Support for Louisiana.

The state we're in is provided by Entergy.

Louisiana is strengthening our power grid throughout the state.

We're reinforcing infrastructure to prepare for stronger storms, reduce outages, and respond quicker when you do need us.

Because together we power life.

Additional support provided by the Fred B and Ruth B Ziegler Foundation and the Ziegler Art Museum, located in Jennings City Hall.

The museum focuses on emerging Louisiana artists and is a historical and cultural center for Southwest Louisiana.

And the Foundation for Excellence in Louisiana Public Broadcasting and viewers like you.

Thank you.

Federal funding cuts could have a big impact on libraries across Louisiana, and you may want to grab some tissues for this week's Young Hero.

I'll introduce you to William Matthews.

The legislative session kicks off next week in Louisiana.

We'll have a preview for you and big changes to the lake Charles waterfront.

Karen takes us inside of the new Port Wonder.

Let's get started.

With.

Hi, everyone.

I'm Dorothea Wilson, and I'm Victor Hall in for Karen this week.

Much more on those top stories in a moment.

On this week's edition of Louisiana, the state We're In.

But first, the American Library Association is suing the Trump administration over an executive order to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The institute provides funding to libraries around the country to help with programs for children, seniors and underserved communities.

Karen Wall spoke to library officials to see just what's at stake.

Libraries across Louisiana are experiencing a challenging chapter with funding cuts at all levels.

The latest coming from President Donald Trump.

You have here some headlines on the table.

Trump administration moves to shutter library agency.

The staff of the Independent Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Yes, they were all sent home, during the week of March 31st.

And they're they're furloughed, basically.

The Institute for Museum and Library Services helps all of the libraries with technical support.

They help the State Library of Louisiana.

They help support them with a significant part of their annual budget.

And that that budget flows through to parishes, including our parish.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the nation's only federal agency for America's libraries.

President Trump issued an executive order dismantling the federal agency to quote the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.

End quote.

In 2024, Imls awarded $266.7 million through grant making, research and policy development to America's museums, libraries, and related organizations.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Library System relies on federal grants to fund archival work.

Several databases and subscription services databases that our citizens are receiving come through funding that is overseen through the emails.

And so the two dotcom database that every citizen in the state of Louisiana gets through the state library.

Certainly concerned about it, because, most of the databases are annual subscriptions, and I don't know when they're due.

That's a lot.

That's a lot of funding that I wasn't planning on splitting out of my book budget.

In response to my On-Camera interview request.

State Librarian Meg Clark issued the following statement, quote, The State Library of Louisiana continues to operate as usual.

These funds are secure through 2026, while we offer assistance to public library systems across the state by using Imls funds, all of them operate independently and are funded locally.

End quote.

According to the American Library Association, the nation's 125,000 public school academic and special libraries translate 2.003% of the federal budget.

Funding for programs and services.

The American Library Association issued a statement in response to Trump's executive order, quote, by eliminating the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services, the Trump administration's executive order is cutting off at the knees the most beloved and trusted of American institutions and the staff and services they offer.

Do you feel as if the libraries are being cannibalized in the current political climate?

It seems that way because libraries, not just in the state of Louisiana, but all over the United States, are being attacked.

Their funding is being cut.

Their, their their governance is being questioned.

And and in a way, it's it seems so unfortunate because we're pretty transparent.

A coalition of attorneys general from 20 states, not including Louisiana, have filed suit to stop the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The lawsuit contends that the executive order unconstitutionally overrides Congress's power of the purse by directing the Imls to eliminate programs that Congress has explicitly authorized and appropriated for.

Pay attention to what's happening with all of our publicly funded institutions.

Well, let's take a look at some of the stories that had people talking this week.

And we are going to start with shoppers at a Walmart in Baker, Louisiana, who got a pretty big shock this week when some people started horsing around.

Literally.

That is insane, Victor.

Now get this.

Four guys rode into the store on horseback.

Take a look at the video.

The guys rode right in the front door and trotted around workers and shoppers.

They stopped to stare and they recorded the video.

Now, apparently, Victor, this has a really viral trend on TikTok.

