August 28, 2006
PBS' NewsHour Extra offers students the chance to question Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco

Blanco will answer questions about the impact of Hurricane Katrina and progress toward rebuilding the gulf coast region

As part of the Online NewsHour's coverage of Hurricane Katrina one year later, Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco will be taking questions from students about the impact of what has been called the worst natural disaster in U.S. history.

The forum will be available through NewsHour Extra, the education site of the Online NewsHour, which provides news for students and lesson plans, handouts and other classroom materials for teachers.

Students may submit questions until August 31, 2006 at www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/students/blanco_submit_your_question.html. Students under age 13 must submit a question with a parent or legal guardian. Blanco will respond to selected questions on September 1, 2006.

About The Online NewsHour
Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2006, the Online NewsHour (www.pbs.org/newshour) is the premiere news and public affairs site at PBS.org -- one of the most popular non-commercial sites in the world. Every week, approximately 300,000 people from all over the world come to the site for the in-depth analysis, background and context of the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. Through NewsHour Extra (www.pbs.org/newshour/extra), the Online NewsHour has made a major commitment to education and developing resources for teachers who want to make their curriculum come alive with current events. The Online Newshour has been honored by the Online News Association, the Webby Awards and the Education Writers Association.

About The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer
The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer is seen five nights a week on more than 315 PBS stations across the country. The program is produced by MacNeil/Lehrer Productions, in association with WETA, Washington, D.C. and Thirteen/WNET in New York. Funding for The NewsHour is provided by the Archer Daniels Midland Co.; CIT; Pacific Life; BP and The Atlantic Philanthropies, with additional funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and public television viewers.

Contact: Leah Clapman, 703.998.2166.