Support for Louisiana, the state we're in is provided by.

Every day I go to work for Entergy.

I know customers are counting on me.

So Entergy is investing millions of dollars to keep the lights on and installing new technology.

To prevent outages before they.

Happen.

Together, together, together.

We power life.

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

The museum focuses on emerging Louisiana artists and is an historical and cultural center for Southwest Louisiana and the Foundation for Excellence in Louisiana Public Broadcasting.

With support from viewers like you.

And to our abortion ban here in Louisiana.

The governor's last state of the state address.

We long to be in community with these families.

So we have special deliveries throughout the year.

We have barnyard dances, community events.

We have marriage getaways.

A safe haven just south of Alexandria.

We know how to throw festivals and special events here.

That's why people love coming.

French Quarter Festival is underway.

For girls that don't have the ability to buy a dress or, you know, may not be in that situation.

We actually take donations that they can go in and have access to a bunch of dresses.

Introducing this week's young hero.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is supporting legislation that would publicize juvenile court records.

As of now, the records are confidential, but the bill he is backing would release information from three parishes where crime is most abundant.

The Africa reports that critics who oppose the bill say the parishes are predominantly black and the bill could have adverse effects on the community.

Supporters say it will likely reduce the crime.

And now here are some other news headlines making news across our state.

Sad news for the LSU basketball family and the family of Wayne Sims, in particular.

The 54 year old Sims died on expectedly this week.

The Terrier native starred on four consecutive NCAA tournament teams of coach Dale Brown from 1987 to 91.

For the past four and a half years have been especially tough for Sims and his wife, Faye.

Their son Wade was shot and killed in an off campus altercation in 2018, just before what would have been his third season playing basketball at LSU.

Faye and Wayne Sims set up the Wade Sims Foundation to honor their son's legacy.

A hurricane season forecasted by Colorado State researchers to produce slightly fewer storms has national storm forecasters worried.

The Weather Channel Dr. Rip Knabb says in no way should people relax when hearing such a prediction.

The early season forecast calls for 13 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.

In addition to El Nino.

Sea surface temperatures are very warm in the Atlantic basin and very warm in the Gulf of Mexico.

Three term Louisiana Attorney General Richard Ayoob died from an aneurysm rupture Monday.

He was 78.

During his State of the State speech, Governor John Bel Edwards told lawmakers, If you knew Richard, he was a genuine and kindhearted man.

Edwards appointed Ayoob as the state's conservation commissioner.

Ayoob is survived by his wife, Caprice, and seven children.

LSU students and community members joined the family of Madison Brooks Wednesday for LSU's Take back the night event.

It's part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Brooks, a 19 year old sophomore at LSU, was struck and killed by a car in January after allegedly being raped by two men while two others watched.

Take back the night founder Katie Kesner was the keynote speaker.

Louisiana is again preparing for another fiscal year with two months of session.

Lawmakers will spend most of that time building the financial budget.

But this year, legislators will also debate topics like capital punishment, climbing insurance rates and abortion exceptions.

In his last state of the state address, Governor John Bel Edwards lists his goals for this year's legislative session.

Oh, say, can you see.

By the.

Dawn's early light oh eight What so proudly we owe to online Ascoli me.

Monday marked the last State of the State address by Governor John Bel Edwards as his tenure in office comes to an end.

Ladies and gentlemen, the governor of the great state of Louisiana, the Honorable John Bel Edwards.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, members of the legislature, distinguished guests, and my fellow Louisianans.

This is the eighth time I've delivered the state of the State address.

The governor began his speech highlighting his accomplishments in office.

He specifically called attention to the budget surplus.

When he was first elected, the state was facing a deficit inherited from the Jindal administration.

Let's go back to the very beginning.

When I took office in 2016, the state had a $1 billion budget deficit.

To close out that fiscal year and a $2 billion budget deficit for the following year.

Those of you who are lucky enough to be here, you know, it took numerous special sessions and a lot of bipartisanship and hard work, but we were able to navigate a balanced approach with no gimmicks and no one time money spent on recurring expenditures.

The state's current budget sits at a $2 billion surplus, which Edwards successor will inherit when he leaves office.