Yeah, maybe leave it as a viral trend, right?

Thankfully, they stayed calm.

But experts say that's what you need.

Experts say this.

It's a bad idea because you never know what could set the horses off.

Police, by the way, they're looking for the cowboy wannabes because they face several charges.

Yikes.

Oh my goodness.

Well, switching gears just a little bit and moving on down to New Orleans, the largest free music festival in the city is underway this weekend, and it is none other than the 42nd annual French Quarter Festival, and more than 300 local musicians will take to 20 stages around the corner.

There will also be dozens of food vendors, along with events like a jazz brunch celebrating the 50th anniversary of the steamboat Natchez.

One big change this year if you're going French Quarter Fest will be cashless, so you'll want to make sure you have another way to pay.

And if you can't make it to the music festival, don't worry.

Jazz Fest 2025 is just two weeks away.

Ooh, now we have some more big news for the fans of Ikea.

The Swedish furniture chain is in talks to open its first location in Louisiana.

It's going to be in Canada, and they're working to bring an Ikea to the Esplanade Mall.

Yeah, like a lot of malls, the usual chain stores.

Well, they've moved out over the years, and that's left a lot of open storefronts.

Officials say the location would be perfect for an Ikea with close access to the airport, and the store would bring in a lot of new revenue to the area.

Well, I am looking forward to an Ikea.

I love a good furniture store.

Victor.

Okay, well, moving on to other news.

Our next young hero embodies the title William Matthews of Baton Rouge has faced challenges like ADHD and autism, along with watching his mother struggle with chronic illness.

Despite it all, he's thriving and looking to the future.

Here's a story good work is only able to be done by hard work.

As long as you dedicated, motivated and you have your heart set out for something, the sky's the limit.

William Matthews has been diagnosed with level three, autism, ADHD and ADHD.

However, his journey displays in incredible perseverance, being born with autism and all these other things.

It's like me trying to find a way to just be myself, but I realize myself may be a little abnormal.

So learning how to adjust and adapt my behavior to be like this is acceptable, or this, this is normal behavior.

So it's really having to adapt to my environment and all these other things.

Nominated for the Young Hero Award by his college counselor, Jackie a steel from the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition, Jackie believes that his diagnosis does not define him.

Instead, it is his determination, passion, ambition and commitment to making a positive impact in the world that sets him apart from his peers.

The first time that I met William, I knew that there was something that was different about him than my other students in the best way possible.

The enthusiasm that he had, the optimism that he had on that first day reinvigorated why I do the work that I do.

And then from then on, William has been like the best student in our program.

And Ikea isn't alone in seeing William as a young hero.

His JROTC instructor, Colonel Boyd, mentioned that if he hadn't already been nominated, she would have nominated him herself.

He has been in the JROTC program since, I want to say, 2021.

And as an incoming freshman or LED one, he was able to participate in the rifle team.

He was able to participate in the flag detail, is able to participate in the archery team where we actually went to nationals in place fifth overall for JROTC.

And now William is now the captain of the archery team.

And there is more.

Even William's principal joined in to tell us how unique William is.

William is unforgettable.

Here we pride ourselves, on, you know, certain core values, perseverance, respect, integrity, discipline, excellence.

And when you meet William, you know that he exemplifies all of those characteristics he'd give you the shirt off of his back if he could.

But outside of the many activities that William is involved in, I work with, b r e c Burke Conservation Camp, where once I was a camper and I got older, too old to be a camper, so I decided I wanted to be a sit, which is a counselor training.

Earlier this year, this young hero was faced with earth shattering news.

I had to sit both of my boys.

Sam, and let them know that after he graduates in May, I'm going on hospice.

He's had to do this entire year knowing that he's going to lose me at the end of the year.

He has still with the same attitude, done all of this stuff for this whole school year.

William's mother, Storm Matthews, has suffered nine strokes along with various other health problems over the years.

I challenge William has long had to endure.

Still, the thought of losing his mother, his biggest support in just a few weeks is a heavy burden to bear.

