THURSDAY: John White, Renee Chatelain, Gary Stewart, Steve Vockrodt, Mike Wolf

Hour one:

First guest today is State Superintendent of Education John White.

Common Core PARCC tests start Monday, White says, "This is a basic description of what a kid should be able to do at the end of each grade level."

"We've got a lot of kids who have memorized everything, but can't tell you why. That's why we struggle in math."

"We've got to start teaching our kids 'Why?'"

"We need to focus on those who have legitimate concerns about their kids education and not those who prey on those concerns."

"Very few people like to take tests. But they are necessary and part of life. That's why they are required by the state."

"I think it should be up to parents to decide what to do with their kid's education. We also hold accountability for taxpayers."

"There is a correlation between wealth and educational success, but the question is what do you do with that information? We've got kids with things rough at home, but if things are also rough at school then we've really got a problem."

White says he has no plans to leave the Department of Education, in fact, "I'm more invigorated than I ever have been before."

Renee Chatelain, creator and director of The Fading Line: A Commemoration of the 1953 Baton Rouge Bus Boycott; March 17-18 at the Manship Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

Hour Two

Gary L Stewart, author of "The Most Dangerous Animal of All: Searching for my Father ... and Finding the Zodiac Killer."

Has new information on the case and evidence that further proves his father is the Zodiac Killer.

The book will soon be in paperback.

Next we look at today's Advocate article which talks about an article written by  Steve Vockrodt in The Pitch. Sexual harassment allegations have surfaced against Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden. Vockrodt talks about the suit and where it came from.

Lt Governor hopeful Kip Holden is involved in a sex scandal as a four-year-old lawsuit has surfaced claiming the Baton Rouge mayor repeatedly sexually harassed a woman who was in Louisiana on business. The lawsuit does not name Holden as a defendant and it's actually targeted at her former employer.

In a statement, Holden denies the accusations that are made in the 2011 lawsuit, which was filed in Kansas City. Holden ended the statement by saying both he and his wife know the truth on this one.

A poll was released this week showing Holden in good position to make the run-off in the lieutenant governor's race. 

Baton Rouge lawyer Mike Wolf is in studio and defends Mayor Holden. Wolf says at most Holden solicited a friendship with a woman if anything. And this is none of our business. A private matter.

WEDNESDAY: Joyce Burges, Justin Brasell, Jacques Doucet, Victor Sachse, and Gus Weill

HOUR ONE: 

Councilwoman Joyce Burges joins us in studio form Baker-District 3 to advocate for homeschooling.  All five of her children were home-schooled.  "It was one of the  best things we could have done," she says.  Four of her children went to college.  She is the founder of the National Black Home Educators.  Burges also comments on her views of creationism and evolution with a caller.  "Whether you're home school, public, or private school, parents need to get involved in education."

Pollster Justin Brasell polled the governor's election.  "Getting shot at is the best foreign policy education," Brasell says.  He says David Vitter has 43% definite voters.   It was also found that Bobby Jindal has a 63% disapproval rating according to Justin Brasell's recent poll.  The poll was 69% white and 27% African American.  "7.5 months is a lot of time.  I think we could definitely see some movement," Brasell says.  

Channel 9's Jacques Doucet comments on Jimmy Graham and the LSU Basketball team.  The Saints have made a trade that will be talked for years to come as they've sent tight end Jimmy Graham plus a fourth round pick to Seattle for Seahawks center Max Unger and a first round pick in this year's draft.  Graham caught 85 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.  

HOUR TWO: 

Centaur Records Victor Sachse discusses the recent lawsuit against Robin Thick and Pharrell Williams by Marvin Gaye's children.  Gaye's children were awarded $7.4 million by the jury.  "It really doesn't <set a precedent>  This is really well set in law," Sachse says.  

Here's the two songs.  Centaur Records celebrates its 40th anniversary next year.  

Michelle Southern also comments on the Blurred Lines Verdict.  Southern says, "I think it's a stretch personally, but I really like the song so I might be biased.... It just sends a message that this is a pay day.  I mean, can you do anything anymore?  What hasn't been done?" 

Political consultant Gus Weill discusses the budget, Governor Jindal, and the governor's race.  Weill says that the state is cutting the budget for those who most need it so they can "pull themselves back into the work force."  He also comments on Hillary Clinton's email address scandal.

Nancy Pelosi will be 75 on March 26.  

