539. Bob Mann

539. We talk to Bob Mann about his new book, Kingfish U: Huey Long and LSU. Huey Long & LSU. "No political leader is more closely identified with Louisiana State University than the flamboyant governor and U.S. senator Huey P. Long, who devoted his last years to turning a small, undistinguished state school into an academic and football powerhouse. From 1931, when Long declared himself the “official thief” for LSU, to his death in 1935, the school’s budget mushroomed, its physical plant burgeoned, its faculty flourished, and its enrollment tripled... Rollicking and revealing, Robert Mann’s Kingfish U is the definitive story of Long’s embrace of LSU" (LSU Press). "Robert Mann holds the Manship Chair in Journalism at the Manship School of Mass Communication. Prior to joining the Manship School in 2006, he served as communications director to Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco. He joined the governor’s staff in 2004 after serving 17 years as state director and press secretary to U.S. Senator John Breaux of Louisiana. Before his service on Breaux’s staff, he was press secretary to U.S. Senator Russell Long of Louisiana. He was also press secretary for the 1990 re-election campaign of U.S. Senator J. Bennett Johnston of Louisiana, and communications director for the 2003 Blanco campaign. In 2015, he was inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame" (Manship School).

1. This week in Louisiana history. August 8, 1935. Louisiana Senator Huey P. Long is shot to death in the state capitol in Baton Rouge, by Dr. Carl Austin Weiss, Jr. It is believed that Weiss may have been acting in revenge of Long's public slandering against his father.
2. This week in New Orleans history. The Beatles at City Park Stadium. Wednesday, September 16, 1964. A sellout crowd of 27,000-plus New Orleanians, most of them young girls, filled City Park Stadium on Wednesday, September 16, 1964 to "meet" The Beatles.  General admission tickets sold for $5.00 ($4.32 plus taxes).  Opening the 8:00 P.M. show were New Orleans' own Frogman Henry, Jackie deShannon, and The Bill Black Combo. 
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Zydeco Cajun Prairie Scenic Byway
   Website
   Distance: 283 miles
   Duration: One to two days for a self-guided tour
   The Zydeco Cajun Prairie Scenic Byway pays tribute to the music of south Louisiana, touching many iconic music spots while ambling through serene, rolling prairies. Crawfish farms, sweet potato fields and pastures where beef cattle and saddle horses graze are just a few of the features on this byway. A ride along this byway also illustrates why Louisiana is well-known for its many festivals. The towns along the route hold celebrations to honor everything from cotton to cracklins. The byway consists of three loops and a spur, so visitors have their choice of routes.
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Rug Cutters at the Favela Chic Bar on Frenchmen.

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