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.

A new report gives Louisiana's infrastructure a barely passing grade.

We'll dig into it.

Rapper 50 cent is making big investments, hoping to transform the city of Shreveport into an entertainment hub.

And the LSU Shreveport pilots pick up a big honor after their undefeated season.

We're talking to the coach.

Plus, Louisiana is aglow with hundreds of handcrafted masterpieces.

We'll take you to the Winter Lantern Festival.

It's a Friday.

We're together.

Let's get started.

Let's do it.

Hi, everyone.

I'm Christina Jensen, and I'm Victor Howell.

Much more on those top stories in a moment on this week's edition of Louisiana, the State.

We're In.

But first, around 250 federal Border Patrol agents are expected to target New Orleans over the next few weeks, according to the Associated Press.

The two week crackdown is being called Swamp Sweep.

Federal agents are expected to begin operations in early December, with the goal to make 5000 arrests.

Immigration advocates have raised concerns about legal residents being caught up in the Trump administration's crackdown.

Meanwhile, Governor Jeff Landry has encouraged the Trump administration to deploy federal troops on National Guard members in cities across the state of Louisiana, from roads to bridges to drinking water.

Louisiana barely made the grade in a new report on infrastructure.

Overall, the state got a C minus, highlighting issues dating back decades.

Here's a look at what the report means for public safety and what's needed to bring Louisiana up to par.

Severe storms.

Chronic underfunding.

Infrastructure aging faster than it can be repaired.

A new analysis from the Louisiana section of the American Society of Civil Engineers warns that these pressures are keeping the state systems from meeting the needs of today, let alone tomorrow.

Even with federal dollars and years of attempted upgrades.

Engineers say Louisiana's natural foundation its rivers, bayous, coastlines and wetlands can no longer carry the weight of a modern society.

At a press event, the society laid out the stakes.

Louisiana's roads, bridges, levees, ports and water systems, much of it built decades ago, are being pushed to their limits.

This warning forms the backbone of the 2025 Infrastructure Report Card.

Positive steps have been taken in recent years, particularly through record levels of federal investments in our built environment.

However, Louisiana has its own unique characteristics, trends and challenges, so it is important to have a localized report that speaks to our state's needs and future outlook to pair with the national assessment.

The 140 page report card looks at Louisiana's most essential networks.

The overall grade A, C minus a slight improvement from 2017.

But the engineers say that progress has not kept pace with the scale of the challenges ahead when it comes to what people feel most roads, water and bridges, the grades are even lower.

Rhodes earned a D with engineers, noting they continue to deteriorate as years of deferred maintenance pile up.

drinking water systems also received a D, which some communities still struggling to meet basic potable water demands and bridges were graded a D plus, with more than 1500 structures now classified in poor condition.

Reliable infrastructure is the backbone of Louisiana's economy.

When our infrastructure is working is typically out of sight and out of mind, like when water runs from the tap in our homes and businesses, or when we travel smoothly to work and school.

Our infrastructure is put to the test every day, and if it's not funded and maintained properly, it can be overwhelmed, such as water mains breaking and shutting down businesses and traffic, or a bridge having weight restrictions.

Efforts to improve are also being undercut by the relentless pressures of climate.

Louisiana has faced extreme weather events in the last decade.

Hurricanes, floods and heat waves, each one testing infrastructure that was never built to withstand so many back to back disasters.

In the last ten years, we've had 36 events that have led to $200 billion in damage across the state.

Now, when that happens, the, the way that you kind of the strength of our infrastructure systems often have to determine how safe we are from from those events of, impacting people or how quickly we can recover from those events.

each of our infrastructure categories has been underfunded for decades, leading to the investment gaps that we have now.

Now, we made strides in recent years addressing these gaps, but decades of underinvestment has led to deteriorating conditions across the state, which puts us into a deep hole that we need to climb out of.

The report looks at far more than just roads and bridges.

It examines airports, ports, dams, levees and coastal protection projects.

The full network that keeps Louisiana moving and safe.

While progress has been made in some areas, engineers warn that without continued investment, a dedicated workforce and stronger collaboration, the state's infrastructure will remain vulnerable.

Our state should strengthen partnerships among local governments, regional planning organizations, universities and the private sector to share best practices, align investments and develop innovative solutions.

yet.

