Last week we posted an article about KLSU, the student-run, school-supported radio station at LSU, and its recent $10,000 FCC fine for missing paperwork dating back 13 years. It’s really upsetting to see such a huge fine levied against KLSU, especially considering the recent budget cuts. We received some updates concerning this situation. For one, it seems that KLSU will seek a lesser penalty from the FCC. This will help alleviate the burden to the radio station. They’re also seeking mitigating funds from other student-run media outlets on campus. For example, they’re seeking some assistance from The Daily Reveille. Unfortunately, all these other media outlets got cut as well, so it’s unlikely they’ll find any sort of mitigation from them (The Daily Reveille alone got cut $30,000). We’ve also learned that they’re changing their documentation habits at KLSU to avoid this in the future. Apparently they’re now in verbose mode, documenting everything they can, where as before their documentation policy was fairly lax. We’ve also uncovered some of the FCC files for this situation. You can see their requests for documentation going back over a decade. (First PDF; Second PDF)

When we conducted our reader survey a few months ago, KLSU reigned as the most listened radio station in Baton Rouge, and KLSU is a historic tradition for LSU student-run media. As fellow independent local media, we hope that KLSU can clear this up and continue playing great music.

Thanks to Gregory Schultz of ControlAltTV for for filling in some of the missing pieces.

Mashable reports that the final version of the SEC’s new media policty is expected to be released today. LSU is a member of the South Eastern Conference and therefore subject to any of its official policies. Earlier this month the SEC informed its members of a temporary policy that prohibits any ticketed fans from producing or disseminating any material about the event. This effectively includes all social media, including Facebook and Twitter.

If this were in any way similar to the final version, it would be a very sad day for LSU fans. Creating social media has become integrated into our everyday lives, and being in Tiger Stadium is certainly something that we want to share. Like last year during the Alabama game, I was tweeting and posting pictures during that heart-wrenching, seat-gripping game. I just can’t imagine that this policy would be the final version or if it is that it will be enforceable.

I’ll keep my eye on this and update when we receive the final version.

Daniel Hill is a local rising music star. Riding on the success of his recent album release, “This is Hope”, I sat down with Daniel to get a glimpse inside of the music community in Baton Rouge. Daniel is ultra-talented and a great guy. We wish him success in his artistic endeavors—oh, and congratulations on your engagement!

How long have you been in the Baton Rouge community?
All 22 years of my life.

What inspired you to be a musician?
I grew up with a love for music and rhythm. I started piano lessons when I was 7, I never like to play songs on sheet music and eventually led me to quit piano lessons and begin writing my own songs. I was determined to learn every instrument possible and make music, I still have cassettes of me overdubbing with two tape players—haha. A lot of inspiration came from me just seeing the endless possibilities of creativity through music.

Did growing up in the Baton Rouge community influence your entrance to music at all?
It did as far as meeting people with the same interests. It was mostly people that had things to show and teach me.

Does the culture of Louisiana and, more specifically, Baton Rouge influence your music?
Not so much. But I look to inspire. I think I can have an impact on Baton Rouge as far as this style goes, and demonstrate my message of hope.

Where do you find you draw your greatest creative inspiration?
Synesthesia is a condition seen in many artists that gives me great inspiration. It is where the name Audiocolor stems from: seeing color. When I make a song, I make it a color. I make a scene. My songs paint a colorful picture in my head and I keep adding things to change it; harmonies, instruments, beating on pots and pans (like in Countertops). I draw my inspiration from God, Callie, my fiancée, and favorite band, Owl City.

How does Baton Rouge fare in terms of active artistic development? Is it a good place to start a band?
How’s the artistic community? I think Baton Rouge is a great place to start a band; it’s full of talent in a growing artistic community. It’s easy to get connected and all the recourses are available to start or advance in any form of art.

What sort of genre do you classify yourself as?
It’s hard to put myself in a genre. Audiocolor is instrumental, progressive, electronic, easy listening.

You recently released your first album on iTunes. Tell me a little bit about the album.
“This is Hope” (released March 10th, 2009) is an instrumental CD that says a lot. In my music I want to paint a picture and convey an emotion. This album is the catalyst to detach the listener from whatever is going on in their life and place them in my music.

How did the release go?
Very well. I was surprised to see international sales to places as far as Japan. It was and still is a rewarding experience.