Take just a moment.

Think about that.

We came in facing a $2 billion deficit and we will be leaving more than $2 billion in the bank for the next governor and legislature.

Edwards noted his other accomplished goals, including raising teacher pay and expanding Medicaid, among other things.

But for his final legislative session, he outlined a few distinct goals that he called core to his deeply held beliefs.

The first was to raise the minimum wage to $10 an hour from the federally mandated 725.

More than 20 states raised their minimum wage on January 1st of this year, and that doesn't count the many that did so in the years prior.

And many states have done it multiple times.

Louisiana is one of five states that have not declared a state minimum wage.

You know what?

Where I was and what I was doing the last time Congress the may raise the minimum wage and by the way, they raised it to $7 and a quarter an hour in 2009.

That's what it still is here in Louisiana.

I was sitting at a desk right back there as a freshman legislator.

Next on Edwards agenda is beefing up benefits for families by supporting legislation for paid family leave.

He also asked that lawmakers add exceptions for incest and rape to the abortion ban.

I say this as someone who is, you know, has a very well documented pro-life record.

But I urge you to add rape and incest exceptions to our abortion ban here in Louisiana.

This is overwhelmingly supported by the people across our state and people of deep faith everywhere.

His last request was to end the death penalty in Louisiana.

We all know our criminal justice system is far from perfect, but the death penalty is finally over.

The same 20 years when we've executed one person, there have been six exonerations from death row and more than 50 reversals of sentences and or convictions.

Studies show it doesn't deter crime.

And we know in 2023, the death penalty isn't necessary for public safety.

Though Edwards seemed enthusiastic about his accomplishments and goals, other lawmakers felt his address failed to highlight other important issues.

She has his own set of facts for how things went.

The last four years.

What's most important is to look at the fact that the problem that he did not mention, which is outmigration.

Here in Louisiana, we're losing our youngest and brightest kids to Texas, most recently places like Mississippi.

We have to do a better job of rebuilding our infrastructure and creating jobs for the folks out there that are looking for jobs.

Representative Meeks has also disagreed with the governor's push for higher minimum wage.

We live in a free market society.

I can tell you if you're looking for a job, there's one out there for you and it's going to pay higher than minimum wage.

Most minimum wage jobs are those individuals in high school or college trying to find their first draft and trying to build resumes.

On the other side of the aisle.

Some Democrats were impressed with some of Governor John Bel Edwards goals, though not with his timing.

It's time for a legacy, and he's done a lot of good with the Medicaid expansion.

But if he can do something like raise the minimum wage or in capital punishment in the state, I mean, that would be legendary.

We remember it forever.

2023 is a fiscal session, but each lawmaker can submit five non fiscal bills.

This year will likely see a focus on other issues like insurance, criminal reform and LGBTQ, plus issues.

This session will end at the beginning of June, and we'll keep you updated on what happens at the Capitol until that time.

In preparing for this interview with our next guest, I found that there was a lot to learn about the work and the reach of the global nonprofit Johnny and Friends.

Johnny and Friends is all about giving practical help to people impacted with disability around the world and also sharing the hope of the gospel.

One vital piece of this organization is their summer family retreats, which for the first time now has a home in Louisiana, just south of Alexandria.

The Wesley Center in the town of Woodworth is the home of the Johnny and Friends Louisiana family retreat.

The retreat is described as a haven for families living with disability.

Its founder is the esteemed Johnny Erickson.

Tuttle, who has lived with disability since 1967 when a diving accident left her a quadriplegic.

She was 17 years old.

I swam out to this raft, anchored a few yards offshore.

Took a reckless dive.

And a shallow water.

I knew that my life had changed forever.

My doctor said, Johnny.

You're going to be paralyzed.

For the rest of your life.

Without use of your.

Hands or your legs.

And I said.

God, I.

Can't live like this.

I won't live like this.

But she has.

And her story is one of the most inspirational of our time, perhaps of any time.

She's become a bestselling Christian author, radio show host, states willing to Presidents.

She helped author the Americans Disability Act.

Her bestselling autobiography was made into a feature film.