The report also acknowledges progress.

Levee improvements in port upgrades are underway in transportation.

Dollars have funded targeted repairs and expansions across the state.

The infrastructure assets continue to age.

and we're being impacted by basically limited resources and funding.

But that being said, I want to also reemphasize it is there is actually an increase in the grade, meaning that over the last since 2017, we have actually in our state done things to address some of these issues, which is actually a good thing.

The report covers the final years of the Edwards administration and the early years of Governor Jeff Landry's term, a period marked by new federal infrastructure funding and major storms.

For engineers, the numbers in the report aren't just grades, they're warnings.

Because behind every letter is a real life consequence.

A family driving across a failing bridge, a town waiting for clean drinking water, a coastal community losing land that once served as a natural buffer.

Louisiana has always been defined by its natural abundance waterways that carried commerce, coastlines that fed communities, and landscapes that shaped culture.

But the engineers say relying on nature alone is no longer an option.

minus may show some progress, but as the American Society of Civil Engineers stresses, the road ahead is long.

And much more work remains.

Let's take a look at what's trending this week.

Some huge news for Xavier University.

This is big news.

Big numbers.

Billionaire Mackenzie Scott donated $38 million to the university.

Now that's on top of the 20 million that she had donated to Xavier back in 2020.

Yeah, she always gives back.

And this time she's giving back a lot.

School officials say the money will be used to help more students afford college, expand programs and enable more support.

This unbelievable gesture Scott has donated more than $700 million to over a dozen HBCUs.

She says she wants to support inclusion.

What a great gesture.

Congratulations to the great job to her.

All right, well, Thanksgiving dinner.

Let's talk about the cost.

Right.

Most people think the cost of a dinner is going to go up, but actually it's going to go down.

Nice to hear.

Yeah, people people will take that kind of news.

Take that.

Yeah.

Okay.

That got news for sure.

I spend about 5% less this year than in 2024.

But wait, there's more to the story.

There always is.

Yeah.

You see, turkey prices this season are down about 16%.

But according to the Farm Bureau Federation, the cost of most of the side dishes and ingredients are actually higher than last year.

That's how they get up.

There you go see how they get us.

The average family will spend a little over 50 bucks for their Thanksgiving meal.

Yeah.

Now, when compared to 2019 prices, the average Thanksgiving meal is about 13% higher this year.

All right.

We'll take whatever we can get.

Hey, just enjoy the meal, enjoy the family time, enjoy the meal.

Worry about all that.

Exactly.

Well, let's talk about the USS Kidd.

It is back in the water after undergoing around $16 million in repairs and upgrades in home.

Yeah, check out this time lapse video of the ship being floated out of its cradle and back into the river.

Great scenes, great news.

It's going viral on LPBs, social media pages.

Yeah, what a beautiful look at that new paint job, along with some much needed repairs and historically accurate upgrades.

Yeah, now teams are waiting until water levels are safe before tugging the ship back up river to its home in downtown Baton Rouge.

That should happen sometime next spring.

It'll be great to welcome the Kidd back to the capital city.

I can't wait to see it.

Alright well, let's talk about some good news now.

Forget the King of New York rapper 50 cent is working to become the King of Shreveport.

The rapper and music mogul has invested millions of dollars to take over a big stretch of the city in hopes of making it the next big thing in the entertainment world.

I talked to Shreveport leaders about what that investment means for the community.

Shreveport, Louisiana, a city known for its music, culture and history, is now making headlines in the world of entertainment.

International music superstar Curtis 50 Cent Jackson saw potential where others saw empty studios and quiet streets.

His goal: to transform downtown into a thriving corridor of creativity, putting Shreveport on the map for a whole new generation.

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux says Jackson's influence could be transformative, bringing new foot traffic, new energy and new opportunity.

Well, it was interesting.

He has a, he has a friend and business colleague, named Orville Hall.

And shortly after I took office, took office on December 31st of 2022.

So essentially the first of 2023, shortly after that, Mr.

Hall approached me and he said, would you be willing to meet with Mr.

Jackson?

And, and I said, yes.

Well, he came in and we met privately.

And then, he kind of laid out some of his, some of his vision.

