New Orleans

Gerard Braud, former environmental TV reporter for WDSU, the NBC affiliate in New Orleans, proves that once a reporter, always a reporter. Braud has been posting Facebook video reports about his neighborhood in Mandeville, Louisiana, since Hurricane Ida came ashore over the weekend.

Edwin Edwards, Louisiana’s only four-term governor, passed away on July 12th. Edwards was a colorful and controversial figure in Louisiana politics, gaining national attention when he ran against former Ku Klux Klansman David Duke in the 1991 gubernatorial campaign in Louisiana. Here are some personal memories from my time working at a TV station in New Orleans during this campaign.

Lee Sucherman is retiring after 36 years as a local TV sales account exec in New Orleans. He shares how he got his start, what strategies worked for him consistently over the year, and what advice he has for others in the field.

During the February 2021 ratings period, WVUE, branded as Fox 8, led all other stations Monday through Friday in morning, evening and late newscasts.

Although Hurricane Laura, a category 4 hurricane, spared New Orleans, it did hit the coast of Louisiana west of the city hard causing wide-spread destruction, and forcing many to evacuate to New Orleans. So WDSU stepped up and organized a telethon to raise funds to feed the hungry victims. “Our community knows how devastating it can be to lose everything in a hurricane,” said Joel Vilmenay, WDSU’s general manager.

At 3 o’clock in the morning in New Orleans, drivers lined up to receive free school supplies from WDSU, Hearst’s NBC affiliate there, as part of the station’s Student Connection School Supply Drive, even though the start time wasn’t until 9.

The donations included $100,000 from Sean Payton, the New Orleans Saints head coach. “During times like these, it is not only our duty but our privilege to join in and help our community,” said Joel Vilmenay, WDSU’s general manager.

WVUE, Gray’s Fox affiliate in New Orleans, together with all the Gray-owned stations in Louisiana, are airing a series of concerts that will feature numerous artists based throughout the state singing from their front porches, living rooms, backyards, or wherever they find themselves quarantined.

WVUE, Gray’s Fox affiliate in New Orleans, took a tongue in cheek approach to its Super Bowl Sunday strategy with a series of promos for its 10 o’clock news. “We went hyper local,” said Blaine Strawn, WVUE’s marketing director. “Granted, most viewers outside of New Orleans won’t understand, but we knew our viewers would.”

This past Monday, Jan. 27, was the 75th anniversary of the day when the Soviet Army’s 322nd Rifle Division entered the concentration camp at Auschwitz. Today’s column is one that first appeared on the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, titled, To Auschwitz Survivors, Especially One.