Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1985-06-21

Duration: 00:27:05

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1985 | TWA Flight 847 Hijacking Incident, 1985 | Terrorism | UNEMPLOYMENT | Offshore oil and gas leases

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Willet, Marsha Speaker
• Willet, Christopher Speaker
• Willet, Harold Speaker
• Tinnerello, Michael Interviewee
• Deano, Edward Interviewee
• Singleton, W. James Interviewee
• Thompson, Mike Speaker
• Epling, Carrel Speaker
• Johnston, J. Bennett Speaker
• Leach, Buddy Interviewee
• Delpit, Joe Interviewee
• Scott, Jock Interviewee
• Steimel, Ed Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from June 21, 1985, features Ken Johnson hosting a daily legislative report on the 1985 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Laura Myers first reports on the release of two Louisiana hostages, Marsha Willet and her son Christopher Willet, from Beirut, Lebanon, following the hijacking of TWA Flight 847. Myers reports that Marsha’s husband has not yet been released by the terrorists. Her report includes highlights from a press conference in Thibodaux, Louisiana, with Marsha and Christopher, as well as Harold Willet, their father-in-law and grandfather, respectively. Johnson then reports on the day’s headlines. These stories include: interviews with State Representatives Michael Tinnerello, Edward Deano, and W. James Singleton on the lack of a quorum on the House floor; State Representative Mike Thompson testifying in committee on a bill changing the formula for computing unemployment benefits; and a press conference with Carrel Epling, the president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, asking Governor Edwin Edwards to support a compromise bill related to his teacher merit pay plan. Next, Johnson reports on the proposed settlement of the 8g offshore oil and gas royalties, which gives Louisiana 27% of the total settlement totaling $700 million. His report includes highlights from a press conference with United States Senator J. Bennett Johnston, as well as interviews with State Representatives Buddy Leach and Joe Delpit. Lastly, Johnson conducts an in-studio interview with State Representative Jock Scott and Ed Steimel, the president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI). They discuss their support of the constitutional amendment dedicating the 8g settlement to education.