Yet true to his young hero spirit, William continues to find a glimmer of hope and what might seem like a dark time.

It breaks my heart like I can't lie and say it's not killing me inside, but to really think about it, it's like not many people get to die the way they want to die.

It's so I think when you're able to pass away peacefully, you should really be happy.

You know that you get to leave this earth and go to a better place.

And yet William still dares to dream, hoping to one day join the handsome Dan family at Yale University.

My dream is to be a paleontologist, which digs up dinosaur bones and excavates rocks and stuff like that.

And the number one paleontology school in the United States is Geo University.

Through the many hardships and challenges William has faced, the one thing that he feels in his heart is gratitude.

Give credit where credit's due.

I have to thank all the mentors and people that have walked in my life and have guided me, whether it be at church, at school, over the summer, at conservation, even friends is just the people that have been in my life.

The reason why I'm still here.

I am William Matthews and I am a young hero.

Dorothea, what an outstanding story and the inspiration to see not only everything that that young man is involved in, but the relationship between him and his mother is truly, truly a special story.

Absolutely.

And she's been fighting just to stay here for him so she can see him to the finish.

And I know, I know, he's going to do great things, Victor, and I'm excited to see it now.

LPB Louisiana Young Heroes program is presented with generous support of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library, the Gail and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation, and Fishman Haygood, along with title sponsor Community Coffee and with additional support from the U.S. Army Baton Rouge Recruiting Battalion Demko and McDonald's.

Louisiana lawmakers will return to Baton Rouge Monday for the annual legislative session.

They'll take up a list of high stakes issues like the budget, tax reform and education.

I sat down with Barry Erwin from leaders for a Better Louisiana for a preview.

Well, I am here with Barry Erwin, chief policy officer from leaders for a Better Louisiana.

Thank you so much, Barry, for being with me again.

Oh, glad to be here.

I always love it when you come here.

So I learned so much.

So we are about to enter an exciting time.

We have session starting on Monday.

What can we expect to see?

Well, probably a lot of this session is a little different.

Every other year we have fiscal sessions and other years we have general sessions.

This is a fiscal session, which means the focus is supposed to be on fiscal issues like tax policy, revenue issues, that type of thing.

And lawmakers can have any number of bills on those subjects, but they can also have bills on other things.

So they get five bills each on like general things.

So what we're going to see is a lot I think about, you know, tax and policy, related to fiscal issues.

But then lawmakers have other things on their minds, and they have a handful of bills that they can deal with.

And so we're going to see a pretty broad stroke I think.

Okay.

So what are the top three things?

Because I know that we have some hot topics out there that's definitely going to be discussed or I'm thinking.

So that will be discussed in that fiscal session.

You know, one of those being, you know, the auto industry and more so amendment to kind of revitalizing that.

Talk to us about some of those.

Yeah, I agree, I think there's three big things that we'll talk.

And when we talk about them individually, but one is a budget that's going to be a big deal.

Two is insurance because everybody's got insurance on their mind.

And the third is that amendment number two, what's left over.

What can they, you know, salvage from those things?

I would start off with the budget and just say, that's going to be a really big issue, partially because of the failure of amendment number two.

They were thinking they were going to have some things taken care of, teacher pay raises being one of the big ones, and some other revenues that would be available for them to spend.

Well, it didn't pass.

So the teacher pay issue is $200 million.

It's still on the table.

There are other things that the governor is supporting in his package but are not funded now.

Big ticket items like an economic development, things like that to deal with.

And then, of course, we're hearing a lot about federal cuts.

We don't know the total extent of those, but we can expect that to be a big issue as well.

Absolutely.

Now, what about things like, you know, you mentioned auto insurance.

What do we are insurance period.

What can we expect to see come from that.

What are they talking about there.

Well, I think mostly, you know, last year we had a regular session or special session to dealing with mostly property insurance.

So, you know, your homes and commercial properties and that type of thing.

Not much was done on auto.

So this time most of it is probably going to be focusing on auto insurance, which is a big issue in the state.

So just this week, the governor kind of came out and said, there's a handful of bills that he was going to be supporting, dealing, you know, with different issues there.