Weill calls Obama a "good Christian." 

Weill says of the SAE fraternity scandal at Oklahoma University, "I cannot imagine what they could have done worse for their university."  He continues, "I think man has a need to feel better than someone else, and when there's no obvious way of proving it... there's prejudice." 

He comments on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.  "He's a damn fool to interject himself into politics in America."  

TUESDAY: Dave Holmes, John Bel Edwards, Michael Martin

HOUR ONE: 

Dave Holmes promotes the American Canvas premiere tomorrow night on Ovation tv which seeks out the hottest art and cultural events, from galleries to hangouts.  "I want them to get up off their couch and go to do something new."  Ovation network is the only network fully devoted to the arts.  Holmes shares an experience in street art paintings.  

Representative John Bel Edwards joins us in studio to comment on his strong second place finish in the recent poles.  He shares that it is encouraging to know that the race is shaping into a two man battle.  A new poll on Louisiana's governor's race shows Republican US Senator David Vitter leading with 35% followed by Democratic Amite Representative John Bel Edwards at 33%.

Edwards supports taking money already paid in taxes to expand medicaid to reimburse the hospitals in the state for taking care of the working poor.  

The representative also comments on the issues revolving the higher education budget cuts.  "We have to fund education first in our budget, not as an afterthought as Bobby Jindal has been doing."

HOUR TWO: 

Former LSU Chancellor Michael Martin on the sharing of state government funds from Louisiana universities.  He left LSU in May 2012.  

In the LSU Press release in 2012, Martin said: "We have been face with a lot of uncertainty lately, but know that despite all of the lingering economic concerns, LSU's place as the Flagship institution of Louisiana is more important than ever.  I'm hoping and trusting that wise and committed leaders across this state will find solutions to alleviate budget concerns and help LSU to be the kind of place that the state of Louisiana needs."  

"I can't think of a state that needs a good university more than Louisiana does," Martin says.  He contends that higher education is the root from which to grow the future economy.  He says that increasing fee bills drives a wedge from those lower income families to come to LSU.

Tuition and fees are 40% of the cost of attendance at LSU.  LSU's average 4 year graduation rate is less than 40%.  This is because if the rate was over 40%, the funding of the school by the students would suffer.  Martin concludes, "The aim is to get them in and keep them." 

Louisiana has the highest number of native residents than any other state in the union.  

Martin supports Common Core as part of a systematic approach.  

"I think TOPS needs to be rethought... sometimes it actually turns out to be detrimental." 

He also comments on the recent SAE fraternity scandal involving racist chants and how this impacts the depiction of Greek life across the board.  

MONDAY: Mike Anderson, Greg Langley, Brian Johnston, Ryan Beckwith, Chas Roemer

HOUR ONE: 

FBI SAC Mike Anderson comments on terrorism investigations in Louisiana.  There are counter terrorism investigation open in every state according to the Director of the FBI.  He comments on the Homeland Security movement that encourages a role for the common citizen to play in keeping the community safe.  "If You See Something, Say Something" 

Anderson speaks about the amount of ground level fundraising for terrorist groups.  It is very difficult to track the money once it leaves.  Often times the fundraising comes from a tax evasion or from legitimate businesses as well as prostitution, black market gun sales, or drugs.  "The homegrown violent extremist is the biggest concern of counter terrorism," Anderson says.  

Greg Langley and Brian Johnston join us in studio from the Department of Environmental Quality to discuss air quality and jobs.  Right now, there are 75 parts per billion.  The EPA wants 65-70 parts per billion.  

"Hot, stagnant air does contribute to ozone formation," Johnston says.  You can find the air quality controls and limits here.  

HOUR TWO: 

Editor in DC for Time Magazine Ryan Beckwith shares his thoughts on his recent column "Bobby Jindal, America's Next Top Columnist."  He calls the 47 opinion pieces a clever political move.  "They're good in ways that make them good columns in ways that would make him a bad politician."  Beckwith points out that the target audiences for the publications Jindal has used are conservative.  

He comments briefly on Hillary Clinton's new tweeting instead of directly talking to reporters.  "Whether they were willing to put their name at the top," says more than their originality Beckwith says.  

Chairman of the BESE Board Chas Roemer comments on Common Core.  Common Core has been adopted by 45 states and D.C.  It calls for standards and content not curriculum.  

"It's not that our students were capable, we just weren't making our standards high enough," Roemer continues, "It is in the best interest of every student to take the test."  

