Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2022-08-29

Duration: 00:57:50

Subjects: Population | Homeowners insurance | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | Housing | COASTAL RESTORATION

Contributors:

• Moreau, Andre Host
• Johnson, Ben Producer
• Palumbo, Joy Interviewee
• Palumbo, Dominic Interviewee
• Plyer, Allison Interviewee
• Donelon, Jim Interviewee
• Graves, Garret Panelist
• Barnes, Stephen Panelist
• Maloz, Simone Panelist
• Lavigne, Sharon Interviewee
• Hunter, Nic Panelist
• Hill, Cashauna Panelist
• Johnson, Ben Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana Spotlight” from August 29, 2022, focuses on the reasons for the state’s declining population. The first segment features an interview with Joy Palumbo, a New Orleans resident moving to North Carolina, who discusses her reasons for leaving Louisiana, including concerns about job opportunities, crime, and the cost-of-living. It also includes an interview with her dad, Dominic Palumbo. Next, host Andre Moreau interviews Dr. Allison Plyer, the chief demographer with the Data Center, who discusses Louisiana’s latest population figures. The second segment features an interview with Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon, who discusses the high cost of homeowners’ insurance in Louisiana and the failure of several insurance companies following Hurricane Ida. Moreau then leads a panel discussion with: Congressman Garret Graves; Dr. Stephen Barnes, an economist and the director of the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette; and Simone Maloz, the campaign director for Restore the Mississippi River Delta. They discuss: the state’s high insurance rates; investments in coastal restoration and hurricane protection; the importance of building a more resilient infrastructure; economic development; and improving the quality of life in Louisiana. The third segment features an interview with Sharon Lavigne, the founder of Rise St. James, who discusses her ongoing recovery from Hurricane Ida and living in Cancer Alley. Moreau then leads a panel discussion with: Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter; Cashauna Hill, the executive director of Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center; and Simon Maloz. They discuss: the state of the recovery in Lake Charles following Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta in 2020; the impact of climate change on natural disasters; fair housing; the high cost of homeowners’ insurance; cost-of-living concerns; and how Louisiana can attract more people to live in the state. Lastly, Moreau interviews Ben Johnson, the show’s producer, who discusses his experience in producing the show.