Some of it has to do with medical expenses, uninsured motorist untruths and advertising, you know, from, attorneys and that type of deal.

And also, you know, having to prove that the injury that you are claiming was caused by the accident and wasn't like a preexisting condition.

So all of those are kind of controversial issues.

They don't maybe sound that way, but they are.

Yeah.

And, there's going to be a lot of discussion about that.

I think the one other thing on insurance is there are a lot of bills dealing with either tax credits or deductions for fortified roofing.

And we know people really find that to be a very popular program because it does tend to bring down, homeowner, you know, residential insurance and commercial insurance rates for your house.

So I think a lot of discussion around that as well.

And what would you think would be another big ticket item that will be discussed in this fiscal session?

Well, I think when you get back to that amendment number two discussion, one of the things we left on the table as we just kind of mentioned, was that teacher pay rates, and that was a big deal.

That was there was a mechanism within that that was going to fund the stipends that teachers have been getting just for the last two years, like one year stipends and make them permanent.

But it's a big ticket.

It's $200 million and they want to make it recurring so that they don't have to deal with this every year.

And the teachers are guaranteed.

So I think we're going to see some of the same mechanisms that we saw there, where we're trying to go look at trust funds that we have in education, use those dollars to pay off a lot of debt in the teacher retirement system.

And by paying off that large amount of debt, it creates savings that can then be applied to the teacher pay rates.

So I think we'll revisit that discussion.

And I think on amendment number two, there's also been some talk about, the savings accounts we have, we have two big savings accounts, and both of them have quite a bit of money in there.

So there's talk about combining those, which sounds like it's, you know, kind of inside baseball.

But it would free up eventually some dollars, that the legislators are really looking to find on the table to, to deal with some of these issues.

Absolutely.

How difficult of a conversation or other session do you think this will be?

I think it's going to be pretty tough.

Yeah, I mean, the dollar issues are significant.

And, you know, they really the governor's budget, you know, is balanced because it was presented not expecting, you know, the amendment to pass because that's the way that the rules work.

But then in the back of their minds, they kind of thought it was, you know, so that teacher pay raises on the table, some of these other things that, the governor wants to do in economic development with, you know, site development for, you know, recruiting companies to come in.

And we've heard big announcements on some of those things recently.

But those are expensive things.

And again, the federal dollars, we just don't know what impact that's going to have on our budget, knowing that we get a lot of money from the federal government compared to other states, certainly per capita.

So I think all of us in insurance is always very contentious.

So, yeah, I think they're going to be a lot of fireworks this time around.

Yeah, I think so too.

But we can only wait and see what happens on Monday.

We shall see.

We shall see.

Thank you.

So much, Barry.

I appreciate you every time you come here.

Oh, glad to do it.

Thank you for having me.

Of course.

The big changes are coming to Lake Charles as the long awaited Port Wonder gets ready to open its doors.

Now, the immersive museum features massive fresh and saltwater aquariums, along with hands on exhibits highlighting the state's conservation programs.

Karen takes you to Kalguksu Parish for preview.

Port Wonder, a wave shaped museum complex, commands attention along the Lake Charles waterfront for its undulating curb appeal.

Many passerbys can't help but wonder what's inside Port Wonder.

The city aims to capitalize on all that curiosity, with two museums in one location.

The east wing houses the Children's Museum of Southwest Louisiana, which we will visit in part two of my tour.

The West Wing is where we begin.

Hi.

Good morning Karen.

Welcome to the Nature and Science Center.

We're hoping that we're able to introduce folks in this facility with a hands on take and get them excited about what we do and what's out there for them.

The Nature and Science Center is a first for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Aquariums and hands on exhibits immerse visitors in Louisiana's diverse habitats, experiences destined to become field trip favorites.

Realistic renderings of large cypress trees draw attention to the bayou.

Take a 1500 gallon freshwater ecosystem of tree roots, plants and fish.

That is a really impressive display of what you can go out and go fishing and find.

So this is just a few examples of some of the species that can be found in the bayous.

They're very diverse.

They're very nutrient dense.

