Marie Brown, Damian Coleman and Ambrose Douzart discuss issues surrounding the violence and living conditions in the Parkview Apartments in Monroe, La.

Monroe Underground Podcast

What to do about Parkview Apartments

William "Mark" Henderson was murdered by five Monroe, La. Louisiana police officers in August 2004. The officers shot him with over 20 rounds of Pepper Spray, over 15 bean bag shots and they fired 29 shots at him at close range from the front and back. Twelve shots missed, but 17 shots hit and killed him.   The officers were never, fired, or reprimanded by the city's Black mayor, Jamie Mayo and a grand jury refused to indict them. When sons of Mr. Henderson sued for wrongful death the City of Monroe represented the rogue cops and avoided paying anything to his family. This podcast revisits that murder with two of the attorneys that represented the family: Former State Senator Charles Jones and Rep. Fred Jones.

Police Murder of William "Mark" Henderson in Monroe, La.

 The Free Press is issuing 22 challenges for candidates for Mayor and city council of Monroe on April 4, 2020. They force candidates to deal with bread and butter issues that impact the lives of the poor, working people and minorities. This podcast looks at the LIVING WAGE challenge. Some candidates accepted the challenge, others danced around it, and others, especially incumbents, refused to promise to work to improve the pay of firefighters and garbage workers within their first year of office. Listen to the podcast and share it with a friend.

A living wage for city workers

John White has announced his resignation as State Superintendent of Education. That will prompt a serious discussion about changing the direction of public education in the state with its heavy emphasis on accountability standards, Common Core Instruction, and dumbed-down high school diplomas. In this podcast, Sandra Lollie, president of the local Federation of Teachers Union gives reflections on what White's resignation means to the state.

Impact of John White Resignation on Public Education

On November 16, 2019,  Rolland Edwards and Lonnie Hudson will face off in a general election to elect a Police Juror for District F. Hudson was the front runner in the primary finishing first in a field of six. However, all of his opponents have endorsed Edwards. This podcast gives voters a chance to hear their views on a variety of topics of interest to the voters of the District. Listen and share with others.

Rolland Edwards - Lonnie Hudson leadership viewpoints

 The October 19, 2019 headline in the Monroe Free Press read, "Attacking crime problem needs more than photo sessions." This podcast looks at the crime problem in the parish and makes suggestions about long term solutions. Listen and share.

Violence resolution requires more than photo sessions

At a recent candidate's forum sponsored by KEDM Radio Anna Reed and Micheal Thompson gave their ideas about the police jury, if elected to the District D. seat on the Ouachita Parish Police Jury. This podcast compares the two candidates side by side on issues important to the district. Listen and share with a friend.

Ideas of Anna Reed and Micheal Thompson

The September 21, 2019, Monroe Free Press Headline read "School Board tables $20,000 bonus for Eric Davis." This podcast shows school board members standing firm that Eric Davis should get anything he was promised by Superintendent Vidrine, but they are questioning whether it is really because he was principal of the year, or because he was secretly offered a bonus to leave Wossman High and move to Carroll. They maintain that if it is a bonus for moving, in the future, other teachers and principals will also ask the $20,000 question, "Where is the money?" when reassigned.   Download the Monroe Free Press app to your phone to keep up with this and all other Monroe Free Press Underground podcasts.

Davis pay promise prompts a $20,000 question

The August 31, 2019, Editorial Headline in the Monroe Free Press was, "Gallot is "Prez2" will Eric Davis be "Bossman2?" This podcast discusses the level of community support Davis will need to succeed as Carroll High School's newest principal. Listen and share with others.

What Eric Davis needs at Carroll

 The August 17, 2019 headline read, "Arguments end on homeowner's school board suit." The suit was argued in 4th District Court this week with hopes to change the district's policy of placing roadblocks in the way of citizens who want to speak to the board using the Open Meetings Law.  This podcast expands on that lawsuit.

West Parkview Homeowners sue city schools

The August 10, 2019 Free Press Headline read, "Kay Katz named to fill vacancy in Black Police Jury District." Mrs. Katz, a former State Representative and city councilwoman has a reputation as a "people person", but she is also an unapologetic Donald Trump supporter. Her appointment sparked outrage in the Black community. This podcast features insights on the issue including thoughts from the Reverend James Jackson, pastor of the Faith Harvest Baptist Church and Kay Katz.

Can Kay Katz represent blacks and Trump too?

 The headline reads, "Fred Jones to run for District 16 Representative seat." This podcast looks at the race that is shaping up between the next member of the legendary Jones Family to seek election and two others bidding for election in the 2019 fall election.

Impact of Fred Jones Candidacy for Representative

Headline: "Four principals assigned to the "Principal's Graveyard." A front-page editorial in the July 13, 2019, Free Press called for the school board to start looking for a new superintendent in the aftermath of his fourth assignment of principals to the "Principal's Graveyard." His senseless games the education of students and careers of educators is causing major problems and wasting tremendous resources. Assigning four principals to Sherrouse Alternative School, which only has about 40 students, is another sign of his incompetence. That's the subject of this podcast.

Four Principals at the same school

  The state Supreme Court ordered Judge Jefferson to give a life sentence to a man over Jefferson's objection. This podcast looks at the details of the headline "Supreme Court forces Jefferson to give suspect life sentence." June 29, 2019

Jefferson forced to give life sentence to suspect

 Rev. Ike Byrd announced that he will be a candidate for Monroe Mayor in 2020. That raised eyebrows because Rev. Byrd has been a supporter of Mayor Jamie Mayo for many years. This podcast looks at the backstory about the upcoming 2020 Mayor's race in Monroe, La.

Ike Byrd joins the Monroe Mayor's race

Talk about issues, challenges, history and backstories behind news events in the Monroe African-American Community.