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.

Louisiana leads the nation for the number of people in prison.

I'll show you a program that helps former inmates reintegrate into society.

We'll introduce you to this week's young hero.

Saint Francis fills Jared lane, and federal trade policies are having a huge impact on Louisiana's tourism industry.

Plus, Victor Howell sits down with Sylvia Fowles ahead of her induction into the Naismith Hall of Fame.

Let's get started.

Hello, everyone, I'm Karen Leblon.

Dorothea is taking some time off.

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

But first, Louisiana hospitals are on alert after two cases of measles were identified in the New Orleans area.

State health officials say the first patient was not vaccinated and contracted the disease, while overseas contact tracing led to the identification of the second case.

Another outbreak in Texas has spread to 600 cases and caused the deaths of two unvaccinated children.

Measles was virtually eradicated by vaccines, but recent anti-vax views have led to a resurgence.

Earlier this year, the Louisiana Department of Health ended a statewide mass vaccination effort.

Louisiana has an incarceration rate nearly 68%, higher than the national average.

Second Chance Week is underway, calling attention to the challenges and opportunities former inmates face as they transition to civilian life.

I talked to leaders from the nonprofit Parole Project for more on the power of second chances.

George Moore is meeting with his social worker at Parole Project in Baton Rouge.

It's been three months since he was released from Angola Prison after serving 43 years.

How are you feeling these days?

How are you?

How are you sleeping?

Well, I'll eventually get there.

Right now, I'm still kind of hyped up on the fact that I'm here finally, because one time they told me I'd never leave the like, and I'm living proof that that was a lie.

George's immediate family members passed on during his time in prison.

He has no family support system outside of prison, which is why parole Projects stepped in to provide resources and services including housing, skills training, case management and social support.

It's scary, but I mean, I was accustomed to being told when to go, when to come, and now I'm in a situation where I can decide what I want to do.

Parole project founder and executive director Andrew Handley can relate to George's challenges reentering society.

Andrew was sentenced to life in prison as a 15 year old.

He was released from prison 19 years later after changes in the state's sentencing laws for juveniles, prompted by a landmark Supreme Court decision known as the Miller Act.

We start working with people while they're still incarcerated.

Actually, the last several months they're in prison.

We're going to go and work with them.

We pick them up at whatever prison they're releasing from and bring them into our reentry housing program, where we're going to provide them safe, stable housing, give them mentorship, and eventually look to find employment for them so they can work towards, self-sustained change that the goal is we where the training wheels on their bike, and we eventually want them to ride the bike on their own.

Parole project fills the void between the supervisory role of a parole officer and the support system, empowering formerly incarcerated individuals to become productive citizens.

We are allies of parole officers.

We just work to make sure that the people that they're supervising have the opportunities they need to be successful.

The state's recidivism rate is 42%.

Less than 3% of our clients have returned to prison.

So it's a it's a model that works.

And it's not a very complicated model.

It's just give people the support they need when they first come home from prison.

So they don't return, but rather become contributors to the community.

Parole project provides safe, stable housing for program participants with an inventory of 40 properties, ten of which serve as traditional housing.

Good afternoon.

Karen.

Hi there.

How are you doing, Danny Williams?

I'm a parole project.

This is the home that I've been provided.

Well, how long have you lived here?

I've been here, going on three months now.

Danny Williams is living in parole projects, transitional housing after going to prison twice.

He works, pays rent and has rules to follow, including a curfew.

Danny lives with three roommates.

All participants and parole project residents sign in and out of the household logbook that documents their whereabouts.

You said if you had been in contact with a parole project the first time you got out of prison, you wouldn't have returned to prison.

Right.

Everybody coming out of prison, especially, had done a little time.

Should participate in.

They provide everything.

I'm here with guys that have done some major time, and it's gotten out.

And you got a lot of guys that get out that were locked up, especially that amount of time.

They have nothing more to get out.

No family, no nothing.

And that's why I said it benefited me big time.

Because after I'd done 22, 23 years, I got out and, basically I was out there on my own and it worked for a couple of months.

And then I went back to committing petty crime, trying to earn a living.

Well, dishonest living.

And it got me back into trouble again.

That's why I, I'm in this program.

Because they can get you on your feet.

Danny received training in Angola's reentry program as an Hvac technician and hopes to one day own his own business.

He says reentering society at the age of 60 is like joining a strange new world with different societal norms and technological advances.

I want to leave a wheel behind.

I don't want to leave the people behind.

So that's what I'm working on.

My long term goal is to possibly own my own Hvac company before a five year period.

Parole project offers participants, including Danny, the option to rent private housing owned by the organization after they move on from transitional housing.

Parole projects overarching mission is to provide a second chance to anyone exiting Louisiana's prison system in need.

To date, the organization has served more than 600 individuals.