And I said, well, this this all sounds pretty good.

Jackson's first major move was a symbolic one, leasing the once busy millennium Studios, a cornerstone of Louisiana's early film boom that had long since gone quiet.

Inside, the property holds the bones of a full creative engine, soundstages, production offices, a construction mill, and even a prop house.

Now, under Jackson's leadership, Millennium Studios is being reborn as G-Unit Studios.

Though it was originally slated to open in 2025.

Repeated flooding has delayed progress.

Still, Jackson's vision for Shreveport remains as bold as ever.

One of its first major projects, Shreveport Justice, a television series that shines a dramatic spotlight on the city's law enforcement.

When do you think some of the benefits could be seen?

I think some of those will start being seen as early as this year.

Certainly, the first quarter of 2026.

I know that he's been working on a, a package with the state of Louisiana.

I expect that to be finalized and announced before the first of the year.

And then I think you'll start to see some real, real development.

Actually see development that wasn't in the list of things that I even had.

So this really bonus development, but very important development to our downtown and the entertainment district.

Part of Jackson's vision includes a new entertainment district, a vibrant stretch of downtown where film, music, food and nightlife collide.

Breathing new life into a part of the city that has long waited for a spark.

And that spark grew even brighter when Jackson purchased Stage Works, Louisiana, a sprawling performance and production complex just blocks from millennium, a space once billed for big moments now waiting for its second act.

Shreveport, after all, has been here before.

In the early 2000s, it was one of the South's hottest filming destinations, a place where major studio shot blockbusters and independent filmmakers flocked for opportunity.

Jackson has now secured around 20 properties across Shreveport, each one a puzzle piece and a larger blueprint for the city's future.

Abby Singer's Bistro, one of downtown's most vibrant culinary spots, is a place that already hums with creativity.

Executive chef Neima diGrazia says she welcomes Jackson's ambition because when downtown grows, local businesses feel it first.

I moved here 12 years ago and I wanted to be the change that I want to see in the world, not just serving good food, but also creating a community and having 50 cent here in Shreveport.

I mean, we have local heroes, right?

But bring in 50 cent.

Bring in a big name.

It's such an amazing thing for our community.

Chef de Grazia hopes 50 Cent█s influence and her cooking can put Shreveport on the map.

Her food tells a story, a blend of Southern Comfort and her West African heritage, a combination so bold and distinct it helped her beat celebrity chef Bobby Flay on his own Food Network competition show, Beat Bobby Flay.

I cooked for 50 Cent, I beat Bobby Flay.

I feel like the same woman, the woman who wants to create an impact, the woman who wants to tell a story through food.

The woman who wants to build this community, Shreveport-Bossier community because we are often, you know, less cited when it comes to food when it comes to community.

We focus on just New Orleans, New Orleans, New Orleans.

There are other cities in Louisiana that are great.

I feel like Shreveport-Bossier has made it.

You know, not just because of me, but because of this entire community.

And there are many more to come.

I've done multiple shows, and I'm hoping that one day everyone can get the opportunity to see it.

That sense of possibility is shared at City Hall.

Mayor Arceneaux, who has worked closely with Jackson throughout the acquisition process, watched the relationship deepen into something larger a partnership built on trust and a shared belief in Shreveport's potential.

He and I developed a relationship of trust between us, and as a result of that, we were able to make some transactions.

And then in addition to that, he is not only interested in the movie studio, he's interested in real development of the city of Shreveport, and he's willing to put his own money into that redevelopment.

Together, voices like De Garcia and Arceneaux see Jackson's mission as more than a celebrity investment.

It's a bet on people, the chefs, the shop owners, the filmmakers, the residents who bring Shreveport to life every day.

And for downtown, long defined by unrealized possibility, Jackson's vision is offering something new: momentum.

Along with that 50 cent news, there's a lot going on in Shreveport lately, including a big honor for the LSU Shreveport Pilots baseball team after their record-setting undefeated season that saw them go 59 and zero, locking in the longest win streak in college baseball history.

The team is being honored with an exhibit honoring their 2025 season at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches.

Earlier in the week, I spoke to head coach Brad Neffe about all the accolades the team is receiving and earned.