What can we expect in the future? Any local concerts planned or future releases in the works?
I’m working on a vocal CD under the name Daniel Hill, as for Audiocolor I plan to make another instrumental CD. As for concerts, we’ll see once my vocal CD is released.

You can buy Audiocolor’s latest release, “This is Hope,” on iTunes.

A recent class-action lawsuit has been brought before a Louisiana district court against Apple, the maker of the wildly popular iPhone, and AT&T, the exclusive carrier of the mobile device. The suit is tantamount to a false advertising lawsuit, claiming both companies heavily advertised the availability of MMS capability with the release of the iPhone 3.0 OS update and neither has delivered upon said promise. After Apple released the new OS with the disclaimer that MMS, tethering and other features would be available immediately on other international carriers but not AT&T, the internet erupted and AT&T has received much negative PR because of this. However, the disclaimer did say that these features would be available in the late summer of 2009. Not only is that extremely vague, but the time is also up. This lawsuit could gain traction and if so similar cases could spring up around the nation. However, it is important to note that this lawsuit is brought under Louisiana statutes that may not exist in other states.

Yesterday I was at LSU in Free Speech Alley when suddenly several sirens started in relative close proximity. There was also a helicopter in the air that seemed to be circling around the quad. This lasted for several minutes, and then suddenly everything was normal again. I’ve checked the crime logs, police reports, news, events, bulletins and have asked everyone I could—I exhausted all of our resources and contacts to figure out what happened yesterday, but to no avail. It could be a simple training exercise for the LSUPD, but I’d assume that’d be publicly available information.

If you have heard anything or saw anything, please hit us up on the tip line. I’d like to know what happened.

Last year when LSU announced that they were soliciting bids for a new bus system after CATS, the city-operated public transportation system, raised prices again. LSU later awarded the contact to First Transit, a company that manages several universities’ transportation systems. Tiger Trails is the new name of the system, after a student vote, and it recently started full operation. Part of the contract requires features such as larger buses that have better accommodations, such as bike racks and better ventilation, and a website that allows students to see if the buses are on schedule and if they’re full. This site also works on iPhone and other mobile phones. The system also maintains the option of transferring to a CATS-operated bus. The CATS system still has stops on Highland Road, the main thoroughfare running through the middle of campus. LSU students can ride free on CATS buses with a valid LSU ID.

One of the greatest additions, however, is the addition of a downtown route that solidifies a connection with our fledging downtown area. The new system features six new stops downtown (9. 3rd St-North Blvd., 3rd St-Florida, 3rd St-North St, State Capitol, Shaw, Pastime) that are all at hot spots in the downtown region. Downtown is a great place to lounge, eat, party and play, and with the bus routes there’s no excuse not to check it out.

We were just alerted that roughly a month ago LSU had one reported case of H1N1 swine flu. Fortunately, there has only been one confirmed case and none since then. Luckily, it seems that the worst of this epidemic has passed.

KLSU, an LSU run adult alternative station in Baton Rouge, was recently granted license renewal recently, but was also hit with a $10,000 fine in record keeping violations. The violation dates back 13 years, with an objection to license renewal filed five years ago by Raymond Bigalks. The FCC clears this matter by levying the station a $10,000 fine.

With an already lacking budget, I wonder where KLSU will muster the funds to settle this fine.

Thanks to Gregory Schultz of ControlAltTV for the tip.

This is the view straight down Forth Street from the observation deck of the State Capitol. I’m glad we have more trees than buildings in Baton Rouge. Hazy skies, brown water, and blue tarps are a familiar sight around here.

This is a 5 shot panorama. Canon 20D & Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM lens. ISO 100, 17mm, f/10, 1/200

Continue reading “Baton Rouge Photos” →

Recently officials from Jackson, Mississippi visited downtown Baton Rouge to get inspiration for their own downtown revitalization effort. From all reports, the trip was a success and the Jacksonians were very excited about the advice they received. This is a huge affirmation for our officials and the great job they’ve been doing downtown. The Downtown Development District posted a pdf of the articles that ran in the local Jackson papers about the visit, including an editorial on what it means for Jackson. It’s a great piece to read and really great to see how Baton Rouge is receiving attention—looks like we’re on the up and up!

Read the PDF here →