She is CEO of Johnny and Friends, a Christian organization which provides programs and services for thousands of special needs families around the world.

Services like Wheels Around the world, wheelchairs for anyone in need, anywhere.

Marty Quoz and he joins me now.

Marty, you are the regional operations director for now, Louisiana, but also Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

And with this camp coming to Louisiana for the first time retreat, as you call it, how important is it for our state to have a place like this increase?

Important.

We are a state where the national average is one in four.

We are one in three.

People with disabilities.

Yet families.

So three one in three families in our state is touched by disability.

Isn't that amazing?

Well, it's amazing because it's not something you see as you go out and about in your life.

I know.

And part of that is that oftentimes people with disabilities are really tucked away in the back of the house.

It's easier to stay home.

It's easier to stay home and vacillate in your own isolation.

What we've seen, what happened to Johnny Erikson and how through this incredible change, his whole life this has developed to help others.

Yes.

With all of her many, many talents.

And she's an incredibly busy woman.

But you're a big part of this organization now.

How did you get involved years ago?

I read Johnny's book.

I was in fifth grade in need of hearing something more, something with meaning.

And it's kind of directed my path in life.

Moving forward at 40, God moved us to Jackson, Mississippi, and it all births.

Then I got to meet my childhood hero and I've been with their ever since.

Well, Pat, what other programs exist?

Oh, my goodness.

So many.

Yes.

Out of family retreat.

We long to be in community with these families.

So we have special deliveries throughout the year.

We have barnyard dances, community events.

We have marriage getaways.

We're about to have one in two weeks here in Louisiana.

And we have a siblings retreat in the fall in Louisiana.

Let's talk about the the family retreat this summer.

How is it set up?

What do the kids do?

What do the families do while they're there?

Okay.

So you do realize most of our families cannot leave their home for vacation?

Right.

It's difficult.

So we pair them.

They've got a child with a disability.

That's.

Yeah, 24, seven year round for the rest of their life.

Exactly.

And we have some families come in with you halls behind them carrying medical equipment.

Wow.

It takes a community, a village, in order to get them to family retreat, in order to have a vacation.

So really, that's what it is for these families they could not afford.

Many of them couldn't afford a vacation, not because of financial needs, but because they don't have the manpower.

Other scholarships for this also because a lot of families probably can't afford this.

They can't.

And that's where my job comes into detail of.

I ask for donors to sponsor families.

Good.

Very good.

What will the kids do?

What can they do?

They can do just about any and everything.

So there is a no entry pool that they can swim.

And there's activities of art of nature.

We even bring a Rosie, which is a apparatus where you can get one from a wheelchair into this apparatus to do a hike through the woods.

And the key is if they have aa1 special person, a one on one volunteer with each of them, they have to.

There's a need for volunteers.

A need for.

For this.

With definitely a need for the volunteers, for those with disability as well as the siblings.

So we we need volunteers.

We can't do it without the help of people in the community or.

Else can people hear about all of this and and everything.

There's all about Johnny.

And they can go to Johnny and friends A&E and friends dot org backslash Louisiana and find all the information they need.

Okay.

It's a huge step forward for our state.

Yes.

Which, you know, once again, we're leading the pack in a statistic we'd rather not lead in life more people with disabilities here than the national average.

Right.

But Johnny and Friends offers hope and help.

Real help.

Real help.

Dignity and a place for our families to belong.

Mary, thank you so much for coming in.

Thank you.

To talk to you.

It's good talking to you.

And the 40th the French Quarter Festival is underway in New Orleans now.

And over the weekend, the Crescent City expects half a million visitors to pour in and sample what is the kickoff of the festival season in New Orleans.

And besides, a 90% chance of rain for part of tomorrow, things look good in the Big Easy.

I talked with Louisiana fiddle queen Amanda Shaw and Kelly Schultz from New Orleans and company.

This weekend, there are going to be over 20 different stages of music all over the French Quarter.

1700 musicians are going to be performing, including the energetic and talented Amanda store and then also 60 different food vendors.

So, you know how important food is to all of us in Louisiana.

