Changes

His staff joked that he had no formal education but "the school of hard knocks". He had attended Tyler Commercial College in [[Tyler, Texas|Tyler]], Texas, which for a period of time claimed to be the largest business training school in the United States. The college offered instruction in bookkeeping, shorthand, telegraphy, business administration, and finance.<ref name=bio/><ref>[http://home.sprynet.com/~skreed/typc-scho01.htm Tyler Commercial College]</ref>​

His staff joked that he had no formal education but "the school of hard knocks". He had attended Tyler Commercial College in [[Tyler, Texas|Tyler]], Texas, which for a period of time claimed to be the largest business training school in the United States. The college offered instruction in bookkeeping, shorthand, telegraphy, business administration, and finance.<ref name=bio/><ref>[http://home.sprynet.com/~skreed/typc-scho01.htm Tyler Commercial College]</ref>​

===A columnist's dream: colorful politicians, Louisiana-style===​

===A columnist's dream: colorful politicians, Louisiana style===​

LaBorde witnessed the state's transformation of rivalry betwee[[Huey Long|Longism]] and anti-Longism. Beginning in the 1960s, and the slow rise of serious [[Republican Party|Republican]] competition to the traditional [[Democratic Party]] majority. He saw the "good government" types battle the "old guard," and sometimes found little difference between the antagonists. He did not endorse candidates for office on the editorial page. (The newspaper has since abandoned this policy of neutrality.) He wrote extensively on leading figures of the region, state and nation.​

LaBorde witnessed the state's transformation of rivalry betwee[[Huey Long|Longism]] and anti-Longism. Beginning in the 1960s, and the slow rise of serious [[Republican Party|Republican]] competition to the traditional [[Democratic Party]] majority. He saw the "good government" types battle the "old guard," and sometimes found little difference between the antagonists. He did not endorse candidates for office on the editorial page. (The newspaper has since abandoned this policy of neutrality.) He wrote extensively on leading figures of the region, state and nation.​

LaBorde adjusted the newsroom to modern demands. He knew that the paper had to attract subscribers to stay afloat. In the summer of 1973, computers were introduced at ''The Town Talk'' to improve efficiency and to increase the volume and quality of news stories.​

LaBorde adjusted the newsroom to modern demands. He knew that the paper had to attract subscribers to stay afloat. In the summer of 1973, computers were introduced at ''The Town Talk'' to improve efficiency and to increase the volume and quality of news stories.​

 

===Staff development===​

===Staff development===​

LaBorde demanded integrity, accuracy, originality, and speed from his reporters and editors. Many of his reporters advanced in the fields of journalism and public relations.<ref name=bio/>​

LaBorde demanded integrity, accuracy, originality, and speed from his reporters and editors. Many of his reporters advanced in the fields of journalism and public relations.<ref name=bio/>​