,
and Thursday. It is not home delivered yet, however is available via web subscription and can be read on
smart phones and tablets. The Advocate has announced a stronger partnership with WWL news station.
At the same time the Times Picayune has announced a partnership with WVUE. In competition, the
Advocate is doing a complete redesign to be completed at the end of this year. It is projected that the
Advocate New Orleans Edition is going to be renamed the New Orleans Advocate. The Advocate is now
trying to take away advertising in the Times Picayune, starting off with funeral homes and obituaries.
2. Jindal Vetoes – John Maginnis (5 minutes)
Governor Jindal has continuously vetoed bills, despite strong majority support. Surprisingly, he
has vetoed a bill granting 4 million dollars of relieve to parents of developmentally disabled children,
stating it increases spending. By vetoing things like this, it has made him appear cold-hearted and has
made him look worse. Most surprising, Jindal has vetoed a measure allowing the Convention Center
Authority to borrow money to make improvements along the river, to promote industry and business.
This was seen as payback after the proposer of the bill, Speaker Pro Tempe Walt Leget of New Orleans,
who put a dent in the Governors budget after stopping the 100 million dollars of cuts for the Convention
Center Authority.
3. Reverend John Rafael – Norman Robinson (5 minutes)
Rev. Rafael passed away this week and is symbolic of the role of black ministers in the
community. He was a man to go head on into issues to solve them, and was a beloved member of the
community. Rev. Rafael was pastor of New Hope Baptist Church located in Central City and was a giant
advocate of ending neighborhood violence. By conducting fasts and meeting with people involved in the
violence he left his mark as a hero in the city. He was active internationally, building orphanages in Haiti
and Ghana. A modest man, he was never fully in the limelight of the media for his actions.
4. Supreme Court’s Ruling on Gay Marriage – John Maginnis (4 minutes)
With the recent Supreme Court ruling striking down DOMA, we look at changes in federal
policies towards gay couples. Despite a strong gay community in New Orleans, gay marriage or civil
unions do not have any chance to exist presently in Louisiana since the state constitution banning it in
2004. Senator Landrieu has yet to come out on her stance on this issue seeing it as a threat to her
upcoming reelection, and her brother Mayor Mitch Landrieu has only come out for civil unions, not
marriage with a possibility of running for governor in 2015.
5. US Attorney – John Maginnis (5 minutes)
The President has vetted a new candidate for US attorney, and Kenneth Polite is that. Senator
Landrieu has put full support behind him, where as Senator Vitter has remained silent except stating
that at age 40, Polite is too young to serve. This will take over Jim Lettens term, who was a very outgoing
attorney and popular with the press. Polite is popular having also been an attorney in New York.