These people really do believe in second chances.

It's the gateway to a better life.

This week's young hero is Derrick Lane of Saint Francis Ville.

Now, despite his young age, Jared is a pillar of his community, involved in everything from academic clubs to raising money for cancer research.

Dorothea has this story delayed but not denied.

In everything that you do, you may face setbacks, but always remember that makes for a greater impact.

Introducing young hero number four Jared Lane.

Jared is an exceptional young leader known for his resilience, ambition and commitment to serving as a role model for future generations.

Don't want to have kids, and I want my kids to look back at their dad and see that in high school and in college that he has made an impact.

And I want them to strive to be like me, and I want to make sure that their life is set up for success.

I'm still going to make sure that they have to work hard like I did, but I want them to kind of have an example of, you know, you should be better than me when they grow up.

A distinguished student at West Feliciana High School, Jared has upheld a 4.0 GPA while thriving in academics, sports, and several other extracurricular activities.

I'm on the cross country team at my school.

I'm in more of a theta the YMCA Youth and Government talented theater.

We just wrapped up our legally blind musical.

I'm in student council, I'm the vice president, and I'm raising money for cancer research in the Pelican State through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

I am a junior board member on the Saint Francisville Area Foundation.

I'm actually the youngest member in its 25 year existence.

I'm also a mentor for the Mob Academy in Baton Rouge, which helps at risk students identify a plan for the future, whether that's entrepreneurship, technical college, or a four year university, or just going straight into the workforce.

Besides his academic endeavors, Jared is a changemaker with a deep passion for helping others and embracing entrepreneurship.

But Jared's drive and passion were put to the test when his family's home was consumed by fire.

Just a few years ago, Jared recalls being stricken with fear, but he knew he needed to act quickly.

I smelled this burning smell, and I knew it wasn't the fish because I just placed it in the oil.

I peeked out of my kitchen window and I just saw this bright orange glow.

So I ran out my kitchen onto our patio, and I just saw the side of our house on fire.

I was kind of shocked in the moment.

It felt like a dream.

So I ran back inside.

I loaded my parents.

Me and my dad tried to put out the fire, but our main water line was busted due to the heat of the fire.

It kind of felt like, you know, we were defeated.

Felt very hopeless.

But you just kind of have to get through it.

It always remember your end goal.

And it was his end goal that fulfilled his determination to overcome his present circumstances while keeping his focus on the prize of a successful future.

This dedication brought him to his nominator, Jeremy Miller, at the Capital Area YMCA.

It was Jared's poise in chaotic moments that indicated to Jeremy that Jared was anything but an ordinary student.

He stood out to me the most of the strength of compassion.

Always wanted to make sure that his peers had everything they need to be successful.

His resilience was based on getting to know him a little bit more, and his story of what happened with his house, with the flood, and then also his house catching on fire.

But yeah, none of that stopped him from the things that he set out for himself.

Whether it was for his community, the state of Louisiana, or just his own personal goals of maintaining his 4.0 and doing what he needed to do for his family.

And Jeremy was absolutely right.

Jared says nothing will deter him in his quest to improve his community and state.

Not even a full ride to Stanford.

I'd want to attend LSU.

Always say I'll go to Stanford if they give me a full ride, but I really don't want to leave my home state.

I want to major in mass communications on the three plus three pre-law program at LSU, and hopefully become a medical malpractice and personal injury lawyer.

I'm Jared Lane, and I'm a young Cairo.

I just love Jared's life philosophy delayed, not denied and how he is being a role model, especially to at risk youths.

Well deserving young hero and congrats!

Now LPB Louisiana Young Heroes program is presented with the 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 US Army Baton Rouge Recruiting Battalion, Demko and McDonald's.

Economic turmoil at the federal level puts Louisiana's tourism industry at risk.

Recent moves by the Trump administration have created a rift between the U.S. and Canada, one of our closest trade and tourism partners.

I sat down with Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser to talk tariffs and, of course, festival season.

We are in the midst of festival season, so who better to chat with than Louisiana's ambassador Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, who is here?

We're going to check in and give us an update on all the fabulous events going on.

And also where we're at with funding.

We are also at the start of our regular legislative session, which means it's time to talk budget and funding.

Lots to talk about and unpack.

But let's start with the topic of the budget going into this 2025 legislative session.

How is the budget looking for the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism?

Well, you know, we get a percentage of the sales tax.

And with some of the changes the governors make, we just got to go request the same allotment of that money every year.

And so it being automatic, and we're always concerned because tourists don't vote.

We operate state parks with about a third of the employees that it once had.

And yet we had our first, 2 million visitor year ever.

So we have more visitors than ever doing more with less.

It's.

The governor did issue a hiring freeze at the executive level.

What does that mean to the department?

Well, it concerns us.