And so some of New Orleans best restaurants will be out on display right here at the French Quarter Festival.

Yeah, And you know, it's interesting.

Over half a million people expected that is hard to believe.

And more concentrated than Mardi Gras.

Exactly.

You know, the French Quarter, I think, is less than a mile area itself.

And so all there will be hundreds of thousands of people here, 20 different music stages.

Like Amanda said, you can walk out of your hotel door.

There's probably a music stage right there for one of those events that are spread out or where you have to go in some cities and drive from place to place.

This is all very compact, very walkable, and that's one of the many reasons people love coming to visit New Orleans.

Why is it so important and so interesting to mix the history and culture within your music?

Yes, I grew up in Cajun music and and I love that Cajun music is so energetic and I love that it celebrates our history and I love that it celebrates the tradition.

It's one of our oldest traditions here in Louisiana.

And as a songwriter, I'm really inspired by that.

I want to be able to write music that younger generations can can relate to, maybe audiences that have never been a part of our culture before, make them share it with them and make it familiar to them.

And and I love that I'm able to do that.

You know, Louisiana and New Orleans is is an endless source of inspiration for me.

It's interesting that you say that because part of Louisiana is all about passing it on to the next generation, right?

Absolutely.

Absolutely.

You know, it's the birthplace of so many different kinds of music.

You've got jazz music again, Cajun and zydeco music.

You know, I mean, everywhere you go, there's there's just something new, you know?

So, yeah, being able to carry on that tradition and make it available for future generations, for future fiddle players and, you know, future singers and songwriters, you know, we know how to throw festivals and special events here.

That's why people love coming for Mardi Gras.

They love coming here for meetings and conventions because we are so compact.

It's not like some cities where you're going to be, you know, in a car going across town to get where you need to be.

Everything is is right here within a one mile area.

Really, if you're coming here for a French Quarter fast or a convention or a Super Bowl or something like that.

And there you are with beautiful Jackson Square right behind you.

Well, guys, thank you so much.

It's always great to hear from you and always great to promote.

Really, this is one of my favorite events, New Orleans, because of the location and all of the things that are combined into it.

And Kelli, where can people get more information about this?

Well, thanks, Andre.

People can go to New Orleans dot com for more.

Okay.

Sure will.

Thank you so much, guys.

Crystal, Gayle.

Our next song, Hero has been through a lot.

He was diagnosed with several health problems and even suffered through an accident that forced him to learn to walk again.

But through it all, he gained a respect for those who struggled and strives to serve them as best as he can.

I'm glad to introduce you to Cane in Hoosier.

I would put myself as someone who is always open to new things.

You know, I'm always open to the idea of trying new things, never trying to close anything out, you know?

And I'm just trying to be accepting of others as much as possible, you know?

These words are what 17 year old Kanan Huger lives by being open to trying new things, accepting others.

It's a mantra.

He's learned from being in challenging situations himself once.

Most kids will never experience.

And when Kanan was born, you know, he started having issues and he had to have four eye surgeries.

And.

You know, he you know, he broke his femur.

And he was in a wheelchair for three months.

And it was so difficult.

You know, it's just your heart strings.

And of course, you know, as a parent that your first thing is, yes, you hurt for them because you watch them going through it.

But then it's also.

You know, you have a sense of pride and you watch them overcome.

These are just a few of Kanan challenges.

He was diagnosed with the learning disorder at a young age and even battles with an autoimmune disease.

I'd say it gave me more awareness of others, you know, especially who may have disabilities or something of that nature.

I feel that I can relate to it more, you know, and really just offer insight more into them in how they live and, you know, the things that they may be dealing with as well.

It's this perspective that's motivated Kanan to pursue all he can life while making it easier for others along the way.

See?

Well, it may just be that simple, actually.

If his plan is to help construct an outdoor classroom at Buckeye High School, the goal is to get kids to learn about the outdoors while being fully immersed in it.

So where those two tree lines meet there in the back, it's tucked all the way back there in the corner.

So it's out in the woods?

Pretty much, yes, ma'am.

We're going to educate children about the their effects on the environment, what they can do to conserve it, and just to learn about it in general.

And when did this get started?

