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{{Infobox person

{{Infobox person

| name=Adras Paul LaBorde, Sr.​<br>

| name=Adras Paul LaBorde, Sr.​<br>

(Louisiana journalist and political columnist)​

(Louisiana journalist and<br> political columnist)​

| birth_date=December 12, 1912 (12-12-12)​

| birth_date=December 12, 1912 (12-12-12)​

| birth_place=Bordelonville, Avoyelles Parish<br>[[Louisiana]] [[United States|USA]]​

| birth_place=Bordelonville, Avoyelles Parish<br>[[Louisiana]] [[United States|USA]]​

His subjects included  [[Governor]]s [[Jimmie Davis]], [[Sam Houston Jones]], [[Robert F. Kennon]], [[Earl Long]], [[John J. McKeithen]], [[David C. Treen]], [[Buddy Roemer]], along with [[Bill Dodd]], [[Allen J. Ellender]], [[J. Bennett Johnston, Jr.]], [[Russell Long]], high-profile [[attorney]] Camille Francis Gravel, Sr. (1915-2005), [[Charlton Lyons]], [[John K. Snyder]], and many others, including his perhaps most demanding subject, four-term Governor [[Edwin Edwards]].<ref name=bio/>

His subjects included  [[Governor]]s [[Jimmie Davis]], [[Sam Houston Jones]], [[Robert F. Kennon]], [[Earl Long]], [[John J. McKeithen]], [[David C. Treen]], [[Buddy Roemer]], along with [[Bill Dodd]], [[Allen J. Ellender]], [[J. Bennett Johnston, Jr.]], [[Russell Long]], high-profile [[attorney]] Camille Francis Gravel, Sr. (1915-2005), [[Charlton Lyons]], [[John K. Snyder]], and many others, including his perhaps most demanding subject, four-term Governor [[Edwin Edwards]].<ref name=bio/>

==Promoting "good government"==

===Promoting "good government"===

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While LaBorde liked to report on campaigns and elections, he also focused on the intricate workings of government and the bureaucracy. He believed that government could be a force for good in society if the right people, with the proper motivation, were elected.​

While LaBorde liked to report on campaigns and elections, he also focused on the intricate workings of government and the bureaucracy. He believed that government could be a force for good in society if the right people, with the proper motivation, were elected.​

He had a great interest in city charters, "good government" in general, and sportsmen's issues. Sometimes, LaBorde ventured into national politics, offering unsolicited advice in his columns for presidents [[Dwight Eisenhower]], [[John F. Kennedy]], [[Lyndon B. Johnson]], [[Richard M. Nixon]], [[Gerald Ford]], and [[Jimmy Carter]]. He was irate over the [[Watergate]] scandal of the Nixon administration in 1973 and 1974, but mostly addressed  state or local matters.<ref name=bio/>

He had a great interest in city charters, "good government" in general, and sportsmen's issues. Sometimes, LaBorde ventured into national politics, offering unsolicited advice in his columns for presidents [[Dwight Eisenhower]], [[John F. Kennedy]], [[Lyndon B. Johnson]], [[Richard M. Nixon]], [[Gerald Ford]], and [[Jimmy Carter]]. He was irate over the [[Watergate]] scandal of the Nixon administration in 1973 and 1974, but mostly addressed  state or local matters.<ref name=bio/>

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===

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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/>​

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==Ransdell biography==

==Ransdell biography==

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In 1951, LaBorde published a biography, ''A National Southerner: Ransdell of Louisiana'' (Benziger Brothers), about the career of Democratic Senator Joseph E. Ransdell (1858–1954) of Louisiana. An Alexandria native, Ransdell was a lawyer and district attorney in Lake Providence in East Carroll Parish. He was elected  to the Senate in 1912, the year of LaBorde's birth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=R000059|title=Senator Joseph Ransdell|publisher=bioguide.congress.gov|accessdate=January 11, 2012}}</ref> Ransdell was defeated for renomination in 1930 by Governor Huey Long.<ref name=bio/>

In 1951, LaBorde published a biography, ''A National Southerner: Ransdell of Louisiana'' (Benziger Brothers), about the career of Democratic Senator Joseph Eugene Ransdell (1858–1954) of Louisiana. An Alexandria native, Ransdell was a lawyer and district attorney in Lake Providence in East Carroll Parish. He was elected  to the Senate in 1912, the year of LaBorde's birth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=R000059|title=Senator Joseph Ransdell|publisher=bioguide.congress.gov|accessdate=January 11, 2012}}</ref> Ransdell was defeated for renomination in 1930 by Governor Huey Long.<ref name=bio/>

==Personal life and family==

==Personal life and family==

The LaBordes were strong members of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Alexandria. LaBorde became friends with Alexandria Bishop Charles Pasquale Greco (1894–1987), and they were active in the [[Knights of Columbus]].<ref>[http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/modlang/carasi/via/ViaVol4_1Reviews.htm#Greco Review: "Charles Pasquale Greco, ''With God's Help''"], City University of New York</ref> LaBorde was a fourth degree Knight of Columbus and held the St. Gregory distinction.<ref name=bio/>​

The LaBordes were strong members of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Alexandria. LaBorde became friends with Alexandria Bishop Charles Pasquale Greco (1894–1987), and they were active in the [[Knights of Columbus]].<ref>[http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/modlang/carasi/via/ViaVol4_1Reviews.htm#Greco Review: "Charles Pasquale Greco, ''With God's Help''"], City University of New York</ref> LaBorde was a fourth degree Knight of Columbus and held the St. Gregory distinction.<ref name=bio/>​

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<!--Michael Anthony LaBorde needs coverage-->​

<!--Michael Anthony LaBorde needs coverage-->​

==Legacy and honors==​

==Legacy and honors==

*LaBorde received the Edward J. Meeman Conservation Award by the Scripps-Howard Foundation for "distinguished journalism in the field of conservation."<ref name=bio/> ​

*LaBorde received the Edward J. Meeman Conservation Award by the Scripps-Howard Foundation for "distinguished journalism in the field of conservation."<ref name=bio/> ​

*On January 28, 2012, LaBorde was posthumously inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame, based in Winnfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20120129/NEWS01/201290325/La-Political-Hall-inducts-former-Pineville-mayor-5-others |title=La. Political Hall inducts former Pineville mayor, 5 others |author=Warren Hayes|publisher=''The Alexandria Daily Town Talk'' |date=January 29, 2012; no longer on-line.}}</ref>

*On January 28, 2012, LaBorde was posthumously inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame, based in Winnfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20120129/NEWS01/201290325/La-Political-Hall-inducts-former-Pineville-mayor-5-others |title=La. Political Hall inducts former Pineville mayor, 5 others |author=Warren Hayes|publisher=''The Alexandria Daily Town Talk'' |date=January 29, 2012; no longer on-line.}}</ref>