"I think 99% of students in the state will take the test," he says, "Some districts are concerned that there may be more than normal <not taking the test>."  

"In some ways, we've always taught for the test," he says.  

FRIDAY: Laura Swan, C.B. Forgotston, Tony Guarisco, Julie Baxter and Neil Melancon

HOUR ONE: 

Author Laura Swan discusses her book.  Beguines were a European phenomenon around 1200 CE of women seeking independence, breaking norms, and celebrating intellect and art.  A number of the Beguines were burned at the stake for alleged heresy.  

Jim asks if the governor took the path of least resistance in his prescription for balancing the budget.  Political Consultant C. B. Forgotston gives his opinion.  

"I was really taken aback by Democrats, Republicans, and college presidents saying it was a good start... it was a sham," Forgotston says, "I think everyone must have been in a state of shock, or they weren't listening very carefully." 

"They're already backpedalling," Forgotston points out, "what we heard on Friday isn't even what's happening."  

Forgotston analyzes the Grover Norquist pledge among Republican members of Congress and how this affected the budget proposal.  The budget proposal would raise the cigarette tax from 36 cents to 83 cents.

"I think the budget Bobby Jindal submitted will pretty much be what is adopted," he says.  

"I've never seen a governor who spends so much time every day attending ribbon cuttings and things like that," he continues, "he's never been what you call a 'hands on governor.  I've come to the conclusion that the  more he's out of the state the less damage he does." 

Forgotston also comments on the tension between David Vitter and Bobby Jindal.  

HOUR TWO: 

Former State Senator Tony Guarisco compares the Governor Jindal with previous two term governors of Louisiana: John McKeithen, Edwin Edwards, and Mike Foster.  

"Edwin Edwards could have just been this prince that was governor all the time," he comments.  

Jim calls Bobby Jindal's proposal for a cigarette tax "a considered heresy."

Guarisco calls Grover Norquist a "third party nitwit."  He says they need to simply revoke the agreement because "a promise is not forever."

He says it is unbelievable that marijuana smokers are in prison.  

Mike Danna, a staple in the agriculture broadcasting industry, died of cancer at the age of 54. He was the director of public relations for the Louisiana Farm Bureau and host of This Week in Louisiana Agriculture. He passed away peacefully in his sleep shortly before 9am this morning.  Assistant Director of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Neil Melancon joins the show to remember him.

The board of the Mass Communication at LSU unanimously voted Mike Danna into the Manship Hall of Fame.  

Neil says, "I got to see the soft side of him... the side that had the sardonic wit, the teasing nature of him."  He talks about a virtual tour of Italy Danna took with his wife in the last 24 days of his life.  

Here is Mike Danna's parting statement.  

THURSDAY: Tim Parrish, Mike Wolf, Jason Decuir

HOUR ONE: 

Author Tim Parrish shares his book.  It is about Baton Rouge racism in the 50s and the 60s and Parrish's experience growing up in a staunch right wing Southern Baptist household.  "Hearing about the love of Christ and forgiveness and coming home and hearing something very different about African Americans... it was confusing."

"I come back about every six months and it seems Baton Rouge is different every time," Parrish says.  He describes the differences between his childhood Baton Rouge and how it is now.  

"The North has all of the same issues as the South," Parrish says in terms of current segregation.  "I think it's important for all of us to look inward," he continues, speaking of coming to terms with our own racism.

Attorney Mike Wolf will review the controversy over Hillary Clinton's emails when she was Secretary of State.  

"Those who like her very much won't be deterred by this," Wolf says of Hillary Clinton.  Wolf asserts that email should be private even for public officials.  "Public officials should be able to get confidential advice."  

The Clintons will soon celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.  

They discuss the release of the police report from the Ferguson shooting last year, which ruled the police officer not guilty of racial charges.  

HOUR TWO: 

Former Executive Counsel for the State Department of Revenue Jason Decuir remarks on Governor Jindal's budget proposal and the tax credits.

Decuir also comments on how the tax credits will or should affect the film industry in Louisiana.  Particularly, he discusses Duck Dynasty.  "At what point have you built a sustainable industry in Louisiana that people won't pack their bags when you begin to cut programs," Decuir says.

"It's difficult to introduce tax reform when you're in the midst of trying to plug the budget." 

Decuir asserts that he will not be running for Mayor next year.