Is this something your mom also helped with.

Or is it something that we both had kind of had the idea together and we kind of got the ball rolling on that and that was a couple of months ago in the making.

The land finally got cleared back there.

So in the next couple of weeks, progress of being built is going to actually, you know, start working on that with our classes.

So what's your role in it?

So I'm actually going to be one of the builders who are going to be help construct the little like awning area that we're going to have for students to go out, conduct research, sit around, you know, in the shade.

You want to be in the sun all day.

But that's to be my role.

You excited?

Absolutely.

I love the outdoors.

I live for the outdoors.

He also has a passion for fashion, kind of.

He's a volunteer for the Cinderella closet.

What we do is we prom obviously at every high school.

And for girls that don't have the ability to buy a dress or, you know, may not be in that situation, we actually take donation so that they can go in and have access to a bunch of dresses, even besides the dresses, stuff like shoes for anybody to wear, you know, I mean, it's like entire outfits.

You can get yourself, you know.

How many dresses do you think you have in there?

Hundreds.

It's it would definitely have to be in an estimation, for sure.

But it is hundreds.

Like you said, my mom usually helps with the dress for us.

I try to get some of the accessories because she knows the dresses better than I do.

Have good taste.

I try my best too, but I've been told different, so.

Oh really?

If the Cinderella closet sounds familiar, that's because it is.

CONAN Isn't the first.

Who's your young hero?

His brother Gabe, took the title last year, in part for his work alongside Kanan and their mother, giving girls an opportunity to go to prom Once Gabe graduated and kind of stepped into that role as a National Honor Society president.

And now we have 260 dresses that are formals of all shapes and sizes and the community has been great and opening up and like they know that that's a need.

And we love the name Cinderella's Closet because it lets the kids go, like for a day.

They can be Cinderella When CONAN is isn't building an outdoor classroom, we're organizing the Cinderella closet you can find in powerlifting or leading Earth Love and environmental outreach organization that he co-founded.

You can also find him leading the National Honor Society at his school.

What do you think is the most important extracurricular that you have?

Um.

I would say probably directly national artist.

I just say because that club alone really gives you the greatest opportunity to go out and help others.

Kanan has some time before he goes off to college.

He's still a junior, but he has his eyes set on biology at LSU so he can continue to serve the community that he loves.

It's quite a family.

The Hoosiers.

His brother Gabe was a young hero last year.

Yeah, and they're involved in a lot of the same things.

They've got this legacy going.

Kanan has volunteered more than 600 hours of his time, and he plans to continue on this path until graduation.

LP Libby's Louisiana Young Heroes program is presented this year with the generous support of America Health Care at Louisiana Community Coffee East Baton Rouge Parish Library, the US Army, Baton Rouge Recruiting Battalion Demko and Hotel Indigo.

And we have some sad news to pass on everyone.

Chuck Paradine, a fixture on LP played shows passed away this week.

Chuck had a lofty career in media.

I mean, he worked in radio, He was an anchor, he was a reporter.

He worked in Lafayette, Baton Rouge and Houston, and he had just recently retired from taking advantage of his background in television.

Yeah, he sure did.

And he also worked for the CPRA, was passionate about coastal issues and did that work retiring just this past year.

Chuck Paradine was 71 years old.

And he will definitely be missed.

Sure he will be.

And everyone that is our show for this week, remember to watch any of you a segment on our broadcast.

You can find it all on our YouTube page at Louisiana Public Broadcasting slash videos.

And remember, if you're on the go, keep our PBS app handy.

You can catch LBB 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, Twitter and Instagram for everyone.

Louisiana Public Broadcasting.

I'm Andre Moreau.

And I'm Kara St. Cyr I So next time that's the state we're in.

Every day I go to work for Entergy.

I know customers are counting on me.

So Entergy is investing millions of dollars to keep the lights on and installing new technology.

To prevent outages before they.

Happen to together, together.

Together, we power life.

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

The museum focuses on emerging Louisiana artists and is an historical and cultural center for Southwest Louisiana and the Foundation for Excellence in Louisiana Public Broadcasting.

With support from viewers like you.