You know, we probably have, some of the lowest paying jobs in state government.

And, so we have some turnover in our state parks, our museums.

And we need be able to replace those people quickly.

Now, we've got to go get permission.

I feel comfortable the governor will grant us permission to fill those jobs because, like I said, we run a very lean all of our departments.

Have you seen any federal funding loss at the Department of Tourism?

Well, initially, they cut out all the AmeriCorps.

Volunteer Louisiana funding, which is a little over $8 million.

And we that gets great value all across before, during and after a hurricane or any disaster.

Year round, we're doing training, to prepare for those disasters.

Over 10,000 volunteers in that network working, for Louisiana.

So that would be devastated.

They reinstated it, temporarily.

We don't know if it's going to last, but for the moment, it's okay.

A lot of the library money is federal grants.

That if that goes away, those programs will disappear.

So we're monitor watching it, to see how it really affects Louisiana as the brand ambassador for Louisiana.

Are you experiencing any apprehension or concern or pushback internationally when it comes to tourism?

The feedback I've got, to Canadians who just don't like Americans right now, and we're paying the price for that.

Because of President Trump, tariffs and trade.

You know, it could have been handled a lot differently.

I hope it gets fixed quickly because damaging that reputation is hard to repair.

And the longer this goes on, the harder it is to fix it.

What percentage of our tourism market does the Canadian market represent?

It was about 40% of our international market.

I think it's still pretty high up there.

Okay.

It's a pretty big hit.

It is a big hit.

And they stay longer and spend more money.

Ten mil than the, American visitors.

We just wrapped up French Quarter fest.

We are anticipating Jazz Fest hit the highlights.

And what are your expectations?

There's 400 fairs and festivals.

Eat it, drink it, shoot it, dance it.

We name a festival after it.

That's a tool in our toolbox that most states would love to have to move people all over the state.

The duck fest.

Strawberry Alligator Fest on any given weekend.

There's something incredibly unique to do in any corner of the state, and that's a great asset for us.

It's great for the local people, but, the people that come from all over that experience, these unique fairs and festivals gives us a, like I said, a tool that no other state has.

Well, speaking of celebrations, July 4th, 2026 America celebrates its 250th birthday and Louisiana is planning to be a big part of that.

Where are we at in that planning phase?

Now, we kicked off, general, Lafayette gave a reenactment.

He's been traveling all over the country.

Gave a great speech, right there in Jackson Square.

We were able to go up on the balcony and open the doors where he spoke from.

He actually lived in the Cabildo for five days back then.

But he gave a great inspired speech about bringing America together that hopefully, you know, he's carrying that message all over the country.

Great way to kick it off.

But we'll be coming out with many events all over the state that will highlight all the great things Louisiana history and the great history of America.

So we're excited about it.

It gives us a chance to highlight those incredible moments throughout our history.

All right.

Well, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.

Any final news you want to share before we go?

Yeah, I you know, I've got to thank our, our employees in the state.

You know, we, when I took office, I was told we'd have to close seven state parks.

They were in bad shape.

We didn't have the money to keep them open.

Not only do they all stay open.

Thanks to the legislature, allow me to do the private public partnership.

We have seven making a profit today.

And through our private public partnership, we're looking for entrepreneurs in Louisiana that want to build cabins.

You want to build a RV?

Lazy river.

We're looking at a resort conference center at a few of our parks.

I see a day when we won't need any tax dollars on our parks.

We are now the number two mountain bike trail in the country at Boca Chica State Park.

On any given month, we serve over a thousand people from 10 or 15 states coming to ride those trails.

Thank you, Lieutenant Governor, for stopping by LPB Studios to talk funding, to talk festivals.

And just to give us an update on what's happening at the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.

Always a pleasure.

It's always great to be with you.

Y'all do so much good and getting so many good things out in the community.

Thank you for what you do.

Louisiana native and LSU legend Sylvia Fowles will be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame later this year.

The two time WNBA champion and four time Olympic gold medalist is Well-Deserving of the honor.

Victor Hall caught up with Fowles for more.

While she's a multi-time WNBA champion, a multi multi-time Olympic gold medalist, and now you can call her a Naismith Hall of Famer.

It's my pleasure to say hello to an old friend we covered here in Baton Rouge, Sylvia Fowles who is joining us big.

So how are you?

I am doing great.

Thank you so much for having me on today.

And I look forward to catching up with you.

Absolutely.

I'm very much looking forward to before you and do anything, let me go ahead and say congratulations to you on your announcement for the Naismith Hall of Fame.

What a what a tremendous honor.

Where were you when you got the call, that you were going into the class of 2025?

I was home, actually.

I was preparing for, a travel tribute, but I had actually just came from a bike ride and the.

I guess the person tried to contact me a few times, and I missed the call, so I got to the news to a voicemail.