Well, what a feel good story It's a pleasure.

it was for the baseball team last year at LSU Shreveport.

The first perfect season.

They've been recognized by the president up in Washington, D.C.. They won the national championship in the NAIA And then earlier this week, had a chance to spend the evening at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches.

Looking back on this season and also an exhibit now.

So you folks at home can go up there and see it as well.

We are pleased to be joined by the head coach and LSU s Brad Neffendorf and doors joining us, coach, thanks so much for spending time with us here.

And let's first start with the night that you had in Natchitoches earlier this week.

What was that like for you and for the team to see an exhibit go up in the State Hall of Fame to recognize the season?

You all had?

it was great.

I mean, obviously all the recognition that, the program and everybody involved has continued to, to receive has been great.

But to be able to, you know, be recognized in that format in the state of Louisiana, next to some of the, who conducted a raid down the Mississippi River you know, the biggest names and teams and success it's ever, you know, come about in the state.

I think it's great.

And I think it's great for our players.

Did you learn anything from the stories that have been told from the players, or maybe from the coaches, maybe from you that you've realized since the, since you all were crowned national champions?

Have you all as you have been celebrating, just have any new stories come out, or have you gotten gained any different perspective on the wins?

No, I mean, more so when you when you hear the guys talk a little bit, you know, more in depth after they've been away from it.

Just just the impact that that teams have, you know, not only just within this program, but ultimately outside of it, from the city to, the university, to to people that, you know, just come and watch.

It's, you know, get, you know, something that you realize goes on, but you don't realize it to the full extent until you're, you know, I wouldn't say removed from it, but for my team, I hear people starting to to go more in depth into it.

I looked at your schedule.

I know you had two games early in the season.

One, you had to come back with six runs, I think in the final two innings to win it by one.

At what point or was there a point when you and the coaching staff said, you know what, we've got a shot at this.

We're quit worrying about the next game.

If we can win the next 3 or 4, we're setting history.

Did that ever set in for you in the team?

I mean, towards the end of the regular season, but obviously, you know, we tried not to think about that much, but I think as, you know, as a coach and as the coaching staff, the more you each game started going and saw how well we were playing, we knew it was going to take something special by the, whoever else we were playing lined up against, you know, another dugout with a different uniform on that.

They were going to have to play their best baseball when we were playing our best to have, you know, they're not almost have to play perfect.

And we were going to have to have something go completely wrong.

And, tough to think about that.

I think the one point I think I thought more than anything that we maybe had a chance of, you know, dropping one was that final national championship game win stuff going against us and stuff going the opposite direction that had an all year long.

And then we kind of snapped out of it.

So, Yeah.

It's amazing coach, when you look at it, I know you were down early in that title game and then you got your guys responded right away you ever just sat back and go, wow, we didn't have one, one bobble, one error that could have gone either way.

Honestly a little bit this last week we we're in our last week had our Fall World Series here.

And we were playing it with just enough on both sides of the ball with the position player standpoint to be able to do it because we had seven guys out position player wise, and a lot of them were major impact guys that we need in the spring, and I think they'll be back.

But I was just sitting here looking at it, going, my gosh, I mean, how easy it is for one guy to drop at a time.

And we didn't even have that happen last year.

So, it's one thing to win a national title, but to not lose a game, you have to have every single thing go your way.

And I felt that we did for that entire year and coach with that run is certainly a magical run and it's so worth reliving.

But it was a little bit of an irony here that you're at the Sports Hall of Fame and that condition you're celebrating last season, and your schedule just came out for next season.

I know as a coach you're ready to move forward, but how difficult is that balance for you?

Because as you mentioned, you did something that nobody's ever done on any level.

And you were telling me before, these players deserve the recognition.

But then again, you're two months away from starting the upcoming campaign.

So how do you balance with that?

Was it you still have to use it to your advantage a little bit in regards to the teaching, I think we've done a really good job as a program not being caught up in last year, but we used last year and other years, as you know, just to help kind of enlighten them and it helps us, you know, continue to, to get across why we're doing what we're doing, how we teach it, who we are, and just the things that that we're built off here.

for the players, they deserve for something they've done so special, to continue to be recognized at the highest of our highest.

before I let you go, coach, let me ask you on the personal side, because I know you are focused at what point you've been to the white House, you met the president.