So a lot of life can live there.

Another tank replicates the Cameron Jetty, a popular fishing spot in Louisiana for brackish water species.

This is a 7000 gallon saltwater tank, and we'll have species like the drum.

The red drum.

And this is just really showing what a lot of anglers come to Louisiana to fish for these windows to Louisiana's underwater world, aim to inspire future anglers and instill an appreciation for the department's conservation efforts.

We have our rig to reef tank.

And this is highlighting what Louisiana has a lot of oil rigs off the coast.

The coral starts aggregating on the rig links.

And then when it comes the coral, a lot of fish will also follow.

And then you also get a lot of really cool sports fish off of the rigs.

So this is a phenomenal habitat.

Or this is a phenomenal program because when oil rigs get decommissioned, they can just kind of get trash or they can be recycled.

For those curious about the tank technology, I'm taking you behind the scenes to an area that's not part of the official tour.

Welcome to the life Support room.

So we have to maintain these aquariums for the health and safety of our species on exhibit a network of pipes, filters and pumps keep the fresh and saltwater tanks in balance and clean something unique to our facility as we do mix up our own saltwater.

So we are purchasing 3,500 pounds of salt a month and we use the city water supply.

We will mix 500 gallons up at a time.

Many of the exhibits in the Nature and Science Center invite participation.

Visitors can cast lines and virtual fishing trips or play the role of wildlife and fisheries biologist.

Whether it's determining the age of a fish by studying its ear bones or examining baby fish.

This is our fish hatchery exhibit in Louisiana.

The state has four freshwater fish hatcheries.

These are a viewing glass that you can look into and see large mouth fry.

So a fry is a baby fish.

And, this is the step that you would see after they, lay the eggs and then they grow.

Exhibits also highlight the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries conservation success stories.

We have the black bear, alligator.

There's some species of crawfish along with our whooping cranes.

And you can look over here and just find some good information on the work that's been done.

And it also has some features on each of them where visitors can touch and feel different elements of these species.

We end our tour of the Nature and Science Center at the Touch Tank, a petting zoo for Louisiana marine life.

We'll have some blue crabs in here.

We may have a spider crab.

I'm sure there's, some species of sea anemone.

Possibly the port Wander experience heads outside with a 75ft fishing pier and an alligator pond, both accessible by a new boardwalk along the riverfront.

This stretch, when you drove in Lake Charles, this stretch looked really drab over the last couple decades.

And so we are completely transforming people's first impression when they drive in Lake Charles with this and other projects, Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter sees Port Wonder as a community and economic bliss.

The revitalized 120 acre tract of city owned land has a new life and purpose to inspire, wonder and civic pride.

And before we wrap up, we want to congratulate our dream getaway raffle winner, Davina McLain.

Thank you for this 20 1512 Dream Getaway raffle.

Pack your bags.

You're going to Italy!

The to get ready for the adventure of a lifetime and beautiful Italy.

That's right.

That's going to be so exciting.

And to everyone who purchased a ticket, thank you for supporting friends of LPB and helping us to continue to bring great programs to you.

That's our show for this week.

Remember, you can watch anything LPB any time, wherever you are with our LPB app.

That's right.

And you can catch LPB news and public affairs shows, as well as other Louisiana programs you've come to enjoy over the years.

And please like us on Facebook and Instagram for everyone at Louisiana Public Broadcasting, I'm Victor Hall and I'm Dorothea Wilson.

Until next time.

That's the state we're in.

Support for Louisiana.

The state we're in is provided by Entergy.

Louisiana is strengthening our power grid throughout the state.

We're reinforcing infrastructure to prepare for stronger storms, reduce outages, and respond quicker when you do need us.

Because together, we power life.

Additional support provided by the Fred B and Ruth B Ziegler Foundation and the Ziegler Art Museum.

Located in Jennings City Hall, the museum focuses on emerging Louisiana artists and is a historical and cultural center for Southwest Louisiana and by Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.

Visit Baton Rouge and the Foundation for Excellence in Louisiana Public Broadcasting and viewers like you.

Thank you.