So you're by yourself.

You get a voicemail.

Was there any reaction?

Yeah, with no interaction being recorded.

Was it just a humbling experience and appreciative, voicemail?

How many times did you listen to it?

First I had to, I got the message.

I listened to it, and then I got very excited.

And I remember when I got back in the house, like, I did, like a little happy dance, and I read the Rumble, and then I was like, wait, did I just hear what I heard?

Then I went back and reread the, I mean, rewrote the message a few times, and I was like, oh, he said that I made this class in 2025.

Congratulations.

And so it was an exciting experience for me.

It definitely was a humbling moment to see everything come back full circle and, and just understand that the work that I put in throughout my career hasn't gone unnoticed.

So that was that was great to appreciate.

I know how much you appreciate the game.

So and when you look at this class, there are three women going in and all of you are first time ballot inducted into the Hall of Fame.

There are 27 women currently in the hall.

You all will make it 30, but I'm sure that's something that you not only paid attention to, but I'm sure appreciate even more with the fact that three of you going in and all three of you are first time ballots.

I know first hand ballots.

We also play with each other, through USA basketball.

I play with Maya back in Minnesota, and so to have all three of us go in together as a unit also says a lot, because I feel like our stretch together, also changes where we in basketball for for the good.

I know you enjoy coming back to Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge certainly love seeing you when you come back to LSU.

And I know it's been a little while, but I want to kind of go back down the road a little bit.

How often do you reflect, especially now with this Hall of Fame announcement?

Recognizing your entire career.

When you think back on your Baton Rouge days, what stands out to you the most?

What stands out to me the most?

I definitely will say legacy.

Before I got there, LSU was on the up and up.

And so to be able to be mentioned among some of the best players that came out of LSU says a lot.

But I think the coaches, the coaches just have a way of like getting the best potential up out of you in a in the best way, and they push you towards every level.

And I think that probably was one of the best decisions I made, for my career to even hit that shift, to be able to understand who I am as a player, but also what it takes to be a pro.

When you were a pro, I know you had a couple of stops.

What your biggest stop was your last stop where you got to team up with your former LSU teammate Simon, and you all captured the titles, and you certainly had your time together, winning Olympic gold medals.

What was that like?

Having a fellow Lady Tiger go side by side on the pro level is unreal.

These are moments that you can't even dream of.

You can imagine it, but you can't really put it into perspective.

But to see it unfold and come together, knowing that we had history throughout college, we won gold medals together.

We won national championships together.

Those are only things that you can dream of.

How tough was it for you to say goodbye?

It's been, if I remember your three years now.

Over the years.

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, I'm sure you miss it.

And we're going to talk about what you're doing now, at the moment.

But how how tough was that to say goodbye when you've been succeeding at that level?

You know, college pro international.

How tough was it to say goodbye?

It wasn't.

It wasn't tough at all.

I think it was, I did it in layers.

So I think what really took the turn is just injuries throughout my career.

And so I knew at some point that I had to start cutting down on my seasons, which started with overseas.

I have to be honest, of all the years that I covered you and broadcast your games at LSU and followed your career, I was not aware of the studies in mortuary science that you pursued.

Where did that come from?

Because that's not something that mostly rolls off somebody's tongue when you first ask them what you're doing.

Where did that come from?

And in your three years now of being retired, are you doing anything in that, category?

So I'm barely home.

But when I am home for a long period of time, I do have a funeral home that I work with.

Friend of the family.

We don't have anyone in our family that shows interest and was very silent.

But my interest was piqued at a young age.

It came from when my grandmother passed away.

I always knew that this was something that I wanted to do, but, you know, basketball kind of took off and, into that realm.

But as I slowly start to think about what I wanted my future to be after I was finished, that was something that was heavy on my heart, and a lot of that just came back from being around family.

Let's look ahead.

A little bit.

What do you think that weekend's going to be like when you go for the Naismith and the induction?

I don't know, I probably cry, I keep telling myself that I want, but me knowing me, I probably cry, but also just reflect on what this journey meant, and to see it come all together, of all the hard work, all the times people don't see the injuries playing through injuries, I think is a full circle moment to like, really sit back and appreciate the things that I've done over my career.

Well, you are certainly doing a lot of good in everything you're doing, Sylvia, and now we look forward to officially calling you a Hall of Famer as well.

Congratulations.

Don't be a stranger to Baton Rouge.

Come back and visit us.

Oh, yeah.

I got to get back.

Coach Starkey.

Keep asking me when I'm coming back, so I'll be back soon.

Well, congratulations, self.

It's great to talk to you.

I we look forward to keeping up with you.

Thank you so much.

That's 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 like us on Facebook and Instagram for everyone at Louisiana Public Broadcasting, I'm Karen LeBlanc.

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 lights.

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.