You've had a wonderful night at the State Hall of Fame in Natchitoches.

Has there been a point where you just sat back to absorb it, or is there maybe one thing that stands out for you on the personal level as you reflect back, is the journey you all had one year ago.

I've had some moments, but I think it's tough.

I think it's tougher for a coach, you know, because it comes so quick and go so quick.

And then when it's done, it's done.

I think it's more so reflecting back on just the people that we had.

And we've got some of those people back.

And, you know, you're only as successful as the people that you had.

And we just had such an incredible group last year from So by 1777 or something like, not only just the players, the coaches, the support staff, the people in the city that supported us, the school, just everybody involved.

And I think that's what you strive to have is here.

Whether you can be successful at the highest level or not.

It's about the people that you have because that's what you remember the most.

And that's the one thing when I look back on it, unbelievably special what these guys did.

Coach, I know the expectations are there.

and naval support.

You kind of preseason number one.

I know you've got a lot of ranked teams on your schedule in the first 3 to 4 weeks, from the white House to the State Hall of Fame in Natchitoches, getting ready to start another season.

Coach Brad Neff and Dorff, thanks so much for joining us, coach.

Congratulations.

It's great sharing the stories and we wish you the best of luck with.

The new season is about to get underway.

those promises were largely read, thank God.

Thank you guys very much.

I truly appreciate.

those promises were largely read, thank God.

Well, an ancient Chinese art form spanning more than 2000 years is lighting up the west bank of Jefferson Parish.

It sure is.

The Winter Lantern Festival transforms the night with hundreds of handcrafted, illuminated works of art created by master artisans from China, from larger than life lantern scenes to acrobatic performers.

It's a holiday experience unlike anything Louisiana has seen before.

LA 64█s Karen LeBlanc takes us inside the celebration.

The banks are by use and yet are all aglow with larger than life Chinese lanterns.

An ancient holiday tradition making its debut in Louisiana at the Winter Lantern Festival in Westwego.

you're going to see, approximately 300 handcrafted lanterns, each one its own individual work of art.

It takes six different artisans to make, each one of these from the, you know, the the designing of it to the a hand painting of it.

So it's a walk through experience.

It takes about 25 minutes.

And then we also have a very special group of, acrobats and performers, that come over from China who do, three times a night, a 20 minute show.

You.

Oh.

The Chinese art and tradition of making lanterns dates back more than 2000 years.

Originally, these silk lanterns were lit with candles.

Today they're lit with LEDs, but they're all still handmade.

Still hand-painted.

And every one of these lanterns is made by a Chinese artisan.

You.

You created a lot of these Chinese lanterns that are part of the display.

And the Chinese lantern is a cultural celebration in China.

Artisans like yourself learn this skill from their fathers and their grandfathers.

Is that your case?

Yeah, exactly.

When I was a young, I, my family, do like these mandarins and, So when I was young, I started to watch, this artist, and I started learning it, The scene stealer is The Spirits of the trees, which reimagines China's classic love legend as a luminous tale of unity between nature and the human soul.

Other lanterns are playful and interactive, appealing to all ages.

You can swing in a glowing circle, walk through lighted tunnels, and pose for pictures at your favorite scene.

we started actually just bringing the artisans to the United States.

And we create, a lot of them here.

and then we basically spend a year, you know, creating, all new lanterns, Oh.

The Winter Lantern Festival is far more than a typical holiday light display.

Walking through this world of illuminated sculptures offers a reimagined holiday wonderland, inspired by Chinese tradition and infused with the spirit of the Bayou State.

You know, I think, what we'd like to see is just wonder and joy, you know, and that's the, you know, main motivation for coming out here.

Choir.

La la.

64.

And thank you to Karen for that story.

The Winter Lantern Festival, Bayou Segnette Park in Westwego, is open Thursdays through Sundays until January 4th, 2026, from 5 to 10 p.m.. It looks beautiful to go see it.

It really does.

Well, that is our show for this week.

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

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 take a moment and like us on Facebook on X and on Instagram for everyone at Louisiana Public Broadcasting, I'm Christina Jensen and I'm Victor Howell.

Until next time, have a great weekend.

Thanks for joining us.

And 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.